《I Cheated While Cultivating》 Chapter 1 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The sun rose, casting warmth. At Yellow Wood City, a breakfast stall stood outside Prosperity Martial Arts School. A group of youngsters in green martial arts overalls gathered around a table, eating. Zhou Heng was one of them. He was enjoying salty tofu pudding and fried breadsticks. Having been a transmigrator for two and a half years, this was the only way for him to reminisce about life on Earth. Of course, there were other activities for him to reminisce about life on Earth in Great Qara, which was similar to ancient China. The only problem was that he could not afford such lifestyles. He was poor. Money was needed for his martial arts practice instead. It added up to a fair bit. Moreover, no accommodation was provided. The rental rates in Yellow Wood City were rather steep too. He had to be prudent even when concerning breakfast expenses. These days, Zhou Heng was just an ordinary apprentice in Prosperity Martial Arts School at Yellow Wood City. He had yet to qualify as a martial artist nor take in disciples of his own and teach them. Naturally, he did not have a stable income. Furthermore, he did not want to trouble his family. In his current life, his parents were merely ordinary folk living in the mountains. They survived by means of farming and weaving. As such, they did not have a lot of money. Sending him to the martial arts school in the city to acquire martial arts skills already placed a huge strain on their savings. As such, Zhou Heng often worked as a part-time guard and manservant to earn money. However, the amount of money an apprentice in a martial arts school could earn was also limited. After paying off the martial arts school fees, the remaining money was barely sufficient for him to cover his daily needs. If only Im able to advance to the ninth class. Even the minimum wage of a martial art practitioner is ten taels of silver per month. Meanwhile, a ninth class martial artist guard earns even more than that. Zhou Heng made the calculations and figured out that should his earnings increase in the future, he could order two bowls of tofu pudding, one salty and one sweet, and he could alternate drinking them. Furthermore, he could also order four sticks of fried breadsticks. He could eat them all. Perhaps he could even afford a house located on the outskirts of Yellow Wood City. Then, he would no longer need to tiptoe to the reading of the landlords mood. As Zhou Heng pictured his bright future, a plate was placed right in front of him. A huge, fluffy, white bun was on the plate. He lifted his head to take a look. A good-looking teenage girl of about sixteen to seventeen years of age appeared before him. She was fair-skinned and her cheeks were rosy red. She was the one who had just served him the bun. The teenage girl blinked her long eyelashes. Her gaze fixated on Zhou Heng, and she smiled as she said, Big Brother Heng, the bun is for you. After she finished speaking, she turned and left. She continued with her tasks at the stall. She was the daughter of the stall owner. Her name was Yun Xiu. It was said that anyone who practiced martial arts at a certain huge martial arts school in the country, were all talented people who had hopes of joining the Ninth Class before twenty. Occasionally, she would help out at the breakfast stall in the morning whenever she visited her family. Each time whenever Zhou Heng was around, she would offer him a meat bun. A few youngsters sitting close by Zhou Heng started to tease them. Yun Xiu, why dont we receive any buns? Exactly! Youre being unfair to us, Ms. Xiu! Why is Zhou Heng the only one getting free buns? Do you have certain feelings for him, Ms. Xiu? Yun Xiu rolled her eyes at them and said with a smile, Thats because the rest of you are not as good-looking as Big Brother Heng! Handsome? Those few looked in the direction of Zhou Heng. Whew! Indeed, he looked more handsome than the rest of them! He was about sixteen or seventeen years old. He had a lean figure, prominent and smooth features, a pair of finely arched eyebrows and enchanting eyes, coupled with rosy lips and white teeth. If he changed into better clothing, he would most definitely be a dashing lad. A very handsome one! Hehehe! Zhou Heng pointed at his face and smiled as he said, Dont be jealous, I was born with this. Bah! The people around him instantly booed at him. Among them was a plain-looking teenager who had a studious look. He was Yu He, Zhou Hengs bosom friend at Prosperity Martial Arts School. Zhou Heng, I heard that youve registered for the Wang familys temporary guard selection competition, Yu He said worriedly, Can you please dont go? Huh? Zhou Heng wolfed down Yun Xius bun in two or three bites. Then, he asked in puzzlement, Why not? The salary is ten silver taels. Besides, Ive asked Master Lin. He told me its a low-risk job. More often than not, he only earned up to two silver taels per month. Sometimes, he would not even get two silver taels. Here was a chance to get ten silver taels in one go which was about half a years income. He had asked around before this. Once he figured out that it would not be too dangerous, he signed up for that competition. After all, the decision made was closely-related to his future standard of living, including his plan of buying a house. Since he had been transmigrated over here and unable to return in the near future, he might as well live his life seriously. The job itself may be low-risk. But the selection competition is very dangerous. Yu He shook his head. He frowned and said, Ive heard that Sun Zhengpin from Unity Martial Arts School has signed up for that competition. Sun Zhengpin has been practicing martial arts for ten years and almost reached the ninth class. Hes a well-known top fighter among the unranked martial artists under thirty in Yellow Wood City. Youre no match for him. Besides, he excels in sword fighting. He has completed one of the Ninth Class Saber Techniques known as the Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Hes ruthless. Most of the people he defeated were either killed or badly wounded. Im afraid that youll also If youre in need of money, I can That wont be necessary, Zhou Heng interrupted Yu He. He finished the remaining tofu pudding and placed five coins on the table. He stood up, smiled, and said to Yu He, Im actually looking forward to the selection competition. Ive longed to meet the infamous Sun Zhengpin. After hearing his words, Yu He smiled bitterly and said, I know that I cannot stop you from this. Youre passionate about martial arts, bold, hardworking, and you wont back down from a challenge. But you must be very careful, Sun Zhengpin is very strong. No worries. Zhou Heng patted Yu Hes shoulder. He smiled and said, Sun Zhengpin is strong, but Im not weak either. Eat your meal, Ill go back to the martial arts school to continue my training. Let me know if youre in need of money. Yu He laughed and continued, My family is rich. Dont worry. Zhou Heng waved off the offer with his back facing Yu He and continued heading toward Prosperity Martial Arts School. As an ordinary apprentice of the martial arts school, Zhou Heng did not have his private martial arts training room. As such, he could only train together with other apprentices inside a big hall of the martial arts school. It was breakfast hour in the morning. The rest had yet to turn up. Zhou Heng was the only one there. He regulated his breathing and his expression turned solemn. The playful demeanor he had outside was no longer seen. He was an eccentric person, but when he practiced martial arts, he became incredibly serious. Ever since he witnessed two people soaring in the sky to fight against each other two years ago and crushed a kilometer-tall mountain, he decided to persevere and work hard at practicing martial arts. This was unlike the ancient world. Instead, high-class martial artists were capable of performing miracles. It could even be known as a world for immortals! If he wanted to live a better and stable life and if he wanted to know why he had transmigrated to this world and also if he could return to Earth, he must be equipped with great martial arts and great strength! Clank! Zhou Heng drew his saber. The morning sunlight shone on his saber through the window. His body practically glowed. He got into his starting stance. His saber moved as he went through the forms. His movements were steady, like how a mighty man would split mountains! His aura was intense! This was the Ninth-Class Saber Technique, Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques. It was taught by Prosperity Martial Arts School to the naturally talented apprentices. Zhou Heng could perform each move accurately. The movements of his saber were very smooth and unhesitant. The saber moved with an imposing momentum. It showed that he had already mastered the skill close to perfection. He was going to rely on this technique during the selection competition. It was just as Zhou Heng had said to Yu He. Sun Zhengpin was very strong, but he was no pushover. Moreover, he would like to know if he could improve his level of cultivation for this saber technique via the selection competition in order to achieve perfection. If an unranked martial artist wanted to advance to the ninth class, not only must he reach a certain level of cultivation, he had to also possess clear features of power and perfect the cultivation of one of the ninth class martial arts. But what is the definition of perfection? The word itself is ambiguous. It would be great if I could see a progress bar. Zhou Heng thought to himself. Actually, he had successfully mastered the saber technique half a year ago. This had even been ingrained into his muscle memory. Even if he was distracted, his movements would be the same. But he still did not know when he would attain absolute perfection. At that moment, he suddenly heard a peculiar notification in his own brain. Youve been practicing hard for the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of familiarity increased by 1. Youve been practicing hard for the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of familiarity increased by 3. Youve been practicing hard for the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of familiarity increased by 2. Youve been practicing hard for the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of familiarity increased by 2. Youve been practicing hard for the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of familiarity increased by 1. Congratulations! Your continuous practice of martial arts has triggered Heavenly Rewards and increased your insights for the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique significantly. The level of familiarity increased by 10. Congratulations! Youve maxed your level of familiarity with the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique! Youll be granted a Bronze Lucky Bag. Bronze Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. Do you want to open the Bronze Lucky Bag? Zhou Heng was stunned. He was stupefied. He could not quite control his facial expressions anymore. He was dumbfounded. What the heck?! Whats happening? System? I have a cheat? He selected Yes subconsciously. He opened the Lucky Bag. Congratulations! Youre very lucky! Youve been rewarded with the special Eighth Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style! Chapter 2 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Solo Nine Swords!? Was it the legendary Solo Nine Swords? It was an eighth-class martial art! At Prosperity Martial Arts School, few ever attained eighth-class martial arts. Even the ninth-class teachers barely qualified to handle the teaching. This style alone was already considered eighth-class martial art! If he learned the entire set, would he not reach the seventh-class? It was said that there was only one seventh-class martial art at Prosperity Martial Arts School. The master of the school learned the art by himself and would not pass it down to any outsiders.. Was this what you would call a hax?! A System! Zhou Heng was thrilled! It had been almost two and a half years! Soon, it was going to be three years! Finally, God pitied him. Other transmigrators either became immortals or obtained divinity within two and a half years. Meanwhile, he had remained an apprentice at a small martial arts school! It was not that he did not work hard. It was because the cheat code had not been delivered! Why did you arrive only now?! As Zhou Heng explored the System and opened the Solo Nine Swords from the Lucky Bag to begin cultivating, a tall and sturdy figure walked toward him. He was a middle-aged man in his forties. He had smooth features and a robust physique. He donned a traditional black martial arts outfit and stood still. His stature looked like that of a mini mountain. He was Zhou Hengs teacher at Prosperity Martial Arts School. A ninth-class martial artist. He was Lin Cang. Zhou Heng, were you enlightened just now?! Lin Cang looked extremely delighted. I saw you practicing saber techniques and suddenly, the style became perfect. Then, you remained still for quite some time. Have you been enlightened?! Actually, it was only the delivery of a cheat code Zhou Heng smirked to himself, then he nodded. Yes, just now my mind went blank, soon, I was able to perform my saber technique without any hindrances. At the same time, he glanced around his surroundings and realized that the empty hall was now occupied by more than ten people. Each of them were watching him in envy. He was only seventeen years old and had been practicing martial arts for two years. Despite this, he had already perfected one of the ninth-class martial arts! He was indeed extraordinary! This suggested that Zhou Heng might be able to advance to ninth-class before reaching twenty! Generally, such a phenomenon would only appear among the people in the majestic martial arts school at county-levels or among those great families and clans with long-established histories. Those people could be said to be pseudo-ninth-class martial artists! It was indeed rare to have one such individual appearing at Yellow Wood City. If Zhou Heng were to advance to the ninth class before reaching twenty, it would certainly benefit both Prosperity Martial Arts School and Lin Cang. Good! Good! Good! Weve got a genius at Prosperity Martial Arts School! Haha! Lin Cang had repeated the word Good thrice excitedly. He was extremely happy. He flipped his palms, set up his stance, and said to him, Come, Zhou Heng. Give me your best. Let me see how far you are from the ninth class. A ninth-class martial artist was still at the level of strengthening their physiques and cultivate their power. As such, it was highly unlikely for him to identify the level of cultivation that Zhou Heng had reached with a single glance. A fight was needed to find the truth. Alright! Zhou Heng nodded. After all, he too wanted to know the actual level of his own capabilities. As soon as the crowd heard them, they immediately dispersed to form an empty space. Most of the time, people were delighted to hear such news. Not only could they spectate an exchange of knowledge, but they would also learn of their own weakness. However, discussions stirred up inevitably since everyone was young. Is Master Lin going to fight Zhou Heng empty-handed? Nothings surprising there. Master Lin has been a ninth-class martial artist for more than a decade. If he were to fight with a weapon, Zhou Heng would not even lay a finger on him. What are you all thinking about? Master Lins assessing Zhou Hengs capability. This is not a competition. After all, Zhou Heng has practiced martial arts for only two years! Thats right. Even if hes talented, lasting for a few moves against Master Lin would be enough of an achievement. What was said was all true. It was within the realm of conventional wisdom. At that moment, an elegant and graceful figure walked into the martial arts school. Hey! Ms. Xiu, why are you here? Someone noticed her. Zhou Heng paid an extra two coins. Im here to return them to him. Yun Xiu smiled gently as she said. Then, she spread out her fair palm, revealing two coins. Ill never admit that Im actually here to admire Zhou Hengs demeanor during his martial arts practice! Yun Xiu looked at her surroundings and asked in puzzlement, Whats happening? Is Master Lin going to assess Zhou Hengs kungfu? Yes. No doubt. Yu He nodded and said, Just now, Zhou Heng perfected the cultivation of one of the ninth class saber techniques. As such, Master Lin wants to see how far he is from the ninth class. Perfected one of the ninth class saber techniques? Yun Xie cried in surprise. Her beautiful eyes widened, and she stared at Zhou Heng in amazement. Thats amazing! He I remember that Zhou Heng has practiced martial arts for two years only. There was hardly anyone like him at the big martial arts school in the county either! Hey! Zhou Hengs a genius. Yu He smiled as he said. Hurry up! Theyre starting now! Great saber technique! Zhou Heng, youre awesome! Suddenly, there was a scream of surprise from the surroundings. Zhou Heng stepped forward swiftly and came before Lin Cang within a blink of an eye. The saber in his palm cut through the air as if creating a white line. With the might of splitting mountains apart, he slashed at Lin Cang! The slash was so fast that it even caught Lin Cang by surprise! Still, he was an experienced ninth-class martial artist. As such, he was more experienced than Zhou Heng. As Zhou Heng was about to slash him, his right palm emerged beneath his armpit! Be careful! Lin Cang shouted. Clank! Like a clash between gold and iron, his palm slammed into the side of the long saber in Zhou Hengs hand! Zhou Heng felt as if the saber in his hand had been struck by a mountain. The terrifying force caused the saber to vibrate violently and almost slip out from his hand. So, this was the power of a ninth-class martial artist! As the crowd watched the scene, they could not help but panic. Would Zhou Heng be defeated with just one move? Was the gap between an unranked martial artist and a ninth-class martial artist that wide? Buzz! At that moment, suddenly, the hum of a quivering saber was heard. Zhou Heng dropped the saber from his hand and transferred the power of the saber to his own body. At the same time, he stomped his feet and unleashed his energy! Thump! Lin Cangs power was diverted away, and it crashed together with Zhou Hengs power on the floor of the martial arts school! Although Zhou Heng had neutralized Lin Cangs move, he never stopped his own movements! The moment he negated the force, he used the recoil from the power of his stomp to surge forward. Again! He swung the saber and struck! The air was cut through! With his gleaming saber reflecting the morning light in a reddish hue, he slashed at Lin Cang, who had just attacked with his palm and who had yet to be able to retract his power! Not bad! Lin Cang complimented him. With a turn of his heels, he evaded Zhou Hengs slash. At the same time, he also distanced himself from him to be out of the range of his slash! That scene had stupefied the surrounding people. Everyone stared at Zhou Heng in amazement. What the heck?! He was actually not at a disadvantage against Lin Cang?! Instead, his slash had forced Master Lin to take a step backward! Was this what happened when someone perfected a ninth-class saber technique? Zhou Heng was unbelievably strong. He had been practicing martial arts for two years only! Thats awesome! Yun Xiu was thrilled, and her face blushed. She clenched her fair fist and restrained herself from the thought of intending to swing her fist to cheer for Zhou Heng. Hes strong! Yu He was equally stunned. He and Zhou Heng joined the martial arts school together. Within two years, their differences in capabilities were like heaven and earth. Perhaps Sun Zhengpin might not be a real match for him? Zhou Heng felt excited too. It was not from the praises from the surrounding people nor gaining the upper hand temporarily in the match against Lin Cang. But it was because during that brief duel, he had received a series of notifications! Youre applying the Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to attack. The level of familiarity increased by 1. Lin Cang applied the Ninth-Class Divine Power Eighteen Styles to attack you, and youve been able to withstand him. Your level of familiarity with the Divine Power Eighteen Styles increased by 0.05. You applied the Ninth-Class Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique to neutralize his attack. The level of familiarity increased by 1. Lin Cang applied the Ninth-Class Divine Power Eighteen Styles to attack you. Youve been able to withstand his attack. Your level of familiarity with the Divine Power Eighteen Styles increased by 0.06. Chapter 3 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In fact, Zhou Heng had already guessed that the application of martial arts during combat with humans would actually increase his level of proficiency. It made perfect sense too. However, he had not expected actual combat with an opponent to grant him levels of proficiency. If he were not mistaken If his level of proficiency for Eighteen Divine Power Styles reached level 1, he would officially learn this martial art! In other words, as long as he prolonged the fight, he could even acquire the opponents form of martial arts! Generally, the martial arts school would only educate students on three types of ninth class martial arts, one type of Inner Strength Stance Technique, one type of body movement technique, and one type of offensive martial art. This was because they wanted to avoid the apprentices from becoming a Jack-of-all-trades but master of none, which subsequently led to complications in advancing to the ninth class. Of course, one could learn more if he wished to. But one could only learn by observing others while they sparred. However, given an apprentices limited experience in martial arts, they had to be a ridiculously insightful prodigy to self-teach themselves ninth-class martial arts. It was nearly impossible. Without the guidance and explanation of a ninth-class practitioner, one could even cripple himself for life. Personal tutoring required even more expenditure. It could burn a hole through pockets. At the very least, it would cost tens of taels of silver. At most, it could reach hundreds of taels of silver! The fee was much unlike that of a foundation learning course. Such were the rules of a martial arts school. But now, he could acquire new martial arts via combat! This was as good as a windfall of money! As he thought of this, Zhou Hengs eyes instantly brightened. At that moment, Lin Cang stepped forward and smiled as he asked, Whats the matter, Zhou Heng? One palm from me was enough for you to waver, huh? Whos wavering now?! Zhou Heng raised the saber in his hand, laughed out loudly and said, Master Lin, its not over yet! Lets continue the battle for three hundred rounds! Buzz! Clank! The sound of the palm-generated wind collided with the saber, and the sound of the saber cutting through the air intertwined inside the big hall at Prosperity Martial Arts School. Zhou Heng and Lin Cang kept moving about, intersecting with each other as they attacked. It was a very fierce battle. It was difficult to distinguish who had the upper hand right then. The people were watching the match very closely. It was a rare opportunity for the apprentices at the martial arts school to take notes from live combat such as this. As Yu He watched Zhou Heng holding his own against Lin Cang, he could not help but heave a sigh and said, I didnt realize he has become that strong. Zhou Heng is amazing! Yun Xiu was very happy as she watched Zhou Hengs movements. She said to herself, An unranked martial artist with only one saber technique under his belt actually fighting on par with a ninth-class martial artist. Hes indeed a martial arts genius. Youre applying Ninth Class Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique to neutralize the attack power. The level of proficiency has increased by 1. Youve applied the Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques and executed a marvelous attack. The level of proficiency has increased by 3. Youve applied the Ninth Class Eight Flying Grass Steps to narrowly avoid an attack. The level of proficiency increased by 2. Lin Cangs applying the Ninth Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles on you. You successfully defended against his attack. Your level of proficiency with the Eighteen Divine Power Styles increased by 0.006. Lin Cangs applying Ninth Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles on you. Youve perfectly defended against his attack. Your level of proficiency with the Eighteen Divine Power Styles increased by 0.2. Congratulations! After a fierce battle, your level of proficiency with the Ninth Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles has reached 1, and you have officially learned the martial art skills! Since youve completed the cultivation of Ninth Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques and have gained certain insights in palm techniques, the level of proficiency with Eighteen Divine Power Styles has automatically advanced to the middle phase. As Lin Cang persisted with his ferocious palm techniques, Zhou Heng employed various defensive skills to deflect and evade them. Eventually, he managed to grasp the ninth-class palm technique. As such, the level of proficiency instantly advanced to the middle phase. This was not something new. All the lower third-class martial arts related to sabers, spears, swords, halberts, fists and kicks were similar to one another. Eighteen Divine Power Styles could be seen a a saber technique performed with bare palms. Just then, Lin Cang got more shocked as he continued the fight with Zhou Heng. In the beginning, Zhou Heng had a hard time deflecting his attacks, but soon, he became proficient at it. He was even getting so familiar with his form to the point of predicting his next moves. He was only an apprentice. Not only was he holding his own against a ninth-class martial artist in combat He was gaining strength as they continued, and he could last for a very long time in the fight! Could this kid have acquired Eighteen Divine Power Styles during the very battle? A very absurd thought suddenly popped up in Lin Cangs mind. He quickly shot down the notion. How was that possible?! Ninth-class martial arts were not that particularly groundbreaking, but it was still not easy for an unqualified apprentice to officially pick up those techniques. Thus far, he had never seen a genius picking up skills through the mere exchanging of blows! But it was also evident that Zhou Heng was gaining more confidence at handling his palm attacks. What was going on? Lin Cang felt really puzzled. Master Lin, youre distracted! Zhou Heng noticed Lin Cangs emotional change. He shouted, and the saber in his hand slapped aside the oncoming palm-generated wind. It bypassed all defenses and slashed at Lin Cangs face! Ho! Splendid saber technique! Is he going to win?! Thats awesome! Oh my God! The people surrounding them could not help but watch the scene in awe. Their eyes widened, and they looked on in disbelief. Zhou Heng was actually going to win?! He had only practiced martial arts for two years. He was not qualified as a martial artist. Was he actually going to prevail against a ninth-class martial artist with more than a decades experience? Even if Master Lin was at a disadvantage against the saber-wielding Zhou Heng because he was only using his palms, his physical strength, power, and skills could all trump an unranked martial artist! There was also the matter of having more than a decade of experience in battle skills and martial arts! Even so, Zhou Heng was actually going to win?! That was unbelievable! Buzz! At that moment, a deep and loud sound burst out. The air surged violently. Against Zhou Hengs slash, Lin Cang brazenly held up his palm to defend! The palm attack delivered was very powerful. It was akin to an immortal descending from the realm of divinity. The immortals mere presence would move mountains and churn seas! The very air ten feet around Zhou Heng was caught up in the palm-generated wind. His movements were completely limited. Zhou Heng could sense that the attack power from the boundless palm force carried an all-encompassing killing intent! The danger was unavoidable! He could only defend himself against the attack. Clank! The palm and saber clashed against each other! The saber in Zhou Hengs hand trembled and released a sad whine! The moment Lin Cangs palm struck the middle of the saber, Zhou Heng felt a vast and majestic power overwhelming him. His purlicue was in pain due to the shock, and the saber in his hand was blown away. It appeared that the winner was in sight. As the onlookers watched this, their euphoria just now quickly faded away. In the end, he still lost. Nonetheless, this was as expected, for the gap between an unranked and ninth-class martial artist was too huge. Phew Lin Cang exhaled. He had given his all in that palm strike. He thought to himself. This kids really not easy to deal with. How could he be so familiar with the Eighteen Divine Power Styles, as if he had just acquired the skill himself? At that moment Suddenly, Zhou Heng raised his left hand. He closed his five fingers tightly and gestured as if wielding a saber. He dashed forward as swift as lightning. With a knifehand strike, he touched the side of Lin Cangs neck. Eighteen Divine Power Styles! This was a saber strike executed by an amazing person! Zhou Heng had won! Lin Cang looked startled. Yu He and the other apprentices in the martial arts school were struck dumb! The big hall in the martial arts school was in pin-drop silence. At the same time, Zhou Heng heard a series of prompts. Congratulations! Youve defeated the equally matched Lin Cang. Youll be granted a Silver Lucky Bag. A Silver Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. Chapter 4 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Silver Lucky Bag? So, he would receive a Lucky Bag too after defeating an opponent? Zhou Heng was delighted. Could he open it and obtain another type of Solo Nine Swords? He was very eager to open the Lucky Bag. At the same time, he felt that if he did it, it would lose some of the ceremonial air of opening Lucky Bags. It would be better to open them after washing his hands at home. Although doing so would not affect his pulling luck, it would still give him some peace of mind. He won?! Zhou Heng actually won?! One could easily tell from their facial expressions that a majority of the surrounding apprentices could not believe their eyes. Zhou Heng had practiced martial arts for two years and was yet to become a qualified martial artist. He had actually prevailed against an experienced ninth-class martial artist, Lin Cang! That was truly incredible! Even Lin Cang himself was dazed. He believed he was dreaming before realizing Zhou Heng had already placed his palm by the side of his neck. He had actually lost. This kid had actually acquired the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles! Lost? Ive lost?! Lin Cang lowered his voice and mumbled to himself. After a brief moment of disbelief, he laughed out loud and said, Hahaha! Ive lost. Alright! Thats alright! He did not grow furious just because he had lost to his apprentice in public. Instead, he was extremely delighted. To Lin Cang, the happiest moment for a martial arts practitioner was to witness his own apprentices become stronger gradually until they surpassed him. He often said to his apprentices that when the opportunity arose, they should give their best to defeat him. Moreover, the martial arts school would reward him for this. As such, it was a double blessing. However, Lin Cang still had questions haunting him. How did Zhou Heng actually acquire the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles? He could not recall actually teaching him the technique. Besides, given Zhou Hengs financial status, it was highly unlikely for him to spend money in order to grasp the skill. It was simply not possible for him to pick it up as they exchanged moves just now, right? That would just be ridiculous. Youre good, kid. Youve advanced so much in just these few days! Haha! Lin Cang patted Zhou Hengs shoulder. He laughed and said, By the way, when did you learn the Eighteen Divine Power Styles? Ugh Zhou Heng organized his thoughts to himself as he tried to come up with an excuse. He could not simply blurt out that he cheated and learned it, right? When the other apprentices on the spot heard Lin Cangs words, they suddenly realized this thing. How did Zhou Heng actually learn Eighteen Divine Power Styles? Normally, all of them practiced in the big hall. As such, everyone could take note of each others progress. No one had ever noticed Zhou Heng practicing Eighteen Divine Power Styles before. Could it be that Big Brother Heng acquired that skill during the combat just now? Yun Xiu guessed and said softly. She knew that this was not possible. But at the same time, she also hoped that it was true. Big Brother Heng was very good-looking. Of course, it was only natural that he was awesome too! What? As Yun Xiu spat out these words, instantly, the surrounding apprentices could not help but inhale and widen their eyes. What the heck?! That was impossible! How could someone acquire martial arts skills through direct contact with the person? Let alone combat between an apprentice and a ninth-class martial artist! That was outrageous! Despite Eighteen Divine Power Styles being only a ninth-class martial art, it was not easy to cultivate either. If an apprentice wanted to truly cultivate that martial arts skills, he would take at least a month of practice before even learning the basics, even if he was in the presence of a professional practitioner to guide him every day. It would be more difficult if one were to apply it during real-life combat. If Zhou Heng had indeed learned the skill via actual combat and was able to apply that martial arts to gain victory What level of talent was this? What sort of comprehension skills did he have?! He must be cheating! How could there be a genius like him on earth?! Actually, I think Zhou Heng should have gained a certain understanding about the Eighteen Divine Power Styles long ago. Yu He broke the silence and said, He likes to observe other people as they practice. Most of us are also aware that there are among us who actively practice the Eighteen Divine Power Styles. Furthermore, he has completed one of the ninth class saber techniques. There are many similarities between the palm technique and saber technique. As such, he has more or less managed to grasp the technique. Perhaps, with these accumulated experiences, he was only one step away from truly learning the technique. Master Lin fought with him using Eighteen Divine Power Styles. It might be all that he needed to cross the final step before he can actually acquire the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles. The rest of them who heard his words nodded and agreed with him. Even Master Lin also nodded thoughtfully. Zhou Heng, who had been thinking hard to cover-up for himself was very touched by him, and he nearly cried. Indeed, he was a good buddy! He has even found myself an excuse for my cheat code! Zhou Heng immediately took advantage of his excuses and continued, he nodded and said, Indeed. Yu Hes right. Ive learned Eighteen Divine Power Styles by myself long ago. Initially, I only want to refer to its palm technique to test if I can improvise Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to achieve perfection. Never have I expected that after completing that saber technique, Ive gained much insights pertaining to the palm techniques which I previously did not know about. Coupled with the combat with Master Lin just now, naturally, I learned the skills. As he explained himself, he did not blush, and neither did his heart race due to anxiety. He said it as if it were true. After all, while Zhou Heng went to school on Earth, he was a student who often used the excuse of I-did-my-homework-but-forgotten-to-bring-it-to-school. As such, his psychological state was unlike any ordinary people. Hmm, if thats the case, theres nothing special about it. Lin Cang nodded faintly and accepted that explanation. He then smiled and said, Even so, youre still considered as a talented person since youve learned one of the ninth class martial arts by yourself. Im very happy with your improvement. Its been a while since Prosperity Martial Arts School has a talented apprentice like you. Tonight, Im treating all of you to a meal at Jade Fragrance Mansion. Order all that you want. Haha! He was a generous person in nature. When he felt happy, he liked to treat everybody to a meal or a drink. Jade Fragrance Mansion had always been his favourite place. The word Fragrance meant the fragrant smells from the rice, dishes and wine. Please do not let your mind enter the gutter. Of course, he would only treat the seven apprentices under his guidance, including Zhou Heng and Yu He, to the meal. If he rashly treated apprentices under different practitioners to a meal, this would mean he broke the martial arts school rules. Despite Jade Fragrance Mansion not being considered as a high-class dining place at Yellow Wood City, it was considered as above-average standard. Lin Cang ordered a private room for the treatment of meals for seven people. This alone simply cost more than ten taels of silver, which was equivalent to Zhou Hengs half-year salary. After a few cups of wine, Yu Hes face turned red as a result of the drinking. He sighed and said, Zhou Hengs very strong. Did you all know about that? The moment I saw him applying Eighteen Divine Power Styles to counter attack, I was dumbfounded. The rest of the people nodded after hearing him. Indeed. That time, I thought he must be losing. Who would have thought he has actually acquired the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles! Zhou Hengs indeed very talented! Not only is he talented, hes also very hardworking. He has completed Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques. Rumor has it that Zhou Heng was going to compete with Sun Zhengpin from Unity Martial Arts School, right? Ive an intuition that Sun Zhengpin is definitely no match for him! I feel the same too! Regardless of whether they spoke out those words out of genuine feelings or merely wanted to play up to him, during the drinking session and under alcoholic influences, they praised Zhou Heng and likened him to a martial arts genius who could only be seen once in a lifetime. After hearing their words, Zhou Heng felt a bit awkward. Come, Zhou Heng. Follow me. Suddenly, Lin Cang stood up. He held his belly, waved his hand at Zhou Heng and said, Come with me. Ive drank a lot and am afraid I cannot walk steadily. Alright! Zhou Heng hurriedly rose up, followed Lin Cang, and left. Master Lin was really skilled at getting him out of trouble with the excuse of needing to go out to pee! When both of them stepped out from the private room, coincidentally, someone from the next door left his room too. However, that persons expression looked troubled. He shot a quick glance at both of them before he left. It looked like he was one who really needed to use the washroom Outside Jade Fragrance Mansion, Lin Cang found a secluded area, he chuckled as he said, So, Zhou Feng, how does it feel like being flattered by others? Zhou Heng shook his head, smiled bitterly, and said, I nearly wanted to hide myself under the table. Hehe! Youll hear more of this flattery in the future, Lin Cang laughed as he said, Dont be complacent. As you embark on a martial arts profession, youll have to be courageous and keep improving, at the same time, youre on thin ice and have to be vigilant too. Yes. I understand. Zhou Heng nodded. Im relieved that youve been serious in your martial arts practice all the while. Lin Cang lowered his head. Then, he looked to his left and right. After confirming no one else was around, he lowered his voice and said, The main reason I asked you to follow me is to inform you about this. Prosperity Martial Arts School, Evergreen Martial Arts School, and Unity Martial Arts School are under Longevity Sect. Every three years, Longevity Sect will select external disciples from the martial arts school. You should be aware of this too, am I right? Zhou Heng nodded. The world had a complete martial arts system. A slightly larger and powerful sect would build martial arts schools at various cities and counties. These martial arts schools would recruit a lot of apprentices and pass on basic martial arts of the sect to them. From there, they would assess the apprentices talents. The sect would arrange people to undergo the assessment in order to select a few elites to become its external disciples. If one were selected to become the sects external disciples, his welfare would be greatly enhanced. It would even be much better than the ninth class practitioners. Longevity Sect was one of the most powerful sects at Yellow Wood City. The sect leader was a fifth class grandmaster and was extremely powerful. Overall, it was considered an average sect in all of Great Qara. Longevity Sect owned many martial arts schools in many cities. It had three martial arts schools at Yellow Wood City, and this was only considered a small part of it. After a month, Longevity Sect would arrange people to perform the assessment. Theres only one slot for the external disciple at Yellow Wood City. Each martial arts school can only have one participant, Master Lin continued in a serious manner. Evergreen Martial Arts School and Unity Martial Arts School will be sending their best apprentices to take part in the assessment at that time. The only ones who are qualified must have completed at least one of the ninth class martial arts. Initially, Prosperity Martial Arts doesnt have any suitable candidates. But now, we have you. I plan to suggest to the master of the martial arts school to send you over. So, youll have to be well-prepared. Yes. I will. Zhou Heng nodded. Then, he lowered his voice and asked, By the way, what are the benefits for external disciples? How many taels of silver will I earn per month? Lin Cang fell speechless. After hearing his words, Lin Cang rolled his eyes and said, You mammon, let me clarify this to you, an external disciple will receive five taels of silver per month, three sets of customized uniforms and one set of customized weapons. Besides, youll be arranged to stay inside Longevity Mansion located at North District. Despite being a medium-sized room, its much better than your worn down house. Besides, youll only need to pay ten taels of silver for the rent annually. What the heck! After Zhou Heng heard his words, he nearly jumped for joy. He kept nodding and said, Master Lin, please be rest assured that Ill certainly be the one to fill the slot for external disciple! Longevity Mansion was actually a high-class restaurant at Yellow Wood City. Even its medium-sized rooms were decorated exquisitely, and it included a bathroom, living hall, kitchen, and every other necessary facility. These were similar to the hotel apartment on Earth, except that they were more spacious. Generally speaking, the rental rate for a Longevity Mansion medium-sized room would cost at least hundreds of taels of silver annually. It cost only ten taels of silver now! If he could rent it out, he would be earning loads! Chapter 5 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation After a full meal, the apprentices saw Master Lin back to his home. It was already midnight. Zhou Heng bade farewell to Yu He and the others. He headed toward the outskirts of the city. His rented residence was located on the outskirts. It was a much cheaper option. Not many street lights lit the outskirts of the city. The moonlight struck the pathway, and there were a lot of weeds growing at the sides of the road. They were almost half as tall as a human. As he came to a secluded area, Zhou Hengs ears suddenly twitched. Swish! The wind broke apart, revealing a sword that glimmered in the moonlight. It rushed toward him. A human burst out of the bushes. He was dressed in all black, had a mask, and held a long sword in his hand! Who are you?! Zhou Heng exclaimed as he shifted his feet to allow the sword to pass harmlessly by his side. It was a paper-thin evasion! The tip of the sword nearly grazed his nose! He was fast! Was he a ninth-class martial artist?! Youve applied the Ninth Class Eight Flying Grass Steps to narrowly avoid an attack. The level of proficiency has increased by 3. Sun Zhengfengs applying the Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords to attack you, and youve successfully evaded it. Your level of proficiency with the Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords increased by 0.04. The notifications prompted in his mind. Sun Zhengfeng? Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords? Zhou Heng was stunned. What was the relationship between this man with Sun Zhengpin? Was this a night raid? Ugh! Or was it a midnight ambush? How interesting! Sun Zhengfeng chuckled. He looked completely smug and calm, unaware that his identity had been exposed. The moment he realized that he had missed his target, he immediately turned and left. Soon, he vanished into the darkness. What was that all about? Zhou Heng looked at where Sun Zhengfeng had vanished. Then, he touched his chin and asked doubtfully, What was he doing here? To assess my ability on behalf of Sun Zhengpin? Was there more to it? Anyway, lets go home first. Opening the Lucky Bag and exploring Solo Nine Swords should be his current priority! The encounter just now was shocking, but not dangerous. To Zhou Heng, it was just a trivial matter. All that occupied his thoughts now was to get back home and draw lots for his lucky draw. He would go around and get some information on Sun Zhengfeng tomorrow. The remainder of his journey was smooth and uneventful. Soon, Zhou Heng reached his rented place on the outskirts of the city. It was an old hut. The floor was not particularly big, and weeds grew in abundance. There were only one larger main room and two rooms by the sides. The rafters were somewhat decayed. Clearly, it was an old, rundown house. It was not in a good condition, but the rental was dirt cheap. It was only one tael of silver annually. Zhou Heng climbed over the wall carefully and tiptoed back to his own rented room located by the side. He tried hard not to make any noise. The other room by the side was occupied. On top of that, the landlord himself stayed in the main room. The landlord went to bed early. He usually fell asleep as soon as the day turned dark and was easily awakened. If anything woke him up, he would cuss and swear. As such, when Zhou Heng returned home every night, he tried his best not to make any noise. This was partly why he wanted to own a house by himself. By then, he could enter the house at his convenience, he could go in through the door, climb over the wall, or even dig a hole to go back from the underground Nobody would care. Yes, if only he were qualified as Longevity Sects external disciple. Part of its perks was staying in Longevity Mansion. After he returned home, Zhou Heng took a shower and changed his clothes. He washed his hands more than twenty times. Just like back in those days on Earth, it was the same ritual he practiced while playing a gacha game. After that, he called up the system interface. The Silver Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. The exciting moment had come! Would it be a surprise, or something delightful?! Open it! A flash of silver light glimpsed before Zhou Hengs eyes. He could vaguely see that a Lucky Bag was being opened. The way it opened up was in total silence and completely different from the Bronze Lucky Bag! Obviously, this was of a much higher standard! Congratulations! Youve gained 3 distributable points for your level of proficiency with ninth-class martial arts! What was that? What were distributable points for the level of proficiency with martial arts? Did it truly mean what it meant? As Zhou Hengs mind raced, various levels of proficiency with his martial arts skills passed through. Ninth-Class Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique. High Level: 2651+/3000. Ninth-Class Eight Flying Grass Steps. High Level: 2222+/3000. Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Techniques. Perfection: 125+/5000. Ninth-Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles. Average Level: 36+/2000. Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Not learned yet: 0.04 +/1000. Unranked Zhou Family Saber Technique. Perfection: 5000/5000. He discovered that this was different from the previous one. Originally, there was no plus sign behind the number for the levels of proficiency. This had suggested that he could actually add the 3 distributable points to the level of proficiency of any martial arts! But Ive only got three points. I can gain these points through self-learning, and its not time-consuming either. Zhou Heng was slightly disappointed. However, soon, he discovered the key point. Does that mean I can add the point for Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords too? Ive not learned the skills and my level of proficiency is only 0.04 He changed his mind, and one point was added to the level of proficiency for Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. After that, Zhou Heng felt his vision blur. A greyish, translucent shadow was seen holding a longsword in his hand as he appeared out of thin air. Soon afterwards, the shadow started to show the skills of the technique one by one at a time before him. That also came with explanations. Youre watching a sword phantom practice Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 0.02. Youre listening to a sword phantoms explanations for Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, and you gained insights from it. The level of proficiency increased by 0.1. Youre watching a sword phantom practice Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 0.03. Youre listening to a sword phantoms explanations for Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, and you gained insights from it. The level of proficiency increased by 0.2. Your level of proficiency with Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords has reached 1. Youve officially acquired the martial art skills! A series of notifications prompted. At the same time, there were certain changes to the message on the panel of the martial arts. Ninth Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Novice Level: 1+/1000. Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. That fast? Excuse me?! He stepped out of his room and climbed over the wall carefully. He broke a branch as a substitution for a sword. He practiced the complete set of Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords smoothly for several times. He wanted to confirm the result of his learning. Also, he wanted to farm tens of points for his level of proficiency. He wanted to confirm his own understanding, as well as completely acquire the skills of the legendary Sun Familys ninth class sword techniques! Although his level of proficiency was not high and he could not apply in practical combat yet, it was because he still lacked practice. Proficiency was all that he needed for now. If a person attacked him by using this martial art skill, the resulting impacts would be greatly reduced! Sun Zhengpin, who excelled in Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords was in trouble now! It was Sun Zhengfeng who had started all this first by applying that sword technique to ambush him, which subsequently led him to current state. Sun Zhengfeng did it once only! All because of him, Zhou Heng had acquired the ninth class sword technique! The level of proficiency of the sword technique was actually gained from the sword phantom, but to the outsiders, the entire teaching process had been as swift as the blink of an eye! In other words, Zhou Heng had grasped his martial art skills in a blink! This also suggested that as long as he managed to defuse or avoid any attack from a ninth-class martial art successfully, he could apply the additional point method to learn a skill on the spot! Indeed, this was a cheat code! Zhou Hengs heart fluttered happily! Oh my, Sun Zhengfeng. I dont know why you tested me, but I really have to thank you and your eight generations of ancestors for this! Lets see if I can draw the lot for Solo Nine Swords next! Chapter 6 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Zhou Heng had a thought in his mind, and a piece of paper that glowed silver emerged in his mind. It was filled with ample words and drawings. This was the martial art that he had drawn from the Lucky Bag. Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style! This could overcome the sword techniques from various schools and sects! This martial art skill was a big name in Zhou Hengs previous life. When he was young, he used to demonstrate it by using a branch. Some of the movements were very challenging, and he had not been able to perform them, such as the action of holding a sword and bringing it down in a forceful sweep The more he thought of his past struggles, the sadder he became. Of course, in a world where martial arts could lead them to the realm of immortals and divinity, Solo Nine Swords certainly could not overwhelm all the martial arts in the world. However, it was useful to tackle the martial artists who were below the sixth class and were ranked at the bottom three classes. Previously, when he opened the Lucky Bag and drew the Broken Sword Style, he had wanted to explore its cultivation. But this had been delayed by a series of events. After everything settled down, he finally had the time to understand this martial art skill. Zhou Heng shifted all his focus to that piece of paper. He read out each and every word from it. He studied the drawings that depicted the stances and concentrated on them. It was a very mysterious martial art skill. It was also known as Variation Theory. It was actually considered a seventh-class martial art. Unranked martial artists like Zhou Heng typically did not have the foundations of Variation Theory. Therefore, they usually found this hard to learn. The distributable points that he gained previously were only limited to the ninth-class and were not applicable for the eighth-class. Just as he was at a loss Youre gaining some insight on the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Styles authentic secrets. The level of proficiency has increased by 0.001. Youre gaining insights from Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Styles authentic secrets. The level of proficiency increased by 0.002. Youre gaining insights from Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Styles authentic secrets. The level of proficiency increased by 0.001. The level of proficiency was increasing gradually! Zhou Hengs eye brightened instantly. He started to gain insights for some of the parts which he had no knowledge about in the beginning. As long as he continued to be enlightened, he would be able to pick up the technique sooner or later! Was it true that as long as he worked hard, he would gain fruitful results? This was totally a cheat code! His heart burst in excitement. He continued to gain insights in full concentration. Youre gaining insights from Eighth-Class Authentic Secret for Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style. The level of proficiency increased by 0.003. You continue gaining insights from the authentic secrets of martial arts and have triggered Heavenly Reward. The insights gained from Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style increased by 0.1. You continue gaining insights from the authentic secrets of martial arts, and have triggered Heavenly Reward. The insights gained from Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style increased by 0.12. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Zhou Heng heard the notification, and it was like heavenly music. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style has reached 1, and you have officially acquired the martial art! Eighth-Class Broken Sword Style. Novice Level: 1/1000. Finally, he had officially possessed Broken Sword Style! At that time, he could finally relax himself. He lifted his head and glanced around his surroundings. He realized that the sun was rising, and it was already dawn. He had actually stood outside for the whole night. But it was worth it all for being able to learn the skills of an eighth-class sword technique. Moreover, Zhou Heng had not only learned Solo Nine Swords, he also felt that his insights for Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords had increased a lot. After all, Solo Nine Swords was a sword technique that enabled one to take advantage of an opponents moves by exhausting their variations and identifying the flaws in them. Then, the user would take advantage of the weaknesses and launch a counterattack before the enemy could do anything so that they could overcome the enemy to win. The sword theory and changes contained therein could be applied in various sword techniques. Just then, another notification came in! Congratulations! Youve acquired the skills for Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style and automatically increased the level of proficiency for the lower level but similar martial art known as Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency has increased by 3500! Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. High Level: 500/4000. The bonus points brought by higher level martial arts to lower level martial arts was a bit ridiculous, no?! Zhou Heng was stupefied. At the same time, he could not be more grateful to Sun Zhengfeng and his eight generations of ancestors. I really have to thank you! Not long ago at night, Sun Zhengfeng had failed in his attempt to ambush Zhou Heng, because of it, he and his eight generations of ancestors would even be thanked for the effort soon in the future. But for now, he had returned to the North District at Yellow Wood City. It was a rather busy area. A majority of the people who lived here were wealthy and noble. Even their mansions were luxurious. Given the price of every mansion, Zhou Heng would have to save for a few hundred years without eating and drinking to own one of them. The Sun family was a well-known, large family. The all-black, masked Sun Zhengfeng snuck into the Sun familys courtyard through the back door. As he came into the courtyard, his black outfit had changed into regular green robes. He was in his thirties, with fair skin and soft features. He did not look like a swordsman at all. Instead, he looked more like a scholar. If Zhou Heng and Lin Cang were here, they could easily recognize him at just one glance. He was that same, pale person who needed to use the washroom. They had bumped into him at Jade Fragrance Mansion. Sun Zhengfeng walked along the long corridor and reached a wing room. The wing room was filled with various bladed weapons. There were long swords, short swords, broadswords, iron swords, bronze swords, wooden swords, and jade swords Sun Zhengpin sat in front of the table inside the room. He was in his twenties. He was handsome and dressed in white. His hair had been tied back with a white jade crown. He looked dashing and was polishing a long sword carefully as if stroking the skin of a young girl. Second Brother, you still love swords this much, huh? Sun Zhengfeng walked into the wing room and sat opposite Sun Zhengpin. He smiled as he said, Youll be competing with Zhou Heng from Prosperity Martial Arts School in two days, right? Hes merely a yokel who came from the valley. How could that even bother you, Big Brother? Sun Zhengpin said nonchalantly and continued wiping the tip of his sword. He did not even bother to lift his head to look at Sun Zhengfeng. I tested him with one of the techniques from Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. In fact, I actually ambushed him. Sun Zhengfeng giggled as he said, He managed to avoid it. He was unharmed even when he was ambushed by a ninth-class martial artist with a perfect Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Youre not even a ninth-class martial artist, do you really think you can win against him in a public competition? What are you trying to say? Sun Zhengpin put down the sword in his hand, lifted his head, and stared at Sun Zhengfeng. What am I saying? Sun Zhengfeng grinned, rose and said, Im saying that you cant compare to him. Youre the second young master of the Sun family, and youre inferior to a yokel from the valley! Rubbish! Youre calling me rubbish?! Sun Zhengpin jerked to his feet, gritted his teeth and said, Ive been learning martial arts since the age of nine, and at the age of nineteen, Ive attained perfection for Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Im expected to reach the ninth class before I turn thirty. Who are you to call me rubbish when youre only a ninth class at almost forty! How could you take up a job that pays only ten taels of silver for the sake of a woman?! Not to forget, youre going to work as a temporary guard for someone! Youve disgraced the Sun family! What are you if not rubbish?! Sun Zhengfeng pointed at Sun Zhengpins nose and said coldly, The woman from the Wang family is just keeping you hanging, cant you see?! Ten taels of silver to recruit a temporary guard? She just wants to make you cheap labor. You dont understand, shes not that kind of person! Sun Zhengpin shook his head and said in a deep voice, I know her. This is a test for me. Youll never understand that! Damn you! You idiot! Sun Zhengfeng cussed. As soon as he spat out the words, he felt that it was wrong for him to say that. Feeling resigned, he slammed the table and snorted coldly, Sun Zhengpin, do you know that even the apprentices from Prosperity Martial Arts School despise you? They do not think that youre a match for Zhou Heng. Im advising you to give up while you can before you embarrass yourself before the public! Im no match for a yokel?! Sun Zhengpin suddenly raised his voice. Hah. Youre not convinced yet, right? Actually, you should be thankful, Sun Zhengfeng snorted, If not for that kid being that strong, I would have killed him on the spot and disguised myself as him. During the competition, I would have competed against you! Then, Ill be using Zhou Hengs identity to become the temporary guard for Ms. Wang. Take a guess. Do you think your beloved Ms. Wang would actually still think of you by then? You may even have to call her sister-in-law in the future! Shut up! Sun Zhengpin was infuriated to the point of having the veins on his forehead bulge. He gritted his teeth and said, Alright! Ill kill that kid myself during the tournament! Ill prove you wrong! Ill make Ms. Wang see just how strong I am! Chapter 7 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation In the morning, very often was there a group of two or three people taking a morning stroll at Yellow Wood City. They would share some anecdotes among themselves. Yesterday, the events that had happened in Prosperity Martial Arts School had become the talk of the town. Somehow, the contents seemed to have been modified creatively. It had deviated from reality. Have you heard of the rumors about a genius from Prosperity Martial Arts School?! Huh? Hasnt it been years since Prosperity Martial Arts School nurtured anyone great? Its fees are lower than other martial arts schools. Hehe! Youre ignorant! I heard that yesterday when Zhou Heng, an apprentice from Prosperity Martial Arts School competed against his ninth-class practitioner, he acquired the skills of the martial arts on the spot and won in just two or three moves! You must be kidding me! How could an apprentice prevail against a ninth-class martial artist? And the tale of acquiring skills of the opponents martial arts during a match is even more ridiculous! I dont believe it! I saw it with my own eyes! Were not friends if you dont believe me! Was he really that strong? Why should I lie to you? Trust me if youre my friend! I trust you. Are you satisfied now? I dont think youve fully trusted me. How about this? Tomorrow, go attend the competition between Zhou Heng and Sun Zhengpin and see it for yourself. Hey! Did you hear about it? Zhou Heng, an apprentice from Prosperity Martial Arts School defeated his ninth-class practitioner in just one move! Are you dreaming? How is that even possible?! I saw it with my own eyes! Although Zhou Hengs only an apprentice, hes super talented! He could learn all of the skills from his practitioner with just one glance! That is just impossible! You still dont trust my words, my friend? Zhou Heng is really that strong! But that just makes him too strong, dont you think?! If so, isnt Sun Zhengpin going to end up really miserably, since hes fighting against this Zhou Heng tomorrow? He stands no chance at all! Sun Zhengpin is the Sun familys second young master. Hes living a good life. Why does he even bother about that ten taels of silver? Hehe! You dont understand this, do you? Whats the matter? Hes actually lusting for the Wang familys eldest daughters body! Ive heard that theres a very powerful apprentice from Prosperity Martial Arts School whos proficient in countless martial arts. When he stood there, even a ninth-class practitioner dared not make a move. Is that apprentice called Zhou Heng? Ive heard about him too. But I didnt know hes as powerful as what you just said. Yes, hes Zhou Heng. Im afraid those rumors youve heard are only watered-down. Mine is authentic. Moreover, I saw with my own eyes! But when I heard about the news from that person, he also said that he saw them with his own eyes Would you believe others over your friend? Of course I would believe you! By the way, I also heard that Zhou Heng is going to compete against Sun Zhengpin of Unity Martial Arts School tomorrow. Sun Zhengpin? Haha! Weve got a show to catch! I think Sun Zhengpin is no match for Zhou Heng. I feel the same too! Zhou Heng was walking on the street, heading toward Prosperity Martial Arts School. He heard a lot of similar comments about him along his way. How much he wished he could dig a hole to bury himself. Those rumors were over-exaggerated! They were getting increasingly outrageous! He felt awkward hearing them. Who was the real culprit who started these rumors?! He lowered his head and quickened his pace. He went to the breakfast stall and bought two fried breadsticks before heading toward the martial arts school. He even left out the tofu pudding. Also, he did not get a free huge, white bun. Yun Xiu had returned to the county yesterday. As such, no one was around to give him freebies. As it was still early, not many people were inside the big hall of the martial arts school. After Zhou Heng finished eating his breakfast and moved around to warm up, he started to execute the skills of Divine Power Eighteen Styles. Youre practicing hard for Ninth-Class Divine Power Eighteen Styles. The level of proficiency increased by 1. Youre practicing hard for Ninth-Class Divine Power Eighteen Styles. The level of proficiency increased by 3. Youre practicing hard for Ninth-Class Divine power Eighteen Styles. The level of proficiency increased by 2. The level of proficiency kept increasing gradually. He was getting more proficient with the skills. He felt a good sense of fulfillment. Zhou Heng slowly forgot about the embarrassment he had from the rumors. This was his first time discovering that practicing martial arts really felt amazing! He could not stop practicing them! If only the cheat code had existed while he was practicing them on Earth. Zhou Heng felt that as long as he finished one hundred books of mock exam exercise books for the national college exam, he could instantly transform into a study maniac and easily get into the universities registered under Project 985. Deng! deng! deng! At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps came in. Yu He ran over to him with an anxious face. Youre still practicing over here, huh? He came before Zhou Heng and panted, Have you heard those rumors from outside? Zhou Heng fell silent. He nodded and said, Yes. Ive heard them. I wonder whos the main culprit who has spread them. Even though he claimed its hearsay, its still a bit too outrageous! Ive asked my family to ask around, and it seems like the rumors came from the Sun family, Yu He said, Did you notice that the rumors are basically all about comparing you to Sun Zhengpin? Indeed. Zhou Heng frowned and said, Whats the purpose of the Sun family spreading those rumors? Are they planning to flatter me first, then only insult me so that they can become famous after defeating me? Thats a very low-class trick. It doesnt seem like theyre targeting you. Yu He shook his head faintly and pondered for a while before he said, Ive listened carefully to those rumors. On the surface, they seem to be flattering you. But in truth, I feel that theyre trying to infuriate Sun Zhengpin. Infuriate Sun Zhengpin? The moment Zhou Heng heard him, a thought rose in his mind, and he asked, Does Sun Zhengpin have any siblings? He has a big brother called Sun Zhengfeng, a ninth-class martial artist who is now in charge of the Sun familys external affairs. Yu He was stunned. Then, he asked in puzzlement, Why are you asking this? Just coming up with some theories, but theyre not clear yet. Zhou Heng shook his head and asked again, If I remember correctly, the Sun family is a prestigious and large family at Yellow Wood City. Initially, I was wondering why would Sun Zhengpin even bother about a wage job offering only ten taels of silver. After hearing those rumors, I may understand more. So, its related to the Wang familys eldest daughter, right? Whats going on with Wang Familys eldest daughter? You actually dont know anything about her?! Yu He looked at Zhou Heng incredulously and was shocked. What the heck?! You really dont know about Ms. Wang? Are you even a man? Bah What are you saying? Havent I been concentrating on my martial arts? Zhou Heng laughed and scolded him at the same time. Indeed, he had not been paying much attention to anything else apart from martial arts and making money. Even as he was working as a part-time guard and lackey, he upheld his belief of focusing on earning money and taking less care about other stuff that were none of his business so as not to delay his martial arts training sessions. Despite participating in the Wang familys temporary guard selection competition, he only had a general idea about that family. As for the Wang Familys eldest daughter, he did not know anything more than slight rumors. Fine. No wonder youve achieved perfection for your saber technique. Yu He rolled his eyes and explained to him in detail, The Wang familys eldest daughter is Wang Qinging, shes eighteen years old and is outstandingly beautiful. Three months ago, Ms. Wang came to Yellow Wood City with her father and instantly attracted a lot of suitors. She created quite a scene at that time. Sun Zhengpin is one of them. The second young master from the Sun family has put down a lot of money in order to win Ms. Wangs heart. He spent three thousand taels of silver in the first two months to buy her various kinds of jewelry, silky fancy clothes, and rare and exotic antiques. Theyre all delivered to the Wang residence. He did all this only to invite Ms. Wang out for a meal. How much silver again? Zhou Heng was green with envy. He asked in shock, Three thousand taels of silver?! Three thousand taels of silver just for the sake of courting a lady? He shouldnt simply spend the money even if hes filthy rich! Isnt it better to give that money to me instead? Zhou Heng tried his best to calm himself and continued, So, did Sun Zhengpin manage to ask her out in the end? No. Yu He shook his head and giggled. He seemed to take great pleasure in that and continued, However, Sun Zhengpin managed to break the record by making Wang Qinging step out of Wang residence and saw him once at the doorstep. Only for that? Zhou Heng was stunned and asked in surprise, Three thousand taels of silvers only to see her once at the doorstep? This flatterer was really insane! Perhaps he should bring along the Diary of the Flatterer. It was a collection of tales that had been really popular online just before he transmigrated. He should lend it to Sun Zhengpin. Chapter 8 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation What else? Yu He threw him a look that said that he was basically a frog under the well. He laughed as he said, Other suitors have given four thousand taels of silver and not even met her once. Although they only met once, during that time, Sun Zhengpin even had to stand outside the door, facing the street while Wang Qingqing stood at the front door. At least four or five feet separated the two of them, and there was zero contact at all. Still, Sun Zhengpin thought he was the only one who received affection from her. Since then, the second young master from the Sun family continued to spend money for her in a frenzy for an entire month and finally, his wish was granted, and he successfully asked Wang Qingqing out for a meal. It was just a meal and nothing else. It was said that he never even touched her hand. As I was chatting with someone earlier, I heard that Sun Zhengpin had spent at least five thousand taels of silver for this month. Five thousand?! Zhou Heng was stupefied. He opened his mouth and said, My God Does God just hand him money every single day?! He almost wanted to spit out a string of curses. The impoverished Zhou Heng nearly wanted to explode. After all, his monthly salary was less than two taels of silver. In contrast to that, Sun Zhengpin could simply put down eight thousand taels of silver just to pursue a lady. Zhou Heng would have had to save up that sum of money by working for more than three hundred years without eating and drinking. So, such were the joys of rich people? I wish to become a wealthy man too! ARRRGHHHH! On the other hand, what kind of magical power did the Wang familys eldest daughter actually possess to actually charm people to such an extent? Was there something unusual about her? Tsk tsk! Dont be jealous. With your martial arts talent, wouldnt it be merely a piece of cake for you to earn a few thousand taels of silver in the future? Yu He smiled, and he said, Thats pretty much the situation. By the way, what were you thinking just now? Nothing important. Ive another question. Zhou Heng shook his head and asked, Hows the relationship between Sun Zhengpin and his big brother? They used to be close. However, for the last three months, the both of them are often butting heads As Yu He said this, he could not help but freeze for a moment. He asked in shock, Are you saying that those rumors are related to Sun Zhengfeng? Thats right. I guess that Sun Zhengfeng is simply using those rumors to enrage Sun Zhengpin. At that same time, he wanted to make everyone in the city aware of the competition. Zhou Heng nodded faintly and with a straight face, he continued, He wants Sun Zhengpin to give up his pursuit of Wang Qingqing. Huh? Yu He scratched his head and asked doubtfully, How did it come to that? Those rumors were used as a means to piss Sun Zhengpin off so that he cant wait to defeat or even kill me before the public during the competition, Zhou Heng explained, In the end, Sun Zhengpin will be defeated by me before the eyes of the public. By then, he will be mad and embarrassed at the same time and subsequently, no longer be interested in pursuing Ms. Wang. Yeah, that sounds reasonable. Yu He nodded thoughtfully. However, he quickly saw another loophole and said, Wait, somethings not right. How can Sun Zhengfeng be so sure that you can prevail against Sun Zhengpin? Maybe its because Im handsome. Zhou Heng laughed as he said. He was not going to tell him about Sun Zhengfengs sudden ambush. After all, he did not know how to explain that he had managed to identify the man when it was clear that Sun Zhengfeng had disguised his voice at that time. Bah. Yu He spat. He could see that Zhou Heng was not telling the whole story. As such, there was no need to dwell on this issue anymore. He then turned, smiled and said, Since youre so confident, Ill have to get myself prepared for a good show. No worries. Zhou Heng turned and drew a steel sword. He laughed as he said, Im going to practice martial arts now. Youve been practicing hard for Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 2. Youve been practicing hard for Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 3. To be honest, martial arts practice is still the best. Zhou Heng was getting addicted to martial arts practice. He wished to brush up his level of proficiency like this forever. After all, this was way better than worrying about money. He did not even want to attend the competition tomorrow. But he still had to go on with his life. He would still need to work for a living. He would still need to attend the competition to earn ten taels of silver. Of course, martial arts practice was equally important too. Strength was the most important thing. Even after he had acquired the Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords and was likely to win in the competition, he could not take the competition lightly. What happened if Sun Zhengpin went all out on him and pushed him past his limits? What happened if Sun Zhengfeng suddenly changed his mind after watching his brother lose to him? What if he attacked him in the ring and killed him? There were many possibilities. As such, he could not let his guard down. Youve been practicing hard for Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 2. Youve been practicing hard for Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 3. Congratulations! Your continuous practice has triggered Heavenly Reward and has increased your insights from Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 30. That was cool! Zhou Heng was full of joy and prepared to farm for the next Heavenly Reward. Just then, Lin Cang suddenly came to him. Without a word, he dragged Zhou Heng into his private martial arts training room. Bang! He closed the door of the room. The lights went out. Master Lin, what are you doing? Zhou Heng was stunned. At the same time, he subconsciously took a step backward and thought carefully if Lin Cang had any special fetishes. Yes. It seemed like he did not have any of them. He should be fine. Lin Cang did not notice Zhou Hengs expression. He simply asked him, Have you heard of the news about you that has been spreading like wildfire outside? Do you know about them? Yes, I do. Zhou Heng nodded. Then, Ill make it short. Lin Cang lowered his head and asked him, Are you confident in winning Sun Zhengpin? What are the odds? Lin Cang continued. 99%, Zhou Heng answered seriously. He had already acquired the sword technique that was his opponents best skill, and with that, he was absolutely going to win. Otherwise, he really should forgo the cheat code. Why dont you say its 100%? Lin Cang smiled. Havent you said that before? Do not be proud. Zhou Heng returned his smile and said, 99% is not considered proud. How daring of you to joke around with me, kid! Lin Cang laughed and scolded him. Then, he continued, Seriously, during the selection of external disciples, Longevity Sect not only will take into consideration ones strength, but also his talents and fame. Apparently, your fame is significantly lesser compared to the other two participants from other martial arts schools. This used to be your drawback but now, the Sun family has actually extended you a favor by lending you a helping hand, but the prerequisite is for you to win against Sun Zhengpin. Master Lin, you can be rest assured. Zhou Heng nodded. He smiled and said, I can guarantee you that I can win the match! At North District in Yellow Wood City, inside the house of the Sun family, Sun Zhengfeng was sipping tea in a lakeside pavilion. A dainty maid was by his side, reporting to him regarding the situation outside for the morning. Most of them being about the spreading of those rumors. The results from the survey showed that a majority of the people at Yellow Wood City knew about the event. Moreover, they were bragging about Zhou Heng and disparaging Sun Zhengpin. As a result, tomorrows competition caught the attention of many people. It was estimated that there would be a few thousand, or even a few hundred thousand watching that show. My good second brother, its not my fault for bringing you down. Its you who have obsessed over that demonic woman who seems to have taken the soul out of you. As a big brother, I must crush your confidence so that you will give up on that woman. Sun Zhengfeng sighed softly to himself. He could not help but recall the days when both of them used to live in harmony. Then, he felt a bit remorseful and thought to himself, When you come back to your senses and are no longer obsessed with that woman, Ill capture Zhou Heng and bring him back to you so that you can kill him yourself to release your anger. Since the beginning, he had been using Zhou Heng as a worthy tool for him to make use of. His life and death had never been a matter to him. At that moment, inside a room at the Sun Familys mansion, Sun Zhengpins expression was dark as he watched the servants reporting the rumors from outside. Rage consumed his body until he trembled, gritted his teeth, and clenched his fists. Good! What a great big brother of mine! How can you despise me like that? Are you sure that yokel can defeat me and crush my confidence so that Ill give up on Ms. Wang? Dream on! He crumpled the paper with rumors written on it into a ball and smashed it to the ground. Then, he carefully took out a jade box from his sleeves. He held the jade box in his hand, and his expression instantly turned soft and filled with glee. With this, that yokel can never win against me! Besides, this was given by Ms. Wang. She really does think highly of me! Theres no way I will lose! Chapter 9 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The Wang family was not a native family at Yellow Wood City. It is said that the family was originally doing business in Yu Yang County which was under the jurisdiction of Yellow Wood City. When their business expanded, they bought a mansion in the city and moved over there. Three months had passed. They had barely stabilized their lives there. Most of the credit went to the Wang familys eldest daughter, Wang Qingqing. Most of the affairs were handled by her suitors instead of the Wang family themselves. Wang Qingqings boudoir was located at the innermost part of the Wang familys mansion. Outside her room was a huge flower bed planted with bright red flowers, blossoming and blooming beautifully. Just then, a middle-aged man in his fifties stood at the front door of her room. He was the head of the Wang family. He was often known as Minister Wang, full name Wang Tong. He was Wang Qingqings father. But the head of the family was incredibly humble and submissive. He lowered his head, stood outside the door, and reported to her respectfully, Ms. Qingqing, Ive assigned someone to deliver the jade box secretly over there. Good. Her reply sounded cold and indifferent. Yet, a very pleasant female voice drifted out from the room. She simply replied with a word and no more. There was entirely no sign of respect as one would expect from a daughter to her father. But Wang Tong was not the least offended at all. Instead, he looked happy and even thrilled. He trembled with excitement and said in a trembling voice, You finally spoke to me. Youve said a word to me. Thats marvelous! Get lost. The indifferent female voice came from the room again. Alright. Ill get lost now. Right now. Hehe! Wang Tong left with his eyes dazzled and filled with joy. He thought to himself, Ms. Qingqing asked me to get lost, which means she actually cares for me and has boundless love for me. Thats great! Early the next morning, the competition for the selection of temporary guards for the Wang family was held before Wang Mansion. A ring that was ten feet tall and one hundred feet wide was set up. There were no restrictions for the competition. Weapons, fists and kicks were allowed. If one fell out of the ring or was unable to rise from the ground or lost the ability to resist, it was counted as a loss. Of course, if one surrendered, that was also counted as a loss. Initially, not many people had paid much attention to that competition. After all, it was merely the private affairs of the Wang family. But ever since the spread of yesterdays exaggerated rumors, the competition had turned into the center of attraction. Early that morning, there were already five to six thousand people gathered around. The front door of Wang Mansion was already crowded with people. The streets, high platforms, walls, trees and even the rooftops of outlets were crowded with people. Although the competition had not yet begun, people were already standing in their positions, lest they could not watch the fights in the ring clearly. Hey, look! Its the Wang familys eldest daughter and Minister Wang! Shes out! Shes coming out! What the heck! Shes so beautiful! I think Ive fallen in love! Wow! Shes very beautiful! Im in love! Im really in love! No wonder she has that many suitors Suddenly, the crowd resounded with a gasp. Minister Wang brought the Wang familys eldest daughter out and stood on a special high platform next to the ring so that they could see the entire situation of the ring clearly. Of course, their presence could be seen by the crowd too. Her outstanding, exquisite beauty, tall and slim figure instantly captured the eyeballs of the crowd. Wang Qingqing looked like she was eighteen. Her eyebrows were picturesque, her skin was as fair as marble and flushed with some redness which added to her charm. She had very smooth and exquisite features. She looked like a creation of heaven. She was very beautiful indeed. She was dressed in a simple and elegant plain white dress. That dress outlined her curves perfectly. Her slender waist had a jade belt tied around it, making her almost look divine. The fact was, curiosity was no longer worth mentioning in the presence of beauty. Initially, the people were here to see for themselves if Zhou Heng was indeed as strong as the rumors said. However, seeing Wang Qingqing alone was worth the entire trip. She was way too beautiful! Not only did the onlookers marvel at her, even Zhou Heng could not help but gape among the crowd when he looked at Wang Qingqing. She was simply too beautiful to be a human! Indeed. This was what Zhou Heng felt. Wang Qingqings beauty was too beautiful to be true. She looked like those babes in the photos that were photoshopped and beautified endlessly when he was on the Earth in his previous life. Hehe! This time youll have to trust me. Yu He laughed beside Zhou Heng and said, I told you that Ms. Qingqing is a very beautiful woman. Look at you, youre breath taken as well, right? Im merely assessing and scrutinizing her beauty. Zhou Heng defended himself. In fact, he was not wrong. Compared to these people living in a society similar to ancient China, a keyboard warrior like him had a better resistance against beautiful ladies, having experienced various kinds of photoshopped photos in an era where information was overloaded. As such, after he was shocked in the beginning, Zhou Heng inexplicably felt that the aura on Wang Qingqing was somewhat incongruous. Something felt unnatural, almost as if someone had modified her before. Could it be that Sora Aoi had escaped to this world after going through plastic surgery? That was not very likely. At that moment, the crowd got rowdy. Look! Hes up on the ring! Sun Zhengpin is up there! So, hes Sun Zhengpin? I must say, he looks fine. He gives off an imposing presence. He should be quite strong too. Then, wouldnt Zhou Heng be even more powerful? Well see later. But shouldnt all the participants for the competition go up the ring together? Why is only Sun Zhengpin there? The crowd was chattering. Zhou Heng lifted his head and looked at the ring. Indeed, there was a dignified young man who looked to be in his twenties standing at the center of the ring, with a longsword in his hand and looking askance. Today, I, Sun Zhengpin, am here for no other reasons other than to defeat all the opponents and obtain the qualifications to protect Ms. Qingqing! Sun Zhengpin shot a glance in the direction of Wang Qingqing. His gaze softened. Then, he turned his head and looked down at the ring and said aloud, There are a total of eleven participants, myself included. All of you can come up now! Ill take all ten of you! Snap! At that moment, Sun Zhengfeng was sitting at a distant high-rise teahouse loft. As he watched that scene, he immediately grew furious, and his hands trembled. He smashed the teapot placed on the table. What a shameless creature! His soul has indeed been taken away by that woman! At the same time, when the people around the ring heard Sun Zhengpins words, they cheered. Fight! Fight! Fight! Thats awesome! Hes taking on ten people! Could it be that Sun Zhengpin is already a ninth-class? Even if hes already a ninth-class martial artist, he would be at a high risk of facing the surrounding attacks of ten unranked martial artists. A martial artist at the lower three ranks only has human power. They will still have limitations. Sun Zhengpin is careless. Good! I like that! A majority of the people were delighting in his future misery. After all, they were only here to watch the fun. Naturally, the more exciting the show was, the better it was. Zhou Heng was a bit confused. He poked Yu He who was beside him and asked skeptically, Has Sun Zhengpin always been like this? That was too awkward! He seemed like all he had in his mind was only that woman! He wasnt like this before. Yu He was a bit confused too. He thought for a moment and said, My family and the Sun family used to work together for some business. Ive met Sun Zhengpin a few times before, and we used to have meals together. He was an intelligent and capable man. He was good with words too. But now, he looks like his brain has been kicked by an ass. Could it be true that he has gone crazy for a woman? Well that is highly possible. Zhou Heng looked thoughtful. He shot his gaze at the higher platform beside the ring. He looked at Wang Qingqing who, despite looking slightly unnatural, was extraordinarily beautiful and exquisite. At that moment, a few people hopped on the ring one after another. There were nine of them. These were the nine participants for the competition excluding Zhou Heng and Sun Zhengpin. Sun Zhengpin, dont think you can be this arrogant just because youve got some reputation! Were not afraid of you! You want to fight ten people at the same time? Do you really think youre a ninth-class? Now that all of us are up here, lets get started. Id like to see how you are going to fight ten people?! Most of the martial artists were hot-tempered and brusque. Moreover, all of them were young. How could they actually withstand Sun Zhengpins provocation? As such, they were very angry and almost wanted to attack in a flock. Nonetheless, Sun Zhengpin did not bother looking at them directly. He simply turned his body and shouted at the bottom of the ring, Zhou Heng, I know youre here. Come up now! Let me see if youre indeed as powerful as the rumors say! The moment the crowd heard Zhou Hengs name, there was an uproar. They would not feel sleepy anymore if he talked about Zhou Heng! After all, they were here all because of this. As for one fighting nine or ten people, those were merely add-ons. Once the words came out from Sun Zhengpin, those nine, who were already enraged, immediately burst into rage. One by one, they put up their stances with their fists, feet, sabers, swords, longspears, whips, staffs, or other weapons. Youre far too arrogant! How dare you look down on me?! You must be looking forward to an early grave! Go and die! Those nine people raised their voices and cussed. They swarmed toward Sun Zhengpin! Theyre going in all at once! Theyre fighting! The onlookers jumped for joy and cheered happily. They also waved flags and shouted their lungs out as if they were not afraid of creating chaos. Despite those nine people being unranked martial artists, they were quite strong. Two to three among them have achieved perfection in one of the ninth-class martial arts skills and were pseudo ninth-class martial artists. If all of them came at once, even a real ninth-class martial artist would find them difficult to handle. However, Sun Zhengpin remained calm. He turned his wrist, and the tip of his sword was out of its sheath. Just then, a sword light emerged like a blistering rain. The dazzling sword light was just like dense raindrops, stabbing those nine people at lightning speed. At the same time, as the sword light surged, a faint whistling sound came from around Sun Zhengpin. It was as if the wind was hissing. Invisible sword energy swirled ten feet around him. The way Sun Zhengpin executed his sword technique was like a sudden rainfall after autumn. It shone under cold light and sent a frigid cold. Even the cheerful onlookers could not help but feel shivers run down their spines. So, this was Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords! When everyone came back to their senses, the sword light had already pierced the bodies of those nine people. None of them had escaped! Seven of them were shaken by the force of the sword energy swirling around him and were simply blown away backward. They fell out of the ring. The remaining two had their weapons knocked out from their hands and were close to defeat. Still, they did not give up. They rushed to Sun Zhengpin with all their might. One of them swung his fist. The other used his palm to try and hit his back and shoulders. If they landed hits, Sun Zhengpin may lose his defensive ability. Bang! Bang! Two muffled sounds rose. The fist and palm hit Sun Zhengpin at the same time. Both of them were thrilled and were about to take advantage of the situation. Just then, they felt a powerful and vast force coming from Sun Zhengpins back and shoulders! All they saw was Sun Zhengpin straightening his back and shaking his shoulders gently. Those two were instantly thrown backward. Just like the previous seven, they fell off the ring. Within a very short period of time, those nine people who had swarmed him all lay defeated! Thousands of people on the spot had slack jaws. They stared blankly at Sun Zhengpin in the ring and were dumbfounded. There was a complete silence before Wang Mansion. On the higher platform next to the ring, there was a hint of a smile from Wang Qingqings eyebrows and eyes. She seemed very pleased. At the attic of the teahouse not far away from that, Sun Zhengfeng stood up and stared at Sun Zhengpin in the ring incredulously. He was stunned and said, The wind force is swirling ten feet around him, and he can summon strength from every part of his body! Only a ninth-class martial artist is capable of that. But how did he do that? On top of the roof of that loft, a masked woman in white martial arts robes was watching Wang Qingqing who sat on a higher platform. Her gaze was quiet and thoughtful. At the same time, Sun Zhengpin looked triumphant. He waved his sword and pointed exactly where Zhou Heng stood. He stood high up there and shouted sternly, Get up here! Chapter 10 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The moment these words came out from Sun Zhengpins mouth, the crowd turned to look at where his sword was pointing. Everyone was looking at Zhou Heng. Even Wang Qingqing on the higher platform, Sun Zhengfeng in the teahouse loft a distance away, and the masked woman on top of the roof of the loft all looked at him. What would he do in the face of such provocation? At that time, Zhou Heng was frozen at his place, as if he had not heard a word from Sun Zhengpin and remained silent. In fact, he was digesting his gains just now. Youre watching Sun Zhengpins attack by applying Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 1. Youre watching Sun Zhengpins attack by applying Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 1. You continue watching the real life application of Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, youve gained insights from it and got more familiar with it. The level of proficiency increased by 10. You continue watching the real life application of Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, youve gained insights from it and got more familiar with it. The level of proficiency increased by 10. Youve gained deeper insights regarding sword technique and sword theory. The level of proficiency for Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style increased by three. Zhou Heng was a little stunned when he first received the notifications. So, it was possible to receive it this way too? Sun Zhengpin had already achieved perfection for his Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. As such, the teaching from real-life combat could further increase Zhou Hengs level of proficiency. Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. High Level: 1120/3000. It was almost halfway there! That was amazing! This must be the effect of my superior talent and comprehension! Zhou Heng! Zhou Heng! Yu He saw that he was unresponsive, so he quickly poked him, lowered his voice and said, Sun Zhengpins calling you. Everyones looking at you. Why dont I think we better sneak out while we can. From Yu Hes point of view, Sun Zhengpin had already possessed the power of a ninth-class martial artist. With that, Zhou Heng was definitely no match for him. So, instead of making himself a fool in the ring, they might as well sneak out now. Although Zhou Heng had prevailed against Lin Cang previously, everyone could see that Zhou Heng had actually taken advantage of Lin Cang when he was unprepared. At the same time, he had coincidentally acquired the skills of Eighteen Divine Power Styles. As such, his victory was a fluke. Moreover, that was only an assessment competition between a practitioner and apprentice. It was totally different from a real ring match. After being poked by Yu He, Zhou Heng came back to his senses and replied subconsciously, Huh? Snack? What snack? Fatty intestines snacks? He was a little hungry. The crowd instantly burst into laughter. Hurry up! Its not too late to sneak out now! Thats right. Theres nothing to be ashamed of if an apprentice cannot win against a ninth-class. Lets go. I heard that Sun Zhengpin is very ruthless. Run for your life. No one would blame Zhou Heng if he backed out now. After all, it was perfectly normal for an apprentice to falter against a ninth-class martial artist. This was due to their differences in physical strengths, power, and skills. Even if any apprentices actually won against normal ninth-class martial artists, those were only found in great martial arts schools in the county or hailed from the great clans and families whose names were well-known across the world. It was highly unlikely for someone like that to appear in a small place like Yellow Wood City. As for the rumors heard previously, those could be taken as empty rumors for amusement. Most of the people who were present today were only here for fun. Not many of them really thought that Zhou Heng could actually prevail against a ninth-class martial artist. Just then, Zhou Heng finally noticed Sun Zhengpin was shouting in the ring. He rushed up to the ring in slight embarrassment, waved his hand, and smiled as he said, Im sorry, I just got lost in thought. You can invite me again by using more polite words. I dont really like the words Get up here. You! Sun Zhengpins face instantly turned into a putrid shade of red in his anger. He trembled. If Zhou Heng had really embarrassed him by not coming up to the ring in front of the public, he would have become a clown and made a fool of himself by clamoring for someone who did not spare him a second glance. If so, how would Ms. Qingqing think of him? Sun Zhengpin thought about it for a while. He gritted his teeth, stared at Zhou Heng, lowered his voice and said, Come here! Didnt I ask you to invite me? Zhou Heng sniggered casually. Zhou Heng, arent you sneaking out? Yu He was nervous. Im confident that I can win against him. Zhou Heng lowered his voice and said with a smile. If Sun Zhengpin were to fight with a saber, staff, or even with his fists or legs, he did not have that confidence to win against him. But now, he was applying a ninth-class sword technique, a sword technique he was familiar with too. As such, he was no longer that scared. Instead, he was looking forward to being rewarded with a Lucky Bag after defeating Sun Zhengpin. During the competition with Lin Cang previously, he could still vividly remember the reward of the Lucky Bag. Lucky Bags were good stuff! Sun Zhengpin was so enraged by Zhou Hengs attitude until the veins on his forehead bulged. He took a deep breath and enunciated each word clearly, Please come here! At the teahouse loft located a distance away, Sun Zhengfengs expression was dark with anger, and he cussed to himself, This idiot is indeed a disgrace! He must have been spellbound by the bewitching spell cast by that woman! I cant let him go on like this! In his opinion, since Sun Zhengpin had already showcased the power of a ninth-class martial artist, regardless of how he managed to achieve it, Zhou Heng could never defeat him. As such, his original plan of letting Zhou Heng defeat Sun Zhengpin so as to crush his confidence and make him give up on the pursuit of Wang Qingqing had failed If anything, it would only bring disgrace to the Sun family. After all, a ninth-class martial artist defeating an apprentice in an open competition was not something to boast about. On the contrary, if the apprentice actually persevered and managed a counterattack, that would be a real disgrace. As such, he must stop that from happening! Sun Zhengfeng immediately leaped from the loft, which was more than thirty feet from the ground. He first landed on the eaves, then on the high wall next to it. A few long strides brought him to a wall not far from the ring. Zhengpin, why are you fooling around here? Come home with me now! Sun Zhengfeng scolded him loudly and pretended to be a brother who was unaware of the whole situation and had only just seen his younger brother causing trouble outside. The crowds eyes were once again focused on these two. Seeing this, Yu He hurriedly poked Zhou Heng, lowered his voice and said, Nows the chance. Hurry up, were sneaking out now, Zhou Heng shook his head and said, Im not sneaking out. I want to enjoy a good show. Why are you here? Sun Zhengpin immediately refuted. If Im not here, youre going to end up causing major trouble! Sun Zhengfeng summoned strength with his feet and instantly jumped like a kite from the wall to the ring located thirty to forty feet away. He stood facing Sun Zhengpin and said, Follow me back home now! How ridiculous! Sun Zhengpin simply snorted and without explaining himself, he suddenly thrust the longsword in his hand forward. The sword rain immediately exploded, and all of them shot in Sun Zhengfengs direction. He had actually attacked his own brother! Moreover, each move was ruthless, and all of them were deadly strokes. Sun Zhengfeng never expected his younger brother to be that ruthless. He hastily drew his sword in response. But he had been slow to respond and was quickly knocked back in a panic. Furthermore, the force exerted from Sun Zhengpins sword was surprisingly tremendous. The dense sword rain which he barely managed to defuse had come like a raging wave! After resisting the first attack, he felt his purlicue stinging and his arm trembling. Sun Zhengfeng looked at him in disbelief, he was extremely shocked. How can he be that strong? Yesterday, he was still an unranked martial artist. What happened to him within a night? Clank! Suddenly, there was a trembling sound of gold and iron from the strike, and the longsword from Sun Zhengfengs hand was simply blown away. Next, Sun Zhengpin slashed across Sun Zhengfengs left wrist with his longsword, drawing blood. At the same time, he dashed forward and a kick landed on Sun Zhengfengs chest. His brother vomited blood and was thrown backward, falling from the ring. Now, youre no longer worthy to talk to me like this! Sun Zhengpin withdrew his sword and laughed coldly. Hiss His coldness sent shivers down to everyones spines. All of them were dumbfounded. The people standing at the front row looked at Sun Zhengfeng, who was lying on the ground, twitching and spitting blood. They could not help but shiver. What the heck! That was ruthless! He was a well-known ninth-class martial artist in Yellow Wood City, and he was crippled just like that? How could Sun Zhengpin be so cruel to his own brother?! He must have gone mad! Also, his power was unbelievably strong! Zhou Heng was simply no match for him! Oh, God! Zhou Heng, hurry up! Lets get out of here! That guy is a savage! Yu He was intimidated by that scene. He prepared to poke Zhou Heng again who was supposedly by his side, only to realize that he was poking at air. Just then, there was a sudden burst of excitement from his surroundings. Yu He got a shock. He turned his head and looked up. He was stupefied. He widened his eyes and looked ghastly pale. Oh, my God! Zhou Heng, why did you go up there?! Unbeknownst to him, Zhou Heng had already ascended to the ring. He stood at the place where Sun Zhengfeng had been standing. Zhou Heng drew a steel saber from a weapon rack located not far away from him in a casual manner. He tested the weight of the weapon, turned his body, and lifted the saber with its tip pointed toward Sun Zhengpin. He smiled faintly and said, Get over here. Chapter 11 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Do you really want to die that badly? Sun Zhengpin did not let his anger consume him immediately. Instead, he used his finger to wipe off the bloodstain on the tip of his sword. He looked at Zhou Heng, smiled faintly and said, Its very good and courageous of you to actually come up here. After all, you cordially invited me. How can I be so mean as not to join you up here? Zhou Heng smiled and said, I cant have you kneel down on the ring and beg me to come up, right? How I wish I can rip out that mouth of yours with my sword. Sun Zhengpins expression was dark and he snorted. Make your move. Ill give you the chance for one strike. Otherwise, you might not even get to lift that saber of yours up. At that moment, the surrounding people under the ring held their breath. They watched the two of them in the ring with rapt attention and estimated how many moves Zhou Heng could actually last. No one thought that Zhou Heng could win this. The strength that Sun Zhengpin had demonstrated just now was overbearing. Not even a ninth-class martial artist was a match for him, so how could an unranked apprentice like Zhou Heng win against him?! Regardless of how talented he was, he would not stand a chance against actual strength. What else was he supposed to do? Acquire the skills of Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords on the spot? Obviously, that was impossible. Wang Qingqing, who was sitting on the higher platform, smiled coquettishly as she fixed her gaze at Zhou Heng, as if scrutinizing him. She suddenly turned to Minister Wang who was standing beside her and said, This kid is very courageous indeed. If he really wins, Father, how about we increase his temporary guards salary to twenty taels of silver? Huh? Minister Wang froze at her words, then rapidly nodded. He smiled as he said, Alright. Of course, thats fine. A brave kid like him deserves more. Haha! Zhou Hengs ears twitched when he overheard Wang Qingqings conversation. He felt happy and smiled widely. Twenty taels of silver was no joke. It was double the original salary and almost equivalent to his annual income. On the other hand, Sun Zhengpin was furious. He felt that Wang Qingqing was rooting for Zhou Heng by saying those words. How could she be like that? He was in a fit of rage, especially after noticing the triumphant smile on Zhou Hengs face. He started boiling with anger. Make your move! Stop wasting time! Sun Zhengpin gritted his teeth and stared at Zhou Heng. As you wish. Zhou Heng smiled then took a step forward. He swung the steel saber in his palm. His strength was as powerful as a mighty man splitting mountains. That slash caught the crowd under the ring by surprise. That simple move was actually one of the most challenging feats for martial artists. If one could not execute that slash with the conviction and strength of splitting mountains, it would only come off as mediocre and powerless. Anyone could easily counter it. But now, Zhou Hengs slash was indeed as powerful as the legendary Hercules wielding a divine saber and splitting the mountains set before him! Despite being a distance away from him, the crowd standing under the ring and saw that slash felt an invisible powerful wind blowing toward them. They could not help but clap their hands and cheer. Moreover, the speed of that slash was extremely fast! As soon as Zhou Heng executed the slash of the saber, he had already come before Sun Zhengpin and was within striking reach! That was a perfect ninth-class saber technique! Although it was executed by an unranked martial artist, he had already demonstrated the demeanor of a ninth-class martial artist! It also was for this reason that he was known as a pseudo ninth-class martial artist. Against Zhou Hengs extremely powerful and direct slash, Sun Zhengpin did not panic. He did not attempt to avoid that slash either. He smirked and gave the sword in his hand a little twist from his wrist. The power from the sword instantly turned into a sword rain, as if dense raindrops were converging together. Just then, an invisible cold air was instantly released, turning the weather in July into cold wind from the autumn. It was Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords! The sword technique which Sun Zhengpin had performed was much more powerful than when he attacked his brother just now! Only this time, he did not push that dense sword rain forward with a thrust, like what he did just now. Instead, he kept the sword close to his front body, rushed toward Zhou Heng, and slashed at his saber! He was actually going to clash hard against Zhou Hengs saber. The crowd immediately gasped again. A majority of them were in disbelief. Swords and sabers were weapons with completely different characteristics. Moreover, sword techniques and saber techniques were different. Sword techniques were subtle and ever-changing. Saber technique focused more on strength and power to destroy skill. As such, when using a sword against a saber, the swordsman would usually avoid head-on encounters and instead preferred to employ ingenious variations to outmaneuver the opponents saber techniques. But Sun Zhengpin was actually attempting to meet Zhou Hengs saber head-on with his sword now. Apparently, he was attacking the opponents strength with his weakest point. Although the power of a ninth-class martial artist far surpassed an unranked martial artist, the characteristics of the sword would never change. If he insisted on using a sword against a saber-wielder, he would be at a heavy disadvantage. No matter how you looked at it, it was not a wise move. There was only one explanation for this. Sun Zhengpin had the utmost confidence in himself. He had enough faith in his sword to defeat the saber-wielding Zhou Heng! At the same time, he also intended to insult Zhou Heng. Imagine a saber holder launching his powerful attack against his opponent, only to be crushed by a sword in a direct clash. Surely he would suffer a blow in his confidence. It might even lead to a stagnation in him improving in his martial arts in the future. It would lead to a lifetime ruin. Die! Yokel! Sun Zhengpin stared at Zhou Heng with a gloomy gaze. He thought darkly to himself, Im going to cut off the hamstrings of your hands and legs so that Ms. Wang will know how strong I am! Im the only one qualified to protect her. Im the only one qualified to become her guard! It was as if he had already seen Zhou Hengs steel saber being blown out of his hand, coming to rest on the ground in a state of dismay while its wielder stood dazed. Clank! The noise of the clash between metal was heard. Sun Zhengpin felt the longsword in his hand sink, and his sword had already clashed with Zhou Hengs saber. He immediately circulated the surging power in his body to try forcing Zhou Heng back. At that moment, the saber in Zhou Hengs hand abruptly shifted to one side, defying conventional wisdom. It had sloped to his left, immediately negating the power Sun Zhengpin had exerted into his sword. At the same time, the saber attack changed and transformed into a horizontal slash! Youre just struggling when youre lost! Sun Zhengpin slightly moved his sword downward to parry Zhou Hengs slash. Immediately after, he surged forward while having his sword graze the saber. Again, he thrust forward with the sword-light which shot out like autumn rain! The sword-light was aimed at Zhou Hengs chest! That was Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords killing move. Each and every single one of the consecutive thirteen attacks executed in an instant must hit the same spot. It was an attack against the spot where the enemy would definitely defend! Then, he would take advantage of this, change his stance, and kill him in a single blow! When Zhou Heng saw that style, he was happy. Im familiar with that stance! As such, he secretly drew from the sword theory of Broken Sword Style. He turned the tip of the saber in his hand and swung it in a gentle, relaxed arc. This time, that slash was without the power of a mighty man splitting mountains. Even the stance itself looked extremely simple. When the crowd under the ring saw that scene, they thought that things were definitely going to go bad. Had Zhou Heng been forced to exhaust all his stances and techniques? Was he unable to withstand the onslaught anymore? Yu He widened his eyes and was worried sick about him. Just then, on top of the roof of that teahouse loft at a distance away, the masked woman suddenly narrowed her eyes. Her gaze turned to the tip of the saber in Zhou Hengs hand. At that time, Sun Zhengpins sword had almost reached Zhou Hengs chest. He was expecting Zhou Heng to avoid the blow and was already anticipating his defense. With that, he was prepared to change stances to go for the killing blow. Suddenly, he felt his hand turning numb! Dang! His longsword was blown into the air and clanked on the floor. Meanwhile, Zhou Hengs saber was already at Sun Zhengpins wrist without him even noticing. Sun Zhengpin was stunned and dumbfounded. What happened? How did the saber get there? He did not even know about it! The longsword glowed under the bright sunlight and gradually turned dimmer as it fell onto the ground, covered by dust that it kicked up. It looked like a dazzling meteor falling to its death in the eyes of the public. That was too sudden. The crowd was dumbfounded. They looked at one another at a loss. What happened? What happened actually? Barely any of them had managed to follow whatever that just happened there. They only knew that Zhou Heng had executed a slash out of the blue. It had looked like a normal, simple slash. Despite that, he had managed to knock the longsword out of Sun Zhengpins hand. They already had a clear grasp of Sun Zhengpins personality, so they were certain that he was not putting on an act. What was going on? People once again looked at Zhou Heng in the ring. Their eyes were filled with amazement. How did that slash come about just now? That was amazing! How did a simple slash, a mediocre slash, or something they would not even consider a skill actually achieve such results? He had actually defeated a ninth-class martial artist, Sun Zhengpin in a single blink without even giving him a chance to resist at all! That was incredible! As he blew away Sun Zhengpins longsword, Zhou Heng heard the long-awaited notification prompt. Congratulations! Youve defeated a mediocre opponent, Sun Zhengpin, and you have been rewarded with three Bronze Lucky Bags. Bronze Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect! Chapter 12 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation There were actually three Lucky Bags! Although there were only Bronze Lucky Bags, Zhou Heng was still pleasantly surprised. If the Lucky Bags were of a higher tier, he would welcome them of course. However, he still had to count on luck at the end of the day. As long as he had luck, he could get extraordinary techniques like Broken Sword Style from the Bronze Lucky Bags as well. At the same time, Zhou Heng thought about the mechanism of Lucky Bags drops. It seems to be related to the opponents level of capability. When I barely defeated Master Lin, the evaluation I got was an evenly matched opponent and I was rewarded a Silver Lucky Bag. But the evaluation I got this time was an average opponent after I defeated Sun Zhengpin and I was rewarded three Bronze Lucky Bags. In this case, there may be other ratings. I could get one Bronze Lucky Bag, three Silver Lucky Bags, or even a Gold Lucky Bag. The higher the defeated opponents rating of capability, the better the Lucky Bag quality should be as well. Well, it makes sense. As Zhou Heng was overjoyed, Sun Zhengpin was caught up in unprecedented self-doubt. Why? How could this happen? I-I actually lost to a yokel from a valley? This is impossible. Im the second young master of the Sun family, and the eldest senior brother of Unity Martial Arts Schools apprentices. Besides, I have perfected one of the ninth-class sword techniques. Im a genius who may advance to the ninth class before turning thirty! How could I lose to a yokel? No! This is impossible! Do I have to let that guy protect Ms. Qingqing and watch them get close to each other? Sun Zhengpin started to imagine things, and numerous scenes that made him distraught appeared in his mind. Scenes of Zhou Heng escorting Ms. Qingqing back to her hometown. Along the way, they encountered many dangers, but he saved her. He won her heart and asked her to marry him. After they returned to Yellow Wood City, they got married and spent the night together. Their child was born after ten months, and they lived happily ever after. On the other hand, Sun Zhengpin could only stand alone in the cold weather and watch the happy family. How tragic was that? Sun Zhengpin started to cry as he thought about it. He lamented his misfortune. After so much effort a yokel from the valley had beaten him! Damn it! Damn it! No! How could this be? How could this be? Suddenly, Sun Zhengpin shouted in anger. At that moment, his love for Wang Qingqing turned into resentment toward Zhou Heng. He shouted, I cant accept this! I will never accept this! Zhou Heng was shocked when he saw Sun Zhengpins sudden outburst. He quickly took a few steps back and said softly, Hey, are you okay? You only lost one round. You dont have to be that upset. Your life is still long, youll still have many chances. There wont be a next time if you die because of anger. A yokel like you has no right to lecture me! Sun Zhengpin gnashed his teeth while he looked at Zhou Heng. His face was full of anger and hatred, and his eyes had become blood red. Huh? Blood red? Zhou Heng was stunned when he saw Sun Zhengpins eyes. He realized that Sun Zhengpins eyes seemed to have turned red, but they were not bloodshot. His eyes were beaming with a blood-red light! Sun Zhengpins body was releasing an extremely strong killing intent as well as strange, evil energy. It even condensed into strands of blackish-purple smoke that emerged from his body. Sun Zhengpins skin started to turn blackish green. Cracks broke out on his skin. Viscous purple liquid flowed out of those cracks! He had turned into something that was not human! Crack! Crack! Suddenly, there were sharp cracking pops from Sun Zhengpins neck! At the next moment, his head was seemingly lifted by an invisible hand and pulled out forcefully from his neck by force. Some of his bloody spine was even exposed! Then, things that looked like insect legs grew on the joints of this spine. They kept on waving and caused Sun Zhengpins head to fly in the air! This made it seem like a blood-colored centipede with a human head! Many onlookers under the ring fainted on the spot after they saw such a bizarre and terrifying scene. Zhou Heng, who saw this monster from close range, got goosebumps. What the heck was that?! Ahhh! Die! Die! Die! Die! The human head centipede spoke with Sun Zhengpins voice. At the same time, both sides of its mouth suddenly split all the way to the back of its head. It looked as if its head had been divided into two halves from the mouth, and both the top and bottom had teeth. It kept on opening and closing before rushing toward Zhou Heng! What the hell?! Zhou Heng quickly dodged. He felt his head buzzing, and his vision blurring. It seemed like this human head centipede could deliver invisible mind attacks. Clank! Right then, a deafening sword whistle rang to the horizon. Zhou Hengs fuzzy vision instantly cleared up. Then, a sword light appeared out of nowhere and slashed down. It was a long sword that instantly pierced Sun Zhengpins head. It pierced the top of the head and came out from the mouth, nailing the human head centipede to the rings flagstone. Ahhh! Sun Zhengpins head screamed a few times, and his spine twisted and churned for a while. Then, the dozens of insect legs that grew on the spine stopped moving and the blood-red light in his eyes had dimmed as well. There was nothing but silence as it died completely. But the eyes were still wide open and staring at Zhou Heng fiercely. It was extremely terrifying when one died without closing his eyes. Zhou Heng heaved a sigh of relief. He did not know what to do when facing such a weird monster. Fortunately, someone had saved him. But who delivered the sword light attack? It was incredible! You watched Cheng Jiangjian perform Master Fifth-Class Star Falling Style. An inexplicable understanding appeared in your mind. The level of proficiency increased by 0.0000001. Zhou Heng was a little dumbfounded to know that this was possible as well. That gain of proficiency was almost hilarious. It only increased by 1/1,000,000, which made no difference. But this was actually a master fifth-class martial art. It was the first time he saw such high-class martial arts. The martial arts of the top three classes and the middle three classes usually had unified prefixes, such as secret sixth-class, master fifth-class, extreme fourth-class, and such. These prefixes had special meanings, unlike the bottom three classes that only had numbers. Of course, a person who could use a fifth-class martial art was not necessarily a fifth-class grandmaster. When it came to techniques, a person in the ninth class had the chance to learn a fifth class or even a fourth class martial arts as well. But judging from the power of this attack, the person who slashed it might be at least from the eighth-class or even seventh-class. Are you all right? Suddenly, there was a soft and pleasant female voice. Zhou Heng raised his head and looked at the source of the sound. He saw a slender person fly down from the top of the attic not far away. The woman was tall and slender. She was dressed in a white martial arts outfit. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, making her seem heroic. Unfortunately, she was wearing a mask, so he could not see her face. The mask had a white background with a face pattern painted in gold. She looked like a rich person from theatrical productions. Zhou Heng gave her a brief scan and did not observe her too closely. After the woman landed, he saluted her and said, Thank you for helping me, Miss. Im fine. Its my duty, so you dont have to thank me. The woman slightly nodded. At the same time, she raised her hand and took the long sword which had previously killed Sun Zhengpin back without touching it directly. Zhou Hengs pupils shrank a little. Taking things without touching them was a skill for those who were at the very least at the top of the seventh-class. She was actually a Seventh-Class martial artist? Her voice sounded young. She might be even younger than twenty. At that time, the woman looked around and landed her gaze on Zhou Heng at the end. She smiled and said, Youre an unranked martial artist, but you didnt fall unconscious on the spot. That is remarkable. Unconscious? Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. He got what she meant after he looked at the surroundings. It turned out that everyone around the ring had fainted. Regardless of whether it was Minister Wang and Ms. Wang on the high platform or the people under the ring, on the street, on the trees, and on the high wall, everyone was unconscious. Yu He was no exception. Did this thing scare them? Zhou Heng pointed at Sun Zhengpins head and asked in confusion, Do you know what this thing is, Miss? It is an evil being. As for the specific situation, it is not convenient for me to explain it. The woman shook her head lightly and took a palm-sized jade gourd from the brocade bag on her waist. Huh? Zhou Heng looked at the gourd in the womans hand while feeling surprised and curious. How did she take out such a large gourd from such a small brocade bag? Was this the legendary Universe Bag? At that moment, the woman had come to the side of Sun Zhengpins head. She poured a drop of clear liquid from the jade gourd on Sun Zhengpins head. Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle! There was a sharp sound, and a foul-smelling blackish-purple smoke rose from Sun Zhengpins head. His two glaring eyes suddenly rolled out of his eye sockets, pulling out a slender body with dozens of insect legs on it. Zhou Heng was stunned when he saw it. He had this disgusting insect to still be alive. It seemed like it had multiplied into two. Then, the woman moved her sword and cut off the two insects bodies from the eyeballs. The two eyeballs soon withered and decayed into ashes. However, the two insects bodies curled up and shone red. They got near to each other and became entangled. After that, they gathered together and formed a walnut-sized pill. This person was an unranked martial artist, right? the woman pointed at Sun Zhengpins body and asked Zhou Heng. Thats right. Zhou Heng nodded. He gained the abilities of a ninth-class martial artist after taking this pill. At the same time, this evil creature inhabited his body. The woman softly said while slashing using her sword, causing the swords edge to flash. The pill directly turned into dust and dissipated. Parasite? Zhou Heng asked in surprise after hearing that, An evil parasitize? I cant say much about the evil creature. The woman shook her head. She looked around and said, Fortunately, the thousands of people present were scared and fainted on the spot. They will only think of the appearance of the evil creature as a dream. Otherwise, it will be troublesome. As the woman talked about this, she said to Zhou Heng, I will take care of this incident and the death of Sun Zhengpin. You dont have to worry about the follow-ups. I only want you to promise me one thing. Can you please keep this a secret? Dont let this incident and the evil creature be known. This is extremely important, and I hope that you can give me your word. Chapter 13 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation I promise. Zhou Heng nodded. The woman saved him, so logically speaking, there was no reason to reject such a small request. However, the problem was clearly not him. But there are thousands of people here. Besides, the people outside may notice the situation here at any time. Even if I dont say it, someone may have seen it, Zhou Heng said. The woman said that thousands of people had fainted, so they would think of the terrifying scene that happened just now as a dream. Even so, he still thought that as unrealistic. Thousands of people fell unconscious at the same time. This would bring about a major effect, how could it be possibly hidden? You dont have to worry about it, Mister. The lord mayor will take care of such incidents. He is a master who has advanced into the sixth-class. He has a secret skill that can make people here believe that they just had nightmares. The woman seemed unsurprised by Zhou Hengs puzzlement. She smiled and said, As for the people outside I used a secret treasure to impose an invisible barrier on this area when the competition at the ring started. This can make people outside ignore this area subconsciously. Even if they pass by, they wont look here as well, so naturally, they wont find anomalies. After Zhou Heng heard the explanation, he remained silent in his surprise. Such martial arts and secret treasures actually exist?! After a while, he calmed down and asked, Is this a high-class martial artists trick? Before this, his knowledge of high-class martial artists came from rumors, storytelling teahouses, or some official news of Great Qara. The only time he got to witness the strength of high-class martial artists was two years ago. He had witnessed a battle between two high-class martial artists where they turned a thousand-meter tall mountain into powder. He had never heard of the magic tricks the woman mentioned. Its not really a high-class trick. Its just a sixth-classs secret treasure. The woman shook her head and said, But compared to the lower three classes, the middle three classes and top three classes do have qualitative leaps in terms of the tricks they can use. As she talked about this, she suddenly paused. Then, she said with a smile, In fact, I think youre talented, Mister. You have a strong mind and are highly insightful. You should be able to get a glimpse of the middle three classes mystery in the future. The middle three classes was definitely a level that countless ordinary martial artists could barely step into even after working hard for their whole lives. The old master of Prosperity Martial Arts School could only advance into the seventh-class after working hard for a lifetime. Of course, the people from the top clans and families were not considered ordinary martial artists. Therefore, the womans evaluation of Zhou Heng was definitely not low. It was even considered a high evaluation for an unranked martial artist. Thank you for your kind words, Miss. Zhou Heng smiled and said. Believe in yourself. I think highly of you. The woman smiled and nodded. Then, she said, You should go back first, Mister. The lord mayor and I will take care of the situation here. The mayor should be arriving soon. If youre here, youll have to be interrogated at the administrative office in the future, so you should head back first. I get it. Zhou Heng nodded and was about to turn around and leave. However, he suddenly thought of something. He looked at Ms. Wang who had fainted at the high platform and stopped walking. He turned around and said to the woman, Er, I still have a question, Miss. That is Ms. Wang promised to increase my remuneration to twenty silver taels. She wont think of this as a dream, right? He did not care about other things, but he must get the twenty silver taels! This was nearly an entire years income! The woman fell silent for a long time after she heard Zhou Hengs question. She must be thinking about something. After a while, she finally nodded and said, You dont have to worry. Thats good to know! Take care, Miss! After Zhou Heng was given reassurance, he waved his hand at the woman. He left the ring happily and ran home. He had already taken a leave of absence from the martial arts school, so he did not have to go there today. When he passed by Yu He, he debated about bringing him back, but he gave up after he thought it over. What happened just now was too terrifying and weird. It would be best for Yu He to think of it as a dream. After Zhou Heng left, the air on the ring suddenly rippled and twisted. A middle-aged man wearing a black officer robe and a black gauze cap appeared out of nowhere. The man had a long beard and a square face. He seemed to be in his forties and had a strong presence. He was the mayor of Yellow Wood City, Wu Zongshan. The mayor looked in the direction Zhou Heng left and said in confusion, You seem to be impressed by him, Star Messenger. He already arrived before Zhou Heng left, but he had used a special secret technique to make himself invisible. When he faced the evil creatures mental attack from close range, he didnt faint and was able to stay awake. Such mental toughness is obviously different from ordinary people, the woman softly said, Were short of people. In this case, this young man is indeed talented. Wu Zongshan nodded slightly after he heard that. Then, he lowered his voice and said, There are clues about the incident you asked me to investigate earlier. All right. The woman nodded slightly and said, Please let me know the details later, Lord Mayor. Ill investigate it tonight. After Zhou Heng returned home, he did not immediately open the Lucky Bags. That was because he met a blind fortune-teller on the way back. He spent two coins to find out when he was the luckiest during these two days. The fortune-teller told him that it was midnight, today. It was not wise to believe in feudalism and superstition. The fortune-teller was obviously a fraud as well because he could still move his eyes despite being blind. However, it was only two coins, so it was not bad to try his luck and be happy. Even if he were really unlucky, he could not do anything as well as it was fated. After practicing martial arts for the whole day to increase his level of proficiency, the moon was already high in the sky. The exciting moment that Zhou Heng had been waiting for had finally come. Bronze Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. Open! Open! I have a 50% chance of getting something good! Zhou Heng opened the three Bronze Lucky Bags, hoping for something good. He wondered if he could get some peerless divine skills that were famous this time. For example, Seven Sky Cutting Swords, Nine Origin Seals, Buddhas Palm, Ganesh Prison Power, Dragonless Cultivation Technique, and others. Then Congratulations! Youre very lucky! Youve been rewarded with a special medical skill, the Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation! Congratulations! Youve been rewarded with two coins! Congratulations! Youre very lucky! Youve been rewarded with a special attribute. Your damage on Yin Spirits has increased by 1. Huh? What is this situation? Zhou Heng was stunned. The peerless divine skills he was looking forward to did not appear, but two strange things appeared instead. So the Lucky Bags have things other than martial arts. It even has medical skills! Well, medical and martial arts have been closely related since ancient times. Medical skills can be regarded as special martial arts as well, so it doesnt seem to be a problem. However, what is the extra damage on Yin Spirits? What is a Yin Spirit? Is it an evil creature? But here comes the question, what the heck is an evil creature? Well? For a time, Zhou Hengs head was full of questions. Then, he decided to look at the medical skill since he lacked knowledge in this aspect. At least he knew what this was. Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation sounds like a medical skill used for acupuncture. Is it that kind of acupuncture that requires undressing? Rumors say that when great wandering swordsmen treat a woman, the woman has to take off her clothes. Is this the medical application in this aspect? But why dont the men have to take off their clothes? Zhou Heng began to study this medical skill, eager to learn. Chapter 14 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Youve been studying hard for the Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. The level of proficiency increased by 0.01. Youve been studying hard for the Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. The level of proficiency increased by 0.02. Youve been studying hard for the Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. The level of proficiency increased by 0.01. Congratulations! Your continuous study of medical skills has triggered Heavenly Rewards and increased your insights for the Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation significantly. The level of proficiency increased by 0.1. It turned out that the medical skill was not easy to learn. After four hours, Zhou Heng only triggered Heavenly Rewards once, and the level of proficiency was not even 0.3. He still had a long way to go until he mastered this acupuncture technique. Medical skills: Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. Unmastered: 0.26/1. Although he had not mastered it yet, he had already figured out the effects of this acupuncture technique. It was mainly used to treat injuries related to meridians, qi, and blood circulation. For example, qi and blood stasis, blockage of meridians, and impediment of power. These were also referred to as internal injuries. It was very useful for martial artists. Of course, Zhou Heng figured out something else as well. This medical skill paid an emphasis that hands and feet were connected to the whole body. No matter where the disease was, he only needed to perform acupuncture on the patients hands or feet. If he performed acupuncture in other places, it would cause qi and blood reflux. Besides, there was no need to undress. The medical skills in the fantasy world are amazing! Zhou Heng exclaimed. At the same time, he was a little disappointed, as if he had just missed out on some fun. Crash! Crash! Right then, Zhou Heng heard the sound of roof tiles clashing from the roof. Someone was obviously walking on it. A thief? The thief must be stupid. Why bother coming to a dilapidated house to steal? He was puzzled, but he still quickly stood up. He picked up the steel saber next to him and stood at the rooms entrance. He would subdue the thief as soon as the thief came in. Ill tie the thief up and send the thief to the administrative office tomorrow. Maybe I can claim some bounty. However, something like knockout gas and door breaking, which he anticipated, did not happen. Bang! Suddenly, he heard a loud noise. The roof of Zhou Hengs room collapsed! Many things fell at once, including roof tiles, purlins, rafters, dust, and gravel. Another thing that fell together with these things was a white figure who happened to land on Zhou Hengs bed. Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. Whats going on? Suddenly Zhou Heng! Do you want to die?! How am I going to sleep when youre this noisy?! Ill have you move out of here tomorrow if you keep on being noisy! The landlords scolding came as expected. Zhou Heng wiped his cold sweat. He dared not to respond because the landlord would definitely increase his rent if he responded. He tried it before. These were the painful lessons he learned. Besides, the problem this time seemed to be quite serious. How did the roof collapse? Who is this person who fell? A thief? But shouldnt a thief wear black? When were the night-traveling clothes available in white? Huh? Zhou Heng suddenly stared at the figure who had fallen on his bed. Why are the clothes and the figure of this person familiar? There was a mask beside the person. It should have fallen off the face when the person fell. The mask had a white background with a face pattern painted in gold color, just like a rich character from a theater production. She was the woman who saved him during the day! Her name seemed to be Cheng Jiangjian. Why did she seem to be severely injured? Gasp! Zhou Heng gasped in surprise. The woman was a top seventh-class fighter and had a sixth-classs secret treasure. Who could severely injure her in Yellow Wood City? Zhou Heng no longer hesitated when he found out that she was his savior. He went up to check on her condition and see if he could help her. When Zhou Heng got close, he saw the face of the woman, or should he say the face of the girl, that had been hidden underneath the mask. She seemed to be seventeen or eighteen years old. Although her face was covered in some dust, he could still see that her skin was clean and flawless. She had a beautiful face. She was even prettier than Wang Qingqing, and she seemed more natural and pleasing to eyes. Zhou Heng was stunned and surprised when he saw the girls face. He had not expected a beautiful face to be hidden underneath such a funny-looking mask. Besides, he did not expect the mysterious woman who was meticulous and a little cold to be a beautiful girl of his age. Who was she? What happened to her? He noticed that Cheng Jiangjians body was slightly trembling. Besides, her face was pale like a paper, and her lips were a little black as if she had been poisoned by cold poison. Did she encounter a powerful poisons master? But it doesnt seem like she is poisoned. After thinking about it for a while, Zhou Heng decided to wait for Cheng Jiangjian to wake up first. He would deal with it after asking her what happened. He simply cleaned up the roof tiles, dust, and sundries, which had all fallen on and around the bed. He covered Cheng Jiangjian with a quilt and quietly waited for her to wake up. After he finished everything, Zhou Heng could not help but yawned. He had not had much sleep in the past two days. He could not bear it even if he had a strong body. Besides, he was frightened by the match with Sun Zhengpin yesterday, so he was a little sleepy now. He sat on the chair after seeing that Cheng Jiangjian was still in a coma. He closed his eyes and started to doze off. After an unknown time, the sun shone through the window. The sunlight shone on Zhou Hengs eyes, causing him to wake up. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Cheng Jiangjian sitting opposite him. She did not wear the mask and was looking at him. Ah, Miss, you have woken up? Zhou Heng heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he explained, Dont worry, Miss. I just covered you with the quilt last night. I didnt touch you at all. After all, she was a girl who was seventeen or eighteen years old, so this kind of explanation was necessary. Yes, I know. Cheng Jiangjian nodded slightly. She smiled with her bruised lips and said, Although I seemed to be unconscious last night, I still had a clear perception of the outside world. I just couldnt move because of qi and blood stagnation. Thank you for helping me, Mister. You saved me during the day, but I only gave you a hand. It was nothing much. Zhou Heng waved his hand. When he saw Cheng Jiangjians face still being pale, he could not help but ask, Are you all right? You seem to be severely injured. Were you poisoned by cold poison? Its not cold poison. Its the contamination from ghost aura. Cheng Jiangjian shook her head and said, I came to Yellow Wood City to track down the whereabouts of a ghost. I learned a clue yesterday, so I went to the place where the ghost was at night to investigate. However, I encountered a trap unexpectedly as the ghost had accomplices. In the end, I tried my best and killed the ghost, but I was attacked by the ghosts aura. On the way back, the ghost auras Yin Spirit burst out cold air and made my qi and blood stagnate, so I couldnt move. Unexpectedly, I happened to fall into your room, Mister. Ghost? Ghost aura? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. He could not help but think of the strange attribute he got when he opened the Lucky Bag. It was the extra damage on Yin Spirits! Did Yin Spirit mean ghosts? It shares a similar nature with evil creatures. Similarly, I cant tell you much about it. Cheng Jiangjian was a little embarrassed, so she explained, Its not that I dont want to tell you, but I cant talk about these matters in detail if Im not given the permission. Well, I can only say that it will bring more harm if more people know about the ghosts and evil creatures. I hope you can forgive me, Mister. I understand. Zhou Heng nodded and did not ask any more questions. Are you now able to move freely? Not yet. Cheng Jiangjian shook her head. She managed a bitter smile and said, Im still corrupted by the ghost aura. I can only move a little if I force myself. It will take me at least three days to move freely. Unless the secret technique of depleting lifespan and potential was invoked, she could not forcefully dispel the ghost aura in an instant and restore her movement. Should I find someone to help you? Zhou Heng asked. No, thank you for your kind offer, Cheng Jiangjian sighed softly and said, Ghost aura is very special. If a person is polluted by it, almost nothing will work unless you can get the help of a Deva. If not, that person can only get rid of ghost aura little by little with his or her own strength. Deva?! Zhou Heng was stunned as he was surprised after hearing that. He asked, Do you mean the third-class fighters on the Heavenly Ranking Board, the Devas? They are the top fighters in the world! There are only a few top fighters in the whole Great Qara! Only powerful fighters at this level could help other people get rid of ghost aura? What the hell are these ghosts? They are too scary! Yes. Cheng Jiangjian nodded. Then, she bit her lip lightly and whispered, Although I killed the ghost, its accomplices are still alive. The fact that Im injured and cant move cannot be known by others. So, I hope you can do me a favor. Could I trouble you for these three days? P-Please let me stay here temporarily. After she said her request, she seemed to have thought of something and quickly said, I can pay you the rent. Three silver taels a day! At first, Zhou Heng was still considering it. However, his mouth opened on its own right after he heard Cheng Jiangjians words. Deal! Ive got no problems with it! Chapter 15 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation After Zhou Heng thought through things carefully, he decided there was nothing for him to lose by letting Cheng Jiangjian stay. It might only be mildly troublesome when it was time for them to sleep. He let Cheng Jiangjian sleep on the bed. Meanwhile, he slept on the floor. Also, he slept with his clothes on. Cheng Jiangjian was embarrassed about that. As such, she paid another one tael of silver for the rent. Zhou Heng was very happy. He had earned four taels of silver in just a day! That was two months of his usual salary! With that amount, he would not even mind sleeping at his compound, let alone on the floor! Providing accommodation to Cheng Jiangjian had very little impact on Zhou Hengs daily life. After all, he would still be traveling to and fro between the martial arts school and home as usual. Moreover, he needed to get himself prepared to send Ms. Wang back to her hometown in five days. The only difference was that prior to this arrangement, Zhou Heng could go back to his home anytime he wanted. Now, he had to go back home early because there was an additional person at home. He did not want her to wait for him. At dusk, the sun was setting. Zhou Heng returned to his house. He opened the door and saw Cheng Jiangjian sitting on the bed in a meditative position. She was regulating her qi to dispel the ghost aura. That was her second day with him. Compared to the beginning, her face had now gained a clear red shade. The bruises on her lips had started to recover and her lips looked more moist. She was already gorgeous, but this made her even more beautiful. She noticed Zhou Hengs return and opened her eyes slowly. She smiled and asked, Mister, what have you learned today? Ill spar with you now, Ms. Cheng. Zhou Heng carried a chair over and placed it beside the bed. He sat opposite Cheng Jiangjian, passed one chopstick to her and took one for himself. He smiled as he said, Please enlighten me. Despite the fact that Cheng Jiangjian had not dispelled all of the ghost aura, she had gotten rid of nearly half of it. Her overall movements were still a little bit slow, but her hands, arms, and shoulders could move freely. As such, Zhou Heng had suggested substituting sabers and swords with chopsticks based on the martial arts dramas he had watched in his previous life. This way, neither of them had to exert their strength but could still gain the benefits of practicing their skills in order to regulate the flow of qi and blood circulation. Cheng Jiangjian found that it was a brilliant idea and thus, she agreed to it. Little did Zhou Heng expect the spontaneous thought of his to bring him an unexpected surprise! Even the use of chopsticks could increase the level of proficiency for his martial arts! Moreover, the levels increased significantly! Both of them sat face to face by the bedside. Only two feet separated them from each other. They could even feel each others breath. Despite this, their minds were completely free from any impure thoughts. Instead, they focused on each others chopsticks. Mister, as usual, make your first move. Cheng Jiangjian smiled gently. Ms. Cheng, be careful then! Zhou Heng nodded. He moved the chopstick in his hand and swung it fiercely. The skill he used was Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. Cheng Jiangjian acted calmly. She moved the chopstick in her hand a little and in an instant, it delivered more than one thousand slashes. It was like an endless autumn rain that shot toward Zhou Hengs saber. It was Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords! Before this, she had watched Sun Zhengpin execute several skills from a distance. She had acquired that skill on the spot, to the immediate point of perfection, no less. In fact, the skills demonstrated were much more exquisite than Sun Zhengpins. How do you describe a genius? Right here is one! Zhou Heng had benefited greatly from the spar. Your techniques are being guided by an expert in a sparring session. The level of proficiency for Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique increased by 30. Youve defused the attack from an expert during the sparring session and have gained deeper insights for Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 40. Congratulations! Your continuous learning from an experts teaching during the sparring session has triggered Blessing to the Spirit, and you have gained deeper insights into Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 100. Congratulations! Your continuous neutralization of the attacks from an expert during the sparring session has triggered Blessing to the Spirit, and you have gained deeper insights into Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 188. Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Completion rate: 2,655/4,000. Ninth-Class Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. Perfection rate: 3,569/5,000. Needless to say, Cheng Jiangjian was practically a living gift of points to his level of proficiency! Every time he executed skills during the sparring session, his level of proficiency would increase significantly. On top of that, the increase in his level of proficiency was for two types of martial arts skills. He was improving both of them at the same time, killing two birds with one stone! That was so cool! At this rate, he could max out his level of proficiency for Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique within a few days and achieve perfection for that skill! Furthermore, he would soon be achieving perfection for his Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, which would be his second ninth-class martial arts technique. She was indeed a pool of experience! A pool of experience in the form of a person! However, Zhou Heng knew very well that it was only possible because Cheng Jiangjian was deliberately guiding him and leading his attacks. After all, Cheng Jiangjian was an expert at the peak of the seventh class. Any random guidance from her would have easily benefited any unranked martial artists like Zhou Heng greatly, and heavy one-to-one tutoring like this would be even more so. As such, as Zhou Heng kept farming experience from the beautiful ladys pool of experience, he also practiced the Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. The acupuncture manipulation could help Cheng Jiangjian unblock her qi and enable the smooth flow of blood circulation so that she could recover her mobility soon. After all, friendships with mutual benefits would last longer. He would also feel guilty if he kept farming experience from her. After the chopsticks fight ended, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jiangjian had their dinner. At night, he took out a small cloth bag from the bag that he usually brought with him to the martial arts school. It contained the silver needles he bought as he was on his way home on that day. Medical skills: Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. Novice Level: 11/1000. After two days of hard work in studying the technique, he had finally mastered the acupuncture manipulation. He could apply the needles on Cheng Jiangjian to unblock her stagnated qi and enable the flow of blood circulation and qi. Mister, did you buy something? Cheng Jiangjian saw Zhou Hengs small cloth bag. She widened her eyes and asked curiously. After two days of staying together and sleeping under the same roof, both of them no longer spoke as formally as before. They were more casual with one another. These are silver needles. Zhou Heng opened his cloth bag and showed them to Cheng Jiangjian. He smiled and said, Ive learned some acupuncture manipulation to unblock your qi. I can use acupuncture to help you clear your qi. Inside the cloth bag, the shiny silver needles of various lengths and thickness were revealed to Cheng Jiangjians eyes. The sight immediately caused her rosy pink cheeksthe red flush having only come back recently after a little recoveryto turn ghastly pale again. She hurriedly turned her head away to avoid the sight of those silver needles. Her voice trembled as she said, No, Mister. Please keep away those silver needles. I dont need acupuncture. When Zhou Heng saw this, he was a bit stunned. Whats happening? She seems adverse to these silver needles. In fact, she seems to be a bit scared? Were my eyes deceiving me? Is this a joke?! How could an expert at the peak of the seventh-class fear these tiny silver needles?! If she were to summon her power, Im afraid that not even real silver needles can pierce her skin. Whats so scary about them? Although Zhou Heng was puzzled, he took back the silver needles. He could not help but ask her, Ms. Cheng, whats going on? Phew Cheng Jiangjian heaved a sigh of relief. When she recalled her look just now, she could not help but feel slightly ashamed of herself. Her pretty face started to blush. She hurriedly fumbled with her hands to search for the mask and put it back on her face. After putting on her mask, Cheng Jiangjian became the wise and mature Star Messenger again and regained her composure. After a brief silence, she lowered her voice and said softly, Please dont misunderstand, Mister. I I was a bit nervous just now. Actually, I I have a fear of needles. Trypanophobia? Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. He felt countless question marks popping up in his head. Youre an expert at the peak of the seventh-class and you fear needles? You killed an evil creature with a single slash! But you have a fear of needles?! Arent you going to be so dead if you encounter an expert in using needles? Cheng Jiangjian lowered her head. She wore a mask and thus, hid all the changes in her expressions. However, he could still hear her apologetic tone as she said, Im sorry. I didnt mean to reject your kind intentions, Mister. This is a problem that Ive had since childhood. Despite my elders thinking of many solutions, I have never been able to overcome it. But there was still a way to temporarily relieve it. Mister, do youhave any sweets here? I just need to eat something sweet to temporarily relieve my fear of needles. Chapter 16 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Ah! It hurts Ugh, Im not that skillful yet. Hold on for a while longer and after that, you should feel more comfortable. Ugh, alright. How do you feel now? A little numb, but feeling much better. Zhou Heng was applying acupuncture on Cheng Jiangjian. As he carried out his acupuncture, he realized that she was actually a little scared of pain. But she was able to endure it when given candy. Her current look was completely different from the aura displayed when she was in the ring earlier. After all, she was only eighteen years old. Before Zhou Hengs transmigration, he was already twenty-one years old and in his senior year at college. To him, an eighteen-year-old person was merely a junior in her first year at college. After a while, Zhou Heng took the needles back and asked her, How are you feeling now? The qi and blood circulation are smooth. I can even command some power smoothly too. With candy inside her mouth, Cheng Jiangjian was happy to feel the improvement inside her body. Suddenly, she widened her beautiful eyes and cried in astonishment, I cant believe that the speed of dispelling the ghost aura has become that fast too! How is that possible? Based on her own understanding, the removal of ghost aura could only be done by relying on ones own strength. If she needed external assistance, only a third-class Deva was able to help her. Evidently, Zhou Heng was not a third-class Deva, he was not even a ninth-class. What happened? The situation was beyond her comprehension. Could the acupuncture technique he applied to regulate my qi and blood circulation be somewhat extraordinary? Im afraid thats the only valid explanation! But thats just too much! What kind of medical skills are those?! An unranked martial arts apprentice had actually been able to do things only a third-class Deva was able to perform! That was truly incredible and unbelievable! Any problems? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled. He had not expected Cheng Jiangjian to be so shocked. He was also very surprised at how effective that acupuncture technique had been in removing ghost aura. After all, during his studies, there was no mention of such effectiveness! Just as Zhou Heng was puzzled, he suddenly figured out something. Could it be the attribute of the extra damage on Yin Spirits? I think so. Mister, try to avoid using this acupuncture technique in the future. Cheng Jiangjian stared at Zhou Heng in a very serious manner, and she continued, Its very magical and mysterious. If others know about it, itll probably bring death to you. Its too dangerous. Ive no idea how you learned this acupuncture technique. However, Im afraid that the origin of this acupuncture technique is incomparably phenomenal. Therefore, its best not to let anyone know about this. Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. This was only an Eighth-Class Medical Skill! Why did you make it sound as if its the only divine first-class technique in the world? However, he was much aware that there was no other explanation for the attribute of this extra damage on Yin Spirits. For now, he should grab the opportunity to increase the speed of removing the contamination of ghost aura through this acupuncture technique. It undoubtedly would bring up the best results. Alright. Zhou Heng nodded. The attribute of the extra damage on Yin Spirits actually worked in the medical field, which even shocked him. Initially, he had planned to make money by healing people with these medical skills after becoming more familiar with them. Fortunately, this was discovered early. Otherwise, if he simply provided the treatment to the public and happened to bump into an ungrateful patient, he would get into trouble. Mister, please do not misunderstand me for making a big deal out of it. Cheng Jiangjian removed her mask. Her brilliant eyes fixated on Zhou Heng, and she said in a deep voice, Your acupuncture technique is ridiculously good at removing the contamination of ghost aura. Even Devas would covet it. To be honest, the thought of reporting this matter to my master actually crossed my mind. But you performed the acupuncture technique just to heal me. As such, I cannot betray you. Nonetheless, you must remember that the value of these medical skills is priceless. You must never let anyone know about it until you become truly powerful. Okay, thank you so much for your friendly advice, Ms. Cheng. Zhou Heng nodded and smiled as he said, Dont worry, I treasure my life. Unless necessary, I wont reveal these medical skills in the future. He did not doubt the truthfulness of Cheng Jiangjians words and also believed that she would not tell others. After all, if she really wanted to expose the incident to her master, there was no need for her to warn him like so. She could have remained silent and lodged the report after recovering from her injuries. Alright. Cheng Jiangjian relaxed a little after receiving the assurance from Zhou Heng. Then, she continued, In the following days, you dont need to apply these medical skills to heal me, Mister. Im worried that by doing so, it may expose your medical skills. Therefore, you should just let me recover naturally. Alright, Zhou Heng smiled as he replied, Besides, I can save up from these candies. They are quite expensive, two for one coin . Huh? As soon as Cheng Jiangjian heard this, she immediately showed a bitter look. Then, a thought popped up in her mind. She smiled gently and said, How about I pay you one tael of silver per candy? Zhou Heng fell silent. Immediately, his eyes teared up and turned red. He stared at the lady close to him and said, Are you serious?! Of course I was joking! Cheng Jiangjian laughed out loud and said, Dream on. Theres no way something so good would happen. When I recover in two days, I can have all the candies I want in the world. Bah! Zhou Heng smiled too. The banter relieved the tense atmosphere just now. Early the next morning, it was the first of May. Zhou Heng reached the martial arts school early in the morning. After all, to the apprentices of Prosperity Martial Arts School, there was always an exciting event that attracted everyones attention on the first day of every month. In fact, not only would the attention of the people inside Prosperity Martial Arts School be gathered, even the nearby neighbors would come over and have a look. Is he coming? Is he coming? Isnt Yu He here yet? Isnt that inn his home? Why is he taking so long to copy the board list? We dont need the Earthly Ranking Board nor the Heavenly Ranking Board, we only want to look at the People Ranking Board! The People Ranking Board has got the most names and information. The crowd was chattering as they stood by the front door and waited anxiously. Zhou Heng also went there. Somehow, he was also interested in the latest edition of the People Ranking Board. The People Ranking Board was actually one of the three ranking boards issued by the Great Qara. All three of them were Heavenly Ranking Board, Earth Ranking Board, and People Ranking Board. Heavenly Ranking Board and Earthly Ranking Board aside, the People Ranking Board took into account the power ranking of the worlds younger generation below the age of thirty. It was not based on their level of cultivation. It was purely based on the results from their combat records. There were a total of one hundred people. The People Ranking Board had more than a thousand years of history. As long as the people ranked on board could maintain their positions and not drop, eventually, they would become famous. As long as one was ranked on the People Ranking Board, they would be considered to have a bright future ahead regardless of whether they were ranked in the eighties, nineties, or even at the hundredth place. As such, on the first day of every month when the People Ranking Board was updated, many people paid attention to the changes. Some were there, concerned about their own rankings. Some were there for recruitment or investment purposes, some were there to update themselves on their idols. Of course, a majority of them were purely watching for fun in order to create more hot topics for discussion. Therefore, those who were ranked on the People Ranking Board enjoyed great fame. With fame came profits! As a result, countless young men who embarked into the world of martial arts were as hungry to be up there as starving lions. They challenged one after another to differentiate the strong and the weak as well as the winners and the losers in order to squeeze their names onto the ranking board. Here it comes! Here it comes! Yu He held a scroll in his hand and hurriedly trotted over. Get out of the way! Get out of the way! I need to find a place to hang it up. Whoosh! The crowd shared a tacit understanding this time. Tens of people immediately paved a way to allow Yu He to run into the martial arts school. There was no sign of the dissatisfaction just now. After Yu He unrolled the scroll and hung it up on the display board, the crowd flocked over to look at it, and within a second, Yu He was pushed aside. Yu He was miserably squeezed out from the crowd. When he saw Zhou Heng outside the crowd, he felt his eyes sting, and he said, Bud, youre the only one who cares for me! Thats because I knew that you must have already gone through it. Zhou Heng patted his shoulders and chuckled, Come, tell me, are there any changes in the top ten of the People Ranking Board? So, those were your true intentions! Yu He put on a look of dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, he still answered him, Not much changes in the top ten of the People Ranking Board, Fang Wen is still ranked first. Hes been in the same rank for five years consecutively. That mans so strong. Also, this time, the tenth is At that moment, the people surrounding the display board suddenly gasped. Oh my god! This person is ranked tenth! Shes only seventeen years old?! Shes ranked tenth in the People Ranking Board without even reaching twenty?! The last person below twenty years old who ranked in the top ten was the reincarnation of a Deva from Lotus Stage Temple three hundred years ago! Shes the disciple of the Pious Sun Palace, one of the largest sects among Daoism! Whats her name? Whats the name given in the People Ranking Board? Cheng Jiangjian! Immortal Jade Mountain! As Zhou Heng heard this, he was stunned. He turned his head and looked at it. Chapter 17 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Tenth on the People Ranking Board?! So, the lady who had a fear of needles and liked to eat candy was that strong?! Zhou Heng was slightly taken aback. Initially, he thought that judging from Cheng Jiangjians age and level of cultivation, she deserved a place on the People Ranking Board, but she would most likely be ranked among the thirties to the forties. After all, the first sixty people ranked on the People Ranking Board were basically seventh-class martial artists. Little did he expect her to actually be tenth place on the People Ranking Board. This was based on the results of real-life combat! She was indeed powerful. The people ranked in the top ten could be considered legendary figures for the younger generations, and their experiences could even be written in a short or medium-length novella. They might even be spread for centuries! This was an achievement to be dreamed of for numerous young martial artists. But the title for Cheng Jiangjian was a bit too simplistic. Jade Mountain meant that the place was basically a rock, which meant it was barren, and barren meant having nothing, which could also mean having no money. It was such an ominous name! Now that Zhou Heng thought about it, he was staying with a poor immortal, and it instantly made him panic. Would he not be able to make money in the future?! He was a bit superstitious and obsessed with Chinese metaphysics. At that moment, he could not wait to dash home and ask her to leave the house or ask her to change her title. Hey! What are you looking at? Yu He realized that Zhou Heng was in a daze. He waved his hand right before his eyes as he smiled and said, Why are you looking so star-struck after hearing the name Cheng Jiangjian? I hope youre not comparing yourself with her, right? No, Zhou Heng shook his head and said, I was just a little curious to hear that an eighteen-year-old was ranked at tenth place, I havent even heard of this name before. Thats because youre ignorant, Yu Hen grinned and said, Cheng Jiangjian is a disciple of Pious Sun Palace Sect of the Third Palace of Daoism. Shes the personal disciple of Qi Rui, mountain master of Beautiful Jade Mountain, also known as Sage Clear Emptiness. She cultivates one of the ultimate techniques of the Pious Sun Palace Sect that could help her reach the realm of Deva. Rumor has it that shes extremely talented in swordsmanship. After observing, exploring, and learning the weapon that protects the sect, she immediately gained insights from it and acquired an amazing sword technique. A month ago, when she first descended from the valley, she killed a seventh-class expert from the Nine Evil Daoism Death Sect. Half a month ago, she defeated the original tenth-ranked on the People Ranking Board, known as Three Ultimate Killing Steps Shen Cong at Mountain County, and she did it in three steps. Since then, she gained fame and became known as Immortal Jade Mountain. Awesome! Zhou Heng nodded and praised her. As such, were totally incomparable with her. Yu He patted Zhou Hengs shoulders. Then, he smiled as he said, Dont be sad, bud. I understand how you feel. Shes definitely out of our league. We may not even have a chance to see her once in our lifetime. Allow me to treat you to meat-skewers tonight, yeah? That wont be necessary. I still have some leftover ingredients at home, Ill go back and prepare my meals. Zhou Heng shook his head. After all, Cheng Jiangjian was still waiting for him at home. He could not afford to eat meat-skewers outside while leaving her to starve at home. She was his golden egg-laying goose. After all, she gave him four taels of silver per day! Youre just too frugal. Yu He knew that all the while, Zhou Heng had been very prudent and thrifty. He smiled and said, Ill treat you tomorrow then. After all, youre going to become the temporary guard for Ms. Wang in two days, and youll get money from her. Ill be eating lavishly by then. Zhou Heng smiled as he said. By the way, speaking of Ms. Wang, her hometown is in Yu Yang County, right? Yu He seemed to have thought of something, then he said to Zhou Heng, Theres a true disciple of Red Flower Palace, and shes a evil, demonic woman called Chen Hanyu. Shes ranked on the thirty-fourth place of the People Ranking Board. I heard she used to turn up in Yu Yang County. You need to be careful. Do you mean that mysterious Red Flower Palace who takes pleasure from killing men? Zhou Heng was stunned, and he said, A person whos ranked at the thirty-fourth place on the People Ranking Board is considered at least a seventh class martial artist. If I were to bump into her, Im so dead. When did she appear in Yu Yang County? Half a year ago. Now, shes long gone. Haha! Yu He was instantly delighted, he pointed at Zhou Heng. Then, he smiled and said, Youre scared, arent you? Finally, I managed to terrify you this time. Hehe! Theres a price to pay for making me scared! The corner of Zhou Hengs mouth twitched. Then, he waved at Yu He and said, Come. Its been a while since we last sparred. You and I have learned Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, lets practice now! Im sorry, I took the day off! Yu He sensed that something was not right, so he immediately ran out of the martial arts school in a flash. His voice was heard, You can practice on your own, my familys inns business is booming for today, so Ive got to head home to help out Hey! This guy Zhou Heng swung the saber in his hand a little. He turned his body and walked toward the martial arts practice field. He could not help but heave a sigh and said, Hes truly living an easy life. I really envy those wealthy people. The sun was setting in the west, and the moon was rising in the east. It was dusk. Zhou Heng was on his way home, considering if he should prepare a sweet dish tonight. After all, Cheng Jiangjian seemed to have a sweet tooth. After that, he would discuss the issue of her title with her. However, when he arrived home, the familiar silhouette was no longer in the bed. It was only an empty room. The room was all silent and cold. Zhou Heng was a little stunned. Then, he shifted his gaze and noticed a letter on the desk, along with a few taels of silver. Zhou Heng walked over to it and read the words written on it. [I could not thank you enough for taking care of me over the past two days, Mister. [All thanks to your great care, Mister, my body has fully recuperated today. As such, I do not wish to further cause any inconvenience to you. I should leave now. [Ive placed the daily rental payment as well as coins for the candies on the desk. Please keep them. [Theres still a long way to go in the world of martial arts, do take care of yourself. Our friendship remains and well keep in touch. [Ill see you around.] Her handwriting was elegant yet meticulous and sharp, just like herself. Its alright, as long as she didnt forget to give the money. Zhou Heng smiled faintly as he grabbed the silver and tossed them. Not bad, thats about six taels of silver. The extra two taels of silver should be the money for candies. After that, he folded the letter neatly and kept it. He prepared a simple meal for that night. After eating his meal, he picked up a chopstick. Sadly, he had no company to practice with him. As such, he could only practice the skills by himself. Youre practicing hard for Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 3. Youre practicing hard for Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, the level of proficiency increased by 5. Congratulations! Your continuous practice has triggered the Heavenly Rewards, and you gained deeper insights into Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. The level of proficiency increased by 50. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords has reached perfection! Youll be rewarded with a Bronze Lucky Bag. Congratulations! Your level of proficiency for Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords has reached perfection, therefore, youve gained deeper insights regarding sword theory. The level of proficiency for Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style automatically advanced to intermediate level. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style has reached the intermediate level, therefore, the level of proficiency of sword technique for Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords automatically increased by 5000. Ninth-Class Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords. Perfection rate: 5000/5000. Zhou Heng was stupefied watching the series of notifications popping up in his mind. With the practice of one type of sword technique, my level of proficiency for another sword technique has increased tremendously. Solo Nine Swords is indeed a good technique! He could not believe that he had achieved perfection for his Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords, a level that not even the siblings from the Sun family had managed to reach. Well, at least not Sun Zhengpin. Speaking of which, I wonder how did Cheng Jiangjian and the lord mayor handle the incident at that time. Sun Zhengfen never once showed up to cause me trouble. Well, even Yu He could only vaguely recall the events of that day. The tricks of sages were indeed unfathomable. After that, Zhou Heng washed his hands carefully ten times and got ready to open the Lucky Bag. The fact was, as long as Lady Luck smiled at him, even a Bronze Lucky Bag would grant him a reward as good as Solo Nine Swords. On the contrary, if he was down on his luck, even a Silver Lucky Bag may reward him something as poor as an increase in the level of proficiency for a ninth-class martial arts. As such, it was crucial to use Chinese metaphysics to boost his luck. Congratulations! Youve been rewarded with a state of clear mind with little desires. Clear mind with little desires is a state that enables one to keep his mind clear and have fewer desires. One has to take the initiative to activate it. You can do it once daily, and it can last for fifteen minutes. What is this? Zhou Heng was confused. Could this be the legendary kenja mode? Indeed, if there was no statement of youre very lucky when he opened the Lucky Bag, the reward gained would either be poor or completely useless. He recalled the Silver Lucky Bag which he had opened previously that had rewarded him three distributable points for the level of proficiency in three types of martial arts skills. That had been a true Silver Lucky Bag! This time, he was really unlucky! Zhou Heng heaved a sigh and was contemplating if he should give a try on the clear mind with little desires. Since he had opened it, he should at least give it a try. Therefore, with a thought in his mind, he immediately felt himself shudder and shiver. He felt a cold stream of water rush in from the soles of his feet to his head, making him lose interest in everything. He no longer had any interests in the levels of proficiency, Lucky Bag, rewards, martial arts, women, and so on and so forth It was as if there was no longer anything that was pleasurable to him, and everything seemed bland. The only thing that seemed to bring him pleasure was only silver. So this is indeed kenja mode! Zhou Heng rolled his eyes, then he immediately fell on the bed which still had some of Cheng Jiangjians fragrance on it. Despite this, his heart did not flutter at all and soon, he fell into a deep slumber. Zhou Heng had been sleeping very well these few days. As such, he was in good spirits. It was because he discovered that this technique of having a clear mind with little desires had really good effects in putting him to sleep, even if it had no other effects. Today was the day he was to serve as Wang Qingqings temporary guard. He was to work along with the rest of her guards and servants in order to escort her back to her hometown. There was no welcoming ceremony, not even any pleasantries. After all, Zhou Heng was only a temporary guard for the sake of earning money. He had already familiarized himself with the other six guards appointed by Ms. Wang. As such, he arrived at Wang residence early in the morning and immediately set off after some preparations. At Yellow Wood Citys administrative office, Cheng Jiangjian wore her Star Messenger mask and a white martial arts outfit. She flipped through the information inside a study room. Actually, she had yet to depart from Yellow Wood City. After dispelling the ghost aura, she went to Yellow Wood Citys administrative office to look for Mayor Wu Zhongshan and inform him about the ghost and its assistants. Although the ghost was already dead, she could not allow its assistants to escape. The cooperation between people and ghosts was an unusual phenomenon. That person either had a special life form, or he or she had some terrible plot in mind. Therefore, she must find them as soon as possible. Cheng Jiangjian and Mayor Wu Zhongshan split into two teams. She was going through the details of various people in Yellow Wood City for the past year inside the study room. Meanwhile, Wu Zhongshan was sending people to investigate in the shadows in order to trace the people or places related to the ghosts within the city. After checking for a few days, Cheng Jiangjian generally narrowed his list of suspects to three families. All of them had moved to Yellow Wood City in the last six months. One of the biggest suspects was the Wang family, which was the same family where Wang Qingqing was located. The head of the Wang family, Wang Tong often sent his people to buy herbs that nourished a womans qi and blood circulation. However, it was known that his wife had long since passed away, and he had not taken in concubines. He only had an unmarried daughter. Logically speaking, there was no need for these herbs for anyone there. Moreover, these herbs could not only nourish a woman but also cultivate Yin energy, which could increase a ghosts ability as well as its essence. At the same time, the other two families bore similar suspicions too. Hence, it was difficult for her to identify the real culprit at the moment. Just then, Mayor Wu Zhongshan returned hurriedly. He saluted her respectfully and said to her nervously, Star Messenger, theres bad news. We discovered this from the Wang family. After that, he waved his hand. Three to five constables carried a pot of bright red flowers and walked in. The color of the flowers was stunningly beautiful and gorgeous. Water droplets lay on the petals like teardrops. Whats this?! Cheng Jiangjian immediately rose, and her gaze fixated on that pot of red flowers. She asked in shock, Are these Tears of Crimson Flower?! Indeed. They are Tears of Crimson Flower! Wu Zhongshan nodded, and he said in a grave voice, Only the true disciples of Red Flower Palace will plant Tears of Crimson Flower, which can charm ones mind and seduce ones soul. They actually planted this inside a mansion in the city. Its no wonder why the Wang Family never welcome any visitors to their mansion, its all because theyve hidden the Tears of Crimson Flower in it. Darn it! The Wang family?! Cheng Jiangjian was a bit worked up. Her mind raced, and she said, If the Tears of Crimson Flower is a sign of the existence of a true disciple of Red Flower Palace, and Wang Qingqing is able to charm people to the point that they lose their minds Im afraid shes a disciple of Red Flower Palace! As she thought of this, she immediately picked up the longsword placed beside her and dashed out of the study room in the administrative office. Within the blink of an eye, she was nowhere to be seen! Chen Jiangjian remembered vividly that Zhou Heng would be escorting Wang Qingqing, and they had departed yesterday. A whole day had passed! She must still be able to make it to him alive! Despite the Great Qara being similar to ancient China, the road condition was good. To Zhou Heng, the road was so flat that it was as good as the tarmac roads on the Earth. This was quite amazing. As such, the groups speed was rather fast. They had finished almost half the journey in just a day. They were almost reaching their destination. The only thing that irritated Zhou Heng was that Ms. Wang seemed to be a little over-enthusiastic about him. When the team stopped to rest or have their meals, she often took the initiative to come close to him. She would either sit beside Zhou Heng and slowly close the gap between them or even pretend to fall sideways so that she could coincidentally fall next to Zhou Heng. If Sun Zhengpin were to be in his place, he would probably have gone crazy with glee. Unfortunately, Zhou Heng only wanted to have a purely monetary transaction with Wang Qingqing and was completely uninterested in other things. Night fell, and the wind howled. The road was located in the wilderness. In front of them was forest land. He could faintly hear the wolves howling. As the familys well-protected eldest daughter, Wang Qingqing undoubtedly slept in the horse-drawn carriage with a maid by her side. Meanwhile, a guard like Zhou Heng could only guard the horse-drawn carriage on the outside and occasionally take a nap. The moon was up in the sky, it was already midnight. Initially, Zhou Heng wanted to close his eyes to rest for a while. Suddenly, he felt his consciousness being drawn out by an unknown force, as if a part of his emotions was being wrung out. In just a short while, he felt an inexplicable fire rise in his chest and belly. His face suddenly became hot, and his eyes involuntarily looked at the horse-drawn carriage where Wang Qingqing was sleeping. Chen Hanyu is applying Seventh-Class Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique to deliver a mind attack upon you. Your mental toughness counteracted some of the effects. The level of proficiency for Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique increased by 0.0001. The notification prompted suddenly. Zhou Heng instantly shuddered and regained clarity in his mind. Just then, he recalled the random words Yu He said to scare him. It was Chen Hanyu! The person ranked at the thirty-fourth place on the People Ranking Board! She was a seventh-class martial artist! She was a true disciple of Red Flower Palace! At that moment, a soft and feminine voice came from the horse-drawn carriage. There was slight bitterness and a tinge of expectation in it. That voice could make a persons heart tingle. Mister, its late at night and misty. The cold wind will give you a cold. Why dont you come in for a while and warm yourself? Chapter 18 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The enchanting voice made whoever heard it feel numb, but to Zhou Heng, it was practically a demons whisper. His hands and legs were cold, as if he had just fallen into an ice pit. Without a second thought, he immediately made a run for it. He unleashed his bodys power to apply Eight Flying Grass Stepsa lightness skillfrantically and fled! Chen Hanyu was a seventh-class martial artist at the peak of the class! An unranked apprentice like him would not stand a chance against her! The gap was too wide! Therefore, it was wiser to flee! He only managed three to five steps when the strong fragrance of flowers assaulted his senses. After that, red flower petals blew past him. Then, his mind went blank. When he came back to his senses, he realized that he had returned to his original position next to the horse-drawn carriage. Wang Qingqing was actually Chen Hanyu, a beautiful woman from Red Flower Palace. Like just now, her horse-drawn carriage door was half-covered by the curtain. She looked at Zhou Heng alluringly and spoke softly to him, Mister, its late at night and misty. The cold wind will give you a cold. Why dont you come in for a while and warm yourself? Her voice was ridiculously seductive. She chanted the same suggestive words. Zhou Heng did not give it any thought. He turned and ran for his life. Again, he smelled the fragrance of flowers and red petals blowing past him. He only managed a few steps before he returned and was by the side of the horse-drawn carriageagain. The image of Chen Hanyus alluring face appeared before his sight yet again. Mister, its late at night and misty. The cold wind will give you a cold. Why dont you come in for a while and warm yourself? The same words again! Are you a recorder?! Zhou Heng felt goosebumps all over his skin. He had never heard of such a bizarre method, and thus, he was unsure how to neutralize this. This might have exceeded the scope of the lower three classes of martial arts! Could an expert at the peak of the seventh-class learn secret sixth-class martial arts? What do you want?! Zhou Heng stared at Chen Hanyu who sat inside the horse-drawn carriage and asked with a growl. Since he could not escape, he had better seek clarification from her and look for opportunities to get himself out. Arent you surprised to see my change? Chen Hanyus pretty face was flushed with redness. Her eyes were misty. She smiled suggestively, Or you already know who I am? She gently lifted the horse-drawn carriage curtain, revealing a soft and delicate figure. It was not known since when she had actually changed her clothes from the original tight dress into a thin gauze dress, thus only partially hiding her beautiful body. With such a beautiful face and gorgeous body, every move she made tugged at mens heartstrings easily. It would be hard for them to resist their deepest desires, and they would want to recklessly pounce on her. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng subconsciously took a step backward and turned his head so as not to look at Chen Hanyu. He said, You havent answered my question. Do I still need to answer your question? Chen Hanyu laughed seductively, Hehe! Cant you see what I want to do with you? After that, she exhaled gently at Zhou Heng. It was a cloud of thick red smoke that contained a rich floral fragrance. It was refreshing, charming and intoxicating, causing one to fall into a stupor and not want to wake up from it. Even though Zhou Heng had a strong will and tough spirit, still, under the influence of the red smoke, he started to feel dizzy. Lust started to surge at his groin again, and strange emotions rose once more. Chen Hanyu is applying Seventh-Class Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique to deliver a mind attack upon you. Your mental toughness counteracted some of the effects. The level of proficiency for Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique increased by 0.001. Chen Hanyu is applying Seventh-Class Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique to deliver a mind attack upon you. Your mental toughness counteracted some of the effects. The level of proficiency for Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique increased by 0.001. The notifications kept popping up inside Zhou Hengs mind. Despite that, they could not snap him out of his stupor. This time, the effects of the red smoke exhaled from Chen Hanyu were stronger than the previous one, which had appeared subtly. Zhou Heng could not even last through a few breaths of them, and he felt that his mind was about to become completely blurry, and he was about to lose his sense of self. Just then, he recalled the status effect which he had previously drawn out from the Lucky Bag. It was the status that would allow him to have a clear mind with little desires. He had treated that status effect as a sleeping pill! Perhaps this would be helpful! As he thought of this, Zhou Heng used the last of his lucidity to activate the status effect of having a clear mind with little desires. That familiar sense of coolness swept through his whole body in a blink. He was instantly awakened from the state of delirium and became wholly conscious. At that moment, no matter how gorgeous, alluring, and seductive Chen Hanyu was, Zhou Heng only saw her as a skeleton. The moment his mind became clear, he immediately made up his mind to flee. Almost immediately, he smelled the fragrance of the flower and saw petals again. This time, he was not affected in any way. He did not even feel the slightest bit of dizziness, nor did he return to the horse-drawn carriage inexplicably. He continued to run for his life. Chen Hanyu remained still and looked at the direction where Zhou Heng had bolted. Her gaze was filled with consternation, and her facial expressions had changed from the originally flirtatious look to utter shock. How could he actually shake off the effects of my Mind Seduction and Desire Cultivation Technique?! Even though he was naturally mentally tough, how could he resist such great temptation offered to him?! Zhou Hengs sudden return to consciousness and escape was a huge shock to her perception. She found it incredulous. How could an unranked apprentice actually get rid of my control?! Thats truly unbelievable! However, she did not grow furious because of this. Instead, she enjoyed it. Her facial expression grew charming again, and her smile grew even more intense. With a flick of her finger, she said to the six guards next to her, Go and get that cutie pie for me! Got it! Got it! The six guards nodded. But they did not take immediate action. Instead, they twisted their necks. Their heads flew up, dragging their bloody spines with them. Their months split open, showing densely sharp teeth. They rushed after Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng was still an unranked apprentice. Although he had given his all to flee for his life, he was still not very fast. Very soon, he felt strong wind blow from behind him. He turned his head and saw six heads flying toward him, all with bloody spines snaking behind them! So, Sun Zhengpin turned into an evil creature all because of Chen Hanyu! In the dark of the night, amid the empty wilderness, normal people would have passed out on the spot at such a horrendous sight. However, Zhou Heng was surprisingly calm under the status effect of a clear mind with little desires. He estimated his own speed as well as the flight speed of those six heads and was convinced that if he did not accelerate, they would catch him. Fortunately, during the escape just now, his level of proficiency for Eight Flying Grass Steps was on the verge of reaching the peak of intermediate level and would soon advance to high level. With that, he would be even faster, and he may get away from these heads. Finally, after a series of notifications prompted, Zhou Hengs level of proficiency for Eight Flying Grass Steps had increased to high level! His speed instantly accelerated, and he distanced himself further from those six heads. He was going to shake them off soon! Before he even had the time to rejoice for this, he saw a horse-drawn carriage pulling up in front of him. Chen Hanyu stood there as if she had been waiting for his arrival. Zhou Heng was instantly dumbfounded. Hows that possible?! This was clearly not where it was just now. How did she get here?! Teleport?! A seventh-class martial artist is able to perform this technique?! Thats impossible! Immediately after, the nightmarish voice drifted into Zhou Hengs ears once more. Mister, its late at night and misty. The cold wind will give you a cold. Why dont you come in for a while and warm yourself? It was still the same charming and seductive phrase. Chen Hanyu was still swaying her gorgeous body gently. Warm myself, my foot! Just die! Zhou Heng was enraged! Just then, the time for the status effect of possessing a clear mind with little desires was up. He simply pulled out the steel saber in his hand and, just like how a mighty man would split mountains, he dashed toward Chen Hanyu and slashed at her head! Chapter 19 Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation It was Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique! Zhou Heng had already cultivated the ninth-class martial arts technique to perfection. He could perform all the changes required when he switched skills in one breath. This slash alone contained at least thirty-six types of blade variations! This was already considered the peak of skillful achievement for an unranked martial artist! Even a ninth-class martial artist would be forced to retreat from the force of that slash, while an ordinary eighth-class martial artist would have to treat it with caution. After all, the essence of the martial arts at the lower three classes still required the martial artists to fight based purely on physical strength. If one were without body protection qi force, secret skills, or divine arts, against ingenious skills with weapons, only special defensive martial arts would allow them to take those attacks without harm. Otherwise, they must still avoid those attacks. Even a seventh-class martial artist would not be completely impervious to the sharpness of a saber or sword! Zhou Heng was certain of this, that was why he delivered the slash with all his might in this desperate situation. As long as that slash was able to hit Chen Hanyu, he stood a slim chance of surviving even if he barely scratched her. The slash may look reckless, but it was his only option to survive with certain death looming before him! Clank! The clash between metal was heard. Zhou Heng felt the saber in his hand becoming heavy, as if something had fixed it in place. He could not move it at all. That slash wasnt nearly enough. There was amusement in Chen Hanyus eyes. She shook her head gently. Her body actually became blurred all of a sudden and dispersed into a cloud of pink smoke! That slash from Zhou Heng had zero effect! The cloud of pink smoke moved at a high speed. As if she had teleported to the side of the horse-drawn carriage thirty feet away from Zhou Heng. The smoke then condensed once more into Chen Hanyu. Dispersing into air and reforming?! When Zhou Heng saw this, his pupils dilated. He had only heard of such things in myths or legends. This was completely beyond the ordinary realm of mortals! Could this be why she was able to move that fast?! Is Chen Hanyu really just a seventh-class martial artist?! There was a sense of familiarity with the smoke, as if he had smelled it from somewhere before However, since things had come to this point, Zhou Heng knew there was no point in thinking any further about it. In fact, there was no turning back for him! No matter what Chen Hanyu was and how strong she was, his only option was to fight her! Thump! Zhou Heng immediately took a step. When he did, the ground shook, and the earth flew into the air. He then dashed to the front of Chen Hanyu in a blink once more like an arrow released from a bow! He raised his saber and slashed at her! Youre just struggling at Deaths door! Chen Hanyu frowned, then she scoffed grumpily, Why the need to resist with such meager force? Wouldnt it be better to let go and have fun with me before going to heaven? At the same time, she stretched out two slender and fair fingers. She was prepared to catch the tip of Zhou Hengs oncoming saber! Moreover, do you really think your rusty saber can actually harm me? Even if youre able to hit me, its like an ant trying to shake a tree. Its useless! Her gaze was contemptuous. She thought little about Zhou Hengs slash. She planned to use two fingers to stop Zhou Hengs attack, and she would then snap the saber. With that, Zhou Hengs spirit would be completely crushed, along with the last of his resistance! He slashed at her! It was as if the air itself was cut through. Chen Hanyus two fingers latched onto Zhou Hengs saber. However, she did not manage to easily stop Zhou Hengs offense, which was contrary to her expectations. Instead, Zhou Hengs slash was barely hindered as it got in touch with Chen Hanyus fingers. That slash was ridiculously smooth and simply sliced them off! Chen Hanyus two slender and fair fingers, along with her fair and tender palm, and half of her arm was cut off on the spot. Her flesh was split open, even her white bones could be vividly seen! Blood gushed out within a moment. Whats happening?! Whats going on here?! Chen Hanyu was stunned and dumbfounded. She looked down incredulously at her palm and arm which had been split in half. Looking at the bloody mess, she thought she was dreaming! Hows it possible?! Hows this possible?! Im an expert at the peak of the seventh-class. I can have power flow through and enhance my entire body, which allows me to gain defenses comparable to an eighth-class defensive martial art. Ordinary ninth-class martial artists cannot harm me with a saber! How can an unranked apprentice cause so much damage to me? Thats impossible! Hows this happening?! Not only was Chen Hanyu stunned, even Zhou Heng was taken aback. Initially, he only had the determination to fight to the death. After all, regardless of the outcome, he could not just sit there, waiting to be butchered. As such, he delivered that slash at Chen Hanyu. In fact, he was mentally prepared to see Chen Hanyus two fingers easily catching hold of the blade before once again turning into smoke to avoid the attack. Never had he thought that slash would take off half of Chen Hanyus arm! It was as easy as slicing tofu. Nothing had slowed him down at all! It was silky smooth and incredible! It was as if he had special attributes when he attacked Chen Hanyu. Special attack? Wait! Could it be that attribute that dealt extra damage on Yin Spirits?! Zhou Heng had a spark of a brilliant idea. He thought of one possibility. However, at that moment, Chen Hanyu had already recovered from her shock and disbelief. Intense killing intent instantly burst out of her body! Darn it! Darn you! She groaned and growled. That flirty and playful demeanor she had just now was completely gone. She lifted her still intact left hand and grabbed at Zhou Hengs neck! That speed was completely beyond the reaction limits for an ordinary unranked martial artist. Fortunately, Zhou Heng had cultivated Solo Nine Swords. That sword technique was built around attacking once the user discovered the enemys weakness and taking advantage of it. Chen Hanyu may not be using a sword, but he could still apply the technique on her! As such, his reaction speed toward attacks was far beyond the ordinary! Zhou Heng immediately turned the tip of the saber in his hand. Before Chen Hanyus left hand was able to grab his neck, he delivered a slash again. This time, he aimed for Chen Hanyus left hand! When he cut down, he still felt that everything went smoothly, so much so that he felt like he was cutting tofu. Chen Hanyus left hand was cut off. More blood gushed out! At that moment, Zhou Heng finally recalled the familiar scent! This aura was similar to that ghost aura contaminating Cheng Jiangjian. This time, it was much purer and chilly! Im afraid this is the actual source of the ghost aura! Chen Hanyus body is surrounded by a rather pure ghost aura! But she clearly has a real physical body. Shes not an illusory ghost, right? Unless youre telling me that theres a different definition to ghosts in this world What is a ghost?! What is this Chen Hanyu standing in front of me right now?! Interesting. Youre very interesting indeed! Just then, Chen Hanyu suddenly burst into laughter. She raised her arms high. Fleshy buds sprouted from the wounds of both arms respectively, and they were restored in the blink of an eye! Whether it was her split left arm or severed right hand, they were completely restored! It was as if they had never been injured before! As Zhou Heng saw this, he could not help but feel his skin crawl. He had never heard of such a terrifying recovery ability. It was like she had the legendary immortal body! Are you feeling envious? These are the benefits of being undead! Suddenly, Chen Hanyu stretched out her tiny, red, and moist tongue and licked her lips at Zhou Heng. Then, she smiled seductively as she said, Do you want it? Chapter 20 - Desperate Bid for Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation The night was dark and quiet, the moon blurry. An extremely gorgeous woman who looked as beautiful as a flower gave him an alluring gaze as she asked flirtatiously and softly, Do you want it? Under such dream-like circumstances, almost no man on earth could actually resist such temptation. If not for the nine disembodied heads attached to bloody spines floating in the air As long as you and I unite as one, you can enjoy this divinely immortal physique. Chen Hanyu walked slowly toward Zhou Heng and slightly lifted that light gauze dress that covered her beautiful and delicate figure. She smiled and said, Is your heart not moved at all? What are you? Zhou Heng simply ignored Chen Hanyus question. Instead, he stared at her in surprise and asked, Are you really a human? At the same time, his mind was racing hard to find a way to break free. His only hope was that attribute that granted him extra damage to Yin Spirits. But the saber attack will not result in any lasting damage. What should I do? Mister, what are you talking about? The hint of a smile was seen from Chen Hanyus eyes as she asked coquettishly. At the same time, her fair and slender beautiful fingers fell on her fair and smooth thighs. She gently ran a finger up her gorgeous body through that gauze dress. Her fingers roamed over the luscious and seductive curves before finally stopping at her rosy cherry lips. She smiled and said, Which part of me doesnt resemble a human? As soon as she finished her words, she abruptly dispersed into pink smoke and instantly appeared behind Zhou Heng. Her seemingly boneless body pressed against him. She leaned her chin on Zhou Hengs shoulder. Her breath smelled like orchids. She whispered softly in Zhou Hengs ear, Do you want to try me out yourself, Mister Ugh! You?! Chen Hanyu suddenly let out a muffled grunt. Her voice stopped abruptly. She widened her eyes and looked at Zhou Heng incredulously. Then, she lowered her head and saw a saber plunged through the side of her waist. The moment she coalesced herself into a human body and approached him, Zhou Heng had, without the slightest hint of hesitation, thrust his steel saber backward with all his might! It went right through her body! You really dont know how to treat a lady! Chen Hanyu sighed and slightly shifted her body. In a moment, she was away from Zhou Heng. She floated to the ground. The wound by the side of her waist suddenly produced more flesh buds and wrapped the steel saber up within the blink of an eye! She actually swallowed that whole thing into her stomach! Just then, the skin on her smooth belly actually began to move up and down, like a mouth chewing food! She ate the steel saber?! Well, it looks like you really arent part of the Heavenly Circulation Guardians. Chen Hanyu smiled faintly and touched her belly gently to pat down the curdling waves happening beneath her skin. She did not seem annoyed. On the contrary, there was a look of delight on her face. Her eyes glowed, and she stared at Zhou Heng with a raging fire like never before. It was like a starving man seeing a good meal! Heavenly Circulation Guardians? Zhou Heng froze at the words. Then, he subconsciously thought of Cheng Jiangjian pursuing and killing the ghosts with a mask on. Does she belong to that organization? But, isnt she a disciple of Pious Sun Palace? Since youre not one of them, then you must be a Supreme Yang Divine Soul! Chen Hanyus eyes beamed and fixated her gaze on Zhou Heng. She smiled and said, No wonder I cant resist you! No wonder I find you so attractive! Whats Supreme Yang Divine Soul? Zhou Heng asked in puzzlement. Could she be referring to a force that restrains ghosts? Meanwhile, his hands were secretly moving. He clasped a cloth bag and hid it within his palm. He had a thought that might earn him a slim chance of escaping from this desperate situation! A dead person has no need to know about it. Come and become one with me! Chen Hanyu shook her head and snorted. After that, her seemingly soft and delicate body shuddered violently, as if a human-shaped candle had been lit and was just starting to melt. Her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears dripped to the ground like melted wax! The gorgeous and beautiful face that caused countless men to lose their minds was instantly gone. It was a face without any features, and it only continued melting! It happened under the moonlight, which was even more terrifying! The melting process did not stop there, it continued! Initially, it was her face, then her head, followed by her torso, and limbs In just a moment, the entire body of Chen Hanyu melted into a sticky, waxy-oil-like milky white mess! It twisted, turned, wriggled, and tossed about! Zhou Heng instantly felt a buzzing voice in his head and went blank. He nearly fainted from the shock of such a bizarre and terrifying sight on the spot. He could only give his all and bit the tip of his tongue hard to stay conscious! Suddenly, the sticky wax oil mass leaped up and turned into a huge milky white curtain, enveloping Zhou Heng! The center of that white curtain slit open to reveal a mouth and bared its sharp teeth. It laughed gleefully and said, Come! Become one with me. Youll experience utmost bliss like youd never had before! Against such a scene, Zhou Heng did not panic. Instead, he swallowed the mental confusion and severe pain in his head and unfolded the cloth bag in his hand. There were rows of silver needles inside it! Then, at breakneck speed, he stabbed those needles into the major acupoints around his body! This was the Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Technique! The acupuncture technique could clear all the meridians in the body through the acupuncture points in the limbs alone. He only needed to apply the needles at his hands and feet. If he applied the needles at any other parts of his body, he would cause his qi and blood to move in reverse! Needless to say, Zhou Heng had pierced these silver needles into the major acupoints of his body! The moment the needles were pierced into his body, Zhou Hengs entire blood flow immediately stopped and slowly traveled in reverse. It turned his body red, as if his body had been pumped with blood! Qi, blood circulation, and spirit were all connected in some way. Now that the qi and blood circulation in his entire body had flowed in reverse, there would be a trace of power of the divine soul included in the rushing of qi and blood circulation! Zhou Heng took advantage of the opportunity during the reverse flow of qi and blood circulation to have the reversed flow of qi and blood circulation converge on his throat via the acupuncture technique. By doing so, they would contain some of the power of the divine soul! Finally, he spat them out in a spray of mist! The crimson blood which comprised Zhou Hengs own essence and part of his divine soul was shot out from his mouth. It hit that milky white curtain which was lunging toward Zhou Heng with great precision. That mouthful of blood carried the power that could suppress ghosts! It consisted of the attribute that dealt extra damage to Yin Spirits! This was the only solution Zhou Heng could come up with in order to break out of the situation! Since this attribute could enhance the power of his saber technique when attacking ghosts and also dispel ghost aura during medical treatment, it made no sense if it could not be applied to other areas! Since Chen Hanyu had labeled the power to suppress ghosts as Supreme Yang Divine Soul, therefore, this suggested that the attribute might be related to the divine soul. As long as the power of the divine soul was involved, it might produce some miraculous effects! Whoosh! Zhou Hengs mouthful of blood splashed on the milky white curtain. It instantly gave out a sound as if hot oil was being poured on a person. It sizzled and roared! Ah! Ah! Ah! A sharp and mournful scream came out from the mouth of that milky white curtain. Its lunge came to an abrupt halt and fell to the ground! It reacted as if it had been eroded. A large cloud of pink, thick smoke burst out. Then, it turned into a writhing mass of milky white viscous liquid and soon, coalesced into a woman. But this womans look was nothing like the stunningly beautiful Chen Hanyu. Her look was considered mediocre among the masses, it was a truly ordinary face. Apparently, Zhou Heng was right about Chen Hanyus beauty when he felt that she literally looked photoshopped. It was clear that she had used a special method to create her artificial looks! That woman lay curled up on the floor. Her body was trembling. A large part of her skin was horrifically wounded, as if she had been horribly, hideously burned! Those wounds were exactly where Zhou Heng had spat his blood at! How is this possible?! she whispered incredulously, her face was full of shock. She spread her hands on the ground and tried to stand up. But the part of the body which had been corroded with blood had been severely injured. As such, she was helpless. Nothing is impossible! Zhou Heng endured the severe pain all over his body. He quickly pulled out a spare longsword from the remnants of the horse-drawn carriage! He seized the opportunity. With a single stroke of his sword, he removed that womans head! Congratulations! Youve defeated a deadly opponent, a ghost called Yu Shang. Youll be granted with one Gold Lucky Bag! The system notification rang. Zhou Hengs facial expression suddenly changed. A ghost?! Yu Shang?! Then, wheres Chen Hanyu from the previous notification?! Chapter 21 - Undead and Indestructible? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation A ghost! He just killed a ghost? Zhou Heng looked at the headless corpse before him with a stunned expression. He was a bit confused as he looked at the blood flowing all over the floor. Whos the one who tried to kill me just now? Who did I kill? Whos that ghost, Yu Shang? Where is Chen Hanyu? Darn it! Darn it! Just then, that head on the floor suddenly spoke. It murderously stared at Zhou Heng, gritted its teeth and said, I wont let go of you. I definitely wont let go of you. Youll die a miserable death! Its not dead yet?! This thing is actually not dead yet?! Zhou Heng looked incredulously at the separated head and body. He felt a buzzing voice in his head. The current situation had somehow impacted his three views on philosophy. A disembodied head is still alive! A disembodied head still speaks! Moreover, it doesnt look as if it has lost its consciousness and has fallen under the control of the evil parasite! Evil creature? Ghost? What kind of world is this? Are you shocked? That head grinned playfully at Zhou Heng, I love watching you humans being in shock. Are you very surprised to see that Im not dead yet? ThisThis is truly a ghost! A ghost is undead and indestructible Oh! Oh! The moment it finished the words, Zhou Heng rushed over and thrust the sword in its mouth, nailing that head to the floor. Nothing is undead and indestructible in this world! Zhou Heng clenched his teeth, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He swung the sword in his hand violently and chopped that head into halves. I dont believe you will survive like this! His body trembled and he could barely remain standing. The Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation had caused severe damage to his body. If not for his strong will, he would have long passed out. Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! At that moment, the nine floating heads suddenly shouted and rushed over to him. Those voices caused Zhou Hengs scalp to tingle. Even though he had defeated the enemy just now, it still did not guarantee his safety. Those mutated nine heads with evil parasites occupying them were actually equipped with ninth-class capabilities! Even if Zhou Heng was at his peak form, he could not handle the nine ghosts and could only flee from them, let alone his current situation. However, Zhou Heng was not one to sit there and wait to be butchered. The moment those nine heads rushed over to him, he had intended to forcefully deliver Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords to attack them. After that, he would run for his life. Before he could strike, a bright sword aura, just like starlight falling from the sky, instantly enveloped those nine evil creature heads, chopped off their spines, and skewered the evil creatures parasitized within those heads. With just one strike, all nine of them were obliterated! Instantly, those nine heads fell onto the floor and stopped moving. Youre watching Cheng Jiangjian launch an attack by applying Master Fifth-Class Star Falling Style. An inexplicable insight emerged from the heart. The level of proficiency increased by 0.0000001. The notification prompted inside Zhou Hengs mind. After that, he saw a silhouette in a plain white martial arts outfit approaching with a sword. It was Cheng Jiangjian in her mask. Mister, are you alright? Cheng Jiangjian briefly went through Zhou Hengs condition and hurriedly said, Youre in severe deficiency of qi and blood. Quick! Take this pill now. After that, she took out a palm-sized small jade bottle, poured out a dark green pill, and passed it to Zhou Heng. Clear Micro Nourishing Shape Pill?! Zhou Heng immediately widened his eyes. He looked at the words on that small jade bottle, then took another look at the pill in his hand and realized that it was the same as what rumors said. He said in dismay, Is this the legendary healing pill that costs at least three thousand taels of silver? For a moment, he felt that the weight of the pill in his hand was rather heavy and still glowing. This alone costs three thousand taels of silver! Goodness! Imagine trying to pay for it?! Hurry up and take the pill. If the deficiency in your qi and blood is prolonged, it may damage your foundation! When Cheng Jiangjian realized that Zhou Heng was actually contemplating the cost of that pill, she felt helpless. Alright. Zhou Heng nodded after hearing her words. He gritted his teeth and put the pill into his mouth. That pill melted instantly inside his mouth and within a second, it turned into a warm clear stream that slid down his throat. The warm stream reached every part of his body and started to regulate his qi and blood circulation which were flowing in reverse and in disarray. It nourished the deficient areas. In just a short while, he was almost fully recovered from his injuries. It really lives up to its name! Thanks a lot. Zhou Hengs eyes glowed. Before this, he had planned to take a few months to recuperate at home. Never did he expect to almost fully recover with just one pill. However, he owed her three thousand taels of silver and had to find an opportunity to pay her back. Three thousand taels of silver How long would it take for me to finish paying her back? Its good that youve recovered, Mister. Cheng Jiangjian smiled. Little did she know that Zhou Heng was actually thinking about the matter of paying back the money. After all, Clear Micro Nourishing Shape Pill was not a rare pill to her at all. As such, she had never thought of asking Zhou Heng to return the money. She felt relieved after seeing Zhou Hengs condition had improved. Then, she shifted her gaze to the headless corpse and the two halves of the head. She said nonchalantly, Stop pretending. I know youre not dead yet. Not dead yet? Zhou Heng was stunned at her words. He followed her gaze. The headless corpse actually twisted and slightly trembled. It crawled a distance laboriously. It stretched out its hand to put those two pieces of heads together and place it back on its broken neck. As the parts got intact, immediately there was a dense growth of flesh buds. In the twinkling of an eye, its neck grew and its head merged together as if those two slashes delivered by Zhou Heng had not resulted in any damage at all. Nonetheless, the parts which had been corroded by Zhou Hengs blood still festered. If anything, the burns continued to spread, only getting worse. So, this kid is your bait? It looked at Cheng Jiangjian skittishly, then it snorted, Well played. Indeed, you are ruthless as well, Star Messenger. You even made use of an ordinary person with Supreme Yang Divine Soul. I must admit defeat. Do you really think such words would drive a wedge between us? Cheng Jiangjians voice remained calm. She continued indifferently, So, after the battle on that night, you didnt die. Instead, you hid inside Chen Hanyus body to flee. She wanted me to provide her the crowning beauty of the world so that all the men in the world would fall for her. Naturally, she had to pay a certain price for this, Yu Shang smirked, A human who conspired with a ghost would always be damned, isnt that what you humans say? Half a year ago, more than three thousand people were slaughtered in Clear Lake Village at Yu Yang County. Did she do all these just to please you? Cheng Jiangjians tone turned cold. She went on in a deep voice. Even months-old babies were not spared, all of them died with a sword thrust through their hearts! Can there be any other reasons? Yu Shang laughed and said, Unfortunately, she was too greedy. She actually wanted to fight me for this Supreme Yang Divine Soul guy here. As such, I could only make use of her inner body to occupy this body of hers. After you confirmed that Im not from the Heavenly Circulation Guardians, Chen Hanyu changed to become you? Zhou Heng frowned and said. Since that moment, he could feel the highly apparent changes Chen Hanyu was going through. Hehe! You guessed correctly! Yu Shang grinned. In a blink, it wriggled and once again, turned into a milky white curtain that lunged toward Zhou Heng! It had spoken so much to buy itself time while waiting for the opportunity to strike Zhou Heng once again when his guard was lowered. It had estimated its distance and speed. There was a thirty to forty percent chance of reaching its goal! Be careful! Cheng Jiangjian exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly drew out her sword to try to stop it. Although she had been cautious of Yu Shang, she had never expected such speed. It had already reached Zhou Heng in a blink. Zhou Heng was unperturbed. Instead, he pursed his lips. Pooh! A mouthful of crimson blood flew at Yu Shang! Ah! Ah! Ah! Yu Shang screamed in pain and again, fell on the floor. It twisted and trembled. This time, half of its head was sizzling off! Im sorry, I wasnt done spitting. Zhou Heng pretended to look sorry, then turned his head to Cheng Jiangjian and asked her, Just now it said that a ghost is undead and indestructible. Are there really no ways to kill it at all? Chapter 22 - Supreme Yang Divine Soul Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Not really. Cheng Jiangjian shook her head gently. She went up to the still twitching Yu Shang on the floor. She brought her sword down and pinned it against the floor. After that, Cheng Jiangjian gently patted the brocade bag that she wore on her waist. Five pieces of yellow chinese talismans attached themselves to Yu Shangs eyebrows and its limbs. Yu Shang stiffened up and froze as if it had been spellbound. Cheng Jiangjian stood there, both hands and ten fingers working to form a seal in front of her chest. After that, pieces of seal symbols were formed from her hand. A pale, clear light emanated from her body. Even stars appeared amidst the once-empty night sky. Youre watching Cheng Jiangjian apply the Broken Piece of Heavenly Third-Class Stardust Divine Punishment Technique. An inexplicable understanding emerged within your heart. You seem to have been enlightened, but without complete comprehension. No progress in level of proficiency. Zhou Heng was a little stunned. This was his first time hearing such a notification. He did not gain a single point for his level of proficiency. Just now, he felt that he had gained something from it, only to realize that it was only an illusion. He did not know what was going on at all. He had only learned of its name and rank. Besides, it was his first time discovering that there were not only martial arts in this world, but also Daoism techniques. More so it was a heavenly third-class ultimate technique! Although Cheng Jiangjian was only a seventh-class martial artist as well as a disciple from Pious Sun Palace who just descended from the valley, she actually knew a heavenly third-class ultimate technique! How did she practice it? Could this be related to the Heavenly Circulation Guardians? Zhou Heng was puzzled. At that moment, a flash of white suddenly appeared before his sight. A single beam of cold starlight arched across the night sky, illuminating heaven and earth. It eventually converged into a pillar of light that shone on Yu Shangs body like a spotlight. Ah! Miserable and excruciating screams were heard from the starlight. The so-called undead and indestructible ghost, Yu Shang did not even have the slightest chance of survival. Within a second, it turned into nothingness! As the starlight faded, not even the slightest traces of it were left on the floor! Not even ashes were left behind! It was as if it had been completely and utterly purified! Its form and spirit were destroyed! It simply no longer existed! What What kind of martial art skill is that? Zhou Heng could not help but ask. With his identity, he should not know of the existence of Daoism technique. That was why when he asked the question, he used the phrase martial arts instead. This is not a martial art, Chen Jiangjian shook her head gently. She took off her mask, revealing her clear and beautiful face. She smiled and said, This is a Daoism technique, which is said to be an ultimate technique inherited from the ancient era of the immortals and divinity, a completely different field from martial arts. Unfortunately, the existence of Daoism technique is extremely rare. Even for those prestigious sects and families, very few of them had inherited Daoism technique. Moreover, most of them are high-class broken pieces. As a result, there are not many traces of it left in the world of martial arts. Naturally, the general population is not aware of it. So, thats how it is. Zhou Heng was enlightened as he heard the words and said, Is Daoism technique the only way to kill a ghost? Not all Daoism techniques can be applied to kill a ghost, Cheng Jiangjian shook her head, sighed and continued, In a sense, ghosts are indeed undead and indestructible. Unless a third-class Deva hunts them, otherwise, not even a fourth-class ultimate expert is able to exterminate a ninth-class ghost with martial arts alone. It must be destroyed using Daoism techniques. Even if one uses Daoism techniques, only a few types can result in the effect of exterminating ghosts. The Daoism technique I applied just now is one of them. It sounds like the level of Daoism techniques is above martial arts, right? Zhou Heng asked carefully. Not really, Cheng Jiangjian shook her head and continued, To us, Daoism technique and martial arts are of the same level. Some of the Daoism techniques are just more effective on ghosts. Mister, in fact, you can also treat part of the Daoism techniques specialized on ghosts as the ultimate technique in martial arts. So, thats how it is. Zhou Heng was enlightened. He smiled and said, Its very impressive of you to have acquired such a powerful Daoism technique at such a young age, Ms. Cheng. He praised her from the bottom of his heart. A seventh-class martial artist who was able to cultivate a heavenly third-class Daoism technique was indeed incredible. Mister, youve misunderstood. Cheng Jiangjian smiled gently and shook her head. She continued, I did not learn that Daoism technique you saw. To be frank, a martial artist in the bottom three classes can learn at most only one Master Fifth-Class martial arts or Daoism technique. I was simply granted the right to apply that Daoism technique by the organization to exterminate that ghost. The Heavenly Circulation Guardians? Zhou Heng asked. Thats right, Cheng Jiangjian graciously admitted and said, Mister, you can interpret it as an organization that patrols around the globe, hunting for ghosts and evil creatures to exterminate them. Well, we also have the duty of concealing the existence of ghosts and evil creatures from the vast majority of people. But they can wait for a later conversation. Right now we have to talk about your Supreme Yang Divine Soul, Mister. Whats wrong with the Supreme Yang Divine Soul? Zhou Heng asked worriedly. He realized that Cheng Jiangjian did not actually want to further dwell in the topic of the Heavenly Circulation Guardians. He followed suit and switched the topic. Furthermore, the Supreme Yang Divine Soul intrigued him. Is it a manifestation of the extra damage against Yin spirits? The Supreme Yang Divine Soul is a special physique, born naturally with the power to restrain ghosts in the bottom three classes. Even a normal person can use his own blood to harm ghosts. However, this doesnt mean that having Supreme Yang Divine Soul is a good thing. Cheng Jiangjians expression looked serious, then she explained to Zhou Heng, If one doesnt have powerful martial arts skills, a person with the Supreme Yang Divine Soul is actually a sumptuous meal in the eyes of ghosts. Thats because ghosts in the bottom three classes are required to absorb Yang energy to warm and nourish themselves in order to enable the Yin and Yang within their own body to achieve a balanced state. That is the only way they are able to move around under the sunlight. As such, Yang energy is a necessity to ghosts in the bottom three classes. They will take the initiative to seek out people with strong Yang energy, then theyll be driven by a thirst to absorb their Yang energy. Once a person with Supreme Yang Divine Soul dies, the power of Supreme Yang within his body will turn into a rich source with an incomparably pure Yang energy. To ghosts in the bottom three classes, this is not inferior to a magic pill. The absorption of Yang energy from a person with Supreme Yang Divine Soul enables a seventh-class ghost to move freely under the sunlight for a decade. It may even attempt advancing into the sixth-class. Thats why ghosts seek out people with Supreme Yang Divine Soul and kill them in order to obtain this rich and pure Yang energy? Zhou Heng frowned as he asked. Is this the way of the extra damage against Yin Spirits? It felt like something was not quite right about it. No, theres no need for them to take the initiative to look for it, Cheng Jiangjian shook her head, then she continued, Theres a mutual attraction between the Yin and Yang energy due to their unique attributes. The strong Yang energy is like a magnet that attracts the ghosts and vice-versa. If both of them are out and about, they will find themselves inexplicably attracted to each other. A person with the Supreme Yang Divine Soul is one with the purest forms of Yang energy that will easily attract ghost aura and ghosts. Even if he sits at home, ghosts will still be attracted to him. She paused for a while and smiled as she said, Perhaps my falling into your house that day was no accident, Mister. It may have been due to the mutual attraction between Yin and Yang. At that time, I was contaminated by the ghost aura, as such, I must have possessed certain attributes of Yin energy. I was attracted to your Supreme Yang Divine Soul and fate made me stop on your roof and fall through. This seems very logical. Zhou Heng also smiled and continued, Speaking of which, I really have to thank that ghost for making me earn more than ten taels of silver. Mister, youre still that money-obsessed. Cheng Jiangjian smiled gently, then she asked in puzzlement, Arent you worried at all that you may attract powerful ghosts? Ms. Cheng, you never held back nor sugarcoated your revelations to me. Therefore, Im pretty sure you must have a solution for this. Zhou Heng smiled as he said. Chen Jiangjian fell silent. After that, she puffed up her small face. She seemed to be aware that such an action was inappropriate and hurriedly exhaled as she said, Was I that obvious? Apparently, yes, Zhou Heng smiled, then he continued, Ms. Cheng, please continue. Of course you must have a Yang energy chinese talisman. Cheng Jiangjian took out a piece of talisman and a vermillion pen from the brocade bag on her waist. She waved her brush and drew a chinese talisman. She passed it to Zhou Heng and smiled as she said, Mister, please keep this on your person. Youll be able to keep your Yang energy from leaking out, ghosts should no longer converge to you. Prevent Yang energy from leaking? Why does it sound odd? Besides, didnt it look like she scribbled some random stuff on this chinese talisman?! Is that all?! Zhou Heng took the chinese talisman and kept it securely. He paid obeisance with his hands and said, Thank you, Ms. Cheng. Well, Ill pay you the money for this chinese talisman and the pill when Im able to. Huh? Cheng Jiangjian was a little stunned as she heard his words. She had never thought that Zhou Heng would actually say he was going to return the money. She wanted to turn him down but caught herself. On second thought, she did not want to make it sound like a handout. It did not often leave people feeling good. With that, she nodded and said with a smile, Alright. Even if he returns the money, I can use various methods to send it back to him. Im so smart She thought to herself. By the way, I need to inform you that the effects of this chinese talisman are temporary. Cheng Jiangjian continued, It may only last up to three months. If theres any damage to it, you may have to change it after two months. As such, its best you come to me and change it every two months, Mister. How much per piece? Zhou Heng felt his heart twitching. But this chinese talisman was useful for the sake of his own, as well as for the people around him. Cheng Jiangjian fell silent. Again, she was a bit stunned by his question. After all, she had very little concept about money. As she recalled the moment she bumped into a charlatan who sold fake chinese talisman at five coins per piece, she said, Ill sell to you at its cost, one coin per piece. That cheap?! Zhou Heng nearly jumped for joy. He smiled as he said, Alright, then give me one thousand pieces! After all, one thousand pieces cost one tael of silver only! That was peanuts! No way. You can only change once in every two months! Cheng Jiangjian shot him down. Meanwhile, the Wang familys private possession of forbidden drugs and also the cruelty of making medicine men was revealed. Minister Wang and a group of household servants were all arrested by Wu Zhongshan. The fugitive, Ms. Wang was also taken in by an envoy from the county and was brought back to the city. However, along with her home guards, they resisted violently and thus, were killed on the spot. Zhou Heng was recruited as a temporary guard and was innocent as he had no knowledge about the Wang familys affairs. Moreover, when the envoy encountered resistance, he had decisively abandoned the darkness and fought alongside the envoys. After returning to Yellow Wood City, he was also praised and commended by the mayor. Such was how Chen Jiangjian handled the Wang familys incident. If not for him to have personally experienced it, he simply would have no idea what had happened. He might have only felt that the Wang family had committed crimes and thus, they deserved to die. The people only pitied the beautiful woman, Wang Qingqing. Many people lamented for her and wondered how such a beautiful woman turned to thievery. Zhou Heng was stunned after learning all this. He had separated from Chen Jiangjian after returning to Yellow Wood City. I didnt expect Ms. Cheng to be able to pull off such operations. How could she be that skillful?! Nevertheless, they did not really matter. More importantly, Zhou Heng had earned twenty taels of silver from the administrative office. After all, this was supposed to be the reward promised to him by the Wang family. Now that the Wang family had been arrested, their properties were confiscated. As such, the administrative office offered a compensation of twenty taels of silver to Zhou Heng on their behalf. After returning home in a jovial mood, finally, Zhou Heng had time to make preparations. He washed up, bathed and got dressed. He burned the incense and prayed, then he sat in meditation until reaching the auspicious time a blind fortune-teller had told him as he was on his way home. Finally, the moment of truth arrived! He opened the Gold Lucky Bag! Gold Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain rare and exotic treasures. Look! Even the descriptions had fewer words than the Bronze and Silver ones! What would fewer words mean? It means higher quality! Open it! Congratulations! Youre very lucky! Youve been rewarded Chapter 23 - Late At Night, Doubtful Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Congratulations! Youre very lucky! Youve gained a Master Fifth-Class Daoism Technique Five Thunder Technique Golden Book! Daoism technique?! Thunder technique?! Its a Five Thunder Technique Golden Book! Zhou Heng shouted aloud. Before this, he was a bit envious that Cheng Jiangjian was able to deliver a Daoism technique to exterminate ghosts. He never expected to be rewarded a Daoism technique. Moreover, it was a well-known thunder technique that could subdue demons and exterminate ghosts and evil! The Gold Lucky Bag had lived up to its name. It had actually rewarded him such a high-class Daoism technique! A master fifth-class! If this were a martial art, one could already start a sect with it! One should know that even the leader of Longevity Sect was only at the level of master fifth-class. Even the divine weapon was also a type of master fifth-class martial art. Furthermore, this was unlike martial arts. Daoism technique was extremely rare in this era, let alone a master fifth-class Daoism technique! Thunder techniques should be able to cause extra damage to the ghosts. Coupled with the attribute of the special attack of Yin Spirits, perhaps I could really exterminate ghosts! Zhou Hengs heart burst with joy. He quickly focused inwardly and immediately, he could sense a golden book glowing with lightning in his mind. It was the Five Thunder Technique Golden Book! It concerned the five internal organs and five elements of qi, which would condense to become Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang would be intertwined to become the seed of thunder and when one delivered the technique, one would be able to sense heaven and earth, command thunder, overcome fire and wind and possess superb power! Whosoever held the power of thunder shall summon heaven and earth! That was because thunder was the order of the sky. It had the greatest power. Even the three realms and nine places on earth were all beneath the control of thunder! Under the power of the Five Thunder Technique, various kinds of ghosts, evil spirits and demons would no longer be able to conceal themselves. They would instantly turn into powder! This is awesome! Zhou Hengs heart got thrilled as he watched the images and could not wait to learn the thunder technique. The next time he ran into a ghost, he could simply wave his palm. The brilliant power of wind and thunder would rush through the so-called undead and the indestructible ghost would perish in a blink! The moment he thought of this, he grew giddy with excitement! Youre working hard to gain insights from the authentic secrets of Master Fifth-Class Five Thunder Technique Golden Book Your cultivation base is too weak, therefore you are unable to comprehend the Daoism technique and unable to gain points for the level of proficiency. Your continuous effort to gain insights from the authentic secrets of Master Fifth-Class Five Thunder Technique Golden Book has triggered Heavenly Rewards. But your cultivation base is too weak, therefore you are unable to comprehend the Daoism technique and unable to gain points for level of proficiency. After four hours, Zhou Heng looked at the hazy moonlight outside and felt the quietness of the late night. He could not help but start to doubt his life. He could not understand his life! He could not understand it! There was no way to gain a single point for his level of proficiency at all! That was the harsh truth! However, his efforts did not entirely result in nothing. Youve continued to gain insights from the authentic secrets of Master Fifth-Class Five Thunder Technique Golden Book and suddenly have been enlightened that youll need Daoism techniques or martial arts of five elements as the basis before you can get a glimpse at the gateway of Daoism technique. With his current realm of cultivation, it would not be impossible for him to learn this Daoism technique. On the condition that he cultivated one of the Daoism techniques or martial arts skills of five elements until reaching perfection. With that as his foundation, only then would he be able to gain insights into the divine wonders of this Daoism technique. Moreover, his own level of cultivation of martial arts should reach at least ninth-class. Although Zhou Heng had already achieved perfection for cultivation for two of the ninth-class martial arts and had acquired one of the eighth-class martial arts, this was a skill limited by the growth of his own strength, qi and blood circulation. As such, it could not help him advance his level of cultivation. For the ninth-class, there was a delineation of characteristics. Ones muscles and bones resonated to produce the thunderous sounds of tigers and leopards. He should have the physical strength to exert thousands of mass of force. With strength running through his whole body, he should be able to channel energy throughout his entire body. This was the level of a ninth-class martial artist. However, if one wanted his level of cultivation to reach the ninth-class, practicing skills alone was not sufficient. He needed to enhance his own strength, physical strength, and the internal energy of qi and blood circulation. This also referred to Zhou Hengs cultivation of Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique. Once he had reached perfection for the level of cultivation for this stance technique, he could become a ninth-class martial artist. Although he had not forgone the cultivation for stance techniques, the progress of internal energy was inadequate compared to his skills. Ninth Class Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique. High Level: 2598/3000. Indeed, I have to work on the cultivation of internal energy. If I practice skills but neglect the cultivation of energy, I wont make any progress in the long run. Zhou Heng devised a future cultivation plan for himself. However, this stance technique is just an ordinary basic stance technique and doesnt have any special features. If only I can obtain one stance technique which comprises the principles of five elements and upgrade my level of cultivation to the ninth-class, thatll kill two birds with one stone. Well, I heard that there are a few martial arts schools in the northern part of the city that teaches martial arts such as Five Elements Fists and others that are similar to Five Elements Stance. Tomorrow I shall go there to have a look after morning classes. There are still two unutilized distributable points for the ninth-class martial arts. They will be put to use sooner or later. The principle of the five elements was a common concept among the martial arts, not only retrained to those high-class martial artists. The so-called Five Elements Fist, Five Elements Kick, Five Elements Palm and other similar martial arts in the world of martial arts were available everywhere. Even the variety of martial arts with similar names were in abundance. As such, there was a tendency for the name Five Elements to be downgraded as a lower-class martial art. Fortunately, the existence of the prestigious Five Elements Clan with its Deva had spared the name Five Elements from total collapse. As such, it should not be a challenge for Zhou Heng to obtain a basic martial art with the principles of five elements. The only difficulties were to cultivate it to perfection as well as the continuous insights needed into the Five Thunder Technique Golden Book. He looked forward to the next day expectantly. With that, Zhou Heng went into his dreamland under the shower of cold moonlight. Early the next morning, as usual, Zhou Heng had his breakfast before going to the martial arts school. Little did he expect to see Yu He already there practicing martial arts. It was most unlike him. Since when did this lazy bone become that hardworking? Why are you here so early? Even the sun has not risen from the west yet. Zhou Heng walked over to Yu Heng, patted his shoulders with a chuckle. Ah? Yu He turned his head and saw it was Zhou Heng. He said, Whats wrong? Cant I work hard? Even though my family is rich, I cant just sit there and eat without doing anything, right? Finally, you sound like a human. Zhou Heng rolled his eyes. He resisted the urge to beat this lazy bum who showed off his wealth. Didnt you know? Yu He came close to him, and whispered mysteriously, Two days ago, theres news that the Little Greenwood Sword, Liu Changsheng is coming to Yellow Wood City today to assess the strength of the masters of several big martial arts under the Five Elements Clan. The prestigious sects had extremely strict requirements over their affiliated martial arts schools. Not only did they have requirements over the number of ninth-class apprentices annually, but they would also assess the strengths of the masters of the martial arts schools. If they failed to meet the standard, they would be punished, to the extent of getting their qualifications to teach basic martial arts of the sect stripped. Their names would also be removed from the martial arts school under the sect. Is Little Greenwood Sword the original disciple of the master fifth-class ranked at thirty-ninth place on the People Ranking Board? Zhou Hengs eyes glowed. He smiled as he said, But what does he have to do with you when he only goes to those luxury martial arts schools? The stringent requirement of the top sects had contributed to the excellent teaching quality of the martial arts schools. Regardless of the level of teaching or quality of martial arts, they were not comparable to ordinary martial arts schools. As such, the fees would also be charged at a very high rate. It was said that such classes could cost up to thousands silver taels annually. Therefore, only some of the wealthiest families would go there to learn the martial arts. As a result, these martial arts schools were often teased as luxury martial arts schools. You dont understand. Yu He smiled as he said, Martial arts schools under the Five Elements Clan are like a golden-egg laying geese. No one can afford to lose it. As for Liu Changsheng whos going to make the assessment, the masters of the martial arts schools dare not take him lightly and will definitely give their best to serve him well. Even his clothing, food, accommodation and transportation will be the best. As such, they are bound to select the best restaurants and inns. This is considered a big investment worth a few thousand taels of silver! You know that despite my familys restaurant and inns serving the best meals and accommodation in the Yellow Wood City, there are still other competitors around. Therefore, Im going to the northern part of the city to negotiate with a few masters of martial arts schools and Liu Changsheng in order to try to nail this big fish. As such, how could I not come early to the martial arts school today and apply for a leave from the practitioner? This fellow. When it comes to martial arts practice, hes a lazybone. When it comes to business matters, hes full of spirit. Just then, Zhou Heng had a brilliant idea. He had a thought, then he smiled as he said, Im coming with you. I also want to see the legendary Little Greenwood Sword. Well, he could also take a look at the martial arts passed on by the martial arts school. Since they were the martial arts schools affiliated with the Five Elements Clan, they must have the basic martial arts which contained the principles of five elements! Chapter 24 - His Name Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Five Auspicious Martial Arts School was one of the most magnificent martial arts schools situated in the northern part of Yellow Wood City. The entire martial arts school covered an area of more than twenty acres, with a collection of various facilities for clothings, food, accommodation and transportation, and a variety of practice rooms had been built. Not only was there a wide field, but it had also been evenly divided into specialized fields for boxing, swords, sabers and so on and so forth. Furthermore, there was also a collection of many local famous ninth class practitioners in Yellow Wood City, external practitioners from other places, as well as external disciples of Five Elements Clan serving the school. It could only be considered extremely luxurious. Comparatively, the difference between those schools and a smaller-sized martial arts school like Prosperity Martial Arts School was like heaven and earth. As such, most apprentices from Five Auspicious Martial Arts School walked down the street with their heads held high, as if they had an inexplicable sense of superiority over the apprentices from other martial arts schools. They seemed eager to walk with their noses pointing to the sky. However, those apprentices were currently standing neatly in the morning class square of the martial arts school, eyes downcast and gazes obedient. There was a black mass of two to three thousand people who dared not even make a single sound. Five Auspicious Martial Arts School had not only recruited apprentices from Yellow Wood City but also other villages under the citys jurisdiction as well as its neighboring cities, where people sent their children over. At the side of the morning class square was a spacious high platform. Originally, this was the place for the practitioners to check on the condition of apprentices during morning sessions. But now, even these practitioners had lowered their heads, stood at a side and dared not speak a word. Before the crowd of practitioners, there were three men in their fifties. They looked humble and earnest as they spoke to a young man in front of them. That young man looked like he was in his twenties, and held a longsword, with hard lines of features. Although he did not look particularly handsome, he was above average. With a green hair crown on top of his head, he had tied his hair up in a simple knot. His overall appearance was like a typical young martial artist in the world of martial arts. He was Liu Changsheng, a master fifth-class martial artist, ranked at thirty-ninth on the People Ranking Board, with a name given as Little Greenwood Sword. Why are you guys creating all this trouble for? Theres a welcome ceremony or a banquet at a restaurant. Liu Changsheng seemed a bit impatient. He said to these three middle-aged men, Im here to assess your strength and the condition of the martial arts school, not your food and wine. Young Master Liu, its been like this all the while. Indeed. As the host, we cannot ignore the people from the sect! If the sect were to discover that we have failed to serve you well, well certainly be punished. These three middle-aged men were precisely the masters of the three martial arts schools under the Five Elements Clan. They were namely Five Auspicious Martial Arts School, Integration Martial Arts School, and Grand Waves Martial Arts School. Young Master, they are right. Its been a tradition that whenever we send people to perform the assessment, they will go through the same itinerary, An elder who looked to be in his sixties stood beside Liu Changsheng. He lowered his voice and said, Even though youre very keen to compete with them, this will only take up at most a day or two. I wouldnt have come if I knew there would be so much hassle. Liu Changsheng sighed. He came here just to enjoy competing during the assessment and watch others compete. Therefore, he had not thought so much about other matters. He had no other hobbies, he just liked to compete with people on his own, as well as watch others compete. He had no interest in things like banquets and feasts. This is Masters order of getting you out to train up yourself. The elder lowered his voice and reminded him. Alright. Liu Changssheng nodded helplessly and said to the three masters of martial arts school, Well follow your arrangements, just keep it simple. Good! Youll be rest-assured with great satisfaction! The three masters of martial arts schools replied unanimously. Then, they instructed one of the practitioners behind them, Go and get Shopkeeper Qian to come over. Hes waiting at the front hall. The practitioner nodded hastily and trotted all the way out of the morning class square. Young Master Liu, Shopkeeper Qian offers the restaurant and inn which are the best in Yellow Wood City. The master of Five Auspicious Martial Arts School, Zhao Yuan smiled as he said, In his early years, he was an apprentice in my martial arts school. Later, he became a ninth-class martial artist and worked as a practitioner for a few years. After that, he had gathered some savings and left the martial arts school. He started a restaurant and inn. He had managed to achieve all this in slightly over a decade. Also, this is considered as part of the Five Elements Clans property. Youll be satisfied with them. Stop trying to butter up someone youve already familiar with. Suddenly, the elder let out a low growl. Yes. I was too reckless. Please forgive me. Zhao Yuan was startled and hastily apologized. Despite not knowing the identity of this elder, he could see that Liu Changsheng actually cared about this elders words. Naturally, he dared not treat him lightly. Ah! Butler Wang, you dont have to be so fastidious over these details, Liu Changsheng suddenly laughed, then spoke to Zhao Yuan, From what you said just now, does Shopkeeper Qian know martial arts too? Thats right. Young Master Liu, youre right, Zhao Yuan nodded and continued, Although Shopkeeper Qian has left martial arts school for more than a decade, his martial arts has not fallen behind. I occasionally exchange moves with him. Hes nearly at the peak of ninth-class and almost reaching the level of eighth-class. Hes only a ninth-class martial artist. Anyway, it seems alright Liu Changsheng looked thoughtful, but no one could tell what he was thinking. Just then, Zhou Heng and Yu He had reached the front hall of Five Auspicious Martial Arts School and bumped into Shopkeeper Qian. This man seemed to be in his fifties, with thin eyebrows and small eyes, a round face shape with a mustache. He was dressed in gorgeous silk and his body was slightly plump. I knew it. This man must be competing with my family for the business. Yu He recognized him at one glance, then he said to Zhou Heng, This Mr. Qian is very treacherous and despicable. He has no knowledge of making money in the hospitality business, so he made a carbon copy of my familys businesses, poached my restaurant cook, copied the decor of my familys inn, and darn him, he even copied the attendants costumes. He doesnt know which business or targeted customers will earn him more wealth. As such, he often keeps an eye on my family business, once my family fancies a kind of business, hell immediately intervene to follow suit and compete with us. Once he has earned money, he turns around to poach my restaurants workers. Thats so abominable of him! Zhou Heng took a glance at Shopkeeper Qian and was dumbfounded. What a superb copycat. If he were to exist on Earth, he would have become a companys right-hand man. Yo! Isnt this Little Shopkeeper Yu? Shopkeeper Qian recognized Yu He. His face instantly flushed red. He staggered his way toward them. He smiled and said, Why are you here? Do you think that youre capable of competing with me? Even your dad has given up, who are you to do so? All aspects of my familys restaurant and inn are way better than your fake goods! Yu He was not persuaded and said in exasperation, How shameless of you to actually compete with my family! By virtue of the fact that I used to be a fellow apprentice with Zhao Yuan! Shopkeeper Qian snorted, Everyone knows about this. Otherwise, why do you think your dad would give up on this business? As for the accusation on fake goods. Hehe! Wait until I expand my restaurant, then Ill buy over your familys assets. By then, it will be under my ownership and naturally, my business will become genuine! Dont worry. By then, Ill make sure to save some vacancies as attendants for your family. Hahaha! Thats very despicable of you! Yu He was very furious and gnashed his teeth. At that moment, a practitioner from Five Auspicious Martial Arts School trotted over and said, Shopkeeper Qian, come with me. The master of martial arts school is almost done with his part, the next step depends on you, so give it your best shot. No problem. Hehe! Shopkeeper Qian gave Yu He a provocative glance. He turned his head toward the practitioner and walked over to him. He smiled and said, Lets go, Practitioner Chen. At the same time, he took out a few pieces of silver from his sleeves. There were at least three to four taels of silver. He handed it over to Practitioner Chen who had helped him pass the messages. The practitioner was delighted. I want to go along too! Yu He shouted. Thats right. We have the competitive right. Zhou Heng nodded along and spoke. He was siding with Yu He. Go? Where are you going, kid? Stop meddling with adults business! After receiving money, that practitioner had to do his job. He simply waved his hand and shouted, Hurry up and get out! Dont force me to send you off! Go back home, Little Shopkeeper Yu. Haha! Shopkeeper Qian laughed triumphantly. Darn it! Yu He was not willing to back down, but he felt helpless. Let me do this. Zhou Heng patted Yu Hes shoulder. He walked up and said to the practitioner, Im Zhou Heng, Im here to bring my friend to visit Master Zhao of the martial arts school, please make this known to him. Ever since he competed with Sun Zhengpin in front of the Wang residence, he had gained considerable fame in the Yellow Wood City. Many times, when one had no fame, it was no different from coming to a dead end. Although the exact details of that match were transformed into a dream by Mayor Wu Zhongshan by using his secret skills, the fact that he had defeated Sun Zhengpin was known to all. An apprentice who had defeated a ninth-class martial artist was indeed a real deal, a genuine martial arts genius. A genius like this would not be turned away, no matter the martial arts school in Yellow Wood City. If any martial arts schools rejected him, it might provoke criticism and they would be considered proud and arrogant. More so, Five Auspicious Martial Arts School was still undergoing assessment. They certainly could not afford to slip up. As a matter of fact, the moment Zhou Hengs name was mentioned, Practitioner Chens impatient look instantly turned doubtful. Your name He frowned, then he asked, Are you the same Zhou Heng who defeated Sun Zhengpin in front of the Wang residence some time ago? Thats right. Zhou Heng nodded. Practitioner Chen fell silent. He felt distressed, as such, he helplessly returned the silver which he had just received from Shopkeeper Qian. Then, he sighed and said, Im sorry, Shopkeeper Qian. I cannot make a decision on this. Ive to inform the master of the martial arts school. Before Shopkeeper Qian was able to reply, he had left. The sudden change puzzled Shopkeeper Qian. As he returned to his senses, his round face instantly turned into pig liver color. Shopkeeper Qian stared at Zhou Heng, gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, Kid, how much do you want? Quote your price now, take it and leave immediately! Zhou Heng laughed and cussed him, Dream on! You?! Shopkeeper Chen was in a fit of rage that he almost had a stroke. Not long after, Practitioner Chen ran back again. He lowered his head as he was too embarrassed to look at Shopkeeper Qian. He simply shouted, Shopkeeper Qian, Mr. Zhou and Little Shopkeeper Yu, come over now. After the words, he turned around and walked back. We succeeded! Zhou Heng, youre awesome! Yu He cheered. He had never thought that Zhou Heng was that famous nowadays. Hmph! Dont think just because you can see him means you can fight me! Shopkeeper Qian was furious. He flicked his sleeves and followed Practitioner Chen. At the same time, he smirked to himself, Brats, what the hell do you know?! In terms of eloquence, youre inferior to me even if both of you teamed up! Chapter 25 - Teal, Green Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Young Master Liu, all parties are here. On the high platform, Zhao Yuan pointed at Zhou Heng and Shopkeeper Qian who were walking behind Practitioner Chen. Yu He beside them was totally being ignored. Regardless of him or Liu Changsheng, what they cared about was actually Zhou Heng, an unranked apprentice who had defeated a ninth-class martial artist. His pace is slightly flimsy, his stance technique has yet to be fully completed. How could he actually defeat a ninth-class martial artist? Liu Changsheng had sharp eyes, he could weigh up Zhou Hengs level of martial arts in just one glance. He could not help but feel a bit skeptical. Young Master, if you look carefully on him, he walks with strong shoulders and elbows, and hes got agile wrists, Butler Wang lowered his voice to remind him, Im afraid this young man is good at the saber and sword, he should have reach perfection for at least one of the ninth-class saber techniques and one of the ninth-class sword techniques. An unranked martial artist who has perfected two techniques at the level of ninth-class? Liu Changsheng was slightly puzzled as he heard those words. He took a second look at Zhou Heng and smiled. Im getting more excited and looking forward to it. Zhou Heng and Yu He came to the morning class square of Five Auspicious Martial Arts School together with Practitioner Chen. Seeing thousands of people lined up neatly and the crowd on the high platform, he was in a trance and for a moment, he thought that he had returned to the school on Earth. The Five Auspicious Martial Arts School was equipped with various kinds of facilities. It almost looked like the prototype of a university. Comparatively, Prosperity Martial Arts School was like a small-scale training institution by the roadside. The masters of martial arts schools are at the high platform, along with Young Master Liu Changsheng and his Butler Wang. Practitioner Chen lowered his voice and introduced them to Zhou Heng and the rest. Zhou Heng sniffed and looked at the high platform. The first thing he noticed was Liu Changshengs green color hair crown. This made him freeze on the spot. Theres actually someone who still prefers this color for a hair crown? Its teal color! That means its green! Come on, that symbolizes a cuckold! Unless Little Greenwood Sword has some unknown bleak past? Thats too tragic! The expression of Yu He looking at Liu Changsheng was a bit strange too. Meanwhile, Shopkeeper Qian was the only one who walked forward in a serious manner. He saluted respectfully and bowed to Liu Changsheng and others, then he said, Gentlemen, Im the owner of Heavenly Lavish Mansion, the most famous restaurant in Yellow Wood City, and I heard that Young Master Liu is here So, he even prepared a script on the way here! However, just as Shopkeeper Qian is going to flaunt his eloquence of speech to flatter and convince Liu Changsheng and the rest of the people in order to nail the big business deal Wait! Wait! Wait! Liu Changshengs voice was heard. He stood at the high platform and waved Shopkeeper Qians words off and said, Theres no need for that, after all, regardless of Heavenly Lavish Mansion or Heavenly Poor Mansion or whatever name it has, I only hear words, I dont know the story behind it. As he was speaking, he simply jumped from the high platform and smiled excitedly as he said, How about we go with the rules of the world of martial arts. Well let our martial arts do the talking. Whichever of you can prevail against me, Ill go to the winners restaurant. Young Master, this isnt quite right. Butler Wang was dumbfounded. He had never expected Liu Changsheng to suddenly make such a move. Initially, he thought that Liu Changsheng just wanted to watch the competition between Zhou Heng and Shopkeeper Qian. Little did he expect that Liu Changsheng actually wanted to do it himself. Young Master, youre a seventh-class martial artist. Why do you want to compete with unranked martial artists and a ninth-class martial artist? Even Zhao Yuan and the other three were stunned. They had never expected things would progress in such a way. Nonetheless, they dared not persuade Liu Changsheng and could only stand aside silently. Even Shopkeeper Qian was dumbfounded. The words in his mouth were suddenly stuck, the script prepared earlier rendered all useless. What was the point of being eloquent? After all, he was seen as a babbling monkey. No one wanted to listen to him at all! On the other hand, Zhou Heng was full of joy. He was here to observe the martial arts which contained the principles of five elements. How could it work without a spar? He had been worried about this and was wondering how to broach the topic. Never had he expected that Liu Changsheng would simply stand up and settle the problem for him. Which one of you will come first? Liu Changsheng looked at Shopkeeper Qian and Zhou Heng, then he smiled as he said, Actually, both of you dont have to be overly worried about yourselves. I wont use my full strength, and you dont really need to defeat me. Ill just stand here. I wont use my strength nor internal qi, and I will try to keep my qi and blood circulation levels as low as possible. Ill just use the ninth-class basic stance technique. Whoever makes my foot budge will be considered the winner. Good idea, Young Master Liu! Shopkeeper Qians eyes glowed. He smiled and said, If thats the case, let me go first. He felt that he stood a good chance of winning. After all, the scheme proposed by Liu Changsheng was more advantageous to an experienced ninth-class martial artist like him. An unranked apprentice like Zhou Heng could not possibly beat him. He was definitely winning this one! How could he possibly lose?! Youre very decisive. Liu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction. Then, he simply stood casually in his original position and smiled lightly. Come on! Please be careful, Young Master! Shopkeeper Qian lowered his voice and said. Just as his words fell, he shifted his body and the pace under his footsteps, turning as swift as lightning! He came before Liu Changsheng with great speed. At the same time, he turned both of his palms over and over again, combining the power of rigidity and soft fluid to enable the power within his palm to flow with an explosive convergence. Thump! Thump! The sound from the inner body of Shopkeeper Qian sounded like thunder, like the roars of tigers and leopards. His power instantly ripped through his surroundings and sent forth a shockwave! It was the sound of muscles and bones humming together and producing the thunder of tigers and leopards! It was a horrifying aura! Despite this, Liu Changsheng did not panic. He remained standing casually, not even shifting stances. Just then, Zhou Heng heard a series of notifications. Youre watching Qian Buduo apply Ninth-Class Five Elements Rotation Palm to deliver an attack. The level of proficiency increased by 0.01. Youre watching Qian Budio apply Ninth-Class Five Elements Cloud Rocket Steps to deliver an attack. The level of proficiency increased by 0.01. All these martial arts were being performed by Shopkeeper Qian! His was strong, and his Five Elements Rotation Palm was unusually brutal. It was like a tsunami. However, none of his palm attacks could hit Liu Changsheng! Although Liu Changsheng did not move his feet nor hands, his body only shifted and swayed a little, avoiding all Shopkeeper Qians attacks with paper-thin margins of error! Shopkeeper Qians forehead became sweaty. He had never expected Liu Changsheng to be so skilled that even after handicapping himself to such a degree, would still be able to dodge his attacks effortlessly. Suddenly, he felt the power of his palms being drawn out. His arms felt as if they were in quicksand. His body jerked into a halt. Thats not good! Shopkeeper Qians heart got a shock! Bang! With the sound of a door slam, Shopkeeper Qian felt a pain in his heart. He was thrown backward, falling more than thirty feet away to the floor. The corner of Zhou Hengs mouth twitched, showing a faint smile. It was not merely because Shopkeeper Qian had been defeated. Youre watching Liu Changsheng apply Ninth-Class Unification of the Five Elements Stance for a counterattack. The level of proficiency increased by 0.01. Finally, his wish was granted and he had managed to acquire one of the ninth-class stance techniques with the principles of five elements! Moreover, this was an authentic inheritance from the Five Elements Clan! The teaching quality of this martial arts school was so much better! Actually, youre not bad. Maybe a little lacking in your stance technique. Liu Changsheng looked at the prone Shopkeeper Qian, smiled and said, If you let go of your businesses on hand and focus on practicing martial arts, you may still be able to advance to the level of eighth-class in your lifetime. Just now, he had taken the advantage of the gap when Shopkeeper Qians strength was exhausted in one of his moves and purely utilized his physical skills to draw in his opponents strength so that he would lose his balance and then hit him with his shoulder. From the beginning to the end, his feet had not moved. Hiss! Given such a scene, the crowd on the spot could not help but draw in a cold breath. The strength of Liu Changsheng was really beyond everyones expectations! Even after so many handicaps, he actually trounced Shopkeeper Qian, an experienced ninth-class martial artist so effortlessly! Was this the heavenly pride of being ranked on the People Ranking Board? That was incredibly powerful! Young Master, your proficiency in martial arts is far beyond my reach, its me who is out of my depth. Shopkeeper Qian reluctantly stood up, lowering his head and sighing as he gave the compliments. He dared not lift his head for fear that Young Master Liu would notice his unwilling expression. Seeing that Liu Changsheng was actually that powerful, Yu He lowered his voice and said, Zhou Heng, how about we forget about this. After all, its me who insisted on doing business. I cant let you bear the risk. This cant be the way. How can you run away from the battle when weve already agreed to compete? The moment Liu Changsheng heard his words, he was not happy and he said, This is against the rules of the world of martial arts. Dont worry. I have my own plan. Zhou Heng patted Yu Hes shoulder, then he walked over to Liu Changsheng. When he passed by Shopkeeper Qian, he heard voices as soft as mosquitoes and flies, yet it happened to be audible at a close distance. It was actually Shopkeeper Qian saying, Kid, Im waiting to see you get beaten up and eat dirt! Zhou Heng paused mid-stride, then he sneered. Shopkeeper Qian, does the dirt taste good? He just had a full meal of it. Shopkeeper Qians face instantly turned into pig liver color again. He said in a cold voice, Youre stubborn! You dont stand a chance against him! Is that so? A smile arched across Zhou Hengs face. He walked slowly toward Liu Changsheng and said, Young Master, are you ready? Huh? Liu Changsheng raised his eyebrows. He smiled and said, You look very confident. Good, this is interesting. Make your move! Then I shall respectfully do so! Zhou Heng narrowed his eyes and took his stance. At the same time, he distributed one distributable point to the level of proficiency for Ninth-Class Unification of the Five Elements Stance! Time seemed to freeze. A phantom image that only Zhou Heng could see appeared and began a sparring session and explanation about the stance techniques, one after another. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Unification of the Five Elements Stance reached 1 and you have officially acquired the martial arts! Just because youve reached a high level for Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique, theres also an increase in similar martial arts. As such, the level of proficiency for Ninth-Class Unification of the Five Elements Stance increased by 2500. The series of changes completed within a blink. The time of the outside world had not passed! But Zhou Heng had been instantaneously transformed! Within an instant, he had acquired the stance technique delivered by Liu Changsheng and had grasped the skills contained therein! Moreover, the basic martial arts of the lower third class were mostly interchangeable, all credited to his previous cultivation on the Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique which had led him to advance in the level of proficiency for the Unification of the Five Elements Stance! Ninth-Class Unification of the Five Elements Stance. High Level: 500/3000. Chapter 26 - How Did You Do It? Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Unification of the Five Elements Stance paid attention to the harmonization of qi and blood to nurture the five internal organs while standing in a stance. The five internal organs would be categorized into the five elements to circulate qi and blood. Through this, he could adjust his body to different states. He could be agile, swift, calm, aggressive, or strong! These five states corresponded to the five elements respectively, which could allow him to have his power gain five different characteristics. Once perfected, these different characteristics could be condensed into one and explode forth. This could multiply its power. Just now, Liu Changsheng actually used this stance to adjust his body to the agility state, which was also the water element in the five elements. Of course, since he was still ranked among the lower three classes, it did not mean that he could produce or spray water through cultivation. The water element mainly referred to the artistic conception and characteristics. As water had no fixed shape, it could be agile. It referred to his current body state. Liu Changsheng dodged the attack through the agility state, but Shopkeeper Qian could not see through its secrets. He just kept on attacking using Five Elements Fist, so it was natural of him to be toyed around. In the end, he was hit and sent flying by an attack, which was to be expected. Zhou Heng was different. His current level of familiarity with Unification of the Five Elements Stance had reached a high level. Although he had not mastered it, it was not a problem for him to use it to break Liu Changshengs stance temporarily by surprise and make him move a few steps. After all, Liu Changsheng did not know that Zhou Heng had learned Unification of the Five Elements Stance. Right then, Liu Changsheng saw that Zhou Heng was about to attack with his bare hands. He could not help but remind Zhou Heng. Youre not going to use a weapon? I heard that you are good at using sabers. How can you do it without a saber? Huh? Zhou Heng was taken aback when he heard Liu Changshengs question. Then, he smiled and said, Its good if I have a saber, of course. Although he was confident that he could affect Liu Changshengs stance with his bare hands, it would undoubtedly be more convenient if he had a saber. The chances of winning would be higher as well. All right. Liu Changsheng nodded slightly. Then, he turned around and said to Zhao Yuan, Go and get a saber. Yes, Young Master Liu. Zhao Yuan immediately rushed to the weapon rack at the corner of the morning classs square. He quickly took a steel saber and handed it to Liu Changsheng. Catch it. Liu Changsheng threw the steel saber to Zhou Heng. Then, he smiled and said, Come on, use all your power with the saber. Let me see your perfected saber technique. It will only be interesting that way. Be careful then, Young Master Liu. Zhou Heng laughed. He thanked the simple-minded person, Liu Changsheng, in his mind. Then, he set up his stance and moved his saber. Yu He, who was not far away, felt like he was experiencing shortness of breath. He looked at Zhou Heng nervously as he still remembered the scene where Shopkeeper Qian was hit and sent flying instantly. Although he did not seem to suffer any injuries, it definitely hurt. After all, Zhou Heng competed with Liu Changsheng because he wanted to let him get this business. Otherwise, there would be no need to do it. What a good friend he was! If he can do it Yu He made up his mind. I must give Zhou Heng seventy percent, no, eighty percent of the money earned from this business! But, can he do it? Liu Changsheng was too powerful. Even Shopkeeper Qian, a martial artist who had advanced into the ninth-class for many years, could not match him. He could not even make Liu Changsheng move a step. Could Zhou Heng, an unranked martial artist, do it? On the high platform, the three masters of the martial arts schools, including Zhao Yuan, and a group of practitioners were paying attention to Zhou Heng as well. They were calculating how long Zhou Heng could last. No one thought that Zhou Heng would win. After all, the battle with Shopkeeper Qian showed everyone Liu Changshengs terrifying strength and his flexible dodging while he was in a rigid stance. It would be difficult for an unranked martial artist to make a successful attack even if he had perfected his technique. Thousands of apprentices on the morning classs square stared at Zhou Heng enthusiastically as well. They wanted to see how Zhou Heng lost. After all, Zhou Heng was an apprentice just like them. He was even an apprentice in a small martial arts school. In their opinion, no matter how talented Zhou Heng was, he was not a divine miracle. Shopkeeper Qian looked on with a gloomy expression. He hoped that Zhou Heng would lose as badly as possible. It would be better if Liu Changsheng felt that Zhou Heng was too weak and attacked him severely for it. Whoosh! Right then, there was a sound of air ripping. Zhou Hengs attack directly left a white line in the air. He attacked the lower part of Liu Changshengs body at lightning speed. Everyone on the high platform inevitably shook their heads when they saw this scene. They thought this young genius, who was getting popular, could deliver a brilliant attack, but they had not expected it to just be like this. Indeed, the best way to make Liu Changsheng move was to attack the lower part of his body. Shopkeeper Qian did the same thing just now, but he had failed in the end. Although Liu Changsheng stood there, his calves and thighs were very flexible. It was impossible to hit the lower part of his body if Zhou Heng was not fast enough, so naturally, his attack would not work. Even if Zhou Heng was using a saber, which had a larger attack range, the final result might not be much better than Shopkeeper Qian. As expected, Liu Changshengs legs seemed to soften when Zhou Heng attacked using his saber. His legs suddenly became twisted and bypassed Zhou Hengs attack trajectory perfectly. When Zhou Hengs attack was about to fail, they started imagining that if Zhou Hengs attack failed, the distance between him and Liu Changsheng would be shortened. This would give Liu Changsheng the chance to hit and send him flying with his shoulder just like before. Zhou Heng was going to lose! He was an unranked martial artist, after all. Even if he had perfected his technique, he was still not powerful enough. This was the unspoken consensus of everyone present. The corners of Shopkeeper Qians mouth curled up slightly. He smiled and thought to himself. You brat, theres no way youll win when I have lost. Stop dreaming! Bang! But right then, a muffled sound suddenly rose. Soon, a figure was seen to be retreating. He retreated till he was ten feet away before he finally stopped. Has it ended? Zhou Heng has retreated? Everyone who heard the sound looked over, but they were surprised by what they saw. The person who retreated was not Zhou Heng! It was Liu Changsheng! Everyone present had their eyes wide opened. They looked at this scene in disbelief as they could not trust their eyes. How could it be? How could it be? What happened just now? What changes did Zhou Hengs saber technique have? It actually repelled Liu Changsheng! Besides, not only did Liu Changsheng move one of his feet, but he also retreated more than ten feet away! This is unbelievable! Thousands of apprentices were stunned. They were frozen like clay puppets. Oh my God! Is this something an apprentice can do? This is incredible! Great! This is amazing! Yu He was overjoyed. He was so happy that he almost jumped. How could this be? H-How is this possible? Shopkeeper Qian started to question his life. He even gave himself a few slaps to know whether he was dreaming. This was too surreal! In fact, not only were the onlookers stunned, Liu Changsheng, who was repelled, was also a little confused. He looked at Zhou Heng in surprise and confusion. Then, he asked, H-How did you do it? Chapter 27 - I Will Help You Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Congratulations! Youve defeated a deadly opponent, Liu Changsheng, as the opponent held back. You received a Silver Lucky Bag. A notification sounded in Zhou Hengs mind. This made him a little surprised. He did not expect to be rewarded with a lucky bag through such a competition. He was already prepared to receive nothing, so this was a good surprise. He began to look forward to the contents of the Lucky Bag. After thinking about it, he never received a notification that said he was lucky when he opened the Silver Lucky Bags. However, he had no time to open the Lucky Bag now. Right now, thousands of people were all focused on him. Liu Changshengs question raised the interest of everyone present. Everyone was puzzled. Thats right. How did he do it? What exactly happened just now? Liu Changsheng could clearly dodge the attack just now, but why did he retreat in the end? He even retreated to a far distance. Ahem. Right then, Butler Wang, who stood behind Liu Changsheng, suddenly faked a cough. Huh? Liu Changsheng was taken aback for a moment. Then, his expression changed. He quickly changed the topic and asked Zhou Heng with a smile, Haha, I made a faux pas. I was so excited that I forgot the rules of the world of martial arts. Lets settle the matter like this then. Well go to your restaurant and inn. I will ask Butler Wang and Zhao Yuan to do the paperwork with you later. It was the world of martial arts rule to not ask the secret of the opponents skill. Liu Changsheng had always regarded himself as a wanderer. He agreed with the rules and had been following them all the time. However, he could not understand Zhou Hengs skill, so he could not help but ask in his shock. He realized that he made a faux pas when Butler Wang reminded him by faking a cough, so he quickly changed the topic. But he still felt bad for it. After all, it was him who broke the world of martial arts rule first, so he felt a little apologetic. Should I give him some compensation? Zhao Yuan and the others came back to their senses when they saw Liu Changsheng suddenly fall silent. The three of them exchanged glances and quickly walked off the high platform. They came to Zhou Heng and saluted him in flattery. Ive heard about you for a long time, Mr. Zhou. I didnt expect you to be more powerful than the rumors. Hahaha. Thats right. I became curious when I heard that you defeated Sun Zhengpin. Now that I saw you, I knew that young heroes must have been cultivated since childhood. Youre awesome! In the future, youll definitely be famous, Mr. Zhou. You have a boundless future! The three of them flattered Zhou Heng. They wanted to divert Zhou Hengs attention and help cover up Liu Changshengs reckless behavior. At the same time, they were trying to show their martial arts schools stances on the boy. Although this was not a big deal, it might change to another version through hearsay after word spread out. Breaking news! The original disciple of Five Elements Clan, Liu Changsheng, intimidated an unranked apprentice with his subordinates, the three masters of the top three martial arts schools. These four seventh-class experts forced the apprentice to tell them the secret of his skill. Is this the distortion of human nature or the loss of morality? It was easy to spread rumors but difficult to deny it. If that time really came, the reputation of both Liu Changsheng and the top three martial arts schools would be damaged. It was better to make a good relationship with Zhou Heng in advance to avoid troubles. Zhou Heng understood what they meant as well, so he responded with a smile. But their flattery only confused Yu He. He never dreamed that he would see such a scene. Zhao Yuan and the other two people were bigwigs in Yellow Wood City. They were usually flattered by other people, but now, they were actually flattering Zhou Heng! Yu He could not help but feel odd. When did my friend reach such a high status? He is amazing! Everyone was having a good time. The surrounding air was full of joy. Only Shopkeeper Qian lowered his head at the side. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he could not accept it. How did this happen? Zhou Heng is just an unranked apprentice, so how did he repel Liu Changsheng? Theres no need to ask. It must be fake! A soft voice, which seemed like an illusion, suddenly rang in Shopkeeper Qians mind. This voice had no source. Although it disappeared instantly, it completely sent his emotions bursting out. Thats right. It is fake. This must be fake! It has nothing to do with the rules of the world of martial arts. There must be something fishy if he is not willing to explain his skills in detail. Shopkeeper Qian suddenly came to realize the truth. He felt that he had seen through the truth. It must be like this. It must be like this! Zhou Heng must have set it up with Liu Changsheng in advance. The final choice was actually decided long ago! They were staging it. Zhao Yuan and the others are in on it as well. They worked together to put me down! They have a shady deal! Thats right. It must be like this. Right now, Shopkeeper Qian had been overwhelmed by emotions. He did not realize that the statuses between Zhou Heng and Liu Changsheng were different, so it was impossible for them to cooperate. Besides, they had no reason to put him down together. This made him more unhappy and angry. I worked hard to start my own business despite being under the pressure of being criticized. I imitated the operations of the Sun familys restaurant and inn as I strived for perfection to do better. I even let Sun familys chefs work for me and gave them higher wages so that they can make better dishes. No matter what the aspect is, my restaurant should be better! I paid a lot of money because of this, so I need this business urgently to turnover the capital. I was sure that I could get this business, but why did this happen? Why am I not chosen? Why? Im not convinced! I wont accept this! Shopkeeper Qian shouted in his mind. But in reality, he did not dare to say a word. He even had to force a smile when he left. He did not dare to offend Liu Changsheng. He could not afford to offend him as he was the original disciple of Five Elements Clan and the son of a fourth-class expert. This made him more aggrieved, and resentment grew in his heart. Splash! The rain started to pour. The sky became dim, so the shops on the roadside hung lanterns to light the road dimly. Qian Buduo had not prepared for the rain. It happened to rain on the way home from Five Auspicious Martial Arts School, so he was completely drenched in the rain. He could not help but think of Zhou Heng and Yu He, who stayed at Five Auspicious Martial Arts School together. They will definitely not get caught in the rain, and they may even have the time to watch the rain! Damn it! Ahhh! Why?! Qian Buduo shouted at nothing in particular. He threw his fists to the sky to vent his anger. He felt detested and rejected by everything in the world. However, there was something he did not notice. Under the dim light of the shops on the roadside, his shadow in the rain did not follow his movements and throw its fists. It was as if the shadow had been separated from him and gained independence. It remained motionless. As Qian Buduo returned home, he rushed into his bedroom without saying anything. He sat directly in front of a bronze mirror without changing his drenched clothes. He lit up the light and looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror. He looked battered. He was completely drenched. His hair was a mess and was dripping water. He looked like a drowned mouse. He grabbed his hair and slowly lowered his head. His body was trembling, and his heart was full of resentment. Resentment toward Zhou Heng and Liu Changsheng. But what else could he do except feel resentful because he was unwilling to admit defeat? He was only a ninth-class martial artist. There was nothing he could do. Are you unwilling to admit defeat? Suddenly, an ethereal voice sounded. It was the same as the previous voice in his mind. Who is it? Qian Buduo was startled. He looked around, but there was only him in the bedroom. This made him puzzled. However, when he turned around and looked at the bronze mirror again, he suddenly found his reflection still maintaining the posture of grabbing his hair with his head down! What the hell was going on? Qian Buduos pupils instantly shrank. Thud! He immediately knocked over the bronze mirror and stood up in a panic. No! Whats going on?! Thats weird. W-Where is my shadow? Qian Buduo exclaimed. He quickly turned around as he tried to find his own shadow. But when he turned around, he found the overturned mirror back in its original position! But the inside of the bronze mirror was empty this time. There was nothing in it. Qian Buduo hesitated, but he still moved closer to the bronze mirror. He intended to see what was going on. This time, he saw his face in the bronze mirror. It was indeed a face that was exactly like him, and nothing seemed unusual. Suddenly, the bronze mirror showed a second face of him slowly crawling out from behind his left shoulder! Then, this face suddenly opened its mouth and showed thirty-two white teeth. Youre unwilling to admit defeat? Ill help you! Chapter 28 - The Shadow under the Night Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation It was Liu Changshengs idea to invite Zhou Heng and Yu He to stay for lunch. He wanted to take this opportunity to learn more about Zhou Heng. To be precise, he wanted to know some of Zhou Hengs thoughts on the cultivation of saber techniques. He could not forget Zhou Hengs previous attack. He was itching to know how Zhou Heng did it. He somehow felt that if he could understand the principles contained in Zhou Hengs attack, he might be able to take his cultivation further. But he did not get any substantive answers even when the meal was over. He just felt that Zhou Hengs talent in martial arts was indeed extraordinary. He should be quite successful in the future. Zhou Heng and Yu He left after the rain stopped. Liu Changsheng could not help but ask Butler Wang, Did you see through Zhou Hengs previous attack, Butler Wang? I feel that it seemingly contained the antithesis of the five elements principles, but Im not sure. Now that Zhou Heng was no longer here, it was normal to discuss his martial arts skills, so it was not a violation of the world of martial arts rules. Zhao Yuan and the others at the side, looked at Butler Wang when they heard Liu Changshengs question. The people present were all practicing martial arts belonging to the five elements and they had similar cultivation levels. They could vaguely tell that Zhou Hengs attack had been quite abstruse. If they could understand it, there was a high chance that it would be good for their martial arts advancement. The mans attack did contain the principles of the five elements, Butler Wang slightly nodded and said with a serious expression, But it was not his saber techniques that contained the principles of the five elements. Why do you say so? Liu Changsheng asked in confusion. The reason his attack contained the principle of the five elements was that it cut at the weak point of the Unification of the Five Elements Stance. There was a hint of admiration in Butler Wangs eyes. Then, he smiled and said, You used the water element of the Unification of the Five Elements Stance, Young Master. It is agile and nimble. Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for an unranked apprentice to repel you. But what if this unranked martial artist saw through the changes of your stance, found the weak point of it, and then changed his move unexpectedly so that his sabers momentum grew stable and gained the element of earth? The five elements can restrain each other. Earth restrains water, so calmness tamed agility? Liu Changsheng was stunned after hearing that. Then, he asked with a surprised expression, Its not surprising that he knows the principles of the five elements mutual restraint, but how did he see through the changes of my stance? Unification of the Five Elements Stance is exclusive to the Five Elements Clans original disciple. It is impossible for him to know the workings of this stance. It is indeed impossible for him to know it, but he didnt need to as well. He just needs to understand and find out the weak points of it. It is enough to catch you by surprise. Butler Wang slightly shook his head, and the admiration in his eyes grew. Then, he said, When I came here with the young master this morning, I accidentally heard someone talk about a martial arts genius who found the limelight recently. That person was talking about Zhou Heng. Rumor says that when he competed with his ninth class practitioner, he mastered a ninth-class martial art through the fight. This rumor is probably exaggerated compared to the truth, but this also reflects his martial arts talent. You mean he saw through the weak point of my Unification of the Five Elements Stance by watching me perform it once? Liu Changsheng was dumbfounded. He spoke as if he saw a ghost, How is this possible? I have only heard that the Fairy Jade Mountain from Pious Sun Palace has such talent. Its not only Cheng Jiangjian who has such a talent. Its just that you only know her, Young Master, Butler Wang shook his head and said, The Great Qara has thirty-three states. It has a huge population, but how many original disciples do the top clans have? It is not surprising that there would be an unnoticed talent. I see. Butler Wangs words have brought light to me. Zhao Yuan, who was at the side, realized something and said, Previously, a Wang family from another place moved here and caused quite a stir. The Wang family suddenly disappeared a few days ago. At that time, Zhou Heng was working as a temporary guard for Wangs familys eldest daughter, but he was not affected by the incident at all. There were vague traces that showed that the mayor had a hand in it. I was wondering if Zhou Heng is the child of a bigwig because he was protected by the mayor, Wu Zongshan, who is also a sixth-class expert. But now it seems like the mayor was just protecting raw talent. Such a thing happened? Butler Wang smiled after hearing that. Then, he said, But this is normal. The imperial courts political performance appraisals of various places include the level of martial artists. A genius like Zhou Heng is a treasure for a city. So Zhou Heng is every inch a martial arts genius? Liu Changshengs eyes brighten. He smiled and said, Its a pity that he is still an unranked martial artist. If he has already advanced to seventh class, I would love to have a match with him. Haha, Im afraid you wont have the chance, Young Master, Butler Wang smiled and said, Although Zhou Heng is exceptionally talented, he has no inheritance from a reputable clan, no profound martial arts, and no nourishing spirit medicine. In this case, advancing to the seventh-class before the age of forty would be an achievement in and of itself. By then, you would be at the precipice of the fifth class, Young Master. I can send him gifts if he lacks resources, Liu Changsheng smiled and said, Let him advance to the ninth-class first. Power will spread across his body, so he can put up a fight against me. Butler Wang was speechless. The young master sure has a unique idea. But anyway, the master has a big business. It is just a small matter to give someone some gifts, so Ill just let the young master do whatever he wants. Tonight, the top three martial arts schools organized a banquet for the arrival of Liu Changsheng. It was held at a restaurant run by Yu Hes family. In this banquet, many Yellow Wood Citys gentries besides the top three martial arts schools were there. Yamen even sent a personal administrative assistant to represent the mayor, Wu Zongshan. Zhou Heng was invited as well. He attended the banquet for the free meal. When the banquet was over and the guests had left, Liu Changsheng, who was about to leave, gifted him a pill unexpectedly. It was a Tiger Bone Refining Pill. It was a pill that had an excellent effect on unranked martial artists. It could provide the body with a large amount of nutrition needed for martial arts and nourish the bodys qi and blood. It could also energize his power and make it reach the whole body naturally so that one could advance to the ninth class! As the ninth class was also known as the stage of refining and foundation building, the Tiger Bone Refining Pill was also nicknamed the Foundation Building Pill. It cost at least one thousand taels a pill! At first, Zhou Heng wanted to refuse it. However, Liu Changsheng gifted the pill to apologize for the previous blunder, so he had to accept it. Yu He came over after Liu Changsheng left. He chuckled and said, Liu Changsheng is a good guy. He even gifted you such an expensive pill. It seems like he really abides by the world of martial arts rules. You think that it was easy to receive this pill? Zhou Heng patted his friend on the shoulder and said, He obviously wants me to advance to the ninth class as soon as possible. After I have the power of the ninth class, I may be able to put up a better fight. That guy is crazy for martial arts. Huh? You even have to compete? Yu He was stunned. Then, he said, Do you want me to give him a thousand taels on your behalf? Consider it as me buying the pill from him. He wont accept it, Zhou Heng shook his head and said with a smile, Besides, it is not bad to compete with him. It should be able to improve my martial arts. He is an expert from the People Ranking Board, after all. Youre crazy for martial arts as well. Yu He rolled his eyes. Just as he was about to tease Zhou Heng, he suddenly stared at something. He found a figure at a distant intersection. Hey, look there, Zhou Heng. Is that Shopkeeper Qian? Huh? Zhou Heng looked over after hearing that. It was already late at night. Although there was no set curfew, the street was already empty. Only some lanterns hung dimly at the stores doors. It was dark and quiet. Shopkeeper Qian stood at a dark place at the intersection, so his face was unclear. Yu He might not have recognized him just now if Shopkeeper Qian had not left him a strong impression. Shopkeeper Qian seemed to have noticed the two peoples stares, so he immediately turned around and left, disappearing into the night. I guess its envy, jealousy, and hatred, Yu He joked and smiled smugly. You better be careful during the next couple of days. Zhou Heng reminded him. I feel that something is wrong with Shopkeeper Qian. I will, Yu He smiled and said, Many a wrecked man would seek revenge. Ill definitely be careful. Good to know that, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Ill go back as well then. Be careful on the road. Yu He waved his hand as he watched Zhou Heng leave. After Zhou Heng walked away, he turned around and returned to the restaurant. But when he stepped over the threshold, he suddenly felt a little dizzy. Bang! Yu He slammed his hand on the door to support himself. What happened? He pressed his temples and shook his head. Maybe Im too tired today? I should go to bed early. At the same time, a face previously hidden in the shadow appeared on the wall of the intersection where Shopkeeper Qian disappeared. That face opened its mouth and showed thirty-two white teeth. Its green eyes flickered and stared at Yu He, who made his way into the restaurant. When Zhou Heng returned home, he put the wooden box containing the Tiger Bone Refining Pill on the table. He was wondering if he should eat it or sell it as it cost one thousand taels. He still owed Cheng Jiangjian an external debt of three thousand taels. He might be able to take a breather if he had these one thousand taels. Although Cheng Jiangjian never asked Zhou Heng to pay back the money, he had been keeping this in his heart. Such a precious pill could not be eaten for nothing. After hesitating for a while, he decided to open the Lucky Bag first. What if something better came out of the Lucky Bag? For example, the Nine Turns Purple Gold Pill could make one become the Golden Immortal after a single consumption. Zhou Heng had a total of two Lucky Bags now. One was a Silver Lucky Bag he had received when he defeated Liu Changsheng in the previous competition. Another one was a Bronze Lucky Bag he had received after cultivating the Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords to perfection. He planned to open the Bronze Lucky Bag after he advanced to the ninth class. He wanted to see if the upper limit of the Luck Bags reward had anything to do with his cultivation level. Although he received a new Silver Lucky Bag, he had no plan to change it. He would still keep the Bronze Lucky Bag. After all, he had never received a notification that said he was lucky when he opened Silver Lucky Bags, so he felt a little regretful. Silver Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. Open! Congratulations! Youve been rewarded with a basic attribute. Your insight has increased by 1. Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. Thats it? Thats it? Zhou Hengs eyes widened. No luck again! Theres no notification that says Im lucky. Is it another ordinary reward? My insight has increased by 1? What reward is this? He only figured it out after a while. It seemed to be an attribute that enhances his ability to observe. He could see farther, clearer, and discovered some details that were easily overlooked. Whats the use of this stuff? Do I have bad luck with Silver Lucky Bags? It seems like I have never received anything good from the Silver Lucky Bags. Zhou Heng looked at the remaining Bronze Lucky Bag. He wanted to open it right away to test whether it was him or the Silver Lucky Bag that was unlucky. However, he held back in the end. After all, he had almost advanced to the ninth class. If he took the Tiger Bone Refining Pill, he would advance to the ninth class within a day or two. It was not too late to open it then. Forget it. I dont want to think anymore. Time to sleep. The next morning, Zhou Heng came to the martial arts school to practice as usual. It felt good to practice while listening to the notifications announcing that his level of proficiency had increased. What made him even more pleased was that when he practiced Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique, the level of proficiency of the Unification of the Five Elements Stance increased as well! He got twice the result with half the effort! However, Zhou Heng felt that something seemed to be missing at todays martial arts school. Yu He was absent. Did he drink too much yesterday, so he overslept? Zhou Heng frowned. Right then, he suddenly smelled a faint fragrance. Brother Zhou, do you know where Practitioner Lin is? A soft and pleasing voice sounded. She was a pretty girl, who seemed to be fourteen or fifteen years old. She wore a pink dress and had beautiful features. She was beautiful. Why are you here, Yingying? Zhou Heng knew this girl. She was Yu Hes sister, Yu Yingying. She was two years younger than Yu He, so she was fifteen years old. I came to find Practitioner Lin to help my brother apply for a leave. Yu Yingyings delicate face was full of sadness. She seemed to be depressed. What happened to Yu He? Zhou Heng frowned. He took note of the emotional details on Yu Yingyings face and felt that something was wrong. Was this the power of his increased insight? Chapter 29 - I Can Do It Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Is it possible to make such a judgment with just a single point increase in insight? Zhou Heng was slightly surprised, and he knew exactly what he had just done. He could roughly deduce multiple possible futures by judging a persons emotional changes by observing his minute facial expression twitches. It was not a useless ability. Instead, it was very practical. It would be highly versatile and relevant in many areas. Initially, I only focused on the lack of a notification that told me I had great luck and did not consider the function of insight. But now, it seems to be quite useful. Zhou Heng was slightly delighted. But if this insight is already this powerful with a single point, wouldnt I be able to read peoples minds with ten points? As expected of a Silver Lucky Bag! It would be even better if I obtained a notification telling me that Im very lucky and got an increase of 100 points for my insight the next time. Although he was feeling excited, the priority now was to find out what had happened to Yu He. Judging from Yu Yingyings emotional state, it seemed to be quite serious. Zhou Heng brought Yu Yingying to look for Practitioner Lin and apply for leave. Yu Yingying told Practitioner Lin that Yu He was absent because he was sick and had to stay in bed at home for several days. Therefore, he could not come to the martial arts school for the time being. However, Zhou Heng clearly did not think things were that simple. After they departed from Practitioner Lin, he asked, Yingying, what happened to Yu He? Well Yu Yingying looked troubled. She hesitated before continuing, Initially, my brother did not want others to know about it. But since youre asking, perhaps I can say it. Can we speak somewhere private? Alright. Zhou Heng nodded, then he followed Yu Yingying to a deserted place and said, We can talk here. After you left last night, my brother started to get dizzy and couldnt even stand properly. Yu Yingying felt really glum. Even her voice was choked up. Initially, he thought he drank too much or was too tired and wanted to find a room to rest. But when he lay down in bed, soon, he began to feel chills all over his body. His lips turned purple, his skin turned dry and started cracking. His body started to stiffen up, just like just like a corpse. He looked fine yesterday. Zhou Heng frowned. The symptoms Yu He had were very serious. Which medical center is he in? Bring me to visit him. He didnt go to a medical center. While my brother was still conscious, he instructed us not to send him to a medical center, Yu Yingting sighed and continued, H-He was afraid of affecting the business deal he got from Liu Changsheng. After all, this was a deal that youd won in a competition on his behalf, Big Brother Zhou. Is he out of his mind? Zhou Heng could not help but cussed him. He said, Bring me to him. Have you hired a doctor? Big Brother Zhou, dont worry. My father has already hired three well-known doctors, my brother should be fine. Yu Yingying comforted him. However, she did not even seem convinced by her own words. Lets go. Take me there. Zhou Heng did not ask further questions. All things would become clear once he got there and saw the situation. Okay. Yu Yingying nodded. Incoming Joy Restaurant was a property of the Yu family, the largest restaurant in Yellow Wood City. At that moment, Yu He lay in a bedroom in the best suite. Zhou Heng and Yu Yingying had arrived. A middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties was holding a tea bowl with a troubled frown. Next to him were three doctor-like old men, all who looked to be in their fifties or sixties. The middle-aged man had a square face, deep lines for facial features, and a dignified appearance. He was Yu He and Yu Yingyings father, the leading figure of Yellow Wood City in the area of restaurants, catering, inns and accommodations. He was Yu Fulai. Yingying, youre back. Yu Fulai put down the tea bowl in his hand. He also noticed Zhou Heng standing beside Yu Yingying. He smiled and said, Zhou Heng, youre here too. Come, take a seat. Uncle Yu, hows Yu He? Zhou Heng and Yu Fulai were familiar with each other. He said, I heard from Yingying that its bad. Indeed, it is. Yu Fulai sighed and said, Alas, I dont know whats the cause either. By the way, Dr. Liao, you have a theory, pray tell us what it is. Dr. Liao was one of the three doctors beside him. He was close to sixty and had been working in the medical field for more than thirty years. He had treated many people. He was considered a famous doctor in Yellow Wood City. Master Yu, Im afraid that things arent looking good for your son. Dr. Liao shook his head gently and had a hard time saying those words, I have spoken at length with Dr. Qi and Dr. Fang, and they all agree on a point unanimously. The reason for your sons current situation is due to stagnancy in his qi and blood circulation, causing his Yin energy to overpower his Yang energy. His vitality is dissipating. Weve come out with a prescription, but if we apply the treatment based on that prescription, it will take at least seven days for him to get better, and Im afraid that your sons condition is Spill it. How many more days can my son last? Yu Fulai closed his eyes gently, but he sounded very calm and said, No need to worry about my feelings, just tell me the truth so that we can discuss his treatment. At most, he can last until tomorrow. He might He might not even last through the night. Dr. Liao shook his head. His pale and old face looked worn with defeat. The remaining two doctors also lowered their heads in shame. Tomorrow Sob Yu Yingying sobbed softly. A-Are there no other ways? Yu Fulai seemed to have aged a few dozen years in an instant. His eyes had become somewhat hollow, and he said, Will it work if I send him to the medical center right now and use the best prescriptions and best doctors to treat him? Master Yu, the three of us are the best doctors in Yellow Wood City, Dr. Liao sighed and continued, You know that were, after all, only ordinary doctors who are limited to our medical stones and acupuncture techniques. Unless Unless one goes to look for the sages of the great sects and families. They may have a solution to this. They could also look for a sixth-class sage who can use his true qi to stimulate your sons qi and blood circulation. Sixth-class? Yu Fulai laughed bitterly, The lord mayor is the only sixth-class martial artist in Yellow Wood City. How would someone of his status come to save Yu He? Dr. Liao, cant you use acupuncture to unblock Yu Hes qi and blood circulation? There are indeed acupuncture techniques that can unblock qi and blood circulation, and we know some of them. But your sons condition is too severe, and an ordinary acupuncture technique will be ineffective. He will require higher-level acupuncture techniques. However, that kind of acupuncture technique Im regretful to say Dr. Liao was embarrassed to the point he could not look at anyone in the face. He lowered his head and said, We dont know them, and we cant make use of them. That form of acupuncture technique requires internal qi as a guide. That is to say, it must be done by at least a ninth-class expert. But theres no such doctor in Yellow Wood City. Perhaps there is in the county. However, even if you send word for one now, Im afraid you wont have enough time Master Yu, were useless and are embarrassed to stay any longer here, so Ill leave first. After he finished speaking, he shook his head without saying a word and went out. The other two doctors followed suit and left. Apparently, none of them had ninth-class cultivation. It was already rare for a normal person who solely concentrated on martial arts to be able to enter the ninth-class before the age of fifty, how would they have the energy to study medicine? It was the same for the other side. Medical skills also required years of accumulating skills. It would take decades of hard work to cure the diseases of ordinary people, how could one have the energy to practice martial arts? Dr. Liao, Dr. Wu, Dr. Zhang! Yu Fulai came forward to restrain them and said with an anguished face, Arent there any other ways? He can only be cured if there is a sixth-class expert passing by or if there is a ninth-class expert who is skilled at the acupuncture technique of unblocking qi and blood. Dr. Liao shook his head, heaved a sigh and said, Master Yu, were very sorry. Theres nothing we can do. Farewell. We cant save him. Please appoint another expert. Master Yu, Im very sorry. Farewell. The three doctors shook their heads in unison and left the restaurant. The place became quiet at once. The night seemed to have become darker. Is this the will of God? Yu Fulai appeared to be in despair. There was no greater sorrow in the world than having a parent send his child off. Brother Yu Yingyings little face turned as white as a sheet. Even the best doctors in Yellow Wood City could do nothing and had left in despair. Who else could save Yu He? At that moment, Zhou Heng suddenly opened his mouth and said, I can perform acupuncture. Chapter 30 - Doubtful Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Zhou Heng, what did you say just now? Yu Fulai stood up all of a sudden. His eyes seemed to glow with excitement. You can use acupuncture techniques?! He was very surprised. Finally, there was a bright and dazzling light beneath this blanket of deep darkness. Big Brother Zhou, can you really use acupuncture to save my brother? Yu Yingying looked at Zhou Heng with a tear-stained face. Her gaze was full of anticipation. Thats right. Zhou Heng nodded. The Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation could cure such a disease. Even the stagnation of Cheng Jiangjians qi and blood circulation that had been contaminated by ghost aura could be treated. Naturally, it could also be used to unblock Zhou Hengs qi and blood circulation. After learning that he possessed the Supreme Yang Divine Soul, Cheng Jiangjian realized that it was his Supreme Yang Divine Soul that had helped her to dispel the ghost aura before this. As such, it was no longer a matter of the acupuncture technique being rare or exotic, so there was no need to hide it from others. Yu Fulais heart burst as he heard his words. Thats great! Theres some hope! After Dr. Liao and the rest had left, he had fallen into utter despair. He was prepared to watch Yu He die without any medication treatment. Little did he expect for the proverbial sunshine after the rain. Yu Hes bosom friend could actually perform acupuncture! It was a pleasant surprise, but Yu Fulai was a little worried. Zhou Heng is still very young and only seventeen years old, how could he possibly know such a profound acupuncture technique? Moreover, he doesnt have ninth-class cultivation nor internal qi. Perhaps hes worried about Yu He. After seeing that everyone was at their wits end, hes stepping forward to try everything possible to save Yu He? Yu Fulais heart was a bit touched. Its undoubtedly a blessing for his son to have such a bosom friend and good buddy. However, being concerned alone doesnt guarantee the effectiveness of the treatment. A seventeen-year-old unranked martial artist will find it hard to convince people that he actually has a superior level of skill in acupuncture technique compared to Dr. Liao and the other doctors! Even Dr. Liao and the rest of the doctors were helpless, how could he possibly be able to As he thought of this, Yu Fulai smiled bitterly again. Whats the point of pondering over these issues at this moment? If I dont let Zhou Heng give it a try, what other solutions do I have? Its a dead end! I can only watch Yu He die! Yu Fulai took a deep breath. He looked at Zhou Heng and said, Zhou Heng, Ill ask you again, are you sure you are up for it? The expectant look in Yu Yingyings gaze was strong. She hoped Zhou Heng could say the word Yes and save Zhou Heng. She was already at the end of her rope and could only pin her hopes on him. Zhou Heng remained decisive. He nodded and said, I can do it. No, Im asking whether youre able to bear the psychological pressure that may come after, should you fail to save the patient? Yu Fulai sighed and continued, Of course, I hope that you can save Yu He. But you heard Dr. Liao and the other doctors just now. Yu Hes condition is very serious. If you fail to save him, Im afraid youll blame yourself for the rest of your life. Uncle Yu, dont worry. Zhou Heng shook his head gently and said in a low voice, I dont think Ill fail. Great! When Yu Fulai saw that Zhou Heng was that confident, he could not help but feel hopeful again and said, Then come with me, Yingying. Well wait outside. Yu Yingying was still young and emotionally fragile. So, it was best not to let her face the matter of life and death in such close quarters. Okay. Yu Yingying was understanding. She nodded gently and stood aside. She said to Zhou Heng with reddened eyes, Big Brother Zhou, you must heal my brother. People who were about to fall off the cliff would scramble to grab hold of anything. If it happened to be a single straw, they would not let go as long as they breathed. Dont worry. Zhou Heng smiled. Then, he went into the bedroom with Yu Fulai. As they entered the bedroom, Zhou Heng immediately felt the surrounding temperature plummeting drastically. Yu He was lying on the bed and covered with a thick quilt. Only his head was exposed. The skin on his face and forehead was already dry and cracked. His face was ghastly pale, his lips purple. If not for his slight trembling, one could mistake him as a corpse. Zhou Heng walked over to him. He lifted the quilt and observed Yu Hes overall condition. Then, he touched him with his hand. He felt as cold as ice. A crease appeared between his eyebrows. How is he? As Yu Fulai saw Zhou Heng frowning, his heart skipped a beat. He could not help but asked him, A-Are there any problems? Are there any difficulties? Not much of a big problem. Zhou Heng nodded. At the same time, he took out his silver needles. Now, he no longer had any hesitation about using the Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation. Through his observation just now, he had already determined that Yu He was not sick at all. Instead, his form had been infiltrated by ghostly aura. But the ghost aura was extremely obscure and very thin. Therefore, it was difficult to detect. If not for Zhou Heng having drawn out the attribute of insight, no one could have seen this through. But, such an obscure and thin ghost aura should have very little impact. Why is Yu He so close to death? Unless the ghost is of a higher nature? Why is there another ghost appearing in Yellow Wood City? Hasnt my Yang energy been sealed by Cheng Jiangjians chinese talisman? Why are there still ghosts appearing? Zhou Heng could not figure it out, so he could only put aside those speculations. Most importantly, he had to stabilize Yu Hes condition first. He picked up those silver needles and pierced them into both of Yu Hes hands and legs. Youre delivering Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation for healing. The level of proficiency increased by 10. Youre delivering Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation for healing, with precise insight and perfect piercing of acupoints. The level of proficiency increased by 50. Youre delivering Eighth-Class Meridian and Qi Clearing Acupuncture Manipulation for healing. The level of proficiency increased by 18. While delivering the acupuncture, Zhou Heng further discovered the powerful effects of the one point increase for the insight. It allowed him to insert those silver needles into the corresponding acupoints with precision and accuracy. He avoided mistakes in applying the acupuncture technique to the maximum extent. Even though he applied the needles accurately, he was still not skilled enough. After all, he had not actually practiced it. Of course, it would only look bad from the surface. In fact, as long as he was able to insert the needles accurately to trigger the acupuncture technique. However, with such a clumsy application of acupuncture technique, even a layman like Yu Fulai could see how green he was. As such, he could not help but feel his scalp tingle with cold sweat. He almost could not resist the urge to dash up and drag Zhou Heng down. How could this happen? Wasnt he full of confidence just now? Why is his acupuncture technique so haphazard and clumsy? Yu Fulai felt that there was only total darkness before his eyes. It was completely hopeless now. Its over! At that moment, Zhou Hengs voice was heard. Alright. His condition has almost stabilized. Stabilized? What do you mean, stabilized? Yu Fulai almost thought he had heard wrongly. He looked at Zhou Heng in a puzzlement and asked skeptically, Zhou Heng, what did you say just now? Whats stabilized? Basically, Yu Hes condition has stabilized, and his life is not in danger for the time being. Zhou Heng pointed at Yu He, who was lying on the bed. He smiled gently and continued, Uncle Yu, you can be at ease now. What?! A task which not even Dr. Liao and the rest could handle has now been stabilized that fast?! Thats too fast! Despite Yu Fulai being incomparably shocked, Zhou Hengs words were like heavenly music to him. He immediately rushed to Yu Hes bed and carefully looked at him. Chapter 31 - Greatest Harvest Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Thats good! Thats very good! The moment Yu Fulai saw Yu Hes complexion, his gaze was filled with surprise! Right then, Yu Hes originally ghastly pale face was flushed with health and appeared rosy red. Even his purple lips had returned to their normal color. If not for the traces of dryness and cracks on his skin, he looked just like a regular person sleeping in bed. The vital signs of his body seemed to have reverted to normalcy. His condition had stabilized! His condition had truly stabilized! Yu He, who had been deemed a hopeless case by Dr. Liao and other doctors, had been revived within a short period of time! That was great! Yu Fulai, a great man who had embarked in the business world for a few decades, felt tears welling up in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said to Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng, no, Mr. Zhou, thank you once again for your gracious kindness! Uncle Yu, just call me Zhou Heng. Yu He is my friend. Naturally, Ill give my best to help him. Zhou Heng smiled faintly as he shook his head. Then, he said to the outside, Yingying, you can come in now. The moment he finished speaking, Yu Yingying hurriedly entered and dashed forward before Yu Hes bed. When she noticed his calm breathing and his normal-colored face, she cried for joy. She covered her small face and burst into tears. In fact, she had been waiting outside the door all the while and could hear all the voices inside the bedroom clearly. The moment she heard Zhou Heng said that Yu Hes condition had stabilized, she had nearly jumped with excitement. However, she could not see him with her own eyes. Having seen it with her own eyes, she believed. She felt relieved. Thank you, Big Brother Zhou. Thank you. Thank you very much! Sob! Yu Yingying covered her small face and sobbed. She had been truly afraid earlier, afraid that her brother who cared for her and loved her would leave her forever. Now, Zhou Heng had pulled Yu He back from the valley of death! She reminded herself that she had to thank Big Brother Zhou. No matter what Big Brother Zhou asked her to do, she would never say no. Haha! Yingying, dont cry anymore. Zhou Heng stroked Yingyings hair gently. He said with a smile, Your brother and I are good buddies, isnt it natural to help him? Mr. Zhou, you cant say things like this. Suddenly, Yu Fulai opened his mouth, shook his head and said with a straight face, Even biological brothers have to settle their accounts respectively. How can I allow you to apply the needles for nothing? He took out a large silver ticket, passed it to Zhou Heng and said, You must take this. Youve done us kindness beyond any measure! Zhou Heng took over the silver ticket and looked at it. His eyes almost popped out. Darn it! Three thousand taels of silver?! If a single silver tael is worth five hundred dollars, this amounts to one and a half million dollars! Be it his previous life or current life, Zhou Heng had never seen so much money before. Thats ridiculous! I-I cant take this. Zhou Heng hurriedly shook his head and said, Ive only stabilized Yu Hes condition, hes not completely cured. As Dr. Liao said earlier, a ninth-class martial artist has to deliver the acupuncture with the help of internal qi in order to truly cure him. Then, what should we do? It was like a bucket of cold water had been emptied on Yu Fulais head. He instantly sobered up from his excitement. Mr. Zhou, you definitely have a solution, right? Uncle Yu, please call me Zhou Heng. If you call me Mr. Zhou, when Yu He wakes up, wouldnt he mock me endlessly? Zhou Heng smiled gently and said, Dont worry, Ill be a ninth-class martial artist when I come back tomorrow. The fact that Yu He was tainted with ghost aura meant that ghosts had appeared in Yellow Wood City again. This gave Zhou Heng an inexplicable sense of urgency. He must master the power of the Five Thunder Technique Golden Book as soon as possible! Even a small part of it would do, as long as he had the ability to kill ghosts. If one wanted to learn that Daoism technique, one must perfect his Unification of the Five Elements Stance to enable strength to pass through his body in order to truly advance to the ninth-level. Before this, Liu Changsheng had given him the Tiger Bone Refining Pill. It could come in handy at this time. You can become a ninth-class martial artist by tomorrow? Yu Fulai was dumbfounded when he heard his words. That was a bit too exaggerated. One does not simply become a ninth-class martial artist! Many people have been training very hard for over forty years and still could not reach that level! Meanwhile, Zhou Heng actually downplays it? Is he a genius? Not only is he highly skilled in the medical field, but even his martial arts talent is equally amazing! If he knew the words cheat code, he certainly would have felt that Zhou Heng had applied a cheat code. No matter how it is, Zhou Heng, you have saved Yu Hes life. Therefore, you must accept this money. Otherwise, my conscience will be troubled. Yu Fulai continued to persuade him. Take it. Even if you dont take it now, Yu He himself will give it to you when he wakes. Big Brother Zhou, just take it. Yu Yingying also persuaded him. Zhou Heng fell silent. He hesitated for a moment. Eventually, he accepted the silver ticket with a nod and said, Alright. Thank you, Uncle Yu. Three thousand taels of silver was in his hand. Zhou Heng felt a heavy weight. At the same time, he was extremely thrilled. His account had finally turned from a heavy debt of three thousand taels of silver to zero. He would look for the right time to return the money to Cheng Jiangjian. After that, Zhou Heng bade farewell and left Incoming Joy Restaurant to return home in order to prepare for his breakthrough to the ninth-class. As he was on the way home, he ran into that blind fortune-teller again and decided to spend two coins to find the auspicious time of the day. He decided to open that remaining Bronze Lucky Bag. Just like playing card games on the mobile phone on Earth, initially, one would think of keeping sacred crystals for the next card pool, but very often, one could not control himself and use it in the end. The same theory applied to Lucky Bags. Moreover, he also wanted to try and see if he could acquire anything which was against ghosts. Snap! At night, Zhou Heng released a punch into the air. His surroundings seemed to burst as a shockwave shot out. Then, his body vibrated, his muscles and bones resonated, emitting the roars of tigers and leopards, as if striking thunder! It was the sound of muscles and bones humming together and producing thunderous sounds of tigers and leopards! He set up his stances and instantly, a divinity charm of Unification of the Five Elements Stance appeared! You have consumed Ninth-Class Tiger Bone Refining Pill. With the speedy digestion of the cultivation of stance technique, nourishing qi and blood circulation, and with strength filling the body, the level of proficiency for Unification of the Five Elements Stance increased by 2000. The level of proficiency for Prosperity Inner Strength Stance Technique increased by 2000. This stuff was exactly like experience pills! Initially, Zhou Heng expected a wait of one or two days to digest it. Never had he expected the pill to be digested within a short period of time and the level of proficiency for the two stance techniques to soar on the spot. His level of cultivation had instantly advanced to the ninth-level! This meant that Tiger Bone Refining Pill was not of ordinary quality. It was of a very high quality that had been refined to the extreme, with almost no impurities. The medicinal power was extremely pure, which greatly shortened the time used for digestion. A normal Tiger Bone Refining Pill was worth at least one thousand taels of silver, and such a top-quality specimen would cost five thousand taels of silver. Theyre so wealthy! Zhou Heng even slightly regretted having eaten something worth five thousand taels of silver in one bite! However, as he saw the following notification prompts, he smiled again. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Ninth-Class Unification of the Five Elements Stance has reached perfection. One Bronze Lucky Bag will be granted. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Ninth-Class Unification of the Five Elements Stance has reached perfection. One Bronze Lucky Bag will be granted. Congratulations! Your level of cultivation realm has reached Ninth-Class Refining and Foundation Building, and will be granted one Gold Lucky Bag! The breakthrough of the realm actually rewarded another Lucky Bag too! Its a Gold Lucky Bag! Thats cool! However, he found a new problem. Although he had broken through to the realm of ninth-class, there seemed to be a lethargic flow of internal qi. His inner body was still filled with strength alone. If one wanted to transform strength into internal qi, one would still need a higher level of martial arts. An unranked martial artist who practices a ninth-class stance technique can progress to a ninth-class martial artist. If thats the logic, shouldnt I be practicing eighth-class internal energy now? Zhou Heng frowned, knowing that he did not have eighth-class internal energy yet. Its better to see whats inside the Lucky Bag first. The auspicious time had arrived. Bronze Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. Open! Congratulations! You are very lucky for being rewarded with Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Qi Style. Congratulations! You have been granted a foundation attribute of a one point increase for agility. Congratulations! You are very lucky! You have been granted Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique! Chapter 32 - Zhou Heng, The Mur Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Broken Qi Style! Finally, a second style for Solo Nine Swords! Zhou Heng was surprised. At the same time, he looked forward to it eagerly. He wondered when he would be able to learn the full set of nine styles. He had not even expected the Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique. He thought it was just for the ninth-class. After all, regardless of the All True Seven Sons from the novel or the television drama, they had only appeared average. However, if one thought through it carefully, it was understandable. A point of reference was needed to assess the level of strength. If All True Seven Sons were to be compared with the Five Ultimate Level experts, the difference was too far apart. However, they were still considered highly-skilled experts. Their Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique should not be weak. Not forgetting, there was still a one-point increase for the foundational attribute of agility. The movement of internal qi within Zhou Hengs body for Eight Flying Grass Steps lightweight martial arts enabled him to move thirty feet with a single step! That was very fast! An unranked martial artist who had just advanced to a ninth-class martial artist certainly did not have such speed! Zhou Heng was surprised. After that, he broke another branch and tried to perform Thirteen Autumn Rain Swords and Solo Nine Swords, he found that the speed of drawing the sword was five or six times faster than his previous speed! This was definitely not the only advantage gained from the breakthrough of the martial arts realm! With my current martial arts, I should be able to truly defeat Master Lin. When I practice my internal qi, I may also stand a fighting chance against the ordinary eighth-class. Zhou Heng felt an increase in his own strength and indulged in the excitement of his recent promotion. Currently, there was still a Gold Lucky Bag left. Nonetheless, he was not in a hurry to open it. Instead, he wanted to focus on the Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique first. The level of cultivation at the ninth-class was called refining and foundation building, also known as qi storage. Through the cultivation of internal energy, the original strength could be cultivated into internal qi that directly courses through the body, thus enhancing martial arts. When the strength was completely transformed, the internal qi would fill the meridians throughout the body. When the refining of qi and blood circulation within the body occurs, one would begin to step into the eighth-class, with adaptable tendons and sinews, and cleansed marrows. During this process, internal energy was particularly crucial. Without internal energy, it would be impossible for one to transform his strength into internal qi automatically. Even after a few decades, he would end up inferior to one who had just cultivated one year of conventional internal energy. Internal qi was also the minimum standard for the execution of Daoism techniques. Without internal qi, Daoism techniques could not be released. You are working hard to gain insights from Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique, you found that the content was obscure and difficult to understand, and you have difficulty comprehending it. However, owing to the previous martial arts experience, you have more or less gained some insights from it. The level of proficiency increased by 0.001. You have continued gaining insights from Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique and triggered Heavenly Rewards, gaining a significant amount of insight. The level of proficiency increased by 0.015. Zhou Heng had been gaining insights for about two hours, but his level of proficiency had not even reached 0.02, which was very different from the previous situation when he was gaining insight into the Broken Sword Style. Im gaining proficiency too slowly. Could it either be due to slow progress in the cultivation of internal energy or due to the difficulty in the comprehension of Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique? He was lost in thought. Soon, he discovered one small detail pertaining to the increase in one point for insights. From the message prompted out from the system, there was a description pertaining to the difficulties in fixing ones mind. Moreover, he was now in the emotional excitement of having just broken through the realm. Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique was also another Daoism Technique. It was also known as the All Truth Big Daoism Song which focused on tranquilizing the mind and calming the heart. His current active emotional state was indeed not suitable for the cultivation. If this were someone else, one might have to wait slowly for his emotions to calm down. But, Zhou Heng was different. A state of clear mind and few desires, open! At that instant, he felt chills all over his body and shivered as if everything else was tasteless. Then, he continued to gain insights. You are working hard to gain insights into the Eighth-Level Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique. You are in an ethereal frame of mind with a light awareness of yourself and your surroundings, which is very much in line with the traditions of cultivation technique. Therefore, your insights have increased significantly. The level of proficiency increased by 0.5. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique has reached 1. You have officially acquired this martial art. Congratulations! The current state of mind fits very well with the Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique, the level of proficiency increased by 10. Zhou Heng listened to the series of notifications expressionlessly. He was under the state of clear mind with little desire, as such, he did not feel such changes, his inner feelings remaining undisturbed. This persisted until a quarter of an hour had passed. Darn it! How could I miss it just like that?! Zhou Heng was very remorseful. He had never thought that the cultivation of Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique in a state of clear mind with little desires would actually result in such massive bonus points! Although he had only maintained in that state for only a quarter of an hour in a day, that quarter of an hour alone had enabled his level of proficiency for that martial art to increase by several points! It was comparable to half a day of hard work! Of course, what was even more unexpected was that despite being under the state of a clear mind with little desire, he could still gain insights based on his previously established ideas, but did not have the desire to follow up on them during then. Once he grasped it, he stopped. Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique. Novice Level: 1/1000 Nevertheless, finally, Zhou Heng had truly learned eighth-class internal energy and managed to practice a faint trace of internal qi. With that, not only could he utilize his internal qi to cure Yu He, he had also met the basic requirements in order to gain insights from the Five Thunder Technique Golden Book. After two hours. You have been trying hard to gain insights from Master-Fifth Class Five Thunder Technique Golden Book, only to find it obscure, difficult to comprehend, and profound. Even if you concentrated on comprehending it, you still found it difficult to understand. However, thanks to the foundation of martial arts with the principles of five elements, you have finally gained something. The level of proficiency increased by 0.0001. The corners of Zhou Hengs mouth twitched. Based on this speed, he would only be able to truly acquire the Daoism technique after more than twenty years, without eating, drinking, sleeping or resting. That was pathetic! Therefore, he could only choose to give up on it temporarily and turned his attention to that Gold Lucky Bag. I wonder what can I draw from this Gold Lucky Bag? Zhou Heng thought to himself expectantly. Could it be a treasure like ancient plate hata, Tai Chi diagram, and chaotic bell? Even Four Immortal Execution Swords will do too! I can also accept a map of mountains, rivers and tribes! The Gold Lucky Bag is a bag equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain a reward you will not expect. Open! Congratulations! Youve received a special skill card: Three disassembly cards. Zhou Heng was stunned. Whats this? Is it true that the lack of a notification telling me Ive great luck is never something good? He looked at the introduction of the disassembly card. You can disassemble low-level things from high-level things without damaging the high-level things themselves. Whats the use of this thing? Is this the only thing that comes out of the Gold Lucky Bag? Zhou Heng was slightly disappointed at first. But a bright idea quickly followed. Wait! His eyes glowed and he immediately used one of the disassembly cards for the Five Thunder Technique Golden Book. A golden light flashed. Congratulations! You have disassembled the Daoism technique for Eighth-Class Thunder Palm from the Master-Fifth Class Five Thunder Technique Golden Book! Its done! The corner of Zhou Hengs mouth slightly curled upward, and he was very satisfied. This was exactly the result that he wanted. He disassembled one of the lower class Daoism from Five Thunder Technique Golden Books and then cultivated it. The eighth-class Daoism was just right for him to learn now. Thunder Palm was also a type of thunder technique. The cultivation of this Daoism technique served as a foundation for the Five Thunder Technique Golden Book. This disassembly card is indeed useful! At this point, Zhou Heng had finally digested the gains provided by the Tiger Bone Refining Pill. However, when he reached home, he did not start to gain insights into the Thunder Palm. Instead, he chose to cultivate the Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique. He tried to transform as much internal qi as possible so that he would not make any mistakes in treating Yu He the next day. The morning sun rose, casting warmth. Liao Quancheng went out for a walk as usual. He was already in his sixties. The habit had persisted for fifty years. Most of the time, he was in his best moods when he took a walk. However, he was not particularly happy on this day. Even though the sunshine was warm, he felt tightness in his heart. He was upset about yesterdays incident. That feeling of being helpless. The feeling of being forced to leave with his face covered had been a rare sight throughout his decades of experience in the medical profession. A doctors healing power was limited, and he could not help it. As he was walking, he found himself somehow arriving at the Incoming Joy Restaurant. Liao Quancheng felt like his leg had been filled with lead. As he looked at this gorgeous restaurant, he could not help but thought to himself in melancholy, The night has passed without a ninth-class martial artist who can perform acupuncture. Im afraid that mister could have Before he had even finished lamenting, a figure came out of the tavern very reluctantly, with the help of a servant. It was Yu He. The old doctors gaze froze. Zhou Heng went to Yu Hes house early in the morning. The results of the acupuncture had been perfect. The qi and blood circulation within Yu Hes body was completely unblocked, and he did not even need to take medicine. He just needed more sunlight and would recover in a few days. At that time, Yu Fulai and Yu Yingying were so excited that they almost knelt down before Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng was frightened by this scene and hurriedly bade farewell to them before running to the martial arts school to practice martial arts. He intended to wait for Yu He to recover before making the next trip to Yu Familys house. Otherwise, no one could withstand their over-enthusiasm. However, after reaching martial arts school and barely managing a few strokes, Liu Changsheng came looking for him. Young Master Liu? Zhou Heng was a bit puzzled and asked, What is it that requires you to come to the martial arts school personally? Zhao Yuan dropped dead yesterday night. Liu Changsheng went straight to the point and blurted out to him, He wrote a sentence with his own blood before he died. The murderer is Zhou Heng. Chapter 33 - Top Suspect Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation What? Zhou Heng nearly thought he had misheard and asked in puzzlement, Master Zhao from Five Auspicious Martial Arts School? Hes dead? And he wrote in his own blood that Im his murderer? Thats right. Liu Changsheng nodded. He smiled and said, But you dont have to worry about this. Almost no one believes that you killed him. Well, before the truth is revealed, Zhao Yuans personal disciples and daughter might be understandably hostile to you. Phew. Thats to be expected. Zhou Heng heaved a sigh of relief. But he was still puzzled. He brought Liu Changsheng to a corner and asked him, What exactly is going on? Can you tell me, Young Master Liu? Zhao Yuan was a master of Five Auspicious Martial Arts School, he had advanced to the seventh-class more than a decade ago and was an external disciple of Five Elements Clan. He was proficient in many profound martial arts and was considered as one of the experts in Yellow Wood City. So, how could he drop dead overnight? Practitioner Chen from Five Auspicious Martial Arts School found the body. Liu Changsheng was approachable. He simply told Zhou Heng the full story. After Zhou Heng heard his words, he gained some understanding of the situation. Apparently, Zhao Yuan practiced martial arts inside the martial arts school yesterday. By the time he finished, it was already late evening. He simply ate in the canteen of the martial arts school and returned to his private bedroom to rest. He always had the habit of going to the morning class square in the morning to check on the apprentices, be it rain or shine. However, Practitioner Chen who was in charge of the morning class found him absent on that day. After the morning class, he went to Zhao Yuans bedroom to look for him. To his surprise, he found him dead in his own bedroom. The whole room was in a mess, and the furniture was broken. Apparently, a fierce battle had taken place before this. Zhao Yuans death was rather miserable. The bones of his knees were completely crushed by powerful forces and his chest cavity had collapsed. The ribs were almost all broken. Most of the internal organs were damaged. Tendons and veins over his body were severed, even his martial arts skills were also crippled. Finally, the line which he had written before his last breath was full of hatred. The murderer is Zhou Heng. Since there was a fierce fight, didnt anyone hear any noises? Zhou Heng asked skeptically, Five Auspicious Martial Arts School is a big place, there should be a night watch. The constable from the administrative office interrogated the watchman. He replied that he didnt hear any noises. Liu Changsheng shook his head, and said, This matter is very strange, and becomes even stranger as it has involved you. I guess the constable from the administrative office will summon you in a while. You better get yourself ready. Young Master Liu, did you come over just to inform me about these? Zhou Heng was surprised. He thought Liu Changsheng was here to bring him to Five Auspicious Martial Arts School or the administrative office. Im not a constable, how can I arrest you? Liu Changsheng turned his body and walked out. At the same time, he waved his hand, and said, Im just languishing about in boredom. I want you to advance to the ninth-class soon so that I can spar with you. Its a real bummer to have encountered such an incident at this juncture. However, I cant afford to let you screw this up before proper investigating could be carried out. Youd better be vigilant. By the time he finished speaking, he had already left. Thanks. Zhou Heng whispered toward the door. Liu Changsheng did not know that he was already a ninth-class martial artist. This was because the lower third-class levels were yet able to judge other peoples level of cultivation at a glance. They had to raise their hands in a sparring session. Zhou Heng, is that Liu Changsheng from Five Elements Clan? Lin Cang walked over to him. He had actually been watching them and said, I believe youre innocent. Nonetheless, Zhao Yuan isnt just another nobody after all. This wont boil over just like that. Later, if the constable from the administrative office were to come and take you away, dont try to resist. Just go along with them. Meanwhile, Ill go and look for the old master. We should be able to lobby some of them. Alright. Zhou Heng nodded as he replied. He felt slightly better. Lin Cang was a practitioner who cared about and protected his apprentices. A person like him was rarely seen, no matter the era or world. In usual cases, potentially guilty apprentices would have been long avoided like the plague. In less than a quarter of an hour after Liu Changsheng had left, a middle-aged man in a green-colored martial arts outfit with a red belt around his waist and a shortsword hanging from it walked in. Three young men followed him. They were tall and sturdy with similarly green-colored martial arts outfits, but with white belts around their waists. It was the uniform of constables in Yellow Wood City. The ones with the red belts were superiors, whereas those with white belts were ordinary constables. As the head of constables entered the martial arts school, he instantly captured everyones sights. He paid them no heed. Instead, he asked for Zhou Hengs whereabouts politely and simply walked over to him. Im Meng Xing, head of constables from the administrative office. The head of the constable had a surprisingly gentle approach. He made obeisance to Zhou Heng and said, Mr. Zhou, Young Master Liu was here not long ago. Im sure you should have known about the incident of Master Zhao Yuan. Is the attitude of the head of the constable that courteous these days? Zhou Heng froze slightly. He nodded, and said, Hum, Ive got the gist of it. Then, Mr. Zhou, please come with us to the Five Auspicious Martial Arts School. Meng Xing smiled and continued, Dont worry, Mister, Well be with you. Even if some of the more obtuse from the Five Auspicious Martial Arts School actually believe in the false accusations, they wont be able to harm you. Zhou Heng fell silent. He was a bit stunned and did not know how to respond. Whats going on here? This guy is just being too nice to be true. Could it be because Im too handsome? Thus, my charm added points to his good impressions on me? Hum, this seems quite reasonable. Even Lin Cang stood beside him, equally stunned. From the beginning, he was already prepared to spend some silver for lobbying purposes, so that the constables would treat Zhou Heng gentler. This was to prevent Zhou Heng from creating any chaos due to his young age and youthful energy. Never had he thought the attitude of the head of the constable would be this good. He was basically treating Zhou Heng like one of the members of the prestigious family. Did Liu Changsheng have some words with him earlier? But thats rather unlikely too. Even if hes bored and wants to spar with an opponent, theres no need for him to play up to Zhou Heng like that. It was already very kind of him to come over in advance to give him a heads-up. Whats going on? Even the apprentices inside the big hall were stunned. Most of the apprentices from Prosperity Martial Arts School came from ordinary families. Therefore, they paid their respects to people like the head of the constables and the constables. Naturally, they had an inexplicable sense of fear toward them. Yet, why were these purportedly fearsome guys being so respectful to Zhou Heng? Could Zhou Heng actually have some kind of great background? Mr. Zhou, what do you think? Meng Xing saw that Zhou Heng fell silent without replying to him. He asked again, his tone remaining gentle. He did not seem to be the least bit anxious. Ugh Alright. Just then, Zhou Heng returned to his senses, and answered, Please lead the way, Constable Meng. The moment Zhou Heng and Meng Xing departed, the apprentices in Prosperity Martial Arts School turned into an instant uproar. There was a lot of chatter. Oh my God! Zhou Heng cant be the disciple of any great sects, right?! Unless hes been hiding his identity all this while? Thats highly possible. Hes extremely talented in martial arts, if hes not a disciple of a great sect, how could he be so talented? Zhou Heng is too awesome. In fact, he may also be one of the family members of a prestigious family! But, we dont seem to have a prestigious clan with a surname of Zhou. However, there seems to be a rather powerful Zhou clan down south in Great Jin. Lin Cang saw that these people were speculating wildly. The more they guessed, the more outrageous they became. He hurriedly stood up and chided, Whatre you all discussing about?! Practice your martial arts now! The apprentices immediately ended their heated discussions and adjourned. Lin Cangs gaze shifted away from the apprentices and looked in the direction of the northern district of the city. He was a little worried about Zhou Heng. Prosperity Martial Arts School was located in the eastern district of the city, which was quite a distance from the northern district of the city. In spite of Zhou Heng traveling with the team in a horse-drawn carriage, it still took at least an hour for them to reach their destination. While they were on the way, Zhou Heng asked Head Constable Meng Xin more about the case. He learned some details that Liu Changsheng had not conveyed to him sooner. For one, he learned that the window had clearly been left open. Yet, there were no signs of anything else being overturned or damaged. Even the walls of the bedroom were in good condition. Even though Zhao Yuans bedroom was rather large with a length and width of more than thirty feet and ten feet tall, the furniture had all been broken into pieces. The walls were not damaged at all. It was most unusual. It was very bizarre. Zhou Heng frowned. He internally visualized the events that had transpired in the bedroom. From his description, it seems that the interior space of that bedroom has been sealed in a pocket dimension, so that no matter how severe the damage is on the inside, the outside would look fine. Therefore, the walls and windows would remain untouched. If such an ability really exists, its normal for people from the outside to not hear the sounds of combat coming from the inside. It had been sealed in a dimension of its own. As such, no sound could escape, and it simply cannot be transmitted. But, what kind of realm would be needed in order to achieve such a level of ability? After all, those at the bottom three classes should not be able to reach that standard. Even an expert at the peak of seventh-class does not simply enclose an empty space. Im afraid only a mid-third-class expert is able to perform that. Or could it be a ghost? Zhou Heng could not help but recall his previous experience. It would not seem strange if it was done by those evil, mysterious, undead, and indestructible ghosts that possessed the bizarre ability to seal spaces. It did seem possible. As he thought of this, he thought of Yu Hes previous plight. Initially, Zhou Heng had planned to acquire Palm Technique. It would give him the ability to kill ghosts. After that, he planned to further investigate the matter. He would have never thought that he would be in the thick of things this soon. He had not even had time to grasp Palm Technique. If this incident is really related to a ghost, could it be the same ghost that Yu He experienced? If so, perhaps I can trace it from Yu He. Zhou Heng was lost in his thought. The incident that happened to Yu Heng was the night before. Before that, he had contacted me, Liu Changsheng, Butler Wong, Zhao Yuan and the others. How would he Thats not correct, I missed one person, its Shopkeeper Qian! He suddenly thought of that night when Shopkeeper Qian appeared and then disappeared inexplicably. Although Yu He had not really contacted Shopkeeper Qian that night, that bizarre demeanor and expression of Shopkeeper Qian were obviously dodgy. Initially, Zhou Heng and Yu He thought that he was merely green with envy and resentment for losing out in the competition for business. Now, this did not seem to be the case. Perhaps, he has colluded with the ghosts? Mr. Zhou, weve arrived. Meng Xing, the head of the constables reminded him. Thanks. Zhou Heng slightly nodded and alighted from the carriage. However, as soon as he got out of the carriage, he saw his number one suspect. Its Qian Buduo, Shopkeeper Qian! Shopkeeper Qians face ghastly pale compared to himself two days ago. His expression looked bitter and sad. He sighed from time to time, seemingly very dejected. The arrival of Zhou Heng immediately attracted the attention of everyone present. Hes very handsome! This was everyones first reaction. After that, their second reaction was Such a good-looking person cannot be a murderer! Of course, this would be their thoughts because a majority of the people simply did not believe that Zhou Heng had murdered Zhao Yuan. How could an unranked martial artist kill a seventh-class expert? That was almost impossible! At that moment, Shopkeeper Qian walked over and stood before Zhou Heng. His originally bitter and sad expression instantly turned into anger. His eyes fixated on Zhou Heng. He gritted his teeth, and said, Zhou Heng, youve killed Zhao Yuan! How dare you come here! Are you here just to offer your suicidal apology?! Chapter 34 - Unexpected Rewards Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Shopkeeper Qian seemed to be extremely sad and angry. They sounded as if he could not wait to kill Zhou Heng right now in order to avenge Zhao Yuan. After hearing his words, Zhou Heng was a little stunned. Darn it! How dare my top suspect be that arrogant?! Nevertheless, before Zhou Heng could respond to him, Meng Xing shouted in his deep voice, Qian Buduo, stop your nonsense. Youre also a suspect! After hearing his words, Shopkeeper Qian immediately lowered his head and dared not speak another word. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng threw Meng Xing a look of surprise. He asked in puzzlement, Is Shopkeeper Qian a suspect too? Is Qian Buduo brought over here just because hes considered a suspect too? He did not speak his mind out. Humph! I really wonder how you constables handle cases! Shopkeeper Qian shot a disdainful look at Meng Xin. He said, Im innocent and Zhao Yuan is also a friend of mine from the same martial arts school. How could I possibly kill him and have you guys actually suspecting me? Youd better be honest! A young constable stood beside him, kicked Shopkeeper Qian, and snorted, How dare you talk to Meng Xing like this?! Do you know the rules?! Wang, take this guy inside first. Ms. Lis already inside. Meng Xing put on a cold-looking face and said coldly, If he talks nonsense again, teach him a lesson! Noted! The young constable hurriedly nodded and immediately dragged Shopkeeper Qian inside the Five Auspicious Martial Arts School. Im sorry to have you watch this comedy, Mr. Zhou. Meng Xing looked at Zhou Heng. But this time, he put on a gentler expression and said, Please follow me, Mister. Someone is already waiting at the crime scene. The speed at which his face jumped from varying expressions stunned Zhou Heng. He thought to himself, Did he learn those tricks from the Sichuan Opera? His face-changing is at the ultimate level! But, why were the head of constables and his subordinates being so kind to him? Somethings weird! Is it really because Im too handsome? The crime scene was the bedroom where Zhao Yuan was murdered. Everything else remained unchanged, except that Zho Yuans dead body had been removed. The line of bloody words remained. [The murderer is Zhou Heng!] When Zhou Heng and Meng Xin came to the scene, they found Shopkeeper Qian and Constable Wang were already there. There was also a young lady. She looked to be in her twenties, wearing a pale yellow dress, with fluffy hair, delicate features and cold eyes. She stood alone in the corner of the bedroom. She did not speak a word. Her presence was barely noticeable. When Shopkeeper Qian saw Zhou Heng, he smirked. Zhou Heng, open your eyes. Do you see whats written there?! If youre not the killer, who else could it be? Shut up! Meng Xing glared at him and said to Zhou Heng, Mr. Zhou, you can simply look around here. Leave the rest to us. Zhou Heng fell silent. He frowned and was confused by what Meng Xing was up to. Can they really identify the murderer just by letting the suspects look around the crime scene casually? Thats so unrealistic. Of course, he would not miss this opportunity to observe the crime scene himself. If a ghost were indeed behind this, there should be residues of ghostly aura here. Ever since he came into contact with the ghost aura from Cheng Jiangjian, Zhou Heng had developed a certain sense to detect ghost aura. However, it was only limited to the ghost aura left behind in a normal person or object. He utilized the one-point increase of his insight to give a complete sweep of the bedroom, but did not discover any suspicious areas. There were no traces of ghosts at all. Perhaps ghosts did not do this? Or is the ghost good at hiding his traces, so I wouldnt find any footprints? Zhou Heng was puzzled. As he was about to end his observation, his eyes met with the young lady standing in the corner. He saw a pair of eyes, as crystal clear as clear spring. Im done. At that moment, the lady abruptly opened her mouth. She shifted her gaze, lifted her finger at Shopkeeper Qian and said, Constable Meng, have this man under your control first. His expression was suspicious when he looked around. Hes a major suspect. What?! Shopkeeper Qian was immediately stunned. He said in puzzlement, T-This is impossible, Im innocent. Im innocent. Y-Youre simply accusing people! Arrest him! Meng Xing ordered directly. Noted! Wang hurriedly nodded. At the same time, three constables rushed in from the outside and subdued Master Qian within a second. What are you doing?! Shopkeeper Qian was horrified and shouted, You cant do this! Take him away! Put him inside the cellar first and wait for his sentencing! Meng Xing said in his low voice. Shopkeeper Qian was taken away by four constables, Wang included. The bedroom became quiet again. Zhou Heng fell silent. He had some guesses which he kept to himself. At the same time, he was also very puzzled. He looked at Meng Xing and asked, Whats going on, Constable Meng? Well, heres how it is Come, allow me to introduce her to you. Meng Xing walked to the lady standing in the corner, and said to Zhou Heng, Mr. Zhou, shes Li Jingxin, Ms. Li. She can judge a persons psychological activity by observing ones changes in facial expression. Just now, she noticed something off with Shopkeeper Qians expression. Therefore, she determined that hes highly suspicious. Is that how it works? Zhou Heng could not help but freeze at his words. Thats amazing. So, does that mean there was nothing wrong with my expression just now? No. Li Jingxin was very careful with her words and said nonchalantly, You only looked for clues, and your eyes had no panic, no fear and no surprise. If thats the case, Ill send Mr. Zhou back first. Meng Xin smiled as he said. That wont be necessary, Zhou Heng shook his head as he said, I can go back by myself. He had a feeling that Meng Xing was overly attentive to him to the point of being ridiculous. This was especially after seeing how he treated Shopkeeper Qian. The contrast had been huge. How can I do that? Meng Xing replied, Im really sorry for having you make a trip down here. If I dont send you back personally, Ill be upset. Allow me to do this for you. Alright. Thanks then. Zhou Heng had to agree. Despite this, he intuitively felt that the development of this incident had been extremely peculiar. Yet, he could not quite put his finger on it. While they were on the way back inside the horse-drawn carriage. Zhou Heng, who originally looked like he was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and his face became extremely pale. Whats the matter, Mr. Zhou? When Meng Xing noticed him, he asked in puzzlement. Nothing. Ive just had a nightmare, Zhou Heng shook his head and continued, Constable Meng, please stop at the gold shop in the front. I can go back by myself. Mr. Zhou, are you going to exchange gold? Meng Xing asked in surprise. He had heard once that Mr. Zhou was financially tight. Hum, for some special purposes. Zhou Heng nodded with a bitter expression. On the way, he had been bored. So, he was in his mind gaining insights from Thunder Palm, a Daoism technique, in case it came in handy. Although he did not feel the ghost aura just now, Shopkeeper Qian had been arrested. He still felt some uneasiness in his heart. It would be safer to learn the Daoism technique. The progress was fast. It did not take him long to learn the Daoism technique. Thunder Palm seemed to be a type of Daoism technique specifically for ghosts. Although he was still at a novice level, the technique could cause severe damage to the ghosts. When one perfected the cultivation of the technique, it would exterminate ghosts. However, immediately after, he came upon a horrifying revelation. That Daoism technique of Thunder Palm actually required him to spend money! Whether it was for practice purposes or actual performance of the Daoism technique, gold was needed to cast spirit guides. One tael of gold was needed each time. That was as painful as taking his life away! Mister, if youre in need of gold, Ive some with me. Suddenly, Meng Xing took out a cloth bag from his arms and unfolded it. There was a piece of gold. He passed it to Zhou Heng and smiled as he said, Take this and spend it first. Zhou Heng fell speechless. Zhou Heng looked at Meng Xing with a dumbfounded expression. Then, he took a look at that gold metal, and said in a puzzle, Constable Meng, what is the meaning of this? Mister, youre highly valued by the mayor and will certainly have a bright future. I just wanted to befriend you while Im here with you. Ive no other motives, Meng Xing simply spoke his mind bluntly. Please accept this, Mister. Zhou Heng fell silent. Zhou Heng gave a small smile in silence after hearing his words. He hesitated for a moment, then he nodded and accepted it. He replied to him, Thanks. Money is indeed something good. At the administrative office in the city, the mayor Wu Zhongshan was dealing with administrative affairs. A door knock from the outside was heard abruptly. Come in, he said nonchalantly. The door of the room opened. Meng Xing walked in. He made an obeisance respectfully and said, Greetings, Lord Mayor. Regarding the case of Zhou Yuans death, the master of Five Auspicious Martial Arts School, Ive some updates. Ive followed your suggestion by having both Shopkeeper Qian and Zhou Heng at the crime scene and having Ms. Li observe their expressions. Eventually, it was determined that Shopkeeper Qian was the prime suspect. He has been detained in the cellar, awaiting for your ruling. Keep him locked up first. Wu Zhongshan said indifferently, No one is allowed to open the cellar door without my orders. Huh? Meng Xing was puzzled when he heard his words. He asked, How about his meals? Once a day at noon, Wu Zhongshan replied. Noted! Meng Xing gestured to an obeisance, and was about to bid farewell and leave. Hold on. Wu Zhongshan opened his mouth abruptly and asked, How did you behave when you summoned Zhou Heng? How can I forget your orders, my lord? Meng Xing hurriedly answered, I obeyed your words and treated Mr. Zhou politely without hesitation. Good. Wu Zhongshan nodded gently and said, You may leave now. After Meng Xing departed, a silhouette in a pale yellow dress with fluffy hair was spotted from behind the room divider inside the study room. It was the observer from the previous crime scene, Li Jingxin. Godfather, why did you have me proclaim Shopkeeper Qian as the major suspect? Li Jingxin frowned and said, Actually, I didnt find anything unusual with his expression. This is for the sake of Yellow Wood City. Wu Zhongshan sighed lightly. Then, he shook his head, smiled bitterly, and said, Jingxin, is this answer satisfactory to you? Go home and get some rest early. Hum. Godfather, please rest early too. Li Jingxin nodded and bade farewell. Wu Zhongshan was the only one left inside the study room. He took a deep breath and turned to a bookshelf. He gave a mechanism a twist. Immediately, a hidden compartment opened. There was a stack of apricot-yellow papers, a brush and a box of vermillion. The outermost paper had a text written in vermillion on it. Traces of ghosts are discovered and suspected to have appeared within Yellow Wood City. It may be of seventh-class strength, with the special ability to hide its trails and seal spaces. Please have the Star Messenger from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian to come over to exterminate the ghost. A blank area was spaced out below the paragraph. Just then, a silver bright light that shone like the stars slowly formed the word Noted! on that yellow paper. The moment Wu Zhongshan saw the word, he felt as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden and heaved a long sigh of relief. Under the dungeon of Five Auspicious Martial Arts School, it was dark and cold. No one was around. Shopkeeper Qian sat in a corner, looking very calm, without the slightest trace of chagrin. After seeing the moonlight shining into the cellar through the gap at the entrance, the corners of his mouth slightly curled upward to reveal a faint smile. Wu Zhongshan, do you really think you can confine me just like this? I expected all this. I knew that you would suspect me and so. It was my plan to have you lock me up. You must be thinking that just because Im locked up here, the situation outside will be secure so that you can safely seek help from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian and wait for them to kill me. Unfortunately, you dont know much about ghosts. Ive completely entered the controlling stage. How can a small cellar like this hold me back? I havent fully taken over this body and the devouring process will expand some of my Yang energy. But since things have come to this, I no longer care. I must leave before the people from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian arrive! Zhou Heng, you tasty meat sack of Yang energy, here I come. Hahaha! The current Shopkeeper Qian was no longer Qian Buduo. After muttering to himself, the smile on his face turned cold. He shook his body. In an instant, his body deflated and became flat. The form settled into the shape of a shadow that seemed to have no form! The shadow wandered up along the cellar wall, passed through the gap at the entrance of the cellar with ease and escaped. At that moment, three young constables were napping. Constable Wang was among them. That shadow suddenly swooped down and instantly enveloped the entire body of Constable Wang. Within the time of a few breaths, the shadow had devoured and absorbed him. After that, it continued to drift on the ground and left. The entire process had been silent. The other two constables did not even notice that Constable Wang had been killed. Both of them were still napping. In a wasteland on the outskirts of Yellow Wood City. Zhou Heng held half of the gold, which was exactly one tael in his right palm. Meanwhile, he pinched the air with his left hand. It was a thunder seal! At the same time, he regulated his internal qi and transferred it to his right palm. He began to move along the way of Thunder Palm to catalyze half of the gold metal in his palm. This was the preparation process for the Daoism technique. The entire process would have taken a few breaths. But Zhou Hengs internal breath was rather weak and it was his first time cultivating the Daoism technique. He was not familiar with the movement of qi technique and thus, he was taking a much longer time. After an hour, a few thin arcs of electricity appeared on half of the gold metal. They were barely thicker than strands of hair. After another hour, the gold metal finally melted into golden liquid and gathered into a small ball which was about the size of a quails egg. Dense electricity light wrapped the surface of the ball. Its Thunder Palm! Its done! Finally, its done! Hahaha! Finally, its done! Zhou Heng could not help but laugh. He looked at the golden electric ball, his heart pounding. The sensation of possessing thunder was indeed very cool! At the same time, beneath the hazy moonlight, a shadow wandered over, approaching Zhou Heng, ready to pounce and devour him. Such a pure Yang energy, so dense! No wonder Im attracted to this place. Such Yang energy is second only to Supreme Yang Divine Soul. Thats fantastic. Indeed very fantastic! Although devouring him in my current state will expand some of my Yang energy, it will also most likely enable me to break through my current level, which is on par with a humans sixth-class! A great chance! A great chance! My delicious meal, here I come! Shopkeeper Qian, currently a shadow, was extremely thrilled and already anticipating a bright future. At that moment, Zhou Heng lifted his right hand abruptly and threw out the Thunder Palm in his hand. Nine heavenly mysterious kills, transform into thunder light! Brilliant heavenly power leading with gold! Zhou Heng shamelessly gave a series of incantations for his Thunder Palm. This was because it was his first time performing a Daoism technique and thus, it had to be ritualistic. Thump! Palm Technique exploded and issued a deafening roar. Dazzling golden lightning shone more than a hundred feet across its surroundings. For an instant, it became as bright as day and as scorching hot as an approaching firestorm. Before that shadow even had time to react, it was disintegrated by the sudden attack of thunder and electric lightning. It barely gathered itself into one piece and immediately fled. From the beginning until the end, Zhou Heng had not noticed the existence of that shadow. You have successfully delivered Daoism technique, Eighth-Class Palm Technique. The level of proficiency increased by 5. The system prompted Zhou Hengs mind. The increase in the level of proficiency made him heave a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the performance of that technique did not increase his level of proficiency by a cartoonishly low rate, so it came as a consolation. Immediately after that, another notification appeared. Congratulations! You have defeated an invincible enemy, Seal Wraith, and will be rewarded three Silver Lucky Bags. Huh?! Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. What triggered this? Chapter 35 - It’s A Sudden Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation A ghost came over just now and was blown away by the Palm Technique Ive tested? Zhou Heng frowned. He had not detected the approach of a ghost. Somehow, he had repelled something. This suggested that the strength of that ghost had been formidable. It could completely hide from his one-point insight, or it was just really good at hiding. From the word invincible, Im afraid that the Seal Wraith is a ghost at least in the seventh-class, or even at the peak of seventh-class. If not for the effect of Thunder Palm catching it by surprise, Im afraid I may not have been able to repel the ghost. Judging from these characteristics, is this Seal Wraith the real culprit that murdered Zhao Yuan? It might also be the culprit that contaminated Yu He with its ghost aura. Zhou Heng thought about it to himself and made some guesses. At the same time, he became doubtful and said to himself, If the Seal Wraith is indeed the real culprit, why was Shopkeeper Qian arrested? Could there be two ghosts? Or perhaps Shopkeeper Qian has escaped? Regardless of one or two ghosts, ghosts seem to be appearing around me. Zhou Heng pinched his temples and he took out an apricot-yellow chinese talisman from his arm. The chinese talisman had been created for him by Cheng Jiangjian in order to conceal his Supreme Yang Divine Soul physique. In other words, it was used to prevent his Yang energy from exposing and avoid the attraction forces between the Yin and Yang Spirits that could lure the ghosts. From the looks of the current state, it did not seem very effective. If Im really the one who attracted that ghost, my Yang energy must still be leaking out. Zhou Heng thought to himself, Either theres something wrong with the chinese talisman itself, or the attribute of the special attack of Yin Spirits is different from the so-called Supreme Yang Divine Soul. In fact, back when Cheng Jiangjian explained the Supreme Yang Divine Soul to him, he had already doubted if he was indeed the person with the Supreme Yang Divine Soul. After all, the physique of Supreme Yang Divine Soul was actually a special divine soul. Meanwhile, the special attack on Yin Spirits was actually a type of foundational attribute that one acquires. Back then, Zhou Heng guessed that the two may be similar but they were not one and the same. Perhaps, they were entirely different forces. Ill ask about it again when I get the chance to meet Chen Jiangjian. Zhou Heng shook his head and put the doubts in the back of his mind for the time being. For such a thing like this, he would never be able to speculate himself to enlightenment. That was because he had very little understanding of ghosts and divine souls. It would be good if there was an organization or institution dedicated to explaining such knowledge to him. After fleeing, will that Seal Wraith cause trouble to others again? Zhou Heng suddenly thought of this. He started to get worried. He wondered if he should make a trip down to the administrative office right away. Since Mayor Wu Zhongshan corroborated with Cheng Jiangjian in searching for ghosts and evil creatures, there was a high possibility that he himself was also aware of the existence of ghosts. Therefore, Zhou Heng could look for him to inform him about the appearance of a ghost. However, I still need to conceal the matter regarding Daoism techniques. No one should know that Im proficient in any Daoism techniques for the time being, especially one that exterminates ghosts. Zhou Heng was still very clear-headed and did not lose himself amidst the power granted by the Daoism technique. According to Cheng Jiangjians past explanation, the worlds heritage of Daoism technique was extremely rare. Moreover, most of them were high-class Daoism techniques. There were hardly any mid third-classes, let alone lower third-class Daoism techniques. Among the existing Daoism techniques, only a few Daoism techniques had the special effect of exterminating ghosts. This meant that the Thunder Palm, an eighth-class Daoism technique that could exterminate ghosts was considered an absolute rarity in the world. If the world came to know of this, it would certainly attract the attention of many powerful men. By then, the number of people who would be concerned about him, or the kind of people who would be concerned about him were no longer within Zhou Hengs predictions. Zhou Heng simply did not believe that he would be free from the covetousness for someone who was a lesser man without a powerful background nor a strong back-up like him, yet possessed such a rare and precious Daoism technique. Zhou Heng had even thought of a good excuse to explain how a lesser man who had just advanced to the ninth-class was able to defeat the ghost. The cultivation of the Thunder Palm had to be perfected before it could be performed to exterminate ghosts effectively. He was still at the novice level. Despite the damage caused to ghosts having significantly grown, it was still not as powerful to the extent of its power overwhelming the effects performed by the delivery of the special attribute of the Supreme Yang Divine Soul in restraining ghosts. Well, thats all because I dont have any strong backing. Otherwise, I need not be this vigilant. Zhou Heng shook his head and shifted his focus to those three Silver Lucky Bags. He planned to go to the administrative office in the city to look for Wu Zhongshan after opening the three Silver Lucky Bags. The three Silver Lucky Bags are bags equipped with literally everything. Once you open them, you will gain rewards you will not expect. Open! Congratulations! You have been rewarded with three distributable points for the eighth-class level of proficiency. Congratulations! You have been rewarded with a foundational attribute of a two-point increase in mighty power. Congratulations! Youve been rewarded with three taels of gold. Zhou Heng fell speechless. The moment Zhou Heng saw the three rewards, his mind buzzed out of rage. If not for him being outside with no table placed beside him, he would have simply flipped the table! It was not that the rewards were not good. It was just that the third reward that granted him three taels of gold was rather hilarious and could simply be ignored. The other two rewards were actually considerably good, with an increase in three points for the eighth-class martial art and an increase in two points for might. Nevertheless, Zhou Heng still felt incredibly disappointed. There was no Youre very lucky prompt! Not again! Not all the time! He had never been lucky with Silver Lucky Bags. All of them were ordinary rewards! It seems that they are not of much use in the face of the current situation. Zhou Heng sighed gently. He realized that perhaps Lady Luck did not smile upon him. After that, he allocated one distributable point to the level of proficiency of one of the eighth-class martial arts. He added it to Broken Qi Style which he had yet to learn. After a series of explanations and sparring sessions given by the phantom Congratulations! The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Qi Style has reached one. You have officially acquired this martial art! Congratulations! Your cultivation of the Eighth-Class Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique enabled you to gain insights regarding the movement of internal qi. Therefore, this has benefited other similar martial arts. The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Qi Style increased by 200. Congratulations! Your proficiency in the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Qi Style enabled you to gain deeper insights into the theory of solo swords. Therefore, this is a Blessing to the Spirit. The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style increased by 300. The increase in the level of proficiency prompted by a series of notifications was not a result of the immediate effect of the distributable point. Instead, it enabled Zhou Heng to practice the skills until he became proficient enough to be categorized as so in an independent time and space. Since there was no passing of time on the outside world compared to the independent time and space given, it was highly unlikely for that distributable point to be directly added onto his level of proficiency. Furthermore, Zhou Hengs previous level of proficiency for Broken Sword Style had already reached an average stage, coupled with his diligent drilling of that martial art everyday regardless of whether he was at the martial arts school or at home. Therefore, his level of proficiency was already close to the ceiling of the average level at 2000. As such, after obtaining 300 points for his level of proficiency, his level of proficiency in Broken Sword Style would simply reach 2000, which would place him above average. Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style. High Level: 1/3000 Congratulations! Your level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style has reached a high level. This has automatically increased the level of proficiency in the theory of the same solo swords. The level of proficiency for the Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Qi Style increased by 1000. Once again, Zhou Heng experienced time in a different space. Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Qi Style. Intermediate Level: 300/2000. What a chain reaction. Such huge gains! Zhou Heng was overwhelmed with joy. He had never expected the addition of one point for a level of proficiency to lead to such growth! Thats so cool! Compared to his old self from just a few breathing moments ago, he had grown significantly stronger. A ninth-class sword-wielding martial artist might no longer be a match for him. Even an eighth-class sword-wielding martial artist may be defeated with confidence. He may have trouble against a seventh-class martial artist. As long as it was a human, Zhou Heng was not a match for him. Even if that person used a sword, he would not make it past a few moves. After all, the level of a seventh-class was also known as a form of transformation. Ones strength would be improved significantly. However, if he were to face a ghost, coupled with his special attribute of special attack against Yin Spirits, he was confident that he still stood a fighting chance. With the assistance of the thunder technique, he would even stand a chance of exterminating a ghost with a sword. Its about time to go to the administrative office in the city. This is to prevent that ghost from doing as it pleases. Zhou Heng picked up his steel saber and walked toward the administrative office in the city. The silver moon was bright in the night sky. The mayor in the administrative office of Yellow Wood City was very dutiful and responsible. The office was open around the clock. When Zhou Heng arrived, it was still brightly lit inside and outside the office. Apparently, there were still a number of officials and errand boys handling affairs. Before he had even entered, he bumped into a familiar face. Constable Meng? When Zhou Heng saw him, he greeted him. Meng Xing frowned and looked troubled, as if he had faced some difficult situation. His head was lowered as he walked. He lifted his head only when he heard Zhou Hengs greetings. He asked in surprise, Mr. Zhou, why are you here? Ive some matters to discuss with the mayor. Zhou Heng said truthfully. It just so happens that I also have some news to report to the mayor, Meng Xing seemed quite anxious and he continued, Lets go in together. Alright. Zhou Heng nodded. As he was about to enter with Meng Xing, he shifted his gaze abruptly and looked to the north. He asked in puzzlement, Why is there a flash of red light over there? After he had just finished speaking. Thump! A deafening loud sound was heard. Both Zhou Heng and Meng Xing felt their spirits shudder and looked toward the direction incredulously. Thats not a flash of red light! It was a fire that had risen to the sky. A blazing flame like a gigantic flaming bird had soared into the sky, illuminating half of the northern district of the city! The Incoming Joy Restaurant is that way! Zhou Hengs pupils were inevitably constricted. He sensed a bad omen. Without further ado, he rushed toward the north with a lightweight martial art. The foundational attribute of a one-point increase for agility took its full effect under his command! His speed was lightning fast! Within a short time, he disappeared into the night. Meng Xing froze at the sight. His face turned dark. He gritted his teeth and said, Qian Buduo, did you do this too?! With that, he followed Zhou Heng and rushed toward the northern part of the city. He sped up as fast as he could. He exerted the lightweight martial art skill which caused the blood in his body to boil. The level of proficiency kept increasing. But he no longer had time to pay attention. All Zhou Heng wanted at that moment was to get there as soon as possible. He prayed hard that Yu He and his family were safe. Ever since he had been transmigrated to this world, Yu He had been his bosom friend of the same age. He could call him his brother. Im still too slow! Way too slow! Zhou Heng was so anxious that he wanted to instantly teleport over. However, his strength of lightweight martial art was limited by his level of proficiency. Even if he had the foundational attribute of a one-point increase in agility, he still could not reach the northern district of the city within a short period of time. Just then, he felt his elixir field suddenly turning blazing hot. The Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique had actually activated on its own by transferring his modest internal qi to both of his legs. It further increased his speed! The profound art of the Daoism technique was a self-operating form of internal energy. Theoretically speaking, it had to be cultivated for twenty-four hours a day consecutively. Zhou Hengs cultivation had not reached a certain level, therefore, he had not been able to produce such a divine effect before. With the purest faith and his strength that came from the boiling qi and blood circulation, his inner energy had been jumpstarted, finally flowing on its own. With that, Zhou Hengs physical strength improved drastically, and his legs were leveled-up by internal qi. Therefore, he became faster! Meng Xing was about to catch up Zhou Heng only to see him accelerate. Within a short while, he lost track of him. Once again, he was left far behind. C-Can he really be an unranked martial artist? Meng Xing almost wondered if he was hallucinating! He was at least a seventh-class martial artist himself! Even if he didnt run as hard as he could, how could an unranked kid possibly be faster than him?! That was ridiculous! Zhou Heng did not even notice Meng Xing following him. He maintained his fast pace and got a close view of the fire in front of him. At that moment, a shadow suddenly wandered toward Zhou Heng. It was extremely fast, like an arrow having been fired from a bow! Zhou Heng was extremely fast. Even so, that dark shadow came before Zhou Heng in an instant! The two of them met face-to-face! The shadow on the ground suddenly stretched out a black spike, like a pitch-black and sharp sword piercing through the air. With a hissing sound, it flew at Zhou Hengs throat! What a coincidence! Indeed, Gods giving me a hand too! Go to hell, you little thing! Let your Yang energy become my nourishment! Right then, Zhou Hengs expression remained unchanged. His gaze was cold, and there was no sign of panic at all. As he was facing the sudden attack of that so-called sword, he was extremely calm. In fact, he could even see through the changes in the trajectory of that so-called sword. As such, the attack from that shadow was not a threat. Just then, he shifted his right hand which held the hilt of his sword. He swung it outward with all his might! Clank! The sword was drawn out from its sheath, revealing its crystal clear form! Under the moonlight, the saber was released from the sheath like a flash of silver and white waterfall. This was all in the hand of Zhou Hengs palm. This time, he did not execute a saber technique. He thrust forth in a stab! He penetrated the weak point of that shadows attack! The substitution of a sword with a saber! This was labeled as Broken Sword Style! Chapter 36 Hastening your death! Mockery and sarcastic remarks came from that shadow. It ignored Zhou Hengs slash. After all, it was merely a saber in the hands of a ninth-class martial artist. It would have no impact! The moment Zhou Hengs slash touched that shadows so-called sword, the black spike stretching out from that shadow found itself being skewered like a tofu! You are delivering Eighth-Class Solo Nine SwordsBroken Sword Style against the enemy and have perfectly defused the enemy, Seal Wraiths attack. The level of proficiency increased by 15. Indeed, it was the same Seal Wraith who had escaped earlier! Zhou Heng narrowed his eyes. At the same time, he shifted the tip of his saber to one side and slashed at it! The power of the sword was transformed into the power of a saber! A section of that black spike was instantly chopped off. Hows that possible?! Voices filled with disbelief came from that shadow. It was full of shock. Ghosts had sharp senses. They could judge the level of Zhou Hengs qi and blood circulation with precision. Hes only a ninth-class martial artist at a novice level! Perhaps he had some internal qi! Generally speaking, a martial artist at his level could not possibly inflict such damage to him. Whats happening?! Nothings impossible! Zhou Heng replied nonchalantly. He moved his hand and delivered twelve consecutive slashes. All of them struck that shadow on the ground. So, this was a one-point increase in agility! The effects of an additional foundation attribute were indeed terrifying. A normal ninth-class martial artist would never be able to deliver that slash at such speeds. Even this was not considered an easy task for an eighth-class martial artist. Nonetheless, Zhou Heng was able to deliver it effortlessly. He delivered twelve slashes within the blink of an eye. He actually delivered the complete set of Twelve Mountain Splitting Saber Technique! Thump! Thump! Thump! The force executed from Zhou Hengs saber was terrifying. Not only was each slash delivered as sharp as a razor, but they carried power that split mountains. Every blow struck the shadow at full force! The flat road was torn open. The ground ten feet around them had been plowed. Even the bricks were crushed, pieces flying everywhere. They were covered with many slashes, most pieces disintegrating into powder. It was the power of a two-point increase in might! With such terrifying power, coupled with Zhou Hengs special attribute of special attack against Yin Spirits, he simply shook the Seal Wraith out of its shadow form. The ghost left its shadow form and converged into a human form, taking the appearance of Shopkeeper Qian. So, the Seal Wraith was actually Shopkeeper Qian! In other words, the ghost had possessed the body of Shopkeeper Qian! Despite being thrown out of its shadow form, the Seal Wraith did not seem to panic at all. Instead, its facial expression seemed to be ecstatic. His gaze was fixated on Zhou Heng. He was drooling. Hahaha! Supreme Yang Divine Soul! Youre indeed a Supreme Yang Divine Soul. No wonder youre able to break my shadow form into pieces by using that strange secret skill last time! Thats great! Thats great! Kid, youre mine! It lunged toward Zhou Heng while laughing maniacally. Both his hands turned into sabers. Without knowing what kind of martial art it was performing, its body erupted an extremely gloomy and cold aura. Hoo! Hoo! The cold wind blew against them. The Seal Wraiths palms were lit up with pitch-black, gloomy cold flames. His two palms made of flesh actually looked like two long and pitch-black flaming sabers. It slashed at Zhou Heng! Clank! Zhou Heng lifted his saber to defuse its attack. His hands stung. The steel saber in his palm trembled violently, emitting an ear-piercing sorrowful hum. He could feel that he was not merely parrying flesh. Instead, he was clashing against two giant sabers weighing several thousands catties! If not for the foundational attribute of a two-point increase in mighty power, he suspected that he might even have been knocked out the moment he came into contact with that pair of fleshy palms. What terrifying power! If an ordinary ninth-class martial artist were to face such an attack, he would be injured if the attack grazed him. If he were hit, he would die! However, thanks to his special attack against Yin Spirits, even the Seal Wraith itself was harmed by Zhou Heng when he defused its attack. The pitch-black flames on its palms were instantly put out the moment they contacted the tip of the saber. Although its terrifying force struck the saber, it had also caused his ten fingers to be sliced off. But such an injury was completely negligible to the ghost. The moment the Seal Wraith realized that the blow was in vain, it immediately retreated and distanced itself from Zhou Heng. It shook both of its hands, and the ten fingers grew back. At the same time, the ten fingers that had been chopped off all turned into shadows, slithering on the ground to return to its feet, becoming whole with him again. Thats interesting. The Seal Wraith looked at Zhou Heng skittishly. He grinned as he said, The spoilers to the end of this story are coming up. I have to leave now! Zhou Heng, mark my words. Youre mine sooner or later. Hahahaha! Thump! Zhou Heng swung with his saber again, producing flashes of sword lightning, but to no avail. At that moment, the Seal Wraith transformed into shadow once again. It wandered to the dark side of the wall at lightning speed and was ready to flee. Monster, do not run! Just then, a somber cry came from high above the sky, followed by a monstrous ball of fire falling from the sky! The bright light and blazing heat caused Zhou Hengs expression to change slightly. Immediately, he leaped to a high building located not far away from him. Thump! He only heard the explosion of a deafening roar. Zhou Heng felt even the ground quaking. After that fireball struck the ground, it was instantly transformed into a long and thick flaming serpent. It went after the direction of the Seal Wraith. The flaming serpent whirled and flew at great speed. Its crimson light illuminated the night, reflecting Zhou Hengs eyes with a fiery light. The flames dissipated after a few moments. Burnt marks resulting from the scorching of fire were left on the road and on both sides of the walls. As he saw such a powerful scene, Zhou Heng was dumbfounded and fell speechless. Is this also a type of martial art?! That was simply magic, right?! Just then, he had a sixth sense. He lifted his head and looked up. A figure hovered in midair. Hes flying in the sky! Hes a sixth-class martial artist! The person in the sky also noticed Zhou Heng. He descended. Little did he expect it to be Butler Wang, who was always beside Liu Changsheng. He was actually a sixth-class expert. Mr. Zhou, did you just fight that monster? Butler Wong landed next to Zhou Heng. He looked disgruntled. He said, That monster is most bizarre. Just now, I executed a secret skill by casting flames on him, but I actually failed to burn it. Sixth-class martial arts were usually the dividing line between the external heritage and mysterious non-heritage from the great sects or prestigious families. Therefore, they were known as the secret sixth-class. Ever since the birth of sixth-class martial arts, they possessed the great power to harness nature and the power to mobilize the vitality of heaven and earth, just like the legendary immortal magician. Therefore, they were also often known as secret skills. Were those flames that came from Incoming Joy Restaurant just now some kind of secret skill cast by you, Butler Wang? Zhou Heng frowned. Mr. Zhou, dont worry. Before this, I was casting the spell outside the inn in order to pursue that thing. There are no casualties inside the inn. Butler Wang could see Zhou Hengs concern, so he explained it to him. So, thats it, Zhou Heng heaved a sigh of relief. He asked again, Whats that all about? Why did you have an encounter with that monster, Butler Wang? Judging from Butler Wangs behavior just now, he should have been unaware of the existence of ghosts. As such, Zhou Heng used monster as a substitution word for ghosts. That monster was so daring. It actually attacked Young Master Liu, Butler Wangs expression was dark. He continued, Although it took the form of Qian Buduo, it definitely was not the original Qian Buduo. Previously, Ive beaten him to death thrice. Every single time it was able to rise from death. Thats indeed a devil. Young Master Liu was attacked by that monster? How is he now? Zhou Heng was shocked when he heard his words. What is that ghost trying to do? It even attacked Liu Changsheng, could it simply be seeking revenge? Or were there any other ulterior motives? The young master had a protective chinese talisman. He was only lightly injured. Butler Wang continued in a low voice, However, the monsters tricks are indeed peculiar. At the level of the seventh-class, it actually transformed itself into a shadow form and blinded my senses. I had been completely unaware of it when it sneaked in. As far as Im concerned, none of the martial arts from any sects are able to produce such an effect. Could it have possessed some unknown and mysterious power? Thats because its not a human at all! Even that bizarre power might not be a type of martial art Zhou Heng was more or less convinced that Butler Wang did not know about the existence of ghosts. He was a little surprised about this. A sixth-class expert from the prestigious Five Elements Clan actually does not know about the existence of the ghosts. Im afraid this is not just something that can be done by the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian. Unless this organization is already taking control of the world from the shadows. Even the top management level from the Five Elements Clan must have extended a certain degree of cooperation. Only full cooperation being given from the levels of top to bottom in order would achieve such a degree of effectiveness. But why would they need to hide the matter to this extent? If the ghosts are made known to the public, what are the drawbacks? Thats weird, when I delivered my secret skills, it should have caused a certain degree of uproar. Why is there not even a person coming out to check on it? Butler Wang looked around. He felt odd. Indeed, its a bit strange. Zhou Heng noticed the same too. I shielded the perception of the people nearby by using my secret skills. A low voice was heard. A middle-aged man dressed in a basalt-colored official robe with a black gauze hat flew over to them. It was Wu Zhongshan, the mayor from the Yellow Wood City. He was also a sixth-class expert. Greetings, Lord Mayor. Zhou Heng gestured to make an obeisance to pay his respects. Greetings, Lord Mayor. Im Wang Lang from Five Elements Clan. Butler Wang also made an obeisance to him. Ive arranged Meng Xing to handle the aftermath of this event. Wu Zhongshan nodded lightly. He continued, The two of you need not worry about it. How are you going to handle that monster? Wang Lang frowned and he said, You cannot just leave that evil creature wandering around. Please be rest-assured that Ive appointed an expert who will exterminate that monster, Butler Wang. Wu Zhongshan smiled as he said, The two of you also need not worry that it might jump out to attack again. Please go home first. Ill send someone for you if theres anything. Ill bid farewell then. Zhou Heng nodded as he said. He turned his body and left. It seemed like the mayor was going to seek help from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian. Since experts were coming over to handle this, he did not have to be involved in it. I wonder if Cheng Jiangjian is coming this round? If shes coming, Ill have to ask her about chinese talismans and Supreme Yang Divine Soul. Hum, and also return three thousand taels of silver to her. Its a pity though. After Zhou Heng departed, Wang Lang asked Wu Zhongshan, Lord Mayor, are the experts youve appointed from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian? Thats right. The mayor of Yellow Wood City did not conceal the fact from him. He nodded, and smiled as he said, It seems like Butler Wang is very knowledgeable. Ive only heard of it, Wang Lang smiled as he said, The members from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian adopted the ancient star god as their code names. All of them wear masks, act secretively and possess special techniques. Its said that they are good at solving various evil things. That monster just fit the word evil perfectly. Moreover, theres an order from my clan. If we were to run into any members from the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian and they are in need of our help, we must give assistance. Thats why I would like to seek confirmation with you pertaining to the matter just now, Lord Mayor. Please excuse me now. If there are any orders, do not hesitate to inform me, Lord Mayor. After finishing his words, the sixth-class martial artist leapt up into the sky and disappeared into the night. Wu Zhongshan looked at Wang Langs silhouette as he left. His expression turned grave. Five Elements Clan was the worlds prestigious sect. There was more than one Deva in it! It was surprising that the sect actually gave such an order to its experts. This suggested that other sects of the same level were likely to follow suit. This meant that the authority of the Realm of Sunday Heavenly Guardian was further expanded. Likewise, it also suggested that there was a probability that the threats from the ghosts and evil creatures were greater than before! As he thought of this, he could not help but look in the direction where Zhou Heng had left. Just then, Zhou Heng was on the way home. Initially, he wanted to visit Yu He. The moment he recalled that he could be the reason that had attracted that ghost and also had confirmed that Yu He was safe, he put away that thought. It was a quiet night. The streets were deserted. As Zhou Heng was walking, he sensed a figure momentarily shading him from the silver moonlight. Soon, he saw a silhouette descending from the moonlight. She was wearing a mask with a white background. Gold patterns were drawn on it, depicting a face that seemed to come from a wealthy family. She was dressed in all white and landed before Zhou Heng. A soft and pleasant voice came from her. Mr. Zhou, can I be a guest at your house again? Chapter 37 [Whats the experience of taking a beautiful girl home for the first time? [What kind of experience will that be? [Im waiting for the answer online. [Its quite urgent.] If Zhou Heng were still on Earth, he would very much want to post this online. It was a public post flaunting his conquest to everyone when in fact, nothing like that happened in real life. Unfortunately not. One could never enjoy the fun of using the internet in The Great Qara. With Cheng Jiangjians abrupt arrival, Zhou Heng had no good reason to turn her down. Moreover, from the look on her face, it was obvious that she had something to say to him. He also had something to ask her. It was just the right time to go home together. When they arrived home, Cheng Jiangjian sat on Zhou Hengs bed comfortably and took off her mask to reveal her elegant and beautiful countenance. She lifted her head and looked at him. She smiled and asked, Have you reinforced the roof, Mister? Cheng Jiangjian had smashed his rooftop in her previous visit. Zhou Heng found the roof lacking, so he bought an extra iron plate to reinforce it while it was repaired. Just to prevent the fall of another Immortal Jade Mountain. Zhou Heng replied with a smile. How could I be that heavy?! Cheng Jiangjian stared at him. Her face quickly softened and she asked, Mr. Zhou, youve been carrying that chinese talisman with you, right? Hum, Ive been carrying it with me. Zhou Heng took the chinese talisman out of his arm. I might have misjudged your physique. Cheng Jiangjian lowered her head. Her ears slightly turned red and she continued, The chinese talisman failed to seal your Yang energy completely. It only suppressed part of it. As such, youre still attracting ghosts. Actually, you can take the half-glass full approach. Zhou Heng shook his head gently. He smiled bitterly as he said, If not for your chinese talisman suppressing part of my Yang energy, it would not be just a seventh-class ghost chasing me. However, since Im not a Supreme Yang Divine Soul, what is the nature of my soul, exactly? Is there a way to completely seal my Yang energy, Ms. Cheng? The attribute of the special attack against Yin Spirits was indeed magical. It enhanced his physique even more significantly than the Supreme Yang Divine Soul. It should be the body of pure Yang, Cheng Jiangjian lifted her head and looked at Zhou Heng with her bright eyes. She continued, The only physique in the world that has a stronger Yang energy than Supreme Yang Divine Soul is the body of pure Yang. This is an extremely rare physique. A full adult with the body of pure Yang possesses very strong Yang energy. Even a drop of blood instantly burns lower third-class ghosts to death. Youve not yet reached adulthood, Mr. Zhou. Therefore, the Yang energy in your body of pure Yang has yet to reach its peak. I may have been led to the wrong conclusion by that fact. Zhou Heng listened to her with a slight daze. Is the one-point increase for the extra damage against Yin Spirits all that it took for a body of pure Yang? What if its a ten-point increase? Is that considered as the sun? Ive written another chinese talisman that can seal the body of pure Yang. Cheng Jiangjian took out a chinese talisman from her brocade bag. It was painted with a dense pattern in vermillion and was ten times more complicated than the one next to it. She was slightly embarrassed. However, the level of this chinese talisman is slightly higher and is limited by my level of cultivation. It can only maintain its effectiveness for at least a month. In some cases, it might not even last that long. So, do I have to look for you to change my chinese talisman in the future? Zhou Heng asked her. No, Ill look for you, Mister. Cheng Jiangjian shook her head, and said, Ill look for you after every twenty days. If you were to change your address in the future, Mister, please leave a note. Im sorry to trouble you, Ms. Cheng. Zhou Heng smiled as he heard her words. Actually, you dont have to do this. I should thank you for this. A mistake is a mistake. Im very clear about this. Therefore, I should rectify the mistakes Ive made and compensate for them. Cheng Jiangjian shook her head and lifted her bright eyes. She looked at Zhou Heng, and said, Do you have any requests from me, Mister? Ill try to satisfy you. Didnt you already give the chinese talisman to me? Zhou Heng pointed at the chinese talisman. He smiled and said, Dont forget, youre changing it every twenty days. That is rectification. Cheng Jiangjian replied him, Its compensation now. Zhou Heng fell silent. He found her rather stubborn. He grinned and said, I want one thousand taels of gold! He was indeed short of money at the moment! Of course, he was also short of money. Currently, the Thunder Palm was a gold-digger. Therefore, he had to find ways to get money. Nonetheless, he was aware that one thousand taels of gold was not a small sum. He did not actually want it. Chen Jiangjian simply smiled and answered, Good. Its just one thousand taels of gold. Peanuts. Zhou Heng fell silent instantly. He was dumbfounded. This rich lady, isnt she the living embodiment of just, wealth and beauty? According to the purchasing power that could provide, this is almost equivalent to five million dollars on Earth! She called that amount peanuts? He hurriedly shook his head and waved his hand. He said, I was just joking. Please dont take it seriously, Miss. Um, I would like to learn more about ghosts. Could you please tell me, Ms. Cheng? Ghosts may possess a human body. They are undead and indestructible. Also, they possess a bizarre ability known as the thing. This had unnerved him. The uneasiness did not merely come from power displayed by the ghosts, it was also due to their mysterious backgrounds. Zhou Heng realized that he had very little understanding about the ghosts. Basically, his knowledge about them was limited to knowing that they existed. However, he was also prepared for Cheng Jiangjian to decline answering him. Judging from the fact that even Wang Lang, a sixth-class expert was not aware of the existence of ghosts, the information about ghosts may be of top priority, as well as a great hidden secret. Ghosts, this Cheng Jiangjian shook her head. She smiled bitterly, and said, Please ask for something else, Mr. Zhou. I really cant say much on this. The most that I can reveal to you is what Ive once said. The more people who get to know the information about the ghosts, the greater the harm is. Also, one more person knowing about them is as good as one more person harmed. Indeed Alright. Zhou Heng nodded and relented. After thinking for a while, he smiled and said to her, Then, please accompany me in practicing two types of martial arts, Ms. Cheng. Huh? Cheng Jiangjian was slightly slack-jaw. Zhou Hengs request had been completely out of her expectation. Even the atmosphere had taken a sudden turn. Nonetheless, accompanying him to practice martial arts was just a piece of cake for her. So, she agreed to Zhou Heng without a second thought. Hum. Ill limit my strength, and power of qi and blood circulation just to practice with you. Cheng Jiangjian nodded. As such, the walking experience pool came online again! Lets start with lightweight martial arts. Zhou Heng walked outside. He smiled as he said, Ill run in front of you, while you chase me from behind, Ms. Cheng. Ill run in front of you, while you chase me from behind If you catch up with me, Ill let you Yuck! What am I thinking?! When he was dashing toward Incoming Joy Restaurant earlier, Zhou Heng felt that his lightweight martial arts werelacking. The level of proficiency for his Eight Flying Grass Steps was only at a high level. He had to perfect the technique! This was not difficult for Zhou Heng who was already a ninth-class, and had also cultivated internal energy. If he practiced it with Cheng Jiangjian who was at the peak of seventh-class, the gains should be substantial. The level of proficiency simply went up by leaps and bounds! It was not even dawn when Zhou Heng heard a pleasant notification prompt. Congratulations! The level of proficiency for the Eight-Class Eight Flying Grass Steps reached perfection. You will be rewarded with one Bronze Lucky Bag. Nevertheless, he could not afford to waste the walking experience pool. After Zhou Heng reached perfection for his level of proficiency in Eight Flying Grass Steps, he had Cheng Jiangjian accompany him in cultivating a second martial art. Likewise, the level of proficiency for that martial art had reached a high level. He hoped to perfect it as soon as possible. That martial art was Eighteen Divine Power Styles! It was dawn, the sun was just rising. Hoo Ah! Zhou Heng took a long breath and stretched his body to exercise the tendons and bones over his body. He had gained a lot after a whole night of hard work. He had perfected the level of proficiency for Eight Flying Grass Steps and Eighteen Divine Power Styles. Moreover, he was also rewarded with two Bronze Lucky Bags. Cheng Jiangjian had restricted the power of her own qi and blood circulation. She had accompanied Zhou Heng for the entire night and was a little tired. She leaned against a large tree next to her and closed her eyes to rest. When she heard Zhou Heng exhaling, she slowly opened her eyes and saw the daylight in the east. Her bright face blossomed into a smile. She said, Mr. Zhou, its time for us to go over. That ghost should have already taken the bait. Chapter 38 Cheng Jiangjian was referring to the bait that had been set up for the Seal Wraith. The night before she came looking for Zhou Heng, she had used a sixth-class secret treasure to lay a trap around the city walls of Yellow Wood City. At that time, Wu Zhongshan had already indicated the arrival of an expert. He was actually referring to Cheng Jiangjian. The moment the Seal Wraith knew that the Heavenly Circulation Guardians was coming, he was only left with two choices. It had to go all out to kill Zhou Heng and absorb his Yang energy. After that, it had to digest the energy at an express pace to enhance its own level and then flee. The other option was to escape right away in order to prevent any encounters with the Heavenly Circulation Guardians. If cornered, it could wreak havoc all over the city. It would be a suicidal attempt and only hastened its demise. This was the true scheme that would leave the Seal Wraith with no other choices. Therefore, Cheng Jiangjian only came looking for Zhou Heng after setting up everything. She had not come just to offer her apologies. She wanted to protect his safety in order to prevent the Seal Wraith from coming for Zhou Heng for a death battle. Of course, if the Seal Wraith were to really come for him, it might only dig its own grave sooner. Since the Seal Wraith had not shown up, it must have attempted to flee the city. That way, it had fallen into her trap. As the owner of a secret treasure, Chen Jiangjian was able to sense where the Seal Wraith had fallen into her trap. Therefore, she could determine the exact location right away. It was just over the city gate there. As for why she was asking Zhou Heng to go along with her? The reason was very simple. She was not sure if this was a diversion. Ghosts were cunning creatures. What if it had pretended to have fallen into her trap, only to circle around for Zhou Heng? Of course, it was safest to bring Zhou Heng with her. With that, she could keep a close watch on him. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jiangjian were on their way to the city gate. After he learned that she was his guardian, the way he looked at Immortal Jade Mountain had changed. What should I call her? Should I call her my beautiful personal guardian? He felt cool about it! Hehe! Since Zhou Hengs house was on the outskirts of the city, it was quite a distance from the city gate located in the east. Therefore, the journey was not a short one. He chatted with Cheng Jiangjian. At the same time, Zhou Heng recalled the interface of Lucky Bag. He wanted to open one of them and see if he could obtain anything good from it. Moreover, he also wanted to verify if he was the one with bad luck, or if the Silver Lucky Bags were cursed! He recalled the rewards that he had obtained from the Bronze Lucky Bags with the Youre very lucky prompt. They were actually quite good. Silver Lucky Bags seemed to have been cursed. Two Bronze Lucky Bags are bags equipped with literally everything. Once you open it, youll gain rewards you will not expect. Open one of them! Congratulations! Youre very lucky! You have obtained one special skill card, one memory shard drop card. Huh? So, Im indeed very lucky! Zhou Heng was surprised. At the same time, he felt relieved. Indeed, its the Silver Lucky Bag that has been cursed instead of my own luck! Im still lucky, but the Silver Lucky Bags have always given out late-blooming rewards! By the way, what is a memory shard drop card? He switched his thoughts and the relevant introduction appeared in his mind. A memory shard drop card can be applied to a living being at near-death within three feet. You can obtain part of its memories which will be coalesced into a crystal and read the information from its memories. So, is this a simplified version of the soul searching skill? If I really can get some important information from the memories, this should be quite useful. Zhou Heng thought to himself, When is the best time to use this skill card? Who should I use it for? Early in the morning, the city gate of the Yellow Wood City was completely sealed off. No one was allowed to enter or leave. The guards on duty prevented the citizens from approaching the city gate within thousands of feet. Apparently, something had happened there. Zhou Heng and the masked Cheng Jiangjian were not restricted by the order. The mayor, Wu Zhongshan had given them express instructions. The two of them walked side by side. After walking past the rows of guards, they came to the gatehouse of the city gate. It was rather gloomy, and there was no sunlight. The mayor of the Yellow Wood City, Wu Zhongshan was already waiting there. A glowing golden birdcage floated in the air close to his right hand. There was a palm-sized shadow curled up inside the birdcage. It stayed motionless inside as if it had lost all thoughts of resistance. Wu Zhongshan made obeisance to pay his respects. He said to Cheng Jiangjian, The ghost has been captured. Please strike and kill the ghost so that the peace returns to this world, Lord Star Messenger. Sorry to trouble you for this, Lord Mayor. Cheng Jiangjian nodded gently. She sounded nonchalant and there was no hint of any emotion. She put on a cool temperament with a mask on her face, which was totally different from her maskless persona. She was like a high and mighty immortal that would not be polluted by the earthly beings. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng just stood beside her and remained silent. As he watched the floppy shadow inside the birdcage, he could not help but heave a sigh, and said, The Seal Wraith once stirred up the city and now, it has been reduced to this. The sixth-class secret treasure was indeed as terrifying as hell! Cheng Jiangjians gaze was fixated on the shadow. She said, Mr. Zhou and Lord Mayor Wu, please step back. Obviously, she was going to deliver the Daoism technique to exterminate the Seal Wraith. Wu Zhongshan immediately retreated. Zhou Heng also took a few steps backward and was at least two hundred feet from that birdcage. He felt a bit regretful about this. From such a distance, he could not activate his memory shard drop card. Otherwise, he could extract shards of memories from the Seal Wraith which enabled him to gain some understanding about the ghosts. Just then, Cheng Jiangjian walked over lightly and approached the birdcage. She gently patted the brocade bag around her waist, and five pieces of yellow-apricot chinese talisman flew out. They fell into the birdcage and pasted themselves on the surface of the Seal Wraiths shadow form. Sizzle! The sound of sizzling meat was heard. Clouds of black and thick smoke began to emanate from the five yellow-apricot chinese talisman, filling the gatehouse with a pungent smell! At the same time, the shadow started to transform into a viscous pitch-black liquid and churned violently. Suddenly, Zhou Heng sensed a bad omen. This was very different from the last time when he watched Cheng Jiangjian exterminate Yu Shang. Previously, Yu Shang was instantly frozen after being affixed by those chinese talismans. This was nothing like that. Cheng Jiangjian also seemed to notice something amiss. Without further ado, she immediately placed both of her hands in front of her chest and chanted. Seals were formed quickly! Crystal clear silver lights coalesced and danced wildly on her fingertips. They glowed like star lights in the gloomy, dark gatehouse. You are watching Cheng Jianjian delivering Broken Piece of Heavenly Third-Class Stardust Divine Punishment Technique, and have inexplicable insights about it. You feel like you have gained something from it, yet, you are unable to fully understand it. Therefore, you do not gain points for your level of proficiency. Initially, Zhou Heng focused on Cheng Jiangjians fingers that had been placed in front of her chest. However, after hearing the familiar notifications prompted, he subconsciously turned to look at the Seal Wraith that was about to be struck by the starlight. Hurry! Close your eyes! Cheng Jiangjian shouted anxiously. Before Zhou Heng had time to react to this, he felt like his head had been smashed by something. It buzzed as if it was going to explode. He felt an invisible and terrifying force rushing to his spirit, wanting to tear him apart completely! At that moment, he felt the rise of a neutral and warm aura that seemed to be able to encompass all things from his elixir field and surged upward through his limbs and bones in order to calm his spirit that had been violently shaken. It was the Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique! Zhou Hengs heart raced. He clearly felt his mental state being rapidly calmed. Even his blurred vision and perception started to turn recover. The profound Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique really lives up to its name! It is actually this effective at resisting the external mental attack! Ive even mistreated this internal energy as something thats defective! Im really sorry for that! After returning to his senses, he noticed that the shadow inside the cage had completely mutated and turned into a puddle of dark, sticky liquid-like sludge. The five chinese talisman cast by Cheng Jiangjian had disappeared. They had most likely been devoured by that puddle of sludge. If not for the golden birdcage that was still able to exert its confining power, that puddle of sludge might have already flown out from it. Just then, Cheng Jiangjian was still casting her spell to form seals. She could not be interrupted right then. The sixth-class expert Wu Zhongshan was about to strike that puddle of sludge. The next moment, the golden birdcage used to imprison that puddle of sludge turned pitch-black and broke open, allowing the sludge to flow out. Then, the black birdcage rose up in the air and grew bigger. It actually held Wu Zhongshan inside, imprisoning him so that he could not strike. Nobody knew since when the sixth-class secret treasure had revolted against them! At the same time, the black sticky sludge unveiled more than a hundred mouths, each revealing sharp teeth. It stretched out its long black tongues and shouted in a singular unison. Yang energy Yang energy I need Yang energy Yang energy! It seemed to have lost its mind and fallen into madness. The only thing left was the desire of the ghosts essence toward Yang energy. After that, a miserable, ghastly pale eye grew on its hundreds of tongues. Hundreds of eyes manipulated the movement of the tongues to look around. All of them looked at Zhou Heng, and those longing gazes were filled with greed! Over a hundred mouths shouted again. Yang energy! Hahaha! Yang energy! Supreme Yang Divine Soul! Youre mine! Apparently, the puddle of dark, sticky liquid had fallen into madness. But it still remembered about the Supreme Yang Divine Soul, its so-called delicious meal. As it was shouting, the black and sticky liquid took to the air at lightning speed. Over a hundred mouths spread open. Within an instant, a hundred mouths became a thousand mouths! Blinking small eyes grew on each of those small and sharp teeth. All of them were staring straight at Zhou Heng. It pounced at him and wanted to devour him! On the other hand, Zhou Heng had already come back to his senses and was prepared to have history repeat itself. He repeated the same trick. He reversed the flow of his qi and blood forcibly by using his internal qi, enabling a mouthful of blood to flow into his mouth. He endured the feeling of numbness of his scalp and gathered a puff of air in his mouth! Pooh! A mouthful of crimson blood shot out in a spray of mist toward the monster that was lunging at him! Ah! Ah! Ah! The incredible piercing shriek was heard once again, that puddle of mutated sludge that had been stained by Zhou Hengs blood instantly burst into flames, turning into a huge fireball. It fell to the ground near Zhou Hengs feet and kept rolling over and struggling. Buzz! At the same time, the void trembled. A bright starlight fell, and enclosed the huge fireball! When Zhou Heng saw this, he hurriedly applied the memory shard loss card. You have applied one memory shard drop card to the mutated Seal Wraith. Gained one Seal Wraiths Crystallized Memory. When the starlight dissipated, the Seal Wraith completely turned into ashes and ceased to exist! Another notification prompted again. Congratulations! You have assisted Cheng Jiangjian in killing a deadly enemy, a Mutated Seal Wraith. You will be granted two Silver Lucky Bags. Chapter 39 For Zhou Heng, this notification was no less than the sound of heaven. At that point, the Seal Wraith, the ghost that caused tremors within Yellow Wood City for the past few days finally died to Cheng Jiangjians Stardust Divine Punishment Technique. Of course, if it werent for Zhou Hengs quick wits that temporarily repelled the Seal Wraith with his blood, it would have been another ending now. Are you okay, Mr. Zhou? Cheng Jiangjian came to Zhou Heng. She was about to take a pill out of the brocade bag. Im okay. Zhou Heng quickly shook his head and waved his hand to refuse. He did not want to take another pill worth three thousand taels, as he could not afford it. He had used his internal qi to reverse his qi and blood this time. It was not the same as last time where he had forcibly used acupuncture to reverse his qi and blood, so he recovered faster. He just needed to go home and cook two pots of lotus root and ribs soup, and he would be fine after drinking it. Your level of cultivation has improved a lot, Mr. Zhou. Cheng Jiangjian smiled slightly. She did not continue to persuade him otherwise and turned around to look at the pitch-black birdcage. It was the sudden betrayal of the sixth classs secret treasure that caused the mutated Seal Wraith to escape. It almost made this operation go up in smoke. Its contaminated. Cheng Jiangjian took a closer look at the secret treasure and shook her head as she thought it was a pity. She took out a palm-sized jade gourd from her brocade bag. Huh? Zhou Heng recognized this gourd. At the arena where he had competed with Sun Zhengpin, Cheng Jiangjian had used the liquid in this jade gourd to drive out the evil creature parasitized in Sun Zhengpins body. Has the sixth classs secret treasure become something similar to an evil creature? Did the Seal Wraith contaminate it just now? Zhou Heng could only speculate. At the same time, Cheng Jiangjian had already picked up the jade gourd. She waved her hand and a green light was seen spilling out of it. These were drops of clear emerald-green liquid that had a golden shine. When the drops of liquid gathered together, it looked like a ray of light. All the liquid fell on the pitch-black birdcage. Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle! It was painful to hear. Thick blackish-purple smoke emerged from the contaminated sixth-class secret treasure and gave off a foul smell. The birdcage began to rot and gradually collapsed. Soon, the pitch-black birdcage became a pile of ashes. Zhou Heng could not help but marvel at the scene. A secret treasure contaminated by a ghost can only be destroyed? The contamination of ghosts is too deadly. Wu Zongshan had already escaped. He saluted Cheng Jiangjian and said, Thank you, Star Messenger. Then, he looked at Zhou Heng and said sincerely, Of course, I have to thank you as well, Mr. Zhou. If you hadnt stopped the ghost just now, it would have been a catastrophe. Its my pleasure, so dont you mention it, Lord Mayor. Zhou Heng smiled and did not take credit. He already got what he wanted. How can I not? With your achievements, the government must reward you. Wu Zongshan shook his head and said, It will be a dereliction of duty if I ignore a hero like you. The mayor is so enthusiastic. Zhou Heng was a little surprised. After thinking for a while, he said, Then, I should stop being polite and accept it. But I think you will focus on wrapping this incident up first, so you dont have to worry about me, Mayor. The existence of ghosts could not be known. In the past two days, the Seal Wraith had caused a lot of disturbances in Yellow Wood City, and they needed to be dealt with. The situation last night only had a small impact as Wu Zongshan had concealed it on the spot. However, reasonable explanations were needed for the locking down of the city gate this morning, the incident that involved Murderer Zhou Heng, and the disappearance of Shopkeeper Qian. Thank you for your understanding, Mister, Wu Zongshan smiled and said. His impression of Zhou Heng became better. Now that it is over, I should leave too. Cheng Jiangjian waited for the two to finish their discussion and bade them farewell. Thank you for your help. She turned around and left. She jumped out of the city wall and disappeared. She left just like this? Zhou Heng looked in the direction she left and thought that she was resolute. Please dont misunderstand, Mr. Zhou. Wu Zongshan smiled and said, The Star Messenger has always been like this. She has a cold personality and doesnt talk much. It isnt because she is arrogant. Huh? Zhou Heng was really surprised. He asked in confusion, She has a cold personality and doesnt talk much? Uh, is that true? Yeah, it is true, Wu Zongshan nodded and said firmly. After Zhou Heng left the city gate, he thought carefully and decided not to go to the martial arts school today. He decided to go home first and read the Seal Wraiths memory. He wanted to see if there was any information about the ghosts. It was to ensure that he would know more about this enemy when he encountered one in the future. Of course, it would be best to not encounter it. As Zhou Heng approached his house, he found a beautiful figure standing in front of the door. It was Cheng Jiangjian. However, she was no longer in her previous outfit, and her exquisite and beautiful face was not covered by a mask. Her hair was no longer tied up. It cascaded like a waterfall instead. She was wearing a Daoist crown that looked like a white jade lotus, and there was a red dot between her eyebrows. The white Martial Arts Outfit that she wore had been replaced with a white Daoist gown with blue patterns. It was paired with a blue waist sash with white jade. Her brocade bag had changed to a small golden gourd, which had golden tassels hanging down on both sides. It was pinned to her waist area. She seemed a bit less heroic but a bit more elegant. Her previous self was the Star Messenger who wandered around the world, killing and exorcising ghosts and evil creatures. But now, she looked like an immortal who had hidden in the clouds on the mountains, who cultivated Daoism and comprehended mysteries. Although Zhou Heng had seen Cheng Jiangjians face before, he still could not help but be stunned when he saw her in that outfit. For a moment, he did not even recognize her. She was stunning. Her outfit was more stunning than a paid costume! Ms. Cheng, whats this? Zhou Heng secretly used the Complete Reality Internal Energy Cultivation Technique to clear his mind. Then, he asked, This outfit is the Daoist robe of Pious Sun Palace? Thats right. Cheng Jiangjian slightly nodded. Then, she smiled and said, I was in a rush when I left last time, so I only left a letter without saying goodbye. I feel a little apologetic because of it. You saved me, so I should have bid farewell formally um as the disciple of Pious Sun Palace, Cheng Jiangjian. Haha, you came at the right time, Ms. Cheng. I was wondering where to find you. Zhou Heng smiled and said as well. You wanted to find me, Mr. Zhou? After Cheng Jiangjian heard that, she smiled and said, Its not time for you to change the talisman that locks Yang energy yet, right? I want to pay you the money. Zhou Heng looked relieved and took out a silver note from his clothes. Then, he walked over and handed it to Cheng Jiangjian. He smiled and said, I ate your Clear Micro Nourishing Shape Pill before. I cant eat it for nothing, so Ill pay you back the three thousand silver taels. Although Zhou Heng loved money and was poor, he did not like the feeling of owing money even more. So after he got the three thousand silver taels, he had been waiting for the opportunity to return the money to Cheng Jiangjian. Huh? To pay me money back? Cheng Jiangjian was surprised and looked at Zhou Heng in confusion. Then, she shook her head and said, Actually, you dont have to pay me back. That pill was nothing to me. Then, Ill give you these three thousand silver taels to show my gratitude to you for saving me twice. Zhou Heng smiled and said. He did not force Cheng Jiangjian to accept it. Instead, he rephrased his words. Well, okay. Cheng Jiangjian was a decisive person as well. She accepted it after seeing Zhou Hengs determination. Then, she smiled and said, I will treat these three thousand silver taels as the fee for your talismans in the future then. Take care, Mister. See you in twenty days. It felt good to owe nothing. Zhou Heng was in a good mood. After moving his body, he returned to his room, planning to read the memory crystal that the Seal Wraith had dropped. Chapter 40 The memory crystal took the form of a purple crystal. It was saved in Zhou Hengs mind, just like the things he had previously drawn. It could be called out with just a thought. After Zhou Heng closed the door, he began to read the information in it. Multiple scenes flew past him. It contained various information such as voice and text. As this was only part of the Seal Wraiths memory, the information presented was intermittent and incoherent. After Zhou Heng read most of the information contained in the memory crystal, he connected the messy and intermittent information and summarized what he could with clarity. Fortunately, this part of the memory did contain some information about the ghosts. The ghosts in this world were not born from humans souls after they died like Zhou Heng had previously thought. At first, they were the Yin spirits born out of a natural Yin aura that was turbid. Based on the law of the natural convergence of Yin and Yang, the Yin spirits naturally desired to absorb and swallow Yang energy. This was their instinct, so it would never disappear. When they had completely swallowed the first living person, they would gain their own intelligence and thoughts. They would become real ghosts that had various special abilities and acquire almost indestructible characteristics. But generally speaking, a ghost in the state of Yin spirit could not directly interfere with reality. It had to possess a human and use the humans body to exert its abilities. It was not an easy task for a ghost of the lower classes to possess a living person. It must first elicit the loopholes in the dark side of the persons heart. Then, it could take advantage of it and gain some control over the body it possessed. At this time, the consciousness of the host and ghost coexisted. The power that the ghost could exert was limited as well. It must fulfill the hosts wish if it wanted to further control the body. The wish was based on the loopholes in the persons mind caused by the ghosts possession. As the wish was completed step by step, the ghost would further suppress the hosts will and gradually control the body. Then, it could exert a more complete and stronger form of power. In this process, the hosts mind might revolt and cause the bodys mental state to lose control, which led to some strange behaviors. The ghost would complete the possession when it completely swallowed the hosts will. It would gain total control of the body and could fully exert the various abilities of the ghost itself. The whole process of a ghost controlling a body consisted of possession, control, and seizure. After these steps were completed, the ghost could continue to look for the Yang energy. It would have to continually consume more Yang energy to strengthen itself. Although a ghost could still consume Yang energy before completing the seizure, it could not completely absorb and digest without loss. When Zhou Heng read about this part of the information contained in the memory crystal, he could not help but think of the two ghosts he had encountered. One was Yu Shang that possessed Chen Hanyu, and the other was the Seal Wraith that possessed Shopkeeper Qian. The former once said that it satisfied Chen Hanyus wish to obtain peerless beauty and make all men in the world fall in love with her. This fitted the characteristics of the ghost. The same thing applied to the latter. As the memory was not complete, he did not have a complete understanding of what happened when the Seal Wraith possessed Shopkeeper Qian. However, he could make some guesses. When the Seal Wraith possessed Shopkeeper Qian, it probably used the resentment that grew in his heart as he was unwilling to admit defeat. Then, it gradually took control of Shopkeeper Qians body by fulfilling his wish to retaliate against Yu He, Zhao Yuan, and even Liu Changsheng. When the Seal Wraith first infected Yu He with the ghost aura, it should have only started to possess Shopkeeper Qian, so it could only infect him discreetly. Zhou Heng thought to himself. After completing its revenge on Yu He, it should have started to step into the control level. It could exert stronger power and special abilities. Then, it killed Zhao Yuan to further complete its control. Then it is understandable why it attacked Liu Changsheng inexplicably in the end. It wasnt as simple as creating chaos. It was to fulfill Shopkeeper Qians will and complete the seizure. Zhou Heng finally made sense of the Seal Wraiths previous behaviors that did not make sense. This was all because it wanted to further complete its control over Shopkeeper Qians body and to exert a more complete power. There was a reason behind everything. But logically speaking, Shopkeeper Qian should hate me even more. Why didnt the Seal Wraith attack me first? Zhou Heng was a little puzzled. He guessed the Seal Wraith probably wanted to save him, the feast, for last. After all, the Seal Wraith could not fully absorb and digest his Yang energy before completing the seizure. At that time, the Seal Wraith probably encountered a mental attack by Shopkeeper Qian, so it made Zhao Yuan write the words, Murderer Zhou Heng before he died. If not, it would not do such a thing. Otherwise, the Seal Wraith could fulfill his wish secretly. It could develop under the radar and gradually become stronger. In the end, it could absorb a large amount of Yang energy and flee elsewhere. Of course, the fact that Cheng Jiangjian could come so quickly showed that Wu Zongshan, the mayor, was not a simple person. He had probably suspected Shopkeeper Qian from the beginning. Even if the Seal Wraith wanted to grow under the radar, it might not succeed in the end. Besides, Zhou Heng learned extremely important information from this part of the Seal Wraiths memory. Why did the Heavenly Circulation Guardians and various forces want to hide the existence of the ghosts? That was because it was easier for the ghosts to be born if more people knew about the existence of the ghosts and knew more detailed information about them. This also meant that the more people who knew about the ghosts, the higher the quantity of the ghosts! In this world, the only people who were below third class, that could kill the ghosts were the people from the Heavenly Circulation Guardians. The Heavenly Circulation Guardians had very little manpower. Even now, there were many places beyond their reach and jurisdiction. If the quantity of the ghosts further increased, it would be a huge disaster. It was for this reason that this kind of effort to hide information about the ghosts, and even the existence of the ghosts, occurred. In fact, theoretically speaking, it would not hurt for a few people to know the existence of the ghosts or even the detailed information of the ghosts. However, people always had the desire to spread exclusive information. When a person knew something, it usually meant that ten, a hundred, or even more people knew it as well. It would spread quickly and eventually everyone would know about it. The consequences would be disastrous if it spread like this. Although it was a stupid method to cut off the source of transmission directly to not let the source of transmission be born, it was the most effective method as well. However, it was necessary for the satraps of various states and counties, the mayors of various places, and other forces and personnel who had to assist the Heavenly Circulation Guardians in killing the ghosts to know about the ghosts information. This could not be avoided. If it is easier for the ghosts to breed when more people know the ghosts information, why dont the ghosts deliberately spread this information? A question came to Zhou Hengs mind. Unfortunately, there was no explanation in this part of the Seal Wraiths memory. Ghostsevil creatures Zhou Heng thought to himself. Now he understood why both Cheng Jiangjian and Wu Zongshan were extremely cautious about the ghosts. It seemed like this world was not as peaceful and serene as it seemed on the surface. The first-class martial arts could be called the Godly First-Class. It was also known as Sacred. There was more than one Sacred in this world. But even so, they still could not completely end the breeding of the ghosts. As for the evil creatures, he still knew nothing about it. Wu Zongshan was indeed a mayor. He settled the incident of Zhao Yuans death within two days. Shopkeeper Qian became the murderer, which cleared Zhou Hengs name. The truth of the incident was completely hidden. Then, Zhou Heng finally returned to the Prosperity Martial Arts School, which he had been thinking of after staying home for two days. He had paid the tuition, after all. He kept applying for leave recently, so he felt bad as it was a waste of money. Besides, he could not keep on practicing martial arts outdoors. It was much better to practice martial arts in the martial arts school. Youve been practicing hard for the Ninth-Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles. The level of proficiency increased by 5. You continue practicing the Ninth-Class Eighteen Divine Power Styles and have triggered Heavenly Reward. The level of proficiency increased by 30. Zhou Heng had not had time to tell Practitioner Lin the news that he had advanced to the ninth class, so the martial arts school did not make the follow-up arrangements for him. Now he could only cultivate the few ninth-class martial arts that he learned before. Something like Solo Nine Swords was not suitable to be practiced in the martial arts school. He had cultivated the Eighteen Divine Power Styles to perfection and had received the Lucky Bag rewarded. But as a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder, he always had a mentality that would not rest until his level of proficiency reached the upper limit. Zhou Heng felt happy and refreshed even if he just watched the level of proficiency increase little by little like this. A normal life was to practice martial arts steadily and gradually became stronger. It would be nice if it could go on like this. A life where no weird things like ghosts appeared. This was Zhou Hengs current mentality. Hey, youre finally back! Lin Cang walked over. He was finally relieved when he saw Zhou Heng practicing martial arts diligently. He was worried for a while when Zhou Heng was taken away from the martial arts school by Meng Xing that day. He even went to find the previous master of the martial arts school specifically as he wanted to ask him to intercede. But before the previous master of the martial arts school did anything, news saying that the real culprit had been found came from the administrative office. Zhou Heng was just being slandered and was innocent. This made Lin Cang relieved. But he was still a little worried as the incident had not settled in these two days, and Zhou Heng had not come to the martial arts school. Now that he saw it with his own eyes, he could finally stop worrying about him. Master Lin. Zhou Heng stopped to greet him. Well, I havent seen you for a few days, but your martial arts have become more solid. Lin Cang had not met Zhou Heng for a few days, so he felt that he should praise him first. He saw him practiced just now and his martial arts were indeed very solid. I have made some improvements, Zhou Heng smiled and said. At the same time, he was wondering whether he should tell him about his advancement to the ninth class. Ha, you sure are confident! Lin Cang suddenly felt that Zhou Heng might be too proud of himself if he only praised him after meeting, so he said, Come, Zhou Heng. Lets have a match. I want to see how far you are from the ninth class. Huh? Zhou Heng could not help but scratch his head when he heard Lin Cangs suggestion. He smiled and said, Well, the distance between me and the ninth class is Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Quite Realistic Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Quite Realistic Translator: 549690339 This, I am actually no distance away from Ninth Grade, Zhou Heng said with a smile. He didnt keep them in suspense and directly explained the situation to Lin Cang. This really wasnt something worth concealing. In fact, the distance should be negative. Its alright as long as youre willing to work hard, stepping into Ninth Grade before the age of twenty is still very hopeful, Lin Cang didnt catch on for a moment, thinking that Zhou Heng meant he was still far from Ninth Grade. But he quickly realized what was meant, suddenly widening his eyes in disbelief and looking at Zhou Cheng, What, what did you just say? You, youve reached Ninth Grade already!? His words were almost a shout, expressing the utmost shock. Once this was said, the entire hall of Longxing Martial Arts Hall fell silent, dead quiet. The fifty or sixty apprentices and about a dozen trainers in the hall all ceased what they were doing, turning their heads to look at Zhou Heng. What had they just heard? Zhou Heng had reached Ninth Grade? He had attained Ninth Grade in Martial Arts? Wasnt he only in the Martial Arts Hall for two years? Whoosh! The crowd gathered around, surrounding Zhou Heng like they were witnessing some rare creature. Ninth Grade! Zhou Heng, have you really reached Ninth Grade? My heavens, how old are you to have reached Ninth Grade? Thats so impressive! A seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade, could it be that our Longxing is going to produce a genius on the martial arts prodigy rankings? Take me with you, big bro! Everyone had something to say, looking at Zhou Heng with envy, jealousy, shock, and admiration. A seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade! To them, this was too shocking. Longxing wasnt any major martial arts hall. The disciples it recruited mostly came from ordinary families. The case of Yu He was exceptional. They only had this one venue, not even two acres large. Therefore, the intake level was generally not high. Most apprentices would only reach Ninth Grade in their forties. By this age, they had already exceeded the age limit for discipleship recruitment by the Chang Xing Sect, naturally unable to learn advanced martial arts from the sect. And if one wanted to continue training at the martial arts hall, they would need to stay as a trainer, which would inevitably divert their attention and make martial arts progression even more difficult. Therefore, some would venture out into the martial world after reaching Ninth Grade, hoping to encounter some fortuitous adventure to progress further. If one could step into Ninth Grade in their thirties, that was already quite rare. The martial arts hall would unconditionally impart higher-ranked martial arts to them. As for Ninth Grade at the age of twenties, in the seventy years since the hall was established, only once, fifty years ago, did such a person appearthat was the now aging hall master. But a seventeen or eighteen-year-old Ninth Grade, let alone a martial arts prodigy on the rankings Such a person, even in the great Martial Dao Sects, would be considered an outstanding disciple, And it was almost impossible for such a person to emerge from the small Longxing Martial Arts Hall. If the Chang Xing Sect knew that a seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade had appeared in Longxing Martial Arts Hall, they would certainly value him highly, and entry into the Outer Sect would be assured. With some luck, one might even directly become an Inner Sect Disciple of Chang Xing Sect, inheriting the secret techniques of a Sixth Rank master! This was truly like soaring into the heavens, ascending thousands of miles! Quiet down, everyone, quiet down. Lin Cang raised his hand to signal for silence. It seemed like he thought of something, the joy on his face fading, his expression becoming serious as he said to Zhou Heng, Zhou, come with me for a moment. After speaking, he headed to the back where the trainers practice rooms were located. Zhou Heng nodded and followed. People in the martial arts hall continued to marvel at Zhou Hengs talent. A seventeen-year-old at Ninth Grade! That was too few! However, some people noticed that Lin Cangs expression just now didnt seem quite right and couldnt help but fall into thought. Martial arts trainers had their own private practice rooms. Where they wouldnt be disturbed. At this moment, only Zhou Heng and Lin Cang were facing each other in this room. Lin Cang looked at Zhou Heng with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, Zhou, tell me the truth, did you take some kind of drug? Ah? Drug? Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned by the question before he realized what Lin Cang was asking and then nodded, Um, I took a Tiger Bone Refining Pill to replenish my bodys qi and blood. Is there a problem, Master Lin? This wasnt something taboo, so he spoke openly about it. After all, using pills to assist with cultivation at the Lower Third Rank stage was actually quite common. Because this stage primarily involved cultivating the bodys qi and blood, even the inner qi was transformed from qi and blood vitality, which is known as refining essence into qi. And where does essence come from? It requires the human body to absorb nutrients from food for transformation. This is why those who practice martial arts usually consume a lot of food, with some martial artists even capable of devouring an entire cow in a day. Ultimately, this is because the nutrients in the vegetables, fruits, and fresh meat that people usually eat are not very abundant, necessitating a large intake to transform enough essence. If one were to consume pills concentrated with the essence of spiritual beings, or eat food made from the blood, flesh, and marrow of strong beasts, it would greatly supplement ones nutrition and accelerate ones cultivation speed. Zhou Heng took the Tiger Bone Refining Pill, which, in fact, is just a convenient way of absorbing a large amount of nutrients. Essentially there is no harm, so naturally, it would not be prohibited. Tiger Bone Refining Pill? Lin Cang, having heard Zhou Hengs explanation, let out a slight breath of relief but was extremely shocked, How can you afford such pills? They cost at least a thousand taels each, and I heard that the superior ones could even be worth more than five thousand taels. He had fully understood why Zhou Heng had managed to reach Ninth Grade so quickly. Because, the phase from not having entered a rank to becoming a Ninth Grade Warrior is essentially a process where one uses standing meditation to let the blood and Qi absorb nutrients and catalyze power. As long as nutrition is sufficient, one has the money and the connections to buy good nutritional supplements, and practices standing meditation diligently and assiduously, then stepping into Ninth Grade is not particularly difficult. Actually, the reason why the martial artists from Longxing Martial Arts Hall cultivate so slowly, only reaching Ninth Grade in their thirties or even forties, is because most of the apprentices here are quite poor. The annual income of most apprentices families is around a hundred taels of silver at best, and after deducting the costs for normal living expenses and tuition fees, its difficult to have even forty or fifty taels left. Being able to eat meat once every three or four days would already be considered well-off. They simply cant afford any good stuff to supplement their nutrition. Moreover, such families practice martial arts mostly for the purpose of acquiring a skill to protect homes and earn a living, so many people dont wait until their thirties or forties; once theyve learned the martial arts moves somewhat, theyll leave to make money. For most people in Longxing Martial Arts Hall, the Tiger Bone Refining Pill, which costs at least a thousand taels each, and even more than five thousand for the best quality, is an exorbitantly priced item. Its damn expensive! Zhou Heng consumed a Tiger Bone Refining Pill, which provided a massive amount of nutrition, and through the cultivation of standing meditation catalyzed his power, naturally allowing him to swiftly step into Ninth Rank. It was completely smashed out with money! But the most critical point is, compared to a Ninth Grade Warrior painstakingly cultivated bit by bit with consumption of meat, vegetables, and rice, a Ninth Grade Warrior smashed out in such a way has no disadvantage, but instead even more advantages. Thanks to the nutrients from nutritional supplements being far stronger than those found in regular grains, vegetables, and meats, such a Ninth Grade Warriors Qi and blood are even more vigorous, strength greater, and power stronger, and even the later transformation into Inner Qi is easier. The saying the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts is indeed true. Quite true indeed. It was given to me by Liu Changsheng of the Five Elements Sect, Zhou Heng briefly explained the previous events, also mentioning the need for Ninth Rank Inner Qi to treat Yu Hes condition. I see, Lin Cang suddenly realized, and sighed helplessly, Actually, taking medicine to assist in cultivation is not a big deal, but the problem is, you are going to participate in the Chang Xing Sects selection of outer sect disciples. The Chang Xing Sect specifically prohibits taking medicine for cultivation? That shouldnt be right, Zhou Heng said, puzzled, That doesnt make sense. As long as they are not the kind of pills that sacrifice the foundation in exchange for a short-term increase in cultivation, they should be considered reasonable aids for cultivation. This is equivalent to the supplementation of nutrients from food. Completely banning the use of medicine during cultivation is no different from banning martial artists from eating meals and meat during their training. Its not about banning the use of medicine for cultivation, Lin Cang shookhis head, but rather testing apprentices who have had a significant breakthrough in their levels recently and who have done so by using medicinal cultivation. Is this to prevent apprentices and martial arts halls from using elixirs that sacrifice their foundation to increase their cultivation levels in a short period of time? Zhou Heng guessed. Exactly, Lin Cang nodded, speaking gravely, This time, the one coming to our Huangtong Mansion for the selection test is the True Disciple of the Chang Xing Sects Law Enforcement Elder, Fading Sunsets Flying Sword Kong Chengshun, ranked ninety-nine on the Hero List. At just twenty-three years of age, he has become an Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, a genius within the Chang Xing Sect attracting much attention, and just like his master, he is known for his stern impartiality and detests those who exploit loopholes in the rules. You have reached the Ninth Rank on the Martial Path, and under normal circumstances, you could be exempted from the assessment and directly obtain the status of an Outer Sect Disciple of the Chang Xing Sect. However, now with the issue of medicinal cultivation, you will need to undergo Kong Chengshuns testing. How does the testing work? Zhou Heng was somewhat curious. Combat, Lin Cang answered succinctly, As for the specific rules, Im afraid well have to wait until Kong Chengshun arrives to lay them out himself. Combat? Zhou Heng laughed upon hearing this, Thats good, simple and straightforward. An Eighth Rank Martial Artist. An Eighth Rank Martial Artist who uses a sword. Hmm. This is really good!! Hey, you kid, do you think youre so great just because youve reached the Ninth Rank? Thats a True Disciple of a major sect on the Martial Dao, a disciple of a Sixth Rank expert, a talent on the Hero List! Seeing Zhou Hengs confident demeanor, Lin Cang suddenly felt annoyed. He was still worrying about the youths future, yet the latter seemed completely unconcerned. Come on, lets continue with what we were discussing earlier. Lets spar, and let me see how strong youve become after reaching the Ninth Rank. He needed to teach this kid a lesson! He couldnt allow him to become complacent. It was good for a young person to be spirited, but they also shouldnt get too carried away! So, Lin Cang took a longsword from the nearby weapons rack. Lin Cang is using the Martial Arts Thousand Mountains Sword Technique [Ninth Grade]to attack you. You have successfully parried. Your proficiency with the Thousand Mountains Sword Technique has increased by +0.05. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You use 1 assignable Martial Arts proficiency point[Ninth Grade], increasing the proficiency of Thousand Mountains Sword Technique''[Ninth Grade]. Congratulations! The proficiency of your Martial Arts Thousand Mountains Sword TechniquetNinth Grade]has reached 1. Since you have mastered a higher tier of swordsmanship and have perfected a similar tier, your proficiency in this Martial Arts is increased by +3000. Congratulations! The proficiency of your Martial Arts Thousand Mountains Sword Technique''[Ninth Grade] has reached an advanced level, deepening your understanding of the Dugu Nine Swords Technique: Sword Breaker''[Eighth Grade], increasing your proficiency by + 200. Congratulations! For defeating the effortlessly defeated opponent Lin Cang, you have been awarded a Fortune Bag[Copper)+l. Lin Cang was somewhat doubting life. He glanced at the sword in his hand, then at the empty-handed Zhou Heng, and asked in bewilderment, When did you learn the Thousand Mountains Sword Technique? Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Chapter 42 This matter is completely infallible Chapter 42: Chapter 42 This matter is completely infallible Translator: 549690339 | Hmm, when I watched others practice before, I actually learned most of it already, Zhou Heng said seriously. Although only one proficiency point for Ninth Rank Martial Arts was left to allocate, it was quite simple for him to learn Ninth Rank Martial Arts at this stage. That one proficiency point had become somewhat superfluous, and it would be better to use it now to further improve the proficiency of his Dugu Nine Swords. After all, the skill you learn is the true strength that belongs to you. Your talent is truly astonishing, Lin Cang couldnt help but exclaim. He had never seen a genius like Zhou Heng before and said, Perhaps one day I will see your name on the Ranking List. Maybe even in the top ten, Zhou Heng smiled and said. Youre getting more and more arrogant, kid, Lin Cang laughed and scolded, taking Zhou Hengs words as a joke, then said, Since youve already learned a Ninth Rank swordsmanship, next I will teach you an Eighth Rank swordsmanship, the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword. This is Falling Sun Flying Sword Kong Chengshuns signature Martial Art, and it also happens to be the highest Martial Art that outer disciples of the Chang Xing Sect can learn. It should be useful for the upcoming challenges youll face. Thank you, Master Lin, Zhou Heng sincerely thanked him. He was well aware that this Eighth Rank swordsmanship was not easy for Lin Cang to come by. The Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword was not part of the martial arts taught for free at the Longxing Martial Arts Hall. It was a secret technique of the martial hall. It was a swordsmanship technique Lin Cang was permitted to learn only after seven years of teaching at the martial hall and cultivating ten Ninth Rank Warriors. Powerful. Exquisite techniques. Certainly top-notch among Eighth Rank swordsmanships. Under normal circumstances, one would have to pay an extremely high price to learn this swordsmanship technique. Even within the Chang Xing Sect, as an outer disciple, one would need a certain amount of merit to learn it. Yet now Lin Cang was willing to teach him unconditionally. North District. Tongchang Martial Arts Hall could be considered a mid-tier martial arts hall in this bustling area, having cultivated many martial arts apprentices with potential for the Chang Xing Sect over the course of more than two hundred years. Undoubtedly, it was the most powerful among the three martial arts halls under the Huangtong Mansion Citys jurisdiction managed by the Chang Xing Sect. Therefore, the territory that this martial hall owned was naturally much larger than that of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. While it wasnt as vast as the Wuxiang Martial Arts Hall, it was also a large martial hall with its own area, containing numerous specialized training rooms. To the east of Tongchang Martial Arts Hall was a building called the Careful Thought Tower, with the top floor being a place specially used by the hall master for work, named the Careful Thought Pavilion. Huang Jingfu was over seventy years old, with white hair, but was still tenaciously holding onto the position of hall master and would not step down. At this moment, inside the Careful Thought Pavilion. Huang Jingfu sat in a chair made of golden-threaded nanmu wood, sipped his tea, and with an air of leisure looked at the old man sitting opposite him, smiling and said, Younger Brother Hong, youve rushed over here in such a hurry, sweating profusely. What brings you to me? The elderly man opposite him was named Hong Kang, who was also in his sixties and was the hall master of the Changsheng Martial Arts Hall. Brother Huang, you cant possibly be unaware, Hong Kang said with an anxious expression. That little shabby place of Longxing actually produced a Seventeen-year-old Ninth Rank Warrior! I know, Huang Jingfu replied with a light smile, placing his tea bowl down as if nothing was wrong. Then, then why are you so calm and composed? Hong Kang asked, his face full of confusion. A Seventeen-year-old Ninth Rank Warrior, a Seventeen- year-old Ninth Rank Warrior, what are we going to do about this? You do know, brother, that as long as an apprentice passes the test to become an outer sect disciple, the martial arts school they come from receives support from the Chang Xing Sect. For the next three years, theyll receive three thousand taels of silver annually, almost ten thousand taels in total. We cant just lose that! Youre worried about your share of six thousand taels, arent you? Huang Jingfu chuckled. Rest assured, we had an agreement, Ill take the majority, youll take the rest, and I will not let you suffer a loss. No, thats not it, Hong Kang hurriedly replied. Brother, have you forgotten? A Seventeen-year-old Ninth Rank, at such an age and with such cultivation, will certainly be designated as an outer sect disciple by the Chang Xing Sect. And there is only one spot for Huangtong Mansion. If its set for that kid, we will have no part in it. I wont get the silver, and your grandson wont become an outer sect disciple of the Chang Xing Sect either! As it turned out, these two had covertly struck a deal long ago. During the assessment contest, Hong Kang would have his apprentice intentionally lose to Huang Jingfus grandson. In a martial arts competition, a slight mistake can lead to a total loss, and the chance of being caught throwing a match is extremely low. In this way, Huang Jingfus grandson would smoothly become an outer sect disciple of the Chang Xing Sect, and Hong Kang would receive a substantial sum of silver in return. It was a plan to kill two birds with one stone, to catch two fish with one net. Who could have expected that halfway through, Zhou Heng emerged out of nowhere, and the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, which hadnt even had the qualification to participate in previous years, suddenly produced a Seventeen- year-old Ninth Rank Warrior! This completely nauseated Hong Kang. Dont panic, younger brother, Huang Jingfu said, stroking his goatee and chuckling. Hehheh, as for that Zhou Heng from Longxing, big brother has already thoroughly inquired about him. This fellow perfected the Twelve Forms of the Cleaving Mountain Saber Technique a month ago. Having such an accomplishment at Seventeen is indeed extraordinary talent, but back then his stance and strength were still a good way off from Ninth Rank. Do you think he has some method to perfect his stance and circulate his strength throughout his body in less than a month, reaching the Ninth Rank? Medicine? Hong Kang, being a Seventh Rank Warrior himself and very familiar with the martial arts cultivation process, laughed as the thought struck him. I see, so what you mean is, Zhou Heng was pushed to Ninth Rank by the force of medicine? Exactly! Huang Jingfu said confidently, smiling. Zhou Heng must be a Ninth Rank Warrior hastily concocted by Longxing Martial Arts Hall using a heavy dose of medicinal power. This means hell have to undergo Kong Chengshuns test and compete with a martial artist ranked on the prestige list, an Eighth Rank Warrior. Ha ha, as long as he doesnt pass the test, his qualification will automatically be revoked. Hong Kangs face lit up with joy, but he was still somewhat apprehensive. With several thousand taels of silver at stake, it was crucial to be cautious. So he expressed his concerns again, But after all, its just a test. Kong Chengshun certainly wont give it his all, and Zhou Heng doesnt necessarily need to defeat him. What if, what if he really passes the test? Pass? Huang Jingfu laughed upon hearing this, stood up, and patted Hong Kang on the shoulder. Just keep your heart in your stomach, younger brother, he absolutely wont pass the test. He meant to stop there, but perhaps worried that Hong Kang might fret unnecessarily, he continued, Actually, the logic is quite simple, think about it, younger brother. Is it easy for Zhou Heng to perfect a saber technique at Seventeen? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Of course not, Hong Kang shook his head, but he was puzzled inside. What does that have to do with anything? It means that what Zhou Heng is really good at is most likely just saber technique, Huang Jingfu narrowed his eyes, smiling. Ive also inquired about his previous fight with Sun Zhengping, and indeed, only his saber technique stood out. Right, exactly! Perfecting a saber technique at Seventeen is already extremely difficult. He simply wont have the energy to learn other martial arts! Hong Kang had an epiphany and laughed, clapping his hands. You mean to say, as long as we restrict the use of sabers during the test, Zhou Heng will definitely not pass! But how can we accomplish this? Kong Chengshun wont listen to us. Leave it to me, I have a way. Just rest easy, Huang Jingfu said as he sat back down in his phoebe nanmu chair and picked up his tea bowl again, sipping leisurely with full confidence: Ive been deeply rooted here for decades, nurturing how many disciples for the Chang Xing Sect? The connections are plentiful, arent they? Cant I handle this small matter? Without his saber, Zhou Heng is nothing but trash. You dont need to worry, younger brother, nothing will go wrong with this. Come on, join me for some tea. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Chapter 43 The Unparalleled Blade and Sword Chapter 43: Chapter 43 The Unparalleled Blade and Sword Translator: 549690339 Youre learning too fast. Its not that fast, is it? In dozens of years, Ive never seen anyone as quick as you. This is Eighth Rank swordsmanship! Lin Cang watched Zhou Heng with utter astonishment, inevitably casting immense doubt over his own decades of martial arts training. Is martial arts really that hard to learn? For this Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword, I myself practiced for a whole half a month before I barely got started. But this kid Zhou Heng, in less than an hour, actually learned it! And after he learned it, he improved rapidly. In less than two more hours of practice, he made Lin Cang feel like he had reached the level of proficiency that took him two to three years to achieve. Could this be what a genius is like? Its simply incomprehensible! This might be because my swordsmanship talent isnt too bad, Zhou Heng scratched his head, not knowing how to console Lin Cang. After all, a player with cheat codes like myself isnt comparable to ordinary people. However, when he was learning the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword just now, he didnt use any allocatable proficiency points for Eighth Rank, but truly listened and watched Lin Gangs explanation and demonstration attentively before learning it. That is, it was a bit fast. This was thanks to his already highly proficient Breaking Sword Style. The essence of Breaking Sword Style isnt in the moves themselves, but in the philosophy of swordsmanship, and Zhou Hengs increased proficiency in Breaking Sword Style equaled a deeper understanding of the philosophy behind swordsmanship. Naturally, it accelerated his pace in learning other sword techniques. Moreover, as he learned the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword, Zhou Hengs comprehension of Breaking Sword Style also deepened. [Eighth Rank] Solo Nine Swords Breaking Sword Style: Advanced (2222/3000) [Eighth Rank] Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword: Intermediate (1255/2000) You have to say, Breaking Sword Style truly is a divine technique, worthy of being called an everlasting proficiency generator for swordsmanship; any new sword technique learned will increase the proficiency of Breaking Sword Style. And as the proficiency of Breaking Sword Style increases, it will, in turn, elevate the proficiency of other sword techniques. Its extremely useful. Lin Cang now seemed to be lost in thought, and after a while, he nodded with a serious expression, saying, Perhaps I really held you back. If I had let you start with swordsmanship from the beginning, your achievements might be even higher. He regarded Zhou Heng as one of those geniuses who specialized in swordsmanship. The talent for swordsmanship hadnt been discovered earlier because Zhou Heng had previously practiced saber technique and hadnt shown his aptitude for swordsmanship. He felt a surge of guilt in his heart. After all, when an apprentice first joins the martial arts hall, the choice of which martial art to learn is usually suggested by the trainer. Master Lin, dont think like that. At that time, I knew nothing about the martial path. If it werent for Master Lin, I wouldnt have known what to learn myself, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Besides, my talent in saber technique isnt bad either. Lin Cang first fell into a slight silence, then smiled and said, Indeed, it isnt bad. To go from nothing to achieving perfection in a Ninth Grade saber technique in two years is also quite remarkable. However, I still want to remind you of one thing: between saber technique and swordsmanship, its best to choose one to specialize in the future. If you study both, even with exceptional talent, you may end up with a jumbled skill set and jeopardize your future on the martial path. I understand, Zhou Heng nodded in agreement. He knew Lin Cang was looking out for him, but in his heart, he had no intention of really giving up saber technique. Because he was aware that his rapid progress and quick learning did not come from some incredible talent, but because he had a cheat! With such a system that could quantify his proficiency and help him breach through progress quantitatively, occasionally rewarding proficiency, practicing only one martial art was simply not enough. Moreover, being excellent in both saber and sword, with three saber techniques, three sword techniques, and three divine skills sounded too good to pass up, right? Plus, it could also serve to confuse adversaries and conceal his true strength. The enemy thought they were adept at Saber Technique, and after painstakingly researching strategies specifically against it, Id then pull out a longsword and slaughter them left and right. Isnt that feeling delightful? Given the existence of all those crafty old foxes and sly saints, the notion of a one-size-fits-all solution is certainly far from reality. As someone practicing martial arts, you must always have a few tricks up your sleeve that no one else knows about. Um Ill continue using the saber on the surface. It comes in handy when cutting people down. A seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade Martial Artist appeared at Longxing Martial Arts Hall. This news quickly spread throughout Huangtong Mansion. After all, Huangtong Mansion City is not that large a place, and only a few can afford and have the connections to acquire powerful spiritual medicine. Moreover, to reach the Ninth Grade, merely taking medicine is insufficient; one must also cultivate their foundational stance to Perfection, allowing the supplemented Qi and blood to be catalyzed into strength. In addition, you need to have a Ninth Grade technique also cultivated to Perfection, which is even more challenging than accumulating strength. After all, strength can be augmented with spiritual medicine to catalyze Qi and blood, but for techniques, one can only rely on hard practice and cannot depend on external forces at all. It was because Sun Zhengping had perfected the Autumn Rain Thirteen Swords technique that he was deemed the most promising Martial Artist under thirty to reach Ninth Grade in Huangtong Mansion City. Plus, with his substantial family wealth, as long as his foundational stance was proficient, he could use medicine to supplement his Qi and blood and catalyze his strength, thereby stepping into the realm of Ninth Grade for real. Taking all factors into account, those who could reach Ninth Grade before turning thirty were rare treasures throughout the whole Huangtong Mansion. A seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade Martial Artist! It was truly a shocking and awe-inspiring event! It could definitely set off a gossip frenzy in Huangtong Mansion City, making the name Zhou Heng the talk of the town, in every street and alley, tavern, and tea house. Within half a day, storytelling about Zhou Heng had gone live. In the afternoon, in a tea house in the south of the city, the Storyteller, fluent as a flowing river and eloquent as a blossoming lotus, narrated from the stage. He told of the battle between Zhou Heng and Sun Zhengping, a fight for the favor of the unparalleled beauty, Wang Qingqing, which was so fierce that it darkened the skies and obscured the sun and moon. The audience below, holding their tea bowls, listened intently. Among these listeners was a young master dressed in a white brocade robe, with handsome features, soft lines to his visage, and a mustache. He listened with a bobbing head, thoroughly engrossed in the progression of the story. Clap! Suddenly, there was a loud smack of the wooden fish, and the young master was abruptly pulled out of his reverie, waking up with a startled look as he turned his gaze toward the Storyteller on the stage. Only to hear and so Zhou Heng triumphed over Sun Zhengping, ultimately winning the favor of Miss Wang Qingqing and becoming her personal guard. If you would like to know what happens next, please come back for the next installment! After which, the Storyteller retreated to the back hall at lightning speed, not giving the audience a chance to react. After all, leaving an audience hanging could lead to trouble. That was the Storytellers experience. Every time he left them hanging, he would run away swiftly to avoid being caught by the audience. The young master, who was listening to a storytelling for the first time, had never seen such a move and stood there stunned for a while before standing up, exasperated and complaining, How could they do this!? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only To sneak out and not even hear a complete story!? But then, she remembered that the protagonist of the story, Zhou Heng, was from Huangtong Mansion City, so to find out what happened next, she could simply go and ask him directly. Heh, the uncles, aunts, and grandparents were right, I really am the smartest! The young masters eyes shone brightly as she dashed out of the tea house, planning to find Zhou Heng on her own. But after just a couple of steps, she stopped again, scratching her head and looking around, bewildered. She suddenly realized that she had no idea where in Huangtong Mansion City Zhou Heng actually was Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Chapter 44 But She Gave Too Much Chapter 44: Chapter 44 But She Gave Too Much Translator: 549690339 Zhou Heng, who had focused on practicing martial arts at the dojo all day, was unaware of how he had been touted by the outside world. Now, dusk was approaching. Stepping out of the dojo, Zhou Heng was walking home when he realized that people were looking at him somewhat differently. Young mens gazes were filled with envy. Young womens gazes were laced with admiration. Middle-aged men and women looked on with amazement. Elderly men and women passing by would also take a good look at him before sighing softly that comparisons are odious. Whats going on? Zhou Heng felt that something was amiss, he touched his face and thought to himself, Could it be that Ive become more handsome? Although he was already quite handsome, who would refuse to become even more so? After all, whether on Earth or in this world, looks often mattered. Like when opening a Fortune Bag. It wasnt until he bought two pounds of pork ribs from a butchers shop that he learned people were not only paying attention to him because he was handsome, but also because he was a Seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade. How did Zhou Heng find out? Because when he went to buy pork ribs, the butcher was beating his child with a knife. He was muttering to himself: Thatll teach you not to practice martial arts diligently, thatll teach you to slack off. Look at Zhou Heng, Ninth Grade at seventeen, and damn it, youre already thirteen and cant even maintain a proper horse stance. Ill have to ask your mom if shes cuckolded me, why are you so lazy!? Zhou Heng still remembered when he left, the butchers wife had just entered the door and, upon hearing her husbands words, immediately grabbed the pig-slaughtering knife from beside her and walked over to him. All he could do was wish that butcher good luck. Carrying two pounds of ribs and a pound of freshly purchased lotus root, he watched the setting sun in the distance and the sky filled with crimson hues. Walking on the road home. Zhou Heng truly felt this was life. Today, he planned to treat himself and stew a pot of lotus root and pork rib soup. Tomorrow, he had to go to the dojo earlier. The owner would personally confer upon him a new identity different from his role as an apprentice, and also assign him an independent training room. The key point was Tuition is free! And lunch was included! This instantly filled Zhou Heng with a great sense of happiness. Even though he no longer had the convenience of the internet, no computer, no games, this kind of leisurely and stable life, witnessing his own progress every day, seemed not too bad either. The only drawback was that money was a bit tight. In order to save, he had deliberately chosen the cheapest off-cuts for the two pounds of pork ribs he bought. The stew wouldnt taste like the ones he had on Earth. If only he had the chance to return to Earth for a visit, to see if his parents were doing well. Two and a half years already. Thinking of this, some emotions he had deliberately suppressed for a long time began to surface in Zhou Hengs heart. He shook his head, letting the fleeting memories dissipate from his mind. Theres no use thinking about these things right now. Focus on practicing martial arts, on cultivating the Martial Path, on studying Taoist Formulas! Actually, he had gotten used to this kind of mental adjustment, he said to himself silently, Gaining strength is everything! This was not a peaceful and tranquil world. The scene he had witnessed two years ago made Zhou Heng acutely aware that the saying when Immortals fight, mortals suffer1 was not mere talk. Had those two high-rank warriors fighting back then passed through his village, everyone there, including himself, would not have survived. Not even their bones would have remained. Besides these evident Immortals, there were ghosts and evil creatures breeding in the dark. One step at a time, lets secure the position of an outer sect disciple of the Chang Xing Sect first. At least sixty taels of regular income a year, and the chance to rent a mid-range room in the Chang Xing Tower for ten taels of silver for a year cant be missed. This is indeed making a killing! Before he had even left the city, Zhou Heng confirmed that someone was following him. It was a young nobleman wearing a white brocade robe, with a jade crown on his head, not tall and even somewhat slender. This left him feeling mystified. I dont seem to have offended anyone, he thought, so why would someone be trailing me? Moreover, judging by how this person concealed his footsteps and their agility, they were at least a Ninth Rank Warrior, and possibly even Eighth Rank. So, when he was close to the city gate, Zhou Heng stopped in a secluded alley. No one around. Only the shadow behind him continued to skulk. Come out, Zhou Heng said sternly, What are your intentions for following me? No one responded. No one came out. It was as quiet as chickens. Come out! Zhou Heng called out again, his voice not too quiet, and his hand was already on the hilt of his knife. Clang! The sound of something being stepped on came from a corner of the wall. Ah! Not good! Immediately after, a young master dressed in a white brocade robe, with a gentle and handsome appearance, walked out from that corner of the wall. Compared to her appearance in the teahouse, she now had a folding fan in her hand. This young master She smiled, about to greet Zhou Heng, and at the same time, she flicked open the folding fan in her hand. Pop! She seemed to be mimicking the way the storyteller opened his fan; however, she used too much force, and the brand-new fan split right down the middle, tearing the fan surface into two pieces. The breeze caused by the splitting fan also blew her fake mustache askew. Yet she was completely unaware of this. Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. What on earth was this person doing? Performance art?? This, this was an accident, just an accident, the young master said with an awkward smile, hiding the broken fan behind her back, trying to regain her composure. Excuse me, are you Zhou Heng? No, Im not Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng denied, while keeping his composure, his wariness suddenly heightened. He had heard Lin Cang speak of such matters in the martial world. If someone followed you or tried to ambush you, and they also asked if you were a certain person, that meant you might be facing an assassination. The persons target was your life. Ah? The young master scratched their head, after making quite an inquiry, how could it not be? The young master was somewhat puzzled, Arent you the Zhou Heng who fought a great battle with Sun Zhengping, competing for Wang Qjngqings final favor? What the heck?? Zhou Heng was flabbergasted. What was all this about? Since when had he battled Sun Zhengping and competed for Wang Qingqing? Thats the story the storyteller was telling Seeing Zhou Hengs reaction, the young master was utterly baffled and briefly recounted the content of the storytellers tale to Zhou Heng. It turned out that the story involved not only romantic entanglements but also meetings with immortals in dreams who bestowed Taoist formulas, reincarnation of ancient divine beings, and so forth. Of course, the most ludicrous part was the claim that Zhou Heng fought Sun Zhengping because of his love for Wang Qingqing. Zhou Heng listened with his mouth agape. Are storytellers in this world always so incredible? Even fan fiction should follow some rules, right? It was too preposterous! Do you want to know what happens next in the story? Zhou Heng, suppressing the desire to critique internally, took a deep breath, and said, I cannot comment on that, miss. Please, you should go home. How can you, the protagonist of the story, have no comment? The young master shook her head, then let out a light eep, and suddenly became pale with shock. She staggered backward, pointing at Zhou Heng, exclaiming in astonishment, No, how did you find out!?? Im not blind Zhou Hengs mouth twitched slightly, pointing to his lips. And besides, anyone with a working brain could tell youre a girl just by looking at that exceptionally handsome face. Oh no! Why is it crooked! The girl touched the little mustache above her lips, straightened it quickly, and then looked at Zhou Heng again, There, its fixed. You really dont know the rest of the story? Zhou Heng was speechless, sighing, Miss, youd better go home early, lest you get deceived by someone outside. He was sincerely offering a warning. After all, it appeared this girls mind wasnt working too well. Hmm, the girls eyes wandered, glancing at the spareribs in Zhou Hengs hand, smiling, What if I pay you to tell me, how about that? Eh? Did she deduce that I was short on money from the cut of spareribs Ive bought? Zhou Heng was taken aback but still shook his head, Im not that kind of person Hmm how much are you offering? One hundred taels, the girl beamed. Deal! Zhou Heng immediately nodded, decisively agreeing, which left the girl somewhat dumbstruck. The Golden Crow was hanging low, and the setting suns rays shone through the tree leaves, falling upon a small path in the woodland. A luxuriously decorated carriage was slowly moving along. Inside the carriage, a young man in his twenties, holding a sword, sat quietly. He had a handsome face and slightly tanned skin, as if he was often exposed to the sun. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was none other than Kong Chengshun, the Law Enforcement Elders direct disciple from the Chang Xing Sect. A promising young man, ranked ninety-ninth on the lists of martial artists, and already an Eighth Rank Martial Artist in the Martial Path at the age of twenty-three, known as Sunset Flying Sword. Thud thud. At that moment, a knocking sound came from outside the carriage, accompanied by a voice asking, Brother Kong, weve just received a message by carrier pigeon. Its a letter for you. Kong Chengshun slowly opened his eyes, From whom? The voice outside said, Its from Master Huang Jingfu of the Tongchang Martial Arts School. Do you want to see it, Brother Kong? No need, Kong Chengshun said indifferently, Burn it. Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Obstructing Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Obstructing Translator: 549690339 | Under the cover of night, the silver moon hid amidst the clouds. Midnight. Atop the roof of Zhou Hengs house. Pei Luoling sat there, her bright, wide eyes staring expectantly at Zhou Heng, unable to resist urging him, And then? What happened next? Was this genius named Xiao Yan really just allowing himself to be bullied? And why did his cultivation regress? Was someone framing him? Ah, the story you tell is so much more interesting than the one the storyteller narrates! Hurry up, quick, keep going, please- At this moment, she was like a hungry chick waiting to be fed by Zhou Heng. During the day, after Zhou Heng took the hundred silver notes, he brought this girl disguised as a boy back to his home. And, on the way, he learned this little girls name. She claimed her name was Luoling. But in fact, thanks to a System prompt, Zhou Heng already knew her name was Pei Luoling. C This little girl unconsciously used light-body martial arts when she walked, and after seeing this, Zhou Heng naturally received System prompts and proficiency. However, after bringing Pei Luoling home, Zhou Heng did not continue the storytellers narrative. Instead, he suggested telling her a different story. Assuredly more interesting than something like The Love and Hatred Entanglement of Zhou Heng and Miss Wang of the Wang Family. Because that was just too embarrassing. Even if Zhou Heng was motivated by the prospect of making easy money, he still found it difficult to speak of. Initially, Pei Luoling disagreed. So Zhou Heng began by telling her the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Pei Luoling became so engrossed in the tale. She immediately lost interest in the continuation of Zhou Heng and Miss Wangs story. And agreed to Zhou Heng telling her other stories. Zhou Heng, who had written web novels on Earth in his previous life, knew exactly which stories would be surefire hits for such newbies who had not heard many stories before. Battle Through the Heavens! Indeed, just as he expected, with just the beginning, Pei Luoling listened with rapt attention, completely captivated. Seeing her eagerness, Zhou Heng smiled, shook his head, and said, Miss Luoling, its not that I dont want to continue, but its getting late, and tomorrow I must go to the martial arts hall and need to rest. But Im so looking forward to the rest of the story Pei Luoling looked a bit aggrieved, but then she brightened up and said, Then, then Ill give you another hundred silver notes if you keep going, is that okay? My goodness! This girl is too wealthy! Zhou Heng was stunned internally, but still shookhis head and said, No, I really need to sleep. Tomorrow was the day the Longxing Martial Arts Halls master would reward him and there would be all kinds of things to handle, so best to rest early to maintain ample spirit. Two hundred silver notes! Pei Luoling promptly upped her offer. Let me think about it? Zhou Heng was tempted, but he resisted. I am a new-era martial artist with perseverance, integrity, and aspirations. How can I bow down for two hundred silver notes?? But two hundred silver notes Thats enough for twenty practices of Palm Thunder! Three hundred silver notes, I want to hear the continuation! Pei Luoling took out three silver notes from her bosom and placed them in front of Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng was heartily moved, but after a fierce internal struggle, he decided to shake his head and say, Miss Luoling, I really have important matters tomorrow, why dont you come back tomorrow night to listen? After saying this, he felt as though his own heart was bleeding. Three hundred silver notes! What job could earn you three hundred silver notes in one night? The world has too many wealthy people! Alright then. Pei Luoling seemed a little disappointed. However, she did not take back the silver notes but instead left them in Zhou Hengs hand, saying, Then take these three hundred silver notes first. Im booking the story for tomorrow night. Then, she directly dropped off the rooftop and with a few leaps, left, disappearing into the night. Zhou Heng held the three silver notes in his hand, slightly dazed, thinking, Should I change careers and become a storyteller? Is being a Literary Pirate in another world this easy to get by? Sss, why is it a bit cold?? For some reason, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. It was as if a cold night breeze had poured in, but after looking around, he didnt find anything unusual, so he leaped off the rooftop to go back inside and rest. Preparing to go to the martial arts hall first thing tomorrow morning. The next morning, at dawn. Longxing Martial Arts Hall. The hall master Lei Xiuyan, who rarely showed himself, patted Zhou Heng on the shoulder and said with a smile, Young Zhou, such an excellent youth! Seventeen years old and Ninth Grade, truly a future without limits. Master Lei flatters me. Zhou Heng replied politely. Lei Xiuyan was a middle-aged man in his fifties, tall and burly with well- defined muscles. His strength was also remarkable, at the peak of Eighth Rank, and it was estimated that in another couple of years, he would reach Seventh Rank. His martial talent was not bad, having reached Ninth Grade in his thirties and Eighth Grade in his forties. If not for the worries and efforts he had put into the martial arts hall, he might have already been at Seventh Rank by now. Naturally, he was very pleased that someone like Zhou Heng, a young genius, had emerged from his martial arts hall. As for the specific details regarding Zhou Heng, Lei Xiuyan had already heard them from Lin Cang. He was extremely satisfied. If Zhou Heng could be chosen to be an outer disciple of Changxing Gate, then Longxing Martial Arts Hall would receive significant support from them, greatly improving all aspects quickly. Even if Zhou Heng was not selected as an outer disciple by Changxing Gate, the label Seventeen years old and Ninth Grade could still be used as a golden signboard for Longxing Martial Arts Hall in the future. With this golden signboard, recruiting quality apprentices would become much easier, and more money would come in, allowing the hall to expand its scale and gradually develop. Thus, under the leadership of Lei Xiuyan, in front of all the trainers and apprentices, Zhou Heng was allocated an independent training room, along with the privilege to learn Eighth Rank martial arts for free, including benefits like free lunch. This series of benefits filled the apprentices with envy, and even some of the trainers envied him since they needed to accumulate teaching credits to learn Eighth Rank martial arts. But Zhou Heng could learn it directly. Indeed, people should not compare themselves to others, and certainly not to geniuses. In the end, Lei Xiuyan also awarded Zhou Heng the position of a newly- appointed trainer with a monthly salary of ten silver notes, completely freeing him from the status of a martial arts student. This salary was a notch higher than that of a normal new trainer, which was eight silver notes. However, nobody objected. As members of the same martial arts hall, it was only natural to establish good relations with a genius like Zhou Heng. After completing the commendation for Zhou Heng, Lei Xiuyan called Lin Cang along to the Prefectural citys Buwu Office. They were there to help Zhou Heng apply for support from the prefectural city. They also planned to apply for some support for Longxing Martial Arts Hall. C Da Qi valued martial prowess, and the provincial and prefectural governments had support policies for martial arts halls and outstanding young martial artists, as long as certain conditions were met to apply to the Buwu Office. However, these conditions were quite stringent, and with only one quota available each year, it was not easy to succeed in the application. In pastyears, Longxing Martial Arts Hall didnt even qualify to apply. Of course, now with Zhou Heng who stepped into Ninth Grade at seventeen, Longxing Martial Arts Hall undoubtedly met the requirements. According to the support policy of Huangtong Prefectural city, If the support was granted, Longxing Martial Arts Hall would receive a funding of two thousand silver notes for teaching and development. Zhou Heng himself would also get a reward of two hundred silver notes and the right to one weapon forging worth three hundred silver notes. Among the weapons of Lower Third Rank, those forged by the Imperial Court were undoubtedly the highest quality, significantly stronger than the average weapons in the hands of commoners in the pugilist world. Moreover, one could design the appearance and special functions of the weapon. This weapon forging right was actually a very excellent form of support. Buwu Office Hall. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang had already submitted the necessary application materials. They were now waiting for the result. Master, can we really get the application approved? Lin Cang asked quietly, a bit anxious as it was his first time accompanying someone to apply for this support policy. Dont worry, Lei Xiuyan smiled and reassured, With a seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade like Zhou Heng, our application cant possibly fail. Stop worrying, Old Lin. Thats true. With a genius like Zhou Heng, weve surely secured the Buwu Offices support. Lin Cang said with a laugh, feeling somewhat more at ease. Is that so? A voice tinged with a hint of mockery suddenly rang out. A slender young man emerged from the inner hall of the Buwu Office. He looked at Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan with a smile that was not quite a smile and said, In this world, theres no such thing as a certainty. Dont get ahead of yourself. After saying that, he left the Buwu Office Hall and strode away. Lin Gangs and Lei Xiuyans expressions immediately turned grim. That was Tao Feng from Changsheng Martial Arts Hall, a Ninth Grade trainer. Lin Gangs brows furrowed as he spoke in a solemn voice, Whats he doing here at the Buwu Office? Changsheng Martial Arts Hall hasnt had any notable achievements this year. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Theres something fishy going on. Lei Xiuyan also furrowed his brow, but he still comforted, There shouldnt be any issues. With Zhou Hengs achievements, the Buwu Office definitely wont stonewall us. Just at that moment, a minor official in a green robe came out from the inner hall, holding an envelope, which he handed over to Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang before heading back. This envelope likely contained the results of their application review. See, I told you there would be no problems, Lei Xiuyan said with a smile as he opened the envelope. But after seeing the contents, his smile froze, and his expression turned to one of disbelief and confusion. How, how is this possible!? Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Chapter 46 The Pei Family of Pingzhou Chapter 46: Chapter 46 The Pei Family of Pingzhou Translator: 549690339 Martial Arts Affairs Office. This is an institution within the prefectural city government that specifically manages various affairs related to the citys martial arts halls, consisting of one chief officer, two aides, and several bailiffs. The establishment and closure of martial arts halls, applications for various support policies, exchange activities between martial arts halls, as well as the myriad of matters required for sects to select disciples at the martial arts halls, all such things are handled by this office. In an era where martial arts thrived and martial halls were found everywhere, the power and benefits of the Martial Arts Affairs Office were significant. Both the chief officer and aides were considered local celebrities, highly esteemed, while also maintaining close relations with various major martial arts halls. The current chief officer of the Martial Arts Affairs Office in Huangtong Mansion was named Tian Chong, who was once an apprentice at the Tongchang Martial Arts Hall. In his twenties, he had already entered Ninth Grade and later left the martial arts hall to work as a bailiff at the Martial Arts Affairs Office. After more than twenty years of struggling and with the covert support of Huang Jingfu, he secured his position here. As the head of the Martial Arts Affairs Office, his power was immense. Not to mention other benefits, just the decision-making power for support applications from martial arts halls and young martial artists was in his hands alone, which in itself was a substantial advantage. Of course, the outcome of these support applications was scrutinized by many, and sometimes the mansions lord, Wu Zongshan, would inquire about related matters. Even though Tian Chong held sole decision-making power within the Martial Arts Affairs Office, he still couldnt be too reckless. At this moment, within the inner hall of the Martial Arts Affairs Office. Tian Chong was leisurely sipping tea, a habit he and Huang Jingfu had developed together, as they often enjoyed tea in each others company. One of the aides beside him, however, had a troubled expression. Glancing at the materials that had just been judged on the table, the aide gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and said, Chief Officer, it doesnt seem quite proper to just reject it like this. The other aide, who had initially been dozing off, was now wide awake upon hearing this. Opening his eyes, he glanced at his colleague and said, Feng He, are you questioning the Chief Officers decision? Ren Guang! You, you must not slander me! Feng Hes face turned red with indignation and said, I just think that Zhou Heng is indeed a genius, and there are rumors that he is valued by the lord of the mansion. And you still say youre not questioning the Chief Officer? Ren Guang sneered. Our duty as aides is to assist the Chief Officer, not to question him aimlessly! Enough, Tian Chong put down his tea bowl and casually tossed the materials regarding Zhou Heng and Longxing Martial Arts Hall aside, smiling, You two should stop bickering all the time. As for the support application for Zhou Heng and Longxing Martial Arts Hall, theres a reason Ive held it back. Zhou Heng broke through to Ninth Grade by consuming medicine, and in the upcoming Chang Xing Sect selection, he is to compete in martial arts with Kong Chengshun. Kong Chengshun is a true disciple of the Chang Xing Sect, Eighth Rank in the Martial Path, ranked ninety-ninth on the list of warriors, among the strongest of the younger generation. Zhou Hengs chances of winning a match against him, even just for testing purposes, are nearly none. If our Martial Arts Affairs Office were to provide support policy in advance and then our key-supported martial artist were to lose under the public eye, it would inevitably lead to criticism against us. If he were to somehow win by chance, then giving out the support policy in the name of a reward later on would not only be more fitting for the occasion but also safer, wouldnt it? This Feng He was puzzled, the explanation seemed to make sense, but he felt something wasnt quite right. What this? The Chief Officer has explained it so clearly. Ren Guang sneered. You still dont understand? But the lord of the mansion Feng He remained worried. Was I not clear enough just now? Tian Chong glanced at Feng He and said indifferently, Holding back this application now is a matter of course, without any issues, even if the lord of the mansion himself came, he couldnt say anything. The subordinate understands, Feng He had no choice but to nod and said, The Chief Officer is wise. Good that you understand, Tian Chong smiled and said, Actually, if Zhou Heng really could win in the competition, it wouldnt be impossible to raise the support level up a notch for him. It was just a pity that he definitely wouldn t win. On the way back from the Martial Arts Affairs Office to Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan traveled to a quiet and deserted spot. Hall Master, what happened, why was it rejected? Finally, Lin Cang couldnt help but ask, his face full of confusion, unable to understand the situation. Its Huang Jingfus doing! Lei Xiuyan said darkly, Tian Chong used to be from Tongchang Martial Arts Hall and has a good relationship with Huang Jingfu. Hes helpingTongchang and Changsheng suppress Zhou Heng. Is he mad? By what right? Is he not afraid that the lord of the mansion will intervene? Lin Cang asked incomprehensibly, And what benefit does this bring him? The reason Tian Chong gave is very legitimate, beyond dispute. Lei Xiuyan shook his head and said in a deep voice, Let alone that the lord of the mansion might not pay attention to this matter, even if he did inquire, there would be nothing to fault. As for the benefits, its nothing but money. By holding back support for Zhou Heng and Longxing, naturally, he would give preference to another place. Once Zhou Heng is defeated, he can rightfully transfer the support to whoever gets the external disciple spot at the Chang Xing Sect selection, be it Tongchang or Changsheng. By that time, Chang Xing Sect will also provide some support funds. Could it be that Tian Chong wont benefit from this? The mighty Martial Deployment Director actually wants to conspire with a martial arts hall to embezzle support funds?? Lin Cang was shocked beyond belief and incredulously said, How dare he, where does he get such gall? Isnt he afraid of being dealt with by the Master of Huangtong Mansion? Tian Chong is very good at currying favor and attaching himself to others, Lei Xiuyan sighed and continued, Ive heard before that his daughter has been involved with a collateral member of the Pei family from the County City. You know that the Martial Deployment Director of the Prefectural City is directly appointed by the County Citys Military Department, and the father of that collateral member of the Pei family is the chief director of the County Citys Military Department. And youre also aware of the status of the Pei family. Do you think that the Master of Huangtong Mansion would really risk offending the Pei family just to deal with Tian Chong for the sake of Zhou Heng? The Pei family. Upon hearing this, Lin Cang could only let out a bitter laugh and sigh, Pingzhou Pei, one of the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi, the Celestial Human Clan, with the Family Head Pei Hongdao being a Fourth Rank peerless expert ranked ninth on the Earth Ranking and holding the position of Prefectural Governor of Pingzhou County As he spoke, he found himself unable to continue. The answer was quite apparent. Huangtong Mansion is a subordinate administrative region of Pingzhou County. Master Wu Zongshan would simply not risk dealing with Tian Chong for the sake of Zhou Heng, as that would mean offending a colossal entity. Even if the connection Tian Chong had was just a collateral line, it was still enough to make Wu Zongshan apprehensive. The Pei family, untouchable indeed, Lei Xiuyan shook his head and said, Not to mention that Tian Chongs reason for rejection is hard to argue against, even if there were a real issue in the end, the Master of Huangtong Mansion would most likely turn a blind eye. Alas, I originally thought that Tian Chong would not be so brazen and would at least follow the rules. I did not expect he would become this audacious. The trainer Tao Feng from the Changsheng Martial Arts Hall who we ran into earlier is likely here to mock us Sigh, its Zhou Heng I feel sorry for. Such a talent and yet he cant obtain the support he deserves. It is a pity, truly a pity. Is there really no way to do something about this? Lin Cang didnt want Zhou Heng to suffer such an injustice. Theres no way out of this, Lei Xiuyan seemed to deflate, as if he had aged a decade in an instant, and shook his head, Perhaps it is fate. We at Longxing have finally found a prodigy, yet we still face such adversity. As long as Zhou Heng emerges victorious in the test duels, everything will be resolved, Lin Cang was somewhat indignant and declared, I am going back right now and I will make sure he masters the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword to perfection! At dusk. Zhou Heng ended a day of training and headed straight to bed. His waist and back ached, and his wrists were numb. He hadnt stopped all day, practicing the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword continuously. Lin Cang was like a man possessed, supervising him the whole time in the private training room, insisting he did not stop for even a moment. If it werent for the fact that his Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method could now operate on its own at any time, quickly restoring his fatigue, he would have been completely exhausted after just one day. Of course, the gains were considerable. [Eighth Rank]Dugu Nine Swords Sword-breaking Technique: Advanced (2658/3000) [Eighth Rank]Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword: Advanced (152/3000) In just one day, he had brought the proficiency of the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword from intermediate to advanced, and he was one step closer to mastering the Sword-breaking Technique! After lying down for a while, Zhou Heng got up from bed, planning to take a bath and burn incense, and then open the two Silver Fortune Bags and one Copper Fortune Bag he had obtained. Fortune Bags cant give birth to little Fortune Bags by just sitting there. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Better to open them and be thrilled. However, just as he got out of bed, he heard a tapping on the roof tiles. Soon after, a crisp and pleasant female voice reached him. Brother Zhou, Im here to listen to your stories. It was Pei Luoling. Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Everything is As Expected Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Everything is As Expected Translator: 549690339 Miss, youve come early. Zhou Heng flipped over to the rooftop and was slightly taken aback by the young girls attire. Today, Pei Luoling was still dressed as a boy, in a snow-white brocade robe with a white jade belt tied around her waist. The folding fan in her hand was intact, it seems she had bought a new one. However, she did not stick on a mustache over her lips, which fully revealed her delicate features. She still looked somewhat young and tender, seeming to be only around fifteen or sixteen years old. Ive been constantly thinking about the continuation of the story, Pei Luoling said, her smile blooming like flowers. As she spoke, she took a large food box from nearby and opened it, saying, A story needs to be accompanied by good food, and I have brought everything. The food box had several layers, which she took out one by one. Beef slices, mutton slices, fish fillets, large shrimp, green vegetables, tofu, lotus root slices, and a whole series of food items were taken out by her. At the bottom layer of the food box was a copper pot. Around it were various dipping sauces: Sesame paste, sesame oil, minced garlic, fermented bean curd, coriander, chive blossoms, chopped green onions, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and the like were all available. After taking out all these things, her bright eyes looked at Zhou Heng and said, Brother Zhou, you have water here, right? Well need some water for the gu dong soup. Zhou Heng was a bit stunned looking at all these dishes, dipping sauces, and utensils. This isnt this just hotpot?! Yes, theres water, of course! Zhou Heng replied, also somewhat excited, as he flipped over to fetch water. Having crossed over two and a half years ago, he had almost forgotten the taste of hotpot, which he missed dearly. In life, only hotpot and money should never be let down. Unfortunately, this seemed not to be a Sichuan-style beef tallow hotpot, but more like a clear broth Old Beijing copper pot mutton hotpot. Although both were Zhou Hengs favorites, after not having eaten it for so long, he still craved for some strong and stimulating flavors. The water was quickly fetched. Poured into the copper pot, Pei Luoling threw in a couple of scallions and a few slices of ginger, added a pinch of salt, and the soup base was ready. Then, she pulled out a fist-sized bead from who knows where, wiped it gently, and threw it under the copper pot. The surface of the bead quickly emitted red light, and released heat, resembling hot coals, heating the copper pot. Gu dong gu dong. The clear broth in the copper pot quickly boiled, and beef slices, mutton slices, lotus root slices and so on were continuously added to the pot. Swished around and fished out. Rolled in a mix of sesame paste, chive blossoms, fermented bean curd, vinegar, and other sauces, it was truly a mouth-watering delight once tasted. What is this called? This is called happiness!! Eating hotpot and telling stories. This made Zhou Heng inadvertently recall the days back in school, when he would eat meat, drink with roommates and boast together. Earth ah Pei Luoling was immersed in the story Zhou Heng was telling, but her chopsticks never stopped, continuously bringing all sorts of food to her little mouth. Her fair little face was smeared with some sesame paste, but she hadnt noticed, still engrossed in the story. Gradually, the food began to run low, and the water in the copper pot was also nearly dried out. Looking at the sky, Zhou Heng smiled and said, Its about time, the story for today will also come to a close, Miss. If you want to hear more, you can always come back another day. Ah, is it over so soon? Pei Luoling stuck out her tongue to lick the sauce on her lips, clearly still wanting more, but she didnt push Zhou Heng further and nodded, Mhmm, Ill come back tomorrow. As she said this, she took out three hundred-tael silver notes and handed them to Zhou Heng, saying, This is the money for tomorrows story. Thankyou, Zhou Heng said with a smile as he accepted them. He wasnt a fussy person; since Pei Luoling was generous, he naturally had no reason to refuse. See you tomorrow. Pei Luoling said goodbye with a light smile and left. After Pei Luoling had left, Zhou Heng took thirty taels of gold from the house. This was exchanged at the money exchange with the 300 silver notes he had from before. It was to be used as material for practicing Palm Thunder. Although his Yang Energy had been sealed, and it was highly unlikely that any more ghosts would be attracted, no one could guarantee that ghosts wouldnt appear here by accident for various reasons. Having Taoist Formulas at hand was always better than being at a loss when dealing with ghosts. Boom! Boom Boom!! Under the night sky, the golden thunder was incessant. Even though Zhou Heng had specifically chosen a secluded place in the suburbs to practice, the successive sounds of thunder still woke many people from their sleep, causing them to curse the damn heavens a few times. After practicing more than ten times, Zhou Heng also realized that he could not continue in this way for short periods, as it would easily raise suspicions and lead to an investigation. Therefore, for the remaining practices, he planned to spread them out over a few days, practicing every couple of days. By doing so, the situation would probably be better. It wouldnt draw too much attention. After returning home, Zhou Heng continued with the plans he had before Pei Luoling had arrived. Bathing and burning incense. Hoping that this time, he would have a lucky hand. Fortune Bag [Copper]: Contains all things under heaven, nothing is lacking. Upon opening, one can obtain unexpected rewards. Open! Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts, youve obtained the Martial Arts Six Routines Plum Blossom Hand [Seventh Rank]! What!? Six Routines Plum Blossom Hand! Seventh Rank Martial Arts!? Zhou Heng thought he had heard wrong. After confirming several times, he was sure that he had indeed drawn a Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique. He drew a Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique from a Copper Fortune Bag! And it was an extremely powerful Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique at that. According to the information known by Zhou Heng: The Six Routines Plum Blossom Hand, also known as the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, is the essence of the carefree factions. Three routines palm technique, three routines capturing technique, including six routines of martial arts. Theoretically, any move or martial arts technique in the world could be incorporated into the Six Routines Plum Blossom Hand. Of course, in this world where the Martial Path could lead to gods and immortals, the Six Routines Plum Blossom Hand definitely couldnt achieve that effect, but there was no doubt that it was an extremely powerful Martial Arts for the Lower Third Rank stage. It also avoided the situation where he would lose more than half of his combat power if he lost his weapon. When I had not yet reached Entry Rank, I could pull an Eighth Rank Martial Arts technique with a Copper Fortune Bag. Now that I am Ninth Grade, it seems normal to pull a Seventh Rank technique? Zhou Heng pondered thoughtfully, murmuring, It seems that the rank of the items that can be drawn from the Fortune Bag is indeed related to my Cultivation Realm. In that case, should I keep those two Silver Luck Bags for now? After careful consideration, Zhou Heng decided not to open the two Silver Luck Bags just yet. He would wait until his Cultivation progressed further to open them, thus confirming his previous speculation. Of course, he felt it was very likely he wouldnt be able to resist opening them in two days. Quite honestly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was an old problem he had while playing card-drawing mobile games on Earth. The next day. In the Deliberation Hall of the Tongchang Martial Arts School. Tian Chong sat across from Huang Jingfu, sipped the tea lightly, and smiled, The tea here at the head instructors place gets better and better. Kong Chengshun is arriving tomorrow, has the head instructor thought of a strategy? Please rest assured, President Tian, Huang Jingfu smiled confidently, By that time, Zhou Heng will have no chance to use a sword, and everything will develop within my expectations. Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Plotting to Dominate the Gold Market Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Plotting to Dominate the Gold Market Translator: 549690339 Since the old hall owner has already arranged everything, I can rest easy, Tian Chong nodded slightly and smiled, With this, the militarys support policy from the Martial Arts Division should be a sure thing for the old hall owners grandson. Do we know who the appointed weapon smith is this time? Huang Jingfu asked, his eyes filled with anticipation. In reality, for someone like Huang Jingfu who didnt lack money, the silver coin reward from the Martial Arts Divisions support policy wasnt important. What he cared about was that one-time right to weapon forging. The militarys designated weapon smith personally selected by the Martial Arts Division would take measurements for an individual to tailor and meticulously forge the most suitable weapon for them. If the materials used were exquisite enough and the smith put in genuine effort, it was possible for the weapons grade to significantly surpass that of commonly refined weapons, nearing the level of a superior weapon. In the era where martial arts prospered, the grades of weapons were also clearly differentiated: ordinary weapons, refined weapons, superior weapons, treasured weapons, divine weapons Although the right to forge a weapon was nominally worth only three hundred silver coins, this was the money allocated to the weapon smith by the Martial Arts Division and did not mean that the weapon created was worth only three hundred silver coins. Weapons of the superior grade, even within major martial dao sects and significant families, were only equipped by a select few disciples with exceptional talent, powerful strength, and infinite potential. Although the weapon smith designated by the Prefectural Martial Arts Divisions support policy could at most forge a weapon close to a superior grade, for martial artists from martial arts halls, this was the strongest weapon they could obtain. It was a fine object that couldnt be bought with money. Priceless! In the future, when traversing the martial world, having such a nearly superior grade weapon was undoubtedly akin to having an extra chance at preserving ones life. Dont worry, old hall owner, this time we have found Wang Ming, Tian Chong said with a smile. This seasoned weapon smith is over sixty, with abundant experience, an eighth-rank cultivation level, and profound inner qi, ensuring the forging of a weapon close to superior grade. Haha, Ive heard of Wang Ming. Over the years, he has forged quite a few weapons close to the superior grade, Huang Jingfu laughed heartily, On behalf of that unworthy grandson of mine, Id like to thank the Head of the Division in advance. Oh, old hall owner, youre too polite, Tian Chong said with a smile beaming across his face, We all have our needs, so lets get rich and progress together, haha. Exactly, exactly, haha! Huang Jingfus laughter was even more hearty. Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Zhou Hengs dedicated training room, where the force surged like wind. He wasnt wielding a weapon, but was practicing a set of hand techniques alternating between palm techniques that were sharp like a blade or a sword, and then bending his fingers into claws, employing grappling skills. It was evident that the techniques were exquisite, but Zhou Hengs movements were somewhat stiff and slow, clearly indicating he was practicing a martial art he had not yet mastered. You are diligently practicing the Seventh-Rank martial art Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand, proficiency +0.02. Congratulations! With persistent practice of the Seventh-Rank martial art Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand, the Heaven Rewards the Diligent effect has been triggered, deepening your understanding of the martial art, proficiency +0.12. Congratulations! The proficiency of the Seventh-Rank martial art Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand has reached 1, and you have officially learned this martial art. Congratulations! Since you have learned the Seventh-Rank martial art Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand, your comprehension of related lower-grade martial arts and Taoist formulas has greatly improved. Martial art Godly Power Eighteen Styles [Ninth Grade] proficiency +2000. Martial art Five Elements Wheel Palm [Ninth Grade] proficiency +1200. Taoist formula Palm Thunder [Eighth Rank] proficiency +200. Congratulations! Martial art Godly Power Eighteen Styles [Ninth Grade] proficiency has reached Perfection, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! Since you have a palm technique reach Perfection, your understanding of the related high-grade martial art Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand [Seventh Rank] has deepened, proficiency +100. This series of rewards nearly overwhelmed Zhou Heng. But really, it was exhilarating! Zhou Hengs eyes shone. The proficiency bonus from high-grade martial arts to lower-grade ones was truly terrifying. Even Palm Thunder, a Taoist formula, received a boost! Could it be because the attack method in Palm Thunder had a certain degree of relevance to palm techniques? Of course, the biggest bonus was still from the ninth-grade martial arts. The proficiency of Godly Power Eighteen Styles was initially close to great achievement. Now, it had skyrocketed by 2000, not only reaching Perfection but also virtually reaching the maximum proficiency limit. It also improved the proficiency of Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand! Thus, Zhou Heng once again assumed the stance and practiced Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand. This time, his movements were clearly much more practiced than before. As he executed the techniques, his movements were unpredictable, and his handwork intricately complex. Like an expert folding a plum blossom, the subtlety was profound. All sorts of martial arts, originally belonging to swordsmanship or saber technique, were perfectly recreated by Zhou Heng using nothing but his bare palms. In terms of power and ingenuity, they were not much weaker than when wielding weapons. If it wasnt for his still insubstantial inner qi, using only his bare hands, in terms of technique sophistication and power, could surpass that of wielding weapons! This martial art encompassed everything. It seemed only to include three palm techniques and three grappling methods, but in reality, it could integrate numerous martial arts within it. The deeper the inner qi and the more martial arts one was aware of, the more powerful the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand would become! This could definitely be considered one of the top martial arts at the Lower Third Rank. Zhou Heng felt the power of the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand and was overjoyed, thinking, With my current level, I can fully execute the Sword- Breaking Move, Qi-Breaking Move, Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword, and other martial arts barehanded, and their might is in no way inferior to any Eighth-Rank fist or palm martial art! Even though my internal strength isnt profound, with added agility and strength as base attributes, and the perceptive attribute to recognize an opponents weaknesses, using only my bare hands against an enemy, those below the Seventh Rank would hardly be my match. He felt a sense of eagerness to test his skills. Having just learned a powerful new martial art, he was eager to find someone to spar with. This is a common sentiment among people. Still, he restrained himself. Hmm, the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand can serve as my ace in the hole. Its best if only I know. You think my saber technique is profound? In fact, my swordsmanship is even stronger. You think Im best at swordsmanship? Actually, these hands of mine are stronger than both saber and sword techniques, hehe! Zhou Heng chuckled inwardly. His mood could be described as extremely delightful. So, he decided to open a Silver Luck Bag to boost his spirits, especially since he had just received a Copper Luck Bag. Opening a Silver Luck Bag seemed trivial in comparison. Indeed, in Zhou Hengs mind, he had already placed the Silver Luck Bag on a lower tier than the Copper Luck Bag. Fortune Bag [Silver]: It encompasses everything and lacks nothing. Upon opening, one may receive a reward that brings about a pleasant surprise. Open! Congratulations! You have obtained forging material: Meteoric Iron +1. Meteoric Iron: An extraordinary ore that has absorbed starlight, much like a star that has fallen to earth. If used in forging a weapon, it can endow the weapon with the power of the stars, causing the enemys attacks to veer off their original trajectory. As expected, it wasnt a ridiculously lucky result. As soon as the prompt ended, Zhou Heng felt a slight weight in his hand upon taking a closer look, he discovered what seemed to be a chunk of ore. The pitch-black surface was glinting with a bright silvery luster, quite beautiful to behold. It was about the size of an infants fist; even a normal ore should have some heft to it. Yet, when Zhou Heng held this piece of Meteoric Iron in his hand, he only felt a slight weight, as if he were holding a slightly heavier paper ball. Extremely light. Its an excellent sword forging material, Zhou Heng felt tempted but shook his head after thinking it over carefully, letting out a slight sigh, To forge a sword with such material requires a high level of skill, and I dont know any sword-forging masters. Moreover, the more adept casters in Huangtong Mansion are all in the military, and they are not accessible to ordinary folk like me. Ill have to wait until I travel the pugilistic world to see if there are any opportunities. Clip-clop, clip-clop! The sound of horse hooves echoed in the small mountain path within the canyon as the carriage moved slowly. Kong Chengshun wasnt inside the carriage but sat on the roof, still cradling his beloved longsword. He glanced at the midday sun and frowned, Zhao Junior Brother, Song Junior Brother, do you think we could shoot down the sun in the sky? Zhao and Song exchanged a look, both saw the wry smile on the others face. Brother Kong, the sun is high above; how could we shoot it down? Yes, shooting the sun is mythological. Both shook their heads. They were Inner Sect Disciples from the Chang Xing Sect accompanying Kong Chengshun to Huangtong Mansion City. They were not highly skilled, merely ordinary Ninth Rank, and had no reputation to speak of within the pugilistic world. Their task was to take care of Kongs needs en route. Its too stuffy inside the carriage. You two really are dull. Kong Chengshun shook his head, no longer coveting the sun above, and inquired, Have you received any news about Zhou Heng from Huangtong Mansion City? He had been busy during the trip; although he didnt receive Huang Jingfus letter, it didnt mean he was oblivious to the affairs within Huangtong Mansion City. Kong Chengshun was quite interested in Zhou Heng, who had suddenly ascended to Ninth Rank. Upon learning of this, he had sent the two junior brothers with him to send a message to some of the Outer Sect Disciples in Huangtong Mansion City to gather information about Zhou Heng. C Outer Sect Disciples of a sect in the prefectural city werent necessarily only in martial halls. In reality, they might be found in various industries. After all, a martial sect also needed to eat, hence the need for money, which meant they had to have businesses and people to run them. These roles were usually filled by Outer Sect Disciples. They had already received a reply. The Zhao-named disciple handed a note to Kong Chengshun on the carriages roof, saying, Brother Kong, this is the summary report from the manager of Changxing Tower regarding Zhou Heng. Its quite detailed. Mhm. Kong Chengshun nodded slightly, took the note, and read aloud in a low voice, Zhou Heng, 17 years old, Martial Arts Student at Longxing Martial Arts Hall, trainer Lin Cang, practicing martial arts for two years, with astonishing talent in saber techniques. One month ago, he perfected the Cleaving Mountain Sword Technique, and with his exquisite Taoist moves, he forced the thirty-ninth ranked Small Green Wood Sword Liu Changsheng to retreat more than three steps. He received a Tiger Bone Refining Pill from Liu Changsheng, and to save a fellow apprentice, he took the pill and broke through to Ninth Rank Hey, he seems to be a person of loyalty and righteousness. At this point, he turned to the Zhao-named disciple and smiled, You must have read the letter from Huang Jingfu before. Does the emergence of this Zhou Heng make him panic? This The Zhao-named disciple was silent. He was also from Huang Jingfus Tongchang Martial Arts Hall. Dont be nervous; I dont blame you. People think I am strict and impartial, but they dont know that I understand human feelings and worldly affairs too, Kong Chengshun chuckled, jumped down from the carriage roof, and said, You two continue to drive the carriage to Huangtong Mansion City. Ill go ahead. Having said that, he engaged his Qinggong and leaped forward. Brother Kong!? Zhao and Song were stunned and wanted to ask. But in the blink of an eye, Kong Chengshun had already disappeared. Leaving the two staring at each other, at a loss. Under the night sky, the stars shone brilliantly. Pei Luoling had already listened to the story for the day and departed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Now, Zhou Heng was sitting cross-legged on the bed, circulating his inner Qi, inhaling and exhaling gently and continuously. He was practicing the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, looking towards the window. His gaze was sharp like the light of a lamp in the dark, blazing and bright, as if the room were aglow with ethereal white. Whos there!? Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Chapter 49 You go out first Chapter 49: Chapter 49 You go out first Translator: 549690339 Zhou Hengs perception was extremely sharp, especially after his insight increased by +1. Even when he was focused on cultivating his inner strength, he could immediately detect any movements nearby. Now, someone was standing on the roof of his house. However, after Zhou Hengs low shout just now, there was no response, nor were there any follow-up sounds. Could it be a thief? he muttered with a slight frown, subconsciously pushing the silver notes deeper into his embrace, thinking, Could someone have seen me exchanging gold at the gold shop earlier? Someone wants to steal my gold?! At this thought, Zhou Heng immediately became angry, grabbed the steel sabre beside his bed, rushed out, and shouted sternly, Who is there, show yourself immediately! Your landlord is here! Zhou Heng, wont you sleep?? An angry shout suddenly came from the main house, warning, This is your last chance. If it happens again, old lady will raise your rent! Go to sleep! Zhou Heng shivered at these words. Feeling a bit panic-stricken. Yet, he didnt go back directly but looked toward the nearby wall. There stood a black-clad, masked person, holding a longsword, gazing down at him from above. Who are you? Zhou Heng frowned and said. Clang! The sound of a sword rang out. The masked person, without a word, directly attacked Zhou Heng with the sword. The sword light cut through the night sky, aiming straight for Zhou Hengs head. Clang! The sabre met the sword, and Zhou Heng blocked the masked persons attack with his blade. Hmm? The masked person let out a light exclamation, clearly surprised that Zhou Heng was able to catch his sudden attack. At this moment, Zhou Hengs heart was even more shocked. Because as he parried the attack of the black-clad masked person, he received a system prompt. Kong Chengshun is using the martial arts technique Thirty-Seven Forms of Nightshade Sword Technique''[Ninth Grade]to attack you. Your successful defense has increased your proficiency by +0.2. This was the true disciple from Longxing Sect that Lin Cang had mentioned, who had come to Huangtong Mansion City to recruit outer disciples. The Ninety-Ninth on the Peoples List, Sunset Flying Sword Kong Chengshun! Wasnt he supposed to arrive tomorrow? Zhou Heng was full of doubts and couldnt understand why this person had come to attack him. He also felt that there was another strange aura contained in his opponents sword. Clang! Another sword strike came, and Zhou Heng again perfectly parried it, following the opponents sword momentum with a turn of his blade edge, transforming defense into attack and slashed down with force! Kong Chengshun seemed to not have expected such a variation in Zhou Hengs saber technique, which caused a momentary pause in his swordsmanship, revealing a faint flaw. But how could Zhou Heng, with his insight increased by +1, fail to see this flaw? He immediately seized the opportunity, attacking with his blade edge! And so, under the moonlight, Zhou Hengs blade edge was tinged with a thread of blood. Although Kong Chengshun managed to dodge at the last moment, his backhand was still cut by Zhou Hengs blade. This slash made him fully aware of the level of Zhou Hengs saber technique. Hmph! With a cold snort, he stopped fighting Zhou Heng, swiftly retreated, jumped over rooftops, and escaped into the distance under the cover of night. Zhou Heng did not continue the pursuit. For one thing, the opponents movement was highly skilled, and even with his agility +1 attribute, he might not catch up with just a Ninth Grade technique like Swift Grass Eight Steps. On the other hand, he was somewhat wary of the strange aura he had sensed during their exchange. Ghostly energy? No, it seems not. And the special attack against yin spirits didnt take effect during the confrontation, so he hasnt been possessed by a ghostly entity. But what exactly is that aura? The black-clad, masked Kong Chengshun sprinted beneath the night sky. He was heading back to his carriage that was still on the road. Tomorrow, as Kong Chengshun, for the first time, he would be entering Huangtong Mansion City. Kong Chengshun, holding the bloody mark on the back of his right hand, had a gloomy expression under his mask. This bloodstain was not even significant enough to be called an injury; it would heal on its own in a few days. But the significance of this single bloodstain was something he couldnt overlook. His saber technique reached the state of transformation; he actually managed to cultivate such a mediocre martial arts technique as the twelve-form Cleaving Mountain Saber Technique to that extent! Kong Chengshun found it unfathomable remembering how Zhou Heng wielded his sabre just now. A Ninth Grade saber technique had been cultivated to such a level by that guy! How old was he!? Under normal circumstances, a martial artist reaching the perfection of a martial arts technique would basically be the end of progress for that technique, with almost no way forward. Only those who are extremely dedicated to one martial arts technique, investing countless efforts and concentrating solely on cultivation, might be able to break through that bottleneck and surpass the original level of perfection, reaching the so-called state of transformation. Once the martial arts achieve the state of transformation, it effectively means the technique has been improved by half a rank! Power greatly increased! But who would spend so much effort on a Ninth Grade martial art? From Perfection to Transformation, the required time is extremely long, at least two to three years, and at most five to six years, perhaps even longer. One may also be limited by innate talent, and never be able to reach the Transformation stage. Yet this Zhou Heng had only been practicing martial arts for a total of two years! A genius, truly a genius, Kong Chengshuns eyes narrowed slightly as he sneered, But the Chang Xing Sect doesnt need a genius right now, at least not until the Master obtains the position of sect leader! At that moment, he gave the longsword in his hand a flick. The seemingly ordinary longsword instantly transformed into an ancient sword with a simple design and spots of rust. Kong Chengshuns gaze filled with respect as he looked at the ancient sword, thinking to himself, I really owe it to the senior. If it werent for the senior instructing me to test this young man, Im afraid I would have really recruited him into the Chang Xing Sect. Such talent, with undoubtedly a rapid growth rate, would add unpredictable variables to the Masters struggle for the position of sect leader Fortunately, fortunately. Hum! The ancient sword trembled slightly, emitting a faint light, as if responding to Kong Chengshuns emotions. Kong Chengshun pretended to listen intently, his expression changing slightly as he said in amazement, Should it be like this? Such a talent might also be valued by other sects, and rashly creating enmity doesnt seem wise. The faint light on the ancient sword flickered again. Kong Chengshun hesitated for a moment, then nodded, Alright, I understand, senior. The next morning. Kong Chengshuns carriage slowly entered through the great gate of Huangtong Mansion City. The heads of the three martial halls affiliated with the Chang Xing Sect Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, Changsheng Martial Arts Hall, and Longxing Martial Arts Hallall came to greet him, accompanied by a host of Ninth Grade trainers. Zhou Heng was not there; he had to concentrate on martial arts training. Huang Jingfu, Hong Kang, and Lei Xiuyan, the three heads of the halls, were at the forefront. Trainers followed behind them. And behind the trainers were many people who came to watch the excitement. A large part of the crowd was there purely to see Kong Chengshun, wanting to see what a young outstanding figure capable of making it onto the ranked list of fighters looked like. Although Kong Chengshun was only ninety-ninth on the ranked list, being on the list meant that ones strength surpassed most of their peers in the same generation. It didnt matter if it was ninety-ninth or one hundred; those were hard-fought achievements. He would become a hot topic of interest to countless people. Wow! Is this the ranked lists outstanding youth? He is so handsome! I wish I could have his children! Rosy Clouds Flying Sword! Rosy Clouds Flying Sword!! The crowd cheered incessantly, especially the young women. However, some young women who had seen Zhou Heng and Sun Zhengpings martial contest were shaking their heads secretly, feeling that this Rosy Clouds Flying Sword was not as handsome as Zhou Heng. As for strength? Is strength as important as good looks? Moving past this lively crowd, Huang Jingfu, Hong Kang, and Lei Xiuyan along with the trainers welcomed Kong Chengshun into the local Martial Administration Office. By this time, the head of the Martial Administration Office, Tian Chong, had already prepared a banquet. After a short rest, Kong Chengshun took his seat. But even at the banquet, he was still holding his beloved longsword, never letting it out of his sight. Seeing this, Huang Jingfu said in compliment, Theres an old saying, A stick for a year, a saber for a lifetime, a lance for a year, a treasure sword always at your side. Very few can actually do it. Young Master Kong with a treasure sword at his side, nourishing your spirit with the sword, its no wonder that you have already made it onto the ranked list at such a young age. Yes, yes! Hong Kang also nodded and chimed in, Its evident that Young Master Kong has the makings of a grandmaster! In the martial path, a Fifth Rank is known as a grandmaster. Lei Xiuyan was obviously not very comfortable with this kind of scene, but since the other two hall heads had lavished such praise, he couldnt be too discordant. Since Huang Jingfu and Hong Kang had already used up most of the flattering remarks, what new compliments could he come up with? After thinking for a moment, he said, Young Master Kong has boundless prospects. In the future, this sword will become famous all over the world for your reputation. Its truly its good fortune. But as soon as he spoke, Lei Xiuyan couldnt help but shiver, sensing a sudden chill in the air around him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Whats going on? Did I say something wrong? Thats impossible. Lei Xiuyan was puzzled. Kong Chengshun glanced at him and said indifferently, We need to discuss the rules for testing Zhou Heng tomorrow. Hall Master Lei, you should recuse yourself and leave for now. Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Necessary Sacrifice Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Necessary Sacrifice Translator: 549690339 Avoiding conflict of interest? Lei Xiuyan was stunned for a moment, not expecting Kong Chengshun to suddenly say such a thing. Although this test was essentially to check whether the martial arts hall had given apprentices drugs that could damage their foundation, the results werent solely related to a single martial arts hall; there was no reason for him to avoid conflict of interest at all. Moreover, the banquet had just begun, and they were asking him to leave now? What was this about? Even Huang Jingfu, Hong Kang, and Tian Chong beside him hadnt predicted this turn of events. Why did it seem like Kong Chengshun suddenly had an issue with Lei Xiuyan? Could it be because of the remark Lei Xiuyan had just made? But there was nothing wrong with that remark. What was going on? Haha, just a joke. Dont take it seriously, Hall Master Lei, Kong Chengshun suddenly spoke again, gently caressing his longsword with a smile, Well then, lets begin. Lets discuss how to test Zhou Heng. Lei Xiuyan breathed a sigh of relief and also noticed that Kong Chengshun did indeed seem to care a lot about that sword. Had his earlier comment about the honor of following him upset Kong Chengshun? But that would be too strange indeed. Lei Xiuyan temporarily set aside his doubts and refocused on the testing plan that was about to be discussed. This testing plan was extremely important for both Zhou Heng and himself. Having just received a cold look from Kong Chengshun, although he was eager to inquire, he did not dare to be the first to speak up. It was at this moment. Huang Jingfu stood up, raised his glass to Kong Chengshun, and said with a smile, Young Master Kong, you must already have some thoughts on the rules for this test. With that, Lei Xiuyan, Hong Kang, and Tian Chong all glanced over. Kong Chengshun, however, did not immediately show any inclination but took a sip of his wine and smiled, What are your thoughts? Lei Xiuyans eyes lit up, and he was about to speak up. But Huang Jingfu preempted him by saying, I am a few years older, have seen more things, and have been considering this matter for a few days. Indeed, I already have a plan. Would you like to hear it, Young Master? Speak, Kong Chengshun said indifferently. Thank you for your trust, Young Master, Huang Jingfu said with a smile, My thought is that since it is just a test of combat, there is no need to actually fight to determine who is better, especially since that Zhou Heng is certainly no match for you, Young Master. My idea is for Zhou Heng to attack, and for you, Young Master, to dodge or block. Wecanseehow many times you need to block before he exhausts himself. This way, we can test whether his foundation is stable and whether he has taken any drugs that could damage it. Blocks imply there was no time to dodge, and it is not easy for a Ninth Rank Warriors attack to force an Eighth Rank Warrior to block. Normally, a common Ninth Rank Warrior who can force an Eighth Rank Warrior to block two or three times before exhausting themselves would already be considered to have robust stamina and swift speed. If their foundation was damaged, the test results would definitely be weaker than those of warriors at the same grade, and it would be evident upon testing. After hearing this plan, Lei Xiuyan thought it over and it seemed quite good, but could Huang Jingfu really be so kind-hearted? He was skeptical. After all, Tian Chong of the Martial Affairs Office, Huang Jingfu of Chang Martial Hall, and Hong Kang of Long Prosperous Martial Hall had clearly already colluded to profit from this Chang Xing Sects outer disciple selection. How could they propose such a reasonable plan? Could there be a hidden catch? Hmm, not abad idea, KongChengshun nodded and said, Anythingelse? Young Master, you should know that Zhou Heng excels in Saber Technique, Huang Jingfu said earnestly, If we were to test him using the martial arts he is most proficient in, it might cause some issues. He could rely on his proficiency in Saber Technique, and adjust the way he channels his energy to conserve strength and energy during the test, thus delaying the onset of exhaustion. If that happens, we might not achieve the purpose of the test. Thats right, Hong Kangchimed in, I also think we should forbid him from using a saber for the test. Upon hearing this, Lei Xiuyan was instantly infuriated. So this was where they were lying in wait! Noway! he blurted out, Zhou Heng has only been practicing martial arts for two years. His only mastery is in Saber Technique. If you forbid him from using Saber Technique, he cant even count as a Ninth Rank Warrior. How can we proceed with the test then? Ah, dont rush, Hall Master Lei, Tian Chong waved his hand, trying to smooth things over with a smile, After all, we are only testing the foundation. The technique itself is not that crucial, and besides, Hall Master Huang is merely making a suggestion; the final decision is still up to Young Master Kong. Indeed, he cannot use a saber, Kong Chengshun nodded, Ive heard Zhou Heng also learned the Supreme Divine Skill Sequence. So during the test, lets not use weapons, just hand-to-hand combat. After all, swords and sabers are blind, if I were to injure him while blocking, that would be regrettable. Hand-to-hand combat? Lei Xiuyan was taken aback, and Hong Kang and Tian Chong exchanged glances. Ive never heard of Kong Chengshun being skilled in hand-to-hand combat, isnt he always famous for his swordsmanship? How about it, any of you still have objections? Kong Chengshun looked around at everyone. No, no more, Lei Xiuyan shook his head. He knew that this might be the best outcome they could fight for now, and Zhou Heng had also practiced the Divine Might Eighteen Forms quite well; it wasnt impossible for him to pass the test. Hong Kang and Tian Chong hesitated a bit, especially after seeing Lei Xiuyan agree; they started to panic. Could it be that Zhou Heng is also good at hand-to-hand combat? Wouldnt that lead to a crash? I have no objections either. It was at this moment Huang Jingfu spoke up. This instantly reassured Hong Kang and Tian Chong. The two hurriedly expressed their agreement as well. What followed was a discussion on how many moves Zhou Heng needed to withstand from Kong Chengshun to pass. Amid the clinking of glasses, the matter was slowly settled. As long as Zhou Heng could make Kong Chengshun defend more than three times before exhausting his strength, he would be considered to have passed the test. After the feast ended. Lei Xiuyan left, and Kong Chengshun was sent to the pre-reserved restaurant. Now only Huang Jingfu, Hong Kang, and Tian Chong remained. Brother Huang, whats going on, is this secure? Hong Kang asked anxiously, How is Kong Chengshuns fist and foot martial arts?? Yeah, Old Master, whats going on? Tian Chong was also somewhat anxious, saying, Theres a saying The palm is the invisible saber. Since Zhou Heng has perfected his saber technique and the achievements of the Divine Might Eighteen Forms might not be too inferior. What if Kong Chengshun really defends against Zhou Heng three times, then arent we done for? Dont worry, Huang Jingfu still appeared to have everything under control, laughing, Everyone thinks Kong Chengshun is best at swordsmanship, but Ive learned the truth from some disciples of the Chang Xing Sect. Compared to swordsmanship, Kong Chengshun is much more skilled in fist techniques and body movements. He proposed this plan because hes clearly determined not to accept Zhou Heng. Poor Lei Xiuyan, still thinks this is a good outcome, haha. I see! Hong Kangs eyes shone, feelingas if a mountain of silver was about to be delivered to him, and he laughed, This Young Master Kong is really a good man, being so cooperative. But why doesnt Kong Chengshun want to accept Zhou Heng? Tian Chong was a bit puzzled, then he seemed to think of something, Could it be that Liu Songshan is vying for the position of the sect leader? Liu Songshan is the Law Enforcement Elder of the Chang Xing Sect and Kong Chengshuns master, a Sixth Rank expert. Could there be any other possibility? Huang Jingfu said with a light chuckle, The old sect leaders lifespan is coming to an end. In at most thirty to fifty years, he will pass away; naturally, Liu Songshan has to plan ahead. On one hand, he wants to prevent the emergence of extraordinarily talented newcomers who might disrupt the situation, and on the other hand, he needs to win over the various disciples within the sect to garner a certain amount of support. No wonder, Brother, you emphasized earlier that the Tongchang Martial Arts Hall has sent quite a few disciples to the Chang Xing Sect; so theres a reason! Hong Kang patted his hands and laughed, Liu Songshan must draw you in, Brother! If this goes well, haha! The Old Master is insightful and has everything planned out, truly everything is within your expectations. Tian Chong was extremely admiring. Heh, if the old sect leader wasnt so rigid and stuck in the old ways, putting a stranglehold on all kinds of rules, would I need to go through such trouble? Huang Jingfu stroked his beard and laughed, Its just pity Zhou Heng, totally unaware, is about to be sacrificed. Look at Brother, the way you say it, isnt this normal? Hong Kang chuckled, Hes just a country bumpkin from a mountain village, without background, without heritage; isnt he just a perfect sacrificial piece? Its just bad luck for him, Tian Chong laughed as well, Its a necessary sacrifice. In Longxing Martial Arts Hall, inside a private training room. Zhou Heng was still practicing the Six Combining Plum Blossom Hand, a Seventh Rank martial arts technique that was extremely profound and endlessly intricate, which made him increasingly amazed the more he practiced. If a Seventh Rank martial arts technique was already this powerful, then what about the Secret Sixth Rank, Sect Fifth Rank, Absolute Fourth Rank and even the Supreme Divine Skill at Divine First Rank, how mighty they must be! Bang bang! Just as Zhou Heng was daydreaming about his future prospects, a knock on the door came. He opened the door, and saw Yu He standing outside. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng, you know nothing but training every single day, not even aware that someone has returned from Pingzhou County City, Yu He had recovered and just came back to the martial arts hall to train today. Pingzhou County City? Zhou Heng was puzzled and, for a moment, couldnt recall anyone he knew from Pingzhou County City. There you have it, you really can only spend your life with your hands. Yu He rolled his eyes and pointed towards the door, She has been waiting for you at the breakfast stall across the door for several days. Preparing buns for you every day, but you havent been there these past few days. Ah? Zhou Heng looked dumbfounded towards the martial arts hall entrance. Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Arriving in Succession Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Arriving in Succession Translator: 549690339 | Zhou Hengs gaze fell on the entrance of the martial arts hall, where he saw a charming figure standing gracefully. She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features and unparalleled beauty, dressed in a crimson skirt. Noticing Zhou Hengs glance, she waved her hand, her smile blooming like flowers. It was YunXiu. Miss Xiuer, when did you come back? Zhou Heng greeted her with a smile. He then remembered that Yun Xiu always came back for the last five or six days of the month. Brother Heng, long time no see. Yun Xiu moved toward Zhou Heng with light steps. Suddenly, she stopped, raised her hand above her own head and gestured to Zhou Heng, sighing, Brother Heng, have you grown taller? A month ago, Zhou Heng had only been half a head taller than her, but now he was nearly a whole head taller. Yun Xiu was sixteen this year, with a body that had almost finished developing, tall and slender. Perhaps due to practicing martial arts, she was considerably taller than the average girl. Hmm, it seems I have grown taller, Zhou Heng nodded and said with a smile. Ninth Grade is the stage of physique refinement and foundation building, which improves the overall condition of the body. Besides, it was normal for him to grow taller since he was at the age of development. By the standards of Earth, he had already passed 1.8 meters. You look even better! Yun Xiu praised him openly, then pouted and asked, Why havent you come to my house for breakfast these past few days? Whats going on? Well Zhou Heng scratched his head and replied with a smile, Ill go tomorrow, definitely tomorrow. Miss Xiuer, can I still have your buns then? He couldnt really explain his absence at breakfast lately. He had been practicing Palm Thunder, which often resulted in the accidental death or stunning of innocent birds and beasts, and theyd end up cooked on the spot. In line with the principle of not wasting Natures gifts, he had been eating these for the past few days instead of going to Yun Xius house. Of course, you can! Yun Xiu beamed and then added, By the way, Brother Heng, I heard youre going to take the test at Chang Xing Sect, right? Yes, because I reached Ninth Grade by taking medicine, I have to test my foundation. Zhou Heng nodded. The people from Chang Xing Sect are already here, and I guess the test will be in the next couple of days. Then I will be there to cheer you on! Also, I have some good news, YunXiu said with a smile. But, I wont tell you now. Wait until after your test and Ill tell you then, see you! With that, she turned and left, leaving behind only a faint scent in the air. Zhou Heng watched her departing figure, internally screaming, girl, dont jinx things! Ill tell you when such a sentence formation. Its too dangerous! Then, Yu He came over, patted Zhou Heng on the shoulder, and sighed, Brother, can you tell me how to win a girls favor? Huh? Zhou Heng turned to look at his good friend, gave him a scrutinizing look, shook his head, and replied, It s a matter of the face. Alas, poor me, with my utterly unremarkable face, Yu He sighed. Seems like Ill have to go to Yixiang Tower tonight and throw some money around to listen to some tunes, just to maintain a bit of zest in life. Yixiang Tower, different from Cuixiang Tower, was named after the scent of young ladiesit was a famous brothel in Huangtong Mansion City. Yu Hes favorite pastime was to go there, spend money, and listen to courtesans sing. The curse of the wealthy, Zhou Heng didnt hide his envy. Of course, it was only the money he envied, nothing more. And certainly not the courtesan girls playing their little tunes, the delicate strumming and plucking. Hey, lets not talk about that. How prepared are you for the upcoming test? Yu He asked with a smile. I heard that Kong Chengshun is very strong, stern and impartial. You should be careful. Dont worry. Zhou Heng waved his fist and declared, I have got this in the bag. Thats good to hear. Oh, you remember Liu Changsheng, right? Yu He continued, Hes about to leave. Hes throwing a banquet at my familys restaurant at noon today. He wants to thank you for helping him deal with that Qjan manager last time. That sounds great. Ill go. Why miss out on a free meal? Zhou Heng said with a laugh. It was midday. Liu Changsheng had been attacked by a ghostly being that had possessed Qian manager; although he only suffered minor injuries, it was still a frightening experience. After a few days of recuperation, he had finally returned to normal. At the banquet table. There were not many people, only Liu Changsheng, Manager Wang, Yu He, and Zhou Heng. As Zhou Heng was still practicing his martial arts, they substituted tea for wine. After the wine had been passed around three times, Liu Changsheng straightened his expression and said seriously, Does Young Master Zhou have any interest in joining the Five Elements Sect as a disciple? Ah!?? Yu He, sitting beside him, was so startled by this question that his chopsticks dropped, and he looked at Liu Changsheng with a shocked expression, saying, Holy smokes, Young Master Liu, are you serious? The Five Elements Sect! One of the worlds top ten sects, its Grandmaster has reached the formidable Second Rank, truly one of the very top of the Martial Dao Sects. In Da Qi, whether in terms of prestige or fame, it is only slightly less than one of the three Taoist palaces, the Pure Yang Palace, and one of the four Buddha Sect temples, the Infinite Temple. It is a sect that countless martial artists dream of joining. And now, they were proactively inviting Zhou Heng? Join the Five Elements Sect? Zhou Heng was also takenabackby the words and then chuckled, Is that even possible? Can Young Master Liu directly invite me to join? Ah, this Liu Changsheng touched his nose, somewhat embarrassed as he said, Not just yet, but as long as you agree, I can ask my master to reserve a disciple slot for me. After a fewyears, when I reach the Sixth Rank in martial arts, I can accept you as my apprentice. That way, you can naturally become a true disciple of our Five Elements Sect. Young Master Zhou, you have an exceptional comprehension of the Five Elements Path and high talent, ManagerWang also added, If you can receive the true teachings of the Five Elements Sect, you will surely reach the Middle Third Rank in the future. The vast majority of martial artists all pursue the Seventh Rank level, and those who reach the Middle Third Rank are few and far between. As for the Upper Third Rank that is akin to the realm of Earthly Immortals. There arent many who dare to hope for such an achievement. Now, Manager Wangs remark will surely reach the Middle Third Rank was already a very tempting proposition for others. Yu He wanted to speak up and persuade Zhou Heng to agree. After all, from his business mindset, a fewyears in exchange for the status of a true disciple of the Five Elements Sect was an incredibly lucrative deal. Compared to the true teachings of the Five Elements Sect, the mere identity of an outer sect disciple of the Chang Xing Sect is nothing to mention. But in the end, he didnt speak. Such an important matter should be decided by Zhou Heng himself; he shouldnt influence Zhous decision with his own persuasion. Zhou Heng did not immediately respond; he fell into deep thought. Nobody else spoke either. The banquet table became quiet. After a long while, Zhou Heng lifted his head, looked at Liu Changsheng, shook his head with a smile, and said, It seems that it would require considerable effort on your part, Young Master Liu, no need for that. He had declined the offer. Clang Yu Hes chopsticks dropped again, as he hadnt expected Zhou Heng to refuse. That was the Five Elements Sect! The Five Elements Sect! At Zhou Hengs response, Liu Changsheng was also surprised, but with great poise, he still smiled and said, Since that is the case, I wont bring this up again. However, if Young Master Zhou is ever interested, a disciple slot will always be kept open for you. Manager Wang simply smiled quietly, without saying anything more. Although neither party made a definitive closing statement, in reality, everyone knew that this matter was now impossible. Afterwards, the banquet continued quietly and soon came to an end. Liu Changsheng and Manager Wang returned to rest in the Tian Character Upper Room. Inside the room. Seeing that Manager Wang had a displeased expression, Liu Changsheng laughed and said, Whats the matter, Manager Wang? Are you in a bad mood? A little. Manager Wang nodded and said, That Zhou Heng actually refused your invitation, who does he think he is? Haha, Manager Wang, thats where youre wrong, Liu Changsheng shook his head and said, I just gave him a suggestion, not forcing him to join my ranks. Besides, my Five Elements Sect hasnt fallen on such hard times. Uh, thats, the young master makes sense, Manager Wang still felt somewhat dissatisfied and said, But he really thinks toohighly of himself, not recognizing whats good for him. Manager Wang, regardless, Zhou Heng has helped us out. Dont harbor that thought, Liu Changshengs expression became serious as he solemnly said, Even if Zhou Heng has refused my invitation, he will still be my friend in the future. Yes, young master, I understand, Manager Wang nodded. He originally harbored no ill will towards Zhou Heng, but had felt a touch of resentment when his young master was refused. Now awakened to the proper perspective, that resentment vanished. Moreover, do you think 1 wanted to invite him to join my Sect just because of his talent in the way of Five Elements? Liu Changsheng walked over to the window, looking out at the sun. Is there another reason? Manager Wang asked curiously, knowing that although his young master enjoyed martial competition, he was not someone who acted rashlyon the contrary, he was astute with strong insight. I happened to see that Zhou Heng carried a talisman on his person, Liu Changsheng said with a smile, Although I didnt see the whole thing and dont know its specifics, I could recognize that it was the script style of a Pure Yang Palace talisman. Does the young master mean that someone from Pure Yang Palace has already been in contact with Zhou Heng!? ManagerWangs eyes widened in astonishment and he said in shock, Why then would he participate in the outer disciple selection of Chang Xing Sect? Pure Yang Palace is extremely strict about accepting disciples, and the process is cumbersome, having contact does not imply that hes already a disciple. Otherwise, I wouldnt want to take him as my disciple, Liu Changsheng gently shook his head, then added, But one thing is beyond doubt, if a person from Pure Yang Palace didnt value him, he wouldnt have their talisman. This means he must have even more extraordinary aptitude. I understand, Manager Wang nodded earnestly and said, The young master has keen insight. Befriending this Zhou Heng will not bring us any harm. Exactly, Liu Changsheng nodded slightly and smiled, In a couple of days when he undergoes the test, lets also go take a look. Maybe we can offer some help. Yu He and Zhou Heng made their way back to the martial arts hall together. On the way. Yu He couldnt help but ask, Why didntyou agree to Liu Changsheng? Isnt the true discipleship of the Five Elements Sect good? Hehe, Zhou Heng chuckled and said, If I could enter the Sect right now and receive the true teachings of the Five Elements Sect, maybe I would have agreed. But in a few years He shook his head lightly, smiling without a word. What about in a few years? Yu He was puzzled and said, Are you afraid Liu Changsheng won t make a breakthrough to the Sixth Rank in a few years? That shouldnt happen, his father is an elder of the Five Elements Sect, a celebrated figure on the Earthly Rankings. No, what I mean is Zhou Heng laughed and said, In a few years, I might be stronger than him. By that time, even if I wanted that disciple position, he probably wouldnt be comfortable offering it. Better to just end it now. Ahl? Yu Hes jaw dropped, and he smacked his lips in wonder, Is this what it means to be a genius?? Heh, Ill take that as a compliment, Zhou Heng laughed, about to unabashedly praise himself some more when he suddenly felt a chill on his back, as if something had set its sights on him. He quickly turned around, but found nothing there. Whats wrong? Yu He asked, puzzled. Its nothing, Zhou Hengshookhishead with a slight frown and said, Lets head back to the martial arts hall first. After Zhou Heng and Yu He left, on the rooftop of a nearby building, two figures appeared out of thin air. A man and a woman, one tall and the other slender. The girl appeared only fifteen or sixteen, exquisitely beautiful yet still somewhat immatureit was none other than Pei Luoling. Standing beside her was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties, burly and robust, dressed in a black robe, with muscular arms, a face framed by a full beard, exuding an aura of natural authority. The kid has good perception, the middle-aged man said with a smile, Just now, although I did not intentionally hide my gaze and it even carried a bit of sharpness, martial artists below the Seventh Rank might not notice, but he sensed it instantly. Hmm, not simple. See, Uncle Zhantu, I told you, someone who can tell such good stories cant be bad at martial arts, Pei Luoling exclaimed with joy, the middle-aged man beside her being Pei Zhantu, who, according to family lineage, was her uncle. Pei Zhantu, a collateral member of the Pingzhou Pei Clan, Fifth Rank Sect Master, serving as the Martial Affairs Commissioner of Pingzhou County. He indeed qualifies as a genius, Pei Zhantu nodded and said, A youth with such talent should have no problem receiving Huangtong Mansions support policies. But I heard the application Longxing Martial Arts Hall made for him was rejected, Pei Luoling said indignantly, a rumor she had overheard in a tea house during the day. Moreover, the ones discussing it were trainers from the Changsheng Martial Arts Hall and the Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, lending some credibility to the claim. As it happened, Pei Zhantu personally came to Huangtong Mansion City to fetch her back, and she took the opportunity to set her terms: She would return, but only if this matter was perfectly resolved. Rejected? Pei Zhantus eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled and said, Then lets wait and see how this young man performs after passing the Chang Xing Sects test. Ill see how Tian Chong behaves then. Uncle Zhantu, you are so wise! Pei Luoling chirped joyfully. Amidst a thousand mountains and valleys, the ocean of clouds surged, devoid of human trace. Suddenly, a cranes call rang out through the sky. A massive white crane soared through the clouds and mist, stirring up great waves as it ascended into the high skies, speeding across the towering mountains and sweeping through the ether. On this white crane lay a middle-aged Taoist, his hair and beard unkempt, his features somewhat handsome. His Taoist robe was wrinkled, stained with grease, and some parts had even hardened into crusts. Glug, glug! The Taoist took a big swig of wine from his gourd, belched contentedly, his tipsy eyes blurred as he muttered to himself. Da Qjs northern part, in Pingzhou County of Huangtong Mansion City, Zhou Heng of Longxing Martial Arts Hall Such that Jiang Jian called a lad of high caliber, hmm, might as well take a look *hic* hehe, good wine glug, glug- As evening approached, Lin Cang knocked on Zhou Hengs training room door. Whats the matter, Master Lin? Zhou Heng asked as he saw the troubled look on Lin Gangs face. Those two bastards, Huang Jingfu and Hong Kang, are no good! Lin Cang gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly, Zhou Heng, Im sorry, I had you training the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword these past days, yet I never imagined they would stoop so low. What happened? Zhou Heng looked perplexed. They proposed a barehanded test!! Lin Cang recounted the test rules hed heard from Lei Xiuyan, ending with indignation, This is clearly a deliberate attempt to suppress you! Youve just learned your hand techniques for a few days, how can they test you like this? Master Lin, please calm down, Zhou Heng smiled, Actually, I think this test proposal is reasonable. What? What did you say? Lin Cang was stunned and exclaimed in astonishment, Are you confident you can make Kong Chengshun block you three times? Hes a master ranked ninety-ninth on the person list. That confidence, Zhou Hengs lips curved slightly, revealing a self-assured smile, I indeed have it. Two days later. In front of the Martial Affairs Office of Huangtong Mansion, a large and spacious arena was erected, along with a temporary stand for important spectators. Many people eager to watch the spectacle flocked to the site. Zhou Heng, the one being tested, arrived early at the venue, mounting the stage to wait. The heads and trainers of Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, Changsheng Martial Arts Hall, and Longxing Martial Arts Hall, as well as core apprentices, all gradually made their appearance. Yun Xiu, Pei Luoling, Liu Changsheng, Manager Wang, and others, also positioned themselves at places with a good view to wait. Zhou Heng ignored the noisy din surrounding the stage, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Circulating his inner Qi, he calmly meditated. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, turning towards the other side of the stage. Kong Chengshun had arrived and climbed directly onto the platform. The testing bout! Was about to begin! Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Even a Clay Figurine Has Three Points of Anger Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Even a Clay Figurine Has Three Points of Anger Translator: 549690339 Zhou Heng and Kong Chengshun both ascended the platform. These two were originally not supposed to compete on the same stage. After all, Zhou Heng was originally just an apprentice at a small martial arts gym, and even now, hes only a Ninth Grade Trainer. On the other hand, Kong Chengshun was already renowned across the land, a young prodigy who had made his name on the ranking list of warriors. They simply werent on the same level. Yet, this martial arts test brought them together. Although it was just a test, this competition still attracted a lot of people. Two or three thousand people crowded the road in front of the Wu Bureau so tightly that not even water could seep through, all fixing their gaze intently on the situation on the platform. Seeing that the time was about right, Tian Chong called over one of his aides to issue orders to the bailiffs and explain the rules of this test. Once the rules were announced, many people began discussing amongst themselves. Exciting! Raw, physical combat is a mans battle! It should be hand-to-hand fight! What hand-to-hand fight? Didnt you hear clearly? Its unlikely Zhou Heng could even land ahit on Young Master Kong; the gap is too wide. The difference between the Ninth Rank and Eighth Rank isnt that big, and Zhou Heng is quite strong as well. But Zhou Heng seems to excel in saber technique, and now without his saber, it will probably be difficult for him to force Kong Chengshun to block three times before exhausting his strength. People generally werent optimistic about Zhou Heng. After all, many here only knew of Zhou Heng through rumors, aware that he was a seventeen-year-old genius at Ninth Rank. Some who had seen the martial contest between Zhou Heng and Sun Zhengping also knew that he was adept at saber technique and was capable of contending with Ninth Rank warriors even before reaching Entry Rank, with a decent martial arts talent. But after all, talent ultimately requires time to transform into real strength. Compared with Kong Chengshun, who was listed on the rankings and belonged to the strongest group among the younger generation, Zhou Heng still had quite the distance to go. On the high platform. Huang Jingfu, Hong Kang, and Lei Xiuyan sat side by side. Director Lei, do you think Zhou Heng will succeed? Huang Jingfu asked Lei Xiuyan with a smile. Theres definitely no problem, Lei Xiuyan said in a deep voice. Hahaha! Huang Jingfu started laughing and said, Director Lei is still so confident. Renyi, you should really learn from Director Lei, hahaha. The Renyi he was referring to was a young man standing behind him, who appeared to be in his twenties and had quite handsome features. This was his grandson, Huang Renyi. I understand, Huang Renyi laughed and looked towards the direction of the platform, But sometimes, overly apparent confidence is actually a cover-up for ones insecurity. To be honest, I dont quite believe that this Zhou Heng could break through to Ninth Rank at the age of seventeen. His foundation must be damaged, he said. Nonsense! LeiXiuyans eyes bulged, and he stood up ready to scold. Ah, Director Lei, stay calm, Hong Kang intervened with a smile. The test is about to start now, and whether his foundation is damaged or not, well soon find out. Hypocrites! Lei Xiuyan felt sick to his stomach looking at the faces of these people. At this moment, on the platform. Zhou Heng watched Kong Chengshun standing not far away, noticing that Kong had a long, bar-shaped object wrapped in black cloth on his back, which looked like a longsword. Kong Chengshun, noting Zhou Hengs gaze, frowned and said sternly, What are you looking at? Rest assured, I wont use weapons. Even if you do manage to force me to block, I will only use my hands. Good. Zhou Heng nodded, his expression unchanged, but his heart was indeed stirred. Because on that long, bar-shaped object wrapped in black cloth, he sensed the existence of a mysterious energy. Although it was very faint, and somewhat ambiguous, it was indeed that energy, hmm, to be precise, it was like that energy mixed with some other kind of aura. Very strange. Seeing Zhou Heng still fixated on the sword on his back, Kong Chengshuns eyes squinted and he said, Lets begin. Dont continue wasting time; come at me with all youve got. Then, Young Master Kong, be careful, Zhou Heng shouted lowly, and then his feet suddenly shook! Bang! The loud noise was like thunderclaps bursting as Zhou Hengs foot unleashed tremendous force, causing the stone slab-built platform to tremble slightly! Mighty Strength +2! Great power can equally produce explosive speed! At that moment, he was like an arrow released from the bowstring, almost instantaneously rushing to Kong Chengshuns front! At the same time, his palm turned into a blade, chopping down with force! Godlike Strength C Eighteenth Form! Deity Wielding the Saber! Everyone present was shocked by this move, and Huang Jingfu on the high platform even stood up all of a sudden, looking at Zhou Heng in the ring with disbelief. So fast! How could he be so fast! Is this still the speed of a Ninth Rank Warrior? Kong Chengshun was also startled by Zhou Hengs speed but, having an abundance of combat experience and a solid ranking based on real fights on the combatants list, he wasnt a pushover. Thus, when Zhou Hengs blow came slashing down, he immediately bent his waist and retreated while rapidly changing his footwork, swiftly creating a distance of three zhang from Zhou Heng. Seeing this scene, Huang Jingfu on the high platform breathed a sigh of relief. Lei Xiuyan, on the other hand, felt quite regretful. The spectators watching the fight were also getting tense, drawn into the intensely fierce battle right from the start. Yu He, Yun Xiu, Pei Luoling, and others felt pity for Zhou Heng. It would have been great if that attack just now had been effective. Eighth Rank Warriors, when compared to Ninth Rank, still have too many advantages. Whether its stamina, speed, strength, or the level of mastery over martial arts, they are almost comprehensively superior! Not a bad attack, Kong Chengshun said with a light laugh after creating some distance, But alas, its not enough to make me defend. But before his words could fade Zhou Heng, like a gust of wind, charged to his front once again. Agility +1! Mighty Strength +2! The terrifying enhancements brought by his foundational attributes allowed his speed to far surpass that of any Ninth Rank Warrior! Simultaneously! His inner qi gathered in the palm of his hands, and with the momentum of moving mountains, he powerfully pushed toward Kong Chengshuns chest. Godlike Strength C Eighteenth Form! Deity Pushing the Mountain! Insight +1! This allowed Zhou Heng to see through Kong Chengshuns weaknesses. He didnt use the Six Paths Plum Folding Hand from the very beginning. Because that could have likely caused Kong Chengshun severe injury within one or two moves. He wanted to verify the level of strength he possesses when using Ninth Rank martial arts. After all, this competition was to continue until one was exhausted. The Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method prioritizes a strong foundation, and the breath is long-lasting, Zhou Hengs stamina far exceeds that of an average Ninth Rank Warrior, and he wouldnt be exhausted in a short time. Kong Chengshun would make for a perfect live target. Damn it, how can he be so quick! Kong Chengshun, in a state of shock and uncertainty, felt that Zhou Hengs strength greatly surpassed his expectations, particularly the proficiency level of his palm technique. This is not someone who has practiced the palm technique for just a few days; this is clearly the Godlike Strength C Eighteenth Form that has reached the mastery level! Misleading information has doomed me!! This youngster has not only mastered the twelve Cleaving Mountain Sword Techniques to mastery level but also this set of palm techniques! How can such a thing be possible!? How did he train!? Kong Chengshuns heart was filled with shock, and at the same time, he found Zhou Hengs palm strike was targeting his chests weak spot, and the speed was extremely fast; he simply had no way to dodge it! Bang! He raised his fist to parry! Back off! Kong Chengshun wanted to take advantage of this parry to covertly employ his inner qi and launch a punch, aiming to repel Zhou Heng. But before his punch could burst forth, he felt a terrifying force coming through his fists, as if two huge mountains were pressing down! Bang bang bang!! Kong Chengshun successively stomped on the ground, the immense power making him crack the floor tiles, and he retreated more than two zhang before barely managing to come to a stop. This scene immediately caused an uproar in the crowd. The thousands of people present all widened their eyes, watching the events on the stage with disbelief, their faces filled with utter shock! Kong Chengshun actually raised his hand to parry! Zhou Heng had only attacked with his second move, and Kong Chengshun had to parry with his hands, and moreover was sent staggering back in disarray!? My god! This cant be real! Many people rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what had just happened right before them! This was truly unbelievable! A celebrated fighter like Kong Chengshun, with Eighth Rank in the Martial Path, a true disciple of his sect, was actually driven back several zhang by Zhou Heng, a youth who had recently advanced to Ninth Grade and came from a martial arts hall! How is this possible!? Huang Jingfus eyes bulged out, his eyeballs nearly popping. No, no way, how could he be so powerful!? Hong Kang was dumbfounded as well. Is this really a Ninth Rank!? Huang Renyi gasped with a wide-open mouth. Hahaha! Well done! Lei Xiuyan, true to his character, couldnt hold back his applause and cheers. Not far away on another high platform, Tian Chong was also stunned, suddenly feeling that his own scheming wasnt so secure anymore. Damn it! How could Zhou Heng be this powerful!? At the top of a high-rise building. Pei Luoling was cheering happily, saying, So amazing, Zhou Heng is so amazing! Uncle Zhantu, dont you agree? Pei Zhantu stood beside her, nodding in agreement, marveling, To think such a young age could practice a Ninth Grade martial arts to the transformation level, truly rare, and it seems he also possesses innate divine strength, a prodigy rarely seen. At this moment, on the stage. Kong Chengshuns face was terribly gloomy, never had he imagined that in front of an audience, he would be repelled by a kid who had just broken through to Ninth Rank a few days ago! This was simply a stain on his life! If word got out, it might even affect his masters contest for the position of sect leader! This Zhou Heng! Damn it! Continue! he roared in a low voice! Now, he had resolved to make Zhou Heng lose the fight on the second parry, expend his strength, and completely lose any chance! Here I come! Zhou Heng chuckled lightly, his figure closing the distance in an instant. The sound of palm wind howled! It was still the Almighty Eighteen Forms! Seeking death! Kong Chengshun sneered coldly, this time he didnt dodge, but raised his hand to parry with a fist. However, although he seemed to be making a fist, his thumbs were actually hiding inner strength. When Zhou Hengs palm approached, inner qi surged into his two fingers, exerting force and targeting Zhou Hengs wrists acupoint with a hidden angle. Atop the high-rise building. Pei Zhantus expression subtly changed as he spoke in a deep voice, Not good, this is a technique of acupoint sealing and vein intercepting! Kong Chengshun wants to cut off Zhou Hengs meridians, interrupt the flow of his inner qi and force, and forcibly put him in a state of complete exhaustion! Ah!? Pei Luolings face drained of color upon hearing this, What should we do!? The technique of acupoint sealing and vein intercepting is extremely malicious. Not only can it leave a person utterly depleted and weak in a short time but also damage the foundations of their meridians, affecting their future prospects in the martial path. It was almost tantamount to delivering a killing blow! Dont panic. Pei Zhantu raised his palm, trying to solidify the void and rescue Zhou Heng. But as soon as he raised his hand, he discovered that Zhou Heng had already taken action. So he temporarily stopped what he was doing, yet confusion rose in his heart, Has Kong Chengshun been blinded by lard, to use such a venomous method in plain view of everyone? At that moment, Zhou Heng was already furious. With his insight +1 attribute bonus, how could he not notice Kong Chengshuns treacherous attack? First, there was that inexplicable attack in the night! Now, in a mere sparring test, you aim to ruin my martial foundation? Even a clay buddha has three parts anger! Do you really think I would let you manipulate me so easily? Youre asking for it! Zhou Hengs techniques in his palm suddenly changed! At the moment when Kong Chengshuns two fingers were about to jab at him. One of Zhou Hengs palms curled into a claw and instantly captured one of Kong Chengshuns arms, stopping one of his fingers from continuing the attack. Plumbing Blossom Hand! Grasping! Simultaneously, Zhou Hengs other hand formed a sword finger, executing swordsmanship with the Plumbing Blossom Hand!! Dugu Nine Swords! Disruption! Splshhh! Like the sound of a sword piercing the air, gusts of wind whistled across the platform suddenly! With this finger thrust, Zhou Heng immediately collapsed the inner qi concentrated on Kong Chengshuns finger, and the sword momentum, following the dissipated qi, directly rushed into Kong Chengshuns arm. As easy as breaking dead branches, tearing apart the meridians! This Disruption move instantly rendered useless Kong Chengshuns arm. In a sparring competition on the platform, employing a sneak attack with the intention to harm someones foundation, even getting killed would be justified! It was a universally accepted rule! Damn it! How is he so powerful, what martial arts, what kind of finger technique is this!? Kong Chengshun seemed to have lost his mind, his emotions bordering on madness. Despite such agony, he actually endured the intense pain, raised one foot, and kicked at Zhou Heng. At the same time, he moved his body, trying to break free from the other arm that Zhou Heng had captured. But a target seized by the Plumbing Blossom Hand, how easy would it be to break free? Zhou Heng merely redirected the force with a clever twist, opposed to the direction of Kong Chengshuns body movement, and lightly tugged!! Crack! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A bone-chilling sound of bone breaking echoed! Kong Chengshuns arm twisted and broke on the spot, and his body thudded down onto his knees! Ah!! A harrowing scream tore through the air. And unbeknownst to everyone, the ancient sword wrapped in black cloth on Kong Chengshuns back was trembling slightly. Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Chapter 53 What to do? Chapter 53: Chapter 53 What to do? Translator: 549690339 Kong Chengshuns screams echoed across the arena. The crowd was dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief, shocked to their core! Such a renowned figure on the rankings, one of the worlds foremost young talents, had just been defeated! Moreover, it seemed he had been completely crushed, without the slightest chance to fight back!? How could this be possible! ? It was simply inconceivable. Atop the high platform, Huang Jingfu and Hong Kang suddenly stood up, stretching their necks forward, their eyes wide with disbelief and involuntarily shaking their heads. How is this possible, it cant be! This is Kong Chengshun, Kong Chengshun of the Setting Sun Flying Sword, how could this happen!? Whether it was Huang Jingfu, who had previously been so confident, or Hong Kang, who had been echoing Huang Jingfu, both were dumbstruck at this moment, never expecting such a thing to happen!? How could Zhou Heng be so formidable, so strong!? How long had Zhou Heng been at the Ninth Grade? Yet he had defeated Kong Chengshun, who was ranked ninety-ninth!? It was beyond belief! On another high platform, Tian Chong almost flipped the desk in front of him. Zhou Heng actually defeated Kong Chengshun? Not through some trial! But with overwhelming strength, he had forcibly defeated Kong Chengshun! How could this be possible!? What about his own reward? Had his mountain of silver just flown away? He was infuriated, feeling as if his rage was going to explode. It wasnt just Huang Jingfu and the others who found this hard to believe. Even Lei Xiuyan, the hall master, was stunned. Watching the scene on the platform, he was speechless and gaped in astonishment for a long time. Could Zhou Heng really be that powerful? Behind Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, one of the trainers, was even more puzzled. Did I teach him this? Am I really that good?? Below the platform, Yu He, Yun Xiu, Liu Changsheng, and others were also shocked, watching Kong Chengshuns miserable state, they felt as if they were in a dream. From a nearby tall building, Pei Luoling cheered loudly. Pei Zhantu gazed thoughtfully at Zhou Hengs hands. As a Fifth Rank Grandmaster, he saw the profoundness of the martial arts Zhou Heng used. This was definitely not the martial arts of a minor martial hall. But what did that matter? The martial world is vast; who doesnt have some strange encounters? To defeat an Eighth Rank as a Ninth Rank, he truly deserved the title of prodigy, no matter what. Not a bad kid, he nodded slightly. Kong Chengshun knelt on his knees, his arms and legs throbbing with intense pain, causing him to break into a cold sweat. After that initial scream, he clenched his teeth firmly, enduring the pain, his voice squeezed out from between his clenched teeth, Zhou Heng, youre very strong, youre so formidable! He had never imagined Zhou Hengs strength would be so overpowering. That weird and mysterious martial arts technique seemed to completely counter his own, crushing all his defenses, rendering him powerless! The other was just a mere Ninth Rank Warrior, how could he be so strong!? Damn it! Thanks for the praise, Zhou Heng said indifferently, while casually tossing Kong Chengshun to the ground, and looking towards the high platform where Tian Chong was, Grand Prefect, the test should be over now, right. Bang! Tian Chong suddenly slapped the table and stood up, his eyes wide with rage as he bellowed, Zhou Heng, do you realize what youve just done!? As soon as these words came out, everyones gaze in the audience shifted toward the Head of Martial Affairs of Huangtong Mansion. Anyone who wasnt a fool could sense that a storm was brewing. Zhou Heng had indeed thrilled the crowd by knocking Kong Chengshun to the ground, but upon reflection, it was clear that this action could have serious consequences for Zhou Heng. For one thing, he certainly wouldnt be able to become an outer sect disciple of the Chang Xing Sect. Moreover, since Kong Chengshun was a guest of Tian Chong, who oversaw the selection contest, the event had ended in chaos. How could Tian Chong let Zhou Heng off easily? Even if during the contest, Kong Chengshun appeared to have attempted a sneak attack, which went against the rules of the Jianghu. But in this world, it was never just about the rules. Seeing Tian Chong fly into a rage, a cold smile appeared on Kong Chengshuns face as he struggled to his feet, saying sarcastically, Young Master Zhou is indeed very skilled. It seems that my small Chang Xing Sect could hardly accommodate such a grand Buddha as you. What are you trying to say? Speak plainly, Zhou Heng responded with a calm smile, fearless. In fact, when he crippled Kong Chengshuns hands with the Six Paths Plum Blossom Palm, he had already anticipated the potential consequences of his actions. A martial artists personal deeds were always separate from the martial hall itself. This was the common perception. After all, martial artists were hot-blooded, and conflicts and duels were inevitable. If actions werent separated, it would be easy to spark collective conflicts between martial halls. Therefore, Longxing Martial Arts Hall wouldnt be targeted because of him. But he himself would certainly be targeted. Kong Chengshun, being in charge of recruiting outer sect disciples, had the authority to reject him at the door, cutting off his chance to inherit higher martial arts from the Chang Xing Sect. If they were even more ruthless, they could collaborate with other sects to target him, completely blocking his martial path. Tian Chong, as the Head of Martial Affairs of Huangtong Mansion, had the authority to order the martial hall to expel him, and if his reasons were valid, he could even suggest to the Mansion Lord that Zhou Heng be banished from Huangtong Mansion. And once out of the city Any misadventure in the wilds would seem perfectly reasonable. For an ordinary martial artist, this would be a disaster, but for a cheat like Zhou Heng, it was just a minor inconvenience. He wasnt afraid of being cut off from martial arts inheritance, and it was clear that the Mansion Lord, Wu Zongshan, wasnt likely to forcefully expel him from Huangtong Mansion. However, Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, Yun Xiu, Yu He, and others didnt know what Zhou Heng was relying on. Seeing Tian Chongs demeanor and Kong Chengshuns attitude, they immediately thought of the worst possible scenarios and their faces turned pale with worry for Zhou Hengs future. At the same time, they racked their brains, trying to come up with a solution to the predicament. Liu Changsheng, however, was contemplating in his heart This seemed like a good opportunity to persuade Zhou Heng to join the Five Elements Sect again. How courageous you are, Zhou Heng, brazen and obstinate! Tian Chong said furiously, pointing at Zhou Heng and shouting, Zhou Heng! Youre young but your heart is vicious! Master Kong Chengshun kindly tested you, allowing you to attack as you wished, yet you were ungrateful and maliciously injured him when he was off guard! With such behavior, youre no different than those of the evil path. If you continue to practice martial arts in our establishment, I fear you might lead many apprentices astray! Lei Xiuyan, where are you? Would your Longxing Martial Arts Hall still keep such a thug? This barrage of accusations painted Zhou Heng as a brutal and violent thug who readily injured others, deliberately ignoring the fact that Kong Chengshun had tried to sabotage Zhou Heng earlier. Seeing this, Yu He and others blanched and instinctively looked toward Lei Xiuyan on the high platform. What to do now? Tian Chong was the Head of Martial Affairs of Huangtong Mansion, and the Chang Xing Sect was the strongest martial sect near this prefectural city Who would dare to contradict them for the sake of Zhou Heng? At that moment, Lin Cang, standing behind Lei Xiuyan, clenched his fists, wanting to burst forth to defend Zhou Heng. But Lei Xiuyan stopped him. The hall master fell into brief silence, his gaze turning resolute as if making up his mind, and was about to stand. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, exclamations of surprise suddenly erupted around the arena. Lei Xiuyan turned his head to look and was instantly stunned. Someone was treading through the air, stepping effortlessly from a tall building nearby and flying over. At the same time, an indifferent yet authoritative voice echoed between heaven and earth. Tian Chong, is this how you perform your duties as a Head of Martial Affairs? Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: 54 Chapter Grandmaster Chapter 54: 54 Chapter Grandmaster Translator: 549690339 Walking on air, crossing the void with ease! This is the ability to fly! To transcend the earth with ones own strength, to navigate the void and come and go in the azure sky. It is an ability possessed by masters of at least the Sixth Rank. To the common folk, this is simply the technique of flying immortals. Sixth Rank, is this a Sixth Rank master of the Martial Path? To think that a Sixth Rank master has come to our Huangtong Mansion City. Our Huangtong Mansion only has one personal the Sixth Rank, and thats our Lord! To fly through the skies and walk upon the heavens, it truly is enviable! Many couldnt help but exclaim in amazement. In fact, to the vast majority of people, those of the Sixth Rank of Martial Dao are beyond ordinary. In the martial world, even placed among the top tiers of great Martial Dao sects, such a person would be a chief in charge, considered an elder in medium-sized sects, and similar in status to the leaders of some smaller sects. In the halls of power, they could serve as masters of prefectural cities, hold real authority in county cities, be middle-ranked officers in the military, act as imperial enforcers, or hold other such influential positions within the imperial court; they all belong to this echelon. This has surpassed the common understanding of a person from the martial fraternity, and is a distinguished individual seldom seen in ordinary life. Now, witnessing someone fly in from the sky, how could they not be astounded? Especially since this Sixth Rank master seemed to be rebuking Tian Chong in a manner that showed great dissatisfaction with his actions. What a drama to watch! Many people became excited at once, fixing their gaze on this Sixth Rank master without blinking. This was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, burly and robust, dressed in a black robe, his muscles bulging, his face full of whiskers, exuding an aura of unspoken authority. Zhou Heng also looked toward him, a Sixth Rank master who had suddenly appeared, seemingly to stand by his side, which piqued his curiosity. But he discovered that he did not recognize this master. Very unfamiliar. However, with his perception +1, he quickly followed the route the master had come from, looked towards the rooftop of a high building not far away, and spotted a familiar silhouette. Pei Luoling. Was this Sixth Rank master related to Pei Luoling? Was he here to help me? How could a Sixth Rank master appear?! Kong Chengshun watched the middle C aged man incredulously, not believing what was happening before him. He even began to wonder if he was dreaming. This was a Sixth Rank in the Martial Path, and even his master Liu Songshan was only at this level. Now, there was a Sixth Rank coming to help Zhou Heng? How could such a thing happen?? At this moment, the expressions of Huang Jingfu and Hong Kang on the platform changed slightly. Although they did not recognize the master, they clearly felt his displeasure with Tian Chong. Was he here to help Zhou Heng? No way! How could a bumpkin who came from the sticks have such a master come to support him? Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were also puzzled; they too had never seen this Sixth Rank master. Where did Zhou Heng meet such an exalted person? Yun Xiu, on the other hand, had her eyes wide open, covering her mouth in disbelief, looking at the master with shock in her eyes, whispering in astonishment, How, how could this noble person come here? Why would there be a Sixth Rank master here? Liu Changsheng was also bewildered; he had done his research before coming to Huangtong Mansion City, and there should only be one person at the Sixth Rank here, the Lord Wu Zongshan. No, young master, this is not a Sixth Rank! the manager said with a voice full of surprise and doubt, looking at the middle-aged man, This is a Fifth Rank Sect Master of the Martial Path! What!?! Liu Changsheng was shocked and swiftly turned to look at Zhou Heng. A Grandmaster!? Could it be that a Grandmaster has come forward to support him!? How, how is this possible!? Could it be that a Grandmaster from the Pure Yang Palace couldnt stand the current situation any longer and couldnt help but come forward to back him up? Of course, the most panicked and frightened person at this time was Tian Chong on another high platform. He had been questioning Zhou Heng from a position of superiority, even attempting to judge him. But upon seeing the middle-aged man, Tian Chongs face turned deathly pale, and his legs gave out, dropping to his knees with a thud. Gone was the proud demeanor of before. General Manager, your subordinate has seen the General Manager!! Tian Chong bowed his head low, his entire body trembling, his fingers desperately clawing at the ground, evidently in extreme fear. His reaction caused everyone present to be very puzzled. General Manager? Tian Chong himself isnt he the Chief General of Huangtong Mansion City? Why call someone else Chief General? And to be scared to this extent. However, Huang Jingfu, an old-timer who had become crafty through the years, suddenly thought of a possibility and immediately widened his eyes, trembling as he said, Chief General, Chief General! Could it be, could it be that this is the Chief General from Pingzhou County City Pei Zhantu, Lord Pei?? Upon saying this, the entire place was thrown into an uproar. Hiss! The cold air seemed almost sucked dry. Pingzhou County City was the core of the entire Pingzhou, overseeing forty- two prefectures, with Huangtong Mansion being just one of them. And the Chief General of Huangtong Mansion was directly appointed by the General Office of Pingzhou County City. In other words, if this person was indeed the Chief General of Pingzhou County City, then he was Tian Chongs immediate superior! No wonder he was so frightened. Liu Changsheng, however, was even more shocked, for he knew that the name Pei Zhantu meant another background altogether. One of the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi, the Pei Family from Pingzhou. A Celestial Human Clan! Compared to the Five Elements Sect, it was only slightly inferior. A Fifth Rank Sect Master born into the Pei Family from Pingzhou actually came to help Zhou Heng?? This was something he couldnt comprehend. Could it be that this Zhou Heng was not just some commoner from the mountains? Liu Changsheng furrowed his brow and silently speculated, But there doesnt seem to be a major Zhou family in Da Qi, though there is one in Southern Jin to the south. The Zhou Family from Lu Yang, one of the nine great families of Southern Jin, although in decline, is an ancient family with a long heritage, predating the Middle Ancient era, even stronger than the Celestial Human Clan. Could Zhou Heng be a scion of this family? Apart from families of similar rank having relationships with their elders, he could not think of any other reason that a Grandmaster from the Pei Family in Pingzhou would help Zhou Heng. But if Zhou Heng really came from a notable origin, why would he conceal his identity and come to such a small martial gym to learn some basic, common martial arts? Isnt it better to practice the peerless martial arts passed down by the Zhou Family of Lu Yang? Liu Changsheng couldnt have dreamed of it. The root cause of all this was simply some light and refreshing tales that Zhou Heng had told Pei Luoling. At this moment, Kong Chengshun was also becoming anxious. He was very clear about the cultivation of the Chief General of Pingzhou Prefectural City. Fifth Rank! Grandmaster!! The Sect Master of Chang Xing Sect was merely at this level too! How could this youngster have such a powerful network of connections? This was impossible! Senior, Senior, whats going on!? He called for help in his mind, yet he received no response at all. It was as if that senior had suddenly fallen silent. Without a trace. By then, Pei Zhantu had already stepped onto the platform, scanning the crowd before his gaze settled on Tian Chong, saying indifferently, Tian Chong, is this how you speak to me, looking down from on high? Tian Chong was on the high stage, indeed above when compared to the platform. With those words, Tian Chong was so scared that his whole body shivered and he tumbled and crawled to Pei Zhantus front. Tian Chong stammered, Chief General, you, how come you are here? If I hadnt come, I wouldnt have known that you, as a chief of a prefecture, could behave so recklessly, Pei Zhantu said with a sneer. A seventeen-year- old Ninth Rank, a talent with potential on the prestige list, and you actually wanted to expel him? Upon hearing this, Tian Chong immediately prostrated on the ground, the fear inside him now irrepressible, his whole body shaking even more violently as he stuttered, My lord, you, youve misunderstood, I, I just, I just He tried to explain, but the words he had said earlier were heard by everyone present, leaving him no room for denial. No need for further words, Pei Zhantu said, shaking his head slightly, no longer paying attention to Tian Chong. He turned and pointed to an assistant officer of the military on the high stage, saying indifferently, From today onwards, you are the Chief General of Huangtong Mansion. Feng He, hit by this sudden stroke of fortune, was staggered for a moment before quickly kneeling down and shouting with great emotion, Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord! Hmm, Pei Zhantu nodded slightly and then turned his gaze back to Tian Chong, who was kneeling on the ground, and said indifferently, You have abused your power and acted recklessly. Though your crime is not worthy of death, you cannot be easily forgiven, so you shall go to the border of Xi Liang to guard a city. Xi Liang referred to the westernmost part of Da Qi, Liangzhou, beyond which lay the region known as the West Wasteland, rumored to be filled with countless monsters constantly trying to break through the Liangzhou border to invade. On the Xi Liang frontier, Ninth Rank and Eighth Rank martial artists could perish at any moment. Being sent to guard there was virtually no different from being sent to death. Tian Chong was utterly stunned; he knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly and shouting, My lord! I was wrong, I was wrong, please give me another chance! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The one you should be pleading with is not me, Pei Zhantu said, looking toward Zhou Heng, and speaking to Tian Chong, Its him. Ah! Young Master Zhou! Tian Chong immediately turned around and knelt in front of Zhou Heng, kowtowing vigorously, crying and begging, Young Master Zhou, please spare me, please spare me! I was blinded by greed before and targeted you, Ill never dare to do it again, please have mercy on me, treat me as nothing but a fart and let me off! Zhou Heng looked at the former Chief General kowtowing and begging at his feet, feeling a mix of emotions, and smiled lightly as he shook his head, If bowing and scraping could save ones skin, what would be the point in martial arts? Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Aristocratic Families, Imperial Court, and Sects Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Aristocratic Families, Imperial Court, and Sects Translator: 549690339 Zhou Hengs words drained Tian Chong of all his spirit, and he collapsed to the ground, his eyes hollow and his face etched with despair. Its over. Completely over. Being exiled to guard a city in Xi Liang, no one has ever been known to return from such a fate. This is a road of certain death! The people present couldnt help but sigh at the perilous nature of the martial world, where no one knew if an ordinary-looking person had a powerful backer. To the common eye, the position of Official Supervisor of Martial Affairs in a mansion was already significant, but even such figures could be crushed to dust in an instant before the truly powerful. Even their future life or death would be unpredictable. Pei Zhantu looked at Zhou Heng with approval and laughed, You are decisive indeed. After all, martial arts are the foundation. If groveling worked, what would be the need for martial arts? No sooner had he spoken than he turned to Feng He, the newly appointed Official Supervisor of Martial Affairs on the high platform, What are you waiting for? Why arent you ordering someone to drag this criminal down? Ah? Feng He was taken aback, still not fully adjusted to his new position, but he quickly caught on and nodded hastily, Yes, yes! Someone come! Immediately, immediately, drag Tian drag Tian Chong down and guard him strictly! A group of bailiffs from the Office of Martial Affairs approached the stage, ready to drag Tian Chong away. No! Dont! Tian Chong suddenly started to scream. It seemed he had thought of something. He said to Pei Zhantu, My lord, my lord! I have a daughter, she is close with your son, close with your son! Oh? On hearing this, Pei Zhantu gestured for the bailiffs to pause and chuckled, Is that so? What is your daughters name? Her name is Tian Rou, Tian Ron! Tian Chong said, brimming with hope, thinking that Pei Zhantu might spare him in consideration of this connection and maybe he could even use it to make a comeback someday! Hmm, I remember now, Pei Zhantu nodded lightly, saying, When I go back, I will instruct my children to cut off all ties with Tian Rou, letting your daughter accompany you to Xi Liang, so you will have someone to look after you. What!??? Tian Chong had never imagined such a consequence and immediately rolled his eyes up in his head, struggling to catch his breath, an Eighth Rank martial artist fainting on the spot. The bailiffs, always quick to read the situation, saw Tian Chong had been scared unconscious and hurriedly dragged the former Official Supervisor of Martial Affairs down. Now, silence fell all around the stage, as if deathly still, without a single noise. This abrupt change stunned everyone present; just moments ago, they were all worried that Zhou Heng could not escape his fate, but in the blink of an eye, the situation completely reversed. The appearance of such a powerful figure to support Zhou Heng was truly beyond belief! Thankyou, Mr. Pei, Zhou Heng said, clasping his hands in thanks. Theres no need for formality, nor for thanks, Pei Zhantu said with a smile. I was simply passing by and happened to see Tian Chong abusing his power. It was too much for me to ignore. Zhou Heng found himself at a loss for words. Is the world of adults always this hypocritical? II II Whether it was Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang on the high platform or Yu He, Yun Xiu, Liu Changsheng, and others around the stage, they all looked shocked at Pei Zhantus remarks. Could this be the way of an official? As Tian Chong had just slightly regained consciousness, he heard Pei Zhantus comments. With a jerk of his legs and his eyes rolling back, he fainted once more. Hahaha. Pei Zhantu laughed heartily and turned to Kong Chengshun, Now, Mr. Kong, shall we talk about the matter of Zhou Heng joining the Chang Xing Sect? This Kong Chengshuns face darkened as he said, Mr. Pei, as I understand it, the Office of Martial Affairs only governs matters within the city. The affairs of our mountainous sects are beyond your jurisdiction. After the initial panic, he was no longer very wary of Pei Zhantu. Because he had figured out some things. Although Pei Zhantu was a Fifth Rank Sect Master, and backed by the influential Pingzhou Pei Clan of the Chang Xing Sect, which nobody dared to provoke, he was sure that as long as Pei Zhantu wasnt foolish, he wouldnt use the authority of the Buwu government office or the status of the Pingzhou Pei Clan to pressure him. The contradictions between noble families and sects have existed since ancient times. If Pei Zhantu really dared to use official authority to oppress the Chang Xing Sect, then this wouldnt just be a matter between Pei Zhantu and the Chang Xing Sect themselves; it could lead to a multitude of conflicts between noble families, the imperial court, and the sects. This wasnt something that Pei Zhantu could afford to withstand. The fact that Pei Zhantu only dealt with Tian Chong of Huangtong Mansions Buwu office just now and didnt bother with the meddling Huang Jingfu and Hong Kang showed that he was fully aware of the complications involved. Therefore, Kong Chengshuns courage grew much stronger. Pei Zhantu saw what Kong Chengshun was thinking and smiled, Young Master Kong, you misunderstand. I have no intention of interfering with the matters within your sect. I only hope that Young Master Kong takes good care of his own affairs. His implication was for Kong Chengshun to just manage the Chang Xing Sects recruitment of disciples and not to interfere with Zhou Heng joining other sects. Taking care of my own matters is my duty, so theres no need for Lord Pei to worry, Kong Chengshun said, seeing that Pei Zhantus words were indeed as he thought. He instantly felt a surge of excitement, which even lessened the pain in his arms, and smiled, As for the other sects, I have no authority to inquire into their affairs. Thats how it should be, Pei Zhantu nodded, his face impassive but with a hint of displeasure in his heart. Because what Kong Chengshun seemingly expressed was that he had no authority to stop other sects from rejecting Zhou Heng, but it was really just a game of semantics. He said he had no authority to inquire, which means whether other sects accept or reject Zhou Heng, it was none of his business. Whether he truly inquired if the sects did not accept Zhou Heng, nobody knew. But with Kong Chengshun putting his point across like this, Pei Zhantu knew he couldnt press too hard. The Da Qi imperial court was very sensitive about the relationship between officials and sects. Even though Kong Chengshun was just a lowly Eighth Rank martial artist, Pei Zhantu still had to be cautious. The Chang Xing Sect might be weak, but there were plenty of powerful Martial Dao sects in the world. To rashly use official power to suppress sect martial artists under everyones watchful eyes was not a wise decision. Its just unfortunate that a talent like Zhou Heng might find his martial path fraught with hardship. Kong Chengshun, seeing Pei Zhantus expression, could hardly contain his glee, and his face broke into an obvious grin as he said sarcastically: Although my Chang Xing Sect cant take Zhou Heng, with his qualifications, if he wishes to go to other sects, Im sure they will be scrambling for him. Lord Pei need not concern himself. At the same time, he made a firm decision in his heart. After this conference, he would report the happenings to his master and contact other sects via various connections to reach a tacit agreement with most sects in Huangtong Mansion and the surrounding regions. Not to accept this Zhou Heng! Liu Changsheng, who was watching from below, also caught the underlying message in Kong Chengshuns words. He snorted coldly, ready to step up and challenge, to ask if the Five Elements Sect would accept Zhou Heng as a disciple, and whether the Chang Xing Sect would have any objection. But before he could take action, a clear cranes cry came from the sky. Instantly the sky darkened. A colossal white crane soared into view, its shadow blotting out the sun as it gradually descended, perching steadily on the platform. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This white crane was over ten feet tall; under the sunlight, its feathers seemed to be wrapped in a golden glow, exuding a profound sanctity, like a divine bird descended from an immortal mountain. Thud! Suddenly, there was a dull sound as a dirty, oil-stained Taoist in a disheveled Taoist robe tumbled from the back of the white crane, landing in a heap shaped like the character for wood. Ah, the vertical stroke of the wood character was an inadvertent addition from the wine gourd that fell below. Burp! The Taoist belched out a ring of alcohol fumes, lifted his head with bleary eyes, looking around in a daze, and slurred, Who, who, who is calling for Zhou Heng? Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Chapter 56: The Sword-Carrying White Crane Chapter 56: Chapter 56: The Sword-Carrying White Crane Immortal Translator: 549690339 Where did this scruffy drunkard come from? How dare he disturb the sanctity of the immortal crane? This was the first reaction of the majority of people present, but soon they realized something was amiss: this slovenly drunkard seemed to have fallen off the crane. Did he ride the crane here? The onlookers surrounding the duel stage couldnt lielp but feel that coming to watch the commotion this time was a huge winthey witnessed excitement that they might not see in half their lifetimes. It started with Ninth Grade Zhou Hengs counter-murder of an Eighth Rank hitman from the list, followed by Tian Chong, the martial affairs official who wanted to strip Zhou Heng of his name, and then, unexpectedly, a martial affairs official from the county city flew in, flipping the situation around with a series of actions. And now a peculiar Taoist who rode a white crane appeared, seemingly also looking for Zhou Heng? Who in the world is Zhou Heng? How has he attracted so many extraordinary individuals? In fact, it wasnt just the spectators who felt puzzled; even Zhou Heng himself was a bit bewildered. Who is this drunken Taoist? Where did he come from? What does he want with me? Whats going on? Kong Chengshun saw the white crane and the drunken Taoist and immediately furrowed his eyebrows, his face changing slightly as if he had thought of something. Pei Zhantu s expression was also one of stark astonishment as he looked toward the Taoist who had suddenly arrived riding a crane. His gaze was filled with confusion. Clearly, he recognized the Taoist but couldnt understand why the Taoist would be here. Liu Changsheng, standing beneath the duel stage, also widened his eyes. He did not know the drunken Taoist, but he recognized the robe he wore. Though the robe was full of grease stains and had many areas hardened into crusts, its overall style was still discernible. That was a robe from the Pure Yang Palace! And judging by the style, this sloshed Taoist was at least of Sixth Rank, perhaps even Fifth Rank cultivation. Yet another powerhouse with the strength of a grandmaster had arrived!? Just who is Zhou Heng? Could it be that he truly has some inconceivable secret identity? Now, Liu Changsheng suddenly felt somewhat relieved; good thing his earlier invitation to Zhou Heng had not succeeded. Otherwise If he had truly taken Zhou Heng as a disciple, he might have been on the receiving end of a beating from these big shots. Why has he come? The manager, who seemed to recognize the drunken Taoist, was also very puzzled. Who is this Taoist? Liu Changsheng asked, Manager Wang, do you know him? The number one on the people s list 50 years ago, the true successor of Pure Yang Palace, known as Sword-Carrying White Crane Immortal, You Ziheng. Manager Wang looked at the drunken Taoist on the stage who still hadnt gotten up, as if reminiscing about the past. You Ziheng!? Liu Changsheng exclaimed in shock, disbelievingly staring at the unkempt drunken Taoist, Wasnt the Sword-Carrying White Crane Immortal said to be a dashing and handsome figure, singular like a sword immortal? How could this be Manager Wang simply shook his head in silence. Zhou Heng, with his sensitive hearing, caught the conversation between Liu Changsheng and Manager Wang and immediately had a realization. So, this man came from the Pure Yang Palace. Then he understood; this must be related to Cheng Jianjian. Back when Cheng Jianjian bid him farewell, she had left as a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. Is it because of my Pure Yang Body that she intended to introduce me to the Pure Yang Palace to learn martial arts? Zhou Heng guessed the purpose of You Zihengs visit in his heart. You Ziheng, why have you come? Pei Zhantu, who was from the same era as this drunken Taoist, asked with confusion, Are you here for Zhou Heng? Upon hearing this name, Kong Chengshuns face changed dramatically, and he quickly performed a fist-and-palm salute, saying, Junior Kong Chengshun of the Chang Xing Sect pays respect to Senior You of the Pure Yang Palace. With those words, everyone present instantly grasped You Zihengs identity. This drunken Taoist was actually from the Pure Yang Palace! Seeing him descend from the sky on a white crane, he must be at least a Sixth Rank expert, and possibly even a Fifth Rank grandmaster! Pure Yang Palace! It was one of the three great Taoist palaces in the world, with its palace lord currently ranked first on the Heavens List, overwhelmingly dominating the current era. It was said within the sect there were Immortals who had stepped into the Divine First Rank, sacred beings that could be referred to as the strongest. Their lineage was incredibly ancient. Although the specific era was hard for outsiders to verify, the information that could be confirmed indicated that even before the Middle Ancient Era, the Pure Yang Palace had existed for untold years. Without a doubt, it was one of the most powerful sects in the world. Compared to it, what were the Five Elements Sect and the Pingzhou Pei family? They paled in comparison! As for the Chang Xing Sect, it was hardly worth mentioning. Hie, Zhou Heng, where is Zhou Heng? You Ziheng looked around in a daze, completely ignoring Pei Zhantu and Kong Chengshun; his gaze finally settled on Zhou Heng and a smile appeared on his face that was partially obscured by hair, Hahaha, I finally found you, lad! He laughed as he rose from the ground, and his previously foggy eyes seemed to clear up a bit. After sizing up Zhou Heng, he chuckled and said, Thats right, thats right, its you, lad. Senior is looking for me? Although Zhou Heng was quite puzzled, he still maintained the appropriate politeness. Speaking politely was always correct. Glug glug glug. You Ziheng took a swig from his gourd of wine, looked at Zhou Heng, and got straight to the point, Thats right, I came looking for you, and I also wanted to ask you, are you interested in becoming a disciple of my Pure Yang Palace? Hiss hiss!! At this, all the surrounding coolness was completely sucked dry, not a drop left. All those present were shocked, their faces filled with disbelief as they stared at Zhou Heng and You Ziheng. My God! What on earth was going on?? A member of the Pure Yang Palace had actively sought out Zhou Heng to take him as a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace!? This was the Pure Yang Palace, after all! Who exactly was Zhou Heng for the Pure Yang Palace to regard him so highly? Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang on the high platform felt dizzy, as if they were in a dream. No, even in a dream, they would not dare imagine that the martial artist they had trained would be noticed by the Pure Yang Palace and taken as a disciple!! This was utterly inconceivable! Too incredible! Yun Xiu and the others were completely stunned; they were good friends with Zhou Heng and the current situation completely exceeded their understanding. If they hadnt witnessed it with their own eyes, they would even doubt whether this Zhou Heng was the same person they knew. This was the Pure Yang Palace, after all! Youre going to directly take him as a disciple? Pei Zhantu was somewhat surprised, asking with doubt, Did you specially come from Pure Yang Palace to find him? Although he had also noticed Zhou Hengs extraordinary talents, it surely hadnt reached the extent that Pure Yang Palace would personally send someone to recruit a disciple. For a top Martial Dao Sect like Pure Yang Palace, the selection of disciples was extremely strict; not only did they assess talent and aptitude, but candidates usually had to go through various selections and assessments before they could truly be accepted as disciples. Since when was it ever so casual? Heh heh, thats notit, You Ziheng shook his head, took another swig of wine, and smiled, I was riding my crane to Dongli Mountain to buy wine when suddenly on a whim, I sensed that someone named Zhou Heng here was fated with our Pure Yang Palace, so I came down to take a look. So thats how it is, Pei Zhantu suddenly realized, unaware that You Ziheng was just fooling him, and the doubts in his heart immediately dissipated. Pure Yang Palace had a long and ancient heritage, rumored to still possess techniques from the era of Immortals and Saints from antiquity. The whimsical intuition about fate that You Ziheng mentioned indeed existed and wasnt merely an excuse. If that was the case, he understood why You Ziheng had appeared here and was even willing to have Zhou Heng join Pure Yang Palace. It was all just a coincidence. You Ziheng happened to pass by, and on a whim, he descended. Only a coincidence could explain it; otherwise, how could it be possible for Pure Yang Palace to come thousands of miles just to take in a disciple? Taoist priest, are you saying that you want me to join Pure Yang Palace? Zhou Hengs eyes lit up. He did not lack martial arts, but what he lacked were teachers and predecessors to guide him in martial experience, as well as fellow disciples to spar with and progress together. This was one of the reasons why, even after acquiring the System, he still chose to take part in the assessments and tried to join Chang Xing Sect. And having read through Journey to the West several times, he was very clear that having a backing or not often made the difference between heaven and earth, and even between life and death. Although Chang Xing Sect could only be considered medium-sized within the entirety of Da Qi, it was already the strongest martial sect in the vicinity of Huangtong Mansion City. For an ordinary person who had come from deep within the mountains like him, it definitely could serve as a commendable backing. At least until his own strength truly became formidable, that was how it seemed. Now Chang Xing Sect was no longer a possibility. Originally, Zhou Heng intended to wait until his strength improved further and he made a name for himself on the list of notable individuals before seeking other, better sects to see if he could join. Unexpectedly, Pure Yang Palace came knocking on his door! Cheng Jianjian, this little girl, was indeed nice. If conditions allowed in the future, hed see if he could make some chocolate for her to try. What, interested? Hie! You Ziheng burped, exhaling alcohol, and laughed, Although I feel you are fated with our Pure Yang Palace, whether you can truly join or not is not up to me alone; there will still be assessments. As for what the specific assessment will be, lets talk tomorrow, tomorrow Ill tell you, um, when I think of it tomorrow, I mean, when I remember tomorrow, pah, look at my mouth, whatever, itll be tomorrow! He seemed to be drunk, his speech somewhat slurred, then he moved over to PeiZhantus side, and smiled, Hey, Pei, havent we not seen each other for decades? Wont you drink a couple jars with me? The two were of similar age, had both competed in the same era, and were quite familiar with each other. I have official responsibilities now, Pei Zhantu frowned and said, Its not that Im unwilling; its that I cannot. Ah, what a hassle, You Ziheng waved his hand, a bit disappointed, and said, Then arrange a good tavern for me, get me some fine wine. This is your territory; if not, I might think youre petty. Saying this, he swaggered off toward the arena below, while the white crane that was over ten meters tall suddenly shrank into the size of a sparrow, flying onto his shoulder. Zhou Heng watched his departing figure, suddenly feeling that Pure Yang Palace didnt seem very reliable? Kong Chengshun, however, let out a long sigh of relief. Just now, he had been on tenterhooks, truly afraid that You Ziheng would discover his earlier intention to suppress Zhou Heng and block his martial path. Both Pure Yang Palace and Chang Xing Sect were sects; if You Ziheng targeted him, it wouldnt lead to further conflicts between the noble families, court, and the sects. With just a little warning, You Ziheng could make things very difficult for Kong Chengshun. But just as Kong Chengshun had begun to relax his mind. The moment You Ziheng was about to jump down from the arena, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. With his right hand formed into a sword finger, he gently twisted it. The invisible energy of heaven and earth was immediately stirred and astonishingly condensed into thousands of sword lights in an instant! Zheng! The sword hummed, like a crane crying in the ninth heaven, resounding through the universe! At the same moment, hundreds of sword lights converged around Kong Chengshun, enveloping him from all directionsfront, back, left, right, and above. Moreover, each of these sword lights was but a hairs breadth from truly piercing him! Kong Chengshun immediately broke into a cold sweat, with terror nearly bursting from his heart. Kneel down and apologize to the destined one of my Pure Yang Palace. You Ziheng stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from Kong Chengshun, and spoke indifferently. With a flick of his sleeve, he withdrew the sword lights, leapt down from the arena, and staggered away. Kong Chengshuns clothes were soaked with cold sweat. Even though the sword lights had been withdrawn, he was still immersed in the sudden and violent fear that had overwhelmed him. Without hesitation, he knelt in front of Zhou Heng, shouting loudly, Im sorry! I beg for Young Master Zhou Hengs forgiveness, please dont hold a grudge for my previous offenses! Im sorry! Heh. Zhou Heng scoffed coldly, not even bothering to glance at Kong Chengshun, turned around, and said to Pei Zhantu, Mr. Pei, may I host a banquet to express my gratitude for your assistance? No need, I merely did what I should have done. Pei Zhantu continued with the same response, chuckling, Helpingyou is also helping myself. Having said that, he soared into the air and flew toward a tall building not far away. Zhou Heng watched his figure, and the girl Pei Luoling on the high building, and roughly guessed what had happened. Pei Luoling had obviously sneaked out, and Pei Zhantu had most likely come to bring herback. The help he provided to Zhou Heng was likely a request proposed by Pei Luoling regarding returning. Thank you. Zhou Heng waved to the girl on the high building. Pei Luoling had originally been facing away from Zhou Heng, but as if sensing him, she turned around and saw Zhou Heng waving. Her somewhat sorrowful expression instantly filled with smiles again. She started looking forward to the future: Mm, I will come here again in the future to hear the rest of your wonderful stories. This assessment competition of the Chang Xing Sect ended in an unprecedented manner. Following that, barring any surprises, Zhou Heng would receive support policies from the Huangtong Mansion Martial Affairs Department. Not just silver coins. But also an opportunity to commission a military craftsman to create a personalized weapon. This was an opportunity money couldnt buy! Huang Jingfu and Hong Kang would most likely be stripped of their positions as heads of their respective halls, and there might be other punishments as well. Apart from Zhou Heng, the biggest winner was undoubtedly Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang had yet to process what had happened when the Martial Arts Hall was flooded with people, all waving silver notes and wanting to enroll their children to learn martial arts. Zhou Heng didnt intend to pay attention to these distractions. After coming down from the arena, he had a meal with Yu He and Yun Xiu before returning home. The day had been eventful, and he might face another assessment from You Ziheng tomorrow, not even knowing what it entailed. It was important to rest well. But he didnt sleep for long before waking up. Looking out the window, the night was dark, and the wind was high. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng sat up in bed, the room silent, his brows slightly furrowed, wondering, Did I overlook something? Something doesnt feel right; Kong Chengshuns sword? Zheng! Just then, a sword cry sounded in the room without warning, and Zhou Heng saw an ancient-looking longsword suddenly appear on the table beside his bed. Thats right, you indeed overlooked me. The ancient sword trembled slightly. And issued an aged voice. Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Divine Weapon Concealed in a Cliff Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Divine Weapon Concealed in a Cliff Translator: 549690339 | Zhou Heng immediately jumped off the bed. He had just woken up not long before and still felt somewhat sleepy, but now he was completely awake, looking at the ancient sword that had suddenly appeared with shock and uncertainty. What are you? He sensed a faint ghostly aura on the ancient sword, yet it was somewhat elusive, not like the pure ghostly aura that was cold and sinister; it even gave him a sense of clarity and warmth. I am your great opportunity, your great fortune, the ancient sword trembled again, its voice ancient yet filled with temptation, Come, grasp the hilt, and you shall inherit not just one Celestial Mans legacy. Do you think Id fall for that? Zhou Heng sneered. He would never trust something of unknown origin, especially since it had been in the enemys hands before. Hehehe, laughter came from within the ancient sword, Do you think, just because youve obtained a bit of Pure Yang Palaces favor, you can join the Taoist Immortal Sect and never lack for inheritance? Young man, you are too naive. The great sects of the Martial Path all treasure their own rubbish as if it were gold; ordinary disciples can hardly get the true teachings. Even if you pass the assessment and truly enter Pure Yang Palace, at most youll learn a few Sect Fifth Rank techniques. Now, all you need to do is hold the hilt, let me serve you, and you can obtain numerous Celestial Man inheritances. Many divine techniques and marvelous methods are at your disposal to choose from. Why would you not want to? Are you really that powerful? Zhou Hengs heart stirred, and he chuckled, Why do I find that hard to believe? If you were really that powerful, why couldnt Kong Chengshun beat me? The ancient sword fell silent for a moment before responding, Thats because his spirit wasnt strong enough; he couldnt fully bear the Celestial Mans inheritance, while your spirit is uncommonly tenacious, truly deserving of this great opportunity. I still dont believe you have a Celestial Mans inheritance, Zhou Heng shook his head, unless you can provide proof. Kid, youre trying to trick me into teaching you Martial Arts, but sadly, youre still too green, the voice from the ancient sword came with a mocking tone, However, its indeed rare to see someone with a spirit as strong as yours, so fine, let you taste a little sweetness then. Here is an Absolute Fourth Rank Internal Cultivation Method; listen well! After that, the ancient voice coming from the sword began to recite a series of mnemonics that were profound and abstruse, highly advanced to the extreme, which Zhou Heng couldnt understand at all. It seemed the ancient voice took this into account, for with each segment it recited, it would follow with very detailed explanations, incrementally building from simple to complex, thoroughly exhaustive. Fuyaji is explaining to you the Martial Arts Heavenly Demon Soul Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Studying this Martial Arts has a high chance to become someone elses puppet. Do you wish to learn it? A system prompt sounded in Zhou Hengs mind. Damn, that crafty old man is really quite something! Zhou Heng kept a straight face, but inwardly he was cursing up a storm. He now understood that all the talk about serving him and Celestial Man inheritances was just a prelude; the real killer move was here. It was to take advantage of his cleverness leading to his own mistake, thinking of wheedling Martial Arts out of the sword but unaware that it was exactly what the ancient sword was waiting for, hoping to seize the chance to pass on a Martial Arts with serious hidden issues. I got too arrogant; if it wasnt for the System, Id have probably fallen for it, Zhou Heng reflected with a shiver of fear. He still lacked experience, not having considered this possibility. You cant just go plucking wool wherever you see it. In the future, I must be careful, I must be careful. No! Zhou Heng made his choice, followed by a series of prompts. You have refused to learn the Martial Arts Heavenly Demon Soul Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank] as explained by Fuyaji. You will not gain proficiency in this Martial Arts. Fuyajis explanations contain profound Internal Martial Arts principles; your comprehension of Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Eighth Rank] deepens, proficiency +100. Fuyajis explanations contain profound Internal Martial Arts principles; your comprehension of Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Eighth Rank] deepens, proficiency +150. By the time Fuyaji had finished explaining the Heavenly Demon Soul Technique, Zhou Hengs proficiency in the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method had risen from intermediate to advanced. [Eighth Rank]Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method: Advanced (460/3000) This wool seems to be sheared quite nicely too. Zhou Hengs heart bloomed with joy, but his face was furrowed with worry as he said, What are you talking about? I dont understand at all. Is this really an Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts? You dont understand? Fuyaji in the ancient sword was clearly stunned. He fell silent, attempting to sense through the appropriate link, only to find that there wasnt a trace of the Heavenly Demon Soul Techniques aura on Zhou Heng. How is this possible? Fuyaji was baffled. The Heavenly Demon Soul Technique should leave a soul seed in the mind as soon as one agreed to learn it, but there wasnt the slightest hint of a soul seeds aura within Zhou Heng. I really dont understand, Zhou Heng made a skeptical expression and said, What you just taught wouldnt happen to be a fake Martial Arts, would it? Why dont you go over it again? How can such a thing happen? Fuyaji was full of doubts. Suddenly, he thought of a possibility, and the sword body trembled slightly as he said, Hmph! So you are really that dull, it seems I have misjudged! With that, the surface of the ancient sword glowed faintly and directly pierced through the void, vanishing without a trace, as if it had never appeared. Looking at the empty table, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he silently mused to himself, Fuyaji Sword, Divine Weapon? Just now, while the ancient sword hadnt left, he had used a Dissemble Card on it. Congratulations! You have disassembled a Sword Talisman Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique [Secret Six Rank] from the weapon Fuyaji Sword [Celestial Third Rank](Sealed). Sword Talisman Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique [Secret Six Rank]: Capable of releasing Geng Metal Sword Qi, comparable to a full-force strike of a Sixth Rank Martial Path practitioner, and near Fifth Rank in the presence of ample metal, can be used three times. The object he disassembled was quite impressive, effectively giving Zhou Heng another card up his sleeve to save his life. But what shocked him even more was the Fuyaji Swords rank. Celestial Third Rank! A weapon of this level had another nameDivine Weapon! The fact that Kong Chengshun had a Divine Weapon, even in a sealed state, surprised Zhou Heng and greatly disquieted him. Divine Weapon! Its very existence was equivalent to a Celestial Man! And it was in Kong Chengshuns hands. This made Zhou Heng feel like a huge, bright red Danger! had appeared overhead. If he didnt deal with this crisis, he felt he would not be able to rest easy in the future. But that was a Divine Weapon. How to handle it? From the performance of the Fuyaji Sword just now, it seems it cant initiate attacks on its own, or there are significant restrictions, otherwise it wouldnt have needed to use rhetoric to hook me, Zhou Heng pondered with furrowed brows. And that ability to appear and disappear out of thin air probably cant be used at will, though I cant be sure How to prevent it from escaping? Theres ghostly Qj on the Fuyaji Sword, which might be a way to handle it Since it is in a sealed state, the spiritual power it can release is probably limited as well, otherwise it could have directly interfered with my consciousness When should we make a move? Wait until Kong Chengshun leaves here, when he goes out of the city? No! Now is the best opportunity! With this thought, Zhou Heng took out the last three taels of gold he had, headed straight out the door, and, under the cover of night, sprinted through the alleys toward the residence where Kong Chengshun lived. During the day, Kong Chengshun had been seriously injured, and Tian Chong had been stripped of his post; naturally, they could no longer stay at the inn they had booked. In order to facilitate healing, Kong had rented a secluded mansion on the outskirts of the city. He didnt dare leave directly, fearing that once out of the city, in the wild countryside, he might be killed by Zhou Heng or Pei Zhantu and others. He planned to stay for a while and leave after the storm had passed. Yet deep down, Kong Chengshun was immensely frustrated. He couldnt understand how things had come to this. How could a country bumpkin from the backwoods have the backing of a big shot like Pei Zhantu? And to further his damn luck, even individuals from the Pure Yang Palace wanted to take him as a disciple. Why him!? Therefore, when the senior from the ancient sword mentioned earlier that there was a way to deal with Zhou Heng, he agreed without a second thought. Even though the method required draining all his inner Qi and might even harm his foundation, Kong Chengshun felt it was all worth it if it meant getting rid of Zhou Heng! Being drained of inner Qi meant at most a few days of weakness, and a damaged foundation could be healed with spiritual medicine! Such a price, he was willing to pay! At this moment, Kong Chengshun lay collapsed in the room of the mansion, his complexion deathly pale, looking completely drained. Just now, he had contributed all his inner Qi, feeling so weak he could hardly move a finger. But his heart was filled with joy, for he had witnessed the ancient sword, after absorbing his inner Qi, break through the void and vanish into thin air! Such an inconceivable sight greatly boosted Kong Chengshuns confidence, and he eagerly awaited the good news from his senior. Hum! Suddenly, the void trembled lightly, twisting slightly. The ancient sword reappeared in Kong Chengshuns hand out of nowhere, its blade now dim. Senior, how did it go? Is that Zhou Heng done for? Kong Chengshun asked impatiently. No, he isnt, theres something odd about that kid. The Fuyaji Sword trembled lightly, its voice anxious, saying, We need to leave now, right this moment! Ah? What, whats wrong? Kong Chengshun was baffled. That kid might be a Celestial Man reincarnation! The Fuyaji Sword sounded frustrated. It never expected that its carefully chosen puppet host would turn out to have such an identity, and the hope of breaking its seal was dashed once more. Initially, upon reviewing Zhou Hengs information through Kong Chengshun, it was merely a whim to see if this genius met its standards and ordered Kong to test him. Upon contact, it discovered Zhou Heng was actually a Pure Yang Body. This perfectly matched its requirements for a puppet host and was greatly beneficial for breaking its seal. That led to Kong Chengshuns relentless oppression of Zhou Heng, aiming to force him out of the city to conveniently lure and manipulate him. But, unforeseen complications arose, with Pei Zhantu and You Ziheng stepping in, throwing all its plans into disarray. Fuyaji had no choice but to bewitch Kong Chengshun, absorbing his Inner Qi and part of his foundation, in order to temporarily use the ability of short-distance teleportation to seek out Zhou Heng himself. Originally, Fuyaji planned to fully abandon Kong Chengshun after successfully turning Zhou Heng into a puppet, considering that Kong Chengshuns limited talents would likely be of no help in breaking the Seal. However, Fuyaji had not expected that Zhou Heng would be unable to learn the Heavenly Demon Soul Technique. This Internal Energy Method was extremely sinister. Once someone agreed to learn it and the instructor provided a detailed explanation, a soul seed would grow within the learner, gradually turning them into a puppet of the instructor. However, there was one scenario in which, even if the learner agreed to learn this Internal Energy Method and listened to the detailed explanation, they still could not learn it. That was the reincarnation of a Celestial Man. Although a reincarnated Celestial Man would experience the confusion of the womb and lose the memories of their past life, their Divine Soul would still retain the essence of their previous incarnations spirit, untouched by such Absolute Fourth Rank sinister techniques. At the same time, Fuyaji recalled that twenty years ago, a Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace had reached the end of their lifespan and passed away during meditation, and during the day, a Grandmaster from Pure Yang Palace purportedly took Zhou Heng as a disciple on a whim, for reasons unclear whether true or false. Therefore, in Fuyajis view, everything matched up! Zhou Heng was the reincarnation of that Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace who had passed away twenty years prior. You Ziheng hadnt taken a disciple on a whim, but rather came to guide a bewildered Sect predecessor back to Pure Yang! It must be so! Fuyaji was absolutely certain of his speculation, which filled him with an intense sense of crisis Since Zhou Heng had such a close connection with Pure Yang Palace, it was very likely that You Ziheng would be secretly looking after Zhou Hengs safety. His earlier attempt to find Zhou Heng might already have been discovered. He must leave quickly! Otherwise, once a Grandmaster from Pure Yang Palace discovered the Divine Weapon in his possession and sent it back to the Sect, he would never have the chance to break the Seal and regain his freedom again. But Senior, I cant move at all right now, Kong Chengshun said helplessly. His Inner Qi was drained, his foundation damaged, and he couldnt even move a finger. I still have some ofyour True Qi conserved; I can return it to you. Use all your strength to move and grab the hilt of my sword Fuyaji spoke very rapidly, obviously in a great hurry, but as soon as he finished this sentence, he felt that something was amiss, Not good! Boom! A sound as though the sky was collapsing thundered through the air. A pure white Sword Qi over thirty feet in length split the night sky and descended, instantly leveling the entire courtyard to the ground. Kong Chengshun didnt even have a chance to react before the Geng Metal Sword Qi crushed him into powder; even his Divine Soul perished, completely annihilating both form and spirit. Damnit! Fuyaji cursed loudly, and immediately tried to use the last bit of his Inner Qi to break through the void and teleport away from there. But before he could disappear Boom!! Three golden bolts of lightning fell from the sky, striking precisely on the blade of Fuyajis sword. The power contained within these three bolts wasnt strong, and even in its sealed state, Fuyajis sword regarded them as nothing more than mild attacks. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, within them was a strange force that seemed capable of suppressing Yin spirits. Fuyaji wasnt a ghost, but he could be considered a Yin spirit who still carried a hint of ghostly energy, and being in a sealed state, the spirit he could manifest was not strong. After being struck consecutively by these three bolts, his consciousness immediately became momentarily confused. The sword instantly lost its luster and fell to the ground. At the same time, the earth-shattering noise alarmed many experts within Huangtong Mansion City. Pei Zhantu, You Ziheng, Wu Zongshan, and Wang Lang immediately took action and flew toward the location with incredible speed. Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Being the Scapegoat Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Being the Scapegoat Translator: 549690339 The first to arrive was You Ziheng. As a martial dao sect with ancient inheritance at its peak, Pure Yang Palace naturally also had top-notch flying techniques of the present day. However, since they were both grandmasters and it wasnt a fight to the death, the difference in speed wasnt too big. Just as You Ziheng landed, Pei Zhantu also arrived soon after. This place was originally a residence uninhabited by anyone, which was why Kong Chengshun was able to rent it on the same day. Now the residence no longer existed; even the bricks, tiles, wood, and stone were gone. Under the sweeping of that powerful sword qi, ordinary buildings were as good as paper ones. Even the foundation had been leveled. The whole ground had sunk more than three zhang, forming a long, deep pit. The bottom of the pit had a very smooth surface, evidently caused by the sharpness of the sword qi. Although the sword qi had already dissipated by this time, there was still a lingering chill in the air, like a sharp wind. A sixth rank expert, Geng Metal Sword Qi, Pei Zhantu glanced around and deduced the situation, This residence covered less than one mu of land, and the sword qi was contained within this area, without spreading. It appears to have been targeted specifically at Kong Chengshun. I doubt thats the entire story, said You Ziheng, still looking drunk, but his expression was quite grave. He jumped into the deep pit and rummaged through the soil, pulling out an antique-looking longsword, Tsk tsk tsk, interesting. By this time, Wu Zongshan and Wang Lang had also arrived. They were both sixth rank martial artists and couldnt fly as fast as Pei Zhantu and You Ziheng. Gentlemen, what has happened? asked Wu Zongshan, as the head of Huangtong Mansion. This was where Kong Chengshun rented a place, destroyed by sixth rank Geng Metal Sword Qi. Kong Chengshun should be completely obliterated, Pei Zhantu described briefly, then turned towards You Ziheng in the pit, saying, What about that sword? Whats the story there? Its a divine weapon, replied You Ziheng casually. He held the hilt and examined it closely. What!? A divine weapon? A divine weapon of the third rank of heaven?? The three others present were all stunned, almost doubting their own ears. Wasnt this the place where Kong Chengshun had rented? How could there be a divine weapon here? Thats right, a divine weapon of the third rank of heaven, You Ziheng jumped out of the pit, gulping down two mouthfuls of wine with a chuckle, Heh, would this count as a stroke of divine fortune? I just went down and rummaged a bit and picked up a divine sword. Indeed, its a divine sword, but it seems to be sealed by a mighty power, Pei Zhantu too noticed the grade of the ancient sword, but inside, he felt even more puzzled, A sealed divine sword, how could it be here with Kong Chengshun? And what about that sword qi just now, was that targeting the divine weapon? But if it was just to seize the divine weapon, why create such a massive commotion? Wouldnt it be better to assassinate Kong Chengshun discreetly? Wu Zongshan also felt perplexed. The thunderous roar from before could be heard by almost half of Huangtong Prefectural City. It seemed almost like it was done deliberately to draw people here, not at all what one would do to scheme after a divine weapon. Clang! Just then, the ancient sword suddenly trembled and emitted a sword cry, an aged voice coming from within. You kid from Pure Yang Palace, what are you pretending for? The one who unleashed that sword qi wasnt it you? Fuyajis voice was filled with annoyance; he had by now regained his senses. However, being held in the hand of a fifth rank sect master, he had no way at all to escape. Even though a complete Fuyaji Sword was a divine weapon of the third rank of heaven, its current sealed state left it devoid of any autonomous offensive abilities. Even if someone held it in their hand, it equaled nothing more than a near sharp weapon level refined through hundreds of processes. Escaping from the hand of a grandmaster was impossible. Once the Fuyaji Sword spoke, the surroundings suddenly became deathly silent. Pei Zhantu, Wu Zongshan, and Wang Lang all changed color immediately, their eyes flickered with a trace of fright, disbelievingly staring at the divine weapon. A divine weapon speaking! This was not just a matter of a divine sword having a spirit! You Ziheng, holding the Fuyaji Sword, also felt his hand tremble slightly, but he put on an air as if he had expected this all along, even letting out a hiccup and laughing, Senior, you really do have a quick temper. As he spoke, thirty-six apricot-yellow beams of light flew out from his disheveled Taoist robe, instantly enveloping the entire Fuyaji Sword. The voice from inside the sword came to an abrupt halt, quieting down. It turns out that those thirty-six apricot-yellow beams were talismans, and You Ziheng directly suppressed the spirit within the Divine Sword. The Fuyaji Sword was already in a sealed state, and its spirit that reached the outside world was not strong, so for a Fifth Rank Grandmaster like You Ziheng, sealing it was not difficult. Pei Zhantu and the others let out a sigh of relief when they saw the Fuyaji Sword become quiet. So it was you who acted, when did you learn the Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique? Pei Zhantu looked at You Ziheng, now convinced by what the Fuyaji Sword had said earlier. This also explained why You Ziheng immediately discovered the Divine Weapon upon arriving; he had come specifically for this sword. Just playing around with some Secret Six Rank sword energy techniques hie! You Ziheng let out another burst of alcoholic breath, chuckling, I might have caused a bit of a stir, but mainly I wanted to attract you all over here, just in case I couldnt seal it properly. Then he clasped his hands towards Wu Zongshan and said, Sorry for the trouble, Mansion Master, please excuse the inconvenience. Not at all, Taoist Master, if not for you, Huangtong Mansion would have faced a far greater disaster, Wu Zongshan said as he hurriedly returned the gesture, still feeling a bit apprehensive. If you hadnt discovered it early, it indeed would have been a great disaster, Pei Zhantu nodded and added, Sealing the Divine Sword within the Pure Yang Palace is also safe. The assessment for Zhou Heng is set for tomorrow, after which I will return to Pure Yang Palace, You Ziheng said seriously, also glancing in the direction of Zhou Hengs home. Congratulations! For killing the insignificant foe, Kong Chengshun, youve received a Fortune Bag [Copper]+1. Zhou Heng didnt even have time to pay attention to the Systems reward notification; after releasing the Three Palm-Heart Thunders, he quickly fled the crime scene amidst the chaos. Things went smoothly. Almost everything unfolded according to his plan. He was well aware of his own strength; using Palm Thunder to momentarily daze the Fuyaji Sword was already his limithe absolutely couldnt eliminate the threat of a God-tier Weapon. What he couldnt do, however, others could. Currently in Huangtong Mansion City, there were two Sixth Ranks and two Fifth Ranks, each with their own significant backgrounds, and it was very likely that they could temporarily seal the Fuyaji Sword. Therefore, Zhou Hengs plan was as follows: While killing Kong Chengshun, make as much noise as possible to draw the attention of these powerhouses, and use Palm Thunder to prevent the Fuyaji Sword from escaping until those powerhouses arrived. Naturally, they would then discover this Divine Sword and handle it accordingly. Moreover, the attack of the Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique was of Secret Six Rank level, and he, a mere Ninth Grade, would normally be unable to unleash such a powerful sword qi. As long as he departed from the crime scene quickly enough without being discovered, he could almost perfectly absolve himself of suspicion. Even if some genius detective deduced that he was behind it, at most, he would garner the enmity of the Chang Xing Sect. Compared with the threat of a Divine Weapon at any moment, that was of little consequence. Better to take the lesser of two evils. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Having resolved such a big problem so swiftly, Zhou Heng felt spirited and refreshed, and he couldnt help but let a smile spread across his face, thick with pleasure. But as soon as he arrived at his own doorstep, the smile on his face froze. Under the moonlight, stood a disheveled Taoist in his robe, a wine gourd hanging at his waist, his hair a mess, looking drunkenly as he leaned against the door, watching him with a half-smile. You Ziheng. Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Self-Examination Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Self-Examination Translator: 549690339 Senior You, why have you come? Zhou Heng looked puzzled, as if he knew nothing and understood nothing. Have you learned acting? You Ziheng smiled and said to Zhou Heng, Otherwise, how is your acting so good? Alright, stop pretending, I know it was you who unleashed that Metal Sword Qi. Ah? Zhou Heng still looked utterly bewildered and said, Metal Sword Qi? What is that? What are you talking about, senior? I dont understand at all. At the same time, his mind raced, analyzing how You Ziheng had found out. Was it through inference based on the situation at the crime scene? Or had he been discovered by You Ziheng while retreating? Or perhaps You Ziheng hadnt truly sealed and suppressed the Fuyaji Sword but instead had communicated with it to some extent? No matter the scenario. Zhou Heng was certain that it was very likely You Ziheng already knew the truth. So, what was his purpose in coming here and exposing the matter? Did he have some scheme in mind? Or was it merely a warning? But what could a mere Ninth Grade Warrior like himself possess that would interest a Grandmaster from the Pure Yang Palace? Stop overthinking, I have no ill intentions. You Ziheng extended his right hand, and the Fuyaji Sword, wrapped in apricot-yellow talisman paper, appeared in his hand, Ive already told Pei Zhantu and the others that it was me who unleashed the Metal Sword Qi. Ive taken the blame for you, so the Chang Xing Sect will no longer bother you. Zhou Heng fell silent upon hearing this, then frowned in confusion and said, Senior, why would you do this for me? Guess? You Ziheng said with a smile, suddenly lying down on the wall top, securing the Fuyaji Sword away, then taking a swig of wine, gulping it down with a laugh, and said: You might have saved the entire Huangtong Mansion City, perhaps even my life, and since it was Jiang Jian who recommended you, covering for such a small matter for you is nothing to me. I saved the entire Huangtong Mansion City? Zhou Heng was genuinely stunned and exclaimed, And saved your life as well? Whats going on? A great merit falling from the sky? How come I myself wasnt aware I was so impressive? Its a possibility, not a certainty, burp. You Ziheng looked up at the moon in the sky and belched, Not all Divine Weapons contain a spirit within them. A Divine Weapon that does have a spirit must have the sacrifice of a powerful being beyond Fourth Rank at its birth. Such a weapon can also be called an Evil Weapon, as it is filled with the intense resentment and pain of a powerful being and can become uncontrollable and violent at any moment. Even when sealed, if the spirit of an Evil Weapon can interact with the outside through its spirit, theres still a risk of losing control. Though its destructive power is not as severe as in its heyday, its still equivalent to a Fourth-Rank being that has lost its sanity. If it truly went out of control, well, wed all be dead. Fourth, Fourth Rank? Zhou Heng was dumbstruck. He had not expected the sealed Fuyaji Sword to still be so dangerous. Absolute Fourth Rank, meaningabsolute peak, unparalleled! This referred to a supreme being who could enter the Earth rankings and glimpse the realm of the Celestials! If the Fuyaji Sword were to become uncontrollable as You Ziheng described, equivalent to a Fourth-Rank warrior who had lost their sanity, then the entire Huangtong Mansion City would likely turn into ruins. There was no one here who could withstand the might of a Fourth-Rank warrior. Kong Chengshun truly deserved his fate for bringing such a dangerous thing here Of course, he likely had no idea of the danger involved. Scared now? You Ziheng chuckled, tilting his head to look at Zhou Heng and said, Dont worry, Ive now sealed it with talismans. After finalizing your assessment tomorrow, I will take it back to the Pure Yang Palace for suppression. Having said that, he hopped down from the wall top and said with a smile, If you can indeed join the Pure Yang Palace and reach the Fourth Rank, perhaps this Divine Sword might find its way back into your hands. Work hard, kid. You Ziheng patted Zhou Hengs shoulder and staggered towards the city. However, after only a few steps, he stopped, turned his back to Zhou Heng, and said, Oh, and in the future, when youve done something bad, even if you leave in a hurry, remember to cover your tracks. Lastly, You Ziheng took out a Jade Talisman from his bosom and tossed it to Zhou Heng, This is a Life-saving Talisman. It gives you one chance to come back to life if faced with attacks from a Martial Artist below Third Rank Celestial. Consider this my repayment for saving my life. After tossing the talisman, his figure suddenly became like a breeze and disappeared. Leaving behind a stunned Zhou Heng, holding the Life-saving Jade Talisman in his hand. This was an invaluable treasure! Had You Ziheng just given it to him like that? Whats going on? He wouldnt have any peculiar hobbies, would he! After You Ziheng left Zhou Heng as if transformed into wind, he did not immediately return to his place of residence. Instead, he ascended to the high skies above, forming a cloud bed with his mana, lying on it while holding a wine gourd, gazing up at the stars and the bright moon in the night sky. He poured wine into his mouth, only to find that the gourd was empty. White crane, bring me some wine! You Ziheng called out, seemingly a bit irritated. Whoosh! The cloud bed churned and rolled as a white crane, standing a zhang tall, emerged through the mist. Yet, it didnt bring over any wine but stopped beside You Ziheng, looking in the direction of Zhou Hengs home. Are you helping him because you see your own past self in him? the white crane spoke human words, its voice smooth and neutral, not discernible as male or female. Help him? No, just clearing out some useless rubbish, so it doesnt take up space, You Ziheng shook his head, lying back in a spread-eagle position, his gaze on the starry sky, his expression turning somewhat complex. This young man does indeed resemble you from the past, said the white crane. White crane! You Ziheng suddenly sat up, his gaze turning sharp as he glared at the white crane. Im docking you a jar of wine, the white crane remained unmoved, its tone light and breezy. No, come on! You Ziheng immediately caved in, lunging to embrace the white cranes legs but ended up hugging only a cloud, as the white crane dissipated from sight. He fell back onto the cloud bed, slightly dazed, and then heaved a long sigh. I hope this kid doesnt make the same mistakes I did. Zhou Heng returned home. The series of events tonight had touched him somewhat. Lately, he seemed to have gotten a bit carried away. Whether it was previously thinking about shearing the wool from Fuya Sword or forgetting to erase his tracks this time, he felt he wasnt being very cautious. This was not good. While it was important to be brave and diligent, a mindset as if walking on thin ice was undeniably essential. But why was this happening? Was it because of the System? No. It should not be. Zhou Heng shook his head, dismissing the thought. While the Systems cheats had indeed made him stronger quickly, the proficiency wasnt added directly; he had honed it bit by bit, earnestly. Having come this far step by step, he wouldnt become arrogant due to the rapid progression of his strength. Is it because of the opponents? Zhou Heng pondered another possibility, feeling that it was quite likely the reason. The opponents in Huangtong Mansion City were too weak. From Sun Zhengping to Kong Chengshun, he had won too easily, which unconsciously bred a sense of complacency in him. It was a natural human sentiment, a very reasonable mindset, but it couldnt continue like this. His spirit needed to settle down. So, Zhou Heng fell into deep thought. The world is vast, filled with geniuses. Kong Chengshun is merely ninety-ninth on the Human List. My victory over him is not that remarkable. Its truly the likes of Cheng Jianjian that are the real prodigies of this age. Perhaps I should take the opportunity to travel the world, spar with various talents, see the profound martial arts of the current great Martial Dao Sects, broaden my horizons, and let my spirit settle down? Hmm, that seems feasible. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Having thought this through and set his future plans, Zhou Heng felt refreshed and clear-headed. At a time like this, I should open a Fortune Bag to celebrate! Fortune Bag [Silver] *2: Encompasses all things, nothing it does not contain. When opened, one can obtain a surprising reward. Open one! Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Chapter 60 This is Too Fast Chapter 60: Chapter 60 This is Too Fast Translator: 549690339 Congratulations! Youve gained an additional attribute: Sharpness +1. The prompt appeared in Zhou Hengs mind, still the Silver Luck Bag without fortune explosion. If one day a Silver Luck Bag with fortune explosion really appeared, he might even doubt if he had heard wrong, or if he was hallucinating. But to be fair, although the Silver Luck Bag had never exploded with luck, the rewards it usually produced were pretty good. Additional attribute? Zhou Heng was slightly stunned when he saw this reward, as this was the first time he had drawn this type of reward. The attributes he had drawn before were all basic attributes. Sharpness +1: Can be added to an item, making the item sharper. This description was very simple, and very straightforward. Yet also quite vague. Zhou Heng pondered for a moment, plucked one of his hairs, attached the Sharpness +1 attribute to it, and then attempted to stab it into the wooden table beside him. The hair in his hand slowly approached the tabletop, and the moment the very tip touched the surface It bent. And lay flat on the tabletop. It couldnt pierce through at all. Tsk, tsk. Zhou Heng was somewhat disappointed. He casually threw the hair onto the table. He had thought that Sharpness +1 would turn a hair into a tool that could cut through iron as if it were mud. It seemed he would have to find something else to test. However, just as Zhou Heng was about to look for something else to experiment with the effect of Sharpness +1, he suddenly noticed that the hair he had tossed on the table had actually sunk in. The hair, like a bent sharp thread, had cut a fine line into the tabletop. Sharpness +1! Thats a bit impressive! Zhou Hengs eyes lit up, he retrieved the attribute, took a sheet of paper, attached Sharpness +1 to it, and lightly drew it across the wooden tables corner. Without a sound, the corner of the table was trimmed off, with an incredibly smooth surface, as if it had been cut by some sharp blade. Afterward, he tried cutting other things and found that the effect of Sharpness +1 was indeed quite terrifying. Even a regular sheet of paper, after being enhanced by Sharpness +1, could easily cut through wood, and even bricks and stone. It was imaginable how much more powerful it would be if added to a real weapon! But now my most powerful martial art is the Six-Road Plum Folding Hand, and this attribute can only be added to items, not directly to my hands, Zhou Heng felt a bit regretful in his heart. If he could directly make his bare hands have the Sharpness +1 attribute, his strength would definitely skyrocket, having the effect of wielding a sword even when using the bare-handed Nine Swords technique. Wait, why do I have to be entirely bare-handed? Zhou Heng had a brainwave, lifted the lid of a wooden box, and dug out a pair of old gloves he hadnt used for a long time. These were a pair of gray hemp gloves. Two years ago, when Zhou Heng first arrived at Huangtong Mansion City, he often wore them to carry things for people, earning some physical labor money to sustain his life. Later, after he had learned martial arts, he could do better-paying jobs and no longer wore these gloves. He hadnt expected they would be of use at this time. Wearing the gloves, Zhou Heng left home. He arrived at a forest dense with trees and found a big tree about three feet thick. Sharpness +1! Hand as saber! Twelve-Road Cleaving Mountain Saber Technique!! Zhou Heng, wearing the gloves, made a sweeping motion with his hand, feeling an effortless smoothness without any resistance, and effortlessly chopped down the massive tree! Boom! The thick trunk crashed to the ground, kicking up clumps of soil and vegetation. Useful! It was truly too useful! Such sharpness was comparable to a weapon refined a hundred times. Zhou Hengs heart bloomed with joy, exceedingly excited. This meant that as long as he had a pair of durable gloves, his hands would be as good as a weapon refined a hundred times. If his inner Qi was a bit stronger, the power he could wield with his gloved hands would even surpass that of normal weapons. After all, hands could circulate inner Qi without any obstruction, something not every weapon could transmit perfectly. Furthermore, considering the aspect of adding attributes to gloves, Zhou Heng had other inspirations. Feet in shoes, or even every part of the clothes on his body, could actually be enhanced with Sharpness +1 to achieve unexpected, decisive victory. Any place on my body where something can be worn can actually have the Sharpness +1 attribute attached, the more Zhou Heng studied it, the more he felt the power of this additional attribute was extreme. Especially in actual combat, it was highly practical! The key point was that such a powerful reward could come from the Silver Luck Bag, and it didnt even count as luck explosion. What kind of amazing surprise would a luck explosion bring? Zhou Hengs heart immediately filled with anticipation for the rewards from the Silver Luck Bag. The next morning. Zhou Heng got up early to head to the Longxing Martial Arts Hall. On one hand, as the new Trainer at Longxing, he needed to lead by example. On the other hand, You Ziheng was going to visit the Martial Arts Hall today to inform him about the details of the evaluation. Of course, the last reason was that Longxing Martial Arts Hall provided lunch, so he could save money. As Zhou Heng passed by a butcher shop, he habitually asked for the price of pork ribs, only to find that pork was still not cheap. Originally he had planned to buy some ribs for soup after returning from the hall today. Now that he had seen the price, he abandoned that idea. Poor. Although he had recently earned quite a bit of money from Pei Luoling, he had nearly all of it invested in cultivating Palm Thunder, and now he only had less than ten silver left. He definitely needed to save. And for meat, well, that which he could get for free from the victims of his Palm Thunder would do. Although a bit charred, and the meat not as tender as that of farm-raised pigs, the advantage was it cost nothing. Zhou Heng silently calculated in his mind. Walking on the road in the early morning. The surrounding scenes and objects had not changed, but Zhou Heng could clearly perceive that peoples gazes toward him had changed, too. In fact, there had been changes before. From the initial disregard because they simply didnt know him, to later when he gained some fame for defeating Sun Zhengping and received gazes filled with admiration. But none of those gazes were as fervent as the ones he received now, which were filled with intense longing. They all looked like men and women in their fifties or sixties. Zhou Heng suddenly felt that something was amiss and subconsciously quickened his pace, wanting to leave this place as soon as possible. But the observation skills of these elders were strong, and seeing Zhou Heng about to leave, they immediately rushed towards him in a throng. Their legs were remarkably nimble and their speed was not slow, calling out as they walked. Young Master Zhou, my granddaughter is twenty-six, beautiful as a flower- are you willing to take her as your wife? Wait, Young Master Zhou, wait, look at this portraitmy granddaughter is a national beauty, a perfect match for a heroic young man like you! Young Master Zhou, I have three granddaughters, each one young and pretty, you can choose whichever one you want to marry, or you can have them all! All were there to seek relations with Zhou Heng. Zhou Hengs performance in the arena yesterday had spread. Everyone knew that Zhou Heng had defeated Kong Chengshun, the ninety-ninth on the ranking of warriors, and that a grandmaster from County City was backing him, and there were even rumors that the legendary Immortal Home sect, Pure Yang Palace, wanted to take him in as a disciple. For such a heroic young man, if they didnt seize the chance to form a connection now, they feared they might never get another opportunity. As long as they formed a connection now, they could at least ensure a hundred years of prosperity for their family! Thus the current situation unfolded. But how could these old men and women outpace Zhou Heng? He immediately employed his lightweight kung fu, quickly widening the distance between them and soon about to completely shake them off. But at that moment, who knows who called out, My granddaughters dowry includes a thousand taels of silver, Young Master Zhou. If thats too little, we can increase it to three thousand! This caused a moments hesitation in Zhou Heng, even his footsteps faltered slightly, but he quickly adjusted his mentality and sped away from the area. When he finally arrived in front of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, Zhou Heng felt as if he had escaped to safety. He had safely arrived at last. After fulfilling his duties as a trainer by guiding a few apprentices in their martial arts for a while, You Ziheng had come here accompanied by Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang. The arrival of this grandmaster from Pure Yang Palace, naturally, also attracted the gazes of the many apprentices. Fifth Rank Grandmaster, Pure Yang Palace! In the past, these two terms were so unattainable for them, almost surreal, believing they would never intersect with these words in their lifetimes. But nobody had imagined that such a day would come when a Fifth Rank Grandmaster from Pure Yang Palace would visit Longxing Martial Arts Hall. And all because of one person. All eyes fell on Zhou Heng, filled with immense envy. Zhou Heng, Senior You is here to assess you, Lei Xiuyan said to Zhou Heng. Dont be nervous, Lin Cang advised. There wont be any problems. Master Lin, Hall Master, rest assured, Zhou Heng replied with a nod and a smile, then approached You Ziheng and said, I pay my respects to Senior You. Today, You Ziheng had unusually donned a rather clean Taoist robe and didnt reek much of alcohol, only the wine gourd still hung from his waist, suggesting that he simply hadnt had the chance to drink from it yet. I have already thought of the specific plan for the assessment, You Ziheng said, though in a somewhat casual manner. He chuckled, However, Ive suddenly decided I want to verify first whether you are truly qualified to participate in this assessment. With that, he casually tossed a booklet to Zhou Heng and said, This is how it will be, if you can learn the martial arts in this booklet within six hours, I will tell you how exactly the assessment will be conducted. Zhou Heng glanced at the booklet and saw it was titled Cloud Travelers Traceless Steps, a manual of qinggong, and even an Eighth Rank martial art. From the name, it seemed to be a form of lightweight kung fu capable of erasing footprints? He felt somewhat surprised. You Zihengs actions didnt seem so much like an assessment as they did a pretext to bestow him with suitable lightweight kung fu, to make up for the shortcomings in his martial arts. To be honest, such generosity left Zhou Heng feeling somewhat unsettled. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cangs expressions shifted slightlythey, too, saw the cover of Cloud Travelers Traceless Steps and knew it was an Eighth Rank qinggong technique, not easy to master. Grandmaster You, could you have misspoken? Lei Xiuyan couldnt help asking, Its not six hours, right? Shouldnt it be thirty days? Based on his experience, mastering such a level of Lightweight Kung Fu within a month was already quite impressive; how could it be possible to learn it in just six hours? Thats simply impossible! Thirty days might not be necessary, but it should be three days, Lin Cang interjected. He had thought of Zhou Hengs speed in learning the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword and felt that with Zhou Hengs talent, mastering an Eighth Rank Lightweight Kung Fu in three days wasnt entirely out of the question. Indeed, it is six hours, You Ziheng said with a faint smile, When I first mastered this Lightweight Kung Fu, it took me less than two hours. If he cant learn it within six hours, there wont be a need for an assessment. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were completely at a loss at this point. The apprentices and trainers around them also felt a great pity for Zhou Heng, lamenting how unfortunate it was that the Sect Master from Pure Yang Palace would make such a sudden decision. Learning an Eighth Rank Lightweight Kung Fu in six hours, how could that be possible? Zhou Heng glanced at the expressions of the people around, then looked towards You Ziheng, giving a slight nod, Ill do my best. You Ziheng nodded and responded in an impassive tone, Good. And so, after half an hour passed Slap! Zhou Heng suddenly closed the small booklet that recorded the Running Clouds No Trace Steps, and with a smile, said to You Ziheng, Grandmaster You, tell me what the specifics of the assessment are. Upon hearing this, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cangs expressions darkened. As expected, Zhou Heng himself also understood it was impossible to master such a Lightweight Martial Art in six hours. In their eyes, Zhou Heng closing the small booklet so quickly probably meant he was planning to give up, only asking about the assessment out of curiosity. The rest of the apprentices and trainers thought similarly. They felt sorry for Zhou Heng. Youre giving up? You Ziheng also furrowed his brows, surprised and somewhat puzzled by Zhou Heng, Less than two hours have passed, wont you keep trying? This situation was unexpected for him; his original intention was to teach Zhou Heng this Qinggong under the guise of an assessment, and the six-hour timeline was his estimate of Zhou Hengs capability. He believed that with Zhou Hengs talent, there shouldnt be any problem mastering this Qinggong in six hours. Even if Zhou Heng hadnt learned it by the end of the allocated time, he had other excuses to offer explanations. And he would let Zhou Heng continue to undergo Pure Yang Palaces assessment. But he had never expected that Zhou Heng would think of giving up in less than two hours. What was going on? Give up? No, Zhou Heng shook his head and chuckled, Ive already learned it. At the same time, he moved his feet, and his entire body became light, as if floating in the clouds, leaving almost imperceptible traces on the ground. This, this is indeed Running Clouds No Trace Steps; youve actually learned it, You Ziheng stared, dumbfounded. Zhou Hengs learning speed was completely beyond his expectations. Half an hour! Just half an hour! Zhou Heng had mastered this Eighth Rank Qinggong!? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was beyond belief! Utterly inconceivable! What kind of talent was this? Rarely seen in the world! It wasnt very difficult, Zhou Heng said with a light smile, then inquired, So, Grandmaster You, how exactly will you assess me? Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Quasi-Sharp Weapon Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Quasi-Sharp Weapon Translator: 549690339 Assessment? You Ziheng initially froze, then, as if awakening from a dream, slapped his forehead and said, Right, right, assessment, how to assess you, Ive actually already thought it through. Zhou Hengs speed in learning martial arts was incredibly fast. Even for someone as experienced and knowledgeable as himself, who had seen many talents, he had rarely come across anyone who learned martial arts at such a speed. Originally, he just felt that Zhou Heng was somewhat similar to himself, and considering he came recommended by Cheng Jianjian, and had the Pure Yang Body, he planned to cultivate him. But he had never imagined that Zhou Hengs martial arts talent would be so immense. It was inconceivably strong! Consequently, the original assessment plan simply wouldnt suffice anymore. At this point, Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and others also turned their attention to You Ziheng, as they too were very interested in how the Pure Yang Palaces Grandmaster intended to assess Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng watched You Ziheng, waiting for an answer. Originally, I wanted to assess you with the requirement to reach the top twenty of the Ren List within five years, said You Ziheng, shaking his liquor gourd in hand and smiling, However, now Ive changed my mind. Hiss hiss! Upon hearing this, all the apprentices and trainers couldnt help but gasp in shock. To reach the top twenty of the Ren List within five years!? That was indeed too severe. Zhou Heng was only seventeen now. In five years, he would be just twenty-two. And to find someone below twenty-five years of age in the top twenty of the Ren List was rare indeed, and they were mostly from top Martial Dao Sects or noble families. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang also frowned slightly. They felt the standard was a bit high. Even if Zhou Hengs talent and qualifications far exceeded the ordinary, rankings on the Ren List werent based solely on talent; they represented genuine battle achievements. They were earned through combat. It wasnt enough just to have exceptionally high talent and swift advancement in cultivation. One had to make a name for themselves in the Jianghu, securing impressive battle successes, to have any chance of achieving that rank on the Ren List. Thankfully, he changed his mind. But had this change made the assessment harder or easier? Still, Zhou Heng was not at all flustered and smiled, saying, Then what are you thinking now, senior? Glug glug glug glug! You Ziheng took a drink, his face exuding pleasure as he shook his head, and laughed, According to what I think, you should just directly join Pure Yang Palace now, heh heh, but that would break the rules. Although I dont like all these rigid regulations, the necessary assessment process still needs to be followed. So, lets make it simple, you kill three Eighth Rank martial artists from the Plague Emperor Sect, and youll have passed the assessment. The Plague Emperor Sect? Lei Xiuyan exclaimed in shock upon hearing this: Daoist You, thats one of the most sinister among the four great evil paths, could that be dangerous? Ive heard that the disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect are adept at using various poisons for assassination; wouldnt it be too dangerous for Zhou Heng to go? Lin Cang also expressed some concern. You Ziheng smiled without saying a word, just looking at Zhou Heng. Why is the assessment like this? Zhou Heng didnt agree or refuse, but instead asked for the reason. Correct, a test that requires killing people, and you didnt immediately accept it, indicating you think for yourself, praised You Ziheng, then explained: One month ago, in Wuzhous Qingchuan Prefecture, people from the Plague Emperor Sect poisoned and killed an Ninth Grade outer disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. Heh, my Pure Yang Palace has always protected its own As he spoke, You Zihengs gaze turned cold, and he said, To kill one from Pure Yang requires threefold restitution, and the perpetrators must be of at least one rank higher than the deceased Pure Yang disciple. This is the principle every disciple of Pure Yang Palace adheres to, and slaying members of the Plague Emperor Sect is what every disciple is doing at this time. Using this as a test for you is both reasonable and appropriate. Hmm, I accept, Zhou Heng nodded. The Pure Yang Palaces vengeful nature and protectiveness toward its own suited his taste perfectly. After all, he lacked not martial arts skills, but still wished to join a Martial Dao Sect, and a very important reason for that was his desire to find a strong backing, a mountain to lean on. Sects like Pure Yang Palace that protect their own, defend their disciples, and go to great lengths to avenge them are truly the most suitable choice. Good! You Ziheng saw Zhou Heng agree and stretched out a palm, his fingers spread, and a longsword suddenly appeared out of thin air, This sword is the standard sidearm for the outer disciples of Pure Yang Palace when they travel the world. Take it. The longsword was about three feet long, sheathed at the moment, with only the pattern on the scabbard visible and not the edge of the blade. However, being a weapon for the outer disciples of Pure Yang Palace, its quality was unlikely to be poor. Even if it was poor, it didnt matter. As long as it was sturdy. With the +1 sharpness attribute, even a weapon made by an ordinary blacksmith could be used to achieve nearly the effect of a sharp weapon. Thankyou, Senior You. Zhou Heng took the longsword and slowly drew it, immediately a bright glint burst forth, with ripples like those on water engraved on the blade, very exquisite and glittering under the sun. A Hundred-Refined weapon! Lin Cang couldnt help but exclaim, Just this sword alone is worth a hundred pieces of silver. No, its more than a Hundred-Refined weapon. Lei Xiuyan, with broader knowledge, stared at the longsword and said, This is an exceptional item among Hundred-Refined weapons, perhaps it even has a touch of the mystical, nearing the quality of a sharp weapon. Sharp-grade weapons, because they are forged with some rare materials, all have special effects, such as sturdiness, slicing iron like mud, lightness, and so on. Each sharp weapon possesses at least two special effects and surpasses Hundred-Refined weapons in all aspects. A sub-sharp weapon is, frankly, a Hundred-Refined weapon with just one special effect, without any fundamental improvement. Indeed, this is a sub-sharp weapon, You Ziheng nodded, saying to Zhou Heng, This sword is a Hundred-Refined weapon with one sharp-grade special effect sturdiness. Its hardness and durability far exceed ordinary Hundred-Refined weapons, and it even has an advantage in direct clash with sharp weapons, provided that the opponents sharp weapon doesnt have a special effect that counters it. When necessary, it might even be used as a shield. Sturdiness? Zhou Hengs heart leapt with joy upon hearing You Zihengs introduction; perhaps for others, a weapon with the sturdiness effect might not be very useful. But not for him! With the +1 sharpness attribute, he dared to clash directly with sharp-grade weapons! Zhou Heng fully drew the longsword, waving it slightly, feeling incredibly comfortable, as if it had been custom-made for him. This meant that the design of the standard longsword was very clever, definitely the product of much effort. It had to be said, Pure Yang Palace was indeed a place of great means. For a mere standard sidearm given to ordinary outer disciples, they would pair it with a Hundred-Refined weapon and still craft it with such care and seriousness. For a martial artist, obtaining a weapon that suits them could significantly boost their strength. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Especially at the Lower Third Rank stage. Especially for someone like Zhou Heng with additional attributes to use. Now the question comes. In the next Martial Dao Sect support policy, how should he use that one opportunity to request a military smith to forge a weapon? What kind of weapon would be best to craft? Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: 62 Chapters Treasures Chapter 62: 62 Chapters Treasures Translator: 549690339 Its actually a quasi-artifact! Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang couldnt help but exclaim, looking at the flickering sword light in Zhou Hengs hands, their eyes filled with envy. They had lived for decades and had never really used a quasi-artifact. For ordinary martial artists, it was a desirable item hard to buy even if one has the money. Pure Yang Palace indeed deserved its reputation as one of the top Martial Dao Sects in the world, a heritage of the ancient Taoist Immortal Sect, that even a standard Issued sword for an outer sect disciple was a quasi-artifact! Dont misunderstand, You Ziheng said with a smile, noticing Lei Xiuyan and Lin Gangs thoughts, The standard issued sword for ordinary outer sect disciples is only a hundred-refined weapon. This quasi-artifact just happened to be forged by chance and was conveniently given to Zhou Heng for his use. Then, turning to Zhou Heng, he asked, Is it to your liking? Although this sword is only a quasi-artifact, its still considered a rare weapon in the jianghu. Yes, I understand, Zhou Heng nodded as he put away the sword and inquired, Senior You, does this sword have a name? If it didnt, he planned to name the sword himself. After all, his first own quasi-artifact deserved commemoration. The standard swords of the outer sect are collectively called Zhi Zhi. You Ziheng casually traced two glowing characters in the void. Then, he took out a waist tag and handed it to Zhou Heng, You should take this waist tag as well. If someone questions why you have the Zhi Zhi Sword, you can show this tag as proof. The waist tag was only as big as a palm and made entirely of iron. One side was inscribed with the characters Pure Yang in relief, while the other side bore the word Outer Sect. Thank you, Senior You, Zhou Heng took the waist tag, and upon seeing the characters on it, he was momentarily stunned. Pure Yang Outer Sect? This was clearly the waist tag that represented the identity of a disciple of the Pure Yang Palaces outer sect, which was normally given after initiation. What did You Ziheng mean by this? Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and several trainers were also very surprised. What was this situation? Wasnt it that one had to pass the assessment to be initiated? Hey, didnt I just mention? You Ziheng took a swig of wine and chuckled, Killing Eighth Rank disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect is something all outer sect disciples of the Pure Yang Palace are doing. Although youre currently doing it for the assessment, you inevitably need a corresponding identity. As he said this, he waved his hand and started walking towards the exit of the martial arts hall, However, youre not officially inducted yet. You still have to go through the assessment process. After all, even disciples favored by Celestials have to go through the assessment process for initiation, one step at a time. Zhou Heng exchanged looks with Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the others, all exhibiting contemplative expressions. They had roughly figured out You Zihengs intentions. This Grandmaster of the Pure Yang Palace, having seen Zhou Hengs talents, was obviously eager to take Zhou Heng under his wing at once. But due to the rule that one must pass an assessment to join the Pure Yang Palace, he couldnt do so directly. Thus, You Ziheng most likely thought of a compromise. Under the guise of the assessment, he let Zhou Heng do what only Pure Yang Palace disciples carry out, and for the convenience of the assessment, he gave him the standard-issued Zhi Zhi Sword and an identity waist tag of the Pure Yang Palace outer sect disciple. In this manner, except for not having passed the assessment and not having officially joined, Zhou Heng could completely assume the identity of an outer sect disciple of the Pure Yang Palace when roaming the jianghu; there would be no problems at all. It was for this reason that You Ziheng would give a quasi-artifact to someone who had not yet passed the assessment. The standard issued sword for ordinary outer sect disciples was merely a hundred C refined weapon. This meant that, for Zhou Heng, the Outer Sect might just be a brief transitional stage. Of course, even if it was just a transition, the assessment couldnt be taken lightly; it had to be a plan with a suitable level of difficulty. Otherwise, even after getting inducted, some might gossip or raise objections. Killing three Eighth Rank disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect wasnt too difficult for the current Zhou Heng, yet it had its challenges and also fit the principles of the Pure Yang Palace, making it the most appropriate plan for the assessment. Once he completed the assessment and was truly inducted, as long as he performed well, he would most likely soar swiftly, quickly shedding his identity as an outer sect disciple, advancing to the inner sect and perhaps even becoming a True Disciple. That was the Pure Yang Palace! An ancient legacy that existed even before the Middle Ancient Era, a Taoist Immortal Sect with Divine First Rank presence! A True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace essentially meant having a great likelihood of stepping into the Middle Third Rank, becoming an Immortal capable of moving between realms, ascending and descending freely through the heavens and earth. Thinking about the achievements Zhou Heng might accomplish in the future, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang both felt as though they were dreaming. In just two years since Zhou Heng came to Longxing Martial Arts Hall to study martial arts, his growth had been astonishing. It was truly incredible. Perhaps this is what genius is. After You Ziheng left, Zhou Heng was immediately surrounded by a crowd of apprentices and trainers. Amazing, Zhou Heng, looking at the Grandmasters intention, it seems like your entry into Pure Yang Palace is pretty much a sure thing! I could tell from the start that you are a genius! Im not cultured, but for someone like you, I can only describe you with two words, freakingawesome!! Praises were heard one after another. Most of these people were acquaintances Zhou Heng knew from everyday life, but with whom he was not particularly close. As for Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and Yu He, they all stood to the side, chuckling as they watched the scene unfold, feeling genuinely happy for Zhou Heng. At the same time, they couldnt help but feel a bit sentimental. Zhou Hengs future would not be confined to the small Longxing Martial Arts Hall, nor would it be in the tiny Huangtong Mansion City; this was foreseeable. Hall Master, Master Lin, Yu He, what are you thinking about? At that moment, Zhou Heng squeezed out of the crowd and came over, smiling, How about I treat you to a meal tonight at the Cuixiang Building? The three, with their mixed emotions, fell silent for a moment. Forget it, Yu He rallied his spirits and laughed, With that little money you have, what can you afford? Come to my familys restaurant instead, Ill cover all the food and drinks! Thats great, haha, Zhou Heng did not refuse. Looking at Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang, he said, What about the Hall Master and Master Lin? How could I miss out on the dishes at Yuelai Restaurant? Lei Xiuyan laughed heartily. Same for me, Lin Cang said with a smile. At night, Yuelai Restaurant. Zhou Heng broke the rules and drank alcohol. And he drank quite a lot. Of course, Yu He, Lei Xiuyan, and Lin Cang drank even more; all four were somewhat drunk. Thud! Yu He, who couldnt hold his liquor, had already fallen under the table. Yu He, this kid, cant handle it, Lin Cang laughed and then stood up, holding up his full glass, and said to Zhou Heng, Zhou, youre a genius Ive only seen once in my lifetime. To be honest, I feel extremely honored that you call me Master Lin. Lei Xiuyan also stood up, holding his glass as well, and said with much emotion, When you first came to Longxing, you were just a greenhorn. Who would have thought that in just two years, things would change so dramatically. Both were expressing their feelings, sensing that Zhou Heng might leave Longxing Martial Arts Hall for a long time. Zhou Heng was also aware of their feelings. Moreover, he had plans to go out into the world to gain experience and mature his spirit. So, he poured himself two glasses of wine and downed them one after the other. Then he sincerely said, Thank you, Master Lin, and the Hall Master for these past two years. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan also drank down the wine in their hands. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only They, too, sincerely smiled and said, The journey is long; take care. Longxing will always be a place for you to return to. That night, Zhou Heng did not leave, nor did Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang. They all stayed at Yu Hes family restaurant. Tomorrow is the first day of June. Normally, it would be the time for the update of the Heaven, Earth, and Man rankings. Staying at the restaurant would allow them to get the news the fastest. Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Can You Do Me a Favor? Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Can You Do Me a Favor? Translator: 549690339 The next morning dawned. Zhou Heng stepped out from his tavern room into the lobby and found that, surprisingly, there were hardly any people aroundnothing like the usual bustling scene when the three rankings were updated. However, this wasnt the first time he had seen such a situation, so he wasnt taken aback. Whats going on? Zhou Heng looked towards Yu He, who was tidying up the tables and chairs in the lobby, and asked, Have the three rankings been delayed? Yeah, theyve been delayed, Yu He nodded and said, I heard from someone at the Bureau of Martial Valor that they seem to be making some revisions, so theyve pulled them back. Theyll be published again in a few days. The rankings of Heaven, Earth, and Man were drafted by the Divine Martial Bureau in the Capital City of Zhongzhou. Typically, they would start compiling the data five days before the end of each month and draft a preliminary version two days before the end, which then would be submitted for review to the Ministry of War and finalized one day before the end of the month. After that, the finalized rankings would be distributed by the Ministry of War to the Divine Martial Bureaus in each state and county, and from there, sent to the subsidiary prefectures in a special manner. Therefore, by the time it reached the prefectures from the Ministry of War, the three rankings were effectively third-hand. Although courtesy of the Martial Path, the speed with which the rankings were dispatched from the Capital City of Zhongzhou to the various states and counties was incredibly fast, the distribution speed from the states and counties to the prefectures was much slower. Even without revisions, there were often delays, let alone when revisions were occurring, which definitely slowed the process down even more. Do you think its because you defeated Kong Chengshun that they had to pull it back to add your name to the Man Ranking? Yu He said with a chuckle, That Kong Chengshun might not be a great person, but he was no weakling. The Sunset Flying Sword, ranked ninety-ninth on the Man Ranking, was defeated by you just like that. According to the rule of the Man Ranking, which ranks based on combat achievements, indeed, you should be listed. Thats unlikely, Zhou Heng scratched his head, his heart full of anticipation, yet he modestly said, It must be some change in the Earth or Heaven Ranking. A single adjustment at the bottom of the Man Ranking shouldnt be enough to retract all three rankings. Heh, stop pretending. Yu He knew Zhou Hengs character and laughed, This is the Man Ranking were talking about. What young person wouldnt want to see themselves on it? It represents not just fame, but also tangible benefits. How much do you think the ninety-ninth ranking on the Man Ranking gets for attending various events? Zhou Heng asked, somewhat tempted. He wasnt very clear on these details, but Yu He, with his sharp business acumen, certainly would be. From what I understand, those ranked around the nineties all make roughly the same. Usually, its between one hundred to three hundred silver taels, Yu He said with a beaming smile, Though there arent always events, for someone ranked ninety-ninth, earning three to four hundred silver taels in a month is no difficult feat. $-$!! Zhou Hengs eyebrows shot up, his expression instantly changing as he brimmed with anticipation for the future. However, recalling the delay of the Man Ranking, his mood plummeted again. How do you feel about the delay of the three rankings now? Yu He laughed heartily. Feels like I missed out on a billion, Zhou Heng rolled his eyes. A billion? Yu He didnt get the joke, but he could roughly guess the meaning and laughed, Actually, when your ranking on the Man Ranking rises higher, fame and fortune will come rolling in, and you wont even need to chase after it yourself. Oh right, Miss Yun Xiu came looking for you earlier. It seems she has something to say to you, shes waiting at the tea house across the street. Arent you going to see her? Miss Yun Xiu? Zhou Heng blinked, then nodded, Then Ill go over and take a look. At the little stand in the tea house. Yun Xiu sat at a table, dressed in a pale blue dress. The morning glow fell on her, casting a beautiful light on her face, making her seem radiant and unparalleled. When she saw Zhou Heng coming over, a smile bloomed on her face. She pulled out a stool beside her and said with a smile, Brother Heng, you came. Yu He told me you were looking for me? Zhou Heng sat down next to her and asked, What is it? Something I mentioned earlier, Yun Xiu poured Zhou Heng a cup of tea and said with a gentle smile, I have a piece of news to tell you after your assessment is over. What news? Zhou Heng asked curiously. I might not be able to visit every month in the future, Yun Xius head slowly dropped, and she sighed softly, Which means, I might not be able to see Brother Heng for a few days each month anymore. What happened? Zhou Heng was immediately puzzled and asked, Has the training schedule at the martial arts school become stricter? No, and I wont be in Pingzhou County anymore, Yun Xiu gently shook her head, her teeth lightly biting her red lips, Ill be leaving with my master, um, the teacher who took me to the County City to learn martial arts. She was a local of Huangtong Mansion City, her parents made a living selling breakfast foods, and by all accounts, she shouldnt have qualified to train at the great martial arts school in the County City. But a little over a year ago, a Seventh Rank expert from the martial arts school in the County City took notice of Yun Xius talent and recommended her to train at the great martial arts school there. This Seventh Rank expert was also an instructor at the County Citys martial arts school, and Zhou Heng had seen her a few timesa woman in her thirties who, while not particularly beautiful, was quite charming. Of course, how old she actually was remained unclear. Asking about someones age wasnt advisableit could be very offensive. Your master you accepted her as your master? Zhou Heng frowned and said, And shes taking you away? Yes, Yun Xiu nodded, her expression somewhat sorrowful, My master is very powerful. Half a month ago, she breached the mysteries of life and death, erected the bridge between heaven and earth, achieved harmony within and without, and successfully entered the realm of the Sixth Rank. I also benefited from the celestial energies she drew upon during her breakthrough, which nourished my inner breath throughout my body. Im just short of perfecting a Ninth Grade technique, and then Ill truly step into the Ninth Rank. Therefore, my master plans to take me traveling, to roam the jianghu, partly to confirm her own cultivation and partly to broaden my horizon and gain experience. Thats great news, Zhou Heng smiled and said, Actually, in a while, Ill be leaving Huangtong Mansion City myself, and its possible we might encounter each other. Really? Yun Xius eyes lit up, and the somewhat disheartened look on her face quickly dissipated, I thought I wouldnt be back for a long time and wouldnt see you for ages. Where do you plan to go first? Do you have any plans? She became excited all at once and returned to being that lively young girl she was before. Not at the moment, Zhou Heng said with a smile, However, if fate allows it, there should still be a chance to meet. Yeah! Yun Xiu nodded gleefully, her eyes brimming with smiles, And with your talent and charm, Brother Heng, once you step into the Jianghu, you will surely outshine the rest and dazzle everyone. I just need to follow the light to find you! The last bit of worry in her heart completely dissipated like smoke. After bidding farewell to Zhou Heng, Yun Xiu left. That afternoon, while Zhou Heng was practicing at the martial arts gym, he received a support package for young martial artists of importance to the mansion personally delivered by the current Chief Trainer Feng He. A silver note of one thousand two hundred taels +1. An opportunity voucher to have a weapon tailor-made by the military forgers The monetary reward was a lot more than expected; it seemed the new Chief Trainer Feng He, perceiving Zhang Hengs close relationship with Pei Zhantu, deliberately offered the extra to curry favor. Zhou Heng never refused free money. The next day, he followed the directions on the voucher and found the military forger to have a waist knife made for himself. The finished product was of good quality, certainly a fine example among Hundred-Refined weapons. Zhou Heng didnt include the meteoric iron in the forging of the waist knife. Instead, after the forger had finished making the waist knife, and he had a clear understanding of the forgers skills, he then asked if the meteoric iron could be forged into a pair of gloves. Originally, Zhou Heng only had one chance to forge, but he had inquired beforehand that although these military forgers were not allowed to take private jobs, they could use the excuse of studying forging techniques or improving their skills to work on some rare materials. Meteoric iron was undeniably considered a rare material. Thus, as soon as the forger saw the meteoric iron, he immediately agreed to Zhou Hengs request and even created six design options on the spot, from which Zhou Heng chose one to start forging. The forger worked efficiently and had the pair of gloves made out of the meteoric iron by dusk. The gloves were crafted from threads of meteoric iron woven together, incredibly elaborate and lightweight, shining with a clear glow on the surface, like twinkling starlight, truly resembling a work of art. Moreover, these gloves looked like normal gloves on the outside, but harbored a secret mechanism inside; once activated, spikes would protrude from the fingers and back of the hand, instantly enhancing their lethality. Beyond that, the gloves exceeded the normal Hundred-Refined weapons in both hardness and sharpness, and also possessed three special effects. Inner Breath Conduction, Deflecting Weapons, Lightness. This was undoubtedly a weapon of lethal grade, even one that could be considered top-quality, proudly becoming the strongest weapon in Zhou Hengs possession. A lethal weapon! It wasnt just the dream of ordinary martial artists but also the hope of military forgers to one day forge a true lethal weapon themselves. When the gloves were completed and found to have three special effects, the forger was ecstatic to the point of tears, an old man over sixty actually started crying. This also counted as Zhou Heng helping an old forger fulfill his lifelong pursuit and wish. As a result, Zhou Heng now had three weapons on hand. Lethal-grade gloves, the almost-lethal Zhi Zhi Sword, and the Hundred- Refined waist knife. Zhou Heng decided to use the waist knife on a regular basis, resorting to the sword for things that couldnt be resolved with the knife, and if the sword still wasnt enough, he would use the gloves. There would always be one suitable for the opponent. Or in an emergency, he would directly use the gloves against his enemy. Zhou Heng was very satisfied with the forging results this time. He planned to go home and rest, and tomorrow, he would go find the mansion head Wu Zongshan to inquire whether there were any leads on the disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect. But Zhou Heng hadnt even reached home when halfway there he was stopped by Meng Xing, the head constable from the prefectural citys yamen. Zhou Heng, theres an urgent matter from the city lord, can you come with me? The prefectural city yamen. In Wu Zongshans study, Zhou Heng looked at the materials spread out on the desk and exclaimed in shock, Wang Tong has run away? He seemed to be only Ninth Rank; how did he manage to escape? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Wang Tong was the father of the previously disguised Wang Qingqing, also known as Chen Hanyu. After Chen Hanyu was killed, the Wang Family was dealt with, and Wang Tong, being the nominal family head, was naturally confined forever in prison. But now, he had escaped. Hmm, Wu Zongshan said seriously, his voice grave, I suspect he also had a ghost dwelling within him, possessing some special abilities. The sword qi from the other day gave him an opportunity to try escaping, and thats how he managed to flee. Mr. Zhou, may I ask for your help with this? Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Chapter 64 I’m Just Passing By Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Im Just Passing By Translator: 549690339 | Wu Zongshan, as the master of the house, addressed Zhou Heng as Mister. It was clear the situation was serious. Therefore, as soon as Wu Zongshan spoke, Zhou Heng guessed what he wanted to say. Does the master want me to investigate the whereabouts of Wang Tong? Zhou Heng said with a smile. Correct, Wu Zongshan nodded and said. Ive tried contacting the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, but I havent received any response. Im afraid that the ghostly creature is anxious to grow stronger and has already begun to draw Yang Energy from everywhere. I can only ask for Mister Zhous help now. He suspected that a ghostly creature was inhabiting Wang Tongs body, and the only ones capable of killing it were the people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and someone with a Pure Yang Body like Zhou Heng. But I am not yet of age, Zhou Heng gently shook his head and said. At most, my blood would severely injure the ghostly creature, not kill it. If Mister can capture Wang Tong and bring him back, that would suffice, said Wu Zongshan. In doing so, we can contain him and wait for someone from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to come. Of course, I wont have Mister come all this way for nothing. Ive heard that Mister is currently renting a house. Coincidentally, the prefectural yamen recently seized some property, which included a seven-bay mansion in the North District. Regardless of the outcome of this matter, the mansion is yours to keep. Tsk, a seven-bay mansion, Zhou Heng couldnt help but feel somewhat emotional upon hearing this. Truth be told, it had been a dream of his to own a decent mansion within Huangtong Mansion City, something he once thought would take decades of hard work to achieve. However, for Zhou Heng himself, a mansion in Huangtong Mansion City had already lost its importance as he was soon to set out on a journey and would barely settle in. But he did not refuse. Good, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Then thank you very much, Master. He agreed for several reasons. Firstly, although the mansion wasnt of much use to him personally, he could relocate his parents, who were living in the mountains, into Huangtong Mansion City. Undoubtedly, the living environment here was much safer and more convenient. Secondly, the reason Wang Tong was able to escape might have been due to the Geng Metal Sword Qi that had killed Kong Chengshun, which Zhou Heng had unleashed with a Sword Talisman. To some extent, this was his responsibility. Thirdly, he was already planning to travel but hadnt yet decided on a destination. Pursuing Wang Tong provided a direction, and he also intended to inquire with Wu Zongshan for any information regarding the Plague Emperor Sect. Afterward, Zhou Heng obtained some information about the Plague Emperor Sect from Wu Zongshan, as well as reports on the recent activities of its disciples. He hoped to use this to determine his target. However, the information was complicated, and it wasnt something that could be figured out in a short time. The immediate priority was still to deal with Wang Tong since he possibly had a ghostly creature inside him, and to grow stronger and recover, the creature would inevitably absorb a substantial amount of human Yang Energy. This would cause countless casualties. Thus, after several discussions with Wu Zongshan, Zhou Heng decided to head to Yuyang County first. The Wang Family of Huangtong Mansion City had originally relocated from Yuyang County. Now that Wang Tong had escaped confinement, although he might not necessarily go to Yuyang County, it was still the most likely place to find clues about him. Therefore, after two days of preparation and cultivation, Zhou Heng led a fine bay horse out of the prefectural yamen and embarked on his journey to Yuyang County. In June, the sky favored a fine drizzle. Wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, Zhou Heng rode a bay horse, traveling along a forest trail. Due to the rain, the road had become quite muddy, making fast travel difficult, and progress could only be made slowly. The rustling sound of rain on leaves and bamboo hat, raindrops stringing into lines as they flowed down, a gentle breeze caressing the face, added a few more pleasant moments to Zhou Hengs journey. Hmm, I should be on the right path, he murmured. Zhou Heng recalled the map he had noted down earlier, comparing both the route he had traveled over the past two days and the current surroundings, to make a judgment. At this moment, he missed the convenience of Google Maps dearly, but unfortunately, such a thing did not exist in this world. Its really too inconvenient, he couldnt help but complain internally. If one day he had the means, he was determined to create a similar navigational tool to spare the pain of getting lost. Eh, whats that smell? Suddenly, his nose twitched and his eyebrows furrowed. The scent of blood? With his enhanced perception, Zhou Heng quickly identified the direction from which the blood scent was coming. Instinctively, he realized that a battle might be taking place there. Then, he turned his horse around and headed in a different direction. He did not want to get involved. Avoiding trouble whenever possible was his standard of conduct. Of course, the situation would be different if there were suitable compensation. Clang! The sound of steel clashing against iron echoed through the forest, drowning out the dense patter of rain. Three figures hurriedly dashed forward. One figure was in front, dodging left and right, leaping up and down, sometimes extending a hand to throw various hidden weapons, and sometimes using various environmental objects to block the view of those behind, fleeing at great speed. Two figures were in pursuit, relentlessly closing in, with steel blades in their hands, cutting down the hidden weapons flung by the person in front. Give it up! You cant escape anyway! Tell us where the thing is hidden! No need to waste words with her. Just catch up, cut off her limbs, and then interrogate her under torture. That way we can keep our actions concealed and prevent detection! The two people from behind spoke one after the other, their pace quickening even more. The figure rushing ahead was a slender silhouette clad in grey, with a hood concealing their face, a petite figure with curves, evidently a woman. Her movements were exceptionally agile. Especially in this forest, tumbling and leaping about was like second nature to her. If she had been at her peak, she would have long shaken off the two men chasing her. However, she had been injured in her right leg in a prior struggle and had lost quite a bit of blood, which considerably reduced her speed. Crack! Suddenly, the woman felt a void beneath her feet and her expression immediately changed. She had intended to flip onto the tree and use the elasticity of a branch to leap to a more distant and concealed location, but she had not expected that the branch was already rotten, leading her to misstep. Despite her excellent lightweight kung fu, her martial path cultivation had only reached the peak of Eighth Rank. Thus, faced with the sudden misstep, she couldnt use her right foot to push and ascend with her left. She could only helplessly fall from the air. This delighted the two pursuers behind her, who, in their eagerness, increased their speed to catch up! Quick! Were almost on her, catch her! Catch her! Find out where she hid the thing, we mustnt let our movements be exposed! The two men rejoiced. In their eyes, the woman ahead had already fallen from the tree; her strength and inner qi must have been disrupted, and she would certainly need time to recover! They could catch her now! Finally, they could catch her! But just as the two were about to close in, the woman suddenly turned around and threw a handful of mud, temporarily obscuring the vision of the two men. She seized the chance to escape! However, she hadnt gotten far when she heard the sound of rushing wind from behind. Turning her head, she saw one of the two men had actually thrown his knife like a projectile! And it was incredibly fast! The blade spun rapidly, cutting through the air towards her like a meat grinder. At that moment, she was in mid-leap! There was no escape! Faced with this situation, the woman, in a flash of ingenuity, quickly mobilized most of her inner qi and continuously slapped in one direction, miraculously adjusting her direction mid-air, albeit slightly. Even so, the thrown steel knife still struck her. But it was not the blade that hit her, it was the handle. Because the thrower was also an Eighth Rank expert, the kinetic energy contained was immense; even though it was the handle that hit the woman, she was flung out and fell to the ground with a thud. At this moment, Zhou Heng, who had changed his direction, was passing by and saw a figure tumble out from the woods beside the road. Then, two more figures burst out of the woods. Clearly, these two had not expected anyone else to be here. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Their murderous intent surged instantly. Zhou Heng, feeling the killing intent, quickly explained, Im just passing by. A man was riding a horse, wearing a conical hat and a straw raincoat; it was most likely just an ordinary passerby hurrying on his way. I know youre just passing by, but its bad luck for you, one of the men glanced at Zhou Heng and snorted coldly. Our movements must remain absolutely secret! Kill him! Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Plucking Feathers from a Flying Goose Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Plucking Feathers from a Flying Goose Translator: 549690339 Zhou Heng was a bit bewildered. Whats going on? Are they really going to kill to silence someone just like that? They must be out of their minds! I really am just passing by. Zhou Heng emphasized again; he didnt want to get involved in these pointless conflicts. Wandering the martial world was to travel, to gain experience, and to steady the soul. Not to look for trouble or attract unnecessary complications. In the current situation, he could see the trouble was no small matter; leaving was the best strategy. Having said that, Zhou Heng spurred his jujube red horse and took off. Time to skedaddle. Although the road was muddy, the jujube red horse was strong; it could still run. Hyah! Zhou Heng chose to flee without even casting a glance at the woman. Think you can escape!? The man who had said hed kill Zhou Heng glared, and said to another person, Keep an eye on this woman. Dont let her get away. Im going to kill that kid! Dont worry. The other person nodded, placing the blade in his hand against the neck of the woman who had fallen to the ground, and sneered coldly, Stay put! No one can save you now! Hmph! The woman clenched her fists and bowed her head, pondering how to escape, while mentally apologizing to the innocent passerby from before. For that innocent passerby, it was really an unexpected disaster. So tragic. At that moment, the man who had intended to kill Zhou Heng had already rushed in front of the jujube red horse. You think riding a horse will help you run away? This person raised a hand and pressed it directly towards the oncoming jujube red horse, Actually, I know youre just a passerby. Unfortunately, since youve seen us, you must die! Bang! With a loud crash, the mans palm struck the jujube red horse, and the massive force stopped the racing steed in its tracks. No matter how much it kicked, it couldnt advance even an inch, and it couldnt even lift its forelegs, being forcefully suppressed by the mans lone hand, immobilized. Zhou Heng sat on the horse, unruffled, and said calmly, I wont speak of this incident. So you do know martial arts! Seeing Zhou Heng composed, the mans killing intent surged. The palm holding down the jujube red horse burst with power. He leapt up, raised his knife in the other hand, and struck at Zhou Heng, Only a dead mans mouth can keep a secret! Immediately following Ah! A scream pierced through the sound of the rain. A stream of bright red blood splashed out, mixing with the rain and falling to the ground. Hey, thats just bad luck. The person guarding the woman sneered, and then turned to look, his smile freezing on his face, his eyes wide and stunned, he exclaimed, How, how is this possible!? The figure on the jujube red horse was completely unharmed, simply raising his hand. However, the assailant who had gone to kill was now frozen in mid-air, his neck sliced open, blood gushing out like a fountain incessantly. Thud! The man fell to the ground, body convulsing violently. He stared wide-eyed at Zhou Heng, breathing heavily, trying to speak but no sound came out, only more blood gushed from his mouth. This state, it was certain death. The other person, who had been guarding the woman, was completely petrified with fear, even doubting his own eyes. What happened? What just happened?? What kind of strength does this passerby have to instantly take down an Eighth Rank expert!? The woman also widened her eyes, dumbfounded. Too powerful! This passerbys strength was incredibly formidable! She was very aware of the capabilities of the two men pursuing her; even among Eighth Rank experts, they were undoubtedly strong. Yet they were killed in the flick of a wrist! Seventh Rank!? But listening to the passerbys voice just now, he seemed very young. A Seventh Rank expert so young, could he be one of the current heroes listed on the peoples ranking? Just then, she suddenly felt the blade on her neck disappear; the person who just a moment ago had been guarding her was now rushing frantically into the nearby woods. Hes running! This man, an Eighth Rank expert who had pursued her with no escape left, chose to flee without even fighting, just ran away! Scared by the passerby to the point of not even considering fighting back. Eh, isnt he going to chase? The woman saw the passerby remain on the horse without dismounting or showing any intention to pursue, and couldnt help feeling puzzled. Could this person actually be thinking of letting that man live? Impossible. The martial world is so perilous, how could there still be someone so naive? Just as she was puzzled, Zhou Heng broke off a branch from a nearby tree and casually threw it. The branch suddenly shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring, and instantly pierced the neck of the fleeing man. Normally, the piercing ability of a branch wouldnt be significant, unlikely to penetrate the flesh and blood of an Eighth Rank expert, yet this branch seemed like a true crossbow bolt, piercing straight through that mans neck on the spot! It went right through! Blood gushed out at once, and while the mans body was still running forward, he didnt get far before he fell to the ground with a thud, spitting blood and beginning to convulse violently. The effect of Sharpness +1 was really useful. When combined with the base attribute of Great Strength +2, even the most ordinary branch could produce the effect of a sharp arrow. Once he reached the Eighth Rank, he could even infuse a small amount of Inner Qi into branches or even leaves. By then, he could straighten a leaf and send it flying like a dart, with an effect stronger than using a branch as he did now! That would truly be a case of every fallen leaf and flower petal could be wielded as a weapon! Although this Eighth Rank expert had been weakened by the long chase and his Inner Qi was greatly consumed, leaving him considerably fatigued and his courage shattered by the scene of his companion being killed in an instant, he was still an expert with considerable strength. Being able to easily defeat such an expert, Zhou Heng was very satisfied with the outcome. The woman, on the other hand, was completely flabbergasted, looking at Zhou Heng with disbelief. Even though his head was covered and his face obscured, the astonishment in her eyes was unmistakable. He had actually defeated an Eighth Rank expert with just a branch?! What kind of strength was this? Could this be a young powerhouse of the Seventh Rank, listed on the Hero Rankings?? However, the following actions of this powerhouse somewhat disillusioned her. This powerhouse actually got up from his horse, drew his waist knife, and repeatedly slit the necks of the two men, stabbed their hearts several times, and only after confirming they were indeed dead did he start to search the bodies. Thats right! Searching the bodies! This powerhouse turned the possessions of these two men inside out, taking all the silver they found, and packed up all other items into a bundle as well. It was outright plundering! He stopped just short of taking their clothes. May I ask who you are the woman was about to inquire when she saw Zhou Heng directly mount his sorrel horse, tug on the reins, and gallop away, without even sparing her a glance the entire time. She fell silent, somewhat at a loss. Moreover, she suddenly remembered that when that strong man had turned his horse around, he had already covered his face with the collar of his raincoat, so she had no idea what her savior even looked like. Zhou Heng left in a hurry because he didnt want to have any interactions with that woman. To avoid any unnecessary trouble. Indeed, if those two hadnt sought death by insisting on offering themselves up, he really would have preferred to be just a silent passerby. Alas, some people just feel their lives are too long. Zhou Heng had no choice but to kill them and collect his rewards. Congratulations! For killing the weak enemy Jia You, you have received a Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! For killing the weak enemy Yang Si, you have received a Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Besides these two System prompts, there were other rewards. Combined, the two men had over twenty taels of Broken Silver, along with several silver notes and items like daggers, tokens, and letters. He only roughly gauged the weight of the silver. The rest he planned to examine carefully once he found lodging in Yuyang County. The rain soon stopped. And at dusk, Zhou Heng arrived in Yuyang County. Because he had obtained a map detailing the specifics of Yuyang County City from Wu Zongshan, he knew exactly where to find food and lodging. Zhou Heng entered an inn and found it quite lively inside, with many people squeezed together, apparently looking at something. Waiter, a bowl of hot wontons, Zhou Heng called for a snack, intending to fill his stomach. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Coming right up! the server responded briskly, announcing, One moment, one bowl of wontons! Zhou Heng also listened to find out what kind of group the surrounding people were, and what they were watching? It was enough to draw such a crowd, it was almost as if they were eagerly awaiting the update of the three Rankings. The Hero Rankings have been updated! Theres a newcomer, a new name on the list! Just then, Zhou Heng suddenly heard an exclamation, and his eyes lit up, casting his gaze in that direction. Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Human Rankings Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Human Rankings Translator: 549690339 Zhou Heng left Huangtong Mansion City in the morning, thinking the three rankings had not been updated yet. Unexpectedly, after he had traveled for a day, the latest edition of the three rankings had already reached Yuyang County City, and even a small inn there had a copied version. It seemed that with Feng He newly in charge, the three fires were burning vigorously, and all kinds of work efficiency had greatly increased. C Generally, after arriving in the prefectural city, the three rankings would take around two or three days to reach the cities under its jurisdiction. This delay was not caused by transportation issues but purely by the laziness of the officials and bailiffs from the Martial Arts Administration. Zhou Heng was actually quite looking forward to this edition of the Peoples Ranking; he wanted to see if he had made the list. After all, he had defeated Kong Chengshun and, in theory, should take over his spot and ascend to the ninety-ninth position on the Peoples Ranking. Its just that the battle had taken place at the end of May, and it was uncertain whether this edition of the Peoples Ranking would include it. Just as he was about to stand up and go have a look, a waiter came over with a large bowl of fragrant wontons and said with a smile, Sir, your wontons are ready. Well, its better to eat first. Traveling for a day had left him rather hungry. The translucent wonton skins enveloped firm meatballs, each morsel plump and tempting, lying in the aromatic clear soup sprinkled with some chopped green onions. By appearance alone, these wontons would cost at least ten wen in Huangtong Mansion City. But here, they only cost seven wen. And the bowl was brimming with more than thirty wontonstruly a generous serving. Quite a bargain. As Zhou Heng ate his wontons, a person in the corner of the main hall took notice of him. Before entering the inn, Zhou Heng had already left his straw cloak and bamboo hat in the stables. Now, he was dressed in a blue robe and black gauze cap, with handsome features and bright eyes, looking quite dashing for his young age. Moreover, beside him lay a rather exquisite long saber, and on the bench was some luggage, which seemed to be other weapons. He appeared to be a young lad just setting out to wander the martial world. C For the vast majority, the pursuit on the martial path is about continuous improvement, and mastering a single weapon after decades of training is already commendable. Carrying two or more weapons generally indicates a newcomer to the jianghu who knows a little of everything. These newcomers usually lack experience in the jianghu, have simple minds, and are easily deceivedessentially ripe for the taking. Not to fleece them of some wool would be almost an insult to ones own life in the jianghu. So, the man approached Zhou Heng. He was a man in his thirties, wearing simple hemp clothes. His hair was unkempt and slightly curly, with a rather ordinary and unremarkable appearance. Young brother, are you traveling alone? The man sat down next to Zhou Heng, very familiarly, and ordered a bowl of wontons from the waiter. Mm, Zhou Heng glanced at the man and then ignored him, continuing to focus on eating his wontons. Would you be interested in joining forces for a great cause? The man leaned in slightly closer, smiling, My name is Xu Hai, a disciple of the Five Dragons Mountain, known in the jianghu as Cloud-Plucking Hand. How may I address you? Such naive newcomers yearned most for extraordinary encounters in the jianghu and longed for fame. The mention of a fascinating great cause greatly increased the chances theyd want to join in. However, the invitation to join a great cause was just to grab their attention. The next stepextracting information from themwas the true first step to shearing their wool. Newcomers to the jianghu, afraid of being unknown, usually wouldnt hide their names, and might even readily publicize their name and identity. Once you have the other persons information, you can continue to probe for more details, assessing the sheeps worth. Then, one can develop a plan to cozy up, using small favors that dont cost much to gradually build rapport. This makes the newcomers feel the warmth of the jianghu. And you become regarded as a fellow in the martial world. As comrades. Then, things like non-secret martial arts, money, treasures, and secret information well, these can all be shared, right? As for how to explain the so-called great cause, the approaches could be numerous. Zhou Heng glanced at Xu Hai, and with his insightfulness, quickly realized the mans nefarious intentions, but he still chuckled and said, Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng? What a good name. May I ask if you are Xu Hai was about to inquire further into Zhou Hengs background for further plotting, but he stalled as soon as the name left his lips, staring at Zhou Heng in shock, You, you are Zhou Heng? Are you, are you that Zhou Heng? He even stammered a bit. Which one? Zhou Heng asked curiously. At that moment, the people nearby also overheard their conversation. Zhou Heng? The one who made it to the Peoples Ranking as a Ninth Grade? No way, isnt he supposed to be in Huangtong Mansion City? Looking at it this way, it does feel somewhat familiar. It couldnt really be him, could it? People started discussing among themselves. Many pairs of eyes turned towards Zhou Heng, including men and women, old and young alike. Their eyes were wide open, filled with utter shock. Quite a few people crowded around Zhou Heng to get a better look, as if they had just witnessed something novel. Which Zhou Heng? Zhou Heng asked Xu Hai with a smile. Meanwhile, he walked towards the gathering crowd, leaving a stunned Xu Hai standing there. Having heard the discussions around him just a moment ago, he knew he had really made it onto the Valiant List. He hadnt expected the Divine Martial Office to retract the three lists only to add him to it. Now he wanted to see how the Valiant List assessed him. Of course, Zhou Heng giving his name to Xu Hai wasnt about showing off. It was more about luring the snake out of its hole. If Wang Tong had really come to Yuyang County and learned of his arrival, he would most likely come looking for him. It was better than aimlessly searching on his own. Reaching the front of the three lists. Zhou Heng first skipped over the Heaven and Earth Lists and went straight to check the bottom of the Valiant List. Name: Zhou Heng Age: Seventeen Grade: Ninth Grade Identity: Trainer at Longxing Martial Arts Hall, Huangtong Mansion, Pingzhou Combat Achievements: During the assessment conference of the Chang Xing Sect, he was ambushed by Kong Chengshun, the former ninety-ninth ranked Sunset Flying Sword on the Valiant List. He counterattacked with superb skill, breaking both of Kongs wrist bones and defeating him. Ranking: Ninety-ninth Title: Bone Breaker Zhou Heng was initially quite happy to see his own ranking. But when his gaze fell to the bottom and saw his title, he fell silent at once. He suddenly regretted it. He shouldnt have revealed his real name! This title was just too embarrassing! Could it be that the people at the Divine Martial Office were illiterate?? What kind of ridiculous title is this?? Those unaware might even think he was some kind of deviant. This wouldnt do, he would have to start promoting his own title. A title on the Valiant List was necessary, as it served as a moniker in the martial world. If one didnt have any reputation upon first making the Valiant List, the Divine Martial Office would add a title when compiling the list. They were generally quite arbitrary. However, if one wasnt satisfied with the title, they could always promote the one they preferred. As long as it gained widespread recognition in the martial world, the Divine Martial Office would naturally make the change. By this time, Xu Hai was completely dumbfounded. He could have never imagined that the seemingly easy mark he had randomly picked to fleece was actually a Valiant List master! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was really too thrilling! Too lucky! To come across such a big fat sheep! Who wouldve thought, young brother, that youre actually a Valiant List expert! Xu Hai approached with a beaming smile and said genially, Ive long admired you! ps: What do you guys think would be a good title? Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Inquiry Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Inquiry Translator: 549690339 Have you been looking up to me for a while now? I wasnt even famous before, okay? Zhou Heng couldnt help but complain inwardly. However, he kept a warm smile on his face and said to Xu Hai, Ive also heard a lot about you. Your nickname Cloud-Picking Master Hand is famous indeed; its an honor to meet you. Upon hearing this, Xu Hai chuckled with a hearty laugh, but inside he almost burst into laughter because his reputation was all made upeverything about Xu Hai, that Cloud-Picking Master Hand, was just invented on the spur of the moment to con people. As someone who often joined forces with others, only to fleece them afterward, he could hardly use his real identity. It was always good to have several aliases for convenience in his activities. Now, the people around Xu Hai looked at him with envy. This unremarkable- looking man seemed to be on good terms with this newly famous martial artist on the Peoples Rankingits true that appearances can be deceptive. Moreover, this Bone-Damage Zhou Heng was only seventeen years old, and he had entered the Peoples Ranking with a Ninth Grade cultivation. His future was bound to be limitless, with a high possibility of climbing into the top ten of the Peoples Ranking, or even breaking through the heaven and earth bridge to become a Middle Third Rank bigshot! Impressive! Is there a Peoples Ranking master staying at my inn? Just at that moment, a joyful voice was heard, followed by the sight of a man in his fifties trotting out to greet them, guided by the inns waiter to where Zhou Heng was. My heavens! As expected of a Peoples Ranking master, truly elegant and handsome. I am the innkeeper Gao Shu; Young Master Zhou, rest assured that the best suite on the top floor has already been prepared for you, guaranteed to your satisfaction. Moreover, as long as youre willing to stay, it doesnt matter how longit will be completely free of charge. Do you have any requests, Young Master Zhou? Feel free to ask for anything; just treat this place like your own home, haha! The man was slightly plump, with plenty of fat on his face that jiggled when he laughed, and his double chin folded into several layers. One could tell that he was truly overjoyed, even somewhat excited. Zhou Heng understood the innkeepers mindset. He simply wanted to use the fame of the Peoples Ranking master to attract customers. In this world where the Martial Path was prevalent, young masters on the Peoples Rankingwere like celebrities on Earth to many ordinary people. They would draw many admirers. Da Qi, with its thirty-three states, had a vast territory and a huge population numbering over a billion! Even though people under thirty years old accounted for less than thirty percent, that was still an astounding number. And there were only a hundred on the Peoples Ranking! Indeed, there were many young people with sufficient strength, even greater than those on the ranking, who could make a name for themselves on the Peoples Ranking. But a large part of these youths preferred the seclusion of their clans or sects internal training, detached from worldly affairs and sparing from combat, and therefore were not known to the public due to the performance-based nature of the Peoples Ranking. Therefore, in the eyes of ordinary people, those on the Peoples Rankingwere seen as among the strongest and foremost of Da Qis overwhelming youth population. Such renown was tremendous. Of course, since people in this world merely admired Peoples Ranking masters and werent crazy fans, with none of the somewhat distorted fan culture found on Earth, the fame of Peoples Ranking masters could bring in quite a bit of monetary gains, but not excessively so. Their fame usually influenced the convenience of travel and the level of care received from influential figures, appearing in various aspects of everyday life. Like now, the innkeeper Gao Shu clearly had his eye on Zhou Hengs fame when he offered him the best room without asking for a penny. Thus, for an innkeeper, such a reputation meant greater business, and for Zhou Heng, it was much more convenient than looking for a room to stay in by himself. Then, thankyou very much, Innkeeper, Zhou Heng said with a smile. However, I think I might not be staying for very long. In fact, he wanted to ask if he could exchange the top suite for a regular room and have the difference paid to him in silver but he really didnt have the heart to say it. At this moment, the people around were even more envious of Zhou Heng. The top suite, at least requiring three taels of silver a day to stay! Fame and fortune! How wonderful! Xu Hai couldnt help feeling envious, but he immediately suppressed this emotion, sneering to himself, What man of distinction on the rankings, isnt he just a greenhorn in the pugilistic world? Once he invites me to be his ally, Ill fleece him completely, heh heh! Afterward, Zhou Heng finished the check-in procedure and returned to the table where they initially sat. Seeing Xu Hai still there, he smiled and said, I recall Brother Xu had something to discuss with me earlier, something about a grand scheme? Indeed! Xu Hai nodded eagerly, thinking to himself that Zhou had finally taken the bait, and said with a smile, However, this matter involves many powerful figures, and I cannot reveal it lightly. How about this, if you are truly interested, come to the breakfast stall across the street to the east tomorrow morning. Ill treat you to breakfast and elaborate on the matter. Building rapport often starts with a meal, and Xu Hai knew this well; plus, breakfast was the cheapest option, low cost. I can join you, Zhou Heng said with a smile, then he added, However, I have one condition. In fact, I came to Yuyang County to investigate the Wang Familys situation in detail. You might know that the Wang Family has run into trouble in the prefectural city, and now they have all been arrested, but there are still some unknown clues, so I came to investigate. Youre a constable!? Xu Hai became a bit panicky subconsciously. No, just helping to gather information, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Brother Xu, do you know anything about the Wang Family or if there have been any strange events in Yuyang County recently? Phew Hearing that Zhou Heng was not a constable, Xu Hai relaxed a little and then said with a smile, Actually, I havent been in Yuyang County for long, and I dont know much. As for strange events, there really have been some. Recently, many girls have become more beautiful, heh heh, and I dont know why. Become more beautiful? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he inquired further, What do you mean by becoming more beautiful? Its like those who were very plain-looking suddenly became exceptionally beautiful, said Xu Hai, who seemed quite interested in this topic, perhaps having paid special attention to it, And these people, although much more beautiful, have only had minor adjustments to their facial features, so everyone can still recognize them. Its not that theyve become unrecognizable. Many? When did this start? Zhou Heng asked, his thoughts instinctively turning to Chen Hanyus face that seemed as if it had been meticulously refined. Could it be that Yu Shang had not truly perished? Was the ghost that possessed Wang Tong actually Yu Shang? Had Jiang Jians Taoist Formulas failed to kill it? Not too many, but not a few either, probably around a dozen girls, I guess. Its made quite the stir, but those girls are all tight-lipped about the specifics. It started around three or four days ago, Xu Hai paused, contemplating, and added, I suspect, however, its probably some cosmetic technique with severe side effects, possibly requiring regular check-ups and adjustments; otherwise, they wouldnt be so secretive. Hmm, I see. Ill see you at the breakfast stall tomorrow, Zhou Heng nodded, accepting Xu Hais earlier invitation. Besides, he planned to investigate the homes of these beautified girls tomorrow. To see if any ghostly energy lingered. Xu Hai left the inn with a joyful heart, feeling that his venture to fleece the unsuspecting had successfully taken its first step by initially winning Zhou Hengs trust. Next, he would slowly cultivate a relationship with Zhou Heng, waiting for the day he would be seen as a comrade in the martial path. That would be his time to reap the rewards! It was already night, clouds shrouding the moon. Why is it so dark? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Wandering carelessly, Xu Hai walked along the road. He was a man who lived off scamming others, with no fixed abode, only renting a small courtyard on the outskirts of the city. The distance from the county town back to the small courtyard wasnt very far, but there was a stretch of road that was quite dark. It was passable in moonlight, but when the clouds covered the moon, it became pitch black. And as he walked this night path, a mass of sticky substance, like wax, oozed out from the corner of a wall. It writhed and twisted as it crawled. Slowly it approached Xu Hai! Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Dreams Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Dreams Translator: 549690339 After Xu Hai had left, Zhou Heng had already moved into the suite that the innkeeper had specially prepared for him. It must be said that staying in such an advanced suite was indeed very comfortable. Even though it was just an inn in a county town, the decor and facilities of this suite were very luxurious. There were a few moments when Zhou Heng even seriously entertained the idea of living here permanently. It was far better than the shabby house he rented. At this moment, Zhou Heng was sitting on a rocking chair on the suites balcony, holding a pot of hot tea, leisurely looking at the scenery outside. The nighttime in the county town was not like the heart of Huangtong Mansion City which was brightly lit all night long; it was only the hour of the dog now, and in this season, the sky had just darkened not long ago, but the roads in the town were already deserted. It seemed quite tranquil. Only the occasional barking of dogs and crowing of roosters broke the silence. In such an environment, Zhou Heng suddenly felt a sense of indescribable tranquility welling up in his heart, and the Inner Qi within his body involuntarily accelerated its circulation. The Dantian Qi sea, like a heart, began to beat vigorously, and the Inner Qi, like blood, followed the Dantians pulsing, began to increase rapidly. A moment later, Zhou Heng snapped out of that state and discovered to his surprise that his Inner Qi had increased substantially due to the tranquil state of mind he had just experienced. System prompts appeared in a long sequence. Congratulations! Your current state of mind fits extremely well with the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Eighth Rank], proficiency +10. Congratulations! Your current state of mind matches perfectly with the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Eighth Rank], proficiency +12. Zhou Heng carefully examined the situation and saw that the sudden enlightenment had greatly increased the proficiency of this Inner Strength method, by at least 300 points. [Eighth Rank] Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method: Advanced (1264/3000) Feeling the Dantian Qi sea within his body, he felt as if his meridians were rivers, with the Inner Qi being the river waters, flowing mightily and unceasingly, tempering his tendons, bones, blood, and marrow, synchronously enhancing the strength of his body. No wonder the Ninth Grade stage is known as easy muscle and marrow cleansing, which is a comprehensive tempering of ones own meridians, tendons, blood, and marrow, thereby bringing an overall improvement to the body. At the same time, Zhou Heng could also feel that his strength had improved. Because the stronger the Inner Strength, the more powerful the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand would become. And with techniques like Disrupting Qi Style and Sundering Sword Style, and Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword incorporated into the Six Paths Plum Blossom Hand, most Eighth Rank Martial Artists would not be a match for him. Of course, if it came to facing a Seventh Rank Warrior, Zhou Heng would likely have to rely on sharp weapons and the boost from basic attributes to contend with his opponent, and the outcome would be uncertain. After all, that was an expert who had begun metamorphosis and even sensed and weaved some of the laws of heaven and earth, far surpassing the level of the Eighth Rank. I didnt expect to see an increase in Inner Strength just by moving in; this inn isnt bad at all, Zhou Heng pondered in a good mood, thus deciding to open the two Fortune Bags and the remaining Silver Luck Bag he had acquired today. Open two Copper Fortune Bags and one Silver Luck Bag! Congratulations! Your luck has exploded, and youve obtained a special item: Taoist Formulas Dreamlike Cultivation Card*l. Congratulations! Youve obtained a special effect, Golden Radiance Overflowing the Skies. Congratulations! Youve received a basic attribute: Spiritual Root +1. After hearing the three reward prompts, Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment, somewhat surprised. Could it be that Silver Luck Bags are specifically for enhancing basic attributes? Have I ever opened anything else? It seems theres no memory of that. He then studied the specific details of these three rewards more carefully. Taoist Formulas Dreamlike Cultivation Card: Can open a real dreamlike realm during sleep to cultivate Taoist Formulas, enhancing proficiency. Golden Radiance Overflowing the Skies: This is a purely special visual effect, with no actual power, purely for a more impressive appearance Spiritual Root +1: Enhances ones aptitude towards the cultivation of Taoist Formulas. This, seems like theres something to it. Zhou Hengs eyes sparkled with excitement, as his biggest worry right now was how to improve the proficiency of Palm Thunder and truly master the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book. Even though he had learned Palm Thunder for quite some time, this Taoist formula was a serious money burner, and until now, his proficiency had remained at a beginners level. [Eighth Rank] Palm Thunder: Beginner (878/1000) Not to mention the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book. Although he had Palm Thunder as a foundation and had learned martial arts related to the five elements, which indeed allowed him to contemplate this Sect Fifth Rank Taoist formula, reality was brutally harsh. [Sect Fifth Rank] Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book: Unlearned (0.000025/1) This frustrating progress in proficiency made Zhou Heng curse under his breath multiple times. Its damn slow! But, this was actually normal; trying to fathom a Sect Fifth Rank Taoist formula at a Martial Path Ninth Grade was not something one could learn quicklyit was like dreaming of peaches. Now that I have a Spiritual Root +1,1 should be able to learn the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book much faster, but the priority is to improve the proficiency of Palm Thunder as soon as possible, Zhou Heng thought. Even with a counter-ghoul property attached, a beginners Palm Thunder can at best kill ghosts at the Eighth Rank. Against a Seventh Rank ghost, its more likely just to injure them, but not kill. While Im still unsure about the exact rank of the ghost possessing Wang Tong, its always right to treat it as a Seventh Rank ghost. Its best to increase Palm Thunders proficiency to intermediate, or even advanced. What is the actual effect of this Taoist Dream Cultivation Card, and what kind of boost does a Spiritual Root +1 give in real cultivation practice? he wondered. After sorting out his thoughts, Zhou Heng lay down on his bed, activated the Taoist Dream Cultivation Card, and drifted slowly into sleep. In his dream, he suddenly became wakeful and found himself standing in a misty gray fog-shrouded space without any concept of direction. Everything felt like nothingness. With a thought, he focused on cultivating Palm Thunder. And suddenlyBoom! A thunderous roar! In front of Zhou Heng, a mountain of glistening gold materialized out of nowhereit was a mountain made entirely of gold! It must have been three to four hundred feet tall! Holy shit Zhou Heng couldnt refrain from cursing. He had never seen so much gold in his two lifetimes combinedno, this was a mountain of gold! Unfortunately, this was just a dream, and the golden mountain could only be used for cultivating Palm Thunder. He wondered how long he could practice with it. If he could burn through the entire mountain, then he could probably reach perfection in Palm Thunder countless times. Beneath the pitch-black night sky. Xu Hai was entirely engulfed by that sticky, wax-like substance without even time to scream before being silenced completely. The intense writhing of the wax gradually caused the bulky mass to shrivel, as if it were digesting Xu Hai himself. After a short moment, the wax reformed into the shape of a manan ordinary-looking middle-aged man in his fifties with a mustache and an unnaturally pale face, but with a smile hanging on his lips. Haha! Hahaha! He laughed maniacally. This must be Zhou Hengs friend, yes, Ive devoured Zhou Hengs friend, Im so happy! Truly ecstatic! Hahaha! He seemed to have fulfilled a long-held desire, lost in madness. Thank you, thank you for giving me the power to let Zhou Heng experience the feeling of losing someone important! he said, offering thanks to the void, while his face showed deep resentment. Qingqing, your death was so tragic! Its all Zhou Hengs fault, and Ill kill everyone important to him, all his friends and family! Ill make him suffer so much, hell wish he was dead!! Well then, lets go have a look, a faint voice seemed to travel from an infinite distance to Wang Tongs ears, I just got some information about him and also know where hes currently staying, right? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Following the guidance of that voice, Wang Tong quickly homed in on the best suite in the guesthouse. With a leap, he reached right to Zhou Hengs window, glimpsing inside where Zhou Heng was lying in deep sleep. Kill him now? Wang Tong furrowed his brows. He intended to make Zhou Heng suffer before his death, to perish amidst agony and oppression. No, my strength isnt fully restored yet, and I am currently unable to kill him in reality, as he has a Pure Yang Body, the voice chuckled lightly. However, thats not to say there are no other ways. I can feel hes dreaming. Just find a hidden spot for now, and I will enter his dream to investigate, the voice suggested. Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Chapter 69 They Haven’t Had Time to Do Anything Yet Chapter 69: Chapter 69 They Havent Had Time to Do Anything Yet The effects of the Dream Cultivation Card for Taoist Formulas are truly magical. The genuine dreamscape that opened up within the slumber, almost devoid of any false sensations. Though everything around doesnt seem like it is in reality, the feeling it imparts is incredibly real. Whether it is executing the Palm Thunder Method or the sensation of Inner Qi circulating, even the rumble of thunder and the flash of lightning, all are extremely real and vivid. There is just one thing, however, that pains Zhou Hengs heart. Even the feel of gold is so real, so distinct. Every time he unleashed a Palm Thunder, he felt as though he truly burned away an ounce of gold. Too heart-wrenching! Too real! However, with such a mountain of gold placed here for Zhou Heng to burn, his proficiency in the Palm Thunder Technique also soared rapidly. He didnt need to worry about the consumption of materials at all and could fully focus on executing the Palm Thunder. Furthermore, normally his speed in casting Palm Thunder was actually very slow, requiring at least a moment to hold the gold and prepare. Under ordinary circumstances, it simply couldnt be used in actual combat. This was certainly related to his proficiency in Palm Thunder, but it should also be related to his Taoist Formulas talent, or rather, his Spiritual Root talent. His Spiritual Root talent should not be considered poor, or else he wouldnt be able to learn Palm Thunder. But neither could it be said to be outstanding. However, after gaining the base attribute of +1 to Spiritual Root, Zhou Heng immediately noticed a significant difference when casting Palm Thunder. Forming seals and channeling Inner Qi became much easier, and the Inner Qi paths required to construct the Taoist Formulas also became much faster! The speed of casting the spell directly went from the original fifteen minutes to less than five minutes. This was a monumental leap in progress. The difference between high and low talent is so huge, the effect of base attributes is indeed trickin awesome! This made Zhou Heng even more excited about what kind of against-the- heavens reward the Silver Luck Bag, thats bursting with luck, would contain? If he opened up a Spiritual Root +100, would casually glancing at the sky and then the earth directly turn him into an immortal?? Just thinking about it gets me a little excited! But the most reliable thing to do is to make the most of the time and earnestly practice the Palm Thunder, as this authentic dreamscape might not last for long. Such opportunities are rare indeed! Boom! Thunderous roar!! The echo of thunder reverberated in this genuine dreamscape, deafening, and streaks of golden thunder danced in the ether, piercing through the hazy fog, shimmering with the light that eradicates all malevolent spirits. Zhou Hengs speed in deploying the Palm Thunder grew faster, from five minutes gradually to four, and then down to three and a half! Faster and faster! Faster and faster! Until the time it took to cast it approached three minutes! Congratulations! Due to your dedicated cultivation of the Palm Thunder Technique [Eighth Rank], proficiency has reached Intermediate, deepening your comprehension of the similar Taoist Formula Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods [Sect Fifth Rank], proficiency +0.0000133. Zhou Hengs eyes lit up; he had finally improved the proficiency of Palm Thunder to Intermediate, making its power even more formidable! It also made his casting speed even faster, now reduced to within three minutes. Zhou Heng estimated that once proficiency reached Advanced, it should be possible to shorten it to within a minute. If he achieved Perfection, he might be able to reduce the casting time to a few seconds, or even about a second. To become a true master of quick casting! Pfft! Why does this sound a bit off!? Moreover, Zhou Heng hadnt expected that leveling up Palm Thunder to the intermediate level would grant a proficiency bonus to the Fifth Rank Sects Taoist Formulas; no such mechanism existed in the realm of Martial Arts. Although the proficiency bonus gained this time was minute, it was still far more efficient than what Zhou Heng could achieve through his own comprehension. It truly was an unexpected joy. Could it be because Palm Thunder is derived from the Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods? Zhou Heng speculated in his heart, feeling this was highly plausible. If so, should I seize the opportunity to advance the proficiency of Palm Thunder to an advanced stage, even to great achievement, or even perfection, it is possible that my understanding of the Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods would greatly improve! At this thought, Zhou Hengs heart surged with even more excitement. The Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods was a set of Taoist Formulas he had been eager to learn. Gathering Qi of the Five Organs corresponding Elements, condensing Yin and Yang, intertwining to form the seeds of thunder, unleashed, the practitioner becomes one with heaven and earth, commands thunder and lightning, strides through fire and wind, with boundless power. Just thinking about it was suavetotally awesome! If this were combined with the Golden Radiance Blanketing the Sky mystical effect he had just drawn, and dressed in a Taoist robe to boot, that would simply be the appearance of an Immortal descending to earth! Being strong is temporary, but coolness lasts a lifetime! Such a combination of a strong and handsome Taoist Formula like the Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods, of course, must be learned as soon as possible! Continue cultivating Palm Thunder! Full of anticipation for the future, Zhou Heng grabbed another handful of gold from the mountain, mobilized his Inner Qi, and performed Palm Thunder. Wang Tong squatted outside the window of Zhou Hengs room, suddenly feeling a void in his body, as if he had lost something, and the whole person immediately felt drained. He knew that the mysterious being that had recently taken up residence in his body had departed and infiltrated Zhou Hengs dreams. The idea of infiltrating someone elses dreams was unimaginable to the original Wang Tong. But after encountering this mysterious being, even the most bizarre phenomena no longer seemed strange to him. Even those high and mighty geniuses on the Peoples List, or the unparalleled masters on the Earth List, in the eyes of many from the martial fraternities, didnt seem all that impressive to him. Compared to the mysterious being dwelling within him, they were inconsequential! With Senior Xuan Yang taking action, Zhou Heng is as good as dead. Qingqing, I will avenge you! Wang Tongs eyes were filled with a dark and murderous intent as he looked at Zhou Heng. At this time, the Yin Spirit referred toby Wang Tong as Senior Xuan Yang had already crept to the edge of Zhou Hengs dreams. For a Yin Spirit of his level, entering the dreams of a Ninth Rank Warrior was effortless, as easy as blowing off dust. This was because at the Lower Third Rank, apart from a few with innate, exceptional Divine Souls or Seventh Rank experts who had merged some of the natural laws of heaven and earth at their peak, no one could remain lucid in their dreams. Under such conditions, after the Yin Spirit infiltrated the dream, it could do anything without resistance or harm. It could act with impunity. Even though Xuan Yangs current state was extremely poor, so fragile that even an ordinary Seventh Rank ghost might be stronger than him, he had absolute confidence in the realm of dreams. However, confident as he was, Xuan Yang did not act recklessly. Upon reaching the edge of Zhou Hengs dream, he specially extended his Divine Sense, penetrating the fringe to conduct a rough surveillance and understanding of the dream within. All he saw was a dense, foggy mist shrouding everything, as if Zhou Hengs dreams consisted only of this mist, with no other entities. Such a situation was not unfamiliar to Xuan Yang. Many peoples dreamscapes are not fixed; they often consist of multiple scenes blending together, crisscrossing, and quite chaotic. This foggy mist was actually an expression of the disordered nature of dreams. For Xuan Yang, this posed no problem; he simply needed to enter the dream, locate Zhou Hengs consciousness, and proceed to interrogate or implant a psychological suggestion. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It took me a great effort to find a Pure Yang Body. I cannot let this opportunity slip by, nor waste the effort of this fragment of soul-will residing within that waste, Yu Shang, Xuan Yang scorned Yu Shang in his mind, then proceeded to breach the edge of Zhou Hengs dream and enter as a Yin Spirit! Boom!! The moment he entered Zhou Hengs dreamscape, a series of rays filled with the most resolute and Yang power, greatly restraining to Yin Spirits, thundered down! They came down dense and fast, like a torrential downpour! Xuan Yang was instantly stunned, mouth agape, before he could act, he was overwhelmed by the golden sea of thunder in an instant! Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Speculation Based on Previous Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Speculation Based on Previous Knowledge The existence of the true dream realm is quite peculiar. Outside, the Palm Thunder cast by Zhou Heng would disappear after its roaring and flashing, naturally returning to the heavens and the earth. But inside the true dream realm, it is not the case. The thunderous light does not dissipate in the void but becomes an inherent scene in the dream realm, interweaving with each other and gradually converging into an ocean of thunderous light. This spectacle is incredibly magnificent, something Zhou Heng could never achieve in the outside world. Yet, within the true dream realm, with more and more Palm Thunder released by him, such a scene has formed. At this moment, Zhou Heng is cultivating his Palm Thunder, eagerly anticipating the power it will have once he becomes Advanced in this Taoist Formula. Suddenly, he furrowed his brows, feeling as if something had invaded this true dream realm. Forced entry? Although this is a true dream realm opened up by the Taoist Formulas cultivation card, in essence, it is still his own spirit world. Once invaded Zhou Heng immediately sensed the presence of Xuan Yang. However, before he could react, the ocean of thunder converging in the void suddenly surged and rushed in one direction! This is a natural counterattack against an invasion of the dream realm. Ordinary peoples dream realms would also do this, except that ordinary dream realms are very weak and their masters are not conscious, lacking the ability to resist outsiders. Zhou Hengs situation is completely different. Boom! Boom! Boom! The deafening thunder roared endlessly in this true dream realm, a sea of golden light crashing madly in one direction. Ahh! An extremely piercing scream exploded in the void, causing the fog that shrouded the entire dream realm to surge violently. No, this cant even be called a sound. Its more like a strong impact that strikes directly at ones Divine Soul, and for this reason, it has caused such a huge impact on this true dream realm. What is it, a ghost? Zhou Heng looked puzzledly at the thunderous light rushing in the sky. He could clearly feel that something in the sea of thunder was being destroyed. That must be the invader. Zhou Heng had never heard of such a method before; he was seeing for the first time something that could directly invade a persons dream realm! If it hadnt been for his drawing the Taoist Formulas cultivation card this time, opening the true dream realm, staying conscious, and releasing many Palm Thunders that converged into a sea of thunder, the consequences could have been unfathomable. But who is this invader? A ghost? Yu Shang? Zhou Heng was puzzled in his heart. Congratulations! You have killed an equally matched enemy Xuan Yangs Remnant Soul Will, Fortune Bag[Silver+lJ. The Systems prompt sounded. But this made him even more puzzled. Xuan Yang? Who is that? Could it be the name of the ghost that possessed Wang Tong? Initially, Zhou Heng thought the ghost possessing Wang Tong might have been Yu Shang, who had escaped death, but now it seems that it is not the same entity. Was it another ghost? Or perhaps it has nothing to do with Wang Tong at all, and some other ghost just happened to want to invade the dream realm? Uh, that doesnt seem very likely. Moreover, judging from the content of the Systems prompt, what the thunder destroyed just now was only a strand of Xuan Yangs remnant soul will. Its main body is still unknown. At the same time. Outside the window. Wang Tong, who had been crouching in a hidden spot, suddenly turned pale, convulsed violently, and his whole body seemed to melt, dribbling down a large amount of viscous liquid. The viscous liquid converged and leapt straight down from here. Upon contact with the ground, the surface acted as if it were a pool, allowing the cohesive blob of sticky liquid to sink into it. Wang Tong regained his human form but appeared as if he had lost significant weight, his body now skin and bones and extremely gaunt. His expression was filled with confusion as he stared wide-eyed around him, seemingly unaware of why he was there. He tried to rise and leave the place but felt his body so drained and feeble that he had no strength at all. Clang. He collapsed outside the window of the room where Zhou Heng was, knocking off a number of tiles. But before Wang Tong could attempt to get up again, a figure blocked out the light. It was a handsome young man. It was indeed Zhou Heng. After realizing his dreams had been invaded, he had taken the initiative to withdraw from the actual dream to check on the outside world. Little did he expect that just as he woke up, he would hear a noise outside the window. He went to look. It was actually Wang Tong!? Was he truly the one who let the ghostly creature invade the dreams? Was he caught just like that? Zhou Heng felt somewhat bewildered for a moment. While Zhou Heng was bringing Wang Tong to justice, Below Yuyang County City, The blob of viscous liquid that had sunk beneath reached an underground cavity deep down. Luminescent rays of light shone from the depths of the cavity, yet within this light lurked shades of purple-black, as if tainted by something. Upon entering the cavity, the viscous liquid began to squirm frantically, moving toward the edges and crevices that the light could not reach. But its movement was not fast, and as part of the liquid was exposed to the light, it was instantly obliterated into nothingness, as if erased out of thin air. Nonetheless, one-third of the viscous liquid managed to move into the dark and cold crevices successfully. Subsequently, the blob started to squirm in place, expanding and contracting as if it was trying to absorb something from the outside. Moments later, traces of purple -black from the luminescent light separated and converged upon the liquid. The viscous substance immediately absorbed this purple-black radiance, becoming still. It then abruptly began to twist and reshape, eventually, successfully transforming into a human figure. This was a middle-aged man in his thirties, naked, with neglected and somewhat curly hair, and an ordinary, unremarkable appearance. It was the very Xu Hai who had been swallowed by Wang Tong before! This entity wearing Xu Hais likeness, Xuan Yang, wore an extremely somber expression, his gaze icy as he turned to look in the direction of the inn where Zhou Heng was staying. Damn it, the person whom Wang Tong wished to take revenge on in his desires turns out to be a mighty reincarnated soul! The overpowering Pure Yang and the thunder filled with suppression towards Yin spirits are clearly the light of thunder tribulation, the Tribulation Thunder! His past life was a great figure who reached the level of Thunder Tribulation! Even after reincarnation, the fog in the womb, his subconscious still retains the fear of Thunder Tribulation. No wonder he has a Pure Yang Body. This is probably not a natural occurrence but a plan laid out for his next life before his reincarnation from the tribulation. Xuan Yang speculated on Zhou Hengs origins, drawing a rough conclusion from his previous knowledge and experiences. This made him quite excited. If my guess is correct, this could truly be a great opportunity, a grand chance for me to break free! Xuan Yangs eyes lit up, and immediately, his pupils turned a blood red. Meanwhile, beneath the night sky, clouds obscured the moonlight. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The people of Yuyang County City were all dreaming; many young women were also sleeping peacefully in their rooms. Many of them had just received adjustments to their appearance, becoming more beautiful and confident than before. They longed for their future husbands and dreamed of a wonderful future. Even their dreams were filled with happiness. But suddenly, those who were asleep sat up abruptly, eyes wide open, all uniformly looking in one direction. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Seeing Through Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Seeing Through The girls sat up, and a greenish glow appeared in their eyes. A moment later, the glow in their eyes faded away, and they all returned to their sleep. It was as if nothing had happened at all. However, when those girls had awakened, their eyes shining with green light, deep in the subterranean cavern, Xuan Yang suddenly inhaled sharply from within a dark crevice. Immediately, streaks of greenish light emerged from the void, then dispersed into streams of the same color. These greenish streams, like little snakes, wriggled their way into Xuan Yangs nostrils and were absorbed into his body. Originally, Xuan Yangs complexion had been pale, but after absorbing these greenish little snakes, his skin quickly turned rosy, and his eyes brightened. This amount of Yang Energy should be enough for me to move around in daylight and clear air for three days, Xuan Yang said with a smile on his face. All living beings possess Yang Energy, regardless of gender. The reason he had possessed Wang Tong and adjusted the appearances of those girls earlier was to leave arrangements on them under a reasonable pretext, for future necessity. And now, they were indeed proving to be useful. However, he hadnt expected to need them so soon. An incarnation of a great power at the level of a thunder tribulation, still lost in the delusion of the womb, even their Cultivation is only at Ninth Grade- what excellent offerings, he thought excitedly to himself. However, I must keep him here, cant let him leave Yuyang County City just like that; it all depends on how those girls do. Just now, he hadnt only drawn Yang Energy from the bodies of those girls. He had also planted a degree of suggestion in their hearts. The next morning. After capturing Wang Tong, Zhou Heng planned to take him away from Yuyang County and return to Huangtong Mansion City. But this Wang Tong was somewhat strange; he seemed to have no memory of his escape from prison. Zhou Heng suspected that it might be the influence of that Xuan Yang. In any case, he would first take Wang Tong back to Huangtong Mansion City and wait for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers people to arrive and make a decision. Leave professional matters to the professionals. However, the city gates of Yuyang County City were closed at night, forbidding passage, so they had to wait until daytime. But Zhou Heng had not expected that when he brought Wang Tong to the city gate. The place was already so crowded that no one could get through. Men, women, the elderly, and children, at least a hundred people had gathered here, led by a group of young and beautiful girls. Upon seeing Zhou Hengs arrival, their eyes immediately lit up, and they cheered loudly. Look! Look! Its Young Master Zhou! Ahh! Hes here! Hes here! So handsome, so incredibly handsome! Im going to die, ahh, too handsome! Is this the charm of a ranked martial artist? Amazing! The cheers rose and fell in waves. Generally speaking, when two or three girls are together, they can create a huge noise; even more so now with no less than twenty young girls gathered here. Zhou Heng was so bombarded by these voices that his head buzzed, and he looked over in utter astonishment. Besides these twenty-plus girls, there were many others who had come to watch the excitement, men and women, young and old, with looks of curiosity, admiration, and even envy directed at Zhou Heng. Without a doubt, these people were all here for Zhou Heng. This left him a bit stupefied. Whats the situation? Could it be comparable to fans flocking at the airport? Zhou Hengs eyebrows slightly furrowed as he gave the girls a more scrutinizing gaze. With his insight +1, he quickly detected something off about them. Their features were all very delicate, absolutely perfect to the senses of ordinary people, incredibly beautiful. But in Zhou Hengs eyes, their features had obvious artificial traces, likely having been subtly altered. This made him think of the man who claimed to be Xu Hai that he met last night while eating at the inn. From the information gleaned from Xu Hai, there had been talk of some girls mysteriously becoming beautiful recently. Although that Xu Hai was clearly a swindler, since he wanted to deceive people, he needed to gain their trust, so he probably wouldnt fabricate such news. At that time, Zhou Heng suspected it might be the work of the ghostly entity Yu Shang, considering Chen Hanyu had her body taken over by Yu Shang after her appearance was altered by it. However, after the upheaval in his dream last night, Zhou Heng learned that the ghost residing here was not Yu Shang but Xuan Yang. The abilities of the two seemed similar, could there be some connection? Zhou Heng pondered in his heart. At the same time, he was analyzing the situation at hand. Was this the work of Xuan Yang? But what was the purpose? Was it to prevent me from leaving Yuyang County City? After all, looking at the current situation, he had no chance of leaving unless he dealt with these nearly frenzied girls. And by the looks of it, if he continued to linger at the city gate, he feared he might be captured by these girls and taken straight to their homes. He couldnt use violence. Running was the best option. So, Zhou Heng took Wang Tongs hand and ran toward the nearby alley, prompting the group of girls to immediately chase after him upon seeing him flee. Dont run! Master Zhou! Please dont- Master Zhou runs ahead, and I chase after. If I catch him, I can hehe Its not often we get to see a renowned genius from the Human Rankings, we cant let this opportunity slip by! Hurry, chase him! This spectacle caused the old onlookers who came to watch the excitement to sigh with emotion, looking at the frenzied girls with some envy. Youth is wonderful! In di Country, there were no confining Confucian teachings, and women were treated quite leniently. Such a public chase after an object of admiration wasnt considered unseemly. Not to mention that they were pursuing a reputed genius on the Human Rankings, a prodigy who had reached the Ninth Grade realm and claimed a place on the rankings at only seventeen! It was all within reason. Being pursued by a flock of charming ladies wasnt necessarily a bad thing, and might even be something many men dreamed of. But Zhou Heng knew well that these girls were clearly related to the ghost called Xuan Yang; for all he knew, they could turn into a sticky mass of wax at any moment, and he dared not get too close rashly. Even if he wanted to deal with them, he had to wait until he understood the specific circumstances. Luckily, Zhou Hengs lightweight kung fu was not bad, and he had recently learned the Eighth Rank lightweight technique Cloud Drifting Traceless Steps from You Ziheng, making his speed even faster. His figure moved swiftly through the streets and alleys, and he swiftly left the girls chasing him far behind. As he rounded a street corner, a figure appeared in front of Zhou Heng. It was Xu Hai. Brother Zhou, follow me. This Xu Hai reached for Zhou Hengs arm, Ill help you hide from them. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng instinctively dodged, causing Xu Hais grab to miss. At the same time, a prompt sounded. Xuan Yangs residual will has used the martial arts technique Five Dragon Claw Technique [Ninth Grade] against you. You successfully dodged it with an increase of +0.2 in proficiency. Xuan Yang? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed as he looked at this Xu Hai. Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Resolute Reporting Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Resolute Reporting The specter from Xuan Yang has transformed into the likeness of Xu Hai? Or has it completely taken control of Xu Hais body? Zhou Hengs heart was filled with suspicion, but his face remained impassive as he said in a deep voice, Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Xu, but I have my own ways of avoiding those ladies, no trouble needed. Seeing Zhou Hengs apparent wariness, Xuan Yang laughed and said, It seems Brother Zhou still doesnt trust me, but I assure you, I have no ill intentions. I have a secluded place in Yuyang County City that can offer you some peace and quiet. A secluded place? Zhou Heng feigned interest with a smile, Where might that be? First Ill follow you, then Ill finish you off, perfect. Brother Zhou, just come with me, Xuan Yang replied with a smile, and then turned to walk in a certain direction, saying, Once we get there, we can discuss the important matters weve previously mentioned. Indeed, hes just a naive youngster, so easily fooled. Even if hes a reincarnation of a mighty being, before growing up, hes as vulnerable as any other. Zhou Heng, carrying the unconscious Wang Tong, followed Xuan Yang. A moment later, the two individuals, each harboring their own thoughts, arrived at a desolate area on the outskirts of the city, rarely visited by people. The land here was flat, overgrown with wild grass, but even the grass was unusually short, with few plants taller than one foot. Indeed, this is quite the secluded place, Zhou Heng said with a smile, his heart searching for the right moment to take action, ready to attack at any time. A desolate and uninhabited area is an ideal place for murder. This used to be a beautiful peach grove, Xuan Yang explained, hands clasped behind him, his tone markedly different from before, but everything changed after the Battle of Tianyang. The Battle of Tianyang? Zhou Heng was taken aback by this sudden topic from Xuan Yang, which was completely unexpected. The Battle of Tianyang was said to be a pivotal battle that led to the tripartite stand of the Da Qi, Da Zhou, and Da Jin empires. Before this battle, the world knew only one supreme empire. It happened thousands of years ago. However, listening to Xuan Yangs tone, it was as if he had personally experienced the Battle of Tianyang. Are ghost beings this long-lived?! Hehe, ultimately its just that the True Spirit hasnt awakened, no longer as it was, now youre nothing more than this Ninth Rank youngster! Xuan Yangs mocking laughter echoed as he suddenly erupted. His body melted into a thick, wax-like substance, squirming and stretching out as he pounced toward Zhou Heng. This was exactly the same as Yu Shangs attack method from before. The drastic change in Xuan Yangs body, accompanied by a powerful psychic assault, was like invisible arrows shooting straight into Zhou Hengs mind. He was well aware of how strong the psychic shock he could administer after this transformation was. Martial Artists below the Seventh Rank peak simply could not withstand it! As long as the Divine Soul had not interacted with the external laws of heaven and earth, it could not possibly withstand such a level of psychic assault. Even those naturally strong in spirit could not. Even if it was the reincarnation of a formidable being at the threshold of the Thunder Tribulation, before the Cultivation Realm was truly elevated, only the deepest part of the Divine Soul, the True Spirits essence, was of a high level; the surface of the Divine Soul was still frail. This was a sure win. However, Xuan Yang was naturally cautious. Earlier in that underground cavity, the purple-black radiance not only healed his injuries but also greatly enhanced the strength of his spirit. To ensure there was no chance of failure. When he had invited Zhou Heng over, he even revealed bits of historical secrets, taking advantage of Zhou Hengs surprise to launch a resolute attack, seeking to settle the outcome with one strike! In Xuan Yangs eyes, this was a perfect plan, a surefire action with no possibility of failure. Even if Zhou Heng was alert beforehand, even if Zhou Heng was psychologically prepared, even if Zhou Heng was ready to counterattack at any moment, it would be useless. What can a mere Ninth Rank Warrior do, even if hes the reincarnation of a mighty being? What does it matter if hes exceptionally talented, capable of defeating an Eighth Rank with Ninth Grade skills? Facing a psychic shock far beyond his limit of endurance, Zhou Heng simply could not have any room to resist! How can one lose with a psychic shock so blatantly overwhelming? Its simply not possible! Boom! A thunderbolt cracked through the dry sky, suddenly and startlingly. Golden lightning struck from the void, like a shimmering golden serpent flashing with electric light, it streaked across the sky in an instant, and accurately slashed upon Xuan Yangs body. The brilliant lightning was filled with a power that restrained spirits, causing Xuan Yang, who was lunging at Zhou Heng, to freeze in midair, and the sticky layer of liquid on its surface turned directly into char. Thud! A clump of scorched, sticky liquid fell to the ground, wriggling as it tried to continue to transform, even attempting to seep into the ground, but then Boom! Another thunderbolt struck down, the sticky liquid that had just started to wriggle was hit into a complete mess, making it even difficult to budge. Zhou Heng stood nearby, his face showing pain as he took out chunks of gold from his sleeve, releasing Palm Thunder, and continuously struck down at Xuan Yang, which had turned into the sticky liquid. The proficiency of the high-level Palm Thunder had become very fast, almost reaching the point of instantaneous release. It just meant burning money even faster. Previously, when the true dream was invaded by Xuan Yang, the proficiency of the Palm Thunder was already close to advanced, and after a little more practice, it was sufficient. Zhou Heng burned through five taels of gold and finally heard the prompt. Congratulations! Youve killed an evenly matched enemy Xuan Yang Remnant Soul Will, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. At this point, the clump of sticky liquid had been completely turned into a heap of black ash by his Palm Thunder. A gust of wind. And it was scattered. Never thought thered be a time with one monster, two kills, Zhou Heng couldnt help laughing out loud, feeling very pleased, the battle was easier than he had imagined. He had intended that if Xuan Yang had transformed and launched a spiritual shock, he would activate the state of Purified Heart and at the same time run his Inner Strength at full capacity to increase his resistance to mental attacks. But unexpectedly, though Xuan Yangs spiritual shock was mighty, he just felt a bit of a headache and didnt suffer any severe damage. Is this the effect of the Spiritual Root +1? Or is it because Ive been cultivating Taoist Formulas for a long time, which has increased the strength of my Divine Soul? Zhou Heng speculated the reasons within his heart. After that, he took a closer look at the wasteland and felt that it was indeed desolately overdone. If it werent for some wild grass, it looked almost like a land of death. Was this place a peach grove thousands of years ago? Zhou Heng couldnt help murmuring to himself. He was somewhat curious about the identity of Xuan Yang as well as where the true body of Xuan Yang could be? Recalling Xuan Yangs actions and words just now, Zhou Heng couldnt help scuffing the ground with his foot. Could it be that Xuan Yangs true body was actually suppressed under this very ground? An entity that lived for thousands of years? Zhou Heng couldnt help frowning; he knew well that if this were the case, it was beyond his ability to deal with, no matter what. The only option was to report it. Return to Huangtong Mansion City. Report to the prefect Wu Zongshan, report to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Let the real powerhouses deal with the matters here. Deal with Xuan Yang. Although Zhou Heng had left Yuyang County City, the legends about him remained. The newly advanced human list master Bone Breaker Zhou Heng, chased around the streets by a group of young and beautiful girls, became a source of endless enjoyment for the people. The day after Zhou Heng left the place. A petite girl with outstanding looks, who seemed to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a green dress, arrived. She found an inn to stay. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only She heard the innkeeper boasting about the Zhou Heng, who had just ranked ninety-ninth on the human list, and had stayed here. They said that Bone Breaker wore a straw raincoat and rode a red jujube horse. He had the bearing of a young wanderer from the world of martial artists. Is it him? The girls eyes lit up when she heard this and secretly thought, Could he also have come here in search of the rumored treasure? But why did he leave so quickly? Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Chapter 73= Offthe Cuff Chapter 73: Chapter 73= Offthe Cuff Huangtong Mansion Citys government office. Wu Zongshans brows were deeply furrowed as he looked at the constable Meng Xing in front of him and said, So, that person has just been standing in front of Longxing Martial Arts Hall all this time? Yes, my lord, Meng Xing nodded helplessly, Chen Song has been sitting there since this morning, not moving an inch. If any of the halls apprentices or trainers try to drive him away, they end up being knocked down by him. This is targeted at Zhou Heng. Wu Zongshan also felt somewhat helpless; as the head of Huangtong Mansion, it wasnt suitable for him to intervene in such matters. Today was the second day since Zhou Heng had left Huangtong Mansion City forYuyang County. Early in the morning, a young swordsman in his twenties stood at the entrance of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. His name was Chen Song, and he had effectively blocked the entrance to Longxing Martial Arts Hall. No one was allowed in or out. He declared that unless Zhou Heng came out to spar with him and was defeated, he would not leave. The apprentices and trainers of Longxing Martial Arts Hall naturally refused, leading to a conflict where both parties came to blows. However, Chen Song was immensely powerful, seemingly of Eighth Rank, and not a single trainer was his match. Indeed, this is targeted at Zhou Heng, Meng Xing said solemnly. Ive just checked this Chen Songs background. He is a True Disciple of the Chang Xing Sect, twenty-four years old, at the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, and a close friend of Kong Chengshun. As I thought, they have come after all. Wu Zongshan suddenly understood. The moment the warrior rankings were announced, he knew that Chang Xing Sect would surely pursue the matter with Zhou Heng. After all, it was written clearly in black and white that Zhou Heng had risen in rank by stepping over Kong Chengshun. Moreover, in Chang Xing Sects eyes, it was even more egregious that Zhou Heng had defeated Kong Chengshun to climb the rankings during a Chang Xing Sect assessment competition. This was tantamount to a slap in the face to the entire Chang Xing Sect. Even though Kong Chengshuns subsequent death was due to You Ziheng, the higher-ups of Chang Xing Sect probably wouldnt blame Zhou Heng. But those hot-blooded young disciples certainly wouldnt see it that way. They were likely to consider Zhou Heng as the primary culprit behind Kong Chengshuns death, and would even believe Zhou Heng could only win over Kong Chengshun by resorting to sneak attacks. Otherwise, how could a mere youngster, newly ranked as Ninth Grade, defeat Kong Chengshun, a renowned figure on the warrior rankings? My lord, what should we do now? Meng Xing inquired. Zhou Heng has gone to Yuyang County, and it will be hard for him to return shortly. We cant just let Chen Song keep causing a ruckus there. Rivalries in the martial world should be settled by the martial world, it has always been the rule in our Da Qi; we should not interfere, Wu Zongshan said, shaking his head. Isnt Lei Xiuyan ranked as Seventh Rank? Hasnt he made a move? No Meng Xing replied, shaking his head. This morning, the hall master encountered a challenge from a young lady and got his arm slashed by a sword. He went home to recuperate. I suspect that lady might be Chen Songs sister. Sister? Wu Zongshan frowned. Chen Song is a True Disciple of Chang Xing Sect, is his sister also one? No. Meng Xing took a deep breath and continued, His sister, Chen Feihong, is a disciple of Shocking Thunder Manor, a personal disciple of the Fifth Rank Sect Master Wei Zhentian. Twenty-six years old, at the peak of Eighth Rank in Martial Path, ranked eighty-eighth on the warrior rankings, known in the martial world as Thunder Sword, she has the achievement of overpowering someone of the Seventh Rank. A warrior rankings expert? Wu Zongshan paused, then asked in confusion, Strange indeed; our Da Qi has only a hundred names on the warrior rankings for all thirty-three states. How come two or three of them turn up in Huangtong Mansion every few days? My lord, this might be related to a recent rumor, Meng Xing said. Speaking of which, its quite a coincidence as this rumor is about Yuyang County, the very place Zhou Heng has gone to. Supposedly, theres a mysterious treasure there which possesses the power to enable a Seventh Rank expert to step into the Sixth Rank and seize a great opportunity that could make them renowned throughout the martial world. Ive heard of that rumor. It was circulating about half a year ago, but such claims are often forgeries, so I didnt take it seriously, Wu Zongshan nodded. Could it possibly be true? Its not impossible. Meng Xing pondered for a moment before saying, Zhou Heng went to Yuyang County to investigate Wang Tong, so he should know some clues about this rumor. When he returns, my lord can inquire with him. 11 But investigating Wang Tongs whereabouts is no easy task; it would be good if Zhou Heng could return within half a month, Wu Zongshan worried. We cannot let Chen Song block the door indefinitely. Meng Xing, do this-contact the Five Elements Sects associated martial halls to see if they are willing to help persuade Chen Song to leave. Zhou Heng seems to have a good relationship with Liu Changsheng; perhaps these halls would be willing to assist. Yes, my lord! Meng Xing bowed and retreated. Wu Zongshan pinched his temples; it was indeed tiring to be head of the prefectural government, with never-ending issues to deal with, so much so that even his martial arts cultivation had fallen behind. But apart from dedicating oneself to the role, what else could be done? Born into an ordinary family, if one doesnt join a Sect or a noble family, to acquire higher-grade martial arts and live a better life, there is only one path: serve as an official and get promoted, waiting for the Imperial Court to grant it. There is no other way. I dont know how Zhou Hengs investigation in Yuyang County is going, the ghost that possessed Wang Tong should be in a weakened state, giving us an opportunity. If we miss this period, Im afraid that ghost will bring disaster to the region. Wu Zongshan looked in the direction of Yuyang County, his expression complex. My lord. Meng Xing had just left not long ago and had actually come back, trailing someone behind him. Meng Xing, whats Wu Zongshan was originally puzzled by how quickly Meng Xing had returned, but upon seeing the person behind him, he was suddenly astonished, Zhou Heng, youre back? And what youre holding in your hand is Wang Tong?? Wang Tong had been captured by Zhou Heng? So quickly? Zhou Heng has been extremely swift! Incredible. Is it that easy to capture someone possessed by a ghost? I had good luck, caught him the same night I went there. Zhou Heng casually threw the unconscious Wang Tong onto the ground and smiled, Heave him to you, Mansion Lord. I just stopped Meng Xing to say I have something to address at Longxing. Can I go there first? Go ahead, I will take care of Wang Tong, Wu Zongshans mood immediately brightened, the two major problems that had been bothering him were now solved at once, making him see Zhou Heng in an even better light, Meng Xing, see Zhou Heng off. Yes, lord. Meng Xing nodded. The entrance of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. A man in his twenties, dressed in a white brocade robe, long saber at his waist, tall and well-built, with handsome features, stood there, glaring angrily at everyone who passed by. It scared quite a few people into keeping their distance. Nevertheless, a crowd still gathered, standing across the street from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, watching from a distance. After all, its human nature to watch the excitement. It was already approaching dusk, and Chen Song had been standing there since morning, having fought several bouts with the people from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, each time emerging victorious with overwhelming superiority. Chen Song glanced at the gradually westward setting sun and looked towards the people inside, scoffing, How could such a trash martial hall foster a ranking expert? Youve really made a fool out of me. At this time, many trainers and apprentices of Longxing Martial Arts Hall gathered at the entrance, clenching their teeth in fury at Chen Song, but they were completely powerless. They had resisted, but all were defeated, utterly humiliated. Lin Cang, a Ninth Grade trainer, couldnt even withstand a single move and was instantly defeated with a broken arm. The other trainers fared roughly the same. Even apprentices like Yu He went up, but Chen Song simply slapped him away with a casual backhand, knocking out a tooth in the process. Now, hearing Chen Song mocking Longxing like this, their anger was uncontainable. Chen Song, dont act all high and mighty. Once Zhou Heng comes back, youre finished! Yu He, covering his swollen, purplish face, spoke furiously, You only dare to cause trouble when Zhou Heng is not around! Oh? Chen Song feigned looking around in search, finally letting his gaze fall on Yu He. He lifted his chin slightly and laughed lightly, What a weak little bug you are, even your voice when you curse is so low I almost didnt hear you, haha. You!! Yu He was so angry he was nearly spitting blood. Whats the use of spouting off with your mouth? Chen Song said with a face full of mockery, No matter how much you resent me, cant you still not defeat me? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As for the Martial Hall that developed Bone-breaking Sage Zhou Heng, it must be too poor if I say that Zhou Heng resorted to a sneak attack to defeat my brother Kong. Maybe his true strength is indeed not worth a blow! It was Kong Chengshun who used a sneak attack! Lin Cang tried to suppress his pain and forced out the words, his eyes focused on Chen Song, It was Kong Chengshun who resorted to a sneak attack, and Zhou Heng, in a fury, defeated him! Youre talking nonsense! How could my brother Kong need to resort to dirty tricks against someone as spineless as Zhou Heng? Chen Song spat back, saying, Yes, thats right, Zhou Heng is spineless! Otherwise, why would he leave Huangtong Mansion City? He must have heard the winds of my approach and been scared into running away! Spineless? Who are you calling spineless? Just then, a voice full of mockery rang out. Who?! Chen Song turned to see who was speaking and upon recognizing the newcomer as identical to Zhou Heng in the portraits, his rage surged, and he shouted fiercely, Im calling you spineless! Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Sending Death Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Sending Death Right, right, curse me without the balls to do so! Zhou Heng laughed as he clapped his hands, looking at Chen Song, Didnt expect you, the one without balls, to actually have some self-awareness, huh? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This Chen Song seemed like a dimwit, how could he fall for such a simple and low-level trick? How has he made it this far? Zhou Heng! Youre back! Yu He exclaimed excitedly. The other apprentices at Longxing Martial Arts Hall were also filled with excitement. The trainers, who had previously looked ashen, now had their faces lit up with< renewed glow.Lin Cang took a deep breath, finally allowing himself to stop the forced support and chose a less painful position to lie down in.Without realizing it, they had all come to see Zhou Heng as their mainstay.In this era where the martial path reigned supreme,strength was everything.The spectators on the opposite street who had been enjoying the show also suddenly perked up, their faces flushing with excitement.They had been watching Chen Song overpower his opponents one-sidedly and felt nothing but frustration.Now Zhou Heng had actually returned!It was a explosively dramatic twist!Fight! Fight!Beat Chen Song, the son of a turtle, to death. Hes too arrogant, cant stand him!Ah! Zhou Heng is so cool!Kill that Chen Song!At this moment, the people from Longxing Martial Arts Hall across the street seemed to have become residents of Zaun, spewing out all kinds of flowery language.You!? Despicable! Chen Songs face had turned the color of pig liver, and he shivered all over, his hands trembling as he held the long saber, gritting his teeth and saying:So youre Zhou Heng. It seems you really were hiding, all that crap about going out of town was a lie. Are you coming out now to seek death?Seek death? More or less. Zhou Heng smiled, then his expression turned cold, and he clapped his hands, saying, Come on, everyone, strike up the music, bring the thing up!No sooner had he spokenthe sound of suona music filled the air.This was a funeral tune.Soon after, four burly men emerged from a nearby alley. They were dressed in black and white garments, tall and strong, with dark skin, carrying a large coffin on their shoulders.Clang!Accompanied by the music reserved for funerals, these four men, who looked nearly like black people, placed the coffin they were carrying down in front of Chen Song.See that? Zhou Heng pointed at the coffin and laughed, This is for you. Its more or less like coming to your death.At this point, both the people from Longxing Martial Arts Hall and thespectators on the street were stunned. Their eyes widened in disbelief at Zhou Heng and the large coffin.What the heck!?Can you actually do this?But isnt this a bit too arrogant?!Chen Songs strength was not weak at all, was Zhou Heng really so confident?However, this act of delivering a coffin in the middle of the street CTruly shocking!Zhou Heng, do you really want to die that badly? Chen Song was so furious that veins bulged on his forehead, feeling like a volcano ready to erupt inside him, he gripped the handle of his saber so tightly that the blade was already partly unsheathed.Draw your saber. Zhou Heng beckoned to Chen Song with a crook of his finger, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up with a faint smile, Dont choke yourself in frustration.Ahhhh!! Chen Song, as if he were about to explode with rage, roared and the blade of his saber flashed out of its sheath like a bolt of lightning.Clang!The saber trembled with a resonant sound!This was the sound made by the saber vibrating as Chen Song executed his move while channeling his robust inner qi, enhancing the cutting power of the blade!Chen Songs strength was not weak; among the Eighth Rank on the martial path, he could definitely be considered a standout. His saber technique was extremely exquisite, and with each move, he aimed straight for Zhou Hengs vital points.His agility was also very masterful, it was evident that at the very least, he had achieved perfection in Ninth-Grade Lightweight Kung Fu and also possessed not-insignificant Eighth-Grade Lightweight Kung Fu, giving him extremely fast speed.Almost in the instant he drew his saber, Chen Song had already reached Zhou Hengs side.Such an attack, swift as thunder, far surpassed any move he had made that day, and many apprentices and ordinary folks couldnt even catch a glimpse of his movement trajectory or the way he deployed his saber.All they could perceive was a blink of an eye, and Chen Songs saber had already chopped toward Zhou Heng.So strong!Really so strong!!This immediately sent a jolt through the people of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, as at this moment they fully realized that Chen Songs strength was absolutely formidable!Just this one saber strike alone could crush the majority of the Eighth-Rank martial artists in Huangtong Mansion City.Fast!Accurate!Ruthless!These three words sound simple, but to achieve them is unspeakably difficult.Yet, Chen Songs attack, which seemed to be unleashed in a fury, accomplished these three points.Zhou Heng, do you really think I would lose my rationality because of your provocation? Chen Songs face broke into a smug smile as he taunted, Youre too naive. It was just a show for you! You fell for it! Take my strike!!Zhou Heng, however, remained unflustered and composed, and with incredible swiftness, he drew his waist knife, placing it horizontally in front of himself, blocking Chen Songs strike.Cling!The sound of metal clashing reverberated as the two blades collided.Chen Songs strike was extremely bizarre, making Zhou Heng feel as though the waist knife in his palm was vibrating incessantly, nearly slipping from his hand, and it contained a tremendous impact force. Just this block forced him to take a step back to dissipate the strength.Chen Song had originally thought that as an Eighth-Rank martial artist with profound inner qi and a saber technique undoubtedly more refined than Zhou Hengs, the other party would definitely find it difficult to withstand his strike.However, the instant the blades met, he felt a surge of immense power transmit from Zhou Hengs blade, causing his inner qi to slightly dissipate, pain shooting through the base of his thumb, retreating three steps in succession in order to offset this enormous, almost terrifying force.It made him feel as though what his saber had struck was not Zhou Hengs blade, but rather a mountain peak bursting forth into the sky!That power was too great!And it wasn t inner qi or strength; it was clearly pure power!Damn it!This Zhou Heng actually also possessed Innate Divine Strength!Chen Songs gaze toward Zhou Heng instantly became extremely grave.Zhou Hengs brow also furrowed slightly.This Chen Song was no slouch, and even more difficult to deal with than Kong Chengshun, who was ranked on the Human List.Because he lacked the Broken Sword Style.Kong Chengshun used a sword, and when unarmed, he relied mainly on inner qi, allowing Zhou Heng to overpoweringly clinch victory with the Six Routes Folding Plum Hand, incorporating elements of both Broken Sword Style and Broken Qi Style.But Chen Song wielded a saber, and now Zhou Heng also had a saber in hand.And when it came to saber technique, Zhou Heng actually didnt even know a single Eighth-Rank saber technique.The reason Zhou Heng had confidence in using a saber to respond just now was due to the foundational attributes of Agility and Huge Strength enhancing him.But if he continued using a saber, Zhou Heng was certain this battle would become extraordinarily difficult.He would just have to be a bit more shamelessClang!Suddenly, Zhou Heng threw the waist knife he held onto the ground.Chen Song was immediately stunned, blurting out in astonishment, Are you admitting defeat?Yu He, Lin Cang, and others, as well as those people across the street were all dumbfounded. What was this situation?The one who should admit defeat is you. Zhou Heng said with a smile as he took out the gloves that he had previously commissioned a military blacksmith to forge and put them on, flexing his fingers, Lets continue.If cultivation is lacking, make up for it with equipment!Saber-grade gloves, paired with the Seventh-Rank martial arts Six Routes Folding Plum Hand!! Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Weapons Overwhelm People Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Weapons Overwhelm People Chen Song saw Zhou Heng switch weapons and shook his own broadsword, sneering, Ive heard your handwork is the most formidable. No doubt, you must have won by employing a hidden technique to secretly attack Brother Kong the last time. Come on, let me see how much your hands can handle. However, you better be careful; my blade is extremely sharp, and it might just sever your hands with a little effort. Lin Cang and Yu He, along with others from Longxing Martial Arts Hall, watched Zhou Heng with anxious faces. To them, being unarmed against someone with a knife was clearly at a disadvantage, and even with those gloves that might also be considered weapons, it was the same. There is a saying, An inch longer, an inch stronger; an inch shorter, an inch of danger. At the Lower Third Rank level, the length of a weapon often played an extremely important role in determining victory and survival. Meanwhile, on a high building not far away, a woman in yellow clothes gracefully landed on the rooftop. Her features were delicate, and although she was not stunningly beautiful, she was still noteworthy. She carried a longsword on her back, her gaze cold as she watched Zhou Hengs gloves, her eyebrows lightly furrowed. Zhou Heng noticed he was being watched, glanced at the high building nearby, and then turned his head to Chen Song and smiled, Is that your sister? Is she here to collect your corpse? Chen Songs mouth twitched slightly, feeling that the young man opposite him was truly insufferable, and said coldly, Your sharp tongue is useless lets fight! As you wish, Zhou Hengs gaze turned icy, and his figure blurred, closing the distance to Chen Song in an instant. His right hand slightly curled, he didnt attack Chen Song, but instead reached for Chen Songs broadsword. His movement and attack were extremely fast; this time, he fully utilized the agility +i bonus, combined with the Eighth Ranks Lightweight Kung Fu Cloud-Traveling Traceless Steps, his speed was considerably faster than ordinary Eighth Rank martial artists. You think Id fall for that? Chen Song sneered, ready to pull back his steel blade to avoid Zhou Hengs grab. In his view, since Zhou Heng dared to confront him with only gloves, there must be something he relied on, most likely a trick with the gloves, which gave Zhou Heng confidence. Thus, although Chen Song was very confident, he still decided not to confront directly at the start and thought to probe the real situation with the gloves before striking with full force. Unfortunately, for Zhou Heng, with his perception +1, Chen Songs motion to draw his blade had too many tells and was immediately discerned as he began the motion. Zhou Hengs left hand then came together to form a palm strike, aiming for the direction Chen Song was trying to shift his blade towards. Courting death! Chen Song saw his swordplay countered by Zhou Heng and felt a surge of rage. His blade flicked upwards, aiming to cut at Zhou Hengs chin. But at that moment, Zhou Hengs right hand was already close to the blade. His palm, clad in gloves that shone like the stars, flicked slightly, its light shimmering. The blade that was slicing towards Zhou Hengs chin suddenly veered off course, astonishingly landing directly in his hand. Special effect of the weapon: Redirecting! Redirecting could be used not only to deflect an enemys weapons but also to draw them in. Chen Song perceptibly felt this bizarre situation, his expression astonished unbelievingly staring at Zhou Hengs gloves, then suddenly hearing a few resounding clangs, and the weapon in his hand suddenly lightened. The broadsword was crushed! Pieces dropped from between Zhou Hengs fingers and fell to the ground. Chen Songs gaze was dumbfounded. This broadsword, superior to common hundred-refined weapons and almost on par with a high-quality blade, had just been crushed to pieces. And it was at this moment of astonishment. The palm Zhou Heng had struck with his left hand landed precisely on Chen Songs chest. Boom! A muffled thud was heard as Chen Song felt as if his chest had been smashed by a hammer weighing thousands of pounds. Blood spurted from his mouth as he flew backward like a rag doll, crashing down three to four zhang away and rolling another five to six zhang before coming to a halt. The crowd at the martial arts hall and the people across the street were dumbstruck. All of this had happened in the blink of an eye; Chen Songs sword was crushed, and he was sent flying. It was all too exaggerated. Zhou Heng is that formidable?! Chen Song, with his hands propped on the ground, tried to get up, but the moment he lifted his head, he saw Zhou Heng charging towards him at an extremely fast speed. Ive already bought your coffin; how can I let it go to waste? Zhou Hengs voice, tinged with a faint smile, rang out. His figure moved so swiftly that in an instant he was right in front of Chen Song. Stop! Just at that moment, a delicate shout came through. Bright sword light fell from the sky like lightning striking the earth, aiming directly at Zhou Hengs back, but it lacked a killing intent. It was clear that the attack was intended to force him to defend, thereby saving Chen Song. Unfortunately, she was using a sword. Chen Feihong is using martial arts Running-Thunder Thirty-Six Swords [Eighth Rank] to attack you Zhou Heng didnt even turn his head; relying on his basic attribute of Insight +1, he identified the trajectory of the sword purely by sound. With a turn of his left hand, he reached out behind him! Six-Direction Plum Breaking Hand! Sword-Breaking Technique! The latter was incorporated into the former, and at this moment, when wielded with gloved hands of the level of a sharp weapon, the power was doubly increased. Moreover, the Sword-Breaking Technique itself emphasized striking after but arriving before the opponent. With this move, Zhou Heng immediately found the weak point in Chen Feihongs attack. Clang! Chen Feihongs longsword shattered amid a tremulous sound, just like Chen Songs long blade earlier, as if it were fragile ice being crushed single-handedly by Zhou Heng. This sudden twist of fate shocked Chen Feihong to the extreme. She never imagined that her swordsmanship would be so easily defeated, that it would be broken in an instant, and her longsword would be crushed right then and there. How could such a thing happen? Zhou Heng hadnt shown this level of overpowering strength just before! Bang! Seizing the moment of Chen Feihongs extreme astonishment, Zhou Heng flipped over and struck with a palm, hitting her squarely in the chest. A powerful force erupted like a mountainous cry and a tidal wave, sending her flying away. After sinking with that palm, Zhou Heng turned on his heel to face Chen Song. His hands moved in rapid succession, breaking Chen Songs arms and legs before grabbing his hair and tossing him backward. Right into that coffin. Thud! The four stout men, who had been waiting, immediately placed the coffin lid on top, sealing Chen Song inside. Congratulations! You have defeated the unworthy opponent Chen Song; Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! You have defeated the unworthy opponent Chen Feihong; Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. And at this time, Chen Feihong had just managed to stagger to her feet, supporting herself against the wall with one hand clutching her chest, her mouth stained with a trace of blood, her complexion deathly pale, obviously heavily injured. All those present were stunned. Yu He, Lin Cang, and other martial arts students and trainers all widened their eyes in disbelief. They knew Zhou Heng was strong, but they had never thought he would be this strong. He had resolved two Eighth Rank experts in the blink of an eye! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only One of them might even be the Thunder Sword ranked eighty on the human list; his strength must have grown too rapidly. It was simply inconceivable! At this time, Chen Feihong was barely calming the chaotic inner qi inside her body. She looked at Zhou Heng with a solemn gaze, or more precisely, at the gloves that seemed to shimmer with starlight on his hands. With a heavy voice, she spoke, Sharp weapon?! What kind of hero uses a weapon to overwhelm others!? Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Another Use Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Another Use Hehl Zhou Heng let out a cold laugh, not even interested in responding. He completely ignored them. He walked up to the coffin, leaped onto it with a single bound, and sat down. Completely pressing down on Chen Song inside. I wont kill you, Zhou Heng said indifferently, looking at Chen Feihong. However, youll have to leave behind some money to buy your lives. Earlier, when he had taken care of Xuan Yangs remaining souls will, hed used up all the gold he had with him; he was now penniless and had to get some money. Besides, the two of them had other uses. Moreover, killing someone on the streets in the prefectural city, even if it was a martial vendetta, was undeniably a provocation against the authority of the Da Qi Imperial Court, and not a wise move at all. However, Zhou Heng had no problem asking for life-buying money. He couldnt kill them within the city, but that wouldnt stop him from killing them once they left the city. Moments ago, Zhou Heng faced two opponents alone and ended the fight in an instant, already showcasing his prowess at this level. Yet, to have such a young and skilled master brazenly ask for money was surprising and confusing for Chen Feihong. The people of Longxing Martial Arts Hall knew Zhou Hengs character well and were already accustomed to it, but those across the street felt somewhat bewildered. So this is a ranked warrior? Love it, love it. Chen Feihong took a deep breath, his eyes coldly fixed on Zhou Heng as he said in a deep voice, How much do you want? Up to you, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Two thousand taels. Chen Feihong took two silver notes from his pocket and said, I dont carry much money with me, this is all I have. Throw it here, Zhou Heng, sitting on the lid of Chen Songs coffin, beckoned to Chen Feihong with his fingers. Hmph! With a surge of his inner qi, Chen Feihong made the two silver notes stiffen and, with a flick of his wrist, threw them towards Zhou Heng. Good. Zhou Heng caught the notes, flipped off the coffin, gave it a kick with his foot, and sent Chen Songs coffin flying towards Chen Feihong. The two thousand taels is your life-buying money. For your brothers life, youll owe me., You!? Chen Feihong caught the coffin, about to rescue Chen Song, but on hearing this, he trembled with rage, Shameless! You reap what you sow, Zhou Heng said with his hands behind his back, turned away from the two, and snorted coldly. Lurking at my doorstep all day, hurting my mentor and friends, Im already being merciful by not killing you on the spot. Now, get lost! For Zhou Heng, Longxing Martial Arts Hall was his home in the martial world, the starting point of his martial path; Chen Song coming here to cause trouble was tantamount to a provocation at his doorstep. Chen Feihong was left speechless by the retort, unsure of how to counter. He quickly left with Chen Song, lest Zhou Heng suddenly change his mind or ambush them once they were out of the city. These were all real possibilities. With Chen Feihong and Chen Song gone, and the onlookers from across the street dispersed, Zhou Heng returned to the Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Trainer Lin, are you okay? Zhou Heng checked Lin Cangs injuries and found that they werent very severe, just painful, with no lasting consequences. Chen Song hadnt struck with full force. However, this didnt exonerate him, and Zhou Hengs loathing for him wouldnt lessen in the slightest. Im fine, LinCang shook his head, looking at Zhou Heng with a gratified smile. Good lad, so formidable! Who would have thought two years ago that you would become this powerful. Over the past two years, he had personally witnessed Zhou Hengs growth step by step. From Zhou Hengs rudimentary understanding of martial arts to mastering a Ninth Grade technique to perfection and then to truly stepping onto the Ninth Rank and ascending the ranked warrior list, Lin Gang had watched it all. Now reflecting on it, he couldnt help but sigh with emotion. A genius indeed! This is what a genius looks like! Now, your ranking on the Peoples List has risen again. Yu He, holding his swollen face, laughed, Ninth Rank climbing up to the eightieth position, thats unprecedented, heh, hiss it hurts! As he spoke, he started hopping on one foot, his face bearing the wounds inflicted by Chen Song. If it hurts, then talk less. Zhou Heng smiled and said, Your face looks pretty bad too. Next time I encounter that Chen Song, Ill make his face look just like that. Alright, hiss! Yu He winced in pain as he cheered in agreement. The surrounding apprentices and trainers couldnt help laughing at this scene, and the atmosphere immediately became much livelier. Master Lin, Yu He, and everyone, focus on healing for now. I have some things to attend to, so I need to make a trip to see the lord of Huangtong Mansion. Seeing that everyones mood had lightened, Zhou Heng got up to take his leave. After Zhou Heng left. The crowd watched his retreating figure, feeling a sense of admiration. A golden scale is not common in the pool; once met with a storm, it will transform into a dragon. The prefectural city yamen. Meng Xing looked at Zhou Heng approaching and smiled, I thought Young Master Zhou would be harsher, but I didnt expect you to let them go just for some money. If I had made them invalids, they would be no use to me. Zhou Heng chuckled and said, I still count on them to stir the waters in Yuyang County. Oh? Meng Xing was initially startled, then realized and said, Do you think they might head to Yuyang County in search of the rumored treasure that could elevate someone to Sixth Rank? Wasnt it Headhunter Meng who said they might have come for this reason? Zhou Heng smiled and said, At first, they might have been slightly interested, but they might not have really decided to go. Now, after this defeat, their desire to increase their strength must be more urgent, and they are likely to go. Even if they dont, I wont lose out. The rumored treasure in Yuyang County City is suspected to be related to Xuan Yang, a ghost who has lived for thousands of years. The rumor of this treasure might not be without basis either, and could be related to Xuan Yang as well. If Chen Song and Chen Feihong really go to investigate, they might even reveal some information. Why not take advantage of that? Young Master Zhou has a keen mind that lets nothing slip by, Meng Xing paid a compliment, as they had by now arrived in front of the study, Please, young master, the lord has been waiting for a while to discuss matters regarding Wang Tong and Yuyang County. Hmm. Zhou Heng nodded slightly and pushed the door open to enter. Night fell. In a suite at an inn in the North District of Huangtong Mansion City. Chen Feihong was treating Chen Songs wounds. Sister, are we just going to let this go? Chen Song said indignantly, his face full of resentment, I must find an opportunity to kill that Zhou Heng. He relied solely on his weapons to overpower us and had the audacity to be so arrogant. I must kill him! His pair of gloves are sharp weapons, and most likely are not ordinary ones at that. We are no match for him. Chen Feihong considered for a moment, then said with a grave voice: Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng is taking the entrance examination for Pure Yang Palace. Once he passes, he will be a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, and we wont be able to kill him. So, we must grow our strength as quickly as possible. Sister, what do you mean? Chen Song, having a sudden realization, thought of the rumor Chen Feihong had mentioned before. Half a year ago, there were rumors that in Huangtong Mansions Yuyang County there was a treasure capable of elevating someone to Sixth Rank. We might as well give it a try, Chen Feihong said seriously: If the rumors are true and we can get a share of it, even if we cant reach Sixth Rank, we should still be able to reach Seventh Rank. By then, even if Zhou Heng has his weapons, he will not be our match! Exactly! Chen Song, excited by the prospect, said, Tomorrow morning, we will set off for Yuyang County. Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Unforeseen Events Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Unforeseen Events The night was silent, and the prefectural city yamen had also quieted down. Wang Tong had been re-imprisoned in the deepest cell, under strict watch. Inside the study. Wu Zongshans expression was solemn, and he spoke in a heavy voice, Young Master Zhou, are you telling the truth? Could there really be a ghost that has lived for thousands of years beneath Yuyang County City? Its just a suspicion, but we cant rule out the possibility that its just trying to mystify, Zhou Heng pondered. If its true, this matter is beyond what you and lean handle. Although he was not sure how powerful a ghost that had lived for thousands of years might be, he was certain that both he and Wu Zongshan would undoubtedly die if faced with such an entity. Suspected to have lived for thousands of years, and even mentioned the Tianyang Battle Wu Zongshan was overwhelmed for a moment and said with earnestness, Young Master Zhou, this matter is of great importance, and I need to consult with my superiors. However, logically speaking, the ghost from Yuyang County should not be that advanced. Oh? Zhou Heng asked with curiosity, Why do you say that? Because Yuyang County is just an ordinary county, Wu Zongshan explained. A ghost that has lived for thousands of years would have a status and realm above Fourth Rank. Such a high-level ghost, once it escaped, would bring about a disaster of monumental proportions, with living beings suffering terribly. Therefore, if such a ghost were truly sealed there, it wouldnt be unguarded. Of course, it has been more than three thousand years since the Tianyang Battle. Times change, and perhaps its true that the seals and prohibitions have lost their guardians and degraded to a common area. That is indeed possible, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, but he noticed another piece of information from Wu Zongshans words, After the Tianyang Battle, many ghosts like this one were sealed? There is very little recorded about the Tianyang Battle in this world, and most of the books Zhou Heng could find were vague, merely explaining the causes and outcomes, glossing over the details of the process or not mentioning them at all. This left Zhou Hengs understanding of the history of the Tianyang Battle extremely obscure, without even a basic framework established. Unexpectedly, while discussing the ghost matter with Wu Zongshan, he also learned some secrets of past history. It was quite unexpected. This world was full of crises, with ghosts and evil spirits proliferating, and they had existed long ago in the ancient past. Therefore, Zhou Heng believed that to make himself and those around him safe, m addition to strengthening his own power, he also needed to understand more information and history. Often, familiarity with the hidden secrets of the past could mean the difference between life and death. At the founding of Da Qi, ghosts ravaged the lands, and the people suffered immensely. Many ghosts of similar magnitude were sealed, Wu Zongshan explained without going into detail. If the ghost in Yuyang County is really of that level, Im afraid that it would require a Celestial Power to act. I hope not, Zhou Heng said seriously. However, it can be confirmed that a strong ghost is sealed beneath Yuyang County City. The rumors of treasures in the past half-year are likely its efforts to break free from the seal. Perhaps from the moment Chen Hanyu of Honghua Palace appeared in Yuyang County half a year ago, that ghost has been preparing all this, scheming to break the seal and escape. The abilities exhibited by the ghost Yu Shang possessing Chen Hanyu were also manifested in Xuan Yang, and it was after passing through Yuyang County that Chen Hanyu met with disaster. Therefore, Zhou Heng had reason to suspect that there might be a close connection between Xuan Yang and Yu Shang. Yes, thats a possibility, Wu Zongshan agreed with Zhou Hengs speculation, nodding, The matter of Yuyang County must be dealt with cautiously Buzz! Buzz! At that moment, a bookshelf not far from Zhou Heng and Wu Zongshan began to tremble as if something was trying to burst forth from inside it. Zhou Heng, slightly startled, then said, Master Wu, should I step aside first? No need, Wu Zongshan gently shook his head as he walked towards the bookshelf, manipulated a mechanism, opened a secret compartment, and said, It should be a message from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Its harmless to let you know as well. Afterwards, Wu Zongshan took out a piece of apricot-yellow paper from the secret compartment. It was covered in dense text, each character shining with a silver glow like starlight. The Lord of Huangtong Mansion looked at the text, took a deep breath with a sigh of relief, then put it away and closed the compartment. Turning to Zhou Heng with a smile, he said, Alright, we need not worry any longer. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer has already been investigating the situation in Yuyang County, and they have made progress. They ve investigated it clearly? Zhou Hengs eyes lit up as he smiled and said, Thats good to hear. Did they mention the level of the ghost creature sealed there, and how to deal with it? Three hundred years ago, an advanced Fourth Rank Martial Path expert sealed a ghost creature there, Wu Zongshan said with a smile. Back then, the creature was of the Fifth Rank, but now, after being confined for so many years, its doing well if it retains Sixth Rank strength. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer will send two Star Envoys to inspect the seals condition and, depending on the situation, reinforce the seal. They will also evacuate the residents of Yuyang County to a certain extent. Then, that is certainly reassuring, Zhou Heng nodded and said with a smile. He was quite satisfied with the outcome. His initial intention had been to report the matter of Yuyang County to the officials, to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, so that professionals could handle it. Since the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers people had already gone there, it was all the better and cause for everyones happiness. Haha! With the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer taking action, weve got no more worries, Wu Zongshan also appeared relieved as he said with a laugh, You should return home and rest. Tomorrow, I will send someone to escort you to see that mansion. The mansion in the North District. This was the reward Wu Zongshan had promised Zhou Heng, and now that he had captured Wang Tong, it was time to make good on that promise. Then Ill have to trouble Master Wu, Zhou Heng said with a rich smile on his face, feeling quite pleased. After all, his greatest pursuit these past two years had been to own a mansion in Huangtong Mansion City, to truly settle down, and now that dream was finally becoming a reality. Yet in his heart, he had already set his sights on even loftier goals. Of course, he still intended to take a look at the mansion. He then took his leave and turned to depart. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Planning to go home and thoroughly examine the items he had taken from the two men he had killed on his way to Yuyang County, and then to check out the new Fortune Bag he had acquired. However, just before leaving the study, Zhou Heng suddenly thought of a question and asked, Master Wu, did the letter from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer mention the name of the ghost creature? Ah? It did mention it, but the names of ghost creatures are usually not that important, Wu Zongshan replied casually, The ghost creature is called He Yang, the He meaning to combine, and Yang as in the sun. He Yang Zhou Hengs smile suddenly froze on his face. Not Xuan Yang?? Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Continuous Rewards Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Continuous Rewards He Yang? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed as he turned to look at Wu Zongshan, Is there only the name He Yang? Yes, what about it? Wu Zongshan looked at Zhou Heng with a hint of surprise, wondering, Could it be that Young Master Zhou has obtained other clues in Yuyang County? That ghostly entity I vanquished referred to itself as Xuan Yang, Zhou Heng said. This time, he did not hide the fact that he had the means to slay ghostly entities. Because the situation was different now. At present, he was essentially an outer disciple of Pure Yang Palace. Though he hadnt officially passed the assessment, he wasnt at risk of attracting calamity because others coveted a Taoist formula of not very high rank. That was the difference between having backing or not. Xuan Yang? Wu Zongshan chewed over the name, nodding as he spoke, I will pay attention to the investigation, and I will also notify the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to see if there is any information on Xuan Yang. Master Wu goes to great trouble, Zhou Heng gave a slight nod and added, Theres also the matter of the Plague Emperor Sect; please take the trouble to look into that as well. Rest assured, Young Master, its a minor matter, Wu Zongshan said with a smile. He always spared no kindness to talents and disciples of Martial Dao Sects, for having more friends meant having more avenues to explore. Thankyou, Zhou Heng bowed in farewell. Then Wu Zongshan was left alone in the study again. Xuan Yang Wu Zongshan murmured the name, once more opening the hidden compartment, and with a cinnabar pen, he wrote these two characters on yellowed paper, then added a few more sentences, awaiting a reply from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. But after waiting for a long time, there was no movement on the yellowed paper. Wu Zongshan knew that this must mean the people from Zhou Tian Boundary Officer were out and no one was responding to the signal from the talisman paper. Their numbers were too few indeed. But recently, contact with them seemed increasingly difficult; had something happened in the West Wasteland forbidden lands, or were there anomalies in various places in Pingzhou? Wu Zongshan was somewhat puzzled. Zhou Heng returned to his rented room. If all went as expected, It would be his last night staying there. He Yang, why would the ghostly entity sealed in Yuyang County be from He Yang? Zhou Heng was very curious in his mind. Could there be a mistake in Zhou Tian Boundary Officers investigation? Or was it that there wasnt just a Xuan Yang sealed there, but other ghostly entities as well? Well, Wu Zongshan should have already notified the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer about this, so letting them investigate would be enough. Zhou Heng steadied his mind. Ready to open the Fortune Bags he had acquired in the past two days. Xuan Yang contributed two Silver Fortune Bags. Chen Song and Chen Feihong contributed two Copper Fortune Bags. It really was a bountiful harvest. Open the two Silver Fortune Bags and two Copper Fortune Bags! Congratulations! You have obtained a special skill card: Fooling Card [Copper]. Congratulations! You have acquired a basic attribute: Constitution +1. Congratulations! Your luck has exploded, you have obtained the martial arts Lone Nine Swords [Seventh Rank]! Congratulations! Your luck has exploded, you have obtained a special skill card: Peak Card! Zhou Heng was all smiles. The sensation of continuously hearing congratulations, continuously receiving rewards, was really pleasing, truly exhilarating. Importantly, the items acquired this time seemed quite good. Especially the two skill cards. Fooling Card [Copper]: Can reduce a persons intelligence, halt a persons thoughts, and obliterate a persons rationality. Peak Card: Allows for one attack using the peak proficiency of a martial art or a Taoist formula. Hiss hiss! Zhou Heng couldnt help but suck in a breath of cold air. The people mentioned in the Fooling Card effect description refers to all sentient beings in a broad sense, whether they are living people or ghosts, or any other sentient entities. With these two skill cards combined, he even had the confidence to take down ghosts of the Fifth Rank or even the Fourth Rank! So strong! The Fooling Card could dumb down an enemy, causing them to stand there dazed and even forget to counterattack. Then, by using the Peak Card, he could perform the Five Thunder Righteous Method with peak proficiency, which was a Fifth Rank Taoist Formula. Coupled with its restraining attribute that was especially effective against Yin spirits, it was practically a ghosts bane. In that instant, Zhou Heng even felt the impulse to rush to Yuyang County City and directly take out Xuan Yang. After all, with these two skill cards stacked together, he was highly likely to already possess that capability. However, an impulse is just that, impulsive. As soon as his mind cleared up a bit, he abandoned that idea. These two skill cards were definitely epic-level trump cards! Use them as little as possible. Only if he truly was in a desperate situation, with no other options, would he consider it. Beyond these two special skill cards, Zhou Heng also received two other rewards, which were actually quite remarkable. The effect of a basic attribute boost to Constitution +1 was simple, as it just enhanced ones physical fitness by improving resilience and resistance to hits, commonly referred to as adding HP and defense. As for Lone Nine Swords, Zhou Heng chose to comprehend and learn it directly. This time it wasnt just a single move, but the complete set of Lone Nine Swords. Seventh Rank Martial Arts! Congratulations! Since the proficiency of your martial arts Lone Nine Swords: Breaking the Sword Technique [Eighth Rank] has reached Advanced, the proficiency of the martial arts Lone Nine Swords [Seventh Rank] has increased by 1000. Congratulations! Since the proficiency of your martial arts Lone Nine Swords: Breaking the Qi Technique [Eighth Rank] has reached Intermediate, the proficiency of the martial arts Lone Nine Swords [Seventh Rank] has increased by 600. Congratulations! Since the proficiency of your martial arts Six Routes Plum Breaking Hand [Seventh Rank] has reached Beginner, the proficiency of the martial arts Lone Nine Swords [Seventh Rank] has increased by 500. Congratulations! Since the proficiency of your martial arts Lone Nine Swords [Seventh Rank] has reached Intermediate, the proficiency of the martial arts Six Routes Plum Breaking Hand has increased by 500. After this series of notifications. The two individual Lone Nine Swords techniques that Zhou Heng originally mastered were formally included in the overall formula, and because of the presence of the Breaking Palm Technique, they even added proficiency to each other and to the Six Routes Plum Breaking Hand. [Seventh Rank] Lone Nine Swords: Intermediate (1450/2000) [Seventh Rank] Six Routes Plum Breaking Hand: Beginner (869/1000) This once again gave Zhou Heng an exponential boost to his strength, with the clearest indication being that when facing enemies, he no longer had a weakness in the weapons department. Although the proficiency of Lone Nine Swords was only Intermediate now, the strength he could display surpassed its previous level and became more comprehensive. Even if Zhou Heng had not learned other martial arts such as spear arts, whip arts, or rope arts, the entire set of Lone Nine Swords provided him with the philosophy to decode various moves. To put it simply, it was sword theory. Even just using sword theory to break moves, Lone Nine Swords was already one of the best. Coupled with the Six Routes Plum Breaking Hand which was naturally good at grappling, it could incorporate other martial arts. This enabled Zhou Heng to have a high probability of completely breaking through his opponents moves after a short exchange. In such a case, unless the opponent had reached the Seventh Rank of the Martial Path, with their True Qi incredibly dense and beginning to undergo a metamorphosis, it was nearly impossible for them to be Zhou Hengs match. Which means, theoretically, he was invincible below the Seventh Rank. However, the martial skills at hand are just that, skills, Zhou Heng moved his fingers and chuckled lightly, To truly assess ones strength, it still needs to be verified through actual combat. Next, he took out the items he had obtained from the two people he had killed on his way to Yuyang County and spilled them onto the table, ready for examination. To see if there was anything of value. Could he sell them for some more money? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The silver from those two men had been collected by Zhou Heng long ago; now he needed to inspect some other items. Two copper tokens, a letter, a list, two medicine packets with a fishy smell, and some darts emitting a green glow that were obviously poisoned. Zhou Heng, wearing gloves fit for handling sharp instruments, first picked up the letter, which read, To Young Master Wei Gaopeng of Shocking Thunder Manor Shocking Thunder Manor, wasnt that Chen Feihongs sect? He then opened the envelope to look at the contents, but after just one glance, he was stunned and puzzled. This, this is Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Grand Mansion Gates Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Grand Mansion Gates The Three Poison Sect, in accordance with the agreement, has provided two packets of Formless Qi Dispersing Powder. Once this poison enters water, it becomes colorless and tasteless, emitting a toxic gas. Ordinary people who inhale it will find their muscles turning to mush, and their internal organs slowly shriveling up. Even those with martial arts, as long as they have not opened the Heavenly Gate or connected the bridge between heaven and earth, the poison can cause their inner qi to disperse, their spirit to become languid, and even cause their inner strength to regress. The poison is not necessarily lethal but is enough to spread panic, meeting the Young Masters requirements exactly. Please do not forget to return the payment after inspection. That was the content of the letter. The Three Poison Sect is a subsidiary sect of the Plague Emperor Sect, not strong, with its sect leader only being Sixth Rank. Its members are known for their secretive movements and notorious for selling various poisons. The reason Zhou Heng was taken aback was that he had just entrusted Wu Zongshan to pay close attention to the movements of the Plague Emperor Sect, only to find that he had already had something related to the Plague Emperor Sect in his hands. If nothing unexpected had happened, the two men he had killed earlier must have been from the Three Poison Sect. Those two tokens were probably the identity tokens of the Three Poison Sect. The people mentioned in the letter and the effectiveness of the poison, however, puzzled Zhou Heng greatly. Shocking Thunder Manor was not a heretical sect; on the contrary, it was a righteous sect famous throughout Pingzhou County, and its manor lord, Wei Zhentian, was known for his hatred of evil. Even if the Young Master, Wei Gaopeng, was not yet well-known at the moment, he often did deeds like helping poor families in the neighborhood, eliminating the violent to aid the good, sweeping away mountain bandits, and the like. He didnt seem like someone who would buy poison to create panic. But the content of the letter did not seem to be fabricated unless those two men had known in advance that they were definitely going to be killed by someone, and then this letter would fall into someone elses hands, creating rumors of panic from nothing. That was obviously not very realistic. Zhou Heng couldnt help but fall into deep thought, but with what he knew at the moment, he had no clues. He had no choice but to turn his gaze to the list beside him. It listed the details of the procurement of various medicinal materials, including weight, unit price, and sellers. On it, Zhou Heng also saw a familiar name. Liao Quancheng. It was the same Doctor Liao that had been helpless when Yu He was bedridden, infected with ghostly qi, and had to leave. He was a famous doctor in Huangtong Mansion City and also ran his own pharmacy, dealing in medicinal materials. This did not prove Liao Quancheng was colluding with the Three Poison Sect, after all, he was merely selling medicinal materials, not responsible for what people did with them. However, perhaps he could get some clues about the Three Poison Sect from him. Finding someone from the Three Poison Sect would provide a chance to further find someone from the Plague Emperor Sect. Should I go see Doctor Liao tomorrow? Zhou Heng stroked his chin and pondered, But the Three Poison Sect might not leave such a glaring loophole. If they lacked even this amount of caution, how could they continue to be so elusive and difficult to find? Hmm, that girl who was being chased by the Three Poison Sect should know more. Unfortunately, I didnt keep any contact information at that time to avoid trouble. Thinking of this, he couldnt help but regret it. If he had known this would happen, he should have communicated more deeply with that girl. Whether its successful or not, after looking at the mansion that Wu Zongshan is sending over tomorrow, Ill go and inquire with Liao Quancheng. Zhou Heng had a plan for tomorrows investigation, Well, I also need to be careful about how I ask, so as not to make it obvious that Im looking for someone. The next day, early in the morning. Zhou Heng got up early, waiting for Wu Zongshans people to come over. He was looking forward to it. A residence with seven courtyards! If this were on Earth, it would be nothing less than a princes mansion. One can only say that this world truly has expansive land, even ordinary people can live in such large estates. C Typically, one entry refers to the area of a quadrangle courtyard; seven entries can be simply understood as seven connected quadrangle courtyards, covering a total area of about two to three thousand square meters. This estate is also located in the most bustling North District of Huangtong Mansion City, and if you were to calculate the house price, it could be worth about five to six hundred thousand silver taels. Unfortunately, this is a property seized by the prefectural citys yamen and could at most be awarded as a reward for someone to have residential rights. It cannot be sold. Finally, under Zhou Hengs expectant gaze, Meng Xing, the number one handyman of Huangtong Mansion, hurried over. The formidable Eighth Rank martial practitioner of the prefectural citys yamen, who had been sent by Wu Zongshan to take Zhou Heng to see the house, had indeed gone to great lengths. However, Meng Xing himself did not seem to feel as if he was being forced into service; on the contrary, he was quite willing to interact with Zhou Heng. After all, at a glance, Zhou Heng was a martial path prodigy with boundless potential who could possibly become a major figure of the Middle Third Rank, and perhaps even a Grandmaster one day! As a small city yamen officer with neither background nor connections, opportunities to get to know such important figures were scarce, so he had to cherish this. Master Zhou, the carriage is already prepared, please come with me, Meng Xing said with a smile. Behind him was a quite lavishly decorated carriage that he had rented at his own expense specifically to pick up Zhou Heng. Thankyou, Officer Meng, Zhou Heng replied, understanding the situation upon seeing the carriage. He said to Meng Xing, Officer Meng, please join me. We have a coachman. No need, Meng Xing shook his head, smiling, This was specially prepared for you, Master Zhou, Ill be fine outside. Officer Meng is thoughtful, Zhou Heng said with a smile, and without insisting further, he got into the carriage. As the dawns rosy clouds gradually dispersed, Zhou Heng arrived at the large estate in the North District carried by the carriage. The vermilion gate, the stone lions guarding the estate, and the long surrounding wall gave him a sense of a powerful aura, which was simply worlds apart from the room he had previously rented. Many people in this area had already heard that the estate, which had long been seized by the prefectural citys yamen, was about to welcome a new resident and were very curious about who would be moving in. So when Meng Xing arrived with Zhou Hengs carriage, many people immediately turned their gaze in their direction. Men, women, old, and young, all with eyes full of envy. After all, to say that this estate was the largest and most luxurious in the North District of Huangtong Mansion City was no exaggeration; living here had once been many peoples dream. And when Zhou Heng lifted the curtain of the carriage door and stepped out, the crowd present immediately erupted with excitement. My goodness! So young! So handsome! This he looks to be only seventeen or eighteen years old! Mmm, he looks a bit familiar, this young man. Its Zhou Heng, the Zhou Heng from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall in the East City District, the seventeen-year-old Ninth Grade master who made it onto the Human List! A seventeen-year-old on the Human List! And so handsome, love it! I really want to have his babies! Cries of astonishment rose one after another, with many parents secretly resolving to push their own children to practice martial arts more seriously when they got home. Look at Zhou Heng, practicing martial arts, making it onto the Human List, and now hes got everything! If their own children didnt practice martial arts diligently, theyd be beaten! Zhou Heng ignored the exclamations of the people, and led by Meng Xing, he pushed open the grand doors of the estate and stepped inside. His first impression was not of luxury. But of desolation. And an inexplicable, gloomy atmosphere. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Furthermore, the carvings on the screen wall before him were somewhat peculiar. Upon entering the door, the first thing he saw was a brick screen wall carved in the shape of a square. Carved on it was a three-legged bird standing in the sun, poised to soar into flight, but two of its legs were bound by cloud-like patterns, unable to break free. A three C legged crow? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed slightly, turning to look at Meng Xing beside him, he inquired, Officer Meng, do you know why this estate was seized by the prefectural citys yamen and who the previous owner was? Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Chapter 80: A Trail of Dust Chapter 80: Chapter 80: A Trail of Dust The specifics are not very clear, Meng Xing shook his head and said, This mansion was seized a long time ago, earlier than Magistrate Wus tenure. Well, it has been this way since I was a child. However, having grown up in this city, Ive heard some legends about this grand mansion that not even the lord may know of. It is said that over a hundred years ago, a wealthy merchant moved here and built this grand mansion. At that time, the merchants family could be considered the number one family in Huangtong Mansion City. With many members, young or old, male or female, they were the envy of all, and even the then-lord had to show them some respect. But then one day, out of the blue, the earth became scorchingly hot, and overnight, the wealthy merchants family living here vanished without a trace, and the mansion was then taken over by the prefectural citys yamen. It seems to be quite legendary, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, but in his heart, he placed more importance on the mansion. Rumors, even if not entirely true, always have some basis; they cannot all be taken as false. After that, he followed Meng Xing into the mansion and wandered around the main areas, looking and inspecting. I must say, as expected of the mansion where the number one family in Huangtong Mansion City lived a century ago, the craftsmanship is so refined, it simply cannot be compared to ordinary households. However, the more he saw, the more Zhou Heng felt a nameless gloom and pressure in his heart as if there was some great hidden danger here. Before this, has anyone else lived in this mansion? Zhou Heng asked Meng Xing. Yes, said Meng Xing and sighed deeply, Young Master, you may not know, but this mansion used to be one of the important sources of financial income for our prefectural citys yamen. It was often rented to wealthy individuals from other places. However, due to a new policy issued three years ago by the County City, various prefectural and county yamen were prohibited from renting out seized property, which caused our income to drop significantly. The treatment of us runners has decreased considerably. Oh, and, Young Master, please dont mind the desolation here. Actually, the lord was planning to have someone clean up the place again in a few days, but we didnt expect you to return so soon, and we havent had the chance yet. It should be cleaned up in the next few days. No worries, I probably wont move in just yet, thanks to Catcher Meng and Magistrate Wu, Zhou Heng smiled slightly. Until he clarified what was wrong with the mansion, he dared not truly move in. Even though many people have lived here over the years without any problems, he trusted his intuitive instincts. Later on, Zhou Heng said goodbye to Meng Xing and went to visit Liao Quancheng. This Doctor Liao was quite well-regarded within Huangtong Mansion City, praised as a distinguished physician, and he also ran a medicine hall, making him easy to find. However, Doctor Liao was usually not easy to get a hold of, and one had to present a greeting card in advance. But when the manager of the medicine hall heard Zhou Hengs name, he trembled and quickly ran to the back to announce the visitor. He came back in just a moment, inviting Zhou Heng very respectfully to meet with Liao Quancheng. This caused some of the regular customers in the medicine hall to stare in amazement, conjecturing why Doctor Liao would pay such attention to a young man? Could it be due to Zhou Hengs high ranking on the renowned fighters list? But Doctor Liao has always only cared about medical skill levels and didnt pay much attention to martial arts ranks. Could it be that this young Zhou Heng is already a medical sage despite his young age? Many people began to wildly guess in their hearts. Ever since encountering the miraculous recovery of Yu He, Liao Quancheng regarded Zhou Heng as a hidden medical expert and had always wanted to find an opportunity to visit. Unfortunately, Zhou Heng had been too busy recently to meet him. So when Doctor Liao heard that Zhou Heng was the one seeking him out, he was immediately excited to the extreme. He wished he could go out to welcome him himself, eager to discuss the mysteries of medicine with Zhou Heng. However, after Zhou Heng explained his purpose, Liao Quancheng was somewhat disappointed. It turned out Zhou Heng was not there to discuss medicine. But instead to investigate the whereabouts of the purchaser of medicinal materials. Of course, considering Zhou Hengs excellent medical skills, Liao Quancheng had already intended to establish good relations with him, so he was very forthcoming to Zhou Hengs inquiries. Regrettably, just as Zhou Heng had expected, the people of the Three Poison Sect were not fools; they covered their tracks very well, leaving no way to track them down through Liao Quancheng. However, even though he did not get the information he wanted, Zhou Heng learned another piece of news from Liao Quancheng. The very same medicinal material buyers he had asked about had also been inquired about by someone else before him. That person was Shen Jingjing, the second young lady from the Shen Family in the North District of Huangtong Mansion City. After thanking Liao Quancheng, Zhou Heng left the medicine hall, feeling somewhat puzzled and thought to himself, I remember the Shen Family as just a common wealthy family, mainly dealing in silk and textile business, with no martial arts background. If the person pursued by the Three Poison Sect that day was Shen Jingjing, she must have had at least Eighth Rank cultivation, a Martial Path Eighth Rank at just eighteen years oldhow could she appear in such an ordinary family? Is it that Shen Jingjing herself is the issue, or is the Shen Family not as simple as they seem on the surface? With a heart full of doubts, Zhou Heng went to find Meng Xing again. He asked him to help investigate the Shen Family and whether Shen Jingjing had had any recent incidents or any connections with the Three Poison Sect or the Plague Emperor Sect. After handling these matters, Zhou Heng bought a pile of vegetables and meat and returned home to begin his period of seclusion. He intended to cultivate his inner strength. Powerful moves, weapon-grade bladeshe already possessed those, and what he had, many Seventh Rank Warriors didnt even qualify to hold in their hands. But he was very clear on where his shortcomings lay. Realm! Cultivation! Inner Qi! These are the fundamentals of the Martial Path. As such, Zhou Heng planned to diligently cultivate his inner strength and increase his Inner Qi while awaiting news of the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect. He aimed to improve his proficiency with the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method. To lay a solid foundation for the path of his martial future. Ten days later. Zhou Heng awoke from his deep state of inner strength cultivation to the morning sun, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and inhaled a breath of the mornings Yang Energy, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method: Advanced (2896/3000) He was very close to achieving great mastery. In just ten days, his Inner Qi had nearly doubled compared to beforean inner strength cultivation speed that can truly be called astonishing. Zhou Heng could distinctly feel that his inner strength cultivation speed had increased. He guessed that this might be related to the Spiritual Root +1 he obtained from opening the Fortune Bag earlier. Although the foundational attribute of Spiritual Root was related to Taoist Formulas, the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method was also a Taoist internal cultivation method, and there might be some connection between them. Only then could he explain the doubling of his internal cultivation speed. The enhancement of his inner qi also improved Zhou Hengs perception. After stabilizing the flow of inner qi within his body, he felt that there was something different about his physical state compared to usual. It was as if certain breaths locked within his body on normal days had suddenly lost their restraints, beginning to leak out bit by bit and spread. Has it already been twenty days? Zhou Heng frowned slightly and took out a talisman paper from his bosom. It was densely covered with complicated patterns drawn with cinnabar, but the color of the cinnabar had already faded significantly. This was the seal talisman given to him by Cheng Jianjian to block the yang energy in his body, to prevent the covetous ghosts from being attracted to his Pure Yang Body due to the power of Yin and Yang gathering. Now that the talismans effective period had ended, it meant that the yang energy in Zhou Hengs body was no longer sealed. According to the laws of Yin and Yang gathering, in such a situation, no matter what he did, it was possible to encounter ghosts. Miss Cheng said goodbye back then, saying we would meet again after twenty days, but now the time has come and she still hasnt arrived Zhou Hengs frown deepened, suddenly recalling the news about Yuyang County he had heard from Wu Zongshan. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had determined that the ghosts sealed in Yuyang County were only of Fifth or Sixth Rank, so they sent two Star Envoys there. Could Cheng Jianjian be among them? After all, the people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer seemed to be quite scarce. There was also the subsequent investigation into Xuan Yang; Zhou Heng didnt know whether the Boundary Officer had prioritized it, or if Wu Zongshan had received a reply yet. Or could it be that there was some problem in Yuyang County and Cheng Jianjian couldnt free herself? Is that why she didnt come to replace the talisman? Zhou Hengs thoughts became unsettled, and he even began to consider investigating the situation in Yuyang County. He must seal the yang energy as soon as possible. Otherwise, theres no telling what kind of ghosts might be attracted, what kind of trouble they might bring. First, Ill go to the prefectural city yamen and inquire about the situation in Yuyang County and the recent state of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Zhou Heng made up his mind, preparing to find Wu Zongshan, but then he saw Meng Xing hurrying over. Master Zhou, are you going out? Meng Xing held a letter in his hand, handing it to Zhou Heng, he said, This is from the mansion lord. He asked me to give it to you. There are preliminary results for the investigation you requested. Oh? Zhou Hengs eyes brightened upon hearing this. He took the letter and smiled, Thats quite the coincidence. I was just planning to visit the prefectural city yamen to inquire. Afterward, he opened the letter, and his brows immediately furrowed upon seeing the content. It seemed there was some problem with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, as there had been no reply regarding Xuan Yang. Moreover, Wu Zongshan had lost contact with them during this period. Analyzing some rumors about the recent movements of the Three Poison Sect, its very likely they have a gathering place in Yuyang County, and someone from the Plague Emperor Sect might appear. Shen Jingjing left home more than ten days ago and is missing, suspected to have headed towards Yuyang County. In addition, there were some other news about Yuyang County. In the last ten days or so, more and more people believing in the treasure rumors have appeared. Many Eighth and even Seventh Rank warriors came from afar, heading towards Yuyang County. Now, that place has become a gathering spot of turmoil, teeming with a mix of characters. Zhou Heng read the content of the letter silently for a long time before he raised his head to look at Meng Xing, How many days have you been waiting here, Head Catcher Meng? This news didnt seem to have been received on the same day. It sounded more like a summary of messages from multiple occasions. And the fact that Meng Xing appeared as soon as he stepped out the door was too coincidental, not quite normal. Master Zhou is very perceptive. Meng Xing said with a smile, Actually, its only been three days. I didnt want to disturb your closed-door training. Seeing that youve come out, I came over. Thank you very much. Zhou Heng sincerely bowed his hands, Also please convey my thanks to Lord Wu; I plan to make a trip to Yuyang County. The lord has already guessed your intentions and has prepared a fine horse at the city gate. Meng Xing nodded with a smile, Please take care, Master Zhou, and we hope for your swift return. Hmm. Zhou Heng nodded, then turned around and went back home. He packed up his luggage and bags. Took along the gold, the Zhi Zhi Sword, and sharp gloves. Strapped on the waist knife. Finally, he took out the Life-saving Jade Talisman that You Ziheng had given him and used it to draw an invisible Tai Chi diagram on the floor of the room. This Life-saving Talisman could give Zhou Heng one chance of resurrection when facing attacks below the third rank of heaven. But the revival location had to be set in advance. Otherwise, he would revive in the same spot and still be at the hands of death. This Tai Chi diagram was essentially the resurrection point. After making all these preparations, Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng scaled the wall and dashed for the city gate. Upon reaching the gate, He leapt onto the horse. Go! Kicking up dust, he headed for Yuyang County. Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkey Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkey The wind whipped up dust and debris. Zhou Heng spurred his horse on, galloping as fast as he could to reach Yuyang County. It wasnt that he was impatient. But that he had to be fast. Now that his Pure Yang Body was unsealed from the talismans, at any moment he could attract unknown and powerful ghost creatures. This was an unpredictable crisis. He had to hurry. On his way there, Zhou Heng already encountered two ghost creatures. Although neither was very strong, merely Ninth and Eighth Grade, a single Palm Thunder was enough to kill them; yet from these encounters, it was clear that his Yang Energy truly was attracting ghost creatures. If he could not find Cheng Jianjian soon, there might appear Seventh or even Sixth Rank ghost creatures. The law of yin and yang convergence was just so unreasonable. Finally, when his fine steed was gasping for breath and could barely continue, Zhou Heng once again arrived at Yuyang County City. However, in less than half a months time since he last left, Yuyang County City had changed dramatically. The city gates were now guarded by a group of people who were clearly martial artists from Jianghu. They were checking people coming in and out. These martial artists seemed to be from the same faction, all dressed in uniform white robes embroidered with a black dragon, looking quite ferocious. Zhou Heng led his horse to the city gate. Seeing the waist knife he carried and the long-shaped object that appeared to be another weapon in his luggage, these people immediately surrounded him, blocking his way. You, where are you coming from, what are you doing? Tsk tsk, this kids got delicate skin and a nice outfit; looks like theres money to be made here. Mhm, not bad, not bad. The men blocking Zhou Heng were burly fellows with meaty faces and unkind expressions, holding machetes as if they were hunters sizing up prey. Here to visit a friend, Zhou Heng said indifferently, then attempted to continue forward. Hey hey hey, who said you could go? One of the burly men stepped in front, grabbed the horses bridle to stop him, squinted at Zhou Heng, tilted his chin up slightly and sneered, Kid, do you really not know whats going on, or are you just pretending? So many of us blocking the city gate, do you really think were just doorkeepers? Another burly man came over, patted Zhou Hengs shoulder and said mockingly, Little brother, were here for money, get it? You have to pay to enter! The others around them burst into raucous laughter. Hahaha! Looks like this little brother really is taking his first strides into Jianghu, a little chick who knows nothing! Brother Ma, give this little chick a lesson, dont think Jianghu is just about the joys and sorrows of storytelling in booklets; let him gain some insight into what the real martial world is like. Take it easy, just take the money. The kid looks decent; dont strip him all the way to his underwear, hahahahaha! Zhou Heng remained composed, his gaze sweeping over these people with a faint smile, It seems youve used similar tactics on quite a few people already, havent you? Cut the crap! The burly man glared fiercely at Zhou Heng, brandished his machete, and held out his other hand, Thirty taels of silver to enter the city, if you dont have it, scram! Thirty taels? Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow and shook his head, I dont have that, how about a discount? Then its sixty taels! The burly man looked at Zhou Hengwitha sneer, shaking his hand again, You think you are someone special, daring to haggle with us, Black Dragon Fort? Clang! Just at that moment, a sudden ring of a blade sounded. Zhou Hengs hand flashed with silver light, and the burly man in front of him immediately lost his hand, blood spurting out. Aaahhh! The burly man screamed, clutching his arm where the hand had been, shaking all over, his expression frightened and disbelieving as he looked at Zhou Heng, You, you actually dared, you actually dared to cut me?! The others were equally stunned, looking at Zhou Heng as if theyd seen a ghost, extremely shocked and almost disbelieving their own eyes and ears. He must be crazy! This kid actually dared to be so bold! In front of so many people, he dared to make a move and injure someone?! But that blade just now So fast!! This induced wariness in their hearts. Why wouldnt I dare? Zhou Heng scoffed, then kicked, sending the burly man flying, looked around and said calmly, These past few days, youve blocked quite a number of people, havent you? So what if we have, you dare to hurt someone from Black Dragon Fort, you must be tired of living! another burly man roared, with the rest echoing his sentiment. Indeed, thats what they had been doing these past days. Initially, they were quite cautious in their actions, treating people decently out of fear of inadvertently offending someone they couldnt afford to provoke. But as days passed, they realized that those coming and going were either ordinary people or martial artists without any significant background. Seldom were there masters. Even some martial artists with sect backgrounds would respect Black Dragon Fort and pay the fee to enter the city without hassle. This made them increasingly bold and reckless. But they had not anticipated that they would encounter someone as ruthless as Zhou Heng. Black Dragon Fort? Zhou Heng slowly walked up to the burly man and said indifferently, I have heard of itits a bandit stronghold in the nearby mountains, known for plenty of looting and plundering. The leader seems to be an old Eighth Rank expert? You, you do have some knowledge! Seeing Zhou Heng approach, the burly man became instantly terrified, and his voice trembled, What, what do you want to do? Are you really going to make an enemy of Black Dragon Fort? How could that be? A smile appeared on Zhou Hengs face; he used the flat of his blade to pat the brawny mans cheek and chuckled, Take me to your leader. Ah? The brawny man was taken aback and said in astonishment, You want to see our leader? Why? Slap! Zhou Heng slapped the brawny man across the face and said indifferently, No reason. A red mark instantly appeared on the brawny mans face, causing the onlookers to be filled with feareveryone clamped their mouths shut, not daring to make a sound. The brawny man had no choice but to nod and lead the way for Zhou Heng. Entering Yuyang County City. Zhou Heng felt many eyes watching him. These gazes came from all directions, each with different intentions. However, he didnt care, allowing those people to look on as he and the brawny man made their way to where the leader of Black Dragon Fort was staying. Along the way, Zhou Heng also learned about the general situation in Yuyang County City from the brawny man. There were both individuals and powers that had come here. There were five or six Seventh Rank experts, including one ranked seventy- first on the listing of great experts. There were even more Eighth Rank expertsmore than twenty. Among them, more than a dozen had brought their own forces and followers, forming several not insignificant powers within the city, with frequent friction between them. As for Ninth Rank Warriors who had come to join in the hubbub, there were too many to count. Because the rumored treasure had not been found, the number of martial artists in the city had already reached a certain level, creating a rather chaotic situation. No one wanted the number of people to continue increasing. So, a few factions with significant numbers were selected to seal the city gates, intending to check incoming individuals and block Ninth Rank Warriors from entering the city as much as possible to prevent further chaos. Black Dragon Fort was one of the chosen powers. Of course, no one expected them to be able to block Seventh or Eighth Rank experts. Mainly, it was about performing checks when entering the city, demanding money, irritating people, intimidating newcomers, and facilitating suppression. In short, the old powers of Yuyang County City had reached a consensus to some extent and had begun to combine efforts to exclude and suppress outsiders. To them, people like Zhou Heng, who had just arrived, were naturally considered invaders. Exclusion and suppression were expected. However, Zhou Heng was not here for any treasure. He was well aware that it was most likely a trap set by Xuan Yang to lure people in. He was here to find members of the Three Poison Sect and Plague Emperor Sect. He was here to find Cheng Jianjian to reseal the Yang Energy of his Pure Yang Body to avoid attracting powerful ghosts. Beyond that, everything else was irrelevant to him. Yet since the old powers here had already agreed on excluding outsiders, Zhou Heng felt he should also take some action. To avoid a series of future troubles. Black Dragon Fort was exactly the chicken delivered to his door. Amid the half-amused, half-sympathetic gazes of many, Zhou Heng followed the brawny man and arrived at an inn. As it happened, this inn was the very one Zhou Heng had stayed at on his last visit. When he saw the innkeeper, he greeted him warmly and cordially. But the innkeeper seemed terrified and didnt even dare to lift his head, naturally offering no response. The Tian Suite. This was the suite where Zhou Heng had previously stayed; now it served as Black Dragon Fort leaders temporary Brotherhood Hall and his place of regular abode. At this moment, there was a large chair in the center of the main hall, where a stout man with a tigers back and bears waist, with a black face full of whiskers, wearing a black uniform, flanked by a large axe on each side, was sitting. It was Yang Jiaolong, the leader of Black Dragon Fort. His face was gloomy. In fact, when Zhou Heng entered the city, he had already received the news and had roughly guessed what Zhou Heng intended to do. So the anger in his heart was already burning fiercely. In this hall, besides Yang Jiaolong, there was also a scholarly-looking young man standing by his side, apparently acting as a strategist. Plus, there were ten brawny men lined up in two rows, wearing white uniforms with black dragon patterns, armed with weapons, looking very fierce. A short time later, Zhou Heng, accompanied by a brawny man, arrived at the place. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He looked relaxed and casually surveyed the situation before his eyes eventually settled on Yang Jiaolong. So you are the notorious Yang Jiaolong who frequents the surrounding villages to rob? Zhou Heng assessed the black-faced brawny man and chuckled, Indeed, you do look the part of a bandit. Who are you exactly, and why do you seem to harboring animosity against Black Dragon Fort? Yang Jiaolong furrowed his brows. I hold no animosity, Zhou Heng shook his head gently, slowly drawing his waist knife, and scanned the surroundings before his gaze settled back on Yang Jiaolong. He chuckled and said, Its just to avoid some needless trouble later on, I need to find a suitable chicken To slaughter, for the monkeys to watch. Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Bloodstains on the Long Street Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Bloodstains on the Long Street Kill a chicken to scare the monkeys? Yang Jiaolong instantly stood up upon hearing these words, although he had such a suspicion earlier, but hearing Zhou Heng say it so bluntly to his face, he still felt uncontrollably angry. He was a master who had entered the Eighth Rank for over twenty years, renowned for dozens of miles around, and the Black Dragon Fort that he had established with his own hands even made many young heroes who just entered the martial world tremble at the mention of it. Now he was actually being treated as a chicken by a youngster who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen years old. To be killed to scare the monkeys in Yuyang County City? As for the row of armed sturdy men on either side, they were even more shocked, all wide-eyed, looking at Zhou Heng with disbelief, as if looking at a fool. Crazy! Where did this madman come from, to actually come here and say he wants to make an example out of Black Dragon Fort by killing a chicken to scare the monkeys? Ridiculous. Does he think he is a Seventh Rank expert who has made it onto the human list? Only the somewhat frail-looking scholar standing behind Yang Jiaolong had a grave expression. He frowned, pondered for a moment, then whispered a few words to Yang Jiaolong. After hearing this, Yang Jiaolongs expression also turned grave. He sized Zhou Heng up and down and said solemnly, So you are the newly famous Bone Breaker1 young hero who just made it onto the human list. It seems 1 have failed to recognize a true immortal. The corner of Zhou Hengs mouth twitched slightly; he really wanted to remind him not to use the nickname Bone Breaker, but the timing was inappropriate, It seems that being on the human list is not such a good thing after all, even what martial arts I am skilled in is known to others. I heard you have a pair of Silver Thread Gloves with boundless power, capable of breaking gold and jade. Aren11 you going to use them? As Yang Jiaolong mentioned this, he picked up two heavy axes and shook them in his hands. Looking at Zhou Heng, he chuckled, But I wonder if your slender arms and legs can withstand it. To deal with you, a saber is enough. Zhou Heng gripped the saber in his hand and assumed a stance, saying indifferently, Come on. If it were before, Zhou Heng certainly wouldnt dare to be so bold as to use a saber technique, which he was not very skilled in, to battle against a powerful Eighth Rank like Yang Jiaolong. But after drawing the complete Dugu Nine Swords technique, he had gained a clearer understanding of the principles behind various weapons, including axes. This falls within the scope of the Broken Whip Style. Broken Whip Style is about countering various short weapons like steel whips, acupuncture probes, hooks, Emei spikes, daggers, axes, Iron Cards, Octagonal Hammers, Iron Cones, and so on. Additionally, since the complete Dugu Nine Swords encompassed the principles of all kinds of weapons as well as unarmed techniques like punching and palm strikes, his comprehension of saber techniques and palm techniques also deepened. Now he could use this Waist Knife to execute parts of the Six Routes Folding Plum Hand technique. The palm is an intangible saber. The saber is a tangible palm. Both are interchangeable. However, to the bystanders, the gap between Zhou Heng and Yang Jiaolong was enormous. Yang Jiaolongs figure was massive. If Earths units of measurement were used, his height would have exceeded two meters and thirty, and he stood there like a great black bear, naturally exuding an overwhelming aura that intimidated onlookers. Zhou Heng, however, was just a normally built teenager. Compared to a huge creature like Yang Jiaolong, he seemed like a bean sprout swaying in the wind. The disparity was too conspicuous! Therefore, the dozen or so armed robust men in the hall all looked at Zhou Heng with disdain, thinking that he wouldnt last three moves in front of their chief. The physical disparity was just too great. And at the Lower Third Rank stage, before achieving the Seventh Rank transformation, the influence of ones physique on strength was extremely significant, even to the point of crossing grade levels. Natural robustness and a large stature were undoubtedly advantages on the Martial Path. Of course, at the Middle Third Rank stage, where one could harness the forces of nature, its a whole different level, and physique is no longer important. Seeing Zhou Hengs confidence, Yang Jiaolong immediately became incensed, as he was already jealous of talented youths. Seeing this development made his rage rise, and he bellowed, Die! Hum! A gust of wind rose suddenly, and a terrifying pressure came covering the sky. Wielding the two axes, Yang Jiaolong truly appeared like a raging Jiaolong (river dragon) bearing down, with teeth and claws bared, lunging towards Zhou Heng, aiming to tear him into shreds! As his Inner Qi surged, explosive force shattered tables and chairs with the sound, and cracks appeared on the floor of the great hall as he moved, and the armed robust men lined up on both sides were also forced to retreat. Too powerful! This was the accumulated Inner Qi of an Eighth Rank over decades, combined with his large and robust physique, akin to Innate Divine Strength, giving Yang Jiaolong an overpowering advantage in strength and attack over an average Eighth Rank Martial Artist. In everyones eyes, Zhou Heng at that moment was like a small boat swaying in a storm, about to be overturned by the waves, a tragic end seeming inevitable. Even if this Bone Breaker Zhou Heng was a renowned expert on the human list, what significance did it have? He was ultimately just at the Ninth Grade level after all, and moreover, he had arrogantly refrained from using his most proficient martial arts and weapons. It was practically suicide! Clang! The sound of metal striking metal rang out, and the two door-like axes wielded by Yang Jiaolong chopped down towards Zhou Heng. However, the expected scene of blood and flesh flying did not occur. The axes stopped in mid-air, unable to continue their descent. The crowd of Black Dragon Forts robust men at the scene was taken aback, but when they clearly saw the actual situation, they couldnt help but draw in a breath of cold air. Holy shit! Is this real? This, this is just too damn exaggerated! Zhou Heng had actually blocked the two extremely heavy axes with just a Waist Knife! And whats more, with just one hand!! What kind of strength is this? How can a Ninth Rank Martial Artist possess such terrifying strength?! All the bystanders shivered, the horrific strength displayed by Zhou Heng made them fear that if they ended up in his hands, they might be literally torn apart. Yes, literally torn asunder by hand! Yang Jiaolongs own feeling was even more profound. When he initially saw Zhou Heng wielding the saber in just one hand trying to block and parry, he thought the kid was out of his mind and seeking death. But as soon as the weapons made contact, he felt an incomparable force rebounding at him, causing a painful sting in his palms, almost knocking the two huge axes out of his grip. What kind of inhuman strength is this!? Innate Divine Strength!? Moreover, he made another terrifying discovery. It was that his two huge axes seemed to have been notched by Zhou Hengs waist knife during their brief clash! Damn it! Even though these two giant axes werent top-grade weapons, they were genuine hundred-times-refined weapons, fully material-filled. Given their weight and thickness, how could they be notched by a slender waist knife? Its beyond belief! Incredible! Chief Yang, you are losing focus. Zhou Hengs taunting voice suddenly sounded, and at the same time, he angled the blade in his hand, sliding it along the edges of Yang Jiaolongs two gigantic axes towards his body, sparking a series of sparks. Immense strength! Agility! Physique! The bonus from basic attributes gave Zhou Heng a physical quality far surpassing that of any Ninth Rank Warrior. This kind of physical superiority was much more powerful than natural size advantages! In addition, with the Sharpness attribute, his hundred-times-refined waist knife had a more formidable Sharpness effect than ordinary sharp weapons. This led to a grave mistake in Yang Jiaolongs assessment of Zhou Hengs strength. Moreover, Zhou Heng also had the Broken Whip Style at his disposal, Yang Jiaolongs dual-axe attack was full of flaws in his eyes. And so, the moment Yang Jiaolong was distracted, it spelled utter doom! Outside the inn, there was a restaurant. On the third floor were numerous dining tables. At one table near the railing sat four people, two men and two women, none of whom appeared old; they all looked to be in their early twenties. They had been watching the situation near the inn since Zhou Heng had walked in. Hey, what do you think, how long can that handsome young man last against Yang Jiaolong? At most one move. Yang Jiaolong is known for his strength, and hes quite swift in his movements. Fighting him means either you completely overpower him, or you get overpowered yourself; its rare for the fight to drag on. That guy looks a bit like the recently famous seventeen-year-old from the Peoples List, Bone Fracture Zhou Heng. Ive seen his portrait, and in person, hes much more handsome than in the drawing. Pfft, what use is being handsome? Even if he really is Bone Fracture, hes only an Ninth Grade, just like us. When facing a master, wont he still get chopped to death? Junior Sister, this martial world is vast; strength is what matters most; you cant just look at faces. The four babbled among themselves, and similar discussions could be heard from other tables as well. After all Black Dragon Forts influence wasnt small in Yuyang County City, and Yang Jiaolongs own strength was formidable. Few dared to provoke him. Now that someone had suddenly popped up, it had piqued the interest of many. However, the prevailing view was still that Zhou Heng was no match for Yang Jiaolong. The scenes of Yang Jiaolong personally taking action recently were still fresh in the memory of all the martial artists within Yuyang County City. Violent! Ferocious! Just like a raging dragon emerging from the water, sweeping away everything! Most Eighth Rank Warriors were no match for him, let alone a Ninth Rank? A Ninth Rank Warrior, no matter how clever the techniques, how rich the experience, or how strong the power, ultimately has limits. What are you saying? With Zhou Hengs strength, instantly killing an Eighth Rank Warrior is a breeze, a female voice said discontentedly at this moment, That Yang Jiaolong, theres no way he can be a match for Zhou Heng. The crowd looked over upon hearing this voice, initially ready to retort, but after seeing the person who spoke, they swallowed their words back. This was a young girl who looked to be around eighteen or nineteen, petite in stature, with striking features. She wore a green dress and had two small daggers by her side, glinting with cold light. Cold Moon Sword Shen Jingjing! One of the strongest among the Eighth Rank in Yuyang County City at that time. She had a record of killing a martial artist of the same grade within three moves! Seemingly delicate and lovely, her actual strength was terrifying! Nobody dared to argue with her. Though, even without disputes with Shen Jingjing, the majority still believed Zhou Heng was unlikely to be Yang Jiaolongs opponent. Crack! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Suddenly, the sound of a window being smashed came from the nearby inn. Then a blood-drenched head flew out from inside, falling onto the mam street outside. Blood gushed and splattered, staining the ground red. Those who were originally spectating on the street, waiting to see Zhou Heng thrown out, all screamed in terror. They scattered in all directions. The people in the restaurant who had been skeptical of Shen Jingjings words were all stunned, staring at the bloody, black-faced head, thunderstruck, their mouths agape, speechless. For a moment, the entire restaurant fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Meeting (3rd Update) Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Meeting (3rd Update) Hiss! The people in the tavern could not help but gasp for air, warming the surrounding atmosphere considerably. Dead! Yang Jiaolong, an Eighth Rank practitioner who led the Black Dragon Fort and struck fear into many, had his head severed and blood spilled onto the long street?! Zhou Heng was a ruthless man indeed. Ruthless at heart, and equally ruthless in action! Those who had just been boasting, believing that Zhou Heng could at best withstand only a single move from Yang Jiaolong, were now pale-faced, hurriedly leaving the tavern. They feared that someone would tell Zhou Heng about their remarks, and if the Bone Breaker happened to be even slightly petty, there was no doubt that they would suffer the consequences. It was better to leave. Some even planned to leave Yuyang County City altogether. Treasure was important, but not as important as ones life. But Shen Jingjing was extremely pleased, hands on her hips and smiling brightly, as she looked around and joyfully said, Look, just look, who was right in the end? Hahaha! Everyone around her lowered their heads, keeping silent. Shen Jingjing, feeling elated, sheathed the pair of daggers into her waist holster, then turned and leaned on the railing, looking towards the guesthouse across the way, wondering to herself, Could it be him? The one who saved me? She had always wanted to find her savior. That scene of the enemy being eliminated with a flick of a finger amidst the rain, clad in a straw cloak and riding a red horse, was something she couldnt forget. She had to find this benefactor and repay the life-saving grace he had shown her. After arriving in Yuyang County, Shen Jingjing had heard about Zhou Heng and felt that the characteristics of the Bone Breaker resembled those of the person she was looking for, but since she had never seen him face to face, she couldnt be certain. If she could meet him in person, she believed she would be able to recognize him. In the main hall of the best room in the guesthouse. There was also a deadly silence here; you could hear a pin drop, crimson blood splattered all over the hall, soaking the animal skin carpet, and the air was filled with the stench of blood. The headless body of Yang Jiaolong lay on the ground, blood continuing to spout from the severed neck like a fountain, almost forming a pool of blood. The frail scholar who had been standing behind Yang Jiaolong was now covering his mouth with a horrified expression, looking as if he was about to vomit. His face was as pale as death, as if he could pass out at any moment. As for those strong men holding weapons, they were all stunned as well, their eyes wide with disbelief as they looked at the body on the floor, completely dumbfounded. The fight between Yang Jiaolong and Zhou Heng had actually been very quick, lasting only two or three breaths time. These strong men were generally not even at the Entry Rank; although they had robust physiques and great physical strength, their martial arts insight was not high. To them, it felt as if, as soon as the two men made contact, Zhou Heng immediately severed Yang Jiaolongs head with a single stroke. The bandit chief who had seemed invincible in their eyes was powerless before this polite, handsome youth, unable to withstand even a single exchange. It was terrifying! Such a feeling was too terrifying, it even gave them the sensation that their worldview was collapsing. So there really were such powerful beings in the world, true geniuses indeed. The renowned warriors on the list of heroes were indeed worthy of their reputation! Zhou Hengs gaze swept across the room, and all the burly men who met his eyes trembled with fear in their eyes. The strength that he had shown just now was truly formidable. At last, Zhou Hengs gaze fell on the man who looked like a frail scholar, and chuckled lightly, It seems you must be the second-in-command of Black Dragon Fort. Given the current situation, this is your chance. I do not wish to see Black Dragon Fort raiding and looting anymore. With that said, he sheathed his blade and left the guesthouse. A weapon refined a hundred times does not stain with blood, so he didnt have to worry about his waist knife becoming rusty from blood. After Zhou Heng had left. The man who resembled a frail scholar sadly lifted his head, removed his outer garment, and covered Yang Jiaolongs headless body, saying mournfully, Brothers, our boss has met with misfortune; we cant let him be incomplete. Later, well retrieve our bosss head and bring him back to the fort for burial. At this moment, the strong man who had led Zhou Heng here seemed to suddenly have an epiphany and knelt on one knee, respectfully saying, Second-in-charge, its important to bury the boss, but Black Dragon Fort cannot be without a leader. I ask you to take up the position of fort leader and lead us! Ah? The second-in-charges eyes widened as he repeatedly shook his head, appearing troubled, No, no, its not right. The bosss body is not yet cold, how could I take his place at this time, its not right, absolutely not. Second-in-charge! Please consider the bigger picture! Black Dragon Fort is the work of the bosss years of effort; it must not be left without a successor. Second-in-charge, you are the best candidate! Yes, second-in-charge, please dont refuse. Even according to seniority, it should be you! Second-in-charge, all of us brothers lookup to you, we earnestly request you to take the position! The others also knelt down, imploring the second-in-charge to take the position of the big boss of Black Dragon Fort. This was because they all heard Zhou Hengs words just now. The meaning in Zhou Hengs words was clear, that he wanted this second-in-charge to become the leader, then rein in the people in the fort and stop the looting and killing. If someone other than the second-in-charge took charge, they couldnt guarantee whether the Bone Breaker would attack Black Dragon Fort directly; for their own survival, it was certainly better to push the second-in- charge to take over. The second-in-charge understood the trickery as well, he was only declining for the sake of appearance just now. With the situation ripe, he no longer refused and pretended to be in difficulty as he nodded, Seeing that my brothers are so earnestly asking this of me, I can only comply. Although his face still showed sorrow, the slight upturn of his mouth betrayed the pride in his heart, something he had been waiting for too long. As long as he could sit in the position of fort leader, even if it meant serving others like a dog, wasnt that also good? Zhou Heng walked down the street. Many people looked at him with a mix of amazement and even fear in their eyes. After all, chopping off someones head and tossing it onto the main street indicated a ruthless character, no matter how you sliced it. Better to steer clear of him. Zhou Heng, for his part, wasnt too concerned with this; he was pondering his next move. Black Dragon Fort was just a scarecrow to frighten some monkeys. There was no need to wipe them out just yet. If he acted too ruthlessly, he might provoke a united front of resistance among the various forces in Yuyang County City, which could actually lead to more trouble. This would be contrary to his initial intention of setting an example to the monkeys. However, if the second-in-command took over as the new fort leader and Black Dragon Fort continued its rampaging and looting, then Zhou Heng wouldnt mind paying Black Dragon Fort a visit after taking care of things in Yuyang County City. To play a little Robin Hood. Right now, whats most important is finding Cheng Jianjian or others from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to suppress the yang energy of the Pure Yang Body. Otherwise, its not just me at risk; the entire Yuyang County could be in danger, Zhou Heng thought to himself. If it was Cheng Jianjian who came from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, he should be the one to actively seek out Zhou Heng, but if it was someone else, this mission could prove quite difficult. Given the modus operand! of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, they seldom act in public, and locating them would not be easy. While looking for them, I can also hunt the Three Poison Sect, Zhou Heng organized his thoughts and silently added, It would be even better if I could find Shen Jingjing, as she should have clues about the Three Poison Sect. Just then, he sensed someone watching him, but there was no hostility in it. C His innate Insight +1 attribute made it easy for him to detect such a gaze and preliminarily determine if there was any malicious intent. Zhou Heng turned his head and saw a pretty young girl leaning on the railing of a tavern, looking at him. A strangers face. He didnt recognize her. That was his first reaction, but his keen insight made him notice details of the girls figure, triggering a memory of the figure he had saved in the heavy rain that day. It was her! Without a doubt! Shen Jingjing! Zhou Heng made eye contact with her. The girl seemed pleasantly surprised, her beautiful eyes widening as if she were about to jump down from the tavern to approach Zhou Heng. Indeed it is her, Zhou Hengs lips curled up in a slight smile, feeling rather pleased. He had just been worrying about how to find Shen Jingjing, and now she had seemingly presented herself to him. However, Zhou Heng shook his head gently to signal her not to come down. Shen Jingjing had been cloaked and masked when she stole from the Three Poison Sect, so her identity might not have been compromised, but his identity as the one who broke the bones was definitely known to the Three Poison Sect. If Shen Jingjing rushed towards him in public and uttered words like benefactor or my savior, any member of the Three Poison Sect who wasnt a fool would know Shen Jingjing was the woman who had stolen from them. Nonetheless, when Shen Jingjing saw Zhou Heng shaking his head, she didnt immediately understand and looked a bit confused, but she soon grasped the reason, nodded at Zhou Heng, and withdrew. A moment later, she casually walked out of the tavern, pretending to bump into Zhou Heng by chance, and exclaimed with joy, Master Zhou, youre in Yuyang County too, what a coincidence! As long as she didnt reveal that Zhou Heng was her savior, that would be fine. Both of them were from Huangtong Mansion City, and knowing each other from the past was perfectly reasonable; there was no flaw in that. Even if the Three Poison Sect had information reaching to the heavens, they couldnt possibly know every personal relationship in the Prefectural city. Zhou Heng was slightly startled but soon understood Shen Jingjings intent, and smiled, Miss Jingjing, its been a while. I didnt expect to meet you here, its really fate. Such words came easily to him, without even needing thought. The two shared a knowing smile, ready to find a place to catch up and discuss matters related to the Three Poison Sect. But just then, a voice called out. Excuse me, I might be interrupting your reunion, but Zhou Heng, would you be interested in having a talk with me? The voice came from not too far away. The noise of the street seemed completely unable to affect the transmission of this voice C as if the voice itself had solidified into a force, directing itself towards Zhou Heng. This was clearly beyond the capabilities of a Ninth or Eighth Rank Martial Artist. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It must have been the doing of a Seventh Rank Warrior. Following the sound, Zhou Heng saw a young man standing in the middle of the street, cradling a Longsword, dressed in blue attire with a hat and sporting a small moustache. His eyes were slender, and while his face wasnt particularly handsome, it was distinctive. Who are you? Zhou Heng inquired. lam the person you need, the man replied with a smile, turning his back to Zhou Heng, he said lightly, Come on, there are not many people I invite for a talk. Ps: There will be another update before twelve oclock. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Chapter 84 The Formless Mind Image (4th Chapter 84: Chapter 84 The Formless Mind Image (4th Update) The man spoke with his back to Zhou Heng, his manner out of sync with the passersby. Yet the people around seemed not to notice anything strange about him, even outright ignoring him, with no one casting a glance his way. A secret technique?! Such abilities that transcend the ordinary are usually within reach only for martial arts of the Middle Third Rank. And the Secret Sixth Rank is what a Seventh Rank Warrior is most likely to be able to learn. Zhou Hengs gaze at the man became more solemn, realizing that to cast a secret technique so silently and without notice meant the strangers strength most likely had reached the pinnacle of the Seventh Rank. After the rebirth from mortal flesh, the ancestral aperture of the mysterious pass opens for the first time, establishing a subtle connection with the world, which is the pinnacle of the Seventh Rank. Far stronger than an ordinary Seventh Rank Warrior. This level of expertise typically allows one to enter the top twenty of the Human Ranking. Of course, this is assuming the individual is under thirty years old. The man didnt look like he was under thirty, but that didnt mean his strength wasnt formidable. On the contrary, his strength might be even greater. Perhaps stronger than the top ten in the Human Ranking. Older age means more time spent cultivating. This makes it hard to estimate how long he has been at the pinnacle of the Seventh Rank, let alone how far he is from stepping into the Sixth Rank. A fearsomely powerful opponent. With a somewhat haughty attitude. Perhaps of no ordinary background. Zhou Heng made his assessment internally. However, even with such a formidable presence, he couldnt be bothered to pay him much mind, as it was simply a waste of time. It had nothing to do with the purpose of his trip. Theres no need to discuss, said Zhou Heng with a shake of his head. You may leave, sir. Oh? The man turned around, gave Zhou Heng a look, and chuckled, Youre quite interesting. With that, he didnt linger and left. It seemed he truly didnt care about being rejected by Zhou Heng. The man walked slowly into the crowd and disappeared in the blink of an eye. The passing pedestrians didnt notice him at all, as if he had never been there. Zhou Heng furrowed his brows, feeling that the mans arrival boded ill, and a sense of crisis suddenly rose in his heart. Young Master Zhou, do you know who that person was? Shen Jingjing asked softly, her expression tense, her pale face slightly white as she tugged at the corner of Zhou Hengs clothes and pointed to an alley nearby. Who is he? Zhou Heng asked as he walked into the dim and narrow alley with Shen Jingjing. Please tell me, Miss Jingjing. Chao Xian, born into an ordinary martial clan. He didnt attain the Ninth Grade until he was forty, apparently after some miraculous encounter. From then on, his cultivation soared, and in just three years, he reached the pinnacle of the Seventh Rank, Not only that, but he also mastered a strange and powerful secret technique. Relying on the might of the technique, he once fought alone against four Seventh Rank pinnacle warriors, causing them to kill each other, emerging unscathed and victorious. In the world of martial artists, he is known as Formless Mind Affect. With a serious look, Shen Jingjing solemnly said, His strength is of the Lower Third Rank, an absolutely first-rate expert, no less than the top ten in the Human Ranking, and possibly even stronger. Young Master Zhou, its not good that he has set his sights on you. Why would he come looking for me? Zhou Heng frowned in confusion. I do not know him, nor should we have any connection. I dont know either. Shen Jingjings small face was also filled with perplexity, somewhat bewildered, Chao Xian arrived here three days ago, always keeping to himself, not mingling with others, but often visiting the wasteland outside the city to investigate, so why suddenly come looking for you? The wasteland outside the city? Zhou Heng was startled by her words, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke, Miss Jingjing, this Chao Xian was very ordinary before the age of forty, right? The eastern and western sides of Yuyang County City have city gates leading to official roads to other places. To the north, there is a forest and lake, while the wasteland is only on the southern side, the same secluded place Xuan Yang took Zhou Heng to on his last visit. This was also the place Zhou Heng suspected to be the sealing site of Xuan Yangs true form. Given the feedback from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and the prior emergence of the ghostly entity Yu Shang from this location, he had reason to suspect that it might not be the only ghostly spirit sealed there. Yu Shang was one, He Yang was another, and perhaps the one within Chao Xian as well. Initially, when Zhou Heng heard Shen Jingjing describe Chao Xians exploits, he thought, as a preconceived notion, that this was simply a lucky individual who had stumbled upon a fortuitous adventure. But on second thought, if Chao Xians body had been possessed by a ghostly spirit, it seemed that a similar effect could be achieved. Perhaps there were no such wondrous secret techniques at all, just the special abilities of the ghostly spirits. Moreover, compared to the normal methods of a Secret Six Rank, the special abilities of these ghostly spirits were even more unpredictable and bizarre. Hmm Shen Jingjing pondered, then nodded and said, I dont know much either, but the rumors Ive heard say that before the age of forty, Chao Xians accomplishments in the Martial Path were quite poor. Even the martial arts school had once advised him to give up. Later, for some unknown reason, he suddenly had an epiphany and actually managed to break through to the Ninth Grade. Thats how he came to have his current Formless Heart Image. When you think about it, its quite lamentable. I see. Zhou Heng nodded thoughtfully and smiled, It seems this Chao Xian is indeed not ordinary. Hmm, I must be on my guard from now on. He suspected that this Chao Xian was a ghostly spirit that had completely taken over a human body, drawn to him by the Pure Yang energy he emitted, seeking to devour him. Yes, Chao Xiansattitude just now was very strange. You should indeed be more cautious, YoungMaster. Shen Jingjing nodded in agreement, and said, How about I stay with you these next few days? If that Chao Xian truly harbors malicious intentions, I can step in to assist. Stay together? Zhou Heng was startled by her words and inexplicably thought of Cheng Jianjian. Seeing Zhou Hengs unusual expression, Shen Jingjing thought he had misunderstood, and her face reddened as she explained, What I mean is, Ill stay at the same inn as you, young master, just in the neighboring room. That way we can look out for each other. After all, we are acquaintances from the same town who happened to meet in a foreign place; its natural to help and support one another. That seems to be the case, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, By the way, Miss Jingjing, you must have guessed my purpose for coming to Yuyang County. Do you have any leads? I guessed it when you called me Miss Jingjing, Shen Jingjing said with a smile, You must have reviewed the list taken from the Three Poison Sect and asked about the purchase of medicine, only to find out that I had made inquiries too. This means youre looking for the Three Poison Sect. Miss, you are clever, Zhou Heng said with a slight nod. Do you have any leads? Yes, Shen Jingjing nodded, looked around, and said, How about we goback to the inn first, then talk? Fair enough, Zhou Heng expressed his agreement. In the inns suite. Zhou Heng and Shen Jingjing spent quite some time discussing matters related to the Three Poison Sect. He also subtly inquired about whether she had seen individuals wearing masks, moving mysteriously, yet possessing immense strength, or if there had been any unusual phenomena in the last few days. With this, he intended to learn about the whereabouts of the people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Therefore, by the time their conversation concluded, the sun had sunk westward, and the sky was filled with crimson clouds. The glow of twilight filtered through the window, casting a faint red light on the furniture. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Suddenly, a dark shadow obscured the setting suns glow, darkening the room. Zhou Heng turned his head and saw Chao Xian standing at the window. With his back to the red hue of the setting sun, his entire figure seemed to be enveloped in darkness, his face also cloaked in shadows. Only his pair of eyes were blood-like crimson. His gaze was filled with a fervent intensity as he looked at Zhou Heng. Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 85 Chase and Escape Chapter 85: Chapter 85 Chase and Escape Chao Xian?! Shen Jingjing was astonished; she hadnt expected this person to suddenly appear here, and his expression was very strange. And why were his eyes red? Lets go! Zhou Heng had already figured out what Chao Xian wanted to do and, without hesitation, grabbed Shen Jingjings shoulder and leapt out from another window. Whats happening?? Shen Jingjing was perplexed. She hadnt understood the situationwhat had happened, and why had Zhou Heng fled upon seeing Chao Xian? Could it be that Zhou Heng, through those earlier inquiries, had confirmed Chao Xian was actually some evil martial arts master, or had confirmed he practiced some sinister martial arts technique? She was wondering about this when she felt a gust of wind strike from behind her. Turning her head to look. It was Chao Xian, his eyes blood-red, who had directly pierced through the entire inn suite, chasing them with a gust of wind filled with wood shavings and debris. The eyes that radiated with red light made people dizzy. Shen Jingjing had only glanced at him, and she felt as if her head was going to split open, her vision went dark, and she nearly passed out. Dont look at his eyes, Zhou Heng warned in a deep voice, while he twisted his wrist, changing Shen Jingjings orientation so she would no longer face Chao Xian directly. At this moment, Chao Xians blood-red pupils were completely different from when he had been standing at the window. They carried a strong psychic impact. Even an Eighth Rank martial artist like Shen Jingjing could barely endure it; just one glance would cause a splitting headache, nearly causing her to faint. Running why? came Chao Xians mocking voice from behind, laughing as he said, Do you think you can escape? With that, he raised his palm and struck down through the air. There was only a loud bang as a nearby archways top immediately exploded, collapsing down towards Zhou Heng. This forced Zhou Heng to change directions and flee down another road. Facing a Seventh Rank peak martial artist possessing special ghostly abilities, Zhou Heng never even considered confronting him head-on. That would be sheer suicide. Escape to a secluded area as much as possible, then combine Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique with Palm Thunder to kill him. However, the barren area to the south of the city was off-limits. Xuan Yangs actual body was sealed there. Who knew what kind of anomalies might occur? It was best to avoid that area if possible. Although the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had not yet provided specific information about Xuan Yang, Zhou Heng instinctively felt that this ghost, suspected of having lived for thousands of years, was not simple and should not be taken lightly. Now, the best option was the area to the east-west along the road. But it seemed Chao Xian had guessed Zhou Hengs intentions; every time Zhou Heng tried to head east or west, Chao Xian would attack and block his way. He didnt go for the kill. He just wanted to force Zhou Heng to flee towards the barren area in the south. This continuous obstruction destroyed many of the citys buildings, causing quite the commotion and promptly drawing the attention of many people. Chao Xian!? Hes hunting down Zhou Heng? Whats the matter, is there a feud between them? Hey, isnt that Cold Moon Sword Shen Jingjing with Zhou Heng? What happened? Wow, Chao Xians attacks are too strong! Is this the power of a Seventh Rank peak martial artist? Terrifying indeed! The martial artists in Yuyang County City, witnessing Chao Xians remote palm slashes shattering buildings, were utterly amazed. Normally speaking, it was sufficient to instantly kill any martial artist below Seventh Rank. That Zhou Heng could dive and dodge under such attacks, even while carrying another person, was simply inconceivable! Too unbelievable! Many were shocked by this. After all, Zhou Heng was only Ninth Grade in Martial Path. Was there ever such a powerful Ninth Grade martial artist in the world? However, some people saw the trick. Chao Xian isnt failing to hit Zhou Heng; hes forcing Zhou Heng to only go in one direction! This is practically a cat playing with a mouse. Is Chao Xian toying with Zhou Heng? Could it be theres something peculiar about that barren land in the south? Ive heard that hundreds of years ago, a powerful entity was sealed there. Right, could that treasure be what the sealed entity left behind, and its in that barren land? Lets go! Lets check it out! At this, the martial artists within Yuyang County City all stirred into action. Chao Xian suddenly pursued Zhou Heng so aggressively, forcing him toward that barren land, which many interpreted as a sign that the rumored treasure was about to appear, and Zhou Hengs special identity was needed as the key to unlock it. It was a very likely possibility. For instance, opening the treasure could require the bloodline of the original owners descendants or a specific martial arts inner qi, such situations were indeed known to exist. Consequently, groups of martial artists began to chase after Chao Xian and Zhou Heng in teams. Of course, they all kept their distance with great caution. To avoid being accidentally injured by Chao Xians palm force that could explode eaves from several zhang away. Nobody wanted to take a hit from that terrifying palm force which could blast houses to pieces from several zhang away. Boom! Another wave of palm force struck in front of Zhou Heng, blocking his path. Chao Xian stood atop a nearby high-rise building, overlooking Zhou Heng from above, his pupils flickered with crimson light, and the corners of his mouth curved up slightly in a pleased smile. Keep running, he chuckled. What are you trying to do? Zhou Heng stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Chao Xian. Havent you already guessed? Chao Xian squinted and smiled, saying, Why dont you go there yourself? That way, I wont have to exert myself chasing after you, and I can let your companion go, how about that? He pointed at Shen Jingjing. Young Master, please let me go, this greatly affects your speed, Shen Jingjing whispered. Now feeling deep powerlessness and guilt, she had intended to repay a favor, but never expected to become a burden to her benefactor. That was a terribly uncomfortable feeling. Dont mind him, Zhou Heng said, carrying Shen Jingjing while continuing to flee. He has other uses for me, he wont strike me down, and since youre with me, he wont kill you either to avoid collateral damage. Youve got some brains, Chao Xian said, still aloof, casually strolling along rooftops and walls, continuing his pursuit of Zhou Heng. If you had really believed me just now, I would have killed her immediately. Keep running, else Ill just have to catch you and throwyou there, but that would be rather dull. Shen Jingjings face turned deathly pale. With her limited experience in the martial world, she never expected to encounter such a shameless person. Zhou Heng kept silent, and did not even acknowledge Chao Xians words, heading directly north. Both east and west were essentially blocked. There were still a few paths to the north. That way lay a large lake with not many people around, making it possible to use the Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique. This time, Chao Xians attack did not come. Zhou Heng felt no surprise, his first thought being whether Chao Xian had other plans? But immediately after, he realized that the martial artists who were following Chao Xian and himself had rushed over. Their numbers were at least thirty or forty, all with hollow, lifeless eyes, as if their spirits had been seized, looking like walking corpses, madly charging at Zhou Heng and Shen Jingjing. Invisible Heart Simulacrum! A suspected secret technique for controlling minds! This was a special ability of Chao Xian as a ghostly entity. He had completely possessed a body for who knows how many years, perfectly fitting with the human flesh, using his ghostly powers without any impediment. Damn it! Zhou Hengs expression turned incredibly grim. Now that east, west, and north were blocked, he had no choice but to escape south. And that was precisely where Chao Xian wanted him to go. It was also the place where Xuan Yang had previously taken him. Could it be that the Pure Yang Body had significant importance when touching Xuan Yangs seal? If I go there, could the seal possibly be broken? Or do they want to kill me there? Zhou Hengs mind raced as he considered his next course of action. At the same time, he briefly surveyed the surroundings and found that this was a rather desolate residential area with many uninhabited houses. Then Zhou Heng recalled the range of damage caused by the Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique when he had slain Kong Chengshun. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This brought a glimmer to his eyes. This can be used! Zhou Heng looked at Chao Xian who stood on top of the high wall with his hands on his back, wearing a pleased smile, turned his wrist and fashioned a sword with his fingers, ready to use the Geng Metal Sword Qj Technique. But just at that moment, Shen Jingjing beside Zhou Heng suddenly stiffened, her eyes grew vacant, and she blankly drew two daggers from her waist. And stabbed them toward Zhou Hengs shoulders! Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Outburst (Please Subscribe) Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Outburst (Please Subscribe) Shen Jingjings spirit was subdued and controlled by Chao Xian. She regarded Zhou Heng as an enemy. Backstab! However, when Zhou Heng saw the other martial artists being manipulated by Chao Xian to block his path, he was already on guard for this situation. At the slightest sign of Shen Jingjings unusual movements, he was already aware. Zhou Heng shifted slightly to his side, letting Shen Jingjings pair of daggers plunge into his luggage. Clang! A sound of metal clashing rang out as Shen Jingjings daggers seemed to strike something hard, forcefully repelling her. The luggage was pierced, revealing the handle of the Zhi Zhi Sword within. Zhou Heng promptly grabbed the hilt and pulled out the sword that was not even at the level of a sharp weapon, simultaneously activating a Sword Talisman. He swung his sword at Chao Xian! Hum! At the instant Zhou Hengs sword moved, a dull roar came from the void, as if it were trembling. The elemental energy of the world suddenly boiled over, forming beams of silvery-white brilliance that streaked across the sky, converging on the longsword in Zhou Hengs hand with incredible speed. Slaughter! Arms! Destruction! The laws interwove, the might of heaven and earth gathered! This made the longsword, not even of a sharp weapons grade, radiate an extremely dazzling silvery-white light. So sharp and bright, it daunted onlookers from gazing directly at it. Clang clang clang!! All the common metal weapons in Yuyang County City trembled as if drawn by an invisible force, starting to move on their own. They either collided with one another or jumped around, as if trying to fly out of their sheaths. Almost every martial artist felt as though their weapons had slipped from their control. Their surfaces emitted a soft white light, seemingly willing to merge with the silvery-white brilliance that streaked across the sky. Just for that moment, the area within a hundred paces was enveloped in the sounds of clashing arms. Moreover, everyone felt as if they were surrounded by countless sharp sword beams, daring not to make the slightest move. Chao Xian, standing on a high building, saw the smile fade from his face. His relaxed demeanor gave way to astonishment, which then transformed into unparalleled shock, his eyes wide in utter horror. Clang!! A sword cry resonated, like the call of a crane echoing through the skies, piercing through all directions. Chao Xian saw only a streak of silvery-white brilliance flash before his eyes, as a pure white sword qi, over ten zhang long, burst forth from the longsword in Zhou Hengs hand. Boom boom boom! Like the crash of thunder, the sword qi caused the void to burst open with echoing roars, like the sky was collapsing, reaching deep into the hearts of everyone in Yuyang County City, instilling an inexplicable fear. The abandoned high-rise where Chao Xian stood was enveloped in sword qi and instantly turned to dust. He himself had no ability to resist. He was ground to dust by the sword qi interwoven with laws, ceasing to exist. And after annihilating Chao Xian, the sword qis momentum did not stop, shooting straight into the heavens and disappearing in the blink of an eye. Bang! A moment later, a deafening bang came from above, as the clouds in the high sky dispersed layer by layer, forming a vast circular void. At that moment, the entire Yuyang County City fell silent; everyone looked up at the sky, mouth agape, stunned to their core. Interweaving laws, commandeering elemental energy, wielding the might of heaven and earth, employing the force of nature! This is the power of heaven and earth! How can human strength possibly withstand it? But how could Zhou Heng unleash such terrifying sword qi? At least a Sixth Rank Martial Artist would be needed to wield such power. He is just a Ninth Rank Warrior, the gap between him and the Sixth Rank is like that between heaven and earth! How did he do it? That sword just now woke everyone up from the control of their spirits by Chao Xian. These people also witnessed the earth-shattering sword qi and felt the incomparable shock. Too strong! Everyones gaze was now fixed on Zhou Heng. And then, some people noticed the Zhi Zhi Sword in his hand. The Zhi Zhi Sword! Thats the standard sword carried by the outer disciples of Pure Yang Palace! Pure Yang Palace!? So Zhou Heng is a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, could it be that the sword qi just now was a secret treasure given by a senior in his sect? Ah!? Zhou Heng is actually not a disciple of a small martial arts hall, but comes from a Martial Dao Sect, my goal is gone. But can an outer disciple really have such a powerful secret treasure? Thats too strong! What do you know, thats an ancient Taoist Immortal Sect, this is totally normal, okay! People burst into discussions. Many cast envious and jealous glances at Zhou Heng. Pure Yang Palace, even if just an outer disciple, was enough to make countless ordinary people in the martial world envious. So, young master, you are a disciple from Pure Yang Palace. Shen Jingjing had also regained her senses, and she felt amazed by Zhou Hengs identity before quickly apologizing, Im sorry, just now, I was bewildered, I No need for apologies, it was Chao Xians fault. Zhou Heng didnt say much else, quickly taking out two taels of gold from his bag, holding them in his hand. Boom! Rumbling thunder exploded in his palm, streaks of golden arcs appeared out of nowhere, coiling around his hands, and the most staunch and yang aura spread, as if he was gripping thunder in his hands. The Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique was indeed powerful, capable of slashing Chao Xian into dust in an instant. If it were a human, they would certainly be dead beyond deader, but Chao Xian was different. He was a ghost! To be precise, a person who had been possessed by a ghost, completely controlling the human body! Undying and indestructible! Zhou Heng still vividly remembered Yu Shangs terrifying recovery abilities. Although the current extent of Chao Xians destruction far surpassed that of Yu Shangs at the time, not even a trace of his body could be seen, Zhou Heng still suspected he might recover. The existence of ghostly beings was too strange. And he also didnt receive any kill notification, which means theres a high probability that Chao Xian was still alive. He must be ready. However, Zhou Hengs display of Taoist formulas stunned the people around even more. On the martial world, there were very few who understood the Taoist formulas. In the eyes of most, only Middle Third Rank individuals could command thunder and control the natural forces of heaven and earth. At the Lower Third Rank stage, it was simply impossible to achieve such feats. But now, Zhou Heng was clearly only a Ninth Rank Warrior, yet he was already manipulating thunder! This immediately caused them to feel as if their worldviews were shattering, and their foundational beliefs were exploding. It was truly something you only see once in a long time! The people around looked at Zhou Heng with frozen gazes, blankly watching the thunder light coiling in his hands. What kind of technique is this? Is this martial arts? Thunder, damn, can a Ninth Rank Warrior really do this? Is the martial arts Ive been training fake?? Many people started to doubt their life choices. Zhou Heng, a Ninth Rank Warrior, displayed strength and techniques that far exceeded their understanding and imagination of this level of power. Its too exaggerated! Could this be a disciple of the Taoist Immortal Sect? Young Master Zhou, what is this? Shen Jingjing was also full of doubts and astonishment. She was shocked by Zhou Hengs abilities but also wondered why he still seemed to be on high alert. Chao Xian is already dead, isnt he? No matter how powerful he was, he was only a Seventh Rank at his peak. Facing that earth-shattering Sword Qi, it was impossible for him to have survived, right? Could there be other enemies? Hoo hoo hoo! Just at that moment, a chilly wind suddenly arose. The sky, which was still in twilight, quickly darkened as if night had fallen into a deep, silent abyss. At the place slashed by the Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique, a mass of purple-black smoke suddenly surged. It churned and writhed, as if something was breeding inside. This scene was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people; except for Zhou Heng, everyone else stared dumbfounded at everything unfolding, completely clueless about the current situation. Boom! At that moment, thunder tore through the sky. Zhou Heng raised his hands, letting the lightning in his palms burst forth, turning into two thick columns of golden thunder that struck unerringly onto the mass of purple-black fog. AhhhhH From within came a shrill and angry scream. The two bolts of lightning shattered the purple-black smoke, interrupting Chao Xians resurrection in progress. However, this scream only spread to cause an extremely severe mental storm, knocking out all the Ninth Rank Warriors and ordinary people within a hundred zhang on the spot. Even some people with weaker physiques bled from their seven orifices, their life or death unknown. Even Eighth Rank Warriors felt dizzy and unsteady. Even those who managed to barely stay conscious still experienced confusion and a loss of reasoning. Shen Jingjing collapsed directly onto the ground, hands covering her head, enduring the pain. She had already endured the impact of Chao Xians gaze before and had been mentally confused; her spirit was already weak. Now having undergone this shock and still remaining conscious, she was doing quite well. The scream carried an extremely strong mental impact and the ability to corrupt. Terrifying! Ghosts are too overpowering against ordinary Martial Artists, or rather, humans. Yet Zhou Heng was unaffected, continuing to take out gold from his bundle and using Taoist formulas to execute Palm Thunder, releasing a thunderbolt one after another. Thanks to the dream training experience he had before, now his use of Palm Thunder was extremely smooth, almost instant. There was even a seamless connection between the two bolts of lightning, ensuring the purple -black fog was continuously battered by the thunder. Chao Xian had no chance of resurrection. This was undoubtedly the best method to exterminate ghosts. But it was too costly. It pained Zhou Hengs heart. In just a short while, six taels of gold had been spent, and his entire fortune was only around a dozen taels. Ahhhh! Ahhhh!! The screams of Chao Xian became more and more harrowing and piercing, yet the mental attacks they carried were diminishing. This meant that if things continued this way, Chao Xian would soon be completely eradicated. It must be said that ghosts are indeed very difficult to eliminate. Previously, Yu Shang and Feng You, although roughly at the same level, were easier to destroy because neither had fully completed their possessions or controlled the bodies for an extended period. But a ghost like Chao Xian, who had completely finished the possession, genuinely controlled the body for more than a decade, and had Seventh Rank peak strength, was different. Its property of deathlessness had become extremely potent. Using only Eighth Rank Palm Thunder for the attack was still somewhat challenging. However, Zhou Heng was now able to slowly grind his opponent to death with one thunder after another. About ten Palm Thunders should be enough to truly destroy him. By that time, Zhou Hengs inner qi would also be nearly depleted, which was just about right. But at this moment, the purple-black mist that had been continually split and dispersed by the Palm Thunder suddenly began to boil, violently surging all over. As if drawn by some invisible force, it split into two parts; a large portion rose and surged towards the desolate area south of the city. Whats going on? Zhou Hengs expression was one of astonishment as he had just released a Palm Thunder that had utterly wiped out Chao Xian, who had been struggling until now. Congratulations! You have killed the undoubtedly doomed opponent Chao Xian, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. The reward notification sounded. But Zhou Heng felt no joy in his heart because he sensed an even greater crisis might be coming. The split purple-black mist fell like a meteor, crashing heavily onto the desolate land to the south of the city, causing the majority of Yuyang County City to shake. Immediately after, an even more intense purple-black light soared to the sky. In the blink of an eye, it enveloped the entire Yuyang County City, making the already dark sky even more sinister and eerie. Could it be that theres a problem with Xuan Yangs seal? Zhou Heng had a very bad premonition in his heart. He had previously speculated that beneath that barren area to the south of the city, Xuan Yangs main body might be sealed. And Xuan Yang was very likely an old ghost who had lived from the era of the Heavenly Sun Battle, or even earlier. An old monster who had lived for more than three thousand years! If such an old monster were to break free from the seal, Zhou Heng felt that it would be difficult for anyone below the Celestial Man to cope. What to do? Zhou Hengs brow was tightly furrowed as he considered whether to use the Peak Card. But he suddenly noticed that along with the purple-black light, there seemed to be other colors flying out. He quickly concentrated and looked. There were two streaks of bright silver light like stars, cutting through the darkness and gloom, shining with the power of light. Zhou Heng looked towards those two bright silver streaks and immediately recognized them as the Taoist power triggered by Cheng Jianjian when she had previously cast spells to kill ghosts. People from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? But this only made Zhou Hengs mood even heavier. The two streaks of light swiftly moved away from the purple-black light, reaching the sky above Yuyang County City. It was clear that there were two figures within the light. From their silhouettes, they appeared to be two women, both wearing masks with facial expressions. One had a mask like a wealthy person from the stage, and the other simply had a large character on it. They likely represented different meanings and statuses. Zhou Heng recognized one of them. It was Cheng Jianjian. Had she been without a trace before because she had been reinforcing the seal at the wasteland south of the city, to continue sealing Xuan Yang? The woman beside her was actually carrying her as they flew through the sky! Was this a Sixth Rank expert? For a time, numerous thoughts flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, and in the time it took for those thoughts to pass, Cheng Jianjian and that Sixth Rank expert had already broken through the purple-black mist and flew into the airspace above the city. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Immediately, they shouted out loud: Everyone in the city must leave quickly! A great calamity is about to descend upon this place, a great calamity is about to descend! Leave quickly, leave quickly! Once the calamity arrives, anyone below the Fourth Rank will undoubtedly die! Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: 87 Chapter Ghost Immortal Chapter 87: 87 Chapter Ghost Immortal Catastrophe?! Zhou Heng was astonished upon hearing the words and subconsciously looked towards the south, only to see the purplish-black glow there growing denser and clearer. It was as if the very void were being eroded. Merely looking at it filled him with an unparalleled palpitation, as well as inexplicable panic. It seemed as though beneath that purplish-black glow, a monster of extreme horror was lurking. Zhou Heng had a premonition that should the monster inside break out, it would undoubtedly bring total destruction to everything as it was now. Was it Xuan Yang? Had the seal that bound him truly run into trouble? Was it due to the abnormalities that occurred during Chao Xians struggle to revive just before? Zhou Heng frowned as he looked at the sky, then glanced around, only to find that Yuyang County City had already descended into chaos at this time. Many people were fleeing in all directions. Whether it was martial artists with martial arts skills or ordinary people without such skills, everyone was now swarming towards the direction of the citys east and west, where the gates lay. Those gates led to other places. Yuyang County City was now far too dangerous, which was clear to anyone who was not blind. Even without Cheng Jianjian and her companions warning people by shouting from the air, it would have been the same. The phenomenon that obscured heaven and earth, along with the gloomy and sinister atmosphere and the purplish-black light that fell to the ground and rose again, all evoked an unparalleled sense of fear. Young Master Zhou, whats happening? Shen Jingjing had barely regained her spirit and instinctively asked. However, after seeing the people around her fleeing in all directions and combining that with the celestial phenomenon, she understood the current situation. Lets flee as well, Young Master Zhou, Shen Jingjings expression became urgent, and she said, Yuyang County has become too dangerous now. No treasure is important anymore. Lets leave quickly. Im afraid its too late to leave, Zhou Heng shook his head, his gaze fixed on the distant sky where the purplish-black glow was incredibly dense, as if it had been permanently seared into the void. Within that area of purplish-black glow, streaks of light were outlining the contours of a longsword, and soon four longswords, each several miles in length, congealed into existence. They descended straight from the sky! Boom! Boom! Boom!! The four purplish-black longswords fell from the sky, each striking the city of Yuyang at the eastern, western, southern, and northern directions respectively. Their luminescence connected with each other, instantly forming a barrier that sealed off the entire city. Many of the people desperate to escape the city failed to notice this barrier forming, or had no concept of such mysterious methods, and thought to directly break through it. All of them were pulverized by the barrier in an instant, leaving no remains, both body and soul obliterated, ceasing to exist on the spot. This caused many onlookers to tremble in fear, not daring to touch the barrier in the slightest. But without making contact with the barrier, without breaching it, it was naturally impossible to leave Yuyang County City. What to do now?! Many peoples faces showed colors of despair, filled with immense regret and frustration. Had they known it would come to this, they never would have come here. Now they had not only failed to find the treasure, but they might also lose their lives. We truly cant get out, Shen Jingjing, looking at the barrier that shrouded the entire city, couldnt help but feel a bit dazed and muttered with a bitter smile, It seems were really going to die here. Its just a pity that I havent found the people from the Three Poison Sect and wasnt able to kill them. Having endured several mental shocks before and now facing this situation, her spirit was overwhelmed, and suddenly everything went black before her eyes. She could no longer hold on and fainted to the ground. Zhou Heng, however, had no energy to assist Shen Jingjing at this moment, as he was concentrating on finding a place to attack. Even with the Peak Card that could be used to unleash the peak-state Five Thunder Righteous Method, a target still needed to be identified. Casting spells blindly without a target was likely to result in failure, losing all hope. In Zhou Hengs view, the attack that could be enacted with that Peak Card might be the only hope. It was crucial to wait for the right moment to use it again. Young Master Zhou, why have you returned here? Cheng Jianjians voice came from the sky, and soon after, she descended slowly from the air and landed in front of Zhou Heng. With her, another associate alighted. This was a tall woman dressed in a light cyan gown, with fair hands and slender fingers, her skin exquisitely delicate. Though her face was covered with a mask, which concealed her features, several subtle nuances in her behaviour suggested that she was an elegant and mature woman with a non-trivial status in the secular world. Of course, that was her identity in front of ordinary people. At this very moment, the masked woman was a Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, a Star Envoy charged with the duty to track down and exterminate ghostly beings a Sixth Rank martial artist of the Martial Path. I have some matters to attend to, Zhou Heng replied succinctly, pointing at the dark purple glow in the sky and inquiring of Cheng Jianjian, Star Envoy, whats happening here, has the seal been broken? The Star Envoys of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers all wore masks, evidently wishing to conceal their secular identities, which is why Zhou Heng did not call Cheng Jianjian by name, and simply referred to her as Star Envoy. Its not completely broken yet, but it has been breached a great deal, Cheng Jianjian sighed lightly and said, Its beyond our calculations, truly beyond our calculations. After receiving your report, we started to investigate the records of the seals and prohibitions in Yuyang County, only finding that Ghost Immortal branded as He Yang of Fifth Rank. We originally thought that even if this ghostly being was still alive, after a few hundred years of being sealed without absorbing Yang Energy, it might have fallen to Sixth Rank. Hence, we believed that whether it was reinforcing the seal or exterminating it, the difficulty should not be significant. With that in mind, we arrived at Yuyang County. At this point, she gave a wry smile and said, But once we ascertained the true situation, we found that there was not just a single ghostly being of less than Fifth Rank under the southern part of the city in the barren area. Rather, its frightening to think that probably thousands of ghostly beings have been sealed away! And the seal had already been eroded in several places. If we didnt repair and reinforce it, it could collapse at any moment, so weve been strengthening the prohibitions in an underground cavern there these past few days, but ultimately Wait, how many ghostly beings did you just say, a thousand?! Zhou Hengs eyes widened in shock as he listened to Cheng Jianjian, feeling his scalp go numb and a chill run down his spine. A thousand ghostly beings! This was too terrifying! Such a horrendous number, even if they were merely Ninth Grade ghosts, if they all escaped, it would plunge an entire province into unprecedented panic. Whats the situation now? Zhou Heng gestured towards the sky. At least three hundred have escaped, mostly at the Seventh and Eighth Rank levels, which is extremely dangerous, Cheng Jianjian also looked towards the sky, her gaze fixated on that dense dark purple light as she said solemnly: However, we have temporarily sealed them using a secret treasure to prevent their escape, but this is not a solution that can last. We must find a way to eliminate them quickly. What should we do now? Zhou Heng frowned and pondered, considering whether it was the moment to use the Peak Card. If he used the Peak Card to release the peak-state Five Thunder Righteous Method, it would certainly obliterate that horde of ghostly beings, but he couldnt help worrying about Xuan Yang, who seemed to be an ancient ghost that had lived for thousands of years. Could it be that Xuan Yang was just one of the sealed ghostly beings, with nothing particularly special about him? We have already sent out a message. The nearest Star Envoy is en route, a peerless expert who has reached Fourth Rank, Cheng Jianjians voice was grave: And what we can do now is simply wait. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Im afraid we dont have the luxury to wait, the woman who had been standing silently at Cheng Jianjians side suddenly spoke. She pointed to the sky, her voice trembling slightly, unable to hide the fear in her heart. Our earlier assessment was wrong. Its not about a thousand ghostly beings being sealed there at all. The disruption of the seal, the scattering of our reinforced prohibitions, its not caused by a mere three hundred ghostly beings! All of it is an illusion, a deliberately crafted illusion, even our records regarding this place have been fooled by this illusion, Im afraid from the beginning to the end, there has only been one being sealed here No, not a ghostly being. Its a Ghost Immortal! Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Chapter 88 Fooling Chapter 88: Chapter 88 Fooling Ghost Immortal?! What is that, a more advanced ghost?! Zhou Heng, upon hearing the womans exclamation, wore a puzzled expression, for it was the first time he had heard the term Ghost Immortal. And judging by the womans reaction, the degree of terror inspired by a Ghost Immortal likely far exceeded that of ordinary ghosts. Ghost Immortal?! Cheng Jianjian, having heard this, was equally shocked, clearly aware of the concept. What is a Ghost Immortal? Zhou Heng asked with a frown. After reaching Fifth Rank, some ghosts undergo a special ritual that transforms their state of existence. They no longer need to absorb Yang Energy, nor do they need to seize others flesh, Cheng Jianjian explained quickly. Those that have reached this level call themselves Ghost Immortals. Just a transformation of their form of existence? Zhou Heng exclaimed in surprise. If that was all, there seemed no need for such fear. After transforming their form of existence, Ghost Immortals can advance even further, said the woman from before, her voice grave. Ghost Immortals face the three calamities of wind, fire, and thunder. If they can surpass them all, they can reach the realm of Celestial Men. Even if they only pass through the calamity of wind, they possess the power of Fourth Rank, and even Celestial Men cannot exterminate them. The world fills with howling yin winds, and purple-black light obscures the heavens. With such anomalies appearing in the world, this Ghost Immortal has likely already surpassed the wind calamity, Cheng Jianjian said gravely, bitterness in her voice. Were in big trouble. Ghost Immortal, wind calamity, Fourth Rank Zhou Heng muttered under his breath, staring at the various phenomena in the sky, his brows tightly knitted as thoughts raced through his mind. Although he had previously considered that the true enemy within Yuyang County City might be Xuan Yangs true form, he had not anticipated that what was sealed here might be a Ghost Immortal. A Ghost Immortal who might have surpassed the wind calamity, possibly possessing the power of Fourth Rank! Is this Xuan Yangs true form?? Can the Five Thunder Righteous Method exterminate it? Even Zhou Heng was feeling uncertain now. Although the Five Thunder Righteous Method was mighty, it was still a Taoist Formula of Sect Fifth Rank, and may not be effective against a Ghost Immortal of this level. Would there be a greater hope if combined with the Fooling Card, reducing the Ghost Immortals intelligence and rationality? By now, the purple-black light in the sky had become extremely dense and deep, as if this was the only color left in the world. Besides this, there was nothing else. The yin wind howled through heaven and earth, and a chilling coldness spread everywhere. This caused everyone in Yuyang County City to shiver involuntarily, their fear escalating. For the vast majority of them, they had never witnessed such a terrifying scene in their lifetime. Pingzhou was situated in the central part of Da Qi, and the Imperial Court had strong governance there. Rarely were there large-scale conflicts, so it was essentially a relatively peaceful era. As a result, very few had ever truly seen a Middle Third Rank Martial Artist take action. For most, their understanding and knowledge of Middle Third Rank Martial Artists stemmed mainly from their secular identity and status. As for how powerful these great figures actually were? Very few had any concept of that. Even those who did have some concept mostly learned about it from the stories told by Storytellers, the truth of which were uncertain. Hence, for them, witnessing such occurrences now, transforming the sky, commanding fierce winds, descending curtains of light, and sealing the city, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime sight and fear. Not many could completely suppress the emotions within their hearts. Their reactions varied immensely. Some cried out loud; some banged their heads against walls. Some knelt on the ground and continuously kowtowed to the sky; some sat quietly, silent and unmoving as if awaiting death, while others took a knife to their own throats, ending it all. Fascinating, this is too fascinating! Just then, a voice filled with mockery suddenly rose, as if omnipresent, reaching the ears of everyone in Yuyang County City. At the same time, the purplish-black light in the sky began to spin, with its center being the thickest part of the light, from which a figure was now emerging. The people of Yuyang County all looked up at the sky. They saw a man of normal stature, dressed in simple and elegant purple robes, walking out from the light. He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a purple jade crown on his head, clear and profound facial features, a broad forehead, slender eyebrows, a gentle gaze, and a faint smile on his lips. He seemed like a scholar fond of ancient attire, very amiable, and posed no threat at all. Many relaxed their minds unconsciously after seeing his appearance. But in the next instant, nearly all ordinary people felt a sudden darkness before their eyes and a sensation as if their heads were going to burst; they were seized by splitting headaches and fell to the ground, nearly passing out. Many martial artists with cultivation also could not escape this plight; they felt as if their heads had been struck by a hammer, suffering intense pain, their strength and inner qi thrown into chaotic turmoil, causing unbearable agony and making them unsteady on their feet. This was all because the man who had emerged from the light suddenly transformed, morphing from a normal person into a giant god statue a hundred zhang tall. With four heads and eight arms, a fierce visage, his entire body wrapped in purplish-black light, he exuded a rich aura of coldness and the scent of death, as if he intended to turn the world into a demon realm, striking profound fear and awe into others. The god statue rotated its four heads to look down upon the entire Yuyang County City and, speaking in unison from all mouths, began to laugh, So many years have passed, and humans remain so insignificant, so fragile. Ive already restrained my aura as much as possible. At this moment, Zhou Heng was also watching the god statue in the sky, feeling the mountainous and oceanic terrifying presence of the other, causing his scalp to tingle and making it difficult to muster the thought of resistance. You confronted the Celestial Demon Dharma Body of Xuan Yang directly and felt a mysterious enlightenment stirring within you, but you could not comprehend its intricacies or gain any proficiency. The prompt sounded in his mind. This let Zhou Heng know what the ghost immortals god statue state was. It also confirmed for him that this ghost immortal was indeed Xuan Yang itself, as he had previously guessed! Cheng Jianjian was also motionless, as if petrified by the god statues might, standing there in a daze. Too terrifying! A hundred-zhang tall figure, his entire body flickering with purplish-black light, four heads and eight arms, bringing calamity, truly like the descent of a celestial devil. Is this the Celestial Demon Dharma Body!? We still have a chance! Just then, the woman who was with Cheng Jianjian suddenly spoke with a touch of surprise, This ghost immortal must have escaped only in part; his dharma body is incomplete! With that, she actually soared into the air, her body enveloped in verdant light as she shot into the sky, and with a turn of her right hand, she took out an ancient-looking copper mirror with a blue gleam to it that seemed to have extraordinary uses. I will use this secret treasure to hold off this incomplete ghost immortal. You all take the chance to leave, and you must be quick! After leaving these words behind, she flew directly into the sky, heading toward the hundred-zhang tall Celestial Demon Dharma Body. The next instant, a verdant brilliance suddenly blossomed in the sky. This verdant light, filled with vitality, wove laws and gathered primal energy, as if it were forming a barrier, intending to separate the hundred-zhang dharma body from Yuyang County City below. A refreshing breeze mixed with the flow of the primal energy of heaven and earth, quickly sweeping across the whole of Yuyang County City. This also made many who were in despair notice the situation above. Someone is actually fighting that monster! Ascending into the heaven! Weilding treasures to cast spells! This must be at least a Sixth Rank expert! Who would have thought that within Yuyang County there was such a hidden master! The flame of hope was suddenly rekindled in the hearts of countless people. Everyone gazed at the sky with unwavering attention. Hoping that the woman would emerge victorious. Lets go! Cheng Jianjian, however, seized Zhou Hengs shoulder and said solemnly, She is at the peak of Sixth Rank with that secret treasure to assist her she should be able to hold off that Ghost Immortal for a while. But, this Ghost Immortal is too powerful, and she wont be able to withstand him for long. We must leave the city immediately and notify the more powerful figures to come. Only by doing so can we save her and the people here. But no sooner had she finished speaking Boom! A thunderous noise came from the sky, and the cyan light screen shattered in response, disintegrating into countless luminous fragments and fading into nothingnessit had been smashed by the Ghost Immortal with a bare-fisted punch. The woman, who had just flown up, fell straight from the sky and landed not far in front of Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. The ancient mirror in her hand had dulled and was full of cracks. Cheng Jianjian was utterly stunned, her face beneath the mask filled with astonishment and shock. She hadnt expected that a Sixth Rank peak Martial Artist wielding a secret treasure would not even withstand a single exchange, being defeated and cast down with a single blow. Wasnt this Ghost Immortal incomplete? Why was he still so powerful? The strength of ants. The Ghost Immortal in the sky let out a cold laugh, retracted the fist he had smashed down with, and said, Such meager tricks, daring to show off before this seatit is courting death. The glimmer of hope that had just sparked in the hearts of the people of Yuyang County City was instantly extinguished. Several people couldnt withstand the blow and committed suicide on the spot. The woman who had fallen to the ground hadnt died, but she had sustained heavy injuries. Cheng Jianjian rushed over to help her sit up with difficulty, leaning her against the wall behind her. Then she took out a jade bottle and poured out a few elixirs as clear as jade. Gently lifting the womans mask, she administered them to her. Cough cough! After swallowing the elixirs, the woman coughed a few times, blood flowing from beneath her mask and staining her garments red, but at least stabilized her True Qi and injuries for the time being, averting the immediate threat to her life. Isnt this Ghost Immortal an incomplete Dharma Body? Cheng Jianjian asked in a heavy voice. We miscalculated. She shook her head, looked up at the sky, and smiled bitterly, Though its an incomplete Ghost Immortal Dharma Body and hasnt reached Fourth Rank, its still far stronger than any Fifth Rank, and even above the Middle Third Rank. The saying that a little higher is a whole lot superior really isnt wrong. If there were a Sect Fifth Rank peak Taoist Formula, could it defeat him? Zhou Heng suddenly came over and asked. Sect Fifth Rank peak Taoist Formula? The woman paused at those words, turned her head to look at Zhou Heng, fell silent for a moment, and then shook her head slightly, Theres a chance, but the probability isnt high, unless its the Thunder Method. A Ghost Immortal who has not yet transcended the thunder tribulation fears thunder the most. But where can we find a Grandmaster capable of using the Thunder Method at this moment? Such individuals are scarce across the whole world. She clearly didnt hold much hope. After all, in this era, Taoist Formulas themselves were exceedingly rare, and those effective against ghostly beings were even scarcer. And the Thunder Method, among those aimed at ghostly beings, was an extreme rarity. It has always existed only in rumors. Very few have seen it with their own eyes. Master, do you have a way? Cheng Jianjians eyes brightened. She knew that Zhou Heng was extraordinary and likely had experienced incredible fortune; perhaps he really had a way. Sect Fifth Rank peak Taoist Formula? But just then, the voice of Xuan Yang suddenly came from the sky. Meanwhile, his four heads and eight eyes were all looking at Zhou Heng, and the ferocious mouths cracked into a smile, saying, Have you recovered part of your memories from your previous life? Zhou Heng was taken aback upon hearing this, bewildered and not understanding what this creature meant, but he managed to maintain his composure and said indifferently, Think whatever you want. Hahahaha! Xuan Yang suddenly burst into loud laughter, his terrifying voice causing the ground to tremble; he looked down on Zhou Heng from his elevated position, What a pity, what use are memories alone? Do you think you can release the Taoist Formulas of a Sect Fifth Rank with only a Ninth Grade cultivation? This exchange between the two caused Cheng Jianjian and the woman to listen in utter confusion, only after careful thought did they sort through it. It seemed that this Ghost Immortal mistook Zhou Heng for the reincarnation of someone. Cheng Jianjian immediately thought of something she had learned at Pure Yang Palace when she inquired about Zhou Hengs situation from You Ziheng You Ziheng had obtained a Divine Weapon-grade sword with a spirit in it at Huangtong Mansion City, and the sword spirit repeatedly claimed that Zhou Heng was the reincarnation of a Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace. However, You Ziheng had denied this. Because the Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace who had passed away twenty years ago had not reincarnated, and his Divine Soul was still being nurtured within Pure Yang Palace, waiting for an opportunity. Therefore, at the time, Cheng Jianjian didnt take it seriously. But now, reflecting on it, she realized that You Ziheng only denied that Zhou Heng was the reincarnation of a Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace and didnt negate the possibility that Zhou Heng could be the reincarnation of some other great entity. Could it be that Zhou Heng was indeed the reincarnation of some powerful being? This thought made her feelings grow complicated all of a sudden. At the moment, Zhou Heng was ready to use the Fooling Card and Peak Card at any time, but to ensure that nothing went wrong, he had not yet used them. His eyes were slightly closed, giving off an aura of profound mystery, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a sneer tinged with mockery as he sighed, Xuan Yang, it has been thousands of years, and you are still as loathsome as ever. His tone was as if he was an old acquaintance of the Ghost Immortal, shocking Cheng Jianjian and the woman beside him, who thought that Zhou Heng had indeed awakened his memories from a past life and recognized this Ghost Immortal. In reality, Zhou Heng was deceiving Xuan Yang. In fact, from beginning to end, the Ghost Immortal had never revealed his name to Zhou Heng, nor had he mentioned the name Xuan Yang. Even the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer believed that only He Yang had been sealed here. This meant that the information about Xuan Yang had likely been obliterated in the long river of history over time, leaving few who knew of it. Wang Tong had also lost the memories from when he was possessed by the remnant soul-consciousness of Xuan Yang. Under normal circumstances, it was almost impossible for Zhou Heng to know of Xuan Yang. Therefore, now that Zhou Heng suddenly called out the name Xuan Yang and behaved as if they were old acquaintances, Xuan Yang would highly likely mistake Zhou Heng for the reincarnation of the person who had sealed him here thousands of years ago! You! You are!!? True to form, Xuan Yang reacted as if struck by thunder, as if he remembered something horrifying, all eight of his eyes unbelievably fixed on Zhou Heng, each of his four hideous faces flickering with extreme panic. No! You cannot be him, die! Xuan Yang roared in anger, giving up on his original plan to first crush Zhou Hengs spirit before seizing his Pure Yang Body and the soul of a powerful reincarnation. He was ready to strike! However, just as he gathered his mana and raised his eight arms, intending to execute a move that would destroy Yuyang County City, his movements suddenly stalled. He had unexpectedly forgotten what he was about to do. Yet, as a Ghost Immortal who had survived the Wind Calamity, Xuan Yang had a quite resolute will and soon came back to his senses. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Right! I was attacking, I was going to destroy everything here!! But then, he started to puzzle over which of his eight hands he should use to attack first. He had been fooled. His intelligence had dropped. Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Three Choices Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Three Choices Upon realizing that Xuan Yang was truly enraged, Zhou Heng instantly used the Fooling Card without hesitation. Fooling Card [Copper]: It can reduce a persons intelligence, halt a persons thoughts, and eradicate a persons rationality. Now, Xuan Yang stood there dumbfounded, clearly affected by the first two effects. Next, he would lose his rationality. Once rationality was lost, he would be left only with instincts. Under normal circumstances, he would follow the emotions of anger and fury, falling into a frenzied mass murder, potentially having even greater destructive power. Unfortunately, his intelligence was decreased, and his thoughts were halted. Whether it was anger, fury, or any other instinctual emotion, none could function in such a state. Thus, Xuan Yang could not control his body as per his will, could not control the immense power within him, and was even less able to use it to perform various Ghost Immortal techniques. This meant that he could not resist the effects of the Fooling Card. He could only wait for the duration of the fooling to end; before that time, he could only serve as a shell with power that he was utterly incapable of harnessing. And with his decreased intelligence, he would be completely unaware of this fact. He would even constantly agonize over such stupid questions as which hand to move first, which eye to blink first, whether to move his tongue when opening his mouth, or which tongue to move. Bang! Just at this moment, there was a loud noise in the air, and the towering hundred-feet-tall demonic Dharma Body suddenly collapsed, scattering into countless shards of purple-black light. Xuan Yang reverted back to his appearance when he first emerged from the purple-black glow vortex. He had a purple robe, wore a jade crown, abroad forehead, and slender eyebrows, taking the form of a middle-aged man. The maintenance of the Dharma Body state also required rationality. Now that Xuan Yangs rationality was temporarily eliminated, he naturally could no longer maintain the Dharma Body state. He could only return to his original form. After reverting to his original form, he still stood dumbly in the sky, like an idiot, not knowing what to do next, let alone how to do it. Cheng Jianjian and her companions were stunned. They watched incredulously as Xuan Yang in the sky dissipated his Dharma Body, and then turned their shocked gaze to Zhou Heng. What happened?! What just happened? What did Zhou Heng do? Why did the Ghost Immortal, just a moment ago full of rage and about to unleash an attack that would destroy everything, suddenly turn into an idiot? Not only did his Dharma Body disperse, but he also stood far away motionless? What kind of method was this, its too miraculous. It was beyond all reason! It was utterly inconceivable! People in Yuyang County City also looked up at the sky, dumbfounded. They had already given up all hope, and just when a glimmer of hope had been ignited, it was cruelly extinguished, driving many to contemplate suicide. After all, it was all death. If killed by that monster, who knew what the end would be like. It might be better to end it themselves. But now, this sudden change was like a streak of light cutting through the darkness, brightening their hearts shrouded in purple-blackness. The monster turned into a human and seemed to be stunned in place. Does this mean that a truly powerful being, a real mighty figure, had intervened? Many cried tears of joy, many knelt on the ground, strangers embraced each other, cheering and jumping for joy, all while anticipating the final victorys arrival. At this moment, Zhou Heng had a solemn expression, exuding an air of dignity. That expression resembled that of an Immortal from the temples portraits, his presence mysteriously lacking a certain human touch and imbued with more of an Immortal aura, as if he might ascend from the mundane world at any moment. Cheng Jianjian, looking at Zhou Hengs demeanor, felt an inexplicable sadness in her heart. She couldnt help but recall the days she spent recovering from her injuries in Zhou Hengs home. The two of them joked and interacted happily. Though it was only a brief few days, it was a rare moment of leisure for her after leaving the mountains, a time free of worries and the happiest period she had experienced. It was then that her impression of Zhou Heng had formed. Someone slightly greedy for money, but kind, gentle, and amusing to talk to. Someone who trained in Martial Arts day and night, extremely diligent and earnest, of ordinary birth yet very ambitious. Someone calm in the face of danger, clear-headed, valuing friendship highly, and always keeping promises. Oh, and he was also a great cook. This was Cheng Jianjians impression of Zhou Heng. But now, she suddenly felt that her impressions of Zhou Heng seemed to be starting to blur. The Zhou Heng in front of her appeared to be transforming into another person. A powerful entity, capable of controlling vital energy and manipulating laws, able to move mountains and seas, pluck stars, and seize the moon, was awakening within him. Perhaps this was his previous life? Would this be an irreversible process? As a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Sect, a Fourth Rank unparalleled masters direct disciple, Cheng Jianjian was very clear what it was like for a great being to awaken their past life memory after resurrection. Basically, they treat memories from their reincarnation as a minor episode of life, just as another experience. After all, how could a few decades of memories from after reincarnation compare with a millennium of cultivation from a previous life? No matter how strong a broth is, its flavor is undetectable when poured into the ocean. Is his memory really going to awaken? Cheng Jianjian suddenly felt worried. Once Zhou Heng awakened his memory from his past life, would he still remember those short two days? Probably not. Based on the reaction of the Ghost Immortal, it was highly likely that Zhou Hengs past life was none other than the powerful being who had imposed the seal on that Ghost Immortal thousands of years ago. What could two days from a mere decade of experiences after reincarnation mean to such a lofty figure? Her thoughts turned sadder, and she lowered her head. Even the joy of having just witnessed the scattering of Xuan Yangs Dharma Body was completely washed away. In actuality, Zhou Hengs current demeanor and expression were all an act. Using the Fooling Card had no effect on him whatsoever. However, since Xuan Yang had mistaken him for a reincarnated great power, he decided to go along with it and act the part to the end. Until now, he had been worried about how to explain his powerful abilities. Now he had an explanation. It was perfect! To make the effect even more convincing, Zhou Heng decided to add more to his performance. Activate Golden Halo Spread Across the Sky! Illusionary Special Effect Golden Halo Spread Across the Sky: This is a simple visual effect, with no actual power. It causes ones body to shine with golden light, which is echoed by a golden halo spreading across the sky, achieving Unity of Heaven and Man. Thus, in Cheng Jianjians eyes, Zhou Hengs body suddenly shone with layers of golden light, which illuminated the surrounding dark purple, casting his facial features in a deeper relief and rendering his entire being incredibly sacred. This made her even more heartbroken. Hum! At this moment, the sky trembled faintly, followed by strands of golden light that sliced through the dark purple glow and filled the sky. The sight was like the legendary birth of a Celestial Man, with the Laws resonating and the world producing a spectacular and incredibly vibrant phenomenon. Especially since, before this sky of golden radiance appeared, the world was shrouded in a gloomy, deathly despair-inducing dark purple light. The contrast made everyone feel that the scattered golden rays were incomparably beautiful. Although Xuan Yang was not yet dead, and was even still standing in the sky, the people of Yuyang County City, upon seeing the golden light, firmly believed that it was the light of victory and that the monster was about to die! Even the woman next to Cheng Jianjian, who had earlier taken to the sky in an attempt to stop Xuan Yang, couldnt help but smile at the golden sky. She pointed at Zhou Heng and said to Cheng Jianjian beside her, It seems this young man truly is a reincarnated powerful being. His memories must be awakening now, right? Such an impressive phenomenon hes caused, amazing, truly amazing. Uh, yes, thats right, Cheng Jianjian replied absently. Zhou Heng saw that the special effects were now in full swing and that one- tenth of the Fooling Cards duration had passed. It was time to use the PeakCard! Peak Card: Allows one to attack with the peak proficiency of a single Martial Art or Taoist Formula. Sect Fifth Rank Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book: Not learned (0.000356/1) Use the PeakCard! In a flash, Zhou Heng felt as though he had suddenly plunged into an ocean of thunder. All around were golden thunders, supremely rigid and positive, supremely high and mighty, weaving yin with yang, circulating the five elements, channeling the energy of heaven and earth, operating the principles of all things. The endless mysteries of the Thunder Method seemed to gather in his palm all at once. And at that same moment Sect Fifth Rank Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book: Twelfth level (12000/12000) Proficiency rose to its peak state! At the Middle Third Rank, proficiency in both Martial Arts and Taoist Formulas is no longer categorized simply as Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Mastery, Perfection. Instead, it is represented by different levels, and each Martial Art or Taoist Formula has its own levels. Now, the ball of golden lightning held in Zhou Hengs right hand, flickering on and off, intertwining yin and yang, condensing the five elements, was the twelfth level peak Five Thunder Righteous Method! Immediately, he formed a seal with his left hand and raised his right hand to the sky. The qi of the five organs and five elements condensed, uniting the principles of yin and yang, intertwining into the seed of thunder. This added another layer of battle armor made of thunderous light to Zhou Heng, who was already draped in golden light. Boom! A thunderous roar like the rage of the heavens sounded; a mountainous, gigantic Thunderball fell from the sky, striking at Xuan Yang, who was still in a state of stupefaction. And in the moment it struck, the lightning transformed into a towering, penetrating Thunder Sword! It slashed into Xuan Yang! In that instant, whether it was the dark purple light or the sky filled with golden radiance, all had to make way for this unparalleled bolt of lightning. It was as if the majestic will of heaven had descended! It shattered the decayed and pulled the rotten! It destroyed all that was evil! For thunder is the pivot of heaven and earth! Thus, thunder is the command of heaven; its authority is the greatest, all under the three realms and nine lands abide by thunders dominion! Five Thunder Righteous Method! Boom! Xuan Yang, this Ghost Immortal, exploded in the air under the might of this thunderous heavens fury, dying on the spot, his body and spirit utterly dispersed, ceasing to exist. But this bolt of lightning, after annihilating Xuan Yang in the sky, did not stop its assault and continued to strike towards the earth!! Boom, boom, boom! The desolate area to the south of Yuyang County City completely collapsed under the thunderous strikes, revealing a gigantic hollow beneath, and its broken seals were breached. Once again, the Five Thunder Righteous Method accurately struck Xuan Yang inside, the remnant within the seals in his true form, also in a state of being fooled. Under the thunderous assault, he had no power to resist. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He was outright obliterated! Congratulations! Youve slain an enemy Xuan Yang who was ten deaths and no life, absolutely no possibility of surviving. Please choose one of the following rewards. ? Restart once: Cause everything within a hundred li to revert back three minutes in time, not a reversal of time. Resurrection once: One resurrection opportunity for yourself, or to bring a dead life back to life. ? Destruction once: Completely destroy an item or a life. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Chapter 90: A Small Goal Chapter 90: Chapter 90: A Small Goal Its no longer a reward of Fortune Bags? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised. However, after a second thought, this seemed reasonable. Xuan Yang was a Ghost Immortal who had survived the wind calamity, and in his prime, he was comparable to an Absolute Fourth Rank peerless expert, a mere thought could crush him to death. Even after being sealed for thousands of years, the only thing that escaped was his weakened Dharma Body, only slightly stronger than a Fifth Rank, not yet at the Fourth Rank, but still definitely not someone he could contend with at the moment. The splendid victory he had achieved was actually all because of the Fooling Card and PeakCard; he barely exerted any effort himself. This was somewhat different from when he normally defeated his opponents. After all, even when he used the Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique to slay Chao Xian, he did execute the sword technique himself. Moreover, Xuan Yang was indeed too strong. Changing the reward method was also normal. But, these three options were a bit difficult to choose from. Zhou Heng was troubled in his heart. The first option, Restart, was undoubtedly a divine skill. But, the specific effect still depended on the circumstances at the time and what means he had at his disposal. If he had the power to change everything but made a grave mistake due to a split-second distraction, or if he was caught off guard by a sudden scheme, then a restart could naturally change the outcome of the event. But if he were powerless to begin with, even going back three minutes might not make any difference. In short, this option tests ones strategic thinking and resources. The second option, Resurrection, had its uses too; the method of revival from death could be called a miracle at any time. More so, the reward description did not limit the specific ranks. This meant that as long as Zhou Heng wished, he could probably revive life of any rank. For instance, fallen saints of the Second Rank, or even the mythological gods and immortals could be possible. Of course, it still required remains to work. However, he had no need to resurrect those. And since he already had a Life-saving Talisman, and temporarily had no one he wanted to resurrect, this option could basically be excluded. The third option, Destruction, was more direct, simple, and crude; it could be used as the ultimate trump card without any rank limitationseven gods and immortals could be destroyed! Hmm, he wondered whether this heaven and earth, or the entire universe counted as a single entity? If so Ultimately, after some consideration, Zhou Heng chose the first option, Restart. Although this ability required smart usage and strategic resources, what Zhou Heng lacked the least was exactly that. As long as he could open Fortune Bags, his resources would definitely not be few. Being able to redo the past three minutes was undoubtedly the most operable for him at his current stage. And it could be used to deal with all kinds of unexpected situations. It had the widest range of applications. As for Resurrection and Destruction, After careful thought, Zhou Heng felt that these two options were somewhat narrow in their effects. They could be applied in fewer situations. Even though their potential might be high, they were somewhat impractical for him at the moment. After all, whether it was resurrecting high-ranking life or destroying high- ranking items and life, Zhou Heng had no need for such powers at the current time. He might use them in the future, but by the future, he may have other, better methods. Moreover, Restart somehow included both Resurrection and Destruction to a certain extent. It depended on how it was used. Therefore, after comprehensive consideration, Zhou Heng chose Restart. To be prepared for any contingency. In this world, so many things are just missing an if I could do it over. After deciding on what reward to choose, Zhou Heng dispelled the golden radiance that filled the sky, while pretending to be completely drained and about to faint, his eyes rolled back, his legs gave out, and he began to fall to the side. He planned to feign exhaustion and unconsciousness, and when he woke, he would act completely bewildered, claiming to have only a vague memory of what had happened before, unclear about the specifics himself. This was an effective way to avoid Cheng Jianjian and others from thinking he had regained his memories from his past life, saving lots of trouble and preventing their relationship from becoming strained. After all, the tangles of past and present life dominance were scenarios Zhou Heng had witnessed many times, often leading to a great deal of trouble. Arranged like this, once he woke from unconsciousness, he would still be Zhou Heng with only a fragmented and vague impression of his past life. The sudden surge of power before was just a special case when faced with a life-and-death crisis. The script was all set. Perfect. For a Martial Artist with Inner Strength, controlling ones own blood and regulating the breath to feign unconsciousness was not a difficult task. Nevertheless, that alone was not enough to fool a high-level experts inspection, so it needed to be combined with a Purified Heart state. Zhou Heng fell to the ground according to the script. But the anticipated pain from hitting the ground did not come. He felt as if he had fallen into a warm and soft embrace, with a faint and elegant fragrance wafting over him. When Cheng Jianjian saw Zhou Heng falling, she came over to hold him. This left Zhou Heng a bit stunned. But truthfully, it was very comfortable. Like orchids and musk. An eighteen-year-old girl. Zhou Heng had just put his full concentration into staging a grand performance and was somewhat worn out mentally. Falling into this soft and fragrant embrace all of a sudden, he couldnt help but indulge a bit. However, he knew this was not the time for enjoyment. Activate Purified Heart1 state! This immediately emptied his mind. At the same time, the mixed emotions and thoughts seemed to be swept away by a clear breeze, leaving nothing but a vacuous coolness. He could finally pretend to faint in peace. Cheng Jianjian accommodated the unconscious Zhou Heng, as well as the truly unconscious Shen Jingjing, into an inn. Meanwhile, her companion went to check the place where Xuan Yang was sealed. That ghost immortal has been utterly annihilated, completely cease to exist. the woman reported back to the inn, describing the scene after her investigation. This result shocked both of them tremendously, both staring blankly at the unconscious Zhou Heng. The dazzling divine light of the lightning earlier was just too powerful. To be able to strike down a Ghost Immortal who had survived the wind calamity with a single bolt. Its simply inconceivable. After all, this Ghost Immortal essentially differed from ordinary ghosts, having advanced further in essence upon surviving the wind calamity, with its undying nature thereby becoming stronger. Normal celestial methods were of no avail; they could mostly only use restrictive seals, which were exceedingly troublesome. Yet the Thunder Method Zhou Heng previously deployed, although not of a low tier, wasnt particularly high either; it should merely be of the Sect Fifth Rank, or at most the Absolute Fourth Rank, yet it was capable of exterminating such a Ghost Immortal in one strike! This clearly showed how special this Taoist formula was. If it could kill even a Ghost Immortal, let alone ordinary ghosts. This was simply an ultimate murder weapon tailored for dealing with ghosts! Dont you plan to invite him to join the Office? the woman asked Cheng Jianjian in a low voice. The implication was clear; she wanted Zhou Heng to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Office because only with them could the powerful Thunder Method be utilized to its fullest potential. I do not plan to, Cheng Jianjian replied without hesitation, shaking her head. It was unclear whether she hadnt thought about it or if she had already decided in her heart, His life should not be limited to investigating and pursuing ghosts. Whats more he might truly be a reincarnated great being. If his current life is too dull, I suppose once he fully regains his memories from his past life, hell forget them even more quickly. I dont want that. But she didnt voice this last thought. All right, The Zhou Tian Boundary Office never coerces anyone, and besides, he is also our savior, the woman agreed readily, glancing at Zhou Heng, then said to Cheng Jianjian, I need to leave first. I have to report what happened here to the Office in detail. I will return later, Cheng Jianjian nodded slightly, adding, Be careful on your way. Mm, the woman nodded, got up to take her leave, Please pass my thanks to that young hero, or should I say, senior. With those words, she flew out of the window, departing from the inn room. Young hero, senior Cheng Jianjian mulled over the two titles, her gaze becoming somewhat distant. She raised her slender hand, lightly resting her chin on it, tilting her head as her eyes softly settled on Zhou Heng, who was lying on the bed, No, it couldnt be senior, it must be young hero or young master. Senior was a term for referring to Zhou Hengs previous life. When Zhou Heng awoke, Cheng Jianjian had already changed her attire. She had shed the clothing and mask of the Zhou Tian Boundary Office. And now wore a Taoist robe from the Pure Yang Palace. Certainly, she changed her clothes in another room. Now, her identity was no longer that of a Star Envoy from the Zhou Tian Boundary Office but a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, ranked tenth on the Human Ranking, the Qiong Peak Fairy, Cheng Jianjian. Eh, Miss Cheng? Zhou Heng put on a confused expression, surveying his surroundings, How come Im here? I remember that Ghost Immortal, hiss He drew a sharp breath, pressing a hand to his temple, appearing somewhat headache-stricken. Are you all right? Cheng Jianjian hurried over, took out a jade bottle, and poured out a pill, saying, This is a Calm Heart Nourishing Pill; its quite useful for nourishing the divine soul and calming the spirit. Quickly take one. A Calm Heart Nourishing Pill?? Zhou Heng exclaimed upon hearing this, waving his hands in rejection, No, I cant take this. With a price of eight or nine hundred silver for one, Id rather you give it to me to sell! Pfft. Cheng Jianjian couldnt help but laugh at that. The worry that had knotted her brows eased considerably, Youre still the same. Then, take this pill as a thank you for saving a life. How about that? Still concerned about money, that meant he was still the old Zhou Heng. This realization delighted her. Saving a life Zhou Heng uttered, somewhat puzzled, furrowing his brows in concentration. After a moment, he suddenly looked up, Yes, was it I who killed that Ghost Immortal? Me? I seem to remember using some methods, but I cant recall clearly. The images are very blurry. This acting, Zhou Heng thought, deserved a ninety out of a hundred. You cant remember? Cheng Jianjian reacted with joy rather than shock, smiling, Actually, it may be for the best that you cant remember. I was somewhat worried that the words of that Ghost Immortal might affect your state of mind, delaying your future martial arts cultivation. You need not worry about that, Miss Cheng, Zhou Heng said with a smile, then frowned, Actually, my consciousness became a bit fuzzy when that Ghost Immortal turned into a giant statue. I didnt clearly hear anything he said. However, during that time, I saw many disjointed images and bits of information, like scattered fragments, flashing through my mind, but they were all unclear, very hazy. He took the elixir while speaking, and as soon as he placed it in his mouth, he felt a stream of coolness sliding down his throat, soon reaching every limb of his body, immediately restoring his energy to perfect condition. Such an amazing pill! Zhou Heng couldnt help but admire. Given the potency of this pill, even if his divine soul really had been damaged, this pill could have helped him recover quickly. It truly is a treasure worth at least eight or nine thousand taels of silver! As long as its effective for you, young master, said Cheng Jianjian with a smile as bright as a flower. Then, after a moment of contemplation, she adjusted her demeanor and continued, The sporadic scenes you saw may very well be memories from your previous life. You might be the reincarnation of some ancient and powerful being. I see, Zhou Heng touched his chin and laughed, Being the reincarnation of a great being sounds quite nice. If it werent for that previous life, maybe we would have died this time. Thats true Cheng Jianjian hesitated. Are you worried that the awakening memories of my past life will overshadow my current personality? Zhou Heng laughed. Cheng Jianjian didnt speak, but her expression was an affirmation. If the rate of my cultivation surpasses the pace at which my past memories awaken, then it should be me who dominates, right? Zhou Heng said. Ah? At his words, Cheng Jianjian suddenly became stunned. After a brief pause, she said, It seems, it seems not impossible. Indeed, under normal circumstances, the experiences of a past life spanning thousands of years would usually overshadow the few decades of this life. However, if in this lifetime one could reach the Upper Third Rank, or even the Second Rank, within just a few decades, no matter how long the past lifes memories are, they would most likely not be as significant as the events of these few decades, and it would probably be this current life that prevails. To put it simply, its about enhancing the quality of the memories of this life. If there isnt enough time, spectacular experiences will make up for it. A few decades of tumultuous living may not necessarily be less significant than a thousand years of meditative realization. As long as the speed of cultivation is fast enough, it really is possible to outrun the awakening speed of past life memories, which is logically feasible. But what does fast enough mean? Seeing Cheng Jianjians puzzled expression again, Zhou Heng laughed and said, Dont worry, my dear. My cultivation speed should not be slow. After all, he was a player with an advantage. Such great confidence, Cheng Jianjians brows relaxed, her crystal lips curved slightly upwards in a smile as she said, Then Ill just wait for you to catch up to me, shall I? Martial Path Seventh Rank at its peak, one of the top ten on the peoples list. This was no small goal. My lady can just wait, Zhou Heng said with a smile. After leaving Zhou Heng with a talisman to seal his yang energy, Cheng Jianjian departed. Zhou Heng walked over to the window to take a look at the night sky; it was already deep into the night. Yet Yuyang County City was still bustling. The people of Yuyang County City, having just survived a catastrophe, all had smiles of rebirth on their faces. Many of them, regardless of past relationships, were now able to face each other with smiles. This atmosphere was entirely different from the previously tense air, where conflict could erupt at any moment. In fact, many old enemies had let bygones be bygones and became friends. The atmosphere in Yuyang County City had become unprecedentedly positive. Zhou Heng pulled back his gaze and then looked at Shen Jingjing. She was still unconscious. The young lady had directly faced the mental assault of a Ghost Immortal from Xuan Yang, and it had been too much for her to bear. Shed likely need more time to rest. At least things are somewhat stable for the moment, Zhou Heng let out a long sigh of relief. Next, he would investigate the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect, aiming to complete the Pure Yang Sects assessment. Following the incident with Xuan Yang, he became aware of another advantage of belonging to a Great Sectaccess to various materials and information about all sorts of matters. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If it werent for Cheng Jianjian being with him, he wouldnt have even known what a Ghost Immortal was. That is what foundation means. But first, before all that, lets open up the Fortune Bags. Now I have three Copper Fortune Bags and one Gold Fortune Bag. Lets see what I can get from them! Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Using People as a Pawn Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Using People as a Pawn Congratulations! With incredible luck, youve acquired the martial art Innate Skill [Seventh Rank]! Congratulations! Youve obtained three taels of gold. Congratulations! With incredible luck, youve acquired the martial art Crossing the River with a Single Reed [Seventh Rank]! Zhou Heng had just opened three Copper Fortune Bags. Three taels of gold! One method of internal strength! One method of qinggong! His eyes brightened with joy at the prospect. This was precisely what he needed! After the battle at Xuan Yang, Zhou Hengs inner qi had greatly improved. Although the strike of Five Thunder Righteous Method relied on the Peak Card, it nonetheless required mobilizing the inner qi within his body as a spiritual guide, allowing him a moment of internal and external communion, feeling the essence of qi being drawn into his body. Moreover, there really was a trace amount of heaven and earth energy that was refined, becoming part of Zhou Hengs inner qi. For a Ninth Rank Martial Artist, even such a minute amount of heaven and earth energy could bring tremendous benefits. The most direct benefit was that his inner qi quickly expanded, bringing his proficiency in the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method to great achievement. [Eighth Rank] Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method: Great Achievement (2565/4000) It also intertwined with the Five Elements Thunder Energy, giving his inner qi a hint of thunderous power. This was of little use when deploying martial arts, at most adding a slight numbing effect. But when casting Taoist formulas, it was different. Thanks to this hint of thunderous power, Zhou Heng could directly release Palm Thunder with just a greater consumption of inner qi. No need to use gold as a spiritual guide anymore. This was truly great news for Zhou Heng, as it could save him a fortune. That Peak Card was certainly well spent. My Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method should reach perfection in about a months time and accomplish the cultivation of refining form and establishing foundation, stepping into the Eighth Rank realm of joining muscles and washing marrow. Zhou Heng introspected his inner condition and mulled over the flow of his inner qi, arriving at a clear concept of his current cultivation realm. The cultivation of the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method peaked at Eighth Rank. If one wished to advance further, to undergo transformation and reach the level of Seventh Rank, one would need a higher-grade method of internal strength. The timing for Innate Skill couldnt be better! It was a method of breath control and qi refining from Taoism, exceedingly mystical. The inner qi cultivated held a hint of innate essence and boasted features of True Qi that were normally only attainable at the Sixth Rank; hence, it was termed Innate Inner Qi. Moreover, this method was exceedingly effective in nurturing the Mysterious Gates and Primordial Apertures. Even at the level of Lower Third Rank, one could exhibit the extraordinary ability to open the Mysterious Gates and Primordial Apertures, deploying unique methods such as spirit piercing and mental intimidation. In essence, a Martial Artist who cultivates Innate Skill would possess some subtle characteristics of Middle Third Rank even while at the Lower Third Rank level. Such an effect from martial arts was extremely rare; even in the current Martial Dao Sects, it might be considered a non-transmittable secret. Seventh Rank internal strength methods vary in degree, with some ordinary ones merely enabling a Martial Artist to cultivate from Eighth to Seventh Rank, and no further, while more advanced ones aim directly for Sixth Rank, but without any particular special characteristics. Methods like Innate Skill, however, not only target Sixth Rank, but upon cultivation, they will also possess various special supernatural abilities, ranking amongst the most advanced and rarest within the Seventh Rank. The Seventh Rank qinggong of Crossing the River with a Single Reed is pretty good too; it can complement my shortcomings in qinggong. Yes, I really do need to focus on cultivating qinggong next. Zhou Heng made up his mind. The highest-grade qinggong he knew previously was an Eighth Rank technique called Wandering Steps without Traces, and he wasnt very proficient in it yet. Normally, he hadnt felt it was an issue. After all, with his agility stat bonus, even if he used only an Eighth Rank qinggong, his speed was still much faster than the vast majority of Eighth Rank Martial Artists. Therefore, Zhou Heng hadnt paid much attention to qinggong. He had always been focused on cultivating internal strength and martial techniques. However, during the recent pursuit by Chao Xian, facing the speed of a Seventh Rank martial artist at the peak of his prowess, Zhou Heng finally understood the frustration of lacking speed in qinggong. His qinggong was too inferior. His speed was too slow. Even with the enhancement from his agility attribute, he couldnt outpace a true expert. He had to practice qinggong diligently. Crossing the River with a Single Reed was indeed impressive. And it looked really cool, too! Now comes the much-anticipated Gold Fortune Bag. I wonder what it will yield? Struck by a hopeful curiosity, Zhou Heng opened the last remaining Gold Fortune Bag. Congratulations! With explosive luck, youve acquired the martial art Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank]! It was actually a saber technique! Absolute Fourth Rank?! Zhou Heng stared at the book in his mind that flickered with purple thunder, left speechless. The Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book hed gotten before was only a Sect Fifth Rank. He hadnt expected that the second Gold Fortune Bag he opened would contain something even a rank higher, which was quite a surprise. Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, also known as Purple Thunder Blade Skill. This saber technique consisted of seven moves. It used electric energy as its basis and was renowned for its aggressive and overwhelming power, with each strike stronger than the last. From a grading perspective, the final strike should reach the prowess level of an expert at the pinnacle of Fourth Rank. This technique was also perfectly aligned with Zhou Hengs qi characteristics; perhaps it could be used in combination with Palm Thunder or Five Thunder Righteous Method, potentially doubling its power. However, the biggest question now was Can I learn this saber technique? Zhou Heng began to comprehend Purple Thunder Seven Strikes with some trepidation. The life-questioning frustration he faced while previously comprehending the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book was something hed never forget for the rest of his life. You are comprehending the martial art Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank], Due to your previous foundation in saber technique and thunder method, the difficulty of comprehension has been reduced. Proficiency +0.2. You are comprehending the martial art Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Due to your previous foundation in saber technique and thunder method, the difficulty of comprehension has been reduced. Proficiency +0.1. Congratulations! Your proficiency in the martial art Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank] has reached 1, and you have officially mastered this martial art! Congratulations! Since you have a foundation in saber technique and thunder method, your understanding of the martial art Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank] has deepened. Proficiency +3000. The whole process went so smoothly that Zhou Heng almost doubted his life again. Too fast! Too smooth! However, in the process of comprehension, he had already understood what was happening. Purple Thunder Seven Strikes differs from the Five Thunder Righteous Method; its not just a simple attack technique. Instead, it is divided into seven moves. The initial few moves cannot be compared with the last few, and for Zhou Heng at the moment, the first few were not very difficult to comprehend. Also, such a skill like the Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts, the proficiency level was not simply divided into basic and intermediate levels. It was divided into layers. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Purple Thunder Seven Strikes: Fourth Layer (1/4000) With Zhou Hengs current proficiency at the fourth layer, he could only execute the first four strikes of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. The first strike: Spring Thunder Outburst! The second strike: Sky-Spinning Thunder Turn! The third strike: Hells Thunder Strike! The fourth strike: Winter Thunderbolt! If he were to forcefully execute the fifth strike, his whole bodys meridians would probably explode, resulting in instant death. Even the fourth strike was a bit of a stretch for him. With Zhou Hengs current cultivation, once he executed the fourth strike, he would likely deplete all the inner qi in his body. Of course, the power was extremely strong. As long as one was hit by this Winter Thunderbolt, even a Seventh Rank peak master would end up either dead or severely injured; a common Seventh Rank would be struck into charred ash by the purple lightning energy on the spot. The fact that a Ninth Rank peak Martial Artist could possess combat strength of this level validated the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes status as an Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Art, truly incomparably fierce. In todays world, probably only some top Martial Dao Sects or ancient family legacies could compare to this martial technique. An ordinary person of Jiang Hu or disciple of a Sect would almost never be able to master a technique of this caliber. So the question is, where did I learn this from? Zhou Heng thought about making up an excuse for himself when an idea struck him, Why bother making up excuses when I can just say Im the reincarnation of a powerful being? His mood instantly brightened. This non-existent past life really was the best scapegoat. So useful. With my current Inner Strength cultivation, Im already at the peak of Ninth Rank. Once the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method reaches perfection and I step into the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, I will then cultivate the Innate Skill. By then, I should be able to truly spar with a Seventh Rank peak master. Zhou Heng was very satisfied with his rapid growth in strength, estimating that after reaching Eighth Rank, his power should be ranked within the top fifty of the human rankings. Going further would pit him against disciples from top Sects and great families, or those lucky individuals with astonishing encounters, as well as disciples from Hidden World Sects. These individuals mostly cultivated martial arts techniques that could be described as unsurpassed secret techniques, certainly not inferior to Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. In reality, when it comes to the top twenty or even top ten in the human rankings, the basic application of high-level martial art techniques becomes almost standard. For example, Cheng Jianjian had once gained enlightenment of a sword technique after observing the Divine Weapon of Pure Yang Palace, which was evaluated no lower than Absolute Fourth Rank. Moreover, as this sword technique was akin to her own creation, compared to those she had learned, it was even more powerful. The higher ones ranking on the Human List, the more advanced and terrifying the martial arts heritage they possessed. There were even rumors that the current number one on the Human List, known as Sword Madman Fang Wen, had witnessed the performance of Taoist formulas by ancient Celestial Men and comprehended three sword techniques of the Immortal Home, so profound that no one could rival him. The conception of these techniques was lofty, directly pointing towards the realm of a Third Rank Celestial Man. I must not become complacent; there are still many strong people in this world. Zhou Heng reminded himself in his heart, while also pushing himself to train harder, not to become conceited over his slight advancements in strength. Hmm hmm At this moment, Shen Jingjing, who had been unconscious, moaned twice and slowly opened her eyes. She looked around in a daze, Where am I? What happened? What happened to me just now?? She had fainted throughout a shocking battle. For many people, the dramatic changes in Yuyang County City were a catastrophe. But for a small minority, it was also a rare opportunity. For instance, Chen Feihong and her brother Chen Song benefited greatly from this huge disturbance. They scavenged a fair amount of wealth from the deceased. Moreover, when the prohibitions on the southern side of the city were shattered by the Five Thunder Righteous Method, they were accidentally struck by scattered thunder light. Not only did they not die, but they also absorbed a bit of the heaven and earths Qi from it. This breakthrough allowed them to overcome the previous restraints of their martial path, stepping into the Seventh Rank. Moreover, having been between life and death, their understanding of martial arts deepened significantly. It could be said that they had undergone a transformation, and their strength had explosively increased. This gave the two siblings a sudden increase in confidence. At this time, the siblings were staying in an inn not far from the one where Zhou Heng resided. They looked over at his guesthouse, their eyes narrowed slightly, radiating a chill intent. Sister, whats your plan? Chen Song asked. To defeat him, of course, and reclaim the spot that rightfully belongs to me, Chen Feihong said with a grave voice: Its already halfway through June. If we dont defeat him soon, the martial offices in various places will start reporting recent achievements. Although she had just stabilized the wildly surging inner Qi in her body, she could no longer suppress the impulse to beat Zhou Heng, wishing she could immediately go to his room and have a decisive battle with him. So, Sister, next month when the Human List is published, youll be removed, Chen Song sipped his wine and smiled, Is that ranking really so important? Of course its important! Chen Feihong blurted out without even a need to explain, as if it was a matter of course. My plan is simple, Chen Songs expression turned grim as he coldly snorted, He once humiliated me, and I need to kill him to wipe away the previous disgrace. Now that Im at the Seventh Rank, even if he has a divine weapon, it will be useless! No, the pair of saber gloves Zhou Heng has is too formidable. Theres a chance your weapon could be crushed in a single encounter, Chen Feihong shook her head and said: All your skills are in your weapons, and your hand-to-hand combat is much poorer. Without a weapon, even if youre higher in cultivation, you might not necessarily be able to defeat him. At the Lower Third Rank stage, most people rely on their physical bodies without many mystical secret techniques or strange abilities. In such a situation, if one loses their weapon and is not skilled in hand-to- hand combat, they could indeed be killed by someone of lower cultivation with a flurry of chaotic slashes. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Quite reasonable. Sister, dont worry about that, Chen Song replied with a faint smile, full of confidence, Tomorrow, I will publicly challenge him and reveal that he comes from an extraordinary background with divine weapons in hand, capable of overpowering others with just his weapons. The most common people in the world of martial arts are those ordinary people who are frustrated because of their different backgrounds. These people resent those who are born with much higher starting points and are considered geniuses the most. These people will become the guns in my hands. As long as there are enough of these guns, the public opinion targeted at Zhou Heng will be exceptionally fierce. By then, I can ride the momentum and find a suitable reason, forcing Zhou Heng to only use that refined weapon, to only use his saber! Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Coming to Kill You Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Coming to Kill You Due to the chaos within Yuyang County City last night when Zhou Heng cast a spell to kill Xuan Yang, and because the vast majority of people had fled toward the east and west gates, there were not many people near Zhou Heng. Later on, when Xuan Yang descended in his Dharma Body, nearing the area where Zhou Heng was, the nearby people were immediately knocked unconscious by the powerful spiritual shock. This led to almost no one knowing how last nights monster had died. However, for most people, how they were saved didnt matter. What mattered the most was that they were safe and sound. After a night of terrifying excitement, Yuyang County City finally regained its usual calm. The morning sun gradually rose, and the brilliant glow of dawn spread across the eastern sky, imbued with a vigorous spirit, as if symbolizing a brand-new beginning. After the panic of the previous night, many people in Yuyang County City cherished the hard-won tranquility. At the first light of dawn, they went out of their homes, bathed in the morning glow, and took a walk to relax their minds. And on such a morning, rumors quietly began to spread. Brother, have you heard of Zhou Heng? Zhou Heng? The one ranked ninety-ninth on the peoples list, known for his Bone-Breaking Injury? Yeah, I know him. Before that monster appeared yesterday, he used a secret treasure to kill Chao Xian. Right, thats him. Sigh, its such a pity for Chao Xian, an ordinary man who became remarkable later in life, only to be surpassed by a magical weapon possessed by a disciple of a Martial Dao Sect. It indeed is a pity. The disciples of the contemporary Martial Dao Sect are enviable. Tsk, whats there to envy? Theyre just some people relying on their backgrounds. To be honest, these Martial Dao Sect disciples might not be much stronger than us. Hey, even if they dont have real skills, they can use the weapons in their hands to defeat those much stronger than themselves; dont you understand the principle of weapons overpowering people? Zhou Heng is just like that. Thats exactly what I was about to sayits so infuriating. Chen Song and Chen Feihong, both from ordinary Sects, trained in martial arts with hard work, yet they couldnt stand against even one weapon of Zhou Heng! If you ask me, without his weapon and secret treasures, Zhou Heng would definitely be no match for Chen Song. I think so too. Hey hey, have you heard? Chen Song found an opportunity, entered the Seventh Rank realm, and is planning to challenge Zhou Heng to wash away his previous shame. Ah, whats this about challenging Zhou Heng? Isnt Zhou Heng only Ninth Grade? Heh, thats what you dont know. Zhou Heng is a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, always carrying a magical weapon with him. Even if hes only Ninth Grade, he can use his weapon to overpower others, making peak Eighth Rankers steer clear of him. Oh oh, now I remember, Thunder Sword Chen Feihong was once defeated by Zhou Heng using a magical weapon, and even had his weapon crushed. That weapon must be incredibly powerful! Is all of Zhou Hengs record of victories relying on that magical weapon? Is his position in the peoples ranking also due to that weapon? Very likely! Damn, can it even be like this? A disciple of a top-ranking Sect really is something, not only occupying the top spots in the peoples list but even fighting for those last few rankings with a weapon. Exactly, its going too far. If it continues like this, where will ordinary people have a way out? As the rumors grew more exaggerated, a multitude of ordinary martial artists became incensed. In this era, communication among ordinary people was not developed, and much of the information was hearsay and not entirely clear. But with more people, inevitably there were some who knew better. But I heard that Zhou Heng was originally just an apprentice in an ordinary martial arts school and only after two years of hard practice did he catch the attention of Pure Yang Palace; hes just an ordinary person like us. Its just a pity that when the momentum had been stirred up, even rational and objective statements were branded as betrayal. Its all lies. How could an ordinary person be noticed by Pure Yang Palace? He must have used a backdoor connection or spent a lot of money! That story about practicing hard for two years and then being discovered is just fooling idiots; do they really think people will believe that? Thats right, I heard that the Martial Dao Sects select their disciples with pre-determined slots. Ordinary people have no chance of being chosen. Otherwise, why have you and I never been given any attention? But I heard Stop listening to hearsay. We ordinary folk need to know our place. Why do you speak for those Great Sect disciples? Exactly, listen to me, you must recognize your own status. In the inn. Shen Jingjing had gone to buy breakfast and upon returning, she saw Zhou Heng standing by the window, eyes slightly closed, basking in the morning glow, calming his mind to cultivate his inner strength. After achieving great proficiency in the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method, the requirements for posture during cultivation became much more lax. Essentially, one could cultivate and operate their Inner Qi, increasing their cultivation, whether walking, sitting, or lying down. Young Master Zhou, did you hear the rumors outside? Shen Jingjing put the breakfast on the table and chuckled lightly, Now the crowd is outraged, feeling that you, a disciple of the current Martial Dao Sect, are bullying others. Zhou Heng slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at Shen Jingjing, smiled and said, How am I bullying anyone? I, a mere Ninth Rank Warrior, am weak, pitiable, and helpless. Cant I even use a weapon to defend myself? Weak, pitiable, and helpless?? Shen Jingjing stared at Zhou Heng in astonishment, stunned for a good while before she couldnt help laughing and said, Young Master Zhou, doesnt your conscience hurt when you say that? A Ninth Rank Warrior who kills Eighth Ranks as if they were chickens claims to be weak, pitiable, and helpless. What sort of bewildering behavior is this? The conscience of those who spread rumors doesnt hurt, why should mine? Zhou Heng walked over to the table and took a bite of the bean curd breakfast Shen Jingjing had bought, But with the rumor spreading so wildly, if people from the Three Poison Sect or the Plague Emperor Sect are here, they should already be aware of my identity. Are you trying to lure the snake out of its hole? Shen Jingjings eyes lit up, but then she immediately expressed concern, Isnt that too dangerous? The martial arts of the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect are very bizarre. A moments carelessness can lead to falling prey to their tricks, making them very difficult to deal with. The two had already talked openly about the Three Poison Sect before, and Zhou Heng had clearly stated that he was investigating the whereabouts of the Three Poison Sect for the purpose of killing members of the Plague Emperor Sect. Therefore, Shen Jingjing could roughly guess Zhou Hengs next move. Now is a good opportunity, Zhou Heng smiled, If all goes well, we can draw them out. If we miss this chance, theres no telling when well have another. Then when Chen Song comes to challenge you, shall I watch from the shadows, to prevent the people from the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect from taking advantage of the situation? Shen Jingjing said. She shared the same goal as Zhou Heng, to deal with the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect, and naturally agreed to cooperate. No need to wait for Chen Song to come to me. Zhou Heng finished the bean curd, picked up his bundle, and grabbed his waist knife, Since he is so eager to wash away his previous shame, I shall give him this opportunity. You want to confront him proactively? Shen Jingjing asked in surprise. Wasnt this a bit too rash, not even considering the circumstances before making plans? He wants to manipulate public opinion, to make everyone believe that without a weapon, I am useless, Zhou Heng had already walked to the room door and smiled, Then I shall fulfill his wishes and chop him down with one strike. Having said that, Zhou Heng left the room, leaving Shen Jingjing standing there in a daze. She was somewhat lost in thought, and after a while, she whispered to herself, Is this what the storyteller calls the delight of enmity and camaraderie? Then she followed discreetly. To watch out for people from the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect. As soon as Zhou Heng stepped out of the inn, he immediately attracted the attention of many people. Under the influence of some people setting the rhythm, a crowd gathered around, and even some bolder individuals came closer, asking Zhou Heng questions with giggles and laughter. Once one person starts, it doesnt take long for a second, a third, and many more to join in the questioning. Are you really only ranked on the Fighters Leaderboard because of your weapon? Without your weapon, what level of strength do you think you have? Can you defeat an Eighth Rank? Chen Song said he wants to challenge you. Do you dare fight him without using your weapon? If you didnt use a sharp weapon, how many moves do you think you could withstand under Chen Song, who has already reached the Seventh Rank? Zhou Heng stopped in his tracks, his gaze swept over the faces of these people. He smiled, said nothing, and simply continued forward. Some meddlers came over to stop him, spreading their arms to block Zhou Heng. But the moment they made contact with Zhou Hengs clothes, it felt as if they were trying to stop a sharp knife. A severe pain struck immediately, and they hastily withdrew their arms. Even so, one of their arms was nearly severed, blood flowing freely. The others who attempted to stop Zhou Heng met with a similar fate; it was as if his body was covered in blades, slicing anyone who tried to impede him. This scene shocked the onlookers, especially those who had taken money to spread rumors. They were so terrified that they sat paralyzed on the ground, watching Zhou Heng in disbelief. My god! Whats happening, is this invisible sword energy? Could it be that Zhou Heng has reached the Eighth Rank? The extraordinary scene Zhou Heng displayed, in the eyes of these common martial artists, was very much like invisible sword energy. And usually, one would have to reach at least the Eighth Rank, allowing Inner Qj to flow out of the body, to achieve this. At this moment, many people were regretting their actions so much that they were turning green with envy and cursing non-stop in their hearts. Who the hell spread the rumor that Zhou Heng was nothing without a sharp weapon? Whose trash can release invisible sword energy, injuring people in silence? Thats too deceitful! Meanwhile, Shen Jingjing, who was hiding in the shadows, also saw this scene and thought to herself: No wonder he doesnt care about those rumors. Because in the face of truly powerful strength, all rumors are meaningless and will collapse on their own. But how is he this formidable? She watched Zhou Hengs retreating figure with a hint of trance. The way Zhou Heng dealt with the meddlers was simple. He had placed the sharp +1 enchantment on his clothes. Anyone who tried to stop him only needed to touch his clothes to feel as though they were being attacked by a blade. Even ordinary clothes, with the addition of sharp +1, could compare to some decent quality weapons. Common martial artists couldnt withstand it at all Moreover, this effect could be achieved with invisible sword or knife energy, and even if he was only at the Ninth Grade, if he had mastered some special martial arts, he could achieve a similar effect. This could lead to some reasonable misunderstandings. Zhou Heng made his way to the inn where Chen Song and Chen Feihong were staying, followed by a large crowd of people who had come to see the fight between Zhou Heng and Chen Song. Of course, no one dared to stop him this time. At this moment, Chen Song in the inn was fantasizing about how Zhou Heng would react with frenzied vexation after hearing those rumors and knowing about the surging public opinion. The more he thought about it, the happier he became, with a smile growing broader on his lips. In his view, Zhou Heng only had two choices. One was to save face and use a knife or a sword, in which case he was completely confident of defeating Zhou Heng. The other was to shamelessly keep using sharp weapons, so even if Zhou Heng won, his reputation would be ruined, and that would make him equally happy. No matter the situation, I will be the final winner. Chen Song laughed softly to himself, very satisfied with the stratagem he had planned. Zhou Heng is coming here. Just then, Chen Feihong suddenly came over. She frowned slightly, Zhou Heng didnt wait for your challenge, hes just come over with a sword. Ha ha, he has been affected by those comments after all. If he uses only a sword, he is certainly doomed! Chen Song laughed and then walked out of the inn with his sword in hand, Perfect, hes come to me. Sis, just wait, watch me go and kill him! In another room of the inn where Chen Song and Chen Feihong were staying. Two men sat before the window, looking at Zhou Heng in the street outside the door. Their faces were pockmarked with dense scars and splattered with various colors, with holes in their lips, noses, and ears, making for a very eerie appearance. While their clothing was ordinary, just coarse hemp fabric, their belts were fancy, colorful, and adorned with little pouches. These pouches sometimes twitched, apparently containing live things, with tails or spikes occasionally poking out. It was quite a scary sight. Zhou Heng, he is an outer disciple of Pure Yang Palace. If we kill him, we should get a reward from our master, maybe even get noticed by the upper sect. Lets find the right moment and poison him to death! Heh heh, I have a feeling that the upper sects experts are probably nearby too. Maybe this guy will just die of illness before we even poison him, heh heh. The upper sects methods are profound and unfathomable, indeed possible. In a clinic not far from the inn. A kind-looking doctor in his fifties or sixties, who was treating a patient, suddenly looked up towards Zhou Heng and smiled meaningfully. Doctor, what are you looking at? the patient asked curiously. Looking at the next patient. The doctor chuckled, while touching a point on this patients body. Within three days, the patient would die from a worsening condition. By now, on the street in front of the inn, dozens, if not hundreds of people had gathered. All of them were there to see the excitement. But around Zhou Heng, the area was relatively empty; no one dared to provoke him. Chen Song, with his sword in hand, emerged from the inn. He glanced at Zhou Heng, his chin lifted slightly as he sneered, Zhou Heng, have you come to challenge me? Wrong. Zhou Heng shook his head, simultaneously drew his sword, and with a swift motion like treading on waves, he was instantly in front of Chen Song, Icameto kill you!! Before he finished speaking Boom! A clap of thunder rang out, as though spring thunder had burst forth! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It sent shivers down the spine of everyone present. At the same time, purple lightning gleamed on the waist knife in Zhou Hengs palm. It struck down at Chen Song like a bolt from the blue sky! The first strike of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes! The Outburst of Spring Thunder! Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Who Else? Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Who Else? Hehheh! All flash and no substance! Facing Zhou Hengs saber attack, Chen Song coldly chuckled without a care, his longsword unsheathing in his palm, the blade dancing about like Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword, dazzling and mesmerizing onlookers. This was the Eighth Rank Swordsmanship of the Chang Xing Sect, the Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword! Though Chen Songs cultivation realm had reached Seventh Rank, he had not learned any Seventh Rank techniques before this, so the sword technique he was best at remained this one. He usually used a saber, but in reality, his strongest skill was in sword techniques. In this battle against Zhou Heng, he intended to give it his all, using his strongest and most adept martial arts, determined to utterly redeem his previous disgrace! Clang! The sound of metal striking metal rang out as Zhou Hengs saber was parried by Chen Song. At the same time, the momentum of the sword in Chen Songs palm suddenly shifted, and while the blade thrust out speedily, it also started to tremble rapidly, causing the sword light to flicker like elusive and transforming clouds and haze. Ding ding ding! The sword tip continuously jabbed at Zhou Hengs waist knife, deflecting the blade edge. Ordinarily, such high-speed trembling should have caused the swordplay to lose control. But it did not for Chen Song! After a series of trembling thrusts, Chen Songs longsword suddenly turned sharply, tracing an arc in the void, and incredibly slicing past Zhou Hengs blade from an unpredictable angle, stabbing towards his wrist! This change in technique was truly bizarre, and entirely unexpected. This was not a normal change; an Eighth Rank martial artist would not be capable of it. This was a Seventh Rank martial artist relying on his powerful inner qi and strength to forcibly execute the change. Yet it was exceedingly clever, and the effect was remarkable. Impressive! Brilliant! Such an exquisite variation! The surrounding crowd couldnt help but exclaim in admiration. Since the Chang Xing Sect was very renowned in the Huangtong Mansion, the name of Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword was also quite famous, and many recognized the moves of this sword technique. Chen Songs recent variation was indeed beyond everyones expectations. It was too formidable! This Eighth Rank sword technique, when executed by a Seventh Rank martial artist, truly possessed additional might, and many people had profound realizations in their hearts. Meanwhile, at the inns upstairs, Chen Feihong watched Chen Songs variation move and couldnt help nodding repeatedly, very satisfied with his younger brothers technique. With this move alone, it would be enough to apply for a higher level of swordsmanship from their sect. However, how would Zhou Heng deal with such a move? Could this Ninth Rank martial artist resist it without using a sharp weapon? A mocking smile appeared on Chen Songs face as he looked at Zhou Heng with eyes full of scorn. In his view, it was impossible for Zhou Heng to catch this sword. How many Eighth Rank techniques could a mere Ninth Rank martial artist know? Faced with such a variation, he must have been scared witless. Heh, this is somewhat interesting, Zhou Heng laughed as well, not expecting that Chen Song would actually use Running Clouds Falling Sun Sword to attack him, finding it almost laughable. He was already extremely proficient with this sword technique; all its variations could surface in his mind at any moment, and he was fully aware of all the methods of its application. Dare to show off in front of the expert with your meager skills? Zhou Heng laughed loudly, as the attacking techniques of the waist knife in his palm suddenly altered, a burst of powerful strength erupting and repelling Chen Songs sword tip. Immediately after, he spun the saber, forming a wind vortex filled with energy under the support of the immense force and inner qi. At the same time, he also added a sharpness +1 to the blade edge. Chen Song was forced to temporarily retreat. This was the second strike of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes Heavenly Spin, Thunder Transformation! Boom! Amidst the roar, the combined power of wind and thunder just happened to strike at the weakest part of Chen Songs sword technique, immediately dispersing his entire posture. Zhou Heng seized the opportunity, clenched his waist knife, and flipped to his feet, spinning with the blade in unison. The edge of the knife swirled, creating a layer of purple thunder net of saber light that slashed fiercely towards Chen Song! Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, the third strike Hells Thunder Strike! Boom! Suddenly, another thunderbolt exploded, but this time it wasnt purple lightning; instead, a golden flash of lightning fell from the sky, striking Chen Song without deviation. Palm Thunder! Although this Taoist formula wasnt particularly lethal to people, and even found it difficult to kill directly, the paralyzing effect of lightning on the human body was inherent. Coupled with the effect of his inner Qi, Chen Song became rigid, unable to move. He could only watch helplessly as Zhou Heng wielded the saber light, carrying the net of wind and thunder, much like a wheel of wind and thunder light, slashing at him with an incredibly swift assault! Slash! What was that sound of something being torn, being sliced through? Amidst the whistling of the purple lightning and the cyclone, Chen Songs body was cut into seven pieces on the spot, blood flowing freely, scattered on the ground. Congratulations! You have killed your evenly matched opponent Chen Song, Fortune Bag[Silver]+l. Clang! Zhou Heng, his face expressionless, sheathed his knife and turned his back on Chen Songs corpse, not even giving it a glance, his breathing rhythm unchanged. It was as if he had just killed not a newly promoted Seventh Rank expert, but a mere chick. The onlookers were dumbfounded, their mouths agape at the sight, shocked to the core. Is this the skill of a Ninth Grade?! Since when did such a formidable Ninth Grade appear in this world?? Its outrageous! And what saber technique did Zhou Heng just use? So fierce, so dazzling, that even a Seventh Rank expert of the Martial Path was slain by his single strike! So strong! The crowd couldnt help but exclaim in admiration. Even the two disciples from the Three Poison Sect hiding in the inns room and the doctor in the medical hall who was treating patients were equally astonished. Zhou Hengs demonstrated strength was also beyond their expectations. We cant leave him alive any longer; he must be eliminated this time! Otherwise, such an extraordinarily talented prodigy, once he grows up, will definitely become a serious threat to all the evil forces in the world. Of course, the one who was most affected was Chen Songs sister, Chen Feihong. Ill kill you! Chen Feihong shouted fiercely, leaping down from the upper floor of the inn, brandishing her longsword, stabbing straight for Zhou Hengs forehead, her move was a lethal strike. Simultaneously, the two men from the Three Poison Sect also leaped out from the inns upper level. They spread their arms wide, each holding a curved knife and chopped towards Zhou Hengs neck. At the same time, they also patted their belts, instantly releasing a dense swarm of centipedes, spiders, scorpions, and other poisonous insects that flooded towards Zhou Heng. For a moment, Zhou Heng found himself in a situation of being attacked on all sides. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, faced with this scenario, he was not panicked, but instead, his bravado surged. Feeling the rush of his inner Qi, he swung his knife and roared, Who else? Come at me, all of you! Right then and there, he had a strong feeling that after this battle, his inner Qi cultivation would reach Perfection, taking him one level higher and stepping into the Eighth Rank realm! A Martial Artist, indeed, has to fight their way out! In the nearby medical hall, the doctor squinted his eyes, observing Zhou Heng closely. With a twist of his five fingers, black Qi filled his palm, and then he sent an air strike towards Zhou Heng from afar. Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Chapter 94 Terrifying Will Chapter 94: Chapter 94 Terrifying Will From the moment Zhou Heng beheaded Chen Song, the scene instantly became chaotic. The crowd present all felt exceptionally puzzled. Chen Feihong was Chen Songs sister, so it was quite normal that she suddenly rushed out to attack Zhou Heng. This was within many peoples expectations. But what was with those two strange people covered with poisonous insects? Too disgusting, too thrilling! And what was that black gas that appeared out of nowhere? The sudden and intense changes made the onlookers who had come just for the spectacle feel a tingling at their scalps, subconsciously recalling the terror they had experienced just the night before. Surely not another catastrophe so soon after the last one had passed. Hidden in the shadows, Shen Jingjing knew that these were members of the Three Poison Sect and the Plague Emperor Sect making their move, so she made a decisive charge out, holding two daggers and attacking the two from the Three Poison Sect. In an instant, the sounds of thunder, sword clashes, and saber clashes overlapped and exploded. The area in front of the inn was filled with strength and the shadows of blades and swords, forcing many spectators to retreat far away, watching the scene with horror and trepidation. Faced with such a siege, could Zhou Heng still have a way out? Many people couldnt help but harbor such doubts in their hearts. In their eyes, a Ninth Rank Warrior, no matter how strong, had to have a limit. With so many powerful foes coming out to surround him, it seemed Zhou Hengs chances were slim. Yet in reality, Zhou Heng, faced with this situation, felt not only untroubled but, for some reason, even more excited; the surging battle intent was nearly tangible, giving his gaze the appearance of containing thunder. Evil fiends, how dare you be so presumptuous! he bellowed fiercely, his martial spirit soaring, while simultaneously swinging his longsword, not even bothering with the poisonous insects as he charged straight at Chen Feihong. Such a method of fighting was incredibly fierce, as if an unrivaled overlord was in the world, unstoppable, spirit reaching for the skies C starkly different from his usual style of combat. Centipedes, spiders, scorpions slipped through the gaps in the thunder net, bypassed Shen Jingjings blockade, and landed on Zhou Heng. Yet before they could even bite him, they all seemed to be sliced by the saber light, shattered into pieces. Sharpness +1! Zhou Heng had added this attribute to his clothes. At the same time, amidst the booming purple thunder light, he had already reached Chen Feihong, with his saber edge opening up a net of Purple Thunder, rolling like a turning wheel, slashing at Chen Feihong! Hells Thunder Strike! This was the same move Zhou Heng had used to kill Chen Song, the third strike of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. At the Lower Third Rank stage, the power of this move was already exceptionally fierce! However, Chen Feihong was born in Shocking Thunder Manor, a direct disciple of the manors master. Her martial arts were much stronger than Chen Songs, having already practiced the Seventh Rank technique Heavenly Thunder Sword Technique while at the Eighth Rank. After stepping into the Seventh Rank, her strength had further skyrocketed! Therefore, facing Zhou Hengs saber strike, her sword edge did not tremble in the slightest, still heading straight for Zhou Hengs brow, filled with killing intent! This strike, fueled by her raging fury, resounded with the roar of wind and thunder, as if layers of astonishing thunder were descending, somewhat similar to Zhou Hengs saber technique. Boom! Boom boom!! The sounds of thunderous echoes like layers of lightning intertwining exploded out; ChenFeihongs sword strike couldnt be said to be weak, and with her cultivation realm reaching the Seventh Rank, from every aspect, she was significantly more powerful than Zhou Heng. Under normal circumstances, Zhou Heng had no chance of winning, and if he didnt dodge, even surviving would be difficult. If it were in the past, Zhou Heng might have chosen to clash fiercely with a blow before switching to his sharp glove, briefly confronting his opponent, and finding a gap to break away from the battle and escape. But now, Zhou Heng felt only a surging fighting spirit in his chest, with no desire to stop at all. His whole being seemed to have transformed into a raging thunder, like a war deity ready to destroy all living beings bearing hostility towards him! Even the normally peaceful and harmonious Authentic Internal Energy within him was fully activated, boiling as if consumed by fire, beginning to circulate wildly. The sliver of Thunder Power contained within his Inner Qi was also stimulated, resonating with the Purple Thunder Blade Skill he was using, and began to rapidly expand. Congratulations! Your Martial Art Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Seventh Rank] has been operated by a higher-level martial technique and aligned with your current mental state, increasing your understanding of these two martial arts! Martial Art Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Eighth Rank] proficiency +500! Martial Art Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank] (only the first four strikes can be used) proficiency +300!! At this moment, Zhou Hengs body was covered with purple lightning, and he entered an unprecedented state of intense battle spirit. Boom! His Inner Qi, infused with Thunder Power, surged violently, making every move of Zhou Heng resound with the roar of thunder, as he raised his Waist Knife high above his head, letting the purple lightning spread, while his other hand formed a hand seal. Palm Thunder! Golden lightning instantly landed on the blades edge, mixing with the purple lightning, creating dazzling waves of purple-gold light, strikingly bright to the extreme! All of this was completed in the blink of an eye. At this moment, Chen Feihongs Thunderbolt-like sword light had just reached Zhou Hengs face! Chen Feihong! You colluded with evil paths to assassinate me; such acts are unforgivable. Die! Zhou Heng bellowed, his blade falling swiftly as if a violent storm, hacking chaotically towards Chen Feihong! Boom boom boom!! The purple-gold lightning exploded suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, causing everyone present to be dizzy and unstable on their feet, their minds confused. Right after, waves upon waves of massive purple-gold lightning piled up, accompanying Zhou Hengs swiftly falling blade, as if ferocious layers of a thunderous world were relentlessly crashing down! Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, the Fourth Strike! Winter Thunderbolt!! Boom!! This single blow surpassed the limits of Zhou Hengs current cultivation realm, as well as the limits that a normal Seventh Rank Warrior could withstand! Chen Feihong didnt have the slightest chance to resist; her longsword was directly sliced in two by Zhou Hengs blow, and then she herself was cleaved in half and swallowed by that world of thunder, instantly turned to charred remains. As for the two attackers from the Three Poison Sect who had rushed forward earlier, the insects they released were partially cut and killed by the sharp properties of the blade, and the rest were blasted into debris by the Palm Thunder and Purple Thunder Blade Light, rendering them completely ineffective. Even the attackers themselves, in the aftermath of Zhou Hengs Winter Thunderbolt strike, were struck down by the lightning, collapsing to the ground, scorched black and convulsing, with no signs of life. And the black air that seemed to contain disease and death, in the face of the utterly masculine and bright thunderous brilliance, had nowhere to hide and was completely swept away. The man sitting in the medical clinic who had stealthily attempted to ambush, his expression changed subtly, and he furrowed his brows, preparing to stand and leave the place. He felt that Zhou Hengs state seemed a bit unusual. It appeared Zhou Heng was immersed in a certain mental state. Such people are not to be provoked. However, the moment this man stood up, he caught the attention of Zhou Heng. Monster! Where do you think youre going!? Zhou Heng bellowed fiercely, like a thunderbolt. He unleashed a Winter Thunderbolt, and without a trace of fatigue or weakness, his eyes sparkled like lightning as he fixed his gaze on the man dressed as a doctor. Immediately, he lunged forward and brought down his saber. I knew you were no good the moment I laid eyes on you! The blade in Zhou Hengs hands once again shimmered with purple thunder light, his figure seeming to grow taller, becoming more domineering and formidable, A vile creature daring to disguise himself as a doctor, I will reveal your true form! Boom!! Purple thunder indiscriminately struck down, layer upon layer of lightning crashing down! Winter Thunderbolt! In just an instant, Zhou Heng had enveloped the mans every possible move within his attack, making it difficult for him to escape in any direction. Forcing him to engage in battle! Even though Zhou Hengs current strength shouldve led to his meridians bursting and death after executing merely one strike of the Winter Thunderbolt, or at the very least a severe loss of vitality and temporary fighting capability. But now, he was in a strange state as if blessed by some mysterious force, executing the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes more smoothly than ever, and even after two consecutive Winter Thunderbolts, he did not show any sign of weariness. This simply did not resemble a Ninth Rank Warrior at his peak! The Plague Emperor Sect disciple disguised as an ordinary doctor, although a Seventh Rank Warrior, usually prepared to attack from the shadows, had almost no experience in head-on combat. Not to mention facing Zhou Hengs fierce and intimidating approach head-on. Only when Zhou Hengs saber came down did he react, hastily retreating in an attempt to avoid Zhou Hengs ferocious and terrifying strike. Unfortunately, he dodged the blade but not the electric light attached to the blade edge. He was instantly shaken by the strike, his body convulsing! However, this man was after all a Seventh Rank Warrior from the Plague Emperor Sect, not so easily defeated; even paralyzed by the lightning, he mustered all his spirit and struck out at Zhou Heng with a palm. In an instant, all the patients in the clinic stiffened, black qi emanating from their seven orifices, converging towards the mans palm. This was one of the Seventh Rank Martial Arts of the Plague Emperor Sect called Disease-Induced Death Palm C the technique Collecting Sickness, Killing Life! It could gather the disease qi in the palm from surrounding people and through palm techniques, inflict the ailments temporarily onto the enemy, weakening their body as if they were sick, greatly reducing their combat strength. Naturally, the heavier the disease qi, the more difficult it was to transfer. With the strength of this Seventh Rank Warrior from the Plague Emperor Sect, he could at most transmit mild symptoms like fever, coughing, and sneezing. Yet even such mild symptoms could be critically effective in the life-and-death exchanges of Martial Path combat. This type of move was extremely difficult for Lower Third Rank warriors to defend against, and many Plague Emperor Sect practitioners relied on it to defeat numerous opponents. Nevertheless, Zhou Heng faced this move without the slightest panic, his eyes still blazing with the will to fight. With the Purple Thunder Blade Light flickering, he sneered, You dare to flaunt such Martial Arts before me, watch me cut you down! Boom!! Yet another Winter Thunderbolt! Thunder roared as it fell! Effortlessly dispersing the disease qi unleashed by the Plague Emperor Sect warrior, his saber cut through the black qi, solidly striking the mans body! Crack! Clothes, skin, muscles, bones, organs were cut through in succession, and the Plague Emperor Sect warrior was cleaved at the waist by Zhou Heng, blood spraying forth. However, this blood was not red but purple-black. This too carried a potent disease qi! If it were to spread, most of those present would contract a serious illness, sparking an epidemic! At that moment, the Plague Emperor Sect martial artist did not die immediately. Seeing this scene unfold, he laughed triumphantly, Hahaha! Remember, you killed all these people!! Naive! Zhou Heng looked at the man disdainfully, and with a flick of his saber, a series of purple electric lights burst forth, enveloping the mans corpse and the purple-black blood. The supremely stalwart and yang thunder power obliterated all traces of the disease on the spot, containing an imminent outbreak of plague and reducing the Plague Emperor Sect martial artist to charred remains. Congratulations! Youve killed the utterly vulnerable enemy Zhao Kang, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! Youve killed the utterly vulnerable enemy Wang Heng, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! Youve killed the evenly matched enemy Chen Feihong, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. Congratulations! Youve killed the evenly matched enemy Wu Qiang, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. A series of System notifications! By now, Zhou Hengs surroundings were clear of adversaries, save for Shen Jingjing who had rushed out to help him fend off the enemies from the Three Poison Sect. All other enemies lay dead. Not one was spared! All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Many people hadnt even had the chance to react before they found out that the battle had already ended, and those who had besieged Zhou Heng were all dead. Only Zhou Heng remained standing, saber in hand. The saber gleamed with purple thunder light, casting his figure as though clad in a layer of Purple Thunder Battle Armor. He looked incredibly domineering. However, at this moment, Zhou Heng had no energy to pay attention to his surroundings. The sequence of moves he had just executed had plunged him into a strange state. He felt as if there was a golden-armored giant wielding a Thunder Sword in his mind, a manifestation of the martial true meaning of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. Just standing there, it seemed to unfold the myriad mysteries of this peerless skill. It was the presence of this giant that allowed Zhou Heng to perform the fourth strike Winter Thunderbolt without almost any exhaustion, executing it effortlessly. But he was well aware that this was not his own power. It was an incredibly strong, incredibly vast will that had granted him this capability. But this is not my power. Just now, my combat style, even my temperament, was influenced by this terrifying will! Zhou Heng was already drenched in a cold sweat at this point. Even though he had ceased fighting, he could still sense the presence of that terrifying will, lingering and unable to be dispelled. Moreover, this will was continuing to influence his Inner Qi. At this very moment, his Inner Qi was rapidly circulating, expanding, and that tiny strand of Thunder Power within it was also growing swiftly. The balanced and gentle Authentic Internal Energy was showing signs of transforming into the ferocious Thunder Internal Energy. What was going on?! Facing this kind of mental anomaly, Zhou Heng decisively activated the Purified Heart state. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An icy chill that penetrated the heart and spleen instantly coursed through his entire body, making him shiver uncontrollably. The restless feeling in his heart had disappeared without a trace. Immediately after, he found the golden-armored giant holding the Thunder Sword in his sea of consciousness starting to disintegrate rapidly. In less than the span of three breaths, the terrifying will vanished, leaving only a tiny cluster of purple lightning suspended there, now devoid of any will. Zhou Hengs mental state had finally returned to normal. However, in his state of Purified Heart and extreme calmness, he had also clarified his thoughts and understood exactly what had happened to him. Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Martial Arts Characteristics Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Martial Arts Characteristics The terrifying consciousness that had just appeared was none other than the martial characteristic of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes materializing. It didnt take the form of any specific character. The reason being that martial arts of the Absolute Fourth Rank begin to delve into profound principles and even touch upon the great Dao, possessing all manners of incredible and mystical aspects. Such martial arts exist as intangible entities intertwined with the principles of heaven and earth and imbued with the rhythm of the Dao, and naturally possess certain characteristics. Moreover, these martial characteristics are usually related to the underlying concept of the martial art itself and the interwoven principles and rhythm of the Dao. Take the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, for example. The core concept of this peerless technique is swift and fierce attacks, with its interwoven principles also originating from the path of thunder, favoring a violent style. Anyone who cultivates this peerless technique might be influenced by these martial characteristics, which could lead to changes in their personality, style, or philosophy to some extent. However, such occurrences are quite rare. Only a very few individuals might come into contact with these martial characteristics when their cultivation realms are low and they happen unexpectedly upon some true meaning of higher-ranked martial arts. For martial artists, this is both a calamity and an opportunity. Because the level of martial characteristics is usually high, martial artists of lower cultivation realms cannot withstand their influence, which could lead to significant changes in their temperament. Yet, because of the high level of martial characteristics, just coming into contact with them is akin to coming into contact with the true essence of the martial arts, which greatly enhances the martial artists understanding of the technique and boosts their strength significantly. Contacting martial characteristics is an affair intertwined with risks and rewards, and its difficult to definitively say whether its good or bad. However, this encounter has been a genuine boon for me! Zhou Heng sighed with relief in his heart as he also felt some surprise. It turned out that after the collapse of the golden-armored giant earlier, the small clump of purple lightning that remained was actually some martial secrets left behind by the martial characteristics. They were secrets of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes! Congratulations! You have come into contact with the martial characteristics of the martial technique Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank] and have comprehended part of its martial Daos true meaning, proficiency +1000. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Purple Thunder Seven Strikes: Level Five (356/5000) Although the proficiency reached the fifth level, Zhou Heng still had comprehended only the first four strikes, but now he could execute the fourth strike more easily and with greater power. This advanced his strength by another level. Furthermore, having deepened his understanding of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, Zhou Heng also realized why he had come in contact with the martial characteristics of this peerless technique in the first place. Its source lay in the trace of thunder power contained within his inner Qi. This power came from the Five Thunder Righteous Method at its peak state, which was exceedingly close to the level of the Absolute Fourth Rank. Combined with his frequent practice of cultivating it in the palm of his hand and the considerable understanding he had gained in the way of thunder, after practicing the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, he naturally gravitated towards the true essence of this peerless technique to some extent. In the midst of the fierce battle that had just occurred, his fighting spirit surged, and this allowed him to resonate further with it and finally come into contact with the martial characteristics of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. Apart from this, it might also be due to his Pure Yang Body. All these factors had come together to create this opportunity. In reality, coming into contact with martial characteristics is even rarer than enlightenment, or one might say it is the deepest level of enlightenment. It is usually the result of chance and not something that can be sought after. Although this contact with the martial characteristics has brought me substantial gains, not only increasing the proficiency of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes but also bringing my Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method close to perfection, it was far too dangerous, Zhou Heng reflected, still shaken by the prior change in his temperament, and murmured, The level of the martial characteristics of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes is too high, far surpassing the limit I can currently bear. If I hadnt woken up in time, and if I hadnt had the Purified Heart state to clear my mind, I might not have been able to get through this ordeal. My personality could have drastically changed. Moreover, after this contact, nearly all of my Inner Qi was about to transform into Thunderous Inner Qi. Although its lethality increased, it lost much of its versatility and agility. This is not good for executing Dugu Nine Swords and Liuluo Zhomei Hand. Whats more, the power of Thunder is too strong, making it very dangerous to easily come into contact with Martial Arts characteristics when executing the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. Therefore, Zhou Heng felt that what he should do now was to reduce the proportion of Thunderous power in his Inner Qi as much as possible. At the same time, strengthen his spirit powerfully. This way, he could minimize the impact of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes on him. It seems that the Innate Skill perfectly fits this need. Zhou Heng thought of the Internal Strength Method he had unlocked before. He originally regarded it as an advanced Martial Art after reaching Perfection in the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method, proceeding in an orderly fashion. He had not expected to make use of this particular effect of the Inner Strength at this time. Innate Skill is a Taoist practice of breathing and refining Qi, producing Inner Qi with a hint of the innate true essence that is vast and unending, which are the characteristics of True Qi at the Sixth Rank. That would smoothly reduce the proportion of Thunders power in the Inner Qi. Additionally, the Innate Skill can also nourish and fortify spiritual orifices, effectively enhancing the spirit. It can even grant special spiritual abilities to practitioners at the Lower Third Rank. Its perfect for mitigating some of the spiritual impact that the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes may cause. Simply perfect. However, the minimum requirement for practicing the Innate Skill is the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method, which Zhou Heng is just a bit short of. Really just a bit short. [Eighth Rank] Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method: Great Achievement (3999/4000) Thus, Zhou Heng stood in place and started to circulate his Inner Qi, slowly improving the proficiency of the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method. A moment later Congratulations! Your proficiency in the Martial Art Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method [Eighth Rank] has reached Perfection, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. Congratulations! Your Cultivation Realm has reached Yijin Xisui [Eighth Rank], Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. Zhou Heng, who had been standing there with his eyes slightly closed, suddenly opened his eyes and let out a long howl. A burst of Qi surged out, creating gusts of wind in a circular area around him. At the same time, his Inner Qi surged throughout his body, flowing through his limbs and bones. At this moment, his Inner Qi filled all his meridians, and the look in his eyes was like lightning, almost substantial! The circulation of Inner Qi throughout his body encountered no resistance, and it could even extend outside his body as an intangible Qi force, and his Inner Qi began to refine his tendons, bones, and marrow, truly stepping onto the path toward transcendence. Yijin Xisui, known as Eighth Rank! Zhou Hengs long howl lingered for a long time, as if his breath would never end. After a while, when the people around him were so shocked that their jaws almost dropped, he finally stopped his long howl under the watchful eyes full of disbelief. After two years of martial practice, he finally entered the Eighth Rank. Afterward, Zhou Heng looked around, and the first person he saw was Shen Jingjing, who had been standing by his side and protecting him. He folded his hands in thanks and said, Thankyou, Miss Jingjing. Shen Jingjing responded with a smile, Were good friends from the same hometown, whats this about thanks? Zhou Heng also smiled and said, Indeed. Then the two of them left together, leaving behind a crowd of people gaping, staring blankly at their retreating figures. Is this the prowess of a top-ranked expert on the human list? Is this the innate talent and aptitude of a disciple from the great Martial Dao Sect of our times? A Ninth Grade defeating a Seventh Rank, then ascending to Eighth Rank in one battle! Too powerful! But what followed made them feel somewhat disillusioned. Zhou Heng, who had just left, actually came back, rummaging through the bodies of the men he had just killed, and after finding some items and stuffing them into his bag, he left contentedly. He even regretted that he had been too heavy-handed, as the Purple Thunder had turned their silver notes and other items into charred ash, leaving him to collect only some scattered silver coins and a few durable tokens and the like. The people around him were almost dumbfounded by this scene. What is this? Plundering the dead? Arent disciples of the Martial Dao Sect supposed to regard wealth as dirt beneath their feet? Is life in Pure Yang Palace so hard now? In the end, Zhou Heng only gathered more than twenty taels of silver and a few tokens and talismans. He truly felt it was a pity. Young Master, what are your plans now? Shen Jingjing asked Zhou Heng, saying, Im thinking of returning to the prefectural city soon and probably wont re-enter the jianghu for a while. In fact, she had always cultivated in a low-profile manner, to the extent that even her family didnt know she had reached the cultivation of Eighth Rank. If the Three Poison Sect hadnt harmed her family, she wouldnt have left her home. Next, I plan to go to Yuanhe Prefecture City to see if there are any clues about the Plague Emperor Sect, Zhou Heng took out a jade pendant, carved with the characters Thunderbolt in relief. Youre going to Shocking Thunder Manor!? Shen Jingjing was stunned upon hearing Zhou Hengs decision. Isnt he too bold? Yuanhe Prefecture City in Pingzhou County is not far from Huangtong Mansion, and it would take at most three days to reach there from Yuyang County by horse. But thats the domain of Shocking Thunder Manor! You just killed their masters direct disciple, and now you dare to go to their turf, isnt that seeking death? My appearance is not well known in the jianghu yet, besides, Ill disguise myself, Zhou Heng said with a smile. There should be plenty of clues about the Plague Emperor Sect in Yuanhe, I just need to kill two more of them. Even if the people from Shocking Thunder Manor do discover me, they should still have concerns about my identity and might not really try to kill me. And even if they do try to take me out in secret, I have means to escape. The resurrection point of the Life-saving Talisman is in Huangtong Mansion City. In that case Shen Jingjing thought for a moment and then took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to Zhou Heng, saying, Young Master, this is some information I stole from the Three Poison Sect earlier, it should be of help to you. Thankyou. Zhou Heng took the letter. Take good care of yourself, Young Master, Shen Jingjing said earnestly. Boom! The wind was fierce and the rain poured down. Accompanied by the sound of thunder, although it was still noon, the sky had darkened as if it were evening. At this time, Zhou Heng was wearing a straw raincoat, riding a jujube-red horse, and traveling on the road to Yuanhe Prefecture City. He set out on his journey after bidding farewell to Shen Jingjing. Unexpectedly, just as he left the city, the sky suddenly changed, and a downpour began. Before this, he had read the letter from Shen Jingjing, which was a letter of purchase request from Wei Gaopeng, the young master of Shocking Thunder Manor, to an official of the Plague Emperor Sect. It mentioned a desire to procure a type of medicine that can scatter ones Inner Qi, weaken the spirit, and even reverse ones Inner Strength on a large scale, which could be used to spread panic. Moreover, the medicine needed to be discreet to avoid detection by the Five Elements Sects Greenwood Hundred Herb Skill. The GreenWood Hundred Herb Skill is a Seventh Rank wood-attribute Martial Art passed down by the Five Elements Sect. Its not particularly aggressive, but the Inner Qi cultivated is very beneficial for the growth of spiritual herbs. In addition, it can sense nearby spiritual herbs and the residual traces of medicines made from them. Its considered to have a high level of specialization as a Martial Art. The content of this letter corresponded exactly with another letter Zhou Heng had obtained from a member of the Three Poison Sect. Wei Gaopeng sought to buy panic-spreading medicine from the Plague Emperor Sect, which then issued orders to their subordinates in the Three Poison Sect to create the toxic Dissipating Form and Bursting Qi Powder and sell it to Wei Gaopeng. But what does this have to do with the Five Elements Sect? The Five Elements Sect is a top-tier Martial Dao Sect of the current era, and its main gate isnt even in Pingzhou. Why would Shocking Thunder Manor target the Five Elements Sect? Are they seeking death? Though Shocking Thunder Manor is considered a relatively strong and well- known power within the bounds of Pingzhou and could rank in the middle overall within Da Qi, such a level is as different as heaven and earth compared to the long-standing heritage of the Five Elements Sect; the gap is just too great. Too bad I didnt get Liu Changshengs contact information. Otherwise, I could have asked him about it. Zhou Heng was somewhat puzzled by Shocking Thunder Manors actions and couldnt wrap his head around it. Whoosh! The downpour became even heavier, and the wind grew stronger, blowing the trees on both sides of the road into disarray. Zhou Heng temporarily stopped his contemplation because he noticed a large river lying ahead, over a hundred zhang in length, with waves churning violently under the fierce wind, shrouded in a hazy mist. Tsk, this must be the Qingxia River that lies between Huangtong Mansion and Yuanhe Prefecture. It seems Ive come at an inopportune time, he muttered as he scanned the riverbank, trying to find a ferryman. Logically speaking, there should be ferrymen plying the river on such a vital route between two prefectures. But with the sudden gales and the urgency of the river, it was uncertain whether the ferrymen would be present. Fortunately, Zhou Heng soon saw a small boat braving the waves, cutting through the murky mist to approach. On the bow stood a ferryman wearing a straw raincoat and a conical hat, of short stature with an indistinct face. The ferryman must have spotted Zhou Heng, as he steered the boat toward the shore and waved at him. Zhou Heng approached and, after agreeing on a price, led his reddish-brown horse onto the boat. Moments later, the ferryman rowed him across to the other side. As Zhou Heng disembarked, the weather began to clear up. After he left the Qingxia River, the sunshine broke through the clouds, and its warm glow once again spread across the land. However, after Zhou Heng rode on for a while, he encountered another river. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This river was also wide, spanning over a hundred zhang. But this time, with the wind calm and the waves gentle, there were four or five small boats shuttling back and forth, with people queuing up to board them. Zhou Heng instinctively felt that something was amiss and approached the ferry dock to ask a person, Excuse me, what is the name of this river? The person looked at Zhou Heng strangely and pointed at a nearby stele. The Qingxia River. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Chapter 96 Qingxia God Chapter 96: Chapter 96 Qingxia God Qingxia River? Is this the Qingxia River? Zhou Heng was immediately stunned upon hearing this, his expression one of shock as he stared at the stele, his eyebrows tightly knitted. If this place was the Qingxia River, then what was the river he had just crossed? Zhou Heng immediately mounted his horse and turned back. However, all the way back to Yuyang County City, he saw no sign of any river again. It was as if the boat ride hed experienced across the river had all been a dream. Extremely bizarre. What is going on, has someone silently befuddled my spirit perception, or has a powerful being created a temporary version of the Qingxia River out of thin air? But what would be the purpose of doing that? Zhou Heng was filled with uncertainty and astonishment, the encounter he just had was beyond his comprehension. Could a river so wide it spanned over a hundred yards with no end in sight be a fake? Yet the surging river waters, the rapid waves, all of it had been exceedingly real, nothing like an illusion. What exactly happened before? Zhou Heng was shocked into a cold sweat, the events that had just transpired were truly terrifying. If it was man-made, it meant that if whoever did it had ill intentions, he wouldnt even have known how he died. After pondering for a while, he once again mounted his chestnut horse and followed the road, estimating the distance, until he arrived at the place where he had crossed the river last time. Here was a patch of woods no different from the woods before or after, the road was even muddy due to the previous rain, as if it had always been like this, never a grand river, and no boats or boatmen. Zhou Heng dismounted, closed his eyes, and stood there for a long time. He felt nothing. It was as if everything he had experienced before was truly a hallucination, and nothing was here. Could it be some sort of natural phenomenon akin to a mirage? Zhou Heng suddenly thought of a possibility, murmuring, It is said that the Qingxia River has changed its course many times over the long years; could it be that what I saw was actually the Qingxia River from the past? This world once had immortals, and its possible that any place could hold traces of ancient gods; the imprint of the former Qingxia River being left behind doesnt seem impossible. But how to verify such a guess? I wonder if these remnants, or imprints, count as some kind of object? With this thought, he was slightly hesitant, but after a moment, he used the only special skill card he had left on the empty space in front of him. Disintegration Card! Disintegration Card: Can detach lower-level items from higher-level things without damaging the item itself. Whether it was ancient immortals or the traces and influences left by past Celestial Saints, or even just a natural phenomenon imprint, as long as it counted as an object, then the Disintegration Card would be able to successfully detach something. Zhou Heng would be temporarily reassured. Because that would mean his previous experience was not man-made, but rather he was merely influenced by something of a higher level that remained. Use Disintegration Card! Congratulations! You have detached the spiritual object Qingxia Snake ScalejSect Fifth Rankjfrom the time imprint Suppression of Qingxia God [Heaven Third Rank]! Qingxia Snake Scale[Sect Fifth Rank]: This is a tiny scale that fell from the original form of the Qingxia God, possessing a strand of the Qingxia Gods power. It can be used to summon an unconscious historical projection of the Qingxia God during the Fifth Rank period, which lasts for three minutes. It really was some kind of entity! Zhou Heng felt a surge of excitement in his heart and at the same time, he took a long breath of relief. The originally oppressive mood suddenly became much smoother. Then he noticed the description in the Systems prompt. Time Imprint! Suppression of Qingxia God! Tian San rank! This was a level he had never come into contact with before. From a literal standpoint, it seemed that a long time ago, there was a Qingxia God who was suppressed here. Was Qingxia River thus named because of this? For some reason, some scenes from that era had produced time imprints and were preserved. For instance, the surging Qingxia River and the boatman ferrying across the waters might all have been real scenes that had taken place here many years ago. Previously, Zhou Heng must have come into contact with one of those preserved scenes from the past, which resulted in quite a strange experience. In fact, similar stories are often found in many folktales. It appears that this is not such an unusual occurrence. Thats a relief, that really gave me quite a fright earlier, Zhou Heng patted his chest, regulated his breath, and thought to himself, However, I should still consult someone about the time imprint situation. Uh, maybe next time I meet Cheng Jianjian, or after I pass the examination and formally join the Pure Yang Sect. The experience he had before was too bizarre and too thrilling. Even though he didnt truly suffer any effects, he still felt a lingering sense of dread; it would be best to clarify this matter. This time it wasnt entirely without gain, though, Zhou Heng looked at the translucent, fingernail-sized blue scale in his palm and a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. To be able to summon a Fifth Rank projection, this is like having a powerful assistant for a limited three minutes. But who exactly is this Qingxia God? Even the time imprint suppressing him is of Tian San rank, how powerful must his real body be? After joining the Pure Yang Palace later, I should be able to look up some information; maybe Ill find some clues. Zhou Heng then put away the snake scale, slapped the jujube-red horse beneath him, and galloped towards the real Qingxia River. After all the turmoil, he had lost the urge to continue his journey and planned to return to Yuyang County City to find an inn to stay and rest for the night, starting again early the next morning. But the thought of passing by the place where the time imprint existed on his way out the next day immediately made him dismiss the idea. Better to cross the Qingxia River first. The Qingxia River flowed gently. Zhou Heng led his jujube-red horse onto a passenger boat, along with five others, three men and two women, all very young, around twenty years old, dressed as if they were adventurers. They were all together and paid no attention to Zhou Heng at their side. At the moment, Zhou Heng was dressed in a brown robe with a mustache stuck on his lips, his face smeared with dust, looking weary and dusty, his hair simply tied up with a rope. To these young individuals, evidently eager to make their mark in the world and explore the mountains and rivers, such a person was of no interest to converse with. This was the situation Zhou Heng had hoped for. His true identity was now attracting too much attention, and once the martial arts rankings were released next month, things would likely explode even more. Keeping his identity hidden was not without its benefits. The three men and two women stood at the prow, animated and lively, chatting and laughing. Zhou Heng led his horse to the other end of the boat, from where he could overhear the five peoples conversation about the martial arts competition to be held in Yuan River Mansion half a month later. It was said that top fifty martial artists from the rankings would appear; they were all quite excited and had agreed to go watch the spectacle together. In their conversation, they also mentioned Zhou Heng from Huangtong Mansion City and expressed their admiration and envy. Standing not far away, Zhou Heng felt a sudden envy towards these people as he listened to their conversation. Traveling with companions and adventuring through the martial world seemed to be a rather nice feeling. Unfortunately, all I have by my side is this horse, Zhou Heng said softly, stroking the reddish-brown horse, which snorted in response, though it was unclear whether out of disdain or affection. Subsequently, he looked out over the waters of Qingxia River and the clear view before him and couldnt help but think back on his previous experiences. Back in the days marked by time, the waters of Qingxia River were turbulent and the view dim, all shrouded in a strange oppressive atmosphere, so different from the Qingxia River he saw now. One wonders how many years ago that was, Zhou Heng mused, then approached the boatman who was ferrying them, and asked in a somewhat hoarse and deep voice, Boatman, do you know why this Qingxia River is named as such? The boatmen who ferried across Qingxia River usually dedicated their lives to it and definitely knew a lot about the river. Eh? The boatman turned his head to look at Zhou Heng. He was an elderly uncle with white hair and a benevolent face, short and slightly hunched, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies. Young man, are you asking about the name of Qingxia River? Well, youve asked the right person, the old boatman shook his head with the expression of someone about to tell a tale to a child, and said with a smile: Legend has it that, a very, very long time ago, there was no river here to begin with. A giant green snake was ravaging the area, proclaiming itself the Qingxia God, devouring many people and causing utter misery. The locals sought help from various distinguished figures, yet none could match the Qingxia God. Eventually, an old immortal passed by and eliminated the threat for the common folk, suppressing the giant green snake into the earth and transforming it into a great river, which is now Qingxia River. To think this river has such an origin, Zhou Heng couldnt help but be astounded, his mind brimming with doubts. He had initially speculated that the Qingxia God was suppressed in this river in the distant past and, after countless years, should have already died of old age. The lack of any anomalies in Qingxia River over the years seemed to confirm this assumption. But now, hearing the boatmans story, he found that things might not be as they seemed. The entirety of the river was supposedly a transformation of the Qingxia God. If the river still flowed to this day, did it mean that the Qingxia God was still alive? If the Qingxia God was still alive and the river remained stable, did that imply the old immortal who once suppressed the Qingxia God was also still alive? And, was the boatman in the memories branded by time still alive? Of course, this narrative was but the tale of the old boatman, more akin to a story passed down verbally than historical fact, yet it was enough to spark a multitude of speculations in Zhou Hengs mind. Haha, old boatman, your story is quite interesting. What kind of giant snake could transform into such a long river as Qingxia? a lighthearted female voice rang out, and a young girl approached. She was one of the five people from the other side of the boat. Clad in a red dress, she appeared to be eighteen or nineteen, with a pretty face, fair skin, a slender figure, and a delicate curved knife fastened to her waist. Her demeanor exuded a lively and buoyant character. Haha, the young lady asked a good question. However, these are just the stories handed down by boatmenI wouldnt know that much, the old boatman shook his head and continued rowing. The young woman didnt seem to mind, instead turning to look towards Zhou Heng, who was standing to the side. She hadnt originally taken any notice of this man. After all, he was dressed ordinarily and didnt seem like a martial arts expert, yet she had noticed his reddish-brown horse and felt that it wasnt something an average person would possess. This made her somewhat curious about Zhou Heng. Hey, Uncle, seeing as you have weapons in your pack, you must know some martial arts, right? Are you also heading to the martial arts tournament at Yuanhe Mansion City? The young girl was rather forward and said with a smile: My name is Sheng Xinrou. Whats your name, Uncle? Uncle? Zhou Heng was slightly taken aback when he heard this and suddenly realized what his outfit implied. He shook his head and said, My martial arts are not good, and Im not really interested in the martial arts tournament. Xinrou, come back here, dont talk nonsense. At this moment, the woman at the bow of the boat beckoned to Sheng Xinrou, telling her to come back. Its okay to watch a martial arts contest even if youre not good at it, you know; this tournament is pretty impressive, I highly recommend it, Sheng Xinrou said cheerily, and then she returned to the other side of the bow. No sooner had the young girl reached the other side than the woman pulled her aside and began whispering to her. Zhou Heng, with his keen hearing, could listen in on their conversation. Xinrou, you lack experience in the jianghu. You dont know what kind of situation people like that uncle are in; they are often the dispirited ones in the martial artists community who have not found success. These people are not strong in martial arts. Perhaps he, too, once yearned for a thrilling life in the jianghu with spirited friendships and rivalries, galloping horses and flaunting whips. But after a period of trials and setbacks, they realize their own level. Look at him, even keeping his weapon in the pack. This clearly shows hes lost all hope. Talking to him about a martial arts contest is just like ripping off his scabs; you could offend someone. The woman earnestly tried to advise Sheng Xinrou. The girl, not fully understanding, cocked her head, glanced at Zhou Heng, and whispered, So you mean to say, this uncle isnt strong in martial arts, has been beaten down by the jianghu, and is probably going to give up his sword, seal away his blade, and return home to farm? Dont say it out loud! The woman quickly covered Sheng Xinrous mouth and, coincidentally catching Zhou Hengs gaze, could only show an embarrassed, apologetic smile. Thud! At this moment, as the boat glided past a reed marsh, it stopped at the ferry crossing. The boatman announced with a smile, Weve reached the shore. Zhou Heng led his horse off the boat, and Sheng Xinrou and the others also got off, lowering their heads, trying to avoid Zhou Heng as much as possible. Ah!! Just then, a scream full of panic came from the middle of Qingxia River behind them. Oh no, a boat has capsized, people are in the water, and its in the middle of the river with no other boats nearby! the boatman exclaimed as he looked back in alarm, hurriedly boarding to row out and rescue them. Sheng Xinrou and the others also showed a hint of concern and exchanged glances, all prepared to dive into the river and swim over to save them. But at that moment, out of the corner of their eyes, they saw the uncle suddenly leap toward the banks reeds. Following that, he twirled his body in midair, snapped off a long reed, and with a flick sent it skimming across the river at a great speed. Then, he flawlessly landed on the section of reed, speeding towards the site of the capsized boat along with it, as if riding the wind itself, surpassing the speed of all the boats. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only One Reed Crosses the River! On the bank, Sheng Xinrou and the others who were ready to swim, stood agape, mouths wide open, in disbelief as they watched the figure skimming across the rivers surface. What happened to being weak in martial arts? What about the disheartened man of the jianghu? Is this it?? Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Chapter 97 A Thought-Provoking Question Chapter 97: Chapter 97 A Thought-Provoking Question Like a reed crossing the river! As if treading on level ground! No! Now, Zhou Hengs speed was even faster than on flat land! In almost an instant, he had crossed half the width of the Qingxia River and arrived at the center, where he saw two people struggling in the water. It was a man and a woman; the man seemed to be trying to save the woman, attempting to push her towards the boat. However, they couldnt swim, and in just a short while, they had already choked on a good amount of water, their bodies about to sink beneath the surface. Not far away, two children, a boy and a girl, were barely being held afloat by the boatman, but they were still frantically struggling, extremely panicked. It was already approaching dusk, and Zhou Heng, moving across the river while stepping on reeds, was bathed in the glow of the setting sun. To the eyes of the people in the water, such an image resembled an Immortal descending from the heavens to save their lives. Close your eyes. Zhou Hengs voice rose beside their ears, gentle and magnetic, making one feel tranquilly at ease. The four individuals, originally in a state of panic, immediately closed their eyes. Then they felt a great force lifting them from the water, and soon a whistling wind by their ears, as if they were flying through the air. Surprised exclamations continued to resound around them. My god! How impressive! Is that really safe? So strong! It seemed that something remarkable had occurred. Listening to these exclamations, their anxieties inexplicably subsided quite a bit. It seemed their current situation was not bad? Immediately after, they felt themselves descending, a very subtle force at a very low height, just mildly sinking down to land. The dust settled. That was more or less the posture. The five who were rescued couldnt help but open their eyes and found themselves sitting on the riverbank, surrounded by solid ground rather than water, safe at last. They looked towards the center of the Qingxia River, where the Immortal figure cloaked in the glow of the sunset was still standing, grasping the boatman and preparing to bring him back to the shore. So amazing! Uncle! ShengXinrou couldnt help cheering, grinning at her companion beside her, I told you, I knew from the beginning this uncle was no ordinary person! Hes incredibly strong, unbelievable! The woman who had previously advised Sheng Xinrou watched Zhou Heng with amazement, exclaiming, To tread on water with such nimbleness, even an Eighth Rank expert might not be able to achieve it. The other three men were also staring blankly at Zhou Heng, crossing the river on a reed. Their hearts were struck with unparalleled shock, realizing that the vast world of martial artists was indeed full of extraordinary talents, even a seemingly common uncle like him could possess such formidable martial arts. One must never be careless nor complacent! Some truly powerful figures may not look impressive and might conceal their capabilities while dressing plainly. These are details to be wary of in the future; otherwise, one might not even know how they met their end. The scene of Zhou Heng crossing half of the Qingxia River on a reed, whether viewed from the boat or the shore, drew awe, such martial prowess was truly suave and cool! Many young womens eyes gleamed with admiration, though some regretted that this master seemed a bit old, likely around thirty years old. Even so, quite a few were already making plans in their hearts, what did age matter? With high martial skill, the ravages of time would slow. Besides, thirty-something wasnt all that old. Hence, many young women from both banks of the Qingxia River were ready with their plans; as soon as Zhou Heng returned, they would immediately extend an invitation to travel together and enjoy the night scene. The very thought was thrilling. But at that moment, the capsized boat suddenly moved. It began to rock violently. Boom!! Following that, a huge wave surged upward from below, and a green water snake as thick as a barrel burst out from the water! It pierced through the boat, raised its head high, flicked its thick tail, and with a crack, smashed the boat in half. At the same time, using this momentum, it charged towards Zhou Heng. The green water snake was like a flash of green lightning, extremely fast! Slash! With a ferocious breeze howling, the green water snakes charge was so forceful that it tore through the Qingxia River, creating clear white trails in the air and causing the surrounding water to churn violently. Heavens! What is that!? Oh no, that person is in danger, its hard to turn around on the water! How can there be such a thick water snake!? The crowd exclaimed in alarm, all looking at Zhou Heng with great concern; the situation was very dangerous. How was he going to handle it? At that moment, the green water snake had already reached Zhou Heng and, all of a sudden, it opened its mouth wide revealing sharp, piercing teeth, aiming for Zhou Hengs head! With the size of this water snake, its open mouth could easily engulf Zhou Heng whole! The scene was utterly chilling and horrifying. Many were terrified out of their wits, some even collapsing to the ground in fear. How often did ordinary people witness such a gigantic water snake? Zhou Heng, however, remained calm and collected. He first threw the boatman towards the shore, then with a slight flicker of his figure, the section of reed beneath his feet seemed to come alive, moving with him to the side, dodging the green water snake. Following that, he suddenly raised his right hand, forming it into a knife shape, and bellowed, Fiend! Dare to show ferocity! Behold my mighty Dragon Palm of the heavens! He did not release any bolts of lightning, simply using his hand as a knife, employing the principle of the Six Deflecting Plum Hand Technique, he executed a move called Sudden Thunderstorm. To conceal his identity. He even masked his speech. Although the green water snake was enormous and appeared quite terrifying, it was nothing special, merely having a sturdy body and great strength, at best equivalent to a Ninth Grade martial artist. For Zhou Heng at present, it was not even worthy of a strike. Whoosh! Zhou Hengs palm knife effortlessly sliced through the green water snakes body, splattering blood like rain across the sky, instantly staining a vast expanse of the river crimson. The massive snake, now severed into two segments, fell into the water, wriggling and struggling, but it was completely in vain as it slowly sank to the riverbed, waiting for death. Congratulations! You have killed the non-threatening animal Water Snake Transformed from the Breath of the Qingxia God, and received no reward! Zhou Heng heard this prompt, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Can it really be like this? Ninth Grade pinnacle, ah! Has a Ninth Grade pinnacle creature now become non-threatening in the Systems eyes? Is this because I have already stepped onto the Eighth Rank? I cant help but feel a bit short-changed. He couldnt help but complain inwardly. However, what concerned him more was the name of that water snake. A water snake transformed from the breath of the Qingxia God! This meant that the green snake was related to the Qingxia God, and its sudden leap out of the water to attack was probably no accident. Was it for me? Zhou Heng frowned slightly, and at the same time, he turned and tread on the reeds, walking on water to return to the riverbank ferry. However, in his heart, he already had two guesses. Either its because I had previously come into contact with the Time Imprint, or its because of the fragment of the Qingxia Gods scale on me. Comparatively speaking. He felt that the Qingxia Gods scale fragment had a greater chance of attracting that water snake. After all, that was a genuine scale carrying a trace of the Qingxia Gods Dao power, an object of Sect Fifth Rank quality, sure to have a tremendous attraction to a water snake transformed from the breath of the Qingxia God. I need to find an opportunity to use it as soon as possible, or I dont know what else it might attract in the future. Moreover, before using up this scale, I must stay as far away from Qingxia River as possible. Its better not to approach it. Its really too dangerous. As Zhou Hengs thoughts churned, he was already using a single reed to cross the river, and soon reached the ferry at the bank of Qingxia River. The moment he stepped ashore, many people immediately crowded around him. Especially the four people he had saved earlier, who directly knelt before Zhou Heng to thank him for saving their lives. This family, leading a boy and a girl around seven or eight years old, knelt down together. Benefactor! We thank our benefactor! The family knelt and bowed together. It was merely a helping hand, Zhou Heng said lightly, shaking his head and leading his jujube-red horse away from the crowd, then galloping off without the slightest intention of lingering. This left the crowd on the river bank stunned, and the family of four was left frozen in place. ShengXinrou couldnt help but exclaim, Such a true hero, a real chivalrous warrior! He rescued people from danger, yet concealed his name and identity. A hero indeed! Her companions also couldnt help but marvel. Especially the woman who had earlier mistaken Zhou Heng for a heartbroken wanderer, she shook her head in regret, saying, I was really blind, to have misjudged such a chivalrous man as someone defeated by the jianghu and downhearted. Ive truly been blind. Excuse us, do you know our benefactor? At this moment, the rescued couple came forward, looking somewhat anxious as they inquired, Do you know the name of our benefactor? We want to repay him, but we dont even know what to call him. We dont know either, Sheng Xinrou and the others shook their heads, regretting that they hadnt asked that uncle his name earlier! They had missed the chance to get to know a chivalrous man! Hold on! ShengXinrou suddenly had a brainwave, looked towards the direction Zhou Heng left, and smiled, Although we dont know the name of that chivalrous man, his jujube-red horse is quite distinctive and easy to recognize. If we see that horse in the future, we should be able to find him! Thats right! The benefactors jujube-red horse is strong, with a tuft of white hair on its forehead, quite recognizable! The couples eyes lit up, feeling as if they had found a thread of hope. We remember that big brothers smell, at this moment, the couples children suddenly spoke up, That big brother had a very warm smell on him, we could smell it. Yu Shu, Yu Li, are you serious? The parents seemed unsurprised about their children being able to detect scents, smiling, Then thats really wonderful, we will definitely be able to find our benefactor. Mhm mhm! The two children nodded, their smiles radiant. On the waters of Qingxia River, the old boatman who had ferried Zhou Heng and the others across before looked back at the shore, squinted his eyes thoughtfully in the direction Zhou Heng had left. After leaving Qingxia River, Zhou Heng rode his horse at full gallop, speeding away to avoid attracting more trouble with the snake scale he carried. This made his journey exceedingly rapid. Soon after. He arrived at the nearest county city. Dongxiang County. A city even smaller than Yuyang County City. When Zhou Heng arrived, it was already dark, and the city gates were about to close. He was allowed to enter only after flashing his Pure Yang Sect outer disciple waist tag. Often, the identity of a disciple of a righteous sect suggests a good person who can be trusted anywhere. Despite Dongxiang County City being small with early gate closings, it was quite lively inside, with no curfew, and the streets were brightly lit with plenty of pedestrians. So, Zhou Heng didnt rush to find an inn, planning to drink some tea and listen to storytelling to relax his mind. At the same time, he could gather some information about Shocking Thunder Manor and the Five Elements Sect there. After all, places like inns and teahouses often circulate all kinds of news. While the authenticity of the news in these places is generally not very high, the sheer volume of it means there are always some valuable pieces of information. But as he walked on. Zhou Heng discovered he had arrived at a place shrouded in pink mists with dreamy lighting and a magnificent pavilion. He heard the sound of girls laughter being carried to his ears. He saw graceful and charming figures entering his sight. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A brothel? He looked up, only to see the signboard with the three big characters: Tongtian Pavilion. These days, are brothels this poetic? What exactly is this reaching to the heavens all about? Upon reflection, it appeared that in the two and a half years since he had transmigrated, he had yet to visit these renowned establishments With this in mind, Zhou Heng paused in his steps, lost in thought. Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Chapter 98 The Great Supplement” Person Chapter 98: Chapter 98 The Great Supplement Person Willows by the fireworks alley, orioles and swallows in the brothels. Zhou Heng had seen plenty of brothels in dramas on Earth, where all were filled with beautiful women, and litterateurs and scholars gathered to recite poetry and compose melodies, all just for a smile from a lovely lady. Even young heroes from the martial world liked to visit these places, often encountering a few exceptional women who sold their talents but not their bodies, and had mysterious identities, weaving a story that had to be told. Zhou Heng was naturally curious about brothels. Of course, it was just out of curiosity. He never thought about anything messy. However, after he stood in front of the brothel called Tongtian Pavilion and looked around for a while, he turned and left, ultimately not going inside. The main reason was that he saw the price list at the door. The minimum spending for a night was two taels of silver, and the slightly better services cost ten taels, but the most terrifying thing was learning that listening to a song from the top courtesan actually cost over a hundred taels of silver. This was in a small county smaller than Yuyang County City! A hundred taels of silver was almost equivalent to fifty thousand yuan-just to listen to a tune. Wasnt that absurd?! Why not enjoy a cup of tea for a copper coin, and get your fill listening to a storyteller? Isnt that wonderful? Still, Zhou Heng felt a bit envious. This brothel was making money way too easily. He even considered for a moment-if he got some kind of divine skill that allowed him to create duplicates or transform, whether he should set up his own brothel and make some easy money. Seemed feasible? Everything from the venue and architecture to the working personnel would all be himself, which seemed pretty nice! Hmm, speaking of which, I havent had the chance to open those Fortune Bags I got earlier. After leaving the tea house, Ill find an inn to stay in and then open a few to try my luck, he thought. With a plan in mind, Zhou Heng left the Tongtian Pavilion and set out to find a tea house. Thats the kind of spending that suited his taste. Drinking and appreciating tea, fresh and elegant, cultivating sentiment, enriching the qi and nurturing the spirit. Brothels and the like were too vulgar. Tongtian Pavilion had three floors. Those living on the top floor were the creme de la creme of the courtesans, who sold their talents but not their bodies, and most were simply waiting for the highest bidder. This period of waiting, naturally, was the most expensive and offered the highest treatment. However, not all here were forced into a life of sorrow-some enjoyed their lot. At this moment, there were two stunningly beautiful women leaning on the railing of the top floor, looking at the departing Zhou Heng. One was dressed in red and the other in yellow; both appeared to be in their twenties, with pretty faces and seductive charms, lithe figures with curvaceous lines, and gorgeously adorned skirts that were tightly wrapped around their bodies, not even revealing their wrists. This only added a different kind of temptation and interest. This young man is truly tantalizing, said the woman in red, looking at Zhou Hengs retreating figure while extending her dainty tongue to lick her luscious red lips, laughing. Just now I almost couldnt resist the urge to go down and kidnap him. Judging by that beard, his physique, and the brimming virility, he must be a great tonic, the woman in yellow said, her eyes sparkling as she stared intently in the direction Zhou Heng had gone. Such a great tonic is hard to come by; we sisters should enjoy our blessings together, the lady in red suddenly became somewhat guarded and looked towards the lady in yellow next to her, You better not follow in Chen Hanyu that bitchs footsteps. Sister, rest assured, the lady in yellow giggled, saying, Although my cultivation realm is not as high as that lowly maids, my character has never been in question. Everyone at Honghua Palace knows I never compete with others for food. The men from Shocking Thunder Manor are actually not bad either, with their thunderous energy being so overwhelmingly masculine and assertive, the lady in red reminisced, licking her lips, Sadly, with the Five Elements Sect oppressing too much, those mighty brothers havent visited us for a long time. Sister, it seems that the sight of that great tonic earlier has sparked your interest, the lady in yellow narrowed her eyes and laughed, How about you and I go catch that young fellow tonight? Thats exactly what I was thinking, the lady in reds face brightened with smiles, Lets enjoy together, sister, and give this young man an exquisite time, hahaha. Legend tells of this Fairy of the Pinnacle, truly like a fairy descending from the heavens. With a single thrust of her sword, exquisitely brilliant, even the highly skilled and exceptionally talented Broken Bones was forced into a flustered defense, retreating repeatedly Thinking of the towering man being bested by a delicate girl The two became familiar through combat and unexpectedly developed some fond feelings for each other, indeed making for a fine tale The Storyteller on the high stage narrated with animated expressions, spraying saliva everywhere, as the audience below showered him with praise, shouting until they were hoarse and couldnt help but pay extra for several cups of tea. While others listened with great interest, Zhou Heng felt a twitch in his eyelid, sensing that Cheng Jianjian might very well draw her sword and come after him at any moment. Storytellers in Da Qi truly were among the most skilled at crafting tales of the famous, each possessing a bit of dramatic flair. Regardless of the actual sequence of events or the truth, they managed to bend every tale towards romance. First, there was the story of Zhou Heng and Wang Qingqing that had to be told, then the secret affection between Broken Bones and the Fairy of the Pinnacle, with hardly any truth in the tellers words Of course, it might also be because it met the audiences demands. After all, it isnt easy for a Storyteller to earn his living. Although Zhou Heng inwardly criticized, he still sat quietly and listened, and with every chapter he heard, hed add money and order more tea. This also reminded him of some of his experiences back on Earth. He hadnt been a storyteller, but he had written web novels on wuxiaworld.site, which was pretty similar to storytelling C earning a split from the proceeds of tea money, with the occasional reward from a patron. After the Storyteller1 s tale reached a pause, Zhou Heng had gathered some intel about Shocking Thunder Manor and the Five Elements Sect and left the tea house. There was an iron basin at the entrance of the tea house, scattered with copper coins. Someone was keeping watch next to it, the very Storyteller from before. This was the tip basin. If guests were pleased with the storytelling, theyd often leave a few coins as a reward upon departing. It was usually sparse, one or two copper coins to show appreciation, ten or twenty to show gratitude. The Storyteller was always thankful. Whoever threw money into the basin would receive a word of thanks from him. Clang! When Zhou Heng left, he dropped two ounces of silver into it. This left the Storyteller stunned for a long time, and it wasnt until Zhou Heng had walked out of the tea house that the Storyteller came to his senses and hurried to the entrance to bow and thank Zhou Heng from a distance. Two ounces of silver was roughly equivalent to a thousand coins, which on Earth would be the donation of an Alliance Hierarch. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only That was like granting the Storyteller an alliance on the spot. After leaving the tea house, Zhou Heng casually picked an inn. He was just about to lie on the bed and open a few Fortune Bags, then practice his Innate Skill for a while, when his ears twitched and his eyebrows furrowed in concern. Something seemed off. Then, he detected a somewhat peculiar scent. Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Ruthless Hand Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Ruthless Hand No, its not a smell! The reason for the odd sensation was because this smell was actually a feeling. Zhou Heng noticed that his strength was slowly fading, and even his Inner Qi showed a slight, imperceptible tendency to become dormant. At first, it didnt seem like much, but over time, it would definitely lead to a complete loss of strength, making him weak all over, and even moving would be difficult. Poison gas?! Colorless, shapeless, tasteless, it sapped a persons strength and softened muscles and bones. If it hadnt been for his Insight +1 as a basic attribute bonus, he would likely have had just as much difficulty in detecting it Was this the Formless Qi Dispersal Powder that the Three Poison Sect sold to Wei Gaopeng, the Young Master of Shocking Thunder Manor? Zhou Heng thought of the letters he had found on the body of someone from the Three Poison Sect, as well as the information Shen Jingjing had given him. However, wasnt this effect a bit weak? Ordinary people, upon encountering the Formless Qi Dispersal Powder, would find their muscles and bones softening and their internal organs gradually withering. Even if they practiced Martial Arts, anyone below the Sixth Rank would experience their Inner Qi dissipate and their spirit dampened, and might even face a regression in their Inner Strength. Yet, right now Zhou Heng only felt a mild decline in his strength, and his Inner Qi merely showed a tendency to become dormant. This level of impact would only require him to stand up and move his limbs, or to circulate his Inner Qi actively, and the effect would completely dissipate. It definitely did not achieve the effect of the Formless Qi Dispersal Powder. Could it be some other poison gas? However, it could also be due to my Physique +1 as a basic attribute, which enhances my constitution all-around, not only making my skin and bones tougher but also increasing my resistance to poisons. Zhou Heng couldnt help but laugh. This basic attribute bonus really was a universal treasure, with a multitude of effects. At the same time, he circulated his Inner Qi, dispelling the effects of the poison gas and maintaining his body in a normal state. However, on the surface, he still feigned a tired appearance, rubbing his temples and squeezing his eyes before lying down on the bed with half-closed eyes. He seemed genuinely exhausted, in need of rest. But in reality, he remained alert and focused, able to detect even the slightest rustle or stir around his room. Luring the snake out of its hole. Moments later, Zhou Hengs breathing became steady, smooth, as if he had entered into a dreamland. It was now the hour of Hai, and both the streets and shops had grown quieter, especially inns and taverns, where it could truly be called the dead of night. Zhou Hengs state appeared very stable, as though he was truly asleep. However, no one made a move next. The poison gas continued to spread silently, with no one appearing, as if it was solely meant to release the poison. Not until Zhou Heng had feigned sleep for half an hour, and the hour of Zi arrived, the darkest time before dawn. The door to the room was suddenly pried open. Two delicate and graceful figures, sauntered in through the doorway. They were the same two beautiful women from the Tongtian Pavilion earlier. Seeing Zhou Heng asleep on the bed, they exchanged a look, both revealing satisfied smiles on their faces. They had succeeded! Next, this man, so rich in vitality, could be toyed with at their leisure, his vital essence extracted as they wished. Sister, youre so cautious, said the woman in red, pleased with the achieved goal, to the woman in yellow. If it were me, I would have hardly been able to resist coming in half an hour earlier. Haste does not bring success, replied the woman in yellow, twisting her sultry body as she walked to Zhou Hengs bedside, smiling, Although the Formless Qi Dispersal Powder from the Three Poison Sect is powerful, accidents can happen, so increasing the dosage is never a bad idea. Hes as good as a dead pig now, the woman in red who had also come over said, casting a glance at Zhou Heng on the bed. Sister, who should go first, you or me? Why cant we do it together? The woman in yellow gave a seductive smile, then bent down to undo Zhou Hengs belt. Little sister, you lack experience and dont know many tricks. Let big sister teach you. What tricks? Just at that moment, a mans voice, filled with mockery, rang out, startling both women. Turning their heads, they discovered that the great supplement had, at some point, opened his eyes and was watching them with a smile that was not quite a smile. Weve been tricked! How is this possible? How could Xingxin Bongqi San be ineffective?! The two women cried out, shocked to their core, but their reactions were swift. Without hesitation, they rushed towards the inn rooms window, attempting to escape. Both possessed peak Ninth Grade cultivation, which relatively speaking, made them quite powerful among ordinary martial artists of Jianghu. However, their cultivation was obtained through absorbing Yang to supplement Yin, and they had hardly any combat experience. Faced with such an unexpected situation, their first instinct was to flee, not to fight. If youve come, then dont leave. Zhou Heng flipped off the bed with great agility and positioned himself squarely in front of the two women, blocking their path. At the same time, he lifted his hands and grabbed towards the shoulders of the two women! Crack! Snap! Sounds of bones breaking echoed as Zhou Heng crushed the shoulder bones of both, then he kicked downwards, shattering their kneecaps as well. To prevent their screams from alarming others, he pressed their heads into the bedding and stuffed their mouths with cloth, making it difficult for them to make a sound. Mmmph! WuuulWuuu!! The two stunning women from Tongtian Pavilion could only watch Zhou Heng in abject terror, their bodies writhing as they tried to scream but could not make a sound, the scene was utterly pitiful. Yet, Zhou Heng held no thoughts of pity for the fairer sex. In his eyes, these women who had tried to poison him with Xingxin Bongqi San were enemies. To show mercy to an enemy was foolish. Who are you? Zhou Hengs gaze was piercing as he stared into their eyes and spoke in a deep voice, Honghua Palace? When he was pretending to be unconscious, he had heard the women refer to him as a great supplement. He had heard this term in some Jianghu rumors before. It was said to be a standard set by the women of the nefarious Honghua Palace to classify the richness of a mans essence. For instance, great supplement, minor supplement, miraculous medicine, and so on. The two women instinctively wanted to shake their heads, but the sight of Zhou Hengs eyes, sharp as lightning, terrified them so completely that they immediately changed their minds and nodded in admission. Where did you get the Xingxin Bongqi San you used? Zhou Heng asked sternly. Although he had previously obtained some information about Shocking Thunder Manor and the Five Elements Sect in the teahouse, after all, those were only rumors and might not be true. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only These women were from Honghua Palace and had such poison, perhaps they knew some information. But their mouths were blocked now, preventing them from speaking. Zhou Heng frowned slightly, then used his fingers to press and seal some key acupoints on the bodies of the two women, cutting off their sensation of pain, and then he removed the cloths from their mouths. But as soon as the cloth was taken out, his complexion drastically changed. ps: The classification of minor supplement, great supplement, and miraculous medicine is based on Yi Shi Zhi Zun and will be continued around 12 oclock. Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Collusion Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Collusion Both of these cloth bundles had bloodstains on them, with a strong smell of blood. However, the bloodstains were not red but a deep purple, which means the blood was poisonous, and its owner had likely been poisoned. Zhou Hengs gaze shifted and, indeed, he saw that the two beautiful women had now begun to foam at the mouth, their bodies convulsing, and their skin appeared to have worms crawling beneath it, continuously undulating. At the same time, a faint black aura began to emanate from their bodies. This aura was extremely sinister, giving Zhou Heng a sense of deja vu. This was clearly the same tactic employed by the Plague Emperor Sect martial artist he had encountered in Yuyang County City, who gathered disease aura to launch his attacks. And now, it was the disease aura that was emanating from these two women! A Plague Emperor Sect tactic! Zhou Heng immediately remembered the situation of that Plague Emperor Sect martial artist. Even if bisected at the waist, their blood still carried a potent toxicity that could spread disease and even cause an epidemic. Boom!! Thus, without a second thought, he struck with two Palm Thunders, dazzling golden thunderbolts exploding from his palms, striking the two women. Their bodies, still convulsing and heaving as if about to burst open, were instantly turned into charred corpses. The mutations in their bodies finally ceased. Disciples from the Honghua Palace were actually set up by the Plague Emperor Sect? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows tightly. This made him feel unexpectedly surprised. Could it be that the Plague Emperor Sect was actually in league with the Honghua Palace? Or, was it just a coincidence, merely two Honghua Palace Ninth Grade disciples seeking convenience by purchasing poison from the Plague Emperor Sect? No, thats not right, Zhou Heng suddenly shook his head, musing, If it was just a simple buyer-seller relationship, why would these two be targeted with such suicide methods? The mouths of the two women had been sealed by Zhou Heng, making it almost impossible for them to commit suicide by hiding poison in their mouths, and the release of disease aura upon death did not seem like a simple act of taking poison to commit suicide. It was more likely that someone had left behind certain methods inside their bodies in advance. This meant that the Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect were highly likely to have colluded for some reason, and even if not involving the entire sect, at least a Middle Third Rank martial artist must have been involved. Otherwise, it would be difficult to achieve such bizarre suicides like those he had just seen with the two women. Zhou Hengs frown grew deeper, suddenly feeling that the situation might be more troublesome than he had originally anticipated. He had thought that all that was needed was to kill two more disciples from the Plague Emperor Sect. Yet unexpectedly, the Honghua Palace had also become involved. Out of the four major evil factions within Da Qi, two had now emerged. Whats going on? Zhou Hengs gaze returned to the charred corpses, and he carefully searched them, but found no possessions on their bodies. There was simply no clue. Was it just a fruitless killing? Zhou Hengs brow slightly arched, feeling that things should not be this way. His mind whirred, thinking, The Plague Emperor Sect is suspected of collaborating with the Honghua Palace. Previously in the teahouse, I heard some news that the people from Shocking Thunder Manor used to frequent Tongtian Pavilion for pleasure. Now that Shocking Thunder Manor is colluding with the Plague Emperor Sect, what role did the Honghua Palace play in this? Could they be the bridge connecting the two? With this thought, his eyes lit up. If this were true, then the people from the Honghua Palace might be the most familiar with both Shocking Thunder Manor and the Plague Emperor Sect. It wouldnt be surprising if they knew the specific whereabouts of some members from both factions. No wonder there was an arrangement for suicide to silence them, Zhou Heng glanced at the charred corpses of the two women, feeling slightly regretful. If he could have extracted information from their lips, it would have saved a lot of trouble. However, although these two are dead, their residences remain. Perhaps in their daily dwellings, there might be some clues to be found. Thus, he made an instantaneous decision, grabbed the two charred bodies, and leapt out of the window. With swift movements, he ran across the rooftops and threw their bodies into a wild dogs den before heading towards Tongtian Pavilion. Although Zhou Heng did not know for certain if the two women came from Tongtian Pavilion, it was clear that Tongtian Pavilion was the most likely place they would choose as their abode. It was worth inquiring about. Zhou Heng never expected that he would actually have a day of visiting a brothel. No! He was investigating clues related to the Plague Emperor Sect, not wandering in a brothel. Inside the Tongtian Pavilion. The scent of makeup was strong, the lights enchanting. Many young women in skimpy clothing moved to and fro, vying for attention, their antics leaving many men with hazy eyes, enveloping the place in an ambiguous atmosphere. Zhou Heng alone remained clear-headed as he walked among them, which made him quite conspicuous. He was aware of this, but he really didnt know how to pretend to be a client seeking pleasures. Zhou Heng still sported his stubbled beard, his face marked by the vicissitudes of life, dressed in plain, coarse linen, looking every bit the very ordinary middle-aged uncle. If he hadnt flaunted five hundred-tael silver notes in front of everyone as he entered, the doorkeeper might not have let him in. However, this also turned him into the darling of the girls inside. No sooner had Zhou Heng stepped through the door than an older procuress with a waist that twisted like willow, followed by a group of young women with eyes lit up like tigeresses stalking their prey, approached him. Oh dear, what wind has blown you here, sir? Long time no see! the procuress said with a familiarity that implied otherwise, trying to cozy up to Zhou Heng and take his hand, her eyes fixated on his chest. The five hundred-tael silver notes were hidden inside. The procuress was already calculating how to milk this fat sheep, who clearly seemed to be new to the brothel, dry. Five hundred taels! That was more than enough to invite the top courtesan for a song and dance. Even for the courtesans to do some things they usually shouldnt, it was possible. Lets not even mention anything about selling art without selling the body. To sell or not to sell, it all depends on the money being enough. However, such transactions often ended up diminishing the future value of the courtesan, as it was a one-off deal. But with a greenhorn like this, a chick of a man, one could minimize the costs to the greatest extent. It might not even be necessary for the girls to accompany him to bed to rake in the cash! The procuresss eyes were filled with eagerness as she smiled and said, Sir, take a look, Ive specially brought you a crowd of beautiful young ladies. These are all my precious daughters, feel free to choose any of them! Zhou Heng did not look at the girls; instead, his eyes squinted. Because he could feel the procuresss gaze. He almost burst forth with murderous intent. Dare to covet my money? She must have a death wish! Nevertheless, he remembered his purpose for being there and after scanning the girls behind the procuress briefly, he put on a disappointed look and shook his head, sighing, The ones Im looking for arent here. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only So, you have someone special in mind? The procuress fanned herself, her heart leaping with joy. She had seen many like him before, usually someone who happened to catch a glimpse of a girl in the Tongtian Pavilion and saw her as a Celestial Man, then became determined to find her. As a rule, as long as they could meet that girl, such men were willing to spend any amount of money. Big profits ahead! The ones Im looking for are these two Zhou Heng began to describe. Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Clues Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Clues After Zhou Heng meticulously described the features of the two women, So the ones youre interested in are those two, sir. The madam suddenly realized, fanning herself with a smile, she laughed and said, You really have an eye for beauty. These two young ladies are the top courtesans of our Tongtian Pavilion. Even the name of this establishment comes from them, sir. The guests all say that only they can bring a person to the peak of heavenly ecstasy. Youre quite lucky today, sir. They havent seen any guests yet and are still in their quarters. If youd like, sir, I can take you to see them? That would be fine, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, with a look of pleasant surprise. And he was indeed a bit surprised. He had already prepared himself for the possibility that the madam would discover that the two were not there and ask him to wait. After all, for him, just being able to confirm the womens room was enough; he was only here to search for any clues in their room. Being able to go straight there was naturally the best outcome. However, he did not let down his guard. What if the two women had already set up a trap inside the Tongtian Pavilion, and the madam was merely leading him into it? It wasnt outside the realm of possibility. As it turned out, Zhou Heng might have been overthinking it. The madam had no other intent; she did not inquire about his identity along the way, and all the flatteries she offered were aimed at extracting money from his pocket. Under normal circumstances, Zhou Heng wouldnt have been swayed by such tactics, adamantly refusing to part with any money regardless of the request. But now, to avoid complications and gain smooth access to the womens residence, he handed over a silver note worth a hundred taels of silver to the madam. The madams eyes lit up with joy; she became even more attentive. The two arrived in front of the two most luxurious rooms on the top floor of Tongtian Pavilion, and the madam stopped. Were here, sir, the madam said with a smile: The room on the left is that of the woman in red youre looking for, and the one on the right is for the woman in yellow. However, they should both be resting by now, perhaps already asleep, but their doors are always unlocked. You can just go right in for a night raid. Isnt that fun? Just go in? Zhou Heng frowned, Wont they resist? They wont, the madam replied as she took a jade pendant out of her sleeve, smilingly said, As long as you show them this jade pendant, they will obey you without question and let you do as you please. Oh? That sounds interesting, Zhou Heng chuckled, reaching out to take the jade pendant. Sir, you really dont know the rules, the madam giggled, pulling her hand back, Dont be so secretive at this point. Here at Tongtian Pavilion, we dont do credit. Cash in one hand, jade pendant in the other. Two hundred taels for each girl, four hundred in total. Your peachy dreams will come true C youll make a killing. The madam sure had a way with words. Zhou Hengs eyebrows twitched, fighting the urge to let a vein on his forehead pop, he struggled to remain calm and smiled, Alright, a mere four hundred taels, what of it? Haha! With that said, he took out another four hundred taels worth of silver notes and handed them to the madam. Outwardly, he appeared nonchalant, viewing wealth as dirt, yet internally, he was bleeding profusely. Even though the money was only temporarily leaving his hands, it pained his heart greatly. Alright, alright! Make sure you hold on to this, sir! The madam hastily took the silver notes, her face blooming like a chrysanthemum with a smile. After giving the jade pendant to Zhou Heng, she hummed a little tune and waggled down the stairs. Zhou Heng ignored her and directly pushed open the door to the woman in reds room. At this moment, the room was bathed in an ambiguous, warm glow from the soft, red drapes, and the air was filled with the scent of cosmetics. The fragrance of a woman wafted into his nostrils, creating an atmosphere that could stir restless imaginations just by standing there. Unfortunately, the place was empty of people. The woman in red who should have been residing here had already been turned into a charred corpse by Zhou Hengs Palm Thunder, discarded in a pile of stray dogs. However, Zhou Heng did not begin searching immediately but instead waited quietly for a while. After making sure there were no abnormalities, he began to search. The two were indeed top courtesans of Tongtian Pavilion, and their rooms, being the main areas for entertaining guests, were really spacious and luxurious, not at all what one would expect from a brothel in a small county town. High standards indeed. Zhou Hengs insight was exceptional, and he thoroughly searched every nook and cranny of both rooms, leaving no secret compartments or hiding spots undiscovered. But in the end, he didnt find any particularly valuable clues. The only thing that could pass for a clue was a small booklet. It contained a list of Shocking Thunder Manor disciples entertained by the two women. At the back, there were annotations. Either with or without. Zhou Heng carefully went over it and noticed additional text annotations at the back. The criteria seemed to indicate whether the person was interested in going to Yuanhe Prefecture City. Interestingly, many were marked as with. Yuanhe Prefecture City? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed slightly in confusion. Shocking Thunder Manor was located more than ten miles north of the Dongxiang County, a considerable distance from Yuanhe Prefecture City, which would take five or six days to reach by horse. In an era where transportation was inconvenient and there was a risk of bandits and wild beasts on the roads, most people had little interest in traveling far. Even those seeking to make a name for themselves in the martial world would head toward Pingzhou County, seeking fame within the prefectural city C after all, how many people would hear of their exploits elsewhere? To Zhou Heng, it seemed odd that so many disciples of Shocking Thunder Manor were interested in going to Yuanhe Prefecture City. There was clearly something amiss, and perhaps they were instigated by the two women. Given that the two women were from Honghua Palace and involved with Plague Emperor Sects plot, this encouragement for the disciples to head to Yuanhe Prefecture City might well be the will of these two unorthodox groups. The records stop half a month ago and start from a month ago. The stop is probably because Shocking Thunder Manors people havent been coming by much lately. But what significant event has happened in Yuanhe Prefecture in the past one or two months? Zhou Heng focused his thoughts and suddenly remembered the conversation he had overheard from a few young men and women on the same boat when he crossed Qingxia River earlier. The martial arts tournament. A grand martial arts tournament would be held in Yuanhe Prefecture City in half a month. The rewards were said to be quite generous, and the top fifty young experts would make an appearance. Is it because of the rewards of this martial arts tournament? Zhou Heng flipped through the small booklet in his hand and thought to himself, But could something that could stir the interest of sinister sects like the Plague Emperor Sect and Honghua Palace be in such a small prefectural city? Doubts clouded his mind. However, his only goal was to kill the remaining disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect; he neednt concern himself too much with other matters. If the rewards of the martial arts tournament were really related to the schemes of the Plague Emperor Sect and Honghua Palace, it meant that during this period, it was highly likely that disciples from these two nefarious sects would appear in Yuanhe Prefecture City. This was his opportunity. Such a pity for these gold and silver treasures, though. Zhou Heng looked somewhat regretfully at the gold and silver treasures and stacks of silver notes he had rummaged through, only taking five hundred taels of silver notes before he climbed out the window and left. A gentleman loves money but acquires it in a proper way. Taking these gold and silver treasures would be no different from theft, and he did not wish to do so. The five hundred taels of silver notes were merely to compensate for the loss he caused to the brothel madam. After all, the five hundred taels of silver were for services which he had not enjoyed. Naturally, there was no reason to pay, so he definitely had to take them back. Taking them from this room now simply skipped a step; the essence was the same. After leaving Tongtian Pavilion, Zhou Heng didnt stick around. He immediately checked out of the inn, mounted his chestnut horse, and rode towards a secluded direction. Although Tongtian Pavilion hadnt realized that the two women had disappeared, they would eventually. The charred corpse in the stray dogs heap would probably be discovered tomorrow. It couldnt be kept secret for long. Therefore, Zhou Heng didnt plan on staying the night here but instead chose to leave directly. However, it was late at night, and the city gates were already closed. Leaving through the main gate was out of the question. So, Zhou Heng rode his chestnut horse to a secluded part of the city wall, grabbed one of the horses legs, leapt up with a single bound, climbed to the top of the wall, and without pausing, jumped down. He then mounted his horse again and sped away. The entire process left the chestnut horse utterly confused, with a blank expression frozen on its face. There were indeed guards on the city walls, a few soldiers on the night watch. But in this relatively peaceful locale, the soldiers on the walls were there more as a formality than for any serious defensive duties. When Zhou Heng scaled the wall, most of the soldiers were asleep, with just a few who had gotten up at night standing petrified, watching the sequence of Zhou Hengs actions. The expressions on their faces were also completely stunned. (* fl)!! Someone was actually climbing the city wall with a horse in tow! Was this even possible?!? They had seen many wandering martial artists scaling the walls in the middle of the night before. But this way of leaving with a horse in hand was a first for them. Impressive! Zhou Heng, riding the chestnut horse, returned to the official road from the remote area. At this hour, it was quiet all around; even on the official road, there was no light on either side. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright enough, making the road fairly clear, and riding the horse was quite easy. Now, the question is, which way should I go to Yuanhe Prefecture City? Zhou Heng scratched his head. Because he originally planned just to investigate the Plague Emperor Sect near Shocking Thunder Manor, he only looked into the surrounding areas of the manor. Such as Dongxiang County, Danyun County, Wuguo County, and so on. Yuanhe Prefecture City was quite far from the area around Shocking Thunder Manor, and the entire Yuanhe Prefecture was also rather large, with many subordinate counties. He hadnt paid much attention to the route to the prefectural city and only remembered that it was generally southwestward. Forgetit, Ill just follow the official road. Ill find the place eventually. Zhou Heng gave up trying to recall the specific route to Yuanhe Prefecture City, adopting the mindset that a road will present itself when he reaches the foot of the mountain. I was planning to open the Fortune Bags I received previously, but those two Honghua Palace women disturbed me, and I didnt get the chance to do anything. Now I finally have some time. In that last battle in Yuyang County, his loot was quite substantial. Two Copper Fortune Bags and two Silver Fortune Bags. Plus the Silver Fortune Bag he received as a reward for achieving Perfection in the Authentic Internal Energy Heart Method and a Gold Fortune Bag for breaking through to Eighth Rank. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Now he had in total: One Gold Fortune Bag, two Copper Fortune Bags, three Silver Fortune Bags. Should I open them all at once or open a few now and wait to enjoy the rest later? Zhou Heng, mounted on the chestnut horse, plunged into philosophical thought. So should he rush to the peak of excitement all at once? Or should he savor it slowly, reaching that high bit by bit? Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: Chapter 102: The Middle Ancient Stele with No Inscriptions Chapter 102: Chapter 102: The Middle Ancient Stele with No Inscriptions Zhou Heng, after some consideration, decided to first open a Copper Fortune Bag and a Silver Luck Bag. The reason was simple. He hadnt burned incense or taken a bath, nor had he consulted a fortune-teller to find out the auspicious time for the day, his hands were even a bit dirty. If he were to open all of them under these conditions and ended up with misfortune, what then? It was better to open two Fortune Bags for some excitement, especially the Gold Fortune Bag, for which he would make sure to be fully prepared. in terms of opening Fortune Bags, Zhou Heng had always been somewhat superstitious about mysticism, a habit he brought with him from Earth where he had been an avid player of gacha mobile games. Of course, that was likely just a psychological effect. If he ended up getting nothing good, it would just mean that he was too unfortunate; not even mysticism could save him. Open a Copper Fortune Bag and a Silver Luck Bag! Congratulations! Youve obtained three Copper Coins. Congratulations! Youve obtained one tael of gold. ??? Ill Zhou Heng was stunned, hardly believing his own eyes, and nearly fell off his jujube-red horse. Whats going on? Was he really this unlucky? He had never been this unlucky before! He began to doubt his life; two consecutive Fortune Bags, one copper and one silver, and not only had he not struck rich, he hadnt even gotten anything useful! That was too much! Could it really be that Im just too unlucky? Zhou Hengs brow furrowed, not willing to believe in such misfortune, and whispered, No, I refuse to believe Im this unlucky, lets try opening another Silver Luck Bag, just one more. Congratulations! Youve obtained Martial Arts Ambidextrous Combat [Eighth Rank]. Ambidextrous Combat? Is that the martial art where the left and right hands perform slow movements -no, the one where each hand can perform different techniques? Zhou Hengs eyes lit up. This martial art was indeed quite useful to him; being skilled in both saber and sword was definitely appealing. Besides, although right now he only knew how to use the saber and sword, he could foresee that the variety of weapons and techniques he would learn in the future would only increase, and Ambidextrous Combat was perfect to showcase his prowess. However, could it be considered terribly unlucky to get only an Eighth Rank Martial Art from a Silver Luck Bag? Zhou Heng pondered for a long while, hesitated for a bit, then decided to open another Silver Luck Bag to confirm his luck. Congratulations! Youve obtained a temperament special effect: Grace of a Gentle Breeze. Grace of a Gentle Breeze: A temperament special effect, with no actual mystical properties. Once activated, it will make others perceive you as handsome, dashing, suave, and outstanding. What the heck is this!?? Zhou Heng was flabbergasted; these Silver Luck Bags were really something, what sorts of odd stuff did they have? What was the use of a temperament special effect? He was already handsome to begin with; what did he need a special effect for? At the same time, he suddenly realized that he was now left with only a Copper Fortune Bag and a Gold Fortune Bag. He promptly stopped himself. He couldnt go on! He had initially intended to open only one Silver Luck Bag and one Copper Fortune Bag! How did it come to this?! Zhou Heng suddenly felt a bit regretful inside; why was he still as impulsive as he had been on Earth?! So, he simply gave up all thoughts of Fortune Bags. And focused on making his way. Meanwhile, he contemplated the Innate Skill. This inner strength technique was quite mysterious. Since the day he had opened it, Zhou Heng had been reflecting on it. However, due to various matters, he had never had the chance to focus solely on it; as a result, his proficiency level still hadnt reached 1. But, it was close. [Seventh Rank] Innate Skill: Unlearned (0.89/1) When Zhou Heng arrived at Yuanhe Prefecture City, it had already been five days. During these five days, he basically ate in the wind and slept outdoors. When tired, he would just lie down on the back of the horse to rest, and when hungry, he would directly hunt in the forest to eat some game. With his current cultivation strength, even if he encountered a tiger, he could kill it with a single punch. Its just that tiger meat was too tough, and it didnt taste good. Zhou Heng didnt particularly like it. Therefore, upon reaching Yuanhe Prefecture City, his first order of business was to find a place to settle down. And to have a good meal at last. However, this time he didnt go looking for an inn, but instead asked around for any properties owned by Pure Yang Palace in the area. Yuanhe Prefecture City was significantly larger than Huangtong Mansion, and correspondingly more prosperous. There might be some businesses here that werent present in Huangtong Mansion, such as high-end jewelry stores or apothecaries. These were the main businesses of Pure Yang Palace in the mortal world. After all, not everyone in a Taoist Immortal Sect is an immortal. Most are ordinary disciples, and daily necessities like food, clothing, and shelter all cost money. Naturally, its necessary for the sect to own businesses that generate income. However, Pure Yang Palaces businesses were rather high-end and weren t found in smaller cities, because the local people couldnt afford such extravagant spending. If Yuanhe Prefecture were similar to Huangtong Mansion, then Zhou Heng wouldnt even need to ask around-there definitely wouldnt be any. Luckily, Yuanhe Prefecture was indeed quite developed. With a little inquiry, Zhou Heng found out the location of several Pure Yang Palace businesses, including jewelry stores and apothecaries, as well as a few shops selling peace charms. Zhou Heng chose an apothecary with a smaller storefront and less foot traffic, showed his outer disciple waist tag from Pure Yang Palace, and the person in charge of the shop immediately asked what he needed with great respect. Being a disciple of a Great Sect had its perks-one could go anywhere and, as long as there were properties belonging to the sect, present the disciple waist tag to receive all sorts of assistance. Zhou Heng planned to stay here to save a considerable amount of money that he would have spent on inns. Moreover, the apothecary itself didnt require much spending and could even receive subsidies handed down by Pure Yang Palace, generally earning the proprietors a small profit. Pure Yang Palace had clear regulations on how to accommodate their disciples. If they provided lodging for disciples from Pure Yang Palace, the sect would give a subsidy of at least one silver taels per day. It was a surefire way to earn a profit without any loss. Therefore, once the shopkeeper heard Zhou Hengs request, he immediately agreed without hesitation. He also ordered his apprentices to brew tea and pour water and to prepare exquisite dishes to welcome and cleanse Zhou Heng from his journey. Shopkeeper Bai, Ive heard that Yuanhe Prefecture City is planning to have some sort of martial arts competition. Do you know about it? After Zhou Heng sat down and settled the matter of accommodation, he began to inquire about the news. That was one of the reasons he had chosen the apothecary. Theres an old saying that medicine and martial arts share the same origin, and no martial artist could avoid injuries. Even after seeing a doctor, they would ultimately need to get medicine, so there would undoubtedly be many warriors coming and going here, likely to have an abundance of information regarding martial artists. The owner of the apothecary, surnamed Bai, appeared to be in his sixties and looked kind-hearted. When he was young, he had worked as an odd-jobber in the outer fields of the Pure Yang Palace, and after showing promise, he was sent out to manage the apothecary. The respect for outer disciples was deeply ingrained in him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thus he treated Zhou Heng with great respect and upon hearing Zhou Hengs question, immediately smiled and said, Youve come to the right person with this question. Just the other day, people from the Wang Family ordered a batch of medicines from me for use during the martial arts competition. As for the competition, its quite a big deal. It began with an ancient wordless stele that the Wang Clans family head of Yuanhe Prefecture City stumbled upon ten years ago. That stele is very old, believed to be from the Middle Ancient era. There are no words on it, just some scratches, and each scratch seems to represent a different martial arts technique. Some people have gained insights into sword techniques from it, others into saber techniques, and still others into inner strength. The ranks vary widely, with the lowest being Entry Rank and the highest reaching Sixth Rank; its quite marvelous. The most important reward of this martial arts competition is actually a chance to perceive this wordless stele. For many martial artists, its a rare opportunity to acquire advanced martial arts. Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Leisure Time Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Leisure Time The Middle Ancient Stele without words? Zhou Hengs gaze sharpened upon hearing this. Could this be the reason Honghua Palace and Plague Emperor Sect were instigating Shocking Thunder Manor disciples to join the martial arts competition? -The so-called Middle Ancient Era referred to a period starting ten thousand years ago. It is said to have been an unprecedentedly prosperous era, with nine individuals of Divine First Rank, known as the Nine Saints. However, that dazzling era came to an abrupt end without any apparent reason. Many powerhouses vanished and numerous heritages were lost. Only a handful of Sects have maintained their legacy to this day. Pure Yang Sect was one of them. Is this Stele without words really so miraculous that anyone can comprehend martial arts from it? Zhou Heng inquired. Not quite so, Bai, the shopkeeper, replied with a smile, shaking his head. Actually, its quite the opposite; only a few are able to perceive martial arts from the stele. Perhaps thats also why the Wang Family is willing to offer the opportunity to comprehend the Stele as a prize for the competition. They let outsiders perceive from it and then keep the comprehended martial arts, he added. However, there are restrictions on the martial arts comprehended from the Stele, Bai explained further. Firstly, one must leave a copy of the martial arts theyve perceived with the Wang Family and the original perceiver must not teach it to others on their own. If they wish to teach someone, they must notify the Wang Family in writing and obtain permission first. Then isnt that essentially a martial art of the Wang Family? Zhou Heng said, surprised. Although the martial arts are perceived from the Wang Familys Stele, not even having the right to teach it seemed too overbearing. Thats just how it is, Bai, the shopkeeper, sighed softly. For many martial artists, if they cant join a Sect, learning higher-level martial arts means selling their services to a martial academy or navigating the corridors of power. Both paths come with all sorts of rules and restrictions, and the latter even has its high demands. If one desires freedom and spontaneity, then they must hope for extraordinary encounters in the Jianghu. Compared to that, the martial arts learned from the Stele feel much more tangible. Even though the Wang Family places various restrictions on these martial arts, people are still free overall, not bound by too many rules. Thus, naturally many martial artists flock to the Wang Familys martial arts competition, he concluded. That is understandable, Zhou Heng nodded slightly. After all, most people in this world are ordinary, including martial artists. Those born into great families and able to join Sects are, after all, the minority. Are you also interested in this martial arts competition? Bai, the shopkeeper asked. lam somewhat interested in that wordless stele, Zhou Heng replied with a smile. If his earlier assumption was correct, getting close to that stele would likely lead to encounters with individuals from Plague Emperor Sect. That Stele is indeed mysterious. Its normal for you to be interested, Bai the shopkeeper, said with a smile. The top five finalists will all get the chanceto comprehend from the Stele. If youre interested, you only need to make it into the top five, which should be no problem with your strength. As Zhou Heng had revealed his identity when showing his Pure Yang Palace waist tag, Bai, the shopkeeper, already knew he was Bone Fracture Injury, ranked ninety-ninth on the martial artists list. With such strength, in normal circumstances, not to mention the top five he could have swept through the Wang Familys martial arts competition without any trouble. However, this time it was said that there would be masters from the top fifty of the martial artists list attending, which is why Bai, the shopkeeper, didnt make any guarantees and simply mentioned the top five. When exactly will it take place? Zhou Heng asked. Half a month from now, on the third of July, is when the martial arts competition will be held, Bai replied. The past few times the competition lasted two days, with rewards being issued on the fifth of July, which also happens to be the Wang Family patriarchs birthday celebration. There is still some time then. Ill have to trouble you, Mr. Bai, Zhou Heng said. What are you saying? All of us servants sent out from Pure Yang Palace lead a comfortable life because of it. Its only proper that we assist you, Bai, the shopkeeper, responded with a smile. After settling down in Bais pharmacy, Zhou Heng began a peaceful and tranquil cultivation life. Every day, he either sat in meditation to refine his Inner Qi, to improve his proficiency with the Innate Skill, or he practiced the Six-Path Plum Blossom Hand and the Solitary Nine Swords. The noise created by training in the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes was too great, so he substituted palm for sword to practice the movements, which meant proficiency grew slowly. As for the technique of fighting with both hands, this martial art was essentially closer to a skill. Once he grasped the crux, proficiency could increase quite rapidly. Martial Arts: [Eighth Rank] Ambidextrous Combat: Advanced (1568/3000) [Seventh Rank] Innate Skill: Intermediate (265/2000) [Seventh Rank] Six-Path Plum Blossom Hand: Intermediate (157/2000) [Seventh Rank] Solitary Nine Swords: Intermediate (1885/2000) [Absolute Fourth Rank] Purple Thunder Seven Strikes: Fifth Level (412/5000) Being at Eighth Rank with several Seventh Rank martial arts and even low- level application of an Absolute Fourth Rank martial art, such an array would be extremely rare even among the topmost Martial Dao Sects of the present day. Zhou Hengs martial arts were far more powerful than those of disciples from ordinary Sects. They werent even in the same league. With his current strength, ordinary Seventh Ranks were unlikely to match him. Only those from great Sects and great families of Seventh Rank had the strength to exchange a few moves with him, but their chances of winning were still not great. Only those of strong Seventh Rank with several secret techniques or those at the pinnacle of Seventh Rank who had glimpsed the mysteries of Middle Third Rank posed a real threat to Zhou Heng now. Time flew by quickly. In the blink of an eye, Zhou Heng had already been staying with Bai, the shopkeeper, for ten days. In these days, Shopkeeper Bais care for him could be described as meticulous, with clothing, food, accommodation, and transportation all prepared extremely well, nearly without any oversight. One could see how attentive Shopkeeper Bai was. Over this period, Zhou Heng became familiar with some people in Shopkeeper Bais household. Shopkeeper Bai had a wife, a daughter who was only eight years old, named Bai Yuejian, and an apprentice at the pharmacy, who was also his adopted son, a sixteen-year-old teenager named Bai Jingtian. Every morning, the young girl Bai Yuejian would come with a pot of freshly brewed tea for Zhou Heng, while Bai Jingtian would clean Zhou Hengs room, making sure it was spotless, ensuring Zhou Hengs comfort and peace of mind. One day, after breakfast, Zhou Heng was practicing his stance in the pharmacys backyard. The Innate Skill also included stance training, which not only strengthened inner qi but also nurtured the qi and blood throughout the body, allowing the body to be nourished by the inner qi. Moreover, while standing in stance, one would gaze into the distance, clear the mind, and be able to sense the natural rhythm of the world, nurturing the divine soul. As Zhou Heng was in stance, a little girl in a white dress sat on a stone bench not far away, chin in hand, watching him intently. This little girl, about seven or eight years old, was pretty as a picture, delicate and lovely, like a porcelain doll, and very adorable; she was none other than Shopkeeper Bais daughter, Bai Yuejian. After bringing tea to Zhou Heng every day, she would watch him practice his stance. Initially, she would try to mimic the stance, but later, she found it too tiring and gave up, simply sitting there to watch. C The most important aspect of the Innate Skill was the circulation of inner strength techniques; standing stance was just external aid for the flow of inner qi, at best it could be compared to Ninth Grade stance. Even if it was learned by others, it didnt matter to Zhou Heng, and besides, the little girl Bai Yuejian didnt seem like someone who could learn it. When Zhou Heng finished practicing, the little girl cheered and said, Big brother, your eyes were so bright just now, like two lanterns, so impressive! Thats the divine light naturally bursting forth from a spirit full of vitality Zhou Heng smiled and patted her head, saying, If you learn martial arts, you will eventually be able to do the same. Wuuwuu, learning martial arts is too hard, Bai Yuejian shook her little head, messing up her hair, and said, Daddy says its not good for a girl like me to learn martial arts, but I like watching big brother practice. You look particularly good when you train! At such a young age, she already had a preference for looks. In the future, you shouldnt judge people byjust their appearance, Zhou Heng reminded her with a smile and then looked around in confusion, asking, Eh, wheres your brother? He was referring to Shopkeeper Bais adopted son, Bai Jingtian. Although the teenager was an apprentice at the pharmacy, he was also an apprentice at a martial arts school and was incredibly diligent in practicing martial arts. Unfortunately, due to his limited talent, he found many martial concepts difficult to grasp, making his progress in martial arts very slow. Moreover, this young man was rather shy and not very adept at socializing. In fact, Bai Jing Tian had been intending to ask Zhou Heng for advice ever since Zhou Heng had moved in. After all, a seventeen-year-old who was highly placed in the martial artists rankings and at the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, to him, these titles already made Zhou Heng a master among masters. However, due to his temperament, it wasnt until five days ago that Bai Jingtian finally mustered up the courage to ask Zhou Heng some questions about martial arts. Zhou Heng had a good impression of such hardworking and ordinary individuals and was happy to explain. Moreover, the martial arts Bai Jingtian asked for advice on were just basic Entry Rank Martial Arts, at most seeking guidance on the Wang Familys Ninth Grade Swordsmanship. Advising on this level of martial arts for Zhou Heng now was almost like teaching addition and subtraction within ten. Every sentence spoken by Zhou Heng would enlighten Bai Jingtian, yielding great benefit. The rapid progress in his martial arts was clearly visible and extremely swift. Thus, almost every early morning, Bai Jingtian would come over to seek his advice. Today, not seeing Bai Jingtian felt somewhat strange to him. Hmm, my brother, hes fine, its probably just that he has more matters to attend to today, which is why he didn t come, Bai Yuejian said in a soft voice, covering her small pale hands over her eyes. Seeing this, Zhou Heng laughed and said, And why are you covering your own eyes? Daddy says the eyes are the windows to the soul, and when people lie, their eyes change, Bai Yuejian replied with her eyes covered and head lowered. If I cover my eyes, then you wont be able to tell that Im lying. Haha, are you intentionally trying to let me know you re lying? Zhou Heng smiled and then asked, Speak up, what happened with Bai Jingtian? Teacher, let me explain it myself, Bai Jingtian intervened at this moment, walking over with some bruising around his eyes, appearing as though he had been injured in a fight. Ah, brother, I didnt tell him about your injury! Bai Yuejian immediately dashed off, running away and shouting as she went, Big brother, Im leaving my brother in your care! And before long, she had disappeared from sight. Bai Jingtian was a sixteen-year-old youth with a nondescript appearance, though his physique was sturdy from regular martial arts practice, and he was fairly tallan energetic young man. What happened? Zhou Heng inquired, holding a fairly good impression of Bai Jingtian. Please dont worry, Teacher, its really nothing much Bai Jingtian hesitated slightly, then said, Its just that I lost a few moves while sparring with someone and got a bit injured. You didnt want Yuejian to tell me because you intend to train hard and win back the victory? Zhou Heng asked with a light chuckle. Yes, Bai Jingtian nodded and said, The one who bested me joined the martial institute two months before me. I admit he is better than I am, but I will eventually defeat him. If it was only a sparring session among Sect mates, why would you end up injured like this? Zhou Heng noticed he was holding something back and said, You must have other conflicts. No, theres none, Bai Jingtian shook his head. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Tell the truth, Zhou Heng said flatly, his tone full of authority. Er yes, its because my fellow disciple heard that a high-level master is staying at my place and also intends to participate in the Wang Familys martial contest. His own family elder will participate in the contest too, and so some verbal disputes arose. Of course, the high-level master is you, Teacher. But when my fellow disciple spoke of you, he used some disrespectful words, which I couldnt stand to hear, so I argued with him, and then we ended up fighting. However, my skills were inferior, and I feel I have let you down, Teacher. I was ultimately defeated, Bai Jingtian said, hanging his head. Im sorry, Teacher, for causing you trouble. What did he say about me? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. That, that he said youre just a country bumpkin who came to stay with poor relatives and knows a bit of trifling martial arts, only fit to instruct apprentices like me and not worthy of taking part in the martial contest, Bai Jingtian said in a low voice. Thats interesting; your fellow disciples brain might not be working so well Zhou Heng chuckled, then continued, Tell me, how did you lose? Which moves did you lose to? Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: Chapter 104: A Changed Person Chapter 104: Chapter 104: A Changed Person Shanliang Martial Arts Hall. This was one of the larger martial arts halls in Yuanhe Prefecture City, roughly the same size as Huangtong Mansions Wuxiang Martial Arts Hall, and backed by one of the Great Da Qis ten major sects, the Qing Emperor Sect. However, the level of martial arts halls in various prefectural cities was essentially similar. The trainers were mostly Ninth or Eighth Rank Martial Artists, and only some special high-end ones or one-on-one private training trainers were of the Seventh Rank. The apprentices were all at the yet-to-enter-rank level. On this day, at dawn. At the morning training ground of Shanliang Martial Arts Hall, because the morning exercises had not yet started and the morning trainers had not arrived, apprentices gathered in small groups, discussing a popular topic. The martial arts competition soon to be held by the Wang Family. And at the heart of this topic was the apprentice universally acknowledged as the eldest brother, hailed as the strongest below Ninth Rank in Yuanhe Prefecture City, Li Zhe. Brother Li, I heard that your elder only just reached his fifties, and he is already a high-level Seventh Rank master. Its just a pity he doesnt have Secret Six Rank martial arts to make a further breakthrough. There will definitely be an opportunity this time, right? Do you even need to ask? Thats for sure not a problem. With decades of Martial Path experience, after stepping into the Seventh Rank, Brother Lis strength is definitely not comparable to those young ones. By then, if Brother Lis elder comprehends the wordless stele to obtain Sixth Rank techniques, and also gets the Wang Familys permission, Brother Li could then soar to the skies! Yeah, if their family has a Secret Six Rank Martial Arts inheritance, they could definitely make a name for themselves in the entire Yuanhe Prefecture. So envious. I heard that Bai Jingtians family also took in a master, right? And he gave pointers on his martial arts; Bai Jingtians progress has indeed been very significant lately. Significant what? He was still knocked down by Brother Li in three moves, completely unremarkable. That so-called master is probably just a half-baked charlatan. A group of apprentices chatted away, most of them singing the praises of Li Zhes elder. Li Zhe was a young man in his early twenties, tall and well-built with handsome features. He had already mastered a Ninth Rank technique to near perfection and was quickly approaching completion. Listening to the compliments around him, the corners of his mouth curved upwards into a clear smile; he quite enjoyed the flattery from these people. His views on the upcoming martial arts competition also leaned heavily toward his familys elder, not out of blind expectation of victory but from concrete analysis. Li Zhe had carefully analyzed the winners of the previous competitions, noting that most of the top five were always Eighth Rank Martial Artists, and if there was ever a Seventh Rank, it would only be one or two at most. Furthermore, considering the actual situation in the jianghu, most individuals wandering the martial world are those who break through to Ninth Rank in martial halls but who dont wish to stay as trainers, yearning instead for a life of freedom. Most of these individuals are only Ninth Rank, a rare few might obtain opportunities to reach Eighth Rank, and very few can achieve Seventh Rank solely through adventuring in the jianghu. Therefore, generally speaking, the average expert in the jianghu is around Eighth Rank. In Li Zhes view, barring unexpected circumstances, the participants of the martial arts competition would typically be at this level. His uncle had already reached the Seventh Rank, easily surpassing any Eighth Rank Martial Artists in the jianghu. Even if he was defeated by one or two other Seventh Ranks m the end, he would certainly have the opportunity to comprehend the wordless stele. As for falling outside of the top five, Li Zhe had never even considered it A Seventh Rank Warrior falling out of the top five? That was simply impossible. Throughout this time, he hadnt taken the master staying at Bai Jingtians place seriously at all. In his eyes, that so-called master was probably just a newly arrived impoverished warrior from outside the area, at best Eighth Rank, or possibly only Ninth Rank. Surely, guiding a novice like Bai Jingtian was more than sufficient, but expecting to win a prize in the martial arts competition? That was just a fools dream, utterly impossible. While Li Zhe was fantasizing about his familys future possessing Secret Six Rank Martial Arts, Bai Jingtian suddenly came over, carrying his sword. Brother Li, Ive thought it over all night, and I believe we can have another exchange, Bai Jingtian said bluntly, without beating around the bush, This time, I think I can win against you. After Zhou Heng queried him about the moves he lost to and he had honestly explained He never expected Zhou Heng to directly reverse-engineer Li Zhes specialty swordsmanship. Zhou Heng explained every move, every form, and even every possible variation of each move to him and deconstructed them one by one. This made Bai Jingtian truly realize Zhou Hengs strength-it was incredible Compared to Zhou Heng, all the trainers at Shanliang Martial Arts Hall were nothing, the difference was too great! Similarly, after listening to Zhou Hengs explanations and demonstrations of breaking down moves, and after being fed a good number of them, Bai Jingtian truly felt his own strength. A strength far surpassing his past self. However, seeing Bai Jingtian approach with such confidence, the onlookers couldnt help but snicker internally and even whisper among themselves. Lost so badly before and still not admitting defeat, are you looking for another beating? Look at the purple on his eyelids, it hasnt even healed. Thats the mark left by Brother Li Zhe, such an embarrassment. He actually has the guts to continue challenging, this is really strange and weird. And where does this inexplicable confidence come from? Could it be that the expert in his family found out and gave him a few pointers sonowhesthis confident? Hahaha, what kind of expert can make Bai Jingtian surpass Brother Li Zhe overnight? Impossible. The crowd was abuzz with discussion, none of them were very optimistic about Bai Jingtian. Li Zhe also frowned slightly, looking at Bai Jingtian and said, I hope this is the last time. I actually dont like competing with a defeated subordinate, but since you insist, I will oblige you this once, while also making you understand that not everyone can be called an expert. With that, he walked over to the weapons rack and picked up two wooden swords, tossing one of them to Bai Jingtian. Make your move. Li Zhe said indifferently. Please make the first move, Brother Li, Bai Jingtian said, keeping in mind the tricks Zhou Heng had mentioned about striking after the enemy. Arrogant! Li Zhe felt this was Bai Jingtian looking down on him. So he held nothing back, his wooden sword lightly raised as he leaped forward, quickly closing in on Bai Jingtian and fiercely smashing the sword down. It was as if it were not a sword, but a mountain! The Seventy-Two Mountain Suppression Sword Techniques of the Shanliang Martial Arts Hall, Ninth-Grade. This move was incredibly fierce. It was all about overpowering the opponent, he was convinced of Bai Jingtians lesser strength and force, so he simply forwent comparing techniques and aimed to overpower Bai Jingtian with brute force. Moreover, being defeated in such a manner usually results in the most pitiful state, and he wanted to thoroughly deter Bai Jingtian, while also sending a message to the expert behind Bai Jingtian not to harbor any delusions about the martial arts contest. However, just as Li Zhes sword came smashing down, Bai Jingtian gently turned his wrist. The sword edge not only blocked his attack but also shifted inward, and with a light flick of the fingers holding the sword, Pop! It hit right on Li Zhes wrist that held the sword, causing Li Zhes sword to drop to the ground instantly, while the swords edge lifted, resting against Li Zhes neck. There was immediate silence all around, a silence of disbelief as everyone stared at Bai Jingtian! My god, how could he be this powerful?? Bai Jingtian seemed to have changed into a different person overnight. This was astonishing! You, what was that sword technique just now? Li Zhe had an incredulous look on his face, watching Bai Jingtian in disbelief, How did you do that!? Li Zhe had been keenly aware that every change in his sword technique seemed to have been anticipated by his opponent, making it feel impossible to breach this sensation. It was just a few pointers from the expert in my family, Bai Jingtian said softly with a smile. Brother Li Zhe, it seems the expert in my family is not as hopeless in the martial arts contest as you thought. Heh! Li Zhes gaze suddenly turned cold, Dont get cocky, the strength of my uncles martial arts absolutely cannot be compared to your so-called expert! The streets of Yuanhe Prefecture City were bustling with markets, with many streets specializing in the sale of goods. Bais apothecary was on one such street. Sheng Xinrou and others went out for a casual stroll that day and found themselves on this street. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only They had arrived here six days earlier, waiting for the upcoming martial arts contest and to join in the excitement. Hey, look, that chestnut horse! Sheng Xinrou was initially selecting goods from a stall when she suddenly spotted the chestnut horse being led out by the apothecarys servant for some sun. She remembered that it was the steed of the hero from the Qingxia River! At the same time, at a snack stall not far away, a young girl tasting snacks also suddenly raised her head, looking at the chestnut horse with surprise and delight in her eyes. Sitting at the same table with her was a more mature and beautiful woman, who asked in confusion, Whats wrong, Xiuer? Chapter 105 - Chapter 105: Even more destined Chapter 105: Even more destined Its nothing, just that Im grateful that it seems an old friend is also here, Yun Xiu, with a pretty face, showed a faint smile and said, Master, you mentioned that this martial arts competition held by the Wang Family is much more important than before and that many extraordinary people would show up, right? Indeed, the woman nodded slightly with a smile, Putting aside the martial arts competition for now, looking at your expression, it must be someone youre very familiar with-an young boy, perhaps? Um, hes a good friend of mine, Yun Xiu nodded and said with a light smile, A hard-working and earnest boy who has finally achieved something, and hes even a year younger than me. The broken-boned Zhou Heng? the woman said with a smile, You specifically went back to Huangtong Mansion City to bid farewell to someone, it was for him, wasnt it? Yes, Yun Xiu replied confidently without a hint of shyness, As good friends, one should personally say goodbye when about to embark on a long journey. Hmm, thats a good habit, the woman expressed her agreement and glanced at the date-red horse, That horse belongs to Zhou Heng? It looks quite nice and has distinctive features; no wonder you could recognize it. Just now you mentioned the martial arts competition-do you think he is here to participate in that event? He probably is, replied Yun Xiu after some thought, Theres been nothing significant happening in Yuanhe Prefecture City lately, so he must have come here because he was interested in the Wang Familys martial arts competition. If thats the case, Id advise you not to actively seek him out, the woman said with a smile. Why not? asked Yun Xiu, puzzled, believing that since chance had brought them together, it was only natural to seek him out. Seeking him out directly would be rather uninteresting, the woman chuckled, It would be much better for him to discover you by accident. How about this-since the competition will be filled with strong participants, you should enter too, it could broaden your martial arts horizons. But Ive only just reached the Ninth Grade, Yun Xiu said with some unease. What youve been practicing is the supreme art I taught you; even if youre ? just at the Ninth Grade, youre no lesser than those seasoned Ninth Graders, said the woman, her lips curved in a smile, Besides, dont you think it would be a much more fateful encounter if he suddenly discovered you participating in the competition? Ah? Yun Xiu blinked, half understanding yet doubtful, Really? Not really? the woman retorted, then firmly added, Trust your master, it will definitely be so. But why should I make our meeting seem more fateful? Yun Xiu thought for a moment but still didnt understand her masters train of thought, What are you trying to say, Master? Im not trying to say anything, if you want to go find him, just go directly, the woman rolled her eyes helplessly, giving up on the persuasion. Although I dont quite understand the reason, since Master has said so, I will do just that, said Yun Xiu, nodding her head, I wont go looking for Brother Heng on my own; Ill try to meet him during the competition. Looks like youre still redeemable, the woman started to laugh, her smile tinged with a bit of helplessness. Inside Shanliang Martial Arts Hall. Li Zhe, humiliated by being defeated by Bai Jingtian, went straight to the trainer to ask for leave and headed home in a fury. At once, Bai Jingtian became the focus of the numerous apprentices. Many came over to ask him questions. Jingtian, whats the background of that expert in your house? Hes so incredible; in just one night, you surpassed Li Zhe! Thats amazing! Keep in mind that strength doesnt equal teaching ability; many Seventh Rank experts cant even produce a Ninth Grader, so the fact that jingtians strength improved so quickly means that the expert from his home is truly extraordinary. Hey, Jingtian, Ive heard that your father once worked for Pure Yang Palace and still has some connections-could that expert from your house be from Pure Yang Palace? Oh my! Pure Yang Palace, thats incredible, Jingtian, you have to tell us, who exactly is that expert in your family? The crowd asked questions left and right. However, Bai Jingtian didnt reveal a single word; he knew Zhou Heng did not want to disclose his identity, so naturally, Bai Jingtian couldnt talk carelessly -even if it meant dying without saying another word. The crowd of apprentices quickly noticed Bai Jingtians attitude; their excitement was swiftly extinguished, and some even turned to taunting. Tsk, whats all the swagger for, just because you beat Brother Li with one move? Its just luck; that doesnt count for anything in a real fight! The way I see it, the reason he doesnt dare to talk about the expert in his family is probably because he made it all up. All this so-called progress is nothing more than a desperate effort at the right time, and he just happened to get lucky and win. Heh heh, lets just wait for the martial arts competition and watch the so- called expert from the Bai Jingtian family make a fool of himself! Hahaha! Im definitely going to watch. An expert who is afraid to even let others know his name, how impressive can he be? He might end up getting his teeth kicked in! Hahaha! Bai Jingtian was furious now, his longsword swept through the air, pointing at one of them, his gaze icy as he said sternly, If you dare to speak ill of my teacher again, Ill make sure youll never speak again! His words were filled with murderous intent, which was completely different from Bai Jingtians usual good-natured image; this scared everyone so much that their hair stood on end, and they were terrified. My goodness, this Bai Jingtian seems like hes become a different person! As surprising as it was, their cowardice was real. The ones who had just been mocking Zhou Heng knew they were no match for Bai Jingtian, so they didnt dare to confront him head-on. They immediately shut their mouths and slinked away. You, you all have no idea how powerful my teacher is! Now, Bai Jingtian s admiration and respect for Zhou Heng came from the depths of his heart, and he absolutely wouldnt allow anyone to say anything bad about him. It was as if Zhou Heng had become his master, or even a deity to him. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng was lying leisurely on his bed, quietly waiting for the most auspicious time to come in the recent days. June 28th, at the third quarter of the hour of noon. Highly auspicious! All undertakings will prosper! This was a calculation Zhou Heng had made after arriving in Yuanhe Prefecture City. After several investigations and comparisons, he chose to consult the most renowned and reputed blind fortune-teller, who divined this auspicious day and time for him. According to the blind fortune-teller, this was supposed to be the most propitious time for fortune and prosperity in the past three months and also the day when people s luck would be at its best. On this day, whatever one did ought to go smoothly and successfully. So, after his morning routine of standing postures and qi practice, he took a bath, burnt incense, and returned to his room to quietly wait for the auspicious time to arrive. This time, he planned to open all the remaining Fortune Bags in his possession. The Gold Fortune Bag was included. After all, the martial arts competition was approaching, and he still hadnt found any trace of the Plague Emperor Sect. This meant that if they wanted that unmarked stele, they might choose to make a move either just before the martial arts competition started or after it had already begun. And it might be a big move. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng always felt that when many different forces gathered for such an event, there was the potential for a major incident to occur. Although he had instructed Bai, the shopkeeper, to contact the local prefectural city officials, the city authorities might not take it seriously, so he had Bai report some of his speculations to Pure Yang Palace, but help from afar couldnt resolve the imminent crisis. Before the big event started, it was crucial to have some trump cards and methods to turn the tide. The items one could obtain from a Gold Fortune Bag, as long as one doesn t have really bad luck or an extreme stroke of misfortune, undoubtedly had the potential to be game changers. Open the Gold Fortune Bag! Chapter 106 - Chapter 106: Chapter 106 Five-Colored Divine Light Chapter 106: Chapter 106 Five-Colored Divine Light Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve obtained a special skill card: Five-Color Divine LightfCopper]. Five-Color Divine Light [Copper]: Can manifest the true essence of the Five Elements Path, and can strip away anything in the world that belongs to the five elements. Holy shit! Zhou Heng almost jumped out of bed, his face bursting with smiles, his grinning mouth nearly stretching to the back of his skull. What a surprise! Truly, what a surprise! It was actually the Five-Color Divine Light, the legendary Great Divine Power. It was said that at the peak of its cultivation, one could become the master of the Five Elements Path, able to control the very root of the Five Elements Path. The Path of the Five Elements is the foundation of all matter; to be in control of the root of the Five Elements Path is almost the same as controlling the material world! Theoretically, the Great Divine Power of the Five-Color Divine Light could counter anything material. Unless one could step out of the Three Realms, not being within the Five Elements. But reaching such a state is far from easy. To some extent, the Five-Color Divine Light is almost unstoppable. This is definitely a trump card of extreme power! No doubt about it! Hey, if I use this Five-Color Divine Light skill card while a senior member or even the Sect leader of the Five Elements Sect is around, who knows what kind of chain reaction it would trigger. Zhou Heng couldnt help but let his thoughts wander. Of course, it would be better if such a situation didnt arise, but just thinking about it felt quite amusing. Next was the remaining Copper Fortune Bag. In fact, after the huge win from the Gold Fortune Bag, Zhou Heng felt he should be indifferent to whatever came out of the Copper Fortune Bag; whatever it was, he should be able to face it calmly. Open the Copper Fortune Bag! Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve obtained a special skill card: Character ProjectionfCopper]. Character projection? What is this? Zhou Heng was first stunned, then immediately shocked. Holy crap, the Copper Fortune Bag can actually produce something like this?? Character ProjectionjCopper]: Allows you to summon a projection of a person you are aware of. You must be sufficiently familiar with the person to successfully summon the projection, and the more familiar you are, the stronger the projections power, with at least 70% of the originals strength, lasting for five minutes. After reading the introduction to this skill card, Zhou Hengs first reaction was that it was incredibly powerful, downright heaven-defying. If he knew someone like the Heavenly Sovereign, Buddha Tathagata, or the Jade Emperor, wouldnt that mean he could summon projections with 70% of their power? But he quickly realized that he was just daydreaming. Although the Character Projection skill was extremely heaven-defying, the user himself was of paramount importance. Zhou Heng sorted through his thoughts and realized that he actually knew very few powerful people. The strongest he knew was You Ziheng, who was only of the Fifth Rank, and he wasnt very familiar with him. He estimated that even if he could summon his projection, it would only be one with 70% of his strength. This really is a skill that tests your social network, Zhou Heng thought somewhat helplessly. He didnt have many opportunities to interact with important figures, which should improve a lot after he officially joined the Pure Yang Palace. If he could find a chance to get familiar with that legendary Divine First Rank from the Pure Yang Palace, then he could summon a Divine First Rank projection anytime and anywhere. That would be completely heaven-defying, right? Hmm, I still have to stay grounded, Zhou Heng calmed his excited emotions and murmured to himself, After all, skill cards are things that are gone once used. These skill cards can serve as a last resort, but I must not rely on them to the point of losing vigilance and overconfidence. The foundation of the Martial Path is still my own cultivation accomplishments. After adjusting his mindset, Zhou Heng once again embarked on a laborious cultivation journey. You are currently circulating your Inner Qi to diligently cultivate the Martial Arts, Innate Skill [Seventh Rank], proficiency +1. You continue to circulate Inner Qi to cultivate the Martial Arts, Innate Skill [Seventh Rank], triggering the Heaven Rewards the Diligent bonus, proficiency +10. Two days later. Zhou Heng finished his morning breathing exercises and retracted the stance work of the Innate Skill, then took Bai Yuejian out for a walk and bought some local snacks. The little girl was lively by nature and had become very familiar with Zhou Heng over the days. Sometime, she would even playfully climb up along his legs as if he were a tree. However, children were easy to appease, a piece of candy from Zhou Heng would keep her content for a while. At such moments, Zhou Heng couldnt help but think of another girl who liked candy, who probably didnt even have time to eat candy now. After all, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had seemed quite busy since some time ago, and she was also a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, so there must be sect affairs to handle. Big brother, are you going to checkout the latest ranking list? Bai Yuejians small hand was held by Zhou Heng as she asked, This way leads to the Fengya Tavern, my father and brother also go there to see the updated list on the first day of every month. Ranking list? Startled by the inquiry, Zhou Heng remembered that today was the first day of July, exactly when the latest issue of the Heaven, Earth, and Man rankings were published, Lets go and see. He was mainly concerned about whether or not the embarrassing Broken Bones Injury had been changed. In the past month, his battle record remained ferocious, yet he hadnt relied much on the Six Paths Plucking Plum Hand, mostly using the saber, occasionally the sword. The nickname Dual Extremes of Sword and Saber1 seemed quite good. The geographical location of the Bai familys martial arts hall was advantageous, connecting in all directions, and not far from the Fengya Tavern, so in a short while, Zhou Heng along with Bai Yuejian arrived there. By this time, Fengya Tavern was already packed, young and old alike were crowding to view the latest issues of the rankings, and bursts of exclamation could be heard from time to time. Fang Wen is truly formidable, hes been occupying the first place on the ranking list for five years now! Hiss! Who is Li Wuwang? He just broke into the top twenty of the ranking list out of nowhere, never heard of him before! The Fairy of Qiong Peak has firmly secured a spot in the top ten. They are all disciples of Great Sects and notable families, when will us ordinary martial artists ever get a chance to be on the list? I have a way, go home and sleep, dream, youll have everything in dreams, haha! The crowds discussions were incessant and chaotic when mixed together. Arriving somewhat late, Zhou Heng could not squeeze through the crowd and could only search for information related to himself amidst these discussions and exclamations. It was at that moment he spotted Sheng Xinrou and others. These few were also here to watch the latest issue of the rankings and were discussing Zhou Heng. Yikes, did the ranking of Broken Bones Injury Zhou Heng go up? My heavens, this battle record is simply too astonishing. Its unbelievable. And his Martial Arts its estimated to be Sect Fifth Rank, maybe even Absolute Fourth Rank?! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Too strong, such rate of improvement is truly an example for us all! Hey hey, dont get it wrong, Xinrou, Zhou Hengs nickname is no longer Broken Bones Injury, his best technique is with the saber. Zhou Heng perked up upon hearing this, his ears all but erect. What was his new nickname. But Purple Lightning Thunder Saber doesnt seem to be that strong either Sheng Xinrou muttered softly. Chapter 107 - Chapter 107: Chapter 107: New Rankings Chapter 107: Chapter 107: New Rankings Purple, Purple Lightning Thunder Blade? Zhou Heng felt as if he had been struck by thunder, and an image automatically surfaced in his mind: a man nine feet tall, with a broad back and a round waist, eyes like copper bells, a face as dark as charcoal, wielding a huge saber, his movements producing the sound of thunder. Not handsome at all!! This did not match his own handsome and dashing appearance at all! It seems I will have to use a sword more and a saber less from now on, since in most cases, the Lone Nine Swords can handle enemies without needing to resort to the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, Zhou Heng thought to himself, as he leaned in to take a closer look at the detailed information of his ranking. After squeezing through the crowd a bit, he saw the words Purple Lightning Thunder Blade. Name: Zhou Heng Age: Seventeen Rank: Eighth Rank Identity: Trainer at Longxing Martial Arts Hall in Huangtong Mansion of Pingzhou, outer disciple of Pure Yang Palace, suspected reincarnation of a great power Record: At Ninth Rank, he fought against two Eighth Rankers single-handedly and defeated them both, one of whom was Thunder Sword1 Chen Feihong, previously ranked eighty-eighth on the Ranking of Heroes A creature close to Fourth Rank appeared in Yuyang County City, nearly causing a tragedy that would have decimated life, but Zhou Heng, seemingly awakening memories from a past life, summoned a heaven-shaking thunder to annihilate the creature Chen Feihong and his sister Chen Song advanced to Seventh Rank, conspired with the evil Plague Emperor Sect and Three Poison Sect to ambush Zhou Heng, who in return slew them with an extremely powerful thunder-blade technique, breaking through to Eighth Rank, with saber technique suspected to be of at least Sect Fifth Rank or even Absolute Fourth Rank. Title: Purple Lightning Thunder Blade Ranking: Number Forty-two Even the suspected reincarnation of a great power part was written down, along with some details of the annihilation of Xuan Yang. How many informants does the Martial God Bureau have? How do they know everything? Zhou Heng was astounded. The extensive intelligence capacity of the Martial God Bureau far exceeded his expectations. As for his rise from ninety-ninth to forty-second, that didnt surprise him at all. Although he had not defeated anyone in the top fifty of the Ranking of Heroes, he had faced the siege of three Seventh Rankers by himself, and he had mastered an absolute technique of Middle Third Rank, so moving into the forty-fiftieth range was completely reasonable. Purple Thunder Mad Blade, its actually quite imposing, the woman next to Sheng Xinrou said with some envy as she looked at the rankings, sighing, A Seventeen-year-old Eighth Ranker ascending to the forty-second spot on the Ranking of Heroes, such an achievement is truly unparalleled. Yes, its incredible, Sheng Xinrou nodded and said, Although the nickname doesnt sound very nice, he really is impressive. Its said that he came from a common martial arts hall and was only noticed by the Pure Yang Palace because of his own exceptional talent. We should learn from him. At this time, most of the spectators observing the three lists had finished looking at the top rankings and started to pay attention to the middle tiers, so more people noticed the information about Zhou Heng. Upon closer examination, they admired Zhou Heng, who had an ordinary background but had achieved great success, and felt that he was very worthy of emulation. Of course, some people were not convinced. Hey, hey, did you guys miss something? Didnt you notice the last part of Zhou Hengs identity information? Suspected reincarnation of a great power, the reincarnation of a great power! Only immortals of Upper Third Rank can be called great powers! Thats right, even though Zhou Heng has an ordinary background, he himself is extraordinary; a reincarnation of a great power! Do you really think such a person is just an ordinary person like us?? Others retorted. How is he not an ordinary person? Havent you heard the Storyteller say? Reincarnations of great powers have mysteries from the womb, and for the first few decades they are just like any ordinary person, with no real difference! Dont make excuses for your own lack of effort! Zhou Heng changed his fate through his own hard work, and he deserves to be our role model. Hes our example! The argument grew more and more intense, actually drawing a considerable number of people into it. At the start, the discussion may have been serious, but as the argument went on, it slowly turned into a battle of wits among stubborn debaters, with no clear winner. Zhou Heng, standing aside, watched in utter amazement. He was about to leave with Bai Yuejian, to prevent the child from picking up bad habits from the stubborn arguers, which would be unfair to Manager Bai. However, just as he took a couple of steps, Sheng Xinrou and the others spotted him. Ah! Hero!! Sheng Xinrou shouted excitedly, pushing through the crowd to chase after him, smiling as she said, Hero, have you also come to see the latest ranking of the heroes? What do you think of Zhou Heng? Zhou Heng was asked in a way that left him completely confused, and for a moment, he didnt know how to respond. What do I think? Of course, I think with a mirror! Big sister, what are you asking? At this moment, Bai Yuejian suddenly spoke up. She asked with a hint of confusion, Big brother, he is Zhou Heng, why are you asking him how he sees himself? As soon as these words were uttered, the noisy surroundings came to a sudden halt, and everyone present fell silent, turning to stare at Bai Yuejian and Zhou Heng beside her with gaping mouths. Whats going on?! Zhou Heng? The one ranked forty-second on the rankings, an outer sect disciple of Pure Yang Palace, the rumored reincarnation of a great power, Zhou Heng with the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade?? Hes here?? But this man, with a face full of beard and dressed in rough hemp clothes, looks nothing like the seventeen-year-old martial hero of Jianghu. Instead, he resembles a down-and-out man in his thirties, who has returned home in frustration after failed endeavors in Jianghu. Whats happening?? Of course, the most shocked was Sheng Xinrou. After hearing Bai Yuejians words, her eyes widened as she looked at Zhou Heng in disbelief. The hero is Zhou Heng? The hero is actually not a hero, but a young hero?? Is he the seventeen-year-old young prodigy ranked forty-second on the rankings, the disciple of Pure Yang Palace with boundless prospects, the mysteriously-originated suspected reincarnation of a powerful being?! This is just like the protagonist in a storybook! Sheng Xinrou became extremely excited at once, feeling as if she were witnessing a legend. No, by acquainting herself with him, she might also be a part of the legend! However, Sheng Xinrous companions were all breaking out in a cold sweat. They thought about how they had behaved on the Qingxia River ferry. Originally, they thought that the expert, being a hero, would be quite mature in age and unlikely to hold their spoken mistakes against them. But now, suddenly learning that the hero was actually a seventeen-year-old youth, they immediately became afraid. Youths are hot-blooded and intolerant of any slight, which is common knowledge, especially a young prodigy who they had treated earlier as someone disheartened and unsuccessful in Jianghu. He wouldnt hold a grudge, right? They were all very worried. However, now there was a question: was this person really Zhou Heng? After the initial excitement, Sheng Xinrou also thought to verify the truth. She looked at Zhou Heng with great curiosity, batting her large eyes, she asked, Hero, are you, are you really Zhou Heng? The forty-second-ranked Zhou Heng on the rankings? Zhou Heng pinched his temple in some helplessness. He had not expected to have his identity revealed in such a manner. Little girl Bai Yuejian sure had a quick mouth. ___ Because when he had made contact with Bai, the proprietor, he had used the identity of Zhou Heng, an outer sect disciple of Pure Yang Palace. So, while he was staying there, he had also used this identity without hiding it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But Bai Jingtian, being older, knew that Zhou Heng wanted to keep his identity hidden for the time being and didnt want others to know, yet Bai Yuejian, being only seven years old, didnt understand all these roundabout matters and simply spoke bluntly. However, it didnt really matter too much since there were only three days left until the martial arts tournament. Even if someone from Shocking Thunder Manor came looking for him, just getting through these three days would be sufficient. Moreover, having practiced at home for so long, he was feeling a bit eager for action. Thus, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Yes, I am Zhou Heng. Upon hearing this, exclamations rose once again from around them. But there was one among them who drew his longsword directly from its sheath, his eyes seemingly containing thunderous light, as he stared intently at Zhou Heng. Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Rivers and Lakes of Hatred and Revenge Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Rivers and Lakes of Hatred and Revenge The man holding the sword stepped out from the crowd, pointing the blade at Zhou Heng and shouted fiercely, Zhou Heng, do you dare to fight me? The scene instantly fell silent, plunging into a deathly stillness, as everyones eyes turned to the person who had suddenly appeared and challenged Zhou Heng. Whats going on? How come the moment Zhou Hengs identity was revealed, someone came up to challenge him? Can they not see that terrifying record of his on the Warrior Rankings? They dare to challenge him?? There were quite a few people in the Elegant Wine House at this time, and some recognized the man who had drawn his sword on Zhou Heng. Wei Gaoyue, I know him, hes a disciple from Shocking Thunder Manor, a collateral bloodline of the Wei Family, and he has already reached the pinnacle of Eighth Rank at the mere age of thirty-six, not weak at all. Ah, its him, I remember now. I heard that Wei Gaoyue almost made it onto the Warrior Rankings when he was younger, but unfortunately, he aged out just a few days later and missed the latest ranking. But how can Wei Gaoyue dare to challenge Zhou Heng? Does he think his strength can surpass Zhou Hengs? That seems quite unlikely. Have you all forgotten? Its mentioned in Zhou Hengs record that he faced a siege alone, and among those who surrounded him was Chen Feihong. Thunder Sword Chen Feihong, the direct disciple of the master of Shocking Thunder Manor. Although it was Chen Feihong who colluded with the evil path first, its still a fact that he died at the hands of Zhou Heng. Now that a disciple from Shocking Thunder Manor stands up for revenge, it actually seems quite normal. Wow! Is this what feuds in the martial world look like? This is my first time witnessing one, it seems so fierce! The onlookers had various reactions; some were amazed, others puzzled, still others were thrilled and thought it was quite fun, but all were watching with great interest. Sheng Xinrou, however, was startled. She hadnt expected that someone would suddenly stand up to challenge Zhou Heng, and it looked like they were filled with murderous intent, as if seeking vengeance. She was puzzling over this, considering whether to ask Zhou Heng, when suddenly she was pulled back by her companions. Rourou, are you courting death? Dont get involved in these matters. This is a life-and-death feud between Shocking Thunder Manor and Zhou Heng, its not for us to meddle in! Yes! Rourou, were just ordinary people with no special backing, and our strength is average at best. In situations like this, its better to just watch from a distance. Yes, yes, people like us are better off as spectators only. Hearing her companions words, Sheng Xinrou felt a bit lost. She knew they meant well, not wanting her to get into danger, but a question arose in her heart. Are we really just meant to be spectators? She looked towards Zhou Heng, who was facing the longsword of Wei Gaoyue, and suddenly felt a tinge of envy. Why cant I be the protagonist in these stories of the martial world? Why must I only be a spectator? Impulsively, Sheng Xinrous heart swelled with the urge to step forward, to ask loudly about the reason for all this, and to add a significant stroke to this unfolding tale. But at that moment, Zhou Heng spoke. Fight you? His face bore a hint of mockery as he looked down condescendingly at Wei Gaoyue, his chin slightly raised and the corners of his mouth turned up in a grin, he said, Im sorry, but you probably dont have the qualifications for that. From the moment Chen Feihong died by his hand, a state of enmity was destined between Shocking Thunder Manor and him. Therefore, Zhou Heng was never soft on his enemies. Even now, in front of a large crowd and within the city where it was not convenient to kill someone on the street, he did not hesitate to use provocative words to strike at his opponents confidence. As a veteran who had been around for over a dozen years, Zhou Heng knew a myriad of ways to provoke. When it came to aggravating remarks, they rolled off his tongue easily. As soon as he finished speaking, he lifted his right hand and slightly bent his fingers, gently flicking the body of Wei Gaoyues longsword. Clang! The sound of the sword resonated, extremely crisp. It was as if the sword had clashed with another that was better, stronger, sharper, and more sturdy. This left Wei Gaoyue astonished; he then felt an extremely terrifying force transmitted through the sword, almost shaking his longsword out of his grasp! Whats going on?! Just as he was filled with confusion, something even more shocking happened. He saw that the longsword in his hand began to crack incrementally, developing dense web-like fractures! Crash! In the blink of an eye, the longsword shattered into pieces on the ground, leaving only a hilt in Wei Gaoyues hand. Beyond that, there was nothing left. How, how is this possible?! Wei Gaoyue stared dumbfounded, looking incredulously at the hilt in his hand, hardly believing his eyes, and even suspected he might be hallucinating. The longsword he had just now, although not yet a hundred-refined weapon, was still considered decent among ordinary weapons, yet it had been shattered into pieces with a flick of Zhou Hengs finger! How incredibly fierce and powerful was that strength?! It was exaggerated beyond belief! The onlookers were also stunned, with many of them gaping in shock. When they first discovered that Wei Gaoyue, an Eighth Rank Martial Artist from Shocking Thunder Manor, came to seek vengeance on Zhou Heng, they were quite excited, as watching others fight always gave a certain thrill. Not to mention, both of these men were skilled experts; their fight was bound to be sensational. However, no one expected the battle to end this way, with Zhou Heng simply flicking his finger to shatter Wei Gaoyues weapon. The fight hadnt even started before it was over. Sheng Xinrou was just as stunned; she had just about stepped forward then drew her foot back, thinking to herself, Hmm, perhaps some people are just destined to be spectators, am I one of them too? Congratulations! You have defeated the easily crushed opponent Wei Gaoyue, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Zhou Heng heard the reward notification and a satisfied smile appeared on his face, but in Wei Gaoyues eyes, that smile was filled with mockery, as he believed Zhou Heng was laughing at his weakness. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only I advise you not to be too proud! Wei Gaoyue said, his expression dark as he looked at Zhou Heng, Shocking Thunder Manor has more than just me here, and there are many who are much stronger than I am, you just wait! After dropping the threat, he hurriedly left, not wanting to stay in that place for another moment. Hey! Uncle, arent you going to take your shattered sword with you? Bai Yuejian called out loudly, Thats your stuff, dont litter around, its not nice. Wei Gaoyues face darkened even more, his steps quickened, and he sped away, soon disappearing from sight. You, try to say less in the future, Zhou Heng tousled Bai Yuejians hair and, taking her small hand, said, Lets go. Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment, said a scholarly looking young man who approached at this time, smiling and whispering, Sir, may I have a word with you? I have a favor to ask. Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: Chapter 109: The Light of the Righteous Path Chapter 109: Chapter 109: The Light of the Righteous Path Zhou Heng glanced at the scholar, noting his average appearance and stature. However, his bright eyes and refined demeanor stood out, marking him as no ordinary man. Good, he nodded, then led Bai Yuejian out of the tavern and headed to a secluded spot in a nearby alley, asking, Whats the matter? Bai Yuejian too looked curiously at the scholar. Mr. Zhou, I am a bookseller from Chenglin Book Company, my surname is Lin, given name Ziran. The scholar was very respectful and smiled as he spoke, Our Chenglin Book Company mainly sells autobiographies of various famous figures. We have already published thirty autobiographies of the Human List masters, five of the Earth List, and even one of an Immortal from the Heaven List, all of which have sold quite well. Having reviewed your battle achievements, I believe there is potential for a great story to be told about you. Bookseller?? Zhou Heng was a bit puzzled by this unexpected encounter but also somewhat interested. He smiled and asked, So, how much is the payment for the manuscript? Autobiographies typically run about two hundred thousand words each. Generally speaking, we pay a thousand taels per book, plus a twenty percent royalty on subsequent sales, Lin Ziran replied with a smile. You dont need to worry about revealing your secrets; nine parts fiction to one part truth is fine. After all, its just for fun. If youre interested, I can give you a deposit of five hundred taels right now, and the remaining five hundred will be paid after you submit the manuscript. Two hundred thousand words, one thousand taels plus royalties from later sales? Zhou Heng stroked his chin and smiled, Sounds tempting, but I havent the intent to write an autobiography right now. Maybe some other time. Since he no longer needed gold to use Palm Thunder, his need for money wasnt as pressing as before. Having five hundred taels of silver on hand was more than enough for his expenses. Plus, he genuinely didnt have time to write a two-hundred-thousand-word autobiography lately. Theres no rush to submit-the manuscript just needs to be completed within three years, Lin Ziran said, still smiling. Well give you plenty of time to create. Three years? Zhou Heng laughed, shaking his head, Its not a matter of when to submit. I genuinely have no intention of writing one right now. If an opportunity arises later, you can come to me again. A joke. In three years time, he wouldnt be ranked where he was now. By then, it wouldnt be a mere thousand taels and a twenty percent revenue share-that would surely be higher. If he agreed to collaborate now, hed definitely be at a loss. However, Zhou Heng didnt completely reject the offer, not wanting to sour the relationship. Plus, he was hoping to get something else from Lin Ziran. As an experienced bookseller, Lin Ziran quickly grasped what Zhou Heng was considering after seeing him refuse, but he understood it. In fact, he had encountered such situations more than once during previous manuscript requests. It was a pity that most of the confident geniuses had faded away after a few years, losing the fame and popularity they once had. By that time, even if they sought to continue their former partnerships, Chenglin Book Company would find various reasons to refuse them. Without fame or popularity, who would read their autobiographies? Of course, some would later rise meteorically and become even more sought after. No one could rule out that possibility, and judging from the current situation, Zhou Heng also had a chance to advance further. So, although Lin Ziran was rejected, he maintained a friendly demeanour and gently said, As long as theres a chance in the future, we will definitely come looking for you again. He didnt promise anything outright-only that they would approach him again if there was an opportunity. Zhou Heng didnt mind Lin Zirans thoughtfulness. He directly asked, Earlier you mentioned there was an Immortal from the Heaven List in your autobiographies. Can I have a copy? Are you interested? Lin Ziran was not surprised; those Celestial Men ranked on the Heaven List were like Immortals of the earth-isnt everyone curious about their life stories? Of course, Zhou Heng nodded. He wanted to see if he could develop a true understanding of this Celestial Man through the autobiography, as a preliminary acquaintance, before summoning his projection. Though his projection card could summon any character Zhou Heng knew, this knowledge had to be based on a real understanding-clear historical records, autobiographies, or accurate descriptions by others. If it was just a figure from novels, movies, TV shows, or animations without corresponding real knowledge, it was impossible to summon their projection. As for characters like Sun Wukong, Buddha Tathagata, and Heavenly Sovereign, whether they truly existed was uncertain, but Zhou Heng could confirm he lacked a real understanding of them. Therefore, he couldnt summon them. The biographies at Lin Zirans might contain fictitious elements, but they also had parts of the truth, which might indeed provide some actual understanding. Its quite a coincidence youre asking for the autobiography of that particular Heaven List Immortal. Lin Ziran smiled, took out a scroll from his sleeve, handed it to Zhou Heng, and said, This volume, Subduing the Demoness, is the very autobiography of that Heaven List Immortal. Ill give it to you asa gift. Subduing the Demoness?? Zhou Heng took the yellow-covered book and, seeing the title, was somewhat baffled. His initial thoughts should be correct, right? There should, perhaps, possibly be some truth inside?? Why would an Immortal of the Heaven List write such stuff?? He curbed the urge to criticize in his mind, steadied his thoughts, and opened the cover to see the contents. It began with an introduction of the authors identity. Cui Tianhe, head of the Fengzhou Cui family from the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi, had already reached the Upper Third Rank of Celestial Man centuries ago with a wide range of hobbies, particularly fond of dallying among women composing poetry and music writing autobiographies Zhou Heng quickly flipped through and found it was written in a chapter-based novel format-indeed, the autobiography was just like a novel, complete with chapter titles. But those chapter titles Things like The Delightful Taste of the Honghua Palace Demoness One Hundred Ways to Kill a Nine Deaths Sect Female Disciple The Untold Story Between Me and the Heavenly Palaces Holy Maiden What kind of material was this? It seemed the color of the cover was indeed no mistake? Zhou Heng looked at Lin Ziran with puzzled eyes as if to ask-Are you really sure this book is the autobiography of an Immortal from the Heaven List? Mr. Zhou, there is no need to be concerned, Lin Ziran said with a smile. This Subduing the Demoness is indeed the autobiography written by The Beacon of Righteousness, Cui Tianhe, currently eighth on the Heaven List. The Beacon of Righteousness? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The light of righteousness is like this?? Zhou Heng found himself at a loss for words. Were the hobbies of these great Celestial Powers really so peculiar? How marvelous! Two days later, July 3rd. The eagerly anticipated Wang Family martial arts competition finally officially commenced. Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: Chapter no: Dare to Battle with Me Chapter 110: Chapter no: Dare to Battle with Me The martial arts competition hosted by the Wang Family was actually quite unregulated. There was no fixed schedule for opponents, nor any referees. It was simply a matter of setting up a platform outside their door; whoever felt strong would go up and then face challenges from others. You could come down from the platform after winning or losing a match. If you won ten matches, you had to step down and wait for three others before you could continue. Moreover, losing did not mean elimination-you could still go back up to compete, completely unaffected by any previous defeats. In the end, the ranking data was based on the number of victories. Therefore, under these rules, the stronger were not necessarily ranked higher than the weaker. The strong might encounter even stronger opponents right from the start, getting defeated, and perhaps even injured to the point of losing the ability to compete later on, while the weak might never face anyone stronger, triumphing all the way to the end. From these rules, it seemed the Wang Family did not believe that stronger individuals had a higher chance of comprehending advanced martial arts from the Stele of No Inscription; rather, they seemed to prefer giving martial artists of all levels a chance to understand. When Zhou Heng arrived, the area around the platform was already buzzing with voices, people standing everywhere, all excitedly watching the competition on the platform. Accompanying him were Bai Jingtian and Bai Yuejian. The two of them had come along to broaden their horizons. Zhou Heng looked up at the platform and noticed two Ninth Rank Warriors clashing their moves with a dazzling display, but most were flashy without substance, somewhat dull and tedious. Thus, he shifted his gaze, planning to see if there were any masters among the crowd below the platform. And where was that top fifty expert rumored to appear at the competition? Although Zhou Heng was now forty-second on the rankings, he had yet to spar with anyone in the top fifty, inevitably feeling some regret and itchiness in his hands. He hoped that this time, he would get his wish. Str, do you want to go on the stage? Bai Jingtian asked in a low voice. Not for now, Zhou Heng replied with a slight shake of his head, smiling, Lets watch the others first. Most of the high-level experts were still observing, with those on the platform mostly being Ninth Grade martial artists. Even if he went up now, he might not encounter any real masters. A pure crushing match would be uninteresting. Eh, brother, isnt that person from the Li family, Li Zhe? At that moment, Bai Yuejian suddenly spoke up, pointing to a shadowy figure trying to slink away in the distance, saying, He seemed to be heading this way just now, but after seeing us, he immediately turned his head and left. Huh, really Li Zhe? Bai Jingtian looked at the retreating figure, recognizing his back, and asked with curiosity, Why does he look like hes afraid of something, why does he want to avoid us? Hehe, he must be afraid of big brother, Bai Yuejian said with a sweet smile, Didnt you say before, brother? Li Zhe didnt believe that our family is sheltering a master. But then, two days ago, big brothers identity became known to everyone; surely he also heard about it. Ah? Bai Jingtian scratched his head, looking curiously at Bai Yuejian, and laughed, What exactly is in that little head of yours, how come you can think of so many things I cant? Because brother, youre slow! Bai Yuejian giggled, then looked up at Zhou Heng and asked, Big brother, do you think what I just said is right? Right, but also not right, Zhou Heng smiled and replied, If that person is really Li Zhe, then he indeed wants to avoid me out of wariness, but he wasnt just casually coming this way. He came here intentionally to scout out the situation, or perhaps to finally confirm whether the master standing behind Jingtian is really me or not. Sir, are you suggesting that Li Zhe and his uncle have already arrived and are actually targeting us, and now hes here to confirm the situation? Bai Jingtian immediately became alert upon hearing this. It should be around that, Zhou Heng said with a light smile, his gaze following the direction where Li Zhe disappeared into the crowd, Actually, Im rather hoping that his uncle has some strength. Ah? Why? Bai Jingtian asked in confusion. Lets not make this martial arts tournament too boring, Zhou Heng smiled and said. But I think, as long as Li Zhes uncle is in his right mind, he probably wouldnt actively challenge you, sir, Bai Jingtian said with a smile. Thats not necessarily the case, Zhou Heng chuckled. On the other side of the crowd. Lt Zhe pushed through the throng and came to a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties or fifties. This middle-aged man was extremely burly, at least nine feet tall, with a tigers back and bears waist, incredibly robust. He was dressed in black attire which was stretched tight by his bulging, sinewy muscles. What caught the most attention was the giant sword in his hand. The width of the giant sword was over a foot with a thickness of an inch, and it was as tall as a man. The entire blade was a dark black, shimmering with a metallic shine as if it was an incredibly heavy and enormous ruler crafted to resemble a sword. This person was none other than Li Zhes uncle, the strongest of the Li family from Yuanhe Prefecture City, a mighty Seventh Rank Warrior who had stepped onto the Martial Path by the age of fifty. Li Tonghe. Uncle, Ive checked; that person is indeed Zhou Heng, Li Zhe said with a face filled with indignation and unwillingness. That Bai Jingtian really has dumb luck, to have a powerhouse like Zhou Heng stand guard for his family! Li Zhe was quite arrogant, but he wasnt foolish. From the details of Zhou Hengs battle records described on the rankings, one could see that Zhou Hengs strength was incredibly formidable, far beyond any ordinary Seventh Rank Warriors comparison. Though his uncle was not weak, when compared to Zhou Heng, there probably was a gap indeed. However, these werent words that one could simply blurt out. His uncle, despite being strong, might have trained too vigorously in the martial ways, becoming single-minded in thought C stubborn, illogical, and never willing to concede defeat. If he were to directly say that he might not be Zhou Hengs match, and that it would be best to avoid confronting Zhou Heng, it might well have the opposite effect. He needed to find a more tactful way to warn him. Ive looked over that Zhou Hengs battle records, and hes indeed a formidable powerhouse, a genius, Li Tonghe laughed and said, But what Im best at is beating up these so-called geniuses! Upon hearing this, Li Zhe immediately panicked inside and quickly said, Uncle, your real opponent should be the top fifty experts on the rankings, not someone like Zhou Heng whos not worth your concern. Hmm? Li Tonghe glanced at Li Zhe, sneered, and said, Little brat, do you think I cant see your thoughts? Cant tell that you think Im not a match for Zhou Heng? Ah? No, not at all! Li Zhe hurriedly shook his head. Stop pretending, Ive watched you grow up, kid. I know what youre about to do by the way you clench your butt! Li Tonghe laughed and said, Just relax Li Zhe felt a sudden relief at these words, but then he heard the next sentence Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng with his skinny arms and legs is definitely not my match! Li Tonghe declared, and without waiting for Li Zhe to speak, he carried his fearsome giant sword towards the platform. This, this This is bad! Li Zhes mouth hung open, not expecting things to spiral out of control so quickly. Bang!! With his unbelievably heavy and massive sword, Li Tonghe swatted away two waves of people in just a few strokes, standing in the center of the stage like an invincible demon god, drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd below. Suddenly, he gripped the fierce giant sword with one hand, pointed in a direction, and bellowed, Zhou Heng, my nephew thinks Im not your match, dare you come up and fight me? Chapter 111 - Chapter 111: Chapter ill: Abandon the Knife for the Sword Chapter 111: Chapter ill: Abandon the Knife for the Sword Zhou Heng!? This roar from Li Tonghe immediately attracted the attention of many. Adding to his fame in Yuanhe Prefectural City, many had set eyes on him as soon as he stepped onto the stage, and now even more people were watching. Li Tonghe is challenging Zhou Heng, is it that newly ranked forty-second on the Peoples List? It should be, an outer disciple of Pure Yang Palace, suspected reincarnation of a great power, that status is quite extraordinary! Lets forget about the suspected reincarnation of a great power, Shenwu Si loves these nebulous claims. Among the top fifty in the Peoples List each year, there are at least eight or ten claimed reincarnations, but few are true. Thats true, but Zhou Hengs strength is really formidable. To fight three Seventh Rank opponents alone and still emerge victoriously, thats too powerful! Li Tonghe actually dares to directly challenge Zhou Heng, hes really brave. Even if he is Seventh Rank, he might not be a match for Zhou Heng. He definitely cant beat Zhou Heng. Is the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade something to be scoffed at? The crowd was abuzz with chatter. Li Tonghe was so angry he was puffing out his beard and glaring. He was a man quick to take offense and someone who cared deeply about face. The thought that his nephew considered him inferior to Zhou Heng was something he couldnt swallow. Oftentimes, the conflicts in the martial world do not have any deep-seated reasons. They are mostly about fighting for a breath of air. Mortals struggle for a breath of air, Buddhas for an incense sticks time. It was nothing more than this. Master, hes challenged you, Bai Jingtian informed Zhou Heng, This man is the relative that Li Zhe mentioned, Seventh Rank in martial path, known as Black Smoke Siege. He excels in using the great sword to deliver heavy blows, and his muscles and bones are strong. It is said that he has even encountered a fortuitous opportunity to cultivate a Seventh Rank inner strength technique that greatly enhances physical power. During a fight, he dominates with his strength, and his prowess is formidable indeed. Good at using power thats a bit interesting, Zhou Heng noted, looking at Li Tonghe on the stage. He was quite interested and lifted his hand to Bai Jingtian, Give me the Zhi Zhi Sword. Ever since Bai Jingtian became his follower, Zhou Heng did not carry his bag, only keeping the high-quality gloves in a close-fitting waist pouch, while the swords were left with Bai Jingtian. Ah? You, youre going to use a sword to fight him? Bai Jingtian was astonished. In his mind, Zhou Hengs strongest skill should have been his saber technique. Even if it were a slightly less strong method, it should be hand-to-hand combat. Swordsmanship He seemed to have not heard much about Zhou Heng practicing swordsmanship. Li Tonghe, with his strength-oriented Seventh Rank warrior skills, would pose no significant threat, but he undoubtedly was a formidable opponent. Was it really okay for his master to be so overconfident? However, understanding his own strength and standing, not to mention his limited experience, he didnt say much. Though puzzled, he still obediently took out the Zhi Zhi Sword from the bag and handed it to Zhou Heng. Dont worry, Zhou Heng, seeing the doubt in Bai Jingtians mind, smiled and then stepped onto the stage. Brother, are you worried that Big Brother will lose if he uses a sword? said Bai Yuejian with a smile to Bai Jingtian. How about we make a bet? Ah? How do we bet? Bai Jingtian asked curiously. If Big Brother wins, then I win, and youll have to buy me chicken legs to eat every day for the next month, Bai Yuejian said, licking her lips, looking almost drooling with anticipation. That wont do, youre just changing your teeth; how can you eat chicken legs every day? Bai Jingtian quickly shookhis head. Father has instructed me to keep an eye on how much meat you eat. Humph! Bai Yuejian pouted, clearly miffed at his response. Dont be upset. Hey, you seemed so confident just now; do you think the master will surely win? Bai Jingtian asked out of curiosity. He knew that despite his sisters young age, her intuition seemed to be exceptionally accurate. Based on past experience, what she believed was often correct. Big Brother is so strong, he will definitely win, said Bai Yuejian, brimming with a cheerful smile. Little sister might be disappointed, Im afraid. At that moment, a mature female voice came through, belonging to a woman whose features were not particularly remarkable, but together they produced a distinct charm that made her appear beautiful. She seemed to be in her thirties, exuding mature allure. Bai Jingtian was slightly distracted when he saw her, only snapping out of it when Bai Yuejian pinched him with her little hand. Why do you say Ill be disappointed? Bai Yuejian looked at the beautiful woman, a bit defiant. Li Tonghes strength is immense, and the great sword he wields is far from ordinary. The woman said with a smile: If Zhou Heng was using a saber, he could win, as his saber technique is of Middle Third Rank, an exceptional study. But if hes using a sword, Im afraid his chances arent so good. Bai Jingtian fell silent upon hearing this. He wanted to argue, but couldnt find the words to refute her, as it was a fact that Zhou Hengs swordsmanship was not as strong as his saber technique. Your words dont count, Bai Yuejian retorted, confident in Zhou Hengs victory, Big Brother will definitely win, and win handsomely! Then little sister, watch and see, the womans smile remained undimmed, appearing quite confident in her own predictions. At this moment, a young girl dressed in a moon-white skirt approached, holding two melons in her hands. She came beside the woman and said, Master, the melons you asked for have arrived. The girl passed the two melons to the woman, then turned her head toward the stage, suddenly exclaiming in surprise, He, he, how did he get on stage? I just stepped away for a moment, and Heng has gone up there, and his opponent is really formidable! Xiuer, who do you think can win? the woman said with a light laugh, then took a bite of the melon and praised, Mmm, not a bad taste. Xiuer, lets enjoy the melons together. It should be Heng, after all his saber technique is very powerful Yun Xiu answered subconsciously, but then she saw the weapon in Zhou Hengs hand, Oh my heavens, why is he using a saber, how can he fight against Li Tonghe like this? Big sister, you dont think big brother can win using a sword against that big guy? Bai Yuejian looked at Yun Xiu, frowning slightly and with some dissatisfaction. I naturally hope that Heng can win, but his swordsmanship Yun Xiu said with a wry smile. She knew the martial arts Zhou Heng practiced better than anyone, but since when did Zhou Heng know any swordsmanship? As for the speculation written on the Hero Ranking about reincarnated powerful beings born with innate knowledge, she didnt believe it. After all, it was common for the God of War Office to bestow the title of reincarnated powerful being to young martial artists on the Hero Ranking, but its credibility was extremely low. I think big brother will win, Bai Yuejian pouted, saying, My intuition tells me that all of you are definitely wrong. Meanwhile, not far away at a tavern. Liu Changsheng was sitting on the railing of a private room, gazing at the situation on the stage. He had been leisurely sipping tea while watching the Ninth Grade novices pecking at each other on the stage. The appearance of Li Tonghe had perked him up, as the Seventh Rank expert known as Black Smoke for Sacking Cities was not lacking in strength, and the Black Smoke Greatsword in his hand also had some unique features, roughly equivalent to the strength of those ranked in the thirties or forties on the Hero Ranking. Upon hearing Li Tonghe challenge Zhou Heng, he became even more spirited. A month had passed since he had parted ways with Zhou Heng. In such a short time, the growth of Zhou Hengs strength had astounded him, and he was very eager to find out just how powerful Zhou Heng had become. But seeing Zhou Heng taking the stage with a sword, he was momentarily stunned. Whats going on? Liu Changshengs eyebrows furrowed, puzzled, Why is Zhou Heng using a sword, does he know swordsmanship? Did the young master forget that he excels in both sword and saber? Sitting beside him, Wang Lang said with a smile, It seems that he should know some swordsmanship, though its definitely not at the same rank as his saber technique. To be honest, I also cant figure out what he intends by taking up a sword now. Zhou Heng doesnt seem like an arrogant person. Liu Changshengs gaze remained fixed on the stage, Perhaps he had some sort of adventure in this last month? Otherwise, he wouldnt have risen to Eighth Rank so quickly. When he had met Zhou Heng, he hadnt even reached Entry Rank, and the reason he could enter Ninth Grade was due to the Tiger Bone Refining Pill that he had given him. And now, merely a month later, Zhou Heng had actually reached Eighth Rank. Liu Changsheng almost thought he was seeing things when he first learned of this news, it was hard for him to believe. It was really too outrageous, too exaggerated. Lets just watch, Wang Lang also gazed at the stage, Moreover, our primary purpose for coming here isnt to watch the contests. Manager Wangs reminder is well-timed, Liu Changsheng looked toward Wang Lang, Is that wordless stele really so important? Why is the sect so determined to have it? He and Wang Lang were here on a mission to obtain that wordless stele at all costs, a task issued by the Five Elements Sect. If they could accomplish it, the reward would be quite substantial. It must be related to the senior members of our sect, Wang Lang shook his head slightly, Young master, with our status, it is often best not to know too much about many matters, as it does more harm than good. Wang Lang was a Sixth Rank expert. The high ranks he was referring to were at least Fourth Rank, or even Third Rank or higher powerful figures. I know that, Liu Changsheng nodded, his gaze returning to the direction of the stage, First, lets see how Zhou Heng plans to win. Zhou Heng taking the stage with a sword also caused a heated discussion among the spectators present. Information about this Purple Lightning Thunder Blade was clearly written on the Hero Ranking. His specialty was a Middle Third Rank saber technique unique skill. It was precisely by using this unique saber technique that he was able to achieve the feat of fighting against three by himself, reaching a level of strength comparable to Seventh Rank warriors while being at Eighth Rank in martial path. Now, facing Li Tonghe, who was no weakling among Seventh Rank Warriors, he had chosen to use a sword!?? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What was going on?! This not only left the onlookers baffled and shocked but also infuriated Li Tonghe who was challenging from the stage. Kid, are you looking down on me? Li Tonghes eyes, as big as copper bells, glared at Zhou Heng, his voice deep, Ill give you a chance, go change for a saber. No need, Zhou Heng, however, gently shook his head, the Zhi Zhi Sword unsheathed in his hand and shone like a burst of light under the sun, he turned the swords edge toward Li Tonghe, smiling as he said, Make your move. Chapter 112 - Chapter 112: Chapter 112 Divine Power Chapter 112: Chapter 112 Divine Power Youre courting death! Li Tonghe roared furiously, his nine-foot-tall figure swinging the pitch-black great sword of the same height like an enraged deity wielding the sword of Heavenly Punishment, and, with a fierceness like no other, chopped toward Zhou Heng!! Or rather, accurately speaking, it was more like a smash! The Black Smoke Sword was simply too massive, and the moment it was swung, it tore through the air, emitting booming sounds that thundered like lightning. Li Tonghes strength was incredibly formidable. Even though the great sword was forged of special material and weighed tens of thousands of pounds, the speed at which he wielded it was extremely fast, with no hint of sluggishness. In almost an instant, the Black Smoke Sword was bearing down upon Zhou Hengs head. It looked as if it would smash this newly emerged top-tier martial artist into meat paste, leaving no intact corpse behind. The audience around the stage couldnt help but cry out in alarm, many with expressions of terror on their faces. Some even covered their eyes in fear, not wishing to witness the imminent bloody, flesh-scattering spectacle. Of course, there were also those in the crowd who felt pity, thinking that Zhou Heng was being far too presumptuous by choosing to fight Li Tonghe with swordsmanship, which he was not adept at. This was no different from seeking his own death. What a pity. A seventeen-year-old martial artist of the Eighth Rank, the forty-second on the human rankings. Had he not died young and continued to grow, he might have one day reached the Middle Third Rank, becoming an important figure who traveled the high heavens and entered the Azure Void. Now, a single moment of misjudgment, and all his potential successgone. Clang! At that moment, the sound of metal clashing suddenly rang out, accompanied by a series of tremors that were painful to the ears. Was that sound from Zhou Heng blocking and neutralizing Li Tonghes attack? Many who had originally closed or covered their eyes couldnt resist looking back up at the stage. And then, they all froze. All of them were dumbfounded, their expressions filled with shock. How, how is this possible?! Inconceivable, absolutely inconceivable! Is he still human? They exclaimed one after another. Bai Jingtian also widened his eyes, feeling a shiver throughout his body. He stared fixedly at the scene on the stage, astonished, and said, This, this, what kind of strength is this?! Thats too exaggerated! The girl who was eating melon was shocked, suddenly finding the sweet melon tasteless. She was truly astounded, Is this Innate Divine Strength? Too impressive, Brother Heng is so strong! YunXiu too was round-eyed, full of wonder. I told you big brother is amazing! Bai Yuejian was completely satisfied, beaming with joy. At a nearby restaurant. Liu Changsheng stood up straight, his expression one of disbelief as he looked at Zhou Heng on the stage, shocked, and said, His strength is simply too overpowering, is the Pure Yang Body really this formidable? Perhaps he has had some other extraordinary adventures, Wang Lang was also somewhat unsettled, marveling, However, this level of strength truly defies common understanding. Meanwhile, back on the stage. Zhou Heng held the sword single-handedly, lifted it above his head, and firmly blocked the enormous Black Rock Giantsword without so much as a single step back or the slightest tremor in his arm; he was steady as a rock. The Zhi Zhi Sword was of a normal longsword size, two fingers wide and three feet and one inch long, while the Black Smoke Sword was over a foot in width, an inch thick, and over nine feet in lengthimmense by comparison. When compared, Zhou Heng seemed like he was using a toothpick to block the attack of a large tree. The visual impact was tremendous. To bystanders, this was truly inconceivable. There was no helping it, the Giant Strength +2 base attribute bonus was just that powerful, just that unreasonable. Zhou Heng might have only been of the Eighth Rank, but the Inner Qj cultivated from his Innate Skill was of high quality, offering stronger nourishment and tempering to his body. The strength of his blood and bones had already surpassed that of an ordinary Eighth Rank martial artist. Furthermore, with his base attribute bonus, his strength was even greater. Since the Zhi Zhi Sword was a semi-sharp weapon with the hard special effect, there was no need to worry about it being smashed by the Black Smoke Giantsword; therefore, it was quite normal for him to be able to block the immense Black Smoke Giantsword single-handedly. However, in Li Tonghes mind, this was another matter entirely. Initially when the Black Smoke Sword clashed with the Zhi Zhi Sword, he had been confident that he could at least seriously injure Zhou Heng, to get some revenge. But as soon as the two swords crossed, he felt a terrifyingly powerful rebounding force that made his hands ache. Had it not been for his robust physique and dense Inner Qi, the Black Smoke Giantsword might have flown out of his grip just from that one strike. Damn it, what kind of strength is this? This kid looks so thin, how can he be so terrifyingly powerful? Although hes just an Eighth Rank in cultivation, his strength seems even greater than mine! This made Li Tonghe start to doubt his life, wondering if all the years he had spent training were in martial arts that were phony? But what shocked him even more was the scene that immediately followed. Clang Clang!! Amidst the clashing sounds of metal, the Zhi Zhi Sword in Zhou Hengs hand actually cut a notch in the Black Smoke Giantsword, cleaving into it, seemingly about to split the Black Smoke Sword in two! How is this possible!? Li Tonghe was horrified, hastily raising the Black Smoke Sword to retreat, looking at the Zhi Zhi Sword in Zhou Hengs hand with disbelief, A sharp weapon!? The Black Smoke Sword was made of a special material, extremely hard. Although it hadnt reached the levelof a sharp weapons special effects, it was still easy to shatter refined weaponry. To be able to cut through the Black Smoke Sword so easily, it had to be a sharp weapon without a doubt. No, Zhou Heng shook his head and smiled, Just a semi-sharp weapon. I merely used a little trick just now. Are you scared? Who are you calling scared! Li Tonghe had a fiery temper and could not tolerate such words. He roared, I want to see how you handle this sword strike! No sooner had his words fallen Boom! Li Tonghe swung the Black Smoke Sword in his hand once again. This time, he swung it even faster, creating multiple afterimages in the air that seemed like pitch-black smoke, swiftly moving towards Zhou Heng. This Pitch-Black Smoke contained sword moves of immense lethality, and even a Martial Artist at the peak of Seventh Rank would have to avoid it at all costs. The Black Smoke Sword was simply too large. With such a mode of attack from Li Tonghe, it almost covered all of Zhou Hengs range of movement, forcing him to face it head-on. Yet facing such dense sword strikes, sheer strength alone wasnt enough; without sufficiently exquisite maneuvers, he surely wouldnt be able to withstand it. Even if the weapon in hand was sharp enough, there wouldnt be the opportunity to maintain long contact with the Black Smoke Sword, making it difficult to sever it. In Li Tonghes eyes, this sword move was the perfect counter to Zhou Hengs tactics. Li Tonghe is executing the martial art Black Smoke Destroying City Great Sword Skill [Eighth Rank] to attack you. With enlightenment in your heart and drawing on higher-ranked swordsmanship insights, you gain +1 proficiency in this martial art. Congratulations! Your proficiency in Black Smoke Destroying City Great Sword Skill [Eighth Rank] has reached 1, officially mastering this martial art. With the enhancement from a higher-ranked similar martial art, you gain +3000 proficiency. Zhou Heng, listening to the succession of prompts, saw Li Tonghes sword strikes as riddled with flaws. Now, those flaws were even more glaringly obvious to him. He didnt even need to think; a casual thrust of his sword landed on the weakest spot of Li Tonghes sword strike. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Sword Breaker! Clang! Just a sound of metal vibration, and Li Tonghes entire offensive movement came to an abrupt halt. Then, Zhou Hengs Zhi Zhi Sword flicked upward, the blade sliding across the vast Black Smoke Sword. The sharpness +1 bonus property took effect, and the giant sword was instantly chopped into two halves. Congratulations! You have defeated an evenly matched opponent, Li Tonghe. Youve received a Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. Chapter 113 - Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Contest of Many Sides (1st Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Contest of Many Sides (1st Update) Equal in strength? Is this what they call equal in strength? Zhou Hengs first reaction upon hearing the reward notification was not joy, but confusion. Defeating Li Tonghe had been far too easy; where was the sense of an evenly matched struggle? It was a total mismatch, at best unremarkable. He should have been rewarded with three copper fortune bags instead! How did it turn into a single silver fortune bag? Hmph! Li Tonghe snorted coldly, glared fiercely at Zhou Heng, then picked up the severed piece of his Black Smoke Sword, and walked down from the platform. Before long, his large figure passed through the crowd and left the area. Zhou Heng watched Li Tonghes retreating figure with suspicion in his heart, secretly wondering, Could he have been hiding his true strength just now? But it didnt look like that at all. Could there be another reason? By now, the crowd beneath the platform was dumbstruck, mouths agape, unable to utter a word. After a while, the onlookers erupted into excitement. Incredible! So strong, truly worthy of being a top fifty expert on the individuals list! So cool! It was really awesome. That sword move just now was unbelievably powerful; I couldnt understand it at all! Just now, Zhou Hengs sword aimed straight at the weakest point of Li Tonghes attack. He succeeded in one stroke, truly marvelous! I never expected Zhou Hengs swordsmanship to be so formidable. Could this be skill with both saber and sword? Admirations burst forth one after another. Bai Yuejian was beaming with pride, her small face tilted up as she looked around and happily exclaimed, See, see! I told you big brother would win, big brother is the best! The strength of the master is indeed hard to believe, Bai Jingtian murmured as he stared at Zhou Hengs figure on the platform. In his heart, Zhou Heng already loomed as a revered elder; now he seemed even more like a deity! Brother Heng is improving too quickly! Yun Xiu covered her red lips with her delicate hand, exclaiming, It hasnt been long, yet hes grown so powerful. She remembered that just over a month ago, Zhou Heng wasnt even a Ninth Rank Martial Artist. Now, he could actually overpower a Seventh Rank Warrior and win the fight. And it seemed that he hadnt even used his full strength. Could it be a reincarnation of a great power Yun Xius master watched Zhou Heng on the platform, lost in thought. At a nearby tavern. Liu Changsheng looked at the platform in astonishment, saying, Zhou Heng has become this strong? If he could defeat Li Tonghe so effortlessly, isnt he now beyond me? Perhaps stronger than the young master, Wang Lang spoke up in time, He instantly saw through Li Tonghes swordsmanship, grasping its weakest point. Young master, you might not be his match. I might not be his match? Liu Changshengs brows furrowed, he was not convinced, saying, I have the Sect Fifth Rank Green Sky Longevity Sword and have already comprehended the fourth level. How could I not be his match? I dont believe he could see through a Sect Fifth Rank secret technique. Wang Langs evaluation was hard for him to accept. After all, just over a month ago, Zhou Heng had not even reached Entry Rank, and it was with his help that Zhou had stepped into the Ninth Grade. To think that so soon he would be surpassed by Zhou Heng? That was too much to bear! Has the young master forgotten? Swordsmanship is not Zhou Hengs strongest martial art, Wang Lang gently shook his head and seriously said, That saber technique, at least a Sect Fifth Rank secret technique, is his true trump card, and it might not be weaker than the Green Sky Longevity Sword. But, but such improvement is way too fast, Liu Changsheng found no words to refute and his reason told him that he could indeed be no match for Zhou Heng. The young master need not be overly concerned, you are about to reach the peak of the Seventh Rank. Soon, with the internal and external merging, you will achieve the Sixth Rank, and youll be in an entirely different realm from Zhou Heng. Wang Lang smiled and said, We came to Yuanhe Prefecture City for the Sects mission. He had set up a soundproof barrier in this private room, so he wasnt worried that their conversation could be overheard. I know, Liu Changsheng nodded, saying, But how are we meant to obtain that wordless stele? The Wang Clan usually hides it very well; only the Family Head knows of its location. Even during the banquet following the martial arts competition, the wordless stele is just placed on a high platform, allowing people to approach within a yard for observation and enlightenment. We cant just take it by force, can we? We wont have to take it, others will. Wang Lang said with a smile, The Yuanhe Wang Clan is just a branch of the Xuanzhou Wang Clan, with meager strength. Their strongest is only Sixth Rank, and they cannot stop someone who is determined to take it. In that case, why has no one taken it before? Liu Changsheng asked, puzzled, The wordless stele is said to be a relic from the Middle Ancient period, and it can impart various martial arts, many should covet it. Haha, does theyoungmasterknowwhy the Yuanhe Wang Clan was able to separate from the main branch in Xuanzhou? Wang Lang laughed, saying, Three hundred years ago, the former Family Head of the Wang Clan was a True Disciple of Qing Emperor Palace. Though the former patriarch of the Yuanhe Wang Clan is no longer present, they still have a smoldering relationship with Qing Emperor Palace. Unless necessary, who would come here to take things by force? The Qing Emperor Sect is one of the ten great sects of Da Qi, on par with the Five Elements Sect, with ancient heritage and formidable strength. Now that Liu Changsheng suddenly realized, asking, Does someone want to prevent our Five Elements Sect from obtaining the wordless stele? Which powers are they? The Plague Emperor Sect and the Honghua Palace, said Wang Lang, Apart from them, there seems to be a force from the overseas islands who also wants the wordless stele. The overseas islands? Liu Changsheng was startled at first, then said with interest, Ive heard that the martial arts of the overseas islands are drastically different from ours; Id like to see for myself. Young master, its best not to get involved with people from the overseas islands; their methods are often tricky and hard to guard against, Wang Lang quickly advised, If you really want to know about them, you can ask the lord back at the Sect after we return. But for now, its best not to make contact with those people. I understand, Liu Changsheng nodded, saying, So we wait for the Plague Emperor Sect and the Honghua Palace, as well as those from overseas to make their move before we seize it from them? The young master is quick to grasp, Wang Lang nodded slightly, smiling, Exactly. We take it and run, later we will have high-level experts from the Sect to support us, theres no need to worry about anything else. Next, Zhou Heng, without any suspense, won nine bouts. Having accumulated ten victories, he then stepped down from the platform. It was somewhat regrettable that seven of these nine fights were against worthless opponents, whose defeat brought no reward, and the other two were simply no match for him. In the end, he only earned two copper fortune bags. Zhou Heng stepped off the platform, returned to Bai Yuejian and Bai Jingtians side, handed the Zhi Zhi Sword to Bai Jingtian for safekeeping, and looked towards Yun Xiu with a smile, Miss Xiuer, its been a long time since we last met, how have you been? It hasnt been that long, Yun Xiu smiled. Ive been traveling the martial world with my master, encountering many novel things, which was quite eye-opening, and quite nice too. And this lady is? Zhou Heng looked at the woman beside Yun Xiu, somewhat surprised. He had seen Yun Xius master before and knew this woman was named He Mengqiu, but in his memory, He Mengqiu was just an ordinary-looking woman, at best above average, and didnt possess the outstanding temperament or the fine features she had now. In short, although the current He Mengqiu still bore some resemblance to the one in Zhou Hengs memory, the overall impression she gave was as if she had been elevated numerous grades. No need for surprise, Ive opened the gateway of life and death, built the bridge between heaven and earth, and drawn upon the energy of the cosmos to temper my body, furthering my transformation. Naturally, my appearance would differ somewhat from before, He Mengqiu said with a smile. Hmm, youll understand when you reach this step in the future. This statement was made with a firm belief that Zhou Heng would reach the Sixth Rank. Then I thank the senior for your auspicious words, Zhou Heng smiled. Then, he turned to Yun Xiu and said, Is Miss Xiuer also planning to participate in this martial arts competition? I had some thoughts about it, but Ive dismissed them now, Yun Xiu gently shook her head and smiled. Overall, to secure a top-five finish and emerge victorious, one would need to be at least at the pinnacle of Eighth Rank or even Seventh Rank. My humble Ninth Grade wouldnt stand a chance. I brought her here to cheer you on and lend you support, He Mengqiu said with a smile from the side. Master- Yun Xiu pouted. Hey, big brother, that big lug is on stage again, Bai Yuejian suddenly shouted out. Zhou Heng saw that right after he had left the platform, Li Tonghe had gone up again and was initiating challenges to the crowd. However, this time he deliberately ignored Zhou Hengs presence. Hehe, it seems like this guy got scared off by teacher, huh! Bai Jingtian laughed, He doesnt dare to challenge teacher anymore. Knowing he would lose, of course, he wouldnt challenge again, Zhou Heng smiled, then added, But with his strength, securing a top-five spot shouldnt be a problem. His gaze lingered on Li Tonghe on the platform, trying to spot signs of him hiding his real strength in his upcoming fights, but alas, he found none. After that, one master after another took to the stage, and Zhou Heng also went up two more times. As dusk settled, the top five were determined based on the number of victories. Zhou Heng, Li Tonghe, Wan Hongyi, Si Ying, and Lu Xiuming. Four men and one woman. Apart from Zhou Heng, they were all Seventh Rank. Among them, Wan Hongyi was a disciple of the Shocking Thunder Manor, and he looked at Zhou Heng with quite an unfriendly gaze, while Si Ying and Lu Xiuming were said to be from minor families and were not well-known. The martial arts competition came to an interim close as the sky in the west was filled with crimson clouds, and everyone dispersed. Big brother Heng, Master and I have reserved a private room at the Osmanthus House, its been a longtime since we met, so Im treating you to a meal, Yun Xiu said with a smile. Remember to come- The Osmanthus House was a well-known restaurant in Yuanhe Prefecture City, reputed for their excellent dishes and desserts. Sure, Zhou Heng smiled, but I need to get sorted first, Ill be there before the hour of the Pig. He planned to rest for a bit and also open the fortune bags he had obtained that day. Then Master and I will wait for you, Yun Xiu nodded and smiled, then took her leave with He Mengqiu. Big brother, can I go with you tonight? Bai Yuejian blinked her big eyes, full of anticipation. Dont talk nonsense, teacher has his own matters, Bai Jingtian whispered. Stay at home tonight; tomorrow, brother will buy you a chicken leg. He felt he was being quite mature. Okay! Bai Yuejian nodded and smiled. The little girl was quite easy to persuade. The trio returned to their home in the backyard of Bais familys medicine shop. Bai Jingtian led Bai Yuejian in first, while Zhou Heng followed at the back. Just as he was about to enter, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a person standing on the rooftop of a nearby building. From the figure, it was a man. He was tall and lanky, dressed in black fish scale armor that covered even his hands and feet, fully armed, but of course, the most eye-catching was the mask he wore on his face. The material of the mask appeared identical to the ones Zhou Heng had previously seen on Cheng Jianjian and her companions, also painted with a pattern on it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A weapon resembling a long halberd, entirely black. A member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? Could it be that a ghoul had appeared in Yuanhe Prefecture City? Zhou Heng furrowed his brow. Just then, as if the man realized Zhou Heng was watching him, his figure flickered and he leapt away, disappearing from sight without a trace. Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Curtain is About to Rise (3rd Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Curtain is About to Rise (3rd Update) Ziwei Sect, Xuan Ge? Zhou Heng feigned confusion, looking at the man before him clad in dark armor, and said, Is that your name, hmm, or should I say, codename? You can call me Xuan Ge, the man said indifferently. What brings you to me, sir? Zhou Heng asked in a deep voice. You know about the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers and ghosts, Ive heard this from Tian Xuan, Xuan Ge said gravely. So, as per the rules, I extend to you an invitation, would you join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers? And who is Tian Xuan? Zhou Heng frowned and asked, his heart becoming even more shocked, could it be that this Ziwei Sect was really as he had previously thought? She often travels with Tian Ji, Xuan Ge explained. Tian Ji is that Star Envoy you first met. So its her, Zhou Heng realized upon hearing this. Xuan Ge must have been referring to Cheng Jianjian as Tian Ji, and Tian Xuan as Cheng Jianjians martial Sixth Rank companion. It seemed that previously, Cheng Jianjian had not reported his information to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. It was Tian Xuan who had encountered him in Yuyang County and reported his information instead. So, are you willing to join us? Xuan Ge continued to inquire. What if I refuse? Zhou Heng asked bluntly. Then you will lose the opportunity to eradicate ghosts and restore peace to the world, Xuan Ge stood with hands behind his back and said solemnly. You will also lose a chance to learn the true nature of the world. I thought if I refused you were going to kill me, Zhou Heng said with a chuckle. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officers are not a wicked path. Besides, you have merit in killing those ghosts; the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers should be thanking you, how could we kill you? Xuan Ge said in a perplexed tone. As long as you dont maliciously spread information about the ghosts, we will not take action against you. So youve come here just to extend an invitation? Zhou Heng asked. Theres another matter, Xuan Ge said gravely. I would like to ask you to keep an eye on Li Tonghe at the banquet the day after tomorrow. If he makes any wrong moves, kill him directly. And the benefit for me? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. Any piece of information you wish to know, Xuan Ge said. As long as its known to us at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, we can swear by our very own life stars that its true. Alright, Zhou Heng nodded, saying, But as for what specific information I want to ask, I havent thought of it yet. When I decide, I can ask then, how about that? After all, he had already made an enemy of Li Tonghe, and judging by Li Tonghes demeanor, he did not seem like someone who would just let things slide. This could be a good opportunity to eliminate a potential threat once and for all. Definitely a gain without a loss. Alright, Xuan Ge nodded, saying, Whenever you want to ask, you can. I take my leave now. As his voice faded, his figure slightly shook, and the whole person seemed to be covered by an invisible curtain, vanishing into thin air, leaving no trace. Zhou Heng stroked his chin, smiling, Interesting. Outside of Yuanhe Prefecture City, atop a hill. Here stood a thatched cottage, in front of which a handsome young man with only whites in his eyes and no pupils sat cross C legged, his breath in sync with the twinkling of the stars above as if drawing on their essence. He wore a thin white silk robe with a white jade crown on his head, appearing very scholarly, and not far away on a stone table, a mask was placed. This mask was also in white with patterns painted on it. A long spear. At this moment, a dark figure was swiftly approaching from the base of the hill. In just a few leaps, Xuan Ge arrived at the top of the hill, in front of the cottage. He refused, Xuan Ge got straight to the point, reporting the outcome of the mission, Just as you expected, Heavenly Spear. Zhou Heng is suspected to be a reincarnation of a powerful being, and Tian Ji holds him in close regard yet did not invite him. She must have seen that he had no intention himself, or perhaps Tian Ji had her reservations. Why bother? the pupil-less youth said with a faint smile as he got up and walked over to the table, putting on his Heavenly Spear mask, Did he agree to our request, though? He didnt refuse that, Xuan Ge said. Thats good then. It proves at the very least he holds no hostility towards us, Heavenly Spear said with a smile. It seems Tian Ji left a good impression on him. After this matter is over, we will return and report to Lord Zuoyuan to see if we can reward Zhou Heng. After all, he has slain quite a few ghosts and has been of considerable help to us. Heavenly Spear, do you think it necessary to be on good terms with this Zhou Heng? Xuan Ge frowned slightly, asking perplexed, Hes only Eighth Rank after all. Aside from whether he truly is a reincarnated powerful being, I used my Law Eyes to see from a distance, and his fate is elusive and unpredictable; in the future, he is surely no ordinary person, Heavenly Spear said smiling, Being on good terms with him is of no harm to you or me, or to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. Alright, I understand, Xuan Ge nodded, saying, Then regarding the matter of the unmarked stele, what should we do? Strictly monitor the entrances and exits of Yuanhe Prefecture City, and then, simply wait for the arrival of the emperors inner seat dignitary, Heavenly Spear slowly walked to the edge of the hills summit, looking in the direction of the south of Yuanhe Prefecture City, saying, Perhaps there will come a power that even we cannot handle. Its an inner seat dignitary of the emperors?! Xuan Ge was astonished and said, I remember that elder already stepped into the Fourth Rank a hundred years ago, what kind of powerful being requires his personal appearance? Perhaps its an unparalleled expert at the peak of Fourth Rank, or maybe its a Ghost Immortal who has weathered the wind calamity Heavenly Spear stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the waning moon, saying, It could also be an Overseas Loose Cultivator. Then were in big trouble, Xuan Ge, stunned, found himself at a loss for words. Suddenly, he thought of something, In that case, could Zhou Heng be in danger? Under the power of such Great Power, as long as you are within Yuanhe Prefecture, no matter where you are, theres hardly any difference, Heavenly Spear said with a smile, Whether hes in danger doesnt change with his attendance at the banquet. Youve seen the might of a Fourth Rank expert. This you are right, Xuan Ge seemed to have thought of something utterly terrifying. Let us quietly watch the changes, Tian Ji turned his head, looking towards the Wang Familys direction, and sighed, After several struggles and searches, I wonder who will ultimately achieve enlightenment? The Taihua Mountain Range stretched thousands of miles, with majestic peaks, and its beauty was both magnificent and perilous. It was where the gates of the Pure Yang Palace were located. Between these peaks, seas of clouds surged endlessly, their state forever uncertain. Within them, the spiritual aura of heaven and earth touched the peaks spirit, transforming into springs and flowing through the white clouds. These were known as Cloud Sea Spirit Springs. For the ordinary disciples of the Pure Yang Palace, these Cloud Sea Spirit Springs were excellent auxiliary materials for refining pills and casting tools. Often, people would fly into the sea of clouds to collect the spirit spring for later use. However, for You Ziheng, there was only one use for the Cloud Sea Spirit Spring. And that was for brewing wine. On this day, he was collecting spirit spring while flying wobbly through the peaks and clouds, bathed in the light of dawn, preparing to gather enough to brew a fine jar of wine. He had just returned from Da Zhou a few days earlier, acquiring a top-notch wine brewing recipe. He had tasted that exquisite wine once while in Da Zhou and had been craving it ever since. If he didnt start brewing soon, the worms of hunger in his stomach would nearly crawl out. But as he collected only half of the required spirit spring, a golden light fell from the peak of Ziwei, rolled into You Zihengs arms, and turned into a jade talisman decree. You Ziheng felt a jolt, his drunken haze dissipating, his mind clearing up quite a bit as he looked at the decree in his arms, puzzled, A decree from the Sect Master Brother? Hes well off as a Celestial Man not cultivating the ways of heaven, could it be there is some grand affair? Although eager to brew wine, he did not neglect the Sect Masters decree and immediately chose to read it. With a thought, he obtained the information from the jade talisman decree. He has observed changes in the heavenly secrets, and he wants me to take the Divine Weapon, the Purple Virtual Sword, to Yuanhe Prefecture City?? You Zihengs eyes widened in shock, almost thinking he had read wrong, or was he still not sober from the wine?? The Purple Virtual Sword was one of the Pure Yang Palaces guardian divine weapons; it was equivalent to a Celestial Man. With permission from the Sect Master, even a Fifth Rank Sect Master could wield this divine weapon and exhibit substantial power. However, unless there was an extremely urgent matter, divine weapons were usually not taken outside the gate. Now the Sect Master was asking him to take the Purple Virtual Sword out, what kind of significant event was about to happen? Perhaps sensing You Zihengs confusion, or maybe having anticipated his reaction, as he stood there in a state of shocked uncertainty, the surrounding sea of clouds suddenly surged and converged. A moment later, the white mists in the sea of clouds neatly parted, revealing a few large characters in the space created. Junior brother, Im not kidding, go now. Clearly, this was the work of the current Pure Yang Palace Master from Ziwei Peak. Tsk tsk, having been the Sect Master for hundreds of years and still so playful! You Ziheng arched an eyebrow and lifted his chin in the direction of Ziwei Peak, With the Purple Virtual Sword in hand, unless a Celestial Man descends, I fear nothing. Even if something big happens and the Purple Virtual Sword is lost, I can still call upon the founding grandmaster to take action. The founding grandmaster he spoke of was the Pure Yang Palaces strongest combat force and one of todays greatest existences with the highest cultivation realm. Divine First Rank. Saintly! A day and more passed in the blink of an eye. But Zhou Hengs day was rather fulfilling, and his strength had also improved further. In this span of a little over a day, he consolidated his Innate Skills cultivation. And with the base attribute boost of spirit +1, he managed to achieve the effects of the Innate Skill in nourishing the mysterious gates and ancestral orifices, even in his unskilled state, granting him certain special mental abilities. Beyond that, he also studied the Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique Hundred-Step Flying Sword. Thanks to the contributions from the Dugu Nine Swords and many other sword techniques, he mastered this sword technique to an intermediate proficiency as soon as he learned it. Although an intermediate Hundred-Step Flying Sword couldnt control an enemy from a hundred steps away, Zhou Heng could now strike targets within thirty steps when the sword flew from his hand. The power was no less effective than wielding a sword by hand. This directly elevated his strength by a great margin, and significantly increased his attack range. This day. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The third day of the seventh lunar month. The birthday of the Wang Familys elder patriarch. It was also the day when the top five combatants of the martial competition were invited to comprehend the inscribed stone with no words. The curtain was about to rise. ps: In a rush and didnt have time to correct typos, will update and revise later- Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Curtain is About to Rise (3rd Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Curtain is About to Rise (3rd Update) Ziwei Sect, Xuan Ge? Zhou Heng feigned confusion, looking at the man before him clad in dark armor, and said, Is that your name, hmm, or should I say, codename? You can call me Xuan Ge, the man said indifferently. What brings you to me, sir? Zhou Heng asked in a deep voice. You know about the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers and ghosts, Ive heard this from Tian Xuan, Xuan Ge said gravely. So, as per the rules, I extend to you an invitation, would you join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers? And who is Tian Xuan? Zhou Heng frowned and asked, his heart becoming even more shocked, could it be that this Ziwei Sect was really as he had previously thought? She often travels with Tian Ji, Xuan Ge explained. Tian Ji is that Star Envoy you first met. So its her, Zhou Heng realized upon hearing this. Xuan Ge must have been referring to Cheng Jianjian as Tian Ji, and Tian Xuan as Cheng Jianjians martial Sixth Rank companion. It seemed that previously, Cheng Jianjian had not reported his information to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. It was Tian Xuan who had encountered him in Yuyang County and reported his information instead. So, are you willing to join us? Xuan Ge continued to inquire. What if I refuse? Zhou Heng asked bluntly. Then you will lose the opportunity to eradicate ghosts and restore peace to the world, Xuan Ge stood with hands behind his back and said solemnly. You will also lose a chance to learn the true nature of the world. I thought if I refused you were going to kill me, Zhou Heng said with a chuckle. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officers are not a wicked path. Besides, you have merit in killing those ghosts; the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers should be thanking you, how could we kill you? Xuan Ge said in a perplexed tone. As long as you dont maliciously spread information about the ghosts, we will not take action against you. So youve come here just to extend an invitation? Zhou Heng asked. Theres another matter, Xuan Ge said gravely. I would like to ask you to keep an eye on Li Tonghe at the banquet the day after tomorrow. If he makes any wrong moves, kill him directly. And the benefit for me? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. Any piece of information you wish to know, Xuan Ge said. As long as its known to us at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, we can swear by our very own life stars that its true. Alright, Zhou Heng nodded, saying, But as for what specific information I want to ask, I havent thought of it yet. When I decide, I can ask then, how about that? After all, he had already made an enemy of Li Tonghe, and judging by Li Tonghes demeanor, he did not seem like someone who would just let things slide. This could be a good opportunity to eliminate a potential threat once and for all. Definitely a gain without a loss. Alright, Xuan Ge nodded, saying, Whenever you want to ask, you can. I take my leave now. As his voice faded, his figure slightly shook, and the whole person seemed to be covered by an invisible curtain, vanishing into thin air, leaving no trace. Zhou Heng stroked his chin, smiling, Interesting. Outside of Yuanhe Prefecture City, atop a hill. Here stood a thatched cottage, in front of which a handsome young man with only whites in his eyes and no pupils sat cross C legged, his breath in sync with the twinkling of the stars above as if drawing on their essence. He wore a thin white silk robe with a white jade crown on his head, appearing very scholarly, and not far away on a stone table, a mask was placed. This mask was also in white with patterns painted on it. A long spear. At this moment, a dark figure was swiftly approaching from the base of the hill. In just a few leaps, Xuan Ge arrived at the top of the hill, in front of the cottage. He refused, Xuan Ge got straight to the point, reporting the outcome of the mission, Just as you expected, Heavenly Spear. Zhou Heng is suspected to be a reincarnation of a powerful being, and Tian Ji holds him in close regard yet did not invite him. She must have seen that he had no intention himself, or perhaps Tian Ji had her reservations. Why bother? the pupil-less youth said with a faint smile as he got up and walked over to the table, putting on his Heavenly Spear mask, Did he agree to our request, though? He didnt refuse that, Xuan Ge said. Thats good then. It proves at the very least he holds no hostility towards us, Heavenly Spear said with a smile. It seems Tian Ji left a good impression on him. After this matter is over, we will return and report to Lord Zuoyuan to see if we can reward Zhou Heng. After all, he has slain quite a few ghosts and has been of considerable help to us. Heavenly Spear, do you think it necessary to be on good terms with this Zhou Heng? Xuan Ge frowned slightly, asking perplexed, Hes only Eighth Rank after all. Aside from whether he truly is a reincarnated powerful being, I used my Law Eyes to see from a distance, and his fate is elusive and unpredictable; in the future, he is surely no ordinary person, Heavenly Spear said smiling, Being on good terms with him is of no harm to you or me, or to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. Alright, I understand, Xuan Ge nodded, saying, Then regarding the matter of the unmarked stele, what should we do? Strictly monitor the entrances and exits of Yuanhe Prefecture City, and then, simply wait for the arrival of the emperors inner seat dignitary, Heavenly Spear slowly walked to the edge of the hills summit, looking in the direction of the south of Yuanhe Prefecture City, saying, Perhaps there will come a power that even we cannot handle. Its an inner seat dignitary of the emperors?! Xuan Ge was astonished and said, I remember that elder already stepped into the Fourth Rank a hundred years ago, what kind of powerful being requires his personal appearance? Perhaps its an unparalleled expert at the peak of Fourth Rank, or maybe its a Ghost Immortal who has weathered the wind calamity Heavenly Spear stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the waning moon, saying, It could also be an Overseas Loose Cultivator. Then were in big trouble, Xuan Ge, stunned, found himself at a loss for words. Suddenly, he thought of something, In that case, could Zhou Heng be in danger? Under the power of such Great Power, as long as you are within Yuanhe Prefecture, no matter where you are, theres hardly any difference, Heavenly Spear said with a smile, Whether hes in danger doesnt change with his attendance at the banquet. Youve seen the might of a Fourth Rank expert. This you are right, Xuan Ge seemed to have thought of something utterly terrifying. Let us quietly watch the changes, Tian Ji turned his head, looking towards the Wang Familys direction, and sighed, After several struggles and searches, I wonder who will ultimately achieve enlightenment? The Taihua Mountain Range stretched thousands of miles, with majestic peaks, and its beauty was both magnificent and perilous. It was where the gates of the Pure Yang Palace were located. Between these peaks, seas of clouds surged endlessly, their state forever uncertain. Within them, the spiritual aura of heaven and earth touched the peaks spirit, transforming into springs and flowing through the white clouds. These were known as Cloud Sea Spirit Springs. For the ordinary disciples of the Pure Yang Palace, these Cloud Sea Spirit Springs were excellent auxiliary materials for refining pills and casting tools. Often, people would fly into the sea of clouds to collect the spirit spring for later use. However, for You Ziheng, there was only one use for the Cloud Sea Spirit Spring. And that was for brewing wine. On this day, he was collecting spirit spring while flying wobbly through the peaks and clouds, bathed in the light of dawn, preparing to gather enough to brew a fine jar of wine. He had just returned from Da Zhou a few days earlier, acquiring a top-notch wine brewing recipe. He had tasted that exquisite wine once while in Da Zhou and had been craving it ever since. If he didnt start brewing soon, the worms of hunger in his stomach would nearly crawl out. But as he collected only half of the required spirit spring, a golden light fell from the peak of Ziwei, rolled into You Zihengs arms, and turned into a jade talisman decree. You Ziheng felt a jolt, his drunken haze dissipating, his mind clearing up quite a bit as he looked at the decree in his arms, puzzled, A decree from the Sect Master Brother? Hes well off as a Celestial Man not cultivating the ways of heaven, could it be there is some grand affair? Although eager to brew wine, he did not neglect the Sect Masters decree and immediately chose to read it. With a thought, he obtained the information from the jade talisman decree. He has observed changes in the heavenly secrets, and he wants me to take the Divine Weapon, the Purple Virtual Sword, to Yuanhe Prefecture City?? You Zihengs eyes widened in shock, almost thinking he had read wrong, or was he still not sober from the wine?? The Purple Virtual Sword was one of the Pure Yang Palaces guardian divine weapons; it was equivalent to a Celestial Man. With permission from the Sect Master, even a Fifth Rank Sect Master could wield this divine weapon and exhibit substantial power. However, unless there was an extremely urgent matter, divine weapons were usually not taken outside the gate. Now the Sect Master was asking him to take the Purple Virtual Sword out, what kind of significant event was about to happen? Perhaps sensing You Zihengs confusion, or maybe having anticipated his reaction, as he stood there in a state of shocked uncertainty, the surrounding sea of clouds suddenly surged and converged. A moment later, the white mists in the sea of clouds neatly parted, revealing a few large characters in the space created. Junior brother, Im not kidding, go now. Clearly, this was the work of the current Pure Yang Palace Master from Ziwei Peak. Tsk tsk, having been the Sect Master for hundreds of years and still so playful! You Ziheng arched an eyebrow and lifted his chin in the direction of Ziwei Peak, With the Purple Virtual Sword in hand, unless a Celestial Man descends, I fear nothing. Even if something big happens and the Purple Virtual Sword is lost, I can still call upon the founding grandmaster to take action. The founding grandmaster he spoke of was the Pure Yang Palaces strongest combat force and one of todays greatest existences with the highest cultivation realm. Divine First Rank. Saintly! A day and more passed in the blink of an eye. But Zhou Hengs day was rather fulfilling, and his strength had also improved further. In this span of a little over a day, he consolidated his Innate Skills cultivation. And with the base attribute boost of spirit +1, he managed to achieve the effects of the Innate Skill in nourishing the mysterious gates and ancestral orifices, even in his unskilled state, granting him certain special mental abilities. Beyond that, he also studied the Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique Hundred-Step Flying Sword. Thanks to the contributions from the Dugu Nine Swords and many other sword techniques, he mastered this sword technique to an intermediate proficiency as soon as he learned it. Although an intermediate Hundred-Step Flying Sword couldnt control an enemy from a hundred steps away, Zhou Heng could now strike targets within thirty steps when the sword flew from his hand. The power was no less effective than wielding a sword by hand. This directly elevated his strength by a great margin, and significantly increased his attack range. This day. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The third day of the seventh lunar month. The birthday of the Wang Familys elder patriarch. It was also the day when the top five combatants of the martial competition were invited to comprehend the inscribed stone with no words. The curtain was about to rise. ps: In a rush and didnt have time to correct typos, will update and revise later- Chapter 116 - Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Making an Entrance Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Making an Entrance The Wang Family clearly took this banquet very seriously. The five guests who came to attend the banquet were all picked up and transported by the Wang Familys special carriages. These carriages were gorgeous and exquisite, undoubtedly meticulously prepared. Moreover, the timing of their arrival at the Wang Familys door was clearly calculated. Zhou Heng arrived first, closely followed by Li Tonghe, Wan Hongyi, Si Ying, and Lu Xiuming. This was arranged according to the rankings in the martial arts contest, but the time gap between arrivals wasnt significant. In Yuanhe Prefecture City, the Wang Family was a well-known large household, and its residence was naturally quite magnificent, with red doors, stone lions guarding the house, and a seven-section layout. It didnt pale in comparison even to Zhou Hengs residence in Huangtong Mansion City. After Zhou Heng and the others arrived, a host of Wang Family servants lined up at the gate to welcome them, simultaneously opening the main gate and the side doors on both sides, showing respect to the visiting experts. Please, five heroes, come inside! The rows of servants were easily in the hundreds, standing in two lines, forming a long pathway with even a red carpet laid down their middle. This level of ceremonial standard was undeniably exhaustive. The surrounding crowd of onlookers cast envious glances toward Zhou Heng and the others, especially the leading Zhou Heng, who was walking at the very front. However, Zhou Heng found the Wang Family rather interesting in his mind. The martial arts contest was essentially an event held by the Wang Family to explore the mysteries of the unmarked stele as much as possible for their own benefit. From the restrictions outlined, the winners of the contest were merely Comprehension Tools for the Wang Family. Yet, since for many in the martial community this might be their only opportunity to advance in martial arts, even if the terms were very stringent, initially, most would feel gratitude towards the Wang Family. Therefore, normally, the Wang Family didnt need to use such high-standard courtesy to receive them. But the Wang Family did just that. This wasnt only about crafting a reputation of respecting talents and acting humbly; it was also to avoid future troubles. The Wang Family was very clear that restricting the individuals from teaching others the martial arts comprehended from the unmarked stele was viable short-term, since it was early days and the numbers were few; but once time passed and the restricted numbers grew, it would become a significant worry. If these restricted individuals banded together against the Wang Family or created public opinions to escape those terms, it would be a considerable blow to the Wang Family. However, if the Wang Family had a very good reputation, and consistently behaved with Humility before Nobility, showing great respect to those who comprehended, it would then stand on moral high ground. Anyone wanting to shed the restrictions set by the Wang Family would be seen as ungrateful, as lacking principles, as repaying kindness with enmity! This is the power of righteousness. Clearly, the leaders of the Wang Family were astute and had a clear grasp of reality. They were unlike some companies Zhou Heng had seen on Earth, where harsh terms were one thing, but they were even too lazy to keep up appearances, acting brazenly without any shame. In the short term, as long as there were advantages, people might endure it, but as time went on, or if there were any disturbances, the walls would inevitably come tumbling down with the push of the crowds. This Wang Family may have great prospects, but I wonder who came up with this practice? Zhou Heng mused internally, smiling as he crossed the red carpet and stepped through the Wang Familys gate first. Of course, the Wang Family has to survive this catastrophe first. The Middle Ancient wordless stele had indeed attracted the covetous gazes of many. Yet there was one issue that had puzzled Zhou Heng these past few days. Why had no one shown interest in this wordless stele that had been placed in the Wang Family for a decade, and now suddenly so many people were rushing to seize it? Had something changed? In the main hall of the Wang Family. Wang Xinyue was selecting the rings and jade pendants for the old patriarch to wear for his birthday banquet today. She was the youngest girl of the direct lineage of the Wang Family, only sixteen years old, and the old patriarchs great-granddaughter. With a face that could launch a thousand ships, she was extremely beautiful and greatly favored by the old patriarch. Every year, for his birthday banquet, the old patriarch would have her come select the jewelry to wear, saying that whatever Xinyue liked, he liked as well. This old patriarch was the son of the first generation Family Head from three hundred years ago, and now he was over two hundred years old, with only a few decades left before reaching the Sixth Rank Martial Paths lifespan limit. His mentality had also nearly entered old age, and he was especially indulgent towards the youngest generation of the family. As Wang Xinyue was selecting jewelry for the old patriarch, she curiously asked, Ancestor, I heard father say that our family is letting others Comprehend the Martial Arts from that wordless stele in order to decipher its mysteries as much as possible. So why not disseminate the news more widely to get more people to participate in the martial arts competition? If there were more people, we could obtain more Martial Arts skills, right? At present, the news of our martial arts competition is only circulating within Yuanhe Prefecture City and at most spreading to neighboring places like Huangtong Mansion City, so very few people know about it. Hahaha, good Xinyue, you and the old man think alike, the old patriarch laughed, slipped on a ring, and said, However, your father vetoed this idea. The dissemination of the martial arts competition is intentionally restricted. That boy is always meticulous, and to ensure that the secrets of the wordless stele wouldnt be deciphered by others who collect a massive amount of Comprehend Martial Arts, our Wang Family set some restrictions on the teaching of Comprehend Martial Arts. Such restrictions are manageable with fewer people, but once you have too many, there will inevitably be significant unpredictability. As long as its limited to this River Mansion City, the Wang Family can still have a say. But if we were to broaden the range and actively promote it, inviting more people to participate, we would certainly lose control and might even suffer a backlash, which would be a loss not worth the gain. Understand? So thats how it is. Wang Xinyue nodded, seemingly comprehending and said, But its hard to keep people from talking, eventually more people will know about the martial arts competition. Hehe, dont worry about that, dear Xinyue. There might not even be a next martial arts competition, the old patriarch said as he finished putting on the jewelry and stood up, glancing outside with a smile. Lets go to the front hall; everyone should be arriving soon. Outside the Wang Family estate. He Mengqiu had disguised herself and changed her appearance to become plain and unremarkable, dressed in a simple green gown, blending in with the crowd. Yun Xiu was by her side, also disguised by her, no longer stunning in appearance, wearing ordinary clothes that made her look like just another normal young girl. Master, was what you said before true? Yun Xiu asked with concern, Will there really be a major incident in the Wang Family today? Could Zhou Heng be in danger? If he were not in danger, why would I come here? He Mengqiu said with a smile, Once a change occurs, I will take you and him and leave Yuanhe Prefecture City together. Is it that serious? Yun Xiu exclaimed in surprise. It might just be a small-scale fight, or perhaps the entire Yuanhe Prefecture City could be reduced to ruins, He Mengqiu said solemnly. Last night, I felt a fragment of a Loose Immortals spirit from overseas traversing the void and descending here. A Loose Immortal?! Yun Xius eyes widened in astonishment; she had heard He Mengqiu mention such beings before. They were distinct from ordinary Martial Artists but incredibly powerful. Lets wait and observe how things unfold, He Mengqiu said. In another direction outside the Wang Family estate. This place was a maze of interlocking alleys and deep lanes, and because of impending demolition and transformation, it had been deserted for some time, with few footprints to be found. However, today it was gathering quite a crowd. Men and women. Over a dozen in total. The men were all dressed in coarse cloth garments of black and white, their appearances quite ordinary, and each with an unhealthy pallor; their eye circles were dark grey, and every move they made seemed to carry a hint of sickness, making one feel quite uncomfortable. The women, however, seemed to be in their teens or early twenties, each with exceptional facial features, standing out like blooming flowers, each one a stunning beauty. They were people from the Plague Emperor Sect and Honghua Palace. Both groups were led by a Sixth Rank Warrior, commanding a host of Seventh Rank Warriors. The Sixth Rank Warrior from the Plague Emperor Sect was named Xin Shou, who practiced the Sects unique Fifth Rank Martial Arts called Black Death Plague Scripture, and had reached the seventh layer. Every move he made contained extremely powerful sickness qi, capable of afflicting someone with a serious illness that could kill on the spot. The Sixth Rank Warrior from Honghua Palace was named Han Yuxiao, who looked to be in her twenties, as radiant as a young girl, yet was actually nearly two hundred years old. In her early years, she had fallen into the dust of the world, and it was only after several hardships that she was able to join the Honghua Palace. Now, Han Yuxiao had cultivated her Secret Sixth Rank Martial Arts Crimson Pill Passional Art to the ninth layer pinnacle, her every move radiating limitless charm, capable of making the willpower of those not firm falter on the spot and die from an excess of desire. I have already secretly set up the sickness qi and poison, Xin Shou said in a deep voice, eyeing the Wang Familys mansion not far away. As soon as we get the notice from Lu Xiuming and Si Ying, well rush in, you go distract the crowd, and well seize the Stele without words. Alright, Han Yuxiao said with a sweet smile, her white fingers dancing as she placed her hand on Xin Shous shoulder, smiling sweetly, If we succeed tonight, you can do as you please with me, and these sisters of mine can also reward the people youve brought. The women of Honghua Palace all smiled timely, their charm boundless, making all the disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect salivate, with a few even having physical reactions. Well talk about that later, Xin Shou replied indifferently. The important matters come first. Okay, okay, such a spoilsport-, Han Yuxiao sighed. But why havent we seen any trace of the Five Elements Sect, especially since that great man said they were absolutely determined to obtain the Stele without words? Perhaps they are thinking, the praying mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, sneered Xin Shou. As soon as we get our hands on the Stele without words, they will show up. On the hills outside Yuanhe Prefecture City. Tian Qiang sat cross-legged on the ground, his mask resting in his lap. His pupil-less eyes emitted light, projecting two screens in the void, with images and voices emerging from them. One screen showed the situation inside the Wang Family mansion, while the other displayed the situation with the Plague Emperor Sect and Honghua Palace, among others. Everything they discussed was reflected on these two screens. Xuan Ge still wore his mask as he looked at the screens, furrowing his brows and said, They all still think this is a dispute at the Sixth Rank level, maybe involving the Fifth Rank at most Limited knowledge, incomplete information, its understandable, Tian Qiang replied indifferently. This is normal. Tian Qiang, what exactly is the Stele without words? Xuan Ge asked, looking at the handsome young man without pupils, his voice laced with curiosity. Why has it even brought the Overseas Loose Cultivators here? Loose Immortals from the Thirty-Six Heavens have arrived, isnt it obvious? Tian Qiang laughed. Even if you cant guess it, youll know soon enough. Xuan Ge fell silent for a moment before saying, The Wang Family banquet has already started, and the great men within the Five Emperors inner circle have not arrived yet. There was a disturbance in the West Wasteland a few days ago, the attention of the great men within the Five Emperors inner circle and the Heavenly Pillar is mostly there, they might not make it in time, sighed Tian Qiang. Shall we go stop the banquet directly? asked Xuan Ge. And inform Zhou Heng of the specifics? If that happens, you and I would be instantly killed by several hidden Fourth Rank supreme Martial Artists lurking in the dark, Heavenly Spear shook his head, speaking indifferently, Lets just observe the changes. With our current abilities, thats all we can do. You dont need to worry about Zhou Heng, he has a Life-saving Talisman on him, so he cant die no matter what. Im still not at ease, Xuan Ge said solemnly, Let me try another method to see if we can contact the other Elders. This time even the Loose Immortals from the Thirty-Six Heavens have appeared, but why do our Elders seem to be in no hurry? Within the Wang Family mansion, the main hall of the front courtyard. The decor here was incredibly lavish, and they had even brought in exotic flowers and auspicious trees from other places for decoration. Additionally, various gemstones were embedded in the walls, creating a dazzling and eye-catching display. The Wang Familys elder family head sat in the highest seat, with Wang Xinyue standing by his side. Slightly below sat the current Family Head of the Wang Family, Wang Xinyues father, Wang Yuande. Besides them, those seated here were all direct descendants of the Wang Family and important figures in charge of power. Zhou Heng and the other four people were arranged to sit at a central position, close to everything, especially the middle area where the banquet was centered and the ground there was empty. On this vacant ground, an unobtrusive object was concealed under a red cloth. That must be the stele without inscriptions. Zhou Heng along with Li Tonghe, Wan Hongyi, Si Ying, and Lu Xiuming all took their seats. Wang Yuande stood up to give his speech of thanks and also wished the elder family head eternal life. After a round of pleasantries, they finally got to the main topic. Wang Yuande ordered the red cloth to be removed, and the true face of the stele without inscriptions finally caught the eyes of Zhou Heng and the others. Is this the stele without inscriptions? Zhou Heng frowned slightly at the sight of the stele. This stele was not a traditional stone stele. It exhibited an ivory white color, around five feet tall, narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, with both sides and its surface being very smooth. However, there were traces of fractures on it, indicating it was not complete. Its surface was covered with various irregular scratches, some straight and some curved, all different from one another. But each scratch, upon close inspection, gave one the urge to immerse themselves and comprehend its essence. It was as if these scratches contained endless mysteries. Especially for Zhou Heng, who had a Spirit +1 base attribute bonus, this stele without inscriptions seemed like a massive treasure trove that appeared to hold the ultimate truths of the Dao, the true meaning of Laws, invoking in him an uncontrollable desire to devote all his mind to its comprehension. At the same time, the Qingxia God scale he carried with him was also trembling slightly, as if there was some inexplicable connection with the stele without inscriptions. The true face of the stele without inscriptions had just been revealed. Si Ying and Lu Xiumings eyes lit up. They looked around at the others inconspicuously, ready to make their move. Wan Hongyi glanced at Si Ying and Lu Xiuming, then turned his attention back to the stele, feigning deep comprehension. Only Li Tonghe seemed to have truly come to comprehend the stele without inscriptions, his eyes were exceedingly earnest, and the look he gave to the stele was almost reverent, as if a believer beheld their god. What exactly is this stele without inscriptions? Zhou Heng looked at the stele, suppressing the movement of the Qingxia God serpent scale, and made a decisive choice to use one of the rewards he had obtained from opening the Fortune Bag on the stele. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Use Identification Card! Identification Card: When utilized on a person or object, can discern its true information. Just at that moment, as if Si Ying and Lu Xiuming received some signal, they suddenly flipped over the banquet table beside them and charged towards the stele without inscriptions in the center of the hall. Wan Hongyi followed closely behind them. Subsequently, a dense fog suddenly filled the air, and two beams of light rushed in from outside the Wang Family mansion! Chapter 117 - Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Azure Dragon, Apex, Loose Immortal! Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Azure Dragon, Apex, Loose Immortal! Qingxia Gods Lifespan Tooth [Damaged]: One of the two lifespan teeth of the Qingxia God, interwoven with the rhythm of the Qingmu Dao Seed,1 closely related to the state of the Qingxia God, and contains the mystery to help the Qingxia God break the seal. Upon learning the true information of this so-called Wordless Stele, Zhou Heng became even more perplexed. Why were the Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect competing for this lifespan tooth of the Qingxia God? Could it be to release the Qingxia God, allowing this legendary powerful creature to regain its freedom? This doesnt make sense! Zhou Hengs understanding of the Qingxia God was limited to the folk legends told by an old ferryman on the Qingxia River, which depicted the Qingxia God as a man-eating giant azure snake that ravaged the countryside long ago, later to be suppressed by an old immortal. This seemed to have nothing to do with both the Plague Emperor Sect and Honghua Palace. Why would they do such a thing?? And what exactly is the Qingmu Dao Seed?? Zhou Heng suddenly felt very ignorant, with most of his understanding of the Martial Path and Martial Artists still based on hearsay. As for higher-level information, he could practically say he knew nothing. Out of ignorance, he could not fathom the motives behind Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sects actions. This made him even more eager to join the Pure Yang Palace. Not to mention, in that sect, which carries an ancient and top Martial Dao legacy, knowledge about higher-level Martial Arts and Martial Artists should be easily accessible. Unlike now, when he was utterly in the dark about everything. Boom! While Zhou Hengs mind was racing with thoughts, aloud explosion suddenly erupted. The main hall of the Wang Family was demolished by a tremendous force; bricks, tiles, and wood splintered everywhere, instantly injuring many people. At the same time, a smoke filled with diseased air spread and permeated, entering the bodies of many who had just narrowly escaped harm. They immediately started to cough violently, vomiting blood after just a few coughs, then fell to the ground. With only a little struggle, they died. This was the poisonous smoke of the Plague Emperor Sect. Ordinary people could hardly last a few breaths against it, and even Ninth Rank Warriors would not last much longer. Even a Seventh Rank would have difficulty escaping. In general, Martial Artists below the Sixth Rank, if they breathed in this poisonous smoke, would inevitably fall seriously ill; the only difference was how soon. And most of them would die on the spot. The moment Zhou Heng sensed something was wrong, he held his breath, circulating his Inner Qi to close his pores, moving quickly to evade the poisonous smoke. Even though he had a Constitution +1 attribute bonus and his resistance to the poison should be far stronger than that of an average Eighth Rank Warrior, the Plague Emperor Sect was still one of the four major evil paths in Da Qi, and he dared not test the poison on himself; it was wiser to avoid it. However, while dodging the poisonous smoke, Zhou Heng did not forget his main purpose for coming here. He put on his sharp weapon gloves. His left hand shaped into a sword finger, and his right fingers came together like a blade, utilizing the technique of fighting with both hands independently. His left executed the Lonely Nine Swords technique, while his right performed the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, each hand slaying a Martial Artist from the Plague Emperor Sect. At this moment, Zhou Heng, attacking with full strength, faced disciples from the Plague Emperor Sect who were good at poisoning through stealth but poor at direct combat, had no ability to resist. Even those with Seventh Rank cultivation fell to Zhou Hengs hands like slaughtering chickens. Mission accomplished, time to go! Zhou Heng had no intention of meddling in the Wang Familys troubles, nor did he care what the Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect wanted with the Qingxia Gods lifespan tooth. It was time to make an escape! But before he could take two steps, he was again blocked by disciples from the Plague Emperor Sect and the Honghua Palace. Zhou Hengs eyes turned cold, and he lashed out with both hands, sword and knife in tandem, shouting fiercely, Evil fiends! Die! At this time, the Wang Family mansion had become completely chaotic. The sudden attack caught everyone in the Wang Family off guard; all were at a loss. In an instant, more than half were killed. Moreover, in the entire Wang Family, only the old patriarch and the current Family Head, Wang Yuande, were Sixth Rank. Caught unprepared and affected by the poisonous smoke, their strength drastically decreased, leaving them hardly able to resist the joint assault of Xin Shou and Han Yuxiao. They could only barely hold on. Wang Xinyue stood on the side, watching everything in shock. The environment filled with smoke, splattered blood, and scattered limbs completely shattered the calm life she had known for the past sixteen years. A protective glow, three inches in front of her, shielded her. This was a defensive aura set up by the Wang Family patriarch, sparing some energy to protect her from the poisonous smoke. Why? Why is this happening? At that moment, Lu Xiuming and Si Ying had already rushed to the Wordless Stele, both exerting their efforts, trying to move it. Yet, the moment the two of them started to act, shockwaves from countless Qi blades spread over, instantly slicing them into seven or eight pieces, with chunks of flesh falling everywhere amidst spurts of blood. These Qi blades were merely the aftermath of attacks from Wang Familys patriarch and Wang Yuande, while they resisted the assault from Xin Shou and Han Yuxiao. Two Seventh Rank experts had no capability whatsoever to resist the aftershocks of an attack from a Sixth Rank warrior; they were utterly outmatched. This gap was truly immense. It wasnt just the difference between Seventh and Sixth Ranks, but also the gap between the Lower Third Rank and the Middle Third Rank. However, with many people from the Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect having arrived, even after Lu Xiuming and Si Ying perished, others rushed towards the Wordless Stele, attempting to take it. Finally, after three waves of deaths, the people from the Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect got hold of the Wordless Stele. Seeing that the Wordless Stele was secured, Xin Shou and Han Yuxiao made a split-second decision to exploit a flaw and prepare to escape. However, at that moment, Wang Lang appeared, walking on air. Audacious evildoers! Daring to commit such heinous murder within the Prefectural city! Perish! This Sixth Rank expert from the Five Elements Sect stood aloft, spreading his arms wide, his True Qi surging as he conjured a pair of massive azure palm shadows over ten zhang wide within an instant. As if swatting mosquitoes! Boom! Two giant azure palms struck out of the void, hitting Xin Shou and Han Yuxiao, instantly bringing them crashing down from the sky. Moreover, without diminishing their momentum after striking Xin Shou and Han Yuxiao to the ground, the palms continued and landed on the Wang Family estate, crushing to death the heretical disciples who were about to move the Wordless Stele. Then, the shadow of the giant palms reached out from the void, attempting to snatch up the Wordless Stele. He was here to rob the Wordless Stele as well. You bandits! the old master of the Wang Family raged. His body surged with True Qi, and his elderly frame burst forth with a terrifying aura like never before. He was ready to sacrifice his life. As a senior Sixth Rank martial expert who had lived more than two hundred years, he knew not a few powerful secret techniques and had even comprehended a marvelous method from the many martial arts enlightenments. If he could continue, he was confident lie could fully understand the secrets of the Wordless Stele, which was also the reason he had previously said there might not be another martial arts tournament. Azure Dragon Stomps the Heavens! The old master of the Wang Family roared, and in an instant, his body transformed from the appearance of a seventy or eighty-year-old to that of a twenty-year-old youth. His True Qi, carrying most of his vitality, burst out of his body, reaching up to the heavens and surprisingly transformed into an Azure Dragon! This Azure Dragon, a hundred yards long, with snarling teeth and flailing claws, stirred the primordial qi of heaven and earth, interweaving the power of laws, causing Wang Lang, Xin Shou, and Han Yuxiao to feel an immense pressure. Zhou Heng, who had just slain two heretical disciples, felt his eyelids twitching and looked up at the sky in shock, exclaiming, What is this, an Azure Dragon!? It was as if the world of martial arts had suddenly become one of immortal heroes, with a strong sense of shock. Dharma Phase!? How is it possible, this old man displayed the power of a Fifth Rank? Damn it! Wang Lang, Xin Shou, and Han Yuxiao all cried out in alarm, for the Azure Dragon had locked onto them, carrying with it an extremely intense killing intent. Die! The old master of the Wang Family roared. He was burning his life away, the decades of his remaining lifespan vanishing in an instant, and in a few more breaths, he would be dead. Roar!! The Azure Dragon roared, dispersing the clouds, stirring up layers of primordial qi, creating a terrifying storm, sweeping towards its target, while it too charged forward. This immensely terrifying force, even just the aftermath, was extremely powerful, instantly leveling the entire Wang Familys estate to the ground, leaving nothing within miles. Zhou Heng was sent flying, and He Mengqiu, who had been waiting outside the Wang Familys estate, immediately reached out to grab Yun Xiu with one hand and reached forward to catch the flying Zhou Heng with the other, planning to escape into the skies. Thunderous boom! But at that moment, an earth-shattering loud noise came. A massive pitch- black palm pierced through the clouds, split the sky, smashed through layers of storm, suppressed the stirred primordial qi, and let out a thunderous roar, grabbing hold of the Azure Dragon in its grasp. Then, with a slight squeeze. Bang! The Azure Dragon instantly burst apart, turned into nothingness, and vanished from sight. The Dharma Phases power, comparable to that of a Fifth Rank, was crushed like a small insect by that pitch-black hand that had appeared out of nowhere. The old master of the Wang Family froze in place, his expression one of shock and disbelief as he stared at the sky. Soon, his face turned to terror, his eyes filled with fear, and his voice trembling, he said, This, this is, Fourth, Fourth, Fourth Rank! No sooner had he finished speaking than the life left his body, and he stood there, dead. Wang Xinyue was still standing behind, staring blankly, the tears on her pretty cheeks already dry, and a thick hatred began to emerge in her once-bright eyes. Worthless thing, making me personally take action! An indifferent voice came from the sky. Soon after, a pitch-black beam of light shone down from above the clouds, and a man dressed in a black robe, exuding an imposing demeanor, stepped through the darkness and slowly descended from the heavens. He Mengqiu, about to flee into the skies with Zhou Heng and Yun Xiu, saw this man and became pale with fright, exclaiming in shock, Sha Mishe, Black Heaven Plague Emperor, ranked twentieth on the Earth List! Upon hearing this, Zhou Hengs eyebrows shot up. An Earth List expert! This meant that this man was a peerless expert of the Fourth Rank! At the pinnacle of the world! Lets go! He Mengqiu, upon seeing this man, didnt think twice and prepared to flee with all his might. However, at this moment. Li Tonghe, half-dead, suddenly crawled out from the ruins of the Wang Family estate, his gaze turning towards Zhou Heng in the distant sky. He suddenly gave a strange, eerie smile, and a fountain of blood burst from his body, as he shouted, With my blood as a sacrifice, I summon the Immortals divine presence, and I respectfully welcome the arrival of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thunderous boom! The heavens opened, a beam of clear light crossed countless miles in an instant, arriving above Yuanhe Prefecture City. The space around Li Tonghe began to twist, and the scenery turned into overlapping blocks of colors. Then, the clear light descended, instantly crushing Li Tonghe into nothingness. At the same time, where Li Tonghe vanished, the clear light coalesced into the figure of a kindly old man. The old man flickered slightly and appeared out of nowhere in front of Zhou Heng, He Mengqiu, and Yun Xiu as if he had teleported. Where are you going? asked the old man with a smiling face. Three little bugs. Chapter 118 - Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Dead! Unstoppable! Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Dead! Unstoppable! Zhou Heng, who was being held by He Mengqiu, felt an incomparable sense of dizziness upon seeing the old mans face and hearing his voice. It was as if his head was about to explode, like a hand ruthlessly lifting his heavenly spirit cover and stirring ruthlessly inside. The old mans face and voice seemed to carry a powerful psychic shock, or perhaps psychic contamination. It made him lose all ability to think in an instant, all thoughts halted completely, and his whole being fell into a state of dizziness and pain, without the slightest intention to move. And the only reason he was in this state was because of his base attribute of Spirit +1, otherwise, at such a close distance, bearing the psychic shock of a Loose Immortal, he would have died on the spot. Just like Yun Xiu beside him. Bang! This girl, beautiful as a flower, passionate about the Martial Path, yearning to adventure in the world, often bringing Zhou Heng steamed buns, and caring for his safety, exploded into a mist of blood upon seeing the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal at such a close range. Not a bone or a trace remained! Mortals are indeed fragile, said the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal with an indifferent expression, grabbing a handful of the blood mist and staining his palm red, frowning and showing a look of disgust, and truly filthy. I will have your life! roared He Mengqiu in rage. Her body swelled with a violent aura, and behind her, layers of light shadows and bubbles condensed, each bubble seemingly containing an entire world. These worlds burst with brilliance in the wake of He Mengqius rage. She seemed to transform into an infinite number of bubbles condensed with billions of luminous rays, as if wielding the power of endless worlds, and she hurled herself towards the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. Boom! The void trembled, the power He Mengqiu suddenly unleashed far surpassed the limit of a Sixth Rank martial artist, almost reaching the majesty of a Fifth Rank Dharma Phase, and she did it with all her might, regardless of her own life. Even more powerful than the life-burning release of the Qing Dragon by the elderly patriarch of the Wang Family. A myriad of luminous bubble shadows Dharma Phase? The Great Saintly Merciful Immortal confronted He Mengqius near-suicidal attack with a faint smile, saying, Interesting, but unfortunately, the cultivation is not thorough, a disgrace to your ancestor Saint Meng. Whew! He blew out a breath. Then, the space in front of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal twisted, as if forming intense spatial storms. The myriad of luminous bubble shadows were instantly shredded by this terrifying force. The power, like that which carried the force of endless worlds, was blown away by the breath of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, scattering into fragments of light and shadow, ceasing to exist. He Mengqius all-out, life-risking attack was like childs play, causing no harm to the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, completely futile. She herself was struck by the spatial storm from that breath, immediately pierced through body and spirit, her Dharma Phase prototype obliterated, and she fell gravely injured on the spot, teetering on the brink of death, crashing down from the sky with Zhou Heng, who was still in a dizzy state of pain. The gap was too vast, wider than the heavens. Furthermore, after striking down He Mengqiu, the spatial storm continued to hit the ground, and in an instant, the earth shook, houses trembled, and the whole Yuanhe Prefecture City was reduced to ruins. All those below Seventh Rank died in this assault, blood flowing like rivers. Overseas Loose Cultivator, youve got some nerve! The lord of the Prefectural City government office, who had intended to stand by and preserve himself, now burst forth from the ruins, pointing at the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal and scolding, Arent you afraid of the Imperial Court of Da Qi Boom! A massive azure hand appeared out of nowhere beside the mansion lord, crushing him on the spot into a mound of flesh. This sixth-rank expert had no ability to resist at all, squashed like an insect without any chance to fight back. Too weak, really too weak, the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal shook his head repeatedly, a look of disappointment on his face while at the same time, he reached out to grab the Wordless Stele from the ruins of the Wang Familys compound. However, just as the Wordless Stele began to lift, Dark Sky Emperor He, not far away, also raised his hand and pressed, pinning the Wordless Stele in the air. Great Saintly Merciful, the Loose Immortal of the Azure Dragon Palace from the overseas floating island, Sha Mishes robe fluttered, his gaze icy as he spoke solemnly, Do you dare to steal in front of me, thinking you are still a Celestial Man? Though I am no longer a Celestial Man, I am far beyond a mere fourth-rank youngster like you! The Great Saintly Merciful Immortal snorted coldly, unleashing an invisible mana that manipulated the laws of the universe, directly causing Sha Mishes power suppressing the Wordless Stele to wither, disappearing without a trace. Right after, Sha Mishes body seemed to turn into a botanical garden. Small fruit trees sprouted from his head, bearing fruit quickly, all resembling brains, and his chest also sprouted vines with fruits in the shape of hearts on them. His limbs, belly, back, and other parts, began to grow various plants. Trivial skills, Sha Mishe said with a cold laugh, unperturbed. Streams of black air poured out from his seven orifices, enveloping these plants that had just grown from his body, causing them to contract all sorts of diseases and die swiftly while what was purified flowed back into his body. But while Sha Mishe was dealing with these plants, the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal had already captured the Wordless Stele, a smile appearing on his face. Qingxia God, you will soon be free from your bind. Your most loyal worshiper will release you, allowing you to regain your freedom! Clang! Just at that moment, a sword cry echoed in all directions, a pure white streak of sword qi bursting through the dust clouds, rising from the ground and slashing towards the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal suspended mid-air. Geng Metal Sword Energy Technique! This was the last attack remaining from Zhou Hengs secret sixth-rank sword talisman. However, such an attack was simply incapable of inflicting any harm on the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, not even hitting him, as he easily sidestepped and avoided it. Zhou Heng, though he had by now barely regained consciousness, was still utterly confused and for the moment, couldnt distinguish which method would be most effective. After dodging the Geng Metal Sword Qi, he attempted to activate the Qingxia God Snake Scale, summoning the projection of the Qingxia God from when he was at the fifth rank, trying to use it to withstand the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. But just as the aura of the Qingxia God began to rise from Zhou Heng, the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal in the sky raised his eyebrow and said in a deep voice, Whether you are the reincarnation of the Purple Thunder Supreme God or not, daring to steal the divine power of the Qingxia God is a crime deserving of death! With that, he stamped his foot downward. The vital energy of heaven and earth surged, and laws intertwined, instantly solidifying into a gigantic footprint. Boom! With that stomp, the earth caved in, fissures sprawling out from the impact, with terrifying force crushing Zhou Heng instantly into a blob of flesh, beyond recognition in death. Yet at that very moment, the flesh that was once Zhou Heng suddenly emitted a bright layer of silver glow, pulled by a strange force. Encased in this glow, the flesh disappeared without a trace, leaving no sign of its presence. Life-saving talisman? The Great Saintly Merciful Immortals eyes revealed a trace of gloom, and he clenched his teeth, Had I still possessed Celestial Mans mana, how could a mere insect have escaped death with a life-saving talisman I must free Qingxia God as soon as possible, only then can I At the Bai familys location at this very moment. Both the innkeeper couple and Bai Jingtian had perished in the spatial storm created by the Great Saintly Merciful Immortals breath, their bodies shattered and their deaths tragic. Only a seven-year-old girl slowly climbed from the ruins, her pupils shining with a greenish glow as she stared straight at the Wordless Stele in the Great Saintly Merciful Immortals hand. The dramatic upheaval at Yuanhe Prefectural City caused much of Yuanhe Mansions land to tremble. Waves towering to the sky churned in the Qingxia River. At this moment, only one ferryman remained on the river, the old Boatman who had previously ferried Zhou Heng across the river and told him the legends of the Qingxia God. His boat was still in the Qingxia River, immovable by even the towering waves. There was also one passenger on board. He was a middle-aged man in a blue robe, carrying a longsword on his back and with two tufts of small mustache; his facial features were soft and his gaze gentle, with a faint smile on his lips. He was an elder of the Five Elements Sect, ranked sixteenth on the Earth Rankings, the father of Liu Changsheng. Azurewood Divine Sword Liu Gaoyang. The old Boatman looked up in the direction of Yuanhe Prefectural City, sighed lightly, and said, That prefectural city is destroyed, and its people are dead; why didnt you intervene? If I had intervened, the Loose Immortals of the Thirty-Six Heavens wouldnt have obtained the Qingxia Gods life-tooth, and thus couldnt have performed the secret technique to unlock the seal, Liu Gaoyang stood with his hands behind his back, speaking indifferently. Jiang Predecessor, you are a prestigious Second Rank Tao Lord who has ferried here for five thousand years; dont you wish to regain your freedom? Heh, young man, the old Boatman chuckled, Even if I regained my freedom, where would I go? Besides, the task of sealing the Qingxia God here was an entrustment from my master. Half a year ago, there was a disturbance in the Wood Element Path; surely you, Tao Lord, must have sensed it, Liu Gaoyang turned his head, speaking in a grave tone. The Primordial Spirit of the Qjngxia God has already been reincarnated, and even the Azurewood Dao Seed is gone, isnt it? Is that so? the old Boatman smiled. Tao Lord, dont play dumb, Liu Gaoyang said earnestly. Your Sealing Dao Seed and the Qjngxia Gods Azurewood Dao Seed have been entwined for five thousand years, and their mutual influence on each other is unavoidable. When the Wood Element Path was disturbed half a year ago, all the seals in the world loosened to varying extents. Clearly, the Sealing Dao Seed was affected as well. Tao Lord, knowing well that the Primordial Spirit and Dao Seed of the Qingxia God are no longer present, why do you still insist on staying here? I ask you to step back shortly after, and I will forever be grateful for your benevolent act in allowing my ascension. Over the years, have the people of the Five Elements Sect become so indifferent that they disregard the lives of hundreds of thousands? the old Boatman scoffed coldly. Are your ancestors aware of this? Tao Lord, you must be aware that as long as I can entrust my Primordial Spirit to the void and attain the position of Celestial Man, I will be able to harness the spirit and power of the Wood Element Path, Liu Gaoyangs expression became anxious as he said, In doing so, I can resurrect all the lives lost within half an hour, including those from Yuanhe Prefectural City. Does this not count as valuing their lives? The old Boatman was silent for a moment, chuckled dryly with his head lowered, and then said, I wont stop you later. Thankyou, Predecessor!! Liu Gaoyang exclaimed joyfully at these words. Ah! Zhou Heng suddenly awoke, drenched in cold sweat, looking at his hands and feet, and his intact body in astonishment. Life-saving Talisman? Does that mean Im back at home in Huangtong Mansion City?? He stood up, scanned his surroundings, and indeed found himself in the house he rented in Huangtong Mansion City. A plethora of complicated emotions surged within him. Yun Xiu died. And He Mengqius fate remained unknown. The entire Yuanhe Prefectural City had become ruins, with countless dead or injured. That Loose Immortal was not even human! In the eyes of that Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, all so-called mortals seemed like mere insects to be squashed at will. If my spirit had been strong enough, if I had stayed conscious, things wouldnt have turned out like this. I could have easily swiped him with the five- colored divine light and suppressed him! Zhou Heng lamented in his heart. But it was a helpless situation; the might of a Loose Immortal was just too overwhelming. His mere presence, without even doing anything, just the concept of his existence alone was enough to cause any living being who saw him up close to die on the spot. Just like Yun Xiu. However, all this is not unchangeable! Zhou Hengs thoughts raced, recalling the recent events. Theres still a chance within at most two minutes; but how do I get there? Now he was in Huangtong Mansion City, more than ten thousand miles from Yuanhe Prefectural City, a distance not manageable in a short time for an Eighth Rank Martial Artist. Lets hope the Qingxia God excels at swift travel. He thought of the Qingxia God scale he had intended but had not managed to use before. He planned to summon the projection of a Fifth Rank Qjngxia God and travel to Yuanhe Prefectural City at the fastest speed possible. Just then, a cranes cry came from the sky. Zhou Heng recognized the sound. He hurriedly opened the door and looked up into the sky. Saw You Ziheng riding atop a massive white crane descending from the heavens; he held a longsword wreathed in purple mist, and with a look of puzzled awe, asked Zhou Heng, Were you just killed? Elder You, no time to explain; hurry to Yuanhe Prefectural City! Zhou Heng shouted urgently. How fast do you need to go? You Ziheng didnt ask for the reason. As fast as possible! Zhou Heng said. Alright! You Ziheng nodded, drew out the longsword from the purple mist with his right hand, and then grabbed Zhou Heng with his left hand, Lets go! Boom! A thunderous roar erupted, and You Ziheng, carrying Zhou Heng, turned into a beam of purple sword light that shot into the sky, breaking through the air and the clouds, disappearing into view. The white crane stood dazedly in the courtyard, raising its wings, scratching its head, a picture of confusion. With the power of the Divine Weapon, You Ziheng flew with his sword, crossing ten thousand miles in the blink of an eye, passing the waves of the Qingxia River, sweeping past Liu Gaoyang and the old Boatman, and returning Zhou Heng to Yuanhe Prefectural City. By then, Yuanhe Prefectural City was already enveloped in a green light. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Qingxia Gods life-tooth hovered high in the sky, with the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal in a frenzied state of excitement, chanting continuously, urging his mana, forming hand seals, and activating the power of the life-tooth. The Black Plague Emperor lay defeated and heavily wounded on the ground, immobile. He Mengqiu was still alive but barely hanging on. Elder You, if you return to your previous location afterward, I ask that you come here as quickly as possible, Zhou Heng said succinctly, then jumped from the sword light. Restart!! Chapter 119 - Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Everything Regresses, All Things Restart! Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Everything Regresses, All Things Restart! Above the Qingxia River. In the midst of the roaring huge waves, a small boat remained steady. Liu Gaoyang frowned as he watched the purple sword light streak across the sky, and with shock and suspicion, he said, The Purple Virtual Sword? This is the Divine Weapon of the Celestial Men from the Pure Yang Palace. How could it be here? Hey, young man, maybe your plan is going to fall through, the old boatman said with a smile. If my plan falls through, the Tao Lord will still have to ferry people here for who knows how long, Liu Gaoyang said with a heavy voice. Moreover, if I do not become a Celestial Man, the hundreds of thousands of people in Yuanhe Prefectural City will have died in vain. If this was five thousand years ago, I would have killed you with a single slap, the complexion of the old boatman turned gloomy. Unfortunately, times have changed, Tao Lord, Liu Gaoyang said, standing with his hands behind his back, looking in the direction of Yuanhe Prefectural City with a grim expression, Who dares to block my great path? On the hills outside the Yuanhe Prefecture City. Xuan Ge was furious, shaking all over with anger as he looked at what was once a bustling prefecture city reduced to ruins, and said through gritted teeth, This Overseas Loose Cultivator should die! He deserves death! He indeed deserves death! Tian Qiang, however, was sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes wide open without pupils. The white of his eyes, where the life forms were flashing by now and then C both humans and animals, many and varied C became so huge that they seemed almost to pop out of their sockets, continuously seeping blood. Tian Qiang, if you keep going like this, your eyes will burst, Xuan Ge said with extreme concern, Youve almost reached your limit in preserving the souls of everyone in Yuanhe Prefectural City, and now you even want to preserve the souls of animals; youre going mad! All beings are equal, Tian Qjang said. I hope the eminent from within the Five Emperors Inner Seat arrives soon to resurrect these creatures, lest your eyeballs burst, said Xuan Ge anxiously, pacing back and forth, But is the eminent from within the Five Emperors Inner Seat, who is only Fourth Rank, truly a match for this Loose Cultivator? At that moment, he saw the light from the transport formation he had set up nearby starting to glow with a tapestry of multicolored splendor, and an overwhelmingly powerful aura, bordering on that of laws and the Dao, was about to descend. Its the eminent from within the Five Emperors Inner Seat. Hes finally arriving! Xuan Ge exclaimed excitedly. Hm? Is that Zhou Heng? Hes returned so quickly And theres a Divine Weapon, the Purple Virtual Sword from the Pure Yang Palace, thats You Ziheng! Tian Qiang suddenly let out a light exclamation. He had noticed You Ziheng and Zhou Heng, as well as the Divine Weapon Purple Virtual Sword. Immediately after, he saw a dazzlingly bright silver light shoot up into the sky, engulfing an area of a hundred miles as if stirring time and space, causing all things to revert and restart. The transport formation that had just lit up dimmed again, and the interwoven colorful radiance also retreated and disappeared. Restart! Accompanied by Zhou Hengs resolute shout, everything within a hundred miles seemed to have a rewind button pressed, as everything began to revert to its previous state. You Ziheng, who had arrived riding the Divine Weapon, rapidly moved backward and in a blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace. Zhou Heng also retreated along with him, but soon he became a lump of flesh, which then reformed back into his original self: his state, his location, even the things he had already used, all were restarting! The Wordless Stele that was shimmering with aqua light suddenly dimmed, and what was floating in the air returned to the hands of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. The Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, who had been in a frenzied state of excitement, saw his expression fade rapidly, returning to his previous indifferent and cold demeanor as if devoid of emotion, and right after, his body began to fade, while Li Tonghe, who had originally offered his own blood as a sacrifice, reappeared. He Mengqiu, who had been lying on the ground incapacitated, saw her injuries heal involuntarily, and she found herself suspended in mid-air, then moving backward to her initial hiding spot. The Yuanhe Prefectural City revived from its ruins, one by one figures stood up from the pools of blood, scattered flesh, and limbs reversed as if rewound, reassembling and the somewhat dried-up blood became normal and flowed back. He Mengqiu, who was barely alive and critically injured, stood up bewilderedly, watching as her already deceased disciples reformed from a blood mist back into their original forms. She watched astounded as everything around her underwent changes, feeling unbelievably as if time were reversing, as all things restarted! What was this? What incredible power, what great strength? Inconceivable! Beyond imagination!! At the offshore floating island. Within the magnificent palace, the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal opened his eyes in a daze. He glanced from side to side. Then he extended his Divine Sense to sweep over the range of thousands of miles, confirming that he indeed had returned to his own headquarters. Whats going on, what just happened? This Loose Immortal was shocked to his core and utterly puzzled, unable to fathom what had just occurred. Above the Qingxia River. The once tumultuous rivers surface retreated back to a calm state. Although this place was far more than a hundred miles away from Yuanhe Prefecture City, the cause of the previous tempestuous waves originated from that Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. Now, since the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal was still on the offshore floating island and had not yet arrived, naturally there were no tumultuous waves here. Liu Gaoyang was completely dumbfounded, the exceptional Fourth Rank master staring at the direction of Yuanhe Prefecture City with a bewildered expression and uncertainly said, What just happened, what was that bright silver light? Mystifying, truly mystifying! the old boatman too widened his eyes in disbelief, his face showing that he thought he had seen a ghost. Restart once: cause the state of everything within a hundred miles to revert to three minutes prior, not a reversal of time. This was the reward that Zhou Heng had chosen previously in Yuyang County when he used the Five Thunder Righteous Method to annihilate the Ghost Immortal Xuan Yang, with the thought of being prepared for an emergency. Now it had come in handy. After the reset, Zhou Heng found himself back to sitting in the main hall of the Wang Familys grand mansion, surrounded by Li Tonghe, Wan Hongyi, Si Ying, and Lu Xiuming. The Wang Familys aged patriarch still occupied the seat of honor, with the Family Head Wang Yuande sitting slightly below him. Not far away stood Wang Xinyue, the Wang Familys esteemed daughter, attending by the side. Those who should have died were now all resurrected. It was as if time had reversed itself. Freakishly so. However, this was merely a regression back to three minutes prior, and it did not affect the memories of living beings. Everything that had transpired remained fresh in everyones minds. Therefore, those who were resurrected wore puzzled expressions, somewhat unsure of what had just occurred. They had clearly died, so why were they alive again? What in the world was happening? Zhou Heng was the only one who was completely lucid. Right after confirming the completion of the reset, he did not hesitate to burst forth, his right hand donned with a bladed glove, forming his fingers into a knife, and directly executed the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, aiming for Li Tonghes head next to him. The Loose Immortal had been summoned by Li Tonghes blood sacrifice, so naturally, Zhou Heng aimed to kill him first to sever the pathway for that Loose Immortals descent. However, Li Tonghe was no ordinary man. While he was confused in his mind, his bodys instinct to dodge was still present. The moment Zhou Heng attacked, his body reflexively shifted to the side. He even managed to evade Zhou Hengs strike. Such instinctive bodily reactions and the speed of the dodge were definitely much stronger than what he showed at the martial arts tournament; no wonder the System had rated him as an equal opponent. But Zhou Heng was determined to fight quickly and decisively, aiming to kill Li Tonghe in the shortest time possible. Seeing him dodge, he immediately pursued him. Li Tonghe, however, seemed unwilling to engage in combat with Zhou Heng. He executed his movement technique, rapidly creating distance between him and Zhou Heng while muttering under his breath, actually intending to perform a blood sacrifice to summon the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal right then and there. Hundred Pace Flying Sword! Seeing the situation turning dire, Zhou Heng bellowed, hurling the bladed glove from his right hand. The weapon, comparable in sharpness to a sword of the same grade, allowed him to wield the power of the Hundred Pace Flying Sword as he threw it. The glove instantly streaked across the air, leaving a trail of silver light like a flying sword, and sliced through Li Tonghes neck. Blood spurted out as Li Tonghes head rolled off, and his body lurched forward a few steps before collapsing. Dead! The source of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortals descent was sealed off, and Zhou Heng couldnt help but breathe a sigh of relief. But he remained vigilant. After all, no one could guarantee that the Loose Immortal only had Li Tonghe as his lackey in Yuanhe Prefecture City. What if there were others? At this moment, the people of the Wang Family also started to regain their composure, gradually realizing what had transpired. Though they didnt understand why they were standing here alive after dying, or why the events that had occurred seemed to have reversed, they were clear on who the enemy was. Consequently, the Wang Familys experts launched a frenzy of attacks on Wan Hongyi, Si Ying, and Lu Xiuming and held their breath to guard against the imminent poison smoke. Zhou Heng knew that the extent of his actions thus far was insufficient. The Fourth Rank peak expert from the Plague Emperor Sect had been reset and sent back, but he must have already been lurking nearby. Even with the reset, he could return at a rapid pace. The Black Plague Emperor Sha Mishe might arrive even earlier than before the reset. Thus, Zhou Heng made a swift decision and directly used the Qingxia Gods scale to summon the projection of the Qingxia God at its Fifth Rank peak, and suddenly an enormous green python nearly a mile long appeared out of thin air, flying over the Wang Familys estate. It was at this moment that the poison fog from the Plague Emperor Sect began to spread, and Xin Shou and Han Yuxiao, leading a group from the Plague Emperor Sect and Honghua Palace, charged towards the Wang Familys estate. The green python in the sky suddenly opened its gigantic mouth and fiercely inhaled, sucking up all the poison fog that had permeated the Wang Familys compound completely and without being affected in the slightest. With a sway of its massive body, the pythons tail smashed down, immediately reducing Xin Shou, Han Yuxiao, and the others to mush, denying them the chance to even breach the Wang Familys residence. You audacious demon! the Black Plague Emperor Sha Mishe stepped into the void and roared loudly, ready to wield his martial arts to strike down the green python. But suddenly, the pythons body convulsed violently, its eyes emitted an exceedingly bright cyan-green light, and its huge head turned to look at the Blank Stele still covered with red cloth. It opened its mouth to inhale, and the Blank Stele was actually sucked into its mouth, whereupon the stele shone brightly, took root within the pythons mouth, and fused with one of its fangs. BOOM!! The heavens and earth roared, and all things trembled! The pythons imposing pressure surged dramatically, instantly rising to a level comparable to the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank, and it tangled with Sha Mishe in a fierce struggle. Meanwhile, in the southern district of Yuanhe Prefecture City, in the back courtyard of the Chenglin Book Society. Lin Ziran looked up at the giant python in the sky, knelt on the ground with a look of profound grief and indignation and cried out loud: Heavens, the Qingxia God has appeared, the Qingxia God has appeared! But this is not our revered Qingxia Deity; its divine power stolen by someone else! Through my blood sacrifice, I beseech the Immortal to descend in his chariot of law, I humbly summon the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal!! His actions mirrored those of Li Tonghe before the reset, both performing a blood sacrifice to summon the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal to descend into Yuanhe Prefecture City. BOOM! The firmament cracked open, and a streak of pure light once again traversed the boundless void, descending upon Lin Ziran, as a terrifying aura suddenly surged. The void around Lin Ziran twisted and overlapped, forming numerous, intricately-patterned color blocks. The Overseas Loose Cultivator, the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, was about to descend once more! But this time was different. Zhou Heng had already taken his position on high ground, eyeing that beam of pure light that crossed over from the void, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. He raised his right hand, his fingers curling slightly as if holding something intangible. In an instant, the elemental forces of nature trembled, the landscapes and skies changed color, and all things came to a standstill. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Red, white, green, black, yellow! Five beams of light spanned the universe, rushing toward the beam of pure light that had just descended upon Yuanhe Prefecture City. Five-colored divine light!! Nothing can escape its sweep!! PS: If there are typographical errors, I will correct them after updating. Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The Sword Emerges from the Primordial Chaos Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The Sword Emerges from the Primordial Chaos With Liu Gaoyangs unrestrained laughter, the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body soared into the sky. The already tens of thousands of feet tall Dharma Body rapidly swelled again, the giant tree truly reaching the heavens, breaking through the lofty clouds, piercing the firmaments atmosphere, and extending deep into the nine heavens. The bright green light radiated swiftly from this sky-piercing giant tree, expanding hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of miles In an instant, the vast Pingzhou was enveloped in this dazzling radiance. Above Liu Gaoyangs head sprouted a mu-sized auspicious cloud, also shimmering with a bright green glow, which complemented the towering giant tree and the light that seemed to cover heaven and earth. Boom! Rumble! The sky echoed with bursts of thunderous noise. Within the bright green light, a divine dragon seemed to be condensing, ceaselessly roaming. At this moment, all laws related to the Wood Path in the world were intensely disturbed. The disturbance of the Taoist principles affected all matters and beings in the world. Outside the courtyard and the prefectural city, patches of trees and grasses began to grow wildly, swiftly submerging Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang, even attempting to draw upon their inner Qi and vitality for growth. The two hastily exercised their martial arts, severing these plant growths, and uprooting them completely, temporarily halting their insane expansion. However, before long, the movement of the Wood Paths principles became increasingly intense. The severed plants began to twist, taking root on the spot, and growing rapidly. Even the nearby thatched huts began to shake, the wooden pillars amazingly sprouting roots, anchoring themselves into the earth; the thatch, originally yellow and dried, atop the roofs turned verdant, as if regaining new life. In Huangtong Mansion City, Yu He, who had just slipped out of the martial arts school on leave, intending to visit the newly opened Zhiyinfang to listen to the girls play music, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He saw the trees on both sides of the road growing rapidly, thickening, becoming taller and larger. Holy shit, whats going on?? Yu He was dumbfounded. The trees branches and leaves became lush in an instant, the roots buried in the ground thickened, actually lifting the cobblestones and paving tiles of the road, with a continuing tendency to grow. Weeds that originally sprouted in the cracks of walls also suddenly grew rapidly, with their roots becoming thick and long, causing cracks to form in the brick walls. The tight brick walls simply couldnt withstand the shock of these thick and long assaults. Patches of withered trees began to revive, crazily drawing nutrients from the already barren land, turning green in a blink of an eye, but the land where they grew progressively turned to desert. Algae on rivers and lakes proliferated and spread rapidly, quickly covering the entire surface of the water and even starting to devour the fish and shrimp within, nurturing their growth. Plants on many mountains began to grow wildly, whether they be trees, vines, or grasses, all growing quickly larger and taller, and even evolved aggressive traits, starting to prey on animals. This influence wasnt confined to just Pingzhou; all thirty-three states of Da Qi, as well as Da Jin and Da Zhou, were affected. It was just that the further away from Liu Gaoyang, the smaller the impact, and in places with other Celestials or even higher beings, this effect was completely suppressed. How can it be so bizarre!? A normal Celestials path to enlightenment would not be like this. Something has gone wrong during Liu Gaoyangs ascension! On-site, You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Seats spotted the abnormality in Liu Gaoyang and their actions didnt slow; almost simultaneously, they launched attacks toward Liu Gaoyangs Dharma Body. The core of a Fourth Rank Celestials proof of enlightenment lies in the connection between the Dharma Body and the Tao; to prevent Liu Gaoyang from ascending, they had to sever the connection between his Dharma Body and the Wood Path. The Five Emperors Inner Seats, who clearly practiced the Five Elements Tao, threw a punch that instantly gathered a five-colored brilliance, much like the Five-Color Divine Light Zhou Heng had used just now, soaring into the sky and striking at Liu Gaoyangs Dharma Body. As he punched, it seemed as if five emperors stood behind him, arranged in five directions, each presiding over one of the Five Elements, interweaving the logic of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, attempting to affect the connection between the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body and the Tao. Under normal circumstances, with the Five Emperors Inner Seats at the peak of the Fourth Rank Cultivation Realm, a full-strength attack would definitely cause significant interference to Liu Gaoyang. But after the punch was thrown, before the five-colored glow could touch Liu Gaoyangs Dharma Body, it was blocked by an invisible, potent force and, in the blink of an eye, disintegrated, without achieving anything. How can this be? The Five Emperors Inner Seats were shocked and puzzled, Just now, that was the Celestials power, a Celestial is secretly protecting Liu Gaoyang! Theres no Celestial aura nearby; it must be a Celestial lending aid remotely from tens of thousands of miles away! You Ziheng made a judgment, drawing the Purple Virtual Sword within a mist of dense purple Qi. Slice! He let out a heavens-shaking long howl. A mysterious purple sword light was seen slashing out from the longsword in his hand. Crossing the void, splitting heaven and earth! This sword was as if slashed before the heavens and earth were formed, before Yin and Yang were defined, containing incredible might, as if a supreme deity had split open the primordial chaos in ancient times Sword Emerges from Chaos! This was a Third-Rank supreme technique from the Purple Cloud Peak of the Pure Yang Palace, which You Ziheng, with his current level of cultivation, could only unleash once with the help of a Divine Weapon. Boom! It seemed as if the heavens and earth were split apart by this sword, an incomparable sharpness aimed at the unprecedentedly expanding Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body. The purple sword light spanned the universe, instantly enveloping the Immortal Giant Tree that had already pierced through the heavens, showering down endless sharpness and instantly slicing it into countless pieces. Destroyed along with the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body was Liu Gaoyang himself, who had nowhere to hide under the vast expanse of purple sword light. He was annihilated on the spot, with not even his bones remaining. After this sword strike, the strange phenomena in the heavens and earth that indicated an aberrant attempt at enlightenment finally ceased, as if everything was returning to normal. However, neither the Five Emperors Inner Circle nor You Ziheng relaxed their expressions; both were tense. Zhou Heng also sensed an extraordinary aura brewing in the void. Boom! At that moment, the sky was suddenly pierced through, and an aquamarine finger as thick as a mountain penetrated the clouds and pressed down, directly deflecting the sword light that You Ziheng had unleashed with the Purple Virtual Sword into myriad shattered light fragments. Immediately afterward, that finger gently rotated, and at the original location of Liu Gaoyang, an extremely concentrated vitality swiftly gathered. In just a few breaths time, Liu Gaoyang, who had already been reduced to nothing but bones, was resurrected, his aura and condition as perfect as before. Celestial Man! A true Celestial Man had intervened from afar to protect Liu Gaoyang! A Celestial Man from the Five Elements Sect? But the Five Elements Sect does not have a Celestial Man who has entrusted his Primordial Spirit to the Wood Element Tao. You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Circle were both surprised by the situation before them, feeling it utterly unimaginable; what followed was a deep sense of powerlessness. What should they do next to stop Liu Gaoyang? Are they to simply let him succeed in entrusting his Primordial Spirit to the void and smoothly attain the position of a Celestial Man? That cannot be allowed! Yet with that hidden Celestial Man present, the Five Emperors Inner Circle couldnt harm Liu Gaoyang, and You Ziheng, having unleashed Sword Emerges from Chaos, was now utterly exhausted and unable to make another move. Hum!! At that moment, the multicolored orb in Zhou Hengs hand trembled suddenly, emitting a lamentation filled with immense sorrow and unwillingness. The Primordial Spirit of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal was eradicated. The Primordial Spirit of a Loose Immortal was incredibly resilient; even for the multicolored divine light to extinguish it took quite some time, and this was thanks to a bonus effect against Yin spirits, allowing the process to finish faster. Otherwise, it would have taken even longer. However, after the Primordial Spirit of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal was eradicated, Zhou Heng discovered that the multicolored divine light did not vanish; instead, it maintained its state in his hand, sealing the residual mana of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal within it. The multicolored divine light had only eradicated the Primordial Spirit of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, but the mana remaining in its soul body was not erased, meaning that the multicolored divine light still held mana equivalent to that of a Loose Immortal. However, this seal was very unstable, and as long as Zhou Heng threw the multicolored divine light from his hand and deliberately released it, this vast amount of mana and the involved power of the multicolored divine light would burst forth with boundless potency. It was equivalent to an hand grenade with power unimaginable. Senior masters, please protect me, Zhou Heng suddenly spoke, causing both You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Circle to be taken aback. Yet, without asking any questions, they complied, exerting their full strength to deploy their most powerful measures to protect Zhou Heng. Simultaneously, Zhou Heng mustered all his strength and threw the multicolored divine light, which was hovering in his hand, towards Liu Gaoyang, who was preparing to manifest the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body again and assault the position of a Celestial Man. Boom!! The multicolored divine light burst open in the sky, full of brilliance, especially with the aquamarine light symbolizing Wood dominantly flourishing. Moreover, as it obliterated the form and spirit of Liu Gaoyang, the radiant layers displayed a power so unfathomable that it directly solidified all Wood- related laws and essences within thousands of miles, preventing any power associated with the Wood Element Dao from descending to this place for a short time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This directly cut off any possibility of that prior Celestial Man intervening again from afar. Congratulations! You have defeated an enemy Liu Gaoyang, who had no chance of surviving and could have died ten times over. Please choose one of the following rewards. ? Open one door: Set a location where you currently are as a return point, which allows you to open a door and return at any time and place, ignoring any seals, bans, and other obstructions, and disregarding any spatial distance. Prophecy once: Make a prophecy about a certain event, declaring it will surely happen. The closer the prophecy aligns with logic, the closer the outcome will be to the prophecy. ? Luck once: Today, you will have unimaginable luck. Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Chapter 121: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes, Mad Demon! Chapter 121: Chapter 121: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes, Mad Demon! The five-colored divine light spiraled and flickered in Zhou Hengs palm, resembling an unstable, glowing, five-colored orb. The Great Saintly Merciful Immortals Primordial Spirit was imprisoned within it. The Primordial Spirit of a Loose Immortal is almost indestructible. To completely erode it, it still requires a certain amount of time. Although this five-colored divine light was a one-time use special ability, its duration was ongoing; as long as the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal had not died, the five-colored divine light would continue to exist. However, the five-colored divine lights true intent of the Five Elements Path was now restrained, unable to demonstrate the true meaning of the Five Elements Path over a large area, only a faint wisp of the Five Elements Paths aura could be felt when in close proximity. Still, the earth-shattering spectacle from before and the feeling that could drive a person mad with ecstasy had been deeply imprinted in everyones heart. If not for You Zihengs timely arrival, its likely that everyone in Yuanhe Prefecture City who practiced Martial Arts related to the Five Elements would have rushed here to swarm Zhou Heng. Nevertheless, there were still powerhouses who werent afraid of You Ziheng. Make way! Liu Gaoyang shouted fiercely. Upon seeing the five-colored divine light, he entered a state close to madness, with only the obsession with becoming an Immortal left in his heart, his thoughts in disarray, and his reason lost. Master, what has happened to you? Wang Lang flew over from one side, looking at Liu Gaoyang with shocked uncertainty, his heart full of puzzles, for he had never seen his master in such a state before. Manager Wang, do you also want to obstruct my path to enlightenment? Liu Gaoyang suddenly turned his head, his gaze towards Wang Lang filled with murderous intent. He raised his hand and conjured a green sword light with the Qingmu elemental energy of heaven and earth, slashing towards Wang Lang. Master!? Wang Lang was horrified beyond belief, but he was just a mere Sixth Rank, how could he withstand an attack from Liu Gaoyang, a peak Fourth Rank? He had no chance at all and was about to be extinguished by the sword light. Bang! At that moment, an invisible force traversed the void and descended, freezing the sword light Liu Gaoyang had launched in midair, rendering it immovable. Immediately, a man dressed in a robe and wearing a Five Emperors Inner Seat mask appeared beside the sword light. He extended his slender and pale fingers and lightly flicked the sword light. Clang! The sound of the sword ringing echoed, and the sword light Liu Gaoyang had unleashed was flicked away by the Five Emperors Inner Seat, instantly landing on a desolate hundred-zhang-high mountain thousands of miles away, instantly pulverizing it into dust. Thankyou, senior, Wang Lang said, sweating coldly as he thanked the figure. He had indeed been scared out of his wits just now. Hmm, the Five Emperors Inner Seat nodded lightly, his gaze turning towards Zhou Heng and the five-colored divine light in Zhou Hengs hand, exclaimed, Truly an inconceivable Immortal technique; little friend, your adventure is heaven-defying. Unfortunately, it is only for this one time. His words seemed to be spoken to Zhou Heng but also to everyone present, as if defining the nature of the powerful five-colored divine light that Zhou Heng had displayed. This was a serendipity and could only be used once. There was no need to target Zhou Heng again in the future. Likewise, the same conclusion can be drawn for the prior reset. Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, looking at the unfamiliar man with puzzlement. Why was he explaining this for him, or more accurately, backing him with his own strength? As for the Five Emperors Inner Seat being able to determine that his five- colored divine light could only be used once, Zhou Heng was not surprised. Now, holding the five-colored divine light, he had a certain capacity to probe the legal principles related to the Five Elements Path, and the Five Emperors Inner Seat was interwoven with the rich legal principles of the Five Elements, even beginning to approach the Five Elements Path. For such a powerhouse, after a close observation, determining what that five- colored divine light was is not an impossible task. Of course, even if they could make a certain degree of judgment, it would at most be considered an extremely high-level secret treasure, which was the case for the Five Emperors Inner Seat. I dont care what that divine light in his hand is! Liu Gaoyang still had an air of overwhelming arrogance. He paid no attention to the recently arrived Immortals of the Five Emperors inner seat. His gaze remained fixed on Zhou Heng as he walked through the air towards him, slowly approaching. Release that Loose Immortal in your hands, and I will not kill you. What did you say? Zhou Hengs eyebrows rose sharply, completely unexpected that after capturing the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, such a figure like Cheng Yaojin would burst out. Wang Lang had just addressed him as master, could this be the sixteenth on the Earth Ranking, Fourth Rank supreme expert, father of Liu Changsheng, elder of the Five Elements Sect, Greenwood Divine Sword Liu Gaoyang? Liu Gaoyang, what game are you playing? You Ziheng stood with his sword in front of Zhou Heng, locking horns with Liu Gaoyang. He asked in a deep voice, That Loose Immortal once destroyed the entire Yuanhe Prefecture City, causing the death of hundreds of thousands. He deserves death a thousand times over, why do you want to save him? Save? Liu Gaoyangs aura became even more unstable. He shouted loudly, When did I say I wanted to save him? I want him to deploy the secret technique of the Thirty-Six Heavens, to stimulate the Qingxia Gods life-fang! By awakening and unsealing the shell of the Qingxia God, I will use it as a medium to truly connect with the Path of Wood, lodge my Primordial Spirit into the void, and achieve the status of a Celestial Man! As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked. Whether it was Zhou Heng, the Immortals of the Five Emperors inner seat, Sha Mishe who had been seriously injured by the projection of the Qingxia God, or He Mengqiu and others who knew some secrets, all had their expressions drastically change, looking at Liu Gaoyang in disbelief. Motherfucker! The Wang Familys stele without words is the life-fang of Qingxia God, and it is said that refining it may grant the opportunity of a Celestial Man. Was it you who spread that rumor?! Sha Mishe cursed outright. What else? Liu Gaoyangs face grew even more manic, his smile twisted with eerie joy as he took a few steps closer to Zhou Heng, Actually, I spread this rumor to bait those Loose Immortals out of the Thirty-Six Heavens who are dedicated to resurrecting and unsealing the Middle Ancient Thirty-Six Gods. You took the bait yourself, who can you blame? Hahaha! Idiot! The entire Wang Family, everyone in Yuanhe Prefecture City, were they just part of your bait? Zhou Heng looked at Liu Gaoyang disbelievingly; he could hardly imagine there would be such a heartless and crazed person in the world. These were hundreds of thousands of living people! Yun Xiu before the reset, everyone from Bais family, and many other ordinary people, were they all just disposable bait in Liu Gaoyangs plan?? Do you realize that if Qingxia God is unsealed and restored, Qingxia River will completely overflow and lose control, submerging sixteen counties along its path? How many people will die, how many will be left homeless? Anger tinged the voice of those from the Five Emperors inner seat. I know, I know, all of this I know. Liu Gaoyangs smile did not fade, his expression more pompous than ever. He spread his arms open, looked up at the sky, and laughed coldly, But as long as I can achieve the status of a Celestial Man and obtain the charm of the Path of Woods mana, then those who died can all be resurrected, its as if they never died at all, what wrong have I committed? Liu Gaoyang, you are obsessed with your enlightenment to the point of madness. You Ziheng stepped forward, his palm enshrouded with a purple aura that hinted at the impending unsheathing of the Purple Virtual Sword. A Fifth Rank junior, what do you understand? Without obsession or madness, how can one comprehend the Path? This is the true way! Liu Gaoyang suddenly soared into the sky, rising above the clouds, piercing the atmosphere. His body emanated surging mana, layers of principles interweaving into streams of green light, rapidly sketching behind him an immense ancient tree reaching tens of thousands of feet tall, radiating a sensation of eternal vitality and indestructibility. One of the Five Elements Sects secret techniques. The Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body! At this moment, Liu Gaoyang revealed his towering Dharma Body, fully expanding the interwoven laws and principles within, seemingly about to congregate his Primordial Spirit, puncture the void, and glimpse upon the Great Path! Such a scene left everyone in awe. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Not good! Hes trying to lodge his Primordial Spirit into the void, to ascend to the status of a Celestial Man! Stop him!! Yet Liu Gaoyang just burst into wild laughter, completely unrestrained. Hahahaha! Did you think I was spouting so much nonsense for nothing? It was to get through to the kid, to perceive the aura of the Great Path within that five-colored radiance! Now that it has come to this, 1 want to see who can stop me on my path to the Great Dao! Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The Sword Emerges from the Primordial Chaos Chapter 122: Chapter 122: The Sword Emerges from the Primordial Chaos With Liu Gaoyangs unrestrained laughter, the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body soared into the sky. The already tens of thousands of feet tall Dharma Body rapidly swelled again, the giant tree truly reaching the heavens, breaking through the lofty clouds, piercing the firmaments atmosphere, and extending deep into the nine heavens. The bright green light radiated swiftly from this sky-piercing giant tree, expanding hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of miles In an instant, the vast Pingzhou was enveloped in this dazzling radiance. Above Liu Gaoyangs head sprouted a mu-sized auspicious cloud, also shimmering with a bright green glow, which complemented the towering giant tree and the light that seemed to cover heaven and earth. Boom! Rumble! The sky echoed with bursts of thunderous noise. Within the bright green light, a divine dragon seemed to be condensing, ceaselessly roaming. At this moment, all laws related to the Wood Path in the world were intensely disturbed. The disturbance of the Taoist principles affected all matters and beings in the world. Outside the courtyard and the prefectural city, patches of trees and grasses began to grow wildly, swiftly submerging Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang, even attempting to draw upon their inner Qi and vitality for growth. The two hastily exercised their martial arts, severing these plant growths, and uprooting them completely, temporarily halting their insane expansion. However, before long, the movement of the Wood Paths principles became increasingly intense. The severed plants began to twist, taking root on the spot, and growing rapidly. Even the nearby thatched huts began to shake, the wooden pillars amazingly sprouting roots, anchoring themselves into the earth; the thatch, originally yellow and dried, atop the roofs turned verdant, as if regaining new life. In Huangtong Mansion City, Yu He, who had just slipped out of the martial arts school on leave, intending to visit the newly opened Zhiyinfang to listen to the girls play music, suddenly stopped in his tracks. He saw the trees on both sides of the road growing rapidly, thickening, becoming taller and larger. Holy shit, whats going on?? Yu He was dumbfounded. The trees branches and leaves became lush in an instant, the roots buried in the ground thickened, actually lifting the cobblestones and paving tiles of the road, with a continuing tendency to grow. Weeds that originally sprouted in the cracks of walls also suddenly grew rapidly, with their roots becoming thick and long, causing cracks to form in the brick walls. The tight brick walls simply couldnt withstand the shock of these thick and long assaults. Patches of withered trees began to revive, crazily drawing nutrients from the already barren land, turning green in a blink of an eye, but the land where they grew progressively turned to desert. Algae on rivers and lakes proliferated and spread rapidly, quickly covering the entire surface of the water and even starting to devour the fish and shrimp within, nurturing their growth. Plants on many mountains began to grow wildly, whether they be trees, vines, or grasses, all growing quickly larger and taller, and even evolved aggressive traits, starting to prey on animals. This influence wasnt confined to just Pingzhou; all thirty-three states of Da Qi, as well as Da Jin and Da Zhou, were affected. It was just that the further away from Liu Gaoyang, the smaller the impact, and in places with other Celestials or even higher beings, this effect was completely suppressed. How can it be so bizarre!? A normal Celestials path to enlightenment would not be like this. Something has gone wrong during Liu Gaoyangs ascension! On-site, You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Seats spotted the abnormality in Liu Gaoyang and their actions didnt slow; almost simultaneously, they launched attacks toward Liu Gaoyangs Dharma Body. The core of a Fourth Rank Celestials proof of enlightenment lies in the connection between the Dharma Body and the Tao; to prevent Liu Gaoyang from ascending, they had to sever the connection between his Dharma Body and the Wood Path. The Five Emperors Inner Seats, who clearly practiced the Five Elements Tao, threw a punch that instantly gathered a five-colored brilliance, much like the Five-Color Divine Light Zhou Heng had used just now, soaring into the sky and striking at Liu Gaoyangs Dharma Body. As he punched, it seemed as if five emperors stood behind him, arranged in five directions, each presiding over one of the Five Elements, interweaving the logic of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, attempting to affect the connection between the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body and the Tao. Under normal circumstances, with the Five Emperors Inner Seats at the peak of the Fourth Rank Cultivation Realm, a full-strength attack would definitely cause significant interference to Liu Gaoyang. But after the punch was thrown, before the five-colored glow could touch Liu Gaoyangs Dharma Body, it was blocked by an invisible, potent force and, in the blink of an eye, disintegrated, without achieving anything. How can this be? The Five Emperors Inner Seats were shocked and puzzled, Just now, that was the Celestials power, a Celestial is secretly protecting Liu Gaoyang! Theres no Celestial aura nearby; it must be a Celestial lending aid remotely from tens of thousands of miles away! You Ziheng made a judgment, drawing the Purple Virtual Sword within a mist of dense purple Qi. Slice! He let out a heavens-shaking long howl. A mysterious purple sword light was seen slashing out from the longsword in his hand. Crossing the void, splitting heaven and earth! This sword was as if slashed before the heavens and earth were formed, before Yin and Yang were defined, containing incredible might, as if a supreme deity had split open the primordial chaos in ancient times Sword Emerges from Chaos! This was a Third-Rank supreme technique from the Purple Cloud Peak of the Pure Yang Palace, which You Ziheng, with his current level of cultivation, could only unleash once with the help of a Divine Weapon. Boom! It seemed as if the heavens and earth were split apart by this sword, an incomparable sharpness aimed at the unprecedentedly expanding Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body. The purple sword light spanned the universe, instantly enveloping the Immortal Giant Tree that had already pierced through the heavens, showering down endless sharpness and instantly slicing it into countless pieces. Destroyed along with the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body was Liu Gaoyang himself, who had nowhere to hide under the vast expanse of purple sword light. He was annihilated on the spot, with not even his bones remaining. After this sword strike, the strange phenomena in the heavens and earth that indicated an aberrant attempt at enlightenment finally ceased, as if everything was returning to normal. However, neither the Five Emperors Inner Circle nor You Ziheng relaxed their expressions; both were tense. Zhou Heng also sensed an extraordinary aura brewing in the void. Boom! At that moment, the sky was suddenly pierced through, and an aquamarine finger as thick as a mountain penetrated the clouds and pressed down, directly deflecting the sword light that You Ziheng had unleashed with the Purple Virtual Sword into myriad shattered light fragments. Immediately afterward, that finger gently rotated, and at the original location of Liu Gaoyang, an extremely concentrated vitality swiftly gathered. In just a few breaths time, Liu Gaoyang, who had already been reduced to nothing but bones, was resurrected, his aura and condition as perfect as before. Celestial Man! A true Celestial Man had intervened from afar to protect Liu Gaoyang! A Celestial Man from the Five Elements Sect? But the Five Elements Sect does not have a Celestial Man who has entrusted his Primordial Spirit to the Wood Element Tao. You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Circle were both surprised by the situation before them, feeling it utterly unimaginable; what followed was a deep sense of powerlessness. What should they do next to stop Liu Gaoyang? Are they to simply let him succeed in entrusting his Primordial Spirit to the void and smoothly attain the position of a Celestial Man? That cannot be allowed! Yet with that hidden Celestial Man present, the Five Emperors Inner Circle couldnt harm Liu Gaoyang, and You Ziheng, having unleashed Sword Emerges from Chaos, was now utterly exhausted and unable to make another move. Hum!! At that moment, the multicolored orb in Zhou Hengs hand trembled suddenly, emitting a lamentation filled with immense sorrow and unwillingness. The Primordial Spirit of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal was eradicated. The Primordial Spirit of a Loose Immortal was incredibly resilient; even for the multicolored divine light to extinguish it took quite some time, and this was thanks to a bonus effect against Yin spirits, allowing the process to finish faster. Otherwise, it would have taken even longer. However, after the Primordial Spirit of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal was eradicated, Zhou Heng discovered that the multicolored divine light did not vanish; instead, it maintained its state in his hand, sealing the residual mana of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal within it. The multicolored divine light had only eradicated the Primordial Spirit of the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, but the mana remaining in its soul body was not erased, meaning that the multicolored divine light still held mana equivalent to that of a Loose Immortal. However, this seal was very unstable, and as long as Zhou Heng threw the multicolored divine light from his hand and deliberately released it, this vast amount of mana and the involved power of the multicolored divine light would burst forth with boundless potency. It was equivalent to an hand grenade with power unimaginable. Senior masters, please protect me, Zhou Heng suddenly spoke, causing both You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Circle to be taken aback. Yet, without asking any questions, they complied, exerting their full strength to deploy their most powerful measures to protect Zhou Heng. Simultaneously, Zhou Heng mustered all his strength and threw the multicolored divine light, which was hovering in his hand, towards Liu Gaoyang, who was preparing to manifest the Immortal Giant Tree Dharma Body again and assault the position of a Celestial Man. Boom!! The multicolored divine light burst open in the sky, full of brilliance, especially with the aquamarine light symbolizing Wood dominantly flourishing. Moreover, as it obliterated the form and spirit of Liu Gaoyang, the radiant layers displayed a power so unfathomable that it directly solidified all Wood- related laws and essences within thousands of miles, preventing any power associated with the Wood Element Dao from descending to this place for a short time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This directly cut off any possibility of that prior Celestial Man intervening again from afar. Congratulations! You have defeated an enemy Liu Gaoyang, who had no chance of surviving and could have died ten times over. Please choose one of the following rewards. ? Open one door: Set a location where you currently are as a return point, which allows you to open a door and return at any time and place, ignoring any seals, bans, and other obstructions, and disregarding any spatial distance. Prophecy once: Make a prophecy about a certain event, declaring it will surely happen. The closer the prophecy aligns with logic, the closer the outcome will be to the prophecy. ? Luck once: Today, you will have unimaginable luck. Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: Chapter 123: The So-Called Reward Chapter 123: Chapter 123: The So-Called Reward Explosion Across the Screen Another multiple-choice question I hate making choices; cant I just have them all? Zhou Heng couldnt help but complain inwardly. Wait a minute, what was the reward for using the Five-Color Divine Light to annihilate the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal? Zhou Heng suddenly felt a shock in his heart because he had not received any notice of killing the Loose Immortal. Could it be that hes not dead? How is that possible? The Five-Color Divine Light should have already obliterated the Great Saintly Merciful Immortals Primordial Spirit. Zhou Heng looked towards the exploding Five-Color Divine Light in the sky with astonishment and doubt, the turbulent mana flows catching his eye, with the green light symbolizing Wood being the most dazzling. Just then, through the last trace of connection between himself and the remaining Five-Color Divine Light, he sensed a True Spirit mark being pulled down from the boundless void above by this green light and crushed in an instant. Congratulations! You have killed the Loose Immortal Great Saintly Merciful Immortal! Platinum Treasure Box +1, Gold Fortune Bag +1, Silver Luck Bag +1, Copper Fortune Bag +1, +i to the number of option rewards, +1 to existing base attributes, +i to existing additional attributes, +1 to the number of special skill cards previously obtained, Martial Arts Proficiency Gift Package +1. Upon hearing the notification, Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned and turned foolish. This was the first time he had heard such an explosive rewards notice, quite similar to the feeling of a 999 hit, with equipment bursting across the screen. A bit exhilarating. However, exhilarating as it was, he still had to deal with the previous multiple-choice question. First was the Open Door option. This option could be dubbed a life-saving divine skill, as one could instantly return to a safe location when facing life-threatening danger or when restricted by seals. And it ignored all obstacles, equivalent to having an extra life. But Zhou Heng already had a Life-saving Talisman. Although it was limited to defending attacks below the Third Rank Celestial Man, the actual effect was similar. CAfter the previous restart, the things Zhou Heng had used, including the Life-saving Talisman and the appraisal card for discerning the true information of the Wordless Stele, had been restored to their unused state. Granted, he might face a Fourth Rank Celestial Man in the future, which would render the Life-saving Talisman ineffective, but Zhou Heng didnt think he would have the chance to open a door and escape when facing a Celestial Man. Even instantaneously opening a door to leave took time, and with his current level of cultivation realm, it was simply impossible to open a door under the eyes of a Celestial Man. This option seemed a bit superfluous. Then there was the second option, Prophecy. Prophecize something that must happen. The more logical the description of the prophecy, the closer the outcome will be to the prophecy. This option had a peculiar requirement, actually demanding logical consistency in the prophecys description. Aren t prophecies just random blabberings anyway? But on closer consideration, this option had vast applicability. It could be used for almost anything. For example, if Liu Gaoyang was trying to become an Immortal, he could prophesize Liu Gaoyangs ascension fails. The description would be, Liu Gaoyang, driven mad by his senses and obstructed by You Ziheng and the inner seat of the Five Emperors, fails to ascend. This was very logical and indeed it happened, but the result was later changed by a Celestial Man who came and resurrected Liu Gaoyang. If there had been a prophecy, the outcome would have pointed to Liu Gaoyangs ascension fails, and even if the Celestial Man resurrected Liu Gaoyang, he would have inevitably failed to become an Immortal in the end. Besides, prophecy could be used in all kinds of situations, arguably the most versatile option. The third option Luck was very straightforward. Unimaginably good luck. Just this aspect made Zhou Heng envious. Although he always felt he was quite lucky, like frequently getting amazing rewards from opening Copper Fortune Bags, who would disdain a chance to become even luckier? No one would. If he really had to choose only one of the rewards as the notice had indicated Zhou Heng would certainly be torn between the second and third options. But in the recent grand blast there was one reward. +1 to the number of option rewards. This allowed what was originally a single reward to become two. So, Zhou Heng resolutely chose the second and third options. Just to be prepared for any eventuality. As for the rewards from the grand blast earlier, he planned to take a closer look after dealing with the current situation. The Great Saintly Merciful Immortal and Liu Gaoyang are both dead. The inner seat of the Five Emperors, looking at the spectacle in the sky, exclaimed in astonishment, Who would have thought, all of this was done by an Eighth Rank Martial Artist? Ive always felt this youngster was extraordinary, hahaha!! You Ziheng proudly patted Zhou Heng on the shoulder, laughing heartily, A disciple of my Pure Yang Palace. I heard hes just an external disciple though, remarked an inner seat of the Five Emperors with a smile. If hes not a true disciple when he returns this time, Ill cut off my own head, You Ziheng retorted, unconvinced. I heard theres a secret technique in the Pure Yang Palaces Zixia Peak called Beheading Technique, which allows one to sever their own head and continue to live for three days, said the inner seat of the Five Emperors seriously, It seems there really is such a thing. You!! You Ziheng was so angered he couldnt speak. These two seemed to have known each other for a while, sparring verbally without any awkwardness, perhaps because they had just jointly dealt with a formidable enemy and were in a relaxed and cheerful mood. Elder sirs, who was the Celestial Man who intervened just now to protect Liu Gaoyang? Zhou Heng asked in a low voice. You might as well wait until You Ziheng takes you back to the Pure Yang Palace to ask, suggested the inner seat of the Five Emperors, smiling as he glanced around, There are too many people here. Alright, I understand, thank you elder, Zhou Heng nodded, only then realizing there were indeed quite a few people around. If he publicly revealed the identity of that Celestial Man, it might bring great trouble to both himself and these people. However, this look around also made him notice some oddities. After the projection of the Qingxia God disappeared, the Wordless Stele vanished as well, and the Plague Emperor Sects Sha Mishe was nowhere to be seen, likely having been severely injured by the Qingxia Gods projection and having fled. But Zhou Heng had not received any reward notification for Sha Mishes defeat nor for the disciples of the Honghua Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect who were killed by the Qingxia Gods projection. Was there something strange about the Qingxia Gods projection? Zhou Heng harbored doubts, but there were no abnormalities around him the celestial phenomena had not changed, and it didnt seem like the Qingxia God was about to resurrect. What was going on? What are you thinking about? You Ziheng asked with a smile, noticing Zhou Hengs peculiar expression. Nothing, nothing at all, Zhou Heng shook his head, evading the question, Just some doubts about what a Loose Immortal is, how to prove oneself a Fourth Rank Celestial Man, and many other questions concerning the cultivation realms. Haha, curiosity is good, You Ziheng said, laughing without suspicion, All these questions will be answered once you follow me to the Pure Yang Palace Since Zhou Heng still had some farewells to say in Yuanhe Prefecture City, You Ziheng and the inner seat of the Five Emperors departed first. They agreed to meet again the next day. Initially, Zhou Heng wanted to leave the Wang Family immediately, find Yun Xiu and He Mengqiu, and then go to Bais family to say goodbye, but before he could leave, the Wang Familys old patriarch, along with Family Head Wang Yuande and Wang Xinyue, as well as a crowd of the Wang Family members knelt before him. Thousands of thanks, immensely grateful, they were insistent on offering a generous gift, and even wanted to send Wang Xinyue to serve at Zhou Hengs side as a maid, all to repay his kindness. Scared, Zhou Heng hastily fled. Great ancestor, is he looking down on me? Wang Xinyue muttered, head bowed, lightly biting her red lips, and sighed, Is it because he thinks Im too weak? Dear Xinyue, such thoughts underestimate that gentleman; he is a dragon amongst men, fated for great accomplishments. How could he possibly look down on you? The Wang Familys old patriarch shook his head, looking in the direction Zhou Heng left, very emotional. I will become stronger! WangXinyue clenched her fists tightly. As soon as Zhou Heng stepped out of the Wang Familys gates, he felt a fragrant breeze rush toward him. Warm and tender like jade. Rushing into his arms. It was Yun Xiu. She hugged Zhou Heng tightly, then turned around with her head lowered, her soft shoulders trembling slightly, as she said, I have died once before, I remember from now on, I wont die. After speaking, she turned her back to Zhou Heng and walked towards He Mengqiu not too far away, Brother Heng, I will continue to wander the jianghu with my master. Your light shines so brightly, Im sure well meet again. Next time, Ill treat you to steamed buns. Master, lets go. Her voice trembled, her cheeks facing He Mengqiu already tear-stained. Hmm, He Mengqiu nodded gently, addressing Zhou Heng, We will meet again if itstated. Then, she took Yun Xius hand and flew into the sky, disappearing into the clouds. Under the sunlight, tiny tear droplets refracted rainbow lights as they fell. Zhou Heng was slightly dazed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At that moment, up in the sky, amidst the clouds, Yun Xiu seemed to have finally made up her mind, speaking firmly, Master, please teach me the Three Dreams Dharma. After bidding farewell to Yun Xiu and He Mengqiu, Zhou Heng returned to Bais family, but as soon as he entered, his face drastically changed. There was the aura of the Qingxia God! Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Qingxia God’s Great Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Qingxia Gods Great Opportunity The aura of the Qingxia God was incomparably clear and pure. It was fundamentally different from the projection summoned by Zhou Heng through the Qingxia Gods snake scale. After all, that projection was false. But now the aura he felt was incredibly real, as if the true Qingxia God was right here. Young Master, youve returned! At this moment, the Bai manager greeted him, his face full of smiles and relief as he said, It was truly dangerous before, its good that youve safely come back. His home was quite distant from the place where the earlier battle took place, and the news hadnt spread yet, so the Bai manager didnt know what Zhou Heng had done in the battle just now. Sir, are you all right? Bai Jingtian rushed out, looking at Zhou Heng with immense surprise and joy as he smiled and said, I knew you would be fine. Big brother, Mother has made some delicious food, come join us! Bai Yuejian still looked lively and cute, everyone was as usual, appearing very normal with no signs of abnormality. However, upon seeing Bai Yuejian, Zhou Hengs heart suddenly tightened; he sensed an extremely strong Qingxia Gods aura on this little girl. This was the source of the Qingxia Gods aura he had just sensed. Right on Bai Yuejian. Yet, she was only a seven-year-old girl, looking no different from before. Why would she have the aura of the Qingxia God? Zhou Heng intentionally notified You Ziheng and the inner seats of the Five Emperors. These two were the most powerful beings in Yuanhe Prefectural City. If Bai Yuejian truly had a connection with the Qingxia God, seeking their help to save the little girl was undoubtedly the best hope. Although Zhou Heng now had the basic attribute bonus of Insight +2, in his eyes, Bai Yuejian seemed entirely normal, but he still couldnt be at ease. The level of the Qingxia God was just too high. If it truly wanted to hide something, he might not be able to discern it. At this moment, Zhou Heng suddenly felt a blur before his eyes, instinctively wanting to use the Fooling Card and PeakCard to lower the opponents intelligence and then launch the peak state Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. If this combo was executed, as long as the Qingxia God hadnt returned to the realm of a Celestial Man, it would either be severely injured or die. But immediately after, he saw a cyan light shine on Bai Yuejians body, quickly condensing into the virtual image of a young woman dressed in green, charming and alluring. She appeared to be in her twenties, with a beautiful face like a painting, and exquisitely delicate features that were beyond what mortals could possess. Only, on the bone above both her eyebrows, there were two shiny cyan scales, and there were slight bulges on her forehead as if there were budding horns. The womans green dress was of an ancient style, and her whole being was out of sync with the current era, as if she came from a time long past. As she appeared, everything and everyone around became black and white as if this space had been cut off and became independent, which was very eerie. Whether it was the Bai manager or Bai Jingtian, or even Bai Yuejian, they all seemed to be frozen, motionless in this black and white scene. However, although the woman appeared with an anomaly, she seemed to bear no hostility towards Zhou Heng. With her left hand pressed against her chest and her right hand on her abdomen, she bent slightly at the waist and bowed respectfullythis seemed to be a very ancient form of etiquette, and Zhou Heng had some recollection of it but forgot where he had seen it. Little deity Qingxia, greets the Dao Master. The womans attitude was very respectful, even somewhat fearful. Oh? Zhou Heng feigned surprise, still exceedingly cautious, ready to use special ability cards at any moment as he said, What business do you have? It was unexpected that the Qingxia God would take the form of a beautiful woman after transforming; her true form was a green snake. He wondered if there was also a White Snake? Zhou Hengs thoughts raced with many speculations. The Qingxia God was revealed from within Bai Yuejian. Could it be that the little girl had a close connection with the Qingxia God? If he were to kill this Qingxia God, could it harm Bai Yuejian? The little deity has no intention of deceiving, only to explain some situations. The Qingxia God bowed her head with some trepidation and said, Please rest assured, though Bai Yuejian is my reincarnated body, I have no intention of taking her place. Is that so? Zhou Heng sneered coldly, narrowing his eyes as he continued to feignso Bai Yuejian was the reincarnated body of the Qingxia God, no wonder. The little deity dares not deceive the Dao Master. The Qingxia God still maintained a submissive and humble attitude, earnestly saying, My Dao seed and Primordial Spirit are still intact. As long as this reincarnated body comes of age, I can separate myself from it and use my Dao power to reforge a physical body, without the need to awaken within the reincarnated body. She seemed very scared, explaining with a sense of urgency. Then I will tentatively believe you! Zhou Heng spoke in a heavy voice, his gaze sharp and frosty as he watched the Qingxia God, firmly saying, Conduct yourself properly; you may leave! Thankyou, Dao Master. At these words, the Qingxia God was overjoyed and once again bowed respectfully, deeply bending over before her form rapidly faded until it vanished. As she disappeared, the black and white surroundings and the creatures within also returned to normal. The area seemed as if nothing had ever happened, with the Bai manager, Bai Jingtian, and even Bai Yuejian showing no signs of anomaly. Zhou Hengs first reaction was to leave this place and report the matter of the Qingxia God to You Ziheng and the inner seats of the Five Emperors. But on second thought, the Qingxia God seemed to regard him as the reincarnation of some Dao Master, so if he were to leave in a hurry now, it might give himself away, potentially leading to even greater trouble. Compared to leaving, it seemed safer to continue the act. So Zhou Heng pretended as if nothing had happened, shared a meal with the Bai managers family, bid them farewell, and then left the Bai household. Only after he had safely exited the Bai household and returned to the inn where You Ziheng and the inner seats of the Five Emperors resided, did he finally exhale a breath of relief. Regardless, it was always much safer to be in the vicinity of these two powerhouses. However, Zhou Heng still did not truly let down his guard; after all, he was still in Yuanhe Prefectural City, very close to the Qingxia God, who could potentially seek him out at any time. Only after You Ziheng leaves here and heads to the Pure Yang Palace will I truly be safe. Nightfall brings utter silence. The huge upheaval during the day has left everyone in Yuanhe Prefecture City both physically and mentally exhausted, so most people went to bed early to rest, and the Bais family was no exception. At this moment, although the young girl Bai Yuejian had already gone to sleep, there was a layer of cyan-green light emanating from her head. The woman who claimed to be the Qingxia God once again emerged from her body, condensing into form. That Daoist seems to be in a strange state. I actually didnt sense any pressure of the Dao on him, the Qingxia God frowned slightly and thought to herself, This is somewhat abnormal. Daoist is an appellation from ancient times for beings of Divine First Rank, who have the supreme existence controlling a particular Dao and are considered sacred, the masters of the Dao. Previously, Zhou Heng used Restart and Five-Color Divine Light, which, to the Qingxia God, were Great Divine Powers that could only be wielded by a Daoist of Divine First Rank. Therefore, she concluded that Zhou Heng must be the reincarnation of a Daoist who had fallen in a distant era, with the Five Elements Path being the Dao once under his dominion. Even though the Qingxia God could not understand why a once-sacred being who controlled the Five Elements Path was able to wield Great Divine Powers that could restart all things, she did not doubt her earlier guess. After all, the extremely profound yet unmistakably clear and distinct true intent of the Five Elements Path cannot be faked. It was precisely because of this speculation that she was extremely fearful in her heart. The Qingxia God feared that Zhou Heng would seize her Dao seed to hasten his own recovery. For the reincarnated sacred being who had once controlled the Five Elements Path, the fastest way to recover was to seize the five Dao seeds corresponding to the Five Elements Path and then merge them together to condense the Dao. Based on the prowess Zhou Heng showed when he employed the Five-Color Divine Light, the Qingxia God guessed that even if the reincarnated body of the Daoist was only at the Martial Path Eighth Rank, his ability to manipulate the authority of the Dao must have recovered quite a bit, already comparable to the peak of the Fourth Rank. With her Primordial Spirit and Dao seed just awakening, she would be utterly powerless to resist. The current Qingxia Gods Primordial Spirit and Dao seed are extremely weak, roughly equivalent to the Fifth Rank. This was the reason she showed herself and saluted Zhou Heng as soon as she saw him, behaving with the utmost reverence, presenting herself very humbly for fear of displeasing Zhou Heng and bringing about her own fatal disaster. However, after having a conversation with him, the Qingxia God found this reincarnated Daoist to be somewhat strange. When she approached the reincarnated Daoist, her Greenwood Dao Seed inside the Primordial Spirit didnt show any activity at all. This was highly abnormal. Normally, if the reincarnated Daoist was already capable of mobilizing some of the power of the Five Elements Path, it would mean he had regained part of the Daoists stature. Then, as the weakened Greenwood Dao Seed approached him, it would surely be suppressed by the pressure of the Dao. But in fact, the Qingxia God didnt sense this kind of pressure. Could it be, this reincarnated Daoist hasnt actually recovered to the level of the Fourth Rank! A bold idea suddenly surfaced in the mind of the Qingxia God. Perhaps, perhaps the Five-Color Divine Light previously employed by the reincarnated Daoist was just a fallback from his previous life, and his current use of Dao power isnt that strong. During the day, he was just bluffing! Once this thought appeared, it could not be stopped, and the Qingxia God became excited, with the two small dragon horns on her forehead even growing longer. If this speculation were true, it would mean she had stumbled upon a tremendously good fortune, an incredible opportunity! The reincarnated body of the Five Elements Daoist can recover quickly by seizing the corresponding Dao seeds, and equally, the Dao seeds can plunder the yet-to-recover authority of the Dao to nourish themselves! However, this is just my speculation and cannot be confirmed let me split a wisp of my Primordial Spirit to visit his dreamscape. If his control over the Dao has truly recovered to the Fourth Rank level, he must be able to remain lucid in the dreamscape. If his dreamscape is muddled and his senses unclear, then haha!! The Qingxia God is thoroughly action-oriented. With a thought, she immediately acted, splitting a wisp of her Primordial Spirit, passing through the void, and arriving in the guesthouse room where Zhou Heng was staying. At this time, Zhou Heng lay in bed, breathing steadily, sleeping peacefully. The Qingxia Gods split Primordial Spirit sent out an invitation for a meeting in the dream to Zhou Heng. Such an invitation could only be sensed by those whose spirit level reached the Fifth Rank, who could maintain true lucidity in their dreams. C Under normal circumstances, a Martial Artist needs to reach the Sixth Rank to maintain some lucidity in their dreams, but their thoughts would remain somewhat chaotic and slow. Only upon reaching the Fifth Rank level can they truly think as clearly as when they are awake. This is a very normal invitation, neither abrupt nor invasive, as it is a polite inquiry by nature. The Qingxia God waited for a while. To find that the invitation sank like a stone in the sea, receiving no response whatsoever. She was overjoyed in her heart. This meant that the other party most likely didnt sense the invitation at all, suggesting that the reincarnated Daoist might be incapable of maintaining lucidity in his dreams! Should I directly invade his dreamscape to see? The Qingxia God found herself conflicted, mainly due to the immense temptation before her. If she really could plunder the yet-to-recover authority of the Five Elements Path, not only could she quickly recover to the Second Rank level, but even her future path to attaining Divine First Rank would become much easier. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Take a chance; on the road to the Dao, when is anything ever certain! In the end, she made up her mind. The split Primordial Spirit turned into a wisp of cyan light and forcibly entered Zhou Hengs dreamscape. If there really is any accident, I will immediately sever the connection between this wisp of Primordial Spirit and my main body, and may still be able to escape. However, after entering Zhou Hengs dreamscape, the Qingxia God did not encounter the expected dizzying and complicated scene. After passing through a layer of murky fog, she found herself in a vast and boundless world. This place seemed infinite yet empty, as her Primordial Spirit couldnt detect anything within its range, almost like the state of existence before the birth of all things. A real dreamscape!? Qingxia Gods face changed dramatically, and she nearly jumped out of her skin from fright. Chapter 125 - Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Lost Everything in the Bet Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Lost Everything in the Bet The true dream realm is based on an incredibly powerful spiritual force, and is an illusory world constructed out of thin air. At the very least, one requires the cultivation level of the peak of Fifth Rank, with their Primordial Spirits Dharma Phase as the foundation, and also a grasp on related special Secret Techniques, in order to construct a nearly real dream realm. However, such a high-level true dream realm, though intrinsically profound and interwoven with corresponding principles, usually does not cover a very large area, certainly not nearly as boundless as what she was seeing now. A boundless dream realm means an endless and vast spiritual force! Even stronger than the Fourth Rank level she had originally anticipated! Oh heavens! How could this be?! This situation completely exceeded the expectations of the Qingxia God. Even though she had previously considered the possibility that Zhou Heng was actually conscious within the dream realm, she never expected that she would plunge headfirst into such a massive real dream realm. Feeling the vast and boundless true dream realm, the Qingxia God felt deep fear, as well as immense regret, that she should not have been so greedy as to dare to invade the dream realm of a reincarnated Tao Lord. Simply tired of living! Thus, she made a split-second decision to self-destruct, and then her true form would immediately flee. To survive by cutting off ones tail! The Qingxia God before him was merely a strand of the Primordial Spirit from her true form, even if it self-destructed on the spot, it would only cause a minor injury to the true form, which would quickly heal itself. But when she was about to self-destruct, her entire being suddenly became stupefied, she actually forgot what she had been planning to do just moments ago, staring blankly at everything around her, with a perplexed look on her face. Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do? One question mark after another emerged in the Qingxia Gods mind, her stream of thought nearly came to a halt, her expression dull and foolish, as if her very intelligence had been lowered. Zhou Heng emerged from a void, standing with his hands behind his back, high and lofty, looking down at the strand of the Qingxia Gods spirit, and said in a deep voice, How can I make you submit, completely follow my orders? This very real dream realm was constructed using the Taoist Formulas Dream Cultivation Card, aimed at preventing any accidents on this last night before departure. Physical attacks in reality, with You Ziheng and the Five Emperors Inner Seat present, did not warrant much worry, but silent, unnoticed spiritual attacks were difficult to guard against. If he could be within a true dream realm, matters would be much easier to handle. When Zhou Heng discovered the intrusion of the Qingxia God, he was taken aback. He hadnt anticipated that his precautions would actually encounter the very contingency they were meant to safeguard against. Therefore, he resolutely used the Fooling Card, dumbing down the Qingxia God. Facing such a being that had once reached Second Rank, Zhou Heng didnt dare take it lightly in the least, nor did he dare to be overconfident and hold back his trump card. Originally, he intended to use the Peak Card next to launch the ultimate-level Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, directly obliterating the Qingxia God. However, through the perception of the true dream realm, he realized that the Qingxia God was nothing more than a strand of Primordial Spirit. In this case, exterminating it would be meaningless. Upon reflection, if he couldnt kill her, why not make this weakened Second Rank power submit? Anyway, since she had been dumbed down and nearly lost the ability to think for herself, answering almost any question posed, it was the perfect opportunity to inquire about ways to control her. You can let me swear an oath with my own Tao Seed, pledging loyalty to you, obey your command. The Qingxia God said with a dull look and foolish tone, However, I am only a strand of Primordial Spirit right now, taking an oath wont have the same effect as the true form, and your control over me would be limited. To what extent can it reach? Zhou Heng inquired. After I take the oath, my true form will not be able to harbor thoughts of harming you, and you can issue me three mandatory commands each day. The Qingxia God continued with a foolish appearance, her eyes void of spirit, her entire being like an exquisitely delicate and pretty doll. Then take the oath, Zhou Heng said. I swear with my own Tao Seed to pledge loyalty to you, to heed your commands! The Qingxia God looked up at Zhou Heng, her body radiating a green light, with layers of principles intertwining and extending the reality of the dream realm, connecting her to the Bais familys true form. The Qingxia Gods true form was originally sitting cross-legged in the void, waiting for the return of the soul strand to avoid being intercepted by it in case of an emergency escape. She did not synchronize information with the soul strand to reduce the degree of connection, only sensing it when the soul strand was destroyed or imprisoned. But suddenly she felt an anomaly within her own Tao Seed, invisible shackles spread from within, tightly binding her Primordial Spirit. Whats happening, has something gone wrong with the soul strand?! The Qingxia God was horrified, her cultivation was rooted in that very Tao Seed, now with the Tao Seed undergoing changes, it equated to shaking the foundation of her cultivation. Immediately after, she perceived an image: it was the scene of her soul strand pledging loyalty to Zhou Heng with the Tao Seed, this scene reflected in her mind almost caused the former Second Rank Tao Lord to faint. Loyalty! And to pledge loyalty with the Tao Seed! The Qingxia God felt she was going insane, her heart about to surge with murderous intent towards Zhou Heng, but the power of the Tao Seed unfolded in an instant, firmly suppressing this thought within her. She could not harbor any thoughts of harming Zhou Heng. The power of the Tao Seed would prevent it. This was the effect of swearing an oath on ones own Tao Seed. At the same time, the Qingxia God also came to realize that from now on, Zhou Heng could impose three compulsory commands on her every day. Why had this happened? Why had she obediently sworn an oath with her own Tao Seed, was her intelligence truly that low?? She couldnt understand, couldnt figure it out at all. Even if her split soul had to self-destruct, why swear an oath of loyalty with the Tao Seed? It was pure madness! At this moment, the Qingxia God was completely baffled and had fallen into deep self-doubt. How could she be so unlucky? When she had just condensed her Tao Seed, she encountered the Divine First Rank Law Saint who directly suppressed her into a grand river. After the Law Saint fell, his disciple Sealing Tao Lord JiangTafa came to ferry across the river, using Sealing Tao Seed to suppress her for thousands of years. Seven years ago, she finally seized the opportunity, her Primordial Spirit escaped the seal, reincarnated with her Tao Seed, but then fell into the confusion of the embryonic stage, bewildered for six or seven years, until half a year ago when she began to awaken some fragmentary memories and was barely able to mobilize some of the power of the Primordial Spirit and Tao Seed. Yet, before she could recover further, she encountered a reincarnated Divine First Rank Tao Lord who had once controlled the Five Elements Path, who almost seized her Tao Seed. Although she had retained her Tao Seed, somehow her split soul swore an oath of loyalty using the Tao Seed to that reincarnated Tao Lord, and her original self was also greatly affected, controlled by another. This was a total loss, even including herself. Looking back on her several thousand years of snake life, it was truly filled with all sorts of misfortunes. Why am I so unlucky!?? The Qingxia God wanted to cry but had no tears to shed. She was utterly desperate within her heart. The next morning. Zhou Heng, under the enthusiastic farewell of the Wang Family and Bais family, followed You Ziheng and left Yuanhe Prefecture City. The Wang Familys patriarch even seized this opportunity to recommend Wang Xinyue to Zhou Heng again, wishing her to stay by his side and serve him but alas, it was not to be. Zhou Heng replied perfunctorily a couple of times before taking off into the sky with You Ziheng on a white crane. Inside Bai Yuejian, the Qingxia God felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. Zhou Heng had used two compulsory commands on her last night; although they were not anything serious, the feeling was still very uncomfortable. Also considering her current level of awakening was still quite low and she couldnt leave Bai Yuejian, now that he had left this place, she should not be subjected to compulsory commands again for a short while. Zhou Heng sat atop You Zihengs giant white crane. It was his first time experiencing the sensation of flying in the high skies without any obstructions; frankly, it was a bit unnerving. The next destination wasnt the Pure Yang Palace but rather the place he first came to in this world. In the deep mountains more than three hundred miles south of Huangtong Mansion City. There lived Zhou Hengs parents in this world, as well as some of the first people he had met. Now that he was going to the Pure Yang Palace, he had to inform his parents in this world and ask for their opinion, to see if they were willing to move to live inside Huangtong Mansion City. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, halfway through the journey, a five-colored light suddenly fell in front of them, blocking the white crane. The person who came was dressed in a Five-Color Gown, wearing a mask painted with five sovereign emblems. It was a Fourth Rank pinnacle expert from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, code-named Inner Seat of the Five Emperors. You couldnt resist after all, You Ziheng chuckled, as if he had expected it. Hmm. The Inner Seat of the Five Emperors nodded slightly, then looked at Zhou Heng and said with all seriousness, Young friend, I extend an invitation to you on behalf of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Would you be willing to join us? Chapter 126 - Chapter 126: Chapter 126 Zhou Tian Boundary Officer Chapter 126: Chapter 126 Zhou Tian Boundary Officer The invitation from Zhou Tian Boundary Officer it wasnt the first time Zhou Heng had received one, but he hadnt expected that such a prominent figure of Fourth Rank from within the Five Emperors would be so impatient as to directly intercept him in the sky. It meant that the other party valued him highly. As for this somewhat mysterious organization, Zhou Heng actually had a rather favorable impression, especially after the battle at Yuanhe Prefecture City. During the restart, the situation within a hundred li was reflected in his perception, and everything Xuan Ge and Heavenly Spear did on the hills outside the city was seen by him. Those who sacrifice themselves for others, without regards for life or death, always command respect. In addition, his previous interactions with Cheng Jianjian were quite harmonious, and now with a high-ranking personage from the Five Emperors showing such a significant attitude of importance. The power of the organization was also evident. Another thing was, Zhou Heng found the codenames of the members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer very intriguing; he wanted to figure out what they were all about. Therefore, he was inclined to accept the invitation. It was just unclear whether joining the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer would conflict with entering the Pure Yang Palace. Although Cheng Jianjian had two identities, she was the direct disciple of the Fourth Rank peak master of Pure Yang Palace, and he had not even truly entered the sect; the gap was quite significant. Whether to accept the invitation is for you to decide, said You Ziheng. Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is a very large organization, basically equivalent to a joint establishment by numerous sects, noble families, and even imperial families; Pure Yang Palace does not forbid its disciples from joining. Hmm, theres a nice orchard nearby in the mountains. Ill go pick some fruit to make wine, Ill be right back, he added. Having said that, he suddenly soared into the sky, flying through the dense clouds at an extremely fast speed, heading southwest towards the mountains before descending, leaving Zhou Heng alone sitting on the white crane. What is your decision, young friend? asked the figure from the Five Emperors again. May I ask a few questions? Zhou Heng said. By all means, ask, the figure from the Five Emperors nodded. What exactly is the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, what responsibilities will I need to assume after joining, what will I need to do, and what benefits will I receive? Zhou Heng asked several critical questions. I can answer all of those for you, the figure from the Five Emperors said. Simply put, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is a secret organization responsible for concealing the existence of demon entities, tracking their whereabouts, and eliminating them, which you should already know. To elaborate, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was established primarily by the royal families of Da Qi, Da Jin, and Da Zhou, as well as by top-tier sects and noble families, based on a unique divine weapon; it is an organization aimed at maintaining world stability and investigating certain matters. Actions against demon entities and evil creatures are indeed manifestations of maintaining world stability. Additionally, resisting demon entities emerging from the forbidden lands of the West Wasteland is also what Zhou Tian Boundary Officer needs to do. If you accept the invitation, I will take you to a place where you can choose your codename within the organization and be allocated a corresponding mask. When acting as a member of Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, it is best to use the codename. At the Lower Third Rank stage, you will be assigned some moderately sized tasks, such as tracking down demon entities, eliminating specific ones, and investigating suspicious incidents. Once your cultivation reaches the Middle Third Rank, the tasks against demon entities will continue but on a higher level. In addition, you will also need to eliminate evildoers causing havoc, defend against demon entities in Xi Liang, and investigate high-level secretive incidents. As for the benefits, the most direct one is once you have chosen your codename and mask, you will be granted a divine skill that corresponds to the codenameat least Upper Third Rank in strengthand a Taoist formula that can leverage the power of that unique divine weapon to eliminate demon entities. Beyond that, there are benefits naturally brought about by the connections within the organization, such as trading and exchanging items or seeking help. I wont go into detail about these. I will only mention the core benefit provided by the organization, which is of the utmost concern to most members. And that isfulfilling wishes. Fulfilling wishes? Zhou Heng was taken aback and asked incredulously, Any wish can be granted? Not exactly; outlandish wishes wont have any effect, like wishing to become the master of the universe or something like that, the figure from the Five Emperors joked before continuing: As long as the wish is relatively normal, it will be proposed, and the required number of virtuous deeds will be given. So far, what we have seen is that once enough virtuous deeds are accumulated, the wish is sure to be fulfilled. Virtuous deeds are one of the rewards you receive after completing tasks assigned by the organization, of course, there will be other rewards, and you will find out after completing tasks. Accumulating virtuous deeds through completed tasks to make a wish, Zhou Heng marveled in astonishment. This is truly miraculous. Indeed, it is miraculous, the figure from the Five Emperors agreed with some nostalgia, seemingly lost in thought. At first, I was even doubtful when I heard about it. After all, how could there be something in this world that can fulfill peoples wishes? Yet, when I had accumulated enough virtuous deeds, my wish actually came true. Such a miraculous thing, it must be something many dream of joining, Zhou Heng frowned slightly and said in puzzlement. Normally, Zhou Tian Boundary Officer should already be bursting at the seams with members. But why did it seem like many strong individuals showed no inclination to join Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? And from previous events, it appeared as though the organization might still be short-staffed. Good question, the figure from the Five Emperors laughed. Noticing this issue means you havent been blinded by the miraculous benefits and your thoughts remain clear, which is very important. Actually, the reason is quite simple. Whether one is eligible to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is not for us to decide, but rather, it is determined by the judgment of that Unique Divine Weapon. The identity mask we wear is part of that Unique Divine Weapon; it has a function that can preliminarily assess if a person might be accepted by it. Only those who attain the acceptance of the Unique Divine Weapon can obtain the organization code and mask, as well as many corresponding benefits, including making a wish with good deeds. However, such individuals are exceedingly rare and extremely scarce. It is said that when the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was first established, many people applied to join on their own accord, but as time went by, everyone came to recognize the reality. Eventually, unwritten rules began to form. Generally speaking, if we do not extend an invitation, it means that there is no hope of gaining recognition from the Unique Divine Weapon, and even if one wishes to join, it would be futile. Does that mean I have a chance of being recognized? Zhou Heng said with a smile. Of course. The Fifth Emperors Inner Seat nodded slightly, then added, But there are also many who reject our invitation. Because once you join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, you must often walk the path of chasing after ghostly and evil spirits, constantly accompanied by the threat of death. All investigative tasks can entail unexpected dangers, and if one doesnt respond appropriately, it could lead to instant death. The most dangerous missions are those going to Xi Liang to defend against Demon Entities, where even Upper Third Rank individuals could perish. Besides, members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer are seen as thorns in the side by ghostly and evil spirits. If one carelessly exposes their true identity, it could even bring calamity upon their relatives, which is another reason why many refuse. These ghostly and evil spirits would attack the relatives of Zhou Tian Boundary Officer members in revenge? Zhou Heng exclaimed in surprise, something he had not considered before. Yes, the Fifth Emperors Inner Seat nodded and said, But most ghostly and evil spirits would not recklessly retaliate against unrelated members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, as that would expose their whereabouts and bring fatal trouble upon themselves. However, if it is a spirit that you are currently investigating or one that you have wounded but managed to escape, once it learns of your true identity, it is very likely to take revenge by attacking your relatives. Nevertheless, for such wounded and escaped spirits, we notify all members in the nearby regions to kill it as swiftly as possible to avoid actual reprisals against our members. Can I give my response after Ive been home to see my parents? Zhou Heng asked. Of course, you can. The Fifth Emperors Inner Seat nodded, then handed Zhou Heng a talisman drawn with cinnabar, saying with a smile, Once you have made up your mind, burn this talisman, and I will come to meet you. Thank you, Zhou Heng said with a bow. Theres no need for thanks, the Fifth Emperors Inner Seat replied with a smile. I awaityour response. With that, he transformed into a streak of multi-colored light flying off into the distance, cutting through the air and rapidly disappearing like a bolt of lightning. At this juncture, You Ziheng just happened to have returned with a plentiful harvest of fruit, his face full of joy. How did the talk go? he asked. I said I would give them an answer after I return home, Zhou Heng replied. Thats the right thing to do, You Ziheng nodded and said with a smile. Clearly, he knew about the situation of the members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and appeared to be quite well-informed. You Ziheng increased the speed of the White Cranes flight, quickly bringing Zhou Heng to a deep mountain forest. This was the place where Zhou Heng had lived for half a year after he had traversed to this world. This was also the first time Zhou Heng looked down upon this place from high above. Hmm? He suddenly uttered a soft exclamation, looking down at the scene below, then suddenly stood up, his face showing an expression of disbelief as he said, Howis that possible?! Are you sure this is the place? You Ziheng looked down with some confusion, then turned to Zhou Heng, saying, Theres no trace of human habitation here, where is the village? Its definitely here, Zhou Heng replied with a furrowed brow, pointing in a direction, and said, You Ziheng, land over there. Alright, You Ziheng nodded, guiding the White Crane to descend. After dismounting from the White Crane, Zhou Heng stared at the lush, leafy forest in front of him, dumbfounded and sinking into deep bewilderment. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was clearly the place where he had lived, the place he returned to every couple of months, the place he would come back to every year for the New Year. There should be parents of his in this world, there should be some of the first people he met after arriving in this world, there should be a peaceful and serene little mountain village. But why was there nothing here now? When was the last time you came back here? You Ziheng first inquired while also observing the surroundings and even extending his Divine Sense to discern whether there were human-made changes affecting the environment. After a moment of silence, he then looked at Zhou Heng with a complicated expression and said, Unless a powerful being beyond my perceptive range has changed the environment, this place has been uninhabited for at least a hundred years. Chapter 127 - Chapter 127: Chapter 127: The Inner Scenic Cave Sky, Ta Hua Pure Yang Chapter 127: Chapter 127: The Inner Scenic Cave Sky, Ta Hua Pure Yang Over a hundred years without human presence?! Zhou Heng looked at You Ziheng incredulously, shaking his head, No, thats impossible. I returned once in May, and its been less than two months since then. How much interaction does this village have with the outside world? You Ziheng asked. There is some interaction, Zhou Heng shook his head, Although the villagers mostly rely on their own farming and hunting in the mountains for self-sufficiency, they still go to nearby towns to trade some goods. In that case lets retrace the route you usually take between here and Huangtong Mansion City, You Ziheng said. Alright, Zhou Heng nodded, confirmed the direction, and turned around, but after taking a few steps, he stopped, smiling bitterly, Even the mountain roads are gone. You lead, Ill clear the way, You Ziheng decisively said. Thank you, senior, Zhou Heng sincerely thanked him. His mind was now filled with doubts, wanting to understand what was going on. Why had the place he transmigrated to disappeared into thin air? Could it have something to do with his transmigration? Why did he transmigrate from Earth to such a world? Or was it merely a coincidence? Two and a half years ago. Zhou Heng was a senior in college on Earth, enjoying his time playing games, reading novels, or wondering if, after so many years of being single, he should try asking out a junior girl. But one day, he woke up to find himself in a strange world, becoming the son of a couple in an unnamed small mountain village. A seventeen-year-old boy. This boy didnt have an official name, just called Zhou Gousheng. Zhou Goushengs life was very simple and monotonous. Apart from eating, drinking, and attending to natures calls, he would work on the farm or go hunting. There was almost nothing else. Seventeen years of memory, as blank as a page. This allowed Zhou Heng to merge with his memories quite effortlessly. But precisely because Zhou Goushengs memories were almost blank, even after merging with them, Zhou Heng was still essentially a pure Earthling. An Earthling from China, habituated to having the internet, various electronic devices, and many modern infrastructures, coming to an almost primitive strange mountain village, was simply maddening. Back on Earth, Zhou Hengs biological parents would call him every weekend, showing their care and concern. Now that he had transmigrated to this world, what about his parents on Earth? They must be very sad, very upset This thought nearly drove Zhou Heng mad, leaving him sleepless night after night, unable to eat, constantly thinking about returning to Earth, but reason told him that it was almost impossible. Zhou Goushengs parents noticed the strangeness of their son. They were simple people who eked out a living in the mountains, unfamiliar with complex theories, and had simple thoughts. They thought the recent changes in their son might just be because he was growing tired of the mountain fare. So they worked even harder. His father hunted desperately in the mountains and skinned animals, while his mother wove day and night. All to sell their wares in the towns beyond the mountains, in exchange for money to buy good food from the town for Zhou Heng. Such meticulous care gradually pulled Zhou Heng out of his desperate madness. He began to adjust his mindset, earnestly trying to fit into his current role, and started to seriously take care of the parents in this world. Life settled down like that. It wasnt until half a year later when Zhou Heng saw people flying in the sky, their clashes pulverizing mountains, that he truly realized this world indeed harbored powerful beings akin to immortals! He wanted to learn martial arts, cultivate to become strong, and understand why he had transmigrated to such a world. His parents agreed without conditions, taking out most of their savings to send him to a martial arts school in Huangtong Mansion City. That was how the current Zhou Heng came to be. Although in Zhou Hengs heart his real parents were always the ones on Earth, the parents in this world also occupied a significant place in his heart. This was a weight woven from gratitude, responsibility, and guilt. Zhou Heng had made up his mind: if he couldnt return to Earth, he would treat the parents of this world well, ensuring they lived a safe, prosperous, and carefree life. But now, the parents in this world, along with everyone in the entire village and even the village itself, had all vanished into thin air. It was enough to make him want to curse at the sky. What on earth happened?? You Ziheng led the way in front, cutting through the path as Zhou Heng directed, and they moved at a considerable speed. Soon, they left the mountains. They arrived in a nearby town. Zhou Heng asked the locals if they had any recollection of the village in the mountains. After all, many from the village used to come to this town to sell goods and purchase various things. Without exception, all the answers they received were-there are no villages in these mountains. Not a single person remembered. It was as if the mountain village only existed in Zhou Hengs mind, as if it was exclusive to his thoughts. How could this be?? Zhou Heng was utterly confused. I think I might know whats going on, You Ziheng suddenly spoke. You know, senior? Zhou Heng asked, surprised. I have some speculations, You Ziheng said. In many local legends and the comprehensive records of the Pure Yang Palace, there are some situations that are similar. The mountain village you are currently in is likely a miniature human world created by a Celestial Man during his seclusion to comprehend the Dao, so as to avoid being Dao-ized by embedding his internal Cave Sky into the real world. What? Zhou Heng didnt understand; there were too many technical terms. Its like this You Ziheng explained patiently. A Celestial Man anchors his Primordial Spirit in the void, thus obtaining an almost indestructible characteristic, and from that, he can glean the aura of the Dao to attain vast Divine Skills, even using that as a foundation to create an internal Cave Sky that can interfere with or twist external world laws and principles. An internal Cave Sky is essentially a small world of its own. However, precisely because the Primordial Spirit is naturally anchored in the void, close to the Dao, ones human will is inevitably eroded by the laws of the Dao. Without resistance, ones humanity becomes weaker over time, gradually Dao-ized. One would lose human emotions and become an undead that only acts according to the laws of the Dao. The usual method of resistance is to frequently interact with humans and strengthen ones human identity to reinforce ones humanity and prevent Dao-ization. However, during seclusion for Dao comprehension, it is impossible to engage with the world, and the danger of Dao-ization increases. So some Celestial Powers thought of a solution. That is to construct a miniature human world with ones own Cave Sky, implant the Cave Sky into reality, and interact with the vast human world. This maintains their humanity and prevents Dao-ization. Under normal circumstances, if the Celestial Man ends his seclusion, this temporarily constructed miniature human world Cave Sky would be retracted into his body. Although the people inside continue living normally, they are no longer present in reality. Senior, do you mean that the mountain village I lived in could possibly be an internal Cave Sky set up by a Celestial Man? Zhou Heng was astonished. Its not necessarily so, but its very likely, You Ziheng nodded. Then why did it exist for so long and suddenly disappear recently? Zhou Heng wondered, feeling slightly relieved. If it was indeed a Celestial Mans Cave Sky, at least his parents in this world would still be alive, just not in the reality perceivable by ordinary people. Its likely because of you, You Ziheng sighed softly. Its suspected that you are a transmigrated great power, and this news has already spread. Regardless of the reality and whether people believe it or not, a Celestial Man in seclusion wouldnt risk exposing his location to a transmigrated Celestial Man. For him, there would be uncertainties and risks. The safest method, naturally, is to retract the Cave Sky and find another place. Because of me? Zhou Heng first froze, then bitterly smiled, Perhaps it really is for that reason But how do I find it? Originally, he thought pretending to be a transcended great power was a clever move that could reasonably explain why he could use many surprisingly powerful special skills. He hadnt expected this consequence. Usually, the relocated Cave Sky would become even more hidden and difficult to find, You Ziheng said. However, there is one channel that often deals with such secret and strange matters. What channel? Zhou Heng asked. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, You Ziheng smiled. The Five Emperors Inner Seat invited me decades ago, explained the rules of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to me, so theres no need to be puzzled. Thankyou, senior, Zhou Heng bowed. I have made up my mind. Good, You Ziheng nodded lightly, First, come back to the Pure Yang Palace with me. After you officially join, you can seek to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer with the Five Emperors Inner Seat. Heh, there must be an order to these things. By that time, youll be a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace joining the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, not a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer entering the Pure Yang Palace. Having said that, he called the white crane, took to the sky with Zhou Heng, and they vanished into thin air. Taihua Mountain spanned thousands of miles in the western part of Da Qi, in Qjnzhou territory. Seen from high above, it was like a dragon sprawled across the land, stunning to behold. Layers of cloud seas shrouded the body of this dragon, interspersed with streaks of golden light. All were part of Taihua Mountains Mountain Protection Array, impervious to even Upper Third Rank intruders without effort. You Ziheng and Zhou Heng rode the white crane and arrived without passing through the mountain gate. Instead, they descended from the sky. You Ziheng formed a hand sign, and the layers of cloud sea churned, parting like curtains to each side. Majestic mountains and palaces, figures flying through the clouds, and trees with unusual flowers and rare fruits all appeared before Zhou Hengs eyes. Roar! At that moment, a huge wave surged up from the churning cloud sea not far away. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An exotic beast with the head of a dragon, the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and the hooves of a horse, covered in blue scales, burst out, treading on sparkling water ripples that appeared out of nowhere, and galloped towards You Ziheng. When the creature first appeared, it was over ten meters tall, but it had shrunk to the size of a palm by the time it ran up to You Ziheng, jumping onto the white cranes back and calling out to You Ziheng incessantly. It seemed to be begging for something. Zhou Heng felt a bit dazed-was this what an Immortal Sect outside the world of mortals was like? ps: I am very sorry, last night I fell asleep while writing, and I rushed to finish this morning, my sincere apologies!! Chapter 128 - Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Immortal Home Cave Mansion, Mountain Peak Erupts Lava Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Immortal Home Cave Mansion, Mountain Peak Erupts Lava Hahaha, you little thing, youre craving my wine again, You Ziheng laughed. At the same time, he took out a wine gourd with a flip of his hand and scattered its contents into the air, the crystalline wine flew out of the gourd, heading towards the sky, shining translucent in the sunlight. Ao aol! The palm-sized little mystical creature immediately saw red, flew into the sky with a tread on water, opened its mouth, and the wine gathered together, reversing its flow into its mouth. Mmm mmm!! The little mystical creature hummed contentedly, rolled twice in the sea of clouds, and then returned to its original forma thirty feet tall being, before diving back into the sea of clouds. Splash! In the sea of clouds, waves suddenly surged out of nowhere, but as soon as they rose into the air, they turned into mist, then condensed back into clouds, and by the time the clouds gathered back into the sea, the mysterious creature had already disappeared without a trace. Was that a kylin just now? Zhou Heng said in astonishment; he had read about such creatures in some texts while he was on Earth. He hadnt expected to actually see a living one. Nowadays, it was extremely difficult to find rare and exotic beasts in this world; even in remote mountainous forests, there were mostly just wild animals, let alone demons with spiritual consciousness, not to mention mythical beasts like the one from legend. A juvenile water kylin indeed, You Ziheng took a gulp of wine, shook his head, and smiled: Decades ago when I was wandering the land, I stumbled upon a critically injured water kylin and saved it. It entrusted its newly born child to my care. Although he is now a drunken Taoist, fifty years ago he was listed as the top martial artist in the world, known as the White Crane Swordsman with a dashing reputation, naturally, he had his fair share of adventures. Youre keeping it here in the sea of clouds? Zhou Heng still felt amazed. Our Ta Hua Mounts sea of clouds is not ordinary mist; within it lies the Sea of Clouds Spirit Spring, where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges and condenses, which is perfect for the growth of the water kylin, explained You Ziheng as he continued to fly on the white crane. I must say, these naturally born extraordinary creatures have a profound foundation incomparable to us mere mortals. Dont be fooled by that greedy little thing from just now; even its mana is equivalent to that of an advanced Fourth Rank professional. Advanced Fourth Rank!? Zhou Heng was a bit confused. He just couldnt connect the little creature that had just been begging for wine with the sovereign experts and loose immortals on the level of Dark Emperor, Five Great Emperors, or even the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. The gap seemed too vast. C The power of a loose immortal typically lies between Fourth and Third Rank. Some exceptionally powerful Fourth Rank individuals with divine skills also have the strength to overcome loose immortals. Hence, generally speaking, loose immortals can be considered as Absolute Fourth Rank, albeit usually stronger. Dont be too surprised; there are many more wonders in Pure Yang Palace, tapping Zhou Hengs shoulder, You Ziheng smiled and said, I will first take you to my cave dwelling at the Purple Clouds Peak to stay temporarily. Once I report the situation to the sect master brother, Ill make arrangements for your initiation. Thank you, senior, Zhou Heng nodded, but his gaze couldnt help curiously sweeping around. In this vast sea of clouds, amidst these towering mountains, who knows how many mysterious things are hidden. Initially, Zhou Heng thought the cave dwelling mentioned by You Ziheng was merely a simple cave fashioned from the mountainside, rough-hewn but suitable for rudimentary habitation. But upon arriving at Purple Clouds Peak, he realized he was very much mistaken. The entrance to the cave dwelling was indeed a cave, but walking inside, Zhou Heng discovered another world, an independent spatial realm. There were suns, moons, stars, mountains, and earth within, along with palace towers spread out as if it were a real world. However, what was most eye-catching was a peak shaped like a wine gourd. At the summit was something akin to a volcanic vent, spewing out a milky white liquid. The smell of alcohol was rich. It must be alcoholic mash. After this mash was expelled, it would come into contact with the clouds in the air and transform into cascades that plummeted from the clouds, pooling into large lakes below. At the center of each lake, there was a jade platform with a delicate palm-sized wine glass on it, refining the entire lake into a golden liquid essence. This is called Jade Cup Golden Elixir, have you ever seen it? You Ziheng beamed with pride as he laughed, This is the ambrosia that even the true immortals of ancient times coveted, a top-notch wine. The taste is truly exquisite, drinking a cup makes ones divine soul intoxicated. Its miraculous, Zhou Hengs eyes widened, feeling that his vocabulary was insufficient; he could think of no other word but awesome. Hehe, youre quite lucky to have witnessed the gourds ale churning out alcoholic mash; its a rare occurrence, You Ziheng gazed at the cascades with a sigh, I obtained this yeast in an adventure in my early years. It spews only once a month, with each eruption producing thirty lakes worth. And it takes ten lakes to create a single drop of golden elixir, a thousand drops to fill a jar. Do the math, how long would it take to fill a jar? Three drops a month, a jar per thousand drops thats roughly three hundred and thirty-three months, nearly twenty-eight years to fill one jar! exclaimed Zhou Heng in surprise. Wrong, You Ziheng shook his head, took out a small exquisite jade bowl, and drew the golden liquid from the jade cup in the center of the lake directly into this bowl, drank it all in one go, and then turned to Zhou Heng with a grin, Hehe, this jade cup will never be full because every time I return, I drink up the accumulated golden elixirburp! Splash! Before he could finish speaking, he actually fell down on the spot, quickly falling into a deep slumber with snores as loud as thunder, making Zhou Hengs scalp tingle. What about going to report to the sect master?? He passed out drunk just like that?? Pure Yang Palace might be a home of immortals, not just full of mysterious things but also some quite intriguing people. With no other choice, Zhou Heng sat down beside You Ziheng and began cultivating his Innate Skill. As he cultivated, he felt something different than before; as his Inner Qi circulated, it drew threads of cool air from the outside environment into his body. This clear and bright energy was incomparably pure, almost like an extremely potent nutrient solution. After being refined by the Innate Skill, it directly caused Zhou Hengs Inner Qi to surge explosively. Congratulations! Youve refined a strand of heaven and earths vital energy. Your Martial Arts Innate Skill [Seventh Rank] Inner Qi has greatly increased, proficiency +50. Congratulations! Youve refined a strand of heaven and earths vital energy. Your Martial Arts Innate Skill [Seventh Rank] Inner Qi has greatly increased, proficiency +66. Congratulations! By continuously refining heaven and earths vital energy, youve triggered the Unity of Heaven and Man effect, greatly benefiting your Martial Arts Innate Skill [Seventh Rank], proficiency +666. [Seventh Rank] Innate Skill: Advanced (1856/3000) What the hell! Isnt this cultivation speeding up a bit too fast? Zhou Heng was dumbfounded. He never expected that while simply practicing to consolidate his cultivation as he waited for You Ziheng to wake up, he would directly elevate his Innate Skill from intermediate to advanced level. His Inner Qi volume had more than tripled, and his spirit had also strengthened considerably. Nor did he expect that the Innate Skill would have the ability to absorb the external worlds vital energy, which was something only those at Sixth Rank of Martial Path with the Interplay with Outer Scenery level could accomplish. It truly lived up to the name Innate! Utterly delightful! C Sixth Rank Martial Path is known as Interplay with Outer Scenery or Innate Realm. Its hallmark characteristic is building a bridge between heaven and earth, merging the small inner landscape with the vast outer landscape of the world, drawing in heaven and earths vital energy into oneself, refining Inner Qi into True Qi, and weaving the primary laws of heaven and earth, thus being able to perform various martial skills that seem incredible to ordinary people. But why didnt this happen when I was cultivating outside before? Could it be because You Zihengs Cave Dwelling is special? Zhou Heng was puzzled in his heart. Wakeup! At this moment, a loud shout, like the ringing of bells and drums, woke Zhou Heng up. Whats the matter? he asked, looking around in confusion, only to see You Ziheng standing by with an astonished look on his face, Senior You, whats wrong? Are you mad? A mere Eighth Rank Martial Artist daring to connect with heaven and earth to refine vital energy, You Ziheng stared with wide eyes and said, Arent you afraid that your little bit of spirit and still-imperfect inner landscape will be swallowed by the laws of heaven and earth, turning you into a living dead? Subsequently, he painstakingly explained to Zhou Heng that for Martial Artists, prematurely connecting with heaven and earth to refine vital energy was not necessarily a good thing. Because the precondition for Sixth Rank Martial Paths interweaving with the laws of heaven and earth is a sufficiently perfected inner landscape and a powerful spirit, strong enough not to be influenced or swallowed by the great laws and rhythms of the world. In order to initially connect with heaven and earth, one should at least wait until the peak of the Seventh Rank, with a preliminary perfection of the inner landscape, and a spirit strong enough to maintain a primary level of awareness in dreams. But Zhou Heng was only at Eighth Rank, and it was certain that his inner landscape was not perfected and he had not reached the required Cultivation Realm. You Ziheng believed his spirit was most likely unable to maintain even a basic clarity in dreams, so connecting with heaven and earth to refine vital energy at this time was undoubtedly very dangerous. I know youre a great being reincarnated and occasionally get martial skills that far surpass your current Cultivation Realm, You Ziheng said earnestly, but you must use them with caution. However, you have only just begun cultivating in this life, and its not necessarily good to be ahead of your time. He assumed that Innate Skill was martial knowledge Zhou Heng obtained from fragmented memories of his past lives. Well, I didnt expect it to happen like this either. Ive never drawn on heaven and earths vital energy when practicing outside, Zhou Heng scratched his head. He didnt explain that his spirit was strong, far exceeding an ordinary Peak of the Seventh Rank and that he was already able to stay conscious in dreams. You Ziheng meant well by his warning, so there wasnt much point in arguing. Ah? You Ziheng was momentarily taken aback by Zhou Hengs words, then seemed to realize something, his expression subtly changed, and he actually slapped himself with a smack, This is all because of the wine, because of the damn wine!! Senior You? Zhou Heng said in surprise, wondering what was going on. Had You Ziheng previously made a grave mistake because of alcohol? Theres a story here! Its nothing. Sigh, I misjudged you, its my fault, You Ziheng sighed and continued, What you were just cultivating must be a rather ingenious Inner Strength skill, which serves as a foundation for the internal and external exchange. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Normally, you should only start drawing heaven and earths vital energy at the peak of the Seventh Rank when it won t cause any harm. But my Cave Dwelling has rough and thin laws of heaven and earth, fewer constraints, and it was my oversight for not warning you sooner, allowing you to draw the vital energy. Lets do this: Ill offer you an unconditional favor in the future, anything goes, as compensation for my oversight; what do you say? For a Grandmaster like You Ziheng of the Fifth Rank, and a Grandmaster of the Pure Yang Palace at that, he was a first-rate person in the entire world. His promise was incredibly valuable. But Zhou Heng shook his head and said with a smile, Theres no need for that, Senior You. Since weve met, youve helped me a lot. Besides, I havent suffered any loss just now; instead, my cultivation has greatly advanced. Theres no need for you to compensate. Well said, kid, You Ziheng laughed too, saying, Before, I only went to see you because that girl Jiang Jian recommended it, but now I feel this lad is indeed not bad. If you encounter any troubles in the future, just come to me. Then, thank you for your care, Senior, Zhou Heng didnt refuse this time. He looked around again and inquired, Senior You, is this what is known as the Cave Sky of the inner landscape? Chapter 129 - Chapter 129: Chapter 129: From Junior Disciple to Junior Martial Uncle Chapter 129: Chapter 129: From Junior Disciple to Junior Martial Uncle Of course not, You Ziheng shook his head and smiled, An Inner Vision Cave Sky is a real world opened up by a Celestial Man, where creating objects from thin air is a mere trifle. My abode is nothing but a small trinket, a miniature of a thousand-mile household shrunk into a bag. You only need to reach the Sixth Rank of the Martial Path, then you can go to Tongxuan Pavilion in the north peak market street to claim a Void Mysterious Crystal and the corresponding secret technique. After that, gather some spiritual materials to evolve this Void Mysterious Crystal into a spatial world with a thousand-mile radius. Of course, such a nascent world will only have an empty sky and a flat expanse of land. If you want moons, stars, mountains, rivers, or even animals and plants, youll have to bring them in and decorate it yourself. You can bring in the sun, moon, and stars too?? Zhou Heng was stunned. Thats not quite it, You Ziheng smiled and then snapped his fingers. Snap! With a crisp sound, the whole world plunged into darkness, devoid of a speck of light, as if it had suddenly fallen into an eternal, silent night. Snap! Suddenly, there was another snap of fingers. The world regained its brightness; the sun, moon, and stars that had disappeared reappeared and shone again. These high celestial bodies seemed like mere lights under You Zihengs control, Going on and off at his will. How magical! Zhou Heng was amazed. However, he also noticed that the sun, moon, and stars here seemed different from the normal ones outsidethey did not seem very real. If you could fly, youd find that the sun, moon, and stars here are actually just special magic weapons crafted from some spiritual materials. You Ziheng said with a smile, Honestly, building your own Cave Sky is quite a painstaking task. When you travel outside later on, you might want to pay more attention to collecting spiritual materials, as they could come in handy when constructing your own Cave Sky. Mm, thank you for the reminder, Senior, Zhou Heng nodded. Alright, rest here for now. Remember not to practice Inner Strength; Ill go and report your situation to the Sect Leader. You Ziheng wobbled toward a light gate not far away, If you want to leave, just walk through this light gate. I havent set up any barriers, but you must be careful not to let others come in. Ill be back soon As soon as he finished speaking, a cloud formed under You Zihengs feet and lifted him up, but before he could fly high, he suddenly burst through the cloud, Plummeting a Fifth Rank Sect Master straight through his cloudriding technique, creating a pit in the ground. Zhou Heng watched, dumbfounded, thinking, Good heavens, Senior You Ziheng is quite drunk. I hope he doesnt fall straight into an abyss from the sky. Fortunately, after climbing out of the pit, You Ziheng seemed slightly more sober. Although his flight was still somewhat shaky, it was much steadier, albeit he swayed a few times before actually passing through the light gate. Drunk driving kills, Zhou Heng touched his forehead, pinched the temples, and prepared to wait for You Zihengs return. With nothing else to do, he wondered if he should try practicing other martial arts? Such a place with dense qi and weak laws of nature was a rare find, and after joining Pure Yang Palace, he might not have the chance to come here again. Or should he open the Fortune Bag to see what reward hed get? Previously, Zhou Hengs battle in Yuanhe Prefecture City had yielded substantial gains. Beyond the one-time special abilities Luck and Prophecy, as well as the rewards that explosively increased his base attributes, additional attributes, and special skill cards, He also got a Copper Fortune Bag, two Silver Fortune Bags, a Gold Fortune Bag, and both a Martial Arts Proficiency Gift Pack and a Platinum Treasure Box. Martial Arts Proficiency Gift Pack: Randomly select five skills from those yet to reach Perfection among the learned martial arts, proficiency +3000. Platinum Treasure Box: Contains all things, nothing is missing, and will definitely yield an amazingly precious rarity. The former, without a doubt, was something that would allow him to gain a significant improvement in strength in an instant. Though it was limited to martial skills, oftentimes the proficiency of skills is the true deciding factor in strength, especially at the Lower Third Rank, where one move can mean the difference between life and death. Even at the Middle Third Rank, unless theres a huge difference in the nature of Inner Strength, the grade and proficiency of skills still hold a considerable influence on power at the same level. However, this random selection of five martial arts depends too much on luck, for if the +3000 proficiency gets added to some common Ninth Grade martial arts, it would be an utter disappointment. This item should be used in conjunction with luck, but luck is a powerful weapon to be saved for critical moments, not to be wasted like this. It seems Ill have to hold on to this Martial Arts Proficiency Gift Pack for now. After a bit of thought, Zhou Heng decided to set aside opening the Martial Arts Proficiency Gift Pack for the moment. As for the Platinum Treasure Box, based on its description, it seems to be a Gold Fortune Bag guaranteed to hit the jackpot, but who knows what treasures will come out when its actually opened? However, after careful consideration, Zhou Heng eventually decided not to open the Fortune Bag and Treasure Box within Pure Yang Palace. After all, this is a place where Divine First Rank exists, who knows if acquiring something from the Fortune Bag out of thin air would be sensed? Its better to wait for a chance to leave the mountain to deal with it. There probably wont be any urgent situations while staying in Pure Yang Palace anyway, so theres no need to hurry. Actually, the greatest gain from killing the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal was the +1 to existing base attributes and the +1 to existing additional attributes, which directly elevated my strength by several grades. The +1 to skills cards Ive already acquired is an epic level explosion, the Peak Card, Disassembly Card, Memory Drop Card, Appraisal Card and the ultimate weapon, the Five-color Divine Light Card; theyre all back! Reflecting on his past gains, Zhou Heng suddenly felt refreshed and in a great mood. Wondering when he might kill another Loose Immortal? The rewards are too rich! Ao ao!! Just as Zhou Heng was immersed in his own fantasies, a somewhat familiar cry suddenly came, waking him up. A water kylin?! Zhou Heng saw the mythical beast before him, treading on water with its entirely blue body, dragons head, deers body, cows tail, and horses hooves, and his expression immediately turned solemn. He hadnt forgotten that although this water kylin was still in its juvenile phase, it was already equivalent to a Fourth Rank master of the Martial Path. But how did it get in here, isnt this You Zihengs Cave Sky? If you want to leave, just go through this light gate; I havent set up any barriers Zhou Heng suddenly remembered what You Ziheng had said before he left. If he could come and go as he pleased, so could others, and of course, it was the same for this water kylin. What the heck! You Ziheng, that winebuff, was clearly still drunk at the time! Hey hey, why is there someone else in Masters Cave Sky? Just then, a slightly immature female voice came from the back of the water kylin. And then Zhou Heng saw a petite figure jump down from it, her face full of curiosity as she looked him over. This was a girl who looked around twelve or thirteen, with striking features, delicate facial traits, wearing a water-blue dress, with a budding chest and the faintest hint of curves developing, truly a beauty in the making. I am Zhu Zhenzhen, the number one senior disciple of my master. The girls big eyes shimmered as she sized up Zhou Heng and laughed, You are really good-looking, who are you, and what are you doing here? I was brought up the mountain by Senior You, preparing to join the Pure Yang Palace. Seeing that the girl seemed able to control the water kylin, Zhou Heng felt a bit more at ease and asked, Are you Senior Yous disciple? Yep. Zhu Zhenzhen nodded, her eyes brimming with joy as she looked at Zhou Heng and laughed, Are you going to acknowledge Master as your master? Then wont I have a junior brother! Ill tell you, in our Pure Yang Palace, our seniority is determined by the order of entry, its all about who came first and who came later. Even though youre older than me, if you join after me, youll have to call me Senior Sister! Ah? Zhou Heng was first startled by her words and then shook his head, Im not clear on how things will be arranged yet, I may not necessarily become a disciple of Senior You. If he really became a disciple of You Ziheng, he was still somewhat nervous drunken mistakes, indeed. No worries, no worries, I will beg Master, and he will definitely accept you. He usually dotes on me the most, if it doesnt work, Ill cry a little, and he will surely agree. Zhu Zhenzhen teased, laughing, Then its settled, from now on, you are my junior brother. As your senior sister, you should do me a favor and dont let Master know Ive been here, okay? As she spoke, she leaped back onto the water kylins back. Standing there with her hands on her hips, she pointed at the mountain shaped like a wine gourd and commanded, Charge, little Blue! While Master isnt here, we can finally drink our fill! Ao ao ao ao ao!!! The water kylin cried out joyfully, obviously quite excited. As it looked at Gourd Mountain, its eyes gleamed, and its tongue hung out, panting heavily, looking just like a big dog. Immediately after, the water kylin surged up on a wave of water, carrying Zhu Zhenzhen towards Gourd Mountain, leaving Zhou Heng staring wide-eyed. Is this what a disciple from an ancient Immortal Home Sect is like? Lovely, lovely! However, before Zhu Zhenzhen and the water kylin could reach the wine gourd mountain, the spiritual energy in this Cave Sky suddenly surged, and the skies darkened. Oh no! Masters back! Zhu Zhenzhen screamed suddenly, and at the same time, a giant golden hand materialized out of thin air and grabbed her from the water kylins back. Ao ao!! When the water kylin saw Zhu Zhenzhen being taken away, it immediately stopped in its tracks and looked back, just in time to see a slovenly Taoist full of the smell of alcohol standing in the space nearby. You Ziheng! Ao! The water kylin seemed to panic at the sight, immediately rolling in mid-air and shrinking into an adorable palm-sized form, bouncing on the water waves towards You Ziheng and sticking out its tongue to lick his shoes. You, youre stealing wine again. You Ziheng flicked Zhu Zhenzhens forehead and said, Go back and copy the hundred-word stele text of the Patriarch a thousand times. Ah?? Zhu Zhenzhen immediately wilted like a drooping flower, losing all spirit, but still nodded, Yes, Master. Hmm. You Ziheng nodded gently, brought her to Zhou Hengs side, handed him a Jade Talisman, and said with a smile, I have reported your matter to the sect leader brother. If you crush this Jade Talisman, you will be teleported to Jade Void Peak. The sect leader brother wants to see you in person. The sect leader wants to see me in person? Zhou Heng was surprised and said, The current sect leader of Pure Yang Palace is a Celestial Man, ranked first on the Heavenly Ranking, an unparalleled powerhouse, and he wants to see me personally Is it because I am suspected to be the reincarnation of a great power? Dont worry, its a good thing, You Ziheng smiled. Thank you, Senior You. Zhou Heng bowed in thanks, crushed the Jade Talisman, and immediately, a streak of clear light flashed, and he disappeared without a trace. Eh? Master, why does the sect leader uncle want to see the little junior brother personally? Zhu Zhenzhen asked curiously, Does he have something special about him? Little junior brother? You Ziheng said, puzzled. Arent you going to take him as a disciple, Master? Zhu Zhenzhen asked in surprise, Isnt that right? Originally, that was indeed what I thought. You Ziheng stroked his beard, looking towards the direction of Jade Void Peak, and said, However, the sect leader brother has other plans. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As he spoke, he looked at Zhu Zhenzhen and laughed, Youve always wanted a junior brother, but Im afraid this time your wish is going to be dashed. Wuwu Zhu Zhenzhen pouted. Suddenly, her expression brightened, and she said with a laugh, No matter, even if the sect leader uncle takes him as a disciple, I am still his senior sister, and I can still call him junior brother! Thats exactly what Im counting on, You Ziheng chuckled, The sect leader brother is going to accept the disciple on behalf of the master. Accept the disciple on behalf of the master?? Zhu Zhenzhens eyes widened, and her smile collapsed instantly, Doesnt that mean Ill have to call him little uncle? Chapter 130 - Chapter 130: Chapter 130 Divination Chapter 130: Chapter 130 Divination Zhou Heng stepped out of You Zihengs cave abode and crushed the Jade Talisman. In a blink of an eye, the light in front of him twisted rapidly, and he found himself in a completely new place. This was the absolute summit of a mountain, where he looked down upon all other mountains. Even the rolling sea of clouds was beneath him, the bright sunlight shining down, turning it into a river of golden light, as if it were a layer of golden earth. Jade Void Peak Golden Top. Upon arriving here, Zhou Heng instinctively knew the name of this place, as if it had been imprinted in the rhythm of the Dao, invisible and profound. This was truly knowing at a glance. On the Golden Peak, there were not many things, only three evergreen pine trees, some rocks, and a stele with inscriptions; apart from that, only a Daoist Palace that seemed neither grand nor luxurious stood there. Pure Yang Palace. No one stood guard here because it was pointless, as the resident of Pure Yang Palace was the current number one on the Celestial List, known as Staying World Pure Yang, a Celestial Power. Yan Shouyi. Come in directly. A gentle voice came from inside the Pure Yang Palace. Zhou Heng did not hesitate and walked towards the gates of the Pure Yang Palace. As he stepped through the gates of Pure Yang Palace, what caught his eye first was a meditation cushion and a shrine with a golden statue of a Taoist, complete with an incense burner and spirit plaques. On the spirit plaque, there were only two words: Pure Yang. Sitting on the meditation cushion in front of the shrine was a Taoist dressed in a simple blue Taoist robe, his hair tied up with a grass rope. He sat cross-legged with his back to Zhou Heng, and hints of silver could be seen amidst his black hair. This is the founding ancestor of my Pure Yang Palace. The Taoist stood up, turned slowly, and looked at Zhou Heng with gentle eyes, smiling, I am Yan Shouyi, the sixth patriarch of Pure Yang Palace. The Taoist appeared to be in his thirties, with average looks and ordinary features. Although he was certainly a Taoist, he exuded an intense scholarly aura, resembling a well-read sage rather than a profound Immortal of the land. Within the Martial Path, those of Upper Third Rank were all regarded as first-rate land Immortals. I pay my respects to Predecessor Staying World Pure Yang, Zhou Heng bowed in salute. From now on, you may simply call me senior brother, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Yes Senior, senior brother?? Just as Zhou Heng was about to agree, he suddenly realized something, looking up in shock at Yan Shouyi, What did you just say? No need to be surprised, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, I called you here to take a disciple on behalf of our master. From now on, youll be the sixth-generation True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, a direct disciple of the previous patriarch. It is only right for you to call me senior brother. Why, why is this? Zhou Heng was full of doubts and uncertainty. He could not understand the situation at all now. Even if he was suspected to be the rebirth of a great power, why would Pure Yang Palace go to such lengths? Wasnt that a bit too much importance placed on a mere possibility? This was, after all, a supreme sect of Immortal Home with a living Divine First Rank Daoist master. For him, just an Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, to immediately become the contemporary patriarchs equal in status upon joining, to become the junior uncle to countless Pure Yang Palace disciples across seven generations such a thing seemed utterly abnormal no matter how he looked at it. Could there be some ulterior motive? Faced with such an unfathomable situation, Zhou Heng could not help but be deeply suspicious. Are you wondering if I have an ulterior motive? Yan Shouyi asked, his eyes crinkling with a smile. Zhou Heng did not speak. Indeed, I do have an ulterior motive, Yan Shouyi said, seemingly unconcerned with Zhou Hengs reaction, Or it might be more accurate to say Pure Yang Palace has an ulterior motive regarding you. Ah? Zhou Heng couldnt help but be stunned. Was he being so direct and frank? He was already considering whether or not to use his various abilities like the Five-Colored Divine Light, Prophecy, Luck, Peak Card, and so on. If he used them all at once, perhaps he could escape from this Celestial Man? Dont panic, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, I too have just received the divine decree from our master. When Brother You brought you to Ta Hua Mount, the old man sensed something and peered into the future using the celestial seeds to divine a prophecy. The master discovered that Pure Yang Palace might face a great calamity in the future, and you would be the one to break the impasse. Therefore, he issued a decree for me to take a disciple on his behalf, granting you the status of a sixth-generation disciple of Pure Yang Palace. This will make your future actions much more convenient. Me, break an impasse? Zhou Heng frowned slightly. This explanation seemed quite reasonable, yet whether the words were true or false, how could he discern and verify? Huh? Appraisal? At this thought, he suddenly had an inspiration and used an appraisal card, attempting to see if it could determine the truth of Yan Shouyis words. He wasnt sure if a single sentence counted as a thing. Very quickly, Zhou Heng received feedback. Yan Shouyis words were true. It could actually appraise! This pleasantly surprised him and eased many of his concerns. You dont seem to believe me much, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, Whether you want to join Pure Yang Palace is up to you, I wont insist. How could I refuse such generosity from my senior? Zhou Heng made up his mind and nodded, I will be in your care from now on, senior brother. Hahaha! Excellent! Yan Shouyi laughed heartily, You Ziheng said you were fated with Pure Yang Palace, and its indeed the case. I knew you would agree. So, senior brother, what should I do next? Zhou Heng asked. To be honest, he was still a bit nervous, as he was actually calling the number one of the contemporary Celestial Rankings senior brother. That thigh was just too sturdy! You just need to offer incense to our ancestor, Pure Yang Zi, and then you will be officially admitted, Yan Shouyi explained, I will first take you to Jade Void Peaks mid-mountain annex, where the disciples from the Jade Void lineage live. You will stay with them for now, and once your cultivation reaches the Seventh Rank Peak, I will help you establish a cave dwelling. Later, a disciple from the Deacon Hall will come to exchange your waist tag, Taoist robe, and sword, as well as give you some Taoist scriptures and information about Pure Yang Palace and other sects in the world. At that time, just accept them. Tomorrow morning, come to the Golden Peak, and I will impart to you the foundation martial arts of Pure Yang Palace. This was the way of the Taoist cultivation, without superfluous formalities; everything was incredibly straightforward. Zhou Heng truly experienced it this time. The mid-mountain annex was a large courtyard on the mid-slope of Jade Void Palace, with hundreds of ordinary brick and tile houses fortified by protective spells, unspoiled for a thousand years. It was home to the True Disciples of the Lower Third Rank from the Jade Void lineage. There were not many of them, but still over a hundred lived there- practicing martial arts and reciting Taoist scriptures together, making it quite lively. However, that was all in the past. Recently, many had completed their arts and left the mountain to wander and experience the world. Now, only about twenty to thirty people were left in the annex, mostly over thirty years old who had not yet broken through to Sixth Rank and did not rank among the notable in the martial world, with no worldly attachments. These people usually cultivated quietly, leading a life as peaceful as still water. With the arrival of Zhou Heng, it was like a stone tossed into calm waters, rippling out in every direction. Because new faces that came to the mid-mountain annex were usually fresh disciples of Jade Void Peak, the moment Zhou Heng stepped into the courtyard, even before he had a chance to explain, he was surrounded by a crowd. Dont be scared, new junior brother, your senior brothers will help you with anything! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If someone bullies you, just say my name. In both the inner and outer sects of our Pure Yang Palace, my words carry weight. Junior brother, if you ever have any questions about cultivating martial arts, feel free to ask me. I promise to leave no question unanswered, heh heh! Finally, a new face has arrived; Im tired of looking at these same old faces. Zhou Heng was surrounded by this group of people, everyone talking at once here and non-stop chatter there, but as they were all friendly and well- intentioned, it wouldnt have been polite to push away. He could only stand and listen. Hey, hey! What are you all doing? Just then, a clear voice sounded, followed by a tall figure parting the crowd, This is your junior uncle! Chapter 131 - Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The World, Pure Yang Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The World, Pure Yang Junior Martial Uncle? What does that mean?? The group from the Mid-Mountain Separate Courtyard were all stunned, not understanding what was happening, all looking puzzled at the tall figure. Whats going on, what junior martial uncle? Big guy, dont just talk halfway, this new junior disciple, is he our junior martial uncle? Its got me totally confused. This tall guy was a disciple from the Deacon Hall of Jade Void Peak, his name was Wang Tieshan, a Martial Artist of the Seventh Rank, responsible for distributing various materials to the newly advanced true disciples. Seeing everyones baffled expressions, he chuckled and said, You may not know this, but the Sect Leader has just taken on a disciple on behalf of his master; our Pure Yang Palace has gained a sixth-generation true disciple, which is our junior martial uncle. Upon hearing his words, everyones eyes widened in utter shock as they looked towards Zhou Heng, instinctively stepping back to put distance between them and then they all clasped fists in a greeting. Weve seen the junior martial uncle. Then they all retreated, no longer showing the warmth they had before. Whats going on? Zhou Heng was a bit confused; was his status as junior martial uncle so unlikable? Junior Martial Uncle, dont be concerned, they mean no harm, Wang Tieshan said with a smile: They just dont know how to interact with you, considering the generation gap. They can neither treat you like a newcomer to take care of, nor can they easily befriend you, and since they cant figure out your thoughts, they thought it best to withdraw for now. It should get a lot better after some time passes, but you probably wont stay here too long anyway. Right, I understand, Zhou Heng nodded. He somewhat understood the feeling, which was like the sentiment old employees have towards a young leader parachuted into the company. Although this young leader wouldnt be staying long at the company and would have a broader space to operate, essentially not affecting them much, they also couldnt warm up to him like they would a new person. It was a perfectly normal psychological response. The Sect Leader must have told you before, Im here to deliver things to you, Wang Tieshan produced a palm-sized golden brocade pouch and handed it to Zhou Heng, saying, This is the Qiankun Pouch; inside it has a small space holding the items the Sect has given to you. You can also use it to hold some miscellaneous items in the future. Thankyou, Zhou Heng accepted the pouch. Heh heh, just doing my duty, junior martial uncle need not thank me, Wang Tieshan then took his leave, departing the Mid-Mountain Separate Courtyard. Zhou Heng found his house. It was a house with its own small courtyard, the facilities and arrangements were quite simpleclearly, the previous owner was solely focused on cultivationbut even so, it was much better than the place he had rented in Huangtong Mansion City. He lay on the bed and began to check what was inside the golden brocade pouch. This was his first space equipment, and using it for the first time, he was quite excited. The space inside wasnt large. Zhou Heng roughly estimated, it was only about ten cubic meters. Of course, that was already entirely sufficient for carrying personal luggage. There werent many items inside right now. There was only a Taoist robe, a longsword, and three books. This Taoist robe was much more elaborate compared to those of the outer disciples. It was also white as the base, yet the patterns had changed to purple, exuding mystery and nobility. There were two layers, inner and outer, and the belt was divided into a wide and narrow one, with even the boots having beautifully drawn patterns. It appeared even more intricate than the Taoist robe Cheng Jianjian had previously worn, and one could tell at a glance that it would be very troublesome to put on. The longsword was about three feet and six inches long, with a faint silver hue throughout. Zhou Heng took it out of the brocade bag, held it in his hand, and saw that the blade shimmered like rippling water, overflowing with a spiritual charm. Cross Mysterious Door. Zhou Heng saw the inscription at the end of the hiltit was the name of the longsword. A fine weapon indeed! Moreover, it was a high-quality fine weapon with three special effects. Toughness, Piercing, and Evil-Banishing. Normally, even for a top Martial Dao Sect like the Pure Yang Palace, only some True Disciples would be equipped with fine weapons. And they were generally ordinary fine weapons with two special effects. For Zhou Heng to directly receive a high-quality fine weapon with three special effects was clearly preferential treatment. With such a weapon in hand, combined with the Sharpness +2 attribute, it would surely elevate the power of my Hundred Steps Flying Sword technique by several levels, Zhou Heng mused as he executed a few sword moves with the Cross Mysterious Door Sword in the courtyard. By his rough estimation, his strength should now be about equal to that of a Seventh Rank peak Martial Artist, but it was not certain whether he could make it into the top ten of the rankings. Next, Zhou Heng turned his attention to the three books. One of the Taoist Scriptures, Pure Yang Dan Jing, discusses principles for calming the mind and spirit, gathering ones thoughts, and harmonizing ones breathdeep meanings behind simple words. Although the author is not indicated, surely it must be the work of a highly accomplished Daoist with profound spiritual practice. The other two books are practical guides to this world. One is The World, and the other is Pure Yang. The former describes the general state of the world, while the latter details the origins and inheritance of the Pure Yang Palace; unfortunately, the content is not very detailed, and some key points are rather vague. However, even so, the information discussed in these two books is hard to come by in the mundane world for Zhou Heng. After all, this place is not like Earth, which is awash with information overload. Ordinary people would find it difficult to acquire a current history book or map of the Empire, let alone an introduction that spans thousands of years concerning the whole world. Zhou Heng was already aware that the Central Plains were comprised of three nationsDa Zhou, Da Qi, and Da Jinbut how this situation came to be, and what lay beyond the Central Plains, he had not known previously. This is explained in The World. Three thousand years ago, there was only a single Central Dynasty in the land of Central Plains, ruling over an immensely vast territory. After the Battle of Tianyang, the Central Dynasty fragmented, resulting in the current tripartite standoff. Beyond the Central Plains, to the north lies the great steppes with a civilization starkly different from the Central Plains, and even their Martial Path system is distinct. To the south, there are the Wild Divine Mountains, inhabited by people rumored to carry the bloodlines of demons and gods, with many extraordinary abilities, shrouded in mystery. To the east stretches a vast ocean with numerous immortal mountains and islands, an area where many Loose Immortals congregate. There are thousands of small countries and countless Sects. The social order and peoples lifestyles are all unlike those in the Central Plains, and all sorts of bizarre and fantastic occurrences not found within the Central Plains exist there. The book also describes the nature of Loose Immortals. Their Primordial Spirit resides in the void, nearly indestructible, but their physical bodies are prone to decay, facing a Celestial Mans tribulation every five hundred years. This tribulation is incredibly perilous; those who pass through it continue to live the immortal life, while those who fail see their lives end and their bodies decay, leaving only the Primordial Spirit. At that point, there are only two paths: Either they choose reincarnation, gambling that they can navigate the confusion within the womb, or they use special spiritual materials as aids to merge their Primordial Spirit with some type of Lower Third Rank spiritual materials and become a Loose Immortal. And since the various affairs of the mortal world disturb the Loose Immortals to some extent, more and more choose to relocate overseas, away from the mundane world, existing apart from ordinary society. Beyond that lies the forbidden West Wasteland. According to the book, this area contains terrifying entities that are sealed away, with monsters rampant everywhere, and occasionally they would strike the bordering territories of the Central Plains and the West Wasteland, causing immense suffering to all living beings. However, the information regarding the West Wasteland Forbidden Land was only limited to this, with no more available. It was the same with the Tianyang Battle, also limited in details. As for the specific circumstances of the world more than three thousand years ago, there wasnt even a slight description mentioned. Pure Yang had the same issue as well. When introducing the past of Pure Yang Palace, it was very detailed about the various events over the past three thousand years. However, when it came to the Tianyang Battle that happened three thousand years ago and the period before that, the description was just a brief mention. There was hardly any expansion on the details. Fortunately, it was still better than The World. After all, a brief mention is still better than not mentioning it at all. This enabled Zhou Heng to roughly understand the situation of the world before the Tianyang Battle. Pure Yang Palace was established in the Ancient Era, also known as the Mythical era, more than ten thousand years ago, but the exact number of tens of thousands of years ago was not specified. At that time, immortals, buddhas, divine beings, demons, ghosts, and monsters roamed the universe, coming and going from various heavens. The major sects were high and lofty, holding power over everything in the world, and human empires could only survive under the protection of these major sects. It was a completely different situation from the current era. Later, these powerful entities such as immortals and divine beings mysteriously disappeared, leaving no trace behind, and the first leader of Pure Yang Palace, also the founder, Pure Yangzi, vanished during this time. This directly caused numerous sects, noble houses, and imperial powers to lose their restraints, and with no deities to support them, the accumulated contradictions between the major sects quickly erupted. The world suddenly became extremely chaotic. In that era, killing for treasure was rampant, the mighty were revered as truth, countless sects emerged only to huddle together, forming alliances or opposing each other, and the original order thoroughly collapsed into darkness. This led to the loss of many martial arts, the disappearance of numerous unique divine weapons, and even many historical records were buried in dust, making them difficult to find. The book referred to it as the Chaotic Calamity or the Dark Age, which lasted for about three thousand years. At that time, Pure Yang Palace was not very strong, only considered above average. And it was even targeted by the newly risen sects because it was once home to celestials and divine beings, with even its second leader falling during this calamity. The present Divine First Rank Daoist Master of Pure Yang Palace took command during the Chaotic Calamity as the third leader, and with his power alone, upheld the precarious Pure Yang Palace. After the end of the Chaotic Calamity came the Golden Age, where various laws emerged, a hundred schools of thought contended, over eight hundred countries were established, and thousands of academies dotted the landscape. New Divine First Rank entities appeared one after another, gradually constructing a new civilization, a new society, on the incomplete texts left by ancient immortals and deities. The book coined it the Middle Ancient Era also named the Age of Saints, in honor of the nine Divine First Rank beings who led the revival of civilization. It was during this era that Pure Yang Palace, under the leadership of the third leader, reached its zenith, becoming one of the most formidable sects in the world, able to stand alongside Tasang Dao Palace established by one of the Nine Saints, Dao Saint, and Taixu Palace from the Mythical era, hence referred to as the three great Taoist palaces, a legacy that continued to this day. After the Middle Ancient Era, some five thousand years ago, following an upheaval, the Saints disappeared and the academies closed. This led to the emergence of an empire that unified the Central Plains. However, this Central Dynasty was also under the constraint of various major noble families. From then on, the empire and noble families jointly ruled over the world, putting great pressure on many sects. The book called it the Empire-Noble Houses Era. In the two thousand years that followed, there were no significant events in the human world, but many sects were restricted or even destroyed by the noble families and the empire. The third leader of Pure Yang Palace stepped down at the end of the Middle Ancient Era and passed on the position to the fourth. And this fourth leader went through the Empire-Noble Houses Era to the Tianyang Battle, and after the battle, cultivated his Taoist seed, passing on the leadership to the fifth, who is the previous leader of Pure Yang Palace and nominally its master. Three hundred years ago, the fifth leader of Pure Yang Palace cultivated his Taoist seed, passing on the leadership to Yan Shouyi, who had his Primordial Spirit in the void and achieved the state of Celestial Man four hundred years ago, making him the sixth leader of Pure Yang Palace. The specifics of the Dark Age, how it transitioned to the Middle Ancient Age of Saints, how the dazzling Age of Saints ended, the detailed information of the Empire-Noble Houses Era, what exactly happened in the Tianyang Battle, and the situations beyond the Central Plains, including when the West Wasteland Forbidden Land appeared, etc., are all not described After reading it, Zhou Heng couldnt help feeling itchy inside, much like the feeling he got when he encountered chopped-up stories while reading novels on Earth. Nevertheless, he understood this situation. In the nearly ten thousand years, how many once-dominant sects, clans, and kingdoms have fallen? How many times have the eras changed? There must be many secrets unknown to the public within them. And these secrets might imply crises or enormous opportunities. If a disciple who has just started could know all of these things, Zhou Heng would start to doubt how Pure Yang Palace has managed to survive and thrive for so long. Even though ZhouHengisof high seniority, he is still a newcomer to the sect. It would be strange for him to have access to the core secrets of the sect. I wonder if these unknown secrets have anything to do with my transmigration, he mused. Zhou Heng had originally thought that this world had no connection with Earth, but the code names of the members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers made him reconsider this idea. He began trying to find the reason for his transmigration as well as the possibility of returning to Earth. However, it should be difficult to obtain more information in Pure Yang Palace in a short period of time. Zhou Tian Boundary Officers will issue tasks to investigate hidden events, which might lead to some gains. It seems that I need to find an opportunity to leave the mountain and join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers as soon as possible, he said to himself. After sorting out the information he had obtained this time, Zhou Heng set his future goals, then sat cross-legged and began to practice Innate Skill. At this moment, his proficiency in Innate Skill had reached an advanced level. It had a stronger effect on nurturing the spirit and soul and could now replace sleep through mediation. The next morning. Zhou Heng went to the Jade Void Peak Golden Top as agreed. Yan Shouyi was already waiting there, standing at the edge of a vast cliff, gazing at the rising morning sun in the distance. Senior Brother, Zhou Heng greeted with a bow. It seems you had a good rest last night, Yan Shouyi turned around and smiled. Your Inner Qi is truly pure, with some innate characteristics. This Inner Strength is extraordinary, hardly inferior to the foundational martial arts of our Jade Void lineage. This actually puts me in a difficult position. I was planning to teach you a Seventh Rank Inner Strength, but then I thought it might be superfluous for you and a waste of your Pure Yang Body. After much consideration, I think the Sect Fifth Rank Pure Yang Dan Jing would be most suitable for your foundation building. Zhou Heng took a scroll of scriptures and briefly looked through it to discover that it was indeed an extremely exquisite and profound Inner Strength technique and very powerful too. Compared to the Innate Skill, it was like childs play. The Pure Yang Dan Jing has a total of twelve layers. The first six layers are for the Lower Third Rank stages of practice, while the second six layers correspond to the Sixth Rank and Fifth Rank. As soon as one reaches the tenth layer, one can cultivate a Pure Yang Golden Pill, transforming qi into divinity, the body producing a golden light, warding off all evils, impervious to myriad laws. When used to execute Taoist Formulas, its power is boundless. If practiced by someone with a Pure Yang Body, the Pure Yang Golden Pill will be even more pure and powerful, capable of contending against the Fourth Rank Dharma Body with just the strength of the Fifth Rank Golden Pills Dharma Phase. It is known that at the Middle Third Rank level, if ones cultivation is even slightly higher, its like surpassing the heavens, while being even slightly lower leaves almost no chance to resist. Only with various powerful secret treasures or Divine Weapons at hand could an exception occur. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This Pure Yang Dan Jing, combined with a Pure Yang Body, would allow one at the Fifth Rank to contend against the Fourth Rank, even if just barely for a moment, which is considered defying the heavens. Moreover, this Pure Yang Dan Jing can also be linked to the fundamental grand technique of Pure Yang Palace, pointing directly to the Divine First Rank Dao Master levels unique Divine Skill Taiyi Pure Yang Sutra. This is indeed the most suitable martial arts for him. But there is one issue that concerns Zhou Heng quite a bit. Senior Brother, does practicing this Pure Yang Dan Jing require maintaining ones virginity until before reaching the Fifth Rank? Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Cultivation, It’s Just That Boring Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Cultivation, Its Just That Boring So, has my junior brother taken a fancy to a certain girl already? Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Not at all, Im just curious why theres still such a restriction, Zhou Heng shook his head. The Pure Yang Dan Jing cultivates the essence of Pure Yang, which represents the purest and most yang principles, Yan Shouyi explained with a smile. This is not only about the characteristics of True Qi and mana but also about the traits of the laws being cultivated, and even more so, the demands on ones own convictions and will. Put simply, even if you were to lose your virginity, it would not affect the cultivation of the Pure Yang Dan Jing, at most the power would drop somewhat. However, if you can resist all sorts of temptations with your conviction and will, maintaining your virginity, then the power of the Pure Yang Dan Jing will be stronger, and your progress will be faster. To resist all sorts of temptations with ones own convictions and will? Is it that thrilling? A smirk of ideas ran through Zhou Hengs mind, but in the end, he nodded and said, Hmm, I choose to cultivate the Pure Yang Dan Jing. If its a virgins practice, so be it. Its not like I have a girlfriend anyway. Sigh, this doesnt seem to be something to be proud of. A wise choice, Yan Shouyi said with a slight nod, smiling, This is the martial arts most suitable for someone with a Pure Yang Body to cultivate. However, it also depends on whether you can get a foothold in the practice. Go and meditate on it for a while. Ill protect the law for you over here. If theres anything you dont understand, you can ask me. Thank you, senior brother, Zhou Heng replied, nodding. He found a flat stone to sit down on and began to peruse the Pure Yang Dan Jing in his hands. You are currently comprehending the martial arts manual of the Pure Yang Dan Jing [Sect Fifth Rank], and because you have a foundation in inner strength, the difficulty of comprehension has been reduced, proficiency +0.1. You are currently comprehending the martial arts manual of the Pure Yang Dan Jing [Sect Fifth Rank], and because you have a foundation in inner strength, the difficulty of comprehension has been reduced, proficiency +0.2. Congratulations! The proficiency of the martial arts Pure Yang Dan Jing [Sect Fifth Rank] has reached 1, and you have formally learned this martial arts technique. Congratulations! The martial arts Pure Yang Dan Jing [Sect Fifth Rank] is empowered by a similar martial arts Innate Skill [Seventh Rank], proficiency +2000. Congratulations! As you have learned a higher-rank inner strength technique, your understanding of Inner Qi has further deepened, enhancing your comprehension of the martial arts Innate Skill [Seventh Rank], proficiency +1000. [Seventh Rank] Innate Skill: Advanced (2858/3000) [Sect Fifth Rank] Pure Yang Dan Jing: Third Layer (1/3000) In less than a quarter of an hour, Zhou Heng had cultivated the first three layers of the Pure Yang Dan Jing. This level of cultivation was already comparable to a martial artist who had just entered the Eighth Rank. And learning the high-grade inner strength of the Pure Yang Dan Jing had also given a significant boost to his Innate Skill, propelling Zhou Hengs innate Inner Qi to the peak of the Eighth Rank. He was only one step away from the Great Accomplishment of the Innate Skill and the level of the Martial Path of the Seventh Rank. Zhou Heng slowly opened his eyes, only to see a golden light circulating around him, bright and dazzling. If others saw it, they would probably think that he had become a big light cannon, glowing with golden light all over. Youve already finished training? Yan Shouyi looked at Zhou Heng and clicked his tongue in wonder, Junior brother, youre the fastest Ive seen to train in this virgins practice, no, the Pure Yang Dan Jing. Zhou Hengs mouth twitched slightly at these words, did it have to be so direct?? However, it seemed that not all Celestial Powers were like the Immortals of the legends, completely detached from earthly needs; their demeanor had quite the human touch, and some even had a sense of humor. Was this one way that Celestial Men maintained their humanity? Would you like to see what you look like right now? Yan Shouyi casually condensed a screen of light in front of Zhou Heng and laughed, You truly look like an Immortal descending to the world. This effect isnt just from the Pure Yang Dan Jing alone, it must be a combination of your original inner strength characteristics. Zhou Heng looked at the light screen and was immediately bewildered. What did he look like now? His entire body was shimmering with a golden aura, even his hair stood erect, each strand enveloped in golden light, radiating brilliance, and shining brightly. Was this a Super Saiyan or what? I think I can come up with a new name for this combination of Inner Strength characteristics, Zhou Heng slowly retracted his Inner Qi, the golden aura on his skin gradually fading away, Lets call it Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. Not bad, very vivid, Yan Shouyi nodded in approval, Your original Inner Strength had elements of innate ingenuity, which endowed your Inner Qi with certain innate properties. Now, it has merged with the pure and yang power of the Pure Yang Dan Jing. Judging from the golden aura you displayed just now, this Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi is essentially no weaker than most Seventh Rank abilities. As long as used correctly, you might be able to break into the top ten of the human rankings, he said. Yeah, I also feel like my strength has greatly increased, Zhou Heng nodded. Right now, he was eager to find a few high-ranking human masters to test his skills against, to fight a match, and see just what level his abilities had reached. No need to hurry, Ill teach you a few basic Martial Arts moves to use with this Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, Yan Shouyi said and then began to demonstrate moves on the spot, every motion streaked with golden light, containing immense power. However, when Zhou Heng watched, he saw that Yan Shouyi deliberately restrained his strength; otherwise, even just practicing moves could change the colors of the mountains and rivers with the capabilities of a Celestial Man. You are currently watching Yan Shouyi demonstrate the Martial Art Ring Gold PalmtSeventh Rank], gaining insight, proficiency +0.1. You are currently watching Yan Shouyi demonstrate the Martial Art Grasp Gold Hammer''[Seventh Rank], gaining insight, proficiency +0.2. You are currently watching Yan Shouyi demonstrate the Martial Art Broken Gold Legs''[Seventh Rank], gaining insight, proficiency +0.1. The three moves taught by Yan Shouyi were actually a set of Martial Arts called Golden Light Three Forms, which he had created on the spot after seeing Zhou Hengs Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. For a Celestial Man, creating a Seventh Rank Martial Art tailored to the characteristics of a particular Inner Qi is a very simple task, utterly effortless. Zhou Heng learned quickly; after Yan Shouyi finished demonstrating, he had already mastered the basics of the Golden Light Three Forms. He could even envision himself in future battles, his body surging with a golden aura, his every move streaked with golden light, sweeping across all directions. Awesome! Your talent for martial arts is truly rare, even a reincarnation of a Celestial Man would find such aptitude exaggerated, Yan Shouyi observed Zhou Heng with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. He had guided many disciples before, even personally teaching a few, but he had never seen a prodigy like Zhou Heng who could learn by watching, understand by learning, and succeed by practicing. Even if it were the reincarnation of a Celestial Man, before fully awakening their memories, they would be at most a bit more talented than ordinary people. Zhou Hengs case was indeed somewhat overstated. It could only be said that the spirit of nature had favored him, endowing him with a talent beyond that of ordinary people. Of course, Yan Shouyi also speculated whether this was related to Zhou Heng being of a Pure Yang Body. After all, both the Pure Yang Dan Jing and the later Golden Light Three Forms created for the Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi were highly suitable for those with a Pure Yang Body to cultivate. Senior brother, what should I do next? Zhou Heng asked, having nearly learned all the basic Martial Arts. According to the standard procedure, it seemed there should be some sort of sect mission or external task now, right? Next? Yan Shouyi seemed momentarily taken aback. After a moment of thought, he shook his head, You dont need to do anything. Just recite the hundred C word stele left by our ancestors every morning after you wake up. Then, after breakfast, meditate and refine your Qi, after lunch, practice your moves, after dinner, again meditate and refine your Qi. The next day, repeat. Just continue like this. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What? Zhou Heng listened, bewildered and perplexed, Thats it? There are no sect missions, no tasks that require going out? Those are for the outer sect disciples and inner sect disciples, Yan Shouyi shookhis head and smiled, Did you think life in the mountains would be exciting? Meditating, refining Qi, eating, sleeping-this is the life of cultivating the way. Otherwise, how could we speak of tranquil cultivation? Junior brother, the path of cultivation is just this mundane. Zhou Heng fell silent for a long time. This reality was completely beyond his expectations. Looking at Yan Shouyi, he asked, Senior brother, may I leave the mountain? Chapter 133 - Chapter 133: Chapter 133 Bottleneck, Accident Chapter 133: Chapter 133 Bottleneck, Accident You just started and you already want to descend the mountain? Yan Shouyi looked at Zhou Heng. Is there such a restriction in Pure Yang Palace? Zhou Heng asked. If there were restrictions on descending the mountain, how would he farm Fortune Bags or improve his mastery of Martial Arts? If it really was as Yan Shouyi had said, the life of seclusion in the mountains would mean that most of those who stayed in the various peaks of Pure Yang Palace were hermit Taoists, and their lives were devoted to wholehearted cultivation. It would be somewhat inappropriate to disturb them rashly. Moreover, most of those at the Lower Third Rank level were the seventh-generation disciples. As a sixth-generation True Disciple, the former sect leaders disciple and the younger martial brother of the current sect leader, visiting as a junior uncle master to challenge them would be bullying the weak; it wouldnt sound good if word got out. There is no such restriction, Yan Shouyi shook his head slightly and smiled. In fact, we even encourage disciples of the Lower Third Rank to leave the mountain to make their mark. Those who can enter the top ten of the Celestial Ranking will receive substantial rewards. Really? Zhou Hengs eyes lit up upon hearing this. His main goal in joining Pure Yang Palace was to gain access to information that was rare for ordinary people to see, but that was not something that he could achieve overnight. The books Pure Yang and The World were pretty much the limit towhat he could learn right now, and if he wanted to delve deeper, he would mostly likely have to approach it from other angles. Besides that, he wanted to find a strong support to back him up, and now that goal had also been achieved, with the unexpected joy of not only becoming a True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace but unexpectedly becoming the junior uncle master to all seventh-generation disciples. His goal was almost reached, and it seemed like there was nothing left to do on Mount Ta Hua except meditate and cultivate Qi, which would be less appealing than descending the mountain. Additionally, he still had unopened Fortune Bags and a promise to keep with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Descending the mountain was imperative. Of course, making a name on the Celestial Ranking, and becoming famous all over the world benefits our Pure Yang Palace in recruiting outstanding disciples. Its quite normal to offer rewards; theres no need for doubt, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. I think junior brother has the potential to be in the top ten of the Celestial Ranking. If you wish to descend the mountain, I wont stop you, but I still advise you to wait another month or two before leaving. Are you worried that my leaving shortly after becoming a disciple will cause dissatisfaction among our peers? Zhou Heng said with a smile. Thats not it. Pure Yang Palace doesnt have that many rules. Whether one chooses to stay in the mountains or leave is all a matter of the heart, and those who cultivate in solitude dont have so many complicated thoughts, Yan Shouyi shook his head and smiled. In one or two months time, you should be able to cultivate your Inner Qi to the peak of the Eighth Rank, and by then, descending the mountain, you will have a different understanding. Is that so? Zhou Heng was surprised. Youll understand when your skills advance, said Yan Shouyi with a smile. Over the following period, Zhou Heng cultivated at the halfway up the mountain retreat at night and absorbed the elemental energy at the golden summit of Jade Void Peak during the day. Although he had already learned the more advanced Pure Yang Dan Scripture, he did not neglect the cultivation of Innate Skill since he was only a little more than one hundred proficiency points from achieving Perfection. Reaching Perfection in Innate Skill meant a complete transformation, which was also known as the Seventh Rank of the Martial Path. During this time, Cheng Jianjian returned to the mountain once. Upon hearing that Zhou Heng had become a sixth-generation True Disciple, she came to stay at Jade Void Peak for a few days, eating together with Zhou Heng, cultivating together, and playfully teasing him by calling him junior uncle master. However, she did not stay long, leaving after just three days to temper her swordsmanship and other martial arts while also continuing her tasks for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Besides Cheng Jianjian, You Ziheng also visited him once. Seeing that he had entered a stable state of cultivation, You Ziheng was put at ease before the wine-loving Taoist went out again to collect various spiritual materials for brewing. The one who visited the most was the young girl Zhu Zhenzhen. And that water Kylin. Taking the excuse of visiting Zhou Heng, she stole quite a few spiritual fruits from the halfway up the mountain retreat on Jade Void Peak. C Behind the mountain retreat was an orchard with twelve spiritual fruit trees planted in it. It is said that they were left behind by a True Disciple hundreds of years ago. The medicinal effects were not strong, but the taste was excellent, sweet and delicious, making them perfect snacks. A month flew by in the blink of an eye. Zhou Heng found there was a problem with his cultivation; his Innate Skills proficiency was not moving. [Seventh Rank] Innate Skill: Advanced (3000/3000) Even though his proficiency had reached the limit, there was no sign of breakthrough. While he could still increase his Inner Qi strength and cultivation level by practicing Innate Skill as usual, his realm seemed to be stuck at the peak of the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path. If he practiced the Pure Yang Dan Scripture, his proficiency could continue to grow, but still, there was no sign of breaking through the realm, as if he had encountered some invisible barrier. A bottleneck? Zhou Heng considered this concept, suspecting that he might be facing the bottleneck between the Eighth and Seventh Ranks and would need some special methods or approaches to break through. This was actually quite normal. Being known as a transformation beyond the birth, the Seventh Rank of the Martial Path marks the stage where a martial artists life essence truly begins to evolve. Naturally, stepping into this level would not be easy. After carefully revisiting the Innate Skill and the Pure Yang Elixir Scripture for methods to break through to the Seventh Rank, Zhou Heng had nearly figured out the necessary conditions to step onto the Seventh Rank level. After achieving Perfection in his Inner Qi, he needed to use his own will as the core, integrate the Inner Qi spread throughout his body, and based on the fundamental organs and nine orifices, construct a small inner world capable of initially resonating with the outer world. Ultimately, he would leverage this resonance of inner and outer forces to complete the muscle-flushing and marrow-cleansing stage of his cultivation, transforming his body through a process akin to shedding an old body and growing a new one. This transformation leads to a further strengthening of the physical body, nourishment of the mystical ancestor orifices, enhancement of the spirit, and the Inner Qi begins to possess divine capabilities due to the characteristics of the small inner world. This is the Martial Path of the Seventh Rank, a comprehensive elevation of the essence, qi, and spirit. But the problem lies in how to use ones own will to construct a small inner world, and what exactly should the inner world he wants to build look like? Zhou Heng was completely puzzled by this. In the past, when he had no sect or fellow disciples, he could have only relied on his own meditation to find a way to overcome the bottleneck, or perhaps try to break through forcibly with the help of the System. But neither of these methods was stable for cultivation. Now its different. He has a sect, fellow disciples, and people to give him guidance. So when Zhou Heng realized that he might have encountered a bottleneck, he went directly to the Golden Peak of the Jade Void Peak and asked Yan Shouyi for advice. Yan Shouyi laughed as if he had expected this, saying, Junior brother, do you now understand why I asked you to truly cultivate to the peak of the Eighth Rank before talking about descending the mountain? Does the bottleneck have something to do with descending the mountain? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. Irrelevant, Yan Shouyi shook his head and smiled. Just who would you go to for advice if you encounter this bottleneck down the mountain? Would you want to return to the mountain shortly after leaving it? Zhou Heng was taken aback. Could this actually work?? He had always thought that Yan Shouyi had some important matter to remind him of. Your main confusion is about how to integrate everything with your own will, and what kind of inner world you want to build. Actually, the solution is very simple, Yan Shouyi smiled and said. Fight more, summarize more, hone your martial arts in battle, draw on your experience, and finally create a unique Seventh Rank martial arts of your own. Create a unique Seventh Rank martial arts of my own? Zhou Hengwas initially stunned, then suddenly realized and smiled, saying, The martial arts I create will certainly contain my own martial philosophy, which is also a manifestation of my will in my martial path. Therefore, as long as this martial art takes shape, my will naturally integrates everything inside the body, and the small inner world that I build will also possess a prototype. This is indeed a very good method, thank you, elder brother! Its just a small trick, Yan Shouyi waved his hand and laughed. With your insight, junior brother, even if you figured it out by yourself, at most it would only be a waste of a few months. You wouldve understood it sooner or later. Many times, all one lacks is such a trick, Zhou Heng valued this highly and thanked Yan Shouyi with a serious bow. Its said, A few words can enlighten profound mysteries, whats the need for a thousand pages of elixirs? Many profound and complex things that are hard to understand and grasp, in fact, just require someone to point out a way to knock on the door. Hahaha, junior brother, since youve enlightened on your path ahead, its time to descend the mountain, Yan Shouyi laughed. Where do you want to go? I can send you there directly. Send me directly? Zhou Heng looked at the undulating sea of clouds before him and smiled, Pingzhou County, Huangtong Mansion City, can elder brother send me there? He planned to first go to Huangtong Mansion City to retrieve his brown-red horse, which was his good companion on his wanderings in the jianghu. Moreover, he hadnt even had the chance to use the Red Lotus Horse Tack on it yet. -Previously, when he was in Yuanhe Prefecture City, he had come directly to the Pure Yang Palace of Taihua Mount with You Ziheng, and the brown-red horse was then entrusted to Bais family to be sent back to Huangtong Mansion City. However, Taihua Mount was tens of thousands of miles away from Huangtong Mansion City, spanning over a dozen counties. Even with the vast divine abilities of a Celestial Man, sending him back would surely take some time. Its a minor matter. Havent you heard the storyteller say? A Celestial Power traverses the universe, reaching a hundred thousand miles in a moment, Yan Shouyi laughed heartily. Stand firm! Immediately after, Zhou Heng saw a flash of golden light before his eyes, and the next instant when he came to, he saw the coming and going of passersby in his view, with the Golden Peak of the Jade Void Peak and the rolling sea of clouds nowhere to be seen. Glancing around, when he looked up, he found himself standing at the gates of Huangtong Mansion City. This is Celestial Zhou Heng couldnt help but marvel, exclaiming, That was fast! He then confidently strode into the city. But he had barely taken a few steps when he noticed that something seemed off. Passersby who saw him would panic and lower their heads to avoid him, keeping their distance as if they were avoiding a plague. Zhou Heng was well-known in Huangtong Mansion City; almost everyone was familiar with him. The people who were avoiding him likely recognized him, which meant these people were very clearly avoiding Zhou Heng himself. What has happened in Huangtong Mansion City during this time? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed, and just as he was about to ask someone, he suddenly saw a young girl approaching from not far away. She appeared to be fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a light blue dress with simple accessories, but her features were delicate and lovely, clearly a great beauty in the making. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was Yu He s sister, Yu Yingying. In Zhou Hengs recollection, she was always cheerful and lively, loving to play and jump around, but now her face was filled with worries, her complexion pale, and even a bit dusty. Yu He usually wouldnt tolerate his sister suffering even a bit of injustice. Now, seeing Yu Yingying in such a state had something happened to Yu He? Zhou Hengs eyebrows shot up. At that moment, Yu Yingying also noticed Zhou Heng. She first froze, then covered her cheek and burst into tears. Chapter 134 - Chapter 134: Chapter 134 Doing it Quite Absolutely Chapter 134: Chapter 134 Doing it Quite Absolutely In the roadside tea pavilion. Zhou Heng, accompanied by Yu Yingying, found a quiet corner with fewer people and ordered two bowls of tea. What happened, Yingying? he asked. It was the Chang Xing Sects doing! Yu Yingyings pearly teeth lightly bit her red lips, anger filling her little face, They sent people to seize our Yu Familys property, and they beat my brother so badly he is bedridden, and my father has been sick with anger. Why would the Chang Xing Sect target the Yu Family? Zhou Heng frowned upon hearing this, thinking back to the looks those people had given him, his gaze hardened, Is it because of me? Big Brother Zhou, dont think like that, none of us in our family blame you, Yu Yingying said, shaking her head repeatedly, Its all because the Chang Xing Sect is too despicable. Right, Big Brother Zhou, you shouldnt return for now either. There are still people from the Chang Xing Sect in the city, and if they discover you, they will definitely cause you trouble. Yingying, dont misunderstand, of course, I know your family doesnt blame me, but I want to know exactly what happened, Zhou Heng comforted her, although he already had a rough guess in his mind, he still wanted to hear Yu Yingyings account to be sure. Well It started a month ago, Yu Yingying began to recount the recent events in Huangtong Mansion City to Zhou Heng. A month earlier, a group of Seventh Rank Warriors from the Chang Xing Sect suddenly arrived in Huangtong Mansion City. Their martial arts skills were exceptional, and they were generous with money, quickly befriending many influential figures. In just half a month, these Seventh Rank Warriors had secured their footing in Huangtong Mansion City and even took over several large mansions in the North District, buying hundreds of servants, clearly intending to establish roots there. Since one of the criteria the Imperial Court used to assess a prefects performance was the number of resident Seventh Rank Warriors, the magistrate, Wu Zongshan, was pleased and did not mind. However, unbeknownst to all, they had already secretly bribed various managers within the Yu Familys enterprises with large sums of money. When problems began erupting consecutively within the Yu Familys businesses ten days ago, drawing public condemnation. Yu Fuhai and Yu He were overwhelmed, and at that moment, the group from the Chang Xing Sect arrived, offering 30,000 taels of silver to buy out the Yu Familys properties. This was naturally rejected. But what followed was even more outrageous. Using public sentiment as leverage, they attacked Yu Fuhai and Yu He directly, eventually forcing them to concede and sell all their properties for 30,000 taels of silver. Lin Cang of the Longxing Martial Arts Hall couldnt bear to watch and went to argue with them, only to be beaten severely. Even the Longxing Martial Arts Hall itself was implicated. Those few people directly took out the warrant from Chang Xing Sects Transmission Hall, revoking Longxing Martial Arts Halls status as a sub-branch of the Chang Xing Sect and forbade those from Longxing Martial Arts Hall to use Chang Xing Sects martial arts. Although the Office of Martial Justice and the Prefectural citys yamen were inclined to help, given the complex relationship between the Imperial Court and the sects, they could only attempt to mediate and were powerless to intervene forcibly. The result was that the group of Seventh Rank Warriors acted as they pleased, using entirely legal means to almost completely deal with everyone in Huangtong Mansion City who had a decent relationship with Zhou Heng. At this point, even a fool could see that this was clearly Chang Xing Sects retaliation against Zhou Heng. Since they couldnt find Zhou Heng, they sought to settle the score with those close to him. Moreover, whether it was the acquisition of the Yu Familys property or the revocation of the Longxing Martial Arts Halls status as a sub-branch, they were actions difficult to fault. The former had the backing of public opinion, and there was no evidence to claim that the Yu Familys managers were bribed. The latter was the exertion of Chang Xing Sects rightful power to disband its sub-branches, leaving no room for interference. So it is indeed so, Zhou Hengs gaze grew cold as he said to Yingying, But isnt there still 30,000 taels? The Yu Family should have some savings. How did you end up like this? A few days ago, those 30,000 taels of silver, along with our familys stored wealth and the silver notes from the money house, were all stolen, Yu Yingyings eyes welled up with tears again as she sobbed, Now, our household is nearly out of food. I went to ask for grain from some friends of my father from years past, but no one dares to lend any, all fearing the people from the Chang Xing Sect. Theyre really playing it to the hilt, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke solemnly, Is the Chang Xing Sect doing this over Kong Chengshuns death? But wasnt there a claim that it involved Daoist You Ziheng of Pure Yang Palace? Pure Yang Palace was extremely far from Huangtong Mansion City, and the news of his becoming the sixth-generation successor of Pure Yang Palace shouldnt be widely known in Pingzhou, especially among ordinary people. Therefore, he continued to address You Ziheng as Taoist Priest to avoid having to explain a series of matters. How dare they provoke Taoist Priest You, Yu Yingying shook her head and said, Of course they would choose the soft persimmons to squeeze. It is said that it was Kong Chengshuns master who confirmed that Brother Zhous death had something to do with Kong Chengshuns, and so he wants revenge on you. I am a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, and my name is known on the peoples list. Dont they care? Zhou Heng asked. The Chang Xing Sect might care, but Im afraid Kong Chengshuns master doesnt care at all, Yu Yingying said with a bitter smile. Moreover, they are targeting us not you, Brother Zhou. What can be said about that? Yingying, do you know where those people from the Chang Xing Sect are staying? Zhou Heng asked. Yes, Yu Yingying nodded, then asked with confusion, Brother Zhou, what do you want to do? Kill a chicken, Zhou Heng said somberly. Huangtong Mansion City, North District. This was the most bustling area of the entire prefectural city, and naturally, the residence prices were the most expensive. Ordinary Seventh Rank Warriors simply could not afford a house here. Wang Qing felt extremely fortunate to have obtained the favor of Law Enforcement Elder Liu Songshan, who entrusted him to lead a group to Huangtong Mansion City to take revenge on the two families. This task had earned him more money than he would in his lifetime and allowed him the pleasure of playing with others fates, which was truly exhilarating. At this moment, he had summoned five Seventh Rank experts from the Chang Xing Sect to discuss how to further annihilate members from the Yu Family and Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Wang Qing was very clear on his mission, which was to retaliate as viciously as possible against those who had offended the Law Enforcement Elder. Only in doing so could he gain the Elders favor and live an even more prosperous life. The other five understood this principle as well. Therefore, everyone present at this discussion actively contributed ideas and strategies. Now that Yu Fuhai and Yu He, the two most important members of the Yu Family, have fallen, theres only one Yu Yingying left. Tsk, that little maiden is indeed delightful. Thinking of capturing her for fun? However, we cant give people something to criticize us for. At least on the surface, we have to appear fair. Why dont we propose marriage? Marry that maiden, play with her however we want, and when the time comes, its a family affair and outsiders cant say anything. Great idea! Lets use a small portion from the property we took from her home as a dowry. The Yu Family can hardly make ends meet now. It might be enough with just one hundred catties of rice, hahaha! And that bunch of trash from Longxing Martial Arts Hall, we need to find an opportunity to drive them out of the prefectural city, make them return to their hometowns. That way, it would be convenient for us to make our move on the road. Fantastic idea! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The main hall of the large residence filled with subdued laughter, Wang Qing and the others felt proud of their ideas, eager to put them into action. Bang!! Just then, a sudden loud noise came from outside, and the whole painted red door of the mansion collapsed. Zhou Heng pulled Yu Yingying and stepped over the fallen door to enter. His gaze was icy as he looked at the six men before him and spoke indifferently, Who is Wang Qing? Chapter 135 - Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Decisive Killing Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Decisive Killing Zhou Heng?! Wasnt he taken away by You Ziheng? Disciples of Pure Yang Palace descend the mountain so quickly? Wang Qing and the other five were all looking at Zhou Heng with shock and disbelief. They had never thought that Zhou Heng would come back so soon. According to previous information, even if Zhou Heng passed the assessment and was accepted into Pure Yang Palace, he would only be an Outer Sect Disciple at best, and considering his ranking on the Martial Artists Roll, he might at most advance to Inner Sect Disciple. And usually, for an Inner Sect Disciple to leave the mountain to travel, they at least needed to have mastered a unique martial art of Pure Yang Palace. Moreover, Pure Yang Palace was countless miles away from Huangtong Mansion City, and it could take years for a Martial Artist of Lower Third Rank to reach there. It was unlikely for an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple to have a Middle Third Rank powerhouse to escort them personally, much less have a custom route and designated arrival point. According to the people from Chang Xing Sect, they wanted to torture those related to Zhou Heng in this place for a long time, making their lives worse than death, in order to truly achieve the effect of revenge. They would consider leaving when news of Zhou Heng reappeared in the martial world. After all, Zhou Hengs strength was exceptionally formidable; he was able to fight against three Seventh Rank opponents alone without a scratch and slay them. Such strength definitely surpassed these ordinary Seventh Ranks. They couldnt afford to provoke him! But Wang Qing and the others never expected that Zhou Heng would actually return now and come straight to them. Therefore, without a second thought, upon recognizing Zhou Heng, they immediately chose to flee. Escaping was the best strategy! Wang Qing had the highest martial arts skills among them, and he was the first to react and act, immediately leaping up, smashing through a nearby window, and escaping the hall, aiming to climb over the wall and flee. The other five also acted in quick succession, either escaping through the window broken by Wang Qing or punching through the walls beside them to swiftly flee. In short, none of these people thought about resisting after recognizing Zhou Heng; they all wanted to escape as quickly as possible. They couldnt beat him! Yu Yingying, who was beside Zhou Heng, was stunned, watching Wang Qing and the others escaping in disgrace, and momentarily wondered if she was dreaming. In the past, when she saw Wang Qing and his group, they were always arrogant and despised everyone. She had never seen them in such a panicked state. Outside the door, there was still a significant crowd gathered to watch the excitement. In the previous days, the people of Huangtong Mansion City had seen how Wang Qing and his group had been pressing down on the Yu Family and Longxing Martial Arts Hall; they all knew the reason why. Now that Zhou Heng had returned, looking ready to take revenge for the Yu Family and Longxing Martial Arts Hall, there was certain to be a good show. But these onlookers had not expected that upon seeing Zhou Heng, Wang Qing and his crew would immediately leg it, showing not even a trace of the demeanor of strong Mmartial Artists. They were like mice that had seen a cat. Incredible! Zhou Hengs reputation is indeed outstanding; he scared off six Seventh Rank experts without even lifting a finger! Impressive, truly impressive! Maybe the speculations on the Martial Artists Roll werent wrong, perhaps he really is the reincarnation of a great power! Wang Qing and his men are Seventh Rank experts, after all. Even if Zhou Heng is powerful, he couldnt entirely overwhelm them, right? Havent you seen the latest Martial Artists Roll? Zhou Heng is so formidable its boundless, it is said hes even gotten involved in the strife among the pinnacle Fourth Rank experts! Against the heavens! Zhou Heng is truly a genius! Many people were exclaiming in astonishment, full of admiration for Zhou Heng, while at the same time casting pitiful glances at Wang Qing and his crew. It seemed that the Chang Xing Sect members were in for it today. Most likely, they would be left with severe injuries. After all, they were also disciples of Chang Xing Sect. Zhou Heng would probably not recklessly inflict heavy injury on them. Just then, Zhou Heng made his move. His figure was like a gentle breeze, light as if it had no weight, with just a slight flicker, he instantly spanned a distance of nearly thirty feet, and stood in front of Wang Qing. Where are you going? Zhou Heng stood on the wall, looking down at him, and said indifferently, Are you coming yourself, or should I make my move? No, you cant kill me! Wang Qing knew he couldnt escape and shouted loudly: I, I was just following orders, the misfortunes of the Yu Family and Longxing Martial Arts Hall were not my intention, you Bang! Zhou Heng kicked Wang Qing in the chest, a faint golden light flashing over his leg. Wang Qings ribs broke and his chest caved in on the spot, sending him flying backward, crashing into and shattering a rockery in the courtyard and getting buried under a pile of stones. The other men didnt wait for Zhou Heng to stop Wang Qing before they accelerated their run, without looking back. The speed of Zhou Hengs qinggong was terrifyingly fast, making their hearts tremble with fear. If they didnt escape now, there would really be no chance! Clang! A swords ringing sound filled the air as a longsword materialized in Zhou Hengs hand. With a flick of his wrist, the longsword seemed to have a life of its own as it flew straight towards the five fleeing men. Cross Mysterious Door Sword! A sharp weapon! Sword of a Hundred Steps Flying! This sharp longsword traced an arc through the sky, effortlessly beheading the five men like slicing through vegetables, circled in the air once more, and then returned to Zhou Hengs hand. Congratulations! For killing the defenseless enemy Wang Qing, youve acquired a Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! For killing the non-threatening enemy Wu Shengyi, no reward acquired. Congratulations! For killing the non-threatening enemy Bai Song, no reward acquired. Reward notifications sounded in Zhou Hengs mind. His actions were clean and decisive. He didnt leave a single survivor. He dealt with Wang Qing and his six men right there and then. All around, silence reigned, so quiet it was almost tangible. Whether it was Yu Yingying or those who had come to gawk at the excitement, everyone was dumbstruck, their faces a picture of disbelief. Zhou Heng sheathed his Cross Mysterious Door Sword with an unflustered demeanor. He felt a tinge of regret. Wang Qing and his Seventh Rank underlings were simply too weak; they werent nearly a match to sharpen his martial arts. Although these six men were all Seventh Rank, they were so easily defeated, it seems unlikely that they achieved their breakthrough by constantly battling others to refine their martial arts and finally creating their unique Seventh Rank martial arts, Zhou Heng thought to himself. The method Yan Shouyi mentioned before was actually just a trick. It wasnt the only way to advance from Eighth Rank to Seventh Rank. As long as one could build their inner heaven and earth and clarify their will, they would have the basic conditions to break through to the Seventh Rank of the Martial Path. There wasnt a single method to achieve this foundation. The vast majority of common martial artists in the world use a method akin to grinding it out, relying on decades of time to accumulate experience, bit by bit exploring their own conditions, and finally meeting the criteria. Those who reach the Seventh Rank in this manner are certainly much weaker in actual combat than those who have been battle-hardened and have innovated their own martial arts techniques. Later, Zhou Heng leapt down from the top of the wall, and just as before, like a wisp of breeze, floated to Yu Yingyings side. At this, the crowd suddenly erupted. My goodness, that was so decisive! Such a resolute killer, terrifying indeed! This is what a top-ranked fighter looks like, this is what a jianghu hero is, this is the true spirit of swift retribution! Arent they afraid of retaliation from the Chang Xing Sect?? The people discussed animatedly, their eyes filled with worry when they looked at Zhou Heng. Even though Yu Yingying was happy about Wang Qings death, she still felt a bit anxious. She tugged timidly on the corner of Zhou Hengs clothing, whispering, Big Brother Zhou, are you really okay after doing this? After all, Chang Xing Sect is the strongest Martial Path sect near Huangtong Mansion City. Dont worry, nothing will happen, Zhou Heng said as he patted her head and smiled, Come on, take me to see Yu He and your dad. Okay, Hearing Zhou Hengs words seemed to contain a comforting power, Yu Yingyings previously chaotic mind instantly settled. Zhou Heng left the residence with Yu Yingying, leaving behind a throng of onlookers still buzzing with commentary. Before long, the head constable of the prefectural city, Meng Xing, arrived with his men. The overwhelming stench of blood and the sight of Wang Qing and the others corpses made his brows furrow intensely. What exactly happened here, has Zhou Heng come back? He sent his constables to ask around, and after a short while, he had a rough idea of what had taken place. What should we do now? Meng Xing felt troubled, his head spinning with worry. Six Seventh Rank experts of the Chang Xing Sect died in Huangtong Mansion City, and as a government authority, the Imperial Court definitely couldnt do nothing, or it would lose face. Even the promotion and career path of the mansions lord, Wu Zongshan, would become difficult. Although previously hindered by the complex relationship between the Imperial Court and the Sect, the prefectural citys yamen office could not directly target Wang Qing and the others, but they still offered some covert assistance to the Yu Family and Longxing Martial Arts Hall. This was to avoid Zhou Heng coming back and blaming the prefectural city yamen office and to facilitate the future mediation between Zhou Heng and Wang Qing, ensuring they didnt directly come to blows. However, they had never anticipated that Zhou Heng would return so quickly, nor had they expected him to act so swiftly and decisively, targeting the main body as soon as he got back and killing Wang Qing and the others in the blink of an eye. Setting other aspects aside, speaking of this strength alone, it was already terrifying. The constables who had come with Meng Xing also had worried looks on their faces, unsure how to handle such a tricky situation; they could only look to their superior, Meng Xing, waiting for his decision. Meng Xing was silent for a while before saying, You go back first and report the situation to the mansion lord. Ill go have a talk with Zhou Heng. At the Yu Family. Yu He lay on the bed with a swollen, bruised face. When he saw Zhou Heng and his sister walking into the room, he almost thought he was dreaming. Rubbing his eyes, he suddenly opened them wide and laughed, Hahaha! Youre back! Mmm, Im back, Zhou Heng nodded as he approached Yu Hes bedside, frowning at the injuries on him, Did Wang Qing and those people do this? That bunch of bastards really hit hard. I reckon Im going to need to spend a good half a month in bed, Yu He forced a smile, I was planning to invite you out for drinks when you got back. Thats out of the question now. Those bastards have left my family broke; were even running out of food. And Im such a waste, stuck in bed, that I had to ask my sister to go out and borrow some grainSigh. Brother, no need to sigh, Yu Yingying laughed, Just now, Big Brother Zhou and I went to the residence where Wang Qing and the others were staying, and he killed all of them. What?? Yu He was stunned, staring at Zhou Heng in shock, You killed all six Seventh Ranks from the Chang Xing Sect?? Consider it just like killing chickens, Zhou Heng said with a nod. Disaster! Yu He ruffled his hair, turned to Yu Yingying and said, Yingying, do we still have any money left? Give Zhou Heng some travel expenses and let him flee right away. If people from the Chang Xing Sect come, hes done for. Ah?? Yu Yingying turned pale upon hearing this and quickly said, I, I will go look for it right away. Theres no need to worry, Zhou Heng paused Yu Hes hand and smiled, A mere Chang Xing Sect cannot trouble me. If they wish to seek revenge further, then let them come. Youre insane. The Chang Xing Sect has a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Even if its just that old guy Liu Songshan who wants revenge, he is a Sixth Rank in the Martial Path and can easily crush any Seventh Rank, Yu He said with wide eyes, Originally, Liu Songshan had no direct excuse to seek revenge on you, but now that youve killed six Seventh Ranks from the Chang Xing Sect, youve given him the perfect opportunity. Even if you are an Outer Sect Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, he might not let you off. Dare Liu Songshan kill me? Zhou Heng said with a light laugh. Even if he doesnt dare to kill you, hell definitely leave you injured. And with swords and sabers lacking conscience, if he wishes to take revenge, what room is there for reason? Yu He shook his head, Zhou Heng, I know youve risen in the Martial Path, and youve become a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, full of vigor, but this is still Huangtong Mansion, far from Pure Yang Palace. If you were an Inner Sect Disciple, perhaps you could intimidate the Chang Xing Sect, but the status of an Outer Sect Disciple might not be enough. Listen to me, leave quickly to avoid the storm. If I leave, what about you guys? Zhou Heng asked. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dont worry about us for now. Even if Liu Songshan is bold, he wouldnt go as far as to annihilate my entire family, Yu He mustered up some energy and pushed Zhou Heng, Go, now. Dont delay for a moment. What if Im a True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace? Zhou Heng said with a smile, Would Liu Songshan still dare to make a move? If youre a True Disciple of Pure Yangwhat?? Yu Hes entire being froze, staring at Zhou Heng in utter shock, Youre a True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace?? Right at that moment, Meng Xing happened to be walking over, guided by a servant of the Yu Family. When he overheard Yu Hes words, he nearly stumbled, a Seventh Rank Martial Artist almost falling flat on his face. Young Master Zhou, you, youve become a True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace?? Chapter 136 - Chapter 136: Chapter 136: A Request Chapter 136: Chapter 136: A Request Thats correct, Zhou Heng nodded in acknowledgment, a smile on his face, I have been accepted into the Pure Yang Palaces Jade Void Peak lineage and have learned the unique martial arts of the Pure Yang Dan Scripture. He did not go into detail about the fact that he was the sixth generation true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. That was too astonishing and shocking. It was also rather complicated to explain, and there was no need to be so explicit. Simply being a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace was enough to give Yu He a strong sense of reassurance. Youve really, truly become a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace! Yu Hes eyes widened, and then he burst into laughter, Hahaha! Good, very good! Zhou Heng, youre incredibly powerful! Now, that old thing Liu Songshan definitely wont dare to make a rash move! For a small place like Huangtong Mansion City to have a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace was like having an unattainable existence. And true disciples of the Pure Yang Palace were entirely different from those of the inner or outer sect; they were the chosen ones, destined to carry on the unique martial arts of the Pure Yang Palace, the future of Pure Yang Palace! Even if Liu Songshan had ten thousand times the courage, he would not dare to harm a hair on a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. Meng Xing also came over, looking at Zhou Heng with amazement and said, Earlier, I heard from the lord of the mansion that you were not a common person and would achieve great things in the future. I didnt quite believe it, but now I see that I was far too superficial. He was now extremely shaken, having originally thought of Zhou Heng as merely an outer disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, or at most an inner sect one. He had not expected that Zhou Heng would actually become a true disciple! This was a true disciple! A true disciple of a top martial dao sect like the Pure Yang Palace might not necessarily reach the Middle Third Rank or achieve great accomplishments, but eight or nine out of ten could step onto the Sixth Rank. Martial Dao Sixth Rank! Within the region of Huangtong Prefecture, the strongest martial dao sect, the Chang Xing Sect, had a sect leader who was only a Fifth Rank grandmaster of martial dao. A Sixth Rank was already qualified to serve as an elder. The Liu Songshan that had earlier instilled fear in Yu He, was at the level of a Sixth Rank. And with the talent and aptitude Zhou Heng had shown, obtaining the true teachings of the Pure Yang Palace, it was almost an inevitability for him to reach the Sixth Rank, or even higher, in the future. This was a great figure in the making. Even though he was merely an Eighth Rank martial artist at present, the status of a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace was incredibly noble. He could almost sit on an equal footing with Wu Zongshan, the lord of Huangtong Mansion. So, Big Brother Zhou is fine now, isnt he? Yu Yingying didnt quite understand the affairs of martial dao, but she could hear the joy in her brothers voice. Haha, of course! Yu He nodded and laughed, No problem at all, were all safe this time, Zhou Heng is amazing, really amazing! Ouch!! He was too excited and accidentally aggravated his wound, immediately crying out in pain. Dont move, let me heal your wounds, Zhou Heng said as he placed his palm on Yu Hes shoulder, transferring his inner qi into his body to treat the injuries. A moment later, Zhou Heng withdrew his hand, and Yu He was surprised to find that his injuries had healed significantly. Thats incredible, big brother, please also help heal my fathers wounds, Yu He said joyfully. Lets go, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Young Master Zhou, could you please accompany me to the prefectural citys yamen later? Meng Xing couldnt help asking. Dont misunderstand, this is definitely not an action against you. Its just that having killed six Seventh Rank martial artists, you will inevitably need to meet with the lord of the mansion. No problem, Zhou Heng nodded his approval. He did not have a bad impression of Wuzong Shan, and he would give him this bit of face, but it will have to wait until after Ive treated someones injuries. Of course, Meng Xing nodded. Ill wait outside the door. The prefectural citys yamen remained as it was before, no different from Zhou Hengs last visit. In Wuzong Shans study room, Meng Xing had already left, and Zhou Heng was sitting across from Wuzong Shan at a tea table. The lord of Huangtong Mansion brewed a pot of clear tea and poured a cup for Zhou Heng, apologizing, Mr. Zhou, er, or should I call you Taoist Zhou? Pure Yang Palace was one of the three great Taoist palaces, its disciples mostly Taoists. Just call me Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng replied with a smile as he accepted the clear tea. Then Ill still call you Taoist Zhou, Wuzong Shan poured himself a bowl of tea, and with a wry smile said, Regarding the earlier matter with the Yu Family and Longxing Martial Arts Hall, please do not take offense, Taoist Zhou. I really couldnt intervene in matters related to the sects. I understand, Zhou Heng nodded. After reading The World and Pure Yang, he had come to generally grasp that the relationships among sects, noble families, and the Imperial Court had always been quite delicate. Especially between the sects and the Imperial Court, caution was always paramount. Wuzong Shan, being merely the lord of Huangtong Mansion, held a position that was neither high nor low; taking action against a sect on his own might cost him more than he could bear. This was understandable. However, Zhou Heng continued, looking at Wuzong Shan, while I understand your lordships difficulties, understanding does not mean I can pretend nothing happened. Zhou Heng paused and then added with a smile, Of course, Im also aware that your lordships people helped them out in secret. Next time you speak, Taoist Zhou, try not to pause for so long, Wuzong Shan said with a sigh of relief. Whatever your requests may be, feel free to bring them up. As long as they do not involve official Imperial Court matters that provoke conflict with the sects, I will do my best to comply. Let this be my apology. If this had been the Zhou Heng of the past, he might merely have taken special care owing to the face of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers Star Envoy, but not have been so deferential. However, now he was facing a true disciple of Pure Yang Palace. He dared not show the slightest negligence. Should there be an oversight that soured the relationship of Pure Yang Palace with the Imperial Court, a sin of such magnitude was beyond what he, Wuzong Shan, could afford. To say nothing else, his career would certainly come to an end. Being an official is difficult, ah, Wuzong Shan sighed inwardly, feeling deep frustration. Your lordship has looked after me quite a bit previously, and I wouldnt make things difficult for your lordship. Theres no need to worry about that, Zhou Heng said, drinking a cup of clear tea with a smile. In fact, I have just a small request. I hope your lordship can help me spread a message. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What message? Wuzong Shan asked, puzzled. The Chang Xing Sect oppressed my friends and teacher without reason, so I must settle this score, Zhou Heng stood up, looking towards the direction of the Chang Xing Sect. Standing with arms behind his back, his back to Wuzong Shan, he continued, Seven days from now, I will go in person to the mountain gate of the Chang Xing Sect and challenge all Lower Third Rank disciples of the sect. Time will be unlimited, as will the number of participants. As long as someone from the Chang Xing Sect dares to leave the mountain gate, I will accept the fight. I would like your lordship to secretly dispatch someone to spread the news far and wide. What did you say?? Wuzong Shan stood up abruptly, looking at Zhou Heng in disbelief, Are you going to challenge an entire sect by yourself? No, your lordship is mistaken, Zhou Heng turned around, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a faint smile. This is not a challenge. I am going to, by myself, suppress an entire sect! Chapter 137 - Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Ruthless Person Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Ruthless Person Longxing Martial Arts Hall, once a bustling place in East City District. However, it was now so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Since the Chang Xing Sects Wang Qing and others withdrew their authorization, no longer allowing Longxing Martial Arts Halls trainers to teach Chang Xing Sects martial arts, the place had become much quieter. For many people, a martial arts hall is simply a place to pay for learning martial arts. It serves as a foundation for finding a job that can make money later on, or with some luck, one might even advance to Ninth Grade and never have to worry about food and clothing again. If one were extremely fortunate and got accepted into a sect, they could rise to great heights. Although there is generally a good camaraderie between trainers and students, when a martial arts hall truly cant continue to operate, most students will choose to leave and learn martial arts elsewhere. After all, no ones money comes with the wind, and theres no reason to spend money without learning the corresponding martial arts. Therefore, Longxing Martial Arts Hall had become desolate, with the once crowded training hall now barely holding onto a few steadfast individuals, and even several trainers had left. Situations like this naturally attract those who would kick someone while theyre down. Master Lei, are you really not giving it a thought? the new head of Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, Huang Kaicheng, said with a sly smile: Given the current state of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, my offer of one thousand taels is already a high price. In a little while, you might not even get five hundred taels for it. He was the nephew of the former head of Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, Huang Jingfu, and he wanted to seize this opportunity to take revenge on behalf of his uncle. More than three months ago, Huang Jingfu lost his position as the head and was stripped of most of his possessions because of the incident with Zhou Heng and Kong Chengshun. Yet, relying on his strong influence in Tongchang Martial Arts Hall, he managed to push his nephew, Huang Kaicheng, into the position of head. Huang Kaicheng, are you not afraid that when Zhou Heng returns, hell come after you? Lei Xiuyan looked at Huang Kaicheng grimly and said, Hes a disciple of Pure Yang Palace and a master on the prestigious roll of honor. If you treat us like this, he wont let you off the hook! Thats right! Lin Cang also nodded in agreement: Zhou Heng came from Longxing Martial Arts Hall. If he comes back and knows youve forced the sale of Longxing at such a low price, hell definitely seek retribution. The few remaining trainers and students of Longxing Martial Arts Hall also nodded in agreement. Thats right, I know Zhou Hengs character. If he learns of this, he will definitely not let you go! Huang Kaicheng, dont forget how your uncle was ousted! You mustve healed and forgotten the pain. Just wait for Zhou Heng to return, and youre finished! They were all quite angry. Though Longxing Martial Arts Hall wasnt any top-tier institution, it had never been humiliated like this. These days had really been too suffocating. Yet upon hearing these words, Huang Kaicheng laughed instead of being angry. He shook his head while laughing, looking at Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the rest as if they were fools. Are you genuinely stupid, or just pretending? Do you actually believe Zhou Heng will come back? He has been accepted into the Pure Yang Palace, an ancient Immortal Home sect that transcends this material world. Zhou Heng would be foolish to return to such a small broken martial arts hall. Even if Zhou Heng does feel nostalgic and wants to visit you, Pure Yang Palace is tens of thousands of miles away from Huangtong Mansion City. He, just an ordinary outer disciple at Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, will need at least three to five years. By the time these three to five years pass, even if we didnt take over your broken martial arts hall, its likely to have nearly collapsed by then, having lost the Chang Xing Sects authorization. No one will come here to learn martial arts anymore. The group that came with Huang Kaicheng laughed out loud at his remarks. Haha, thats right, the head is absolutely correct. Even if Zhou Heng does hold onto the past and cares about you all, what does it matter? By the time he returns, several years will have passed! Years later, you might actually be thanking us, haha! Stop hoping for Zhou Hengs return. Hes a noble disciple of Immortal Home, soaring high; how could he possibly care about you mud-legged commoners? Youre grown men still so naive, its hilarious. ` Sentence by sentence, the ridicule infuriated Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the others until they were trembling all over. Just at this moment, a young man dressed as a martial arts student from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall came running up, his expression frantic and anxious. He whispered a few words into Huang Kaichengs ear. How is this possible? This cant be!! Huang Kaichengs face changed dramatically, and he looked at the young man incredulously, his eyes widened as he demanded, Did you see this with your own eyes?? Yes, yes! I definitely saw it with my own eyes. How could I dare to give you unconfirmed news? the youth nodded repeatedly, explaining, Its true, its really true, Hall Master! Damn it, how can this be? How could he be so bold?? Huang Kaicheng was livid, his complexion as if he had swallowed a dead rat. He waved his hand and snorted coldly, Lets go! He was actually about to lead the people from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall away, as if he had no intention of continuing the negotiation with Lei Xiuyan. This sudden turn of events caught Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang off guard, filling them with confusion. What happened? Go? Where are you going? Suddenly, an indifferent voice rang out. Huang Kaicheng and the group of disciples from Longxing Martial Arts Hall stiffened, involuntarily shuddering. There, standing at the entrance of Longxing Martial Arts Hall was a tall, lean figure with handsome features and an air of effortless gracelike a dashing young scholar, blocking everyones path. It was Zhou Heng who had just returned from the prefectural government office. His meeting with Wu Zongshan hadnt lasted long. After saying his goodbyes, he headed straight for Longxing Martial Arts Hall, wanting to see what it was like now. He hadnt expected to encounter such a good show. Zhou Heng! Youre back! You rascal, how did you come back so soon? Both Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were delighted to see Zhou Heng and hurried forward to greet him. Master Lin, Hall Master, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled at them, Dont worry, Ill take care of the matters of the Hall. No sooner had he spoken than he turned to Huang Kaicheng, giving him a cursory inspection and chuckling, The way you look, it seems you might have some blood ties with that old man Huang Jingfu? What, what do you want to do? Huang Kaicheng was visibly panicked. Although he was over forty, he was only Eighth Rank in the martial path, and in the presence of a ranking expert like Zhou Heng, he immediately felt an immense pressure. Especially after just hearing from the apprentice who came to report the news that as soon as Zhou Heng returned, he killed Wang Qing and the other six peak of the Seventh Rank experts, sparing none, all dead, and it was seemingly as easy as chopping melons and vegetables. Terrifying strength! Ruthlessly vicious! Too damn vicious, such a ruthless person! This was Huang Kaichengs assessment of Zhou Heng. He was acutely aware that he could not afford to provoke such a powerful figure. But why was this happening? Why did Zhou Heng come back so early? Just over a month ago, he had just been taken to the Pure Yang Palace by You Ziheng! ` ` Why have you returned so soon? Could it be that the immeasurable distance between Pure Yang Palace and Huangtong Mansion City is all a lie? Huang Kaicheng started to doubt his life choices. He had dared to kick someone while they were down because he was certain that Zhou Heng wouldnt be able to come back for several years, or even longer. Moreover, in another year, his uncle would reach the peak of the Seventh Rank, and even if he might not be stronger than Zhou Heng, the peak of the Seventh Rank isnt something trivial. Zhou Heng might not dare to seek reckless retaliation. But now what should he do? I heard you wanted to use five hundred taels of silver to take over Longxing Martial Arts Hall? Zhou Hengs cold gaze fixed on Huang Kaicheng as he spoke indifferently, Is that so? Yes, yes, it was a momentary lapse of judgement. Junior Zhou, Great Hero Zhou, I know my mistake! Huang Kaicheng was surprisingly forthcoming, immediately admitting his wrongdoing, then gripped his left shoulder with his right hand and exerted force abruptly. Crack! With that sound, he crushed his own left shoulder, and then, enduring the pain, he crushed the bones in his left arm as well, shivering in cold sweat, gritting his teeth in agony. Does this work for you? Ive severed my own arm as an apology for being led astray earlier, Huang Kaicheng said, with a face full of humble submissiveness as he looked at Zhou Heng, nearly kneeling to beg for mercy. The man before him had killed six Seventh Rank members of the Chang Xing Sect without batting an eye; as a mere Eighth Rank, if he didnt show the right attitude, he feared there would be no chance of survival. However, this vendetta must be avenged! A gentlemans revenge is not too late even after ten years!! He made a silent vow. You are indeed a ruthless man, Zhou Heng said with a laugh upon seeing this, lightly patting Huang Kaichengs right shoulder and chuckling, Go on then. Honestly, I had no intention of making things difficult for you in the first place. Thank you, thank you! Great Hero Zhou is magnanimous, not stooping to the petty level of others, such benevolence! Huang Kaicheng flattered profusely, his face obsequious, as if he had even forgotten the pain in his left arm and shoulder. Afterwards, he hurriedly left with his followers. Little Zhou, uh, Zhou Heng are you just going to let him go like that? Lin Cang frowned and asked. He had started to reflexively call Zhou Heng Little Zhou, but then thought that it might not be appropriate considering Zhou Hengs current status and corrected himself. Master Lin should still call me Little Zhou. Calling me by my name feels rather strange, Zhou Heng said with a smile, then whispered, As for that man, Master Lin need not worry; I have always been one to uproot the problem completely. Especially someone like Huang Kaicheng who could decisively break his own arm to apologize, such a ruthless person shouldnt be left alive, as that would only be courting trouble for oneself. The pat Zhou Heng gave to Huang Kaichengs shoulder earlier seemed like a warning, but it was actually to leave behind an undetectable trace of Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi inside his body. That Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi would gradually wear down his heart as it flowed through Huang Kaichengs bloodstream. In half a month, he would drop dead suddenly. Zhou Heng, I really owe you my thanks, Lei Xiuyan sighed, If you hadnt come back, we probably wouldnt have been able to keep this martial arts school. My fathers decades of hard work almost came to nothing in my hands. Alas, even though weve managed to keep Longxing Martial Arts Hall, its going to be difficult to operate in the future. But when the lifeline of imparting martial arts is controlled by others, theres nothing that can be done. Although Longxing Martial Arts Hall was originally affiliated with the Chang Xing Sect, it was not established by the Chang Xing Sect but was a private martial arts school built by Lei Xiuyans father decades ago. However, the development of a private martial arts school is ultimately limited; it can impart only a few martial arts, its prospects are not particularly vast, and its opportunities for advancement are quite small. Later on, when the Chang Xing Sect took an interest in the martial arts school, it was granted the authority to impart basic martial arts of the Chang Xing Sect, with the only condition that Longxing Martial Arts Hall would wholeheartedly cultivate disciples who could be nurtured on behalf of the Chang Xing Sect. ` Thus, Longxing Martial Arts Hall had the reputation of being a subordinate hall under the Chang Xing Sect, and they could teach even more powerful martial arts. Now, the Chang Xing Sect had withdrawn its authorization from Longxing Martial Arts Hall, which essentially pulled out the foundation that the hall had developed over the past several decades. Relying only on the Lei familys own martial arts, it was nearly impossible to rebuild the hall. Lei Xiuyans words cast a shadow over the faces of Lin Cang and the other trainers beside him; they had taught martial arts at Longxing for many years and were deeply attached to it. The few remaining students also lowered their heads, having stayed because of their good relationships with their trainers. But everyone knew that as the halls operations became more difficult, they would eventually have to leave. Hall Master, Master Lin, you dont have to worry about this, Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up, smiling, I have a way to resolve it, but Ill deal with this matter after I return from the Chang Xing Sect. You have a solution? Lei Xiuyans eyes lit up, but then he swiftly focused on the latter part of Zhou Hengs statement, asking in alarm, What are you going to do at the Chang Xing Sect? Dont do anything foolish. The Chang Xing Sect has a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Exactly, Zhou! Dont be rash. Although you are strong, you are only among the younger generation of experts, Lin Cang also said worriedly, You have to know that even the strongest at the peak of the Seventh Rank finds it hard to resist a regular Sixth Rank, not to mention a Sect Fifth Rank. I know you want to stand up for us, but please, dont be impulsive. Hall Master, Master Lin, rest assured, I have my plans, Zhou Heng smiled, As for what Im going to do, you will soon find out. By the way, is my jujube-red horse still around? Yes, its being well fed and looked after in the backyard stable, Lei Xiuyan nodded, still concerned, Zhou Heng, youre not an impulsive person, and you have your own thoughts, but I hope that no matter what, you prioritize your safety. Do not take unnecessary risks. Your future achievements are immeasurable, so dont get hurt over something as trivial as the Chang Xing Sect, Lin Cang also advised earnestly. Mm, I understand, dont worry, Zhou Heng nodded, then he went to the backyard, led the jujube-red horse away, and left the city leisurely on horseback. But no sooner had Zhou Heng left than a piece of news spread throughout Huangtong Mansion City. In seven days, Zhou Heng would personally go to the front of the Chang Xing Sects mountain gate and challenge all disciples below the Lower Third Rank, with no time limits or restrictions on the number of competitors, willing to fight anyone from the Chang Xing Sect who dared to step out of the mountain gate. When Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang heard this, they turned pale with fright and immediately decided to leave the city to chase after Zhou Heng, determined to stop him. This was essentially courting death! When the Yu Family heard the news, Yu He, still injured, sprang out of bed. Yingying, prepare a horse for me! Dammit, has Zhou Heng gotten tired of living?? Suddenly, the entire Huangtong Mansion City was abuzz. And as people came and went from the city, and with Wu Zongshan intentionally spreading the word, the news quickly reached other towns and even farther locations. Zhou Heng was very aware of what would happen after the news of his challenge against all disciples below the Lower Third Rank of the Chang Xing Sect spread. It was precisely because of this that he chose to leave Huangtong Mansion City early, avoiding the nuisance of being dissuaded. However, the challenge was set for seven days later. After equipping the jujube-red horse with the Red Lotus tack, it would take less than a day to reach the destination, and Zhou Heng did not want to waste the remaining time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Shortly after leaving the city, he took out a cinnabar-drawn talisman. Ignited it and burned it away. This was a talisman given to him by a Fourth Rank expert from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, codenamed Five Emperors Inner Seat. The talisman quickly turned to ashes in the flames. The very next moment, a five-colored radiance emerged from the flames, carrying with it the brilliance of the stars. Chapter 142 - Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Speculations on Messaging Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Speculations on Messaging Zhou Heng had many wishes. He wanted to know why he had transmigrated to this world, to understand the relationship between this world and Earth, and to figure out how he could return. Besides that, there was the whereabouts of his parents in this world, whether they had anything to do with his transmigration, what lied within the forbidden lands of the West Wasteland, and so on. If it were possible to make an unconditional wish, Zhou Heng would definitely wish for the ability to freely travel between this world and Earth. He wanted to go back first to assure his parents he was okay and tell them not to worry, to pretend he was just working abroad. And he could also return home often. The very thought was extremely tempting. But it was unrealistic. First of all, Zhou Heng did not know whether the wishes made here would be recorded. If they were to be recorded, even if the Wishing Pool did not grant the wish, it would most likely leave a mark. That would expose his identity as a transmigrator, which could lead to unpredictable consequences. This couldnt be done. Wishes related to his previous life must not be made, at least not until he had enough strength. It was very dangerous. Then what wish should he make? Should it be for a longer lifespan, some special abilities, or to complete his incomplete martial arts? If he were to make these wishes, how should he describe them? For a moment, Zhou Heng found himself in the throes of choice paralysis, unable to decide exactly what kind of wish to make. Should he wish for a breakthrough from his current bottleneck and step directly into Seventh Rank? When Zhou Heng thought about this, he did feel somewhat tempted. But then he immediately realized that he could not guarantee there wouldnt be hidden dangers in using a wish to break through, nor did he know if it would affect his future cultivation. So, after careful consideration, he decided to give up this idea and continued to ponder. Seeing that Zhou Heng seemed to be indecisive and lost in thought, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors smiled and reminded him, Actually, I suggest you not make too great a wish to start with, as it will require a vast amount of good deeds. With your current strength, you simply cant accumulate enough, and it will only waste your opportunity to make a wish. Ah? Zhou Heng was startled at first, then felt a bit embarrassed and said, Senior, can you tell that Im struggling with some grand wishes? Haha. The Inner Seat of the Five Emperors laughed and said, Do you know what I wished for the first time I came here? What? Zhou Heng asked curiously, as this could serve as a reference. I made a wish to improve my Taoist formulas aptitude, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors sighed. This was after some consideration, giving up some bigger wishes. However, the amount of good deeds required was still out of reach for someone who was only at the Sixth Rank of the Martial Path at the time. To improve Taoist formulas aptitude, wasnt that the same as enhancing ones Spiritual Root? Zhou Heng thought of the Spiritual Root +1 basic attribute he had previously acquired, which had now become Spiritual Root +2. So this could also be achieved with a wish. It was just unknown how many good deeds it would require. But the amount of good deeds that even someone at the Sixth Rank of the Martial Path found unattainable was surely not a small number. Does senior have any suggestions? Zhou Heng asked. I suggest you make some small and detailed wishes, ones that you really need right now, such as for weapons, martial arts, elixirs, and other tangible things, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors explained. He added, By the way, wishing for tangible things is much simpler than intangibles, and requires far fewer good deeds. Hmm, I understand, thank you, senior. Zhou Heng nodded and, after some thinking, decided to start with what he currently needed. A handy blade-grade knife weapon. Now, both his sword and gloves were of blade grade, but his knife was still merely a common hundred-refined weapon. Even though he could use the +2 Sharpness attribute to enhance it, overall it still lagged behind. It would be good to take this opportunity to get a suitable knife and also see how many good deeds were needed for a blade-grade weapon, to make a comparison with items of a similar level. But how to describe it? Following the advice of the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors, the more accurate and logically clear the description of the wish, and the closer to reality and finer the detail, the more likely it was to be granted. This seems to be similar to the requirements of a prophecy I received earlier. Is there some connection? Zhou Hengs thoughts diverged and, after more contemplation, he came up with a precise description. Ive made up my mind, Zhou Heng said. Good, then I will step down, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors nodded and descended from the jade platform. When making a wish, only one person could be on the jade platform so the silently chanted wish could be conveyed to the Wishing Pool. If there were two people, the wish would not transmit. I wish for a knife weapon of blade grade that suits my build, contains thunder properties, is relatively light, and ideally has some enhancement for speed. Zhou Heng silently recited his wish in his mind and after about three breaths, he received feedback. It required five hundred good deeds. And while receiving the feedback, a stream of light flashed on the jade platform, and Zhou Heng was directly transported from the platform to the bottom of the stairs, standing next to the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors. After each wish is made, if there isnt enough stored virtue in the mask, one will be teleported off the Jade Platform, said a smiling officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors. How much virtue does your wish require? Asking someone what their wish was is very impolite, but inquiring about the amount of virtue required is quite a normal affair. This also made it easier for him to select an appropriate task for Zhou Heng. Five hundred, Zhou Heng answered truthfully and asked, Is that a lot? Not too much, not too little, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors pondered for a moment and said, The transitional tasks that one starts with usually reward between fifty to a hundred virtue points. Most of these tasks are purely investigational and dont involve combat. If its a task involving combat, then it starts at a hundred virtue points, with tasks at the Lower Third Rank generally going up to a maximum of three hundred. Additionally, there are virtue rewards for eliminate ghosts and evil creatures. Fifty virtue points for Ninth Grade levels, eighty for Eighth Grade levels, and a hundred for Seventh Rank. Looking at it this way, five hundred virtue points really doesnt seem like a lot, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Thats good, at least its motivating and not an unattainable number. Its because the wish you made was quite pragmatic, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors sighed and said with a wry smile, When I made a wish to improve my ability in Taoist formulas, it required thirty thousand virtue points. Moreover, after stepping into the Middle Third Rank, killing Lower Third Rank ghosts only yields ten percent of the original virtue reward, making it even more difficult. Thirty thousand thats rather excessive. Even if one kept killing Seventh Rank ghosts, that would mean extinguishing three thousand of them. And ghosts are adept at hiding; theyre not so easy to find, are they? Has seniors wish come true then? Zhou Heng asked curiously. Although the process was quite arduous, in the end, it was fulfilled, said the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors with a smile: Alright, lets go. From now on, you can pay attention to the information in your mask; tasks will be assigned. The initial three tasks are distributed by the inviter. Once you become an official member, you will have to choose for yourself from among those tasks listed. This mask can also receive information? Zhou Heng said in surprise. Are there no distance limitations? None, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors laughed. The mask is essentially a part of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, and the information is distributed through this Unique Divine Weapon. Its essence is extremely high, sufficient to cover vast spaces. However, if one must speak of limitations, its not related to distance, but to region. You can only receive messages within the territory of Da Qi; outside of it, you cannot. So, its a local area network Zhou Heng silently criticized in his mind. But such a local network with extensive coverage was still incredible. The territory of Da Qis thirty-three states was massive, and the ability to send messages over such distances without hindrance was truly powerful. Then, is it possible for members of the organization to contact each other? Zhou Heng asked curiously, thinking of real-time communication as a young man who had lived in the internet age on Earth. You mean for members to send messages across distances through their masks? The officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors grasped Zhou Hengs intention and said with a smile, This idea is good, but unfortunately, we cannot achieve that at the moment. After that, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors explained in detail to Zhou Heng why it was not possible. In fact, this idea had been proposed shortly after the establishment of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, but attempts to implement it revealed that it simply could not be realized. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer could only distribute information through the Zhou Tian Star Chart to the masks, but the masks couldnt send information in the reverse direction. Thus, the transmission of information was one-way, only distributing task information to the masks. And even if the masks could send information back, to enable communication between two or more masks, a relay station would need to be built into the Zhou Tian Star Chart. However, that required someone with a very high level of control over the Zhou Tian Star Chart, which no one at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had yet achieved, not even a Second Rank Tao Lord. It was said that the two leaders speculated that it may not solely relate to ones cultivation realm. I see, Zhou Heng said, somewhat disappointed. He had thought he might relive the experience of using chatting apps in this world, but it seemed not feasible. However, from the words of the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors, he learned another important piece of information: if the Zhou Tian Star Chart could cover vast spaces and ignore distance, could the Purple Tenuity Palace do the same? With this thought, Zhou Hengs eyes brightened, and he inquired, Senior, since the Zhou Tian Star Chart can transmit messages regardless of distance, can the Purple Tenuity Palace also have the same feature, allowing us to enter it anytime and anywhere? He remembered that previously, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors had just appeared out of thin air, and had also directly brought him from the outside into this strange void where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located. Where would such good fortune come from? The officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors laughed and said, However, what you said isnt entirely wrong; in theory, we could indeed enter the Purple Tenuity Palace from anywhere in this world. But our control over Purple Tenuity Palace is not sufficient to do so completely at will. We can only establish entry points in certain specific locations to facilitate entry and exit. However, if ones cultivation reaches Fifth Rank, converts True Qi into Mana, and weaves it with principles to condense a Dharma Phase, then using some special talisman and spiritual guidance, one can descend directly from the Purple Tenuity Palace to the location of the spiritual guidance. Mm, later on, I will send you the entrance locations of the Purple Tenuity Palace near each prefectures city and the corresponding seal spell formulas, along with the assigned tasks, he said. With that, Zhou Hengs initial induction process into the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was almost complete. Next, after he finished three tasks, he would become a formal member. The officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors sent Zhou Heng and his jujube-red horse back to the road they were on before departing again. He had to go back and select suitable tasks for Zhou Heng. Afterward, Zhou Heng resumed his journey to the Chang Xing Sect, but along the way, he kept seeing urgent hoof prints, as if horses had just recently passed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only These meant that someone had been galloping along this road at high speed. And judging by the hoof prints, it wasnt just one horse but at least three, which seemed to be in pursuit of someone. However, the horses were close together, and ahead there were no traces of someone attempting to escape on horseback. Who were they pursuing? Suddenly, an idea flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, and he frowned, murmuring to himself with some uncertainty, This couldnt be a pursuit for me, could it? Chapter 139 - Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Middle Sky North Pole Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Middle Sky North Pole The chart of the stars and constellations of Zhou Tian, remnants left by a certain deity who once resided in the Purple Tenuity Palace. Gazing at the vast starry sky, Zhou Heng couldnt help but become entranced. He couldnt resist thinking about various things on Earth, wondering if the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer or this Purple Tenuity Palace really had any connection with Earth. If unrelated, why would there be a star chart of Earths three enclosures and twenty-eight mansions here? If related, what exactly was the connection with Earth, and would he ever have a chance to return to Earth? The Grandmaster of the Inner Seating saw Zhou Heng hesitating to activate his Inner Qi to sense the stellar forces, and couldnt help but frown. Just as he was about to urge him on, he suddenly noticed the stellar forces around him beginning to surge. Almost the instant he perceived the stellar forces surging, a majestic and nearly infinite stream of stellar power suddenly fell from the starry sky, like the Star River pouring down, descending in front of Zhou Heng. Subsequently, the entire Purple Tenuity Enclosure lit up, and billowing purple Qi, following the starlight, also descended, swirling around Zhou Heng as if it were guarding him. The Grandmaster of the Inner Seating had just about to speak when he swallowed his words, staring dumbfounded at everything before him, his face filled with disbelief. Whats happening? What on earth is going on?? It wasnt his first time bringing someone here to determine their Star Officer position, but previously only the corresponding Star Officer would brighten significantly, while the others stayed the same without any reaction. But whats happening now? Zhou Heng hadnt even activated his Inner Qi to sense the stellar forces yet, so how had he caused such a commotion? Which Star Officer was he compatible with? To nearly shake the entire Purple Tenuity Enclosure was just too bizarre. Could it be a Taiyi Star Officer, ranking close to Lord Tianyi? Tianyi is one of the two leaders of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers today. It is said that when he first sensed the stellar forces, he too shook the entire star chart of the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, but there was no mention of stellar power and purple Qi descending from the starry sky! This is too strange! But what followed was a scene that made the Grandmaster of the Inner Seating even more doubtful of life. After the entire Purple Tenuity Enclosure lit up brightly with both starlight and purple Qi, the Azure Dragons seven mansions also brightened, casting down beams of light that fell before Zhou Heng. Then, the previously dim Palace of Taiwei and the Market Enclosure, as well as the twenty-one mansions of the White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise that lacked any brightness, also lit up. Their brilliance dazzled, shining to the utmost degree. Theyre all lit up, all lit up! Unprecedented, truly unprecedented! The Grandmaster of the Inner Seating was immensely shocked, this was a scenario he had never seen or even heard of before. The chart of the stars of Zhou Tian indeed contained a complete set of the three enclosures and twenty-eight mansions, and even parts beyond these, but they had always been dim and lightless. Because on the side of Da Qi, only parts of the Purple Tenuity Enclosure and the Azure Dragons seven mansions were present. The Grandmaster of the Inner Seating had never seen all these Star Officers truly brighten before, and he hadnt expected to see it under such circumstances. Even more bizarre was that. This tremendous display of power was all converging upon Zhou Heng! Could it be that Zhou Heng truly is the reincarnation of a great power, and moreover, one with significant ties to both the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers and the Purple Tenuity Palace? The Grandmaster of the Inner Seatings gaze was almost stupefied as he watched the Star Officers continuously descend, thinking to himself, My heavens, this is encompassing almost half of the star chart. At this moment, all the stars and Star Officers on the chart of the stars of Zhou Tian had lit up, casting down their light, following which these lights condensed into concrete forms. Some were human-shaped, some were animals, and some were even objects or abstract concepts, all aligning with the symbolic representation of the Star Officers on the three enclosures and twenty-eight mansions. What is this, the Star Officers of Zhou Tian all arriving together?? The Grandmaster of the Inner Seating felt that the scene before him completely surpassed his comprehension, even considering whether to call in The Supreme and Celestial Man of Heavenly Principles from outside, to see what all this really meant. But he quickly suppressed the urge, barely calming his emotions, and stood not far off, silently watching Zhou Heng, waiting for him to truly determine his final Star Officer. With such a grand commotion, this young man must match up with a Star Officer of no ordinary significance, the Grandmaster of the Inner Seating awaited with anticipation, thinking, Even if its not Taiyi, it could also be Gou Chen, or one of the Six Jia And it was at this moment. The recently formed figures of the Zhou Tian Star Officers began to gather and merge into one another, overlapping in the process. A few breaths of time passed. The starlight, symbolizing the Star Officers, truly converged and fused together, eventually forming a mask ascending with purplish qi, flowing with starlight, painted with imperial visage, and emanating a mystique and majestic charm. Zhou Heng had, just moments before, involuntarily participated in the moment of resonance between the star power and his Inner Qi, and now that the star powers had unified, he naturally came slightly back to his senses. His gaze fell on the mask floating in mid-air, magnificent and mysterious. This time, he did not hesitate but took a step forward and took the mask in his hands. Holding the mask, it felt lighter than air, and he did not know what material it was made of. Zhou Heng was somewhat curious. Immediately after, he once again heard the praise that he had heard on that star path before. Only this time, what he heard was clearer and more comprehensive. It was as if countless people were chanting in unison, praying together with utmost devotion, sounding very impactful. Daluotianque, Ziwei Star Palace. Revered at the heights of the North Pole, positioned above the center of the heavens. Named the Golden Chakras Burning Splendor, Dao known as the Jade Dippers Profound Honor. Rotating Jixuan and Yuheng align with the Seven Governments, governing the celestial metrics and earthly measures. Sun, moon, and stars mark the four seasons, traveling the Yellow Path and the Purple Enclosure. Grandmaster of Myriad Forms, Sovereign over All Heavens. Great Compassion, Great Desire, Great Holiness, Great Mercy. Sect Hierarch of Myriad Stars, Supreme Sovereign without Limits. Mid-heavens Ziwei, Emperor of the North Pole. This was the Purple Tenuity Edict! Zhou Hengs mind was filled with surprise and uncertainty; he had seen this in his past life as well. This was clearly the edict of the Daoist Deity Ziwei the Great. The content of the edict described the Great Emperor of the North Pole in the Purple Tenuity, one of the Four Imperial Majesties. He presided over all stars, governed all laws, ruled over Fengdu, the master of all celestial bodies. Without a doubt, the ruler of the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions was Ziwei the Great. Why would I hear the chanting of the edict of Ziwei the Great? Zhou Hengs brow furrowed as he looked at the mask in his hand and thought, Could it be related to this mask, the matching Star Officer for me, could it be Young friend, put on the mask once, and you shall receive the information and inheritance of the Star Officer, spoke over the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors at this moment, looking at Zhou Heng with anticipation and smiling, The commotion youve caused is truly great, Im very curious to know which Star Officers position is yours. Hmm, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, donning the mask made of starlight and purple qi on his face, and instantly, his entire being emanated an air of mystery and nobility, completely transforming his aura. Innumerable pieces of information poured forth from the mask, yet not a single one was jarring; they flowed before his eyes like gentle streams. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This made Zhou Heng aware of the identity and the name of the Star Officer that the mask represented. What is it? the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors inquired. Zhou Heng paused briefly, then said, Ziwei. Note: The Purple Tenuity Edict has 116 characters, and this chapter has 2128 characters, so that part is not charged for. Please do not say Im padding the word count~ Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Mission Status Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Mission Status Boom! With a thunderous crash, the wall of the inn was shattered by a gigantic burst of fiery red light. Along with the blaze, fragmented wood chips burnt up in the air, turning into red sparks that scattered all around. The intense heat was nearly instant, filling every corner of the inn. The crimson flames floated in the air like blossoming red lotuses in an empty void. This was a steed covered in golden armor, entirely engulfed in scarlet flames, with even a single golden horn emerging from its forehead, ablaze with roaring fire. Atop the horse sat a tall and upright figure. His eyes, cold and filled with endless intent to kill, peered through the multitude of red lotuses made of flame and settled on the womans figure. It was Zhou Heng. Playing at gods and ghosts! The woman shouted loudly, her body, which seemed boundlessly beautiful moments before, suddenly twisted grotesquely as spikes of bone pierced through her flesh and skin. The spikes glistened with a sharp chill, as if weapons refined a hundred times had grown from the womans body. Die! The woman leaped towards Zhou Heng, who was seated on the flaming steed, with arms and legs outstretched, aiming to skewer him with her bone spikes. She intended to impale him directly with her spikes! Insignificant trick. Zhou Heng scoffed coldly, giving the jujube-red horse beneath him a light pat, causing the surrounding flames to burst forth anew. The jujube-red horse reared up, standing on its hind legs and focusing its gaze on the woman who had turned into a monster. It snorted derisively and two streams of crimson fire erupted from its nostrils. These flames, like blooming red lotuses, contained the power of utmost yang and rigidity. The moment the woman came into contact with them, she was wholly enveloped. Her body, as if doused in oil, burst into an intensely raging fire that in an instant turned her into ashes. This time, she did not recover. Next, the red flames that had reduced the woman to ash flowed in all directions, cleansing the entire inn, purifying the miasma and banishing all specters. The guests who had suddenly rotted earlier collapsed one after another, their flesh decayed into dust and dispersed into smoke. When everything had been incinerated by the blooming red lotuses, the building of the inn itself suddenly twisted and transformed, changing from a not-so-small inn into a desolate wilderness. In several flat areas, four white flags were planted, waving in the wind, consolidating an extremely chilly aura, making one shiver uncontrollably even at noon. What bizarre circumstances were these?? Neither Lin Cang nor Lei Xiuyan had ever seen such a scene in their decades of life, and were immediately stunned and at a loss for what to do. Yu He had fainted earlier from the immense psychic shock when the woman transformed, and she was still unconscious now. Thank you, noble hero. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan were about to thank the strange man who had come riding on a horse of flame, the very person whod saved their lives. Trainer Lin, Grandmaster Lei, no need for thanks, Zhou Heng said, manipulating his Inner Qi across the space to stop them from bowing in gratitude. Simultaneously, he concealed the effect of the red lotus horse gear, and both he and the jujube-red horse reverted to their original appearance. Zhou Heng?! Little Zhou?! How is it you? Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were utterly shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief as they looked at Zhou Heng, feeling that the world had turned utterly mad, defying all logic. No wonder they were surprised. Under the effect of the red lotus horse gear, Zhou Heng and the jujube-red horse were clad in armor and flame, appearing to others as a giant fireball, possibly even mistaken for the descent of a fire god. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang didnt believe in gods descending to earth, but they understood very well that the knights display of elegance and demeanor, plus the strength he had shown in killing the strange woman in an instant, was extraordinary and powerful. How could this be related to Zhou Heng? But the scene before them forced them to believe, to admit to what they saw. Impressive, truly impressive! Lin Cang laughed heartily. We were originally worried about you, wanting to stop and persuade you, but it turns out we were the ones saved by you instead. Being in the martial arts hall for too long, Ive become too comfortable to understand these strange events, Lei Xiuyan sighed. Zhou Heng, your future holds great promise; are you sure you want to go looking for trouble with the Chang Xing Sect now? How old was Zhou Heng? Not even eighteen yet!! So young, yet he already possessed such strength and such mystical powerhis potential was truly limitless. If he were to fall at the hands of the Chang Xing Sect because of this incident That would be a true pity. No worries, Grandmaster, Zhou Heng smiled. Since I dared to have the lord of Huangtong Mansion spread the word, I naturally have complete confidence. If the Chang Xing Sect dares to touch those close to me, they will have to pay the price. Trainer Lin, Grandmaster, take Yu He and go back. Ill be fine. In the two years since arriving in this world, Zhou Heng hadnt found many he truly valued, but the Yu Family and the trainers at Longxing Martial Arts Hall were definitely among them; the Chang Xing Sect had gone too far this time. Lei Xiuyan wanted to persuade him further, but Lin Cang shook his head at him, indicating that there was no use. Having trained Zhou Heng for two years, Lin Cang knew his character all too well. Having said so much, Zhou Heng obviously had made up his mind and would not turn back. Sigh, Lei Xiuyan also understood Lin Cangs gesture, and he turned to Zhou Heng, saying, Then proceed as you wish, but remember, if you cant win, you must run. Do not throw away your life in vain. Dont worry, Grandmaster, I always value my life, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Afterwards, the two groups split up, with Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan taking Yu He back to Huangtong Mansion City, while Zhou Heng continued on his way to Chang Xing Sect. Since the Red Lotus Horse Gear was simply too shocking and drew far too much attention, Zhou Heng chose not to use its effects for the rest of his journey. Rather, he simply rode on his jujube red horse at its normal speed. In a place with no one around on his way, Zhou Heng tried on the mask symbolizing the Ziwei Great Emperor and received the task information assigned by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer as well as the merit rewards obtained from slaying that ghostly woman. Eighty. The ghostly woman was of Eighth Rank, and in terms of power alone, she was simply no match for Lei Xiuyan, hence why she was thoroughly crushed in combat. However, the body of a ghost creature is nearly indestructible; it can resurrect and recover ceaselessly, and purely with martial arts of the Lower Third Rank and Middle Third Rank, it was practically impossible to slay her completely. As a result, although Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were powerful enough to win against the ghost woman, they still had a tremendously difficult time and had no way to truly kill her. If Zhou Heng hadnt arrived in time, they might have really died there. Hmm? This task After looking over the task content distributed by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, Zhou Heng startled for a moment, then chuckled lightly, It seems the Five Emperors Inner Chamber has really selected a suitable task for me. Task Briefing: Ansong County and Lufeng County of Huangtong Mansion in Pingzhou have been experiencing mysterious disappearances at night. Starting a month ago, till now, more than thirty people have vanished, including men, women, the elderly, and children. Task Objective: Investigate whether ghost creatures are involved and unveil the truth. Task Warning: Half a month ago, an organization member with the codename Siming, of Seventh Rank in martial path, went to investigate and has since lost contact. Base Task Reward: One hundred and twenty merits, five hundred taels of silver. Additional Task Reward: If Siming is successfully rescued, an additional two hundred merits will be awarded. Ansong County and Lufeng County are the two closest counties to Chang Xing Sect, and for Zhou Heng, heading there wouldnt require any detour, he could just go directly. Clearly, the task was distributed by the Five Emperors Inner Chamber after some careful selection. However, something capable of causing a martial artist of Seventh Rank to lose contact must not be simple. Zhou Heng fell into deep thought, musing inwardly, Based on the task description, that Siming is likely still alive, which means even if theres really a connection to ghost creatures involved, its probably not beyond Sixth Rank, exactly within my ability to handle. And after calculating a bit, as long as he completed this task, rescued Siming, and then killed a Seventh Rank ghost creature, his merits would reach five hundred. The wish he made before could then be fulfilled. These two counties are not far from Chang Xing Sect, at most half a days journey. There are still six days left from the time I mentioned before, so theres no need for me to hurry over, Zhou Heng thought. It would be better to let the news spread a bit more. The reason he asked Wu Zongshan to help spread the news was to let more people know about it, preferably drawing a sizable crowd to witness, so that he could humiliate Chang Xing Sect in full public view. At the same time, this was also a form of security, for as long as Chang Xing Sect cared about their face, they wouldnt make a move against him openly in front of everyone. Though even if a grandmaster were to take action, Zhou Heng had ways to deal with it, but being extra prepared never hurt. Underneath Ansong County City. Here lay a man-made cavern, vast in space, with seats, tables, stools, and even a small palace. It was truly another world. The area flickered with ghostly blue flames, chilling to the bone. In the center of the cavern sat a man over nine feet tall, broad and muscular. He was cloaked in armor of an ancient design, his head adorned with a helmet, concealing his face. Only a pair of eyes could be seen, glowing blue. Around this man stood more than a dozen others, also in tattered armor, gathered around the central seat with the utmost respect. Report!! Just then, a gaunt man rushed in from outside, panic-stricken. He knelt before the man, saying, Great King, theres trouble. Speak, the man said coolly, as if devoid of any emotion. The soul lantern of Ah Hong went out; shes dead, the gaunt man said. Much of the martial blood weve used lately was collected by her, and now that shes dead, well receive much less martial blood. No need to worry, the man spoke with the same calmness, Has the Siming from Zhou Tian Boundary Officer been found? If I can consume her, I can fully recover. No, not yet the gaunt man shook his head, his body starting to tremble. Useless! The man suddenly let out a cold snort, the blue light in his eyes intensifying, revealing a face of skin and bones, riddled with scars, utterly ferocious. At the same time, the mans mouth opened, and out came a withered tongue like a vine, piercing the gaunt mans head and drilling into his body. In an instant, he sucked everything inside dry. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only All that was left was a piece of withered skin. The dozen or so people around all kept their heads low, still showing utmost respect, as if they had seen nothing. The one who killed Ah Hong is most likely the member sent by Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to rescue Siming, the man retracted his tongue and swallowed, speaking indifferently, These days, theres no need for you to catch people. Wait until the person arrives before taking action. As you command, Great King!! All the people spoke in unison, kneeling down. Just make sure you dont disappoint me like the worthless one just now, the mans eyes flickered with blue light, Capture both Siming and this new arrival in one fell swoop! Chapter 141 - Chapter 141: Chapter 141: The Wishing Pond Chapter 141: Chapter 141: The Wishing Pond The Star Sea realm was not located anywhere specific and didnt even have a real passageway. One only needed to concentrate within the Purple Tenuity Palace, focus their beliefs on the mask, and silently chant Star Sea realm to directly enter it, a method that had already gone beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Zhou Heng, following this sensation, stepped into a stretch of starry space, and to his amazement, he saw that it was an infinite expanse of darkness, with an incredibly gigantic fireball suspended in the void in the distance. Even though he knew there was a dazzlingly vast distance between him and this great fireball, just by looking at it, he could feel that it contained an immensely vast amount of energy. What is this, a star?! Zhou Heng exclaimed in shock, his face showing an expression of disbelief. He had originally thought that the so-called Star Sea realm was just a name and that it would be an independent space similar to You Zihengs cave dwelling. But now, it seemed that this was not the case. This Star Sea realm actually contained stars, though whether they were real or not, Zhou Heng wasnt sure, as he looked in other directions to find similar fireballs at distances too far to discern clearly. Quite shocking, isnt it? The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer came to Zhou Hengs side and smiled, See that great fireball? In the outer star space, such fireball-like celestial bodies commonly exist. Dont think of it as just a fireball that doesnt seem very big; its only because we are so far away. This great fireball holds extremely terrifying power. If it fell into the world, it could burn mountains and boil oceans. Burn mountains and boil oceans? Zhou Heng was taken aback and turned his head to look at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. What the heck. This is a star, right? Is that all it can do, burn mountains and boil seas?? Maybe it just looks like a star? Could there be a fundamental difference? Indeed, that could be possible. No need to be surprised, there are far too many similar fireballs in this Star Sea realm. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer smiled, patted Zhou Hengs shoulder lightly, and said, Come, lets go to the Wishing Pool. As he spoke, Zhou Heng saw the great fireball speeding away, and in the blink of an eye, it was reduced to a mere speck of light, then after a little while, he discovered more and more specks forming a long river. Eventually, the nearly infinite points of light gathered into a silver river stretching across the dark cosmic starry sky, much like a starlit Milky Way. Holy shit Zhou Heng nearly cursed aloud at the sight. What the hell was this? This was a galaxy containing who knows how many billion stars! The Milky Way was just like this! This must be fake, definitely not as vast as a true galaxy, absolutely not. The scene before him completely overturned his previous understanding of the world. A person who had lived for twenty-one years in Earths technological society and barely three years in this world, whose interactions with martial artists were mostly at the Wuxia level, and the strongest had only reached the level of moving mountains and filling seas Suddenly witnessing the endless stars gathering into a river before his eyes, seeing the dark and profound, boundless universe. Such a feeling was truly indescribable in words. If this is really in cosmic space, then how can I still breathe, still talk, still feel as if Im on solid ground? Zhou Heng suddenly realized something and became puzzled. However, the moment his spirit concentrated, he immediately sensed an invisible barrier wrapping around him and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, completely isolating them from the outside world. It was because of this barrier that he had not noticed anything abnormal. And it was because of this barrier that all kinds of harmful rays and so forth were kept outside. The Boundary Officers rapid movement just now must have been aided by the power of this barrier. After all, he had gone from a place where he could see a star like a fireball, to here where what he could see had turned into an endless sea formed by those points. Such a span of distance was truly too exaggerated. If one were to measure by the actual scale of the universe, just now, within the Emperors Inner Court, Zhou Heng had been carried across countless tens of thousands of light years in an instant. For someone of Fourth Rank martial artist, this was completely impossible. That was a star river, made up of hundreds of billions of giant fireballs like the ones we just saw, and some other celestial bodies. Hmm, I guess explaining more would be beyond your understanding, realizing Zhou Heng might not yet have touched upon this knowledge, the Emperors Inner Court refrained from further details, You only need to know that this star river is actually one of many that flow out from the Wishing Pool. Hearing this, Zhou Heng fell into a long silence. A star river flowing out? What on Earth was the Wishing Pool? With such doubts, he arrived with the Emperors Inner Court at a jade terrace built within the profound emptiness of space. This jade terrace was about nine feet long, six feet wide, and twelve feet high, suspended motionless in the void. Neat jade steps led upward from the bottom to the top of the terrace. Zhou Heng and the Emperors Inner Court stepped onto the jade stairs and climbed up to the terrace, then he suddenly found the scene before his eyes change dramatically, revealing sights previously unseen. He saw that the previously empty universe was now filled with a shimmering giant star ocean, suspended in the void, vastly larger than any star river Zhou Heng had seen before. Thousands, even tens of thousands, or more tributaries of star rivers flowed out from this giant star ocean, each enacting different rules and principles, radiating diverse glows. Do you see it? The Emperors Inner Court looked at Zhou Heng, pointing to the immense star ocean, and smiled, This is the Wishing Pool. The, the Wishing Pool?? Although Zhou Heng had already heard this term, hearing it now still felt unbelievably incredible. His expression was one of shock as he said, Does the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer manage this, this so-called Pool?? A damned Wishing Pool. Who has ever seen a pool larger than countless tens of thousands of galaxies?? Its preposterous. Not at all, the Emperors Inner Court shook his head with a light laugh, Of course, that is not our term for it. The Wishing Pool is a name left by the Ziwei Master; how could we dare to change it lightly? The name given by the Ziwei Master? That makes sense, Zhou Heng slightly nodded upon hearing this. That way, it seemed more acceptable. For a supreme authority like the Ziwei Master of the North Pole, the master of stars, naming such a star ocean a pool didnt seem wrong at all. However, for us, the effect of this star ocean is indeed no different from a Wishing Pool, the Emperors Inner Court said with a slight smile, continuing to explain to Zhou Heng: Our official members have the chance to come here once every three months. By stepping onto the jade terrace and silently reciting their wishes in their hearts, if the Wishing Pool acknowledges the wish, you will naturally know how much good deeds are needed to fulfill that wish. If theres only one chance every three months, what if the wish recited this time is not acknowledged? Zhou Heng asked. Then you can only wait to come back after three months to change the wish, the Emperors Inner Court said, So before you really make a wish, you must think carefully, its not good to waste the opportunity. Hmm, Ive also accumulated some tricks over the years. The more accurate the description of the wish, the clearer the logic, the more it conforms to reality, and the smaller and more detailed it is, the more likely it is to be acknowledged. Of course, aside from those overly outrageous wishes, like becoming Divine First Rank, ruling the world, or immortality, which are definitely not going to be acknowledged, even if its a concise and precise description, theres a good chance it will be acknowledged. Ziwei, you can try, the Emperors Inner Court encouraged. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But Im not yet a full member, Zhou Heng frowned and said. You have obtained the position of Star Officer, so you are actually an official member already, just lacking completion of three tasks, and the organizational procedure has not been concluded, the Emperors Inner Court explained with a smile, Therefore, you can try making a wish. Alright, Zhou Heng nodded, gazing at the vast and boundless star ocean, which was curiously called a pool, he focused his mind and fell into deep thought. What wish should he attempt to make? And how should he describe it? Chapter 142 - Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Speculations on Messaging Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Speculations on Messaging Zhou Heng had many wishes. He wanted to know why he had transmigrated to this world, to understand the relationship between this world and Earth, and to figure out how he could return. Besides that, there was the whereabouts of his parents in this world, whether they had anything to do with his transmigration, what lied within the forbidden lands of the West Wasteland, and so on. If it were possible to make an unconditional wish, Zhou Heng would definitely wish for the ability to freely travel between this world and Earth. He wanted to go back first to assure his parents he was okay and tell them not to worry, to pretend he was just working abroad. And he could also return home often. The very thought was extremely tempting. But it was unrealistic. First of all, Zhou Heng did not know whether the wishes made here would be recorded. If they were to be recorded, even if the Wishing Pool did not grant the wish, it would most likely leave a mark. That would expose his identity as a transmigrator, which could lead to unpredictable consequences. This couldnt be done. Wishes related to his previous life must not be made, at least not until he had enough strength. It was very dangerous. Then what wish should he make? Should it be for a longer lifespan, some special abilities, or to complete his incomplete martial arts? If he were to make these wishes, how should he describe them? For a moment, Zhou Heng found himself in the throes of choice paralysis, unable to decide exactly what kind of wish to make. Should he wish for a breakthrough from his current bottleneck and step directly into Seventh Rank? When Zhou Heng thought about this, he did feel somewhat tempted. But then he immediately realized that he could not guarantee there wouldnt be hidden dangers in using a wish to break through, nor did he know if it would affect his future cultivation. So, after careful consideration, he decided to give up this idea and continued to ponder. Seeing that Zhou Heng seemed to be indecisive and lost in thought, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors smiled and reminded him, Actually, I suggest you not make too great a wish to start with, as it will require a vast amount of good deeds. With your current strength, you simply cant accumulate enough, and it will only waste your opportunity to make a wish. Ah? Zhou Heng was startled at first, then felt a bit embarrassed and said, Senior, can you tell that Im struggling with some grand wishes? Haha. The Inner Seat of the Five Emperors laughed and said, Do you know what I wished for the first time I came here? What? Zhou Heng asked curiously, as this could serve as a reference. I made a wish to improve my Taoist formulas aptitude, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors sighed. This was after some consideration, giving up some bigger wishes. However, the amount of good deeds required was still out of reach for someone who was only at the Sixth Rank of the Martial Path at the time. To improve Taoist formulas aptitude, wasnt that the same as enhancing ones Spiritual Root? Zhou Heng thought of the Spiritual Root +1 basic attribute he had previously acquired, which had now become Spiritual Root +2. So this could also be achieved with a wish. It was just unknown how many good deeds it would require. But the amount of good deeds that even someone at the Sixth Rank of the Martial Path found unattainable was surely not a small number. Does senior have any suggestions? Zhou Heng asked. I suggest you make some small and detailed wishes, ones that you really need right now, such as for weapons, martial arts, elixirs, and other tangible things, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors explained. He added, By the way, wishing for tangible things is much simpler than intangibles, and requires far fewer good deeds. Hmm, I understand, thank you, senior. Zhou Heng nodded and, after some thinking, decided to start with what he currently needed. A handy blade-grade knife weapon. Now, both his sword and gloves were of blade grade, but his knife was still merely a common hundred-refined weapon. Even though he could use the +2 Sharpness attribute to enhance it, overall it still lagged behind. It would be good to take this opportunity to get a suitable knife and also see how many good deeds were needed for a blade-grade weapon, to make a comparison with items of a similar level. But how to describe it? Following the advice of the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors, the more accurate and logically clear the description of the wish, and the closer to reality and finer the detail, the more likely it was to be granted. This seems to be similar to the requirements of a prophecy I received earlier. Is there some connection? Zhou Hengs thoughts diverged and, after more contemplation, he came up with a precise description. Ive made up my mind, Zhou Heng said. Good, then I will step down, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors nodded and descended from the jade platform. When making a wish, only one person could be on the jade platform so the silently chanted wish could be conveyed to the Wishing Pool. If there were two people, the wish would not transmit. I wish for a knife weapon of blade grade that suits my build, contains thunder properties, is relatively light, and ideally has some enhancement for speed. Zhou Heng silently recited his wish in his mind and after about three breaths, he received feedback. It required five hundred good deeds. And while receiving the feedback, a stream of light flashed on the jade platform, and Zhou Heng was directly transported from the platform to the bottom of the stairs, standing next to the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors. After each wish is made, if there isnt enough stored virtue in the mask, one will be teleported off the Jade Platform, said a smiling officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors. How much virtue does your wish require? Asking someone what their wish was is very impolite, but inquiring about the amount of virtue required is quite a normal affair. This also made it easier for him to select an appropriate task for Zhou Heng. Five hundred, Zhou Heng answered truthfully and asked, Is that a lot? Not too much, not too little, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors pondered for a moment and said, The transitional tasks that one starts with usually reward between fifty to a hundred virtue points. Most of these tasks are purely investigational and dont involve combat. If its a task involving combat, then it starts at a hundred virtue points, with tasks at the Lower Third Rank generally going up to a maximum of three hundred. Additionally, there are virtue rewards for eliminate ghosts and evil creatures. Fifty virtue points for Ninth Grade levels, eighty for Eighth Grade levels, and a hundred for Seventh Rank. Looking at it this way, five hundred virtue points really doesnt seem like a lot, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Thats good, at least its motivating and not an unattainable number. Its because the wish you made was quite pragmatic, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors sighed and said with a wry smile, When I made a wish to improve my ability in Taoist formulas, it required thirty thousand virtue points. Moreover, after stepping into the Middle Third Rank, killing Lower Third Rank ghosts only yields ten percent of the original virtue reward, making it even more difficult. Thirty thousand thats rather excessive. Even if one kept killing Seventh Rank ghosts, that would mean extinguishing three thousand of them. And ghosts are adept at hiding; theyre not so easy to find, are they? Has seniors wish come true then? Zhou Heng asked curiously. Although the process was quite arduous, in the end, it was fulfilled, said the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors with a smile: Alright, lets go. From now on, you can pay attention to the information in your mask; tasks will be assigned. The initial three tasks are distributed by the inviter. Once you become an official member, you will have to choose for yourself from among those tasks listed. This mask can also receive information? Zhou Heng said in surprise. Are there no distance limitations? None, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors laughed. The mask is essentially a part of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, and the information is distributed through this Unique Divine Weapon. Its essence is extremely high, sufficient to cover vast spaces. However, if one must speak of limitations, its not related to distance, but to region. You can only receive messages within the territory of Da Qi; outside of it, you cannot. So, its a local area network Zhou Heng silently criticized in his mind. But such a local network with extensive coverage was still incredible. The territory of Da Qis thirty-three states was massive, and the ability to send messages over such distances without hindrance was truly powerful. Then, is it possible for members of the organization to contact each other? Zhou Heng asked curiously, thinking of real-time communication as a young man who had lived in the internet age on Earth. You mean for members to send messages across distances through their masks? The officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors grasped Zhou Hengs intention and said with a smile, This idea is good, but unfortunately, we cannot achieve that at the moment. After that, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors explained in detail to Zhou Heng why it was not possible. In fact, this idea had been proposed shortly after the establishment of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, but attempts to implement it revealed that it simply could not be realized. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer could only distribute information through the Zhou Tian Star Chart to the masks, but the masks couldnt send information in the reverse direction. Thus, the transmission of information was one-way, only distributing task information to the masks. And even if the masks could send information back, to enable communication between two or more masks, a relay station would need to be built into the Zhou Tian Star Chart. However, that required someone with a very high level of control over the Zhou Tian Star Chart, which no one at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had yet achieved, not even a Second Rank Tao Lord. It was said that the two leaders speculated that it may not solely relate to ones cultivation realm. I see, Zhou Heng said, somewhat disappointed. He had thought he might relive the experience of using chatting apps in this world, but it seemed not feasible. However, from the words of the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors, he learned another important piece of information: if the Zhou Tian Star Chart could cover vast spaces and ignore distance, could the Purple Tenuity Palace do the same? With this thought, Zhou Hengs eyes brightened, and he inquired, Senior, since the Zhou Tian Star Chart can transmit messages regardless of distance, can the Purple Tenuity Palace also have the same feature, allowing us to enter it anytime and anywhere? He remembered that previously, the officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors had just appeared out of thin air, and had also directly brought him from the outside into this strange void where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located. Where would such good fortune come from? The officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors laughed and said, However, what you said isnt entirely wrong; in theory, we could indeed enter the Purple Tenuity Palace from anywhere in this world. But our control over Purple Tenuity Palace is not sufficient to do so completely at will. We can only establish entry points in certain specific locations to facilitate entry and exit. However, if ones cultivation reaches Fifth Rank, converts True Qi into Mana, and weaves it with principles to condense a Dharma Phase, then using some special talisman and spiritual guidance, one can descend directly from the Purple Tenuity Palace to the location of the spiritual guidance. Mm, later on, I will send you the entrance locations of the Purple Tenuity Palace near each prefectures city and the corresponding seal spell formulas, along with the assigned tasks, he said. With that, Zhou Hengs initial induction process into the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was almost complete. Next, after he finished three tasks, he would become a formal member. The officer from the inner circle of the Five Emperors sent Zhou Heng and his jujube-red horse back to the road they were on before departing again. He had to go back and select suitable tasks for Zhou Heng. Afterward, Zhou Heng resumed his journey to the Chang Xing Sect, but along the way, he kept seeing urgent hoof prints, as if horses had just recently passed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only These meant that someone had been galloping along this road at high speed. And judging by the hoof prints, it wasnt just one horse but at least three, which seemed to be in pursuit of someone. However, the horses were close together, and ahead there were no traces of someone attempting to escape on horseback. Who were they pursuing? Suddenly, an idea flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, and he frowned, murmuring to himself with some uncertainty, This couldnt be a pursuit for me, could it? Chapter 143 - Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Horse Stepping on Red Lotus, The Roadside Inn Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Horse Stepping on Red Lotus, The Roadside Inn If someone really rode out of Huangtong Mansion City to chase me, it would likely be Master Lin, Leader Lei, and Yu He, Zhou Heng looked ahead, pondered briefly, and thought to himself, Whether it is or isnt, Ill know once I catch up. Giddy up!! With a fierce shout, the date-red horse he was straddling bolted off. It was like a gust of date-red wind, charging into the distance. It must be said, this horse definitely qualifies as a steed of a thousand miles. In every aspect, it far exceeded a normal horse. But even with such speed, it was probably still hard to catch up to those three horses ahead. After all, judging from the traces of the hoofprints, those three horses had been galloping for quite some time, and with the date-red horses normal speed, it surely wouldnt catch up. However, Zhou Heng still had something he had never had the chance to use. A reward he obtained from opening the Fortune Bag. Red Lotus Horse Gear [Copper]: Hidden yet visible, as if a lotus blossoming amidst flames, incomparably resplendent. It can be equipped on a horse, granting it the ability to spout fire, tread on water, and triple its running speed. Clip-clop-clip-clop! The sound of hooves was crisp and clear, as the date-red horse sprinted furiously, but as it galloped with Zhou Heng on its back, flames of crimson suddenly flared around it. The flames rose with the wind, like red lotuses wrapping around the horse, and beneath this fiery shroud, a suit of golden armor as if crafted from golden threads appeared out of thin air, extravagantly reaching the pinnacle of opulence. The flames and golden armor covered the date-red horse entirely, save for its eyes and mouth, leaving no vulnerable spot unguarded. The blazing flames burned fiercely, the heat of the red fire intense, and the speed was now thrice as fast! When the date-red horse reached its maximum speed, the flames burned even more fiercely, seemingly about to sweep over Zhou Heng, but he was not the least bit panicked. The flames coiled and spiraled around him like obedient servants, not daring to approach even slightly, and even covered his body with a layer of crimson armor, complete with a helmet crowned by a red lotus. Although the Red Lotus Horse Gear is said to be wearable by horses to grant them special effects, the rider is actually the true user of the gear. Therefore, the effects of the Red Lotus Horse Gear also extended to the rider. When the flames soared to their peak, Zhou Heng was clad entirely in Red Lotus armor, entirely shielded. Even the helmet only left his eyes open to the outside world. At this moment, Zhou Heng and his horse were both shrouded in the fierce red lotus flames, appearing to be a scene not of this world, as if a celestial steed of fire was being driven by a god. Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh! The intense heat generated fierce heatwaves, causing gales to rise everywhere the date-red horse and Zhou Heng passed. Thus, the two of them almost formed a bundle of swiftly running red flames, moving as if flying along the road, resembling a blooming red lotus that soared with speed. Along their path, all who saw the date-red horse were amazed, filled with awe. Many people couldnt help but rub their eyes, questioning if they had seen wrongly. Too fast! Too splendid! What kind of horse was this, to be bursting with fire all over its body? And that rider, he seemed to be clad entirely in flames too, donning red armor, like a god! It was incredible! Lin Cang, Lei Xiuyan, and Yu He had left the city together. They shared the same purpose. To catch up to Zhou Heng, stop him, and prevent him from doing something foolish. What a joke, to challenge the Chang Xing Sect alone was no different from seeking death. Did he really think he was invincible? They had to stop him! Yet, even though the three had hastened their pace, by their original estimations, they should have already caught up to Zhou Heng, but they hadnt seen any sign of him along the way. Now, it was around noon, with the September sun still scorchingly hot. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan, with their considerable martial arts, could endure it; but Yu He, who was not yet at Entry Rank and just recovering from injuries, was struggling. By coincidence, they spotted an inn ahead. Therefore, the three decided to take a brief rest inside and to ask whether the innkeeper had seen Zhou Heng. But upon approaching the inn, Lin Cang felt something was amiss, his face showing confusion as he scrutinized the surroundings. Strange, when did an inn open up here? He had passed by this place more than two months ago. Back then, it was nothing but wilderness and withered treeswhat inn? How could an inn have been built in such a short amount of time? Master Lin suspects somethings afoot? Lei Xiuyan frowned as he spoke. Having roamed the martial world in his early years, he was sensitive to such rapid changes, realizing that this could very likely harbor danger. Possibly, Lin Cang nodded slightly, his expression turning serious as he said, However, if there really is an issue, then we must go and find out. Zhou is inexperienced in the ways of the martial world. Even if his martial skills are strong, he could still fall victim to a trap. You mean to say that if theres something wrong with this inn, it could have ensnared Zhou Heng? Yu He was shocked and anxiously exclaimed, Then we should hurry over and check. What if were too late and Zhou Heng has been chopped up into dumplings! You kid, I told you to cut down on the story-telling at tea houses, but you wont change, Lin Cang flicked Yu Hes forehead and said, Rest assured, it probably isnt that serious; it might just be an ordinary inn after all. Leader Lei, Yu He, lets just stay vigilant. Being overly paranoid can arouse suspicion. In any case, were only stopping for a short break to gather some information. Hmm, staying alert should keep us out of danger, Lei Xiuyan nodded in agreement and said, Lets go. After that, the three dismounted. After tying up the horses, they entered the inn. The door was open, and the three of them walked straight in without the attendance of a waiter. There were few patrons in the lobby, making it somewhat desolate, and most of them had only asked for a cup of tea. It seemed that they were only here to shade themselves from the midday sun, sipping tea to cool off. However, the inn was indeed cooler than the scorching heat outside, truly refreshing the spirit and invigorating the mind. The three found seats and sat down. Only then did someone come to greet them. Not a waiter, but a sultry woman with a graceful figure, dressed in red silk and green clothes. She appeared to be in her thirties, with beautiful features and a mature charm. Her figure was exquisite, with an ample bosom not typical of an ordinary woman. Yu He was immediately entranced by her. However, Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyans brows furrowed, their hearts filling with increasing vigilance, even preparing to take action at any moment. Sirs, are you here to escape the heat? the womans voice was soft and alluring, and her every movement was seductive. She smiled and said, Although we do serve meals here, we do not provide them to those who are not lodging guests. We only offer tea. How much for the tea? Lin Cang asked sternly. One copper for a cup of cold tea and one tael for a cup of hot tea, the woman replied with a smile, looking toward Lin Cang. Which would you prefer? What? Yu He, shocked by the price, regained his senses and glaring at the woman, frowned and said, What kind of hot tea are you selling at one tael per cup? Are you insane? Because the cold tea is made from the blood of the dead, its not worth much, the womans eyes suddenly gleamed with a green light as she began to laugh, but the hot tea is freshly drawn from the living!! Attack! Lei Xiuyan shouted, and sprang into action. He opened his fingers into a claw and reached for the womans neck, his attack swift as thunder and mighty as a thousand catties, snapping her slender and tender neck in one strike. Thud!! The womans head flew off, and blood gushed out like a fountain, immediately filling the entire lobby with the stench of blood. Those seven patrons who were quietly sipping tea all turned their heads, their eyes gleaming an oily green as they looked toward Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and Yu He. At first, the flesh on these peoples faces seemed normal. But then, the skin on their faces began to rapidly rot and fall off, and even their eyeballs rolled out of their sockets, held by just a thread of flesh that had not snapped. Whatwhat is this!? Lei Xiuyan, in disbelief, gazed at the scene before him, which went far beyond his understanding of normal affairs. He had ventured through the martial world before, encountered shady inns, but never something like this. Innkeeper, Yu He, run! Lin Cang made a split-second decision, attempting to flee with his companions. Bang!! But at that moment, the door of the inn, which had been wide open, swung shut on its own, blocking Lei Xiuyan and the others path. But Lin Cang didnt stop. Instead, he quickened his pace, intending to break through the wall of the inn with his immense strength, determined to escape at all costs. However, as soon as he sped up, he felt a sudden tightness around his neck, someone had grasped him from behind and lifted him up into the air. Lei Xiuyan quickly dodged with Yu He and prepared to attack the person who had captured Lin Cang. But then, he clearly saw that the person was the very hostess whose neck he had snapped earlier, and whose head had flown off! The one who had caught Lin Cang was her headless corpse! And the hostesss head was being held by her own other hand, blood continuously flowing from the severed neck, yet her green eyes still stared intently at Lei Xiuyan and Yu He. You, you!? Lei Xiuyan was horrified to the core, but as a Seventh Rank Warrior, his courage was not that of an ordinary person. Even faced with such incredulity and extreme horror, he was still able to circulate his Inner Qi and exert his Martial Arts! Boom!! This time, Lei Xiuyans punch landed on the upper body of the headless corpse of the hostess. Accompanied by the explosion of robust Inner Qi, the upper body of the headless corpse burst like an explosion, turning into a mess of flesh. Naturally, both arms disappeared without a trace, leaving only two hands falling to the ground. Lin Cang managed to break free and hastily retreated to Lei Xiuyans side, looking at the half-body corpse and the head that was still staring at them with fear and uncertainty. Lets go! Lei Xiuyan roared, attempting to flee with Lin Cang and Yu He. But at that moment, the head inexplicably rose into the air, with a ghastly blue flame burning at the severed neck, blocking Lei Xiuyans path, opening its mouth to reveal a long tongue and a mouthful of sharp teeth as it began to shriek angrily. You cannot escape, you mustnt escape, or the Great King will not forgive us. Stay with me, become my hot tea supply, wouldnt that be nice!? Immediately afterwards, buds of flesh began to grow from the severed neck of the head, growing larger and faster, miraculously forming a new exquisite body in the blink of an eye. Hiss hiss! Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and Yu He couldnt help but step back in shock, staring incredulously at the woman before them not knowing what kind of creature she was. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Humans, your strength is commendable, but I am no match for you, the woman said as she brushed back her dark hair, proudly showing off her body with a smile. Yet you will never be able to kill me. The three were silent, sweating cold sweat. The womans unimaginable regenerative ability had completely surpassed their understanding, leaving them in despair. Clip-clop clip-clop clip-clop!! Just then, the sound of urgent horse hooves came from outside the inn, and a surge of red flame light shone through the windows! Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Mission Status Chapter 144: Chapter 144 Mission Status Boom! With a thunderous crash, the wall of the inn was shattered by a gigantic burst of fiery red light. Along with the blaze, fragmented wood chips burnt up in the air, turning into red sparks that scattered all around. The intense heat was nearly instant, filling every corner of the inn. The crimson flames floated in the air like blossoming red lotuses in an empty void. This was a steed covered in golden armor, entirely engulfed in scarlet flames, with even a single golden horn emerging from its forehead, ablaze with roaring fire. Atop the horse sat a tall and upright figure. His eyes, cold and filled with endless intent to kill, peered through the multitude of red lotuses made of flame and settled on the womans figure. It was Zhou Heng. Playing at gods and ghosts! The woman shouted loudly, her body, which seemed boundlessly beautiful moments before, suddenly twisted grotesquely as spikes of bone pierced through her flesh and skin. The spikes glistened with a sharp chill, as if weapons refined a hundred times had grown from the womans body. Die! The woman leaped towards Zhou Heng, who was seated on the flaming steed, with arms and legs outstretched, aiming to skewer him with her bone spikes. She intended to impale him directly with her spikes! Insignificant trick. Zhou Heng scoffed coldly, giving the jujube-red horse beneath him a light pat, causing the surrounding flames to burst forth anew. The jujube-red horse reared up, standing on its hind legs and focusing its gaze on the woman who had turned into a monster. It snorted derisively and two streams of crimson fire erupted from its nostrils. These flames, like blooming red lotuses, contained the power of utmost yang and rigidity. The moment the woman came into contact with them, she was wholly enveloped. Her body, as if doused in oil, burst into an intensely raging fire that in an instant turned her into ashes. This time, she did not recover. Next, the red flames that had reduced the woman to ash flowed in all directions, cleansing the entire inn, purifying the miasma and banishing all specters. The guests who had suddenly rotted earlier collapsed one after another, their flesh decayed into dust and dispersed into smoke. When everything had been incinerated by the blooming red lotuses, the building of the inn itself suddenly twisted and transformed, changing from a not-so-small inn into a desolate wilderness. In several flat areas, four white flags were planted, waving in the wind, consolidating an extremely chilly aura, making one shiver uncontrollably even at noon. What bizarre circumstances were these?? Neither Lin Cang nor Lei Xiuyan had ever seen such a scene in their decades of life, and were immediately stunned and at a loss for what to do. Yu He had fainted earlier from the immense psychic shock when the woman transformed, and she was still unconscious now. Thank you, noble hero. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan were about to thank the strange man who had come riding on a horse of flame, the very person whod saved their lives. Trainer Lin, Grandmaster Lei, no need for thanks, Zhou Heng said, manipulating his Inner Qi across the space to stop them from bowing in gratitude. Simultaneously, he concealed the effect of the red lotus horse gear, and both he and the jujube-red horse reverted to their original appearance. Zhou Heng?! Little Zhou?! How is it you? Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were utterly shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief as they looked at Zhou Heng, feeling that the world had turned utterly mad, defying all logic. No wonder they were surprised. Under the effect of the red lotus horse gear, Zhou Heng and the jujube-red horse were clad in armor and flame, appearing to others as a giant fireball, possibly even mistaken for the descent of a fire god. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang didnt believe in gods descending to earth, but they understood very well that the knights display of elegance and demeanor, plus the strength he had shown in killing the strange woman in an instant, was extraordinary and powerful. How could this be related to Zhou Heng? But the scene before them forced them to believe, to admit to what they saw. Impressive, truly impressive! Lin Cang laughed heartily. We were originally worried about you, wanting to stop and persuade you, but it turns out we were the ones saved by you instead. Being in the martial arts hall for too long, Ive become too comfortable to understand these strange events, Lei Xiuyan sighed. Zhou Heng, your future holds great promise; are you sure you want to go looking for trouble with the Chang Xing Sect now? How old was Zhou Heng? Not even eighteen yet!! So young, yet he already possessed such strength and such mystical powerhis potential was truly limitless. If he were to fall at the hands of the Chang Xing Sect because of this incident That would be a true pity. No worries, Grandmaster, Zhou Heng smiled. Since I dared to have the lord of Huangtong Mansion spread the word, I naturally have complete confidence. If the Chang Xing Sect dares to touch those close to me, they will have to pay the price. Trainer Lin, Grandmaster, take Yu He and go back. Ill be fine. In the two years since arriving in this world, Zhou Heng hadnt found many he truly valued, but the Yu Family and the trainers at Longxing Martial Arts Hall were definitely among them; the Chang Xing Sect had gone too far this time. Lei Xiuyan wanted to persuade him further, but Lin Cang shook his head at him, indicating that there was no use. Having trained Zhou Heng for two years, Lin Cang knew his character all too well. Having said so much, Zhou Heng obviously had made up his mind and would not turn back. Sigh, Lei Xiuyan also understood Lin Cangs gesture, and he turned to Zhou Heng, saying, Then proceed as you wish, but remember, if you cant win, you must run. Do not throw away your life in vain. Dont worry, Grandmaster, I always value my life, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Afterwards, the two groups split up, with Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan taking Yu He back to Huangtong Mansion City, while Zhou Heng continued on his way to Chang Xing Sect. Since the Red Lotus Horse Gear was simply too shocking and drew far too much attention, Zhou Heng chose not to use its effects for the rest of his journey. Rather, he simply rode on his jujube red horse at its normal speed. In a place with no one around on his way, Zhou Heng tried on the mask symbolizing the Ziwei Great Emperor and received the task information assigned by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer as well as the merit rewards obtained from slaying that ghostly woman. Eighty. The ghostly woman was of Eighth Rank, and in terms of power alone, she was simply no match for Lei Xiuyan, hence why she was thoroughly crushed in combat. However, the body of a ghost creature is nearly indestructible; it can resurrect and recover ceaselessly, and purely with martial arts of the Lower Third Rank and Middle Third Rank, it was practically impossible to slay her completely. As a result, although Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were powerful enough to win against the ghost woman, they still had a tremendously difficult time and had no way to truly kill her. If Zhou Heng hadnt arrived in time, they might have really died there. Hmm? This task After looking over the task content distributed by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, Zhou Heng startled for a moment, then chuckled lightly, It seems the Five Emperors Inner Chamber has really selected a suitable task for me. Task Briefing: Ansong County and Lufeng County of Huangtong Mansion in Pingzhou have been experiencing mysterious disappearances at night. Starting a month ago, till now, more than thirty people have vanished, including men, women, the elderly, and children. Task Objective: Investigate whether ghost creatures are involved and unveil the truth. Task Warning: Half a month ago, an organization member with the codename Siming, of Seventh Rank in martial path, went to investigate and has since lost contact. Base Task Reward: One hundred and twenty merits, five hundred taels of silver. Additional Task Reward: If Siming is successfully rescued, an additional two hundred merits will be awarded. Ansong County and Lufeng County are the two closest counties to Chang Xing Sect, and for Zhou Heng, heading there wouldnt require any detour, he could just go directly. Clearly, the task was distributed by the Five Emperors Inner Chamber after some careful selection. However, something capable of causing a martial artist of Seventh Rank to lose contact must not be simple. Zhou Heng fell into deep thought, musing inwardly, Based on the task description, that Siming is likely still alive, which means even if theres really a connection to ghost creatures involved, its probably not beyond Sixth Rank, exactly within my ability to handle. And after calculating a bit, as long as he completed this task, rescued Siming, and then killed a Seventh Rank ghost creature, his merits would reach five hundred. The wish he made before could then be fulfilled. These two counties are not far from Chang Xing Sect, at most half a days journey. There are still six days left from the time I mentioned before, so theres no need for me to hurry over, Zhou Heng thought. It would be better to let the news spread a bit more. The reason he asked Wu Zongshan to help spread the news was to let more people know about it, preferably drawing a sizable crowd to witness, so that he could humiliate Chang Xing Sect in full public view. At the same time, this was also a form of security, for as long as Chang Xing Sect cared about their face, they wouldnt make a move against him openly in front of everyone. Though even if a grandmaster were to take action, Zhou Heng had ways to deal with it, but being extra prepared never hurt. Underneath Ansong County City. Here lay a man-made cavern, vast in space, with seats, tables, stools, and even a small palace. It was truly another world. The area flickered with ghostly blue flames, chilling to the bone. In the center of the cavern sat a man over nine feet tall, broad and muscular. He was cloaked in armor of an ancient design, his head adorned with a helmet, concealing his face. Only a pair of eyes could be seen, glowing blue. Around this man stood more than a dozen others, also in tattered armor, gathered around the central seat with the utmost respect. Report!! Just then, a gaunt man rushed in from outside, panic-stricken. He knelt before the man, saying, Great King, theres trouble. Speak, the man said coolly, as if devoid of any emotion. The soul lantern of Ah Hong went out; shes dead, the gaunt man said. Much of the martial blood weve used lately was collected by her, and now that shes dead, well receive much less martial blood. No need to worry, the man spoke with the same calmness, Has the Siming from Zhou Tian Boundary Officer been found? If I can consume her, I can fully recover. No, not yet the gaunt man shook his head, his body starting to tremble. Useless! The man suddenly let out a cold snort, the blue light in his eyes intensifying, revealing a face of skin and bones, riddled with scars, utterly ferocious. At the same time, the mans mouth opened, and out came a withered tongue like a vine, piercing the gaunt mans head and drilling into his body. In an instant, he sucked everything inside dry. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only All that was left was a piece of withered skin. The dozen or so people around all kept their heads low, still showing utmost respect, as if they had seen nothing. The one who killed Ah Hong is most likely the member sent by Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to rescue Siming, the man retracted his tongue and swallowed, speaking indifferently, These days, theres no need for you to catch people. Wait until the person arrives before taking action. As you command, Great King!! All the people spoke in unison, kneeling down. Just make sure you dont disappoint me like the worthless one just now, the mans eyes flickered with blue light, Capture both Siming and this new arrival in one fell swoop! Chapter 145 - Chapter 145: Chapter 145 The Best of Both Worlds Chapter 145: Chapter 145 The Best of Both Worlds ` Ansong County City is quite close to the Chang Xing Sect, just under fifty li away. It could basically be considered the front gate of the Chang Xing Sect and thanks to this, Ansong County has been very stable over the years, with hardly any disasters. It has developed quite well. Usually, there would often be people entering and leaving the city gates, traveling to various places. But now, the gates are eerily deserted. Only two or three soldiers stand guard, and even ordinary pedestrians are rare. Despite it being summer, they felt chills. If its deserted to an extreme, it really gets cold. Because there were so few people, and those coming and going were mostly familiar faces, the city guard soldiers became even more perfunctory in their duties. Most of the time, at most, they would take an extra glance and assess the situation, without interfering further. Squeak, squeak! The sound of wagon wheels struggling to turn came over, as an old man, driving a donkey cart laden with a pile of firewood and grass, slowly made his way into the city. He seemed to have a good relationship with the city guards. As he passed by, he exchanged a few brief words with a laugh, and then continued on into the city. There was no real inspection. The old man, driving his donkey cart, moved along the main streets of the city, turning left and right, passing roads one after another, until he finally reached his own backyard and stopped the cart. Then he went back inside the house to drink water. As he walked, he mumbled to himself, puzzled, Why is this firewood so heavy today? Could it be that theres too much water inside? Looks like Ill have to dry it out for a few more days before I can sell it. After the old man left the backyard, the cart filled with firewood and grass suddenly moved, and a teenager about seventeen or eighteen years old crawled out from underneath it. It was Zhou Heng. To avoid alerting the enemy, he hadnt come in brazenly but had chosen a relatively hidden approach to sneak in. After all, there were now so few people coming and going in Ansong County City that he, a stranger who had never been here before, would be easily recognized once he showed his face. That would mean revealing himself to the enemy before finding the source of the incident, which would be greatly disadvantageous as it would put him at a position of known vulnerability. Moreover, Simings whereabouts were currently unknown. If his rash actions led to Simings death, Zhou Heng would feel quite remorseful. Plus, he wouldnt be able to claim the additional rewards. Zhou Heng moved silently, finding a secluded spot in the backyard that was not easily discovered, and temporarily hid himself there. This place is indeed full of ghost energy, he frowned, aware of the problem at hand. It was because there was a ghostly presence here! Benefiting from the addition to his spirit attributes and the nourishment of his Innate Skill, Zhou Hengs Divine Soul had grown very strong, and his sensitivity to ghost energy had naturally improved a lot compared to before. Therefore, as soon as he quieted down and concentrated, he felt the powerful, unmatched ghost energy lurking within Ansong County City. Then, he began to ponder over the missing population cases in Ansong County and Lufeng County. The mission information sent by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer included introductions to the situations in Ansong and Lufeng Counties. Starting a little over a month ago, people in Ansong County began disappearing into thin air, leaving no trace and completely unfindable no matter what. Moreover, they vanished silently, without the slightest noise. Many people woke up in the morning to find their husbands, wives, children, or parents gone. The locals reported to the authorities, but the result was the deaths of several constables and officers, with no alleviation to the situation, which instead intensified, with more and faster disappearances. Thus, the county leader was out of options and could only report upwards, requesting the Huangtong Mansions master Wu Zongshan to handle the matter. Eventually, Wu Zongshan informed the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer about the situation in Ansong County. Not long afterward, news came that similar incidents had occurred in Lufeng County as well. As a result, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer dispatched a Seventh Rank Warrior codenamed Siming to investigate here. But over the following half month, there was no further sight of Siming. She hadnt left the city, and should still be inside Ansong County City, but it was unknown whether she was hiding or had been caught. After some thought, Zhou Heng decided to find Siming first. He planned to rescue Siming and ensure her safety before delving deeper into the ghostly matters, to avoid the potential kidnapping by the ghost and the dilemma of being hesitant to act because of her. At the same time, if Siming could be found, they could also gain a more detailed understanding of the ghostly situation here. Of course, in the process of searching for her, it was equally possible to investigate the traces of the ghost, as the two tasks did not conflict. Initially, however, Zhou Heng intended to prioritize the rescue. However, to rescue someone, one must first find out where Siming is, Zhou Heng frowned slightly, with no clues at the moment. Blundering around in search like this was likely to expose his tracks directly. Sigh, I really should have added a communication function to the mask, as well as a feature to confirm each others location. It would make searching for each other so much easier. Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer couldnt even manage to transmit information back to the star chart through the mask, let alone real-time communication. ` Right, theres a way! Zhou Heng had a flash of inspiration and suddenly smiled, thinking to himself, Since its inconvenient to search deliberately, I can accidentally stumble upon it. He took out the talisman that he kept close to himself for sealing Yang Energy and put it into the Qiankun silk pouch provided to true disciples by the Pure Yang Palace. With that, the aura of his Pure Yang Body was no longer suppressed. If Siming was injured by a ghost and unable to leave quickly, her body carrying ghost Qi and following the law of Yin and Yang attraction, even if Zhou Heng was just strolling casually, he might encounter her. If she was not injured by a ghost, it meant that either she hadnt encountered any ghosts, or that the ghosts here did not have the power to harm her, and even if he exposed himself, it wouldnt bring harm to her. This method could be said to serve multiple purposes beautifully. If I can encounter the nest of the ghosts by chance, then it will be even simpler, Zhou Hengs lips curved slightly, thinking to himself, Then I could strike directly at the source and obliterate the ghosts here in one fell swoop. Although his current strength was nearly equivalent to the top ten of the human rankings, facing Sixth Rank level ghosts, he would be no match, but that was just the standard of his own strength. He still had a bunch of unused special ability cards. The Five-Colored Divine Light was also still available. Beneath the night sky, the moon hidden, the stars sparse. The northern side of Ansong County City was the busiest area, with many grand mansions built there, alleys intersecting; naturally, there were also many vacant houses. Chen Yingyu was hiding in a secluded firewood room of a big courtyard. She wore a mask and black clothes, circulating her inner strength to drive the blood Qi, expelling the ghost Qi nestled within her body. This situation had been going on for six or seven days. Fortunately, the place was secluded enough, and the firewood room was rarely visited, so she had not been discovered; otherwise, she would have been forced to move and hide again, wasting days of hard work. Phew Chen Yingyu exhaled a breath of turbid air, feeling the condition inside her body, and was slightly joyful, The ghost Qi has been cleared quite a bit. In at most three days, Ill be able to move normally. I must report the situation here back to the organization. This small county city has actually gathered a large number of ghosts, and theres a formidable ghost called Great King, extremely dangerous! She was the Star Envoy Siming dispatched here by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to investigate the situation. Originally, Chen Yingyu thought that this place was merely afflicted by ordinary ghosts since those who disappeared were all ordinary people; logically, the ghosts here shouldnt be strong. But after arriving here and truly encountering the ghosts, she realized that Ansong County and the neighboring Lufeng County were actually just traps. It was a bait for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer! The people of these two counties werent the ghosts true targets; they were merely bait. What the ghosts really wanted were the people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Thats why they only abducted ordinary people and never targeted martial artists with cultivation, creating a false impression of weak ghostly strength. To avoid attracting the strong ones from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Chen Yingyu encountered three Seventh Rank ghosts at that time, powerful and with extraordinary abilities. Even though she was strong and had the divine skills passed down from the Star Envoys, she was still not a match for them and was injured by the ghost Qi, barely escaping with her life. I must recover as soon as possible and make contact with the organization. Otherwise, the organization will definitely send someone to investigate my disappearance. Due to the lack of complete information, its unlikely they will send a Sixth Rank. However, considering my disappearance, they should send someone stronger than me, perhaps a Peak of the Seventh Rank, an expert who has just started to merge with the exterior scenery. But even with that, most likely they wont be a match for those ghosts! Coming here would just be sending them to their deaths Chen Yingyu bit her red lips, filled with regret. In the three years since she joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, every mission had gone smoothly, and she gradually lost her vigilance. Had it been in the past, she would have conducted a thorough investigation before taking action. Not as reckless as she was now. Worrying is useless; I should focus on expelling the ghost Qi, Chen Yingyu thought to herself, preparing to circulate her Inner Qi again, but suddenly her ears twitched, and she heard footsteps outside. Someone was coming to the firewood room? Was it a ghost, or a servant of this mansion? Regardless of who it was, I cant stay here any longer, I must leave immediately. Chen Yingyu immediately decided to escape through the window, but just as she was about to move, she felt an icy chill in her legs, losing the ability to move, completely immobilized. Damn, why did the ghost Qi have to travel to my legs at this moment?! She panicked. She had been severely injured before, with ghost Qi infiltrating her bloodstream, which caused her legs to become immobile whenever the ghost Qi passed through them. Normally, this would happen at intervals of an hour. It had just been an hour since the last occurrence, and she couldnt move. Lets see who it is first. If its just a servant of the mansion owner, maybe theres room for negotiation, Chen Yingyu thought to herself. If its a ghost, Ill have no choice but to harm my own foundation and flee. Creak! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, the door of the firewood room opened. The figure that entered Chen Yingyus vision was tall and slender, wearing a purple robe of immense luxury, and with a mask bearing the noble visage of an emperor on his face. Behind this figure was a night sky originally devoid of stars, but for some reason, when he opened the door of the firewood room, the clouds that had been masking the stars and the moonlight drifted away. As a result, starlight and moonlight poured down, shining through the window into the firewood room, and also enveloping the masked figure, giving him an air of mystery and nobility. Siming? the person chuckled lightly, seeming quite pleased, Im here to rescue you. Chapter 146 - Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Swift and Decisive Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Swift and Decisive You, no, Your Chen Yingyu was startled as she raised her head to look at the figure that seemed to be surrounded by billions of stars, as if she had received some inspiration, Are you the Ziwei Emperor?! It was her Siming mask that provided her with this information. It automatically recognized the Ziwei mask. However, as soon as she uttered these words, an emotion of extreme shock filled Chen Yingyus heart. Being a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, and having once watched the Zhou Tian Star Chart, she naturally knew very well what Ziwei meant. Such a position couldnt even be called a Star Officer, this was the lord of all stars, the Grandmaster of all phenomena, this was the Ziwei Celestial Emperor, the supreme deity. This was the ruler of all Star Officers in the entire Zhou Tian Star Chart. How could someone acquire such a stellar position? Too unbelievable. Was this a new member who had just joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? A comrade? Although his cultivation seemed not to be very high, his temperament was certainly not that of an ordinary person. By luck, I gained the recognition of the Ziwei star position, but I do not dare to call myself Emperor, Zhou Heng said with a faint smile, stepping forward and adding, You are infected with ghost qi, I will help you expel it. To expel ghost qi for another requires Celestial Power Chen Yingyu thought that Zhou Heng was a newbie in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and was not aware of this, so she hastily reminded him. But before she could finish her sentence, she felt a broad palm press onto her shoulder. Immediately after, she felt a warm current enter her body, a tingling sensation arose, and she experienced an indescribable comfort. Chen Yingyu felt as if the tingling current were a warm snake traveling through her body, wherever it went seemed to be illuminated by the warm sun, and it quickly moved to her legs. It was as if the winter snow met the blazing sun, her legs which had been cold to the bone and immovable, as if frozen, melted away immediately after the current passed through. After a short while, Chen Yingyu felt her legs return to their normal sensation and became movable again. How is this possible?? She couldnt help but widen her eyes, disbelievingly sensing the situation within her body, then raising her head to look at Zhou Heng, gratefully saying, Thank you, Emperor! This was too unbelievable. The ghost qi inside her body was expelled just like that, seemingly without any effort, as if the ghost qi that had previously taken hold inside her was not ghost qi at all, but merely ordinary cold qi. Moreover, what shocked Chen Yingyu the most was that this Ziwei Emperor, judging by his inner qi, seemed to only be at the peak of Eighth Rank, and yet he expelled the ghost qi so effortlessly. Too miraculous. Dont thank me yet, we have visitors, Zhou Heng said as he grabbed Chen Yingyus hand to help her up, turned to look outside, and smiled, Since theyre here, why hide any longer? Visitors? Chen Yingyu was first stunned, and then her expression changed dramatically, she exclaimed in horror, No, there are ghost creatures! Emperor, lets get out of here quickly, there are too many ghost creatures lurking around here, once one discovers us, the rest will follow! No need to panic, Zhou Heng replied with a calm smile, unhurriedly walking out of the shed and adding, Ill count to three, if they dont show themselves by then, they need not come out at all. Chen Yingyu watched the tall, slender figure in the shed, slightly distracted; he was standing in front of her C was he planning to confront the ghost creatures with the strength of an Eighth Rank? To buy time for her to escape? This feeling left her somewhat at a loss, as she had always fought alone, whether in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer or within her own sect. No one had ever stood in front of her like this to protect her. Three! Just then, Zhou Heng spoke, going straight to three, and almost at the same moment, he charged out and arrived at the corner of the courtyard. Boom! With a punch, he smashed down with horrifying force, causing the ground to tremble immediately. The brick-and-stone pavement formed a deep pit, and a ghost creature that was previously hiding there in stealth was instantly forced to reveal itself. However, upon revealing itself, the powerful punch along with the innate Power of Pure Yang decimated it swiftly, turning it into countless fragments and igniting golden flames, burning it to ashes in an instant. It didnt even have time to let out a scream. Congratulations! You have killed a weak enemy Yue Chong, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. The notification rang out. Zhou Heng stood up, brushed the dust off his body, and chuckled, Really lacks vigilance. His statement about counting to three was actually just a smokescreen he had used. After all, he had just now not used any martial arts, merely channeling his inner qi to deliver a powerful punch. If he didnt use a little trick, he might not have succeeded. Besides, counting to three starts from three, isnt that common knowledge? This ghost creature has no culture. Just now, just now that was a Seventh Rank ghost creature Ive seen it before. Chen Yingyu was stunned, her delicate and beautiful face beneath the mask filled with astonishment, You, you used just one punch?? She even began to doubt her life, wondering if she had experienced a hallucination just then? That was a ghost creature! Moreover, it was a Seventh Rank ghost creature; under normal circumstances, only a Third Rank Celestial Man would have the ability to utterly exterminate it. Even for someone from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, they had to beat it to the point of no resistance before they could deploy Taoist formulas and draw on the power of the Zhou Tians stars to exterminate it. But what happened just now?? Without using Taoist formulas, without drawing on the power of the Zhou Tian stars, just by smashing with a fist, a Seventh Rank ghost creature was directly turned into ash! Whats more absurd is this person was only at the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path. This, how is this possible??! Could this be the miraculous aspect of the Ziwei Emperors star position? It must be too powerful!! Chen Yingyu couldnt help but inwardly exclaim in amazement at Zhou Heng, her gaze completely fixated on him, almost completely mesmerized. Lets go, Zhou Heng turned and said to Chen Yingyu. Ah? Chen Yingyu came back to her senses, still full of confusion, tilting her head and muttering in bewilderment, Go where? Just wandering around, Zhou Heng said with a smile. In the underground grotto beneath Ansong County City. The figure in the archaic armor who sat on the central throne suddenly stood up, the ghostly blue flames on his body suddenly surged, and he said solemnly, Yue Chong is dead. The dozen or so other battle-ready figures wearing tattered armor instantly emanated layers of ghostly blue flames, seemingly quite shaken by this news. Apart from these dozen people, there were other ordinary ghost creatures in the grotto, mostly at the Eighth and Ninth Grades, totaling twenty to thirty in number. Upon hearing the mans words, their faces too revealed expressions of utter shock. This, this, General Yue Chong was comparable to a Seventh Rank Warrior, and he had the ability to conceal himself and escape detection, how could he die? Could it be, could it be that a Celestial Man has come? Is it possible that the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer dispatched a Celestial Man to rescue Siming?? These little ghost creatures were not very brave; hearing this news, they all inevitably started to fear, extremely worried. Shut up! The man on the central throne shouted sharply, then opened his mouth to suck in, immediately swallowing the ten little ghosts who had been the loudest, crunching and grinding them to pieces and swallowing them down. He has a Pure Yang Body, I have already sensed that delicious aroma!! The man grinned, a little ghosts head falling from his mouth, Once I eat him, I will instantly return to my prime! Hahahaha!! Great King is mighty!! Great Kings divine power!! The grotto immediately resonated with voices of praise, all from the remaining little ghosts shouting. They all did not want to die. As for those dozen or so closest to the throne, they stayed silent, heads bowed, standing there as if everything happening around them had nothing to do with them. Boom!! Just at that moment, the grotto suddenly collapsed, a loud bang rang out, and then dazzling golden light pierced through the dust and debris, shining through. Several Ninth Grade little ghosts were illuminated by this golden light and spontaneously combusted, turning to ash in the blink of an eye; the Eighth Grade ghosts also hurriedly covered their eyes, but their skin was still scorched severely, and they screamed out in pain. Only those dozen core ghost creatures in tattered armor seemed to be unaffected, standing there and slowly turning their heads to look towards the source of the golden light. Whoosh! A sudden whirlwind arose, scattering the dust raised by the collapse of the grotto, and a figure donning an imperial mask and wearing a luxurious purple robe, with a majestic demeanor, slowly walked in. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Layer upon layer of golden light emerged from him, like a blazing golden flame containing an incredibly intense Power of Pure Yang. It was Zhou Heng. Chen Yingyu stood behind him, still shaken. Zhou Heng looked around and finally set his gaze on the figure in the central seat, then opened both palms, operating the Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, and lightning suddenly flashed! Evil spirits of darkness, perish!! Chapter 147 - Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Overwhelming Force Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Overwhelming Force ` Boom, boom, boom! Two Palm Thunders infused with the Power of Pure Yang burst forth from Zhou Hengs hands, like two long snakes wrapped in golden thunderous light, slithering through the void toward the Great King in front of the central throne. Wherever the thunderous light passed, the Power of Pure Yang surged and the sounds of thunder roared, chilling ghostly beings to the bone and filling spectral creatures with terror. The Eighth Rank ghosts that had just managed to survive the illumination of the Pure Yang golden light had no chance to resist the assault of this thunderous light, and were instantly turned to ash. And this was merely the aftermath of the Palm Thunders. After cultivating the Pure Yang Dan Jing, Zhou Heng further awakened the strength of his Pure Yang Body. When he used the Palm Thunder, he imbued it with Pure Yang power, greatly enhancing its restraint over ghostly beings. For him now, as long as they had not truly reached the level of a Sixth Rank, he could slay any spectral creature! Form the array! Protect the Great King! The ghostly beings wearing tattered armors were all Seventh Rank, with quite a few on par with the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Once they moved, there was an immediate intertwining of the subtle principles of heaven and earth. Layers of ghostly qi condensed into shades of Yin, forming dense purple-black mists. This purple-black mist churned and expanded continuously, soon spreading out and enveloping them as well as the Great King before the central throne, attempting to withstand the Palm Thunders unleashed by Zhou Heng. Boom!! Two bolts of thunder fiercely smashed into the violently churning purple-black mist, piercing its surface almost instantly, allowing flashes of golden lightning to sparkle amidst the layers of purple-black mist. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng moved again. The hands that had just deployed the Palm Thunder clenched into fists, and the golden flames burning on his body suddenly surged, shooting up into the sky, and formed above his head a tremendous golden arm and fist that stretched over three zhang. Buzz, buzz! The purple-black mist trembled and shook, attempting to expand outward and keep the two Palm Thunders containing the Power of Pure Yang at bay. But these two Palm Thunders were Taoist Formulas designed specifically to annihilate ghostly beings, and now, with the addition of Pure Yang power, and Zhou Hengs innate prowess with a special attack +2 advantage against ghostly beings, he enjoyed too many bonuses when fighting spectral creatures. And so! Boom! With a loud bang, the dying purple-black mist could not withstand the two Palm Thunders and ultimately was pierced through its defenses. The blinding golden light burst forth, shredding the remaining purple-black mist and also falling upon those several Seventh Rank ghosts, immediately reducing most of them to ashes. Body and spirit annihilated! Standing behind Zhou Heng, Siming Chen Yingyu was completely dumbfounded, watching the figure enveloped in golden light in disbelief. Too strong! Truly too strong!! Is this really an Eighth Rank Martial Artist? What were those two rays of thunder just now? Taoist Formulas?? So incredible! She was fully aware of how powerful those tattered-armored ghosts were. Even if some of them were only comparable to ordinary Seventh Rank Martial Artists, combined with their unique spectral abilities, they could stand toe-to-toe with the Peak of the Seventh Rank. This is the disadvantage humans must face when confronting ghostly beings. Chen Yingyu had been injured by ghosts and had been forced to flee and hide precisely because of this point. But now, this Ziwei Emperor before her had suddenly annihilated a great number of them in an instant, and it was a complete and utter kill! These were ghostly beings! Seventh Rank ghostly beings no less!! For humans, the most terrifying aspect of ghosts is their near-immortality, as even the gravest injuries could lead to resurrection. Yet now, all of this seemed to have lost its effect before the Ziwei Emperor. It was unbelievable that the world could have such an Eighth Rank Martial Artist. Truly too inconceivable! At this moment, all of Chen Yingyus panic had dissipated, and her gaze towards Zhou Heng was filled with shock and reverence. After the glow of the Palm Thunder faded. ` ` Aside from the towering figure before the central throne, only five ghost creatures remained standing, all of which were equivalent to the Peak of the Seventh Rank. However, even though they were not utterly annihilated by the Palm Thunder, their bodies were charred black and still emitting thick smoke. The remnants of their already damaged armor were nothing but empty shells, revealing their skin-stretched-over-bone corporeal forms. Ah! Humans, youre courting death! Die! The surviving five ghost creatures were enraged to the extreme, with violet-black mist pouring out of their seven orifices. An eerie and icy aura filled the cavern in an instant. But, it was all to no avail. As the five ghost creatures erupted, Zhou Hengs golden arm and fist, which he had just conjured, crashed down violently. Golden Light Three Forms! Grasp Gold Hammer! Boom! As the golden fist came down, the air was blasted apart, setting off waves of air that cracked the surrounding cavern walls and shook the ground above, creating a web of fissures. The golden fist seemed to be coated in a layer of fierce wind, carrying an unmatched force, like a celestial deity descending with a golden arm to purify the mortal realm, smashing hard into the five ghosts. Bang!! Suddenly, a loud collision resounded, and the powerful impact spread out Instantly flattening the surrounding stone benches, chairs, and beds, and causing cracked walls to collapse. A crack over thirty feet long tore through the ground, and nearby lands felt a degree of shaking. This startled more than half of Ansong County Citys people awake, and they all ran out of their houses, holding hands with kin and friends to prevent separation. They all looked towards the south. There, waves of roaring, along with the collision of golden and violet-black light, became visible to most of Ansong County City. At that time, in the cavern. The tall and majestic figure, called Great King by the other ghosts, came to the center of the five Seventh Rank ghosts. He raised his palm and caught Zhou Hengs Grasp Gold Hammer with one hand. I recognize this Inner Qi, sneered the ghost creature called the Great King, looking at Zhou Heng with a grin, The secret techniques of Pure Yang Palaces not transmitted lightly Pure Yang Dan Jing. I remember the person who used this Martial Arts against me was directly taught by your patriarch, named Chen Dongxuan. I wonder if hes dead yet. Kid, why dont you tell me? Chen Dongxuan?? Zhou Heng was startled upon hearing this, for he recognized the name. This was the previous patriarch of Pure Yang Palace, a Second Rank Tao Lord who had condensed the seed of Dao, and nominally his teacher. The current patriarch of Pure Yang Palace, Yan Shouyi, was his distinguished mentor. This ghost creature was beaten by Chen Dongxuan using Pure Yang Dan Jing? What a joke! Chen Dongxuan had been a Celestial Man over two thousand years ago. And this ghost creature looked to be no higher than Sixth Rank. There was no need for a Celestial Man to intervene. Nonsense! Zhou Heng let out a low shout, his Inner Qi strengthening once again, making the Grasp Gold Hammer instantly swell to twice its size, its power greatly increased. At the same time, he fought with both hands, his attention split between two actions. His other hand formed a gesture. Crackling! Golden thunder light converged once again! Yet, the Great King ghost remained unperturbed, still appearing confident as ever, steadily holding the golden hammer aloft with one hand. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only No matter what, kill it first, then use the Memory Extraction Card! Little thing, back in the day, I commanded wars alongside Chen Dongxuan, the ghostly Great King roared, his eyes glowing with a bluish flame, staring fixedly at Zhou Heng. Its armor suddenly burst into flames, fully illuminating its gaunt face from the shadows. Grandpa here was known as Wan Shankong, the Great King Who Calms the Mountains, under King Qis command. Chen Dongxuan himself showed me great respect. You little thing dare to take me on?! You deserve to die a thousand deaths!! ` Chapter 148 - Chapter 148: Chapter 148 The Truth Behind the Battle of Tianyang? Chapter 148: Chapter 148 The Truth Behind the Battle of Tianyang? Nonsense! Zhou Heng snorted coldly and immediately struck with a Palm Thunder. The intertwining thunder and Pure Yang golden light descended right on top of the ghostly creature claiming to be Wan Shankongs head, shattering its helmet and revealing a skin-covered, skeletal head resembling a skull. However, as the helmet broke apart, the Palm Thunder also disappeared without causing any real damage to the ghostly creature. Youre quite bold, little one! Wan Shankongs mouth curled into a smile as he extended a tongue that resembled withered vines, which shot out like an arrow straight toward Zhou Hengs head, aiming to pierce through his skull and drain his blood and marrow. Clang! A bell-like resounding clamor emerged from Zhou Hengs palm as he struck out, golden light bursting forth like a colossal golden bell being struck, reverberating in all directions. Ring Gold Palm! The powerful force of the shockwave, combined with the special power of Innate Pure Yang energy, immediately shattered the withered vine-like tongue, and dark purple viscous blood scattered all over the ground. Yet instead of being angered, Wan Shankong grinned at this turn of events, his gaze full of mockery as he watched Zhou Heng. With a light movement of his idle left hand, and a flick of his fingers, the viscous blood on the ground seemed to gain its own consciousness, soaring up and turning into hundreds, even thousands of dart-like projectiles flying towards Zhou Heng. Be careful! Chen Yingyu couldnt help but cry out in alarm. She drew her longsword and was about to rush in front of Zhou Heng to intercept the blood darts. However, before she could even start her sword move, a sword light suddenly sprang into existence, horizontally positioned in front of Zhou Heng. It was an ancient-looking longsword with delicate patterns. No one was holding it. It simply hovered in mid-air. Cross Mysterious Door Sword! Rise! Zhou Heng let out a low shout, his left hand forming a sword finger held upright before his chest, with Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi rapidly circulating. Through his powerful Spirit, he directly infused the Cross Mysterious Door Sword with a layer of golden dawn light. Clang! As the sword sang out, clear as the cry of a crane piercing the skies, resonating in all directions, bright golden sword light suddenly burst forth. As it danced in the air, it executed a series of masterful sword moves, completely obliterating the incoming blood darts. Hundred Step Flying Sword! Sword Breaker Move! Although Zhou Hengs Hundred Step Flying Sword was not yet perfected, with a strong foundation of Spirit enhancement and the nurturing of his Divine Soul by Innate Skill, his Divine Soul Power was incredibly strong, allowing him to control the sword closely. At that moment, as he wielded the Cross Mysterious Door Sword in mid-air flight, he hadnt moved himself, but countered the hundreds of blood darts unleashed by Wan Shankong. Chen Yingyu found this situation utterly unbelievable. Is he really Eighth Rank? Could there exist such an astoundingly strong Eighth Rank in the world? And what about that Sword Control Technique he just used? Isnt remote weapon control a talent only Sixth Rank experts possess? Whats going on? Chen Yingyu was completely baffled, her face under the mask filled with shock. The abilities Zhou Heng now displayed had utterly surpassed her imagination. It was too incredible. Even Wan Shankong, the old ghost himself, looked at Zhou Heng with a trace of doubtful surprise. However, he appeared to be mentally unstable, and after just a moment of doubt, his eyes flared with a sudden increase in gloomy blue light, as he once again became frenzied. You little thing, you even know Sword Control Technique! Wan Shankongs tongue regenerated in his mouth, and with a leer, he said, This is getting interesting! Ha! With a roar from Wan Shankong, the dark purple light around him suddenly surged, enveloping his entire body and forming a massive pillar of light that slammed brutally against the Grasp Gold Hammer pressing down on him. Boom! The deafening explosion shook the entire cavern violently, threatening to completely collapse at any moment. The dark purple column of light clashed with the golden fist, and for a time, it was a stalemate. Little thing, how can an Eighth Rank Martial Artist on the Martial Path possess Inner Qi of such high essence? Wan Shankong was filled with doubt and surprise; Zhou Hengs Inner Qi quality and strength were the strongest he had ever seen among Eighth Rank Martial Artists. Clang! Right as Wan Shankong was riddled with doubts, another sword cry was heard. The Cross Mysterious Door Sword landed in Zhou Hengs hand, and with a mighty thrust forward amidst a flash of golden light, it slashed towards Wan Shankongs head. Its nothing but a common blade! Wan Shankong sneered, raising his palm protected by the ancient armor, the dark purple light shining brightly as his fingers, like sharp swords, directly grasped the attacking Cross Mysterious Door Sword. Yet his grasp did not stop the Cross Mysterious Door Swords momentum; the sword edge instantly pierced through the dark purple light and his palm. Then with a golden gleam of the sword light, it looped around his neck, severing his head. The Cross Mysterious Door Sword was a superior blade in its own right. It had three special effects: toughness, piercing, and demon slaying. Additionally, with Zhou Hengs added sharpness +2 enchantment, piercing through Wan Shankongs palm was hardly an uncertainty. After this successful move, Zhou Heng immediately accelerated the circulation of the Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi within his body and further enhanced the Grasp Gold Hammer, causing it to swell a bit more. Boom! A loud blast shook the earth, as a golden fist smashed viciously into Wan Shankongs headless corpse. The supremely firm and yang energy instantly crushed the body filled with ghostly energy. At the same time, the aftermath of the battle also whisked away the remaining five Seventh Rank ghosts, annihilating them completely. Phew! Zhou Heng finally let out a long breath, but his expression remained tense. Is it finally over? Your Highness, you, you are truly too powerful! Chen Yingyu, whose spirit had been on edge, relaxed a bit and looked at Zhou Heng with admiration and longing eyes, now even more intense. Its not over yet. Zhou Heng shook his head, raised his hand to retrieve the Cross Mysterious Door Sword and held it in his hand as he approached the huge pit created by the Grasp Gold Hammer. Not, not over yet?? Chen Yingyus eyes widened, and the tension in her spirit immediately ramped back up. Boom!! Suddenly, another huge blast emanated from the pit. Wan Shankong, whom Zhou Heng had just crushed, surged out again, now with half of his head mangled, his lower body covered in blood and flesh that was rapidly regenerating. You little thing, not bad, but thats not enough to kill me! Wan Shankong glared with his almost dangling eyeballs and sneered, You humans once relied on ghosts in your conquests, yet now you seek to eradicate them; how laughable. As he spoke, his body had already mostly regenerated, and he floated in the air, looking down on Zhou Heng. This was something beyond what a Lower Third Rank could accomplish. What are you trying to say? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows and asked. The truth about the Battle of Tian Yang, that deliberately concealed eradont you want to know what really happened? Wan Shankong said with a sly smile: Maybe the justice you uphold is nothing but a lie? Stop your nonsense! Chen Yingyu shouted sharply, Why should we believe the words of a ghost like you?! Go on. Zhou Heng, however, nodded and said to Wan Shankong, I am indeed interested in that. Hahaha, then let me tell you all about it, so you may know everything with utter clarity! Wan Shankongs grin thickened, and he laughed loudly: To satisfy your curiosity! Before his words faded, a mass of purplish-black mist burst out from Wan Shankongs shattered body and quickly condensed into a beam of black light, which shot towards Zhou Heng at high speed. Hahaha! Curiosity is also a flaw in the spirit! Dont worry, I will fulfill this wish of yours you will soon understand the affairs of the Battle of Tian Yang very clearly! Wan Shankong laughed wildly, knowing he had caught a weak spot in Zhou Hengs spirit and could now initiate a preliminary possession. This process once started, could not be stopped! Unless Zhou Heng could kill him in this brief moment. In Wan Shankongs view, that was impossible. The Taoist formulas of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer took a long time to prepare and simply wouldnt be fast enough. The previous Thunder technique didnt have enough power to kill him either. All set! Rumble!! However, at that moment, deafening thunder roared, as if a world of thunder had descended, instantly filling the cavern with purple lightning. Almost simultaneously, the purple lightning was dyed with gold. This was the combination of the Power of Innate Pure Yang and Palm Thunder. The golden glow enveloping Zhou Hengs whole body also sparked with purple thunder, making him appear like the Thunder God incarnate. South of Ansong County City, a purplish-gold light soared, and the thunderous sounds reached the ears of the residents. Many people knelt and prayed, thinking a great power had descended to slay demons and purge evil from Ansong County. You think I dont know what youre plotting? Just to draw out your ghostly spirit! Winter Thunderbolt! Zhou Heng shouted fiercely, using the Cross Mysterious Door Sword as a blade to execute the fourth strike of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, slashing down through the air. The massive purplish-gold thunder light layered upon itself, one after another, like a cascade of thunderous realms, thunderously crashing down! The Power of Innate Pure Yang, the effectiveness of a sharp weapon against evil, the special attack against ghostly spirits, and the Palm Thunders special effect against ghosts all became the death warrant for Wan Shankong. On the spot, the ghost entity, which was rushing towards Zhou Heng in an attempt to possess him, was blasted into scattering purplish-black light fragments and could not regenerate, quickly dissipating into nothing. Congratulations! You have defeated the formidable enemy Wan Shankongs Distorted Remnant Soul, Fortune Bag [Silver] +3. Congratulations! You have killed the hopelessly weak enemy Wu Ying, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! You have killed the hopelessly weak enemy Cui Yuanzhong, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. The Seventh Rank ghosts all rewarded a Copper Fortune Bag each, while the final defeat of Wan Shankong even rewarded three Silver Fortune Bags! It could be said to be a screen full of Fortune Bags. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, what concerned Zhou Heng more was the description in the reward notifications. Wan Shankongs Distorted Remnant Soul? Could it be similar to the split soul of Xuan Yang from back then? Of course, this did not affect his original plan You used Memory Fall Card on Wan Shankongs Distorted Remnant Soul, Wan Shankongs Distorted Remnant Souls Memory Crystal +1. Chapter 149 - Chapter 149: Chapter 149: A Bountiful Harvest Chapter 149: Chapter 149: A Bountiful Harvest All the dust has settled. The caverns below Ansong County City finally returned to calm, all the ghosts that once lurked here had been eradicated by Zhou Heng, without a single one left. Fortune Bag earnings total: sixteen Copper Fortune Bags, three Silver Fortune Bags. Ghost eradication earnings total: 5,200 deeds of merit. Reward for the mission total: 320 deeds of merit, 500 taels of silver. What a bountiful harvest! It was Zhou Hengs first mission, and he had earned more than 5,500 deeds of merit in one goan achievement that was simply legendary within the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer ranks. If those within the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors knew about it, its estimated they would have been so envious that their eyeballs would pop out, especially since one of them had nearly gone gray with worry for the sake of 30,000 deeds of merit. Zhou Heng did not immediately read the Memory Crystal left behind by Wan Shankong. For one thing, this place was not suitable, and on the other hand, having just gone through a fierce battle, he was not in the mental state to probe into the secrets of the past. When I settle down, Ill open a few Fortune Bags to calm myself. Luck too, never knows when it will be needed, so theres no point in always hoarding Fortune Bags. Zhou Hengs thoughts wandered slightly, using this to adjust his still-boiling emotions and vitality from the recent fierce battle. Incredible, absolutely amazing! Chen Yingyu exclaimed repeatedly in awe, excitedly looking around at the cavern where the ghostly energy had been completely purged, her whole being thrilled with excitement. She turned to face Zhou Heng, took off her mask, and revealed a face that was clear and refined, beautifully radiant yet tinged with a bit of heroic spirit. Zhi Xu Sects Sect Master, Chen Yingyu, pays respect to the Ziwei Emperor. She revealed her true identity, and then explained, Having learned from those ghosts that Your Excellency is a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, I felt it right to disclose my identity as well. Zhou Tian Boundary Officer does not require its members to reveal their true identities to each other, even if one party is aware of the others identity; its purely a matter of personal conscience. Just like how Zhou Heng does not currently know the true identity of someone in the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors. Although he has already learned the namewhich I owe to the Systems prompthe does not dare call out that name. Its quite amusing really, a mighty Fourth Rank expert called Zhang Tienan. However, if someone proactively discloses their real identity to other members, its a very clear sign of goodwill, indicating a wish to engage in more in-depth interactions. Yes, just ordinary friendship. Nothing more. Now with Chen Yingyu actively revealing her identity, its clearly a manifestation of her goodwill towards Zhou Heng. Hmm, Sect Master Chen has taken up her duties in a time of crisis, and I have long heard of it, Zhou Heng said with a smile. To manage such a large sect as Zhi Xu Sect at your young age is indeed no easy feat. He had actually heard about Chen Yingyu. Two years ago. The Zhi Xu Sect, a sect of Taoism inheriting from the Middle Ancient Era, was attacked by the heretical Nine Deaths Sect. The sect master, elders, and all Middle Third Rank experts perished in battle, and the sects scriptures were almost entirely plundered. In the end, the Zhi Xu Sect was left with no more than a handful, all told, only around twenty or thirty people. Chen Yingyu was the strongest among them, a Seventh Rank cultivator, ranked on the list of notable people, and the daughter of the late sect master. Consequently, she took on the urgent role, accepting the position of sect master. At the young age of twenty-one, she single-handedly took on the great responsibility of reviving the Zhi Xu Sect. Speaking of which, the Pure Yang Palace once had some ties with the Zhi Xu Sect. Although the sect was in decline before the attack, with only a Fifth Rank Sect Master to show face and the divine skills and scriptures of the Upper Third Rank almost entirely lost, during the Middle Ancient Era it was once a top-notch Taoist sect that was on par with Pure Yang Palace, if not superior. It is said that the founding master of Zhi Xu Sect, Daoist Shoujing, was a friend of the founding master of Pure Yang Palace, Pure Yang Zi. The Zhi Xu Jing that Zhou Heng had read on Jade Void Peak was written by Daoist Shoujing. Your Excellency flatters me too much, Chen Yingyu gently shook her head and sighed. Im just taking things one step at a time. To be honest, if it werent for joining the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and seeing hope for the future, I really wouldnt know what steps to take next. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is indeed a great opportunity, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and said, However, Sect Master Chen should be more cautious in her actions in the future. Ghosts are mysterious and unpredictable, too dangerous. Yes, I appreciate Your Excellencys reminder, Chen Yingyu nodded gratefully. Had Your Excellency not rescued me this time, Im afraid I would have died here. I cannot forget this great kindness and debt. Sect Master Chen need not worry about it; it is merely part of my duties, Zhou Heng chuckled and then said, I have some matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first. Take care on your way, Sect Master Chen. Having said that, without waiting for Chen Yingyu to respond, he activated his qinggong, leaping out of the cavern, and swiftly moved away under the cover of night, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Chen Yingyu also leapt out of the cavern, gazing in the direction Zhou Heng had gone, and bowed respectfully, vowing silently, This kindness, this emotion, must be repaid. Zhou Heng left Ansong County City directly. Perhaps it was because speaking with Chen Yingyu was somewhat tiring, he didnt know if it was because the girl had been a sect leader for too long, her mood was alright when excited or shocked, but once calm, she became somewhat rigid and formal. She was only twenty-three years old, equivalent to just having graduated from college on Earth, yet her manner of speaking seemed much older than her actual age. Talking with such a person was like matching couplets, lacking interest. It was a bit tiring. After leaving Ansong County City, Zhou Heng went to the post station where he left his reddish-brown horse, planning to rest there for the night and continue riding to Chang Xing Sect early the next morning. There were still three days left until the appointed time. He wasnt in a rush. Lying in the guest room of the post station, Zhou Heng pondered. Now I have eighteen copper Fortune Bags, Ill just open six for now, why do I suddenly feel like a tycoon? He looked at his stock and felt it would really be a disservice to himself not to open some of them. Moreover, the battle this time made him realize that his martial arts traits were still too obvious. Anyone who had seen the Ranking of Fighters or was familiar with the martial arts of Pure Yang Palace could basically recognize his identity. In that case, wearing the Ziwei mask didnt really have any effect in hiding his identity. It would be best to acquire some new, unknown martial arts as soon as possible, to use when acting as the Ziwei Emperor, so as not to easily expose his identity. Hiding ones identity behind an alias is truly a technical task. Fortune Bag [Copper]: It contains everything imaginable, having it all. Upon opening, you can receive unexpected rewards. Open six! Congratulations! You hit the jackpot! Acquired martial arts Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms [Seventh Rank]! Congratulations! Acquired a special skill card: Quick Hairstyle Change Card. Congratulations! You hit the jackpot! Acquired martial arts Dou Zhuan Xing Yi [Seventh Rank]! Congratulations! You hit the jackpot! Acquired the spiritual medicine: Linju Pill. Congratulations! Acquired an extravagant set of clothing. Congratulations! You hit the jackpot! Acquired martial arts Xiao Wuxiang Gong [Seventh Rank]! What on earth is this Quick Hairstyle Change Card? And what the heck is with the extravagant clothing?? Zhou Hengs eyes almost popped out. These Fortune Bags really lived up to their name, containing all sorts of oddities. Could it be that one day he might even get a PS5?? No, that would be wrong, there wouldnt be a TV to play it with. While the Linju Pill was a spiritual medicine, it wasnt intended for human consumption, but rather for enhancing the bloodline strength of mounts. The description seemed quite miraculous, so he could try it on the reddish-brown horse. Several new martial arts suits were greatly to Zhou Hengs liking; he had initially thought that if he couldnt get suitable new martial arts from the six Fortune Bags, he would open a few more. Now it seemed his luck wasnt bad. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Next, he would go to the nearest entrance of the Purple Tenuity Palace to fulfill his wish and get his hands on the promised weapon-grade bladed weapon, so he wouldnt have to awkwardly use a sword for the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. But before that, he had to check the Memory Crystal dropped by Wan Shankongs twisted remnant soul to see if it really contained information about the Battle of Tianyang. The Memory Crystal was a purple crystal stone, and Zhou Heng could directly read the information inside with just a thought. As he began to read, he saw an endless ghostly aura filling the plains. It was an army, with soldiers numbering in the hundreds of thousands, led by none other than Wan Shankong. But behind him, commanding the troops, there were not only ghastly creatures but also people!! Chapter 150 - Chapter 150: Chapter 150 Clues, Weird Attitude Chapter 150: Chapter 150 Clues, Weird Attitude If he hadnt seen it with his own eyes, Zhou Heng would never believe such a situation could exist. Ghosts leading armies, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops composed of ghosts and humans alike, engaging in conquest, while the opposing commanders, although human, had forces that were also made up of ghosts and humans. Even more so, both sides were predominantly ghosts. Whats going on? Zhou Heng had thought Wan Shankongs previous words were nothing but gibberish meant to confuse the mind, but it turned out to be true. During the battle of Tianyang, did ghosts really participate in the fight, fighting shoulder to shoulder with humans? Thats preposterous! Suddenly, the scene shifted. Zhou Heng saw a huge circular altar, at least a hundred yards in diameter, with seventy-two lamps burning around its edge, all with pale blue flames. Under the night sky, without moon or stars, only these blue flames struggled to illuminate the darkness. Kneeling beneath the altar were tens of thousands, and beyond them lay a vast complex of majestic and spectacular palaces. This seemed to be inside a massive imperial palace. In the center of the altar stood three people. One of them, not far from the center of the altar, was dressed in red ceremonial robes and wore a jade crown, appearing to be a man in his thirties, indifferent and dignified in demeanor. His attire was quite ancient, but clearly high-ranking, not the garb of an ordinary person. Another was standing in the center of the altar, tall and robust, at least nine feet tall, his presence like a mini-giantintimidating and ferocious. It was none other than Wan Shankong. And the third, its uncertain if they could even be called human. It was a mass of purple-black mist, hovering in the air, outlining a human figure but without substance. Once this ceremony begins, you will become a ghost with no chance for regret, the dignified man in red spoke gravely, Shankong, youre a powerful underling of mine, already a Fifth Rank Sect Master at such a young age with the hope of ascending to Fourth Rank. Think it over carefully. I am willing to sacrifice my life for you, my lord, and willingly become a ghost! Wan Shankong knelt on one knee and declared loudly, I shall never regret this for eternity! The scene ended there. Following that, the Memory Crystal shattered, devoid of any continuation. After all, it was only a fragment dropped by a remnant soul, so the information and images it contained were also incomplete. Yet, even these incomplete memories had dealt a considerable shock to Zhou Heng. Was Wan Shankong originally human, a Fifth Rank Sect Master who transformed into a ghost through some special ceremony? Zhou Heng was stunned and incredulous, hardly able to believe it. He had previously read memories from a Memory Crystal about the sealing of ghosts and knew what form ghosts really took. Ghosts were not born from the souls or spirits of the deceased. Initially, they were Yin spirits that emerged naturally from the murky Yin energy of nature. According to the natural law of Yin and Yang convergence, these Yin spirits naturally crave to absorb Yang Energy and devour it. Once a Yin spirit completely devours its first living person, it gains its own intellect and thoughts, becoming a true ghost. But what Wan Shankongs memories suggested was that, during the Tianyang battle, humans could apparently be transformed into ghosts through a special ceremony. And then they were thrown into the war? This was another birth method for ghosts, distinct from natural birth! Turning humans into ghosts for war is probably because of the nearly indestructible nature of ghosts. Such a characteristic where they cant be killed no matter what, is like having a cheat in a large-scale war. Zhou Heng fell into deep thought. The information displayed in the memory fragments of Wan Shankongs remnant soul was hard for him to believe. If all this were true, what would it mean? It would mean that during the Tianyang battle, the existence of ghosts was common knowledge, far from the tightly concealed truth of the present. Previously, Xuan Yang had also mentioned having experienced the Tianyang battle, after which he was sealed The previous Wan Shankong was just a remnant soul; perhaps his true body was still in a sealed state? Could it be that during the Tianyang battle, did humans truly rely on the power of ghosts to wage war against each other, only to seal the ghosts away after the conflict ended? Of course, Zhou Heng didnt feel any pity or sympathy for the ghosts because of this. No matter what experiences the ghosts from that time had gone through, all of the ghosts he encountered now spared no human life and killed at will. Every single one of them deserved to be killed and eradicated. Worthy of no pity whatsoever. It was just that Zhou Heng was puzzled. If the conditions during the Tianyang battle were indeed like what Wan Shankong remembered, Then why has it become the situation we have today? Was it simply a case of when the birds are gone, the bow is put away? Once the war ended, and ghosts lost their use, they were then sealed away? That was indeed possible. But such a reason is too simple. Could that really account for the deep taboo surrounding this topic, whether among the general populace, the Imperial Court, or the Great Sect? Is it just for the sake of saving face? Or did some grave, unknown event occur at that time that drastically changed peoples attitudes towards ghosts, leading to the current scenario? That is also a possibility. In the midst of these changes, what role did the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer play, and what purpose did it serve? Todays Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is responsible for suppressing and killing demons to maintain stability in the world; if you say theyre unrelated to the actions after the Tianyang battle that led to sealing the ghosts, Zhou Heng would not believe it. In fact, the establishment of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer might very well be connected to the sealing of a vast number of ghosts. And the foundation for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers establishment was the Zhou Tian Star Chart, which is the map of the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions, a starmap not found in this world and likely related to Earth. If thats the case, does it mean that if I can just find out what really happened during the Tianyang battle, why the ghosts were sealed, and why the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was established, I might be able to find clues about Earth? At this thought, Zhou Hengs spirits couldnt help but lift. Since the day he realized he had traversed to another world, he had been trying to figure out what was going on. Why had he traversed, why had he come to this world, and was there still a chance to return to Earth? His initial intent to learn martial arts was partly for these reasons. But he had always been at a loss, until he joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and saw the map of the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions, which confirmed that this world was indeed related to Earth. However, his knowledge was limited to this, and he had no clear idea of how to proceed with the investigation. He could only place his hopes on a desire that was uncertain. As of today, it seemed that he had finally found a relatively clear line of investigation? Indeed, there might also be clues at the Pure Yang Palace. After all, if what Wan Shankong had said was true and Chen Dongxuan had taken action to suppress it, that would mean that the Pure Yang Palace must have also been involved in sealing the spirits after the battle at Tianyang. This excited Zhou Heng greatly, giving him a sense of After endless mountains and rivers that leave doubt whether there is a path out, suddenly one encounters the shade of a willow, bright flowers, and another village. Next, I will continue to use the platform of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to investigate matters related to the spirits, and also pay more attention to the Pure Yang Palace, Zhou Heng set a plan for himself, then got up from bed, opened the window and looked in the direction of the Chang Xing Sect, But first, I should handle the matters concerning the Chang Xing Sect. Ill take this opportunity to refine and integrate my own martial arts to see if I can create a martial art unique to myself. Ill use this as a foundation to build an inner landscape and a little world, and step onto the Seventh Ranks transformation. He then began to study the several martial arts he had obtained from the Fortune Bag. You are contemplating the martial art Xiao Wuxiang Gong [Seventh Rank]. With enhancement from martial arts of the same tier and higher levels, the difficulty of comprehension is reduced, proficiency +0.5. Your martial art Xiao Wuxiang Gong [Seventh Rank] has reached a proficiency of 1, and you have formally acquired this martial art. With enhancement from martial arts of the same tier and higher levels, proficiency +3000. You are contemplating the martial art Dou Zhuan Xing Yi [Seventh Rank], proficiency +0.2. You continue to contemplate the martial art Dou Zhuan Xing Yi [Seventh Rank] and trigger the Heaven rewards the diligent bonus, proficiency +20. Eventually, the night passed. [Seventh Rank] Xiao Wuxiang Gong: Advanced (3000/3000) [Seventh Rank] Dou Zhuan Xing Yi: Beginner (125/1000) Zhou Heng did not study the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms because there was not enough time, and compared to Xiao Wuxiang Gong and Dou Zhuan Xing Yi, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were too distinctive to use in front of others. He planned to use the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms as the martial art of the Ziwei Emperor identity, not exhibiting it as Zhou Heng. Xiao Wuxiang Gong and Dou Zhuan Xing Yi would be very helpful for him in dealing with the Chang Xing Sect next. The former could mimic the exertion of other martial arts, while the latter could borrow force to fight, dealing with others using their own methods against them. The greatest humiliation between martial artists is to be defeated by your own best martial arts. Vengeance must be fierce. Zhou Heng had no intention of showing any mercy to the Chang Xing Sect. As for whether the Chang Xing Sect would put a label on him for stealing martial arts and then send a Middle Third Rank expert to kill him, Zhou Heng was not worried in the slightest. The trump cards he held were certainly not just for show. Besides, if it came to casting blame, he also had a hat to put on the Chang Xing Sect. The matter of Chang Xing Sect disciple Chen Song colluding with the wicked Plague Emperor Sect to attack the disciple of the master of the Pure Yang Palace Zhou Heng hadnt yet asked the Chang Xing Sect for justice. Before heading to the Chang Xing Sect, Zhou Heng first visited a forested mountain over a hundred miles from the post station. There was a portal to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Walking along a path paved with the brilliance of countless stars, listening to the praises of the Treasure of Purple Tenuity, Zhou Heng passed through a purple mist and arrived in front of a mountain range that stretched endlessly. Then he was stunned. The place where Zhou Heng now stood was a floating platform made of accumulated purple mist. This place was separated from the Purple Tenuity Palace by the same vast void spanning thousands of miles, as well as a magnificent Star River. The last time he went there, the Supreme had escorted him, riding clouds and mist, but this time Zhou Heng had no means to do so. There was no direct path to the other side from here. Hehe, do you want to cross over? Just then, a sharp voice came through, but Zhou Heng did not know when a small, hunchbacked man wearing a mask had appeared on the purple mist platform. The mask bore a simple design, just a single vertical line. This was the constellation of the Star Officer Line, part of the Huagai constellations handle. Zhou Heng looked at the man, feeling his profound and vast aura, and greeted with a bow, Senior, do you have a way? Of course, thats what I earn my living doing, Line nodded repeatedly, laughing, Ill take you across, and you only need to give me thirty good deeds. Good deeds can be traded? Zhou Heng was surprised inside, but did not speak out loud, as he sensed another strong aura coming swiftly towards them. Line, youre fooling the newcomer again! The voice arrived before the person. The speaker was a woman, and her voice sounded quite mature. In a moment, the woman had landed on the purple mist platform. She was gracefully curved, tall and slender, with a pleasing form. She, too, wore a mask, painted with a Huagai. There was no need to say more. This was one of the Star Officers from the Ziwei Sector, Huagai. Line is always like this. You shouldnt blame him, Huagai looked at Zhou Heng and was about to greet him, but suddenly froze, her gaze locked on Zhou Hengs mask, You, youre the new Ziwei that appeared a few days ago? What, Ziwei?! Line was also startled upon hearing this, hurriedly looking up at Zhou Heng, his eyes fixed on the emperor image painted on the mask, Ill take you across right now, rest assured, no need for good deeds. Me too! Huagai said hurriedly. Afterward, under the extra enthusiastic escort of these two, Zhou Heng arrived at the Purple Tenuity Palace and saw The Supreme and the Taoist Boy responsible for Tianli again. But before Zhou Heng could speak, they took the initiative to greet him and welcomed him into the Purple Tenuity Palace. Whats going on? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng was utterly baffled. The attitude of these people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was bizarre, to say the least. Luckily, he had chosen a common star path, and just as he entered the Purple Tenuity Palace, he met the Supreme. But as he was about to ask a question, he saw the Supreme also pay his respects like the others before, then came forward with a smile. Senior, whats going on? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. Chapter 151 - Chapter 151: Chapter 151: The Master of Stars’ Specialty Chapter 151: Chapter 151: The Master of Stars Specialty Are you referring to our attitude? The figure within the Five Emperors nodded with a smile as if he had expected the question, Theres no need for confusion, maintaining a certain degree of respect towards you can strengthen the affinity between oneself and the corresponding constellations. The most direct benefit is that it can provide access to more inheritances. Is that so? Zhou Heng was stunned and asked, How come I wasnt aware of that? Do you remember when I previously mentioned that your emergence as Ziwei is a great advantage to the entire Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? The figure within the Five Emperors said with a smile, That is why. Among the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions, Ziwei is held in the highest esteem, being the master of all stars. Although the corresponding celestial position does not signify the actual cultivation realm, its status is indeed above all other Star Officers. In fact, the heavenly constellations chart contains not just a set of Upper Third Rank martial arts and the Taoist formulas for borrowing stellar force from afar, but also many other wondrous aspects. However, these are not immediately accessible, one needs to enhance their affinity with the stars to gain further access. The most common method is to ponder the meanings of the constellations and adjust ones behavior as a Star Officer, thus gradually strengthening the affinity to obtain more inheritances. But after the appearance of Ziwei, the Star Officers now have a new method, which is to maintain a certain degree of respect towards you, naturally enhancing the affinity. Because in the stellar system of the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions, all the Star Officers are in fact Ziweis subjects. By being respectful towards you, they are fulfilling the attitude of a subject. Zhou Heng was left dumbfounded by what the figure within the Five Emperors had said. Theres actually such a thing. Zhou Heng was extremely shocked, utterly astonished. At the same time, his thoughts drifted. He remembered according to the meaning of the star charts, Gou Chen was actually the empress of the Heavenly Emperor. That would mean However, the position of Gou Chen seemed to still be vacant. However, the effect is still quite limited for now, as your realm is not high. Saluting you once wont be useful again for the next month or two, and moreover, it only works in this world where Purple Tenuity Palace resides. The figure within the Five Emperors looked at Zhou Heng with a half-smile and said, If you were already in the Celestial Man Realm, a single bow from me would probably grant you a new inheritance instantly. Then I really need to cultivate diligently, said Zhou Heng with the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. Me being so weak is really too embarrassing!! But thinking about so many Middle Third Rank strong individuals and even the Upper Third Rank Celestials showing him such respect, he felt somewhat secretly thrilled. Haha, you have supreme talent and are sure to possess the stature of a Celestial Man, the figure within the Five Emperors chuckled, then asked in confusion, By the way, what brings you back this time? He remembered that he had just assigned Zhou Heng a task a few days ago. Had something difficult occurred? The task system of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was still quite rudimentary, especially in terms of information transfer. Since the mask could not send information back through space, the only way to know if a task was completed was to update the task information at Purple Tenuity Palace with the mask in hand. Hence, the figure within the Five Emperors did not know whether Zhou Heng had completed the task. I came to update my task info and, by the way, to fulfill a wish, Zhou Heng honestly replied. The Purple Tenuity Palace was quite empty at the time. Although he had taken the common star path when entering, there were still only him and the figure within the Five Emperors in the palace, without even a passerby. The task is completed? The figure within the Five Emperors was somewhat surprised, and with a smile, said, Well, with your strength, its indeed possible to complete Wait, youre here to fulfill a wish. Have you accumulated enough merit points? Yes, I have, Zhou Heng nodded and replied. The figure within the Five Emperors fell silent. He reflected on how he had to continuously complete tasks worth one or two hundred merit points each, desperately killing ghosts of the same rank to scrape together thirty thousand merit points. Zhou Heng had managed to amass five hundred merit points so quickly That was five hundred merit points! Even if he had received every possible bonus from that previous task, it would amount to only three hundred and twenty merit points at most. Did he kill a few ghosts to make up the five hundred? But are ghosts that easy to kill? One hundred and eighty merit points require killing a Seventh Rank and an Eighth Rank ghost. Zhou Heng himself was only Eighth Rank and, though he might be strong enough to rank among the forefront of martial artists, ghosts have peculiar abilities and typically surpass those of the same rank, making them difficult to kill. Could this be a reincarnation of a mighty being? By the way, can merit points be traded, senior? Zhou Heng then inquired. They can be traded, but there are some restrictions, the figure within the Five Emperors nodded and then looked at Zhou Heng with some surprise, However, after you use five hundred merit points to fulfill a wish, you still have some left over? Just a little, Zhou Heng said with a smile. He didnt elaborate that he now had over five thousand merit points, for he feared that the figure within the Five Emperors might faint from excitement upon hearing that. If its just a little, its better to save it for yourself, the figure within the Five Emperors advised kindly, then explained, At the tri-monthly gathering hosted by the Azure Dragon and Tianyi, a trade fair is held. There, offerings include weapons, martial arts, Taoist formulas, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and various other extraordinary items, all settled with merit points and typically costing fewer points than directly fulfilling a wish would require. Merit points can only be traded and transferred during that event. Of course, if people meet on regular days and decide to trade, they can make a note of it and transfer during the gathering. Thank you for clearing my doubts, senior. Zhou Heng thanked the figure within the Five Emperors. Afterward, he took his leave to settle his task and then went to the starry seas Wishing Pool, where he spent five hundred merit points to fulfill a wish and received a knife with three special effects. It was a saber three feet and three inches long, with a blade as bright as starlight and a deep purple hilt adorned with exquisite and elegant patterns, exuding mystery and refinement. The special effects were indeed in line with Zhou Hengs wishes when he made them at the Wishing Pool: to release lightning, be swift, and accelerate. They were just right for executing the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes. Zhou Heng gave it a name, Purple Lightning. Having achieved his wish, he left the Wishing Pool of the Star Sea Realm. Upon leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace, he found that Huagai and Gou Chen had been waiting for him outside the whole time, escorting him to the Purple Qi Platform opposite the palace. They were thoroughly dutiful. Zhou Heng exited the world of the Purple Tenuity Palace, got back on his red date horse, and continued on his way to the Chang Xing Sect. Now, there were only two days left until the appointed time. Thanks to Wu Zongshans vigorous promotion, the news of Zhou Hengs intention to challenge an entire sect single-handedly spread rapidly like a hurricane. At the same time, his identity as a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace was also revealed. However, most people were dubious about his identity as the sixth-generation true disciple of Pure Yang Palace and the junior brother of the current sect leader Zhou Tian Boundary Officer Yan Shouyithey hardly dared to believe it. Because that was simply too preposterous. But without a doubt, the news that Zhou Heng was going to challenge all of the lower third rank disciples of the Chang Xing Sect had completely heated up. This had become a major event in the martial world of Pingzhou, and it had even spread to other states and counties, drawing many onlookers who came to watch the excitement. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng was casually riding a horse and comprehending martial arts, not in a hurry at all. After escaping from the predicament in Ansong County, Chen Yingyu also returned to the Purple Tenuity Palace for a visit. However, she had dealt with some local matters in Ansong County City and, without a fine steed like the red date horse, her journey on foot was somewhat slow, so she arrived a bit later than Zhou Heng. After returning to the Purple Tenuity Palace, Chen Yingyu visited the Hall of Resolving Worries. This was the place to update mission information. She had previously accepted a task to investigate the situation in Anxing County Town, and now that she had failed, she needed to update the information. At the moment, a Heavenly Emperor from within the Five Emperors was here, picking out Zhou Hengs next mission, looking for something appropriate and with substantial rewards. Finding such a task was no easy feat. As he was searching, he saw Chen Yingyu come back and smiled, Siming has returned, did Ziwei save you? Yeah, the emperor was truly amazing! Chen Yingyu nodded again and again, excitedly saying, The emperors strength is unbelievably strong for an Eighth Rank martial artist. He easily dealt with a ghost that surpassed the peak of the Seventh Rank, several ordinary Seventh Rank ghosts, and many Eighth and Ninth Rank ghosts. They were all like chickens and dogs before him, one by one effortlessly vanquished! Yes, his strength is indeed not bad wait, what did you just say?? The voice of the Heavenly Emperor trembled, and the booklet of mission information in his hands seemed to weigh heavier. He looked at Chen Yingyu in astonishment, You just said Ziwei killed a lot of ghosts? One that surpassed the peak of the Seventh Rank, several ordinary Seventh Rank ghosts, and many Eighth and Ninth Rank ghosts?? Yes, Chen Yingyus eyes gleamed with admiration, The emperor is the strongest Eighth Rank martial artist Ive ever seen. Ive never seen anyone kill ghosts as effortlessly as him. It was like chopping vegetables, you shouldve seen it; you would have been shocked too. No, Im not concerned with that. I just want to ask, how much spiritual reward do you think Ziwei got from killing those ghosts? The Heavenly Emperor had a feeling as if he were being outdone by the newcomer, but he wanted to get an accurate answer. How much spiritual reward? I havent calculated it in detail, but lets say fifty for a Ninth Grade, eighty for an Eighth Rank, and a hundred for a Seventh Rank Chen Yingyu pondered briefly, Probably around four or five thousand. The voice of the Heavenly Emperor was filled with profound self-doubt. To think in the past, how hard he worked for thirty thousand spiritual rewards, and now this kid, on his very first mission, had earned four or five thousand? Compared with others, one really gets thrown; compared with others, one might as well be dead! Could it really be that he was too mediocre? This is truly the case of the new waves pushing the old ones. The Heavenly Emperor heaved a sigh. Suddenly, he felt that he might have misheard Zhou Hengs words before. It shouldnt be a little bit, but rather 100 million bits, right? With half a day left until the agreed date, there were already many martial artists gathered in front of the Chang Xing Sects gate. Some were Entry Rank who purely came to watch the buzz, and there were Ninth and Eighth Rank martial artists who came to witness the high-level confrontation. Many well-known martial artists were also present. After all, Zhou Heng had been in the limelight these past few months, and no one could be sure they wouldnt have to face him in the future. Watching his combat and understanding his strength was beneficial. Many disciples from the Chang Xing Sect had also arrived at the gate, waiting angrily. In their eyes, Zhou Heng, originating from the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, was just a dog they had raised, and now he had the audacity to bite back. It was simply courting death. So what if hes a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In the rules of the martial world, if you come to provoke, even if youre beaten to death, its justified! And so, amid the anticipatory gazes of thousands, at noon, Zhou Heng finally arrived leisurely on his red date horse, bathed in bright sunlight, slowly making his way, and his whole person seemed to be enveloped in a halo of light. Immensely dazzling. Chapter 152 - Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Exactly What I Wanted Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Exactly What I Wanted He really did come, he actually dared to show up! Thats some serious courage, unless he believes that because hes a true disciple of Pure Yang Palace, Chang Xing Sect wouldnt dare to lay a hand on him? Knocking on the door to provoke a fight, it doesnt matter if youre killed, thats the rule of Jianghu, and even Pure Yang Palace cant oppress with their power. I heard that Zhou Heng is the sixth generation true disciple of Pure Yang Palace, the brother of the present true Yang master, Yan Shouyiis that true or false? You believe that? Cant you use your brain? Zhou Hengs arrival set off a buzz of discussion among many people, most of whom had come to enjoy the spectacle because they had heard rumors; they were generally not of Entry Rank, or they were just ordinary Ninth Grade. Other Eighth Rank and Seventh Rank practitioners, as well as renowned masters whose names were listed in the rankings, all watched Zhou Heng with serious expressions and a hint of wariness in their eyes. With their ability to perceive, which was beyond what ordinary martial artists of Jianghu could match, they could see that Zhou Heng was in full spirit, and every move he made exhibited his martial arts skills, clearly indicating that his martial prowess was extremely profound. Most likely, he had already reached the peak of Eighth Rank, just a step away from Seventh Rank. In their view, Zhou Hengs visit to Chang Xing Sect this time was probably not just about seeking revenge for his mentor and friends; another likely objective was to use this as an opportunity to refine his martial skills, in an attempt to step into the Seventh Rank. Zhou Heng had a record of single-handedly defeating three Seventh Rank Warriors while he was at Eighth Rank. How powerful would he be if he stepped into Seventh Rank? For a moment, several young masters who ranked in the twenties and thirties on the rankings felt a surge of anxiety. Currently, Zhou Heng was ranked forty-second, and if he made a breakthrough in his martial prowess, those with the most precarious rankings were them. At this moment, a strikingly handsome young master with gentle features covered his lips with a folding fan and gazed at Zhou Heng, asking a youth in green attire beside him, Hey brother, do you think you can beat Zhou Heng now? The youth in green looked to be in his late teens, with rugged features, sharp eyebrows, and starry eyes, exuding a strong masculine aura and quite handsome. Hearing his companions words, his sword-like brows rose, and he hummed softly, Little sister, are you underestimating me? Having cultivated our Pei Familys martial arts for over a decade, cant I beat someone like Zhou Heng who comes from a crude background? Oh, brother! I am now the graceful young master of the mundane world! Dont call me little sister! the exceptionally handsome young master shot a displeased glance at the youth in green and complained, I dont think you can beat him, hes really powerful! How do you know hes powerful? The youth in green looked skeptical, examining his sister closely, Dont tell me when you ran away from home to have fun in Huangtong Mansion City, you went looking for him? But didnt you say you were visiting your best friend? No wonder you insisted on coming with me this time. Not at all, I went to play with Yun Xiu, brother, youre overthinking, the exceptionally handsome young master responded with a guilty tone, covering half his face with the folding fan and whispering, I just witnessed him fighting others, thats all. Well, I would like to see just how powerful he really is, the youth in green said with a touch of disbelief, eyeing Zhou Heng and pondering whether he should issue a challenge after this matter was settled, to show his sister his true strength. These two were none other than the legitimate daughter and son of the Pei Family head from Pingzhou, Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu. Zhou Heng rode his chestnut horse leisurely through the crowd and stopped in front of the Chang Xing Sect disciples. These disciples were easy to distinguish by their uniform attirea total of more than thirty gathered together, glaring at Zhou Heng with anger seething in their eyes. Since Chang Xing Sect wasnt among the mightiest of martial sects, none of these Seventh Rank warriors was under thirty; most were over forty, and there were quite a few in their fifties and sixties. However, this didnt mean they were weak; older warriors tended to have much richer combat experience than their younger counterparts, and their skill was usually much more profound. Its surprising to see such enthusiasm from everyone at Chang Xing Sect, Zhou Heng chuckled and greeted the crowd with clasped hands, smiling, Since you all feel so passionate, Ill try not to kill anyone. Hiss! Many in the watching crowd couldnt help but draw in a breath of cold air, stunned as they looked at Zhou Heng. What a poisonous tongue. And what immense courage. Wasnt he afraid that the sect, in a fit of anger, would have thirty or forty Seventh Rank warriors surge forward and attack? It is said that two fists are hard to contend with four hands. For most Seventh Rank Warriors, this principle held true; facing an onslaught from a large number of same-level fighters, even if one were far stronger than any individual among them, they were likely to suffer a great loss. Even more so considering that Zhou Heng was still just Eighth Rank and hadnt even reached Seventh Rank yet. His courage was immense. Naturally, the most enraged were the Chang Xing Sect disciples themselves; they were accustomed to throwing their weight around in Huangtong Mansion City, and had the power of life and death over various subordinate martial halls. When had they ever encountered defiance? Thus, from the beginning, the fact that Zhou Heng came to challenge all the Lower Third Rank disciples of Chang Xing Sect infuriated them, and now hearing his words, they were beside themselves with rage. Zhou Heng, I dont know how skilled you are, but your mouth is truly disgusting! A Seventh Rank warrior of Chang Xing Sect couldnt hold back any longer. This was a bearded, burly man in his forties. He stepped forward, blocking Zhou Hengs chestnut horse, brandishing his long saber before him and shouting loudly, Dismount and fight! I will see if I cant tear that foul mouth of yours! As he spoke, the spectators perked up, polishing their eyes, eager to witness an exciting fight. Dismount? Zhou Heng merely glanced at the man indifferently and chuckled, Do you think youre worthy? Following that, he gently tapped the Mysterious Door Sword hanging on his chestnut horse. Clang! A sword cry rang out, a flash of silver light burst forth like a spring gushing from nowhere. The Mysterious Door Sword unsheathed itself and, without anyone wielding it, swiftly slashed through the air towards the man! What?! The man was shocked, having never dreamed Zhou Heng would use such a wondrous technique. He lost his composure and became flustered on the spot. Nevertheless, as a Seventh Rank warrior, even having lost the initiative, he still had a chance to fight back. He hurriedly raised his long saber, attempting to block the incoming strike from the Mysterious Door Sword. But his long saber was merely an ordinary hundred-refined weapon; how could it contend with a superior blade like the Cross Mysterious Door Sword? The moment they made contact, the saber was cut open with ease as if it were made of paper, utterly incapable of any resistance. Broken into two, the sword blade relentlessly thrust toward the mans face. If this thrust connected, it would have pierced through the mans skull, killing him instantly on the spot. Just then, the Cross Mysterious Door Sword suddenly stopped in front of the mans face, hovering there without actually stabbing down; but then the blade tilted to the side, slashing open the mans mouth, causing blood to gush forth. Ah!! The man screamed, clutching his mouth and rolling on the ground in excruciating pain. Thats it? Zhou Heng sneered. With a flick of his sword finger, the Cross Mysterious Door Sword flew back into its sheath. He then cast his glance over the disciples of the Chang Xing Sect, chin slightly raised, and coolly said, Next, any more takers? This single question made a dozen Chang Xing Sect disciples unconsciously take a step back. But the next moment they realized their retreat was embarrassing, so they stepped forward again. Nevertheless, no one dared to speak up. The surrounding onlookers were silent too, many with their mouths agape, staring at Zhou Heng in disbelief. After a while, the crowd suddenly erupted. No way, what was that just now? A Sword Control Technique?? A Sword floating in the air, isnt that a secret technique that only Innate experts who have stepped into the Sixth Rank can practice? How did Zhou Heng perform it? How does he know a Sword Control Technique?? Its too incredible, simply unimaginable! The sounds of discussion and astonishment were endless. In the crowd, Pei Luoling had a face full of joy, excitedly saying to her brother, Brother, see, I told you he is amazing, hey, Brother, why arent you speaking? Pei Luoshu was staring blankly at Zhou Heng, silently deciding that it would be best to avoid encountering Zhou Heng if possible, lest he become one of those whose ranks were knocked down by Zhou Heng from the top forty. What a joke, how did a Martial Dao Eighth Rank learn a Sword Control Technique? Even if some special Seventh Rank sword techniques could achieve an effect similar to the Sword Control Technique over short distances, such sword techniques are generally extremely difficult to practice, require a high demand on the Divine Soul, and are usually only possible to learn at the initial convergence of the external scenery at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Zhou Heng was merely at the Eighth Rank yet he was able to perform a technique similar to a Sword Control Technique. It was utterly inconceivable! In the crowd, there was a middle-aged man wearing a simple Taoist robe; seeing Zhou Heng wield the Sword Control Technique, his eyes revealed a look of sudden realization, and he looked at Zhou Heng with even more admiration. On a distant mountain peak. Cheng Jianjian sat at the edge of a cliff, watching the situation in front of Chang Xing Sects gates, her gaze fixed on Zhou Heng, her lips curled into a smile, Hes become much more formidable. After hearing about Zhou Hengs situation with the Chang Xing Sect, she had temporarily set aside her own tasks and rushed over as quickly as possible, ready to help at any moment, in case Zhou Heng suffered a disadvantage in a possible group attack. At this time, the Seventh Rank Warriors of the Chang Xing Sect listened to the surrounding discussions and exclamations, their faces turning the livid color of liver, their bodies trembling with indignant rage. They sent out two people to carry back the one who had been injured by Zhou Heng to bandage his wounds. Then they began shouting again. Relying on a superior weapon to bully others, what kind of master are you! Exactly, put up a fair fight with your bare hands if you are capable and dont rely on sharp weapons to harm people! Right! Youre a true disciple of a prominent martial family, armed with a superior weapon, how could we stand a chance against you? Do you dare to fight with just fists and feet? As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd immediately jeered; the look in their eyes toward them was laced with disdain. How ludicrous! Zhou Heng was merely at the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, and here was a group of Seventh Rank warriors saying he relied on a superior weapon to harm others, audaciously demanding that he fight empty-handed. What sheer audacity! The group from the Chang Xing Sect had lashed out in heated foolishness, nearly losing their senses, but once they came to their senses, the words had already been said and could not be taken back; they could only grit their teeth and stand firm. Fine! Zhou Heng agreed readily, surprisingly everyone. He dismounted and approached the Chang Xing Sect warriors bare-handed without taking the Cross Mysterious Door Sword. He shook his hands and smiled, Actually, I think you might regret this in a minute. Fighting empty-handed was indeed his intention. After all, using the technique of Transforming Shadows and Minor Wuxiang Power to return their own methods back on them, thus driving the Chang Xing Sect to complete despair and total loss of face, was his goal. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He had previously shown the prowess of the Cross Mysterious Door Sword with the hundred paces flying sword technique, precisely to make the Chang Xing Sect warriors feel he was bullying them with it, anticipating they would eventually ask him not to use his weapon. As expected, the Chang Xing Sect were shameless just as he had anticipated. The one who will regret it is probably you! Boy, you may be young, but you have a big mouth! A cold laugh came, and a strapping middle-aged man emerged from the Chang Xing Sect crowd. He stood there like a mighty spear, exuding an oppressive presence. He pointed at Zhou Heng and declared, Just now my junior was caught off-guard by you, and his weapon was not as sharp as yours. Dont think he genuinely could not match you! Hong Wanzai, known in the martial world as Mountain-Bearing Spear, let me test your skills! Boy, make your move! Chapter 153 - Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Beat Them As You Encounter Them Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Beat Them As You Encounter Them Mountain-Bearing Divine Spear? Zhou Heng sized up the man before him and found that there indeed was a murderous aura about him that came from wielding a spear; he did not seem like a martial artist from the pugilistic world, but more like an expert honed in the military. Have you served in the army? Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow and inquired. To hone my killing intent, I spent ten years cultivating in the military. Hong Wanzai grinned, his aura of murder intensifying as he circulated his Inner Qi and adopted a stance, coldly laughing, Boy, come on, lets see how much killing intent your martial arts contain. Without your lethal weapon, are your fists still as sharp? Hong Wanzai announcing his identity like this immediately caused a sensation among the onlookers. I didnt expect it to be him; Hong Wanzai is actually from the Chang Xing Sect. Zhou Hengs in trouble now. Is Hong Wanzai that formidable? Ive never really heard of him. You havent heard of him because youre young. Over twenty years ago, he was an Eighth Rank martial artist. He went to train in the Southern Jin military, spent a decade with the troops, and experienced various battles with the barbarian tribes of the vast wilderness mountains, slaying countless enemies! My goodness, that impressive? In that case, can Zhou Heng even defeat him? Zhou Hengs martial arts rank is definitely much higher than Hong Wanzais, but Hong Wanzais combat experience is too rich. Often in combat, victory or death does not merely depend on ones martial arts rank and cultivation. Battle experience also plays a significant role. It looks like Zhou Heng is really in trouble. When Hong Wanzai gets angry, its going to get bloody! The crowd buzzed with discussion, recounting Hong Wanzais background and his past glorious deeds. Pei Luoling naturally overheard all of this. The young girl immediately became nervous, tugging at the hem of her brothers clothes and whispering, Brother, if Zhou Heng cant beat that Mountain-Bearing Divine Spear, remember to step in and mediate. Zhou Heng cant afford to have an accident. There are so many stories I havent heard yet. No one else tells stories that are as novel and interesting as Zhou Hengs, and I like the sound of his voice. What?? Pei Luoshu, however, was stunned by his sisters abrupt remarks, replying in bewilderment, Why should I intervene? I dont even know him Wuuu, you dont love me anymore!! Pei Luolings lips quivered, and tears began to well up in her eyes. Alright, alright, I understand, I understand, Pei Luoshu, who couldnt bear to see his sister cry, quickly nodded, If Zhou Heng truly is no match for Hong Wanzai, I will step in and mediate. Why didnt you just say so earlier! Pei Luoling snapped her folding fan shut and slapped Pei Luoshu on the shoulder, smiling, You almost made me cry. You owe me compensation, just a hundred taels in silver notes, not too much. I only get ten silver notes for my monthly allowance. Pei Luoshus mouth twitched slightly, and he turned to look at Zhou Heng, trying to change the subject, Though, if you ask me, this Hong Wanzai might not necessarily be a match for Zhou Heng. Really? Pei Luoling perked up with excitement, happily exclaiming, Is that true? But I heard from the people around that this Hong Wanzai is very powerful. Hes battle-hardened from serving in the military and far stronger than the average martial artist of the same rank. Is Zhou Heng your average martial artist? Pei Luoshu rolled his eyes. This was a person who, at Eighth Rank, had already mastered the Sword Control Techniquean extraordinary existence not to be judged by conventional standards. Hmm, hes indeed not your average martial artist, Pei Luoling nodded and smiled, Now that you mention it, I feel better and more confident. Brother, stand aside a bit, dont block my view of Zhou Heng. Pei Luoshu had no choice but to obediently shift his position, solidifying his status as the ultimate supportive tool. At this moment, Hong Wanzai had already launched his attack on Zhou Heng. His entire body surged with Inner Qi, and his every movement whipped up a frenzy of wind, lifting sand and stones all around him. Whoosh whoosh! Amidst the howling winds, Hong Wanzai became like a thrusting spear, shooting forward in a flash, and appeared in front of Zhou Heng. His hands came together, fingers forming palms, with his fingertips pointing forwardone hand in front, the other behindlike holding a great spear, he stabbed towards Zhou Hengs neck. You have witnessed Hong Wanzai performing Divine Spear Hand Technique''[Eighth Rank], based on past experience, you have discerned the essence of its martial secrets, proficiency +500. After all, Chang Xing Sect is not a major sect, and even a Seventh Rank expert commonly uses Eighth Rank techniques. Almost the instant Hong Wanzai unleashed this technique, Zhou Heng saw through everything and learned it, even managing to use it with considerable skill. Thus, he instantly adopted the same stance as Hong Wanzai. It was the same hand formation, the same forward-pointing fingertips, and one hand in front, the other behind, as if holding a great spear as well, and he stabbed towards Hong Wanzais neck. However, this was merely the external stance. In essence, he was propelling this technique with his minor Formless Skill, while simultaneously using the technique Turning the Cosmic Wheel to borrow force against force. Hong Wanzai failed to detect the subtleties and saw Zhou Heng deploying his most proficient martial arts. Enraged, he sneered, Ignorant fool, daring to use my martial arts against me in a duel, courting death! However, before he could finish speaking Hong Wanzai saw Zhou Hengs spear-hand lightly touch his outstretched palms, instantly diverting the force of his own spear thrust, unexpectedly redirecting it back against himself! At the same time, Zhou Hengs thrust followed the trajectory of this force, striking forward and pressing against Hong Wanzais neck. All of this happened in a flash, and before a single exchange had passed, Hong Wanzai was defeated. How dull. Zhou Heng shook his head in disappointment. The hand that was originally resting on Hong Wanzais neck thrust forward, and Hong Wanzaithe martial artist renowned for his countless kills and battle-hardened experiencewas struck so his eyes rolled back, he spat out foam, and fainted. All the spectators were dumbfounded, immersed in extreme shock. How could this be?! What had they just seen? Zhou Heng seemed to have used Hong Wanzais own martial arts to defeat him, winning with an almost overwhelming advantage! This was too strong, absurdly powerful. There had never been a case where someone used the opponents martial arts to down the opponent, but here it was, happening right before their eyes. It was simply inconceivable. The disciples of Chang Xing Sect were also stunned, looking at Zhou Heng in disbelief. They could not believe that Hong Wanzai had been defeated by Zhou Heng using his most skilled Divine Spear Hand Technique. This is the secret of the Chang Xing Sect that is not passed on to outsiders. How exactly did Zhou Heng acquire it? Could it be that he had forced it out of Kong Chengshun? However, Kong Chengshun practiced Eighth Rank swordsmanship and had never cultivated the Art of the Spear Palm of the Slayer. Even if he had truly been interrogated, its certain he wouldnt have divulged the Art of the Spear Palm of the Slayer. So how did Zhou Heng learn it? It couldnt be that he simply watched it once and learned it, could it?? This absurd thought flashed through their minds but was instantly denied by themselves. How could such a thing be possible, no, absolutely not! Ill take you on! I want to see if you really are that powerful! Whether spurred by anger at Zhou Hengs previous fighting method or wanting to prove that Zhou Heng didnt have the ability to learn Martial Arts after just a glance, another Seventh Rank expert from the Chang Xing Sect stepped forward. He was an old man around sixty years of age, his hair still black but his beard turning slightly gray, his body showing signs of age, yet his Inner Qi was incredibly robust, having almost surpassed the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Such depth of Inner Qi could not be said to be anything other than powerful. Fan Xiao, known in the martial world as the Chang Xing Divine Fist, is here to test your brilliant moves! Fan Xiao stared coldly at Zhou Heng, speaking in a deep voice. Begin whenever youre ready, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh. Bang! As the forceful energy surged, the air rang out with explosive sounds, and Fan Xiao was sent flying by a punch from Zhou Heng. He collided with the crowd in front of the Chang Xing Sects gates and fell to the ground, unconscious. This time, Zhou Heng used the same moves that Fan Xiao had used. Another Seventh Rank expert from the Chang Xing Sect stepped up and ended up being beaten by Zhou Heng using the same techniques as well. Afterward, every person who fought Zhou Heng met the same fate. No matter what Martial Arts they used or what moves they executed, Zhou Heng would deploy the same tactics, and he did it even more powerfully, to defeat them! Now, everyone had clearly seen it. Zhou Heng was doing it on purpose; he was intentionally using the same techniques as those who fought him! He was using their own methods to defeat them, effectively humiliating and overwhelming the Chang Xing Sect to the fullest extent! Hiss! What immense confidence was this? After all, people have limited energy; nobody can learn too many Martial Arts, let alone master a multitude of them, and use the same Martial Arts to counter and defeat an opponent. The strength and methods now displayed by Zhou Heng were simply unfathomable. By now, it was night. The full moon of September 15 had risen into the sky, and Zhou Heng, after a day of fierce battle, did not show the slightest sign of fatigue, still looking spirited while standing in front of the Chang Xing Sects gates. With the Innate Skill reaching an advanced level, his inner Qi was unceasing. Unless a tremendous amount of Inner Qi was depleted in a short time, his Inner Qi could recover at a very fast pace. Is that all? Zhou Heng stood under the moonlight, looking at the people of the Chang Xing Sect with a cold sneer and said, The top sect of Huangtong Mansion City is only of this level? Silence ensued, nobody spoke. All thirty-odd Seventh Rank experts of the Chang Xing Sect had been defeated by Zhou Heng using their best Martial Arts; no one dared to speak up. Although Eighth and Ninth Grade disciples from the Chang Xing Sect also came out to assess the situation, their prowess was not sufficient to intervene in conflicts of such caliber, so they could only watch. The onlookers were also curious about how the Chang Xing Sect would handle the situation next. This was a significant loss of face! Would they become enraged and send a Sixth Rank Innate expert to attack Zhou Heng? Zhou Heng, dont push people too far! Finally, Hong Wanzai, who was the first to challenge Zhou Heng, could not endure it any longer and stood up saying, Why must you humiliate us so much? Remember, to forgive when one has the upper hand! It had been a good half-day since he had fought Zhou Heng, and although he had passed out from the beating then, he had since come to. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The other disciples of the Chang Xing Sect also nodded in agreement, and even many spectators thought Zhou Heng was being too excessive. To forgive when one has the upper hand? Hah! Zhou Heng, upon hearing this, let out a cold laugh and glanced over the crowd, Why is it that you, the Chang Xing Sect, dont understand the principle you yourselves dont follow, yet expect me to abide by it? When the Chang Xing Sect pressured the Yu Family and targeted my mentor, why did you not think of this saying? I came here for revenge. There is no reason for me to be merciful! Its fine if no one else wants to fight. Ill just stand in front of the gates of the Chang Xing Sect, and fight whoever comes out. See one, beat one! Chapter 154 - Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Go Apologize Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Go Apologize Once Zhou Heng made this statement, the members of the Chang Xing Sect became furious. Yet they dared not express their anger. The strength of Purple Lightning Thunder Blade was too formidable, and his martial arts talent was nothing short of astonishing. They still couldnt figure out whether Zhou Heng had secretly learned a vast amount of the Chang Xing Sects martial arts, or if he had managed to learn them simply by observing during their exchanges. In the crowd, Pei Luoling covered her lips with a folding fan, her eyes sparkling brightly as she watched Zhou Heng, and poked her brother Pei Luoshu, giggling, Brother, did you see that? Hes so awesome, really awesome! Werent you just worried that hes no match for Hong Wanzai? Pei Luoshu rolled his eyes, feeling that he could never understand a womans thoughts. He really wanted to go home and practice, even if it meant getting beaten black and blue by the trainer. Hmph, that was a legitimate concern! Pei Luoling argued stubbornly, though her gaze never left Zhou Heng, thinking to herself, Once he finishes, Ill find him and have him tell me a story. But Ill have to ditch my brother first. Atop a distant peak. Cheng Jianjians expression had become serious. She clutched the jade gourd at her waist, ready to take out her secret treasure to assist Zhou Heng at any moment. Zhou Heng had really attracted hate with his statement just now. It was very likely that a Chang Xing Sect expert couldnt help but make a move. And within the crowd, the Taoist in the simple robe slightly narrowed his eyes, glancing at Zhou Heng, then raised his head to look at the Chang Xing Sects summit hall. Wondering something unknown. Inside the Chang Xing Sects main hall. There sat six people, including the sect leader Wan Fengchun, as well as Liu Songshan and four other elders. They represented the core leadership of the Chang Xing Sect. Currently, they were all focused on a light screen in the center of the hall, which showed the scene and sounds from outside the gate. They could hear every single word of Zhou Hengs statement crystal clear. Fight everyone I encounter! These words entered the ears of everyone present and felt extremely harsh. How many years has it been? How many years since someone dared to be so brazen in front of the Chang Xing Sect? Fifty years? A hundred years? Ever since the sect leader reached Fifth Rank and became a Grandmaster, making the Chang Xing Sect the strongest sect around Huangtong Mansion City, no one had dared to do such a thing. And now they were being bullied right at their doorstep by an Eighth Rank martial artist, which was a complete loss of face! But this was a disciple of Pure Yang Palace a true legacy disciple. Bang! Liu Songshan slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Zhou Heng in the light screen, grinding his teeth, This boy has gone too far, not only has he killed our disciples but also dares to provoke us at our door, causing us to lose face. He deserves to die. Sect leader, let me handle him! He was a middle-aged man who looked to be around fifty, with a hooked nose and slender eyes that were filled with anger and hatred towards Zhou Heng. It was as if he wanted to rush out and tear Zhou Heng to pieces right then and there. Silence! Wan Fengchun barked, an old man who appeared to be in his seventies but had actually lived for several centuries. He said in a heavy voice, Have you forgotten who Zhou Heng is? He is a true legacy disciple of Pure Yang Palace! Brother Liu, do not be impulsive. Sitting on the other side was a woman who appeared to be in her thirties, frowning and sighing, There are also rumors in the martial world that Zhou Heng is actually the sixth-generation true legacy disciple of Pure Yang Palace. That is to say, he is the junior brother of the current sect master, Inhabitant of True Yang Yan Shouyi, and the disciple of the fifth-generation sect leader of Pure Yang Palace, Chen Dongxuan, who has condensed his Dao Seed and achieved the position of Tao Lord. Hes the junior brother of a Celestial Man, the disciple of a Tao Lord; even if the news is not necessarily true, theres no smoke without fire. We should be more cautious. Brother Liu, dont be too angry. Zhou Heng has come because you oppressed his friends and elders, hasnt he? Among those present, there wasnt a unified front, as a sallow-skinned middle-aged man sneered, Its quite justified for him to come seeking revenge now. Qian Zheng! Who are you taking sides with? Liu Songshan burst out in anger upon hearing this, glaring at the sallow-faced man, If he hadnt killed my promising disciple, why would I target his master and friends? Isnt it because your disciple acted improperly, attempting to cripple someones martial arts during a public competition, and got struck back instead? Qian Zheng continued to sneer, facing Liu Songshan head-on. The two of them were the most likely candidates to compete for the next sect leader of Chang Xing Sect. With not much difference in their qualifications, Qian Zheng naturally would not miss any opportunity to ridicule and suppress Liu Songshan. Enough, both of you stop! Wan Fengchun grew impatient, turning to Liu Songshan, You go to the front of the mountain gate and apologize to Zhou Heng, and be sincere about it. You, a distinguished Sixth Rank Innate, apologizing to an Eighth Rank should be enough to put an end to this matter. What?? Liu Songshan looked at Wan Fengchun incredulously, his eyes bulging with burning rage as he pointed at Zhou Heng in the light screen, Sect Leader Brother, what are you saying? You want me to apologize to this little brat? If you dont apologize, should we let Zhou Heng block everyones entrance and exit in front of our sects gate? Qian Zheng said with an air of righteousness, sneering, The longer this standoff lasts, the more face our Chang Xing Sect loses. Surely you dont really want to get into a fight with Zhou Heng, do you? Shut up! Qian Junior Brother, you talk too much! Wan Fengchun massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on, and said to Liu Songshan, For the sake of our sects greater good, please just bear this indignity for now. As you know, that Zhou Heng is after all a true disciple of Pure Yang Palace. We cannot really lay hands on him. Once this matter is over, I promise, I will definitely compensate you in the future; you will not be treated unfairly. At these words, Qian Zhengs complexion changed slightly, and he looked somewhat flustered. Fine, fine, fine! I agree! Liu Songshan said emphatically, nodding vigorously, I will go and apologize to that little brat I mean, I will go and give Zhou Heng a proper apology! Zhou Heng took a chair, a table, and some preprepared meals out of his Qiankun pouch and began to dine right in front of the Chang Xing Sects gates. From time to time, he would also take out hay to feed to the jujube-hued horse beside him. It was as if he wasnt there to challenge them but to enjoy a leisurely holiday outing. This attitude made the people of Chang Xing Sect itch with hatred, while the onlookers gaped in amazement. How arrogant! Pei Luolings eyes shone as she said to her older brother, Brother, look, isnt this the very epitome of the storytellers a person like jade standing alone in the world, a young master without equal? So free and easy, so carefree! Thats outrageous Pei Luoshu felt as if veins might pop out of his forehead, suddenly feeling an impulse to pick a fight with Zhou Heng, but then thinking that he might not be able to beat him. This is a dilemma, too tough. In fact, Zhou Heng was not as leisurely as he appeared on the surface. He had already secretly prepared Geng Metal Sword Energy Talisman, Projection Card, Peak Card, Five-Colored Divine Light No matter what kind of powerful expert the Chang Xing Sect deployed, he had ways to counter them. Boom!! Just then, a thunderous boom came from the sky above the Chang Xing Sects gates, followed by the changing of wind and clouds, a fierce gale, and a swath of the sky lighting up with golden light. Then, a cloud shimmering with red twilight descended from the mountaintop. Shameless child! Youve stolen so many of our Chang Xing Sects martial arts and yet you dare to strut around here; you deserve to die a thousand deaths! A thunderous shout, akin to the rumbling of thunder, came with the descending cloud, deafening to all who heard it. Atop the cloud stood a figure in a green robe. It was none other than the elder of the Chang Xing Sects Enforcement Hall, the master of Kong Chengshun, the main culprit targeting the Yu Family and Chang Xing Sect a Sixth Rank Innate, Liu Songshan. The crowd was shocked, all staring at the figure in the sky with astonishment. Whats going on? Could it be that Liu Songshan is planning to make a move on Zhou Heng? Hes gone mad! The Pure Yang Palace is a top Martial Dao Sect of the present age, an ancient Taoist Immortal Sect, with a Divine First Rank in its ranks, an unparalleled sect that is always protective of its own! And not one to be trifled with. Nobody can withstand the wrath of the Pure Yang Palace. A disciple of the Plague Emperor Sect once poisoned an external disciple of Pure Yang Palace, leading to the task kill the disciples of the Plague Emperor Sect becoming a daily mission for the disciples of Pure Yang Palace. Even if by the laws of the martial world, Zhou Heng being the aggressor wouldnt justify action from Pure Yang Palace if he were to be killed on his challenge, but is Liu Songshan not afraid of clandestine retaliation from them? Moreover, this is a Sixth Rank Innate attacking an Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, a case of the strong bullying the weak, an oppressive use of higher cultivation level. It would not sound reasonable to the outside world. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A careless move could bring disaster upon the entire Chang Xing Sect! Yet Liu Songshan seemed to have lost his mind, flying high above in the sky, looking down at Zhou Heng with icy contempt. Without uttering a word, he reached up and grasped at the air! Boom! Suddenly, the clouds in the high sky burst apart, the qi of heaven and earth roiling, the ground trembling slightly. A colossal green hand, covering nearly a hundred zhang in radius, reached out from above the clouds. It crashed down towards Zhou Heng with a ferocious slam! Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Little Martial Uncle of Pure Yang Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Little Martial Uncle of Pure Yang The giant palm struck down from the sky, and heaven and earth changed color as sand and rocks flew chaotically in the great wind. Zhou Heng stood there as if he were a mere ant facing the vast heavenly might, at any moment liable to be crushed into dust. This was the power inherent to one born before the heavens. Pei Luoling suddenly tensed up, grabbed Pei Luoshus arm next to her, and shook it violently, saying anxiously, Brother, what do we do?! Think of something quickly! Ah, this is my own life-saving trump card, Pei Luoshu said with a pained expression as he pulled out a jade talisman from his Qiankun Bag, ready to activate it. At the same time, atop a distant mountain peak. Cheng Jianjian stood up all at once, having been ready, she threw out a piece of red silk, which transformed into a beam of red light across the sky. She stepped forward onto the beam of red light, ready to join Zhou Heng at his side to defend against Liu Songshans attack. A Martial Artist of the Sixth Rank on the Martial Path was already capable of uniting with external forces; their Inner Qi could return to an innate state, and even casual motions could harness the incredible natural forces of the world, enabling them to leverage the power of nature with their bodies to unleash infinite might. Normally speaking, even the weakest Sixth Rank Celestial would be stronger than the most powerful and invincible at the peak of the Seventh Rank. This was an insurmountable gulf, a difference in the very essence of life. Even Zhou Heng, with his current strength sufficient to rank near the top among martial artists and to compete with outstanding heirs from major top-tier sects and noble families, had absolutely no ability to resist when facing a Sixth Rank on the Martial Path if relying solely on his own power. He would need extremely powerful magical talismans to stand a chance. However, Zhou Heng himself was not the least bit panicked, as he never intended to fight Liu Songshan head-on. The instant Liu Songshan appeared, he had already started circulating his inner qi, prepared to activate the Geng Metal Sword Energy Talisman. Of course, although the sword energy from the talisman had the might of a Sixth Rank, it was definitely still lacking compared to a true Sixth Rank Innate. With just one strike of Geng Metal Sword Qi, Zhou Heng wasnt expecting to defeat a Sixth Rank Innate; he planned to use it to distract Liu Songshan, buying time to use his projection card and materialize his projection. Project the Qingxia God! That was his real trump card. But just at that moment, within the crowd of onlookers, a sudden surge of azure light soared up, forming a small mountain about thirty to forty zhang high almost instantly. The various phenomena that had arisen due to Liu Songshans use of his secret technique dissipated, the clouds ceased churning, the rocks stilled, and the wild wind settled, as if everything were subdued by this small mountain. Immediately after, the small mountain streaked across the sky, colliding with the giant hand that Liu Songshan had slammed down. Boom! A deafening blast resounded, with waves of qi spreading outwards, the ground shaking and clouds in the sky shattering into pieces. Even the natural energies within several miles were so stirred up, it was like whirlpools upending rivers, causing Martial Artists at the peak of the Seventh Rank starting to integrate internally and externally to feel their blood and qi roil. The once imposing and mighty giant hand shattered into countless streams of light upon the impact with the small mountain, yet the mountain remained undamaged, simply turning in the air before flying back above Liu Songshans head. Liu Songshans face turned ashen with shock, his previous air of dominance instantly shattered, and he looked panicked, trying to mobilize the cloud light beneath his feet to escape while frantically looking around and saying, Whoever you are, high above, with neither past grudges nor recent quarrels against me, why do you attack me But before he could finish his words, the small mountain crashed down fiercely, covering nearly a hundred zhang around and casting a large shadow on the ground. Boom! As the mountain struck the earth, the ground trembled, cracks appeared in the land around the mountains base, and the long-standing Sixth Rank Celestial, Liu Songshan, was heavily suppressed beneath the mountain. This sudden turn of events all happened in the blink of an eye. From the formation of the mountain to the point where Liu Songshan was smashed down from the heavens, it was all incredibly quick and smooth. Many were still in shock and hadnt reacted when Liu Songshan was already pressed beneath the mountain. What the heck?! What just happened? Who made that move, suppressing Liu Songshan in an instant? Could there be a Grandmaster here? Was it the Grandmaster who struck? The crowd suddenly erupted, all incredulously staring at the small mountain that had formed out of nowhere and then instantly demonstrated its divine might. This is a small mountain purely condensed from Heaven and Earths vital energy! The person who has displayed such a technique must possess a high cultivation realm and is extremely adept at refining and transforming Heaven and Earths vital energy into form, with formidable strength far beyond the ordinary. At this moment, Cheng Jianjian, who had just stepped into the red light, paused slightly before retreating back to look at the crowd, quickly locating someone in a modest Taoist robe. So it turns out that Brother Jiang from Pure Yang Palaces Cui Peak is here. She smiled, retracting the red silk treasure and completely calming down, recognizing the identity of the Taoist. With him around, even if a grandmaster from the Chang Xing Sect made a move, they could still ensure Zhou Hengs safety without harm. Inside the crowd, Pei Luoling patted her small chest and heaved a sigh of relief, joyfully saying, Is this a heroic expert stepping forward to lend a hand in the face of injustice? This is just like the main character in the stories the storyteller tells, where there is always a high personage to save the day in times of peril. Its not about stepping forward in the face of injustice. Pei Luoshu shook his head and searched the crowd, saying, This small mountain is not a common technique, but the Sect Fifth Rank martial arts Qing Mountain Suppressing the Vast Sky of Pure Yang Palaces Cui Peak. Judging from the degree of refinement and power of this small mountain, the person practicing the martial arts must have trained the tenth layer of the technique to the seventh, with a cultivation most likely at the peak of the Sixth Rank. Qing Mountain Suppressing the Vast Sky? Pei Luoling tilted her head and waved her folding fan, saying, It sounds familiar. Have I heard it somewhere before, like in a story Ah, now I remember, its a story about the person who was first on the peoples rank six years ago, Tianshan Cui Peaks Jiang Taihe, which I heard from a storyteller. It seems that the storytellers tales are not entirely without merit. Pei Luoshu pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling his headache slightly alleviated. Six years ago, the one who was first on the peoples rank was indeed famous throughout the world, and even if time had diluted his past reputation, with a reminder, many people immediately recalled it. Tianshans Cui Peak, is it Tianshan Cui Peaks Jiang Taihe who has re-emerged in the jianghu? After reaching the Sixth Rank six years ago, Jiang Taihe returned to Ta Hua Mounts Cui Peak to enter closed-door cultivation, this must be his first time showing up in the jianghu in these six years. Judging from that initial strike, Jiang Taihe cant be far from the Fifth Rank Sect Master Realm, huh? When he was of the Seventh Rank, so was I, but now he is almost at the Fifth Rank while I am still at the Seventh Rank. But why would he come here? Could he have come together with Zhou Heng, just to secretly protect him? How is that possible, Jiang Taihe is the personal disciple of the Cui Peaks master, does he need to protect a mere authentic inheritor like Zhou Heng? Perhaps that rumor is true? While the crowd was abuzz with discussion, the young Taoist wearing the modest Taoist robe, stepping on black cloth shoes and binding his hair only with straw, looking somewhat unkempt, walked out. He had a handsome face, a tall frame, and appeared to be in his twenties, not yet thirty, but he emanated the aura of someone who had experienced the vicissitudes of life and seemed to have seen through the worldly dust. It really is Jiang Taihe, but how has he become like this? I heard that Jiang Taihe was bold and vigorous, with heroic spirit, once pursuing a thousand li to avenge a friend, a chivalrous figure who righted wrongs with pleasure. But now, he doesnt seem quite the same. Has he gone through some sort of ordeal? Zhou Heng also gazed at Jiang Taihe, smiling and saying, Thank you for just now. It was thanks to his intervention that the use of a Geng Metal Sword Energy Talisman and a projection card was spared. Younger uncle is too kind, Jiang Taihe gently shook his head and also smiled, Even if I had not acted, I am certain the younger uncle would have had means to manage that person. Younger uncle?! Jiang Taihes address to Zhou Heng left everyone present in shock. That previously far-fetched rumor Was actually true?! Zhou Heng really is the sixth generation authentically inherited disciple of Pure Yang Palace? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A Celestial Mans junior brother! The disciple of a Tao Lord?! What sort of sky-reaching background is this! Meanwhile, inside the control hall of the Chang Xing Sect, Sect Master Wan Fengchun, a Fifth Rank grandmaster, almost staggered and fell from his chair. Go, go, all of you follow me down the mountain to apologize! Chapter 156 - Chapter 156: Chapter 156: No Need Chapter 156: Chapter 156: No Need Jiang Taihe addressed Zhou Heng as Little Martial Uncle?! Even Pei Luoshu and Pei Luoling were shocked, staring with wide eyes. The siblings had originally thought that Zhou Heng was merely a typical disciple of Pure Yang Palace, perhaps with higher strength and talent, who might one day have the chance to be taken as a personal disciple by a grandmaster or a supreme master, but it would still take some time. After all, Zhou Heng had only joined Pure Yang Palace a few months ago. But now, he had suddenly become the Little Martial Uncle of the seventh generation of disciples in the Pure Yang Palace. This was too unexpected and simply outrageous. Is he really taken as a disciple by the Celestial Man, the head of Pure Yang Palace? Pei Luoling said with a look of surprise, whispering to Zhou Heng, Fresh out of the gate and favored by a big shot, with connections reaching to the heavensthis is exactly the treatment of a protagonist in a story. No, its also possible that one of the other peaks elders in Pure Yang Palace took him as a disciple. Pei Luoshu shook his head and muttered, That rumor could just be hearsay, transforming Zhou Heng from a personal disciple of some elder into a direct disciple of the head of the palace. His guess was actually very reasonable. Among the fifth generation of disciples still alive in Pure Yang Palace, there is not only the former head Chen Dongxuan, but also disciples from the Jade Qiong Peak, Taixu Peak, Jade Qiong Peak, and others, although they have rarely taken disciples in the past century. The last disciple of the sixth generation who stirred the martial world was from fifty years ago, a disciple of the former master of the Purple Virtual Peak of Pure Yang Palace. Known as Wandering White Crane Immortal, You Ziheng. As long as its not from the Jade Virtual Peak lineage, it wouldnt be considered too shocking, Pei Luoling said with a light smile, But I still think that rumor is probably true, and the Chang Xing Sect is surely in trouble. Hey, even if it isnt true, with that rumor out in the open, most people, upon learning that Zhou Heng is a direct sixth generation disciple of Pure Yang Palace, will first think hes a disciple of a Tao Lord. Pei Luoshu looked up at the mountain peaks in front and laughed, Actually, if the rumor is false, Chang Xing Sects trouble might be even bigger. Zhou Hengs status as a direct sixth generation disciple of Pure Yang Palace is certain. If not taken as a disciple by the acting head, then his master would be one of the still-living elders of the various peaks, most of whom have already achieved Celestial Man status, or are Fourth Rank supreme masters who have prolonged their lifespans. The Tao Lord is in secluded cultivation, rarely stepping into the mundane world, and Yan Shouyi as the head of Pure Yang Palace also would not act rashly. These two are unlikely to take direct action because of Zhou Heng, leaving some room for maneuver. But if its a Celestial Man who has retired from sect duties, solely wishing to find a good disciple, or a Fourth Rank supreme master who is aging and nearing the end of his life, and who has just accepted a successor Once Zhou Heng runs into trouble, can you guess what they would do? Then Chang Xing Sect would certainly be doomed, Pei Luoling nodded. Exactly, Pei Luoshu said with a light chuckle, If I were Wan Fengchun, I would come down the mountain right now to voluntarily apologize and promise to keep a close watch on Liu Songshan, preventing him from taking even half a step out of Chang Xing Sect. Would that happen? Pei Luoling also looked towards the mountain peak where the Chang Xing Sect was located and laughed, Isnt it supposed to be that after beating the young, the old come out and then engage in a life-or-death struggle with Pure Yang Palace, ultimately getting wiped out? Who would be that foolish? Pei Luoshus mouth twitched slightly as he said, Pure Yang Palace is a supreme immortal gate with a Divine First Rank, only if Wan Fengchun has a problem with his brain would he clash with Pure Yang Palace to the death. Many storytellers tell it that way, and quite a few people believe them, Pei Luoling covered her lips with her folding fan and giggled lightly, suddenly noticing several streaks of cloud light floating down from the peak, Eh, down already? Wan Fengchun came flying down from the summit with Qian Zheng, Yue Rong, and others. They descended from afar, stepped off their cloud, and walked up to Zhou Heng, bowing and apologizing in unison. Daoist Zhou, an elder in our sect has acted recklessly and without concern for martial world ethics, oppressing your friends and seniors. I cannot shirk my responsibility in this matter and hereby apologize to you, Wan Fengchun said. Wan Fengchun, a Fifth Rank Sect Master, was now bowing and apologizing to Zhou Heng with utmost reverence; to many onlookers, it truly seemed like he was thoroughly lowering his face. The others, Qian Zheng, Yue Rong, and the rest of the Sixth Rank Innate masters, also took turns bowing and apologizing to Zhou Heng. The sight thrilled everyone around them beyond measure. Grandmasters, Innates! These were usually big names on the martial path, top figures in a province, and even in County City, they would be honored guests of all the major forces, yet now they were humbly apologizing to a Martial Path Eighth Rank. Many envied Zhou Heng, wishing they could be in his shoes to see what it felt like to receive apologies from Grandmasters and Innates. However, many also soberly recognized that Wan Fengchun wasnt apologizing to Zhou Heng, but to Pure Yang Palace, to its supreme masters, Celestial Men, Tao Lords, and that Saint. This was the depth of a sects foundation. Thinking of this, some people couldnt help but feel a bit of sympathy for Wan Fengchun and the others, feeling that they were being oppressed by one of the current top Martial Dao Sects, and that if Zhou Heng didnt let it go at this, it would be somewhat overreaching. Of course, many still clearly remembered Liu Songshans previous actions and the attitude of Chang Xing Sect before Zhou Hengs identity was revealed. Such a predicament was purely self-inflicted. Isnt it just bullying the weak and fearing the strong? Not the least bit pitiable! Following the customs of the martial world, it seems I should readily accept your apology, and then wed drink together from a jar of wine, dissolving our grievances, Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle, showing no intention of letting Wan Fengchun and the others stand up. From a short distance, the half-dead Liu Songshan hung his head, not daring to look at Zhou Heng, but his eyes, fixed on the ground, were filled with darkness and hatred, his fingernails digging into the earth. Damn it! Damn it all! His heart was filled with a fierce desire to kill, but he dared not show even a hint of it now; he could only wait for a future opportunity. If Daoist Zhou could truly be so magnanimous, then we would be eternally grateful, but Liu Songshan did indeed go too far earlier, Wan Fengchun continued to bow, lowering his head to Zhou Heng, Rest assured, Daoist Zhou, I will bring him back to the mountain, strictly discipline him, and confine him within the Sect, forbidding him from taking even half a step out. No need. Zhou Heng shook his head with a cold laugh, raising his hand in a sweep. The Geng Metal Sword Energy Talisman was immediately activated. Zheng! A sound of a sword cry echoed, the extremely sharp Geng Metal Sword Qi tore through the void, causing the metal weapons in the hands of the many onlookers to tremble, emitting a chorus of jingling and clanging sounds. Almost instantly, the Geng Metal Sword Qi struck the half-dead Liu Songshan, enveloping his entire being. If it had been an uninjured Liu Songshan, facing this Sword Qi, he would have had the strength to dodge and defend, and at most, it would take some time without causing him significant harm. But now, with him half-dead and suppressed by Jiang Taihe, the flow of True Qi within his body had completely ceased, and his body could hardly move, let alone have the strength to resist this Sword Qi. He could only watch helplessly as the pure white Sword Qi flew towards him, covering him entirely, followed by the excruciating pain of skin peeling, flesh crushing, and bones breaking. Liu Songshan knew that this was the Geng Metal Sword Qi grinding him to pieces. Damn it! He was actually going to die at the hands of such a youngster! Junior brother! Wan Fengchun wanted to disperse the Sword Qi, but Jiang Taihe stepped forward to block him. A moment later, the Geng Metal Sword Qi faded away, leaving only a trench hundreds of feet long on the ground. Liu Songshan had vanished without a trace; he was completely obliterated. Congratulations! You have killed the doomed enemy Liu Songshan. Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. The reward notification sounded. Zhou Heng turned his head towards Wan Fengchun and said indifferently, Theres no need to confine him anymore, Sect Leader. I always repay grievances directly; killing him was the simplest solution. You?! Wan Fengchun, consumed by a burst of anger, suddenly looked up, glaring at Zhou Heng, Very well, very well! Despite your young age, Daoist Zhou, you have a strong killer instinct. With such a decisive nature in killing at such a young age, youre bound to have limitless prospects in the future. Then I thank Sect Leader Wan for your auspicious words. Zhou Heng said with a cold laugh. If Wan Fengchun had brought Liu Songshan out to apologize and make amends when Zhou Heng first arrived here, he most likely would have let the matter go. After all, his initial goal was to defeat Chang Xing Sects Lower Third Rank disciples in front of many in the martial world, humiliate Chang Xing Sects reputation, and thus avenge Yu He and Lin Cang among others. Even, had Liu Songshan stepped forward to apologize to Zhou Heng on his own initiative after seeing that all the Lower Third Rank disciples of Chang Xing Sect were no match for Zhou Heng, things would not have escalated to this point. It was too late for Wan Fengchun, the Sect Leader of Chang Xing Sect, to come out now. Bullying the weak but fearing the tough, and then wanting to apologize and make amends after realizing the other party is too tough to handle? Where in this world do things work that way? If apologies and amends were sufficient, then whats the purpose of cultivating? Wan Fengchun was so infuriated by Zhou Hengs words that his breathing became rapid, his old face turned iron blue, and after giving Zhou Heng a glare, he said to Jiang Taihe, Pure Yang Palace truly has gained a formidable junior uncle! Impressive, impressive! Having said that, he directly turned around, ascended into the clouds, and along with Qian Zheng and Yue Rong, returned to Chang Xing Sect. The scene fell completely silent, with not even a crow or sparrow making a sound. Nobody had anticipated that matters would turn out this way. To think a Sixth Rank Innate had died! Martial Dao Sixth Rank, harmonizing with the external scenery, reversing the natural order, in many sects this rank is already equivalent to a sect leader, and even in sects with a Grandmaster, its an elders position, a truly significant figure. And just like that, he perished? Junior uncle, youve made an enemy of Chang Xing Sect. Jiang Taihe spoke in a soft voice. Would there be no enmity if I hadnt killed Liu Songshan? Zhou Heng chuckled, If I didnt kill him, once he recovered, he would surely come to kill me. Actually, what I meant was, if I had taken action, I could have helped share some of the enmity for you, junior uncle. Jiang Taihe said with a smile. Haha, theres no need for that. Zhou Heng glanced at the mountain gate of Chang Xing Sect, I fear that Chang Xing Sect will soon close off its mountain gate. Close off the mountain? Jiang Taihe wore a puzzled expression. Within the crowd. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Pei Luoshu looked at Zhou Heng, his eyes filled with admiration, What a resolute Purple Lightning Thunder Blade; that strike just now truly shocked me. Next, I reckon Chang Xing Sect will close off the mountain. Ah? Pei Luoling did not understand and asked in confusion, Why would they close off the mountain? PS: I recommend a book by a friend of mine called For the Dragon. Summary: This is the story of a genocide-surviving youth who aspires to become the Great Wildernesss number one True Dragon. Chapter 157 - Chapter 157: Chapter 157 Insights on Swordsmanship Chapter 157: Chapter 157 Insights on Swordsmanship Actually, its quite simple. Pei Luoshu chuckled, Just think about it, and youll realize that Pure Yang Palace is the great sect of the current Martial Dao, not to mention an ancient and supreme Immortal Home, possessing a resident saint of the First Rank. Numerous forces that have wanted to curry favor with Pure Yang Palace but couldnt find any means are countless, and among them are forces with strength comparable to or even more formidable than that of Chang Xing Sect. Humph, brother, youre saying Im dumb! Pei Luoling first glared at Pei Luoshu, then after a moment of contemplation, her eyes lit up, and she laughed, There was no chance before, but now there is one because of Chang Xing Sect, so is that why theyre closing the mountain to avoid these forces? If they dont close the mountain, Chang Xing Sect will have to face the suppression from various forces. Pei Luoshu looked toward the entrance of Chang Xing Sect and said, This sect is going to have a hard time in the future. As for Chang Xing Sect closing their mountain, Zhou Heng had a different thought on his side. To protect themselves. Zhou Heng stood with his hands behind his back, and said lightly, This time I have humiliated Chang Xing Sect severely enough to say that Ive made them all lose face, and Ive even killed one of their Sixth Rank Innates, which will definitely attract a great deal of enmity. If Chang Xing Sect doesnt close their mountain and continues to let their disciples go out freely, its inevitable that some will come after me seeking revenge, using both open and covert attacks, but that will only result in more deaths by my hand, and the enmity between me and Chang Xing Sect will only grow deeper. For Chang Xing Sect, theres not the slightest benefit to this, and theres even the possibility of losing many disciples lives, or they might even put an end to their own lineage. Put an end to their own lineage? What does that mean? That means the sect is annihilated! Once the sect is destroyed, the lineage naturally ends. Junior Uncle is making sense, Jiang Taihe nodded, agreeing completely with Zhou Hengs reasoning. But this is just what I think, who knows if Wan Fengchun sees it the same way. Zhou Heng smiled, then mounted his horse and said, I still have some matters to handle, so Ill leave the aftermath here for you to deal with. He had already noticed the eyes of the onlookers, filled with frenzy and astonishment, and it wouldnt have been odd if these people rushed over the next moment to surround him with questions and touches. Zhou Heng had seen this situation several times back on Earth. Leaving was the best plan. After all, there was someone waiting for him. Eh? Jiang Taihe was startled upon hearing this and watched, confused, as Zhou Heng rode away, Whats happening? The next instant, he saw the horse under Zhou Heng burst into crimson flames, don a golden silk armor, and become incredibly magnificent; its speed also quickened drastically, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye. Then, the crowd reacted, and many people rushed toward Zhou Heng, attempting to stop him to ask some questions, but Zhou Hengs horse was simply too fast to catch up with. As a result, these people had no choice but to settle for the next best thing, hastily giving up on chasing Zhou Heng and heading back the way they came. Then, they all swarmed around Jiang Taihe. After leaving Chang Xing Sects entrance, Zhou Heng dispelled the flames from his chestnut-red horse, stopping the effect of the Red Lotus horse gear. To avoid shocking the public. Yet even so, the chestnut-red horses speed remained extremely fast. This was the effect of having consumed the Linju Pill. Now, in terms of speed alone, the chestnut-red horse was on par with an ordinary Seventh Rank Warrior, and its body was exceptionally strong, even its height had increased significantly. It indeed was worthy of the Linju title now. If an Eighth Rank Warrior dared to block the chestnut-red horse head-on with bare hands now, they would be struck with bone-breaking force, suffering severe injuries on the spot. Passing along a small forest path, Zhou Heng felt a sudden impulse, pulled on the reins, and brought the chestnut-red horse to a stop. Shortly after, Cheng Jianjian arrived, stepping from treetop to treetop as if she were a butterfly dancing through the forest, gliding forward until finally, with a turn in mid-air, she landed lightly before Zhou Heng. Junior Uncle, are you unharmed? She wore a light smile, still dressed in her moon-white Taoist robe, her countenance elegant and pure, stunningly ethereal. I always feel a bit unaccustomed to being called Junior Uncle by you. Zhou Heng dismounted, leading the horse by the reins, and walked side by side with Cheng Jianjian, saying with a laugh, Did Miss Cheng also come to enjoy the spectacle? I just happened to be passing by, so I came to take a look, and also to see if Junior Uncle needed any help. Cheng Jianjians lips carried a smile as she sized up Zhou Heng, It seems that Junior Uncle has grown taller than before. Ah? Really? Zhou Heng was slightly startled upon hearing this. But considering his recent advancement in inner strength, refining his body further and approaching a level close to a complete transformation, it was normal that he had grown a bit taller. ` Youve grown taller, and your martial arts have greatly improved, Cheng Jianjian remarked with some astonishment as she looked at Zhou Heng, smiling lightly, When we first met, I said you had the hope of reaching the Middle Third Rank, yet in just a few months, youve already peaked at Eighth Rank. Circumstances led to it, with many opportunities along the way, Zhou Heng replied with a smile, However, Ive recently hit a bottleneck and have been planning to spar with some experts to sharpen my martial arts. Coincidentally, I have the same intention, Cheng Jianjian chuckled, Ive been taking on assignments frequently and have been overwhelmingly busy. Now that I finally have some time to spare, Im planning to travel around seeking sword experts to spar with. Once my swordsmanship advances further, Ill head to Zhongzhou to challenge Fang Wen and test my sword against the number one on the peoples list, to try out his three Immortal Home sword techniques! In her words, the corners of her lips slightly curled up, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation. It was a longing for the challenge of sparring with strong opponents and also the joy of possibly advancing further in her cultivation realm. Are you devoted to swordsmanship, Miss Cheng? Zhou Heng inquired. Not exactly, Cheng Jianjian gently shook her head, smiling, Swordsmanship simply suits my martial arts the best. Dedication to swordsmanship and a singular focus on the Sword Dao is indeed respectable, but life is beautiful, and pursuing happiness is also what I seek. Life isnt just about the Sword Dao. Um, junior uncle, do you happen to have any sweets? I bought some osmanthus candy on the road earlier, and it hasnt been opened yet. Zhou Heng took out a small packet of candy from his qiankun silk pouch and tossed it to Cheng Jianjian, chuckling, Consider it a small gift from your junior uncle. Then I thank you, junior uncle. Cheng Jianjian accepted the candy and took out a small booklet, handing it to Zhou Heng with a smile, This is my gift to my junior uncle in return. White Rainbow Sword Technique? Zhou Heng saw the name written in fine script on the cover of the booklet. After briefly flipping through it and noticing the mnemonics and drawings of the moves, he understood it was a Seventh Rank sword technique. Looking at Cheng Jianjian with surprise, he asked, Did you create this sword technique? Yes, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, continuing, Junior uncle, it seems youve already stepped half into the threshold of Seventh Rank but still lack the core will to construct the inner world. Sparring to refine ones martial arts is indeed a good method, but it is also necessary to understand how to integrate what one has learned by refining their martial arts and how to consolidate various gains into a set of martial arts containing ones martial path will. In addition to the mnemonics and drawings, this White Rainbow Sword Technique also includes some of my experience in refining martial arts and embodying will. Maybe you can take some reference from it. Youre actually willing to give me this? Zhou Heng looked at the girl beside him in shock. This was no ordinary Seventh Rank sword technique; it was Cheng Jianjians painstakingly refined martial arts insights that could guide one to break through from Eighth Rank and step onto the level of Seventh Rank. To a martial artist stuck at the peak of Eighth Rank, it was an invaluable treasure. However, normally, almost no one would share their own unique martial arts created for breaking through to Seventh Rank. Because such martial arts also contain the creators martial path will and aspects of their inner worlds features, if understood thoroughly by others, one could discern some of the creators weaknesses. Before truly stepping into Sixth Rank and achieving Innate status, these weaknesses are unavoidable and can only be rectified once the Qi returns to the Innate and the outer scenery merges, allowing for adjustments in the inner world, thus erasing these flaws. For Cheng Jianjian to so generously share the White Rainbow Sword Technique was genuinely surprising to Zhou Heng; he even worried if the girl was being too trusting. You should take it back, Zhou Heng pushed the booklet on the White Rainbow Sword Technique back to her and shook his head, This martial art is too important for you. If it comes into someone elses hands, or if I harbor bad intentions, you would suffer a significant loss. Junior uncle, you neednt worry; just this sword technique alone cant harm me, Cheng Jianjians slender hand pressed onto Zhou Hengs hand, pushing the booklet back to him with a smile, I once witnessed a spellbinding sword move from our sects Divine Weapon that enlightened me with an Absolute Fourth Rank sword technique; the construction of my inner world is centered on it. Therefore, even though the White Rainbow Sword Technique is a product of refining my martial arts and embodying my will, it cannot influence my inner world or reveal my weaknesses. You can rest assured and contemplate it, junior uncle. If you are worried about the martial art falling into the wrong hands, you can burn it after you are done. Since Cheng Jianjian had already spoken to such an extent, Zhou Heng no longer refused and accepted the booklet, sincerely saying, Thank you. And thank you for the osmanthus candy, Cheng Jianjian opened the wrapper, savored a piece of candy, closed her eyes in enjoyment, and smiled with a nod, Its very sweet. After traveling together for some time, Cheng Jianjian and Zhou Heng parted ways. She was heading to Jiabeifu to seek a sword expert for sparring, while Zhou Heng planned to first settle in Huangtong Mansion City for quiet cultivation, contemplating the White Rainbow Sword Technique and organizing the martial arts he had recently acquired. Jiabeifu and Huangtong Mansion are both located in Pingzhou, but theyre quite far apart, roughly about three thousand miles, with different directions, allowing only for a short portion of the journey to be together. As Zhou Heng walked the road, he felt he had concentrated so much on the affairs of the Chang Xing Sect recently that he might have forgotten something. It wasnt until he browsed through his qiankun silk pouch that he finally remembered: it had been a while since he last wore the mask of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Without wearing it, he was unable to receive any messages. Considering the time, the Five Emperors Inner Seat should have already arranged his second task. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He just hadnt checked yet. What is the task? Zhou Heng found a secluded spot with no one around, donned the Ziwei mask, and then saw the mission information. Mission location: Huangtong Mansion City ` Chapter 158 - Chapter 158: Chapter 158 Bizarre Evil Creatures Chapter 158: Chapter 158 Bizarre Evil Creatures ` Task location: Huangtong Mansion City. Task summary: Reported by the mansion lord Wu Zongshan, many harmonious couples inexplicably turn against each other, assaulting and verbally abusing one another, resulting in three cases of disability, a husband murdering his wife and then committing suicide, siblings fighting against each other, creating enmity among friends and families, and similar cases of apprentice turning against masterall occurring frequently and exceptionally abnormal. Task objective: Investigate whether these incidents involve Evil Creatures. Task warning: If it is discovered that it has to do with Evil Creatures and the creature has reached Eighth Rank, immediately report to the organization and do not take rash actions. Basic task reward: Two hundred good deeds, one thousand taels of silver. Additional task reward: Confirm the involvement of Evil Creatures and secure information about the creature, reward of five hundred good deeds. Right in Huangtong Mansion City? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised; it seemed the inner seats of the Five Emperors were indeed earnestly selecting targets, otherwise how could there be such a coincidental task locationjust in Huangtong Mansion City. I still have to thank him for his consideration. However, judging by the rewards for this mission, it seemed to be more difficult and dangerous than the previous one in Ansong County. After all, the reward was higher and more substantial. Evil Creatures. Zhou Heng pondered these two words. Compared to ghosts, his understanding of Evil Creatures was limited, having encountered them only a few times, and those instances all related to the ghost Yu Shang. After that, he had no more encounters with Evil Creatures. Naturally, there were no further understandings to speak of. It wasnt until Zhou Heng joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers and went to the Purple Tenuity Palace, receiving the inheritance of the Ziwei star position, that he learned some information about Evil Creatures through the mask. Evil Creatures were strange beings that appeared inexplicably three thousand years ago, and even the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers had very limited understanding of them. It was known that these odd beings favored the company of ghosts when they were weak, even actively seeking out ghosts to serve and be commanded by them. Furthermore, even newly born, extremely feeble Evil Creatures possess a spiritual impact far exceeding that of Ninth or Eighth Rank ghosts. A mere Lower Third Rank Evil Creature could, in an instant, frighten thousands of people to death. Theyre considered very effective assistants in the ghosts troublemaking everywhere. Yu Shang did just that back then, first giving Sun Zhengping an Evil Creature disguised Pill, and later using the Evil Creatures to erode a Guard and chase after Zhou Heng. Clearly habitual in employing Evil Creatures as pawns. However, once Evil Creatures grow stronger, that is, reach Eighth Rank, they leave the ghosts and act alone. From then on, they feed on the negative emotions of living beings to strengthen themselves. Evil Creatures, too, absorb Yang Energy, but unlike ghosts, they are not bound by the law of Yin-Yang convergence and do not have the instinct to absorb Yang Energy innately. For Evil Creatures, the negative emotions of living beings are their best sustenance. Therefore, if a place suddenly goes from being quiet and harmonious to being filled with constant strife and disasters, with elusive sources and inexplicably trivial reasons, it is very likely that Evil Creatures are causing mischief behind the scenes, provoking conflicts between people and stimulating negative emotions, which they can then absorb to grow stronger. In some ways, the threat of Evil Creatures is greater than that of ghosts of the same rank. Ghosts at most can possess one persons body and take over it, whereas Evil Creatures secretly instigate negative emotions in people, leading to various kinds of conflicts and even riots, usually on a large scale and with extensive reach. Moreover, Evil Creatures have various special abilities like ghosts but are even more eerie and bizarre. They have more abilities than ghosts of the same rank, making them unpredictable, and its easy to fall into their trap without being careful. If it werent for the fact that no Sect Fifth Rank Evil Creature has been discovered in the past three thousand years, and most Evil Creatures are only of Lower Third Rank, the danger posed by Evil Creatures would definitely surpass that of ghosts. Even so, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers still take the appearance of Evil Creatures very seriously. Just like the task Zhou Heng has accepted, if the involvement of Evil Creatures is discovered and at least Eighth Rank is confirmed, he is warned not to act recklessly and must report to the organization. Still, the undeveloped Evil Creatures are relatively easy to find, usually taking the form of insects, emanating a strange aura that makes peoples scalps tingle, and are easier to distinguish. But once the Evil Creatures have developed and become strong, they will completely hide their Evil Creature aura and transform into ordinary animals, making it extremely difficult to identify them. Even if its confirmed that there is an Evil Creature in a place, its extremely difficult to find it. Unless one has a very strong spirit perception ability. Even if its found, its hard to kill it with one persons strength. Because the killing effect of Taoist Formulas on Evil Creatures is relatively poor, its easier to kill the undeveloped ones, but when facing stronger Evil Creatures, the lethality of Taoist Formulas greatly decreases. One often has to cast the formula three or four times, or even more, to kill them. The Evil Creatures that Yu Shang manipulated at that time were probably only of Ninth Grade, without even basic spiritual awareness, only the instinct to thirst for blood and slaughter. Zhou Heng fell into deep thought, musing: If its truly able to incite negative emotions in people in the shadows and affect so many, if it really is an Evil Creature, its probably at least of Eighth Rank. That is to say, as long as its confirmed to be related to Evil Creatures, report it immediately They take it very seriously, indeed, very seriously. With the location in Huangtong Mansion City, I must investigate thoroughly. Lets go! ` He removed his mask and pulled on the reins in his hand. The fiery-red steed between his legs, as if understanding his intentions, immediately bolted like an arrow released from its bow, with a speed so fast that flames soon engulfed it. The horse galloped through a sea of fire, charging thousands of miles towards Huangtong Mansion City. The gentle morning sunlight dissolved the slight chill of a September day. Wu Zongshan was in his study dealing with a mountain of documents, mostly reports of various conflicts from the people below. Now, Huangtong Mansion City was even more chaotic than when he had reported to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. What was originally just two or three households having incidents each day had now developed into conflicts involving over a dozen households daily. All kinds of situations arose: fathers turning against their children, brothers bickering, and conflicts between teachers and students The murdered and those who had committed suicide had already reached nearly a hundred people. The entirety of Huangtong Mansion City had fallen into an unprecedented state of panic. The key problem was that even if people were cautious and tried their best to restrain themselves, it was all in vain. Many would inexplicably become enraged and start arguing with others, which then led to enmity, murder, and eventually suicide. It was as if an invisible hand was stirring the dark side of everyones hearts in secret, amplifying these negative aspects and allowing people to unleash their negative emotions to their hearts content. Wu Zongshan was so busy with the situation that he was at his wits end, not knowing what else to do. He could only pin his hopes on the Star Envoys sent by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Before the arrival of the Star Envoys, all he could do was try to control the spread of this influence as much as possible; however, he was well aware that the spread of this influence was too rapid, almost increasing exponentially. No matter what he did, it was like trying to put out a fire with a cup of water. In the beginning, it was only a few households that had incidents, but as people are interconnected, and families even more so, the rate of spread naturally skyrocketed as the number of affected people increased. Unless the evil creatures at the source were eliminated, there was no stopping it. Bang bang! Just then, the sound of knocking spread through the air. Wu Zongshans eyes lit up, and he quickly stood up and rushed to open the door of the study. He then saw a tall man in a Purple Robe and wearing a mask. The mask was adorned with the portrait of an exceptionally majestic emperor, exuding an aura of authority which made Wu Zongshan feel that this Star Envoy was more noble than any other he had previously encountered. Star Envoy, Your Excellency!! Nevertheless, he was very excited. After all, the only ones capable of dealing with ghosts and evil creatures were those of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, and without someone from there, he had no way to deal with such bizarre and elusive evil creatures. Now, at last, he saw a glimmer of hope. Prefectural Lord, Zhou Heng said in a deep voice, he had altered his voice and not used his original identity but had come in the capacity of the Ziwei Master from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. By doing so, he could separate the identities of Zhou Heng and Ziwei, avoiding many unnecessary troubles. Since the mask had a strong effect of concealment, even changing the wearers breath and characteristics, Wu Zongshan did not recognize that the Star Envoy before his eyes was Zhou Heng. Please have a seat, Your Excellency the Star Envoy, Wu Zongshan said, treating the Star Envoy as the savior of both Huangtong Mansion City and himself. He quickly invited Zhou Heng to sit down and poured him a cup of clear tea. Your Excellency must already have some understanding of the situation here, but would you need me to go over it in detail again? I have a general understanding of the situation, but I am missing specific cases for reference, Zhou Heng acknowledged, nodding. Please, Prefectural Lord, provide a few cases. No problem, Wu Zongshan nodded. He had been handling the files and records of this matter for days and had memorized the cases, especially some typical ones, which he could recite chapters and verses. The first case occurred five days ago. The people involved were a young couple, who had just gotten married last year; the woman was twenty-one, and the man twenty-three. Even though their families werent particularly well-off, they were both in the prime of their youth and willing to work hard; they had a harmonious life, which was the envy of their neighbors. Three months ago, the woman became pregnant, and the man found a better job. It seemed that their life was set to improve. But it ended in a tragedy where the husband killed his wife and then committed suicide. Two dead, three lives lost! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A family destroyed, lives shattered! According to the neighbors recollections, the couple had a fierce argument before the incident. The noise was so loud that they could roughly make out the reason for the dispute. It was about whether to have porridge or noodles for breakfast. Such a trivial matter, which normally would result in a brief quarrel and a quick reconciliation between the couple. But this time, it led to the ruin of the entire family. Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: Chapter 159: The Scattered Fireworks of Bygone Days Chapter 159: Chapter 159: The Scattered Fireworks of Bygone Days ` The second case was also a couple, who ran a pork shop. Zhou Heng knew them well; in the past, when he did not have much spare cash but craved something tasty, he would go to this couples pork shop to buy some affordable ribs. The couple knew that he lived alone outside, with both martial arts and earning a living not being easy tasks; they took care of him each time by giving him an extra couple of ounces of meat. However, several days ago, the couple argued over accidentally cutting an extra ounce of meat during a sale, and in the end, the wife hacked her husband to death and then committed suicide, leaving only a six-year-old child alone in the world. The third case involved two brothers who took care of their elderly parents together. On the surface, the two brothers got along well, supporting and helping each other, taking good care of their elderly parents; but a few days ago, they quarreled over who should serve the parents their meal. In front of their parents, they fought and cursed loudly, inadvertently causing the death of their parents from anger. The two brothers subsequently became enemies and swore never to interact with each other again. There were many more similar incidents, which Wu Zongshan enumerated one by one. The final outcomes were almost all human tragedies. Without exception, peoples negative emotions and dark psychological aspects were greatly unleashed during the incidents. Star Envoy Sir, according to the description given by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, this is undoubtedly the work of evil creatures, Wu Zongshan said anxiously, like an ant on a hot pan. Do you have a way to find this evil creature? As long as you can find it, I will assist you with all my strength to suppress it. Whether its an evil creature or not must still be confirmed, Zhou Heng replied, shaking his head gently. Lead me to the first case to have a look first. Alright, Wu Zongshan nodded but then hesitated as he looked at Zhou Heng. But, Star Envoy Sir, with your current attire, wont you attract too much attention if we go directly? I wont show my face, Zhou Heng said indifferently. You take people to investigate, and I will observe in secret, looking for any traces or aura of the evil creature. In terms of the strength of the Divine Soul and spirit, he was no match for Wu Zongshan, who had been practicing the Martial Path at the Sixth Rank for several decades. However, Zhou Heng had a clear understanding of ghostly and evil auras and had basic attribute bonuses, making him more sensitive to the presence of evil auras than Wu Zongshan. Even if evil creatures that had developed their powers chose to deliberately hide their aura. Relying on his Spirit +2 and Insight +2 basic attribute bonuses, Zhou Heng still had a good chance of finding some clues. As long as the evil creature was active, there might be traces to be discovered. If thats the case alright, lets do as you say, Wu Zongshan replied, though he was somewhat skeptical. He had already perceived that the Star Envoys cultivation realm was not very high, at best just entering the Seventh Rank, or perhaps not even that. Could someone of such a level really find an evil creature? This made him doubtful. As the leader of a prefectural city, having a critical sense of crisis was certainly necessary. However, now that they needed to find the evil creature, they could only rely on the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer; he had no other choices. Even if he doubted the Star Envoys ability, he had to bite the bullet and proceed with the investigation. Subsequently, Wu Zongshan called over the constable Meng Xing and asked him to lead a team with him to the Sun Family. The Sun Family was the couple from the first incidents home. At this time, the couple had already been dead for five days. Yet the place was not arranged as a mourning hall, and even the bloodstains from the past remained; the only difference from the time of the incident was the absence of two bodies. Wu Zongshan had made this arrangement to preserve the crime scene for future investigation. In fact, Wu Zongshan and Meng Xing had already searched the place many times with their men and had not found any valuable clues; coming here now was merely a pretense. Essentially, the investigation still depended on Zhou Heng. Now, Zhou Heng stood on the rooftop of a two-story pavilion not far from the residence, peering down into the courtyard below. His Insight +2 basic attribute bonus allowed him to notice every detail of the site. However, he found no valuable trace information. Then, he closed his eyes, letting his spirit sense unfold while circulating his Innate Skill to nourish his Divine Soul with Inner Qi, maximally enhancing his spiritual perception. Sure enough, as his spiritual perception intensified, he quickly sensed an unusual auraa breath filled with evil, corruption, and chaos. Lingering in the air and gradually dissipating. Had it not been for Zhou Hengs strong spirit perception, aided by his Insight +2 basic attribute bonus, and a clear concept of ghostly and evil auras, he might not have detected it. The evil aura had formed a long trail, extending from the scene of the incident within the house, following the shaded sides of the walls, passing through streets and alleys, heading towards the outskirts of Huangtong Mansion City. That direction is Zhou Hengs brow furrowed. Immediately, he leaped into the air, using a lightness skill like Crossing the River by a Reed to fly across the sky, following the trail of the evil aura. Wu Zongshan and Meng Xing also noticed his actions and couldnt help frowning. Sir, this Star Envoy is rather impolite, Meng Xing muttered under his breath. In his view, this so-called Star Envoy, clearly only at the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, still had a superior demeanor, spoke little, and even instructed the Prefect to cooperate, which was truly irksome. Only at the Eighth Rank, and so arrogantdo you think you are Zhou Heng? Unable to contain himself, Meng Xing compared this Star Envoy with Zhou Heng, ultimately concluding that Zhou Heng was indeed the strongest Eighth Rrank fighter of this era, incomparable to anyone else. ` Dont think that way, Wu Zongshan shook his head, having already discerned the direction Zhou Heng had gone, and said gravely, Perhaps he really has found some clues. The Mansion Lord is truly magnanimous, Meng Xing sighed. He didnt believe that the Star Envoy had found any clues at all. What could a mere Eighth Rank in the Martial Path find? He assumed that this was just Wu Zongshans way of providing an excuse for the Star Envoy to back out gracefully. If Zhou Heng were here, he would surely be able to find some clues, right? For some reason, he always had an inexplicable confidence in Zhou Heng, feeling that Zhou Heng could succeed at any time. By the way, Mansion Lord, something was reported to me by my subordinates earlier, and I havent had the chance to inform you, Meng Xing suddenly remembered something and said in a low voice, There are people suspected to be from Canxin Pavilion lingering near the prefectural city. What, Canxin Pavilion?! Wu Zongshans expression became even more solemn upon hearing this, and he looked at Meng Xing beside him and said seriously, Is this true? My lord, when have I ever spoken falsehoods? Indeed, there are people from Canxin Pavilion, and it seems their cultivation realm is not low, Meng Xing said, Could this evil sect be taking advantage of the chaos to plunder, to cultivate some evil skills? Have your men increase their defenses; we must not let people from Canxin Pavilion sneak in, Wu Zongshan hurriedly instructed, saying gravely, Regardless of their intentions, allowing disciples from an evil sect to enter the city would be my fault as the Mansion Lord. Canxin Pavilion was not particularly powerful among the evil sects, its strength similar to Chang Xing Sect, but slightly stronger, with one more grandmaster and several top-notch Innate masters. Unlike Chang Xing Sect, though, Canxin Pavilion had backing, and their supporter was no weaker than Pure Yang Palace. Heavenly Palace of Cloud Soaring! They were the foremost among the four great evil paths of Da Qi, immensely powerful, with a significant number of grandmasters and top-tier authors, including several Celestials and more than one Tao Lord. Moreover, it was rumored that Heavenly Palace of Cloud Soaring harbored a Saint who had survived from the Middle Ancient Era. Divine First Rank, for the vast majority, this was the ultimate limit of the Martial Path. With such a Divine First Rank evil sect as their backing, Wu Zongshan had no choice but to be cautious. After all, Heavenly Palace of Cloud Soaring was an entity not inferior to Pure Yang Palace. Yes, my lord, I will lead my men to guard and rigorously inspect those entering and leaving the city, Meng Xing nodded, then took his leave with his men to proceed to the city gates. Its a troublesome time, Wu Zongshan sighed and then gently shook his head. First, the evil creatures, and now the disciples of an evil sect, how can Huangtong Mansion City not have a moment of peace He then cast a simple illusion to conceal his presence, soared into the sky, and followed the path Zhou Heng had taken; shortly after, he arrived at a deserted pork shop. This was the scene of the second incident and also a place where Zhou Heng used to frequently buy meat. Usually bustling, the neighbors with extra money typically came here to buy some meat to eat. Cheap and affordable. Normally, when the butcher shop was idle, sounds of the pork butcher scolding his children and flattering his wife would emanate from the shop, filled with the smell of lifes fireworks. But now, it was eerily empty. What was once a bustling pork shop had turned pitch-black and devoid of light, like a square, massive coffin burying the happy family that used to live there. Although Zhou Heng didnt have a close relationship with the pork butcher and his family, upon seeing this scene, he couldnt help but feel angry. On top of the incident with that couple earlier. This filled him with disgust toward the evil creatures. They were just people striving to change their lives, longing for a better tomorrow, a better future, yet they all died because the evil creatures sought to absorb negative human emotions! Star Envoy, have you found any clues? Wu Zongshan approached and asked. Indeed, there are some, Zhou Heng replied, continuing to extend his spiritual perception as he entered the pork shop. In his perception, the pork shop was enveloped in an evil aura much denser than other places. Star Envoy! Wu Zongshan saw Zhou Heng walk in so casually and quickly followed behind. To prevent any accidents from befalling the Star Envoy. After all, although the Star Envoy had a strong discerning ability, capable of detecting the presence of evil Qi directly, his strength had not yet reached the Seventh Rank, making his ability to handle sudden crises undoubtedly inadequate. However, before stepping into the pork shop, Zhou Heng had already secretly prepared several special skill cards. Now, the pork shop still reeked of the blood from slaughtering pigs, but the meat had been taken away, leaving only some fragmented skeletons. Dark and lightless, the shop was now a collection of bones. In Zhou Hengs senses, the evil presence pervaded the place. Tap, tap! His footsteps echoed through the shop, as clear as if he were walking in an empty valley. Creak, creak! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, all the fragmented skeletons in the shop began to tremble and even levitated! Whoosh! A cold wind suddenly picked up, and the temperature around him dropped instantly. One by one, the skeletons stood up, and pig skulls floated in the air, with a murky blue light shining from their eye sockets. And they all turned their heads to stare at Zhou Heng. Chapter 160 - Chapter 160: Chapter 160 Dragon Regret Chapter 160: Chapter 160 Dragon Regret So you cant wait any longer? Zhou Heng sneered coldly, circulated his Inner Qi, and was about to unleash his Martial Arts to smash these bizarre skeletons to pieces. Star Envoy, be careful! Wu Zongshan was a step faster. After all, as a Sixth Rank Innate, every move he made could harness the natural mighty forces, and with a gesture through the air, he gathered the energy of heaven and earth to form streaks of Sword Qi. Like a sudden gust of wind and a torrential downpour, it descended upon those skeletons. Such an attack was enough for any martial artist at the Peak of the Seventh Rank to retreat by a wide margin. The gap between human strength and the majesty of heaven was simply too vast. Even though this was just a casual strike from a Sixth Rank Innate, it was enough to surpass the Seventh Rank on the Martial Path. It could be called immensely powerful. Yet, these skeletons, clearly hit by the Sword Qi, remained unharmed. The Sword Qi passed right through their bodies and struck the ground. It pierced the floor of this pork shop, creating one hole after another. Immediately, ghastly blue flames began to emerge from these holes, burning ominously, and lighting up the entire meat shop with a ghostly glow, making it resemble a gloomy and terrifying prison of spirits. This caused the evil aura on the skeletons to surge dramatically, becoming even stronger than before. Wu Zongshans attack not only failed to have any effect but also made these evil-infested skeletons stronger. Prefectural Lord, please step back. Zhou Heng stepped forward, his Inner Qi circulating. He propelled his Xiao Wuxiang Skill with Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. At the same time, he slightly bent his left leg, rounded his right arm inward, drew a half-circle with his left palm, and suddenly, a golden light flared up on his right palm, and at that moment, he pushed out his right palm flatly forward! Roar! As Zhou Heng released his palm strike, a dragons roar could be heard. A Golden Dragon Mirage flew out from his palm, its claws and teeth bared as it charged towards the skeletons. The utterly rigid and Yang, fierce and powerful palm force turned into a Golden Dragon Mirage that swept across, as if warmed by sunlight, instantly dispelling the sinister and evil Qi that filled the meat shop. This formidable palm force, like the autumn breeze sweeping away fallen leaves, nearly swept the skeletons into dust, and even the eerie blue flames emerging from the holes were swept away by the Golden Dragon Mirage, all subsiding. Dragon Regret! Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms! This was a Martial Art at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, extremely fierce and powerful. At its pinnacle, a single strike could release eighteen Golden Dragon energies simultaneously, changing the color of the sky and earth, battling hundreds with one![Note] Wu Zongshan watched this scene, dumbfounded. He could hardly believe that this attack was executed by an Eighth Rank martial artist. A normal Eighth Rank martial artist, although capable of releasing Inner Qi outward, typically has limited lethality, unable to cause much damage. The Golden Dragon energy released by this Star Envoy just now could potentially force even those at the Peak of the Seventh Rank to avoid it. Too strong! This was simply not the strength a normal Eighth Rank martial artist could possess! Could it be that the legacy of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is so formidable? And it wasnt only that palm which was formidable, but also the Inner Strength that powered it. To allow an Eighth Rank martial artist to deliver such a powerful attack, profound Inner Strength is indispensable. To the majority of martial artists, this would be considered an invaluable Divine Skill. As for why the attack of this Eighth Rank Star Envoy was effective against these evil-infested skeletons, while his own Sixth Rank Martial Path attacks were ineffective, Wu Zongshan felt no surprise at all. People from Zhou Tian Boundary Officer have the capability to restrain ghosts and Evil Creatures; this was a very normal thing. If even the Star Envoys were unable to inflict damage on things related to evil spirits, that would be the real crisis. I wonder, between this Star Envoy and Zhou Heng, both of the Eighth Rank, who is stronger? Wu Zongshan was somewhat curious, his mind echoing with the earlier display of that extremely strong Golden Dragon energy. He felt, for the most part, that this Star Envoy was probably stronger. Prefect, this place still isnt where the evil creatures have made their final lair, Zhou Heng approached with a frown, saying, However, the evil aura here is extremely dense, even permeating the ground, and it has contaminated some skeletons. That evil entity must have lingered here for quite some time, he continued after careful inspection in the abandoned pork shop, but Ive just checked and theres no trace of the evil aura left. You mean to say Wu Zongshan felt a stir in his heart and said, The evil entity used to reside in this pork shop, but it moved away later? Exactly. Zhou Heng inquired, Prefect, I noticed theres a sizeable pigsty in the backyard of the pork shop. Were the pigs still alive when the incident occurred? After an evil entity matures, it sheds its original form as a venomous insect and can transform into other animals within a certain size range to conceal its true identity. The possibility of it masquerading as a pig was not out of the question. Indeed, there were three pigs that were alive at the time, Wu Zongshan recalled, Later, these three pigs were confiscated by the prefectural citys authorities, but nothing unusual was found. Trouble you to take me to have a look, requested Zhou Heng. Very well, Wu Zongshan gave a slight nod. Afterward, they left the pork shop and headed for the prefectural citys government office. As Zhou Heng passed the empty pork stall at the entrance, he caught sight of a small knife on the ground out of the corner of his eye. He recognized the knife. It was specially commissioned by the pork shops butcher to be given as a birthday gift to his son. The boy was not old, but he was very fond of weapons; he cherished the small knife given by his father and carried it with him almost all the time. It was essentially the only memento his parents had left him. And it was just left here like this? By the way, Prefect, what about the child of the pork butcher couple? I remember the child was only six years old, Zhou Heng suddenly stopped and inquired. He was sent to the Le Dian Fang managed by the government office to settle down, to listen to music that could nourish his spirit and stabilize his emotions, dispelling the gloom, Wu Zongshan explained somewhat curiously, wondering, Why does Star Envoy suddenly ask about that child? Where is Le Dian Fang? Zhou Heng asked urgently. Its in an alley one li south of Tian Xiang Building in the North District, Wu Zongshan pointed in the direction of the North District, also sensing the urgency in Zhou Hengs tone, saying, Star Envoy, could it be that child But before he could finish, he saw the Star Envoy already sprinting toward the North District at an incredibly fast pace, vanishing in the blink of an eye; such agility was not something an Eighth Rank martial artist normally possessed. Even a Seventh Rank wouldnt be that fast, Wu Zongshan couldnt help but be amazed. However, he was worried about the Star Envoy going alone, so he quickly used a blinding technique and flew towards Le Dian Fang. Le Dian Fang was a department directly under the jurisdiction of the prefectural citys government office, occupying a standalone compound with three sections. Its responsibility was to study music theory and perform musical pieces. When the government office received important figures, held grand ceremonies, or organized banquets, musicians from Le Dian Fang would be called upon to perform. On ordinary days when there were no events, some elders would come by to listen to the music to calm their minds and refine their spirits; it was indeed a tranquil place for nourishing the soul. When Zhou Heng arrived, the main entrance of Le Dian Fang had just opened. As many of the people here were women, the attendants at the entrance were also women two pretty young maidens. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He did not inquire whether he could enter, nor did he ask the two young maidens to announce his arrival because he knew his guise as a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer would certainly be recognized by the evil creature. Therefore, as soon as he arrived, he intended to barge right in. But the two young maidens standing in front of the main entrance of Le Dian Fang took a step forward and blocked Zhou Heng. Their mouths opened, not to ask questions, but to each stick out a long tongue, one zhang in length, bristling with dense spines, violently lashing out toward Zhou Heng! Chapter 161 - Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Flying Dragon in the Sky Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Flying Dragon in the Sky The sudden change transformed two seemingly normal young girls into strangely eerie and malevolent beings in an instant. As they extended their long tongues to coil around Zhou Heng, they also unleashed a tremendously powerful mental assault, indicating they were evil creatures equivalent to Ninth-Rank warriors. Below Eighth Rank. Yet the mental assault was already extremely formidable. If a Ninth Rank Warrior were to glance at them, they would likely fall unconscious. Even an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, unless they had trained their Divine Soul, would suffer significant interference, at the very least experiencing momentary dizziness or even unbearable headaches. During combat, such effects often determine life and death. A moment of carelessness may result in a lethal situation, not to mention facing such a forceful mental assault. It is for this reason that evil creatures of the same grade are generally more potent than Martial Artists. Its not impossible for evil creatures to overcome their limits and kill warriors of a higher grade. The advantage provided by mental assaults is too great. However, such an advantage proved utterly useless against Zhou Heng. It was as if he didnt even feel the mental assault from the evil creatures, reaching out with a direct grab and seizing the thorny tongues in his hand. How dare two Ninth-Rank evil creatures act so presumptuously? Zhou Heng snorted coldly and, grasping the tongues, flung the two girlswhose bodies had been thoroughly corrupted by the creaturesinto the air. Smack! Under the immense power of his strength, the two girls were smashed to the ground like chunks of raw meat cast to the earth, instantly squashed into flat patties of flesh. If a normal Ninth-Rank Martial Artist were smashed to this state, they would certainly be dead beyond any doubt. But its different for evil creatures. Even smashed into pulp, these two creatures continued to squirm, trying to reform their human shape and stand up once more. At this moment, Wu Zongshan also flew over. He keenly sensed the intense mental assault emanating from the two clumps of flesh. If any ordinary person came by, they would likely be scared out of their wits, soul shattered. Literally soul-shattering, dying in an instant! Therefore, he hastily cast the secret technique Void Illusion to isolate the surrounding area within a hundred paces from the outside world. This sophisticated method of obscuring perception can make people outside instinctively avoid the area and not enter, while also psychologically influencing those still inside to leave the premises. Such secret techniques are standard for court officials at the level of a mansion lord, designed to deal with sudden incidents within the city and prevent ordinary people from being affected. As Wu Zongshan was casting his secret technique, Zhou Heng moved as well. He pushed forward with both palms, pumping his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi through the technique of the Great Wuxiang Power, channeling the skills of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. The roar of two dragons burst forth from nowhere; two Golden Dragon Mirages emerged from his palms, barreling towards the two clumps of flesh that had just risen to a humanoid form. A shockwave traveled a hundred miles! This was one of the extremely powerful moves from the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Had Zhou Hengs cultivation reached the Seventh Rank and perfected this palm technique, he could have unleashed eighteen Golden Dragon Mirages, causing the heavens and the earth to change color, sweeping through all foes as an unrivaled force. But even now, the might of this move was still incredibly potent. Furthermore, the sheer Yang force of the palm strike, empowered by the Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, possessed the Great Power to annihilate ghosts and evil spirits. Under the impact of these two Golden Dragon Mirages, the densely evil humanoid clumps were instantly devoured and completely obliterated. The evil creatures possessing them didnt even have the chance to materialize before they were destroyed. Star Envoy, your palm technique is formidable, Wu Zongshan landed and looked towards the Leidian Fang within the estate, saying solemnly, I hadnt expected the evil creatures to be hiding here in Leidian Fang. Ive already sealed off the entire estate with a secret technique. Lets go in and search! Hmm. Zhou Heng nodded slightly and quickly entered the estate, his gaze sweeping around while expanding his spiritual awareness to search for places with a strong presence of evil qi. Most of those in Leidian Fang were women, not all of whom had been parasitized by evil creatures. Upon seeing intruders suddenly breaking in, they instinctively wanted to call for help. But just as they moved, tongues full of barbs shot out from the rooms, piercing their temples and stringing them together, draining their brains and flesh, leaving nothing but skins in an instant. ` Damn it! Zhou Hengs eyes widened as he pushed forward with both palms, accompanied by the whistling of dragon roars, as two Golden Dragon Mirages burst forth once more. Astonishing for a hundred miles! These two Golden Dragons contained a masculine force so extreme that they instantly crushed the long tongue and overturned the house in front, revealing the situation inside. Inside, numerous young women were seen playing musical instruments with their long tongues sticking out of their mouths, and white long fine hair growing from their bodies, sticking out through the gaps in their clothing, creating an extremely eerie sight. On dozens of chairs were seated elderly men and women with aged faces covered in wrinkles, mouths agape, eyes wide open, but with nothing but hollowness inside. A closer look revealed that these elders were already nothing more than dried-up human skins. With the house turned over, these husks shattered and dissipated as soon as the sunlight hit them. Subsequently, the bodies of the young women split in half. Out of them crawled a terrifying insect-like creature with long, needle-like mouthparts, two compound eyes occupying most of the head, beating two pairs of semi-transparent wings, six legs and covered in white hair, resembling a gigantic mosquito. Each of these creatures had wings that spanned at least ten feet when spread, and their bodies were even longer, reaching almost fifteen feet! These were the true forms of Ninth Grade Evil Creatures that had parasitized inside these women; as for the women themselves, they had long been consumed entirely, leaving behind nothing but empty skins. Compared to the chaos caused by ghosts, the havoc wrought by these Evil Creatures was even more bizarre, thrilling, and filled with horror. Even without the distinct mental shock of the Evil Creatures, just their appearance and the scene they created were enough to scare ordinary people half to death. Even an ordinary Eighth Rank Martial Artist, upon witnessing this scene, would feel their scalp tingle with horror. Buzzing!! One after another, the terrifying giant mosquitoes flapped their wings and charged towards Zhou Heng. Wu Zongshan used a secret technique in an attempt to attack the mosquitoes, but just like earlier at the pork shop, his attacks still missed entirely. Utterly ineffective! Ordinary martial arts seemed to have no effect on these kinds of Evil Creatures; only the extremely yang and firm martial arts could injure them. Roar!! A Golden Dragon Mirage flew over, crushing these mosquitoes as if a divine dragon was rolling over tiny insects, instantly smashing them to pieces, effortlessly. Comparing the two, Wu Zongshan felt a profound sense of powerlessness. Ordinary martial artists, even those who had reached the level of Secret Six Rank, without a special martial arts inheritance, could only protect themselves when facing Evil Creatures. Lord of the Mansion, there are too many Evil Creatures here. Please be more cautious, and dont worry about me. Zhou Heng warned, then following his spiritual perception, he headed towards the place where the evil aura was most concentrated. However, he had only taken a few steps when he saw a small boy with a delicate and pretty visage, crying and running over. Wah wah wah!! So scary! The monsters here are so scary! Uncle, save me! The little boy, only six or seven years old and very cute, ran over with his face covered by his hands towards Zhou Heng, seemingly terrified to the extreme. Bang! Zhou Heng, however, directly struck from a distance with a palm, executing Dragon Regret, sending the little boy flying backward so that he landed far away, unable to come any closer. Bang! The little boy hit the distant wall, tearing his clothes and revealing the white hair underneath. Wuwu, uncle, you have such a cruel heart. Im so cute, yet you heartlessly hit me! The little boy shook off the white hair, unharmed, and climbed up from the ground, revealing the face he had previously covered with his hands. Those eyes were not human eyes at all but a pair of large insect compound eyes; the blood vessels around the eye sockets were bulging and appeared fierce and terrifying! I knew at a glance that you were not human! Zhou Heng snorted coldly and shouted, Evil creature, meet your end! In his spiritual perception, the evil Qi inside this little boy was dozens, even hundreds of times that of the Ninth Grade Evil Creatures he had encountered before; to him, it was as conspicuous as a light in the darkness, instantly distinguishable. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As Zhou Heng shouted loudly, he leapt up, his Inner Qi circulating, and struck down from above. Amid the sounds of dragon roars, a violent wind surged, and a Golden Dragon Mirage rushed out from his palm directly towards the little boys head. Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms!! Flying Dragon in the Sky! ` Chapter 162 - Chapter 162: Chapter 162 Difficult to Kill the Evil Creatures Chapter 162: Chapter 162 Difficult to Kill the Evil Creatures The Golden Dragon Mirage came howling down from the sky! But the little boy didnt dodge or avoid it; he simply raised his palm and grabbed at the Golden Dragon Mirage. He was actually going to take it head-on! Clearly, he had utmost confidence in his own strength. Boom! The Golden Dragon Mirage that Zhou Heng unleashed with his Flying Dragon in the Sky strike collided with the boys hand, and then white fur swiftly grew on his palm. Each strand stood erect, piercing into the Golden Dragon Mirage. The Golden Dragon Mirage rapidly shrunk and in the blink of an eye, it was completely absorbed by the white fur, leaving absolutely nothing behind. Ah~~~ The boy let out a satisfied cry, a smug smile on his face as he opened his mouth wide, his sharp teeth showing. He stuck out his tongue and said to Zhou Heng with a chuckle, Such pure Inner Qi, it hardly seems like that of a mere Eighth Rank Martial Artist; its truly delicious! Suddenly, the boy inflated like a balloon, growing seven or eight years older in a few short breaths, turning into the appearance of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old. His stature grew significantly taller and much stronger. His pair of originally somewhat oversized compound eyes now seemed normal in proportion to his face, yet the red blood vessels surrounding his eye sockets were still there, seemingly about to burst at any moment, looking ferocious. Can he actually absorb Inner Qi?! Wu Zongshan, seeing this scene, showed an incredulous expression, exclaiming in shock, Is this one of his abilities, or or has he learned Martial Arts?! Martial Arts techniques that forcibly absorb others Inner Qi are not uncommon, and can even be considered numerous. While the principles vary, the effects are generally the same. After all, who wouldnt want something for nothing? These people include martial talents, naturally leading to a plethora of Martial Arts that can forcibly absorb others Inner Qi. This would not have surprised Wu Zongshan, a Sixth Rank Innate, but the sight of evil creatures practicing Martial Arts shocked and even frightened him. Evil creatures capable of cultivating Martial Arts meant they could become stronger. It meant that evil creatures could reach the level of a Fifth Rank Grandmaster, step onto the peak of Fourth Rank, and theoretically even ascend to Upper Third Rank, achieving the status of Celestial Man, Tao Lord, Saint! This was an extremely terrifying prospect. Its Martial Arts, indeed Martial Arts, haha! Surprised, arent you? Astonished, arent you? The boy who should now be called a youth, laughed smugly, looking at Wu Zongshan and said, Are you scared, are you terrified? Just wait to die! Hahaha! Lord Prefect, do not be deceived by it, it doesnt know any Martial Arts at all! Zhou Heng shouted sternly, leaping forward directly in front of the youth, and with his finger shaped like a sword, he jabbed at the youths pair of eyes. The evil creatures eyes were so distinctive, so vivid, it would be a shame not to target such an obvious feature. You think I only know how to absorb Inner Qi? The youth-shaped evil creature sneered, raising its palm toward Zhou Hengs fingers, while layers of dense scales sprouted on its palm, protecting it. The creature grabbed with tremendous force and speed. Before Zhou Hengs sword fingers could reach its eyes, it blocked them, attempting to grasp and break Zhou Hengs fingers. But at that moment, Zhou Hengs other hand suddenly emerged at a strange angle, executing a move completely different from his right hands sword finger, slapping towards the evil creatures heart. Thump! With a muffled sound, the youth-shaped evil creature immediately stiffened, the blood vessels around its eye sockets burst open, and blood spurted out like a fountain. The pair of compound eyes was blasted into a mushy mess. Zhou Hengs palm had struck directly at the creatures heart, causing the entire chest to cave in. The force, balanced between hardness and softness, penetrated the creatures skin, muscles, and bones, and hit the core place inside its body. This was also a move from the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Stepping on Frost, Ice Arrives! It was the palm technique that harmonized both hardness and softness! His initial move, the feint with his sword finger, was just for show. His true intention was to use the ambidextrous fighting technique, with one hand performing Stepping on Frost, Ice Arrives to pierce through the exterior of the evil creature and directly attack its core within. This attempt, indeed, proved effective. Ah! The youth-like evil creature let out a scream, and the bulge on its back suddenly grew larger, then its entire back split open as if it were a burst cocoon. The back dried out rapidly, and a huge insect flew out from within. This, too, was a gigantic monster resembling a mosquito, yet it was far larger than the previous Ninth Grade evil creatures; its very emergence brought about a sensation of blotting out the heavens. It was about fifty feet in length with wings spanning forty feet when unfolded. It had twelve legs, all covered in scales and white hair, and its mouthparts were surrounded by dense white hair and needles, truly terrifying to behold. Ah! Ah! Ah!! The monstrous mosquito-like creature emitted a piercing sound, attempting to affect Zhou Hengs spirit with the combination of its original psychic assault power and the shock brought upon by its fearsome appearance. But Zhou Heng remained unmoved. Seizing the moment when the evil creature had just emerged from its host, he immediately circulated the Innate Power of Pure Yang True Qi within his body, unleashing several consecutive palms. Dragon Regret! Shocking for Miles! Dragon Battle in the Wilderness! Flying Dragon in the Sky!! A series of Golden Dragon Mirages rushed towards the evil creature, which hadnt even had the chance to absorb Inner Qi, and it was completely surrounded by these Golden Dragons. The extremely terrifying Power of Pure Yang restrained its movements and slowly extinguished its life force. However, when facing evil creatures, Zhou Hengs foundational attribute bonus of +2 against Yin spirits was far less potent than when attacking ghosts; while not ineffective, it was certainly limited. Back in Ansong County, ordinary Seventh Rank ghosts couldnt even withstand the residual waves of his attacks with Innate Power of Pure Yang Inner Qi, yet this evil creature, also of the Seventh Rank, managed to endure under his assault for so long. This was not only because evil creatures were by nature more elusive and tougher to deal with than regular ghosts, but also because the bonus against Yin spirits did not play a significant role. Otherwise, the evil creature wouldnt have had even the chance to absorb the Golden Dragon Mirage; it would have been incinerated by the Innate Power of Pure Yang Inner Qi right away. Now, even the extreme rigidity and Yang nature of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms could not erode the creatures life force, only managing to restrict its actions for a short timeand this was after catching it by surprise. It had to be said that the evil creature was indeed extremely difficult to handle. If Zhou Heng had been just a martial artist with great Martial Arts skills but no special means of combating evil creatures, he would now be in a situation with no remedy, totally unable to kill the evil creature. However, he was no ordinary martial artist. Setting aside his formidable special skill cards, he was also the Ziwei Master of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. Therefore, taking advantage of the moment when the evil creature was bound by the Golden Dragon Mirage and could not move, Zhou Heng quickly formed seals with his hands and chanted incantations. He was preparing to cast the Taoist Formula Star Punishment Decree, invoking the power of the Celestial Mansions Chart to exterminate the evil creature! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But just as Zhou Heng was about to complete the Taoist seals and incantations, with starlight beginning to emerge from his body, he suddenly felt as though he had entered a world filled with starlight and purple qi. The brilliance of all the celestial bodies seemed to be at his command, and the Star Officers appeared to pay homage to him. At this moment, he heard the decrees from Ziwei. ps: If there are typos, Ill update now and fix later. A bug from the previous chapter has been corrected. Chapter 163 - Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Mars Watching Over Heart Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Mars Watching Over Heart The Great Luo Divine Court, Purple Tenuity Star Palace. It honorably resides atop the North Pole, its position supreme, above the mid-heaven All phenomena under the authority of the Grandmaster, the ruler of all heavens Ziwei of the mid-heaven, the Great Emperor of the North Pole. The chanting still layered upon itself, as if countless spirits were reciting in unison. This time, unlike before, Zhou Heng even felt that the chanting was not meant for others but for himself. It was just like the Divine Recitation he had heard when he entered the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace existed. Previously, he had also asked the Inner Seats of the Five Emperors about hearing strange sounds when entering the world of the Purple Tenuity Palace. The Inner Seats of the Five Emperors gave him a precise response, confirming sounds would be heard but they were mostly incomprehensible mutterings without any useful information, utterly unintelligible. And they admonished him not to focus his spirit on listening intently, lest his spirit suffers harm. This meant that the recitation of the Ziwei Divine Decree was only audible to him. Others only heard meaningless mutterings, which even carried a certain degree of danger. Are these voices reciting praises to the Great Emperor of Ziwei? Zhou Hengs brows slightly furrowed as he thought, Since the real Great Emperor of Ziwei is nowhere to be found, have these prayers reached the ears of an impostor like me? Right, it must also have something to do with the Zhou Tian Star Chart; otherwise, why cant I hear anything outside No, wait, arent I in the midst of executing the Divine Punishment of the Stars to exterminate evil creatures? How did I come to such a place? Is it that every first use of the Zhou Tian Star Charts power results in this, or is it something special about the Ziwei star position? While Zhou Heng was confused, his hand had already condensed a spherical starlight, incredibly dazzling and bright, almost like a miniature sun, containing extremely powerful forces of evils destruction. This was the Taoist Formula Divine Punishment of the Stars, a starlight attack condensed to obliterate ghosts and malevolent spirits, a method employed by members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to borrow the power of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, specifically purposed for vanquishing ghosts and demons. But the starlight he was condensing seemed not merely to borrow from the Zhou Tian Star Charts power. It was more like the starlight had converged on its own, forming such a glistening orb intertwined with Taoist Rhyme Theory in his palm. Indeed, this orb was not only imbued with extremely powerful force but also interwoven with layers of profound principles. Zhou Heng could not help but feel an insight into the way of the stars simply by looking at the orb. Congratulations! By observing the intrinsic principles and Taoist Rhyme Theory within the Zhou Tian Star Chart, you have gained insight and learned the Taoist Formula Martian Guarding Heart Mantra''[Sixth Rank], proficiency +1. Martian Guarding Heart Mantra: A flickering firelight, chaotic and misleading, hence called Martian; the heart is like the heart of the Azure Dragon star, the fire burns a vivid red. When Martian lingers in the heart, misfortune arises. Used as a mantra, it has the effect of bringing misfortune upon others. Used as a Taoist art, it controls the firelight, incinerating demons and malevolent spirits. To unexpectedly comprehend a Sixth Rank Taoist Formula! This was a pleasant surprise indeed. Zhou Hengs mood instantly brightened, not expecting that executing the Divine Punishment of the Stars for the first time would bring such a gain. In the realm of Taoist arts, he had always been at a disadvantage. Up to now, his only usable Eighth Rank Taoist Formula was Palm Thunder. Although the Five Thunder Righteous Method belonged to the Fifth Rank, his current level of attainment was not yet sufficient to comprehend it, so he had to set it aside for later. Taoist arts differ from martial arts. Before truly mastering a Taoist art, one can only ponder it through scriptures or objects containing relevant Taoist rhymes and principles, unlike martial arts where one might extrapolate from previous martial knowledge. Therefore, understanding is more difficult, and the requirements for attainment are more stringent. Furthermore, with his identity as the Ziwei Master, he did not possess any suitable Taoist arts, resulting in him having to rely solely on his Innate Power of Pure Yang and the aggressively yang nature of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to suppress evil creatures and spirits. This approach worked well against spirits, but it proved extremely difficult when combating evil creatures. After all, the Power of Pure Yang had limited effects on evil creatures and was similarly limited against malevolent Yin spirits. Unless he advanced his Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to Perfection and furthered his Cultivation of the Pure Yang Classic, he could only possibly eradicate evil creatures directly with his Power of Pure Yang and martial arts. Otherwise, it would always feel somewhat ineffectual. Now that he had acquired the Martian Guarding Heart Mantra, it was an ideal complement to his shortcomings. As he grasped this Secret Six Rank Taoist Formula, the starlight in Zhou Hengs hand had also solidified, and with a flash of light before his eyes, he found himself back in Huangtong Mansion City within the Ledian District. The Golden Dragon Mirage was still restraining that evil creature, unchanged from before, as if his previous experience in the world of stars had not consumed any time at all. Hum!! At that moment, a dazzling beam of starlight streaked across the sky, casting its glow into the eyes of everyone in Huangtong Mansion City, making them feel as if they were beholding a splendid Star River in broad daylight. Even the brilliance of the sun overhead was almost overshadowed. This light, as if embodying the splendid Star River, consolidated into a column that fell precisely upon that evil creature. Aaahh!! A terribly wretched scream came from within the starlight. The evil creature, which previously gave Zhou Heng some trouble and seemed difficult to defeat, did not have a chance to recover and instantly disintegrated into nothingness under the enveloping starlight. When the starlight dissipated and tranquility returned, even the Golden Dragon Mirage had vanished, leaving no trace of where the evil creature had been. As though it had never existed. Eradicated completely. Spirit and form, both extinguished! Erased from existence! Congratulations, you have slain the formidable enemy evil creature Long Tooth, Fortune Bag [Silver] +3. The reward notification sounded. Zhou Heng let out a long sigh of relief. This was his first battle against a Seventh Rank evil creature, a completely different experience from fighting humans or spirits, and it made him recognize his true strength without the attribute restraint. Im not yet flawless in every aspect, for instance, when dealing with evil creatures, my martial arts and Taoist formulas are both lacking in some areas, and my key basic attributes also lack bonuses for this aspect. Zhou Heng made a simple summary of his situation. However, the martial arts aspect could be addressed by elevating the realm of Purple Thunder Seven Strikes and the Pure Yang Dan Jing, and as for Taoist formulas, he already had the Shining Stars Mind-Protecting Spell; it was just a matter of practice and proficiency now. The only thing still without a solution was the basic attribute bonus, which was completely random and dependent on ones luck with opening Fortune Bags; there was no reliable method to address it. If there was one, it would be to open more Fortune Bags. Once things settle down, Ill open those three Silver Luck Bags I just got. I remember that Silver Luck Bags have the highest probability of granting basic attribute bonuses, Zhou Heng thought to himself. Star Envoy, your martial arts and Taoist formulas are impressive, truly powerful! At this moment, Wu Zongshan came over and said admiringly, Evil creatures are difficult to kill, yet under the Star Envoys Taoist formulas, they are easily defeated. His heart was indeed filled with emotion. This Star Envoy was only an Eighth Rank martial artist, yet he had the power to kill a Seventh Rank evil creature. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was indeed incomparably mighty. If a common Eighth Rank martial artist faced the combat power of the Seventh Rank, they would be effortlessly crushed, likely unable to withstand even one confrontation with a Seventh Rank evil creature before being knocked unconscious by the psychic assault. The difference was immeasurable, as vast as the sky is from the earth. For martial artists, possessing a high-level inheritance was crucial. Although the evil creature is dead, its influence remains. Those elderly who died here, as well as the families of the women originally from the Melody Workshop, were all innocents parasitized by the evil creature. Please, Master of the Mansion, take good care of their families, Zhou Heng said solemnly. This one evil creatures rampage had already resulted in a massive human tragedy, with thirty to forty women from the Melody Workshop, more than a dozen men, and some elderly who came to listen to music and rejuvenateall of them fell victim to the evil creatures actions. Behind them were dozens of families who suffered unexpected misfortunes, hundreds of grieving relatives; moreover, they couldnt be told the truth. The existence of the evil creatures needed to remain concealed. The only alternative was to offer these families more compensation in other ways; this was Zhou Hengs thought, and he hoped that Wu Zongshan, the Master of the Mansion, would fulfill this responsibility. You are thoughtful, Star Envoy. I had been contemplating how to compensate their families, Wu Zongshan nodded and said, Please rest assured. Then I shall take my leave now, Zhou Heng bowed slightly. He then strode away. Star Envoy, take care, Wu Zongshan was slightly stunned, not expecting the Star Envoy to act so decisively and efficiently. Truly an extraordinary person, before long, there will likely be another powerful figure in the world. After leaving the Melody Workshop, Zhou Heng directly utilized his lightness skill to leave the city; he planned to stay away from Huangtong Mansion City for a few days before returning openly under his real identity as Zhou Heng. Although somewhat troublesome, he felt quite a thrill of playing a role, as if he could interact with people as two separate individuals. Not bad. As he was leaving the city, he encountered a man dressed in a multicolored robe with similarly dyed hair, whose inner qi felt rather peculiar and untrustworthy. However, Zhou Heng did not judge others without evidence and would not attack without being sure of someones character, so he simply ignored the man. The man also noticed Zhou Heng and even recognized the attire of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, quickly bowing his head, his eyes filled with dark shadows and resentment. Damn it, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, ruining my plans. Just a little more growth from that evil creature, and I could have refined it into a Spectral Light; consuming it would have allowed me to break through my limits and reach Secret Six Rank! Cursed, cursed! No, I cannot let this go; I have to find other opportunities. I must break through to Secret Six Rank! Three days later. Zhou Heng leisurely returned to Huangtong Mansion City on a spirited red date horse. This time, he made no disguise, dressed in regular blue robes and returning with his original identity as Zhou Heng. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As he approached the city gate, the man who had been lurking around Huangtong Mansion City looking for an opportunity noticed him. The man in the multicolored robe perched in a tree, watching Zhou Heng from afar, his eyes shining, and he couldnt help but lick his lips. Ah, how perfect, excellent material! He must be the true disciple from the Pure Yang PalaceIve hit the jackpot. If I refine him into a Spectral Light, not to mention reaching Secret Six Rank, even attaining Sect Fifth Rank wouldnt be a problem! Hahaha! Fantastic, fantastic! And hes only an Eighth Rank martial artist, hahaha! My little treasure, here I come! Im coming for you!! With a leap, he jumped off the tree and pounced directly toward Zhou Heng!! Chapter 164 - Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Better Choice Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Better Choice Zhou Heng, riding on a jujube-red horse, had actually already noticed that strange person staring at him. He just hadnt expected that this unidentified person, whose Inner Qi was somewhat sinister, would dare to charge directly at him, even channeling Inner Qi in preparation to attack. Crazy, Zhou Heng watched the person with a puzzled face. Mounted on his horse, he directly threw a punch, Innate Pure Yang True Qi burst forth, condensing into a golden giant hand that immediately seized the strange person, suspending him mid-air. Golden Light Three Forms! Grasp Gold Hammer! Hehehe! Just as I wished! The individual laughed instead of panicking when Zhou Heng caught him. He actually stretched out both hands, pressing them onto the golden giant hand, and began to absorb the Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi that had condensed it, the exceedingly pure Qi bearing traces of Sixth Rank characteristics. It entered his body and immediately made him tremble with comfort. Seeking death! Zhou Heng saw this and coldly chuckled, raising his hand to deliver Palm Thunder on the mans head, interrupting his absorption of the Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. Boom!! Grasp Gold Hammer held the man tight, ruthlessly smashing him to the ground; his lower half, both legs, directly turned into a bloody pulp, and his upper half was also shaken to the point of internal organ rupture, with blood flowing from all seven orifices. Such injuries would have killed a normal person on the spot, but after all, this was a Peak of the Seventh Rank Martial Path expert with strong vitality. He had not even passed out and was still trying to struggle. Unfortunately, he was not an Evil Creature, but a human. The durability and recovery ability of his body simply could not compare to that of Evil Creatures, thus being suppressed by the golden giant hand, he couldnt move at all. How is this possible, how can this be?! The man was shocked to the extreme, his face full of disbelief, never having imagined that he would end up in such a state. He knew the person who came was Zhou Heng, he was aware that Zhou Heng was a true successor of the Pure Yang Palace, and he knew that Zhou Hengs strength was out of the ordinary, capable of fighting three Seventh Rankers alone, extremely formidable. However, the recent three-day span was not enough for the matters of the Chang Xing Sect to have spread here, and he had not communicated much with anyone, so his perception of Zhou Hengs strength still rested solely on the description in the peoples list. This caused a deviation in perception, leading him to believe that he could suppress Zhou Heng with his own Evil Sects technique of absorbing Inner Qi. Yet he had not anticipated that Zhou Hengs Inner Qi was overly pure, of very high grade, and just the initial absorption was almost intoxicating to the point of losing sanity. Another reward of Palm Thunder directly stunned him, leaving him with no strength to counterattack. Zhou Hengs capture of the man drew considerable attention, and as they were already near the city gates, Meng Xing, who happened to be patrolling nearby, hurriedly led people over. Young Master Zhou, youve returned! When Meng Xing saw Zhou Heng, his eyes lit up. He took another glance at the man suppressed by the golden giant hand and said, This man is a true disciple of the Evil Sect, Canxin Pavilion. His name is Zhu Wucui, with the cultivation of the Peak of the Seventh Rank. He has been loitering near the city gates recently, acting very sneakily. Ive always wanted to capture him for questioning, but since he hasnt really done anything, I havent been good with making a move. That youve captured him upon your arrival, truly you have rid our Huangtong Mansion City of a threat. Zhou Heng retracted the golden giant hand, watching as a group of constables tied Zhu Wucui up with special ropes, and said to Meng Xing, This man attacked me out of nowhere, with an Evil Sect technique that absorbs Inner Qi. I just suppressed him on impulse. If it were not for wanting to know why he attacked me, I would have killed him with that blow just now. Head Constable Meng, I leave it to you to interrogate him thoroughly. By the way, the Canxin Pavilion, this Evil Sect, while not large, is ultimately backed by the Heavenly Palace. It would be best for you to report the situation to the Mansion Lord. In fact, he was using Meng Xings mouth to convey a message to Wu Zongshan, that Zhu Wucui possessed an Evil Sect technique to absorb peoples Inner Qi. With Wu Zongshans abilities, he would be able to discern the intricacies involved. After all, the Evil Creature Long Fang previously also had the ability to absorb Inner Qi. While one was a Martial Arts technique and the other an Evil Creatures special ability, it seemed unlikely that the two would be completely unrelated. Zhu Wucuis appearance near Huangtong Mansion City might not entirely be a coincidence. There might even be other secrets hidden within. However, Zhou Heng didnt want to concern himself with these matters just yet. Instead, he wanted to focus, to solidify what he had recently learned. Opening the Fortune Bag was one thing. Studying the Bewitching Heart Guarding Mantra was another. Further cultivating the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, the Star Moving Technique, the Hundred Steps Soaring Sword, and the Golden Light Three Forms to increase proficiency and enhance strength was also one. There was also the reading and comprehending of the White Rainbow Sword Technique and the self-created insights contained within, gifted to him by Cheng Jianjian. He had a lot on his plate. All this was in preparation for his upcoming challenges against the young experts at the top of the rankings list. After all, those who made it to the top of the rankings were all no easy opponents, each and every one of them possessing incredibly powerful legacies, whose Martial Arts wouldnt be any inferior to Zhou Hengs, and might even be stronger. To battle such opponents, he must further elevate his level of Martial Arts proficiency. Therefore, after instructing Meng Xing about Zhu Wucuis matter, Zhou Heng rode straight into the city on his date-red horse, heading for the Longxing Martial Arts Hall. His return this time had two purposes. In addition to solidifying his own skills and bolstering his strength, he was determined to reopen Longxing Martial Arts Hall and make it more prosperous than it was before. This was also the promise he had made to Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang. The Longxing Martial Arts Hall was still desolate, the entrance as empty as if swept by a broom. Although Zhou Heng had killed all the Chang Xing Sect people and those who troubled Longxing Martial Arts Hall during his last visit, the hall had ultimately lost the privilege to teach profound martial arts. For ordinary people who wished to excel in martial arts and look forward to a better future, the hall no longer presented a necessary choice. Especially after the news that Zhou Heng was going to deal with the Chang Xing Sect spread, even the trainers who had stayed out of nostalgia couldnt bear to stay any longer. They were afraid of becoming collateral damage to the Chang Xing Sects wrath and chose to leave. Although the trainers had contracts with the martial arts hall that forbade leaving at will, to force them to stay when Longxing Martial Arts Hall was looking like it was about to close down for good would be lacking in the loyalty esteemed in the martial community. Thus, Lei Xiuyan also did not retain them. Once the trainers left, it resulted in the apprentices who had stayed because of their deep bond with the trainers losing their reason to remain. Within a few days, they too had departed. To date, Longxing Martial Arts Hall only had three apprentices left, including Yu He, and Lin Cang was the only trainer remaining. Longxing Martial Arts Hall, it could be said, existed in name only. Yet, even so, whether it was Lei Xiuyan or Lin Cang, they still arrived on time every day to teach the three remaining apprentices in the training hall. This seemed to have created an unusual atmosphere. The three apprentices were extremely serious about their training. Even Yu He, who used to love skipping classes, became serious. Within a few days, he had recovered much of the skill he had lost, and had even shown some improvement. However, they all knew that continuing like this, the Longxing Martial Arts Hall was bound to close sooner or later. To the vast majority of ordinary people, a martial arts hall that had lost its backing sect and was unable to teach basic sect martial arts had no reason to exist. Their only hope lay in Zhou Heng. They were waiting for news from the Chang Xing Sect side, waiting for Zhou Heng to return. Perhaps there would be a turning point, perhaps they could regain the authorization to teach the basic Chang Xing Sect martial arts. Creak. The doors of the martial arts hall opened. Zhou Heng tied his date-red horse to the post outside and walked in, just as he saw Lin Cang teaching Yu He and the other two apprentices, as well as Lei Xiuyan standing in the inner hall, looking at the words Longxing with a somber face. Master Lin, hall owner, Yu He, Im back, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Oh man, youre finally back! Yu He was the first to jump up, rushing to Zhou Heng, looking him up and down, and laughing, You look unharmed. Dont tell me you actually took down the Chang Xing Sect? If I hadnt taken down the Chang Xing Sect, do you think I could still return? Zhou Heng laughed heartily, patted Yu Hes shoulder, and said smilingly, Relax, brother, Im back this time to take you soaring with me. That impressive? Yu He raised an eyebrow, gestured Zhou Heng to look at Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan, and whispered, Hey, you previously said you had a way to solve Longxings crisis, whats the plan? Master Lin and the hall owner are almost worried to death, looking somber every day. Its unbearable, if you have a plan, tell them about it, I have enough money if its needed. Moneys not necessary, I indeed have a plan, Zhou Heng walked towards Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan and said with a smile, Master Lin, hall owner, you dont have to worry anymore, Longxing is going to welcome a brighter future from now on. Zhou, did you really get back the rights for Longxing to teach the basic Chang Xing Sect martial arts? Lin Cangs eyes brightened as he asked eagerly. That mustve been difficult, Lei Xiuyan also showed a look of happiness. No, I didnt get them back, and Longxing doesnt need that anymore, Zhou Heng shook his head and said with a smile, I have a better way. What is it? Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan asked in unison. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only When Zhou Heng said he hadnt gotten the rights back, their hearts sank, but hearing him say he had a better plan, hope flared in their eyes as they looked at Zhou Heng expectantly. What Longxing lacks is nothing more than a superior martial arts hall. Now, Longxing has choices that are countless times better than the Chang Xing Sect, Zhou Heng chuckled, So why do we still need the Chang Xing Sects authorization? You, you mean?! Lei Xiuyan seemed to have thought of something but didnt dare to confirm, Can we, really do this? ps: If there are any typos, I will make corrections after updating. Thank you to: Zeng Jing & Canghai for the reward, becoming the first Alliance Hierarch of this book. There will be thousands of updates over the weekend as thanks. Chapter 165 - Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Affairs of the Martial Arts School, Family Matters Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Affairs of the Martial Arts School, Family Matters ` What choice? Lin Cang walked over, concern written all over his face as he asked, his hearts faint spark of hope expanding, yet he dared not be certain. As a middle-aged man who supported his family by working as a trainer at Longxing Martial Arts Hall, choosing to stay was actually a tremendous risk and it brought colossal pressure upon him. The atmosphere at home had noticeably soured these past few days. His wife, although on the surface wholeheartedly supporting his decision, Lin Cang had caught her wiping away tears in secret more than once, but she never revealed her grievances. This made Lin Cangs heart ache as if it were being cut by a knife. Their child also became sensible, no longer clamoring for snacks and toys like before. Lin Cang felt distressed seeing this, and it made his heart heavy. But he would not leave. The reason he had chosen to stay, firstly, was because the hall master Lei Xiuyan had shown him kindness, which he was reluctant to disregard. Secondly, he held some expectations for Zhou Heng. Lin Cang was hopeful that Zhou Heng would be able to bring back authorization from the Chang Xing Sect, and with his identity as a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, could resolve the conflicts with the Chang Xing Sect. If that were to happen, all the current troubles of Longxing would be resolved like cutting through bamboo, and perhaps even better developments lay ahead. After all, Zhou Heng was a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, and even if he was just a novice without any position or status, with time, given his talent and strength, he was bound to occupy a significant position among the Pure Yang Palaces authoritative ranks. By that time, Longxing would certainly benefit from the association with Chang Xing Sect. Of course, even if Zhou Heng didnt bring back any good news, he would still continue to stay at Longxing until it closed, if need be, to repay Lei Xiuyan for his kindness. As for household expenses, they would have to be covered by finding part-time work to earn some silver coin. The income was actually not less than before, it was just more unstable. Which caused unease at home. If Longxing really did close down later, then they would make other plans. Yes! Exactly! Zhou Heng, stop keeping us in suspense! Yu He urged, And like I said before, if its money you need, Ive got it covered! His family was wealthy, with no worries about food and clothing, and even spending for a lifetime, they wouldnt run out, so his decision to stay was purely because he was good friends with Zhou Heng. As for Longxings situation, he wasnt that concerned really. However, if Longxing were to return to its formerly bustling state, or become even busier, he would be very pleasedafter all, his nature was to prefer activity over quiet, and more people were always better than fewer. Moreover, Zhou Heng clearly cared a lot about Longxings affairs, and as his friend, Yu He felt he had to lend a hand no matter what. But thinking it over, it seemed money was the only thing he could offer. Its a sorrowful life when it seems all you have left is money, sigh Yu He couldnt help feeling a bit bitter inside. The hall master and Master Lin must have already guessed, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Thats right, I want Longxing to become a subordinate martial arts hall of the Pure Yang Palace, authorized to teach the fundamental martial arts of Pure Yang Palace. In the future, the Pure Yang Palace will send someone to assess once a year, and those who pass can directly ascend to the outer court of the Pure Yang Palace, and there will also be various rewards and benefits. A subsidiary martial arts hall of the Pure Yang Palace!! Lei Xiuyan exclaimed in surprise. Even though he had some suspicion beforehand, now that he heard Zhou Heng confirm it, his heart couldnt help but overflow with boundless joy and excitement. ` Subordinate martial halls of Pure Yang Palace, subordinate martial halls of Pure Yang Palace! That is Pure Yang Palace were talking about! The supreme immortal gate inherited from the mythical era to the present, one of the strongest Martial Dao Sects in the world today, one of the three great Taoist palaces, a top-tier force with Divine First Rank existences! How could Longxing, a dilapidated martial hall nestled in a small prefectural city, possibly become a subordinate hall to Pure Yang Palace? This, this, this is simply like a dream. If his father knew about this, he surely wouldnt sigh all day long Lei Xiuyan felt elated in his heart. Subordinate martial hall of Pure Yang Palace, Pure Yang Palace As soon as Lin Cang heard Zhou Hengs words, his eyes lit up, just like a person lost in darkness suddenly seeing the sun, suddenly seeing the light! Thats amazing! Yu He was also overjoyed and laughed, Big brother, thats really too strong. Longxing will have to bask in your glory from now on. Hmm, I think we should expand a bit. We only have one room now, but that definitely wont be enough in the future. It does seem to be the case, Zhou Heng expressed his agreement, but he still shook his head and chuckled, However, by that time, we wont have to spend our own money to buy land and houses. The prefectural yamen and the martial authorities will surely be eager to make it happen. Once a top-tier Martial Dao Sect like Pure Yang Palace opens a subordinate martial hall, countless people will flock to it without the slightest doubt. It is certain to happen. The booming prosperity of the several subordinate martial halls under the Five Elements Sect is evidence of this. Moreover, since Taihua Mount is far too distant from Pingzhou, the whole of Pingzhou and the nearby Xuanzhou and Fengzhou do not have martial halls of Pure Yang Palace. This means that if Longxing becomes a subordinate martial hall of Pure Yang Palace, it will be the only one in the nearby several states, within tens of thousands of miles, in many of the prefectures. Unique! One can easily imagine how prominent Longxing will be in the future; that will be the real rise of Longxing. Having such a martial hall within ones jurisdiction is a solid political achievement for both the prefectural yamen and the martial authorities, and even the county yamen will most likely support it vigorously. Once this matter starts, there will inevitably be a large group of people wanting to ensure its success. It represents the common interest of everyone. However, as far as I know, granting authority to teach basic martial arts and become a subordinate martial hall of a sect, this is not a right that ordinary True Disciples possess, Lei Xiuyan suddenly spoke up. After the initial surprise and excitement, he calmed down and noticed a very serious, very crucial issue. Could Zhou Heng, a True Disciple who had just joined Pure Yang Palace a few months ago, really have the authority to grant martial hall rights? Thatseemed unlikely. Lei Xiuyans words were like a sudden splash of cold water, sobering up Lin Cang, Yu He, and others immediately. Indeed. Did Zhou Heng have that authority? Hed only entered the sect less than three months ago and should be just an ordinary True Disciple, right? Could he do that? What the hall master just said is correct. There are indeed such restrictions on Pure Yang Palaces disciples regarding authorizing martial halls, Zhou Heng nodded, which made Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang and others turn pale. But then he continued, However, this is only a restriction for the seventh-generation True Disciples. The sixth-generation True Disciples are not subject to this. I had asked the sect leader elder brother about this before I left the mountain; I am not restricted and can authorize subordinate martial halls on my own. Ah, you can authorize subordinate martial halls on your own? Lei Xiuyans face showed an exceptionally vivid expression upon hearing this. He was first stunned, then overjoyed, and finally, extremely shocked, his eyes widening as he looked at Zhou Heng in utter astonishment. You, what did you just say? Sixth-generation True Disciple, and you call the leader of Pure Yang Palace what? Elder brother?? I I didnt hear that wrong, did I?? Lin Cang was so startled that he almost couldnt speak, staring blankly at Zhou Heng. He could hardly believe that the youth standing before him was the same apprentice to whom he had taught martial arts for two years. Inconceivable! This is too inconceivable! Just five months ago, Zhou Heng was barely touching the edge of Ninth Grade. And now, in just a little more time, not only had he become a true disciple of Pure Yang Palace, but the sixth generation at thatPure Yang Palaces Sect Leader, the contemporary Residing True Yang Yan Shouyis junior brother?! This world was just too crazy. Yu He was also a bit stunned, feeling that his good friend might have already soared into the heavens; such rapid progress was truly astounding. Unfathomable! According to theory, since the Pure Yang Palace Sect Leader Yan Shouyi took me as a disciple, I should be the disciple of the fifth-generation Sect Leader, Chen Dongxuan, Zhou Heng said with folded hands, bowing in the direction of Pure Yang Palace as an apology for having earlier referred to his elder by name so casually. Then, to completely put Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan at ease, he took out his Pure Yang Palace waist tag. This left Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and the others utterly shocked to an unprecedented degree. Zhou Heng becoming the junior brother of the current Sect Leader of Pure Yang Palace, the disciple of the former Sect Leader, was something completely beyond their wildest imagination. Even at their boldest, they probably couldnt have dreamed of such a scenario. Yet now, it had become reality! Please accept my bow! Lei Xiuyan bowed deeply to Zhou Heng and said, Dont stop me. This is not just me paying respects, but also Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Allow me to bow as well! Lin Cang followed suit, bowing to Zhou Heng, saying, Its thanks to you that Longxing has been reborn. You deserve this respect, truly deserve it! Zhou Heng had wanted to use his inner qi to stop them, but since Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang had already spoken thus, he withdrew his hand and did not stop them. After the two had finished paying their respects, he folded his hands and said, Master Lin, Hall Master, please get up. Such sudden sorrow and joy can easily cause inner qi to become agitated and turbulent. Why dont you return home to rest first? Ill handle the authorization for the martial arts hall. How does that sound? How could we? No, youve already shown such a great kindness by giving Longxing authorization. How could we let you take the trouble to manage the paperwork? Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan both shook their heads quickly, feeling that doing so would be very inappropriate. The head of the Bureau of Martial Affairs was promoted because of me, so it will be more convenient for me to handle it, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Besides, Master Lin, Hall Master, you have been downcast for so long, its indeed time for you to take good care of your health. After all, Longxing will need to be reborn, and once the Pure Yang Palace authorization plaque is up, it will need both your devoted management. That is when youll truly need to labor. Once the topic turned to the future development of Longxing, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang couldnt refute any longer. However, after Lei Xiuyan fell silent for a short moment, it seemed as if he had made up his mind about something. Looking at Zhou Heng earnestly, he said, You have put in so much effort for Longxing, and I cant think of anything to repay you with. How about this: once Longxing is reborn, youll take the position of Hall Master, and youll have the final say in all of Longxings affairs. You will be entitled to ninety percent of the annual earnings, what do you think? Zhou Heng instinctively wanted to refuse upon hearing this. After all, he had helped Longxing simply to repay the care he had received from Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan in the past, and this favor was only a trivial effort for him; he never thought about receiving anything in return. At this moment, Yu He sneakily tugged on Zhou Hengs clothes and whispered, Once Longxing sports the plaque of Pure Yang Palace, the number of apprentices will surely skyrocket, as will the tuition fees. The earnings will start from ten thousand taels a year. And thats definitely just the beginning. Once martial arts management takes off, a name is made, and further expansion occurs, attracting even more apprentices, it will be a regular gold and silver mine with annual incomes of one hundred thousand, even a million! To make money like this Zhou Heng was first startled, then nodded with a smile, Alright, I agree to be the head of the hall, but taking ninety percent is too high, lets make it sixty percent. The remaining forty percent, I suggest you and Master Lin each take some, and the rest could be distributed to Yu He and the other apprentices who choose to stay. How about that? He had no choice, he was short of money again. The practice of Taoist formulas is purely an act of burning money. The Bewildering Heart Charm has a total of ten levels, and before reaching proficiency in the fifth level, it requires the consumption of special materials every time its used. Although it doesnt consume gold as plainly and directly as Palm Thunder, it does require specific Seventh Rank spiritual materials, which are even more expensive, costing at least a thousand taels of silver for each use. The savings he had accumulated previously simply couldnt withstand such burning. Cultivation isnt just about dining with the wind and drinking dew, many parts of it require money to burn. Just look at how the Pure Yang Palace, a sect of the immortal home, owns a vast array of industries in the mortal realm, almost monopolizing the jewelry and medicine trades. A disciple must ultimately also own their own business. Being the boss of a martial arts hall seemed like a pretty good choice. The reason why Zhou Heng proactively proposed to lower the share was because he wanted a steady stream of income, to make sure everyone could make money and hence make more money over the long term. It was all about win-win cooperation. As for Zhou Hengs idea, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang and the others felt that Zhou Heng only taking sixty percent was still too low. After discussing with Zhou Heng for a while and using various reasons to highlight Zhou Hengs importance, they finally convinced Zhou Heng to increase his share to eighty percent. After discussing future plans, they then proceeded to sort out the current matters. Following Zhou Hengs advice, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang went home to rest and rejuvenate, while Zhou Heng went to the Martial Affairs Office. As Lin Cang walked home, he felt completely refreshed, all the gloom of the past days swept away. This nearly a month of waiting was so worth it! He quickened his pace, eager to get home and share the good news with his wife and children. So they wouldnt have to worry or feel anxious anymore. However, before Lin Cang reached his own door, he saw a woman in her thirties carrying a large bundle on her back, holding a cloth bag in her left hand, and leading a seven-year-old boy with her right, rushing towards him. It was Lin Cangs wife. Seeing this, Lin Cangs expression changed, and he asked in alarm, What are you doing? I, I was planning to visit my parents home for a bit The woman lowered her head, speaking softly, After all, its been a long time since Ive been back, and I thought to take the child to visit. Why didnt you tell me about going back to your parents home, we could go together, Lin Cang said. I I left a letter for you at home, the woman spoke softly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dad, Mom wants to go out to do harsh labor, to weave, sew, and embroider for others to earn some money to help with our expenses, the little boy, clutching Lin Cangs clothes, said, She feels you work too hard every day, and theres no work found for a while, so she wanted to take the opportunity while she still can to earn some money Dont, dont talk nonsense, I Im just taking you to your grandmothers place! The woman quickly tugged at the child, speaking softly, Dont talk nonsense! No, you dont need to go, Lin Cang took a deep breath, feeling an unbearable heartache, his nose starting to feel sour. He took the cloth bag from the womans hand, held her hand, his voice slightly trembling, and spoke with grave seriousness, Longxing has survived, you you dont have to suffer anymore, no need to live in fear. Survived, it survived? Longxing has survived? The woman was first startled by the news, then tears streamed down her cheeks, she covered her eyes with her hands, sobbing softly. And finally, this home has come alive as well sob, sob. Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Highly Sought After Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Highly Sought After Da Qi had already perfected various legislations regarding martial halls, and every local office and the Bureau for Martial Prowess also had clear rules and procedures. Generally speaking, as long as the qualification for authorization was in order, the matter would usually proceed through the normal approval process, which took as little as three days and at most half a month. As for the duration of this process, it naturally depended on the level of strength of the authorizing sect. For sects like the Chang Xing Sect, authorization typically took about seven or eight days, while the Five Elements Sect only needed one day, clearly demonstrating the difference. This time, Zhou Heng was even faster. Authorization was confirmed on the spot; it didnt even take half an hour, let alone a day or half a day. Especially after Zhou Heng displayed the Pure Yang Palaces sixth generation True Disciple waist tag, the already somewhat obsequious Head of the Bureau for Martial Prowess became even more submissive, fulfilling Zhou Hengs requests with the utmost speed. He also promised to inquire with the Prefectural City office and the superior county city Bureau for Martial Prowess about the matter, to secure the maximum support possible. After all, the arrival of Pure Yang Palace to Huangtong Mansion City, to authorize martial halls in Pingzhou, was a great fortune C a stroke of luck for the countless citizens of Pingzhou, something that the Imperial Court would definitely support vigorously. Therefore, Zhou Heng did not spend much time at all in handling the authorization process for Longxing Martial Arts Hall. What followed was organizing a few of Pure Yang Palaces basic external martial arts techniques, imparting them to Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang to prepare them for the upcoming teaching duties, and then recruiting new trainers and apprentices. Aside from practicing martial arts, these tasks could all be handed over to Yu He, since his forte was doing business. Managing publicity, recruiting new trainers, and attracting apprentices were not difficult for him. Zhou Heng himself had other matters to attend to. During the process of managing the martial halls authorization at the Bureau for Martial Prowess, the Head of the Bureau also informed Zhou Heng of something. It was why the martial halls in Huangtong Mansion City that received top-tier Martial Dao Sects authorization all came from the Five Elements Sect, or in other words, only from the Five Elements Sect. It was not just because other Martial Dao Sects of the same caliber were too far away; after all, strictly in terms of distance, Huangtong Mansion City was actually closer to the Qing Emperor Palace than to the Five Elements Sect. The reason was precisely due to the nature of a sects authorization of a martial hall. A sects authorization of a martial hall allowed it to impart its own basic martial arts techniques and select the most outstanding among those taught to be admitted into the sect, with the purpose of recruiting as many of the best local disciples as possible to bolster the sects fresh blood. To maintain its absolute monopoly over the outstanding disciples in Huangtong Mansion City, the Five Elements Sect naturally would not allow other Martial Dao Sects of the same caliber to authorize martial halls here. Previously, the Qing Emperor Palace had competed with the Five Elements Sect over the authorization of martial halls in Huangtong Mansion City but was eventually defeated. It had to withdraw and even transferred the martial halls originally authorized by the Qing Emperor Palace to the Five Elements Sect. The three major martial halls of the Five Elements Sect in Huangtong Mansion City, apart from the largest one, Wuxiang Martial Hall, the other two actually belonged to the Qing Emperor Palace a hundred years ago. As far as the Five Elements Sect was concerned, they didnt intervene with the lower and middle-tier sects authorizing martial halls in Huangtong Mansion City. Becauce they were well aware that these martial halls authorized by lower and middle-tier sects could never compare with the ones under the Five Elements Sects authorization. The gap was too great. They simply could not threaten the Five Elements Sects monopolistic position. But Pure Yang Palace was different. As a Martial Dao Sect at the pinnacle of the current era, one that had survived through the Mythical era and Middle Ancient times, including numerous calamities, it still carried an intact lineage, possessing a divine rank of Celestial Man enshrined within its hallowed walls. Pure Yang Palaces reputation alone was enough to lure many who initially planned to join the Five Elements Sects authorized martial halls. The Five Elements Sect certainly would not easily let go of this regions high-quality new recruits. Moreover, Pure Yang Palaces main gate and its true powerhouses were countless miles away in Ta Hua Mount, usually unable to manage affairs here. This meant As long as Zhou Heng authorized the teaching of Pure Yang Palaces basic martial arts in the Huangtong Mansion Citys martial hall, it was almost certain that the Five Elements Sect would not stand by idly. No matter the intensity of the strife, the Five Elements Sect would definitely take action. Otherwise, they would lose face. And the most common form of martial hall strife was the challenge of pushing down doors, or kicking down the hall. Especially when a new martial hall was just opening, powerful fighters were sent to issue challenges, causing the new martial hall to lose face so badly it couldnt continue operating. Of course, challengers were usually young, and even if skilled in martial arts, they held no significant positions of power within the sect. This approach limited conflicts to the martial halls and avoided escalating them to involve the sects themselves. Speaking of which, I still have a grudge against the Five Elements Sect, Zhou Heng recalled the previous incident in Yuanhe Prefecture City, where Liu Gaoyang had attempted to forcefully assert his ascendancy to a Celestial Man status, only to be personally eradicated by him with the five-colored divine light. Although Liu Gaoyangs actions were cruel at the time, intending to sacrifice nearly a million people in Yuanhe Prefecture City as if he were a demon, he was, after all, at the pinnacle of Fourth Rank in the Five Elements Sect. Even if the Sect had to save face and couldnt openly seek revenge for Liu Gaoyang, they would definitely target Zhou Heng in secret. Especially for Liu Changsheng, to him, no matter what Liu Gaoyang had done, Zhou Heng was the perpetrator of a vengeance as deep as the blood feud of having killed his father, irreconcilable. No matter how perverse Liu Gaoyangs thoughts were, he was Liu Changshengs father. If Liu Changsheng harbored thoughts of avenging his father, it would be considered a righteous cause. One couldnt expect everyone to maintain noble intentions. If the Five Elements Sect really sends someone to cause trouble when the Longxing Martial Arts Hall reopens, its likely to be Liu Changsheng, Zhou Heng thought to himself. After all, this would definitely be a good opportunity to take revenge on him and disgrace him. However, Liu Changsheng might not have the capability to do so. The news of Pure Yang Palace authorizing its subsidiary martial hall spread across Huangtong Mansion City like a storm. The news originated from the martial affairs bureau; although it wasnt specified which martial hall was authorized, in the entire Huangtong Mansion City, which other hall was there that had connections with Pure Yang Palace and hadnt yet been authorized? Only Longxing Martial Arts Hall! This news immediately turned the once nearly defunct Longxing Martial Arts Hall into an object of intense desire. Many people hurried over to inquire about the situation, and even trainers and apprentices who had left were targeted by many, questioned for information. Excitement surged through Huangtong Mansion City, as people frantically sought information about Longxing Martial Arts Hall; some even proactively went to seek mentorship, offering a hundred taels of gold hoping to secure an apprentice slot. Although Longxing had kept its doors closed and responded that everything would wait until the martial hall formally reopened and the grand announcement was made, many saw this as giving a definite confirmation. It was highly likely that Longxing Martial Arts Hall had indeed obtained authorization from Pure Yang Palace. My god! Thats the Pure Yang Palace!! Up until now, the highest level of authorization for a martial hall in Huangtong Mansion City had been the Five Elements Sect, one of the top ten sects in Da Qi. Yet, although the Five Elements Sect was strong, it still paled in comparison to the sublime immortal gate of Pure Yang Palace. Suddenly, the buzz about Pure Yang Palace, Longxing Martial Arts Hall, and Zhou Heng grew louder. Many speculated about Zhou Hengs true identity, wondering how he, having only been in the sect for three months, managed to obtain the sects authorization to manage a martial hall. This was far from a simple matter. However, the news about the situation in front of Chang Xing Sects mountain gate soon came back, Zhou Hengs demonstrated strength at the time, and his identity as a sixth generation True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, confirmed everything beyond doubt. Thus, Longxing Martial Arts Hall getting authorization from Pure Yang Palace was almost a sure thing; there wasnt even a need for any more doubt. Consequently, countless wealthy merchants swarmed in, hoping to fund and support the construction of the martial hall, looking to take a small share of the profits, and also hoping their children could enter Longxing and become apprentices. Unfortunately, when they tried to purchase various properties to add bricks and mortar to the new construction of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, they discovered that the town office had already secretly bought up a large number of properties and materials, which they were also providing to Longxing free of charge for the construction. This instantly dampened the merchants hopes of getting a slice of the martial halls profits, and they focused entirely on getting their children admitted to Longxing Martial Arts Hall to become apprentices. Some came up with the idea of sponsorship money, donating money for enrollment, and as the idea caught on, it climbed higher and higher. In just a few days, the sponsorship fee for an apprentice reached three hundred taels of gold! This left those trainers and apprentices who had not held on and left Longxing filled with bitter regret. Overnight, Longxing became highly sought after. Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, Yu He, and others felt as if it wasnt quite real, and even their families had the sensation of being in a dream. Could this be the sweet reward after bitter hardships? While the outside world was buzzing with excitement, Zhou Heng had returned to the small rented house he previously lived in, ready to concentrate on the study of martial arts and Taoist formulas to improve his own strength. He hadnt opted to stay in that large mansion because he was still uncertain about its safety features. He would move there once his strength increased and after ensuring everything inside was clear. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Before heading back to the rental house, Zhou Heng went to see the same fortune-teller he often visited, asking him to calculate an auspicious date for when his personal luck would be at its peak. He was preparing to open a batch of Fortune Bags. It was still late at night, during the time of Zi. Zhou Heng bathed and burned incense in the rented house, then deliberately washed his hands, taking a deep breath. Open three Copper Fortune Bags and three Silver Fortune Bags! Chapter 167 - Chapter 167: Chapter 167: No Return from This Journey Chapter 167: Chapter 167: No Return from This Journey Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve obtained a special status card: The Enlightenment Card [Copper]. Congratulations! Youve obtained ten taels of gold. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve acquired the Taoist Formulas Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter [Seventh Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained a special item: Disguise Mask+1. Congratulations! Youve acquired the Martial Arts Golden Bell Cover [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained a basic attribute: Spiritual Root+1. A series of reward alerts rang out. Zhou Heng listened, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. The first three came from the Copper Fortune Bag, the latter three from the Silver Fortune Bag. As expected, the Silver Fortune Bag still upheld the principle of never having a jackpot, providing some items that werent exceptionally good but were still fairly useful. Zhou Heng had previously gained a Spiritual Root; it enhanced ones aptitude for cultivating Taoist Formulas. Originally, he had a Spiritual Root+2, and now with another point, it was Spiritual Root+3. With this new addition, his aptitude in Taoist Formulas could be said to be a rarity seen once in a thousand years. Disguise Mask: This item allows the wearer to alter their facial appearance, applicable to both male and female, but there will be no change to the body and hair. It can be used only once, lasting for three days. If removed prematurely, it is automatically considered that the wearer has forfeited the remaining duration. Golden Bell Cover: A Secret Six Rank Martial Arts, comprising a total of ten layers. The first seven layers are of the Lower Third Rank, while the final three layers range from Secret Six Rank to the beginning of Sect Fifth Rank. Once cultivated to the sixth layer, the practitioner can transform their Inner Qi into a golden light that covers the body, rendering one impervious to blades and arrows and resistant to hidden attacks. If one reaches the tenth layer, reaching Perfection, a Golden Bell energy shroud can be formed outside the body, which not only defends but also reflects the enemys attacks. This is the foundation for the Divine Skill Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter: Seventh-Rank Taoist Formulas, integrating the five elemental energies of heaven and earth, practicing their principles, building ones foundational cultivation, and increasing affinity with the five elements, thereby manifesting magical abilities. It can reduce the damage from Martial Arts and Taoist Formulas related to the five elements, and it allows the casting of the most basic Five Elements Escape Technique, utilizing objects of the five elements to take attacks in ones stead. Before reaching significant proficiency, one must consume spiritual materials related to the five elements. Enlightenment Card [Copper]: Immediately learn an unlearned Middle Third Rank Martial Arts or Taoist Formula that you already possess. All of these rewards were quite useful for Zhou Heng at the moment. The Golden Bell Cover matched perfectly with his current Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. Coupled with the Golden Light Three Forms and wearing sharp-clawed gloves, his strength could climb to a new level. The arrival of the Five Elements Escape Technique was also timely. Even though it was only the Foundational Chapter, it was enough to deal with the potential trouble from the experts of the Five Elements Sect. As for the Enlightenment Card and Disguise Mask, he planned to save them for a moment of need. After all, he didnt have any Middle Third Rank Martial Arts or Taoist Formulas that he urgently wanted to master at the moment. He decided to first delve into the Five Elements Escape Technique. You are now pondering the Taoist Formulas Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter [Seventh Rank], feeling every word to be precious and insightful, suddenly grasping the profound mysteries, proficiency+100. You continue to ponder the Taoist Formulas Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter [Seventh Rank], triggering the Heaven Rewards the Diligent bonus, proficiency+500. Your spiritual brilliance is penetrating, with deep roots and unmatched natural talent in practicing Taoist Formulas, your understanding of Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter [Seventh Rank] deepens, proficiency+1000. Having once performed the true meaning of the Five Elements Path, capturing a thread of its spiritual charm, your comprehension of the Taoist Formulas Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter [Seventh Rank] deepens, proficiency+5000. Holy shit! Can this be real?! Zhou Heng was stunned by his own rate of comprehension Right from the start, this Taoist Formula felt like it had no secrets from him, every part was understandable at a glance. At most, he only needed to ponder a little to fully comprehend it. And so, it didnt take long for Zhou Heng to cultivate this Five Elements Escape Technique to a high degree of proficiency, not even half a day had passed, and he had already brought this technique to the advanced stage. [Seventh Rank] Five Elements Escape Technique C Foundational Chapter: Advanced (1500/4000) That was too fast. Zhou Heng couldnt help but exclaim; it was indeed incredibly fast. He hadnt even started the practice step yet; by merely pondering this Taoist Formula itself, his proficiency had already reached the advanced stage. This was certainly due to the enhancement from the Spiritual Root+3 basic attribute, but even more so because he had once cast a five-colored divine light using a special skill card. Cultivating other Taoist Formulas wouldnt be this fortunate. Zhou Heng went to the yard and picked up a wooden stick, forming a hand seal with one hand. Immediately, he felt his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi rapidly depleting as he suddenly appeared a zhang away, while his original position was still occupied by a Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng hurled a pebble at the Zhou Heng, and with a bang, the Zhou Heng reverted back to its stick form and fell to the ground. A superb body-double divine skill, useful for countering close-range fatal attacks. The only problem is the excessive energy consumption. Even with my Innate Skill constantly circulating and my Inner Qi never ceasing, I can only use it consecutively about a dozen times in a short period. If I wish to use it at will, I suppose Ill need to wait until my cultivation reaches the Seventh Rank. At the current stage, the greatest benefit of this Taoist formula is to reduce the damage inflicted on myself by Taoist Formulas and Martial Arts of the five elements category. Overall, at the Seventh Rank level, this Taoist formula is already quite practical. And this is the foundation of the Five Elements Taoist Formula, with a bright future aheadthe higher levels of techniques such as the Five Elements Escape Technique, Golden Light Earth Crossing, and Flames Golden Rainbow are all part of the Five Elements Escape Art. Later, Zhou Heng spent half a day trying to comprehend and practice the Golden Bell Cover. Thanks to the boost from his Sect Fifth Rank Inner Strength Pure Yang Dan Jing and his Pure Yang Body, he made swift progress in cultivating the Golden Bell Cover. In just half a day, he had reached the sixth layer, inching close to the seventh. By then, dawn was breaking, and Zhou Heng climbed out of the walls and ventured into the distant woods to try combining the Golden Bell Cover with the Golden Light Three Forms. Ha! With a loud shout, his muscles tensed, and his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi circulated. Layers of golden light emerged from his body, quickly coalescing into a golden bell about thirty feet tall. Normally, one would need to reach the tenth layer of the Golden Bell Cover to truly congeal a golden bell for defense, and even a mere semblance or embryonic shade of the golden bell requires the eighth layer of skill. However, Zhou Hengs Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, while still at the Eighth Rank level, already possessed some characteristics of the Secret Sixth Rank, which accounted for the effect he was currently witnessing. Grasp Gold Hammer! Zhou Heng murmured lowly and swung his fist. A giant golden hand, about thirty feet long, extended from the bell and smashed forcefully towards the ground below. Boom! A thunderous explosion sounded, shaking the ground violently. Trees within a radius of more than thirty feet trembled and rustled as if a fierce wind swept through them. The spot struck by the golden giant hand now bore a pit three feet deep and over thirty feet in diameter, and the trees that once stood there were crushed into splinters. Broken Gold Legs! Zhou Heng stomped fiercely, and the Golden Bell echoed in response. The ground trembled and cracked, and fissures spread outward from his stomp in all directions, uprooting all the trees within a radius of over thirty feet. Ring Gold Palm! With a fierce shout, Zhou Heng slapped his palm down. Instantly, the entire Golden Bell took to the air, its presence resounding far and wide, clanging loudly, and within thirty feet, golden light scattered everywhere, shattering trees into dust. Amazing! Zhou Heng retracted his palm and settled his Inner Qi, looking around at the devastated scenery, he couldnt help but exclaim in admiration. He had never wielded such formidable power when using the Golden Light Three Forms before. Especially the Ring Gold Palm. Initially, when he executed this form, he simply used the golden light to shock the air and mimic the sound of ringing bells to harm his enemies. Now, with the Golden Bell Cover, he truly had the bells ringing thunderously, and the power was easily three to four times greater than before. So how strong am I now? Zhou Heng clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within and thought, Once this matter is settled, I will seek out the top ten masters of the Hero Ranking to learn from their moves. And indeed, only they might polish my martial arts now. In the territory of Yong State, Five Elder Mountain. Since the Middle Ancient era, this has always been the home base of the Five Elements Sect, a place well-known throughout Yong State as the abode of immortals. Famed for producing notable figures, its the coveted dwelling of the great Martial Dao Sect. Amid the clouds enveloping Cang Hua Peak, Liu Changsheng stood with a solemn expression, ready for action. His gaze fixed toward Pingzhou, filled with complexity. Young Master, are you really going? Wang Lang asked him anxiously, Zhou Heng is no longer the Entry Rank junior he once was. His strength now is extraordinary; being a reincarnation of a great being, theres no telling how many unfathomable and unpredictable methods he possesses Then, can I just not go? Liu Changsheng turned to look at Wang Lang and said sternly, There is an enmity of patricide between us, which is insurmountable. This is an excellent opportunity. Besides, Ive risked my life to forcibly cultivate the Secret Sixth Rank Martial Arts Qing Divine Descending Sword these past months. Ive finally reached the fifth layer, and my cultivation has peaked at the Seventh Rank. Isnt this all to battle Zhou Heng? The death of the old master I was there too. Young Master, forgive my bluntness, but the old master indeed went too far back then. Wang Lang knelt down before Liu Changsheng, bowing his head, Young Master, can we not go? You are the only heir of the Liu family. Manager Wang, I know all that, and even I think my father deserved to die. Liu Changsheng turned away and began descending the mountain steps. But after all, he was my father. If I can treat his murder as nonexistent, what face would I have to continue living in this world? Young Master! Wang Lang knelt on the ground, crawling toward Liu Changsheng, trying to stop him, but Liu Changsheng didnt look back and kept walking away. After a few steps, Liu Changsheng paused, sighed deeply, and said without looking back, Manager Wang, its very likely that I wont return from this journey. If news of my death reaches home, please erase the enmity between the Liu family and Zhou Heng. Dismiss the servants, distribute part of the estate to them, and the rest will be left to you. Young Master, you can still go after your martial arts have further improved, Wang Lang pleaded earnestly. No, replied Liu Changsheng, shaking his head bitterly. If I can improve one step, Zhou Heng can improve ten. Now might be my last chance. With those words, he descended the mountain with his sword and soon disappeared into the mist, leaving no trace. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Seven days later. Huangtong Mansion City was decked out in festive lights; drums and gongs filled the air, firecrackers burst incessantly. At the entrance of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, crowds flocked, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. It was the day Longxing Martial Arts Hall reopened, and also the time when the Authorized by Pure Yang Palace sign would be hung, a day awaited eagerly by crowds of spectators. On the very same day, Liu Changsheng, dressed in white mourning attire, arrived in Huangtong Mansion City, sword in hand. Chapter 168 - Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Victory and Defeat Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Victory and Defeat Liu Changsheng, clad in stark white mourning clothes, was especially conspicuous in the bustling celebration of Huangtong Mansion City. Many people cast strange glances his way. Seeing the sword in his hand, which suggested the attire of a chivalrous young martial artist, they dared not inquire further. They steered clear of him as if he were a venomous snake, whispering to themselves only afte he had passed by. Liu Changsheng paid no attention to any of it. Along the way, the opulence merely passed him by; the noise and revelry seemed to be beyond his perception. Carrying his sword, he headed straight for the location of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. This was his second visit to Huangtong Mansion City. Last time, however, he had come as an examiner from the Five Elements Sect to assess the subordinate martial arts halls. He had been treated with great respect and had come with the intention of touring and relaxing his mind. It was during that visit that he had met Zhou Heng. But returning to Huangtong Mansion City this time, Liu Changsheng had come with a completely different mindset. He was here for one purpose only: to seek revenge. To avenge the father who had raised him to adulthood, who had taught him martial arts. To avenge the father who had provided him with a comfortable life and generous conditions, allowing him to grow up carefree. And to avenge the father who had gone mad with obsession and deserved to die a thousand deaths. To kill Zhou Heng! In truth, Liu Changsheng had no intention of returning this time. Regardless of success or failure. If he failed, he was willing to die by Zhou Hengs hand. If he was inferior in skills, it was only right to accept death. If he succeeded, he would take his own life as penance and not bring trouble upon the Five Elements Sect. While the celebration raged outside Longxing Martial Arts Hall, inside it was peaceful and silent. Zhou Heng, the hall master, had not gone out but was sitting quietly in the training room, cultivating his spirit. In recent days, he had been relentlessly training in martial arts, honing his techniques. All in preparation to face the envoy from the Five Elements Sect. Though his power was already formidable, not just an Eighth Rank martial artist but even those at the peak of the Seventh Rank would struggle to find someone to spar with, Zhou Heng never became complacent because of his strength; he continued to prepare cautiously. The moment Liu Changsheng stepped into Huangtong Mansion City, Zhou Heng felt a disturbance in his spirit, and he suddenly looked up in the direction Liu Changsheng was coming from. This ability to sense someone from afar transcended the capabilities of the Lower Third Rank, a result of his recent cultivation with Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi nourishing his spirit and seemingly influenced by his Spiritual Root +3 base attribute. The enhancement from his Spiritual Root attribute seemed to be connected with the consolidation of his Divine Soul. Tthe day at Longxing Martial Arts Hall was truly the most bustling it had been in decades. Nearly ten thousand people had crowded the street to spectate, packed shoulder to shoulder, sweating profusely. It was fortunate that it was nearing October, and the weather was cooling, or else many would likely faint from the heat. Lei Xiuyan, supporting the elderly former hall master, watched the lively scene before Longxing Martial Arts Hall. The old man couldnt stop grinning with joy, laughing heartily wherever he looked. When he had established Longxing Martial Arts Hall decades ago, he never imagined it would see a day as grand as this. And this grandeur was just the beginning, just a starting point. In the future, Longxing would surely climb even higher and achieve greater accomplishments. This was a martial arts hall authorized by Pure Yang Palace, presided over by the sixth-generation true disciple and deputy to the head of Pure Yang Palace! ` From another direction, Lin Cang also came with his wife and child, watching the bustling scene in front of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. This time, he could finally put his familys mind at ease for good. Though it was already a certainty that Longxing had been authorized by the Pure Yang Palace to reopen and resume business, his family had yet to see Longxings true rebirth. Even if they believed Lin Cang wouldnt lie, there was still some unease. Now, they could finally be completely at ease. Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu, the siblings, also arrived here and stood among the crowd, ready to watch the opening ceremony of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. They had actually come to Huangtong Mansion City much earlier, urged by Pei Luoling herself. She wanted to find Zhou Heng to listen to his stories, and Pei Luoshu, unable to dissuade her, could only follow. Yet, he had not expected to encounter such a grand occasion. Zhou Heng hasnt shown up for so many days; it seems hes being quite cautious with the people from the Five Elements Sect, Pei Luoshu looked around and, not seeing Zhou Heng, laughed, Im really looking forward to the upcoming battle. Brother, didnt you always say that you were a bit stronger than Zhou Heng? Pei Luoshu blinked and said with a light laugh, By the way, your ranking on the Warriors List is also above Zhou Heng. How about going for a match with him after the ceremony is over? Stop it, Im just here to watch this time, lets just enjoy watching the Five Elements Sect people compete with Zhou Heng, Pei Luoshu quickly shook his head. The terrifying power Zhou Heng demonstrated previously at the Chang Xing Sects mountain gate made him fully aware that he probably wouldnt be able to withstand even a single move from Zhou Heng. Across the street from Longxing Martial Arts Hall, a new restaurant owned by the Yu Family had recently opened. At this moment, quite a few wealthy merchants had reserved the best rooms with a view in this restaurant, where, while eating and drinking, they were fanned by maids, all set to comfortably watch the opening ceremony of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. At the same time, they were calculating in their minds how much gold it would take to get their young scions admitted into this martial arts hall to learn martial arts? Five hundred taels? Or a thousand taels? The newly revived Longxing Martial Arts Hall was not the same as before. Previously, enrolling an apprentice would only cost about ten taels of silver a year, but now, with the name of Pure Yang Palace behind it, the situation was significantly different. Although the new Longxing had land specially approved by the prefectural city government and the Martial Affairs Office and was building a new martial arts hall, it would still take time. For the time being, Longxing could only operate in this building. This also meant that the number of apprentices the new Longxing could enroll in the first batch would inevitably be very limited. To the merchants, the significance of this first batch was very special. Compared to the second batch, third batch, and even later batches, there must be a fundamental difference. This drove the sponsorship fee for the first batch of students through the roof. This is such a moneymaker. Many merchants sighed in their hearts that upon collecting these sponsorship fees, Longxing Martial Arts Hall was going to make a killing. And that didnt even include the tuition fees. Just who had come up with this idea? It was truly a genius money-making scheme. But what they didnt know was that the very person who originated this sponsorship fee idea, quietly spreading this concept so that these rich merchants were tripping over themselves to pay up was a youth who was currently bustling about in Longxing Martial Arts Hall, receiving guests, handling various affairs, looking for all the world like a common laborer. Yu He. He could be said to be the busiest person in Longxing during this period. Besides the limited apprentice spots and sponsorship fee tactics to increase the earnings of the martial arts halls first pot of gold, the entire opening ceremony was also his plan. He was responsible for the detailed procedures, inviting guests to attend, ribbon-cutting, and all other related matters. If it were someone else, they might have been exhausted by busyness. Yet Yu He thrived in this environment these were just the things he was best and most fond of doing. According to him, this was much more comfortable than training in martial arts. Yu He had just finished receiving a guest when he quickly ducked out, only to hear a sudden commotion up ahead. Then came a few screams, as if someone were injured. He hurried over to see what was happening. This was the first day of the new Longxing Martial Arts Hall, and nothing could go wrong. When Yu He got there, he saw several men he had hired to maintain order rolling on the ground. However, they only seemed to be in pain from minor flesh wounds and had not sustained serious injuries. ` Following that, he turned his gaze and saw a figure dressed in a stark white mourning outfit, a sword in hand. You you, Young Master Liu?! Yu He was utterly astonished and subconsciously took two steps back, taking a deep breath, he said, What have you come for? Hes here for me. Just then, Zhou Hengs voice suddenly rang out. Unbeknownst to anyone, he had already come out from the martial arts hall and stood in front of Liu Changsheng. Zhou Heng! Yu He exclaimed with delight. The surrounding crowd also erupted into excitement, the wealthy businessmen from the tavern stood up, staring intently from afar. Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu, however, had grave expressions. They had sensed something extraordinary about Liu Changsheng. His strength was definitely not ordinary, not just a mere Seventh Rank. You have come. Zhou Heng looked at Liu Changsheng. You should have guessed that I would come. Liu Changsheng said indifferently. Come then. Zhou Heng gave a slight nod and walked ahead to an intentionally cleared space in front of the martial arts hall that had been left empty for this very purpose. Many thought this space was reserved by Zhou Heng for a ribbon-cutting area, but in reality, it was to face a powerhouse from the Five Elements Sect in a battlefield he had prepared. Alright. Liu Changsheng was sparing with his words, nodding and following behind. The people present were abuzz with discussion, quickly understanding what was happening; the Five Elements Sect was following martial world traditions and had sent someone to challenge the hall. However, it was also pointed out that Liu Changsheng was a true successor of the Five Elements Sect, the son of Green Wood Divine Sword Liu Gaoyang, a former elder of the sect. The earth-shattering upheaval that had taken place several months ago at Yuanhe Prefecture City had long since spread to Huangtong Prefecture City, and the news of Liu Gaoyangs death at the hands of Zhou Heng was also well-known. Clearly, Liu Changsheng came not only to challenge the hall but also to avenge his fathers death at the hands of Zhou Heng. This battle was very likely going to be a fight to the death. Once they grasped the situation, those present held their breath and focused their attention on Zhou Heng and Liu Changsheng. Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, Yu He, and others also gathered together, their expressions tense. Clang! Suddenly, a sword cry sounded as Liu Changsheng drew his sword, its sound like a dragons roar, clear and piercing. In the sunlight, the sword edge gleamed brightly, obviously a fine weapon. A high-quality blade. Holding his sword towards Zhou Heng, Liu Changsheng said indifferently, What about your weapon? This. Zhou Heng raised his hand, showing that he had already donned his gloves, and said, Is also a high-quality blade. Then lets begin! Liu Changshengs gaze sharpened. After three breaths, he channeled his Inner Qi imbued with the force of Green Wood. His figure suddenly flashed, almost instantly rushing in front of Zhou Heng. As his right hand thrusted the sword forward, his left palm was concealed behind. At the moment the swords edge almost truly pierced Zhou Heng, he feinted a move and fiercely slapped out with his left palm. A feint! Liu Changsheng knew his first sword strike couldnt possibly hit Zhou Heng through an orthodox attack, so he pretended to feint, using it as a cover for his left palms surprise attack. As his palm struck, layers of azure mist spread out, the force was substantial and overwhelming, like a vast forest toppling over, bearing down on Zhou Heng. Even the common spectators and Ninth and Eighth Rank martial artists around them felt their hearts trembling and couldnt help but want to step back. This was the Five Elements Sects Seventh Rank palm technique Thousand Trees and Myriad Woods Palm. However, to Zhou Heng, this palm technique had no trickery; with the profound principles of the Nine Swords in mind, such a level of Seventh Rank palm technique was full of flaws to him. With a simple raising of his hand, he could easily break through it. But just as Zhou Heng lifted his palm to hit Liu Changshengs left wrist, trying to break the Thousand Trees and Myriad Woods Palm, the sword that was supposed to be a mere feint suddenly turned into a real attack, aiming for Zhou Hengs neck. This sword strike was Liu Changshengs true intention. Just now, what seemed like a feinting sword move to cover a real attack with palm techniques, was in fact the palm strike that was the true feint, while the seemingly feint sword strike was the real killing move! The Leaves Traversing the Forest Sword Technique of the Five Elements Sects Seventh Rank swordsmanship. This set of swordplay was designed to work in tandem with the Thousand Trees and Ten Thousand Woods Palm, complementing each other to confuse the enemy and hide the real killing move. Unfortunately, Zhou Hengs spiritual perception was incredibly strong. The moment Liu Changshengs sword move changed, he sensed that something was wrong, immediately raised his left hand, formed his fingers into a sword, and pointed it at Liu Changshengs sword. The Sword-Breaking Technique! Clang! In the midst of the swords ringing, Liu Changsheng only felt a tremendous force transmitted through the longsword in his hand, almost dissipating his inner Qi, causing pain in his palm, and abruptly halting his offensive momentum. So strong! Too strong! Could such strength, such inner Qi, and such a grasp and deep understanding of techniques really belong to an Eighth Rank martial artist? It was simply too inconceivable! Liu Changshengs heart was filled with shock and doubt. Zhou Hengs power was outrageously strong, and just one exchange had made him realize the gap in strength. He, at the peak of the Seventh Rank, not only didnt gain the upper hand but actually fell into a disadvantaged position. However, Liu Changsheng was not panicked, and was even somewhat pleasantly surprised. Because what he wanted was exactly that momentary cessation of his inner Qi, and it came sooner than expected! The Qing Divine Descending Sword martial technique was powerful and mysterious. To execute it while at the Seventh Rank, he needed to adjust his bodys condition, inducing a momentary cessation of his inner Qi. By harnessing this momentary pause, he could forcibly draw upon the heaven and earths vital energy, intertwine it with the Green Wood Principles to strengthen himself, achieving an effect akin to having the Qing God descend upon him, infusing his sword strikes with the ability of heaven and earth, greatly increasing their power. Whoosh! Suddenly, a fierce wind blew up, stirring the vital energies of heaven and earth, causing clouds to surge in the sky, and the wind and clouds to change colors! Clang! The longsword in Liu Changshengs hand resonated, and his whole presence soaring dramatically C stern and authoritative, exalted, like a deity descending upon the mortal realm. Following that, a green glow gathered on the longsword, full of vibrant life yet also shining with infinite edge, as if it could sever everything in the world! Zhou Heng, take this strike from me!! Crackle! The sword light burst forth, as if it tore open the void itself, making a piercing screeching sound that compelled the onlookers around to cover their ears, and the brilliance was too dazzling to look at directly. Zhou Heng, facing this strike, seemed to have no intention of defending or dodging at all, just standing there as if waiting for death to arrive. What is he doing?? Liu Changsheng was astonished and puzzled, but at that moment, he suddenly felt a flash of golden light before his eyes filling his entire field of vision. Ding ding ding!! The sound of the ringing bell suddenly burst, and Liu Changsheng felt as if he saw a gigantic golden bell in a daze. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The light from this golden bell actually overpowered the green sword light and shattered it to pieces. His Secret Sixth Rank sword technique had not inflicted any damage on Zhou Heng and was broken just like that?! You lost. As Liu Changsheng regained his senses, he heard Zhou Hengs cool voice, and simultaneously realized that Zhou Hengs sword finger was already against his neck. With just a forward thrust of his sword finger, his life could be ended. Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: Chapter 169: The Cauldron Nourishes a Hundred Meridians Chapter 169: Chapter 169: The Cauldron Nourishes a Hundred Meridians I actually lost just like that? Liu Changsheng was somewhat dazed. He had thought about the possibility of losing to Zhou Heng, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect to be defeated so quickly, so directly. What was that Golden Bell just now? And that golden light? Was it the Pure Yang Danjing from Pure Yang Palaces Sect Fifth Rank inner strength? But Zhou Heng is only at the Martial Path Eighth Rank, how could he possess such formidable strength? What kind of freak is he really? Is this the reincarnation of a great power? Upon this thought. Liu Changsheng couldnt help but smile bitterly, shaking his head gently as he closed his eyes and said indifferently, Kill me. He came to kill, naturally prepared to be killed. As these words were spoken, everyone around immediately held their breath, watching Liu Changsheng and Zhou Heng without blinking. What would happen next? Would Zhou Heng actually kill Liu Changsheng, especially since the other had come with the intention of killing him? I wont kill you, Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up, withdrawing his sword stance. You actually have the mercy of a woman? Liu Changshengs eyebrows raised, somewhat incredulous. Killing you would be as easy as slaughtering a chicken; life and death are at my whim, Zhou Heng shook his head slightly, speaking indifferently, This time Ill spare your life, and well consider the favor of the past settled. The Tiger Bone Refining Pill that first truly put him on the Martial Path was a gift from Liu Changsheng. Although even without that pill he would have eventually reached the Ninth Grade of Martial Path, oftentimes in life the difference is just a matter of sooner or later. Sooner or later, that is the difference between life and death. If he hadnt reached the Ninth Grade at that time, Yu He would have been tainted by ghostly energy and died; if he hadnt attained the Ninth Grade, he might himself have been killed by the ghostly beings Zhou Heng had always remembered this favor. Favor, are you talking about that Tiger Bone Refining Pill? Liu Changsheng heard this and was astounded, never having thought that a pill given away on a whim could actually save his life. After all, he initially just wanted Zhou Heng to reach the Ninth Grade so he could have a match with him and satisfy his desire for martial competition. Serendipity had led to unintended blessings. Thats right, you may go, Zhou Heng nodded slightly. Liu Changsheng was silent, his hand holding the sword trembling slightly. After a long moment, he exhaled deeply, shook his head with a light chuckle, Heh, never thought I would actually be spared by you. Then, he took a few steps back, bowing deeply to Zhou Heng with utmost respect, while the hand holding the sword brought the blade against the back of his hand, drawing a line of blood. Blood dripped down. The crowd immediately erupted in a buzz. An oath with the sword! This is a pledge to never harm Zhou Heng and his close ones in this lifetime. Not just that, by taking the oath with the sword, the swearer must fulfill any need of the other party, even if it means risking their own life. Liu Changsheng is treating his own life as if its one given by Zhou Heng. Indeed, thinking about it that way isnt wrong, but such changes in the state of the world really make one sigh. The crowd was buzzing with conversation. The posture in which Liu Changsheng now bowed to Zhou Heng was the famous oath with the sword in the martial world, no words needed; to simply perform this gesture was to take the oath with the sword. You really didnt have to do this, Zhou Heng said. The gentleman displays great benevolence, I simply cannot return it with injustice, Liu Changsheng got up and sheathed his sword, already addressing Zhou Heng differently, Thank you, sir, for giving me a new life, I bid you farewell. Having said that, he turned and left. The crowd immediately parted, creating a path for him to pass through. Yu He approached Zhou Heng and murmured, Youre just letting him go like that? Yeah, Zhou Heng nodded, watching the gradually receding figure of Liu Changsheng, Perhaps, from now on, there will be no Liu Changsheng in this world. Liu Changsheng saying he had been given a new life meant his life from now on started with Zhou Heng sparing him. The son of Liu Gaoyang, Liu Changsheng of the past, was now dead. That also fulfilled what Zhou Heng had said earlier about settling past favours, and it matched what he had declared before descending the mountain, that past grudges were settled. What came next would be a completely new life. In the crowd. Pei Luoling, looking at Zhou Hengs figure, couldnt help but admire aloud, What a magnanimous heart, great benevolence, this must be the demeanor of a grandmaster, right, brother? What do you think? He has grown even stronger, Pei Luoshu replied in awe, Just now, Liu Changshengs sword technique was undoubtedly that of the Secret Six Rank, but he was able to break through it so directly, truly boggling the mind. Pei Luoling was at a loss for words and could only roll her eyes in response. Liu Changsheng left Huangtong Mansion City, walking to a place where few people tread. He suddenly stopped, sighed, and said, Come out, Manager Wang. On both sides of this road were forests. Only the rustling of tree leaves was heard when a plainly-dressed elder emerged from a tree. It was Wang Lang. Young Master, II just feared disturbing your mind, Wang Lang said, lowering his head, not daring to speak loudly. He was so nervous he feared Liu Changsheng might, in a moment of despair, draw his sword and slay himself. Those who failed in their revenge and were spared by their enemies often died by their own hand out of humiliation and shame. Are you worried that Id take my own life? Liu Changsheng turned his head to look at Wang Lang and smiled, Actually, theres no need for that. Ive just been reborn, why would I seek death? Thats wonderful, Young Master! Finally relieved, Wang Lang smiled and said, Then lets return to Five Elder Mountain. Ill instruct the household to prepare a feast for you, to welcome you back and celebrate your rebirth. Im not going back to Five Elder Mountain, Liu Changsheng shook his head and said, From now on, Liu Changsheng no longer exists. Manager Wang, you should follow my previous instructions and disperse the Liu familys people. Ah? Wang Langs smile froze on his face as he exclaimed in astonishment, Why is that?? I will leave Da Qi, Liu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing northward, and said, Ive heard that the people of Northern Zhou are fierce, and the martial valor surpasses that of Da Qi. I want to go there and see the martial artists and affairs of that land, to meet the young heroes there. Young Master, the thirty-three provinces of Da Qi are vast too. If you want to roam the martial world, why leave your homeland? Wang Lang asked, not understanding. In Da Qi, I will always be a true disciple of the Five Elements Sect, unable to act freely; others would also be wary of me. Moreover Liu Changsheng turned to look in the direction of Huangtong Mansion City and said, With my current strength, Im not worthy to stand beside him. The martial world of Da Qi in the next decade or so will be his. Are you talking about Zhou Heng? Wang Lang asked in surprise. Is he that formidable? The top ten of the rankings are extremely powerful, nearly inhuman. If the top ten are inhuman, then Mr. Zhou would be ranked among immortals, Liu Changsheng said with a light laugh. Manager Wang, you dont need to persuade me. Isnt the outcome now much better than you expected? At least, I am still alive, and going to Northern Zhou doesnt necessarily mean death. But Wang Lang still wanted to argue. Manager Wang! Liu Changsheng interrupted him, Theres no need for further words. Okay. Wang Lang could only nod and sighed, I hope you take good care of yourself, Young Master. Remember to be careful in the martial world. Many who seem kind actually harbor malice If you encounter someone you cannot defeat, dont fight recklessly. Be sure to run He had intended to offer only a few pieces of worldly advice, but somehow his words became a lengthy and detailed discourse, as if he feared leaving anything out. Wang Lang truly cared for Liu Changsheng. Though by status he was merely a subordinate of Liu Gaoyang, having lost his family at a young age and never having married or had children, he had watched Liu Changsheng grow up and had long come to care for him as if he were his own son. That was why Wang Lang always followed Liu Changsheng whenever he left the mountain, whether it was openly or in secret, fearing that something might befall him. This time, however, Liu Changsheng did not interrupt Wang Lang; he just listened with a smile. After Wang Lang had finished speaking, he bowed deeply, bade him farewell, and left. From that point on, in the martial world of Da Qi, there was no more Little Green Wood Sword. The opening ceremony of Longxing Martial Arts Hall was splendid. Besides the initial grand opening celebration, there was a seven-day-long ongoing banquet, open to all regardless of status, with no limit to the number of guests. Anyone who came was welcome to take a seat. These seven days became a carnival for Huangtong Mansion City and the surrounding counties. It was extraordinarily lively. However, Zhou Heng had not appeared since the duel with Liu Changsheng that day. After all, the matters of the martial arts hall could be handled by Lei Xiuyan and Yu Hethere was no need for him to trouble himself with it. ` In the training room of Longxing Martial Arts Hall. Zhou Heng sat cross-legged, allowing his inner Qi to circulate on its own, nourishing his tendons, bones, blood, and limbs, but this simply strengthened his physique and did not enable him to truly break through to the next realm. These days he had been primarily comprehending the White Rainbow Sword Technique given to him by Cheng Jianjian. He was also reflecting on his battle with Liu Changsheng. Although he had won very easily at the time, and the reward notification was not worth a blow, the feeling of forcefully countering Liu Changshengs Qing Divine Descending Sword move had given him much more insight. At the time, it seemed he was merely charging head-on with the strength of the Golden Bell Cover, but in reality, he was simultaneously executing several martial arts. Innate Skill, Pure Yang Dan Scripture, Minor Indiscriminate Skill, Golden Bell Cover, Sword-Breaking Form, Ring Gold Palm, Six Paths Folding Plum Hand, and One-Read Across the Riverall these martial arts were deployed at the same time, which led to his overwhelming victory over Liu Changsheng. If it were somebody else, it would have been nearly impossible. A normal Eighth Rank martial artist could not possibly have access to so many Seventh Rank or even higher-level martial arts, and even if they did, it would be unlikely for them to learn them all, let alone integrate and simultaneously execute them. But Zhou Heng was different; he had cheats. According to Miss Chengs experience with the White Rainbow Sword Technique, she honed her swordsmanship through countless battles, gradually extracting the essence from the many Eighth Rank sword techniques she had learned. Finally, combining her own understanding of the Sword Dao, she created a sword technique that was unique to her and used it to construct a miniature internal realm as the foundation to break through the realm, transforming and stepping onto the Seventh Rank level. This is a process of simplifying complexity and striving for perfection, and it should be the path that Senior Brother Yan pointed out to me too, but the martial arts I have learned are too diverse, and their rankings are not low. If I take this path, Im afraid it would take decades of refinement before I could possibly summarize and devise a unique martial arts path of my own However, the fundamental purpose of creating martial arts is to integrate ones will, thereby constructing a miniature internal realm fitting ones state of mind; this is not the only method. Ordinary martial artists also manage to break through by diligently, slowly exploring their own conditions. Considering the characteristics of my current martial arts, what would most suit me is actually a miniature internal realm that can accommodate many different martial arts and run smoothly as one. Nourish the hundred channels with the cauldron and tripod? As Zhou Heng pondered in his mind, he mused, But if I want to construct such a miniature internal realm, what form should it take, and what kind of will should be the foundation? What kind of miniature internal realm can cultivate the hundred channels, what kind of will can be thorough and consistent, all-encompassing and inclusive of everything? It seems I still need to spar with stronger opponents to gain further insight. Speaking of which, I havent really had a proper fight with someone who has an external manifested miniature realm. Once things settle down at the martial hall, I should go out and travel. But these experts have elusive whereabouts, so Ill need to find someone to inquire about their locations. Peak of the Seventh Rank is the initial manifestation of an external miniature realm. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If its a young expert, they are usually ranked within the top thirty on the peoples list. Bang bang! Just at that moment, there was a knock at the door. Zhou Heng, there are two people looking for you outside, Yu Hes voice came from outside the training room, saying, A man and a woman, siblings. Their names are Pei Luoshu and Pei Luoling. Do you want to see them? ` Chapter 170 - Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Uninvited Guest Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Uninvited Guest Pei Luoling? Zhou Hengs eyes lit up at the mention of this name. The young girl had indeed helped him make a big fortune last time. What was she here for this time? And there was Pei Luoshu, seemingly a well-known figure in the rankings, ranked quite high up. Could it be that he was here for a challenge? This kindled his interest. He really was in a state where he needed to test his skills with another. The previous battle with Liu Changsheng was a genuine fight to the death, which had ended too quickly. Although he had gained some insights, he hadnt truly refined his martial arts. This time, with Pei Luoshus arrival, it was a perfect opportunity. Come in. Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu entered the training room. Before they could even speak, they saw Zhou Heng, who was originally seated on the meditation cushion, stand up. Both felt an immense pressure bearing down on them. Especially Pei Luoshu, who felt cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Whats going on? I havent offended him, have I? Could this guy want to compete with me for my sister? Thats just nonsense, right? Whats the situation?? For a moment, Pei Luoshus mind was flooded with question marks. Ranked 33rd on the human list, One-Finger Mystical Penetration Pei Luoshu, direct descendant of the Pei family, peak of the Seventh Rank, Inner Qi just beginning to manifest. Zhou Heng took large steps forward with extremely quick movements, almost instantly appearing in front of Pei Luoshu, he said, Are you here to challenge me? Fine, I accept the challengemake your move! Dammit?! Whats happening?? I didnt, I havent, stop spouting nonsense!! Pei Luoshu was completely dumbfounded. He was only accompanying his sister to meet a friend. How had this suddenly turned into a challenge? Who the hell would want to challenge a monster like you! An Eighth Rank martial artist skilled in swordplay, an Eighth Rank martial artist whose Inner Qi formed visible light almost like a phenomenon, an Eighth Rank martial artist who broke through a Secret Six Rank technique in an instant! I, Pei Luoshu, would have to be insane to even think of challenging you! Do I think my ranking is too high and needs lowering? If my ranking on the list drops, the spending money given by my family will decrease!! I cant have that! Just as Pei Luoshu was about to open his mouth to decline, Pei Luoling was beside him, nodding emphatically, saying, Yes, yes, thats right, my brother is here to challenge you! My God, is this really my sister? Pei Luoshu thought helplessly, but since Zhou Heng had already rushed over, he could not afford to appear cowardly or shrink back. He reluctantly said, Okay. Thank you, Zhou Heng said with a smile. No sooner had he spoken than he threw a punch, like a deity wielding a hammer, thunderously crashing down. Grasp Gold Hammer! However, he hadnt exerted his full strength in this move, nor had he released his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. It was merely a normal force attack, a combat strategy for sparring rather than going all out in a do-or-die fight. Pei Luoshu saw through Zhou Hengs intention and raised his right hand, pointing out a finger as if he had seen through all the variations of Zhou Hengs punch, directly aiming for its weakest point. The Pei familys Seventh Rank martial art Hollow Finger. It was said that this finger technique was passed down from a Celestial Man ancestor of the Pei family in the Middle Ancient period, mastering the way of endless changes. It emphasized deducing the opponents move variations in real-time, finding the weakest point, and then breaking through it. It shared a similar brilliance with the Nine Swords of Dugu, yet it was different. Pei Luoshus finger precisely pointed to the weakest part of Zhou Hengs punch variations, not allowing him to deploy his full power. To some extent, Zhou Hengs Grasp Gold Hammer move had been nullified by the Hollow Finger. But just because a move was broken, it doesnt mean the attack was ineffective. Zhou Heng, currently boosted by a tremendous strength +3 to his basic attributes and protected by the Golden Bell Body Protection, still had a punch that was unstoppable even if his move was countered. His fist lit up with a dark golden hue, and despite being targeted by the Hollow Finger, it emitted a sound as loud as the tolling of a bell. Pei Luoshus face immediately changed color as he felt an overwhelming force at his fingertips. Even though he had disrupted the opponents move, it seemed to have little effect. The mountain-like, sea-like force surged toward him, forcing him to retreat backwards. What does it mean to break skill with sheer power, to overcome skill with massive strength? This was it! When the Hollow Finger encountered such a force, it was like a scholar meeting a soldier C logic failed. No matter how exquisite your finger techniques or how many moves you break, my one punch comes thundering down, shaking heaven and earth, leaving you no choice but to defend. This Zhou Heng is just too fierce! He shouldnt be called the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, he clearly should be called the Mighty Vajra Hammer! However, Pei Luoshu, being a direct heir of a millennia-old family, naturally had a way to contend with such tremendous power. As Zhou Hengs punch, disregarding the Hollow Finger, hammered down, Pei Luoshus inner qi surged, his spirit and will merged with the heavens and the earth, and the microcosm of his internal world became externally visible. In an instant, space within three feet around Pei Luoshu twisted subtly, as if ripples had suddenly appeared. These ripples, spinning or bending, were unpredictable. It seemed to affect the principles of the surrounding environment, and Zhou Heng immediately felt that the force of his punch had veered off course. The once immensely mighty Grasp Gold Hammer seemed to have weakened considerably. Then, Pei Luoshu launched another strike, not with the Hollow Finger focused on breaking moves, but with the Breaking Mysterious Finger aimed at piercing. His energy passed through his body and converged at his fingertip into a clear and gleaming light, akin to a nail, thrusting towards Zhou Heng. Boom! But just at that moment, the ground beneath Zhou Heng suddenly shook, causing tremors throughout the martial arts hall with loud reverberations. Needless to say, Pei Luoshu, who was closest to him, was directly jolted off balance and left disconcerted. Seizing this opportunity, Zhou Heng transitioned from fist to palm, and his Innate Pure Yang inner qi vibrated out. In an instant, it bypassed the distorted environmental influence of Pei Luoshus internal world and slapped towards his chest. Clang clang! The bell-like resonance echoed in the training room, and Zhou Hengs Ring Gold Palm halted right in front of Pei Luoshus chest, without actually striking down. But the outcome was already clear. Congratulations! You have defeated the easily overwhelmed opponent Pei Luoshu, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. The reward announcement sounded. Zhou Heng put down his hand and then said with a cupped fist salute, Your martial arts are excellent. The method of internal world manifestation has broadened my horizons. Hiss, hiss, youre the one with excellent martial arts, such incredible strength, Pei Luoshu grimaced, his fingers aching from the shock. He said, No wonder my sister always praises you to the skies. What? Pei Luoling didnt expect the conversation to suddenly revolve around her. She quickly shook her head and said, No, I didnt, dont talk nonsense! Then why are you always pestering me to come and find Zhou Heng? Pei Luoshu looked at his sister with disbelief. I just wanted to listen to stories, Pei Luoling puffed her cheeks and said, The stories he tells are really captivating, with suspense and excitement that make my heart race. Theyre nothing like the ones those storytellers outside tell. Is it that impressive? Pei Luoshu became a bit curious, completely forgetting that he had just been defeated by Zhou Heng, and he started contemplating whether to stay around for free food, drink, and stories. So, you came looking for me to hear stories, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, I thought your brother came to challenge me, I apologize for any offense during the bout. What offense? Its common for people of the martial path to test each other with moves, Pei Luoshu said nonchalantly, laughing, But your strength is truly astonishing; probably only those in the top twenty or even top ten of the Ranking List would be able to contend with you. Hearing this, Zhou Hengs spirits lifted, and he quickly asked, Then do you know anywhere in Pingzhou where I can find any of these top twenty people? I mean on the Ranking List. Thats hard to say. You know how it is, roaming the martial path without a fixed abode. They could be anywhere, Pei Luoshu shook his head and said, Its hard to pinpoint, but I heard that the newly ranked fifteenth on the list was spotted at Wujiang Prefecture half a month ago. Theres talk that there might be some Ancient Treasure in Wujiang Prefecture, attracting many martial artists, Pei Luoling suddenly spoke up, I heard it in the teahouse when listening to the storytellers say. Its said that there might be an ancient Grandmasters cave in Wujiang Prefecture. Many people have headed there, including some prominent fighters from the top ranks of the Ranking List. Li Wuwang is probably one of them. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Wuwang? Zhou Hengs eyebrows rose. He had heard the name. This person had a mysterious background and his origins were unknown; although he was not yet twenty years old, his strength was extraordinary. Having entered the scene for only a few months, he had shot up to the top twenty of the Rankings. Hey, hey! Whats going on with you Ah! Just then, Yu Hes screams suddenly came from outside. Followed by a dull thud, Yu He was flung from the main hall and crashed to the ground not far from Zhou Heng, spitting out blood. Who says you cant come in, and who are you to stop me? a voice filled with disdain rose from the hall, Where is Zhou Heng? Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Harbinger of Misfortune Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Harbinger of Misfortune The sound had just faded when a person entered Zhou Hengs training room. This person appeared to be in his twenties, with handsome features, long, narrow eyes, and a face showing an eerily pale color. He was dressed in a blue shirt embroidered with white clouds. He strode in, treating the place as if it were his own backyard, and with a sweep of his eyes that briefly passed over Pei Luoshu, they settled on Zhou Heng. He grinned and said, So youre Purple Lightning Thunder Blade Zhou Heng? Ive heard youre the sixth-generation True Disciple from the Pure Yang Palace, the junior brother of that old coot, Yan Shouyi? Zhou Heng, however, did not engage with him. He hurried over to Yu Hes side, placed his palm on Yu Hes back, and a surge of Innate Inner Qi flowed out, regulating his chaotic Qi and blood, and healing his injuries at the same time. The newcomer had been brutally ruthless, delivering a kick straight into Yu Hes chest. His ribs broke in four or five places, and his internal organs were somewhat shattered. If not for his foundation in martial arts, he would have died on the spot. Even now, though not dead, if no one came to his aid, unable to stabilize his condition, he would still die within a quarter of an hour. Youre a True Disciple from the Cloudsky Heavenly Palace?! Pei Luoshu recognized the persons attire and said incredulously, Wearing your sects uniform, making no effort to conceal your identity, and Huangtong Mansion Citys authorities actually let you pass? Stop me? Would they dare? The man laughed lightly, My master is just outside the city. Should anyone dare stop me, my master would come into the city. Whats your name? Zhou Heng had temporarily stabilized Yu Hes condition and helped him lie down on a cushion. Standing up, he turned to face the man. A man about to die needs not know my name, the man chuckled. You just need to know, by killing my dog, you will bear my wrath. Your life will pay the debt! Boom! His feet suddenly shook the ground, and he burst forth like an arrow from the string, charging directly at Zhou Heng. His palms continuously slapped out, whipping up gusts of wind, causing the air around to whine shrilly. The momentum of this attack was immensely overwhelming, like a storm plummeting from the heavens, intent on shredding everything in its path, causing the entire training room to reverberate with a thunderous roar. Zhao Yanlie is using the martial arts technique Cloudsky Midair Palm [Secret Six Rank]. Observing his technique, you gain some insight, proficiency +0.1. Martial arts of the Secret Six Rank! One of its characteristics is that it can invoke the great forces of nature to some extent when deployed, producing attacks that surpass the limits of the human body, with tremendous power. Zhou Heng, however, furrowed his brows because Zhao Yanlies palm strike did not produce that effect. Yet, his cultivation realm was clearly at the peak of the Seventh Rank, capable of manifesting internal cultivation externally, and should not fail to execute it. This means that there must be another purpose behind his palm strike. But regardless of what move Zhao Yanlie had next, Zhou Heng was no longer interested in countermove by countermove. He was not here to spar. He was here to kill. Boom! Suddenly, thunder erupted from Zhou Hengs palm. Golden thunder struck Zhao Yanlie, causing his figure to abruptly stall, and momentarily slowing his movements. Boom, boom, boom! Then as thunder continuously sounded, a long saber enshrouded with purple lightning appeared in Zhou Hengs hand out of nowhere, and with the fury of a Thunder God delivering divine punishment, he fiercely slashed down at Zhao Yanlie! Winter Thunderbolt! In an instant, purple lightning wrapped around Zhao Yanlie, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably. Right after that, the saber light of the Purple Thunder Sword came crashing down, cleaving his entire body in two. But as the saber struck, no blood was scattered, nor did he feel the sensation of cutting through flesh and boneit was as though the blade hit not a person but a cloud. Impressive saber technique! The Purple Lightning Thunder Blade lives up to its reputation! Zhao Yanlie had somehow made his way behind Zhou Heng, his Dharma Body manifested externally, and a faint layer of cloud mist twisted Zhou Hengs vision. His fingers converged into a spear point, following up with a jab at Zhou Hengs lower back. Cloud Breaking Stake! This was a Seventh Rank martial arts technique, known for its extreme speed and practicality in close combat. It seemed Zhou Heng didnt even have time to react before getting hit in the lower back. Not good! Pei Luoshu noticed the grim turn of events and was about to lend assistance. But then, the Zhou Heng that was struck suddenly blurred and with a poof turned into a paper effigy. The effigy, punctured by Zhao Yanlies hand spike, floated down in pieces. Wood Escape Technique! The real Zhou Heng in a flash appeared beside Zhao Yanlie, his fingers clenched into a fist, golden light bursting forth, as he took a mighty swing forward! Grasp Gold Hammer! Bang! A burst of golden light appeared, and Zhou Hengs golden fist collided fiercely with Zhao Yanlies body, instantly rending him into pieces, scattering flesh and blood in all directions. Congratulations! You have defeated your equally matched opponent Zhao Yanlie. Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. However, as a streak of cloud light passed by, the corpse of this True Disciple from the first major sect of the Da Qi Evil Path vanished without a trace. The training room returned to tranquility once more. Apart from the severely injured Yu He lying on the ground, it was as if Zhao Yanlie had never been there. It was a Life-saving Talisman. Zhou Heng knew full well that his Grasp Gold Hammer had killed Zhao Yanlie. If the corpse disappeared in such a situation, then it was mostly the effect of a Life-saving Talisman. Priest Zhou, are you alright? Meng Xing hurried over with his men and sighed in relief when he found Zhou Heng unscathed. He looked around, his gaze filled with confusion. Where was Zhao Yanlie? Since Zhao Yanlie had entered the city, he followed closely behind, ready for battle at any moment, but he hadnt expected Zhao Yanlie to head straight for Longxing Martial Arts Hall, and he didnt catch up in time. He had watched Zhao Yanlie enter with his own eyes. Priest, that wheres Zhao Yanlie? Meng Xing asked with confusion. I killed him, but he used a Life-saving Talisman to escape, Zhou Heng said indifferently, Does Captain Meng know why he came here? Zhao Yanlies arrival left him utterly baffled. It made no sense at all. Do you still remember the evildoer from Canxin Pavilion whom you helped us capture when entering the city? Meng Xing spoke gravely: Canxin Pavilion is a subordinate sect of the Cloudsky Heavenly Palace, so we suspect Zhao Yanlie came to restore the lost dignity after the capture of the disciple from Canxin Pavilion How did the interrogation of that person go? Zhou Heng inquired. Ah, it is rather embarrassing, but we had not yet interrogated him before he took his own life, Meng Xing sighed and said, Moreover, his manner of death was very bizarre, his expression full of terror as though he had seen something extremely horrifying. Just now, that man indeed said Zhou Heng killed his dog, referring to the people from Canxin Pavilion, right? Pei Luoling thought out loud. Im afraid not, Pei Luoshu shook his head with a grim expression, Cloudsky Heavenly Palace is the top sect of the Da Qi Evil Path, and there are countless subordinate sects like Canxin Pavilion. Even if an entire sect were wiped out, given their way of doing things, they might not necessarily come out to avenge it, especially considering Zhou Hengs extraordinary status. Most likely, Zhao Yanlies words were just a cover. And this is Prefectural city, a place under the strict control of the Imperial Court. Its a serious taboo for disciples of the Evil Path to brazenly enter, yet he even said his master was just outside the city. That is even strangerits a slap in the face of Pingzhou Countys governor. The governor of Pingzhou County of Da Qi was his and Pei Luolings father, Pei Hongdao, who was a Grandmaster at the peak of the Fourth Rank. Pei Luoshus words were clear; Zhao Yanlies blatant entry as a disciple of the Evil Path, with his master standing outside to support him, was tantamount to offending a Grandmaster at the peak of the Fourth Rank. Was their purpose really just to avenge a Seventh Rank Warrior from a subordinate sect and salvage a bit of lost face? Impossible! Unless both master and disciple were utter fools. Blind to gains and losses. Who is Zhao Yanlies master and what is his rank in the Martial Path? Zhou Heng suddenly asked. He is the Cloudsky Heavenly Palaces Disaster Envoy, Zhong Xinghai, a Fifth Rank Sect Master, Meng Xing, familiar with the background of various figures from the Jianghus Evil Sects, responded, He has cultivated the Fourth Rank supreme technique Fortune Diluting Technique of the Cloudsky Heavenly Palace, creating the Disaster Dharma Body, his methods strange and his strength formidable, and he once killed two Grandmasters single-handedly in battle The Cloudsky Heavenly Palace is adept in martial arts techniques related to fate and fortune, enigmatic and mystical. The Fortune Diluting Technique is just one of the supreme techniques related to calamities. When cultivated to its peak, it can condense a Disaster Dharma Body or a Dharma Body of misfortune, eyeing the great avenue of calamity. Sect Fifth Rank good, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, then continued, Captain Meng should go and check other places first; if my guess is right, both Zhao Yanlie and Zhong Xinghai are mostly just distractions. The one who truly aims to act is likely already lurking in the shadows. What?! Meng Xings face changed as he heard this, but he quickly grasped the implications. If Zhao Yanlie and Zhong Xinghais actions were so abnormal, then it probably meant they had other motives. In fact, both he and the Mansion Lord Wu Zongshan should have realized this earlier. But the sudden descent of a Fifth Rank Sect Master from the Cloudsky Heavenly Palace had put the whole Prefectural city on high alert, their spirits tightly wound, leaving them no chance to consider all these factors in the brief span of less than a quarter of an hour. From the moment Zhong Xinghai appeared at Huangtong Mansion Citys gate with Zhao Yanlie, to when Zhao Yanlie charged into the practice room of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, and then to when Meng Xing arrived, the whole incident took less than a quarter of an hour. Thank you for the reminder, Priest. Ill go inform the Mansion Lord immediately, said Meng Xing as he hastily bowed and left with his men in tow. After Ive settled Yu He, Ill go over and take a look myself, Zhou Heng said. At the same time, he triggered a Projection Card with a thought. Outside Huangtong Mansion City. A middle-aged man wearing a black robe and a golden crown stood at the city gate, exuding an incredibly dark aura. It was none other than Zhong Xinghai, the Disaster Envoy of the Cloudsky Heavenly Palace. Wu Zongshan stood ready on the city wall, prepared to act at any moment to prevent this master of the Evil Path from erupting suddenly. However, Zhong Xinghai simply wore a smile, looking relaxed as if he was just there to admire the scenery. All of a sudden. A cloud of light flickered at his side and Zhao Yanlie stepped out from the mist, unharmed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Master, the investigation is clear. Meanwhile, at the center of the ruins of Leidian Fang. There stood a figure in a white cloak, face obscured, who looked around and chuckled, This level is just right, fitting for Masters use. With this, even the evil creature sent for Zhu Wucui hasnt gone to waste. Chapter 172 - Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Celestial Man Projection Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Celestial Man Projection The battle between Zhou Heng and Zhao Yanlie earlier in the Longxing Martial Arts Hall was quite intense, and as soon as Meng Xing and the others had left, Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang hurried back. It was only after seeing that Zhou Heng was unharmed that they felt relieved. For them and the current Longxing Martial Arts Hall, Zhou Heng was everything. With Zhou Heng there was everything, without him, all would be void. Master Lin, hall master, please take care of Yu He for me, Ill be back shortly, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Sure. No problem. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang naturally had no objections to this and nodded in agreement. After that, Zhou Heng turned and left. Just as Zhou Heng was about to leave, Pei Luoling wanted to come forward and follow, but was stopped by Pei Luoshu. Brother, why are you stopping me? the girl asked, puzzled. Do not meddle, Pei Luoshu whispered. I sense that a big shot is coming. A big shot? Pei Luoling was puzzled. She knew her brother had been sensitive since childhood and could detect many things. An Absolute Fourth Rank? More than that, Pei Luoshu shook his head gently. How, how is that possible?? Pei Luoling exclaimed in astonishment. Above the Absolute Fourth Rank? Could it be the arrival of a Celestial Man, or an Overseas Loose Cultivator? What situation? Zhou Heng walked out of the Longxing Martial Arts Hall, moving briskly towards the ruins of the Ledger Yard. By his side stood a person invisible to others. This was a middle-aged Taoist who appeared to be in his thirties, plain and unremarkable in appearance, with ordinary features, wearing a simple blue Taoist robe, and exuding a strong scholarly aura. But he had an expressionless face and lifeless eyes. It was as if he were an image without any intelligence. With the help of this Taoist, Zhou Heng could clearly see that in the ruins of the Ledger Yard, there was a mysterious figure in a white cloak busy setting something up. This person had a decent cultivation level, already at the Innate Sixth Rank. Zhou Heng reached a deserted alley and suddenly blurred, then in the next instant, he appeared directly in the ruins of the Ledger Yard, standing beside the cloaked mysterious figure. The mysterious figure in white had been focusing on the setup burying crystals of various colors and intersecting laws underground, drawing complex runes, hiding traces of array formation, and so on. This was the most important mission of his trip, and also the only one. Once the core of the Fortune Snatching Grand Array was set up, and through subsequent arrangements, the array would be truly activated, thereby absorbing the fortunes of all the residents of Huangtong Mansion City. Gradually transforming this place into a city of misfortune. In this way, the entire Huangtong Mansion City could become an important opportunity for his master, the Disaster Dharma Body Refiner Zhong Xinghai, to refine his body and help him reach the peak of the Absolute Fourth Rank. If Zhong Xinghai could reach the peak of the Absolute Fourth Rank, then he himself would have the possibility of stepping into the realm of a Fifth Rank Sect Master, bringing immense benefits. Therefore, he was very careful and cautious when arranging the core of the Fortune Snatching Grand Array. Outside the Ledger Yard, a Sect Fifth Rank treasure was even arranged to conceal the real situation inside and prevent outsiders from noticing the changes happening here. However, he never expected that someone could appear so silently here, standing right next to him. Who?! The mysterious figure in white suddenly erupted, raising his five fingers like claws, reaching towards Zhou Heng. In any case, it was best to strike first! Facing this sudden claw attack, Zhou Hengs expression instantly became stern; the power of an Innate Sixth Rank was truly formidable. Even though the man was worried that moving the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth would expose his whereabouts and thus only used his own strength to attack, the physical prowess and strength of a Secret Sixth Rank far exceeded that of the Peak of the Seventh Rank. This was a body truly refined through the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth, having undergone inner and outer interactions, and even Zhou Hengs current physical state couldnt compare. Zhou Heng was very clear that if he did not use the Geng Metal Sword Energy Talisman or other items, he would have no chance of resistance whatsoever. Innate was Innate! It had absolute and complete suppression over those who had not yet truly undergone inner and outer interactions. The mysterious figure in the white cloak also noticed Zhou Hengs condition and instantly his eyes brightened; although he didnt know how a kid who wasnt even at the Seventh Rank had gotten here, he knew that this trouble wouldnt be hard to deal with. Hed simply kill him! ` A mere Eighth Rank, killing him is like slaughtering a chicken!! However, before the mysterious man in the white robe could even touch Zhou Heng, he felt as if a great sun had appeared, a golden sun, blazing and dazzlingly bright, unbearably hot. In just an instant, the man in the white robe felt a fierce fire erupting from within his own body, burning in unison with the scorching heat from the outside, engulfing him in flames! What is this? What kind of power is this?? Am I, am I going to die?! This was his last thought before his entire being was burned to ashes, both body and spirit destroyed. And all this came from the middle-aged Taoist standing beside Zhou Heng. With just one glance from the Taoist, that Sixth Rank Innate was incinerated to ashes. Congratulations! You have killed the unworthy opponent Yuan En, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. The reward notification sounded. Zhou Heng was slightly startled. During projection killings, was the strength comparison based on projections? Had he known, he would have projected someone else But still, it was better to be safe, to project the strongest to avoid any mistakes. Next, its those two. Zhou Heng gazed into the distance. Under the lead of his projection, his figure vanished, crossing through the void in an instant, fleeing thousands of miles away. Zhong Xinghai had already left Huangtong Mansion City with Zhao Yanlie. They also fled using flying techniques. Their speed was extremely fast. In less than half a quarter hour, they had already flown out three thousand miles. Even though they were moving within the clouds, with Zhong Xinghais mana forming a barrier, not a whiff of wind could touch the two men. Master, I couldnt detect the power of the stars on Zhou Heng, said Zhao Yanlie with a frown. It seems he is not one of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. That may not be so, Zhong Xinghai said softly, shaking his head and smiling. Your inability to detect it might simply be because hes hiding it well. However, the boy does have decent strength. A mere practitioner on the Martial Path at Eighth Rank, yet he managed to blow you to pieces. I did not use my full strength, Zhao Yanlie retorted somewhat defiantly. Even with your full strength, you wouldnt have won, Zhong Xinghai chuckled. Why compare yourself with someone doomed to die? Not to mention that Zhou Heng, soon everyone in Huangtong Mansion will perish. Earlier, I created a diversion. While Wu Zongshans attention was all on me, your senior brother has already infiltrated the city and begun secretly setting up the Fate Siphoning Array. Once the array is complete, within three months the luck of everyone in the city will be siphoned away, and disaster will fall upon them. This place will become the ideal site for me to condense my Disaster Dharma Body. Haha, congratulations to Master, three cheers for Master! After sixty years of arduous cultivation, soon you will reach the Absolute Fourth Rank before eightya Celestial Man within reach, Zhao Yanlie said in great joy. Master is on the verge of stepping onto the Absolute Fourth Rank before his eightieth birthday, this is what a Celestial Man aspires to. Hahahaha! Zhong Xinghais spirits were also very high, as he laughed heartily. Once the Disaster Dharma Body is complete, I will become the master of misfortune among humankind. Then, spreading disasters and creating misfortune will be as easy as flipping my hand. Perhaps before I turn a hundred, I may truly glimpse the grand path of misfortune, establish my Primordial Spirit in the void, and achieve immortality as a Celestial Man. He was full of high spirits, as if he was on the verge of entering the Innate Third Rank. Celestial Man? Just at that moment, a voice filled with mockery rang out in the clouds of the high sky. Who is there?! Zhong Xinghai suddenly turned pale, who could completely conceal their presence and approach him? Where did this supreme expert come from? He looked in the direction of the voices origin, prepared to inquire about the newcomers intent. But that one look was enough to terrify him into a pale complexion, his whole body trembling, mana within him surging violently, nearly reversing its flow. The mana barrier that protected against the astral winds also failed to hold. Whoosh!! Zhao Yanlie hadnt yet had the time to speak or cry for help when he was blown off the flying light by the extremely fierce wind and fell from the sky, plummeting from a height of ten thousand feet. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ahh!! A scream came from below, but it was quickly dispersed by the wind, and it would probably take some time for Zhao Yanlie to fall any further. You, how did you come here?!! Zhong Xinghai looked at the suddenly appearing figure in disbelief, feeling as though his breath and heartbeat had stopped, almost doubting whether he was dreaming. The, the esteemed Exalted True Sun senior!! ` Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: Chapter 173 Wujiang Prefecture Chapter 173: Chapter 173 Wujiang Prefecture ` Why would he come here?! The True Yang of the mortal world, the leader of the Pure Yang Palace, the foremost name on the Heavens List!! Yan Shouyi! Why would he come here? Zhong Xinghai felt like he was going mad, his previous confidence and feeling of everything being under control instantly shattered. How could this be? Why would this be?? Could it really just be because of that Zhou Heng? Did a Martial Artist of the Eighth Rank deserve such attention? Could he really be the reincarnation of an ancestor of the Pure Yang Palace, a Celestial Man?? Zhong Xinghai was completely unable to comprehend the current situation. Since the Battle of Tianyang three thousand years ago, no Tao Lords or Saints of the Celestial level had appeared amongst mortals, and were practically considered nonexistent; thus, the strongest beings in the world were the Celestial Powers. And Yan Shouyi, known as the True Yang residing in the world, shone as intensely and brilliantly as the sun in the sky C not only was he the current number one on the Heavens List, the number one Celestial Man, but he had also been the foremost Celestial Man for the last three thousand years. Why would such a being, who had not descended from his abode since suppressing an evil Celestial Man a hundred years ago, leave the Pure Yang Palace just to protect one person? The descent of a Celestial Man was bound to be an earth-shattering event. Why was there no sign at all? At this moment, Zhong Xinghais mind was filled with nothing but question marks. Why try to test whether I am a person from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? Zhou Heng said with icy cold eyes as he looked at this envoy of the Yun Xiao Heavenly Palace, his voice deep. After Yan Shouyis projection appeared, Zhou Heng had it use Divine Sense Perception to lock onto Zhong Xinghai and Zhao Yanlie, so he had a clear understanding of their previous conversation. Nothing was missed. I, I Zhong Xinghai tried to justify himself, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he caught Yan Shouyis icy, indifferent gaze and instantly shivered, saying, Yes, someone asked me to kill the people of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. He would help me condense my Dharma Body. Who? Zhou Heng asked, his voice deep. Cang Hua, I only know he goes by Cang Hua, claiming to be from the shores of the Eastern Sea, with unfathomable strength, suspected to be a Celestial Man, Zhong Xinghai quickly seized the opportunity to explain: The idea to set up the Luck-Capturing Formation and turn Huangtong Mansion City into a city of doom to assist me in condensing my Dharma Body was also his. And that evil creature, it was given to me by him, too! Cang Hua? How did you meet him, and why would you trust him? Zhou Heng frowned. He had never heard this name. Could it be some hermit Celestial Man? The shore of the Eastern Seaor perhaps a Loose Immortal from the overseas islands? Why would he target the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? We met As Zhong Xinghai was about to answer, his voice abruptly ceased. Suddenly, a plume of azure flames spewed from all his orifices, as if the words he had just spoken had triggered some taboo and the flames threatened to turn him into ash. Yan Shouyis projection lifted a hand and pointed, immediately halting the azure flames from burning further. However, in that brief instant, the flames had already reduced Zhong Xinghais Divine Soul to nothingness. Although Zhong Xinghais physical body was still present, it was now nothing but an empty shell. Quite cautious, Zhou Heng muttered, his expression darkening. He had initially thought it was just a crazed grandmaster of the Yun Xiao Heavenly Palace who wanted to sacrifice the entire Huangtong Mansion City to elevate his own realm, and had planned to clarify things before killing him. But he hadnt expected that it would involve a Power that seemed to be targeting the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Correct, a Power! To trigger a restriction under the watchful eyes of Yan Shouyis projection and manage to act before the Celestial Mans projection could save Zhong Xinghais Divine Soulits an act that only an Upper Third Rank Immortal or equivalent could achieve. Even if this projection of Yan Shouyi could only exert up to seventy percent of the originals strength, even if its movements were quite rigid and not flexible, and even though it often required Zhou Hengs orders to act, when compared to the original, its strength might only be one percent or even less C yet, a Celestial Mans one percent, a thousandth, remains a Celestial Man. Cang Hua, at least a Celestial Man! We should head back first, the projection doesnt have much time left, Zhou Heng decided, letting Yan Shouyis projection take him back to Huangtong Mansion City. As for the matter of Cang Hua, he intended to ask about it when he reported back to the Ziwei Palace, either to the inner courts of the Five Emperors or some of the other powerful figures present at the time at the Ziwei Palace. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer could surely not be oblivious to a Celestial Man who was targeting one of their own, could it? After returning to Huangtong Mansion City. Zhou Heng went directly to Wu Zongshan and revealed to him the true intentions of Zhong Xinghai and Zhao Yanlie, as well as about Cang Hua, the suspected Power of a Celestial Man. This was to signify the seriousness of the situation, having Wu Zongshan report to higher levels of the Imperial Court, thus strengthening security for Huangtong Mansion City. Of course, the matter of Zhou Heng summoning Yan Shouyis projection was naturally omitted; as for how an Eighth Rank Martial Artist could deal with Zhong Xinghai and Zhao Yanlie, that wasnt important. For someone who reincarnated from a Power, there would always be some strong methods unknown to others. After that, he went to find Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu. He asked the siblings to inform their father, Prefectural Governor Pei Hongdao of Pingzhou, ranked ninth on the Earths List, about the situation in Huangtong Mansion City. When matters involved a Celestial Man, no issue was too small; this was the stance of the Great Qi Imperial Court, and Zhou Hengs actions were considered quite normal. Subsequently, Zhou Heng stayed in Huangtong Mansion City for another three days. After meeting with Pei Hongdao who had rushed over from Pingzhou and clarifying some things, he then left Huangtong Mansion City and headed toward Wujiang Prefecture. Previously, Pei Luoling had mentioned that there were rumors of ancient treasures there, attracting many Martial Artists, including some of the leading figures on the Peoples List. Among them was Li Wuwang, a mysterious individual of formidable strength who had risen swiftly through the ranks. Now, Zhou Heng eagerly wanted to find strong opponents to spar with, sharpen his Martial Arts, and find the breakthrough opportunity for his realm. Wujiang Prefecture was located at the peripheries of Pingzhou, close to Xuanzhou, and more than two thousand li away from Huangtong Mansion City, sitting beside the Wu Jia River and facing Jiabeifu across the river. Consequently, with convenient waterways and being a point of convergence between two provinces, the business of transporting goods thrived. Merchants from various regions passed through the Wu Jia River to Wujiang Prefecture, fostering numerous businesses and allowing Wujiang Prefecture to flourish and prosper, paralleling Jiabeifu as the two wealthiest prefectures in Pingzhou. ` Wujiang Prefecture City was already bustling on ordinary days, but in the past month, it had grown even busier. A rumor about an ancient treasure brought hordes of experts from all corners of the jianghu. The streets were teeming with sword-carrying jianghu heroes, old and young, including those dressed in regular strong clothing, as well as monks, Taoists, nuns, beggars a mixed lot. For the common folk, there wasnt much change, at most there was more excitement to watch and plenty of new gossip to talk about after meals. After all, with an increase of jianghu members, contests of martial arts were inevitable. Especially youthful and vigorous young warriors, full of vim and vigor, were neither willing to be outdone nor to admit defeat. It was common for them to issue challenges upon sighting someone they disliked, and extend a hand to spar with those they did fancy. More than a dozen martial arts platforms had been built in Wujiang Prefecture City, which had been empty for years but now seemed insufficient. Challenging battles had to be queued for. As more and more people arrived. The so-called treasure rumor was of less concern to most of them. Many came here with the purpose of seeking challengers, sharpening their martial arts, and enhancing their cultivation. The treasure had not yet been found, but many had made a name for themselves in Wujiang, becoming some of the most recognized and strongest figures among the numerous jianghu personalities present. The most famous of them was Sky-Concealing Hand Li Wuwang. At just nineteen, with only three months of experience under his belt, he had already climbed to the fifteenth place on the Peoples List. Such speed in scaling the ranking was rare, especially for an ordinary person who wasnt a disciple of a top-tier martial dao sect. This made him the hope of many ordinary people. And indeed, he lived up to their expectations. In the many contests in Wujiang Prefecture City, Li Wuwang had remained undefeated, with very few able to last more than three moves against him. Such strength was seen as godlike by many ordinary martial artists. Way too strong. At this moment, on one of the martial arts platforms in Wujiang Prefecture City, Li Wuwang was in the midst of a battle. He was an average-looking young man, with plain features and soft lines, yet his temperament was full of wild arrogance and spiritedness. The person who came to challenge him this time was a twenty-eight-year-old Seventh Rank Warrior, who although had not yet reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank, possessed Innate Divine Strength and was fairly famous for wielding a pair of large hammers; his strength was not weak. However, anyone who had seen Li Wuwang in action would not think this person was his match. Even the man himself must have been aware of it. Apparently, this was someone who sought to make a name by challenging Li Wuwang, knowing that even a slight injury inflicted upon Li Wuwang on the platform would boost his own fame substantially. Unfortunately, the match had ended as soon as it had begun. The man couldnt withstand even a single move from Li Wuwang and was directly slapped off the platform with a palm strike. Not far from there, atop a restaurant, He Mengqiu and Yun Xiu had ordered a table full of dishes and were watching the battles on the platform outside. What do you think of this Li Wuwang? He Mengqiu asked her disciple. Not good-looking, Yun Xiu shook her head gently, and said, Hes far inferior to Brother Heng, and he has an indescribable falseness about him, as if hes wearing a mask. To have such a feeling means you have entered the threshold of the Three Dreams Dharma, He Mengqiu nodded slightly, smiling. Reaching such a level in two months, you truly are my good disciple. How long did it take you to reach the threshold, Master? Yun Xiu asked curiously. Three days, He Mengqiu replied with a smile. Yun Xiu rolled her eyes and said, I shouldnt have asked. Your words arent as pleasant as Brother Hengs. Missing him? He Mengqiu chuckled. No, Yun Xius cheeks turned slightly red; she took a sip of water, shook her head, and said, I am only making an objective commentary on the way you speak Hey, that group of people is rushing up to ask questions again. At that time, Li Wuwang had already stepped down from the platform. Many people rushed up and surrounded him, bombarding him with all sorts of questions. Most of them were about his thoughts on the fight they had just seen. Li Wuwang usually ignored such questions, hardly deigning to reply. But this time, someone came up with a question. Li Wuwang, who do you think is stronger, you or Zhou Heng? At this, the surrounding crowd instantly quieted down. After all, Zhou Hengs affair with the Chang Xing Sect and his miraculous feat of a single Eighth Rank Warrior overpowering a sect had already spread far and wide, and people relished talking about it. So, between Zhou Heng and Li Wuwang, who was stronger? Hearing the question, Li Wuwang paused, turned his head towards the inquirer, smiled lightly, and said, Zhou Heng? Lets talk when he steps onto the Seventh Rank of the martial path. Having said that, he parted the crowd and left, leaving behind a throng of dumbstruck people. What did that mean? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Was he implying that Zhou Heng, who had not yet stepped onto the Seventh Rank of the martial path, was not qualified to be compared with him? At this moment, Zhou Heng was still on his way to Wujiang Prefecture City, and had found a passageway to enter Ziwei Palace, intending to update his mission information. He also planned to inquire about Cang Hua. Chapter 174 - Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Great Demon Cang Hua Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Great Demon Cang Hua ` Today, none of the Five Emperors are in the Purple Tenuity Palace. This starry world seemed rather empty, and Zhou Heng, finding no one, had no choice but to inquire with The Supreme and the Heavenly Principle standing in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace. The Supreme appeared as a white-robed Taoist boy, with a gentle demeanor, while the Heavenly Principle was a black-robed Taoist boy, his expression indifferent. These two Celestial Men seemed to have been outside the Purple Tenuity Palace for years on end. Each time Zhou Heng came, they were both there. Cang Hua? The Supreme frowned his very childish face and said, Are you talking about Cang Hua?! Has that old demon broken free? The Heavenly Principle gritted his teeth and said with an angry face, No, he couldnt have broken free, he couldnt possibly break through Lord Tianyis seal! Zhou Heng had not had the chance to inquire in detail, merely mentioning that he encountered a heretical Grandmaster who might have been beguiled by Cang Hua, which made the two Celestial Men somewhat lose their composure. Of course, they didnt have much Celestial Majesty on usual days either. Predecessors, what exactly is this Cang Hua Zhou Heng asked doubtfully, thinking that if Cang Hua could elicit such a reaction from two Celestial Men, he must be more formidable than Zhou Heng had initially assumed. Could he be a Tao Lord who had cultivated a Dao Seed? Cang Hua That story begins 1,600 years ago, The Supreme sighed lightly and said, Do you know why the Heavenly Principle and I have always been in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace, almost never leaving? The Supreme, you speak too obscurely. The Heavenly Principle curled his lip and said, 1,600 years ago, a great demon broke out from the West Wasteland forbidden land; it was when the Supreme and I had just become Celestial Men, and we went to subdue the demon. But, unexpectedly, that great demon was extremely powerful; indestructible. The Supreme and I were not sufficiently cultivated and were destroyed on the spot, our physical bodies demolished, our Primordial Spirits scattered, with half a lifetimes cultivation going down the drain. Fortunate are the Primordial Spirits of Celestial Men for residing in the void, nearly indestructible, which allowed us to barely survive in spirit form and later assisted by Lord Tianyi, we have been able to exist eternally before the Purple Tenuity Palace. Eh its roughly like that, The Supreme said with a wry smile, Its actually quite embarrassing to talk about. As soon as we ascended to Celestial Men, our physical bodies were destroyed. We are probably the first ever like this, and that great demon was Cang Hua. 1,600 years ago, Cang Hua emerged from the West Wasteland forbidden lands, breaking through the Liangzhou grand formation, slaying both of us, and then aimed to rush towards the nearest Yuanzhou. Fortunately, Lord Tianyi took action and suppressed and sealed him with his overpowering Dao power. From the moment Cang Hua broke through the Liangzhou grand formation to being suppressed and sealed by Lord Tianyi, it took no more than half a day, yet the catastrophe it caused was monumental. The Heavenly Principle said with a somber face, At that time, including the two of us, three Celestial Men were destroyed, ten Absolute Fourth Rank both in body and soul, over a hundred Grandmasters wounded or killed, and countless ordinary people, nearly leaving Liangzhou bereft of life. Hiss! Zhou Heng couldnt help but suck in a breath of cold air, feeling immensely shocked and said in horror, What sort of cultivation level, what sort of realm must this great demon Cang Hua have been to possess such mighty strength? Less than half a day to kill three Celestial Men, ten at the pinnacle, and over a hundred Grandmasters, such strength was indeed terrifying. It was too dreadful. Ridiculously powerful. Roughly equivalent to a Celestial Man, The Supreme said with a bitter smile, But his demonic body was indestructibly powerful; as long as a hint of life force remained in the world, he could be reborn in an instant, almost impossible to kill. Even a Tao Lord could only suppress him with Dao power, attempting over the long passage of time to grind him down. Cang Hua was suppressed by Lord Tianyis Dao power, if he were to break free, Lord Tianyi would definitely sense it, The Heavenly Principle furrowed his brows in thought, But now could it be that some of Cang Huas Divine Soul Power has leaked out, beginning to plot his escape? Its not improbable, The Supreme nodded slightly and said, More than half a year ago, the seal of the Dao seed experienced fluctuations, and all seals in the world showed signs of weakening. Perhaps Cang Hua is taking this opportunity to secretly release a trace of his Divine Soul. For a great demon of Cang Huas level, even a mere hint of Divine Soul must be taken very seriously, The Heavenly Principle said gravely, We shall go and report to Lord Tianyi, and we must find traces of Cang Hua as quickly as possible. Ziwei, the information you have provided this time is very important, there should be a rather generous reward coming your way, The Supreme said to Zhou Heng, Thank you. A reward? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised and said with a smile, Actually, I am also doing this to clear dangers for myself, for based on Zhong Xinghais behavior, it seems likely that Cang Hua already knows I am a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Indeed, that is a troublesome matter, The Supreme pondered for a moment and said, As you are a true successor of the Pure Yang Palace, honestly, I would advise you to go back to Taihua Mount to lay low until the matter with Cang Hua is handled, then come back down. The Supreme, youre thinking too much, always cautious, The Heavenly Principle, however, shook his head and said to Zhou Heng, Ziwei, I wont offer you false comfort. Since the Battle of Tianyang 3,000 years ago, the world has changed, and it has become increasingly difficult for Tao Lords and Saints to take action. Therefore, to search for traces of Cang Hua, only those at the Celestial Men level will take action, and how long this will take is uncertain, perhaps a few months, or a few years, or even more than a decade. His implication was clear. If hiding in the mountains could dodge the danger temporarily, could it do so for a lifetime? If Cang Huas traces arent found for over a decade, should one hide in the mountains for those many years? If that were the case, it would waste the best years for advancing ones Martial Arts. The years slipped away cannot be retrieved; the spirit of brave advancement lost, limiting future Martial Path achievements. This The Supreme opened his mouth, then offered a rueful smile and said, Im old, my thoughts always prioritize survival first. Thank you for the advice, Predecessors. Ill be more cautious when moving about in the future, Zhou Heng bowed in thanks; he didnt want to hide like a coward. Besides, merely a heavenly demon soul fragment that had secretly escaped the seal wasnt enough to intimidate him, for he had slain both Ghost Immortals and Loose Immortals before! Nevertheless, the emergence of such a terrifying great demon from the West Wasteland indicated that this world was not as peaceful and stable as it seemed on the surface. He had to enhance his own cultivation level as quickly as possible. While special ability cards were exceptionally powerful, ones Cultivation Realm was truly the fundamental basis for establishing oneself. He needed to make a breakthrough to the Seventh Rank as soon as possible. Afterward, Zhou Heng further inquired with The Supreme and the Heavenly Principle about the West Wasteland. Since various records were often vague in their descriptions, he had very little understanding of the West Wasteland. All he knew was that if one were to head west from Liangzhou, one would reach the so-called desolate forbidden lands, commonly known as the West Wasteland, from which terrifying Demon Entities would often emerge to wreak havoc on Liangzhou. Many Middle Third Rank members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer were stationed in Xi Liang to defend against the onslaught of these Demon Entities, with Lower Third Rank members sometimes having special missions that required them to travel to Liangzhou. ` As for what exactly exists within the West Wastelands forbidden zone, when it came into being, and why it was created, what form do those demon entities actually take? Zhou Heng was not clear about these things. Unfortunately, he did not receive an answer. The Supreme and the Celestial Principles this time had a surprisingly unified stance, both telling him that once he reached the rank of Sixth Rank in the Martial Path, he would naturally come to know, and learning of these matters too early would be more harmful than beneficial. However, they did not beat around the bush. They directly pointed out the harm C Before reaching the Sixth Rank in the Martial Path, the more one learned about the demon entities and the West Wastelands forbidden zone, the more susceptible one became to madness. Thats right, madness. Direct loss of mental control, loss of reason, and turning into a lunatic!! After leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng mounted his jujube-red horse and headed to the nearest Wu Jia River dock to take a boat to Wujiang Prefecture. This was because, if he traveled by land, the two-thousand-li journey had many mountains, and despite the jujube-red horse having taken the Linju Pill and being equipped with red lotus horse gear, which made it faster, it could not fly and would still need to take a detour. Generally speaking, taking a boat was more convenient. Due to the battle at Chang Xing Sect, Zhou Hengs fame in the region around Huangtong Mansion City was exceedingly high, and many people had seen his portrait, so to avoid trouble, he disguised himself before boarding the boat. He was reluctant to use the Disguise Mask. Now, with a beard stuck on his face and his skin disguised as dark brown, wearing a set of gray coarse hemp clothes, he looked to be in his thirties, carrying a steel saber and luggage, just like an ordinary traveler from the jianghu. The two-thousand-li water route along the Wu Jia River would normally take two to three days, so naturally, the boat provided meals, but at a cost. The price was even twice as high as on land. Profiteers! While cursing inwardly, Zhou Heng ordered a large bowl of wontons and found a spot on the deck with a good view, slurping down the food. Thin-skinned and generously filled, the meat portions are substantial. Although its an utterly unreasonable travel meal, its far better than those exorbitantly priced high-speed rail meals back on Earth. It was early morning, and there were quite a few people eating breakfast on the deck, mostly jianghu travelers with some martial arts skills, who were generally good with their strength control, so they werent afraid of spilling their meals due to the boats rocking. These people gathered in small groups, discussing jianghu gossip and martial arts anecdotes that might or might not be true, laughing heartily from time to time, which made the journeying loner Zhou Heng feel somewhat envious. However, those who idly chatted were usually old jianghu figures in their thirties and forties, recounting their past experiences traveling from south to north, while the younger ones mostly gathered around the sailors, asking about news from Wujiang Prefecture. Which grandmasters had gone there? Had any significant incidents occurred? Had anyone discovered the rumored grandmasters treasure? The most asked about was Li Wuwang. Mysterious origins, debuted only three months ago with an undefeated record, soaring straight to the fifteenth position on the peoples list, he was virtually a mythological figure in the eyes of the youth of Da Qi. The sailors also quite enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention. Especially since those eagerly questioning them were young experts of some status, who were usually personages beyond their reach, this made them feel quite satisfied. As such, many sailors talked at length about their experiences in Wujiang Prefecture, with animated gestures and loud voices. Zhou Heng finished slurping up the last wonton, drained the bowl of soup to the bottom, and with a twitch of his ear, he heard a sailor nearby talking about Li Wuwang, eliciting bursts of astonishment from a group of young men and women. The sailor chuckled and said, Actually, after that martial arts competition, someone asked Li Wuwang a question, asking him who he thought was stronger between himself and Zhou Heng. But at this point, he suddenly stopped speaking and looked around meaningfully at the people around him. Whos more formidable? Hurry up and tell us, uncle! What did Li Wuwang say? Youre killing me with the suspense! A group of jianghu youths immediately became anxious. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Oh? Zhou Heng put down his bowl and chopsticks and moved closer, echoing along with a smile, My, Im dying of curiosity here, what did Li Wuwang say? He actually didnt care about this but came over to join the excitement and to get some information about Li Wuwang at the same time. After all, once he arrived in Wujiang Prefecture, he surely intended to challenge Li Wuwang. But before the sailor could speak, a young man standing not too far away suddenly let out a light laugh, his tone laced with some mockery, Heh, that question is truly laughable. Is Li Wuwang even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Zhou Heng? Chapter 175 - Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Li Wuwang’s Ambition Chapter 175: Chapter 175: Li Wuwangs Ambition The words of this young gentleman quieted everyone around. Zhou Heng was also taken aback for a moment, turning his head to look at the man, he realized he did not know him. Who was this person? There was no need for Zhou Heng to ask; someone present already opened their mouth. Who are you, lad? The first to ask was a burly man with dark skin, a beard covering his jaw, and eyes like copper bells, By what right do you judge Zhou Heng and Li Wuwang? Exactly, who do you think you are to say Li Wuwang is inferior to Zhou Heng? Another young swordsman spoke up, Zhou Heng is currently ranked thirty-first on the Peoples List, while Li Wuwang is fifteenth. The gap between them is like a chasm, is it for you to say if he is unworthy? The number of people questioning the young gentleman increased, but he acted as if he heard nothing, his facial expression not changing the slightest bit. Zhou Heng extended his spiritual perception and discerned that this mans level of Qi was of the Seventh Rank in the Martial Path and that he had reached a certain extent of communion with the great outside world. Just beginning to show his internal viewpoint externally, this was a young master at the peak of the Seventh Rank. The young gentleman was youthful and handsome, elegant and cultured, apparently not older than twenty-five years of age. If he had traveled the jianghu and fought others, he would likely be well-known on the Peoples List, perhaps even in the top thirty or top twenty. Its because I am Wang Xiuye, the young gentleman said with a cold laugh, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, If we are to speak of the Peoples List ranking, I am even above Li Wuwang. Wang Xiuye! This was actually Wang Xiuye! The surrounding people were instantly shocked upon hearing this, even those who were standing far away and had not paid much attention to the conversation turned to look. The thirteenth-ranked on the Peoples List, Wang Xiuye! He was a descendant of the Wang Clan from Xuanzhou, one of the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi. Although he came from a collateral line, he was the most outstanding disciple of the Wang family of his generation, practicing the Sect Fifth Rank internal strength Divine Strength Skill, skilled with dual palms, possessing immense power, known as Three Palms Shaking the Mountains. Both his nickname and the special characteristics of his martial arts starkly contrasted with his genteel appearance. Oftentimes, the same words said by different people have entirely different effects. After Wang Xiuye revealed his identity, those who were questioning him suddenly fell silent and no longer spoke. What could they do? The man indeed had the qualifications to evaluate Li Wuwang. Thats just how the jianghu is. The strong are revered. The capable go first. No one would object. You all have no idea how strong Zhou Heng is, Wang Xiuye said, looking around and speaking solemnly: I once watched Zhou Heng avenge his martial arts schools senior friends at the gates of the Chang Xing Sect. He alone faced an entire sect, fighting against dozens of peak Seventh Rankers. Its just that those people are not on the Peoples List, so they werent recorded in the rankings. Zhou Hengs sense of justice precedes him, along with his formidable strength, he surely qualifies for the top ten of the Peoples List. To compare a mere Li Wuwang, who dares not even disclose his own lineage and only knows how to make wild statements when others are not present, with Zhou Heng? This speech once again rendered the audience speechless. But surely Li Wuwang, having made his way into the top fifteen of the Peoples List, must have some strengths, Zhou Heng suddenly said. What could he do? He originally intended to inquire about the situation with Li Wuwang. Now, with Wang Xiuyes interjection, if he didnt ask himself, there would be no more discussion about Li Wuwang. Of course, hearing what Wang Xiuye said felt rather good. Of course, Wang Xiuye was not the kind of person who would disparage others without limit. He said, Li Wuwangs strength is not bad at all. Known as Dragon Spear, the ranking list of the Divine Martial Bureau proclaims that his spear strikes are like a dragon, swift and fierce beyond compare; wherever the spearhead goes, nothing can stand in its way. Its not entirely an exaggeration. However, I met a friend who was defeated by Li Wuwang. He said that Li Wuwang is extremely ruthless and deals heavy blows, often breaking peoples tendons and shattering their meridians. He is not a kind person. This time, when I heard that he was in Wujiang Prefecture City, I specifically went there to test his mettle and see if his Dragon Spear could shake these palms of mine. So, he was also targeting Li Wuwang. However, reading between the lines, it seemed he was mostly seeking revenge for a friend who had suffered at Li Wuwangs hands. After all, it is quite rare for someone with a high ranking on the human list to actively challenge someone with a lower ranking. Of course, it is also possible that Li Wuwang might directly challenge Wang Xiuye. Later, Zhou Heng also learned some information about Li Wuwang from others and heard various rumors about the grandmasters treasure in Wujiang Prefecture City. This rumor gave him a sense of dj vu. The beginning of the incident in Yuyang County seemed to have started with rumors of an opportunity to break through to the Secret Sixth Rank. If I think about it, it really does seem familiar, Zhou Heng stroked his chin and muttered to himself, But what are the chances of that? Probably not probably not. Wujiang Prefecture City, late at night. Dark clouds covered the moon. Li Wuwang was sitting cross-legged on top of a small hill on the outskirts of Wujiang Prefecture City, circulating his Inner Strength and harmonizing the resonance between his inner microcosm and the outer macrocosm. This caused the environment around him to change; with each breath, he could stir the wind and waves to circle around him, blowing through the grass and plants, making them stiffen up like spears. As Li Wuwangs breathing became heavier, his aura grew sharper, and those plants and grass were further influenced by him. Within a three-yard radius, it was as if transformed into a battlefield, every blade of grass a soldier, every plant a weapon. His inner microcosm seemed like an invincible army that had won a hundred battles, its edge peerless and unstoppable! Huff! Li Wuwang exhaled a breath that shot out like a bright light, extending three feet ahead, tearing through the air with a series of screeches, much like a sword flying from his mouth. When he slowly opened his eyes, the extreme brightness in his gaze burst forth, shooting straight out a foot ahead of him and lingering without dispersing. Only after several breaths did it begin to fade away gradually. This meant that his Inner Qi and spirit had both completely reached the peak of his current realm. One more step forward would mean the return of Inner Qi to the Innate, the meeting with the external macrocosm, the realm of Secret Sixth Rank. However, this step was extremely difficult. The key no longer lay in whether the Inner Qi was profound or the degree of harmony between the inner microcosm and the external macrocosm. It was a test of spiritual will. Building the bridge between heaven and earth, manifesting the inner microcosm outwardly, and transforming Inner Qi to Innateall of this was the work of spiritual will. Different levels of spiritual will could lead to different heavenly and earthly phenomena, creating different levels of the Secret Sixth Rank. If one could condense an invincible spiritual will, when the time comes to manifest the inner microcosm and meet the external macrocosm, there would surely be earth-shattering phenomena. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Once the breakthrough succeeds, one will become a far stronger Innate Sixth Rank than their peers. You think that after I reached fifteenth on the Human List, I would lie low for a while, but you do not realize that this is just my beginning, Li Wuwangs mouth curled up into a faint smile, and a glint appeared in his eyes. Kong Zhi Cheng Jianjian Situ Nanfeng Fang Wen! I will trample each of you under my feet, suppress everything, sweep through all obstacles, and eventually achieve my invincibility. Invincibility! Forge my path! Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Strike While the Iron is Hot Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Strike While the Iron is Hot On October 4th, the cool breeze was refreshing. Zhou Heng took a boat down the Wujia River heading east, and at last he arrived at Wujiang Prefecture City. When it was time to disembark, he packed away his disguise and reverted to the handsome, extraordinary youth, stepping off the boat ahead of everyone else. The disguise on the boat was to avoid unnecessary trouble. Now that the boat had reached its destination, and after disembarking he would be in Wujiang Prefecture City, the place where he intended to hone his martial arts, there naturally was no need to hide his identity any longer. However, even though he disembarked first, there were still sailors and other passengers who saw him, including some who had seen Zhou Hengs portrait. Moreover, since most of the people on this boat had departed from Huangtong Mansion, many had heard of Zhou Heng and the deeds of Chang Xing Sect, aware of his reputation. Thus, the news spread, and instantly the entire boat was abuzz. Zhou Heng had been on this very boat, traveling with them to Wujiang Prefecture Cityjust this experience alone was something to brag about when they returned home! We once shared a boat with a high-ranking martial artist, drinking fine wine and enjoying pleasant conversation! The former was true, while the latter could be artistically embellished. Upon learning that Zhou Heng had been on the boat as well, Wang Xiuye was momentarily stunned, then chuckled lightly and thought to himself, Could this be considered making an unintentional friend with a young master? During the past few days on the boat, he had taken every opportunity to praise Zhou Heng. On one hand, he sincerely believed that Zhou Hengs strength was extraordinary, and on another hand, he also wanted to lay some groundwork for a good relationship with Zhou Heng in the future. He was born into a collateral branch of a major family. Although he had attracted the familys attention due to his exceptional talent and potential, he was well aware that personal effort alone was not enough to completely change the status of his branch within the clan. Unless he became a Grandmaster or even reached the pinnacle, he would still need to forge good relationships and have a wide network in the martial community. Only then would his words carry more weight within the clan, ensuring a brighter future for his collateral line. Zhou Heng was not only a rising young expert who had gained fame in the past six months, but he was also suspected to be the reincarnation of a great power, the Sixth Generation disciple of Pure Yang Palace, and the junior brother of Tao Lord Yan Shouyi. Such a status was something Wang Xiuye had longed to befriend, but never found an opportunity to do so. Little did he expect that this would be an act of serendipity. Purple Lightning Thunder Blade Zhou Heng had come to Wujiang Prefecture City. As more and more people from that boat disembarked, the news quickly spread throughout Wujiang Prefecture City, instantly exciting many people. This was the third influential list-ranking expert to come to Wujiang Prefecture City. Last month, when Zhou Heng battled dozens of Seventh Rank martial artists alone at the gates of Chang Xing Sect, it was considered a phenomenal spectacle that astonished all who heard about it. Therefore, even though Zhou Hengs current ranking on the list was only thirty-first, the attention he received was actually no less than that of the prodigies in the top twenty. Especially since not long ago Dragon Spear Li Wuwang openly stated that he did not consider Zhou Heng to be his equal; now that the main player was here, it was certain there would be a grand battle! This was undoubtedly a matter of great interest to both martial artists and ordinary people alike. In no time, on the streets, in tea houses, brothels, taverns, and inns, people were discussing the topics of Zhou Heng and Li Wuwang. In the lobby of Xinmiao Inn, three sturdy men dressed like martial artists were eating and drinking while discussing. Hey, what do you think, is Zhou Heng really a match for Li Wuwang? Zhou Hengs strength is undoubtedly formidable, or he wouldnt have managed to suppress an entire sect alone, but he is, after all, of Eighth Rank in the martial path. Compared to Li Wuwang, there probably is some gap. Actually, I think this whole business of one man suppressing a sect seems a bit inflated. We are more than two thousand miles away from Huangtong Mansion, and things might have been exaggerated in the telling. That could be, but if Zhou Heng and Li Wuwang really do fight, it will surely be a clash of titans, Thunder Sword versus Dragon Spear. Just the thought of it is thrilling. A young man at a nearby table perked up his ears, stood up, and with a jug of wine in hand, approached the three mens table. The youth appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in a golden brocade robe, crowned with a jade crown, exuding nobility. With his handsome features and golden pupils, he was clearly no ordinary person. Do you gentlemen know much about Zhou Hengs Thunder Blade? The youth placed the wine on the table and smiled, Consider this jug of wine my treat. Wow, thirty-year vintage Wujiang Spring, what an excellent wine! The young master is too generous. The three men immediately brightened up; this wine was not cheap. Despite only filling a three-liang jug, it cost a full ten silver pieces. To inquire about matters demands a reward, isnt that the rule of the rivers and lakes? The youth chuckled lightly, his gaze warm as he smoothly took a seat and asked further, The list only states Zhou Heng has a mysterious Thunder technique, at least Sect Fifth Rank. Do any of you brothers have more information? Heh heh, young master, youre asking the right people. Weve heard from the folks at the municipal yamen that Zhou Hengs Thunder Blade technique is likely more than just Sect Fifth Rank; its very possible that its a Fourth Rank ultimate skillextremely powerful, one of the robust men laughed heartily. If the young master is so interested in Zhou Hengs Thunder Blade, could it be that you wish to challenge him? another sturdy man asked in a low voice, a scenario quite common, in fact, very common. Martial artists just emerging into the world often fancied their skills and sought to make a name for themselves by challenging renowned experts. When the news of Zhou Hengs arrival in Wujiang Prefecture City spread, Many were the people who held the belief that challenging Zhou Heng would be a no-loss proposition if defeated, and a bloody profit if victorious. Failing to beat Li Wuwang, couldnt they try their hand at Zhou Heng? Challenge? The youth, however, shook his head slightly and smiled, No, I just want to see if his thunder truly deserves to be called Thunder. In a residence by the river, on the southern side of Wujiang Prefectural City. The flowers, plants, and trees were all withered, even the water in the pond was stagnant, without a fish or even small insects to be found. The entire courtyard reeked of illness, as if the flora, fauna, mountains, waters, and soil were all sick. Even the sunlight that filled the yard seemed somewhat gloomy. In front of the main hall, a man who appeared to be in his forties with a square face was dressed in a snow-white brocade robe, his whole appearance meticulous and clean, as he played with a black cat. Suddenly, he frowned and looked towards the front gate of the courtyard. A young man in dark blue tight-fitting clothes came running over and knelt on one knee, saying with the utmost respect, Uncle Ma, there are rumors outside that Zhou Heng has come to Wujiang Prefecture City. Oh? The middle-aged man raised his head and casually tossed the black cat aside, Is the news confirmed? After being discarded, the black cat tried to leap back to its owners side to continue playing, but suddenly its legs gave out and it couldnt jump. Soon after, its flesh began to shrivel, its teeth and nails rapidly falling out, its fur quickly withering away. In the span of merely three or four breaths, the once lively black cat became a dried-up corpse. It had died of disease. It should be correct. The young man lowered his head, replying respectfully, After hearing the news, this disciple cross-checked with multiple sources and captured a few sailors to confirm it, and its almost certain that it is indeed Zhou Heng who has arrived. Good! The middle-aged man stood up and laughed, Continue to send out spies to keep an eye on Zhou Heng. When the time is right, I will personally take action and kill him. Uncle Ma, are you going to take him on personally? Surprised by the remark, the young man said, He is merely Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, and even though his power is extraordinary and he has strange abilities, a Sixth Rank Innate like you surely need not personally deal with him. A Sixth Rank on the Martial Path means ones qi has returned to the Innate, merged with the external scenery, leading to a fundamental improvement in ones life essence, as well as absolute suppression over Martial Artists of the Lower Third Rank. Even the peak of the Seventh Rank would have no chance of resisting an ordinary Secret Sixth Rank. Hence, typically, a Sixth Rank on the Martial Path taking action against someone of the Lower Third Rank is considered an extreme form of self-degradation. Do you want to go get yourself killed one by one and make him stronger before I step in? The middle-aged man sneered, saying, Do you think you can kill him? Are you treating yourself as a tool for sharpening his Martial Arts? Zhou Hengs rise has been extremely rapid, his growth phenomenally fast. If we dont hurry up and kill him, once he truly becomes powerful, he will undoubtedly be a major threat to our sect. We must act early! Moreover, Zhou Heng has more than once displayed terrifying abilities that absolutely do not match his Cultivation Realm, which can basically confirm him as a reincarnation of a great being, or even possibly not an ordinary Celestial Man but a Tao Lord, a master from ancient times! Certainly, those formidable abilities should just be the remaining trump cards arranged by his previous life, diminishing with each use, and probably come with many restrictions, but who dares to be certain that he has no more unused ones? Considering all these factors, even if I take action myself, I will definitely not confront him directly. I must strike without his knowledge, make him fall victim, let him be infected by the disease, little by little succumbing to it. Only then might I have a chance to truly kill him. The young man was dumbfounded, shocked by these words. He could never have imagined that an Eighth Rank on the Martial Path would be so difficult to kill and that there were so many unforeseen circumstances. His uncle was exceedingly cautious, seeming to have considered everything. This made him admire his uncle sincerely from the bottom of his heart. Uncles meticulous mind ensures that Zhou Heng is undoubtedly doomed this time! Walking along the streets of Wujiang Prefecture City, enjoying the feeling of the Wujiang Rivers moisture blown by the wind and feeling quite at ease, as if he had arrived in the southern water towns, Zhou Heng was very content. He was not in a hurry to find someone to challenge. Instead, he planned to find an inn to settle down and sort through the insights into his own Martial Path that he had gained over the past few days on the boat. With the ceaseless waters of Wujiang River, Zhou Heng had spent his days on the boat observing the river, which gave him some preliminary ideas about what kind of inner scenery and small world he wanted to build in the future. However, before he could reach the inn, he was stopped in the street by a handsome young man dressed in a golden brocade robe and wearing a Jade Crown. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The young man first gave a polite bow, then said in a loud voice, True disciple of Shenxiao Sect, Chu Qingchuan, here to learn from the high techniques of the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade! Full of youthful vigor, the young man issued a challenge on the street. What is Jianghu? This might well be it. Alright! Zhou Heng immediately accepted. Chapter 177 - Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Red Sky Nine Styles Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Red Sky Nine Styles Shenxiao Sect! It is not just any martial arts sect, but one that was inherited from a Tao Lord of the Middle Ancient Era. Even now, it has Celestial Men among its ranks. Its one of the top ten Great Sects in Da Qi, no weaker than the Five Elements Sect. Best known for their thunderous martial arts. Thus, as soon as Chu Qingchuan introduced himself, he attracted the attention of many, with pedestrians on both sides of the street and people in the restaurant stores all looking over. This golden-robed youth was actually a disciple of a top-tier Martial Dao Sect! Then the one hes challenging is Zhou Heng! This person is Zhou Heng, the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, the Zhou Heng who alone suppresses an entire sect! Damn! This is going to be good! A match between true inheritors of the Shenxiao Sect and Pure Yang Palace, wow! Awesome! Fight! Fight!! Shouts rose from the crowd, everyone extremely excited. In fact, such street challenges were quite common in Wujiang Prefecture City nowadays. As more and more martial artists were drawn to the city by rumors of a grandmasters treasure, the number of martial artists in Wujiang Prefecture City had ballooned, and it was inevitable that some would try to make a name for themselves or polish their martial arts talents. However, most challenges were ordinary sparring matches between common martial artists. After all, famed martial artists and disciples of great sects and prominent families were few and far between everywhere. Challenges of this level are quite rare. Now a match was about to begin that involved the status of both parties, how could people here not get excited? Yun Xius inn, where she and He Mengqiu were staying, was also nearby. She heard the shouting outside, quickly opened the window to look, and exclaimed joyfully, Is it really Brother Heng? Sigh. Seeing her like this, He Mengqiu couldnt help but sigh and said, Xiuer, if you keep watching, your newly learned Three Dreams Dharma will regress. Um Yun Xiu pouted, closed the window and came back, stuck out her tongue and said, I was just taking a quick look. If you could remain a mere spectator upon seeing him, or if you had reached the second realm of the great dream Bubble Shadow, then you could watch as long as you like, He Mengqiu said seriously, Xiuer, Ive told you before, the Three Dreams Dharma observes all sorts of mortal affairs, penetrates human nature, enters dreams with it, and uses the myriad lives as ones own C while certainly powerful, it is also dangerous. If you cant maintain the status of a mere spectator when you first start learning, youll inevitably be tainted by the myriad lives of others later in the dream, and you might even be bewildered by the dreamland and sink into a state beyond redemption. Yes, I understand, said Yun Xiu seriously, nodding, The Three Dreams Dharma is what I asked you to teach me, Master. I shouldnt be so negligent, troubling you with such concerns. Being lively and cheerful isnt a bad thing in itself. You have a carefree nature; you dont have to blame yourself. This is precisely why I hesitated before teaching you the Three Dreams Dharma, He Mengqiu said with a smile as she gently stroked Yun Xius hair to comfort her, Just be an onlooker this time. If Zhou Heng is in danger, your teacher can step in Well, maybe he can handle it himself. This was her recalling the incident that happened previously in Yuanhe Prefecture City. Zhou Heng, someone who might be the reincarnation of a Tao Lord or even a higher being, could unleash methods far stronger than her own when faced with great danger, despite being merely of the Sixth Rank Innate. Thank you, Master, said Yun Xiu with a smile. The news that Zhou Heng was going to fight a true inheritor of the Shenxiao Sect, Chu Qingchuan, spread quickly throughout Wujiang Prefecture City. Wang Xiuye, of course, had also heard about it. He had originally planned to find Zhou Heng for a visit after he settled down in Wujiang Prefecture City, but he wasnt sure of Zhou Hengs whereabouts and thought of inquiring later. Now, hearing that Zhou Heng was about to fight someone, he would not miss it. He left his luggage at the inn and headed straight out the door. Towards the city center. Fighting in the streets of Wujiang Prefecture City was not allowed. Therefore, even though Chu Qingchuan challenged Zhou Heng on the street, the actual fight had to take place in the citys arena. This was a control measure set by the Wujiang Prefecture City government to deal with the increasing number of jianghu martial artists in the jurisdiction, to prevent these martial artists from disturbing the lives of ordinary people. If violated, there would be one warning. A repeat offense would result in immediate expulsion from the city, with no re-entry into Wujiang Prefecture for three years. This punishment, aside from anything else, meant great shame to many. Being expelled would make it hard for them to lift their heads in the martial community in the future if mentioned. Therefore, this rule was quite effective and gradually became an unwritten law that everyone consciously abided by. In the southern district of Wujiang Prefecture City. In a spacious mansion, Li Wuwang was in the courtyard wielding a large spear. His spear, glowing bright silver and reaching ten feet long, seemed blindingly sharp. As it danced in his hands, it resembled a silver dragon in flight. Young Master! A servant-like figure hurried over and said, Young Master, that Zhou Heng has come to Wujiang Prefecture City, and Chu Qingchuan of the Shenxiao Sect is about to challenge him. They have both gone to the citys arena. Would you like to go and watch? Li Wuwang, of course, was not some young master. His background was actually very common, with no notable lineage, and it was only now that he had money and status, having bought a mansion and servants, that he had others call him young master. Zhou Heng? Li Wuwang stopped his spear work and looked at the servant, replying indifferently, Im not interested. I heard Wang Xiuye is also here; lead me to him. Ah, youre not going to see Zhou Heng? The servant was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a response, but he did not dare to ask too much and quickly nodded, Alright, Ill take you to find that Wang Xiuye. That Zhou Heng, his strength lies in being the reincarnation of a powerful being and a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. As for his martial arts whats the significance of being merely Eighth Rank? Even if hes strong, what of it? Li Wuwang shook his head and chuckled, Tales spread, rumors abound, much is often distorted. The idea of an Eighth Rank martial artist suppressing a sect sounds more far-fetched than fiction. ` Before he has truly proven his strength with a genuine record of combat, he doesnt have the qualifications to catch my eye, Lets go, take me to Wang Xiuye, I want to see if his Mountain-Shaking Palms can shake my Dragon Spear. In the arena of Wujiang Prefectural City. Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan stood atop the stage while the area below was packed with people. There were others dueling at several other arenas, but none attracted as much attention as this one. To many spectators, this was to be a fierce battle between dragons and tigers. Both Pure Yang Palace and Shenxiao Sect were among the great sects of the contemporary Martial Dao, and the martial arts they imparted to their direct disciples were of far higher ranks than those of ordinary martial artists, with mere observation being a feast for the eyes. Moreover, Zhou Heng was one of the most prominent martial artists recently, known for his deeds of suppressing an entire sect all by himself. Many were extremely curious about the extent of his ability. How had an Eighth Rank Martial Artist reached such heights? On the stage. You said you wanted to experience my Thunder Blade, so today I will fight you with my blade, Zhou Heng cheerfully drew a saber that crackled with purple lightning, The sabers name is Purple Lightning, a sharp weapon. Then today, I will meet your Thunder Blade with my Red Sky Nine Styles! Chu Qingchuan pulled out a golden iron whip, not a flexible one but a nine-section iron whip, The whips name is Nine Extinguishers, a sharp weapon grade. As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of gasps rose from the crowd below the stage, with many looking incredulously at Chu Qingchuan, their faces filled with shock. Red Sky Nine Styles! This was not an ordinary martial arts technique, but a genuine Absolute Fourth Rank technique from Shenxiao Sect, part of the Red Sky of the eighty-one styles of the Nine Heavens. Channeling the whip into thunder, its strength peerless, a single strike intended to fill the skies with thunder, leveling all in its path, claiming the power to sever gods above and extinguish all beings below, supremely fierce and unpredictable. Chu Qingchuan had actually mastered this secret technique? He was only a Seventh Rank Martial Artist! How had he mastered an Absolute Fourth Rank technique? What level had he achieved? How many of the techniques could he use? The crowd below was initially shocked, then filled with excitement, eager to witness the clash between Chu Qingchuan and Zhou Heng. It was said that Zhou Hengs Purple Thunder Blade Skill was also an Absolute Fourth Rank technique. Which would prove stronger, the Purple Thunder or the Red Sky? At that time, in a tavern not far from the stage. Disease-Following Wind Ma Quan watched Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan on the stage with interest, chuckling, This little guy from Shenxiao Sect has actually mastered the Red Sky Nine Styles, impressive indeed. He was the Plague Emperor Sect expert who previously talked about finding the right opportunity to personally take Zhou Hengs life, a Sixth Rank Innate, with the ability to kill imperceptibly, as if by illness borne by the wind. Elder, do you think this Chu Qingchuan has a chance to defeat Zhou Heng? the young man next to Ma Quan asked softly. Why think about such things? Theyre meaningless, Ma Quan shook his head and tapping on the table, smiled, Im wondering if I should just take care of this kid along with Zhou Heng when I make my move. Shenxiao Sect and their bunch have been thwarting our sects plans a lot lately, killing a genius disciple of theirs today would certainly be a breath of relief. Is, is, is that okay?? the young man felt overwhelmingly anxious. His Elder Ma Quan truly had audacity beyond measure. A genius who has mastered the Red Sky Nine Styles If you kill him, Shenxiao Sect will be enraged. Smack! The young man was immediately knocked to the ground by a slap from Ma Quan. Idiot, Ma Quan coldly laughed, Do you even know that we from Plague Emperor Sect are considered villains, universally execrated devils? And yet, youre afraid of angering those righteous sects. Has your brain been eaten clean by bugs? If we were afraid of this and that, the four great villainous sects of Da Qi would have been wiped out long ago, cant you understand that? Besides, if Zhou Heng can be killed, why worry about one more Chu Qingchuan? When your mother gave birth to you, did she throw the baby away and raise a placenta instead? How else could you be as stupid as a donkey? Disciple understands, the young man prostrated on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing, Disciple knows his mistake. Thank you, Elder, for your guidance, thank you. Stop kneeling. Talk is cheap. Bring me the Plague Box, Ma Quan snorted coldly and said, Watch and learn how a disease can be silent and tasteless, imperceptible until it takes effect! Boom! Loud explosions, like rolling thunder, erupted from the stage. The saber wrapped in purple lightning and the whip flickering with red electricity collided violently, their fearsome energies scattering wildly, stirring up howling gales and screams, causing some ordinary people below the stage to lose their balance. But suddenly, the intense clash of powers vanished as Purple Lightning and Red Lightning separated, each retreating to a distance. Just now, it was merely a preliminary exchange of moves between Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan, as they hadnt even used their real techniques. The fame of Purple Lightning Thunder Blade is well-deserved; indeed, what great strength, what a formidable physique! Chu Qingchuan looked at Zhou Heng with a mix of shock and doubt, his wrist numbing from the brief clash. That an Eighth Rank Martial Artist possessed such terrifying power was simply inconceivable! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Its just brute force, Zhou Heng smiled and pointed his long saber at his opponent, What about your Red Sky Nine Styles? Hurry up and use it, Im eager to learn! ` Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Chapter 178: The Blazing Purple Thunder Battles the Red Sky Chapter 178: Chapter 178: The Blazing Purple Thunder Battles the Red Sky Why the rush? You havent even used your Purple Thunder Blade Skill yet. But if you want to see it, then theres no harm in showing you. Come on! Haha! Chu Qingchuan burst into loud laughter. At the same time, he raised the Golden Whip in his hand and stepped forward! In an instant, his entire body lit up with crimson lightning, like countless serpents of thunder intertwining and booming, as if a palace of thunder was brewing inside him. Chu Qingchuan, riding the crimson lightning, seemed to teleport in front of Zhou Heng, raising the Golden Whip high and smashing it down with the swirling red light! Boom! Thunder roared and lightning surged, as if heavenly punishment had descended, causing the wind and clouds to change color. This move with the Golden Whip even stirred the surrounding heaven and earths energy, and within three feet, streams of crimson lightning snaked out of the void. The entire arena began to shake, emitting thunderous roars. Red Sky Nine Styles! The first move! Wild Dance of Red Thunder! Such a sight made the spectators scalp tingle with fear and awe. Seventh Rank, is this really Seventh Rank? Im starting to doubt Im a true Peak of the Seventh Rank. How come Im not this powerful? You took thirty years to reach Seventh Rank by yourself, but he invented his own martial arts and reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank before twenty. Can it be the same? Too strong, is this what its like to be a disciple of a top Martial Dao Sect? Can Zhou Heng really withstand such an attack? The crowd was astounded, as Chu Qingchuans strength exceeded the common martial artists understanding of the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Too strong! Absurdly strong! Beyond imagination! Just with this move alone, Chu Qingchuan could firmly secure a spot in the top thirty of the rankings! No one expected that this newly emerged true disciple of the Shenxiao Sect would be so formidable. The crowd looked at Zhou Heng with worry. Was the rising star of the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade about to be suppressed just like that? Boom!! Just then, purple thunder light suddenly exploded from the long blade in Zhou Hengs hand, dazzling and gorgeous. The erupting purple thunder clashed with the Golden Whip and the crimson lightning, accompanied by the uplift of the Purple Lightning blade. Springs Thunderous Strike! This simple strike, which Zhou Heng had just learned at the Ninth Grade, had seemed somewhat flashy but insubstantial. But now, he was at the peak of Eighth Rank, with Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi and many skills. Moreover, he had begun to have a preliminary understanding of his own martial path, so the power of this strike was incomparably greater than before. With the spring thunders explosion, all things come to life! The Springs Thunderous Strike from Zhou Heng not only possessed the power of destruction but also the essence of endless life. The intertwining of creation and demolition was unpredictable and infinite in variations. Clang! The sound of metal clashing and trembling rose as the Nine Annihilation Golden Whip collided with the Purple Thunder Sword. The thunder was loud, but quickly the whip was suppressed by the myriad changes of Springs Thunderous Strike, losing its edge. Zhou Heng reversed the momentum with one move and didnt pause, the Purple Thunder Sword that had just suppressed the Nine Annihilation Golden Whip suddenly rotated. At the same time, he released his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, drawing upon the subtle forces of heaven and earth to form whirlwinds, interweaving with the Purple Thunder, and continued the assault on Chu Qingchuan! Heavenly Spin and Thunder Turn! This move was different from how it had been performed before. In the past, Zhou Heng used this move purely by combining the blades edge with Inner Qi to stir up the whirlwind, then manipulating lightning in a way that made it difficult to control all variations of the technique. But now he was the core of it all, mastering the whirlwind, the lightning, and wielding the combined force of wind and thunder in all directions with unobstructed power. This was also a reflection of his recent insights into his own martial path. Moreover, thanks to his innate Pure Yang Inner Qi holding a trace of the Secret Six Rank properties, it could resonate with the external world to a certain extent, allowing him, an Eighth Rank in stature, to draw upon some of the mighty forces of Heaven and Earth. BOOM! The wind and thunder roared and howled in approach! Chu Qingchuan felt a numbness all over his body, as if penetrated by lightning, his expression turned stern, and he exclaimed in shock, Madman, hes actually drawing upon the elemental qi of Heaven and Earth with just an Eighth Rank body! Normally, only at the peak of the Seventh Rank could a martial artist begin to harness the elemental qi of Heaven and Earth, though some extremely rare martial arts might offer a glimpse of this marvelous power at the Eighth Rank. But to forcibly draw on the power of Heaven and Earth elemental qi at the Eighth Rank was not merely to enhance ones martial arts prowess; it would also shock the body. If ones physique were not robust enough, it was quite likely to be a case of damaging the enemy a thousand and self eight hundred! However, what he didnt know was that Zhou Heng had an added basic attribute of physique +2, and coupled with the congruity of the Pure Yang Body to the innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, let alone now when only a thread of elemental qi of Heaven and Earth was being harnessed, even if it was three to four times greater, he could withstand it. RUMBLE! The power of Zhou Hengs slash, the Heaven-Spinning Thunder Turn bolstered by the mighty forces of Heaven and Earth, became even more formidable, nearly forming an ocean of wind and thunder spanning thirty to forty feet in all directions, intending to engulf Chu Qingchuan! Indeed a great saber technique, but still not as good as mine! Take my whip! Chu Qingchuan bellowed loudly, his Inner Qi circulating throughout his body, his pale golden pupils lighting up with crimson thunder. Instantly, he brandished the Nine Annihilation Golden Whip in his hand, unleashing two strokes of crimson lightning that formed two Thunder Nets, crashing into the surging purple electric wind and thunder. Heavenly Net Thunderbolt! Red Sky Nine Styles, second form! At the same time, space twisted behind Chu Qingchuan, revealing a shadowy image of clouds interwoven with crimson thunder, covering a radius of thirty feet around him. This greatly increased the power of the Heavenly Net Thunderbolt he cast. Inner visions manifesting outwardly! This caused everyone watching the battle to hold their breath, staring unblinkingly at the confrontation on the stage, as they saw patches of crimson thunder rise up. They all knew Chu Qingchuan was going all out. For a martial artist at the peak of the Seventh Rank, manifesting inner visions outwardly meant exerting their full strength. If one still could not triumph after this, it signified there was no chance of victory left. Faced with the onslaught of the crimson sea of thunder, Zhou Heng felt not fear but joy, his body and mind refreshed, his will surging. Chu Qingchuan was unquestionably the strongest among the peak Seventh Rank opponents he had encountered to date. He could finally fight with abandon, truly temper his martial arts, and perhaps even seize this opportunity to push forward the dawn of his martial insight, perfecting the construction of his inner vision of the small world. Thus, Zhou Heng laughed heartily, raising his Purple Thunder Sword high, as golden light surged over his body, and gold tinted the purple lightning Good! Take my blade as well! In a flash, purplish-golden lightning surged around the edge of Zhou Hengs blade, layer upon layer, transforming into a world of thunder as if a sea of lightning had suddenly appeared in the midst of winter. With Zhou Hengs slash, it ferociously smashed down towards Chu Qingchuan. Winter Thunderbolt!! However, as he slashed down, he suddenly felt a virtually imperceptible weakness surge within him, as if his body were being emptied. But this sensation appeared only momentarily before it was quenched by his formidable physique and innate Pure Yang Inner Qi, producing no effect whatsoever. The strike of Winter Thunderbolt was hammered down with full force! At the same time, as Chu Qingchuan executed his two techniques, the various changes and mysteries involved also emerged in his mind, accompanied by a series of prompts. Chu Qingchuan is executing martial arts Red Sky Nine Styles?Red Thunder Frenzy Dance [Absolute Fourth Rank] to attack you. You have successfully blocked and countered, and because you practice a similar type of saber technique at the same level, you have vicariously understood some of the nuances, increasing proficiency by +0.02. Chu Qingchuan is executing martial arts Red Sky Nine Styles?Heavenly Net Thunderbolt [Absolute Fourth Rank] to attack you. You have successfully blocked and countered, and because you practice a similar type of saber technique at the same level, you have vicariously understood some of the nuances, increasing proficiency by +0.03. Observing Chu Qingchuans Thundercloud Inner Vision strikes a chord, deepening your understanding of the Way of Thunder. Taoist Formulas Palm Thunder [Eighth Rank] proficiency +200; Taoist Formulas Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods [Sect Fifth Rank] proficiency +0.1; Martial Arts Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank] proficiency +10. RUMBLE! The purplish-golden world of thunder and crimson Heavenly Net Thunderbolt collided, interweaving thunder and electrical light, the Golden Whip and the Purple Sword clashing, a contest of Qi, with their physical bodies and inner visions also colliding! ` Buzz! Buzz! The black steel stone arena let out a soul-shaking hum as the two types of lightning clashed; the five-foot-tall platform was ground down layer by layer, quickly shrinking to four feet! Moreover, with the collision of purple-gold and crimson lightning, along with the exchange of inner qi between Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan, as well as the spillover effects of their two sharp weapons, this exceptionally hard arena soon shrank further to three feet! Clang! After the clash of metal, Zhou Heng, holding the Thunder Sword, leaped high with a sudden whirl of golden light around his body. With a twist of the blade, he incredibly wrapped up the crimson lightning shot by Chu Qingchuan, adding it to his Purple Thunder Sword. How, how is this possible?! Chu Qingchuan was stunned, never having imagined such a scenario where the lightning he conjured could be absorbed by his opponent. Youve heard of the saying, Fight fire with fire, havent you? Zhou Heng laughed out loud, his figure aloft as he fiercely flung the Purple Thunder Sword in his palm. He immediately cast the swath of crimson lightning out, slamming it into the enveloping purple-gold thunder enveloping Chu Qingchuan! This move contained the technique of turning defense into offense, but it was more than just that; it included his understanding of the Thunder martial arts and the Taoist formulas, as well as his knowledge of the Red Sky Nine Styles. And at its core, it embodied his martial will to embrace all thingsa martial technique Zhou Heng invented that was still in its nascent form! Boom! Boom! When the two thunders collided, they were both annihilated, bursting apart with such formidable impact that the remaining three-foot arena was leveled to the ground. Crackle! A loud sound of explosion rang out, and one of the two combatants was sent spiraling backward through the air, tearing a long trail of turbulence along his path! It was Chu Qingchuan. Bang!! Chu Qingchuan, sent flying, crashed hard into a green stone wall more than thirty feet away, making a thunderous noise and instantly creating a huge hole in the wall. But after this crash, the soaring Chu Qingchuan did not show any signs of slowing down. He continued breaking through five more walls before finally crashing to the ground. The force of this fall was immense as well, lifting countless pebbles and dust into the air tens of feet away, and the ground there too took a heavy pounding. Silence! Unparalleled silence. Thousands in the audience were speechless, and you could hear a pin drop. Every person present. All eyes were on the man still standing on the platform, watching this victor. Zhou Heng! The Purple Lightning Thunder Sword! This was indeed, incredibly strong! On the platform. Zhou Heng stood with his sword, feeling exceptionally exhilarated, sensing that his innate Pure Yang inner qi had experienced an unprecedented sense of release, immensely invigorating! At the same time, a reward notification sounded. Congratulations! For defeating an evenly matched opponent, Chu Qingchuan, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1 Such an impressive Thunder martial technique! Wang Xiuye couldnt stop marveling at the figure standing on the platform. The recent bout had been very enlightening for him. It also gave him an insight into another aspect of Zhou Hengs strength. The Purple Lightning Thunder Sword truly lived up to its reputation, and fighting fire with fire was not Zhou Hengs only tactic. And there was Chu Qingchuan, the young talent from the Shenxiao Sect, who was already so formidable right after starting out. Should he progress further, hed likely become one of the top ten experts in the rankings someday. Hmm, considering how Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan are looking, theyll probably end up friends through fighting. Should I take this opportunity to invite them both over and make their acquaintance? Wang Xiuye was contemplating how to cozy up to Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan to enhance their relationship and engage more deeply when he suddenly felt someone behind him. Who could approach him soundlessly?! Instantly, his hair stood on end and his sense of alarm peaked. He quickly tried to put some distance between them by using his movement technique, but the person behind him followed closely like a shadow. Where are you going? ` A voice tinged with a faint smile sounded in Wang Xiuyes ears, and at the same time, a pristine white palm pressed onto his shoulder, immobilizing him in place, rendering him unable to move. Wang Xiuye turned his head to look at the newcomer, seeing a young man of unremarkable appearance but with an air of arrogance between his brows. He immediately furrowed his brow and said in a deep voice, Li Wuwang? What do you intend to do? To spar with you, Li Wuwang replied with a grin. Ive heard you claim to be able to shake mountains with three palms, and you want to shake my Dragon Spear. Although I dont think youre worthy, since youre ranked higher than me, Ill give you this opportunity. Follow me to the stage! In a tavern not far from the stage. Ma Quan held a plague box in his hand, his face ashen and eyes brimming with fury, while the young disciple beside him kept his head down, submissive and humble, not even daring to breathe heavily. This member of the Plague Emperor Sect, at the Sixth Rank of Innate level, was somewhat questioning his life choices. He looked unbelievingly at Zhou Heng standing on the stage, his voice filled with shock and doubt, How is this possible, this damn thing cant be possible! Even if he has a Pure Yang Body, its not possible to ignore my plague qi like this! Could it be that this kid, dammit, has a body impervious to all diseases? During the match between Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan, he had actually released qi and blood deficiency, vulnerability to external evil plague qi, intending to make Zhou Heng fall ill and succumb quickly. This would lead to a rapid decline in Zhou Hengs martial prowess, leaving him powerless against Chu Qingchuans attacks, and he would be beaten to death on the spot! Moreover, since Chu Qingchuans Nine Annihilation Golden Whip and Red Sky Nine Styles were both extremely firm and yang techniques, they would erase any trace of plague qi in Zhou Hengs body upon killing him, effectively concealing any evidence of Ma Quans involvement. Such a quiet and unnoticeable method of using anothers hand to kill had initially filled Ma Quan with pride, but he had not anticipated that Zhou Heng would seem completely unaffected by the plague qi, unscathed! How could this be? Dont worry, even if he truly was harmed by the plague qi, he wouldnt suffer from it. Just then, a gentle yet indifferent female voice arose. Who?! Ma Quan exclaimed in alarm. But the moment he turned to look towards the source of the voice, his gaze was captivated by a pair of light purple eyes. Ma Quan felt a momentary trance, and the light and shadows around him rapidly changed, and after a moment, it was as if he had entered a different world. Daylight turned to night, dark clouds covered the moon, stars were not to be seen, and smoke filled the air. The inn he was in turned into a grave-filled burial mound, boundless as far as the eye could see. Ma Quan turned around bewilderedly, leaned on a tombstone near him, and then his gaze suddenly froze, his face showing a look of horror. Written on the tombstone was Name: Ma Quan. Cause of Death: Afflicted by Numerous Diseases. The instant he saw the tombstone, he immediately felt his body rapidly weaken. Sores started appearing on his face, neck, and all over his body, a bloody taste surged up his throat, and he began coughing violently. But after just a couple of coughs, his lungs were expelled from his mouth. They were covered in pitch-black, viscous tumors. No, nooo!!! On the shores of the Eastern Sea, Ningyu Town. This place was once a town with over a thousand households, living off fishing, and occasionally making some shell ornaments to sell in the county city, helping to supplement their families income. Although not very wealthy, the residents had been happy and content with their lives, leading a bustling existence. But now, Ningyu Town was devoid of any signs of life. Nearly four thousand people, men and women, young and old, even newborn babies, had all lost their flesh and turned into towering, skin-and-bone dry corpses. These corpses were piled up carelessly in the center of the town like weeds. Standing beside this mountain of corpses was a person clad in a black cloak. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He tossed a mass of light, made from the flesh and blood of those thousands of people, into the air. The blood light hovered in the air, emitting strands of purple-black aura, which seemed to slightly distort the surrounding void. The man in the black cloak quickly kneeled down, prostrating himself in worship. I humbly welcome the arrival of Demon Lord Cang Huas law! ps: A large chapter of 4800 words, another one coming before 12 oclock. Chapter 179 - Chapter 179: Chapter 179: One Flag After Another Chapter 179: Chapter 179: One Flag After Another Is this all the blood and flesh youve gathered? A dissonant voice emitted from within the blood-red glow shrouded in dark-purple aura, grating like nails scratching across glass, causing an average persons scalp to tingle at the mere sound of it. If one were to directly absorb the impact and corruption contained within this voice, they would instantly descend into madness, losing all semblance of humanity and becoming a chaotic monster. Most people along the shores of the Eastern Sea live in village towns, and this entire town had only so many people. I beg the Demon Lords forgiveness. The person clad in a black cloak remained prostrated, respectfully saying, In the next day or two, I will slaughter an entire county, gathering blood and flesh for your delight. It shall surely satisfy you. No need. Just do one thing for me, Cang Huas piercing voice came forth, calmly instructing, Ill teach you an incantation. You need only to go to Huangtong Mansion City in Pingzhou within the Qi Country, recite it within a thousand paces of the city, and it will take effect. Thank you, Demon Lord. It is my honor. The person in the black robe listened with utmost respect. After committing the incantation to memory, he bid Cang Hua farewell with an uneasy heart. Upon receiving permission to leave, he transformed into a streak of light, flying towards Pingzhou. Thank me? Cang Huas fragment of will watched the persons departing figure with a light chuckle, musing, A Ghost Immortal who survived the fire tribulation makes for decent nourishment, at least passable. Not long after the cloaked person left, a warm, jade-like radiance suddenly rose from the distant Eastern Sea, cutting through waves and surf to arrive before the blood-red glow. As the jade-like light dissipated, a handsome man in his twenties appeared, with features so flawless they were almost without a single blemish, his visage truly exquisite beyond compare. This man was shrouded in wisps of misty, ethereal vapors, exuding an air of otherworldly lightness, as if he could dissipate into clouds or wind at any moment. He was a Loose Immortal. Yu Long, youve arrived quite swiftly, Cang Hua observed with a dim flash in the blood-red light, calmly stating, Sixteen hundred years have passed and it seems your Loose Immortal form has coalesced well. Thanks to your blessings, Ive also skirted around three Celestial Man calamities, The Immortal spoke with a peculiar tone, then said, The Tianyis seal must be uncomfortable, I wonder how many moments this fragment of your spirit can last? Then why are you wasting words? Cang Hua scoffed. One must sometimes ease the tension, Yu Long replied with a light laugh before continuing, Has Ziwei entered the world? I require an accurate answer. Indeed, Cang Hua replied with a smile, Worried? Its only a Ziwei Master who has yet to grow. Are you planning to take matters into your own hands? Ziwei must not be kept alive, Yu Longs eyes shimmered as he declared, It is safest if I act personally. Ziwei must be killed, and you must tell me his aura. First, you loosen my seal, Cang Hua commanded. Do you want me to die again? Yu Long immediately shook his head, saying, With the Heavenly Palace fool gone, your whereabouts must surely have been exposed. Tianyi and Azure Dragon will certainly keep a close watch on the seal. Should I go there seeking my own death? Heh, youve become much braver than you were sixteen hundred years ago, Cang Hua sneered. Then information flowed from within the blood-red light to Yu Long, who was told, This simulates that Ziweis aura. Go and slay him, but I need you to bring his intact body to me. Just a simulation of his aura? Yu Long received the information with a frown, remarking, Such information is imprecise. It seems your interference with the outer world is quite limited now. Yu Long, do you wish to die? Cang Huas tone turned ominous. Haha, Demon Lord, please take it easy. I was just speaking offhandedly, Yu Long laughed but wasnt truly concerned, and then bid farewell, I take my leave. Upon these words, he transformed into a stream of light and soared away, heading towards Pingzhou. After the Loose Immortal had completely disappeared from view, the blood-red glow tinged with dark-purple energy twisted several times in the void, ultimately taking the shape of a palm-sized figure. It had a complete set of features and limbs, though all were exceedingly blurred, with only outlines visible. Foolish creature, had you not offered your allegiance to me sixteen hundred years ago, you wouldnt have had the chance to become a Loose Immortal after death, Cang Huas gaze was ice-cold as it followed the direction of Yu Longs departure. Once I fully escape my bind, you will all die! Under the pitch-black cloak of night, a chaotic burial mound. Cough cough cough!! Cough cough! Ugh! Ugh! Cough cough cough!! In front of his own gravestone, Ma Quan was doubled over, covering his mouth, coughing nearly to the point of frenzy. At this moment, his entire body was covered in boils, including his eyeballs and tongue; many of them had already burst open, oozing thick pus. At his feet lay one organ after another. Liver, lungs, kidneys, stomach as well as various blood clots. He had almost ejected all of his internal organs, with only his heart remaining inside. Ma Quan was not unfamiliar with this situation, on the contrary, he was very well-acquainted with it. This was precisely the dark skill he was most adept at. The Absolute Evil Heavenly Epidemic Technique! A Sect Fifth Rank sinister method, characterized by the wretched agony he was exhibiting now, a living hell of pain unbearable. What in the world is going on? How could I be afflicted by the Heavenly Epidemic Technique, and how did I end up in this mass grave? Ma Quans mind was filled with shock and uncertainty, yet he had not completely lost his reason, An Illusion Technique? Or perhaps its a dream? Just as he realized he might be in a dream, a pair of faint purple eyes suddenly appeared in the night sky, looking down at him with an icy gaze. Instantly, Ma Quan felt an overwhelming sense of crisis. Without hesitation, he reached back and pulled out his own heart, crushing it to pieces. Bang! Blood splattered everywhere, the stench overpowering. Yet as his heart burst, Ma Quan suddenly achieved an unprecedented level of clarity, and the fog that had shrouded his spirit since he had fallen into this world began to lift rapidly. Boom! Suddenly, a bolt of purple lightning struck down from the sky, seemingly intent on obliterating Ma Quan entirely. By this time, however, Ma Quan was no longer in a state of confusion. He had recovered most of his reason and spirit, realizing that he was not in reality. Thereupon, he immediately employed a spirit secret technique, forcefully breaking out of this dreamscape. The next moment, Ma Quan found himself back in the inns room. Yet he also noticed pustules beginning to appear on his body. Although not particularly severe, he was well aware that in just half a moment more, he would end up just like he did in the dream, dead on the spot. At the same time, he discovered that his chest was hollow, his heart gone, his hands still stained with blood, and the floor covered with large patches of fresh blood and flesh. Clearly, his real heart had been crushed just as in the dream. Even though the loss of a heart wasnt fatal for a Sixth Rank Innate like Ma Quan, it was a near-fatal injury, and his condition plummeted to rock bottom. At this moment, any Peak of the Seventh Rank could easily kill him. Ma Quan glanced at the corner where the young disciple had been and found only a corpse there. Besides that, there was no one else in the room. As for the owner of the pair of purple eyes, he remained entirely ignorant from start to finish. Damn it! Damn it!! Ma Quan gritted his teeth, gathered the last of his True Qi, and used a secret technique to conceal himself, fleeing the inn at the highest speed possible. Once Ive healed, I will make sure to kill all of you!! Chu Qingchuan was a very hearty person. He also admired the strong, especially those younger yet stronger than himself. So, after a bout, Chu Qingchuans attitude toward Zhou Heng had undergone a full three hundred and sixty-degree shift. After crawling out from the rubble, he eagerly approached Zhou Heng to get closer. Zhou Heng had intended to find an inn to settle down after getting off the stage. But Chu Qingchuan had pulled him aside to watch others duel. Of course, if Chu Qingchuan had not offered to cover all expenses for lodging and meals in Wujiang Prefecture City, Zhou Heng would not have bothered with him. Brother Zhou, it seems a lot of people are gathering over there, Chu Qingchuan pointed in a direction where a crowd was forming, and said with a smile, I heard its Li Wuwang dueling someone. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Wuwang? Zhou Heng, who initially had a lack of interest, perked up at hearing the name and said, Lets go take a look. On the boat to Wujiang Prefecture City, he had heard of the disparaging remarks Li Wuwang made about him. It would be impossible to say he was unaffected by those words. For Zhou Heng, a man in his twenties, to not go directly to Li Wuwang and settle the score upon arriving in Wujiang Prefecture City already showed great restraint. Now that he heard Li Wuwang was in a duel, he was naturally inclined to watch. Chapter 180 - Chapter 180: Chapter 180 This Palm Chapter 180: Chapter 180 This Palm ` As for Wang Xiuye, Zhou Heng had quite a good impression of him. During these days on the boat, he had had some conversations with Wang Xiuye, although this man was a bit too utilitarian in seeking connections with renowned figures in the martial world, he still possessed a sense of fairness and justice. Zhou Heng followed Chu Qingchuan to an arena not far away. When Zhou Heng saw the two figures moving and shifting on the stage, his gaze immediately became grave. Li Wuwang was strong! Stronger than he had anticipated. Wang Xiuye was actually getting pressed and beaten. Hsss, does Li Wuwang really have such strength?! Chu Qingchuan too was shocked, staring at the two on the stage with a surprised look, involuntarily exclaiming, Li Wuwangs spear technique, at the Lower Third Rank level, can already be called the pinnacle. At this moment, the battle between Li Wuwang and Wang Xiuye on the stage had actually reached its climax. Wang Xiuye had already manifested his inner scenery, enhancing his strength. As he flipped and struck with his palms, he produced bursts of sound, stirring up fierce winds and waves of energy like a tsunami, extremely ferocious. Furthermore, he wore a pair of gloves on his hands that were clearly not ordinary, increasing the power of his Mountain Moving Twelve Palms, each palm strike seemed to possess the great power to move mountains and shake the earth. Such strength could not be described as anything but strong, worthy of the fourteenth place on the public ranking, indeed living up to the title Three Palms Shaking Mountains. However, the Li Wuwang he was up against was even stronger, wielding a spear about a zhang in length. This spear was made of a special material, its whole body like white jade, yet incredibly hard and sharp. Li Wuwang was known as Dragon Spear, and in his hands, the White Jade Great Spear truly became like a white jade dragon, twisting and soaring. The cold gleam from the spear tips attacks were precise, each thrust hitting Wang Xiuye right where his palm techniques were most vulnerable. No matter how Wang Xiuye changed his moves, Li Wuwang was able to instantly adapt the spear techniques in his hands and respond accordingly. He seemed like a veteran of countless battles, turning the spear in his hands as if it were an extension of his arm, effortlessly countering any attack. It was as if there were no techniques that could penetrate Li Wuwangs spear method, which was like the dance of a jade dragon. Even as Wang Xiuye exerted all his energy, he couldnt inflict the slightest damage on him. The most crucial point was that, from the beginning to the end, Li Wuwang hadnt even manifested his inner scenery. This meant that he still had reserve strength, without going all out, he could overpower Wang Xiuye, who held the fourteenth position on the public ranking. I heard that Three Palms Shaking Mountains once said that he and I, I am not worthy to be compared with Zhou Heng, Li Wuwang said with a light laugh while flicking his spear to counter Wang Xiuyes attacks, Now, how would you evaluate me? He had spare energy to talk?? Seeing this, the audience watching the battle couldnt help but gasp in shock as they observed Li Wuwang, whose breathing remained quite stable. They all felt a shiver in their scalps. Wow! Thats incredibly strong! On the other side, Wang Xiuye was already panting heavily, his inner qi rising, even starting to emit smoke from the top of his head, while Li Wuwang, who had the upper hand, still looked so relaxed? The gap in their strength was truly immense. Even Zhou Heng felt a bit surprised. In his eyes, Li Wuwangs strength clearly exceeded the ordinary. Li Wuwang seemed to have extremely rich combat experience, which did not match his public debut time and age. The proficiency of techniques can be trained, the depth of inner strength can be trained, even the spirit and will can be honed through self-cultivation, but real combat experience must be earned through actual battles. Even Zhou Heng, his own experience in battle truly began to enrich after his fight with the Chang Xing Sect. Before that, in face-to-face confrontations, he more often relied on crushing his opponents with powerful techniques. To put it simply, it was clearing the screen with big moves. Now, he had gradually transitioned to being able to vary his techniques in multiple ways and angles, in order to deal with different situations. He wasnt just about using big moves anymore. But Li Wuwangs traceable debut was only a few months ago, and the first time he appeared before the public, he was already Seventh Rank, with only a few battles known to people. From the moment Li Wuwang made his debut, he entered the top twenty of the public ranking, with no known master or past, and a mysterious identity. Such a person would definitely attract a lot of attention, and those who could truly spar with him were certainly not weak, so each of his fights would be observed by many and almost none would be unknown. Unless Li Wuwang had already experienced numerous battles before his debut, with potentially dozens or even hundreds of Martial Artists at the Peak of the Seventh Rank to spar with him, it would be hard for him to have such combat experience now. This is a man with secrets, Zhou Hengs curiosity was piqued. He was somewhat looking forward to a match with Li Wuwang. He even had a feeling that perhaps he could completely perfect that move he created in a fight with Li Wuwang. That move summarized the essence of all the Martial Arts he had learned, with the core will of the Martial Path he wanted to take as the inspiration. It was a creation that encompasses everything. Bang!! Just at that moment, a muffled sound came from the stage. Wang Xiuye placed both hands on Li Wuwangs spear but was picked up and thrown off the stage by a thrust, crashing into a wall not far away, embedding directly into it. He lost. He lost conclusively. Defeated with almost no chance of retaliating. Beneath the stage, the crowd couldnt help but exclaim in admiration. Li Wuwang is truly exceptionally strong, to win against Wang Xiuye so effortlessly. He will be the fourteenth on the public ranking next term, they exclaimed. ` Hes not just fourteenth, I think it wont take long for him to reach the top ten. What do you think about Zhou Heng compared to him? Zhou Heng? Although hes strong, he is, after all, only Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, so theres a gap compared to Li Wuwang. I feel like theres a match to be had, didnt you watch Zhou Hengs recent bout with Chu Qingchuan? He was just as impressively strong! No way, Li Wuwang was clearly at ease just now, his strength is unfathomable. Perhaps if Zhou Heng steps into the Seventh Rank there might be a fight to be had, but I fear not at the moment. Zhou Heng has yet to construct his Inner Scenery. Compared to a Seventh Rank, his methods fall short and hes probably not Li Wuwangs match. Perhaps it was because Zhou Heng had just fought Chu Qingchuan. There were still many here discussing who was more formidable between Zhou Heng and Li Wuwang. The general consensus was that Zhou Heng wasnt a match for Li Wuwang. This made Chu Qingchuan very angry. Indeed, it wasnt Zhou Heng who had said anything, but rather Chu Qingchuan who couldnt stand it first. He didnt think he was weaker than Li Wuwang, yet now people felt Zhou Heng was no match for Li Wuwang, and he had been defeated by Zhou Heng. Werent they implying he was inferior to Li Wuwang?! Zhou Heng was somewhat amused. However, he didnt rush off to challenge Li Wuwang. Instead, he first went over to the wall that Wang Xiuye had been embedded into and pried him out. The main reason was Li Wuwang had just fought. Fighting him now, Zhou Heng felt it might be unsatisfying. Yet, Li Wuwang on the stage had already noticed him. Zhou Heng! Li Wuwang stood on the platform, holding his Dragon Spear and pointing it at Zhou Heng. He flicked the spear tip, tilted his chin up slightly, and said indifferently, You, get up here. The crowd immediately erupted with excitement. They had been anticipating this battle, and to their surprise, Li Wuwang had just issued the challenge. Oh? Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow, turned to look at Li Wuwang on the platform, and chuckled, Youve just had a battle, dont you need to rest a bit? A battle? Li Wuwang shook his head at the comment, swept a glance at Wang Xiuye whose face was still somewhat pale, and laughed, Was that a battle just now? It was merely the disposing of a little insect. You! Wang Xiuye was immediately furious. He had never expected Li Wuwang to be so arrogant. Youre going a bit too far, arent you? Chu Qingchuan also furrowed his brows. What, cant your pride as a disciple of a Great Sect and noble family handle being defeated by an ordinary martial artist like me? A cold smile appeared on Li Wuwangs face, as he continued, Dont tell me, in your hearts, a common martial artist like me has no right to defeat you? Should people of your noble birth always naturally stand above? Wang Xiuye and Chu Qingchuan were both stunned, taken aback that they had suddenly been accused of discriminating against common martial artists. They found themselves at a loss for words. Zhou Heng was also surprised. Li Wuwangs tactic of turning the tables was somewhat reminiscent of a keyboard warrior from an online forum. To deal with such a person, one didnt need to reason with him. He simply needed to be beaten up. Thus, Zhou Heng leaped onto the platform, chuckled, and said, If I defeat you now, will you again claim that a true disciple of a top Martial Dao Sect is suppressing an ordinary martial artist? With you? Li Wuwang burst into laughter as if he heard a funny joke. His gaze suddenly turned cold as he said, A mere Eighth Rank on the Martial Path, who gave you the courage to talk to me like this? Are you a bit mentally unstable? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly. He acutely sensed that whenever Li Wuwang spoke provocatively, there seemed to be an imperceptible fluctuation of Divine Soul, and Li Wuwangs arrogant and presumptuous behavior seemed far from normal. Enough talk, lets fight! Li Wuwang snorted coldly, not engaging with Zhou Hengs words. With a flick of his White Jade Great Spear, it surged forward like a dragon emerging from the sea, instantly aiming for Zhou Hengs head! A very nice spear, Zhou Heng smiled. He was quite satisfied with the spear Li Wuwang thrust at him. Although it didnt involve any anomalies or manipulation of the worlds vital energy, the power and sharpness were concentrated to an extreme. It was stronger than every strike Wang Xiuye had faced before. This is exactly what I wanted! Zhou Heng laughed aloud, stepping forward to meet Li Wuwangs spear thrust. Right away, he raised his right hand as his aura suddenly surged overwhelmingly. This aura was immensely vast, as if encompassing heaven and earth. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only And he, the person, stood in the center of heaven and earth, evolving all things, embracing everything! With just one palm! It seemed to encompass all the techniques and transformations of Li Wuwangs spear thrust, even overshadowing Li Wuwangs very existence! ps: What do you all think this palm technique will be called? Chapter 181 - Chapter 181: Chapter 181: All Things in Three Lives Chapter 181: Chapter 181: All Things in Three Lives You dare to clash with my spear using just your bare hands? How laughably absurd, Wang Xiuye was defeated, what makes you think you have the courage?! So overconfident!! Li Wuwang saw Zhou Heng coming at him with just a palm and immediately sneered. His spear in hand was like a dragon, unstoppable, and he had no intention of dodging Zhou Hengs attack. What does it matter if your demeanor is awe-inspiring? Before ones spirit can directly affect anothers will, the crux of martial arts still lies in the hard clash of raw power! As long as I crush you completely, what use is the profundity or skill within your palm strike? It will all come to naught! The spectators beneath the arena also held their breath, watching the scene unfold without blinking. Especially Chu Qingchuan and Wang Xiuye. One had crossed hands with Zhou Heng, and the other had faced off against Li Wuwang. They knew all too well how powerful and terrifying both men on stage were. But between these two, who is the stronger one? Zhou Heng takes him head-on with bare hands, not even wearing gloves; isnt he afraid of being at a disadvantage? Hes only at the Eighth Rank of the martial path! He surely hasnt reached the point where Inner Qi solidifies into substance, serving as both weapon and armor. Upon initially reaching the Seventh Rank, a warriors body undergoes a metamorphosis, and their Inner Qi qualitatively changes. It can be projected outward, solidifying from intangible to tangible, forming weapons or armor. This is the greatest advantage of a Seventh Rank Warrior before stepping into the Peak of the Seventh Rank, where the Inner Scenery manifests externally. Zhou Heng remained indifferent to all this. His palm strike continued towards Li Wuwang, his momentum soaring even higher. In an instant, it felt as if all the elements of heaven and earth were encompassed within his palm. Li Wuwangs expression changed; he suddenly felt that no matter what, his thrust could not escape the enveloping range of Zhou Hengs palm. He had intended to pierce Zhou Hengs head directly, but under the cover of this palm, the tip of his spear could only meet the palm, incapable of targeting anything else. Damn it, what kind of palm technique is this? Li Wuwangs eyes darkened, and he simply changed targets, directing the spear dancing like a dragon straight towards Zhou Hengs palm. But this thrust made him witness an even more terrifying aspect of Zhou Hengs palm. It was deep and mysterious within the palm, its layers upon layers, and between the shifting of his fingers, it seemed to encompass dozens of Martial Arts techniques, as if dozens of masters were striking at him simultaneously. There were palms, fists, swords, sabers, thunder, and the Five Elements it appeared to have it all! How is this possible, what kind of martial arts is this? Li Wuwang was shocked, his face full of disbelief. Before his spear could truly hit its target, his mindset was completely changed; in the face of this palm, his Yu Long Divine Spear Technique seemed to lose its luster. Zhou Hengs expression was detached. His palm harbored divine intent and encompassed everything, naturally including all that he had learnednot just martial arts, but also Taoist formulas! That is to say. The palm he was now striking with contained Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, Six-Direction Plum Folding Hand, Solitary Nine Swords, Hundred Steps Flying Sword, Golden Light Three Forms and many other techniques he had learned. They were all fused into one, consolidated into this single palm strike! Clang!! When Zhou Hengs palm collided with Li Wuwangs spear, there was a clang as if metal struck metal, like a golden bell being rung, deafening to the ear. Under the impact of Zhou Hengs palm, Li Wuwangs Yu Long spear was bent out of shape, and the terrifying force traveled down the shaft into his palm. With a crack. Li Wuwang, a formidable Peak of the Seventh Rank warrior, had his palm and fingers twisted violently, bones broken, and the Yu Long Large Spear in his grip was slapped out of his hand by Zhou Hengs palm, embedding into a wall dozens of feet away. Moreover, Zhou Hengs palm continued with undiminished ferocity, striking fiercely upon Li Wuwangs chest as if heaven and earth themselves were toppling over him! Boom! The force of this palm strike caused an explosive sound. Li Wuwangs Inner Qi attempted to resist against this all-encompassing palm, but was brutally suppressed, causing turmoil inside his body as his blood and Inner Qi flowed in reverse. Immediately after, he was sent flying backwards, like a straw dummy thrown through the air, flung straight from the stage and crashing into the same wall where his spear was embedded. Like Wang Xiuye before him, he was imprinted onto the wall. Instantly, the whole place fell silent, with everyone in the audience looking incredulously at Zhou Heng on the stage, their faces full of shock. Just one palm! Just one palm?? Had Zhou Heng really ended the battle against Li Wuwang with a single palm strike? All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Many had not even grasped what had happened. It seemed as though the battle had ended just as it began. How could this happen, I actually lost with a single palm strike, just one palm strike, and I couldnt even withstand Zhou Hengs palm strike? I didnt even have a chance to utilize more powerful spear techniques, I havent deployed my unique secret technique, how, how did I end up defeated like this? How is this possible, how is this possible, this cant be?! What kind of palm technique was that, what kind of martial arts, was that, was that really still considered martial arts?? Li Wuwangs mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, a complete mess, entirely occupied by Zhou Hengs palm strike earlier that seemed to encompass everything, as if it contained the changes of all things in the world. How could there be such a palm technique in the world, what level of palm technique is this? You, what palm technique is that?! Li Wuwang clenched his teeth as he incredulously stared at Zhou Heng. At this moment, Zhou Heng was still immersed in the state of mind from that palm strike, his thoughts reaching the high heavens above and the great earth below, with himself at the center, evolving all phenomena and laws. His body was interwoven with peculiar rhythms of mana, making his surroundings grow dim, as if even the light was twisting around him, causing many changes. Up to this point, he had finally validated his own learning, confirmed his martial path will, clarified the way forward on the martial path, and the vision of the small world within became distinct, with the bottleneck of the Seventh Rank crumbling away before him. Next, all he needed was to integrate everything within himself with his martial path will, and truly build out the nascent small world within, and he would be able to break through the realm. At most three days! Zhou Heng would truly step into the Seventh Rank, undergoing a transfiguration! You, what palm technique is that?! Li Wuwangs voice came through, which was also the question in the minds of everyone present, what kind of palm technique had Zhou Heng just performed? It was unbelievably strong. Li Wuwang, being as powerful as he was, had his weapon knocked away with a single palm, and even he himself was sent flying backwards. It was astoundingly powerful! Palm technique? Zhou Heng gave a light shake of his head and smiled, That wasnt a palm technique, I just used the form of a palm technique to perform it, this move, I call it Three Lives All Things! Huangtong Mansion City remained tranquil and peaceful. People here continued to live as usual, the Longxing Martial Arts Hall had been set on the right track, and an even larger and newer training ground was under construction, predicting a future of prosperity. Yu He was busily running around, effectively taking on the roles of financial officer, public relations, and marketing for the hall, but he found joy amidst the work. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were seizing every moment to cultivate the techniques Zhou Heng taught them, like Pure Yang Three Forms Fist, Ta Hua Qi Nurturing Stance, and Pure Yang Cloud Peak Sword, to prepare for future teaching. Wang Xiuye, the lord of Huangtong Mansion, was hosting a banquet in the mansion, entertaining Pei Luoshu, Pei Luoling, and an important guest who had come from Pingzhou County City. All was exceedingly harmonious, exceedingly peaceful. However, eight hundred miles away from Huangtong Mansion City, the sky suddenly darkened, not with clouds obscuring the sunlight, but as if the heavenly phenomena themselves were altered for some reason. This was a mountain road where a caravan was passing through. Over the years, they had traveled far and wide and witnessed many strange events, recognizing such changes in the sky usually meant someone of great power had made a move, someone they couldnt afford to provoke. Altered phenomena, daylight turning dark, snow in June, rivers evaporating, and other peculiarities often occurred when warriors of the Middle Third Rank battled or used their martial arts, and many people, even if they hadnt seen such occurrences, had heard about them. Just when the caravan decided to speed up to leave the area, they suddenly saw a mysterious figure in a black cloak walking slowly toward them. The experienced leader of the caravan knew better than to provoke such mysterious figures, as doing so could bring lethal trouble upon themselves. Luckily, the mysterious figure seemed to take no notice of them and continued walking forward with his head lowered, appearing to be just a regular passerby. The caravan leader, with his people, quickly distanced themselves from the mysterious figure and finally let out a sigh of relief, thinking he had been overcautious but when he turned to look at the others in his group, his face instantly turned deathly white. The twenty-some people accompanying him had, unbeknownst to them, all turned into skin-and-bones cadavers, still maintaining the poses they had in life, frozen on the carts. The leader was filled with terror and sought to flee, but he suddenly found his movements incredibly sluggish. He struggled to look at his arms and legs and saw that, like the corpses around him, he had turned into a skeletal cadaver without flesh. Immediately after, his consciousness sank into darkness. He was dead. The mysterious figure in the black cloak continued walking, now holding a blood-red cherry that was emitting a faint light in his hand. The despair of humans before death, mixed with their blood and flesh, is truly too delicious. This mysterious person swallowed the cherry in one gulp, paused in his step, released his divine sense, and smiled, Ahead should be the Huangtong Mansion City that Lord Cang Hua mentioned, at this distance, I can start chanting. Simultaneously, within Huangtong Mansion City, at the Wu Family Mansion. A man with square features and a stern demeanor suddenly put down his chopsticks and gazed toward the northwest. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He then addressed Wang Xiuye and both Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu sitting at the table, Brother Wang, I sense something. I will be back shortly. Luoling, Luoshu, stay here and do not go out. Inside Wujiang Prefectural City, an exceptionally handsome man had arrived. This man had a nearly flawless visage, leaving every person who saw his face utterly amazed, regardless of their gender. As he walked down the street with a smile on his lips and a glint of joy in his eyes, he said, Found you, Ziwei! Chapter 182 - Chapter 182: Chapter 182 The Dragon” among People Chapter 182: Chapter 182 The Dragon among People In the world of mortals, such an environment truly felt distant to Yu Long now. The last time he had walked among humans was 1,600 years ago. Although he had found Ziwei, he didnt go directly to it; the unexpected encounters in the human world were what he missed the most. However, the aura of this mortal world remains as disgusting as ever. Yu Long passed through the bustling streets with a frown etched on his face. Even though he yearned for his past life among humans, after converting to a Loose Immortal, he couldnt help but loathe the mortal dust of the human world, and due to some past experiences, he felt an overall disdain for humanity. Should I exterminate all these humans before Ziwei? Yu Long thought he had a good idea and chuckled to himself, The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer has always taken it upon themselves to maintain the peace of the human world, focusing on protecting these disgusting humans. Then it would be delightful to slaughter freely before the Ziwei Master. As he thought this, his gaze swept over the pedestrians coming and going, listening to their laughter and watching them interact with each other. The worldly aura of the mortal dust irritated him once more. Yu Long felt the urge to act on his impulse right away, but he held back, thinking that a slaughter without an audience would be boring. Suddenly, he noticed someone blocking his path. Hmm? Yu Long looked down and saw a young girl in the bloom of youth, her cheeks flushed as she gazed up at him. Hello, said the girl, clearly moved by Yu Longs exceptionally handsome appearance. She mustered the courage to approach and strike up a conversation, May I ask Uh!! But before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly suspended in midair, as if an invisible hand had gripped her neck, lifting her entire body off the ground. Crack! The girls neck snapped, the light in her eyes dimming instantly, as life fled from her body. What followed was her body unnaturally writhing, twisting grotesquely, before bursting into nothingness with a bang. Nothingness, indeed. The girl didnt even leave behind a trace of blood or flesh; she simply vanished into thin air. Filthy thing, who allowed you to come close to me? Yu Longs face showed utter disdain as he hurried away from the place where the girl had blocked his path. And all this while, passersby seemed completely unaware, oblivious to the girl turning to ashes, as if everything was normal. Only an old mother cooking in a nearby house felt something amiss. She walked to her door, puzzled, looking for her daughter who had just run out. But she saw no one. Strange, where has Qianqian gone? Shes disappeared in just a moment, and I even made her favorite meatball soup. Sigh, this child, Ill have to talk to her next time. The old mother muttered to herself and returned inside, continuing to wait for her daughter to come home. After his defeat, Li Wuwang covered his face and fled in haste. He couldnt accept this outcome no matter what; he had been defeated by a mere Eighth Rank Martial Artist, and the opponent had used only a single palm strike to do so! Just one! It was just one palm strike! And he had lost, was defeated!! He lost utterly and thoroughly defeated! All living things, all living things, could this be the martial art he created himself, to plan and construct the core of his inner worlds microcosm? Li Wuwang couldnt stop recalling the palm strike Zhou Heng used to defeat him, which seemed to contain all variations of martial arts, encompassing all things with its miraculous technique. From the aura that Zhou Heng displayed during combat, it was obvious that his microcosms inner world was also permeated by the will contained within that palm. Inclusive of everything, embracing all! Ridiculously arrogant! Who does he think he is to dare to build his inner worlds microcosm with such grandeur? Li Wuwang ground his teeth in anger, unwilling to accept this reality. The Secret Six Rank Innate Realms intersection with the external scenes core is the microcosms inner world, equivalent to a more complete external manifestation of the inner world, thereby connecting with the principles of heaven and earth, and commanding natural forces. Therefore, the strength of a Secret Six Rank martial artist is greatly related to the quality of their microcosms inner world. At the same level, different microcosms could result in a power difference of several times or even tens of times. Undoubtedly, the nascent form of the microcosms inner world vaguely visible in Zhou Heng was extremely powerful, stronger than the one constructed by Li Wuwang! Damn it! Damn it all! Li Wuwangs heart was filled with unwillingness, his fists clenched as he resolved to defeat Zhou Heng and reclaim his lost honor! But at this moment, he suddenly felt his inner qi trembling, as if it had met another master and was about to leave his body. What, what is this?? Li Wuwang panicked as he looked around frantically, only then realizing he had come to a deserted alley without noticing, and a man with a bewitchingly handsome face was approaching him. With just one look, Li Wuwangs heart was completely filled with terror. He felt as if he had encountered the source of all his power and involuntarily knelt down, wishing to worship this man. This man was naturally Yu Long. Oh? Yu Long glanced at Li Wuwang, who was kneeling on the ground, and smiled, saying, I see, you received some of the seeds I scattered among humans. Pity, the power came too easily, and your character is barely worth mentioning. Still, you might be of some use. He then left directly as if he had done nothing at all. Li Wuwang knelt there until long after Yu Long had left, finally coming back to his senses. He prostrated on the ground, breathing heavily, his sweat drenching his entire outfit. Just, just now, that person, what, what was that?!! After the duel ended, Chu Qingchuan and Wang Xiuye came up to Zhou Heng. They were both astonished by the palm he had used earlier. Wang Xiuye volunteered to host a banquet for Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan, saying it was to thank Zhou Heng for defeating Li Wuwang, and since Chu Qingchuan was traveling with Zhou Heng, it was natural to invite him as well. Both Zhou Heng and Chu Qingchuan could tell that Wang Xiuye was intent on making friends with them, yet neither pointed it out. Wang Xiuye seemed decent enough, and in the martial world, having more friends and connections was always good. Just as the trio was about to leave the citys arena to find a tavern, they encountered a man dressed in a white brocade robe with a charming beauty almost demonic in appearance. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This person Zhou Hengs pupils suddenly shrank, his instincts telling him this man was extremely dangerous. Yu Longs smile played on his lips as his cold gaze landed on Zhou Heng. He stepped forward gracefully, lifting his hands slightly and said with a smile, So weak, youre really so weak! He made no attempt to hide his murderous intent. Zhou Hengs sense of alarm skyrocketed instantly, and like a bristling cat, he immediately sprang back. Run!!! Chapter 183 - Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Luck Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Luck Facing a strong opponent like Yu Long, Zhou Heng had absolutely no intention of resisting. The gap was too wide. Although he still wasnt sure what level Yu Long was at, the danger he perceived from his spirit told him this person was definitely not someone he could resist. He could only flee! Even as the thought of fleeing surfaced, he immediately activated the Luck State. Luck once: On this day, you will have unimaginable luck. He was afraid that without the Luck State, he wouldnt be able to escape. At that moment, Yu Long had already charged over, swinging both hands left and right, instantly obscuring the void around them, sealing off the space here. There was no escape, nowhere to run. Crack, crack, crack!! The sound of the void being torn apart rang out, just like glass being forcefully and harshly shattered. Wherever Yu Longs hands passed, tiny fissures appeared in space, twisting and spreading, filled with the aura of destruction. Wang Xiuye and Chu Qingchuan didnt even have time to react and were crushed into pieces by the swipe of these palms, and then their bodies were ground into minced meat by the spreading destructive force of the space. However, the two of them were not ordinary martial artists after all; they clearly possessed secret treasures that could take their place in death. A dull yellow mist flickered over Wang Xiuye, and a layer of red lightning flashed over Chu Qingchuans body, and then the corpses of both disappeared without a trace. It seems they returned to a previously recorded resurrection point. Life-saving treasure? Yu Longs face darkened, he hummed coldly, If I were still a Celestial Man, such things would be utterly useless! At this time, his swinging hands had already arrived in front of Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng was about to be caught and turned into meat paste just like Wang Xiuye and Chu Qingchuan, but his figure strangely slid to the left, very luckily slipping out of the confined space. And in doing so, he also dodged Yu Longs attack. How is this possible? Yu Long looked astonished, somewhat in disbelief. He was just trying to kill an Eighth Rank martial artist, its impossible for his attack to miss, this shouldnt be happening! Interesting! Yu Longs eyes narrowed slightly as he pointed at Zhou Heng, I dont believe you can escape this way! His mana burst forth from his fingertips. He tried to impact Zhou Hengs internal energy and blood, aiming to explode him into pieces. But before this burst of mana even left his fingertip, he felt that his Primordial Spirit was experiencing the extremely rare Unsteadiness of the Dwelling. A Loose Immortals body is founded upon rare divine materials after the essence of Taoist law is amalgamated and then re-condensed. After all, this was not the original body, and there would inevitably be a gap between the Primordial Spirit and the divine materials. Therefore, there are times when Unsteadiness of the Dwelling occurs, manifesting as a gap between mana and the Primordial Spirit, making it difficult to operate smoothly. However, this situation usually only appears once in a thousand years. And even if it occurred, it would last for a very short time, typically just a few breaths, and there would be signs of it for over a decade in advance, so for a Loose Immortal, this isnt much of a problem. But now, Yu Long felt that this condition arose on his body without any signs, and the degree of unsteadiness was quite severe, it actually caused his burst of mana to collapse and dissipate. This, this is absurd! Yu Long raged, and without holding back any longer, his Divine Sense suddenly spread out, instantly covering a thousand-mile void, and the natural energies of heaven and earth boiled over for it. Boom, boom, boom!! The weather within a thousand miles changed, abruptly turning from day to night. Cataclysmic momentum swept across the void, stirring up fierce winds, and an immense, unparalleled terrifying force condensed in the sky above, crashing down instantly. I want to see what tricks you have left! Yu Longs gaze was icy cold as if he intended to crush everything within a thousand miles into dust. Inside the Tian suite at the Xinmiao Inn. He Mengqiu was originally explaining some of the finer points of the Three Dreams Dharma to Yun Xiu, using the process of her prior defeat of Ma Quan as an example, breaking down the martial arts principles involved in every step. Her trip to pull Ma Quan into the dreamscape wasnt just to protect Zhou Heng. In fact, it was more for the sake of instructing Yun Xiu. The reason Ma Quan was able to regain consciousness in the dreamscape was also intentional, so that Yun Xiu could understand what an enemy waking up in the dreamscape would be like. Otherwise, with her level of Divine Soul, she could easily cause Ma Quan to perish silently; a mere Sixth Rank martial artist had absolutely no chance of resisting in her dreamscape. But just as she was explaining, He Mengqius expression abruptly changed, and she looked toward the city center, exclaiming in shock, Such a degree of disturbance in the natural energies of heaven and earth, this, this is a Loose Immortal casting spells! She sensed that the natural qi between heaven and earth was vibrating violently, as if an impeccably still lake suddenly had an enormous vortex appear, gathering and condensing it into an incredibly refined force, intending to crush everything here. Loose, Loose Immortal? Yun Xiu turned pale upon hearing this, exclaiming in shock, Is it like the powerful Loose Immortal from the time at Yuanhe Prefecture City? No, stronger! He Mengqiu shook her head. Immediately, she stopped talking, sat cross-legged, and a blend of illusory and real dreamscape emerged behind her, rushing toward the sky. Zhou Heng gave up on escaping. Because he had already determined that this Yu Long, who seemingly came from nowhere, was most likely a Loose Immortal not inferior to the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. Even with Luck State, all sorts of coincidences occur that allow one to dodge attacks that would otherwise be fatal. But there will eventually come a time when one cannot dodge. After all, luck does not conjure opportunities out of thin air; it still has to follow certain patterns. Now that Yu Long has unleashed his full power and is drawing in a massive amount of elemental energy from within thousands of miles to destroy everything in this area, there is no use for luck, no matter how fortunate he might be. Even with high agility, there is no escape from an all-encompassing area attack. However, hes currently drawing upon the elemental energy and seems too preoccupied to attack me? Zhou Hengs heart stirred slightly, and he made a split-second decision to use a special skill card. This was an excellent opportunity! A five-colored radiance began to ascend from the palm of his hand. The Five-Colored Divine Light! Gathering! But at that moment, the corners of Yu Longs mouth suddenly curled into a cold sneer. At the same time, the image of Yu Long in Zhou Hengs eyes suddenly changed. His entire being instantaneously turned into a hazy, indistinct phantom, twinkling with the light of green jade, each ray intertwined with the principles of the great Tao, exuding an incredibly profound aura. With just one glance, Zhou Heng felt an endless stream of complex information flood his brain. The casting of the Five-Colored Divine Light was immediately interrupted, and his head exploded on the spot with a loud bang. There was no room for resistance! Even with that unimaginably fortunate luck, there was no way to withstand the force of such a mental assault. A Loose Immortal like Yu Long was far too powerful for Zhou Heng as he was now. Fortunately, he still had a Life-saving Talisman. With a flash of brilliance, Zhou Heng appeared inside a rented room in Huangtong Mansion City, his face extremely grim as he clenched his teeth and said, Yu Long! Use Projection Card! Project Celestial Man Yan Shouyi! Open all Fortune Bags! Open the Platinum Treasure Box! Use the Martial Arts Proficiency Gift Pack! Yu Long dispersed the elemental energy he had gathered for miles around, and the extraordinary visions dissipated with it. I thought you would summon the projection of Yan Shouyi. I didnt expect you would actually kill the Great Saintly Mercifuls Five-Colored Divine Light C such a way to manifest the true intent of the great Tao. Can you even still use such a method? Yu Long mused as he hovered in the sky, looking at the place where Zhou Heng had vanished, his brow furrowed in thought. In the days he had been to this mortal world, while he searched for the aura of Ziwei, he naturally didnt focus only on that but also gathered information. After confirming that Ziwei was indeed Zhou Heng, Yu Long had made a more detailed study of him. He was the reincarnation of an ancient power, with fallbacks left from a previous life, capable of using some inconceivable methods, such as the Five Thunder Righteous Method, Five-Colored Divine Light, Resurrection, Projection, and so on, which he had learned through various channels. The most dangerous aspect he perceived was Zhou Hengs ability to summon the projection of Yan Shouyi. A Celestial Man is, after all, a true Land Immortal. Even just a projection is beyond comparison with his existence as a Loose Immortal, which is why he had specially commissioned a Loose Immortal skilled in this area to forge a secret treasure for him. His pretense of being unable to act while gathering elemental energy was just fishing, hoping to lure Zhou Heng into summoning the projection of Yan Shouyi. However, he had not expected Zhou Heng to actually use the Five-Colored Divine Light. To avoid wasting maneuvers and further interference from that bizarre luck, Yu Long directly manifested part of his true form, delivering an overwhelmingly powerful mental assault that burst Zhou Hengs head on the spot. Having manifested my true form just now, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer must be aware of it, and there isnt much time left, Yu Long thought inwardly. The direction of the Life-saving Talismans light was it Huangtong Mansion? Heh, interesting. I wonder if Lian Feng has arrived Cang Hua seems to have designs on that city; I should take a look. Afterward, he stepped out, covering a hundred miles in an instant, and after a dozen steps, he arrived outside Huangtong Mansion City. He saw two brilliant lights colliding and flashing across the sky above. Black and white clashing, making the sky quake and the earth tremble. Elemental energy within hundreds of miles was in complete chaos, distant mountains collapsed one after another, and the whole Huangtong Mansion City seemed on the verge of falling. A great Grandmaster was battling with a Ghost Immortal! Above the city, layers of dark clouds were gathering, and a force filled with chilling, destructive, and deadly auras was rising from beneath the city. At the same time, a finger-like phantom appeared amidst the surging negative auras, and this mere phantom seemed to be crushing the void into cracks. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Haha, Ive come upon quite a spectacle, Yu Long laughed, clapping his hands, ready to step forward, when his expression suddenly turned serious. He saw a stream of Five-Colored Divine Light burst from Huangtong Mansion City! This beam of Divine Light spanned the cosmos, veiling heaven and earth, suppressing mountains and rivers, unifying the five elements, and arresting all creation!! And a plain-looking Taoist, exuding a scholarly aura, Was stepping through the air!! Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Unparalleled Strength! Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Unparalleled Strength! Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve obtained the Martial Arts Flower Picking Finger [Seventh Rank]. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve obtained a special skill card: Tracking Card*1. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired the Martial Arts Beiming Divine Skill [Seventh Rank] Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired lifespan to allocate: 50 years. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired basic attribute: Insight +1. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired a special item: Green Jade Lotus Seed*1. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired the Martial Arts Lightbody Microwalk [Seventh Rank]. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired the Taoist Formulas Divine Sword Thunder Control [Sect Fifth Rank]. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired assignable proficiency: 5 [Sect Fifth Rank]. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve obtained a special skill card: Paralysis Card*2 [Copper]. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired weapon projection card: Tianya Sword. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired a special skill card: Resurrection Card. Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! Youve acquired a Magic Weapon projection card: Ziwei Star Palace [Silver]. Zhou Heng completed this series of multiple Fortune Bag activities, which took a considerable amount of time, a full dozen seconds or so. By this time, the projection of Yan Shouyi had already been outlined and condensed into shape. When he was previously in Wujiang Prefecture City, he chose to use the Five Colors Divine Light instead of a projection card because the more powerful the character to be projected, the longer it would take. Projecting a Celestial Man like Yan Shouyi would take about fifteen seconds. Such a lengthy duration would be enough for Yu Long to kill him countless times. However, this time, Ill make sure you wont return! Zhou Hengs palm once again shimmered with Five Colors Divine Light, as he prepared to have Yan Shouyis projection teleport him to Wujiang Prefecture City. To a Celestial Man, tens of thousands of miles were but an instant away. Wujiang Prefecture City was only a little more than two thousand miles from Huangtong Mansion City and was barely worth mentioning. Yet just as Zhou Heng was about to leave, he suddenly heard thunderous booms overhead, as if bolts of thunder were continuously exploding. The elemental chaos had completely devolved into a rampage, causing him to feel his blood churn with merely a slight perception of it, indicating that the two individuals battling possessed extremely high levels of strength. They were certainly no ordinary martial artists! Furthermore, Zhou Heng could feel the ground beneath his feet quivering in regular patterns, as if a heart was reviving, as though a terrifying beast was about to rise from below the earth. An unbounded wave of slaughter, death, and darkness was about to envelop everything! Whats going on? Zhou Hengs brow furrowed slightly, and he decided to postpone his trip to Wujiang Prefecture City. Instead, he first let Yan Shouyis projection teleport him to the home of the Wu Family. Before, with the Divine Sense Perception of Yan Shouyis projection, he confirmed that Wu Zongshan was anxiously looking up at the sky, and Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu were also at the Wu residence, with equally worried expressions on their faces. As Yan Shouyis projection was currently invisible, Zhou Hengs sudden appearance in the Wu familys courtyard frightened Wu Zongshan and the Pei siblings, nearly provoking combat. It was only after recognising that it was Zhou Heng that they refrained from actually fighting. Whats happening, Zhou Heng, why are you here? And how, how did you just appear out of thin air? Pei Luoshu stared at Zhou Heng in utter amazement, asking in shock. What just happened was instantaneous teleportation, appearing out of nowhere, something even a peak Fourth Rank martial artist couldnt accomplish. It was said to be due to the stable rules of this world and the solidity of space, thus only those at the level of a Celestial Man could teleport long distances. But Zhou Heng was clearly not a Celestial Man, so how did he do it? Theres no time to explain that. Zhou Heng shook his head, looked toward Wu Zongshan, and asked, Respected Prefectural Governor, who is battling in the sky and what is reviving beneath the earth? Since Yan Shouyis projection could only last for five minutes, he had to be as concise as possible, hoping to finish his questioning in half a minute to ensure he had enough time to deal with Yu Long. Its Prefectural Governor Pei Hongdao and a a Loose Immortal of the evil path! Wu Zongshan glanced at the sky, saying, This Loose Immortal was chanting incantations outside Huangtong Mansion City, seemingly calling upon something sealed beneath the city. Governor Pei sensed that something was amiss and went out to stop the Loose Immortal and then they began to fight. Up until now, they have been evenly matched. Evil Loose Immortal? Zhou Heng detected the unfinished implications in Wuzong Mountains words and sensed that the pitch-black radiance intertwined with Pei Hongdao above contained a dense force of malevolence. This was not some evil Loose Immortal; it was clearly a Ghost Immortal! Moreover, to fight Pei Hongdao, who was ranked seventh on the prestigious list of great Grandmasters, on equal footing, it must be a Ghost Immortal who had passed through the fire calamity and reached a level close to that of a Loose Immortal. No ordinary Ghost Immortal could compare. What is sealed beneath Huangtong Mansion City? Zhou Heng frowned and asked; he had never known that something was sealed under Huangtong Mansion City. I dont know. Even the records of the Imperial Court dont mention anything related to this, but from the phantom shape that is now manifesting Wuzong Mountain pointed towards the sky outside and said, Perhaps it is a segment, no, half a finger? Just half a finger? Upon hearing this, Zhou Hengs expression turned solemn and he looked towards the fingers phantom in the sky with astonishment, feeling dizzy and almost as if that half a finger was going to collapse the space itself! Immediately afterward, he suddenly saw black clouds forming layer upon layer above the phantom of the half finger in the firmament, pressing down towards Huangtong Mansion City. The negative aura that had already been spreading suddenly intensified by more than tenfold! The malevolent energy surged! The void echoed with wailing! Zhou Hengs keen spiritual perception told him that the space here was on the verge of collapse, the laws of the Great Path here were being eroded, as if a door to an unknown world of terror was about to be opened. And this eroding power seemed to have the same origin as the negative aura on that half finger. Did this mean that if that finger truly broke free from the Seal, the gateway might indeed open, and Huangtong Mansion City, at the epicenter of this dramatic change, would instantly turn into a city of death? The only solution was to suppress that half finger immediately, ensuring it could not break free from the Seal. Only then could they save Huangtong Mansion City entirely. But now, the only person capable of suppressing it Seemed to be the projection of Yan Shouyi. Therefore, two choices now lay before Zhou Heng. He could either take Yan Shouyis projection to Wujiang Prefecture City to kill Yu Long or have Yan Shouyis projection stay in Huangtong Mansion City to exert all efforts to suppress that half of the finger. Damn it! Zhou Heng clenched his teeth, about to make a firm decision when suddenly he perceived something stira familiar and dangerous aura coming from outside Huangtong Mansion City. Yu Long!! Zhou Heng bellowed in rage, then raised his right hand and made a grabbing motion in the air, using a special skill card: Five-Colored Divine Light[Copper]. The Five-Colored Divine Light immediately converged! Booming loudly! As if the peal of thousands of thunders resounded together, at the moment when the Five-Colored Divine Light evolved the true meaning of the Five Elements Path, the harmony of heaven and earth stirred, the winds and clouds over mountains and rivers changed color, and everything in the world came to a halt! Red, White, Azure, Black, Yellow!! This ray of Five-Colored Divine Light spanned the universe, heading straight for Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, who had just arrived outside Huangtong Mansion City, laughing triumphantly as he stroked his palmsto strike him down! At the same time, the projection of Yan Shouyi stepped through the void, instantly arriving before Yu Long. The Celestial Man projection slightly swayed, and suddenly a vast Pure Yang golden light bloomed, dispersing the malevolent shades for thousands of miles. His figure expanded countless times over and transformed into a huge Sun of Pure Yang looming in the sky! Crashing down on Loose Immortal Yu Long! The Five-Colored Divine Light reached first, instantly engulfing Loose Immortal Yu Long. The shine that symbolizes the true intent of the Five Elements Path gleamed intermittently, nearly occupying half the sky, complementing the Sun that Yan Shouyis projection had become. The terrorizing power of the Five Elements bore down on Loose Immortal Yu Long, who was caught in its swipe, instantly grinding anything related to the Five Elements on him into pure elemental energy. But in the next moment, Loose Immortal Yu Long shook and transformed into a Green Jade Dragon, smashing through the Five-Colored Divine Light and breaking free, then reverted to human form. Hahaha! Did you think I didnt know you possessed the Five Elements True Intent Divine Light? Yet I dared to come and slay younot because I arrogantly believed you couldnt use that light, but because my dwelling is simply not of the Five Elements, Yu Long the Loose Immortal laughed heartily. His mana might have been damaged, but he remained largely unharmed, You can destroy everything of the Five Elements on me, yet alone you cannot destroy me! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Then what about the might of that Celestial Man? Zhou Heng gritted his teeth and said. The strength of Loose Immortal Yu Long far exceeded his expectations; it was almost inconceivable that not even the Five-Colored Divine Light could handle him. At that moment, the Sun of Pure Yang that Yan Shouyis projection had become was already crashing down. This was a real sun, capable of incinerating stars and obliterating the void if placed in space, its power incredibly vast and boundless! Yet Loose Immortal Yu Long, unperturbed, revealed a smirk on his face, took out an object with a flip of his palm, and laughed, I could counter your Five Elements True Intent Divine Light, how could I not be prepared for your Celestial Man projection? Chapter 185 - Chapter 185: Chapter 185 The Scheme of Yu Long, the Loose Immortal Chapter 185: Chapter 185 The Scheme of Yu Long, the Loose Immortal The projection of Yan Shouyi transformed into a radiant Great Sun, falling down majestically. Just like the descent of the Golden Crow into the world, almost burning everything in the human realm to ashes. Yet this intensely scorching power was incredibly refined, not leaking a single bit outward, and all of it surged towards Yu Long, the Loose Immortal. There was only one target! No matter how powerful you are, youre just a projection after all, laughed Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, as he tossed an object in his hand into the airit was a talisman inscribed with a profound rune in cinnabar. Forbid! The prohibition of forbidding! Projections cannot harm me! roared Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, as the talisman suddenly caught fire and vanished, creating ripples in the void as if the fundamental principles of Taoist formulas were being temporarily altered. Consequently, the searing brilliance of the Great Sun passed directly through Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, without causing him any damage whatsoever. It was as if the two existed in two parallel worlds, unable to interact, hence incapable of inflicting harm upon each other. To the current Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, Yan Shouyis projection as a Celestial Man might as well have been nonexistent. This, this Zhou Heng gaped in shock. He had not anticipated such a development at all and his face showed an expression of disbelief. This Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, was indeed unimaginably powerful. Compared to the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal, whom a single five-colored divine light had easily dealt with before, Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, was incomparably mightier. Hahaha! What tricks do you have left? Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, laughed heartily, The realm of Celestial Men already involves the rules of the grand dao, and although we, as Loose Immortals, no longer possess the divine skills of Celestial Men, we have other means to easily control your projection technique. The projection of Yan Shouyi disbanded the radiance of the Great Suns Dharma Body and returned to his original form, standing above Huangtong Mansion City, yet his eyes were still fixed on Yu Long, the Loose Immortal. What should I do next? Zhou Heng pondered deeply while gathering his senses. He was currently using the perception of Yan Shouyis projection as a relay to explore the outside world. He did not look directly at Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, nor did he directly sense him. Lest his head be blown apart again by the true form of Yu Long, the Loose Immortal. Boom! Just then, the void abruptly erupted with a loud noise; the previously ethereal fingertip had become nearly solid, and the layers of dark clouds pressed down further, causing the void to truly begin to shatter piece by piece. For the people within Huangtong Mansion City, there was only one sensationthat the sky was falling! The heavens dome shattered! Dark clouds loomed over the city! This was the sky collapsing, the heavens pouring down! The people inside Huangtong Mansion City suddenly plunged into panic and chaos. Some were so frightened they were trembling in their corners, others were running wildly in the streets, some were looting, while those who thought they were certain to die began to release all sorts of their inner darkness, only to be injured and captured by the warriors of various families or officers of the Prefectural city. Complete chaos! Hahaha! It has appeared, it has appeared! I have not failed the Demon Lords trust! A voice full of joy bellowed from the collapsing firmament. This was the Ghost Immortal who was dueling with Pei Hongdao. Nonsense, die!! Pei Hongdaos roar, like a thunderbolt, immediately overpowered the voice of the Ghost Immortal Lian Feng. His figure flickered with a surge of light, and as he grew taller in the face of the wind, a dharma body of ten thousand zhang appeared. This dharma body was of an old man holding a scroll, wearing a Bagua robe, surrounded by numerous hexagrams embodying all things in the world. Beneath his feet lay a long river, its silvery waves sparkling and frothing with the principle of the old and new alternating, seeming to flow from the past through the present and into the future. The Ten Thousand Manifestations Expanse Dharma Body cultivated from the world-securing divine skill Ten Thousand Images Manifest Expanse Secret Volume of the Pei Family in Pingzhou. Once Pei Hongdaos dharma body was revealed, the empty space within a radius of hundreds of miles suddenly became stagnant. Clear and tranquil light floated above all things within this area, converging towards this dharma body. These lights contained various pieces of information of these things, these countless lights were streams of information, all converging on the dharma body and forming the luminance that twined around it. Then, the ten thousand zhang dharma body launched a stream of converged information with a flick of its hand toward the Ghost Immortal Lian Feng. This was the most common attack of the Ten Thousand Manifestations Expanse Dharma Body, gathering information streams to break down the opponents spirit. Within a few hundred miles, all things, except sentient beings, from flying birds and walking beasts to flowers, birds, bugs, and even mountains and trees, contained uncountable amounts of information. Under such a massive onslaught of information, even a Ghost Immortal like Lian Feng, who had survived the fire calamity, found it difficult to cope in the moment, experiencing a brief sluggishness in perception and action. However, it was in that split second that Yan Shouyis projection raised a palm, which became a sky-covering, sun-blocking hand of fire, reaching through the air to capture and pinch the Ghost Immortal Lian Feng. By the time Lian Feng came to his senses, it was already too late. The extreme heat of the Power of Pure Yang enveloped the entire body of the Ghost Immortal. The grand principle of eradicating dark and evil energy was as substantive as a brand, imprinted within this Power of Pure Yang. Celestial, Celestial Man??!! Lian Feng screamed in terror, utterly horrified, No! No, no! No!! Demon Lord save me, save me! Until now, he had been fully focused on battling Pei Hongdao, not daring to be distracted in the slightest, so much so that he hadnt noticed the appearance of a Celestial Man projection like Yan Shouyis. Whoosh, whoosh! Pure Yang golden flames burned, giving off whisps and streams of blue smoke. This Ghost Immortal, who had passed the fire calamity and whose strength was comparable to an ordinary Loose Immortal, was instantly reduced to ash in the presence of Yan Shouyis projections Pure Yang golden flames, ceasing to exist. Demons are hard to kill, and Ghost Immortals even harder. But in the face of a Celestial Mans might, this so-called undying trait was not worth mentioning at all. And the Demon Lord it called out for never showed up from the beginning to the end. Congratulations! Your projection has slain the hardly challenging enemy Lian Feng. Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Reward notification sounded. When the projection killed, the power comparison took the levels of the projections as the reference but seemed to have some degree of conversion, so that not all enemies became worthless, and there would still be some rewards. Crack, crack, crack! The sound of exploding and shattering void suddenly spread again. Zhou Heng, using the perception of Yan Shouyis projection, looked over and saw that the half-materialized finger was becoming more substantial, seemingly about to completely solidify, the empty space around Huangtong Mansion City was already half broken, and a space storm filled with the aura of destruction was about to sweep over this great city. Therefore, Zhou Heng willed a thought. After Yan Shouyis projection had annihilated the Ghost Immortal Lian Feng, it immediately transformed into a great sun of golden light, intertwining layers upon layers of principles and essence, pressing down on that half-materialized finger. This town, like clearing clouds to see the sun, instantly dispersed the thick black clouds, quelled the space storm, and even the rifts in the fabric of space quickly mended under the glory of the golden solar entitys light. The various negative energies that permeated the surroundings melted away as quickly as winter snow under a warm sun, and the half-formed finger that was about to solidify completely began to regress under the suppression of the golden solar entity, gradually becoming illusory once more. After all, this half-formed finger was incomplete, and no matter how powerful its whole body was, or how high its essence, it was now merely a half-formed finger. Under the suppression of the Celestial Man, what chance did it have to resist? It was swiftly being suppressed back into its seal. However, such suppressive state needed to be maintained for a while, which meant that Yan Shouyis projection couldnt afford to divert its attention to other matters at the moment. At most, it could continue to serve as Zhou Hengs sensory relay. Oh? That is somewhat intriguing, said Yu Long, his lips curling slightly upwards with a smile after seeing the actions of Yan Shouyis projection. Since this projection cannot kill me, let it suppress the demon entities. Its indeed a fine idea. But what will you do next? The divine light of the Five Elements true meaning is ineffective, and this projection of a Celestial Man is now useless. Let me think, what else do you have? That technique that causes everything to regress in state? Wont you give it a try? He spoke as if to himself, seemingly very leisurely, not in a rush at all, as though he wasnt afraid of being pursued, possessing an air of confidence. Whats happening, what is this Yu Long Loose Immortal trying to do? Zhou Heng wondered, unable to comprehend the intention behind Yu Long Loose Immortals actions. If Yu Long Loose Immortal was there to kill him, then now would be the prime opportunity for action. The longer the delay, the greater the risk, as undoubtedly, more experts would soon arrive. Eighth Rank Martial Artists and even Celestial Men might be possible respondents. Yet, this Yu Long Immortal appeared to be stalling for time, as if waiting for something. But what could he possibly be awaiting that warranted such a risk? Dare this Yu Long Immortal not fear the arrival of a Celestial Man? Or had he ascertained through some means that no Celestial Men would come at this point in time? One doubt after another surfaced in Zhou Hengs mind. Of course, at the same time, he was also pondering what means he still had to annihilate this incredulously strong Loose Immortal. Among the reserves from before, there was a Peak Card, and the methods of prophecy were of no use. But the Peak Card could at most carry out Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts, and prophecy required logical consistency to work, yet there was no logical scenario where killing Yu Long Loose Immortal was possible. After all, Pei Hongdao was the only one here capable of combating Yu Long Loose Immortal. Even if this ultimate Grandmaster could defeat a Ghost Immortal like Lian Feng, compared to Yu Long Loose Immortal, he would likely fall short. Then, there was the matter of the items obtained from opening the Fortune Bag earlier, some of which could kill Yu Long Loose Immortal. For example, the projection from the Ziwei Star Palace. If it could exert its full power, suppressing Yu Long Loose Immortal would certainly pose no problem. But the problem was that it was a Magic Weapons projection. Given Zhou Hengs Eighth Rank position on the Martial Path, it was impossible to unleash its full potential. Then there was the Paralysis Card, but even though the Paralysis Card could immobilize, to kill Yu Long Loose Immortal, one would still need an attack that could truly finish him. Boom!! A loud rumble came from the sky; Pei Hongdao had already clashed with Yu Long Loose Immortal. This top-notch Great Grandmaster truly deserved his rank as the seventh on the terrestrial list, being a top Fourth Rank powerhouse, he faced off against the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal, whose level was above the Fourth Rank, and surprisingly did not fall into a disadvantage from the beginning, showing signs of being evenly matched. However, it was quite evident that there was a significant gap in strength between Pei Hongdao and the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal, and although Pei Hongdao maintained a semblance of resistance with his aggressive attacks at the start, it was clear that it would be difficult for him to keep up over time. If a few more top-notch Great Grandmasters could come and besiege the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal, perhaps with the Paralysis Card and the prophecy combined, we could kill him! Zhou Heng thought to himself, yet he knew this was unrealistic. The reason why the top-notch Great Grandmasters were called top-notch was that at this level, the powerful individuals were essentially the pinnacle of martial artists in the human world, the extraordinary hermits, with those above them being the Loose Immortals who transcended the mortal realm. Such revered figures were undoubtedly very rare; it was impossible for several of them to appear here all at once. Yet, as he was thinking this. Suddenly a streak of sword light flew in from the horizon, plunging directly into the fray, joining Pei Hongdao to attack the Jade Dragon Loose Immortalit was unmistakably another top-notch Great Grandmaster. Zhou Heng clearly saw the person through Yan Shouyis projection, and it was none other than a beautiful woman in her thirties wearing a Pure Yang Palace Taoist robe; it was actually Qi Rui, the master of Jade Qiong Peak. She was Cheng Jianjians master. Following that, another streak of red lightning flew from afar. This person immediately manifested their Dharma Body, turning the sky into a sea of red thunder, engulfing the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal. This crimson lightning had some resemblance to the Red Sky Nine Styles Chu Qingchuan used earlier, likely a top-notch Great Grandmaster from the Shenxiao Sect, probably Chu Qingchuans master, most likely drawn here due to his disciples sudden resurrection back at the sect. Now, the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal was facing the assault of three top-notch Great Grandmasters, yet he still held his ground without showing signs of fatigue or falling behind. After bursting out from the sea of thunder, he even attempted to overpower all three by himself. Monstrous! How can he be so powerful? Zhou Heng watched with a tingling scalp, feeling that the true Celestial Man would probably possess this kind of might, incredibly formidable. It was utterly outrageous! However, under these circumstances, if one were to use the Paralysis spell and then declare with prophecy that the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal was destined to be defeated and perish, then the chances of success would probably be quite substantial. Just at this moment, a streak of golden radiance flew from afarastonishingly, it was a Golden Dragon. But the Golden Dragon was just a Dharma Body. The actual person was a man within the Golden Dragon, wearing a dragon-patterned golden robe, donning a mask with two dragon horns drawn on it. Zhou Tian Boundary Officer! Azure Dragon horn constellation! He too was a Fourth Rank top-notch Great Grandmaster. This was the fourth one! Zhou Heng felt immense joy. But before this constellation could join the battle, the Jade Dragon Loose Immortals aura soared dramatically, becoming several times more powerful than before. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only His strength seemed to have no limits. The mana flared all over the Jade Dragon Loose Immortals body; with a shake of his form, he instantly transformed into a Green Jade Dragon, surrounded by clouds of mist, soaring above the sea of red thunder, weaving through the streams of information and dodging sword lights, he charged at the newly-arrived constellation. To be precise, he charged at the constellations Golden Dragon Dharma Body. My risky wait was not in vain; you have finally arrived, as my successor, your Dharma Body is not bad at all! But now, it is mine! Hahahaha!! Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Chapter 186: The Proclaimed Future! Chapter 186: Chapter 186: The Proclaimed Future! ` Successor?! What does that mean? Upon hearing the words of the Green Jade Dragon Loose Immortal, Zhou Hengs heart couldnt help but fill with shock and suspicion. Could it be that this overpoweringly aggressive overseas loose immortal had once been a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? Former Hornwood Star? It is precisely because I am your successor that I must eliminate you! To remove future threats! The voice of the Hornwood Star was extremely deep. The Golden Dragon shone brilliantly, its form suddenly grew to over a hundred miles long, obscuring the sky and blotting out the sun, and opened its massive mouth to swallow the Green Jade Dragon that the Green Jade Dragon Loose Immortal had transformed into. At the same time, Pei Hongdao, Qi Rui, and the peak figures of the Shenxiao Sect all manifested the full might of their Dharma Bodies. There was an elder holding scrolls, integrating boundless information, transforming it into torrents that swept away; there were misty clouds drifting around fairy towers and pavilions, from within which sword lights brewed, shattering the void; there was a sea of red thunder that contained the principles of creation and destruction, resembling the brilliance of heavenly power. These were the ultimate forces of the current era, the pinnacle of power beneath the celestial beings. As laws intertwined, the land for hundreds of miles around shook, and everything roared. Even thousands of miles away, the shocking and extraordinary event here could be seen. This was the great power that could truly move mountains and drain oceans; in many worlds, it would be enough to be worshipped as divine. Yet now, it was united in an attack on a single target. Just with you all, you think you can kill me?! The Green Jade Dragon Loose Immortal roared in rage. His Green Jade Dragon Dharma Body suddenly expanded, causing the energy of the green wood in the heavens and earth to surge. Within a thousand miles, flowers, plants, and trees all lit up with a bright green glow, floating up and converging towards the Green Jade Dragon. His mana, not belonging to any of the five elements, was nonetheless able to mobilize such a vast amount of the energy of the green wood. It was simply inconceivable, like a celestial being operating the power of laws. Under the gathering and refining of this massive amount of the energy of green wood, the Dharma Body of the Green Jade Dragon Loose Immortal suddenly transformed into a Hornwood Flood Dragon that stretched a thousand miles long. Its enormous body floated and sank in the clouds of the sky, appearing before the eyes of countless creatures. Hornwood Flood Dragon! Zhou Heng recognized what the Dharma Body of the Green Jade Dragon Loose Immortal had manifested. In this Dharma Body, he felt the power of the stars and constellations, extremely similar to the aura of the current Hornwood Star with the Golden Dragon Dharma Body, yet there were some differences. This was likely the core legacy of the Azure Dragon Hornwood Star, cultivated to perfection using the Hornwood Flood Dragon Dharma Body as its foundation. It seemed that this Green Jade Dragon Loose Immortal most likely had been the predecessor Hornwood Star of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. But how had he become a loose immortal? Green Jade Dragon! Have you lost your mind, daring to reveal a thousand-mile Dharma Body, causing a public spectacle, not afraid of the celestial beings coming to get you?! The Hornwood Star roared in anger, simultaneously extending his Golden Dragon Dharma Body further and making the two golden horns on his head even brighter, charging towards the Hornwood Flood Dragon Dharma Body. Within a thousand miles around Huangtong Mansion City, including four or five prefectural cities adding up to a population of tens of millions, these tens of millions of people all looked up to the sky and caught sight of a part of the gigantic flood dragon. They saw the green dragons body that resembled a collapsing heavenly pillar slowly moving above the clouds, where each and every scale seemed like a mountain, as if everything else in the world, compared to it, was utterly insignificant and negligible. What kind of monster is this?! ` Tens of millions of people witnessed this Flood Dragon Dharma Body, their hearts shocked to the extreme, utterly astonished. For ordinary people, this was something beyond their decades of life experience; such a colossal Dharma Body had not been revealed by anyone for a very long time. Even Martial Artists felt that such power was incredibly overbearing and inconceivable, as if the Martial Arts they practiced were not in the same world. Could one really cultivate to such an extent? This was truly the cultivation of an Immortal! Hahaha! If I did not know that the Celestial Men are unable to intervene right now, how could I be so bold? The Green Jade Dragon Loose Cultivator laughed heartily, twisting his dragon body, and declared loudly, Do not fantasize about deceiving me. I might know as much as you do, if not more, hahaha! At the same time, he spread out his seemingly boundless Mana, creating a storm of astral essence that surged in all directions, meanwhile intertwining laws and altering rules. On the spot, he suppressed the imposing presence of Pei Hongdaos, Qi Ruis, and the Hornwood Flood Dragons Dharma Bodies, as well as that of the Supreme Dharma Body from the Shenxiao Sect, forcefully pushing back these four Peak Great Grandmasters dozens of miles. Especially the Hornwood Flood Dragon, who bore the brunt of the impact; the core of his Dharma Body, his pair of dragon horns, dimmed in brilliance, as if they had suffered considerable damage from just one strike! Too strong! Such might was truly, supremely overwhelming! Now, the Green Jade Dragon Loose Cultivator made one feel that even if a real Celestial Man were to descend, it would not be any different. You really are too weak! The Green Jade Dragon Loose Cultivator sneered coldly. Immediately after, he opened his Flood Dragons gaping mouth, took a powerful breath, and the four Peak Great Grandmasters were involuntarily sucked towards his mouth, with even the surrounding void collapsing, the space itself being drawn towards his maw. This was like the great returning void, about to devour all things! Just at that moment, a dimly discernible defense between illusion and reality descended from nowhere, creating a world that seemed to encapsulate all things within the void into a dream. The Laws of all things in the universe shifted accordingly, as if all rules had to follow the will of the master of this dream. In an instant, the absorbing power of the Hornwood Flood Dragon Dharma Body disappeared, allowing the four Peak Great Grandmasters to move normally again. However, this mystical dream world only existed for an instant before it was broken through by the Hornwood Flood Dragon Dharma Body of the Green Jade Dragon Loose Cultivator, and the rules of the world returned to their original state. The shattered dream coalesced into countless points of glimmering light, ultimately converging into an outline of a human silhouette floating in the air. Sixth Rank?! No, this is a more refined Primordial Spirit. Heh, it turns out to be a Celestial Man reincarnated. The Green Jade Dragon Loose Cultivator looked at the glinting silhouette and immediately discerned its nature, scoffing, What kind of fool would choose to abandon all their achievements from a lifetime, risking the danger of being lost in the womb, to reincarnate and cultivate again? Even if you have awakened some memories and Divine Skills from your previous life and reclaimed some of your Primordial Spirits essence, what use is it? You are still as weak as an ant. The figure made of glimmering light did not speak, just stood quietly there, yet a radiant aura still emanated from her, as if she was ready to launch an offensive at any moment. Pei Hongdao, the Hornwood Flood Dragon, and the Shenxiao Sect also had solemn expressions, bracing themselves for battle. Qi Rui, however, remained unfazed. Reaching into his sleeve, he drew out a Longsword wreathed in the rich aura of mountains and rivers, surrounded by the light of clouds and mist. As soon as the Longsword appeared, the surrounding void and Laws twisted. It was indeed a Divine Weapon! Seeing this, the Green Jade Dragon Loose Cultivators expression changed slightly, but then he seemed to relax and sneered coldly, Pure Yang Palace truly has vast resources, equipping even Fourth Rank Peak masters with Divine Weapons of Celestial Men. However, a Divine Weapon of Celestial Men is still just a Divine Weapon, not a Celestial Man, and might not necessarily be able to do anything to me! At this moment, Zhou Heng, still using Yan Shouyis projection, was looking for an opportunity to use the Paralysis Card and became vigilant once again. It seemed that every time the Yu Long Loose Immortal talked too much, he was hiding other purposes. The Paralysis Card was not something to be used recklessly. If he used it on the Yu Long Loose Immortal while his alertness and defenses were at their highest, the chances of killing him would surely decrease significantly. He still needed to find the right opportunity. Pei Hongdao, Qi Rui, Jiaosu, and other top Great Grandmasters also felt that the Yu Long Loose Immortal talking so much suddenly seemed abnormal, but when they extended their Divine Sense Perception, they seemed to detect no abnormalities around them. Just then, through Yan Shouyis projections perception, Zhou Heng seemed to suddenly notice a black shadow speeding up from behind the four of them and quickly shouted a warning. Watch out!! But it was already too late. This black shadow turned out to be the tail of the Hornwood Flood Dragons Dharma Body, and with a bang, it smacked the Jiaosu who had manifested the Golden Dragon Dharma Body, sending him flying into the air and out of the crowd. Immediately afterward, the dragon tail wrapped around him and surprisingly threw the Jiaosu along with his Golden Dragon Dharma Body straight into the Hornwood Flood Dragons Dharma Bodys mouth. During the whole process, Jiaosu seemed completely unaware, with no chance to resist. Hahahaha! A bunch of fools!! Yu Long Loose Immortal laughed heartily; the thousand-mile Hornwood Flood Dragons Dharma Body shook, instantly shrinking into a small loach no bigger than a palm, about to turn into a streak of green light and flee. It turned out, all his previous actions were meant to distract everyone so that he could, without anyone noticing, use his dragon tail to launch a surprise attack on Jiaosu and swallow him. Now that he had succeeded, he naturally would not linger any longer; the best plan was to leave. As for Zhou Heng, the Ziwei Master, he hadnt fully grown yet; there would be time to kill him later. Youre the real fool!! Yet at that moment, the corners of Zhou Hengs mouth curled up in a cold smile. He raised his hand, pointing at the fleeing Yu Long Loose Immortal and shouted loudly: Freeze!! In an instant, an unbelievably strong force of restraint descended, freezing the loach-sized Yu Long Loose Immortal into stillness amidst its attempt to flee as a green light. His mana fluctuations, his Divine Sense, everything about him was frozen in place! Only his thoughts were still active. At the same time, he felt the Jiaosu he had just swallowed beginning to break free from the restraint, trying to fly out of his mouth. How could this be? He had clearly subdued this successor by knocking him out and restraining him! Damn it! The Yu Long Loose Immortals heart was filled with horror, realizing he had fallen into a trap. Jiaosu was clearly just a bait! Just now, these four top Great Grandmasters and Zhou Heng must have used some means to communicate secretly, pretending not to notice the dragon tail, using Jiaosu as bait to lure him into believing he had succeeded and then escaping. Damn it all! Cursed, why didnt I consider this? How could I be so careless? Why?! Attack! Qi Rui raised his longsword, shouting loudly: Together, kill him!! Simultaneously, the foretelling that Zhou Heng had begun earlier was reaching its midpoint as he declared solemnly: Based on the connection of He Mengqius illusionary dreamscapes, Zhou Heng, Qi Rui, Pei Hongdao, and Zhong Shenyi secretly communicated and devised a plan to outsmart the Yu Long Loose Immortal. The Yu Long Loose Immortal, eager to obtain Jiaosus Dharma Body, was thus lured by the bait of Jiaosu, tricked into successfully capturing him and attempting to escape, his state weaker than when he was in the thousand-mile dragon form. This is logical. Next comes the latter part: The Yu Long Loose Immortal, in a weakened state, fell victim to Zhou Hengs freezing technique, rendered unable to move or resist. Thus, Qi Rui with a Divine Weapon in hand, along with Pei Hongdao and Zhong Shenyi, struck from the outside, while Jiaosu struck from the inside; an attack from both sides, a pincer movement. The Yu Long Loose Immortal unable to resist, his life hung by a thread. In the end, the Yu Long Loose Immortal died under Zhou Hengs might of the Peak Purple Thunder Seven Strikes! This is the future I proclaim! Immediately thereafter Zhou Heng used a Peak Card! Peak Card: Grants one attack with the highest proficiency level of a Martial Arts technique or a Taoist Formula. In a flash, all the quintessence and secrets of the Purple Thunder Seven Strikes washed over his mind. The proficiency of this Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts technique reached its peak, and his aura expanded like never before, as if a Thunder God stood right there. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only [Absolute Fourth Rank]Purple Thunder Seven Strikes: Level 16 (16000/16000) Zhou Heng shaped his fingers into a blade, his body crackling with lightning, and his gaze locked onto the paralyzed Yu Long Loose Immortal suspended in the air. He immediately struck down from the air. He used no weapon, yet wielded a sharpness more terrifying than any blade. A boundless violet thunder gathered in his palm, forging a peerless purple thunder blade seemingly capable of splitting heaven and earth, of annihilating all creation. Furious Thunder Rends the Heavens and Earth!!! Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Chapter 187: The Heavens Strike and Slaughter the True Dragon! Chapter 187: Chapter 187: The Heavens Strike and Slaughter the True Dragon! ` Boom, boom, boom! With the Thunder Sword in Zhou Hengs hand congealing, a thunderous roar that shook heaven and earth suddenly exploded, ignoring normal elemental laws and resounding across thousands of miles in an instant. People throughout most of Pingzhou heard the deafening thunder and couldnt help but look up at the sky. Yet, after the soul-shaking thunderous roar, the world suddenly fell into a deep, deadly silence. Everything came to a standstill as if space itself had frozen and time had stopped! There was no burst of thunder about to erupt, no brightness of lightning, nor the intense heat of fire; everything seemed extraordinarily quiet. Everyone could hear their own breathing, the sound of their own heartbeat. The universe was utterly silent, as if brewing a tremendously terrifying explosion. Such a sudden, extraordinary phenomenon left the four Great Grandmasters, who were besieging the Loose Immortal Yu Long, completely stunned. They were all a step away from the Celestial Man realm, having refined their Dharma Bodies to the ultimate limit, and were on the verge of entrusting their Primordial Spirits into the void and mastering the power of the Laws of Tao. They could feel that the forthcoming attack would be horrifically formidable more than anyone else. Especially Zhong Shenyi of the Shenxiao Sect, who was most adept in the ways of thunder, was acutely aware of the devastating attack hiding beneath this deep, cold silence. Retreat! Zhong Shenyi shouted loudly, alerting everyone to back away and evade. He had a feeling that the slash Zhou Heng was delivering, even just its residual waves, could severely injure them, even possibly damage their Dharma Bodies! This was the experience he had gained from years of immersing himself in the path of thunder. Qi Rui, Pei Hongdao, and Jiaoxiu also deeply sensed the potential power of this slash, so after launching their strongest attacks at the Loose Immortal Yu Long, they all swiftly retreated. He Mengqius manifested Dreamland Primordial Spirit had already retreated far in the moment Zhou Heng was congealing the Thunder Sword. As a reincarnated Celestial Man who had recovered part of her memories and the essence of her Primordial Spirit, she could perceive the power of Zhou Hengs slash even more than the four Great Grandmasters. This was definitely a slash not inferior to the Ghost-Immortal Thunder Tribulation. Although not yet at the Celestial Man realm, it was already enough to threaten a real Celestial Man. In the Absolute Fourth Rank of martial arts, this was certainly an ultimate achievement. Of course, the most shocked and most fearful was the Loose Immortal Yu Long, who had been struck with a Paralysis Card and was under the combined fierce attacks of the four Great Grandmasters. Although immobilized, he could still sense the potency permeating the world. What, this youngster?! Yu Longs heart was filled with shock and some incomprehension, The divine light of the Five Elements Path, the restart of all things, and the supreme thunderous assault! Who exactly was he in his previous life? What Taoist Seed had he condensed, which Great Path had he refined? Why does he have so many abilities, who exactly is he? Which mighty being, which sacred Taoist Lord? Boom, boom, boom!! At that moment, the icy silence was shattered, as if the chaotic cosmos before creation was split open. A Purple Thunder Blade light that seemed capable of cleaving the heavens and the earth descended from the sky. The Purple Thunder Blade light was like the roar of an ancient Thunder God, intending to obliterate everything in the world, to destroy it all, and return all things to their origin, to recommence creation. Accompanying the Purple Thunder Blade light was an apparently infinite number of Purple Thunder Orbs. They were connected together, obscuring the heavens, shining as brightly as the already surpassed great sun. Such might, if it fell in the cosmic starscape, would be enough to annihilate the stars! Yet, despite the grand spectacle, whether it was the Purple Thunder Blade light or the Purple Thunder Orbs, the attack was incredibly concentrated, and not a bit of its power leaked out. It was all focused on the Loose Immortal Yu Long. Boom! Boom!! Boom, boom, boom!!! Under the successive thunderous assaults, the immobile Yu Long had no capacity to resist. He had already been hit by the attacks of the four Great Grandmasters, including Qi Ruis Divine Weapon assault, and had sustained serious injuries. Now, he was fully subjected to Zhou Hengs Fury Thunder Rends the Sky and Earth, a world-shaking great power. ` He finally couldnt hold on any longer. Boom! The blue-green jade light exploded amidst the pervasive purple thunder, the abode of the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal was thoroughly obliterated. Without the shelter of his dwelling, his Primordial Spirit was immediately exposed and plunged into the sea of purple thunder, swiftly eroded to nothingness. The Primordial Spirit of a Celestial Man is said to be indestructible, but after converting to a Loose Immortal, he lost such a trait, and at best, only some traces of his Taoist charm remained. However, under the absolutely powerful attack of Rage Thunder Splits the Sky and Shatters the Earth, this trait was far from sufficient for survival, and the Primordial Spirit of the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal was completely annihilated into nothingness. His Divine Soul was utterly destroyed! Afterward, the sea of thunder formed by the convergence of the Purple Thunder Blade Light and Purple Thunder Orbs began to dissipate gradually, and the terrifying presence that had filled the heavens and earth also started to weaken. However, the terrible might they had witnessed was deeply imprinted in the hearts of everyone present. Qi Rui, Pei Hongdao, and the other three Absolute Great Grandmasters, along with He Mengqiu, who stood in the distance, turned their gazes towards Zhou Heng, feeling extremely shocked. Is this the reincarnation of a great power? Too strong! Too incredible! What kind of existence was Zhou Heng in his previous life, and what level of Cultivation Realm had he achieved, to have left behind so many and such powerful contingencies? It was utterly unthinkable! Huff! Zhou Heng exhaled deeply, his eyes flashing with intense violence. Even though he no longer had the state of the Peak Card, he still felt as if his entire being was enveloped in thunder, with his mind overwhelmed by an exceedingly fierce emotion. The Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi roiled and boiled as if it were thunder itself. Even the prototype of the inner world he had built with the Martial Path will, the core of all life, was at risk of being tinged with purple thunder and transforming into a Purple Thunder inner landscape. A golden-armored giant wielding a Thunder Sword appeared in his mind, enveloped in countless strands of purple lightning, as if it contained all the secrets of the Purple Thunder Blade Skill. Once again, he felt this overwhelmingly powerful martial will. Activate Purified Heart! Zhou Heng made a decisive choice, opting for the same approach as last time. Suddenly, an extremely chilling coolness pierced through his entire body. He shivered, and the rage in his heart disappeared immediately. Following this, the golden-armored giant wrapped in purple thunder also shattered and dispersed, quickly leaving only a tiny cluster of purple lightning. This was the martial secret that Zhou Heng could digest and comprehend! Congratulations! You have touched the peak martial trait of the Martial Arts Purple Thunder Seven Strikes [Absolute Fourth Rank], grasped a higher level of martial secrets, and comprehended a remnant section of the Martial Arts Purple Thunder Blade Skill [Celestial Third Rank]. Based on your previous realm level, proficiency +15000. [Celestial Third Rank] Purple Thunder Blade SkillRemnant Section: Sixth Layer (998/6000) After Zhou Heng had fully digested that small cluster of purple lightning, his Purple Thunder Seven Strikes transformed into the higher-level and more comprehensive Purple Thunder Blade Skill. Even though Purple Thunder Seven Strikes can already be known as the Purple Thunder Blade Skill, the change in name now has a different meaning. It not only changed from the original maximum of sixteen layers to eighteen layers but compared to the original seven strikes, the current Purple Thunder Blade Skill remnant section also includes a higher-level Eighth Strike. Heaven Strikes Down Thunder to Slay the True Dragon! In a way, it corresponded to the previous strike that obliterated the Jade Dragon Loose Immortal. Of course, under a normal state, Zhou Heng, who had only achieved proficiency in the sixth layer, could still at most release the fourth strike, Winter Thunderbolt. Hu! Zhou Heng once again exhaled a breath of turbid air, and this time, both his spirit and physical state had completely returned to normal. Furthermore, the embryonic form of his inner world had become even more perfected, and he had deepened his understanding of the martial arts philosophy of the three realms of all living things. He even felt that he could transform at any moment, stepping into the realm of Seventh Rank. Qi Rui, Pei Hongdao, and the others all noticed the change in Zhou Hengs state and let out a sigh of relief. They quickly descended to Zhou Hengs side and inquired about his condition. They had truly been worried that the will from Zhou Hengs past life would awaken and unquestionably devour the will and thoughts of this lifes Zhou Heng. However, it seemed that Zhou Hengs current state was quite good. Only He Mengqius dream realm primordial spirit stood in the air, looking down on Zhou Heng from afar, not approaching, her mood seemingly complex. Thank you all for coming to my aid. Without the predecessors rescue, I fear I would have certainly met my demise this time, and Huangtong Mansion City would have likely suffered a calamity, Zhou Heng said, bowing his hands in thanks to everyone. Indeed, this was the case; the strength of the Yu Long Loose Immortal was too formidable. The Great Saintly Merciful Immortal who had been obliterated in an instant by a five-colored divine light was nothing compared to himabsolute trash. Both were Loose Immortals, yet their strengths were not on the same level. If it were not for the arrival of the four Absolute Fourth Rank GrandmastersQi Rui, Pei Hongdao, Jiao Su, and Zhong Shenyiand even if Zhou Heng had used the Paralysis Card to immobilize the Yu Long Loose Immortal, he wouldnt have been able to kill him with a single strike of the Thunderous Rage that Splits Heaven and Earth. If it wasnt for He Mengqius primordial spirit from the dream realm arriving from afar and providing them with a base for secret communication at the last moment, Zhou Hengs prediction would not have unfolded so smoothly. All these events converged to allow Zhou Heng to successfully declare the future and execute the Yu Long Loose Immortal. It was a form of tremendous luck as well. Wait! Thats not right! What about the reward?! Zhou Hengs expression turned stern, as he suddenly realized he had received no notification of a reward. After killing the Yu Long Loose Immortal just now, he had been digesting the profound mysteries of the Purple Thunder Blade Skill and only now did he reactthere was no reward after killing the Yu Long Loose Immortal?! How could that be possible? This was a Loose Immortal even more formidable than the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal! Even if there were four Absolute Fourth Rank Grandmasters and the assistance of He Mengqius dream realm primordial spirit, since he delivered the final critical strike, how could there be no reward? Could it be that the Yu Long Loose Immortal wasnt dead yet? What a joke! How could he still be alive after all that?! Humming! At that moment, a humming vibration came from the void above Huangtong Mansion City. The halved finger bone that was about to be completely suppressed by Yan Shouyis projection began to solidify once again. And the projection of Yan Shouyi was fading bit by bit. The time for the projection had come! Zhou Hengs expression shifted slightly, and he said solemnly, The Yu Long Loose Immortal still has a backup plan. I can handle it. Please, I implore the senior predecessors to help suppress that half of the finger bone. I am deeply grateful. Mmm, we were about to take action. Qi Rui nodded and, brandishing his sword, flew into the sky. He manifested his Dharma Body, wielding the Celestial Man Divine Weapon, and slashed towards the halved finger bone. At the same time, Pei Hongdao, Jiao Su, Zhong Shenyi, as well as He Mengqius dream realm primordial spirit, also made their moves, unleashing great power to forcibly push back that half of the finger bone into its seal. Having the predecessors here is a relief; otherwise, Huangtong Mansion City would likely have been doomed, Zhou Heng took a breath of relief, and then he used a Tracking Card. This was a special skill card that he had received from opening a Fortune Bag earlier. Tracking Card: With no limits in heaven and earth, tracking over ten thousand miles! Concentrate your thoughts and describe in detail the thing you want to track, within a hundred thousand miles, you can trace its exact location and current details. Track Yu Long Loose ImmortalZhou Heng didnt hesitate and immediately obtained the results. The Yu Long Loose Immortal was actually in Wujiang Prefecture City? Therefore, he hurriedly used the last of Yan Shouyis projection, before it completely dissipated, to transport him over two thousand miles away to Wujiang Prefecture City The precise location of the Yu Long Loose Immortal. Wujiang Prefecture City, an inn. Ah! Li Wuwang suddenly let out a scream, his expression changing drastically; first contorting, then turning indifferent, and finally becoming extremely angry, his complexion turning a dark green. Damn, damned thing! Zhou Heng! No matter who you were in your former life, I will kill you, I must kill!! He roared with gritted teeth, his eyes red with rage, filled with hatred. He was no longer Li Wuwang. He was the Yu Long Loose Immortal, who had seized a new life by possessing the seeds of martial arts experiences scattered among the mortal realm! However, what I must do next is burrow into hiding and slowly grow stronger under the identity of Li Wuwang, the Yu Long Loose Immortal thought out his future plans. But at that moment, he suddenly saw the space in front of him twist slightly, and a figure appeared out of thin air. Zhou Heng?! Found you! Zhou Heng grinned. You, you, I, how did you?! The face of the Yu Long Loose Immortal showed an expression of disbelief, and then he saw a hand that seemed to encompass all living things in the universe descend from above! The Three Realms of All Living Things! Now, with the Yu Long Loose Immortals primordial spirit destroyed and only the True Spirits will reborn by possession, which had also expended some of Li Wuwangs life essence, his strength was not even as good as Li Wuwangs normal state. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thus, under Zhou Hengs overpowering palm strike, he had not the slightest ability to resist, nor did he have the chance to flee. Bang! Zhou Hengs palm struck down upon the head of the Yu Long Loose Immortal, instantly shattering the once invincible Loose Immortals head. Without a primordial spirit, the Yu Long Loose Immortals True Spirit instantly dissipated with the bursting of his divine soul, vanishing into thin air. Congratulations! You have killed the Yu Long Loose Immortal Chapter 188 - Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Metamorphosis of Inner Scenery Sky Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Metamorphosis of Inner Scenery Sky Congratulations! You have slain the Loose Immortal Yu Long! Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1, additional options for reward selection +1, existing base attributes +1, existing additional attributes +1, Martial Arts Upgrade Card +1, Taoist Formulas Upgrade Card +1, Companion training simulation with Loose Immortal Yu Long +1, Massive Gift Pack of Martial Arts and Taoist Formulas proficiency +1. You may choose any 1+1 items from the following rewards. Extend lifespan once: Extends the lifespan of any being by three thousand years. Instant enlightenment once: Enables any being to break through the current realms bottleneck. Steal fate once: Steal a portion of any beings fate for the next minute and graft a portion of your own fate onto the other for the next minute. Age once: Ages any being by three thousand years. Change gender once: Changes the gender of any being and solidifies it. What the hell! What is that last option? Is it really meant to be that mischievous? Zhou Heng was still immersed in the joy of having killed the Loose Immortal Yu Long when he suddenly saw this reward option and his mind went blank. Although the rewards were a huge boon, this option was just too bizarre. Thus, he immediately eliminated the fifth option. After some deliberation, Zhou Heng chose the third and fourth options. The reason he chose these two was that he had eliminated the fifth option and then the first and second options. The option to extend lifespan by three thousand years, though good, wasnt essential for the current Zhou Heng. Indeed, three thousand years of lifespan is a very long time, and most Great Grandmasters at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank live only about a thousand years. Even if it were used to extend someone elses life, there was no one around Zhou Heng who needed it. As for the second option, instant enlightenment, it was the same reason; it wasnt urgently necessary yet, as he hadnt reached the point where he needed instant enlightenment to break through his current realm. As for using it on someone else, the first problem to face was how to explain such means and whether it would attract the covetousness of powerful beings, which would undoubtedly put him in danger. After eliminating three options, naturally, only the third and fourth options were left. Stealing fate is a major weapon. Although its just stealing fate for the next minute, its enough to turn the tide in desperate situations. Take the simplest example: When Loose Immortal Yu Long wanted to kill Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng could steal the fate that would have allowed Yu Long to survive and instead graft his own fate of being killed in the next minute onto Yu Long. Thus, the original outcome was Loose Immortal Yu Long successfully killed Zhou Heng, and Yu Long survived. But because that part of fate was stolen and grafted, it would change to Zhou Heng successfully killed Loose Immortal Yu Long, and Zhou Heng survived. Of course, there are many similar ways to use it, and it is definitely a skill that tests ones operational capacity. Aging by three thousand years is much simpler. For any Middle Third Rank Martial Artist, aging three thousand years is equivalent to dying of old age on the spot. And even for most Celestials, suddenly aging three thousand years is also almost certain death. Celestials face a weakening trial every five hundred years and must survive five trials to truly rest easy and live a long, worry-free life. If a Celestial who hasnt passed all the weakening trials suddenly ages three thousand years, then the remaining trials would erupt all at once, making survival nearly impossible. This Loose Immortal Yu Long is truly powerful. Even though Ive had numerous pinnacle Fourth Rankers assist, bringing down the reward, overall, its still richer than what the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal had to offer, Zhou Heng couldnt help but reflect internally. The rewards exploded out by Loose Immortal Yu Long, besides these few options and the treasure and fortune bags, the most useful among the remaining rewards was the Companion training simulation with Loose Immortal Yu Long. Companion training simulation with Loose Immortal Yu Long: Allows you to simulate battles with Loose Immortal Yu Long inside a fixed environment, with Yu Longs realm and cultivation adjustable to match his prime or to be the same as the trainer. Each time the trainer defeats Loose Immortal Yu Long, theres a chance that cultivation experience at Yu Longs current level will drop. The higher Yu Longs realm and cultivation setting, the higher the level of cultivation experience that drops. Its simply the best sparring partner. And its not a one-time-use item; its a long-term practice partner!! It can even drop Martial Path experience from Eighth Rank to Celestial Third Rank. Ive really hit the jackpot! Next, while Im still in the Luck State, Ill open all the fortune bags and treasure boxes. Open all the Fortune Bags! Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have acquired the Martial Arts Sword Control Technique [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have acquired special food: Explosively Spicy Sauce*1. Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have acquired Martial Arts Three Palms Overturning the Heavens [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Three Palms Overturning the Heavens? Zhou Hengs eyes lit up, and the other two rewards suddenly seemed less important. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Three Palms Overturning the Heavens: This is the foundational martial arts for the Overturning Sky Seal among the Primordial Nine Seals, consisting of eighteen levels, divided into three moves: Heaven and Earth Overturn, Palm Covers All Realms, Cosmos Utterly Shattered. The foundation of the Primordial Nine Seals?! This Gold Fortune Bag was immensely worthwhile! The Primordial Gold Chapter Nine Sealsthis was the legendary Supreme Divine Skill passed down by the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, a superior immortal method containing the essence of creating heaven and earth, and the mystery of the ultimate Tao. Although the Three Palms Overturning the Heavens was only the foundation of one of the seals, Overturning Sky Seal, and not even a real part of the Nine Seals, Zhou Heng still had a Martial Arts Rank-Up Card! Martial Arts Rank-Up Card: Elevate the deduction of a martial arts that have been cultivated to the pinnacle, promoting it to a higher rank. Does this mean he had the chance to upgrade this set of Three Palms Overturning the Heavens into the real Overturning Sky Seal in the future? With this thought, Zhou Heng temporarily put aside the idea of opening the Platinum Treasure Box and directly used the Epiphany Card to choose to learn this martial art. Other issues aside, just these three moves were renowned as unparalleled skills; the true meaning they contained might further benefit the perfection of his Innate Power. Congratulations! Your heart is in tune with fortune. You have had an epiphany with Three Palms Overturning the Heavens [Absolute Fourth Rank], achieving a proficiency level of 1, officially mastering this martial art. Congratulations! Because you had prior foundation in palm techniques, your understanding of Three Palms Overturning the Heavens [Absolute Fourth Rank] has deepened, proficiency level +3000. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Three Palms Overturning the Heavens: Level 3 (1/3000) Even as an Absolute Fourth Rank skill, it doesnt mean that one becomes the strongest upon learning it; after all, there is always a process from weakness to strength. Therefore, at the beginner level, Zhou Hengs experience with Seventh Rank palm techniques naturally provided a significant boost in proficiency. After all, at the foundational level, there are commonalities between similar martial arts. Zhou Heng had now reached the third level, already capable of executing the first move, Heaven and Earth Overturn. The second and third moves, however, still required a higher level of proficiency and his own cultivation. Of course, even if there was only one move, even if it was only the third level. This move Heaven and Earth Overturn was one of the most powerful moves Zhou Heng could perform from his martial arts repertoire. Zhou Heng gently raised his palm, fingers spread out, circulating his Inner Qi. The center of his palm immediately turned dark and profound, as if it embraced all things, yet also seemed ready to overturn them. His entire being exuded a terrifying presence as if to crush the heavens and earth, much like an ancient Heavenly Sovereign holding a seal, ready to shatter the skies and the earth. For a moment, everyone in the inn felt an inexplicable heaviness in their hearts, as if a huge mountain was suddenly pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe. So strong, Zhou Heng sighed internally. He lowered his hand and dispersed the momentum he had just gathered, not actually performing the move Heaven and Earth Overturn. However, just this trial move allowed him to truly perceive part of the deeper meaning and principles contained within it, giving him a profound understanding of his own Life of All Beings Innate Power. He even vaguely comprehended another application or technique for his self-created martial art, Life of All Beings. Congratulations! The principles and true meaning of Three Palms Overturning the Heavens [Absolute Fourth Rank] resonate with your Innate Power, deepening your comprehension of this martial art, proficiency level +1000. Zhou Heng felt an overwhelming joy and couldnt help but laugh out loud. He then checked the strange reward that had previously appeared. Special food? Explosively Spicy Sauce: This is a delicious, special spicy sauce that, upon consumption, can enhance the power of martial arts and Taoist Formulas, greatly increasing combat ability. However, it comes with the misfortune of losing some money once. What is this thing? Zhou Heng decisively stashed it away, unable to bear the thought of losing money! Finally, there was only one Platinum Treasure Box left. Open the Platinum Treasure Box! Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have obtained the Magic Weapons projection: Nail Head Seven Arrows Book [Silver]. Nail Head Seven Arrows Book [Silver]: On a platform, set up a straw figure with the targets name inscribed, placing one lamp above and one below it. Perform steps within the magical array, make talismans, and offer salutations three times a day. After twenty-one days, at noon, the written target will have their soul scattered. Capable of cursing Celestial Beings! Hiss! Zhou Heng couldnt help but take a sharp breath. He had actually obtained this item, and though only a projection, this power was terrifying, capable of cursing Celestial Beings to death! It just took a bit long to cast. This haul is truly huge, Zhou Heng clenched his fist, organized the rewards, and then reflected on the state of his Innate Power. I need an opponent, one that will allow me to go all out, to stir up the Innate Power within me. Just one more battle and I shall undergo a transformation! After disposing of Li Wuwangs corpse, which had been possessed by the Loose Immortal Yu Long, Zhou Heng left the inn. He arrived on the streets of Wujiang Prefecture City. This city had been the first stop when the Loose Immortal Yu Long was pursuing him, yet he had been lucky enough to escape almost unscathedan incredibly fortunate turn of events indeed. Suddenly, Zhou Heng noticed something shiny on the ground ahead of him. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a golden ingotat least three taels in weight. Taking a few more steps, he stumbled upon a precious gemstone. What was this? Picking up money by simply walking? Zhou Heng couldnt help but pausecould this also be a result of good fortune? He walked on for a while longer. And then, he found a martial arts secret manual. It was of the Seventh Rank. He continued forward. A fragrant breeze hit him, and soft warm jade fell into his arms. Had he really just stumbled upon a girl?? However, Zhou Heng felt that the sensation of holding this girl seemed familiar, as if he had held her before. Impossible! He looked down and indeed found the girl to be very familiar. It was Yun Xiu! Moreover, her complexion was pale and her breath was weak, obviously she had sustained serious injuries. Miss Xiuer? Zhou Heng was astonishment, and in disbelief he asked, How did you Run! Seeing it was Zhou Heng, Yun Xiu urgently exclaimed, Hurry, run! Theres a Secret Six Rank Innate expert chasing after me, Heng-geer, dont bother with me! As she spoke, she tried to push Zhou Heng away. But just then, a thick and dark fog drifted down from the distant sky, reaching them in a blink of an eyeit was Ma Quan from the Plague Emperor Sect. However, there was a gaping hole in his chest, black blood continuously pouring out, his Qi in utter disarray, his body covered in dense pustules, and his facial expression twisted, almost to the point of madness. Clearly, this Innate expert was half-crippled, severely injured, with barely one percent of his strength left. Yet, as a Secret Six Rank, which was on the level of Middle Third Rank, possessing power much superior to that of the Lower Third Rank, even in his crippled state, the mere disturbance of heaven and earth Qi he brought forth with his movements was enough to make Zhou Hengs heart flutter. This was the overwhelming natural force of the world, an unstoppable force against human strength! Ahh!! Your powers aura is similar to hers; youre her disciple, I want you dead! Ma Quan, hovering in the sky and locking his gaze on Yun Xiu, dove straight down, his palm striking towards her. His attack was also aimed at Zhou Heng, who was holding Yun Xiu. The surrounding crowd immediately cried out in shock, retreating in horror. Flying through the skies! This was undoubtedly the power of a Secret Six Rank expert, a significant figure of the Middle Third Rank! Who could possibly stand against such a one? How pitiable for these two youths facing a Secret Six Rank Innate gone mad. Clearly still of the Lower Third Rank, they stood no chance of survival! Even half-crippled, a Secret Six Rank was simply beyond reach. The gap was too wide. Yun Xiu sensed Ma Quans sudden palm wind, felt the thick aura of sickness permeating the void, and sensed her own increasingly weakened state. Biting her red lip lightly, she pushed Zhou Heng forcefully and sighed softly, Im sorry, Heng-geer, I have dragged you down, but I cannot let you die like this, I will It was as if she was speaking her last words, preparing to use some desperate secret technique to counter Ma Quans attack, but she suddenly realized that her forceful push did not move Zhou Heng at all. Instead, Zhou Heng gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder, moved her behind him, and raised his palm to meet Ma Quans attack. This kind of opponent is exactly what I want! Haha! Yun Xiu heard Zhou Hengs hearty laughter near her ear. She looked up at the tall figure protecting her, at the person who, with Eighth Rank cultivation, raised his hand towards Ma Quan, and she couldnt help but stare blankly. Is Heng-geer sacrificing himself? Unlike Yun Xius concern, Zhou Heng was actually extremely excited at the moment. All the Inner Qi in his body seemed to be boiling, his fighting spirit surging. Facing Ma Quans fierce attack from a half-crippled Sixth Rank, he struck with his palm, fingers flickering with faint light, as if propping up the heavens and earth, evolving all phenomena. All Things Born of Three! Boom! The deafening explosion burst forth, and rolling waves of Qi spread out like a hurricane, causing houses on both sides of the street to shake and sway, ready to collapse into ruin at any moment. The ground within a radius of more than ten yards was completely shattered, and countless fragments of sand, stone, and soil burst into the air, creating a storm of debris that forced many onlookers to close their eyes, daring not to witness the clash between Zhou Heng and Ma Quan. Such a scene left everyone present in utter shock, extremely startled! An Eighth Rank Martial Artist actually facing off against a Secret Sixth Rank Innate head-on?! Even if this Secret Sixth Rank was half-crippled, wasnt this scene a bit too exaggerated?!! Boom! Another explosion sounded, and Zhou Hengs figure, under the crushing palm force of Ma Quan, started sinking downwards. His legs were driven half into the ground as if nailed down by Ma Quan. Simultaneously, every bone in his body emitted cracking and booming sounds, blood seeping from his seven apertures and all over his skin, yet his eyes were brighter than ever before. Ma Quan was truly a Secret Sixth Rank Innate expert; even now half-crippled, his palm, carrying the mighty force of heaven and earth, still possessed an unmatched power to the Lower Third Rank Martial Artist. Die! Die! Hahaha!! Ma Quan laughed loudly, ready to strike with a second palm, intending to completely kill Zhou Heng. Youre the one whos going to die! Zhou Heng roared. As he lifted his other palm to strike, it morphed into a fist, forming a strange seal and hurled toward Ma Quan. This punch seemed completely the opposite of All Things Born of Three; it re-gathered and condensed everything in the universe into the pure essence of Heaven, Earth, Man, and smashed forward with boundless force. All Things Return to Three! At that moment, Zhou Heng appeared like an ancient colossus propping up the heavens and earth, his stance ground into the terrestrial world, reaching up to the celestial sphere, one palm giving birth to all things, one fist reverting all things, exuding a domineering aura of reigning over all. This punch and palm strike directly sent Ma Quan flying backward, piercing through the half-crippled Secret Sixth Ranks control of heaven and earths vital Qi and shattering his protective aura! Hum! Ma Quan was sent soaring through the sky, tearing through the air, emitting thunderous rumbles like muffled thunder, scattering clouds to the extent that a giant circular hole appeared amidst the white clouds in the sky. Behind Zhou Heng, Yun Xiu was left dumbfounded, hardly believing what she had witnessed. People on both sides of the street wore expressions of disbelief, feeling that the scene unfolding was completely beyond their comprehension, and utterly inconceivable! Rumble! Splash! Sounds like thunder, like a mighty river, suddenly rang out, not from the sky, not from afar, but from within Zhou Hengs body. His body shined with golden light, pure and lustrous, his blood as dragons, his marrow as frost! The very essence of his life was transforming, ascending to new heights. Every part of his flesh, every strand of Inner Qi, every inch of skin, every piece of bone underwent unprecedented changes. His Innate Power approached completion, the illusions constructed by Heaven, Earth, Man materialized and condensed behind him, an uncompromisingly masculine and vigorous aura surged to the heavens! He had undergone a complete transformation! Seventh Rank achieved! Transformation of Innate Power achieved! At that moment, Zhou Heng could clearly feel an unprecedented strength, easily more than ten times stronger than before! He looked up at Ma Quan, who had yet to fall from the sky, and stomped his foot. Boom! The ground suddenly exploded into a circular pit, collapsing inward. Zhou Hengs entire being shot up like an arrow released from its bow, breaking through the clouds and soaring into the sky, rising a hundred yards into the air, coming beside Ma Quan who was still descending. You?! Ma Quan, having been sent into the sky by the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, was somewhat lucid by now, and upon seeing Zhou Heng leap up, a sense of alarm surged in his heart. Zhou Heng raised his right hand again, and his aura instantly became vast and ancient, solemn and vast, as if a primordial divine mountain had descended, as though it filled the entire heavens and earth in an instant. Boom! With that palm strike forward, the Qi flow collapsed into darkness, as if crushing the vault of heaven, shattering the earth, annihilating all things in the world, bringing everything towards an endless end without a future. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Such unparalleled and terrifying might immediately caused Ma Quan, already severely injured in spirit, to be intimidated, instilling fear in his heart, halting the turn of his thoughts. Right after, Zhou Hengs palm, glowing with light at his fingertips, pressed down directly onto Ma Quans head, right above the apex of the Secret Sixth Rank Innate experts crown! Immediately, he pressed down with tremendous palm force, as if to flip and overturn heaven and earth! Overturning Heaven Three Palms! The heaven and earth toppled!! Chapter 189 - Chapter 189: Chapter 189 He Mengqiu’s Guess Chapter 189: Chapter 189 He Mengqius Guess Boom! Zhou Heng crashed down with his palm technique Heavens and Earth Overturned, pressing Ma Quans head straight into the ground. In the end, with a loud bang, his feet hit the ground, causing the earth to tremble and the houses on both sides of the street to shake violently. Ma Quans head, who was a Secret Six Rank innate, was firmly pressed into the earth by him. Soon. The air was filled with a strong smell of blood, emanating from the deep pit where Ma Quans head had been smashed, which could be smelled even from a great distance. But even so, many people couldnt believe that Zhou Heng had actually defeated Ma Quan, and it wasnt a sneak attack or an ambush, but a direct and hard confrontation! A martial artist who had just advanced from the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path to Seventh Rank, had actually defeated a Secret Six Rank innate expert head-on, and it seemed that he had beaten the opponent to death?! This was simply too incredible! Even if the Secret Six Rank innate was already half-crippled, to the vast majority at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, he was still an unmatched powerhouse. Zhou Heng, freshly stepped into the Seventh Rank, brazenly killed him; such strength was truly mind-boggling. Of course, all this depended on whether Ma Quan, the Secret Six Rank innate, was actually dead. If not, the fight would likely continue and even escalate. Thinking of this, quite a few people retreated further, staying away from the potential battlefield. However, it wasnt until Zhou Heng let go of his palm and withdrew his aggressive stance, his aura returning to normal, that Ma Quan, who had been smashed to the ground, still did not stand up. He seemed, indeed, to be already dead. Congratulations, you have killed an enemy who was difficult to defeat, Fortune Bag [Silver] *3. Zhou Heng received the reward notification. Under that Heavens and Earth Overturned move, the already half-crippled Ma Quan had no ability to resist, and his head was instantly crushed, his Divine Soul pulverized. Moreover, the inherent firm and Pure Yang force of the palm strike, coupled with the influence of innate Pure Yang inner qi, also dispelled the illness qi within Ma Quans body. Thus, even if Ma Quans blood was spilled, it would not cause the tragedy of innocent lives ending due to rampant sickness qi. However, all this was something he could do only after breaking through to the Seventh Rank, so the reward notifications enemy who was difficult to defeat wasnt wrong. He, hes dead? Yun Xiu looked at the headless corpse on the ground with some disbelief. She couldnt quite believe the reality before her eyes; Zhou Heng had actually won, had actually killed Ma Quan. Too strong! Yes, under my palm strike, there is no reason for him to survive, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and then looked around at the people, smiling, Everyone need not panic; this man is dead. With his words, he effectively announced Ma Quans death to everyone, immediately allowing people to breathe a sigh of relief that at least the battle should no longer continue. But then, they felt a profound shock. Just now they were only speculating whether Zhou Heng had killed a Secret Six Rank innate; now it had been confirmed, and this achievement was genuine. Hiss! Many people couldnt help gasping for air, looking at Zhou Heng with shock. Such strength, truly as terrifying as this! You actually killed Ma Quan? At this moment, a mature and clear female voice came from above, as He Mengqiu descended from the sky. Master, youre back? Yun Xiu exclaimed happily. She had been worried ever since He Mengqius divine manifestation of the Three Dreams Dharma left her body, and was finally relieved to see her return. Thank you, senior, Zhou Heng bowed with a fist in hand and asked, Huangtong Mansion City, does senior know how things are going there? This is not a good place to talk; lets change locations, He Mengqiu glanced around and said, Follow me. Then, she wrapped them in a cloud of light and was about to carry Zhou Heng and Yun Xiu up into the air. Senior, please wait, Zhou Heng suddenly waved his hand. He then crouched down and searched Ma Quans body, found a small Qiankun Bag, a stack of silver notes, and a packet of medicinal powder, before he was satisfied and withdrew his hand. This action not only left He Mengqiu and Yun Xiu gaping in stupefaction but also stunned the people observing nearby. Oh my god! Is there really such a tactic, cant you have a bit of a masters poise? Zhou Heng didnt care about having the poise of a master, nor did he care about that, for the treasures and money one got their hands on were the real deal. How could he possibly forget to loot his battle spoils? Only after looting everything did he step back onto He Mengqius cloud light, laughing, Ive kept senior waiting, we can go now. He Mengqiu was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to think of anything to describe the situation, so she simply went silent, raised the cloud light, and carried Zhou Heng and Yun Xiu into the air. They flew until they reached a deserted spot by the Wu Jia River before descending the cloud light and stopping. What happened to Huangtong Mansion City after I left? Please tell me, senior, Zhou Heng asked. That half piece of finger bone has been thoroughly suppressed, you dont have to worry, He Mengqiu stood beside Yun Xiu and said to Zhou Heng, Also, Qi Rui and Jiao Su both want to see you, they said they have something to discuss with you. Qi Rui should be coming over shortly, while Jiao Su said he will wait for you to return when youre free. Zhong Shenyi and Pei Hongdao have both cordially invited you to visit them. Zhong Shenyi also conveyed his disciple, Chu Qingchuans, regards on his behalf, saying that he came here solely at the behest of his disciple. This Great Grandmaster from the Shenxiao Sect is indeed good at maintaining relationships, Zhou Heng smiled briefly, then clasped his hands in thanks, Thank you, senior, for passing on the messages. No need for thanks, each of us has seen your uniqueness; we simply perceive different aspects of it, and I have my suspicions too, He Mengqiu looked at Zhou Heng with a somewhat complicated gaze, and said, Previously, I had materialized the dream Primordial Spirit from afar, which has cost my Divine Soul, and Ill need to recuperate for a while, so I will take my leave first. Master, are you alright? Yun Xiu was alarmed upon hearing He Mengqiu mention a loss to her Divine Soul. She was very clear that the most important aspect of the Three Dreams Dharma was the Divine Soul. If the Divine Soul was damaged, not only would advancing to higher realms of the Three Dreams Dharma be difficult, it might even regress. Dont worry, at most its akin to being exhausted, He Mengqiu shook her head gently and smiled, Lets go. Im glad Master is fine, Yun Xiu let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this and then bid Zhou Heng farewell, Brother Heng, thank you for saving me this time, I, I will definitely find a way to repay you in the future! Haha, theres no need for that, Zhou Heng laughed, If anything, it was you who brought me an opponent. Without this Ma Quan, I might not have had the chance to undergo a complete transformation and break through to the Seventh Rank. That wont do, proper accounts must be kept separate, Yun Xiu shook her head repeatedly, her eyes resolute, Regardless, I will definitely repay you! Master, lets go. Hmm, He Mengqiu nodded lightly and once again ascended into the sky on the cloud light. Afterwards, Zhou Heng strolled by the Wu Jia River and found a few pieces of gold and gemstones buried in the sand and stones, as well as two secret manuals and a treasure map. It seemed to him as if treasures were everywhere here, yet others just couldnt find them, he wondered whether they were truly blind or just down on their luck. Zhou Heng guessed it was probably the latter. Because under the Luck State, his fortune was really too good. Apart from finding things, in just a short while, seven or eight big fish had leapt out of the river and fallen right in front of him. Finally, after he released the ninth big fish back into the river, two female Daoists appeared on the opposite bank of the Wu Jia River. One of them should indeed be referred to as a young girl. It was Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui, who were looking at Zhou Heng across the river. Then, with a flash of sword light around Qi Rui, she crossed the Wu Jia River with Cheng Jianjian, arriving at Zhou Hengs side. Above the sky, clouds churned tumultuously. He Mengqiu maneuvered the cloud light through the sky, the howling wind around her blocked by the protective divine light she emitted, With Yun Xiu standing behind her, staring at the vast expanse of the sky with a vacant gaze. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Then her eyes regained their determination. She hesitated for a long time but finally decided to ask the question that was weighing on her mind, so she gently tugged at He Mengqius sleeve and whispered, Master, you seemed to have a complex look earlier when you were looking at Zhou Heng, is there something about him? One of the fundamental skills of the Three Dreams Dharma is to observe and analyze various expressions to read the corresponding information and strengthen the understanding of the consciousness of living beings, laying the groundwork for delving into dreams later on. I just have some guesses, He Mengqiu suddenly sighed softly, Previously, in Huangtong Mansion, Zhou Heng displayed an extremely clever use of the Great Dream technique, and considering his ability to perform various unrelated abilities before I suspect that Zhou Heng might be the reincarnation of my master. What, what?!! Yun Xius eyes widened in disbelief, and her face showed an incredulous expression, almost doubting whether she had misheard. Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: Chapter 190: A dream in a short nap Chapter 190: Chapter 190: A dream in a short nap Yun Xiu never dreamed it would be for this reason. The masters master, that is the mentor. And the master was a reincarnation of a Celestial Power from the Middle Ancient Era, practiced the Three Dreams Dharma; her master was none other than the Saint of Dreams, one of the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient Era. That was a Divine First Rank Dao Lord. He was known as the monarch of dreams, the sovereign of illusions, the holy creator, the Supreme Being in an everlasting dream of ten thousand years! Was Zhou Heng the reincarnation of this being? How could this be possible! At first, I also found it hard to believe, He Mengqiu noticed the change in Yun Xius emotions and sighed, but after seeing him indeed announce the future that was about to occur in a manner akin to prophecy, I was about seventy to eighty percent certain. Announce the future like a prophecy? Yun Xius beautiful eyes opened wide in shock, exclaimed, Can Zhou Heng really do something like that? It was simply too inconceivable. Back in Huangtong Mansion City, the reason we could kill Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, was because of his prophecy, or rather, what he called reality dreams, He Mengqiu said with complex emotions: Others may not understand the principle, but I do. Its clearly about pulling a part of reality into ones own dreamscape, then shaping the dream with ones will to interfere with reality, manifesting a Great Divine Power. I have witnessed my master use this ability, and even more exaggerated and incredible than what Zhou Heng displayed. My master called it a grand dream in a fleeting moment. Although the scale of Zhou Hengs prophetic announcement of the future is relatively small, and the description is somewhat intricate, its normal. Reincarnation is the way of heaven, and even a saint cannot leave behind too many powerful preparations without restriction. Additionally, Zhou Heng has shown abilities like the Five Elements Path divine radiance, reversing and restarting everything, instantly enhancing the level of his own techniques. Logically speaking, these abilities dont belong to just one Dao or to one specific path. Yet, the highest realm of the Three Dreams Dharma can do just that, materializing the power of distinct paths within dreams. Although their potency would surely be lessened, its definitely sufficient as a measure for reincarnates. In this way, all of Zhou Hengs behaviors can be completely accounted for, he Master. Yun Xiu suddenly interjected, for the first time ever interrupting He Mengqiu, said, Are you really certain that Zhou Heng is the reincarnation of our grandmaster? Or is it just a speculation? He Mengqiu momentarily stupefied, she did not expect Yun Xiu would do such a thing. After a lengthy silence, she sighed: Dont worry, for now, it is still speculation, and I will not do anything about it. Her current level of cultivation hadnt recovered to the Secret Sixth Rank, and she hadnt truly formed a Dharma Phase. Even if she could barely evoke her Primordial Spirit to manifest dreams, it was still difficult to perceive higher-level dream powers. Thus, her conjecture about Zhou Heng was still based solely on various observations. Thank you, Master. Yun Xiu lowered her head, speaking softly. Are you afraid that I might force his memories to awaken after confirming his identity? asked He Mengqiu. Yun Xiu kept her head down, saying nothing. You neednt worry about that, He Mengqiu smiled and continued: Firstly, our master strictly forbade us from interfering with His reincarnations awakening, even if its meant to help. Secondly, with Pure Yang Palace looking after him, there should be solutions available. Even if his memories do truly awaken later, there should be ways to preserve Zhou Hengs primary personality. Is that so? Yun Xiu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then she voiced her concerns again, But even if Zhou Heng is not the reincarnation of our grandmaster, he must be the reincarnation of some other powerful being, right? Thats correct, He Mengqiu nodded, From Zhou Hengs many performances, its without a doubt that he is the reincarnation of a powerful being. Even if not our master, it would be someone else. The reawakening of the previous powerhouses memories within him is inevitable. Master, I will endeavor to practice the Three Dreams Dharma, Yun Xiu said, clenching her fists firmly. Practicing the Three Dreams Dharma to an advanced level can grant one the ability to help others stabilize their current primary personality. Wujiang Prefectural City. Qi Rui manifested part of her Dharma Bodys prowess, transforming a section of space beside the Wu Jiang River into a pavilion, hidden from the mortal world, serving as the venue to bring Cheng Jianjian for a talk with Zhou Heng. At the Fourth Rank of the Martial Path, one who has cultivated a Yang Gods Dharma Body, has already condensed many laws close to the ultimate path, naturally possessing many mystical attributes. It was an effortless matter for her to carve out an independent space with the power of her Dharma Body. Since the pavilion was a manifestation of part of Qi Ruis Dharma Body, its scenery naturally matched her will and aesthetic sense. It was a three-tiered pavilion, with a white jade base, blue bricks and black tiles, exuding a touch of understated elegance. Its interior was furnished in a simple and unpretentious manner, mostly with paintings, calligraphy, and jade articles. Despite the pavilions fresh and simplistic elegance, Zhou Heng could still feel a subtle sense of oppression while walking inside. This was not the will of Qi Rui, but rather the effect of the laws interwoven by her Dharma Body. The core legacy of Jade Qiong Peak is a Divine Skill Jade Sky Lingxu Sutra, targeting Divine First Rank, able to cultivate a Yang God Lingxiao Divine Palace Physique at the Absolute Fourth Rank, inherently possessing the true meaning of dominating heaven and earth. Compared to Cheng Jianjians liveliness and openness, Qi Rui appeared quite indifferent and serious, scarcely showing humor, resembling Cheng Jianjian when she first met Zhou Heng wearing a mask. Senior, you wanted to see me for something? Zhou Heng asked Qi Rui. Junior brother, just call me Senior Sister, Qi Ruis tone was very calm, seemingly void of emotional fluctuations, I came here for two reasons: first, to bring Jianjian over, as she wanted to see you. Second, to offer you a piece of advice. Little grand-uncle, this advice is also something I wanted to give you. Cheng Jianjian looked at Zhou Heng with concern. Is it regarding the matter of me being the reincarnation of a powerful being? Zhou Heng had some premonition. Indeed, Qi Rui nodded gently, speaking indifferently, Jiang Jian, you tell him. Its like this, Junior Uncle, Cheng Jianjian frowned slightly, her voice tinged with worry, Previously, Master spoke to me about your use of divine skills in Huangtong Mansion City, and I became somewhat concerned. Those divine skills are indeed unparalleled in strength, and you could even say they are fantastically powerful. You should be aware that most of them are likely remnants left by your past life. Such remnants on one hand enhance the survival rate of your transmigrated self, preventing further weakening of the wills imprint if the transmigrated self were to die. On the other hand, they are also the embodiment of the will of the great power from your previous life. Using these divine skills excessively could potentially hasten the awakening of the will of the great power from your past life? Zhou Heng speculated along Jiang Jians line of thought, her concerns indeed very valid. However, everything was wrong from the start. He wasnt a reincarnation of the great power, nor did he have any remnants that contained the will of a previous life. Of course, this reason still suited just fine as an explanation for the origin of those Fortune Bag ability cards and martial arts. Yes, Jiang Jian nodded, adding, Although I do know that the situation at the time left you no choice but to act that way, I still hope that in the future you can try to use them as little as possible At this point, she paused, her gaze fixed on Zhou Heng, I have few friends, and I dont want you to suddenly become someone else one day. Once the will of the great power from your previous life awakens, it will be irreversible. However, in this mortal world, it is inevitable that there will be all kinds of accidents, so this time, I want to suggest that you return to Taihua Mount and cultivate in seclusion for a while. On the one hand, it would stabilize your cultivation realm, and on the other, it would allow you a temporary reprieve from worldly disturbances. If you want to go back, I can take you back directly, Qi Rui said. Return to the mountain? Zhou Heng was momentarily taken aback by the suggestion, pondering for a moment with a smile, Come to think of it, I actually havent spent much time at Taihua Just over two months. Day in, day out practicing. Nothing changed. So, he said, Actually, someone advised me to return to the mountain to cultivate in seclusion for a while, saying that it could help me avoid many a storm and many dangers. But I refused. The mortal world is full of unforeseen storms; I might avoid them for a moment, but could I avoid them for a lifetime? If I cant avoid them for a lifetime, then whats the point in dodging them for a moment? After hearing this, Jiang Jianjian fell silent for a brief moment, then, smiling, she said, Indeed, I was wondering if you would refuse. After all, retreating from the world to cultivate doesnt quite fit your character. Haha, Miss Cheng understands me, Zhou Heng laughed. Since you wont return to the mountain, then I shall take my leave first, Junior Brother, Qi Rui said, bidding farewell, then the surrounding scene dissipated, and with it, the pavilion vanished. Qi Rui had already transformed into a streak of flowing light, soaring into the sky. Zhou Heng and Jiang Jianjian, who had been hidden in the void, now reappeared and found themselves by the riverbank of Wujiang. Master may seem cold, but hes warm at heart, Junior Uncle, dont take it to heart, Jiang Jianjian, watching the fading light of her Master disappearing in the distance, said, Actually, I was indecisive about advising you, but it was Master who gave me the resolve to do so. I can tell, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, smiling, Miss Cheng didnt leave with Senior Sister Qi, is there something else you wish to say? Cant I stay without having something to say? Jiang Jianjian suddenly asked, her smile clever and charming. Ah? Zhou Heng was stunned, at a loss for a response. Haha! Jiang Jianjians smile bloomed beautifully, as she extended her palm towards Zhou Heng, Young Master Zhou, do you have any candy? Speaking of which, I still prefer calling you that. Actually, I also find it more familiar to listen to that, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, flipping his hand to take out a piece of fruit candy from his Qiankun purse and placed it in Jiang Jianjians palm. Do you carry these with you all the time, Young Master? Jiang Jianjian asked with a light smile. She split the candy in two, placing one half in her mouth and the other back in Zhou Hengs hand. Then, with her hands clasped behind her back, she turned to look at the Wujiang River, the breeze gently lifting the hem of her dress, making her seem like an ethereal fairy. What is this? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled. How about the next time we meet, I ask you for the other half of the candy? Jiang Jianjian turned around, her hair blown by the river wind partially concealing her exquisitely beautiful cheek, but her smile was still visible at the corners of her mouth. Miss, are you setting up a flag here? Zhou Heng quietly joked in his heart, yet he placed the other half of the candy back into the Qiankun purse and nodded, Sure, no problem at all. Then you must take good care of it, Young Master, Jiang Jianjian said with a laugh, I take my leave. Afterward, a red silk rose from her body, turning into a bright light that carried her skyward. She rode the winds and vanished quickly, disappearing into the horizon. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Above the lofty clouds, Qi Rui actually hadnt departed. Jiang Jianjian, rising into the sky with a secret treasure, passed through the clouds and caught sight of her. The red light ceased, still carrying the young girl aloft, Master Have you made your decision? Qi Rui remained cool in demeanor, but there was a hidden concern in her eyes as she looked at Jiang Jianjian. Yes, this is a hard-earned opportunity for me, likely my only chance, Jiang Jianjian nodded firmly, her expression determined. Chapter 191 - Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Eating the melon becomes the melon Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Eating the melon becomes the melon Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian parted ways, and he then rode his jujube-red horse to the nearest entrance of the Purple Tenuity Palace. He went to meet Siming. It was once again the familiar overlapping lights and shining stars, accompanied by the sound of prayers seemingly chanted by countless beings. Having traversed all this, Zhou Heng once again arrived at the Purple Tenuity Palace. Besides meeting Siming, he also wanted to find The Supreme and the Principle of Heaven to inquire about the situation with the inner seats of the Five Emperors. After all, it had been quite some time; why had there been no information about the third task? No sooner had Zhou Heng come to the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located than he saw Siming, dressed in a gold Dharma robe and wearing a mask. It seemed he had been waiting there for him. Paying respects to the great Ziwei, said Siming, showing the same respect to Zhou Heng as other members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer did in this world. Well, to be precise, it was respect maintained for the identity of the Ziwei Master. After that, he took Zhou Heng aloft on clouds, arriving among mountains surrounded by the Star River, finding a secluded and uninhabited peak to land on. After dispersing the clouds and light, Siming removed his mask, revealing an ordinary-looking but majestic face, seemingly in his thirties or forties. Clearly, this was his way of equally introducing his identity, acknowledging that he was aware of Zhou Hengs true identity, just like Siming before him. Hm? This facial features Zhou Heng stared at the man, slightly taken aback, and couldnt help wrinkling his brow. He felt as if he had seen him somewhere before, yet he seemed unfamiliar. Great Ziwei, allow me to introduce myself again, Siming began with a smile, apparently noticing Zhou Hengs confusion, I am Wang Xueyuan from the Wang Family of Xuanzhou, an offshoot of the main house. The Wang Xiuye you know is my son. What?? Zhou Heng was suddenly astounded. Siming, this top Great Grandmaster of the present age, was actually from an offshoot of the main house of the Wang Family of Xuanzhou, and he was Wang Xiuyes father?! This identity was indeed unexpected to him. Firstly, the current Family Head of the Wang family was of Fourth Rank Absolute pinnacle. If the offshoot of the main house was also an Absolute Fourth Rank, how could he be so unknown? Secondly, he had heard before that although Wang Xiuye was a disciple of the Wang Family of Xuanzhou, he came from an ordinary background, and his father, though having a certain status within the family, was not highly regarded due to being from an offshoot. Great Ziwei, theres no need to be surprised, Wang Xueyuan said with a smile. Outside, my identity is merely that of an ordinary Innate Sixth Rank, even Xiuye doesnt know my true cultivation realm. Master Wang, you are deeply skilled in concealing your brilliance and nurturing your profundity, Zhou Heng exclaimed with genuine admiration. It was truly rare for a Great Grandmaster of Fourth Rank pinnacle, and the leader of the Seven Stars of the Azure Dragon among the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, to disguise himself as an Innate Sixth Rank and remain undetected. It is also a necessity born of no other choice, Wang Xueyuan replied with a wry smile. Lets not speak of this. Great Ziwei, Ive come to you this time because there is something I need to inform you about. What is it? Zhou Heng asked with curiosity. Half a month ago, a demonic catastrophe erupted in the West Wastelands forbidden lands, and an unprecedented great demon broke out of West Wasteland. All the Celestial Men of Da Qi have gone to Liangzhou, and many of the Absolute Fourth Rank as well, Wang Xueyuan briefly explained the situation. Although the demonic catastrophe is about to be quelled, many Celestial Men and Absolute Fourth Rank have been seriously injured. Among them, the Dharma Bodies of the inner seats of the Five Emperors were severely damaged, nearly resulting in death, and they are now recovering from their injuries. Therefore, your third task will be assigned by me. Do you have any requests? All the Celestial Men of this age have gone to Liangzhou?! Zhou Heng was suddenly shocked upon hearing this. This was the first time he had heard such news, which was why Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, had seemed so fearless. It turned out that the Celestial Men had indeed been unable to attend to his chaos at that time. Moreover, he sensed an unusual scent within it. Just one magical calamity, a single peerless great demon. It actually required the deployment of all the Celestials of the current age, and many at the absolute Fourth Rank responded as well, yet even after half a month, they still hadnt completely quelled the disaster. This undoubtedly indicated that Da Qis power to deal with the magical calamity was severely insufficient. From this one could speculate Perhaps they would hold up this time, perhaps even settle things down, but what about later? Would there not be stronger magical calamities, stronger great demons? What then? To rely on the Tao Lords and the Saints? Zhou Heng had not forgotten the words previously spoken by The Supreme and the principle of heaven, after the battle of Tiantang three thousand years ago, it had become extremely difficult for the Tao Lords and the Saints to take action. Celestials were usually regarded as the strongest combat forces. If great demons appeared that even Celestials could not defeat and there were more of them. For Liangzhou, for the many prefectures of Da Qis western regions, and even for everyone in Da Qi, it would likely signal a catastrophe! This world, or say Da Qi, did not seem to be as safe and peaceful as it appeared on the surface. Was it because Pingzhou was located in the central region, far from the West Wasteland and borderless with Northern Zhou and Southern Jin, with few wars and conflicts, that it had the illusion of safety and peace? For a moment, many thoughts flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, and he suddenly felt that he still knew too little about this world. Ziwei Master, master? Wang Xueyuan saw Zhou Heng lost in thought for a long time and couldnt help but ask again. Hmm, I just thought of a few things, Zhou Heng came back to his senses and reviewed the words of Wang Xueyuan just now, pondering, Are there any missions related to demon entities coming up? Although it was more dangerous to know more about demon entities before reaching the Sixth Rank of Martial Path, Zhou Heng still wanted to gain some early understanding of information about them. What if he encountered them one day? Not really, Wang Xueyuan shook his head and said, The guards in Liangzhou are extremely strict. As long as any demon entities encroach, they will eradicate them at all costs. In fact, he had left something unsaid. Even the weakest demon entities were not something a martial artist below the Lower Third Rank could handle; they were terrifying creatures distinctly different from ghosts and evil creatures. In that case, Ill opt for missions that allow me to face off against relatively powerful ghosts and evil creatures, preferably the latter, Zhou Heng had no choice but to make such a request. The stronger the opponent, the higher the rewards he could acquire. He emphasized evil creatures because his counter to shadowy spirits had already reached a +3 effectiveness level, his Pure Yang Danjing had finally broken through to the fifth layer, his Innate Skill had reached perfection, naturally causing his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi to surge in power. Besides that, he also had the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, which were extremely firm and yang in nature, along with the Divine Sword Thunder Control, the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book, Purple Thunder Blade Skill, and other thunderous Taoist Formulas and Martial Arts skills that had received proficiency boost through special packages. With this series of enhancements and special Taoist Formulas and Martial Arts skills, even the ghosts at the very pinnacle of Seventh Rank, merely an inch away from the Sixth Rank, would probably be killed by him in a single encounter. With such a target for the task, I could probably only get a piece of cake reward at bestno fun at all. Previously, on his way to the entrance of the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng had used several assignable Sect Fifth Rank proficiency slots he had, learning some Taoist Formulas he hadnt mastered yet, and then used a big proficiency gift bag to increase the familiarity of these newly learned Taoist Formulas. Mhm, I got it, Wang Xueyuan nodded upon hearing this and said, After youve picked out the task, Ill send the details to your mask. Much appreciated, Zhou Heng said with a smile. At the same time, he couldnt help but complain inwardly that the Zhou Tian Star Chart could only transmit information in one direction, which was really inconvenient. If it were possible for two-way contacts, or even real-time communication between masks, then he wouldnt need to come to Purple Tenuity Palace at all. He couldve discussed everything with Wang Xueyuan remotely. Indeed, changing technology is what changes life. After leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng found the nearest prefectural city, the Red Leaf Mansion. He found an inn and settled down for the time being. Before receiving the task from the lodging star, he didnt really have any other places he wanted to go. Although he was keen on challenging the top ten experts on the human ranking, it was a bit troublesome since he couldnt find their whereabouts in the short term. So, after finding an inn to settle down, Zhou Heng decided to take advantage of the last bit of luck and hurriedly open the remaining three Silver Fortune Bags. Open the Silver Fortune Bag! Congratulations! Youre extremely lucky! You received a basic attribute: Constitution +2. Congratulations! Youre extremely lucky! You received an additional attribute: Exorcism +2. Congratulations! Youre extremely lucky! You received a special skill card: Peerless Beauty Card (Female). Peerless Beauty Card (Female): After use, you can transform into a real female peerless beauty. The transformation lasts up to nine days and can be undone at any time, after which the time is reset to zero. What the hell?? What is this, what kind of joke is this? Cant escape it after all? Zhou Heng was dumbfounded when he saw this reward, feeling as if a billion grass-mud horses were galloping through his heart. He felt utterly disheveled. A mighty Seventh Rank Warrior, a martial artist who had undergone a transformation, was about to roll off the bed in the inn. Bottom of the box! Bottom of the box! Zhou Heng made the correct decision any man would make without hesitation. Then he just went to sleep. Though his current cultivation realm meant he no longer needed sleep to recover his spirit, he still liked the feeling of sleeping. When possible, it was always better to get more sleep. The next morning, Zhou Heng left the inn to have breakfast outside. This Red Leaf Mansion city was famous in Pingzhou for its delicious cuisine. The breakfast was said to be unique and full of flavor, especially the wonton noodles, an unparalleled treat. Since he was here, Zhou Heng naturally didnt want to miss out. He found a popular store and ordered a bowl of wonton noodles. While waiting, he overheard three men at a nearby table discussing the latest martial arts gossip. As he listened in, he even caught news about the Cloud Ascension Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect. Hey, have you heard, its said that both the Cloud Ascension Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect have issued killing orders. Heard about it, yes. The conditions are too generous. Just killing this person will get you gold by the thousands, and a treasure. And thats just the reward from the Plague Emperor Sect alone! Damn! A treasure! Thats at least equivalent to a Secret Sixth Rank Innate treasure, priceless! Thats nothing. The reward from the Cloud Ascension Heavenly Palace is even higher: thirty thousand taels of gold, a beautiful and talented female disciple, and a peerless skill that can take one straight to the Fourth Rank realm. Damn, theyre even rewarding a beautiful female disciple?! Im tempted! Youre all about the beautiful female disciple. Didnt you hear about the Fourth Rank peerless skill? Its a skill that allows one to cultivate into a Yang Gods Dharma Body, to reach the pinnacle and get close to the Great Dao! Heard, heard. I wonder if that beautiful female disciple is really good-looking, hehe The men were having a heated discussion and soon got to the key point. Why would two such notorious sects issue such blatant killing orders? Zhou Heng was enjoying the gossip on the side, relishing it like watching a drama. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, as the discussion went on, he felt more and more that something was off, that the situation seemed too familiar. So he cautiously moved closer and asked in a low voice: Excuse me, who is the person that the Cloud Ascension Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect have ordered to be killed? You dont know? It was all over the place early this morning! One of the men, eager to help seeing that Zhou Heng knew nothing, kindly explained: That person is the recent sensation among young masters, the Pure Yang Palaces sixth-generation successor, Zhou Heng with his Purple Lightning Thunder Blade! Zhou Heng fell silent, looked down at the bowl of wonton noodles that had just arrived, and suddenly felt it wasnt appetizing anymore. Chapter 192 - Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Who Do You Want to Kill? Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Who Do You Want to Kill? This Heavenly Palace of Clouds and the Plague Emperor Sect are really decisive in their actions, arent they? How long has it been since the incident? And theyve already issued a Killing Order, spreading the word so quickly. It seems they see me as a thorn in their side, Zhou Heng said as he lifted some noodles with his chopsticks and slurped them up, thinking to himself, Since thats the case, how can I just sit and wait for death! He planned to take the initiative. From now on, he would slay anyone related to the Heavenly Palace of Clouds and the Plague Emperor Sect, and every heretical sect member he encountered. The burly man didnt notice the change in Zhou Hengs mood and continued to talk to himself. Young man, you might not know this, but Zhou Heng is a formidable one. Starting as a mere Martial Arts Student, he actually caught the favor of a Celestial Man from the Pure Yang Palace. To be taken as a disciple by Yan Shouyi, the one known as True Sun Residing in the World and topping the Heavens List, leaping straight to become the sixth generation true transmittor of Pure Yang Palace, a Celestial Mans junior brotherits truly an ascension to heavens! Im so envious, its killing me! Someone nearby scoffed and hummed dismissively, Dont bother being envious. We ordinary folks cant even dream of such things. Hes the reincarnation of a powerful being; right from the start, hes not the same as us. This person was a man in his thirties with a long face, pointed chin, slender eyes, sparse eyebrows, and he wore a colorful robeone look, and you could tell he was no serious character. Now thats not right, the burly man shook his head and said, Even if Zhou Heng is the reincarnation of a powerful being, his former life wasnt born powerful; he still cultivated his way up. Fundamentally, he was still an ordinary person like the rest of us. Ha, naive! The man sneered, Youll never understand how important ones origins are. Although Zhou Heng is a reincarnation of a powerful being, hes too ostentatious in his actions. Hes offended two top heretical sects all at once, one of them being Heavenly Palace of Clouds which even has a Divine First Rank among them. I fear this time he wont escape his fate. Is that so? Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up, countering, I heard Zhou Heng is quite formidable, possessing many incredible abilities that are said to be safeguards left from his previous life, infinite in power. He shouldnt be that easy to kill, right? Exactly! This young man makes sense, the burly man agreed eagerly, Thats what I think too. Heh, the man scoffed again, disdainfully remarking, Thats exactly why Im saying Zhou Heng is reckless. Since ancient times, even those who are reincarnated with safeguards from their previous life can only use them a limited number of times. Zhou Heng, using those powerful methods one after the other, is practically announcing to everyone come and kill me, Im almost out of trickshes clearly courting death! Is that right? Zhou Heng said, clicking his tongue in amazement, What if the safeguards from his previous life are inexhaustible, always available? Wouldnt that mean anyone who goes after him is doomed? Right, right, the burly man nodded in agreement, Thats what I was thinking too. At this point, others in the restaurant started to look over, sensing that an argument might be brewing and eager to watch the excitement. Jianghu, jianghu, where there are people, arguments arise, and fights ensuethats jianghu for you. Many were even itching to join the debate. After all, regarding the issue between Zhou Heng and the two major heretical forces, most people couldnt truly get involved, but talking about it was still thrilling and satisfying. The man noticed he had attracted attention from those around and decided not to hold back any longer, Talking about inexhaustible safeguards, thats simply foolish. In this world, theres no such thing as an inexhaustible safeguard. Ill say it here, unless Zhou Heng goes back to Taihua Mount to seek sanctuary and hides away, otherwise, within three months, hes as good as dead! Dont underestimate a martial artists desire for gold, for precious artifacts, for ultimate martial arts techniques. With such heavy rewards from Heavenly Palace of Clouds and Plague Emperor Sect, someone will surely go after him! Thats unlikely, Zhou Heng laughed, ready to retort further, but at that moment Bang! A sound of table slamming came from not too far off, as a young girl stood up; she too was eating wonton noodles here. This young lady was dressed in pure white, looking sixteen or seventeen years old, with fair skin, delicate features, clear lines, and her beauty was breathtaking. She merely had a somewhat cold demeanor, like a lotus upon a snowy mountain, staying aloof from the world. Next to her was placed a longsword, and judging by the scabbard, it was mostly likely an excellent weapon, suggesting that the girl was skilled in martial arts, perhaps not at a low level. The people around saw the girl standing up with an angry face, and rather than being shocked, they were delighted, their eyes gleaming, the words almost leaping out of their throats. Fight! Fight! Let the fight begin! A fight is just whats needed to liven things up! After all, this was in the prefectural city, with a Sixth Rank Innate like the city lord present, ordinary martial artists wouldnt harm the common people even if they fought. However, the girl showed no intention of starting a fight. Did you just say that people in the jianghu would kill Zhou Heng for the hefty bounty offered by the Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect? The girls cool gaze turned towards the man as she indifferently said, He is, after all, the sixth-generation true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, the junior brother of Tao Lord Yan Shouyi, who is ranked first on the Heaven List and resides in this world, and a disciple personally taught by the former head of the Pure Yang Palace. Who among you would dare to kill him? The crowd nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Yes, with Zhou Hengs status, who would dare to kill him? Even if someone really killed Zhou Heng and claimed the reward, they would have completely offended the Pure Yang Palace. They would only be waiting for death. Zhou Heng might not be difficult to kill, but claiming that reward is impossible! The bystanders started chattering. The man from before, however, was still stubborn in his opinion and glanced at the girl before snorting coldly, Little girl, you must have just come out from your sect to gain experience. You see the affairs of this world as too simple. There are many things you just dont understand. I might not understand, but thats still better than some people running their mouths off! retorted the girl coldly. Yu Chengyang, you have no idea how strong Zhou Heng really is. There are very few on the jianghu at the Peak of the Seventh Rank who could kill him. As soon as these words came out, the crowd erupted into commotion, keeping their distance from the man the girl had named Yu Chengyang, and exclamations arose. Yu Chengyang!? The renegade of Ta Hua Mountain Villa, rumored to have fallen into the evil path, why is he here?! This is serious, Scorching Heart Yu Chengyang has actually come to Red Leaf Mansion. Report this to the officials, find someone to arrest him! We cant arrest him just yet, hes not an outright evildoer, as long as he hasnt committed any wrongdoing here, we cant just grab him! What should we do then? Everyone became anxious, their gazes filled with fear and alarm as they looked at the man. Ten years ago, Yu Chengyang had also been ranked within the top ten in the people list, already at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. After being expelled from Ta Hua Mountain Villa for some reason, he wandered the lands and became very extreme in temperament. Whoever crossed him would usually be killed on the spot. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You actually recognize me. Yu Chengyang examined the girl with a scrutinizing look and sneered, I see, so you are a disciple of Ta Hua Mountain Villa. So your first mission after leaving the sect is to eliminate me, the outcast who tarnished the reputation of Ta Hua Mountain Villa? Those old fools, didnt they caution you before sending you to face me? That will depend on whether youre capable! The girl drew her sword, her delicate chin tilting slightly upwards as she declared, The true Ta Hua Mountain Villa disciple Jiang Hong, is here to kill you! Hahaha! What a sharp-tongued, naive brat who doesnt know the immensity of heaven and earth! Yu Chengyang laughed coldly. Fine, Ill kill you first, then Zhou Heng. Claim the reward and the sky will be the limit! You plan to kill whom? Zhou Heng suddenly stood up. Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Two More Killing Orders Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Two More Killing Orders Kid, is there a part in this for you to speak? Yu Chengyang raised an eyebrow, his expression quite fierce. Looking for death? This young hero, be careful. This Yu Chengyang is extremely powerful. You should step back, dont get hurt by him. Jiang Hong swiftly moved in front of Zhou Heng with her sword pointed at Yu Chengyang, saying, As long as Im here, you wont harm anyone! Hahaha! Yu Chengyang burst into laughter upon hearing this, looked at Jiang Hong who was filled with a sense of justice, and said with a face full of mockery, Those old guys didnt tell you, did they? Meddling in other peoples business, poking your nose where it doesnt belong, will only bring trouble upon oneself? No matter what, I cant just stand by and watch you hurt someone in front of me. Jiang Hong said in a deep voice, her gaze unwavering. Miss, leave this person to me. Zhou Heng stepped forward and immediately moved in front of Jiang Hong, facing Yu Chengyang, he said, Werent you just shouting about killing me? Now Im right here, you might as well make your move. You?! Jiang Hong was startled at the sight, she had previously felt that this handsome young man moved exceptionally fast, and his strength was probably unfathomable. Now, after hearing such words, she was even more shocked. In disbelief, she looked up at the tall figure before her. Zhou Heng?! Zhou Heng??? He was actually the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade in person?! Yu Chengyang, this unfortunate soul, had been violently threatening to kill Zhou Heng, and the real person was right there?? That was just too much of a coincidence. The bystanders were all stunned, looking at Zhou Heng with eyes filled with shock, almost doubting whether they were witnessing an illusion. Especially that burly man. He had never imagined that the person who had just sat with him eating wonton noodles, discussing the rumors of the pugilistic world, turned out to be the rising young expert, making waves in the world these days. The Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, Zhou Heng?! There were also quite a few who had just been tempted by the reward notice, and they suddenly felt as if they had a thorn in their back, their faces pale as death, wishing they could leave immediately to avoid Zhou Heng settling scores with them. Zhou Heng, a master ranked high on the list of martial experts, could easily take the lives of these ordinary people of the jianghu without breaking a sweat. You, you?! Yu Chengyangs face was filled with astonishment, his complexion turned pale in an instant, he looked incredulously at Zhou Heng, and said in horror, Are you Zhou Heng? The Sixth Generation True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, the junior brother of the esteemed Pure Yang Yan Shouyi? What do you think? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, he chuckled and said, You want to kill me, yet you dont even know who I am? My God! Yu Chengyang exclaimed in shock, immediately turned tail and ran, employing his movement technique like a spreading wildfire across parched grassland, swiftly disappearing from the shop. He actually ran away. Nothing at all like the grandiose claims he had just made. As if his just-declared Kill Zhou Heng, get the reward was merely farting. Everyone present was dumbfounded. No one expected Yu Chengyang to behave this way, running off as soon as he laid eyes on Zhou Heng himself, without even a trace of courage to try his luck. He was scared off just like that?? Jiang Hong was equally astonished, never expecting such an outcome. Although Yu Chengyang was a castaway from the Heavenly Fire Manor, his strength was by no means weak. Ten years ago, he was already among the top ten on the people list, having reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Even now, not having stepped into the Secret Six Rank, his strength was certainly not something an ordinary peak Seven Rank could contend with. Yet such a strong individual had fled upon hearing Zhou Hengs name? Was Zhou Heng really that powerful? Jiang Hong couldnt help but look curiously at the handsome young man before her, wanting to see what magical and powerful aspects he possessed. But just as her gaze shifted, she saw Zhou Hengs figure flash, and like a gust of fresh wind, he leaped out of the noodle shop, pursuing the fleeing Yu Chengyang. Zhou Heng! Mercy, mercy, I was just talking, I never really tried to kill you! Yu Chengyangs terrified shouts soon came from afar, seemingly in utter panic. Ive always been straightforward. Since you said it a moment ago, I believed it, you must have intended to kill me. Zhou Hengs teasing voice came through, then he shouted sternly, If you can take one palm strike from me and survive, Ill let you go! Jiang Hong, along with the people from the noodle shop, ran out just in time to see Zhou Heng raise his hand, his fingers radiating a clear light, with a dark profundity in his palm, as if embracing all heavens and earth. Casually, his palm fiercely descended! The very heavens and earth seemed to invert! Boom! An explosion occurred out of nowhere, deafening, causing all who witnessed this scene to feel their minds go blank, as if the entire world were being crushed, everything collapsing, incomparable destructive power filling their field of vision. Jiang Hong was exceedingly shocked, being a True Disciple of Heavenly Fire Manor herself, she felt a deeper sense of the extraordinary power and mystery of Zhou Hengs palm strike, and thus was even more astonished. If I had been hit by that palm, I would have probably died on the spot, she couldnt help but make a comparison in her heart, which led to an unbelievable conclusion. Although she had only recently started her journey in the martial fraternity, she was already acclaimed as Tianhuo Mountain Villas most outstanding disciple in the past five hundred years. At the mere age of sixteen, she had achieved the Peak of the Seventh Rank, a talent so rare throughout the entirety of Da Qi. Therefore, when she first entered the martial world, she was filled with ambition, somewhat eager to make a name for herself and ascend the ranks of the renowned individuals as swiftly as possible, to become famous throughout the land. Until now. Until she saw Zhou Hengs palm strike. Is this the caliber of the young elites of this era? Jiang Hong stared at Zhou Heng, not too far away, as waves of shock surged within her heart. So strong! When could she ever hope to match the Zhou Heng of this moment? Bang! Suddenly, a dull thud was heard; Zhou Hengs palm had directly struck Yu Chengyangs head, instantly causing the brain matter of this peak Seventh Rank martial artist to burst, killing him on the spot. Thud! The headless body fell to the ground, its blood spreading all over, terrifying the commoners who were passing by on the street and equally startling the martial artists among them. To instantaneously kill a high-level expert at the Peak of the Seventh Rank with a single palm strike, this Zhou Heng was unbelievably strong! At the same time, Zhou Heng received a reward notification. Congratulations! For defeating the worthless enemy Yu Chengyang, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. However, this did not bring him joy. In fact, when Zhou Heng learned that the Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect had issued a Killing Order against him, he felt somewhat puzzled. Why did they dare to do such a thing? Even though the heretical path was inherently hostile to the Pure Yang Palace, such a blatant show of enmity had not truly occurred in the years before. Could it be that the Pure Yang Palace had encountered some trouble? Master Zhou truly has remarkable skill, Jiang Hong approached, giving a respectful salute, the young and beautiful girl exuding an air of valiance, her demeanor generous and poised. I must also thank Miss Jiang for speaking up for me just now, Zhou Heng said with a smile, However, I heard Yu Chengyang mention that your apprenticeship task was to kill him. Now that he has died by my hand, could this be a problem? This is of no concern, Jiang Hong replied with a smile. Yu Chengyang is dead, and my task can be changed. However, I have an indelicate request. Might I ask Master Zhou for a moment of your time to listen to it? Oh? Intrigued, Zhou Heng smiled, Please, Miss Jiang, speak your mind. The martial arts that Master Zhou demonstrated just now were truly formidable, and I am deeply impressed, Jiang Hong said eagerly, looking at Zhou Heng, But Im also aware that my current martial arts abilities are too weak to be a match for you, Master Zhou. When my martial arts have significantly improved in the future, may I request that Master Zhou strike me with that same palm? Just a moment ago, when she witnessed Zhou Hengs devastating palm technique, her spirit was so stirred that she found herself facing a shadow of doubt when she thought to measure herself against it. She wanted to face that palm strike directly, to erase this shadow of doubt. That is quite an unexpected request, Zhou Heng remarked with a laugh, I see no reason to refuse. As long as I am available, Miss Jiang, you may seek me out anytime. Thank you so much, Master Zhou, Jiang Hong said joyfully. Tap, tap, tap! At this moment, a rapid succession of footsteps was heard from afar. Two men, dressed like martial artists, hurried over, their expressions seemingly filled with excitement. Upon reaching the noodle shop, they announced to everyone. Big news, this is truly big news. Ive just received word that just now, the Honghua Palace and the Nine Deaths Sect have also issued a Killing Order against Zhou Heng! The rewards are very generous! Theyre not at all inferior to the offers made by the Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Now Zhou Heng is truly going to become famous across the land, but its strange, why hasnt the Pure Yang Palace released any countermeasures? This is odd indeed, could it be that the news hasnt reached them yet? The news these two men brought instantly quieted the entire noodle shop, all the patrons fell silent, and every eye in the place turned towards Zhou Heng. Jiang Hongs eyebrows also furrowed; she too sensed that this matter might not be as simple as it appeared. Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, thinking to himself, It seems I must return to Ta Hua. Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Return to Ta Hua Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Return to Ta Hua In Zhou Hengs view, this whole affair was permeated with strangeness. First of all, there was the timing of the issuing of the KIlling Orders by the Xiazhou Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect. These two heretical paths indeed had reasons to issue a Killing Order against him; Zhong Xinghai, the Fifth Rank Sect Master of the Xiazhou Heavenly Palace, and Ma Quan, the Sixth Rank Innate of the Plague Emperor Sect, both died at his hands. But, hadnt the news spread too quickly? Zhong Xinghai died at the hands of a projection of Yan Shouyi summoned by him five days ago, while Ma Quan was killed by him only yesterday. Even if the Xiazhou Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect were truly enraged by this and were willing to completely break with the Pure Yang Palace over it, the Killing Order shouldnt have reached this Red Leaf Mansion so quickly. Not to mention that now even the Honghua Palace and the Nine Deaths Sect had also issued Killing Orders against him. The four major heretical paths moving in unison, issuing a Killing Order against the deputy leader of the Pure Yang Palace, the foremost of the righteous paths, was a blatant provocation. It had even become more than just an issue for the Pure Yang Palace alone. It would likely become a storm sweeping through the entire realm of Da Qi. Do I really have such great value? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows tightly, feeling sure that there was more to this matter, Did Sister Qi Rui previously advise me to return to the mountain for a period of secluded cultivation for this reason? Could it be related to the world-shaking demon and demon disasters that emerged from the forbidden lands of the West Wasteland? All the Celestial Men of the age have gone to Xi Liang; could it be that some great change has occurred there? His mind whirled with thoughts. Suddenly, he realized that not only did he know very little about past history, but he also didnt know much about the various events of the current era. The more I know, the more dangerous it becomes. What kind of logic is that? Zhou Heng thought of The Supreme and natures explanation to him about the matters related to demon entities. Question after question sprouted in his heart. The thought of returning to the Pure Yang Palace suddenly became intense. It wasnt to avoid the Killing Orders. It was to inquire clearly about what kind of changes the Pure Yang Palace had recently encountered, or what kind of changes had occurred in the situation of the world. Thinking about this, he looked up at the sky, Then, Zhou Heng withdrew his gaze from the firmament and said to Jiang Hong in front of him, Miss Jiang, I have some urgent matters and must leave at once, farewell. Hmm, Daoist Master take care, Jiang Hong nodded her head in acknowledgment. In her view, these four Killing Orders must have had a significant impact on Zhou Heng, and choosing to temporarily avoid the limelight was a reasonable action. Zhou Heng went back to the inn, mounted his red horse, and quickly left the prefectural city of Red Leaf. However, once he reached a secluded place outside the city, he stopped and waited quietly. After a short while, a pure and white jade-like radiance descended from the firmament, hovering in front of Zhou Heng, revealing a figure within. This was a woman in her thirties, wearing a modest and simple moon-white Taoist robe, with a beautiful appearance and a serene demeanor. She was none other than Qi Rui, Master of the Jade Qiong Peak of the Pure Yang Palace, and Cheng Jianjians teacher. Sister Qi, Zhou Heng greeted with a bow of his hands. You have a remarkable Divine Soul, Qi Ruis cool visage flashed a hint of admiration as she said, You actually noticed me. She had actually never returned to the Pure Yang Palace but had been following Zhou Heng from the sky, ready to intervene in case of any unexpected events, and also waiting for Zhou Heng to change his mind about earlier decisions. Although she had not deliberately hidden her form and aura, she had always been flying high above, tens of thousands of feet in the sky, and under normal circumstances, with Zhou Hengs cultivation realm, it should have been impossible for him to perceive her presence. Barely counts as a peculiar talent, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Sister has been watching over me from the sky for quite some time, so naturally, Ive developed some sense of it. Now that he had reached the Martial Path Seventh Rank, his Divine Soul had further strengthened, and with the original foundation of his spirit gaining a +4 bonus, purely in terms of Divine Soul strength, he was already stronger than the average Sixth Rank Innate. Barely perceiving someone in the sky watching oneself, without having concealed their Absolute Fourth Rank, was actually not an impossible feat. Hmm, good aptitude, Qi Rui gently nodded her head and said, No wonder my senior uncle asked our Sect leader to take you as a disciple for him. Junior Brother, have you changed your mind and decided to return to the mountain for quiet cultivation? It is to return to the mountain, but not for quiet cultivation, Zhou Heng gently shook his head and said, I have some questions Id like to ask. If Senior Sister can provide answers, I might not need to return to Ta Hua. Better to go back to the mountain first, Qi Rui stated indifferently, and at the same time, a sphere of white jade radiance extended from beneath her feet, Bring your horse up, Junior Brother. Thank you, Senior Sister, Zhou Heng nodded, leading his red horse onto Qi Ruis cloud light. Fourth Rank in the Martial Path is known as a Great Grandmaster, having truly transcended above the ordinary realm. It is said that in the ancient times of immortals and gods, those who cultivated the Yang Gods Dharma Body could be called Celestial Man. Though still human, they possess the honorific of immortal, which implies their vast and powerful capabilities. Pingzhou lay more than a dozen states and counties away from Taihua Mount, spanning tens of thousands of miles, but Qi Rui, taking Zhou Heng with her, used less than a days time to return to Pure Yang Palace. Such speed was truly worthy of being considered divine among immortals. However, once back at the mountain, Qi Rui did not address Zhou Hengs doubts. It seemed she was only responsible for bringing Zhou Heng back. After settling him in at Jade Xu Peak, she returned to her own Jade Qiong Peak. This posed a dilemma for Zhou Heng. Although he had stayed in Ta Hua for over two months, he had been focused on cultivating the whole time. He hadnt even fully recognized all the True Disciples of Jade Xu Peak, let alone found someone to ask questions of. After much deliberation, he decided to visit Zixia Peak. He planned to ask You Ziheng for information. Between the various peaks of Pure Yang Palace, there were teleportation arrays set up, which Zhou Heng, with his status, could basically use to travel between peaks without issue. Therefore, he originally planned to use the teleportation array to visit Zixia Peak, as he had not yet reached Sixth Rank and thus lacked the ability to fly. But just as he arrived at the teleportation array on the celestial platform of Jade Xu Peak, he saw a little blue figure dart through layers of clouds and come to the side of this celestial platform. This was a palm-sized, water-blue mythical creature with the head of a dragon, the deity of a deer, the tail of an ox, and the hooves of a horse, covered in water-blue scalesnone other than the young water kylin that You Ziheng had been raising in the cloud sea of Taihua Mount. Aoao! The young water kylin called out twice, wagging its tail at Zhou Heng and then transforming into a large mythical beast over ten feet tall. Do you mean to let me ride you there? Zhou Heng looked at the water kylin and asked in surprise. Aoao! The water kylin nodded, its tail wagging even more cheerfully. Haha, then I thank you, Zhou Heng laughed and with a leap mounted the broad back of the water kylin. Immediately he felt a sharp jolt as the water kylin carried him into the clouds. Following that, the rich and dense elemental energy of heaven and earth entered his senses, nourishing his body and causing his Inner Qi to rapidly increase. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The cloud sea of Taihua Mount was not ordinary mist, but condensed from the elemental energy between heaven and earth. Within this cloud sea, even the act of breathing was a process of absorbing elemental energy. In no time at all, Zhou Heng rode the water kylin to Zixia Peak. After setting Zhou Heng down, the water kylin instantly shrank back to the size of a palm and scurried off toward You Zihengs cave residence, seemingly intent on sneaking some wine to drink. Looks like Ive brought a wine thief to Senior Brother You, Zhou Heng couldnt help but laugh. Then, he saw a flash of light at the entrance of the cave. Junior Brother, long time no see, You Zihengs voice came through, tinged with the smell of alcohol. Soon after, he emerged from the cave holding the water kylin by the scruff of its neck, laughing and saying, Seeing you like this, you must have something to inquire about. Chapter 195 - Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Heresy, Evil God, Kill! Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Heresy, Evil God, Kill! Senior Brother You. Zhou Heng bowed with his hands clasped before him, nodding as he spoke, Thats correct, I indeed come again with questions. Then come to my cave-abode. You Ziheng nodded slightly and casually tossed the loudly crying water Kylin into the sea of clouds, then turned and walked with Zhou Heng toward the entrance of the cave-abode. At this moment, Zhu Zhenzhen, dressed in a green dress, popped up from nowhere. Her eyes sparkled as she swung her hands and called out, Master, its been a long time since Ive seen Little Uncle-Master; Ive missed him to death. Please, let me join you in the cave-abode to chat with him for a bit. Youre not missing your Little Uncle-Master; youre just craving your masters liquor! You Ziheng blow on his beard and took out a gourd of wine from his sleeve, tossing it to Zhu Zhenzhen, Just half a gourd for you, drink it sparingly! Okay! Master is the best! I dont miss Little Uncle-Master at all now! Zhu Zhenzhen immediately beamed with joy, hugging the gourd of wine and hopped away without a trace. This little girl You Ziheng shook his head and said with a light chuckle, But this personality isnt too bad; she knows how to deceive others. At least she wont suffer losses, dont you think, Little Junior Brother? Um, thats right. Zhou Heng suppressed his amusement, acknowledging the truth in the saying that the disciple mirrors the master. Afterward, the two arrived inside You Zihengs cave-abode and found a gazebo to sit in. Gourd Mountain was still spurting wine, and the air around them was filled with the fragrance of alcohol, making it hard not to become intoxicated. Did you come because of the Killing Orders the four major Evil Sects have issued against you, Junior Brother? asked You Ziheng with a light laugh, Have doubts in your heart? Correct, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and replied, In fact, its not surprising that Yunxiao Heavenly Palace and the Plague Emperor Sect would send assassins after me given my recent actions. However, issuing a public Killing Order in such a grand manner is puzzling. Moreover, it should not be widely known yet that I killed Zhong Xinghai and Ma Quan, so these two Evil Sects spreading the news so quickly is certainly suspicious. Furthermore, involving Honghua Palace and the Nine Deaths Sect, which have not had major conflicts with me, almost seems like they are using me to provoke a war between the Righteous and Evil Paths. This situation is not normal, so I returned to the mountain to inquire. I see, I understand your doubts now. They are mainly focused on two points, You Ziheng pulled out another wine gourd, poured himself a drink, then belched, and said with a smile, First, you feel that the release of the Killing Order was too soon, too rapid. This is understandable. Its very likely that these Killing Orders had been decided upon half a month in advance, and have little to do with your recent actions. Half a month ago? Zhou Heng was surprised and speculated, Could it be because of the demon calamity and the grand demon in Liangzhou? With all the Celestial Men gone there, the Evil Sects want to take this opportunity to stir up trouble? The Righteous Celestial Men are in Xi Liang resisting the demon calamity, which for the Evil Sects, is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, You Ziheng nodded and said, In the past, under such circumstances, the Pure Yang Palace and other Righteous Celestial Men would have stepped forward to negotiate, preventing an actual conflict. However, now, with the negotiable Celestial Men all in Xi Liang, these Evil Sects are unrestrained and naturally much more brazen. Arent they afraid of the many Celestial Men returning and settling scores after the autumn? Zhou Heng frowned. What can be done by settling scores? You Ziheng shook his head and said, Could they really annihilate the Evil Sects? Since they cannot, at best they would kill some common disciples or Middle Third Rank, which is meaningless. It might even lead some from the Evil Sects to act recklessly out of desperation, wantonly slaughtering and causing greater panic, to the detriment of all. Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment before saying, Senior Brother You, I have always had a question: why do Evil Sects still exist in this world? With the power of Pure Yang Palace, Infinite Temple, Ten Major Sects, Twelve Ancient Families, and the Imperial Court, can we not eradicate all these harmful evil paths from the world? Indeed, we cannot, You Ziheng gave an answer that surprised Zhou Heng greatly. He said, This involves a question, junior brother. What do you think these evil paths are, and where do their evil doctrines come from? Are they from martial artists who cultivate evil practices, or from evil beings among the ancient immortals and gods? Zhou Heng said somewhat uncertainly. This was the origin of the vast majority of sects in the world. But judging from You Zihengs implications, it didnt seem to be the case. Among the four great evil paths, only the Heavenly Palace fits this description. The others, like the Nine Deaths Sect, Plague Emperor Sect, and Honghua Palace, have only emerged as evil paths in the past three thousand years, said You Ziheng, setting down his gourd of wine. Evil paths, evil creatures, dont you find these two terms very similar? The origin of evil paths is related to evil creatures? Zhou Heng exclaimed in surprise. This was something he hadnt considered. He had always thought that evil creatures were similar to ghosts and demon entities, doomed to be eradicated the moment they appeared in the human world. But now, it seemed that this was not the case. When an evil creatures level escalates to the extreme, reaching the Divine First Rank, it becomes an Evil God, You Ziheng sighed softly. The path of an Evil God can be imprinted into this world, indelibly. As long as the cosmic laws remain, the Evil God cannot die. Even if its annihilated in both body and soul, it will resurge from the cosmic laws after a period of time. The three Evil Gods are the sources of the three great evil paths. Resurge? Zhou Hengs eyes widened at the words, astounded. Does this mean that sects like the Nine Deaths Sect, the Plague Emperor Sect, and Honghua Palace actually do have Divine First Rank individuals, but they are Evil Gods who have been vanquished and are now preparing to return? If thats the case since evil creatures feed on negative emotions, is the resurgence of an Evil God also related to the negative emotions of all beings? If the world falls into chaos and all beings live in fear, could that accelerate the resurgence of the Evil God? Junior brother is perceptive, indeed that is so, nodded You Ziheng. Your second doubt was exactly why the four great evil paths are doing these things that are clearly provocations against the entire righteous path, right? Now youve guessed the answer yourself. Why do they do this? Because this is their goal. Taking advantage of the absence of the Celestial Men, disturbing the world, instilling fear and insecurity among the people, they increase the worlds negative emotions, providing nourishment for the resurgence of the Evil God. But if thats the case, shouldnt we be joining forces to fully eradicate these evil factions? Zhou Heng questioned, To prevent them from stirring chaos in the world for the revival of the Evil God? They cannot be annihilated, You Ziheng shook his head. Admittedly, if forces like Pure Yang Palace were to unite, it should be easy to eliminate the four great evil paths. But once a large number of Celestial Men who practice evil doctrines are killed, it would be akin to accelerating the resurgence of the Evil God. Theres such a thing? Zhou Heng questioned. All of an evil sects existence originates from an Evil God, including the evil doctrines they cultivate, You Ziheng explained. The Primordial Spirits of the evil sects Celestial Men are hosted in the void, which is actually at the place of the Evil Gods path. Once they die, their Primordial Spirit will be absorbed by the Evil Gods path, thereby accelerating the resurgence of the Evil God. Doesnt that mean the cultivators of the evil path are just nourishment for the Evil God? Why then do people cultivate such doctrines, and furthermore, why do they wish for the revival of the Evil God? Zhou Heng spoke, even more perplexed. No, You Ziheng shook his head, Evil Gods need Celestial Men servants to act on their behalf, so they wont devour Celestial Men without reason. Moreover, Evil Gods may even allocate some of their authority within the dao, granting their servants powers in the realm of the Celestial Men that rival those of a Tao Lord with Great Divine Power. ` So, that means as long as one Evil God from the evil sects is revived, then the Celestial Men corresponding to that sect will all possess might comparable to a Tao Lord. This is also why all the evil sects wish to revive their own Evil Gods, Zhou Heng said with a nod, sighing, Killing the high-ranking Celestial Men of the evil sects will accelerate the revival of the Evil Gods, while killing their ordinary disciples or Middle Third Rank will neither shake their foundation nor will it avoid causing panic among the common folk. The roots of the evil sects lie in their Evil Gods, and as long as the Evil Gods are not destroyed, they can be infinitely revived. Therefore, the corresponding evil sects also cannot be completely extinguished, which leads to the only way to deal with these sects by limiting their actions? Zhou Heng inquired. Exactly, You Ziheng nodded. Then, why dont these evil factions have any concerns in general? Zhou Heng frowned, Even if the Celestial Men are still around, what can they do to them? Its different, You Ziheng shook his head, If the Celestial Men are still around, they can summon the Taoist Sovereign God Soldier to isolate a large area from negative emotions, thereby dissipating them. The Evil Gods cannot absorb these, and creating chaos in the world would thus be meaningless. Moreover, although killing a Celestial Man from the evil sects carries the risk of hastening the revival of an Evil God, occasionally killing one or two Celestial Men wont have particularly severe consequences. But who would be willing to be one of those one or two Celestial Men? Of course, no one. Therefore, when the Celestial Men are around, these evil factions might operate in the shadows, but they wouldnt dare be openly provocative. After all, even Celestial Men from evil factions are mostly afraid of dying. In that case, it really is a rare opportunity for the evil factions now, Zhou Heng tapped his fingers on the table, spoke with a grave voice, And their approach is quite cunning. Although the four great evil sects have issued a Killing Order against me, which could be considered a provocation against the entire orthodox path, its still only could be considered. Ultimately, this is a matter concerning only Pure Yang Palace and me, Zhou Heng. Even if things do escalate, the retaliation that the four great evil sects must face would be much less than if they were facing the entire orthodox path. And with the four houses sharing the burden, the loss would be even smaller. However, even if its only a concern for Pure Yang Palace and me, Zhou Heng, it will inevitably create unfathomable fear among the people throughout Da Qi and the martial world. If even a sixth-generation true heir like me, a Celestial Man of Pure Yang Palace, can be ruthlessly pursued with a Killing Order by the four great evil sects, what more for ordinary Martial Artists or common folk? The loss of safety will be the beginning of fear, the beginning of the spread of negative emotions, and this is exactly what the four great evil sects want, right, Brother You? Absolutely correct, You Ziheng nodded, smiling, This is precisely why Sister Qi has asked you to retreat to the mountain for some time. Well, I think the same. By retreating to the mountains, you should be able to avoid disaster temporarily. If I do retreat to the mountain to cultivate, what would the four great evil sects do? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he posed the question, I suppose they wouldnt just let things be. They would probably look for other true heirs of Pure Yang Palace who are outside, or true heirs and direct descendants of top Martial Dao Sects and large worlds, You Ziheng replied, The effect wont be as strong as with you, but as long as they choose the right person, they can still spread panic. And if I continue to stay down the mountain? Zhou Heng asked again. Then Pure Yang Palace will have to play along with them, You Ziheng grinned, took a sip of his wine, and said, For every attack you face, we take out a member of their sect, for two attacks, we kill a pair. However many times youre attacked, thats how many times well strike back. Doesnt that mean Pure Yang Palace has to engage in all-out war with the four great evil sects? Zhou Heng was slightly stunned, then shook his head, Such large-scale combat would spread panic and unrest even faster, leading to an even greater emergence of negative emotions. Pure Yang Palace has always been protective of its own, You Ziheng chuckled, If we dont take action while youre being attacked, whats the point of having a sect? As for the spread of panic, well, disciples of these evil sects arent made of iron. When enough of them are killed, they will ultimately become fearful. Once theyre sufficiently scared, the matter will naturally subside. Actually, these evil sects also understand the manner of Pure Yang Palace, and I guess their minimal expected return is the fear and unrest that spreads before their disciples are killed scared, any extra is a bonus. In that case, for the four great evil sects, would my staying in the mountains to cultivate provide them with the greatest return? Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow, spoke solemnly, Pure Yang Palace might fight to the death with the evil sects for their disciple, but other sects may not necessarily do the same. As long as they are successful in their pursuit, panic and unrest would rapidly spread through Da Qi. It would also make the world believe that I and even Pure Yang Palace are afraid of these evil factions and dare not face their pursuit head-on, only acting like scared turtles. In doing so, they could kill two birds with one stone, and the spread of fear and unrest might be even more severe. Indeed, You Ziheng smiled, This is why Sister Qi and I only advised you to cultivate in the mountains. As for what to actually do, it still depends on what you think. Brother You, arent you afraid that my retreating to the mountains to avoid disaster will bring shame to Pure Yang Palace? Zhou Heng asked. Haha, whats that to worry about? Its nothing but vanity, You Ziheng shook his head, laughing, At worst, after this affair is over, well just kill one or two of their Celestial Men to regain some face. It seems that in the eyes of the four great evil sects, Im really an excellent pawn. Zhou Heng clenched his fist, chuckled, This feeling is truly frustrating. So, little junior brother, do you plan to cultivate in the mountains, or to leave the mountain? You Ziheng inquired. Leave the mountain, Zhou Heng responded decisively. Good, You Ziheng nodded, Then as we said before, for every attack you face, Pure Yang Palace will kill one Brother You, theres no need for that, Zhou Heng suddenly shook his head, This time, when I leave the mountain, I wont face any attack. What do you mean? You Ziheng was puzzled. I will take the initiative to attack and seek out the evil sects, Zhou Hengs gaze turned icy. You mean to You Ziheng was taken aback. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only I wont wait for people to come to kill me; I will go and kill them first. Zhou Heng stood up, his voice resounding, Kill! Kill until no one on the martial world dares to come! Kill until this Killing Order becomes a jest! That way, there wont be any fear or unrest. You Ziheng was silent for a long time after hearing this, and after a while, he finally exclaimed, Little junior brother, your magnificence is truly admirable, no wonder the head of our sect took you as a disciple on behalf of our master. Alright, you just go and kill all you want. Well deal with the Middle Third Rank experts of the evil sects on your behalf. Thanks, Brother You, but theres no need, Zhou Heng grinned, a cold glint in his eyes, Even if a Middle Third Rank comes, I will still kill them without hesitation!! ` Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Is My Blade Strike Illusion or Reality? Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Is My Blade Strike Illusion or Reality? After speaking with You Ziheng, Zhou Heng descended the mountain. However, since there were no Evil Sects in Yong State where Taihua Mount stood including the surrounding four states, You Ziheng had entrusted a large white crane to carry Zhou Heng westward, descending in Fangzhou territory. Since Evil Sect members often gathered in the northwestern states, Zhou Heng, after descending from Taihua, went straight west, seeking out those who practiced evil methods and caused chaos; whenever he encountered one, he killed one, and if there were two, he killed them both. In the wilderness, there were no shortages of Seventh Rank Warriors establishing evil cults with their evil methods, deceiving locals, and treating human life like grass; Zhou Heng eradicated their Sects without leaving any survivors. After traveling in Fangzhou for more than ten days, Zhou Heng had killed over forty notorious Evil Sect experts and eradicated three small Evil Sect factions; his reputation began to spread, causing many from the Evil Sects to tremble upon hearing his name. Yet, this also stirred up many individuals with outstanding abilities, itching to attack Zhou Heng in hopes of obtaining rewards. October 26th, clear. Zhou Heng was riding his horse to Qingquan Town in Sanshui County under the jurisdiction of Ganlu Mansion in Fangzhou, where he heard that the local people were afflicted with a strange illness that was incurable by medicine or stone, only treatable by healers from the True Medicine Sect. The people of Qingquan Town treated the disciples of the True Medicine Sect as divine beings, offering daily sustenance; the locals also praised the True Medicine Sect, calling them a newly rising righteous Martial Path Sect destined to benefit the community in the future. However, Zhou Heng had once saved a young man who escaped from Qingquan Town and learned from him the true situation there. The True Medicine Sect, under the guise of healing, in reality, threatened the locals, demanding that every household offer up their wealth and even female family members; and if any household refused, someone in that family would fall gravely ill and die within days in a horrific manner. The people of Qingquan Town had no choice but to comply with the demands of the True Medicine Sect to ensure peace and freedom from illness. In Zhou Hengs eyes, this was a clear act of an Evil Sect. Zhou Heng reached the entrance archway of Qingquan Town and dismounted to lead his horse by the reins. The entrance was guarded by two strong men, who became somewhat flustered upon seeing Zhou Heng leading his horse over. One of them stepped forward and asked, May I know where this young hero is headed? Zhou Heng had become experienced with such situations during his journey, and replied with a smile, I come from Zhou Family Village three hundred miles away. Im visiting friends in Sanshui County City and need to pass through this town. Could you gentlemen please grant me passage? His achievements over the past days had spread throughout Fangzhou, causing many small Evil Sects and common Evil Sect Warriors to flee upon hearing his name. Therefore, starting from his recent encounters, he had stopped disclosing his identity, mostly fabricating stories about visiting relatives or friends, or claiming it was getting late and he wished to stay overnight, and so on. In short, he tried his best to prevent those from the Evil Sects from discovering his identity, waiting until he entered these towns and villages to capture those Evil Sect individuals all at once. Of course, even if his identity was discovered, it didnt matter C it just meant he had to act faster and deal with some inconvenience. The man who had approached Zhou Heng promptly shook his head, saying, Young hero, please leave. You could take a detour. Our town has been struck by a plague, and it would be unfortunate if it were to infect you. The other man also nodded continuously, adding, Yes, yes, if the young hero were to catch the plague, that wouldnt be good. I know of another path to the county city; you could This man gestured as if to show Zhou Heng the way. Hold on! Just at that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind the towns entrance archway. Following that, a middle-aged man dressed in a white brocade robe and wearing a healers cap appeared. The two strong men guarding the entrance saw the man and immediately fell silent, lowering their heads in fear. You all are really something, said the man with an amiable and smiling demeanor, walking to the front of the archway and smiling at Zhou Heng, Qingquan Town has always been welcoming to guests; since when have we turned away visitors at the entrance? But I heard that theres a plague in the town, Zhou Heng feigned difficulty, seemingly about to retreat, Maybe I should take a detour. Theres no need for that, the man replied, gently shaking his head and smiling, I am Wei Yang, a disciple of the True Medicine Sect. Its true that Qingquan Town was recently plagued, but with the full effort of our True Medicine Sect, it has turned for the better. Young hero, you have no need to worry. The True Medicine Sect? Zhou Heng quickly clasped his hands in respect, Ive long heard of the esteemed True Medicine Sect. I am Zhou Kun from Zhou Family Village, three hundred miles away. Im on my way to visit relatives in Sanshui County City. Thank you, Brother Wei, for the convenience. He had said such words many times in the past days, changing his identity each time, speaking without a hint of embarrassment, completely at ease. As for the long-heard admiration that was, of course, merely a polite statement. Ha-ha, Brother Zhou, theres no need for formalities. Please, come into town. We have some excellent local specialties and food here. If youre interested, Brother Zhou, you could enjoy them before you continue on your way, Wei Yang said warmly, with a hospitable air. Then I must thank you, Zhou Heng replied with a cheerful laugh, leading his horse into Qingquan Town. Once Zhou Hengs figure had vanished The two strong men guarding the archway immediately fell to their knees, knocking their foreheads on the ground before Wei Yang and crying out, Master, master! We were wrong! We should not have stopped him! Spare us, please spare us! No, no, you did well, Wei Yang began to laugh, saying, If you had welcomed him with open arms, Zhou Heng might have become suspicious. This is just perfect. He had actually recognized Zhou Heng from the start, knowing him as the Pure Yang Palace true disciple who had recently killed many from the Evil Sects but pretended to be unaware to let Zhou Heng into the town. The alliance between the four major Evil Sects had issued a Killing Order, offering a very tempting reward. After all, the True Medicine Sect was already on the path of the Evil Sect, so they were not afraid of being targeted by the righteous Sects. Killing Zhou Heng and obtaining the reward was what truly mattered. If necessary, they could move to Northern Zhou or Southern Jin; in this vast world, there was always a place to stay. The mans true identity was that of the Vice Sect Leader of the True Medicine Sect. At the Peak of the Seventh Rank, with his Inner Qi fully consolidated and able to manifest slightly, he was only a step away from reaching the Secret Six Rank, where he could bridge the gap between heaven and earth and revert his Qi to an Innate state. However, both he and the Sect Leader of the True Medicine Sect had merely chanced upon their heritage, with their Martial Arts only reaching the Secret Six Rank, and no further path beyond that. This Killing Order issued by the four major Evil Sects against Zhou Heng appeared to them as an excellent opportunity. Zhou Heng, oh Zhou Heng, youre casting yourself into the net. Dont blame me! Wei Yang chuckled merrily as he walked into the gate of the town. The two strong men who had been guarding the gate were so scared they were sweating profusely, nearly collapsing. Shortly after Wei Yang entered through the town gate archway, a figure appeared before him. This was a man who looked to be in his thirties, with a pale and beardless face, delicate features, and dressed in the green robes of a scholar, embodying the aura of a literati. However, his eyes and gaze were even colder and more sinister than Wei Yangs. It was none other than Hong Jiaren, the sect master of the True Medicine Sect. Junior brother, Zhou Heng must already know that you have seen through his identity, Hong Jiaren walked over and said in a deep voice. He never intended to hide it, Wei Yang said with a light laugh. This boy has been killing many experts from the evil paths and has destroyed several evil sects in the past ten days. He has already fostered a strong and confident attitude. With such confidence as his foundation, he certainly looks down upon our newly established True Medicine Sect. Pretending to be someone else was merely a gesture for appearances. He surely anticipated that his true identity would be discovered. But he is indifferent to this, probably thinking that if he were to be exposed on the spot, he would simply attack directly; if not, he would take us all down after entering the town without having to show his hand. Heh, young age, but not small ambitions! Hong Jiaren sneered upon hearing this and said, This youngster doesnt know that the True Medicine Sect has been operating here for several months and has already planted plague seeds in these peoples bodies. As soon as he gets close to anyone, he will contract the disease. The entire underground of Qingquan Town is also laid with formation talismans, creating a Plague Array Method. We only need to move our inner qi, make the hand gestures, and this boy will have an outbreak of the disease, dying on the spot! A mere thief, ignorant of the heavens height and earths depth, thinks that just because he comes from the Pure Yang lineage, he is entitled to kill evil wherever he goes. He is truly seeking his own death, Wei Yang also sneered in agreement. He must have come here after hearing about what that escaped Liu family boy said, little does he know that it was bait I purposely released, Hong Jiaren laughed heartily. I didnt expect him to come so soon. It saves us brothers the trouble. Hes fallen into the trap himself, Wei Yang looked towards the direction of the town and said with a smile, It seems our brotherhood is destined for a great opportunity to rise above the mundane world. At this moment, in the hearts of Wei Yang and Hong Jiaren, Zhou Heng was as good as dead. Human sacrifice, plague seeds, formation talismans and methods? Zhou Heng led his horse while walking, sneering inwardly, They are truly an evil sect. Even though he had traveled far, he could still hear the conversation between Wei and Hong very clearly. This was because after stepping onto the Seventh Rank, his Innate Skill had greatly improved to a state of completion, further nurturing his Divine Soul with his inner qi. Additionally, the fundamental attribute of his spirit had increased after killing the Loose Immortal Yu Long, making his Divine Soul perception extremely strong. Let alone this distance, even if it were much further, he would still be able to hear clearly. This kind of perceptive ability had far surpassed that of an ordinary Peak of the Seventh Rank. Zhou Heng led his horse into the middle of the town, only to find that every household had its doors tightly shut, and the streets were deserted, desolate like an abandoned mountain village. There was even a sinister fog all around; not a single sign of life could be seen. When he released his Divine Soul perception, he could see that inside these tightly closed houses, many families were peering through the cracks of their doors or windows at him, an outsider, their eyes filled with worry, yet none dared to speak out and warn him. As Zhou Heng continued forward, he suddenly heard a family crying out in anguish. Approaching, he saw a young adult clutching at the legs of an older man, kneeling on the ground, begging bitterly. Father, father! My little sister already has someone she likes. How could you offer her to those thieves! The young adults face was filled with sorrow, tears streaming down his face, and there was blood on his forehead, obviously from having just knocked his head until it bled. Son, do you think I want to do this? The older man was also filled with grief, sighing and saying, If we dont give your sister to those gentlemen, your mother and grandmother will both die from the illness! At that moment, from a house not far away, a maiden in her prime, with delicate and lovely features, came out. Even in plain clothes, her graceful figure was evident. Father, I am willing to go, the maiden furrowed her brows and her eyes filled with tears, then said to the young adult, Brother, theres no need to beg anymore. I am willing to go, to repay the grace of being raised by mother and grandmother. Sister! The young mans face was filled with despair; he sat down dejectedly, looking haggard, Its my incompetence, my uselessness! Ive traveled far and wide for many years, achieving nothing. Finally returning home, I can only watch my family suffer and am powerless to help. If I possessed profound mastery of the Martial Path, I would certainly slay those bandits and bring peace to Qingquan Town! But I am just a powerless, worthless good-for-nothing. Its all my fault! My son! Do not speak recklessly. If you attract the attention of those grand masters, our whole family will turn into pus and water! The elder was incredibly frightened and hurriedly interrupted the young man. May I inquire, who exactly are these grand masters you speak of? Zhou Heng halted his reddish-brown horse at the entrance of the courtyard, walked in, and asked, What can they do, and what have they done? A foreigner? Upon seeing Zhou Heng, the elders expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed again and again, Its over, its all over. Young man, how did you come to Qingquan Town? This is a place of great suffering in the human world. Leave quickly, do not stay, lest you regret it profoundly! Please hurry and leave, elder brother. If you are discovered by the grand masters here, you truly wont be able to leave! The girl also hastily cautioned, looking around nervously as if afraid someone might come. Only the young man upon seeing Zhou Heng prostrated himself immediately, appealing desperately, Daoist Zhou, ten days ago you exterminated the malevolent Evil Sect at You Family Village, and I witnessed your powerful martial arts. Please save my younger sister, save my family. I am willing to go through hell and high water in return, never daring to forget this life-saving grace. Please, I beg you! It turns out the young man had been traveling abroad until ten days ago, when he saw Zhou Heng executing a high-ranking member of the Evil Sect and witnessed Zhou Hengs strength. Upon seeing Zhou Heng this time, he immediately grasped at him like a lifeline. Theres no need for such formality. Zhou Heng said with a faint smile, and with a wave of his right hand, he used his Inner Qi to remotely lift the young man to his feet, and said with a smile, You all just tell me how many of those so-called grand masters there are, where they came from, and what kind of abilities they have. The elder clearly had heard of Zhou Hengs deeds from his son and a glimmer of hope flickered across his despairing face, The elder one can answer Daoists questions, please listen to my explanation, he said. Qingquan Town was originally a thriving key town in Sanshui County, famous for its delicacies, with every household living in affluence. Three months ago, an unexpected epidemic struck. People in the town kept falling sick and even dying. The doctors from the prefectural city came but failed to cure the illness, and their medicines were ineffective. At that time, a sect from the Jianghu who called themselves the True Medicine Sect claimed to have a method to eradicate the epidemic. Once employed, it proved effective, and the satisfied physicians and bailiffs from the prefectural city left. But since then, the True Medicine Sect who originally seemed to have compassionate hearts as healers changed their tune. They forbade the townspeople from leaving and started demanding money and provisions from every household. Later on, they even demanded the pretty women to be given to them for their amusement. If anyone refused, the epidemic would recur, even more severe than before the treatment, and within a few days, the victims would die or, in more extreme cases, turn into pus, with no corpse left behind. After recounting all this, the elder was about to plead for Zhou Hengs help in freeing them from their misery, but just as he was about to speak, his face suddenly turned to one of terror, and he looked at Zhou Hengs back, shaking. The young man and the girl were also so frightened that they shuddered and collapsed on the ground, their faces ashen, and they dared not make a sound. Since youve explained so clearly, it seems your family really wants to die of the disease. A voice mingled with faint laughter came from behind Zhou Heng; it was none other than Wei Yang dressed in a white brocade robe. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The elder and his family immediately knelt down, kowtowing and begging for mercy. You wish for them to die of the disease? Zhou Heng suddenly turned around, looked at Wei Yang and smiled, What if I dont allow it? Haha, youll die all the same, still thinking of protecting them? Wei Yang scoffed, Unaware that youre in the tigers den, the dragons pool. It seems your Purple Thunder Sword is just a name in vain, and the true teachings of the Pure Yang Palace are not much after all, nothing but trash. Is that so? Zhou Heng grinned, raised his hand to hold the Purple Thunder Sword, and lifted it above his head, Then have a taste of my sword and see whether its hollow or real! Winter Thunderbolt!! Chapter 197 - Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Materials for Cultivating Evil Creatures Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Materials for Cultivating Evil Creatures Boom! Layers upon layers of the thunderous world fell with the saber light, as if intent on turning the human world into a Thunderbolt Purgatory. This was the strongest move in the Purple Thunder Blade Skill that Zhou Heng could perform. In a flash, it completely engulfed Wei Yang. This peak of the Seventh Rank expert seemed to have no chance to resist and was defeated by Zhou Heng on the spot. But Zhou Hengs brows were slightly furrowed. In his spiritual perception, he could confirm that Wei Yang had used a strange power to influence the Winter Thunderbolt, affecting the attack of his saber technique. It seemed to involve the manipulation of principles on a fundamental level, weakening the attack of his saber from just now. However, in reality, this did not affect the lethality of that saber strike. When the lightning dissipated. Wei Yang still stood there, with only his clothes a bit scorched; he seemed to have suffered no injury, looking at Zhou Heng with a face full of mockery. From the other side of the courtyard, Hong Jiaren walked out, pinching a spell in his hands, followed by more than twenty men dressed as medics, yet with sinister expressions on their faces. The sky had been obscured by a hazy fog at some unknown time, and the invisible air of plague had already spread, filling every corner around Zhou Heng. This was the Plague Array of the True Medicine Sect. It seems that your strike was rather hollow, Wei Yang shook his head and chuckled, Zhou Heng, you are tainted with the aura of plague. Within this Plague Array, its impossible for you to harm me in the slightest. Now it seems that the rumors in the martial world, even the rankings on the warrior lists, all have their mistakes, Hong Jiaren shook his head and sighed, Ive always heard that Zhou Heng once fought against three Seventh Rank experts alone at Ninth Grade, and forcefully killed a peak Seventh Rank at the peak of Eighth Rank. I thought you would be an exceptionally strong young hero, but as it turns out, fame is not always indicative of reality, meeting you reveals the truth, and your Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, it seems, was nothing special after all. The other twenty-plus True Medicine Sect disciples also laughed up a storm, mocking Zhou Heng for overestimating his abilities and courting death by coming alone to Qingquan Town. The family inside the courtyard, witnessing this scene, turned pale with fear, kneeling on the ground, shaking uncontrollably, no longer daring to speak. Was Zhou Heng actually no match for the True Medicine Sect? All three were in despair. Clang!! At this moment, a sudden ringing of a saber blade was heard; it was Zhou Heng flicking his Purple Thunder Sword with his finger, smiling as he said, Truly a good sword, incomparably sharp. 1 No sooner had he spoken than the previously smiling Wei Yangs face suddenly changed, showing a look of terror in his eyes, staring at Zhou Heng in disbelief as his facial expression began to twist. Splat! Splat, splat!! Immediately after, the sound of blood splattering ensued non-stop. Bloodstains, like fountains, erupted from Wei Yangs body, turning the ground red along with the surrounding trees and walls. Wei Yangs body, as if slashed open by a saber edge, crumbled into more than a dozen pieces; bones and viscera fell down, blood flowed into pools, and his death was terribly tragic. This sudden turn of events shocked the True Medicine Sects people to the core; they all opened their mouths wide as if they were about to drop their jaws in fright. Hong Jiarens expression also changed dramatically, as he instinctively stepped back several steps, looking at Zhou Heng with uncertainty while simultaneously activating the spell to check if there was any issue with the Plague Array. Clearly, Wei Yang had been sliced into pieces by Zhou Heng at the end of their previous encounter; it was only due to some technique Zhou Heng employed that had delayed the outbreak of the wounds, creating such an astonishing scene. But the question was, how did Zhou Heng damage Wei Yang? Obviously, within this Plague Array, a person tainted with the aura of disease was absolutely unable to inflict substantial damage on them! How could this be? Are you wondering how I managed to kill Wei Yang, thinking I shouldnt have been able to cause him any real harm? Zhou Hengs voice suddenly came from behind Hong Jiaren, lightly chuckling as he said, Is that so? Hong Jiaren turned pale with fright and hastily moved to avoid Zhou Heng behind him, then turned around in a panic and said, You, how did you do it? You havent broken the formation, and youve been in contact with the townspeople, you must have been tainted with the aura of disease. Heh, turns out youre a fool as well, Zhou Heng shook his head, threw the long blade in his hand, which immediately vanished, and in its place appeared a three-foot green peak. Cross Mysterious Door Sword! He pinched a sword gesture with his left hand and gently turned it. The Cross Mysterious Door Sword immediately transformed into a ray of sword light and shot out. It made a complete loop around the necks of those twenty-plus True Medicine Sect disciples. Heads dropped to the ground en masse. Not one spared. This was no longer Hundred Steps Soul Sword; this was bona fide Sword Control Technique, a secret martial art of the Sixth Rank with ten layers. Although Zhou Heng had only cultivated to the sixth layer, it was already much stronger and more flexible than the original Hundred Steps Soul Sword, and its power was incomparable. Clang!! As the sword sang, the sword light that the Cross Mysterious Door Sword had transformed into stopped in front of Hong Jiarens forehead. It didnt strike down but dissipated the sword light and hovered there. But everyone knew. ` This sword could pierce down at any moment, penetrating his skull. You, you?! I Hong Jiaren opened his mouth wanting to speak, but he stammered and couldnt articulate anything, a sign of extreme fear in his heart. Why has it come to this? Everything had been calculated perfectly, with the plague seeds spread by sacrifices and the array set up in secretZhou Hengs power should have been completely suppressed! So why did all these preparations seem to have no effect? Impossible! He couldnt believe the reality before his eyes. Even the Plague Emperor Sects Secret Six Ranks influence of disease was ineffective against me, who gave you the courage to use such methods against me? Zhou Heng shook his head and chuckled, Having heard of my reputation, you should know my track record, and yet you still dare to scheme against me. Are you tired of living? He slowly walked up to Hong Jiaren. Gave him a slight look-over. And asked, Is your True Medicine Gate an offshoot of the Plague Emperor Sect? No, its not, Hong Jiaren, terrified by Zhou Hengs beating, said with a trembling voice, Twenty years ago, my sworn brother, Wei Yang, and I accidentally entered a mountain cave abode, where we found a pile of bones and a secret manual. Thats how we obtained our martial arts heritage. All self-taught, and you reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank in twenty years? Zhou Heng frowned slightly upon hearing this. He could see that these two were not exceptionally talented individuals, and their martial arts were not particularly outstanding. Yet without any guidance, they had managed to self-learn up to the Peak of the Seventh Rank of the Martial Path in just twenty years? The trainers in the major prefectural cities would all be green with envy. Even for a transcendent sect of the Martial Dao like the Pure Yang Palace, with a Divine First Rank sect master, its outer sector disciples and even some inner sector disciples couldnt necessarily reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank on their own within twenty years. This was not normal. Moreover, this wasnt the first time Zhou Heng had encountered such circumstances. The three evil sects he had eradicated before had similar experiences. They would chance upon a secret manual and within ten or twenty years reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank, only to emerge and wreak havoc. Even the purpose for causing chaos was the same. It was the requirement of the martial arts they practiced. They wanted to advance their martial skills further. They wanted to jump from the Peak of the Seventh Rank to the Secret Six Rank. Mere self-cultivation was not enough. They had to go out and do certain things. Unfortunately, Zhou Heng hadnt been able to find out the reason behind the three minor Evil Sects previously. As for those individual Martial Artists who walked alone and practiced evil arts, they were almost always killed by a single sword strike from him, leaving no opportunity for questions. This time, the True Medicine Gate seemed to be the most structured and systematic of all, presenting a good opportunity to clear things up. I, Im not lying, Hong Jiaren said in a panicked voice, Its just that, this martial arts seems very suitable for us, and we hardly encountered any major barriers. Moreover, while cultivating, there would be an inexplicable flow of qi gushing from our dantians, nourishing our qi, blood, muscles, bones, and even spirits. Its because of all these reasons that we were able to progress so quickly. Young hero, no, Daoist master, Lord Daoist, I swear Im not deceiving you. Hmm, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and continued his questioning, In addition to the secret manual, what else did you find? There were also several black gemstones Hong Jiaren hesitated for a moment but eventually told the truth, It seems that the flow of qi from our dantians is due to those black gemstones. Do you still have those black gemstones? Zhou Heng asked. He always felt that so many similar instances of evil heritage coming to light were not normal and might hide a deeper secret. No, theyre gone. After we reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank, those black gemstones all turned to sand, Hong Jiaren shook his head, then suddenly fell to his knees with a thud, his mouth gaping in a plea for mercy. But as soon as he knelt, his entire body suddenly trembled and then began to shake violently; pus-filled blisters rose on his exposed skin and muscles, and lumps also kept appearing under his clothes. Ahh! Ahhhh!! Hong Jiaren let out a heart-wrenchingly shrill scream, agony to the extreme, as he collapsed on the ground, his limbs twisting to unnaturally abnormal angles. Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle! There was a sound like a hot iron branding flesh coming from Hong Jiarens body, and wisps of pitch-black smoke rose from his nine orifices. His back suddenly arched sharply. Rip! With a grating tear, Hong Jiarens back split open, spewing out dark green blood, and his entire flesh rapidly withered away until his body became a skeletal corpse in the blink of an eye. And from the corpse of Hong Jiarens back, a mass of pitch-black light rose, instantly spreading an extreme dark, evil, and filthy aura. The plague miasma that pervaded the area, suddenly as if finding its master, converged towards the black light, quickly turning it from a three-foot diameter sphere into an over ten-foot diameter pitch-black orb. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ahh!! From within the black orb came a sharp, piercing cry, and immediately the black orb cracked open, a vague figure attempting to emerge, ready to stretch out the body it had barely managed to condense. But just as it extended its senses from within the orb, it was met head-on by a force both supremely solid and yang, both immensely powerful and domineering as if to shatter the heavens and collapse the earthan incredible power! Heaven and Earth Toppling!! ` Chapter 198 - Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Evil Spirit! Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Evil Spirit! Zhou Hengs dark palm print landed on the thing that crawled out of Hong Jiarens corpse. An immensely terrifying force surged, his innate Pure Yang inner Qi exploding forth, simultaneously embodying the power of holding all things within Zhou Hengs Three Lifetimes All Creation Inner View, crushing down on this entity. Bang! Only to hear a loud crash, the vague silhouette that was about to emerge from the pitch-black orb was almost devoid of any resistance under Zhou Hengs move Heaven and Earth Capsize, instantly shattered to pieces. But he did not stop there. Following that move, Zhou Heng formed a Taoist formula with his hand, and suddenly, wind and fire arose, the Qi of the five organs and five elements gathered, turning into a cluster of golden lightning, flickering on and off, interweaving yin and yang, refining the five elements. His left hand formed a seal, his right hand extended toward the heavens, and instantly condensed a seed of thunder, while his whole body was draped in golden lightning, resembling the descent of the Thunder God. Boom! The sound of thunder roared like the wrath of heaven, golden lightning erupted from Zhou Hengs palm, transforming into a sky-piercing and earth-penetrating thunder sword, destroying all evil with unstoppable force. Five Thunder Righteous Method! The blindingly bright golden lightning struck the thing that had crawled out of Hong Jiarens corpse, which was already in pieces, was nearly completely annihilated under the thunder imbued with the principle of the five elements and yin and yang. Under the lightning of the Five Thunder Righteous Method, the destroyed parts of the thing instantly turned into wisps of black smoke, and a strong stench filled the air. This time Zhou Heng stopped his actions, but still held a Taoist formula in his hand, with the Cross Mysterious Door Sword floating by his side, his gaze fixated on the remnants of the thing. The remaining thing, unattacked, naturally began to gather and quickly merged back together into a pitch-black creature over half a humans height. However, it was called a creature only because its main body was slender. In fact, this creature had just a pair of arms and two legs, with a head topped with facial features like a humans, appearing somewhat alien. Such a powerful palm technique, such powerful thunder, this should not be within the capabilities of a cultivator of your level, it actually articulated human speech, logic intact, seemingly possessing considerable intelligence. What are you, an evil creature? Zhou Hengs eyebrows furrowed, a strong aura of an evil creature emanated from this thing, yet there seemed to be differences. Evil creature? It laughed, neither confirming nor denying, According to your terms here, I am indeed an evil creature. Young man, you may also call me Li You. Would you be willing to become my disciple? Disciple? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, he said in a deep voice, You are a deity? And why did you crawl out of Hong Jiarens body? The reason he had not immediately exterminated this bizarre being was to understand exactly what was going on. Could it be that those who accidentally obtained the heritage of evil methods were merely materials to cultivate these kinds of things? If so, then who was behind this? No. Li You shook his head gently, smiling, A deity is but a spirit, how could that term capture my greatness? You neednt be hasty in rejecting me, just remember the name Li You. If you encounter an insurmountable danger, sincerely pray to this name three times, and I will help you overcome all difficulties, annihilate all enemies, and at that time, you will understand my mighty power. Just then, a prompt resounded in Zhou Hengs mind. The evil spirit Li You is attempting to impart the evil method Divine Spirit Descent Technique''[Heavenly Third Rank] to you. If you execute this technique as instructed, you will be possessed by the evil spirit, losing your self. Such a formidable evil method! To be possessed by just praying to the name thrice sincerely?? But what exactly is an evil spirit? And how is it different from evil creatures? Zhou Heng was beset with questions upon questions, and he dared not continue conversing with this evil spirit, unsure of what other bizarre methods it might possess. Therefore, with a thought, the Mysterious Door Sword floating beside him immediately flew up into the sky, while he released the Taoist formula he held! Nine Heavenly Mysterious Execution, transform into thunder! Brilliance Heavenly Power, invoke with my sword! In an instant, the color of the wind and clouds changed, the high clouds suddenly formed a vortex, shaking violently, as if the sky itself was spinning. Amidst these surging clouds, countless thunders danced and interwove, similar to wild golden snakes. In an instant, the thunder converged on the Mysterious Door Sword. Boom! As if divine thunder descended from the ninth heaven, the lightning, enveloped with unparalleled power to vanquish evil, pierced through the void from above, seemingly ignoring distance, and struck Li You instantly. ` The evil spirit, however, was not flustered or frightened in the least. It even chuckled and waved its hand at Zhou Heng, saying, Indeed, a decisive young man. We shall meet again. Boom! An ear-splitting blast erupted; the evil spirit Li You disintegrated into ash, and the Cross Mysterious Door Sword exploded in mid-air. The application of Divine Sword Thunder Control required a high grade of weaponry, and even though Zhou Heng had only reached the third level of proficiency, the power of this Taoist Formula surpassed the limit that an upper-grade sharp weapon could withstand. It seems its time to find a handy treasure weapon, Zhou Heng thought to himself. Although he had just stepped into the Seventh Rank not long ago, in terms of strength, he had few foes beneath the Secret Sixth Rank. Congratulations! For defeating the evenly matched enemy evil spirit Li You, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. The reward notification sounded. Added to the two Copper Fortune Bags provided by Wei Yang and Hong Jiaren, along with those gained from vanquishing evil sects over the past ten or so days, he had now accumulated three Silver Fortune Bags and ten Copper Fortune Bags. Need to find a chance to open them, contemplated Zhou Heng. At that moment, the family who had sought his help earlier came out from their yard, knelt down, and expressed their gratitude. Soon, other households in Qingquan Town, having learned of the complete downfall of the True Medicine Sect, came out of their closely shut homes and offered their thanks to Zhou Heng. Many people wanted to offer their wealth, and some even wished to have their daughters accompany Zhou Heng to serve him. But Zhou Heng paid no attention to these offers and simply led his jujube-red horse away. This left every household in Qingquan Town even more grateful. Everyone etched the name Zhou Heng into their hearts. It even evolved into a custom of carving his name onto jade pendants to ward off illness and disaster. After leaving Qingquan Town, Zhou Heng did not continue searching for another Evil Sect or malefactors practicing evil ways; instead, he rode his jujube-red horse to the nearest entrance of the Purple Tenuity Palace. He needed to inquire about the matter of the evil spirit. This type of evil spirit was clearly different from ordinary evil creatures, especially regarding what Li You had said before being killed. Meet again? It was dead, turned to dust; how could they meet again? Could it be that such a being could be resurrected? Besides that, Zhou Heng needed to find the angle of the constellation, as the third task had still not been assigned. Surely, it hadnt gone to Xi Liang. Following the familiar starry path, Zhou Heng listened to the overlapping voices of the Ziwei treasure decree again as he arrived in the vast world where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located. No sooner had he stepped into this world than he saw a figure riding the clouds toward him. This was a woman, dressed in a luxurious white fur outfit, not very tall but with a slender waist and a particularly prominent chest. Even just riding the clouds, she moved with the grace and elegance of a lithe lotus. Her mask bore the image of a white rabbit. Apparently, she was Room Constellation, also known as Room Sun Rabbit. I have seen the Honorable Star Lord, Room Sun Rabbit floated forward, accompanied by a faint fragrance, and after paying respects to Zhou Heng, she was about to say something when she suddenly exclaimed, Star Lord, you have encountered an evil spirit?! Thats right, Zhou Heng first nodded, then frowned and said, How do you know? The evil spirit has been turned to ash; could it have left a mark on me? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This is no simple mark, Room Sun Rabbit gently shook her head. She seemed rather anxious and directly grabbed Zhou Hengs hand, lifting him onto the clouds with her, Pardon the impertinence, Star Lord. In the blink of an eye, they arrived in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace, coming face to face with The Supreme and Celestial Man. Evil Spirit Mark?! These two Celestials exclaimed in unison, losing their customary composure. ` Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: Chapter 204 As You Wish (Please subscribe to the official version!) Chapter 204: Chapter 204 As You Wish (Please subscribe to the official version!) Why oppose? Zhou Heng found himself at a loss for words, as Chen Xingjiang spoke with such confidence and righteousness. There was a sudden silence in the main hall of the great hall. Ha, could it be that Daoist Zhou has mistaken something? Chen Xingjiang suddenly laughed and said, Out of the emperors favor, I have been granted martial arts secret techniques, weapons that fit my hand, and positions of authority. Naturally, I must fulfill the royal familys demands. Indeed, protecting the peace of the land and ensuring the safety of the people is my duty. However, this duty is imposed upon me by the royal family. When the royal family has other demands of me, I naturally prioritize them. You speak with such clarity, truly a little villain, Zhou Heng sneered, They say a parent official should appeal on behalf of the people, extending the welfare of the region. It seems that in your case, sir, its just empty talk after all. The kind of official you speak of does exist. Ive seen them and not in small numbers, Chen Xingjiang also stood up, still smiling, and said, Sadly, I am not one of them. I have disappointed you, Daoist Zhou. I will destroy the Medicine God Sect, Zhou Heng openly declared. Daoist Zhou, go ahead. I wont stop you, Chen Xingjiangs smiling face turned serious again as he returned to calmness, However, if the sixteenth prince learns that his toy has been destroyed, he is most likely to target you. If he dares, then let him come, Zhou Heng was about to sweep away, but as he reached the door, he stopped, turned around, and looked at Chen Xingjiang, But simply leaving like this wont satisfy me. Would the Prefectural Governor care to lower his cultivation for a moment and exchange one move with me using his unique martial arts? Why not? Chen Xingjiang laughed heartily, However, theres no need for me to lower my cultivation. With that, one of his hairs broke off on its own, fell to the ground, and with a light tremor, became another Chen Xingjiang, but only with the cultivation at the peak of the Seventh Rank. Hair Incarnation Technique, truly befitting of a Fourth Rank ultimate Great Grandmaster, Zhou Heng praised before advancing, his right hand stretched forward, fingers formed into a sword, and aimed straight at the heart of Chen Xingjiangs incarnation. This sword-pointing technique was exquisite and the speed was extremely fast; in almost an instant, it had arrived in front of Chen Xingjiangs incarnation, seemingly about to hit his heart. But just at that moment, the incarnation of Chen Xingjiang suddenly leaped up, using lightweight kung fu to jump, a palm shot from within his sleeve with the force of thunder, striking down from above towards the top of Zhou Hengs head. Facing such a thunderous strike, Zhou Heng actually didnt dodge or evade but took the blow with the top of his head. Clang! A deafening bell sound erupted, as Zhou Heng summoned the Golden Light, grabbed with his hand, and conjured a Golden Light Giant Hand out of nowhere, which then squeezed the incarnation of Chen Xingjiang within. Bang! Chen Xingjiangs incarnation was crushed on the spot, turning back into a strand of hair, drifting to the ground. Farewell! Zhou Heng turned and left immediately. Escort our guest out! Chen Xingjiang waved his sleeve, appearing quite dissatisfied. After Zhou Heng had left, the prefectural governor of Fangzhou regained his composure, gulped down the tea that Zhou Heng hadnt touched, and turned his gaze to the entrance of the main hall. All proclaim the vastness of the emperors grace. But is it that easy to bear? Chen Xingjiang put down the tea bowl and chuckled lightly again, Young people these days think too little and act on impulse. If the Da Qi Royal Family didnt have some tricks up their sleeve, how could they remain as the sovereign of the thirty-three states for three thousand years without faltering? The world is far more complicated than you think. The matter of the Medicine God Sect, Im leaving it in your hands. Song Yingshu and the others followed Zhou Cheng out of the County City Office with a look of bewilderment. They all noticed that Zhou Hengs expression seemed to be not that good, as if he had parted on bad terms with Prefectural Governor Chen Xingjiang. As for what actually happened, they all dared not ask. They could only continue to follow behind Zhou Heng. Tomorrow morning, meet at the Yu Xing Inn. I will take you to the Medicine God Sect, Zhou Heng left them with these words and turned his way toward Yu Xing Inn, the place where he was staying, and where his date-red horse was also being kept. After splitting up with Song Yingshu and the others, Zhou Hengs expression, which had been cold since returning to his room in the inn, finally eased. Although he did not part on good terms with Chen Xingjiang this time, the purpose of his visit to the Prefectural Governors Office had actually been achievedhe had clarified the nature of the Medicine God Sect. As for Prefectural Governor Chen Xingjiang, he seemed like a deceitful little villain, but in reality, he was as sly as a fox. From the beginning, Chen Xingjiang admitted that the existence of the Medicine God Sect was his dereliction of duty and expressed his shame. But immediately after, he shifted the topic, clarifying that the true reason for the sects existence wasnt due to him but was because of the sixteenth prince of Da Qi. This effectively absolved him of responsibility. Later when Zhou Heng questioned him on why, as the ruler of a state and a Fourth Rank ultimate Great Grandmaster, he did not refuse the princes request, he cited his indebtedness to the imperial grace, stating that everything must comply with the will of the royal family. Yet, when Zhou Heng expressed his intention to destroy the Medicine God Sect, he made no attempt to stop him. How could this resemble someone who obediently follows imperial will? Moreover, with the authority of the prefectural governor of Fangzhou and the power of a Fourth Rank ultimate Great Grandmaster, if he truly wished to control an evil sect barely a hundred miles away with top combat strength only at the Seventh Rank, he could definitely suppress it thoroughly, preventing any evil actions. Yet, in reality, the Medicine God Sect was still able to brazenly enter the city. This was something not even the city guards dared to interfere with, and the sect even dared to commit acts as abhorrent as kidnapping people for experiments. Chen Xingjiang did not explicitly state this, but the implication was clear from his wordsthat all of this was because the sixteenth prince wanted to play with it. Zhou Heng did not know the specifics about the sixteenth prince, but he saw clearly Chen Xingjiangs intentions. The prefectural governor outwardly professed loyalty to the royal family, but in fact, he was merely seeking a scapegoat for himself. Whether that scapegoat was credible or not, from Chen Xingjiangs point of view, he had no intention of shouldering any responsibility himself. Whether it was establishing the Medicine God Sect, maintaining its existence, or ultimately destroying it, Chen Xingjiang wanted to extricate himself completely. In reality, the reason why the Medicine God Sect was so brazen was because of Chen Xingjiangs indulgence. It was probably his way of using someone else to eliminate the sect. By deliberately allowing the Medicine God Sect to act unrestrainedly, it was inevitable that someone would eventually come to destroy it. And if the prince were to inquire afterwards, he could claim that he was respecting the princes authority, not daring to place too many restrictions on the sect. Chen Xingjiang must have been looking to destroy the Medicine God Sect. This should be beyond doubt. Others aside, without the Medicine God Sect, he would be the absolute authority in Fangzhou. But with the Medicine God Sect lingering, it was like a knot in his heart. A knot he could do nothing about. Even if he could suppress it entirely, as long as this knot existed, there would always be a feeling of discomfort. Moreover, Chen Xingjiang had clearly tried to provoke Zhou Heng with some seemingly casual remarks before, thereby reinforcing Zhou Hengs desire to eradicate the Medicine God Sect. These arrangements step by step Letting the consequences of indulging the Medicine God Sect fall on the common people, the reason for allowing their evil deeds was because of the grace of the Royal Family, and the ones who went to eliminate the Medicine God Sect did so of their own volition. It all had nothing to do with Chen Xingjiang. What a meticulous calculation, Prefectural Governor Chen, Zhou Heng remarked. During his time at the County City yamen, Zhou Heng had already vaguely understood Chen Xingjiangs intentions. Now, after reviewing everything from beginning to end, he felt like applauding Chen Xingjiang. Such a shirking of responsibility, Id call it a masterstroke. Too bad, youve fallen one move short, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed, his thoughts shifted, and he reviewed the reward notification he had received from exchanging blows with Chen Xingjiangs incarnation. You are watching Chen Xingjiang perform the Secret Technique Hair Incarnation Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Though you ponder deeply, you feel an epiphany yet completely fail to understand, gaining no proficiency. Chen Xingjiangs Hair Incarnation uses Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank] to attack you, and you execute Martial Arts Golden Bell Cover [Secret Six Rank] to successfully defend. You deeply comprehend the strength and intricacies contained in Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank], gain some understanding, proficiency +0.01. As you have already mastered a similar higher-ranked Martial Arts Three Palms Overturning the Heavens [Absolute Fourth Rank], you have a commanding view over palm techniques, leading to cross-sectional learning, Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank] proficiency +1. Congratulations! The proficiency of Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank] has reached 1, officially mastering this martial arts. Affected by a similar higher-ranked Martial Arts, proficiency +12000. [Secret Six Rank] Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm: Level 5 (2000/5000) Honestly, its quite thrilling. Ive directly picked up a Secret Six Rank Martial Arts for free. Zhou Heng looked at these reward notifications, his lips involuntarily curling up into a smile. Before leaving the County City yamen, when he suggested exchanging blows with Chen Xingjiang, it wasnt out of resentment. His goal was to learn a martial arts technique from Chen Xingjiang. Any would do. As long as it was Chen Xingjiangs Martial Arts. And incidentally, to get a sense of Chen Xingjiangs strength characteristics. Originally, he was worried about how to simulate the force of a Great Grandmaster at the absolute peak, whose cultivation had been lowered, yet who still possessed a very high grade of Inner Qi. Unexpectedly, Chen Xingjiang was so considerate that he had created an Inner Qi incarnation. In this way, by using the Three Lives All Things inner view in conjunction with the Small Wuxiang Power to simulate Chen Xingjiangs Inner Qi, and then executing Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm, it would be as if Chen Xingjiang himself made the move, Zhou Heng thought with a smile, taking out a thin, cicada-wing-like mask and carefully putting it on his face. In the blink of an eye, he became a faceless person, without any discernible features. Then, Zhou Heng opened a pair of eyes and, using a mirror, he slowly grew a nose and ears, opening his mouth. Quickly, he changed to look exactly like Chen Xingjiang. Identical in every way! This was the Disguise Mask he had obtained from opening the Fortune Bag, which could directly transform his face into another. A person with a face identical to Chen Xingjiang, using Chen Xingjiangs martial arts, doing what Chen Xingjiang wanted to do. Now thats the real masterstroke! The best way to deal with someone desperately trying to shirk responsibility is, of course, to saddle them with a blame they absolutely do not want to carry. As for whether or not itll be exposed afterward, Zhou Heng didnt think it was important. It was only necessary to first splash this dirty water out and throw this blame onto him, letting everyone form the fixed impression that Chen Xingjiang destroyed the Medicine God Sectthat would be enough. So what if its exposed later? As a disciple of the latter generations of Pure Yang Palace, a junior fellow of Celestials, holding numerous trump cards in hand, who was he to fear? Zhou Heng wasnt even afraid of being discovered by Chen Xingjiang. Would Chen Xingjiang really dare to make a move against him? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This blame, you, Chen Xingjiang, may not want to carry, but youll have to! After changing his appearance, Zhou Heng meticulously adjusted his hairstyle and changed his clothes, then he stealthily left the city gate, heading to the Medicine God Sects location. Prefectural Governor Chen, dont you want to eradicate the Medicine God Sect? Then I will fulfill your wish! Let you personally destroy the Medicine God Sect!! Chapter 200 - Chapter 200: Chapter 200 The Request of Fangxiu Chapter 200: Chapter 200 The Request of Fangxiu ` Haha, that is certainly possible, the Supreme said with a smile, Otherwise, what would be the point of calling ourselves the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? In fact, once the Star Lord completes the third task, you can fully access the information within the mask. There, you can find information about other worlds, and the virtuous tasks available for selection in the future will not be limited to just our world alone. Zhou Heng fell silent upon hearing this, somewhat at a loss for words and said, But my third task has not been assigned yet. Initially, it was handled by a senior from the Five Emperors Inner Council. Later, after he was injured due to the catastrophe caused by the demons of the West Wasteland, it was transferred to the care of the Horn Star Officer, but it has already been over ten days, and I still havent received any news. The Horn Star Officer? The Supreme was momentarily taken aback and then helplessly said, I see, that was my oversight. A few days ago, Gang and Huagai were trapped by a powerful enemy while completing a task in another world, so I had the Horn go to rescue them. It must be because of this that your task dispatch was delayed. This is my fault, please forgive me, Star Lord. I will carefully select a task and have your third task assigned as soon as possible. This I understand, Zhou Heng did not expect this to be the reason, though he had some recollection of the two Star Officers Gang and Huagai. Afterward, he inquired in detail about information concerning the Plague Emperor Sect to facilitate the upcoming battle. However, compared to killing the people of the Plague Emperor Sect, finding them seemed to be an even more difficult task. The thirty-three provinces of Da Qi are vast, and although the Plague Emperor Sect is one of the four great evil paths, the overall number of disciples is not large. To find and kill them will not be an easy task. Actually, you need not be too fixated on the people of the Plague Emperor Sect, the Voice of Heaven spoke up, The Evil Gods Path of the Plague Emperor Sect is indeed the most authentic, but it is not the only evil art that derived from that path. If you kill more high-level practitioners of similar evil arts, you should be able to achieve a roughly similar effect, though you might need a larger quantity. Heh, that suits me just fine, Zhou Heng chuckled, In fact, I have another idea, but I need the help of the two seniors. What idea? asked the Supreme, curious. I hope the two seniors can help me put out a bounty, Zhou Heng said, Ill trade virtuous tasks for the location information of high-ranking members of the Plague Emperor Sect, fifty virtuous tasks for each at the peak of the Seventh Rank, up to ten, and just one at the Secret Sixth Rank, for five hundred virtuous tasks. Upon these words, the three others present besides Zhou Heng fell silent, and even the air seemed to quiet down for a moment. After a while The Voice of Heaven finally spoke, You, have many virtuous tasks? The Supreme also expressed confusion, Star Lord, virtuous tasks are not easily acquired. Even Fang Rich Rabbit seemed to question life, saying, Star Lord, would you like to think it over again? In their view, a newcomer who had just joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and had only undertaken two tasks, no matter how powerful, should not have many virtuous tasks. Spending a thousand all at once seemed like a huge expense, and they felt like they were witnessing the prodigal ways of a spendthrift. I still have over four thousand virtuous tasks left, so spending a thousand is no big deal, Zhou Heng said with a smile, In fact, I was also prepared to give a thousand virtuous tasks to each of the two seniors as a token of gratitude for your hard work. Although Im aware that a thousand virtuous tasks might not mean much to the two seniors, after all, I am inconveniencing you, so I feel obliged to offer some gesture. We get some too? The Supreme seemed somewhat excited. A thousand virtuous tasks? The Voice of Heaven also got excited. Unlike other living members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, these two Celestial Men were actually killed by the Great Demon Cang Hua over sixteen hundred years ago. Now only their Primordial Spirits linger in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace, having lost the normal channels to acquire virtuous tasks, so a thousand virtuous tasks was definitely not a small number for them. Since Ive said it, I will not go back on my word, and besides, the two seniors have indeed resolved many of my doubts, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Two thousand virtuous tasks are nothing to worry about. With these words, the three on the scene went silent once more. Due to the mechanism of acquiring virtuous tasks in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer as well as the strength of ghosts and evil creatures, generally speaking, it is hard for those of Lower Third Rank to obtain virtuous tasks through mass-killing of ghosts and evil creatures. But once one steps onto the Middle Third Rank, the virtuous tasks gained from killing Lower Third Rank ghosts will plummet, and the Middle Third Rank ghosts and evil beings, especially those of the Sect Fifth Rank and above, such as Ghost Immortals and evil spirits, are even harder to kill, making it very difficult for Middle Third Rank practitioners to earn virtuous tasks. Individuals like Zhou Heng, who at the level of the Lower Third Rank slaughters ghosts and evil creatures as easily as chopping melons and cutting vegetables, are extremely rare, hence he effortlessly amassed such an abundance of virtuous tasks. Since you are so generous, I wont refuse as an old man, the Supreme nodded with a smile. You were the quickest to diverge the topic just now, and now youre the quickest to collect virtuous tasks, The Voice of Heaven shot the Supreme a glance and snorted, When the Star Lord reaches the Middle Third Rank, youd better clarify the matters of the Battle of Tianyang with him properly. Of course, of course, the Supreme first gestured to Zhou Heng and then glared at The Voice of Heaven, After all, wasnt it the two leaders who set this rule? Besides, even if I didnt diverge the topic, would you dare to speak up? How do you know I wouldnt dare? The Voice of Heaven turned away, feigning indifference. Although these two Celestial Men were of venerable age, in actuality, they currently only had the appearance of young Taoist boys, not very tall, bickering with each other, appearing somewhat adorable. Haha, I wont disturb the pleasant time of the two seniors any longer, Zhou Heng laughed and then took his leave. Star Lord, let me accompany you out, Fang soon spoke up eagerly. Thank you, Zhou Heng bowed his hands in thanks. Fangs cultivation realm was not low; she was at least a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Summoning clouds beneath her feet, she escorted Zhou Heng across the void between the Purple Tenuity Palace and the entrances Purple Qi Cloud Platform, hesitating to speak on several occasions. Zhou Heng, with his powerful spiritual senses, naturally noticed the subtle shifts in Fangs emotions. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Therefore, once they reached the Purple Qi Cloud Platform, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Fang, is there something you wish to discuss? Please feel free to speak. The Star Lord has noticed, Fang said somewhat bashfully, lowering her head, Im quite ashamed to say that I wanted to borrow a thousand virtuous tasks from you. Is your wish pressing? Zhou Heng asked. Usually, virtuous tasks are used to fulfill wishes at the Wishing Pool, though sometimes they are also used for trading items. Not for a wish, but Ive had my eye on a Lifespan Extension Pill from Elder Zuoyuan and Im a thousand virtuous tasks short for the exchange, Fang seemed somewhat anxious, But Im running out of time and cant delay any longer I can repay more virtuous tasks later, and, by the way, Im skilled in forging and refining treasures; I can make a suited magical weapon for you. ` Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: Chapter 201 I Don’t Kill the Nameless under My Fist Chapter 201: Chapter 201 I Dont Kill the Nameless under My Fist Lifespan Extension Pill? Zhou Heng asked in confusion, Your lifespan is running out? No, its for an elder in my family. Fang Su gently shook her head and said, When I was young, this elder treated me extremely well. Now that shes getting old and her lifespan is coming to an end, I want to extend her life first and then search for more ways to prolong it. Cant you make a wish? Zhou Heng said. The merit required for making a wish is much greater. Fang Su said helplessly, According to the standards of the Wishing Pool, you need one thousand merit for every year of lifespan extended below ten years, and for more than ten years, you need ten thousand merit per year. Lord Zuoyuans Lifespan Extension Pill can save a life for twenty years with only ten thousand merit. For this, Ive already borrowed three thousand from others, and with my own six thousand, I am still one thousand short. In that case, taking the Lifespan Extension Pill first and then making a wish is not a bad idea, Zhou Heng smiled and said, One thousand merit is no problem, as long as we set a fixed repayment period and amount, I can lend it to you. To him, a mere one thousand merit wasnt a significant amount; killing a few ghosts and evil creatures would earn it back. Compared to that, he was more concerned about Fang Su, a master capable of artifact forging and crafting treasures. A Middle Third Rank master who can forge magic weapons is very rare, holding a not insignificant status even within top Martial Dao Sects like the Pure Yang Palace. Its entirely beneficial to be on good terms with such a person. After all, the process of forging magic weapons is extremely intricate and complex. Normally, even a Peak Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster below the Celestial Man rank, if not proficient in the art of weapon forging, might not be able to produce the most ordinary magic weapon. Even the most basic and elementary magic weapons are at least equivalent to a Secret Six Rank master, with tremendous utility. If a Peak Seventh Rank martial artist could possess one, even if they couldnt fully unleash its power, they would gain the strength to contend against a Secret Six Rank Innate ability. They wouldnt be entirely suppressed. For a Middle Third Rank master, a precious weapon could significantly boost their strength; no one would refuse such a thing. Zhou Heng also lacked a suitable magic weapon for executing certain Taoist Formulas. Fang Su had agreed to forge a suitable magic weapon for him, and even if he had to prepare the materials himself, it was a substantial reward. Thank you very much, Lord of the Stars, I am immensely grateful! Fang Su was overwhelmed with excitement and hastily bowed in thanks, Within a year, I will return one thousand three hundred merit. May I ask what type of magic weapon Lord of the Stars requires? Do you know how to refine magic weapons? Zhou Heng suddenly asked. Magic weapons were on the same level as forged weapons, but their uses were somewhat different. While there is some overlap in the methods of weapon forging and treasure crafting, there are still many differences. Thus, weapon forgers and treasure refiners are usually spoken of separately. However, magic weapons are suitable for Taoist Formulas and some special martial arts. Taoist Formulas are now exceedingly rare, and the number of people who use magic weapons is very small, let alone treasure refiners. If it hadnt been for Fang Su mentioning her expertise in artifact forging and treasure crafting, suggesting she had mastered both, Zhou Heng wouldnt have asked. I can. Fang Su nodded, and then explained, However, Ive had very few opportunities to refine magic weapons; its an elder in my family who is more skilled at it. Of course, Lord of the Stars, you neednt worry. Once my familys elders life has been extended successfully, I will work with her to create a magic weapon that is suitable for you. Then I thank you, Zhou Heng said with a smile, I need a flying sword infused with the power of thunder. After youve prepared the refining proposal, let me know what materials are needed, and Ill prepare them myself. By the way, I also have a Lifespan Extension Pill that can only extend life by five years. If Im satisfied with the flying sword you refine, Ill gift you this pill. Although refining a magic weapon for free was Fang Sus promise, Zhou Heng was well aware that even with a promise, whether there was extra gain, the final result would definitely differ. Even if it was not intentional, there would still be a subconscious difference. He currently had fifty years of distributable lifespan, which was otherwise unused; giving away five years for a better, more suitable flying sword didnt result in a loss. You have a Lifespan Extension Pill too?! Fang Sus eyes sparkled, and she was overjoyed at the news, but then she became a bit worried and said, Lord Zuoyuans pill was the Seven-Flower Reversion Pill, which is the most common Lifespan Extension Pill. Is yours the same? Lifespan Extension Pills are a general term; in reality, due to differences in pill formulas and refining methods, there are many kinds. The Seven-Flower Reversion Pill is one that is relatively easier to find materials for and to refine. If you have already taken one type of life-extending elixir, the effect will greatly diminish if you take the same elixir again, with only one-tenth remaining effective. Only by taking another type of Lifespan Extension Pill can the full benefit be realized. Moreover, due to factors like ingredient quality, heat control, and luck, the amount of life that the same Lifespan Extension Pill can extend varies. Therefore, Fang Sus concern regarding Zhou Hengs pill that could extend life by five years being a Seven-Flower Reversion Pill was quite normal. Mine is called the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill, obtained by chance from an ancient legacy, Zhou Heng said, blatantly lying without a blush and smiling, You dont need to worry about the efficacy being reduced. In truth, what pill did he have? He could only make up a common pill and then allocate five years of his distributable lifespan to whoever needed the lifespan extended. After reaching the Middle Third Rank, one could accurately sense how many years of life they had left, so Zhou Heng did not worry about being seen as a fraud because the pill was too ordinary. Upon hearing this, Fang Su was completely thrilled, repeatedly expressing her thanks, Lord of the Stars, I cannot thank you enough, but I cannot accept this pill for nothing. When the time comes, I will offer five thousand merit to buy it, if thats all right? Lord Zuoyuans Seven-Flower Reversion Pill adds twenty years to life and only costs ten thousand merit, yet youre offering five thousand for just five years? Zhou Heng chuckled and said, Why so much? Lord of the Stars, you might not be aware, Fang Su explained, Although there are many types of Lifespan Extension Pills, the kinds that people can actually get their hands on are only about four or five, like the Seven-Flower Reversion Pill and the Three-pulse Life-sustaining Pill. Apart from the most common Seven-Flower Reversion Pill, the others are far more precious and hard to come by. Normally, being able to take three different Lifespan Extension Pills can be considered a great fortune. This Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill of yours Ive never heard of; its most likely a long-lost elixir. Without the worry of its effectiveness being weakened by other life-extending pills, it is as if an extra five years are magically added. Naturally, its more treasured. Seeing as thats the case, then Ill wait for the good news, Zhou Heng said with a smile. I will never forget this grand favor of the Lord of the Stars, Fang Su said earnestly and respectfully, her heart filled with gratitude. After leaving the world where Purple Tenuity Palace was located, Zhou Heng detoured to Fangzhou County City. Compared to the prefectural city, the county city was undoubtedly much more bustling. The city was larger, the population greater, the streets wider, and the pedestrians more numerous. Fangzhou County City sat beside a great river, with unobstructed waterways and developed river transportation. Numerous rivers also flowed through the city, hence there were many boat shops and boat towers running various businesses. Of course, for Zhou Heng, the most important thing was to gather information. This place was the core of the state, a central hub, where martial artists from all around the state and even from other states and counties converged, making it convenient for him to inquire about the Plague Emperor Sect and other evil sects. Fangzhou was located in the northwest of Da Qi, and traveling straight northward for a hundred thousand li would take one past Sui State and Yuan State to the border between Da Qi and Da Zhou. Thus, the region was a mixture of dragons and snakes, with quite a few experts from Da Zhou often visiting to travel, bringing with them many culinary delights from the north. After arriving here, Zhou Heng found a popular specialty food boat with a large crowd and went aboard to taste the local cuisine of Fangzhou as well as some specialties from Da Zhou. Though such expenses were relatively expensive, costing an average of ten silver taels per person, to Zhou Heng who currently had several thousand taels of spare silver on him, it was no longer considered high consumption. The days of poverty seemed to have gone never to return. Naturally, Zhou Heng felt that his main purpose here was still to gather information. After all, those who could come here generally had some status, and the information they were exposed to was broader and more comprehensive, making it more valuable to inquire about. Eating fine food and such was just an incidental experience. Zhou Heng took a single table at the largest and busiest first floor of the three-story boat and ordered several signature dishes. Scallion braised tendon, sweet and sour carp, stir-fried shrimp, crispy chicken, red-braised intestines, black fish egg soup All quite suited to his taste from his previous life on Earth. Zhou Heng took a bite of the tendon, gnawed on some chicken, and then sipped the soup, the flavors lingering on his lips and tantalizing his taste buds. Meanwhile, he also noticed that three young people at a nearby table seemed to be discussing whether to go and eradicate a small evil sect. The three were all in their twenties, two males and one female. From their conversation, it was apparent that they were disciples of the Natural Sect, having just commenced their adventures into the martial world, aspiring to achieve something noteworthy by eliminating an evil sect that was causing trouble in order to gain fame. Yet, they also worried that the evil sect was too powerful, and the three of them might not be a match for it, hence they were discussing whether to find a few like-minded individuals to join them in their quest. The Natural Sect was a local sect in Fangzhou, established by a peak Great Grandmaster seven hundred years ago, with considerable strength and high prestige in Fangzhou and the neighboring states and counties, However, that Great Grandmaster had not yet glimpsed the path to becoming a Celestial Man and his days were numbered. The strongest among his disciples was only a Fifth Rank Sect Master; it was foreseeable that this sects decline was inevitable. Zhou Heng listened in for a bit and roughly understood that these three were planning to target an evil sect called Medicine God Sect. Their discussions touched on where Medicine God Sect was located and what actions they had committed, which Zhou Heng took note of in his heart. He planned to head over and eliminate that evil sect after finishing his meal. However, werent these three afraid of being overheard and tipping off their targets by discussing such matters so openly in such a crowded place? Just then, a commotion suddenly arose from the deck outside the boat, with many people exclaiming in shock. Close to the entrance, many individuals at this level stood up, looking panicked, trying to run outside. Bang! A dull thud sounded as a brawny man dressed in black flew in, overturning many tables and causing a mob of diners to scramble in panic. He ended up crashing into Zhou Hengs table. Clack! The last dish Zhou Heng was saving, the red-braised intestines, fell to the ground, rendered inedible. Thud thud thud! Heavy footsteps came from the outside deck of this level, and soon a giant of a man, standing nine feet tall with a broad back and large waist, eyes as large as copper bells, and a face covered in beard, walked in. This behemoth glared around with rage, looking foreboding and ferocious, as his eyes swept over the crowd on this floor, he sneered scornfully, Damn it, who wants to kill me, destroy my sect? I am Lu Yaoshi from Medicine God Sect; who wants to kill me? Whoever has the guts, come out! You dare to think and talk about it, but do you not dare to step forward? Indeed, the conversation of those three Natural Sect disciples had long been overheard and reported. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng glanced at the three, only to see them all bowing their heads, too afraid to speak, and even too scared to look at Lu Yaoshi. Shaking his head, Zhou Heng stood up, took one last look at the red-braised intestines on the floor, then turned to face Lu Yaoshi with a smile, Its me who wants to kill you. Good! Then Ill kill you first, Lu Yaoshi had no intention of seeking confirmation. He stepped forward briskly, swinging his fists like a Vajra pounding a mallet, smashing them towards Zhou Heng. At the same time, he shouted loudly: Under my fists, I do not kill the unknown. Report your name before you die! Chapter 202 - Chapter 202: Chapter 202: It seems you don’t have to wait anymore Chapter 202: Chapter 202: It seems you dont have to wait anymore I am Zhou Heng of Pure Yang Palace, the true successor, known in the Jianghu as Purple Lightning Thunder Blade. Zhou Heng laughed loudly, but instead of dodging, he moved straight ahead and pointed out a finger, lightly brushing against the fist of the pharmacist Lu. His move was offhand, his lips curved in a smile. He seemed to be enveloped in a saintly radiance, his fingertip appearing to bear no force, merely grazing past Lus fist. At that moment, Zhou Heng gave off the impression of Buddha picking a flower, smiling for ten thousand years. Flower Picking Finger! The pharmacist Lu, who was struck by Zhou Hengs finger at the front, did not share the dreamlike sensation others felt. From his perspective, he simply felt the force in his fist sink like it had plunged into the deep sea, incapable of inflicting any harm. Zhou Hengs extended finger looked so slender and fragile as if it would snap at the slightest touch, but after actually coming into contact with it, Lu immediately reconsidered. If his punch was like plunging into the deep sea, then this finger that lightly brushed over was like a towering column that could stir the entire oceans depths. The power contained within this finger was truly terrifying, incredibly strong. Although pharmacist Lu was a martial artist at the peak of the Seventh Rank with considerable strength, he still felt as weak as an ordinary person with no martial arts in the face of Zhou Hengs move, incapable of any resistance. Crack! The big mans fist burst open on the spot, bones twisting and snapping, piercing through the skin, leaving flesh torn open like a blooming flower. How could the Flower Picking Finger not produce a flower? Therefore, Zhou Hengs move made pharmacist Lus punch blossom. Ah! Lu screamed miserably, trying to pull his hand back and retreat. But by this time, Zhou Heng had already rushed to his face, lifting his palm without using any specific technique, merely letting it fall lightly onto Lus chest. Bang! With a muffled sound, Lu was sent flying like he had been hit by a speeding carriage, thrown horizontally out of the first-floor hall of the building ship and crashing onto the deck outside. Congratulations! You have defeated the easy opponent, pharmacist Lu. Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. The reward prompt sounded. Zhou Heng walked towards the deck without showing any emotion, with everyone around him hastily getting out of the way, none daring to stop him. Not until he left the first-floor hall. Did the people there explode into uproar, shouting and exclaiming in surprise. Zhou Heng! Its actually Zhou Heng, he dares to make a public appearance like this. Isnt he the one with a Killing Order from the four great Evil Sects? Isnt he afraid of being hunted down? Thats old news. In my opinion, its not the Evil Sects half-hearted Killing Order targeting Zhou Heng anymore, but Zhou Heng whos frenziedly hunting down the experts of the Evil Sects! Thats right, I also heard that over the past half a month, Zhou Heng has been traveling around, having already destroyed four or five Evil Sect factions, and killed forty or fifty of their experts. Only four or five Evil Sects? That must be outdated information. I just heard that Zhou Heng has already annihilated thirteen Evil Sects and has executed over a hundred of their experts. How come I heard that Zhou Heng has already killed more than two hundred Evil Sect experts? And hes about to destroy nearly forty Evil Sect factions. Zhou Heng is really amazing. Others issued a Killing Order by the four great Evil Sects would be scared to step out of their door, but hes not only unafraid, hes actually on a campaign against Evil Sect experts and factions, constantly provoking them. Thats too strong! This is reassuring. In todays world, the Evil Sects shouldnt be allowed free rein. That pharmacist Lu from just now is probably finished too. Zhou Hengs strength is too strong, too formidable! The three members of the Natural Gate exchanged glances, their eyes sparkling, and they unanimously looked towards the door leading to the outer deck. An expert! A true master, and moreover, a young expert from the eminent Martial Dao Sect! How could they not seek to make his acquaintance when encountering such an expert in the Jianghu? They definitely couldnt miss this opportunity. So, the three of them walked out together, planning to greet Zhou Heng after he dealt with pharmacist Lu, then introduce themselves and befriend him. When the three stepped onto the outside deck, they found that there were already about thirty or forty people lying around, seemingly people brought by pharmacist Lu, all taken down by Zhou Heng alone. Hisss! The three couldnt help but gasp. They could tell that those lying on the ground werent ordinary bandits; they were mostly well-practiced martial artists. Its only been a moment? Zhou Heng has already taken down so many people! Hes too strong! The three of them continued forward and finally saw Zhou Heng at the bow of the boat, single-handedly clutching the neck of the pharmacist Lu, holding him suspended in midair. There were other tower boats on the river, and the people on them also witnessed this scene. Many people on the shore also looked over, and the entire river suddenly bustled with activity. Many were curious about who this young and handsome expert was, possessing such strong martial arts that he completely overpowered the pharmacist Lu, who was at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Wondering which person of renown he was. The crowd was abuzz with speculation. Zhou Heng, for his part, completely ignored the noise. He gazed at the pharmacist Lu, chuckled, and said, Speak, who sent you? To test me? Although the pharmacist Lu seemed to be looking for some people from the Naturally Sect on the surface, the position where the brawny man who had burst in fell, along with the decisive nature of Lus actions, was enough to make Zhou Heng suspect that it was he who Lu was targeting. Ha, worthy of being the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade. Your strength truly lives up to your reputation. Despite being grasped by the neck, the pharmacist Lu was still able to speak loudly, his voice carrying so far that people on the shore and the other tower boats could hear him clearly. Suddenly, the identity of Zhou Heng became known to everyone by the river bank and on the tower boats, and exclamations rang out like a tidal wave. Moreover, it attracted even more spectators to the riverside, with people from other tower boats rushing onto the decks, all desperate to get a glimpse of Zhou Heng. In just a few breaths time, the riverside became crowded, swelling from around one or two hundred people to nearly a thousand. All had come to see Zhou Heng. It was then that Zhou Heng realized his reputation in Fangzhou was so significant. Actually, this was to be expected. He now ranked thirteenth on the newly released list of notable figures in October, a true frontrunner on the list of notable figures of the age. Subsequently, he was declared wanted with a Killing Order by the four major evil sects, and for over half a month, he had almost single-handedly swept through most of the evil sects in Fangzhou. Thus, in the land of Fangzhou, his fame could truly be said to be at its zenith, extremely vigorous. Even if he wasnt known by every single person, he wasnt far from it. However, pharmacist Lus loud declaration of his identity clearly had an ulterior motive. Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, and his grip on pharmacist Lus neck tightened. He chuckled and asked, What do you wish to do? I dont wish to do anything, just want to extend an invitation to Daoist Zhou, Pharmacist Lu laughed, appearing as if his scheme had succeeded. Recently, six fellow practitioners visited my Medicine God Sect. Hearing that Daoist Zhou had come to County City of Fangzhou, we wanted to offer you our hospitality and invite you to the Medicine God Sect for a chat, how about it? Six fellow practitioners, thats six evil sect experts, right? The eldest young man from the Naturally Sect couldnt hold back, stepping forward and saying, Daoist Zhou, you must not go. This must be their scheme! Exactly, you cant go! They must want to gang up on you; you cant go! The other two people also hurriedly urged, their expressions anxious. Pharmacist Lu glanced at these three, then looked at people on the other tower boats and the shore. Raising his voice, he laughed, Indeed, it would be normal not to go. After all, my Medicine God Sect is considered part of the evil path, and you, born of the righteous martial path, are naturally wary. Ha, are you trying to provoke me with reverse psychology? Zhou Heng laughed, Are your tactics that unrefined? Pharmacist Lus actions were too obvious. One could tell at a glance that he wanted to let more people know of Zhou Hengs presence here and draw even more attention to him. Then, leveraging this momentum, he would force Zhou Heng to accept his invitation, making him visit the Medicine God Sect. Even if Zhou Heng refused, it would still damage his image to a certain extent, creating an impression in some peoples hearts that he lacked courage and was afraid of death. Although going alone to a place gathered with six or seven evil sect experts was clearly not a wise decision, if Zhou Heng refused in front of all these witnesses, there would inevitably be those who thought he was afraid. This was a common occurrence. Pharmacist Lu laughed, looking somewhat smug as he watched Zhou Heng, So, will you go or not? Go, why wouldnt I? Zhou Heng laughed, Youve all gathered together, which actually saves me the trouble of searching for you. Hahaha! Good, good! Purple Lightning Thunder Blade indeed has some heroic spirit, Pharmacist Lu laughed heartily. To Zhou Heng he said, Then I shall wait for you at the Medicine God Sect! As the words fell, the body of Pharmacist Lu became slick and slimy, even twisting in shape, and he managed to slip from Zhou Hengs grasp and dived directly into the water, disappearing in the blink of an eye. It turned out that this Sect Leader of the Medicine God Sect had only pretended to be captured by Zhou Heng, seizing the opportunity to provoke Zhou Heng into agreeing to the appointmentnow that he had achieved his goal, it was natural that he would slip away. The method of his escape, however, was truly bizarre, shocking everyone on the tower boats and those watching from the shore. Clang! Just then, a sword cry echoed through the air and a sword light unexpectedly appeared next to Zhou Heng, flying into the sky. The blade shot into the river in an instant. The water churned violently as if a battle was taking place within. After less than a breaths duration, layers of bloody water rose to the surface. Soon after, a body floated up from the river, the recently escaped Pharmacist Lu, with a longsword stuck in his neck, suspending him in the air. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It seems theres no need for you to wait, Zhou Heng smiled faintly, looking at the body of Pharmacist Lu, and said, You need not be anxious either; I will send those six companions of yours down to meet you soon enough. Following that, he struck down with thundering force upon Pharmacist Lus body, incinerating him to ash, obliterating body and spirit alike. This series of events left the onlookers stunned, taking some time to process what had just occurred, only to see Zhou Heng already crossing the water from the boat to reach the shore. The members of the Naturally Sect then snapped back to reality and quickly employed their lightweight kung fu, using the tower boats to leap to the shore, catching up with Zhou Heng, Daoist Zhou, are you going to the Medicine God Sect? Might we join you? We could lend you a hand. The Medicine God Sect? Zhou Heng stopped in his tracks, shook his head with a smile, and said, No, to the County Citys Yamen (government office). Chapter 203 - Chapter 203: Chapter 203 The Da Qi Royal Family Chapter 203: Chapter 203 The Da Qi Royal Family County City Yamen? The three disciples of Ziranmen were all dumbfounded. What was going on? Could it be that they wanted to borrow troops? No way. As strong as Zhou Heng, did he need to go to the Medicine God Sect and also borrow troops from the County City Yamen? Or was it just to be cautious? They couldnt figure it out. However, the person speaking now was Zhou Heng, whose strength at the Lower Third Rank level could be considered the pinnacle of achievement. He was the sixth-generation direct disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, the current head of the Pure Yang Palace, and the junior brother of Yan Shouyi, the leader of the heavenly rankings and the residing True Yang. Therefore, his suggestion must have been reasonable. Consequently, the three of them followed behind Zhou Heng, eager to see what this young, rising martial arts master intended to do. The trio from Ziranmen clearly lacked experience in the Jianghu. It hardly took any effort for Zhou Heng to nearly drain them of all their background information. The two men, one twenty-three and the other twenty-four, were at the initial threshold of the Seventh Rank. The former was named Song Yingshu and the latter Zhang Jicheng, both disciples of Flying Dragon Across the River Yu Lin, a Fifth Rank Sect Master of Ziranmen. The woman, just twenty years old and blooming into youthful beauty, was also newly initiated into the Seventh Rank. Her name was Wu Zhimin. She was the daughter and a disciple of another master from Ziranmen, Mountain-Carrying Heroine Qiu Baiyu. Zhou Heng was unassuming, joking and chatting with them, making the three feel flattered and so exciting that they nearly revealed all their martial arts secrets. It was only when Zhou Heng, unable to watch any longer, reminded them that they realized their mistake. In no time, this group of four arrived in front of the Fangzhou County City Yamen. Compared to the Prefectural city yamens Zhou Heng had seen, this County City Yamen was obviously much more imposing. Not even stone lions guarded the entrance. Instead, it was a stone statue of a mythical creature with the face of a human, the body and claws of a tiger, and nine tails. Kaiming beast, Luwu? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised inside, recognizing the appearance of this mythical creature, which was very similar to some descriptions he had seen in ancient Earth books. At the same time, he thought of another matter that had puzzled him all this while. This world seemed to lack mythical creatures altogether, let alone those that became spirits or demons. At least, within the territory of Da Qi, it should be so. What was the reason for this? Was it due to human influence or the natural rules? What brings you gentlemen to the County City Yamen? Just then, a questioning voice rang out. It turned out that the gatekeeping bailiffs of the County City Yamen, seeing Zhou Heng and his group approaching without speaking, proactively inquired. Of course, this was also due to Zhou Hengs extraordinary aura and obvious high status appearance. The disciples from Ziranmen behind him clearly didnt have ordinary backgrounds either; otherwise, the bailiffs probably would have started by driving them away. Upon hearing the question, Zhou Heng put aside his puzzling thoughts, bowed slightly to the bailiff with a smile, and said, I am Zhou Heng, a direct disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. Ive also acquired the title of Purple Lightning Thunder Blade recently and wish to visit the Prefectural Governor. Could you please announce my arrival? Purple Lightning Thunder Blade Zhou Heng? A direct disciple of the Pure Yang Palace! The bailiff, who initially had an indifferent expression, suddenly perked up, his eyes widening as he scrutinized Zhou Heng, Youre that Zhou Heng? Impressive, a young hero indeed. Please wait a moment; I will go immediately to inform the Prefectural Governor. Having said that, the bailiff hurriedly turned and entered the gate, presumably to inform the Fangzhou County Prefectural Governor, Chen Xingjiang. Watching the scene, the trio from Ziranmen felt both shocked and envious. For ordinary martial artists and those fresh to their adventures, it would be extremely difficult to meet with the Prefectural Governor without a grievance or important matter to discuss. Yet Zhou Heng merely had to state his identity. He didnt even need to specify his intentions. This was the advantage of fame and strength, the group from Ziranmen thought deeply. Moments later, the bailiff hurried out and, bowing to Zhou Heng, said, Please follow me, Daoist Zhou. The Prefectural Governor is already waiting in the main hall. Then he turned to Song Yingshu and the other two, saying, The three of you, please follow me to the side hall to rest. The implication was clear; the Fangzhou Prefectural Governor, Chen Xingjiang, intended to meet only Zhou Heng. The trio from Ziranmen, despite their background, naturally did not enjoy the same privilege. Given their status and strength, if they hadnt come with Zhou Heng, they wouldnt even have had the chance to step foot inside the County City Yamen. Song Yingshu and his companions had no complaints in their hearts and were quite content, well aware of their own limitations. After all, any Prefectural Governor was at least a Fifth Rank grandmaster, and in fact, most were Absolute Fourth Rank great grandmasters. The Fangzhou Prefectural Governor, Chen Xingjiang, was an Absolute Fourth Rank expert. So, in their own view, being able to rest in the side hall was already quite an honor. After entering the County City Yamen, Zhou Heng and the three disciples from Ziranmen separated. Led by the bailiff, Zhou Heng was taken to a main hall filled with a solemn and majestic atmosphere. Inside was already waiting a middle-aged man dressed in a dark official robe, with a black cap on his head and a neatly kept long beard. He stood tall and upfront, with a face like a jade carving. Despite his beard, one could still make out that he must have been quite the handsome youth in his earlier years. It was the current Prefectural Governor of Fangzhou, Chen Xingjiang. Is Daoist Priest Zhou present? Chen Xingjiang spotted Zhou Heng in the hall and hurriedly stood up to greet him, even walking directly out of the hall doors to meet him outside. This sudden movement startled the two maids standing by the door; they hadnt caught clearly what Chen Xingjiang had just said. All they saw was Chen Xingjiang moving with utmost formality to welcome the guest. In their memory, the last time the Prefectural Governor had formally stepped out to welcome someone with such ceremony was when a member of the royal family from the Capital City of Zhongzhou visited five years ago. Could this handsome, distinguished-looking young man be a member of the royal family or nobility? Upon that thought, the two maids quickly straightened their postures, not daring to slack in the least, not because they harbored any other thoughts, but for fear of making a mistake that would anger a royal family member and bring trouble upon themselves. It was said that last time a royal visited, a servant of the yamen who accidentally slighted the royal a bit, lost his life over it, and his body was not found intact. Once you offended a member of the royal family, even Chen the Great could not plead for you. Chen Xingjiang, of course, noticed the change in the attitude of the two maids. He cracked a slight smile and said to Zhou Heng, Daoist Priest Zhou, your fame has been spreading far and wide in our region of Fangzhou lately. During your journey here, you have eradicated numerous Evil Sects, earning the praise and gratitude of many common folks. Please come inside; Ive prepared some hot tea and have been awaiting your arrival. Only then did the two maids breathe a sigh of relief, realizing that he was not a member of the royal family but the Daoist Priest Zhou Heng, often mentioned by people lately. They heard he had slain many evil demons and destroyed several Evil Sects, and he probably wasnt a cruel man. Prefect Chen is too kind. I have come on this visit because there is a matter I need your assistance with. Zhou Heng bowed in return and entered the hall with Chen Xingjiang. After some pleasantries, Zhou Heng got to the point. Prefect, there is something I dont understand. Zhou Heng furrowed his brows, looking puzzled, I heard theres an Evil Sect called the Medicine God Sect about a hundred miles north of the County City. By all accounts, such a close proximity should allow for their easy eradication. Although matters of the martial world are generally left to those within it and the Imperial Courts yamen typically does not get involved in disputes among Sects or martial artists, Evil Sects are an exception. Remote areas with few people are one thing. But near a County City or Prefectural City, Evil Sects usually dont exist. If an Evil Sect master dares to establish a Sect near a County or Prefectural City, nearby Sects and the Imperial Court yamen would dispatch masters with utmost speed to destroy them. Evil Sects are the common enemy of Sects, the Imperial Court, and noble families. Yet, the Medicine God Sect seems to be quite brazen, not only located a hundred miles outside of the County City, but even their leader dares to lead people into the County City to kill; this is lawlessness. Without a doubt, theres a hidden story behind this. Thus, Zhou Heng decided not to go directly to the Medicine God Sect, but first to visit the yamen of the County City to inquire about the situation with Prefect Chen Xingjiang. At the same time, he intended to borrow some soldiers. He wasnt planning on facing the Medicine God Sect alone. The Medicine God Sect Chen Xingjiang heard this and gave a wry smile, saying, I am ashamed to say that I failed to fulfill my responsibilities concerning Medicine God Sect, which by rights should have been eradicated long ago on the grounds of sentiment, reason, and law. Then who doesnt wish for the Medicine God Sect to be eradicated? Zhou Heng questioned sharply, without beating around the bush. He feared no one, thus he spoke without reservations. This Chen Xingjiang was clearly troubled, his expression twisted with hesitation before he finally said helplessly, Alas, its not exactly a secret among the upper echelons of FangzhouMedicine God Sect is connected with the Sixteenth Prince. The Sixteenth Prince? Zhou Heng was astonished. He hadnt expected that a seemingly insignificant Sect like the Medicine God Sect would be linked to the Central Zhongzhou Royal Family, the most powerful noble family that ruled over Da Qi in name. However, he wasnt particularly daunted. While the royal family was strong, it was just strongthat hadnt reached the point where it could suppress the world invincibly. And in terms of overall power, the Pure Yang Palace would not be inferior to anyone. Five years ago, the Sixteenth Prince went traveling and asked for a piece of land to play around with. Chen Xingjiang sighed, I initially thought the Prince wanted to construct a traveling palace just for a whim. Little did I expect that the Sixteenth Prince would come into possession of an Evil Method Secret Manual, and the land he requested was actually to establish an Evil Sect for amusement, which is the current Medicine God Sect. Start an Evil Sect for amusement?? Zhou Heng was shocked. It was his first time hearing such an audacious act, and he incredulously said, Doesnt the Prince know the kind of harm an Evil Sect can cause the nearby commoners? Is he not afraid that such actions, once widely known, could tarnish his reputation as a Prince? This is far too reckless. Zhou Heng finally understood why the Medicine God Sects Master, Lu the Medicine Master, was so blatant. It turned out there was support from abovea Prince provided backing. The Sixteenth Prince promised me that the secret manual he provided would only reach up to the Seventh Rank, with no risk of getting out of control, Chen Xingjiang explained, smiling lightly, With my supervising to a certain extent, the Medicine God Sect should not cause any major trouble or bring harm to the people. As for the reputation of the Prince, ha, Daoist Priest Zhou, you must be joking. Who among the commoners dares to speak carelessly about a Prince? Ordinary people from the martial world wouldnt touch on this sensitive issue either. And the noble families, prominent Sects, why would they concern themselves with such trivial matters? Rest assured, Daoist Priest, a mere Evil Sect with at most a battle power of Seventh Rank, with me watching over, wont cause any waves. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He spoke lightly, evidently not considering this to be a serious matter at all. The Medicine God Sect captures people for experiments, arbitrarily leads men into the County City to slash and kill, and you dont consider this harm, this isnt causing waves? And you can still smile? Zhou Hengs brows rose, and he stood up abruptly, his gaze scrutinizing Chen Xingjiang as he said, Prefectural Governor, you are the shepherd of a province, one of the thirty-two important officials of Da Qi, the Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster who has cultivated the Yang Gods Dharma Body; in all of Da Qi, you are a significant figure of great influence. Chen Xingjiang, Prefect Chen, let me ask you, had you firmly opposed it, would that Sixteenth Prince have been able to establish an Evil Sect here? He likely couldnt, Chen Xingjiang said with a smile as he shook his head, thereafter his countenance abruptly turned grave, and he stated lightly, But why should I oppose it? Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: Chapter 204 As You Wish (Please subscribe to the official version!) Chapter 204: Chapter 204 As You Wish (Please subscribe to the official version!) Why oppose? Zhou Heng found himself at a loss for words, as Chen Xingjiang spoke with such confidence and righteousness. There was a sudden silence in the main hall of the great hall. Ha, could it be that Daoist Zhou has mistaken something? Chen Xingjiang suddenly laughed and said, Out of the emperors favor, I have been granted martial arts secret techniques, weapons that fit my hand, and positions of authority. Naturally, I must fulfill the royal familys demands. Indeed, protecting the peace of the land and ensuring the safety of the people is my duty. However, this duty is imposed upon me by the royal family. When the royal family has other demands of me, I naturally prioritize them. You speak with such clarity, truly a little villain, Zhou Heng sneered, They say a parent official should appeal on behalf of the people, extending the welfare of the region. It seems that in your case, sir, its just empty talk after all. The kind of official you speak of does exist. Ive seen them and not in small numbers, Chen Xingjiang also stood up, still smiling, and said, Sadly, I am not one of them. I have disappointed you, Daoist Zhou. I will destroy the Medicine God Sect, Zhou Heng openly declared. Daoist Zhou, go ahead. I wont stop you, Chen Xingjiangs smiling face turned serious again as he returned to calmness, However, if the sixteenth prince learns that his toy has been destroyed, he is most likely to target you. If he dares, then let him come, Zhou Heng was about to sweep away, but as he reached the door, he stopped, turned around, and looked at Chen Xingjiang, But simply leaving like this wont satisfy me. Would the Prefectural Governor care to lower his cultivation for a moment and exchange one move with me using his unique martial arts? Why not? Chen Xingjiang laughed heartily, However, theres no need for me to lower my cultivation. With that, one of his hairs broke off on its own, fell to the ground, and with a light tremor, became another Chen Xingjiang, but only with the cultivation at the peak of the Seventh Rank. Hair Incarnation Technique, truly befitting of a Fourth Rank ultimate Great Grandmaster, Zhou Heng praised before advancing, his right hand stretched forward, fingers formed into a sword, and aimed straight at the heart of Chen Xingjiangs incarnation. This sword-pointing technique was exquisite and the speed was extremely fast; in almost an instant, it had arrived in front of Chen Xingjiangs incarnation, seemingly about to hit his heart. But just at that moment, the incarnation of Chen Xingjiang suddenly leaped up, using lightweight kung fu to jump, a palm shot from within his sleeve with the force of thunder, striking down from above towards the top of Zhou Hengs head. Facing such a thunderous strike, Zhou Heng actually didnt dodge or evade but took the blow with the top of his head. Clang! A deafening bell sound erupted, as Zhou Heng summoned the Golden Light, grabbed with his hand, and conjured a Golden Light Giant Hand out of nowhere, which then squeezed the incarnation of Chen Xingjiang within. Bang! Chen Xingjiangs incarnation was crushed on the spot, turning back into a strand of hair, drifting to the ground. Farewell! Zhou Heng turned and left immediately. Escort our guest out! Chen Xingjiang waved his sleeve, appearing quite dissatisfied. After Zhou Heng had left, the prefectural governor of Fangzhou regained his composure, gulped down the tea that Zhou Heng hadnt touched, and turned his gaze to the entrance of the main hall. All proclaim the vastness of the emperors grace. But is it that easy to bear? Chen Xingjiang put down the tea bowl and chuckled lightly again, Young people these days think too little and act on impulse. If the Da Qi Royal Family didnt have some tricks up their sleeve, how could they remain as the sovereign of the thirty-three states for three thousand years without faltering? The world is far more complicated than you think. The matter of the Medicine God Sect, Im leaving it in your hands. Song Yingshu and the others followed Zhou Cheng out of the County City Office with a look of bewilderment. They all noticed that Zhou Hengs expression seemed to be not that good, as if he had parted on bad terms with Prefectural Governor Chen Xingjiang. As for what actually happened, they all dared not ask. They could only continue to follow behind Zhou Heng. Tomorrow morning, meet at the Yu Xing Inn. I will take you to the Medicine God Sect, Zhou Heng left them with these words and turned his way toward Yu Xing Inn, the place where he was staying, and where his date-red horse was also being kept. After splitting up with Song Yingshu and the others, Zhou Hengs expression, which had been cold since returning to his room in the inn, finally eased. Although he did not part on good terms with Chen Xingjiang this time, the purpose of his visit to the Prefectural Governors Office had actually been achievedhe had clarified the nature of the Medicine God Sect. As for Prefectural Governor Chen Xingjiang, he seemed like a deceitful little villain, but in reality, he was as sly as a fox. From the beginning, Chen Xingjiang admitted that the existence of the Medicine God Sect was his dereliction of duty and expressed his shame. But immediately after, he shifted the topic, clarifying that the true reason for the sects existence wasnt due to him but was because of the sixteenth prince of Da Qi. This effectively absolved him of responsibility. Later when Zhou Heng questioned him on why, as the ruler of a state and a Fourth Rank ultimate Great Grandmaster, he did not refuse the princes request, he cited his indebtedness to the imperial grace, stating that everything must comply with the will of the royal family. Yet, when Zhou Heng expressed his intention to destroy the Medicine God Sect, he made no attempt to stop him. How could this resemble someone who obediently follows imperial will? Moreover, with the authority of the prefectural governor of Fangzhou and the power of a Fourth Rank ultimate Great Grandmaster, if he truly wished to control an evil sect barely a hundred miles away with top combat strength only at the Seventh Rank, he could definitely suppress it thoroughly, preventing any evil actions. Yet, in reality, the Medicine God Sect was still able to brazenly enter the city. This was something not even the city guards dared to interfere with, and the sect even dared to commit acts as abhorrent as kidnapping people for experiments. Chen Xingjiang did not explicitly state this, but the implication was clear from his wordsthat all of this was because the sixteenth prince wanted to play with it. Zhou Heng did not know the specifics about the sixteenth prince, but he saw clearly Chen Xingjiangs intentions. The prefectural governor outwardly professed loyalty to the royal family, but in fact, he was merely seeking a scapegoat for himself. Whether that scapegoat was credible or not, from Chen Xingjiangs point of view, he had no intention of shouldering any responsibility himself. Whether it was establishing the Medicine God Sect, maintaining its existence, or ultimately destroying it, Chen Xingjiang wanted to extricate himself completely. In reality, the reason why the Medicine God Sect was so brazen was because of Chen Xingjiangs indulgence. It was probably his way of using someone else to eliminate the sect. By deliberately allowing the Medicine God Sect to act unrestrainedly, it was inevitable that someone would eventually come to destroy it. And if the prince were to inquire afterwards, he could claim that he was respecting the princes authority, not daring to place too many restrictions on the sect. Chen Xingjiang must have been looking to destroy the Medicine God Sect. This should be beyond doubt. Others aside, without the Medicine God Sect, he would be the absolute authority in Fangzhou. But with the Medicine God Sect lingering, it was like a knot in his heart. A knot he could do nothing about. Even if he could suppress it entirely, as long as this knot existed, there would always be a feeling of discomfort. Moreover, Chen Xingjiang had clearly tried to provoke Zhou Heng with some seemingly casual remarks before, thereby reinforcing Zhou Hengs desire to eradicate the Medicine God Sect. These arrangements step by step Letting the consequences of indulging the Medicine God Sect fall on the common people, the reason for allowing their evil deeds was because of the grace of the Royal Family, and the ones who went to eliminate the Medicine God Sect did so of their own volition. It all had nothing to do with Chen Xingjiang. What a meticulous calculation, Prefectural Governor Chen, Zhou Heng remarked. During his time at the County City yamen, Zhou Heng had already vaguely understood Chen Xingjiangs intentions. Now, after reviewing everything from beginning to end, he felt like applauding Chen Xingjiang. Such a shirking of responsibility, Id call it a masterstroke. Too bad, youve fallen one move short, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed, his thoughts shifted, and he reviewed the reward notification he had received from exchanging blows with Chen Xingjiangs incarnation. You are watching Chen Xingjiang perform the Secret Technique Hair Incarnation Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Though you ponder deeply, you feel an epiphany yet completely fail to understand, gaining no proficiency. Chen Xingjiangs Hair Incarnation uses Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank] to attack you, and you execute Martial Arts Golden Bell Cover [Secret Six Rank] to successfully defend. You deeply comprehend the strength and intricacies contained in Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank], gain some understanding, proficiency +0.01. As you have already mastered a similar higher-ranked Martial Arts Three Palms Overturning the Heavens [Absolute Fourth Rank], you have a commanding view over palm techniques, leading to cross-sectional learning, Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank] proficiency +1. Congratulations! The proficiency of Martial Arts Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm [Secret Six Rank] has reached 1, officially mastering this martial arts. Affected by a similar higher-ranked Martial Arts, proficiency +12000. [Secret Six Rank] Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm: Level 5 (2000/5000) Honestly, its quite thrilling. Ive directly picked up a Secret Six Rank Martial Arts for free. Zhou Heng looked at these reward notifications, his lips involuntarily curling up into a smile. Before leaving the County City yamen, when he suggested exchanging blows with Chen Xingjiang, it wasnt out of resentment. His goal was to learn a martial arts technique from Chen Xingjiang. Any would do. As long as it was Chen Xingjiangs Martial Arts. And incidentally, to get a sense of Chen Xingjiangs strength characteristics. Originally, he was worried about how to simulate the force of a Great Grandmaster at the absolute peak, whose cultivation had been lowered, yet who still possessed a very high grade of Inner Qi. Unexpectedly, Chen Xingjiang was so considerate that he had created an Inner Qi incarnation. In this way, by using the Three Lives All Things inner view in conjunction with the Small Wuxiang Power to simulate Chen Xingjiangs Inner Qi, and then executing Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm, it would be as if Chen Xingjiang himself made the move, Zhou Heng thought with a smile, taking out a thin, cicada-wing-like mask and carefully putting it on his face. In the blink of an eye, he became a faceless person, without any discernible features. Then, Zhou Heng opened a pair of eyes and, using a mirror, he slowly grew a nose and ears, opening his mouth. Quickly, he changed to look exactly like Chen Xingjiang. Identical in every way! This was the Disguise Mask he had obtained from opening the Fortune Bag, which could directly transform his face into another. A person with a face identical to Chen Xingjiang, using Chen Xingjiangs martial arts, doing what Chen Xingjiang wanted to do. Now thats the real masterstroke! The best way to deal with someone desperately trying to shirk responsibility is, of course, to saddle them with a blame they absolutely do not want to carry. As for whether or not itll be exposed afterward, Zhou Heng didnt think it was important. It was only necessary to first splash this dirty water out and throw this blame onto him, letting everyone form the fixed impression that Chen Xingjiang destroyed the Medicine God Sectthat would be enough. So what if its exposed later? As a disciple of the latter generations of Pure Yang Palace, a junior fellow of Celestials, holding numerous trump cards in hand, who was he to fear? Zhou Heng wasnt even afraid of being discovered by Chen Xingjiang. Would Chen Xingjiang really dare to make a move against him? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This blame, you, Chen Xingjiang, may not want to carry, but youll have to! After changing his appearance, Zhou Heng meticulously adjusted his hairstyle and changed his clothes, then he stealthily left the city gate, heading to the Medicine God Sects location. Prefectural Governor Chen, dont you want to eradicate the Medicine God Sect? Then I will fulfill your wish! Let you personally destroy the Medicine God Sect!! Chapter 205 - Chapter 205: Chapter 205: How is this Possible?! Chapter 205: Chapter 205: How is this Possible?! ` A hundred li, for Zhou Heng now, was actually not considered far. With the agility +3 base attribute boost and the deployment of the Lingbo Weibu movement technique, he moved like a series of phantoms, traveling at an extremely fast speed through the shades of night. He passed through several campsites on the way, terrifying the camp guards, who thought they had encountered some legendary creatures of the wild mountain. Within less than half an hour, Zhou Heng arrived at the location of the Medicine God Sect. The entrance to the Medicine God Sect was not situated on a mountain, nor did it resemble a typical sects layout; instead, it was a colossal palace complex located on flat ground near a large lake and backed by high mountains. If Zhou Heng hadnt known in advance that this was the Medicine God Sects headquarters, he would have almost questioned whether this place was the Princes traveling palaceindeed, it wouldnt be wrong to describe it as such. According to what Chen Xingjiang had said, these headquarters of the Medicine God Sect were mostly built to resemble the Princes palaces. Such a gigantic palace complex, naturally, had many guards at its entrance, no fewer than twenty. And their strength was not weak; most of them were at the Ninth Grade level, and the two leading guards even possessed the cultivation realm of the Eighth Rank Martial Path. The twenty guards were divided into two rows, each holding long spears, standing in parallel to form what seemed to be a long corridor. Zhou Heng did not attempt any disguise; once he confirmed that this was indeed the spot, he charged forward, channeled his inner qi, spread his arms, and got ready to attack. This brazen, undisguised assault obviously did not escape the eyes of the people guarding the city. As soon as Zhou Heng approached, the twenty guards spotted him. Who goes there?! The guards shouted in unison, with disbelief etched across their faces. They had never seen anyone so audacious as to attempt to breach the Medicine God Sect single-handed. It was a suicide mission! However, their battle readiness was exceptionally strong. As the cry rang out, all twenty spears moved at once, trying to attack the rapidly approaching Zhou Heng. But how could these guards speed compare to Zhou Hengs? Moving with the Lingbo Weibu technique, Zhou Heng was like multiple phantoms, passing by the guards like a gust of wind. Yet with each person he passed, Zhou Hengs palm would strike down, leaving each guards expression frozen in a daze, and their eyes emptying. In the end, Zhou Heng breezed through the gates of the palace complex effortlessly, while the twenty guards behind him, whether their chests were caved in, heads shattered, or necks broken, lay almost without exception, lifeless. The strength of these individuals, ranging around the Ninth and Eighth Grades, was quite ordinary to Zhou Heng now, as feeble as ants, easily crushed by hand. Besides, these individuals were disciples of the Medicine God Sect; the martial arts they practiced and the medicinal resources they utilized all came from the Sect and were tainted with the blood of innocents. They deserved their fate! Therefore, Zhou Heng did not show the slightest mercy; of the twenty guards, nineteen died on the spot, each killed with a single blow, with no need for a second strike. The sole survivor, barely hanging onto life, was playing deadhe held his breath and even used his inner qi to envelop and suppress the movements of his organs to reduce their pulsation, lest he alert Zhou Heng and seal his own doom. Zhou Heng seemed completely unaware, adjusting the masked scarf over his face as if he wanted to tightly cover his cheeks to prevent his face from being exposed. Then, he leaped up as if flying, instantly delivering several palms like scattering falling petals, striking the closed gates of the palace. Boom! The seven-zhang-tall city gates collapsed inward, creating a deafening, thunderous noise that instantly awakened everyone within the palace complex. Immediately after, Zhou Heng rushed inside. Before the city wall, the guard who had luckily survived finally dared to open his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, he gritted his teeth in fury, continuously spitting blood, and yet still he murmured a name under his breath. Chen Xingjiang! When Chen Xingjiang had attacked him, the mask had been blown up a bit due to the high speed. He witnessed, accidentally, the face of the masked man. The man was clearly the Prefectural Governor of Fangzhou, Chen Xingjiang! Damn it! The damned Chen Xingjiang! The guard raged inwardly, using the last bit of his strength to dip his finger in blood to begin writing on the ground. Chen Xing Jiang Before he could finish the last character, he took his final breath. In the last moments of his life, the guard from the Medicine God Sect unwittingly assisted Zhou Heng. As for why Chen Xingjiang had come here to kill, why Chen Xingjiang targeted the Medicine God Sect, why a Great Grandmaster on the brink of the Fourth Rank would need to strike himself to kill them The guard didnt have the strength to consider these things; due to his grievous wounds and excessive blood loss, his thoughts could not flow well. His mind was filled only with Chen Xingjiangs face. All he remembered was the murderer Chen Xingjiang! Boom! The intense collisions and the tremors of the palace continued unabated. Zhou Heng had already engaged with the strong opponents inside the Medicine God Sect. And, accidentally, his face mask was pulled off. Chen Xingjiang! You dare to come and kill us in your mere hair-transformation disguise, do you know what youre doing? Arent you afraid of retribution from the Sixteenth Prince? Chen Xingjiang, have you forgotten where your official hat comes from? Go to hell! A mere peak of the Seventh Rank hair-transformation avatar trying to annihilate us? ` Wait for me, Im going to Zhongzhou to file a complaint, to tell the Sixteenth Prince! We will never let you go! Furious roars erupted. But Zhou Heng, remaining in the guise of Chen Xingjiang, was utterly unmoved. His expression was indifferent, his gaze icy, looking at these Evil Sect followers as if they were already dead. Bang! Thump!! Ah!! Wu, ahh!! With successive dull thuds and screams rising, this palace complex shrouded in nightfall finally regained its peace. No one spoke anymore, and there was only one person standing. This was Zhou Heng, still wearing the face of Chen Xingjiang. Although the territory of the Medicine God Sect was vast, encompassing an entire palace complex, there were not many powerful martial artists. The only ones worth noting were the few Evil Sect brethren previously mentioned by the pharmacist Lu and the deputy master of the Medicine God Sectall at the Peak of the Seventh Rank in their cultivation realms. They were the same people who earlier had loudly cursed him during their confrontation. These individuals also excelled in various strange and sinister techniques, and indeed, their strength was not ordinary. With Zhou Heng only able to use the Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm, he had to exert a great effort before he managed to deal with these few individuals. After taking care of them, the remaining disciples of the Medicine God Sect were but chickens and dogs, effortlessly cleared away by Zhou Heng like chopping vegetables. Too weak. Zhou Heng let out a breath. By now, he had killed all the enemies within the Medicine God Sect, yet he had only obtained five copper Fortune Bags. It could be said to be astonishingly weak. Meanwhile, as Zhou Heng exterminated the Medicine God Sect. A Medicine Man who had been locked in the Divine Medicine Palace, originally to be used for drug testing, suddenly noticed that there seemed to be no guards outside. So, he mustered his courage and tried to push open the large doors of the Divine Medicine Palace. Unexpectedly, they really opened! He used to be beaten just for approaching, but now he had actually managed to open those large doors! Could he finally see the light of day again? This Medicine Mans attempt also attracted the attention of other Medicine Men. When they saw the doors of the Divine Medicine Palace being pushed open, they all surged with excitement, cheering. Most of these Medicine Men of the Medicine God Sect had been captured from nearby villages and towns, and many were directly abducted from the County City. They had always hoped that someone would come to rescue them, to kill all those demons of the Medicine God Sect. But they waited and waited in vain, only to watch helplessly as one after another was used for drug tests, then lost their lives through myriad bizarre methods due to the various effects of the drugs. This had led them to despair. Now, the gates of the Divine Medicine Palace had actually been pushed open, and the moonlight pouring in from outside kindled a flicker of hope within them, and they all ran out. They escaped the Divine Medicine Palace, which to them seemed like a hell on earth. And then, these people saw the bodies strewn everywhere, the bloodshed, and even severed limbs and mutilated remainssuch a terrifying scene stirred excitement within them. Because the dead, the mutilated corpses, were all dressed in the robes of the Medicine God Sect disciples! They were the enemies they had wished to flay and eviscerate, to mutilate a thousand times over! Now, they were all dead! Excellent! They were all dead, all of them! Afterward, these Medicine Men also saw the tall figure standing in the midst of the dead, the somewhat unfamiliar yet familiar face. Chen Xingjiang! Prefectural Governor of Fangzhou, Lord Chen Xingjiang! Prefectural Governor! Thank you, Prefectural Governor, for saving our lives! How merciful you are, Prefectural Governor! These Medicine Men knelt down to Zhou Heng, one after another. The events of just moments ago were seared into their memories for good. If anyone were to tell them that the person who destroyed the Medicine God Sect and saved them was not Chen Xingjiang, they would certainly be spitted to death by the spit of these hundreds of Medicine Men. How could it not be! They had seen it with their own eyes; it was Lord Chen Xingjiang! There was absolutely no mistake, no room for error! The next morning, in the Fangzhou County City. Pretending as if he had just woken up, Zhou Heng lazily rubbed his eyes as he walked out of the Luxuriant Inn, planning to buy breakfast. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After exterminating the Medicine God Sect the previous night, he had returned directly to the County City under the pretense of the limits of his disguised bodys strength, without bringing the Medicine Men with him. However, he was not worried that no one would know about what he had done the night before. The Medicine Men who had survived a series of drug tests and had greatly enhanced physical and strength were likely to have quite a few among them make their way back on their own that night. Just as Zhou Heng stepped out of the inn, he bumped into the hurriedly approaching Song Yingshu and his two companions. They spoke with shocked expressions, Daoist Zhou, something big has happened! The Medicine God Sect has been destroyed, and its said that the Prefectural Governor did it! What?! Zhou Hengs eyes widened in disbelief, his face registering incredulity as if he had heard something utterly unbelievable, exclaiming, How, how is that possible?! Chapter 206 - Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Turning Paper Cutouts into Soldiers Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Turning Paper Cutouts into Soldiers What does it mean to be an international actor? Zhou Heng felt that was exactly what he was now! His acting skills were truly amazing. Whether it was his facial expressions or the tone of his speech, there were no flaws whatsoever, absolutely perfect. It was as if he truly had no idea what had happened to the Medicine God Sect last night. Its true, Daoist Zhou, Song Yingshu nodded earnestly, pointing in the direction of the city gate, There are people who have returned from the Medicine God Sect, and their family members have already confirmed their identities. These people were all captured by the Medicine God Sect to serve as Medicine Men, and its all thanks to Sir Chen Xingjiangs destruction of the Medicine God Sect that they were able to escape. By the way, I also heard that the grounds of the Medicine God Sect were covered with the bodies of guards, and one of them even had the three characters Chen Xingjiang written on him. Moreover, according to descriptions by a few survivors who know martial arts, the Medicine God Sect was killed by Sir Chens unique martial arts skill, the Falling Petals Sky Flying Palm. Hahaha! The Medicine God Sect, this Evil Sect, was unbridled and caused harm to the local people. Now that it has been wiped out, Prefect Chen is truly a great good man! His two companions also nodded in agreement repeatedly, showing that they very much concurred with this statement. Hmm, indeed a great good man, a compassionate heart, Zhou Heng said with a smile. He was carrying such a big pot on his back, how could he not be a good man? Truly a very good man. Daoist Zhou, we plan to go to the ruins of the Medicine God Sect to have a look. Would you like to join us? Song Yingshu asked with some anticipation, There are also a few friends from the martial arts community whom weve recently met. Ill pass on that, as I still have the Killing Orders from the four major Evil Sects on me, Zhou Heng laughed, Oh, and be careful when making friends. Dont fall for someone elses trick, you must stay vigilant. After their brief encounter yesterday, Zhou Heng had a good impression of these young disciples from the Nature Sect, so he took the liberty of giving them a few pointers. Thank you for the warning, Daoist. We understand, the three Song Yingshu nodded repeatedly, and then they took their leave. Once the three had walked away. Zhou Hengs gaze swept across the street corner not far away, and he spoke indifferently, Since youre already here, why hide in secret? Come out. Hehe, the Daoist has good hearing, a light laugh came from the alley corner. Soon afterward, a tall, middle-aged man dressed in black close-fitting armor stepped out and said, Lin He from the County City Office, Ive seen the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade. Lin He, the unselfish official of Secret Six Rank and an Innate expert? Zhou Heng bowed slightly with a smile, Ive long admired the great name of Official Lin. What brings you here today? In fact, the moment Lin He appeared, he already knew his purpose. An official is a genuine authoritative position in the County City Office, the chief of the clerks, managing all kinds of affairs within the Prefecture. One could say he is the Prefectural Governors right-hand man. To some extent, the officials actions also represent the will of the Prefectural Governor. Now that Lin He was here, it was clear that Chen Xingjiang couldnt sit still anymore. Why does Daoist Zhou bother asking what you already know? Lin He smiled, The Prefectural Governor seeks an audience, please accompany me back to the County City Office. What are you talking about, Official Lin? I dont understand, Zhou Heng feigned confusion, and then knitted his brows, appearing somewhat uneasy, Moreover, I already visited the County City Office yesterday and had some unpleasantness with Sir Chen. Id rather not go today. Lin He was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, seemingly shocked that anyone would refuse an invitation from the Prefectural Governor. But knowing Zhou Hengs identity, he took a deep breath and explained, The Prefectural Governor sincerely wishes to see you, Daoist. Theres something he wishes to discuss. But I really dont want to go to the County City Office. Zhou Heng still shook his head, saying, Why dont you have Sir Chen come over by himself? Ill be waiting for him in the Emperor Zi Jia Yi Suite at Yuxing Inn. You?! Lin He was left speechless, visibly shaken and trembling with indignation. The Prefecture official took a moment to lower his head and take deep breaths, steadying his nerves before he could speak, but by that time, Zhou Heng had already turned around and returned to the inn, showing no intention of continuing the conversation. Lin He felt darkness encroaching, ready to faint. Just at that moment. Zhou Heng suddenly reemerged from the inn. This gave Lin He a slight relief, and he thought, It seems this young man does have some awe of power after all. Now things might be easier Oh right, I havent had breakfast yet. Tell Sir Chen to bring me something to eat, Zhou Hengs next words nearly caused Lin He to spit blood, I want a serving of Douhua, three fried dough sticks, and a marinated egg. Oh, and the Douhua should be savory. Without waiting for Lin He to respond, he casually returned to the inn, disappearing after a short while. This, this what?! Lin He felt dizzy, his head spinning. The Secret Six Rank Innate expert had been utterly baffled by Zhou Hengs few words. It was quite a remarkable skill, indeed. But now that Zhou Heng had gone back inside the inn, and given Zhou Hengs status, Lin He couldnt barge in directly and had no choice but to begrudgingly return to the County City Office. Then, he relayed Zhou Hengs message word for word to a very grim-looking Chen Xingjiang, including the part about Zhou Heng asking Chen to bring breakfast, perfectly preserved. Bang! Chen Xingjiang crushed the teacup in his hand but still nodded, his face dark as he said, Good, good, good! Very good! If he wants Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, then Ill go in person. While waiting for Chen Xingjiang to come over, Zhou Heng was not idle. He planned to open some of the Fortune Bags he had accumulated over the past few days. Who knows? He might get something useful, right? He had nearly twenty Copper Fortune Bags and three Silver Fortune Bags. ` Open ten Copper Fortune Bags and two Silver Fortune Bags. ` ` ` Congratulations! You obtained spiritual medicine: Grain Avoidance Pills*3. Congratulations! You obtained the martial arts technique Six Meridian Divine Sword [Seventh Grade]. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! You obtained a special skill card: Soar Earth Golden Light Method [Copper]. Congratulations! You obtained special spiritual materials: Heavenly Thunder Iron [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! You obtained a special skill card: Shapeshift Card. Congratulations! You obtained a special item: Red Bellyband*1. Congratulations! You attained a basic attribute: Agility +1. Congratulations! You obtained the Taoist formula Paper Soldiers from Cutting [Secret Six Rank]. Zhou Heng was quite satisfied with his haul from opening the Fortune Bags this time around. Besides the Silver Fortune Bags still not granting him a jackpot, the other rewards seemed pretty decent. Other than when Im in Lucky status, Ive never hit the jackpot with Silver Fortune Bags. They must be doing this on purpose! he couldnt help but grumble to himself, then began to carefully examine a few of the more special rewards he received. Grain Avoidance Pill: Contains a large amount and highly refined essence of nutrients. When consumed by a Seventh Rank Warrior, one can go without food for a month, an Eighth Rank Warrior for half a year, and a Ninth Rank Warrior would burst on the spot. Bursting on the spot is a bit much, isnt it? Dont Ninth Rank Warriors have any dignity? Soar Earth Golden Light Method [Copper]: The golden light soars through the earth covering a million miles instantly, allowing oneself or other objects to be instantly teleported within three million kilometers. Teleportation! This is a nice item for saving ones life. Shapeshift Card: Allows one to transform into any creature that doesnt exceed ones comprehension and whose mass is no more than ten times ones own. The transformation can last up to three days; if reverted before that time, the card becomes invalid. Seems like something that requires some skill to use. Paper Soldiers from Cutting [Secret Six Rank]: Cut out paper figures according to Taoist requirements and inscribe specific runes to enable the paper figures to become Taoist Soldiers with fifty percent of the originals strength. If the paper figures are undamaged, they can be reused. This could be used as a weapon during group fights. Toss out hundreds of paper soldiers at the flick of a wrist, have them charge forward much easier than dealing with things personally. And even if not used for combat, cutting a few paper soldiers to serve tea, pass water, and massage shoulders doesnt sound too bad either. Zhou Heng imagined happily to himself and nodded in satisfaction. He decided to first try out and see the effects of this Taoist formula. Thanks to the basic attribute of Spiritual Root +3 and various bonuses from martial arts techniques, along with some experience in practicing high-ranked Taoist formulas, Zhou Heng quickly mastered the basics. Congratulations! Your proficiency in the Taoist formula Paper Soldiers from Cutting [Secret Six Rank] has reached 1, officially mastering this technique. Due to your exceptional Spiritual Root and the bonuses from high-grade Taoist formulas, you gain +3000 proficiency. Paper Soldiers from Cutting [Secret Six Rank]: Third Layer (1/3000) Zhou Heng casually took out a piece of white paper from his Qiankun pouch, shaped his finger into a sword, let a bit of Inner Qi seep through, forming a golden light, and in a blink of an eye, cut out a palm-sized paper figure. Then, he used a cinnabar brush to draw runes on it and tossed the paper figure into the air; it shook slightly and turned into a figure over a meter tall, resembling a grown person. This paper figure, swaying on the ground, was just a thin slice, with a faint golden light shimmering on its surface. If one saw it at night, it would be quite spooky. Clearly, it couldnt be used in combat; it looked like the proficiency is still too low, and for now, it could only serve tea and water. Bang bang! Just then, there was a knock on the door from outside the room. Daoist Zhou, Ive come at your invitation. May I come in? It was Chen Xingjiang, the Prefectural Governor of Fangzhou. Please come in, Zhou Heng said with a smile, and with a thought, he directed the paper figure to open the door. Chen Xingjiang walked in and the first thing he saw was a paper figure, faintly shimmering with a golden light, wobbly and floating, with no facial features and completely pale, except for the cinnabar runes drawn on it. Even though he was a peak expert of his time, he couldnt help but raise his eyebrows at this sight. After all, in this era, human Taoist formulas were rare, and even a Great Grandmaster of the Fourth Rank might not have seen many Taoist techniques. Daoist Zhou truly lives up to his reputation as a true heir of the Taoist Immortal Sect, to possess such a Taoist formula at merely the Seventh Rank is enviable, Chen Xingjiang said with a smile as he walked in, making himself quite at home and sitting down. The paper figure then closed the door and stood at attention beside it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What brings Prefectural Governor Chen here today? Zhou Heng did not rise, remaining seated on the bedstead and asked with a smile. Daoist Zhou, are you aware that you are about to face a huge disaster? Chen Xingjiang said startlingly. Wheres my breakfast? Zhou Heng simply smiled in response. Prefectural Governor Chen wouldnt have forgotten it, would you? You!! Chen Xingjiang was on the verge of slamming the table and rising. ` Chapter 207 - Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Open Rivalry and Secret Struggles Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Open Rivalry and Secret Struggles Chen Sir, please, cool your temper. Zhou Heng waved his hand with a smile and said, Since you forgot to bring the early meal, why not just compensate me with some money? How about three thousand taels? Why doesnt Priest Zhou turn to banditry? Chen Xingjiang sneered. Could it be that the mighty Prefectural Governor, a Great Grandmaster of the pinnacle of Fourth Rank, cant produce three thousand taels? Zhou Heng feigned a look of astonishment and said, No way, no way, it cant really be like this, can it? Chen Xingjiang suppressed the impulse to slap Zhou Heng to death and took a deep breath before saying, Fine, three thousand taels it is. I will give you the silver note later. Sorry, I was referring to gold. Zhou Heng said with a beaming smile. Alright, gold then, gold. You just better hope that you have the fate to spend it! Chen Xingjiang gave up on continuing this topic with Zhou Heng and went straight to the point, Zhou Heng, doom is upon you, do you know that? I dont understand, Zhou Heng shook his head, feigning a confused and innocent expression, looking very guiltless. You dared to destroy the Medicine God Sect! Chen Xingjiang sneered coldly, No need to pretend to be unaware, besides those ignorant commoners, who would think that it was I who destroyed the Medicine God Sect? Your Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, which has been slaughtering evil beings and eradicating malevolent sects all along the way, is right here. Besides you, who else would destroy the Medicine God Sect? Chen Sir, why would you do this to yourself? Zhou Heng sighed and said, You eradicated the Medicine God Sect for the sake of the people, a deed that moves heaven and earth. I wouldnt dare to take credit for such an act. Stop being sarcastic! Chen Xingjiang felt the veins on his forehead throbbing and said sternly, The Imperial Court has many adept in deduction and even the art of scene retrospection. Who do you think you can fool? So, Chen Sir believes that it was I who destroyed the Medicine God Sect? Zhou Heng asked with an innocent look, spreading his hands, But everyone in Fangzhou City is saying it was you who eradicated them for the sake of the people. The commoners all think you are a good man. Could it be that you want to tell them that you, the Prefectural Governor, never intended to destroy the Medicine God Sect? Or are you going to explain to nearly a million commoners that the Medicine God Sect is related to the Prince, and you didnt have the guts to destroy them, hence it was not your doing? You I!! For a moment, Chen Xingjiang was speechless. He certainly could not say that; it was purely courting death. Public sentiment was important, to a certain extent. Especially for those of Upper Third Rank and above, it was very much so. No one would allow such chaos. Should any trouble arise, it would be certain he, the Prefectural Governor of Fangzhou, would be blamed and suffer the consequences. Chen Sir, oh Chen Sir, Zhou Heng stood up, looking down at Chen Xingjiang who was seated in his chair, and laughed, I know you didnt want to destroy the Medicine God Sect, and you certainly dont want people to know it was you who did it. I also know that the upper echelons of Fangzhou County City would not believe it was you who did it, and perhaps not even the Prince would believe it. But does that matter? Do you dare let the people of Fangzhou know the Medicine God Sect wasnt wiped out by you? As for the Royal Family, the Prince, and the many Celestials, whats more important to them, you alone or a stable county? Chen Sir, do not forget that Celestials need a stable human world to secure their own humanity. As a Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of Fourth Rank, you ought to know this, right? No, it cant be the case. Chen Xingjiang fell silent once again, because what Zhou Heng said was indeed true, but he was still reluctant to be suppressed in this way, and gritted his teeth saying, The Prince will deal with you in secret; this is not something you can withstand. Is that so? Zhou Heng laughed. You have no idea just how powerful the Royal Family is, Chen Xingjiang snorted coldly. Chen Sir should worry about himself first, Zhou Heng went back to sitting at the edge of the bed and said with a faint smile, All the public voices are saying that you, the Prefectural Governor, destroyed the Medicine God Sect. How does this concern me? Even if those who are aware of the connection between the Medicine God Sect and the Prince dont believe it, do you think the Prince will feel like his dignity has been damaged, and will he punish you, perhaps? Chen Xingjiangs countenance turned somewhat pale upon hearing those words. Indeed, Zhou Heng had struck his vulnerability; what he dreaded most was the blame and punishment from Prince Sixteen. He understood Prince Sixteens temperament quite well. Despite an incident like this, even if Prince Sixteen knew he wasnt the perpetrator, he would still surely punish him. This time he had gone to seek out Zhou Heng in person precisely to avoid such an outcome, but now Zhou Hengs impervious attitude left him feeling utterly helpless. Daoist Zhou, do you truly wish for both the fish and the net to perish? Chen Xingjiangs eyes began to grow cold, a faint aura of pressure emanating from him as he stared at Zhou Heng, Are you so certain Prince Sixteen will punish me? If he doesnt punish you, then I shall finish you off, Zhou Heng replied with an easy smile, speaking quite casually. Finish me off? Chen Xingjiang was stunned upon hearing this, his whole body trembling with rage, his tone ominous, Arent you afraid you wont be able to leave Fangzhou alive? Then you might as well try, Zhou Heng said, unabashed, smiling, Ive already claimed the lives of two Loose Immortals, and I wouldnt mind adding the life of one more Great Grandmaster. Good, very good! What a Zhou Heng, what a reincarnation of a great power! Chen Xingjiang snorted coldly, then threw down three thousand taels in a silver note and left with a sweep of his sleeve. This was a complete breakdown of negotiations with Zhou Heng. How rude, Zhou Heng muttered as he watched the open door, before instructing the animated paper figure to close it. He saw through Chen Xingjiangs intentions very clearly. He started with a startling proposition, using Prince Sixteen to intimidate him and simultaneously informing him that his disguise last night was ineffective against those who already knew the truth. Thus causing him to feel fear and trepidation, and consequently agreeing to a settlement, ultimately sharing the responsibility for the demise of the Medicine God Sect. Unfortunately for Chen Xingjiang, he had underestimated Zhou Hengs confidence. Or perhaps this sudden disaster had thrown the high and mighty Prefectural Governor into disarray. He couldnt come up with a more meticulous plan in time. And so, he had been scornfully rebuffed by Zhou Heng, leaving him seething with anger. So, are you going to send someone to make a move on me next? Zhou Heng glanced at the silver note on the table, his eyes narrowing slightly, and then he laid back on the bed leisurely, thinking to himself, If I hadnt thought it too wasteful to kill you with the Seven Arrows Book with Nail Head, I wouldnt have bothered with all this trouble. You just hope that Prince Sixteen will punish you, otherwise, heh! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Chen Xingjiang returned to the County City yamen with a dark expression on his face. Immediately, Lin He, the head clerk, came to greet him, and seeing that his superiors expression was amiss, his heart sank, and he asked softly, Sir, did that Zhou Heng play the scoundrel? More than a scoundrel, hes practically a hooligan! Chen Xingjiang said with a cold smile, However, he thinks he has the upper hand, not knowing that I have a trump card! After all, Zhou Heng is just a lowly Seventh Rank Warrior, greedy and unprincipled, too easy to handle. Lets just wait and see; very soon, there will be a joke circulating about him. Chapter 208 - Chapter 208: Chapter 208: The Subject Is Guilty! Chapter 208: Chapter 208: The Subject Is Guilty! Use the Appraisal Card! Bewitched banknote: This is a Da Qi National Prosperity Bank banknote with a face value of three thousand taels of gold, redeemable at any branch of the National Prosperity Bank. A powerful spirit will envelops this banknote. As soon as one makes contact, ones mind becomes immediately entranced, muddled, losing all sense of rationality. Zhou Heng lay on the bed, used the Appraisal Card on the three banknotes Chen Xingjiang had placed on the table, and immediately understood the problem with the banknotes. In fact, his spirit perception ability was not sufficient to detect the issue with the three banknotes, but apart from spirit perception, he also had brains. Before leaving, Chen Xingjiang was already fuming, yet he didnt forget to leave the money behind. If this Prefectural Governor had really intended to keep his promise, the current situation wouldnt have arisen. Thus, Zhou Heng instinctively became suspicious of the three banknotes, and after using the Appraisal Card, it confirmed his suspicions. Are you forcing me to kill you, Zhou Heng murmured under his breath, his gaze darkened, and he sighed at last, saying, I never intended to kill you, but youre bringing this upon yourself. If I dont kill you, the spirit on the banknote will remain unscattered. If I dont kill you, I wont be able to exchange my money! Why would you do this to yourself, seeking your own death? Speaking of exchanging money was of course just a joke, but Zhou Heng did indeed have the intent to kill. True, Chen Xingjiangs imprinting of his will onto the banknote was not going to harm his life; it would at most make him lose his rationality and do some inexplicable things, or be laughed at by others. But to use such a despicable method of assassination ignited Zhou Hengs killing intent. This time, Chen Xingjiang might have done it casually, so he was able to be vigilant and see through it, but who could ensure that next time Chen Xingjiang wouldnt make meticulous arrangements with all his might? If a Grandmaster at the absolute peak of Fourth Rank truly intended to assassinate him, with his current cultivation realm and awareness, the chances of detecting it every time were extremely low. Perhaps next time, he would fall directly into the trap. Afterward, Zhou Heng threw both the table with the banknotes and the banknotes themselves into the Qiankun Cloth Pouch. This way he could avoid direct contact. The Qiankun Cloth Pouch given by Pure Yang Palace to disciples might not be large, but its quality is very high; the space inside is a true independent domain relative to the outside world, ensuring that even if there is anothers imposing spirit will on the items inside, it wont be sensed by the outsider. After leaving behind half a tael of silver as compensation for the inns table, Zhou Heng led his brown horse and left the inn. Some bailiffs from the Prefectural city reported Zhou Hengs movements to Chen Xingjiang and Lin He. This caused Chen Xingjiang to be slightly startled. First, he wondered why Zhou Heng was able to resist the spirit will on the banknote, and then he calmed down, assuming it was because Zhou Heng had methods granted by the Pure Yang Palace, or it was a safeguard left from his previous life. Another four or five days passed, and despite Chen Xingjiang sending people to make inquiries in all directions, they could not find any news about Zhou Heng in Fangzhou. It was as if he had already left Fangzhou far behind. Over ten days later, upon hearing that Zhou Heng had already left Fangzhou three days ago and headed further west to Sui State, and had also destroyed an Evil Sect, Chen Xingjiang finally let go of his worries. Trying to fight with me, youre still too inexperienced! Chen Xingjiang sat in his study, looked at the report delivered by the bailiffs with a slight smile curling the corners of his mouth, revealing a cold sneer. In his eyes, Zhou Heng must have indeed been affected by the spirit will he left behind, so there was nearly a ten-day period with no news at all, most likely spent suppressing and eliminating the influence. Zhou Heng had surely suffered a great deal and faced great suffering. Next, its time to see what the sixteenth prince wants to do, Chen Xingjiang put down the message in his hand, thinking of the sixteenth prince, he felt a bit panicky and afraid. Up to now, there hadnt been any news from the sixteenth princes side; it was as if he didnt care at all that the Medicine God Sect had been wiped out. But the more this was the case, the more worried Chen Xingjiang became, feeling unsettled. On the tenth day of the eleventh month, Little Snow, the weather was slightly cold. Outside the gate of County City in Fangzhou, a young master wearing a pure white wool cloak and white brocade clothes arrived in front of the city gate. Beside him was a girl dressed in a green skirt, appearing to be a maid, looking to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, delicate and lovely with a beautiful countenance that evoked sympathy. The city gate guard stopped the two, intending to inquire about their identities and travel passes. As the weather had turned cold, refugees from the northwestern mountains often came out to steal clothes and disguised themselves as ordinary citizens or rich family descendants, blending into the city to escape the cold. Therefore, at the beginning of November, County City in Fangzhou began to strictly check the travel passes of those entering the city. However, the young masters maid suddenly stepped forward, got on her tiptoes, and slapped the guard twice. Then, in a somewhat immature voice, she scolded, Youve gone blind, you dog! How dare you block the way and not even recognize my master? Is this how Chen Xingjiang teaches his subordinates? The guard was stupefied, never imagining that one day he would be slapped by people who wanted to enter the city. Could such a thing really happen?! Anyone wanting to enter the city who encountered officials asking about identities or travel passes would always behave humbly and cautiously, not daring to offend in the slightest. He had even often received bribes and various gifts from people wanting to cut in line to enter the city. And now someone had slapped him right in the face?? Insanity! Complete insanity! From where did this affluent young master come? Did he truly think the County City was his own territory, that he could flaunt his authority so recklessly? Just as the guard was about to fly into a rage and call for the arrest of the young master and the maid, he suddenly found he couldnt move, his shoulder pinned down by a thick and rough hand. Lin, Lin sir! The guard turned his head and saw that it was Lin He, the clerk from the County City office, which scared him into a shiver, and he said, Sir Lin, what brings you here? Lin He completely ignored the guard; instead, he approached the young master, knelt down on one knee, and bowed respectfully, preparing to speak. The young master, however, shook his head. At your command. Lin He immediately stood up, not daring to delay in the slightest. The city gate guard was scared witless on the spot, trembling from head to toe, and collapsed on the ground, his complexion paler than the snow on the ground, his face filled with terror. He did not know the identity of this young master, but Lin He, the clerk, kneeled in greeting upon meeting him, which undoubtedly meant this was an exceedingly important figure. Absolutely not someone he could afford to offend. At this moment, the city gate guard felt somewhat grateful to that young girl. If she hadnt slapped him, preventing him from speaking, he reckoned that he would have probably lost his life by now. Lets go, into the city, the young master said indifferently, his tone extremely detached, as if none of those present were worth his attention. Yes, Lin He quickly stepped forward to make an inviting gesture, bending respectfully as he whispered, Your Highness, please. After the three of them entered the city, the guard was left petrified, consumed by his terror. Two words echoed in his mind. Your Highness! Your Highness!! What kind of person could be addressed as Your Highness? A prince! Only a prince, indeed!! He, he had actually blocked a princes path, this this was truly seeking death!! In Lin Hes eyes, this young man was the sixteenth prince of Da Qi, Zhao Qin. He was a Great Grandmaster who had ascended to the Fourth Rank two hundred years ago, achieving the pinnacle of martial excellence. It was also he who single-handedly promoted Chen Xingjiang from an ordinary loose cultivator martial artist to his current position as the governor of Fangzhou. This prince could be said to be the true uncrowned king of Fangzhou. Let alone a mere clerk like him, even if it were Chen Xingjiang himself, he wouldnt dare to breathe heavily in front of His Highness, showing absolute respect and obedience. But in reality. This Zhao Qin was none other than Zhou Heng in disguise. In the past twenty or so days, Zhou Heng had not been idle. Through the resources of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and the Pure Yang Palace, he had collected accurate information about the sixteenth prince, including his appearance, physical characteristics, and even personality traits and behaviors. Then, he used a body transformation card to transform into the appearance of the sixteenth prince of Da Qi, Zhao Qin, a true physical change with no illusory elements whatsoever; no one would be able to detect any flaws. Furthermore, Zhou Heng also summoned the divine soul of the Qingxia God from Yuanhe Prefecture City, housing it in the Jadeite Lotus Seed he had previously obtained from the Fortune Bag, manifesting it into form. When Zhou Heng left Yuanhe Prefecture City, he had asked the Qingxia God to do two things. One of these tasks was to separate a strand of her divine soul so that when he needed it, he could summon a fraction of the Qingxia Gods Divine Soul Power through this strand of divine thought. This was a precaution Zhou Heng took should he encounter an overwhelmingly powerful enemy; however, after obtaining the Jadeite Lotus Seed, the situation changed. Jadeite Lotus Seed: A special spiritual item, can be cultivated with Celestial Water or Lustrous Purifying Water to grow a Jadeite Lotus Embryo, reconstructing the body for a Middle Third Rank martial artist who only has a soul left, resulting in a Jadeite Lotus Divine Body with extraordinary talent upon completion. It can also be directly used as a vessel for housing a divine soul, temporarily manifesting a physical form with a rank not exceeding Absolute Fourth Rank, a maximum of once every six months, and not for more than one day at a time, otherwise, the essence of the lotus seed will be damaged. While the first use of the Jadeite Lotus Seed is formidable, allowing for direct body reconstruction and resulting in a divine body, it requires some sort of celestial water, which is evidently not something common, making it a bit of a white elephant. The second use, on the other hand, is greatly beneficial for Zhou Heng. After summoning a part of Qingxia Gods Divine Soul Power, he could allow it to reside in it. This equates to directly manifesting a helper of Absolute Fourth Rank. Even though the Qingxia God was once a Second Rank Tao Lord who had forged a Dao Seed, she has since been reincarnated, and both her divine soul and Dao Seed are very fragile. Only recently has she barely recovered to a level comparable to Absolute Fourth Rank. As the divine soul of the Qingxia God is of an extremely high essence, even though she is currently only manifesting a form at the Absolute Fourth Rank, she can still help Zhou Heng to fake the aura of his cultivation level, easily deceiving both Lin He and Chen Xingjiang. While welcoming the sixteenth prince into the city, Lin He also made arrangements for someone to inform Governor Chen Xingjiang. Therefore, as soon as Zhou Heng arrived at the entrance of the prefectural yamen, he saw Chen Xingjiang leading a group of officials out of the office to welcome him. All of them bowed their heads, not even daring to look directly at Zhou Heng. Warmest greetings to Your Highness! Long life and prosperity to Your Highness! Chen Xingjiang took the lead in chanting, with an attitude of utmost respect and reverence, while also feeling an imminent panic in his heart, without the nerve or inclination to verify whether this sixteenth prince was genuine or not. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Hengs eyes were slightly closed, not even lifting his eyelids once, as if Chen Xingjiang and the others were like air to him, completely ignored. At once, Chen Xingjiang and the others also held their breath, not daring to let out a peep. For a while, the prefectural yamen was as silent as the grave, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Chen Xingjiang! Just at that moment, the little maid who was the incarnation of the Qingxia God beside Zhou Heng suddenly spoke out, demanding, Do you know your crime?! This servant is guilty! Chen Xingjiang was instantly shocked and afraid, his body trembling as he prostrated himself and cried out loud, This servant is guilty, guilty! Please, Your Highness, administer punishment! Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Did I Ruin His Highness’s Arrangement? Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Did I Ruin His Highnesss Arrangement? Under the protection of the Qingxia God, Zhou Hengs disguise was flawless. Chen Xingjiang and the others did not spot any flaws at all and thus respectfully welcomed him as the true sixteenth prince into the County City yamen. Afterwards, all the officials, including Lin He, withdrew, leaving only Zhou Heng and the maid transformed by the Qingxia God in the main hall, along with Chen Xingjiang kneeling on the ground with his head lowered, not daring to speak. Zhou Heng did not speak, merely sitting there with an indifferent expression, while the Qingxia God was also cold and silent, not uttering a word. It was as if the air itself had quieted down. Chen Xingjiang knelt on the ground, cold sweat beginning to break out on his forehead. The situation he feared most had nonetheless occurred. If the sixteenth prince directly pointed out his faults, clarifying how he would be punished, even if the consequences were extremely severe, at least there would be a clear outcome. What he truly feared was that the prince would say nothing at all, leaving everything for him to guess. Moreover, such silence likely meant that the prince was indeed furious to the extreme and had no intention of wasting words on him. At that moment, Zhou Hengs brows slightly furrowed. This very subtle change immediately made Chen Xingjiang feel a chill down his spine. A Great Grandmaster who had cultivated the Yang Gods Dharma Body to the Fourth Rank, in that instant, his back was soaked with cold sweat. He sympathized with heaven and earth, reflecting the external scenery, even the sky over Fangzhou County City darkened, heavy clouds accumulating as if they might press down at any time. Many households, seeing the sky, quickly brought in their clothes hung outside, believing that it was about to rain. Zhou Heng also sensed the changes in the weather outside and naturally speculated about the general shift in Chen Xingjiangs mindset. In fact, his frown was merely because Chen Xingjiang had been silent for so long, he was contemplating how to start the conversation and had no other thoughts. Heaven knows what Chen Xingjiang had just conjured up in his own mind. Yet as Zhou Heng speculated about the changes in Chen Xingjiangs mindset, a slight variation appeared on his face, which once again shocked Chen Xingjiang. The prince is a great grandmaster who has achieved success for over two hundred years. Unless there is a drastic change in his emotions, it is almost impossible for any facial expression to reveal any information. But now, the prince has done so consecutively. Could it be that he is making a major decision in his heart? What kind of decision would be considered major for the prince? At this thought, Chen Xingjiangs face turned pale and he secretly thought, Could it be that the prince wants to kill me? How is that possible? How could he want to kill me over the extermination of the Medicine God Sect? Before, he had also contemplated the possible punishments he might face, but the most severe consequences he could imagine were being demoted and stripped of some of his cultivation. His crimes did not warrant death! Could it be that the Medicine God Sect has some other use to the prince? Chen Xingjiang suddenly speculated, feeling ever more terrified. Yes, although the prince has always presented himself to the world as a young master and acted with the demeanor of a youth, he is after all a formidable being who has reached the pinnacle for over two centuries. With such a cultivation realm, he is certainly no weaker than those grandmasters listed on the earth rankings and can be considered as one of the few closest to the Celestial Man in the entire Da Qi. How could such a person build such a massive palace complex merely for pleasure? The usual activities of the Medicine God Sect involved developing various medicines and using people as test subjects, could it be that the prince wanted to use them to explore further mysteries of the human body? The human body is indeed exceedingly mysterious. Although martial artists can already begin rudimentary introspection when they reach the Ninth Grade, this does not mean that they can quickly probe all the mysteries of the human body. After reaching the Secret Six Rank, martial artists can use their Divine Soul to scrutinize every minute detail of their bodies, yet there are still many unknowns, akin to glimpsing a leopard through a tube, able to see but a fraction. Once they attain the Yang Gods Dharma Body at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank, martial artists will discover that the human body is like a treasure trove filled with endless mysteries, no less rich than the universe itself. It is said that the mystery of ascending from the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank to the realm of a Celestial Man lies hidden within this infinite treasure trove. Chen Xingjiang swiftly recalled all his knowledge about the human bodys mysteries, as well as some of the recent behaviors and actions of Prince Sixteen. This made the speculation that had just arisen in his heart clearer and also filled him with even greater dread. With that thought, Chen Xingjiang couldnt help but break out in cold sweat, his body even shaking, he placed his hands on the ground, feeling utterly despondent, his mind filled with fear as he thought to himself: For His Highness, who has already reached the pinnacle of the mortal world for more than two hundred years, the most important and concerning matter undoubtedly should be ascending to the realm of Celestial Man! Although the Medicine God Sect doesnt seem high-level, could it be that it was secretly set up by His Highness to explore the mysteries of the human body, seeking a way to peer into the realm of Celestial Man? Previously His Highness indeed urged me to keep a close watch on the Medicine God Sect, to prevent any mishaps, which also verifies that the Medicine God Sect must be very important to His Highness. Damnation, damnation! How did I not think of this before and only found the Medicine God Sect an eyesore in Fangzhou, and even thought of eliminating it by borrowing someone elses hand. Its all because the sector of this Medicine God Sect is too low, with their highest battle power being only at the Seventh Rank, who would think that such an Evil Sect could possibly be related to the realm of Celestial Man! Chen Xingjiang was tormented internally, he started to console himself, No, no, this is just my speculation, the truth may not necessarily be this way, perhaps Im just overthinking it? At this moment, Zhou Heng, however, was solemn, slightly surprised; he could see that Chen Xingjiang had fallen into extreme fear. But from beginning to end, he had not said a word. That is to say, the reason Chen Xingjiang was like this was mostly due to the various guesses in his mind based on his fear of that Prince Sixteen. He had frightened himself into this state in the end. It also signified just how terrifying a figure Prince Sixteen of Da Qi, Zhao Qin, must be, to cause a Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank to be terrified without uttering a word. Even facing a Celestial Man would hardly be any different, would it? Before, although Zhou Heng had carefully looked into the circumstances surrounding Prince Sixteen Zhao Qin, much of it remained superficial, knowing at most that this prince often assumed a juvenile demeanor, was violently temperamental, becoming extremely gloomy when angry, without a deeper understanding. Looking at it now, this Prince Sixteen was not simple. Eventually, after some consideration, Zhou Heng decided to speak directly, and label Chen Xingjiang with a few accusations, making Chen Xingjiang willing to confess his guilt and accept punishment, facilitating his subsequent death. Minister Chen Zhou Heng said in a deep voice. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Yet as soon as Zhou Heng had uttered three words, Chen Xingjiang, who was comforting himself, suddenly widened his eyes, and the fear in his heart swelled up like never before. The desolate roar inside Chen Xingjiangs heart cried, His Highness has spoken, His Highness has uttered words, His Highness has been silent for so long, and now suddenly he speaks, calling me Minister Chen Could it be that he can no longer suppress his emotions? Its over, Im done for, have I truly ruined His Highness arrangement for attaining the realm of Celestial Man? This, this now might be my last chance to preserve my life! Thus, making a quick decision, Chen Xingjiang bowed down to the ground, and with a voice full of regret and guilt said, Your Highness! I, your servant, am guilty, am willing to destroy my own cultivation, I only ask that Your Highness spares my life! Zhou Heng immediately fell silent, swallowing the words that had reached his lips. Chapter 210 - Chapter 210: Chapter 210 The Task of Sui State Chapter 210: Chapter 210 The Task of Sui State Is that true or false? Chen Xingjiang really kept brainstorming himself, and finally chose to actively abandon his cultivation, just to beg for his life? This was a Great Grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank! Tao Lord, he is testing you, just at that moment, the voice of Qingxia God suddenly came, echoing in Zhou Hengs heart, Absolute Fourth Rank, Yang Gods Dharma Body, in my era, could already be called Celestial Man. With such a realm, such cultivation, who could want to abandon it and just do it, unless the Celestial Man intervened, otherwise who could render useless a Celestial Man, even if its the Celestial Man himself, it was impossible to do. Thus, Tao Lord, this man is testing you. If you really agree, then most likely he will be able to confirm that you are not the true Sixteenth Prince Zhao Qin. Isnt he afraid that the Sixteenth Prince will see through his thoughts and thus increase the punishment? Zhou Heng responded in his heart. At the same time, he also felt that these Great Grandmasters were indeed not easy to deal with. This Chen Xingjiang looked as if he was scared to death, already kneeling to beg for mercy, yet his heart actually still pondered testing him. To seek survival from death, isnt that the way? Qingxia God instead said, In the eyes of the current Chen Xingjiang, without testing the truth, he is certain to die, but if he tests it, perhaps there is a slim chance of survival. Tao Lord, later on, just pretend to be furious, expose his intention to test you, make him believe you truly are Zhao Qin, then. No need, Zhou Heng interrupted Qingxia Gods words, replying, Just kill him directly. But Tao Lord, in my current state, I cant silently kill a Celestial Man, Qingxia God expressed some difficulty. She was after all only a Divine Soul inhabiting a body, and although the essence of her Divine Soul was extremely high and her mana was on a level not comparable to that of Absolute Fourth Rank, she could easily deceive Chen Xingjiang in terms of concealing and disguising, but if it came down to actually fighting, she would not be able to silently deliver a fatal blow in a short time. This would be equivalent to a battle between two Great Grandmasters at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank. Such an event would inevitably lead to large-scale atmospheric disturbances or even changes to the laws of nature, resulting in Chen Xingjiang being assassinated inside the County City yamen, and the outcome would become very problematic. Moreover, Chen Xingjiang was a Prefectural Governor of a state. This Fangzhou County City was his most core territory, and unless he was an idiot, he would have definitely made unknown preparations within this city to respond to unexpected attacks. Especially since it was near the border of Da Qi, once a real Great Grandmaster-level battle occurred, it would inevitably lead to a series of chain reactions. At that time, it would be difficult to resolve. What if he could be immobilized, made completely unable to move? Zhou Heng said. If he were to be completely unable to move, unable to make any act of resistance, I can manage it, Qingxia God said, A fatal strike, silent, without leaving any trace. As a former Second Rank Tao Lord, she still had that confidence. Good, Zhou Heng made up his mind. Meanwhile, Chen Xingjiang was still waiting for the Sixteenth Princes response, but in fact, he was already extremely panicked inside. He didnt want to give up the cultivation he had worked so hard to achieve, nor did he want to die. In his view, his only chance of survival now was to test this Highness, to see if he was really the Sixteenth Prince! In fact, Chen Xingjiang still had some doubts in his heart. Why would the Sixteenth Prince come in person so suddenly after so many days without any news? Has something gone wrong? In times of despair, one always considers various possibilities, and subconsciously leans towards those that are favorable to oneself. The situation with Chen Xingjiang was almost the same. Your Highness! Chen Xingjiang had not received a response for a while and called out again, reverently saying, Please, Your Highness Paralyze! Zhou Heng suddenly spoke, using the Paralysis Card. In an instant, a supremely powerful and to Chen Xingjiang, unimaginable restraining force descended out of thin air, and Chen Xingjiang, a Great Grandmaster at the peak of Fourth Rank, was instantly immobilized. His mouth was open, still in the posture of speaking, but he was no longer able to move even a bit. At the same time, his mana, his Divine Sense, everything about him, came to a halt, all frozen in place. Only his thoughts were still able to function. However, with his Divine Sense paralyzed and his Divine Soul Power unable to interact with reality, he had lost all capability to resist, completely defenseless. Whats going on, His Highness has made a move against me? Why? Could it be that His Highness has seen through my intentions, but doesnt he plan to ask me about them? Chen Xingjiang found it somewhat unbelievable. This, this kind of power?! The Qingxia God was quite shocked, her mind tumultuous with surprise. Zhou Hengs use of the paralyzing technique clearly involved the level of Laws and their melodies! In her view, this meant that Zhou Heng, the reincarnation of a Tao Lord, had regained some of his capabilities, able to exercise even higher Divine Skills. Similarly, this also meant that her chances of escaping Zhou Hengs control were even lower. However, though shocked in her heart, the Qingxia God did not slow down her actions. She directly extended her right hand, her delicate fingers spread out, pressing it upon Chen Xingjiangs head. What is she going to do, wait, this maid, she, shes a Great Grandmaster?? Chen Xingjiang was utterly horrified inside, it had never crossed his mind that this seemingly harmless and lovely girl, appearing to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, could actually be a Great Grandmaster! It was beyond belief. In Da Qi, at the gate of any prefectural city or county city, there was a large array that recorded the entrance of any Martial Artist above the rank of Secret Sixth rank. Yet why had this young girl not triggered this mechanism upon entering the city? Did she have some special method of concealment? While Chen Xingjiang was shocked, he suddenly felt his life force rapidly fading away, as if he had traversed a thousand years in a moment, from the prime of his life to its very end. Whats happening, am I, am I going to die of old age?? Chen Xingjiang was horrified inside. He wanted to resist, wanted to use his mana, wanted to manifest his Dharma Body, but he couldnt do any of it because it was all frozen by Zhou Heng. In the brief span of less than a breaths time, Chen Xingjiang had transformed from a vigorous middle-aged appearance to a decrepit old man, with a face and hands full of wrinkles and spots, and eyes clouded with murkiness, his entire body exuding death. In the palm of the Qingxia God, a green pill had formed, glowing faintly and filled with a rich life essence. This was the essence of Chen Xingjiangs entire life and the Yang Gods Dharma Body. At this moment, Chen Xingjiang felt his body and consciousness sinking into a bottomless abyss, descending into eternal darkness. In the end, his already murky eyes finally dimmed completely, devoid of any luster. He had died of old age, with even his Divine Soul decaying. Congratulations! Alongside the incarnation of the Qingxia God, you have slain the formidable enemy Chen Xingjiang, Fortune Bag [Silver] +2. Zhou Heng received the reward notification, glanced at Chen Xingjiangs corpse, suppressed the urge to search the body, and left the Prefectural Governors office of Fangzhou County City together with the incarnation of the Qingxia God. He then ordered that no one was to enter the main hall within three days. After leaving the Fangzhou County City, Zhou Heng took advantage of the time the Qingxia Gods incarnation still had and asked her to take him to Sui State. That was the place in Da Qis thirty-three states where evil sects abounded the most. Suitable for him to go. In the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, Da Qi. Prince Zhao Qins residence. Zhao Qin was fighting crickets in the garden, surrounded by four maids feeding him various fruits. At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in grey hurried in. He looked like a man, yet he had a pale, beardless face and soft facial features. His walking posture was also slightly different from that of a man, likely a eunuch who had been castrated. The four maids, seeing this person coming, quickly stepped back and bowed respectfully, saying, Greetings to Minister Cao. Minister Cao paid no attention to the maids, walking directly to Zhao Qins side and wrapped his voice in Mana, saying, Your Highness, Chen Xingjiang is dead. I know. Zhao Qin continued to focus on the cricket fight, didnt even bother to disguise his voice as he spoke directly. I heard it was you who personally led people to execute him? Minister Cao spoke in a low voice. Isnt it fragrant for this prince to fight crickets here in the Imperial City? Zhao Qin chuckled, put down the cricket fighting tools, looked towards Minister Cao, and said with a light laugh, Why would I go to that bitterly cold land in the northwest? This humble servant also thinks it unlikely for Your Highness to do such a thing, but the people and officials in Fangzhou keep saying you killed a good official who rid people of a scourge, who protected a region. Minister Cao said. Let them say what they will. Zhao Qin seemed utterly unconcerned, laughing, Chen Xingjiang is dead, and when the next Prefectural Governor takes over, neither the public nor the officials will soon remember him. Lets not talk about this, the reason I called you today is not for the sake of Chen Xingjiang. I want you to investigate someone, find out everything about him inside and out. As you command, Your Highness. Minister Cao bowed to listen. His name is Zhou Heng, supposedly a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, the sixth generation of true transmission, a junior brother of the incarnate True Yang, and also the reincarnation of some ancient being of great power. Zhao Qin smiled and said, Its a bit difficult, so I must trouble Minister Cao. Minister Caos face immediately turned bitter, saying, Your Highness, his status is extraordinary, how do you expect me to investigate, you are well aware of Pure Yang Palaces reputation. What do you think I want you to investigate? Zhao Qin burst into laughter and said, Rest assured, I wont make you offend Pure Yang Palace. What I want you to investigate is merely the background of this Zhou Heng. His parents, his ancestors, who they were, and current whereabouts of his family and clan I want you to find everything out clearly. Your Highness intends to Minister Cao tensed up upon hearing this. Minister Cao, youve been rather talkative today, Zhao Qin casually picked up a cricket, gently squeezed, and crushed it into mush, havent you? Your Highness, please forgive me! Minister Cao was instantly frightened into a shiver, hastily saying, Your Highnesss command shall be carried out with all my heart and effort. Get lost! Zhao Qin tossed the mushed cricket aside and waved his hand. Yes. Minister Cao respectfully withdrew, his demeanor much lower than when he arrived. Zhou Heng Zhao Qin picked up another cricket, placed it in the palm of his hand, then gently closed his fist and sneered, Interesting. Afterwards, he opened his five fingers; the cricket was still alive but began to crawl chaotically in the palm of his hand. But no matter what, it couldnt escape the confines of his palm. Zhou Heng! Its Zhou Heng! Run quickly! Why hasnt an Innate master or Great Grandmaster taken action to kill him, why? Do we just let him continue his wanton killing? Can those of us from the Evil Sects still live? Do people of the Evil Sects deserve to die? Didnt I just kill a few people to forge weapons? Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, you wont die a good death! In the half month since these exclamations, cries, and curses started resonating across Sui State, the members of various Evil Sects were all living in dread, terrified of Zhou Heng knocking on their door. Sui State was indeed one of the northernmost border states of Da Qi, and justifiably the state with the densest concentration of evil martial arts clans. In just half a month, The number of evil disciples Zhou Heng killed and the evil sects he annihilated was already five times more than in Fangzhou. It truly felt like there were rebellious Evil Sects everywhere, impossible to kill them all. He even began to doubt whether the Da Qi Imperial Court still had any control over Sui State. Because he had discovered not just one Prefectural citys leader colluding with the Evil Sects. With such a border, its a wonder Da Qis domain remains stablequite curious indeed. However, this journey of slaughter made Zhou Hengs reputation grow even larger, surpassing what it was in Fangzhou. Many counties and Prefectural cities saw his arrival as a ray of hope. The Killing Orders released by the four major evil paths gradually became a laughing stock, because before anyone could go after Zhou Heng, he would already have exterminated the Evil Sects in a region. These were not so much Killing Orders against Zhou Heng, but rather death warrants for all the Evil Sects under heaven! At the same time, Zhou Heng gradually acquired a new nickname. Evil Exterminator Blade. When he learned of this new moniker, he expressed a preference for Purple Lightning Thunder Blade instead. Purple Lightning Thunder Blade sounded quite good. Task location: Three Rivers County in Yuliang Prefecture, Sui State, Da Qi. Brief description of task: Reported by Qin Fang, the prefect of Yuliang, strange weeping sounds are heard throughout Three Rivers County at night, so sorrowful and chilling that the entire city is disturbed. Those who seek out the source of the sounds never return; three Seventh Rank Warriors have already perished. Objective of the task: Investigate the source of the weeping sounds to determine whether it is related to Evil Creatures. Warning for the task: If it is discovered that the phenomenon is related to Evil Creatures of at least Seventh Rank, report it to the organization immediately and do not act rashly. Basic rewards for the task: 300 Virtue Points, 1000 taels of silver. Additional rewards for the task: Verification of connection to Evil Creatures and confirmation of information concerning the Evil Creatures will be rewarded with an extra 600 Virtue Points. As Zhou Heng was closing in on wiping out half the Evil Sects in Sui State, as the time was nearing December, he finally received the third mission assigned by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. It wasnt because The Supreme was slow in his work. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was rather due to Zhou Heng, who began annihilating Evil Sect members and evil practitioners all along his route from Fangzhou, effectively destroying many potential births of Evil Creatures. After all, the birth of Evil Creatures was inseparable from the spread of evil methods and the deliberate cultivation of Evil Sects. Zhou Hengs massacre of the evil path naturally reduced the number of tasks related to Evil Creatures. Only upon reaching Sui State, a place that could be described as teeming with evil paths, was there finally a task concerning Evil Creatures that could be dispatched. Three Rivers County. Zhou Heng found the name somewhat familiar; after a moments thought, a flash of insight crossed his mind, The newly ranked tenth on the man list, Xu Kong, seems to be from Three Rivers County. Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Chapter 213: The Origins of the Sinister Treeman Chapter 213: Chapter 213: The Origins of the Sinister Treeman ` Boom! As the deafening roar thundered, the qi of the five viscera and five elements converged in Zhou Hengs palm, turning into golden thunder light that was dazzling and intertwined with both Yin and Yang! Ah! Wuuu ah ah!! The eerie tree-person, as if sensing the power of the Five Thunder Righteous Method, saw the expressions on its thousands of faces become even more distorted, with the bizarre child fruit growing on its branches all starting to cry loudly. The entire trunk and all the branches began to shake violently, with the tree roots underneath undulating like the legs of animals, moving rapidly. It actually wanted to escape! Yet those fifty paper figures still relentlessly carried out their attack, ceaselessly striking the twisted faces and the bizarre crying child fruits. This sound was far more piercing than before. Xu Kong and Li Qingyao not far away turned deathly pale, their heads spinning and blood pouring from their mouths because of the sound. Both were terrified beyond measure. What a powerful spiritual attack, what, what kind of monster is this? Xu Kong asked with disbelief and utmost shock. This monsters strength is probably far beyond the peak of the Seventh Rank, Li Qingyao was also extremely shocked, then she looked towards Zhou Heng, only to see the youth cloaked in golden thunder light, like a Thunder God descending to earth. What a formidable presence, but I wonder which sects disciple he is, such a powerful thunder technique, could it be from the Shenxiao Sect? No, this doesnt seem like martial arts, could it be Taoist formulas? Li Qingyao thought with even greater surprise. In this era, Taoist formulas were extremely rare, with few inheritances within the Martial Dao Sects. If there were any Taoist formulas, they were usually of very high rank and even incomplete. Not to mention warriors of the Lower Third Rank, even the influential figures of the Middle Third Rank found it difficult to learn. Yet now, she was seeing a Seventh Rank Warrior using Taoist formulas! Boom! The golden thunder suddenly exploded, and Zhou Hengs palm faced upwards, as if responding to the will of heaven, and the thunderclaps were like the wrath of the heavens, with the lightning serving as a divine punishment descending from above. It struck like a golden sword penetrating the heavens and earth, coming down with devastating force and striking the escaping evil tree-person without deviation. Crack! With a loud noise, the tree-person towering over ten meters was split in two by the golden light of the Five Thunder Righteous Method. The cut ends were charred, smoking plumes of smoke, with the fire of thunder burning. Yet the tree-person did not die. The split trunk kept trembling, its branches convulsing wildly. The remaining distorted faces, less than three hundred, gritted their teeth, while the child fruits stared fixedly at Zhou Heng, filled with hatred. Suddenly, all these faces and fruits opened their mouths and roared in unison. Ah! Why, why, why must you kill me? I just want to survive, I want to live! Why do you want to kill me, what have I done wrong?! I dont want this either!! Master Master It actually spoke! Xu Kong and Li Qingyao were dumbfounded, their faces a picture of disbelief. Even Zhou Heng couldnt help but pause. He had originally thought this mix of evil creature and ghost had already lost its sanity, but now it seemed that was not the case. There must still be some sanity remaining. But it was very chaotic. Closer to insanity? A madman? But this creature really could take a hit, having survived a strike from the Five Thunder Righteous Method. This was a Sect Fifth Rank level of Thunder Method, designed specifically to vanquish evil creatures. Even though Zhou Heng was only at Seventh Rank, the power he could exert was less than one ten-thousandth. However, he still had the basic attribute bonuses of +2 annihilating evil and +3 special attack against spirit beings. Normally, any ordinary peak Seventh Rank evil creature or ghost struck by this kind of attack. Would be turned to ash on the spot, no longer existing. This demonstrates the evil tree-persons life force must be terribly formidable, and its own level might already be close to the Secret Six Rank. To Zhou Heng, it felt somewhat like Ma Quans half-crippled Secret Six Rank. ` ` However, despite the shock and suspicion in his heart, Zhou Hengs movements were neither slow nor hesitant, even in the face of the eerie tree spirits roar. Buzz! The Purple Thunder Sword was unsheathed, stirring up a fierce wind. With the sword in hand, Zhou Heng advanced as his Inner Qi began to circulate. Densely packed bolts of electricity intertwined along the blade. He approached the tree spirit, which had been split in two, and brought his sword down upon it! Winter Thunderbolt! In an instant, thunder roared as a world of purple lightning descended from the heavens, engulfing the entire evil tree spirit. Boom! The extraordinarily yang nature of the sabers edge, together with the rolling purple thunder, also drew upon the residual power of the earlier Five Thunder Righteous Method, immediately causing golden lightning and crimson flames to burst forth. In the blink of an eye, the two halves of the evil tree spirits trunk were reduced to charred remains, the twisted faces and sinister child-like fruits turned directly into ash, leaving behind pits of varying sizes where they once stood. You cannot live, for your existence means the death of many! Zhou Heng said mildly, before slashing down again with a Heaven-Spinning Thunder Turn, reducing the remaining trunk to ash. Ensuring its complete dispersal. Congratulations! You have slain an evenly matched enemy, the Thousand-Faced Evil Infant Yin Ghost Tree, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. The reward notification sounded. But Zhou Heng felt little joy in his heart; instead, he was filled with many questions. Was this hybrid of evil tree and ghostly creature considered an evil spirit or a ghost? How had it come into being, naturally or by mans doing? And how had it appeared here? Why, having been on the outskirts of Sanhe County town for so long, had it not gone into the town to kill people, but only wept and howled in the forests outside the town? Why was that? And what was the tree spirit talking about in the end? Lord Teacher, World Honored One, Lord of Corpses or perhaps something else? With these thoughts in mind, Zhou Heng turned to look at Li Qingyao, who was still sitting on the ground. Known as the White Dragon Lady of Tianshan from the Jade Pool Sect, she was one of the few immortal maidens widely sought after in the martial artists community. She was the first to do battle with the Thousand-Faced Evil Infant Yin Ghost Tree, might she know something? Thus, Zhou Heng walked over to her. Miss Li, do you know the origins of that evil tree spirit, and why it appeared here? Zhou Heng inquired, helping her to her feet. Hey, Brother Zhou, we came together, are you not going to help me up? Xu Kong shouted from the side, now that the crisis was over, he had returned to his relaxed state. Ive already questioned you on what you know. Zhou Heng gave him a glance before looking back at Li Qingyao. Xu Kong suddenly fell silent upon hearing this, then muttered under his breath, All you old hands of Jianghu, none of you are good people! Thank you young master, might you be the Evil-Banishing Zhou Heng? Li Qingyao asked. Indeed, I am Zhou Heng, but theres no need to mention the Evil-Banishing Blade, Zhou Heng replied reluctantly, asking again, Regarding that evil tree spirit, how much does Miss Li know? Not much, Li Qingyao said, shaking her head slightly, I was just passing by on my travels when I heard that there was a monster causing trouble, so I came to have a look. I never expected to encounter such a formidable creature. Moreover, I must thank Young Master Zhou, or else I fear I would have been doomed this time. Well, although I dont know much about the tree spirit, when I first fought it, I noticed something At this point, she paused, seemingly hesitant to continue. What is it? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows and with a smile, asked, Could Brother Xu please leave us for a moment? Hey! Are you not afraid of offending me by doing this?! Xu Kong feigned anger, saying, Fine, Im leaving! As he said this, he turned to leave. Next time, Ill treat you to a drink, the wine from You Ziheng of Mount Zixia, Zhou Heng said with a smile to appease him. Alright! Seeing as youre my lifesaver, I wont hold it against you, Xu Kongs steps lightened immediately, but after just a few paces, he turned back abruptly and ran up to Zhou Heng with delight, The wine from Senior You Ziheng, his wine, are you serious?! The wine from You Ziheng was renowned among the disciples of the Great Sects and noble houses as a particularly fine liquor that was hard to come by. You Ziheng is my senior disciple; its not difficult to get some wine, Zhou Heng said with a smile. I almost forgot you are the sixth-generation legitimate disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. Oh no, shouldnt I also address you as Senior Uncle? Xu Kongs expression suddenly fell, and he backed away hurriedly, turning to flee while waving his hands, Ill remember this, the wine from Senior You! In no time at all, the drunken wretch had disappeared. Only Zhou Heng and Li Qingyao were left, in a silent emptiness. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Miss Li can speak now, Zhou Heng said. Actually, Im not very sure myself, as it might be shocking, but youre just listening, so dont delve into it too deeply, Li Qingyao took a deep breath and said in a serious tone: When I first battled the tree spirit, it used its branches like swords and attacked me with proper techniques, all taught methods. And the techniques it used, I have seen them before. They are from the Qing Emperor Palace of the Ten Major Sects of the righteous Da Qi paths, the Petal Plucking Invisible Sword and Forest Felling Horizon-Splitting Saber Technique, both of which are excellent Seventh Rank martial arts known only to Inner Sect disciples. ` Chapter 214 - Chapter 214: Chapter 214: The Three Saints, Crazy! Chapter 214: Chapter 214: The Three Saints, Crazy! Martial Arts from the Qing Emperor Palaces Inner Sect? Could it be that this bizarre treant was once a disciple of the Inner Sect of Qing Emperor Palace, captured by some expert from the evil path to cultivate evil creatures, and then, for some reason, merged with a ghostly entity? This is simply too fantastic. Which master from the evil sect has such audacity to use a top disciple from a great sect like the Qing Emperor Palace to cultivate evil creatures? Tired of living? Though the evil path is hostile to the great sects and great clans of the current age, they usually dont offend too deeply to avoid a united retaliation that would be difficult to withstand. Therefore, normally, these evil path experts, even if they use people to cultivate evil creatures, choose ordinary people or wandering martial artists without much backing. To avoid subsequent trouble. But, the circumstances of this bizarre treant are somewhat illogical. If he really was a disciple of the Qing Emperor Palaces Inner Sect, it would mean that at least a portion of the evil sect masters has started to disregard the power of the righteous major sects and great clans. Unless it is just a foolhardy young person, but a foolhardy young person could hardly cultivate such a powerful amalgamation of an evil creature and ghost. Or is it that some evil sects have mastered a special technique for merging with evil creatures? And they must conduct experiments on the top disciples from the great sects and great clans? But what would be the purpose of doing this? Many speculations began to surface in Zhou Hengs mind. But he found it difficult to settle on any particular one. After all, the clues he had encountered so far were still too few. Seeing Zhou Heng lost in thought, Li Qingyao couldnt help but ask, Young Master, have you thought of something? Just wondering if this really is a disciple of the Qing Emperor Palace, who would be so bold as to turn him into such a monster, Zhou Heng briefly explained, without mentioning the matter of the ghostly and evil creature. Exactly, its incredibly audacious, Li Qingyao nodded and said, Young Master Zhou, I plan to return to the mountain immediately to report to my master and the other elders; these evil sects are indeed too bold. Her line of thinking was that of a very obvious sect disciple: upon encountering any matter, the first thing to think of is to inform the elders in the sect. Its a good habit. Zhou Heng, on the other hand, had other methods. Nevertheless, he nodded and said, I was just thinking the same. In fact, Zhou Heng planned to go to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer first to update the information in his mask, after which he would become a true formal member. By then, the effects of the mask, and the information contained within, would no doubt be more accessible than they are now. He might be able to glean some clues from it. Of course, when theres a chance to return to Ta Hua Mountain, he could also inquire about this matter. Afterward, Zhou Heng and Li Qingyao left the jungle together, planning to rest temporarily in Sanhe County city before setting off again tomorrow. Unexpectedly, upon approaching the gates of Sanhe County city, they saw from a distance a crowd of people coming out to greet them, nearly two to three hundred strong, led by Xu Kong. This left both of them a little bewildered. How about that, Ive arranged quite the scene, havent I? Xu Kong said with a laugh as he approached, I told them the strange creature wailing outside the city has been dealt with by you two, and they all came out to welcome you. Being a local of Sanhe County, he was also pleased to see his fellow townspeople so joyful. Zhou Heng and Li Qingyao exchanged a glance and couldnt help but let out a wry smile; they had intended to rest, but it seemed that was not to be. But after all, it was the good intention of the people of Sanhe County, and it wouldnt be polite to refuse. Thus, they joined Xu Kong for several thank-you banquets before finally managing to slip away from the fervent hospitality of Sanhe County city. During this process, Zhou Heng and Li Qingyao also informed Xu Kong about the bizarre treant and its possible connection to the Qing Emperor Palaces Inner Sect, so he could report it to the Longevity Way. This was Zhou Hengs suggestion. After all, this matter concerned the fusion of evil creatures and ghosts, and he had a feeling that there might be even bigger issues hidden behind it. Because they were taking different paths, Zhou Heng and Li Qingyao traveled together for only half a day before parting ways. Heading towards the nearest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace. With the Sui State evil sect widespread and evil creatures aplenty, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had left many entrances there. Zhou Heng found an entrance before even leaving Yuliang Prefecture. Entering the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resided. No sooner had he set foot on the cloud platform of condensed purple qi than he encountered an old acquaintance. The person was dressed in ceremonial robes and wore a mask painted with the images of the Five Emperors, none other than the Five Emperors Inner Seat, whom Zhou Heng hadnt seen for a long time. I pay my respects to the Ziwei Master, the Five Emperors Inner Seat saluted with a bow. Has senior recovered from his injuries? Zhou Heng asked with a smile, genuinely missing the Five Emperors Inner Seat for his efficient work. Thanks to the aid of a Celestial Man, Ive finally repaired my Dharma Body, the Five Emperors Inner Seat replied with a smile, The Master has been radiant recently, with tales of your exploits spreading everywhere. It was a necessary move, Zhou Heng shook his head slightly. What brings the Master here this time? As the Five Emperors Inner Seat summoned an auspicious cloud, ushering Zhou Heng towards the mountain range where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located, he asked with a smile, Has the third task encountered difficulties? ` The third task has already been completed, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Completed? The members of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors were taken aback, turned their heads toward Zhou Heng, and asked in confusion, Didnt you just take on the third task three or four days ago? They had previously inquired about Zhou Hengs task situation from The Supreme and the Heavenly Principle, since it was a matter they used to oversee. Although it was interrupted due to the calamity of the demon disaster in Xi Liang, they still felt guilty and showed more concern. It wasnt too difficult a task, so it was completed quickly, Zhou Heng said with a smile, then continued, However, this task has left me somewhat puzzled, and Im afraid I will need to seek enlightenment from you and the two seniors, The Supreme and Heavenly Principle, later on. Puzzled? Is there a problem with this task? The members of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors asked in surprise. But by then, they had already arrived in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace and saw The Supreme and the Heavenly Principle, the two Celestial Men, so they did not continue to ask. Master of Stars. We pay respect to the Master of Stars. The Heavenly Principle and The Supreme paid their respects to Zhou Heng. It seems the Master of Stars has had impressive battle achievements lately; the mark of the evil spirit on you has diminished considerably, The Supreme said with a smile. I estimate that after killing a few more suitable evil sect masters, you should be able to lift the curse. You flatter me, senior. I have already completed the third task, Zhou Heng got straight to the point, Now, all I need to do is to update the task information to lift the restriction on the masks privileges. Thats right, Heavenly Principle nodded, By completing three tasks, you are now a full member. All the information and privilege effects that a full member is entitled to will be unlocked. Perhaps, the position of Ziwei Master might have some special privilege abilities, The Supreme said with a smile. However, this is just my guess; you can look forward to it. Hmm, I think so too, the member of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors chimed in, nodding, The position of Ziwei Master is very special, and becoming a full member might indeed grant you some specialties. This is making me even more excited, Zhou Heng also smiled. Right, the information about the Plague Emperor Sect that you had us keep an eye on has already been submitted, The Supreme came over and handed Zhou Heng an envelope, Its all written inside. Thank you both seniors. Ive also prepared the merit, Zhou Hengs eyes lit up as he took the envelope and entered the Purple Tenuity Palace. What was that just now? the member of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors asked curiously. It was a bounty issued by the Master of Stars, The Supreme cheerfully explained, The young man has plenty of merit. He used merit to issue a bounty for members of the Plague Emperor Sect and even offered us two thousand merits each as a reward. Its a pity that the merit cant be traded immediately; it can only be noted down for the time being, Heavenly Principle also revealed a faint smile, But thats fine too. The next gathering is on the eighteenth of the month, and by that time, when we get our merits, it will be just the right occasion to see if theres something we want. For the two of them, a thousand merits was a rare treasure indeed. So generous? The member of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors was astonished and asked, How much merit does the Master of Stars actually have? It should not be a small amount, The Supreme thought for a moment and said, His strength is already invincible below the Secret Sixth Rank, and the Pure Yang Body restrains ghostly creatures. Moreover, from the speed at which he completes tasks, it seems that evil creatures do not pose much of a threat to him. That means he can accumulate merit by slaying ghosts and evil creatures, Heavenly Principle said with some emotion, Ive heard from Siming that when the Master of Stars was at the Eighth Rank, cutting down ghosts at the Peak of the Seventh Rank was as easy as slicing through vegetables. Now, he is likely even stronger. Ive also heard from Siming about the Master of Stars power; recently, he has slaughtered many evil sect masters and exterminated numerous ghosts, laughed the member of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors, Having such a powerful person emerge from our ranks will make it much easier to handle the crises from the West Wasteland in the future. Yes, the problems in the West Wasteland forbidden area are becoming more and more serious, The Supreme sighed softly, Lets hope the Master of Stars can bring us some surprises and hope. After updating the task and mask information in the Hall of Untroubled Thought within the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Hengs merits had once again reached over six thousand. Most of these were earned from killing evil creatures and ghosts. From Fangzhou all the way to Sui State, he did not just slay evil sect masters but also destroyed many evil creatures and ghosts, all of which granted him genuine merit rewards. Now, having completed three tasks, Zhou Heng placed the mask on a jade platform. Suddenly, a flash of golden light passed over the Ziwei Master mask. Within that golden light, he vaguely glimpsed the ghostly image of a vast star chart. But it vanished in an instant, like an illusion. It seems to be the Zhou Tian Star Chart, but there appear to be some differences, Zhou Heng frowned slightly, trying to recall the appearance of that star chart, but no matter how hard he tried, he could no longer remember. Lets check the changes in the mask first. Zhou Heng donned the mask, first paying attention to the changes in the information contained within it. This mask was connected to the Zhou Tian Star Chart, and through partial control of the star chart, the two Tao Lords, Tianyi and Azure Dragon, had infused some important information into the chart. As long as members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers unlocked the corresponding level of privileges, they could access this portion of the information. Zhou Heng had many questions about Da Qi and this world. However, previously the information Zhou Heng saw through the mask was not even as detailed as the introductions in the two books, The World and Pure Yang from the Pure Yang Palace. Now that he had become an official member, things should be different. Zhou Heng started reading the information contained in the mask. As expected, there were still no detailed explanations regarding the battle at Tianyang and the details of the West Wasteland forbidden area. This was within his expectations. After all, the member of the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors had previously stated that even full members needed to be above the Sect Fifth Rank to understand the information about the West Wasteland forbidden area. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As for the battle at Tianyang, its probably even more of a secret. However, there was an answer here to why the Age of Saints in the Middle Ancient times suddenly came to an end. The Dream Sage, the Tao Sage, the Statute Sage! They had gone mad! ` Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: Chapter 215 Can This Still Be Played?! Chapter 215: Chapter 215 Can This Still Be Played?! The Dream Saint, Tao Saint, and Law Saint, three of the Saints, mysteriously became mad, lost their senses, and wreaked havoc everywhere. The remaining six Saints intervened to stop them, and a great battle erupted. The battle was brief but ultimately led to the destruction of hundreds of families, the closure of academies, and numerous Sects sealing themselves off from the world. After the dark age, the civilization that had finally been rebuilt came to an abrupt end. After this battle, the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient era either fell or went missing. Only the Dream Saint regained some sanity at the last moment, remaining the only Saint in the world, but His Tao was gravely damaged, and He was at the end of His life. In the last ten years of His life, He traveled the world, lecturing everywhere, passing on all His knowledge, in hopes of restoring the glory of the hundred schools of philosophy. Many of the Great Sects and noble families of the present day were actually those who had listened to the Dream Saints teachings and were taken as close disciples, receiving great fortunes and legacies. In fact, the Dream Saint originally intended for these close disciples to learn His most exquisite Divine Skills and Teachings, as well as those of the other eight Saints and some from the Ancient Mythological Era, and then transmit them to all living beings in the world. The Dream Saint possessed Divine Skills that could materialize different great Taoist Formulas in dreams. Although He was only the master of dreams, He had studied the Divine Skills and Teachings of the other eight Saints and even some from the ancient times of gods and immortals. Regrettably, most of His disciples did not do as He had intended, but instead treated those Divine Skills and Teachings as their familys heritage, or even as a Sects treasured skill, and did not pass them on to outsiders. In His final days, the Dream Saint no longer had the time to concern Himself with these matters. In the end, He passed away at Law Saint Mountain. It is said that this was where the Law Saint had achieved His enlightenment. Regrettably, until His passing, He never spoke of why He had fallen into madness, and He even strictly ordered His disciples not to interfere with the awakening of memories of His incarnated self. This made the madness of the three Middle Ancient Saints a mystery that lasted through the ages. As for why the Middle Ancient Era came to an abrupt end, these are the insights that can be gleaned from within the mask. Zhou Hengs first reaction was disbelief. What a joke? The Middle Ancient Saints went mad?? Those are Divine First Rank beings!! Before this, he had thought that the abrupt end of the Middle Ancient Era might have been due to an invasion by outsiders, a drastic change in heavens and earth, or some other reasons. But he had never imagined that madness could be associated with the powerful beings of Middle Ancient Nine Saints level. The Middle Ancient three Saints had actually gone mad? And they had triggered a war that resulted in the destruction of the entire Middle Ancient Era. No wonder such information could not be known to too many people; the mental shock it could cause was simply too great. It could even cause ones view of the world to crumble completely. The Middle Ancient Nine Saints were authentic Divine First Rank Tao Lords, Saints, who, after the dark age, re-established civilization on the ruins. In the eyes of many, the Middle Ancient Nine Saints were considered deities that had led humanity towards civilization thousands of years ago. Even today, throughout Da Qi, there are temples with statues where the Nine Saints are worshipped. And the incense burns brightly. If anyone were to tell the world that the incredibly flourishing Middle Ancient Era, with its eight hundred nations, countless schools of thought competing for dominance, and where the Saints academies thrived, was actually destroyed by the hands of the Middle Ancient Nine Saints themselves, they would probably be spit to death on the spot. Confronted with this truth, Zhou Heng fell silent for a long time before his emotions gradually settled down, but this was followed by even greater confusion. Divine First Rank could go mad? Those who wield the authority of the Taoist Formulas, known as Saintly and Lordly supreme beings, they could go mad? Who could make such beings go mad, who could make them lose their reason? Higher beings? Ancient gods and immortals, or some other strange entities or is it related to the forbidden land of the West Wasteland or the true facts behind the battle of Tianyang? Zhou Hengs thoughts smoothly extended to the forbidden land of the West Wasteland and the battle of Tianyang. Yet, details on these two matters were beyond his current level of access for investigation. From this point, he speculated. The secrets these two matters touch upon, as well as the conceptual shocks they could bring to people, are perhaps even more astonishing and shocking than the madness of the three Saints of the Middle Ancient era. It seems that when one hasnt reached a certain cultivation realm, there is indeed some rationale to not rashly seeking to understand these things, Zhou Heng thought to himself, as he began to read the subsequent information. Among them, much was already known to Zhou Heng through his time at the Pure Yang Palace. There was also information about evil creatures and the Evil Spirit Mark, but ultimately, Zhou Hengs gaze settled on a piece of information about ghosts. For Zhou Heng, ghosts were quite familiar. His first contact with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was because of a ghost that Cheng Jianjian was hunting. Later, through a fallen memory card, he obtained the Memory Crystal concerning the sealing of ghosts, learning some information about them and understanding why their existence must not be known to humans. But there was always one doubt. If the more people who knew about ghosts, the easier it is for new ghosts to emerge in this world, then why wouldnt the ghosts themselves actively propagate their existence, is it simply out of fear of being hunted and killed by humans? It seemed to make no sense. This time, Zhou Heng finally learned the answer, yet it left him feeling even more horrified. Ghosts. They truly never die or perish. Even if, in this world, using Taoist Formulas and the power of the Zhou Tian Star Chart to annihilate ghosts, they cannot be truly killed! After being destroyed, ghosts will be reborn in another world. As evil creatures. And these evil creatures might descend upon this world. If an evil creature is killed in this world, it will then transform into a Yin Spirit born from the qi of the innate Yin, thus becoming a ghost again. Subsequently, if this ghost is killed again, it will be reborn in the other world as an evil creature And so on and so forth, in an endless cycle. Restlessly. Relentlessly. This information made Zhou Hengs scalp tingle. It meant that the primary enemies of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, the ghosts and evil creatures, may never truly be eradicated. Even if upon death, ghosts and evil creatures have a certain delay before they can reincarnate and cross realms, they could be regarded as being killed only in a short term. Yet this truth still felt somewhat despairing. But back to the main point. The reason ghosts dont actively promote their existence is related to this cycle of rebirth. Indeed, the more people know about the existence of ghosts, the easier it is for new ghosts to be born in the world. But for the ghosts that already exist, this has no benefits at all. Because the more people that know about the existence of ghosts, the lower the likelihood that those ghosts will retain their memories after being reborn in the other world. If they lose their memories, for ghosts themselves, its as good as being truly dead. Thus, naturally, these ghosts would not actively spread the word of their existence. Damn it, what kind of enemies are we facing, what kind of crisis are we fighting against? Zhou Heng couldnt help but curse under his breath. Although he had already guessed that this world might not be as tranquil as it seemed on the surface, after all, this is a world where Tao Lords and Saints exist, where there are taller beings to hold up the sky should it fall. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But now he discovered Saints can go mad too. Ghosts and evil creatures, on the other hand, are fundamentally unkillable, endless! (sF)sߩ Chapter 216 - Chapter 216: Chapter 216 Three New Features Chapter 216: Chapter 216 Three New Features The amount of information Zhou Heng encountered this time was indeed substantial, and it took him quite some time to calm his emotions. He continued reading. Most of it was about things Zhou Heng already knew. However, there was one thing that Zhou Heng found very interesting. That was the method of traveling to other worlds. Star Gate! In the myriad heavens, each had its own portals. Opening a portal, one could set foot on the path to that world. It is said that originally there were no paths to other worlds in this universe. Only the immortals and gods from the ancient mythological era walked through the myriad heavens so much that they eventually forged numerous paths. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, in essence, relied on the Unique Divine Weapon, the Zhou Tian Star Chart, to open the Star Gate to the myriad heavens, and then, based on known routing information, tread upon the virtual star paths to travel to other worlds. There were two sources for routing information. One was from Upper Third Rank powerful beings venturing beyond the heavens, capturing stray traces of information in the void, and then using the Zhou Tian Star Chart for deduction, there was a certain chance to obtain corresponding routing information. The other was through slaying Evil Creatures, who after being killed, not only have their good deeds recorded by the mask but also the interwoven laws and traces on them recorded, which are then used to deduce routing information to other worlds. This involved another conceptmany Evil Creatures came from crossing over from other realms, but the process of arriving in this world was not accomplished overnight. Before truly arriving in this world, an Evil Creature would have to pass through quite a few other worlds, thus intertwining different worlds laws and traces upon itself. Moreover, each time an Evil Creature crossed into another world, it would consume a tremendous amount of energy, decreasing its rank and level, and even deteriorating its spirit and intellect, which needed replenishment in the next world. This also led to Evil Creatures inevitably causing calamitous disasters in any world they descended upon, in order to draw on negative emotions and replenish themselves. And when finally descending upon this world, the difficulties faced were the greatest, with Secret Six Rank Evil Creatures possibly being reduced to Ninth Rank Evil Creatures with little spirit and intellect. Yet even so, countless Evil Creatures, ghostly spirits, and even Evil Gods were constantly endeavoring to descend upon this world. Does this world possess some special quality? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows, but his understanding of this world was still too limited to figure out the reason at the moment. I still need to continue improving my cultivation realm and strength, try to gather more information from the Pure Yang Palace and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer perhaps, I could even find the answer in other worlds? His gaze settled on the mission privileges of official members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Compared to before, Zhou Heng could now freely go to the Solve Worries Hall to check the mission list appropriate to his level and make his choice, among which included missions to other worlds. Most of these missions were mainly about eliminating Evil Creatures or ghosts in other worlds but there were also some other kinds of missions that could be chosen at will. Moreover, the information about the missions was more detailed than before, with additional items and more generous rewards, though naturally, the difficulty was higher as well. If official members wanted to travel to other worlds, they could only do so by accepting missions to other worlds, gaining the opportunity to open the Star Gate and routing information. Zhou Heng briefly scanned the mission list he could access, then put this feature aside; he hadnt planned to go to other worlds for the time being. After all, there were still matters in Da Qi that he hadnt finished dealing with. Being able to access more information, take on missions on my own, and travel to other worlds through the Star Gate essentially sums up the new privileges of being an official member. However, besides these, it seems I have some additional privileges? Zhou Heng noticed there were other descriptions of privileges and looked them over. Smooth Star Road (Not Activated): Change the existing mechanism of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, allowing a Star Officer inside the Purple Tenuity Palace to enter established entrance channels in reverse to reach specific destinations. Different amounts of good deeds will be consumed depending on the distance of entry and exit, and the Star Master can obtain one-thousandth of the commission. Good Deeds Trade (Not Activated): Change the existing mechanism of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, allowing for real-time good deeds trading between Star Officers, with the Star Master receiving a one-ten-thousandth commission from each trade. Task Publication (Not Activated): Changing the existing mechanism of the Zhou Tian Star Chart can allow Star Officers to publish task information through their Star Officer masks. After review and approval by the Star Master, the tasks can be announced, and the Star Master can obtain one percent of the merit reward as a commission. Zhou Heng looked at these three new permissions somewhat dumbfounded. What are these things? Paid transportation? An online trading platform? Websites evolving from official postings to user-generated content? Web2.0? Is the Purple Tenuity Emperor this avant-garde? Is the Zhou Tian Star Chart really left by that Heavenly Emperor? All the tasks currently in the Zhou Tian Star Chart are actually synthesized by the leaders Tianyi and Azure Dragon from the information traces within Da Qi and the myriad worlds. They use deduction methods to describe the specific content and judge the corresponding rewards based on the level of danger before finally publishing them. It can basically be seen as official publication. Ordinary Star Officers and even upper management cannot publish tasks on their own; otherwise, Zhou Heng wouldnt have needed to ask The Supreme and the Principle of Heaven to post a bounty on his behalf. If I were to activate these two functions now, the situation of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer would undoubtedly undergo unprecedented drastic changes, Zhou Heng thought. Zhou Heng fell into deep thought, secretly saying, Such a sudden drastic change is not necessarily a good thing for someone like me who has just become an official member. After all, the ones holding the authority over merit transactions and task publication are the Tao Lords, Tianyi and Azure Dragon. If these two functions were rashly activated, it would be tantamount to encroaching on the authority of these two organizational leaders. The outcome is unpredictable. True, Zhou Heng could activate these permissions covertly, secretly taking a cut of the profits. But if he had just become an official member and the mechanism of the Zhou Tian Star Chart changed, it wouldnt take much thought to figure out that it was most likely related to him. To go unnoticed would be nearly impossible. I should still wait until I have secured my position in the organization and have a clear understanding of Azure Dragons and Tianyis attitudes before considering whether to activate these two permissions or just one of them. Zhou Heng had made up his mind. The last two permissions were of great significance and had to be handled carefully. At the very least, he would wait until after the upcoming monthly meeting in eighteen days to see. Additionally, attending the tri-monthly meeting was also a privilege of being an official member. However, I could try activating the first permission. It wont have much impact on the overall situation of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, yet it could be quite useful. It would also respond to the expectations of the seniors outside who are looking forward to my role as Star Master, and it would help me stabilize my position. Ultimately, Zhou Heng decided that after leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace, he would reveal to The Supreme, Tianyi, and the Five Emperors within the Inner Circle some information about the Smooth Star Road. Of course, he wouldnt mention the commission part. What?! We can travel in reverse to the outer world! Theres actually new progress! This is too good, its so much more convenient than before! Upon hearing Zhou Hengs description, The Supreme, Tianyi, and the Five Emperors within the Inner Circle were all very excited. As veterans of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, they understood too well the significance of this feature. It meant that the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer could now truly achieve short-term transportation throughout the entire territory of Da Qi, even those with lower cultivation realms could do so. In this way, it would be possible to eliminate disobedient evil creatures more effectively. This was a feature the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had longed for The essence of the Zhou Tian Star Chart is incredibly high. Even with just a third of it incomplete, it suffices to cover the entirety of Da Qi. This can be seen from its ability to distribute task information regardless of distance. And the essence of the Purple Tenuity Palace is only higher, not lower, than that of the Zhou Tian Star Chart. Theoretically, one should indeed be able to enter the Purple Tenuity Palace from anywhere in this world, as well as travel from the Purple Tenuity Palace to any location in this world. However, because the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers control over the Purple Tenuity Palace is insufficient and their understanding is also not enough, they have never been able to achieve this, and could only establish entrances at some specific places for ease of entry and exit. As for departing from within the Purple Tenuity Palace to the outside world, its even more difficult. One needs to reach the cultivation realm of the Sect Fifth Rank in order to descend through some previously prepared spiritual guides. And now, as long as this function is enabled, all these difficulties will no longer exist. The only problem is that it will consume merit. Wait, consume merit? The Supreme, Heavenly Morality, and the three members of the inner seat of Five Emperors are all very sensitive to merit. Thinking of this, they all turned to look at Zhou Heng in unison. That is, Star Master, how is this merit consumption calculated? Is there a specific amount? asked the main seat of the Five Emperors proactively. Yes, this is very important. The Supreme nodded. Many people dont have that much merit, explained Heavenly Morality. Actually, I am not very clear on this either. How about we try it out after enabling this function privilege? Zhou Heng pretended to be somewhat hesitant and said, If the seniors think theres no issue, then I will enable this privilege. Absolutely no problem. This is a great benefit to the entire organization. We two old fellows can still make decisions on this matter. You just need to be at ease. Lets give it a try and see how much merit it consumes. The trio exchanged words, all of them looking forward to Zhou Heng with anticipation. They truly wished to see Zhou Tian Boundary Officer prosper and make it easier to eliminate ghosts and vanquish evil. Alright. Zhou Heng nodded and immediately, with a thought, he activated the newly acquired privilege. Smooth Star Road. BOOM!! A deafening roar erupted as if the whole world was trembling. The Star River that encircled the mountains of the Purple Tenuity Palace suddenly surged, setting off towering waves. Countless stars were flung into the sky and ultimately converged into a road paved with starlight, spanning the void between the purple qi cloud platform at the entrance and the mountains of the Purple Tenuity Palace, resting upon the grand Star River, becoming a bridge of starlight. On this bridge made of starlight, phantom images appeared, totaling one hundred and twenty-eight, concealed among patches of starlight. It represented the entrances to the Purple Tenuity Palace world pathways that Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had constructed across Da Qi over the past three thousand years. By stepping onto this bridge of starlight, you may sense all the entrance pathways, and then use these passages to travel to the corresponding places, Zhou Heng explained, then he was the first to step onto the bridge of starlight. After sensing the condition of each pathway, he gained a certain level of understanding about how much merit was consumed by different distances, and then he stepped back. Within one state, its basically a hundred merits, and if its crossing states, it will require between two hundred to two thousand merits, depending on the distance, Zhou Heng explained the situation. Hiss! Upon hearing this, The Supreme, Heavenly Morality, and the main seat of the Five Emperors couldnt help but gasp sharply, utterly taken aback. Thats too expensive. The lowest is actually a hundred merits. Cant afford it, really cant afford it! They all shook their heads again and again. Being extremely sensitive to merit, they all started shaking their heads as soon as they heard the cost. Having the ability here is better than not having it at all, Zhou Heng laughed. Actually, this outcome suited him well. It was convenient for him and did not cause too much disruption to the existing situation of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Just perfect. Yes, having it is better than not, and it can be used for emergencies, The Supreme nodded in agreement, showing approval for Zhou Hengs view, and smiled. The Celestial Order and the Five Emperors also nodded in agreement. Although the cost was quite high, the value was undoubtedly immense. At the same time, they placed even greater importance on Zhou Heng in their hearts. Looking forward to more changes in the future. This was hope! Whats next for you? the inner seat of the Five Emperors smiled and asked. I will go and thoroughly eradicate the residual marks of the Evil God, Zhou Heng smiled and said, This function has come just in time, making it convenient for me to kill experts from the Plague Emperor Sect in different places. Youre going to use this Bridge of Starlight to descend over long distances? The inner seat of the Five Emperors was surprised and then laughed softly, saying, It must be nice to have money. At his level, earning merits was already quite difficult; each task was extremely dangerous, and the evil spirits and Ghost Immortals capable of providing a large amount of merits were also very strong. Making money is hard indeed. Xuanzhou, Fengyu Town. There was a famous brothel far and wide here, named Su Xiang Garden. Jia He was a regular client of this brothel. Looking to be in his thirties, Jia He was strong and wealthy, making him a major patron for the girls of Su Xiang Garden. Therefore, every time he came, a group of girls would flock to him, waiting for his favor. On the surface, Jia He was a businessman who dealt in medicinal herbs, but in reality, he was a True Disciple of the Plague Emperor Sect. He was a personal disciple of a Secret Six Rank Innate expert. Not even forty years old yet, he had already reached the peak of the Seventh Rank, making him a key member of the younger generation of the Plague Emperor Sect. In the elegant private room on the top floor of Su Xiang Garden. Jia He was enjoying the service of seven scantily clad beautiful young girls, his face showing a look of intoxication, but his servant standing by the side looked panicked. The servant appeared to be in his twenties, warily observing the surroundings, and finally couldnt help but lean over and whisper, Master Jia, why dont we stay at home for a while? Now that Zhou Heng is hunting down evil cultivators all over the place, especially those of our path, although youre not afraid of him, its better to avoid trouble, dont you think? Smack! Jia He, however, slapped the servant across the face and slurred, Shut your damn mouth. That Zhou Heng was still over a million miles away in the northwest Sui State just a few days ago. How could he possibly get here to Xuanzhou in the central region so quickly? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Youre scared shitless by that little bastard. Dont worry, theres no way Zhou Heng would come to Fengyu Town to kill me. Even if he did, I could easily take him down! Heh, Ah Xiang, come here, give me a kiss, heh heh Bang! Just at that moment, the door to the private room was suddenly kicked open, and a young man clad in a Taoist robe and carrying a Purple Thunder Sword strode in. The young man grinned. Jia He, you said you could kill me? Chapter 217 - Chapter 217: Chapter 217: The Son of God Chapter 217: Chapter 217: The Son of God ` As the Purple Thunder Sword flashed with lightning, blood splattered across the Fragrant Garden. Jia Hes head fell to the ground, and Zhou Heng felt a few more parts of his heart lighten. After becoming an official member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, he had been able to check for the remnants of the Evil Spirit Mark on his own. This was not the first time he had beheaded a peak seventh-rank expert from the Plague Emperor Sect. After killing Jia He, the Evil Spirit Mark had completely disappeared. Zhou Heng paid no attention to the panicking courtesans; holding the bloodless Purple Thunder Sword, he walked out of the Fragrant Garden. He had just reached the entrance. When he encountered someonea familiar face. Wang Xiuye. Brother Zhou, what brings you here? Wang Xiuye, upon seeing Zhou Heng, expressed surprise, Did you also come to kill Jia He? Jia Hes head has already hit the floor, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, But Brother Wang has arrived just a step too late, he died by my hand. I didnt expect Brother Zhou to be hunting members of the evil path all the way to Xuanzhou, Wang Xiuye remarked with a mix of admiration and guilt, Im sorry about the Loose Immortal incident last time; I wasnt able to persuade my familys elders to help. The incident with Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, had occurred more than two months ago, and he was now aware of what had transpired afterwards. The Chu Qingchuan from the Shenxiao Sect, who was deemed dead alongside him, had convinced his own familys elders upon returning to his sect to lend their support against the Loose Immortal. Whereas upon his return to his clan, he couldnt sway his familys elders, which was not his fault, but he still felt a strong sense of guilt when compared to Chu Qingchuans success. Sorry? Theres no need for that, Zhou Heng waved his hand and said with a smile, Whats done is done. Because he knew that Wang Xiuyes elders had indeed helped, as the Zodiac Officer of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers was actually Wang Xiuyes father, Wang Xueyuan. That wont do, now that youre in Xuanzhou, its only right for me to offer hospitality and make amends to you, Wang Xiuye said with a smile. He still wanted to take the opportunity to strengthen his relationship with Zhou Heng. And indeed, he truly admired what Zhou Heng had done in the past few months; after all, there were very few who dared to provoke the evildoers of the world as he did. Zhou Heng, seeing Wang Xiuyes enthusiasm and having no other matters to attend to, nodded with a smile, Then I shall graciously accept your offer. Wang Xiuye immediately responded with a laugh, Hahaha, Brother Zhou, youre too polite. The Wang Familys main house was located in Xuanzhou County City, at a not-so-close distance from Fengyu Town. Over a thousand li. However, after Zhou Hengs red horse consumed the Linju Pill, even without the lotus gear, it could travel three thousand li in a day; while Wang Xiuyes horse was a little slower, it could still travel two thousand li a day. As such, the two of them arrived at Xuanzhou County City in less than a days time. It must be said that this was indeed the most prosperous county city Zhou Heng had ever seen. Xuanzhou City was located in the central part of Da Qi, only separated from the core region of Zhongzhou by two states, making it one of the most thriving county cities in the central area, with industries mainly focused on gemstones and medicinal materials. Neither Fangzhou nor Sui State could compare to it. Brother Zhou, our Xuanzhou City isnt too shabby, right? Wang Xiuye, leading his horse, walked side by side with Zhou Heng on the streets of Xuanzhou County City, feeling quite proud. ` Because, his father, Wang Xueyuan, was not only the eldest member of the Wang Familys collateral branch but also the steward of the County Citys yamen in Xuanzhou, overseeing the planning of the entire County Citys civil residences and marketplaces. In other words, the current prosperity and orderly development of Xuanzhou City were inseparable from the efforts of Wang Xueyuan, the steward of the city. Indeed, its a very prosperous county city, Zhou Heng gently nodded, his gaze sweeping over the shops on both sides of the street, and he couldnt help but smile, Many of these shops belong to our Pure Yang Palace. Exactly, Wang Xiuye nodded and laughed, The Pure Yang Palaces businesses in the mortal realm are mainly focused on gemstones, jewelry, and medicinal materials. These happen to be the most flourishing industries in Xuanzhou City, so naturally, there are many shops belonging to the Pure Yang Palace. Now we are in the most bustling marketplace of Xuanzhou City, Yuzhi Street, where the Pure Yang Palaces properties could almost be said to be every three steps a shop, and every five steps a stall, occupying a significant market share. Moreover, since my father put a lot of effort into the establishment of these shops, and after they were built and opened, he also assisted in managing them with all his might, there is a bit of a dividend. For this, we must thank your Sect for its generosity. Haha, no wonder Brother Wang is so eager to be on good terms with me, Zhou Heng laughed, pointing out Wang Xiuyes thoughts. Brother Zhou, you shouldnt have said it out loud, haha, Wang Xiuye didnt feel embarrassed, as they had already discussed this on the road before, and they had opened up about it. After all, the two of them could be considered friends who had been through near-death experiences together, and such trivial matters wouldnt cause any resentment. Deliberately currying favor with someone usually starts with a purpose. This is normal. If Wang Xiuye truly only wanted to befriend him purely out of admiration and respect for him, then Zhou Heng would be very cautious, and might even keep his distance. Third Young Master, Third Young Master! Just then, a youth dressed as a young servant in blue clothes and a blue hat ran over from afar, waving his hand as he ran. Xiao Tang, whats the matter? Wang Xiuye frowned slightly; the blue-clothed servant was his attendant. Something has happened at home, please come back first, Xiao Tang said breathlessly, glancing at Zhou Heng beside him and then lowering his voice to Wang Xiuye, The eldest house of the main branch, and the old master, are all waiting for you to return. The old master he referred to was Wang Xiuyes father, Wang Xueyuan, the eldest member of the Wang Familys collateral branch in Xuanzhou. Alright, Wang Xiuye nodded, then said to Zhou Heng, Brother Zhou, sorry, but well have to speed up our walk. Ill take you for a good tour of Xuanzhou City another day. Sure, Zhou Heng gently nodded, he wasnt in a hurry anyway, but he was a bit curious about what exactly had happened at the Wang Family. This Xiao Tang hesitated upon hearing this, lowered his voice, and said to Wang Xiuye, Third Young Master, this isnt good, right? Its a matter of our Wang Family, having an outsider Xiao Tang! Wang Xiuye rebuked sharply, interrupting the servants words, his eyes narrowed as he spoke sternly, Who gave you the courage to speak to me like that? In his memory, Xiao Tang had always been submissive and wouldnt dare to say a word against him, but today, Xiao Tangs attitude was vastly different from usual. There was a problem. Third Young Master, I, Im only considering whats best for you, Xiao Tang said with a look of grievance, You dont know the current situation; youre part of the collateral line, this Lead the way! Wang Xiuyes expression suddenly turned dark as he glared at Xiao Tang, then smiled at Zhou Heng, Brother Zhou, please dont mind what this servant said, come with me. The identity of a member of the collateral branch was a thorn in his side. Not because he loathed his collateral lineage blood or held any resentment against his parents. But because in families like the Wang Clan, who considered lineage orthodoxy extremely important, he had to work a thousand times harder than the main branchs direct descendants to receive somewhat equal treatment from the family. Even though he had gained fame at a young age, approaching the top ten of the human ranks, and was the most outstanding among the young generation of the Wang Clan in Xuanzhou. Yet in reality, his treatment within the family still fell short of the direct descendants of the main branch, even though some of those descendants werent even close to the top thirty of the human ranks. This injustice became a thorn in his heart. Zhou Heng nodded and followed, but his curiosity was increasingly piqued. What exactly had happened to the Wang Family that even a mere servant dared to cross Wang Xiuye? Could it be that Wang Xiuyes prominence has grown too great, overshadowing the legitimate lineage and he is about to be suppressed? Zhou Heng wondered to himself, aware this was not an impossibility. Clans are different from sects. Its not necessarily about the survival of the fittest. In the families of the great lineage, the division between legitimate and illegitimate branches is the eternal theme. The sovereignty of the legitimate line and the authority of the main line cannot be challenged. Illegitimate and collateral branches should never even dream of overstepping their bounds. Moreover, being in the top twenty of the human rankings, although also considered talented, does not necessarily mean one is exceptional; whether they can reach the Secret Six Rank in the end is still unknown. For the Wang Clan of Xuanzhou, which has a nearly four thousand-year legacy, having one more or one less such genius isnt particularly important. Now that Wang Xiuyes fame has risen, surpassing the young generation of the main line. Its indeed possible that he will be suppressed. Xiao Tang was leading the way in front. Zhou Heng and Wang Xiuye were walking behind, each leading a horse, neither of them speaking. But Zhou Heng was using his keen perception to listen to the discussions of the people on the street, trying to pick up some clues about the Wang Familys troubles. Hey, did you see that earlier? A young master with quite the entourage went to the Wang Familys mansion. I saw it, I saw it, that young master was really handsome, and his presence was truly grand, with sixteen people carrying a Golden Palanquin, shining under the suntsk tsk, so dazzling, just like the sun falling down. What, sixteen people carrying a palanquin? I didnt notice, I was too busy looking at all those beautiful maids following him, at least thirty of them, Im so jealous. Jealous of what? Do you also want thirty-plus maids? Youre going to drive your mother mad. Get on your knees and wash the clothes when you get home! Youre out of your mind! II didnt mean that, dont talk nonsense! Stopstop it! This conversation between a young couple, filled with playful banter and jest, still revealed some rather useful information. Sixteen people carrying a palanquin. More than thirty maids in attendance. Such a grand spectacle indeed, who could it be? Zhou Heng frowned in contemplation but eventually gave up, as he did not recall knowing such an ostentatious character. However, the description of like the sun falling down made him think of a sect, one of the top ten of the Great Sects of Da Qi, with a long history said to date back to the Mythical Era. The Solar Divine Palace! This sect actually began to rise to prominence during the Middle Ancient Age of Saints, yet they claimed heritage from a celestial being who resided within the sun during the Mythical Era, a history that predates even the Pure Yang Palace. During the chaotic battles of the Nine Saints in the Middle Ancient Era, a Tao Lord from the Solar Divine Palace even had a great dispute over the Dao with a Tao Lord from the Pure Yang Palace. If it really is the Solar Divine Palace, that would be quite interesting, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as the most outstanding young disciple of the modern Solar Divine Palace was in the top ten of the human rankings. Gu Xiao. Known as the Son of God. Ranked sixth on the human list. The Wang Family estate was located in the central southern district of Xuanzhou City. This was a huge garden that covered more than five thousand acres, extremely luxurious and endlessly complex, with many secret runes and prohibitions laid out in the dark, capable of forming a world-shocking great formation at any moment. Of course, this was only a part of the Wang Familys earthly possessions, with even more inside the Celestial Cave Sky. However, the younger generation that still walked the earth, as well as a few Celestials living in the mundane world, mostly resided within this enormous garden. At this moment, inside the reception hall of the Wang Family estate, Wang Liangcheng from the main line of descendants sat on a chair carved from golden-threaded nanmu wood. The main line of descendants did not mean the Family Head, but rather a position that dealt with various affairs, roughly equivalent to someone who assisted the Family Head with tasks. Wang Liangchengs cultivation wasnt particularly high either, at the peak of Secret Six Rank. Across a tea table, the person seated was a handsome young man with extraordinary features, as if sculpted by the divine craftsmanship of ghosts and gods. This young man appeared to be in his twenties, with a somewhat haughty expression, wearing a set of golden robes with a red sun embroidered on each shoulder, each containing a three-legged crow. He was none other than the true disciple of the Solar Divine Palace, the sixth on the human list, known as the Son of the God, Gu Xiao. Wang Xueyuan from a collateral branch of the family was also present, but he was there to make the tea. Thats how it is in great families; when the main branchs descendants receive guests, if relatives from the collateral lines are present, they should be serving tea and water, attending to the needs of others. Thats the rule. The longer a familys lineage, the more they value these rules. The terms offered by Young Master Gu are indeed very good, but Yu Zhi Street has been painstakingly planned and managed by my brother over the years, Wang Liangcheng pretended to be troubled and sighed, Moreover, there are quite a few shops owned by the Pure Yang Palace on that street, which complicates matters. Wang Xueyuan listened quietly by the side, remaining silent. Dont get it wrong, Wang Eldest, Gu Xiao chuckled lightly, glancing at Wang Liangcheng, If it werent for those Pure Yang Palace shops there, I wouldnt have any interest in that so-called Yu Zhi Street. We all understand that, as you are a true disciple of the Solar Divine Palace, heh heh, Wang Liangcheng also laughed, saying, But this matter is indeed difficult to handle. I know what you want to say; Ill just raise my offer a bit more, Gu Xiao said indifferently, I am set on getting that Yu Zhi Street. Great, Young Master Gu, youre straightforward! Wang Liangcheng smiled. Eldest brother, Wang Xueyuan suddenly spoke up, Those shops on Yu Zhi Street are the only livelihood for many families. If Yu Zhi Street is gone, how will they live? They can just find other trades to do, cant they? Its not like theyll starve without the Pure Yang Palaces businesses, Gu Xiao glanced at Wang Xueyuan, then smiled at Wang Liangcheng, Eldest Branch, doesnt your Wang Family distinguish between legitimate and collateral lines? Xueyuan, did I allow you to interrupt just now? Wang Liangcheng scolded in a low voice, Dont talk nonsense if theres no need. The matter of Yu Zhi Street cant be decided for now, Wang Xueyuan still shook his head, saying, Lets wait until Xiuye comes back. He has also contributed to the planning and construction of Yu Zhi Street; we should ask for his opinion. Hahaha! Gu Xiao burst into laughter, How interesting! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You! Wang Liangcheng was outraged but forcibly suppressed his anger. He did not want to lose his composure in front of an outsider, as it would tarnish his dignity. Just at that moment, a young servant hurriedly ran in. Great Elder, the Third Young Master is back, Xiuye, the Third Young Master is back. This wasnt the servant named Tang, but another one on duty, specifically for running errands and delivering messages. So hes back, whats there to report about? Wang Liangcheng glared, immediately frightening the young servant. But, but the servant stammered in fear, whispering, The one who came with the Third Young Master is also a true disciple from the Pure Yang Palace, named Zhou Heng. Chapter 218 - Chapter 218: Chapter 218 Differences Between Legitimate and Illegitimate Offspring Chapter 218: Chapter 218 Differences Between Legitimate and Illegitimate Offspring A True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, Zhou Heng? Gu Xiaos eyes lit up, and a look of delight emerged on his chiseled, handsome face as he laughed and said, Ha, good, very good! I had long heard of his renown. I didnt expect him to show up so soon. However, he did not rise from his seat, remaining seated there, his gaze turning to Wang Liangcheng, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, Family Head of the main branch, since he is a junior uncle from Pure Yang Palace, it is only right to let him come in. Pure Yang Palaces Zhou Heng! Wang Liangchengs complexion changed slightly. As the patriarch of the direct line of the Wang Clan in Xuanzhou, he was, of course, well aware of the disputes between the Solar Divine Palace and Pure Yang Palace. Why had someone from Pure Yang Palace suddenly arrived? Could it be that they had heard some rumors? But those businesses and properties on Yuzhi Street were insignificant even to the likes of a hares fur for Pure Yang Palace. Why would they send someone all this way? And that young man, Wang Xiuye, why would he return with Zhou Heng? What exactly was going on? His mind was suddenly filled with many doubts. Now, hearing Gu Xiaos words and after a brief contemplation, he nodded to the servant, Alright, go call both of them over. He is, after all, the sixth generation True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, a junior uncle to many disciples of the seventh generation; it would be improper to neglect him. Yes. The servant quickly took leave and hurried outside. A short while later. Zhou Heng and Wang Xiuye arrived at the hall for receiving guests, and the first person they saw was Wang Xueyuan standing to the side. This old timer was good at staying out of sight; a Fourth Rank Absolute Grandmaster, and yet there he was making tea on the side. Then, Zhou Hengs gaze shifted to Gu Xiao seated in the chair. He had already known who the Divine Child of the Solar Divine Palace was from the discussions on the street before he came here. Zhou Heng sized him up. This Gu Xiao was indeed extraordinary in bearing; he must possess some real skills. Wang Xiuyes brows were tightly furrowed as he approached Wang Xueyuans side in the hall and said, Father, whats going on? I heard from Little Tang that the main branch intends to sell off Yuzhi Street and clear out all of its businesses? That is indeed elder brothers intention. Wang Xueyuan nodded. Great-uncle! Wang Xiuye turned to Wang Liangcheng and said, Great-uncle, there are one thousand seven hundred twenty-five businesses on Yuzhi Street, sustaining over a hundred thousand people in Xuanzhou County City. If we take into account the other ancillary industries, this is a matter that affects hundreds of thousands of people. You cant do this; it will lead to chaos. Are you teaching me how to do business? Wang Liangchengs gaze turned indifferent as he stared at Wang Xiuye, his voice deep, Xiuye, over the years the family has shown you and your father considerable favor, even emboldening you to the point where you dare to correct me? Xiuye wouldnt dare. Wang Xiuye shook his head, his face troubled, But, Yuzhi Street is truly No need to speak further. Wang Liangcheng cut off Wang Xiuyes words directly and said to Wang Xueyuan, Take Xiuye away. You two dont need to concern yourselves with the matter of Yuzhi Street. Haha, good, thats more like it. Gu Xiao laughed, Thats the authority befitting the Family Head of the main branch of the direct line. Otherwise, I wouldve thought that the illustrious four-thousand-year Wang Clan could no longer distinguish between the legitimate and the collateral lines. Wang Xiuye was immediately infuriated, his face turning an iron shade of blue. He was about to speak when Zhou Heng placed a hand on his shoulder. Why are you meddling in the Wang Familys affairs? Zhou Heng stepped forward with a light chuckle, Could it be that you also bear the Wang surname? Zhou Heng, spare me your clever words. Remaining firmly seated, Gu Xiaos mouth curled up slightly, Ive already settled my business with Family Head Wang. What words could you possibly have to say? Young Master Gu, please, dont be upset, dont be upset. Wang Liangcheng hurried over to smooth things over, then turned to Zhou Heng, Taoist Zhou, please take a seat, please sit. This head of the Wang Familys main branch treated Zhou Heng with a warmth entirely different from how he had addressed Wang Xiuye just moments before, inviting him to sit down. Theres no need for me to sit. Zhou Heng gestured with his hand and said solemnly, Family Head Wang, Id like to understand exactly whats going on with the matter of Yuzhi Street being sold to the Solar Divine Palace. Oh haha. Wang Liangcheng heard this and chuckled dryly. His glance toward Wang Xiuye was icy, then he turned to face Zhou Heng and immediately switched to a pleasant demeanor, saying with forced brightness, Indeed, thats happening. I was just negotiating this deal with Young Master Gu. However, Taoist, rest assured that although Yuzhi Street will be sold, the Pure Yang Palaces interests will suffer no losses. As for those merchants, we will also make proper arrangements, provide them with new locations to establish new shops, and re-establish their business routes. You need not worry about them. His tone had completely transformed, offering concessions on issues he had previously refused to budge on when facing Wang Xiuye and Wang Xueyuan. This left Wang Xiuye momentarily stunned, even doubting whether he had heard correctly. Just, just like that, agreed? So simple? Initially, his reluctance to sell Yuzhi Street was simply due to concern for the livelihood of those merchants, but now that Wang Liangcheng had promised to address this issue, what reason did he have to object? However, Wang Xiuye had not expected that the matter he and his father had so earnestly failed to resolve would be so easily agreed upon by Zhou Heng with just a few words, causing Wang Liangcheng to relent. Zhou Heng, you should be satisfied now, Gu Xiao stood up and said with a light laugh, Wang Liangcheng is right; although I bought Yuzhi Street, I promise not to let those shops suffer any loss and will even find them newer and better locations to set up new shops. If youre still not satisfied, I can even dig into my own pockets and give those shops some resettlement fees, or if there are any other conditions, feel free to bring them up. Would that not lead to rumors spreading through the martial world in a few days, saying the Divine Son of the Solar Divine Palace came to Xuanzhou County City and with just a command, all of Pure Yang Palaces properties stepped aside and relocated? Zhou Heng laughed, asking, Is it so or is it not? Pure Yang Palace, with such a vast sect and long heritage, dating back to the mythical era, still afraid of a bit of gossip? Gu Xiao shook his head and replied, Zhou Heng, you are overthinking it. Its best to nip rumors like this in the bud as early as possible, Zhou Heng, lifting a finger and giving it a light shake, added, especially those rumors that are deliberately created. So youre dead set on opposing me? Gu Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly, then chuckled softly and waved his hand dismissively, Never mind, I wont buy it then. Whats the point of being at odds with a kid who hasnt even made it to the top ten of the rankings? Wang Liangcheng, I take my leave. With that, he strode out of the Wang Familys reception hall, got back into his Golden Palanquin carried by sixteen people, with thirty-two maids carrying flowers following, and left the Wang Family estate. Throughout it all, he never took Zhou Heng seriously. So arrogant, way too arrogant, that guy! Watching Gu Xiao leave, Wang Xiuye trembled with rage, gritting his teeth, Whats he acting so high and mighty for, as if Zhou Heng couldnt just kill him with a slap! Wang Xiuye, if you keep talking nonsense, Ill enforce family discipline and be the end of you myself! Wang Liangcheng roared in a low voice, Do you know what? Do you realize what youve done? You, get out! Get out! Wang Xueyuan, take your son and get out! Uncle Wang Xiuye was astonished. He couldnt understand why Wang Liangcheng was so enraged. Even if negotiations with the Solar Divine Palace had failed, wasnt Zhou Heng of Pure Yang Palace still there? And compared to just a True Disciple like Gu Xiao, Zhou Hengs status as a sixth-generation True Disciple was clearly more prestigious. Why such fury? Get out! Wang Liangcheng roared again at Wang Xiuye then turned to Zhou Heng with an apologetic smile, Im sorry, Taoist Zhou, for making you witness this farce. Its really inconvenient today; please return. Another day, I will definitely host you and apologize. If thats the case, then I shall take my leave, Zhou Heng said with a smile, As for the hosting, theres no need. I wont be staying in Xuanzhou County City for too long. Having said that, he too left the reception hall and the Wang Family estate. Wang Xueyuan and Wang Xiuye also left. They invited Zhou Heng to stay with them, offering accommodations in a residence affiliated with a branch of the Wang Family. The grand reception hall was now left with only Wang Liangcheng. This Secret Sixth Rank Innate master was panting with rage, clenching his teeth as he said in a low voice, That side branch of the family, they have some tactics indeed! The residence affiliated with a branch of the Wang Family. Nighttime. The main house. With a puzzled expression, Wang Xiuye asked, Father, whats going on? The family could have easily got on well with Zhou Heng; why go out of our way to fawn over that Gu Xiao? Heh, Xiuye, youre mistaken, Wang Xueyuan shook his head, Its not that the family could have got on well with Zhou Heng, but rather our side branch could have. Wang Xiuye fell into a hushed silence upon hearing this, and it took him quite some time before he finally said, Are those born from the collateral branches not considered part of the Wang Family? They are, of course they are, but were not part of the main lineages direct descendants, Wang Xueyuan took a sip of tea and laughed, saying, Havent you realized it yet? In the eyes of the main lineage, there is a difference between the legitimate and the collateral. Because of the distinction between legitimate and collateral, your friendship with Zhou Heng and establishing good relations with the Pure Yang Palace will not be recognized as contributing to the family. Theyll only think youre trying to use the power of the Pure Yang Palace to compete with the main lineage, or even want to replace the main lineage. I, I didnt think that way, Wang Xiuye quickly shook his head. No, you must think that way, Wang Xueyuan suddenly spoke up and said, Under the leadership of such a main lineages direct descendants, the Wang Family has no hope, no future. Its bearable now with the old patriarch backing things up, but that might not be the case in the future. What, that the old patriarch Wang Xiuyes eyes widened in shock at these words, and then he realized something, saying incredulously, Father, you you want to replace the main lineage? The old patriarch they referred to was the current head of the Wang Family, a Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of Fourth Rank, who had already lived for over a thousand years and was nearing the end of his lifespan. Wang Liangcheng is fawning over the Solar Divine Palace because he wants their Sun Opening Thousand Longevity Pill to extend the old patriarchs life, Wang Xueyuan sneered, But he forgets that the four-thousand-year history of the Wang Family wasnt carried on by fawning over others. I, Im a bit confused, the expression on Wang Xiuyes face was a little bewildered as he asked doubtfully, Then father, what should we do now? You continue to stay by Zhou Hengs side and maintain your friendship with him, said Wang Xueyuan. As for the rest, play it by ear. But Father, youre only at the Secret Sixth Rank, Wang Xiuye still couldnt help but ask, With such cultivation, it might be hard to convince the masses. Even though the old patriarch is the only Absolute Fourth Rank in our family now, there are still several Sect Fifth Rank old uncles around. They will agree, Wang Xueyuan said with a smile, You dont have to worry about these, I will handle everything. Thisokay, Wang Xiuye nodded. Go and rest, said Wang Xueyuan, Tomorrow is the first day of the twelfth month, and the latest three rankings will be announced. Perhaps there will be quite a few things happening in the city tomorrow. Yes, Father, Wang Xiuye stood up to take his leave and returned to his room. A moment later. Star Master, you heard all that, didnt you? Wang Xueyuan suddenly spoke. creeeak. The back door of the room was pushed open, and Zhou Heng walked in, smiling, No wonder Elder Jiaoxu concealed his ambition for so many years, he already had plans. The roots of the Wang Family are rotten, the main lineages direct descendants are growing more conservative, and the old patriarch doesnt have many years left. What else can be done? Wang Xueyuan sighed and said, The Wang Family is in danger, I can only step forward. I can extend the old patriarchs life by fifty years, Zhou Heng suddenly said with a smile, Would the head of the Wang household accept this? Wang Xueyuan fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter, Hahaha, Lord Zhou, youve seen right through me, right through me indeed. Yes, I want to be the Family Head, to reverse the natural succession from legitimate to collateral. However, what I said just now isnt entirely false, youve seen the situation of the Wang Family. If I take over, the Wang Family still has a way out; if I dont, the Wang Family will certainly fall, and I cannot bear that. Indeed, Zhou Heng nodded, having no true regard for distinctions between legitimate and collateral offspring before saying, Head of the Wang household, I came to talk to you about something. Please speak, Wang Xueyuan gestured for him to continue. Tomorrow, I will be killing someone in the city, Zhou Heng said in a calm tone, as if discussing a matter-of-fact occurrence. Gu Xiao? Wang Xueyuan asked. Thats right, Zhou Heng nodded and said, In our bout, I dont want anyone to interfere. Alright, Wang Xueyuan said decisively, Ill make the arrangements. I thank you for that, Zhou Heng smiled, Ill transfer a hundred good deeds to you when we gather. Really? Wang Xueyuans eyes lit up as he asked, Will you be killing others too? I can make more arrangements. Haha, that wont be necessary, Zhou Heng stood up to take his leave and departed. The next morning. ` In the southern district of Xuanzhou City, within a five-courtyard compound. Gu Xiao was lying on a rocking chair, enjoying the service of over a dozen beautiful maids. Some were massaging his shoulders, others his feet, and some were kneading his legs or arranging his hair, while a few were peeling various fruits and delicately feeding them to him. In front stood a splendid stage upon which more than twenty beautiful maids, dressed in translucent gauze, swayed their graceful outlines and danced elegantly. At that moment, a middle-aged man, who appeared to be in his forties, materialized out of thin air and approached. Dressed in a grey robe and holding a duster in his hand, his aura was incredibly obscure, making it difficult to gauge his true cultivation realm, presenting an unfathomable impression. Young Master, are you truly giving up that Yuzhi Street? the middle-aged man came up and whispered, Its land managed by the Pure Yang Palace, and theres a chance for the Pure Yang spirit veins to condense there; it would be greatly beneficial for your cultivation of the Myriad Yang Thousand Scenery Great Technique. I know, I wont give up Yuzhi Street, you can rest assured, Uncle Quan, Gu Xiao sat up from his rocking chair and said with a smile, Right now, I just want to resolve one matter. Are you referring to Zhou Heng? Uncle Quan frowned, You cant touch him; his identity is no ordinary one. Im not planning to kill him, Gu Xiao shook his head and chuckled, I just want to humiliate him thoroughly. It would be quite fun to defeat the little uncle of Pure Yang Palace in public, wouldnt it? Uncle Quan, rest assured, this little brat Zhou Heng isnt worth my killing intent. After all, he hasnt even made it to the top ten people list, while I had already reached the sixth rank three years ago. During that great Tao conflict years ago, the Tao Lord from the Pure Yang Palace used despicable means to defeat my ancestor, causing both my family and the Solar Divine Palace to lose a Tao Lord, noa Divine First Rank! These days, Zhou Heng has achieved a good track record, and his fame is soaring, as bright as the noonday sun, with the identity of a great power reincarnation and even more so as the little uncle of Pure Yang Palace. Using him to tarnish the face of Pure Yang Palace is truly the best case scenario. Indeed, Uncle Quan nodded slightly and smiled, As long as you dont harm his life or his cultivation foundation, then its just Zhou Heng being inferior in skill, and the Pure Yang Palace cant complain about it. Thump thump thump! At this moment, footsteps sounded from outside; it turned out to be a servant boy who ran back, holding a piece of paper with ink that was not yet dry. Young Master, Young Master! I have copied the latest top ten rankings of the people list for you. The servant boy ran over, handing the paper to Gu Xiao with a sycophantic expression. Well done, Gu Xiao casually threw a silver ingot weighing five taels to the servant boy and looked at the copied list, huffing, Lets see if that bald donkey Cheng Zhi has any new achievements, its really irksome that hes been keeping me at sixth. But when he looked at it, his eyes suddenly bulged, and he stood up abruptly, his gaze fixated on the text of the list, his hands trembling slightly. Seventh, seventh?? Disbelief covered Gu Xiaos face, How is this possible, how could I be seventh? Ive always been sixth; who took my spot? Zhou, Zhou Heng? How is that possible, he wasnt even in the top ten on the previous people list! How did he suddenly jump to sixth, what gives him the right to be sixth? Gu Xiao couldnt believe it and continued reading. Name: Zhou Heng Age: Seventeen Realm: Seventh Rank Identity: Sixth generation true disciple of Pure Yang Palace, taken as a disciple by the generations Tao Lord, Yan Shouyi, undoubtedly a reincarnation of a great power Achievements: fresh into the Seventh Rank, he slew the half-crippled Ma Quan of the Secret Sixth Rank from the Plague Emperor Sect Targeted by a killing order jointly issued by four Evil Sects, he did not retreat but advanced, journeying alone from Fangzhou to Sui State, covering ninety thousand li, killing ninety-three Seventh Rank evil doers, annihilating sixteen Evil Sects slaying the Peak of the Seventh Rank expert Jia He from the Plague Emperor Sect killing the treant whose strength far surpassed that of Li Qingyao, who is close to the Secret Sixth Rank Li Qingyao, the seventh on the people list, once fought with Gu Xiao, who is sixth on the list, and was only slightly less skilled, hence Zhou Heng is ranked sixth. Title: Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, Evil Slaying Blade, Evil Suppressing Thunder Envoy Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Rank: Sixth Damn it! Gu Xiao cursed out loud, raising his hand and crushing the head of the servant boy, who was still admiring the silver ingot and thinking of buying new clothes for his mother, I dont believe it! I wont accept this! Come, I want to see this issue of the people list with my own eyes! ` Chapter 219 - Chapter 219: Chapter 219: The Red Sun Sets Over the Nine Heavens Chapter 219: Chapter 219: The Red Sun Sets Over the Nine Heavens The one they call Son of Heaven Gu Xiao lacked all grace. He was not even in the mood to ride in his Golden Palanquin and left the house alone, without bringing along maids or servants. Only his Uncle Quan flitted in a blur, vanishing into thin air, secretly following behind him. Unlike the Heaven, Earth, and Human rankings posted inside the grand taverns of the Prefectural City, County City had a special wall in front of the martial administration office for posting the latest Heaven, Earth, and Human rankings. Therefore, although the grand taverns of County City also displayed the Heaven, Earth, and Human rankings, those who wanted to know the latest rankings as quickly as possible still had to come outside the martial administration office to see the lists on this wall. Without stopping, Gu Xiao made a beeline for this place, casually pushing through the crowd to reach the very front. This action greatly displeased the onlookers. However, most of the crowd were just common folk. Seeing that Gu Xiao had an extraordinary bearing and was dressed in fine silk brocade, clearly no ordinary person, they could only suppress their dissatisfaction, curious to see what he intended to do, or whisper quietly among themselves. By this time, Gu Xiao had no mind to care about these commoners. His focus was entirely on the latest rankings of the Human List. His eyes scanned from top to bottom, passing over each name in turn. First: Sword Maniac Fang Wen, true transmission of Longevity Way Second: Tri-flowered Youth Chen An, true transmission of Qing Emperor Palace Third: Jade Heaven Immortal Cheng Jianjian, true transmission of Pure Yang Palace Fourth: Ocean Sword Immortal Cui Guanlan, direct lineage of the Fengzhou Cui Clan Fifth: Buddhas Fury Cheng Zhi, true transmission of Infinite Temple Sixth: Demon Slayer Blade Zhou Heng, true transmission of Pure Yang Palace Seventh: Son of Heaven Gu Xiao, true transmission of Solar Divine Palace Eighth: Heavenly Mountain White Dragon Lady Li Qingyao, true transmission of the Jade Pool Sect Ninth: Its true, its actually true. Staring at the list posted on the wall, Gu Xiao fell silent for a long while. From initial disbelief, he gradually began to feel a profound humiliation. Dammit, Ive actually been surpassed by Zhou Heng, Ive actually been surpassed again by a disciple of Pure Yang Palace. First, it was that Cheng Jianjian, and now this Zhou Heng! I dont believe it, Zhou Heng has never truly fought me, I dont believe he really has such strength. What makes him so strong that he surpassed Sixth Rank in just half a year? Just because he is the reincarnation of a powerful being? Just because he possesses the Pure Yang Body? No, no, since ancient times, even among the reincarnations of powerful beings, few have had more talent than me! He cannot possibly be stronger than me! As someone who was extremely proud, and would scarcely touch the ground when he walked, Gu Xiao had always felt that he deserved to be first on the Human List. But unfortunately, those ahead of him were simply too strong, and these past years he had only been able to maintain the sixth position. In his view, he should be invincible under the top five of the Human List. Without the top five, he thought he should be number one, the strongest under the age of thirty in the entire world. Such an invincible, proud individual, to be surpassed by a youngster who had not even made the top ten in the previous ranking of the Human List. And to stake out the sixth position on the Human List, no less! Another disciple of Pure Yang Palace, no less! The key point was, the day before, he had publicly ridiculed Zhou Heng for not being able to make it into the top ten of the Human List. Now, overnight, Zhou Heng had surpassed him. Gu Xiao found it utterly absurd. Well done, Zhou Heng. Well done, Human List Sixth. I really want to see just what abilities you possess! With a dark expression, Gu Xiao turned to walk out of the crowd, intending to find Zhou Heng. But as he turned, he caught sight of a familiar face. Zhou Heng! he called out in a low voice, walking up to him. His gaze was icy as he said, Demon Slayer Blade, Bane of Evil Master of Thunder, Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, what great imposingness, what a great reputation. Without even a comparison to me, youve taken the sixth place on the Human List, how remarkable! Zhou Heng and Wang Xiuye had come together to check the latest Human List rankings. Making it into the top ten was within his expectations, but he had not anticipated that the Martial Administration would directly promote him to sixth, surpassing the Son of Heaven Gu Xiao. Nor had he anticipated running into Gu Xiao here. The Son of Heaven actually came himself to check the Human List rankings. Where are your servants and maids? Zhou Heng chuckled lightly. Or is it that after seeing the copied rankings, you refused to believe them and ran here to see for yourself? Nonsense! Gu Xiao flatly denied, snorting coldly. I merely came to see the details written on the original list. As for the ranking, I never believed it anyway. Come on, lets see just how much you weigh, ranking sixth on the Human List. As he spoke, he had moved right in front of Zhou Heng. Looking down from above. Standing tall, this Son of Heaven was extremely tall, at least 2.2 meters if measured by modern Earth standards, towering over Zhou Heng by quite a bit. Gu Xiaos words stirred up excitement among the surrounding onlookers, who eagerly cleared a large space, eager to watch the confrontation between him and Zhou Heng. They whispered amongst themselves. This is Son of Heaven Gu Xiao and Demon Slayer Blade Zhou Heng about to fight! Fight, fight! Still, the Son of Heaven should be stronger than Demon Slayer Blade, right? The name alone feels different, no wonder Gu Xiao isnt convinced. Ive heard the storyteller say, Pure Yang Palace and Solar Divine Palace have been mortal enemies for ages; they never get along. I actually support Demon Slayer Blade Zhou Heng more. He wandered alone through Sui State and Fangzhou for ninety thousand li, slaying countless evil masters and saving who knows how many civilians. His merits are boundless. Zhou Heng and Gu Xiao have never truly battled each other, so the outcome is difficult to predict. The discussions never ceased. Though these people all lowered their voices, to Zhou Heng, Gu Xiao, and Wang Xiuye with their cultivation strength, even if the volume got lower, they could hear everything clearly. Are you challenging me to a showdown? Zhou Heng chuckled, glanced around at the crowd, and said to Gu Xiao, Arent you afraid of being killed by me right before everyones eyes? Just yesterday, you were mocking Zhou Heng for not being able to enter the top ten of the Human List, and now he has surpassed that, Wang Xiuye said with a chuckle. You should remember the words you said. Wheres this buzzing fly coming from? Gu Xiao didnt even glance at Wang Xiuye and focused intently on Zhou Heng. He said sternly, If you really can kill me, then do it. Im just afraid the one ending up dead will be you! Fine, I will kill you right now! Zhou Heng nodded in agreement, his hands subtly motioned, and his fingers immediately lit up with silver light, as if he were putting on a pair of bladed gloves. Instantly, he struck out with a palm toward Gu Xiao who was right in front of him. Clang! It was like the sound of a bell tolling burst forth from Zhou Hengs palm, as if within his strike lay a great golden bell. As the force of his palm erupted, the bell resounded, thunderous and deafening. Golden Light Three Forms! Ring Gold Palm! Well done! Gu Xiao laughed heartily, moving forward instead of back in the face of Zhou Hengs palm. His fist suddenly lit up with a red glow, bright as a flaming fire, and he slammed it fiercely towards Zhou Heng. This punch shone with a dense red light, akin to attacking Zhou Heng with a fireball. Moreover, the punch was accompanied by a blinding brightness, capable of affecting an opponents vision. The Secret Sixth Rank martial art of the Solar Divine Palace, Red Sun Nine Forms, the first stance. Red Sun Crossing the Sky. Boom! Clang!! Their punch and palm collided, with the golden and red lights reflecting each other, mingling together, neither yielding. Simultaneously, as these two immense forces collided, the surrounding air instantly turned into a vacuum, compressed and pushed out, forming powerful stormy waves that blew hundreds of feet away. The stone slabs beneath their feet crumbled and shattered on the spot, cracks spreading rapidly; in the blink of an eye, the ground tiles within a twelve-yard radius were all broken into debris. Below Zhou Heng and Gu Xiao, the stone pavement had been pulverized into powder, not even fragments remained, and even the ground beneath the stone slabs had sunk down, forming four concave pits. This was their first confrontation. Wang Xiuye, who was the closest to them, had been forced back six or seven yards by the shockwaves of the fight and could only watch from a distance. As for the ordinary people and common martial artists, they were all blown about awkwardly by the pressure waves, retreating more than a dozen yards away and no longer daring to watch from up close. Zhou Heng and Gu Xiao were simply too strong; even the natural sounds and forces that erupted during their attacks or the shockwaves produced from their collisions might inadvertently cause the death of ordinary people and common martial artists. In fact, that was exactly the situation for the audience at that moment. The remnants of the battle, the tolling of the bell, and the high temperatures were, in reality, something they couldnt withstand. Under normal circumstances, when Zhou Heng unleashed his palm strike, some people might have been deafened by the shock, while Gu Xiaos move could have blinded others. But such situations didnt occur. Because the moment Zhou Heng made his move, a gentle force appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the entire street. Furthermore, an invisible transparent film formed around each person, shielding them from the shock of the ringing and reducing the brightness of the red light. Thus, while people could still feel a thumping power in the ringing and saw the fists red light as very bright, it did not cause them any real harm. In addition, this protective film also provided a buffer, reducing the impact of the blast by tenfold so that bystanders would not be injured by the aftermath of the fight. Only in this way could they safely watch the battle between Zhou Heng and Gu Xiao. And this force that protected the spectators originated from above this block of streets. It was merely a faint azure silhouette, its true features unclear, but the aura it emitted had already reached the pinnacle of the Sect Fifth Rank. This was an incarnation of Wang Xueyuan. The favor that Zhou Heng had asked of him the night before also included preventing ordinary people from being harmed by the aftereffects. Zhou Heng! Bring out your full strength! Gu Xiao shouted fiercely, his whole body emitting a red glow, and even his hair seemed to lift slightly. Or is this all youve got? If thats the case, today you will surely die without a doubt! As he spoke, the air of divinity about this Son of God began to climb rapidly. Behind him, it seemed as if a fiery red sun was rising, with a three-legged crow flying within it. Bathed in the red sunlight, Gu Xiao suddenly appeared godlike, as if a deity from the Ancient Mythological Era had come forth, the Divine King who wielded the sun. Whoo-whoo-whoo! The sound of wind roaring filled the space between heaven and earth as vital energy was stirred, converging around Gu Xiao and instantly turning into a tremendously hot, fiery red flame that enveloped his entire body. His hair seemed to have turned fire-red as well. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At this moment, Gu Xiaos aura and might had increased by more than tenfold from before. He then abruptly lifted his left hand, formed a fist seal as if it were a sphere, and instantly gathered all the red light around him, condensing it together into a blazing red sun. Finally, with an incredibly ferocious punch that seemed as though it aimed to shatter the nine heavens, he smashed down at Zhou Heng! Take this move! Red Sun Falling Nine Heavens! Chapter 220 - Chapter 220: Chapter 220 The Great Sun Collides with the Heavenly Gate Chapter 220: Chapter 220 The Great Sun Collides with the Heavenly Gate ` Boom! Gu Xiaos punch unleashed layer upon layer of white waves of air, and beneath these waves trailed the tail flame of a sinking sun, bright and scorching, setting the trees more than ten yards away ablaze automatically. It was indeed as if a red sun was falling from the ninth heaven. Zhou Heng was completely enveloped by the bright red light, as if there was no escape, nowhere to hide. Everyone present was stunned by the scene, this powerful attack had exceeded the understanding of most people about a Seventh Rank Warrior. Such ability to invoke phenomena, dazzling brilliance, was clearly the power that only an Innate fighter of the Secret Six Rank could exhibit. Is this how powerful the top ten fighters in the ranking are? It was inconceivable. Faced with such an attack, how would Zhou Heng counter? This current sixth-ranked person on the list had annihilated many experts of the nefarious paths, he should not be an easy opponent, Gu Xiaos punch was just too strong, it was like the sun falling from the sky. Who could withstand such an attack? And how could it be dissolved? Or maybe, dodged? Everyone at the scene watched with unblinking eyes, concentrating to see how Zhou Heng would deal with this punch. But, by the time Gu Xiaos punch was about to hit Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng had shown no intention of blocking or dodging. He looked as if he had been scared stiff by the punch, standing there motionless. You think you can take my punch head-on? Do you think you are Cheng Zhi? Seeing Zhou Hengs reaction, Gu Xiao grew even angrier, his Inner Qi circulated faster, and the inner landscape on his back further materialized, the intense heat spreading rapidly. The red light on his fist also grew more powerful. The next instant, his palm had already landed on Zhou Heng, smashing down fiercely on his body. But there was no cry of pain, no sound of bones cracking. Dong! It was actually the sound of a bell ringing, even louder than the one Zhou Heng produced when he used the Ring Gold Palm, as if a large bell had struck right next to everyones ears, causing many of the people present to cover their ears. Whats going on? Although their ears were covered, everyones eyes were still open. After the initial shock, they looked closely, and were immediately dumbstruck. Gu Xiaos Red Sun Falling from the Ninth Heaven had indeed landed on Zhou Hengs shoulder, but it had caused no damage whatsoever. A layer of warm golden light had emerged on Zhou Hengs body. Golden Bell Cover! This layer of golden light formed the phantom image of a Golden Bell. After the Red Sun converged by Red Sun Falling from the Ninth Heaven collided with it, it immediately shattered into countless red sparks, scattering around and quickly vanishing. Completely ineffective! Zhou Heng had just taken The Divine Child Gu Xiaos attack without a single scratch. This was astounding. However, Gu Xiao was not flustered. A cold smile appeared on his face as he said, You think wrapping yourself in a turtle shell will let you defeat me? Wishful daydreaming! Saying this, he changed his technique, stepped forward to close in on Zhou Heng, suddenly crouched, and bent his right arm backward, switching to lead with his elbow and suddenly lunged forward. Hum! An immense force swept through the air, emitting a series of whistling sounds. This time, there were not many spectacles on Gu Xiaos elbow tip, even the heaven and earths vital energy was calm, without any disturbance. But within this elbow tip flowed a layer of golden brilliance, reminiscent of the most brilliant, most sacred sun of the legends, dazzling golden light, pure and blinding. ` Take another move from me, Great Sun Crashes Heavenly Gate! Gu Xiao bellowed sharply, his elbow striking out with the momentum of thunderous rapids, fiercely smashing towards Zhou Hengs neck. Clang! The blow once again struck the shimmering shadow of the Golden Bell Cover that enveloped Zhou Heng. Although it still hadnt pierced through the defense, it was no longer completely ineffective as before, now causing Zhou Hengs Golden Bell Cover to shake. And the move Great Sun Crashes Heavenly Gate was never just one move. Clang! Another strike! Gu Xiaos left elbow also came crashing down, employing the same Great Sun Crashes Heavenly Gate, swiftly followed by his right elbow striking again! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!! The sound of ringing bells exploded continuously as Gu Xiaos attacks grew faster and faster, the fighting spirit in his eyes intensifying. As he watched Zhou Heng standing there, relying purely on the protective aura of the Golden Bell to fend off his attacks, he thought of someone else. Cheng Zhi from Infinite Temple, the Wrath of Buddha. This monk was young, yet possessed an unparalleled physique. In the battle where Gu Xiao had been defeated by Cheng Zhi, Cheng Zhi had defended himself against his attacks in a similar manner. Cheng Zhi could only withstand sixty-seven of my Great Sun Crashes Heavenly Gate strikes. Now, I want to see how many you can handle! roared Gu Xiao internally, his speed of attack accelerating further. Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!! The bells cacophony grew louder and more rapid, trembling the bricks and tiles of the houses on both sides of the street, and the stone slabs laid upon the ground began to crack and overturn one by one. In the blink of an eye, the entire stretch of street over a hundred yards long had its stone slabs upturned, exposing the dirt underneath, with the trend still spreading outwards. Boom! Suddenly, a deafening roar was heard, and the ground even trembled a few times, causing the walls on both sides of the street to shake perilously, as if they might collapse at any moment. Golden light shattered and burst forth from Zhou Hengs form, making him seem like a dazzling, golden lotus flower in full bloom. Gu Xiao, both shocked and delighted, laughed loudly, Hahaha! Seventy-six times, youre even stronger than Cheng Zhi?! Then take this next Zing! The sound of sword ringing resonated, like a crane calling across the skies. A streak of azure Sword Qi burst forth from within the golden lotus, striking true and piercing through Gu Xiaos hair crown. This not only interrupted Gu Xiaos words but also left him tousle-haired and disheveled, a sight of utter discomfiture. Announcing every move as you do it, what kind of bad habit is that? Zhou Heng slowly emerged from the disintegrating golden light, yet in his hand there was no sword, just a single finger raised. The sword light that had appeared was none other than the Lesser Charge Sword, one of the Six Meridian Divine Sword techniques, graceful and swift, second to nonenot even thunder. Releasing Sword Qi with a finger, are you also affiliated with the Longevity Way? Gu Xiaos face turned ashen. With his hair crown knocked off, his disheveled appearance wasin his eyesa humiliation beyond measure. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Yet at that moment, he suddenly calmed down, brushing back his hair and looking at Zhou Heng with an astonishingly serene gaze as if suppressing all his emotions. Zhou Heng, you are quite interesting, truly quite interesting indeed! Gu Xiaos eyes suddenly widened, his smile intensifying, while simultaneously, his pupils turned golden, and radiant red clouds magically appeared around him, swirling and flowing with an exceptionally divine aura. Your aura is rising, your strength is increasing, your inner landscape is condensing, becoming stronger, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he discerned Gu Xiaos transformation, but his smile remained, as relaxed as ever. I hope you can still smile later! Gu Xiao sneered, Now, let me show you what Solar Divine Body is, what it means to be a Child of the Divine! Chapter 221 - Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Zhou Heng’s Despicable Shamelessness Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Zhou Hengs Despicable Shamelessness Solar Divine Body! This Divine Body only existed in the legends of the ancient mythological era, and it is said that those born with this Divine Body naturally interwove the rhythm of the Dao within their bloodlines, possessing supreme might. In the Middle Ancient period, there once appeared a Tao Lord with the Solar Divine Body who even had the power to fiercely confront a Divine First Rank Tao master. Although he was defeated, he was still able to preserve himself. Such a feat was already considered world-shocking and unconventional. There are even legends that the Solar Divine Body is actually the offspring of that immortal deity who sat within the sun during the Ancient Mythological Era and wielded great powers of the Dao, a true child of gods. The title of Child of Gods for Gu Xiao originated from this. However, under normal circumstances, Gu Xiao would not easily display the power of his Divine Body, since in the state of the Divine Body, his Inner Qi would rapidly deplete. With his current cultivation realm at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, he simply couldnt sustain it for a long duration. But at this moment, Gu Xiao was awakening the power of his Divine Body! His stature quickly grew taller, and soon he was approaching ten feet in height, becoming immensely huge. His pupils were also rapidly expanding, and as his height exceeded ten feet, his eyes turned golden. At the same time, the red glow that enwrapped him became thicker and thicker, as if forming a red torrent, emitting endless light and heat, and eventually, it even condensed into a sun radiating golden light that hovered behind his head. Now Gu Xiao, over ten feet tall, with a red sun and golden light behind his head, eyes of golden light, and his body also emitting a faint golden glow like crystal-clear glass, as hot as the great sun, invoked involuntary reverence, as if one were facing a deity. Divine Body! Is this the Divine Body? Unbelievable, just unbelievable! So powerful, incredibly powerful. Just by looking at Gu Xiaos present form, I feel like I can hardly breathe! The Solar Divine Body, this is the Solar Divine Body, he is the Son of Gods indeed! But is Zhou Heng really his match? Although Zhou Heng is ranked sixth on the martial artists list, ahead of Gu Xiao, theyve never actually fought, and victory or defeat remains uncertain. Its said that Zhou Heng also has the Pure Yang Body, but compared to the Solar Divine Body, its probably worlds apart. I wonder if Zhou Heng can still find a way to cope, he wouldnt become the shortest reigning sixth-ranked martial artist in history, would he? The crowd on site whispered amongst themselves. They generally werent very optimistic about Zhou Heng. After all, with Gu Xiao displaying the power of the Solar Divine Body, the impression he gave was just too shocking. Invincible, grand, radiantsuch auras could be felt on Gu Xiaos being. This made the onlookers, even with a single glance at him, think that he was an invincible Divine King, destined to dominate the mortal realm, unbeatable by anyone. Wang Xiuye, upon seeing Gu Xiaos form, was also astonished and intimidated by his spiritual presence. With just one glance, he felt as though his spirit was trembling, and he couldnt help but want to submit; he quickly circulated his Inner Strength to steady his spirit, only then regaining his composure. Gu Xiao at this time seemed like a child of immortal deities from an ancient mythological story, with the bloodline and power of a god. Zhou Heng! Gu Xiao suddenly roared, like a thunderbolt exploding, truly causing the walls of nearby buildings to shake, making it difficult for people to stand steady, swaying back and forth, and many even directly fell to the ground. At the same time, he transformed into a brilliance interwoven with gold and red, sweeping across and fiercely rushing towards Zhou Heng, as if teleporting to appear right in front of Zhou Heng. Once again! Elbows shining with golden light, he slammed down violently, as if the Great Sun was crashing into the Heavenly Gate! Take this move of mine again! Gu Xiao let out a long howl, his eyes wide open, overflowing with golden light, and the red sun suspended behind his head shone even brighter with intense, fiery brilliance. The reason he used this move again was that Zhou Heng had just mocked it, countering with a martial arts technique similar to releasing Sword Qi from his fingers, which knocked off Gu Xiaos hair crowna humiliation beyond compare. In Gu Xiaos view, only by using the Great Sun crashing into the Heavenly Gate to knock down Zhou Heng again could he truly avenge the previous disgrace. Boom! Roll! Roll! This time, as Gu Xiao dropped his elbow, the power was far greater than before. The void itself seemed to shriek, and the clouds in the sky scattered, allowing the sunlight to shine even more intensely. Bathing in such bright sunlight, Gu Xiaos momentum seemed to climb further, as if he was connected to the sun in the sky, becoming a proxy of the Solar Divine in the mortal realm, a Punisher! I want you to see how you can block this move! As Gu Xiaos palm was about to hit, it aimed perfectly at Zhou Hengs neck. Die! Gu Xiaos roar, like a heavy hammer, crashed into the hearts of Wang Xiuye and the others present, causing them to worry about their own futures. Now Zhou Heng was without the strong protective Golden Light he possessed earlier, while Gu Xiao had awakened the power within his body. With such a shift in power, could Zhou Heng truly withstand such an elbow strike? Wang Xiuye and the others present were deeply concerned for Zhou Hengs safety, and some had already closed their eyes, unwilling to witness the scene that would follow. After all, Gu Xiaos elbow strike was simply too powerful, more than ten times stronger than before! A Lower Third Rank martial artist simply couldnt block such an attack! They might not even have a chance to evade! Clang! Just at that moment, suddenly a bell chimed from Zhou Hengs body, identical to the previous ringing, but much louder. Yet it did not form a shockwave, nor did it spread outward. Whats going on? The crowd followed the bright red light coming from Gu Xiao and saw the Son of God bending his arm, elbowing towards Zhou Heng. But the elbow strike did not make contact. It was halted mid-air, unable to fall any further. My goodness, how is this possible? This cant be real, am I dreaming? Such a thing is actually happening! Everyone present couldnt help but cry out in surprise, gaping, their faces filled with disbelief, almost doubting whether they were experiencing a hallucination. Zhou Heng was actually supporting Gu Xiaos strike with just one finger, blocking the move of Great Sun crashing into the Heavenly Gate, a move that was more than ten times stronger than the one before. It was simply inconceivable. How is this possible, how can this be? Gu Xiao was the most shocked of all, his heart overwhelmed with astonishment. He could clearly feel an incredibly terrifying, immensely powerful force contained within that one finger of Zhou Heng. And this power was not from Inner Qi or some special martial arts technique; it was clearly Zhou Hengs own bodily strength. Could Zhou Hengs physical strength actually contend with a Divine Body?! Additionally, Gu Xiao had felt that Zhou Heng had seen through all the variations of his move, Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate, and had pointed exactly at the weakest spot of his strike. In an instant, he had neutralized seventy percent of the moves power. I dont believe you can neutralize every move, nor do I believe you have such a strong body that it can contend with a Divine Body! Gu Xiao roared fiercely, bending his left arm and smashing Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate towards Zhou Heng once again. Bang! With just a muffled sound, Zhou Heng had once again stopped the move with a single finger, his posture relaxed as if he were merely picking flowers, with a faint smile on his face. Flower Picking Finger! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!! Gu Xiaos attack came like a violent storm, and the elemental Qi of heaven and earth within a radius of over ten zhang was drawn and gathered, transformed into streams of red light and golden radiance, enhancing the strength of his attacks, doubling their power. However, no matter how much he strengthened his attacks, no matter how he changed the angles, none could truly harm Zhou Heng. The exquisitely brilliant finger technique, along with the terrifying bodily strength, filled him with dread and left him unable to achieve success. Is this the power of the Solar Divine Body? Zhou Heng laughed lightly while performing the Flower Picking Finger technique, and at the same time executing the Lingbo Weibu steps, he said, You surely dont really think that with this level of power, you can defeat me, do you? No way, no way, right? On the surface, he was fighting Gu Xiao, but in reality, he was leisurely listening to the reward notifications. Congratulations! You have successfully defended against Gu Xiaos Martial Art Red Sun Nine Forms: Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate [Secret Six Rank], proficiency +2. Congratulations! You have successfully defended against Gu Xiaos Martial Art Red Sun Nine Forms: Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate [Secret Six Rank], proficiency +3. Congratulations! Since you have continuously defended against Gu Xiaos Martial Art Red Sun Nine Forms: Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate [Secret Six Rank], as fortune favors the diligent and the heart perceives, proficiency +100. When Gu Xiao had previously bombarded the Golden Bell Cover with Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate, Zhou Heng had begun to comprehend this martial art. Right when the Golden Bell Cover shattered, he had completely mastered this martial art, and with the proficiency enhancer from his already learned skills, his proficiency reached the fourth level. Now, after some practice, he had reached the fifth level. Therefore, in Zhou Hengs eyes, the various changes and techniques of this martial art no longer held any secrets. He could easily counter each move and style. At this time, Gu Xiao had lost his use, especially since this fellow was still insisting on using Solar Slam to the Heavenly Gate, unwilling to change his moves. It made learning new martial arts impossible. As a proud Son of God, do you only know how to slam doors? Zhou Heng suddenly sneered, his hand technique changing, instantly transitioning from finger techniques to palm techniques. Boom! As soon as this palm struck, a genuine explosion echoed in the void, as if his fair and slender right hand had become extremely heavy, like he was smashing down with an ancient divine mountain, threatening to shatter the heavens and split the earth. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The air surged like a raging river, spanning the long street, causing the wind and clouds to change color and turn dark, as a horrific power of destruction coursed through Zhou Hengs palm, almost as if it were bringing the apocalypse! Absolute Fourth Rank Art! Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Heaven and earth were overturning! As the palm struck down, everyone present was shocked, such a blow was so powerful that even a real Secret Sixth Rank innate expert would likely not be able to ignore it. It was truly too strong! It simply didnt seem like an attack that a Seventh Rank Warrior could unleash. Are all the top ten on the Renowned Warrior List such monsters? However, upon seeing this palm attack, Gu Xiao was not alarmed but instead delighted. With a slight sway of his body, he retreated backwards, at the same time spreading his arms wide and laughing loudly, Hahahahaha! You finally show your true skills, but do you think Im unprepared? Before he finished speaking One saw the son of the god Zhou Hengs body suddenly burst into intense red light, his figure becoming blurry, and the red sun that hovered behind his head instantly merged into him. In the next instant, the light of the red sun turned into an incredibly pure and scorching golden color, and the sound of a crow, yet one imbued with supreme majesty, rang throughout heaven and earth. A giant crow over nine meters tall, with golden feathers all over its body, carrying red fire in its beak, and with three legs, flew out from the fiery golden sun. Like a golden rainbow, it charged at Zhou Heng! Whoosh! Wherever the golden rainbow passed, high temperatures swept over, instantly hardening the ground. The moment it reached Zhou Heng, three extremely sharp claws extended from the golden rainbow, shining with golden light and engulfed in red flames, aiming for Zhou Hengs right hand that struck with the heaven and earth overturning blow, his left hand ready to strike, and the head of the leader of the Six Yang! This is the true supreme technique of the Solar Divine Palace, the first form of Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law, Three-Legged Split Heaven God! The voice of Gu Xiao came from within the golden rainbow, laughing heartily, Hahahaha! Zhou Heng, do you know, the attack from the Great Sun Crashing into the Heavenly Gate stacks, and after one hundred and eight strikes, if struck again, the body will instantly be torn apart! Youve endured two hundred and seventeen of my strikes, and now you have no chance left! Die under my hand, Zhou Heng!! Pitiful trick! Too much nonsense, die! Zhou Heng sneered coldly, his palm strength not diminishing in the slightest. At the same time, the blood and qi within his body boiled, and the smoke above his head soared like beacon fires straight to the heavens, and his entire body emanated golden light. This was not only the power of the Golden Bell Cover but also the power of his own body, radiating an aura of a Vajra Unbreakable Divine Body! At this moment, Zhou Heng was like a deity wielding the Overturning Sky Seal, wrapped in the boundless mighty force that could overturn heaven and earth, smashing towards the Golden Crow that fancied itself a God Slaughterer! Burst apart for me! Gu Xiao bellowed furiously, one of the three legs failed to grasp the hand that caused heaven and earth to overturn but still caught Zhou Hengs head and left hand. He tried fiercely to tear them apart, but it felt as though he was ripping apart an unbreakable Vajra, utterly unable to tear it open, as if those previous two hundred and seventeen Sun Crashing into Heavenly Gate strikes had all been in vain. How is this possible? Gu Xiao was puzzled and suddenly conceived a possibility, exclaiming, Youre also a Divine Body? An Indestructible Divine Body?! No, this power, is Vajra Unbreakable!! Boom! At that moment, the heaven and earth overturning strike had already descended, the golden rainbow was crushed beneath the collapsing heaven and earth and shattered in an instant, all miraculous phenomena dissolving away, as Gu Xiaos original form was revealed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But he was already powerless to counterattack, his vision went dark, his head in pain, as if he was struck by a mountain holding up the heavens, his consciousness instantly plummeting into darkness. Gu Xiaos last thought wassuch tremendous power, such a formidable physique. Zhou Heng, you bastard, so low and shameful, with such a Vajra Unbreakable Divine Body well-concealed, unknown to everyone! At the same time, Zhou Heng also received a reward notification. Congratulations! You have thwarted the attack of the martial arts Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law [Absolute Fourth Rank] incomplete version, fortune comes to the mind that understands, proficiency +0.0000001. Congratulations! You have defeated an equally matched opponent Gu Xiao, Silver Fortune Bag +1. Chapter 222 - Chapter 222: Chapter 222 Indestructible Vajra, Golden Crow Slaughters the Gods Chapter 222: Chapter 222 Indestructible Vajra, Golden Crow Slaughters the Gods Silence! The scene was deadly silent, not a sound to be heard. Everyone present was staring, dumbfounded at the spectacle before them. The Son of God, Gu Xiao, had been struck on the head by Zhou Hengs Evil-Slaying Palm, and died on the spot, becoming a headless corpse that collapsed to the ground, his hot blood flowing everywhere. The distinguished Seventh Rank of the Celestial List, possessor of the Solar Divine Bodywas he truly dead? Could it be? How could this happen? Those witnessing this battle had considered the possibility of Gu Xiao losing, just as they had considered Zhou Heng losing, but they had never imagined a fight to the death that would end in a fatality. Even though Pure Yang Palace and Solar Divine Palace had certain longstanding feuds, and their disciples often engaged in martial combat upon meeting, they were, after all, both righteous sects, not inclined to battle to the death. But now, Zhou Heng had actually killed Gu Xiao! This was a serious incident! I didnt expect Gu Xiao to be so fragile. Brother Zhou, your strength has grown stronger compared to before, Wang Xiuye walked over, his face showing astonishment, and some sighs of regret. Previously, when they were in Wujiang Prefecture City, Zhou Heng was at the peak of Eighth Rank, and even then, Wang Xiuye was no match for him. Now that Zhou Heng had reached Seventh Rank, his strength far surpassed Wang Xiuyes. This is like comparing goods, which makes one feel inadequate, and comparing people, which can be disheartening! However, killing Gu Xiao, wont this cause problems? Wang Xiuye said, somewhat worried. Gu Xiaos status within Solar Divine Palace was no ordinary matter; it could not be described simply as that of a True Disciple. He possessed the Solar Divine Body! Ever since the Ancient Mythological Era, before Gu Xiao, there had only been one other with the Solar Divine Body in the Solar Divine Palace, which could only mean they valued Gu Xiao tremendously. Indeed, Ive killed him, but this doesnt mean he is completely dead, Zhou Heng shook his head and chuckled lightly, pointing at Gu Xiaos headless body and said to Wang Xiuye, Previously in Wujiang Prefecture City, you were resurrected after dying at the hands of that Loose Immortal. Do you really think that a Son of God, as highly valued as Gu Xiao, would not have a secret treasure of resurrection? No sooner had the words left his mouth than Gu Xiaos headless corpse spontaneously combusted, the blood that had pooled on the ground burning as if it were oil. In the blink of an eye, the headless corpse and the blood had burned away to nothingness, vanishing without a trace. The onlookers were staring, their faces filled with disbelief. For ordinary people and common, unranked or Ninth Grade martial artists, such an eerie scene was unheard of! This is a resurrection treasure, Gu Xiao should have returned to a prearranged resurrection site, Wang Xiuye slapped his forehead, looking slightly embarrassed, I completely forgot about this. From a collateral family, although he was the most outstanding disciple of his generation within the Wang Clan of Xuanzhou, he only managed to receive a secret resurrection treasure bestowed by his family after considerable effort. After being killed by the Loose Immortal Yu Long, he was resurrected back at his family home and even got scolded by the direct line elders. Because, the Wang Clan of Xuanzhou no longer had a Celestial Man. Such resurrection treasures, once used, were goneone less with each use. The direct line elders all felt that Wang Xiuye was being too wasteful. Since then, he no longer had a resurrection treasure on him, This made Wang Xiuye fundamentally not want to remember anything about the life-saving secret treasure, which led to him momentarily forgetting that he still had such a thing to save his life. Although Gu Xiao had a life-saving secret treasure, after this battle, Im afraid he wont re-enter the Jianghu for a short time, Zhou Heng said with his hands behind his back, looking at the place where Gu Xiaos corpse had disappeared, and chuckled, unless he is confident he can defeat me. Without a doubt, Gu Xiao was a person with extremely strong self-pride. To be killed by Zhou Heng under the watchful eyes of the public, especially since it was he who took the initiative to provoke the fight, this was in his eyes an unimaginable disgrace. Without the confidence to defeat Zhou Heng, he would not reappear in the Jianghu. Above the long street where Zhou Heng and Gu Xiao battled, a middle-aged man clad in a gray robe, holding a dust whisk, with an indistinct air about him stood hovering in the air, his gaze fixed on the azure shadow not far ahead, his expression solemn. This middle-aged man referred to by Gu Xiao as Uncle Quan was named Gu Quan. He was Gu Xiaos clan uncle and was over two hundred years old, a Fifth Rank Sect Master. When Zhou Heng was battling Gu Xiao earlier, he intended to intervene and stop Zhou Heng from killing Gu Xiao, but he was blocked by the azure shadow and could not take action. Although the aura of the azure shadow was also only at the level of a Sect Fifth Rank, Gu Quan could clearly sense that this shadow was most likely just an avatar, whose essence of power far exceeded that of a Grandmaster. This was why it easily stopped him. Its real body would probably be that of a Great Grandmaster at the Absolute Fourth Rank. This Great Grandmaster, even if you want to protect Zhou Heng, its fine, but he killed the divine son of our sect, thus sealing the enmity. Do you also want to share this grudge? Gu Quan said in a deep voice. Although he suspected this azure shadows real body might be of the Absolute Fourth Rank, he did not feel afraid, because behind him stood the colossal entity that is the Solar Divine Palace. An extremely powerful sect known to have inherited from the Mythical Era with a Divine First Rank among them, and even in the current times, there are still three living beings with the mighty power of Second Rank. This gave Gu Quan the confidence to threaten a Great Grandmaster at the Absolute Fourth Rank. Get lost! From within the azure shadow suddenly came a low shout, containing an intense Law Power, a technique surpassing the level of Sect Fifth Rank, that instantly hammered down upon Gu Quans Divine Soul. Hum! Gu Quan was directly sent flying backward, with no power to resist, his struggles utterly ineffective. After flying backward for over three hundred miles, he finally slowly came to a stop. But just as he stopped, Gu Quan immediately spat out blood and fell from the sky. That single shout had severely shaken his Divine Soul, pushing his Dharma Phase to the brink of shattering. This is the power of the Dharma Body, an authentic Absolute Fourth Rank! Thoughts raced through Gu Quans mind, his anger flaring, Who else in Xuanzhou County City has such power? Zhou Hengs Taoist Protector? But its well-known that the Pure Yang Palace has never followed the custom of having accompanying Taoist Protectors, so who else could it be? The governor of Xuanzhou? Or that dying old thing from the Xuanzhou Wang Clan? Damn it, with my severe injuries and significant damage to the Dharma Phase, Im afraid Ill need to recuperate for thirty years Purple State. Among the seven coastal states of Eastern Sea in Da Qi, it is the most prosperous and powerful one, but also one of the few states over which the Imperial Court has the least control. For the ancient Solar Divine Palace is situated in the Purple State, atop the Dawn Glow Mountain. The Dawn Glow Mountain stretches nearly ten thousand miles and is said to be formed by the ancestor of the Solar Divine Palace, who for eighty-one years absorbed the solar essence and morning glow, and created it with the Great Divine Power. The mountain is aptly dubbed Morning Glow Mountain and also referred to as Eastern Purple Qi Mountain Range. Its for this reason, too, that this land is called Purple State. Since time immemorial, the people of Purple State have worshipped the Sun God, bowing in the direction of Morning Glow Mountain on the first day of each year and conducting grand ceremonies to offer sacrifices to the Sun God, praying for peace and prosperity. One could say that in the land of Purple State, it is not at all strange to know only of the Solar Divine Palace and not of the Da Qi Imperial Court. Atop the highest peak of Morning Glow Mountain called Purple Qi Peak, lies the divine realm most revered and yearned for by the countless peoples of Purple State. At this moment, atop Purple Qi Peak, myriad paths of crimson glow flowed incessantly. On the divine light platform constructed of Sun God stones, sat three middle-aged men. They were clad in luxurious garments, radiating golden light and emitting intense brilliance, like three suns illuminating the void. Suddenly, a jade platform behind them spontaneously burst into golden flames, catching the attention of the three men. All opened their eyes and stood up to look. After a short while, the golden flames slowly extinguished, and the figure of Gu Xiao appeared on the jade platform. As soon as Gu Xiao opened his eyes, he saw the three men before him. He hurriedly stepped down from the jade platform and bowed with clasped hands, Greetings to my master, and to the two esteemed uncles. These three were none other than the three Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters of the Solar Divine Palace. The Crimson Sun Revered One Wei Xuanling, The Great Solar Rainbow Jiang Yang, and The Burning Sea Deity Gao Yan. Among them, The Crimson Sun Revered One was Gu Xiaos master, as well as the strongest Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster of this generation in the Solar Divine Palace, ranked fifth on the Earth Ranking, with immense strength. And that jade platform was precisely the resurrection point previously set by Gu Xiao. What happened, have you been killed? Wei Xuanling saw Gu Xiao descend from the jade platform and asked with a slightly furrowed brow and a grave tone, Who has the ability, who has the audacity, to kill you? The other two also turned their gaze toward Gu Xiao, equally curious. In their view, within the realm of Lower Third Rank, even a top-ranked martial artist from the human list would find it hard to spar with Gu Xiao, not to mention there were very few who could actually kill him, except maybe the number one, Fang Wen. Who would possess such ability? If a Middle Third Rank powerhouse took action, forcibly oppressing by higher realm, that would be an even bolder move. Gu Xiao wasnt just an ordinary disciple of the Solar Divine Palacea Solar Divine Body like him, if he truly fell at the hands of another Middle Third Rank individual, the Solar Divine Palace would undoubtedly seek vengeance with all their might. To dare to lay hands on Gu Xiao was indeed a brazen move. It was Zhou Heng! Gu Xiao said gravely, Theres nothing more to say, I was indeed inferior in skill. Moreover, Zhou Heng is very cunning; he is not just any ordinary Pure Yang Body but the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Body, which is rare to see in a thousand years! Then, he recounted the details of his battle with Zhou Heng. Well, you lost fairly, Wei Xuanling nodded and spoke soberly, To withstand more than two hundred hits from the Overturning Heaven Three Palms without harm, even being unaffected by supreme techniques like the Golden Crow Sundering Heaven, and still possessing extremely potent strength, he must indeed have the Vajra Unbreakable Body. However, given that his bloodline is very thin, he should only have a Vajra Unbreakable Body. Otherwise, if it were just the recoil power of the divine body, your hand would have been injured by the shockthat would be a true Vajra Unbreakable Divine Body. Moreover, according to your description, the palm technique used by Zhou Heng is extremely mysterious and powerful, giving the impression of a celestial being crushing mountains and shattering the earth. It is probably a Fourth Rank ultimate skill; this individual must not be underestimated. I think this man must not be spared! Gao Yan, with his volatile temper, exclaimed as his eyes widened like copper bells, If our Solar Divine Body died once, the Pure Yang Body of the Pure Yang Palace should die once too! Do you wish to take action personally? Jiang Yang scoffed lightly from the side and asked, Based on Xiaors account, Zhou Hengs strength is likely sufficient to enter the top three of the human list, and he might only be second to Fang Wen among the Lower Third Rank. Who can you find to defeat him? Theres no need for my two uncles or my master to arrange anything, I will defeat him with my own hands! Gu Xiao declared solemnly, This time I simply didnt expect him to also have a divine body. I will cultivate for some time, and upon our next encounter, I am determined to defeat him personally! Good, thats the spirit I expect from a disciple of Wei Xuanling! Wei Xuanling was quite pleased and chuckled. Lets not discuss that for now. Did you find out any news during your trip to Xuanzhou? Master, I indeed heard a rumor, Gu Xiao nodded and said, In the County City of Xuanzhou, I heard that over a hundred years ago, there was a sighting of two suns in the sky. The person youve been searching for might be connected to Pingzhou. Two suns in the sky, Pingzhou Wei Xuanling narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this and thought to himself, It seems that fellow must have had the assistance of a master back then to conceal the heavenly secrets and obscure the news from the common world, otherwise, we should have heard of it long ago. Finally, a clue? Gao Yan laughed heartily and said, Thats great, I was just thinking about going out to stretch my limbs. Brother, let me go. You? Theres no need, Wei Xuanling directly shook his head and said, Gu Quan is still in Xuanzhou and can relay the message to have him investigate in Pingzhou. That alright. Gao Yan nodded somewhat disappointedly. Its been more than a hundred years, youve really made me search hard for you! Wei Xuanling looked towards Pingzhou with narrowed eyes, his gaze carried a chill. Inside the auxiliary estate of the Wang Clan. Zhou Heng was sitting on the bed in the guest room, looking at his hands, moving his fingers back and forth, and feeling the power within them while mulling over something, thinking to himself: Vajra Unbreakable Divine Body, Gu Xiao considered me as such a Divine Body? Is it because of my sturdy physique and great strength? But thats just the base attribute enhancement from my constitution +4 and colossal strength +5 Could it be that these enhancements are actually manifestations of the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Body, similarly to how the base attribute bonus against shadow spirits is seen as a Pure Yang Body? If thats the case, then what about my other base attribute bonuses like insight, agility, Spiritual Root, spirit, comprehension, dexterity, and evil-banishing? What kind of physique would they correspond to? Even though some are only +2 or even +1, their effects are extremely powerful. It seems that the benefits of these base attribute enhancements are much greater than I initially thought. Before, he had only regarded the base attribute enhancement as a simple increase, but now it seemed there was much more to it. I can look into the exact nature of these conditions later, when I return to Ta Hua Mount or Purple Tenuity Palace. Zhou Heng gathered his thoughts, preparing to meditate and understand the biggest gain from his recent battle with Gu Xiao. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law: Not Learned (0.0000001/1) An absolute Fourth Rank technique! Theoretically, this was an earth-shattering technique on the same level as Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Moreover, this technique was related to the Golden Crow, and there were legends about the Golden Crow on Earth as well. This made Zhou Heng wonder if there was any connection between this technique and Earth? But the rank of the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law was just too high; no matter how he contemplated it, he could only increase his proficiency by 0.0000001 at a time. It was almost impossible to comprehend. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The only benefit was that while attempting to comprehend this technique, he could envision the sight of the Golden Crow rending apart a giant deity, which was quite beneficial for enhancing his palm and finger techniques. Its a pity that Ive already used the epiphany card when learning Overturning Heaven Three Palms; otherwise, I could directly learn this technique. Zhou Heng couldnt help feeling regretful, as if he was guarding a treasure yet unable to unlock it. Wait a moment, the copper mansion that had been assigned for me to live in had an image of the Golden Crow on its screen wall. And that mansion had many peculiarities, with rumors that its original owner disappeared after the occurrence of the two suns in the sky. Could there be something useful there for comprehending the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law? Hmm Its worth checking out. Chapter 223 - Chapter 223: Chapter 223 The Pose of a Great Power Chapter 223: Chapter 223 The Pose of a Great Power Zhou Heng hadnt returned to Huangtong Mansion for two or three months. Now it was already December, nearing January, and it was almost time for the New Year, so he planned to stay in Huangtong Mansion City until the New Year. Yes, this world also had the custom of celebrating the New Year. The precise origins were no longer traceable, but it was said that in the Ancient Mythological Era, Immortals had established the celestial calendar and specified festivals for the mortal world. Most of these traditions had been lost over time, but fortunately, the custom of celebrating the New Year had been luckily preserved. Every time Zhou Heng saw these festival divisions, he felt as if he had returned to Earth, whether it was the method of counting years, months, and days, or the division of some festivals, all of which were very similar to Earths. Unfortunately, after that long dark era, many classics had been lost, and with his current cultivation realm, he still couldnt access too many secrets and wasnt able to investigate these matters in detail. He needed to advance his cultivation realm even further first. More than two months ago, Huangtong Mansion City had encountered a great disaster. A Ghost Immortal sent by the great demon Cang Hua had attempted to unseal the half-piece of a demons finger bone that was sealed here. There was also an attack by the Loose Immortal Yu Long. This was already a devastating catastrophe. Luckily, the Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace had descended, and together with many Great Grandmasters, they had managed to reseal the half-piece demons finger bone and killed the Loose Immortal Yu Long. Huangtong Mansion finally returned to peace. As a result, the martial arts academy, rebuilt from the original Longxing Martial Arts Hall, became even more prosperous, with strong support from both the prefectural and county government offices in the construction of martial arts facility grounds. The reputation of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall was thoroughly established, and the reflection of Yan Shouyis divine-like, powerful means was still fresh in the memories of all the people in Huangtong Mansion. Now that over two months had passed, the premises of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall were already spread all over, with six of them in use. The number of apprentices had also increased significantly, far exceeding the past. Moreover, many former students of Longxing Martial Arts Hall, who had gone astray, wanted to be accepted into the now Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. However, there was no such thing as a pill for regret in this world, and such apprentices were outrightly rejected. After all, Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall now had a very large number of apprentices. They simply werent worried about student resources. Zhou Heng followed his old memories to the front of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, only to find that it had been converted into a place resembling a memorial hall. Visitors were coming and going in an endless stream, and there were also a lot of robust-looking youth acting as guards, maintaining order. However, these people were all strangers, and they seemed to be from other places. At the entrance to the martial arts hall, an old grandfather was sitting and seemed to be checking and verifying the information of the visitors. So it really turned into a tourist attraction, eh? It must be Yu Hes masterpiece, Zhou Heng looked around with interest and thought to himself, Listening to the accents of these staff members, they should be from the counties under Huangtong Mansions jurisdiction. Are they here to work in the city? Looking at this somewhat familiar scene, the corners of his mouth couldnt help but turn upward slightly. As Zhou Heng was strolling around, suddenly a figure blocked his way. It was a young boy with a somewhat youthful face, dressed in a blue tunic, who looked to be only about fourteen or fifteen years old. Big brother, are you also here to visit the number one Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, drawn by its fame? he seemed to muster tremendous courage to speak to Zhou Heng, Are you interested in having me as your guide? Guide? Zhou Heng responded with a smile, So you are very familiar with this place? Of course! the youth nodded, speaking earnestly, Although Ive only been in the prefectural city for a month, Ive long heard of Zhou Heng and the fame of Pure Yang Palace. I know everything there is to know about Zhou Heng, just ask and Im sure I can provide answers. When he spoke of Zhou Heng, his face was full of admiration and longing, and his tone was one of praise. This Zhou Heng youre talking about, is he very impressive? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. Its not a matter of being impressive or not the youth shook his head vigorously, spread his arms wide, and drew a huge circle with all his might, correcting himself, He is extremely, extremely, extremely, extremely impressive! That strong? Zhou Heng pretended to be surprised and asked, Then do you know what this Zhou Heng looks like? Ah, well, um The youths face turned red with embarrassment, and he stammered, They say that only core disciples of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall can see Zhou Hengs portrait, and, and I havent become a core disciple yet. I see you have the potential of a great talent, Zhou Heng patted the youths shoulder and said with a smile, Work hard on your martial arts, becoming a core disciple is just a matter of time. He noticed that this young man had a faint spiritual root, and his physique and bone structure were not bad, indicating that he likely had a talent for martial arts. As for the potential of a great talent, that was just him playing a joke on a whim, nothing serious. Ah? The young man was bewildered, exclaiming, Great, great talent? I, I dont dare to think about that. I would be completely satisfied to become an Eighth Rank martial artist in my life. Great talent? That refers to the powerful ones at the Upper Third Rank, at the very least, those who have reached the realm of Celestial Men, the kind of people like terrestrial immortals! How could he possibly have the potential of a great talent when he didnt even get selected as an apprentice in Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall before When he had just mentioned that he was not yet a core disciple of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, it was true but not the whole truth. In fact, he was not even a regular apprentice. The current selection tests for apprentices at Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall are very strict. They require one to be in good health, not too skinny, and its best to have some martial arts foundation. He didnt meet any of those requirements. His father died early, and his mother supported him by selling noodles, but that was barely enough to keep him alive; they seldom ate meat, so naturally, he was rather skinny. Now, he was working as a tour guide to earn money. He wanted to help his mother, and at the same time, he wanted to use the money he earned to build up his physique in hopes of the next time Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall would recruit apprentices. For him, becoming an Eighth Rank martial artist in his lifetime was indeed an enormous ambition. People should have dreams, whats your name? Zhou Heng said with a smile, while his gaze shifted to someone familiar approaching from behind the youth. Ah? I, Im called Xie Chong, the young man replied somewhat flusteredly. In his heart, he was very puzzled. He was usually quite skilled at communicating with people, otherwise, he couldnt be a tour guide C but somehow, speaking with this man made him feel unusually nervous. Zhou Heng, you actually came back! And didnt even give a heads up?! Just then, an exclamation rang out, and a teenager about eighteen or nineteen years old jogged over, his face alight with joy. It was indeed Yu He. Zhou, Zhou Heng?!! Xie Chong was stunned, he rapidly turned around and immediately recognized the young man jogging over, exclaiming in shock, Yu, Manager Yu, you, you just said this person, this person is, is Zhou Heng?? His words came out with a stutter. Yu He now was the external manager of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, overseeing all matters like finances, publicity, activities, and the like. He was, in essence, the actual operator of the martial arts hall. Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and others mainly served as the halls public face and taught martial arts. The job Xie Chong had, drawing people to visit the number one Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall as a tour guide, was actually planned out by Yu He, so Xie Chong recognized Yu He. He also knew the weight Yu Hes words carried within Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. Which means that Yu Hes address just now must have been true, the man who was talking to him just now, was actually, really Zhou Heng?! Oh my god! What did I just say?? Xie Chongs face turned red again, and he lowered his head wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself. It was too embarrassing. ` Yes, planning to come back for New Years, Zhou Heng smiled, not revealing his true purpose. After all, that was quite a distant prospect for Yu He, who hadnt yet reached Entry Rank in martial arts. To live a peaceful and stable life was the best thing for him. Thats great, New Years is always good. Grandmaster Lei and Trainer Lin have been missing you, Yu He laughed heartily, Come on, Ill take you to see them. Theyll definitely be thrilled to see you back. Lets go, Zhou Heng smiled. That, that Im sorry, Senior Zhou Heng, I, I didnt recognize you earlier Xie Chong said, hanging his head low with embarrassment, And I said a lot of strange things to you, I hope you wont take them seriously. Im someone who has always taken people at their word, so naturally, I believed what you said, Zhou Heng turned his head, smiled, and said, Likewise, you should also believe what I say. Then, he said to Yu He, This kids talent is not bad. When you have a chance, recruit him into the ranks of the ordinary apprentices. It wont be long before this kid can become a core disciple. Really? That impressive? Yu Hes eyes widened with astonishment upon hearing this, and he looked at Xie Chong with a face full of surprise, well aware of what being a core disciple of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall now meant. At least it implies Ninth Grade Ready! Currently, this youngster seemed to only have a basic understanding of martial arts, and judging by his stance, his martial arts foundation wasnt very solidmostly peasants swordplay, nothing noteworthy. With such a level, he was hardly qualified to be an ordinary apprentice, let alone a core disciple. However, Yu He trusted Zhou Hengs words the most. Since Zhou Heng had said it, it was certainly true, so he went over to Xie Chong and said, Hmm, boy, you do have good potential indeed. Then you will report to the Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls A zone tomorrow. Ill arrange for you to become an ordinary apprentice, but since you are given special permission to enter, there will definitely be many who envy you. You must work hard and surpass everyone. The Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall now has six zones, labeled A, B, C, D, E, F. Among them, the A zone is the core. The former disciples and trainers of Longxing Martial Arts Hall were there, and Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang personally taught there. Their Pure Yang Palace foundational martial arts were personally imparted by Zhou Heng. I, Ive become a disciple of the A zone of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall? Xie Chong was astounded, somewhat in disbelief. He slapped his own face with a snap and immediately grimaced in pain, but the smile on his face just wouldnt stop, and as he smiled, tears flowed. The young boy bowed respectfully to Zhou Heng and Yu He, his voice hoarse, Thank you both so much, benefactors. Ill definitely live up to your expectations, practice diligently, and never slack off! Work hard, kid, Zhou Heng smiled, waved his hand, and walked away with Yu He. Xie Chong stayed in place, motionless for a long time, as if he had been rooted to the spot, his heart overwhelmingly excited. He wanted to shout with joy, he wanted to run wildly. But remembering that this was the entrance to the Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls primary branch, he thought it improper to act that way. So, he took a deep breath to calm his emotions and rushed straight home. He had to bring the wonderful news to his mother who had raised him through hard times! This was indeed a cause for tremendous celebration. After Zhou Heng and Xie Chong had both left, The old man who was checking visitor information at the entrance of the first Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall furtively frowned and thought to himself, The bearing of a formidable being, could it be that Zhou Heng saw something special? That cant be right, that childs special talent is extremely hidden. Even I had to observe for a full day before confirming it. How did he ascertain it so quickly? Was it a preparation from a past life? But who was he in his past life? He is not the reincarnation of the Dream Sage, nor could he be my master. Five Elements Path, the cycle of rebirth, foreseeing the future, Thunder ultimate techniques Which Daoist Lord is he really? However, it doesnt matter that the child has chosen the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, as I still intend to teach him. My unique sealed techniques are not necessarily inferior to the teachings of Pure Yang. The old man looked toward the direction in which Xie Chong had departed, nodding to himself with satisfaction. He had found his disciple with great difficulty. Zhou Heng followed Yu He to meet with Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang. ` Compared to when he had left, both their cultivation realms had improved, especially Lin Cang, who had truly stepped into the Eighth Rank of the Martial Path, his strength far surpassing that of the past. Although Lei Xiuyan was still at the peak of the Seventh Rank, after studying the martial arts of the Pure Yang Palace, his inner landscape had been further perfected. In another decade or so, breaking through to the Secret Six Rank wasnt impossible. Secret Six Rank! Innate Realm! This was something Lei Xiuyan had never dared to dream of before, but now it seemed within reach. How unpredictable the world is indeed. Therefore, both Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang were very grateful to Zhou Heng. After exchanging pleasantries with the two, Zhou Heng also received invitations from the Bubu War Commander Feng He and the Lord of Huangtong Mansion, Wu Zongshan, both wanting to throw banquets to welcome him and cleanse away the dust from his journey. Subsequently, he received one invitation after another from other martial arts halls, all hoping to forge good relations with Zhou Heng. After all, Zhou Hengs recent rise to fame was simply too astonishing, like the sun at high noon. In such a short time, he had already ranked in the top ten on the Ren List! For the martial artists and martial arts halls of a prefectural city, Zhou Heng had completed in five months what would take them fifty years, definitely marking him as a major figure of the future. Forging a good relationship with him was the right move. However, Zhou Heng declined all of them, excusing himself due to the hardships of travel, and returned to the rental house on the outskirts of the city, once again hearing the familiar scolding of the landlady. At nightfall, he stealthily concealed his presence and made his way to the large mansion that he called home. The reason he chose to sneak there was that if he had headed straight to the mansion upon his return, even fools would suspect he might have seen through the secrets of the mansion. That would be troublesome. Better to sneak in unnoticed and avoid drawing attention. Upon entering the mansion again, Zhou Heng felt the same inexplicable shadowy aura. But unlike before, his Divine Soul was much stronger now. Yet even though he extended his spiritual perception, he still detected nothing unusual. Then he looked at the square brick sculpture again. Carved on it was a three-legged bird standing in the sun, about to spread its wings and soar, but its two legs were bound by cloud-like patterns, unable to struggle free, unable to fly. Previously when Zhou Heng saw this relief on the screen wall, he felt only strangeness and confusion; but this time, he had a completely different feeling, and his eyes even lit up with a golden light. The insights from contemplating the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law suddenly resurfaced, and the Golden Crow on the relief seemed to come alive at once, beginning to struggle and quake. Immediately after, a beam of golden light rushed towards him, enveloping Zhou Heng entirely. But Zhou Heng reacted swiftly, dodging the golden light with a quick flicker of his form. The golden light seemed shocked by this turn of events and momentarily froze midair, uncertain whether to continue chasing Zhou Heng or to simply retreat and act as if nothing had happened. What is this thing? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng furrowed his brow and hid to the side, watching the sudden golden light emerging from the screen wall with great wariness. He dared not carelessly contact such an inexplicable entity. I am your great opportunity! A will communicated from within the golden light, sounding very sincere. I dont believe you, Zhou Heng shook his head. The golden light suddenly fell silent; this was an unseen situation! Chapter 224 - Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Run Away and Get Help from Home Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Run Away and Get Help from Home Half a moment later. Why dont you believe? Cant you feel the throbbing of the secret technique youve been practicing? said the will within the golden light. He was referring to the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law. Which secret technique are you referring to? Zhou Heng didnt answer but instead countered with a question. The golden light fell silent once again. How many secret techniques could a Seventh Rank Warrior possibly have? Under normal circumstances, a Seventh Rank Warrior who could comprehend a Fourth Rank secret technique was already considered outstanding among peers. Nevertheless, the golden light spoke gravely, The Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law, with your current cultivation realm, is extremely difficult to comprehend. I can help you. It shouldnt be difficult. According to my estimate, I should be able to learn it in at most a month, Zhou Heng feigned confusion and said, Is this what you call a great opportunity? The golden light was again at a loss for words. A Seventh Rank Warrior learning a Fourth Rank secret technique in a month, are you dreaming? He suddenly regretted that he had appeared as soon as he sensed the aura of the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law. This kid with fixed aptitude turned out to be such an anomaly! No more to say? Thats all? Zhou Heng laughed lightly twice, and at the same time, he was ready to employ the Spiritual Golden Light Escape Skill to flee at any moment, You dont really think that by merely allowing me to learn a Fourth Rank secret technique, you can tempt me, do you? The reason he hadnt fled immediately and was still wasting time here was that he had discovered that as long as he watched this golden light emerging from the mural, his proficiency in the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law would increase. You are watching Yang Fan performing the martial arts Solar Divine Light Law [Heavenly Third Rank], and you cant help but gain deeper insight into the suns Dao. Your understanding of the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law [Absolute Fourth Rank] deepens, proficiency +0.0003. In such a situation, one should definitely watch for as long as possible. Besides, judging from the performance of this golden light, the person inside the mural most likely couldnt exert much power. At most, they had the power of a single strike. Otherwise, there would be no need for such verbal seduction. They would simply have pulled him inside. Therefore, Zhou Heng was not panicked at all. Celestial Divine Weapons, along with my Cave Sky world, everything Ive learned in my life, all experiences, all the accumulationsyou can inherit them all, another will emerged from the golden light, accompanied by a deep sigh, Believe me, I mean no harm. Is there such a good thing? Zhou Heng looked skeptical. Young man, are you interested in listening to a story? the will in the golden light sounded increasingly desolate, evoking pity. No. Zhou Heng shook his head, saying, If I want to hear stories, wouldnt it be better to listen to a storyteller at the teahouse? You?! The golden light was once again rendered speechless, and it took a while before it spoke again: I was originally a Celestial Man whose Primordial Spirit resided in the void, and I have deep connections with the Solar Divine Palace. Seeing that you possess a secret technique of the Solar Divine Palace, I assumed Just then, the golden light suddenly intensified, and a fierce heat came upon him, about to envelop Zhou Heng completely. This time the golden lights assault was swift, far surpassing the initial one. So quick that even a Sect Fifth Rank in this place might not be able to escape, let alone Zhou Heng at his current level. Too fast! Indeed too fast! However, at the instant the golden light assaulted him, a more brilliant golden radiance lit up on Zhou Hengs body. Following the ley lines of the earth and mountains, in the blink of an eye, he arrived at the foot of Taihua Mount a million miles away. Transcendental Golden Light Technique! Zhou Heng had already used his abnormally strong spiritual power to give himself a suggestion that as soon as that golden light began to approach him rapidly, he would immediately use the Transcendental Golden Light Technique. This was a speed that surpassed reaction time. It was to prevent him from being captured by the golden light due to an inability to react in time, rendering him unable to escape. Yang Fan is quite closely related to the Solar Divine Palace, and Celestial Men hmm, all of the inner seats of the Five Emperors have returned to the Purple Tenuity Palace, and the Celestial Men who had previously gone to the West Wasteland have mostly returned as well. Zhou Hengs gaze turned towards the sky above Taihua Mount, preparing to find his nominal senior brother, the current number one on the Celestial List, the head of Pure Yang Palace, Residing True Yang Yan Shouyi. Inside a large estate in Huangtong Mansion City. The golden light halted midair, its will shocked beyond measure, momentarily unable to comprehend how a minor Seventh Rank Warrior could wield such a formidable escape technique. What was that just now? The speed was too fast; even Celestial Man escape methods are no better than that. Is it some kind of secret treasure? But when did the Solar Divine Palace start equipping Seventh Rank Warriors with treasures of such caliber? Even now, the will within the golden light still believed that Zhou Heng was a disciple of the Solar Divine Palace. Otherwise, how could he have learned the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law? Damn it, that strike just now exhausted the accumulation of the last eighty years. Now I have to start accumulating all over again. The will within the golden light was incredibly irate. That kid was exceptionally talented, but there was something off with his head. Faced with a major opportunity to inherit the will of a Celestial Man, he actually refused. In fact, he hadnt told a single lie just now; everything was true. However, to inherit the will of a Celestial Man, in other words, was to be possessed by him. Once possessed by him, one would naturally be able to inherit his Celestial Man Cave Sky, Divine Weapons, as well as experiences and accumulations, etc. Now that hes escaped, I cant rule out the possibility that he will report this matter to his elders. I should change locations, thought the rational golden light, planning to gather its Tao power and leave this place. Yet, it wasnt particularly in a hurry. In its opinion, according to the rules of the Solar Divine Palace, a Seventh Rank Warrior was unlikely to meet the high-level Sect members of the Celestial Man Realm easily. And without the capability of a Celestial Man, reaching this place quickly was nearly impossible. That kid possesses a secret treasure of the Celestial Man escape method; what if he has other unused secret treasures? The will within the golden light quickly considered another possibility and decided it was best to leave as soon as possible and not waste any more time. However, just as it started to gather its Tao power, it suddenly felt a tremendous force of resistance, pulling at it, preventing it from leaving the stele. It was as if an invisible hand were hiding in the shadows, using an unfathomable technique to reinforce the seals upon the stele, trapping it within and making it impossible to leave. Which high and mighty being is this?! exclaimed the will within the golden light, filled with shock and uncertainty. The sealing that had allowed it to hide within the stele was the work of a Tao Lord. Who could silently and invisibly reinforce it? Even the resurrection of a Middle Ancient Rule Saint could be no more impressive. But before it could find the person who had reinforced the seal, it felt a warm and comforting breath face it. A pure golden light of extreme purity descended out of nowhere to this place. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only That very kid who had used the Celestial Man escape method to run away was now walking out from the golden light in a casual manner, with a relaxed expression and not a hint of panic. Youve returned so soon? The will within the golden light was first stunned, then saw a man of unremarkable appearance, exuding a strong scholarly aura, walk out from the golden light, and it was immediately filled with utter horror. Yan, Yan, Yan Shouyi??!! How did a disciple of the Solar Divine Palace manage to invite Yan Shouyi over? Could it be that in just over a hundred years, the Solar Divine Palace had been destroyed by Pure Yang Palace?? Chapter 225 - Chapter 225: Chapter 225 The Real Opportunity Chapter 225: Chapter 225 The Real Opportunity The will within the golden light shrank immediately upon seeing Yan Shouyi, without any hesitation. The stone reliefs returned to normal as well, as if the golden light had never appeared. The long-abandoned mansion once again fell into its former silence and gloom, devoid of any sound, with only the desolate moonlight casting down upon the ground. Senior Brother, he has withdrawn, Zhou Heng said with a smile. No matter, I have recognized his aura, Yan Shouyi responded with a smile. Over a hundred years ago, a Celestial Man from the Solar Divine Palace named Yang Fan stole a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier and defected, disappearing without a trace. Unexpectedly, hes been hiding here. A Taoist Sovereign God Soldier? Zhou Heng couldnt help but be astounded. The Solar Divine Palace couldnt possibly fail to find him, right? And there was a legend of a dual sun appearance here a hundred years ago. Most likely, a Tao Lord level expert covered up his destiny for him. I see the runes and inscriptions on this relief Hmm? Yan Shouyi was speaking when he suddenly paused, peering around with a smile, I dont know which senior lent a hand, but my thanks to you either way. Yan Shouyi then explained to Zhou Heng, The seal on the relief was just reinforced by someone after you escaped. It seems Yang Fan became worried about being discovered and planned to leave, but a senior reinforced the seal, preventing his escape. A senior? Brother, you also call them a senior; could it be a Tao Lord? Zhou Heng asked in surprise. Theres a Tao Lord in Huangtong Mansion City? Perhaps they were just passing through, Yan Shouyi said as he approached the relief with a smile. However, this senior has good intentions towards us, or perhaps towards you. If youre willing, once this matter is settled, I could take you to visit them. Senior Brother, do you already know the identity of that Tao Lord? Zhou Heng inquired. Eight or nine out of ten, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly. He then pointed to the relief and added, In fact, what Yang Fan said earlier wasnt wrong; he truly is a great opportunity. Junior Brother, you now have two choices. The first is that I directly intervene and extract Yang Fan from the relief. Although the sect will reward you, you wont gain anything personally from him. The second option is that I provide protection while you enter his Cave Sky world. Break through the foundational Laws there, and I can help you seize his Cave Sky, along with many legacies and accumulations. You might also gain the right to use that Taoist Sovereign God Soldier in the future. What do you think, Senior Brother? Zhou Heng asked. Id suggest you choose the second, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. You should be getting close to the time when youll be sent on missions to other worlds by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Crossing worlds is not as simple as changing locations, and this could serve as a rehearsal. As for safety, you can rest assured. Ive brought a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier potent enough to protect you thoroughly. At worst, I can pull you out in time, and no accidents will happen. If Im being protected by your Taoist Sovereign God Soldier and Celestial Man mana, it wouldnt really be my own cross-world journey, Zhou Heng said with a laugh. Safety is of course more important than that, Yan Shouyi smiled. Dont tell me that youre thinking of entering Yang Fans Celestial Man Cave Sky without any protection. A Celestial Mans Cave Sky is an independent little world, usually with civilizations and even nations. And there naturally are people, and Martial Artists. Although limited by the Cave Sky rules and unable to truly reach Secret Six Rank, those whove taken a different path to surpass the Peak of the Seventh Rank are not few in number. If you go in unprepared, its still very dangerous. I certainly wouldnt do that; just that I have another idea. Zhou Heng took out a paper figure from his Qiankun pouch, then cast Taoist Formulas, tossing it into the air, Senior Brother, I have a Taoist practice called Paper Talisman Soldiers. The paper figure trembled slightly and instantly grew from the size of a palm to over a meter tall, much like a full-grown adult. It was but a thin sheet of paper, emitting a faint golden light on its surface, complemented by cinnabar runes that gave off a somewhat startling impression in the dead of night. Hmm? Yan Shouyis gaze fell upon the paper effigy, and after a brief examination, he couldnt help but click his tongue in wonder, smiling as he said, Good Taoist Formulas, truly marvelous, but it lacks consciousness and willpower, and its shape is also strange Junior Brother, I think I know what you have in mind. Yes, I was wondering if Senior Brother could help me animate this paper effigy into human form and allow me to control it beyond the limits of the Cave Sky realm? Zhou Heng nodded and asked. Just as I expected. Yan Shouyi replied with a smile, Its a trivial matter. He then blew a gentle breath. The paper effigy immediately inflated like a balloon and in the blink of an eye, it became a handsome young man, exactly resembling Zhou Heng. Down to the last detail. Its still hollow on the inside, paper in fact, but its strength has increased. It should possess about eighty to ninety percent of your abilities. However, it is somewhat afraid of fire. Fortunately, it is immune to swords, poison, and the like. Yan Shouyi was quite satisfied with the result and said to Zhou Heng: Moreover, the vessel of this paper effigy is too poor to endure the power of my breath for more than thirty days, which is to say, this paper effigy only has thirty days. You need to break the fundamental Laws of this Cave Sky world within these thirty days. Senior Brother, how do we break the fundamental Laws of a Cave Sky world? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. Can a Martial Artist at my level really accomplish such a thing? Laws, that should be something only a Sect Fifth Rank powerhouse can manipulate. Certainly not with your own power alone. Yan Shouyi said with a smile, The Taoist Sovereign God Soldier I brought is not only for protecting you. I will use the energy of the Taoist Sovereign God Soldier to alter the Laws of this Celestial Man Cave Sky to a certain degree. As long as you can find, within this Cave Sky world, the object that has gathered the most fates or the heaviest collective will of living beings, and bring it out, you will have achieved your goal. The object with the heaviest collective will of living beings? Zhou Heng thought it over carefully and, finding no clues, said, Do I need to search for it inside myself? Correct. Yan Shouyi replied with a smile, Its not so easy to obtain a Celestial Man Cave Sky; you have to make an effort yourself. Thats also true, but can I really contain and refine a Celestial Man Cave Sky right now? Zhou Heng was a bit doubtful, Surely, thats not possible. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Definitely not possible. Yan Shouyi extended his finger and began drawing runes on the wall, smiling as he said, At the very least, you have to cultivate a Dharma Phase and step into the Grandmaster Realm to begin basic manipulation. Before that, you can consider it a large Qiankun pouch. Hmm, a very large Qiankun pouch that can even hold living thingsits not bad. Zhou Heng nodded and smiled; this was what seemed normal. His reddish-brown horse finally had a place where it could follow him everywhere. Yan Shouyi quickly finished drawing the runes on the wall. The runes flickered with a golden light before merging into one, transforming into a golden gate of light, its brilliance swirling as if leading to an infinitely distant place. Junior Brother, by going through this gate, you will enter Yang Fans Cave Sky world. Chapter 226 - Chapter 226: Chapter 226 Desert Inn Chapter 226: Chapter 226 Desert Inn The desert sands billowed, and the scorching sun hung high in the sky. Zhou Heng found that upon entering this Cave Sky world of Yang Fan, he was actually in an endless desert, where all he could see was endless yellow sand, without any other objects in sight. The sunlight from above was unbearably toxic, the vast azure sky was clear, with not even a hint of clouds, and naturally, there were no shady spots. Everywhere was unbearably hot, giving off a sensation of being scorched. Zhou Heng suddenly felt a bit weak, as if the fierce and blazing environment naturally caused changes in his body, After all, my current body is just that of a paper man, and though it looks no different from an ordinary person, its somewhat afraid of high temperatures and water. These were the weaknesses of a paper body. However, it had its advantages: a paper body did not feel hunger or thirst, nor even fatigue. As such, as long as he could endure this toxic sunlight, his paper body was indeed quite suitable for walking through this boundless desert. Still, he had only thirty days, not enough time to waste, so he had to find a way out of this desert as soon as possible. But Zhou Heng knew nothing about this place. The only way to find a road out of the desert was to quickly find other people and inquire. And the simplest way to find people was undoubtedly to find a source of water or an oasis in the desert, as there would certainly be people going to places near water. How to find a water source in the desert? For Zhou Heng, this was not a difficult task. Although his current body was that of a paper man, and many physical attribute bonuses were ineffective, the bonuses to his spirit and insight remained effective. Consequently, he could easily discern from the surrounding terrain, insect activity traces, and human footprints buried by sandstorms where there might be water sources in several directions. Afterward, Zhou Heng employed his Lightbody Technique and quickly moved forward, searching each direction where traces had been found, trying to find water sources or human tracks. He did not care in the least about the consumption of Inner Qi. This was because, after having been transformed by Yan Shouyi, when using various martial arts or Taoist formulas, this paper body consumed the power contained in Yan Shouyis breath. And how formidable were the machinations contained in the breath of a Celestial Man? For this paper body at the Seventh Rank, it was an inexhaustible source of Inner Qi, impossible to deplete. Therefore, Zhou Heng ran non-stop across the desert and along the way saw many skeletons and the possessions they had left behind in life. Usually, he would stop to bury the skeletons and wrap up the belongings they had left behind, carrying them with him. Though most of these items were already damaged or even weathered, having lost their practical use, Zhou Heng still planned to take them out of this great desert. Perhaps there were people outside searching for these skeletons, and keeping these relics might bring unexpected surprises. This desert was indeed vast. Zhou Heng had been running non-stop for six hours, covering about a thousand li, yet still had not seen its end, nor found a water source. He had not encountered any living people either, but had seen quite a few dead skeletons, leaving behind many of their possessions. Among them were some books, which Zhou Heng briefly looked through; some contained maps, while others were martial arts manuals. However, perhaps because the laws of this world were unique and did not allow for the emergence of Secret Six Rank Innate tallents, these martial arts manuals, while some had the power that could rival the Seventh Rank or even the Peak of the Seventh Rank, still felt very rudimentary and crude. Finally, in the evening, as the red sun was about to set and the temperature in the desert began to plummet rapidly. The days and nights in the desert were like two entirely different seasons, with a tremendous difference in temperature. An ordinary person trying to rest at night with only their daytime clothes might very well freeze to death. However, for Zhou Heng, such temperatures were just right. His body, slightly withered by the daytime heat, gradually returned to normal. It was at this time that he finally found traces of people. Hmm, to be precise, clear signs that someone had passed by. A long line of camel footprints. From the depth of these camel footprints, it appeared there was one person riding on top. Before this, Zhou Heng had also been using the method of looking for human or animal tracks to find water sources and traces of people, but those had been buried by the wind and sand. It was only with his extraordinary insight and mental power that he was able to find them. Now it was different; these camel footprints were very clear, which meant that the camel and the person riding it were most likely just ahead. Am I finally going to find someone? Zhou Hengs heart was filled with joy, and his pace quickened even more. Finally, as the sun was about to set completely, he found a building. It seemed to be an inn. This took Zhou Heng by surprise. In this endless desert, the existence of an inn was truly unexpected. Moreover, it was a three-story building with a hall on the first floor and bedrooms on the second and third floors. The facilities were quite complete, including wooden posts outside for tethering camels. Zhou Heng approached and looked at the signboard above the inns door. Tongda Inn. An ordinary name with nothing special about it, except that the front doors were firmly shut. Zhou Heng took a brief look around, pensive. In the end, he pushed open the front door and entered the lobby of Tongda Inn. As the door opened, a wave of worldly hustle and bustle washed over him. Inside, the place was packed with guests, filling about sixty tables, with over a hundred people, bustling and lively. There were men and women, young and old, some happily drinking, others wolfing down food, and some savoring delicious dishes slowly and deliberately. The food on the tables was also diverse, with meat, vegetables, and fruitsall available, not at all what one would expect from a desert inn in need of resources. Inside Tongda Inn, Zhou Heng felt a world so different from the desolate silence outside in the desert, with no one in sight for miles, as if he had stepped into an entirely different realm. Interesting, Zhou Heng smiled, withdrew his gaze from around the room, and found an empty table in the corner to sit down. Not far from this table, there was a large pot, bubbling and steaming. It seemed to contain a stew of bones. The aroma was enticing, but owing to the heat, nobody wanted to sit there. What would you like to eat, sir? a server who looked about fifteen or sixteen ran over, smiling obsequiously at Zhou Heng, We have everything here. Whatever youd like to eat, just say the word. As long as the money is right, everything is negotiable. I dont have any particular cravings. Anything that can fill the stomach will do, Zhou Heng glanced at the large pot not too far away and said, Bring me a bowl of big bone noodles, using the broth from there? As he spoke, he pointed at the large pot. Yes, of course! The server nodded repeatedly, smiling, Youve got good eyes, sir. The old broth in this pot is indeed a signature of Tongda Inn. Please wait a moment, itll be right up. Following that, the young waiter scurried off, heading to the back hall, disappearing without a trace. Zhou Heng remained seated, his gaze sweeping around the room, occasionally resting on some individuals. After some contemplation, he resumed his survey of the surroundings, his expression calm and collected, yet his mind was already forming several guesses. Moments later, the waiter returned, stepping lightly as if floating, and set down a bowl of big bone noodle soup in front of Zhou Heng with a steady hand. Honored guest, here are the big bone noodles you ordered. Please enjoy them before they get cold, the waiter said with a smile on his face. But even after delivering the noodles, he did not leave, instead standing by Zhou Hengs seat, seemingly waiting for him to eat. Zhou Heng looked at the bowl of big bone noodles on the table but did not pick up his chopsticks, as if lost in thought. The bone soup was milky white and somewhat thick, but it had a clear and non-greasy feel; the noodles looked crystal-clear and moist, likely with a pleasant texture. Scattered green onions on top of the noodles whetted ones appetite, and ten pieces of meat cooked until tender were placed on the edge of the bowl, just looking at them would make ones mouth water. Good noodles, Zhou Heng murmured with a slight nod, yet still not reaching for his chopsticks. If theyre good noodles, why arent you eating, honored guest? The waiters eyes grew misty, a hand pressing on the table, Honored guest, even a drop of water is hard to come by in the desert, let alone our inns bone soup noodles. You mustnt waste them. I think these noodles look great; Id like to appreciate them a bit longer, Zhou Heng said with a smile, turning his head to look at the waiter, You seem quite eager for me to eat this bowl of noodles. No, I just want to tell the honored guest that if the noodles are left for too long, they will get cold. The waiter suddenly grinned, revealing teeth as sharp as those of a wild beast, If they get cold, they wont taste good, you know! As he finished speaking, it was as if he sent out a particular signal. Instantly, the more than a hundred people in the inns lobby all stopped what they were doing, frozen in place as if under some spell. The next moment, they turned their heads in unison towards Zhou Heng, their eyes glowing red, their faces stiffening with a vacant expression as they opened their mouths. Then they began to whisper in unison: Eat the noodles! Eat the noodles! Eat the noodles! Finish the bowl, dont waste it, dont waste it! Finish the bowl, eat it The overlapping whispers suddenly filled the inns lobby, and the previously seemingly youthful waiter had changed completely. It was actually a headless corpse, its previously neat clothing now stained with blood and corpse oil. The spine protruded from the empty neck, wavering like a white worm, quite horrific. Eat the noodles! Come on, eat! They wont taste as good when theyre cold! A sharp, piercing voice suddenly came from the palms of the headless corpses hands. It raised both hands towards Zhou Heng. On each of its ten fingers, there grew an eye, blinking with crimson pupils, while a mouth in the palm opened and shouted angrily. It seemed as if not eating the bowl of bone soup noodles was an unforgivable offense. Id rather not eat this stuff, Zhou Heng said, gently shaking his head and gesturing towards the bowl of bone soup noodles on the table. Now, the noodles had revealed their true form and were no longer the appetizing sight they had been before. The once clean porcelain bowl had turned into a dirty, broken pottery basin, filled not with milky white bone broth but with dark green corpse oil. The noodles, previously looking crystal-clear and delectable, were now sections of hair, the green onions were broken fingernails, and indeed, the meat pieces were kneaded dough, but clearly cut from a human face, the traces of facial contours still visible. 2 This is anything but bone broth noodlesits disgusting stuff that even ghosts and malevolent spirits wouldnt eat. Dont want to eat, then go die! the inns runner suddenly burst out. His entire figure swelled in size, instantly growing over ten feet tall, with dense, scale-like armor appearing on his face and hands, and the bones within seeming ready to protrude. Apart from a rough human shape, he could hardly be considered human anymore. Whoosh! Like a sudden squall, the monster the runner had become spread his arms, swinging palms filled with evil power, and struck at Zhou Heng. Boom! At that moment, a loud crash was heard as one of the inns walls was suddenly smashed, and a camel charged in. Riding between the two humps of the camel was a person. This person was dressed in a yellow shirt, with a hat shading their face, and looking at the figure, it should be a woman, holding a long whip in her hand, which she swung forward as she rushed in. Crack!! With a sharp snap, the whip directly hit the runner who was about to attack Zhou Heng. The whip was clearly of exceptional quality, and the womans strength was also tremendously powerful, as she immediately knocked the terrifying humanoid monster to the ground. Crack!! Another sharp sound. It was the woman gathering her whip, and as she did, the extreme force swept through the great halls diners, knocking them to the ground as well. Just as the runner had changed, these diners had also revealed their true formsthey were all corpses with missing limbs, rotting flesh, and dangling eyeballs. Whos this greenhorn who dared to enter this haunted inn alone? I see you dont want to live! The woman shouted from atop the camel, Retreat quickly, come with me and get out of here! Before her words had fallen silent, she rode the camel to Zhou Hengs side, reaching out her palm to pull him onto the camel and take him away. The woman was well aware that these terrifying ghosts and monsters were simply unkillable. Even if they were temporarily knocked down, the creatures would soon stand up again. If they wanted to survive, escape was the only option, no other way around it. But her grasp failed to lift Zhou Heng, let alone pull him onto the camel. She felt as if she was trying to lift a huge mountain, no matter how hard she tried, he remained utterly unmoved. Whats going on? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What does this guy want to do? The womans heart was filled with alarm and extreme urgency. She knew those ghosts and monsters would soon recover, and even more powerful ones would be arriving shortly. If they didnt leave now, everyone would die!! Boom! Just then, the woman heard a deafening thunderclap. As she watched the youth, a layer of golden lightning suddenly cloaked his body! Chapter 227 - Chapter 227: Chapter 227: Great Grandmaster of Heaven and Earth Chapter 227: Chapter 227: Great Grandmaster of Heaven and Earth Manipulating the five chi, driving wind and thunder! Five Thunders! Righteous Method! Zhou Heng enacted his spell and released golden thunder, which in an instant enshrouded the entire Tongda Inn; the place seemed to transform into a sea of golden thunder. The bright, dazzling light illuminated the gradually darkening sky, making it shine brightly. Those terrifying monsters twitched or contorted under the bombardment of the thunder, and most couldnt even let out a scream before they were struck into ashes by the lightning, ceasing to exist. Moreover, after exterminating all the monsters inside the inn, the attack of the golden thunder did not ceaseit continued downward, piercing through the ground of the inn and revealing a huge cavern below. This cavern was filled with a dense collection of bizarre corpses, some with seven heads and one foot, others with three arms and eight legs, their heads carried in their hands all of them exuded an extremely sinister and horrifying aura without exception. The woman in the yellow shirt sitting on a camel only glanced at this cavern and immediately felt dizzy and almost fainted; the mental shock from these things was just too great. But the moment the cavern was revealed, the golden lightning surged in like blades that were indestructible yet flexible, moving through the cavern at an incredibly fast pace. Accompanied by thunderous roars, in the blink of an eye, all the densely packed bizarre corpses in the cavern were blasted into powdery ashes, completely obliterated. Right after that, the inn also collapsed, turning into charred pieces under the bombardment of the Five Thunder Righteous Method, scattering about, and soon to be swallowed by the sand. How weak. Zhou Heng slightly frowned as he withdrew the spell. He had just eliminated so many ghost-like monsters and hadnt received a single Fortune Bag as a reward. Not even a didnt stand a chance. Its way too weak! You, you, youre actually a Great Grandmaster?! The woman in the yellow shirt looked at Zhou Heng in utter shock, feeling like she was in a dream and somewhat unable to believe the scene before her eyes. This youth clearly looked only seventeen or eighteen years old, handsome and elegantthere wasnt a trace of old age, no, not just old age, there wasnt even the sense of maturity that comes with middle age. How could there be such a young Great Grandmaster in the world, how could there be such a young Heavenly and Earthly Realm. It was beyond comprehension! Yet the scene of the young man commanding the thunder and effortlessly destroying ghosts was still vividly imprinted in her mind, unerasable, and incredibly real. This was clearly the great power that only a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm could possess. Forging the body, Inner Strength, Gang Qi, Heavenly and Earthly: these are the four realms of cultivation for a martial artist in this world. If one can cultivate Inner Strength, they become a capable fighter of the rivers and lakes; forging Gang Qi makes one a first-rate figure in the rivers and lakes. Reaching the level where one can sense and manipulate water, fire, wind, and thunder is entering the Heavenly and Earthly Realm, labeled as a Great Grandmaster of this era. But even a Great Grandmaster cant rejuvenate themselves back to youth. It is said that above the Great Grandmaster lies the profound and unfathomable Land Immortal Realm, possessing the ability to bring the dead back to life, reverse time, and rejuvenate. But over the past thousand years, those who have reached this realm are few and far between, mostly existing in legends; almost no one has actually seen a Land Immortal Realm figure. How could it be so easy for her to encounter one? Great Grandmaster? Zhou Heng turned his head to look at the woman, smiled faintly, and said, What is your name? Junior The woman started to reply, then felt it was somewhat impolite to be sitting on a camel, so she quickly dismounted and bowed, saying, Junior, Wu Yaner of the Clear Sand Sect, has seen the Great Grandmaster. In Wu Yaners view, since Zhou Heng did not oppose being called a Great Grandmaster and had just displayed the power of one, this meant that he was undoubtedly a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. This was truly too fortunate. To wander the world and encounter one of the mere twenty Great Grandmasters was something quite unexpected. Clear Sand Sect, hmm, not bad. Zhou Heng nodded slightly and smiled, Come, take me to see your Clear Sand Sect. Ah? Wu Yaner was startled at first, then became a bit nervous. What could a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm possibly want at her sect? Could it be detrimental to the sect? No. It should not be. The strongest in the history of Clear Sand Sect was only at the Gang Qi Realm, which was utterly unremarkable to a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. And, judging by the attitude of the Great Grandmaster, he didnt seem to harbor any malice. So, what did he want at Clear Sand Sect? Wu Yaners mind sank into contemplation, one thought surfacing after another. She was just over twenty years old herself. Although she had some experience in the martial world, it wasnt extensivemany of her experiences were learned from a storyteller. This Great Grandmaster, although he appears young, must be at least sixty or seventy years old, possessing the skill to retain his youthful appearance. Judging from his solitary journey through the desert, he likely wanders alone to this place. The world has never heard of such a young Great Grandmaster, which means his fame is not widespread, and few know of his existence. But such a Great Grandmaster doesnt just appear out of nowhere; there must be a story behind him. Obscure and wandering alone, could he be from the legendary Hidden World Sect? It is said that many powerful sects appeared in the long ages past, but over time, most of them gradually declined and perished. However, a portion of these ancient sects continued through unique methods of succession. Hidden World Sects send out exceptional experts to travel the world after a certain period, often when the world is rife with chaos and heroes rise simultaneously. In such turbulent times, the experts from Hidden World Sects can play a role in restoring order from chaos, their formidable strength bringing peace to a troubled world. However, even the experts from Hidden World Sects who venture out are still but individuals who cant bring order from chaos to the entire world alonethey certainly need others to carry out their will. Typically, when an expert from a Hidden World Sect emerges, they choose a sect that is not particularly formidable based on fate, then adjust and instruct the chosen sect, enhancing its strength. The strongest sect today, Celestial Sun Sect, gained this opportunity more than five hundred years ago when the last successor of a Hidden World Sect appeared, and since then it has grown powerful. Speaking of which, that was the last time a successor from a Hidden World Sect appeared in this world. Since then, there have been no more sightings of experts from Hidden World Sects. Back then, the world was in chaos, heroes contested for supremacy, corpses littered the fields, and people could hardly make a living. A Great Grandmaster clad in golden armor appeared and found Fiery Gate, a sect considered third-rate at the time. Afterward, the chaos of the world subsided, and the Great Grandmaster vanished. But after receiving help from that Great Grandmaster, Fiery Gate grew countless times stronger. Now, more than five hundred years have passed, and the once Fiery Gate has become Celestial Sun Sect, the most formidable and top-ranking sect in the world. Now another great grandmaster from a hidden world sect has emerged, and it seems he has chosen the Clear Sand Sect. Could it be that the Clear Sand Sect is about to rise? Wu Yaner considered numerous possibilities in her heart. And to her, this seemed the most likely, given the precedents already set. At this thought, she couldnt help but smile, feeling extremely joyful. Regardless of whether such a possibility was true or not. Befriending a great grandmaster is never a mistake. Senior, please follow me. Wu Yaner nodded and started to lead the way with the camel walking in front, intending to take Zhou Heng to the Clear Sand Sect. Zhou Heng found Wu Yaners prompt agreement a bit strange. Could the Clear Sand Sect be that powerful? Are they not afraid I might have malicious intentions? He had no idea that Wu Yaner had concocted so many messy possibilities in her mind in just this short period. In truth, Zhou Heng simply didnt want to expose his ignorance, which was why he had Wu Yaner lead him to the Clear Sand Sect and planned to enquire about the world of Cave Sky on their way. Wu Yaner led the camel at the front at a somewhat slow pace. Her lightweight kung fu was clearly not refined enough; her feet often sank into the sand, which greatly hindered her speed. You should ride the camel, Zhou Heng said. No, theres no need, Wu Yaner hurriedly shook her head, saying, Senior is walking on foot, how can I ride the camel with good conscience? That wouldnt be right. So thats what youre worried about, Zhou Heng laughed upon hearing this and casually took out a piece of paper from his chest, gave it a gentle shake, and the paper was cut into the size of a palm-shaped camel. He then tossed this camel into the air, where it expanded with the wind, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into the size of a normal camel, even more nimble than Wu Yaners own camel. Zhou Heng leaped onto it gracefully. Now, his paper transformation magic had reached the seventh level, and the paper figurines were no longer limited to human forms; they could also take on other shapes, and cutting them into camels was certainly possible. Yet for Wu Yaner, such a method was unheard of. She stared at the paper-turned-camel, her eyes wide and her face a picture of disbelief. The shock this sight brought her was not in the least bit less than when she had seen Zhou Heng controlling thunder, annihilating all the ghostly creatures in the inn. Turning paper into a camel seemed far too inconceivable, truly beyond ones wildest thoughts! Could the martial path really be cultivated to such an extent? This was practically like the magic of immortals! Now I also have a mount, so you can ride the camel, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Ah? Okay, okay, Wu Yaner nodded absently, her whole person somewhat dazed, for she was utterly astonished beyond measure. Turning paper into a camel, a method that completely surpassed the understanding of the people of this world, was far too shocking for a young woman just over twenty years old. ` However, the shock to Wu Yaners spirit made it much easier for Zhou Heng to continue probing her with questions, and he quickly learned the general situation of this world from her lips. Similar to Da Qi, Yang Fans Cave Sky world is also ruled by an imperial court, with martial arts sects scattered among the common folk and various martial artists wandering the Jianghu. The strongest among them are the so-called Grandmasters, which according to Wu Yaners description, correspond roughly to the level from Seventh Rank to the Peak of the Seventh Rank. By this logic, Gang Qi is almost at the Eighth Rank, Inner Strength is at the Ninth Grade, and the body tempering stage is when one has not reached Entry Rank and is practicing body conditioning and learning moves. The three strongest sects in the world are Wuji Gate, Celestial Sun Sect, and Mount Wanxuan, and the birth of these three top Great Sects is all related to the so-called hidden world sect strong individuals. Zhou Heng suspected that these so-called hidden world strong individuals were likely disciples of the Solar Divine Palace who had entered the Cave Sky world for training or were directly manifestations of Yang Fans will descending. The heritage left by these hidden world sect strong individuals, who appeared every once in a while, made the Jianghu of this world colorful and full of continually emerging experts. However, compared to the martial world of the Jianghu, the power of the Imperial Court seemed rather ordinary. Since its establishment three thousand years ago, the Imperial Court has been stable and peaceful, rarely experiencing any turmoil or producing any famous experts. It also lacked the ability to manage the martial world effectively, often resulting in scenarios where martial artists killed in the streets while the authorities were helpless, and in more extreme cases, disciples of Great Sects killing officials in the street and going unpunished. Strangely enough, such an imperial court had continued to exist for three thousand years without anyone rebelling, which Zhou Heng guessed was probably related to the so-called hidden world sect strong individuals. Now, more than five hundred years had passed since the last appearance of a strong individual from a hidden world sect, and according to some descriptions by Wu Yaner, chaos had already started to emerge in the world. The time Yang Fan took to become a Celestial Man definitely wasnt three thousand years, and he withdrew into the rock walls to hide himself over a hundred years ago, could it be that time flows five times faster here, or even more? Zhou Heng had some speculations in his mind, and he was also wondering where the most significant object of fortune in this world could be. Is it in the three Great Sects? Or within the secular Imperial Court? If the Imperial Court held strong authority over the world, then it would undoubtedly be located within the court, but given the current state of the Imperial Court in this world, this possibility seemed not so high. It is more likely to be among the three Great Sects. No matter what, I still need to follow Wu Yaner to the Clear Sand Sect first, and then leave this desert, Zhou Heng thought to himself. He had also inquired about the situation of those inn ghosts from Wu Yaner earlier. Actually, Zhou Heng had some doubts when he was previously eliminating those ghosts. These ghosts were very weak in strength, not even reaching the Eighth Rank, but their undying trait seemed exceptionally strong, and if he hadnt used the Five Thunder Righteous Method, which specializes in killing ghosts, he might not have been able to kill them with one blow. Furthermore, these ghosts did not seem to be possessing human bodies, but existed by merging with corpses, which was a bit different from the ghost situations in Da Qi. Unfortunately, Wu Yaner didnt know much about these ghosts, only that they were almost impossible to kill, but since their numbers were limited and they only appeared in the desert, not many people paid attention to them. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, this made Zhou Heng even more curious, and he decided that if he couldnt find the reason in this world, he would ask Yan Shouyi after leaving or see if he could find an answer from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. After Wu Yaner mounted her camel, their speed indeed increased significantly, and in less than two hours, they had left the desert and arrived at a large city made of yellow earth. The Clear Sand Sects headquarters were located in this large city. It was only when Zhou Heng arrived at their destination with Wu Yaner that he learned that this so-called Sect headquarters was actually just a large courtyard, and the entire sect consisted only of her and her master. ` Chapter 228 - Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Are you talking about me? Chapter 228: Chapter 228: Are you talking about me? ` Great Grandmaster? Disciple, did I hear you correctly? You, you said youve met a Great Grandmaster, and such a young one at that? Wu Yaners master was a woman in her forties. Named Jiang Yuying. Her facial features were superior to ordinary people, and her skin did not become dry and yellow from living at the edge of the desert for many years; on the contrary, it was very fair. Perhaps due to practicing martial arts, she didnt have many wrinkles, and her skin was quite taut. At first glance, one might think she was only twenty-eight or twenty-nine, not yet thirty years old. At the moment, Jiang Yuying was staring at Wu Yaner in surprise, as well as Zhou Heng who had come here with Wu Yaner, her eyes full of skepticism, not quite believing the words Wu Yaner had just spoken. As soon as Zhou Heng and Wu Yaner had arrived here, Wu Yaner couldnt wait to tell her master, Jiang Yuying, that Zhou Heng was a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. However, unlike Wu Yaners shallow experience in the martial world, Jiang Yuying was an old hand in the jianghu. She had been adventuring in the jianghu since she was seventeen or eighteen years old, and now had nearly thirty years of experience. Her martial arts had also reached the Gang Qi Realm, ranking her as top-tier among her peers, and there were very few people, especially men, that she could not see through. Therefore, her first reaction upon hearing Wu Yaners words was that her disciple had been deceived, fooled by a man. But when she saw Zhou Heng, she became somewhat relieved. This young man was very handsome, strikingly attractive, like a dignified tree in the breeze. Her own disciple had just passed twenty, in the prime of her youth, so being tricked by a young man like him was not strange at all. Yet, as an old-timer in the jianghu, Jiang Yuying naturally wouldnt judge a person by their appearance alone, but she soon found that she couldnt see through Zhou Heng at all. The seemingly seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man standing there gave her a feeling of being unfathomably deep. He was like a majestic mountain, where the peak couldnt be seen, with only the ethereal clouds visible; or like a vast ocean, where the edges couldnt be seen, with only the tide on the beach observable; or perhaps a boundless desert, with nothing but yellow sand stretching to infinity. Merely focusing her gaze on him for a short while caused Jiang Yuying to feel her internal Gang Qi rapidly deplete as if she was directly beholding a tremendously powerful being, soon becoming weary to the point of headache. At this moment, she finally confirmed that even if Zhou Heng wasnt a Great Grandmaster from a Hidden World Sect, he must be a profound and enigmatic master, possibly already at the peak of the Gang Qi Realm. Standing at the pinnacle just beneath the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. As for the realm of Great Grandmaster, Jiang Yuying remained skeptical, because it was simply too incredible; Zhou Heng was just too young. For thousands of years, there had never been such a young Great Grandmaster. Unheard of! Zhou Heng could see what was on Jiang Yuyings mind and smiled, It seems you do not believe me. Jiang Yuying didnt try to hide it and nodded slightly, Thats correct, I tend never to fully trust anyone whom I cannot see through. Master! Wu Yaner became anxious upon hearing this, moving closer to Jiang Yuying and whispered, Master, I have seen Mr. Zhou take action with my own eyes. He has the power to command wind and thunder, to create soldiers from paper; he is undoubtedly a Great Grandmaster. She feared that her master would offend the Great Grandmaster, causing the Clear Sand Sect to lose this rare opportunity and miss out on becoming a top-level sect like the Celestial Sun Sect. Jiang Yuying paid no heed to Zhou Hengs or Wu Yaners words, still smiling at Zhou Heng, Mr. Zhou, you must be weary from your travels. If theres nothing pressing, would you care to stay at my humble abode temporarily? I have been wandering here with no place to stay, so I have no objection to staying temporarily, Zhou Heng said with a faint smile, but then he shook his head, However, I am not lacking in silver, I could simply purchase a residence. Haha, Jiang Yuying laughed upon hearing this, covering her mouth and saying, It is normal for people to buy property, but its the first time Ive heard of someone wanting to buy a house here in Yellow Stone City. It seems you are truly unaware of the situation here. Mr., Yellow Stone City is very chaotic; it is not a good place to buy property, Wu Yaner whispered as a warning. Because it is on the edge of the desert, bandits thrive in the surrounding areas and often attack and loot the city. And its not just outside the city; even within, there are many pickpockets, some stealing money, others food, and every household dare not leave their homes unattended. Then why exactly does your Clear Sand Sect stay here? Zhou Heng asked with a playful smile. ` Our ancestral legacy cannot be discarded, Jiang Yuying shook her head and sighed softly, If it were possible to leave, I would have taken Yaner away from Yellow Stone City long ago. This is not a good place. Is that so? Zhou Hengs smile grew thicker upon hearing this, suggesting, So, is it that you dont want to leave, or that you cannot leave? I am quite direct by nature and dont really like it when people beat around the bush when talking to me. If you have any requests, just say them plainly. Jiang Yuying fell silent upon hearing this, then let out a long sigh, her tone tinged with emotion, It seems you must really be a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. Even though her heart was reluctant to believe it and her reason told her that a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm absolutely couldnt be so young, she had already noticed from Zhou Hengs actions that this person was far from ordinary. Such demeanor, such imposing presence, made hera warrior at the Gang Qi Realm and a first-rate figure in the Jianghufeel it was extraordinary. Could this young man, who appeared to be only eighteen or nineteen, truly be a Great Grandmaster?! Jiang Yuyings heart began to waver. Although Zhou Heng hadnt said much, she had already sensitively perceived what these behaviors, this demeanor, and his words implied behind them. It signified an incredibly strong foundation, an air of having everything under control, and all of it required an immensely powerful strength as its basis. What do you say? Zhou Heng chuckled, Miss Wu led me out of the desert, I might be able to help you both leave Yellow Stone City. Within his incredibly powerful Divine Sense Perception, he could discern clearly the struggle and confusion in Jiang Yuyings emotions as though she were hesitating and feeling somewhat lost. It seemed that Jiang Yuying and Wu Yaners choice to stay in this ancient Yellow Stone City, surrounded by rolling yellow sand and living a rather impoverished life, was probably due to some other hidden reason. After a moment of silence, Jiang Yuying gently shook her head, We appreciate your kindness, Yaner and I understand, and we indeed have our difficulties, but they involve people who are no small matter, so its inconvenient to discuss in detail. If you wish to leave this place and go to more prosperous areas, I can give you a map, as a token of gratitude for saving Yaner. Master Wu Yaner wanted to continue persuading; after all, this was a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm and very likely from a Hidden World Sect. How could they just part ways? Dang, dang, dang! Just then, a rapid gong sound came from outside the courtyard, immediately followed by the sounds of many people running and the clinking of metal. It seemed they were getting ready for battle? Zhou Hengs ears twitched slightly, and he heard the faint vibrations under his feet. This wasnt an earthquake, but a group of people riding horses approaching from a distance. Are these the bandits attacking the city to plunder, as you mentioned? Zhou Heng looked towards Jiang Yuying and Wu Yaner and chuckled, Shall I go and take care of them for you? They are not ordinary bandits, Jiang Yuying shook her head, These bandits were originally martial artists from the Central Plains. They offended the major sects and lost their place there, turning to banditry in this desert. Theyre not lacking in strength. Ive heard that these bandits have five leaders, all of whom are high-level experts that have mastered Gang Qi, Wu Yaner added, Including the chief and deputy chief, who are reportedly at the peak of the Gang Qi Realm. The major sects? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly with a smile, Are you referring to the Celestial Sun Sect, Wuji Gate, and Mount Wanxuan? Besides these three sects, who else could drive those at the peak of the Gang Qi Realm to a point where they cant even stand in the Central Plains? Jiang Yuying sneered slightly, Now, those in and around Yellow Stone City are mostly forced to this plight. What about the Clear Sand Sect? Zhou Heng chuckled, he could see that Jiang Yuying was an old veteran of Jianghu, and such a person was exactly what he needed. What does being an old hand in Jianghu mean? It means being privy to many hidden pieces of knowledge of the martial world. Even if such an old hand had been isolated from the bustling Central Plains for a long time, the information regarding various places and powers would generally still be accurate. Having an old hand in Jianghu to guide the way would make it much easier, whether leaving Yellow Stone City for the affluent areas of the Central Plains or investigating the different Sects scattered around. As for the map? ` In such obviously primitive production conditions of ancient times, the maps made could not meet Zhou Hengs standards for use; they were extremely difficult to utilize, only slightly better than waste paper. What could be better than having a real person for navigation? To Zhou Heng, Jiang Yuying undoubtedly was a very useful human navigator. We Jiang Yuying started, then hesitated. Bang! Bang! Bang! Just then, an urgent knocking came from outside the courtyard. Wu Yaner went to open the door, and immediately four or five elderly men and women rushed in, faces full of panic. Lady Jiang, Lady Jiang! Hurry to the city walls with us, trouble has come, big trouble! This time, all five leaders of the bandits have appeared. Heroes Guo, Yang, Liu and the rest are having a hard time holding them up. Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuyings expression abruptly became solemn, her gaze shifting towards the direction outside Yellow Stone City. The five leaders of the bandits equated to three in the Gang Qi Realm and two at the peak of the Gang Qi Realm! Such a force, even in the land of the Central Plains, would be considered a first-rate Sect. In Yellow Stone City, including her, there were only seven at the Gang Qi Realm; though they outnumbered the bandits by one, none were at the peak of the Gang Qi Realm. Often, being slightly superior in martial prowess is like being stronger than heaven itself. The difference between the peak of the Gang Qi Realm and the Gang Qi Realm was truly profound, possibly with abilities and martial strength that were incomparable. Ill go have a look. Jiang Yuying nodded, then set out, while also instructing Wu Yaner to take good care of Zhou Heng and not to neglect him. Care is not necessary. Zhou Heng smiled, saying, Im also curious to see what these people at the peak of the Gang Qi Realm are capable of. Lets go together. You want to join as well? Jiang Yuying was surprised. If you go, youll have to fight the bandits. Does Lady Jiang think I am not capable of killing? Zhou Heng smiled and said, Lets go, lead the way ahead. Then, thank you, Jiang Yuying respectfully acknowledged and walked in front. No matter if Zhou Heng was a real Great Grandmaster or not, but having reached the Gang Qi Realm was undoubted, and having one more fighter of such strength gave them more hope. After they left, the elders couldnt help but ask Wu Yaner. Miss Wu, was that young man just now your junior brother? Is he a new disciple Lady Jiang has taken in? They were a bit curious. Yellow Stone City wasnt big, and many people knew each other, so it was clear to them that Zhou Heng was an outsider. However, in their view, a youth of eighteen or nineteen certainly couldnt be that strong, most likely a new disciple that Jiang Yuying had just accepted. Yet, considering the way Jiang Yuying and Zhou Heng spoke to each other, it seemed not to be the case. Uncles and aunts, dont talk nonsense, how could my master be Zhou Hengs teacher, Wu Yaner hurriedly shook her head, saying, He is a Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned, their eyes wide and mouths agape. Due to the frequent attacks and pillaging by bandits, Yellow Stone City more or less had an atmosphere of everyone practicing martial arts, even the old men and women were familiar with the different martial ranks and realms. Thus, they also understood very well what being a Grandmaster meant. A Great Grandmaster?! Thats impossible, how could there be such a young Great Grandmaster? ` Inconceivable, inconceivable. Lets go take a look at the city wall! The group of elderly men and women buzzed with discussion, then turned and left to head toward the walls of Yellow Stone City to see if Zhou Heng truly possessed the might of a Great Grandmaster. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng and Jiang Yuying had already reached the city wall and encountered three middle-aged men covered in blood, vaulting onto the wall. Beneath the wall, over a hundred mounted bandits were shouting wildly, especially the leading group of five, who were particularly arrogant and abusive. Heroes Guo, Yang, and Liu, are you alright? Jiang Yuying knew these three and, seeing their severe injuries, inquired about their well-being while garnering attention from the medics present to treat them. Heroine Jiang has come, eh? Its nothing serious, just some flesh wounds. I, old Guo, aah This hero Guo had a total of thirteen wounds on his chest and back, the blood clotted with his clothing, and he could only use his sword as a cane to barely keep himself standing, grimacing in pain. The other two men were more silent, but their injuries were not light either. One could tell they were somewhat desperate; the bandits five chiefs banding together were simply too strong. The Gang Qi Realm warriors in the city were not all present; three had departed, leaving it at its weakest point. What perfect timing! You all go ahead and focus on healing. Jiang Yuying took a step forward, her gaze cold as she looked down at the bandits below, and spoke sternly, What do you gentlemen think you are doing? Do you truly wish to end in mutual destruction? The bandits below burst into hearty laughter. Stinking wench, keep dreaming! Mutual destruction? Come down here, and let the master have his way with you first. Ive wanted to play with you for so long, hahaha! Jiang Yuying, twenty years ago, you were known in the martial world as the Fairy of the Cold River, and your reputation was indeed well-deserved. How about becoming my chiefs wife, eh? And whos that little brat next to you? Wouldnt be your little boy toy, would he? Hahaha! The Fairy of the Cold River, who never coyly refused any hero in the martial world, has started keeping a boy toy as well? Hahaha! If you have any needs, Heroine Jiang, we brothers can surely satisfy youmuch better than that pale-faced kid! That little white face looks so frail! The scornful shouting was incessant, utterly insulting, dragging Zhou Heng, who stood beside Jiang Yuying, into the fray with vulgar and indecent words. Jiang Yuying was so angry that her whole body trembled, but she knew that with her strength alone, she was certainly no match for these powerful bandits. She had no choice but to look to Zhou Heng beside her. Yet there was Zhou Heng, who had borrowed a longsword from hero Guo and was holding it casually in his hand, looking down at the bandits below with a slight chuckle, Were you just talking about me? Thats right, talking about you, you ball-less pretty boy! A bandit laughed loudly, not taking Zhou Heng seriously at all. In his view, Zhou Heng was only eighteen or nineteen years old, not possibly possessing any real strengthsurely nothing more than Jiang Yuyings boy toy, no threat at all. But just as the bandits words fell Cling!! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A resounding clang of a sword vibrated through the air, and a flash of silver passed over the bandits neck. Instantly, blood gushed from his neck, and a head was lifted into the air on the point of a longsword. This longsword, previously held by hero Guo, now hovered in mid-air without anyone holding it, and had severed the bandits neck, lifting his head into the sky. In an instant, the whole place fell deathly silent, not even a crow to be heard, as more than a hundred bandits held their breath, staring dumbfounded at the scene before them. Even the five Gang Qi Realm bandits were no exception; they too had never seen such an unfathomable technique. Zhou Heng still stood atop the city wall, looking down at the bandits below, scanning the crowd with a soft laugh, Ill ask one more time, were you just talking about me? Chapter 229 - Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Pointing the Sword at the Capital City Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Pointing the Sword at the Capital City ` Whoosh! The sound of the wind blew past, bringing with it sheets of yellow sand that shattered the silence before Yellow Stone City. Yet no one dared to make a sound, let alone speak; naturally, no one dared to answer Zhou Hengs question. Because the blood-drenched longsword still hovered in the air, with the head of the bandit who had been shouting earlier skewered on it, eyes bulging outward as if they could fall from their sockets at any moment. Those eyes were filled with a mixture of horror, fear, and disbelief, delivering a massive shock to the gang of bandits, some of whom, being less courageous, even fell off their horses. Everyone present, whether it was Jiang Yuying and the defenders of Yellow Stone City or the bandits who had come to besiege and plunder, were shocked as they looked towards Zhou Heng. Sword control from the air, beheading at a distance! Such techniques, such martial arts Was this really martial arts? It was simply too inconceivable?! You, you, are you, are you Jiang Yuyings beautiful eyes widened, disbelievingly staring at Zhou Heng, her mouth slightly open, her face full of horror, Great Grandmaster? Are you truly a Great Grandmaster? Apart from those of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm Great Grandmasters, she could not imagine what kind of martial artist would possess such powerful and bizarre techniques. As for heroes like Guo, Yang, Liu, and others, they were all dumbfounded, standing still like clay statues, unable to move. The sword strike from Zhou Heng earlier had completely exceeded their understanding of the Martial Path and martial arts. It even gave them a feeling they often had when they first started learning martial artsthat there were such powerful techniques in the world, too incredible! Retreat!! The leading bandit bellowed, the first to turn and decisively call to his companions to leave this place. At the same time, the bandits in front of him quickly retreated, covering his rear, while other bandits spread out to either side to protect his flanks. Clearly, although these bandits were a disorganized mob, they were quite proficient in ensuring their leaders safety. Unfortunately, thats only effective against normal pursuits. Against Zhou Hengs flying sword, such a formation was useless. Clang! The sword hummed, and silver light crisscrossed. It was a speed far exceeding any galloping horse; in the blink of an eye, it caught up with the fleeing bandits. The silver light moved like a fish in water, incredibly agile and swift, instantly passing over the necks of twenty or thirty bandits at the rear. Then it flashed from left to right, drawing a wide arc to sever the necks of the bandits to the left, in front, and to the rightblood gushed like a fountain, and dozens of heads flew into the air like cut wheat. Bodies, like dry grass blown by the wind, fell off their horses one after another. The horses, too, startled, ran wildly in all directions, trampling these headless corpses into the dust, mashing them into a pulp. In just that moment, the bandits who had come to attack and plunder Yellow Stone City were reduced to only the five leaders, with the rest dead and dismembered. Inside and outside Yellow Stone City, silence fell once again, and the countenances of those five bandit leaders turned to the color of earth, terrified to the extreme, no longer showing any of their previous arrogance. ` Is asking a single question really that difficult for you? Zhou Heng wore a look of helplessness, shook his head lightly, and chuckled, Since you dont want to answer, I guess Ill just have to deal with all of you. What, what do you want to do?! The strongest of the bandit leaders tried to appear calm as he asked Zhou Heng. He was a peak martial artist in the Gang Qi Realm, and he thought that, even if Zhou Heng was a true Great Grandmaster, it wouldnt be easy for him to use his mighty and strange sword technique to kill him. This wasnt presumptuousness but a judgment based on past experiences and knowledge. Despite their strength, Great Grandmasters were still human and not invincible. There were historical records of instances where peak Gang Qi practitioners fought against Heavenly and Earthly Realm Great Grandmasters. The powerful sword technique just now had only killed those in the Inner Qi Realm and hadnt targeted the five of them. In his view, this must be evidence that Zhou Heng wasnt ready to openly face so many strong practitioners of the Gang Qi Realm. However, just as he was thinking this, a silver light tinged with traces of blood suddenly streaked through the air with a speed far surpassing the limits of the bandit leaders reactions. Pfft! Blood sprayed out like a crimson ribbon, and the head of the large bandit leader was picked off by the sword edge, suspended in the air just like the first bandit who had been slain earlier. Did I allow you to speak? Zhou Heng said indifferently, glancing at the headless body that had fallen from the horses back, then turning his gaze to the remaining four bandits. The remaining four bandits tensed up completely, holding their breath and concentrating, not daring to make a sound. Zhou Hengs displayed strength was really too formidable, simply inconceivable. From over a hundred yards away, he could control his sword through the air and behead someone, and the head he took was of a peak Gang Qi Realm practitioner. Such skill, such strength, even a true Great Grandmaster might not be able to achieve. It was truly like that of an Immortal, so powerful and overwhelming it appeared beyond the peak of magnificence, not of this mundane world, seemingly impossible for a mere mortal to possess. Who ordered you to repeatedly attack Yellow Stone City? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze slowly swept across the four remaining bandit leaders. No one answered. Nobody even made a sound. At that moment, the Hero Guo at Zhou Hengs side on the city wall spoke up, saying, Esteemed Grandmaster, you have only recently arrived here and might not be aware of the situation. The bandits around Yellow Stone City are here because they had no place to stand in the Central Plains, which drove them to eke out a living in this god-forsaken desert. These people dont engage in production, yet they still need things for their daily lives. Since they dont produce anything themselves, they have no choice but to rob others, alas By the end of his speech, the Hero Guo couldnt help but sigh heavily, looking both sad and indignant, but he also made his view clear: the bandits acts of attacking the city and pillaging were spontaneous, and not under someones orders. Which in effect was a denial of Zhou Hengs previous inquiry. Heroes Yang and Wu standing next to him nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Hero Guos description. It matched their shared perception, built upon years of cumulative experience and understanding. Jiang Yuying, on the other hand, couldnt help but furrow her brows. She had long held doubts about the true purpose of these bandits. Although nominally they aimed to assault the city and loot, in practice, they had succeeded only twice over many years, yet they continued to attack time and again. It was as if the bandits had set their sights solely on Yellow Stone City, completely ignoring other, relatively weaker cities, which clearly wasnt normal behavior. Dont worry, I have my own ways, Zhou Heng said as he stood atop the walls of Yellow Stone City, smiling with his gaze settling on the second-in-command bandit leader. Tell me. Nothing to disclose, the second-in-command turned his head away, but in the next instant, a flash of silver light followed, and blood sprayed from his neck as another head was impaled on the longsword. Ssss! The people on top of the Yellow Stone City walls couldnt help but inhale a sharp breath of cold air as they looked at Zhou Heng with eyes filled with shock and fear. His actions were truly too decisive and ruthless. After saying just one sentence, the second in command of the bandits was decapitated by Zhou Heng without any further questioning. Did he really just take the head of a peak Gang Qi Realm martial arts master like that? Is this the power and method of a Great Grandmaster? But it shouldnt be like this. According to common sense, even a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm shouldnt be able to crush and end the lives of two peak Gang Qi Realm opponents so easily. This is too outrageous! Next, tell me who directed you to keep attacking Yellow Stone City, Zhou Heng said, his gaze turning toward the third bandit leader. This third leader was a beardless scholar with a pale face who looked to be around thirty. Seeing Zhou Hengs gaze turn toward him, he became so frightened that his face turned deathly pale and his voice began to tremble. Great, Great Grandmaster, we really didnt The third leader was trying to explain, but then came another flash of silver light, blood spurted out, and the longsword had skewered a third head. The third rank bandit chief also died on the spot. Now out of the five leaders of the bandits, only the fourth and the youngest one remained. Their strengths were the weakest. They watched helplessly as those much stronger than themselves were easily decapitated. Despair had completely settled in their hearts. Just at that moment, a thought crossed Zhou Hengs mind, and the longsword that had collected the heads of the bandits main leader, second, and third leaders flew down from the sky, landing in front of the only remaining two bandit leadersthe last two bandits left. Blood dripped continuously from the three severed necks. The faces were contorted with utterly terrified expressions, but the fear could still clearly be seen, as well as the blood-soaked eyes of the dead. These were the people they knew best. Immediately, the fourth and fifth bandit leaders fell to their knees with a thud, crying out in unison, Its Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo! The Emperors sixth brother, who retains his title as Prince Zhao and still resides in the Capital City, Wu Zhuo ah! The moment they finished shouting, both of them fainted, falling to the ground unconscious, as if their minds had suffered a tremendous shock they could no longer bear. It seemed that exposing this Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo was an extremely important matter to them, someone whose identity they were desperate to keep hidden, Unfortunately, when faced with extreme fear, no matter how important the secret, it becomes less so. To continue living, to survivethat is what truly matters. Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo?! As soon as this title was spoken, the expressions of the people on the walls of Yellow Stone City changed drastically, especially Jiang Yuying. Her face was full of shock and disbelief. How could it be him? Jiang Yuying couldnt comprehend it. Looking at the two unconscious men outside the city, she was full of doubt. This answer was totally unexpected. She had not thought that these bandits who attacked Yellow Stone City from time to time were actually under someones orders; moreover, she didnt expect that the person behind them would be Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo. Is there something wrong with this man? Zhou Heng noticed the unusual expressions of Jiang Yuying and the others, and asked, Is this Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo out of the ordinary? You do not know, sir. Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo is not only a Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm but also also the founder of Yellow Stone City, Jiang Yuying replied with furrowed brows. I had thought it would be but how could it be Lord Wu Zhuo? The rest of the people were also in disbelief. To them, Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo, who established Yellow Stone City, had given them a home to settle down inhe was their great benefactor. Why would such a person secretly instruct bandits to repeatedly attack Yellow Stone City? What good would it do him? Why would he have any reason to do so? It made no sense at all. Therefore, the heroes Guo, Yang, Liu, and others did not believe the words spoken by the two bandits before they fainted, thinking they were talking nonsense and framing someone. But Zhou Heng knew that the two bandit leaders were not lying, for under the surveillance of his Divine Sense, if the bandit leaders had lied, they would never have been able to deceive him. Which means, the mastermind behind the continuous bandit attacks on Yellow Stone City was indeed this Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo, the founder of Yellow Stone City. But what reason would he have to do this? Zhou Heng also felt some confusion in his heart, but he quickly thought of a possibility. When Yellow Stone City was under attack, whether it was commoners or Martial Artists, they would undoubtedly experience panic, fear, and even despair, all sorts of negative emotions. And these emotions were precisely what Evil Creatures needed. Could it be that Evil Creatures had appeared in this Cave Sky world of Yang Fan? Yes, if even ghost-like entities existed, it wouldnt be strange for Evil Creatures to appear as well. If this was truly the case, it could be almost certain That this Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo established Yellow Stone City to help this Evil Creature recover or to enhance its power. And from this incident, Zhou Heng could discern another issue. The Imperial Court seemed not to be very weak. Although their control over the Martial arts world was not strong, the fact that Wu Zhuo could build a city in this desolate desert indicated that the Imperial Court still had considerable power at its disposal. Such an Imperial Court, possessing a treasure that is coveted for the worlds destiny, did not seem impossible. Perhaps it would be wise to focus on the Imperial Court first. Should the investigation begin with the National Jade Seal? However, going to the Capital City would require a legitimate reason; otherwise, if I, a suddenly appeared Great Grandmaster, rashly went to the Capital City, I would undoubtedly stand out like a beacon in the night, he mused. Zhou Hengs heart moved slightly as he turned his gaze toward Jiang Yuying beside him and said with a light chuckle, You doubted whether I was a Great Grandmaster before, now you should be able to confirm it, right? Sirs prowess is witnessed by all, Jiang Yuying nodded earnestly and said, If you are not a Great Grandmaster, then I fear no one else in this world would dare to claim the title. Then would you be willing to accompany me to find that Prince Zhao Wu Zhuo for some clear explanations? Zhou Heng asked with a smile, this was the excuse he had found to go to the Imperial City. This At his words, Jiang Yuying hesitated slightly, but finally nodded and said, Yes, I have some matters I wish to inquire about with Lord Wu Zhuo, and I thank you for being willing to go with me to the Capital City. Its a trifle, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ten days later. Zhou Heng and Jiang Yuying arrived at the center of the world, the Imperial Courts capital city, the most bustling place. Just as he had anticipated earlier, along the way, he did indeed receive quite a bit of covert attention, although it was not too severe. After arriving at the Capital City, Zhou Heng was ostensibly there to visit Prince Zhaos mansion with Jiang Yuying, but in secret, he snuck into the Imperial City. Ready to take the National Jade Seal and investigate thoroughly. Chapter 230 - Chapter 230: Chapter 230: The National Jade Seal Chapter 230: Chapter 230: The National Jade Seal Hongyang Hall. This is the grandest palace of the Hongyang Empire, the core of the Imperial City, where Emperor Yang Yun holds court to meet with his officials and deal with government affairs. It is now night, with clouds obscuring the moon and no stars shining, engulfing everything in darkness. The darker the skies, the stricter the guard within the Imperial Palace, with swarms of forbidding guards patrolling the grounds, all masters of Inner Strength. Especially in front of Hongyang Hall, the security is the most tight and the number of guards is the greatest, all focused and vigilant, watching every corner closely. Contrastingly, inside Hongyang Hall it is still as bright as day with the lights burning clear and bright. It has already reached the hour of Hai, but Emperor Yang Yun is still attending to state affairs within Hongyang Hall. Memorials are piled up like mountains. The current state of the Hongyang Empire is far from peaceful with rampant bandits and the major rivers and lakes sects also appearing rebellious; coupled with a year of famine, the people in the northwestern provinces are rather unsettled. Thus, these memorials, which report the chaos from various regions and request the emperors decisions, are constantly being sent into Hongyang Hall like snowflakes. Emperor Yang Yun of the Hongyang Empire has been staying up late reading memorials for half a month now. Phew! Yang Yun let out a long breath, closed a memorial he was reading, pinched the bridge of his nose, and decided to take a break to relax, but he was somewhat reluctant to put down the memorial in his hands. Afterward, his gaze fell on the national treasure, the Divine Jade Seal, at the corner of the table. He picked up the seal and carefully examined it. Although this Divine Jade Seal had accompanied him for decades since he ascended to the throne, it had never left his side. He was very familiar with every detail on it. However, whenever he held the seal in his hand for more than a short while, he felt as though he possessed boundless strength, and his physical and mental fatigue would quickly subside. It was the former emperor who had once said that the Divine Jade Seal was imbued with the fortunes of the entire Hongyang Empire. Each time the seal exercised its effects, it was actually consuming the fortunes of the Hongyang Empire. Therefore, it should not be used excessively. Otherwise, the entire Hongyang Empire would gradually decline, chaos would arise everywhere, and the people would suffer. What a treasure, Yang Yun murmured affectionately as he caressed the Divine Jade Seal, unable to part with it. He was well aware of the consequences of frequently using the Divine Jade Seal to restore his spirit and strength, but he ultimately couldnt resist and once again played with the seal for half a moment. After this brief period, Yang Yuns spirits immediately returned to an exceptionally full state. He then put the Divine Jade Seal back at the corner of the table, reopened a memorial, and continued to review it, seemingly like a diligent and loving emperor. However, in reality, Yang Yun didnt care about the various crises reflected in these memorials. What he truly cared about was the exhilarating feeling while reviewing them, the sensation of changing countless peoples fates with a single stroke of his brush. For him, this feeling was an incomparable pleasure. Because of this, he was addicted to reviewing memorials, preferring to use the Divine Jade Seal to restore his spirit and strength rather than stopping. In Yang Yuns eyes, the common people and the nation were nothing more than playthings. Snap! Yang Yun had just finished reviewing another memorial, a pleased smile on his face. But just at that moment, Yang Yun suddenly felt a blur before his eyes, as if someone had flashed past him. At the same time, the Divine Jade Seal that was on the corner of the table had disappeared without a trace, leaving only bits of paper scattered on the ground. Rubbing his eyes, Yang Yuns face showed an expression of disbelief and he bellowed, Guards! Theres an assassin! Before the words had fully left his mouth, two middle-aged eunuchs, pale and beardless, burst forth from behind Yang Yuns dragon throne. Both cloaked in a faint glow, they moved at extreme speed, intending to rush out of Hongyang Hall. They were all first-rate masters in the Gang Qi Realm from the jianghu. But no sooner had they appeared than the six paper dolls scattered on the ground suddenly stood up and rapidly expanded until they reached adult size. Each paper doll possessed a fifth of Zhou Hengs strength, which amounted to less than a third of their original strength. However, how formidable was Zhou Hengs true strength? Even if it wasnt even thirty percent, it could easily crush those barely equivalent to Eighth Rank or at the Gang Qi Realm. Not to mention, there were six paper dolls here now! The two Purple Robe eunuchs had never seen such a bizarre scene and were immediately stunned on the spot, but they quickly regained their composure and intended to attack these paper dolls. Unfortunately, the strength of a single paper doll far exceeded their own, and now there were six. Before the two skilled eunuchs could act, the attacks of two paper dolls had already landed on them. They were struck to the ground and knocked unconscious on the spot. The remaining four paper dolls also surrounded Emperor Yang Yun, preventing him from moving. What do you want to do?! Yang Yun, trembling with rage, glared fiercely at the four paper dolls. In the face of such a bizarre sight, he showed no fear at all. Paper dolls cant speak, so naturally, Yang Yun wouldnt get a response, and his heart swelled with even greater anger. But he didnt dare to act rashly. He had seen with his own eyes how these paper dolls had easily knocked out two high-ranking eunuchs. Both eunuchs were at the pinnacle of the Gang Qi Realm, the strongest below a Great Grandmaster, yet they were no match for these eerie paper dolls. Yang Yun had only just entered the Gang Qi Realm and neglected his training on ordinary days, not being skilled in combat; he was very clear that he was no match for these paper dolls. To rashly make a move would be tantamount to seeking death. However, he still had one last trump card, and he had not yet decided whether to use it. After all, the truly powerful guards of the Imperial City were actually outside this Hongyang Hall. The brazen thief who dared to steal the Town-Nation Seal, even if he could escape the Hongyang Hall using such inconceivable methods as before, might not necessarily flee the Imperial City! At this very moment, Zhou Heng was swiftly crossing over the rooftops of the grand halls in the Hongyang Imperial City, holding the Town-Nation Seal in his hand. Previously, he had quietly infiltrated the rooftop of the Hongyang Hall, then used the wood technique of the Five Elements Escape Technique, with the paper doll as a spirit guide, to instantly teleport through the roof and continued to use the technique three times in succession to appear before Emperor Yang Yuns desk and take the Town-Nation Seal, followed by three more uses of the technique to leave the Hongyang Hall. And applying the wood technique of the Five Elements Escape Technique did not affect the paper dolls themselves, so they could still be used for the Paper Dolls into Soldiers technique. After taking the Town-Nation Seal, Zhou Heng then used the Paper Dolls into Soldiers technique to turn the six paper dolls inside the Hongyang Hall into Taoist Soldiers. He did this to confuse the eyes and attention of the palace guards, allowing him to escape smoothly and leave this Cave Sky world. After obtaining the Town-Nation Seal, Zhou Heng was certain that it was the most fortune-dense artifact inside this Cave Sky world. Next, he knew that taking the seal out of this Cave Sky would be fulfilling his mission, with Yan Shouyis assistance, to gain this Celestial Man Cave Sky. However, since the Cave Sky rules were forcibly changed by Taoist Sovereign God Soldier used by Yan Shouyi, there were certain restrictions on Zhou Hengs departure; he had to reach the feng shui focal point of the Imperial Palace, that is, the center of Tai Chi Lake located in the southeastern part of the palace. Only there could Yan Shouyi mobilize the power of the Taoist Sovereign God Soldier to lead him out of this Cave Sky world. And at the moment of the transfer of ownership of the Cave Sky, everything in this world would come to a complete halt, time itself would stop, no longer moving forward. This was the reason why Zhou Heng was not at all worried about Jiang Yuyings safety, nor did he care about the severe consequences that the loss of the Town-Nation Seal might cause. Because, as soon as he left this world, everything would stop. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, while Zhou Heng was on his way to Tai Chi Lake, he suddenly felt a violent change in the natural energy around him, as if an invisible giant hand had stirred the weather. In an instant, the dark clouds in the sky parted, and the bright moonlight pierced through the night, shining directly upon Zhou Heng without error. All the guards in the Imperial Palace seemed guided by something, running towards Zhou Hengs location. At the same time, a figure rushed over from the direction of Tai Chi Lake, bringing with him a momentum that changed the color of heaven and earth, and shouted: Die, thief!! Chapter 231 - Chapter 231: Chapter 231 Return Chapter 231: Chapter 231 Return Scoundrel, meet your death! This furious roar, like thunder, was deafening. The energy between heaven and earth stirred into tumult. The figure moved with extreme speed and, in the blink of an eye, had already charged towards Zhou Heng. The person appeared to be in his fifties, with a long beard and a dignified face. He wore a dark-colored brocade robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns and brandished a long spear as he thrust it at Zhou Heng. As he launched the spear, the energy of heaven and earth converged toward him, coalescing into a golden dragon-shaped aura on the spear, even emitting the roars of a dragon, its might shaking the heavens. Zhou Heng could feel that all the energy pathways in his body were locked. This meant that the mans spear had sealed off all his available movementsthere was no escape, no avoidance. He had to face this seemingly boundless attack head-on. Yet Zhou Heng remained calm and composed, even though he was heavily encircled and facing an attack from a Celestial Man Great Grandmaster. He appeared unfazed, only slightly puzzled in his mind. This person is almost at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, yet can mobilize the energy of heaven and earth on such a massive scale. If this were Da Qi, such a thing would be impossible. Zhou Heng had fought with many at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, including some of the top ten on the power rankings, yet none could harness the energy of heaven and earth at this scale. Could it be that the rules and principles in the Cave Sky world are not perfect, hence the restrictions are lesser? In this Cave Sky world, by cultivating ones inner vista and reflecting heaven and earth, one could mobilize more of the worlds energy, with even greater power than the more formidable of the Peak of the Seventh Rank? Indeed, that was a possibility. Zhou Heng nodded slightly, for before this, he had attempted to minutely adjust his inner vista and sense the surrounding heavenly rules and principles, discovering that it was extremely smooth. With just a bit of cultivation, he would be able to utilize these principles for himself within half a month, thereby enhancing his control over the energy of heaven and earth. As a result, he would obtain strength far surpassing his current level. This meant, in this world, touching upon the laws and controlling the energy was much easier than in the world of Da Qi. However, such strength could only be exhibited within this Cave Sky world; once he left, everything would revert to its original state. Nonetheless, it could be confirmed that the Celestial Man Great Grandmasters in this world possessed a might far surpassing many at the Peak of the Seventh Rank in Da Qi. Roar, roar, roar!! The sound of dragon chants rushed forward, the golden dragon-shaped light exceedingly brilliant, even surpassing the moonlight that had just broken through the clouds, intending a fatal blow on Zhou Heng. To daydream while battling me, youre asking for death! the man roared, Die!! His spear, with its dragon-shaped golden light, was about to pierce Zhou Heng. In his view, should his spear strike true, even a Celestial Man Great Grandmaster would be struck cold through the heart. But at that moment, Zhou Heng lifted his head, the corners of his mouth slightly curling up. He raised his palm, spread his fingerswithin which a deep and obscure darkness seemed to ignore the spear attackand slapped toward the man. Boom! The sound like an explosion in the void invaded the mans mind, making him feel as if the sound had directly flung open his skull and brutally rushed in. Immediately, he felt dizzy to the point of nearly fainting. The hand holding the spear couldnt help but tremble, the spearhead deviating off course and failing to truly hit Zhou Heng, with only the layer of dragon-shaped golden light grazing past him. However, as the dragon-shaped golden light touched Zhou Heng, a bell-shaped golden light suddenly shone on his body, blocking all the assault of the dragon-shaped light. Zhou Heng emerged unscathed. The man, while feeling dizzy, also felt an immense pressure. He forced himself to regain focus and saw a palm that seemed to cover the sky descending upon him. This palm, dark and ominous as if falling from the highest heavens, contained limitless might, threatening to crush the firmament, to overturn heaven and earth! Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Heaven and Earth Overturned! This was a Fourth Rank supreme martial art that could reach the realm of Celestial Man, also one of the foundational martial arts of the Supreme Divine Skill Primordial Golden Chapter, far beyond the comprehension of any martial artist within this Cave Sky world. Too strong! For the man, this palm was overwhelmingly powerful! Facing such a force, he couldnt even muster the thought to resist. Despite his strength in commanding the energy of heaven and earth, it was useless. Facing such an exceptional martial arts technique and the tremendous power of this palm strike, his soul was captivated, naturally leaving him without any chance of winning. He could only stand there, stupefied, watching as Zhou Hengs palm print landed on his head. Bang!! With only a muffled sound, the gunmans head burst like a rotten watermelon under the force of Zhou Hengs palm, scattering blood everywhere, staining the moonlight red. Moreover, because the strength of Zhou Hengs palm was so intense that it didnt diminish in the slightest after crushing the mans head, it continued through the headless corpse, sending it flying and crashing into the distant Hongyang Hall. Zhou Hengs steps didnt stop; he paid no attention to what happened at Hongyang Hall but instead continued forward at maximum speed towards Tai Chi Lake. Escaping with the State-guarding Imperial Seal was the most pressing matter. Who knew if an Earthly Immortal would suddenly appear? Fleeing was the best strategy! Meanwhile, inside the Hongyang Hall, Yang Yuns face broke into a smile, his eyes cold and mocking as he gazed upon the six paper effigies before him. Did you hear it? That dragons roar signifies my father executing the Golden Dragon Spear Technique. He is a peak Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm, the closest being to an Earthly Immortal in this world! No matter who made you puppets or whether you can convey my words to that audacious thief, you will not escape the Imperial Palace. In front of my father, a peak Great Grandmaster, you have no chance of resisting. You are doomed. Tell me Boom!! Just then, a loud crash resounded from above Hongyang Hall, followed by Yang Yun witnessing a headless corpse breaking through the roof, bringing down shattered tiles as it fell. Thud!! It landed right in front of him. How, how is this possible?! Yang Yun could not help but cry out, his face showing an extreme shock that was almost twisted in disbelief. He was all too familiar with the dark brocade robe and the golden dragon embroideryit was unmistakably the attire of the previous Hongyang Emperor, his father, a strong peak Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly and Earthly Realm. To think he was killed! How could this be? He couldnt believe it. He wanted to go outside the Hongyang Hall to check, but with the six paper effigies being unmanageable and impossible to bypass. However, just at this moment, the six paper effigies suddenly began to tremble lightly and rapidly shrank to normal size, then floated to the ground, lifeless and without any sign of the strange. Yang Yun tried to step forward to take a look, but just as he had this thought, everything froze as if the river of time ceased to flow, and the world had hit the pause button. Five out of the six paper effigies had already fallen to the ground. As the fifth was about to touch the ground, Zhou Heng resisted at Tai Chi Lake and left this Cave Sky world. And he took with him the most fortune-condensed treasure of this worldthe State-guarding Imperial Seal. Huangtong Mansion City, the great residence. Suddenly, the Golden Crow on the screen wall began to ooze bright red blood, radiating golden light, and a will filled with intense resentment emanated from within. Yan Shouyi! How cruelly vicious you are to covet my Cave Sky, may you not die a good death, may your body and soul be annihilated! At this moment, a beam of green light burst forth from the stone wall, immediately overpowering the golden light that had pervaded it. Soon after, Zhou Heng emerged from the green light. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He was still holding the State-guarding Imperial Seal in his hand. Senior Brother, this is the most fortune-condensed treasure from within the Cave Sky world, Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle, holding the seal, What should we do next? Ah, ah! You all go die!! But just then, a roaring fury erupted from the screen wall. At the same time, the Golden Crow seemed to come to life, its wings vibrating as it broke free from the chains in the carving, bursting through the screen wall, and into reality, lifting its claws to strike at Zhou Heng. Chapter 232 - Chapter 232: Chapter 232 Sunrise Soiree Chapter 232: Chapter 232 Sunrise Soiree You sure like to walk right into the net, Yan Shouyi said with a light laugh, reaching out to grasp the Golden Crow in his hand. Instantly, the Golden Crow shrank rapidly and turned into a tiny, yellow-feathered chick in the blink of an eye. The little chick hopped twice in the palm of Yan Shouyis hand and spit out a golden bead from its mouth. It was crystal clear, emitted a faint glow, and was extremely hot. Just looking at it made Zhou Heng feel a bit dazzled. It was as if a common person was staring directly at the sun. After spitting out the golden bead, the little chick appeared to be extremely weary and instantly collapsed, falling asleep. At this moment, Zhou Heng was somewhat stunned because the moment Yang Fan, transformed into the Golden Crow, had burst out from the reflection wall, he immediately gained a great deal of insight into exquisite martial arts. The proficiency of many martial arts soared directly. Congratulations! By watching Yang Fan perform the Martial Arts Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law [Absolute Fourth Rank] from a close distance, you feel a clear sense of comprehension emerging in your heart, proficiency +0.03. Congratulations! Due to your possession of the Celestial Mans Cave Skys treasure of fortune, intertwined with the laws of the Suns Golden Crow, the difficulty of Comprehending Martial Arts Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law [Absolute Fourth Rank] is reduced, proficiency +3. Congratulations! Martial Arts Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law [Absolute Fourth Rank] proficiency has reached 1, you have formally learned this martial art. Due to the foundation of martial arts you previously studied and the bonus of similar types at the same level, proficiency +15000. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law: Level Five (1/6000) Congratulations! As youve acquired a high-rank martial art, the proficiency of similar types of lower-rank martial arts Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms [Seventh Rank], Six Directions Plum Blossom Hands [Seventh Rank] increases by +3000. Congratulations! Martial Arts Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms [Seventh Rank], Six Directions Plum Blossom Hands [Seventh Rank] proficiency has reached Perfection, Fortune Bag [Silver] +5, Fortune Bag [Copper] +7. A huge harvest, this really is a huge harvest. The benefits of acquiring a high-rank martial art really are immense. Even without considering the high-rank martial art itself, just the proficiency bonus it brings to the lower-rank martial arts alone could almost compare to a great explosion of a formidable enemy. However, this was also thanks to him having a large number of Lower Third Rank martial arts that were not yet perfected; similar good fortune would be hard to come by in the future. Junior Brother, whats the matter? Yan Shouyi asked with a smile, You seem to have gained some insight into martial arts? Yes, indeed I have had some insights, Zhou Heng nodded, holding the national seal jade in his hand, and said with a smile, Senior Brother, now that this treasure that gathers the destiny of the Cave Sky world is in hand, what should we do next? Its already done, Yan Shouyi replied with a light smile, and with a flick of his finger, the golden bead that the little chick had spat out fell into Zhou Hengs palm, This is Yang Fans Celestial Mans Cave Sky. Just this little bead? Zhou Heng was surprised. Buddha spoke of fitting a mustard seed into Mount Meru, Tao speaks of shrinking a thousand li within a pouch; the Celestial Mans Cave Sky operates on the same principle. Actually, its quite normal, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, However, your current Cultivation Realm is too low, and you cannot refine it yet. I can only wipe away the imprint of the Cave Sky after suppressing Yang Fans Primordial Spirit, then use this treasure of fortune as a spirit guide to transfer some of the more basic usage rights onto you. I see, thank you, Senior Brother, Zhou Heng nodded in acknowledgment. While Yan Shouyi explained the situation, Zhou Heng also received some information through the golden bead in his hand, about what he could now do with this Cave Sky world. There were mainly three things. First, as Yan Shouyi had previously said, it could be used as a large Qiankun pouch and also to store living creatures besides oneself. Second, it could aid in cultivation, meaning using this golden bead to comprehend the way of the sun and increase the speed of comprehension of the related martial arts. Third, it could be used as an evil-repelling object, enhancing his resistance to the spirit pollution caused by evil creatures, ghosts, and demons. Although the true capabilities of the Cave Sky could only be utilised once Zhou Hengs cultivation realm advanced further, even this current level was considered an excellent secret treasure. It would make his future travels through the martial world or other worlds much more convenient. What are your plans moving forward? Yan Shouyi put away the little chick and smiled, Youve killed so many experts from the evil paths before, turning the Killing Orders of the four major evil paths into a joke, and they are still searching for you everywhere now. Let them search. Ill kill whoever comes, Zhou Heng chuckled and said, Ive never been afraid of them. However, I plan to spend the New Year in Huangtong Mansion City first. Ill think about what to do after the New Year. You seem rather at ease, said Yan Shouyi with a hearty laugh before he took out a gold-gilded, exquisite invitation from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Heng, If you have no plans after the new year, I do know of a good place to visit. What is this Zhou Heng fixed his gaze and noticed several large characters on the gold-gilded invitation, Zhongzhou Imperial Citys Chaoyang Wine Gathering, hosted by the Zhao Family? Exactly, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly and said, On my return from the West Wasteland, I traveled with Da Qis Prince of Zhen Nan, who gave me three invitations, calling upon the young talents of the Pure Yang Palace to attend the Chaoyang Wine Gathering. Its not just a simple gathering, is it? Zhou Heng took the invitation, glanced over it briefly, and chuckled, Does it mean that young masters from Southern Jin are coming to Da Qi for a visit? Its an old tradition, Yan Shouyi nodded and explained, Every three to five years, Southern Jin sends a special envoy with a few of their strongest young generation to come over. Officially, its to bring people to broaden their horizons, but in reality, its a challenge to the young generation of Da Qi, a rather clichd act, yet most effective, he added. Most effective? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled, What do you mean, elder brother? Of course, to suppress Da Qi, Yan Shouyi gazed towards the south and said, Whether its in the royal court or among the sects and noble families, there are several who share this intention. Is that so? Zhou Heng expressed surprise, With the Evil God threatening from outside, the West Wasteland causing trouble from within, and now Southern Jin engaging in infighting with Da Qi, whats there to gain from this? Has there ever been a human race that doesnt fight among themselves? Yan Shouyi smiled and continued, Actually, the reason is quite simple. Three thousand years ago after the battle of Tianyang, the Central Dynasty split into three nations: Da Qi, Da Jin, and Da Zhouyou know that, dont you? I do, Zhou Heng nodded, feeling a bit of anticipation. Was Yan Shouyi about to tell him the specific details of the Battle of Tianyang? Junior brother, dont look at me like that; Im not going to tell you the details of the Battle of Tianyang now, Yan Shouyi chuckled twice and then said, Once, the great unified Central Dynasty was led by the Zhao family. The royal family of Da Qi today also carries the surname Zhao. Elder brother means to say Zhou Heng suddenly understood and pondered, So the royal family of Da Qi is actually the royal family of the former Central Dynasty, and its the territory of Northern Zhou and Southern Jin that was carved up from the original Da Qi? More or less, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly and explained, Nowadays, the royal family of Da Qi is somewhat weaker than those of Northern Zhou and Southern Jin, and as a result, they face oppression. But because of external threats, this oppression is not too severe, and it is mostly like the Chaoyang Wine Gathering, without any direct conflict. Thats the royal family; what about the noble families and sects? Zhou Heng asked. He knew that the royal family, noble families, and sects should never be discussed together. Even the closely connected royal family and noble families should not be generalized, let alone the sects. The issues with the noble families have been grudges existing since the Middle Ancient Era. As for the sects Yan Shouyi paused for a moment, sighed lightly, and said, They are mainly centered around our Pure Yang Palace. Pure Yang Palace? Zhou Heng was initially taken aback; he hadnt expected someone would dare to challenge and oppress the Pure Yang Palace, which had a Divine First Rank in the world. Then, something suddenly occurred to him, Could it be Taixu Viewpoint? Taixu Viewpoint, also known as Taixu Palace, together with Pure Yang Palace and Tasang Dao Palace, are referred to as the three great palaces of the Daoist path. However, unlike the Pure Yang Palace and Tasang Dao Palace, the lineage of Taixu Viewpoint is extremely ancient and untraceable, only known to have been a formidable force that shook the heavens and worlds since the mythical era. When the founder of Pure Yang Palace first established it, Taixu Viewpoint was already the supreme immortal sect that countless beings aspired to join. Over the eons, Taixu Viewpoint has produced innumerable powerful beings who have established sects and spread the Daoist teachings across various lands. Today, many Daoist sects in the world can trace their heritage back several thousand years to Taixu Viewpoint to some degree. Even now, the three great Daoist palaces have always been led by Taixu Viewpoint. However, when Zhou Heng had previously chatted idly with You Ziheng on Taihua Mount, he heard from You Ziheng that for the past few thousand years, Taixu Viewpoint had been quite dissatisfied with Pure Yang Palace. Yes, Taixu Viewpoint it is, Yan Shouyi nodded, In the past three thousand years, the reputation of Pure Yang Palace has grown significantly; with our founders cultivation realm becoming increasingly unfathomable, Taixu Viewpoint has become somewhat restless. So, its the old leader begrudging the rise of the new leader, Zhou Heng commented with a laugh. Old leader, new leader? Yan Shouyi paused, then laughed, Haha, interesting comparison and indeed quite fitting, but thats not the only reason, though your understanding isnt incorrect either. Then elder brother, how many are going from Da Qi to the Chaoyang Wine Gathering? Zhou Heng inquired. I have three invitations, Cui Tianhe from Fengzhous Cui Family has three as well, and by tradition, the royal family should have four more spots, ten in total, Yan Shouyi replied. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only So thats practically the top ten of the Peoples List, Zhou Heng smiled. Not necessarily, Yan Shouyi shook his head gently and smiled, Those named on the Peoples List are indeed the young talents of the age, but not all the young powerhouses of this world are on the list. Ah, Ive placed too much importance on the Peoples List then, Zhou Heng nodded and asked again, What about the Southern Jin side? Its hard to say exactly who will come, but two can be assured, one will definitely be a disciple of Taixu Viewpoint, and the other Yan Shouyi paused, looking meaningfully at Zhou Heng. The Zhou Family of Lu Yang. Chapter 233 - Chapter 233: Chapter 233 The Zhou Family of Lu Yang Chapter 233: Chapter 233 The Zhou Family of Lu Yang The Zhou Family of Lu Yang? Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said, Does elder brother imply something by that? Ever since he learned of the mysterious disappearance of his parents in this world, and that the place he had lived might be a Celestial Mans Cave Sky, he had been paying attention to clues related to this matter. The Zhou Family of Lu Yang was one of the directions he was particularly concerned about. This was a noble family that had existed since before the Middle Ancient Era, reputed to have produced a Divine First Rank powerhouse in ancient times. Although they had declined by today, they still possessed deep and profound roots, with three Celestial Men residing in the world. Related to the Zhou Family, and related to Celestial Menthe Zhou Family of Lu Yang was undoubtedly the most suspicious, but Zhou Heng had never really had an opportunity to investigate. Unexpectedly, the upcoming Chao Yang banquet would actually be attended by someone from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang. Even more unexpectedly, judging by Yan Shouyis demeanor, it seemed he might know something. I once suspected that you were the reincarnation of that saintly ancestor from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang. Yan Shouyi did not avoid the subject, and said with a smile, But it turned out I was wrong; the Zhou Family has already found the reincarnation of their ancestor. Ive heard about your parents situation from Wanderer You as well, and I even made a trip to Lu Yang to ask Zhou Yuansheng about it. Younger brother, guess what the outcome was? Zhou Yuansheng was the current Family Head of the Zhou Family of Lu Yang, a Third Rank Celestial Man. Presumably, they did not find my parents. Zhou Heng sighed softly and said with a bow of his hands, Nevertheless, I still thank elder brother for the effort. Indeed, they did not find them. The Zhou Family has not had any bloodline lost in the outside world for nearly three thousand years. Yan Shouyi nodded slightly, then said with a light laugh, While your parents were not found, after hearing your story, Zhou Yuansheng suggested something. What suggestion? Zhou Heng asked curiously. Even if you are not from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang, as long as you recognize him as your father, he can grant you the bloodline of the Zhou Family of Lu Yang, and even the direct main lineage. Yan Shouyi said with a somewhat teasing smile, Younger brother, what do you think? Recognize him as my father? Change bloodline? Zhou Heng was stunned by the words, never having imagined that the Zhou Family of Lu Yang would have such an outlandish move. Who the hell are you to want me as your son?? However, having said that Elder brother, how did you respond at that time? Zhou Heng asked, since Yan Shouyi had been discussing this matter with Zhou Yuansheng, there must have been a response in the end. I beat him up. Yan Shouyi said with a laugh while stroking his palm, The fellow is of the same generation as me, yet he wanted to take my younger brother as his son. He had ulterior motives and bad intentions, so I just gave him a good beating. What the heck? A battle between Celestial Men broke out just like this?? For me? Zhou Heng felt bewildered and slightly excited, and asked urgently, So what was the outcome in the end? A battle between two Celestial Men should have caused quite a stir, right? Not really, the fight wasnt very intense. Yan Shouyi shook his head, and said with a smile, We both restrained our power, purely engaging in hand-to-hand combat without any significant repercussions. In the end, he pierced through my chest and pulled out my heart, while I removed his head and even kicked it up into the sky; I was slightly more victorious. Zhou Heng was speechless, not knowing what to say. They pulled out a heart, beheaded someone!! And you say the fight wasnt very intense? What would you call intense, then? Dismembering and turning to dust? Younger brother, dont overthink it. Seeing Zhou Hengs unusual expression, Yan Shouyi explained with a smile, Actually, the life form of a Celestial Man has long since transformed. Even having a heart ripped out is equivalent to a normal person getting a scratch from a fingernail. Having the head removed is a bit more serious, as it is the head of the six yang, roughly equivalent to a normal person losing a clump of hair and scalp in a fight. All the dignity of a Celestial Man is gone with that explanation! Zhou Heng couldnt help but criticize inwardly. However, listening to Yan Shouyis description, his relationship with Zhou Yuansheng seemed not too bad, so he inquired further. Correct. Yan Shouyi nodded, smiling, In my youth, I traveled through Southern Jin and spent some time with Zhou Yuansheng, so we have a quite good relationship. The person they are sending over this time is most likely the reincarnation of that old ancestor. The reincarnation of a Divine First Rank? Zhou Hengs eyes brightened as he said, Then they must be quite formidable. What he needed most now was an opponent of the same realm level and high strength to battle with, as it would help him hone his martial arts and improve his cultivation. Not as formidable as you. Yan Shouyi spread his hands and said, To leave behind so many precautions and divine skills in ones previous life, saints like you are truly once in a millennium. The reincarnation of the Zhou Familys saintly ancestor is merely of unique physique, exceptional talent, and extraordinary insight; however, the strength is also not bad; you can look forward to it. With elder brother putting it that way, Im even more anticipatory. Zhou Heng laughed, and then asked, About the remaining two invitations, who does elder brother plan to give them to? One for Cheng Jianjian of Jade Qiong Peak, and one for Zhu Zhenzhen of Purple Tenuity Palace. Yan Shouyi had already made a decision, You and Jianjian will ensure victory, and let Zhenzhen, the child, go down the mountain to see the world. By the way, younger brother, have you heard any news about that child Jianjian recently? A few days ago when I spoke with Sister Qi, she mentioned its been over two months without any word from her. Over two months without word? Zhou Heng frowned slightly upon hearing this, and nodded gently, Yes, I will pay attention to any news of her. Even though Yan Shouyi didnt express it explicitly, his intention was clear: he wanted Zhou Heng to check with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer for any news of Cheng Jianjian to see if she had encountered any troubles. ` This was also something Zhou Heng had been intending to do. Over two months ago, Cheng Jianjian bid him farewell in Wujiang Prefecture City, and since then, no news of her had surfaced in the martial arts world, which made him somewhat concerned. Senior brother, then Ill head back to prepare, Zhou Heng said with a cupped fist salute, Ill inquire about her whereabouts tomorrow. He planned to visit the closest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace first thing the next morning and ask the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer about Cheng Jianjians whereabouts, hoping to find some clue. Hmm, Yan Shouyi nodded and said, Go ahead, and remember, the Morning Sun Wine Gathering in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou on the second day of the second lunar month. I wont forget, Zhou Heng said with a smile. After Zhou Heng left, Yan Shouyi did not leave immediately either. His gaze turned towards the direction of the Pure Yang First Martial Arts Guild. Then, with a slight sway of his figure, he appeared in front of the entrance to the martial arts guild. Although it was deep into the night, and the surroundings were tranquil, there was an old man who appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, sitting on a stool, rocking a palm-leaf fan, leaning against the wall, and gazing into the sky. Yan Shouyi appeared before the old man, gave a cupped fist salute, and said, Ive seen Tao Lord Fengjue. The old man shook his head when he heard the words, looked at Yan Shouyi, and suddenly smiled, saying, Young man, youve got the wrong person, where is there a Tao Lord Fengjue here? Im just an old gatekeeper, you can call me Jiang Er. Tao Lord Yan Shouyi was about to speak. At that moment, a youth about fourteen or fifteen years old came over, carrying a food box in his hand. It was Xie Chong. Grandpa Jiang, arent you cold staying out here by yourself? Xie Chong placed the food box on the ground and opened it. Inside there was a terracotta pot with a lid, alongside a soup ladle and a bowl. Even though the pot hadnt been opened yet, steam had already emerged, billowing out white vapor that carried an enticing fresh fragrance. Grandpa Jiang, its not good for you to always stay outside like this. You should go home, Xie Chong chattered on as he opened the pot. A delicious aroma wafted out, and then he ladled a bowl of soup for Jiang Er, saying with a smile, My mother simmered some mushroom soup. Try it, it might warm you up a bit. Now, in the cold of winter, the weather was very chilly, and the nights were even colder. Jiang Er, who appeared to be a man in his sixties or seventies sitting alone in front of the martial arts guild, was indeed a pitiful sight. Xie Chong and his mother were kind-hearted people. Seeing Jiang Er in this state, they often brought him some soup to help him keep warm. Good child, good child, Jiang Er said as he took the mushroom soup, drank a mouthful, exhaled a breath of warmth, and smiled, Oh, this is good, really good. Tastes great and its warming too. Good child, dont worry. This old body of mine knows some martial arts, I can handle the cold, and staying outside isnt a problem for me. I still suggest you find a place to live. After all, youre getting on in years, and its not good to always stay outside, Xie Chong persisted in advising him. If I find a place to live, will you still come and bring me soup, good child? Jiang Er seemed a bit concerned. Oh, if thats what youre worried about, dont worry, Grandpa Jiang. As long as youre not tired of drinking it, Ill keep bringing it to you, Xie Chong said with a smile. That so? Good, good, Ill go find a place to live tomorrow, Jiang Er said smiling. He finished the bowl of hot soup in one gulp and added, Good child, its getting late; you should head back now. Mm, Xie Chong nodded, packed up the terracotta pot and the food box, and turned to leave the place. He behaved as if he hadnt seen Yan Shouyi standing there at all. In truth, he really couldnt see him. A Celestial Power such as Yan Shouyi, if he did not want to be seen, almost nobody below the Celestial rank could perceive him. Young man, its getting late, Jiang Er said, looking at Yan Shouyi with a smile. You should head home too. Youre right, Tao Lord, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly and said with a smile, I indeed should be heading back. Take care, Tao Lord. With that, his figure vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. After seeing Xie Chong, he had already figured out the purpose of the former Tao Lord Fengjues stay in Huangtong Mansion City. There was naturally no need to ask further. On his way back to his rented room in the suburbs, Zhou Heng came across a fortune teller. On a whim, he had his fortune told to find out when his luck would be best in the coming days. The answer he received was: today. Therefore, after returning to his rented room, Zhou Heng meticulously washed his hands over and over, preparing to open his Fortune Bags. He had some guesses about Cheng Jianjians whereabouts. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If she truly encountered some difficulty and he wanted to help her, it was indeed necessary to make more preparations. Opening some Fortune Bags was undoubtedly the best preparation. Moreover, he had indeed accumulated quite a few Fortune Bags by now. Open ten Copper Fortune Bags and five Silver Fortune Bags! ` Chapter 234 - Chapter 234: Chapter 234: The Immortal Seal Technique Chapter 234: Chapter 234: The Immortal Seal Technique Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! You have obtained the martial arts Undying Seal Technique [Secret Sixth Rank]. Congratulations! You have obtained the martial arts Nine Yang Divine Art [Seventh Rank]. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! You have obtained a special skill card: Appraisal Card*2. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! You have obtained the Taoist formula Call the Wind and Summon the Rain [Secret Sixth Rank]. Congratulations! You have obtained a basic attribute: Vanquish Evil +1. Congratulations! You have obtained a special skill card: Pregnancy Card [Copper]. Congratulations! You have obtained the Taoist formula Demon Binding Rope [Secret Sixth Rank]. Zhou Heng finished opening fifteen Fortune Bags in one go. Looking at the stream of reward notifications, he felt an extremely refreshing sense of satisfaction. The feeling of being able to open Fortune Bags without spending a dime was just too good. And the rewards were quite nice, too. Among the items from the Copper Fortune Bags, whether it was the newly obtained martial arts Undying Seal Technique or the Taoist formula Call the Wind and Summon the Rain, both could be said to be very practical. The latter need not be mentioned, as it could even be used to imitate an Immortal. Moreover, this was a Taoist formula that could directly change the weather, which greatly helped Zhou Heng comprehend the realm of Secret Sixth Rank. The former was a nearly omnipotent martial arts technique, able to absorb an enemys True Qi and transform it into ones own vitality. It resembled the Beiming Divine Skill in principle but was even more mysterious and also featured the ability to probe the enemy and cast illusion techniques to confound them. It could be said to have combined and strengthened the essence of many of the Seventh Rank martial arts Zhou Heng had previously learned, making it even more difficult for opponents to deal with. Thus, he decided to comprehend the Undying Seal Technique first, feeling that there would be surprises. You are now comprehending the martial arts Undying Seal Technique [Secret Sixth Rank] and find the principles within clear and familiar, with the comprehension being extremely smooth, proficiency +1. Congratulations! The proficiency of the martial arts Undying Seal Technique [Secret Sixth Rank] has reached 1, formally mastering this martial arts. Given that you have proficiency at perfection level in multiple related martial arts, gaining insights from analogous skills, proficiency +10000. Congratulations! Since youve learned a high-ranked martial arts, lower-ranked similar types of martial arts Beiming Divine Skill [Seventh Rank], Fighting Stars Shifting [Seventh Rank], Lingbo Weibu [Seventh Rank] proficiency +1000. Indeed, just as Zhou Heng had predicted. This Undying Seal Technique allowed many of the similarly typed Seventh Rank martial arts to enjoy a proficiency bonus. It directly helped boost Zhou Hengs strength by a significant margin. Moreover, he discovered that this Undying Seal Technique, being a Secret Sixth Rank martial arts, naturally possessed the ability to command the vital energy of heaven and earth. However, the original version he knew of did not have this effect. Presumably, the Fortune Bag version had undergone some modifications. Otherwise, based on the performance of the original Undying Seal Technique, it likely wouldnt reach the true level of Secret Sixth Rank. Apart from that, a set of Nine Yang Divine Art also emerged from the Copper Fortune Bag, but Zhou Heng planned to cultivate it later and was not in a hurry. After all, although this Seventh Rank inner strength was powerful, compared to the Sect Fifth Rank Pure Yang Dan Jing, there was still a significant gap. Even if he practiced it, it would likely only serve as a supplement to the Pure Yang Dan Jing. Now, his attention was focused on the Pregnancy Card and the Taoist formula Demon Binding Rope that came from the Silver Fortune Bag. Pregnancy Card [Copper]: Effective on any creature below a Celestial Man, causing instant pregnancy. Within three breaths, the fetus will mature and fly out of the mothers mouth, taking away seventy percent of the mothers essence and spirit. Is there really such a thing?! Creating a male mother on the spot?? This truly fits the description of the Fortune Bag being all-encompassing, containing everything. It is indeed terrifying. Afterward, he shifted his attention to the Taoist formula Demon Binding Rope. Taoist Formula Demon Binding Rope [Secret Sixth Rank]: Upon reciting the incantation and casting the spell, it can bind demons, seal their powers, force them to reveal their true forms, and has a strong restraining effect on demons. This should be an excellent formula for capturing demons. Unfortunately, in this era, it seems that demons have all but vanished from the world, at least within the borders of Da Qi, there have scarcely been any reports of demon troubles. Its like a dragon-slaying skill. However, if there is a chance to go to other worlds in the future, it might still come in handy. The next morning, Zhou Heng ended his night of cultivation and woke up from his meditative state. Just as he was about to lead out his jujube red horse, he suddenly sensed a message left by Yan Shouyi. Junior Brother, the seal on Yang Fans wall was the handiwork of the Illusory Law Sect, and he must have been assisted by a Tao Lord of the sect to evade the Solar Divine Palaces search. Now that I have captured Yang Fan, the Tao Lord of the Illusory Law Sect must have sensed it. If you encounter disciples of the Illusory Law Sect in the future, be careful not to let them confuse your mind and expose what happened last night. Illusory Law Sect? Zhou Hengs eyebrows furrowed slightly. The Illusory Law Sect was one of the ten major sects of Da Qi and had risen after the Middle Ancient Era. Initially, the Illusory Law Sect was not very strong until after the Battle of the Heavenly Yang when its leader cultivated a Tao seed, proving himself as a Tao Lord, and finally ascended to the pinnacle of this world. The disciples of this sect are most adept at using illusion techniques, and their actions are unpredictable. There had been quite a discussion in the martial arts world whether the Illusory Law Sect should be considered orthodox. Latterly, the concept of evil sects and evil paths was defined by the Upper Third Rank powers, and such discussions ceased to exist. However, regardless, the martial artists of the Illusory Law Sect are definitely one of the most difficult types of martial artists to deal with among the Lower Third Rank. Yan Shouyi was reminding Zhou Heng to be cautious. In fact, if I really do encounter a master from the Illusory Law Sect, I am indeed somewhat interested to experience their illusion techniques, Zhou Heng smiled slightly, showing a hint of amusement, and also to verify the effectiveness of the undead seal method. Afterward, Zhou Heng quickly got ready, led out his jujube red horse from the stables, mounted it, and rode towards the nearest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Stepping once again into the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located, Zhou Heng saw the bridge made of endless starlight, spanning the void and leading directly to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Walking over this bridge, he arrived in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace, paid his respects to the Supreme Celestial Rule waiting there, and then proceeded to the Relieve Worries Hall. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was where members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer received their assignments, and it was also where they refreshed mission information and collected rewards. The Inner Circle of the Five Emperors usually oversaw this place. When Zhou Heng arrived at the Relieve Worries Hall, he happened to see the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors organizing mission information. He stopped what he was doing and greeted Zhou Heng with a bow. Lord of the Stars, have you come to receive an official assignment? the Inner Circle of the Five Emperors asked with a smile, In Da Qi, or do you wish to go to other worlds? No, Im here to look for someone. Zhou Heng shook his head gently and inquired, Elder, do you know where Tian Ji has gone? There has been no news of her these days. Chapter 235 - Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Demonic Creatures, Evil Spirit Erosion Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Demonic Creatures, Evil Spirit Erosion Tian Ji? The member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat seemed to have anticipated the question and smiled, You neednt worry about her, she is completing a mission that is very important to her. That is to say, she is still safe, right? Zhou Heng breathed a sigh of relief and said, Following the rules, I should not inquire about the details of her mission, should I? Correct, the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat nodded and said, Theoretically speaking, apart from me, the manager of the Hall of Worry-Free, only the high-level management has the authority to directly review the mission status of others. However, if you can obtain the consent of the person undertaking the mission, then it is possible to learn about it, or if a problem arises in the mission world that requires someone to cross worlds for a rescue, you can also learn the details of the mission. Neither of these apply to me, well, its best if the second scenario does not occur. Zhou Heng smiled, feeling much more relaxed after knowing Cheng Jianjian was safe. The star lord can rest assured, with Tian Jis strength, that mission isnt particularly difficult, and she should be able to return smoothly after some time, the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat smiled. If Tian Ji returns, please send me a message, senior, Zhou Heng said. Its a small matter, star lord, rest assured, the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat nodded in agreement, as to him, it was indeed a trivial task, requiring minimal effort. Aside from that, there is another matter I wish to inquire about, Zhou Heng added. The star lord may speak, the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat beckoned. Are there still demonic creatures in other worlds? Zhou Heng asked, Like animals and plants that have gained sentience? It seems that demonic creatures have already vanished within the Da Qi territory. Not to mention Da Qi, you will not see demonic creatures in the three kingdoms of the Central Plains either, but that does not mean they are completely extinct, the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat said with a smile, In some remote, deep mountains and old forests, small demons occasionally come into being, but they rarely become powerful, not much stronger than ordinary wild beasts. This is because during the Middle Ancient Era of Saints, the human race was incredibly strong, and many demonic creatures were hunted down by human martial artists, or tamed as pets or mounts. With the human races overwhelming dominance, many great demons and even demon immortals chose to reside overseas. After the Age of Saints concluded, the Central Dynasty overwhelmed the era, noble families stood tall, and the overall strength of the human race surpassed the past. Consequently, the number of demons born afterward also decreased, leading to the situation you see today. However, in the myriad worlds of the heavens, although most are also dominated by the human race, the human race in most worlds is not strong enough to completely suppress the demonic creatures. Therefore, in other worlds, as long as there are conditions for demonic creatures to be born, they are generally present, and in some higher-tier worlds, there are even great demons comparable to Celestial Men. He seemed to have quite a bit of sentiment on this matter, and found himself saying a few more words as he spoke, realizing afterwards that he may have said a bit too much. Its good for the star lord to just listen. If you travel to a world with demonic creatures in the future, we will make sure you are prepared in advance, the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat said, feigning as if nothing had happened. Understood, thank you, senior, for clearing my doubts, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, yet his heart was stirring with thoughts as he caught a key piece of information in what the Five Emperors Inner Seat had just said. After the end of the Middle Ancient Era of Saints, the strength of the human race surpassed their past! What does that imply? In a world where might is intrinsic to oneself, the strength of a race depends on the number of its top-notch powerhouses. That is, the number of Divine First Rank individuals. In the Middle Ancient Era, the Nine Saints alone accounted for nine Divine First Rank individuals. Beyond that, there were the Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, Jia Ye Temple, Infinite Temple and other top Sects, each having at least one Saint. How numerous were the Saints of that era. After the Age of Saints, with the Nine Saints perished and nine Divine First Rank individuals gone, how could the human race possibly become stronger than before? How could such a thing occur? Considering the current situation of the world, the three empires of Da Zhou, Da Qi, and Da Jin put together might not even have that many Divine First Rank individuals. If what the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat said is true and the human race was truly that mighty after the Middle Ancient, why did it become what it is today, what happened in between? At that thought, the answer was almost at hand. The Battle of Tian Yang! It seems that the impact and secrets contained in that battle from three thousand years ago are much greater than I had previously speculated, Zhou Heng thought to himself, No wonder whether its the Sect or the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, they are all so tight-lipped about that battle. Interested in the Battle of Tian Yang, he tried to further inquire with the member of the Five Emperors Inner Seat, but no matter how he probed, this Great Grandmaster remained tight-lipped. He only said that once Zhou Hengs authority in Pure Yang Palace or Zhou Tian Boundary Officer increased a step further, he would naturally be able to understand more about the Battle of Tian Yang and that there was no need to worry at this time. Therefore, Zhou Heng could only take his leave from the Hall of Worry-Free, saying farewell to The Supreme and Tian Li, the two Celestial Men. He once again stepped onto the starlight bridge, found a bridge cave, and walked through. The very next moment, he had traversed a million miles of Da Qis territory and arrived at the foot of Taihua Mount. The disciple guarding the mountain recognized him and did not impede his passage, allowing him to proceed up Taihua Mount. Above the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak. Zhou Heng saw Yan Shouyi again and said, Senior Brother, Ive inquired about Jiang Jians situation. Shes just gone to take care of something very important to her, and there is no danger at the moment. Thats good, thats good, Yan Shouyi nodded gently, smiling and saying, This way, at least I can give Teacher Qi a response. Teacher Qi is concerned about Jiang Jian, Zhou Heng chuckled, then said, Senior brother, theres another matter Id like to ask about after my return. Speak, Yan Shouyi nodded and said. I encountered ghostly entities in Yang Fans Cave Sky world Zhou Heng gave a rough account of his previous experiences in the Cave Sky world, Can Celestial Mens Cave Skies also breed ghostly entities? Those were not ghostly entities, and as you said, even though they resembled ghostly entities, something was not quite right about them; they are actually the erosion by evil spirits from beyond our domain, a crisis that every Celestial Man must face. Erosion by evil spirits? Zhou Hengs eyes widened upon hearing this, and many thoughts flashed through his mind, he said in astonishment, Could it be that the Cave Sky worlds of Celestial Men, just like the myriad worlds, are subject to invasions by evil spirits, which use them as stepping stones for their descent? Evil spirits are a higher form of existence among evil creatures, akin to the transformation of ghostly entities into Ghost Immortals. Many evil spirits aim to descend into this world. Such a descent is not achieved overnight; before truly arriving in this world, evil spirits must traverse one world after another, continuously drawing closer. If the Cave Skies of Celestial Men are like the myriad worlds, then undoubtedly, they are the stepping stones closest to this great world. Heh, in fact, many worlds within the myriad worlds are not even fundamentally comparable to the Cave Skies of Celestial Men, Yan Shouyi said with a light nod and a smile. Thats right, just as you suspected, evil spirits erode the Cave Skies of Celestial Men to use them as stepping stones to truly descend into our world. In fact, outside of our world, many evil spirits are already lurking, but they have been blocked by barriers and prohibitions, preventing them from a large-scale descent. For them, if they wish to truly descend, the simplest way is undoubtedly to erode a stepping stone that is already within this world, and the Cave Skies of Celestial Men are undoubtedly the best choice. Such erosions by evil spirits are a constant and incurable threat to Celestial Men. In some ways, they are even more troublesome than the decline tribulations. At least after surviving the decline tribulations five times, one could enjoy carefree and everlasting life, but the erosion by evil spirits is like an adhesive plaster that, no matter what, cannot be completely eliminated. Unless all the evil spirits lurking outside the world are annihilated without exception. By doing this, the erosion by evil spirits could be resolved at the source. But who could possibly achieve that? These evil creatures and evil spirits are truly too bizarre, Zhou Heng felt somewhat weighed down in his heart after hearing Yan Shouyis explanation. Even Celestial Men must constantly face this terrifying erosion by evil spirits. In other words, even if one eventually overcomes the five decline tribulations, one wouldnt truly enjoy carefree and everlasting life; there would still be such great crises to face. Junior brother, you neednt be too concerned about this; over the past few millennia, various Sects Celestial Men have developed many methods to resist the erosion by evil spirits, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. He walked to the edge of the Golden Peaks cliff, looking at the sea of clouds in the distance. Unless its a Celestial Man who is as weak as Yang Fan and has to fully conceal their power to avoid detection, Otherwise, its quite difficult for normal Cave Sky worlds to be eroded by evil spirits. What you saw should be considered an exceptional case. Is that so? Zhou Heng let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this; he had truly thought that even Cave Skies of Celestial Men could be eroded by evil spirits. That would be a serious concern indeed. After that, he consulted Yan Shouyi on a few questions regarding the cultivation of the Pure Yang Danjing and then took his leave. Via the Starlight Bridge of the Purple Tenuity Palace, he returned to the nearest entrance to Huangtong Mansion City. After Zhou Heng left, Yan Shouyi remained standing at the edge of the cliff, still looking at the tumbling, unsettled sea of clouds, when suddenly he touched his temple. Gently, with some force, he plucked out a strand of white hair. Immediately, the strand of white hair combusted without flame, turning to ash and vanishing into nothingness. As the year approaches its thirtieth day, the festive atmosphere becomes thicker. It is now the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and every household in Huangtong Mansion City has posted the character for fortune and hung up lanterns; firecrackers and all kinds of New Year goods are also prepared to celebrate. This day at dusk. The winter snow had just stopped. The streets were piled with thick layers of snow. As the sun set, it illuminated the sky with rosy clouds that also reflected on the snow, casting a brilliant radiance. Zhou Heng walked along this road, his feet crunching in the snow, making a pigeon-like sound. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In his hand, he held several brocade pouches containing protective talismans he had personally drawn, ready to be delivered to Lin Cang, Lei Xiuyan, Yu He, and others as blessings for the New Year. As he walked, Zhou Heng suddenly perceived a brightening before his eyes, as if the glow of the setting sun and the brilliance reflected from the snow converged, gathering around the figure of a person ahead. It was a girl clad in a red cloak with an exquisite hairpin, her features delicate and beautiful, strikingly radiant as if a fairy from a dream. Happy New Year, Brother Heng, the girl said with a sweet and charming smile, it was Yun Xiu. Chapter 236 - Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Recalling the Past Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Recalling the Past ` Miss Xiuer, long time no see, Zhou Heng said with a smile as he stepped forward, When did you come back? Ive just entered the city not long ago and havent even had time to go home yet, Yun Xius smile bloomed like a flower as she approached, her eyes sparkling like they held the stars, Where are you heading, Brother Heng? To the newly established Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, Zhou Heng shook the several brocade pouches in his hand, took one out, and handed it to Yun Xiu, Inside here is a Golden Light Talisman I drew myself. It has some protective abilities. It might be of little use to you, but it can also be seen as a New Years gift, for good luck. Thank you! Yun Xiu accepted the pouch, thrilled, her face a good deal rosier as she laughed, Brother Heng, every New Years Eve, my parents would make dumplings for me to eat, would you like to come over?[Note] I definitely will, its been quite a while since Ive had anything from your place, Zhou Heng laughed and accepted the invitation; these past days, he had often been out and hadnt had the chance to eat at Yun Xius parents breakfast stall. Then Ill wait for you at home? Yun Xiu asked with joyful laughter, If you dont come, Ill come looking for you. I should head home now. Go on, go on, Zhou Heng said with a wave and a laugh. Watching Yun Xius retreating figure and pondering the recent invitation, his gaze grew distant as he saw the landscape blanketed with silvery white snow, and his heart suddenly filled with some emotion, tinged with a bit of sadness. He was feeling homesick. Not for the home in this world, but for the home on Earth. Back on Earth, Zhou Heng would book the high-speed train tickets early to return home for the New Year holidays, with his grandparents and parents waiting for him at home. The attentive care when he first arrived home, the watching you with displeasure after spending some time there, complaining about the Spring Festival Gala on New Years Eve, and visiting relatives on the first day of the New Year All these experiences composed his past impressions of the New Year. But now. Everything was gone. Can I still go back? Zhou Heng murmured softly as he lifted his head to look at the sky, gazing at the stars that were starting to shine clearly, a constellation utterly different from the one on Earth. Although the celestial map in the Purple Tenuity Palace had given him a glimmer of hope, Zhou Heng was uncertain whether he could return to Earth or whether his family would still be there if he did. What he could do now was to grow stronger as quickly as possible and to elevate his Cultivation Realm, to enhance his power. Only then would he have the chance to explore more places and possibly find a way back home. And the whereabouts of my parents in this world, Zhou Heng whispered to himself. His parents in this world cared for and loved him unconditionally, a sentiment that, though it might not compare to the ties on Earth, was unforgettable. The mysterious disappearance of his parents, and possibly the entire village, seemed to be the work of a Celestial Mans Cave Sky. This mystery had formed a knot in his heart. He feared that only by finding his missing parents could he truly unravel it. The Zhou family of Lu Yang, the sunrise wine gathering; this might just be an excellent opportunity, Zhou Heng reaffirmed his resolve, sorted out his complicated emotions, and continued on his way to the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. With the backing of the Pure Yang Palace and Zhou Heng teaching the fundamentals of Martial Arts, and with the meticulous instruction of Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan, as well as the genius management of Yu He, and the strong support from Wus side, the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall was now thriving. It could be said to be the most sought-after martial arts institution in all of Huangtong Mansion and even within Pingzhou, and near the New Year, there were naturally many who came to offer greetings, New Years wishes, and gifts. Some wished to have their children or grandchildren train in the hall, others sought business partnerships, and there were even discussions about sharing authorization from the Pure Yang Palace, among many other enquiries. When Zhou Heng arrived, he saw a bustling scene that was indeed very lively. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan and the like were not skilled in these matters. ` As expected, Yu He found the handling of these affairs quite overwhelming. Even with his astonishing business talent and extraordinary operational methods, facing so many people of notable origins still left him in a frazzle. Even Xie Chong came over to help. By this time, Xie Chong had already been accepted into the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. His martial arts postures were quite good, and in just over ten days, he had reached the entry level of a Ninth Grade martial arts stance. For this, he was extremely grateful to Zhou Heng and Yu He. So, when he saw Yu He dealing with so many people alone today, he volunteered to help. But after all, he was a novice, and the workload he could take off Yu Hes shoulders was ultimately limited. It was like trying to put out a blazing cart with a cup of water. Yu He was still as busy as ever. At that moment, Yu Hes gaze suddenly caught Zhou Heng approaching from a distance. His face lit up with joy, his eyes sparkled, and he jumped up, waving his hands. Zhou Heng is here, Zhou Heng is here! Hes the head of the hall, and hes also the Junior Uncle of the Pure Yang Palace. If you want to do business, if you want authorization, find him, find him! Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately turned around and swarmed towards Zhou Heng like a rush of bees. Zhou Heng, however, continued to walk forward unruffled. As the people swarmed towards him, he lightly dodged and passed directly through the crowd, arriving at the front door of the martial arts hall. Eh?! Yu He was somewhat stupefied, his expression one of baffled surprise. He first looked at Zhou Heng, who was now facing the surging crowd, and then turned to the Zhou Heng in front of him, Whats going on? Immortal techniques, this must be immortal techniques! Xie Chongs eyes gleamed as he spoke with anticipation, Is this also martial arts? Can martial arts be cultivated to such an extent? Its not martial arts. Lets go inside, Zhou Heng said with a smile, leading Yu He and Xie Chong into the martial arts hall. Meanwhile, the crowd that had swarmed over suddenly found that the person standing in front of them was not Zhou Heng at all, but a life-sized paper man. Such a sight left the crowd dumbfounded, but inside they were more excited than ever. The Pure Yang Palace truly lived up to its reputation! Indeed, it was a great sect with immense and widespread divine skills! Ordinary martial arts could never achieve such effects, it was simply impossible. Consequently, these peoples desire to do business with the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall and to get authorization from the Pure Yang Palace Hall did not diminish but grew much stronger. By this time, Zhou Heng had already led Yu He and Xie Chong into the martial arts hall. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan both noticed Zhou Hengs return and came forward to greet him. The apprentices practicing martial arts and the trainers teaching also all stopped. They all looked at Zhou Heng with respectful eyes. Master Lin, hall head, and Yu He, these are the protective charms Ive prepared for you. Zhou Heng handed over the embroidered pouches to the three with a smile, saying, They should offer some protection. Thank you very much. Lin Cang took the pouch and then looked at Zhou Heng with a gentle sigh, It really is quite moving. In just half a years time, who would have thought you would have grown into such a master. More than half a year ago, Zhou Heng had only just reached Perfection in a single martial arts move and was still some way off from Ninth Grade. Now, he was the sixth on the peoples list, a name that shook the world. For Lin Cang, who had been an ordinarTrainingr of martial arts for decades, it was indeed an impact of colossal proportions, something he had never seen before. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In the next two days, Zhou Heng spent his time in the Martial Arts Hall, leisurely teaching martial arts, and chatting with Yu Yingying, who occasionally visited. It was relaxing and comfortable. On the evening of the last day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhou Heng arrived at Yun Xius familys doorstep and knocked on the courtyard gate. Note: According to Guangya Shi Qin: Dad is father and mom is mother. These titles have been in use since ancient China and are not modern inventions. Chapter 237 - Chapter 237: Chapter 237 The Fireworks are Brilliant This Year Chapter 237: Chapter 237 The Fireworks are Brilliant This Year ` Henger, youre here, Yun Xiu greeted as she opened the door, smiling gently. On the thirtieth night, she wore a red dress embroidered with golden trimmings, standing on the ground where snow hadnt yet melted, against the dim glow of the twilight, radiant and peerless. Ive come at your invitation, Zhou Heng said with a smile, then walked in with Yun Xiu. Yun Xius family home was clearly refurbished. It was different from when Zhou Heng had previously visited. Compared to before, the courtyard now had a rockery and a small lake, and a pavilion had been built. Although the area wasnt large, it was also quite elegant. The overall style was delicate and soft. It must have been Yun Xius handiwork. She had returned to Huangtong Mansion City before, and it wouldnt have been difficult for her to renovate her family home. At this time, Yun Xius parents were in the main hall preparing the New Years Eve dinner, with poultry, fish, and various meats, all very abundant, and the aroma was so tantalizing it was comparable to a high-end restaurant. Extremely professional. This was actually normal, as Zhou Heng had heard from Yun Xiu that her parents had run a restaurant in the County City in their early years, highly skilled and successful in their business. This not-so-big but also not-too-small residence was the result of those years of earnings. Only after encountering some misfortune, when the restaurant could no longer be operated, did they return to their hometown to make a living by running a breakfast stall. Their cooking skills were naturally not inferior. When the elderly couple saw their daughter bringing Zhou Heng over, they immediately greeted him with joyous expressions, their eyes filled with affection and contentment as they looked at Zhou Heng. Before Zhou Heng could even greet them and wish them a happy new year, the couple each took out a small red silk-wrapped bundle, heavy, likely filled with many things. Zhou Heng, its the New Year and youve come to our home, we dont have much to offer, just a few trinkets to add to the festivity, Yun Xius mother said with a smile as she placed the red packet in Zhou Hengs hand. Child, its not easy for you to be on your own outside, take this red packet for the New Year to bring you some cheer, Yun Xius father also said with a cheerful tone. Haha, happy New Year to the both of you, Zhou Heng laughed as he received the two red packets and pulled out two brocades from his sleeve, Ive also prepared red packets for you two. Inside were jade talismans he had personally carved, which possessed protective abilities and could ward off evil, making them treasures beyond price for ordinary people and even for Ninth Grade and Eighth Rank Martial Artists. This is really too courteous. This child, why have you also prepared gifts? Yun Xius parents didnt decline, as according to the customs of Huangtong Mansion, rejecting New Year gifts was akin to turning away good fortune, which was considered inauspicious. Afterward, Zhou Heng followed Yun Xiu and her parents into the main hall. The four of them sat together talking about the interesting recent happenstances in the martial world, with many referring to Zhou Hengs own deeds, which made the elderly couple laugh heartily, filled with delight. Once the New Years Eve dinner was ready, Yun Xius mother went to make dumplings with him and Zhou Heng began drinking with Yun Xius father at the dinner table. Yun Xius father wasnt very old at just forty-three, but years of running the stall and being exposed to the elements had given him a somewhat aged appearance. ` Drinking with Zhou Heng, he reminisced about the glorious years of his youth, how dashing he had been when opening a restaurant in the County City and preparing to build a tavern. After offending a Seventh Rank Warrior, he talked about how he had no choice but to give up everything he had managed and leave the scene despondently, returning to his hometown in disgrace. This was also the reason he supported Yun Xiu wholeheartedly in practicing martial artsa girl like her. Now, the Seventh Rank Warrior who had once suppressed him had already bowed his head in acknowledgment of his wrongs, returned all the property he had taken from him, and even added much more to it. His life-long regrets were thus somewhat remedied. The only regret he now had was feeling uneasy about his daughter wandering the martial arts world without a place to settle down Zhou Heng just sat across from him, quietly listening. He didnt find it tiresome, instead, he found it quite endearing. Back when he was still on Earth, during holidays when he went home and drank with his dad, his dad would talk endlessly once drunk. Back then, he had found it nagging, but now he couldnt even listen to it if he wanted to. Zhou Heng, youre a good kid, a renowned and gallant young hero in the martial arts world, the true legacy of the Great Sect. If you could take care of Xiuer Yun Xius father murmured, shaking his head, clearly drunk. At this moment, Yun Xiu and her mother came over carrying dumplings. Dad, youre drunk, Yun Xiu didnt let her father continue, placing a large plate of dumplings on the table, Dad, Zhou Heng, the dumplings are ready, lets eat. Looking at the time, it will be the first day of the new year soon. Right, right, the first day, time for dumplings, Yun Xius father nodded, and he also called Zhou Heng, Brother, come eat dumplings, they have a generous filling and thin skins! Silly man, are you hawking your wares? Just eat, Yun Xius mother rolled her eyes and said to Zhou Heng, I apologize for him, hes always like this when he drinks too much. Haha, thats genuine character, Zhou Heng laughed. After that, Zhou Heng and Yun Xius family had their New Years Eve dinner and dumplings, and finally, they heard bursts of firecrackers from outside. Looking through the doors and windows, one could see the sky outside sparkling with lights of various colors. Zhou Heng, shall we go out to watch the fireworks? Yun Xius eyes shone like they contained stars, exceptionally bright, and her cheeks were slightly flushed, What do you say, shall we go? Zhou Heng looked at the night sky outside, where the fireworks were dazzling, with colorful flames dancing, resplendent and varied, like scattered stars or flowers strewn by celestial maidens. Amidst the sound of firecrackers, a years time was about to pass. Lets go, lets go see, Zhou Heng nodded lightly with a smile. Okay, Yun Xius smile was as lovely as a blooming flower as she nodded in agreement. The two stepped out side by side from the house to the street, where they saw throngs of people and a bustling atmosphere. The laughter of adults and the playful noises of children mingled together, creating a lively scene that didnt seem at all like the middle of the night. The joy of the New Year dispelled the chill of winter days and seemed to make people forget the crisis Huangtong Mansion City had recently faced. Everyone was immersed in happiness, celebrating the arrival of the new year with all their might. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Quite a few vendors also didnt miss this opportunity, pushing their carts through the streets, hawking their waresfood, toys, drinks, they had it all. Yun Xiu and Zhou Heng stood shoulder to shoulder. She, dressed in a bright red outfit, looked like a fairy descended from heaven, pure and otherworldly. She looked at the crowd, at the fireworks above, and said with a smile, Zhou Heng, the new year has come. Do you have any wishes? In the midst of the firecracker noise, ordinary people had to shout to be heard clearly, but her martial arts were already extraordinary, and even casual speech could be clearly understood. Wishes? Zhou Heng pondered upon hearing this, first watching the girl before him for a moment, then looking up at the fireworks above, recalling all that he had experienced in these days, he smiled and said: I hope the coming year will be just like this one, as splendid as these fireworks. Chapter 238 - Chapter 238: Chapter 138: The Dispute of Illusory Techniques Chapter 238: Chapter 138: The Dispute of Illusory Techniques Zhou Heng accompanied Yun Xiu to watch the fireworks until late at night, and it was only when the streets emptied that the two of them went home. Yun Xiu had already prepared a guest room for Zhou Heng and invited him to stay over. For Zhou Heng, where he stayed didnt matter much; it was just a change of place for cultivation, so he didnt refuse. After settling into the guest room, he sat cross-legged on the bed, formed the Innate Seal with his hands, and practiced the Innate Skill, drawing in the aura of heaven and earth while harboring his Divine Soul within. Although he was now primarily cultivating the Pure Yang Dan Jing as his internal strength, the Innate Skill at the Lower Third Rank stage was quite mystical, especially in strengthening the spirit, so naturally, he couldnt simply give it up. Zhou Hengs Innate Skill had already reached a high degree of perfection, with a proficiency level of 1256, meaning he was less than 3000 proficiency points away from Perfection. Perfection in the Innate Skill represented the peak of the Seventh Rank, just one opportunity short of truly bridging the heavens and earth, internal and external, penetrating the vast universe to achieve the Secret Six Rank of the Innate Realm. Moreover, with the advancement of the Innate Skill, his already incredibly powerful Divine Soul, bolstered by the basic attribute bonus of spirit, further strengthened. This allowed the might of his Immortal Seal Technique to become extremely strong, casting illusions that were far beyond the normal level, very formidable. Therefore, when Zhou Heng cultivated the Innate Skill, he was also enhancing the power of his Immortal Seal Techniquekilling two birds with one stone, why not? The next morning, Zhou Heng awoke from his meditative state, said goodbye to Yun Xiu and her parents, and left the place to prepare for his return home. In the following days, he planned to rest for a few more days and then go to the Purple Tenuity Palace to see if there were any tasks suitable for him that he could complete in a short time. He hoped to complete a task before the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer meeting on the eighteenth of the first month, accumulating some good deeds and seeing if there would be anything he needed then. He was still lacking a suitable treasure weapon. It would be best to get his hands on one before the Second Months Sunrise Wine Gathering; by that calculation, there actually wasnt much time left. Although he had already obtained Heavenly Thunder Metal, which could serve as the main material from opening his Fortune Bag earlier, one cannot forge a treasure weapon with only the main material; additional materials were also needed. As Zhou Heng walked, he pondered what materials he needed and contemplated the Sunrise Wine Gathering, considering how to inquire about it from the Lu Yang Zhou family. While walking, he saw a few people selling flowers up ahead. Many people gathered around the flower stalls. Zhou Heng took a longer look, and suddenly he felt as though the light and shadows around him had twisted for a moment. He then found himself in the courtyard of a mansion, not any ordinary place, but the very mansion that once sealed the Celestial Man, Yang Fan. How did I get here? Zhou Heng frowned and muttered to himself, looking perplexed, murmuring softly, Dont tell me I took the wrong path? Impossible. He had realized that someone had cast an Illusion Technique on him. This Illusion Technique was extremely sophisticated, definitely beyond the scope of the Lower Third Rank. Most individuals at the peak of the Seventh Rank probably wouldnt even detect such an illusion. But the Illusion wasnt strong enough to completely suppress a persons spirit. Zhou Heng could even break free from this Illusion at any time with his powerful Divine Soul Power. Therefore, he surmised that several high-level experts at the peak of the Seventh Rank were likely joining forces to cast an Illusion Technique of at least Secret Six Rank. With this in mind, he had nothing to fear. Before figuring out the opponents intentions, Zhou Heng intended to continue feigning bewilderment by the Illusion, to see if he could uncover the casters objectives. Although he had some speculations in his mind, he still needed to verify them himself. Thus, Zhou Heng pretended to be bewitched by the illusion technique, walking around the large mansion until he finally arrived at the screen wall where he had entered, seeing the carved three-legged crow and the chains that bound the crow. However, in reality, after Yan Shouyi captured Yang Fan and stripped the Celestial Mans Cave Sky to give to Zhou Heng, the three-legged crow was no longer on the screen wall. But this was something Zhou Heng shouldnt have known about. After all, ever since he first entered this large mansion and refused to stay, he had never gone inside again. Therefore, it was impossible for him to know about the changes to the screen wall. Zhou Heng acted exactly that way, looking at the screen wall with an admiring face, he couldnt help but laugh, Although its been a long time, I still feel that this relief is simply a work of genius, so amazing, really so amazing. Even so, the caster in the shadows seemed not content, and Zhou Heng clearly sensed a psychological suggestion urging him on. Do you know the secret contained within this screen wall? Do you know the secret contained within this screen wall? Do you know the secret contained within this screen wall? It was an extremely clever psychological suggestion, targeted only at those who had already been affected by the illusion technique. Once the illusion was lifted or broken, the psychological suggestions received during the casting would be completely forgotten, leaving virtually no aftereffects. Without doubt, this was a method of direct manipulation of the human mind. Extremely deplorable. Really overstepping bounds! Zhou Heng snorted coldly, no longer probing in such a manner, he immediately shouted, channeling his immensely powerful Divine Soul Power, and fiercely shattered the illusion. In an instant, the surrounding scenery, like shattered glass, rapidly broke into fragments. The relics of that large mansion as well as the screen wall gradually disintegrated, eventually becoming pieces of illusory light and shadow, disappearing as if they had never existed. Zhou Heng found himself back in reality, still on the street, having stood in place all this while, drawing the attention of many people. And not far ahead of him, at the corner of the wall, the three young men selling flowers stopped what they were doing and smiled at Zhou Heng. Quite impressive Divine Soul Power, worthy of being the sixth on the peoples ranking, worthy of the true transmission of the Pure Yang Palace, one of the men said with a light laugh, putting down his flowers and walking towards Zhou Heng. This was a young man in his twenties, with a tall stature and handsome appearance, dressed in a white brocade robe, holding a folding fan, the very image of a refined and graceful young master of this troubled world. He approached Zhou Heng, looked him up and down, and smiled, Zhou Heng, Ive always heard that you are proficient in brave combat, but I didnt expect your spirit cultivation to be quite good as well, to actually break the Illusion Technique of the Illusory Law Sect, heh, just now we cast a little illusion on you, how do you feel? Hum! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At that moment, the void trembled slightly, a humming sound that only the young man could hear rushed into his mind, capturing his Divine Soul, and instantly constructing layers of illusions. Immortal Seal Technique! Illusion-bewildering! Pfft! The man spat out blood on the spot, losing his refined demeanor, directly going down on one knee, unable even to lift his head. It seems that the question you wanted to ask just now will have to be asked by me, Zhou Heng said indifferently, A little bit of illusion technique, how do you feel? Chapter 239 - Chapter 239: Chapter 239: News of Cheng Jianjian Chapter 239: Chapter 239: News of Cheng Jianjian Senior brother! Zhou Heng, what are you doing?! The other three members of the Illusory Law Sect rushed over upon seeing the man injured, standing on either side of Zhou Heng with unfriendly expressions. Stand down! The Illusory Law Sect disciple, who had been kneeling on the ground, spread his arms to stop the other two from taking action. He then slowly stood up, his face ashen as he looked at Zhou Heng and bitterly said, Good, very good. I truly didnt expect Pure Yang Palace to possess such a brilliant Illusion Technique and martial arts, nor did I expect your Divine Soul power to be so strong. I, Ning Qifeng, admit my loss without grievances! So you are Ning Qifeng, number sixteen on the Human List, an authentic successor of the Illusory Law Sect, taught by Illusion True Man who is number ten on the Ground List and known as Ning Qifeng where truth and illusion are indistinguishable. Zhou Hengs eyebrows raised slightly as he shook his head with a smile, Unfortunately, it seems you havent learned much of the Illusion True Mans skills. Zhou Heng, dont push your luck! Ning Qifeng barked sharply, while the two beside him also showed fierce faces, ready to strike at any moment. But at this moment, the Zhou Heng standing before them began to distort, and in the next instant, it turned into a paper figure that drifted down to the ground. Illusion Technique! In fact, Zhou Heng had already left. The one standing before them and speaking was nothing but an illusion crafted by Zhou Heng using a paper figure. Under Zhou Hengs incredibly strong Divine Soul power, the complexity of the Undying Seal Technique was brought to its fullest extent. It wasnt until that moment that Ning Qifeng and the other two realized that the illusion they were under had just been dispelled, and that they had been trapped in an illusion all along. What a powerful Illusion Technique, when has Pure Yang Palace possessed such an advanced technique? This is at least a Secret Sixth Rank Illusion Technique. Just how many Middle Third Rank martial arts does this Zhou Heng know? The two Illusory Law Sect disciples were shocked to their core, looking at Zhou Hengs departing figure without the courage to chase after him and counterattack. Their prior experience had genuinely made them recognize Zhou Hengs strength. Too formidable, too strong! No, its not that the Illusion Technique is powerful. Ning Qifengs face darkened as he said, This Illusion Technique martial arts technique would at most count as a Secret Sixth Rank secret within our Illusory Law Sect, not necessarily anything outstanding; its Zhou Hengs Divine Soul thats too strong. Then a disciple asked, Brother, what should we do now? Should we continue? The other two Illusory Law Sect disciples inquired softly, looking up to Ning Qifeng for direction. Lets go, well head back first. Ning Qifeng shook his head and glanced in the direction Zhou Heng had left, saying, No, lets go to that large mansion; Zhou Heng is most likely heading there. As Ning Qifeng had said, after leaving their location, Zhou Heng didnt go anywhere else but directly to the large mansion where Yang Fan had been sealed earlier. After all, he was still under psychological suggestion within the Illusion Technique, and when asked if he knew the secrets of that mansion, having broken Ning Qifeng and the others illusion, he naturally wouldnt forget the suggestion. As long as he hadnt forgotten that suggestion, it was logical that he would be interested in the secrets of the mansion, and he would not rest until he found out. If he disregarded the matter entirely, that would truly be the issue. Acting should be done thoroughly. As Zhou Heng was about to push the door and enter the mansion, Ning Qifeng also arrived at the location with his two junior brothers. However, Zhou Heng paid no attention to the three people; he pushed open the gate and walked in, then turned to close the door behind him. Bang! Ning Qifeng placed his hands on the door, stopping Zhou Heng from closing it as he said in a deep voice, Zhou Heng, I advise you not to investigate the affairs here. They are deeply complicated and not within your scope to understand Are you used to talking to unaffiliated loose cultivators, or do you not know who I am? Zhou Heng sneered. With a slight exertion of strength in his hands, a bang sounded, and the gate was shut. Ning Qifeng and the other two were left standing outside the door, unable to enter. Senior brother, it seems Zhou Heng is determined to oppose us. What should we do now? The two Illusory Law Sect disciples were filled with anger, waiting for Ning Qifeng to make a decision. Let him be, Ning Qifeng shook his head, appearing not at all angry, and said, Lets go, we should head back. Ah? Go back? Just like that, go back? Senior brother? The two Illusory Law Sect disciples were stunned, not understanding what was going on. Go back, Ning Qifeng spoke indifferently. Lets go. Having said that, he walked away from the mansion, not showing the slightest hint of reluctance. The other two Illusory Law Sect disciples, seeing his reaction, could only reluctantly follow him. The three arrived at a large residence in the southern district of Huangtong Mansion City and entered. This was the place they had rented. It wasnt just the three of them who had come to Huangtong Mansion City; in fact, the one who was truly here to investigate was a Fourth Rank pinnacle Great Grandmaster, Ning Qifengs master. The man ranked tenth on the Earth List, Celestial Illusion Real Person Wu Fa. Ning Qifeng, accompanied by his two junior brothers, stepped into the main hall of this residence. They respectfully greeted the Celestial Illusion Real Person Wu Fa and recounted their earlier confrontation with Zhou Heng. Wu Fa was a middle-aged man who appeared to be around forty, with features as if carved from jade, a countenance that could pass for a younger man, standing tall and outstanding, clothed in a moon white robe, exuding a sage-like aura as if a banished immortal had descended from the heavens. His expression was indifferent, his face showing no sign of emotional change as he listened in silence. Only when he heard how Zhou Heng easily broke the illusion technique jointly used by Ning Qifengs group and countered with his own, leaving them without the chance to even react, did a slight flicker appear in his eyes. Pure Yang Palace has such an illusion technique? No, this is mostly likely a remnant from Zhou Hengs previous life. Interesting. Zhou Hengs previous life identity is becoming even more mysterious, Wu Fa nodded slightly with a smile. Qifeng, your loss is not in vain. Transcendents reincarnated, especially those retaining their past lifes techniques, inherently possess strength far surpassing martial artists of the same rank. Disciple does not need your consolation, Master. It was indeed disciples own lack of skill, Ning Qifeng shook his head, then inquired, Do you think this Zhou Heng has anything to do with the matters concerning the Yang Fan Mansion? Based on your previous description, Zhou Heng doesnt seem to be a major concern, said Wu Fa indifferently. Moreover, when you were not here just now, I received a transmission from the Taoist Sovereign over thousands of miles. The Taoist Sovereign transmitted a message to you? Ning Qifeng was surprised and asked with some curiosity, May I know what it was about? The other two Illusory Law Sect disciples also showed looks of longing, their faces filled with anticipation as they looked at Wu Fa, eager to know what the Taoist Sovereign had said. Within the Illusory Law Sect, respect and reverence for ones Upper Third Rank transcendent master were common. Indeed, many even worshiped them as living immortals, offering them their utmost respect and veneration. Ning Qifeng and the other two were still far from this level, but the Tao Lord of the Illusory Law Sect was still an existence they held in utmost reverence. To them, learning even the slightest bit of news about such an existence was considered an unparalleled blessing, let alone the contents of the message itself. Theres no harm in telling you, Wu Fa nodded and said, The Tao Lord had initially sensed something strange from the seal that was concealing Yang Fan. Yang Fan was completely taken away, but that was just the initial perception. Not long after that, the Tao Lord sensed a clearer picture, the seal he used to help Yang Fan conceal his presence had been tampered with. And it wasnt tampered with at the level of sealing techniques, but rather someone directly interfered with the laws of the seal with Dao power. Dao power?! Ning Qifeng exclaimed, the other two disciples of the Illusory Law Sect were also shocked, they all knew very well what those two words meant. Dao power, is the power of Dao seeds, which can also be considered as the power of the Great Dao. This is a force that only a Tao Lord can truly wield. In other words, the person who tampered with the seal on Yang Fan could very possibly be another Tao Lord. It was actually a conflict between Tao Lords! Just at the thought of this, Ning Qifengs complexion turned pale, and a multitude of thoughts flashed through his mind. Anxiously he asked, Master, do you think it could have been the Tao Lord from Pure Yang Palace who made a move? No, Wu Fa shook his head and said, The Pure Yang Palace has never had a Tao Lord who had condensed a Dao seed for sealing, so this matter should be unrelated to the Pure Yang Palace. In fact, in the present age, there is only one Tao Lord who can exert Dao power in the realm of seals. He once ferried across the Qingxia River, but now that boatman is no longer there. The disciple of the Saint of Middle Ancient Laws, known as the Sealing Tao Lord, the Second Rank powerhouse, Jiang Tafa. This conclusion immediately astonished Ning Qifeng and the other two to the point where they were dumbstruck, their faces filled with incredulity. They had never expected that, originally only investigating through Zhou Heng, a Seventh Rank Warrior, whether the Pure Yang Palace had any connection, they would suddenly be informed that this was most likely the doing of a Tao Lord from the Middle Ancient Era. The Middle Ancient Era, in the hearts of many martial artists, was an incredibly powerful epoch, with the Nine Saints of the age establishing legacies, a hundred schools of thought contending, and academic institutions abounding, full of emerging powerhouses. An inheritance from the Middle Ancient Era to the present often equates to power, not to mention such a being who was already a Tao Lord and a disciple of the Saint of Laws during the Middle Ancient Era. To Ning Qifeng and the others, it was as though a mythological story they had grown up listening to had suddenly entered the realm of reality. This brought them an immense shock, leaving them speechless and unable to talk for a long time. Master, are you saying that it was actually the Sealing Tao Lord who took Yang Fan? Ning Qifeng asked with some disbelief, Also, is it possible that this Sealing Tao Lord is still in Huangtong Mansion City right now? Indeed, he could quite possibly be within Huangtong Mansion City, Wu Fa nodded slightly and said, If thats the case, then the Taoist Sovereign God Soldier that Yang Fan had stolen from the Solar Divine Palace, most likely also ended up in his hands. Then Master, what should we do next? Ning Qifeng asked in a hushed voice. What follows is no longer something we can get involved in, Wu Fa shook his head, stood up, and said, This is where it ends; we just have to report back to the Tao Lord that Jiang Tafa is quite likely still inside Huangtong Mansion City. Ah? Ning Qifeng and the other two disciples were startled by his response, not expecting such an answer at all. Shouldnt they do everything possible to help the Tao Lord investigate? Ah what? Seeing the reaction of the three, Wu Fa glanced at them, chuckled, and said, In a struggle of Tao Lords, what business do ants like us have to interfere? Are we looking to court death? Zhou Heng was completely unaware that Jiang Tafa had been strangely accused of taking away Yang Fan. After Ning Qifeng and the others had left, he still pretended to rummage through the large mansion for a long time, especially where the bas-relief had disappeared; he scrutinized it over and over again. Unfortunately, despite turning the place upside down, he found nothing and, in the end, had to leave the mansion empty-handed. The following days were uneventful. Zhou Heng and the others had all departed from Huangtong Mansion City, and Zhou Heng finally had some peace and quiet to focus on his cultivation. At the same time, he began preparing for the gathering of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers in a little over ten days. One morning after breakfast, he donned the mask of the Ziwei Master, preparing to check if there were any messages for him today. Since he could receive messages from the Purple Tenuity Palace only after wearing the mask, Zhou Heng had developed a habit of putting it on every morning to check. The main reason was that it had been over ten days since he last went to the Purple Tenuity Palace to inquire, and he still had not received any news about Cheng Jianjian, which made him worried. In the past few days, Zhou Heng saw nothing but blank space when he wore the mask, no messages, but this time he saw a line of text. Master, please return to the Purple Tenuity Palace as soon as possible, there is news about Tian Ji. The message seemed to have been sent not long ago and appeared quite urgent. So, without a second thought, Zhou Heng immediately got up, left his house, rode his reddish-brown horse out of Huangtong Mansion City, to a place where few people trekked, and then equipped the horse with a Red Lotus harness, increasing its speed significantly. In less than a quarter of an hour, he arrived at the nearest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace. After storing the reddish-brown horse in his Cave Sky world, he entered the realm where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located while wearing the Ziwei Masters mask. As soon as Zhou Heng arrived at the Purple Cloud Platform, even before stepping onto the Bridge of Starlight, he saw the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors, who was pacing back and forth, seemingly quite anxious. Senior, whats the matter? Zhou Heng asked. Master, Im so glad youre here, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors greeted first and immediately took Zhou Heng onto the Bridge of Starlight, Theres no time to explain, please follow me to the Hall of Dispel Worries first. All right, Zhou Heng nodded, letting the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors lead the way at great speed. In front of the Purple Tenuity Palace, after meeting The Supreme and the Celestial Man of Heavens Law, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors hastily took Zhou Heng to the Hall of Dispel Worries. Master, take a look at this, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors hurriedly pulled out a black jade slip and unfolded it. On this pitch-black jade slip, lines of starlight shimmered, forming the star chart of the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, with some parts bright, others dim, and a few emitting a red glow. It was somewhat simpler compared to the Chart of Zhou Tians Stars. This is? Zhou Heng looked at the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors with curiosity. This is the Chart of Heavenly Star Tracks, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors explained: The life and death of the Star Officer and Star Envoys who pass through the Star Gates to other worlds is unpredictable and uncertain, and this chart serves as the basic information for judgment. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Normally, the positions of the Star Officers and Star Envoys on the Chart of Heavenly Star Tracks are dim, but as soon as they pass through the Star Gates to other worlds, their corresponding positions will light up. Should they die in another world, the radiance of the corresponding star will extinguish and emit a red glow, which, under normal circumstances, indicates demise without other explanations. But now Master, look, this is the star corresponding to Tian Ji. As he spoke, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors pointed to the place on the Chart of Heavenly Star Tracks where the Tian Ji Star should be, but now there was no starlight there; it was neither dim nor red. The star corresponding to that position had simply vanished, leaving nothing but emptiness! Chapter 240 - Chapter 240: Chapter 240: The Vanished Tian Ji Star Chapter 240: Chapter 240: The Vanished Tian Ji Star Tian Ji Star, disappeared? Zhou Heng frowned as he looked towards the inner circle of the Five Emperors, What does this mean? It means that the orbit of the Tian Ji Star Envoy has deviated, and its connection to the Chart of Celestial Orbits has been severed, explained an individual from within the Five Emperors seating area. In other words, we can no longer determine the status of the Tian Ji Star Envoy now. Why would this happen? Zhou Hengs gaze was fixed on the Chart of Celestial Orbits as he said in a deep voice, Elder, has the disappearance of a star position and the severance of its orbital connection ever occurred before? It has never happened before; this is the first time, the person from the inner circle of the Five Emperors shook their head and said, Otherwise, I wouldnt be in such a panic. I have already informed The Supreme and Tianyi, but even they are at a loss. Arent there other Celestial Men? What about the seniors Tianyi and Azure Dragon? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. The two leaders and several other Celestial Men are all still in the West Wasteland and cannot extricate themselves, the person from the inner circle of the Five Emperors said helplessly: Middle Third Rank have no way to intervene with the Star Gates, so I could only think to turn to you, the Star Master. What should I do? Zhou Heng asked without hesitation. Later, youll go to the Star Gate and try to perceive the world where Tian Ji is, the inner circle individual explained. The world that Tian Ji went to is rather unique; we dont have a confirmed spiritual guide for that world, so we must search in this manner. What was Tian Jis mission this time? Zhou Heng looked towards the individual from the Five Emperors inner circle and asked, Didnt she travel between the worlds through the Star Gate by using the world path spiritual guide? No, the person shook their head and said, At this juncture, theres also no need to keep you in the dark, Star Master. The world that Tian Ji went to is one of the world clusters that only the Big Dipper Seven Star Envoys can access. You know that within our Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, the positions of Star Positions are divided between Star Officers and Star Envoys. There are thirty-nine Star Officers in the Purple Tenuity Palace, but there are far more Star Envoys. Although in terms of identity and various organizational powers, Star Envoys and Star Officers are the samerules set by the two leaderson the Chart of Zhou Tians Celestial Stars, Star Envoys are subordinates to Star Officers, and such distinction cannot be directly changed. Whether it is the inheritance of Martial Arts or the degree of control over the Chart of Zhou Tians Celestial Stars power, Star Envoys are far inferior to Star Officers. To enter the Purple Tenuity Palace, Star Envoys must be led by a Star Officer; even their killing power against ghostly creatures and Evil Creatures is lower than that of Star Officers There is a way for Star Envoys to be promoted to Star Officers, right? Zhou Heng suddenly understood everything and said, Was this mission for Tian Jis promotion to Star Officer? Exactly, she aims to be promoted to a Big Dipper Star Officer, the individual from the inner circle of the Five Emperors nodded and said, As long as the Star Envoy has not yet reached the Secret Six Rank, and there is a vacancy in the position of their superior Star Officer. Star Envoys will have one opportunity to be promoted to the corresponding Star Officer by completing a specific task. Tian Ji is one of the Big Dipper Seven Star Envoys, so her path to promotion is naturally as a Big Dipper Star Officer. Cant the world of the promotion mission be confirmed? Zhou Heng frowned and said, Hasnt there been any other Big Dipper Star Envoys who tried to complete the mission for promotion to Star Officer before? Of course there have been, the person from the inner circle replied. In fact, before her, Tian Xuan, Tian Quan, Kaiyang and others have attempted it, and in the past three thousand years, there have been four Tian Ji Star Envoys who have tried to be promoted. Without exception, they all failed. However, from the numerous Star Envoys promotion tasks over the past three thousand years, weve also learned some things. It can be confirmed that Star Envoys of different Star Positions will enter different worlds and the same Star Position, if at different Cultivation Realms, will enter different worlds, too. Consequently, the tasks are also wildly different and very complex. Star Envoys of the same Star Position go to different worlds? Zhou Heng was astonished to hear this. If that was the case, how many worlds would correspond to the promotion task of one Big Dipper Star Officer? No wonder the person from the inner circle said it was a world cluster earlier. To search for Cheng Jianjian in so many worlds was truly like looking for a needle in a haystack. Indeed, the person in the inner circle nodded and said, Exactly because of this, without the aid of a star track, its presumed that only powers of Upper Third Rank could possibly find Tian Jis current whereabouts through their control over the Chart of Zhou Tians Celestial Stars. However, your star position is that of Ziwei the Great Emperor, the master of all stars, so perhaps there will be some differences. And since you have a close relationship with Tian Ji, I thought that maybe you could perceive the Star Gate to find where Tian Ji is. I will try at the Star Gate, Zhou Heng nodded and said. Star Lord, please follow me, said the Five Emperors Inner Seat without hesitation, decisively leading Zhou Heng towards the location of the Star Gate. After all, nearly two hours had passed since Tian Ji lost contact, yet they still hadnt clarified the specific situation, and they couldnt delay any longer. Zhou Heng and the Five Emperors Inner Seat quickly arrived at the deepest part of the Ziwei Palace. There stood a gate entirely forged of starlight, surrounded by a mysterious and majestic purple aura, with a center where the brilliance of stars swirled like a vortex, leading to the unknown. Star Lord, this is the Star Gate, the Five Emperors Inner Seat said gravely, If you can sense Tian Jis aura, I will be able to locate the world she is in, establish the pathspirit guidance, and then we can focus our efforts on rescuing her. Good, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and stepped forward, casually asking, Senior seems to place great importance on Tian Ji? Of course, in the past year alone, Tian Ji has killed two hundred and seventy-six ghosts and eliminated thirty-five evil creatures, the Five Emperors Inner Seat said with some emotion, Shes as if she harbors a huge grudge against these ghosts and evils, almost every day on the path of slaying ghosts and vanquishing evil. There are not many people in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer crew, and even fewer who devote themselves to battling evil as she does. Zhou Heng paused slightly upon hearing this, never having considered that Cheng Jianjian might have such a side to her. After all, the Cheng Jianjian he knew was always bright and lively, sunny, and bursting with vitality. Or was this her aspect as a Tian Ji Star Envoy? Suddenly, Zhou Heng realized he actually knew very little about Cheng Jianjian, only that she was the seventh-generation disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, a personal disciple of Qi Rui, the master of Jade Qiong Peak, highly talented, excellent in martial arts, fond of candy, sensitive to pain But her background, her parents, her past experiences how she became a Tian Ji Star Envoy for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, how she entered the Pure Yang Palace to become a disciple of Qi Rui he seemed not very clear about any of these. In this moment of realization, Zhou Heng had already arrived in front of the Star Gate. He gently closed his eyes, spreading his consciousness, attempting to connect with the Star Gate. Zhou Heng soon felt countless rays of light and brilliance intertwining within his sense of the divine, a complex array of information that was incredibly chaotic. The position of Ziwei the Great Emperor, the lord of all stars, was truly extraordinary. Ordinary Star Officers could hardly detect any information in the Star Gate, but he was like browsing through his own bookshelf, able to view various kinds of information. However, with so much information, so overwhelming and without any pattern, he couldnt filter out any meaningful details. Continuing this way, its impossible to find her whereabouts, Zhou Heng realized this approach was futile. He felt a sudden anxiety but then had a flash of inspiration, thinking of the moment when Cheng Jianjian had bid him farewell earlier. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Immediately, he took out a piece of candy from his Qiankun pouch, or more precisely half a wrapped piece of candy, which Cheng Jianjian had left for him. And Cheng Jianjian had made an agreement with Zhou Heng that the next time they met, she would ask for the other half of the candy. If I use this as a guide Zhou Heng placed the candy in his palm, closed his eyes again, and focused his spirit. A torrent of information surged towards him once more. But this time, amidst the endless torrent of information, there was a streak that carried a hint of sweetness. It was from a vastly distant world, enveloped in starlight. Ive found it! Zhou Heng suddenly opened his eyes. Chapter 241 - Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Demons Run Rampant, The People Suffer Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Demons Run Rampant, The People Suffer ` This is great! The inner seat of the Five Emperors was overjoyed at the news and immediately pulled out a bronze mirror from his sleeve, attempting to capture the radiance of the Star Gate at that moment. However, it wasnt long before he sighed, Just as I thought. Whats the matter? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. Nothing was reflected! The inner seat of the Five Emperors shook his head, looking at the empty mirror with some disappointment, This is the divine weapon Star Track Myriad Realms Mirror, capable of reflecting the trajectories of the Star Gates rotations and capturing the information routes of the worlds currently connected. Under normal circumstances, simply by using this Myriad Realms Mirror, one would immediately obtain the corresponding world information routes, but this time, nothing was reflected. Is it because this world is very special? Zhou Heng had roughly guessed the reason, saying, The information routes of these worlds are actually the information from the Zhou Tian Star Chart, right? If you want to capture it, its more or less equivalent to extracting the information from the Zhou Tian Star Chart, so naturally, its difficult to succeed. When you just mentioned as expected, I presume you had attempted this before. Correct. The inner seat of the Five Emperors nodded slightly, put away the Myriad Realms Mirror, and said, Actually, every time the Star Envoys go on a promotion task, the person in charge of the Myriad Realms Mirror will attempt to capture the world information, but it has never been successful. I was still holding onto hope that since it was you, the Star Lord, who came to sense the information of the corresponding world, and not a Star Envoys promotion, perhaps it could be successful. Now it seems, these worlds are very special in themselves. Alas, since we cannot obtain the world route information, other members of the organization cannot go to that world. We can only wait for the two leaders and the several Celestial Men to return before making plans. I dont know if Tian Ji can hold out until then. Theres no need to wait. Zhou Heng smiled and said, I can cross over to that world directly. Impossible! How can the Star Lord recklessly go alone to a world with unknown circumstances! The inner seat of the Five Emperors immediately shook his head upon hearing this and said, Star Lord, your identity is extraordinary to the organization, how can you But before he could finish, Zhou Heng had already strode into the Star Gate and vanished in the blink of an eye, without a trace. The inner seat of the Five Emperors was stunned, looking astonished. Then, the color drained from his face beneath the mask, and he hurriedly ran out towards the Purple Palace, This is bad, the Star Lord is in danger! He wanted to seek help from The Supreme and Celestial Law. Streams of bright silver starlight swirled around, with numerous dazzling and bizarre sights whizzing past alongside the brilliance. After stepping into the Star Gate, Zhou Heng felt as though he had entered a strange tunnel filled with speeding light and shadow, as if being drawn by an invisible force, speeding toward a certain direction. In this peculiar tunnel, he once again perceived that seemingly endless flood of information. And once again, he distinguished the information of the world where Cheng Jianjian was. Zhou Heng thus confirmed that he was indeed flying towards that world. At the same time, information about that world flowed through his mind. Perhaps because this world was under the jurisdiction of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, the information he received about the world was extremely detailed. Name: Demon Spirit World Type: Void Minor Thousand World Affiliation: Northern Dipper True Profound Heavens One Calamity: Forty-seven thousand years Strongest: Secret Six Rank Heaven and Earths Elemental Qi: Sparse Laws Suppression: Minimal Time Flow Rate: Tenfold World Summary: Every being has a spirit C birds, beasts, plants, and stones. Those with a spirit can become monsters, possessing intelligence and power, beyond human contestation Monsters rampage, people suffer, only ancient families with lineage powers can slay demons This information was so detailed it was almost like an extensive report. Every piece of information and even the data were listed clearly. ` Unfortunately, the description of the entire world was only a summary. To find out specifics, what powers existed, and Cheng Jianjians exact whereabouts, Zhou Heng would still have to investigate on his own. Just as he was thinking this, Zhou Heng suddenly felt his body sink, and the light and shadows that had been moving backward abruptly surged upward. He was plummeting downward at an extremely fast pace. On a trail among the trees, maples glowed fiery red as the setting sun cast a rosy hue. This was an autumn scene bathed in warm colors. Yet Yao Qianjiao could feel no warmth, only a deep cold taking over her body, her hands and feet icy, as the sight of dismembered corpses and fresh crimson blood filled her with terror. What was most terrifying was that on these dismembered limbs, there would be small human-like creatures with dogs heads perched, feasting on the bodies, tearing the flesh, and gnawing the bones to suck the marrow. Standing among these dog-headed creatures was a young man donned in pitch-black armor, towering and burly, sporting a full beard, with unruly hair and a face slightly protruding forward, bearing some resemblance to a dog. He was holding a fair arm, his sharp teeth nothing like a humans, and blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, exuding an intense stench. The scene before her was like hell on earth. Why, why is this happening? Tears streamed down Yao Qianjiaos face, her beautiful features marred by streaks of tears. She couldnt understand why she was experiencing this. She was simply returning home after visiting relatives, a journey no more than twenty miles, accompanied by three close female guards and twelve hired guards. It should have been a smooth trip throughout. Why had this happened? Why had she encountered monsters? Why?! Those dismembered limbs belonged to Yao Qianjiaos guards. Now, apart from her, only one of her personal female guards was still alive. The hired guards werent all dead, but upon seeing that the creatures blocking their way were monsters, they had fled outright. Woman, are you very scared? The young man in black armor casually tossed aside the bone he was holding and slowly walked toward Yao Qianjiao, chuckling, My name is Black Saint. What do you think of that name? You, dont come any closer, please dont! Yao Qianjiaos face turned deathly pale as she stumbled backwards in horror. Miss, hide behind me. A young female guard stepped in front of Yao Qianjiao. She was a personal guard raised by the Yao Family since childhood and was ready to lay down her life to protect Yao Qianjiao. Humans are quite interesting. Even though so weak, they still insist on training themselves, attempting to become stronger, mused Black Saint with a self-amused laugh as he continued advancing, but in the end, they only make their flesh tougher to chew. Is that at all interesting? Aaaah!! Yao Qianjiao screamed, her fear shattering her self-control as she shrieked hoarsely, Why, why are there monsters?! In the past two years, hasnt the Empress Your Majesty been terrifying you into submission?! Why are you still daring to show up, why?! Arent you afraid of being killed?! The Empress! That woman Cheng! At these words, Black Saints facial muscles involuntarily twitched, a flash of fear passing through his eyes, which quickly turned into intense killing intent, I was initially going to save some of you for snacks, but since youre seeking death, then The Empress? The woman surnamed Cheng? At that moment, a voice tinged with confusion came from nearby, followed by the sight of a handsome young man in a white Taoist robe with blue patterns slowly approaching. Ah, another self-training morsel? Black Saint eyed the young man, baring his teeth, The two words I hate most in my life are Empress. You too must die!! No sooner had the words left his mouth than the young man appeared before him as if shrinking the ground beneath his feet, and with his palm, he grabbed the dog-like face, unleashing a force as mighty as a mountain torrent. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Boom! Black Saint was slammed face-first into the ground by the young man, the fearsome force causing the ground to tremble violently; half of his head was buried in the earth. Aaagh! Human! Youre courting death! Black Saint roared, as his face warped and protruded forward even more, and his hair thickened and coarsened, quickly becoming a dogs head, Die for me Bang!! The young man stomped on the dog head, smashing the monsters entire head into the ground, and said indifferently, Enough talk. Tell me about this Empress. Chapter 242 - Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Empress, Dominating the World Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Empress, Dominating the World The youth was naturally Zhou Heng. He had just arrived in this world, sensed the strong smell of blood here, and had hurried over to investigate the situation, just in time to hear this dog demon mention a woman with the surname Cheng. Naturally, he had to ask for details. Humans, humans, how can you possess such great strength?! Black Saint roared in disbelief. It had never encountered a human as powerful as this. Even those from the great families had only powerful Slaying Demon techniques; it was utterly impossible for them to have such terrifying strength. What kind of monster was this?! Why all the nonsense? Zhou Heng frowned upon hearing that, raised his hand and grabbed through the air, gripping Black Saint by the dog head and lifting it up, leaving its feet dangling in the air. Sir, we, we also know about the Empress! Yao Qianjiao mustered courage from who knows where, clenched her fists, closed her eyes, and shouted, Please, sir, slay the demon! Damn it! Damn that woman! Minions, attack! Black Saint eyed Yao Qianjiao with murderous intent. It knew its death was certain and sought to take someone with it. Woof! Woof woof! Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof!! The barking suddenly intensified; those dog demons that had been gnawing at corpses all raised their heads and charged furiously towards Yao Qianjiao, their gaping maws ready to tear and bite. Clang! With the sound of a swords cry, Zhou Heng waved his hand and released four streams of Sword Qi, sweeping across the area, instantly severing all the dog demons in half, leaving none behind. The dog demons, which had been so ferocious just moments before, now lay in two pieces on the ground, with blood flowing everywhere. At the same time, a red flame ignited in Zhou Hengs palm. In just a moment, it engulfed the whole body of the self-proclaimed Black Saint dog demon, producing billowing smoke and an acrid smell. In an instant, nothing was left but a pile of ashes. Yao Qianjiao and her personal guards stood there agape, watching the scene with disbelief, almost suspecting they were dreaming. Since when was slaying demons this easy? Before the emergence of the Empress, demons ran rampant in the world, and only people from great families had the ability to slay demons, with nearly everyone growing up with stories of demon-slaying. Werent the demon-slayings in the stories always filled with hardships? Even when a monster was beaten and captured, seriously injured, to truly kill it required blood to draw charms, the establishment of an altar, and great effort to fully execute the demon. Who had ever heard of someone like this youth who could effortlessly kill a demon capable of taking complete human form, as if it was straight out of the legends of an Immortals feats? It seemed that when the Empress first appeared in the world, she too had similar tales, didnt she? With this thought, Yao Qianjiao suddenly became excited. Could it be that this youth actually had the same origins as the Empress, and he had come to investigate the truth upon hearing of the Empresss incident? The demons are eliminated; you may speak now, Zhou Heng turned his head to look at Yao Qianjiao and her companion, adding, Where do you need to go? I will escort you there. To get the most detailed information naturally, he should ask while escorting them; under these circumstances, they would surely tell all they knew without reservation. Thank you, sir, thank you so much! We need to go to Qinghe City, which is more than ten miles away. Your kindness is appreciated, Yao Qianjiao said hurriedly and respectfully bowed, feeling tremendously grateful in her heart. After that, Zhou Heng buried the remnants of the corpses and limbs, and then he and Yao Qianjiaos party set out on their journey. On the journey that followed, they didnt encounter any more monsters. This was convenient for Zhou Heng to make inquiries. Through Yao Qianjiaos descriptions and the additional information from her personal guard, a rough outline of the mysterious Empress with the surname Cheng was taking shape. No one knew the Empresss given name, nor did they know what she looked like or her age. They only knew her surname was Cheng, and she emerged out of nowhere two years ago, sweeping across the world with overwhelming might, unstoppable in her conquest. Whether it was the military forces of the local governors, the demonic practitioners of the arcane cults, or the influential Demon Kingsall were like clay chickens and pottery dogs in her presence, easily shattered with a mere strike. This Empress seemed very strange to the people. Her strength could be called the most formidable among humans for thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years. Yet the nature of her power was unlike any known to the world. She had no bloodline from a prestigious family, yet she was stronger than those of noble descent. She could crush the demonic arts that the arcane cults prayed for from the Evil God, using her own strength alone. Her physical prowess exceeded that of monsters, and her body was more robust. The techniques she employed actually resembled what was considered in the jianghu as the so-called Martial Arts. But since ancient times, even the pinnacle of Martial Arts could only endow one with the strength of a thousand catties; the idea of killing common tigers or leopards with bare hands was implausible, so how could it be that she alone could dominate the world? The source of the Empresss strength remained a mystery, but her achievements were universally acknowledged. In the two years since her appearance, she unified the variously governed local territories, reassembled the collapsing Imperial Court at the center, eradicated wars, and pacified the world, thus revered as the Empress. These were her worldly accomplishments. In addition, the monsters that once roamed and caused chaos, eating people, were thoroughly exterminated by her and the prominent families, to the point where the monsters of the world dared not show themselves, and the common people could live in peace, even daring to leave the city to visit relatives. Then there was the arcane cult that used to capture people for bloody rituals, trying to please the questionable existence of the Evil God. The Empress alone, with one sword, eradicated this cult, leaving only a few remnants to flee and hide. Since then, the world had enjoyed unprecedented peace and stability. A month ago, the Empress invited the heads of the seven major families to Seven Lords Mountain; it was rumored that she intended to open an ancient divine repository there to thoroughly eliminate the demonic threat. But since then, there had been no news. The only word was that the heads of the seven major families had returned home with serious injuries, and the Empress was suspected to have gone missing And there are rumors rumors that the Empress has already fallen Yao Qianjiao spoke more sorrowfully as she went on; tears streamed down her face again. No, I dont believe it. How could someone as powerful as the Empress die? Its impossible! Hmm, she cant be dead, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled. He was quite certain by now that this so-called Empress was indeed Jiang Jian. In this Demon Spirit World, the Human Race had no Martial Path heritage, and their Martial Arts could never breakthrough to the Ninth Grade; the only extraordinary power in the Human Race was the bloodline of noble families. An Empress who could suppress the world with her Martial Arts must undoubtedly be the outsider, Jiang Jian. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only And Jiang Jian was not someone who would die easily. The divine repository in Seven Lords Mountain is probably the last step in completing her mission. Just that something must have gone wrong at the last moment, preventing her from truly succeeding? Zhou Heng frowned, silently musing, Next, I need to take a look at Seven Lords Mountain. Hmm, and I also need to have a thorough questioning of the heads of those seven major families. Sir, the city up ahead is where my family resides, Yao Qianjiao suddenly spoke up, pointing to a large city in the distance. Master Zhou, Ill never forget the great kindness youve shown me. Would you please come to my house to rest? Your house? Zhou Heng looked up at the city ahead and said without thinking, Theres demonic qi! Chapter 243 - Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Demons Also Kill Demons Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Demons Also Kill Demons Demon aura? Upon hearing this, Yao Qianjiaos complexion turned deathly pale, and the guards close to her also showed expressions of shock and panic. Demons! Their previous encounter had made them all too aware of the terror of demons. And now they were hearing that there was demon aura in their own home? Mr. Zhou, save my family, please save us! Yao Qianjiao lost her composure, clutching Zhou Hengs sleeve, begging desperately, Mr. Zhou, Ive only been out visiting relatives for half a month, how could there be demon aura in my home, please save us. Lets go and have a look first, Zhou Heng said. On this journey, he had also roughly come to understand the situation of Yao Qianjiaos family. Yao Qianjiaos father, when he was young, risked his life doing business all over the place, traveling to many areas, and there was even a map hidden in the house, giving him quite an understanding of the various terrains. In earlier years, when the Imperial Courts laws were still in effect, the demon slayers of the great families traveled in all directions, and the world was barely stable, with some traders doing business everywhere. Zhou Heng wanted to find Seven Lords Mountain, but he had to get the location of Seven Lords Mountain from Yao Qianjiaos family first, and also ask for directions on the correct path to take. After all, this world was not Da Qi, where he could ask for directions from the Pure Yang Palace shops everywhere, nor could he use the starlight bridges of the Purple Tenuity Palace; wanting to go somewhere meant first having to find the way. At this moment, Zhou Heng deeply missed his days on Earth. No matter where he wanted to go, he just had to take out his phone and with a search on various map apps, every detail about the area, nearby facilities, and routes to get there would be readily available. Although Tencent Maps was not as good as Baidu Maps, he still missed it dearly when he needed it. Yao Qianjiao breathed a sigh of relief only after Zhou Heng agreed to help, feeling somewhat reassured. Please follow me, Mr. Zhou. The Yao Familys residence was large, one of the wealthiest households in Qinghe City, with considerable assets. After Yao Familys patriarch had three sons, he had a daughter who tragically passed away midway, and finally, another child was born, who is now the fifth daughter of the Yao Family, Yao Qianjiao. As such, the patriarch doted exceedingly on Yao Qianjiao, treasuring her beyond measure and viewing her as the pearl in his palm. He couldnt bear for her to suffer the slightest grievance. In recent days, the monsters, which had originally been frightened off, began to re-emerge, frequently harming people traveling long distances. With Yao Qianjiao being out visiting relatives and not returning for a long time, it truly scared the patriarch of the Yao Family. Besides the servants, there were about twenty people in the Yao Family, all residing in this large mansion. As the patriarch felt uneasy, it made the entire family sit on pins and needles. That day, at noon. At the Yao Familys lunch table, Yao Guangshun, the patriarch, and his three sons, Yao Qianshan, Yao Qiannian, Yao Qianjiang, sat along each side. This was the main table, with the rest of the people, including the female members, seated at the secondary table. However, there was one exception. That was Yao Qianjiangs recently married bride, Bai, who was young, beautiful, spoke softly, and was particularly good at taking care of the elderly, making her the only female member allowed at the main table. Yao Guangshun, over fifty years old, had white hair and deep wrinkles, and sighs escaped him as he ate. The people around him also stopped using their chopsticks, as if the food on the table had suddenly lost its flavor. Master, whats wrong? Mrs. Bai asked gently and softly, Are you thinking about Qianjiao again? Ah, that girl, why hasnt she come back yet. Yao Guangshun sighed and said, With such chaos outside, how can I be at ease with her not returning? Master, please rest assured, Qianjiao has been smart since she was young, and with her close guards for protection, she will surely be fine. Mrs. Bai comforted quietly, Perhaps, Qianjiao has just been delayed on the road and should be back soon. No one else dared to speak. Because the situation outside was truly too dangerous, especially since the road back from visiting relatives, which included a stretch of forest, had a high chance of encountering monsters. And how powerful and vicious monsters are needs no further mention, for a human, unless lucky enough to encounter a demon slayer from a noble family passing by, would undoubtedly perish. Even strong martial arts would be of no use. In the eyes of the Yao family members, the possibility of Yao Qianjiao encountering a monster and being dead was extremely high. Therefore, no one dared to offer blind comfort. Otherwise, when the news of Yao Qianjiaos death arrived, the master would not spare those who comforted him by saying Yao Qianjiao was not dead. Only Mrs. Bai could dare to comfort him so gently and softly, relying on her youth, beauty, sweet voice, and being his daughter-in-law, confident that the master wouldnt really punish her. I hope it is as you say, Yao Guangshun finally sighed, he actually had some guesses in his heart, but just didnt want to believe them. Just then, a servant rushed in from outside, excited and flustered. Master, Master! The fifth young lady has returned, the fifth young lady has come back!! The servant shouted loudly. What?! Yao Guangshun instantly stood up, eyes wide, looking outside, he said with joy, She has returned? My fifth young lady has come back? Where is she, quickly have her come here. Father, I have worried you, I am back, Yao Qianjiaos voice came through, and soon after, she arrived with Zhou Heng and the close guard. Good child, good child, you have finally come back, you almost worried me to death. Yao Guangshun pushed through the crowd to get to Yao Qianjiaos front, examining her from head to toe, delighted to see her unharmed, Good, very good, Qianjiao come quickly, lets eat, eat. Father, we have a guest, Yao Qianjiao said, not moving directly to the table but with a smiling face she introduced Zhou Heng to Yao Guangshun and others, and briefly described what happened on the road before. What, you really encountered a monster, and it was this man who killed the monster and escorted you back? Yao Guangshun was shocked and worried, Good child, are you alright, are you hurt? Im fine, Im fine, with Mr. Zhou here, I wouldnt come to any harm. Yao Qianjiaos cheeks blushed slightly as she said with a smile, Mr. Zhou is really powerful, those monsters were no match for him. Then we must properly thank this Mr. Zhou, Yao Guangshun said to Zhou Heng with an inviting gesture, Please have a seat, sir. You saved my daughter, this is a great kindness. It was just a small effort, Zhou Heng smiled and said. Are you a demon slayer? Yao Guangshun asked, Years ago, Ive traveled far and wide and seen some demon slayers, but never one as young and capable as you, sir. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only I suppose so, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. May I know which family you come from? Suddenly, Mrs. Bai spoke up, her voice soft and gentle, Ive heard that demon slayers all come from ancient noble families, but it seems there is no Zhou Family among them. Father! Sister-in-law! What do you mean by this? Yao Qianjiao stood up discontentedly and said, Mr. Zhou is the person who saved my life, how can you treat him with such suspicion and interrogation? Qianjiao, there are things you dont know. Not all who slay monsters are demon slayers. Mrs. Bai gently shook her head, her gaze suddenly turned cold, and said in a stern voice, Monsters also slay other monsters, and according to your description, Mr. Zhous methods do not seem to be those of a demon slayer but more like the violent means only a monster would have. At these words, the room plunged into dead silence, people retreated, grabbing things at hand, all looking at Zhou Heng with a wary face. Chapter 244 - Chapter 244: Chapter 244 Demon Emperor Chapter 244: Chapter 244 Demon Emperor How, how could you do this?! Yao Qianjiaos face turned red with anger as she said, Mr. Zhou saved my life, are you saying he is a monster? Qianjiao, dont be anxious, I didnt mean that, Mrs. Bai shook her head gently, smiling slightly I was just curious, nothing more. I wonder if Mr. Zhou could give me an answer? I am also a bit curious, Yao Guangshun nodded and added with a smile Could the gentleman please answer our questions? These are chaotic times, and we must be cautious. We ask for your understanding. The rest of the members of the Yao Family also looked towards Zhou Heng. Although they didnt speak, their intentions were clearthey all hoped that Zhou Heng would explain how he was able to slay monsters. Heh, interesting, Zhou Heng laughed, scanning over the Yao Family members, finally landing his gaze on Yao Guangshun and Mrs. Bai, and said with a smile, Havent you heard that curiosity can kill, not to mention monsters? In the next instant, his body burst forth with golden light. Innate Pure Yang True Qi circulated within him, immediately connecting with the heavens and earth, drawing upon the omnipresent elemental energy. Boom! A thunderous roar sounded as if the heavens were furious. At the same time, Zhou Heng seemed to transform into a deity standing there, high above, looking down at everyone present. He simply couldnt be bothered to explain. With thunderous methods, he planned to eradicate the monster plague, which was the most straightforward way. Monster! Pretending to be something youre not, I could tell at a glance that you are not human! With a fierce shout, Zhou Heng raised his hand and threw a punch directly at Mrs. Bai. The strike was as fast as thunder and hit Mrs. Bai in an instant. At the moment of impact, Mrs. Bai was still in shock, having no time to react. She had actually prepared for a possible assault from Zhou Heng and had planned to dodge and, if necessary, to flee. However, Mrs. Bai hadnt expected that this seemingly young man could be so overbearingly powerful, to an extent that she couldnt comprehend. She didnt even have a chance to dodge. Though she wanted to evade the attack, her body just couldnt keep up. All she could do was watch helplessly as this overwhelmingly powerful punch hit her. This invincible presence, this terrifying power, reminded her of the feeling she had when she faced the Empress days ago. Their strength seemed very similar. Thats what Mrs. Bai thought in her heart, but her body had already started to disintegrate, flesh and bones collapsing from within, verging on an explosion. She was about to lose her human form. Nevertheless, this is precisely the task of the Monster Emperor Besides, I will not die, Mrs. Bai thought to herself and quietly awaited the end of this life. Bang! A loud explosion was heard as Mrs. Bais body burst open on the spot, turning into a mist of blood, obliterated by Zhou Hengs punch. The Yao Family members on the scene were dumbstruck. Whether it was Yao Guangshun or Yao Qianjiao, all were stunned, staring blankly at the blood mist falling from the sky, their expressions frozen. Ah! Yao Qianjiang was the first to scream terribly, with a piercing and heartbreaking voice. But the scream was not an angry roar at Zhou Heng, rather it was one of terror, of self-doubt. Because, among the blood mist formed from the explosion of Mrs. Bai, there appeared to be a thick white snake skin, quivering. As the blood mist scattered, the snake skin also fell to the ground. This snake skin was over three meters long, covered with scales. It seemed that what had exploded wasnt the young and beautiful Mrs. Bai. But a massive White Snake. Seeing this, the Yao Family members all showed unbelieving expressions, unwilling to trust the spectacle before them. It was simply too inconceivable. White White Snake? Yao Qianjiaos voice trembled, Sister-in-law is a white snake? Is, is she a monster?! Her mind felt muddled as if turned into mush. Zhou Heng had mentioned that there was a monster aura in her family, and she thought some monster must be hiding in her house, but she never expected that the bride her brother had married just half a month ago was actually a monster. How could this be? This, this is Yao Guangshun seemed to have just regained his senses. He saw the snake skin on the ground and his whole body shuddered, his eyes becoming incredibly lucid before his expression darkened again, I actually fell for this monsters trickery?! In fact, as early as half a month ago, Yao Guangshun had already been subtly manipulated and controlled by the Bai family. Even though Yao Guangshun still retained his normal memories and consciousness, his judgment on certain matters was influenced by the Bais, which led him to do things he wouldnt normally do. Such as stepping forward this time to question Zhou Heng alongside the Bai family. Teacher, sister-in-law, no, this monster, is it dead? Yao Qianjiao couldnt help but ask. It has lost one life Zhou Heng said indifferently. Suddenly, he leapt into the air and threw a punch forward, Childs play! Bang!! With a dull thud, a woman in white, who was originally absent from the empty space, suddenly fell down. It was the very Bai Family member Zhou Heng had just destroyed. As it turned out, Bai had indeed been killed by Zhou Hengs punch. But as a different kind of white snake, she did not have just one life. Even if killed, as long as she shed her snake skin, she could secretly escape. But little did she expect that Zhou Hengs Divine Soul perception was incredibly strong; a snake demon of her caliber, barely equivalent to an ordinary Seventh Rank, had no chance of escaping. Gazing at Bai who had suddenly reborn in the courtyard, the members of the Yao Family felt that all their past knowledge had been overturned, and a strong sense of fear involuntarily rose in their hearts. Is this what monsters are like? Its too terrifying, to still be alive after being turned into a mist of blood! Come now, tell me, why did you provoke me? Zhou Heng chuckled softly, his interest piqued as he looked at Bai, who had collapsed on the ground, his eyes slightly squinting, You should be aware that with your strength, you are absolutely no match for me, so why provoke me? Did you want me to attack you, to give up your life for nothing? Heh, youre not worthy of knowing, Bai said with contempt, turning her head away from Zhou Heng and showing no intention of answering. No need to rush to respond, theres plenty of time on the road for you to consider, Zhou Heng said with a smile. With a lift of his hand, a golden light shot from his fingertip and turned into a rope that bound Bai and also sealed her mouth. Demon Binding Rope! Afterward, Zhou Heng got a map from Yao Guangshun, roughly figured out the location of Seven Lords Mountain, and then set off on the road with Bai, bound by the Demon Binding Rope. Horrified and quickly overcome by the monster calamity, the Yao family remained dumbfounded long after Zhou Heng had left, not regaining their senses until much later. Eventually, led by Yao Guangshun, they knelt on the ground and kowtowed in the direction Zhou Heng left, as a sign of gratitude. Yao Qianjiao planned to hire a skilled artist to paint Zhou Hengs likeness, so she could admire him daily. If possible, she still wanted to find Zhou Heng. The White Snake was tight-lipped. In the beginning, no matter what Zhou Heng asked, she wouldnt answer. But under the restraint of the Demon Binding Rope, the White Snakes will also eroded day by day. Finally, on the third day. Zhou Heng pried open the White Snakes mouth. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If you knew, you would regret it, and you would no longer dare to be as arrogant as you are now, heh heh, the White Snake said through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with resentment as she looked at Zhou Heng. Zhou, youre going to Seven Lords Mountain, arent you? Trying to find out the whereabouts of the Empress, to make sure if shes really dead? Haha, give it up! That woman with the surname Cheng is already dead, killed by our Demon Emperor! However, our Demon Emperor is very interested in the strange powers she used and has instructed all monsters to be on the lookout. After hearing Yao Qianjiaos description, I knew your power was special, which is why I provoked youto feel the nature of your power. And as long as I have felt it, the Demon Emperor would also sense it. Soon, you will be done for! Chapter 245 - Chapter 245: Chapter 245 Demon Slayer Chapter 245: Chapter 245 Demon Slayer Demon Emperor? Zhou Heng held the White Snake in his hand, his eyes slightly squinting as he lightly chuckled, The power you feel, can the Demon Emperor feel it too? Of course, the White Snake thought Zhou Heng was afraid and snorted coldly, Its too late for you to be afraid now. The great mistake has already been made. However, if you release me, perhaps I can put in a few good words for you in front of the Demon Emperor and spare your life. No, Im just a bit curious. Zhou Heng said with a beaming smile, Since the Demon Emperor can feel the power that you feel, what did the Demon Emperor feel when you transformed into a human and were enjoying the bridal chamber with the third young master of the Yao Family? You?!! The White Snake was dumbstruck upon hearing this. If she were still in human form, she certainly would have jumped in shock at this statement. She had practiced for over a hundred years and had never heard such audacious words. Was this human really not afraid of the Demon Emperor at all? That was the Demon Emperor! The sovereign of ten thousand monsters, a legend said to have lived for thousands of years, an invincible mighty being who once fought the Seven Lords Mountain demon slayers alone without falling out of favor! The title of the Demon Emperor was known throughout the worldnobody was unaware, nobody was ignorant! Where did this not-so-old human get such audacity? To dare to be disrespectful towards the Demon Emperor. Was it the power he possessed, similar to that of the Empress, that gave him such courage? But that woman with the surname Cheng is already dead! What made this kid think he could do it, could he possibly be stronger than the Empress? No! Impossible! According to the Demon Emperors words, the woman with the surname Chengs strength had completely surpassed the human limit. Her power was simply not attainable by humans. This kid at best only possessed a similar nature of power and could not possibly have the same level of strength. This Demon Emperor you speak of, can he fly? Zhou Heng lifted the White Snake by the neck and chuckled, Can he fly or not? The most obvious difference between Martial Path Seventh Rank and Secret Sixth Rank was that the latter could fly, having the ability to enter Clear Abyss and soar through the heavens and earth, supremely towering over any at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. It was precisely for this reason that Secret Sixth Rank was invincible compared to Seventh Rank. Originally, the reason Zhou Heng was able to kill Ma Quan, who was at the Secret Sixth Rank level, was that at that time Ma Quan had been both physically and spiritually injured, in a semi-crippled state. He could not fly high or fast, and he underestimated his opponent, which led to his death at Zhou Hengs hand. Whether one could fly or not was indeed a vast divide between Seventh Rank and Secret Sixth Rank. Fly? The White Snake laughed at these words, looking at Zhou Heng with disdain, Humans will be humans. For you humans, flying into the sky is an unattainable dream, but for us demons, whats so difficult about that? The Demon Emperor has six wings and supreme nobility, born in the heavens, raised in the heavens. This filthy earth is not worthy of the Demon Emperors presence. Do you think the Demon Emperor can fly or not? So its just wing-flapping flight, Zhou Hengs smile grew thicker, he nodded lightly, and said, Good answer, Im satisfied. Ill allow you to live a few more days. However, it seems like youre a bit hot-tempered. You need to cool down. With that, he tossed the White Snake into the Extreme North of the Cave Sky world. The place was frozen all year round, with extremely low temperatures. And, there was only one day and one night in a year. Now, the Extreme North was in the period of extreme night, which was just suitable for letting this white snake calm down, and the effects would probably be extraordinary. He had thought that after getting a map from the Yao Family and having the white snake, an old monster, to guide him, he should be able to find the location of the Seven Lords Mountain. But he soon realized that he had expected too much. He had overestimated the standard of mapmaking in this world. Not to speak of the accuracy of terrain and routes, the scale was incorrect, and many places even had their relative positions wrong. For instance, Zhou Heng was currently crossing a river. The map showed a high mountain immediately to the north of the river, a forest to the south, and a road drawn through the middle of the forest, suggesting one could pass through the forest and reach a city on the other side. However, in reality, looking north revealed a vast plain that stretched for miles with not even a small hill in sight. The south did indeed have a forest, but it was miasma-ridden and swampy, completely impassable, And the mountain depicted on the map was in fact to the east and was a great distance away from the river, by his estimate at least a hundred miles, certainly not as close as drawn on the map. The changes in the forest I can still attribute to the passage of time, causing environmental shifts, but surely mountains cant have shifted over just a decade or so, Zhou Heng commented somewhat speechlessly. Now it seemed that the accuracy of the map was truly concerning, probably not much better than if he had just charged in a random direction himself. But he had no other options, so he could only try to find the city marked on the map at the other end of the forest, Changlin City, and ask for directions to Seven Lords Mountain there. Humans are foolish, cant even remember roads, and need to use this so-called map, which isnt even drawn accurately, the white snake remarked disdainfully, having been taken out of the Cave Sky world by Zhou Heng. Because when Zhou Heng found problems with the map earlier, he had brought her out to ask about directions, but this foolish snake was clueless. Although it knew the terrain around the Seven Lords Mountain, this place was a long way from the mountain, and it was even struggling to figure out north, south, east, and west, let alone provide directions. One more word, and Ill throw you back into that ice world, Zhou Heng said with a cold laugh. The white snake instantly fell silent and couldnt help but shiver. Even though it had transformed into a monster and its constitution was completely different from a normal snakes, being thrown into an extremely dark and cold world still made it feel like it could be frozen to death at any moment. However, the white snake couldnt understand how it had been thrown into that ice world. How had Zhou Heng thrown it in, and where was this ice world? All of this was incredibly miraculous in the snakes eyes, utterly beyond its understanding. In the white snakes knowledge, the concept of a Cave Sky world was simply non-existent. Therefore, it was actually suspecting whether Zhou Heng had just cast an illusion, making it believe it had been thrown into an ice world, experiencing cold and darkness, whereas it might have just been ensnared by an illusion. Hmph, its just an illusion, the white snake scoffed: Go ahead and throw me in again if you like. The more you cast this illusion, the easier it will be for the Demon Sovereign to decipher and even master it. Is that so? Zhou Heng grinned and replied, Im actually quite curious about how hes going to learn it. With that, he once again threw the white snake into the Cave Sky world. Thousands of miles away from Zhou Heng, located within the three thousand giant mountains. At the peak of the highest, Divine Feather Peak. There was the palace of the Demon King. Within the palace, a handsome young man with six wings was the Demon Emperor. He appeared to be in his early twenties, draped in gold regalia, his six wings red as blood, creating a distinctly sinister impression. Zhou Heng? This insignificant human could actually block the spiritual perception I placed on Xiao Bai for a time? The Demon Emperors eyebrows raised slightly, followed by a cold laugh, I initially saw that your power bore some resemblance to that woman surnamed Cheng and thought to toy with you for a bit of fun. But now it seems theres no need to keep you alive. Qing Hu, Xuan Bao, go find White Snake and bring back the human who captured her alive. If they cannot be captured alive, then kill without mercy! For Zhou Heng at this moment, crossing a marshland was very simple. However, after crossing it and reaching the other end of the forest, what he feared happenedthe markings on the map relating to Changlin City seemed to be incorrect as well. Because, after passing through the forest, Zhou Heng saw a large lake that was shimmering and picturesque, hardly the place where a city should be. Still, fortunately, there was a road here. Zhou Heng quickly determined by observing tracks on the road that Changlin City should be to the northeast from here. If he followed the road, he should be able to find it. The road was fairly smooth, which probably meant that it was an official road built back when the central imperial court had not yet collapsed and could still suppress the threats from monsters. But as he walked, Zhou Heng noticed something wasnt quite right. After crossing about ten miles, The road extended into an area of uneven hills. Dense forests flanked the road, and occasionally, the cries of wild beasts could be heard. None of this was worth concerning Zhou Heng, yet the closer he got to Changlin City, the more he felt something was off about this road. Soon he discovered that on the surface of the road, as well as in the forests on both sides, a dense and ominous atmosphere had gathered. These sinister atmospheres were entwined within the forest and condensed upon the road, giving off a very bad feeling. And in Zhou Hengs eyes, these ominous atmospheres had another name. Demon Qi! The Demon Qi was thick in this place. In the forests on both sides, there were likely many demons lurking, and the road itself had been traveled by numerous demons. Haha, human, youre about to witness quite a spectacle, laughed White Snake. If Im not mistaken, after walking a bit further, you should encounter a human city. Are the monsters lurking in this area planning to attack Changlin City? Zhou Heng frowned. Monsters sieging cities was something he had heard about from White Snake along the journey, but he never expected to actually encounter it. According to White Snake, monster sieges werent driven by necessity or survival, it was more akin to a ceremony. Typically, a newly-risen Demon King in an area would lead a group of demons to attack the nearest human city. The more spoil they gained from their conquest, the deeper the demons reverence for their king would be, and the more secure the Demon Kings position would become. However, since the Empress rose to power two years ago and suppressed the world under her might, forcing the Demon Kings into hiding, no monster sieges had occurred. Now, with rumors spreading across the land that the Empress had fallen at Seven Lords Mountain, not just minor demons were showing themselves, even the Demon Kings dared to brazenly lead their forces to lay siege to cities. Do you still want to go? the White Snake sneered, Do you want to watch your own kind be slaughtered by our Demon Clan? Well, it might be good for you to see with your own eyes how fragile humans are in the face of demons. Im definitely going, Zhou Heng replied, not angered but chuckling lightly, However, I havent heard any silence from that mouth of yours along the way, even after being frozen. Do you really wish that I would kill you? Then kill me! the White Snake lifted its little head. Dont worry, your time to die will come, Zhou Heng pressed the White Snakes head down with a smile and said, Who knows, you might even witness your esteemed Demon Emperor being beaten to death by me. You think you can? the White Snake didnt believe it and said disdainfully, Dream on. To be honest, if it wasnt for the fact that I needed you to show me the way near Seven Lords Mountain, I would have killed you already, Zhou Heng candidly threw the White Snake back into the deepest part of the Cave Sky world, The Extreme North. Let her cool down a bit more. Outside Changlin City, a chaotic battle was unfolding. A row of soldiers on the city walls was defending the ramparts, some bending bows to shoot arrows, others waving torches, or pushing down the ladders that the enemy was setting up in preparation for scaling the walls. In the middle of the city wall stood a middle-aged man holding a Golden Bell in his left hand and a Copper Coin Sword in his right. He swung the Golden Bell, brandished the Copper Coin Sword, radiated with brilliance, and was confronting the flying enemy. Whether it was the soldiers or the middle-aged man, the enemies they were facing were not human. They were monsters! Crowds of countless monsters of all sorts of strange and different shapes gathered under Changlin City. They ran and shouted, wielding their weapons. So arrogant. Some of these monsters were strong and ramming the city gates, some cleverly set up ladders trying to climb the walls, while certain special types of monsters, with their unique natural gifts, could climb directly up the walls without the need for ladders, using their hands and feet. Flying in the air was a creature with wings on its ribs, a human body with a birds head, and blood-red eyes full of murderous intentthis was a Black Hawk turned demon, a newly risen Demon King. He led the horde of demons to attack Changlin City for the sake of solidifying his position. His power was immense. Even though he was unable to break through the middle-aged mans defense instantly, he maintained a fierce attack, slowly wearing down the mans strength bit by bit. The man defending at the center of the city walls was the manager of Changlin City, and also a demon slayer from the prestigious Wang Clan, named Wang He. A demon slayers power comes from the heritage of their own bloodline, which usually produces a purifying qi that can be used for wielding magical instruments and performing various techniques. This purifying qi recovers at a very slow rate, so during a fight, one is actually just consuming the stored qi. Once the purifying qi is exhausted, a demon slayers strength is greatly reduced. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Black Hawk was waiting for the moment when Wang Hes purifying qi was depleted. Humans, why struggle in vain when your defeat is inevitable? Wouldnt it be nice to die easily? The Black Hawk flew above, looking down condescendingly at Wang He, Your strength will soon be exhausted, and when that time comes, it will take me no effort to kill you. You are destined to die, so why resist? If defeat is inevitable, we shouldnt resist? Wang He suddenly looked up, his eyes seemingly aflame as he shouted fiercely, If the weak willingly sink into the mire, there would be no such thing as demon slayers in this world! Demon, even if my purifying qi is used up, there is still this blood in my veins. Even if it means burning my bloodline and depleting everything, I will stop you. That is the very purpose of a demon slayers existence! Chapter 246 - Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Is It Still the Case Now? Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Is It Still the Case Now? Humans are just so stubborn, so ignorant of death. Black Hawk flew in the sky, looking down at Wang He who stood in the middle of the city wall and sighed, However, if you were a demon, I really would have liked to recruit you as a subordinate. What a pity Being born human is a great fortune decreed by destiny. You, a monster, need not pity me. Wang He, on the other hand, shook his head. His eyes shone brightly, and his stature seemed to grow even taller, as he coldly snorted, On the contrary, you creatures with fur and horns, ignorant of humanity and societal norms, consuming raw flesh and blood, and kin slaying each other, are truly pitiable. Seeking death! Black Hawk, furious at these words, spread its wings on its back, with each feather erect and exquisite patterns flashing on them, faintly visible. Then, with just a slight trembling of its feathers, a violent wind arose abruptly and spiraled towards Wang He, who was on the city wall. This was Black Hawks inherent Demon Art. For a demon of its level, the key parts of its original form would be interwoven with magical principles, granting some ability to connect with the natural forces of heaven and earth to some extent. This powerful method was called inherent Demon Art. Now, Black Hawk was using the magical principles interwoven in the black feathers of its wings to manipulate the Power of Storm. This was the strength of nature itself, transcending the limits of the mundane and marking the true superiority of demons over humans. Such a massive storm created a vortex in the void, blowing away the smaller monsters on the ground as if swept up by the wind and making the human soldiers, who were defending the city, fall from the walls, their fates unknown. Of course, even with the storms formidable presence, surpassing mundane forces, it couldnt directly punch through the walls of Changlin City. The target of the shadow remained Wang He, while incidentally dealing with the human soldiers guarding the city. Youre not worthy to want my death! roared Wang He. At the same time, the aura emanating from him underwent a complete transformation. If he had been a towering mountain before, he had now become an erupting volcano. A crimson glow bloomed from the Demon Slayers body, making both the Golden Bell and Copper Coin Sword in his hands seem as if they too were stained with blood, flashing with the same radiance. Wang He was enveloped in a red aura, his whole body emanating an almost boiling blood energy, with even the fine blood vessels on his face swelling and making him look fierce and terrifying. You die! A roar of rage echoed through heaven and earth, and a tremendous ball of fire flared across the sky, transforming into a huge orb of flame hurtling towards the heavens. It collided with the storm! This crimson fireball was formidable, its power not weak, carrying a raging torrent of energy that instantly pierced through the storm and rushed towards Black Hawk. What?! Black Hawks expression was one of astonishment, filled with disbelief. But now it was too late to dodge. Boom! A deafening explosion resounded as the crimson fireball hit Black Hawk solidly. And the fireball exploded in the air! The powerful shockwave spread out like a tsunami, raising more waves of energy and further dispersing any remaining storm, thoroughly nullifying Black Hawks previous attack. At this moment, not a trace of Black Hawk remained, as if the world was left with only this dazzling crimson light. The monsters laying siege to the city were all in a daze, looking up at the sky in utter panic. Even some of the more agile monsters had already retreated from the siege party, ready to flee at a moments notice. The soldiers on the city wall couldnt help but cheer. The City Lord is mighty! Mighty! Hahaha, what Demon King? All nonsense. The City Lord is invincible! Its so good! We won! The defenders wept with joy, the relentless pressure of resisting the monsters unbearably taxing. No one knew if they would suddenly be killed by a monster breaching the walls, nor did they know if they would be killed by the aftermath of Black Hawks attack. Lives hung by a thread! Now, the Demon King Black Hawk had finally been slain by the City Lord, and victory was theirs, at last granting them complete security. But just as the soldiers were cheering, Wang He seemed to have run out of oil and collapsed, slumping directly onto the city wall, leaning weakly against the wall behind him. Now, Wang He had become completely different from before, his whole body was gaunt, all skin and bones, his eye sockets deeply sunken, breath faint, as if he might run out of life at any moment. Instantly, the soldiers joy turned to sorrow as they tried to rush to where Wang He was, trying to see what was wrong with him. But as these soldiers were just about to move, a gust of wind blew in, sweeping the leading soldier right off the city wall. Then this gale formed into a wind wall, blocking their path. Quite an impressive attack, came the voice of Black Hawk again. As the red flames in the sky gradually dissipated, the figure of the Demon King appeared unscathed in front of everyone, still lofty and looking down on Wang He, who slumped on the city wall. Not dead! Black Hawk wasnt dead, not only that, but it seemed to be completely unharmed; Wang Hes attack hadnt affected it at all. The remaining lesser monsters all cheered, continuing to prepare for their attack on the city with hands and feet. Upon hearing this voice and seeing this sight, the soldiers defending the city turned ashen. They could no longer imagine what could save Changlin City. Their City Lord Wang He was already on his last legs; it wasnt just about him fighting anymore, even living on seemed hard. What to do? What could they possibly do now?! The soldiers defending the city were about to give up hope. Monsters, truly tough-skinned beasts, impenetrable, unbreakable, heh Wang He let out a self-deprecating laugh, his voice incredibly weak. This was the impact of forcibly burning the source of his bloodline; now, he couldnt even stand up, much less fight. He could only sit and wait for death. Human, you did your best, Black Hawk laughed softly as it flew above, The seven strongest humans are no match for our Demon Emperor, and a human fighter like you, no match for a Demon King. This is the will of the heavens, human. In the end, humanity is an inferior race, with short lives and little strength. You should have been our, the Demon Clans, food and pets; why resist so futilely? Wang He opened his mouth to rebut. But suddenly he didnt know what to say; burning the origin of his bloodline for an all-out attack had not even scratched a feather of the Demon King. How could he rebut? It was doubtful even he could convince himself. You say humans are an inferior race? Just then, a clear voice sounded, attracting the attention of everyone present, humans and monsters; Black Hawk also turned to look. This was a handsome young man of eighteen or nineteen, dressed in white, with an elegant and graceful posture, a tranquil gaze, and a small, exquisite White Snake coiled on his shoulder, looking around curiously. Is it not so? Black Hawk replied with a light laugh, looking down at the youth, its eyes narrowing slightly, but alert inside; it hadnt even noticed the young mans approach. Bang! Suddenly, a loud noise came from the ground. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The youth actually stomped on the ground and jumped dozens of feet into the air, coming face to face with Black Hawk, spreading his arms and grabbing onto its two black feathered wings. Rip!! Black feathers fell, blood staining the sky! The young man had actually torn Black Hawks two wings off its body, his gaze fixed on the Demon King, cracking a smile. What about now? Chapter 247 - Chapter 247: Chapter 247 Violent Martial Arts! Chapter 247: Chapter 247 Violent Martial Arts! Ah! Ah! Ah! Black Hawk let out an utterly miserable scream; blood gushed like a fountain from the wound on its back, and without the support of its wings, it quickly lost balance and plummeted from the sky. Blood spilled across the vast sky, filling the air with the stench of iron and death. Bright red blood rained down from the heavens, scattering across the earth, splattering onto the bodies of small monsters, and some droplets even landed on the city walls, staining the soldiers armor crimson. Shiny black feathers also started to drift down gently, fluttering chaotically as Black Hawk fell. Zhou Heng, on the other hand, held a black feathered wing in each hand. His body flashed with a golden light, then he fell swiftly from the sky, and with a thump, he landed firmly on the ground. And after he had landed The wingless Black Hawk finally fell from the sky and crashed to the ground, creating a deep pit with its impact, blood flowing freely and dyeing the surrounding earth red. At that moment, there was dead silence, not even the caw of a crow. Above the city walls in front of Changlin City, even breathing seemed to have halted. Whether it was the little monsters who had just been celebrating the Demon Kings divine might, the city wall guards who had already fallen into despair, or Wang He, who was utterly exhausted, all were shocked to their cores, staring incredulously at the youth who had suddenly appeared. What just happened? What did that youth just do? Did he seem to leap dozens of feet into the air, grabbed Black Hawks wings, and just tore them off? Many people reviewed what had happened just then, once again turning their gaze to Black Hawk, who now lay in a pit on the ground with blood still spurting from its body. They finally realized what had just occurred. Am I, am I dreaming? Were Black Hawks wings really just torn off like that? This is a Demon King, a great monster that even the City Lord couldnt handle after burning his own bloodline. And it was defeated just like that? So strong, so powerful, can humans really be this formidable? Is this youth really human, or is he a demon? Incredible, unbelievably incredible, beyond comprehension! The soldiers on the city walls were so shocked by the scene in front of them that they couldnt help but chatter amongst themselves to alleviate the shock in their hearts and the complex emotions of coming back from the brink of despair. Wang He, even more so, mustered all his strength to shakily stand, leaning on the city wall, looking at Zhou Heng below, and the state of Black Hawk, finally bursting into tears of joy, his previously pale face suddenly gaining a healthy flush. When Zhou Heng ripped off Black Hawks wings, it wasnt just the humans who were shocked; even the White Snake coiled on Zhou Hengs shoulder was stunned, exclaiming in astonishment, You, youre that powerful? But that was a Demon King level monster! As it witnessed the moment Zhou Heng tore Black Hawks wing, its little eyes nearly popped out. It was utterly shocked, almost doubting if it was experiencing an illusion. Only at this moment, did White Snake truly realize how terrifyingly powerful Zhou Heng really was. Great monster? Zhou Heng raised his eyebrows slightly, chuckled, and said, Is this standard already considered strong? Are there no more challenging ones? While speaking, he glanced at the reward notification he had just received. Congratulations! You have defeated the underwhelming enemy Black Hawk. Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. This Black Hawk didnt even merit an ordinary rating. Just not worth a blow. It was roughly equivalent to a Peak of the Seventh Rank, about the same as ranks thirty to forty on the human rankings. For Zhou Heng now, it truly could be considered extremely weak. More powerful ones surely exist, like the veteran Demon Kings. The longer one reigns as a Demon King, the stronger they naturally become. This Demon King leading the monsters in attacking the city must have been newly promoted. The White Snake explained in a low and undertone. Unusually, it didnt argue back. Because it had been frightened by the display of strength Zhou Heng had just shown. Previously, whether it was being captured by him or being brought into its own Cave Sky world, the White Snake hadnt been very afraid. In the former case, it simply thought that since Zhou Heng was associated with the Empress, it was normal for him to be somewhat stronger, and though its own strength was not that considerable, if Zhou Heng had to face a real strong member of the Demon Clan, he would surely die. In the latter case, there was even less to say; the White Snake had simply assumed it was an Illusion Technique. But now, right in front of it, Zhou Heng had, in just an instant, nearly beaten a Demon King-level monster to death, which truly shocked it. So, youre saying that older Demon Kings might be even stronger? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows upon hearing this, contemplating Cheng Jianjians situation when she faced her opponents at Seven Lords Mountain. With Cheng Jianjians strength, being third on the human rankings, even if she wasnt as powerful as his current self, she likely wasnt much weaker. And with Cheng Jianjian carrying many powerful secret treasures, what sort of force must it have been to push her to resort to feigning death or to use a Life-saving Talisman or similar secrets to escape? Aaaah! Human, you, you deserve to die!! At this moment, the Black Hawk Demon King climbed out of the deep pit. It was enraged, its head already transformed into that of a hawk, a half-human, half-demon visage. This Demon King, who had just been high and mighty, was now covered in blood. Even though the wound on its back had been forcibly sealed, it still looked extremely wretched. Be careful! Wang He, lying on top of the city wall, took a deep breath, trying to warn Zhou Heng, This, this monster is no simple creature, do, do not take it lightly! Aaah! Human, go to hell, aah! But Black Hawk Demon King simply roared and spread its arms, its palms having transformed into the shape of hawk claws, with nails shining with a sharp glint like blades of steel, attempting to claw at Zhou Hengs head. As a Demon King, it had crushed the heads of countless humans with similar attacks, including some demon slayers of considerable strength. But this time, its opponent was Zhou Heng. In the eyes of Zhou Heng, who was proficient in all kinds of martial arts, the Black Hawk Demon Kings attack, which was purely based on strength and speed but without any variation in technique, was full of flaws and easy to break. Why would a hawk learn to bark like a dog? Zhou Heng sneered. At the same time, he simply lifted his hands, mimicking the motion of picking flowers, smiled, and with a gentle flick of his fingers, he pierced right through the center of the Black Hawk Demon Kings palms, effortlessly puncturing the hawk claws. Flower Picking Finger! The two hawk claws were punctured, blood gushed forth, and bones shattered. But before the Black Hawk Demon King could retreat or dodge, Zhou Hengs movements changed, his finger techniques evolving into a claw technique, which was extremely sharp, yet yielding and infinitely mysterious. Nine Yin Divine Claw! Zhou Hengs hands moved rapidly upward from the Black Hawks claws, unleashing finger strength along the way, crushing the Black Hawks arms, and finally grabbed onto the Black Hawks shoulders. The Black Hawks heart surged with a premonition of imminent doom, feeling as if death was upon it, and hurriedly shouted, Human, stop at once, my big brother is Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But before it could finish its sentence Crack! Click!! A series of bone-crushing sounds followed, and the Black Hawk Demon King actually split apart, its flesh, inner organs, intestines, and shattered bones spilling out. It was as if it were a piece of paper, torn in half by Zhou Hengs bare hands!! Chapter 248 - Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Thunder Clears the Field Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Thunder Clears the Field Silence! Unprecedented silence! Those on the walls of Changlin City were all staring with their mouths agape, incredulously watching the scene unfolding before their eyes, many people gaping and desperately rubbing their eyes, wishing to confirm whether what they saw was real. Oh my heavens! This was a Demon King, possessing monstrous strength, a formidable ruler of a faction of monsters. Among the humans, perhaps only those powerhouses at the Seventh Rank level could kill such a being. Moreover, even for the mighty figures of the current age at the Seventh Rank, killing a Demon King, even a newly promoted one, was supposed to take considerable effort and the casting of techniques. Essentially, it was necessary to use the qi produced by the Demon Slayers bloodline to perform techniques that would slay the Demon King. Yet what Zhou Heng had done was completely different from the methods of a Demon Slayer. He had actually used the strength of his body, the physical power of a human, to tear the body of the Black Hawk Demon King in half, just like tearing a piece of paper. This was too inconceivable, utterly beyond comprehension. How could humans possibly possess such tremendous strength, and how could their bodies bear such an immense force?? Particularly for Wang He, a powerful Demon Slayer, who knew the methods of Demon Slayers better than most, he had never seen any Demon Slayer possessing physical strength like Zhou Hengs. Even those at the Seventh Rank level could not possibly have bodies this strong. This person no, is he really a human or a monster? Wang He couldnt help but wildly speculate. It was inevitable. After all, the strength and methods Zhou Heng had displayed completely surpassed the understanding and comprehension of this Demon Slayer. If those watching from the walls of Changlin City were shocked to this extent, then the White Snake coiled on Zhou Hengs shoulder, at such a close distance, could feel the terror and ferocity of his power even more acutely. It lowered its head, curled up, and was trembling, filled with fear and regret. It even began to loathe itself for its previous foolishness, for not believing in Zhou Hengs strength and for mocking him with words. It was simply courting death. At such a close distance, the White Snake could see everything more clearly than anyone else. It watched with its own eyes as the Black Hawk Demon King, upon being grabbed by the shoulders by Zhou Heng, struggled to escape. But no matter how much force the Demon King exerted, no matter how desperately it struggled, it couldnt move an inch. Zhou Hengs pair of palms were like the strongest metal in the world, firmly imprisoning the entire body of the Black Hawk Demon King and making it impossible for him to break free. However, the Black Hawk Demon Kings struggles didnt last long, because the power contained within Zhou Hengs hands quickly erupted. At that moment, the White Snake could clearly hear the sound of the Black Hawk Demon Kings shoulder bones being crushed. For instance, the sound of ribs being torn apart, shoulder blades breaking, the spine being pulled apart flesh being ripped open, sinews snapping, blood spilling everywhere, organs falling out A newly appointed Demon King, and yet he was torn in half by Zhou Hengs sheer brute force. To any monster witnessing this scene, it would inspire madness and an unparalleled terror. At the same time, it would cast deep doubt upon themselves and even on their entire Demon Clan. Why could the Demon King, who had practiced ardently for over five hundred years, be so effortlessly overpowered by a youth who appeared to be less than twenty years old? Having painstakingly cultivated for hundreds of years to become a monster and take on human form, could it really be inferior to the strength of humans who had only been cultivating for a mere decade or two? It was absurd! Now, the lesser monsters that had come with the Black Hawk Demon King were plunged into a similar crisis of self-doubt. They looked at the Black Hawk Demon King torn in two by Zhou Heng, all shaking in fright, momentarily confused about what they were even doing here. However, the instinct to survive quickly roused them from their fear and self-doubt, one after another, they all frantically fled in every direction. Zhou Heng casually tossed the two halves of the Black Hawk Demon Kings corpse, which had started to revert to its original form, on the ground, and then continuously clapped his hands forward, whereupon streams of golden thunder exploded from his palms. Palm Thunder! Using Palm Thunder to clear the field of these monsters, the strongest of which were at best equivalent to the peak of the Eighth Rank, was already giving them a lot of respect. Dying by thunderstrike could be considered a decent end for the monsters. Boom! Boom! Thunderous rolls!! Thunder cracked in all directions, with bolts of lightning like wild golden snakes spreading far and wide. In the flash and flicker, they struck down the remaining little demons one by one, turning them all into charred smithereens. Scattered by the wind, they were all gone. With that, the area in front of Changlin City was thoroughly cleared; aside from the bodies of the Black Hawk Demon King, which had reverted to their original form, there were no more traces of any monsters. On the city wall, Wang He, who was close to burning out, staggered to the forefront of the wall. He then bowed deeply to Zhou Heng outside the city, prostrating with utter respect. I am eternally grateful for your great kindness sir, Changlin City will never forget, Wang He will never forget! As he knelt, all the soldiers on the wall of Changlin City followed suit, bowing respectfully to Zhou Heng while shouting gratefully at the top of their lungs. I am eternally grateful for your great kindness, sir. Changlin City will never forget. We will never forget!! I am eternally grateful for your great kindness, sir. Changlin City will never forget. We will never forget!! Zhou Heng entered the city amidst the incredibly enthusiastic welcome of the citys soldiers and citizens. Every gaze aimed at him was filled with gratitude. It was gratitude that came from deep within their hearts, from the very core of their beings. The siege by the monsters, especially led by such a powerful Demon King, could be described as a catastrophe for Changlin City. The fact that everyone within Changlin City was still alive was all thanks to Zhou Heng. This was a truth that every citizen of Changlin understood well. However, facing such intense enthusiasm, Zhou Heng was a bit overwhelmed, especially as many girls seemed to want to rush over, though he didnt know for what exactly. As a result, Zhou Heng had to quietly employ his evasive moves, swiftly escaping from the crowd, and under the pretext of checking on the City Lords wounds, he quickly made his way to the City Lords residence in Changlin. Wang He was still alive. Originally, after burning his lifeforce, he indeed was on the edge of death, about to die. But before death could claim him, Zhou Heng had temporarily suspended Wang Hes life force with the Gentle Rain Spell, just managing to preserve his life. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Afterward, Zhou Heng refined the residual vital essence from the Black Hawk Demon Kings corpse to nourish Wang Hes body, which finally pulled him back from the brink of death. Inside the City Lords residence, upon hearing of Zhou Hengs arrival, Wang He quickly went out to greet him personally, with utmost respect. Mr. Zhou, the citizens of Changlin City must have been very enthusiastic, Wang He said with a smile, noticing Zhou Hengs slightly disheveled clothes. Please dont mind them, they all want to express their gratitude to you. I understand, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, smiling as he said, City Lord Wang, Ive come this time to inquire about something from you. What is it? Please speak, sir, Wang He asked, puzzled. Chapter 249 - Chapter 249: Chapter 249: I am her Martial Uncle Chapter 249: Chapter 249: I am her Martial Uncle ` Have you ever heard of that Empress? Zhou Heng cut to the chase and asked directly. The Empress, Your Majesty? Wang He first paused, then smiled and said, Of course, for the past two years the Empress has shaken the world, overpowering her contemporaries. Who hasnt heard of her? Who doesnt know? Does the City Lord know any specific details about how the Empress fell at Seven Lords Mountain? Zhou Heng inquired further. This Wang Hes prowess was nearing the Peak of the Seventh Rank and being a City Lord, within this world, should be considered quite influential, perhaps privy to some secrets. Seven Lords Mountain Upon hearing this, Wang Hes expression changed slightly, as if contemplating something. After hesitating for a moment, he asked somewhat uncertainly, Is Mr. Zhou a disciple of the Empress? When Zhou Heng killed the Demon King Black Hawk, he exhibited strength and methods clearly not of a demon slayers techniques. The powerful and violent physical strength, the exquisite skill, they were more akin to the so-called Martial Arts used by the Empress. Therefore, Wang He suspected that Zhou Heng might be a disciple of that Empress, which would explain the similar methods, but could this disciples strength be a bit too overwhelming? No, Zhou Heng shook his head, smiling, If Im not mistaken about her identity, I should be her Martial Uncle. Wang He was instantly dumbfounded, staring at Zhou Heng with a shocked expression, almost doubting if he had misheard. Could there really be someone who dared to call themselves the Empresss Martial Uncle? Despite the Empresss mysterious origins, to the extent that no one even knew her given name, only that her surname was Cheng, she had emerged out of nowhere and her divine might astounded everyone; a feat unparalleled through the ages! With a single palm, she killed ten major Demon Kings, with one sword, she deterred the Demon Emperor, and with one hand, she defeated the feudal kings of twelve states! Such exploits, such a presence, brought a rare calm to the long-chaotic world. The Empresss reputation was celebrated far and wide, with countless people holding her in high esteem. And now, this Mr. Zhou, who appeared to be under twenty, claimed to be that Empresss Martial Uncle? Had Zhou Heng not indeed demonstrated tremendous strength previously, and had he not been a great savior to him and the entirety of Changlin City, Wang He would have been compelled to question him. Yet, a part of him believed it. After all, the level of strength Zhou Heng displayed was extremely formidable and indeed very similar to the techniques demonstrated by the Empress. Perhaps it was just a matter of seniority? After a long while, Wang He finally managed to compose himself and said, You, you mean in terms of seniority, you are the Empresss Martial Uncle by the martial lineage? This was the only explanation he could think of. Thats right, Zhou Heng smiled faintly, I should belong to the same sect as her, sharing the same heritage. My purpose for coming here is to find her whereabouts. City Lord Wang, could you share with me what happened at Seven Lords Mountain? This just as the world has heard, the Empress did indeed fall at Seven Lords Mountain, Wang He sighed softly, knowing he had to answer, But it is said that those who took action were not only the Demon Emperor but also the Seven Demon Slayers. After revealing this information, he appeared somewhat defeated, his complexion turning pale as if the life had been drained out of him. Wang He felt a sense of guilt because he was born into one of the Seven Lords Clans Wang Family. So the Empress was besieged at Seven Lords Mountain by the Seven Lords and the Demon Emperor? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, and he smiled at Wang He, Then, did City Lord Wang participate in that siege? No! Wang He hurriedly shook his head, denying, No, absolutely not. I have great respect for the Empress. Although the Family Head had asked me to go, I declined, using the excuse of preventing the Demon Kings attack on the city. Is that so? I dont believe it, Zhou Heng said, his face one of disbelief. He stood up, his gaze indifferently fixed on Wang He, and without saying another word, just looked at him. Mr. Zhou, you can ask the citizens of the city, as well as the many officials and soldiers; they can all testify for me, Wang He explained in a rushed manner: Moreover, you are the eminent benefactor of me and of Changlin City. I would not deceive you. He was terrified he would be misunderstood by Zhou Heng as being complicit in the Empresss downfall, which could spell immense trouble for both him and the entirety of Changlin City. Mr. Zhous strength was indeed too great. Even this modest Changlin City, let alone the entire world, likely had no one who could withstand him. ` Should such a powerful being misunderstand him, death would be certain. I still find it hard to believe, unless you provide me with detailed information on the Seven Lords Clan, including a map. Yes, on that map, the location of the Seven Lords Mountain and the past routes must be marked, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Wang He fell silent and at the same time felt a sigh of relief in his heart, since he had understood Zhou Hengs intention. In reality, Zhou Heng hardly suspected him of being involved in the Seven Lords Mountain incident. He simply used it as a pretext to make him hand over the information on the Seven Lords Clan and Seven Lords Mountain, to facilitate the investigation into the truth of what had transpired at Seven Lords Mountain. But now that things had reached this point, he couldnt well refuse. Otherwise, Wang He feared that the original possibly not suspected might turn into confirmed suspicion of his involvement in the Seven Lords Mountain incident. Therefore, after a brief silence, Wang He nodded and said, The location of Seven Lords Mountain and the detailed information of the Seven Lords Clan are not much of a secret. Please wait a moment, sir. Ill wait here for you, Zhou Heng continued to sit and said with a smile. He wasnt worried about any tricks from Wang He. Firstly, he had saved the lives of Wang He and everyone in Changlin City, and he had already shown his unmatchable strength. As long as Wang He was sensible, he wouldnt think of going against him. Secondly, his Divine Soul perception was intense. By spreading it out, he could easily envelop the entire City Lords mansion, ensuring that no slight movement could escape his notice. A moment later, Wang He came over with a wooden box which he opened to reveal several scrolls and an aged, rolled-up map. Mr. Zhou, here are the map and scrolls concerning the Seven Lords Clan that I have in my possession, Wang He said as he respectfully pushed the box towards Zhou Heng, Please have a look, sir. Thank you, Zhou Heng gave a slight nod. He first unrolled the map in the box, which accurately depicted the direction and scale, and key regions and cities were marked with annotations. Zhou Heng compared it to the route he had previously traveled and found that whether it was the distance or the direction of mountains and rivers, everything was precisely marked, with no errors or omissions. Clearly, this map was far superior to the crude and error-riddled one from the Yao Family. He also located the position of Seven Lords Mountain on it. On the map, it was over four thousand li away from Changlin City, neither too far nor too close. However, the journey would pass through eight mountain ranges and a large grassland, with several demon clan gathering spots, making the terrain immensely complex. Ensuring a smooth passage would be no easy task. But that would not deter Zhou Heng; any who dared to block his path, be it human or demon, would be killed. Furthermore, he had conceived a plan in his mind to gain fame as soon as possible. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Wherever he went, he would spread the name Zhou Heng until it was known by everyone. With that, Cheng Jianjian, who was presumably recovering somewhere, should hear that he too had come to this world, and there might be a chance for them to reunite. The fastest way to gain fame, naturally, was to be a demon slayer, pushing through all obstacles and shocking everyone along the way. Beyond that, there were several other promising targets. Having set the map aside, Zhou Hengs gaze shifted to a scroll, the title of which read on the cover: The Seven Lords Family Annals. Chapter 250 - Chapter 250: Chapter 250 Seven Lords Mountain Chapter 250: Chapter 250 Seven Lords Mountain ` In the Ancient Era ten thousand years ago, humans were still in a state of ignorance. Monstrous demons dominated the world, unbeatable and incomparably more powerful than humans who had no ability to resist and could only serve as food for the Demon Clan. Until one day, seven thousand years ago, seven rays of starlight descended from the heavens above, crashing into a tall mountain, instantly splitting the peaks into seven cracks. Seven resplendent streaks of starlight flew out from the crevices of the mountain, each entering the body of seven individuals, granting them immense strength comparable to contemporary demon emperors, and the ability to summon Divine Weapons of starlight, which they used to sweep away the demons and raise the Human Race from the ashes. These seven individuals were the original Seven Demon Slayers Lords. In the millennia that followed, the Lords passed their abilities through their bloodline, establishing families, and handing down the power to slay demons generation after generation. However, aside from the core lineage of the main family of the Seven Lords Clan, there were quite a few side branches that went out to establish their own families, propagating far and wide, thus giving rise to the creation of many ordinary demon slayers. For these thousands of years, the battle between demons and demon slayers has been continuous. Initially, because the first-generation Lords were still around, the Demon Clan had no room to resist. However, by the time the first-generation Lords died of old age, even though the power of the second-generation Lords had diminished, they were still strong enough to suppress the Demon Clan However, the demon-slaying power inherent in the bloodline of the Lords grew weaker with each succeeding generation. By the time it reached the third, fourth, fifth generations there inevitably came a time when they were weaker than the demons. Today, even the most powerful amongst the Lords are only equivalent to some of the stronger Demon Kings. Were it not for the ancestral treasures left by their ancestors, the Human Race might have returned to the plight of ten thousand years ago, once again becoming the food and playthings of the Demon Clan. This is the content described in the Seven Lords Clans family records, which essentially praises the accomplishments of the Seven Lords Clan. Zhou Heng reviewed a few other books, which contained much the same. At most, some emphasized the attacking prowess of the Seven Lords Clan, while others focused on creating a sense of crisis for the Human Race, suggesting that if the strength of the Seven Lords Clan weakened further, the Human Race would inevitably face a great catastrophe. However, within these materials, Zhou Heng still found plenty of useful information. Firstly, the power of the Lords actually originated from the seven rays of starlight that descended seven thousand years ago, but it wasnt passed down directly. Instead, it came through the mountain where they fell, now known as Seven Lords Mountain, which acted as a conduit for the inheritance. In other words, the true core of the starlights power hadnt been fully passed on to the Lords. Instead, much of it likely remained inside Seven Lords Mountain. Logically speaking, with the weakening of their bloodline powers, the Seven Lords Clan would certainly be looking for ways to halt this decline or to reverse the situation and strengthen their power. Seven Lords Mountain was undoubtedly the best and most important target, where it was most likely to achieve this goal. This was mentioned in several of the books. Only they were vague in their language, and it seemed none had been successful. Beyond that, Zhou Heng noticed that because the Seven Lords Clan inherited different starlight powers, they actually had codenames, said to be information obtained from the starlight. Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, Yao Guang. Without a doubt! These were the Big Dipper Seven Stars! Having learned this information, Zhou Heng could roughly figure out what was going on. The purpose of Cheng Jianjians coming to this world was to complete a mission and obtain the status of a Star Officer of the Big Dipper. This was very likely related to the Seven Stars power contained within Seven Lords Mountain. She might even know how to obtain this power of the Seven Stars. And the Seven Stars power would surely be coveted by the Seven Lords Clan. Cheng Jianjian aimed to obtain the Seven Stars power, and so did the Seven Lords Clan. It was very possible that she had been ambushed by the Seven Lords Clan for this reason. As for the Demon Kings intentions and why he made a move against Cheng Jianjian, Zhou Heng still had not figured it out. I still need to find Jiang Jian first. She has already been in this world for over two years, and after a battle of life and death, she is now lying low in the shadows, certainly knowing far more about this world than I do. ` Zhou Heng thought to himself, then he closed the book in his hands and put it back into the box along with the map, Ive finished reading everything. City Lord Wang, please take them back. Ah? Wang He was slightly stunned at these words and exclaimed in astonishment, Just like that? Werent you going to take them with you to look over them carefully? I remember everything after reading it once, so theres no need to take it with me, Zhou Heng said with a smile. To have such an eidetic memory, sir, I am impressed! Wang He praised. I shall take my leave. Zhou Heng stood up, bid farewell to Wang He, and prepared to continue on his way to Seven Lords Mountain. Ah! Its so fast! Too fast! Ouch! Ah! Its so hot!! You, you actually youre using such a steed with the potential of a Demon King as a mount! Zhou Heng, you will become the public enemy of the Demon Clan! The White Snake kept writhing on Zhou Hengs shoulder, continuously screaming, while the crimson flames reflected on it, and its white scales looked close to being scorched red. And so, it kept shouting and cursing. But Zhou Heng was completely ignoring it. At this time, Zhou Heng was riding the jujube-red horse towards Seven Lords Mountain at a gallop, having equipped the Red Lotus Harness, which set the jujube-red horse ablaze with raging flames, making the White Snake feel extremely hot and bothered. However, Zhou Heng had no intention of slowing down. Right now, his thought was to head to Seven Lords Mountain to assess the situation, considering that the journey of a few thousand miles wasnt too far with the jujube-red horse. Conveniently, encountering a few monsters groups along the way could also help to enhance his reputation. Since Zhou Heng had already obtained the map and various pieces of information, he didnt stop for anything on the subsequent journey, galloping all the way. Even when he encountered members of the Demon Clan, he simply charged straight through them on the jujube-red horse. After consuming the Linju Pill, the jujube-red horse had transformed and its own strength was already equivalent to an Eighth Rank Martial Artist, and with the addition of the Red Lotus Harness, its prowess wasnt far off from the peak of an ordinary Eighth Rank. The majority of the Demon Clan could not withstand the charge of the jujube-red horse, much less the searing heat of the Red Lotus Fire. If that wasnt enough, Zhou Heng always had his Palm Thunder at the ready. This straightforward and aggressive way of slaying demons truly broadened the horizons of many common folk and demon slayers in various places, leaving them shockingly impressed. After crossing several mountain ridges, traversing great prairies, and annihilating all demon groups along the way, Zhou Hengs reputation quietly spread among the eyewitnesses he passed by. Following a journey of three days and nights, Zhou Heng rode the jujube-red horse over mountains and through valleys, finally arriving at his destination; he could see from afar a mountain peak that looked like it bore seven blooming petals. Seven Lords Mountain. Even from this distant view, he could clearly feel the strong and miraculous power of the stars contained within the Seven Lords Mountain. Moreover, it was closely related to the Big Dipper Seven Stars diagram. This meant that his earlier guess was very likely correct: the key to obtaining the position of Star Officer of the Big Dipper should be within Seven Lords Mountain. Besides, Zhou Heng had another feeling. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If the Star Officer of the Big Dipper were to be restored to its place, his control over the Big Dipper Seven Stars diagram would strengthen further, unlocking even more potent functions. Thus, Zhou Heng gave a slap to the reins, urging the jujube-red horse forward. As he approached the foot of Seven Lords Mountain, Zhou Heng saw a slender figure standing in the middle of the road ahead, wearing white feathered clothing, with hair as white as snow a handsome man. At the same time, the White Snake coiled on his shoulder suddenly stood erect, its eyes shone, and it began laughing, Hahaha! Zhou Heng, you shouldnt have, of all things, brought me along with you. Youve made yourself a target, youre seeking death! Great Demon King! Save me!! Chapter 251 - Chapter 251: Chapter 251 The Emperor of the Demon Clan Chapter 251: Chapter 251 The Emperor of the Demon Clan Demon Emperor? Zhou Heng firmly grasped the seven inches of the White Snake, his eyes looking to the white-haired man not far ahead, and chuckled, Heavens road you do not take, hells gate comes unbidden to your fate? Human, you are very bold. The Demon Emperors expression was still ice-cold, his chin lifted slightly as he indifferently said, You claim to be that woman surnamed Chengs martial uncle, which means, you have a sect? Of course. Zhou Heng smiled, and at the same time, his eyes narrowed slightly, So it was just an illusion. Here I thought you had the guts to come before me in person. What, an illusion?? The White Snakes spirits deflated immediately upon hearing this, its body sagging, as it had thought the Demon Emperor himself had come to its rescue. It was just an illusion after all. To see through my Illusion Technique, you indeed have some ability, praised the Demon Emperor, before adding, Human, speak of your sects situation and precise location, and perhaps I could spare your life. In the Demon Emperors eyes, whether it was Cheng Jianjian or Zhou Heng, these two humans had methods of growing stronger without relying on bloodlines, and moreover, they were extremely powerful. For the Demon Clan, this was a major concern. The war between the Human Race and the Demon Clan had dragged on for thousands of years, although in the recent few millennia, as the demon slayers bloodline of the Human Race had gradually thinned, the Demon Clan started gaining the upper hand. But as the Demon King, he was always apprehensive. After all, the birth of a powerful demon was extremely difficult and required too much time, often hundreds of years, in which time many generations of human powerhouses could emerge. The Demon Clan was only able to maintain an advantage in the battles because the number of human demon slayers was limited due to bloodline restrictions. But if the methods of empowerment that Cheng Jianjian and Zhou Heng possessed became widespread, the emergence of human powerhouses would be unrestricted, and that would spell doom for the Demon Clan. Therefore, the Demon Emperor was determined to completely eradicate them! In his view, just dealing with that Empress and the current Zhou Heng was far from enough; he had to force out the hidden secret organization behind these two and utterly destroy it, rooting out the problem completely! What? Zhou Heng almost thought he had heard wrong, looking at the Demon Emperor with a somewhat incredulous smile, What did you just say? You want to ask about my sect, do you actually intend to take action against my sect? He had roughly guessed the Demon Kings thoughts and, although he could understand them, considering the actual circumstances, he found it quite amusing. A little demon at best halfway to Secret Six Rank actually daring to contemplate the destruction of the Pure Yang Palace, with a Divine First Rank living in itif this were in Da Qi, it would be laughable. Human, you talk too much. The Demon Emperor still maintained his lofty demeanor, his gaze towards Zhou Heng filled with a trace of disdain, and with a cold snort said, That woman surnamed Cheng died at my hands, even more so will you. I advise you not to enter Seven Lords Mountain, otherwise you will have no burial ground upon your death. Who said she died at your hands? The smile on Zhou Hengs face suddenly thickened, he spoke aloud, Big Dipper, since youve arrived, come out. There is no need to keep the Demon Emperor and the Seven Lords waiting. Just now, as soon as the Demon Emperors illusion appeared, he had sensed a familiar presence, the one he had been searching for since he arrived in this world. Cheng Jianjian! No sooner had Zhou Hengs voice fallen From the nearby woods, a graceful figure stepped out. She wore a moon-white dress, fresh and elegant, with a mask, no longer depicting the visage of prosperity, but rather painted with the Big Dipper constellation. I didnt expect you to really come. Cheng Jianjian moved lightly, arriving by Zhou Hengs side, and with a smile said, Greetings to the Star Lord. A senior of the Five Emperors told me you had lost contact with the Stellar Atlas, and I was worried, so I came down to find you, Zhou Heng spoke truthfully, then seeing Cheng Jianjians mask, smiled again, However, it seems, even on your own, you wouldve resolved this quickly. No, on my own, I still had no absolute certainty. Cheng Jianjian gently shook her head, smiled faintly, Now that youre here, I am truly assured of success. Empress, Empress?! Empress?! the White Snake recognized Cheng Jianjians voice and screamed in utter terror, Demon King Your Majesty! Save me! Save me! You actually didnt die! The face of the Demon Emperors phantom darkened immensely, saying, Back then you were clearly burnt to ashes, not even a corpse remained. Thats because you dont know what Escaping Light Talisman is, a frog in the well, looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, Cheng Jianjian sneered. In fact, she had never died before; it was merely at the moment of crisis that she had used the Escaping Light Talisman to turn into a rainbow and flee. Such a method of turning into a rainbow and fleeing was completely beyond the comprehension of the people and demons of this world; the Demon Emperor and the members of the Seven Lords had never even considered it. Big Dipper, theres no need to waste words with it, let us ascend the mountain, Zhou Heng said. Right now, the Demon Emperor and the Seven Lords should all be on the mountain, preparing to harness the power of the stars within Seven Lords Mountain. Originally, Zhou Heng was not sure about the situation on Seven Lords Mountain, but after the Demon Emperors phantom appeared here, he had almost guessed the current situation on Seven Lords Mountain. The Demon Emperor was definitely on the mountain, and he was doing something very important that could not be disturbed, which is why he left behind a phantom to delay them. Moreover, with his cultivation realm not yet reaching Secret Sixth Rank, he could not create such a lifelike phantom from too great a distance, which was also evidence that the Demon Emperor was nearby. Since the Demon Emperor was present, the Seven Lords were most likely there as well. After all, it was the Demon Emperor and the Seven Lords who had jointly attacked Cheng Jianjian originally, and only then had they managed to occupy the power of the stars inside Seven Lords Mountain; it made no sense to let the Demon Emperor monopolize it. Its a good time to catch them all in one net. Cheng Jianjian nodded, following behind Zhou Heng, heading up the mountain; neither of them intended to pay any attention to the Demon Emperors phantom. This kind of phantom was merely an image containing a sliver of will and possessed no power at all, it could not even move over long distances and would soon dissipate on its own. There was no need to waste time on such a thing. You, you actually dare to actively seek out the Demon Emperor; its simply courting death! the White Snake found some unknown source of spirit and raised its head again to mock, I see that you are seeking your own doom! At this moment, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had already started on the path to the top of Seven Lords Mountain. When he heard the White Snake speak, Zhou Heng laughed and said, Do you know why Ive been bringing you along this whole way? Ah? The White Snake was momentarily stunned. It had thought that since it was doomed anyway, it might as well mock them, which is why it had spoken; it hadnt expected Zhou Heng to respond with such a question. This was indeed something that puzzled it. Logically, after Zhou Heng learned the way to Seven Lords Mountain and the specific information about the Seven Lords Clan, the snake should have outlived its usefulness and could have been killed off. Yet Zhou Heng did not do so. Of course its because of what you said before; the power that you sensed, the Demon Emperor could sense it too, Zhou Heng grinned, forming hand seals with his hands, his eyes beaming brightly, and directly cast the Undying Seal Method, attacking the White Snake with an Illusion Technique. Spiritual Illusion Techniques, while not completely unfamiliar to the people and demons of this world, were mostly rudimentary and not systematic. Therefore, the protections laid by the Demon Emperor in this White Snake, even if they could prevent it from being affected by many demon-slaying techniques, were very likely unable to prevent powerful illusion techniques. With Zhou Hengs divine soul power strong enough to compare with the peak of Secret Sixth Rank, casting the Undying Seal Method produced an illusion technique so exquisite and powerful that in an instant, the White Snakes mind was ensnared. At the same time, a loud bang suddenly came from a high peak on Seven Lords Mountain, as if something had been broken, followed by streaks of starlight bursting forth and shooting straight into the sky. Over there! Zhou Heng instantly crushed the White Snake to death and then, using his Qinggong, covered a dozen yards in a single step as if shrinking the earth into inches, he rushed toward the direction of the sound. Cheng Jianjian followed closely behind. Just now, Zhou Heng had been using the White Snake to pinpoint the Demon Emperors location. After all, though Seven Lords Mountain was just one mountain, this mountain stretched for nearly a hundred miles. Even when considering only the most central Seven Peaks of Seven Lords Mountain, there are various canyons, caves, and dense forests Its extremely difficult to find any person. Especially when the other party is trying their best to hide; in addition to that, being ready to handle sneak attacks at any moment makes locating the Demon King and the Seven Lords incredibly challenging. But with this White Snake acting as a fuse to set off the big target that is the Demon King on the spot, we immediately had a clear target. Although Zhou Hengs Illusion Technique cast on the White Snake wouldnt cause the Demon King to lose control and go mad on the spot, his spirit was definitely affected to a certain extent. He might not be injured, but causing some commotion was certain. And indeed, that was the case. The commotion was even louder than Zhou Heng had anticipated. Therefore, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian immediately rushed toward the place from where the sound had emanated. Both were highly skilled in Qinggong, moving with incredible speed. Before the white-haired figure could leave, they had already arrived there. Blocking the way of this white-haired individual. This person was clad in a snow-white feathered robe, with a tall build and handsome features, and even his long hair was snow-white. There was a regal and imposing air about his brows, his aura commanding and stern. This matched exactly with the illusion Zhou Heng had seen before; there was no doubt that this was the Demon King. However, this sovereign of the Demon Clan currently had a somewhat pale complexion, lacking any color, obviously still recovering from the shock of the recent Illusion Technique. Humans, you actually dare to chase after me! The Demon King had clearly fallen into a state of rage, releasing all his demon power. Thick dark energy rose up, reaching the sky and stirring the winds and clouds. The vital energy of heaven and earth gathered, mingling with this rising dark energy, and in the blink of an eye, a pitch-black giant blade over thirty feet long materialized, imbued with an intense murderous and malevolent force. Die! Humans! The Demon King bellowed furiously, spreading his arms and then suddenly bringing them together, pointing towards Zhou Hengs location, No matter how powerful you humans are, you can never be a match for demons! Craaack!! This blade cleaved through the air, almost as if it intended to split the heavens and the earth apart, causing the wind to howl through the mountains and shrill cries to fill the air continuously; countless branches and trees were torn and scattered, but before they could hit the ground, they were ground into powder by the overwhelming blade energy. Boom boom boom! The mountains and rocks around started to shake as boulders began to tumble down. Many animals of the mountains tried to flee the area, but not one could escape. Some were crushed to death by falling boulders, others shredded by the remnants of the blades energy. Be careful!! Cheng Jianjian voiced a warning, This monster is many times stronger than before; it seems to have been nourished and strengthened by the power of the stars! Dont worry! Zhou Heng responded, Big Dipper, you focus on completing your task, absorbing the power of Big Dipper Seven Stars. Leave this beast to me. Arrogance! Seeking your own death! The Demon King roared in fury, feeling a burning flame in his chest. He felt belittled; for hundreds of years, no one had dared to scoff at him in this manner! Boom! A thunderous noise erupted from the sky, and the already powerful pitch-black blade light grew even thicker and longer. It also seemed to trigger a certain mechanism between heaven and earth, locking onto Zhou Heng, with the intention of making it difficult for Zhou Heng to dodge. What a decent blade! Zhou Heng gritted his teeth and smiled. The power of this blade was immense. Even for Zhou Heng, facing this blade head-on, he felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. He was well aware that if he were to directly resist with his Golden Bell Cover, he would most likely be cleaved in two on the spot. That blade light was too sharp. Zhou Heng had a clear sense of this. No! This was no longer just sharpness! This blade light had reached into the rules and principles of heaven and earth, a technique specifically enhanced to more effectively kill members of the Human Race. The Demon King, being at nearly a Secret Six Rank level, although not quite reaching the true Secret Six Rank, had already far surpassed Seventh Rank and possessed some ability to interweave the rules of heaven and earth. At this moment, that blade strike could be considered the strongest Zhou Heng had ever faced in a head-on battle. Even Ma Quan from before, likely wasnt as powerful as this Demon King. After all, at that time, Ma Quan was already half-crippled, nearly spent, and although a true Secret Six Rank, he didnt have much strength left. The Demon King was different. Even though he had been affected by the Illusion Technique, his strength didnt seem to have been affected too much, which might be related to him previously absorbing the power of the stars from Seven Lords Mountain. One cannot directly confront this blade, but it can be deflected! Zhou Heng made his assessment. He did not attempt to dodge, but instead put on his sharp glove and proceeded to apply various Martial Arts techniques. Pure Yang Danjing, Innate Skill! Connecting with heaven and earth, drawing from the vital energy! Golden Bell Body Protection! Immortal Seal Method! Deflecting the force! Star-shifting Technique! Using his own technique against him! Boom! Zhou Heng pressed both palms on the blade light that the Demon King had unleashed. In an instant, a dazzling golden light emerged, contrasting against the pitch-black blade light, and a blurry Golden Bell shadow enveloped his entire body. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dang, dang, dang! The bell chime resounded loudly, but in only a few breaths, the Golden Bell shadow shattered, the Golden Bell Cover was broken through. However, at the same time, Zhou Heng had successfully deflected the blade lights attack. He caused the exceedingly sharp blade light to change direction, turning back to its origin, slashing towards the Demon King! Take a taste of your own blade first!! Chapter 252 - Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Peak of the Seventh Rank! Projection of the Divine Sword! Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Peak of the Seventh Rank! Projection of the Divine Sword! Sizzle! The incredibly sharp blade light seemed to tear through the void. The formidable attack launched by the Monster Emperor was returned with interest by Zhou Heng, who reversed its direction and sent it slashing back at the Monster Emperor! However, due to the deflection from the undying seal method and the combat technique that redirected attacks, the power of the blade light had significantly weakened and posed no threat to the Monster Emperor. Clang! It sounded like a clash of metal as the Monster Emperor caught the blade light with one hand and squeezed it forcefully, shattering it into countless black sparkles that scattered in all directions. Interesting, the Monster Emperor smirked, saying, For a human, you are indeed strong. If it were more than a month ago, you might have actually posed a significant threat to me, but unfortunately Too much nonsense! Zhou Hengs footing became unstable, casting multiple shadows, and before his speech ended, he had already reached the Monster Emperors face. At the same time, he lifted his right hand with fingers spread. A dark and profound energy emanated from his palm, carrying the might that could encompass everything and crush the heavens, and he slammed his hand down towards the Monster Emperors head. Overturning Heaven Three Palms! The world seemed to invert! Boom! This palm strike appeared to compress the surrounding air, causing ear-splitting roars to erupt. The inner landscape that encompassed all life seemed to be pulling on the local laws of the world, wildly gathering elemental energy from all directions. Above Zhou Hengs palm, there formed a massive, boundless mountain phantom that towered into the sky. But the peak of this mountain seemed broken, like a divine column holding up the heavens had collapsed and the broken end was now in Zhou Hengs palm, resembling a divine being holding a mountain, pressing it downward! Impressive! the Monster Emperor howled, facing Zhou Hengs palm strike with neither dodge nor evasion. Instead, it stacked its hands and lifted them upward, intending to clash head-on with Zhou Hengs attack. Furthermore, as its hands were lifted, the surging black aura around its body became more intense, demon energy soared to the sky, drawing a vast amount of elemental energy, which converged on its palms. Bang! Zhou Hengs palm strike collided with the Monster Emperors hands, creating an impact where two streams of elemental energy clashed. The violent shock wave spread outward, turning trees within a radius of over thirty yards into dust. The land under their feet was also overturned, as if it had just been plowed, with many rocks rolling down the hillside. Yet before they could fall, the shock wave shattered them into countless pebbles, scattering in all directions. Such a powerful force, is this the attack after mobilizing a great amount of elemental energy?! Zhou Heng was inwardly shocked, feeling a numbness in his right hand and couldnt help but want to retreat. In fact, the instant he clashed palms with the Monster Emperor, he felt an overwhelming force coming from the Monster Emperors hands, which robustly neutralized the palm force of the world inversion and even had a counterattacking strength. This wasnt the Monster Emperors own strength but that of the natural worlds might it obtained after mobilizing elemental energy. It was the work of the natural worlds creation, a level of power that individual life forms couldnt match. Although Zhou Heng could also manipulate elemental energy to some extent, and even distort external principles with internal landscapes to enhance himself, Ultimately, he had yet to reach the peak of the Seventh Rank. All of this was only achieved through the effect of martial arts and the additional attributes of his spiritual root, spirit, physique, and so forth, all of which had their flaws. In battles against most at the peak of the Seventh Rank, such awareness wasnt a big deal, but when facing the Monster Emperor who, while not yet at the Secret Sixth Rank, already possessed most traits of that rank, the gap became apparent. Zhou Hengs earth-shattering palm strike was indeed powerful, but the Demon Emperor could summon several times more elemental energy from heaven and earth than Zhou Heng could. Such a disparity was enough to allow the Demon Emperor to overcome him with overwhelming force. Bang! Only a muffled sound was heard as Zhou Hengs palm force disintegrated. At the same time, the surging power from the Demon Emperor, like a mountainous wave and tsunami, came crashing toward him. Zhou Heng was sent flying backward, and only after reaching a distance of over ten zhang was he able to use the Thousand Catty Falling Method to land on the ground. This was the strength of one approaching the Secret Sixth Rank, the ability to command vast amounts of heavenly and earthly energy, to harness the forces of nature. This was the essential gap between their realms, as wide as a chasm. Even someone as strong as Zhou Heng, who had not yet reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank or had been able to truly externalize his inner landscape and begin merging with heaven and earth, still found it difficult to bridge such a gap. Over so soon? I thought you were stronger! The Demon Emperor laughed heartily, feeling the strength within his body far exceeding that of before, and his mood was extremely uplifted. With a stomp of its foot, the ground trembled with a thud, and the ruler of the Demon Clan transformed into a shadow that in an instant reached Zhou Heng, spreading its arms with sharp claws emerging from each fingertip, reaching out to grab Zhou Heng. Human! Just accept your death quietly! Clang!! But at that moment, the sound of a swords cry echoed, like a crane calling to the skies, piercing through all directions. A bright silver sword light appeared out of nowhere, slicing through the sky to strike down. The Demon Emperors heart gave a strong alarm, and it immediately retreated to dodge this sword light. But its speed was ultimately a step slower compared to the sword light. Although its hands were not severed, the sharp claws that had just emerged from its fingertips were all slashed off by the sword light. The Demon Emperor withdrew over ten zhang and saw a bright silver longsword, floating in the air next to Zhou Heng, emitting cold light and brimming with a murderous intent. Sword Control Technique! What kind of technique is this?! The Demon Emperor was astounded, having never seen such a technique before, feeling extremely shocked. At this point, Zhou Heng took advantage of the Demon Emperors brief moment of distraction, formed hand seals, and immediately a ball of crimson fire lit in his hands, filled with an ominous aura. Then the flame suddenly surged, drifting toward the Demon Emperor like a meteor, intending to charge at the Demon Emperor. But as soon as the fire left Zhou Hengs palm, it disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed. At this moment, the Demon Emperor had also regained its composure and was fuming with anger, ready to counterattack Zhou Heng, when it suddenly sensed a dramatic change in the weather, dark clouds gathering, and golden snakes wildly dancing. As the flame vanished, Zhou Heng changed his hand seals, gathering the qi of the five viscera and the Five Elements, condensing it into the seed of thunder, moving like fire and wind, commanding thunder to punish all things. Five Thunder Righteous Method! Boom, boom, boom! Amidst the loud thunder, golden thunderbolts descended from the sky, striking unerringly at the Demon Emperor. The speed of the attack gave the Demon Emperor no chance to dodge, forcing it to withstand the hit directly. However, Zhou Heng did not expect the Five Thunder Righteous Method to kill the Demon Emperor on its own. While the Demon Emperor was immobilized by the Five Thunder Righteous Method, Zhou Heng charged in front of it. Then, he raised his right hand again, no longer using the earth-shattering technique, but a move that showed no specific patterns yet seemed to contain infinite martial arts within it. Before Zhou Heng could bring down his palm, his palm seemed to exhibit layers upon layers, and as his fingers flickered, it was as if he was simultaneously performing countless martial arts. There were palms, fists, sabers, swords, thunder, and the five elements Overturning Heaven Three Palms, Purple Thunder Blade Skill, Five Thunder Righteous Method, Immortal Imprint Technique, Golden Light Three Forms, Six Meridian Divine Sword Including everything, embracing it all! Creating all life! Meanwhile, the golden thunder that had been brought down by the Five Thunder Righteous Method had mostly dispersed, revealing the form of the Demon King. Its whole body was charred like coal, and it was trembling nonstop, clearly not in good condition. Yet it still retained most of its strength and had not been damaged at its core. The Demon King belonged to the demons and was restrained by the Five Thunder Righteous Method. In this targeted attack, the Sect Fifth Ranks Taoist Formulas were even more effective than the Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts, which were only at beginner proficiency. However, the Demon Kings power was too great. The Five Thunder Righteous Method wielded by Zhou Heng at his current level of cultivation was not enough to slay it, only enough to injure it slightly. This injury completely enraged the Demon King; it grew furious, roaring out, Humans, I will kill you, then exterminate your entire race, eradicate the Human Race ah! But as soon as this roar left its mouth, it faced head-on Zhou Hengs move, Creating All Life. In an instant, the Demon King even felt as though there were dozens of experts attacking it simultaneously, causing its spirit to become somewhat delirious. With a violent snap back to reality, it realized it was just a palm strike from Zhou Heng. Yet, that momentary stupor caused it to lose the initiative. Additionally, as it had been struck by the Five Thunder Righteous Method earlier, its movements were not agile, and in a split second, it found itself unable to retaliate. Even though it tried to use its spirit to manipulate the natural energies of the world for defense, it coincidentally met a vortex created by the previous collision of natural energies, which greatly increased the difficulty of its attempt to manipulate them. At this moment, the Demon King felt it had suddenly become unlucky, inexplicably unlucky, and could only receive Zhou Hengs descending palm strike head-on, without even the chance to defend itself. This was all because Zhou Heng had previously cast the curse technique Bewitching Guarding Heart Curse Method. This technique could be used to release flames to burn monsters and evil demons, but it could also be used to curse others with misfortune and calamity. Boom! Zhou Hengs palm struck solidly onto the Demon King, and all the Martial Arts he had learned thus far exploded simultaneously, creating an extremely powerful force that struck the Demon King. On the spot, the Demon Clans ruler had its chest pierced by Zhou Hengs palm, its flesh, ribs, heart, lungs, and other organs were sent flying and exploded mid-air. The Demon King itself was blasted away by this immensely powerful force, its blood flowing freely, staining the sky. At the same time, Zhou Hengs Inner Qi seemed to boil over, his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi seeping out of his body, forming bright and resplendent golden light, as the inner scene of Creating All Life suddenly also rushed out, merging with the world. Ah! Zhou Heng let out a long howl, his Qi piercing the rainbow. His momentum soared abruptly, the power inside his body seemed to leap across a barrier as it rose rapidly, his body radiated golden light, his blood roared like a rushing river, his bones became refined, and even his skin and fascia displayed the color of hidden power! Undergoing a complete transformation! The inner scene manifested externally! Merging with the world! Peak of the Seventh Rank! Zhou Heng had broken through; through this battle, exerting his full strength, he released the move Exerting All Strength for the Creation of All Things. He had finally succeeded in crossing his current barrier, arriving at the last level before stepping into the boundary of Secret Sixth Rank Innate Realm. His strength naturally surged dramatically. He even had a feeling that his current self, if fighting his former self, could defeat ten of them! Humans, now is not your time to roar! The voice of the Demon Emperor came, indicating that it had not died yet. Furthermore, at the spot where it had fallen, a pure white column of light suddenly rose into the sky, within which a figure slowly levitated up. It spread its arms, and behind it, six wings unfolded, with white feathers scattering about. The figure flew out from the column of light, and it was indeed the Demon Emperors form. However, its chest wound had completely healed as if it had never been injured. On its back, six wings with snow-white feathers spread out, their slight quivering able to stir up gales and draw in the massive energies of heaven and earth. Seeing this, Zhou Hengs brows slightly lifted, and he felt a sense of shock and trepidation. Humans, you should feel honored to witness my True Form. Why arent you kneeling to thank me? The Demon Emperor was draped in a mantle of pure white light, appearing supremely saintly and noble. It gently fluttered its wings, emanating an incomparable and terrifying might, causing the energies of heaven and earth for miles around to converge, forming a vortex above its head. Star Lord, this monster is no longer pretending to be Secret Sixth Rank. It can now genuinely manipulate the great energies of heaven and earth on a massive scale. This is the true Secret Sixth Rank Innate External Landscape! Cheng Jianjian exclaimed in shock, her hands that were gathering the power of the Big Dipper momentarily pausing. Worthy of the Empress revered by the Human Race, you do have some insight. I dont know what your Secret Sixth Rank means, and Im not interested in knowing. But now that I am able to reveal my True Form, I am indeed invincible under heaven, the Demon Emperor arrogantly declared, looking toward Zhou Heng with a light laugh. Actually, I should thank you. I had not fully digested the Seven Lords I devoured, but after battling with you, I have finally finished digesting them, able to truly exhibit the power of my original True Form. Star Lord, I will strike together with you! Cheng Jianjian clenched her silver teeth, ready to completely withdraw her spell and abandon gathering the Big Dippers power to confront the Demon Emperor with Zhou Heng. Theres no need; I have my methods, Zhou Heng shook his head, and then he sighed lightly, Actually, this time I wanted to rely solely on my own power. Then what trick do you have left? The Demon Emperor curiously watched Zhou Heng. Now endowed with the power of the Six-Winged True Form, it felt unbeatable, as if nothing in existence could harm it. Its all because your stupidity forced me to cheat, Zhou Heng sighed heavily and then, all of a sudden, a majestic Sword Qi surged from his body and shot straight into the heavens. Activate the weapon projection card! Tianya Sword! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A sky-blue sword light coalesced out of thin air and landed in Zhou Hengs palm, transforming into a longsword that seemed to ripple with shimmering waves, with a clear aura lingering around it as if it were a divine weapon from the Immortal Home, a treasure of extraordinary value. This was a treasure weapon comparable to a Sect Fifth Rank, now projected in hand, its power undiminished, equating to a Fifth Rank Sect Master personally striking! At the same time, Zhou Heng held the sword with his right hand pointing towards the heavens, while his left hand formed seals. The internal and external landscapes merged, the great energies of heaven and earth stirred, and suddenly, lightning illuminated his body. The swords edge directed the firmament to instantly cloud over with dark thunderheads, as his mouth seemed to murmur and chant in low tones. Nine Heavens Mysterious Extermination, transform into divine thunder! Brilliance Heavenly Power, drawn by the sword! Chapter 253 - Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Successful Return Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Successful Return As the Taoist incantations sounded, the wind and clouds changed between heaven and earth. The vital energy surged wildly, escaping the Demon Emperors control, transforming into golden thunderbolts in the void that converged and danced like frenzied golden snakes. The wind howled and the thunder roared, as if the entire Seven Lords Mountain was trembling. The high clouds in the sky were stirred by an invisible giant hand, forming a vortex that spread in all directions, making it seem as if the entire sky was spinning. Between the surging winds and the rotating firmament, countless thunderbolts flashed and intertwined, rapidly growing larger and longer, like thunder dragons soaring above the vault of heaven. An utterly terrifying force bore down, preventing the Demon Emperor, who had intended to strike while Zhou Heng cast his spell, from moving. It clearly felt as if it had been locked in by an invisible heavenly will. It was as if the thunder that surged and spun above the firmament was the wrath of the heavens, the punishment from above. What is this, what kind of technique is this?! The Demon Emperor looked at the thunderbolts in the sky incredulously, its face filled with disbelief. It had never felt such a sense of crisis as it did now, with a sudden surge of intense fear welling up inside it. Im going to die! Im going to die! If Im struck by the force gathered by these thunderbolts, theres no way I could survive, I would die on the spot! The Demon Emperor made a judgment in its heart. Having truly reached the Secret Sixth Rank, capable of perceiving the natural laws and mobilizing the vital energy of heaven and earth on a large scale, it was acutely aware of the terrifying might of the thunderbolts manifesting before it at this moment. This was an attack that should not exist in this world, it had completely surpassed the limits of this world! And it also felt that these scattered thunderbolts were not the final form of this attack, they were still changing, still getting stronger. And at the core of the change was the Tianya Sword in Zhou Hengs hands. This sword, like a divine weapon from the nine heavens, shimmered with light, yet was crystal clear and pure. Merely looking at this sword made the Demon Emperors heart pound. It felt that if someone of the same cultivation realm held this treasure sword, a casual slash would be enough to kill it instantly, without any effort. Even though Zhou Hengs cultivation realm and strength were far less than its own, the bizarre technique he performed with this treasure sword also made it feel like it was bound to die without a doubt. Why, why is this happening?! The Demon Emperor let out an angry cry. It pointed to the sky and cursed loudly, roaring furiously, Heaven, you are unfair! How can there be such a powerful weapon in this world, why, by what right?! Boom! An earth-shattering boom exploded, and the infinite thunderbolts suddenly converged, striking the Tianya Sword in Zhou Hengs hands that emitted ripples like clear water. In an instant, the golden thunderbolts coalesced into a thunder pool, interwoven with the laws of yin and yang, emanating an incredibly terrifying might. In just a moment, the thunder pool completely engulfed the Demon Emperor, and in a blink, the six-winged Demon Clan Sovereign that had reached the Secret Sixth Rank, was reduced to dust. Died at the hands of Zhou Heng holding the Tianya Sword. Congratulations! You have defeated the formidable enemy Demon Emperor Bai Yusheng. Fortune Bag [Silver] +3. Congratulations! In the throes of a blood-pumping battle, you have deepened your understanding of your own Martial Path, and your realm has been elevated, proficiency in all martial arts learned +500. Congratulations! You have killed the sure-to-die enemy Demon Emperor Bai YushengSix-Winged True Form, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. The Tianya Sword in Zhou Hengs hand gradually faded away. The Nine Heavens Commanding Thunder strike had just depleted all the energy contained in the weapons projection. Even so, it allowed him to experience once more the overwhelming power of a Fifth Rank Sect Master exerting full strength. Had he not concentrated the power to target the Monster Emperor specifically, the unleashed Nine Heavens Commanding Thunder strike wouldve razed the surrounding area of Seven Lords Mountain for miles, flattening it nearly a hundred zhang. Compared to the Secret Six Rank, which might still be besieged by those at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, the might of a Sect Fifth Rank truly surpassed the mundane, rendering any number of those at the peak of Seventh Rank useless. While Zhou Heng was killing the Monster Emperor, Cheng Jianjians process of absorbing the Big Dippers star power was also nearing its end. Her entire body shone with an immensely bright glow, and behind her emerged the phantom of the Big Dipper Seven Stars, the pattern of the Big Dipper on her mask also shone brightly in response. Hum! Suddenly, the void trembled, and Cheng Jianjians body began to float upwards, with the power of the Big Dipper intertwining around her, starting to reshape her star position inheritance. At that moment, Zhou Heng too sensed an anomaly, feeling the Big Dipper constellation around Cheng Jianjian expanding rapidly, soon projecting a vast expanse of star field. This was a sight only he could see; even Cheng Jianjian could not perceive it. Through this star field, Zhou Hengs perception extended directly to the Zhou Tian star chart, and he sensed the state of the Purple Tenuity Palace. He then came to a realization. Just as Zhou Heng had previously anticipated, by helping the Big Dipper Star Officer return to her position, indeed, the Ziwei Masters star position authority had been enhanced. This was a new authoritySummon. As long as he, the Ziwei Master, was in the Purple Tenuity Palace, he could immediately summon any Star Envoy or Star Officer to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Moreover, it disregarded distance and location. Should there be a situation similar to Cheng Jianjians loss of contact again, Zhou Heng would only need to utilize this authority to summon the corresponding Star Envoy or Star Officer to the Purple Tenuity Palace. No need for the trouble of crossing territories to investigate anymore. This is a good authority for a leader, convenient for summoning subordinates at any time, and for organizing and mobilizing a collective to accomplish great things, Zhou Heng thought contemplatively. I wonder if this authority would still work if the Star Officer or Star Envoy is restrained by seals, grand formations, or trapped by something else. Hmm, this is based on the authority of the Zhou Tian star chart, so its application should be quite broad. In simple terms, this new authority was indeed quite powerful, but for him at the moment, it was somewhat of a mixed blessing. However, once he became strong enough, or when he truly had a certain degree of authority and management power in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, it could be put to real use and would be considered a divine artifact. At this time. Cheng Jianjian had completed the transformation of her star position as a Star Officer, her whole body radiating a gentle and pure light as if a true Star God had descended to the world. Little Martial Uncle, I am deeply grateful. The first thing Cheng Jianjian did was remove the hard-won Big Dipper Star Officer mask to bow and thank Zhou Heng. Are you being so polite with me because you want me to pay back all the thanks I owe you? Zhou Heng said with a smile, stopping Cheng Jianjian, Theres no need for that. Haha, after all this time, Little Martial Uncle, you havent changed a bit, Cheng Jianjian said with a light laugh before pausing slightly startled, shaking her head, I forgot how quickly time passes in this world. More than two years have passed here, and in Da Qi, its been just over two months, right? Mmm, Zhou Heng nodded gently, chuckling, Youve aged two years for nothing. Then I am three years older than you now, Cheng Jianjian said with a beaming smile. She wasnt bothered by the joke; martial artists reaching Middle Third Rank could live for hundreds to thousands of years, so a mere two years was inconsequential. However, Cheng Jianjian asked with some curiosity, Junior Uncle, how did you find me? Ive lost contact with the Stellar Trajectories, and this is a special world. You shouldnt have been able to find me. On one hand, the Ziwei Master has special significance; on the other hand, you left me Zhou Heng said with a smile, flipping his hand and taking out a half a candy wrapped in candy paper, and laughed, This, do you still want it? This was the half-candy Cheng Jianjian had left for him when she bid farewell in Wujiang Prefecture City, with the promise that the next time they met, she would ask him for the remaining half. Junior Uncle Of course, I want it! Cheng Jianjians smile was radiant as she picked up the half-candy from Zhou Hengs palm and placed it in her mouth. Her face was full of smiles, her eyes narrowed into crescents. Its still so sweet. Inside the Purple Tenuity Palace. The Five Emperors, Jiuxiao Thunder Master, and others gathered in front of the star portal, anxiously waiting. From time to time, the Five Emperors would check the Stellar Trajectories to ensure the safety of the Ziwei Master. He was very worried about the safety of both Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Next to them, Jiuxiao Thunder Master and the others under their masks also looked very solemn. They all had received Zhou Hengs help and had fairly good relations with him, so they too were worried about his well-being. Moreover, the position of Ziwei Master is of great importance to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, which is why other returning star officers and envoys had also gathered here to wait. Hoping Zhou Heng would return quickly. In fact, because time flowed quickly in that world, it had only been three or four days since Zhou Heng had crossed through the star portal, but even these few days were enough to make many anxious. Hum! Suddenly, the star portal that everyone was focused on trembled, the vortex of starlight in its center began to reverse, slowly unfolding a passageway. In the next instant, two figures flew out of the portal, landing in the Purple Tenuity Palace. Materializing into two people. A man and a woman, one wearing the mask of the Ziwei Master and the other wearing the mask of the Big Dipper Star Officer. It was Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, who had just crossed back through the star portal. Master! Youre back, are you alright? Great, the Master is safe and sound, safe and sound. Now I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Upon seeing Zhou Hengs return, the Five Emperors, Jiuxiao Thunder Master, and the others present all heaved a sigh of relief and also noticed Cheng Jianjian who had returned with Zhou Heng. And Tian Ji No, that mask pattern, the Big Dipper Star Officer, its the Big Dipper Star Officer! Tian Ji, youve succeeded, youve accomplished your mission and obtained the position of the Big Dipper Star, a position that hasnt appeared in three thousand years! This is fantastic, truly double happiness! On the eighteenths gathering, this must be celebrated. Everyone was overjoyed. This time, not only had the Ziwei Master returned safely after crossing realms, but Tian Ji had also completed her promotion task and become the first Big Dipper Star Officer since the establishment of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. It was great news for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. This also encouraged the star officers who were worrying over the increasingly severe threat of evil spirits and specters and made them realize that the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers were still growing stronger. There was still hope for the future. Such cheering was somewhat unexpected for Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Both were momentarily stunned before they regained their senses and joined in the excitement with everyone else. Their trip across worlds had been very fruitful, and naturally, they were happy in their hearts. After the cheering, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian went their separate ways. Cheng Jianjian had to go to the Hall of Disentanglement to update her mask task information, while Zhou Heng went to find Jiuxiao Thunder Master. Master, have you found the materials to forge a flying sword? When she saw that the Master had come to find her, Jiuxiao Thunder Master guessed his intention. She had previously borrowed good deeds from Zhou Heng and promised to help him refine a suitable divine weapon. At that time, Zhou Heng had mentioned wanting a flying sword containing the power of thunder. The main material has been found; the rest of the auxiliary materials can be obtained through wishing, Zhou Heng said as he took out the sky thunder iron he had gotten from opening the Fortune Bag and handed it to Jiuxiao Thunder Master. Sky thunder iron, this is good stuff. Recognizing the sky thunder iron immediately without waiting for Zhou Heng to introduce it, Jiuxiao Thunder Master said, Master, such materials are rare. Giving me such an item to forge is also a stroke of luck for me. Ive prepared the auxiliary materials myself; you dont need to wish for them, as I can provide them. This sky thunder iron is a Secret Six Rank spiritual material, imbued with the essence of thunder and containing the principles of thunder, making it most suitable for crafting and refining thunder-attributed divine weapons. However, this material is extremely rare and precious, formed from essence of iron that has been struck by thunder for a thousand years and nurtured by the energy of the utmost yang for a hundred years. Casters often have a preference for rare materials, and even if the grade of some spiritual materials isnt very high, as long as they are sufficiently rare, they will be treasured by them. Jiuxiao Thunder Master was clearly such a caster. This way, it seems Im taking advantage; I feel somewhat apologetic, Zhou Heng said with a smile. He didnt wish to owe anyone favors, nor did he want to directly refuse, after a brief moment of contemplation, Since thats the case, if the flying sword turns out to be suitable, lets change the promised Lifespan Extension Pill from five years to ten years. Ah? Extending life by ten years?! Jiuxiao Thunder Masters eyes widened in astonishment upon hearing this, her expression under the mask one of sheer surprise. This was the first time she had heard someone speak of extending life for ten years so casually. She was inclined to refuse because such a gift seemed far too valuable in her view, yet thinking of her aging family members at home, she found it hard to speak. If its too difficult for you, just help me forge and refine weapons in the future, Zhou Heng suggested with a smile. Of course, Ill spare no effort in any task you need, Master, said Jiuxiao Thunder Master, deeply moved. Then its settled, Zhou Heng said, his face beaming with a smile. This was his ultimate goal. A caster who valued resources so greatly, how could he just have a one-off deal? He definitely needed to find opportunities for a long-term partnership. After parting with Jiuxiao Thunder Master, Zhou Heng left the Purple Tenuity Palace. To wait for Cheng Jianjian to come out. The reason he came out to wait was that everyone in the Purple Tenuity Palace showed him extreme respect, which made him somewhat uncomfortable. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only While waiting. Zhou Heng decided to open a few Fortune Bags to see what he might find. Especially the newly acquired Gold Fortune Bag. The last time he opened a Gold Fortune Bag, he received Three Palms Overturning the Heavens, which was the basis for the Elementary Gold Chapter. What might he get this time? Chapter 254 - Chapter 254: Chapter 254 Sword Technique of Conviction Chapter 254: Chapter 254 Sword Technique of Conviction First, lets open ten Copper Fortune Bags and ten Silver Luck Bags! Zhou Heng, now having plenty of stock, was naturally quite generous about opening the bags, planning on drawing in some luck with twenty ordinary Fortune Bags before going for Gold Fortune Bags. Congratulations! Youve obtained the Martial Arts Dragon Chant Iron Cloth Shirt [Seventh Rank]. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve obtained a special ability card: Stealth. Congratulations! Youve obtained one thousand, one hundred and eleven taels of Gold. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve obtained a basic attribute: +1 special attack against demon types. Congratulations! Youve hit the jackpot! Youve obtained a special ability card: Clairvoyance. Congratulations! Youve obtained the Martial Arts Great Strength Vajra Finger [Seventh Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained the Martial Arts Sky-Earth Striking Method [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained a Breaking Card: Sky-barking Dog [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained a Magic Weapon Replica Design: Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained the Martial Arts Innate Formless Sword Finger [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! Youve obtained an additional property: +1 Heaviness. This series of reward prompts made Zhou Heng grin from ear to ear. The harvest from opening the Fortune Bags this time was quite good; many things were very useful. Among them, Dragon Chant Iron Cloth Shirt and Great Strength Vajra Finger and other Seventh Rank Martial Arts could further enhance his close combat capabilities, suitable for comparative battles. Meanwhile, techniques like Sky-Earth Striking Method and Innate Formless Sword Finger were capable of strengthening his methods on a transcendent level, fitting for encounters with the top ranks of the fighters list, and also for preparing to step into the Secret Six Rank in the future. However, among the special ability cards he obtained this time, there were two that puzzled Zhou Heng. Those were Stealth and Clairvoyance. Putting these two special abilities together gave him a strange sense of dj vu. Stealth Card: Can shield the user from the perception of others, entering a special state of invisibility, undetectable by anyone below the Divine First Rank. Clairvoyance Card: Can clairvoyantly inspect any creature to various extents, undetectable by anyone below the Divine First Rank. The effects were indeed decent. Theyll probably be used in some special situations. Besides these, what Zhou Heng cared about the most were the Breaking Card and the Magic Weapon Replica Design. Breaking Sky-barking Dog Card: Can transform into the legendary demon immortal Sky-barking Dog, with the transformation states Cultivation Realm restricted to the Secret Six Rank. Duration of one hour, only the time used is deducted upon reverting, can be reused, and becomes invalid when the usage time resets. This was essentially a treasure that could temporarily boost his strength to the Secret Six Rank level, even though it meant turning into a dog C albeit a legendary one C it was still becoming a dog. However, the Sky-barking Dog seemed to possess quite a few special skills, which might come in handy in the future? After pondering for a moment, Zhou Hengs attention returned to the design of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover. Magic Weapon Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover Replica Design: Collect the materials as shown and strictly follow the steps to refine a replica of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover, a Secret Six Rank Magic Weapon. Zhou Heng was, of course, familiar with the great reputation of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover. This was the famous treasure used by the Bear Family Head Taiyi Zhenren in the legends of deification, who, to favor his own bear cub Nezha, burned to death the immortal Shi Ji from the Jiejiao sect who came to seek justice. Shi Ji was no ordinary character; she was born at the beginning of the universe, had attained Dao for countless tens of thousands of years, had profound cultivation and exquisite mana, was a disciple of the Sect Hierarch, and possessed numerous magic weapons. In the end, however, she was reduced to her original form by being refined by the Nine Dragons God Fire Cover. This shows just how formidable this treasure was. Moreover, treasures that ascended to godhood always excelled at killing enemies far stronger than their wielders. If Zhou Heng could truly produce an imitation of the Nine Dragons God Fire Cover, he had no doubt that even with his Seventh Rank, he could use this treasure to refine some not-so-incredibly powerful Secret Six Rank beings to death. Good stuff, Zhou Hengs eyes shone brightly. But looking at the strange materials listed on the imitation diagram, he felt very unfamiliar, and as for the steps of refinement, he was even more puzzled and could not understand them at all. It seems I still need to find an opportunity to ask Shi Ji, Zhou Heng thought to himself, not expecting that he had just planned on building a good relationship with Shi Ji for long-term cooperation, and now the time had come to make use of it. The gains from the ten Copper Fortune Bags and ten Silver Fortune Bags were quickly tallied up. Next was the exciting moment for the Gold Fortune Bags. However, Zhou Heng did not immediately start opening the Gold Fortune Bags. He first found a clear stream and carefully washed his hands three times, then cast a Gentle Rain Spell to perform an even deeper cleanse on his hands. After completing the cleansing of his hands, he closed his eyes, exhaled gently, and then inhaled gently. This cycle was repeated nine times, attracting pure elemental energy from heaven and earth, which twined around him, making the air much fresher and cleaner than before. After making all these preparations, Zhou Heng felt he had washed away all mundane impurities and calmed his mood, and finally decided to open this Gold Fortune Bag. Open the Gold Fortune Bag! Congratulations! Your luck is off the charts! You have obtained the Martial Arts Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank]. Sword Technique of Conviction? Zhou Hengs gaze slightly sharpened, his heart involuntarily filled with some anticipation. The Overturning Heaven Three Palms he obtained last time was the basis for the Overturning Sky Seal in the Primordial Gold Chapter, and since this time was also a burst of good luck, it should not be bad, right? He focused his attention. [Absolute Fourth Rank]Sword Technique of Conviction: This is the basic martial art of the Slaughter Immortal Sword from the Jade Record of Spiritual Treasures, consisting of eighteen layers, divided into two techniques, Time Is Unpredictable and Years Eternal. It really was this! The basis of the Spiritual Treasure Four Swords, the basis of the Slaughter Immortal Sword! Sword Technique of Conviction! The Gold Fortune Bag was as reliable as ever. Zhou Heng was very excited. Spiritual Treasure, also known as the Heavenly Sovereign or the Sect Hierarch, was a legendary supreme being. The Four Swords from the Jade Record of Spiritual Treasures was His legacy, supreme teachings, supreme arts, supreme opportunities, supreme fortunes! Moreover, unlike the Overturning Heaven Three Palms which could only execute the first technique, Heaven and Earth Capsized at low proficiency, the Sword Technique of Conviction could perform both techniques even if only cultivated to the first layer. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Slaughter Immortal Sword is a sword of time, being the basis for the Slaughter Immortal Sword in the Jade Record of Spiritual Treasures, the two techniques of the Sword Technique of Conviction naturally focus on time, with divine effects in manipulating time. Time Is Unpredictable: With the sword of time, accelerate the flow of time, altering the current state of beings or things. When cultivated to a higher level, it even has marvelous effects like hastening the flow of time and reducing the lifespan of all things. Years Eternal: With the sword of the years, stop the flow of time, forcibly keeping beings or things in their current state, unable to change. When cultivated to a higher level, it even has marvelous effects like freezing time, solidifying the passage of lifespans for all things. Such peerless teachings, such grand methods! They could be described as defying the heavens! Chapter 255 - Chapter 255: Chapter 255: An Unexpected Event Chapter 255: Chapter 255: An Unexpected Event ` In the martial arts that Zhou Heng had already mastered, none could compare with the Sword Technique of Conviction in terms of mystical effects. Not a single one. Even the fragment of the Purple Thunder Blade Skill, which was a third-rank heavenly skill, was merely an extremely powerful attack technique that did not truly touch upon the deep, fundamental principles of the Great Dao. The Overturning Heaven Three Palms was in a similar situation. Although this peerless skill was the foundation for the Overturning Sky Seal with tremendous power, capable of even shattering heaven and earth at the highest levels of mastery, it was ultimately just a method of attack. The strength of the Sword Technique of Conviction lay not only in its being a supreme sword technique but also in its supreme mystical utility; it involved the Dao of Time, inscrutable and profound, and could be called the peak of Absolute Fourth-Rank techniques. Zhou Heng eagerly began to delve into the Sword Technique of Conviction. You are attempting to comprehend the martial art Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank]. Due to your foundation in a low-level similar martial art, the difficulty of comprehension is reduced. You feel as though you are on the verge of an epiphany, yet you also find its mysteries elusive and hard to understand, unable to grasp its essence, gaining no proficiency. Congratulations! Through continuous contemplation of the Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank], you have triggered the Heaven rewards the diligent bonus. You have finally achieved a breakthrough in understanding, proficiency +0.00000000001. After seeing the first prompt of reward proficiency, Zhou Heng stopped trying to comprehend the Sword Technique of Conviction. It was quite clear that with his current cultivation realm, it was impossible to learn this peerless skill through normal means unless he could have another epiphany. Moreover, Cheng Jianjian had already emerged from the Purple Tenuity Palace by this time. Having just become a Star Officer of the Big Dipper, she was full of spirit; her beautiful and radiant face was filled with joy and laughter. Seeing Zhou Heng waiting there, she felt even happier. Junior Uncle, Ive kept you waiting, Cheng Jianjian said with a sweet smile, coming to Zhou Hengs side, and continued, I heard from the senior members within the Five Emperors that you were resting at home before this and have made a special trip here? Yes, I received a message from the seniors within the Five Emperors, Zhou Heng replied with a gentle nod and a smile. I heard that a martial arts school authorized by the Pure Yang Palace was established there too, Cheng Jianjian said with a smile, May I accompany you back and have a look? Of course, you can, Zhou Heng replied with a smile, If we have Jade Clouds Celestial herself, ranked third on the Earthly Rankings, grace the school with a visit, Im sure it will be overwhelmed with people. Junior Uncle, you are also ranked sixth on the Earthly Rankings now, said Cheng Jianjian as she ate a piece of candy and offered one to Zhou Heng, Junior Uncle, would you like some? Its very sweet, Zhou Heng said, taking the candy and putting it in his mouth, By the way, there is something I need to tell you about. There will be a Solar Divine Wine Gathering at the Imperial City in Zhongzhou on the second day of February He then told Cheng Jianjian about some details of the Solar Divine Wine Gathering and Yan Shouyis message, and mentioned that he had already secured an invitation. The Solar Divine Wine Gathering, young masters of Taixu Viewpoint, that sounds very interesting to me! Cheng Jianjians eyes sparkled with fighting spirit as she nodded and said, I will definitely participate. It is undoubtedly a great opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the Peak of Seventh Rank. Indeed, Zhou Heng nodded in agreement, smiling, I have the same intention, to see if I can use the battle at the Solar Divine Wine Gathering as a stepping stone to breakthrough into the Innate Realm and advance to Secret Sixth Rank. Early this morning. Yun Xiu awoke from her sleep, her expression slightly dazed. She drew back the curtains to see her parents preparing breakfast outside and smiled warmly to herself. The feeling of home made her feel cozy. Under her parents meticulous care, she felt as if she had returned to the carefree days of her childhood where there was no need to worry about anything. It was extremely comfortable. However, Yun Xiu knew that after breakfast today, she would have to say goodbye to her parents. In last nights dream, she had seen her master, He Mengqiu. Another year had passed, and it was time to begin anew on her cultivation journey. Xiuer, come eat, Yun Xius mother called from outside. Okay, coming! Yun Xiu replied brightly. ` Unlike the hurried journey there, Zhou Hengs return trip with Cheng Jianjian was quite pleasant and leisurely. Their speed was naturally not fast. By the time they returned to Huangtong Mansion City, it was already dusk. On the way, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian talked about some of the recent events over the past two months, and Cheng Jianjian also shared some details about herself. She was actually not a native of Da Qi, but came from a small family in Northern Zhou. She had been frail since birth, often falling ill. Her parents sought medical advice everywhere to no avail. Fortunately, they later managed to connect with Qi Rui, who was then the master of Jade Qiong Peak, and asked Qi Rui to take their daughter as a disciple. Since then, Cheng Jianjian had never seen her parents again. She was only five years old at that time. Gradually, her memory of her parents voices and smiles grew blurrier, only remembering how as a sick child being subjected to medicine and injections, the fear and bitterness made her cry. Then, her parents would give her candy. Sweet, and she would stop crying. Her problem of fearing pain and loving candy seemed to be a remnant of those times. As for her parents current whereabouts or whether she had ever searched for them, Zhou Heng didnt ask. 2 Because he could feel that Cheng Jianjian was deliberately avoiding these topics. Perhaps there were other hidden circumstances. The twilight was a dull yellow, and the sky was ablaze with crimson clouds. It had just snowed today in Huangtong Mansion, and there was snow on both sides of the road. The tall trees were adorned with icicles, glittering under the glow of the evening light. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, both on horseback, were walking slowly against the backdrop of the setting sun. It was an enviable sight. Jianjian, where would you like to stay? Zhou Heng asked, glancing at the sky and speaking to the fairy beside him, On one hand is the rental property you visited before, and on the other is the large mansion the prefectural government provided for me to live in, but it hasnt been tidied up yet. Through their joint battle in the Demon Spirit World and the conversations along the way, the two had grown much more familiar with one another, and his address for her naturally shifted from Miss Cheng to Jianjian. Lets stick to the rental property, Cheng Jianjian said with a smile, Im more familiar with it there. Zhou Heng had already discussed the matter of the large mansion with her before. There were likely still people from the Illusory Law Sect or the Solar Divine Palace watching over that place. Living there might not necessarily pose a danger, but it was obviously not a very good choice. Zhou Hengs suggestion was actually just to avoid the possibility that there were people monitoring their conversations in Huangtong Mansion Citythat was the real smoke screen. In fact, on their way here, they had already agreed on where to stay. Both were at the Peak of the Seventh Rank and could substitute sleep with meditation. All they needed was a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Even if they stayed in the same room, it wouldnt be awkward. Hey, Zhou Heng! I was wondering why you werent at home! At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them, laughing, Turns out youve gone riding with Miss Xiuer. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Before the voice finished, the person had already caught up from behind and circled to the front. It was Yu He. Yu He was about to speak, but upon seeing Cheng Jianjian, the words stuck in his throat. He looked at Zhou Heng with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, lowering his voice, Damn, thats not Miss Xiuer, who is this? He had never met Cheng Jianjian before. Miss Xiuer? Cheng Jianjian turned to look at Zhou Heng upon hearing this. Chapter 256 - Chapter 256: Chapter 256 The Legacy of Emperor Wa and Emperor Xi Chapter 256: Chapter 256 The Legacy of Emperor Wa and Emperor Xi Is this the close female friend of our junior uncle? Cheng Jianjian looked at Zhou Heng with a smile in her eyes. Ah, Xiuer girl is a friend of both Zhou Heng and I, Yu He jumped in first, chuckling, We usually get along very well, huh? Junior Uncle, Miss, are you a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace? He emphasized that Yun Xiu was a common friend and tried to steer the conversation away. Hmm, her name is Yun Xiu, and shes one of my friends, Zhou Heng, however, didnt see any issue and replied straightforwardly with a nod. So its her, Ive heard some of her reputation, Cheng Jianjian nodded slightly upon hearing and said, Though her fame isnt big now, her master is no simple character. This Miss Xiuer will certainly become famous throughout the world in the future. Youve heard of her? Zhou Heng was a bit surprised, as Yun Xiu and He Mengqiu mainly focused on dream cultivation and left few traces in the Jianghu. Mm, I have heard my master mention her, Cheng Jianjian smiled and said, My master has numerous channels to gather hidden information from the Jianghu. If Junior Uncle is interested, I can share them with you later. The two of them conversed back and forth. Yu He, on the other hand, listened with a baffled face, suddenly feeling he might have overthought it? However, this situation was much better than what he had imagined, so he hastily changed the topic, asking Zhou Heng, Hey, Zhou Heng, who is this lady? Wont you introduce me? Zhou Heng dismounted from his horse and led it, laughing, Haha, in fact, you have heard of her before. Ah? Ive heard of her before? Yu He was first stunned upon hearing this, then said in astonishment, She calls you junior uncle, which means shes a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. The one Ive heard of Fairy Qiongfeng?! No, she should now be called Celestial Maiden of Yuxiao! She is Cheng Jianjian! Its just a slight reputation, Cheng Jianjian shook her head gently, dismounted as well, and smiling, said, Its me. Good heavens, no wonder youre known as the Celestial Maiden, Miss, you truly resemble a fairy descending to Earth! Yu He complimented her, half out of habit from doing business, and half from genuine amazement. Indeed, Cheng Jianjians beauty could earn her the title of a fairy descending to Earth, dazzlingly beautiful, without equal in this world. Alright, no more flattery, Zhou Heng came over to Yu He and said, You just mentioned you went to look for me at my house, is there something going on at the martial arts hall? Yu He was different from before, now a man constantly busy. He usually wouldnt show up without good reason, and since he came to find Zhou Heng in person, there likely was something at the martial arts hall that he couldnt handle. Sigh, you guessed right, Yu He nodded, his eyes rolling around, Is it convenient to talk here? He was referring to Cheng Jianjian being present. Theres no inconvenience, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Well, heres what happened. Yu He briefly explained the situation, Today at noon, a young woman riding a White Tiger came to the martial arts hall, demanding to see you by name. She insisted on not leaving unless she met you. That White Tiger looked fierce; although it didnt bite anyone, it made people scared and no one dared to enter the martial arts hall. She claimed to be Feng Shaoe, looks to be in her early twenties, very beautiful, just dresses a bit oddly, not like shes from the Central Plains. Though Da Qi, Da Zhou, and Da Jin are known as the three central nations, due to regional differences in customs, terms like Central Plains, Northern Frontier, and Southern Frontier are also used within the country. The Central Plains refers to the eight provinces surrounding Zhongzhou, including Pingzhou. Feng Shaoe, her? Zhou Heng was slightly taken aback and puzzled, I dont know her at all. Feng Shaoe? Cheng Jianjian uttered in surprise and said, The former tenth place on the Human Rankings, now the eleventh, known as the Snow Mountain Witch Feng Shaoe? It should be her, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and realized, I remember she is a true disciple of the Yu Huang Sect. Although shes not proficient in martial arts, she masters many ancient sorceries and is quite strong, once ranked in the top ten of the Human Rankings. At the mention of Yu Huang Sect, a flicker of light passed through his eyes. He had always been paying attention to this ancient sect and wanted to unravel the origins of its heritage. The Yu Huang Sect is said to be the oldest sect in the world, even older than Taixu Viewpoint, existing even before the Mythical Era. Although it had faced calamities that nearly caused its extinction, it has survived every time. According to the authorities from Taixu Viewpoint and other sects, the Yu Huang Sect, also known as Yu Huang Palace during the Ancient Mythological Era, had given rise to numerous immortals and gods, commanding awe and splendor. The present Yu Huang Sect may not have the magnificent glory of the ancient times, but it still houses a Tao Lord and is one of the Great Sects in Da Qi. And what captured Zhou Hengs attention was the two divine ancestors revered by the Yu Huang Sect. Nuwa and Fuxi. The first time Zhou Heng heard these divine names, he almost thought he had misheard due to his eagerness to find information related to Earth in this world. Only after repeated confirmations did he finally verify that the Yu Huang Sect indeed revered Nuwa and Fuxi, claiming Nuwa as the progenitor of the human race and Fuxi as the primitive ancestor of civilization. These two divine figures were said to be the origin of human civilization, and the Yu Huang Sect has been worshiping them since the Ancient Era, maintaining the closest heritage to the origin of human civilization. However, the majority believed that this was just the Yu Huang Sect boasting about its heritage, including elements of false propaganda. After all, this era was too far removed from when the human race was born and emerged from the wilderness to establish civilization. Following the Dark Age, only fragments of records about the Ancient Mythological Era remained, not to mention the even more distant Ancient Era. The claims made by the Yu Huang Sect were considered unverifiable by many, and some even doubted the authenticity of the names Nuwa and Fuxi. If not for the continuously strong strength of the Yu Huang Sect, their descriptions of the revered divine ancestors alone could have incited many to call them out on these false claims. But Zhou Heng knew that the so-called Nuwa and Fuxi might not be false, because the Yu Huang Sects descriptions of these two primogenitors were very similar to some records he knew from Earth. If it really was the case, then the question arises What is the relationship between this world and Earth, and why can traces of the origin of the human race and civilization be found in this world? Its nothing short of incredible. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to chat with Feng Shaoe and deepen his understanding? A thought crossed Zhou Hengs mind, and he nodded to Yu He, saying, Lets go, take me to the martial arts hall first, letting a White Tiger stay there without any money isnt too appropriate. Perhaps she has come to challenge you, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile: Before you entered the top ten of the Human Rankings, Feng Shaoe was always within the top ten. But then you suddenly emerged and directly claimed the sixth spot on the Human Rankings, everyone behind moved down a place, and she was pushed out of the top ten, becoming the eleventh. This might not be impossible, Zhou Heng touched his nose and smiled, Lets go check it out first. In front of the gate of the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. Lei Xiuyan and Lin Cang wore troubled expressions as they looked at the young woman sitting atop a white tiger. There were many onlookers, but no one dared to approach. Even some apprentices were somewhat afraid of the white tiger, those outside didnt dare to come in, and those inside didnt dare to go out. There was no helping it; the white tiger was simply too large. It was about thirty feet in length and over ten feet in height, with a tail nearly as long. Its sheer size stood as a formidable presence, making people wary of nearing it. Forget the common people; even martial artists of the Ninth or Eighth Ranks would feel a sense of dread at the sight of such a massive white tiger and wouldnt dare to act rashly. Sitting atop the white tiger was a beautiful woman dressed in light attire, distinct from the common fashion of Central Plains women. She wore only a deep blue tube top adorned with delicate patterns, revealing her exquisite collarbones, the fair skin of her chest, and her slender waist. Her lower half was covered by a deep blue skirt with embroidered patterns, her long and fair legs shining in the light as well; yet her demeanor remained rather cold and serious, devoid of smiles or casual conversation. Such a woman was indeed a rare sight in Pingzhou, her attire, appearance, and aura all incredibly stimulating to many people. Among the crowd of onlookers were many who had come to see the white tiger, but even more were staring at her. As the sky grew darker and the sun was about to set completely, the woman showed no signs of leaving. Lei Xiuyan had no choice but to step forward and approach the white tiger. Confronted by the immense beast, even with his cultivation at the peak of the Seventh Rank, Lei Xiuyan couldnt help but feel uneasy. He took a deep breath and said, Miss Feng, its getting late, why not find a place to stay first? Roar, roar The white tiger made a sound from its throat, its large eyes turned to Lei Xiuyan, it sniffed him, then retreated back. However, even this small movement made Lei Xiuyans entire body tense up. He sensed a force from the white tiger that he couldnt possibly resist, causing alarm in his heart. He thought to himself, This white tiger must be at least of the Secret Six Rank. Is this what its like to be a core disciple of one of the top ten sects? A mere Seventh Rank in her own right, yet she has a Secret Six Rank white tiger as a mount; such a thing would be utterly impossible for ordinary martial artists. Hall Master Lei, Ive already said, I mean no harm, Im just here to find Zhou Heng, Feng Shaoes expression remained cold, her beautiful face showing no emotion, This martial arts hall is the most likely place to wait for him, naturally, I have to wait here. Miss Feng, this is a threat, Lei Xiuyans face darkened as he spoke, still claiming no ill intentions, yet blocking the entrance of the martial arts hall with a white tiger was definitely threatening. This is a threat? Confusion flickered in Feng Shaoes eyes, followed by a shake of her head, I dont think this is a threat. To see him, I naturally had to choose the most likely method to make him come out. Moreover, Im not really intending to do anything; I have no ill intentions, I dont want to hurt you or anyone else, so why would this be a threat? She had an expression like it was all a matter of course, as if all her actions made perfect sense to her. Lei Xiuyan was left speechless, realizing that the girls thought process was different from that of normal people, and common sense simply didnt apply to her. If this doesnt count as a threat, then what does? It was at this moment that Yu Hes voice came from not far away. He was at the forefront, raising his voice, Youre blocking our gate with such a huge creature, making people frightened and unable to enter or leave, doesnt that count as a threat? Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian followed behind him, leading their horses. What are you talking about? Feng Shaoe seemed genuinely perplexed, I said from the start, I have no ill intentions, and Da Bai and I wont hurt anyone, why would you be afraid? That seems like your problem. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, who had followed Yu He, heard Feng Shaoes words and exchanged looks, both seeing the puzzlement in each others eyes. Was Feng Shaoe a bit out of her mind? Poor girl, looking so beautiful but seemingly a bit short-circuited upstairs, her basic understanding of things differing from normal people? Ill go, Zhou Heng said, a frown on his forehead, to Cheng Jianjian. Lets go together, Cheng Jianjian replied with a gentle nod. So the two tethered their horses and, along with Yu He, made their way through the crowd to stand before Feng Shaoe and the gigantic white tiger. They too felt the immense aura of the white tiger. Their expressions became momentarily stern. I am Zhou Heng, what do you want with me? Zhou Heng asked gravely. Zhou Heng? Feng Shaoe turned her head toward Zhou Heng, her eyes suddenly brightened and a thick smile spread across her cool face, Im here to fight you, to have a fight with you. Is it for the human race rankings? Zhou Hengs eyebrows rose slightly, If I win, will you take this white tiger and leave? Da Bai can leave right now, Feng Shaoe said as she jumped down from the white tiger and sauntered toward Zhou Heng with her waist swaying subtly. She gave a sly smile, After all, I was just waiting for you to come; now that youre here, theres no need for Da Bai to block the entrance of the martial arts hall anymore. Da Bai, you can go now. No sooner had her words fallen, than the white tiger leapt into the air, soaring away to a hundred yards distant, quickly out of sight from the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You did this on purpose, Zhou Hengs face darkened. How else could I get you to come so quickly? Feng Shaoe said, smiling, her chest heaving with laughter, all coldness vanished from her face, making her appear mischievously spry. Her words truly made Lei Xiuyan, Yu He, and others furious, their faces turning an iron shade of blue. They had really believed that Feng Shaoe was simply naive. Lets fight, Zhou Heng cut to the chase, a no-nonsense tone in his voice, but before he could finish, a slender figure moved in front of him. Little Uncle-Master, let me do this, Cheng Jianjian said with a faint smile, a longsword being drawn from her hand, With your niece here, how could we possibly have you take action yourself? Chapter 257 - Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Sky-Earth Striking Method Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Sky-Earth Striking Method Cheng Jianjians sudden appearance caused a slight change in Feng Shaoes expression. Her gaze flickered, pondering briefly, and an innocuous expression appeared on her pretty face. She chuckled and said, So its Sister Cheng. I certainly had no intention of challenging a celestial like you from the Jade Sky. Are you intending to challenge me instead? Dont call me sister, youre probably older than I am. However, Cheng Jianjian shook her head, saying, I am simply here to fight you on behalf of my junior uncle. Theres no intention to challenge you. Should you choose to give up the challenge, feel free to leave directly. It seems Master Zhou does not dare to fight with me, does he? Feng Shaoe looked at Zhou Heng with a smile brimming in her eyes. She didnt respond to Cheng Jianjians comment, instead, she taunted, Otherwise, he wouldnt be hiding behind Fairy Cheng now, would he? Jianjian, let me do it. Zhou Heng took a step forward. Junior Uncle, this is her provocation. Cheng Jianjian gently shook her head and said, Theres really no need for you to lay a hand on her. Actually, I wasnt planning to personally take action against her either. Zhou Heng revealed a smile as he took out a paper figurine. What is this? Cheng Jianjian was taken aback, having spent her time in the Demon Spirit World, she hadnt seen Zhou Hengs skill of turning paper into soldiers. Turning paper into soldiers. Zhou Heng smiled, raised his hand, and flung the paper figurine into the air. The paper figurine swelled as it met the wind, quickly growing to the size of Zhou Heng himself. It wobbled to a stand on the ground, assuming a stance ready to face Feng Shaoe. Such Taoist formulas?! Cheng Jianjians eyes widened in astonishment, her face filled with shock. She knew what she was seeing, and was very clear about what Zhou Hengs current move signified. Taoist formulas! Moreover, an incredibly profound, infinitely ingenious Taoist formula! Apart from the miraculous Thunder Method he used, her junior uncle apparently knew other Taoist formulas. Could it be his previous life was that of a Taoist sage? In this era, the inheritance of Taoist formulas was extremely rare. Those reaching the pinnacle as a Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster usually might only know one or two formulas, or possibly none at all. Zhou Heng, not yet stepping into the realm of Secret Six Rank, astonishingly knew at least two Taoist formulas. It was truly shocking. As for everyone else, they were even more flabbergasted. One by one, they stared with their mouths agape, unable to believe what was unfolding before their eyes. Many people were desperately rubbing their eyes or slapping their own faces, trying to verify whether they were hallucinating or dreaming. For the ordinary onlookers, as well as Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and other common Martial Artists, such a feat of turning paper into soldiers, transforming with the wind, was simply unseen in their lifetime. They had only ever heard such tales in storytelling sessions, never having imagined they might one day truly witness such a scene. It was just too unbelievable. Even Feng Shaoe, who had seen the ancient witchcraft, couldnt help feeling extremely shocked when she saw the paper figurine assuming its stance, ready to unleash an attack. What a masterful Taoist technique. I hadnt expected Master Zhou to have such a skill. The smile on Feng Shaoes lovely face did not diminish, and her bright eyes seemed to twinkle like flowing light. Then allow me to display a Witchcraft technique, for Master Zhou to enlighten me with. With these words, she wove her hands and formed a mudra, when suddenly a turquoise glow illuminated her eyes. Vines began to grow out of nowhere beneath the feet of the paper figurine, rapidly entwining to bind it. This was a Witchcraft technique from the Youhuang Sect. Unlike the principles of Taoist formulas, which invoke the laws of nature through special mudras or chants to draw forth power, Witchcraft uses similar techniques to harness the so-called Witch Power contained within ones own blood, thereby performing various extraordinary feats. Its difficult to say which is superior when comparing the two, but in terms of a complete heritage, the witchcraft of the Youhuang Sect is clearly better, possessing both basic and powerful witchcraft in abundance. At this moment, the technique that Feng Shaoe was executing was a rather basic form of witchcraft, which used witch power to manipulate the growth of vines underground in the surrounding area, causing them to rapidly spread and grow. The entire process was done in one breath, at an extremely fast speed, and the power was certainly not weak. An ordinary Seventh Rank Warrior caught off guard could easily be entangled by these vines that suddenly grew out of the ground, swiftly putting them at a disadvantage. However, the paper man possessed half of Zhou Hengs strength and also had an incredibly powerful spiritual perception, so the growth of these vines naturally couldnt be concealed from him. The moment the vines appeared, the paper man leaped into the air, leaving the ground far behind. Even as the vines grew rapidly upwards trying to entangle the paper man, they were rendered useless. Daoist Zhou, youve fallen into a trap, Feng Shaoe said with a sly smile, as her hand seal suddenly changed and a green light blossomed from her fingertips, causing the vines to rapidly withdraw. But at the center of the paper man, a bright green glow appeared, and green saplings started to emerge from within this light. It seemed as if the vines had taken root and sprouted upon the paper man. Once these vines grew, they would instantly tear the paper man into shreds. Ive heard that witchcraft is famous for its silent and invisible efficacy, and now that I see it, the reputation is well-deserved, Zhou Heng said, still smiling, not at all worried about the paper mans predicament. This attitude caused Feng Shaoes smile to stiffen on her face. Her gaze shifted to the paper man, and she immediately saw a dazzling golden light burst forth from it, A layer of golden flame enveloped the paper man, forcefully expelling the specks of green light, and the undeveloped green saplings also fell to the ground. No longer capable of inflicting any damage to the paper man itself. Immediately after, the paper man spread its arms, its fingers rapidly fluttering, and in an instant, a series of sharp and unparalleled Sword Qi materialized out of thin air. In the next moment, ten beams of Sword Qi launched simultaneously toward Feng Shaoe. Clang clang! The ten beams of Sword Qi tore through the sky as if ten exceedingly sharp longswords vibrated, emitting sword cries that sent a shock through the spirits of all those present, compelling them to watch these ten beams of Sword Qi involuntarily. They all felt that the ten beams of Sword Qi seemed to seal all the space above and below the heavens, making it impossible to dodge or escape against such an attack; one could only face it directly. This was the Innate Formless Sword Finger! All these actions occurred in the blink of an eye. In just an instant, Zhou Hengs paper man had broken Feng Shaoes witchcraft and gained an absolute advantage. Dont be too pleased too soon! Feng Shaoes gaze turned cold, and as the ten beams of Sword Qi rapidly approached her, she didnt panic. The seals in her hands changed again, and the witch power within her surged violently. Whoosh! Snow and ice suddenly gathered in the sky from all directions, forming a massive ice wall over three zhang thick in front of Feng Shaoe, attempting to block the ten beams of Sword Qi. At the same time, Feng Shaoe cast another spell, causing the saplings that had fallen to the ground to rise into the air and land within the clusters of snow and ice that were gathering. And there was still much snow and ice left after forming the ice wall, appearing as if it was gathering into an ice-snow behemoth. The saplings landing on the snow and ice were like the finishing touch in a painting, instantly endowing the snow and ice with vitality. Boom! Clang! Clang! Clang! Simultaneously, the ten Sword Qi strikes unleashed by Zhou Hengs paper figure using the Innate Formless Sword Technique had struck the huge ice wall. The ice wall, obviously reinforced by witchery, was even harder than ordinary steel. Yet against the ten peerlessly sharp Sword Qi, even such a robust ice wall was of no use. It was effortlessly cleaved apart, delaying its fall for less than a breaths time. And in that single breaths time, the beast previously coalescing from ice and snow had wholly formed: an Ice-Snow White Tiger, about thirty feet long and over ten feet tall, its appearance bearing an extreme likeness to the previous Secret Six Rank White Tiger. This White Tiger, as if bestowed with life by witchery, upon seeing the ice wall in front of Feng Shaoe shattered by Zhou Hengs Sword Qi, roared in fury, its body radiating a white light filled with murderous aura, charging at the ten Sword Qi. The power of the Ice-Snow White Tiger was obviously formidable; it directly dispersed the Sword Qi and stood protectively in front of Feng Shaoe. Its two green eyes flared with an immense rage as it stared at the paper figure. Grandmaster Zhou, you should make a move personally, Feng Shaoe said with a light chuckle, It seems you might have been a bit too confident. This paper figure alone is probably not a match for me. Is that so? Zhou Heng gently shook his head and said with a smile, Miss Feng, you speak too soon. Before the words had finished, the figure enshrouded in a golden aura had already reached in front of the Ice-Snow White Tiger, raising his right hand with the fingers spread wide, his palm dark as if gathering the power to crush the heavens and earth, to overturn the firmament. Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Heaven and earth inverted!! Boom! As if the void itself were being crushed, a roaring sound that shook the air like thunder, deafening, burst forth as the paper figures palm struck down. Beneath the shadow of this palm, as if it became a vacuum zone, the air for several feet around was instantly squeezed out, creating a huge shockwave. The Ice-Snow White Tiger roared as it fought back, but it had no chance to resist. It was instantly decapitated by the Sky-Earth Striking Method, its body disintegrating. Furthermore, this palm strike lost none of its power as it continued downwards. After smashing the Ice-Snow White Tiger, it bore down mercilessly toward Feng Shaoe, stopping only three inches above her head. Feng Shaoes face turned deathly pale. The sudden thunderous blow had completely exceeded her reaction limit, and before she could even grasp what had happened, the battle was over. However, even so, on Feng Shaoes youthful, vibrant face, there was no sign of fear or dejection, but she continued to speak to Zhou Heng with a giggly smile: Grandmaster Zhou is truly skilled and powerful, having such strength with just a paper figure. If you personally take action, Im afraid it would be even more formidable. I wonder if I might be fortunate enough Feng Shaoe, having already been defeated by the paper figure, still refused to concede and was determinedly persistent in challenging Zhou Heng himself, wishing to engage him in combat personally. You are not, Zhou Heng said, outright rejecting her, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at Feng Shaoe. But that single glance struck Feng Shaoe as though she had been hit by thunder; her mischievously smiling expression instantly froze, her complexion turned as pale as paper, and a look of fear surfaced in her eyes as she looked at Zhou Heng. Ah, I see, well, I understand Feng Shaoe, as if startled, hurriedly left the place, not daring to glance at Zhou Heng again. Before long, she had mounted the White Tiger again and, after several leaps and bounds, her figure disappeared from sight, seeming to have left Huangtong Mansion City. Whats this Cheng Jianjian noticed something was amiss with the situation and looked at Zhou Heng with a hint of confusion in her eyes, and quietly said, A Spirit Attack Technique? Although her Divine Soul strength and cultivation in the spirit realm were not as strong as Zhou Hengs, she had some proficiency that surpassed most at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, and she faintly sensed something extraordinary about the way Zhou Heng had stared at Feng Shaoe. Hmm, something like that, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said, She was being unreasonably annoying with her harassment, so I decided to give her a lesson to encourage her to leave earlier. Just now, when Zhou Heng glared at Feng Shaoe, he had used the Sky-Earth Striking Method. It was an extremely powerful Spirit Attack Technique. Although it was at the same level as the Secret Six Rank and had the effect of causing one to fall into an illusion, this technique was actually specialized in the mental realm, fundamentally aiming to crush the enemys spirit by invoking their deepest and most painful fears from within their heart. Moreover, if this method was cultivated to a profound degree, it could even penetrate through the other persons mental weaknesses to forcibly observe fragments of their memories. It was truly miraculous. In the realm of mental martial arts at the Secret Six Rank level, it was definitely considered to be at the pinnacle, with exceedingly strong effects. Earlier, it was through that single glance that Zhou Heng directly evoked Feng Shaoes most fearful and painful memories from the depths of her heart, and using these vulnerabilities, he shattered her spiritual world on the spot. Furthermore, in the process, he had inadvertently caught glimpses of fragments of memories related to him within Feng Shaoes mind, seeming to suggest that her challenge to him was not solely for the sake of the ranking on the peoples list. This made Zhou Heng think of Feng Shaoes attitude before, the Witch of the Snow Mountain seemed very eager to have him take action personally. Could it be she wanted to test something by fighting with me, or perhaps to probe for something? Zhou Heng mused, his brow furrowing. He then whispered to Cheng Jianjian by his side, Ill follow her and take a look, Ill be right back. Just by yourself? Cheng Jianjian asked earnestly. Hmm, its easier to stay hidden that way, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said, Ill be back soon, help me explain to Master Lin and Yu He. Alright, if youre not back within an hour, I will come looking for you, Cheng Jianjian nodded and said. Dont worry about it, Zhou Heng smiled and said, Ill be right back. Having said that, he leaped up and flipped through the air, following the direction Feng Shaoe and the White Tiger had left in, making use of the Tracking Card he had obtained from opening the Fortune Bag previously. For safetys sake, he was prepared to use the Stealth Card at any moment. Feng Shaoe hadnt gone far; after leaving Huangtong Mansion City, she stopped in a forest ten miles away. There was a woman dressed in the same fashion as the Emperors Sect, wearing scanty clothing. She appeared to be in her thirties, was beautiful with a slender figure that was alluring, with curves in all the right places, her exposed skin smooth as jade and soft as if dripping with tenderness. Compared to Feng Shaoe, she exuded a more mature charm. Master, Feng Shaoe knelt before the woman, lowering her head and said, I was unable to make Zhou Heng take action himself, I failed to accomplish the mission. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What happened? the womans eyebrows knitted slightly as she asked, Your spirit seems to have been severely damaged; stand up, let me take a look. Thank you, Master, Feng Shaoe stood up and gently closed her eyes. Then she felt a coolness at her forehead, and the fear lingering in her heart promptly dissipated substantially, making her feel much more relaxed. Tell me, what happened? the woman withdrew her finger from Feng Shaoes forehead and said in a deep voice, The events that just took place and the situation with Zhou Heng. At this moment, Zhou Heng was standing beside the two, less than ten yards away, quietly observing them. The effect of the Stealth Card was undetectable to anyone below Divine First Rank! Chapter 258 - Chapter 258: Chapter 258 "The Big Shot" Zhou Heng Chapter 258: Chapter 258 The Big Shot Zhou Heng Feng Shaoes master was named Li Qiyun, a Fourth Rank Absolute Grandmaster of the Ghost Emperor Sect, ranking eighth on the Earth Ranking and known as the Witch King. She could be considered as one of the Grandmasters closest to the realm of the Celestial Man in todays world, and it was said that she once used witchcraft to instantly dry up a great lake that spanned eight hundred miles. Her mastery over witchcraft was said to have reached the pinnacle. Such a Grandmaster came to Huangtong Mansion City without any notice, and listening to her conversation with Feng Shaoe, it seems she is here for me? Zhou Hengs heart was filled with surprise and suspicion; he couldnt recall any interactions he might have had with the Ghost Emperor Sect. He could understand why Feng Shaoe would come after him, perhaps that girl couldnt stand being ousted from the top ten of the Earth Ranking and wanted to challenge him to restore her reputation, but what about Li Qiyun? Why would such an important figure take an interest in him and even throw her disciple into the mix to probe him? Zhou Heng was filled with doubts. However, it looked like he would find out soon enough. By now, Feng Shaoe had already told Li Qiyun all the details of her paper figurine battle with Zhou Heng. The White Tiger by her side also shook its body, quickly shrinking into a little white cat the size of two palms and jumped into Li Qiyuns arms, enjoying being stroked. Although you didnt truly exchange blows with him, this is enough. Taoist Formulas, this Zhou Heng is very good at Taoist Formulas, isnt he? The Thunder Method, Sword Control Technique, paper-cutting into soldiers very good. Li Qiyuns eyes twinkled as she softly stroked the white cats fur in her arms, slightly nodding her head with a smile, It seems his past life could indeed have been that Great Witch of our ancestors. Master, Zhou Hengs past life is related to our Ghost Emperor Sect? Feng Shaoe said in surprise upon hearing this. Thats not necessarily the case, Li Qiyun shook her head and said, Its just some similarities, and there are also parts related to other powerful beings on him, making it unclear to see. Master, I dont quite understand, is it that important to investigate Zhou Hengs past life identity? Feng Shaoe was somewhat confused and puzzled. Of course, it is very important, Li Qiyun nodded and said, This Zhou Heng, whether in martial arts or Taoist Formulas, is immensely powerful, and the foresight from his past life makes even those of the Upper Third Rank Immortals wary. Judging from these performances, his past life was at least a Divine First Rank Saint or a Taoist Master, or even possibly a Great Divine Power beyond the Divine First Rank. If one day he truly awakens his past life memories, or even recovers the cultivation realm of his past life, it would immediately lead to a drastic change in the world, and then no power could stay out of it. The older the power, the more so. Are these powers worried that Zhou Hengs past life identity has enmity with them? Feng Shaoe suddenly realized. Not only that, but if they have a relatively close relationship with Zhou Hengs past life identity, then helping Zhou Heng to recover his past life memories sooner would mean gaining a great ally out of nowhere. Li Qiyun shook her head with a smile, There are also those who want to bet on him while Zhou Heng is still weak, so when he regains his memory and past lifes cultivation realm, they can use this as a bargaining chip for assistance. But even with such thoughts, one would need to clarify who exactly Zhou Hengs past life identity was, in case he was some evil figure who wouldnt acknowledge anything, then the bet would have been in vain. Zhou Heng, listening on the side, was utterly bemused and astounded. Isnt this a bit too much speculation? Initially, he had just taken the chance to explain his sudden burst of growth as a reincarnation of a great being, but now it seemed to be escalating? Many major powers were secretly taking note? Thats a bit of a stretch. But at this moment, he surely couldnt jump out and say that he wasnt a reincarnation of any great being or a Great Divine Power, but just an ordinary transmigrator, right? That was obviously not possible. Zhou Heng frowned, worried about this matter. These major powers had varied intentions; who knew what situations he would encounter next? If it was like what Li Qiyun described as the second or third scenarios, it would still be fine, at least there was good will, and he might even reap some benefits. But what if a major power was convinced that his past life was its enemy and decided to eliminate him directly? That would be incredibly unjust. At this moment, Feng Shaoe raised another question, Master, you just speculated that Zhou Hengs past life might be related to one of our ancestors Great Witches, but our current actions seem to have already offended him. Are you worried that Zhou Heng will hold a grudge after awakening the memories of his past life? Li Qiyun laughed upon hearing this and gently shook her head, Dont worry, even if we now offend Zhou Heng to death, it wont matter. Once he awakens the memories of his past life, the mere decade or so of experiences in this life cannot possibly withstand the torrent of memories from who knows how many tens of thousands of years in his past life. It has always been the case that when a great being awakens memories of their past life, they usually treat the memories of this life as nothing more than a dream, unworthy of their concern, so theres no need to worry at all. Shaoe, in fact, you might consider it this way, weve only offended the current Zhou Heng, and when his memories awaken, this Zhou Heng will essentially be dead. Her words were incredibly casual, as though the affair was of no consequence, as if the Zhou Heng of this life was utterly insignificant. Zhou Heng listened to Li Qiyuns words from the side, his eyes darkening with each word. Even though he was fully aware that he was not the reincarnation of some great being, hearing Li Qiyun speak like this made him uncomfortable. It was clear to him that in Li Qiyuns heart, she had never taken the Zhou Heng of this life seriously. What the Witch King truly cared about was only the so-called identity of Zhou Hengs past life. Even if the Zhou Heng of this life was earth-shatteringly brilliant, stunningly talented, in her eyes, he was inconsequential, even laughable. For in her view, the outcome for this Zhou Heng was already sealed. His past life would inevitably awaken within him, and at that time, the current Zhou Heng would cease to exist. Someday I will punch you hard in the face, to show you this Zhou Hengs mettle! Zhou Heng raised his eyebrows and spat dismissively in Li Qiyuns direction. Anyway, he was currently under the effect of a Stealth Card, and even an Absolute Fourth Rank would fail to detect him. So thats the way it is, I understand now, Feng Shaoe seemed to have completely grasped the situation and laughed, I was somewhat indignant about being pushed out of the top ten of the Human Rankings by him, but now it seems there was no need for such feelings. Let alone his ranking of sixth on the Human Rankings, even if he were to become number one, isnt it inevitable that he will ultimately transform into another person? How tragic. Indeed, the life of this Zhou Heng is doomed to be a tragedy, Li Qiyun nodded lightly, then she reached out and took out a silver, crescent-shaped Time Stone, Shaoe, take this Time Stone and find an opportunity to get closer to Zhou Heng. Time Stone?! Feng Shaoe exclaimed in disbelief, staring at the crescent-shaped crystal in her hand, and carefully cradled it in her palm, asking, Master, this is an Absolute Fourth Rank rarity, said to contain the principles of times rules, exceedingly precious. You, why are you giving this to me? Exactly, this Time Stone contains the principles of times rules, very mysterious, Li Qiyun nodded and said solemnly, I want you to use this stone to probe Zhou Hengs past life identity. As long as you carry this Time Stone with you and get close to him, you will naturally be able to sense some fragments of time related to him, which may contain information about his past life. Master, you are truly farsighted! Feng Shaoe nodded with excitement, clutching the Time Stone tightly, feeling immensely delighted. With a rarity like the Time Stone, as long as one carried it for a long time, ones body might come under the influence of the principles contained within, leading one to become more aligned with those time-related principles. In the Grand Witch Sect, all time-related witchcraft were exceptionally powerful. Many of them were skills she had long dreamed of, yet previously had been unqualified to learn. As long as I keep this Time Stone with me at all times, once I reach the Secret Sixth Rank, I will have the qualifications to study them, Feng Shaoe thought joyfully to herself, then opened her palm again, gazing at the crescent-shaped crystal with delight, believing it to be the worlds most beautiful gemstone. But at that moment, she suddenly felt something grasp at her palm, and the Time Stone disappeared without a trace, gone in thin air. How, how is this possible?! Feng Shaoe was stunned, eyes wide with disbelief, staring at her hands, almost questioning if she was hallucinating. Could it be that the Master had changed her mind and taken back the Time Stone? With this thought, she looked up at her Master and saw Li Qiyun with an equally astonished expression, looking dazed as if struck by lightning. Master, what, whats happening?? Feng Shaoe asked in utter shock. How could this Is, is there perhaps some senior among us?? Li Qiyuns expression went from shock to panic, clutching Feng Shaoes shoulder, If our words just now had offended in any way, we plead for the seniors forgiveness. Li Qiyun of the Grand Witch Sect will not trouble you any longer, goodbye! Before she finished speaking, she had already whisked Feng Shaoe away in a flurry of wind and snow, disappearing without a trace in an instant, fleeing in utter panic. For Li Qiyun, someone clearly had just taken the Time Stone from right under their noses, in front of her, and she had not sensed a thing. This implied that the person who took the Time Stone had the same power to make her perish without her noticing! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Such divine power, such immense mana, it was simply inconceivable! Such a person, even among the Celestial Men, could not be ordinary! Frightened, she fled the scene immediately. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng, the great personality who had taken the Time Stone, was dashing as fast as he could toward Huangtong Mansion City, his heart racing with glee. The supplemental Spiritual Material for comprehending the Sword Technique of Conviction was finally within reach! Chapter 259 - Chapter 259: Chapter 259: The Sword of Time Chapter 259: Chapter 259: The Sword of Time The comprehension difficulty of the Sword Technique of Conviction was simply too high. Since obtaining this ultimate technique, Zhou Heng had attempted to comprehend it many times, but he had achieved very little success, with virtually no improvement in proficiency. Based on his current progress, if he wanted to master this ultimate technique, he feared that he would need to continuously comprehend it for hundreds of years, and success might still not be guaranteed. Of course, this was under the assumption that his cultivation realm did not improve. Nonetheless, the enhancement of ones cultivation realm is not something that can be achieved overnight. With his current martial arts foundation, he indeed couldnt successfully comprehend ultimate techniques of this caliber under normal circumstances. Although he had previously learned other Fourth Rank ultimate techniques such as Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, Overturning Heaven Three Palms, and Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law, the mastery of these three ultimate techniques actually had their specificities. Purple Thunder Seven Strikes, for instance, had its initial moves that were neither particularly powerful nor profound in concept, so the enhancement from lower-level martial arts was quite significant, allowing for straightforward comprehension and mastery. Overturning Heaven Three Palms was different. It was the basis of the Overturning Sky Seal from the Primordial Gold Chapters; both its concept and power were extremely formidable. The mere first move possessed the force of heavens and earth capsizing, making its comprehension naturally extremely challenging. However, at that time, Zhou Heng had an insight card, which allowed him to directly learn the Overturning Heaven Three Palms without truly experiencing the difficulty of comprehension. The comprehension difficulty of the Sword Technique of Conviction was even higher than that of Overturning Heaven Three Palms. It was an ultimate technique associated with the laws of time, a fundamental derivative of the Slaughter Immortal Sword from the Spirit Treasure Jade Scroll, and very obscure and hard to understand. With Zhou Hengs current martial arts foundation, naturally, he could not successfully comprehend it. And he had been worried about this all along. He felt like someone guarding a mountain of treasures but unable to find the entry. However, just now, upon seeing Li Qiyun take out the Time Stone and explain its effects, Zhou Heng felt that his opportunity might have arrived. Therefore, he decisively used an appraisal card on the Time Stone. The result was just as he expected This Time Stone, which contained the mana of times laws, not only allowed one to peer into fragments of others past but also had the effect of assisting one in cultivating time-related martial arts and Taoist formulas. It was just like when Zhou Heng initially mastered the Golden Crow Slaughter God Great Law. The fact that he possessed the heavy treasure of the Celestial Man Cave Sky, which intertwined laws belonging to the path of the sun, significantly reduced the difficulty of comprehending that martial art, enabling his mastery. The Time Stone provided him with this kind of assistance for comprehending the Sword Technique of Conviction. It was a big opportunity tailored just for him. However, if he directly snatched the Time Stone from Li Qiyuns hands, the risk would be too great. Although she couldnt detect Zhou Heng in his stealthy state, if he were a bit slow in taking something from her, he might get caught on the spot. After all, she was a Great Grandmaster at the Absolute Fourth Rank. When it came to the speed of making a move, it would undoubtedly be many times faster than Zhou Heng. Hence, Zhou Heng still chose to wait until the Time Stone was in Feng Shaoes hands before he stole it, and indeed, he stole the Time Stone from Feng Shaoes hands in the end. Moreover, the moment the Time Stone was in his possession, Zhou Heng placed it into the Celestial Man Cave Sky, in order to block Li Qiyuns perception. In doing so, even with Li Qiyuns Absolute Fourth Rank cultivation, even if she had made prior preparations and set some kind of tracking arrangement, she would not be able to trace the whereabouts of the Time Stone. And while placing the Time Stone into the Celestial Man Cave Sky, Zhou Heng began sprinting towards Huangtong Mansion City, lest Li Qiyun, in a fit of rage, flew straight into the sky to start carpet bombing. What he didnt expect was that, under stealth, his taking the Time Stone actually scared Li Qiyun, a Grandmaster at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank, into fleeing on the spot. It seemed he had been mistaken for some extraordinary figure. However, this was also good, avoiding many troubles and dangers. Zhou Heng quickly returned to Huangtong Mansion City but did not immediately enter the city. Instead, he cancelled his stealth on the outskirts, where it was quiet and deserted, and pretended to search around. Along the way, he deliberately encountered some people to ask questions before returning to Huangtong Mansion City. After all, when he had left earlier, he had said he was going to track down Feng Shaoe, so of course, the act had to be complete. After getting back to Huangtong Mansion City, Zhou Heng briefly described his process of tracking Feng Shaoe outside the city, putting on an appearance of regret for not having found her. Lei Xiuyan, Lin Cang, and others were not surprised by this, since they had all noticed that the White Tiger had the level of Secret Sixth Rank; it was normal for Zhou Heng not to have caught up. And perhaps this was not necessarily a bad thing. Afterward, Yu He proposed to host a banquet to welcome and clean the dust off Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan naturally agreed, and neither Zhou Heng nor Cheng Jianjian refused. Consequently, that evening, the banquet was laid out in Yu Hes restaurant, with delicious food freely provided and fine wines for unlimited drinking. In the end, Yu He, Lei Xiuyan, and Lin Cang all ended up drunk as lords. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had profound Inner Qi and martial arts techniques far beyond the ordinary; even by the end, they showed little sign of drunkenness. After settling Yu He and the other two, they returned home. The rental house in the far suburbs of Huangtong Mansion City was as usual. The landlord had gone to bed early, there were no lights in the yard, and Zhou Heng, bringing Cheng Jianjian along, easily jumped over the wall and entered, returning to the familiar courtyard. Zhou Heng pushed open the door to his room and was immediately greeted by a cloud of dustit had been over two months since he had last been there, and it was normal for dust to accumulate in the room. However, not a speck of dust could land on the current Zhou Heng. His Inner Qi was slightly revealed, wrapping around the dust and transferring it to the courtyard outside. Then, the two of them walked into the room, which looked just as familiar as before. I should thank you for back then. Otherwise, being wounded by the ghostly energy, my fate could have been uncertain, said Cheng Jianjian, looking at the now-repaired roof and smiling lightly. Speaking of which, do I still owe you a roof? When alone, she still liked to call Zhou Heng Young Master, instead of Little Uncle-Master as she did before. What, is Jianjian going to compensate me for a roof? Zhou Heng laughed. Mhm, it should already be counted in the rent I gave you, Cheng Jianjian said, her eyes twinkling playfully. The rent was quite substantial then. Ah, that Zhou Heng chuckled dryly, changing the subject, Speaking of which, how shall we arrange tonight? Just like before? He was referring to the time when Cheng Jianjian had been immobilized by ghostly energy and had to stay here. Meaning, Cheng Jianjian on the bed and him on a chair. There is no need for that, Cheng Jianjian replied softly shaking her head with a smile. Nowadays, both of us can replace sleep with meditating in a seated position. There is room enough for the both of us on your bed. Indeed, thats true, Zhou Heng observed his own bed. Although it was meant for a single person to sleep, if they were just to sit in meditation, there would be more than enough space for two people, and quite spacious at that. And so, that was how they settled it. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian replaced sleep with meditation, passing the night quietly on this one bed. It was all a very normal affair. In the following days, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian often visited the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. After all, Cheng Jianjians main purpose for coming to Huangtong Mansion City was to see what the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall was like and to assess the apprentices talents. These apprentices might one day truly become disciples of the Pure Yang Palace. Occasionally, when they saw a good prospect, they would personally offer some guidance, and the apprentices who received this advice would advance dramatically in their martial arts, becoming the envy of others. In addition to visiting the martial arts hall, Zhou Heng also took Cheng Jianjian to the sealed-off Wang Family and lingered on the road in front of the Wang family estate. This was where Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian first met. In the days that followed, Zhou Heng took Cheng Jianjian around various places in Huangtong Mansion City. Together, with their outstanding grace, they stood side by side, resembling a couple of immortals, inspiring envy in many. On the ninth day of the first month, during a heavy snow, Cheng Jianjian bid farewell to Zhou Heng and left Huangtong Mansion City. She needed to prepare for the upcoming Zhou Tian Boundary Officer gathering and the Chaoyang wine event. Moreover, according to her, life in Huangtong Mansion City was too easygoing and peaceful. If she stayed too long, she feared she might become too immersed in this comfort. Therefore, she chose to leave. Zhou Heng understood her feelings well. Not just Cheng Jianjian even he himself sometimes had the thought of living out his days in Huangtong Mansion City, enjoying the ease and comfort, which didnt seem too bad. However, occasional thoughts were just that, thoughts. Zhou Heng had long been clear about what he planned to do next and what his real purpose was. After Cheng Jianjian left, he also began to concentrate, reining in his wandering mind. On the tenth day of the first month, he started to use the Time Stone to assist his comprehension of the Sword Technique of Conviction. Of course, he didnt meditate in his rented lodging to avoid any anomalies upon successful comprehension that might affect the house and the landlord. Zhou Heng chose a mountain peak outside Huangtong Mansion City as the place for his meditation, where he could overlook the entire panorama of the prefectural city, expansive and unobstructed. He could also see the forest where he used to practice the Palm Thunder. Atop this peak, Zhou Heng withdrew his gaze from Huangtong Mansion City and took out the crescent-shaped crystal from the Celestial Man Cave Sky. The Time Stone. By now, this Time Stone had been made absolutely secure. Zhou Heng had reasons for waiting several days before beginning his comprehension of the Sword Technique of Conviction. On the one hand, Cheng Jianjians presence did pose some inconveniences; on the other hand, he had been utilizing the power of the Cave Sky during these days to purify the Time Stone, in case it bore any tracking spells left by Li Qiyun. Since Zhou Heng still couldnt personally enter the Cave Sky world, if he wished to use the Time Stone to facilitate his comprehension of sword techniques, he needed to take the stone out of the Cave Sky. Although Li Qiyun couldnt possibly track it while the Time Stone was within the Cave Sky world, the moment it was taken out, it could potentially attract Li Qiyuns attention. This was not a result Zhou Heng wanted to see. Fortunately, after his breakthrough to the Peak of the Seventh Rank, he gained a slight increase in his control over the Cave Sky world, allowing him to use some of the Power of Cave Sky for purification of specific items. This way, he could cleanse any arrangements on the Time Stone, making it a genuine aid and wonder, rather than a disaster-bringing calamity. Zhou Heng sat cross-legged on a large bluestone, holding the Time Stone in his palm, his eyes slightly closed as he gathered his spirit and began to comprehend the Sword Technique of Conviction. Indeed, meditating with the assistance of the Time Stone felt completely different than before. You are contemplating the martial art Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank], and due to holding a treasure containing the laws of time-related principles, the difficulty of comprehension has significantly reduced, proficiency +0.02. You continue to delve into the martial art Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank], triggering the Heaven Rewards the Diligent effect, further aided by the time-related treasure, you suddenly attain an epiphany, proficiency +0.8. Congratulations! The proficiency of the martial art Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank] has reached 1, you have officially mastered this martial art! Congratulations! Since you had a foundation in swordsmanship, your understanding of the martial art Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank] deepened, proficiency +3000. Congratulations! For having mastered the martial art Sword Technique of Conviction''[Absolute Fourth Rank], your insight into similarly-typed martial arts and Taoist formulas has deepened. The martial art Innate Formless Sword Technique''[Secret Sixth Rank], Sword Control Technique''[Secret Sixth Rank], proficiency +3000. The Taoist formula Divine Sword Thunder Control''[Sect Fifth Rank], proficiency +1000. As the reward notifications grew in number, Zhou Heng felt as if in a trance that he seemed to glimpse a vast and mighty river of bright silver, flowing in the unknown recesses of the cosmos. Within the river, the water shimmered with sparkling light. Besides bright silver, it exuded an indescribable luster, as if it contained all things in the world and spanned past, present, and future. This seemed to be the River of Time! Suddenly, he saw the River of Time beginning to condense, changing from its boundless expanse to a dwindling stream, until at last, it formed a pale cyan light. The pale cyan light, no more than three feet, was full of the resolve to kill. This was a sword light! The Conviction Sword Light! In this sword light, Zhou Heng felt the flow of time. All things in the world, under the wash of time, cannot remain forever unchanged; they must transform. This is the first gesture of the Sword Technique of Conviction, Ephemeral Time. Then, Zhou Heng felt a new enlightenment in his heart; the pale cyan sword light he saw seemed to encompass other profound truths. The flow of time itself seemed to be forcibly fixed by this sword light, no longer moving forward nor able to reverse, as if it would stay forever in the moment captured by the sword light. This is the second gesture of the Sword Technique of Conviction, Time Stands Still. Zhou Heng was contemplating in a fixed state, unaware of the passage of time within that state. Therefore, he sat on the green stone at the mountain summit for seven days and seven nights, until the morning of the seventeenth day of the month, when he slowly opened his eyes, awakening from the fixed state. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng spread his hand open, finding that the Time Stones radiance had slightly dimmed, but his heart was filled with infinite joy, and his eyes sparkled with vitality. [Absolute Fourth Rank] Sword Technique of Conviction: Third level (1/3000) The Sword Technique of Conviction, finally achieved!! Chapter 266 - Chapter 266: Chapter 266: This is called Unrivaled in the World! Chapter 266: Chapter 266: This is called Unrivaled in the World! No sooner had Yan Shouyis words fallen than he transformed into a golden rainbow, soaring into the sky and vanishing in the blink of an eye. Leaving Zhou Heng alone on the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, in a daze. Whats going on? Is my senior brother going directly to pick a fight with Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? A sense of alarm and doubt rose in Zhou Hengs mind. However, having a senior brother who would rush to stand up for him as soon as he heard his junior was being hunted down by high-level Martial Artists felt pretty good. But still, since Yunxiao Heavenly Palace was a malevolent Sect with a Divine First Rank, could his senior brother be in any danger? Zhou Heng stared in the direction where the golden rainbow Yan Shouyi had become disappeared, worry creeping into his heart again. Meanwhile. The golden rainbow Yan Shouyi turned into spanned over a million li in an instant, its incomparable might shaking the heavens and the earth, immediately causing a stir throughout all of Da Qi. Within the stele forest behind the Infinite Temple, an old monk sat in a withered state. Motionless, as if he were a piece of decayed wood. Suddenly, when a golden rainbow cut across the firmament, the monk immediately opened his eyes, looking up in astonishment, Yan Shouyi? What does he intend to do? Solar Divine Palace. Deep within the grand palace, a man in ceremonial robes sat with closed eyes, a small sun floating in the void before him, the phantom of a three-legged Golden Crow surrounding him. Suddenly, the Golden Crow flapped its wings, and the man frowned and looked outside the palace, his shocked voice echoing, Yan Shouyi, whats he up to? Five Elements Sect. Residing True Sun Qing Emperor Palace. Is the number one on the Celestial Ranking about to make a move? Longevity Way. This direction, is it towards Yunxiao Heavenly Palace?! Fengzhou Cui Clan. Is the true Yan about to cause a big stir? Yaochi Palace. Is Brother Shouyi going to take action against Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? It was not just the righteous Sects and noble families that sensed Yan Shouyis actions; malevolent Sects such as the Plague Emperor Sect, Honghua Palace, and Nine Deaths Sect also detected that Yan Shouyi was rushing towards Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. And the aura he emitted was sharp and unreserved. He was openly proclaiming to the world that the Residing True Sun, Yan Shouyi, the current number one on the Celestial Ranking, was seeking a grievance with the top malevolent Sect, Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. This led many powerhouses to speculate what great event could have enraged Yan Shouyi to such an extent that he would personally visit Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. In an era where Divine First Rank and Tao Second Rank remained reclusive. Yan Shouyi was truly considered the unparalleled number one in the world, invincible. His every move immediately caused a huge uproar across Da Qi. An undercurrent was swiftly forming. Many people and powers began to send out envoys to inquire whether there had been a significant conflict between Pure Yang Palace and Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, to better prepare for the future. After all, to many, Yan Shouyis actions signified signals of great import. If Pure Yang Palace and Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, these two behemoths, were truly to enter into full-scale war, it would surely lead to a series of chain reactions that could become a conflict affecting half or even the entirety of Da Qi. And while countless people made their speculations, Yan Shouyi had already arrived at the mountain gate station of Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, located in Suzhou to the northwest of Da Qi. This place was more than fourteen hundred thousand li away from where Taihua Mount in Yongzhou was situated, but to a Celestial Power like Yan Shouyi, it was merely a stones throw away. Unlike the gatehouses of most sects, the entrance to the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace is not on the ground but in the sky. What is called Heavenly Palace is actually a city in the sky, spanning tens of thousands of miles and floating above the high altitude of thirty thousand feet, hidden within the misty, ethereal clouds. This Heavenly Palace is very ancient, even older than Da Qi, and has been suspended in the air, inhabited for thousands of years. Around the Heavenly Palace, for over ten thousand miles, are all kinds of forbidden spells and formations. If any outsider tries to break in forcefully, they would immediately all activate, leaving the intruder with no place to be buried. Therefore, Yan Shouyi stopped ten thousand miles away from the Heavenly Palace and did not continue forward. Soon after, a voice transmitted from within the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Yan Shouyi, what brings you here? The voice was incredibly deep and full of dignity; the very sound caused the clouds in the sky to churn violently, as if they were encountering their sovereign and were about to pay homage. Youre actually asking me what Im here for? Yan Shouyi laughed upon hearing this. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze directed at the layers of cloud sea ahead, and he smiled, Chitian Shu, shall you come out to meet me, or shall I drag you out? Chitian Shu, the lord of the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace who took over five hundred years ago. Second on the Heavenly List. Arrogant! Chitian Shu shouted sharply, This is the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, do you dare take one step closer? Why would I need to take a step forward to capture you? Yan Shouyi laughed heartily. Suddenly, with a shake of his body, he instantly transformed into an enormous Primordial Spirit tens of thousands of miles in length. Behind him shone a radiance spanning tens of thousands of miles, the purest of the pure yang. At the same time, all the doctrines and laws of the pure yang in the world were moved, and everyone in Da Qi saw the grand and boundless figure of Yan Shouyi. To rival heaven and earth itself! Yan Shouyi, are you declaring war on my Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? Chitian Shus voice was filled with disbelief, Have you gone mad? The saints do not appear, the Tao Lords are not present; do you think youre worthy of making me declare war? At this moment, Yan Shouyi had none of his usual gentle and scholarly aura and became extremely arrogant, like a deity that ruled the heavens and the earth, with authority over all and sovereign in might. His words, like thunder, pierced directly through the forbidden formations ten thousand miles away from the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace and reached the city in the sky. In that instant, countless houses collapsed, numerous palaces disintegrated, unspeakable numbers of evil martial artists were killed, and myriad breeding grounds for evil creatures were destroyed. What on earth do you want?! Chitian Shu yelled angrily, clearly pushed to the brink of rage, but he still did not show himself and remained hidden within the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Oh, nothing much, just that some people seem to have forgotten what it means to be number one on the Heavenly List and what it means to be invincible in the world, said Yan Shouyi, grinning, his neck rotating with a crackle, The Yunxiao Heavenly Palace is suspended too high, I think it should come down a few thousand miles. Immediately after, the colossal figure that rivalled heaven and earth raised its right hand. In a mere instant, just as a deity would manipulate the cosmos, the entire region of Suzhou erupted with deafening roars, layer upon layer of clouds dispersed, and mountain after mountain trembled. Every single move he made was with the force of the endless heavens and earth. This is what it means to be a Celestial Man. At the same time, a sword light tens of thousands of miles long condensed in Yan Shouyis hand, piercing through heaven and earth, symbolic of the law, and its pure yang radiance turned hundreds of thousands of miles around the northern sky of Da Qi into gold. The Pure Sky True Sun Sword?! A Unique Divine Weapon! Ah! Yan Shouyi! Youre still the same madman you were three hundred years ago!! Chitian Shus curses bellowed. The next instant! The golden sword light blossomed across the sky, tearing through the void, and slashed down towards the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace!! Boom!! At the Golden Peak of the Jade Void Peak of Ta Hua Mount, Zhou Heng suddenly heard a colossal boom resound between heaven and earth. Though called a sound, it wasnt actually audible, imperceptible to the average person. This was a perception on the level of the spirit; he felt as though some rules and principles of the world had been shattered or suppressed. Even the clouds in the sky appeared to be surging abnormally, conveying a sense of desolation. Whats happening? Zhou Heng wondered in his heart. Boom! At that moment, the sound of the void being torn apart came, as the golden rainbow that Yan Shouyi had transformed into descended from the sky and landed beside Zhou Heng. He had reverted back to his scholarly demeanor, gentle and elegant, appearing like a typical good fellow. If it werent for the three heads he was holding in his hand Senior brother, what is this Zhou Heng stared at Yan Shouyi in astonishment, as well as the three heads that he held in his hand. To be honest, he was quite baffled. I chopped off three of Chitian Shus heads to get the whole story. The stubborn old man doesnt get any wiser with age, Yan Shouyi casually tossed the three heads into the cloud sea amidst the mountains, as if throwing away three rotten watermelons, and chuckled, I havent exercised with people for too long and have gotten a bit rusty. After all, one must constantly practice their skills. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ??? Zhou Heng now had a face full of question marks, staring blankly at Yan Shouyi. What had his senior brother just said? He chopped off three of Chitian Shus heads?? How many heads did Chitian Shu have?? And besides, wasnt Chitian Shu the current lord of the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, a Celestial Power?? Chapter 261 - Chapter 261: Chapter 261: The Demon Calamity That Hasnt Truly Ended Chapter 261: Chapter 261: The Demon Calamity That Hasnt Truly Ended The hall filled with deathly silence, a quiet that could make crows and sparrows mute within this expansive palace. All the star-officers and star-envoys present looked at Zhou Heng, their eyes widening in astonishment before turning to venerate Tianyi and Azure Dragon, who were in the midst of performing a respectful bowing gesture. What was happening? Many were unable to comprehend, even the faces of The Supreme and Celestial Power, these two celestial beings of immense prowess revealed traces of confusion. Even if Zhou Hengs star-position was that of the Ziwei Master, truly warranting the title of Master of All Stars and Grandmaster of Myriad Things, it was, after all, only a star-position which could not directly reflect ones actual strength or status. Tianyi and Azure Dragon were leaders in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer organization and held very high star-offices. If they were outside, their influence would pressure the entire world, being among the few counted Tao Lords. Moreover, at the Tao Lord realm, they had almost gathered all inheritances possible from the Zhou Tian Star Chart, obviating the need to act in accordance with their star-offices to strengthen compatibility. Therefore, in the eyes of The Supreme and Celestial Power, from the perspectives of personal advantage and in terms of identity and realm of strength, these two leaders had no need to behave as they were doing now. Even Cheng Jianjian, standing beside Zhou Heng, was somewhat shocked; she too had not anticipated that Tianyi and Azure Dragon, the two leaders, would show such high honor to Zhou Heng. But soon after, the eyebrows under her mask furrowed slightly. Cheng Jianjian realized that Zhou Hengs star-position was very special, and that the two leaders honoring him so might lead to some dangerous involvement for him in the future. In the midst of this silent atmosphere, Zhou Heng, the person concerned, appeared calm as if he had anticipated the actions of the two individuals. Because, at the same time when Tianyi and Azure Dragon saluted him, he received the star-position feedback from the Zhou Tian Star Chart, once again perceiving the ethereal images of all the stars in the sky and the true forms of the River Han. And he had a faint feeling that once his cultivation advanced further, he might be able to wield a sliver of power related to Them within the Purple Tenuity Palace. Perhaps this was what Tianyi and Azure Dragon were expecting of him. However, Zhou Heng didnt presume upon this. He also quickly brought his hands together and bowed deeply in return to Tianyi and Azure Dragon, saying, Thank you, seniors, for your great kindness, but such honors are really too generous. He had long recognized that a star-position was just that, and it was not necessarily equivalent to ones actual status. Star Master neednt worry, said Tianyi gently shaking his head with a smile. Azure Dragon and I hope that you may obtain more star-position authority so that the entire organization might fare better in the days to come. Indeed, although we nominally control the Purple Tenuity Palace, neither Azure Dragon nor myself hold the actual control authority, Azure Dragon also nodded with a smile. Even if our gesture only marginally increases the Star Masters authority, it would be worthwhile. It was then that the crowd understood that Tianyi and Azure Dragon had given such respect to the Ziwei Masterwho held martial path Seventh Rankout of collective consideration for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Seniors are noble of heart, Zhou Heng couldnt help but express his admiration. A gesture of Second Rank Tao Lord bowing to a Seventh Rank Warrior was like a celestial being from the heavens paying respect to a mortal martial artist. Only a truly magnanimous person could do such a thing. Haha, no need for such formality, said Tianyi with a wave of his hand before saying to the crowd, I suppose I need not introduce him further now. This is the Ziwei Master, its his first time joining the gathering, so dont take advantage of him too much at the trade fair. With those words, the mood in the hall instantly became more upbeat, eliciting laughter from many. A moment later. Azure Dragon spoke again, smiling, Apart from the Star Master, there is also one elder who has obtained new star-position and one new star-officer who has joined the organization, which you all must have noticed earlier. As he spoke, his gaze first landed on Cheng Jianjian before shifting to a resolute and elegant man standing three places ahead of her, who was wearing a garment adorned with stars and a crown, his mask painted with the image of a book. Star Officer Wenchang. And judging from the aura emanating from him, he appeared to be a Secret Sixth Rank Innate expert. Cheng Jianjian and the Wenchang Star Officer then stepped forward and saluted Tianyi and Azure Dragon. The Big Dipper Star Officer previously held the position of Tian Ji Star Envoy. After completing the promotion task, she earned the star-officers position, a joyful and congratulatory development, Azure Dragon said with clapping hands and a cheerful smile. The star-officers also took turns extending their congratulations, and the star-envoys present revealed envious looks, especially those who were originally under the Big Dipper Star Officer like Tian Xuan, Tian Quan, and Yu Heng. Cheng Jianjian returned the salutations and then withdrew back into the ranks. This is the newly joined star-officer, holding the Wenchang star-position, Azure Dragon continued smiling. Adding a Middle Third Rank powerhouse to the organization is a joyous occasion. Im flattered, leaders, Wenchang said with a smile. It is my honor to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer organization. No need for such courtesy here in the organization, just be at ease, Tianyi said with a wave of his hand and a smile. Thank you, leaders, Wenchang nodded before returning to his place. With that, introductions of newcomers at the beginning of the assembly came to a close. The hall once again settled into silence. Next, according to the procedure, I should speak about the recent situation around the world, Tianyi stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the audience, but this time, I wish to clarify one thing first. The crowd listened in silence. The recent demon calamity in the West Wasteland hasnt truly ended, Tianyi said with a grave voice. Although the great demons and Demon Lords intending to invade have been repelled, a Demon God, using a supreme treasure and expending all his might, managed to create a crack in the Ninety-Nine Provinces Great Formation. What?! A Demon God?!! The Ninety-Nine Provinces Great Formation actually got cracked! What impact will this have? Many star-officers and star-envoys were both shocked and a little fearful, sensing the seriousness of the situation. Even Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, who werent yet at Sect Fifth Rank, had limited knowledge of the West Wasteland, but just from the literal meaning of Tianyis words, they could surmise that this was likely no trivial matter. Demon God! Surely, its a Demon Entity of the Divine First Rank! And a supreme treasure capable of enhancing the methods of a Demon God would naturally be of the Divine First Rank as well, tantamount to a Unique Divine Weapon. Just the thought of such a force expending all its strength in an attack was terrifying. Everyone, please remain calm. Azure Dragon and I have already ascertained the impact, and this gathering serves as a good opportunity to inform you, Tianyi calmed the crowd with a gesture, and then he continued, Over the next ten years, not only ghosts and evil creatures will be born within the Central Plains, but also demon entities of various ranks. With those words, the people in the grand hall became incredibly quiet, their emotions varying behind their masks. Lord Tianyi, has the spirit contamination of the lower-tier demon entities weakened? The Supreme stepped forward to ask, his tone filled with concern for the future, Normal demon entities possess extremely strong spirit contamination. For martial artists who have not achieved Grandmaster status, merely knowing the details of these entities might cause them to go mad. Surely the lower-tier entities dont pose the same danger. Upon hearing this, the others could not help but nod, as this was also their concern. After all, the demon entities from the West Wasteland that they had faced before were at least equivalent to Sect Fifth Rank. This had little to do with warriors of Lower Third Rank or Secret Sixth Rank. That is to say, the main force against the demon entities from the West Wasteland were actually Sect Fifth Rank, Absolute Fourth Rank, and even stronger beings like Celestial Men and Tao Lords. It had little to do with ordinary people and common martial artists. However, under the coverage of the Ninety-Nine Provinces Grand Formation, all tiers of demon entities would naturally be born in the three countries of the Central Plains, meaning that demon entities would start to intersect with both ordinary martial artists and ordinary people. If these demon entities retained the same level of spirit contamination as those from the West Wasteland, it would be nothing short of a calamity for the entirety of mankind. Not as strong, but also not weak, Tianyis voice was bitter, and the Second Rank Tao Lord actually let out a long sigh, saying, Previously, Azure Dragon and I caught a naturally born Ninth Grade demon entity. After some testing, we found that even a Ninth Grade demon entity is enough to drive an Eighth Rank martial artist who has seen it with their own eyes crazy, losing all rationality. Unless that Eighth Rank martial artist practices a spirit secret technique or possesses a treasure that protects the spirit, it is difficult to resist this kind of spirit contamination. Even for those who have stepped into Seventh Rank, it is only possible to barely defend against it. Upon initial judgment, ones martial path cultivation must at least reach the peak of Seventh Rank to completely resist the spirit contamination of a Ninth Grade demon entity. As for whether stronger demon entities have stronger spirit contamination, at present, there are no examples to verify this, and its difficult to determine. This, this its not much different from normal demon entities, The Supreme sighed upon hearing this, saying, The spirit contamination of a Ninth Grade demon entity requires one at the peak of the Seventh Rank to defend against What can be done about this? Lord Tianyi, can these demon entities be killed with ordinary martial arts techniques? Tianli inquired, which was crucial to determining if the fight against the demon entities would be the responsibility of only the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers or all martial artists. They can be killed, Tianyi first nodded, then shook his head and added, However, it must be with Pure Yang, Solar, Thunder-type martial arts, or Taoist formulas that have certain specificities. This also meant that the situation in combatting demon entities would be similar to that with ghost entities and evil creatures, with the main dependency still being on the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, aside from a few unique sects. For a while, the entire grand hall once again fell silent, and the mood of everyone present became somewhat downcast. Lord Tianyi, I think theres another point we need to pay attention to, Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up, questioning, How are these demon entities born, and can we determine their presence by some signs? The essence of ghost entities is the Yin spirits born from Yin Sha qi, which need to possess a living person and fulfill their wishes to become real ghost entities. This causes the possessed person to exhibit obvious changes in character, making them relatively easy to identify. Although the sources of evil entities are varied, they feed on negative emotions. As soon as they appear, they inevitably cause chaos in the vicinity, making them not too difficult to find. But the manner in which these demon entities are born is entirely unknown to everyone present. The Star Master has asked a very good question, Tianyi smiled, but then fell silent for a short while before speaking, However, the answer to this question might be somewhat cruel. Compared to ghost entities and evil creatures, the way demon entities are born is more peculiar and more difficult to prevent or find. Their birth is tied to the nightmares of beings. What? Zhou Heng exclaimed in shock, almost thinking he had misheard, and asked incredulously, Nightmares can give birth to demon entities, are you talking about collective nightmares? No, Tianyi shook his head and sighed, Any living beings nightmare could potentially give birth to a demon entity. On hearing this, the many Star Officers and Star Envoys present couldnt help but look at Tianyi with a mix of surprise and doubt. This answer was just too strange. Yet how can demon entities be born from someones nightmare? Where does the energy come from to support the formation and cohesion of these creatures? Moreover, how do we go about searching for and preventing these nightmare-born monsters? It seems theres simply no way to do it. Finding and preventing the birth of demon entities are things Qinglong and I have been thinking about, and we will also discuss these with The Supreme, Tianli, and several other Celestial Men. Tianyi said in a deep voice, The reason Im bringing this up is to remind everyone to be extra careful in the future, to stay alert, and to avoid being caught off guard by demon entities suddenly. Next, Qinglong will discuss some other matters. With that, he stepped back, and Qinglong stepped forward. Setting aside the issue of demon entities for the moment, there are some more pressing matters to inform everyone about. Qinglong got straight to the point, shifting the topic, Northern Zhou and Southern Jin seem to have gotten wind of some secret and appear to be hatching plans for the territories of Da Qi. Also, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers from these two nations have been inquiring frequently into our organization while in the West Wasteland, especially At this juncture, he paused and turned his gaze towards Zhou Heng, smiling, Especially our Star Master here. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officers from Northern Zhou and Southern Jin have taken quite an interest in you, even making me feel that they might be entertaining ideas of abducting you to their turf. What? Zhou Heng was momentarily taken aback by this, then laughed, That cant be. Whether or not they truly entertain these notions, I would advise the Star Master to pay attention to his safety going forward. Should any anomalies or difficulties arise, our organization will provide full support. After several reminders from Qinglong, he continued, Apart from that, there is a group of Loose Immortals from the Eastern Sea who, along with their disciples, have covertly entered Da Qi, likely with some scheme in mind. Everyone should also keep an eye out in their daily lives. In two months time, there will be the centennial Grand Festival of the Wilderness God Mountain in the south. It is uncertain if any unforeseen events will occur, but if they do, they will likely impact Southern Jin first, so its enough that you all are aware of this. The barbarians on the northern steppes have been unusually quiet lately, which isnt quite normal, but similar to the Wilderness God Mountain, any problems that may arise will likely impact Northern Zhou first, and we just need to pay a bit more attention. Lastly, the situation with other worlds C lately, many worlds have seen an increased taint from evil creatures, and we need to take more action moving forward. These are the situations that I wanted to share with all of you. Now, its time for everyone to discuss any findings youve made in other worlds over the past six months. If you think theyre valuable, please share them. Grandmaster Qinglong, I have made a discovery. A man clad in golden armor stood up, his towering stature impressive and his mask painted with the depiction of a prison. This was the Star Officer Tianlao, a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Please speak, Qinglong nodded. A month ago, I went to a world called Mystic Vine Realm to complete a mission. The mightiest being there was comparable to an Absolute Fourth Rank. I discovered something peculiar while I was there. Tianlao narrated in detail, The people of that world worshiped two supreme gods, one named Nuwa and the other named Fuxi. They revered these two deities as the creators of the world, the origin of all laws, the progenitors of the human race. Ive seen the statues of these two deities, and they bear a strong resemblance to the Wa Huang and Xi Huang worshipped by the Youhuang Sect. I wonder if they have any connection to the lost secrets of the Ancient Mythological Era. Nuwa! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Fuxi! Zhou Hengs breath suddenly caught in his throat. This was his first time hearing these names in this world. Until now, even the Youhuang Sect had only worshipped deities called Wa Huang and Xi Huang. There had never been any precise names transmitted. Chapter 262 - Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Luck Test Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Luck Test ` Nuwa, Fuxi this is also the first time Ive heard of this, Azure Dragon said thoughtfully, turning to Tianyi beside him as if inquiring. I have never heard of it either, Tianyi shook his head lightly and then added, However, according to the description of the prison in Heaven, it may indeed be related to the Nuwa Emperor and Fuxi Emperor worshipped by the Youhuang Sect. The others also engaged in various discussions about this. However, no one was particularly concerned about this and soon they resumed reporting on other matters. After all, although the true identities of Nuwa Emperor and Fuxi Emperor might involve ancient secrets, firstly, the Youhuang Sect was not a heretical sect and secondly, this matter was not of much help to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and the crises Da Qi faced, so it was normal to not give it importance. Only Zhou Heng silently noted this matter, planning to find the prison officer alone after the gathering to chat about the Xuan Teng realm and Nuwa and Fuxi. The situations reported by many Star Officers and Star Envoys were mostly about the extent of the worlds contamination by evil creatures and some special cultivation methods. Zhou Heng was not particularly interested in this. After this phase ended, the long-awaited exchange meeting finally began. At this time, the situation in the great hall changed drastically; in the blink of an eye, it became a vast square, with preset stalls already in place. Although the most significant transactions of the exchange meeting were still those good deeds exchanged for treasures scheduled in advance, there were still many people who brought some idle items to sell. If one wanted to sell something, one just needed to go to a stall and set up shop. Such divine skills, as if changing heaven and earth, are astonishing, Zhou Heng looked around at the scenery and couldnt help but click his tongue in wonder and said to Cheng Jianjian beside him, Beidou, is there anything you want to buy? I dont have any particular plan to purchase; I need to browse first and see whats available before deciding, Cheng Jianjian said with a smile, I still have quite a bit of good deeds left, so Ill see if theres anything that catches my eye. Oh, how many good deeds do you still have? Zhou Heng was a little curious. I didnt pay much attention to counting it, but it should be over thirty thousand, Cheng Jianjian replied casually while her gaze was on the surrounding stalls. Thirty, over thirty thousand Zhou Heng was rendered speechless, indeed this girl was really wealthy, both in the secular world and within the organization. At that moment, a few people happened to pass by, one a Star Officer and three Star Envoys. After hearing Cheng Jianjians words, the expressions under their masks were stunned. And they deeply doubted their own money-making ability. Thirty thousand, ah! Why could a Seventh Rank Warrior come up with over thirty thousand good deeds?? That was outrageous. Noticing the mentality of these few people beside him, Zhou Heng hurriedly took Cheng Jianjian to a stall nearby to avoid any further stimulation. Showing off ones wealth was shameful, even if it was an unconscious show off. However, just as he stopped, he suddenly noticed something interesting about the items for sale at this stall. They were actually black boxes. There were a total of thirty or forty of them. Each of these black boxes was set with prohibitions that isolated divine sense perception, preventing one from peering into what was inside the box. The stall was manned by two people, one with a mask painted with a long spear, and the other with a mask painted with a pike, who were Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge, two Star Officers. During the time in Yuanhe Prefecture City, Zhou Heng had met these two individuals, with Xuan Ge even inviting him to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. However, these two did not know that Zhou Heng later joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer at the invitation of the Emperors inner seat, and naturally, they were unaware of the true identity of this Ziwei Master. Seeing someone coming over, Xuan Ge introduced with a smile, Welcome to both of you, these boxes are a fresh new play we put together for the stall, and it is quite interesting. Inside the boxes are items of varying value, from ordinary herbs to Middle Third Rank spiritual materials or rare martial arts; they all have a uniform price of one hundred good deeds. The quality of the item in the box you get is entirely up to luck, how about it? Isnt this just a blind box? Zhou Hengs expression under the mask was bemused as he looked at Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge and chuckled, Thats indeed quite interesting, did you come up with this yourselves? It was Tian Qiangs idea, Xuan Ge laughed, Is the Master interested? Indeed I am, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and scanned the boxes, and while his eyes swept past, he suddenly said to Xuan Ge, Give me ten of them. Ah? Xuan Ge was taken aback and exclaimed, Ten? That would be a thousand good deeds, Master, are you sure you want ten? A thousand good deeds were definitely not a small amount. For a Seventh Rank Warrior, that was equivalent to slaying ten Seventh Rank ghosts or evil creatures! Creatures of the same rank posed great threats; almost every fight was a life-and-death battle, and one could be in mortal danger if not careful, which made obtaining good deeds very difficult. And it was even harder for warriors of Middle Third Rank to earn good deeds, especially after reaching Sect Fifth Rank. Creatures at this level had turned into Ghost Immortals and evil spirits and were harder to deal with and not as numerous, making them harder to find. Originally, the Fifth Rank Sect Master Fang Su had worried over a thousand good deeds and had to borrow from Zhou Heng. Zhou Hengs manner of purchase also attracted the attention of others. Especially the owners of the nearby stalls, whose eyes were shining. ` But immediately, they recalled the words of the great Tianyi and his identity, and the small ideas that had just sprung up were thus quelled. The Ziwei Masters virtue is profound, and his good deeds are naturally immense, said Tian Qiang in a soothing voice, smiling. Xuan Ge, since the Ziwei Master wishes for ten boxes, we have no reason not to do business. Alright, Xuan Ge nodded and said, then Ziwei Master, please pick ten boxes. Ill also take ten, Cheng Jianjian said with a smile. They seem quite interesting, dont they? Ah? Xuan Ge was startled upon hearing this and looked up to see the former Tian Ji now Northern Dipper, promptly reminding him, Northern Dipper, that will be one thousand good deeds. Hmm, Ill transfer one thousand good deeds to you, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, as if it were a trivial matter. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had each casually spent over a thousand good deeds, immediately attracting many onlookers, including those of the Fourth Rank, such as the Horn and Five Emperors Inner Seats. However, no one used their Divine Sense Perception to forcibly pry, as doing so would not only spoil their own interest but also offend others. There was simply no need to do so. As the crowd grew larger and more people understood the rules, many became eager to try their luck. Although one thousand good deeds was not a small amount, each box only cost one hundred, making most people willing to gamble. Thus, the remaining boxes were quickly bought up. Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang earned three to four thousand good deeds in an instant, almost equivalent to their income from the past few years. After that, each blind box was opened, with some people delighted and others beating their chests in frustration. The worst off only received a common hemostatic herb, while the luckiest obtained a piece of Secret Six Rank spiritual material, bursting with joy. This was the difference in luck. Of course, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were the focus of attention, their blind boxes making up more than half of the total. And according to Tian Qiang, the Secret Six Rank spiritual material previously opened was not the best item available. This made everyone quite expectant. Then, Cheng Jianjian opened the blind boxes one by one, uncovering a Secret Six Rank elixir and a bottle of Seven Rank pills, which sounded a bit like a loss. Thus, only Zhou Hengs ten boxes remained unopened. Aside from the blind Tian Qiang, everyones eyes were on these ten boxes. Zhou Heng opened them one by one. Ordinary herbs, iron ore, gold One after another, the items were ordinary and unremarkable until the last box, which upon opening, revealed a burst of golden light that slowly rose on its own. Suddenly, an extremely rich fragrance of elixirs spread, and many felt as if they were witnessing rays of golden, dazzling starlight, as if they were in the midst of the starry sky. It was a pill. Thousand Star Golden Brilliance Pill, a Secret Six Rank elixir! Judging by its quality, it must be at least high-grade, with a very potent effect, someone commented. It is rumored that this pill aids in the formation of the Dharma Phase and is highly beneficial to Martial Artists stuck at the peak of Secret Six Rank. Not only that, its potency is so strong that even Fifth Rank Sect Masters could benefit from taking it if it really is high-grade, another exclaimed. The Ziwei Masters fortune is astonishing; a pill like this would cost at least three thousand good deeds if one were to make a wish, another remarked. More than three thousand. The Wishing Pool is always expensive, it could be four or five thousand, someone else speculated. The crowd around was buzzing with discussion. Those familiar with Zhou Heng came over to congratulate him; one thousand good deeds for a Secret Six Rank pill, possibly high-grade, was certainly cause for celebration. Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang also came over to thank him, declaring Zhou Hengs immense fortune unlike any other. Afterward, the two closed their stall and began to stroll around the trading event. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian also wandered the trading event for a while longer, purchasing some commonly used healing pills for emergencies. During this process, they ran into Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang several times. When the trading event ended, the gathering was almost over, with Tianyi and the Azure Dragon restoring the Purple Tenuity Palace to its original state, marking the official conclusion of the event. However, Zhou Heng did not leave immediately but stood on a mountain peak where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located, as if waiting for someone. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Are you waiting for Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang? Cheng Jianjian stood beside him, smiling. You noticed too? Zhou Heng smiled back. It wasnt difficult, Cheng Jianjian chuckled. Earlier, the two of them were wandering the stalls with their newly acquired thousands of good deeds, purchasing a good number of common healing elixirs and emergency talismans. Yes, these are all essentials for exploring relics or secret treasures, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said with a smile, by selling those boxes, on one hand, they were raising funds, and on the other, they were likely selecting partners, choosing those with good luck At this point, he paused, his gaze turned toward the foot of the mountain, Theyre coming. Chapter 263 - Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Flying Sword, Skipping Bullet Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Flying Sword, Skipping Bullet Zhou Heng had barely finished speaking when Xuan Ge and the Heavenly Spear had already arrived at the mountaintop. Weve seen the Star Lord. The two of them saluted with clasped hands and then turned to Cheng Jianjian with a smile, So Beidou is here too. Since the two of you are waiting here, you must have guessed our intentions? You havent concealed your own movements, so its naturally easy to guess, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Beidou and I dont like to play coy, so if you have any thoughts, feel free to speak directly. Indeed, Cheng Jianjian nodded. In that case, lets have Heavenly Spear explain, Xuan Ge nodded. Before this moment, you always push me forward, Heavenly Spear said helplessly, shaking his head, then continued, Weve discovered a secret realm, which is suspected to be related to the heritage of the Lawsaint of the Middle Ancient Era. With only our current level of cultivation realm, are we capable of touching the Lawsaints heritage? Zhou Heng said with a half-smile, I often hear that although one is born blind, there are also those born with the law eye that sees through fate and human hearts. If so, why beat around the bush when speaking? The Star Lord is absolutely right, it was my overcautiousness, Heavenly Spear took a deep breath and said solemnly, That secret realm is actually a cave dwelling, inscribed with a stele. Written on the stele is the phrase Wei Xixings Separate Residence. After some verification, weve loosely confirmed that this should be the legacy dwelling of Wei Xixing, a Fifth Rank Sect Master from the Middle Ancient Era. Wei Xixing came from a sect of the Middle Ancient Era that specialized in the study of fate, Astrology Gate, a branch of the Lawsaint lineage. However, Astrology Gate was destroyed before the Battle of Tianyang, making it initially difficult to confirm. Fortunately, there were still some rumors about Wei Xixing left in the world, allowing us to find some clues. After cross-referencing with other texts, we have roughly ascertained the identity of the dwellings master. Youre inviting us to explore this Wei Xixings Separate Residence together? Zhou Heng asked with a smile, Since it might be the legacy of a Grandmaster, why dont you explore it yourselves? Thats because the entrance to the dwelling is protected by a powerful restriction that cant be broken by our own strength, Heavenly Spear said with a wry smile, And the mechanism of that restriction is strange; if you cant forcefully break it or resolve it, it can only be opened by luck. By luck? Zhou Heng was astonished, then laughed, So there are such things. We are helpless as well, sighed Heavenly Spear, Thats precisely why we thought to use the method we did before to test the purchasers luck, while incidentally gathering good karma to buy the elixirs and talismans needed to explore the legacy secret realm. Well, that makes sense, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, but then he changed the subject and shook his head, Yet such a secret realm doesnt seem to have enough allure for me, especially since not even you are clear about what exactly is inside. Beidou, what do you think? Im not particularly interested, Cheng Jianjian also lightly shook his head. But, but thats the legacy of a Grandmaster, Xuan Ge was somewhat puzzled and said, For you, that should also be a good opportunity, right? And since none of us have explored it yet, how could we know whats inside? Risking the unknown for uncertainties isnt a good deal, Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle, Actually, I even thought about suggesting that none of you should go. How could that be, Heavenly Spear and I have put so much effort into Xuan Ge tried to argue. No need to speak further, Heavenly Spear stopped Xuan Ge with a wave of his hand and then nodded, I think I understand what the Star Lord means. After we have clarified what might be inside the dwelling, may we still come to you? Of course, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Im waiting for the good news. Thank you, Heavenly Spear nodded and then, pulling Xuan Ge along, descended the mountain, Lets go, well continue to investigate. Huh? Xuan Ge was utterly confused and puzzled, but he still followed Heavenly Spear down the mountain; he always listened to Heavenly Spears words. After the two had left. Cheng Jianjian smiled and said, Those two must come from extraordinary backgrounds; otherwise, they wouldnt have access to texts involving the Middle Ancient Era. Do you want them to continue to clarify the details of that cave dwelling? Exactly, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, Since there are records of this dwellings master in the texts, there are likely descriptions of his life. If diligently investigated, one should be able to find detailed information about Wei Xixing: what martial arts he knew, what treasures he had, who he had contact with, and maybe even some hidden secrets. What if in the end hes just an obscure figure, with only his name passed down through the ages? Cheng Jianjian asked with interest. Then this exploration of the dwelling will be irrelevant to you and me, and it wont be worth the risk for an uncertain dwelling, Zhou Hengs gaze turned toward the mountain base as he spoke with a smile, If Heavenly Spear and Xuan Ge find nothing, they will likely give up exploring on their own. After all, not everything in a Grandmasters legacy dwelling has to be a treasure, Cheng Jianjian nodded, Ive heard of people who went to great lengths and difficulties to open the sealed doors of a Grandmasters legacy dwelling, only to find that everything inside had been plundered long ago. Thats just too sad, haha, Zhou Heng laughed upon hearing this, then added, Actually, I hope they do find something interesting, after all, this dwelling is related to the Lawsaints heritage. And the Lawsaint is linked to the end of the Middle Ancient Era If indeed there are clues in this dwelling, perhaps we can learn some secrets of the Middle Ancient Era. This would be beneficial for him to investigate the various mysteries and truths of this world, and might even provide clues on finding a way back to Earth. At the base of the mountain. Xuan Ge was somewhat indignant and said to Heavenly Spear, Why didnt he agree? Thats the legacy of a Middle Ancient Grandmaster. Heavenly Spear, however, shook his head and said, No, youre wrong, thats just our perception, weve been too rash. For the Star Lord and Beidou, what we call opportunity is actually just a silver note filled with uncertainties. So what do we do now? Xuan Ge scratched his head and muttered softly, That seems to make sense. Heavenly Spear, there must be good things inside a Grandmasters legacy dwelling, right? This I was too impatient, Heavenly Spear sighed, Lets continue investigating. Moreover, our goal was initially to ask for the Star Lord and Beidous help, but we did not show enough sincerity too many issues, I was too hasty, too hasty. Youre just worried out of your mind, Xuan Ge patted Tian Qiangs shoulder, comforting him, Just calm yourself down and youll surely become that astute Tian Qiang who can see through the affairs of the world again. As for the other things, you have your brother here. Mm, I plan to go home for a bit, to put my mind at ease, said Tian Qiang in a deep voice. Ill go with you, Xuan Ge said. Okay, Tian Qiang nodded. After Xuan Ge and Tian Qiang left, Zhou Heng went to the Starlight Bridge, preparing to leave the Purple Tenuity Palace. Cheng Jianjian did not join him on this trip. The girl was thinking of completing a few more missions before the Morning Sun Banquet, or perhaps due to lingering trepidation from her previous cross-world journey, she decided not to take on other world missions for the time being. However, when Zhou Heng was about to leave through the Starlight Bridge, Fang Su suddenly came looking for him. Lord of the Stars, please wait, she approached Zhou Heng, and took out a brocade pouch, smiling, The flying sword you requested has been forged. You only need to refine it with your inner Qi to begin commanding it. Thank you, Zhou Heng took the brocade pouch, shook it, and smiled, Received, and Ill leave a good review after use. Good review? Fang Su was momentarily startled, but she quickly understood what that meant and smiled, Then I shall eagerly await the Lord of the Stars happy tidings. Zhou Heng had previously promised her that, if he felt satisfied with the experience of using this flying sword, he would give her an Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill that could extend ones life by ten years. Rest assured, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, waved to Fang Su, and then left through the Starlight Bridge from the Purple Tenuity Palace, summoned his reddish-brown horse from his Cave Sky, and returned to Huangtong Mansion City. Before the start of the Morning Sun Banquet, he didnt plan to wander around. He would first refine the flying sword. After all, this was a treasure-grade flying sword, equivalent to a Secret Six Rank expert. With his current state at the peak of the Seventh Rank cultivation realm, even an initial refinement would take quite a bit of time. Ten days passed by in the blink of an eye. By this time, Zhou Heng had already refined the flying sword into a Sword Pill, which could be used to cast light, as if it was an extension of his arm, equivalent to complete refinement, and he named it Purple Lightning. This process had gone much smoother than he had initially anticipated. Actually, at the beginning, Zhou Hengs progress in refining Purple Lightning was not smooth at all, and he hadnt even managed initial resonance after three days, let alone sword command. However, on the fourth day, when he was practicing the Sword Technique of Conviction, the flying sword seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, flew to his side on its own accord, and kept trembling as if it wanted to submit. After that, refining it became incredibly easy for Zhou Heng. He completed the initial refinement in less than a day, and after another two days, he had completed most of the refinement. He could now remotely command the flying sword and display swordsmanship. With this, Zhou Hengs strength had leaped forward dramatically. Even against a Secret Six Rank innate expert, as long as they did not possess a treasured weapon, he could put up a fight. And if he were to use the Sword Technique of Conviction, even Secret Six Rank might not be unslayable! On the twenty-eighth day of the first month. Zhou Heng bid farewell to Lin Cang, Yu He, Lei Xiuyan, and others, and set off to leave Huangtong Mansion City, planning to go to the Imperial City in Zhongzhou to attend the Morning Sun Banquet. However, not long after he left the city gate, he sensed that someone seemed to be tracking him in secret. And the presence was obscure and difficult to discern, definitely a master. After Zhou Heng traveled thirty miles from the city, the sun in the sky seemed to suddenly expand, and a dazzling, bright golden Sword Light suddenly descended from the heavens, striking at him. This Sword Light was extremely fierce, bringing with it an unparalleled high temperature. Before it even truly fell, he felt waves of scorching heat rushing towards him. Zhou Heng, ever vigilant, did not hesitate for a moment to dismount and roll on the ground to dodge. He also took the reddish-brown horse into his Cave Sky. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The next instant! Without a word, he opened his mouth and spat out a purple Sword Pill. This Sword Pill merely bounced lightly, and instantly turned into a purple lightning that slashed towards the Sword Light coming from the sky! A treasured weapon?! An exclamation followed. Chapter 264 - Chapter 264: Chapter 264: This Sword, Eternal in Time! Chapter 264: Chapter 264: This Sword, Eternal in Time! The treasured sword moved, distinctly different from ordinary weapons. At this moment, Zhou Heng executed the Sword Control Technique, and the Purple Lightning flying sword turned into a streak of lightning, losing the shape of a sword. Furthermore, it intertwined with a vast amount of elemental energy from heaven and earth, shaking the principles of thunder. In a flash, the wind and clouds changed color, and within a hundred zhang radius of the sky, winds stirred, and clouds swelled, filling with dark clouds. Purple lightning streaked and interwoven in the sky, emitting an extremely ferocious power. And under this cover of dark clouds, aside from Zhou Heng, all other beings felt an invisible sharpness around them, ready to strike with flying swords the moment they moved. And the intense sword light descending from the sky towards Zhou Heng had already collided with the Purple Lightning flying sword. Although this sword light was extraordinarily powerful, far exceeding the limit Zhou Heng could normally handle, after all, it was just a sword light. How could it compare to the genuine treasured sword that was the Purple Lightning flying sword? The moment the two collided, the sword light was immediately shattered by the Purple Lightning flying sword into countless light fragments, easily breaking them apart. Immediately after, the Purple Lightning flying sword, under the drive of Zhou Hengs Sword Control Technique, vibrated gently. All of a sudden, it let out a deafening thunderous roar, transforming into a purple thunder dragon, as if it split the gloomy sky in two. Sword Qi Thunder Sound! This was a high-level application of the Sword Control Technique, extremely powerful and fast. It could manifest the true form of Sword Qi, triggering natural phenomena, and in an instant reach the enemy, far surpassing ordinary Sword Control Technique. Normally, at least the seventh layer of the Sword Control Technique would be required to execute this Sword Qi Thunder Sound. With Zhou Hengs current level barely at the fourth layer, he should not have been able to use it. However, with the addition of the flying sword, which was tantamount to a weapon of Secret Six Rank on its own, this became possible. Moreover, Zhou Heng also employed the Purple Thunder Blade Skill on this sword move! Winter Thunderbolt! The purple thunder dragon, carrying the Purple Lightning flying sword and releasing endless sharp Sword Qi, seemed to transform into a world of thunder filled with layers of Sword Qi, rolling toward the person who had made a move just now. You little thing, youre bold! The attacker shouted furiously from above, flying in the sky, hidden within the layers of clouds, concealing his figure. Immediately, a gigantic flame palm pressed down from the heavens, engulfing an area of several dozens of zhang, aiming to grasp the flying sword that had turned into a purple thunder dragon. Flame, Solar Sword Light, are you from the Solar Divine Palace? Zhou Heng said gravely, recognizing the nature of the power the person was using, which bore a great resemblance to the Solar Divine Palace. Enough talk, die! The person above coldly snorted without giving a direct answer. At the same time, the ground beneath Zhou Heng suddenly trembled and surged. Then the land around him burst apart, and from within emerged a tiger-shaped behemoth made of earth, over ten zhang high, pouncing ferociously toward Zhou Heng. Boom! Boom! As the tiger-shaped behemoth moved swiftly, shaking the ground beneath Zhou Heng, heavy shockwaves spread out, overwhelming like a tumbling mountain. Before the tiger-shaped behemoth even arrived, Zhou Heng had to face continuous shockwaves one after another. Furthermore, with the behemoths incredible speed, if he leaped up to dodge and follow the surging shockwaves on the ground, he would inevitably be unable to escape the attack of the tiger-shaped behemoth. In an instant, Zhou Heng was at a severe disadvantage. His opponents cultivation level was extremely high, at the very least a high-level expert of Secret Six Rank with Innate True Qi. And he was in his prime, fully prepared, a Secret Six Rank expert! Clearly, he had come to kill Zhou Heng. Every move was a killing blow! If it were Zhou Heng before obtaining the Purple Lightning flying sword, facing such an expert, he would have certainly died unless he used a special skill card to turn the tables. But now it was different. With a treasured sword in hand, his strength had undergone a dramatic change. Just when the tiger-shaped colossal beast was about to pounce over, the shockwave was surging towards him, and the purple thunder dragon created by the Purple Thunder Blade was about to be caught by the giant flaming hand, Zhou Heng suddenly closed his eyes. In his Divine Sense Perception, a river that spanned the past, present, and future emerged. With a sword technique formed in his hands, the Purple Thunder Blade immediately trembled and soared into the sky. Clang! The sound of the swords cry pierced through all directions. A gleaming ripple of aquamarine sword light shot out from the purple thunder dragon, positioned across the void, and unexpectedly froze everything within a radius of more than thirty feet. Sword Technique of Conviction! Time Immemorial! Whether it was the tiger-shaped beast formed of clumps of earth, the giant flaming hand pressing down from the heavens, or the ground shockwave rapidly spreading, everything came to a halt. Even the figure hiding in the clouds was suddenly stiffened, completely unable to move. It was as if time itself had stopped flowing. In fact, such a large scope of effect was far beyond the limits Zhou Heng could normally achieve. Without the Purple Thunder Blade, at best he could have frozen a martial artist who was half a step into the Secret Six Rank. Yet even so, he felt his bodys Inner Qi, which should have been endlessly regenerating, gushing out as if a large vat had suddenly been shattered, about to be completely depleted in the blink of an eye! The consumption of this sword technique was too tremendous and terrifying! Moreover, such a freeze effect could at most last for less than a second. But, in a battle of life and death, even such a brief moment was more than enough! Boom! The thunderous roar of the Sword Qi resounded once again. The aquamarine sword light that had just frozen everything around it suddenly lit up with a purple hue. Clang, clang, clang! The intertwined aquamarine and purple sword light soared high, cutting through the sky, shattering the clouds, and striking the figure behind them. It was only then that the passing sword light stirred up gales, causing turbulence in the air flow. The clouds, shattered like the surface of a lake struck by a boulder, spread out in layer upon layer of cloud vapors. The two movements of the Sword Technique of Conviction not only had limitless mystical effects but also incredibly strong attacks, greatly enhancing the sharpness of the Purple Thunder Blade. This strike was as effortless as breaking dead branches, directly penetrating the protective True Qi and the armor of the person behind the clouds, tearing flesh and bone! Straight through the heart! At the same time, through this sword strike, Zhou Heng sensed the internal condition of this person and unexpectedly found that his martial arts werent passed down from the Solar Divine Palace as previously displayed. Instead, it was a tumultuous, boundless, and supremely vast sea of clouds. The Unsettled Sea of Clouds! Were the previously displayed martial arts, supposedly from the Solar Divine Palace, all a ruse? Then who was this persons true identity? As Zhou Heng pondered, the Purple Thunder Blade completely extinguished the life force of that Secret Six Rank expert in the sky. Blood immediately stained the heavens. The spreading white clouds were tinged with the color of blood. Splat! A corpse with its entire chest hollowed out fell from the sky, fragilely breaking into several pieces, completely shattered, blood flowing everywhere, a sight most miserable. Normally, a martial artist at the Secret Six Rank, even if they had not focused on strengthening their bodys toughness through cultivation, would still not be this fragile just through the enhancement of their refined True Qi fostering their body. But as the corpse was penetrated through the chest by the Purple Lightning Flying Sword, it also suffered another blow. Zhou Heng, through the Purple Lightning Flying Sword, remotely executed the Undying Seal Technique to absorb the enemys True Qi, depleting this Secret Sixth Rank experts entire cultivation. This naturally resulted in a significant loss of vigor and structural integrity in the corpses blood, qi, and bones, nearly smashing it into a pulp. Congratulations! You killed the formidable enemy Liu He, Fortune Bag [Silver] +3. Whew. Zhou Heng let out a long sigh of relief, looking a bit pale. The battle had exhausted him so much that he had almost used up all his Inner Qi and could barely stand. This was undoubtedly the most draining battle he had faced since his transmigration. The opponent, after all, was a genuine Secret Sixth Rank Innate expert, whose strength was indeed very formidable. Even with the Purple Lightning Flying Sword, such a powerful treasure in hand, defeating him was extremely difficult. A Secret Sixth Rank Innate expert could mobilize the energy of heaven and earth on a large scale, which was not something an individuals power could contend against. If it wasnt for his mastery of the Sword Technique of Conviction, a technique far beyond his current level, which allowed him to turn the tide in time, he might not have emerged victoriously in the end. Clang! With a resounding sound of sword ringing, the Purple Lightning Flying Sword fell from the sky, spinning around. The purple light flickered, cleansing itself of all impurities, then transformed into a quail egg-sized Purple Sword Pill, Zhou Heng opened his mouth and swallowed the Purple Sword Pill. Instantly, the True Qi just absorbed and transformed from Liu He spread out, reaching every limb and nourishing his body. Normally, True Qi absorbed and transformed in such a way would contain the spiritual imprint of its original owner and had to be refined before it could be fully converted. But Zhou Heng was different; his Inner View of Three Lives, Myriad Things inherently had the ability to encompass everything, and his Pure Yang Scripture contained the Power of Pure Yang, capable of refining spiritual impurities. Besides, the Undying Seal Technique also had the effect of cleansing spiritual impurities, and combined with the Thunder Power contained in the Purple Lightning Flying Sword, the spiritual imprint within the True Qi had been completely cleansed, leaving no residue, just pure energy. Therefore, for Zhou Heng, this bundle of True Qi was an excellent tonic. Not only could it replenish his Inner Qi that he had just expended, but it also provided a base for his consumption when executing powerful martial arts later on and even enhanced their power. Liu He, this name is very common, and it is not known which power he came from, Zhou Heng murmured with a frown. After recovering, he approached the body, which was now torn apart and becoming indistinct in flesh and blood. He began to search thoroughly. There were personal valuables of gold and silver, a Qiankun Bag; he directly collected these possessions into his Cave Sky. Beyond that, he also found an Identity Token with Solar Divine Palace inscribed on it. Really from the Solar Divine Palace? Zhou Heng was still somewhat doubtful. After pondering for a moment, he decided to use an Identification Card. Being attacked out of the blue by a Secret Sixth Rank expert was not a trivial matter. It warranted the use of an Identification Card to investigate. After using the Identification Card, the true information of the Identity Token was revealed. Solar Divine Palace True Transmission Token (Forgery): An Identity Token imitated by Qiu Yuanchang, a disciple from the Heavenly Palace Sect. The material is average, with nothing mystical about it, but the craftsmanship is very meticulous. To the eye alone, it could almost be mistaken for the genuine article. So it was a forged Identity Token from the Heavenly Palace Sect. Zhou Heng had an epiphany and also remembered what that unsettled cloud sea he had perceived earlier was. That was one of the most common Inner View scenes of a Secret Sixth Rank Innate from the Heavenly Palace Sect, which could also use the twisting cloud sea to simulate the Inner Qi of other types of martial arts. You Ziheng had mentioned it to him once before. That meant the Liu He who had just attacked him was indeed an expert from the top-notch evil Great Sect Heavenly Palace Sect. But why does the Heavenly Palace Sect suddenly want to assassinate me? And they specifically sent a Secret Sixth Rank to do it, wondered Zhou Heng, his mind filled with confusion, unable to understand the reason. After all, if the Heavenly Palace Sect wanted to get rid of him, they could have taken action long ago, so why wait until now? Was it because of the evil sects Killing Order from before? Or was it that earlier in the city, it was inconvenient for the Heavenly Palace Sect to make a move? Zhou Heng pondered yet couldnt understand, still very puzzled in his heart, he thought to himself, Could it be that something big has happened recently that Im unaware of, making the people from the Solar Divine Palace even more unbridled? With such thoughts, he began to consider whether he should take a trip back to Taihua Mount first via the starlight bridge of the Purple Tenuity Palace to inquire about the situation. After a brief contemplation, Zhou Heng made up his mind. To return to Taihua Mount first. Anyway, the transmission speed through the Purple Tenuity Palace was extremely fast, and it wouldnt delay much time and he wouldnt miss the Morning Sun Banquet. Subsequently, he rode his horse towards the nearest entrance of the Purple Tenuity Palace. However, shortly after Zhou Heng rode his sorrel horse for less than ten miles, he suddenly raised his eyebrows, sensing an ambush in the woodlands on both sides of the road ahead. Kill! At that moment, thunderous shouting erupted from ahead. Over twenty martial artists suddenly charged out from both sides of the road, each wielding a weapon, their inner qi stirring, vaguely resonating with the world outside, attacking Zhou Heng. All of them were at the peak of the Seventh Rank! In the world of rivers and lakes, those at the peak of the Seventh Rank werent only limited to the famous experts on the youth list; that was just those below thirty years of age. Those above thirty, including those at the peak of the Seventh Rank, were not uncommon in the Great Sects and noble families. But Zhou Heng had never expected that just after killing a Secret Sixth Rank, he would encounter over twenty at the peak of the Seventh Rank. He got furious right away, didnt even dismount his horse, directly brought his fingers together as if holding a blade, and slashed forward with his hand. Boom! The Purple Thunder roared wildly, as if a world of thunder had descended, enveloping everything in front of him in an instant. Purple Thunder Blade Skill! Winter Thunderbolt! All of you die!! Zhou Heng shouted fiercely. Catastrophic thunder descended! Like doomsdays disaster, those over twenty experts at the peak of the Seventh Rank rushing towards Zhou Heng were swallowed by the sea of thunder; they perished on the spot, in an instant becoming charred. The gap was truly immense. Zhou Hengs current strength had already surpassed what the level of peak of the Seventh Rank could describe. However, just after killing these twenty-some people, before he could even catch his breath, he heard clapping from the heavens above. Clap! Clap clap clap! Clap clap! Then, a figure was seen descending slowly on auspicious clouds and hovering in the air in front of Zhou Heng. This was a handsome man dressed in a luxurious white brocade robe, wearing a jade crown and holding a folding fan, appearing to be around thirty, exuding an elegant demeanor. However, this man had an incredibly arrogant look. He stood in mid-air, looking down at Zhou Heng, and laughed, Facing so many assassination attempts in a row, arent you surprised, shocked? Honestly, the fact that you killed Junior Brother Liu surprised me as well. No matter by what means youve done it, such strength is indeed rare in the world. What a pity, such a pity. You must die today, Zhou Heng!! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The moment his words ended, the man made his move. He unfolded the fan in his hand, and surprisingly, it was painted with a picture depicting a plethora of charming and coquettish figures. A mere gentle fanning brought forth a light breeze, and the scene before Zhou Hengs eyes changed. He found himself in a fresh and elegant manor, with twelve incomparably beautiful yet distinctively tempered maidens stepping lightly towards him. With each step they took, their robes loosened a fraction, and the ties at their chests also unraveled a fraction Chapter 265 - Chapter 265: Chapter 265 What It Means to Be the Top of the Heaven Ranking! Chapter 265: Chapter 265 What It Means to Be the Top of the Heaven Ranking! These enchanting and suggestive beauties were simply too much for any ordinary man to bear; theyd likely become intoxicated, losing all sense of day and night, season upon season, until their deaths. However, for Zhou Heng, whose mental fortitude was extraordinarily strong and whose divine soul was no weaker than any Secret Sixth Rank, who was also adept in various illusion techniques and martial arts, these were hardly worth mentioning. Facing these voluptuous women who approached him with swaying grace, he remained utterly unmoved. With a flick of his fingers, invisible sword qi erupted in succession, and in the blink of an eye, these women were struck into bloody messes. Innate Formless Sword Finger. Moreover, under Zhou Hengs sword qi onslaught, the elegant manor was no exception to the destructionit shattered on the spot. Soon after, everything before his eyes began to distort and gradually fade away. Just as everything was vanishing, Zhou Heng suddenly felt a blast of wind from behind, followed by an unsurpassed and terrifying force attacking him. This attack was exceedingly fast; he didnt even have time to use the Five Elements Escape Skill before the strike landed on his back. Dong! The sound of a bell tolling resounded as the already advanced Golden Bell Cover was automatically triggered, emitting a dark golden light on Zhou Hengs body and projecting an ethereal bell-shaped phantom. Even so, it couldnt completely withstand the dreadful force that struck with swift ferocity, and at best played only a diminishing role. It was a folding fan. The man who had previously been floating on auspicious clouds in the air had taken advantage of the brief moment Zhou Heng broke the illusion to get behind him, drawing his folding fan and striking directly. Even though the strike wasnt specifically infused with the energy of heaven and earth, the power of a Secret Sixth Rank expert, relying solely on innate true qi and physical strength, was more than enough to easily kill most warriors at the peak of the Seventh Rank. As a result, after breaking through the Golden Bell Cover, the strike landed on Zhou Hengs back, sending him flying sideways through the air. The force penetrated Zhou Hengs back and rampaged through his body, and no matter how he tried to resist with his inner breath, it was futile. Even the true qi in his sword pill could only neutralize it at a ratio of ten to one. It seems the essence of the force in the attackers fan strike was even stronger than true qi! True Gang?! Zhou Heng, gritting his teeth, managed to squeeze the word out from his throat, with a trace of blood on the corner of his mouth. He was sent flying thirty yards by the strike, and only managed to come to a stop by using the Thousand Catty Falling Method, standing on the ground with a somber expression. Yet that single blow had already caused him severe injuries. His meridians were in disarray, his inner qi dissipated, his organs damaged, the surge of blood nearly brought him to the point of vomiting it on the spot. Fortunately, there was still quite a bit of true qi remaining in his sword pill after eroding away the True Gang, and it was rapidly seeping out to nourish and heal his body. Qiu Yuanchang, True Gang Realm, the Heavenly Palace really went all out. Zhou Heng looked coldly at the man casually waving his folding fan, who wore a relaxed expression, and spoke in a deep voice, One in the True Energy Realm, one in the True Gang Realm, and more than twenty peak Seventh Rank warriors, all to assassinate me, Zhou Heng? Zhou Heng, having suffered a strike, naturally received a reward notification and learned the name of Qiu Yuanchang. Secret Sixth Rank has two levels; the first is to build the bridge between heaven and earth, step into the Innate Realm, and draw qi into the body to transform inner qi into true qi. What follows is the refinement of true qi into various types of True Gang based on the martial art practiced. The essence of True Gang is far stronger than true qi; there is at least a tenfold difference in strength before and after the transformation into True Gang. Liu He, who Zhou Heng had killed earlier, was at the True Energy level. This Qiu Yuanchang before him had undoubtedly been able to refine True Gang, making him an immensely strong opponent. This was the first time Zhou Heng had faced a Secret Sixth Rank in the True Gang Realm. Oh, for a Pure Yang Palace junior to actually know my name, Im flattered, truly flattered, Qiu Yuanchang started laughing and said, However, knowing my name is no use to you, Im not going to listen to your pleas for mercy. As for why such a force has been deployed to kill you, firstly, your strength is indeed exceptional and youre no small matter, and here Liu He still fucking fell at your hand. Secondly, well, you refused an existence you shouldnt have, harmed one you couldnt afford to provoke, and we simply followed orders. I urge you to commit suicide quickly, lest I have to waste more methods on you. Ha, my life is right here. If you have the ability, come and take it yourself! Zhou Heng spat out as he spoke, and a purple sword pill flew out, lightly leaped and transformed into a longsword, hovering beside him, awaiting his command. But he didnt think he could overpower Qiu Yuanchang by normal means. Having cultivated True Gang, a Secret Six Rank was simply too formidable. Even if he had mystical weaponry, Zhou Heng, at the peak of the Seventh Rank, could not overcome him, even with all sorts of secret skills and fundamental attribute enhancements, he was no match. From ancient times to the present, instances of a Seventh Rank peaker overpowering a True Energy Realm Secret Six Rank with mystical weaponry were rumors of dubious authenticity at best. Not to mention facing a Secret Six Rank in the True Gang Realm, that was utterly unheard of. The gap between the peak of the Seventh Rank and the Secret Six Rank was just that huge. Vastly greater than heaven! There was no possibility of turning the tables. And because of this consensus throughout the ages, Qiu Yuanchang never worried hed fall at the hands of Zhou Heng. A Secret Six Rank who had cultivated True Gang had no possibility of failing to kill a Seventh Rank peaker. Even if the foe possessed mystical weaponry, even if the foe mastered a Fourth Rank secret skill, or even a Third Rank divine skill, it would be of no help! Kid, youre seeking your own death! Qiu Yuanchang grinned and snapped his folding fan shut immediately. And at the moment the folding fan shut, with his speed, he should have already appeared in front of Zhou Heng, then slapped Zhou Hengs head right into his abdomen. That was how it should have been. However, reality didnt unfold in such a manner. The moment Qiu Yuanchang shut the folding fan, and lunged towards Zhou Heng, he suddenly discovered that the Zhou Heng in front of him had shrunk. No! His entire form had changed. The human-shaped Zhou Heng was gone! In his place was now seemingly an ordinary slender dog, staring at him with a fierce gleam in its eyes, fixing him with a deathly glare. A shape-shifting card! Sky-barking Dog! What?! Qiu Yuanchang was baffled; he never thought Zhou Heng would resort to such tactics. A shape-shifting technique? An illusion technique? Or something else? But what use was that? It was just a slender dog. While the Secret Six Rank master who had cultivated True Gang was pondering, the slender dog suddenly moved, so fast that it surpassed his reaction limit. The dog was like a black streak of light, flashing past Qiu Yuanchangs shoulder. The next instant. The dog landed gracefully and transformed back into a human form, standing with his back towards Qiu Yuanchang. At the same time, a head flew up, fell to the ground, and a headless body collapsed backward, blood flowing everywhere. Congratulations! Youve killed a doomed enemy Qiu Yuanchang, and your Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. The reward notification sounded. Zhou Heng took a long breath of relief. He had finally taken care of another Secret Sixth Rank expert and had also gained a Gold Fortune Bag as a decent harvest. However, he dared not linger. After a quick search of the body, he hastily departed. He must return to the Purple Tenuity Palace as soon as possible. Otherwise, if he encountered another Sect Fifth Rank or even an Absolute Fourth Rank evil expert, that would spell complete disaster, and he would have to use his special abilities again. On a forest path, a caravan slowly made its way. The caravan consisted of more than twenty people. Leading them was an Eighth Rank Warrior named Sun Liang, a trainer from the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall and one of the three Eighth Rank Warriors in the group. This caravan was out to purchase daily necessities for the Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls branch in a county below. They had already finished the shopping and were on their way back to Huangtong Mansion City. Sun Liang was very satisfied with this procurement, it could be said to be the most satisfactory one he had done in the last few months. That was because they had an efficient new helper. Xie Chong. This youngster was said to come from a poor family, with no martial arts foundation to speak of. He had little hope of becoming an official apprentice, yet fortunately, Zhou Heng took notice of him and allowed him to join the martial arts hall. Furthermore, after joining the martial arts hall, Xie Chong displayed an extraordinary martial arts talent. In just one or two months, its said hes about to master a Ninth Grade technique to a great level of proficiency. He truly is a natural-born prodigy. This time, taking Xie Chong out for procurement was arranged by Yu He, to have him run errands and help out so he could earn some silver coins to support his family, as the trip would not take many days. But Xie Chong was immensely grateful to both Zhou Heng and Yu He. Since it was something arranged by Yu He, he naturally did his utmost to complete it, busily assisting Sun Liang throughout the trip and taking quite a load off his shoulders. Moreover, because of his meticulous and serious nature, he was also handed the important task of observing the conditions along the sides of the road and aheadvital for the caravans safety. If only this youngster could accompany us on every trip, that would be wonderful, Sun Liang thought contentedly. But just at that moment, the caravan suddenly stopped. It was Xie Chong signaling to halt. Whats the matter? Little Xie, has something happened? Sun Liang asked, puzzled. Master Sun, I smell blood ahead, Xie Chong said, his face cautious. There might be a battle ahead, or someone might have been killed and their body discarded. Master Sun, can we take a detour? That is Sun Liang glanced around and then shook his head. This is the only way back. We cant take a detour. Lets go ahead together and scout the situation? Yes, thats all we can do, Xie Chong nodded. Immediately, the two instructed the rest of the people to watch over the caravan. Then, camouflaging themselves with the underbrush and trees, they moved slowly forward, soon coming upon a headless corpse lying in a pool of blood. Not far from it was a head with a ferocious expression, eyes wide as if it had seen something unbelievable before dying. My goodness, this is a terrible way to die. Xie Chong didnt recognize the person and exclaimed involuntarily. But Sun Liang next to him was struck as if by thunder, his mouth agape and his face full of disbelief as he exclaimed, This, this is Compassionate Son Qiu Yuanchang, a Secret Sixth Rank powerhouse who had cultivated True Gang! ` Twenty years ago, he was also a top twenty expert on the human ranking list, a true disciple of the heretical Yunxiao Heavenly Palace who had stepped into the Innate Realm even twenty years ago. He he was actually beheaded?! What, a Secret Sixth Rank powerhouse?! Xie Chongs face was full of shock, as a Secret Sixth Rank was completely unattainable for him, a very important figure indeed. Who would have thought that on this trip out, he would actually come across a beheaded important figure on the way back. However, its good that he died, really good! Sun Liang suddenly burst into laughter, looking at Qiu Yuanchangs head with gritted teeth: That beast caused harm to countless young girls when he roamed the martial world. Good riddance to him! Heretical fiend, indeed deserving of death! Xie Chong nodded, then looked around and suddenly shouted, Master Sun, look there, theres a pile of charred remains, ah, its human-shaped charred remains, could these be a group of people?! What, people?! So many! Sun Liang exclaimed with a surprised face, all these people looked as if they had been struck by lightning, turned to charcoal. Having plenty of experience in the martial world, he picked up a branch nearby and, taking Xie Chong with him, walked over to poke around the charred remains and soon dug out some things that hadnt yet carbonized from them. Among them were several identity tokens, with Yunxiao Heavenly Palace written on them! Hiss!! Looking at these partially melted identity tokens, Sun Liang couldnt help but gasp in horror and said, A big incident has occurred, these people are likely Seventh Rank Warriors from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Over twenty, all of them?! Hearing this, Xie Chongs eyes widened in shock: No, it cant be! There surely arent that many Seventh Rank Warriors in Huangtong Mansion City. It should be correct; Ive seen this kind of token style when I traveled in my younger years, said Sun Liang, now somewhat nervous. He looked around and after briefly pondering, said, Struck by lightning, beheaded Little Xie, I have a guess. A guess? What is it? Xie Chong asked, puzzled. The one who killed these heretical fiends is likely no other, Sun Liangs gaze turned towards the direction of Huangtong Mansion City, than our Martial Hall Master, Zhou Heng! Could our Hall Master already kill an important figure of the Secret Sixth Rank? Xie Chong exclaimed in shock: Thats too amazing! This place is already close to Huangtong Mansion City, and within a hundred li, the only one proficient in the use of Thunder is the Hall Master alone, Sun Liangs eyes also filled with wonder, saying, The Hall Master is truly a gifted genius, from the Peak of the Seventh Rank to kill a True Gang, unparalleled in all ages! While Sun Liang and Xie Chong discovered the bodies of Qiu Yuanchang and others, feeling utterly shocked, Zhou Heng had already passed through Purple Tenuity Palace to Yong State, returning to Mount Taihua. This time he did not go to find You Ziheng, but instead went directly to the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak to seek Yan Shouyi. The abrupt mobilization of such a formidable force from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace to attack him, which clearly had the intent to kill, as well as the incoherent words previously spoken by Qiu Yuanchang, all made Zhou Heng feel puzzled. He felt that it might have something to do with higher-level matters, so it was more direct to ask Yan Shouyi. Yan Shouyi seemed to have sensed Zhou Heng coming and had been waiting outside the grand hall even earlier. Little brother, youve come, Yan Shouyi said with a smile: It seems youve recently experienced some things? Brother, your insight is as sharp as ever, Zhou Heng said, nodding slightly as he bowed with a clasped fist, then got straight to the point and recounted his recent encounters. About this matter If Im not mistaken, it should be related to a heretical spirit embodiment that you killed earlier, Yan Shouyi said gravely. Heretical spirit embodiment? That Li You? Zhou Heng was taken aback and asked, Can this heretical spirit actually mobilize the power of Yunxiao Heavenly Palace to hunt me down?! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As for specifics, I do not know, but let me capture a Celestial Man from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace to inquire directly, Yan Shouyis gaze suddenly turned cold, his eyes narrowing slightly. What? Zhou Heng couldnt help being stunned, almost thinking he had heard wrong. Heh, they dare to send a Middle Third Rank expert to intercept my apprentice, Yan Shouyis scholarly air disappeared, and he scoffed coldly: Its been a long time since I made a move in the Central Plains, it seems some have forgotten what it means to be the number one on the heaven ranking list! Little brother, wait here for a moment, I will be back shortly. ` Chapter 266 - Chapter 266: Chapter 266: This is called Unrivaled in the World! Chapter 266: Chapter 266: This is called Unrivaled in the World! No sooner had Yan Shouyis words fallen than he transformed into a golden rainbow, soaring into the sky and vanishing in the blink of an eye. Leaving Zhou Heng alone on the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, in a daze. Whats going on? Is my senior brother going directly to pick a fight with Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? A sense of alarm and doubt rose in Zhou Hengs mind. However, having a senior brother who would rush to stand up for him as soon as he heard his junior was being hunted down by high-level Martial Artists felt pretty good. But still, since Yunxiao Heavenly Palace was a malevolent Sect with a Divine First Rank, could his senior brother be in any danger? Zhou Heng stared in the direction where the golden rainbow Yan Shouyi had become disappeared, worry creeping into his heart again. Meanwhile. The golden rainbow Yan Shouyi turned into spanned over a million li in an instant, its incomparable might shaking the heavens and the earth, immediately causing a stir throughout all of Da Qi. Within the stele forest behind the Infinite Temple, an old monk sat in a withered state. Motionless, as if he were a piece of decayed wood. Suddenly, when a golden rainbow cut across the firmament, the monk immediately opened his eyes, looking up in astonishment, Yan Shouyi? What does he intend to do? Solar Divine Palace. Deep within the grand palace, a man in ceremonial robes sat with closed eyes, a small sun floating in the void before him, the phantom of a three-legged Golden Crow surrounding him. Suddenly, the Golden Crow flapped its wings, and the man frowned and looked outside the palace, his shocked voice echoing, Yan Shouyi, whats he up to? Five Elements Sect. Residing True Sun Qing Emperor Palace. Is the number one on the Celestial Ranking about to make a move? Longevity Way. This direction, is it towards Yunxiao Heavenly Palace?! Fengzhou Cui Clan. Is the true Yan about to cause a big stir? Yaochi Palace. Is Brother Shouyi going to take action against Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? It was not just the righteous Sects and noble families that sensed Yan Shouyis actions; malevolent Sects such as the Plague Emperor Sect, Honghua Palace, and Nine Deaths Sect also detected that Yan Shouyi was rushing towards Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. And the aura he emitted was sharp and unreserved. He was openly proclaiming to the world that the Residing True Sun, Yan Shouyi, the current number one on the Celestial Ranking, was seeking a grievance with the top malevolent Sect, Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. This led many powerhouses to speculate what great event could have enraged Yan Shouyi to such an extent that he would personally visit Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. In an era where Divine First Rank and Tao Second Rank remained reclusive. Yan Shouyi was truly considered the unparalleled number one in the world, invincible. His every move immediately caused a huge uproar across Da Qi. An undercurrent was swiftly forming. Many people and powers began to send out envoys to inquire whether there had been a significant conflict between Pure Yang Palace and Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, to better prepare for the future. After all, to many, Yan Shouyis actions signified signals of great import. If Pure Yang Palace and Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, these two behemoths, were truly to enter into full-scale war, it would surely lead to a series of chain reactions that could become a conflict affecting half or even the entirety of Da Qi. And while countless people made their speculations, Yan Shouyi had already arrived at the mountain gate station of Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, located in Suzhou to the northwest of Da Qi. This place was more than fourteen hundred thousand li away from where Taihua Mount in Yongzhou was situated, but to a Celestial Power like Yan Shouyi, it was merely a stones throw away. Unlike the gatehouses of most sects, the entrance to the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace is not on the ground but in the sky. What is called Heavenly Palace is actually a city in the sky, spanning tens of thousands of miles and floating above the high altitude of thirty thousand feet, hidden within the misty, ethereal clouds. This Heavenly Palace is very ancient, even older than Da Qi, and has been suspended in the air, inhabited for thousands of years. Around the Heavenly Palace, for over ten thousand miles, are all kinds of forbidden spells and formations. If any outsider tries to break in forcefully, they would immediately all activate, leaving the intruder with no place to be buried. Therefore, Yan Shouyi stopped ten thousand miles away from the Heavenly Palace and did not continue forward. Soon after, a voice transmitted from within the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Yan Shouyi, what brings you here? The voice was incredibly deep and full of dignity; the very sound caused the clouds in the sky to churn violently, as if they were encountering their sovereign and were about to pay homage. Youre actually asking me what Im here for? Yan Shouyi laughed upon hearing this. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze directed at the layers of cloud sea ahead, and he smiled, Chitian Shu, shall you come out to meet me, or shall I drag you out? Chitian Shu, the lord of the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace who took over five hundred years ago. Second on the Heavenly List. Arrogant! Chitian Shu shouted sharply, This is the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, do you dare take one step closer? Why would I need to take a step forward to capture you? Yan Shouyi laughed heartily. Suddenly, with a shake of his body, he instantly transformed into an enormous Primordial Spirit tens of thousands of miles in length. Behind him shone a radiance spanning tens of thousands of miles, the purest of the pure yang. At the same time, all the doctrines and laws of the pure yang in the world were moved, and everyone in Da Qi saw the grand and boundless figure of Yan Shouyi. To rival heaven and earth itself! Yan Shouyi, are you declaring war on my Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? Chitian Shus voice was filled with disbelief, Have you gone mad? The saints do not appear, the Tao Lords are not present; do you think youre worthy of making me declare war? At this moment, Yan Shouyi had none of his usual gentle and scholarly aura and became extremely arrogant, like a deity that ruled the heavens and the earth, with authority over all and sovereign in might. His words, like thunder, pierced directly through the forbidden formations ten thousand miles away from the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace and reached the city in the sky. In that instant, countless houses collapsed, numerous palaces disintegrated, unspeakable numbers of evil martial artists were killed, and myriad breeding grounds for evil creatures were destroyed. What on earth do you want?! Chitian Shu yelled angrily, clearly pushed to the brink of rage, but he still did not show himself and remained hidden within the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Oh, nothing much, just that some people seem to have forgotten what it means to be number one on the Heavenly List and what it means to be invincible in the world, said Yan Shouyi, grinning, his neck rotating with a crackle, The Yunxiao Heavenly Palace is suspended too high, I think it should come down a few thousand miles. Immediately after, the colossal figure that rivalled heaven and earth raised its right hand. In a mere instant, just as a deity would manipulate the cosmos, the entire region of Suzhou erupted with deafening roars, layer upon layer of clouds dispersed, and mountain after mountain trembled. Every single move he made was with the force of the endless heavens and earth. This is what it means to be a Celestial Man. At the same time, a sword light tens of thousands of miles long condensed in Yan Shouyis hand, piercing through heaven and earth, symbolic of the law, and its pure yang radiance turned hundreds of thousands of miles around the northern sky of Da Qi into gold. The Pure Sky True Sun Sword?! A Unique Divine Weapon! Ah! Yan Shouyi! Youre still the same madman you were three hundred years ago!! Chitian Shus curses bellowed. The next instant! The golden sword light blossomed across the sky, tearing through the void, and slashed down towards the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace!! Boom!! At the Golden Peak of the Jade Void Peak of Ta Hua Mount, Zhou Heng suddenly heard a colossal boom resound between heaven and earth. Though called a sound, it wasnt actually audible, imperceptible to the average person. This was a perception on the level of the spirit; he felt as though some rules and principles of the world had been shattered or suppressed. Even the clouds in the sky appeared to be surging abnormally, conveying a sense of desolation. Whats happening? Zhou Heng wondered in his heart. Boom! At that moment, the sound of the void being torn apart came, as the golden rainbow that Yan Shouyi had transformed into descended from the sky and landed beside Zhou Heng. He had reverted back to his scholarly demeanor, gentle and elegant, appearing like a typical good fellow. If it werent for the three heads he was holding in his hand Senior brother, what is this Zhou Heng stared at Yan Shouyi in astonishment, as well as the three heads that he held in his hand. To be honest, he was quite baffled. I chopped off three of Chitian Shus heads to get the whole story. The stubborn old man doesnt get any wiser with age, Yan Shouyi casually tossed the three heads into the cloud sea amidst the mountains, as if throwing away three rotten watermelons, and chuckled, I havent exercised with people for too long and have gotten a bit rusty. After all, one must constantly practice their skills. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ??? Zhou Heng now had a face full of question marks, staring blankly at Yan Shouyi. What had his senior brother just said? He chopped off three of Chitian Shus heads?? How many heads did Chitian Shu have?? And besides, wasnt Chitian Shu the current lord of the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, a Celestial Power?? Chapter 267 - Chapter 267: Chapter 267 A Deal Chapter 267: Chapter 267 A Deal Senior brother, did you just go to the Heavenly Palace? Zhou Heng couldnt help but be astonished and exclaimed, To find the Crimson Sky Scrolls? His heart was tremendously shocked. The Crimson Sky Scrolls were currently second on the Celestial Rankings, and it was said that they had crossed the threshold of the Celestial Mans realm five or six hundred years ago, and had already survived the first Celestial Mans decline, making them incredibly powerful. Although Yan Shouyi was first on the Celestial Rankings, from this ranking, it didnt seem as though he was much stronger than the Crimson Sky Scrolls. After all, between the first and the second, if the cultivation realms are on the same level, their strengths couldnt possibly be worlds apart. Moreover, if you were to go to the Heavenly Palace to find the Crimson Sky Scrolls, that would be tantamount to entering the opponents home ground, starting at a disadvantage before the fight even began. But looking at it now, it seems like Yan Shouyi had the upper hand? After all, Yan Shouyi had just returned holding three heads, which didnt look like the outcome of someone who had been on the losing side. Could it be that he had forcibly broken through the Heavenly Palaces forbidden formation and the many defenses, and managed to decapitate the Crimson Sky Scrolls on their own turf despite being the away team? That would be incredibly formidable. Despite being second on the Celestial Rankings and the head of the worlds foremost evil sect, the Crimson Sky Scrolls were crushed on their own territory by Yan Shouyi? And had three of their heads chopped off in the process? If that were truly the case, how formidable was his senior brothers strength? Was he really still a Celestial Man? The Middle Third Rank Martial Artist from the Heavenly Palace attacked you, so naturally, I had to seek out their palace master to reason with him, with no initial intention to strike, said Yan Shouyi, sitting casually on a nearby bluestone, smiling. But hes always been stubborn and refused to come out and talk with me, so I had to take matters into my own hands and grab him, yet he fiercely resisted. There was no other way, so I had to chop off his three heads as a warning. Uh senior brother, I want to ask, do Celestial Men all have many heads? Zhou Heng couldnt contain his curiosity and inquired. That has to do with the cultivation of the Dharma Body at Absolute Fourth Rank, Yan Shouyi patiently explained. If the Dharma Body isnt humanoid, then it doesnt have a head. Humanoid Dharma Bodies are further divided into the normal humanoid form and the abnormal humanoid form. For example, our Pure Yang Palaces Pure Yang Golden Light Body is a non-human Dharma Body, the True Yang Undying Body is a humanoid Dharma Body, and the Nine Yang True Immortal Body is an abnormal humanoid form with nine heads. Crimson Sky Scrolls cultivated the Heavens Mandate Noble God Body, which after manifesting their Primordial Spirit true form, has four heads and eight arms. I only chopped off three of their heads, leaving one intact, which you could say is letting them off easy. Then, doesnt that mean Celestial Men with only one head are at a disadvantage? Zhou Heng curiously continued, even forgetting to ask why someone from the Heavenly Palace had attacked him. Not necessarily, Yan Shouyi lightly shook his head, saying, If its a normal humanoid Dharma Body, then the head is merely an image, and theres no difference between chopping off the head or an arm or leg. But if the abnormal humanoid Dharma Body has irregularities on the heads, arms, or other parts, thats where the essence of the Primordial Spirit Dharma Body lies. If those parts are chopped off, it would cause severe damage to their vital energy. Dharma Bodies are distinct and gods are divergent, each with their own strengths and characteristics. After you reach the Secret Six Rank, Brother, you should pay more attention to this kind of information, so that you can choose your own path in the future, Hmm, thank you for the guidance, Older Brother, and thank you for risking yourself this time to go to the Heavenly Palace on my behalf. Zhou Heng clasped his hands in thanks, then turned to ask Yan Shouyi, Do you know why the Heavenly Palace suddenly sought to have me killed? Whats there to thank between brothers? As my younger brother, Zhou Heng, how could I let someone assassinate you out of the blue? Yan Shouyi waved his hand dismissively, his gaze turning to the northwest, I had suspected it was related to that Evil Spirit. After asking the Crimson Book, it turned out to be the case. That so-called Li You from another worlds Evil Spirit? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows and said, Could it have already descended here? But even if its an Evil Spirit, it shouldnt have the power to command the Heavenly Palace. Li You was an Evil Spirit that he had encountered previously in Qingquan Town of Sanshui County under the jurisdiction of Ganlu Mansion in Fangzhou. It was incredibly arrogant, demanding that Zhou Heng become its follower upon its first meeting. It promised Zhou Heng that, should he face insurmountable difficulties, all he had to do was pray to the name Li You thrice with sincerity, and it would solve all his troubles and vanquish all his enemies. This method of prayer was known as Heavenly Spirit Descending from Beyond, a technique of the Middle Third Rank. Later, Zhou Heng eliminated it using the Divine Thunder Command, leaving behind an Evil Spirit Mark on him. From this, it was evident that the level of this Evil Spirit was at least comparable to the Middle Third Rank. But even if an Evil Spirit of this level were to cross the barriers between worlds and descend upon this one, it would have surely suffered great damage to its vitality. It wouldnt be possible to stir up trouble in a short period, so how could it command the Heavenly Palace? Has Junior Brother forgotten that there is an Evil God within the Heavenly Palace, a place of heresy? Yan Shouyi chuckled, looking to the sky with a sigh, The Evil God has the power to sense the spirits of all heavens. Although the Divine First Rank do not appear now, the palace lord, the Crimson Book, is still able to tap into the power of this Evil God to establish connections with some out-worldly Evil Spirits to procure certain items or engage in transactions. The Crimson Book has established contact with Li You using the power of the Evil God from the Heavenly Palace? Zhou Heng asked in surprise, Did he make some kind of deal with Li You? Was killing me the condition? Correct, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly, saying, Li You is a Second Rank Evil Spirit. It promised Crimson Book that after descending into this world, it would join the Heavenly Palace and submit to the Evil God, bringing at least five hundred Evil Creatures with it. The condition was for Crimson Book to have someone kill you, with or without the Life-saving Talisman. As long as they killed you once, the transaction would be considered complete. To the Crimson Book, this was a very profitable deal. Pausing for a moment, he chuckled, Its just that its been too long since I made a move, and they seem to have forgotten what kind of person I am, as well as what kind of conduct the Pure Yang Palace maintains. They actually dared to go through with this transaction. Speaking of which, the Crimson Book is quite the double-dealer. Although he made a deal with Li You, after I severed three of his heads, he directly betrayed that Evil Spirit. Li You wants to kill me, but why does it want to kill me? Zhou Heng said in confusion, The Evil Spirit Mark on me has already been eradicated, so there shouldnt be any relation between us. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What Li You is plotting, neither Crimson Book nor I have any idea, Yan Shouyi shook his head, giving Zhou Heng another appraising look, his voice growing grave, However, I suspect that the Evil Spirit Mark on you might not have been completely eradicated or there could be some other nefarious methods lingering. Ah? Zhou Heng was startled upon hearing this. He had thought that he had completely eradicated the Evil Spirit Mark, but now that Li You was still after him, it was indeed possible that some remnants of it lingered on him. Dont panic, Junior Brother, I have already found the solution, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. What should we do? Zhou Heng asked, feeling distinctly unpleasant about being targeted by a Second Rank Evil Spirit. Chapter 268 - Chapter 268: Chapter 268 Kunlun Mirror Chapter 268: Chapter 268 Kunlun Mirror Follow me, Yan Shouyi said, lifting his hand onto Zhou Hengs shoulder. With a flicker of his form, he brought Zhou Heng into another world. Here, the sky harbored nine suns, the earth was scorched and yellow, mountains and rivers cracked and dry, the vast sky clear and cloudless from every direction, all permeated with a thick, scorching heat, the temperature extraordinarily high. Clearly, this was not a normal world. This is? Zhou Heng felt a sense of familiarity but was not certain. He asked tentatively, Cave Sky? Correct, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly and smiled. This is the Cave Sky world of a Sect senior who had cultivated the Nine Yang True Immortal Body. After refining his Cave Sky, this aspect of the nine suns continued to persist. Such a Cave Sky is truly marvelous, Zhou Heng couldnt help but exclaim in awe. Actually, this can hardly be considered a normal Cave Sky, Yan Shouyi shook his head and sighed, The nine suns no longer have a master, they just follow the rules hanging in the sky, emitting light. Such high temperatures and heat make it impossible for living beings to survive here. No more masters? Zhou Heng was startled upon hearing this and immediately furrowed his brows, Brother, does this mean the Sect senior who created this Cave Sky has already Passed away six thousand years ago, Yan Shouyi explained. Cave Skys are immortal, even when a Celestial Man passes away, his Cave Sky can still be handed down. Later, this Nine Yang Cave Sky became a place to store some special Godly Weapons. The method Brother mentioned just now, is it by using one of the special Godly Weapons stored here? Zhou Heng asked curiously. Correct. Yan Shouyi nodded and smiled. In fact, the method is not difficult. As long as you truly have the methods laid by Li You, you can use that Divine Weapon to perform reverse tracing and hence cross-world pursuits. Cross, cross-world pursuit?! Zhou Heng said in astonishment, What kind of Divine Weapon can actually cross worlds to pursue, isnt that a bit, a bit too powerful? Ordinary Godly Weapons certainly cant, but this one has quite a history and is more than capable of doing so, Yan Shouyi said as he flew into the sky with Zhou Heng, heading towards one of the suns and laughed. It is a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier passed down from the Ancient Mythological Era. Moments later, the two entered one of the suns. The process unsettled Zhou Heng somewhat. It was only when Yan Shouyi brought him close to this sun that Zhou Heng realized that this thing, seemingly, possibly, might really be a stellar core. After questioning Yan Shouyi, Zhou Heng got an even more terrifying answer. These suns were not only stars but also the purified essence of stars at their prime, refined and condensed into stellar cores. Their temperature and mass were far superior to that of ordinary stars. It is said that the senior, when arranging his own Cave Sky, had specially brought in many stars from the outer universe, as well as other celestial bodies. Which is to say, with Yan Shouyis guidance, Zhou Heng was now inside a star, where the high temperatures had far exceeded the limits of what a normal Martial Artist could endure. Luckily, with a protective senior like Yan Shouyi, an extremely powerful Celestial Man, at his side, Zhou Heng felt he would have no idea how he died otherwise, oblivious to his own end. With an excited heart, Zhou Heng followed Yan Shouyi into a palace built within this sun. Yan Shouyi, familiar with the route, guided Zhou Heng through twists and turns, quickly arriving in a large hall. The hall was empty except for an enormous ancient mirror placed at its center. The mirror stood three zhang and six chi tall, made neither of gold nor jade, and seemed remarkably heavy. The frame bore intricate inscriptions, made up of extremely mysterious, esoteric, and difficult-to-digest characters that appeared naturally formed, neither carved nor painted. The mirrors surface glowed with a green light and sprinkled golden halos, unpredictable and profoundly mystical. With just a glance, Zhou Heng felt inexplicably familiar. He saw strands of bright silver light within the green glow and golden halos on the mirrors surface. These strands of light converged in the mirror, seeming to override all Taoist Formulas, evolving endlessly possible worlds, containing the past, present, future, and all of time and space. At that moment, he suddenly realized why the ancient mirror felt familiar. Clearly, it was the essence of the Time River, which he had encountered while comprehending the Sword Technique of Conviction. Meanwhile, he also received a reward notification. Congratulations! By observing the time-space artifact Kunlun Mirror [Taoist Second Rank] (Replica), your comprehension of the Way of Time has deepened, and the proficiency of your martial arts Sword Technique of Conviction [Absolute Fourth Rank] has increased by +1500. Wait a minute! What is this mirror?? Kunlun Mirror?! Zhou Heng had yet to recover from the surprise of suddenly gaining a large amount of proficiency when he was shocked by the name of this ancient mirror. Kunlun Mirror! Kunlun Mirror! Is it the Kunlun Mirror from the legends of Earth? Junior brother, are you also versed in the Way of Time? noticing Zhou Hengs sudden moment of enlightenment, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, To think that a mere glance at a divine weapon allowed you to have such an insight, it truly is enviable. Its just a fortunate coincidence, Zhou Heng barely suppressed the shock in his heart and asked, Senior brother, what is the origin of this ancient mirror, and what is its use? Its called the Kunlun Mirror, its name is somewhat strange. It is said that Kunlun is an exceedingly ancient place, the specifics of which are now unknown, Yan Shouyi patiently explained, This treasure was gifted by a friend of our Pure Yang ancestor and has been passed down to this day. It has the ability to reflect all the worlds under the heavens, and to a certain extent, can retrospect temporal scenes, its wonderful uses are boundless. Reflecting all the worlds under the heavens, reverting time? How amazing! Zhou Heng exclaimed in astonishment, Senior brother, are you planning to use the ability of the Kunlun Mirror to track down Li Yous whereabouts? Correct, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly and said, Junior brother, drip a drop of blood into the air. Okay, Zhou Heng nodded. Immediately, he flicked his finger, and a drop of blood flew from his fingertip, floating in the air, suspended without falling. Swift! Yan Shouyi formed several Taoist formulas with his fingers and uttered in a deep voice. The Kunlun Mirror suddenly burst out with interwoven golden-green brilliance, shining upon the drop of blood. The next instant, the blood drop dispersed in the air, revealing a wisp of purple-black aura which was quickly dissipated by the brilliance. What followed was the drop of blood actually forming a crimson vortex, seeming to connect to some endless distance. Found it! Yan Shouyis eyes lit up, and he laughed out loud, immediately raising his right hand, a brilliant, dazzling golden light appearing in his palm. The Great Pure Realm. This place was originally a world that advocated secluded cultivation and tranquil qi-refinement in pursuit of the Way of Immortality. However, after the emergence of a heretical giant known as Li You a hundred years ago, the whole world was changed. Countless people were beguiled by Li You, worshipping him as a god. Adoring him, venerating him. The once peaceful and harmonious world was completely shattered by his appearance, with frequent outbreaks of war, incessant conflicts between nations, and unending slaughter among people. Common folk were left to live in misery. Countless hermits who once secluded themselves for cultivation emerged to attempt to kill Li You. Yet not a single one succeeded; they were either killed on the spot or were beguiled by Li You, becoming his loyal protectors. The entire QingWei realm had nearly sunk into despair. Li You, however, was at the height of his power, revered by countless people as the Supreme Limitless Sovereign of Heavenly Mandate and Compassionate Benevolence, the Great and Righteous Emperor Li You, Holy God. QingShui Mountain. What was once the ancestral ground of the Taoist sect had now been transformed into the headquarters of the Li You Divine Sect, where Li You often preached, claiming to redeem all beings and save the world with his teachings. Today was yet another day for Li You to impart his teachings. The square of the QingShui Mountain headquarters was already seated with tens of thousands of people, all of them Li Yous most devout followers. And beyond the square, amidst the mountains and fields, there were countless tens of thousands more, hoping to bask in the grace of the Li You Holy God and be redeemed. Such a scene was filled with a feverish atmosphere. However, among those devout followers who came to listen, there lurked a dozen or so rebels of olden days, that is, those who had previously lived in reclusion. These dozen people, who had come here, were the most powerful of the remaining rebels of olden days. They wanted to seize this opportunity for a desperate struggle. Even if they couldnt kill Li You, they wanted to pull him down from his divine altar and free the people of the QingWei realm from his deceit. Yet, over the past years, Li Yous might had been overwhelmingly strong, his power firmly imprinted in everyones heart, including those rebels of olden days. Even as they came here with a resolve to die, just the thought of facing that daunting figure who had oppressed the world for a century made them nervous. Hes here! The Holy God has arrived! Greetings to the Holy God, greetings to Emperor Li You, Holy God! Your grace is as vast as the sea, with boundless merit! Please lead us towards salvation, Holy God! At that moment, exclaims arose from the crowd waiting to hear the teachings, everyone turning their eyes toward the platform at the front of the square; even those outside directed their gazes that way. One could see a bright, crystal-clear radiance rising from the depths of QingShui Mountain, crossing the void and landing directly on the platform in front of the square. Then slowly, this radiance dissipated, revealing a slender yet emaciated handsome man dressed in a black robe. His features were exquisitely delicate, his skin unnaturally pale, and his hair cascaded around his shoulders with slightly curled edges at the temples, his aura saintly yet tinged with a strange malevolence. This appearance was drastically different from the Li You Zhou Heng had seen; it was closer to his true form. The moment Li You made his appearance, it instantly stirred up even more fervent cheers throughout the assembly. Some were so overwhelmed with excitement that they fainted on the spot. Upon seeing Li You reveal himself, the eyes of the old-day rebels reddened with hatred, wishing they could strike at that very moment. But just then, just as Li You was about to speak. Boom! A blood-red vortex suddenly appeared in the sky, accompanied by a deafening roar, and at the same moment, a resplendid, dazzling golden sword light with the aura of utmost firmness and pure Yang descended from the heavens. With unmatched might and speed, in front of countless tens of thousands of Li You Divine Sect followers, it struck directly at the Li You Holy God who was about to preach. In an instant, the whole place fell deathly still, as if the only thing left between heaven and earth was that golden sword light. Apart from this, there was nothing else. All those present, no matter who they were or what their purpose was, watched the terrifying sword light descending from the heavens in a daze, their eyes gradually becoming vacant, filled with shock. Li You seemed to show no signs of resistance or counterattack. Did he not want to? Or could he not?! Similar thoughts appeared in the minds of the former resisters. Boom! The unparalleled power of the sword light continued to unleash, and under the unwavering gaze of the onlookers, it attacked the Li You Divine Figure shrouded in sword light. And this swords strength was extremely refined, such that even those sitting not far away in the square were not affected in the slightest. However, right after many of the believers came to their senses and realized that their Li You Divine Figure was struck by this terrifying sword light, they started weeping and rushed towards the sword light. Trying to save their Divine Figure. However, by the time these people came to their senses, the attack of the sword light was also coming to an end, and by the time the first person rushed up, the sword light had coincidentally dissipated. The originally mysterious and noble Li You, with a holy demeanor, was once again revealed but was now in a wretched state. He looked as if he had been struck by lightning and scorched by fire; his hair was completely frazzled, and his clothes were shredded into strips, with wisps of black smoke rising from his body. Gone was any semblance of a Divine Figure. Pure Sky True Sun Sword, Pure Sky True Sun Sword! If this Lord had fully recovered, just you wait, just you wait! Pure Yang Palace, you wait for me!! Li You was furiously angry, but there was nothing he could do at the moment. He could only make a mental note of it. I shall wait, so what? Yan Shouyi chuckled as he retrieved the Divine Sword, then said to Zhou Heng, Junior Brother, this sword strike is potent enough to cause him significant damage to his vital energy. The problem with your body should be almost resolved. Thank you, Senior Brother, Zhou Heng bowed with hands clasped in gratitude, and said, You mean, its not completely resolved? Mm, evil spirits are tricky, especially one of Second Rank, extremely tough to deal with, Yan Shouyi nodded softly and said, Just now, under the reflection of the Kunlun Mirror, the remnants of Li Yous maneuvers on your body have been identified. This seems to be a deeper imprint, involving the profound mysteries of the Dao. If you are killed even once, Li You would be able to follow this imprint to awaken in your body, synonymous with descending into our world. Now, this imprint has been extinguished by my use of the Pure Sky True Sun Sword, and Li Yous original body has also suffered significant damage to his vital energy; he wont bother you again for a while. However, even if I have cleaned it thoroughly, there are still likely to be traces of evil spirit contamination within your body and soul, which you need to clear out yourself. The process from the Peak of the Seventh Rank to the Secret Sixth Rank is your opportunity. By leveraging the convergence of interior and exterior realms, cleanse your body and soul to become pure, thats when youll be completely cleared. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only I understand, Zhou Heng nodded and said with a solemn voice, The Secret Sixth Rank shouldnt be too far away now. In the end, he hesitated for a moment but decided not to continue asking about the Kunlun Mirror. Showing an extraordinary interest in a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier would easily raise suspicions. Besides, as long as he kept rising in status within the Pure Yang Palace, he would inevitably get the chance to understand more. Theres no need to rush, Yan Shouyi laughed and said, Before you set foot on the Secret Sixth Rank, you cant miss the chance to clash with the top contender on the martial roll. Fang Wen? Zhou Heng asked curiously, Is he very special? Chapter 269 - Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Sword Maniac, the New Humanity Leaderboard Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Sword Maniac, the New Humanity Leaderboard ` Fang Wen, the true inheritor of the Longevity Way, ranked first on the Celestial Man Ranking, known as the Sword Eccentric. ` ` This was Zhou Hengs impression of Fang Wen. ` ` The description of Fang Wen on the Celestial Man Ranking says he has witnessed the practice of ancient Immortal Gods, comprehended three moves of the Immortal Sword that are profoundly mysterious, and unbeaten by anyone. ` ` The artistic conception is lofty, directly pointing to the realm of the Fourth Rank Celestial Man. ` ` Yet, on the record of his battles, theres nothing particularly outstanding. ` ` Apart from triumphing over the former number one on the Celestial Man Ranking, who was about to step onto the Secret Sixth Rank, and every second-ranked individual in the past six years, there wasnt much else that was remarkable. ` ` Even those so-called three moves of the Immortal Sword were only described in words; no one had actually seen him deploy them. ` ` After learning the Sword Technique of Conviction, Zhou Heng didnt think he would be weaker than him. ` ` But now, listening to the meaning behind Yan Shouyis words, this Sword Eccentric Fang Wen seemed to be extraordinary. ` ` He is indeed very special, not to be compared with the ordinary, Yan Shouyi said with a smile: Fang Wen was born with the bone of a Divine Sword and a natural sword heart. He is solely focused on the Sword Dao and does not practice other techniques. ` ` Speaking of which, he is quite the opposite of junior brother. You have learned a vast array of martial arts and have a broad knowledge, while he only knows swordsmanship and hasnt even cultivated qinggong or inner strength. ` ` What? Zhou Heng was taken aback and puzzled, Without cultivating inner strength, how did he reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank? ` ` Who said he is at the Peak of the Seventh Rank? Yan Shouyi looked at Zhou Heng with a half-smile and said, Junior brother, think again, even the Celestial Man Ranking has never mentioned Fang Wens cultivation realm. ` ` Could it be he has blazed his own trail, establishing his own path? Zhou Heng was truly shocked now and said with some uncertainty, Is he not following the Immortal God Ninth Grade? ` ` If that were true, Fang Wen could no longer be described merely as a prodigy blessed by heaven. ` ` He would be the unparalleled genius of the ages, the ancestral master who founded a new way, with a doctrine that could be passed down for thousands of generations! ` ` Its not as exaggerated as forging a brand new path, Yan Shouyi laughed softly and shook his head, However, he is indeed not following the path of the Immortal God Ninth Grade. ` ` If we were to judge by the standards of the Immortal God Ninth Grade, he would only be considered the peak of the Ninth Grade, but although he hasnt cultivated inner strength, he has developed a body full of Sword Qi through his swordsmanship. He hasnt built an Inner Scene but has forged a Sword Soul. ` ` He just needs to use the Sword Soul to create a bridge that connects with the outside world, intertwine Sword Qi with the laws, then he can step onto the level of the Secret Sixth Rank. Most likely, he will directly bypass the True Energy Realm and enter the realm of True Gang. ` ` However, Sword Qi is different from Inner Qi, and Sword Soul is not the same as Inner Scene, so the usual methods of breaking through cannot be directly applied to him. He has to research and find the specific way on his own. ` ` In that case, should this be considered a rather special foundational path? Zhou Heng pondered and could not help but admire, Such an astonishing talent; Im quite looking forward to clashing with him now. ` ` Although establishing a sect and stepping onto the Secret Sixth Rank is also worthy of amazement, compared to creating a new cultivation path, it doesnt seem quite as shocking. ` ` At the same time, Zhou Heng also understood why Fang Wen, the first on the Celestial Man Ranking and who suppressed his generation, had not reached the realm of the Secret Sixth Rank after five or six years. ` ` It was because he was seeking a way to break through on his unique path. ` ` Do you want to face him at the Morning Sun Wine Gathering? Yan Shouyi said with a light laugh, It may not be possible, after all, the Morning Sun Wine Gathering is a struggle between nations, and most of the time you should be working together. ` ` However, its also uncertain; in previous Morning Sun Wine Gatherings, there have been moments when martial artists from the same country compete to determine who is superior. The specifics will have to depend on the situation at the gathering. ` ` Then at this Morning Sun Wine Gathering, who besides people from the Lu Yang Zhou Clan and the Taixu Viewpoint from Southern Jin, will be coming? Zhou Heng inquired, as these would be his main competitors at the Morning Sun Wine Gathering, and he naturally wanted to find out the situation beforehand. ` ` This time, Southern Jin is quite arrogant and has only sent three people, Yan Shouyi looked towards the south and said, One person each from the Lu Yang Zhou Clan, the Taixu Viewpoint, and the Southern Jin Royal Family. ` Our side has ten people, Zhou Hengs eyebrows raised slightly as he chuckled. What confidence is this? It seems that Southern Jin has incomparable confidence, believing that these three people are unmatched under the Secret Six Rank, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. They simply dont take the younger generation of Da Qi seriously. Either the people in Southern Jin have water in their brains, or the ability of these three is truly astonishing, Zhou Heng mused and nodded. I think the latter is more likely. Yes, when I was in West Wasteland before, I also heard a few Celestial Men from Southern Jin mention it, Yan Shouyi agreed nodding. These three truly stand alone among the young generation of Southern Jin. Apart from these three, the strongest among the others cant withstand a single move against them, there is simply no comparison, which is probably also the reason why Southern Jin only brought these three. This does pique my interest, Zhou Heng beamed. I really want to see what abilities, what kind of strength these three possess. Then junior brother, you must hurry up and get going, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Jiang Jian and Zhenzhen, those two girls, have already gone ahead early. Ah? Zhou Heng was startled and asked in confusion, Arent you going, senior brother? What would I go for? Im just in charge of sending out the invitations, Yan Shouyi shook his head and then joked, What business do I have at a competition of the younger generation? Not to brag, but if I were there, there would be no need to even hold the Chaoyang Wine Meeting. Zhou Heng knew the reason even though Yan Shouyi didnt say it. If Yan Shouyi, the unparalleled and invincible top Celestial Man, were there, no matter what advantage the young generation of Southern Jin got, they would pale in comparison to Yan Shouyi. The Chaoyang Wine Meeting naturally wouldnt need to continue. Although the Da Qi Celestial Rankings only list the Celestial Powers within Da Qi, this doesnt mean that Yan Shouyis status as the worlds top is limited to Da Qi. Three hundred years ago, before Yan Shouyi took over as the head of Pure Yang Palace, he traveled the world alone, challenging all with his sword, seeking defeat. From the northern deserts to Wilderness God Mountain in the south, including the states of North Zhou and Da Qi, whether righteous or evil, whether human, demon, or the claimed descendants of the divine, none could stand as his enemy. This was truly being invincible under the heavens. Zhou Heng did not go through Purple Tenuity Palace when he went to Zhongzhou. After all, having already reached the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, he certainly took the opportunity to catch another ride on Yan Shouyis tailwind. With a wave of the Celestial Mans sleeve, Zhou Heng immediately felt the light and shadow changing rapidly around himthe sensation of moving swiftly. Finally, as his legs sank and his feet touched solid ground, he saw clearly the surroundings. In front of him stood a massive stele inscribed with Zhongzhou Border. This was the stele that demarcated the borders between Zhongzhou and the other states. Once he crossed here, he would be entering the territory of Zhongzhou and could continue on his way to the Imperial City. It was that swift. Celestial Powers are indeed unimaginably strong, even in sending someone awaythe span of a moment was enough to traverse over a million li, delivering him to Zhongzhou. Although Im not truly at the Imperial City yet, its not far now. I remember theres an entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace not far from the border of Zhongzhou, which comes in handy, Zhou Heng thought to himself. He then summoned his jujube red horse, donned it with red lotus tack, mounted it, and galloped furiously towards the nearest entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace. On the first day of the second month. Snow blanketed the Imperial City. This was Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhens third day in Zhongzhou Imperial City. Since they both held royal invitations and were true disciples of the Pure Yang Palace, they were afforded the highest quality lodging and meals the Imperial City could offer. Even when traveling, maids followed them with brocade robes and mink coats at the ready for their use. However, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen had never made use of these. They had come out early today. Both were dressed in the Taoist robes of the Pure Yang Palace, draped in red cloaks they had brought from Taihua Mount, walking along the spacious Shenwu Street, drawing frequent glances from passersby. They were both too attractive, too stunning. Zhu Zhenzhen was somewhat less conspicuous; at only fourteen years of age, she was still a young girl. Although her features were indeed exceptional and delicate, her tender age mostly attracted feelings of her being cute and pretty. Cheng Jianjian was different. Nineteen when she arrived, after spending over two years in the Demon Spirit World, she was now almost twenty-one, and her already incomparable beauty had become even more captivating. Furthermore, having been revered as an Empress in the Demon Spirit World, a commander supreme and invincible, her brows carried a hint of heroic spirit, adding a unique charm. Such beauties were indeed rare in the world, arresting the gaze of not only the common folk of the Imperial City but even princes and nobles. Of course, those of some status knew of her identity and wouldnt dare act inappropriately. Cheng Jianjian, the third-ranked of the current martial artists ranking, acclaimed as the Celestial of the Jade Clouds, a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace from Taihua Mount, the personal disciple of Qi Rui, the near Fourth-Rank great grandmaster and head of Jade Qiong Peak. With such a status, even ordinary nobility couldnt afford to provoke her. Thus, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen had been living rather peacefully these days, with no one troubling them. They had left early today to go see the new update of the martial artists ranking at the front of the Shenwu Bureau. Senior Sister Cheng, do you think there will be any changes in the top ten of the martial artists ranking this time? Zhu Zhenzhen still had the heart of a child, speaking while licking a candied haw she held in her hand. There shouldnt be any major changes, Cheng Jianjian, also holding a skewer of candied haws, replied after finishing one, Recently, there dont seem to have been any fights among the top ten. Although Feng Shaoe challenged our junior uncle, she was already ranked eleventh and lost, so it probably wont affect the rankings. But yesterday, when I was out buying wine, I heard something, Zhu Zhenzhen took another lick of her candied haw, then lowered her voice, The Zhou Yin who came from Southern Jin has defeated Cui Guanlan, I wonder if he will make it onto the rankings. Zhou Yin challenged Cui Guanlan himself? Cheng Jianjian frowned upon hearing this, as Cui Guanlan was also one of the ten from Da Qi attending the upcoming Chaoyang Banquet. For him to be defeated before the Chaoyang Banquet had even begun was indeed a blow to morale if what Zhu Zhenzhen said was true. But suddenly Cheng Jianjians eyes narrowed, and her graceful hand reached out to pinch Zhu Zhenzhens ear, demanding sternly, Zhenzhen, what did you just say? You went out to buy wine yesterday? Youre only fourteen, do you understand? Ah?? Zhu Zhenzhen finally realized she had let something slip and quickly begged for mercy, I..I just bought a little, a tiny little bit, please dont be angry, Senior Sister, and dont tell our master. Before leaving this time, You Ziheng had told Cheng Jianjian thousands of times to keep a close eye on Zhu Zhenzhen, to not let this girl take the chance to secretly drink. Cheng Jianjian had always been vigilant over Zhu Zhenzhen, giving her no opportunity. But yesterday, Cheng Jianjian suddenly had an epiphany about a sword technique and shut herself away for two hours to ponder it, not expecting Zhu Zhenzhen to take that chance to sneak out and buy wine. No, I must tell Uncle You about this. Cheng Jianjian was staunch and unyielding, unmoved by Zhu Zhenzhens pleas and cute antics, Youre only slightly older, yet you indulge in alcohol so much. What if you end up like Uncle You? Im not that young! Zhu Zhenzhen puffed out her tiny chest, then a glint appeared in her large eyes as she giggled, Sister, Ill treat you to osmanthus sugar cakes later, how about that? Alright. Cheng Jianjian nodded in satisfaction, releasing Zhu Zhenzhen, and laughed, And white jade soft candy too. Deal! Zhu Zhenzhen nodded, thinking she had successfully bribed Cheng Jianjian, and was instantly overjoyed. She pointed ahead and said, Sister, look, so many people over there, surrounding a notice board; that should be where they post the Earth, Man, and Heaven rankings. Hmm, lets go have a look. Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly. As they approached, before they had a chance to check the changes on the rankings, they heard the crowd bustling with discussion. The changes in the top ten of the Man Ranking are quite significant, this Zhou Yin is really impressive. This Zhou Yin actually came from Southern Jin in the south, and hes so formidable, making a name for himself the moment he appeared by defeating Celestial Man of the Cang Hai Sword. One battle to fame, straight to the fifth position on the Man Ranking, this must be a record, and hes only nineteen years old. You dont know? Zhou Yin is no ordinary person. There is no Man Ranking in Southern Jin, but they have something similar called the Dragon Tiger Ranking, and hes the second on it. Zhou Yin comes from the Zhou family of Lu Yang, which has a deeper heritage than the Cui family from Fengzhou, where Celestial Man of the Cang Hai Sword Cui Guanlan hails from. Alas, we people of Da Qi are being outdone by someone from Southern Jin; its a loss of face. Hearing these discussions, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen exchanged glances, both surprised in each others eyes. The rumor they had been discussing earlier turned out to be true. Cui Guanlan had indeed been defeated by Zhou Yin, and they had already arrived at the Imperial City, having already crossed swords in secret. This Zhou Yin was rumored to be the reincarnation of a saint, truly extraordinary, his strength not to be underestimated. However, what exactly happened? Both tried to move forward, wanting to read the specific description on the Man Ranking. At this point, the topic of discussion among the people in front of them changed again. However, if were talking about the biggest change this time, its another Zhou, right? Right, Zhou Heng, hes too amazing, I almost doubt the authenticity of his achievements. Its outrageous, straight to the second position on the Man Ranking. The most outrageous part is the record of his fights, look at that. If it wasnt written on the Man Ranking, sanctioned by the Divine Martial Authority, I wouldnt believe it. Upon hearing this, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen were both stunned, and they couldnt help but wonder. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Theres another junior uncle? Especially for Cheng Jianjian. She had just parted ways with Zhou Heng not long ago. What did Zhou Heng do? To actually ascend to the second position on the Man Ranking! Chapter 270 - Chapter 270: Chapter 270 The Zhou Family of Lu Yang Chapter 270: Chapter 270 The Zhou Family of Lu Yang Name: Zhou Heng Age: Eighteen years old Realm: Peak of the Seventh Rank Identity: The sixth generation true successor of Pure Yang Palace, disciple taken by Yan Shouyis generation, undoubtedly the reincarnation of a high power Combat record: killed Liu He of the Heavenly Palace at the Secret Six Rank of the True Energy Realm killed Qiu Yuanchang of the Heavenly Palace at the Secret Six Rank of the True Gang Realm Although there are suspicions of possessing a treasure weapon that enhances strength, the feat of a seventh-ranked peak expert killing a secret sixth-ranked is extremely rare throughout the ages, and such strength should have approached the limit of the seventh rank. Since there was no fight with Fang Wen, he is ranked second. Title: Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, Demon-Slaying Blade, Evil-Suppressing Thunder Emissary, Purple Lightning Sword Immortal. Ranking: Second. This was the current human rankings description of Zhou Heng, the second place truly dazzling, dizzying many onlookers, and of course even more astonishing was the combat record. Zhou Heng had actually killed Secret Six Ranks, and not just one but two, including a Secret Six Rank of the True Gang Realm! One must know that under normal circumstances, although they are both Secret Six Rank, the strength of the True Gang Realm is more than ten times stronger than that of the True Energy Realm. How did Zhou Heng do it? Seventh Rank killed the Secret Six Rank True Gang Realm! Even with a treasure weapon at hand, its inconceivable. What kind of treasure weapon could give such a massive boost? After all, a treasure weapon is only equivalent to a Secret Six Rank at best, and in the hands of a peak Seventh Rank, it can hardly exert all its power. Therefore, under normal circumstances, even with a treasure weapon, a peak Seventh Rank expert could barely save their life against a Secret Six Rank True Energy Realm and certainly could not counter-kill. How did Zhou Heng do it? Is this still human? Is this still the Seventh Rank? Why is it that out of all martial artists at the Seventh Rank, its only you, Zhou Heng, thats so outrageous?? If it werent for the fact that Fang Wens realm description has always been like the Peak of the Seventh Rank with no one able to gauge his strengths ceiling, Zhou Heng would probably have become first on the human ranking already. Such a combat record is truly inconceivable. Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen also stared astounded, their expressions shocked as they looked at the human rankings description of Zhou Heng. Such a record, they had not expected at all. Its too outrageous! Its too unbelievable. Has he become so powerful?? Cheng Jianjian stared at the description of the human ranking, slightly lost in thought; she suddenly thought back to when she had just met Zhou Heng over half a year ago. At that time, Zhou Heng seemed to have not yet truly embarked on the Ninth Grade. Now, how much time has passed? He has become so formidable. He has become a high-ranking expert at the peak of the Seventh Rank, renowned across the world and even capable of killing two Secret Six Rankers by himself. Not to mention the ordinary martial artist who might spend decades or even a century going from unranked to Seventh Rank. Even among the top martial sects and grand families, progressing from unranked to the peak of the Seventh Rank typically requires twenty years of time. Ordinarily, as long as one can step into the Ninth Rank before the age of twenty, they can be considered as a disciple with decent talent. If one can reach the Eighth Rank before the age of twenty, then they would be considered for key cultivation. And a disciple who can reach the Seventh Rank before the age of twenty must be worthy of true succession, and is very likely to be taken as a personal disciple by a Fifth Rank sect master, or even a Fourth Rank supreme grandmaster. This shows how difficult the path of the martial arts is. For the vast majority of martial artists, reaching the Seventh Rank is as hard as ascending to heaven. How long has Zhou Heng taken? Half a year? Upon thinking this, Cheng Jianjians heart did not rise with joy but with worry, silently musing, Such an abnormal progress in cultivation is definitely not normal. Even if he has carried over some measures from his previous life, which allow rapid progression, this is still too exaggerated. Could it be that the power of his previous life is gradually awakening, thereby quickly advancing his cultivation realm? If thats the case, he should be struggling against the slowly awakening will of his previous life by now. Back when we were in Huangtong Mansion City, I failed to notice this. The places he took me to, the ones we experienced together before, was he trying to use those experiences to reinforce the memories of this life, to fight against the reviving will? Cheng Jianjian felt more and more likely this was the case, and piecing together her own deductions about Zhou Hengs actions, suddenly understood everything. Zhou Hengs former life must have awakened within him. While gaining a large amount of martial knowledge and insights into realms, he also has to contend with the awakening powerful will. In Cheng Jianjians view, Zhou Heng is likely to be tormented spiritually at all times, constantly facing the crisis of this lifes spiritual will being suppressed or even devoured. Such a condition is extremely dangerous. I must break through to the Secret Six Rank as soon as possible, Cheng Jianjian resolved, silently thinking: Once I reach the level of the Secret Six Rank, I can master more and higher-level Northern Dipper inheritances, which I can use to help him suppress the gradually reviving will of his previous life. Senior sister, Little Uncle-Master is so amazing, even Secret Six Rankers are no match for him, Zhu Zhenzhen, oblivious to Cheng Jianjians thoughts, thought Zhou Heng was incredibly impressive. Killing Secret Six Rankers at the peak of the Seventh Rank is an extremely rare feat throughout the ages, and it sounds very powerful. Yes, he is very powerful, Cheng Jianjian replied with a wry smile, gently sighing, But such strength may not be what he wishes for himself. Rapid power increases might also come with tremendous dangers, and then theres the matter of the Heavenly Palace At this, she paused, her gaze falling on the human rankings combat record, and her eyes grew colder, However, for the Heavenly Palace to dare send a Secret Six Rank to assassinate my Little Uncle-Master, they are utterly brazen She decided in her heart that in the future, upon encountering disciples from the Heavenly Palace, she would kill one whenever she sees one. At the same time, Cheng Jianjian shifted her gaze to the adjacent Heavenly Ranking, looking directly at number one, and sure enough, she saw the latest combat record for Yan Shouyi. Pure Yang Palace has always been protective of its own; Yan Shouyi was enraged this time by the Heavenly Palace sending a Secret Six Rank to attack Zhou Heng He went alone to the Heavenly Palace slashing off three of Chi Tian Shus heads as a warning There were numerous descriptions and comments on this action by Yan Shouyi, but they could all be essentially summed up in one sentence. The ranking of the Heavenly Ranking could actually be viewed from a different perspective. First and the others. After all, the leader of the ranking, Yan Shouyi, and the remaining nine are on entirely different levels of strength. Uncle-Master did it so well. Cheng Jianjians pretty face revealed a trace of a smile, but at this moment, she also noticed the gazes and discussions about her from the surrounding people. Her conversation with Zhu Zhenzhen just now had already revealed their identities. Most of the people here observing the rankings had already guessed that she was the current Fourth on the Human Rankings, known as the Celestial Fairy of Jade Heights Cheng Jianjian. Therefore, after giving the remaining list a brief scan, she quickly left with Zhu Zhenzhen in tow. If they lingered, they were bound to be surrounded by people asking all sorts of questions. As long as one made it onto the Human Rankings, even if just in the eighty-ninth or ninetieth place, one could gain incredibly huge fame. Not to mention Cheng Jianjian, who became one of the top ten upon her debut and was in the top three until recently. Although her ranking had fallen, she was still within the high position of the top four. Once the people here came back to their senses, there would definitely be countless individuals looking for her. Leaving was the best option. After Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen left, the attention of the crowd watching the rankings refocused on the list, especially on the newly listed fifth and second places. Zhou Yin and Zhou Heng. Both surnamed Zhou. Hey, has anyone noticed that its such a coincidence this time, the two most noteworthy individuals both have the surname Zhou. Yeah, its too coincidental, Zhou Heng and Zhou Yin. Is there some kind of relationship between them? What relationship could there be? Zhou Heng is a sixth-generation true disciple from our Da Qis Pure Yang Palace, and Zhou Yin is the legitimate heir of the Lu Yang Zhou Family in Southern Jin. They have nothing to do with each other. No, no, thats not right, its wrong to say so. Its true that Zhou Heng is a Genuine Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, but thats just his sect identity. What about his family background? What family does he come from? Does anyone know? I heard that Zhou Heng came from a mountain village under the jurisdiction of Huangtong Mansion City in Pingzhou. Hes truly a common man who rose from humble beginnings. You folks should stop fantasizing about him being a scion of a major family. Right, right, Zhou Heng is an example for all of us ordinary people. Born humble, he was noticed by a great individual because of his effort, and thus soared to the skies. If he were a scion of a major family, why would he go to an ordinary martial arts school? Wake up, the Human Rankings clearly state that Zhou Heng is undoubtedly the reincarnation of a powerful being. Goddamn common man, are you the reincarnation of a powerful being? The crowd actually began arguing. Each sticking to their own opinions, unwilling to give in, the dispute was irreconcilable. Fortunately, someone finally managed to steer the conversation back on track. Speaking of reincarnation of powerful beings, that Zhou Yin from the Lu Yang Zhou Family is also said to be the reincarnation of a saint. The similarities with Zhou Heng seem rather high. Indeed, its too similar, and theyre both under twenty years old. Could there really be some relationship between them? Could it be like this? Zhou Heng is actually a member of the Lu Yang Zhou Family, with shocking talent, but because he came from a collateral line, his talent and root bone were taken by the main lines legitimate heirs and fused into Zhou Yins body. Zhou Hengs parents could only take him far away from Da Qi to avoid misfortune? You should be a storyteller, wasting your talents here. Are there such far-fetched stories? Besides, if Zhou Hengs talent and root bone were taken, then how did he achieve his current success? No matter what you say, I still feel that Zhou Heng and that Zhou Family from Southern Jin must be related. No matter how I look at it, it seems similar. Wait, could it be that this Zhou Yin is actually Southern Jins imitation based on the fame of Zhou Heng? How could it be? After all, the Zhou Family of Lu Yang has been a top-tier major clan with a legacy spanning thousands of years; they really shouldnt be doing such things. Not far from where the Shenwu Department had posted the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings. An old man and a young man were slowly strolling towards it. The younger one looked to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, with attractive features, a face like jade, dressed in a black brocade robe with gold patterns, a red jade belt around his waist, and a purple tower-shaped jade pendant hanging from his belt, the very picture of a graceful and outstanding young master in these turbid times. Although his attire was somewhat dark and mysterious, he exuded a uniquely gentle and refined temperament that made him particularly comfortable to behold. The elder waxed simple in a plain azure robe, his hair and beard both white, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies, yet his skin was smooth and ruddy, quite the picture of an old man with the complexion of a child. Especially his eyes, they were exceptionally bright, not at all reflecting his advanced age. These two were Zhou Yin and his Taoist Protector, Zhou Danqing. My lord, if you wish to see this Da Qi Human Ranking, let this old servant copy it down for you, Zhou Danqing said with a smile. Why bother coming here and squeezing in with these commoners to view it? I want to see how these people of Qi regard me, Zhou Yin replied with a faint smile, his gaze directed towards the announcement board. If I let you copy it, and then asked you about it, you would definitely omit any negative comments about me. This Zhou Danqing looked down and sighed. If there are indeed some nonsensical criticisms, they would not be worthy of your noble ears. See, I knew it, Zhou Yin laughed. Rather than listening to praise, Id prefer to hear the real voices of the Qi countrys common folk He stopped speaking abruptly and came to a halt, his expression slightly stiffening and his eyebrows knitting together, his ears twitching as he looked towards a group of people in the crowd. This, this Zhou Danqings expression changed slightly, and he spoke in a low voice, These people of Qi truly have some nerve. Who is this Zhou Heng to be compared with you? No, this is the real voice, Zhou Yin suddenly laughed again, continuing towards that direction, Ive heard of this Zhou Heng before, but he had never breached the top five of the Human Rankings before, so I didnt pay much attention. Now listening to these people of Qi, he has killed two Secret Sixth Rank, climbing to the second place of the Human Ranking. Ha, some even say I am very much like him, thinking he might be from the Zhou family. Interesting, truly interesting. From the Zhou family? Zhou Danqings expression worsened as he snorted coldly. That man is nothing more than a countryside bumpkin whos come out of the mountains, how dare he bear the Zhou surname? Danqing, why are you so agitated? Zhou Yin looked at his protector and smiled. You were not like this before. I am outraged because your reputation has been tarnished, my lord, Zhou Danqing retorted sharply, pointing towards the crowd. Listen to what these people are saying; they dare to claim that you are imitating that Zhou Heng copying his style. Actually, theyre not entirely wrong; this Zhou Heng does have quite a few similarities with me, Zhou Yins eyes narrowed slightly as he chuckled. Certainly, a reincarnation of a great being, no doubt. I wonder who has reincarnated and to what extent they have awakened. One would think they would not match up to you, Zhou Danqing replied respectfully. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only That remains to be seen, Zhou Yin shook his head and continued walking forward, looking at the descriptions on the Human Ranking. This Human Ranking is better than the Dragon Tiger List; it details past achievements very clearly. He seems to have many contingencies left over from his past life Hmm, not simple at all. Perhaps its just the people of Qi boasting without cause, Zhou Danqing remarked by his side. Danqing, Zhou Yin turned to face Zhou Danqing, his tone both mocking and serious. You are my Taoist Protector, but you are also an elder of the Zhou family. Is there something you want to tell me? Excuse us, excuse us, please let us through, a voice came from behind them at that moment, belonging to a young man leading a jujube red horse. This young man, dressed in a Taoist robe, looked travel-worn, having clearly just arrived at the Imperial City. He glanced at Zhou Yin and Zhou Danqing and said, Could you please make way? Excuse me, Id like to have a look at the latest Human Rankings. Chapter 271 - Chapter 271: Chapter 271 Zhou Yins Secret Chapter 271: Chapter 271 Zhou Yins Secret It must be said that Zhongzhou is truly vast. As the central region of Da Qis world, its territory is more than twice that of Pingzhou, and the Purple Tenuity Palace entrance set up by Zhou Tian Boundary Officer here is also exceedingly scarce. Having no other choice, Zhou Heng could only ride his chestnut horse to hurry along his journey, taking more than a day to finally reach the Imperial City of Zhongzhou. He just happened to arrive when the Shenwu Office was posting the Heaven, Earth, and Man ranking lists. So, he decided to go take a look. Had his deeds of killing Liu He and Qiu Yuanchang been published on the Man List? If they were published, would his own ranking change? And did the top ten of the Man List see any variations, he wondered, while also casually inquiring about how many of those listed would attend the Chaoyang Wine Meeting. However, what he did not expect was to encounter this Saint reincarnation from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang upon his arrival. Indeed, Zhou Heng had already come to know the identity of Zhou Yin. After all, with his current cultivation realm, his hearing and eyesight were far beyond that of an ordinary person; even from a great distance, he could hear Zhou Yins conversation with Zhou Danqing clearly. So the identities of these two were no secret to him. He also knew that they were talking about him. However, Zhou Heng did not reveal his awareness, nor did he expose his own identity. He simply pretended to be an ordinary wanderer in the martial world, asking the two to step aside so he could go check the latest Man List. Where did this young fellow come from? Zhou Danqing frowned, casting a glance at Zhou Heng, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, about to chide him. Danqing, lets go. Zhou Yins brows were tightly locked as he gently pressed on Zhou Danqings shoulder, speaking in a deep tone, Lets go. Yes, young master. Zhou Danqing nodded and had no choice but to swallow the words that had reached his lips. Afterward, the two of them left the crowd and went far away. Zhou Heng watched their receding figures, touched his chin, chuckled lightly, and thought to himself, Interesting. That Danqing seems to be a Middle Third Rank expert; why does he act like a hot-tempered older brother? Could it be that he was about to curse me away just now? This temperament is a bit too aggressive. It shouldnt be the case. After all, I am not that kind of novel protagonist. Just now, that Zhou Yin seemed to deliberately interrupt Danqing from speaking, appearing quite composed. How can such a person have a servant like this? Zhou Family of Lu Yang Zhou Heng had suspected that the Zhou Family of Lu Yang might be related to his parents in this world, his original family in this realm. Now, seeing the most noteworthy young generation of this ancient family, his feelings were somewhat complex; he still wanted to try and see if he could obtain some clues from Zhou Yin. After all, the mysterious disappearance of his parents in this world, the Zhou-surnamed village where he used to live, which also seemed to be a Cave Sky manifested by a Celestial Man, all pointed to a possible clue that might exist. Could the Celestial Man who manifested that Cave Sky come from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang? Although Yan Shouyi had previously gone to inquire in Southern Jins Lu Yang and received the answer that the Zhou Family had not had any bloodline scattered outside for three thousand years, Zhou Heng still wanted to verify it himself. In his heart, there was still that bit of hope and expectation. Perhaps this Saint reincarnation, Zhou Yin, knew something others did not? This was possible. With many thoughts whirling in his mind, Zhou Heng took quite a while to calm down before he turned to look at the information on the Man List displayed on the notice board. ` But with that one glance, he immediately froze on the spot. Thoughts started bubbling up in his mind. Damn it Im second? But, that seems normal, right? After all, I killed two Secret Six Ranks. But Zhou Yin, he actually defeated Cui Guanlan and directly climbed to the fifth rank on the human list. His strength cannot be underestimated. After all, hes the reincarnation of a Saint. It seems hes really extraordinary. If I were to face him at the Chaoyang Banquet, Id have to be cautious and not take him lightly. Zhou Yin and Zhou Danqing returned to the manor arranged for them by the Da Qi Royal Family. Once in the main hall. Danqing. Zhou Yin glanced at Zhou Danqing, not stating anything explicitly, but his eyes already sent him a signal. Yes, my lord. Zhou Danqing immediately nodded respectfully, and at the same time, he formed a series of hand seals and cast a soundproof secret technique, preventing the sound from this place from being transmitted to the outside world. Although he was just a Fifth Rank Sect Master and such a level of soundproofing secret technique couldnt really prevent those high-level cultivators in Zhongzhou Imperial City from eavesdropping, what they actually needed to guard against were just the servants of the manor. To prevent the servants from overhearing the conversation that followed and potentially spreading it, which could lead to gossip. It wasnt particularly secretive matters indeed. Danqing, you seem to have quite an issue with Zhou Heng, Zhou Yin said as he sat on a chair, casually circulating his Inner Qi to heat the tea next to him, pouring himself a cup and smiling, Come on, tell me about it. My lord, I just Zhou Danqing, who had been relaxed, immediately became defensive upon hearing this. I dont want to hear your excuses, Zhou Yin shook his head, interrupting Zhou Danqing and said indifferently, Although I havent regained much of my previous lifes memory, Im not deaf or blind. I could see your attitude clearly beforehand. Please forgive me, my lord. Zhou Danqing quickly bowed in apology and then said in a low voice, In truth, Im somewhat worried that Zhou Heng might affect your awakening, and Id prefer not to have you come into contact with him. He might affect my awakening? Zhou Yins eyes narrowed slightly, his presence imposing without anger, and he laughed, Tell me, how could he possibly affect my awakening? At this moment, although he was sitting, he gave Zhou Danqing the impression of looking down on him from above, evoking trepidation. In order for my lord to know, I had been paying attention to this Zhou Heng before, Zhou Danqing explained with his head down, All signs indicate that he is undoubtedly the reincarnation of a powerful being, and he has carried out many contingencies from his previous life. In terms of awakening, he should be much stronger than you. And then? Zhou Yins demeanor remained nonchalant. That, that was Masters instruction, Zhou Danqing said with his head lowered, not daring to look directly at Zhou Yin, Master only instructed us not to let you interact too much with other reincarnated powerful beings, as it may affect your further awakening, and it might even relate to the fate of the entire Zhou Family. Is that all? Zhou Yin asked indifferently. That is all, my lord. Zhou Danqing replied. Good, Zhou Yin nodded slightly and said sternly, You may leave now, I would like to be alone for a while. My lord, the Master doesnt mean to restrict your freedom, please do not misunderstand, its just Zhou Danqing tried to explain. Get out! Zhou Yin suddenly looked up, his eyes wide open, and he cut off Zhou Danqings words. Yes Zhou Danqing shrank back in terror, quickly bowed in a salute to take his leave, Call for me if you need anything, my lord. Soon. This hall was left with only Zhou Yin. Alone. A self-deprecating smile suddenly formed on the corners of his warm face, as he shook his head and mused quietly: What do you mean affect my awakening? ` Will I revive, can I revive, do I have anything left to revive, dont you already know? My dear father. Did you really think I couldnt feel it all these years? Do I need to contact other kindred before I could realize it? Saint reincarnation? Heh. Since Zhou Heng, Cheng Jianjian, and Zhu Zhenzhen were all disciples of the Pure Yang Palace and held invitations from Yan Shouyi, their accommodations had been arranged in a manor. But by the time Zhou Heng arrived, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen had already been there for a few days. However, he didnt see the two junior martial sisters when he arrived at the manor, until the sun set and evening fell when Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen finally returned. They both carried a sweet fragrance on them. This was the scent of sugar. It seemed that these two girls, one older and one younger, might have spent most of the day indulging in sweet treats outside. Having martial arts really is extraordinary, Zhou Heng remarked as he sat on a rocking chair in the courtyard, rocking and laughing, How you can eat sweets and never get fat. Huh? Little Uncle Master, when did you get here? Zhu Zhenzhen lit up upon seeing him, her little legs pitter-pattering as she ran over, Did you bring me any delicious treats? Smack! Zhou Heng flicked the little girls forehead, scolding with a laugh, Still want to eat? Havent you and your sister Cheng had enough outside? Go practice; otherwise, Ill tell your master when we get back to the mountain. Ah?? Zhu Zhenzhen rolled her eyes and chuckled, Little Uncle Master, telling my master wont do any good. Havent you seen, he cant control me either, hehe. Alright, Zhenzhen, I have a bottle of osmanthus wine here for you, Cheng Jianjian took out a bottle of wine, and immediately a fragrance wafted through the air, Take this and go back to your room first, I have something to discuss with Little Uncle Master. Ow~~? Zhu Zhenzhen laughed upon hearing this and, with a clever glance, took the bottle, heheing, Sister Cheng, youre the best, you dote on me the most. No sooner said than done, she ran off like a wisp of smoke, as if afraid that Cheng Jianjian would change her mind. Thus, only Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were left. Jiang Jian, what did you want to talk to me about? Zhou Heng was puzzled; he had no idea what was going on. Why did Cheng Jianjian look so serious as if she had something very important to say? She even sent Zhu Zhenzhen away purposely. What was she planning?? Young Master Zhou, Cheng Jianjian looked soberly at Zhou Heng, slowly walked up to him, crouched down gently, and sighed, Youve really had it tough these past days. Eh?? Zhou Heng was baffled; what on earth was she talking about? Actually, you dont have to hold it in by yourself; its not good for you, Cheng Jianjian said earnestly, looking into Zhou Hengs eyes, If you ever feel your spirit unstable, I can cast a spell to suppress It. As you know, I have the appropriate teachings. The Southern Dipper controls life, while the Northern Dipper governs death. In the inheritance of the North Star Officer, there are corresponding spells that can suppress the will of a past life that has passed, delaying the awakening process, and to some extent, soothing the spirit of the current life. Eh? What?? Zhou Heng was still a bit confused. But he quickly came to his senses. Cheng Jianjian must have misunderstood something, thinking that the will of the great being from his past life was further awakening within him, causing him to be in a constant state of mental vigilance against his past lifes will. You think Ive been fighting against the will of my past life recently? Zhou Heng suddenly laughed. Isnt that so? Cheng Jianjian was startled by his words. Had she guessed wrong? But if not that, then how could she explain the immense leap in Zhou Hengs strength in just half a year? Of course not. In fact, my mental state has been quite stable recently. Zhou Heng stood up from the reclining chair and said with a light laugh, Dont worry about it. Young Master. Cheng Jianjian also stood up, shaking her head earnestly, You really dont have to overexert yourself. I understand that you dont want others to see your vulnerable side, but I can truly help you. Youre really overthinking it. Zhou Heng said with a bitter smile, then after a thought, he added, Is it because I recently killed two Secret Sixth Rank that you think my spirit is unstable? Thats part of it, and your rapid progress in cultivation its reallytoo fast. Cheng Jianjian nodded, but at this point, her worries had lessened considerably. After all, whether ones spirit is stable can usually be judged through conversation. She had been paying attention to Zhou Hengs words and demeanor from the start and found that they seemed to be quite normal. Am I overthinking it? Or has he already successfully suppressed the will of his past life? Haha, so thats what it is. Actually, isnt this the method you told me about? Zhou Heng started to laugh. Me? Cheng Jianjian tilted her head in confusion, her stunning face full of perplexity. Yes, youre the one who told me. Zhou Heng nodded with certainty, That as long as I cultivated quickly enough and progressed through realms swiftly, I could suppress the awakening of my past lifes will more effectively. The reason why Ive been advancing so swiftly in my cultivation is that Ive always aimed for this, never daring to slack, and thats why Ive made such progress in six months. He began to talk utter nonsense. After all, he couldnt exactly tell the truth and say he had been cheating, could he? Cheng Jianjians expression became even more puzzled; she stood dumbfounded for quite some time before finally speaking with some astonishment, That works too? Half a year from Entry Rank to the Peak of the Seventh Rank That seems about normal to me. Zhou Heng said with a smile. Normal?? Cheng Jianjian looked confused. No one really thinks martial arts training is that hard, do they? Zhou Heng said shamelessly. Cheng Jianjian was rendered speechless. Actually, my cultivation breakthroughs have all gone smoothly along the way. It was only the construction of the Inner Qi Cave Sky that had me stuck for two or three months. Zhou Heng further explained earnestly, That part was somewhat challenging. Alright, I get it now. Theres nothing wrong with your spirit, Little Uncle Master. Cheng Jianjian covered her face and bowed her head; at this moment, she realized that her previous worries were completely unnecessary. However, this also relieved her somewhat. Zhou Hengs hodgepodge explanations were, of course, not to be taken seriously, but she had no intention of delving into it. No matter how Zhou Heng had made such advancements, as long as his mental state remained stable, not suppressed by the will of the past life, not succumbing to the madness of inner conflict, then it was all good. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ah ah!! Sister! Senior Sister Cheng! Cheng Jianjian!! Just at that moment. From a nearby room came a high-pitched scream filled with furyit was Zhu Zhenzhens voice. Followed by a loud bang, she burst through her rooms door and charged out. Why is this just peach juice with a hint of wine flavor ah! This isnt the genuine Peach Blossom Brew!! Chapter 272 - Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Prince Shou Zhao Qin Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Prince Shou Zhao Qin ` Prince Shous Estate. This was the residence of Prince Zhao Qin, the sixteenth prince of the Da Qi Empire, and as the prince most likely to become a Celestial Man, he was very favored. His luxurious estate was extravagantly decorated, with countless treasures placed everywhere. At this moment, Zhao Qin was lying on a carved dragon and jade bed in one of the courtyards. Around him were young and beautiful maids attending to him, a total of ten, each in the bloom of youth, with delicate skin and outstanding beauty, all draped in thin silks, graceful and charming. Some were massaging his shoulders, others were pounding his legs, a few were squeezing his feet, some were peeling fruit, some were slicing fruit, some were hand-feeding him fruit, and some were mouth-feeding Zhao Qin had his eyes half-closed, enjoying all this, relaxed and comfortable. Just then, a middle-aged man in grey clothes hurried over, his expression one of urgency. Though a man, his face was beardless and his features were soft, radiating a gentle aura, revealing that he was actually a palace eunuch. It was Zhao Qins trusted aide, Cao Man, currently in charge of external affairs for the Da Qi court. He held a position of high authority and power, and he himself possessed a Martial Path realm of Absolute Fourth Rank, so his cultivation was not low. Yet in the presence of the sixteenth prince, he remained utterly respectful. After arriving, Cao Man saw Zhao Qin resting with eyes half-closed and didnt dare to speak. He merely stood by, quietly waiting. After a long while, Zhao Qin slowly opened his eyes, shifted his gaze to Cao Man, and smiled, How long have you been here? Speak, whats the matter? Reporting to Your Highness, Cao Man hurried over to salute, respectfully saying, Zhou Heng has arrived at the Imperial City. Zhou Heng? Zhao Qin shook his head as if in confusion, then suddenly realized and smiled, Ah, the disciple of Yan Shouyi, I remember now. Is he coming for the Chongyang Wine Meeting? Yes, Cao Man still kept his head down and said, Along with him is Qi Ruis personally-taught disciple, the fourth on the current peoples ranking Jade Xiao Celestial Fairy Cheng Jianjian, as well as You Zihengs personally-taught disciple Zhu Zhenzhen. Accompanied by two female disciples? The boy does have good fortune. Zhao Qin sneered, sitting up, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the carved dragons of the jade bed, producing a series of clear, tingling sounds, Do tell, Cao, what should I do in your opinion? How dare I presume to know Your Highnesss thoughts? Cao Man quickly shook his head, murmuring softly. Haha, Cao, youre becoming more and more slick, but such slickness wont make you Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court. Zhao Qin got off the jade bed and turned his back to Cao Man, stating somberly, Zhou Heng killed one of my chess pieces and messed up my plans; he cannot be let off lightly. But Your Highness, he is a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, the junior brother of Yan Shouyi Cao Man cautiously reminded, Just a few days ago, Yan Shouyi went to Yunxiao Heavenly Palace and slew three heads of the Scarlet Sky Beast. When did I ever say I was going to personally punish him? Zhao Qin chuckled and shook his head, The Chongyang Wine Meeting will have Pure Yang Palaces enemies present; Taixu Viewpoint would indeed enjoy seeing Pure Yang Palace lose face. I am slow-witted, I beg Your Highness to enlighten me, Cao Man said with an admiring face, still extremely respectful. Think about it yourself, Zhao Qin suddenly turned around, waving his hand, and sat back on the carved dragon jade bed, declaring indifferently, Im tired, I need to rest. Cao Man fell silent for a moment, then bowed and excused himself. However, he felt a bit baffled, Why has His Highnesss temper become more and more peculiar recently? He didnt used to be like this. He had always been a man of extreme caution, especially in dealing with this sixteenth prince. The two had been interacting in this manner for over a hundred years. Normally, Cao Man wouldnt make mistakes. In situations like asking Zhao Qin to express his intentions now and that previous report about Chen Xingjiang, based on his hundred years of experience with Zhao Qin, the prince shouldnt have gotten angry. But strangely on these two occasions, Zhao Qin seemed somewhat displeased, which led to Cao Mans confusion. After Cao Man left. ` Zhao Qin had the maids withdraw as well, leaving him the sole occupant of the vast courtyard, seated on the dragon-carved jade bed. He lay back, gazing into the sky, slightly lost in thought, and after a long moment, he suddenly chuckled. Murmuring to himself, Lets see what you can do to me! Zhu Zhenzhen, this young girl, was greatly displeased about being served counterfeit wine, causing chaos throughout the entire estate, robbing it of any peace. Ultimately, Zhou Heng pacified her by promising that once they returned to Ta Hua Mount, he would ask You Ziheng for the exquisite wine brewed from Cloud Sea Spirit Springs to appease her, and only then did the young girl calm down. This finally allowed Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian to breathe a sigh of relief and have a leisurely chat. They mainly talked about Zhou Hengs recent experiences. Speaking of his experiences in Fangzhou, Zhou Heng inquired, Jiang Jian, how much do you know about the sixteenth prince of Da Qi? The sixteenth prince, Zhao Qin Hearing this, Cheng Jianjians delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed as she said, I dont know much about him. The emperor of Da Qi has twenty princes, and Zhao Qin is the sixteenth. Its said that he was a secluded character in his youth with poor aptitude for the Martial Path, not very likable. However, after he turned eighteen, his Martial Arts skills inexplicably soared. He reached the Secret Sixth Rank before thirty and became a Fourth Rank Absolute Grandmaster by fifty. Zhao Qin has now been an Absolute Fourth Rank for three hundred years and is reputed to be the most likely among the princes to become a Celestial Man Unexpectedly, he would arrange to cultivate Evil Creatures. As they chatted, Zhou Heng tried to subtly extend the power of the Celestial Mans Cave Sky and found that it indeed acted as a sound barrier, so they didnt need to worry about being overheard. Do you think Zhao Qin will target me at this Chaoyang wine gathering? Zhou Heng asked with a light laugh, After all, I did mess up his plans. He probably shouldnt, Cheng Jianjian replied with an uncertain tone, gently shaking her head, With Master Yan Shouyis Chop Red Heaven Scripture before, he shouldnt act rashly, I guess. Nevertheless, Zhao Qin is unpredictable, so we should still remain vigilant. The second day of the second month is known in Da Qi as the Early Yang Festival. It signifies the initial rise of Yang Energy for the year, the revival of all things, brimming with vitality, as severe cold departs, marking the harmonious beginning of the year. It is customary that on this day a wine gathering is held to offer sacrifices and pray for favorable weather. This tradition is said to date back to the Ancient Era and has been transmitted through the long stretches of years, eventually becoming an official holiday of the Central Dynasty since the Middle Ancient period. As the Imperial family of Da Qi is a continuation of the Central Dynastys imperial line, they have naturally retained this festival. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The reason Southern Jin chose this day for their visit is precisely because of the special significance it holds in Da Qi, as overshadowing Da Qi on this day would be akin to suppressing Da Qis fortunes invisibly. And Da Qis agreement to set the meeting on this day is also due to the inherent meaning, as long as they triumph over Southern Jin that day, it signifies that Da Qi will prosper throughout the year. Hence the Chaoyang wine gathering on the second day of the second month originated. On this day, As the second day of February arrived, the doors of Da Qis Imperial Palace swung open, with an honor guard extending for ten miles, all to welcome the distinguished guests attending the Chaoyang wine gathering. Chapter 273 - Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Bold as Brass Inside the Palace of Divine Light Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Bold as Brass Inside the Palace of Divine Light Facing the morning sun, Zhou Heng, Cheng Jianjian, and Zhu Zhenzhen arrived in front of the Imperial Palace, where they could see the impressive ceremonial procession from afar. On both sides of the street, a sizable crowd had already gathered to watch, with many wanting to see who would be attending the Chaoyang Wine Ceremony this time, or to check if the person they admired was among the participants. For the citizens of Da Qis Imperial City, for a martial artist to be able to attend the Chaoyang Wine Ceremony was a tremendous honor, as it meant fighting for the prestige and reputation of the nation, deserving of respect and admiration. So when Zhou Heng and the others walked down this ceremonial avenue, the surrounding area immediately erupted with cheers as tumultuous as a tsunami. To invigorate them. To celebrate and bless them. None of the three, including Zhou Heng, had anticipated such an enthusiastic scene. In the midst of such overwhelming shouts and blessings, an ordinary person might immediately feel driven by a sense of mission and honor and might fight desperately for glory. Even individuals as determined as Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian could not help but feel moved by these cheers, silently acknowledging how important the Chaoyang Wine Ceremony was to the citizens of the Imperial City. As for the young girl Zhu Zhenzhen, she turned beet red with praise, her eyes shining bright and eager, her tiny fists clenched tightly. In her heart, she resolved to achieve noteworthy results and not let down those who had high hopes for her. However, not long after they embarked on the ceremonial avenue, a new wave of sounds emerged from behind them, some cheering, some even crying out in excitement. These were another group of people who were coming to attend the Chaoyang Wine Ceremony with Zhou Heng. Cui Guanlan was among them. Aside from him, there were Wrath of Buddha Cheng Zhi, Tri-Flower Youth Chen An, and Sword Lunatic Fang Wen. It was Zhou Hengs first time seeing Fang Wen, who walked in a white garment holding a sword, his handsome yet pale face, and his slender, fragile figure resembling that of a woman. These four, added to the three that included Zhou Heng, made up all those who the procession was meant to welcome. The other three were reserved for the royal familys own quota, already within the Imperial Palace and thus in no need of a reception. These three were: the son of Prince Shou, Zhao Bian, the nephew of the Crown Princess Consort, Lin Xianyu, and last years champion of the martial examination, Ye Lingfeng. The son of Prince Shou. Zhou Hengs thoughts flickered as he maintained a poker face. Suddenly, his eyebrows slightly raised as he sensed a subtle and strange aura. This aura was both eerie and extremely secretive, passing through his perception for only a moment, even making him doubt whether he had merely imagined it. Could I have perceived it wrong? Zhou Heng wondered with surprise. He had always been very confident in his perception, but the fleeting sensation just now left him uncertain. Even if there are evil creatures or spirits, they surely wouldnt dare to act rashly hereafter all, this is the Imperial City of Da Qi. Right, I should still stay vigilant, though. At the same time, he reminded Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen to stay on their guard. If anything untoward should happen, they were to prioritize staying alive and flee immediately. Although they were puzzled as to why Zhou Heng would suddenly say thiscould it be that Prince Shou really dared to make a move against them?they knew now was not the time for detailed questions. Both trusted Zhou Heng and heightened their vigilance once more. The Da Qi Imperial Palace was vast, and there were numerous palaces within it. However, the most eye-catching of all was the Qianyang Palace, which one could see upon entering the central gatemajestic and magnificent, it was simply breathtaking. This was the place where the sovereign of Da Qi usually held court and managed state affairs. It also serves as the heart of the entire Imperial Palace. The site chosen for the Sunrise Wine Banquet was in a palace known as the Palace of Divine Light, adjacent to Qianyang Palace. Although the palace was slightly smaller than Qianyang Palace, its brilliance and vitality surpassed it. Its location was just slightly inferior to that of Qianyang Palace, making it one of the most prestigious palaces. Normally, the Palace of Divine Light was only used when the royal family held grand ceremonies or banquets. This highlighted how much importance Da Qi placed on the Sunrise Wine Banquet. Zhou Heng and the others, guided by the courts external affairs manager, Cao Man, walked into the Palace of Divine Light and took their seats one by one. By this time, people had already taken their places on the stage and some seats within the hall. However, Zhou Heng did not recognize any of them. Once everyone had arrived, and with introductions from the courts external affairs manager Wei Chang, Zhou Heng finally learned who these individuals were. The Sunrise Wine Banquet was presided over by the Crown Prince of Da Qi, Zhao Zhen, who is the legitimate eldest son of the Emperor of Da Qi and has been the heir apparent for three thousand years since the establishment of the dynasty. The Crown Princess Consort sat beside Zhao Zhen; both wore solemn expressions and were in no mood for light-hearted talk. Seated alongside Zhao Zhen, the Crown Prince, was the sixteenth Prince, Zhao Qin. In contrast to Zhao Zhens seriousness, he appeared much more casual, even his sitting posture seemed careless, and his eyes constantly swept over the attendees. This represented the royal side hosting the banquet. The seating below the stage was divided into two rows facing each other. One row was for the ten people from the Da Qi side, including Zhou Hengs seat, while opposite them were six people from Southern Jin. Although only three official delegates from Southern Jin participated in the Sunrise Wine Banquet, each of the powers they hailed from had sent personal guards to ensure their safety. Thus, there were six people. Southern Jin had its Dragon and Tiger List, with the top three places attending the Sunrise Wine Banquet. Besides Zhou Yin, whom Zhou Heng had already met, there was Tianyizi from Taixu Viewpoint and Tang Kaiyun from the Southern Jin royal family. Zhou Yin needed no further mention; he was a sacred reincarnation with many marvelous traits. Tianyizi, on the other hand, was known as a naturally born Immortal, possessing the innate ability to manipulate the essence of heaven and earth and comprehending Taoist formulas without a teacher, making him a true prodigy. Even though Tianyizi was only at the peak of Seventh Rank in terms of cultivation, the might with which he wielded the essence of heaven and earth was incredibly strong, nearly approaching the true Secret Six Rank. Tang Kaiyun was the youngest son of the Emperor of Southern Jin, ranked thirty-sixth. Compared to Zhou Yin and Tianyizi, he seemed quite ordinary, but his talents were said to shake the heavens and earth. He began martial training at the age of seven and reached the peak of Seventh Rank by eight. However, instead of advancing, he spent the next ten years repeatedly building new pinnacles at the peak of Seventh Rank. Even now, although Tang Kaiyun was still at the peak of Seventh Rank and had not made significant strides in the methods of channeling the essence of heaven and earth, the amount of Inner Qi within his body had grown to thousands and thousands of times that of an ordinary martial artist at the peak of Seventh Rank. Hence, in combat, he needed not employ any tactics involving the manipulation of the essence of heaven and earth. His mere vast Inner Qi was enough to completely suppress other martial artists at the peak of Seventh Rank in all aspects. None of these three were to be taken lightly. Its no wonder that Southern Jin dared to send only these three individuals to the Sunrise Wine Banquet this time. Their unique traits alone were reason for vigilance. While Zhou Heng was sizing up Zhou Yin and the others, the three from Southern Jin were also scrutinizing them. Especially Zhou Heng and Fang Wen. Although Wei Chang had given only a brief introduction regarding Zhou Heng and the others just now, the latest edition of the Personage Rankings had just been released, where the descriptions of Zhou Heng and his peers were very clear. Bang! The sound of a bell signified that the Chaoyang Wine Event had officially begun. Zhao Zhen stood up from the high platform, dressed in a brocaded robe with a jade belt, appearing to be a middle-aged man around forty years old, with a square face and divine-like eyes, exuding a majestic presence even without anger. Ladies and gentlemen, you are all elites of your time. Now gathered here, let there be fine wine to enhance the occasion. He possessed a dignified and commanding presence, and as soon as his voice trailed off, the empty space in the palace seemed to distort slightly. In front of everyones table, a white jade cup appeared out of thin air, filled with a fragrant, emerald-green wine. The name of the wine is Myriad Manifestations, Wei Changs high-pitched voice declared. This is the first trial of the Chaoyang Wine Event. Using this wine as a guide, internal sceneries and myriads of forms will manifest to distinguish the superior from the inferior. Your eunuchs speech is unclear, Zhao Qin suddenly spoke up, straightening his posture slightly, and said to the crowd below: These cups of Myriad Manifestations are not for drinking. Thirteen cups of Myriad Manifestations Wine create a special environment. Within this environment, even the immature inner sceneries can manifest clearly, demonstrate their principles, and be compared against each other to determine the superior and inferior, the strong and the weak. Thank you, Your Highness, for explaining on behalf of this servant, Wei Chang respectfully bowed and then smiled at the crowd. It is as the Sixteenth Prince said. Do all the elites understand? This is different from the past Chaoyang Wine Events, Cheng Jianjian communicated to Zhou Heng through a voice transmission, saying, Previously, there would first be wine tasting, followed by a performance, and only then would the competing phase begin. Indeed, its somewhat strange, Zhou Heng also frowned slightly. He had previously inquired about the process of past Chaoyang Wine Events from Yan Shouyi, and there had never been an occasion where the competition began directly. Moreover, previous competitions had always started with a straightforward martial confrontation. This time, however, they were to compete over the strength and prowess of their inner sceneries. And before the wine event had begun, there had been no news about changes to the schedule, which was really odd. It wasnt just Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian who felt puzzled, the other people from Da Qi also wore expressions of confusion. Clearly, none of them had anticipated such a change. Why suddenly change the procedure of the wine event? A young and handsome boy in green clothes who appeared to be only seven or eight years old asked. He was Triple Blossom Child Chen An, currently third in the Personage Rankings, and a true disciple of the Qing Emperor Palace. This was a request from the Southern Jins royal family, and this palace has agreed, Zhao Zhen said indifferently. Moreover, the rules of the Chaoyang Wine Event have been changed in the past, so there is no need for surprise. You agreed? Zhou Hengs eyebrows rose sharply as he spoke in a heavy tone, What if you agreed? The condescending tone in which the Da Qi Crown Prince spoke irked him, and the sudden change, which had already put him on high alert, now made him openly oppose it, presenting a good opportunity to extricate himself and leave. Indeed, he had no intention of continuing to participate in the Chaoyang Wine Event. Hmm? Zhao Zhen, hearing this, turned his calm and indifferent gaze toward Zhou Heng and said, The Chaoyang Wine Event is under my supervision, and since I have agreed to the request of the Southern Jin royal family, I can naturally change the preceding rules. Your Highness, we were invited to be here, not begged to come, Cheng Jianjian too spoke up. She lightly shook her head and said, Such an attitude makes it difficult for us to accept. She understood what Zhou Heng intended and planned to leave along with him. For her, the oddity of this Chaoyang Wine Event lay not only in the change of rules but also in Zhao Zhens uncompromising attitude. Why was this Crown Prince of Da Qi so brazen? Yes, you are too domineering! Zhu Zhenzhen also shook her head repeatedly, the little girl expressing her genuine feelings and prepared to stand or fall with Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Since the rules have changed, why wasnt there any communication with us teachers beforehand? a burly monk who looked to be in his thirties or forties stood up and glared angrily at Zhao Zhen. It was Buddhas Wrath Cheng Zhi, a True Disciple of Infinite Temple, who was in fact only twenty-one years old. Nearly everyone from the sect side stood up. Yet Cui Guanlan of the Fengzhou Cui Clan remained seated with a proper posture, silent as if he had no objection to the changes in the rules of the Morning Sun Banquet. This was the difference between the perspectives of the sects and the noble families. When facing the sects, noble families have always been united with the royal family, never siding with the sects. As for the three on the royal familys side, there was no need to say more. Everyone seems so agitated, could it be that you are scared? Just then, someone from Southern Jin suddenly spoke up. It was the true disciple of Taixu Viewpoint, known as the born Immortal, Tianyizi. This Tianyizi appeared to be around twenty years old, exceptionally handsome, with feathered clothes and a starry crown, holding a dust whisk in his hand, embodying the essence of Immortal elegance. It was hard not to acknowledge his appealing presence. If you truly believe that you are no match for us, then simply concede defeat, Tang Kaiyun said with a smile. This prince of Southern Jin was a man in his twenties, ordinary-looking and a bit plump, with a rounded face and slender, squinting eyes. It would be good to have a match. Fang Wen, who had been quietly sitting with his sword, suddenly spoke up. A match would indeed be good; Ive always heard that Zhou Wen of Da Qi has the talent to establish his own path, Tianyizi said with a smile: Ive been looking forward to seeing it firsthand. Zhou Yin fell silent, his brows furrowed, his thoughts racing, and his fists involuntarily clenched. He had a nagging feeling that something was amiss. Could it be that Tianyizi and Tang Kaiyun had been aware of the changes to the Morning Sun Banquets rules all along? For Tang Kaiyun from the royal family, it was understandable, since according to what Zhao Zhen said, the change in the rules was proposed by the royal family. But why did Tianyizi from Taixu Viewpoint also know? And his own side knew nothing?! Something wasnt right! At this moment, Zhou Heng had also noticed that there seemed to be something off about the Southern Jin side, and his sense of crisis immediately intensified. So, without hesitation, he grabbed Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen and left his seat, heading for the doors of the Palace of Divine Light, intending to leave directly. Zhou Heng, where do you think youre going?! Zhao Qin suddenly shouted sharply, slamming the table, Who allowed you to leave? Youre not being straight with us; we have no intention of participating in this Morning Sun Banquet anymore, farewell, Zhou Heng said without even turning his head, continuing to lead Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen forward. Chen An and Cheng Zhi also followed closely, intending to leave. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Fang Wen also stood up with his sword. At this point, the behavior of both the people from Southern Jin and the Zhao Family was too strange. However, when Zhou Heng and his group reached the doors of the temple, mysterious and profound sealing talismans suddenly lit up on the temple doors. The Palace of Divine Light had been sealed shut. There was no way out! Chapter 274 - Chapter 274: Chapter 274: The Qi of Taiyi Hunyuan, the Supreme of the Infinite Void Chapter 274: Chapter 274: The Qi of Taiyi Hunyuan, the Supreme of the Infinite Void The sudden closure of the Palace of Divine Light made everyone realize something was amiss. Even Cui Guanlan, scion of his family, stood up, his expression a mix of shock and question, as he looked towards Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin on the platform and demanded, Your Highnesses, what is the meaning of this? From the Southern Jin side, Zhou Yin also rose to his feet. However, he didnt question the two on the platform, but instead turned to Tianyizi and Tang Kaiyun beside him and asked in a grave tone, Whats going on here? Youll know soon enough, Tang Kaiyun answered with a light smile, offering no clear explanation. Its just a minor unforeseen event, no need for panic, Tianyizi gently shook his head, swaying the whisk in his hand and smiling, Just wait and see, Master Zhou. You?! Zhou Yins sense of alarm grew stronger. As he was contemplating whether to question Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin directly, he saw Zhou Heng stepping out from the crowd. One Celestial Man and one at the peak of Fourth Rank, daring to trap us all here, Zhou Hengs gaze fixed on the two on the platform as he rebuked loudly, What are you trying to do? Now that the doors of the Palace of Divine Light had suddenly shut, sealing everyone inside, it was clear there was a scheme at play. But one of them was the Crown Prince of Da Qi, the other the most favored Sixteenth Prince of the current times; under normal circumstances, whatever they needed or wanted to obtain shouldnt have posed any difficulty. Why go to such lengths to brazenly offend the many sects and noble families, as well as the backing Celestial Men, Tao Lords, and even Immortals? Such actions were, of course, baffling to those present. First and foremost, they needed to understand what those two were trying to do to have any hope of freeing themselves. Worthy of being the reincarnation of a great power, even when trapped like a turtle in a jar, your words carry such confidence, Zhao Qin praised with a clap and smile, I hope you can maintain that confidence shortly. Brother Emperor, we can begin now. As soon as these words were spoken, Zhou Heng suddenly felt the world spin, with the light and shadows shifting swiftly around him, vital energies turning into multicolored glows, and the laws of nature twisting even more. It seemed they were about to start the transference to another realm. Zhou Heng made a split-second decision, spreading a sliver of the Power of Cave Sky, enveloping himself, Cheng Jianjian, and Zhu Zhenzhen, which also slowed down the process of the realm transfer. This force of transference seemed to be merely at the level of a Celestial Man, and with this sliver of the Power of Cave Sky as a shield, it seemed indeed possible to disrupt the process. But Zhou Hengs mind suddenly shifted, abandoning this plan, and used the Power of Cave Sky to maintain a connection between the three of them, ensuring they wouldnt get separated during the transference. At the same time, he also saw Fang Wen, Chen An, Cheng Zhi, and Cui Guanlan become enveloped in the brilliance and vanish from sight. Unexpectedly, he noticed that four individuals from Southern Jin were also covered in the glowing light. They were Zhou Yin and Tianyizi, along with their guards. Then, Zhou Heng perceived a moment of dizziness and in the blink of an eye, he found that his surroundings had changed completely. The three of them had been transported from the Palace of Divine Light to a vast grassland. Here, the sky was high and the ground was wide, endless at a glance, not even the rise and fall of mountains could be seen, as if the very edges of the sky were green, grassy landscapes. Huh! The sound of the wind howled, causing the white clouds in the sky to tumble and drift chaotically, blowing the clothes of Zhou Heng and his two companions to flutter wildly. This place, it appears to be a Cave Sky world, Zhou Hengs brows furrowed slightly as he sensed the abnormalities in the principles of heaven and earth outside, finding it extremely difficult to manifest his inner realm externally. Clearly, they had been transferred to a different world. I also sensed that manifesting the inner realm externally is extremely difficult, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, saying, This place should no longer be Da Qi. Based on the previous situation, this may very well be the Cave Sky world of the Crown Prince of Da Qi, Zhao Zhen. For Martial Artists, whether the blending of the inner microcosm with the outer macrocosm is seamless is an essential criterion for judging whether the principles of heaven and earth have changed. Therefore, the external manifestation of the inner realm would naturally blend with the principles of heaven and earth. Normally, after the initial blending, one could, to some extent, harness the primordial energy of heaven and earth without any sensation of difficulty or obstruction. If suddenly it becomes difficult and awkward to merge the inner realm with the outer heaven and earth, it often indicates a change or a distortion in the principles of heaven and earth. The current level of difficulty, then, was more akin to having switched worlds completely. No, this probably isnt Zhao Zhens Cave Sky, Zhou Heng shook his head gently; he had just tried using the Power of Cave Sky to probe the surroundings, This Cave Sky world is very stable and does not run smoothly, indicating that its internal rules have not experienced fluctuations or adjustments for a long time. Does that mean the master of this Cave Sky world may have perished? Cheng Jianjians eyes lit up as she spoke with a smile, If that is the case, we might still have a chance. Correct, Zhou Heng nodded, saying, As long as this is not Zhao Zhens Cave Sky, even if he has some measure of control, he shouldnt be able to monitor everything without exception. He was already considering whether to use the Magic Weapons projection card Seven Arrows Book of Nail Head that he had obtained from opening the platinum treasure box earlier. To curse Zhao Zhen to death. Right now, the prerequisite was to confirm the degree of Zhao Zhens control over this place. Junior martial uncle, Senior Sister Cheng, why has he captured us and brought us here? Zhu Zhenzhen asked, completely baffled, Dont they fear that the Sect Grandmaster will cause them trouble? In her eyes, Sect Grandmaster Yan Shouyi was the most, most, most powerful person in the world. If they were bullied or wronged outside, the Sect Grandmaster would always stand up for them. Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin obviously have no fear, Zhou Heng shook his head and said in a deep voice, I dont know what they are planning, but this is a massive setup, having ensnared most of the attendees of the Sunlight Wine Gathering. Moreover, its not just the descendants of sects and noble families from Da Qi; even Zhou Yin from Southern Jin and Tianyizi were also transported across realms. I wonder if they were transported to this world as well? I cant figure out what they want to do either, Cheng Jianjians brows knitted lightly, her thoughts whirring as she spoke, puzzled, This event happened in the Palace of Divine Light, right during the Sunlight Wine Gathering, so it was bound to be exposed. If something really happened to us, it would surely be revealed. By then, our Pure Yang Palace, along with Longevity Way, Qing Emperor Palace, Infinite Temple, and the Cui family of Fengzhou would know that its a problem on Zhaos side. What can Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin gain from this? What do they desire the most? The only thing I can think of, it seems, is advancing to Celestial Man, achieving the status of Tao Lord? Zhao Qin was already a Great Grandmaster at the Absolute Fourth Rank peak three hundred years ago, and by now he had certainly reached the Peak of the Absolute Fourth Rank. For him, the most likely goal was naturally advancing to Celestial Man. Yet he is not even four hundred years old, and a Great Grandmaster at Absolute Fourth Rank could live for at least a thousand years. He could have steadily progressed step by step, so why the urgent rush? As for Zhao Zhen, he is even more inscrutable. He was already a Celestial Man before the commencement of the Tianyang Battle three thousand years ago. Now that he has weathered all five decays of a Celestial Man, possessing an indestructible Primordial Spirit and an imperishable body, he is effectively immortal, beyond decline and catastrophe. For such a powerful being, even if he desires to achieve the status of a Tao Lord, he neednt take any risks in haste. And most crucially, whether it is advancing to Celestial Man or achieving the status of a Tao Lord, what does that have to do with them, a few young people at the Peak of the Seventh Rank? ` Could it be that these few people had something on them that could help Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin prove the Dao of Celestial Man or Tao Lord? How could that be possible. The gap was too vast. Whether it was Celestial Man or Tao Lord, both were of the Upper Third Rank of immortals, while those who were still at the Peak of the Seventh Rank in the Lower Third Tier fundamentally had no right to be mentioned in the same breath. No matter what the situation, lets first get out of this grassland and see if we can find any living creatures, Zhou Heng looked around and was about to say more when his brows suddenly lifted. Boom! Boom boom boom!! The ground suddenly began to tremble violently, and a huge shadow, as if appearing out of thin air, was rushing over from a distance. Each step seemed to be caused by a massive force pounding the earth, creating deafening sounds. Zhou Heng and his two companions could now clearly see what it was. It was actually a pitch-black humanoid shadow. This shadow, over twenty zhang tall and extremely large, seemed to be just an image, yet, it bore a heaviness like no other, speeding towards Zhou Heng and his party with incredible velocity. Moreover, this shadow was filled with a dense and heavy ghostly aura. It somewhat resembled a ghostly entity! The vast Palace of Divine Light had become extremely quiet. Zhou Heng, Cheng Jianjian, Zhu Zhenzhen, Fang Wen, Chen An, Cheng Zhi, Cui Guanlan, Zhou Yin, Zhou Danqing, Tianyizi, and Daoist Shande had all vanished without a trace. The only ones left to attend the Morning Sun Wine Party were the three members of the Da Qi Royal Family, along with Tang Kaiyun and his companion, Lv Zhongxian. Atop the high platform, Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin were all smiles, highly satisfied with the outcome. The Crown Princess Consort beside them, however, was unreadable, her entire being seemingly very rigid. Compared to when Zhou Heng and the others were present, she lacked a lot of vivacity. Then, all of a sudden, the Crown Princess Consort began to slowly disintegrate into countless points of light, vanishing into thin air. The real Crown Princess Consort had never once set foot in the Palace of Divine Light. From start to finish, the person seated on the high platform in the role of the Crown Princess Consort was nothing more than an illusion. At the same time, the three members of the Da Qi Royal Family who supposedly came to attend the Morning Sun Wine Party also began to dissolve into points of light, one after the other, revealing they too were fakes, their true selves had never been there. Now, in the Palace of Divine Light, there remained only Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin, Tang Kaiyun and Lv Zhongxian, as well as Wei Chang, the manager of the palaces internal affairs, who were real. Clap clap! Clap clap clap! Excellent skill, a well-laid plan, Tang Kaiyun started to clap his hands, beaming with praise. His plump and round face revealed a completely different temperament from before, full of haughtiness and superiority. Compared to earlier, he seemed like a different person. ` If it werent for the items that Brother Kaiyuan brought, neither my imperial brother nor I would dare to do this, Zhao Qin stepped down from the high platform and approached Tang Kaiyun with a smile. I have already felt Its presence. At this time, what occupied Tang Kaiyuns body was no longer the person he originally was; he had been temporarily possessed by the Third Prince of Southern Jin, Tang Kaiyuan, who had taken control of his body. Why the hurry, sixteenth prince? Tang Kaiyuan smiled and said, Not much time has passed; Zhou Heng and Zhou Yin should not have met yet. They will meet soon, Zhao Zhen also stepped down from the high platform and said solemnly, We dont have much time and need to complete this matter as soon as possible. Take out the items first. All those young people are under the watchful eyes of powerful beings. Now that they have been brought into the Cave Sky, they will be discovered very soon, Zhao Qin said gravely. Since you have already awakened your will and taken control of your brothers flesh, there is no need to delay, is there? Hahaha, fine, fine, I wont delay, Tang Kaiyuan laughed out loud. Despite saying so, his actions suggested otherwise, as he appeared to pay no heed to their urgency, fumbling slowly within his sleeve robe without any sign of producing anything. What do you want? Zhao Zhen, seeing through Tang Kaiyuans thoughts, asked directly. Jinzhou, Jiangzhou, and Yuzhouthese three states shall belong to Jin, Tang Kaiyuan forsaking any pretense, put forth his demand directly. These three states were the most affluent in the south of Da Qi and also possessed extremely rich underlying resources; under normal circumstances, Zhao Zhen would never agree to such a demand. Yet, Zhao Zhen nodded his head and said, It can be done. Hahaha, how refreshing! Tang Kaiyuan laughed heartily and then immediately produced a palm-sized sculpture from his sleeve, saying, I have brought the item. The material of the wooden sculpture was peculiar; it was neither gold nor jade but had the luster of metal and the smoothness of a gem, jet black throughout, displaying the visage of an emperor, absolutely majestic, with an air of controlling life and death. It was likely an idol of a deity. The moment Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin saw this idol, a fervent light instantly shone from their eyes; they looked as if they couldnt wait to prostrate themselves in worship, akin to the most devout believers in the presence of their god. Now, its up to the two of you, Tang Kaiyuan smiled and stepped back, distancing himself from Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin. Meanwhile, Lv Zhongxian by his side immediately took his own life, turning into a mist of blood that coalesced into a gate of light. Tang Kaiyuan swiftly maneuvered his brothers body through the gate formed from the blood mist, leaving behind what he perceived to be the soon-to-be chaotic Imperial City of Da Qi. Thus, at this moment, only Zhao Zhen, Zhao Qin, and Wei Chang remained in the Palace of Divine Light. After Tang Kaiyuan departed, Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin immediately knelt down, bowing in utmost reverence, as if they were the most loyal disciples before the god they worshipped. Both of them, simultaneously, began chanting: The chaotic energy of Taiyi, the supreme honor of the formless void The adjudicator of life and death, the reducer of disasters and misfortunes. The cycle of creation, the magnanimity of heaven and earth The ruler of the human path, Dongyue Tianqi, the greatly compassionate and holy emperor. The vastly spirituous and profound, Siming the True Lord, the Heavenly Sovereign of autonomous majesty. At the same time, Wei Chang walked forward, raised his hand to grasp his head, and violently pulled it off his neck. Blood spurted out immediately, splashing onto the idol. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The idol, bathed in fresh blood and hearing Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin recite the sacred decree, instantly exhibited a dark purple glow on its surface, with seventy-two points of faint blue fire appearing all around. If Zhou Heng were here, he would immediately recognize that the arrangement and sequence of these seventy-two points of faint blue fire were identical to what he had seen in the sacrificial ritual in his memory at the Wan Sky Mountain, without a single deviation! It was a ritual that could transform humans into ghostly beings! Not enough, its still not enough; the blood of a single Absolute Fourth Rank is only sufficient to awaken the spirit of the Lords idol, Zhao Zhen abruptly raised his head, his gaze turned to the seventy-two points of faint blue fire surrounding the idol, and his expression grew wild with frenzy. Zhou Heng, Zhou Yin, we still need your divine souls, the reincarnation of great powers, to truly awaken the authority of our Lord. Hurry, hurry up! Chapter 275 - Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Taiyang, Year 8204 Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Taiyang, Year 8204 Boom! The Purple Lightning Sword flew across the sky, and thunder roared. As the Divine Thunder Imperial Edict was executed, the huge humanoid shadow that resembled a ghost shattered loudly into nothingness. Zhou Heng flicked his sword fingers, and the Purple Lightning Sword returned from the sky. Looking at the place where the shadow had been destroyed, he furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, This things strength is no joke. It has surpassed the strongest among those at the Peak of the Seventh Rank and is close to the true Secret Six Rank. Youre right. Cheng Jianjian nodded slightly and simultaneously retracted the magic weapon that had been spinning around her. If we didnt have treasure swords and magic weapons, this battle wouldnt have ended so quickly. For any martial artist at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, the gap between them and the Secret Six Rank is massive, even for Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Although the shadow had not truly reached the level of Secret Six Rank, its strength was extremely formidable. Plus, both of them had just arrived in this world, not yet one with the laws of heaven and earth, unable to even manifest their inner visions outward, which greatly reduced their strength. Thankfully, they had the Treasure Soldier Purple Lightning Flying Sword and Cheng Jianjians Secret Six Rank magic weapon, which allowed them to defeat the shadow so quickly. Otherwise, they would have certainly faced a bitter fight. Junior Uncle, Sister Cheng, I I dont seem to have been of any use Zhu Zhenzhen felt somewhat downhearted. She had realized that she could only watch Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian fight against the shadow, unable to lend a hand, a feeling that made her very uncomfortable. Whats a fourteen-year-old genius at the Seventh Rank talking about? Cheng Jianjian smiled and patted Zhu Zhenzhens head, comforting her, When your Junior Uncle and I were your age, we were nowhere near as formidable as you are. But this time, I seem to be really useless. Zhu Zhenzhen shook her head. Acknowledging your weaknesses isnt a bad thing, Zhou Heng said, offering no comfort. As long as you train diligently after we get out, and grow stronger quickly, you can change this helpless situation. Zhu Zhenzhen fell silent for a moment, then nodded vigorously, I will. Ill give it my all this time and not hold you back! She had grown up on Taihua Mount, and though her talent and temperament were excellent, she had never faced any hardships. This experience was a kind of baptism for her soul. It would be beneficial for her future cultivation. Cheng Jianjian was amazed at how Zhou Hengs words could lift Zhu Zhenzhen out of her despondency. She couldnt help but admire Zhou Hengs ability to read people, to quickly understand Zhu Zhenzhens state of mind and offer the appropriate comfort. It was truly impressive. Next, we need to leave this grassland quickly and see if we can find a settlement or other people who were brought here, Cheng Jianjian slightly steadied her emotions and looked around, But which way should we go now? This grassland stretched endlessly, with no undulations or hills in sight. It was as if the grassland reached the end of the sky itself, without so much as a single mountain peak or slope. Zhou Heng looked at the sun in the sky, pondered for a moment, and said, Lets head east and see. Unable to determine their path by the environment, they could only rely on luck, starting their search from the east where the sun rises. Okay. Upon hearing this, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly and then slapped the jade gourd at her waist. Immediately, a ball of cloud light flew out and hovered in the air. She smiled and said, This is a Secret Six Rank magic treasure. It doesnt have any special effects, but it can carry people while flying, and its not slow either. This Can your Inner Qi sustain it? Zhou Heng looked at the ball of cloud light in surprise, then glanced at the jade gourd hanging from Cheng Jianjians slender waist. Sometimes he really wanted to ask, just how many magic treasures were there inside this ladys gourd? It seemed to be an all-encompassing collection, as if there was everything one could need, never running out, and without any duplicates. Then, the three of them boarded the cloud light and flew eastward. As they left, Zhou Heng took out a paper doll that had been soaked in the Power of Cave Sky for a long time and casually threw it, transforming it into his own likeness. This paper doll, tinged with the Power of Cave Sky, could last for an extended period, and it allowed for long-distance sensing and control through the connection with Cave Sky. He had obtained the Cave Sky of Celestial Man for several months, and had managed to soak only such a paper doll. A treasure, indeed. The moment the paper doll took human shape, Zhou Heng used another magic treasure. The Seven-Arrow Nail Book! On the vast grassland, the paper doll raised it hand, and immediately a camp appeared. In the center of the camp was a high platform with a straw figure on it, a lamp on its head, and a lamp at its feet. The paper doll entered the camp and ascended the platform, went through the ritual steps, drew talismans, made seals, and kowtowed to the straw figure. The straw figure had a name written on it. Zhao Zhen! Compared to Zhou Heng and the others who were transported to the desolate grassland, Zhou Yin and Zhou Danqing were much luckier as they appeared in a town. But they were also unfortunate. There were no living people in this town, only zombies as strong as fine steel, with immense strength and swift as the wind. The weakest had strength equivalent to the Ninth Grade of the Martial Path, and most were at the Eighth Rank. There were at least a thousand of them! Fortunately, they had Zhou Danqing, a Secret Six Rank expert, with them. Otherwise, if it had been just Zhou Yin alone, facing so many formidable zombies, he would have ended up injured or worse. C At the Lower Third Rank level, no matter how strong one is, its still possible to be overwhelmed and killed by numerous weaker martial artists. However, the greatest advantage of being at the Secret Six Rank is the fusion of the inner scenery with the outer world, commanding the mighty forces of nature. But now, having switched to a different world, Zhou Danqing couldnt manipulate the energies of heaven and earth at will for a short time. His strength was greatly reduced. Luckily, through continuous fighting, he sped up the process of his inner world adapting to the new laws and principles of this world. After initially difficult fights, he was later able to kill zombies much faster. Even so, he was still quite shaken after the battle ended. My lord, how did we end up in this place, and what exactly does the Crown Prince of Da Qi want to do? Zhou Danqings face was pale and furious, Its outrageous. Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin have grand designs, Zhou Yin said with a dark expression, They must have reached some agreement with Taixu Viewpoint or the Tang Family. We have been used as pawns. How bold! Zhou Danqing, trembled with rage, said, Young Master, do you have any special contingency to escape from here? As soon as we get out, well go home and seek justice with the old master and the Tang Family. Special contingency? Zhou Yin gave Zhou Danqing a faint glance and chuckled lightly, What, you, as a Protector, are now relying on me? Unfortunately, Im not sufficiently awakened to activate any contingency. In his mind, however, he thought, If I had a past lifes contingency as powerful as Zhou Heng, I would have used it a long time ago, okay? Why the hell would I still be here fretting over nothing?! Nevertheless, he had convinced the entire Southern Jin of his divine reincarnation, so naturally, he was no ordinary person, and in his heart, he also contemplated a way out. Its my fault. Zhou Danqing respectfully apologized to Zhou Yin, then looked around the town that had become ruins and sighed, I thought we could gather some information here, but it turns out to be overrun with monsters. Humans turned into monsters, yet the buildings and objects remain. We might still find useful information, Zhou Yin said with a stern voice. Danqing, look around and see if you can find any remnants of written records or information. Although the town was in ruins, with most buildings collapsed into rubble, there were still some areas that were relatively intact, which might contain something useful. A fine idea, Young Master, praised Zhou Danqing, nodding repeatedly before turning and walking toward the rubble, spreading out his Divine Sense in search of any object that might hold information. Before long, he indeed made a discovery. Zhou Danqing came back with three jade stones and four copper plates, his expression grave. He carefully laid these objects on a nearby stone platform and said, Young Master, there appears to be something awry. Please look at the inscriptions on these. Made in the 823rd year of Emperor Taiyang Zhou Yin saw the inscription on one of the jade stones, his expression suddenly becoming startled. He then looked at the other two jade pendants and four copper plates, muttering to himself, 823rd year of Emperor Taiyang, these copper plates 824th year of Emperor Taiyang 824th year of Emperor Taiyang The inscriptions on these copper plates are from the Metal Chapter Calendar prevalent before the end of the Battle of Tianyang in the Middle Ancient Era, and they all stop at the year 824 In the Middle Ancient Era, a hundred schools established a uniform calendar. To preserve it conveniently, they inscribed it on copper plates, dubbed Metal Chapters, and passed it down through thousands of families. This calendar was thus known as the Metal Chapter Calendar. However, during the Middle Ancient Era, eight hundred states stood side by side, and there were no imperial regnal years on the Metal Chapter Calendars. Only after the end of the Middle Ancient Era, when the Central Dynasty was established, were the imperial regnal years added to the Metal Chapter Calendar. Taiyang was the regnal title of the last emperor of the Central Dynasty, Emperor Taiyang. And the 824th year of Taiyang was twenty-four years after the outbreak of the Battle of Tianyang in the 800th year of Taiyang. How does this town have so many ancient relics? Zhou Danqing wondered aloud. No, I dont think these are ancient relics, Zhou Yin shook his head slightly, caressing the jade stones and copper plates with his hand and spoke in a grave tone, Perhaps, the people here became a horde of walking corpses in the 824th year of Taiyang, and maybe this is related to the Battle of Tianyang At this point, he suddenly turned his head to look at Zhou Danqing and asked in a solemn voice, Danqing, what do you know about the Battle of Tianyang? I I know very little as well, Zhou Danqing shook his head and responded, Young Master, do you suspect that the strange occurrences here are related to the Battle of Tianyang? But from the perspective of my inner senses, this should already be another world entirely. Even if we have entered another world, it might not be unrelated to the Battle of Tianyang, Zhou Yins gaze returned to the ruins, Danqing, lets search again. Fang Wen, with sword in hand, traveled alone through a mountain forest. This swordsman, as beautiful as a woman, walked with a light step that made hardly any sound, a deliberate action on his part to avoid disturbing the monsters that lurked in various parts of the forest. At the moment, his originally snow-white garments were stained with blood of different colorsred, green, and purplish-blackall mixed together. When Fang Wen was transported to this Cave Sky world, he appeared directly in the middle of a group of oddly shaped monsters fighting over the carcass of another monster. The sudden appearance of Fang Wen drove the monsters into a frenzy, causing them to abandon the carcass and pounce on him instead. All of them were swiftly slain by Fang Wen, one sword stroke per monster. Unlike the usual Peak of the Seventh Rank or even the Secret Six Rank, his strength stemmed from his own Sword Qi and Sword Soul, and he had not yet found a way to merge his Sword Soul with the external world. Thus, although he was in a different realm, his power was almost unaffected. He was still formidable. However, the monsters in these woods were not weak either, with many comparable to the Seventh Rank, and most possessed strong mental contamination. Some could even exhibit all sorts of bizarre and strange abilities, making them unpredictable and hard to guard against. Therefore, Fang Wen tried to avoid combat with these monsters as much as possible, to prevent the situation from escalating if he couldnt finish them with a single sword strike, which might attract more monsters. That would be troublesome. In his view, the best course of action for now was to quickly leave this forest. As he walked, Fang Wen suddenly noticed that the path ahead showed signs of man-made carving, although many places were covered by weeds and vines, some traces were still discernible. Has someone been here before? This brightened his spirits, as traces of people meant there could be information to gather, and possibly a clue as to where he was. Thus, Fang Wen cautiously followed these traces, and after traversing a series of staircase-like paths, he came upon a dilapidated mountain gate archway. This arch was carved from stone and had collapsed, now overgrown with moss and vines, its original shape barely recognizable. Even the most crucial part, the inscriptions on the arch, were covered with moss and unreadable. Letting his Sword Soul sense freely, and after confirming there were no monsters nearby, Fang Wen activated his inner Sword Qi and gently blew forward, instantly clearing away the vines and moss with the invisible Sword Qi, fully revealing the ruinous mountain gate archway. The text on the archway was profoundly faded due to the passage of time, but it was now almost possible to make out the words written on it. Sword Pavilion. Fang Wen instantly froze, a look of astonishment spreading across his handsome face as he murmured, Sword Pavilion? Is this the entrance to Sword Pavilions mountain residence? How is that possible Sword Pavilion was the top sect founded by one of the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient, the Sword Saint, and was the ancestral home of swordsmanship before the Battle of Taiyang. Entering Sword Pavilion once was the ultimate goal for countless Sword Dao practitioners, yet such a mighty sect vanished overnight together with its entire mountain residence, around the year 820 of the Taiyang era, in the middle of the Battle of Taiyang. Nobody knew where Sword Pavilion had gone. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The founder of Longevity Way had stumbled upon some lost inheritance from Sword Pavilion and thus established what is now known as Longevity Way. This founder of Longevity Way spent his entire life searching for Sword Pavilion, but even until his death in the fifth stage of Celestial Man, he found no valuable clues. Fang Wen had not expected to find Sword Pavilion under these circumstances. What he didnt expect even more was That the ancestral home of Sword Dao had been reduced to nothing but ruins. Chapter 276 - Chapter 276: Chapter 276: A Shrine, The Collapsing Mountain Gate Chapter 276: Chapter 276: A Shrine, The Collapsing Mountain Gate Among mountains, in front of the dilapidated palace and pavilion ruins. Tianyizis expression was solemn, his gaze icy as it swept over the architectural remnants that had decayed and crumbled for who knows how many years. He stood still, silently contemplating for a long time. Shande, do you know what this palace used to be? he suddenly asked, turning his head to look at the middle-aged Taoist beside him. I do not know, Taoist Shande shook his head. He appeared to be in his forties, with a benevolent face and a calm demeanor, Judging by the style of the architecture, it seems to be of the style from the southwestern region during the Central Dynasty era. After the war of Tianyang, the original Central Dynasty was divided into three nations, and over time different customs and architectural styles evolved, differing from those before the war of Tianyang. Those who were knowledgeable could easily tell the difference. Thats correct, this was once the residence of the Chixu Sects mountain gate, Tianyizi said with his hands behind his back as he walked forward, stepping over the more than broken mountain gate and climbing the crumbling stairs towards the palace ahead, which was now but ruins and broken walls. The Chixu Sect? Taoist Shande was taken aback, looking around in surprise and confusion, It is said that the Celestial Man of the Chixu Sect fell mysteriously during the war of Tianyang, and even their original mountain gate residence disappeared without a trace, to be tucked away inside this Cave Sky? Thats correct, Tianyizi confirmed as he walked and nodded, However, it wasnt the work of a Celestial Man. If Im not mistaken, this Cave Sky should contain not only the mountain gate of the Chixu Sect but perhaps also that of the Sword Pavilion. And other places such as the supreme Pure Dao, Pure Land Sect, and the Ten Thousand Laws Uniting Sect, which mysteriously disappeared during the war of Tianyang, are likely all within this particular Cave Sky. How is that possible?! Taoist Shande was shocked. Each of the sects mentioned by Tianyizi had been incredibly prominent and thriving right before the war of Tianyang. Some originated from the legacy of the Middle Ancient Nine Saints, while some existed since the Ancient Mythological Era. Apart from lacking a Divine First Rank, the number of Tao Lords was not few. Whats so impossible? During the war of Tianyang, without a Divine First Rank, one didnt have the power to control their own destiny, Tianyizi continued walking forward, then suddenly he chuckled and shook his head, No, even with Divine First Rank, it might not be enough At this point, he suddenly paused, stopping his steps, and with a quickly emerging smile said, Weve arrived. Shande also stopped and looked around. Here lay a massive foundation made of jade stone, atop which emerged a heap of broken, decaying architectural fragments, piled up like a mountain, so much so that the original structure was indiscernible. However, beneath these fragments, something seemed to be buried, and now only a small part of it was faintly visible. This is the grand front hall of the Chixu Sects former mountain? Taoist Shandes expression also grew solemn as he carefully inspected the ruins of the building before him. The grand front hall is usually the grand palace located in the area right after entering a sects mountain gate, where a statue of a teacher recognized by the sect as only second in status to the founder would be enshrined. This palace was second only to the Founders Hall in terms of architectural specifications and overall standing, even higher than the Teachers Hall. During the Middle Ancient period, this was a very common layout for buildings. Indeed, it is the grand front hall of the Chixu Sect. Tianyizi nodded slightly, and then suddenly waved his sleeves, stirring the ether from all directions, which immediately gathered into a whirlwind that scattered the ruined palaces debris. The stone fragments from the jade foundation were caught in the fierce wind and fell behind the grand front hall, and the object previously hidden beneath them was finally exposed to daylight again. It was a collapsed shrine. Inside the shrine was an enshrined statue. The statue depicted a Taoist holding a jade slip, wearing a tall headpiece, clad in a ceremonial robe, with clouds carved in relief beneath his feetthe craftsmanship was nothing short of divine. This is the statue of the Qing Yu Taoist, the third patriarch of the Taixu Sect, said Tianyizi with a complex expression as he gazed at the statue, sighing softly, He attained the rank of Tao Lord during the Dark Era, he should have led the Taixu Sect to prosperity, yet he fell at the hands of the Thirty-Six Celestial Hands. However, it was precisely because of his strength that the Taixu Sect managed to endure through the most difficult times, enabling it to survive until the prosperous Middle Ancient Era after the downfall of the Thirty-Six Celestial Hands. Only then did the Middle Ancient era witness the rise of the Yuan Yi Taoist, who attained Divine First Rank, establishing the sects glory that once rivaled ours at Taixu Viewpoint, Pure Yang Palace, and Tasang Dao Palace What a pity that the Taixu Sect has eventually declined. I recently heard that the current head of the Taixu Sect is merely a Seventh Rank Warrior, which is truly laughable. Yes, said Shande, nodding as he spoke, The Taixu Sect was attacked by the heretical Nine Deaths Sect three years ago. The sect master, elders, and all warriors of the Middle Third Rank were killed in battle. Nearly all the sects archives were plundered. This sect, once glorious and carrying on the legacy from the Ancient Mythological Era, now likely has no future. Indeed, Tianyizi nodded lightly, his face reflecting pity. He then stepped forward, slowly walking up to the statue of Qing Yu Taoist, placing his hand upon the jade slip held by the statue, and said, Qing Yu, the Taixu Sect is nearly gone, the divine skills of the sect have been lost. Do you know this? The statue remained covered in dust, unmoving, offering no response. Tianyizi stood there for a long while, his eyebrows beginning to furrow. Just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly sensed a change in the surrounding chi of heaven and earth. It seemed as though someone was rapidly flying towards them. Its those three from the Pure Yang Palace. Shande, as a Fifth Rank Sect Master with a fully formed Dharma Phase and strong Divine Sense Perception, instantly detected the movement of Zhou Heng and his companions. Flying? Tianyizi was slightly startled and questioned, With a magic weapon? Zhou Heng and his two companions had not reached Secret Six Rank, nor did they have any Protectors accompanying them. Under normal circumstances, they would not be able to fly unless they possessed a special magic weapon. Hmm, its a magic weapon, confirmed Shande with a nod. Pure Yang Palace Taixu Sutra The thoughts in Tianyizis mind spun swiftly. After a moment of contemplation, he said, Shande, when they pass by here, knock them down. I want Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian alive. Yes, Shande responded respectfully. Above the clouds. Zhou Heng, Cheng Jianjian, and Zhu Zhenzhen were seated on a cloud of light, speeding through the air. After flying over the vast grasslands, they finally glimpsed the undulating mountains, and excitement stirred in their hearts. This flying magic weapon only required a burst of Inner Qi to activate; the actual flight consumed a type of Spiritual Material known as Yuanshen Crystal. A single Yuanshen Crystal could sustain flight for a million miles. The presence of mountains suggests that this world isnt just grasslands. As long as we keep flying forward, we might find populated areas, Zhou Heng said, smiling at the distant peaks. I still have plenty of Yuanshen Crystals, enough for us to fly for a long time, Cheng Jianjian nodded and laughed, We should have enough to find some clues. Its baffling, what did Zhao Zhen or Zhao Qin have in mind by bringing us to this world? Zhu Zhenzhen pouted, her face etched with confusion. Well probably have to wait until we find Zhou Hengs words suddenly stopped. He stood up abruptly, his expression turning grave as he declared in a deep voice, Just now, a Divine Sense swept over us; someone is spying on us. Be careful. His Divine Soul had already broken through the limits of a Seventh Rank Martial Artist on the Martial Path and was on par with any Secret Six Rank, and due to the enhancements of his spirit and Spiritual Root, his perception even surpassed that of the majority of Secret Six Rank practitioners. Therefore, although Shande was a Sect Fifth Rank powerhouse, he had not deliberately concealed his traces in his previous probing, which naturally led to Zhou Heng detecting him. Upon hearing this, both Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhens expressions became grave. Especially Cheng Jianjian, who with a gentle pat on the jade gourd at her waist, immediately saw five mystic treasures fly out, each glowing with different colors, encircling the three of them and forming a defensive perimeter. These mystic treasures, which included shields, screens, and objects of silken appearance among others, were all glowing softly, closely interconnected, instantly creating a simple defensive formation. With such full of spirit and wondrous effectiveness, most of them were likely treasures of the Secret Six Rank. At that moment, Zhou Heng couldnt help but feel that Cheng Jianjian was exuding an aura of wealth. Where on earth had this girl acquired so many Secret Six Rank treasures? It was almost too many. However, this sentiment only lasted for a few short breaths. After they traveled a distance forward, a sword light suddenly rose from between the mountains, shooting up into the sky and targeting them. This sword light was immensely powerful, piercing through the clouds in an instant, reaching the heavens as if it were a beam connecting heaven and earth, splitting the world ahead into two halves. An incomparable and terrifying might was contained within that sword strike, as if the laws of the world around them had all submitted to this sword light, and everything else was overshadowed and lost its color. Faced with such a sword light, an ordinary Peak Seventh Rank warrior wouldnt even think of resisting. Because it was truly too strong. Under normal circumstances, even the most powerful Peak of the Seventh Rank, when faced with such a sword light, would feel as insignificant as an ant, utterly inconsequential. But neither Zhou Heng nor Cheng Jianjian were ordinary Peak Seventh Rank warriors, and this was not a normal situation. Almost the instant the sword light surged towards them, The five Secret Six Rank treasures activated by Cheng Jianjian sprang into action. They had already been arranged into a defensive formation, forming a multicolored light barrier which protected the three of them within. Boom! With a loud crash, the sword light struck the barrier, and in just an instant, Cheng Jianjians face turned pale, blood oozed from the corner of her mouth, the barrier shattered on impact, and the five Secret Six Rank treasures emitted mournful cries, falling upon the clouds above. After all, Cheng Jianjian was not truly of the Secret Six Rank, and though she could activate five Secret Six Rank treasures simultaneously, she couldnt unleash their full power. With her current cultivation at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, to block such a sword light for even an instant was already her limit. However, even if it was just that instant, it had provided Zhou Heng with a sliver of an opportunity to resist. He threw Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen to the sides with all his strength, facing the sword light alone, and was instantly annihilated by the sword light, shattered to pieces. Yet, there was no blood to be seen, only paper effigies shredded by the sword light. In the instant before the sword light hit, Zhou Heng had executed the art of wood escape dozens of times, using paper effigies to flash away from that terrifying sword light. At the same time, the group of cloud mystic treasures were completely shattered by the sword light, turning into light fragments and dispersing like smoke. The three of them fell from the high skies. Cheng Jianjian, acting decisively, forcibly channeled her Inner Qi, activating a red silk-like magic weapon. Instantly, a long streak of red light stretched out, catching all three of them. But this red silk magic weapon had no ability to fly, and could only drag the three of them down towards the mountains below. At this time, at the ruins of the Taixu Sect gates. Shande, looking at the red light in the sky, couldnt help but marvel and laughed, These three actually have such skill. They truly deserve to be the strongest of the young generation from Pure Yang Palace. After all, Pure Yang Palace is a place that can stand side by side with our Taixu Viewpoint, it should not be underestimated, Tianyizi said quietly, watching the red light falling from the sky, Shande, you must be careful with that Zhou Heng. This great reincarnated spirit has an unusually excessive number of contingencies. Yes, Shande nodded. He did not make another move, after all, his initial intention was only to bring Zhou Heng and the others down, not to kill them, and for that very reason, the sword strike he had used did not even utilize one-tenth of his strength. Thus, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had the opportunity to defend and dodge. A moment later, Zhou Heng, Cheng Jianjian, and Zhu Zhenzhen descended into the ruins amidst the red silk glow, encountering the collapsed shrine of the Pure Virtue Taoist. They also saw Tianyizi and Shande. Tianyizi? Why were you also captured by Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin? Zhou Hengs gaze swept over Tianyizi and Shande, speaking in a deep voice, You should know what they are trying to do. No, you are mistaken, Tianyizi shook his head and laughed lightly, I do not know what they want to do, nor am I interested. I just wanted to come to this Cave Sky world. Is there something special here? Zhou Heng tried to pry more information. Indeed, it is somewhat special, Tianyizi noticed Zhou Hengs intentions but didnt expose them for some reason. Instead, he continued, This is the former site of the Taixu Sects gates. This shrine is that of the Pure Virtue Taoist who led the Taixu Sect through the Dark Age. What are you trying to say? Zhou Heng frowned. The Taixu Scripture which the Pure Yang Palaces entry-level disciples study comes from the Taixu Sects founding master, the Taoist Guardian Jingjing, Tianyizis smile grew thicker, I would like you to do me a favor. What if I say no? Zhou Hengs eyes began to blur slightly; he was ready with several special skill cards, prepared to use them at any moment. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A formidable Fifth Rank Sect Master was present, and precautions were necessary. Unfortunately, you do not have the luxury of refusal, Tianyizis smile intensified as he suddenly turned sarcastic. Standing with his back turned, hands behind him, he spoke lightly, Shande, kill Zhu Zhenzhen first. Before his voice faded, Shande made his move. At the same time, Zhou Heng acted as well, pointing a finger at Shande. Pregnant! Chapter 277 - Chapter 277: Chapter 277: The Ritual from Three Thousand Years Ago Chapter 277: Chapter 277: The Ritual from Three Thousand Years Ago Pregnancy Card [Copper]: Its effective against any being below a Celestial Man, causing instant pregnancy. Within three breaths, the fetus in the womb matures, flies out of the mothers mouth, and takes with it seventy percent of the mothers essence, energy, and spirit. This was undoubtedly an extremely powerful special skill card. Being pregnant during combat was already a significant weakening, and after giving birth, losing seventy percent of ones essence, energy, and spirit was equivalent to sustaining a critical injury on the spot. At the same time Zhou Heng used the Pregnancy Card, the Taoist Shande, who was about to kill Zhu Zhenzhen, was suddenly frozen stiff, unable to move, with an incredulous expression on his face, pupils suddenly constricting in horror. Through Divine Sense Perception, he felt an additional heartbeat inside his body, right in his abdomen. In the span of a single breath, this heartbeat grew from faint to strong, vigorous, and powerful. Following that, Taoist Shandes abdomen swelled, and the middle-aged man in his forties began to look as though he was pregnant, his belly bulging. Moreover, as his belly rose, Taoist Shandes essence, energy, and spirit rapidly declined, as if being viciously drawn away. By the third breath, His mouth opened involuntarily, vomiting a large amount of viscous liquid. Then two small palms emerged from his mouth, grabbing his teeth and forcefully prying them apart. Crack! Taoist Shande, a Fifth Rank Sect Master, had his jaw dislocated by those small hands. Then, an infant the size of a palm flew out of his mouth. At the same time, Taoist Shandes essence, energy, and spirit plummeted like an avalanche, instantly diminishing to less than a third of what it was before. His entire body became emaciated and lifeless, his face lined with new wrinkles, and his hair streaked with more white, clearly having suffered a great loss of vitality. The infant that had flown from his mouth, though, was lively as a dragon. It landed on the ground, laughing ha-ha, growing rapidly. In less than three breaths, the infant grew to the size of a five or six-year-old child, shedding the mucus on its body and becoming rosy, smooth, and adorable. Ah, ah, ah! The infant cried out, its bright eyes fixated on Taoist Shande, seemingly very eager. However, it couldnt speak, only opening its mouth and crying out. At this time, the infants mouth was already full of teeth, and after crying out, it charged towards Taoist Shande, pounced on the Fifth Rank Sect Master, and bit towards his ears with an open mouth. This was no ordinary infant; it was essentially the condensation of seventy percent of Taoist Shandes essence, energy, and spirit. Even without using this Grandmasters power, it gave him incredible strength, rendering him indestructible. Thus, with one bite, he tore off Taoist Shandes ear, causing blood to flow and leaving him in utter disarray. Taoist Shande tried to shake the infant off but found that the mana remaining in his body was insufficient to contend with the infant, completely ineffective. Then, he tried to physically pull the infant off himself, but the baby grabbed his hand and twisted it around over a hundred times, mashing all the bones and flesh in his arm to pulp, leaving him with no chance to resist. Nevertheless, Taoist Shande was an experienced Fifth Rank Sect Master after all. Even if the infant had great strength, it still had a distinct disadvantage in terms of technique. So for the time being, the infant probably couldnt kill him. Meanwhile, Tianyizi, who had looked assured of victory since the fight began, was dumbfounded. His expression was one of utter astonishment as he watched Taoist Shande become instantly pregnant, give birth, and rise to the status of a male mother, finding the spectacle before him absurdly bizarre. Despite being well-traveled and knowledgeable, he had never heard of such an inconceivable tactic. Just how many more unbelievable methods did Zhou Heng possess? With this thought, Tianyizi looked again at Taoist Shande, who was entangled with the infant, and then said to Zhou Heng, Truly a brilliant move. Since you have such strength, lets sit down and have a proper talk. Since when has the world operated on the principle that you can fight when you wish and talk when you suggest? Zhou Heng retorted with a cold laugh, his figure slightly flickering as he immediately charged in front of Tianyizi. To your death!! At the same time, he raised his hand, fingers spread open, gathering a force as if encompassing all things under heaven, akin to a divine being embracing the Heavenly Pillar, with the might to crush the earth and the heavens, bearing down overwhelmingly. Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Heaven and Earth turn upside down!! In the Da Qi Imperial Palace, within the Palace of Divine Light. Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin were still respectfully kowtowing, continuously chanting the precious edicts, anticipating the divine idols spirit to awaken further. But the idol showed no sign of change. This meant the two sacred reincarnations they needed had not yet met. Quite some time had already passed. Whats going on, why havent Zhou Heng and Zhou Yin met yet? Zhao Qin was somewhat frustrated, he looked around and said, Were running out of time. If we drag on, the Celestial Men from the Pure Yang Palace, Infinite Temple, Longevity Way, and Qing Emperor Palace will surely notice something. If their Celestial Men arrive, it will be too late for us. No need to worry. Continue chanting the Lord Protectors Edict with me, Zhao Zhen replied, his expression calm as he knelt obediently before the idol and said indifferently, The cooperation between Taixu Viewpoint and the Southern Jin royal family isnt just limited to returning this Lord Protector idol to us. Does big brother mean that they will make a move? Zhao Qins eyes lit up. Well just wait and see, Zhao Zhen said indifferently. At this very moment, outside the Hall of Divine Light, the Da Qi Imperial City was still resplendent with gold and splendor, grand and solemn. As if nothing had happened at all. At the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak on Taihua Mount. Yan Shouyi, who was sitting cross-legged as if traveling beyond the heavens in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes, a frown creasing his forehead as he looked towards Zhongzhou and wondered, The situation with Pure Yang is changing, and it seems to be connected to Zhongzhou? But, at this moment, the Imperial City of Zhongzhou should be hosting the Morning Sun Wine Gathering. What kind of incident could occur? Could it be related to my junior disciple? At this thought, he retracted his Divine Sense, stood up, and decided to head to Zhongzhou. Just then, a young Taoist in his twenties hurried over, bowed respectfully, and said, Master, Yang Wuji, the leader of the Taixu Palace, has come to visit. He says he would like to have tea and discuss the Tao with you. This young Taoist named Chen Xuan was Yan Shouyis disciple, who had been part of the Pure Yang for over a hundred and thirty years and had achieved the rank of Fifth Rank Grandmaster. Oh? Hearing this, Yan Shouyis eyebrows lifted slightly as he gazed down the mountain, then smiled and said, Good, I shall go shortly. Go to the Purple Void Hall on the back mountain and find your Uncle Master Fengming, tell him to make a trip to the Imperial City of Zhongzhou. Yes, Master, Chen Xuan replied with a nod. Similar situations were unfolding in the Infinite Temple, Qing Emperor Palace, Longevity Way, as well as among the influential clans of Fengzhou. However, the Celestial Men who went were different; some came from Taixu Viewpoint, others from the prominent families of Southern Jin. Their origins were diverse, and their strength varied. High above the clouds, Zhou Danqing carried Zhou Yin on a cloud, swiftly traversing thousands of mountains and rivers in the blink of an eye. At this moment, the expressions of both individuals were extremely grave. Underneath a ruined town they had previously explored, they discovered many things akin to archival records and a will signed by the name Xie Yang. From these archival records and the will, Zhou Yin and Zhou Danqing learned of things that were horrifying and terrifying in their eyes. This place was once a Cave Sky world, belonging to the master of the Zhi Xu Sect from three thousand years ago, Yuan Zhenzi. Yet it was stripped away by the then strongest Divine First Rank, the ruler of the Central Dynasty, Emperor Taiyang, who captured numerous Sects and their disciples, as well as the civilians from the states and counties, using them as a vessel for a sacrificial ceremony. The time was the year 824 of the Taiyang era. This ceremony sacrificed the entire Zhi Xu Sect, along with the Sword Pavilion, Shangqing Way, Pure Land Sect, Wanfa Guiyimen, and many other top-tier Sects, dozens of Celestial Men, and nearly ten Tao Lords. In addition, there were nearly ten billion civilians, roughly equivalent to the population of ten states today. This act was utterly insane. What motive did the last sovereign of the Central Dynasty, the formidable Divine First Rank, have to initiate such a sacrificial ceremony? And how did he deceive everyone, making them believe that these Sects had mysteriously disappeared? Zhou Yin and Zhou Danqing were unaware of these things, but they knew that this Cave Sky world was extremely dangerous. Three thousand years later, Zhao Qin and Zhao Zhen had once again activated this Cave Sky world, and although their purpose was not yet clear, it definitely was not for anything good. They had to leave this Cave Sky world as soon as possible. The exit was located within the former mountain gate residence of the Zhi Xu Sect; reaching that place would give them a chance to leave. Since Zhou Danqing had gradually harmonized with the rules and laws of this Cave Sky world, restoring approximately seventy to eighty percent of his strength, he flew extremely fast and soon arrived in the mountains where the Zhi Xu Sects mountain gate resided. They saw ruins of buildings. They also saw the Taoist Shande entangled with a peculiar child, as well as Zhou Heng and Tianyizi engaged in an intense battle, nearly inseparable in their fight. Cheng Jianjian was on the side, activating one Secret Six Rank Magic Weapon after another, assisting the child in attacking the Taoist Shande. Tianyizi! Zhou Yin shouted harshly, filled with anger, while having Zhou Danqing carry him in a dive. Although Tianyizi had also arrived in this world, Zhou Yin was more inclined to believe that Tianyizi had an ulterior motive, rather than being outwitted by Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin. After all, during the event at the Palace of Divine Light, Tianyizi was very much aware of what was about to happen. From beginning to end, only the Southern Jins side was in the dark. He was certain in his heart that he had been conspired against by Tianyizi and Tang Kaiyun. Meeting an enemy, his eyes reddened with enmity. Zhou Heng, engaged in combat with Tianyizi, heard the roar from above and also sensed the massive momentum and power diving down towards them. He made a decisive choice and slapped out with his palm, using the rebound force blocked by Tianyizi to quickly retreat backward, distancing himself from Tianyizi. The next instant, a beam of light descended from the sky, directly striking Tianyizi, the terrifying might pierced into the mountain, drilling through the peak in an instant. After drilling through the peak, the beam fell onto a nearly thousand-zhang-tall distant mountain, and in just a blink of an eye, the entire mountain was enveloped in dazzling light and subsequently crumbled into billions of fragments, collapsing entirely. If the mountain which Zhou Heng and the others were on had not once been the mountain gate of the Zhi Xu Sect, with special reinforcements, it might well have been shattered on the spot like the mountain that had just been destroyed. Zhou Heng watched the scene, his heart still pounding; it was a good thing he had retreated quickly, otherwise, he might have had to use a Resurrection Card. The power of a Grandmaster was undeniably too strong. With a mere gesture, rivers could be made to flow backward and mountains to collapse; it was genuinely terrifying. At the same time, he was also grateful that he didnt hesitate to use the Pregnancy Card, which restrained the Taoist Shande. Otherwise, if Taoist Shande had truly made a move, none of the three of them would have escaped. The might of a Grandmaster was truly fearsome. As for Tianyizi, who had taken the full brunt of the Grandmasters attack, he was probably dead beyond any hope of Resurrection. Reduced to ashes? Zhou Heng, rather interested, released his Divine Sense to explore, but he quickly sensed an incredibly powerful force rising from the spot where Tianyizi had been. It made him feel apprehensive. This was not a simple fusion with the natural energy of heaven and earth, nor a manipulation of the laws and principles; it was more like touching the root of the Dao, the source of lawsa mysterious and profound presence of extremely high essence and nature. Transcending the mundane to become sacred, lifted above the heavens! Zhou Heng had felt a similar presence before, on the Loose Immortal Yu Long and on the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal. This was the aura and might that belonged to a Celestial Man! How is this possible?! Zhou Heng couldnt comprehend the situation; why would the aura of a Celestial Man suddenly appear where Tianyizi had beencould it be that Tianyizi was actually a Celestial Man in disguise? Then why had Tianyizi fought him to a standstill just now? If he were really a Celestial Man, wouldnt it be better to manifest his true form and overpower everything? Whats going on? This sudden appearance of a Celestial Mans mighty aura did not only startle Zhou Heng but also Zhou Danqing and Zhou Yin, who had descended from the sky. They even stopped mid-fall and hovered in the air, incredulously watching the gradually dissipating column of light and the figure walking out from within. Tianyizi walked out from the column of light, but now he was no longer the handsome Taoist in feathered garments with a starry crown; instead, he had become a shadowy human-like figure, a mixed blur of black and white, chaotic and twisted. On him radiated an extremely negative spiritual force, with emotions such as resentment, anger, sorrow, helplessness, and despair mixed within, distorting the shape of the shadow and causing constant contortions and changes. After a while, this humanoid shadows state barely stabilized, and with gradual adjustments, he reverted to a human appearance. This time, he became a middle-aged Taoist in his thirties wearing a black and white Taoist Robe, with plain features and a head full of white hair, which gave him a somewhat sinister air. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Interesting, so thats how it is. If I destroy the reincarnated body here, I will have the chance to revert to my previous lifes Primordial Spirit form, the Taoist said as he looked at his hands, then turned his gaze towards Zhou Danqing and suddenly cracked a smile, Thanks for that. No sooner had his words fallen than Zhou Danqings entire body stiffened, followed by a light pop sound; the Fifth Rank Sect Master exploded into a cloud of dust that scattered with the wind. Not even a trace of blood. Primordial Spirit form, who are you exactly? Zhou Heng asked in a deep voice. I know, I know! Zhou Yin seemed to have realized something and exclaimed, Yuan Zhenzi, you are Yuan Zhenzi, the head of the Zhi Xu faction during the last years of the Taiyang Empire!! Chapter 278 - Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Summoning the Lord to Descend Here Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Summoning the Lord to Descend Here Oh? Yuan Zhizi looked at Zhou Yin, chuckled lightly, and said, I didnt expect you to recognize me. Indeed, as a reincarnated saint, you really are extraordinary. What, no, what do you all really want to do? Zhou Yin tried to suppress the panic in his heart, and looking at Yuan Zhizi, he said sternly, What kind of deal did you make with Tang Kaiyun and the Zhao Family? His demeanor did not resemble that of a typical person at the Peak of the Seventh Rank when facing a Celestial Man; he seemed to have some reliance and was not too afraid of Yuan Zhizi. But in reality, it was indeed just a seemed. Zhou Yin was well aware that the only thing that could make Yuan Zhizi wary was his identity as the reincarnation of a saint and the possibility of his past lifes contingencies erupting at any time. Therefore, to save his own life, he had to make Yuan Zhizi utterly convinced of his reincarnated identity, at least without revealing any flaws in this regard. As a true reincarnated saint, one should not fear a Celestial Man. Moreover, while adjusting his own performance, Zhou Yin also carefully observed Zhou Hengs state, drawing from his experience. After all, Zhou Heng was a true reincarnation of a great power. Learning from him was definitely correct. Yet Zhou Heng himself was also astonished, thinking to himself, Is this what a true reincarnation of a great power looks like? Despite lacking external aid, he could still face a Celestial Man so calmly and fearlessly; its truly exceptional. Maybe I should interact with him more in the future, secretly learning how to act more like a reincarnated great power But, that will have to wait until after dealing with this Yuan Zhizi. Zhou Heng was contemplating how to deal with Yuan Zhizi. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhizi glanced at Zhou Yin, then at Zhou Heng, and suddenly burst into laughter, saying, Hahaha, the purpose of my visit has been achieved, so I shall not disturb you two reincarnated saints any longer. Before his voice had faded, he transformed into a purple-black streak of light, shooting up into the sky, and attempted to take away the collapsed shrine and the statue within it. But as soon as his purple-black light touched the shrine, an incredibly pure green radiance burst forth from the statue, repelling Yuan Zhizis power. You still refuse to accept me?! Yuan Zhizi became somewhat frantic and was about to continue his efforts when he suddenly noticed a change in the color of the sky, Damn it, sooner or later, you will have to hand over what is mine! Immediately afterward, he turned completely into a purple-black rainbow, shooting towards the sky, and swiftly created a gate of light in the void which he entered and then disappeared. Yuan Zhizi had left this Cave Sky world. At the same time, the originally azure sky started to display a spot of purple-black that rapidly spreadlike a drop of purple-black fuel falling into a poolstaining the normal firmament. Whats going on? Zhou Hengs eyebrows furrowed slightly, as he looked at the expanding purple-black in the sky, he instinctively felt that something was amiss, as if an extremely dangerous event was about to occur. And the aura being emitted by this purple-black also gave him a familiar feeling, akin to ghosts or evil creatures, ambiguous yet tangible. The situation seems quite grim, Cheng Jianjian came over and pointed at the purple-black aura in the sky, saying, I can sense an aura there similar to a mix of the essence of evil creatures and ghosts, its very dangerous. As the two were conversing, the sky suddenly darkened as if transitioning from day to night, and the purple-black above spread even further. We should think of a way to leave this place first, Zhou Yin hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up, saying, Before I came here, I found an archive. The exit from this Cave Sky world is right here. Archive? Cheng Jianjian looked at Zhou Yin, his gaze somewhat doubtful. Although it seemed this person was also calculated against, since he was from Southern Jin, he was still quite suspicious. Lets search around first, Zhou Heng was very decisive, not entangled in the question of Zhou Yins identity, as the priority was to find a way out of this Cave Sky world. Otherwise, once that swath of purple-black descended, they all feared the end would come. The first place he began searching was the collapsed shrine and the somewhat damaged statue within it. Right before Yuan Zhizi left, he seemed to want to take the statue with him. It was only because of the anomaly in the sky that he gave up. What was inside this statue? Is there any way to leave this world? Zhou Heng casually threw out a paper figure, leaning in to investigate, but no matter how he looked from the left or the right, he could not find anything unusual. Cheng Jianjian was also sizing up the god statue, furrowing her brows in thought. Suddenly, as if she had realized something, she looked at Zhou Yin and said, This saint reincarnation of the Zhou Family, did you say earlier that the Primordial Spirit of the Celestial Man revealed after Tianyizi was killed was the sect leader of the Zhi Xu Sect from the end of the Tai Yang era? Thats correct, Zhou Yin nodded and said, Before coming here, I found some clues. That person is undoubtedly Yuan Zhenzi. If thats the case, then this must be the mysteriously vanished location of the Zhi Xu Sects mountain gate. Cheng Jianjian looked back at the shrine and said, Judging by the location, this should be the main hall at the front of the mountain, and this statue should be of the Zhi Xu Sects third generation sect leader, Daoist Qing Yu. If so, let me try The Zhi Xu Sutra. An idea struck Zhou Heng, and he manipulated the paper figure in front of the statue to start reciting The Zhi Xu Sutra. The Zhi Xu Sutra is a Taoist classic that all disciples of the Pure Yang Palace must read upon entry. It is said to be written by Daoist Shou Jing, a good friend of the founding ancestor Pure Yang Zi during the ancient mythological era. The entire text is composed of eight thousand words; each word is like a pearl or a gem, conveying profound meanings. It contains the essence of the supreme Dao, and even just reciting it normally has the effect of calming the mind and nurturing the divine soul. Initially, as the sutra was recited, nothing out of the ordinary happened, and the statue of Daoist Qing Yu did not respond at all. However, as the recitation of the entire scripture neared its end, a cyan light began to emerge from the statue. As Zhou Heng had the paper figure finish reciting the entire The Zhi Xu Sutra, the statue immediately rose with a pure cyan brilliance, enveloping the paper figure in its light. Immediately afterward, this cyan brilliance flowed and transformed over the paper figure, bursting forth with countless rune messages, flowing into the paper figure like a torrential flood. A short while later, the cyan light faded, and the paper figure shrunk back to its original palm-sized form, falling back into Zhou Hengs hand, but its appearance had undergone an earth-shattering change, including its material. Originally, this paper figure was just cut out of ordinary paper. But now, touching the paper figure felt like stroking jade, and the entire figure was radiating a cyan glow, each strand of which had runes flowing within it. Contained within were massive amounts of information. Among them was the martial arts legacy of the Zhi Xu Sect, but Zhou Heng discovered he could only see a very small part of it. There were just three Sect Fifth Rank martial arts, one Celestial Third Rank martial art, along with some details about the Zhi Xu Sect. There was also the method to leave this Cave Sky world. It seems that the cyan light emerging from the statue had detected that the paper figure was not a descendant of the Zhi Xu Sect, and therefore restricted access to the legacy information, but it had deliberately left a reward as well. That was normal enough. Is this statue trying to have me return the Zhi Xu Sects legacy to its rightful heir? Zhou Heng mused over the spiritual charm flowing through the paper figure, chuckling as he said, This reward is indeed quite generous. Not to mention anything else, just one Celestial Third Rank Divine Skill was enough to support a thousand-year noble house. But the most joyful thing is the method to leave this Cave Sky world. Zhou Heng smiled as he put the paper figure away and said to everyone, I have found the way to leave this place Buzz! Just at that moment, a tremor suddenly echoed through the void, and Zhou Hengs words came to an abrupt stop; his whole body suddenly froze, unable to move. The purple-black color in the sky had, unknowingly, spread downward, and a sinister force landed behind Zhou Heng. At the same time, behind Zhou Yin, too, was enveloped in purple-black. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two seemed to have been targeted by the same extraordinarily sinister force at the exact same moment. In the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, within the Palace of Divine Light. Zhao Zhen, who was worshipping a god statue and reciting a sacred decree, suddenly became excited and laughed loudly, Haha! There, there! Zhou Heng and Zhou Yin have finally met! Soon we will be able to offer the divine souls of these two saint reincarnations to our lord, please our lord, and invite our lord to descend upon this place! Hahaha! Chapter 279 - Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Soaring High, Positioned Right Above the Center of the Sky! Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Soaring High, Positioned Right Above the Center of the Sky! The dark purple hue descending from the heavens was incredibly grim, as if it contained all the negative auras of the world. Although it came from above, it seemed as though it surged from the deepest layers of Netherworld Hell. This was a power capable of permeating souls and extracting the true spirits of all thingsthe might of the netherworld. Zhou Heng and Zhou Yin were captured by this sinister force, immediately rendered immobile, feeling as if their divine souls were being drawn out from their bodies. No, it was more than just extraction. This force was extremely wicked; it appeared to allure divine souls to willingly leave their bodies and rush toward their final destination. Even when Zhou Heng tried using the power of Cave Sky to stabilize his divine soul, he struggled immensely. He felt like his divine soul might escape his body at any moment. If Zhou Heng was struggling this much, then there was no need to mention Zhou Yin, the fake reincarnation of a great power. Despite having some powerful secret treasures on him, they were utterly useless against this sinister force. In almost an instant, his divine soul was extracted and engulfed by the dark purple color. Zhou Heng witnessed this and was immediately overwhelmed with shock. Could it be that even the divine souls of sacred reincarnations were so easily captured?! Or was it that Zhou Yins recollection of his past lifes memories was still very minimal, leaving him without much recourse? Or was this deliberate? All sorts of questions emerged in Zhou Hengs mind. At the same time, he was contemplating how to extricate himself from the current predicament. By his estimate, he could hold on for at most ten more breaths. If he could not quickly free himself from this situation, he would suffer the same fate as Zhou Yin, his divine soul would be extracted and swallowed by that dark purple hue. The consequences were unpredictable. Suppress! Just at this moment, Zhou Heng heard a sharp call. It was Cheng Jianjian casting out a small silver tower, from which layers of light spread in an attempt to stabilize Zhou Hengs divine soul. This was a Secret Six Rank magic weapon. But before the magic weapon could take effect, the mass of dark purple color engulfed the small tower as well, cutting off the connection between the weapon and Cheng Jianjian. Cheng Jianjians complexion immediately turned deathly pale, and a mouthful of crimson blood sprayed from her lips, her aura plunging. She could feel that her magic weapon had been destroyed outright. Senior Sister Cheng! Zhu Zhenzhen was in utter panic. She wanted to help Zhou Heng, but didnt know how to do so. Now that Cheng Jianjian was injured, she became even more flustered. Fortunately, she remembered she had brought healing elixirs. She poured one out from a jade bottle and fed it to Cheng Jianjian, helping her stabilize her internal injuries. However, she was powerless to do anything about Zhou Hengs predicament. What should I do? What should I do now? Zhou Heng was also panic-stricken. He could clearly sense that he didnt have much time left. The crisis was imminent! What other means did he have to deal with the current situation? A Clairvoyance Card? An Identification Card? A Breaking Card? What good were these? Aside from these, what else? Decay? Fortune Stealing? Both of these required a specific target to use! What else was left? Projection Card Ziwei Star Palace [Silver]? At last, Zhou Hengs thoughts settled here. Is this useful? Inside the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, in the Palace of Divine Light. Theres one! Hahaha! Zhao Zhen had already sensed the anomaly in that Cave Sky world and noticed that Zhou Yins Divine Soul had been captured; his expression turned to one of excitement. Great, Your Highness! We can soon welcome the Lord of the Manor to descend upon this place! Zhao Qin was equally excited, laughing, Ever since I heard the Lords call upon coming of age, three hundred years have passed, and at long last, we can witness His arrival. Indeed, just wait for the Lord to descend, then the Netherworld realm can truly unfold within this world, Zhao Zhen said, his face showing a pleased and lofty expression, When that happens, all living beings in Da Qi will attain eternal life. We will also become the most devoted believers of the Lord, serving as sovereigns to aid Him in governing the Netherworld realm, Zhao Qin fantasized about the glorious future, laughing, Its also thanks to those demons for keeping the Divine First Rank and Taoist Second Rank preoccupied, otherwise, we would not have had the chance to summon the Lord to descend. Ever since the battle at Tianyang, Da Qi has been repeatedly oppressed by Northern Zhou and Southern Jin; if the Emperor does not make a move, then its up to us, Zhao Zhens face twisted into a malevolent sneer, With the Lords arrival, I will become a Taoist Sovereign who walks among men, unstoppable! Its pitiful that Southern Jins Tang Kaiyuan still believes the statue of the Lord will only bear the imprint of an ordinary Divine First Rank. Zhao Qin chuckled disdainfully, The most laughable thing is that Taixu Viewpoint, due to their dispute with Pure Yang Palace, actually helped us. Haha. They are nothing but a bunch of fools! Zhao Zhen clenched his fists, his eyes ablaze with divine light, saying in a deep voice, Everything lost by the Central Dynasty three thousand years ago, I will reclaim this time! At this moment, he turned his attention back to the Cave Sky world, trying to check the progress of the sacrifice, but this check revealed problems. Somethings wrong, one Divine Soul was already captured earlier, why isnt the sacrifice complete? Why is there one left? Is it Zhou Heng or Zhou Yin thats missing? Zhao Zhen suddenly felt something was amiss; the situation was clearly abnormal. Even if these two reincarnations of the sacred had different levels of awakening, their essence should be nearly the same, so why would the second one be so much behind the first? Had something gone wrong? Boom! Just then, a world-shaking thunderous noise came from outside the Palace of Divine Light, shaking the palace violently, the beams and tiles flashing with protective light. Clearly, this grand Imperial Palace had been struck by an extraordinarily powerful attack. Celestial Man-level! And likely a Celestial Man wielding a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier; otherwise, it would be impossible to shake the Palace of Divine Light, which in itself was equivalent to a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier. When did the Chao Yang banquet become a secret meeting? Chen Fengming of Pure Yang Palace would like to join in for a drink, might that be possible? A booming voice came from outside the Palace of Divine Light, reaching the ears of Zhao Zhen and Zhao Qin. Its a Celestial Man from Pure Yang Palace! Zhao Zhens face darkened with rage, he said sternly, Chen Fengming became a Celestial Man over a thousand years ago and has already survived two calamities of decline; he most likely possesses a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier, making him strong. He is courting death! Zhao Qin said viciously, Once the Lord descends and unfolds the Netherworld realm, he will be the first to be converted into a ghostly soldier, to obey our commands. But the problem is, damn it! Why isnt the sacrifice complete yet? Zhao Zhen was becoming increasingly frustrated, as the time being consumed had already surpassed his calculations. Taihua Mount, Reception Peak. In front of the stone table. Two people sat opposite each other. Yan Shouyi poured himself a cup of tea and then placed the teapot on the stone table in front of him. He didnt show the slightest intention to pour tea for the person across from him. Sitting opposite Yan Shouyi was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his thirties. The man was dressed in a purple Taoist robe, opulent and mysterious, and although his facial features were ordinary, they carried an air of antiquity, as if he were an ancient person who had walked out of the distant past. It was Yang Wuji, the current leader of Taixu Viewpoint. Is this Pure Yang Palaces way of receiving guests? Yang Wuji reached for the teapot, only to grab air; the teapot was right there, but he couldnt make contact with it, Such a moon in the water trick. He was not angry; instead, he smiled and said, Fellow Daoist Yan, I came to have tea with you, why are you starting a contest of magic with me? As he spoke, his palm suddenly turned into a phantom, as if it had entered a state between reality and illusion. This time, he got hold of the teapot. Im also aware of the art of shifting between substance and shadow, said Yang Wuji with a smile, pouring tea from the pot into his own cup. But the poured tea, instead of being contained in the cup, caused the cup to gradually disappear, starting from the bottom. For every bit the cup was filled with tea, it disappeared just as much. If the tea filled the cup, then that would be the moment when the cup completely vanished. It seems you dont really want to have tea with me, Fellow Daoist Yan, Yang Wujis smile slightly stiffened as he put down the pot, no longer continuing to pour. When did I ever invite you over? Yan Shouyi sneered coldly, draining the cup of tea in his hand and said, Showing up uninvited and still expecting tea, have two thousand years of cultivation made you foolish? Fellow Daoist Yan seems quite eager, said Yang Wuji with a smile returning to his face, Why bother? Youve already sent Chen Fengming, havent you? Zhao Zhen wants to summon an Evil God? Yan Shouyis eyebrows suddenly knitted, he asked in a deep voice, Which Evil God is it? How did you manifest an external incarnation?! Yang Wujis eyes narrowed slightly, and then he smiled, So the real purpose of sending Chen Fengming was to cover up your external incarnation. Childs play, not worth mentioning, Yan Shouyi poured another cup of tea for himself. Actually, even if you go now, Im afraid its too late, Yang Wujis smile undiminished, Zhao Zhens ritual is most likely already complete. I will take my leave now. Having said that, he stood up to leave. After all, Yan Shouyis external incarnation had already gone to the Imperial City of Zhongzhou; there was no point in him wasting more time here. But just as he got up, Yan Shouyi made his move. Is the Pure Yang Palace such a place where you can come and go as you please? Yan Shouyi sneered coldly, raising his hand and opening his five fingers. In an instant, the sky for miles around burst into golden light, the power of the Pure Yang Great Dao crushing down, enveloping Yang Wujis entire body. Madman! Yang Wuji cursed and was about to employ Taoist Formulas to make his escape. But as soon as the Taoist power within his body began to circulate, surging Pure Yang Taoist powers came forth, forcibly suppressing his Taoist power, rendering him incapable of displaying any divine abilities, and even his connection with the Grand Dao was severely weakened. In his Divine Sense Perception, there was only endless golden light and boundless Pure Yang. This was the Pure Yang Great Dao, the utmost firm and yang, the purest and unique, yet omnipresent and penetrating. Where Pure Yang goes, all things and laws make way, capable of suppressing all things. In the blink of an eye, a Three-legged Golden Tripod flew out of Yan Shouyis palm, thundering as it broke through the void and crushed down upon Yang Wuji, also pinning down the Grand Dao principles he had assimilated. Pressing the master of the Taixu Viewpoint into the sea of clouds beside the Jade Void Peak Golden Top. Yan Shouyi, do you really dare to suppress me?! Yang Wuji found it hard to believe; although the Taixu Viewpoint and the Pure Yang Palace had always been at odds, they had mostly engaged in covert contests. To suppress the others leader, such an outright breach had never happened before. You came to ask me for a cup of tea, Ill suppress you for a hundred years, which seems like a fair trade, said Yan Shouyi, standing with his hands behind his back, In a hundred years, itll be my junior brothers turn to come looking for you. Mad, youve truly gone mad! Yang Wuji was furiously frustrated. In the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, before the Palace of Divine Light. Yan Shouyi stood afloat in the air, sword light twinkling in his hand, hesitating whether to strike down with ithe was also worried that such a powerful attack might harm Zhou Heng. The Palace of Divine Light was equivalent to a Taoist Sovereign God Soldier; simply destroying it would be akin to facing a calamity of destruction for a Martial Artist of the Lower Third Rank. At Yan Shouyis side stood a man of towering stature, wielding a heavy sword, his face framed by a full beard, and having a rugged appearance that made him look more like a general on the battlefield than someone wearing a Taoist robe. This was Yan Shouyis senior brother, one of the Celestial Man elders of the Pure Yang Palace. Chen Fengming. Around the two of them stood three Celestial Men from the Zhao Family and more than ten Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters, which was nearly the core power of the Da Qi Royal Family. Yan Master, why attack the Palace of Divine Light? One of the Zhao Family Celestial Men voiced his interrogation. He was considered an old guard of the Central Dynasty, an uncle of Zhao Zhens generation by seniority, named Zhao Lang, who had achieved the status of Celestial Man for over four thousand years. Before you ask me, why dont you ask your nephew what he is up to? Yan Shouyi scoffed with a cold sneer. Boom! Just at that moment, a thunderous noise suddenly came from the sky, filled with a chilling coldness enveloping death and decay, as if piercing through the heavens and spreading downwards. It was as if another enormous world was on a collision course. Inside the Palace of Divine Light. How could this be?! Zhao Zhen almost jumped up, disbelievingly perceiving the progress of the ceremony and probing the situation within the Cave Sky world, doubting his life, No? How could it not be?! This Zhou Yin is actually not a Saints reincarnation, but a fake?! After an exhaustive investigation, he had finally confirmed that the Divine Soul that had been taken belonged to Zhou Yin; the remainder must be Zhou Hengs. From what he had explored, Zhou Heng seemed unlikely to last even a few breaths longer. But just as Zhao Zhen eagerly anticipated that Zhou Hengs Divine Soul would also be seized, to then offer both his and Zhou Yins Divine Souls through the power of the ceremony as a sacrifice to the Lord, calling for his descent into this world, something unexpected happened. The mass of purple-black that had already swallowed Zhou Yins Divine Soul spat it back out again. It was as if it had tasted something terribly disgusting and immediately vomited it out. Allowing that wisp of Divine Soul to return to Zhou Yins original body. At the same time, Zhao Zhen also learned that Zhou Yin was far from a great figures reincarnation; his Divine Soul was merely at the standard of the Peak of the Seventh Rank and had been recognized by the purple-black essence. Far from being able to summon the Lords descent, it didnt even meet the minimum standard of the Absolute Fourth Rank necessary for the sacrifice! Why has this happened, why is it fake, that old beast of the Zhou Family has deceived the world! Zhao Zhens expression was nearly ferocious. And around that statue, the netherworldly flames had already begun to fluctuate violently, which meant the ceremony had truly commenced, and if a sacrifice was not made soon, it would consume the initiator of the ceremony. But now, where could Zhao Zhen find a sacrifice? Imperial brother, whats happening? Zhao Qin approached, inquiring nervously. A sacrifice of at least Absolute Fourth Rank. Suddenly an idea struck Zhao Zhen, and he turned his gaze sharply towards Zhao Qin, his eyes narrowing, Im sorry, my sixteenth brother, the arrow is on the bowstring, I have no choice but to release it! What? Zhao Qin looked astonished, but before he could even ask, his consciousness plunged into eternal darkness. He had been killed by a single slap from Zhao Zhen. For a Great Grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank like Zhao Qin, there was no chance of resistance in front of a Celestial Man with more than three thousand years of cultivation. Although using you for the sacrifice will not enable the Lord to truly descend, it is enough to help me escape the trouble. Sixteenth brother, consider this helping your imperial brother once more. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Without even blinking, Zhao Zhen killed Zhao Qin and melded his form and spirit, throwing it into that particular Cave Sky world. It was immediately absorbed by the expanding purple-black that now covered most of the Cave Sky, and the purple-black abruptly burst forth from that Cave Sky. Strange phenomena arose in the outside world as the essence symbolizing death, decay, and destruction pierced through the worlds barriers, surging forward, and the will of a tremendously powerful being seemed ready to descend. Yet at the same time, a supremely majestic purple light soared upward, and in the firmament, constellation after constellation of dazzling stars twinkled, carrying the silhouette of a majestic palace as it descended. Soaring high in the sky! Positioned right at the zenith! Chapter 280 - Chapter 280: Chapter 280: The Great Luo Heavenly Court, Ziwei Star Palace Chapter 280: Chapter 280: The Great Luo Heavenly Court, Ziwei Star Palace Boom! The deafening roar erupted, echoing endlessly between heaven and earth, as the phantom of the palace surrounded by clustered stars collided with that powerful will trying to descend. All beings in Zhongzhou heard this sound, and those below the Middle Third Rank felt dizzy and almost fainted, unable to bear the impact of such a level. Even though it was just a distant sound. After this collision, the phantom of the palace surrounded by stars sank slightly but became more solid, and the streams of starlight grew brighter and even formed different constellations with each other. The powerful will that had previously tried to descend hesitated a bit, and the cold atmosphere between heaven and earth weakened for a moment, but the next instant, it rebounded with unprecedented severity. A dense, dark purple color surged like overwhelming waves, striking violently against the barrier of this world! Crack, crack! The sound of the void breaking could be heard coming from the firmament, causing every being who heard it to feel their minds go wild, as if they were influenced by some strange and evil power. In less than three breaths time, most of Zhongzhous sky had turned dark purple, a chilling coldness pervaded everywhere, penetrating all things, and spreading rapidly. The objects within Zhongzhous Imperial City seemed to lose their original colors, displaying only shades of black and white, devoid of any color at all. The scent of decay and death filled the air. Simultaneously, flowers, plants, and trees in Zhongzhou began to die off in patches, and ordinary people not protected by Upper Third Rank powers had their life forces massively drained, endangered and struggling for life. Burgeoning rivers dried up swiftly, fertile lands cracked open in an instant, strong city walls cracked out of nowhere, newly built houses collapsed, and infants only days old began to age All sorts of events that defied natural laws occurred within Zhongzhou and continued to spread to neighboring provinces and even farther places, as if intending to transform everything in this world into a realm of death. Countless beings felt desperate. This was no longer mere Law Power. This was clearly an attempt to forcibly embed one or even several new Great Paths into this world, even twisting or destroying the existing similar paths. If successful, this Path would be forever imprinted in this world. Indelible. It would change the rules of the entire world. All the Celestial Men witnessing this became extremely alarmed; they all understood what this scene signified. The Evil God was about to descend across realms! However, judging by the current situation, the ritual to summon the Evil Gods descent seemed to have not been fully conducted, or perhaps it was suppressed by the sudden appearance of this celestial palace. Otherwise, this strange force wouldnt just be spreading outside the scope of Zhongzhou, but within a very short time, it would engulf all thirty-three provinces of Da Qi. Gentlemen, if the Evil God truly descends, none of us will escape disaster, lets make a move! Zhao Lang shouted loudly, recognizing the atmosphere pervading the world and feeling his heart race. He felt as though he had returned to three thousand years ago. Its easy to invite a god, but difficult to send one back! They must act before the Evil God truly descends, otherwise, the whole of Da Qi might suffer. That scene from three thousand years ago would likely repeat itself! Zhao Lang was frantic and even a bit desperate. He never imagined that the actions Zhao Zhen took within the Palace of Divine Light were actually to summon this Evil God! Mr. Zhao need not panic, Yan Shouyi, however, shook his head. He pointed to the increasingly focused palace above and the stars that had begun to scatter their starlight and smiled, The true master has made a move. The true master? Zhao Lang was startled at these words and then looked towards that magnificent palace. Amidst the dazzling stars and rising purple qi, a figure appeared. This figure wore a purple robe and an Emperors Mask, exuding supreme elegance and mystery, standing before the Star Palace, as though standing at the center of heaven, causing all things and phenomena to submit. Surrounding the figure, stars twinkled, forming constellations after constellations, materializing shape after shape of human phantoms; they gathered into a silver river, unfolding and encircling the Star Palace. This was the gathering of all stars under heaven, the assembly of celestial truths! In that instant, the bright, dazzling starlight illuminated the entire Zhongzhou, dispelling the cold and sinister purple-blackness, allowing life that had been stripped away to rejuvenate once more. Withered and dead flora sprang back to life; people on the brink, with life hanging by a thread, also regained their vitality; dried-up riverbeds began to flow with water again, and the cracked earth became fertile once more It was as if everything was reversing, playing backward, all the abnormal phenomena caused by the invasion of the Evil Gods Path, everything returned to normal. At the same time, celestial music sounded between heaven and earth, blossoms rained chaotically from the skies, golden lotuses sprouted from the earth, and countless voices sang their praises. Da Luos celestial palace, the Star Palace of Ziwei. Residing high at the North Pole, seated above the mid-heaven. Known by the Law Power of the Golden Wheels scorching brightness, revered as the Jade Dippers Profound Sovereign. Rotating the Jade Pivot and harmonizing the Seven Governors to outline the celestial latitude and longitude; Sun, moon, and stars demarcate the seasons, moving along the Yellow Path within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. The Grandmaster of All Things, the Overlord of the Heavens. With great compassion and grand vows, with great holiness and kindness. Sect Hierarch of the Myriad Stars, the Limitless Primordial Emperor. Ziwei of the Celestial Center, Great Emperor of the North Pole. Accompanied by the chanting of sacred edicts, Zhou Hengs Divine Sense before the projection of the Star Palace of Ziwei felt somewhat bewildered, It seemed as though he possessed a status which transcended all else, standing above all the heavens, and with the merest gesture or step, he had the Great Divine Power to create or destroy universes and to reign over all paths. But he quickly came to his senses. He knew that it was all an illusion. This feeling was merely an illusion brought about by the immense power of the Star Palace of Ziwei. It wasnt truly his own strength. Previously, to combat the purple-black absorption in that Cave Sky world, Zhou Heng had used a projection card of the Star Palace of Ziwei from a platinum treasure box. He hadnt expected that the projection of the Star Palace of Ziwei would manifest with such grandeur, not only breaking directly out of that Cave Sky world but also beginning to exhibit an inconceivably strong power. What Zhou Heng hadnt expected even more was that upon his exit, he would collide with an existence that seemed extremely terrifying and powerful, and which appeared to be the source of that prior purple-blackness. However, under the augmentation of the Star Palace of Ziwei Zhou Heng noticed that the purple-blackness permeating the heavens and the earth had changed somewhat, no longer carrying that pulse that made his heart tremble, nor the dangerous aura that had filled him with fear. It even felt somewhat familiar? What was happening? If I could absorb the essence of this purple-blackness, it seems possible to further expand my authority over the Purple Tenuity Palace? Zhou Heng sensed something, and through the projection of the Purple Tenuity Palace as well as his own Ziwei star position, he perceived the true Purple Tenuity Palace. Boom! Boom! Boom! At this moment, another massive roar came from the sky. The purple-black that had been dispersed by the starlight once again shattered the void and surged toward them. Zhao Lang and the others instantly tensed up again, and the relaxed hearts of countless beings immediately tightened once more. Yet Zhou Heng felt not shock but elation; he could clearly sense that this purple-blackness, which obviously carried the scent of death, could bring great benefits to the Purple Tenuity Palace. It posed no threat at all. So, he further expanded his inner vista, melding with the cosmos, making fine adjustments to the Star Palace of Ziwei. In a flash, his whole being shone brightly, illuminating all directions. The recently surged purple-blackness was once again enveloped by endless starlight, but this time it was not dispersed. Instead, it was gathered together and rapidly absorbed and refined! But just at that moment, a streak of purple-black light suddenly burst out from the Palace of Divine Light. As soon as this light appeared, the sinister and strange aura between heaven and earth instantly surged. Immediately afterwards, a divine figure burst from this light, instantly transforming into an enormous Emperors likeness, its figure blurred and indistinct, yet not hindering its heaven-reaching stature and limitless might. But before this Emperors likeness could unleash an attack, the projection of the Star Palace of Ziwei behind Zhou Heng burst forth with brilliance. In a twinkling, all the stars in the sky moved in unison, transforming into a celestial river crossing the heavens, engulfing the massive divine figure completely and dissipating the deep deathly force it carried. The purple-black light that had appeared before also dissipated, revealing the figure of Zhao Zhen, who, looking up at the palace guarded by the congregating stars, rising with imperial qi, was filled with boundless awe. The lord of the manor was his greatest hope for a full escape, but if the lords power couldnt truly penetrate this world, then that hope would shatter into nothing. Why would such a terrifyingly powerful being appear? Even if only an Absolute Fourth Rank were sacrificed, the lord should, at the very least, be able to bring down a Tao Lord level of might and carry him away. It should have been foolproof. What were this palace and the figure in front of it that could suppress the power of the lord?? A mask? Could it be the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? But would Tianyi and The Supreme dare to make their move? Arent they afraid that other gods from different domains might take advantage of the situation? In an instant, countless thoughts and emotions flashed through Zhao Zhens heart, and he made a split-second decision, letting his Primordial Spirit leave his body, sacrificing his Celestial Man physical form while devoutly reciting: The mixed qi of Taiyi, the revered of void and boundless space. Conceived with the elemental essence of the sun and moons initial breath; blessed with the rightful qi of heaven and earth, thus bestowing the True Form. Granted the glory of the High Emperor, forming the cornerstone of the Five Sacred Mountains. Judging the life of scholars, diminishing disasters and warding off misfortune. The cycle of creation, the magnanimity of heaven and earth. The great compassion and vow, the utmost holy and merciful. Overseeing the human path, Dongyue Tianqi, the Emperor of Benevolence and Holiness. The vast and profound Great Spirit, Siming the True Lord, the sovereign and freely commanding Heavenly Sovereign. In the blink of an eye, Zhao Zhens Celestial Man physical body dissolved into nothingness, and seventy-two points of faint blue flames flickered out of existence, making the crack in the firmament suddenly widen. The dark purple color that came from some unknown domain swelled massively with it. The forces of death, destruction, and decay between heaven and earth once again gained the upper hand, and the Laws that were the basis of their Paths began to forcefully embed themselves in this world again. The Thousand-Zhang Emperors precious likeness, which had been swallowed up by the Star Rivers light, broke free from the stars confinement. Its previously ambiguous features became clearer, outlined, and spirited, yet it was still indistinct to the eyes of beholders. To any creature that looked upon it, its face seemed to symbolize life and death, the essence of reincarnation, the interpretation of the Laws of creation. That was the embodiment of the Path. Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhen was overjoyed and burst into gleeful laughter. Though only his Primordial Spirit remained, as long as he could escape this place, the world would be wide open to him. Later, by leveraging his connection with the manors lord, reconstructing his form, and perhaps even transforming his life form to advance further, nothing seemed impossible. But in the next moment, Zhao Zhens smile froze on his face. Facing the Thousand-Zhang Emperors precious likeness from the Ziwei Star Palace, it retreated This supreme divine being, said to govern the human path, to judge life and death, and to embody reincarnation, actually retreated. As if it saw something unbelievable. Somewhat fearful. Ziwei Master, North Pole Great Emperor?! The Emperors precious likeness that manifested from the descent of the Evil God suddenly cried out in shock and then disintegrated completely, scattering into a vast expanse of dark purple light dots in the void. The wisp of spirit that had just arrived through Zhao Zhens sacrifice of his Celestial Man physical form also detached itself from the divine statue, fleeing into the rift in space as if running for its life. Subsequently, the nether death intent that had begun to erode the Path of this world quickly receded, the pervasive dark purple color in the heaven and earth rapidly faded, only to be chased and refined by the light of the Star River. It fled? It actually fled? The manor lords spirit directly fled?! Zhao Zhen was completely stunned, this was a scenario beyond his wildest dreams, and he even began to doubt if he was experiencing illusions. However, now was not the time to be shocked by this. He was very clear that if he couldnt leave this place immediately, the consequences would be unimaginable. Since the lord of the manor in the foreign land was out of reach, the only hope left was to entrust in Him. Zhao Zhen had sacrificed his Primordial Spirit, keeping only his True Spirit. Sanxian Palace Que, Bixias lower courtyard entrusted with the divine mandate of heaven, holding the authority over all living beings reincarnation fostering transformation in all directions, with every prayer answered commanding the mixed Yuan Golden Dou, overseeing the fate of immortal and godly tribulations with great compassion and vows, and boundless benevolence and mercy resonating with the world, protect us, Goddess of the Cloudy Heavens. With the end of the incantation, the Celestial Mans Primordial Spirit dissolved into nothingness, but Zhao Zhens True Spirit was preserved, drawn away from the Imperial City of Zhongzhou by an extremely covert force. Actually, Zhou Heng wanted to stop it at that moment, but the impact of the Ziwei Star Palace gathering and refining a massive amount of the underworlds death force left him with no opportunity to attend to it. The projection of the Ziwei Star Palace became more substantial, and he could even feel that the true Ziwei Palace was overlapping with this projection, which vastly elevated his Divine Sense Perception. At that moment, Zhou Heng could clearly feel the natural Laws of the great outside world. In such circumstances, he simply needed to externalize his inner miniature world, and it would easily intersect with it, allowing him to step onto the level of the Secret Six Rank. However, Zhou Heng did not do so. He did not wish to break through under such circumstances. Besides, Zhou Hengs heart was currently in an unprecedented state of shock. He was like a storm surging inside. The two incantations Zhao Zhen had recited earlier were both things he had seen on Earth in his previous life! The Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the Goddess of the Cloudy Heavens. Especially the former, was the Eastern Peak Great Emperor the Evil God Zhao Zhen intended to summon through sacrifice?! What exactly was going on? Zhou Heng was in the midst of his astonishment and suddenly sensed, as his Divine Sense Perception soared boundlessly, that he seemed to see a bizarre world. In the mysterious void, there floated an endless orb enshrouded in primordial yellow mist, surrounded by countless, variably colored, bizarre light dots that greedily attacked the orb in the center. Behind the eerie light dots were layers upon layers of worldly illusions, filled with various negative auras, spreading the sounds of chanting and praying in all directions, reinforcing the light dots. Upon the orb floating in the void were sparks of faint light, determinedly and resolutely resisting the endless assault of the bizarre light dots. Even so, some parts could not hold on, allowing the originally primordial yellow orb to become tainted with specks of other colors. Such a bizarre world resembled an enormous hall crammed with guests from various places, all vying to devour the primordial yellow orb suspended in the middle. But all of a sudden, rich purple auras rose from within the orb surrounded by the primordial mist, accompanied by a Milky Ways starlight, seemingly expanding in this void, blooming into numerous star flowers. Ziwei! Sect Hierarch! Great Emperor! Star Master! The previously greedy light dots immediately turned into a chaotic mess, communicating among themselves with extreme horror. Immediately after, more than half of the light dots and the illusions behind them retreated. They distanced themselves from this hall. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Hengs perception stopped here, as the power of the Ziwei Star Palace receded like the tide; his Divine Sense, his power, also gradually returned to normal levels. Opening his eyes, a breeze brushed his face. The sky was still vast and blue, the landscape vast and sprawling. [End of Volume One] Chapter 281 - Chapter 281: Chapter 1 The Era of Prominent Families Chapter 281: Chapter 1 The Era of Prominent Families ` Congratulations! For driving back the Evil God Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor! Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1, Choice Reward Quantity +1, Existing Base Attributes +1, Existing Additional Attributes +1. Universal Special Skill Card +1, Self-Resurrection Times +1, Lifespan +100, Eastern Peak Tai Shan Mansions Divine Imprint +1, Selectable Reward Count +1, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas Proficiency Gift Pack +1. You may choose any 1+1 items from the following rewards. Be the Sun once: Transform into the sun, unleashing light and heat that illuminates the entire world, dispersing darkness and evil with the power of pure yang for a duration of fifteen minutes. One Hit Kill once: Designate any living creature; if struck, it will surely be killed. Open Door once: Determine a location, you can open a door and return there anytime and anywhere, you can change this place at any time, ignoring any seals, bans, and other obstructions, regardless of any spatial distance. A series of reward notifications echoed in his mind, which could be described as another reward overload. However, this was not Zhou Hengs first experience. His heart had grown much calmer. After a brief contemplation, he directly dismissed the second option, choosing the first and third options instead. The reason was simple While the designated one-hit kill looked powerful, in theory, even Divine First Rank beings, and even the legendary immortals, could be killed. But there was a fatal restrictionit required a hit and connection. This was practically impossible against enemies far stronger than himself. It was somewhat of a white elephant. With that, the multiple-choice question naturally became much easier. The first option could be used as a last resort against foes head-on. After all, transforming into the sun and illuminating the whole world with light and heat could not possibly be weak. Zhou Heng had encountered the third option before, but at the time he felt it overlapped somewhat with the Life-saving Talisman, so he did not choose it. But being trapped in the Cave Sky world this time made him realize that it was quite different from the Life-saving Talisman. If he had the Open Door at that time, he could have easily left. By the time Zhou Heng had chosen his rewards, the power of the Ziwei Star Palace had almost completely faded. He took advantage of the last bit of energy, transferring people like Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen, who were still in that Cave Sky world, out. He then refined that Cave Sky into a green treasure pearl, capturing it in his hand, and the entire person disappeared without a trace. The purple qi rising in the sky gradually dissipated, and the bright starlight of the Milky Way also dimmed, and the Zhongzhou Imperial City, which had just experienced a tremendous change, finally regained its former calm. The multitude of people were in a daze, feeling as if their previous experiences were like a dream. Zhou Heng, using the last of the remaining power of the Ziwei Star Palace, took care of the outside world and then chose to return to the Purple Tenuity Palace. After all, he was now the mysterious Ziwei Master. If he were to remove his mask in full view of the public, revealing Zhou Hengs visage, it would directly announce his hidden identity to the world. Although it might not cause any significant impact on him now, due to his personal habits, he still felt it was better to remain hidden for as long as possible. ` Theres no harm in it. Upon this return to the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng distinctly felt a difference from before, the starlight passage was wider and smoother, and even the chanting of the treasure decree sounded much clearer. Especially after stepping onto what was originally the Purple Aura Cloud Platform, this feeling became even more pronounced. The world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resided seemed to have expanded greatly; many things had undergone earth-shattering changes. No, it should no longer be called the Purple Aura Cloud Platform. Because the rising purple mist that originally connected to the starlight passage had actually condensed into a real pavilion, suspended in the void, one end connected to the starlight passage, the other to the Starlight Bridge. And below the Starlight Bridge, it was no longer just emptiness; the majestic river of starlight flowed beneath the bridge, containing countless galaxies within, endless profundities. It resembled a sea of stars. This was the evolution of the starlight river that had flowed around the mountains. Since the starlight river had become a sea, the mountains that were previously surrounded by the star river naturally also expanded into continuous mountain ranges. The continent that supported these mountains was a vast land floating above the sea of stars. The Purple Tenuity Palace was no longer on the mountain, but rather suspended in the sky, situated within the surging purple mist, guarded by layers of starlight from all sides, appearing even more mysterious and noble. These changes were really too vast. If it werent for the familiar aura of the Purple Tenuity Palace and the Zhou Tian star chart, Zhou Heng would have doubted whether he had entered through the wrong gate. At the same time, he realized that in this world, he seemed to possess the ability to harness the heaven and earths vital energy and even some of the laws. What specific level it was, he couldnt yet determine, but it shouldnt be less than that of an ordinary Secret Six Rank. Zhou Heng understood that this was not his own power, but the authority given to him by the position of Ziwei Master. It could only be used in this world where the Purple Tenuity Palace existed. However, this made his actions a lot more convenient. After all, Secret Six Rank individuals were capable of flight, and it was more convenient to fly to the Purple Tenuity Palace, now a floating city. Just as Zhou Heng was about to fly on the clouds, he found he didnt know any techniques for soaring through the clouds. The ability of a Secret Six Rank martial artist to tread the air and fly was not an innate ability that came with the breakthrough of their realm, but was achieved through various special secret techniques or martial arts, such as Cloud Soaring Technique, Cloud Turning Technique, Rainbow Light Technique, Object Commanding Technique, collectively referred to as Flying Heaven Technique. If one had not cultivated a Flying Heaven Technique, even with the cultivation of Secret Six Rank, they would still be unable to fly. Luckily, Ive practiced the Sword Control Technique before, and I have a Flying Sword Treasure Soldier, Zhou Heng said to himself. Zhou Heng opened his mouth and spat out a Purple Sword Pill. Using the Sword Control Technique, he expanded the swords radiance, enveloping his entire body, and started to levitate unsteadily into the air. Authentic sword flight involved using sword light to lift oneself off the ground and at the highest levels one could even unify with the sword light, transforming into it to enter the blue sky. That method of transforming a treasure sword into the size of a door plank to stand on and fly was actually a form of the Object Commanding Technique. It just so happened that this object was a sword. Zhou Heng was still very unskilled with the method of sword flight, and it took him a while to steady himself in the air, wavering back and forth. Purple sword light swirled around his body, accompanied by flashes of electric light. With a single thought, he soared into the sky and in an instant crossed layers of starlight, passed through the surging purple mist, and arrived in front of the even grander and more splendid Purple Tenuity Palace. Originally, in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace there was a plaza carved out on the mountaintop. But now, with the Purple Tenuity Palace enshrouded in purple mist and surrounded by stars, the former rocky plaza had naturally disappeared, yet in its place had formed a spacious purple-golden plaza with stars embedded within, very magnificent. Especially as Zhou Heng approached, this purple-golden plaza immediately burst forth with brilliance, with each embedded star shining brightly, radiating dazzling, incredibly splendid light. ` It was as if they were welcoming Zhou Hengs return. Standing before the Purple Tenuity Palace, The Supreme and Celestial Law sensed Zhou Hengs arrival, both hurried forward. Greetings, Master of the Ziwei Star. Both The Supreme and Celestial Law bowed respectfully to greet him, their attitude even more reverent than before. In fact, the two Celestial Men had always been quite respectful towards Zhou Heng, yet this time Zhou Heng clearly felt a change in their demeanor. Is it because I previously summoned the projection of the Ziwei Star Palace and possessed the Celestial Power of the Ziwei star energy for a short time, or is it because I brought significant changes to the Purple Tenuity Palace? Zhou Heng speculated in his heart. However, outwardly, he remained composed and smiled, I have seen both seniors, the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resides seems to have become even grander and more wondrous. This is the blessing of the Star Master on the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, The Supreme said with some emotion. Your earlier display of divine might, it overturned heaven and earth here, both Celestial Law and I were inexpressibly amazed. The divine skills of the Star Master are indeed vast. Celestial Law, typically parsimonious with words, also felt utterly astonished this time; the change in the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace resided was well beyond his and The Supremes expectations. The Purple Tenuity Palace becoming stronger is a good thing for us all, said Zhou Heng with a slight smile, before adding, Seniors, actually I do have some doubts Id like to consult about. Please, Star Master, speak, both The Supreme and Celestial Law nodded, without refusal or evasiveness. What exactly happened during the Battle of Tianyang? Zhou Heng asked in a deep voice. This had always puzzled him, why so many forces were so secretive about that battle, and why it was as hard as ascending to heaven for martial artists of the Lower Third Rank to find any relevant information. The Supreme and Celestial Law fell into a brief silence, exchanging glances before The Supreme finally asked, What aspect would the Star Master like to know about? Everything you know, Zhou Heng replied straightforwardly. Very well, The Supreme nodded slightly and said, Actually, with the Star Masters rate of progress, you would soon understand on your own. So, it is no harm to tell you now. Following this, the Celestial Power began to narrate various pieces of information about the Battle of Tianyang, and Zhou Heng was finally able to unravel some of the mysteries behind this major event. According to The Supremes description The cause of the Battle of Tianyang was actually a conspiracy between the Central Dynasty and the Sects, a joint effort to deal with the noble families. This was entirely unlike any of Zhou Hengs previous speculations. After all, whether it be Da Qi or the Southern Jin or Northern Zhou, the power of the noble families was not strong; the vast majority were weaker than the Sects, and even depended on the Empire for support. Could it be that the noble families before the Battle of Tianyang were so powerful that they required a combined effort from the Central Dynasty and the Sects to confront them? It was somewhat inconceivable. Moreover, an esteemed figure had mentioned that after the Middle Ancient period, it should have been an era where the Central Dynasty dominated the world, and the noble families flourished, an era where the collective strength of the Human Race surpassed that of the past. Could there be a discrepancy in information? As The Supreme continued, Zhou Heng learned that in the two thousand years between the end of the Age of Saints in the Middle Ancient period and before the Battle of Tianyang, it truly was an era dominated by the noble families. In the Age of Saints of the Middle Ancient period, amongst the divine ranks of the world, besides the Nine Saints, top Martial Dao Sects like the Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, Jia Ye Temple, and Infinite Temple, there were about fifteen or sixteen Divine First Rank present. Yet by the end of the Middle Ancient period, three of the Saints went mad mysteriously, losing their reason and wreaking havoc everywhere. The remaining Six Saints intervened to stop them, leading to a grand battle. This war not only led to the destruction of hundreds of families and the closing of academic institutions but also affected many Sects. Divine First Rank from the Lotus Platform Temple, Jia Ye Temple, and Upper Clarity Dao perished, leading to the sealing of their Sect gates. The then Tao Lord of the Pure Yang Palace, who was the fourth-generation leader, sustained severe injuries and nearly succumbed to them. He survived with the help of the third-generation leader. However, after that, he became disheartened, and after ordering the sealing of the Sect gates, he passed on the position of leader to his disciple, which was Zhou Hengs nominal master, the fifth-generation leader of the Pure Yang Palace. ` After this series of vicissitudes, the number of saints between heaven and earth drastically dwindled. Only one Dream Saint remained, along with a mere handful of Divine First Ranks from Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, Temple of Heavenly Moon, and the like. Besides the Dream Saint, the other saintly beings of the various sects had all closed their mountain gates, not setting foot in the mortal world. Thus, the Dream Saint became the only saint left in the world. After giving lectures, the Dream Saint entered nirvana, but His disciples did not follow His will to widely spread the divine skills of the Middle Ancient Nine Saints to all living beings; instead, they kept them within their own families, secret and unannounced. At that time, transmission of numerous lineages ceased, scholastic institutions were destroyed, the great Martial Dao Sects closed off their mountains, and the countries of the world were engulfed in flames of war. Those who held the core inheritances of the Nine Saints took the opportunity to gather forces, propagate their progeny, and over time, formed one large family after another. Moreover, within less than a thousand years thereafter, a staggering twelve Divine First Ranks emerged, corresponding to the same number of top-ranking families. The Twelve Ancient Families suppressed all nations, unified the realm, and propped up a puppet Central Dynasty to act as their common representative. In truth, the inner circle of the Five Emperors wasnt wrong; the Central Dynasty did indeed dominate an era because there were twelve Divine First Ranks standing behind it! This could be called the most powerful force since the ancient times, unparalleled. Even if significant sects such as the Pure Yang Palace, the Taixu Viewpoint, and the Infinite Temple opened their gates and re-entered the mortal world, they could not compare, and the world truly entered the era of the dominating family clans. In that era, the grand families truly held everything in their hands. The situation of the sects was totally different from today; back then, apart from the top Martial Dao Sects that managed to maintain independence, the majority of sects had become nothing more than branches for training or testing the youths of these grand families. Furthermore, some medium or even weaker sects could only survive by attaching themselves to the grand families, or else they would soon be swallowed by other powers affiliated with these families. In that era, the descendants of the Twelve Ancient Families were absolute nobility wherever they went, and even when facing disciples from Pure Yang Palace or Taixu Viewpoint, they also maintained their noble demeanor. Not just the grand families C even the youth from medium or ordinary families dared to be arrogant and flaunt their martial prowess before the disciples of the top Martial Dao Sects. In the world at that time, it was even said that becoming an ordinary apprentice within the Twelve Ancient Families was better than being a true disciple of a great Martial Dao Sect like Pure Yang Palace or Taixu Viewpoint. The prevailing attitude of that time was evident. As for the outwardly glorious Central Dynasty, it was in fact incredibly wretched; every Zhao Family head, each holding the position of emperor in the Central Dynasty, had a very short lifespan. This was a rule set by the Twelve Ancient Families. The emperor must die after a reigning for a hundred years, and it was not a charade or pretense, but a true, required death. No matter their cultivation level or realm. Even if at the peak of the Fourth Rank, they too had to die after a hundred years. Because the Twelve Families would rotate the leadership benefits, taking the emperors change of terms as the interval. Every hundred years, a change would take place. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was genuinely an emperors turn to rule, with my family taking over after a century. Thus, for four hundred years since the establishment of the Central Dynasty, it had seen four generations of emperors, each dying a violent death, with each reign lasting only a century. Until eight hundred years before the Battle of Tianyang. The Central Dynasty and the world welcomed a new era, and there appeared a reign name that lasted for eight hundred years without change. Taiyang! Chapter 282 - Chapter 282: Chapter 2 Puzzles Abound, Crisis Looms Chapter 282: Chapter 2 Puzzles Abound, Crisis Looms ` Emperor Taiyang. This was a supreme being who changed the current situation of the world at that time, and it was precisely because of his appearance that the period when noble families controlled the fate of the empire ended. According to rumors, he was originally an ordinary prince with quite ordinary talents, but after reaching adulthood, he burst forth with an unprecedented brilliance. In less than fifty years, he had achieved the realm of Celestial Man. Even in that era when over a dozen Divine First Ranks suppressed the world, Celestial Man was definitely regarded as a powerful being. At that time, the Pure Yang Palace had just reopened its gates, and Emperor Taiyang established a good relationship with the Master of the Pure Yang Palace. The Zhao Family regarded him as the future hope, a hope to break away from the control of the Twelve Ancient Families, to regain freedom, and to escape the doom. However, the Twelve Ancient Families would not allow the Zhao imperial family to have such a stunning and exceptional genius. But due to the relationship between the Master of the Pure Yang Palace and Taiyang, they could not take direct action. They had to continue following the rules. Thus, the original Crown Prince of the Central Dynasty was deposed by the Twelve Ancient Families, and the not yet sixty-year-old Taiyang naturally ascended to the throne of the Central Dynasty. According to past rules, a hundred years later, the people of the world would receive news of Emperor Taiyangs peaceful death, and a new emperors ascension, and this rare genius would also vanish into thin air. But, to everyones surprise, in the second year after Taiyang ascended to the throne, he directly condensed a Human Emperor Dao Seed, achieving the position of Tao Lord. Moreover, as long as he stood within the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, he was blessed by the rightful position of the Human Emperor, and even Divine First Ranks could not harm him in the slightest. The world was shocked. Both the Twelve Ancient Families, which had always been closely watching Taiyang, and the Master of the Pure Yang Palace, who had a good relationship with Taiyang, had no idea when Taiyang had reached the threshold of Tao Lord, nor did they know when he had begun to try condensing the Dao Seed. From that point on, the Central Dynasty embarked on a path completely different from before under Taiyangs leadership. At first, the Twelve Ancient Families could still use various means to suppress the development of the Central Dynasty and Taiyangs policies. But on the occasion of his hundredth birthday, he invited all the Divine First Ranks of the world, a total of eighteen Saint Tao masters, to the Imperial City for a feast and, in front of everyone, achieved sainthood. The Central Dynasty finally gained true freedom, but it was only to a certain extent; the might of the Twelve Ancient Families was too great. The power of the empire was still oppressed by the Twelve Ancient Families, and the legacy of the Sects was still restricted by the noble houses. Thus, there came the subsequent secret alliance between the Central Dynasty and top Great Sects like the Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, and Infinite Temple, planning to start a war to banish or seal all the Saints of the Twelve Ancient Families. Master Ziwei, this was the initial cause of the Tianyang Battle, The Supremes narration came to an end. He did not continue and said, What I know, along with heaven and earth, is also pretty much limited to this. Theres only the cause but no detailed account of the events? Zhou Heng said in astonishment, somewhat puzzled. He had just listened to The Supremes narration, feeling that many of the matters went beyond his understanding, causing him great disbelief, and even making them incomprehensible to him. How did the Middle Ancient Era produce twelve Divine First Ranks within a thousand years? How did Emperor Taiyang achieve sainthood at the age of a hundred? Originally it was the empire allied with Sects, sharing a common enemy in the noble houses, but how did it eventually develop into the division of the Central Dynasty into three states, with many noble houses declining? ` ` In this way, it seems that the Sect is the ultimate benefactor? There might be a problem with the specifics of the situation. Moreover, in this great transitional upheaval, what roles did the Evil Gods, Ghost Immortals, and Great Demons play? One question after another emerged from his heart. There are no specific experiences, The Supreme shook his head and said, The battle of Tianyang lasted for over a hundred years, and what exactly happened during those hundred years, even those who experienced it might not be clear. Even those who experienced it might not be clear? Zhou Heng was puzzled. The history of that period is in fact fragmented, explained The Supreme. When I and Heavenly Laws could still walk the outside world, we once asked some Celestial Man elders who had personally experienced the battle of Tianyang. Their memories of the details of the battle of Tianyang are very chaotic, with some events completely jumbled and the logic disconnected, as if those hundred years were torn to pieces and then randomly assembled. Such a thing actually happened. Zhou Heng was filled with surprise and uncertainty. After collecting his thoughts for a moment, he asked, Then, what changed after the battle of Tianyang compared to before it? In fact, you have been seeing these changes all along, The Supreme said with a smile. The situation in the world hasnt really changed much since the battle of Tianyang. After the battle of Tianyang, the Divine First Ranks from the Twelve Ancient Families either perished or disappeared. In the end, only the Lanxi Tang Clan and Zhou Mountain Ji Clan still have Divine First Ranks left. Emperor Taiyang has gone missing, and although the King of Qi was appointed as the emperor, he is ultimately only a Tao Lord. By that time, the entire Central Dynasty had already crumbled, with ghosts and evil spirits breeding in the Central Lands, and with the demon calamity in the West Wasteland, they were no longer capable of battle. Therefore, under the leadership of top Sects such as the Pure Yang Palace, Taixu Viewpoint, and Heavenly Moon Temple, the Tang, Zhao, and Ji divided the world. The Lanxi Tang Clan became the imperial family of Great Jin. The Zhou Mountain Ji Clan established Da Zhou, and the Zhao family, originally from the Central Dynasty, became the ruler of Da Qi. Afterward, to withstand the numerous Evil Gods, with the Saints and Tao Lords unable to intervene, the imperial families of the three nations took the lead, and based on the Zhou Tian Star Chart, established the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer Most of these affairs you are well aware of, The Supreme added. In the three thousand years since the battle of Tianyang, has no one else reached Divine First Rank? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows. The contrast seemed too great, given that there had been twelve in a millennium before. There was one, two thousand years ago, a Qi Emperor attained Divine First Rank, and after that, there have been no more, The Supreme sighed gently. But now, the situation is also very different compared to before the battle of Tianyang. In the past, no matter what, it was essentially a golden age for cultivation itself. It is said that during that time, Tao Lords often lectured, and the fortunate could even witness Saints unfold the Dao, while Celestial Men could listen to the teachings. But now, Tao Lords and Saints have long ceased to tread the mortal world, and Celestial Men have become the ultimate power walking the earth. In this era, Tao Lords lecturing and Saints unfolding the Dao have become nothing more than legends. Indeed Zhou Heng understood The Supremes sentiment. For someone like him, a Celestial Man, without Tao Lords and Saints lecturing and unfolding the Dao, progressing further was too difficult. He might even struggle to find the direction. However, its fortunate that we are in an organization, The Supreme smiled again. Every three months, Tianyi and the Azure Dragon make an extremely brief appearance at the Purple Tenuity Palace to answer our Celestial Mens questions, which is a great fortune. Are there many Evil Gods preparing to invade this world? Zhou Heng inquired as he thought of the scene he had perceived when his senses transcended the world. In the nebulous void wrapped in the mystic yellow fog, countless points were eyeing the sphere covetously, along with the forces on the sphere that were fiercely resisting. If those points were all Evil Gods, the thought was unimaginable. As far as I know, not too many, but not few either, The Supreme pondered briefly and then said somberly, However, to date, ten Evil Gods have successfully invaded and established Evil Sect teachings, of which three are in Da Qi. ` Three? Zhou Heng was slightly startled upon hearing this and asked, Why are there only three Evil Gods among the four major evil paths? At that moment, he suddenly recalled that when You Ziheng had previously explained the origin of the Evil Gods, he also specifically mentioned three, excluding the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. Because the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace is not counted among them, The Supreme explained, Honghua Palace, Plague Emperor Sect, and Nine Deaths Sect are all evil sects that have emerged in the last three thousand years, and their origins trace back to the three Evil Gods who invaded after the battle of Tianyang. Then whats the deal with the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace? Zhou Heng asked in confusion, I heard that it is an ancient sect passed down from the Ancient Mythological Era, and its leader of Divine First Rank had lived from the Middle Ancient Era to the present, not an Evil God. So why is it also considered part of the evil path? This is because a normal Divine First Rank can also fall and become an Evil God, The Supreme sighed and said, Actually, the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace used to be a righteous sect, at least until before the Battle of Tianyang. But after the Battle of Tianyang, not long after the establishment of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, the leader of Divine First Rank from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace suddenly started to spread a sacred decree extensively and proclaimed herself as At one with the world, preserving life as the Yunxiao Lady, demanding followers to pray and offer sacrifices. After the investigation by numerous Divine First Ranks, it was discovered that the leader of Yunxiao Heavenly Palace had, at some unknown point, fallen and become an Evil God, even her domain had changed. There can actually be such a matter, Zhou Heng was stunned and asked in disbelief, A Divine First Rank can actually fall and become an Evil God the sacred decree Do the Evil Gods of the other three evil paths like the Plague Emperor Sect have sacred decrees? No, The Supreme shook his head gently and said, Further investigations by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer revealed that apparently only very high-ranking Evil Gods possess sacred decrees. This Yunxiao Lady who preserves life clearly held a higher status than that of normal Evil Gods. She managed to pollute a Saint without truly descending and took control of his Divine Soul, which is genuinely terrifying. The level of a high-ranking Evil God surpasses that of Divine First Rank? Zhou Heng deduced another meaning in The Supremes words. Clearly, The Supreme nodded. Zhou Heng fell silent. Although he had speculated something similar upon seeing those ominously watching points of light, hearing The Supreme confirm it still made him feel somewhat apprehensive. What kind of terrifying crisis was this world facing? And why had these deities from Earths legends become Evil Gods here? Was there really a difference? Or had Evil Gods stolen the authority, falsely using the names of righteous gods? With this in mind, Zhou Heng asked, Have you heard of the Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor? Previously, I heard someone praying, attempting to call this deity to descend upon the world. Hiss! The moment he finished speaking, both The Supreme and Tianyi took in a sharp breath. Eastern Peak Emperor! The Lord of the Netherworld?! Both Celestial Men were clearly utterly astonished. It took a while for both of them to calm their spirits and regain composure. It seems that this Evil God has not succeeded in descending, The Supreme breathed a sigh of relief and said, Master of Ziwei, does the change in the Purple Tenuity Palace have anything to do with this Evil God wanting to descend? Correct, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said, Do the two seniors have knowledge of Him? We have heard about him from Tianyi and the Azure Dragon, The Supreme said, The Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor, who dictates life and death and rules over the Netherworld, is an Evil God with a sacred decree. Its said that the emergence of ghosts resulted from His domains corruption. Hes the source of the ghosts proliferation?! Zhou Heng was taken aback and then asked, Doesnt this mean that the erosion by this Evil God is already quite severe here? Tianyi and the Azure Dragon once said that the Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor is very likely to be the first high-ranking Evil God to truly descend, The Supreme sighed lightly and said, Destroying ghosts is actually one of the ways to delay His descent. Apart from the Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor, there must be other high-ranking Evil Gods eroding here, Zhou Heng said. There are, The Supreme nodded. For a while, the three men fell silent, and the atmosphere sank into extreme quiet. Master Ziwei, all is not utterly without hope, Tianyi suddenly spoke, looking at Zhou Heng and said, You are one of the hopes. As the respected Master of Ziwei, you represent hope in standing against high-ranking Evil Gods. Yes, I understand, Zhou Heng nodded, not surprised by Tianyis remarks. Alas, the crisis is formidable, and there are still many mysteries, The Supreme sighed softly and said, We can only hope that in the future exploration of other worlds, some mysteries will be unraveled, thus alleviating some of the crisis. Explore other worlds, uncover secrets Zhou Heng pondered briefly upon hearing this and said, Two seniors, I have previously used the power of the Purple Tenuity Palace to refine the Netherworld force that pervaded during the descent of the Eastern Peak Tai Shan Emperor, and Ive expanded into a new authority. A new authority? It is a control authority over the Purple Tenuity Palace, isnt it? Both Celestial Men were overjoyed upon hearing this, looking forward expectantly at Zhou Heng. Unleashing more of the Purple Tenuity Palaces power had always been the direction the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was striving for. Correct, please look, two seniors, Zhou Heng said as he turned and pointed toward the swirling purple mist in front of him. Stars started twinkling, and on the left side of the purple square, a giant whirlpool of purple qi slowly took shape. It appeared like a portal, seemingly connecting to the infinite worlds, to the vast heavens. This is a different kind of portal connecting to other worlds compared to Star Gates, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Star Gates allow one to physically descend into another world directly, but this portal allows a mere fragment of Divine Soul to cross realms and incarnate. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Seemingly because the authority of the Netherworld force is related to the Divine Soul, the new power he had expanded into was related to the Divine Soul. A mere fragment of Divine Soul to cross realms and incarnate?! The Supreme exclaimed excitedly, Doesnt this mean that we two old beings who only have our Primordial Spirits left can finally exert some effort for the organization again? Although both were Celestial Men, with their physical bodies destroyed and unwilling to follow the path of Loose Immortals, they could only rely on the power of the Purple Tenuity Palace to preserve their Primordial Spirits, no longer able to walk among humans or contribute to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. But now, this new portal gave them hope. No, its more than that, Tianyi said with shining eyes, Actually, theres an even greater use! Chapter 283 - Chapter 283: Chapter 3 How do I know everything? Chapter 283: Chapter 3 How do I know everything? When we head to other worlds, if our primary purpose is to gather information, we usually face a problem, Heavenly Principle seemed rather excited as he spoke more than usual, and that is identity. Indeed, The Supreme nodded, his eyes lighting up with a bit of excitement as he smiled and said, When we descend into other worlds, we essentially pop out of nowhere. To gather information, especially the deeper secrets, would undoubtedly raise the difficulty quite a bit, but now its different. Yes, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and smiled, If one descends by attaching a thought of the divine soul to a body, then one can inherit the original identity. Naturally, there would no longer be an issue with identity, making actions much more convenient. However, theres one more thing I need to confirm with you, Lord of Stars. Heavenly Principle suddenly said, This descent by possession, does it involve forcibly occupying the body of a living person, or is it done in some other way? One can only possess bodies equivalent to Lower Third Rank corpses, Zhou Heng explained and then added with a smile, And it is not limited to just human corpses. Haha, that certainly makes things even more convenient, The Supreme laughed. However, Id ask both of you esteemed seniors to not be hasty. I am thinking of announcing this matter at our next meeting, Zhou Heng raised his hand and retracted the purple portal, After all, this matter involves the entire organization and should not be decided rashly. That is how it should be. Lord of Stars is very considerate, The Supreme nodded. Thats also good, Heavenly Principle expressed his agreement. With that, I shall take my leave, Zhou Heng smiled, took a look around, and said, I will leave the task of explaining the changes in this world of Purple Tenuity Palace to the two seniors. Rest assured, Lord of Stars, both of them said. Immediately after, Zhou Heng left the Purple Tenuity Palace on his flying sword, finding his way back across the Bridge of Starlight toward Taihua Mount in Yong State. Previously, while he was exerting the great powers of the Purple Tenuity Palace, he had discovered that Yan Shouyi was also within the Imperial City. Given that, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen would be safe. Moreover, with such a major event happening, the Imperial City of Zhongzhou would definitely be in the eye of the storm. Yan Shouyi would surely take them back to the mountain, so Zhou Heng had come directly back. It was also a good opportunity to find out what had taken place in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou after he had returned to Purple Tenuity Palace. At the stone pavilion on the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak, Zhou Heng and Yan Shouyi sat opposite each other. Brother, are you saying, after I left, another battle broke out in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou? Zhou Heng asked with some surprise, What were they fighting over, and who was fighting whom? Zhou Yuansheng sensed that something was amiss with Zhou Yin here and came northward, and Cui Tianhe also realized that things were not right, descending as well, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, Both of them, while retrieving their juniors, also clashed with the Celestial Man of the Zhao Family. Haha, that is indeed expected, Zhou Heng also started to laugh, Zhao Zhen schemed against so many of us, and both Zhou Yin and Cui Tianhe shoulder the heavy responsibility of their family heritages. With such an incident, their Celestial Men definitely wouldnt let things go easily. Not to mention bloodline-hereditary noble families, even we, members of a sect, wouldnt let things go easily either, Yan Shouyi glanced towards the direction of Zhongzhou and said with a cold smile, Members of the Qing Emperor Palace, Infinite Temple, and Longevity Way who are all geniuses also arrived, accompanied by three Celestial Men, especially Longevity Way Is it because Fang Wen has gone missing? Zhou Heng inquired. Exactly, Luo Shichang is nearly frantic, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly, puzzled, Junior brother, are you aware of Fang Wens situation? Yes, Zhou Heng nodded, At that time, I forcibly harnessed the power of Purple Tenuity Palace. While breaking out of that Cave Sky world, I also released everyone who was trapped inside. I realized then that Fang Wen was already gone. Yan Shouyi was aware of the existence of Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and even the details involved; he also knew that Zhou Heng was one of its members. Naturally, there was nothing for him to hide. So, its very likely that he had disappeared before you broke out of the Cave Sky? Yan Shouyi frowned upon hearing this and said, That really means hes missing without a trace. Its quite a pity. In fact, he had always quite admired Fang Wen. Since ancient times, Martial Artists who could forge their unique path at the Lower Third Rank were few and far between, truly rare. Indeed, its a pity; I havent even had the chance to face him in combat yet. Zhou Heng also felt regretful, but he quickly remembered his previous doubts, Senior Brother, you must have already heard about what happened in that Cave Sky from Jiang Jian and the others, right? Yes, Ive heard, and also from the disciples of Infinite Temple and Qing Emperor Palace. Yan Shouyi nodded, his voice grave, In that world within the Cave Sky, there were many Sects and noble family estates that mysteriously disappeared during the Tianyang Battle, along with several county cities and towns. What do you think that world might be? Zhou Heng asked. What do you think, Junior Brother? Yan Shouyi smiled and said, I saw with my own eyes how you resisted the corruption of an Evil God, so you must have some speculations, right? Senior Brother flatters me, that was only a momentary power; I fear I might not have the opportunity to use such mighty strength again. Zhou Heng shook his head first, then nodded and said, However, I do have a few speculations about that Cave Sky. I speculate that the Cave Sky world was probably used as a massive altar for the sacrifices to summon an Evil God, carried out by Emperor Taiyang during the Tianyang Battle era. Those mysteriously vanished Sects and noble families, as well as the county cities and towns, were probably all part of the sacrifices prepared by Emperor Taiyang to please the Evil God And the Evil God that Emperor Taiyang sought to summon back then is likely the same one that Zhao Zhen wanted to summon this time, the Dongyue Taishan Emperor Senior Brother, how much do you know about the events that happened during the Tianyang Battle? Very little. Yan Shouyi shook his head and said, Master once said that too many unthinkable events occurred during that hundred years of the Tianyang Battle, even he does not wish to speak much of it. Even Master does not wish to speak much of it? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. Even Yan Shouyi, the current head of Pure Yang Palace, was unclear about that period of history. Furthermore, his nominal Master, a Tao Lord who had personally experienced the Tianyang Battle, should have known quite a lot, yet was unwilling to speak of it. What exactly had happened during that hundred years? Let us not dwell on this for now, Junior Brother, there is something you should be cautious about in the future, Yan Shouyi suddenly changed the subject. What is it? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled. Da Qi might be descending into chaos, Yan Shouyi said with a light sigh. Because of Zhao Zhens actions? Zhou Heng quickly understood and said, His public sacrifices to summon an Evil God, involving numerous top-tier Sects and noble families, offending many Celestial Men, losing the peoples hearts? Not just because of these reasons, but also the discovery of that Cave Sky world, Yan Shouyi said, standing with his hands behind his back, facing the sea of clouds with a heavy voice, Junior Brother, you just speculated that the Cave Sky world might have been an altar used for sacrifices to the Evil God during the Tianyang Battle era. Others are likely to guess the same, and thus they will realize how mad Emperor Taiyang was, how many Sects he sacrificed, how many counties, many Celestial Men as well as Tao Lords, and the lives of countless creatures, all became sacrifices. Its a horrendous affair, especially considering what Zhao Zhen did previously, which is also a kind of sacrifice for summoning an Evil God. This will cause many powers in the world to have a great concern. Worried that the Zhao Family might produce another Celestial Man who desires to summon an Evil God? Zhou Heng said gravely. No, the concern is that another Emperor Taiyang, nearly insane, might emerge, Yan Shouyi turned to look at Zhou Heng and said, Given this, further suppressing the development of Da Qi, pressing down on the livelihood of its citizens, will most likely be the choice of both Northern Zhou and Southern Jin. Because the Da Qi Royal Family, like the Emperor Taiyang of the Central Dynasty before them, follows the Human Emperors Way? Zhou Heng speculated. Exactly, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly and said, The cultivation of the Human Emperors Way requires the wealth of the people, a prosperous citizenry, and vast territories to gather the hearts of the people and verify the fruits of the Human Emperors Way. Thats also why, over the past three thousand years, Northern Qi and Southern Jin have been suppressing Da Qi both openly and covertly; in the future, they are likely to be even more brazen. Will the Pure Yang Palace be affected as well? Zhou Heng frowned. After all, Taihua Mount is located within Da Qis borders, and many disciples of the Pure Yang Palace are also subjects of Da Qi, Yan Shouyi said. Those over a hundred years old and detached from worldly affairs might be fine, but the young disciples of the Lower Third Rank are still involved in the mundane world and are inevitably impacted. I understand, Zhou Heng nodded and said, If anyone offends the disciples of Pure Yang, I will not let them off lightly. Then Ill have to trouble junior brother for this, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. However, I have some doubts, Zhou Heng inquired, Why would the Taixu Viewpoint and the Tang Family of Southern Jin also help Zhao Zhen? Could it be that they too wish for the Evil God to descend? The Crown Prince Tang Kaiyuan of Southern Jin has disappeared, and his purpose remains unknown, said Yan Shouyi with a light shake of his head. As for the Taixu Viewpoint, it is certainly a question that should be well addressed. As he spoke, Yan Shouyi waved his sleeve, and the clouds outside the Golden Peak dispersed, revealing a three-legged golden tripod with an almost invisible silhouette within itnone other than Yang Wuji, the master of the Taixu Viewpoint. What is this? Zhou Heng was taken aback, not having expected that someone was being suppressed in the sea of clouds beside the Golden Peak, and it looked as though it had been done by Yan Shouyi. This is Yang Wuji, the master of the Taixu Viewpoint. He came to me for tea earlier and prevented me from leaving, so he has been suppressed for a hundred years, Yan Shouyi spoke as if it were a very ordinary matter. Yang Wuji?! Zhou Heng was immediately shocked. This was the man known as the number one Celestial Man of Da Jin, who had been honored for over two thousand years, and once rivaled Yan Shouyi in fame. Suppressed just like that? Just how powerful was his senior brother? Master Yang, have you also been beguiled by an Evil God? Yan Shouyi asked, temporarily allowing Yang Wuji to sense the outside world so that he could hear his words. Heh, Yang Wuji just sneered, saying nothing. With Master Yangs cultivation realm, surely there is more than this, said Yan Shouyi. Hmph, Yang Wuji snorted coldly. Senior brother, Ive just had an idea, Zhou Heng said, a thought flashing through his mind. Why not let me ask a few questions? That would be fine, Yan Shouyi agreed with a nod. Hehe, Yang Wuji looked at Zhou Heng with contempt, paying him no mind. Your real purpose, it seems, is to obtain the core inheritance of the Zhi Xu sect, Zhou Heng said gravely. Tianyizi is none other than the reincarnation of Yuan Zhenzi, the former head of the Zhi Xu sect. That world which was used as an altar actually belongs to him. You obstructed my senior brother because you wanted to buy time for Yuan Zhenzi to obtain the core inheritance of the Zhi Xu sect, right? Yang Wuji was silent this time, but then he scoffed coldly again and stopped paying attention. The decline of the Zhi Xu sect had the hand of Taixu Viewpoint in it, didnt it? Zhou Heng continued without concern, I once saw in an ancient book that the Zhi Xu sect and the Taixu Viewpoint were originally one during the Ancient Mythological Era? Who are you, whose reincarnation are you? Yang Wujis eyes flared with divine light, glaring across the space at Zhou Heng, Which grand figure, which Saint from the past, are you?! Just now, Zhou Heng had disclosed the core secret of the relationship between the Taixu Viewpoint and the Zhi Xu sect. The Zhi Xu sect and the Taixu Viewpoint share the same origin! This was something only successive heads of both sects would come to know after they retired; even Yang Wuji had only come to know of it through a fortuitous circumstance. How could someone else know about it? Ah, I remember now, isnt your origin called the Tai Qing Way? Zhou Heng said, feigning a sudden recollection, and smilingly added, That explains it. Youre willing to help Zhao Zhen to summon the Evil God not for his sake, but so that Tianyizi can obtain the complete Zheng Xu sects inheritance. Then it can be combined with your own Taixu Viewpoints inheritance to perfect the Tai Qing Ways inheritance, right or not? The relationship between the Zhi Xu sect and the Taixu Viewpoint was something he had seen in the information transmitted from that Qing Yu Daoist statue. It was the perfect time to use that information. Only, what puzzles me is why Tianyizi, the reincarnation of the Zhi Xu sects leader, would end up in the Taixu Viewpoint? Zhou Heng joked lightly. Could it be that he was lured there by the methods of an Evil God? This was merely an attempt by Zhou Heng to provoke a reaction with a teasing remark, yet Yang Wuji responded intensely. Nonsense, sheer nonsense! Yang Wuji finally couldnt hold back, shouting angrily with bulging eyes, Ignorant child, what do you know to be spouting such rubbish?! Yan Shouyi observed thoughtfully from the side, his gaze flickering slightly. Master Yang seems to care a great deal about Tianyizi, or Yuan Zhenzi, he remarked. Zhou Heng shook his head and chuckled lightly, Could it be that you were close friends with Yuan Zhenzi, and so you would risk the descent of the Evil God to help him recover his true self? Yan Shouyi, your junior brother Yang Wuji turned his gaze toward Yan Shouyi and said, Truly a Saint reincarnated, it appears he knows quite a bit. My junior brother is certainly extraordinary, Yan Shouyi bowed his hands with a smile, Thank you for the compliment, Master Yang. Heh, Yang Wuji snorted coldly again, then turned to Zhou Heng and said, Since you already know everything, why beat around the bush, amusing yourself at my expense? ? Zhou Heng was puzzled, his mind filled with question marks. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only How could I already know everything? I merely used the information from that world to work with your demeanor and do a bit of artistic refining for provocation. This now means I know everything? Have you thought of something? What do I know? Chapter 284 - Chapter 284: Chapter 4: Pure Yang With Me Chapter 284: Chapter 4: Pure Yang With Me Zhou Heng felt lost in his heart, but his face remained impassive as he chuckled and said, What on earth are you talking about? Oh, Your Excellency seems to be in quite a good mood, Yang Wuji snorted coldly. Since you already knew that Master Yuanzhen was my teacher in his past life and that Zhou Yin is actually not the reincarnation of a saint, and therefore the ceremony was doomed to fail, why pretend ignorance and make a fool of me? Zhou Heng became even more confused. What? Master Yuanzhen was your master in his past life? Zhou Yin isnt the reincarnation of a saint, just pretending? I was looking forward to getting closer to him to learn how to pretend to be the reincarnation of a saint. Huh, seems like there might be even more to learn from this? So Master Yuanzhen is actually the reincarnation of Xie Yang, the younger brother of Xie Sheng, the former head of Taixu Viewpoint. No wonder, no wonder Yan Shouyi suddenly said, as if he had realized many things. So it seems, you appear to be helping Zhao Zhen, but in actuality, you just want Tianyizi to return to his original form from his past life? Zhou Heng spoke gravely. Didnt you guess it a long time ago? Yang Wuji still believed that Zhou Heng had known all along and then looked at Yan Shouyi, Since you already know that I am not beguiled by the Evil God, why do you still not release me? Could it be that you really want to suppress me for a hundred years? Oh, is there a problem? Yan Shouyi responded with a laugh upon hearing this, Saying Ill suppress you for a hundred years means a hundred years, even a day or an hour less doesnt count as a hundred years. Then, with a wave of his sleeve, he again cut off Yang Wujis perception of the outside world, covering the Three-legged Golden Tripod with clouds and continuing to suppress the head of the Taixu Viewpoint. Big brother is so domineering, Zhou Heng praised. Haha, junior brother, how much do you believe Yang Wujis words? Yan Shouyi asked with a smile. Theres always seven or eight parts truth in them, Zhou Heng nodded slightly. Mm, most of it should be true, Yan Shouyi nodded and said, Yang Wuji is prone to stubborn beliefs; once hes convinced of something, he will not doubt it. Youve uncovered the hidden secrets of his sect, leading him to believe you knew everything from the start. Under these circumstances, the likelihood of him lying is not high. Big brother, you noticed that I dont actually know everything, Zhou Heng said somewhat sheepishly, as he was just considering how to continue pretending in front of Yan Shouyi. Yang Wuji is restrained in my Three-legged Golden Tripod with limited perception and cant discover the truth, but did you think I wouldnt? Yan Shouyi laughed, The emotional changes were too obvious, junior brother. Haha, thats true, Zhou Heng laughed too, saying, My meager skills would normally never be able to deceive a Celestial Man by hiding my emotional changes. All right, now that things here are settled, you should also make a trip to Jade Qiong Peak, Yan Shouyi said with a wave of his hand, smiling, Jiang Jian is quite worried about you. And what about Zhenzhen? Zhou Heng asked. That little girl, crying and shouting to find her master for a drink, Yan Shouyi said with a laugh. I knew it, Zhou Heng rolled his eyes, then took his leave. By the way, junior brother, theres one more thing, Yan Shouyi suddenly called out to Zhou Heng, The arrival of the Evil God this time has made a big commotion, and the existence of Evil Creatures is probably impossible to conceal anymore. Moreover, the barrier between heaven and earth has been fractured, and at that moment, likely many evil spirits and even Evil Gods took advantage of the situation to enter, spreading evil techniques or rituals for summoning spirits. In a while, this world may face widespread chaos caused by evil. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer will likely take action soon, and the sects and noble families will probably act in concert with it. Junior brother, be prepared. Thanks for the reminder, big brother, Zhou Heng nodded, then sighed lightly, It truly is going to be chaos, with evil chaos about to erupt, Beizhou and Southern Jin stirring trouble, and Demon Entities beginning to breed in the Central Plains Junior brother neednt worry too much, Yan Shouyi patted Zhou Hengs shoulder and smiled, Pure Yang has me after all. After leaving the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak, Zhou Heng went to Jade Qiong Peak. Here were all female disciples. The one who received Zhou Heng into the peak was a spirited and cute girl around the age of twelve or thirteen named Yu Xiang, an orphan who had grown up in the mountains. Not long ago, a master of Secret Six Rank from Jade Qiong Peak took notice of her, and she had just recently joined the Inner Sect, not yet reaching Entry Rank in her Martial Path. When this little girl saw Zhou Heng, she was extremely excited, as if seeing the idol she had long admired. He circled around Zhou Heng all the way. Asking about everything under the sun. Asking ceaselessly. Little Martial Uncle, you are so amazing, second on the Human List! Little Martial Uncle, is it fun at the foot of the mountain? I heard there are many big cities, with lots of delicious foods! Little Martial Uncle, are the girls down there pretty? As pretty as Senior Sister Cheng? Little Martial Uncle, I heard you and Senior Sister Cheng get along very well? Little Martial Uncle, do you like Senior Sister Cheng? Little Martial Uncle, does Senior Sister Cheng like you? This little girl seemed to embody gossip itself, throwing all sorts of random questions at Zhou Heng over and over again. At first, Zhou Heng, seeing her cute appearance, patiently answered, but as the questions kept coming, he truly had no way to respond anymore. Luckily, by that time, Zhou Heng had already arrived near the grand hall of Jade Qiong Peak, and Cheng Jianjian just happened to be coming towards him. Even more coincidentally, Cheng Jianjian caught Yu Xiangs incessant questioning at this moment. Yu Xiang! Your master is looking for you. He wants you to copy The Classic of True Emptiness for a hundred years, Cheng Jianjian crisply executed a deadly move. Ah?? Hearing this, Yu Xiangs little face immediately scrunched up, and she turned tail and ran, Senior Sister Cheng, please speak to Master for me, just say Ive gone to play on Jade Void Peak Golden Top, I Ill bring you some candy to eat!! With that, she disappeared without a trace, running off like a wisp of smoke. Now that the troublesome little girl was gone, only Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were left. Taihua Mount was covered in snow all year round, and Jade Qiong Peak was no exception. Walking side by side along the snowy mountain path, all they could see around them was a world draped in silver. Young Master, what are your plans next? Cheng Jianjian asked with a smile. A fellow cultivator needed assistance before, so after resting in the mountain for a few days, Ill go help, Zhou Heng said, referring to the task of extending the life of the elder ancestor of the Fangsu family. Using the Purple Lightning Flying Sword had proven highly satisfactory, so naturally, maintaining good relations with the Fangsu family was important, in case he needed their help later with crafting a replica of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover. I, too, plan to rest in the mountains for a few days, Cheng Jianjian said with a soft smile. Speaking of help, I also have a matter in which I would like to request Young Masters assistance. Speak freely, Zhou Heng nodded. Theres a place, a task I want to complete, and Id like Young Master to accompany me, Cheng Jianjian said. Though she didnt specify, Zhou Heng could tell it was probably a mission from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officerthe Tasks of the Hall of Distress were not only meant for individuals but also for pairs or groups. Sure, Zhou Heng nodded, When do we go? He had already planned to travel to other worlds to complete some tasks and to search for traces of something, so Cheng Jianjians invitation came at a perfect time. After we both reach Secret Six Rank, Cheng Jianjian stated seriously. That place is not ordinary. Okay, Zhou Heng smiled. Im starting to look forward to it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng stayed on Ta Hua Mountain for another three days, digesting the insights he gained from using the Ziwei Star Palace. Now, he was just one step away from reaching the Secret Six Rank. Its time to go down the mountain for a look, Zhou Heng pondered to himself. But before going down, should I start opening a few Fortune Bags or Platinum Treasure boxes? Or should I wait until after reaching Secret Six Rank? I wonder if it would improve the quality of the rewards. Chapter 285 - Chapter 285: Chapter 5: The Lan Family of Jiangzhou Chapter 285: Chapter 5: The Lan Family of Jiangzhou Zhou Heng, after some consideration, made his decision. A platinum treasure box and two Gold Fortune Bags definitely could not be opened now. He had to wait until he reached the Secret Sixth Rank to maximize his benefits. He also needed to keep some Silver and Copper Fortune Bags. Open one Copper Fortune Bag and one Silver Fortune Bag. Congratulations! Luck is off the charts, youve obtained a special skill card: Transmutation Card [Copper]. Congratulations! Youve received an additional attribute bonus: Demon Slaying +1. Transmutation Card [Copper]: Can be used on any item or creature below the Third Celestial Rank, rendering it animated, with free-spirited sentience and self-will. Demon Slaying: Effective against Demonic Qi. Not a bad haul! Zhou Heng was happy, especially with the Transmutation Card. This could totally be used as an ace up his sleeve. Below a Celestial Man, anyone who gets transmuted is likely to drop dead on the spot. The usage was very simple. All he needed to do was to transmute someones head, and then, abiding by its newfound free-spirited sentience, the head would leave the body of its own accord. After all, the head is a critical part of the body. Although losing it may not necessarily be fatal for those below a Celestial Man, it would certainly result in severe injury and possibly the loss of the ability to resist. As for the Demon Slaying bonus attribute, that was also extremely practical. According to the news he got from the earlier Purple Tenuity Palace gathering, the Central Plains land will see the emergence of demon entities of various levels, and just the sort of power needed to restrain Demonic Qi. Obtaining such good rewards before descending the mountain, in Zhou Hengs view, was a good omen. After Zhou Heng left Taihua Mount, he found a passageway to Purple Tenuity Palace and then, via the Starlight Bridge, he traveled to Jiangzhou County City in the southern part of Da Qi. To meet Fang Su. Apart from the Purple Lightning Flying Sword, Fang Sus Qiankun pouch contained her contact address. However, this time Zhou Heng did not pretend to be the Ziwei Master, but instead went there in his normal attire. The characteristics of the Purple Lightning Flying Sword were too distinctive; Fang Su would surely recognize it easily, so Zhou Heng saw no need to hide his identity from her. Jiangzhou is one of the most prosperous and affluent counties in the south of Da Qi, located at the confluence of three rivers, accessible in all directions. As such, travel and trade are very convenient there, with numerous merchants also abundant, often doing business with Southern Jin across the river, truly a place where wealth flows everywhere. Zhou Heng arrived here by boat, and as soon as he entered Jiangzhou County City, he felt a completely different vibe from the county cities in central, northern, and western areas. Inside Jiangzhou City, there were also many waterways, with rivers crisscrossing everywhere, boats ceaselessly sailing, the cries of vendors along the banks endless, and the fragrance of snacks pervading the rivers and city streets. Zhou Heng felt his appetite being roused. It was said that the roasted duck in Jiangzhou City was unparalleled, and he definitely had to try it when he found the time. It should be much better than the disappointing Quanjude he ate in his previous life. Now, its time to find Fang Su. After disembarking, Zhou Heng arrived at the agreed upon placeHuichang Iron Shop. After indicating that he wanted to buy a longevity lock, the shopkeeper immediately understood, bowed respectfully, and then led him to the guest room in the back courtyard, served tea and pastry, and asked him to wait there. Before long, Zhou Heng heard footsteps approaching from outside, along with a faint fiery aura that made the atmosphere somewhat scorching hot. Thump thump. There was a knock on the door, and from outside came a gentle female voice, asking, May I come in, sir? Zhou Heng, upon hearing the voice, noticed it differed from Room Sus, yet bore some similarities, suggesting it had been disguised by the wearing of a mask. Indeed, he would need to pay more attention to disguising his voice in the future. Wearing only a mask was insufficient. Come in, Zhou Heng said. Thank you, Sir, the woman outside responded with a smile, then pushed the door open and entered. Zhou Heng was instantly struck by a dazzle before his eyes. The visitor was a young woman in her early twenties, with stunning beauty and a charming presence, not particularly tall but with a slender waist and a noticeably ample bosom. Upon entering, the woman immediately closed the door of the guest room. Then, she took out a mask painted with a white rabbit, placed it on her face, removed it, and said with a smile, From Jiangzhou Lan Family, Lan Yingzhi pays respects to the esteemed Ziwei Master. It was indeed Room Su. Indeed, from the Jiangzhou Lan Family, Zhou Heng said with a smile. I had heard long ago that the Lan Family from Jiangzhou excels in artifact refining and weapon forging. Ever since you chose Jiangzhou for our meeting location, Ive had my suspicions. The Jiangzhou Lan Family, having risen to prominence only in the last millennium, was not one of the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi. However, under the strong artifact refining and weapon forging skills of the familys old ancestor, the Lan Family saw rapid growth, only a Celestial Man and accumulated heritage away from reaching the level of the Twelve Ancient Families. People throughout the lands speculated whether the old ancestor of the Lan Family would break through and become a Celestial Man, or if she would eventually exhaust her lifespan and perish, her millennium of cultivation amounting to naught. It now seemed that the old ancestor of the Lan Family was indeed running out of time. Otherwise, a grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank would not remain hidden while people discussed whether she would pass away, and Lan Yingzhi would have no need to seek longevity so covertly for her ancestress. For the Lan Family, the news of their ancestors impending end must absolutely not be confirmed, or else it would attract endless greedy gazes and the ensuing, limitless troubles that would follow. After all, in the thousand years that the old ancestor of the Lan Family had been alive, she had refined and forged many treasure-level weapons and magical treasures, objects difficult to come by for many medium-ranked families and sects, things we can only dream of obtaining. If the old ancestor of the Lan Family, a Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of Fourth Rank, were still around, then naturally no one would dare have any ulterior motives. But if the ancestress were no longer present, or it was certain she could no longer act, then the situation would be entirely different. Ziwei Master, seeing me must have given you an idea of whom I wish to extend the lifespan for, Lan Yingzhi said with a wry smile. Ziwei Master, please come with me. Our old ancestress urgently needs your Lifespan Extension Pill. Very well, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. Lan Yingzhi led Zhou Heng through a very covert route, deploying various tricks along the way to blind prying eyes. To avoid their traces being discovered inadvertently by others. Thus, after taking a roundabout path, they finally entered through the back door of the Lan Family estate. The subsequent journey was smooth. Under Lan Yingzhis guidance, Zhou Heng traversed through corridor after corridor and courtyard after courtyard, eventually arriving at a secluded and quiet yard. This was where the old ancestress of the Lan Family was recuperating. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon entering with Lan Yingzhi, Zhou Heng immediately attracted everyones attention inside. Apart from an elderly woman seated on the bed, there were more than a dozen people standing there, both old and young, dressed in a variety of attires, including, seemingly, a physician. Ancestress, the master has come, Lan Yingzhi said respectfully. This master has the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill that can extend life by ten years. Indeed, this is the pill, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, taking out a very ordinary, exceptionally simple pill and presenting it in his palm for everyone to see. Seeing this pill, the brows of those present all furrowed instantly. Chapter 286 - Chapter 286: Chapter 6: This Pill is Truly Incomprehensible and Mystical Chapter 286: Chapter 6: This Pill is Truly Incomprehensible and Mystical Is this the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill? The elderly woman sitting crossed-legged on the bed opened her eyes, looking at the pill in Zhou Hengs hand with uncertainty, her face showing confusion. Her name was Lan Ying. Having presided over the Lan Family of Jiangzhou for over nine hundred years, she had personally developed what was originally just a small clan in County City into a great family renowned throughout the entire Jiangzhou, known across Da Qi. Her experience was so vast, it was incomparable to that of ordinary Absolute Fourth Rank individuals. Especially in recent years, as her lifespan approached its end, she had studied numerous classics and materials about Life-Extending Elixirs, yet she had never heard of the name Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill. Now, seeing the pill so indescribably ordinary, doubt inevitably arose in her heart. Could it be that Ying Zhi had been deceived? However, Ying Zhi had always been extraordinarily clever and perceptive. After taking up the role of the acting Family Head, she displayed even more the manner of a great clans dignity. How could she have been so easily fooled? It was precisely because of this that Lan Ying, despite her doubts, did not voice them outright. She wanted to see how Ying Zhi would respond next. Mr. Zhou, this Lan Yingzhi also felt a bit awkward. She had never expected the pill Zhou Heng presented to be so unremarkably common and plain. If she had not known Zhou Hengs identity and believed that he would not deceive her with a mundane elixir, she might have suspected that the man before her was a charlatan. It was common knowledge that Life-Extending Elixirs without exception were fragrant and refreshing, revitalizing the spirit. Even a mere sniff by an ordinary person could strengthen the body and prevent all illnesses. She had never heard of such a plain Life-Extending Elixir. The brows of the others gathered were also deeply furrowed. The individuals present were all core members of the Lan Family of Jiangzhou, as well as closely associated physicians and martial artists, with the least among them being of the Secret Six Rank level, possessing the ability to sense things with their divine senses. Naturally, they could all tell the condition of the pill in Zhou Hengs hand, It was too strange, truly too strange. Was this really a Life-Extending Elixir? Many harbored doubts in their hearts. However, since the elixir was brought by the acting Family Head and the man did indeed carry himself with an imposing presence, clearly no ordinary individual, therefore no one dared to openly question it. Still, there were inevitable doubts in their minds. Yes, this is indeed the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and smiled, Theres no need to be surprised. This pill is an ancient secret, different from the Life-Extending Elixirs of todays era. In fact, the pill was just flour with a few very ordinary herbs, essentially a small-sized dumpling, without any real medicinal effect. The true life-extending power lay in the lifespan Zhou Heng could distribute. However, directly extending someones lifespan was a bit too shocking for the world, so he used the pill as a ruse. Dont ask, just say its an ancient secret elixir. Lan Yingzhi should be able to understand it. So its a divine pill, a secret from ancient times. It seems that the divine conceals its brilliance, truly extraordinary, Lan Yingzhis eyes lit up upon hearing this, and her mind quickly raced with numerous thoughts, her tone much more relaxed. The others, however, looked on with puzzled expressions. They did not understand why the acting Family Head felt relieved after such a vague explanation. What if this man was lying? Lan Ying, seated on the bed, was even more perplexed. She felt that Ying Zhis reaction was unusual. However, she did not speak directly but used her divine sense to transmit a message, Dear child, who is this young man who has earned such unwavering trust from you, to the point where a simple explanation of an ancient secret elixir convinces you? Great Ancestor, he is Zhou Heng, Lan Yingzhi replied through her divine sense. Zhou Heng?! The reincarnation of the great being from Pure Yang Palace? Lan Ying exclaimed, Its actually him. She too was well informed about the great affairs of the world. After all, over the past half year or so, the fame of Zhou Heng, this little martial uncle of Pure Yang Palace, could truly be described as being at its zenith his name was virtually known to all. Yes, many people speculate that he might be the reincarnation of some ancient saint, or even a great figure from the ancient mythological era, said Lan Yingzhi. Its quite normal for such a person to produce elixirs that we do not recognize. Indeed, it is normal, Lan Ying agreed, and she immediately added, Theres no need for confusion anymore. I believe in this gentleman. After that, she addressed Zhou Heng, Please forgive their doubts, sir; they were just concerned about me. May I know if there is anything to be aware of when taking the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill? In this world, many elixirs have strict requirements regarding the method of ingestion, timing, and even accompanying herbs. If not adhered to, at best the efficacy of the medicine would be greatly reduced; at worst, the miraculous elixirs would turn into poison. Considering my pill appears ordinary, your concerns are understandable, Zhou Heng said with a smile. As for precautions there are none, really. Just take it directly, please. Lan Yingzhi took the elixir and passed it to Lan Ying with both hands. Then, thank you very much, sir, Lan Ying said with a smile, expressing her thanks to Zhou Heng. She then picked up the pill, placed it into her mouth, chewed it carefully, and swallowed it. Hmm, the taste was sweet upon entering the mouth, worthy of Huh?? Something wasnt right! Lan Yings eyes instantly went wide. This kind of anomaly immediately put everyone present on high alert, with all eyes converging on Lan Ying. Lan Yingzhi couldnt help but become worried. How can this be, how is this possible?? thought Lan Ying, utterly shocked. As she swallowed the elixir, she also employed her Divine Sense, which was nearing that of a Celestial Man, to analyze and deduce the ingredients and method of concoction of the pill. On the one hand, she wanted to understand how this so-called ancient secret elixir was crafted; on the other, she still harbored doubts about the effectiveness of the pill and wanted to be prepared for any contingency. Yet the results of her analysis defied belief, even making her wonder if she was hallucinating from mental strain due to her life nearing its end. How could this be? How could this be possible? How could the materials and method for producing this Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill, which was rumored to extend the lifespan of an Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster by ten years, be like this?? Flour, goji berries, sugar No wonder it tasted sweet; of course, it couldnt be bitter, she mused. Lan Yings mind was fraught with doubt and astonishmentdoubt over why life-extending elixirs would be concocted from such materials, and astonishment that such an elixir could indeed take effect! Yes, the moment she took the pill into her mouth, she had already deciphered its composition and method of production. Just when she was about to get angry, she suddenly felt the life force within her, which had almost dried up, surge anew, her rapidly diminishing lifespan unexpectedly extended by ten years. It was true! It really extended ones life! A pile of flour, goji berries, and sugar processed by grinding, kneading, and steaming, had indeed successfully extended life. How could this be? This was unbelievable! It was utterly inconceivable! Ah Truly worthy of being an ancient secret divine pill; it is indeed mysteriously unfathomable, she exhaled. Lan Ying, an Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster, took a good while to compose herself and breathed a long sigh of relief. Then she got out of bed, bowed deeply to Zhou Heng, and said, Thank you deeply, sir, for your great kindness. If there is ever anything that the Lan Family can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to command us. The people around, upon seeing this, instantly understood what had happened and immediately reigned in their guarded hearts, giving thanks to Zhou Heng with the utmost respect and reverence. In unison, they said: Many thanks, sir, for your great kindness. Should you ever have need of the Lan Family in the future, please feel free to command us. Many thanks, sir, for your great kindness. Should you ever have need of the Lan Family in the future, please feel free to command us. In a courtyard within the grand estate of the Lan Family in Jiangzhou, Lan Yingzhi was trying to retain Zhou Heng. Her beautiful face wore a look of concern as she said, Sir, are you leaving so soon? At least stay for a meal. After extending the life of the Lan Familys old ancestor, Zhou Heng was ready to take his leave. That wont be necessary, my business here is finished, and I should be on my way, Zhou Heng said, waving his hand dismissively. For him, the purpose of forming good relations with the Lan Family had been achieved, and he now had a lead for making replicas of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover. His goal was accomplished, and there was no need to stay. The main reason was that he felt Lan Yings gaze on him was somewhat peculiar, fearing that this old granny might introduce him to a young lady. That would be troublesome. Sir, I specially instructed our household chefs to prepare Jiangzhou Citys finest roast duck for you. It costs one hundred taels of silver outsidewouldnt you like to try it? Lan Yingzhi continued her entreaties and hastily added, Sir, I-Im not implying that you cant afford the hundred taels. If youd mentioned roast duck earlier, I indeed wouldve liked to try it, Zhou Heng relaxed and said with a smile. A duck priced at one hundred taels would be roughly equivalent to fifty thousand from Earth, outrageously a hundred times more expensive than Quanjudes, and certainly worth a taste to find out why. Of course, Zhou Heng wasnt concerned about the hundred taels of silver. The main thing was he didnt have any pressing matters at the moment, and with Lan Yingzhis earnest invitation, it would be inappropriate to refuse outright. Deliciously crispy and tender, the flavor lingered on the lips and teeth. At the Lan Familys thank-you banquet, Zhou Heng ate two roasted ducks and was quite satisfied with the meal. The taste was indeed good. However, he still felt that the price of one hundred taels apiece was somewhat exaggerated. Meanwhile, at this thank-you banquet, Zhou Heng had roughly understood the Lan Familys situation and met a few people, forming a bond over a meal. After the meal, Lan Yingzhi suggested they take a stroll in Jiangzhou City, and the two left the Lan Familys grand estate. Old ancestor, you seem to place considerable importance on Zhou Heng, inquired a young Lan Family disciple who had approached Lan Ying. He was of the younger generation but was quite favored by Lan Ying, which allowed him to speak more casually. Of course, I must value him highly. Perhaps one day, the Lan Family will need to rely on him, Lan Ying said somewhat wistfully, Before I met him, I also felt that those reincarnated great beings were nothing special if they couldnt become strong again. However, after meeting Zhou Heng, or rather, after taking the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill he provided, I finally realized something. Whether these great beings from ancient times have become strong again or not, they all possess means that we cannot comprehend, even far beyond our understanding. In fact, after taking Zhou Hengs life-extending elixir, Lan Ying had been pondering and researching constantly, even using her Dharma Body for simulations, on how to create life-extending elixirs with simple ingredients like flour, goji berries, and sugar. Although not much time had passed since she took the medicine, she had already failed countless times. With each failure, she marveled at the magic of the ancient secret medicines, while also growing increasingly in awe of Zhou Heng, who likely possessed even more of such methods. Reincarnated great beings are indeed extraordinary. Lan Ying could never have imagined that what she had taken was merely an ordinary sweet dough ball. Zhou Heng, accompanied by Lan Yingzhi, strolled on Tonggu Street. This was the busiest street in Jiangzhou County City, gathering snacks and specialty products from all over the state. At the entrance to the street, one could even see a colossal ancient copper drum, ten Zhang high. Rumor had it that this was the generals drumming spot during the Tianyang Battle three thousand years ago. The copper drum was used to boost the morale of troops before the two armies commenced battle. Its just unknown why it was so large. Could it be that the participants in the Tianyang Battle werent normal members of the Human Race? As Zhou Heng sampled various snacks, his thoughts wandered to the copper drum and the Tianyang Battle, oblivious to the delicate and charming Lan Yingzhi at his side. Lan Yingzhi was not annoyed. She was now filled with gratitude and admiration for Zhou Heng and, even though he was distracted, she diligently introduced him to the stories behind each spot on the street. Before long, the two reached the middle part of Tonggu Street. There, a bustling square had been built in the shape of a square fighting platform, hundreds of Zhang in both length and width, quite spacious. It was called Duojiang Platform. According to tradition, after the drumbeat in ancient wars, the generals of both sides would come to approximately this location to duel and vie for supremacy. This event significantly influenced the outcome of affairs. Nowadays, it has developed into a place for watching martial artists from both the local area and beyond spar and compete in martial arts. In this martial-focused era, contests were a popular spectacle among the people. Hence, almost every day the area around Duojiang Platform was surrounded by vast crowds, naturally drawing many food vendors, offering an abundance of tasty treats. When Zhou Heng and Lan Yingzhi arrived, it seemed that two rather famous experts were in the midst of a duel, with the crowds cheers rising and falling in waves. This was actually quite normal; excitement often led to cheering, but the content of the cheers seemed a bit off. Hero Liu, fight on! Overthrow this arrogant man from Jin! How dare this little barbarian from the south be so insolent in Da Qi, Hero Liu, take care of him! Be careful, Hero Liu! This little southern barbarian is quite formidable! Hearing this, Zhou Hengs eyebrows lightly raised, and he glanced toward the Duojiang Platform, saying to Lan Yingzhi, Lets go and take a look. Uh-huh, Lan Yingzhi nodded in agreement and followed. As soon as they entered the crowd, they saw two figures on the Duojiang Platform fighting intensely, with flashes of swords and sabers and the continuous gleam of blades. Even their inner Qi flowed outward, stirring faint traces of the worlds elemental energies. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only They were both at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Bang! Just then, one of them was suddenly flung into the air by the edge of the others saber, flying more than ten Zhang before collapsing to the ground. The fallen man tried to get up, only to see his opponent arrive in an instant with a saber in hand, one foot on his chest and the blade at his throat, laughing lightly, Youve lost. Then, looking around at the four corners, he puffed out his chest, held his head high, and, with a face full of pride, laughed out loud, Great Da Qi, is there no one else? Chapter 287 - Chapter 287: Chapter 7 The Jin Dynasty Dragon and Tiger List Chapter 287: Chapter 7 The Jin Dynasty Dragon and Tiger List The young man holding the knife appeared to be in his twenties, with a tall and straight figure. His face wasnt handsome, but he exuded a fierce and stern aura that left a deep impression. Listening to the discussions around him, his name was Yun Wuzheng, and he seemed to be a True Disciple of the Heavenly Blade Sect from Southern Jin. Another person from Southern Jin, Lan Yingzhi touched her forehead lightly, a bit embarrassed, and said to Zhou Heng, Ive made a fool of myself in front of you. Its nothing, Zhou Heng shook his head, without any interest in stepping forward to show them up. He glanced at the situation on the Dueling Platform and smiled, Does Jiangzhou have many incidents like this one? Not a lot, but its not uncommon, Lan Yingzhi said somewhat helplessly, After all, Jiangzhou borders Southern Jin, and the passage between the two countries is very convenient, so its unavoidable that young martial artists will come here to travel. That makes sense, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said, Lets go, lets see what else there is. If it had been before, he might have gone up to the stage to test his skills against this young man from Southern Jin, but after his experience in the Central Imperial City, he had lost much of his interest in the martial arts competitions of the jianghu. He was no longer interested. Alright, please follow me, Lan Yingzhi nodded and left the Dueling Platform with Zhou Heng. However, when Zhou Heng left, the young man from Southern Jin on the Dueling Platform also noticed him. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he let out a light chuckle, This person is quite interesting. After Zhou Heng had gone, several martial artists from Da Qi stepped up to the Dueling Platform to compete against the young man from Southern Jin, but each one was soundly defeated, almost without any ability to resist. The onlookers around the platform let out sighs, gasps of admiration, and showed helpless expressions. Many of them wanted to go up and teach the young man from Southern Jin a lesson, but lacking sufficient martial arts skills, they were powerless, and could only watch. In the end, the young man from Southern Jin stepped down from the Dueling Platform and strode away. As he was leaving, he laughed out loud, This Qi Country truly has no one, hahaha! Yun Wuzheng returned to the inn where he was staying. As he pushed open the door, he found his senior brother, Li Yuanxing, was already waiting for him. Senior brother, you didnt go out today? Yun Wuzheng asked curiously, Is it because theres further news? No, Li Yuanxing shook his head. He was close to thirty years old, much more steady than Yun Wuzheng, and smiled, Its just that we received a message from the sect that surprised me a bit. What message? Yun Wuzheng asked, puzzled. Were to continue heading north and openly challenge the well-known young experts of Da Qi, Li Yuanxing said with a smile. In short, the sect actually wants us to cleanse the list of renowned people in Qi. The sect would actually make such a decision? Yun Wuzheng was surprised, wondering, Does this mean they want us to wield our martial skills in Da Qi to undermine the confidence of the young generation here? Although he had acted arrogantly on the outside battle stage, it was merely to attract more expert fighters for battle; he wanted to use this as an opportunity to hone his own martial arts. It wasnt simply about showing off in Da Qi. There might be a deeper meaning to it, Li Yuanxing contemplated for a moment before saying, The sect wouldnt let us do this for nothing for every renowned expert we defeat, theres a generous reward. What kind of reward? Yun Wuzheng was very interested. The rewards are indeed generous, said Li Yuanxing. The top 100 on the human ranking will be rewarded with a Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique, and the top 80 will receive an additional Seventh Rank Martial Arts technique and a sharp weapon. The top 50 will also be rewarded with a Secret Sixth Rank Martial Arts technique, the top 30 with two Secret Sixth Rank Martial Arts techniques, and the tenth place with an additional technique plus a Life-saving Talisman. If one can defeat an expert in the top five, they can become a disciple taught personally by an Absolute Fourth Rank Elder and be rewarded with a treasure weapon. This is more than generous! Yun Wuzhengs eyes nearly gleamed with excitement as he joyfully said, Senior brother, this is our chance! If we can be taught by an Absolute Fourth Rank Elder and obtain a treasure weapon, that would truly change our fate. Not only will you receive the higher-tier rewards, but youll get the previous ones as well, Li Yuanxing said with a smile. Moreover, Ive heard that its not just our Heavenly Blade Sect that has sent out such a notice. Other sects like the Green Lotus Path, Jade Mountain Sect, and Xuanjian Sect have issued similar ones. So many? At this moment, Yun Wuzheng finally grasped the implications behind Li Yuanxings words and said, Senior brother, are you suggesting that there might be a change in the situation in the world, especially between our Great Jin and Qi Country? Exactly, Li Yuanxing nodded. Remember the abnormal phenomenon we saw a few days ago? Stars in the daytime and rising purple qi; it could be that theres been a confrontation between the upper echelons of Great Jin and Qi Country. Now that all the major sects are notifying their disciples to come to Qi Country to challenge their human ranking experts, could this be the aftermath of that confrontation? Yun Wuzheng realized, hesitating, Then should we get involved? Might we be affected by the strife between the two countries? Haha, you worry too much, laughed Li Yuanxing. No matter what, we are still true disciples of the Heavenly Blade Sect, acting on the Sects instructions. If theres trouble in the end, it wont be blamed on us. So, senior brother, what do we do next? asked Yun Wuzheng. Naturally, we uphold the will of the Sect and challenge the human ranking experts of Qi Country, Li Yuanxing stood up and said. You and I are both listed on Great Jins Dragon and Tiger Ranking. We might not necessarily be weaker than the prodigies on the human ranking of Qi Country. However, since this may involve a conflict between the two countries, we should not make ourselves too conspicuous. Itll be enough to defeat a few ordinary human ranking experts and receive the rewards, which will also make it easier to withdraw. Right, Yun Wuzheng nodded, smiling. We both rank within the top sixty on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking; these positions were earned through combat with dragons and tigers. I think defeating someone in the top twenty of the human ranking shouldnt be too hard. The Dragon and Tiger Ranking of Great Jin is not a combat record like the human ranking but a measure of combat power obtained after challenging dragons and tigers, with rankings assigned accordingly. The so-called dragons and tigers refer to a Golden Dragon and a White Tiger raised by the royal family of Great Jin, both with the cultivation of Celestial Men. The dragons and tigers can manifest in various counties of Great Jin, and martial artists under thirty can go to the County City to fight with dragons and tigers to verify their combat power. The sects and noble families also have their ways to invite the dragons and tigers to test the combat power of their disciples. Therefore, even young martial artists who devote themselves to training without leaving home can appear on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking. In the eyes of the martial artists of Great Jin, their Dragon and Tiger Ranking is universal, with a unified standard of assessment and a wider coverage, leaving virtually no one unaccounted for. The top one hundred names never include a martial artist below the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Qi Countrys human ranking, however, only considers the combat record, which means many martial artists who cultivate in seclusion miss out on the ranking. It also results in some people with less strength but cunning methods who luckily defeat stronger opponents getting on the list. Usually, one has to reach around the top fifty of the human ranking to find martial artists at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. The rankings from eighty to sixty often include ordinary Seventh Rankers, and even the ranks from ninety to eighty might have Eighth Rank Martial Artists. To Great Jin martial artists, this is clear evidence of the human ranking being inflated. Thats why Yun Wuzheng felt confident he could defeat someone in the top twenty of the human ranking, even though he was only ranked in the fifties on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking. Although the lower ranks of the human ranking of Qi Country are rather laughable, the ones in front are not to be underestimated, especially the top ten, Li Yuanxing cautioned. Ive seen the battle records on the human ranking of Qi Country. The top ten are definitely strong, at least equivalent to the top twenty of the Dragon and Tiger Ranking. I feel theres some exaggeration, particularly regarding that second-ranked Zhou Heng, Yun Wuzheng snorted. A martial artist at the Peak of the Seventh Rank defeating two Secret Sixth Rankers, one of them even in the True Gang Realm? Thats simply impossible. Perhaps he used some powerful secret treasure. After all, the human ranking is all about combat records, and using a treasure must count, haha. Li Yuanxing chuckled. But even if it was with a treasure, we shouldnt underestimate Zhou Hengs abilities; after all, he is a disciple of Pure Yang Palace and reincarnation of a great power. Senior brother, now youve got me looking forward to facing him, hoping he wont use secret treasures against me, Yun Wuzheng laughed. However, weve come to Qi Country this time for that are we still going to search for it? ` We still need to continue the search, Li Yuanxing said. The land of Pure Yang is beneficial for both of us to perfect our Ultimate Yang Blade Realm, facilitating the convergence of external scenery. Moreover, we already have some preliminary clues; it would be a pity to give up now. Yeah, thats what I was thinking too, Yun Wuzheng nodded and said, Next, well search for the high-ranking martial artists on the Qi Countrys list and look for further clues about the land of Pure Yang. Lets do that, Li Yuanxing agreed, then added, By the way, junior brother, have you seen any young masters on the list who look suspiciously skilled in the past few days? Not really, those who have been challenging me are mostly in their thirties or forties at the peak of the Seventh Rank wait, no! Yun Wuzheng first shook his head, then seemed to remember something, There might be one. Who? Li Yuanxings eyes lit up immediately. Today, I saw Lan Yingzhi at the fighting platform, Yun Wuzheng pondered for a moment before he continued, She seemed to be accompanying a young man who looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, and Lan Yingzhi was quite respectful to him. It might be some elder who has rejuvenated his age, Li Yuanxing shook his head, Lan Yingzhi is the acting Family Head of the Lan Family in Jiangzhou, a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Its unlikely that she would show such respect to a young master unless its not a young skilled martial artist. No, senior brother, you havent seen that person, Yun Wuzheng disagreed, That person clearly had a vibrant energy about him, like a rising morning sun, not like an old predecessor. Dont just go over there rashly; find out who he is first, Li Yuanxing still felt it would be prudent to be cautious, If hes really a famous young master on the list, he wont be unknown. It wont be hard to inquire about his identity. Senior brother is more thoughtful; I will go right away, Yun Wuzheng nodded, his impulsive nature showing as he spoke and immediately left the inn to gather information. This kid, Li Yuanxing shook his head and smiled wryly, then furrowed his brows and thought, Whats happening between Da Jin and Qi Country? It seems like theres an impulse within the Sect to suppress martial artists from Qi Country with the combined effort of the major Sects and noble families. Strange. At this moment, Zhou Heng and Lan Yingzhi were taking a walk along the bank of the Tongxia River. The Tongxia River is the largest and longest river in Jiangzhou, spanning both Da Qi and Southern Jin countries and leading directly to Qingxia Mountain in Southern Jin, hence the name Tongxia River. In the Jiangzhou region, the Tongxia River flows smoothly with a broad channel, winding around most of the County City, therefore, there are quite a few boats for sightseeing. For just ten coins per person, one could hire a boatman to enjoy the scenic views of Jiangzhou City. There were also many stalls on the shore, bustling with activity. Actually, I have a question, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Please, sir, go ahead, Lan Yingzhi responded. Miss Lan was trying to conceal my tracks earlier, why dont you seem to care about doing so anymore? Zhou Heng asked; he had been somewhat perplexed by this. After all, when he went to the Lan Family with Lan Yingzhis guidance, Lan Yingzhi used many tricks and illusion techniques to hide or eliminate their tracks, seeming very afraid of being discovered. This is quite embarrassing, upon hearing this, Lan Yingzhi felt somewhat sheepish and continued with a wry smile, Please forgive me, sir. The truth is, I was worried about the life-extension effect; after all, Ive never heard of the Eight Diagrams Purple Gold Pill before. If the life extension for our elder ancestor didnt succeed and others came to know of her need for it, the Lan Family could have been in danger. Now that the life extension has been successful, naturally, theres no need for me to be so cautious anymore. As the acting Family Head, it is right and proper that you think of your familys welfare, Zhou Heng smiled, showing no concern. He understood Lan Yingzhis concerns. Being cautious is never a mistake for a family leader. Sir, you shouldnt be so casual about this; it is indeed my fault, Lan Yingzhi gently shook her head and said, Actually, Ive been wanting to broach the subject and apologize to you. I didnt expect you to bring it up first. You have done a great favor for the Lan Family, yet I doubted you before any proof was present, which is improper both emotionally and logically. I owe you an apology. Later, I would ask you to accompany me to select a Magic Weapon as a gesture of apology. Please dont hold it against me, and if there is anything you need in the future, I will do my utmost to help. Miss Lan, you are being too polite, Zhou Heng shook his head, Its not a big deal and theres no need to take it so seriously. Theres no need for a Magic Weapon, but I may need to craft a magic weapon in the future and will require the help of the Lan Family. Your magnanimity is admirable, and I will be at your service when the time comes, Lan Yingzhi couldnt hide her admiration, surprised that Zhou Heng would decline a gift of a Magic Weapon. Such a Magic Weapon, even a common Sect Fifth Rank would treasure as a precious item. The lord with such a generous spirit, truly extraordinary. Just as they finished their conversation and were about to continue enjoying the sights along the Tongxia River bank, two young men walked towards them. One appeared to be just over twenty, the other seemed to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old. The former was Yun Wuzheng, who Zhou Heng had seen at the fighting platform; the latter was his senior brother, Li Yuanxing. They had already found out Zhou Hengs identity. To them, this was an ideal opportunity to issue a challenge. After all, a record of victories might be deceiving, and actual strength could be less impressive. And since the opponent was the second on the list of warriors, even if they truly lived up to their reputation, losing wouldnt be a disgrace. If they actually won, although it would go against their initial intent not to stand out too much, defeating the second on the list of warriors would yield a tremendous reward. Worth taking the risk. Upon seeing Zhou Heng, Yun Wuzhengs eyes brightened, and he quickly stepped forward with a smile, I am Yun Wuzheng, a True Disciple of the Heaven Blade Sect of Da Jin. Zhou Heng, would you care to have a match with me? Before his words even finished, the passersby and the tourists on the nearby riverboats all turned their attention toward them. A challenge on the streets to the second on the list of warriors by a young man from the south?! How explosive!! There was a moment of profound silence all around. Lan Yingzhi furrowed her brows slightly but said nothing. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng, however, simply raised an eyebrow, looked Yun Wuzheng over briefly, and shook his head, Im not interested. ???? The smile on Yun Wuzhengs face instantly froze. Whats going on?? ` Chapter 288 - Chapter 288: Chapter 8 Clues to the Land of Pure Yang Chapter 288: Chapter 8 Clues to the Land of Pure Yang No matter whether it was Yun Wuzheng or Li Yuanxing, neither had expected Zhou Heng to flatly refuse. Especially Yun Wuzheng. He believed that in these past days, he had made quite a name for himself in Jiangzhou City, and at the same time, he had made many people from Qi Country itch with hatred. A young and skilled Qi Country martial artist like Zhou Heng, upon hearing his challenge, should have been eager to fight, right? But he actually refused directly. Could it be that Zhou Heng wasnt afraid of being laughed at after people found out? Youre not joking, are you? Yun Wuzheng frowned and said, Could it really be that the second on Da Qis Renowned List is actually afraid of me, a mere number fifty-six on the Dragon and Tiger List? His words were meant to provoke and make the many Qi Country spectators around think that Zhou Heng was afraid of him. But, to his surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, people began to mock. Just a fifty-sixth on the Dragon and Tiger List dares to challenge the second on our Da Qi Renowned List, and you think youre worthy? Exactly, youre worthy? Little barbarian from the south, cant you take a good look in the mirror? With your strength, what makes you think you can challenge Zhou Heng, eh? The man Zhou Heng is the sixth-generation true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, the first on the Heavenly Lists younger brother, personally taught by a Tao Lord, and even a great reincarnated being. Do you think youre someone who can just challenge him as you like? Out of your depth, does the little southern barbarian have a problem in his head? You think youre worthy to challenge Zhou Heng? Go back home and cultivate for another fifty years. The mocking voices were continuous and came from everywhere. This was entirely different from what Yun Wuzheng had anticipated. Listening to these piercing words, his face turned the color of a pigs liver, his body trembling slightly. He wished he could start fighting Zhou Heng right away. Li Yuanxing, however, was much calmer. Ignoring the ridicule of the crowd around him, he said to Zhou Heng, Young Master Zhou, why wont you accept my junior brothers challenge? Could it truly be that you think he is unworthy? Knowing it in your heart is enough, why say it outright? Zhou Heng touched his nose, somewhat embarrassedly saying, I never said that. Li Yuanxings facial expression instantly froze, staring at Zhou Heng incredulously. He had not expected Zhou Heng to be so direct, so recklessly unguarded. Was he not afraid that hed say too much and hurt his tongue? Zhou Heng! Im seriously challenging you, why do you resort to verbal mockery, afraid to fight? Yun Wuzheng tried to hold back the fury about to explode within him and said, Is this the style of you people from Qi Country? I havent resorted to verbal mockery, Zhou Heng replied innocently, shaking his head and smiling, If anyone is supposed to be mocking you with words, shouldnt it be this elder brother of yours? Fellow youngsters, Mr. Zhou is here to enjoy his time in Jiangzhou City and has no intention of fighting with anyone for now, Lan Yingzhi stepped forward, trying to smooth things over. I think hes just afraid to show his hand in front of everyone, scared of being exposed, spat out Yun Wuzheng, his voice dripping with sarcasm: Otherwise, why would someone whos allegedly slain a Secret Sixth Rank in the True Gang Realm, the second on the Renowned List, beat around the bush when facing a challenge? The implication was already clear; he was suggesting that Zhou Heng had an inflated reputation, that the achievements of the second on the Renowned List had elements of falsehood, and he was reluctant to show his hand in front of everyone for fear of exposing his not-so-great strength. You guys are really thinking too much, Zhou Heng said, not angered but chuckling, There is a big gap between you and me, if you want to challenge me, there has to be a condition that satisfies me, otherwise, why should I accept the challenge for nothing and be at a loss? Yun Wuzheng and Li Yuanxing both froze upon hearing this, neither had thought that this would actually be the reason. Name your price, Zhou Heng said with a smile, I dont want gold or silver, it has to be something that excites me. To pass up on fleecing when the opportunity presented itself would simply be a disservice to ones own conscience. Since these two were so earnest in their challenge, he didnt mind shearing them a bit. Moreover, they were clearly up to no good, coming all the way from Southern Jin. He couldnt let them off easy. A sharp weapon? Yun Wuzheng spoke up. For him, this was already quite a rare item. After all, weapons of that caliber were not often seen, usually only the best among Peak of the Seventh Rank martial artists and Sect leaders would be bestowed with one for self-defense. Too little, Zhou Heng shook his head. You think even a sharp weapon isnt enough? Yun Wuzheng immediately got angry, but with no way out, he gritted his teeth and added, Then Ill throw in a Seventh Rank spirit medicine with healing properties. Still too low, Zhou Heng shook his head again and said, None of these are significant to me. You?! Yun Wuzheng could feel the veins on his forehead throbbing, Zhou Heng seemed too greedy. I have something, Sir, that you wouldnt want to miss. Li Yuanxing appeared to make a decision, he walked over to Zhou Heng, opened his sleeve, and extended his hand in an inviting gesture. Oh? Zhou Heng was quite interested. He reached into Li Yuanxings sleeve, and they communicated in secret. Martial artists at the peak of the Seventh Rank could convey relatively secretive information through the contact of Inner Qi, and right now, Zhou Heng and Li Yuanxing were having a covert conversation through the contact of their Inner Qi. The conversation was brief, and soon Zhou Heng nodded, Good, the deal is struck. What Li Yuanxing offered was especially useful to Zhou Heng, a lead on the location of Pure Yang territory. For Zhou Heng, finding the Pure Yang territory meant he could directly overcome the barrier of his current realm, merge the external scenery, refine Pure Yang True Qi, and make an immediate breakthrough to the Secret Sixth Rank. Zhou Heng hadnt expected to gain such benefits just from a whim to fleece some wool. A windfall. Brother, what did you offer him? Why did he agree so readily? Yun Wuzheng asked, puzzled. I will tell you afterwards, Li Yuanxing replied without elaborating to Yun Wuzheng, but he said to Zhou Heng, Then please, Young Hero Zhou, come with us to the Dueling Platform. Alright, Zhou Heng nodded. In front of the Dueling Platform, a large crowd had already gathered, three layers inside and three layers outside, a sea of people. On the way to the Dueling Platform for Zhou Heng, Li Yuanxing, and Yun Wuzheng, news of their impending martial contest spread like wildfire, and soon, more than a thousand people surged in. Yun Wuzheng had been defeating many Peak Seventh Rank experts in Jiangzhou City over the past days, earning the bitter resentment of the Da Qi populace. However, none could discipline him due to a lack of martial prowess, leaving them no choice but to watch on helplessly. Now that Yun Wuzheng was about to face Zhou Heng, it was most certainly an event not to be missed, to witness firsthand Yun Wuzhengs defeat. It would be cathartic! Almost no one believed Zhou Heng would lose to Yun Wuzheng. After all, his ranking on the Heroes List was dazzling, with even Secret Sixth Rank powerhouses falling to him, not to mention someone like Yun Wuzheng. Everyone had immense confidence in Zhou Heng. As a result, when Zhou Heng arrived, cheers rose and fell in waves, all clamoring for Zhou Heng to teach Yun Wuzheng a lesson. This inexplicably gave Zhou Heng the feeling of being the antagonist himself. Of course, these cheers also made Yun Wuzheng and Li Yuanxings faces look very unpleasant, but after all, this was Qi Country, so such a situation wasnt really surprising. Young Master Zhou, please come up to the stage. Yun Wuzheng was the first to step onto the Dueling Platform, his chest burning with a fierce desire to battle, his gaze fixed on Zhou Heng, Let me witness the martial arts of Pure Yang Palace! Young Master Zhou, please go ahead! Li Yuanxing, standing beside Zhou Heng, said with a cupped fist salute. Sir, be careful, Yun Wuzheng is not weak, Lan Yingzhi cautioned. Rest assured. Zhou Heng nodded with a smile, then stepped onto the Dueling Platform. As soon as he did, the surrounding spectators enthusiasm surged, the noise became deafening, and the cheers were like a tsunami. To fight you is truly difficult, Yun Wuzheng snorted coldly, and who knows whether youll still be able to maintain such a grand posture after today. Hey, honestly, I really didnt want to compete with you; your strength is too weak, its of no benefit to the polishing of my martial arts, Zhou Heng said, his expression calm as he shook his head and chuckled, But I couldnt resist the conditions your senior brother offered. Ill make you regret this decision! Yun Wuzheng was thoroughly enraged. He let out a low roar, his inner qi burst forth from beneath his feet, and with a bang, his figure instantly crossed a distance of more than ten zhang, charging directly in front of Zhou Heng. Using his palm as a saber, he slashed at Zhou Hengs neck. This palm was no simple attack. As Yun Wuzheng made his move, he drew upon the subtle energies of heaven and earth, interweaving laws and principles to form an incredibly sharp saber glow on his hand. Moreover, the saber glow seemed to contain a supreme, overriding quality, as if it were the will of heaven descending, ready to punish all in the mortal realm with this slash. This was the first move of Heavenly Will Saber, a Sect Fifth Rank secret martial arts technique from the Heavenly Saber Sect, and it was the only move Heavenly Will Supreme, Do Not Question that Yun Wuzheng knew. Under this saber, Zhou Heng standing there seemed like a commoner at the mercy of the heavens, apparently without any capacity to resist. After all, how could one possibly resist the will of heaven? Around the Dueling Platform, among the onlookers, there were not a few martial artists at the Seventh Rank and even the Peak of the Seventh Rank, who could all feel the potency of Yun Wuzhengs slash, especially those martial artists who had been defeated by Yun Wuzheng. They turned pale. It turned out Yun Wuzheng had never gone all out when he fought with them, never displaying such powerful saber technique. Even now, with his palm as a saber, it was terrifyingly powerful, enough to make ones heart palpitate. However, someone as strong as Zhou Heng should not find it difficult to deal with this strike, many thought, and they all turned their eyes towards Zhou Heng. Li Yuanxing was also paying close attention to Zhou Hengs movements. This move Heavenly Will Supreme, Do Not Question was already Yun Wuzhengs strongest killing move, but he knew his junior brother well enough to realize that Yun Wuzheng did not expect to defeat Zhou Heng with this one strike alone. Yun Wuzhengs real killer move was actually coming after Heavenly Will Supreme, Do Not Question, regardless of whether Zhou Heng chose to block or dodge. Yun Wuzheng had a very strong tactic ready to catch him off guard. But at that moment, Zhou Heng moved. He raised his right hand, spreading his fingers, and seemed to casually slap towards the saber-like heavenly will. Overturning Heaven Three Palms! The world turned upside down! In just an instant, everyone present felt as if they had witnessed a scene of the world collapsing, the cosmos inverting, a terrifying vision of universal destruction, and even the overriding will of heaven was shattered on the spot. Bang! A loud collision sound awakened everyone. On the Dueling Platform, Zhou Heng stood with one hand behind his back and the other hand smacking down in front. The previously charging Yun Wuzheng, who was in the midst of attacking him, had been sent flying, crashing into a wall outside the platform and embedding deeply into it. It was over. Just like that, it ended. There was no fierce exchange of blows, no tumultuous struggle between strength and weakness, just this single palm had ended everything. This wasnt a contest; it was a crushing defeat, like a father disciplining his son! Thoughts of this kind flashed through the minds of everyone present, including Li Yuanxing. He really is that powerful! Li Yuanxing muttered to himself, shock evident in his voice. He suddenly realized that his previous estimations might have been wrong, and Zhou Hengs record on the Da Qis List of Fighters might actually be true. Could someone truly at the Peak of the Seventh Rank have the power to kill a martial artist at the Secret Sixth Rank of the True Gang Realm?! The thought was utterly inconceivable. At the same time, he felt some regret, feeling that his previous decision to give Zhou Heng the clue to Pure Yang Palace might not have been wise. However, that was only the first clue. He still had the second and third clues in hand; without cooperating with them, Zhou Heng would not be able to find anything of value on his own. Thinking this, Li Yuanxings mood became much lighter. At this moment, Zhou Heng had already stepped down from the fighting platform, patted Li Yuanxing on the shoulder, and smiled, Thank you. Then, he left with Lan Yingzhi. The inn. What?! Yun Wuzheng exclaimed in disbelief, staring at Li Yuanxing, Senior brother, you gave Zhou Heng the clue to the land of Pure Yang as a condition? Ah, ow! A cry of pain escaped him as he clutched his chest and sat down, grimacing in agony. Although Zhou Heng had held back much of his strength, it was still overwhelmingly forceful for Yun Wuzheng, who had not only been knocked out of his Saber Technique but also had several ribs shattered by the blow. It was an utter and complete defeat. I have my own plans, and after all, its just the first clue, Li Yuanxings expression remained calm as he spoke, Moreover, relying solely on our own strength, weve been searching for nearly a year with no lead on the next step. Thus, it might be better to bring Zhou Heng into the picture. He is a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace with Pure Yang Inner Qi. If he helps us, we stand a better chance of finding the fourth clue. But wont that mean we have to share the final gains with Zhou Heng? Yun Wuzheng was still somewhat dissatisfied, Ive heard that the strength of Pure Yang contained within the land is elusive and limited; the more people there are, the more dispersed the effects will be. Who said we would share with him? Li Yuanxing suddenly smiled, Zhou Heng may be strong, so strong that I even considered whether it would have been better not to involve him. But on second thought, Zhou Heng only knows one of the clues and thinks theres only this one. During the entire search process, we actually hold the initiative. By the time we have all the clues in our hands, Zhou Heng will likely still be missing at least two of them. Under such circumstances, it wont be difficult for us to monopolize the benefits of the land of Pure Yang. Haha, good, thats excellent! Yun Wuzheng nodded, but he grew worried again, However, what if Zhou Heng takes this clue to Yan Shouyi for deduction, and they directly find the land of Pure Yang? Junior brother, the Pure Yang Palace is one of the top Martial Dao Sects of this era, Li Yuanxing shook his head and said, The higher ranked the Martial Dao Sect is, the less they interfere with the cultivation of their disciples. That includes searching for opportunities. Our Heavenly Saber Sect does the same, and all the more so for the Pure Yang Palace. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Youre right, Yun Wuzheng replied, relieved, That puts my mind at ease. Zhou Heng didnt stay at the Lan Familys residence for long. After taking his leave, he found an entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace that was relatively close. He was heading to the Wishing Pool in the Star Sea realm. My wish: Based on this clue, deduce all the clues related to this land of Pure Yang. Chapter 289 - Chapter 289: Chapter 9: Mutation Chapter 289: Chapter 9: Mutation Cost: Two thousand good deeds. Clue: At the border of Longzhou in Qi Country and Liangzhou, where vitality thrives abundently, where peony flowers bloom in profusion, where the number of men significantly exceeds that of women, which can resonate with Pure Yang Inner Qi. A total of five clues. The first of these was the clue Zhou Heng got from Li Yuanxing. This was effectively a way to limit the target area to a certain extent and provide some characteristics to facilitate the search. With these clues, as long as the method is proper, finding the land of Pure Yang would not be difficult. Of course, Zhou Heng had also considered just making a wish directly for the exact location of the Pure Yang land, but the consumption of good deeds was indeed a bit spectacular. He opted to choose the clues as they were more economical. He was now somewhat short on good deeds and had to be very careful with his spending. In the recent months, he had been preparing for the Chaoyang Wine Meeting and had been staying in one place without encountering any ghosts or evil beings. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had not assigned him any tasks, and the share of good deeds he got from the Starlight Bridge was not as much as expected. After all, there were too few people in the organization, and in non-emergency situations, many people used the Starlight Bridge for transport. With only one-thousandth of the share, he barely gained any good deeds, In the end, his good deeds had not increased much, there was only consumption. Therefore, he no longer had the deep pockets he once had. After making this wish, he calculated that he only had a little over four thousand good deeds left. In that case, before I reach Secret Six Rank, I should go kill some ghosts and evil beings to accumulate more good deeds, Zhou Heng thought to himself. Otherwise, once I reach Secret Six Rank, it will be difficult to acquire good deeds. Before the time comes to open the good deeds trade and task issuance permissions, which were highly profitable, the main way he could gain good deeds was still by killing ghosts and evil beings. According to the rules of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, after breaking through to Secret Six Rank, killing Lower Third Rank ghosts and evil beings would yield very few good deeds, and those at the same level were extremely difficult to kill. This was one reason why many Middle Third Rank and even Celestial Men experienced a good deeds famine. No, that way, if good deeds trade is opened in the future, wouldnt it cause some problems? Zhou Heng suddenly thought of something, Since it is much easier for Lower Third Rank to obtain good deeds than for Middle Third Rank, if good deeds can be freely traded, couldnt Middle Third Rank have Lower Third Rank fight in their stead? Masters of Middle Third Rank can use various means to assist Lower Third Rank martial artists in exterminating ghosts and evil beings, and then obtain good deeds from them. This would undoubtedly be much easier than killing ghosts of equal realm themselves. Besides that, they could also get a large number of good deeds from Lower Third Rank martial artists with things that are no longer of importance to those of Middle Third Rank. Its a sure profit if there ever was one. But such a situation is inherently unequal. Lower Third Rank martial artists are undoubtedly at a disadvantage when facing Middle Third Rank, and their actual status is unequal as well. If Middle Third Rank can adopt methods of assistance, they can naturally also adopt methods of exploitation. Although this situation may not be unprecedented, currently, the trade of good deeds is controlled by Azure Dragon and Tianyi, two Tao Lords. Good deeds trades must be conducted at a general assembly. Generally speaking, they are not excessively exploited. However, if the door to free trading of good deeds were to be opened, allowing unlimited private circulation of good deeds, it might be a recipe for disaster. The freedom of laissez-faire often leads to exploitation of the weak by the strong These issues were not minor. Zhou Heng had not considered them carefully before. Now that he thought about it more, he realized that if the free trade of good deeds was opened, it would likely cause a series of chain reactions, and could even disrupt the entire Zhou Tian Boundary Officer organization. Task issuance would work the same way. Its fortunate that I didnt rush to open these two permissions on a whim, Zhou Heng pondered. I will need to wait until I can gain more control or have the capability to restrict the use of these permissions before activating them. Next, I will find the land of Pure Yang and, before breaking through to Secret Six Rank, kill some more ghosts and evil beings. Ah yes, and also the newly spawned demon entities to accumulate some good deeds. Zhou Heng had initially planned to search for the land based on these clues by himself, but he soon realized that he simply could not locate it with his own power. Even though the characteristics were very clear, finding the place was still extremely difficult. After all, this was not Earth, which had already entered the era of information technology. Even official maps were not entirely accurate; under such conditions, it was exceedingly difficult to precisely locate a specific place. Not to mention, Zhou Heng was unable to ascertain even the general location. The boundary between Longzhou and Liangzhou stretched over eight thousand miles, and within this immense expanse, there were mountains, forests, towns C a variety of environments, including many places where peonies thrived. Zhou Heng had to traverse mountains and valleys, cover the eight-thousand-mile distance on his own in search of the Pure Yang place, without the aid of navigation or positioning. If he went there, he wouldnt even be certain of his own location. It was too difficult. Unless one could fly, the intricate and complex terrain within these eight thousand miles would greatly hinder the search for the Pure Yang site, and it was possible that one could stray outside the boundary line without even realizing it. After much thought, Zhou Heng decided to meet with Cheng Jianjian. To explore together. Cheng Jianjian was known as the Treasure Fairy. The gourd she carried concealed countless treasures, naturally including objects that could carry people through the air. She had used them before in the world of the Cave Sky. Being able to fly in the sky and survey the terrain from above would greatly reduce the difficulty of the search. However, after returning to Taihua Mount, Zhou Heng realized that Cheng Jianjian had also descended the mountain shortly after he left, and where she went specifically was unknown. Luckily, while passing through the Zixia Peak, he met You Ziheng and obtained three White Crane feathers from him, which could be used as flying treasures with a one-month expiration. Thus, after making these preparations, Zhou Heng used the stellar bridge of the Purple Tenuity Palace and headed to Longzhou. Longzhou was located to the northwest of Da Qi, and further ahead lay Liangzhou, the gateway to the West Wasteland, also known as Xi Liang. Liangzhou was vast, roughly equivalent to two and a half Pingzhous. However, it was fraught with demons and evil entities, and the natural resources were very scarce; beyond its core regions, it could be described as desolate everywhere. The entire state had only one county, three prefectures, and twenty-seven towns, not even twenty percent of Pingzhous size. Longzhou was slightly better but still fell short compared to the counties and prefectures of the Central Plains. It had an area about twenty percent larger than Pingzhou but only one county and seven prefectures. Therefore, after arriving in Longzhou, Zhou Heng lacked any interest in sightseeing and directly went to the Prefectural City of Longzhou to find the business shop of Pure Yang Palace. After gathering some information and confirming four approximate areas, he turned the White Crane feathers into clouds of light and took to the skies. This showcased the advantage of being part of a Great Sect. The properties of the Pure Yang Palace were scattered throughout Da Qi, which also meant that their eyes and ears were spread far and wide, making it much easier to seek anything. Three of the five clues leading to the Pure Yang site could be obtained through inquiries. They were, A place where vitality is abundant, Where peony flowers bloom profusely, and Where the number of men significantly exceeds that of women. Even with some suspected areas confirmed, Zhou Heng would find them difficult to search. But now, with the ability to fly, this trouble was resolved. Next, he only needed to verify these four regions based on the response of the Power of Pure Yang, and he should be able to locate the Pure Yang place quite soon. Li Yuanxing likely could never have dreamed that Zhou Heng, whom he hoped to exploit, would be close to finding the Pure Yang place within two days of getting a lead. However, the process of searching wasnt as easy as Zhou Heng had originally anticipated. Because the skies of Longzhou were different from those of the Central Plains. As he flew, he could distinctly feel as if something extremely dangerous was looming above him, and above three thousand Zhang, there were fierce winds with tremendous power. If he flew too high, he could potentially be blown off the sky by these gales. It seems that this must be due to the protective formation of the ninety-nine provinces, designed to separate the three kingdoms of the Central Plains from the West Wasteland, likely growing more powerful as it nears the West Wasteland. Besides, as Zhou Heng flew in the air, he could sense that from the west, there would occasionally drift over a few currents of intense yin and evil qi, the kind that could instantly erode the spirit of ordinary Ninth Grade and Eighth Rank Martial Artists. However, after these currents of yin and evil qi drifted over, they would be blown to an altitude of over three thousand zhang, then disappear without a trace, not affecting the creatures on the ground below. It seems the situation isnt very optimistic, the Central Plains are still alright, but this northwestern area is becoming more troublesome, Zhou Heng frowned slightly as he looked in the direction of Xi Liang. The fact that the yin and evil qi could drift to Longzhou suggested the current situation in Xi Liang was foreseeable; it was probably starting from Xi Liang that demon entities began to emerge in the world. Hmm, its likely not absent at the Lianglong border either, Zhou Hengs gaze shifted downward, looking toward a town not far below, then he pressed down the cloud light and descended. This was one of the four possible locations he had identified earlier, belonging to a small town in Yuxiang County within Liangzhous Liu Ping Prefecture. Named Yuxiang Town, it was famous for its blooming peonies, and even the name of the entire county was derived from this town. Apart from peonies, various medicinal herbs are produced here in abundance, enough to be described as teeming with life. As for the gender ratio of the town, that was something he couldnt determine. Zhou Heng could only investigate on the ground himself. Zhou Heng descended the cloud light ten li outside the town, summoned his date-red horse, and rode forward. In no time, he arrived at the outskirts of Yuxiang Town, but the scenes he witnessed along the way made him somewhat puzzled. The road leading to Yuxiang Town was very quiet, with not only no pedestrians coming and going but also no signs someone had traveled the road recently. It appeared that no one had passed by for at least a month. Under normal circumstances, this is nearly impossible. Although a town can be self-sufficient and might not need to venture out for a short time, its absolutely abnormal for the essential route in and out of the town to be completely unused for over a month. Could it be that something has happened to this town? Zhou Heng did not rashly enter the town but carefully spread his divine sense on the outskirts to perceive the situation within the town. But he hadnt expected that just as his divine sense had gotten a general grasp of the situation inside the town, an invisible and powerful force suddenly emerged and latched onto this strand of his divine soul. Immediately after, Zhou Heng felt the space around him begin to twist, quickly forming a void vortex, and he was directly pulled in. During this process, he sensed a familiar aura, one that he had felt from that half a finger bone that had broken the seal at Huangtong Mansion City. Full of evil, brutality, madness This was Demonic Qi! Whats going on?! Zhou Hengs eyes widened in shock. At the same time, he tried to release the Power of Cave Sky to envelop himself, to avoid being sucked away by the vortexs force. But this force was extremely bizarre. Even the Power of Cave Sky couldnt prevent the suction, and Zhou Heng could only watch helplessly as he was sucked into the vortex. Damn it! Whats going on?! Black mists hung heavily, obscuring the sky and sun. Zhou Heng found himself, after being sucked into the void vortex, in a place where all around was shrouded by black mist, dimly lit. He could barely see ten zhang in front of him; beyond was a blur. His divine sense perception was blocked, unable to extend outside his body, let alone sense and explore the external situation. Everything here was unknown to Zhou Heng, with hidden dangers lurking. Therefore, without any hesitation, he chose to use Open Gate once, planning to leave this place. A light gate enveloped in starlight was opened, and Zhou Heng located Taihua Mount as he stepped in. When he emerged from the star gate, the heavy mists that seemed to envelop everything instantly vanished, and on looking up, he saw the towering mountain ahead, with palace halls and pavilions flickering through the clouds and mist. Zhou Heng let out a long breath, prepared to go up the mountain, but then saw the sea of clouds over Taihua Mount suddenly parted by a beam of golden light. From afar, he saw that the Jade Void Peak Golden Top was being shattered by a giant claw that reached out from somewhere! The beam of golden light didnt travel far before it vanished, and then a figure fell from the sky, crashing before Zhou Hengit was Cheng Jianjian, who had already died. This Zhou Hengs expression instantly stiffened, then became terrified as he stumbled backward, No, no, this cant be possible! Roar! At this moment, an angry roar sounded. A red giant claw pressed down on Taihua Mount, crushing the entire Jade Void Peak instantly. Another red giant claw then extended from the void, pinning down both the Zixia Peak and Jade Qiong Peak, and with rumbling sounds, crushed them. It seemed that a gigantic beast was reaching out from the void, with only two claws out so far, yet it was on the verge of completely destroying the Pure Yang Palace, all witnessed by Zhou Heng who had just returned. No, no, why is this happening?! Zhou Heng retreated in terror, and then he felt himself bump into someone. Turning his head, he saw a face full of scholarly aurait was Yan Shouyi. Junior brother, dont worry, Yan Shouyi patted Zhou Hengs shoulder and smiled, Pure Yang Palace has me. Senior brother! Zhou Heng exclaimed excitedly, gripping Yan Shouyis hand with his right. As if he had grasped a lifeline. At the same time, he formed a seal with his left hand, his eyes shining with golden light. The Immortal Print Method! Sky-Earth Striking Method!! Heart Demon techniques, truly extraordinary, Zhou Heng smirked. In fact, he had known who was attacking him the moment his divine sense was caught by that bizarre force. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The rest was just acting to confuse the opponent. And incidentally, he could gain some more proficiency. Heart Demon Disaster is currently casting the evil technique Spirit-Bewildering Heart Demon Feasting Technique [Secret Six Rank] on you. Your divine soul is strong, and you are knowledgeable in spirit-related martial arts, gaining some understanding, proficiency +0.001. Congratulations! You have seen through the Heart Demon Disaster performing the evil technique Spirit-Bewildering Heart Demon Feasting Technique [Secret Six Rank] on you, deepening your understanding of it, proficiency +0.5. Chapter 290 - Chapter 290: Chapter 10: Divine Soul Descends, Battle of the Dreamland Chapter 290: Chapter 10: Divine Soul Descends, Battle of the Dreamland A Heart Demon! After the previous gathering of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, Zhou Heng had sought information from the inner circle of the Five Emperors to avoid being at a loss when encountering Demon Entities. A Heart Demon was one of them. This type of Demon Entity was intangible and formless, wandering the spiritual world, excelling at constructing various illusions, targeting the weaknesses of the human heart, and then devouring the Divine Souls of those who were beguiled by the illusions. Zhou Heng had attempted to use his Divine Sense to investigate Yuxiang Town, and immediately alerted the Heart Demon Huomang lurking there, which entangled a thread of his Divine Soul and dragged him into an illusion. However, because Zhou Heng knew from the start that it was an attack from a Heart Demon and had learned some of its mind-bewildering techniques, he wasnt truly fooled. Still, pretending to be fooled and then attacking when it was off guard was undoubtedly an excellent response. At that moment, with the Immortal Seal Technique and the Sky-Earth Striking Method both activated, Zhou Hengs spirit smashed down on the Heart Demon like a mighty hammer. Facing this sudden attack, the Heart Demon, which had taken on the appearance of Yan Shouyi, had no time to react and its head instantly burst open as if struck by a heavy hammer. Immediately after, its entire body twisted into a wisp of dark smoke and vanished without a trace. The Heart Demon fled. The scene before Zhou Hengs eyes also crumbled inch by inch, whether it was the towering Taihua Mount that reached for the heavens, the incredibly terrifying Demon Entity, or the body of Cheng Jianjian lying not far away, all rapidly disintegrated. In the blink of an eye, the scenery before Zhou Heng returned to normal. He was still seated on his jujube-red horse, still stationed just outside Yuxiang Town, and in reality hadnt moved an inch. Everything he had seen just now was a psychic illusion created by the Heart Demon Huomang. That illusion was extremely powerful and could even interfere with normal cognitive functions. If it were an ordinary martial artist at the peak of the Seventh Rank, there was a very high possibility that their Divine Soul would be directly devoured by this Heart Demon. I didnt expect there to be a Heart Demon here, Zhou Heng frowned slightly. He dismounted from his horse and snapped his fingers to send the jujube-red horse into his Cave Sky, And from the feedback of the Sky-Earth Striking Method just now, this Heart Demon is nearly at the Secret Six Rank. This Yuxiang Town After a brief contemplation, he decided to head toward the town. Previously, when Zhou Heng used his Divine Sense to scan the internals of Yuxiang Town, although he quickly encountered the Heart Demon Huomang, he still perceived some situations in that short period. The streets of the entire Yuxiang Town were devoid of people; almost everyone was lying in bed at home, in deep sleep. Many of them were furrowing their brows, their expressions pained, unconsciously gripping their chest. They were having nightmares. Zhou Heng already knew where the Heart Demon had come fromit most likely emerged from the nightmares of the populace of Yuxiang Townsince the nightmares of any living being could potentially spawn Demon Entities. Now, over ten thousand residents of Yuxiang Town were caught in nightmares, and there was also the previously encountered Heart Demons influence. If this wasnt addressed, it was likely that many more Demon Entities would soon be spawned. Either wake these people of Yuxiang Town or find that Heart Demon, Zhou Heng thought of two solutions as he quickly stepped into Yuxiang Town. However, the moment he entered the town, he felt a surge of black Demonic Qi behind him that sealed his retreat, preventing him from returning to the entrance of Yuxiang Town. Humans, do you wish to save the people here? The voice of the Heart Demon sounded out of nowhere, as if omnipresent, pervading every corner of Yuxiang Town, I advise you not to seek your own death. You actually didnt flee? Zhou Heng chuckled and said, Thats convenient. I was planning to hunt you down, and now that youre right here, I might as well just finish you off. Hahahaha! The Heart Demon laughed, its voice echoing endlessly through the void, Human, for every bit of injury you inflict on me, one person here will die. Do you want to try? Moreover, with your current level of cultivation, you probably cant even find me, so dont delude yourself into thinking you can awaken these humans from their dreams. The moment they wake up is the moment they die! Are you trying to provoke me? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, and he thought to himself, Heart Demons excel at exploiting the flaws in peoples hearts, somewhat similar to ghosts. One must be cautious to avoid falling for their tricks. However, this Heart Demon has no form or substance, and its existence is not physically seen as it roams within the spiritual world. Right now, it is most likely within the dreams of the people of Yuxiang Town. How should I search for it? The best method, of course, is to delve into the dreams of the people of Yuxiang Town, find the existence of this Heart Demon, kill it, and then awaken the people here. But dreams have always been Zhou Hengs weak point. Compared with more straightforward spiritual attack techniques like the Undying Seal Method and the Sky-Earth Striking Method, the art of dreams is more delicate, more mysterious, and harder to predict and comprehend. Apart from having used the True Dream Cultivation Card, he had almost no in-depth understanding of dreams. For the moment, Zhou Heng really couldnt find a place to start. In truth, for him, leaving this place wasnt difficult; he could easily break through the demonic qi that blocked his path. But he did not want to let the Heart Demon Huang Mang off so easily, nor did he want to ignore the lives and deaths of tens of thousands of people, and certainly not allow more demon entities to breed here. This was the duty of a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, but also stemmed from his own human nature. Human, are you contemplating how to deal with me? Huang Mang noticed the change in Zhou Hengs emotions and sneered, Give up. With your insignificant cultivation, your spirit, which is not yet detached from the flesh, simply cannot find me. You can only watch helplessly as my companions emerge one by one from these humans dreams, finally surrounding and devouring them completely. Hmph! Zhou Heng snorted coldly, remaining silent. However, he was also sensing his surroundings, probing the breath of the townspeople of Yuxiang Town. He could feel that although the townspeople still had a glimmer of spiritual light, the vitality of their bodies had declined to an extremely low level, almost akin to that of the dead. According to Zhou Hengs estimate, if they couldnt be awakened within three days and given enough influence, these tens of thousands of people might never wake up again. Heart Demon Huang Mang would surely lead many demon entities out of the dreams before then, otherwise once all the people here died, the dreams would naturally collapse. If Im not mistaken, the dreams of the townspeople of Yuxiang Town are now probably gathered with a good number of demon entities, Zhou Heng thought to himself. Just need the right opportunity, and Huang Mang could lead who knows how many demon entities to surge out. That would be a tremendous disaster. The spiritual pollution inherent to demon entities is much stronger than that of ghosts or evil creatures of the same level. Not to mention ordinary Martial Artists, even those at the Peak of the Seventh Rank or even the Secret Six Rank, would have to keep their distance when facing the spiritual pollution of a large number of demon entities simultaneously. In reality, given Zhou Hengs cultivation realm, just seeing the Heart Demon, which was very close to the Secret Six Rank, could normally have caused him excruciating headaches, making it difficult to stand. But he was unharmed thanks to the protection of his Cave Sky world, which embodied the Way of the Sun. Others might not be so lucky. Moreover, demon entities are extremely difficult to kill; like ghosts and evil creatures, normal methods of the Martial Path simply cannot destroy them. If indeed a large number of demon entities were to emerge, it could be a disaster with heavy casualties for Longzhou, which is not very prosperous to begin with. So, feeling helpless? Huang Mangs voice suddenly rang out from behind Zhou Heng, laughing unscrupulously, Why dont you join us? I can elevate you to a demon. Rather than remaining human, powerless to do anything but watch as my own kind turn into corpses, why not leave my original tribe and become a higher race? This Heart Demon was actually tempting Zhou Heng and claimed it could turn humans into Demon Entities. Hmph! Zhou Heng remained unmoved and responded with his actions. Without looking back, with a flick of his fingers, bursts of golden light erupted, followed by sword Qi sweeping out in all directions. Innate Formless Sword Finger! This sword Qi, imbued with the intense power of Pure Yang, roared and struck the entrance of Yuxiang Town, instantly dispersing the Demonic Qi that had sealed it. Immediately after, Zhou Hengs figure flashed toward the entrance and exit, directly leaving Yuxiang Town. He summoned his red date horse, transformed it into a blaze of firelight, and galloped away. Has this human really fled? Could it be hes gone to find a helper capable of entering dreams? Huo Mang wondered, thinking to himself, It seems I need to hasten my pace. Hmph, if it werent for that detestable woman constantly causing trouble in the dreamscape and attacking my kin, I would have succeeded in opening the gateway and led all demons to descend! After leaving Yuxiang Town, Zhou Heng made straight for the nearest entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace, using the White Crane Feathers to ascend into the sky. He was not running away. Instead, the situation of the people of Yuxiang Town and the words of Huo Mang had given him an idea. If the condition of the people of Yuxiang Town was already close to that of corpses, could it mean that he could make use of the newly granted access of Purple Tenuity Palace to descend in spirit into the bodies of the people of Yuxiang Town? Purple Tenuity Palace was inherently superior to the myriad worlds under heaven, and in theory, should also be above this worldthe Starlight Pathways were in fact empirical proof, akin to a star gate without crossing realms. Therefore, the permission he had previously acquired that allowed his Divine Soul to descend into other worlds was most likely applicable to this world as well. Could it be possible to use this method of soul descent to achieve a spiritual level of infiltration, thereby achieving an effect similar to entering a dream? Zhou Heng felt that regardless of the success, this method was worth a try. Upon reaching Purple Tenuity Palace at the fastest speed, and after seeing The Supreme and Heavenly Law, Zhou Heng once again opened the gateway of Divine Soul descent on the Cloud Terrace Square in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace. Then, he stepped right in. He became the first user of this Divine Soul star gate. Once inside, Zhou Heng felt his Divine Soul instantly leave his body, his physical form wrapped in a cocoon of starlight, while his soul sensed a world of bizarre and dazzling light. What presented itself to Zhou Hengs soul were hundreds and thousands of orbs shining with stellar brilliance, densely packed in the void, each giving off a different sensation. Some orbs were dark and obscure, difficult to perceive what was inside; some gave a warm and sunny feeling, while others were filled with the atmosphere of destruction and slaughterall varied and distinct. Zhou Heng could sense that these orbs were actually different worlds, and by touching them, he could descend into them in the form of soul possession. But at the same time, he also realized that he could actually touch very few orbsa small portion of the wholeand he was not able to fully comprehend the situations of these worlds. This must be because I havent had time to synchronize with the information from the Zhou Tian Star Chart, so I cant get specific world information, Zhou Heng pondered and figured out the reason. Whether it be the ordinary star gate or this Divine Soul star gate, the worlds they connect to are all through the records of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, and naturally, synchronization of information is needed. However, for Zhou Heng at present, the most important thing was to deal with the situation in Yuxiang Town. Fortunately, as he had anticipated, this Divine Soul star gate also could indeed connect to this world of his own. The mechanism was somewhat similar to that of the Starlight Bridge; he could only use the existing channels of Purple Tenuity Palace as a basis for diffusion and exploration. If the range was too large, or the distance too far, descent would not be possible. This made Zhou Heng worry whether the distance to Yuxiang Town was too far from the channel of Purple Tenuity Palace, which might lead to a failed descent. Luckily, Yuxiang Town was at the edge of the limit of exploration. Descent was possible. Thus, Zhou Heng chose one of the weakest people in Yuxiang Town. Divine Soul possession descent! In the dreamscape of the real Yuxiang Town people, there was a town identical to the outside world. Only, it was enveloped in dark fog, with no one able to leave the town, nor could anyone disperse the fog. Unlike the desolate Yuxiang Town in reality. The town in the dreamscape was still bustling. The townspeople walked on the streets, talking and laughing with each other as usual, as if living in reality. But on closer inspection, it was evident that each of these people had stiff expressions and lifeless eyes, like puppets on strings being manipulated. Furthermore, every action they took, every word they spoke, their complexion would turn paler, as if it were a tremendous drain on them. Boom! At that moment, a loud noise suddenly came from a house by the street, the building collapsed, and the walls crumbled. Then, a scroll sparkling with silver radiance and depicting all forms of life burst out from the ruins, unrolling and blanketing over a dozen people on the street. At the same time, bizarre and twisted Demon Entities appeared above the heads of these dozen people. The moment they touched the scroll, their bodies emitted black smoke and let out wails of abject misery. Turns out, these Demon Entities were perched on the heads of Yuxiang Towns townspeople, controlling their actions in the dream while continuing to consume their divine spirits and essence. Demons, meet your demise! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A fierce shout rang out, exploding on the street and startling more than a dozen demons, large and small. Immediately afterward, a figure rushed out following the scroll, a woman. She was exquisite and slender, emitting an aura of holiness all over. It was Yun Xiu. Human! You are seeking your own death! Huo Mang returned and was immediately furious. Chapter 291 - Chapter 291: Chapter 11 Morning Light Chapter 291: Chapter 11 Morning Light Demon Entities! You are the ones who deserve to die! Yun Xiu called out sharply, lifting her slender hand as she formed a secret technique. Instantly, around her, another scroll unfurled, depicting a landscape of mountains and rivers. As soon as the scroll opened, it immediately caused the entire Yuxiang Town dreamscape to become unstable and shake, as if mountains and great rivers were trying to squeeze into the dreamworld itself. Under this immense influence, the dreamworld began to twist and shake, even showing signs of breaking apart, revealing many hidden Demon Entities one by one, struggling to move under the oppression of the landscape. At the same time, the scroll that portrayed all manners of creatures continued to expand, eradicating more than a dozen Demon Entities that it had enveloped before now reaching out towards those that had just been revealed. The lustrous radiance emitted from the scroll seemed to possess tremendous power within the dreamworld, clearly holding a restraining effect on these Demon Entities, laying waste to them where it passed. In just three breaths time, Yun Xiu had eradicated over twenty Demon Entities. Although most of these Demon Entities were of Ninth Grade, with only two or three of Eighth Rank, these Entities once escaped from the dreamworld would inevitably cause a great disaster. Now that Yun Xiu had eradicated these Demon Entities, she had essentially averted a significant catastrophe. However, she was very aware that what she had done was still not enough. Not nearly enough. The number of Demon Entities in the Yuxiang Town dreamscape was simply too many, with no less than ten at the Seventh Rank, nearly fifty at Eighth Rank, and over five hundred at Ninth Grade. No matter how many she killed, it was but a drop in the bucket. There was no way to kill them all. Humans! bellowed the calamity with fury, Die! It flew from the sky, directly transforming into a cloud of black and red mist. This mist was its true form, possessing extreme power; it quickly enshrouded most of the Yuxiang Town dreamscape, mending areas that had started to collapse and breaking apart and suppressing the will of many people attempting to awaken. Moreover, this black and red fog contained the calamitys own spirit, exhibiting a potent invasive force, and as it spread, it launched a fierce attack on Yun Xiu. In just an instant, both the mountain and river scroll that was trying to merge with this part of the dreamscape and the scroll of creatures that was exterminating the Demon Entities were contaminated by this black and red mist, unable to function effectively any longer. Yun Xius complexion turned slightly pale, and her form began to fade, becoming transparent as she prepared to escape and leave. She had no intention of confronting the calamity head-on. This had been her consistent strategy these past few days After a strike was successful, if it was not possible to cause further interference or destruction, she would immediately retreat and wait for another opportunity. Thinking of escaping?! the calamity snarled. Following that, the black and red mists that had enveloped most of Yuxiang Town rapidly gathered, condensing into a massive hand that reached out to grab Yun Xiu. Being formless and intangible, the calamitys body was even more capable of changing at will within the dreamscape, and with Yuxiang Town dreamscape being its home field, it immediately gained the upper hand upon launching its attack. The Heart Demon had grown sick of Yun Xius interference during this period. Moreover, suspecting that Zhou Heng had fled Yuxiang Town to seek reinforcements, it was intent on accelerating the opening of the Dreamland Gate, desiring to resolve Yun Xius threat once and for all. Yet, faced with the calamitys attack, Yun Xiu was well-prepared. As she retreated, dodging the giant hands assault, she formed secret techniques with her hands, chanting under her breath. Gradually, behind her, a figure composed entirely of purple thunder began to emerge. This was the Dreamland Taoist Soldiers, one of the dream realm secret techniques that Yun Xiu had cultivated. Through imagination, this technique allowed for the condensation of a Taoist Soldier previously structured within the dreamworld for spiritual level dream realm combat. To combat the Demon Entities, naturally, the Thunder Taoist Soldiers were most suitable. ` This was the best choice. Go! Yun Xiu shouted sharply, issuing an instruction to the Dreamland Taoist Soldiers. With her current cultivation realm, the strength of the Dreamland Taoist Soldiers was almost equivalent to the Peak of the Seventh Rank, and being of the Thunder attribute, they should be able to delay the situation for a moment. Boom! As soon as the Dreamland Taoist Soldiers received Yun Xius instruction, they transformed into a purple thunder light pillar that shot up into the sky, colliding with the one descending from above. Instantaneously, a vast force expanded outwards, an invisible storm rapidly spreading, causing the entire dream realm to shake. Purple lightning and the black-red hand were at a stalemate in the sky. This bought Yun Xiu time to retreat. She hastily formed another spell, preparing to hide and seek shelter in a hidden corner of this dream realm, waiting for an opportune moment to plan her next disruption and sabotage. She struggled hard to delay the Heart Demon from opening the Dreamland Gate, to prevent the hundreds of Demon Entities within this dream realm from being brought into reality, from descending upon the human world. Rumble!! But just as Yun Xiu was about to flee and hide, a loud noise suddenly came from above in this dream realm. The hand, which was at a standoff with the thunder light pillar, suddenly burst into a large mass of red-black clouds. The cloud mass spread and easily enveloped the thunder light pillar, and with the mist rolling in, the brilliance of the thunder grew weaker and weaker. Soon, Yun Xiu felt that she had lost control of this Dreamland Taoist Soldier. However, the black-red cloud mass then lit up with purple lightning, dancing wildly in the sky like a long snake, flaunting its power. Humans, you are still going to die in the end. The Heart Demon chuckled coldly; its voice was omnipresent, the lightning in the clouds flashing ever more brightly. However, Yun Xiu wasnt concerned by this; she was rapidly concealing herself. But soon, over a dozen ferocious beasts shrouded in purple lightning flew out of the black-red cloud mass, hunting down Yun Xiu. This time the Heart Demon was determined, resolute to kill Yun Xiu. Yun Xiu could only again congeal a Thunder Taoist Soldier, but it was dispersed after only a few exchanges. She was unable to resist. The ferocious beasts charged straight for Yun Xiu. She quickly formed seals with her hands, and once more, a landscape painting emerged around her, protecting her at the center, fending off the attack of the ferocious beasts. At the same time, she attempted to use the power of the painting of all living beings to annihilate those beasts. But it was of no use. These ferocious beasts, enveloped in purple lightning, were actually part of the Heart Demon itself, each one considerably strong. Even when dispersed, they far exceeded the vast majority of beings at the Peak of the Seventh Rank. Especially in the Heart Demons home ground, the dream realm. The landscape painting Yun Xiu was using for defense was quickly becoming unstable, likely to break at any moment. She suddenly found herself in a very difficult situation. Why has this Demon Entity suddenly become so eager to attack me, completely different from its previous behavior? Could it be that someone outside has already noticed something strange about this dream realm? Yun Xius thoughts raced, guessing at the Heart Demons motives. At the same time, she was searching for a way to quickly disengage and leave. If this continued, she would eventually have her defenses broken through and become a puppet of the Heart Demon. ` ` Human, although you possess the secret technique of dream magic, you are still too naive. It is simply impossible for you to be my opponent! the mocking laughter of the Heart Demon Huanmang echoed throughout the entire dreamscape, Why not ascend into a demon now; how does that sound? Boom! Just then, the red and black sky of this dreamscape suddenly cracked open to reveal a massive void, and from the heavens descended a starlight entwined with purple qi, crashing down. Like a Divine Weapon sent from the heavens, it dispelled a large swath of the red and black miasma, arriving not far from Yun Xiu. The starlight and purple qi scattered, directly dispersing the exotic beasts that were besieging Yun Xiu. A youth in a Taoist robe emerged from the midst of the starlight and purple qi, it was Zhou Heng. Henger! Yun Xiu cried out, both shocked and delighted. Miss Xiuer, I cant believe you are in this dreamscape, Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised, then he looked towards the hovering cloud of black and red in the sky and smiled, We meet again. Human, how did you get in? Huanmang asked, uncertain and alarmed, sensing a very dangerous aura coming from Zhou Heng, which spurred thoughts of retreat. Henger, youve come at just the right time. Together, we must stop this Heart Demon from bringing numerous demon entities into reality, Yun Xiu said anxiously. Haha, whats so difficult about that? Zhou Heng laughed heartily, and then he opened his mouth and expelled a Sword Pill, which transformed into Purple Lightning Sword Light. Magic Weapons can change with the Divine Soul, and even if only the Divine Soul descends, they can be carried along. This is the greatest difference between Magic Weapons and ordinary sharp weapons. The Purple Lightning Sword Light shone brilliantly, and Zhou Heng flicked his sword finger! Boom! A majestic purple and gold sword beam rose into the sky, its unparalleled edge sweeping through the firmament. In an instant, it pierced through the hovering black and red cloud, flying high above the heavens. Then, this sword light exploded in the high sky, turning into thousands of purple and gold raindrops falling down, each striking the demon entities with incredible precision. In the blink of an eye, the hundreds of demon entities in the Yuxiang Town dreamscape were entirely obliterated by this single sword strike, leaving only the Heart Demon Huanmang gasping for survival. The might of a Divine Weapon is just so powerful. Zhou Heng hadnt even used any special sword techniques; it was merely the most basic Sword Control Technique, and yet it achieved such an earth-shattering effect. This Yun Xiu was rendered speechless, finding it hard to believe. The strength Zhou Heng now displayed was far too great compared to the Peak of the Seventh Rank she knew. So strong! Heart Demon Huanmang was so terrified by Zhou Hengs sword strike that it scattered its spirit and fled, not daring to resist any further. But how could Zhou Heng let it escape? The Purple Lightning Flying Sword descended from the sky, radiating a profound golden light with dazzling electricity, like Heavenly Punishment. Brilliance Heavenly Power! Summoned by the sword! Boom! The golden sword light mingled with the purple thunder, seemingly forming a light pillar that pierced through heaven and earth, covering the black and red fog that was Huanmang. Congratulations! You have slain the ordinary enemy Heart Demon Huanmang, Fortune Bag [Copper] +3. Zhou Heng received the reward notification. Besides Heart Demon Huanmang, there were five other weak ones, yielding five copper Fortune Bags. A small gain indeed. In fact, the greatest harvest for him this time should be the merit. Hundreds of Ninth Grade demon entities, nearly a hundred Eighth Rank, and eleven Seventh Rank demon entities, all giving him a total merit gain of nearly thirty thousand. This spared him the effort of specifically seeking out ghosts and evil creatures to kill. ` Heng-ge, youre so amazing! Yun Xiu exclaimed with joy, How did you descend into this dreamland? Thats a long story, Zhou Heng didnt elaborate but instead asked, Miss Xiuer, what are you doing here? Is your physical body near Yuxiang Town too? No, Yun Xiu shook her head with a wry smile, Actually, Im not very clear about which places dreamland this is. My physical body is in Fengzhou, under the protection of my master; my spirit is roaming the sea of consciousness to advance my cultivation. Unexpectedly, during the process of cultivation, I was caught by a strange force that dragged my divine soul here mysteriously. Seeing that demon entities were growing, I continuously interfered with that Heart Demon, preventing it from opening the Dreamland Gate. Then I owe you my thanks, Zhou Heng said appreciatively, If it werent for your delaying the Heart Demons progress, Longzhou might have suffered a severe demon disaster. He didnt ask Yun Xiu why she was aware of the details about the demon entities. That wasnt important. I just did what I could. Moreover, if it werent for you, Heng-ge, I would still be no match for that Heart Demon, Yun Xiu shook her head and smiled, as she glanced around, Heng-ge, this dreamland is about to dissipate. Yes, its time for us to leave, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and bid farewell to Yun Xiu. The dreamland was originally constructed from the nightmares of Yuxiang Towns townsfolk by the forced gathering of the Heart Demons calamitous influence. Now that the calamity and the host of demon entities had been vanquished, the dreamland was naturally beginning to dissipate. At this moment, many houses and trees started to fade away gradually, the sky and the earth began to distort, signifying that the real owner of the dreamland was about to awaken. Zhou Heng arrived back in Yuxiang Town and saw peonies blooming over hills and dales. Although the townsfolk had not yet woken, he could already sense the vigorous vitality pervasive here. After dispelling the Heart Demons influence, his Power of Pure Yang had responded. He could confirm that Yuxiang Town was indeed the Pure Yang place he had been searching for. Following the response of his Power of Pure Yang, Zhou Heng walked around Yuxiang Town, searching for the place where the Power of Pure Yang was the most concentrated. Eventually, he found a cave on a hill to the west of the town. He could clearly feel the Power of Pure Yang inside was pure and rich, perfectly suitable for him to use for his breakthrough in his cultivation realm. So he stepped into the cave, found a flat stone platform, sat down with his legs crossed, his eyes slightly closed, began directing his Inner Qi, adjusting his inner landscape, and sensing the laws of heaven and earth. Zhou Heng had also imagined the scene of his breakthrough to the Secret Six Rank. He thought it might happen in the heat of battle against a powerful foe, both breaking through simultaneously; He thought it might be an encounter with a strong enemy where, using all his strength, he breaks through on the battlefield and turns defeat into victory; He thought it might be under the watchful eyes of a crowd, merging inner and outer landscapes, stepping into the Innate amidst gasps of amazement But reality, it seemed, was precisely as Yan Shouyi had once said. The path of cultivation, Is just that boring. The next morning, the townsfolk of Yuxiang Town gradually awoke. They only felt as if they had a very long and terrible nightmare and had finally awakened from it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The adults opened their windows one by one, wanting to bask in the morning sunlight. The children had already run out, hopping and laughing, pointing towards the hill to the west, cheering. Light! Its light! Look, a light brighter than the sun! Light, such a bright light! Chapter 292 - Chapter 292: Chapter 12: Confluence of External Scenery, Innate True Qi Chapter 292: Chapter 12: Confluence of External Scenery, Innate True Qi Bathed in the morning sun, Zhou Heng was bathed in golden light, slowly ascending into the sky. In the eyes of the people in Yuxiang Town, he was like the second sun rising from the west, bright and dazzling, emitting a sense of absolute purity and cleanliness. Bathing in such light, everyone felt warm and comfortable, and their spirits were much soothed. So this is True Qi, this is the external manifestation of Innate prowess, Zhou Heng murmured softly. At this moment, he had allowed the Three Lives All Things internal view to converge with the external, refining Pure Yang True Qi and officially stepping into the realm of Secret Sixth Rank, truly breaking away from the mundane. Although at the peak of the Seventh Rank, Zhou Heng had already fought against experts of Secret Sixth Rank, and had even achieved victory relying on treasured weapons and special skills, he still didnt have a detailed understanding of the specifics of the Secret Sixth Rank. It was only after he truly stepped into this realm that he realized how dangerous it had been to use treasured weapons to fight against experts of this realm. First of all, the power of True Qi far exceeded that of Inner Qi. The latter comes from the martial artist themselves, a combination of physique and spirit, while the former is created by using special methods to combine Inner Qi with the natural energy of heaven and earth, refining a higher-level power. Not to mention the mobilization of the vast natural power of heaven and earth, just the inherent power of True Qi itself is a hundred times that of Inner Qi. Moreover, True Qi is more real compared to Inner Qi. Inner Qi has form but no substance. When Zhou Heng used to exert martial arts with Inner Qi, although he could feel the released Inner Qi shining and condensing various effects, in the end, it was just an image. Even if it could hurt people, it was insubstantial and would be scattered when faced with powerful weapons. True Qi, on the other hand, has both form and substance. Now when Zhou Heng uses True Qi to exert martial arts, such as Grasp Gold Hammer, he truly condenses a golden, shining hammer that is tangible and substantial. The power has increased untold times. Besides, after refining True Qi, the differences in Inner Strength also become apparent; different types and ranks of Inner Strength refine True Qi with different characteristics. This was already manifested at Lower Third Rank, but at the Secret Sixth Rank level, it was further intensified. For example, the Pure Yang True Qi that Zhou Heng refined is characterized by being utmost rigid and yang, dispelling evil spirits. No matter what martial arts he uses, they will embody these characteristics, and if he uses Pure Yang type martial arts, the characteristics are even stronger. Of course, what truly makes the strength of Secret Sixth Rank supremely surpass that of the Seventh Rank is the convergence of the external view, the mobilization of the qi of heaven and earth, and the control over the natural power. An ordinary Secret Sixth Rank martial artist, at full strength, can mobilize the natural energy of heaven and earth within a hundred feet radius. If they use martial arts for wide-range attacks, they can cover an area of a square mile. This, for the majority of those at the peak of the Seventh Rank, is unstoppable. Zhou Heng was no exception. If the two Secret Sixth Rank experts from Heavenly Palace had not aimed for precision in striking Zhou Heng, trying to avoid making too much commotion, and had instead flown in the sky and used wide-range attacks, perhaps Zhou Heng would have had to use some of his trump cards then. And these are just ordinary Secret Sixth Rank martial artists. If they come from major Martial Dao Sects and practice advanced Inner Strength, their power would be even greater, easily mobilizing natural energy within a three hundred feet radius and an attack range around three miles. The Pure Yang Dan Jing that Zhou Heng practiced belongs to this level. However, his internal view is extraordinary, with Three Lives All Things naturally conforming to the laws of nature, and when mobilizing the qi of heaven and earth, he surpasses others. Just after breaking through, he was able to mobilize the natural energy of heaven and earth within a five hundred feet radius. Moreover, those Middle Third Rank martial arts and Taoist Formulas he mastered can finally display their true power. After all, when he was at the peak of the Seventh Rank, he was unable to mobilize a massive amount of qi, and since Middle Third Rank martial arts mostly rely on the power of nature as their core, he naturally only captured their form. Things would be very different from now on. After refining True Qi, my control over that Cave Sky world has also improved, Zhou Hengs eyes shone brightly, with a glint of gold. He could feel that he was able to call upon a trace of the Power of Cave Sky at any time to enhance himself. With his current level of cultivation, the effects of the enhancement were limited. Just one thing. And that was the endless natural energy of heaven and earth! Zhou Heng could replenish his True Qi anytime and anywhere, which meant that he almost never faced the situation where his True Qi was exhausted. Even if he were imprisoned in a spiritless land devoid of natural energy, he could still wield the energy from within the Cave Sky to cast powerful Martial Arts or Taoist Formulas. This one aspect alone was enough to make him a strong contender at the Secret Six Rank level, having just had a breakthrough. However, now I primarily cultivate Pure Yang True Qi, which doesnt quite align with the inner scenery of the Three Lives and All Creations. While realizing a whole new realm, Zhou Heng also spotted the problem with his current cultivation practice. The concept of Three Lives and All Creations is based on inclusiveness and accommodating everything, which has been the core of his Martial Path will all along. It was fine when he was at the Lower Third Rank, with Inner Strength like the Minor No-Limits Skill and Innate Skill combined, but now he was fully concentrated on Pure Yang True Qi, which was at odds with his Martial Path will. This was not a minor issue. True Qi is the foundation of True Gang, and the process of refining Dharma Phases to break through to the Sect Fifth Rank is the integration of True Gang with the inner scenery. If the Martial Path will embodied in the inner scenery is different from the True Gang, it would definitely cause trouble in refining the Dharma Phase and might even create a huge bottleneck that could prevent a breakthrough. Next, I should cultivate more Inner Strength, Zhou Heng thought to himself. However, in addition to cultivating more, it would be best to have a main Inner Strength that could coordinate all True Qi and work together with the inner scenery. What he thought of first, naturally, were the remaining Fortune Bags and Treasure boxes. If he could obtain some Inner Strength of Absolute Fourth Rank or even Heavenly Third Rank from them, then all these problems would be easily resolved. However, from past experience, Whether it was Fortune Bags or Treasure boxes, the chance of obtaining Inner Strength was extremely low; he hadnt even obtained a single Secret Six Rank Inner Strength to date. This was a matter of luck, and he couldnt pin all his hopes on this aspect. Besides this, the only choice left was to return to Ta Hua and consult Yan Shouyi to find out if Pure Yang Palace had any Martial Arts that could resolve his current issues and what he needed to do in order to learn them. Pure Yang Palace has clear regulations on the number of Martial Arts one can learn. Normally, a practitioner at a certain rank can only choose one piece of Inner Strength of that rank to learn for free. To learn more, one must complete missions at the corresponding level. Zhou Heng had already cultivated the Sect Fifth Rank Pure Yang Dan Jing and had broken through to the Secret Six Rank. According to the rules, he was actually entitled to choose another Secret Six Rank Inner Strength. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But this would only enrich the variety of his True Qi and would not serve as a main form of Inner Strength nor help in coordinating with the will of the inner scenery. If Pure Yang Palace didnt have a suitable Martial Art, Zhou Heng would have to turn to the Wishing Pool in the Ziwei Palaces Star Sea Realm. However, he had just visited the Wishing Pool recently, and he would have to wait at least three months before he could enter again. Ill start with the Fortune Bags and Treasure Boxes first, Zhou Heng decided after a moment of contemplation, musing, I hope to acquire some decent Inner Strength. Open all the Fortune Bags and Platinum Treasure Boxes! Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Chapter 13 Moral Scripture, Supreme Law Chapter 293: Chapter 13 Moral Scripture, Supreme Law ` Congratulations! You have obtained a special skill card: Xia Shu Immortal Clothes Method*1. Congratulations! You have hit the jackpot and acquired the martial arts technique Thirteen Layers of Qingyuan Sword Manual [Sect Fifth Rank]. Congratulations! You have hit the jackpot and acquired the Taoist formula Six Ding Mountain Opening Charm [Sect Fifth Rank]. Congratulations! You have acquired the martial arts technique The Eternal Life Chant [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! You have acquired the Taoist formula Virgin Stealing Energy Art [Secret Six Rank]. Congratulations! You have hit the jackpot and acquired a special spiritual material: Sunfire Fierce Sun Iron [Fifth Rank]. Congratulations! You have acquired a basic attribute: Spiritual Root+1. Congratulations! You have obtained a special item: Shining Flowing Immortal Skirt*1. Congratulations! You have obtained a special skill card: Misfortune Card*1. Congratulations! You have hit the jackpot and obtained a special item: Supreme Riding Bull Picture. Congratulations! You have acquired the martial arts technique Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Congratulations! You have hit the jackpot and obtained the Taoist formula Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank]. Congratulations! Upon opening the platinum treasure box, you have hit the jackpot and received a magic weapon projection card: Heaven Rotating Seal [Silver]. This time, the rewards were indeed quite abundant. Especially that Heaven Rotating Seal projection card, it added another ultimate finishing move to Zhou Hengs arsenal. The majority of the rest were sword manuals and sword techniques, which perfectly fitted the combat path he was planning to take. Having a treasure like the Purple Lightning Flying Sword and not practicing the flying sword technique would be a wasted opportunity. The Sunfire Fierce Sun Iron could be used as the main material for forging a replica of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover, a rarely seen Fifth Rank spiritual material. There were also a few rewards that made Zhou Heng feel somewhat puzzled. Xia Shu Immortal Clothes Method: Upon use, you can bewitch your foe with your charm, causing them to become infatuated and abandon the thought of attacking. The higher your charm, the stronger the effect. Virgin Stealing Energy Art: A Secret Six Rank martial arts technique, a method of stealing yin to replenish yang through sexual intercourse, stealing the opponents essence and refining it into ones own True Qi. Only women can perform it. Shining Flowing Immortal Skirt: A legendary garment worn by female immortals, capable of emitting the aura of a holy fairy, greatly enhancing the wearers charm. For women only. These three rewards inexplicably reminded Zhou Heng of the Peerless Beauty Card he had acquired before. Could they be used in combination? Pah! Combine my foot! Zhou Heng quickly shook his head, discarding the thought that had somehow popped into his mind. He also shifted his attention to other areas. The rewards from the three Gold Fortune Bags. These were also the highlights of opening the fortune bags, besides the platinum treasure box. Zhou Heng had two Gold Fortune Bags previously, and was awarded another after his breakthrough to Secret Six Rank, which gave him three Gold Fortune Bags he opened all at once. Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique: An Absolute Fourth Rank martial arts technique, with eight levels in total. The first four levels are at the Sect Fifth Rank, and the next four are at the Absolute Fourth Rank. One must attain Perfection at the tenth level of the Golden Bell Cover [Secret Six Rank] before practicing it. It allows one to refine the Golden Bell protective aura into a full-body golden armor, achieving a Vajra Unbreakable Dharma Body with powers that are unstoppable and immune to all poisons, supremely firm and yang, able to slay evils and exorcise demons. If one perfects it to the eighth level, the counterattack effect towards enemies greatly increases, reflecting back seventy percent of the enemies attacks. Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual: An Absolute Fourth Rank Taoist formula, this is the basic Taoist formula for the Yellow Mystery Method from the Book of Taoist Moralitys Supreme Eight Methods. Once the formula is perfected, the treasure pagoda appears instantly, with endless mana and an indestructible pagoda, repelling all evil, impervious to all methods. One needs to gather the qi of virtue to master it. Both of these were undoubtedly excellent techniques for body protection and life preservation, but both had their restrictions. The former required the Golden Bell Cover to reach the tenth level, and he was currently only at the sixth level, still far off, while the latter required the qi of virtue. ` However, the origin of the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual still excited him. Book of Taoist Morality! Supreme Eight Methods! Although it belongs to the Absolute Fourth Rank just like the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique, its significance is decidedly different. Just by hearing its name, one could think of that legendary treasure. The Yellow Heaven and Earth Exquisite Tower! Coming from the Supreme teachings, such a defensive Taoist Formula would definitely be unimaginably powerful. Especially the quote As long as the mana is inexhaustible, the pagoda stands indestructible, which was a perfect match for Zhou Heng, who had just acquired the boost of Cave Skys essential energy. At least before reaching Absolute Fourth Rank, there was no need to worry about running out of True Qi or mana. If he could master this Taoist Formula, his defensive capabilities would increase a hundredfold! However, cultivating the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual required collecting merit energy, which puzzled Zhou Heng. What is merit? Healing the sick and rescuing the needy, punishing the wicked and eradicating evil, slaying demons and banishing devils, is that considered merit? Or is it meritorious to contribute to the heavens, earth, and all beings? Hmm, it looks like Ill need to return to the mountain to consult. At this moment, Zhou Heng realized the importance of organization; if he were to ponder on his own, who knows what kind of problems could arise. For Martial Arts and Taoist Formulas like this, which require special cultivation conditions, even if he were to forcefully comprehend it, the proficiency would never reach 1, and he simply couldnt learn it. Besides those two, there was that special item Supreme Riding an Ox Picture. It looked like a very ordinary scroll, and apart from the distant mountains and mist as the background, the main subject was an old man riding a blue ox, with white hair and a benign countenance, but without any signs of divinity. It seemed just like a very ordinary, common old man. But Zhou Heng knew that this painting should be depicting Laozi, who is respected as the Taqing Heavenly Sovereign. There were too many legends about him to count, and Zhou Heng didnt know which version to believe. One thing was certain: this old man was definitely one of the most supreme and eminent figures of all. But what is the mystery of this painting? Zhou Heng looked at it from the left and right but couldnt see anything special, so he could only put it away in his Gold Fortune Bag for safekeeping. Overall, the gains were still quite good. Aside from that one peculiar skill card, he also obtained practical cards like the Misfortune Card, Memory Drop Card, and Appraisal Card. It was just a bit regretful in terms of Inner Strength. There was only one Secret Sixth Rank The Eternal Life Chant. He wondered if he would have the chance to obtain the Broad Achievement Heavenly Book in the future. The Tai Hua Mount in the early morning of March was still rather cold. It was still snowing in front of the gates of the Pure Yang Palace at the foot of the mountain. The mountain-guarding disciple Wu Shanshan wrapped herself in a sheepskin overcoat, her somewhat baby-faced and pretty little face reddened by the cold. She was a Seventh Generation Inner Sect Disciple who had just joined last month. With good innate talent, at only thirteen years old, she had already perfected a Ninth Grade move. As long as she could perfect a Ninth Grade stance as well, she would be able to step into the Ninth Grade. Woowoo, I really want to go back to the mountain to eat rabbit. Wu Shanshan buried her little face in the wool of her overcoat, missing the stove on the mountain and the roasted rabbit, But, the senior brothers and sisters said only important Inner Sect Disciples have the chance to guard the mountain gate. Does this mean Im regarded as important? Clang! Just at that moment, a swords cry echoed from the distant sky, and simultaneously a sword light like purple lightning tore through the sky, carrying a swirl of snowflakes from the clouds, and landed before the mountain gate. Who goes there! Wu Shanshan immediately uncovered her wool, trying to look serious, but ended up looking even more endearing. Are you a new Inner Sect Disciple? A warm and gentle voice came through the wind and snow, and a young man wearing a Pure Yang Palace Taoist robe walked out from the midst of it, smiling. Ah? Wu Shanshan recognized the pattern on the robe and immediately knew that this person must be a Sixth Generation true disciple. Upon seeing his face, she was struck by his handsome and dashing appearance. Could there really be such a dashing elder in the mountain? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only She suddenly became nervous, buried her face back into the wool, and nodded repeatedly, saying, Yes, yes, Senior Uncle, my name is Wu Shanshan. I just joined the Inner Sect last month. My name is Zhou Heng, you can call me Junior Uncle Zhou. Zhou Heng said with a smile, gently patted Wu Shanshans head, and then proceeded up the mountain. Zhou Heng? Wow! Thats the Junior Uncle Zhou, famed as the Purple Lightning Sword Immortal! No wonder hes so good-looking! Wu Shanshan immediately became excited. But then she became puzzled: But I heard that this Junior Uncle Zhou has only been in the sect for less than a year. How can he already fly? Thats something only a Secret Sixth Rank expert can do Could it be that Junior Uncle Zhou is already at Secret Sixth Rank?! Thats too fast! Chapter 294 - Chapter 294: Chapter 14: Bearing Cause and Effect, Rewarding Virtue Chapter 294: Chapter 14: Bearing Cause and Effect, Rewarding Virtue Taihua Mountain, Jade Void Peak Golden Top. Blanketed in a pure silver dressing, mountain winds howled, and the sea of clouds churned, faintly revealing a Three-legged Golden Tripod. Whoosh! Just then, the sea of clouds suddenly rose up, as a purple streak of lightning shot upwards from below, piercing through the vapors of the clouds and bringing a blizzard down upon the Golden Peak. When the dazzling light had dissipated, a handsome young man in a Taoist robe appeared. It was Zhou Heng. Junior Brother, congratulations on reaching Secret Sixth Rank, Yan Shouyi approached with a loud laugh, True Qi has shaped your form, and you can fly away from the ground. Had this been in ancient times, you would have also earned the reputation of an Immortal. Its merely the beginning of Innate; how can I claim the title of an Immortal? Zhou Heng shook his head and forced a smile, Brother, in truth, my return to the mountain this time is to seek answers to some questions. I could sense you had doubts in your heart, Yan Shouyi smiled, walking to the stone table at the edge of the cliff, flicked his finger, and two cups of tea suddenly appeared on the table. He sat down and said, Come, lets talk. Alright. Zhou Heng followed and sat across from Yan Shouyi, speaking in a deep voice, Brother, what is merit? Merit? Yan Shouyi was momentarily stunned by the question, then laughed, Junior Brother, are you trying to collect the energy of merit? Thats right. Zhou Heng nodded without concealing his intention, It is needed for my cultivation method. I see, Yan Shouyi did not press further but smiled and explained, Being sincere brings merit, being virtuous brings deeds; utmost sincerity and virtue define merit. This is a common interpretation in both Buddhism and Daoism. However, if we speak in terms of the Martial Path, merit has another explanation. Buddhism discusses cause and effect, Daoism speaks of bearing the burden. Although the meanings differ somewhat, both actually speak about how ones actions bring about various kinds of responses from heaven and earth, and merit is one of these responses. There is a saying Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all creatures as straw dogs; why would there be any recompense from heaven and earth? Zhou Heng questioned, for if heaven and earth had feelings, then there must be partiality, and the rules of the world would be out of order. Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all creatures as straw dogs Yan Shouyi murmured to himself, slowly chewing on these words, then clapped in admiration, What a vivid description, so profound in meaning; Junior Brother, you should write down this statement. No, no, no, Brother, I heard it from an ancient sage, Zhou Heng hastened to clarify with a wave of his hand, shaking his head. He wouldnt dare plagiarize this statement; even if he had the guts to encompass the heavens, he wouldnt dare, for the Chart of Supreme Riding the Ox was still stored in his Qiankun silk pouch. Although its effects were unclear, caution was paramount. Truly the words of a great sage, Yan Shouyi praised without end, then after a pause continued, Junior Brother, youre not wrong. Heaven and earth are not benevolent, impartial and unfeeling, yet that does not mean there will not be recompense because it is part of the natural laws. All things in the world generate and restrain each other; nothing exists that does not affect something else. Every action of any thing will have an impact on other things, just as when you walk, the ground supports you as your feet press down on it, this is the principle. So, the action of forces is mutual? Zhou Heng mused to himself, feeling somewhat enlightened, and asked, Does Brother mean to say that merit and recompense are actually the natural feedback from heaven and earth to certain behaviors? Exactly, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly, visibly gratified, and smiled, The more your actions align with the current rules of operation of heaven and earth, or the closer they are to certain fundamental Law principles, the more likely you are to receive heaven and earths feedback, which includes merit. To some extent, this process of aligning with the fundamental Law principles is very similar to Absolute Fourth Rank sensing and approaching the Law. That is why when a Grandmaster breaks through to Celestial Man, it is sometimes called Perfection of Merit. In our world, the prevailing trend of laws is to resist and exterminate demon entities, evil creatures, and ghost immortals. Actually, killing these beings is a way of accumulating meritorious energy. But Ive also killed quite a number of ghost immortals, evil creatures, and demon entities, Zhou Heng said with a frown. Why havent I succeeded in gathering meritorious qi? Because you are still too insignificant. Yan Shouyi shook his head slightly, saying, To this world, your strength is negligible; the spirits and demons you kill are too weak to elicit the worlds meritorious feedback. Just like a common person punching a mountain, he would only feel a slight pain, instead of being crushed by the mountain into dust, right? Hmm that makes sense. Zhou Heng nodded, still somewhat puzzled, and said, But Brother, I dont think Ive even felt that slight pain. Little brother, what do you think the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers good deeds are? Yan Shouyi said with a smile that wasnt quite a smile, Do you think they are just a trade tool designed out of thin air? Zhou Heng was awakened by that remark and suddenly understood a lot, joyfully saying, So thats how it is; good deeds are actually extremely subtle feedback of meritorious energy. No wonder killing spirits and demons yields good deeds. Exactly, Yan Shouyi nodded and laughed. If I accumulate enough good deeds, is there a way to aggregate them into meritorious energy? Zhou Heng suddenly wondered. Thats not possible, Yan Shouyi laughed, Good deeds, although they are subtle feedback of meritorious energy, are fundamentally different. The idea of aggregating good deeds into meritorious energy is like a common person pushing a mountain ten thousand times and wanting to concentrate the feedback from those ten thousand pushesits obviously not possible. Then, if I were to kill a Middle Third Rank spirit or demon, could I then receive meritorious energy? Zhou Heng speculated, thinking about the rules of the Zhou Tian star chart, where Martial Artists of the Middle Third Rank get very little good deeds for killing spirits and demons. This does not conform to the laws of the world. Perhaps it is because at this level, they can already affect the operation of the worlds laws to a certain extent, and exterminating Middle Third Rank spirits and demons directly garners meritorious energythe good deeds are just the leftover scraps, naturally becoming less. And for a Middle Third Rank powerhouse to exterminate Lower Third Rank spirits and demons, thats like a common person crushing a clump of earthit hardly requires any effort, so the feedback obtained naturally plummets. Thats right, but its still not possible at the Secret Six Rank; you need to reach Sect Fifth Rank, Yan Shouyi said. Now? Zhou Heng noticed a problem. Yes, now, because the worlds laws are subject to change, Yan Shouyi sighed softly, Perhaps in a few years, even exterminating Secret Six Rank will gain meritorious energy. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng fell silent at those words. He had understood what Yan Shouyi meant; the lower threshold for gaining meritorious energy indicates that the crisis of this world is intensifying, the operating laws are changing, and feedback will be easier to obtain. Little brother, for you right now, dealing with Sect Fifth Rank spirits and demons is still too dangerous, Yan Shouyi changed the subject, smilingly said, I just thought of a good way to collect meritorious qi. Ghost spirits at Sect Fifth Rank might ascend to be Ghost Immortals, and evil creatures at Sect Fifth Rank might ascend to be malevolent spirits, both greatly increasing in danger. What method? Zhou Heng asked curiously. Chapter 295 - Chapter 295: Chapter 15: Longevity True Energy, Pure Yang Furious Thunder Chapter 295: Chapter 15: Longevity True Energy, Pure Yang Furious Thunder Its a matter of flexibility, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. The core reason why you find it difficult to acquire merit now is that you are too weak compared to this world. But what if we change the world? Brother, are you suggesting Zhou Hengs eyes lit up as he said, Switch to another world that is weaker than this one? Precisely, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly and continued, Younger brother, with your current True Energy Realm cultivation, youre merely an ordinary Secret Sixth Rank in our world, at most a bit more powerful. However, if you were in a world where the strongest are only at the level of the Seventh Rank, you would be like an immortal on earth, and your actions would naturally evoke a greater response from the world. Ah, thats a good idea! Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, but then he had some doubts, But will the merit acquired in this way be any different from that obtained in our world? Theres essentially no difference, Yan Shouyi shook his head and explained, Just that there will be a difference in quantity. Perhaps what you accomplish in other worlds might only be a little more than what youd gain from killing a Sect Fifth Rank fiend. Sect Fifth Rank fiends arent so common either, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Looking at it this way, going to other worlds to accumulate merit is indeed a good idea. Thats the principle, Yan Shouyi nodded slightly and said, However, the details of how to act in accordance with the laws of the worlds operation will require detailed information about the world, which your Zhou Tian Boundary Officer should have. Mhm, I will inquire about it, Zhou Heng nodded and then smiled, Brother, you seem to know quite a bit about the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Younger brother, youre overthinking it, Yan Shouyi said with a light laugh. As the headmaster of the Pure Yang Palace and the top of the celestial ranking, could the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer be unrelated to me? That makes sense, Zhou Heng nodded. So when do you plan to explore? Yan Shouyi asked. Theres no rush for that. Right now, I plan to consolidate the cultivation realm Ive just broken through on the mountain, Zhou Heng said thoughtfully. Additionally, I have another matter I wish to inquire about when I return to the mountain this time. He then simply explained to Yan Shouyi his need to practice various types of True Qi and the need for more inner strength techniques. Thats easy to say, Yan Shouyi drank a cup of tea and smiled, Later, Ill have Chen Xuan take you to Daoxu Cave Sky, where many martial arts manuals are stored. However, the rules of the Pure Yang Sect are set. You dont get secret techniques for nothing. Besides the initial techniques learned, if you want to learn more martial arts, youll have to complete corresponding missions, so be prepared, younger brother. Rest assured, brother, Im prepared, Zhou Heng smiled and said, But theres no hurry for this either. After I have consolidated my cultivation in a few days, it wont be late for brother to have Chen Xuan take me to Daoxu Cave Sky then. Then you can stay at the Golden Peak for now, and let me know once youve consolidated your cultivation realm, Yan Shouyi nodded gently and smiled, There are a few side halls here as well. It is dull for me alone; you can keep me company with a cup of tea. Thank you, brother, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled. The next day at dawn, as the sun began to rise and the purple mist lingered. Zhou Heng was sitting cross-legged amidst the clouds in front of the Golden Peak, his eyes slightly closed as his inner and outer aspects became one with heaven and earth, displaying an inclusive demeanor that corresponded with the mornings purple aura in the distant sky. He was comprehending and practicing the Eternal Life Chant. You are comprehending the martial arts technique The Eternal Life Chant [Secret Sixth Rank]. Because you have profound knowledge in similar martial arts, you have a flash of insight, understanding its mysteries, Proficiency +1. Congratulations! You have reached Proficiency 1 in The Eternal Life Chant [Secret Sixth Rank], officially mastering this martial arts, and because you have profound knowledge in similar martial arts, Proficiency +25000. Congratulations! Because you have mastered similar martial arts, your insight into Pure Yang Dan Jing [Sect Fifth Rank] has deepened, blessed by serendipity, Proficiency +1000. Congratulations! Because your inner strength True Qi is nurturing your body, improving your physical strength, the proficiency of Golden Bell Cover [Secret Sixth Rank] has increased by +2000. Congratulations! As your Inner Qi and True Qi have improved, your proficiency in the Innate Formless Sword Finger [Secret Six Rank] has increased by 1000. [Secret Six Rank] The Eternal Life Chant: Seventh Layer (5871/7000) By the time the morning sun rose and the violet qi had dissipated, the sea of clouds surrounding the peak of Yuxu had already been tinged with streaks of golden dawn. It was a sight befitting the name Golden Peak. Zhou Heng had cultivated the Longevity True Energy, bringing along a series of upgrades. He also truly comprehended the profound mysteries of this part of The Eternal Life Chant. This was a set of Inner Strength that focused more on the cultivation of the self, channeling the wonders of the world through the bodys meridian points, drawing in the Qi of heaven and earth to refine it, and in turn, strengthen ones own True Qi. If one obtained this skill while still at Lower Third Rank, it would be possible to directly cultivate Innate True Qi, and at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, it might not be impossible to fully unleash that power to stiffly challenge a warrior at the Realm of Secret Six Rank True Qi. It could truly be called a Divine Skill. Unfortunately, at the level of Secret Six Rank, using the inner realm of the body to resonate with the principles of the outer world and drawing in the Qi of heaven and earth was no longer unique to The Eternal Life Chant but a common practice for everyone. Therefore, for the vast majority of Secret Six Rank Warriors, The Eternal Life Chant was really only considered an ordinary rejuvenating martial arts skill, with some additional life-extending capabilities. But Zhou Heng was different; his inner world encompassed everything, capable of containing all. After he had cultivated the Longevity True Energy, his inner world embraced it, thereby enhancing its original effects. This allowed Zhou Heng to extend his range for channeling the Qi of heaven and earth by a little, from originally at most a circumference of five hundred paces to nearly five hundred and fifty paces, and made drawing in the Qi of heaven and earth even more effortless, especially when it came to executing Taoist Formulas, making it smoother and more fluid. Compared to martial arts, the True Qi cultivated from The Eternal Life Chant is clearly more suited for executing Taoist Formulas, Zhou Heng thought to himself with a chuckle. At the same time, he couldnt help but wonder if The Eternal Life Chant could be used as a foundation for crafting and modifying some so-called Immortal cultivation methods? However, this was just a spontaneous thought, a mere divergence of his mind and not something he had deeply considered. In the following half month, Zhou Heng spent his time around the sea of clouds near Golden Peak, tempering his True Qi and refining his body, solidifying his realm at the Secret Six Rank and cultivating the three Sect Fifth Rank martial arts he had previously obtained in the Cave Sky of Yuanzhenzi. Specifically: Cavernous Mystery Induction, Heavenly Abyss Thousand Shadows Light Dividing Sword Technique, and Jade Cosmos Dust Clearing Saber Technique. All were supreme martial techniques of the master level from the Zhi Xu Sect, and had already been lost three thousand years ago; even the current sect leader of the Zhi Xu Sect, Chen Yingyu, did not know them. I must find an opportunity to return the Zhi Xu Sects legacy I acquired from the statue of the Taoist Sage Qing Yu, Zhou Heng pondered in his heart. Having accepted the rich reward of three Sect Fifth Rank martial arts from the Zhi Xu Sect, and one Heavenly Third Rank divine skill, he was obliged to fulfill his commitment. With this thought in mind, he slowly opened his half-closed eyes, retracted his Divine Sense that had been attuning to the principles of the world, calmed the True Qi that was circulating, stood up, stepped onto the sea of clouds, tread through the void, and returned atop the Golden Peak. It was time to head to the Dao Xu Cave Sky. At the rear mountain of Yuxu Peak, the winds howled with snow, yet they could not come close to the plank road by even a hairs breadth. Zhou Heng and Chen Xuan were walking on this plank road toward the entrance to the Dao Xu Cave Sky. The entire road had restrictions in place, not only blocking the wind and snow but also prohibiting flight. This was because the Dao Xu Cave Sky was actually left behind by a Celestial Man from the third generation of disciples of Pure Yang Palace after he had passed away in meditation. For the vast majority of disciples today, this Celestial Man was an ancestor, and visiting the Dao Xu Cave Sky was essentially akin to paying respects at an ancestral mausoleum; the necessary respect had to be shown. Having traversed the lengthy plank walkway, the two arrived on a suspended stone platform jutting out from the cliff face, where a thick white mist lay ahead. Little Uncle-Master, please wait a moment. Chen Xuan stepped forward, took out a white jade token engraved with intricate designs, performed hand seals, muttered incantations, and then shouted lowly, Open! No sooner had his voice faded than the white jade token began to glow with a radiant aqua light, which illuminated the dense white mist before them, causing it to swirl and part, revealing a golden-glowing portal suspended in mid-air. Little Uncle-Master, this is the Taoxu Heavenly Gate, Chen Xuan said respectfully. Please enter. He was only there to bring Zhou Heng to the gate and to open it; he would not go through himself. Thank you. Zhou Heng nodded gently and then stepped onto the void, walking off the suspended stone platform towards the Taoxu Heavenly Gate. Beneath his feet was a seemingly bottomless abyss, yet he did not fall; the power of the Taoxu Heavenly Gate had formed an invisible path as soon as the portal manifested. When Zhou Heng arrived at the gate, he saw the golden light circulating rapidly, enveloping him, and in the next instant, he found himself in another world. This place seemed to lack distinction between heaven and earth, nor was there a sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, or any life formsjust a gray, murky world with laws and principles that were profoundly obscure. Certainly, this was not a normal world. However, before coming to Taoxu Cave Sky, Zhou Heng had heard Yan Shouyi mention that this cave sky had been modified and was now totally different from ordinary cave skies, so there was no surprise there. In Taoxu Cave Sky, there was no specified location to store secret manuals, for all the martial arts and Taoist formulas were already embedded within the great laws of this world. One only needed to call out with their voice to bring up a list of titles and to learn what tasks needed to be completed to obtain the manuals. Most of these tasks originated from messages sent by disciples of Pure Yang Palace who were outside, either asking for the Sects help or reporting information about certain enemies back to the Sect After being sorted out by designated individuals, these messages were transformed into specific missions and then matched to martial arts of varying levels according to their difficulty and urgency. However, because the number of martial arts and tasks didnt usually correspond, it was common for one martial art to be linked with several tasks, or for multiple martial arts to be associated with a single task. Completing a task would allow one to choose freely from the corresponding martial arts. Absolute Fourth Rank Inner Strength, Zhou Heng intoned deeply. Since he was searching, he might as well start with the formidable oneseven if he couldnt complete the tasks, he could get a glimpse before choosing a Sect Fifth Rank skill. As soon as these words were spoken, he saw a string of catalogs appear before him, totaling thirty-seven inner strength manuals. Escape to Heaven Great Method, Treasured Thunder Dharma Body, Pure Yang Great Sage Golden Book, Limitless True Yang Immortal Technique, Zhou Heng checked the requirements to obtain the Escape to Heaven Great Method. You must slay the Loose Immortal Empty Void who is the master of the Three Suns Palace in the Eastern Sea. He then looked at the Pure Yang Great Sage Golden Book. You must kill nine grandmasters of Absolute Fourth Rank from the four major evil paths and seize a Fourth Rank treasured weapon of the evil paths. Zhou Heng quickly realized that this was not something he should be looking at now. Thus, he altered his call to Sect Fifth Rank Inner Strength. Immediately, the catalog before Zhou Hengs eyes changed, with the number of manuals increasing significantlythis time, there were nearly two hundred. This implied that just among the Sect Fifth Rank martial arts legacies transmitted in Pure Yang Palace, there were over two hundred different inner strength manualsa treasure trove for countless medium-sized sects and something smaller factions could only dream of acquiring. The foundation of Pure Yang Palace was indeed profound. Even Zhou Heng, looking at these secret manuals, was somewhat dazzled and at a loss as to which martial art to choose. However, after some contemplation, he decided to select based on the missionsseeing which tasks were relatively easy to complete and also had good quality inner strength manuals. This would be his priority. In the end, Zhou Heng chose Pure Yang Furious Thunder Technique. This was an inner strength technique of Sect Fifth Rank derived from Pure Yang Dan Jing, which allowed the manifestation of the might of thunder within Pure Yang True Qi and the cultivation of the Pure Yang Furious Thunder Dharma Phase. It was like the enraged Thunder God, with vast and formidable power. For Zhou Heng, this technique was not only convenient and quick to cultivate, but it would also directly enhance the power of his Purple Thunder Blade Skill, Divine Sword Thunder Control, and Five Thunder Righteous Method. It was indeed a perfect fit for him. The corresponding mission was also to Zhou Hengs liking. As a derivative of Pure Yang Dan Jing, it wasnt overly difficult. The location was in Anhe Prefecture of Pingzhou, adjacent to Huangtong Mansiona place he was familiar with. According to the mission details Starting from a month ago, burly men or male martial artists with significant cultivation began disappearing in the middle of the night across Anhe Prefecture, and soon their emaciated corpses were found on the streets. Among them were well-known Seventh Rank Warriors from the local area. The prefectural city officials couldnt uncover the truth or catch the culprit, causing extreme panic among the populace. More than half a month ago, the son of Weng Kang, the proprietor of the Yuhua treasure shop in Anhe Prefecture city, fell victim as well. Both Weng Kang and his son were external disciples of Pure Yang Palace, and Weng himself was responsible for all of Pure Yang Palaces jewelry industries in the multiple prefectures of Pingzhou, having earned a great wealth for the Sect. Thus, Weng Kang sent a letter to the Sect, hoping to uncover the truth and avenge his son. Upon receiving the letter, Pure Yang Palace, after review and arrangement by disciples specifically in charge of such matters, suspected that a high-ranking evil practitioner from Honghua Palace was cultivating a malevolent technique of absorbing Yang to replenish Yin. The task was set up accordingly, and it was recommended that those who undertook it should be no lower than Secret Sixth Rank. Tasks from Pure Yang Palace were not only for exchanging secret manuals; they would also be issued elsewhere, and upon completion, could be exchanged for other items. Hence, it wouldnt delay the missions timing. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After accepting the task, Zhou Heng immediately descended from Taihua Mount. He headed to Purple Tenuity Palace, then from there, he appeared in Pingzhou. Afterward, he flew with his sword, riding the wind and controlling the Qi, heading towards Anhe Prefecture. Having broken through to Secret Sixth Rank, he had been constantly cultivating. He was indeed itching for a fight. And what better way than to test his martial arts on an evil practitioner? Chapter 296 - Chapter 296: Chapter 16 No Longer Among the Living Chapter 296: Chapter 16 No Longer Among the Living Anhe Prefecture is located in the central part of Pingzhou Mansion, named for its fertile disciples and the perennial abundance of grain produced there. A hundred years ago, a large amount of jade mineral was discovered in the mountains behind the prefectural city, attracting scores of jewelry shops upon the news. After decades of overt and covert struggles, all the jewelry shops were eventually subdued by an external disciple dispatched by the Pure Yang Palace, turning Anhe Prefecture into the largest jewelry city in Pingzhou. As a result, the wealth of Anhe Prefecture City ranked first across Pingzhou County, drawing a great deal of merchants, and naturally, the transportation developedconvenient for many jianghu martial artists to travel here. Over time, Anhe Prefecture became a must-visit destination for many warriors traveling to Pingzhou. Especially recently, it was rumored that a nefarious master was causing havoc in Anhe Prefecture, reducing the number of ordinary merchants and tourists, but the number of jianghu martial artists visiting has increased instead. Among them, there certainly are those who overflow with a sense of justice, wanting to rid the place of evil, but more are actually hoping to slay the nefarious master and thereby achieve instant fame and glory. Of course, there are also those who are just there for the spectacle. Sheng Xinrou and her companions belonged to those who came for the spectacle. However, since this time the nefarious master targeted male warriors, the young heroes who usually orbited around her dared not come, so she had to bring two of her best girlfriends along. Today just happened to be the first day of April, which was also the time for the new ranking update of the Heaven, Earth, and People Rankings. Normally, the notice board where the rankings are posted in front of the Buwu Office, as well as the large taverns and inns that transcribe the rankings, would be surrounded by huge crowds. Now, these places are much less busy, but you can still find crowds three layers deep on the inside and outside. However, most are jianghu martial artists who fear neither heaven nor earth; there arent many ordinary people. Sheng Xinrou and her two best girlfriends squeezed to the front. She wanted to be the first to hear news about Zhou Heng, even though she already knew he was definitely sitting securely in second place. After all, Fang Wen, the first place, had disappeared, and a face-off was not possible; none of those behind were a match for Zhou Heng, so there wasnt much suspense. Yet, she still wanted to be the first to see the latest news about Zhou Heng on the People Rankings. This was a feeling akin to worship. In fact, ever since Yuanhe Prefecture City, she had been following the news about Zhou Heng. Watching Zhou Heng climb the People Rankings step by step, becoming the famous Uncle Master of Pure Yang in the jianghu, the second place on the People Rankings, the Purple Lightning Sword Immortal. She felt an inexplicable joy in her heart. If Zhou Heng knew about Sheng Xinrous feelings, he would understand that this was akin to a fan psychology. Last months People Rankings didnt update any information about Zhou Heng, I wonder if there will be any new news this time? Sheng Xinrou looked expectantly toward the People Rankings, directly at the name in second place, but she was instantly stunned. Second place: Saint Descendant Zhou Yin, Lu Yang Zhou family of Southern Jin Whats going on? Zhou Heng lost to Zhou Yin? Thats impossible! Sheng Xinrou found it unbelievable, unable to imagine who could defeat Zhou Heng with his strength capable of slaying a Secret Six Rank. In her heart, Zhou Heng should have been first on the People Rankings. It was just that, without the opportunity to confront Fang Wen, he had to settle for second place. But now, why isnt Zhou Heng even second anymore? Zhou Heng is no longer in second place, no, hes not even in the top ten anymore, came the exclamation of her girlfriends, and Sheng Xinrou slowly snapped back to reality, looking towards the other rankings on the People Rankings. Third place: Jade Xiao Heavenly Immortal Cheng Jianjian, Pure Yang Palaces Jade Qiong Peak Fourth place: Fifth place: One hundredth place: Nothing, its completely gone! Zhou Heng was not just absent from the top ten, or even top twenty or thirty; even up to the hundredth place, his name was nowhere to be found. This meant that he was no longer on the Peoples Ranking. How could this be? Sheng Xinrou began to doubt her life. Other people also quickly noticed this issue and immediately started discussing it. How could a rising young master suddenly disappear from the Peoples Ranking? Why isnt Zhou Heng on the Peoples Ranking anymore, what happened? Could something have happened? Impossible, with Zhou Hengs strength and status, what could possibly happen? As everyone knows, a master leaving the Peoples Ranking could mean they have either died, aged beyond the limit, or have had a breakthrough and are no longer Lower Third Rank, naturally falling off the list. Are you saying that Zhou Heng may have broken through the Lower Third Rank? How is that possible? Wasnt Zhou Heng a Ninth Rank Warrior just a year ago? Now hes reached Secret Six Rank? How can it be that fast? People argued back and forth. For most, progressing from Ninth Rank to Secret Six Rank within a year was completely against common sense. However, many were also in agreement with the notion. Zhou Heng is the reincarnation of a great power; isnt it expected that he cultivates quickly? Yes, exactly! The reincarnation of a great power, a disciple of a Tao Lord, and the younger brother of the one atop the Heavenly Ranking, how could his cultivation speed be the same as ordinary people? I think its indeed because Zhou Heng has broken through to the Secret Six Rank, which is why hes automatically left the ranking. Amazing, truly amazing! At the same age of eighteen, I havent even reached Entry Rank, and hes already at Secret Six Rank. Listening to peoples debates, Sheng Xinrou felt her heart that had been hanging in suspense not only relax but also fill with joy, How wonderful, Mr. Zhou is still so formidable! Her two sisters beside her also exclaimed in admiration. And at the very back of the crowd stood a young woman dressed in plain white robes, wearing a bamboo hat, and a veil covering her face. Her gaze swept over the Peoples Ranking and, listening to the discussions about Zhou Heng around her, she subconsciously extended her tongue to lick her lips, her eyes becoming somewhat lost in a daze. Zhou Heng, reincarnation of a great power, an eighteen-year-old Secret Six Rank, a peerless genius, ah~ if I could capture him~ what an exquisite taste that would be! A strange desire arose within the woman. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng had already arrived at Anhe Prefecture City. Unlike his usual habit, he did not go to check the Peoples Ranking for news about himself but went directly to Yuhua Jewellery, the shop managed by Weng Kang. With the city in a state of panic, this once bustling shop had grown quite deserted, with sparrows at its door, many employees dismissed, leaving only two or three for daily cleaning. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The door was half open. Zhou Heng knocked lightly on the door, explained his purpose to the cleaning staff, and soon saw a white-haired old man hurry out from the inner hall of the shop. Uncle-Master, Uncle-Master! With tears streaming down his face, the old man approached Zhou Heng. The old man, who appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, actually bent his knees as if to kneel before Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng quickly used his True Qi to support him, waving his hand and said, Theres no need for that, I am here to investigate and resolve the previous incident, however, I still need to understand the details of what happened. Thank you so much, thank you so much, the old man repeated, grasping Zhou Hengs hand and respectfully said, Uncle-Master, please come in, come in, I will tell you everything that happened. Chapter 297 - Chapter 297: Chapter 17 Using Oneself as Bait Chapter 297: Chapter 17 Using Oneself as Bait The inner hall of the Yuhua Treasure Shop. Zhou Heng took his seat, opposite him sat Weng Kang with a haggard look on his face. This former figure, who relied on the great tree of the Pure Yang Palace and made his name in Pingzhous gemstone trade, now had no sparkle in his eyes, only dimness. The sudden murder of his son had a huge impact on him. Zhou Heng still cared about this because nearly half of the expenses of the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall in Huangtong Mansion City actually came from the jewelry industry operated by Weng Kang. If the profits from this industry were to decline, the future development of the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall would undoubtedly face difficulties. There was no doubt about it. Of course, slaying an evil martial artist was also what Zhou Heng should do. Uncle Master, Uncle Master, you have finally arrived! Weng Kang was particularly excited, his face filled with sorrow as he said, My son died so miserably, so miserably! Cough, cough, cough! As he spoke, he began to cough violently, startling the attendants beside him who hurried over to gently pat his back, smoothing his breathing. In theory, with his Seventh Rank cultivation, his body should not be so weak; his current state clearly resulted from his mind and spirit suffering a great blow, an elder sending off someone younger, devastated by grief. Shopkeeper Weng, no need to get excited, take your time, Zhou Heng sighed softly. At the same time, he discreetly spread some faint True Qi. This made everyone in the inner hall feel as if bathed in spring breeze, Weng Kangs agitated emotions somewhat eased, and his pallid face regained some color. Thank you, Uncle Master, Weng Kang took a deep breath and gave thanks, Uncle Master, it happened like this: my son, named Weng Zhen, was only in his thirties this year, and being engrossed in martial arts, he had not yet married, which I hadnt rushed him about. About a half-month ago, he suddenly told me that he had found the love of his life, and naturally, I was overjoyed, hoping he would bring the girl home soon. But I never expected that the next morning, I would find him dead on the street, nothing left of him but skin and bonesclearly, his vitality had been harvested! As he spoke, he began to cry again, tears running down his face. The person your son fell in love with must be the prime culprit behind the turmoil in Anhe Prefecture city, Zhou Heng pondered for a moment and said gravely, Ive heard that starting from a month ago, there have been cases of strong men and skilled martial artists disappearing at night? Thats right, but in the first half of the month, there were only three people, so it was only the prefectural citys government office investigating, Weng Kang wiped his tears and said, But after my sons death, that despicable creature hiding somewhere intensified its crimes. Almost two days one person, and in no time, it sent the entire Anhe Prefecture city into a state of panic. Shopkeeper Weng, after your son passed, did you do anything? Zhou Heng inquired, as the sudden intensification in the evil martial artists abductions was clearly unusual. I I Weng Kang hesitated, hemming and hawing for a while before finally making up his mind and saying, Uncle Master, I was so blinded by rage that I immediately issued a bounty for his killeranyone who finds the true culprit will be rewarded with one hundred thousand taels of silver. As the overall person in charge of the Pure Yang Palaces gemstone business in Pingzhou, he could reap substantial profits with the support of the sect in running the business, but similarly, every public action he took was linked to the Pure Yang Palace. Normally, if Weng Kang wanted to issue such a bounty, he would first have to write to the Pure Yang Palace and wait for permission before publishing it. If he didnt follow this process, it would actually violate the rules. It was for this reason that he waited over ten days after the incident to write to the sect for help. While seeking revenge for his son was understandable, Weng Kang still felt uneasy. This is nothing to worry about, Zhou Heng said with a gentle shake of his head and a smile. Its all within reason. Should anyone inquire afterward, just mention my name, Manager Weng. In fact, since Weng Kangs request for help passed the review and was accepted as a mission, it already meant that Pure Yang Palace had no intention of pursuing the matter of Weng Kangs violation of the rules. Thank you, Uncle-Master, thank you so much, Weng Kang thanked him repeatedly. However, since that is the case, I am beginning to suspect that this heretic expert holds Pure Yang Palace in contempt, Zhou Hengs eyes suddenly narrowed slightly as he said, Ever since the assassination bounty was posted, their audacity has only increased, clearly indicating a specific target in mind. Theyre quite bold. Ah? Could it be contempt for Pure Yang Palace? Upon hearing this, Weng Kang froze, having only suspected that his bounty had angered the heretical expert in the shadows. He had not expected Zhou Heng to immediately consider this angle. Its a possibility, Zhou Heng nodded and continued to inquire, Manager Weng, do you know any other information about this heretic expert? For instance, the likely times of appearance, their general range of activity, a rough description of their build, and their preferred type of target? Have they left behind any traces of their activities? No, Weng Kang shook his head and said, It seems like the entire Anhe Prefectural City is their playground; they could appear anywhere once night falls, and theyve never left any traces. As for their type of target its only known they prefer strong men and those skilled in martial arts C often those who are more handsome. In that case Manager Weng, may I stay at your home tonight? Zhou Heng suddenly asked. Having Uncle-Master stay would be an honor for my humble abode C it is an opportunity too good to miss, Weng Kang nodded again and again, but then he guessed Zhou Hengs intention and suddenly widened his eyes, Uncle-Master, could it be that you intend to? Thats right, Ill wait here for the heretic expert and see if they dare come for me, Zhou Heng said with a smile. He met the criteria of being a man skilled in martial arts with handsome features, and more than that, he could be considered an especially lucrative target. How can we let you put yourself in danger Weng Kang began to protest. Manager Weng, Zhou Heng cut off the attempt with a wave of his hand and shook his head, I came here specifically to resolve this situation. There is no sense in staying away from danger, and besides, that heretic expert might not necessarily pose a threat to me. Then please be careful, Uncle-Master, Weng Kang rose to bow with folded hands in gratitude, This old man thanks you on behalf of my deceased son. That night, clouds concealed the moon, and no stars could be seen. In the back room of the Yuhua Jewel Store, the light was dim, revealing the vague outline of a tall, robust figure preparing the bed before sitting down cross-legged. By midnight, the candlelight in the room had gone out, plunging the courtyard into even deeper darkness. Suddenly, the trees around rustled without wind, followed by a warm pink breeze that swept in and settled in the courtyard, transforming into a slender and charming woman. This woman appeared to be in her twenties with delicate features and a pure, elegant beauty that commanded a certain respect, discouraging any vulgar thoughts. However, her attire was extremely revealing. Clad only in sheer pink gauze, large segments of her fair skin were exposed, including her slender neck, smooth shoulders, and barely concealed soft curves, leading down to a waist too fine to grasp. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only All of it was highly suggestive. The innocence of her face combined flawlessly with the seductiveness of her body, exuding a charm that was hard to resist. She looked coquettishly towards the room where Zhou Heng was, placed a finger over her lips, and murmured in a low, silken voice, with a slight sigh, Little brother, since youve chosen to be the bait, I wont be polite anymore~ ps: I hope this chapter wont be axed () Chapter 298 - Chapter 298: Chapter 18: The Body of the Seven-Petaled Red Flower Chapter 298: Chapter 18: The Body of the Seven-Petaled Red Flower Actually, before the woman outside came to the courtyard, Zhou Heng had already seen through her movements. Her arrival was somewhat unexpected to him. Zhou Heng had thought he would need to wait another two or three days, or perhaps roam around a bit more outside, attracting attention before he would be targeted. But to his surprise, this nefarious woman was so impatient that she came that very night. Through divine sense, Zhou Heng could determine that the opponent was just an ordinary Secret Sixth Rank in the True Energy Realm. Judging by the true qi she displayed at the moment, her combat abilities were not very strong. Well, that was only true for normal combat. However, he always felt that there was something off about this womans aura; she didnt seem quite human. This was different from those Evil Sect experts Zhou Heng had encountered before. Although Evil Sect experts give off a bizarre feeling due to practicing the heretical methods of the Evil God, they are still human after all. But with this woman, the human aura was very faint. Little brother, Im coming in~ Just at that moment, a coquettish and soft voice came from outside. Clearly, this Evil Sect woman didnt care whether Zhou Heng was awake or not; she seemed to have great confidence in her ability to charm Zhou Heng. Along with the sultry voice, a wave of pink warm breeze blew in through the gaps of the door and windows, filling Zhou Hengs room with an ambiguous atmosphere. Once this warm breeze blew in, it gathered together and condensed into a girlish figure, charmingly enchanting with delicate eyebrows. She made no attempt at concealment, her jade-like body gently swaying, cheeks flushed, eyes bewitching like silk. Suddenly bending her knees and letting out a light breath, she was about to throw herself onto Zhou Heng, who was seated cross-legged on the bed. At this moment, Zhou Heng, who had his eyes slightly closed, suddenly opened them, and a dazzling golden light burst forth from his pupilstwo streams of sword qi. After being enhanced by true qi, Zhou Heng had further improved his control over the Innate Formless Sword technique and was now able to release sword qi directly through the air. This sword qi was pure and possessed Yang Energyit was Pure Yang Sword Qi, extremely sharp and fast, much like a streak of light, striking with the speed of lightning, without deviation, directly cleaving onto the beautiful body that was falling toward him. Sizzle! The delicate girl was instantly pierced through by the two golden lights of sword qi, causing her to freeze midair, unable to even fall down as if she had been hit by a paralysis spell, motionless in that position. But in the next instant, a line of blood slowly appeared along the vertical centerline of the beautiful girl. Then, blood spurted forth, and her enticing body was split in half from the center, she was cleaved in two by that stroke of sword qi without any chance to resist. Zhou Hengs face, however, showed no joy. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, his gaze calmly fixed on the bisected corpse, pondering for a moment, he exhaled a breath of Pure Yang energy onto the body. As soon as the body came into contact with the breath of Pure Yang energy, it ignited like dry wood meeting a flame, consuming it in less than three breaths, leaving only ashes. Upon seeing these ashesZhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly. The ashes were not in a pile, but rather formed a line of text on the ground. The little brother from Pure Yang Palace is truly extraordinary, to have broken my petal body. I look forward to the time we truly meet~ It turns out that the woman just now was not the Evil Sect experts real body, but one of her petal bodies. Honghua Seven Petal Body, Zhou Heng muttered in a low voice. This is the Sect Fifth Rank Martial Arts of the Honghua Palace. It is said to cultivate the Honghua Seven Petals Dharma Phase, where each petal represents an avatar that can act independently or be stored within the body to negate ones own death. In other words, a Honghua Seven Petals Dharma Phase master of the Fifth Rank has at least seven lives and can dispatch multiple avatars for various activities. However, considering that the petal avatar from just now only had the power of the Secret Sixth Rank, this evil-doer woman from the Honghua Palace likely hasnt fully mastered the Honghua Seven Petals Dharma Phase, meaning she is probably still at the Sixth Rank level. The incident in Anhe Prefecture city this time is likely her attempt to reach a higher level of the Honghua Seven Petals Dharma Phase. Because the method to cultivate this martial art is to gather Yang Energy to nourish the Yin, using Yang Energy to irrigate the petals, allowing them to slowly blossom. Using a petal to test me, are you so determined to get me? Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle. Meanwhile, he erased the ashy words on the ground. Subsequently, after dispatching paper figurines over ten yards away to investigate the anomalies, he slightly closed his eyes again and continued to nurture his spirit and refine his Qi. Since that evil practitioner had set her sights on him, he might as well wait for her to come to him. Of course, taking the initiative to seek her out was also essential, and this was when his paper soldiers came in handy. Quite useful indeed. The next morning, rumors about the paper person of the night began to circulate in Anhe Prefecture city. It was said that this paper person was the emissary sent to claim souls, and seeing the paper person meant one was not far from death, as their soul would soon be taken. Although most people did not believe it, it still caused considerable chaos in the already uneasy Anhe Prefecture. Zhou Heng walked out from the backyard and entered the front hall of the Yuhua Treasure Shop, intending to ask Weng Kang about some matters, only to see him arguing with two middle-aged men. These two middle-aged men looked to be in their forties or fifties, one carrying a knife and the other wielding a sword, both with long and steady breaths and firm steps, signifying the realm of Seventh Rank Cultivation. Whats going on? Zhou Heng walked over and asked Weng Kang. Uncle Master, how come you are here? Seeing Zhou Heng approaching, Weng Kang became somewhat embarrassed and pointed at the two men, saying in a low voice, Uncle Master, its my fault, these two men came to inquire after seeing the bounty notice I posted earlier. Theyre here to ask about that evil practitioner? Zhou Heng was slightly startled at first and then smiled, These two heroes seem quite confident. Of course, the two men slightly raised their heads, getting ready to further boast about themselves, but were interrupted by Zhou Heng. However, its good to have confidence, but overconfidence is a death sentence. Zhou Heng shook his head lightly and smiled. Before the two could get angry, he stretched out his right hand in front of them, displaying a small cluster of golden Sword Qi, sharp and radiant. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was a tiny bit of the Innate Formless Swords Qi. But just this little was enough to make the two men feel an impending disaster, causing them to tremble and quickly shake their heads, hastening to bid Weng Kang goodbye. Zhou Heng thus saved the two mens lives; with their strength, seeking out that evil master would be a suicide mission with no chance of survival. Im sorry you had to witness this, Uncle Master, Weng Kang said respectfully. Its alright. Zhou Heng waved his hand dismissively, sat down, and asked, Manager Weng, how many people have come to take the bounty during this time? Chapter 299 - Chapter 299: Chapter 19 Hello There, Audacity Chapter 299: Chapter 19 Hello There, Audacity There were quite a few who inquired about the reward, Weng Kang had thought Zhou Heng was blaming him, feeling that he had already sent a message to the Sect asking for help and still posting a reward might appear as distrust towards the Sect. He quickly said, Uncle Master, Ill remove the reward right away, please dont be upset. Dont overthink it, Im just asking you some questions, Zhou Heng saw through Weng Kangs thoughts, walked into the inner hall, sat down, and asked, Were there more men or women who came to inquire about the reward? Weng Kang followed him inside and answered, There were more men, after all, most of those who roam the jianghu are male martial artists, naturally He was in the middle of speaking when he abruptly stopped, as if realizing something, his eyes widened suddenly, Uncle Master, do you mean that my reward attracted a large number of male martial artists, playing right into the hands of that evil cultivator? It is indeed a possibility, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, saying, From your earlier accounts, it was after issuing the reward that the number of male victims increased, right? It seems, it indeed seems to be the case. Weng Kangs face turned even paler, he became more haggard, and said bitterly, It was me who brought disaster to those poor martial artists who were desperately traveling the jianghu. Jianghu martial artists are actually those without a Sect and who only reached Ninth Grade after turning thirty; they mostly come from martial arts schools, lack the qualifications to be accepted into a Sect, and can only wander the jianghu in search of opportunities to advance. These people are actually the real backbone of the jianghu martial world. Weng Kang had once been such a jianghu martial artist until, by a stroke of luck, he was noticed by the Pure Yang Palace and taken in as an outer sect disciple. Therefore, he now felt deep guilt. Theres no need for you to feel guilty, Weng, the blame should fall on the evil cultivator, Zhou Heng spoke solemnly, However, this also provides me with a clue, as it seems that most of the victims actually came from outside Anhe Prefecture. At this point, he paused then added, Weng, have you ever thought about why, before the martial artists from outside arrived, the incidents happened less frequently and at a slower pace, but after the martial artists from outside came, the pace suddenly accelerated? This, this Could it be that the evil cultivator has no regard for people outside of Anhe Prefectural city? Weng Kang said incredulously and puzzled, But why would that be? Theres something else, Zhou Heng continued, Last night, a Sixth Rank expert from the Honghua Palace came to find me in disguise. What?! Weng Kang stood up suddenly, anxiously said, Uncle Master, are you alright? What happened to that person in the end? Im fine; I killed that disguise with a single sword strike, Zhou Heng waved his hand lightly and got up, looking outside, What Ive been wondering though, in such a serious matter that clearly involves a Middle Third Rank evil practitioner, did the Prefecture Chief take any action? In Da Qi, except for a few Prefecture Chiefs who are high-ranking officials not skilled in martial arts, the heads of the prefectural cities are usually Sixth Rank martial artists, appointed to deal with disturbances caused by high-level practitioners. Now, with people in Anhe Prefecture city living in fear and Seventh Rank warriors being killed, suggesting the possible involvement of a Sixth Rank evil practitioner, the Prefecture Chief should have intervened by now. But from his conversation with Weng Kang, Zhou Heng discovered that the citys authorities had only arranged for bailiffs and constables to investigate. The Prefecture Chief had yet to make an appearance from beginning to end. This was obviously abnormal. Moreover, he had not told anyone else about his arrival at Anhe Prefecture city, apart from Weng Kang, only the soldiers guarding the city were aware, yet the evil female cultivator had found him so quickly. This made Zhou Heng suspect the citys authorities. Of course, he also seriously scrutinized Weng Kang but had yet to find any flaws for the time being. The Prefecture Chief, Weng Kang fell into deep thought upon hearing this, and after a long while, he said, Since last year, the Prefecture Chief has been seldom seen; he rarely makes a public appearance. When I went to visit him as usual during the new year, I was turned away at the door and didnt even get to see him. Uncle Master, are you suspecting the Prefecture Chief? At least this Prefecture Chief is suspicious, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, and at the same time, his gaze towards the outside narrowed slightly, saying, Someones coming, looks like its a bailiff from the Prefectural citys office. Ah? Weng Kang exclaimed in surprise, What are they here for? They must be here to ask me to go over, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Uncle Master, you wont be in any trouble, will you? Weng Kang looked somewhat concerned. Dont worry about it, Zhou Heng said gently shaking his head. Soon after, a middle-aged man dressed as a head constable walked into the Jade Hua Jewelry Shop with three bailiffs. The man at the lead looked at Zhou Heng, bowed slightly, and said, I am Qu Tai, the Chief Head Constable of Anhe Prefecture. You must be Zhou Heng, Mr. Zhou, the Purple Lightning Sword Immortal. May I ask you to accompany us to the prefectural citys yamen? Whose idea is this? Zhou Heng asked indifferently. Its an invitation from our Lord Prefect, Qu Tai replied respectfully. Fine, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. The Jade Hua Jewelry Shop was some distance from the prefectural citys yamen. On the way, Zhou Heng and Qu Tai chatted sporadically, quickly touching upon the subject of the Prefect Nie Yu. However, as the Chief Head Constable of Anhe Prefecture, Qu Tai was very measured, and despite how Zhou Heng tried to draw him out, he did not reveal anything particularly valuable. All that was known was that beside his official wife, Prefect Nie Yu had three concubines, yet no sons, only a daughter who was considered the apple of his eye. Apparently, that could also be considered a valuable clue. Prefectural citys yamen, the back yard. The residence of the prefectural citys Lord Prefect in Da Qi is usually connected to the yamen, either next door or built directly in the back yard. This was a rather elegant garden with mountains and water, possessing a natural charm. Nie Yu appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties, with a face like white jade, handsome features, dressed as a scholar and wearing a scholars hat, sporting a fine beard, and flicking a folding fan, exuding the air of a refined gentleman of the mortal world. Even at an older age, he still possessed great appeal to many women. No wonder he had three concubines. Seeing Zhou Heng approach, Nie Yu quickly closed his fan and came to meet him with a joyful face, saying, Mr. Zhou, I have long admired your great reputation; I heard about you several months ago when you were still listed among the outstanding figures. I never expected that by now, you would no longer be on that list. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was just a fleeting honor, not worth mentioning, Zhou Heng smiled and waved it off before getting straight to the point, Lord Nie, for what purpose have you invited me here? Naturally, its because lately there has been unrest in Anhe Prefecture, and you know that, Mr. Zhou, Nie Yus face lost its joy as he gave a wry smile, What I mean to say is, could you please not get involved in this matter? What matter? Zhou Heng asked deliberately feigning ignorance. Ah, do you really want me to spell it out? Nie Yu sighed softly, Mr. Zhou, I hope you wont meddle in the recent affairs of Anhe Prefecture city, nor in the affairs of Weng Kangs family. Nie Yu Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed, and he laughed coldly, Youve got some nerve. Chapter 300 - Chapter 300: Chapter 20 Who Says I Only Know Martial Arts? Chapter 300: Chapter 20 Who Says I Only Know Martial Arts? Nie Yu, however, remained unflustered and continued to shake his head, Its not that I am extraordinarily brave, but its best if you stay out of this matter. Its for your own good, unless you want Master Yan himself to come over. If you get involved, you could be in grave danger. Unless my senior brother comes over in person Zhou Heng was briefly startled by the comment, then a realization dawned upon him and he said, It seems that Lord Nie already knows the root of this issue. Why not share it with me? Mr. Zhou, I advise you not to ignore my warnings, Nie Yu said with a bitter expression. This matter is far from trivial. Im still able to hold her back now, so please dont provoke her, or the whole Anhe Prefectural city may suffer from a great disaster. You didnt ask for help from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers? Zhou Heng asked directly. Nie Yu was taken aback, looking at Zhou Heng with astonishment, and after a while said, You know? Ghosts. Zhou Heng replied succinctly. From Nie Yus previous remarks and the faint ghostly aura lingering in this garden, he had guessed the cause of the turmoil in the Anhe Prefectural city. He also had an idea of who the demonic woman suspected of practicing the forbidden Red Flower Six-Rank technique might be. So you already knew, Nie Yu sighed deeply, and at the same time slightly relieved. Since youre aware, you should know that below a Celestial Man, no one but the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers can kill a ghost. It will be very dangerous for you to intervene in this. Its not just that, Zhou Heng took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Nie Yu as he said, If Im not mistaken, this garden still has remnants of ghostly energy. I suspect this ghost has some connection to you, the Lord of the Prefecture. This At Zhou Hengs words, Nie Yu fell silent, his face showing a pained expression. He stepped back, unwilling to meet Zhou Hengs eyes, and said, Mr. Zhou, this was not my intention; it was truly a last resort. He is after all The Lord of the Prefecture has a daughter, Zhou Heng said solemnly. Her name is Nie Jin? Last night, when he was attacked by the suspected demonic woman practicing the Red Flower Seven-Petal Body, the clues he obtained included her name, which was Nie Jin. You you already know this? As Nie Yu turned pale with shock, he looked at Zhou Heng in utter astonishment; his daughter had always been kept isolated from the world, and aside from his closest kin, hardly anyone knew her name. In his eyes, since Zhou Heng even knew this, it was obvious that he had a very detailed understanding of the entire series of eventsthere was no room left for explanation. Whoosh! Just then, a cold, piercing wind blew out from a rockery in the garden. The wind, chilling to the bone and with a strong hallucinatory quality, suddenly transformed the garden into a desolate mountain wilderness of ice and snow. Father, why bother talking so much with him? Watch me take him down myself! A furious shout drifted over with the cold wind, and soon after, a white-dressed, beautiful-faced girl with a face full of anger rushed out. This girl looked exactly like Nie Jin whom Zhou Heng had seen the night before, but whether it was her expression or her aura, they carried a completely different tenor, as if she were a different person. If Nie Jin whom Zhou Heng encountered last night represented an extreme joy, then Nie Jin now was the epitome of anger, with even more aggressive tendencies. They say the Red Flower Seven-Petal Body cultivates incarnations using the seven emotions as vessels. Seeing this now, it is indeed the case, Zhou Heng appraised, then promptly raised his hand towards this incarnation of Nie Jin. A sword light condensed with Pure Yang True Qi was about to burst forth, an Innate Formless Sword finger! Mr. Zhou, hold on! Nie Yu reacted with a low shout, quickly moving beside Zhou Heng. Suddenly, the Anhe Prefectures Lord gathered True Qi in his palm to form a cyan light, which merged with the natural energy of heaven and earth, creating a cyan light barrier directly placed in front of Zhou Heng. He was attempting to block Zhou Hengs attack. Meanwhile, Nie Jin surged forward, enveloped by the bone-chilling wind and snow, instantly drawing all the coldness of this icy world towards the spot where Zhou Heng stood, threatening to engulf him. The piercing cold was enough to grind iron to dust and could stop the blood of a Seventh Rank Warrior from flowing, freezing them to death alive, and made half the people in Anhe Prefectural city shiver with the sudden rise in chill. Many people couldnt help wondering, how come it had just been the beginning of spring, and yet it felt like winters cold had returned? Clang! At that moment, a deafening bell sound resonated throughout the heavens and earth, startling the surroundings, and could be heard by everyone within a three to five-mile radius. At the same time, they saw a golden light rising from the ground in the direction of the prefectural citys government office. The people nearby could even make out the vague shape of a golden bell shadow, resisting the overwhelming snow. This scene caught the attention of many. Especially Sheng Xinrou, her eyes widened in amazement as she exclaimed, The Golden Bell Cover, this, this must be the Golden Bell Cover, right? Zhou Hengs Martial Arts, is he at the prefectural citys government office? Although she hadnt seen Zhou Heng deploy the Golden Bell Cover, she knew from the rankings and some martial world rumors that he had a defensive Martial Arts technique that manifested a golden bell-shaped aura. Sheng Xinrous shout drew the attention of many, and the looks towards the prefectural citys government office became even more astonished. Zhou Heng was actually using the Golden Bell Cover at the prefectural citys government office? What was the situation? At this very moment, in the garden of the government offices backyard, Zhou Heng brought forth the Golden Bell Cover, withstood Nie Jins attack, and also forcibly shattered the cyan light screen that was meant to block his offensive. And, the moment that cyan light screen shattered, he opened his mouth to spit out a burst of purple lightning. The Purple Lightning Flying Sword immediately locked onto Nie Yu, breaking through the air and slashing towards him! The current Purple Lightning Flying Sword was being wielded by Zhou Heng, who had stepped into the Secret Six Rank. Its power had increased exponentially compared to when Zhou Heng was at the peak of the Seventh Rank. Back then, Zhou Heng was able to contend with the Secret Six Rank with it; now, naturally, it was even more powerful. Just a single face-off had already left Nie Yu, who had been in the True Energy Realm for many years, with only the power to parry, but none to fight back. As for Nie Jin, who commanded the snowstorm, her incarnation was much stronger than the one from last night, but still no match for Zhou Heng. At such a close distance, Zhou Heng struck down with a palm, instantly bursting her incarnation on the spot. Mr. Zhou, stop at once, or you will be in grave danger! Nie Yu shouted loudly. In just this short while, he was already covered in wounds, with the Purple Lightning Flying Sword threatening to slash him to death. Father, do you see? This is humanity; humans deserve to die! They are fit only to be my nourishment! Along with the chilly female voice, a beautiful girl in a red dress walked out, an intense ghostly aura about her. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was Nie Jins true form. Ah Jin, stop this! Nie Yu called out sorrowfully. Why stop when were about to succeed? Nie Jin responded coldly, her eyes had turned completely black, devoid of pupils, looking at Zhou Heng, she sneered, Human, do you think you can kill me with your inferior Martial Arts? Who said Martial Arts was all I knew? Zhou Heng replied with a taunting smile, as sword light soared by his side, and he flew straight into the sky, his hands forming seals, thunder marks completed. Five Thunder Righteous Method! Chapter 301 - Chapter 301: Chapter 21 We Are Different Chapter 301: Chapter 21 We Are Different Commanding the Five Qi, Driving Wind and Thunder! Compared to the time when Zhou Heng was barely able to execute the Five Thunder Righteous Method at the Lower Third Rank, the might of the Taoist Formulas he wielded now had increased by far too much. The moment the Thunder Seal was formed, golden thunder flames sparked all over his body, and his figure standing in the sky could be seen almost across the entire Anhe Prefectural City. His golden radiance was bright, and the thunder intertwined, making it seem as though the Thunder God himself had descended. At the same time, with Zhou Heng at the core, the elemental energies of heaven and earth within a hundred yards began to stir; dark clouds quickly gathered, an oppressive mass rolling in to blot out the sun, turning day into night around the Prefectural City Yamen in an instant. Golden thunder lights condensed within the dark clouds, spreading and interweaving like wildly dancing golden snakes. The purest and most yang Thunder Power unrestrainedly burst forth. The golden light seemed to encompass all the Five Elements of the universe, able to carry out Heavenly Punishment. Boom! The thunderous roar was enough to deafen, shaking heaven and earth. Even before the sound of thunder exploded, a three-to-four zhang thick golden thunderbolt had already descended from the sky, striking toward Nie Jin in the backyard of the Prefectural City Yamen. Mr. Zhou, hold on! Nie Yu shouted with all his might. As he did, his True Qi spread out. The elemental energy of Green Wood was instantly stimulated, and all the trees within the garden began to grow wildly, turning into towering trees in the blink of an eye. Trunks and vines interwove, miraculously forming an immensely large and thick protective barrier, attempting to keep the golden thunder outside. Green Wood True Energy! The Myriad Wood Mountain-Protecting Formation! This was the Formation that Nie Yu had placed within his residence. Activated by his own Green Wood True Energy, it could create an extremely strong defensive barrier, designed to withstand external attacks. Under normal circumstances, even someone in the True Gang Realm would not be able to break through it. Boom! The golden thunder struck the huge tree barrier and immediately exploded into a sky full of golden light, brilliantly shining and illuminating much of the sky above Anhe Prefectural City. The tree barrier actually managed to block the thunder for a brief moment. But it was indeed just a moment. The thunderous force of the Five Thunder Righteous Method was unmatched, and the Pure Yang True Qi could further enhance its power, coupled with Zhou Hengs various fundamental attribute bonuses, his strength had far surpassed that of a normal True Gang Realm. Thus, a moment later, the golden thunderbolt shattered the barrier as easily as tearing through paper, continuing its descent. Nie Yus face turned ashen, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but he still did not retreat. He stood in front of Nie Jin, frantically circulating his True Qi. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! A fierce wind began to blow, and the dense energy of Green Wood stirred. All the trees and plants within four hundred yards of the Prefectural City Yamen trembled, emitting a faint glow. Even the sky, already concealed by dark clouds and thunder light, began to shine with an emerald light, reflecting off the brilliant thunder. However, it was quickly overwhelmed by the golden thunder light. Nevertheless, at this moment, Nie Yu had already gathered a large amount of Green Wood elemental energy. Facing the thunder about to strike him down, he threw a mighty punch, like a titan propping up the heavens. Bang! The golden thunder struck the green shadow of the fist, releasing a blinding light that burst forth in all directions, seen by half the residents of Anhe Prefectural City. To ordinary people of Anhe Prefectural City, such a scene was akin to the legendary battles of Immortals, with thunderous booms, towering trees shooting up, and bursts of green light. This had completely surpassed the scope of normal Martial Arts. To those Martial Artists who had practiced Martial Arts and had some understanding of the Martial Path, the spectacle filled them with awe and trepidation, not daring to even take a breath. Such earth-shattering anomalies, one didnt need to think to know that it was Martial Artists of the Middle Third Rank engaging in a fierce battle, attracting vast amounts of elemental energy from heaven and earth with every move and attack, utilizing the powers of nature. Moreover, from the way the phenomenon was unfolding, it seemed the combatants were not just ordinary members of the Middle Third Rank, but likely among the best of the Secret Six Rank; otherwise, it wouldnt have aroused such a grand spectacle. At this moment, Sheng Xinrou stood dazedly watching Zhou Hengs figure suspended in the sky, as well as the scene of him driving wind and thunder, striking giant trees, and shattering the green light. Her heart was filled with immense joy, and she couldnt help but murmur softly, So powerful, really too powerful! Zhou Heng is truly strong! The others were also dumbstruck, watching the brilliance flickering between heaven and earth, feeling shocked and amazed. Was this the power of the Middle Third Rank? Let alone ordinary folk, even the strongest among those of the Lower Third Rank would likely not be able to intervene in such a battle, right? No wonder they say that the level of the Middle Third Rank is a completely different world; the gap was simply too vast. However, why would such a high-level battle break out at the Prefectural City Yamen? Whats going on here? Bang! In the end, Nie Yus fist was unable to hold back the Five Thunder Righteous Method unleashed by Zhou Heng. With a loud noise, the green force of the punch was completely suppressed by the golden light. Facing the overwhelming power of Zhou Heng, even a seasoned practitioner like Nie Yu, who had been in the True Energy Realm for many years, was rendered utterly powerless, even with the support of a Formation, there was nothing he could do. Bang! The lower half of Nie Yus body was pressed into the ground by the powerful impact, and his spirit, energy, and essence plummeted in an instant, leaving him immensely weakened. Clearly, he was severely injured. But this golden thunder did not attack Nie Yu, instead bending in the air to continue its strike towards Nie Jin behind him, lighting up her now somewhat twisted face with its dazzling golden light. Facing her father, who was slammed into severe injury by thunder before her eyes, not only did she lack any sign of guilt, but a hint of mockery also appeared in her eyes, her lips curled into a cold smile. Idiot! Nie Jin said disdainfully, as she lightly shifted, allowing a shadowy figure to emerge from her body and directly collide with the incoming golden thunder. It was an avatar. Though her Honghua Seven-Petals Body was not yet fully matured, she had already refined five avatars. Zhou Heng had destroyed two previously, and now three remained. However, it did not take long before only two remained. The golden thunder light exploded upon hitting Nie Jins apparition, with lightning and fire scattering in all directions. Instantly, the entire Prefectural estate was engulfed in flames, and even Nie Yu himself could not escape. Already severely injured, he took another hit from the lightning fire, which further aggravated his wounds. However, Nie Jin managed to use this opportunity to escape unscathed from all the impacts and lightning fire. She even looked up provocatively at Zhou Heng in the sky and sneered, So what if you know Taoist Formulas? Before her words had faded Boom! Another bolt of thunder struck, but this time it was like a peerless Divine Sword composed of purple lightning that descended from the ninth heaven, purging all evil spirits and ghostly entities! From the nine heavens, transform into divine thunder! Brilliance Heavenly Power, guided by the sword! In fact, as soon as the lightning of the Five Thunder Righteous Method was blocked by the giant tree barrier, Zhou Heng had already started casting another Taoist Formula. Divine Sword Thunder Control! Ghosts are cunning and hard to kill, a fact he had never forgotten. The Five Thunder Righteous Method was at best an appetizer, especially since it was cast with bare hands. This Divine Sword Thunder Control was different; it was cast using the Treasure Soldier Purple Lightning Flying Sword. Moreover, the True Qi of Pure Yang and the Power of Thunder both had extremely strong restraining effects on ghostly entities. The power had far exceeded normal standards. Ghostly entities below Sect Fifth Rank had no chance of resisting. Indeed, faced with such an attack, Nie Jin didnt even have the chance to defend herself and was instantly blasted into ashes and debris. Congratulations! You have killed the unremarkable ghost entity Honghua, Fortune Bag [Copper] +3. The reward notification sounded. Clearly, the girl known as Nie Jin had died during the moment her body had been completely controlled by the ghost entity Honghua. Ah Jin! Nie Yu let out a cry of despair. He had already been severely injured while defending against the Five Thunder Righteous Method, and then he took another hit from the lightning fire. Now barely hanging onto life, upon witnessing Nie Jin turning into ashes, his vision darkened as he was about to faint. You cannot faint just yet. Zhou Heng said sternly, immediately casting the Resurrection Spell to forcefully awaken Nie Yus spirit. Descending from the sky, he spoke in a deep voice, Lord Nie, dont you think you owe an explanation for this matter? Zhou Heng, you killed my daughter, and you still want me to explain something to you?! Nie Yu roared in anger and grief, staring at Zhou Heng with furious eyes and gritted his teeth, You might as well kill me too. After all, you are a successor of Pure Yang Palace, and the Imperial Court wont hold you accountable! Bang! Zhou Heng swept his sleeve and sent Nie Yu flying into a house that was ablaze with flames. The already shaky house immediately collapsed, burying Nie Yu beneath it. However, such an impact was nothing to Nie Yu, who was already at Secret Sixth Rank and whose body had been nourished by True Qi over the years. It did not cause any further injury, only adding to his embarrassment. Aaaaagh! With a furious roar, Nie Yu burst out from the burning ruins, kicking up a blaze of sparks. Dragging his dying body and mustering all his strength to circulate his True Qi, he swung his fist towards Zhou Heng. Just at that moment, the Purple Lightning Flying Sword in the sky split into multiple sword shadows, all of which fell around Nie Yu, sealing off all his movements. Normally under such circumstances, Nie Yu should have been completely immobilized, with any movement bringing him closer to death. But inexplicably, fearlessly of death, he continued to charge toward the sword shadows as if he had completely lost concern for his own life, resolved to control his destiny. Actually seeking death?! Zhou Heng let out a cold snort, raised his hand and pointed, and the sword shadows immediately dissipated, causing Nie Yu to lunge into emptiness. At the same time, he formed a hand seal and his True Qi solidified into a golden rope, tying up Nie Yu so he was unable to move. However, after this struggle, Nie Yu, who was already at deaths door, could hardly hold on any longer. Zhou Heng then used Longevity True Energy to cast the Gentle Rain Spell, temporarily alleviating Nie Yus injuries. Why save me, why dont you just let me die?! Nie Yu glared at Zhou Heng with fury surging to the heavens, his eyes nearly blood-red as if his sanity had been completely obscured by hatred. Nie Yu, as the lord of a prefecture, dont tell me you dont know how your daughter actually died! Zhou Heng slowly walked up to Nie Yu and said gravely, Cant you face the truth? As the lord of the prefecture, Nie Yu was aware of the existence of evil spirits, and he had long known that his daughter, Nie Jin, was possessed by one. He had even helped her conceal the matter of capturing people for her sustenance. No! No! Even if she was possessed by an evil spirit, it was only temporary. I could still communicate with her; there was still hope! Nie Yu shook his head desperately, saying, She wasnt completely dead; it was you, it was you who killed her! When her true self appeared in front of me, her pupils turned black, and her body surged with ghostly energy, Nie Jin was already dead. Zhou Heng spoke indifferently, The prestigious lord of a prefecture, a Secret Sixth Rank Innate, deluding yourself like this? Ahhhh! Nie Yu cried out in anguish, tears streaming down his face, Why, why is this happening? Ah Jin shouldnt have such a fate! She is my only daughter. I treasured her like a jewel, listened to her call me father from her first mumbles to her clear voice, watched her grow bit by bit into a young lady Why, why was she possessed by evil spirits, why did she adopt the ways of the Honghua Palace witches, why did she have to die so tragically, why, why?! He vented near madly, almost delirious with grief. Zhou Heng stood by quietly watching, and after he had vented his frustration, he finally spoke, Is this why you shielded her, even helped her to capture people for her sustenance? Those victims had daughters as well, wives, parents, loved ones. Have you ever thought of them? Is this what the lord of a prefecture should do? Heh, lord of a prefecture? Im just a father to a daughter! Nie Yu turned to glower at Zhou Heng, suddenly scoffed and said, Zhou Heng, you can stand there and question me now, fine! But let me ask you, if one day, someone you hold dear is eroded by an evil spirit, possessed, their body taken over, what would you do, would you kill them with your own hands? Huh?! Zhou Heng fell slightly silent upon this question and after a long while finally responded earnestly, I would do everything in my power to help them escape this predicament. Hahahaha!! Nie Yu suddenly burst into laughter as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, then looked at Zhou Heng with mockery, It seems youre just like me then. I also thought of doing all I could to help Ah Jin escape her plight. What right do you have to stand there and question me?! No, we are not the same, Zhou Heng replied calmly, shaking his head, You think you can help your daughter escape her predicament, but thats an illusion. Youre an accomplice; you lack the ability, whereas I have it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just kill the person possessed by the evil spirit along with the spirit, and then use a Resurrection Card. Im sorry, we really are different. I have cheats, you dont. You?! Nie Yu was immediately left speechless with anger. Stop your complaints. Zhou Heng squatted down, looked at Nie Yu and said gravely, How exactly did Nie Jin come to be possessed by an evil spirit? Chapter 302 - Chapter 302: Chapter 22: Furious Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens! Chapter 302: Chapter 22: Furious Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens! What do you mean? Nie Yu looked at Zhou Heng and said, Are you suspecting that it was me who drew the ghost that possessed Ah Jin? I did not say that, Zhou Heng shook his head and chuckled. Mr. Nie is not young anymore, right? And being a martial artist of the Secret Six Rank True Energy Realm, having taken a lawful wife and two concubines, how come you dont have even one son? Killing a person is no more than a nod, why must you mock me so? Nie Yu huffed coldly. It seems Mr. Nie is unwilling to answer this question, Zhou Heng stood up, shook his head gently, and looking down at Nie Yu, said, You know I am a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, and you have seen me wield Pure Yang True Qi, so you should know I have a special sensitivity to Yang Energy. In the process of the prior engagement, through the contact of True Qi, he had sensed a deficiency in the Yang Energy within Anhe Prefecture Governor Nie Yus body, which seemed to be caused by some strange injury, or as if he was under some kind of ban. Such a level of Yang Energy deficiency could very well lead to a situation where one only has daughters in their offspring. Furthermore, the garden array of Nie Yus mansion called Forest Protects the Mountain, has not only defensive capabilities but also follows the principle of the Five Elements generating each other, where wood generates fire, thus nurturing Yang Energy. Then, recalling what he had learned from the constable Qu Tai earlier. Zhou Heng then had some speculation. Unexpectedly, asking this question directly hit the mark. You, I Nie Yu wanted to explain further, but since Zhou Heng had already made his point so clear, he had no room to quibble. He shouted loudly, I just wanted a son, whats wrong with that? I never expected that ghost to target Ah Jin, I never did! So it really was you who brought the ghost! Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, his initial guess now confirmed by Nie Yus reaction. He immediately squatted down and stared into Nie Yus eyes, How did you summon it? Previously, at Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, he had learned some information about humans attracting ghosts. Normally, it was almost always the ghosts who would seek out the people with weaknesses in their spirit and then tempt them to complete a possession, thereby gradually taking over the body. However, there were also some abnormal cases. That is when people, misled by evil spirits, might come to possess some means of summoning ghosts. And for certain objectives, they would deliberately bring forth ghosts. Typically, these individuals do not realize that what they have summoned are ghosts; they tend to believe they have summoned mysterious entities that could help fulfill their wishes. But Nie Yu was different; as the Governor of Anhe Prefecture, a local administrator aware of frequencies of ghosts, evil creatures, and demon entities. He should not have been so easily deluded, nor should he have actively summoned ghosts. I, I dont know, dont know, dont know Nie Yus voice trembled, a look of utter terror suddenly appearing in his eyes, he murmured, Half a year ago, yes, it was half a year ago, I heard a voice whispering in my ear, what it said what it said Ah!! All at once, he screamed, and from his mouth came a blackened ancient finger, as if growing directly from his throat, pinning down his tongue. Then, the teeth in Nie Yus upper and lower jaws twisted and changed, turning into bony fingers! These dozens of fingers flailed above and below, like eerie palms extending out from his mouth, grabbing onto his upper and lower jaws. With a fierce prying motion! Crack! The upper half of Nie Yus head, a martial artist of the Secret Six Rank Innate, was directly torn open by these dozens of grotesque fingers, and the upper part split at the mouth, was completely flipped away. Rolled on the ground, his eyes wide open, filled with fear, as if he had seen something unspeakably horrific just before death. This sudden change sent chills down Zhou Hengs spine, and raised the hair on his skin as he made a split-second decision to leap back and propel his flying sword into the sky. What is that? An evil creature?! Zhou Heng stood midair, looking down in shock and consternation at Nie Yus corpse. All that remained of the head was the jaw, as the dark bone spikes that had transformed from teeth scratched incessantly at the surrounding flesh. In the blink of an eye, the remaining skin on the head began to split apart, with more dark bone spikes emerging from within. Soon after, bone spikes grew from every part of the bodyneck, shoulders, arms, torsocrowded and numerous, creating a scene of horrifying eeriness. The initial spike that had grown from the throat was the thickest, seemingly the core among the multitude of bone spikes. It swayed gently, and between its movements, it suddenly split open to reveal an eyeball. At the same time, the tips of the countless spikes all split open to grow eyeballs, turning their heads in unison to stare at Zhou Heng, who was flying above. Zhou Heng felt as if his thoughts had been frozen by an extremely sinister power, rendering him unable to move. Under the gaze of the numerous eyes, he couldnt even twitch a finger. However, at that moment, a warm and gentle power suddenly surged from within him, spreading outwards and dispelling the sinister force, allowing Zhou Hengs thoughts to return to normal. This was the power of the Cave Sky. No sooner had he regained the ability to move than Zhou Heng, without hesitation, formed a sword technique with his hand, once again invoking the Taoist formulas with the Treasure Soldier Purple Lightning Flying Sword. Divine Sword Thunder Control! Five Thunder Righteous Method! The resplendent thunder and lightning illuminated heaven and earth, almost turning the Prefectural Lords garden into a world of lightning itself, where gold and purple light intertwined, penetrating the firmament and allowing everyone in Anhe Prefecture City to see clearly. Martial artists and ordinary people alike were left dumbstruck by the thunder that seemed like a heavenly punishment, feeling their hearts palpitate even just watching it. Sheng Xinrou was also completely astounded, her pupils reflecting the purple-gold lightning as she murmured, This, this is not martial arts, this is the work of an immortal among men! Jade Flower Jewelry Store. Weng Kang walked out of the shop with his spouse, staring blankly at the distant purple-gold lightning, seemingly moved by the sights. He gently closed his eyes and sighed, Thank you, Uncle-Master, a thousand thanks, thank you, my sect! But no matter how shocked the outside world was by the power of the thunder, Zhou Heng himself was acutely aware that the bizarre evil creature that had transformed from Nie Yus body had not been killed. Under the assault of Five Thunder Righteous Method and Divine Sword Thunder Control executed by the Treasure Soldier Purple Lightning Flying Sword, less than thirty percent of the bone spikes had been extinguished. The remaining spikes continued to writhe, their eyeball-tipped ends still roving. Normally, such an attack unleashed by Zhou Heng at his full power, added to the boost from his base attributes, should be enough to obliterate even a peak Secret Sixth Rank demon entity. Yet this bizarre evil creature remained mostly intact! It was simply inconceivable. Or could it be that this bizarre creature was already infinitely close to, or perhaps had even reached, the level of a Sect Fifth Rank? Humans, you, cannot kill, this lord, the friction of the bone spikes strangely produced a talking voice, though it was sharp and grating to the ear which could muddle ones thoughts. Nonetheless, Zhou Heng was unaffected. His expression unchanged, he raised a hand and summoned the Purple Lightning Flying Sword to his palm. With a light flick, it transformed into a longsword wrapped in purple lightning. Whether I can kill you or not, we shall only know once youre slain! Kill! Zhou Heng shouted fiercely, his bodys golden light surged wildly towards the heavens, and the purple lightning sword in his hand blazed brightly. The sky and earth roared incessantly with thunderous noise! His eyes locked on the bizarre evil creature below, he swung down his sword in a powerful slash! This sword unleashed all the True Qi within his body, whether it be Longevity True Qi or Pure Yang True Qi, all flowing into this sword like rivers reversing into it. This sword, as if an Immortal commanded thunder, the moment it slashed down, conjured up all the thunder light pervading heaven and earth, transforming into a fierce and tyrannical blade light, leaping through the sky and enveloping the entire mansion garden. This sword, in just an instant, completely exhausted all of Zhou Hengs True Qi. But immediately afterward, a stream of extremely pure heaven and earth vitality surged forth as if out of nowhere, and after being refined in his dantian, Longevity True Qi and Pure Yang True Qi were once again plentiful. Thus, Zhou Heng suddenly withdrew his longsword and immediately slashed downward again, no different from the previous sword stroke, and once again exhausted all the True Qi in his body. As the Cave Sky vitality replenished again, Zhou Heng unleashed another sword strike! One sword! Two swords! Three swords! Nine Swords! Zhou Heng fought with all his strength, each sword draining all his True Qi, pushing beyond what his current cultivation realm could possibly sustain. Nine consecutive swords, yet each and every one was like a saber, and every sabre stroke as thunder! Boom!! Purple-gold thunder light followed the blade light down, supremely unyielding and yang, infinitely domineering, strike after strike, as if piercing through the nine heavens! As if to deliver heavenly punishment and shatter everything in the human world! Turn the sword into a saber! Purple Thunder Blade Skill! Wild Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens!! These nine purple-gold thunders, like heavenly punishments, struck the ancient and strange evil creature precisely, intertwining like purple-gold thunder dragons coiling and grinding it into the center! Congratulations! You have slain the unbeatable demonic contaminant Nie Yu, Fortune Bag [Silver] +3. Finally, the reward prompt sounded. This signified that the bizarre evil creature with countless dark bone fingers, which had made ones scalp tingle, had finally been killed by Zhou Hengs Wild Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens. The fifth form of the Purple Thunder Blade Skill was a genuinely legitimate force of heaven and earth, essentially an Upper Third Rank Divine Skill, and its power was indeed extraordinary. Of course, the consumption was also immense. Let alone an ordinary Secret Six Rank Innate, even a martial artist like Zhou Heng, who had cultivated two streams of True Qi, could actually not unleash its full power. He still needed the replenishment of Cave Sky vitality. Unbeatable, for me, such caliber of enemies are probably already infinitely close to Sect Fifth Rank, Zhou Heng said as he took a deep breath and felt somewhat drained in spirit. True Qi could be replenished by Cave Sky vitality, but the exhaustion from intense battle wasnt limited to just True Qi. The weariness of the spirit had no way to be replenished; one could only rest and recuperate. Hm? What is this At this moment, Zhou Hengs Divine Sense stirred, suddenly sensing something. He felt a strand of extremely fine Yellow Mystery essence entwined around his hand holding the Purple Lightning Sword. The Absolute Fourth Rank Taoist Formula Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual that was originally completely impossible to cultivate, suddenly made a little progress. Congratulations! Youve collected meritorious qi from the Yellow Mystery, enhancing your comprehension of the Taoist Formula Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank], proficiency +0.001. Its actually meritorious qi! Zhou Heng felt somewhat surprised. Although this bit of meritorious qi was extremely faint, even negligible, it was nonetheless a start for his cultivation of the formidable Taoist Formula Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual. Afterward, he slowly descended from the sky and arrived at the spot where the grand demon contamination had been, which was now nothing but a patch of charred land, not even ashes remained. Since I could receive meritorious qi as feedback from heaven and earth, it means that thing was indeed comparable to a Sect Fifth Rank. Zhou Heng looked at the scorched ground and thought to himself, And it didnt fight back or defend at all throughout the ordeal This also meant that what he had fought with all his might to kill was actually just a target comparable to a Sect Fifth Rank, and it was also subject to the restraint of his basic attributes. If he were facing a true Fifth Rank Sect Master, relying solely on his own strength, he would undoubtedly die. Grandmasters, their strength is indeed terrifying. Zhou Heng slightly composed himself and then turned to look at the other side where Nie Yus half-head lay with dozens of pitch-black bone fingers still attached, though they no longer moved. These pitch-black bone fingers looked very much like the half of a pitch-black finger that had broken out of the seal in Huangtong Mansion City. Just half a bone finger required the projection of Yan Shouyi, a Celestial Man, to suppress it. However, since then Zhou Heng hadnt found a chance to inquire about the origin of that grand demon bone finger; unexpectedly, he encountered something very similar to that bone finger this time. For demon entities of the Upper Third Rank, they are generally called great demons, demon lords, and demon gods, corresponding to Heaven Third Rank, Taoist Second Rank, and Divine First Rank respectively. A grand demon contamination, could it be that Nie Yu was contaminated by that half of the grand demon finger bone from Huangtong Mansion City? Zhou Heng guessed in his heart and also felt somewhat worried, If Anhe Prefecture city is contaminated by that demon finger bone, then what about Huangtong Mansion City? With this thought, he felt an urgent need to return, wishing he could rush to Huangtong Mansion City right away. No, sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of firewood, I should first return to Purple Tenuity Palace to inquire about the origin of this thing, Zhou Heng took a deep breath and settled his scattered thoughts. Hum! Just at that moment, the head that had previously stopped moving suddenly trembled, emitting purplish-black smoke from its seven orifices, and the dozens of pitch-black bone fingers began to move again. Boom! Zhou Heng casually threw a Palm Thunder to continuously convulse the dying head, preventing it from moving again, but he didnt overconfidently approach the half-head directly. Instead, he crafted a sphere of lightning to contain the half-head, and threw this sphere into his Cave Sky world for storage. With his current cultivation realm, a thunderball condensed from True Qi should be able to last half an hour. After that, Zhou Heng returned to the Yuhua Treasure Shop, briefly explained the situation to Weng Kang, informing him that the truth was uncovered and the real culprit had been killed, but he couldnt divulge more details. Weng Kang was already very satisfied with the outcome, thanking Zhou Heng profusely, and gave him a silver note worth a hundred thousand taels. Zhou Heng couldnt refuse it and thus reluctantly accepted it. As for the matters of the prefectural citys yamen, they would be handled by the County City yamen. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng arrived in front of Purple Tenuity Palace and met with The Supreme and Tian Li. After giving a respectful bow, he took out the thunderball, retrieved the half-head from it, and asked, Do you senior predecessors recognize this bone finger? Is it that one?! The Supreme and Tian Li exclaimed in unison, both stepping back several steps. Chapter 303 - Chapter 303: Chapter 23 Demon Realm, Nine Nether Chapter 303: Chapter 23 Demon Realm, Nine Nether Seniors, do you recognize this object? Zhou Heng asked. The reaction of the Supreme and Heavenly Principle was so intense that it was clear they recognized the pitch-black finger, but their reaction seemed to even contain fear. These were Celestial Men! You could say we recognize it, but this is probably just contaminated by it, the Supreme said, somewhat calming his emotions, and then spoke solemnly, Lord of Stars, where did you obtain this thing? I just killed it, Zhou Heng said. The Supreme was taken aback by the answer and after a while chuckled, Lord of Starss strength is really extraordinary; this things power probably already compares to that of a Sect Fifth Rank. He could tell that Zhou Heng had just recently broken through to the Secret Six Rank, but even with such a cultivation realm, he managed to kill a contaminant that could compare to a Sect Fifth Rank. Such strength completely exceeded what a normal Secret Six Rank should possess. Originally, the destruction of Heavenly Principles and my physical bodies was because of this thing, Heavenly Principle said, looking at the dozens of pitch-black fingers on the half skull, his face underneath the mask showing a complex expression. Ah? Zhou Heng was astonished, questioning, Werent the seniors physical bodies destroyed because of the great demon Cang Hua who came out from the West Wasteland forbidden land 1,600 years ago? Cang Hua had an extremely powerful demon treasure, which was a section of pitch-black finger bone, the Supreme sighed, continuing to explain, Actually, at that time, Heavenly Principle and I had the chance to escape, but that demon treasure was powerful and directly suppressed both of us. Unable to escape, we met our great catastrophe. Is it the finger bone that was sealed beneath Huangtong Mansion City? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows, somewhat puzzled. Because he had heard from Wu Zongshan before that the piece of pitch-black bone finger had no record in any Imperial Court documents and its origin was completely unknown. This meant that the sealing of that finger bone must have occurred at least 3,000 years ago, possibly even during the Middle Ancient Era before the formation of the Central Dynasty. However, now, according to the Supreme, Cang Hua had a finger bone 1,600 years ago. No, its not that one, Heavenly Principle saw Zhou Hengs confusion and shook his head to explain, Ive heard from Angle Lodger about the half bone finger sealed beneath the Huangtong Mansion. From the description, that finger bone should include the fingertip, unlike the piece Cang Hua had, which was from the base to the broken middlethere is a clear difference. However, I have always had a speculation that the finger bone sealed underground in Huangtong Mansion City might originate from the same finger as the one Cang Hua held. 1,600 years ago, Cang Hua, carrying that finger bone, raided into Da Qi territory from the West Wasteland forbidden land; perhaps it was in search of this piece of bone finger, the Supreme said with a deep voice. Thats right, its possible, Heavenly Principle nodded, saying, With just half of it, its strength was astonishing. If it could obtain a complete bone finger, its power would surely increase greatly. Lets not talk about this for now, the Supreme returned to the topic at hand, saying, Lord of Stars, it looks like someone was contaminated by the demonic Qi, judging by the state of the half skull? Correct, its the lord of Anhe Prefecture, Zhou Heng nodded, saying, I suspect its the residual effect of the half finger bone breaking its seal last time. Concerned that the Huangtong Mansion might also be affected, I came to ask the seniors what exactly this finger is, since its contaminating ability is so strong. Tianyi, the Saint, once told us about the origin of this finger bone; he suspected it belonged to some Demon Lord, the Supreme pondered a moment and then told Zhou Heng, Given Angle Lodgers previous explanation, the ban sealing the half finger bone under Huangtong Mansion City must have existed since the Middle Ancient Era or even earlier. A finger suspected to belong to a Demon Lord Zhou Heng gasped in shock. Demon Lord! This being was on the same level as a Second Rank Tao Lord, a figure symbolizing the mastery of a major path, one who could comfortably assume the seat of Ancestor in many worlds. But since it was suspected to be a Demon Lords finger, why was it not completely destroyed? Whether in the Middle Ancient period or now, the world is never lacking Divine First Rank individuals. Zhou Heng voiced his confusion. The answer given by The Supreme made Zhou Heng feel somewhat familiar Because demon entities of Upper Third Rank are immortal, not even a Tao Lord could completely kill a Celestial Man level grand demon, they could only suppress it. The indestructible nature of a Demon Lord level being was even stronger; not even a Divine First Rank could kill it. Therefore, the only option was to divide the demons body into as many parts as possible and seal them in places far away from each other. Seniors, what exactly are demons? And whats the deal with the West Wasteland forbidden land? Zhou Heng asked gravely. I have some understanding of ghosts and evil creatures, but I know almost nothing about these demon entities. This The Supreme hesitated for a moment, then said, Demon entities, like evil creatures, come from another world, which we call the Demon realm or Nine Nether. The difference is that evil creatures face many obstacles when they attempt to descend into our world, having to cross one world after another. Even if they succeed, their strength will be greatly weakened. But demon entities are different. The Nine Nether Demon realm is directly connected to our world, meaning that demon entities can enter our world simply by passing through the connecting interface. This connecting interface is the West Wasteland forbidden land? Zhou Heng asked. Correct, The Supreme nodded gently, saying, The West Wasteland forbidden land is directly connected to the Nine Nether Demon realm. If it werent for the Tao Lords and the Saint holding the front lines, we would have already faced countless demon disasters. Even a grand demon like Cang Hua was just one that slipped through the net, Tianyi spoke with some bitterness. The crisis our world is facing is far more severe than it appears on the surface. Zhou Heng fell silent. He had thought that the many Evil Gods he saw outside this world through the power of the Purple Tenuity Palace were the only crisis facing this world. He didnt expect there to be a lurking Nine Nether Demon realm as well. That was a major world, and the demon entities within it were immortal, unkillable, and unstoppable; they could only be sealed and constantly guarded against in case they broke the seal. No wonder the common members were not allowed to know these things; it was out of fear that the more they knew, the more they would despair. Then, regarding the information about the Nine Nether Demon realm Zhou Heng wanted to continue inquiring. Star Master, we actually advise you not to learn more, The Supreme and Tianyi both spoke up at the same time to stop Zhou Hengs further questions. Why? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled. He remembered that the rule of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was that those below Secret Six Rank should not learn about demon entities because the more one knew, the easier it was to become crazed. But now he had reached this level. Could there be other restrictions? Star Master, this is actually also due to recent changes in the world, The Supreme quickly explained. Previously, it wasnt a big issue for someone of Secret Six Rank to learn about demon entities; it even facilitated the investigation of demon traces when completing tasks in other worlds. However, as youve heard at the gathering on January 18th, Tianyi and Azure Dragon have spoken about it; the Ninety-nine States Great Formation has suffered cracks and demon entities will sprout up in various places of the Central Plains. This means the chances of encountering demon entities have greatly increased, and the more information one knows when facing a demon entity, the more susceptible they are to mental corruption, the likelier they are to go insane. We are now doing our best to recall those who have learned about demon entities of Secret Six Rank and send them to complete tasks in other worlds to avoid encountering demon entities here and falling into madness. So theres such a matter Zhou Heng couldnt help but click his tongue. In that case, the threat of demon entities was much greater than that of evil creatures and ghosts. Please dont misunderstand, Star Master; we are not deliberately concealing this, Tianyi said seriously, his gaze earnest. You are our hope now. I understand, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, saying, Seniors, if my cultivation further progresses, can I learn more about it? Of course, you can, Tianli nodded. Actually, once you reach the Sect Fifth Rank, this influence will become negligible, The Supreme added. It seems my cultivation realm is too low, Zhou Heng said with a faint smile, then solemnly continued, Seniors, Im about to head to Huangtong Mansion City to investigate if anyone has been contaminated by that half of a finger bone. Is there anything in particular I should pay attention to? The contamination by demon entities is extremely subtle. Those who have been contaminated may not be aware of it themselves and usually exhibit some unusual behaviors subconsciously, Tianli said in a grave tone. You will need to observe carefully to discover this. Although the half finger bone has been sealed, the contamination could only stem from the imprint it left when it was in the world. Still, you mustnt take it lightly, The Supreme said seriously. The contaminated might possess some powerful and aberrant tricks, so be cautious. One more thing, Tianli cautioned, Make sure you do not become contaminated yourself. If needed, you can ask for help from your companions, The Supreme said. Zhou Tian Boundary Officer is an organization, and theres no need for you to fight alone. Thank you both, Zhou Heng bowed in gratitude, smiling, I will first go to assess the situation. If there is indeed a need, Ill come back for assistance. Traveling via the Starlight Bridge of the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng descended to the nearest entrance to Huangtong Mansion City. Mounted on a jujube-red horse, he quickly reached this city that he was most familiar with. In April, the Huangtong Mansion City had already experienced a spell of spring, and the leaves of the Huangtong trees planted on the streets were turning yellow. These were very peculiar trees that kept their leaves all year round, but during autumn and winter, the leaves would be green, and they would turn yellow come spring. The complete opposite of normal trees. Since Zhou Heng had become quite famous in Huangtong Mansion City, his appearance immediately attracted many people who wanted to see what he looked like now. Although there were many people around, Zhou Heng didnt feel it was bustling because everyones voices were very low. It seemed as if everyone was speaking without vigor. Zhou Hengs eyebrows furrowed slightly as his gaze swept over these people, and his Divine Sense also probed them. Before long, he discovered that most of them were enshrouded in something similar to a sickness force, as if it were eroding their lives. Roughly seventy percent of them had this problem. Whats going on? he wondered. At the moment, there must have been at least three thousand people gathered around, and seventy percent of themthat is, over two thousand peoplehad a sickness-like force entangled around them. Who did this? Plague Emperor Sect? Or is there someone else? Or could it be that someone has already become contaminated? Zhou Heng speculated inwardly. However, now was not the time for thorough questioning. He could only wait to return to the Martial Arts Hall and ask Yu He and the others about the situation. Yes, and he also needed to check on their condition. Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall had now been set on the right track and had become the largest martial arts hall in Huangtong Mansion City. Although no student from the hall had been formally recruited by the Pure Yang Palace yet, everyone held onto hope, knowing they had a bright future. As the head of the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall and the widely known Purple Lightning Sword Immortal, Zhou Heng had now even stepped into the Secret Six Rank and had become a person of high status. His return naturally caused quite a stir within the hall. Many apprentices wished to come into close contact with him. Zhou Heng did not dislike this. In fact, he rather enjoyed seeing his martial arts students so vibrant and energetic. Moreover, he also met Xie Chong. The lad was progressing fast and had now become a Ninth Rank Warrior. The gatekeeper, Jiang Er, was also there. Zhou Heng greeted him, and the old man nodded back in acknowledgment. Ha ha! Zhou Heng, youre back! A hearty laugh rang out. It was Yu He who had heard of Zhou Hengs return and hurried over, his face beaming with joy. Yo, Manager Yu, you seem to have grown even more prosperous, Zhou Heng, seeing Yu He, couldnt help but laugh. Ever since taking charge of the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, Yu He had completely put aside his martial arts practice, and his figure had quickly filled out. Hey, hey, come with me, dont waste words. Big brother is going to take you out for a drink! Yu He came over, chuckling. Our own tavern, with plenty of good wine and food, to wash away the dust of your journey. Then I shall gracefully accept your kindness, Zhou Heng replied with a smile. He hadnt detected any sign of the sickness on either Yu He or the Martial Arts Hall, which set his mind at ease. As for the other matters, he intended to inquire further over the dinner table. Yu He had prepared a feast to welcome Zhou Heng back, and of course, he wasnt the only one present. Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan were there, too. In total, there were four people, which pretty much comprised the founding team of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. After the third round of drinks. Zhou Heng broached the main topic, asking, Manager Yu, Master Lin, Principal, have you noticed any unusual incidents or individuals recently? Unusual? What kind of unusual? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Is there? The three men looked at each other, puzzled. They pondered for a moment before all three shook their heads, indicating they hadnt noticed anything. When I entered the city, I noticed that many people were sick, Zhou Heng said gravely. They seemed to be quite weak, and over two thousand people had sickness entwined within them. Thats not normal. Ah, youre talking about that? Yu He seemed to have an epiphany and laughed, Actually, that has something to do with that old man Jiang Er, who guards our Martial Arts Hall. What? Zhou Heng was astonished. Chapter 304 - Chapter 304: Chapter 24: Home, the Realm of Thunder Chapter 304: Chapter 24: Home, the Realm of Thunder That old man? Zhou Heng was astonished upon hearing the answer, never having expected Yu He to respond in such a way. He knew of Jiang Er and had met him. After the calamity faced by the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall of Huangtong Mansion City, spearheaded by the Loose Immortal Yu Long, it had undergone rapid development and expansion. The original Longxing Martial Arts Hall was transformed into a sort of memorial hall and renamed Pure Yang First Martial Arts Hall. Inside, many of the items that Zhou Heng had used during his training were well preserved, each with a written description and put on display for the public, something that could only be Yu Hes doing without question. The effect was indeed very good, attracting many visitors and generating significant foot traffic. Jiang Er was the old man selling tickets at the entrance of Pure Yang First Martial Arts Hall. It was said that the old man was over seventy years old, an outsider who lived a life of solitude, without children, and had no choice but to wander from place to place. Yu He, feeling sorry for him, had given him the job of selling tickets. But in Zhou Hengs memory, this Elder Jiang Er was aged and not versed in martial arts, just a normal old man. How could he be connected to a situation that might involve a great demons contamination? Could he be a hidden master? Zhou Heng was perplexed and asked, Whats going on? Heh, you must not know. Yu He wore a self-satisfied expression, saying, You dont know, right. Not long ago, just half a month ago, our city suddenly had a large number of people come down with a strange illness. This disease was bizarre, it rendered thousands unconscious overnight, it even alarmed the lord of Huangtong Mansion, but even with his personal investigation, the cause couldnt be determined. Eventually, it was I who found the remedy. You? Zhou Heng was taken aback, then quickly realized, That Elder Jiang Er? Exactly. Yu He nodded with a smile, saying, When everyone else was at a loss, Elder Jiang Er came to me, claiming that he had seen this strange disease before, as the people from his hometown had also died from it. After he miraculously escaped, he underwent many hardships and, after a long time, finally found a solution. He then provided a prescription, instructing us to collect the herbs and, after concocting the medicine, administer it to the patients. And guess what? The remedy worked like a charm, and all the unconscious people woke up. However, after an examination by the lord of Huangtong Mansion, he said that remnants of the disease still lingered in their bodies. They would need a period of rest before a full recovery could be achieved. I can hardly believe such an event occurred. Feeling utterly surprised, Zhou Heng asked further, Apart from this, did anything else happen in the city? No, thats all. Yu He found the questioning somewhat strange and asked, Did you come across some news? Yes, Zhou, just tell us directly if something is difficult, Lin Cang also added, We will certainly help with everything weve got. Is it related to the safety of Huangtong Mansion? Lei Xiuyan speculated. No, no. Zhou Heng waved his hand, not stating the details and unable to divulge them, clarifying, Im just curious after being away for so long. Lets continue eating, we shouldnt waste all this food and drink. Haha. Right, if you keep talking, everything will get cold! Yu He too burst out laughing, saying, Come on, its rare for you to come back, lets eat well, drink well. Youre right. Zhou Heng nodded with a grin. After three rounds of drinking, Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan had already gone off to rest. Only Yu He remained at the table with Zhou Heng. Big brother, youve got something on your mind, Yu He said as he poured Zhou Heng a cup of wine, smiling, Master Lin and Master Lei noticed too, so they left early to let us two have a chat. Something on my mind? Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned, took the wine cup, and chuckled, Perhaps there is something. You seem quite burdened with your life now, Yu He took a swig himself and declared, Traveling everywhere, facing life and death, its all exciting, sure, but you cant find peace. It feels like you were more at ease back when you were at the martial arts hall. Actually, Im quite content with my current situation, Zhou Heng countered with a smile. Being able to grow stronger step by step, gradually unraveling the puzzles in my heart, chasing the goals withinits tiring, yes, but not bad. Then Im relieved. Yu He grinned, refilled his cup, and laughed, Master Lin and Master Lei were somewhat worried about you too; now they can be at ease. Life is short, we should enjoy it timely, dont be too hard on yourself. Come on, drink up! Alright, cheers! Zhou Heng raised his cup and drained it. Cheers! Yu He too downed his cup and exclaimed, Someday when youre tired from your adventures out there, come back here. This is your home; your brother will drink with you! The next morning, Zhou Heng went to Pure Yang First Martial Arts Hall. To meet with Jiang Er. The collective unconsciousness of two thousand people was obviously not normal; he had also received that prescription from Yu He. The herbs used were all common and did not seem to possess any special effects. Zhou Heng still suspected there might be something wrong with Jiang Er. As the sun just started to rise, Pure Yang First Martial Arts Hall had not yet opened for business, and there werent many people at the entrance, just Elder Jiang Er sitting out front. He was fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, resting with his eyes closed. Zhou Heng slowly approached him, bowed with his hands clasped, and smiled, saying, Thank you, senior. Jiang Er opened his eyes, looked at Zhou Heng, shook his head, and said, Head of the hall, I make my living off your martial arts hall, whats this about calling me senior? and thanking me, thats strange. Seniors kindness and benevolence saved the critically ill citizens of Huangtong Mansion City, and I thank you on their behalf, Zhou Heng smiled, by then he had learned of Jiang Ers real identity but did not disclose it. Upon arriving at Pure Yang First Martial Arts Hall and seeing Jiang Er, Zhou Heng had used a Identification Card on him. Name: Jiang Tafa Gender: Male Age: 5,793 years old Rank: Second Rank of the Tao Martial Arts: Rites and Canons, Heavenly Statue Palm Taoist Formulas: Heaven-Sealing Great Taoist Formula, Landscape Prohibition Magic Weapons: Weapons: Status: Transform Disguise Hostility: None This identification cards effect when used on people was truly remarkable; it nearly displayed all kinds of information about Jiang Tafa clearly, even discerning whether there was any hostility. Zhou Heng suddenly felt that the way he had been using the identification card before was indeed a waste; it was truly put to full use when identifying people! Upon learning that this elder Jiang Er was none other than the sealed Tao Lord Jiang Tafa, he naturally understood that Huangtong Mansion City remained uncontaminated by the aura of the broken Tao Lord bone finger because of Jiang Tafas presence. With a real Tao Lord here, Huangtong Mansion City was definitely the safest place in the world. However, since Jiang Tafa was here in disguise and had no intention of revealing his identity, Zhou Heng naturally wouldnt rashly expose him, as it would benefit neither party and was not a wise decision. Of course, the necessary gratitude had to be expressed, and the traditional respects had to be observedit was said that the big shots from the Middle Ancient Era put great importance on proper etiquette. After all, the safety of Huangtong Mansion City would rely on him in the future. Its just a small effort for an old man like me, youre too kind with your praise, Jiang Er laughed, then said, Did the hall owner come here to ask the old man to leave? You misunderstand, senior, I truly came to express my gratitude, Zhou Heng hastened to explain, then added, As for your position, as long as you wish to keep it, no one can force you out. Well, well, with the hall owners words, the old man can rest easy, Jiang Ers aged face broke into a deeper smile, After wandering for so many years, to finally have a stable place to settle down, the old man is reluctant to leave. Please rest assured, senior, Zhou Heng smiled, As long as you wish, from now on, Huangtong Mansion City is your home. Home? Jiang Er paused, and after a long moment, as if recalling something, he laughed, Hahaha, good, good, this place is now this old fools home. He was very happy, extremely so. Zhou Heng could feel his overflowing joy, much like a wanderer with no place to call home, who after a long time adrift, had finally found a sanctuary. But where is my home? That place I may never be able to return to After confirming the absolute safety of Huangtong Mansion City, Zhou Heng then left. To return to the Pure Yang Palace. First, to inform Yan Shouyi of Jiang Tafas presence in Huangtong Mansion City, and second, to complete his mission and exchange it for Pure Yang Thunder Technique. The snowstorm of Taihua Mount was unchanging throughout the year, and the sea of clouds around the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak continued to churn. When Zhou Heng returned, Yan Shouyi was, as usual, sitting cross-legged on a rock platform, as if watching the sea of clouds, or as if his spirit was wandering beyond the heavens. Senior brother, Zhou Heng said, I met a Tao Lord in Huangtong Mansion City. That Senior Jiang? Yan Shouyi stood up, smiling. So senior brother already knew. Zhou Heng was slightly startled, then realized, Was it during that time when we subdued the Golden Crow Cave Sky? Ah, when the restriction on the wall showed abnormalities, it was that Tao Lord who made a move in secret. Correct, Yan Shouyi nodded gently, This Tao Lord means no harm, and at the moment, he probably just wants a quiet place to retire for a while. Unless necessary, we will not disturb him. Hmm, with him there, Huangtong Mansion City is indeed the safest place under the heavens now. Hmm. Zhou Heng nodded, then continued, Senior brother, I completed the mission, but there were some issues along the way, involving the Great Demon Cang Hua, as well as a bone of the Demon Lord He briefly recounted the situation. The suppression of the Demon Lords phalanx under Huangtong Mansion City, I have heard Grand Ancestor Master mention this before, but only in passing, and my understanding is not extensive, said Yan Shouyi, pondering. That Demon Lord must have invaded during that Dark Era, causing a great disaster before being dismembered and suppressed. Senior brother, what happened during that Dark Era? Zhou Heng asked. Not clear, Yan Shouyi said with a gentle shake of his head. Even you are not clear, senior brother? Zhou Heng exclaimed in astonishment, his face filled with confusion and surprise. I do understand some circumstances, but indeed, not very clearly, Yan Shouyi sighed softly and said, Junior brother, regarding the Dark Era, I advise you not to delve into it just yet. That was an extremely chaotic time, with much of the history buried; many powerhouses are very reticent about that era, even the Grand Ancestor Master himself is reluctant to mention it too much. Moreover, that era was too close to the Ancient Mythological Era, and some matters may involve secrets you are not capable of bearing, which would be extremely dangerous for current you. The Grand Ancestor Master mentioned by Yan Shouyi was the third sect leader of Pure Yang Palace, a Divine First Rank Tao Lord who took on a critical mission during that Dark Age, leading the Pure Yang Palace to its rise. Hmm, I understand, thank you for the reminder, senior brother, Zhou Heng nodded, but inwardly he took special note of the key information Yan Shouyi had just mentioned. The secrets of the Dark Era might be directly related to the Ancient Mythological Era. Based on what Zhou Heng had learned so far, some immortals from the Ancient Mythological Era might be associated with the mythological legends of Earth, and if he could find related information, he might find a way back to Earth. Even if it was not appropriate to investigate deeply now, he could still pay attention to related information. Junior brother, your Pure Yang Thunder Fury Technique, Yan Shouyi said as he took out a purple-gold booklet and handed it to Zhou Heng with a smile. This technique is not easy to cultivate; you must find a place with intense thunder energy to refine True Qi. Do you have any recommendations, senior brother? Zhou Heng asked. Do I need to make any recommendations? smiled Yan Shouyi. Isnt Shenxiao Sect a suitable place? Ive heard that after your friendship grew through conflict with Chu Qingchuan of Shenxiao Sect, some good relations were established. It should not be difficult to ask to use a place where thunder energy is rich. That is indeed a feasible plan, but I dont want to owe any favors, Zhou Heng said with a light shake of his head, smiling. Its more convenient to find on my own. In that case, I do have an idea, said Yan Shouyi with a smile. Actually, you could use the privileges of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to find a world where cultivating thunder is the essence. That way, the Thunder Fury True Qi you refine will be purer and more powerful. Thats possible? Zhou Heng listened, stunned, and said in amazement, But in such a case, if the world itself is of a low level, wouldnt that affect the quality of the True Qi? And would it affect the conditions for merging external scenery? Junior brother, you have yet to understand the true nature of True Qi, Yan Shouyi shook his head slightly and said, True Qi is indeed the medium for mobilizing the external worlds energy and the bridge for merging external scenery, but essentially it is your own power, the True Qi cultivated by yourself. Since it is your own power, there is no need to consider the conditions for merging external scenery, and you can adapt once you returnit wont take more than a few hours. As for the quality of the True Qi itself, a world where thunder is the essence of cultivation is already the best place for thunder energy. I see, Zhou Heng said with bright eyes, nodding, Thank you, senior brother. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You dont have to thank me; thank Jiang Jian instead, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Huh? Zhou Heng looked confused. This idea was actually something Jiang Jian mentioned to me when she came looking for you, Yan Shouyi explained. She guessed you might choose an Inner Strength technique related to thunder and asked me what I thought about this method. I must say, it is indeed an excellent idea. Then I will have to thank her properly, Zhou Heng nodded, deciding to buy Jiang Jian some more sweets to eat once he returned after cultivating the Thunder Fury True Qi. Im afraid you wont have the opportunity to thank her for a while, Yan Shouyi shook his head and sighed. Chapter 305 - Chapter 305: Chapter 25: The Sky-bound Thunder Realm, The Great Void Star Chapter 305: Chapter 25: The Sky-bound Thunder Realm, The Great Void Star Senior Brother, what do you mean? Zhou Hengs eyebrows immediately furrowed. Dont worry, Yan Shouyi said with a smile upon seeing this, Shes gone to find a treasure land where she can cultivate True Qi of Jade Sky. Unless its absolutely necessary, she probably wont come back. I see. Zhou Heng let out a sigh of relief and nodded lightly, Mm, with her current level of cultivation, she should indeed be close to the Secret Sixth Rank. Dont you have other questions to ask? Yan Shouyi touched his forehead and said gently. Ah? What else is there? Zhou Heng became puzzled instead. For example, is there any other message left by Cheng Jianjian? Yan Shouyi shook his head and chuckled, You, the core inheritance of Jade Qiong Peak, the Jade Sky Lingxu Sutra, emphasizes the intent of Heavenly Punishment in the early stages of Middle Third Rank. The clearest expression of the Heavenly Punishments command is undoubtedly Thunder. Mastering the power of Thunder was also a specialty of the ancestor Master Pure Yang, so the treasure land shes seeking, in fact, coincides with your goal. Theres such a thing, too. Zhou Heng was both surprised and delighted and laughed, Doesnt this mean that she has also found where I should go to cultivate the True Qi of Fierce Thunder for me? It must have taken quite a bit of thought, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Then Ill have to buy her more sweets, Zhou Heng nodded earnestly. Yan Shouyi fell silent upon hearing this and sighed softly, Disciple, go. Thank you, Senior Brother. Zhou Heng nodded in thanks, said goodbye, and left the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak, descended Taihua Mount, flew into the sky on his sword, and headed towards the nearest entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace, surrounded by purple sword light and thunder. This boy Yan Shouyi shook his head gently and turned, hands behind his back, walking toward the palace. After returning to Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng went straight to Jieyou Hall to inquire about the whereabouts of the North Star Officer from the Five Emperors Inner Seat. Actually, by the rules, he was not supposed to know about such matters. But as the Ziwei Master, who holds a special status and is the hope for unlocking various new features of the Purple Tenuity Palace, naturally things were different for him. Therefore, he easily found out about Cheng Jianjians whereabouts. Name: Sky Thunder Realm Type: Great Void Star Affiliation: Under the jurisdiction of the Jiao-Mu Star River Bing-Wu Star System One Ordeal: Thirty-six thousand years Supreme: Absolute Fourth Rank (False) Heaven and Earth Vital Energy: Thirty percent concentration Laws Suppression: Seventh Level Suppression Time Flow Rate: Triple World Overview: Thunder contains the essence of the Dao; mortals practicing the Martial Path refine their bodies, and upon reaching the peak, endure Thunder to gain the divine might of Heaven and Earth and act as enforcers of Heavenly Punishment, known as Heavenly Walkers Sects control the technique of drawing Thunder, monopolize cultivation, and rule from above, governing various countries Zhou Heng frowned at the information about this Sky Thunder Realm, which was quite different from the Demon Spirit World information he had seen before. Especially the type and affiliation of this world. It actually belonged to a star system within a star rivercould these so-called Great Void Stars be planets? The Sky Thunder Realm is a planet? He looked doubtfully at the Five Emperors Inner Seat, expressing his emotions through his eyes. It seems that Lord Ziwei Master has quite a few questions, said the Five Emperors Inner Seat with a smile. Yes, Zhou Heng nodded and said, What exactly does this affiliation and type mean, as well as the concentration of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy and the Laws Suppression? He chuckled again, Sorry, too many questions. Ziwei Master, dont worry about it. Its quite normal for you to not understand these as you havent visited other worlds often, the Five Emperors Inner Seat waved his hands repeatedly and then smiled, Allow me to explain. Through the description of the Five Emperors Inner Seat, Zhou Heng roughly understood what the star river, star system, and great star were about, which turned out to be similar to the galaxy, star system concept he knew in his previous life. The universe is vast and limitless, not just worlds like the Demon Spirit World with their round heavens and square earths, but also endless stars. These stars, big and small, some emitting light and heat, together form star rivers, and stars interconnecting like stars and planets constitute a star system. In these two respects, it roughly matched Zhou Hengs knowledge from his previous life, but the concept of a great star was completely different from what he knew before. A great star refers specifically to celestial bodies that support life and civilization and are the true core of a star system. This core means that all celestial bodies in the star system rotate around this great star. For an easy comparison with Zhou Hengs previous lifes knowledge Normally, the solar system has the Sun at its center, with Earth orbiting around it. Even if Earth has life and civilization, its not called a great star. If, for instance, Earth is the center of the solar system, with the Sun and other stars all revolving around Earth, and Earths size is much larger than that of the Sun, then Earth could be called a great star. But this description was somewhat hard for Zhou Heng to accept. He never imagined that such a situation could exist. Would this amount to a star revolving around a planet? And a planet bigger than a starhow terrifying would the gravitational pull be? A bit far-fetched. As for Heaven and Earth Vital Energy and Laws Suppression, those are actually easier to understand. The former indicates that the Sky Thunder Realms concentration of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy is only thirty percent of this worlds, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty of cultivation for ordinary martial artists, possibly diminishing the power of Martial Arts and Taoist Formulas as well. The latter is due to the arrival through the star gate, which fundamentally makes one an outsider, so naturally, there would be suppression by the Heaven and Earth Laws, leading to ones original strength not being fully exhibited. A seventh-level suppression means that only thirty percent of the original strength can be utilized. This means that descending there poses a great danger. Does Lord Ziwei Master also wish to go to this Sky Thunder Realm? asked the Five Emperors Inner Seat while looking for a suitable mission. Although arriving at another world through a star gate doesnt necessarily require accepting a mission, since one is going there, why not simultaneously complete a mission and gain some merit? Mm, please find a suitable mission for me, senior, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. No problem, the Five Emperors Inner Seat nodded and smiled, But, Id still like to remind you, Lord Ziwei Master, that in thirteen days, it will be the gathering in Aprildont forget. Jiang Jian and I will hurry back, Zhou Heng said, nodding. The time flow rate in the Sky Thunder Realm is three times that of this world, so thirteen days would be close to forty days, ample time to refine True Qi and complete a few simple missions. However, this gathering is actually quite important, involving the opening of some new permissions for the Purple Tenuity Palace, and Zhou Heng felt he should return a few days earlier to meet with Tianyi and Azure Dragon first. That would leave roughly thirty days, which should be enough. Ive found one, said the Five Emperors Inner Seat with a smile, Its been sent to your mask. You can check it directly. Then thank you, senior, Zhou Heng said, bowing. ` Passing through the star gate, dazzling streaks of starlight flashed before Zhou Hengs eyes. He felt as though he saw countless Star Rivers made of billions of stars flowing past him. He himself was plummeting into one of these Star Rivers, witnessing an enormous blue planet rotating in the void, with nine massive fireballs orbiting around it. Beneath the radiance of these fireballs, Zhou Heng could see thick thunder and electric light in the atmosphere of the water-blue planet, vast like a sea of thunder. All these scenes were actually fleeting, and soon after, Zhou Heng descended with the starlight onto the planet itself. Within the borders of Qianyang Country, on Xingyun Mountain. This was a wilderness rarely trodden by human feet, yet just twenty miles away lay the world-renowned Purple Lightning Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects. Tomorrow was the day the Purple Lightning Sect held its once-in-a-decade recruitment of disciples. Over the years, at this time, youths from various countries and regions would gather in front of the Purple Lightning Sects mountain gates, undergo inspections and trials, and determine whether they were qualified to be accepted as disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect. These youngsters were either from royal families, nobility, heirs of centuries-old clans, or local tycoons and regional powerhouses. In short, there were few ordinary people among them. Ordinary folk couldnt even dream of going to the Purple Lightning Sect for the trials, let alone affording the hundred taels of silver required for registration, not to mention the need to traverse thousands of miles over mountains and through waters to reach the Purple Lightning Sect in the first place. If unescorted, one would face towering mountains and treacherous marshes along the way, as well as fierce bandits within the green forests, any slight carelessness could result in the loss of life. However, there were still those who harbored dreams. Wang Li was one such person. He was a commoner from Qianyang Country, living in a mountain village two thousand miles from the Purple Lightning Sect. An orphan since childhood, he grew up eating meals provided by various families and, upon reaching fifteen, began working odd jobs for a living. While working, Wang Li also practiced martial arts with the only martial instructor in the village. By the age of nineteen, he had grown strong and imposing, his martial arts skills had developed to surpass those of his instructor, Liu. Earlier this year, he overheard a traveling merchant talking about the Purple Lightning Sects new round of recruitment, and he excitedly bid farewell to the people in the village, setting out on his way to the Purple Lightning Sect. His goal was to join the Purple Lightning Sect, become a renowned Heavenly Walker, and bring benefits to his fellow villagers. That journey had taken half a year. As the population of Qianyang Country wasnt large and the towns were far apart, the roads were mostly rudimentary and many areas were even inaccessible. Wang Li had to make his way on his own, crossing mountains and rivers, and carefully bypassing marshes and muddy lands. Although his martial arts were not weak, with every move holding the weight of a thousand jins, he had never ventured far from home before and carelessly got lost in Xingyun Mountain. Xingyun Mountain was treacherous, covered in dense forests, and there were rumors that many fierce tigers lived here; tainted by the lightning qi of the Purple Lightning Sect, they had not only tremendous strength and ferocity but also possessed some supernatural traits. Therefore, as he navigated through Xingyun Mountain, Wang Li was extremely cautious. Unfortunately, when it rains, it pours. While Wang Li was picking wild fruits, intending to fill his stomach, a Ring-eyed White Forehead Tiger over ten meters tall spotted him. This ferocious tiger possessed boundless strength and moved like the wind. With a flick of its tail, it was like thunder exploding, causing ones heart to tremble. After a few encounters, Wang Li was already at a disadvantage. He was about to be devoured by the tiger. At this critical moment of life and death, Wang Li saw flashes of images before his eyes and heard a series of familiar voices in his ears. These were his life experiences from the past decade, as well as the advice and blessings from the villagers before he left. Was I really overestimating my abilities? Master Liu had warned me several times about the myriad dangers on the journey, saying that a single misstep could cost a life. I did not believe him at first, but now it seems ` Thoughts emerged in Wang Lis heart. At the same time, as he watched the ferocious tigers gaping maw coming closer and closer, he knew his head would soon be bitten off, eaten clean, leaving no intact corpse behind. Bang! Just then, there was a loud noise, and the tiger that was pouncing seemed to have been hit by something, flying out sideways, breaking one tree after another, before finally crashing to the ground. It didnt move. Stunned, Wang Li turned his head to look, only to see the tiger that had been about to bite off his head now lying twenty-odd zhang away, its midsection caved in, evidently with all bones broken, as bright red blood poured continuously from its mouth. Dead, is it dead? Wang Li looked at the tiger with an astonished expression, somewhat in disbelief. He involuntarily touched his own head, murmuring, Still here, still here, this isnt a dream?? Stop touching; youre not dreaming, a clear voice came through. A young man, appearing to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, walked over slowly. He was dressed in a green shirt, with a jade crown belt, and looked handsome and dashing. It was Zhou Heng. You, who are you? Wang Li looked towards Zhou Heng, feeling even more shocked inside. Could such a young man, who seemed even younger than himself, actually kill a Xingyun Tiger with a single punch?! Incredible. You can call me Zhou Wei. Zhou Heng chuckled, Are you also here to participate in the Purple Lightning Sects new disciple assessment? Yes, yes, my name is Wang Li. Wang Li nodded, speaking somewhat nervously, Thank you for saving my life just now. Without you, I probably would have ended up in the tigers mouth. It was just a small effort, not worth mentioning, Zhou Heng smiled, Lets go. Since were both headed to Purple Lightning Sect, we might end up as sect mates. Its perfect that we travel together. Together, travel together? Great, thats great! Wang Li nodded, being a simple and honest youth from the mountains, seeing such a powerful individual willing to travel with him, he naturally had no reason to refuse. After all, Xingyun Mountain was still quite dangerous. With such a powerful person around, it would be much safer. However, how exactly did this person train in martial arts, to be so formidable? Could he have reached the rumored pinnacle of human strength where one could beckon thunder for divine might? Impressive! In fact, this was already the third day since Zhou Heng had arrived in this Heavenly Firmament Thunder Realm. The Seventh Level Laws suppression was indeed extraordinary. When he had first arrived in this world, he was only able to exert about ten percent of his strength. After initially acclimatizing to the laws of the external environment and Heaven and Earth, he only managed to recover to about thirty percent of his original strength. Furthermore, Zhou Heng felt that if he tried to forcibly improve his strength now, using methods that differed a lot from the laws of this world, it could likely provoke a response from the Heaven and Earth Laws. A negative response. Like a Heavenly Punishment. Therefore, Zhou Heng changed his original plan of roaming the world looking for suitable treasure spots, and decided to start with the Nine Great Sects. These sects, which held the secret techniques for beckoning lightning, must have places where the essence of thunder was rich. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Purple Lightning Sect was the closest one to Zhou Heng. Of course, barging in was out of the question, as that wasnt his style, and given his current state, he probably wouldnt win either. So, Zhou Heng decided to participate in the latest round of Purple Lightning Sects disciple assessment. To blend in first. As for Wang Li, he was related to the mission. Chapter 306 - Chapter 306: Chapter 26: The Jade Immortal, a Prophecy Fulfilled with a Single Phrase Chapter 306: Chapter 26: The Jade Immortal, a Prophecy Fulfilled with a Single Phrase Because Zhou Heng would not stay in the Heavenly Lightning Realm for a long time, and his main purpose was to practice the Fury Thunder True Qi, the tasks he received were relatively simple. Guide the reincarnation of the Ghost Immortal Wang Li onto the orthodox path of a Thunder Heavenly Walker and extend the awakening of his past lifes memories as long as possible. This was the content of the task. This task was a continuous one. Actually, before this, whether it was the martial arts instructor Liu Wu who taught Wang Li, or the merchant who told him about the Purple Lightning Sects recruitment of disciples, both were people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. The aim was to lead him onto the righteous path without leaving any trace. Zhou Heng was more or less the key link in this series of tasksto lead and help Wang Li successfully pass the Purple Lightning Sects entry assessment. After all, those who came to participate in the Purple Lightning Sects entrance examination mostly came from noble families and had laid a solid foundation from a young age. Even though Wang Li had been taught by people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and had laid a very solid foundation, he ultimately only had his own abilities and lacked favorable external conditions. It was inevitable that he would be at a disadvantage. This is where Zhou Heng needed to lend a hand in secret. The Purple Lightning Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects of the Heavenly Lightning Realm, with extremely formidable strength. It was said that they had over ten Divine Monarchs who had overcome seven calamities or more, with their current sect leader being a Divine Monarch who had successfully withstood eight lightning tribulations. This ranked them among the top three in the Nine Great Sects. With such formidable power, naturally, the territory they governed was vast, including more than thirty-seven countries such as Qianyang Country, Zhusha Country, and Distant Seas Country, all within a territory of millions of miles under the rule of the Purple Lightning Sect. Every year, the countries would send envoys to the Purple Lightning Sect with tributes and countless treasures to express gratitude for the Purple Lightning Sects protection. This situation made Zhou Heng click his tongue in wonder. After all, although in Da Qi, the top sects might not care about the Imperial Court, for most of the medium and large sects, the power of the Imperial Court is still very strong. Hence, the situation where sects govern nations was somewhat reminiscent of the vague and ominous Dark Age, and it seems that some of it was also preserved in the Middle Ancient Era, but the overall situation should have been much milder. At the moment, Zhou Heng and Wang Li were queueing up to undergo an identity check to see if they already had Thunder Patterns on their bodies. Thunder Patterns are symbols of having withstood lightning and obtained divine might. Each instance of withstanding lightning would form a Thunder Pattern, and the Thunder Patterns formed by different secret techniques of lightning attraction are very distinguishable. Although Zhou Heng was no longer an ordinary person, he indeed did not have Thunder Patterns, which made passing this checkpoint very easy, and with his currently restored cultivation realm, hiding his strength to pass as an ordinary person was not difficult. He had now recovered about thirty percent of his strength, roughly equivalent to a strong Seventh Calamity in this world, which is the level of most sect masters in the Nine Great Sects. Before coming to the Purple Lightning Sect, Zhou Heng had inquired from various sources and simply compared this worlds Heavenly Walker system to his own. The highest level in this world, the Divine Emperors who overcame nine calamities, were roughly equivalent to being infinitely close to the Sect Fifth Rank, with seven calamities similar to the True Qi Realm and eight calamities akin to the True Gang Realm. Four to six calamities are equivalent to the Seventh Rank, while one to three calamities are akin to the Eighth Rank, which is the peak of human strength, not much different from a Ninth Rank Warrior. However, this was just a simple comparison, and there are actually many differences in the specific details between the two. For example, Heavenly Walkers in this world usually gain the divine might of flight from their fourth calamity, something that Seventh Rank Warriors cultivating the Martial Path could not achieve. Yet, in terms of manipulating heaven and earths primordial energy, Heavenly Walkers heavily rely on the divine might of the Thunder Patterns granted by heaven and can hardly diverge into other areas, which means they are far less versatile than Martial Artists. As a result, Zhou Heng effortlessly bluffed his way through and passed the first round of screening. In this round, not many people were eliminated; over three thousand people passed, and were gathered in a huge hall, waiting for the notification of the next round of assessment. Wang Li was enthusiastically trying to socialize, but was mostly met with cold shouldershow could those of noble birth pay attention to a country bumpkin like Wang Li? Zhou Wei, I always feel like they look down on me, Wang Li said to Zhou Heng in a somewhat dejected tone, I know its because of my background, but it just makes me uncomfortable, and I even feel like they are somewhat disrespectful. By the end, he himself laughed, shaking his head, This feeling is really strange. What right do I have to feel disrespected by them, sigh This must be the unawakened Ghost Immortal True Spirit within you causing trouble Zhou Heng knew what was happening, but he couldnt explain it, instead smiling and saying, In the future, you will impress them. Thirty years in the east and thirty years in the west, do not underestimate the youth in poverty. do not underestimate the youth in poverty. Wang Li stood dazed for a while as if savoring the words, the light in his eyes gradually turning resolute, and finally, he nodded seriously, Yes, I understand. Only by training hard and becoming strong can others look at me differently. Brother Zhou, thank you for the guidance. Im just worried that the little bit of Ghost Immortal True Spirits influence will accelerate the awakening of your past lifes memories Zhou Heng thought to himself, while outwardly, he just nodded lightly, with an expression of seeing a teachable child. Following that, there were five more rounds of testing, and the elimination rate was very high, leaving less than fifty people in the end. With Wang Lis current level, he was barely qualified to pass, but there were a few so-called related parties in the group, and he should have been eliminated. However, with Zhou Hengs secret assistance, he passed the assessment. Wang Li noted this kindness deep in his heart, determined that when he was no longer young and poor, he would repay Zhou Wei properly. After the five-round assessment, the day had come to an end. The remaining three rounds of assessment would take place tomorrow. However, it was said that these three rounds of assessment were just a formality, with the final candidates having almost been decided today. The remaining forty or so people could basically be considered the final selections. Thus, a young man from the Qianyang Countrys royal family suggested they go to a restaurant for a feast; this was an attempt to build connections and establish a base within the Purple Lightning Sect ahead of time. Zhou Heng did not attend, but he sent Wang Li. His purpose in coming to the Purple Lightning Sect was to find a Heavenly Lightning location to cultivate the Fury Thunder True Qi. These useless social interactions would only bring unnecessary trouble. That night. Zhou Heng lay in the dwelling prepared by the Purple Lightning Sect for the disciple assessment, his gaze drifting toward the bright moon outside the window, slightly absent-minded, he thought to himself, What principle rules the moon in this world? After all, it is the sun that revolves around Earth, and there are a total of nine suns at that. When I previously arrived here, it seemed there was no sight of the moon either. Tsk, tsk, the great thousand worlds are really full of wonders Ah, Jiang Jian arrived here ten days before me. I wonder how shes doing now, whether shes already mastered the Jade Heaven True Qi. Ah, it seems Ive forgotten to buy her candy. Ill make it up to her when I return After tomorrow, I should officially become a disciple of the Purple Lightning Sect, and I can check where the thunderous energy is richest. The three rounds of assessments on the second day were indeed just as the rumors said, nothing more than a mere formality. In the end, not a single person was eliminated. Full attendance passed. However, among those who passed, there were still different levels. A group of nobles and those with connections, as well as those who performed exceptionally well, like Zhou Heng, a total of nine people, were directly admitted to the Inner Sect, while the rest went to the Outer Sect. Zhou Heng needed to find places within the vast Purple Lightning Sect where the thunderous energy was dense, which naturally required him to move around a lot. Having the status of an Inner Sect disciple was clearly more convenient than being an Outer Sect disciple. Subsequently, after a series of confirmation and inspection procedures, Zhou Heng and others finally proudly became the newest disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect. On the second day after their formal initiation, Zhou Heng visited his fellow sect members under the guise of getting to know them better, while casually surveying the concentration of thunderous energy. This kind of behavior was actually quite conspicuous, but he didnt care. His time was limited, after all. As long as he acted politely and showed enough potential, even if the Purple Lightning Sect found his behavior conspicuous, they would not rashly deal with him. By the time they truly made up their mind, Zhou Hengs Wrathful Thunder True Qi would have already been perfected. Hey, Zhou Wei, have you heard that things have not been quite peaceful in the world lately? Wang Li said to Zhou Heng with a chicken leg in his mouth, speaking somewhat indistinctly. Although there is a difference in the treatment and living quarters between Inner and Outer Sect members, the communication between them is still very frequent. Zhou Heng often comes over to chat with Wang Li these days. Lest this reincarnated Ghost Immortal should veer off course. Whats going on? Zhou Heng asked curiously. Since his initiation five days ago, he had been running around everywhere, and although he had confirmed three suitable places for cultivating thunderous energy, he was not well-informed about news from the outside world. Its about the Barbarian Tribe, Wang Li said enthusiastically: Its said that there is a strong being in the northwest Barbarian Tribes, equivalent to an Eight Tribulations Divine Monarch, who recently invaded the Central Plains in a big way, nearly breaking through the mountain gate of the Heavenly God Pavilion. The Human Race in the Heavenly Thunder Realm similarly faces a crisis, namely the Barbarian Tribes living within the desolate Northwestern desert. These Barbarian Tribes have a similar physique to Humans but are fundamentally different. It is said that they are the descendants of ancient gods and demons, inherently miraculous. With the growth of age, they can awaken various divine powers without the need to attract thunder. Therefore, the individual strength of the Barbarian Tribes is much greater than that of the Human Races Heavenly Walkers, its just that the Barbarian Tribes have difficulties with reproduction, which is why their numbers are far fewer than the Human Race, forced to live in the barren and cold deserts of the Northwest. ` However, as long as a top-notch warrior emerged from the Barbarian Tribe, it would be inevitable for them to invade Central Plains and even attack the mountain gates of Sects, rampaging with large-scale slaughter and looting. The Sect Master of the Heavenly God Pavilion is just a Seventh Rank warrior, right? How did she manage to hold them off? Zhou Heng was curious. It is said that a Yu Xiao Fairy appeared out of nowhere, repelling the Barbarian Tribes Divine Monarch with the overwhelming divine might of her palm. With a single strike, she sent the Divine Monarch flying. That must be at least a formidable Eighth Rank warrior. How impressive, if only I could be so formidable, Wang Li said with a lifted spirit. Yu Xiao Fairy? Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this and thought to himself, If my speculation is correct, this must be Jiang Jianhas she already mastered the Yu Xiao True Qi? However, if the rumors are true and she was able to repel a warrior comparable to the Eighth Rank of the True Gang Realm with her Cultivation that had just broken through to the Secret Sixth Rank, didnt she receive any suppression from the Heaven and Earth Laws? Or could it be that by using the treasures of this world as aid in cultivating True Qi, one could effectively avoid the suppression of the Heaven and Earth Laws of this world? Hmm, it seems possible. Do you have any more news about this Yu Xiao Fairy? Zhou Heng inquired. Very little, Wang Li shook his head, somewhat regretfully, This Yu Xiao Fairy is very mysterious, seemingly without a past, as if shes a powerhouse that appeared suddenly. We only know that she should have some connection with the Heavenly God Pavilion. However, there are some rumors saying that the Yu Xiao Fairy is actually a Protector secretly kept by the Heavenly God Pavilion, a deep accumulation from the past, possibly an ancient Ninth Rank Divine Emperor That rumor must have been spread by the Heavenly God Pavilion themselves, Zhou Heng chuckled, then added, What about the Barbarian Tribes Divine Monarch? Did he retreat back to the Northwestern Deserts after being repelled by the Yu Xiao Fairy? They say not. The Barbarian Tribes Divine Monarch apparently suffered heavy injuries and, after escaping, has vanished without a trace. Wang Li pondered for a moment and then said with some worry, Brother Zhou, do you think that Barbarian Tribes Divine Monarch might flee to our Purple Lightning Sect? We are the closest to the Heavenly God Pavilion among the Nine Great Sects. It wouldnt be so coincidental, and he should also know that the Purple Lightning Sect has an Eighth Rank Divine Monarch, Zhou Heng shook his head and laughed, What would he come here for, to be completely annihilated by an Eighth Rank Divine Monarch? Mm, I also think thats true, Wang Li nodded in agreement. After nearly ten days of selection, Zhou Heng finally chose a location rich with Thunder essence and relatively hidden. He then submitted an application to establish his residence. Inner Sect Disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect were allowed to have their own private residences, although the locations were usually assigned and not freely chosen. Zhou Heng had used some tricks to get this particular location assigned to himself. Consequently, after half a day of simple construction, Zhou Hengs residence took shape, and he could finally enter the proper state of mind to start preparing for the cultivation of Pure Yang Wrath Thunder Technique. Because the Pure Yang Wrath Thunder Technique was essentially a further exploration of the Pure Yang Dan Scripture, it shared many similarities with it. Therefore, Zhou Hengs cultivation went very smoothly, virtually without any bottlenecks. Furthermore, as one of the Nine Great Sects in the Tian Xiao Thunder Realm, the Thunder treasure lands found within the Purple Lightning Sect were truly extraordinary, allowing Zhou Heng to absorb extremely pure Thunder essence, greatly aiding in the cultivation of Wrath Thunder True Qi. As time passed day by day, Zhou Hengs progression grew increasingly rapid. However, just as he was at a critical juncture in his cultivation, on the verge of a breakthrough and about to advance further to truly form the Wrath Thunder True Qi, a thunderous noise suddenly erupted from outside. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only BOOM! The mountains and rivers shook, the ground quaked, and Zhou Hengs simply constructed residence was directly toppled by the tremors. Yet, he remained unmoved, continuing to cultivate the Wrath Thunder True Qi. At the same time, a furious shout exploded above the Purple Lightning Sect. How dare these Northwestern barbarians assault the Purple Lightning Sectseeking death!! ` Chapter 307 - Chapter 307: Chapter 27 Returning Together Chapter 307: Chapter 27 Returning Together Hahahaha! Old fool, you sure have a dirty mouth. A voice full of mockery and arrogance came from outside, and every disciple of the Purple Lightning Sect heard it loud and clear, If you have the ability to kill me, just do it directly, why waste your breath! Arrogant! Utterly arrogant! Moreover, the attack that shook the sects gates and caused the earth and mountains to tremble, along with the terrifying power that rumbled without end, truly left the many disciples within the Purple Lightning Sect agape. Theyd never seen anyone dare to come looking for trouble so arrogantly direct before. They hadnt even heard of such a thing. This was one of the Nine Great Sects under heaven, the Purple Lightning Sect with the Divine Monarch of Eight Tribulations at the helm! Who was bold enough to do this? Listening to the voice of the sect master just now, could it be the Barbarian Tribe of the Northwestern Wasteland? At this thought, including Wang Li, the faces of many disciples changed dramatically; they all remembered the rumors theyd heard not long agothe Barbarian Tribe from the Northwest had brought forth a Divine Monarch of Eight Tribulations whose might overshadowed the world and had attacked the Heavenly God Pavilion. If it were not for the emergence of the Jade Xiao Fairy who repelled this Divine Monarch, the Heavenly God Pavilion would have been breached, and they were also one of the Nine Great Sects. This indicated that the strength of this Divine Monarch from the Barbarian Tribe was unfathomably deep. Could it be they were now targeting the Purple Lightning Sect? Whats going on, shouldnt he have just been repelled by the Jade Xiao Fairy not long ago? His injuries should not even have healed yet, where did he get the courage and strength to attack the Purple Lightning Sect? However, no matter how incredible it all felt to them, many disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect, especially those who had recently joined, felt fear and anxiety amidst the earth-shaking power surrounding them. Wang Li looked at the storm filling the sky, felt the trembling of the earth beneath his feet, wore a worried expression, took a deep breath, and quickly ran toward the cave dwelling where Zhou Heng was. Hey, what are you doing? Stay put at a time like this. Dont run around! another disciple from the outer sect warned Wang Li, Its too dangerous. Zhou Wei has been in closed-door cultivation recently; he might not be aware of the danger outside. I need to warn him, Wang Li briefly explained and continued rushing forward. Boom! At that moment, the sky continued to yield thunderous explosions as streaks of purple lightning spread out, overshadowing the sky, seemingly transforming the entire Purple Lightning Sect into a world of thunder. The Sect Master of the Purple Lightning Sect, Hong Tianlu, had made a move. He was a Divine Monarch who had weathered eight Thunder Tribulations, possessed eight Thunder Patterns, and could unleash eight different kinds of divine might; the purple lightning that spread across the sky just now was one example of his divine might, named Purple Lightning Overwhelms the Sky. This was a wide-range attack with not only extremely strong killing power but also the ability to lower the defense abilities of enemies caught under the thunder, rendering their movements sluggish and effectively reducing their combat strength. Standing beside Hong Tianlu were three Divine Monarchs of Seven Tribulations, all core members of the Purple Lightning Sects upper echelon with formidable strength. On the other side of the sky, opposite the four from the Purple Lightning Sect, was a brawny man with a robust physique, bare-chested, and muscles coiled like dragons, floating in mid-air. His body looked as tough as steel, and his upper bodys muscles were marked with strange patterns that exuded an odd aesthetic. These patterns, known as the Bloodline Barbarian Patterns in the Barbarian Tribe, were the source of their strength. This sturdy man was named Yuan Lie, the same Barbarian Tribe Divine Monarch who had previously attacked the Heavenly God Pavilion. Under the shroud of Purple Lightning Fill the Sky, Yuan Lie seemed to be largely unaffected. With a casual flex of his muscles, he shook off the arcs of electricity and chuckled, Hong Tianlu, are you giving this lord a back massage? Youre courting death! Hong Tianlu was instantly enraged. He was an elderly man who appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, with a youthful face and white hair. His whiskers bristled with anger as he bellowed, Kill! Annihilate the Barbarian Tribe! Yes, Sect Master! Three Divine Monarchs of the Seven Calamities nodded in response and joined forces with Hong Tianlu to strike. The Thunder Patterns connected the natural Qi of heaven and earth, aligning with the natural laws. As the four began to move, the Qi churned and boiled under the sky-covering purple lightning, rapidly condensing into thousands of swords of Thunder! Among these thousands of swords, a Giant Sword of purple lightning that stretched a hundred zhang in length was the most dazzling and awe-inspiring. This was the core of the thousands of Thunder Swords, the dominator of all, the expression of Hong Tianlus Thunder Pattern divine might: the Heavenly Punishment Purple Thunder Sword! Die! Hong Tianlu roared, and the purple Thunder Sword came slashing down! Its edge, radiance, and thunder completely engulfed Yuan Lie, who stood in mid-air, but only for a brief two to three breaths. Boom! A giant cyan fist, over a hundred zhang wide, burst forth from within the layers of writhing thunder, reminiscent of an ancient giant punching through the void, effortlessly shattering the assault of the thousands of Thunder Swords. Yuan Lie floated in the air, still without a scratch on him. His body was adorned with luminescent cyan Barbarian Patterns, connected to the giant fist beside him, the power of the patterns casting him in an almost godlike or demonic light. Hong Tianlu, you are no match for me, even if we are on the same level, you could never be my opponent. Without any urgency to attack, Yuan Lie sneered, Summoning thunder, branding Thunder Patterns, obtaining divine might At the end of the day, its nothing but a parody of the divine blood patterns by bloodline-diluted trash. How could you possibly stand against our ancestors? Nonsense! Hong Tianlus face turned an iron blue as he prepared to once again harness the power of the Thunder Patterns to unleash his divine might and continue his assault on Yuan Lie. But at that moment, the purple lightning that filled the sky, as if attracted by something, escaped from Hong Tianlus control. What had once eclipsed the sun and clouded the sky, this purple lightning, under the influence of this strange force, suddenly condensed into an extraordinarily pure orb of light. This orb of light hung above Yuan Lies head like a massive Thunderball. Boom! With a sudden thunderous explosion, the Thunderball split in the middle, revealing an endless abyss of profound blackness, as if harboring the power to destroy everything. It was like Heavenly Punishment! This Thunderball seemed like the very eye of Heavenly Punishment! Thunder Judgment! Jade Xiao! Yuan Lie cried out in shock and terror, but before his voice could fade, the eye of Heavenly Punishment transformed into a pitch-black bolt of lightning and struck down. Boom! In the deafening roar, an infinite force of destruction enveloped Yuan Lie, and even Hong Tianlu and the other three Divine Lords from the Purple Lightning Sect were taken aback by the dark lightning. It was immensely powerful, a divine might akin to Heavenly Punishment itself! It was well known that the Heavenly God Pavilion was rooted in simulating divine calamities, but never had there been word of such a technique. Was Jade Xiao, whom Yuan Lie had just mentioned, the very same Jade Xiao Fairy who had repelled him recently? Hong Tianlu and the others extended their senses, looking out into the distance. And indeed, they saw a beautiful woman riding a streak of red light, soaring through the sky. Her beauty was unparalleled, clad in a snowy white dress that shone radiantly. The hem of her dress fluttered gracefully as if a celestial being had descended to the mortal realm. She was a peerless beauty in the world, yet there was an aura of decisiveness between her brows. Every move she made carried the authority to wield power and mete out divine punishment, demanding respect and devoid of any blasphemous thoughts. It must undoubtedly be the Jade Serenity Fairy. So speculated Hong Tianlu and the others inwardly. But just as this Jade Serenity Fairy arrived, the dark thunderlight shrouding Yuan Lie suddenly exploded, and from within burst forth a blue giant a hundred zhang tall. It was indeed Yuan Lie. The appearance of this hundred-zhang figure immediately caused the nearby ten li of heaven and earths vital energy to boil over, congregating into strands of blue light in the air, all of which wound around the blue giants body. The blue giant was naturally the enlarged Yuan Lie. At this moment, he possessed the majestic power of a deity, with every gesture dispersing the vital energy of heaven and earth. A mere flick of his finger sent the three Seven Calamities Divine Monarchs of the Purple Lightning Sect flying, leaving them severely injured. This level of power far surpassed the normal scope of the Eighth Calamity. Even if the Barbarian Tribe was stronger than the Thunder Patterned Heavenly Walkers at the same level, there shouldnt be such an exaggerated disparity. Hong Tianlu, sensing the terrifying and overwhelming power emanating from Yuan Lie, went deathly pale with shock, exclaiming in utter dismay, Nine Calamities! Nine Patterns! God, Divine Emperor! The might that Yuan Lie demonstrated now had undoubtedly reached the legendary pinnacle, where both the Heavenly Walkers and the Barbarian Tribe revered him as an Emperor. Its over. Hong Tianlus face turned ashen, completely despairing. How could this be? An actual Divine Emperor, he is truly a Divine Emperor. Had I known he was a Divine Emperor, I should have brought out the Sects sacred artifact to defend against him! Its all too late now, too late! So, it turns out that the Purple Lightning Sect was your true goal, and the attack on the Heavenly God Pavilion was just a feint. The Jade Serenity Fairy seemed unphased. She glanced at the Purple Lightning Sect and suddenly smiled, Are you after the treasure of the Purple Lightning Sect? You know? Yuan Lie seemed surprised, turning to look at the Jade Serenity Fairy, his eyes narrowing slightly as he said, Woman, youre not weak and quite clever. How about becoming my empress? Still harboring such delusions when death is at hand? The Jade Serenity Fairy simply shook her head, her gaze towards Yuan Lie as if looking at a dead man. Ha, an interesting woman. Yuan Lie laughed rather than getting angry, glanced at the Jade Serenity Fairy, then turned to Hong Tianlu and chuckled, I have already reached the Imperial Dao, but to aspire for the path of the Celestial Saints, I need the Purple Qi Heaven Soaring Precious Mirror. Arent you going to bring it out? In your dreams, its the sacred treasure left by our Sects founder! Hong Tianlu roared furiously. Bang! With a slap, Yuan Lie sent Hong Tianlu plummeting from the sky into a mountain peak, snorting coldly, The Purple Qi Heaven Soaring Precious Mirror was originally a sacred treasure of our Divine Court, merely stolen by you dogs. Having said that, he glanced at the Jade Serenity Fairy again, smiled, and said, Dont rush. Just wait here. When I return with the Purple Qi Heaven Soaring Precious Mirror, Ill take you with me. Hahaha! Yuan Lie laughed uproariously, his voice thunderous, causing many disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect to feel dizzy, almost fainting. He strode over the peaks, heading towards the ancestral hall of the Purple Lightning Sect. Lying amidst the shattered rocks, Hong Tianlus face was filled with despair as he could only watch helplessly as Yuan Lie neared the ancestral hall. At that moment, the world seemed to fall silent, not daring to make a sound, except for the footsteps of the blue giant C Yuan Lie C as he approached the ancestral hall of the Purple Lightning Sect. In the sky, the Jade Serenity Fairy remained calm, even a faint smile on her lips, her gaze fixed on an inconspicuous mountain peak within the Purple Lightning Sect. Boom! Suddenly, a thunderous roar shattered the silence of the world, as a sword light burst forth from a mountain peak of the Purple Lightning Sect, ascending to the sky and blocking Yuan Lies path. It was Zhou Heng. The purple lightning flying sword turned into a sword light, circling around him. Unlike usual, each trail of sword light was streaked with purple-gold radiance. His pupils also shimmered with purple-gold brilliance, a vigorous and grand power was brewing within him, and, this power was extremely compatible with the laws of this world, seemingly unlocking the shackles originally bound to him at an accelerated pace. Zhou Hengs first glance was not towards Yuan Lie, who had transformed into a giant, but towards Cheng Jianjian, who was floating in the distant sky. He waved his hand and greeted her. Cheng Jianjian was the fairy in question. A smile played at the corners of her lips, her eyes sparkled with delight, and she waved back in response. Who is this brat with such audacity despite his small size! Seeing Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjians tacit understanding, Yuan Lie immediately became enraged and threw a punch directly at Zhou Heng. In his giant form, Yuan Lies every motion was imbued with the majesty of heaven and earth. Even a seemingly ordinary punch carried the might to kill a Divine Monarch of the Eight Tribulations. In the standards of Zhou Hengs side, this meant that the punch was roughly equivalent to the level of the True Gang Realm. Moreover, the punch was massive. Zhou Hengs entire figure was smaller than one of Yuan Lies fingers, appearing so negligible that he seemed like he would be crushed like an ant. But Zhou Heng did not dodge or evade, instead, he raised his palm, fingers spread apart, True Qi circulating, his palm darkened, a vast and boundless, ancient and vast aura emerged on him. In comparison with the hundred-zhang-tall giant, his small body surged with a terrifying might that seemed as if it could overturn the heavens and shatter the firmament. He met the giant fist with his palm! The world seemed to overturn! Boom! The immensely disproportionate punch and palm collided, yet Zhou Heng remained firmly in his place while Yuan Lie staggered, nearly falling. The giant fist was directly shattered, turned into a mess of broken bones and flesh. You?! Yuan Lies face was full of disbelief But Zhou Heng couldnt be bothered with further words. He retracted the hand he had used to strike earlier and, with a gentle grasp, the purple lightning sword turned into a three-foot green peak in his hand. Then, using the sword as a blade, he slashed down nine times consecutively! Each blade was stronger than the last, every slash was as if the world of purple-gold thunder had descended. With nine slashes, it was as if endless thunder from the nine heavens thundered down, enveloping the hundred-zhang-tall blue giant, grinding him down! The thunder roared across the nine skies! Yuan Lie was immediately engulfed by the heavy thunder light, without the slightest ability to resist. In a blink of an eye, he was ground into dust, his spirit extinguished, ceasing to exist! A deathly silence fell over the world. Whether it was Hong Tianlu, a Divine Monarch of the Eight Tribulations, or the multitude of disciples from the Purple Lightning Sect, or even Wang Li who was on his way to Zhou Hengs abode, all were stunned. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At this moment, suddenly, two streaks of starlight fell from the sky, landing on Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. As the starlight dispersed, both of them had disappeared. The numerous disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect knelt down, believing they had witnessed immortals descending to the mortal realm. Within the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian returned side by side. Chapter 308 - Chapter 308: Chapter 28: Only the Azure Dragon is Seen Chapter 308: Chapter 28: Only the Azure Dragon is Seen Before the Star Gate, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian exchanged a smile. Both noticed the others attire had changed since their time in Thunder Realm; they had put on the robes representing the identity of Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and donned their star position masks. Congratulations, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Joy shared, Cheng Jianjian replied with a slight nod, her smile as radiant as flowers beneath her mask. This journey through the Thunder Realm, Zhou Heng had cultivated the Fury Thunder True Qi, and Cheng Jianjian had refined the Jade Sky True Qi. Together, they transcended external scenes and stepped into the Innate Realm, becoming true Secret Six Rank experts. This time, the Fairy of Jade Sky has made her name known throughout the Thunder Realm, Zhou Heng said with a small smile. And your fame will surely be etched in the memory of the Purple Lightning Sect, Cheng Jianjian said with a chuckle, covering her lips, Now that both of us have made breakthroughs, in some time, we can indeed venture to that world together. What world? Zhou Heng asked curiously, the agreement being something Cheng Jianjian had mentioned before, but she had never specified any information about that world. I will tell you when the time comes, Cheng Jianjian replied playfully with a wink, Let me keep you guessing; its a surprise for you. A surprise? Zhou Heng grew more curious. It will benefit your cultivation, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile. By the way, I helped you find a world for cultivating True Qi. Dont you have something to say in return? Ah? This Upon hearing this, Zhou Heng suddenly shivered, recalling that he had forgotten to buy sweets, but his mind worked quickly, and he smiled, This is also a surprise. Huh? Cheng Jianjian looked at Zhou Heng in surprise, and after a long while, she nodded, Hmm, a surprise? Now Im really looking forward to it. You wont be disappointed, Zhou Heng assured with a smile, mentally sighing in relief, having bluffed his way through. After leaving the Star Gate, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian went to the Hall of Unburdening and met with one of the Five Emperors inner seats to update their personal information and received the merits due for completing the task. At the same time, they also wanted to inquire about something. Senior, whats going on with Wang Li? Can Ghost Immortals also reincarnate? Zhou Heng was quite curious, wondering why a Ghost Immortal would reincarnate? According to the information he had learned before Ghostly creatures, after death, would reincarnate as evil creatures in another world, and theres no such thing as reincarnation, but what about Wang Li? Moreover, during his days in the Thunder Realm, he had not encountered any trace of ghostly beings, let alone Ghost Immortals who have reincarnated. Where did the reincarnation of a Ghost Immortal come from? Normally, Ghost Immortals cannot reincarnate, but Wang Li is an exception, the inner seat of the Five Emperors said while sorting through mission materials. In fact, the reason behind it is somewhat humorous. Three hundred years ago, a Ghost Immortal who had passed through the calamities of wind and fire came from the Eastern Sea, audaciously intending to possess the body of an Absolute Fourth Rank monk from Infinite Temple. The Buddha Sect emphasizes spiritual cultivation, and that Fourth Rank pinnacle monk just happened to have achieved Perfection, nearly reaching the Third Rank of heaven, so the Ghost Immortal was directly suppressed and purified. Afterwards, the Ghost Immortal was cast into the cycle of reincarnation by that monk, destined to be reborn across countless worlds for three hundred years. If he followed an evil path, he would vanish into smoke and ashes, but if he chose the righteous path, after three hundred years he would reincarnate into this realm and enter the monks fold as a disciple. Hiss, that dramatic, huh? Zhou Heng couldnt help but suck in a breath of cold air and speak with a mix of astonishment and doubt, Such Divine Skills are surely beyond the level of Absolute Fourth Rank. To cast into reincarnation, to set the timeline and rules of reincarnationsuch actions were akin to those of gods and Buddhists. That monk must be the current Abbot Shanxing of Infinite Temple, Cheng Jianjian speculated, I have heard that he cultivates the great way of reincarnation. Indeed, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors nodded and said, Now that its his last life, if he ends it in the righteous way, then there will be one less evil spirit in this world. One less evil spirit? Zhou Heng, surprised, said, Does that mean if, by this method, the Ghost Immortal is ultimately reborn in our world, he can truly become a human and no longer be an evil spirit? Even if killed, he wont be reborn as an evil creature? No, its just a temporary solution, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors shook his head and sighed, Three hundred years of reincarnation in the righteous path only wash away the surface of being an evil spirit; its inner nature is still that of an evil spirit. However, if the Ghost Immortal does manage to reincarnate and bathes in the Buddhist Law under the tutelage of Master Shanxing as a young acolyte, then it wont be possible for him to awaken the memories of his past life as a Ghost Immortal. As long as he doesnt die, he will be regarded as a monk of the righteous path and will no longer be an evil spirit. But what if he dies by accident? Zhou Heng asked. He would still die as an evil spirit and would be reborn as an evil creature in another world, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors said indifferently. Zhou Heng fell into a brief silence, then bitterly smiled and said, I thought I had finally found a method to completely eradicate evil spirits and creatures. It is extremely difficult, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors shook his head and said, However, this is still an attempt and can effectively reduce the number of evil spirits and creatures. We naturally support it and also hope this attempt will succeed. Thats why there is a series of tasks regarding Wang Li. So thats how it is. Zhou Heng bowed in salute and said, Thank you, senior, for enlightening me. Lord Star Master need not thank us, in truth, we all ought to be thanking you, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors smiled and said, We are all looking forward to officially using that Divine Soul Star Gate you have newly opened. Compared to the Star Gate that requires ones True Body to descend, the Divine Soul Star Gate, which only permits a strand of Divine Soul thought to descend, is much safer. Even if one dies in another world, only that strand of thought will be lost. Moreover, for a Fourth Rank Absolute Peak Great Grandmaster who has cultivated a Yang Gods Dharma Body, the Divine Soul Star Gate has an even more powerful feature. The Divine Soul of the Yang Gods Dharma Body is exceptionally strong and capable of ten thousand thoughts, even able to use the Divine Soul Star Gate to multitask, simultaneously traveling to different worlds with double, triple, even quadruple gates Now, even though the Divine Soul Star Gate has not been truly put into use yet, many great experts are already envious; it could even serve as a draw to recruit newcomers in the future. Very powerful. Please dont be anxious, senior, in just three days, the gathering will take place, Zhou Heng said with a slight smile. At that time, Ill explain the situation, and after its affirmed by both Azure Dragon and Tianyi, it will naturally be put into official use. This Divine Soul Star Gate could bring about revolutionary changes to the organization, Cheng Jianjian was also very pleased. Just waiting for the meeting to start, the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors said with eyes full of anticipation. April 18th, clear skies. The Purple Tenuity Palace reappeared, more majestic by a billionfold than usual, situated at the center of a myriad of stars, as the Zhou Tian stellar chart evolved into an endless starry sky, with the images of Star Officers lighting up with radiance. Inside this magnificent and boundless hall, all the formal members including the Star Officers and Star Envoys of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had arrived, standing silently on both sides of the grand hall, awaiting the descent of Tianyi and Azure Dragon. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After a short while, a clear brilliance fell down, and a man wearing an Azure Dragon mask emerged, dressed in a blue robe with embroidered dragon patterns, of utmost nobility. It was Azure Dragon. But Azure Dragon alone, Tianyi was nowhere to be seen! The atmosphere inside the grand hall of the Purple Tenuity Palace suddenly grew heavy. Chapter 309 - Chapter 309: Chapter 29 Tianyis Condition Chapter 309: Chapter 29 Tianyis Condition ` Tianyi has urgent matters to attend to and cannot make it to this gathering, Azure Dragon stood below the jade steps, expressing his apology, I will preside over this meeting. He did not specify what the urgent matters were, which weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone in the Purple Tenuity Palace hall. Especially for the senior members like Ru Taizun, the interior seats of the Five Emperors, and others of such long-standing. In their recollection, the last time Tianyi or Azure Dragon was absent was three hundred years ago. At that time, there were no apparent changes in the world, but from the sudden leadership changes in both Pure Yang Palace and Infinite Temple, the leading sects of Da Qis Daoist and Buddhist circles, one could infer that something extraordinary had happened behind the scenes. Most Celestial Men were aware of some details, and senior members like the interior seats of the Five Emperors had also heard rumors, knowing that something momentous indeed took place three hundred years ago. Moreover, it was directly related to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Last time, it was Azure Dragon who was absent; this time it was Tianyis turn? Could it be that another significant event was about to occur? For the newer members who had joined within the last one or two hundred years or even more recently, the news of Tianyis absence was likewise astonishing and shocking to them. Tianyi was a Tao Lord, who still managed to find time to descend and convene the gathering and had the unparalleled inheritance from the Zhou Tian Star Chart; he was decidedly strong. But now, to be unable to extricate himself due to urgent matterswhat kind of issue could keep such a Tao Lord occupied? Could it be that an extremely powerful Demon Lord or Evil Spirits were about to emerge? For a moment, the atmosphere in the great hall of Purple Tenuity Palace became unprecedentedly grave. Azure Dragon looked around at everyone, sighed softly, and said, Tianyi is fine for the moment, he also told me not to worry our fellow Daoists, as he can still handle these matters. How can we not worry, Grand Ancestor Master suddenly spoke, sighing, Lord Azure Dragon, if we do not know the reason, we will feel uneasy. What exactly happened to Lord Tianyi? Tianyi doesnt want you all to worry, so he didnt want me to disclose the details, but now it seems that keeping silent only makes you worry more, Azure Dragon laughed helplessly, This matter started with an incident at the Imperial City of Zhongzhou two months ago. The Imperial City of Zhongzhou?! Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian thought of the series of events that occurred during the Sunrise Wine Meeting at that time. Particularly Zhou Heng, who saw more than Cheng Jianjianmuch more that was shocking. Most of the people present had also heard about the situation in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou and turned their gazes towards Zhou Heng. The end of the disturbance in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou was marked by the Ziwei Master mobilizing the power of Purple Tenuity Palace, forcibly interrupting the descent of the Evil God, and causing a series of changes in the world where Purple Tenuity Palace resided. Prince Zhao Qin of Da Qi attempted to summon the Evil God; fortunately, the Master of the Stars intervened, preventing a tragedyyou should all be somewhat informed about this, Azure Dragon said gravely, But in that disturbance, there was another who benefited: Yuan Zhenzi, the sect master of Zhixu who mysteriously vanished three thousand years ago. The body of Siming, the Star Envoy, trembled slightly. Simings real identity in the secular world was Chen Yingyu, the current sect leader of Zhixu. She knew who Yuan Zhenzi was. He was the last Celestial Man sect leader of Zhixu, and also the last true sect leader. She had not expected to hear news about the founder of her sect here. And it appeared not to be good news. Zhou Hengs eyes also narrowed slightly. ` He knew what benefit Yuan Zhenzi had gained from that catastrophehe had returned directly from his reincarnated form as Tianyizi to his previous incarnation as a Celestial Man Primordial Spirit, restoring many of his former powers. But just the Celestial Man Primordial Spirit, even if reshaped into the god of a Loose Immortal through a Secret Technique, should not have affected a Tao Lord like Tianyi. What does this have to do with Tianyis absence this time? Yuan Zhenzi recovered his Celestial Man Primordial Spirit and thought he had broken free, but he was unexpectedly targeted by an Evil God from the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, said Azure Dragon in a grave voice. That Evil God used Yuan Zhenzis Celestial Man Primordial Spirit as a vessel, attempting to induce the descent of another Evil God. Fortunately, Tianyi discovered it in time and went to intercept, but ultimately, he was a step too late, allowing that Evil God to break through the subtle barrier between heaven and earth, bringing forth a trace of his power. So now The Supreme said with some concern, Is Lord Tianyi fully resisting the descent of that Evil God? Indeed. Azure Dragon nodded slightly and said, It is also thanks to the restraint of the Evil God from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace by Senior Xie from the Pure Yang Palace that Tianyi is barely able to withstand the trace of power descended by that Evil God. Senior Xie from the Pure Yang Palace? Zhou Heng was slightly startled upon hearing this, then realized that this must refer to his Grand Ancestor Master, the third-generation head of the Pure Yang Palace who led it to flourish during the Dark Age, a Divine First Rank Tao Lord who dominated the world. So it had always been his Grand Ancestor Master who was restraining the Evil God from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. However, after I repelled that Evil God suspected of being the Dongyue Taishan Emperor with the power of the Ziwei Star Palace, I have already scared away most of the Evil Gods lurking beyond this world. Who could the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace be trying to bring over this time? Zhou Heng was puzzled; from what he had previously sensed, the numerous Evil Gods lurking outside this world seemed to be extremely wary and even fearful of the aura of the Ziwei Emperor. Even the Evil God suspected to be the Dongyue Taishan Emperor had been driven back. After some time, who else would dare to descend to this world? The Yunxiao Heavenly Palaces Evil God is known as Responding to the World with Empathy, Protector of the Yunxiao Lady. Those related to Him seem to be hiss, the other two of the Three Xiaos, or perhaps Zhao Gongming? Zhou Heng guessed internally, suddenly feeling an immense headache. They were all formidable characters! However, the Evil God from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace right now is actually just a Divine First Rank deity that has been corrupted and fallen due to the invasion of an external Evil God, not the real Evil God Yunxiao. Could it be they are also trying to invite the real Evil God Yunxiao this time? Several thoughts flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, but he still felt something was off. Why would Yunxiao and Dongyue Taishan Emperor become the most top-tier Evil Creatures? Could it really be that their authority and divine positions had been stolen? Lets not dwell on Zhou Hengs growing suspicions. Meanwhile, Azure Dragon had already somewhat calmed down the people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. And everyone felt that although Tianyi could not extricate himself at the moment, after all, the Evil God had only descended a slight amount of power. With the support of a Divine First Rank on Tianyis side, there should be no major problems. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After that, Azure Dragon discussed some major affairs of the world, and then it was Zhou Hengs turn to talk about the newly unlocked Divine Soul Star Gate privileges. This was what everyone had been most looking forward to at the gathering. A brand-new mode of descent meant a brand-new mission mode, and without a doubt, the difficulty of accumulating merit for making wishes was going to decrease significantly. Please step forward, Master of the Stars, said Azure Dragon with a smile, while discreetly moving to the side. Thank you, Senior, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, and as everyone watched, he walked up the jade steps, turned to look back at the crowd, and said, My friends, the rules of the Divine Soul Star Gate are Chapter 310 - Chapter 310: Chapter 30: Let Me Show You a Treasure Chapter 310: Chapter 30: Let Me Show You a Treasure The God Soul Star Gate can descend into the world just like ordinary star gates, but its not the true body that descends, instead, the divine soul descends and possesses a body in another world. As for the specific rules of possessing a body upon descending, First, it can only possess a corpse equivalent to the Lower Third Rank, hmm, not limited to human corpses, as long as its not a living thing, its possible. Second, there are different types of soul embodiment upon descendingrandom descent, racial descent, group descent, and individual descent. Each way of descending corresponds to a different amount of good deed consumption. Random descent, as the name implies, means randomly descending into a corpse. As for what race, gender, or status one possesses after descending, it is unknown. This type of descent does not require the consumption of good deeds. Racial descent allows one to choose a race before descending, be it human or animal, and you can also specify the ethnicity and species of animals and confirm the gender. This requires the consumption of 100 good deeds. Group descent means that after selecting a specific race, one can further refine to a particular group within that race, such as the wealthy or the poor, or royalty, nobility, and sect disciples; these can all be selected. This requires the consumption of 500 good deeds. Individual descent is easy to understand, it means that one can target a specific corpses identity and precisely embody that corpse. This ones a bit more expensive and requires the consumption of 1,000 good deeds. Zhou Heng expounded the rules of the God Soul Star Gate eloquently, and everyone listened with joy, but the subsequent good deed consumption also made their hearts quiver. The most precise individual descent actually requires the consumption of 1,000 good deeds! Who could afford that? It seemed that only racial descent was a bit more affordable, with 100 good deeds still being manageable. Well, if one is rich or the task rewards are generous, one could also consider trying group descent. As for individual descent, forget it, its really too expensive. This was a true reflection of the thoughts of many within the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Many people were also calmly considering how much benefit the God Soul Star Gate could bring them. Of course, those worried about consuming good deeds were mostly from the Secret Six Rank and a few from the Sect Fifth Rank. The powerful members of the Sect Fifth Rank and the Absolute Fourth Rank, their divine souls were already extremely strong, and they had enough thoughts to use random descent to cast a wide net, which didnt have much impact. In fact, Zhou Heng hadnt mentioned one thing, which wasnt easy to explainthat he could take a 70% commission on any good deeds consumed through the God Soul Star Gate. A seasoned leek farmer, indeed. Azure Dragon listened to Zhou Hengs explanation and was also very pleased, smiling and saying, With this God Soul Star Gate, from now on, it will be much more convenient for everyone to travel to other worlds to complete tasks or eliminate evil creatures. Everyone nodded in agreement. What followed was the time for the exchange of good deeds and items. Zhou Heng didnt have any particular needs, so he just strolled around casually. He also noticed that Siming seemed a bit preoccupied and was wandering aimlessly. Could it be because of hearing about Yuan Zhenzis affairs and being shocked at heart? If that were the case, Chen Yingyus mental fortitude is rather weak, to be so easily unsettled today. This made Zhou Heng frown slightly. He was very grateful for having received the three Martial Arts heritages from the Zhi Xu sect and truly wanted to revive and glorify the sect once again. Moreover, if there could be another top sect in the world with more powerful people, it would be beneficial against the Evil Gods, Ghost Immortals, and Demon Gods. But reviving a sect is not as simple as returning the lost heritage to them and expecting them to rise up again. If the sect leader is incompetent, its possible that the newly recovered heritage could be lost again. Chen Yingyu Can he really glorify this heritage? Is he truly worthy of receiving the complete heritage of the Zhi Xu sect? Even if she was indeed the current leader of the True Void Sect. I hope its just me overthinking, Zhou Heng said, shaking his head slightly. He did have some expectations for Chen Yingyu. After all, she was someone who could carry the True Void Sect on her own and take on the role of the leader; she shouldnt be particularly incompetent and was likely to have some potential. Ill look for a chance to observe her more in the future, Zhou Heng thought to himself. Then, he went to meet with his houses representative, saying that he might go to see her to craft a magic weapon in a while. An imitation of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover! Previously, when he opened the Fortune Bag, he had obtained a Fifth Rank Spiritual Material known as Heavenly Fire Fierce Sun Iron, which was perfect for crafting, though he still needed some additional auxiliary materials. Those would need to be collected. If he could succeed in crafting an imitation of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover as his magic weapon, Zhou Heng even felt confident that he could fight a general Sect Fifth Rank. Of course, it would only be a fight, and to fight and win would likely have to wait until he had refined True Gang. This time, the meeting concluded, and many members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers dispersed one after another. Zhou Heng was about to leave when he was stopped by The Supreme. He was a bit puzzled, Senior, what can I do for you? Master of the Stars, Azure Dragon left in a hurry and didnt have time to speak with you, said The Supreme solemnly, Be careful of that trace of the Evil Gods Power that Lord Tianyi is resisting. What?! Zhou Heng said in astonishment. That trace of power from the Evil Gods arrival is targeting me? Because of my identity as the Ziwei Master? No, The Supreme shook his head gently, Its because that trace of power from the Evil Gods arrival uses Yuan Zhenzis Celestial Man Primordial Spirit as a spiritual guide. If it can obtain more of Yuan Zhenzis power, it would then bring forth even more power effortlessly. Ah, I see, Zhou Heng nodded in understanding, he had grasped Azure Dragons implication. At that time in the Zhongzhou Imperial City upheaval, using the power of Ziwei Star Palace, he had burst out from Yuan Zhenzis Cave Sky, repelled the Eastern Great Mountain Emperor, an Evil God, and also forcibly suppressed and refined Yuan Zhenzis Cave Sky to carry with him. That Cave Sky might very well attract the covetous gaze of the Evil God. Master of the Stars, please be extremely careful. The Supreme said earnestly, having seen world-shaking changes occur in the Ziwei Palace world and opening a new Divine Soul Star Gate, he grew even more careful around Zhou Heng. This Master of the Stars might truly be the light of hope. Zhou Heng was not one to overestimate his abilities, nor did he believe he had the means to resist the force of the Evil God infiltrating this world. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Even if it was just a sliver of power. He usually acted brashly, as he always had a trump card to fall back on, but now it was time to admit weakness when necessary, as that was the path to longevity. Therefore, after leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng directly used the Starlight Bridge to travel to Yong States Taihua Mount, ascended the Jade Void Peak to its Golden Top, and found Yan Shouyi. Junior brother arrives in haste; it seems youve encountered trouble again? Yan Shouyi said with a smile, having grown quite familiar with his junior brothers ways. Brother understands me. Zhou Heng nodded, smiling back, Let me show you a treasure. Chapter 311 - Chapter 311: Chapter 31: Lets Compare Our Skills Chapter 311: Chapter 31: Lets Compare Our Skills Junior Brother, just tell me straight. Yan Shouyi said with a light laugh. Zhou Heng did not continue to beat around the bush and directly took out a round pearl with a diameter of no more than an inch. This pearl was pure white all over, emitting a faint light that made one feel as if it contained a wide world within; in fact, it did, as it was the world of the Cave Sky of the Primordial True Child. A Cave Sky? Upon seeing the pearl, Yan Shouyi immediately perceived its true nature, and then with a thought, he looked at Zhou Heng and said, The Cave Sky of the Primordial True Child? Thats right, Zhou Heng said with a slight nod, On the day the Primordial True Child reverted to his original Primordial Spirit form, he fled the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, only to be targeted by an Evil God of the Heavenly Palace beyond the clouds He briefly recounted the events and explained his concerns. I see. After hearing this, Yan Shouyi nodded, took over the pearl, and said, Then I will keep this Cave Sky for you for the time being. When its safe, you can come and get it from me. Its a pity about the Primordial True Child, who first reincarnated from Taixu Viewpoint into the Zhi Xu sect hoping to perfect the inheritance of the Tao of Tai Qing, but was then sacrificed by Emperor Taiyang mid-way. After reincarnation and returning to Taixu Viewpoint, this time when he silently reverted to his original form, he was again caught by an Evil God, tsk tsk tsk Mm, it is indeed regrettable, Zhou Heng nodded in agreement. This was truly unlucky. Junior Brother, what are your plans next? Yan Shouyi inquired. I had an agreement with Jiang Jian to explore a place together, Zhou Heng thought for a moment and then said, But Im currently waiting for her message to confirm the exact time of departure. Mm, not bad, thats a good idea, Yan Shouyi nodded with approval and smiled, If the two of you are not in a hurry, you can take the time to visit Yuzhou. There are Secret Six Rank experts from Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple teaching there. Yuzhou, I remember that place is rich in jade and filled with our Pure Yang Palaces jade industry? Zhou Heng quickly recalled information about Yuzhou, Seems there are also quite a few disciples from Yuzhou. Mm, your Senior Brother is also from Yuzhou, Yan Shouyi said with a light laugh, Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple are testing our attitude. Since they want to test, lets show them our attitude. The leader of Taixu Viewpoint has been suppressed, yet they dare to test us, Zhou Hengs eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. Heh, the foundation of Taixu Viewpoint is unfathomably deep; to them, the suppression of Yang Wuji may not really count for much, Yan Shouyi smiled and said, Its been two months, and Taixu Viewpoint hasnt sent anyone to inquire about Yang Wuji. Hisss, they really are a big family with a large business, Zhou Heng took a cold breath, then sighed lightly, Senior Brother, why do we have so many crises in this world yet still have infighting? Because those who truly face the crises are the Tao Lords and Saints, Yan Shouyi sighed slightly and shook his head, Moreover, where there are people, there is Jianghu, there are conflicts. The Celestial Man is after all human, how could they be without strife? Yuzhou is located at the border between Da Qi and Southern Jin, next to Jiangzhou, and is rich in jade. This is also one of the most prosperous prefectures and counties for the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, where every year three to five of the most outstanding martial arts apprentices are selected into the outer sect of the Pure Yang Palace, and occasionally, there will be geniuses who directly enter the inner sect. In a certain sense, Yuzhou could almost be considered one of the cornerstones of the Pure Yang Palace in the mortal world, a vital source of fresh blood. It is also an extremely important source of raw materials for the jewelry and jade industry. For the Pure Yang Palace, Yuzhou can definitely be counted as one of the most important prefectures and counties, which must not be touched by other sects. Under normal circumstances, the sects of Da Qi are unwilling and do not dare to provoke the Pure Yang Palace, so, for thousands of years, this place has almost become the private land of the Pure Yang Palace. Thanks to the support of Pure Yang Palace and their industry management, the economy of various places in Yuzhou was very prosperous. The people lived in affluence, peace, and joy, and were all grateful to the Pure Yang Palace. In particular, over the past three hundred years, since Yan Shouyi from Yuzhou took over as the sixth leader of Pure Yang Palace, the Pure Yang Style has flourished even more. Every household recited the Tacit Void Scriptures, and even the children knew a few of the basic martial arts moves from Pure Yang Palace. But lately, in every prefectural city of Yuzhou, there had been some strange occurrences; some Taoists and monks, who nobody knew where they came from, dared to preach about their own sects and martial arts openly and even wanted to set up martial arts halls to recruit apprentices. Before the people from the Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls could act, the locals had already started to openly resist, and even some with decent martial skills had directly challenged them, only to be easily defeated. Many people had also gone to the local yamen of the prefectural city, but the prefects ignored the problem entirely, turning a deaf ear to the situation. Subsequently, Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls also clashed with these Taoists and monks. What the locals didnt expect was that even the trainers and the heads of the halls turned out to be no match for these Taoists and monks. This caused some of the locals to start re-evaluating the strength of the Pure Yang Palace, and they also began to take interest in the Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple, which these Taoists and monks spoke of. Gradually, some people started to attend and even defend the preaching and martial arts teaching of these Taoists and monks. Of course, this group was small, maybe just a couple hundred people in a single prefectural city, but once such a beginning was made, it was only a matter of time before it would spread. After all, there were many Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls in Yuzhou, and the vast majority did not have Secret Six Rank warriors stationed there. Propagating doctrines was difficult to accept, but the straightforwardness of martial competition, of defeating an opponent, was much simpler. If the Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls lost too often, even the most stable trust would collapse. In Yuzhou, such a situation was most severe in Qingyang Prefecture. Qingyang Prefecture was close to the border of Qi Jin, where Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple first began to preach, and the impact there was the deepest. Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls had even begun to shut down and go out of business. On this day, in the North District of Qingyang Prefecture City, a martial contest was taking place on a platform. Three trainers from a Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall were ganging up on a monk sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed on the ground, but no matter how they attacked, the monk remained immovable. The monk seemed to be in his twenties. There was a faint golden light on his body that blocked all their attacks. Suddenly, with a clear shout from him, the golden light flashed, and instantly, all three were flipped off the platform and fell to the ground. Onlookers around the platform burst into jeers at such an outcome, feeling a bit mixed in their emotions. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only They were all Seventh Rank Warriors and trainers in martial arts halls, but this monk from Jia Ye Temple seemed to be much stronger than those from Pure Yang Palace. At that moment, two young people, a man and a woman, stepped onto the platform. They looked about eighteen or nineteen and had an extraordinary bearing. The monk opened his eyes and looked at the two, frowning hesitantly, You are here to Go back and tell your manager that Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian are waiting here for the esteemed friends from Jia Ye Temple and Taixu Viewpoint, said the young man with a gentle smile on his face. The disciples of Pure Yang Palace wish to see how they measure up. Chapter 312 - Chapter 312: Chapter 32 Everyone Has Their Own Scheme Chapter 312: Chapter 32 Everyone Has Their Own Scheme Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjians arrival at Qingyang Prefecture City quickly became known. Many curiosity-seekers were invigorated, unable to wait to witness a clash of titans. These were two Secret Sixth Rank personages, ordinarily out of reach, with commoners seldom having a chance to see them, let alone witness them in combat. It is often said that an Innates external scenery overwhelmingly dominates those below the Lower Third Rank, and that even the most top-notch Seventh Rank Warriors are no match for a Secret Sixth Rank, yet few have truly seen a Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist in action. Before long, almost half of Qingyang Prefecture City began discussing Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Chongyang Dojo. Originally a martial arts school of the Pure Yang Palace, the dojo later fell into the hands of Taixu Viewpoint disciples after its master and trainers were defeated, leaving them too ashamed to continue and thus sold it at an extremely low price to the people of Taixu Viewpoint. After taking over the martial arts school, the disciples from Taixu Viewpoint renamed it Chongyang Dojo and made it their base in Qingyang Prefecture City. While propagating their sects teachings, they also began recruiting apprentices. For this visit to Qingyang Prefecture City, the Taixu Viewpoint brought two Secret Six Rank, ten Peak of the Seventh Rank, and twenty ordinary Seventh Rank disciples, basically ready to face challenges from all levels. Especially after the previous few battles, their confidence swelled even more. This was a delightful surprise for the leader Qin Feng and his companion Kou Guang. Heading to Yuzhou to preach and suppress the martial arts school of Pure Yang Palace actually made them somewhat apprehensive. After all, this was Da Qi, not Da Jin, the territory of Pure Yang Palace, where Taixu Viewpoint had little influence, and both of them were prepared for the possibility of unfavorable outcomes. But they never anticipated things to progress so smoothly. Seizing control of a prefectural city so swiftly must be the fastest among their peers who came to Yuzhou this time. While Qin Feng and Kou Guang were immersed in joy, a messenger disciple brought news. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian? Theyre the ones sent here to handle it? Qin Feng and Kou Guang exchanged glances, each catching the surprise in the others eyes. Indeed, they had long been prepared for Pure Yang Palace to send Secret Sixth Rank Warriors, but they never expected it to be these two. True, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian ranked among the top three on the list of fighters when they were Lower Third Rank, vastly outperforming the average Peak Seventh Rank Warrior, but at the Secret Sixth Rank level, these two were undoubtedly newcomers. Regardless of whether it was Qin Feng or Kou Guang, who appeared to be only in their thirties, they were in fact over seventy, veteran True Gang Realm masters. Moreover, they werent ordinary True Gang Realm practitionersbeing true disciples of Taixu Viewpoint, both had mastered the sects secret and powerful martial arts; their strength was definitely formidable. Normally speaking, for warriors like Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian who had just entered the Secret Sixth Rank, they couldnt possibly match up against them. Although, after stepping into the Secret Sixth Rank, Zhou Heng had fought in Anhe Prefecture City of Pingzhou, exhibiting tremendous strength, that battle involved ghosts and even great demons contamination, so it was kept a secret. For the vast majority of people who are unaware of the existence of specters, Zhou Heng had not yet shown his true strength after stepping into the Secret Sixth Rank. Therefore, the world does not have a correct understanding of Zhou Hengs strength. Upon hearing that Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were openly challenging and wanted to measure their strength against the people from Taixu Viewpoint and Jia Ye Temple, Qin Feng couldnt help but laugh out loud. Does Zhou Heng still think he is in the Lower Third Rank phase, where he can look down upon his peers? Qin Feng laughed, stroked a small patch of his beard, and shook his head with a smile, Or does he think that like in the Lower Third Rank, he can bridge the gap of realms by relying on his martial arts techniques? He was a Taoist who appeared to be in his thirties, handsome in appearance, who had his share of youthful indiscretions, and reached the Secret Sixth Rank before fifty, often carrying a bit of pride about him. Zhou Heng possesses a treasured weapon, not to be underestimated. Kou Guang was naturally cautious and spoke in a grave tone, Moreover, I have reviewed his profile; his martial arts are not weak. At the very least, he has trained in a saber and palm technique of the Absolute Fourth Rank, both extremely powerful. Senior brother, you should not take him lightly. Absolute Fourth Rank martial arts, usually called ultimate techniques, were extremely rare even within a top martial dao sect with a long heritage like Taixu Viewpoint, usually only accessible to Fifth Rank sect masters who also needed to accumulate a certain amount of merit. For true Gang Realm martial artists like Qin Feng and Kou Guang, there was simply no chance to learn such ultimate techniques. Alright alright, I know. Qin Feng nodded dismissively, smiling: Little brother, I think you are being overly cautious. What of an ultimate technique? Without sufficient quality of True Qi, you can hardly exert much power. This person is not weak. If senior brother does indeed go to test his strength against him, you must still be cautious and serious. Kou Guang advised once again, then chuckled, Perhaps I am indeed being overly cautious. After all, hes just a kid with fledgling True Qi, and senior brother should have no trouble with normal exertion. Hah? Hearing this, Qin Feng burst into laughter and said, Little brother, do you think I intend to compete with that Zhou Heng? Isnt that the case? Kou Guang looked stunned. Of course not. Qin Feng laughed, The one defeated in front of the crowd is not one of ours but a disciple from Jia Ye Temple. Why should we rush to take the lead? Let those monks from Jia Ye Temple probe Zhou Hengs real strength instead. These monks are so secretive, claiming they are here in Yuzhou solely to spread the Buddhist Law and to bathe the citizens in benevolent light C I find it a bit far-fetched. They may have other purposes. Isnt it good to have them go directly head to head with the Pure Yang Palace? Thats indeed the case. Kou Guang nodded, agreeing, So, shall we still go to see the situation at Zhou Hengs side? Go, why not? Qin Feng stood up with a smile, Isnt watching the excitement a good thing? Inside a Zen room in the North District of Qingyang Prefecture City. Two monks, who looked to be in their forties, one fat and the other thin, were sitting cross-legged opposite each other. The fat one was named De Kai, and the thin one was named De Sheng, both disciples from Jia Ye Temple, nearing a hundred years old, and had reached the pinnacle of the Secret Sixth Rank True Gang Realm. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Apart from these two, there were no others within the Zen room, and a sound-proofing restriction had been set up, resulting in utter silence. De Kai senior brother, what do you think about this matter? De Sheng, the thin monk, looked somewhat sullen as he spoke in a deep voice, Pure Yang Palace has actually sent these two people here. What do you think that means? Considering they have just entered the Secret Sixth Rank and are not very strong, yet both are so young, they must be disciples highly valued by the Pure Yang Palace. De Kai, the fat monk, spoke gravely, Therefore, Yan Shouyi sending these two people here is likely not to show off military force and triumph over us. Could it be, senior brother means to say that Yan Shouyi sending these two here is just to demonstrate an exceedingly high regard for Yuzhou? De Shengs expression turned serious, and he suddenly stood up. Does he already know our true objective? Chapter 313 - Chapter 313: Chapter 33: This is Also Called Initial Formation of True Qi? Chapter 313: Chapter 33: This is Also Called Initial Formation of True Qi? It shouldnt have been, Monk De Kai shook his head and said, This is a secret from before the Middle Ancient. Even the patriarchs of our temple only recently uncovered related matters. But the Pure Yang Palace is also a sect passed down from the Ancient Mythical Era, De Sheng still seemed very worried, as he said, Moreover, that Xie that third-generation leader has lived from the Dark Age to the present. Junior brother is overworried. In this era, consider the Divine First Rank as though they do not exist, De Kai still composed, calmly said, However, the Yan Shouyi faction sending two individuals with clearly insufficient martial arts must signify deeper intentions; we should act as soon as possible. But the location hasnt been determined yet, has it? De Sheng asked doubtfully, How are we to take action? De Kai was silent for a moment, then sighing said, When I said take action, I meant defeating Zhou Heng as soon as possible, making him leave Qingyang Prefecture. This individual has a special identity and is the reincarnation of a powerful being; he may know some secrets unknown to others, which makes him troublesome. Great! This is something Im good at! De Sheng immediately smiled upon hearing this and said, Senior brother, I ll go right now and defeat Zhou Heng; you just watch. De Kai fell silent again, shook his head and sighed, Junior brother, arent you ninety-seven years old this year? Yes, De Sheng nodded, and then asked puzzledly, Senior brother, why bring this up so suddenly? Youre ninety-seven, not seventeen, De Kai stood up, bringing his palms together in front of him, and said, Junior brother, you have been stuck at the peak of the Secret Six Rank for twenty years, all because your mind is unsettled, often impetuous and aggressively competitive. Senior brother is mistaken, De Sheng shook his head with a smile and said, Its not that I cannot calm my mind, its that I do not wish to tame it. Acting as my heart desires without forgetting the essence, that is my Zen. De Kai fell silent once more, but when he spoke again, it was with admiration, Junior brother, you already have the aura of a grandmaster. Grandmaster or not doesnt matter, as senior brother said, we must act quickly. Defeating Zhou Heng is of utmost importance, De Shengs face beamed with a rich expression, I just wonder how many moves this little Taoist, with his newly formed True Qi, can withstand under my stick. Qin Feng and KouGuang arrived swiftly. However, they didnt head to the area around the ring; instead, they took a private room in the restaurant opposite, with a great vantage point that allowed them to see the full view of the ring. Of course, they certainly couldnt escape the notice of Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, who had already stepped onto the Secret Six Rank, but according to Qin Feng, they desired the experience of looking down on the full scene from a high position. Kou Guang had no choice but to follow suit. At this time, the surroundings of that ring had already become a sea of people. Every available space was filled with spectators eager to see just how formidable the disciples of the Pure Yang Palace were and to experience the might of the Secret Six Rank. Tsk tsk, the crowd must have gathered tens of thousands here by now, Qin Feng looked at the scene below and laughed, The foundation of the Pure Yang Palace in Yuzhou is still very strong, and perhaps it also has to do with the fact that Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were already extremely famous. If these two are defeated by the monks from Jia Ye Temple, then the reputation of the Pure Yang Palace in Qingyang Prefecture and indeed the entire Yuzhou would be utterly ruined, Kou Guang looked toward the ring and murmured, I wonder what game Yan Shouyi is playing. No matter what game hes playing, once those two baldies from Jia Ye Temple step up, it will all become clear, Qin Feng chuckled, The strength of these monks is not bad; testing the capabilities of those two from the Pure Yang Palace wont be difficult. What if De Sheng and De Kai are both defeated? Kou Guang asked. Impossible, Qin Feng shook his head and said, Both of them have cultivated their True Qi for many years; their strength is even above mine. How could they possibly lose to a green kid with just formed True Qi. Hmm, it is indeed unlikely for someone with just formed True Qi to have much chance of victory, Kou Guang nodded, then his eyes lit up, De Sheng and De Kai from Jia Ye Temple have arrived. Jia Ye Temple is said to have a lineage tracing back to a great Buddha Sect power from the Ancient Mythological Era. Their name remains unspoken before others, and even within the temple itself, only the Upper Third Rank powers are privy to it. This is presently the oldest Buddha Sect lineage in this era. Moreover, since ancient times, Jia Ye Temple has always had a Divine First Rank presence; never once interrupted, their strength in the Buddha Sect is deemed the strongest. Upon learning the name of Jia Ye Temple, Zhou Heng took great interest to heart. He had heard of the name Jia Ye before. Mahakasyapa was one of Buddhas ten major disciples, becoming a disciple in the third year after Buddhas enlightenment. Eight days later, he achieved the state of an Arhat, renowned as the disciple least attached to worldly thoughts. This was Zhou Hengs impression of Jia Ye. However, the explanation given by Jia Ye Temple for its own name was that Jia Ye, in the ancient Buddhist language, meant to enter deep meditation and to extinguish all obsessions in the heart. Whether this was true or not, Zhou Heng had no way of knowing, but it didnt prevent him from being interested in Jia Ye Temple. It was just that, since Jia Ye Temple was in Southern Jin, he had never had contact with them. This time Jia Ye Temple came to Yuzhou to spread its teachings, which provided him with an opportunity. This was also one of the reasons why he had directly stepped up to the challenge on the stage. In a world where martial arts could lead to the divine, the best way to understand a sect was, of course, to engage in martial combat with them. The arrival of De Kai and De Sheng caused a wave of excitement among the civilians around the stage. Two monks, who seemed to be of profound virtue, clasped their hands together in salute to Zhou Heng before climbing onto the stage slowly amid the gaze of the crowd. Benefactor, why go to such lengths? De Kai, with an expression of compassion, sighed and said, Both of us have reached the Innate level; fighting in this marketplace might inadvertently harm the civilians. Inside a private room of the tavern. Hahaha! Qin Feng laughed and said, This crafty monk is smiling with a knife up his sleeve, displaying his own compassionate heart while subtly criticizing Zhou Heng of the Pure Yang Palace for disregarding the safety of ordinary people. De Kai is a well-known master debater, Kou Guang nodded slightly and said, The two youngsters from the Pure Yang Palace are probably going to face some difficulties. Its better if they face difficulties, Qin Feng said with a smile. Its enjoyable to watch. Back on the stage. Zhou Heng shook his head, his eyes sweeping over De Sheng and De Kai, and he said with a smile, Both of you great monks come at me together. I am confident that I can defeat you without affecting the civilians around us. You mean for the two of us to fight against the two of you? De Sheng frowned and said. No, great monk, you are mistaken, Cheng Jianjian stood behind Zhou Heng, gently shaking his head with a faint smile and said, Its my junior master-uncle who will fight both of you alone. Upon these words, an immediate silence fell over the venue, leaving the crowd utterly speechless. How extremely arrogant! Has the benefactor lost his mind? De Kai narrowed his eyes slightly and said sternly, Even if you, benefactor, are indignant that our Trainer had bested the martial arts Trainer of the Pure Yang Palace, this is surely unnecessary. Are we fighting or not? Zhou Heng was straightforward and did not engage with De Kais provocation. Fight! De Sheng shouted directly, lifting his hand to reveal a black gold staff suddenly appearing from thin air, which he swung down towards the top of Zhou Hengs head! Haha, good! Then lets fight! Zhou Heng laughed out loud and, with a flip of his hand, scattered ten paper effigies. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The paper effigies expanded in the wind, instantly reaching the size of an ordinary person, each exhibiting martial arts and attacking De Sheng with exacting force, and whats more, every paper figure used a unique skill with astonishing power but was incredibly precise, with no energy spilling out. Taoist Formulas! Turning paper into soldiers! Back in the tavern. Is this Taoist Formulas? How can there be so many? Is there enough True Qi?? Qin Feng turned to Kou Guang with an astonished face, Is this what they call the beginners stage of True Qi?? Chapter 324 - Chapter 324: Chapter 44: Riding the Tiger, Flying to the Capital City, Reunion Chapter 324: Chapter 44: Riding the Tiger, Flying to the Capital City, Reunion Congratulations! By acquiring the Yellow Mystery Merit Qi, your understanding of the Taoist Formulas in the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank] has improved, proficiency +0.05. Congratulations! By obtaining the Yellow Mystery Merit Qi, your understanding of the Taoist Formulas in the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank] has improved, proficiency +0.005. Reward notifications appeared in succession; the former was obtained by killing Wu Shans lord, while the latter was obtained by killing Wu San. Such an increase in proficiency was undoubtedly substantial. Zhou Heng was very pleased; previously, in Da Qi, he had exerted all his effort to kill a monster barely comparable to a Sect Fifth Rank great demon contaminant, and he had only gained 0.001 in proficiency. The evaluation of that great demon contaminant was an enemy that is difficult to defeat. Yet now, facing the Tiger Demon Wu San, who was evaluated as an enemy not worthy of a single blow, he had obtained five times the amount of Yellow Mystery Merit Qi. Such a contrast was indeed too stark. Jiang Jian and Senior Brother were right, in a world where overall power levels are lower, it really is easier to receive feedback from the laws of heaven and earth, Zhou Heng mused with a slight smile on his lips. With this rate of acquiring Yellow Mystery Merit Qi, it wouldnt be long before he could truly master the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual. At that time, with the Yellow Mystery Tower of heaven and earth above his head repelling all evils, and unimpeded by any magic, the mere thought of it was slightly exhilarating. Even if that pagoda was an imitation, it should greatly enhance his defensive power. By then, even if he faced a real Fifth Rank Sect Master, he might have a chance to fight. After the joy, Zhou Hengs thoughts gradually calmed down, and he shifted his attention to a fragment of memory he had obtained from the Tiger Demon Wu San. Within it was an extremely important piece of information. Ye Longs father, the current State Preceptor of Liang Country, who is most trusted by Emperor Ye Feng, is actually a tiger demon; in Wu Sans memory, that tiger demon has even approached the Heavenly Heart Realm, Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised. Upon his divine soul descending into this world and occupying the corpse of Prince Ye Long of Liang Country, he had some impression of that State Preceptor, knowing he was deeply trusted by the Emperor of Liang, even more influential than the current Prime Minister. I have an agreement with Jiang Jian to meet in the Capital City of Liang Country; perhaps I will have to confront this tiger demon, Zhou Heng glanced in the direction of the Capital City, then immediately rode the tiger towards Qingxiang Town. After this demon-slaying journey, he clearly felt that he had many martial techniques that could be transformed into magic, which also allowed for further refinement of the Longevity Technique. This, too, was of the utmost importance. If he could truly pave a new cultivation path beyond the visual visualization of the divine soul, it could potentially provoke intense feedback from the laws of heaven and earth, thereby gaining a large amount of merit. Life in Qingxiang Town was very tranquil, and three months passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Heng, besides going out to slay demons, spent his time in the small courtyard focusing on the refinement of the Longevity Technique. During this period, he had deduced a relatively complete cultivation system for this brand new technique. Body Refinement, Sensing, Qi Drawing, True Energy, Thought Storage, Yin God, Yang God. These were the seven steps of longevity that Zhou Heng envisioned; the realm of Yin God corresponded to his current state of forming a divine soul image, similar to the True Form Realm of visualization but with several distinctions, considered a fusion of True Energy and the Divine Soul. Before the Yin God realm, cultivators were roughly equivalent to the Lower Third Rank of the Martial Path; the Yin God realm could be categorized into Secret Sixth Rank and slightly higher levels. As for Yang God, that belonged to the Absolute Fourth Rank level. The transition from Yin God to Yang God was a leap from Secret Sixth Rank to Absolute Fourth Rank. This span was extremely large, and under normal circumstances, realms are not divided like this. It was only because Zhou Heng himself was still at the True Energy Realm, and hadnt yet cultivated to True Gang, that he could only deduce and speculate about higher realms. That is to say, the cultivation method currently more complete is only as far as the Secret Sixth Rank stage. ` As for the details of the higher realms, they still need to be perfected. The Seven Steps to Longevity may not only have seven steps. However, even so, when Zhou Heng informed Yu Jianghe of this method, he was astonished as if he had met a Celestial Man. As a venerable cultivator who had passed the age of seventy, he had devoted his entire life to the study of visualization techniques and had never imagined that there could be someone who had conceived an entirely different path of cultivation. This was simply inconceivable. After that, Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui became even more wholeheartedly devoted to Zhou Heng. Originally, they had merely thought of Zhou Heng as a powerful being from the ancient Heavenly Heart realm reincarnated, but they now believed that Zhou Heng might become a Taoist God of this era, and perhaps achieve even greater feats. Legend has it that only those who create their visualization techniques capable of reaching the Heavenly Heart realm could become Taoist Gods. And Zhou Heng had blazed a new trail beyond visualization techniques, an achievement unprecedented in history. Becoming a Taoist God was only to be expected! Senior, weve received news from Sangyang City that the demons there have been slain, Yu Jianghe reported to Zhou Heng with a hint of embarrassment on his face. In recent times, aside from diligently practicing the Seven Steps to Longevity, Yu Jianghe was still helping Zhou Heng to investigate news of monsters in various places. The senior had said that slaying demons and banishing evils was beneficial to cultivation, so he naturally did not dare to slack off, lest he delay the seniors spiritual practice. That would be an unforgivable sin. The presence of a demon in Sangyang City was information he had brought to Zhou Hengs attention the day before yesterday, and indeed, Zhou Heng had planned to go to Sangyang City to eliminate the demon in a couple of days, but unexpectedly, someone had already taken care of it. Oh? Was it a cultivator from the Holy Sect of Mercy who took action? Zhou Heng asked with curiosity, Are they that proactive? Since his expedition to Wushan Town, Zhou Heng had gone out to slay demons more than ten times, in order to accumulate merit. However, he had yet to encounter anyone from the Holy Sect of Mercy, which made him wonder if they had given up on Liang Country. It wasnt someone from the Holy Sect of Mercy, Yu Jianghe shook his head and said, They arent that diligent. It was said to be a female cultivator who calls herself Cheng Bei. Cheng Bei? Zhou Heng chuckled upon hearing this and said, I see, she is a fellow cultivator of mine, you need not worry about it. Cheng Bei was naturally Cheng Jianjian. She had taken the name Cheng Bei in the same way that Ziweis Zhou Heng had adopted the name Zhou Wei. This was something they had agreed upon even before their descent. It turns out to be your fellow cultivator, Yu Jianghe said in surprise. The tone Zhou Heng had used to speak just now was not the courteous term of fellow cultivator used among cultivators. But rather, a true companion on the cultivation path. What kind of person could the fellow cultivator of such a powerful being who had created his own path be? Moreover, she was a female cultivator. Could it be She might well be the seniors cultivation partner! Zhou Heng all the while unaware of the various wild imaginings brewing in Yu Jianghes mind, thought about the news of Cheng Jianjian slaying the demon and calculated the time. It seemed, his descent to this place was nearing half a year. Since Jianjian has emerged to slay demons, it means she has already attained a certain level of strength, Zhou Heng thought to himself, Yes, its about time to head to the Capital City. With this thought in mind, he didnt hesitate and immediately said to Yu Jianghe, In three days, I will go to the Capital City. As for these two children in Qingxiang Town, Ill have to trouble my fellow cultivator to instruct them. ` You wish to go to Capital City? Yu Jianghe first looked stunned upon hearing the words, then as if he had realized something, Do you want to end the ties of this life? In recent days, he had heard some news about the State Preceptor of Liang Country from some fellow Daoists. Many suspected that the State Preceptor might be a demon. However, for cultivators, the life and death of a country were irrelevant to them, and there were no substantial benefits to exorcising monsters, so naturally no one bothered with what the State Preceptor was up to. This had led to the State Preceptor becoming increasingly arrogant, with rumors that he had nearly taken complete control of the government. Even many high officials in the court had been replaced, and it was possible that about half of them were monsters. By this time, Yu Jianghe already knew that the senior before him had been reborn into the royal Ye family of Liang Country, named Ye Long. Therefore, upon hearing Zhou Heng say he wanted to go to the Capital City, he naturally assumed that Zhou Heng intended to remove the monster that plagued the Capital City. And by removing that monster and saving Liang Country, which was in imminent danger, theoretically, this would also sever the seniors ties with the royal family of Liang Country in this life. But it is not exactly cutting ties. Zhou Heng smiled and said, I am going there to meet some people. If there is anything you need, senior, Jianghe is willing to follow you through fire and water, Yu Jianghe said. There is no need for that; Ill just ride Dahuang straight there, Zhou Heng smiled and replied, You staying here to teach those two children is enough for me. Dahuang was the name he had given to the double-winged tiger demon. I will obey your orders, senior, Yu Jianghe said respectfully. Dont neglect your own cultivation either, Zhou Heng reminded, as if an elder about to embark on a journey was instructing the younger generation. Although Zhou Heng was actually much younger than Yu Jianghe, neither felt any discord during their conversation. In the world of cultivators, the accomplished are revered. This is the rationale of this world. Zhou Heng was simply adapting to local customs. Liang Countrys Capital City. This was the heart of Liang Country, the most prosperous place, and even at night, it was brightly lit everywhere. Especially inside the Imperial City, it was even more so. Qin Zheng Hall. This was where Emperor Ye Feng of Liang Country conducted his affairs, where the lights never went out all year round. At this moment, Ye Feng was earnestly perusing a memorial that had just been presented today, his expression complex. An Immortal Master has come riding a yellow tiger, flying through the sky. He stayed in Sangyang City before heading towards the Capital City It is rumored that this Immortal Master is Prince Ye Long When this memorial was first brought before Ye Feng, his initial reaction was one of disbelief. Ye Long had left with the Immortal Master less than half a year ago; how could he now have the ability to fly through the sky? This was against common sense. As the sovereign of a country, Ye Feng had a basic understanding of cultivators and knew that those who could fly were remarkable figures even among cultivators. How long had Ye Long been cultivating? How could he have advanced so quickly? Yet if Ye Long truly made significant progress in his cultivation and became an Immortal Master who could soar through the skies and dig through the earth, what should be done? With this thought, Ye Fengs heart was devoid of any joy; instead, it was filled with worry. What if Ye Long comes to seize his throne? Throughout history, princes assassinating their fathers to usurp the imperial power has been a common occurrence in any kingdom. Especially when this prince possesses power beyond the royal familys control, Ye Feng couldnt help but worry. Indeed, Immortal Masters had set an iron rule that emperors must not practice immortality, and those who practiced immortality must not become emperors, but that did not prevent cultivators from supporting a puppet to ascend to the throne. You really dont give me peace of mind, whether this is true or not, we must handle it with caution, said Ye Feng with a grim face, glancing outside, Summon the State Preceptor! Yes, Your Majesty! came the voice of the eunuch from outside. In a moment, a figure approached the Qin Zheng Hall, passing through layers of guards and entering through the doors without hindrance. The Qin Zheng Hall was strictly guarded, and, ordinarily, apart from the emperor himself and his entourage of eunuchs, anyone would be subjected to rigorous interrogation before entry. But the State Preceptor was an exception; aside from the inner palace, he could freely enter and exit any area within the Imperial City without question or inspection. This State Preceptor was named Wu Cheng. He wore a purple Taoist robe, majestic and elegant, appearing like a handsome middle-aged man in his forties, with a long beard, claiming to be a true person who had cultivated for three hundred years, possessed with a bit of the aura of an Immortal Master. Your Majesty has summoned me in the dead of night, is it concerning Prince Ye Long? asked Wu Cheng with a smile. State Preceptor understands me, Ye Feng nodded slightly, Indeed, Ive heard he rode a tiger and flew across the skies, displaying the grandeur of an Immortal Master. Then has Your Majesty considered whether to let him live or die? Wu Cheng spoke very bluntly, as if he didnt care at all whether Ye Feng would be angered by this. Ye Feng remained silent for a long while upon hearing this, finally closing his eyes, he said, Liang Country needs a stable situation, and it doesnt need two State Preceptors, which is what the common people wish for. I have to consider the peoples well-being, and when the time comes, I will have to ask the State Preceptor to take action. I will obey the imperial command, Wu Cheng bowed respectfully, bending slightly with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Zhou Heng was heading to the Capital City openly and did not conceal his movements, riding a tiger through the sky and passing many major cities, making countless commoners kneel and cry out for the arrival of the Immortal Master. This was absolutely impossible in Da Qi. Was it the same during the Middle Ancient Era, when great powers reigned above royal authority? What about the earlier Dark Age? Zhou Hengs thoughts wandered as he also passed through layers of high clouds, and saw another magnificent and splendid great city ahead. This was the Imperial City of Liang Country from Ye Longs memories. Even the commoners inside the Imperial City, upon seeing someone riding a tiger through the sky, still regarded him as a divine being, kneeling and bowing to the figure above. Not just the commoners; even the guards at the gate could not help but kneel, and even the imperial guards inside the city laid down their weapons and saluted the figure above with utmost respect. An Immortal Master, even just one, stood above the nation and emperor. There was no doubt about this. Zhou Heng, observing the scene inside and outside the Imperial City, reassessed the situation of this world. With such circumstances, was it good or bad? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A question arose in his mind. However, as Zhou Heng approached closer to the Capital City, it became difficult to dwell on this uncertainty. With his Divine Sense, he sensed an overwhelming demonic aura within the Imperial City of Liang Country! At the same time, in the Jiahe Tavern within the Capital City, a girl disguised as a handsome young masters eyes lit up as she looked to the skies. Hes finally arrived! Chapter 315 - Chapter 315: Chapter 35: Daoist Heavenly Realm Chapter 315: Chapter 35: Daoist Heavenly Realm Yan Shouyis tone in his urgent message was very hurried. Therefore, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian did not deduce further and directly returned to Taihua Mount in Yong State via the starlight bridge of the Purple Tenuity Palace. Afterward, the two went to the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak together. Senior brother, whats going on? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled. Ive seen Elder Martial Uncle. Cheng Jianjian gave her respects. Hmm, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly, his gaze drifting towards Yuzhou as he said, There is something hidden there related to ancient immortals and buddhas. On the surface, Jia Ye Temple is spreading its doctrine, but in reality, it is investigating the situation. Ancient immortals and buddhas? Zhou Heng was startled by the words, his expression becoming grave as he asked, Immortals and buddhas from the Ancient Mythological Era? Thats right, Yan Shouyi nodded and continued, It might be a pure land, a world unto itself. Ive heard that during the Ancient Mythological Era, Yuzhou belonged to the Buddha Sect and a great power from the Buddha Sect created a pure land. Is Jia Ye Temple aiming for that pure land? Zhou Heng exclaimed with astonishment, Senior brother, do you know what level of pure land it is? The essence of a Buddha Sects pure land is similar to that of the Taoist Cave Skies, both created at Heavenly Third Rank. In Taoist cultivation, though, the Cave Sky is merely a transitional phase at Heavenly Third Rank. When reaching Tao Second Rank, cultivators focus on nurturing their Tao Seed, whereas the Buddha Sect continuously perfects their pure land, making it stronger and stronger. Therefore, the Taoist Cave Skies are generally at the level of Heavenly Third Rank, while Buddha Sects pure lands could be at Heavenly Third Rank, Tao Second Rank, or even Divine First Rank. The workings of fate are unclear; I cant see the truth, Yan Shouyi said, shaking his head slightly. I can only discern that the essence of that pure land is above the Heavenly Third Rank. Tao Second Rank, even Divine First Rank?! Zhou Hengs eyes widened; he had not thought that Yuzhou would conceal such a treasure. A masterless Cave Sky or pure land is undoubtedly an extremely important treasure. Its still unknown for the time being, Yan Shouyi did not confirm, then his gaze swept over Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian as he said, Ive called the two of you back because I dont want you to be affected. If Jia Ye Temple really opens that pure land, I fear that the Buddhas light might envelop the entire Yuzhou. By then, all the common people of Yuzhou might be converted into followers of the Buddha Sect. Then we should stop them, Zhou Heng said without hesitation. No, I wont stop them, Yan Shouyi disagreed, shaking his head and speaking solemnly, If a high-level pure land can indeed be opened, our world will gain a greater hope. What about the common people of Yuzhou? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed. Is Elder Martial Uncle thinking of abandoning the common people of Yuzhou in exchange for the power to resist the evil gods? Cheng Jianjian asked with a slight frown of her willow brows. Forcefully converted followers of the Buddha Sect dont simply undergo a change of faith; they fundamentally alter their human nature, devoting themselves to the Buddha Sect heedless of life and death. This is essentially the same as losing oneself, no different from a walking corpse. How numerous are the common people of Yuzhou? If they were all force-converted into Buddha Sect followers due to the opening of the pure land, becoming walking corpses, it would be no different from killing all the common people of Yuzhou. To obtain the power to resist evil gods in this manner What does that amount to? Sacrifice one state to save the world? No, senior brother, you wouldnt do that, Zhou Heng suddenly shook his head, smiling. This kind of compromising and deciding the fate of others is not in your character. What if I truly wished to do so? Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Will having one more Tao Lord, or one more Divine First Rank, truly guarantee holding back those evil gods? Zhou Heng countered with a question. Hmm, indeed so, Yan Shouyi nodded, his smile becoming even broader. Of course, I wouldnt abandon the people of Yuzhou; that is my hometown, the place that raised me. However, the pure land must be opened. I will take a Unique Divine Weapon with me to Yuzhou. Before Jia Ye Temple can act, I will convert that pure land into a Taoist Heavenly Realm. It is said that Divine First Rank powers can extract Chaos Qi from the void, employ great powers to create and shape worlds, and thus create star systems, bringing worlds into existence, which are known as Heavenly Realms. As a result, in some legends, those of Divine First Rank are also referred to as Heavenly Lords, Heavenly Masters, or Realm Masters. Senior brother, you seem to value this Buddha Sect pure land too much, Zhou Heng remarked after hearing Yan Shouyis words, relieved yet somewhat worried. Youre even taking a Unique Divine Weapon, it seems youre determined to succeed. The existence of a Unique Divine Weapon itself is comparable to a Divine First Rank power. Although Heavenly Third Rank cannot unleash its full might, with a Unique Divine Weapon in Yan Shouyis hands and his strength, even a descending Tao Lord might not be his match. Hmm, determined indeed, Yan Shouyi nodded, his voice grave. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officers should have already convened. You must be aware of Yuan Zhenzi being sacrificed by the evil god of the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. At this moment, my master is holding off an evil god, whose power has infiltrated due to that event, but is at a disadvantage. If we can secure a Heavenly Realm, we shall be able to completely block that evil god from entering. Hmm, were aware of it, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian nodded, speaking in unison. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officers have indeed saved me a lot of trouble, Yan Shouyi chuckled, then grew serious again as he said, Junior brother, Jiang Jian, in the short time to come, Ill likely be unable to spare any attention for you. Recently, Da Qi has become quite unstable, with numerous demon entities and ghosts proliferating, along with many evil spirits breaching the worlds barriers and descending. The three major evil paths are also stirring, and their initial targets will inevitably be the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. You must be careful. Both of you possess extraordinary talent and have bright futures; you must not perish before you have fully matured. My suggestion is that during the time before I return, either you focus intently on cultivation, or choose the safest mode of travel, and always carry a Life-saving Talisman if you travel. Senior brother, rest easy, I still have many methods for self-preservation, Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle. Elder Martial Uncle, please be reassured. I may not excel in many things, but I have indeed diligently researched how to preserve my life for a long, long time, Cheng Jianjian also said with a smile. Good, since thats the case, Im relieved, Yan Shouyi nodded with a smile, saying, Time is of the essence. I must head to Yuzhou now. When I return, Ill check the progress of your martial paths. Senior brother, just go without worries, Zhou Heng smiled, Come back soon. Yan Shouyi stepped into the void and left, vanishing after leaving the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak. Now only Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian remained. Jiang Jian, what are your plans next? Zhou Heng looked at the young girl beside him and inquired. Since Elder Martial Uncle has cautioned us to travel carefully during this period, its a good opportunity to try a new way of traveling, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile. Do you remember my previous invitation? Of course, I remember. Zhou Heng nodded with a smile. Then lets go. Cheng Jianjian took Zhou Hengs hand and then leapt straight down from the Jade Void Peak Golden Top. Cheng Jianjians previous invitation to Zhou Heng was made after both had reached the Secret Six Rank, to go together to a world and complete a task. But Cheng Jianjian had not disclosed any details about this world beforehand. In front of the Divine Soul Star Gate of the Purple Tenuity Palace. This is a new world Ive discovered, Cheng Jianjian told Zhou Heng. After becoming a Northern Dipper, during one of the tasks, I arrived at this new world where Techniques are the main mode of cultivation in the form of ascension. In this world, demon entities run rampant, ordinary people are completely helpless against them, and only cultivators who have mastered Techniques can contend with them and slaughter them, in order to maintain a fragile peace. For us, there are quite a few benefits to this world. The principles behind its Techniques actually correspond with Taoist Formulas, and could be adapted into Taoist Formulas extremely effective against slaughtering evil demons and spirits. Moreover, slaying demon entities also yields virtue energy, and if you kill something akin to Secret Six Rank, you can even collect a certain degree of merit energy. Ah, you know about merit energy, right? Mmm, I know, Zhou Heng nodded and replied with a smile: That does sound like a good place. I just happen to need to collect merit energy to cultivate a Taoist Formula. That works out then, Cheng Jianjian smiled beautifully and then added: Last time I investigated, and the strongest among them in the open should be equivalent to Sect Fifth Rank, although there could be those comparable to Absolute Fourth Rank, so we need to be a bit careful. What about the flow of time? Zhou Heng inquired: If we descend with our divine souls possessing bodies, well definitely need some time to recover our strength. The flow is ten times faster, so there should be plenty of time, Cheng Jianjian said. As for recovering strength, since I didnt know the situation with the Divine Soul Star Gate before, the preparations I made were actually for the true bodys descent. However, those preparations can also be used to restore the strength of a possessed divine soul, but Im not sure what to do on your end; thats a bit troublesome. There are Laws suppression in that world, and many of our Martial Arts techniques are not very suitable. Its best to cultivate Techniques of that world, but at the beginning, we probably wont be together. Mmm, unless its a precise individual descent, its not possible to determine the exact location. We can only limit the characteristics of the location, Zhou Heng nodded and said: Right now we dont know much about that world, so we cant do an individual descent yet. An individual descent through the Divine Soul Star Gate is the precise positioning of a specific corpse. For this to be possible, the Star Gate must have a very comprehensive analysis of that world, with all sorts of detailed information; typically, only worlds that have been explored many times or that are inherently under the jurisdiction of the Constellation Map of Zhou Tian can do so. As for newly discovered worlds like the one Cheng Jianjian found, although its possible to locate the world coordinates through the Star Gate, a comprehensive analysis isnt feasible, which naturally rules out individual descents, at most only allowing for group descents. Hey, little martial uncle, actually I can do a precise individual descent, Cheng Jianjian laughed and said: I once entered an ancient tomb in that world, and inside was a young girls body lying in an ice coffin, which just so happens to be suitable for an individual descent. Theres actually such a situation? Zhou Heng was stunned; Cheng Jianjians luck was just too good, and one had to admit, some people are just naturally lucky. That only left him to make his own choice. Leveraging Cheng Jianjians previous rough understanding of that world, Zhou Heng chose an identity group that would make finding people relatively convenient and also defined the region. The two also agreed on secret signals and a rough meeting place. For ease of follow-up actions. Moist, tight. A feeling of being bound surged up, and his head felt as if it were engorged with blood. Zhou Heng struggled to open his eyes and found himself tightly bound by ropes, suspended in mid-air like cured meat, surrounded by many other people. To be precise, they should be called corpses. The place reeked of a pungent, nauseating odor. Zhou Heng barely focused his spirit and roughly determined that he must be in a dark and damp cave. At the same time, he obtained some information from the remnants of the divine soul fragments in the corpse he had possessed. This body was named Ye Long, a prince of Liang Country, one of the thirty-six states of the Central Plains, only nineteen years old, and the eleventh in line. A month ago, Ye Long was noticed by an Immortal Master passing through Liang Country and was taken as a disciple before leaving the capital to follow this master to his cave dwelling for cultivation. Little did he know that this so-called Immortal Master practiced an extremely sinister technique that used living people to create puppets, the more noble the person was in life, the more powerful the puppet that was forged. Now, Ye Longs corpse had already become one of that Immortal Masters puppets. No wonder I felt that the flow through my acupoints was blocked; it seems its not just because Ive just possessed the body and come back to life. Zhou Heng realized, chuckling bitterly to himself, This group incarnation really put me in a fix, setting my preferences to the nobility of the Central Plains, and yet I end up in a corpse turned into a puppet. In the future, I should probably rely on individual incarnation instead. Originally, he had thought that by incarnating and becoming a member of the nobility, it would be convenient to mobilize various resources, making the search for Cheng Jianjian much simpler. But he had never expected to become such a noble. On second thought, it made sense. Nobles dont die easily, and their deaths are often not due to common affairs. And since he had possessed a corpse, the previous experiences of the body were definitely not pleasant. Thinking about it this way, I feel much more at ease, Zhou Heng comforted himself while also pondering, The top priority is to escape and find suitable cultivation methods to restore some strength as soon as possible. Ye Longs body had not cultivated at all, only possessing some puppet features, like a hard body and immense strength, which allowed him to exert quite ordinary power, at best comparable to a Ninth Rank Warrior in a scuffle. The remaining memory fragments also contained no cultivation techniques, so Zhou Heng would have to find them on his own. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Tap tap tap. Just then, footsteps echoed in the cave. A skinny man in a black robe approached, his gaze glanced at Zhou Heng hanging in mid-air, and he sneered, Boy, youve actually woken up and even freed yourself from my puppetry technique?! Simultaneously, Zhou Heng felt an invasive force targeting his spirit, attempting to take control of his mind. You are being attacked by the enemy Han Lins technique Puppetry Technique''[Eighth Rank], but you are unaffected due to the strength of your divine souls will, gaining insight into this technique, proficiency +0.2. Chapter 316 - Chapter 316: Chapter 36: Ten Steps to the Immortal Gate Chapter 316: Chapter 36: Ten Steps to the Immortal Gate Your Divine Soul is very powerful, and your cultivation profound. You have a knack for understanding related techniques, deepening your comprehension of the Puppetry Technique [Eighth Rank], proficiency +0.8. Congratulations! Your proficiency in the Puppetry Technique [Eighth Rank] has reached 1, and you have officially learned this technique. Congratulations! Your realm is profound, looking down from a high place, you have completely mastered the Puppetry Technique [Eighth Rank], proficiency +21000. [Eighth Rank] Puppetry Technique: Perfection (21000/21000) You can use powerful mental force to destroy a living persons Divine Soul and refine their body into a puppet for yourself. The more noble the persons identity before death, the stronger the refined puppet will be. At most, three puppets can be controlled simultaneously. Almost the moment Zhou Heng was attacked by the Puppetry Technique, he learned the technique, grasped all its principles, and its many applications, far surpassing the Immortal Master Han Lin before him. While Han Lin was casting the Puppetry Technique on Ye Long, he felt as though his spiritual power had come into contact with a golden sea, incredibly vast in comparison to his own, utterly insignificant. How is this possible, a mere mortal, how could he possess such a powerful Divine Soul?? Han Lin couldnt believe it, his expression one of sheer terror. These were his last thoughts. Zhou Heng barely had to think about it, his supremely powerful Divine Sense instantly overwhelmed Han Lins spirit, breaking it down as easily as crushing dry weeds and sweeping away dust. At the same time, he also used the Puppetry Technique, turning Han Lin into his own puppet. So it turns out this Han Lin was driven to such madness in refining puppets in order to deal with his enemy, Zhou Heng thought, as he let the puppet untie him while reading the memory fragments obtained from Han Lin. Besides refining a living person into a puppet, the Puppetry Technique also allows one to obtain some fragments of memory. Although it is not as comprehensive as a Memory Drop Card and has a strong element of randomness, it is still quite useful. Beyond the information about Han Lins enemy, Zhou Heng learned about some of the cultivation philosophies of this world. Although Cheng Jianjian had previously mentioned that this world mainly practices cultivation through techniques and doesnt pay much attention to the tempering of the physical body, she hadnt studied it deeply and only knew some superficial information, which wasnt comprehensive. From Han Lins memory fragments, Zhou Heng learned that the practitioners of this world call themselves Cultivators, and those who achieve a certain level of success are honored as Great Real Persons. Those who are even higher are referred to as Immortals. They advocate using the visualization method to temper the Divine Soul, solidify the Divine Soul into an entity symbolizing certain laws, thereby interact with reality, mobilize the natural energies of heaven and earth, and cast various techniques. This process involves ten stages: Concentrating the Heart, Stabilizing the Divine Soul, Releasing the Spirit, Night Roaming, Subjugating Matter, Sun Roaming, True Form, Revealing the Sacred, Heavenly Heart, and Path of Divinity. This is known as the Ten Steps of the Immortal Path. It is rumored that once you have traversed these ten steps, you will completely transcend the mundane, ascend to the heavens in broad daylight, and enter the Immortal World. From then on, you will live eternally, undying and everlasting. This Han Lin had reached the Subjugating Matter stage and could cast minor techniques such as fireballs, ice arrows, and bolts of lightning. Their power is not insignificant, and in the mortal realms, he could be revered as an Immortal Master. Han Lins Divine Soul is only equivalent to the level of an Eighth Rank Martial Artist, but if purely speaking of offensive power and range, a Cultivator at the Subjugating Matter stage has far surpassed all Eighth Rank Martial Artists, Zhou Heng marveled, but he also understood the drawback of such Divine Soul Cultivators, However, these Cultivators have very weak physical bodies. If a Subjugating Matter Cultivator like Han Lin were to be approached by an Eighth Rank Martial Artist, they would be killed by a single punch. In short, based on the information from Han Lins memory fragments, it seems that until the True Form Realm, Cultivators have extremely frail physical bodies. As for the True Form Realm and even higher levels, that remains unknown. Its not that theres no relevant information in these fragments of Han Lins memories; rather, as a Loose Cultivator, his knowledge of the higher realms is very limited. Being able to know the specific names of the ten steps to Immortal Sect actually already surpasses many loose cultivators. According to Jiang Jians previous estimates, the strongest people outwardly in this world are roughly equivalent to the level of Sect Fifth Rank, and the control of objects is only equivalent to Eighth Rank. If thats the case, then the Heavenly Heart Realm must be equivalent to Sect Fifth Rank, and the Realm of Dao Gods is probably similar to Absolute Fourth Rank, Zhou Heng secretly guessed and compared the realm classifications, which suddenly made him feel somewhat amused, If thats really the case, then stepping beyond the ten steps to Immortal Sect should lead to the realm of the Celestial Man. Since when could Celestial Men be immortally indestructible, eternally unperishable? Rumors are, after all, just rumors. The decay calamity of the Celestial Men that occurs every five hundred years has been stepped on a bit. Afterward, Zhou Heng tidied up the cave a bit, but didnt find anything of value, so he could only leave the cave with the puppet. It was then that he discovered a spiritual dwelling not far from there. The spiritual dwelling was nothing miraculous, simply a place carved out of a cave as a residence, equipped with pots and bowls, a table and stools, and a stone bed, upon which a grass mat was spread. Zhou Heng planned on recuperating here for a few days. After all, he had just taken possession of a body and descended. Ye Longs body had been revived from death, with depleted vitality and major organ damage, and without any cultivation to speak of, he wasnt suited for long-distance trekking. It would be wise to recuperate and get the body into good condition here. So, in the following days, Zhou Heng lived in this cave, sending the puppet out to hunt, bringing back meat to roast and eat, while he practiced standing postures and warmed his body with punches. Although the laws of this world are different and suppress most martial arts, especially those above Middle Third Rank, there are no such restrictions on basic martial arts based on the physical body. After more than ten days, Zhou Heng had finally conditioned this corpse back into a healthy ordinary person. At the same time, his physical strength had also recovered to Ninth Grade level, but it couldnt go any higher. It seemed as though the physical bodies of this world were different and incapable of cultivating inner qi. Zhou Hengs strongest means of self-protection at present was actually Han Lin, the puppet. Zhou Heng had also tried practicing techniques such as fireballs, ice arrows, and lightning bolts. Logically, with his Divine Soul realm, casting these techniques should have been easy, but in reality none had been successful. Although he had descended with just a thread of his divine souls awareness, if he wanted to transform it into Divine Soul Power on the level of controlling objects, it would be at least equivalent to fifty Han Lins, which more than met the mental power requirements of these techniques, yet he couldnt cast them. Zhou Heng now was like having a warehouse full of high-quality metals with no clue how to forge these metals into weapons; he could only stare helplessly. It must be related to the visualization technique. The cultivators of this world manipulate the forces of nature, probably not just through their divine souls. The visualization technique must also play an important role, Zhou Heng realized in his heart. His memories from Han Lin were fragmented and incomplete. He only knew that cultivators in this place primarily used visualization techniques, but he didnt know how to practice these visualization methods or what kind of changes they could bring about. He could only guess. If I were to guess based on some information I learned from my previous life, so-called visualization should be sitting in meditation, imagining the image of certain things in the mind, in order to achieve peace and focus, and restrain wandering thoughts, Zhou Heng mused. Zhou Heng fell into contemplation, thinking to himself: However, such mere imagination cannot be considered cultivation, let alone bring about extraordinary power. It seems that if I want to gain the power of this world, I still need to get my hands on real visualization techniques. But in this world, visualization techniques are mostly sect secrets, and loose cultivators also treat their own visualization techniques as extremely valuable, reluctant to disclose them easily. Getting a hold of visualization techniques is extremely difficult. Moreover, the status of cultivators themselves is above that of nations and in order to maintain this superior position, it is even more difficult for royals and nobles to obtain visualization techniques. This means that with Zhou Hengs current identity as Ye Long, it is almost impossible to acquire visualization techniques through normal channels. If I cant get it through normal channels, then I have to take unconventional paths, either secretly buying it from someone or directly resorting to murder and robbery, Zhou Heng thought of two methods, but neither was easy. However, no matter which path one takes, one can never acquire the visualization method by just staying in a cave dwelling; one still needs to go out to gather information, starting with finding a town. As someone who preferred action, with a thought, he immediately left the cave with the puppet Han Lin in tow. Before leaving, Zhou Heng erased all signs of his having lived there, as well as any traces along the way. He hadnt forgotten that Han Lin still had an enemy. That was a peak Sun Roaming Realm expert, close to the level of a Great Celestial Man. Cultivators of the True Form Realm are revered as Great Celestial Men. He had not recovered much strength yet and did not want to attract a formidable enemy. Three days after Zhou Heng left the cave, a middle-aged man dressed in a large red robe arrived there. He searched around, first visiting the cave where Zhou Heng had resided, only to find it empty, which made him frown. Then he went to the cave Han Lin had used for puppetry crafting, but still found nothing. Heh, interesting. When did Han Lin learn to erase his tracks and counter-track? the man in the red robe sneered. He then drew a yellow talisman from his chest, blew gently on it, and the talisman immediately ignited without fire, revealing red lines on the ground that spread in one direction. Han Lin, Id like to see where you can run to now! the man in the red robe narrowed his eyes with murderous intent and ran in the direction the red lines spread. Simultaneously, illusory flames appeared behind him, within which an angry Vajra figure was vaguely visible, engulfed in fire. Soon, the fire enveloped his entire body, speeding up his pace. This was the Wrathful Flames Vajra that the red-robed man visualized as his divine Buddha. By using it, he could channel spiritual power to leverage the fire element qi between heaven and earth, performing many fire-related techniques with often devastatingly powerful results, a considerable combat force even among the Sun Roaming Realm. However, it could gradually affect the cultivators temperament, making them more irritable and short-tempered. Qingxiang Town is a small town in the southwestern region of Liang Country, known for its abundant flowers and named after them. This was also the first town Zhou Heng found after leaving the cave. Now, through a few disguise techniques, he had made himself look in his forties and came here as a wandering medicinal doctor, planning to set up a medical clinic. Han Lin was completely wrapped up, carrying luggage on his back for Zhou Heng, looking every bit the part of a servant. For a medicinal doctor, no matter where one goes, they are welcomed. Thus, without much effort, Zhou Heng rented a small courtyard for setting up the medical clinic, which also served as his residence. He had chosen this identity after careful consideration. Firstly, given his cultivation level of the Divine Soul Realm, he could effortlessly diagnose both major and minor illnesses. Secondly, as a doctor, he interacted with many different people, which made it easier to gather information. More than ten days passed, and Zhou Hengs clinic was running successfully, attracting many people who wanted to apprentice and learn medicine. Yet, he still heard no news about the visualization method. After all, to the ordinary folk, cultivators were like elusive dragonsexalted beings about whose affairs mortals were unworthy of inquiring. As a result, there were hardly any leads. In the meantime, Zhou Heng had also tried visualizing with the Supreme Ox-Riding Diagram from the Gold Fortune Bag, but to no avail, as he had not cracked the method, finding it useless. Indeed, mere imagination in ones mind was not sufficient. While there wasnt much progress with the visualization method, there was an unexpected gain with martial arts. Zhou Heng had managed to refine a wisp of extremely faint Innate True Qi by modifying The Eternal Life Chant. However, this strand of Innate True Qi was so weak that it was incredibly difficult even to attract the elemental qi of heaven and earth, let alone use it to execute martial arts or techniques. Even so, the successful cultivation of True Qi still filled Zhou Heng with excitement. He had taken the first step of a long journey. But as his research deepened, Zhou Heng discovered that the Innate True Qi refined in this world still relied on the Divine Souls attraction to the external qi of heaven and earth. Even the nature of Innate True Qi itself was dominated by the Divine Soul Power, meaning even if ones Innate True Qi grew strong enough to leverage the elemental qi of heaven and earth, its essence still depended on the power of the Divine Soul, not much different from the visualization method, and perhaps even more complicated. Divine Soul Power is dominant, which is probably a fundamental rule of this world, Zhou Heng thought. I still need to keep searching for the visualization method, and explore other ways to strengthen Innate True Qi in this world. I must prepare on both fronts. One evening, as the clinic was closing. Zhou Heng sat in the small courtyard, contemplating other methods to strengthen Innate True Qi in this world. Suddenly, the sound of knocking on the door came. Moreover, it was urgent, and the force behind the knocking grew stronger and stronger. Boom! Boom! Boom! It nearly seemed as if the person would break down the door if it wasnt opened soon. Zhou Hengs eyebrows slightly furrowed. Under his Divine Senses detection, he could clearly see that the person knocking was a burly middle-aged man in a large red robe, with a beard framing his face, who appeared somewhat agitated. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Facing this sudden encounter, Zhou Heng slightly raised his eyebrows, stood up, and opened the courtyard door, meeting the middle-aged man in the large red robe. Have you seen Han Lin? the man in the red robe looked into Zhou Hengs eyes and said, Youd better answer truthfully. I dont like being lied to. I havent seen him, Zhou Heng replied impassively. The man in the red robe paused briefly, then cracked a smile, shaking his head and said, No, I dont believe you! Step aside, let me have a look inside. Chapter 327 - Chapter 327: Chapter 47: The Xuanhuang Pagoda, the Supreme Riding the Ox Chapter 327: Chapter 47: The Xuanhuang Pagoda, the Supreme Riding the Ox The vast and lofty Guang Han Palace manifested in the high sky, and the power of icy deathly stillness immediately spread out. Wu Cheng suddenly felt as if the void surrounding him had frozen, like he was trapped in a swamp, making it extremely difficult to move his body or manipulate his mana. Yet, he did not panic, still wearing a smile, he said, The manifestation technique of the ancient Guang Han Daos divine palace that freezes the void and imprisons the enemy, I have long heard of its great name. But now that I see it it seems somewhat underwhelming! No sooner had these words fallen Boom! A tremendous explosion sounded, and Wu Chengs body suddenly burst forth with layers of black storm, grinding the seemingly frozen void into shreds, creating a frightfully terrible spatial tempest that surged toward the Guang Han Palace above. Wu Cheng regained his freedom of movement, and as he launched an attack amidst the roiling space storm, his figure flashed, instantly reaching Cheng Jianjian. What a stunning beauty you are, but alas, you have chosen the wrong place, and sided with the wrong person! His eyes brimmed with killing intent as he raised his hand, which instantly transformed into a tigers paw as large as a fan, and swung it down towards Cheng Jianjian. The power of this palm strike was extraordinarily terrifying. As it swung, it wove a pitch-black storm into itself; it was no longer merely the power of Divine Soul visualization. It held within it the force of laws, and for cultivators who have not yet reached the Heavenly Heart Realm, such laws are akin to divine willunder normal circumstances, nearly impossible to resist. This is also why cultivators in the Heavenly Heart Realm are regarded as having undergone an essential elevation of life and are called land immortals. But Cheng Jianjian was no ordinary cultivator. Her realm, her insight, her vision were far beyond what any ordinary True Form Realm cultivator of this world could compare. Faced with Wu Chengs formidable attack of mana and true body, she remained cool and collected, forming a seal with her hands, and immediately a golden light enveloped her, blocking the force of Wu Chengs palm strike. At the same time, the true form of the Guang Han Palace, which was almost shattered by the pitch-black spatial tempest, suddenly burst forth with golden light, expanding significantly in an instant and appearing even more lofty and dominant as though it had the authority to tower over the heavens and suppress all. Despite not having reached the Heavenly Heart Realm, the very image of this palace seemed to already weave supreme Taoist charm, making it feel naturally supreme above all. What? Wu Cheng was stunned at the sight. He did not recognize the palace, but he could feel the terrible power and supreme Taoist charm within it, How is this possible, a mere True Form What kind of True Form is this?! And while he was still in disbelief, the magnificent and splendid palace, seemingly the abode of the Heavenly Emperor, began its counterattack. With just a forward thrust, it shattered the rampant spatial storm, smoothed the chaotic void as if it was nothing, suppressed it, and restored peace. Wu Chengs attack was completely neutralized. The palace then descended gracefully, returning to stand behind Cheng Jianjian. Suppress! As the palace returned, Cheng Jianjian cried out sharply, changing the hand seals, and her eyes emitted an exceedingly brilliant and dazzling golden light. She herself seemed like the Heavenly Emperor stepping out from the divine palace, supremely noble, and with just one step forward, miraculous visions erupted around her, with flowers raining from the sky and golden lotuses sprouting from the earth, as if the Heavenly Emperor were on a tour. This was not a technique of this world but rather the Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formulas recorded in the Jade Sky Lingxu Sutra, a secret transmission from the Pure Yang Palaces Jade Qiong Peak. Heavenly Emperor Strides Through the Void! Its original purpose was to manifest an image of the Heavenly Emperor, stepping out from the Jade Sky divine palace, suppressing the void, rendering the enemy unable to escape. However, in this world, the rules and principles of techniques had changed, and Cheng Jianjian made some adjustments to her execution to primarily showcase the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor and target the spirit. Indeed, the results were outstanding. In the midst of these incredibly supernatural phenomena, Wu Chengs spirit was indeed shaken, and for a moment, the thought surfaced in his mindthis adversary is invincible; I should retreat. However, Wu Cheng, after all, was a Demon King who had cultivated for hundreds of years, a being on par with a cultivator of the Human Races Heavenly Heart Realm, an Immortal of the land, and he quickly regained his senses. At the same moment he came to, the Jade Sky Palace behind Cheng Jianjian crumbled; her entire essence, energy, and spirit plummeted, her complexion turned as pale as paper, and her breath became faint, almost as if she were at deaths door. After all, no matter how mysterious and powerful the techniques, she was ultimately only equivalent to a cultivator of the True Form Realm. The fact that she could cast a spell that bewildered a Demon King akin to the Heavenly Heart Realm, even if only for a moment, was an extraordinarily difficult feat, truly extraordinary and shocking to the world. Damnable woman, I will tear you apart! Wu Cheng roared with fury, his murderous intent raging like a storm. He had never thought he would suffer at the hands of a mere True Form Realm cultivator. A moment of distraction might seem brief, but had this occurred in a battle among peers, he would already be dead without a place for his body to lay. Damn it! But just as Wu Cheng was about to continue his attack on Cheng Jianjian, he suddenly felt the void behind him become oppressively heavy. Has the State Preceptor forgotten about my existence? Zhou Heng said with a cold laugh as he flew out of the tavern, hovering in the air. He raised his right hand high and fiercely swung it downward. Boom! An earth-shattering roar erupted as if the void had been pierced. A golden seal the size of a palm fell from the sky like a comet, smashing directly onto Wu Chengs forehead. Bang! Before Wu Cheng could recover, he was toppled by the stamp, falling from mid-air, and only managed to stop himself from crashing to the ground at the last moment. Before he could regain his composure, however, another seal of the same size and power fell from the sky and slammed onto the top of his head. Boom! This time, Wu Cheng truly fell to the ground, lying in the dirt, his once majestic State Preceptors robes now covered in dust. Aghhh!! Wu Cheng roared as he tried to get up and counterattack. However, before his roar ended, another golden seal fell from the sky and landed squarely on his face. With this stamp, Wu Chengs face was flattened on impact. His nose caved in, his whole head deformed, the crown of his skull cracked open, and brain matter oozed out. Then nine more seals followed one after another, golden light shimmering between them, and with continuing roars, each one struck Wu Chengs body. In just a moment, the grand State Preceptor of Liang Country was battered to a bloody pulp, his human form barely recognizable. Only then could Cheng Jianjian catch her breath, regain some strength, and fly back to Zhou Hengs side. Even though Wu Cheng had been battered to this extent, Zhou Heng did not let down his guard. He was well aware that the series of attacks he had just unleashed was not enough to kill a Demon King comparable to the Heavenly Heart Realm. The barrage of twelve golden seals was actually another application of the Overturning Heaven Seal, essentially the same old technique. Such an attack, although it could directly crush cultivators of the Manifesting Holy Realm and even threaten those of the Heavenly Heart Realm or injure them, was incapable of killing a Heavenly Heart Realm cultivator. For, cultivators of the Heavenly Heart Realm have essentially merged with the rules and principles of heaven and earth, and merely attacking at the superficial level is insufficient to kill such life forms. One must strike from a deeper level of principles and laws. Hehehehe!! The laughter of Wu Cheng came from the deep pit created by the golden seal, the blurry mass of flesh wriggled rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, he had returned to his original form, seemingly unscathed. Quite impressive, Cheng Jianjian commented with a smile. Mhm, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Extremely impressive. Interesting, Wu Cheng floated slowly out of the deep pit, rising into the air, and gazed at Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian with a mocking look in his eyes, chuckling, Arent you afraid? Afraid of what? Zhou Heng replied with a slight laugh. Your Highness, Im not sure what you experienced in the past few months that made you so audacious, but Wu Chengs smile disappeared, to be enemies with me is to seek your own death! I have walked many paths in life, but have never walked a road to death, Zhou Heng shook his head and said to Wu Cheng, On the contrary, it is you who is steadily marching towards your death. Is that so? Wu Cheng sneered and said, I hope Your Highness can maintain such composure after seeing this sword. Ha, you might be dead by that time. No sooner had he finished speaking than the hundred-zhang tall Daoist figure that had materialized behind him made a move. The giant Daoist figure reached towards the void with a hand, and within moments, the natural energy of heaven and earth within dozens of miles was gathered, forming a pitch-black giant sword that looked capable of cleaving heaven and earth itself. Upon this giant sword, Zhou Heng could feel an immensely powerful, highly concentrated force of destruction, as if the mighty heavens intended to deliver punishment, annihilating all that existed on earth. Such a terrifying force was usually considered the pinnacle of strength in a world where Daoist gods were absent, with the Heavenly Heart Realm at its peak. The terrifying power condensed in the giant sword was not only palpable to Zhou Heng but even the common folk in the Capital City of Liang Country felt an immense fear, with many kneeling down and ceaselessly kowtowing to the State Preceptor. Meanwhile, in front of the Qin Zheng Hall within the Imperial Palace, Emperor Ye Feng of Liang Country looked on in disbelief at the immense Daoist figure in the distance and the pitch-black great sword that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth, muttering to himself, This is the power of an Immortal Master, this is a cultivator. Such power why cant I possess it? Why cant I?! At this moment, it was as if the heaven and earth had fallen silent, as if within the high expanse of the universe, only this pitch-black great sword and the figure of the hundred-zhang Daoist remained. Besides those, everything else seemed poised to be washed away, destroyed! Wu Cheng looked down from his elevated position at Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian and smiled, Your Highness, and the heir of the Guang Han Dao, I admire the courage of you both, but sadly, courage cannot be exchanged for power. With that, he gently raised a finger and then swiped downwards, declaring sternly, You, should die!! ZZZZZT! The pitch-black Longsword swung, stirring massive amounts of natural energy from heaven and earth. The high skies and clouds were forcibly cleft in twain, and in an instant, the sky darkened, the sun and moon were devoid of light, as if all luminance was absorbed and extinguished by this pitch-black Longsword. The terrifying power of destruction enveloped every direction, and everyone in the Capital City was plunged into extreme fear, despairingly looking up at the sky. Two humans who dont know whether theyre dead or alive! Die! Wu Chengs roar shook the wilderness; the heavens and earth fell into darkness. And in this deep darkness, suddenly, a golden light began to ascend. A great Bodhisattva soared from Zhou Hengs side, standing atop a dragon and elephant, draped in golden light, charging towards the Pitch-Black Great Sword that seemed capable of destroying everything. This great Bodhisattva was immensely mighty and unyieldingly strong, embodying profound wisdom and great power. As it collided, ten dragons and ten elephants soared, and the sound of Buddhist chanting echoed through heaven and earth. The Great Power Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva reveals! However, faced with Wu Chengs descending Pitch-Black Great Sword, this golden-bodied Bodhisattva seemed like a clay statue, cleaved into two the moment it made contact. The dark Sword Qi stirred it into a cloud of golden dust that scattered into the void. It didnt manage to offer even the slightest defense. A nice visualization technique, pity the practice isnt perfect, yet you still have to die. Wu Cheng sneered, quietly watching Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, awaiting their deaths. Zhou Heng, however, remained unfazed, his eyes serenely watching the Pitch-Black Great Sword continue its descent as if he had given up on resisting or even dodging. But just as the Pitch-Black Great Sword, wrapped in an intense power of destruction, was about to strike, he suddenly moved, raising his hand to gently push his coronet. In an instant, the void seemed to solidify, and even the Pitch-Black Great Sword experienced a momentary halt. A stream of black and yellow energy burst forth from the top of Zhou Hengs head. Entwining the black and yellow energy, harboring the universe, encompassing everything, it seemed to contain the origins of the Tao, the root of all laws, the beginning of all things in heaven and earth. Right after, the phantom of a pagoda condensed into shape, layer upon layer stacking up, soaring straight to the heavens, and shockingly, it collided head-on with the Pitch-Black Great Sword slashing through the sky. Seeking death! Wu Cheng snorted coldly. Boom! The Pitch-Black Great Sword struck the pagoda phantom, emitting a deafening roar. Zhou Heng stood unharmed, with only the pagoda phantom trembling slightly, strands of the black and yellow energy falling like garlands, rendering the attack of the Pitch-Black Great Sword completely ineffective. Instead, the Pitch-Black Great Sword itself appeared to have suffered a strong backlash, cracking inch by inch, collapsing and breaking in an instant, turning into streaks of black light that dispersed. How is this possible? Wu Cheng couldnt believe it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Whats so impossible, Zhou Heng laughed and said, This is just an appetizer. Now, theres another move for the State Preceptor to experience. With that, he pushed his coronet again, causing Wu Chengs heart to race. Immediately, a stream of clear Qi soared out from the top of Zhou Hengs head, passing the shadow of the black and yellow pagoda and flying into the sky. The moment this clear Qi erupted, the heavenly earths energy seemed to be drawn by some invisible force, naturally congealing into a Tai Chi Diagram, suspended high above. At the same time, the stream of clear Qi also took shape, transforming into the figure of an elder riding a green ox. Chapter 318 - Chapter 318: Chapter 38 The So-Called Ancient Secret Technique Chapter 318: Chapter 38 The So-Called Ancient Secret Technique This day, the weather was clear. In the small courtyard rented by Zhou Heng, there was a boy and a girl, two children who were practicing some rather strange positions one move at a time. Both children appeared to be around five or six years old, handsome and adorable like porcelain dolls, and they even looked somewhat alike, likely a pair of twin brothers and sister. As they practiced these odd positions, their little faces were earnest, without the slightest relaxation. Zhou Heng stood to the side, watching the two practice their skills, nodding slightly, quite satisfied in his heart. The two children were named Jiang Xianchu and Jiang Houli, the former being the brother and the latter the sister. Zhou Heng had discovered them a few days earlier while treating illnesses at a medical clinic. At that time, the two children had contracted a serious cold, and the local village doctor was helpless, leaving their parents in desperate worry. They had no choice but to come to the town, kneeling and begging Zhou Heng to treat them. And Zhou Heng, with just a slight exertion of his skills, had cured the two children with ease. The parents of the children were extremely excited and specifically made a visit to show their gratitude, bringing the children to kowtow to Zhou Heng in thanks, saying that he was like a second parent to their children. Zhou Heng, by chance, had also made some progress in his research on improving the Longevity Technique, so with this opportunity, he took the children as apprentices on impulse. His explanation to the childrens parents was that he wanted the children to follow him and learn medical skills. After all, talk of martial arts would probably be incomprehensible to the childrens parents who had farmed all their lives. Medical skills, on the other hand, were different. In this world, being a doctor was a highly respected profession, with a good status and income, and opportunities to mingle with various dignitaries. They might even establish connections with high and mighty Immortal Masters. Furthermore, in the past few days, Zhou Hengs reputation for curing all ailments had spread far and wide, earning him no small amount of fame, making him worthy of trust. So, when he proposed the idea, the childrens parents immediately agreed without hesitation. After taking in Jiang Xianchu and Jiang Houli as disciples, Zhou Heng began to teach them the cultivation methods of the Longevity Technique. With his current research progress, he was already able to help these two youngsters cultivate a strand of Innate True Qi. Although this strand of Innate True Qi was not yet powerful enough to do much, at most it could be used to nurture the body and strengthen ones constitution. But once Zhou Heng obtained the visualization charts and truly came into contact with the supernatural forces of this world, he would be able to further deduce the cultivation path of the Longevity Technique in this world. Of course, Zhou Heng had always been teaching medical skills as well, and even claimed that the Longevity Technique was a kind of special medical technique. He did this to avoid any questions from the childrens parents, so they wouldnt think he was deceiving them. Just as Jiang Xianchu and Jiang Houli were practicing in the courtyard, a gentle knock on the door suddenly sounded, causing the children to stop what they were doing and look towards the door with curiosity. Go to the backyard and have some fruit, Zhou Heng said to the children. The small courtyard had two sections, with a not-so-large backyard where two fruit trees were planted. The brother and sister, Jiang Xianchu and Jiang Houli, had been eyeing them for a long time. Yay! Thank you, teacher! The two children said in unison, extremely happy, hopping and skipping their way to the backyard. Once the two children had left the front yard. The puppets of Han Lin and Wei Guang came out from inside the house, standing by Zhou Hengs side. Then, Zhou Heng got up, had the puppet Han Lin take a seat, and he himself stood to the side. Come in, the door is unlocked, the puppet Han Lin, controlled by Zhou Heng, said. Squeak. The wooden gate of the small courtyard was pushed open, and two people, one old and one young, walked in. They were none other than Yu Jianghe and Yu Shuiliu. Yu Jianghe walked in front, and upon seeing the two people standing behind Han Lin, especially the wooden and deathly pallor of Wei Guang, he couldnt help but feel a chill in his heart, and said with a cupped fist, Its been ten years since we last met, and Han Daoists Puppetry Technique has become truly remarkable. He could tell that Wei Guang had been turned into a puppet, which meant that Han Lins Puppetry Technique had reached the level of controlling cultivators in the Sun Roaming Realm, a threat to him indeed. As for the other puppet beside Wei Guang, that must be the itinerant physician who called himself Zhou Wei. No, that identity was probably also fake, just a front to deal with the ordinary people of the secular world. But since when did Han Lin possess such cleverness? What exactly had he experienced during his journey to the ancient battlefield? Or could it be that he had meditated upon the treasure likeness of the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva and unlocked great wisdom? Yu Jianghe was full of doubts in his heart. Daquan Sects disciple Yu Shuiliu pays respect to Daoist Han. Yu Shuiliu also shed his previous contempt, as Han Lin gave him a very clear sense of crisis. It also meant that the other party indeed possessed the ability to kill him. Whats the matter? Zhou Heng, manipulating Han Lin, looked towards Yu Jianghe, sensing that the aged-looking man was the one in charge. I heard that Daoist Han obtained the treasure likeness of the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva from the ancient battlefield? Yu Jianghe said with a smile. What, are you here to snatch it too? Zhou Heng, manipulating Han Lin, slightly narrowed his eyes, revealing a fierce and dangerous intent. Yet his heart was somewhat puzzled. Why did this person say the treasure likeness of the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva was something Han Lin got from an ancient battlefield? This was completely different from the information he had gleaned from the fragmented memories of Wei Guang. What was going on? No, no, no, Daoist friend has misunderstood, we have no such intention. Yu Jianghe shook his head repeatedly, feeling his heart pound under Han Lins gaze, and thought, This fellow has a strong killing nature; its rumored that the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva gathers the power of dragons and elephants within him, being vigorous and strong. Could it also enhance a persons killing nature? Little did he know the murderous intent displayed by Han Lin was actually all deliberately shown by Zhou Heng. Zhou Hengs Divine Soul was even more potent than a True Person in the True Form Realm of this world, naturally causing him to feel palpitations. Then what are you here for? Zhou Heng, manipulating Han Lin, reined in the killing intent and instead displayed a mild smile. I would like to propose a transaction with Daoist friend, Yu Jianghe said solemnly, If Daoist friend would lend the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva Treasure Likeness for my perusal, I am willing to offer our sects secret scripture, the Three Mountains Treasure Likeness Chart. Master! Yu Shuiliu exclaimed in shock, having not expected that the trade proposed by Yu Jianghe would be this. The Three Mountains Treasure Likeness Chart was a secret visualization technique of the Daquan Sect, strictly forbidden from being divulged outside the sect. If this transaction were to be leaked, all three people present would be unable to escape the manhunt of the Daquan Sect! What on earth was the master thinking? Interesting, Zhou Heng controlled Han Lin, showing a smile that was not quite a smile, What is this? Trying to take my treasure likeness for nothing? Although he had no idea what level of visualization technique this so-called Three Mountains Treasure Likeness Chart was, it was always right to feign and inflate his own value in the situation. Moreover, the Great Majestic Dragon Bodhisattva Embodiment Diagram directly points to the Heavenly Heart Realm, only one level lower than this worlds strongest Taoist Divine Realm. Presumably, this Three Mountains Embodiment Diagram should not be superior to that advanced level. Ha ha, fellow Daoist jests. Yu Jianghe didnt seem surprised by Han Lins reaction and said gravely, I am sincere in my offer. As long as fellow Daoist lends me the Great Majestic Dragon Bodhisattva Embodiment Diagram for viewing, not only will I present the Three Mountains Embodiment Diagram, but I am also willing to serve as a pawn for fellow Daoist for the next hundred years. Master, you mustnt this is absolutely not possible! Yu Liushui was completely stunned. What was his master thinking, to actually become Han Lins pawn, which meant becoming a servant? Why would he resort to such a thing? Liushui, there is no need for surprise or to persuade me, Yu Jianghe gently shook his head and sighed, There is great terror between life and death. I see, Zhou Heng understood and, controlling Han Lin, said, Although fellow Daoist is so sincere, I still cannot allow you to view the Great Majestic Dragon Bodhisattva Embodiment Diagram. Its not that I wont give it, its that I dont have it! Understood, Yu Jianghe nodded, his complexion suddenly turning much paler, and he looked at Han Lin with some envy, Actually, I did consider forcibly taking the Embodiment Diagram from fellow Daoist, but after seeing fellow Daoist in person, I abandoned the idea. Congratulations, fellow Daoist, you are nearing your True Form. In Yu Jianghes eyes, the powerful spirit that Han Lin had shown in his gaze had already exceeded the norm for the Sun Roaming Realm level. Even if not yet at True Form, it would not be far off. You have made a wise choice, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Otherwise, my puppets would have increased by two. Then my disciple and I will take our leave first and not disturb fellow Daoists peace. Yu Jianghe seemed to have aged several more years. What he actually sought was not the Great Majestic Dragon Bodhisattva Embodiment Diagram, but a hope for extending his life. Since ancient times, the only difficulty has been death; everyone seeks immortality. Fellow Daoist need not be disheartened, Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up. What do you mean, fellow Daoist? Yu Jianghes eyes lit up, and he immediately became excited. Dont misunderstand; its not about showing you the Embodiment Diagram, Zhou Heng said with a smile. I have a technique here that might help you sense the natural laws of heaven and earth, make further progress, and condense your True Form. Really?! Yu Jianghe seemed to be invigorated, hastily closing the distance to Han Lin, his body trembling slightly. It is still in the experimental phase, Zhou Heng gently shook his head and continued, And this technique is not like visualization techniques but is a different path with an uncertain future. What he referred to was naturally the improved method of cultivating The Eternal Life Chant. With his study over this period, Zhou Heng had made significant progress in the cultivation method of The Eternal Life Chant in this world. Although it still lacked visualization as a primer and Innate True Qi could not yet mobilize the awe-inspiring power of heaven and earth, it could complete the interaction between internal and external, directly perceiving the natural laws of the external world. The hardest part of advancing from the Sun Roaming Realm to the True Form Realm is indeed the comprehension of natural laws to understand the true meaning of the Embodiment Diagram and consequently condense the True Form. However, before reaching the True Form Realm, cultivators in this world can only comprehend the natural laws of heaven and earth through constant visualization or by referring to real physical objects, lacking the ability for direct perception. Thus, for those long stuck in the Sun Roaming Realm, lacking the ability to directly sense the natural laws of heaven and earth, the improved version of The Eternal Life Chant might truly become a lifesaving straw. Of course, all of this has to be confirmed after actual experimentation, and currently, Zhou Heng is still in the hypothesis and deduction phase. Yu Jianghe is undoubtedly a very suitable experimental subject. If he truly can break through to the True Form Realm because of it, would that mean an alternative cultivation path has been established outside of the visualization method? Is there a possibility of receiving a positive feedback from the rules of heaven and earth, gaining merit? Zhou Hengs heart was slightly excited. At this moment, Yu Jianghe was caught in deep dilemma. After Han Lin refused to let him see the Great Majestic Dragon Bodhisattva Treasure Image, he had fallen into despair, but unexpectedly, the other party had given him new hope. However, this method of contemplation, diverging from the traditional path and stepping into the True Form, sounded like a scam. Was this real? If it was real how could Han Lin, a mere Loose Cultivator, who was still at the level of manipulating objects before obtaining the Great Majestic Dragon Bodhisattva Treasure Image, develop such an earth-shattering technique. Wait, could it be that he didnt just obtain the contemplation image in the ancient battlefield of the southwest, but also acquired some ancient secret techniques?! The great war at the end of the ancient times destroyed many Great Sects and top inheritances; perhaps there really was a method that could rapidly advance someone to the True Form Realm! Thinking of this, Yu Jianghe was suddenly overwhelmed with excitement and after pondering for a moment, he said, Please do impart the secret technique to me, fellow Daoist! At that time, Zhou Heng remained silent, simply manipulating Han Lin to sit there with a smile. Yu Jianghe was slightly stunned, and then said, I forgot the principle that techniques should not be casually imparted. The Three Mountains Treasure Image, please have a look, fellow Daoist. As he spoke, he took out a green scroll from his sleeve and presented it with both hands to Han Lin. Yu Liushui stood by, dumbfounded. What was going on? Why had his master so easily called out the Three Mountains Treasure Image? Zhou Heng, controlling Han Lin, accepted the scroll and had an epiphany after only a brief inspection. He put the scroll away and began teaching Yu Jianghe the introductory postures of The Eternal Life Chant. This process was not concealed from Yu Liushui because Zhou Heng didnt mind if The Eternal Life Chant was spread, even hoping that the technique would be known throughout the world. As Yu Jianghe practiced each move, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. As someone who had been stuck at the peak of the Sun Roaming Realm for twenty years, he could clearly feel his connection with the world around him strengthening, and the long-standing shackles on him were loosening. This was just the beginning of his practice, and the ancient secret technique was indeed miraculous! While teaching The Eternal Life Chant, Zhou Heng, pretending to be Han Lins puppet, stood behind. In reality, he had already begun to contemplate the Three Mountains Treasure Image. This was a treasure that pointed directly to the Manifesting Holy Realm; entry was not easy, and normally, just concentrating the mind and steadying the spirit would require a lot of effort. But for Zhou Heng, these were not issues. His Divine Soul was of an extremely high quality, and as he began to contemplate, his realm soared. In the dark and profound spiritual world, three immortal mountains formed out of thin air, majestic and elegant, shrouded in fairy mist. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only These three immortal mountains seemed to forge a bridge connecting Zhou Heng with the outside world, allowing him to use the power of his Divine Soul or Innate True Qi to mobilize the power of heaven and earth. Techniques that were previously impossible, as well as some Taoist Formulas and Martial Arts, were now feasible in practice. Just as Zhou Heng was feeling immensely pleased within, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he couldnt help but recall the Supreme Riding Ox Image that he had tried to contemplate before but to no avail. At the same time, high above the clouds outside Qingxiang Town, a streak of light was flying over. It was brimming with murderous intent! Chapter 319 - Chapter 319: Chapter 39: The Glorious Heaven Rotating Seal! Chapter 319: Chapter 39: The Glorious Heaven Rotating Seal! Within the sea of consciousness void, three mountains floated, shrouded in immortal mists. But the moment Zhou Heng thought of the Supreme Riding the Ox Picture, a boundless, mysterious purple aura rose up in this void, as if it contained an infinite amount of profound Taoist principles. It encompassed everything, accommodating all. The original three mountains immediately crumbled into countless light spots. These spots then converged and solidified into the figure of an old man riding a green ox. Zhou Heng immediately grasped the essence of the Supreme Riding the Ox Picture. It was clearly a meditative magical tome of such high essence that it reached the pinnacle. The Supreme Riding the Ox Meditation! It pointed directly to the realm of the Daoist Gods, which symbolizes the limit of this world, and even higher realms. Indeed, it was a treasure from the Gold Fortune Bag, on the same level as the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual, truly profound to the utmost degree. The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Darkness within darkness, the gate to all mystery. Heaven and Earth are not kind; they treat all things as straw dogs. The Sage is not kind; he treats the people as straw dogs. The highest good is like water, water benefits all things without contention. Be utterly empty, remain tranquil and steadfast. The voice of the five thousand words from the Tao Te Ching echoed within Zhou Hengs sea of consciousness like a sonorous bell, pouring into him like enlightening nectar. Although he had read the Tao Te Ching back on Earth, he had no insightful cultivation experience and felt nothing supernatural about it. This time was different; each word, each sentence, shone like brilliance condensed from the principles of the Tao, containing extremely profound mysteries of this world, advancing his understanding of the true meaning of the meditative picture by leaps and bounds. Basking in such brilliance and the sound of the Tao, Zhou Heng could clearly feel his Divine Soul rapidly growing stronger. This thread of soul that had descended into his body started to swell to an unprecedented degree, growing more powerful. Tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold! It was only after this thread of the Divine Soul had become a thousand times strongera tad weaker than his main body in the Purple Tenuity Palacethat this trend of expansion and strengthening finally ceased. At the same time, a massive amount of the energy from heaven and earth was silently mobilized, pouring into Zhou Hengs body like a river in reverse, about to transform into the mana of the Divine Soul, and solidify into the True Form. However, Zhou Heng had a thought and interrupted the process of condensing the True Form. Instead, he used the modified Eternal Life Chant as the foundation to draw in this vast converging heavenly energy, intending to refine it into Innate True Qi. The Supreme Riding the Ox Picture encompassed all phenomena, accommodating all methods; the Longevity Technique would naturally not conflict with it. In fact, the meditation picture could even provide the corresponding adjustments. As the Innate True Qi was being refined, the influence of the Supreme Riding the Ox Picture in the sea of consciousness became even more solidified. Its existence quickly merged with the Innate True Qi, becoming the commander who presides over the sea of consciousness, marshaling the Innate True Qi within the body and acting as a bridge that connects with the natural laws of the outside world. The True Form Realm involves the Divine Soul visualizing an image that combines with the Qi of Heaven and Earth to solidify into the True Form, and then interweaving the natural laws, exerting mighty powers that also directly mobilize the Qi of Heaven and Earth through the force of the Divine Soul, akin to a weakened version of the Dharma Phase. As a result, if the Divine Soul is damaged, a cultivators overall strength would significantly decrease, and they would be vulnerable to attacks by spiritual Martial Arts or Taoist Formulas. What Zhou Heng was doing now was different, with the Divine Soul firmly ensconced in the sea of consciousness, mobilizing the Innate True Qi throughout the body without directly contacting the outside world, thereby reducing the risk of a direct attack on the Divine Soul. Moreover, the Innate True Qi cultivated from the improved The Eternal Life Chant was highly compatible with natural laws, and it did not contain a strong spiritual will; thus, mobilizing the great forces of Heaven and Earth was even smoother than using the power of the Divine Souls True Form. The whole process sounds lengthy, but in reality, it was just the span of four or five breaths. In Zhou Hengs pupils flashed a purple brilliance, after which he felt a surge of emotion. The Supreme Cowherding Picture is indeed the most top-tier visualization method; gathering the Qi of Heaven and Earth can be done silently and unnoticeably, to the extent that the two Sun Roaming Realm cultivators nearby, Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui, failed to detect it at all. This meant that while they were practicing the The Eternal Life Chant postures controlled by the puppet Han Lin, Zhou Heng had already quietly stepped into the True Form Realm that they had long aspired to achieve. Although Zhou Hengs True Form was fundamentally different from the normal True Form, his strength was in no way inferior and could even be stronger. Having Innate True Qi, he could now use skills like the Sword Control Technique, Divine Sword Thunder Control, Five Thunder Righteous Method, Overturning Heaven Three Palms, Purple Thunder Blade Skill as well as other Taoist Formulas and Martial Arts. Even if there was some difference in power compared to the original capabilities, it was enough to restore Zhou Hengs strength by a substantial amount. In this world, with such cultivation and strength, he could already be revered as a Great True Person. Additionally, Zhou Heng had a super move. That was to condense the Innate True Qi and gather it in the visualization of the Supreme Cowherding Image, solidifying it to step out of the sea of consciousness and display the Supreme Might. Just how powerful this move was, even he himself could not quite measure. However, Zhou Hengs identity remained as that of a puppet controlled by Han Lin. So he just stood quietly to the side, his expression and gaze dull, motionless. A moment later. Yu Jianghe fully mastered the introductory part of the improved The Eternal Life Chant and completed the cultivation. During this process, he keenly felt his perception of the natural laws improve, and the areas which were incomprehensible or elusive before also began to clarify. To break free from the shackles of the Sun Roaming Realm and grasp the true meaning of the visualization to solidify the True Form now seemed to be a genuine prospect, no longer a distant dream. Eternal life seemed within reach! This made Yu Jianghe extremely excited, the man in his seventies laughed like a child, almost on the verge of jumping for joy. Many thanks to Daoist Brother for this gift! Yu Jianghe bowed deeply to Han Lin, showing profound gratitude; he even considered becoming a disciple on the spot to fully learn this incredibly miraculous method. A fair exchange, no deception of the young or old, Zhou Heng said with a smile, feeling very pleased in his heart. Because as Yu Jianghe felt his realm being stirred, Zhou Heng also sensed slight feedback from the natural rules of Heaven and Earth. But this feedback was still very weak and not enough to form actual merit (virtue). Perhaps he had to wait for Yu Jianghe and perhaps more people to break through the Sun Roaming Realm using this method, solidify the True Form, or embark on a path led by Innate True Qi for there to be a real positive feedback from the natural rules of Heaven and Earth, which would then grant a certain amount of merit (virtue). Regardless, Daoist Brother, you are like my rebirth benefactor, Yu Jianghe bowed again. At the same time, Yu Liushui also followed suit in expressing gratitude. ` He knew all too well how conflicted and worried his mentor, who was like a father to him, had been over the past few years. Now that his mentors anxieties were finally relieved, no matter what, he owed Han Lin a debt of gratitude. Ha ha ha ha! Just then, a green light flew over Qingxiang Town and stopped above the sky. From within, a voice full of mockery rang out, Yu Jianghe, you really seem to have regressed with age, resorting to seeking help from Han Lin. Are you that afraid of death? Zhou Heng, manipulating the Han Lin puppet, looked up to see a figure on a green light hovering a thousand feet in the air. He appeared to be in his forties, bare-chested, tall, and formidable. Jing Yanhua, the Wrathful King of the Holy Sect of Mercy and the head of the Liang Country branch. A true master who gathered his True Form thirty years ago. Hmm, a formidable opponent. Zhou Heng immediately recognized the man from the fragments of Wei Guangs memory. Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui panicked upon hearing Jing Yanhuas voice; they both knew they stood no chance against this venerable True Master. However, after hearing Han Lins words, they both breathed a sigh of relief. Listening to Han Lins tone, he clearly didnt put Jing Yanhua in his eyes. It seemed he had truly practiced the Dharma Phase of the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, gathered his True Form, awakened immense wisdom, and gained the strength of the Dragon Elephant Bodhisattva. Han Lin, youve got some nerve to address me by name, Jing Yanhua, floating in the air, roared after hearing Han Lins voice. In his eyes, a cultivator of Han Lins level, merely at the level of controlling objects, didnt even deserve to speak with him. Even if Han Lin had lucked out and gained something from the ancient battlefield, advancing to the Sun Roaming Realm, he was still insignificant and not worth mentioning. As for the True Form Realm, Jing Yanhua didnt even consider it. As a seasoned True Master, he was very aware of how difficult it was to gather ones True Form. For a Loose Cultivator like Han Lin, it was almost impossible. What brings you here, sir? Zhou Heng, still manipulating Han Lin, asked. You ant-like creature, dare to question me?! Jing Yanhuas fury soared to the heavens, and he appeared like an enraged Vajra King, his might dimming the clouds above, unleashing an unparalleled and terrifying force without restraint. A hundred-foot-tall eight-armed Vajra King materialized behind him, with waves of pitch-black flames spreading out, as if igniting the sky, turning the skies dark for miles around. The town of Qingxiang was engulfed in his wrath, causing flowers to wither and petals to drop. Meanwhile, the townspeople were defenseless against this spiritual force that took over their minds, igniting nameless rage within them, which they began to vent furiously to those around. The Wrathful Kings Contemplation! It is said that the Wrathful Kings are the manifested anger of the Buddha, and when the Buddha is enraged, the Kings appear, their boundless fury set to incinerate everything in their path, to bring destruction to all, considered the foremost in destructive power within the Buddha Sect. Facing such terrifying might, Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui, master and apprentice, trembled in utter terror and could only cast their hopeful eyes towards Zhou Heng. But then, they watched as a mass of pitch-black flames fell from the sky, engulfing Han Lin, their straw of salvation, and in an instant, reduced him to ash. This was the imagined fire of the Wrathful Kings of Buddhism, said to be capable of burning anything in the world. How could this be? How is this possible?! Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui looked on, dumbfounded and in disbelief, at the pile of ashes on the ground, even wondering if they were hallucinating. Han Lin was dead? Just vanished into thin air? Could such a grand True Master, who had cultivated the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattvas Contemplation, not even withstand a single encounter with Jing Yanhua? ` Even the destructive power of the Wrathful Kings Gaze was not supposed to be this immense. You two, to actually pin your hopes on such an ant? Jing Yanhua descended, his body enveloped in pitch-black flames, with an illusory vertical eye shining between his brows, like a wrathful king descending upon the human world. You, you, I Yu Jianghe was at a loss for words, his mind trembling. Under the mighty oppressive aura of the Wrathful Kings Gaze, he couldnt even maintain coherent thoughts. Hmph, just another waste. Jing Yanhua shook his head with a cold snort, about to incinerate Yu Jianghe and his apprentice with Wrathful Kings Fire, then take away the Dharma Phase of the Great Power Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva that was about to condense in Han Lins ashes. But at that moment, two children suddenly ran over from the back courtyard, Jiang Xianchu and Jiang Houli, a pair of siblings, each holding a fruit in their hands. Teacher, teacher! We brought you fruit, sweet and delicious! They ran towards Zhou Heng. This scene brought a hush over the small courtyard. Both Jing Yanhua, who appeared like a wrathful king descending to earth, and the terrified Yu Jianghe and his apprentice, were all utterly shocked as they gazed at the figure not far behind Han Lins ashes. This was supposed to be Han Lins puppet, the itinerant medicine man Zhou Wei! Not good! Jing Yanhua was suddenly panic-stricken. Without a second thought, he spurred the Wrathful Kings Fire, causing the raging pitch-black flames to converge, like a fire dragon, attempting to engulf Zhou Heng. However, in the next instant, Jing Yanhua felt a terrifying power rise up, as if it could crush the heavens and earth, overturn the firmament, directly shattering the pitch-black fire dragon. Then, a great seal reaching for the blue skies materialized out of nowhere. Just by hovering in the air, it seemed as if it suppressed all creatures, capable of crushing everything in this world. Boom! The great seal fell, almost piercing through the void, emitting a deafening roar. It was as if a primordial pillar had been forcefully toppled, causing the firmament to collapse, unleashing immense might, but all focused upon Jing Yanhuas body. The hundred-zhang wrathful kings form, as if made of piled sand, was destroyed effortlessly under the pressure of the great seal, without even a shred of resistance. As the wrathful kings form was destroyed, it was akin to Jing Yanhuas divine soul shattering. Before the great seal even struck his body, blood poured from his seven orifices, and he quaked and convulsed, curling up on the ground. Boom! This time, the great seal truly smashed down on Jing Yanhuas body, instantly grinding him to powdera cultivator of many years, a wrathful king of the Holy Sect of Mercy, utterly obliterated, body and spirit! Simultaneously, the seal burst out with supremely clear radiance, which spread out, dispelling the pervasive anger present between heaven and earth, bringing the townsfolk of Qingxiang Town back to their senses. Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui were dumbstruck, incredulous as they looked at Zhou Heng and the great seal, feeling as though they were witnessing an ancient deity from legends. So strong! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Incredibly strong! Zhou Heng, however, simply drew back his hand, settling his True Qi. That move was none other than Heaven Earth Overthrow, performed using visualized techniques. It was no longer a martial arts technique, but had directly condensed into The dazzling Heaven Rotating Seal!! Chapter 330 - Chapter 330: Chapter 50: Always Be Grateful and Never Forget. Chapter 330: Chapter 50: Always Be Grateful and Never Forget. What did you say?! Chen Yingyus face was as cold as frost, her gaze icy as she stared at Yu Liang and said in a deep voice, Village Chief Yu, if you no longer wish to keep the head on your neck, I can help you remove it. At that moment, there wasnt a hint of the gentleness she had when speaking to Zhou Heng. Whether it was her words or expression, both were sharp as blades, every word brimming with intent to kill, resembling a female general ready to slay her enemies. Zhou Heng stood by, nodding slightly, feeling that he might have misunderstood Chen Yingyu before. Such a valiant and spirited female Sect Leader should indeed be able to develop the sect. Upon hearing her words, Yu Liang shrank a little, fear flashing in his eyes, instinctively trying to back away, but he was blocked by his elder brother Peng Kang. What are you afraid of? Huh, a little wench can scare you? Peng Kang clapped Yu Liang on the shoulder, stepped forward, and fixed his eyes on Chen Yingyu, Little wench, listen well. Although you defeated me before, times have changed. My strength has increased a lot. If you agree to marry me and become the Lady of our village now, I can still take in these few dozen people of yours. Otherwise huh! As he spoke, he unsheathed the blade in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and said to Chen Yingyu, I, Peng Kang, am a man who cherishes beauty. If I really have to take action and harm your delicate skin, it would genuinely pain my heart. Clang! However, at that moment, a sword cry rang out; Chen Yingyu drew her sword and attacked, her blades edge aimed straight for Peng Kangs brow. Her body moved extremely fast, and her swordsmanship was exquisite. Almost in the blink of an eye, she closed in on Peng Kang, and her sword was about to pierce his brow. But just then, with a light swing of his blade, Peng Kang clashed with Chen Yingyus sword edge, and both forces collided fiercely. However, since neither sword nor blade held an advantage over the other, they both retreated immediately after the clash, not engaging in a prolonged battle. Despite this, Peng Kang was utterly enraged. His face twisted with a ferocious expression; his eyes pinned on Chen Yingyu, seething with killing intent, he said, Wench, you will regret what you just did. Since you dont wish to be the Lady, then become a plaything! Brothers, break through this place, and take the women at will! His words instantly roused the crowd from God Axe Village; their gazes roamed unchecked over Chen Yingyu and the two or three young female disciples behind her. Youre courting death! Chen Yingyus eyebrows inverted in rage. The disciples of her sect standing behind her were also shocked and furious, clutching their swords and knives tightly, ready to clash with God Axe Village at any moment. After hearing Peng Kangs words, Yu Liangs courage grew again, feeling emboldened. Hiding behind Peng Kang, he scoffed at Chen Yingyu, Sect Leader Chen, you really dont know whats good for you. Our God Axe Village is now entirely stronger than yours. My big brother wants you as his Ladya great honor youre too foolish to appreciate! As he was speaking, he suddenly noticed Zhou Heng standing behind Chen Yingyu. Seeing the handsome young man, Yu Liangs heart filled with jealousy, and he mocked, Heh, so this is why Sect Leader Chen has refused all alongkeeping a pretty boy as a pet! I thought Sect Leader Chen was pure as ice and clean as jade, but it turns out youre nothing but trash. Brothers, when we start fighting, kill that pretty boy first, then grab Sect Leader Chen! Hahaha Boom! Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck, deafeningly loud, cutting off Yu Liangs words and bewildering everyone present. It was a bolt of golden lightning that descended from the sky, striking Yu Liang directly. Just moments ago, Yu Liang, who was spouting scornful words, had been reduced to ash by the strike of a golden thunderbolt, no longer existing, both body and spirit obliterated. After the thunder, silence enveloped the surroundings. Everyone present was dumbstruck, disbelievingly staring at the spot where Yu Liang had once stood, mouths agape and faces filled with shock. What had just happened?! What was this situation? Yu Liang was a martial artist at the peak of the Seventh Rank, one of the strongest amongst those before the Middle Third Rank, how could he suddenly be turned into ash by a thunderbolt? Daoist? Chen Yingyu turned her head towards Zhou Heng and saw that he no longer concealed his aura as he stepped forward to approach. Pretty boy? Zhou Hengs gaze swept over the people of God Axe Village as he said indifferently, God Axe Village certainly has quite the presence. Just this one sentence caused the dozens of men from God Axe Village to turn pale, instinctively stepping backward. You, you Peng Kang was extremely horrified, his eyes wide open as he pointed at Zhou Heng, and with a trembling voice said, Just now, did you use Taoist formulas?! In this era, Taoist formulas are extremely rare; even within the top martial Dao sects, the transmission of Taoist formulas is limited, and for the common martial artists in the Jianghu, Taoist formulas are almost mythical. You have sharp eyes indeed, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and replied solemnly, Whos behind you attacking the Cavern Sky Sect? You, dont talk nonsense! Peng Kang immediately shook his head, vehemently denying it, We only attacked the Cavern Sky Sect because they occupied the Three-Head Mountain and shamelessly changed its name. It was just that we felt it was unjust! Is that so? Zhou Heng sneered, he raised his right hand and extended a finger, on which a strand of dark green True Qi swirled around, Then what is this strand of True Qi, and how come it was found in Yu Liangs meridians, sustaining his Inner Qi and inner landscape? How, how is this possible, how could you extract True Qi?! Seeing this, Peng Kang was shocked and then exclaimed in horror, Could it be, could you be an expert of the Secret Six Rank?! Were they truly acting under someones command? Chen Yingyus eyebrows rose slightly as she spoke, I had my suspicions before as well, but there was no evidence. Was Yu Liangs sudden breakthrough due to the influence of this strand of True Qi? That seems to be the case, Zhou Heng nodded and said, This strand of True Qi is very lively and elusive, and its close to nature, like a monkey. Does Sect Master Chen remember anyone like this? A monkey? Divine Monkey Village?! Chen Yingyu responded with some surprise, saying, Among the Six Mountains only Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect have experts of the Secret Six Rank, but Divine Monkey Village has always been content and had no intention of expanding their territory. They might not want to expand, but could their village chief ignore the many secret techniques inherited by the Cavern Sky Sect? Zhou Heng shook his head slightly and continued, After all, the Cavern Sky Sect was once a Great Sect, how could no one covet what they have? Its just that, due to their relationship with Pure Yang Palace, no one dares to openly take action. Indeed, when Pure Yang Palace had guided and escorted Chen Yingyu and others to Three-Head Mountain, they did not reveal their association with Pure Yang Palace nor did they use it to deter local forces. However, as forces with experts of the Secret Six Rank, both Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect should be aware of this relationship. This was probably why they had not taken action over the past two years, and after observing for these two years and seeing that Pure Yang Palace had not continued to intervene in Cavern Sky Sects affairs, they finally dared to take action in the shadows. Mm, that is indeed the logic, Chen Yingyu nodded and said with a wry smile, Surrounded by a pack of wolves and yet I was unaware, this was my oversight, thank you Daoist for the reminder. For Sect Master Chen to achieve this much is already commendable, Zhou Heng smiled and then turned to look at Peng Kang, saying, Take your men back and tell the chief of Divine Monkey Village that after some time, Sect Master Chen will personally go there to seek justice; tell him to be prepared. You, youre not going to kill me? Peng Kang, hearing this as if granted amnesty, trembled as he spoke, I dont have to die, I dont have to die, go, go, lets go quickly, brothers! As he spoke, he turned tail and ran. ` The rest of the God Axe Village people also took to their heels, not caring where they ran. Some collided with rocks, some with trees, fleeing in a most wretched state. Has the Taoist priest really let him go like that? Chen Yingyu asked in surprise. She had seen Zhou Heng kill ghosts with his own hands, and just now, she had watched him summon thunder to strike down Yu Liang, so decisively lethal. How could he let Peng Kang, one of the masterminds, escape? Could it be that he had some other plan in mind? He wont live. Zhou Heng smiled and said, Sect Leader Chen, I have something to discuss with you. May we find a quiet place? No problem. Chen Yingyu nodded and said, Please follow me, Taoist Priest. Guardian Silence Hall. This place was considered the library of the Zhi Xu Sect, housing the not-so-many martial arts manuals and texts that remained after the calamity that had befallen the sect. Typically, only the core disciples and the sect leader were allowed access here. Named after Ancestor Guardian Silence, it also embodied Chen Yingyus hope for the revival of the Zhi Xu Sect. There was nobody around. Chen Yingyu and Zhou Heng stopped under a pine tree outside the Guardian Silence Hall. Taoist priest, please speak your mind, Chen Yingyu said with a smile. Sect Leader Chen, you must know about the incident where I was trapped in Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhens Cave Sky during the Yan Yang Liquor Gathering, Zhou Heng said. Yes, Im aware, Chen Yingyu nodded and said with a wry smile, Originally, when I heard of Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhens incident, I thought our sect might have a chance at revival. But since his escape, the grand ancestor has never visited here, and at the last gathering, I heard that the grand ancestor had been sacrificed by the Heavenly Palace of Yun Xiao, which is truly lamentable. It seems that our rise and revival still rely on ourselves. But the martial arts and texts of the Zhi Xu Sect were mostly lost in that great calamity. Revival cannot be easy, Id imagine, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Indeed, its not easy, Chen Yingyu shook her head, her expression somewhat bitter, I wont even mention the rest; the mere loss of Secret Sixth Rank martial arts troubles me greatly. Although we still possess some Sect Fifth Rank and even Absolute Fourth Rank martial arts techniques, the Secret Sixth Rank inheritance is completely gone, not a trace left. Currently, the entire Zhi Xu Sect counts me as a Peak Seventh Rank, along with three ordinary Seventh Rankers. I am on the verge of a breakthrough, and in not too long, the other three should reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank. But neither I nor they can see the path ahead, only feeling lost in darkness, uncertain how to use our current internal foundation to interface with the outer world, let alone how to build the bridge between heaven and earth, the Innate external landscape vast and elusive. Such a situation is indeed very challenging, Zhou Heng nodded and said, That must be quite burdensome for you, Sect Leader Chen. Do you remember what I said to Peng Kang earlier? To Peng Kang? Chen Yingyu paused, reflecting, Are you talking about my having to personally inquire about todays matter with the Divine Monkey Village? Exactly, confirmed Zhou Heng. Taoist Priest, I must be frank with you, I dont have that confidence, Chen Yingyu sighed, The Divine Monkey Village has Secret Sixth Rank experts, and with just my Peak Seventh Rank cultivation, I simply cant do much. What if you could reach Secret Sixth Rank? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. If I could really attain Secret Sixth Rank, with the foundation of my Zhi Xu Sect, I could take on two or three Secret Sixth Rank practitioners from a small sect like the Divine Monkey Village, A glint of hope flashed in Chen Yingyus eyes, but it quickly faded, Yet now we dont even have the martial arts of the Secret Sixth Rank, all lost. I want to use my merit to wish for their completion, but I still havent accumulated enough. I have them, Zhou Heng stated plainly, And they are even more complete than your original inheritance. The Zhi Xu Sect, before it was destroyed by the Nine Deaths Sect, also had an incomplete inheritance. Because at the end of the Middle Ancient period, the Zhi Xu Sects gates and the sect leader, Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhen, were captured. Fortunately, at that time, a few grandmasters and great grandmasters were not within the sect, and after gathering the remaining disciples, they rebuilt the Zhi Xu Sect. Although the Zhi Xu Sect avoided a catastrophe, its inheritance had already been incomplete from that time, with no Upper Third Rank martial arts left, very few Middle Third Rank techniques, and only the Lower Third Rank legacy being more complete. The inheritance of the Zhi Xu Sect that Zhou Heng obtained within the statue of the late Immortal Qing Yu included the complete transmission of various divine skills, texts, and Taoist formulas. What?! Chen Yingyu was somewhat dazed upon hearing this and looked incredulously at Zhou Heng, her voice trembling, Taoist Priest, what did you just say? You have our complete inheritance?! Correct. From Ninth Grade to Divine First Rank, including many texts recording the history of the Zhi Xu Sect, I have them all, Zhou Heng said gravely. Thump! Chen Yingyu knelt before Zhou Heng, grasping his hand, her voice shaking, Taoist Priest, Zhou Taoist Priest, I beg you, please teach us some of the martial arts and texts, just a tiny portion, even if only of the Secret Sixth Rank is also enough. We, our entire Zhi Xu Sect, would be eternally grateful and never forget your kindness. Please get up, Sect Leader Chen, Zhou Heng helped Chen Yingyu to her feet and smiled, Theres no need for such formalities, Sect Leader Chen. Ive come precisely for this matterthe items of the Zhi Xu Sect should naturally be returned to the Zhi Xu Sect, and not just a portion, but all of it. All of it?! Chen Yingyus eyes widened in shock. After leaving the Zhi Xu Sect gates, Peng Kang did not return to his own God Axe Village but went straight to the Divine Monkey Village with two of his men. He was fuming and intended to inform the leader of the Divine Monkey Village about the days events, so he could teach that wretched girl Chen Yingyu a lesson. The central Brotherhood Hall of the Divine Monkey Village. The leader, Jia Shen, personally received Peng Kang, smiling and asking, Whats wrong, brother? You seem to be in a bad mood; did you face trouble somewhere else? Ah, Brother Jia, you have no idea, that Peng Kang recounted the earlier events, embellishing the tale and emphasizing Zhou Heng and Chen Yingyus disdain for the Divine Monkey Village. Not knowing Zhou Hengs identity, he referred to him disdainfully as the little pretty boy and Chen Yingyus gallant. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Finally, he ended vehemently, Big Brother Jia, my brother Yu Liang was struck dead by that pretty boy right in front of me. You must avenge me! Kill them, kill But before he could finish, his voice abruptly cut off, as if a force within Peng Kang suddenly erupted. Bang! Peng Kang instantly exploded into a mist of blood, splattering blood all over the face of Jia Shen standing before him. ` Chapter 331 - Chapter 331: Chapter 51: The Heavenly Curtain that Divides the Void Chapter 331: Chapter 51: The Heavenly Curtain that Divides the Void Qingwei Mountain, the gateway to the Zhi Xu Sect. Jia Shen stood here with a gloomy face, as more than a dozen Zhi Xu Sect disciples stood ready in stern formation, looking extremely vigilant. Does your Sect Leader Chen intend to play the turtle, shrinking its head back into its shell? The leader of Divine Monkey Village, a Secret Sixth Rank Loose Cultivator, was seething with intense rage. Peng Kang was his subordinate, meant to be his future general controlling the entire region of the Six Mountains, yet now he had inexplicably exploded. And right in front of him, splattering his face with blood. This was clearly a provocation! Yet, alongside his fury, Jia Shen also felt a tinge of joy, for he finally had a legitimate reason to act against the Zhi Xu Sect. As a Secret Sixth Rank with over a century of life, he coveted the martial texts that might still exist within the Zhi Xu Sect. Previously, he had not dared to act due to the relationship between the Zhi Xu Sect and the Pure Yang Palace, but now even if the Pure Yang Palace intervened, he had an excuse to brush them off. He wouldnt annihilate the Zhi Xu Sect, merely borrow some martial texts, and with a justified cause, it shouldnt invite any criticism. Our Sect Leader is currently dealing with very important matters and asks that Leader Jia please wait for a moment, said a Zhi Xu Sect disciple stepping forward to explain. Dont tell me Sect Leader Chen thinks she can ignore me now that she has a Secret Sixth Rank assistant by her side, Jia Shen said with a dark expression, I would advise her not to Before he could finish speaking, the vital energy of heaven and earth on Qingwei Mountain suddenly began to tremble violently, even the laws of nature seemed to be drawn by some force. The sky changed color, and winds and clouds gathered. In an instant, the area within three miles of Qingwei Mountain became eerily silent, extremely quiet, as if an invisible hand had suppressed everything. Perceiving all this, Jia Shens face changed dramatically, and he looked incredulously towards the direction of the Zhi Xu Sects gate, his eyes wide, filled with shock. How is this possible? Is this Chen Yingyu? She, she has broken through to the Secret Sixth Rank?! How can this be? His face turned from green to white, and he gnashed his teeth in frustration. After hesitating for a long time, Jia Shen saw that the phenomenon of heaven and earth was gradually expanding, and the intertwining with the laws was becoming more intricate; he could only snort coldly and leave with a flick of his sleeve. With Chen Yingyu becoming a Secret Sixth Rank and in control of the many martial arts of the former Zhi Xu Sect, her strength was bound to be greater than that of an ordinary Secret Sixth Rank. Even he, as an experienced Secret Sixth Rank, might not be her match. The plan to deal with the Zhi Xu Sect in the future must be adjusted. Inside the Zhi Xu Sect. The light around Chen Yingyu gradually receded, and her aura slowly settled. She opened her slowly closed eyes, brimming with divine light. Connecting with external phenomena, Innate True Qi, Secret Sixth Rank Achieved! she whispered to herself, her expression one of excitement, almost overcome with tears of joy. As the youngest and weakest Sect Leader in the history of the Zhi Xu Sect, Chen Yingyu bore far too much responsibility on her shoulders, with the heavy burden often leaving her gasping for breath. Especially when her cultivation realm had stagnated and the Secret Sixth Rank seemed out of reach, and the Zhi Xu sect was coveted by various enemies, her mental state had not relaxed for far too long. Now, she had finally reached the Secret Sixth Rank, becoming a first-class powerhouse in the world of martial artists, signifying a fundamental change in the strength and status of the entire Zhi Xu sect. At the very least, they could now firmly establish themselves in the land of the six mountains. And all these changes stemmed from the young man before her, this junior uncle from Pure Yang Palace. Many thanks, Taoist Master, many thanks! Chen Yingyu was overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down her face, as she bowed deeply and expressed her gratitude to Zhou Heng. Theres no need for such formalities, Sect Master Chen. Zhou Heng tried to help Chen Yingyu to her feet. But this time, Chen Yingyu refused, shaking her head and saying, Taoist Master, this is not just me thanking you on my own behalf, but also on behalf of all the disciples of the Zhi Xu sect and our many ancestors. The complete lineage of the Zhi Xu sect had been lost for thousands of years. It was you who brought it back, who gave the Zhi Xu sect hope for revival, and because of this, I had the opportunity to obtain the Secret Sixth Rank martial arts and make a breakthrough. You are a benefactor to the Zhi Xu sect and to me. From now on, the Zhi Xu sect will honor you as our Second Ancestor, and you may peruse any of the martial arts and scriptures that the Zhi Xu sect passes down. Once I have sorted out these martial arts and scriptures, you may browse them at your leisure. You want to honor me as the Second Ancestor? Zhou Heng was startled by her words, but shook his head and said, That wont do, I am not worthy of such honor. Sect Master Chen, please do not mention this again. As for the martial arts, I do not ask for much, just one technique will suffice. However, when it comes to historical records, I would indeed like to take a look once Sect Master Chen has them sorted out. You only want one technique? Chen Yingyu asked in surprise. Yes, just one technique, Zhou Heng nodded and said, I would like the technique related to the Dao Yinyin Zun figure. Other than that, I ask for nothing else. The Dao Yinyin Zun figure, that unique divine weapon, hasnt it already Chen Yingyu opened her mouth slightly in surprise, then she once again bowed deeply, thanking him: Such noble generosity, Taoist Master. Having received the Heart Transmission Seal from Zhou Heng, she knew that he could not freely peruse these secret martial arts manuscripts and historical records, which is why she offered Zhou Heng unrestricted access as a gesture of gratitude. Chen Yingyu was very well aware of just how powerful the complete martial arts and Taoist formulas of the Zhi Xu sect were. Even though she had only briefly glanced at some and not studied them in detail, she could feel that this was definitely one of the most top-tier legacies of the current age. Chen Yingyu thought that Zhou Hengs character was akin to that of a sage for being able to refuse the chance to peruse such a powerful legacy without a second thought, asking only for some techniques that the Zhi Xu sect had no use for. If Sect Master Chen continues to salute like this, Ill feel embarrassed to visit again in the future, Zhou Heng said with a laugh, helping Chen Yingyu to stand up. Actually, for him, the complete lineage of the Zhi Xu sect wasnt particularly tempting. Although he walked a path that encapsulated everything, his energy and time were ultimately limited. Now with the multitude of unique skills that the Fortune Bag had revealed and the strong backing of Pure Yang Palace, the heritage of the Zhi Xu sect wasnt much help to him. Moreover, if he really took the Zhi Xu sects complete lineage, he wouldnt be able to ignore any future troubles that befell the sect and might even have to spend a lot of effort and pay a significant price. There was no need for that. Later, after a brief selection, Chen Yingyu sorted out the techniques related to the Dao Yinyin Zun figure from the Heart Transmission Seal, a total of three chapters, all of which she informed Zhou Heng. With this, Zhou Heng had achieved his goal for the trip and immediately descended from Qingwei Mountain. He flew through the sky on his sword, turning into a purple streak of lightning as he headed towards the closest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Atop Qingwei Mountain, in front of the Guardian Silence Hall. Chen Yingyu watched as the swiftly receding purple sword light disappeared into the sky and once again bowed deeply in thanks. Many thanks! Yuzhou had been shrouded in white fog for over half a month now. Entry and exit were not possible. However, this white fog was not aggressive in nature; even ordinary people who encountered it were unharmed, merely pushed away by an invisible repelling force. As a result, many people, especially near the prefectural cities along the border between Yuzhou and Jiangzhou, gathered, including numerous commoners and martial artists who stood by day after day, waiting for any changes in the white fog. Their relatives, friends, disciples, and teachers, the people they were close to, were all trapped inside, unable to come out or establish contact. This caused them great concern. Among these people, the one with the highest status and cultivation realm was Pei Hongdao, the current Prefectural Governor of Pingzhou County. Even though he was a Great Grandmaster at the peak of the Fourth Rank, he had no solution to the white fog that enveloped an entire states land. Pei Hongdao had tried to forcefully break through and had tried to analyze the nature of the fog, but no matter what, he could not create even the smallest opening in it. In Hefeng Prefecture City, near the border of Yuzhou and Jiangzhou, Pei Hongdao had rented a small courtyard to live in; his son Pei Luoshu was also there. Trapped inside Yuzhou was Pei Hongdaos daughter, Pei Luoshus sister, Pei Luoling. Father, my sister wont be in danger, right? Pei Luoshu looked at the distant white fog that spanned the void like a canopy, his face filled with worry. What in the world is this white fog? Few people knew of the existence of the Unique Divine Weapon called the Heart Transmission Seal, primarily the high-ranking members of the Pure Yang Palace and the followers of the Taoist Sects, and even fewer knew its specific functions. Im afraid its either the might of a treasure or the act of a powerful being, Pei Hongdao sighed lightly and said, I can feel that this white fog has a very high essence; it has surpassed the Absolute Fourth Rank, and is undoubtedly of the Upper Third Rank. It is just unclear whether this white fog is at the level of Celestial Man of the Upper Third Rank, or the Taoist Formulas of the Second Rank. If its the former, it might still be manageable, but if its the latter, then there might be a significant event transpiring within Yuzhou. My sister wont be in trouble, right? Pei Luoshu expressed his worry. For the moment, she should still be safe; I can feel that shes still alive, Pei Hongdao said gravely. In fact, he too had no certainty, and was merely trying to comfort his son. The fogs ability to isolate was extremely strong; not to mention using Divine Sense to investigate the conditions inside Yuzhou, even trying to use the laws of fate to deduce information was futile. All he could do now was faintly rely on their blood connection to confirm that Pei Luoling was not dead, but as for her current specific situation, he could not determine. Ah, lets hope so. Pei Luoshu clearly knew that his father was comforting him, but he did not express it; he too hoped that his sister was completely safe. Mhm, Luoling, although usually whimsical, always has her own ways to deal with emergencies. She wont be in trouble, Pei Hongdao nodded and looked towards the distant white fog, but its unknown what this white fog really is or where it comes from No, if theres still no news today, I will go to the Capital City to petition and request the Celestial Man from the Zhao Family to come over. Father, didnt you say before that, after the fiasco at the Chaoyang Wine Party, the royal prestige of the Zhao Family was almost non-existent, and they themselves were reluctant to manage the country anymore? Pei Luoshu voiced his concern: Its been more than half a month since the Yuzhou incident, and not a single person from the Zhao Family has shown up. Will they really care? Da Qi cant continue in this chaos, sigh Pei Hongdao sighed and said, Your father knows that their control may not be great, but we cant just watch with wide eyes, Luoling is still inside. Yes, Da Qi, Yuzhou, my sister, why has it come to this? Pei Luoshu said dejectedly, Why did it suddenly become like this? The father and son were both somewhat despondent. My lord! My lord! There is news, there is news from the White Mist! Just at this moment, a shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard, from one of Pei Hongdaos men brought from Pingzhou Countys yamen, who were now investigating the situation outside the White Mist every day. With Pei Hongdaos cultivation realm, even within Hefeng Prefecture City, he could clearly sense the changes in the White Mist; sending people over was mainly for exchanging information and scouting the area, which was not suitable for him to do personally. What news? Pei Hongdao and Pei Luoshu immediately stood up upon hearing this and went outside without waiting, meeting the person who came to report. My lord, my lord! The little uncle from Pure Yang Palace has arrived. The man said excitedly, He, he says he wants to open the White Mist and go in to investigate the situation! The little uncle from Pure Yang Palace? Pei Hongdao was taken aback at first, then realized, Are you talking about Zhou Heng? He can open the White Mist? Zhou Heng? Pei Luoshu was also very surprised and said in astonishment, He should have broken through to the Secret Sixth Rank not long ago, right? Does he know what this White Mist is? No matter what the situation is, lets go over and see. Pei Hongdao glanced at the distant White Mist, and his entire being turned into a gust of wind, sweeping up Pei Luoshu and flying towards the direction of the White Mist. At this moment, in a place where the White Mist was dense along the border between Yuzhou and Jiangzhou, Zhou Heng stood less than three feet away from the White Mist, his gaze calmly fixed on what seemed to be an ordinary White Mist. Behind him, there were densely gathered thousands of people, all looking at him with eyes full of anticipation, many with clenched fists and unwavering attention, not even daring to blink. Fearing to miss the scene of Zhou Heng opening the White Mist, a moment that would uplift them. But many were also worried and afraid that this might just be a false hope. After all, the White Mist was too strange and too formidable. Previously, even a Great Grandmaster of the Absolute Fourth Rank like Pei Hongdao had been helpless despite all his skills, and Zhou Heng was only at the Secret Sixth Rank, could he really do it? The scene was silent, utterly quiet. Pei Hongdao arrived here with Pei Luoshu, also holding his breath, not making a sound, and just quietly floating in mid-air, his gaze solemnly fixed on Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng seemed to feel their arrival, turned his head, and waved his hand, smiling and saying, Senior Pei, Brother Luoshu, its been a long time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Pei Luoshu couldnt hold it in and cried out, Zhou Heng, my sister is trapped inside! She is stuck in there! You must open the White Mist, I beg you, Im begging you! His voice broke the silence, setting off all the people present, and the voices of pleading rose one after another, boiling over, and even many knelt on the ground. Everyone, rest assured. Zhou Heng said in a deep voice. At the same time, he formed seals with his left hand, and his right hand shaped like a sword finger, raised high, pointing at the sky-like White Mist. He made a downward slash! Chapter 322 - Chapter 322: Chapter 42: Controlling the Dragon-Elephant to Subdue the Tiger! Chapter 322: Chapter 42: Controlling the Dragon-Elephant to Subdue the Tiger! Impossible! Kong Qing resolutely rejected the idea and said, What kind of person is a Great Immortal Master of the True Form Realm? They are real Immortal Masters who can enjoy the offerings of the Ten Kingdoms. Would they covet a measly thirty thousand taels of silver reward from little Wushan Town? Simply impossible! Thats true, Zhu Xiao agreed deeply and said, So what do we do next? We cant just sit around waiting to die, letting that fake Immortal Master snatch away our business. We confront him directly, Kong Qing said with a heavy voice. However, we cant rule out the possibility that this person might be a Sun Roaming Realm cultivator. With their Divine Soul able to venture out during daylight, they can already produce some true illusions on themselves. We shouldnt act rashly. Right, we cant exclude the possibility of a Sun Roaming Realm cultivator, Zhu Xiao nodded upon hearing this and said, After we get there, well first conduct some tests to determine his reality. Good, lets do that, Kong Qing nodded. Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao left the tavern and walked on the streets of Wushan Town, clearly perceiving the change in the attitudes of the townsfolk around them. When they had first arrived, the people were overjoyed, and they would sincerely bow in greeting, genuinely thankful. But now, although these people still bowed to them, it was evident that it was only due to their respect for the identity of an Immortal Master. Clearly, in the eyes of the townsfolk of Wushan Town, they were no longer seen as the saviors of the town. This change in perception made Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao very uncomfortable. If that man really is a fake Great Immortal, Ill make sure he regrets it! Kong Qings face was dark as he communicated telepathically, Its despicable! Indeed, its despicable. These mortals attitudes arent worth mentioning, but such changes are still irksome, Zhu Xiao nodded and said, If hes a fraud, well make sure he pays! With their minds set, the two quickened their steps towards the Lin Family, the home of the Wushan Town Chief and an Immortal. However, just as Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao reached the grand entrance of the Lin residence, about to have the servants announce their arrival, an abnormal change occurred Boom! With a loud blast, followed by violent shaking of the earth, Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao could clearly sense an incomparably terrifying force trembling the earths veins beneath their feet, shaking the mountains and quaking the ground! At the same time, as if a giant beast was burrowing underneath, the originally level ground bulged upwards, bricks and stones flying into the air, walls of houses collapsing, and countless people screaming as they fled in panic. Roar! Even as the earth continued to tremble, there came an extremely furious roar, exploding in the sky like a thunderbolt on a cloudless day, piercing straight into peoples minds. The people of Wushan Town felt as if their skulls had been cracked open, that roar being poured in and then stirred with a hand, leaving them dizzy and nearly passing out. Following the roar, a wild and overwhelming wind came, blowing the clouds away, carrying sand and stones, darkening the sky! The force of this wind was incredible, like invisible tidal waves coming from the sky! With the force sweeping through like an overwhelming tide, trees were uprooted, and houses that had just withstood the earths trembling were lifted into the sky, crushed into debris. The spectacle was so frightful it was as if the apocalypse had arrived. The townspeople of Wushan Town were terrified beyond belief, looking in disbelief at this sudden catastrophe, while some just sat down on the ground, dazedly waiting for death. Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao were equally shocked. However, as cultivators of the Divinity Transformation Realm, they were more aware than the ordinary townsfolk of how terrifying the current disaster was. With their far superior spiritual senses, they had detected the source of this power the moment the anomaly appeared. It was in the high mountain forests behind Wushan Town. Moreover, this force was not a cultivators mana, nor was it mental willpower, but rather another terrifying power that instilled fear in those who felt it. Demonic Power! This was the power of demons! Moreover, based on the range of influence and the momentum, the might of this demonic power had far surpassed the limits of the Techniques known to ordinary cultivators at the Object Control Realm. It was even much stronger than the Sun Roaming Realm! Once Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao realized this, their faces instantly turned as pale as death, their expressions filled with terror, and their bodies trembled slightly. My God, how is this possible, could it be, could it be the Tiger Demon?! Why, isnt it not supposed to eat humans? Demons below the Sun Roaming Realm cant eat humans, right! No, it cant be! Absolutely not the Tiger Demon, a roar that shakes the heavens and earth, causing an extraordinary phenomenon, this, this is something only a great demon of the True Form Realm could do! The two were unwilling to believe this fact. After all, the reason they were confident enough to come here to exterminate the demon was that they had confirmed that the Tiger Demon here had not yet reached the level of the Sun Roaming Realm, and was just a low-level Object Control Realm demon. Demons of the Object Control Realm do not consume humans. Because the human spirit and will are relatively strong compared to low-level demons, consuming humans would contaminate their own spirituality, which is detrimental to cultivation. Therefore, only when they reach the level comparable to the Sun Roaming Realm does their Divine Soul become stable and solid, and they no longer abstain from eating humans. But now, this powerful demonic power was without a doubt undeniable, whether it originated from the Tiger Demon they intended to eliminate or not, it was an insurmountable great demon for them. Damn it! Why, why is there a True Form Realm great demon?! Escape! We must escape immediately! Leave this place! Let that fake Immortal Master go to his death! Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao were frantic, and they also wanted to take advantage of the moment while the great demon was still in the mountains and had not yet come to the town to escape. As for the fate of the townspeople, they didnt care at all. In their eyes, their own lives as promising cultivators were worth far more than those of tens of thousands of ordinary people. Saving their lives was what mattered most! However, just as Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao were about to flee, the sky of Wushan Town, already obscured by dust and stones, suddenly became covered by an enormous dark shadow, turning the pre-existing gloom into darkness. Looking up at the sky, one could vaguely see that the thing which descended upon the sky overshadowed by dust and stones was like an incredibly huge tiger, a colossal creature three to four miles in length! Its over. Were definitely dead!! Upon seeing this shadow, Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao collapsed to the ground, their complexions turning to ash, their faces filled with despair. At this point, they couldnt even delude themselves anymore. With the spiritual perception of an Object Control Realm cultivator, they could clearly make out what was flying in the sky at this moment. They could also feel the dreadfully extreme aura and pressure emanating from this great demon. Tiger Demon! A giant tiger spanning three to four hundred zhang in length, and over two hundred zhang in height! This was far too terrifying! Too powerful! Although demons arent necessarily stronger simply because they are larger, possessing a giant frame inevitably means a vast amount of demon power, definitely more solid than that of smaller demons. Such a gigantic demon, with the great power to manipulate the natural energies of heaven and earth and change the weather, would likely make a true master from the True Form Realm retreat in fear. Not to mention the likes of them, two small shrimps whove just stepped into the realm of controlling objects. Barely even a side dish. Too insignificant! What do we do, what should we do now? A great demon of the True Form Realm! We should never have been greedy for those thirty thousand taels of silver, coming here to rid of demons, this is seeking death! Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao deeply regretted their actions, wishing they had never come to Wushan Town, never even thought of taking down the Tiger Demon here. Wish they could turn back time. Unfortunately, theres no such thing as a pill for regret in this world. The two felt the terrifying pressure pervading the heavens and earth, their hearts grew heavier and heavier, until they fell into despair. In the end, they chose to collapse and sit on the ground, closing their eyes to await death. Perhaps this way, they might die a bit more swiftly? But at that moment, a vast expanse of golden light suddenly rose in this dark world, illuminating all directions and brightening everything. The dazzling golden light made Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao instinctively open their eyes, and saw the golden light ascending from Lin Familys residence, piercing through the clouds, and breaking through the sand and stones that blotted out the sky. Following that, a tremendously powerful Great Bodhisattva burst forth from the golden light. This Great Bodhisattva stood more than five hundred feet tall, towering between heaven and earth, one foot treading on a Five-clawed Golden Dragon, the other on a white elephant, hands in a fist seal, body wrapped in golden light, supremely sacred. The Great Majestic Dragon-Holding Bodhisattva appears! At the same time, the golden light that filled the sky also clearly illuminated the appearance of the giant Tiger Demon, revealing it to be a Ring-eyed White Forehead Tiger with double wings on its ribs, treading on fierce winds, traversing the air, and standing in front of the Great Bodhisattva. This Double-winged Fierce Tiger was undoubtedly terrifying, its mere oppressive presence making it difficult to breathe. The people of Wushan Town felt dizzy and light-headed just by glancing at the giant tiger. However, bathed in the golden light of the great Bodhisattva, the fear and panic in the hearts of the citizens of Wushan Town were substantially reduced, and they felt much reassured, with no one actually fainting. At this moment, Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao were stunned, watching the Great Bodhisattva in disbelief, feeling as if they were caught in an incredible dream, their faces filled with incredulity. Of course, although they were shocked, they felt incredibly fortunate. This, this is the Divine Soul True Form, its a great true master, a great true master has acted, we are saved, we are saved! Thats fantastic! Wonderful! Haha! The two were overjoyed, with faces full of gladness, but while they were laughing, they suddenly realized something. This Divine Soul True Form rushed out from the Lin Family, could it be, could this Great Bodhisattva be the Cultivator who had flown in earlier? Kong Qing suddenly widened his eyes, his smile freezing on his face. No, it cant be. Zhu Xiao also grew tense. If this Great Bodhisattva, with a dragon and an elephant under his feet, was indeed that Cultivator, then their previous plans were simply seeking death! ` Boom! Just at this moment, a deafening roar shook the heavens and the earthit was the golden bodhisattva forming the Dragon-Elephant fist seal and striking the giant tiger demon. In an instant, the phantom images of ten dragons and ten elephants appeared in the sky, flickering in and out of existence as if they were about to tear apart the very fabric of space, stirring up a raging wind, roaring incessantly. Most of Wushan Town felt enveloped by this intensely mighty force. Roar! The giant tiger demon bellowed, its feet treading the storm, as it leaped into the air and, with its gaping maw wide open, lunged for the golden bodhisattvas head. With the tiger demons leap, the storm beneath its feet suddenly surged downward, like four giant swords formed of tempest slashing towards Wushan Town below! Such a spectacle seemed like divine retribution descending, poised to destroy the entirety of Wushan Town. Tens of thousands of citizens, pale as death, watched in utter terror. Many among them knelt on the ground, bowing deeply to the golden bodhisattva, praying for safety. Clang! It was at this moment that the sound of a sword cry rang out, sharp as the call of cranes reverberating through the heavens. A golden sword light flashed across the sky, unleashing waves of sword qi that cut through everything, making those four storm-formed giant swords dissipate into nothingness. Fight all you want, but dont destroy the flowers and plants in the town! Zhou Heng, forming a sword with his fingers, walked out from the Lin Familys grand mansion, followed closely by Lin Shi and Lin Yan. Upon seeing Zhou Heng, Kong Qing and Zhu Xiaos expressions turned even more horrified, their eyes nearly bulging out, How can this man still move, and, and cast techniques?! In their minds, a great true person of the True Form Realm should only be able to attack in their Divine Soul True Form after manifesting it, and their main body should be immobilized. A realm where one can still move and even cast spells after manifesting their Divine Soul True Form has indeed surpassed the True Form Realm and reached the Manifesting Holy Realm! Such a realm is truly saintly! What kind of joke is this? How could a mere bounty offer of thirty thousand taels of silver attract a saintly being? Its preposterous! Its absurd! At this moment, Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao truly felt as if they were dreaming. If this wasnt a dream, how could such unbelievable events occur? Boom! The world was once again torn apart by a loud explosion, this time from the golden bodhisattvas punch hitting the side of the giant tiger demon. The mighty fist, imbued with the power of ten dragons and ten elephants, bent the massive frame of the tiger demon in an instant. Roar! The giant tiger demon let out a blood-curdling roar, blood gushing from its mouth. With just that one strike, it had suffered severe injuries, nearly losing consciousness on the spot. However, it utilized the colossal force from this punch to recoil several miles away, immediately stirring up a violent storm as it attempted to escape. This monster certainly knows when to flee, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, raising a finger. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Great Power Heavenly Dragon! The golden bodhisattva immediately charged forward, instantly appearing before the giant tiger demon. It seized the demon by the ribs, grasping its double wings, and hoisted it up. Immortal Master, spare my life, Immortal Master, spare my life! Spare my life, oh Immortal Master! Seeing no chance to escape, the tiger demon began to speak in human tongue, clasping its front paws together, pleading earnestly, Great true person, great bodhisattva, since becoming sentient, I have dedicated myself to cultivation, never consuming humans, never slaying a person, and never causing harm outside my mountain. Please, Immortal Master, spare my life! ` Chapter 323 - Chapter 323: Chapter 43: The Sage of the Human Race, Flatten Mountains into Fields Chapter 323: Chapter 43: The Sage of the Human Race, Flatten Mountains into Fields Although you have not eaten the people of this place, you have caused turmoil in the mountains, preventing the locals from hunting and thereby cutting off their livelihood. In the long run, deaths will not just number one or two. Zhou Hengs thinking was very clear, and he was not deceived by the tiger demon. No, its not like that! the tiger demon quickly shook its head and explained, I was merely sitting in the mountains to cultivate, with no intention of harming anyone, nor have I ever stopped people from hunting. If they are too scared to enter the mountains after seeing me, how can that be my fault? Great Immortal, I implore you to see the truth! Immortal Master! This tiger demon is spouting nonsense! Lin Shi hurriedly came forward and said to Zhou Heng, Great Immortal Master, do not be misled by this one-sided story from the tiger demon. We are all ordinary people in Wushan Town, at most skilled in some martial arts. On regular days when we encounter ordinary wild beasts, we would avoid them, let alone a tiger demon like this, who has become so powerful? Its true that it did not organize our hunting, but every time someone ventures into the mountains, it roars furiously, scaring everyone to their core. How could we dare to venture into the mountains then? Surrounded by mountains on three sides and by water on one, we are almost isolated from the world and have survived on the fur from the mountains for generations. With the arrival of this tiger demon, it has cut off our means of survival! Great Immortal Master, please do not listen to this persons nonsense! the tiger demon quickly explained, When I cultivate in the mountains, its inevitable that my blood and qi surge, producing the sound of bones and muscles thundering. It is never my intention to scare people. This confrontation between man and tiger, each sticking to their own story, turned into a debate. Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao watched this scene with their eyes wide and jaws dropped. In their understanding, demons were extremely vicious and cruel, especially the great demons comparable to the True Form Realm, who delighted in eating humans. Who had ever heard of a great demon explaining and arguing in front of humans? It was too bizarre. However, they were also aware that this was all because of the saintly powerful presence before them. No one had forgotten how terrifying the scene was when the tiger demon burst out of the mountains earlier. Sigh. Just then, Zhou Heng suddenly sighed, causing the tiger demon to become extremely nervous as it stared fixedly at him. With such a glib tongue, who taught you? Zhou Heng suddenly looked at the tiger demon with a half-smile and said, The clarity of your language comes from the foundation of civilization. You claim you have never left the mountain since gaining consciousness, so where did you learn the language of the human race? Moreover, the moment I arrived here, you rushed from the mountain into the city, what was your intention? Gaining consciousness refers to ordinary animals or plants or something else entirely that one day suddenly gained enlightenment about what they are, acquiring independent self-consciousness, which is the beginning of becoming a demon. Upon hearing this, the tiger demon instantly knew it had no chance to plead for mercy. It immediately conjured a whirlwind, forcefully broke free from Great Power Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattvas grasp, shook its wings, and tried desperately to escape. However, this time it did not try to flee outward but instead sought to escape back into the mountains. Previously, there were no demons in the mountains, and you only appeared here two months ago, yet you told me you have never left the mountains. Zhou Heng scoffed, Do you take me for a fool? While he was speaking, the golden bodhisattva standing on the dragon and elephant moved again. Stretching forward both hands, his ten fingers immediately turned into ten golden dragons that danced forward towards the tiger demon. Flying Dragon in the Sky! But this time the tiger demon seemed to use an extraordinary Secret Technique, its speed far exceeding that of before. By the time the ten golden dragons reached where it was, the tiger demon had already ascended above the forest. At this moment, the sky was filled with dense clouds, gloomy and oppressive. Hahaha! The tiger demon then laughed wildly, appearing to be insane, causing a sudden change in the wind and clouds, Ancestor, please awaken, Ancestor! Hahahaha! ` Boom! A deafening roar sounded, shaking the earth and the mountains. The ranges stretching for dozens of miles began to tremble, with fierce winds howling and sweeping across the heavens and earth, as if an immensely terrifying demon was about to awaken. An invisible force burst forth, emerging from the trembling mountains and collided with the ten Golden Dragons, shattering them directly into countless golden specks of light, scattering across the sky. For the first time, the attack of the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva was neutralized. Inside Wushan Town. Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao immediately turned pale, their eyes widening in terror. This Tiger Demon was already equivalent to a great cultivator in the True Form Realm, and the one they refer to as ancestor must be at the level of a sage, or even possibly an Immortal from the Heavenly Heart Realm! Its over, its all over now! The two of them were once again in despair. The townspeople of Wushan Town also fell back into fear. Lin Shi and Lin Yan looked at the trembling mountain peaks in horror, shivering. They then turned their gaze to Zhou Heng, their only hope now. As expected, Zhou Heng remained unfazed, even smiling slightly. At this moment, the Tiger Demon flying in the sky turned around to look at Wushan Town, its eyes fiercely fixed on Zhou Heng, looking very smug. It grinned and laughed loudly, Stupid humans, did you really think I was pleading with you? Youre worth it? I was merely buying time, hahaha! Interesting, Zhou Heng said with an unfading smile, pointing upwards, How do you know Im not buying time as well? What?! The Tiger Demon felt a sudden unease upon hearing this. At the same time, it noticed something amiss with the surrounding void and looked up, only to be struck with terror, exclaiming, What, what is this?! In the sky above, the dark clouds that had shrouded the sky were pierced by a bright and brilliant golden light. The light from the shattered Golden Dragons had reassembled, forming a colossal Golden Seal, towering over five hundred feet tall, like a mountain. The Golden Seal slowly descended from the heavens, spreading a power so formidable that it calmed the trembling mountains and shattered the dreadful demonic qi that had risen from within them. The Tiger Demon tried to flee but found that the space around it seemed to have solidified, leaving it paralyzed and unable to move, frozen in the air. Ancestor, save me! The Tiger Demon screamed with all its might. But it was of no use. The so-called ancestor, who had been on the verge of awakening with awe-inspiring presence among the mountains, had now gone completely silent, without a trace of sound. The Golden Seal had not yet landed, but it already exhibited the terrifying power that seemed to suppress all things under the heavens, utterly beyond the Tiger Demons comprehension. Of course, it was also beyond the comprehension of Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao, who stared, dumbstruck, at the Golden Seal descending from the sky, their eyes about to pop out. My goodness, what Techniques, what Divine Skills, earth-shattering indeed! Is this the power of a sage? To reveal the Divine Soul and True Form while casting such powerful Divine Moves Methods! Incredible, simply unbelievable! Fortunately, fortunately In their amazement, they also felt immense relief that the Tiger Demon had revealed itselfotherwise, they were afraid they would have died without a place to be buried! ` For such a sages mighty power, my own entry-level control over objects realm cultivation was as weak as an ant. Boom! In the earth-shaking roar, the Golden Seal fell, scaring the Tiger Demon out of its wits; its heart nearly stopped beating, and it closed its eyes, waiting for death to come. But death did not arrive as expected, followed instead by an exceedingly mournful scream. Ah ah!! The scream came from below the forest, filled with extreme rage, Why, whyThe ancestor had you cast the spell to awaken my power, not to bring upon the sage of the human race, ah ah! Boom! The Golden Seal smashed onto the mountain, and an invisible force burst forth, trying to resist, yet completely ineffectual, popping like a bubble in an instant. Rumble! The ground shook and the mountains swayed. The peak hit by the Golden Seal quickly sank under the golden light, which was dazzling to the point of piercing the sky. The terrain within a seven to eight-mile radius underwent a tremendous change. Moments later, the Golden Seal gradually dissipated, and the sky full of golden light also faded. The roaring and piercing screams in the mountains ceased, and the mountain peak was directly flattened! A mountain peak towering over three hundred zhang in height was just like that flattened by the Golden Seal. However, if one looked down from high above, they could see that although the mountain peak was pressed into the ground, the surface was not completely flat; instead, there were canal-like trenches crisscrossing, forming four large characters Overturning Heaven Seal! This was precisely the technique Zhou Heng had deployed using the true meaning of the first move of the Overturning Heaven Three Palms. Flatten mountain into field! Great Divine Power! The force of a sage, so close to that of immortals and gods! Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao exclaimed in amazement, looking at Zhou Hengs figure not far away as if they were gazing at a deity. The Tiger Demon was still not dead. It looked at the disappeared mountain peak and sensed its ancestor, whose form and spirit were already annihilated without even having shown itself, and an overwhelming fear was about to burst forth from its heart. Wrapped in intense fear, its spirit became extremely fragile, its brain blanked out, eyes filled with confusion. It no longer knew what to do, just hovering in the air in a daze. Suddenly, the Tiger Demon felt its thought processes slowing down as if an invisible force was suppressing its spirit and will. The instinct to survive urged it to resist, but the extreme fear also made it want to wait for death. Whats the use of resisting? In the end, its still death. Facing a human sage, there was no doubt that it was doomed. So, amidst such internal conflict, after a few breaths, the divine light in the Tiger Demons eyes completely dimmed down, changing from confusion to utter emptiness. Then, in an instant, the Tiger Demons form shifted, directly shrinking from its original three to four hundred zhang to about a zhang, and then, stepping on the wind and clouds, it promptly returned before Zhou Heng. This certainly startled Lin Yan and Lin Shi, as well as Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao, but the scene that followed let them breathe a sigh of relief. The Tiger Demon did not attack upon approaching Zhou Heng; instead, it bowed down respectfully, saying reverently, Little Tiger Banner has come to a realization and is willing to serve the sage as master, to be the sages mount for life. Hiss! Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao couldnt help but gasp in amazement at these words, filled with incredible awe. For a cultivator who had achieved some success, having a great demon as a mount was undoubtedly a matter of great prestige, but in practice, very few could achieve this feat. The vast majority of demons are wild and untamable, hardly ever subdued as mounts. Rumors say that even cultivators who have stepped into the sage level, typically, can only tame demons comparable to those of the Sun Roaming Realm as their mounts. As for the great demons on par with the True Form Realm, no one has heard of anyone succeeding in making them into mounts. Perhaps an Immortal in the Heavenly Heart Realm might be capable of such a feat, but for such Immortals, mounts of the True Form Realm level are no longer necessary. Yet now, this Tiger Demon, clearly stronger than the average True Form Realm demon, actually came forward to bow, and even offered to serve as this saints mount for life, which was absolutely unimaginable. The two exchanged glances and saw the astonishment in each others eyes. To tame a great demon as a mount was far more shocking than killing one. Zhou Heng looked at the Tiger Demon and did not immediately agree, instead, he turned to Lin Shi and asked, Mr. Lin, what do you think? Ah? Lin Shi was momentarily stunned; clearly, he hadnt expected Zhou Heng to ask for his opinion, and quickly said, For the Immortal Master to obtain a mount in our Wushan Town is our great fortune. Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment, then smiled and said, Good, then I shall accept this mount. Thank you, Great True One! The Tiger Demon, appearing joyful, immediately lay down, prostrated on the ground, waiting for Zhou Heng to mount. The demon has been vanquished, and I shall take my leave. Zhou Heng settled on the Tiger Demons back, bowed his hands in farewell to the two from the Lin Family, and glanced at Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao, Did the two fellow Daoists also come to eliminate the demon? No, no, no! Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao quickly shook their heads, speaking in unison, We merely heard that a Great True One was visiting here and specifically came to pay our respects; we didnt expect you to be a saint. Haha, thats quite interesting. Zhou Heng laughed and did not expose the lies of the two. With a gentle pat, he got the Tiger Demon to rise into the clouds with the whirlwind, stepping on air as it ascended, and in the blink of an eye, they had left Wushan Town. Kong Qing and Zhu Xiao wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads. This was truly a life narrowly reclaimed. The townspeople of Wushan Town knelt on the ground, sincerely bowing to Zhou Heng, who had already taken to the sky and was now out of sight. Congratulations! You have killed an unremarkable enemy, the Tiger Demon Lord of Wushan (severely wounded), Fortune Bag [Copper] +3. Congratulations! You have killed a defenseless enemy, the Tiger Demon Wu San, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Above the clouds, Zhou Heng sat on the Tiger Demon Wu San, as a series of reward notifications appeared in his mind. The Lord of Wushan was the Old Ancestor who had been slumbering and healing within the mountain, while the Tiger Demon now turned into a puppet by Zhou Heng was naturally Wu San. Previously, in Wushan Town, Zhou Heng was considering the humans feelings, which is why he asked Lin Shi, but he had not anticipated that the ordinary peoples respect for an Immortal Master in this world would far exceed his expectations. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Even if he did not kill the Tiger Demon that caused trouble in the mountains and cut off the peoples livelihoods, but instead took it as his mount, Lin Shi had no complaints. This demon-exterminating trip allowed him to further understand this situation. Of course, the rewards were not inconsequential. Four Copper Fortune Bags were just an addition the real gain was the feedback from the rules of heaven and earth after he eliminated the two great demons. Two strands of Xuan Huang merit energy! Chapter 324 - Chapter 324: Chapter 44: Riding the Tiger, Flying to the Capital City, Reunion Chapter 324: Chapter 44: Riding the Tiger, Flying to the Capital City, Reunion Congratulations! By acquiring the Yellow Mystery Merit Qi, your understanding of the Taoist Formulas in the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank] has improved, proficiency +0.05. Congratulations! By obtaining the Yellow Mystery Merit Qi, your understanding of the Taoist Formulas in the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank] has improved, proficiency +0.005. Reward notifications appeared in succession; the former was obtained by killing Wu Shans lord, while the latter was obtained by killing Wu San. Such an increase in proficiency was undoubtedly substantial. Zhou Heng was very pleased; previously, in Da Qi, he had exerted all his effort to kill a monster barely comparable to a Sect Fifth Rank great demon contaminant, and he had only gained 0.001 in proficiency. The evaluation of that great demon contaminant was an enemy that is difficult to defeat. Yet now, facing the Tiger Demon Wu San, who was evaluated as an enemy not worthy of a single blow, he had obtained five times the amount of Yellow Mystery Merit Qi. Such a contrast was indeed too stark. Jiang Jian and Senior Brother were right, in a world where overall power levels are lower, it really is easier to receive feedback from the laws of heaven and earth, Zhou Heng mused with a slight smile on his lips. With this rate of acquiring Yellow Mystery Merit Qi, it wouldnt be long before he could truly master the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual. At that time, with the Yellow Mystery Tower of heaven and earth above his head repelling all evils, and unimpeded by any magic, the mere thought of it was slightly exhilarating. Even if that pagoda was an imitation, it should greatly enhance his defensive power. By then, even if he faced a real Fifth Rank Sect Master, he might have a chance to fight. After the joy, Zhou Hengs thoughts gradually calmed down, and he shifted his attention to a fragment of memory he had obtained from the Tiger Demon Wu San. Within it was an extremely important piece of information. Ye Longs father, the current State Preceptor of Liang Country, who is most trusted by Emperor Ye Feng, is actually a tiger demon; in Wu Sans memory, that tiger demon has even approached the Heavenly Heart Realm, Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised. Upon his divine soul descending into this world and occupying the corpse of Prince Ye Long of Liang Country, he had some impression of that State Preceptor, knowing he was deeply trusted by the Emperor of Liang, even more influential than the current Prime Minister. I have an agreement with Jiang Jian to meet in the Capital City of Liang Country; perhaps I will have to confront this tiger demon, Zhou Heng glanced in the direction of the Capital City, then immediately rode the tiger towards Qingxiang Town. After this demon-slaying journey, he clearly felt that he had many martial techniques that could be transformed into magic, which also allowed for further refinement of the Longevity Technique. This, too, was of the utmost importance. If he could truly pave a new cultivation path beyond the visual visualization of the divine soul, it could potentially provoke intense feedback from the laws of heaven and earth, thereby gaining a large amount of merit. Life in Qingxiang Town was very tranquil, and three months passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Heng, besides going out to slay demons, spent his time in the small courtyard focusing on the refinement of the Longevity Technique. During this period, he had deduced a relatively complete cultivation system for this brand new technique. Body Refinement, Sensing, Qi Drawing, True Energy, Thought Storage, Yin God, Yang God. These were the seven steps of longevity that Zhou Heng envisioned; the realm of Yin God corresponded to his current state of forming a divine soul image, similar to the True Form Realm of visualization but with several distinctions, considered a fusion of True Energy and the Divine Soul. Before the Yin God realm, cultivators were roughly equivalent to the Lower Third Rank of the Martial Path; the Yin God realm could be categorized into Secret Sixth Rank and slightly higher levels. As for Yang God, that belonged to the Absolute Fourth Rank level. The transition from Yin God to Yang God was a leap from Secret Sixth Rank to Absolute Fourth Rank. This span was extremely large, and under normal circumstances, realms are not divided like this. It was only because Zhou Heng himself was still at the True Energy Realm, and hadnt yet cultivated to True Gang, that he could only deduce and speculate about higher realms. That is to say, the cultivation method currently more complete is only as far as the Secret Sixth Rank stage. ` As for the details of the higher realms, they still need to be perfected. The Seven Steps to Longevity may not only have seven steps. However, even so, when Zhou Heng informed Yu Jianghe of this method, he was astonished as if he had met a Celestial Man. As a venerable cultivator who had passed the age of seventy, he had devoted his entire life to the study of visualization techniques and had never imagined that there could be someone who had conceived an entirely different path of cultivation. This was simply inconceivable. After that, Yu Jianghe and Yu Liushui became even more wholeheartedly devoted to Zhou Heng. Originally, they had merely thought of Zhou Heng as a powerful being from the ancient Heavenly Heart realm reincarnated, but they now believed that Zhou Heng might become a Taoist God of this era, and perhaps achieve even greater feats. Legend has it that only those who create their visualization techniques capable of reaching the Heavenly Heart realm could become Taoist Gods. And Zhou Heng had blazed a new trail beyond visualization techniques, an achievement unprecedented in history. Becoming a Taoist God was only to be expected! Senior, weve received news from Sangyang City that the demons there have been slain, Yu Jianghe reported to Zhou Heng with a hint of embarrassment on his face. In recent times, aside from diligently practicing the Seven Steps to Longevity, Yu Jianghe was still helping Zhou Heng to investigate news of monsters in various places. The senior had said that slaying demons and banishing evils was beneficial to cultivation, so he naturally did not dare to slack off, lest he delay the seniors spiritual practice. That would be an unforgivable sin. The presence of a demon in Sangyang City was information he had brought to Zhou Hengs attention the day before yesterday, and indeed, Zhou Heng had planned to go to Sangyang City to eliminate the demon in a couple of days, but unexpectedly, someone had already taken care of it. Oh? Was it a cultivator from the Holy Sect of Mercy who took action? Zhou Heng asked with curiosity, Are they that proactive? Since his expedition to Wushan Town, Zhou Heng had gone out to slay demons more than ten times, in order to accumulate merit. However, he had yet to encounter anyone from the Holy Sect of Mercy, which made him wonder if they had given up on Liang Country. It wasnt someone from the Holy Sect of Mercy, Yu Jianghe shook his head and said, They arent that diligent. It was said to be a female cultivator who calls herself Cheng Bei. Cheng Bei? Zhou Heng chuckled upon hearing this and said, I see, she is a fellow cultivator of mine, you need not worry about it. Cheng Bei was naturally Cheng Jianjian. She had taken the name Cheng Bei in the same way that Ziweis Zhou Heng had adopted the name Zhou Wei. This was something they had agreed upon even before their descent. It turns out to be your fellow cultivator, Yu Jianghe said in surprise. The tone Zhou Heng had used to speak just now was not the courteous term of fellow cultivator used among cultivators. But rather, a true companion on the cultivation path. What kind of person could the fellow cultivator of such a powerful being who had created his own path be? Moreover, she was a female cultivator. Could it be She might well be the seniors cultivation partner! Zhou Heng all the while unaware of the various wild imaginings brewing in Yu Jianghes mind, thought about the news of Cheng Jianjian slaying the demon and calculated the time. It seemed, his descent to this place was nearing half a year. Since Jianjian has emerged to slay demons, it means she has already attained a certain level of strength, Zhou Heng thought to himself, Yes, its about time to head to the Capital City. With this thought in mind, he didnt hesitate and immediately said to Yu Jianghe, In three days, I will go to the Capital City. As for these two children in Qingxiang Town, Ill have to trouble my fellow cultivator to instruct them. ` You wish to go to Capital City? Yu Jianghe first looked stunned upon hearing the words, then as if he had realized something, Do you want to end the ties of this life? In recent days, he had heard some news about the State Preceptor of Liang Country from some fellow Daoists. Many suspected that the State Preceptor might be a demon. However, for cultivators, the life and death of a country were irrelevant to them, and there were no substantial benefits to exorcising monsters, so naturally no one bothered with what the State Preceptor was up to. This had led to the State Preceptor becoming increasingly arrogant, with rumors that he had nearly taken complete control of the government. Even many high officials in the court had been replaced, and it was possible that about half of them were monsters. By this time, Yu Jianghe already knew that the senior before him had been reborn into the royal Ye family of Liang Country, named Ye Long. Therefore, upon hearing Zhou Heng say he wanted to go to the Capital City, he naturally assumed that Zhou Heng intended to remove the monster that plagued the Capital City. And by removing that monster and saving Liang Country, which was in imminent danger, theoretically, this would also sever the seniors ties with the royal family of Liang Country in this life. But it is not exactly cutting ties. Zhou Heng smiled and said, I am going there to meet some people. If there is anything you need, senior, Jianghe is willing to follow you through fire and water, Yu Jianghe said. There is no need for that; Ill just ride Dahuang straight there, Zhou Heng smiled and replied, You staying here to teach those two children is enough for me. Dahuang was the name he had given to the double-winged tiger demon. I will obey your orders, senior, Yu Jianghe said respectfully. Dont neglect your own cultivation either, Zhou Heng reminded, as if an elder about to embark on a journey was instructing the younger generation. Although Zhou Heng was actually much younger than Yu Jianghe, neither felt any discord during their conversation. In the world of cultivators, the accomplished are revered. This is the rationale of this world. Zhou Heng was simply adapting to local customs. Liang Countrys Capital City. This was the heart of Liang Country, the most prosperous place, and even at night, it was brightly lit everywhere. Especially inside the Imperial City, it was even more so. Qin Zheng Hall. This was where Emperor Ye Feng of Liang Country conducted his affairs, where the lights never went out all year round. At this moment, Ye Feng was earnestly perusing a memorial that had just been presented today, his expression complex. An Immortal Master has come riding a yellow tiger, flying through the sky. He stayed in Sangyang City before heading towards the Capital City It is rumored that this Immortal Master is Prince Ye Long When this memorial was first brought before Ye Feng, his initial reaction was one of disbelief. Ye Long had left with the Immortal Master less than half a year ago; how could he now have the ability to fly through the sky? This was against common sense. As the sovereign of a country, Ye Feng had a basic understanding of cultivators and knew that those who could fly were remarkable figures even among cultivators. How long had Ye Long been cultivating? How could he have advanced so quickly? Yet if Ye Long truly made significant progress in his cultivation and became an Immortal Master who could soar through the skies and dig through the earth, what should be done? With this thought, Ye Fengs heart was devoid of any joy; instead, it was filled with worry. What if Ye Long comes to seize his throne? Throughout history, princes assassinating their fathers to usurp the imperial power has been a common occurrence in any kingdom. Especially when this prince possesses power beyond the royal familys control, Ye Feng couldnt help but worry. Indeed, Immortal Masters had set an iron rule that emperors must not practice immortality, and those who practiced immortality must not become emperors, but that did not prevent cultivators from supporting a puppet to ascend to the throne. You really dont give me peace of mind, whether this is true or not, we must handle it with caution, said Ye Feng with a grim face, glancing outside, Summon the State Preceptor! Yes, Your Majesty! came the voice of the eunuch from outside. In a moment, a figure approached the Qin Zheng Hall, passing through layers of guards and entering through the doors without hindrance. The Qin Zheng Hall was strictly guarded, and, ordinarily, apart from the emperor himself and his entourage of eunuchs, anyone would be subjected to rigorous interrogation before entry. But the State Preceptor was an exception; aside from the inner palace, he could freely enter and exit any area within the Imperial City without question or inspection. This State Preceptor was named Wu Cheng. He wore a purple Taoist robe, majestic and elegant, appearing like a handsome middle-aged man in his forties, with a long beard, claiming to be a true person who had cultivated for three hundred years, possessed with a bit of the aura of an Immortal Master. Your Majesty has summoned me in the dead of night, is it concerning Prince Ye Long? asked Wu Cheng with a smile. State Preceptor understands me, Ye Feng nodded slightly, Indeed, Ive heard he rode a tiger and flew across the skies, displaying the grandeur of an Immortal Master. Then has Your Majesty considered whether to let him live or die? Wu Cheng spoke very bluntly, as if he didnt care at all whether Ye Feng would be angered by this. Ye Feng remained silent for a long while upon hearing this, finally closing his eyes, he said, Liang Country needs a stable situation, and it doesnt need two State Preceptors, which is what the common people wish for. I have to consider the peoples well-being, and when the time comes, I will have to ask the State Preceptor to take action. I will obey the imperial command, Wu Cheng bowed respectfully, bending slightly with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Zhou Heng was heading to the Capital City openly and did not conceal his movements, riding a tiger through the sky and passing many major cities, making countless commoners kneel and cry out for the arrival of the Immortal Master. This was absolutely impossible in Da Qi. Was it the same during the Middle Ancient Era, when great powers reigned above royal authority? What about the earlier Dark Age? Zhou Hengs thoughts wandered as he also passed through layers of high clouds, and saw another magnificent and splendid great city ahead. This was the Imperial City of Liang Country from Ye Longs memories. Even the commoners inside the Imperial City, upon seeing someone riding a tiger through the sky, still regarded him as a divine being, kneeling and bowing to the figure above. Not just the commoners; even the guards at the gate could not help but kneel, and even the imperial guards inside the city laid down their weapons and saluted the figure above with utmost respect. An Immortal Master, even just one, stood above the nation and emperor. There was no doubt about this. Zhou Heng, observing the scene inside and outside the Imperial City, reassessed the situation of this world. With such circumstances, was it good or bad? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A question arose in his mind. However, as Zhou Heng approached closer to the Capital City, it became difficult to dwell on this uncertainty. With his Divine Sense, he sensed an overwhelming demonic aura within the Imperial City of Liang Country! At the same time, in the Jiahe Tavern within the Capital City, a girl disguised as a handsome young masters eyes lit up as she looked to the skies. Hes finally arrived! Chapter 325 - Chapter 325: Chapter 45: The Emperors Nectar Chapter 325: Chapter 45: The Emperors Nectar Ye Long was, after all, a prince, and many in the Capital City knew him. As such, when Zhou Heng descended, a tremendous stir arose within the royal city of Liang Country. People knew that half a year ago, Prince Ye Long had gone out to cultivate with an Immortal Master who was passing by. They had not expected that in just half a year, the prince would have already become an Immortal Master himself. He even rode a Double-winged Fierce Tiger as he flew through the sky, a sight even more imposing than the Immortal Master who had taken him away. Consequently, many of the powerful in the Capital City started to strategize about how to court this newly established Immortal Master, seeking to gain more benefits for themselves. And those who had once offended Ye Long were terrified, fearing that Zhou Heng would come after them for retribution. In the past, seeking the Emperors mercy might have been slightly useful when Ye Long was just a prince, but now that the prince had become a bona fide Immortal Master, even the Emperors persuasion might not work. An Immortal Master was, after all, someone who stood above not only the sovereign but also the entire nation. However, they soon discovered that after Zhou Heng landed in the Capital City, he did not seek anyone out. Instead, he transformed the Double-winged Fierce Tiger into a palm-sized kitten and headed towards Jiahe Tavern. Before Zhou Heng had even landed, while still high above the Capital City, he had already received a Spirit message from Cheng Jianjian, telling him that she was there. Walking into Jiahe Tavern, Zhou Heng ignored the curious gazes of the people around him and went straight up to the top floor. His gaze swept across the room and settled on the girl sitting by a table at the edge. She was a girl who appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features and a complexion like ice and jade. She looked only slightly less exquisite compared to the original Cheng Jianjian, truly breathtaking. Zhou Wei, the girl said with a beaming smile, Ive long heard of your great reputation, fighting monsters and exorcising demon entities. Youve made me quite envious. Cheng Bei, Zhou Heng also smiled, sitting opposite the girl and giving her a quick assessment. His eyes showed surprise as he said, Your current level of Cultivation seems quite profound. Under the perception of his Divine Sense, he could clearly feel the immense power of Cheng Jianjians Divine Soul, which even bore a chilly and icy sensation. Such a perception, without direct confrontation, was enough to sense the strength of this Divine Soul Power. This was my early arrangement, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile. It was only after I arrived and inherited the memories that I realized this body belonged to none other than the Holy Maiden of the ancient immortal sect Guang Han Dao. In her ice coffin, there was also a Guang Han Heavenly Maiden Visualization Diagram. After two or three months of contemplation, relying on my original realm, I reached the True Form Realm of this world and began to quietly eliminate monsters. A month ago, I felt it was about time. After hearing your name, Zhou Wei, I stopped concealing and openly used the name Cheng Bei to wait for you to find me. As they conversed, they had already cast a soundproofing spell, ensuring that their conversation in the tavern would not be disclosed. It seems you also recovered quite quickly, Zhou Heng laughed. Mine was different; without a suitable Visualization Diagram, I had to sort it out myself He briefly shared with Cheng Jianjian his plans to establish his own path in this world and his intention to spread it, which immediately earned him admiring looks. Creating a new method, impressive indeed! Cheng Jianjians smile bloomed like a flower, her eyes bright with admiration, endlessly praising, The Seven Steps to Longevity, solidifying the Divine Soul as the core and fusing it with True Qi to strengthen both togetherwhat a brilliant idea. Though its an innovation based on existing Martial Arts and visualization techniques, for the cultivators of this world, this represents a novel and viable path. Moreover, this path also remedies many of the flaws found in visualization methods. It holds great promise and could benefit the perfection and development of the cultivation system of this world. Perhaps it might even earn considerable merit. Hmm, right, now that weve regrouped, what are your plans? she asked. Jiang Jian, youve already spent some time in Capital City, so you must have already decided on the next course of action, Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle, whilst glancing outside, Perhaps, we dont need to make any plans ourselves. Mm, I didnt expect him to be so impatient, actually coming to us, Jiang Jian nodded slightly, standing up and gazing outside, Killing Wu Cheng, however, isnt simple; hes almost at the Heavenly Heart Realma formidable monster. We must be cautious. Hes almost upon us, Zhou Heng nodded, resting his hand on the railing, and said, Actually, I have a nagging doubt. Why does slaying monsters earn us merit? Monsters are different from evil creatures and Demon Entities. Theyre not foreign invaders. From the perspective of the natural laws of heaven and earth, monsters and humans seem to be just creatures nurtured by the world. How could there be merit in killing them? After you return to Ta Hua, youll need to catch up on your studies, Little Martial Uncle, Cheng Jianjian said with a covered laugh, Do you really think its normal, a part of natural evolution, for ordinary animals and plants to suddenly become self-aware and, without any guidance, start cultivating and turn into monsters? Monsters are also influenced by external forces? Zhou Heng was taken aback, somewhat puzzled. His understanding of monsters was mostly based on legends and stories he had heard or read about in his previous life on Earth; he didnt know much about the specifics. Mm, Jianjian nodded, about to explain further, when suddenly her expression turned serious, Hes here. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Then lets take him down first! Zhou Heng said sternly. At the same time, State Preceptor Wu Cheng had already arrived outside the Jiahe Tavern, riding the clouds. Fierce winds howled, bringing layers of dark clouds that covered the sun, turning day into night. He stood above the clouds, materializing a colossal Daoist figure over a hundred feet tall, clad in a Purple Robe, exuding a majestic aura, causing many citizens to kneel and worship. Prince Ye Long, fortunate to have the Emperors permission to cultivate in exile, has now achieved some success. Yet he arrogantly rides a tiger, stomping upon the heavens, disrespecting his sovereign, intending rebellion, an act of flagrant treachery! Prince Ye Long, please come out and accompany this State Preceptor back to the palace to await your punishment! Chapter 326 - Chapter 326: Chapter 46: The Cold and Lonely Guang Han Palace Chapter 326: Chapter 46: The Cold and Lonely Guang Han Palace The State Preceptor, its the State Preceptor! Hes come to apprehend Prince Ye Long! The prince just returned from being away and hasnt seen many people. How did he know His Highness was planning rebellion? Exactly, and Prince Ye Long has already become an Immortal Master; how could he still covet the throne? I really dont understand what the State Preceptor is up to. Is he really going to accuse a prince of rebellion without any evidence? Hah, after all these years, havent you all realized? When the State Preceptor arrests someone, does he ever need a reason? There were heated discussions throughout the Capital City. Regarding this State Preceptor, the citizens of the Capital City had long held opinions but dared not voice them. But now, the State Preceptor had brazenly accused a prince of rebellion without proof, and that left many feeling despondent. Could such a country be saved? The Jiahe Tavern was thrown into chaos, with many customers scared into a frantic flight. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, on the other hand, were quite composed. After laying eyes on this State Preceptor Wu Cheng, they breathed a slight sigh of relief. Although this Tiger Demon was infinitely close to the Heavenly Heart Realm, it had not yet truly reached that level at least not with the power it had shown so far. That meant that their chances of winning the upcoming battle had just increased substantially. After all, before this, Zhou Heng had been regarding Wu Cheng as someone of the Heavenly Heart Realm. Of course, even if Wu Cheng might not be as strong as expected, they couldnt afford to underestimate him. State Preceptor, unharmed I see. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian stepped out of the tavern together, smiling at Wu Cheng, who was hovering in the air, Is it your own idea to come after me, or is it Ye Fengs? You dare to address His Majesty by name. Wu Chengs eyes narrowed slightly, and he sneered, Ye Long, you really do have a rebellious heart. You show no respect for your father, the current Your Majesty. Heh. Zhou Heng shook his head and snorted coldly, Enough with Your Majesty this and Your Majesty that. What are you, a cultivator close to the Heavenly Heart Realm, doing lurking in the court? What do you want to do? I am cultivating in the mortal world, experiencing the joys and sorrows of human life, Wu Cheng said with a face full of compassion. The figure of a daoist priest behind him radiated a green light, soothing to the soul. Prince Ye Long, please come back to the palace with me. Perhaps His Majesty, considering the father-son relationship, will be lenient. State Preceptor, you are mistaken. Zhou Hengs smile remained on his face. I didnt come to the Capital City for the throne or for power; I came just for you. Monster, show your true form at once! Cheng Jianjian stepped forward at the right moment, her bare hand raised, and immediately, layers of cold air gathered in the void, turning into a mirror that shone brightly. This light passed through Wu Cheng, illuminating the sky, and on the firmament, it revealed an image, presenting Wu Chengs true form to the eyes of the citizens of the Capital City. A massive tiger! A demon! The State Preceptor is a demon! Many citizens, struck as if by lightning upon witnessing this sight, were followed by an unprecedented surge of outrage. The State Preceptor, who had caused chaos in the Imperial Court over the years and plunged Liang Country into turmoil, was actually a monster, and the Emperor of Liang Country even trusted and favored such a monster so greatly! Absurd! Too absurd! Not only the citizens in the Capital City, but also many members of the royal family within the Imperial Palace and numerous court officials saw Wu Chengs true form. Someone immediately rushed towards Qin Zheng Hall to report the matter to His Majesty of Liang. In an instant, the entire Capital City, both inside and outside the Imperial Palace, erupted into chaos. Wu Cheng, however, remained calm, even with a hint of a smile on his face. He looked down at Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian and said with a laugh, Your Highness has quite the tactic, even managing to enlist a protg of the ancient Guang Han Dao. Interesting. It seems you think you have the upper hand, Zhou Heng said gravely. Why wouldnt I? Wu Chengs lips curled slightly, and he chuckled, Just with one of you at the Manifesting Holy Realm and the other at the True Form Realm, you actually dare to confront a near Demon King like myself. Youre truly seeking your own demise. Zhou Heng had displayed impressive strength over the past few months, and both cultivators and demons had come to regard him as a saint of the Human Race at the Manifesting Holy Realm. Cheng Jianjian wasnt well known, and if one were to sense only with Divine Sense, she would appear as a mere cultivator at the True Form Realm, hardly even worth Wu Chengs attention. The one seeking death is you! Zhou Hengs aura suddenly surged. The revered image of riding an ox sat firmly in the Niwan Palace within him, with True Qi circulating in his body, he declared, I originally wanted to inquire about your intentions for seizing the State Preceptors authority, but now it seems unnecessary. Defeating you first, then asking questions, wont be too late! Before his voice even faded, he was already stepping into the void, flying out of the Jia He Restaurant, and in a blink of an eye soared above a hundred zhang. With his left hand forming a seal and his right hand rising, a mysterious darkness appeared in his palm, as if it could contain everything, with an intent that seemed to crush the sky and overturn the earth! Boom! A thunderous noise roared between heaven and earth, as a Golden Seal took shape and, as if to crush the void itself, smashed towards the hundred-zhang tall apparition of Wu Cheng. Overturning Heaven Seal! Hahaha! Little brat, such a trivial trick, merely an itch through the boot! Wu Cheng laughed out loud, without dodging, he allowed the hundred-zhang tall apparition to tilt its head back and slammed its fontanel into the Overturning Heaven Seal with full force. Boom boom boom! A deafening roar exploded, and blinding golden light scattered across the sky like raging rivers coursing through the heavens. The Overturning Heaven Seal actually shattered. This powerful technique, based on the concept of overturning heaven and earth, was unexpectedly smashed to pieces by Wu Chengs apparition. This is Zhou Hengs brows furrowed deeply. He felt clearly that when the Overturning Heaven Seal collided with the apparition, it was not solely repelled by brute force but also by the power of Laws! The hundred-zhang tall apparition was, in fact, interwoven with Laws ready to be wielded at any moment by Wu Cheng. This was a power entirely surpassing the normal Secret Sixth Rank level. This was on par with the Heavenly Heart Realm of the Sect Fifth Rank in terms of realm! If it were a cultivator of the Human Race, reaching the Heavenly Heart Realm would mean ascending to the status of an Immortal, transcending the mundane. In ages without divine beings, the Heavenly Heart Realm is synonymous with invincibility! For demons, it meant becoming a Demon King, ruling over a territory, and even establishing a Demon Country! Wu Cheng was a true Heavenly Heart Realm Demon King, not just a near Demon King as he had claimed and pretended to be. Oh, Your Highness, it seems you have underestimated my strength, Wu Cheng said with a slight smile, You might as well return to the palace with me. His Majesty wishes to see you. As long as you cease your resistance, I can promise not to kill this protg of the Guang Han Dao. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You should first worry about how youre going to leave this place alive! Cheng Jianjians voice suddenly came from behind Wu Cheng; she had somehow left her body and stealthily moved behind him. At once, her True Form congealed and took shape! In an instant, a biting chill filled the air, and a magnificent yet delicate and extraordinarily lonely palace materialized out of nowhere. Above it hung a plaque inscribed with three characters. Guang Han Palace! Chapter 327 - Chapter 327: Chapter 47: The Xuanhuang Pagoda, the Supreme Riding the Ox Chapter 327: Chapter 47: The Xuanhuang Pagoda, the Supreme Riding the Ox The vast and lofty Guang Han Palace manifested in the high sky, and the power of icy deathly stillness immediately spread out. Wu Cheng suddenly felt as if the void surrounding him had frozen, like he was trapped in a swamp, making it extremely difficult to move his body or manipulate his mana. Yet, he did not panic, still wearing a smile, he said, The manifestation technique of the ancient Guang Han Daos divine palace that freezes the void and imprisons the enemy, I have long heard of its great name. But now that I see it it seems somewhat underwhelming! No sooner had these words fallen Boom! A tremendous explosion sounded, and Wu Chengs body suddenly burst forth with layers of black storm, grinding the seemingly frozen void into shreds, creating a frightfully terrible spatial tempest that surged toward the Guang Han Palace above. Wu Cheng regained his freedom of movement, and as he launched an attack amidst the roiling space storm, his figure flashed, instantly reaching Cheng Jianjian. What a stunning beauty you are, but alas, you have chosen the wrong place, and sided with the wrong person! His eyes brimmed with killing intent as he raised his hand, which instantly transformed into a tigers paw as large as a fan, and swung it down towards Cheng Jianjian. The power of this palm strike was extraordinarily terrifying. As it swung, it wove a pitch-black storm into itself; it was no longer merely the power of Divine Soul visualization. It held within it the force of laws, and for cultivators who have not yet reached the Heavenly Heart Realm, such laws are akin to divine willunder normal circumstances, nearly impossible to resist. This is also why cultivators in the Heavenly Heart Realm are regarded as having undergone an essential elevation of life and are called land immortals. But Cheng Jianjian was no ordinary cultivator. Her realm, her insight, her vision were far beyond what any ordinary True Form Realm cultivator of this world could compare. Faced with Wu Chengs formidable attack of mana and true body, she remained cool and collected, forming a seal with her hands, and immediately a golden light enveloped her, blocking the force of Wu Chengs palm strike. At the same time, the true form of the Guang Han Palace, which was almost shattered by the pitch-black spatial tempest, suddenly burst forth with golden light, expanding significantly in an instant and appearing even more lofty and dominant as though it had the authority to tower over the heavens and suppress all. Despite not having reached the Heavenly Heart Realm, the very image of this palace seemed to already weave supreme Taoist charm, making it feel naturally supreme above all. What? Wu Cheng was stunned at the sight. He did not recognize the palace, but he could feel the terrible power and supreme Taoist charm within it, How is this possible, a mere True Form What kind of True Form is this?! And while he was still in disbelief, the magnificent and splendid palace, seemingly the abode of the Heavenly Emperor, began its counterattack. With just a forward thrust, it shattered the rampant spatial storm, smoothed the chaotic void as if it was nothing, suppressed it, and restored peace. Wu Chengs attack was completely neutralized. The palace then descended gracefully, returning to stand behind Cheng Jianjian. Suppress! As the palace returned, Cheng Jianjian cried out sharply, changing the hand seals, and her eyes emitted an exceedingly brilliant and dazzling golden light. She herself seemed like the Heavenly Emperor stepping out from the divine palace, supremely noble, and with just one step forward, miraculous visions erupted around her, with flowers raining from the sky and golden lotuses sprouting from the earth, as if the Heavenly Emperor were on a tour. This was not a technique of this world but rather the Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formulas recorded in the Jade Sky Lingxu Sutra, a secret transmission from the Pure Yang Palaces Jade Qiong Peak. Heavenly Emperor Strides Through the Void! Its original purpose was to manifest an image of the Heavenly Emperor, stepping out from the Jade Sky divine palace, suppressing the void, rendering the enemy unable to escape. However, in this world, the rules and principles of techniques had changed, and Cheng Jianjian made some adjustments to her execution to primarily showcase the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor and target the spirit. Indeed, the results were outstanding. In the midst of these incredibly supernatural phenomena, Wu Chengs spirit was indeed shaken, and for a moment, the thought surfaced in his mindthis adversary is invincible; I should retreat. However, Wu Cheng, after all, was a Demon King who had cultivated for hundreds of years, a being on par with a cultivator of the Human Races Heavenly Heart Realm, an Immortal of the land, and he quickly regained his senses. At the same moment he came to, the Jade Sky Palace behind Cheng Jianjian crumbled; her entire essence, energy, and spirit plummeted, her complexion turned as pale as paper, and her breath became faint, almost as if she were at deaths door. After all, no matter how mysterious and powerful the techniques, she was ultimately only equivalent to a cultivator of the True Form Realm. The fact that she could cast a spell that bewildered a Demon King akin to the Heavenly Heart Realm, even if only for a moment, was an extraordinarily difficult feat, truly extraordinary and shocking to the world. Damnable woman, I will tear you apart! Wu Cheng roared with fury, his murderous intent raging like a storm. He had never thought he would suffer at the hands of a mere True Form Realm cultivator. A moment of distraction might seem brief, but had this occurred in a battle among peers, he would already be dead without a place for his body to lay. Damn it! But just as Wu Cheng was about to continue his attack on Cheng Jianjian, he suddenly felt the void behind him become oppressively heavy. Has the State Preceptor forgotten about my existence? Zhou Heng said with a cold laugh as he flew out of the tavern, hovering in the air. He raised his right hand high and fiercely swung it downward. Boom! An earth-shattering roar erupted as if the void had been pierced. A golden seal the size of a palm fell from the sky like a comet, smashing directly onto Wu Chengs forehead. Bang! Before Wu Cheng could recover, he was toppled by the stamp, falling from mid-air, and only managed to stop himself from crashing to the ground at the last moment. Before he could regain his composure, however, another seal of the same size and power fell from the sky and slammed onto the top of his head. Boom! This time, Wu Cheng truly fell to the ground, lying in the dirt, his once majestic State Preceptors robes now covered in dust. Aghhh!! Wu Cheng roared as he tried to get up and counterattack. However, before his roar ended, another golden seal fell from the sky and landed squarely on his face. With this stamp, Wu Chengs face was flattened on impact. His nose caved in, his whole head deformed, the crown of his skull cracked open, and brain matter oozed out. Then nine more seals followed one after another, golden light shimmering between them, and with continuing roars, each one struck Wu Chengs body. In just a moment, the grand State Preceptor of Liang Country was battered to a bloody pulp, his human form barely recognizable. Only then could Cheng Jianjian catch her breath, regain some strength, and fly back to Zhou Hengs side. Even though Wu Cheng had been battered to this extent, Zhou Heng did not let down his guard. He was well aware that the series of attacks he had just unleashed was not enough to kill a Demon King comparable to the Heavenly Heart Realm. The barrage of twelve golden seals was actually another application of the Overturning Heaven Seal, essentially the same old technique. Such an attack, although it could directly crush cultivators of the Manifesting Holy Realm and even threaten those of the Heavenly Heart Realm or injure them, was incapable of killing a Heavenly Heart Realm cultivator. For, cultivators of the Heavenly Heart Realm have essentially merged with the rules and principles of heaven and earth, and merely attacking at the superficial level is insufficient to kill such life forms. One must strike from a deeper level of principles and laws. Hehehehe!! The laughter of Wu Cheng came from the deep pit created by the golden seal, the blurry mass of flesh wriggled rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, he had returned to his original form, seemingly unscathed. Quite impressive, Cheng Jianjian commented with a smile. Mhm, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Extremely impressive. Interesting, Wu Cheng floated slowly out of the deep pit, rising into the air, and gazed at Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian with a mocking look in his eyes, chuckling, Arent you afraid? Afraid of what? Zhou Heng replied with a slight laugh. Your Highness, Im not sure what you experienced in the past few months that made you so audacious, but Wu Chengs smile disappeared, to be enemies with me is to seek your own death! I have walked many paths in life, but have never walked a road to death, Zhou Heng shook his head and said to Wu Cheng, On the contrary, it is you who is steadily marching towards your death. Is that so? Wu Cheng sneered and said, I hope Your Highness can maintain such composure after seeing this sword. Ha, you might be dead by that time. No sooner had he finished speaking than the hundred-zhang tall Daoist figure that had materialized behind him made a move. The giant Daoist figure reached towards the void with a hand, and within moments, the natural energy of heaven and earth within dozens of miles was gathered, forming a pitch-black giant sword that looked capable of cleaving heaven and earth itself. Upon this giant sword, Zhou Heng could feel an immensely powerful, highly concentrated force of destruction, as if the mighty heavens intended to deliver punishment, annihilating all that existed on earth. Such a terrifying force was usually considered the pinnacle of strength in a world where Daoist gods were absent, with the Heavenly Heart Realm at its peak. The terrifying power condensed in the giant sword was not only palpable to Zhou Heng but even the common folk in the Capital City of Liang Country felt an immense fear, with many kneeling down and ceaselessly kowtowing to the State Preceptor. Meanwhile, in front of the Qin Zheng Hall within the Imperial Palace, Emperor Ye Feng of Liang Country looked on in disbelief at the immense Daoist figure in the distance and the pitch-black great sword that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth, muttering to himself, This is the power of an Immortal Master, this is a cultivator. Such power why cant I possess it? Why cant I?! At this moment, it was as if the heaven and earth had fallen silent, as if within the high expanse of the universe, only this pitch-black great sword and the figure of the hundred-zhang Daoist remained. Besides those, everything else seemed poised to be washed away, destroyed! Wu Cheng looked down from his elevated position at Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian and smiled, Your Highness, and the heir of the Guang Han Dao, I admire the courage of you both, but sadly, courage cannot be exchanged for power. With that, he gently raised a finger and then swiped downwards, declaring sternly, You, should die!! ZZZZZT! The pitch-black Longsword swung, stirring massive amounts of natural energy from heaven and earth. The high skies and clouds were forcibly cleft in twain, and in an instant, the sky darkened, the sun and moon were devoid of light, as if all luminance was absorbed and extinguished by this pitch-black Longsword. The terrifying power of destruction enveloped every direction, and everyone in the Capital City was plunged into extreme fear, despairingly looking up at the sky. Two humans who dont know whether theyre dead or alive! Die! Wu Chengs roar shook the wilderness; the heavens and earth fell into darkness. And in this deep darkness, suddenly, a golden light began to ascend. A great Bodhisattva soared from Zhou Hengs side, standing atop a dragon and elephant, draped in golden light, charging towards the Pitch-Black Great Sword that seemed capable of destroying everything. This great Bodhisattva was immensely mighty and unyieldingly strong, embodying profound wisdom and great power. As it collided, ten dragons and ten elephants soared, and the sound of Buddhist chanting echoed through heaven and earth. The Great Power Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva reveals! However, faced with Wu Chengs descending Pitch-Black Great Sword, this golden-bodied Bodhisattva seemed like a clay statue, cleaved into two the moment it made contact. The dark Sword Qi stirred it into a cloud of golden dust that scattered into the void. It didnt manage to offer even the slightest defense. A nice visualization technique, pity the practice isnt perfect, yet you still have to die. Wu Cheng sneered, quietly watching Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, awaiting their deaths. Zhou Heng, however, remained unfazed, his eyes serenely watching the Pitch-Black Great Sword continue its descent as if he had given up on resisting or even dodging. But just as the Pitch-Black Great Sword, wrapped in an intense power of destruction, was about to strike, he suddenly moved, raising his hand to gently push his coronet. In an instant, the void seemed to solidify, and even the Pitch-Black Great Sword experienced a momentary halt. A stream of black and yellow energy burst forth from the top of Zhou Hengs head. Entwining the black and yellow energy, harboring the universe, encompassing everything, it seemed to contain the origins of the Tao, the root of all laws, the beginning of all things in heaven and earth. Right after, the phantom of a pagoda condensed into shape, layer upon layer stacking up, soaring straight to the heavens, and shockingly, it collided head-on with the Pitch-Black Great Sword slashing through the sky. Seeking death! Wu Cheng snorted coldly. Boom! The Pitch-Black Great Sword struck the pagoda phantom, emitting a deafening roar. Zhou Heng stood unharmed, with only the pagoda phantom trembling slightly, strands of the black and yellow energy falling like garlands, rendering the attack of the Pitch-Black Great Sword completely ineffective. Instead, the Pitch-Black Great Sword itself appeared to have suffered a strong backlash, cracking inch by inch, collapsing and breaking in an instant, turning into streaks of black light that dispersed. How is this possible? Wu Cheng couldnt believe it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Whats so impossible, Zhou Heng laughed and said, This is just an appetizer. Now, theres another move for the State Preceptor to experience. With that, he pushed his coronet again, causing Wu Chengs heart to race. Immediately, a stream of clear Qi soared out from the top of Zhou Hengs head, passing the shadow of the black and yellow pagoda and flying into the sky. The moment this clear Qi erupted, the heavenly earths energy seemed to be drawn by some invisible force, naturally congealing into a Tai Chi Diagram, suspended high above. At the same time, the stream of clear Qi also took shape, transforming into the figure of an elder riding a green ox. Chapter 328 - Chapter 328: Chapter 48: Returning to Ta Hua, The Recent Situation of Yan Shouyi Chapter 328: Chapter 48: Returning to Ta Hua, The Recent Situation of Yan Shouyi The old man riding the bull had a vague countenance, indistinct and unseeable, his hand holding a scroll of scripture, his mere presence seemed to manifest the very rules of the Great Dao itself. Wu Cheng did not recognize who the old man riding the bull was, nor what sort of True Form it was, but he could clearly sense that the old man on the bull posed a tremendous threat to him. Escape! The State Preceptor of the Liang Country made a snap decision, without the slightest intention to battle with the old man on the bull, instantly choosing to flee. At the very moment Wu Cheng saw the old man on the bull, he felt as if he had seen the source of the Great Dao, as though the elder himself was the apex of all cultivation, the ultimate destination, the source of everything. In the presence of such a supreme being, he even felt a fleeting urge to revert to his original form and willingly serve under him as a retainer. However, as a Demon King whose power rivaled that of a cultivator in the Heavenly Heart Realm, Wu Cheng had an extraordinarily strong spirit and consciousness, and after a momentary lapse, he regained his senses, but no longer dared to confront the old man on the bull. Retreat was the best strategy! But just as Wu Cheng made his move, he saw the old man on the bull gently lift the scripture in his hand, and the Tai Chi Diagram in the sky began to spin, immediately creating a golden bridge that stretched across the endless void, seemingly reaching the other shore. This was a bridge to the other shore, imbued with incredible might, its mere unfurling shattered the hundred-zhang Daoist figure into pieces. It also immobilized Wu Cheng, rendering him incapable of movement, unable even to let his Divine Soul leave his body. No!! A look of horror spread across his face. Next, streaks of golden light fell upon Wu Cheng, enveloping him, and with a slight flicker of that golden light, the Demon King turned into ashes, completely annihilated in both body and soul. The entire confrontation unfolded as easily as a gust of autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, effortlessly killing Wu Cheng. Congratulations! Youve slain the doomed enemy Wu Cheng. Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. Congratulations! You have gained the virtue energy of the Yellow Mystery, and the proficiency of the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank] has increased by 500. Reward notifications sounded. Zhou Heng finally took a long breath of relief and came to a realization, Grandmaster level, indeed, is still beyond my current strength. Wu Cheng was undeniably strong; such might in Da Qi would have surely ranked him as a Grandmaster. Yet, in this world, Zhou Hengs own strength was still weaker than his original body in Da Qi. Battling such a powerful foe was almost certain death. Had it not been for the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual and the Supreme Bull Riding Diagram as his trump cards, this time he might have had to use some special privileges or skill cards obtained from opening the Fortune Bag. However, following this battle, the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual had improved, and the Supreme Bull Riding Diagram had found its use. When he returned to Da Qi, perhaps he would truly be able to contend with a Sect Fifth Rank. Now, silence reigned over heaven and earth. Within the Imperial City of the Liang Country, anyone who had witnessed this scene was shocked to the core. Moments ago, Wu Cheng, the State Preceptor, seemed overwhelmingly formidable, holding victory in his grasp; who could have expected such an instantaneous and complete reversal of fortunes. Both the Yellow Mystery Pagoda and the old man riding the bull that appeared later were sources of astonishment. Even Cheng Jianjian gazed at Zhou Heng with full eyes of curiosity, as she had never heard or seen such a powerful pagoda and bull-riding elder before. Such power was almost too strong to believe. ` Even though Wu Cheng, the Demon King, might still have some small strength gaps compared to those Sect Fifth Rank experts in Da Qi, who have mastered many Martial Arts secrets and Taoist Formulas, on the level of cultivation realm, both parties are similar in terms of hierarchy. Zhou Heng was actually able to kill such a strong person with the cultivation of the True Form Realm, almost equivalent to a Martial Artist of the Secret Sixth Rank True Energy Realm, killing a Fifth Rank Sect Master! And it seemed he did it with ease, effortlessly. It was simply inconceivable! If she had not witnessed it with her own eyes, she would even doubt if it was true. After all, it was too unimaginable. It seems that the State Preceptor cannot evaluate my move anymore, huh. Zhou Heng said with a smile, while at the same time gently pushing his hair crown twice. Immediately after, the pagoda turned into Xuan Huang Qi, the ox-riding elder and the Tai Chi Diagram in the sky also turned into clear Qi, intertwining and returning, drilling back into his head from above. As soon as these two Qi returned, Zhou Heng instantly felt an indescribable sense of exhaustion, his spirit, vigor, and essence seemed to plunge from the peak into the abyss all at once, making his complexion turn extremely pale. After all, he was just a Divine Soul that had descended by borrowing a body, without the endless primordial energy replenishment from a Cave Sky world, using these two secret techniques in succession naturally consumed a great deal. Are you alright? Cheng Jianjian asked with concern. Its nothing to worry about, Zhou Heng waved his hand and said, Its just a bit of a large consumption. Ill support you, Cheng Jianjian said as she subtly grabbed Zhou Hengs hand, The commotion of the battle just now was quite significant, it might attract other Cultivators. Lets leave first. Hmm. Zhou Heng nodded his agreement, summoned the winged tiger puppet, and took the two of them away from Liang Countrys Capital City. It wasnt until their figures disappeared from the sky above the Capital City of Liang Country that the multitude of commoners, as well as the nobility, and those within the Imperial Palace, came to their senses, filled with amazement. Especially Emperor Ye Feng of Liang Country in front of the Qin Zheng Hall. He was already sitting slumped on the ground, staring woodenly at the sky, murmuring to himself, What have I done, what have I done! Not long after, some Cultivators of the True Form Realm and the Manifesting Holy Realm, sensing the violent fluctuations of the worlds primordial Qi in the Imperial City of Liang Country, arrived here to investigate and only then learned that a Demon King of the Heavenly Heart Realm had been vanquished to ashes. This shocked all the True Immortals and Sages to no end. In an era without Taoist Deities, the Heavenly Heart Realm is the pinnacle of the world, much like Immortal beings on land. Could it be that a new Heavenly Heart Realm being has emerged in this world? This is a big deal! Since ancient times, every newly emerging Heavenly Heart Realm being has led to a reshuffling of many great powers in the world, with extensive implications. Therefore, many Cultivators quickly returned to their Sects, preparing to report the situation and respond to the impending storm. Meanwhile, as those Cultivators hurried back to their Sects, Zhou Heng had already recovered his spirit, vigor, and essence, and secretly went with Cheng Jianjian to Qingxiang Town. There, he relayed the essence of the secrets of the Seven Steps to Immortality to Yu Jianghe, allowing him to establish a Sect and spread this newly opened path of cultivation at an appropriate time. At the same time, Zhou Heng also left a heart imprint in the minds of the sibling pair Jiang Xianchu and Jiang Houli. This imprint also contained the various essential aspects of the Seven Steps to Immortality and could serve as an automatic response device, answering their doubts and aiding their cultivation. ` After taking care of everything, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian headed to the Great Snow Mountain in the north. This was where Cheng Jianjians consciousness had descended into a body and also where she obtained the body of an ancient Guang Han Dao Holy Maiden. This place had once been the mountain gate headquarters of the ancient Guang Han Dao. Although practically everything on the surface had been taken by later visitors, there remained a highly concealed ancient tomb beneath the ground that had not been discovered. The ancient tomb consisted of seventy-two halls, but Cheng Jianjian had only managed to open one of themthat was where she found the ice coffin that held the corpse of the Guang Han Dao Holy Maiden. As for the other seventy-one halls, because of extremely strong prohibitions placed on them, neither came to this world before nor with Zhou Hengs help this time, were they able to be opened. Thus, in the end, the two returned to the only hall they could enter and opened the ice coffin. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were ready to leave, but before returning, they needed to ensure that the physical body was well-preserved. In this way, the next time the descent occurred, it could be done with precision. One could only descend into a corpse equivalent to a Lower Third Rank; this was the limitation of the first descent. If the body could be preserved, subsequent precise individual descents would not be subject to this restriction. Inside the ice coffin, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian lay down side by side. Perhaps by the time we come back again, the seeds of the Daoist legacy you left behind will have sprouted and spread far and wide, changing this world, Cheng Jianjian said with a light laugh. The Divine Soul visualization techniques here have been passed down for too many years and are deeply entrenched. It wont be easy for a new path to spread, Zhou Heng said with a smile. All is yet unknown. Boom! The ice coffin closed, and darkness enveloped its interior. Yet Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian could feel a mass of purple qi enveloped in starlight descending, forming a pathway that penetrated through countless worlds. With a slight intention of their Divine Souls, they left their bodies and traveled back along the starlight path. Accompanied by a faint sensation of dizziness, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian regained consciousness. They both instantly felt their Divine Soul power growing rapidly, and their perception of the natural laws became even crisper. This is the benefit of the returning stronger Divine Soul awareness! a realization dawned in Zhou Hengs heart. The previous descent was only a fraction of his Divine Soul awareness, which had grown significantly. Thus, upon its return, it would naturally enhance his original Divine Soul Power considerably. This is an unexpected delight, Cheng Jianjian also said with satisfaction. Indeed, my cultivation has improved once again. After some time, I should be able to attempt condensing the True Gang, Zhou Heng said with a smile. True Gang? Cheng Jianjian was somewhat surprised. Youre progressing fast. Theres actually no rush, Zhou Heng shook his head slightly. We still need to first assimilate the gains from this period of cultivation. Then shall we return to the mountain? asked Cheng Jianjian. Yes, return to the mountain and take a look, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. Who knows what changes may have occurred during this time. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had spent more than half a year in that world, and over half a month had passed in Da Qi. Before the two departed, it coincided with the Southern Jin Buddha Sects great temple, Jia Ye Temple, crossing the national border to travel north to Yuzhou under the guise of preaching and spreading the faith, subtly aiming to open a sanctuary left behind by a great ancient Buddha power. If the Pure Land world were to open, the Buddhas light would envelop the entire Yuzhou, and with the spiritual will of ordinary people, they would be utterly unable to resist the conversion of the Buddhas light. Upon contact with the Buddhas light, they would immediately be forcibly converted into disciples of the Buddha Sect. Yan Shouyi, in order to prevent such a situation from happening and to save his homelands compatriots, carried this unique divine weapon and headed to Yuzhou. He aimed to transform the Buddha Sects Pure Land into the Daoist Heavenly Realm before the Jia Ye Temple could activate the Pure Land. The Daoist principle is purity and nonaction, without coercion. Hence, even if a Heavenly Realm were to open, it would not forcibly convert anyone, and instead it would enrich the heaven and earth with vital energy, clarify the rules of law, and make ordinary mountains, rivers, and lakes into a land of fortune for cultivation. However, the Pure Land that Jia Ye Temple intends to open very likely has something to do with a great Buddha Sect ability of ancient times; it is not a trivial matter, and the name Jia Ye also made Zhou Heng especially concerned. He was somewhat worried about Yan Shouyi. After he and Cheng Jianjian returned to Taihua Mount, they first went to the Jade Void Peak Golden Top and confirmed that Yan Shouyi was indeed not there. Therefore, Zhou Heng went to the halfway mountains detached courtyard to find Chen Xuan, while Cheng Jianjian returned to the Jade Qiong Peak to ask her master Qi Rui about the situation. Chen Xuan is a disciple of Yan Shouyi, having entered the Pure Yang Palace for over a hundred and thirty years, and is now a Fifth Rank Sect Master, he ought to know some information about Yan Shouyi. Little Uncle Master, Chen Xuan greeted respectfully, pouring Zhou Heng a cup of tea, Are you here to inquire about the masters current situation? Thats right, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, taking a moment to size up Chen Xuan, and smiled, It seems that the Senior Brother should be alright. How is he currently? If something had happened to Yan Shouyi, his disciple Chen Xuan would certainly not appear to be this calm. Little Uncle Master is correct, the master indeed is fine, but the situation in Yuzhou has become more complicated, Chen Xuan sighed lightly, Three days after the master left, the sight of True Yang divine light colliding with Buddhas Golden Lotus appeared over Yuzhou, and then the entire Yuzhou was shrouded in extremely thick fog. You call this fine? Zhou Heng was stunned upon hearing this. Little Uncle Master, that fog is likely the effect of the unique divine weapon Dao Engulfing Yuan Sect Diagram. Since the divine weapons power is still present, naturally the master is fine, Chen Xuan asserted earnestly. Is it possible to go in and investigate? Zhou Heng furrowed his brows. This Chen Xuan hesitated but still spoke the truth, I tried to go, but was directly repelled by the fog. Elder Chen Fengming of Zixu Peak and Uncle Qi Rui of Jade Qiong Peak also tried, but none could enter. And you can still consider this fine?? Zhou Heng was astonished, but he quickly realized, speaking solemnly, Youre worried that I would be concerned about Senior Brother. Ah, this Little Uncle Master, the situation in Yuzhou is unclear, and given the masters strength, he should Chen Xuan hurriedly tried to explain, but then he himself gave up, Ah, the master must be fine, Little Uncle Master, this is also what Elder Chen and Uncle Qi think. Alright, I understand, Zhou Heng spread his hands, then asked further, Whats the deal with this Dao Engulfing Yuan Sect Diagram? Is the repelling fog its effect? Yes, Chen Xuan nodded, That diagram is a gift from the head of the Zhixu Sect to our ancestor, Master Pure Yang, during ancient times. It is said to have infinite wonders, with the Dao Engulfing Fog being one of them. Once the Dao Engulfing Fog is released, it can isolate the inside from the outside of the fog, and except for those permitted by the owner of the divine weapon and those who master special secret techniques, no one can enter or leave. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A gift from the head of the Zhixu Sect? Zhou Heng was taken aback, his gaze flickered slightly, and he nodded, I understand. Then, he finished his tea, ready to leave. Where are you going, Little Uncle Master? Chen Xuan asked urgently. Im going to take a walk down the mountain, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Immediately after, he leapt down from Jade Void Peak, and once outside the mountain gate, he flew into the sky on his sword, heading in the direction of the Zhixu Sect. Chapter 329 - Chapter 329: Chapter 49: The Hardships and Difficulties Led to the Virtual Faction Chapter 329: Chapter 49: The Hardships and Difficulties Led to the Virtual Faction ` How is Yuzhou faring, and how is Yan Shouyi doing recently? These are Zhou Hengs concerns and worries. If he were to merely wait outside for news, his mind would feel guilty, his thoughts unclear. Although his current level of cultivation is not high, he has special skill cards and special privileges obtained from opening the Fortune Bag, as well as the projected card of the magic weapon Heaven Rotating Seal. Even if he were to encounter an enemy that even Yan Shouyi would find difficult to deal with, these could still prove useful, solving some problems. As for how to break through the Daoying Mist to enter Yuzhou, he had already figured it out. First, he would go to the Pure Yang Palace to find Chen Yingyu. He would hand over the Pure Yang Palace legacy obtained from the Pure Yang Statue, and then obtain the secret technique to enter the Daoying Mist. However, during the last Zhou Tian Boundary Officer meeting, Chen Yingyu seemed somewhat distracted, which made Zhou Heng worry about the strength of her determination, whether she could lead the Pure Yang Palace to grow stronger. Originally, Zhou Heng had thought about looking for a chance to observe Chen Yingyus situation more carefully, but now the situation was urgent, and he could not afford to care too much. Indeed, he owed the Pure Yang Palace a favor and had the responsibility to find a suitable successor for them, but he owed Yan Shouyi even more. The pressing matter at hand was to obtain the method to enter the Daoying Mist as soon as possible. Within Yue Ling County of Tongzhou. Qingwei Mountain. This is where the Pure Yang Palaces mountain gate is located. Actually, this place was not originally called by the poetic name Qingwei Mountain; it was merely known as Three Peaks Mountain, not even a hundred zhang tall, hardly considered a mountain peak at all. Three years ago, after suffering a severe blow, the Pure Yang Palace relocated its mountain gate here and renamed it Qingwei Mountain. Their original mountain gate was located there, towering over three thousand zhang and stretching for thousands of miles, majestic and magnificent, but now it no longer existed, having been leveled during the attack by the Nine Deaths Sect. Now, they could only take solace on Qingwei Mountain, which was no more than a hundred zhang high. Yet even after relocating their mountain gate to such a place, the Pure Yang Palaces days were still hard. Around Qingwei Mountain there were numerous other mountains, such as Sifang Mountain, Yuanwang Mountain, and Dayang Mountain, with various sects and villages scattered throughout. Among them, there were powers led by martial artists of the Secret Six Rank. Two villages and four sects were the strongest among these six mountains, with Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect as the leaders. These two powers each had an innate expert of the Secret Six Rank, making them the true top-tier combatants in this small world of the six mountains, with the other forces not even close in strength. The Pure Yang Palace ranked last among the four sects and was also facing challenges due to Chen Yingyu, the sect leader at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, having arrived here just two years ago and not yet established a firm footing. Especially since God Axe Village, the strongest on Three Peaks Mountain, was eagerly eyeing the position of mountain lord, hoping to dislodge the Pure Yang Palace and claim the coveted position for themselves. ` And indeed, due to the deputy chief of God Axe Village obtaining some fortuitous opportunity, he had reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank; combined with the strength of the already Peak Seventh Rank village chief, their power had now surpassed that of Qingwei Sect. This added a few more notes of panic to the already unsettled hearts within the Qingwei Sect, and recently there had even been incidents of newly admitted disciples fleeing outright. Chen Yingyu was extremely worried about this, and she had even reduced the number of missions she carried out for the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, for as the sect leader, it was her responsibility to maintain the stable development of the sect. In front of the Guarded Stillness Hall at the peak of Qingwei Mountain, there was a jade platform where Chen Yingyu often sat to ponder matters. Today, she was sitting here as usual. On the jade platform, the 22-year-old sect leader of Qingwei Sect helplessly gazed at the sky, quietly watching the drifting white clouds, and after a long while, she gently closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. Often, she would involuntarily recall the times when her father was still alive, the life at the original Qingwei Mountain, and the days when Qingwei Sect was considered a top-ranking sect under the heavens. Back then, she was the favored daughter of the sect leader, carefree and without concerns. In terms of the Martial Path, she received excellent tutelage and practiced Martial Arts many Loose Cultivators could only dream of. At 19, she had reached the Peak of the Seventh Rank, expected to compete among the best on the rankings. But all of that changed three years ago. The nefarious Nine Deaths Sect launched a sudden attack; the sect leader, the elders, and all Middle Third Rank powerhouses perished in battle, the sects library was nearly plundered, and the entire Qingwei Mountain was razed to the ground. It was only due to the desperate protection of her dying father and the sacrifice of some servants and True Disciples that she barely escaped, and when she finally gathered disciples, only twenty or thirty remained. She, at the Peak of the Seventh Rank, had become the strongest among them. To avoid the Nine Deaths Sects attacks, she even had to live incognito with those twenty or thirty people for a while. If it were not for the Pure Yang Palace intervening later because of the past friendship with the sect, suppressing and warning the Nine Deaths Sect, and finding Mt. San, a temporarily suitable place for development, the sect might not have had a chance to re-establish itself. Yet, even though the sect was re-established, it was no more than an empty shell; to truly revitalize it and to seek vengeance against the Nine Deaths Sect, there was still a long and arduous journey ahead. Thankfully, I got the chance to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, which allowed me to make a wish at the Wishing Pool, gain various resources, and seek guidance in martial arts. With this, the hope of reviving our sect has greatly increased, Chen Yingyu felt grateful in her heart, full of appreciation for the person who had persuaded her to join the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, the one who substantially changed her fate and the destiny of her sect. It was already extremely difficult for Qingwei Sect to rebuild, God Axe Village, I will not let you succeed! Chen Yingyus gaze was resolute as she said in a deep voice, I must lead our sect to revival and take revenge against the Nine Deaths Sect! Her eyes seemed to burn with an intense flame, her whole being like a great blaze, radiating a fierce fighting spirit, already resolved to grapple with God Axe Village to the bitter end. Though this Qingwei Mountain is currently small and not very extensive, it is of utmost importance to the sect at the moment. Whether forging weapons or cultivating medicinal herbs, space is needed; even recruiting disciples for training requires a space. Without a place, theyd be like rootless duckweed adrift. This place contains the ores they need and the apprentices that are suitable for cultivating medicinal herbs; there are also many villages at the foot of the mountain, suitable for recruiting disciples. Naturally, they must firmly keep it in their grasp and not let it be snatched away by others. However, God Axe Villages Peng Kang, the village chief, and Yu Liang, the deputy chief, are both at the Peak of the Seventh Rank; and thats just the strength they show openly C theyre not easy to deal with, Chen Yingyu frowned slightly, worried while also feeling somewhat puzzled. This deputy chief of God Axe Village, Yu Liang, was only at the Eighth Rank half a year ago, not even at the Peak of that rank. How could he have advanced to the Peak of the Seventh Rank in such a short period? Absolutely unfathomable. Sigh, its incomprehensible, but I must face the enemies I have to face, so lets think about how to handle their attack, Chen Yingyu set aside her distracting thoughts and concentrated on thinking. At that moment, she suddenly saw a figure appear in the clouds above, and then she saw the figure descending from the sky, flying towards her. Whos there?! Chen Yingyu was at first surprised and wary, but upon clearly seeing the gaze of the figure, she instantly deflated like air leaving a balloon, filled with surprise and joy, Star Zhou, Daoist Zhou?! She had initially meant to address him as the Star Master, but realizing that they were not in the Zhou Tian Boundary Office and that both were in their ordinary statuses, she hastily corrected herself. Sect Leader Chen, may you be safe and well, Zhou Heng descended, clasped his hands with a smile and said, Ive come uninvited, and I hope youll forgive me. Its more than welcome, more than welcome, Chen Yingyu hurriedly shook her head and quickly led Zhou Heng toward the jade platform, invited him to sit down, and smiled, Does Daoist Zhou have any matters to discuss? Yes, indeed there are some matters to discuss with Sect Leader Chen, its like this Zhou Heng nodded directly without beating around the bush, about to cut to the chase with Chen Yingyu. But just as he was about to explain the situation, suddenly, a young disciple rushed over in a hurry, interrupting his speech. Whats the matter? Chen Yingyu frowned and asked. Sect Leader, its bad, really bad! The disciple was panting anxiously, Martial artists from God Axe Village are challenging us at the mountain gate, saying they want to block us as Zhou Heng once did to the Chang Xing Sect, stating they will injure anyone who goes out. What?! Upon hearing this, Chen Yingyu became livid, her body slightly trembling with anger, Fine, then. I will go out and meet them from God Axe Village. Order all disciples to follow me out of the mountain gate! Yes! The disciples spirits instantly lifted, and after clasping his hands in a salute, he hurried off to pass on the orders. Im sorry for letting Daoist Zhou see this farce, Chen Yingyu said with a wry smile. Whats going on? Zhou Heng looked outside and inquired. Its just a trivial matter of the sect; I can handle it, Chen Yingyu replied with a smile, Please wait here for a moment, Daoist Zhou; I will be back shortly. Why not go together? Zhou Heng suggested. How could I trouble Daoist Zhou with this, Chen Yingyu gently shook her head in refusal. Has Sect Leader Chen forgotten? Pure Yang Palace has always had good relations with the Zhi Xu Sect, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Now that the Zhi Xu Sect is in trouble and I happen to be present, how could I just stand by and watch? This Chen Yingyu, touched, nodded, Thank you, Daoist Zhou, then. Please come with me. Her feelings were complex. Indeed, the Zhi Xu Sect had always had good relations with Pure Yang Palace, but that was back when the two sects were equally matched in strength. Now, the Zhi Xu Sect was in dire straits, lacking even a Secret Six Rank, and yet Zhou Heng, as the Junior Uncle of the Pure Yang Palace, still remembered this bond, which was rare indeed. Of course, this might also be because Zhou Heng considered them colleagues from the Zhou Tian Boundary Office, but regardless, she etched this favor deeply into her heart. On the way to the mountain gate, Zhou Heng also asked for details about the grudge between the Zhi Xu Sect and God Axe Village. Originally, Chen Yingyu and the other disciples of the Zhi Xu Sect who had escaped death wanted to find a quiet place to develop and gradually rebuild their sect. However, the powerful figure from Pure Yang Palace who had helped them survive the calamity asked them to move to the Three-Headed Mountain. He left without leaving a name and didnt use the authority of the Pure Yang Palace to deter the original factions and stockades in the area, which meant the Zhi Xu Sect had to rely on their own strength to gradually establish a foothold. Although Three-Headed Mountain was originally unclaimed, God Axe Village could be considered the most powerful faction in the mountain, with only Sky Gate being somewhat comparable. The position of the mountain lord had always been contested only between God Axe Village and Sky Gate. However, with the arrival of the Zhi Xu Sect, and with Chen Yingyus strength far surpassing that of an average Peak of the Seventh Rank, she single-handedly defeated both factions and took the position of the mountain lord, truly establishing a foothold there. Seeing the formidable strength of Chen Yingyu, Sky Gate chose not to contend and directly led their followers away from Triple-Headed Mountain. However, God Axe Village was unwilling to let things lie and has been opposing the Zhi Xu Sect for the past two years. Recently, the second-in-command of God Axe Village inexplicably broke through to the Peak of the Seventh Rank, which greatly inflated their confidence. They intended to directly oust the Zhi Xu Sect. Thus began this period of frequent skirmishes between the two factions. Through this understanding, Zhou Heng had almost grasped what that fellow Pure Yang Palace disciple meant when he aided the Zhi Xu Sect out of their predicament. Born in distress, die in comfort. It amounted to nothing more than this. The intention was to see the Zhi Xu Sect rise through hardship; that was the true revival. Zhou Heng and Chen Yingyu moved swiftly, and before long, they arrived at the mountain gate of the Zhi Xu Sect. Chen Yingyu walked ahead, with Zhou Heng slightly behind, also concealing his aura. He did this deliberately; in front of the disciples of the Zhi Xu Sect, it was essential to show the standing of Chen Yingyu, the leader of the sect. At this moment, the mountain entrance of the Zhi Xu Sect was tense, as if on the verge of conflict. More than twenty Zhi Xu Sect disciples, young and old, stood with swords and sabers ready, facing off against fifty or sixty burly men armed with axes on the opposite side. In terms of individual strength, the disciples of the Zhi Xu Sect were far superior to those of God Axe Village, but God Axe Village had a larger force, outnumbering the Zhi Xu Sect by more than three times. As the saying goes, one pair of hands struggles against many, and in the Lower Third Rank stage, the advantage of numbers is significant. Sect Master! Youve arrived, Sect Master! Sect Master, these bandits from God Axe Village are unreasonable! They actually want us to surrender our mountain gate! Seeing the arrival of Chen Yingyu, the Zhi Xu Sect disciples all shouted out in righteous indignation, highly discontented with the people from God Axe Village. Calm down, Chen Yingyu said, remaining composed in front of her disciples. She gently pressed down with her hand to signal everyone to quiet down, then turned her gaze towards the God Axe Village side, focusing on two middle-aged men at the forefront and smiled, Peng Kang, Yu Liang, to think that the two leaders have come personally, my apologies for not having greeted you from afar. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng stood just behind her, quietly observing. Unless necessary, he did not intend to take action. Dont come at us with your fancy words, girl. We dont buy that stuff! Peng Kang sneered. He was a towering man standing eight feet tall. Although he was over sixty years old, his cultivation in the martial path was deep, and he was adept at fortifying his bodyappearing to be in his forties. Exactly, cut the chatter. Were here to take over your place, haha! Yu Liang started laughing. He was lean, resembling a monkey, and seemed to be in his forties as well. As he spoke, his eyes roamed brazenly over Chen Yingyu, licking his lips with a covetous look, Sect Master Chen, actually, it wouldnt be difficult for you to preserve your Zhi Xu Sect. You just have to agree to be my brothers fortress wife, and all will be well! Chapter 330 - Chapter 330: Chapter 50: Always Be Grateful and Never Forget. Chapter 330: Chapter 50: Always Be Grateful and Never Forget. What did you say?! Chen Yingyus face was as cold as frost, her gaze icy as she stared at Yu Liang and said in a deep voice, Village Chief Yu, if you no longer wish to keep the head on your neck, I can help you remove it. At that moment, there wasnt a hint of the gentleness she had when speaking to Zhou Heng. Whether it was her words or expression, both were sharp as blades, every word brimming with intent to kill, resembling a female general ready to slay her enemies. Zhou Heng stood by, nodding slightly, feeling that he might have misunderstood Chen Yingyu before. Such a valiant and spirited female Sect Leader should indeed be able to develop the sect. Upon hearing her words, Yu Liang shrank a little, fear flashing in his eyes, instinctively trying to back away, but he was blocked by his elder brother Peng Kang. What are you afraid of? Huh, a little wench can scare you? Peng Kang clapped Yu Liang on the shoulder, stepped forward, and fixed his eyes on Chen Yingyu, Little wench, listen well. Although you defeated me before, times have changed. My strength has increased a lot. If you agree to marry me and become the Lady of our village now, I can still take in these few dozen people of yours. Otherwise huh! As he spoke, he unsheathed the blade in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and said to Chen Yingyu, I, Peng Kang, am a man who cherishes beauty. If I really have to take action and harm your delicate skin, it would genuinely pain my heart. Clang! However, at that moment, a sword cry rang out; Chen Yingyu drew her sword and attacked, her blades edge aimed straight for Peng Kangs brow. Her body moved extremely fast, and her swordsmanship was exquisite. Almost in the blink of an eye, she closed in on Peng Kang, and her sword was about to pierce his brow. But just then, with a light swing of his blade, Peng Kang clashed with Chen Yingyus sword edge, and both forces collided fiercely. However, since neither sword nor blade held an advantage over the other, they both retreated immediately after the clash, not engaging in a prolonged battle. Despite this, Peng Kang was utterly enraged. His face twisted with a ferocious expression; his eyes pinned on Chen Yingyu, seething with killing intent, he said, Wench, you will regret what you just did. Since you dont wish to be the Lady, then become a plaything! Brothers, break through this place, and take the women at will! His words instantly roused the crowd from God Axe Village; their gazes roamed unchecked over Chen Yingyu and the two or three young female disciples behind her. Youre courting death! Chen Yingyus eyebrows inverted in rage. The disciples of her sect standing behind her were also shocked and furious, clutching their swords and knives tightly, ready to clash with God Axe Village at any moment. After hearing Peng Kangs words, Yu Liangs courage grew again, feeling emboldened. Hiding behind Peng Kang, he scoffed at Chen Yingyu, Sect Leader Chen, you really dont know whats good for you. Our God Axe Village is now entirely stronger than yours. My big brother wants you as his Ladya great honor youre too foolish to appreciate! As he was speaking, he suddenly noticed Zhou Heng standing behind Chen Yingyu. Seeing the handsome young man, Yu Liangs heart filled with jealousy, and he mocked, Heh, so this is why Sect Leader Chen has refused all alongkeeping a pretty boy as a pet! I thought Sect Leader Chen was pure as ice and clean as jade, but it turns out youre nothing but trash. Brothers, when we start fighting, kill that pretty boy first, then grab Sect Leader Chen! Hahaha Boom! Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck, deafeningly loud, cutting off Yu Liangs words and bewildering everyone present. It was a bolt of golden lightning that descended from the sky, striking Yu Liang directly. Just moments ago, Yu Liang, who was spouting scornful words, had been reduced to ash by the strike of a golden thunderbolt, no longer existing, both body and spirit obliterated. After the thunder, silence enveloped the surroundings. Everyone present was dumbstruck, disbelievingly staring at the spot where Yu Liang had once stood, mouths agape and faces filled with shock. What had just happened?! What was this situation? Yu Liang was a martial artist at the peak of the Seventh Rank, one of the strongest amongst those before the Middle Third Rank, how could he suddenly be turned into ash by a thunderbolt? Daoist? Chen Yingyu turned her head towards Zhou Heng and saw that he no longer concealed his aura as he stepped forward to approach. Pretty boy? Zhou Hengs gaze swept over the people of God Axe Village as he said indifferently, God Axe Village certainly has quite the presence. Just this one sentence caused the dozens of men from God Axe Village to turn pale, instinctively stepping backward. You, you Peng Kang was extremely horrified, his eyes wide open as he pointed at Zhou Heng, and with a trembling voice said, Just now, did you use Taoist formulas?! In this era, Taoist formulas are extremely rare; even within the top martial Dao sects, the transmission of Taoist formulas is limited, and for the common martial artists in the Jianghu, Taoist formulas are almost mythical. You have sharp eyes indeed, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and replied solemnly, Whos behind you attacking the Cavern Sky Sect? You, dont talk nonsense! Peng Kang immediately shook his head, vehemently denying it, We only attacked the Cavern Sky Sect because they occupied the Three-Head Mountain and shamelessly changed its name. It was just that we felt it was unjust! Is that so? Zhou Heng sneered, he raised his right hand and extended a finger, on which a strand of dark green True Qi swirled around, Then what is this strand of True Qi, and how come it was found in Yu Liangs meridians, sustaining his Inner Qi and inner landscape? How, how is this possible, how could you extract True Qi?! Seeing this, Peng Kang was shocked and then exclaimed in horror, Could it be, could you be an expert of the Secret Six Rank?! Were they truly acting under someones command? Chen Yingyus eyebrows rose slightly as she spoke, I had my suspicions before as well, but there was no evidence. Was Yu Liangs sudden breakthrough due to the influence of this strand of True Qi? That seems to be the case, Zhou Heng nodded and said, This strand of True Qi is very lively and elusive, and its close to nature, like a monkey. Does Sect Master Chen remember anyone like this? A monkey? Divine Monkey Village?! Chen Yingyu responded with some surprise, saying, Among the Six Mountains only Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect have experts of the Secret Six Rank, but Divine Monkey Village has always been content and had no intention of expanding their territory. They might not want to expand, but could their village chief ignore the many secret techniques inherited by the Cavern Sky Sect? Zhou Heng shook his head slightly and continued, After all, the Cavern Sky Sect was once a Great Sect, how could no one covet what they have? Its just that, due to their relationship with Pure Yang Palace, no one dares to openly take action. Indeed, when Pure Yang Palace had guided and escorted Chen Yingyu and others to Three-Head Mountain, they did not reveal their association with Pure Yang Palace nor did they use it to deter local forces. However, as forces with experts of the Secret Six Rank, both Divine Monkey Village and Canglang Sect should be aware of this relationship. This was probably why they had not taken action over the past two years, and after observing for these two years and seeing that Pure Yang Palace had not continued to intervene in Cavern Sky Sects affairs, they finally dared to take action in the shadows. Mm, that is indeed the logic, Chen Yingyu nodded and said with a wry smile, Surrounded by a pack of wolves and yet I was unaware, this was my oversight, thank you Daoist for the reminder. For Sect Master Chen to achieve this much is already commendable, Zhou Heng smiled and then turned to look at Peng Kang, saying, Take your men back and tell the chief of Divine Monkey Village that after some time, Sect Master Chen will personally go there to seek justice; tell him to be prepared. You, youre not going to kill me? Peng Kang, hearing this as if granted amnesty, trembled as he spoke, I dont have to die, I dont have to die, go, go, lets go quickly, brothers! As he spoke, he turned tail and ran. ` The rest of the God Axe Village people also took to their heels, not caring where they ran. Some collided with rocks, some with trees, fleeing in a most wretched state. Has the Taoist priest really let him go like that? Chen Yingyu asked in surprise. She had seen Zhou Heng kill ghosts with his own hands, and just now, she had watched him summon thunder to strike down Yu Liang, so decisively lethal. How could he let Peng Kang, one of the masterminds, escape? Could it be that he had some other plan in mind? He wont live. Zhou Heng smiled and said, Sect Leader Chen, I have something to discuss with you. May we find a quiet place? No problem. Chen Yingyu nodded and said, Please follow me, Taoist Priest. Guardian Silence Hall. This place was considered the library of the Zhi Xu Sect, housing the not-so-many martial arts manuals and texts that remained after the calamity that had befallen the sect. Typically, only the core disciples and the sect leader were allowed access here. Named after Ancestor Guardian Silence, it also embodied Chen Yingyus hope for the revival of the Zhi Xu Sect. There was nobody around. Chen Yingyu and Zhou Heng stopped under a pine tree outside the Guardian Silence Hall. Taoist priest, please speak your mind, Chen Yingyu said with a smile. Sect Leader Chen, you must know about the incident where I was trapped in Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhens Cave Sky during the Yan Yang Liquor Gathering, Zhou Heng said. Yes, Im aware, Chen Yingyu nodded and said with a wry smile, Originally, when I heard of Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhens incident, I thought our sect might have a chance at revival. But since his escape, the grand ancestor has never visited here, and at the last gathering, I heard that the grand ancestor had been sacrificed by the Heavenly Palace of Yun Xiao, which is truly lamentable. It seems that our rise and revival still rely on ourselves. But the martial arts and texts of the Zhi Xu Sect were mostly lost in that great calamity. Revival cannot be easy, Id imagine, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Indeed, its not easy, Chen Yingyu shook her head, her expression somewhat bitter, I wont even mention the rest; the mere loss of Secret Sixth Rank martial arts troubles me greatly. Although we still possess some Sect Fifth Rank and even Absolute Fourth Rank martial arts techniques, the Secret Sixth Rank inheritance is completely gone, not a trace left. Currently, the entire Zhi Xu Sect counts me as a Peak Seventh Rank, along with three ordinary Seventh Rankers. I am on the verge of a breakthrough, and in not too long, the other three should reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank. But neither I nor they can see the path ahead, only feeling lost in darkness, uncertain how to use our current internal foundation to interface with the outer world, let alone how to build the bridge between heaven and earth, the Innate external landscape vast and elusive. Such a situation is indeed very challenging, Zhou Heng nodded and said, That must be quite burdensome for you, Sect Leader Chen. Do you remember what I said to Peng Kang earlier? To Peng Kang? Chen Yingyu paused, reflecting, Are you talking about my having to personally inquire about todays matter with the Divine Monkey Village? Exactly, confirmed Zhou Heng. Taoist Priest, I must be frank with you, I dont have that confidence, Chen Yingyu sighed, The Divine Monkey Village has Secret Sixth Rank experts, and with just my Peak Seventh Rank cultivation, I simply cant do much. What if you could reach Secret Sixth Rank? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. If I could really attain Secret Sixth Rank, with the foundation of my Zhi Xu Sect, I could take on two or three Secret Sixth Rank practitioners from a small sect like the Divine Monkey Village, A glint of hope flashed in Chen Yingyus eyes, but it quickly faded, Yet now we dont even have the martial arts of the Secret Sixth Rank, all lost. I want to use my merit to wish for their completion, but I still havent accumulated enough. I have them, Zhou Heng stated plainly, And they are even more complete than your original inheritance. The Zhi Xu Sect, before it was destroyed by the Nine Deaths Sect, also had an incomplete inheritance. Because at the end of the Middle Ancient period, the Zhi Xu Sects gates and the sect leader, Grand Ancestor Yuan Zhen, were captured. Fortunately, at that time, a few grandmasters and great grandmasters were not within the sect, and after gathering the remaining disciples, they rebuilt the Zhi Xu Sect. Although the Zhi Xu Sect avoided a catastrophe, its inheritance had already been incomplete from that time, with no Upper Third Rank martial arts left, very few Middle Third Rank techniques, and only the Lower Third Rank legacy being more complete. The inheritance of the Zhi Xu Sect that Zhou Heng obtained within the statue of the late Immortal Qing Yu included the complete transmission of various divine skills, texts, and Taoist formulas. What?! Chen Yingyu was somewhat dazed upon hearing this and looked incredulously at Zhou Heng, her voice trembling, Taoist Priest, what did you just say? You have our complete inheritance?! Correct. From Ninth Grade to Divine First Rank, including many texts recording the history of the Zhi Xu Sect, I have them all, Zhou Heng said gravely. Thump! Chen Yingyu knelt before Zhou Heng, grasping his hand, her voice shaking, Taoist Priest, Zhou Taoist Priest, I beg you, please teach us some of the martial arts and texts, just a tiny portion, even if only of the Secret Sixth Rank is also enough. We, our entire Zhi Xu Sect, would be eternally grateful and never forget your kindness. Please get up, Sect Leader Chen, Zhou Heng helped Chen Yingyu to her feet and smiled, Theres no need for such formalities, Sect Leader Chen. Ive come precisely for this matterthe items of the Zhi Xu Sect should naturally be returned to the Zhi Xu Sect, and not just a portion, but all of it. All of it?! Chen Yingyus eyes widened in shock. After leaving the Zhi Xu Sect gates, Peng Kang did not return to his own God Axe Village but went straight to the Divine Monkey Village with two of his men. He was fuming and intended to inform the leader of the Divine Monkey Village about the days events, so he could teach that wretched girl Chen Yingyu a lesson. The central Brotherhood Hall of the Divine Monkey Village. The leader, Jia Shen, personally received Peng Kang, smiling and asking, Whats wrong, brother? You seem to be in a bad mood; did you face trouble somewhere else? Ah, Brother Jia, you have no idea, that Peng Kang recounted the earlier events, embellishing the tale and emphasizing Zhou Heng and Chen Yingyus disdain for the Divine Monkey Village. Not knowing Zhou Hengs identity, he referred to him disdainfully as the little pretty boy and Chen Yingyus gallant. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Finally, he ended vehemently, Big Brother Jia, my brother Yu Liang was struck dead by that pretty boy right in front of me. You must avenge me! Kill them, kill But before he could finish, his voice abruptly cut off, as if a force within Peng Kang suddenly erupted. Bang! Peng Kang instantly exploded into a mist of blood, splattering blood all over the face of Jia Shen standing before him. ` Chapter 331 - Chapter 331: Chapter 51: The Heavenly Curtain that Divides the Void Chapter 331: Chapter 51: The Heavenly Curtain that Divides the Void Qingwei Mountain, the gateway to the Zhi Xu Sect. Jia Shen stood here with a gloomy face, as more than a dozen Zhi Xu Sect disciples stood ready in stern formation, looking extremely vigilant. Does your Sect Leader Chen intend to play the turtle, shrinking its head back into its shell? The leader of Divine Monkey Village, a Secret Sixth Rank Loose Cultivator, was seething with intense rage. Peng Kang was his subordinate, meant to be his future general controlling the entire region of the Six Mountains, yet now he had inexplicably exploded. And right in front of him, splattering his face with blood. This was clearly a provocation! Yet, alongside his fury, Jia Shen also felt a tinge of joy, for he finally had a legitimate reason to act against the Zhi Xu Sect. As a Secret Sixth Rank with over a century of life, he coveted the martial texts that might still exist within the Zhi Xu Sect. Previously, he had not dared to act due to the relationship between the Zhi Xu Sect and the Pure Yang Palace, but now even if the Pure Yang Palace intervened, he had an excuse to brush them off. He wouldnt annihilate the Zhi Xu Sect, merely borrow some martial texts, and with a justified cause, it shouldnt invite any criticism. Our Sect Leader is currently dealing with very important matters and asks that Leader Jia please wait for a moment, said a Zhi Xu Sect disciple stepping forward to explain. Dont tell me Sect Leader Chen thinks she can ignore me now that she has a Secret Sixth Rank assistant by her side, Jia Shen said with a dark expression, I would advise her not to Before he could finish speaking, the vital energy of heaven and earth on Qingwei Mountain suddenly began to tremble violently, even the laws of nature seemed to be drawn by some force. The sky changed color, and winds and clouds gathered. In an instant, the area within three miles of Qingwei Mountain became eerily silent, extremely quiet, as if an invisible hand had suppressed everything. Perceiving all this, Jia Shens face changed dramatically, and he looked incredulously towards the direction of the Zhi Xu Sects gate, his eyes wide, filled with shock. How is this possible? Is this Chen Yingyu? She, she has broken through to the Secret Sixth Rank?! How can this be? His face turned from green to white, and he gnashed his teeth in frustration. After hesitating for a long time, Jia Shen saw that the phenomenon of heaven and earth was gradually expanding, and the intertwining with the laws was becoming more intricate; he could only snort coldly and leave with a flick of his sleeve. With Chen Yingyu becoming a Secret Sixth Rank and in control of the many martial arts of the former Zhi Xu Sect, her strength was bound to be greater than that of an ordinary Secret Sixth Rank. Even he, as an experienced Secret Sixth Rank, might not be her match. The plan to deal with the Zhi Xu Sect in the future must be adjusted. Inside the Zhi Xu Sect. The light around Chen Yingyu gradually receded, and her aura slowly settled. She opened her slowly closed eyes, brimming with divine light. Connecting with external phenomena, Innate True Qi, Secret Sixth Rank Achieved! she whispered to herself, her expression one of excitement, almost overcome with tears of joy. As the youngest and weakest Sect Leader in the history of the Zhi Xu Sect, Chen Yingyu bore far too much responsibility on her shoulders, with the heavy burden often leaving her gasping for breath. Especially when her cultivation realm had stagnated and the Secret Sixth Rank seemed out of reach, and the Zhi Xu sect was coveted by various enemies, her mental state had not relaxed for far too long. Now, she had finally reached the Secret Sixth Rank, becoming a first-class powerhouse in the world of martial artists, signifying a fundamental change in the strength and status of the entire Zhi Xu sect. At the very least, they could now firmly establish themselves in the land of the six mountains. And all these changes stemmed from the young man before her, this junior uncle from Pure Yang Palace. Many thanks, Taoist Master, many thanks! Chen Yingyu was overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down her face, as she bowed deeply and expressed her gratitude to Zhou Heng. Theres no need for such formalities, Sect Master Chen. Zhou Heng tried to help Chen Yingyu to her feet. But this time, Chen Yingyu refused, shaking her head and saying, Taoist Master, this is not just me thanking you on my own behalf, but also on behalf of all the disciples of the Zhi Xu sect and our many ancestors. The complete lineage of the Zhi Xu sect had been lost for thousands of years. It was you who brought it back, who gave the Zhi Xu sect hope for revival, and because of this, I had the opportunity to obtain the Secret Sixth Rank martial arts and make a breakthrough. You are a benefactor to the Zhi Xu sect and to me. From now on, the Zhi Xu sect will honor you as our Second Ancestor, and you may peruse any of the martial arts and scriptures that the Zhi Xu sect passes down. Once I have sorted out these martial arts and scriptures, you may browse them at your leisure. You want to honor me as the Second Ancestor? Zhou Heng was startled by her words, but shook his head and said, That wont do, I am not worthy of such honor. Sect Master Chen, please do not mention this again. As for the martial arts, I do not ask for much, just one technique will suffice. However, when it comes to historical records, I would indeed like to take a look once Sect Master Chen has them sorted out. You only want one technique? Chen Yingyu asked in surprise. Yes, just one technique, Zhou Heng nodded and said, I would like the technique related to the Dao Yinyin Zun figure. Other than that, I ask for nothing else. The Dao Yinyin Zun figure, that unique divine weapon, hasnt it already Chen Yingyu opened her mouth slightly in surprise, then she once again bowed deeply, thanking him: Such noble generosity, Taoist Master. Having received the Heart Transmission Seal from Zhou Heng, she knew that he could not freely peruse these secret martial arts manuscripts and historical records, which is why she offered Zhou Heng unrestricted access as a gesture of gratitude. Chen Yingyu was very well aware of just how powerful the complete martial arts and Taoist formulas of the Zhi Xu sect were. Even though she had only briefly glanced at some and not studied them in detail, she could feel that this was definitely one of the most top-tier legacies of the current age. Chen Yingyu thought that Zhou Hengs character was akin to that of a sage for being able to refuse the chance to peruse such a powerful legacy without a second thought, asking only for some techniques that the Zhi Xu sect had no use for. If Sect Master Chen continues to salute like this, Ill feel embarrassed to visit again in the future, Zhou Heng said with a laugh, helping Chen Yingyu to stand up. Actually, for him, the complete lineage of the Zhi Xu sect wasnt particularly tempting. Although he walked a path that encapsulated everything, his energy and time were ultimately limited. Now with the multitude of unique skills that the Fortune Bag had revealed and the strong backing of Pure Yang Palace, the heritage of the Zhi Xu sect wasnt much help to him. Moreover, if he really took the Zhi Xu sects complete lineage, he wouldnt be able to ignore any future troubles that befell the sect and might even have to spend a lot of effort and pay a significant price. There was no need for that. Later, after a brief selection, Chen Yingyu sorted out the techniques related to the Dao Yinyin Zun figure from the Heart Transmission Seal, a total of three chapters, all of which she informed Zhou Heng. With this, Zhou Heng had achieved his goal for the trip and immediately descended from Qingwei Mountain. He flew through the sky on his sword, turning into a purple streak of lightning as he headed towards the closest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Atop Qingwei Mountain, in front of the Guardian Silence Hall. Chen Yingyu watched as the swiftly receding purple sword light disappeared into the sky and once again bowed deeply in thanks. Many thanks! Yuzhou had been shrouded in white fog for over half a month now. Entry and exit were not possible. However, this white fog was not aggressive in nature; even ordinary people who encountered it were unharmed, merely pushed away by an invisible repelling force. As a result, many people, especially near the prefectural cities along the border between Yuzhou and Jiangzhou, gathered, including numerous commoners and martial artists who stood by day after day, waiting for any changes in the white fog. Their relatives, friends, disciples, and teachers, the people they were close to, were all trapped inside, unable to come out or establish contact. This caused them great concern. Among these people, the one with the highest status and cultivation realm was Pei Hongdao, the current Prefectural Governor of Pingzhou County. Even though he was a Great Grandmaster at the peak of the Fourth Rank, he had no solution to the white fog that enveloped an entire states land. Pei Hongdao had tried to forcefully break through and had tried to analyze the nature of the fog, but no matter what, he could not create even the smallest opening in it. In Hefeng Prefecture City, near the border of Yuzhou and Jiangzhou, Pei Hongdao had rented a small courtyard to live in; his son Pei Luoshu was also there. Trapped inside Yuzhou was Pei Hongdaos daughter, Pei Luoshus sister, Pei Luoling. Father, my sister wont be in danger, right? Pei Luoshu looked at the distant white fog that spanned the void like a canopy, his face filled with worry. What in the world is this white fog? Few people knew of the existence of the Unique Divine Weapon called the Heart Transmission Seal, primarily the high-ranking members of the Pure Yang Palace and the followers of the Taoist Sects, and even fewer knew its specific functions. Im afraid its either the might of a treasure or the act of a powerful being, Pei Hongdao sighed lightly and said, I can feel that this white fog has a very high essence; it has surpassed the Absolute Fourth Rank, and is undoubtedly of the Upper Third Rank. It is just unclear whether this white fog is at the level of Celestial Man of the Upper Third Rank, or the Taoist Formulas of the Second Rank. If its the former, it might still be manageable, but if its the latter, then there might be a significant event transpiring within Yuzhou. My sister wont be in trouble, right? Pei Luoshu expressed his worry. For the moment, she should still be safe; I can feel that shes still alive, Pei Hongdao said gravely. In fact, he too had no certainty, and was merely trying to comfort his son. The fogs ability to isolate was extremely strong; not to mention using Divine Sense to investigate the conditions inside Yuzhou, even trying to use the laws of fate to deduce information was futile. All he could do now was faintly rely on their blood connection to confirm that Pei Luoling was not dead, but as for her current specific situation, he could not determine. Ah, lets hope so. Pei Luoshu clearly knew that his father was comforting him, but he did not express it; he too hoped that his sister was completely safe. Mhm, Luoling, although usually whimsical, always has her own ways to deal with emergencies. She wont be in trouble, Pei Hongdao nodded and looked towards the distant white fog, but its unknown what this white fog really is or where it comes from No, if theres still no news today, I will go to the Capital City to petition and request the Celestial Man from the Zhao Family to come over. Father, didnt you say before that, after the fiasco at the Chaoyang Wine Party, the royal prestige of the Zhao Family was almost non-existent, and they themselves were reluctant to manage the country anymore? Pei Luoshu voiced his concern: Its been more than half a month since the Yuzhou incident, and not a single person from the Zhao Family has shown up. Will they really care? Da Qi cant continue in this chaos, sigh Pei Hongdao sighed and said, Your father knows that their control may not be great, but we cant just watch with wide eyes, Luoling is still inside. Yes, Da Qi, Yuzhou, my sister, why has it come to this? Pei Luoshu said dejectedly, Why did it suddenly become like this? The father and son were both somewhat despondent. My lord! My lord! There is news, there is news from the White Mist! Just at this moment, a shout suddenly came from outside the courtyard, from one of Pei Hongdaos men brought from Pingzhou Countys yamen, who were now investigating the situation outside the White Mist every day. With Pei Hongdaos cultivation realm, even within Hefeng Prefecture City, he could clearly sense the changes in the White Mist; sending people over was mainly for exchanging information and scouting the area, which was not suitable for him to do personally. What news? Pei Hongdao and Pei Luoshu immediately stood up upon hearing this and went outside without waiting, meeting the person who came to report. My lord, my lord! The little uncle from Pure Yang Palace has arrived. The man said excitedly, He, he says he wants to open the White Mist and go in to investigate the situation! The little uncle from Pure Yang Palace? Pei Hongdao was taken aback at first, then realized, Are you talking about Zhou Heng? He can open the White Mist? Zhou Heng? Pei Luoshu was also very surprised and said in astonishment, He should have broken through to the Secret Sixth Rank not long ago, right? Does he know what this White Mist is? No matter what the situation is, lets go over and see. Pei Hongdao glanced at the distant White Mist, and his entire being turned into a gust of wind, sweeping up Pei Luoshu and flying towards the direction of the White Mist. At this moment, in a place where the White Mist was dense along the border between Yuzhou and Jiangzhou, Zhou Heng stood less than three feet away from the White Mist, his gaze calmly fixed on what seemed to be an ordinary White Mist. Behind him, there were densely gathered thousands of people, all looking at him with eyes full of anticipation, many with clenched fists and unwavering attention, not even daring to blink. Fearing to miss the scene of Zhou Heng opening the White Mist, a moment that would uplift them. But many were also worried and afraid that this might just be a false hope. After all, the White Mist was too strange and too formidable. Previously, even a Great Grandmaster of the Absolute Fourth Rank like Pei Hongdao had been helpless despite all his skills, and Zhou Heng was only at the Secret Sixth Rank, could he really do it? The scene was silent, utterly quiet. Pei Hongdao arrived here with Pei Luoshu, also holding his breath, not making a sound, and just quietly floating in mid-air, his gaze solemnly fixed on Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng seemed to feel their arrival, turned his head, and waved his hand, smiling and saying, Senior Pei, Brother Luoshu, its been a long time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Pei Luoshu couldnt hold it in and cried out, Zhou Heng, my sister is trapped inside! She is stuck in there! You must open the White Mist, I beg you, Im begging you! His voice broke the silence, setting off all the people present, and the voices of pleading rose one after another, boiling over, and even many knelt on the ground. Everyone, rest assured. Zhou Heng said in a deep voice. At the same time, he formed seals with his left hand, and his right hand shaped like a sword finger, raised high, pointing at the sky-like White Mist. He made a downward slash! Chapter 332 - Chapter 332: Chapter 52: Duel in the Clouds Chapter 332: Chapter 52: Duel in the Clouds Boom! As Zhou Hengs finger swiped down, a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering noise erupted. The white fog, which seemed like the canopy of the sky, suddenly boiled and surged, splitting apart to both sides. It really opened! Heavens! What kind of power is this?! Is this really a Secret Sixth Rank? Many people present widened their eyes, watching the scene in disbelief, exclaiming in shock, and at the same time, they were also overjoyed. Pei Hongdao and Pei Luoshu were also extremely shocked. Pei Hongdao had tried all means to break through this white fog before but to no avail; the fog seemed like an eternal sky that he, with his Absolute Fourth Rank cultivation realm, was powerless against. But now, Zhou Heng had effortlessly split this white fog to open an incredibly huge passage. He was only at Secret Sixth Rank. Could this be a secret technique from the Pure Yang Palace? At this moment, as the boiling white fog surged and parted, a road to Yuzhou had been carved open. Some people, agitated beyond measure, charged in immediately, wanting to find their relatives and friends in Yuzhou. However, no sooner had this person rushed in than he was repelled backward, flying out of the fog. This left him confused and made others, who wanted to enter, puzzled. Although the road had been cleared, the repelling force of the white fog seemed to still be present. Whats happening? Everyones eyes turned toward Zhou Heng. This road was opened by me using a secret technique, and entering it requires the support of a secret technique as well, Zhou Heng explained. He had opened this road using the secret technique to control the Sects map of Dao Ying Abyss, and in reality, only he could enter or exit. After all, if it could be freely accessed, it might ruin Yan Shouyis plan. He had decided to do it this way before casting the spell to minimize the impact on the white fog as much as possible. However, such an explanation could not satisfy everyone. Let us in! Are you planning to go in alone?! Why not just teach us the secret technique? My parents are inside, let me in! Show your kindness to the end! Voices like these were rising one after another, and some people had started to verbally assault Zhou Heng. Hmph! Zhou Heng gave a cold snort and said, Do you all think I am someone to be trifled with? He then executed the Sky-Earth Striking Method, plunging these people into their most painful memories. One by one, they collapsed to the ground, weeping. The crowd suddenly fell silent, and the rest, seeing what happened, were filled with trepidation and dared not speak anymore. There were too many people gathered here; if the discontent were not promptly quelled, it could easily lead to a riot. It was necessary to make a quick decision and act at the start to suppress the situation. What the young friend did was right, Pei Hongdao emerged from the crowd to support Zhou Heng, saying, My daughter Pei Luoling, you should know her, is trapped in Yuzhou. Please take the trouble to find her. Yes, Zhou Heng, Luoling is someone you know. Please help us find her, Pei Luoshu pleaded anxiously. Seniors, Brother Luo, rest assured, I will be on the lookout, Zhou Heng nodded, then addressed the rest, Everyone, there really is no need to worry. I will do my best to solve the situation inside Yuzhou. Usually, high-level conflicts do not harm ordinary people, which you should also understand. Once the white fog enveloping Yuzhou dissipates, you will naturally be able to look for your relatives and friends. I can assure you, the white fog will not last much longer. Please wait here for me, I will be back shortly. By now, the people there had calmed down from their initial overexcited, almost irrational state, and upon hearing Zhou Hengs words, they began nodding their heads. The Taoist is merciful, we beg you to quickly dispel the white fog! Many thanks for the Taoists great kindness, my elderly mother is still in Yuzhou! It was my fault for being too impulsive just now, please forgive me, Taoist, please forgive me! This time, the voices were mostly filled with gratitude, and emotions had notably stabilized. Moreover, with Pei Hongdao watching over, there shouldnt be any more riots. Thus, Zhou Heng bid farewell to the crowd and stepped into the white fog passage. After his entry, the previously parted white fog rapidly closed, the boiling surge turning serene and reverting to its prior state as if it were the eternal sky. Within Yuzhou. Above the vast white fog-enshrouded sky, two orbs of light flickered on and offone a golden light, pure and yang, the other a blue light, compassionate and overwhelming, each containing an incredibly strong will. Benevolent Yan, the one who parted the Dao Ying fog to enter is your junior disciple. Interesting, merely at Secret Sixth Rank, yet possessing such courage. It seems he is fated with our Buddha Sect, a voice said. Heh, baldy, dont indulge in verbal victories. That piece of Buddha Country will soon be transformed into a Daoist Heavenly Realm, and your schemes will vanish like bubbles. You still have time to concern yourself with my junior disciple? another voice retorted. No, the monk is merely curious. Which great being could your junior disciple be the reincarnation of? He has so many astonishing tactics. Or is he actually a returning ancient immortal god? Old monk, you better hope that my junior disciple hasnt prepared any astonishing tactics for you. To protect this piece of Buddha Country, you even incarnated to descend here. Arent you afraid of weakening your power, allowing the Evil Spirit to break through the realm you guard and descend? Amitabha, you jest, venerable sir. The monk has returned to open the Pure Land to resist the Evil God. On the contrary, why do you obstruct it? If I dont obstruct, should I just watch idly as billions of people in Yuzhou are forcibly converted? Spare me the chatter, lets see what divine skills your Second Rank Buddha Sect can display. Venerable sir, dont persist. Youre one level below me in cultivation; the Unique Divine Weapon has been used on the Pure Land; and on the ground, theres no power to resist my Jia Ye Temple disciples teachings. What victory can you hope for? Heh, my junior disciple is my hope! Baldy, you may be one level above me, but youre still trapped here, unable to move a muscle. Just watch how my junior disciple thwarts your plotting! Amitabha, to place your hopes on a Secret Sixth Rank youngster, venerable sir, it seems like youve gone mad. Zhou Heng was unaware of the verbal confrontation above Yuzhou, but as he stepped into the mist, he saw two suns in the sky, one gold and one blue. He recognized the aura of the golden sun; it should be the light of Tao Lord Yan Shouyis power. The blue one, filled with the aura of the Buddha Sect, was probably a Buddha Sect powerhouse from Jia Ye Temple. And this blue sun seemed even more superior. This startled Zhou Heng greatly. Since Yan Shouyi stood at the peak within the Celestial Man Realm, there should be no Celestial Man stronger than him This Buddha Sect powerhouse was likely of the Second Rank! Junior brother, can you hear me? Just then, Yan Shouyis voice suddenly rang in Zhou Hengs ear, Currently, I am in a stalemate with a bald monk from Jia Ye Temple and need your help. Alright, senior brother, are you okay? Zhou Heng could feel that this voice was transmitted through the light of the golden sun; as long as he could see the golden sun, he could hear it. Im fine, Yan Shouyi laughed, That old bald monk hasnt gotten the better of me. Junior brother, I cant talk much lest that old bald monk notices, so Ill make it brief. There are two things you can do to help me. The first is to teach ordinary people the martial arts of the Taoist path, and the second is to drive away, suppress, or directly kill the monks of Jia Ye Temple to prevent them from continuing to spread their teachings. Okay, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Dont worry, senior brother. Then thank you, junior brother, Yan Shouyi smiled, and then his voice disappeared. It seems that senior brother is under a lot of pressure now, Zhou Heng frowned slightly. It was the first time he recalled Yan Shouyi asking for help, But thats normal, after all, he hasnt yet reached the Second Rank of the Tao. Given what he understood of the situation, theoretically, there should be no comparison between the Third Rank Celestial Man and the Second Rank Tao Lordit was a difference in the essence of life itself. No number of Third Rank Celestial Men could match a Second Rank Tao Lord. Yan Shouyi had somehow withstood the power of the Second Rank Buddha Sect powerhouse, and even if he was now on the losing end, it was still an earth-shattering feat. Of course, it was also possible that this Second Rank Buddha Sect powerhouse was not in a normal state. Teaching martial arts would take too long; the second option is more convenient and quicker. Zhou Heng quickly made up his mind and immediately flew up into the sky on his sword, trying to locate the towns. However, after flying high, he realized that Yuzhou was also enveloped in white mist from within, and flying in the sky only gave him a view of the vast mist, not even the mountains and rivers were distinguishable, making it impossible to find towns by looking down from high above. It seems I have to fly low at the fastest speed to find the towns, Zhou Heng lowered his altitude but increased his swords speed, the sword light zipping across the sky of Yuzhou like purple lightning. Prefectural city of Upper Southern. This place was once a bustling commercial city, considered the trade center in the southwestern part of Yuzhou, with merchants from all over selling their goods every day, extremely prosperous. But since the white mist descended over half a month ago, the entire city was sealed off. No one dared to leave the city, and no outsiders came in. The mist inside the city was relatively sparse; at least people could see each other within twenty steps. Outside the city, however, the mist was extremely thick, and one might struggle to see even their own hand in front of their face. This sudden natural phenomenon caused panic among countless people. At first, there were no lack of Secret Sixth Rank and even Sect Fifth Rank martial arts experts who flew up to investigate, but all to no avail. Some flew to the border of Yuzhou only to find it cut off by a curtain-like white mist. When such news came back, everybody understood that the whole of Yuzhou was sealed off, and this white mist was the barrier between inside and out, immensely powerful, even Great Grandmasters of Absolute Fourth Rank could not break through. Under these circumstances, no one knew what would happen next, nor when the white mist would dissipate, let alone if they would survive to see that day. Thus, fear began to spread among the people, emotions spiraled out of control, and there was rampant indulgence, throwing Upper South Prefecture into chaos. It wasnt until three days ago that a monk claiming to be from the Southern Jins Jia Ye Temple, Shan Hui, arrived in Upper South Prefecture. He possessed a compassionate and miraculous appearance, simply looking at him brought peace of mind to others. Furthermore, after settling down in Upper South Prefecture, Monk Shan Hui preached daily at the center of the city, expounding on Buddhist teachings and principles, and soothing peoples minds at the same time. In just a few days, Shan Hui had gathered nearly a hundred thousand followers. Before his daily sermon, the area below his high platform would be tightly packed with an impenetrable crowd. In the past, the prefectural government would never have allowed such a situation to arise, with Buddhist monks preaching openly and gathering more than a hundred thousand people so easilyit was too prone to accidents. However, now, the prefectural government did not intervene in this matter, regardless of Shan Huis purpose, at least it brought a long-lost peace to the chaotic Upper South Prefecture. Just this alone, to the prefectural government, was a good thing. Still, there were quite a few martial artists in Upper South Prefecture with considerable cultivation or certain backgrounds. They were well-traveled and could see through Shan Huis intentions at a glance. It was clear that he wanted to take the opportunity to preach and let Jia Ye Temple gain entry into Da Qis territory to attract more followers. Pei Luoling was among these martial artists. But even though they saw through him, they did not know what to do. Shan Huis arrival had brought peace to the chaotic Upper South Prefecture, which was indisputable. If they confronted Shan Hui and threw Upper South Prefecture back into chaos, what then? And even if they truly intended to deal with this Shan Hui, they were powerless to do so. Shan Hui was a monk from Jia Ye Temple who had already cultivated true inner strength, reaching the pinnacle of the Secret Sixth Rank, his power was extraordinary. The martial artists from Upper South Prefecture who saw through the truth were at most at the peak of the Seventh Rank. On this day, in the early morning, it was time for Shan Huis sermon again. More people had gone to listen than before, and the number of people gathered in the city center might have already surpassed a hundred and thirty thousand. Many houses had even been leveled to make room for more people to gather here to hear Shan Huis teachings. In a tavern far away from the center of Upper South Prefecture. Pei Luolings brows were tightly knit as she gazed at the dense crowd in the distance and sighed, If this continues, Im afraid the whole Upper South Prefecture will turn into this monks Buddha Country. Three people were by her side, two women and one man, all with grave expressions. One of the women said somberly, Thats right, if this continues, theres bound to be trouble. We dont know where the mist comes from, but at least its harmless. But Shan Huis preaching is different. Ive interacted with those who listened, their minds seem to be influenced, fixated only on Jia Ye Temple, its too insane. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The other woman nodded and said, Indeed, we cant go on like this. This monks intentions are definitely not pure, we must do something. But what can we do? the man shook his head and dejectedly said, That monk is too strong. Clang! Just then, a sword cry suddenly rang out, resonating like a crane calling through the heavens, piercing through all directions, a streak of azure sword light descended from the sky and instantly pierced through the vast mist above. It was aimed directly at the preaching Monk Shan Hui. Chapter 333 - Chapter 333: Chapter 53: Immortal and Indestructible Chapter 333: Chapter 53: Immortal and Indestructible This swords dazzling brilliance was peerless, causing Pei Luoling and others to feel a sting in their eyes, daring not to look directly at it. The elemental energy between heaven and earth boiled under the pull of this sword light, the mist in the sky was split apart, and the radiance of the two suns became extraordinarily bright. At this moment, everyone within the Prefectural City of Upper South had seen this sword light, and they all noticed that it was headed for Monk Shan Hui. Witnessing this scene, different people felt different emotions. There were those who were merely spectators, those who were agitated, those who felt a surge of pride, and there were those who were consumed with anger and anxiety; for a moment, the attention of everyone in the entire Prefectural City of Upper South was riveted on this sword light. However, no one believed that this azure sword light could do anything to Shan Huieven the well-informed Pei Luoling thought so. After all, Shan Huis strength had been proven when he first arrived in the Prefectural City of Upper South. He was a genuine True Gang Realm powerhouse. Unless a Grandmaster made a move, no one could be his opponent. And the sign of a Grandmasters action was very obvious. While gathering the elemental energy of heaven and earth, there would also be a significant alteration of the laws, and even the manifestation of a Dharma Phase might occur. The azure sword light that appeared now seemed to be nothing but condensed True Qi, its level of refinement still not quite on par with the True Gang, and it was feared that the person who made the move was merely a Sixth Rank Martial Artist in the True Energy Realm, a whole level lower than Shan Hui. Under such circumstances, how could there be any chance of victory? It was precisely because they sensed that the essence of this azure sword light was only True Qi that gathered the elemental energy of heaven and earth, that Monk Shan Hui on the preaching stage was calm and composed throughout. He did not even lift his eyes, looking gently at the believers below him with hands pressed together, and said, Amitabha, our Buddha is merciful. Simply reciting the Buddhas name can ward off all methods, please watch, even though this sword light is fierce, I only need to recite Boom! Before Monk Shan Hui could finish speaking, the azure sword light had already slashed down, completely enveloping him and cutting off his words. And after it enveloped him, the sword light swiftly expanded, becoming thicker and longer, and in a mere instant, it had enveloped the entire preaching stage. It seemed that Monk Shan Hui had no ability to resist whatsoever. In reality, Monk Shan Hui did put up a fight. When the azure sword light was about to hit him, his hands pressed together, he secretly channeled True Gang and mobilized the elemental energy of heaven and earth, using a secret Buddhist technique in an attempt to meet this sword light head-on. The technique Monk Shan Hui performed was the secret Sixth Rank Martial Arts of Jia Ye Temple, Buddhas Light Body-Protection Vajra Mantra. This secret technique, at the Sixth Rank level, could definitely be considered a top defense Martial Art. With his True Gang Realm practice, he theoretically could defend against most attacks from warriors below the Sect Fifth Rank. Yet in the face of this azure sword lights might, the protective golden light around Monk Shan Hui lasted only an instant before being breached. The azure sword light overwhelmed him with unstoppable force, performing an act that no ordinary person or martial artist could have even noticed his resistance. Zheng Zheng Zheng! The sound of the swords cry continued, but the azure sword light no longer appeared like a sword light. In the eyes of the onlookers, it looked more like a giant azure grinder, grinding down upon the preaching stage, intent on completely crushing the previously preaching Monk Shan Hui. The scene before them caused nearly two hundred thousand spectators eyes to split in fury, their spirits also suffering a tremendous blow, even beginning to doubt their lives and the reality of this world. After this period of preaching, Monk Shan Hui had already formed an image akin to a savior in the hearts of the listeners. He was the beacon of hope and spiritual comfort for these nearly two hundred thousand people. But now, this savior seemed to have been struck by an unknown sword light, his life hanging in the balance, causing their spiritual reliance to collapse, and with it, their hope for the future. These people, one by one, had ashen faces, staring blankly at the dazzling azure sword light with empty eyes and expressions of dumbfounded shock, looking like walking corpses. And in the distance, at the tavern, Pei Luoling and the others had already begun to cheer. Ah! No! Amidst the azure sword light, roars of incomparable rage echoed, with flickers of golden light struggling feebly. Yet, under the crushing might of this peerless azure radiance, there was no room for any resistance, and the noises quickly silenced. Shan Hui, the monk, was thus slain. The azure sword light gradually faded away, and the disturbed elemental energy between heaven and earth also returned to normal. But the platform where the Dharma had been preached was now flattened; where Shan Hui once sat and expounded the Dharma, there was now no trace of him left, all was turned to ash and dispersed. It wasnt until this moment that the people who were gathered here to listen began to wake from their trance, each one with eyes wide, their faces showing astonishment and terror. With Shan Hui dead, those whose minds had been influenced by his preaching of Buddhas laws all regained their senses. At the same time, they all realized how terrifying their previous state had been, almost ready to abandon their wives and children, neglect the elderly at home, with minds solely focused on the faith in Buddha and the teachings of the Buddhist Law. How could they still be called human? Suddenly, a towering rage ignited in the hearts of the people in the Prefectural city of Shangnan. If Shan Hui hadnt been utterly destroyed by the azure sword light just now, the outraged citizens of Shangnan Prefectural city would have likely surrounded him by now. In the tavern, Pei Luoling and the others burst into jubilant cheers, but they were also very curiouswho could possess such power to slay the formidable monk Shan Hui with a single sword stroke? As the azure sword light vanished, a figure also appeared in the sky. It was a handsome youth wearing a Taoist robe and a jade crown, his body surrounded by purple thunder, floating high in the air, looking down at the Prefectural city of Shangnan below. Zhou Heng, its Zhou Heng! Pei Luoling recognized him and exclaimed with delight, Its actually him, hes become this powerful? I remember he reached the Secret Sixth Rank less than half a year ago. Hisss! The other three all sucked in a breath of cold air. The Secret Sixth Rank, which was achieved less than half a year ago, should still be in the True Qi Realm. Yet, with such cultivation, he managed to slay Shan Hui with a single swordthis was simply inconceivable. At this moment, Zhou Hengs Divine Sense also detected the presence of Pei Luoling. But he didnt have time for joy. Although Shan Hui was dead, he didnt let his guard down; instead, his gaze became even more solemn, focusing on the spot where Shan Hui had been. While carefully sensing the changes in the laws of nature around him, he felt that something was off. There is no doubt that Shan Hui is dead; the Qingyuan Sword Manual I just used cut him down, Zhou Heng furrowed his brows and muttered to himself, But why do I also have a feeling that he hasnt truly died? Just as he puzzled over this, the spot where Shan Hui had been suddenly sprouted azure lotuses, followed by Buddhist chants and music. The supposed annihilated Shan Hui unexpectedly stepped out from the void, unscathed, upon a lotus flower. Amitabha, Shan Hui, with hands in prayer, smilingly said to Zhou Heng in the air, Benefactor, the way you greeted me just now was truly not friendly. His sudden appearance immediately silenced everyone present, all looking towards him in disbelief. Whats going on? ` Hadnt he already been reduced to ashes by that azure sword light just now? How is he resurrected again? Does resurrection truly exist in this world? Inconceivable! Zhou Hengs expression remained unchanged, facing the suddenly resurrected Shan Hui, he said nothing, nor did he respond, and simply pointed his fingers like a sword directly at the monk Shan Hui. Clang! Amid the sound of the sword cry, another sword light fell, just as before, slicing Shan Hui into powder, obliterating both form and spirit. However, when the sword light dissipated, the chanting and lotuses appeared once more. Shan Hui was resurrected again. Benefactor, give up, its futile, said Shan Hui with a smile, I admit, your strength indeed has surpassed that of this poor monk. To have such strength at the True Qi Realm is truly rare, but to kill me, that is impossible. Is that so? Zhou Heng snorted coldly, and attacked once again. But this time, he did not use the Qingyuan Sword Manual and instead appeared in front of Monk Shan Hui, raised his palm, and fiercely smacked it down with the force of turning heaven and earth upside down. The world seemed to tilt! Zhou Hengs palm landed solidly on the top of Monk Shan Huis head, immediately driving it into his chest cavity, and then his whole body was blown to ashes by this savage force. Monk Shan Hui died again, once more before the watching crowd of the prefectural city. But in the next moment, Monk Shan Hui came back to life again. However, just as he was resurrected and before he could speak, a blade light wrapped in the power of thunder struck him head-on, instantly splitting him in two, and reducing him to char. He died again. Immediately afterwards, Monk Shan Hui was resurrected again Resurrected, slain, resurrected, slain Monk Shan Hui seemed to have countless life-saving talismans, as no matter how Zhou Heng killed him, he would come back to life in a baffling manner. It appeared he was indestructible! Such an extreme and eerie occurrence was inconceivable, not just to the common folk but also to martial artists with some knowledge, completely beyond everyones imagination. Utterly inconceivable. Give up, Benefactor Zhou, Shan Hui resurrected once more, brought his hands together and continued to persuade Zhou Heng, You see, this poor monk cannot be killed, possessing an indestructible golden body. How do you do it? Zhou Hengs brow slightly furrowed, this time he did not immediately make a move to kill Shan Hui, deciding to have a talk with the monk and inquire about the situation. It is all due to my devout faith in Buddha, receiving boundless light and protection, my nature pure and vacant, without birth hence indestructible, said Shan Hui with a gentle gaze and a light smile on his lips, Benefactor Zhou, you have a predestined connection with our Buddha Sect. Why not join Jia Ye Temple? In time, you too can enjoy the indestructible protection of Buddhas light like this poor monk. Buddhas light protection, indestructible Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, suddenly raising his head to look at the sky, where two suns were shining upon each other. One had the pure and yang power, entirely golden; this was Yan Shouyis power, and the other was full of the Buddha Sects aura, entirely green, displaying Zen chanting. Tao Lord Second Rank, is this how you wield great divine powers to change the rules? Zhou Heng wondered with amazement in his heart. ` Previously, after killing Shan Hui time and again, Zhou Heng had confirmed that Shan Huis resurrection was neither due to a secret technique nor a life-saving talisman, which are typical of Taoist talismans. Monk Shan Huis resurrection seemed to be influenced by some special rule. It was as if someone had predetermined a rule that stated, As soon as Shan Hui is killed, he will immediately revive on the spot. Monk Shan Huis resurrection followed such a pattern. Indeed, such a rule defied all reason, and even a Celestial Power could not possibly enforce such a rule. However, to a Taoist of the second rank, it may not be impossible. Zhou Heng didnt know much about a Second-Rank Tao Lord, but even with his limited knowledge, he was aware that a Tao Lord, having condensed their Taoist Seed and brought together various rules and principles beneath it, could indeed alter local rules and principles to a certain extent. The one currently facing Yan Shouyi was indeed a Second-Rank power from Jia Ye Temple. With the divine skills of this powerful being, creating rules like Disciples of Jia Ye Temple will revive on the spot would likely be no difficult task. However, being unkillable didnt mean he was unmanageable. Benefactor, your silence suggests you are pondering how to kill me? Monk Shan Hui smiled, Give up, after killing me so many times before, you should already know, I cannot be killed. What does it feel like to be killed? Zhou Heng suddenly asked in return. At the same time, he made another move and killed Monk Shan Hui again. Following that, Monk Shan Hui revived yet again, only to be killed by him once more. After trying over twenty more times, and acquiring several dozen copper fortune bags, Zhou Heng finally noticed a flicker of exhaustion on the face of the newly resurrected Shan Hui. Even though it was fleeting, Zhou Heng caught the change in expression. He was waiting for this moment! The body might be unkillable, the divine soul might reconverge, and even the spirit and memories might restore, thus achieving the effect of resurrection, but as long as Shan Huis self-awareness was continuous, his spirit would eventually feel exhausted. Normally, this level of exhaustion would not cause any concern. Even if Shan Huis spirit were utterly exhausted, leading to a spiritual breakdown and death, under the influence of this special rule of infinite revival, it held no substantive significance. Therefore, Zhou Heng had another purpose. The act of killing Shan Hui continued, and Shan Hui kept on reviving, the endless loop even causing the surrounding civilians to become numb to the sight. After resurrecting yet another time, the weariness on Shan Huis face was quite apparent, and his mental state was extremely poor. Benefactor, your efforts are futile, Shan Hui was already losing patience, said, The sea of suffering is boundless, turning back is the shore. This humble monk advises the benefactor to turn back soon, convert to Buddha Sect, otherwise I fear you might end up in hell in the future. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Whether I go to hell is hardly for you to decide, Zhou Heng said with a smile, At this juncture, master, you should worry about yourself. What can you possibly do to me? Shan Hui sneered, about to say more, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. Suddenly, he felt his thoughts slowing down and he began losing control of his own body, as if another powerful force had intervened, wanting to manipulate his spirit and body. Puppetry Technique! It was one of the gains Zhou Heng brought back after his soul had descended to another world. Chapter 334 - Chapter 334: Chapter 54 Hostility from All Things in Heaven and Earth Chapter 334: Chapter 54 Hostility from All Things in Heaven and Earth Zhou Heng once sent a strand of his divine soul thought to that world, which was based on the divine soul visualization technique. After returning, he not only brought back virtue but also the techniques he learned in that world. Although most of the techniques were incompatible with the rules of Da Qi and therefore unusable, the Ghost Puppet Technique, the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva Visualization Technique, and those he adapted for martial arts could be used. Moreover, since the strand of divine soul thought that descended into that world had become extremely powerful by the time it returned, its fusion with his main body almost instantly brought his divine soul power to the brink of the Sect Fifth Rank. With such divine soul power, even if Shan Hui was a secretive martial artist at the pinnacle of the Secret Six Rank, he could not escape the fate of being refined into a puppet by Zhou Heng. After a moment, the light in Shan Huis eyes completely dimmed, but in the next instant, it returned to normal, and his face showed an expression of sudden repentance as he knelt down in front of Zhou Heng with a thud. Utter silence filled the space, not a sound to be heard. Whats going on? Everyone present was dumbstruck, watching the scene unfold in disbelief. The shock of this scene was greater than when they had seen Shan Hui slain by Zhou Heng and then resurrected. Shan Hui, the monk, had just been locked in a do-or-die struggle with Zhou Heng, so why was he suddenly kneeling? No matter how hard people racked their brains, they couldnt make sense of the situation. But then, something even more shocking happened. After kneeling, Shan Hui bowed to Zhou Heng with extreme reverence and cried out loudly, Taoist Master, I have awakened, I was wrong, I spread teachings using spirit secret techniques to bewitch the hearts of people, my sins deserve death! He actually admitted his wrongs to Zhou Heng, even declaring his previous actions deserved death. The people around were utterly flabbergasted. On a distant tavern rooftop. Pei Luoling and others were also stunned. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, not understanding what was happening with Shan Hui, who was now on the ground. Just a moment ago, Shan Hui displayed an undying characteristic, seemingly leaving Zhou Heng with no way to counter, so why was he suddenly apologizing and admitting his faults? This was beyond any normal reason. In actuality, Shan Hui had become Zhou Hengs puppet, and all his actions were controlled by Zhou Heng. However, the bystanders were unaware of this and naturally could not comprehend. Please rise, Zhou Heng said with a smile, helping the monk Shan Hui to his feet. He was simply playing along with his own puppets act. At that moment, Zhou Heng and the monk Shan Hui looked like they had become friends through a fight, presenting a scene of harmony. This left everyone present very confused. Especially those who were previously influenced by Shan Huis sermons felt as if their worldviews had collapsed. Although the influence of the spirit secret technique used by Monk Shan Hui had already dissipated when he was first killed by Zhou Heng, he was indeed a Buddhist monk of a certain level who truly preached Buddhist teachings. Given the large crowds that came to listen, naturally, some agreed with his Buddhist teachings. In their minds, Shan Hui was a genuine high monk with noble virtue and boundless merit who guided people out of suffering. Such a great monk should have had an incredibly firm mind, so how could he suddenly become harmonious with his former enemy? Can high monks be so fickle? By now, the Buddhist teachings that Shan Hui had labored to spread in the Prefectural City of Upper South had completely collapsed. No one believed anymore. Often, breaking a faith is that simple. It only takes dethroning the leading figurehead, and everything else follows naturally. After that, Zhou Heng, controlling puppet Shan Hui, said to the crowd, Fellow townsfolk, it was all my fault earlier, influencing you with spirit secret techniques. Fortunately, this Taoist Master has enlightened me. However, I no longer have a place here, so I will take my leave. Having said this, Zhou Heng, still controlling puppet Shan Hui, soared into the sky, enveloped in golden light, sweeping across the sky and directly leaving the Prefectural City of Upper South. After a moment of being flabbergasted, the peoples gazes turned to Zhou Heng, gratitude written all over their faces. They wanted to rush over to thank him, but as they moved, they saw Zhou Heng turn into a purple sword light that soared into the sky, passing through layers of white mist, piercing the clouds, to the highest heavens above. This is truly a great virtuous person! Look at his Taoist robe, he must be a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, right? Could it be that the immortals of Pure Yang Palace have come to save us? Our entire Yuzhou is shrouded in white mist, the immortals of Pure Yang Palace must know about it. Yuzhou is the hometown of Immortal Yan Shouyi. Pure Yang Palace will definitely take care of us. Were about to be saved, thats great, so great! The entire Prefectural City of Upper South fell into unparalleled joy. People watched the purple sword light streaking through the air and became excited. On the rooftop of the tavern. Pei Luoling waved to the sword light passing in the sky, wanting to greet Zhou Heng. But the sword light was moving too fast. She had only waved her hand a couple of times when it had already vanished without a trace. Oh Pei Luoling lowered her hand, feeling a bit disappointed. Just at that moment, she suddenly heard Zhou Hengs voice, Miss Luoling, your father and brother are waiting outside the mist. Please take care of yourself and wait for the mist to disperse. Ah? Father, brother? Pei Luoling paused at the words, looking up instinctively, Master Zhou, are you going to try to disperse this white mist? But Having stayed in the Prefectural City of Upper South for a while, she had gathered information about the mist from various sources. This was something that even a Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank was powerless against. Zhou Heng was only at the level of Secret Six Rank. Could he really do it? No, thats wrong. Master Zhou is no ordinary Secret Six Rank. He is a powerful transmigrated being with many inconceivable methods. Recalling this, Pei Luolings eyes suddenly lit up, Perhaps, theres really hope. Thank you, Master Zhou! Her heart filled with gratitude, she planned to find Zhou Heng to properly thank him for his life-saving grace once the mist dispersed and she regained her freedom. After leaving the Prefectural City of Upper South, Zhou Heng, with puppet Shan Hui, went to another neighboring prefectural city. Yang Song Prefecture. The situation here is similar to that at Prefectural City in the south; there is also a monk in the True Gang Realm preaching and covertly using spiritual secret techniques to influence the minds of the listeners. However, the monk preaching in Yangsong Prefectural Citys cultivation realm is somewhat inferior to that of Shan Hui, and the congregation attracted to his sermons is much smaller in number, lacking the impressive scale of the gatherings in the south. Yet even so, as Zhou Heng hovered above Yangsong Prefectural City, he could still clearly see a sea of people surrounding the sermon stage in the center of the city; at least fifty thousand people were listening. Such a large number would inevitably lead to a dramatic increase in the spread of influence; perhaps in just three or five days, the number of listeners would swell to a hundred thousand or even more. However, this time Zhou Heng did not descend in person, instead controlling the puppet Shan Hui and having him land there. At that moment, in the middle of Yangsong Prefectural City, atop the sermon stage. Shan Kong, a disciple of Jia Ye Temple, was preaching, and the audience below was listening with rapt attention. Suddenly, a figure enveloped in a golden light descended from the sky and plummeted heavily next to Shan Kong, shaking the void with a loud boom and whipping up a gust of wind, causing the sermon stage itself to dip slightly. Shan Kongs preaching came to an abrupt halt as he looked at the person who had appeared beside him with a startled expression. The people below who were listening also looked up at the stage in surprise, many of them even with anger in their eyes, wanting to see who was so bold as to dare disturb Master Shan Kongs preaching. But when they saw the figure on the stage, they were all stunned, including Shan Kong who was interrupted, staring at this person with wide eyes. Shan, Brother Shan Hui, why have you come? Shan Kong was both shocked and fearful; he had not anticipated Shan Huis return, and he was also afraid that Shan Hui had come to compete with him for converts. Among the Secret Six Rank martial artists of Jia Ye Temple, Shan Huis strength was unquestionably one of the very best and hard to contend with. In Shan Kongs eyes, Shan Huis sudden arrival likely meant that he had already completed his conversion mission in the southern Prefectural City and had come to his side to snatch away the converts. This was swooping in to snatch the fruits of his labor and steal the credit! Shan Kong made such a judgment about Shan Hui in his mind. But considering Shan Huis superior strength and the fact they were from the same sect, he dared not confront him directly, and could only outwardly speak with reverence while internally trying to figure out how to expel Shan Hui from Yangsong Prefectural City soon. However, before he could even speak, Shan Hui had already stepped forward, standing on the edge of the sermon platform, facing the many citizens, and shouted loudly, Fellow villagers, the Buddhist Law harms people; you must not heed it carelessly! Shan Kong was dumbfounded on the spot, looking at Shan Hui in disbelief; what was he doing? We are all members of the Buddha Sect, disciples of Jia Ye Temple, why suddenly claim that the Buddhist Law harms people? Arent you afraid of being punished by the founding patriarch? The citizens below the sermon stage were even more bewildered, all staring at Shan Hui with wide-eyed confusion. Whats going on? Another high monk from Jia Ye Temple was denying the Buddhist Law? Shan Huis robes were identical to Shan Kongs, and their style was roughly the same, such that even the common folk could tell they were from the same temple. This abrupt turn of events caused an uproar among the people beneath the sermon platform, which further weakened Shan Kongs already precarious spiritual secret technique interference; soon, some of the crowd began to regain their clarity. Shan Huis sudden appearance, proclaiming that the Buddhist Law harms people To many who had just been converted by Shan Kong, this situation was utterly unimaginable; it as if their worldview was collapsing. Those originally enraptured by the true essence of Buddhist Law, after experiencing a moment of stunned silence and shock, suddenly came to their senses with astonishment, looking around incredulously. Even some among them had awakenings that were particularly profound, promptly standing up and intending to leave. Above the heavens, Zhou Heng quietly observed the scene below, gently nodding in approval. It proved that letting members of the Buddha Sect demolish their own stage was far more effective than taking matter into his own hands. The effect was instant. Just now, the mere few words spoken by the puppet of Shan Hui, without a sword drawn or blood shed, had destroyed a sermon attended by tens of thousands and had also preserved the subsequent peace of the city. However, should I kill this monk a few dozen more times to rack up some Copper Fortune Bags? a thought suddenly flashed through Zhou Hengs mind. The previous encounter with Shan Hui had been quite beneficial for him, although once the monk neared a state of mental collapse, no more Fortune Bags could be obtained, but he still managed to secure thirty-three Copper Fortune Bags. Now, the monk in Yangsong Prefectural City was slightly less capable than Shan Hui, and probably had a weaker mental resolve, but he should still yield over twenty Copper Fortune Bags. This was a significant temptation. Zhou Hengs eyes glittered as he gazed down at Shan Kong below, as if looking upon a vast treasure, but he then regained his composure, shaking his head and muttered to himself, I cant do this. If immersed in the acquisition of Fortune Bags, endlessly killing, it was easy to lose oneself; this was also why he hadnt challenged others everywhere for the sake of Fortune Bags before. Besides, Yan Shouyi was still engaged in a tough battle with the Second Rank powerhouse from Jia Ye Temple, and he should be focusing on dissolving the influence of Jia Ye Temple in Yuzhou as swiftly as possible. Thus, Zhou Heng ceased his hesitation and began to employ the Puppetry Technique once again. At that moment, on the sermon stage, Shan Kong, who was about to question monk Shan Hui, suddenly stiffened, the light in his eyes dimming before brightening again, and he nodded in agreement to Shan Hui, saying, Brother is right, Buddhist Law indeed harms people, leading them to abandon family and discard children, to be disloyal and unfilial, one should not study it. Zhou Heng didnt understand Buddhist Law, but his current goal was to dismantle the influence of Jia Ye Temple in Yuzhou, so he resorted to spouting nonsense and disparagement. The sudden reversal of Shan Kong shocked the crowd even more than the unexpected appearance of Shan Hui, and those who had come to their senses immediately left with a sweep of their sleeves. Those who had not awakened before, upon seeing this turn of events, also came to their senses one by one. Before long, everyone who had been listening intently under the sermon stage stood up and left with expressions of disdain. In an instant, the vast Prefectural City of Yangsong, once teeming with followers of the Buddha Sect, was left with but a mere few, and all of Shan Kongs efforts over the past half-month vanished into nothingness, his work wasted. Afterwards, Zhou Heng manipulated the two puppets to take flight, moving on to another prefectural city, where he repeated his trick and easily dismantled the local Jia Ye Temples influence, all the while acquiring another monk puppet. Following that, he went forth with his three monk puppets slaughtering in all directions, and wherever he went, the influence of Jia Ye Temple crumbled; no one could withstand the self-deprecating sabotage from three insiders. In just three short days, the influence of Jia Ye Temple within the entire region of Yuzhou had largely collapsed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was only because Zhou Hengs flying speed wasnt fast enough, spending much of the time on the move; otherwise, the influence of Jia Ye Temple in Yuzhou might have been completely eradicated by now. However, as the number of cleared Jia Ye Temples increased, Zhou Heng felt an increasingly heavy sensation in his heart, as if a supremely powerful will had fixed its gaze upon him, and his sense of crisis deepened. Finally, as he arrived at County City of Yuzhou, aiming to purge the Jia Ye Temple influence there, the green sun hanging high in the sky suddenly expanded, and the chant of Buddhist hymns resounded through heaven and earth. Suddenly, the space around Zhou Heng changed dramatically; whether it was the elemental energy of the world, the Taoist Rhyme Theory, or even material reality itself seemed to come to life, unleashing an intense hostility towards him. In that moment, under the radiance of the green sun, Zhou Heng felt as though he were targeted by all things in the world, rejected by the rules of heaven and earth, and about to face divine punishment! Chapter 335 - Chapter 335: Chapter 55: The Fall, The Grieving of Heaven and Earth Chapter 335: Chapter 55: The Fall, The Grieving of Heaven and Earth Heavens will descended, punishing all mankind! He felt as though he had become the enemy of the entire world, with every being and item in this world attacking him. This was the genuine feeling Zhou Heng experienced at this moment. Even the simple act of breathing felt like inhaling steel needles, and extending his Divine Sense normally resulted in a burning pain akin to fire; the universal energy he once used as easily as his own limbs now turned against him Everything was targeting him, everything was hostile towards him. This situation was extremely terrifying for Zhou Heng, who had already united with the external landscape as a Secret Six Rank Innate. In a mere instant, Zhou Heng felt his internal small world collapse, as the colossal external force backflooded into his body, breaking down his inner landscape like decaying wood before a strong wind. At first, he tried to use the Power of Cave Sky to guide and weaken this massive force. But he immediately realized it was futile, against the strength of the backflooded energy from the external world, the Power of Cave Sky seemed nonexistent, unable to produce any effect. This was Heavens will targeting Zhou Heng, an unfathomable Divine Skill on the level of the Great Dao. It was the capability of a Tao Lord. The Second Rank power from Jia Ye Temple had finally made their move. A direct kill! Zhou Heng was utterly powerless. The blood qi in his body flowed in reverse, his meridians fractured, and even his Divine Soul showed cracks. It was as if an invisible giant hand emerged from nowhere, intent on utterly crushing him. In the next instant, Zhou Heng was on the verge of both physical and spiritual destruction. At this moment, a golden light suddenly appeared out of the void, cutting gently through the air, creating a small world out of nothing that enveloped Zhou Heng, isolating him from the hostility of the external world. This was the power of Yan Shouyi, who acted just in time to save Zhou Heng. Under the protection of the world created by the golden light, Zhou Heng finally caught his breath, avoiding immediate explosion. However, even so, the situation within his body had become chaotic. His inner landscape had turned into a chaotic mush, and his physical body could collapse at any moment, leaving him with slim chances of surviving. Crack! Zhou Heng had just caught his breath and had not even had the chance to think about how to deal with the current situation when he heard the sound of the void shattering. The small world that had just been opened by the golden light had developed cracks and was about to break. That feeling of being targeted and hostile by all things in the world surged up again! While this force was only seeping through the cracks of the small world, much weaker and finer than at the beginning, Zhou Heng was no longer in his prime condition. The moment he sensed this force, his already struggling inner landscape burst into further chaos, boiling like a chaotic mush, threatening to burst through and destroy his body. Zhou Hengs vision went dark, and he felt dizzy, almost passing out. The majesty of the Tao Lord was impossible to resist. The gap was too large. Certain death. He was determined to use Open Gate to escape Yuzhou directly. But he was also reluctant. To leave just like this? Then what was the purpose of his coming here? But what could he do to break through the situation, and what did he have left in his hand? The all-powerful special skill card? This card could transform into any special skill card he had ever possessed. But even the strongest of his previous special skill cards, Five Colored Divine Light [Copper] and Fooling [Copper], may not be effective against the might of a Tao Lord. Besides these Aging? Fortune stealing? Or perhaps the projection card of the Heaven Rotating Seal? Aging could be ruled out; it was said that Tao Lords had achieved immortality, living as long as the heavens and earth. Aging them three thousand years would be meaningless. The power of the Heaven Rotating Seal should not be a problem. The projection from the Ziwei Star Palace had previously frightened away the Evil God, so the projection of the Heaven Rotating Seal couldnt be too inferior. But how could he find the target, and how could he secure the time to use the Heaven Rotating Seal? That was a big problem. What about stealing fortune? Zhou Heng began to consider the possibilities of the situation. However, as his thoughts reached this point, he sadly discovered that his body had already started to fall apart, destined to die within a few breaths. Although he possessed the Resurrection Card, which allowed him to resurrect on the spot, he would still be unable to avoid the same fate of being rejected and targeted by everything in heaven and earth after resurrection; escaping through Open Gate was his only alternative. Is it ending like this? Zhou Heng was unwilling, but under these circumstances, there was no other way left. The Tao Lord was simply too strong. Even without making an appearance, not to mention not descending in real form, merely by slightly manipulating the rules, any creature could be instantly killed on the spot, or even worse than dead. However, just at this moment, Zhou Heng suddenly noticed that he couldnt feel the hostility anymore, as if that strange power had once again been isolated. At this moment, in Zhou Hengs perception, it was as if when the golden light had just created the small world, the intense hostility from all things in heaven and earth had vanished. It seemed everything had returned to its normal state. Moreover, a warm and comforting power emerged from the void, materializing into clumps of white mist that wrapped around Zhou Hengs body, nourishing his physical and spiritual forms, and rapidly healing his injuries. Although his inner small world was still a shattered chaotic mess, his physical body had returned to normal, no longer on the verge of collapse, effectively pulled back from the brink of death by the enveloping white mist. Undoubtedly, this was the power of the Tao Yin Yuan Sect diagram, with Yan Shouyi maneuvering this Unique Divine Weapon to provide support and protection to Zhou Heng. This gave Zhou Heng finally some time to adjust himself and to think. How to break the situation? First, he had to meet the Second Rank Taoist practitioner from Jia Ye Temple, or at least be able to determine his location. Otherwise, whether it was the Heaven Rotating Seal or any other special authority, they would be useless without a target, leaving him completely devoid of a means to break the situation. But, with my current level of cultivation, even in my prime, it would be impossible to discern the exact location of a Second Rank Taoist practitioner, let alone now with serious injuries and the collapse of my inner world its even more impossible Zhou Hengs brow furrowed tightly. He couldnt sort out any ideas for the moment when suddenly, while he was deep in thought, he noticed the white mist healing his wounds. No, perhaps there is a way This white mist was the power of the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart, and he had the formula to control this Unique Divine Weapon in his hands! Although limited by his level of cultivation and unable to fully mobilize the might of the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart, using some of its miraculous effects to search for the Second Rank Taoist practitioner from Jia Ye Temple shouldnt be a problem. With this thought, a trace of joy suddenly emerged in Zhou Hengs heart. With no time to waste, he immediately mobilized the few traces of True Qi left in his body, enduring the intense pain of his collapsing inner world, and activated the formula. At the same time, outside the small golden world, there was an endless expanse of white mist that suddenly responded. In the skies above Yuzhou, within the extremely dense white mist. A gold and a cyan light were still in confrontation. The cyan light, resonating with the chant of Buddhas name, was clearly superior and had already suppressed the golden light. Benefactor Yan, why must you do this? A spirit will within the cyan light conveyed, with a hint of laughter, Although your junior brother has some unusual methods, he is after all only of the Secret Six Rank. Do you really think you can turn the tide with his help? Why cant I? Yan Shouyis voice came from within the golden light. He chuckled, Hasnt he already eradicated a large portion of Jia Ye Temples influence in the realm of Yuzhou? As a result, your avatar has lost its support, and no matter how powerful, it will eventually dissipate. Old bald donkey, your time is running out. Indeed, its not much. The spirit will in the cyan light continued to laugh, Thats exactly why this humble monk has to speed up and take care of both of you, to avoid any interference with the opening of the ancient Pure Land! Im afraid you dont have the ability, bald donkey! Yan Shouyi snorted coldly, while his Taoist power surged, Pure Yang brilliance flourished, and within this Pure Yang, there was a trace of Pure Yin so subtle it was almost indistinguishable. He was preparing to reveal the true power of his cultivation. Just now, in order to prevent Zhou Heng from completely collapsing and dying, Yan Shouyi forcibly transferred some of the power of the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart, which led to the weakening of his suppression of the Second Rank Taoist practitioner from Jia Ye Temple and being directly surpassed. If he continued to hide his strength now, he would probably be completely suppressed. Then, the ancient Pure Land would inevitably be opened, and all the people of Yuzhou would be forcibly converted into followers of Buddha Sect. Both he and Zhou Heng would be unable to escape their fates. But just as Yan Shouyi was about to amplify that trace of Pure Yin power, merging it with the Pure Yang to form the Yin Yang Tai Chi, he suddenly noticed that someone else was activating the power of the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart. As the actual controller of the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart, he could clearly sense that the person mobilizing the power of this Unique Divine Weapon was Zhou Heng. What does he want to do? Yan Shouyi wondered. Zhou Hengs condition was very bad, hanging by a thread. With such a dying body, even if he managed to leverage a bit of the power from the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart, what could he do? However, Yan Shouyi soon learned of Zhou Hengs purpose through his control over the Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart, which only intensified his confusion, Is he looking for the exact location of that old bald donkey? The Tao Ying Yuan Sects chart truly was a Unique Divine Weapon. Zhou Heng quickly found the Second Rank Taoist practitioner from Jia Ye Temple and, using the power of the white mist, moved himself directly above the vast expanse of white fog, standing between the golden sun and the cyan sun. At that moment, Zhou Heng was witnessing up close a battle between a Second Rank Taoist power and Yan Shouyi. He saw the grandeur of the Tao being displayed, glimpsed the true form of the Taos essence, which was akin to peering directly into the deepest mysteries of a certain Tao. Thus, in that instant, his mind became a blank canvashis current realm could not withstand such an assault of information from the Tao. Next, he would suffer a mental breakdown, go insane and lose control, then his physical body would disintegrate, his Divine Soul would be annihilated, and he, as a whole, would cease to exist, pulverized by the force of the Tao to the point of leaving not a single speck of residue. Junior Brother! Yan Shouyi cried out in alarm, not understanding why Zhou Heng would do such a thing. Haha! Courting his own death, the ancient pure land is about to open, and this indeed makes for a fine spectacle. From within the green light, laughter was heard as a middle-aged monk, corpulent and donning a kasaya, stepped out. He was about to speak when his complexion suddenly changed drastically. The aura of this Second Rank Taoist power from Jia Ye Temple became chaotic out of nowhere, the light in his eyes dimming, his body beginning to tremble, his facial features distorting, and an expression of madness appearing on his face. His Tao power erupted abruptly as if it was being unleashed. Watching this scene, Yan Shouyis eyelids twitched uncontrollably, his face exhibiting disbelief as he stared at the monk before him and muttered in a low voice, Has he gone mad?! A Second Rank Taoist power, even if only an incarnation, would still possess strength far superior to that of the Third Rank of Heaven; their realm and mental will were extensions of their true self, genuine Second Rank entities. And he just went mad? Wait, what about Junior Brother? Yan Shouyi hastily turned to look at Zhou Heng, only to see that Zhou Heng had strangely returned to his normal state, eyes firmly closed and Divine Sense withdrawn, completely sealing off his perception and refusing to look at the monk across from him. Obviously, this was to avoid his spirit being impacted by the sight of the monks madness. Did he know already? Yan Shouyi was dumbfounded, uncertain. What kind of method is this, a contingency from his past life? But this is just too exaggerated This is a Second Rank Taoist power! Even if its just an incarnation, its still the incarnation of a Second Rank power! At this time, Zhou Heng was focusing inward, attending to his own being without caring about anything external, but he knew he had succeeded. And in the depths of the unknown, he sensed a boundlessly vast world. It seemed like a pure land, yet also like the Heavenly Realm. This world should have been opened by that Second Rank power from Jia Ye Temple, but now the responsibility had been transferred to him. Actually, before Zhou Heng arrived here through the white fog, when he was confirming the enemys location, he had already activated a special privilege, Fate Transfer. Fate Transfer: Steals a portion of any beings fate for the next minute and transplants ones own fate for the next minute onto that being. Zhou Heng had stolen the fate of the Second Rank power from Jia Ye Temple for the next minute and had transferred his own fate of mental collapse, total breakdown, and utter annihilation onto him. Thus, the fates of the two had naturally been exchanged. Emerging victorious, the one to open the ancient pure land became Zhou Heng, while the one who lost control, fell into madness, and was on the brink of obliteration became the Second Rank power who was once on the verge of victory. Ahhhh! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An utterly mournful scream resounded in the skies above Yuzhou, and at the same time, the very principles of Tao within Yuzhou let out wails of sorrow. The mountains and rivers shook as though in lamentation, and a red rain poured down from the heavens, as if the sky itself wept blood, and the rivers glowed crimson. When a Tao Lord falls, heaven and earth grieve! If not for the Tao Yingyuan Sects barrier separating Yuzhou from the outside world, the various phenomena that were manifesting would not be limited to Yuzhous boundaries; the entire world, whether the Central Plains, West Wasteland, Mo Bei, the Desolated Divine Mountains, the seas beyond all would exhibit similar anomalies. This incarnation of the Second Rank power from Jia Ye Temple, after a brief bout of madness, completely collapsed, bursting into millions of blue glows, transforming into countless lotus flowers, drifting and descending softly. He had fallen. Chapter 336 - Chapter 336: Chapter 56 The Heavenly Gate Opens Wide, Those Destined May Enter Chapter 336: Chapter 56 The Heavenly Gate Opens Wide, Those Destined May Enter Congratulations! Youve used special privileges to influence and cause the death of Du Hongs Incarnation! Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1, bonus reward quantity +1, existing base attributes +1, existing additional attributes +1. Special Skill Upgrade Card +1, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas Upgrade Card +1, lifespan +100, Du Hongs Incarnation Projection Card +1, selectable reward quantity +1, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas Proficiency Gift Pack +1. You may choose any 1+1 items from the following rewards. Natural Disaster Once: Unleash a natural disaster across the entire world, including but not limited to earthquakes, tsunamis, thunder and lightning, storms, meteorites, ground fissures, mountain collapses, etc., lasting for fifteen minutes. Balance Once: Designate a target and add up the strengths of yourself and the target, then divide it evenly to balance both sides strength, lasting for fifteen minutes. Simulate Once: Simulate any real scene you have ever seen and materialize it, lasting for fifteen minutes. The sound of reward notifications kept coming, waking Zhou Heng from the spectacular sight of the worlds tragic beauty he had just witnessed. After seeing the reward content clearly, he was immediately overjoyed. The rewards this time were very generous. Items like the Platinum Treasure Box were standard for defeating enemies beyond ones level, but the rewards that followed introduced some new twists. Special Skill Upgrade Card: Can be used to increase the grade of a special skill card, enhancing its effect and application range. Du Hongs Incarnation Projection Card: Can materialize a projection of Du Hongs incarnation, possessing one-tenth of the original strength, lasting fifteen minutes. The former could be used to upgrade an omnipotent special skill card, which would make effects like Fooling or Five-Colored Divine Light become powerful weapons capable of affecting Celestial Men, and even Tao Lords. The latter was very straightforward and brutal, directly materializing a projection of a Tao Lords incarnation. Even if it only possessed one-tenth of the strength, it would still be far superior to any Celestial Man. Safety has been further secured, not bad, Zhou Heng thought with happiness, while also turning his attention to the three options. The Natural Disaster sounded quite imposing from the description, essentially a devastating force capable of destroying the world, a wide-area map cannon attack, not very targeted, fitting for annihilation purposes. Balance was suitable for confronting great powers that were far above ones own cultivation level. He wondered what the average between himself and a Divine First Rank would be? Simulate was worth studying. To simulate any real scene he had ever witnessed meant if he had seen the big bang of the universe, could he simulate it? Of course, he hadnt, but he had witnessed an Evil Gods arrival, the display of might by the Ziwei Star Palace, and even numerous scenes of Evil Gods lurking beyond the world. If he materialized those scenes, the effect would surely not be too shabby. After some consideration, Zhou Heng finally chose Balance and Simulate. The first Natural Disaster was undeniably powerful, but he had no immediate need to destroy the world, so he gave it up. Junior brother, are you alright? came Yan Shouyis gentle voice. Im fine, no worries, Zhou Heng pulled his thoughts away from the rewards and nodded gently, My injuries are almost healed, its no big issue, elder brother doesnt need to worry. Thats good to hear, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, Taoist Rhyme Theory is nearly finished with the transition of that ancient pure land, but since Du Hong, that old bald donkey, has fallen, I can only try to open it with Taoist Rhyme Theory. Its uncertain whether I will succeed. He didnt ask how Zhou Heng had just made Du Hongs incarnation fall; in his eyes, it was Zhou Hengs unique approach, and there was no need to inquire. Brother, rest assured about the ancient pure land, Zhou Hengs gaze looked down at the thousands of miles of landscape beneath him and said in a deep voice, Next, I will be the one to open it. What? Yan Shouyi was immediately stunned upon hearing this and incredulously asked, Brother, you have mastered the secret technique to open that ancient pure land? Just now? Sort of, Zhou Heng said with a smile, I just used a little trick. The effect of fate stealing was to take a part of the others fate and transfer a part of ones own fate to them. Du Hongs incarnation took on the fate of Zhou Heng falling into madness, while Zhou Heng took on his fate of successfully opening the ancient pure land. Therefore, even though Zhou Heng knew nothing about the ancient pure land or the secret technique to open it, it would be he who opened this pure land next. This was Du Hongs fate, and now it would be reflected upon Zhou Heng. Hum hum! Just at this moment, a trembling sound suddenly arose in the void, and the thick white mist enveloping the entirety of Yuzhou began to churn and quickly converge towards Yuzhous center, at the same time becoming thinner. It was as if these white mists were being devoured by something. Its done! Yan Shouyis face showed delight as he laughed, Under the influence of Taoist Rhyme Theorys power, this ancient pure land has finally become a Taoist Heavenly Realm, no longer possessing the characteristic of forcefully converting people. Brother, if we open it now, will there be any phenomena or effects? Zhou Heng inquired. There will certainly be phenomena, and effects too, but mostly they will be positive, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, Once the Heavenly Gate opens, the long-sealed Taoist Heavenly Realm will intersect with the outside world. Because this Taoist Heavenly Realm was transformed by the power of Taoist Rhyme Theory, the major Taoist principles here are biased towards the Taoist way; after the two realms intersect, they will naturally influence the spiritual energy of this place. First, the spiritual energy in the entire state of Yuzhou will surge, and everywhere will be like a cultivation paradise. Following that, in many places where the spiritual energy is extremely dense, a higher level of spiritual energy will emerge, which is the Immortal Energy. Immortal energy itself is interwoven with profound Dharma principles, but its nature is mild and wont hurt anyone. Even normal people, if they can breathe a breath of immortal energy, will instantly become Eighth Rank martial artists. If one already has some cultivation, breathing in immortal energy will make breaking through their current realm even easier In the future, Yuzhou will become one of the most suitable places for cultivation in the thirty-three provinces of Da Qi. This is like creating a cultivation paradise out of thin air, Zhou Heng said with a laugh. The impact of the opening of this Taoist Heavenly Realm was too good; it was a pity that such great influences only occurred when a long-sealed Heavenly Realm was opened, otherwise, if it was common for a Divine First Rank to ask, the whole world would be filled with such cultivation paradises. Yuzhou can also be considered lucky in misfortune, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, And this is all thanks to you, junior brother. If it wasnt for your help, I would have only been wasting time with that old bald donkey. Brother, why be so formal with me? Zhou Heng waved his hand, and at the same time, his perception of that vast world grew stronger, Brother, I have a feeling that the Heavenly Gate is about to open. Hmm, its about time, Yan Shouyi nodded, saying solemnly, Please, junior brother, open the Heavenly Gate for Yuzhou. Alright! Zhou Heng nodded his head, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly, Open! Boom! As Zhou Hengs voice arose, the entire sky within Yuzhou boundary began to tremble, and the deafening roar reached the ears of every living being. People subconsciously raised their heads to look up at the sky. They saw that the white mist which had shrouded the heavens had disappeared without a trace at some unknown time, and the golden and azure suns had also vanished, leaving the normal sunlight to reemerge once again. The sky was clear and blue, as if it had been washed clean. This was the long-missed normal sky. But then the people of Yuzhou saw a golden light suddenly shining above the azure sky. This golden light, whose length was unknown, spanned the entire sky, and most people, no matter how far they could see, couldnt see its end, as if it continued to the very edge of the heavens. Immediately after, the golden light began to expand, slowly opening like a giant door, and it seemed as if a strange power was beginning to spread. Every person in Yuzhou felt the change. The air around them seemed fresher, their spirits lifted instantly, and their bodies felt healthier, even the sick experienced direct healing. For martial artists with martial arts knowledge, the sensation was even more evident, especially for Seventh Rank and higher martial artists, who could feel the worlds Qi boiling between heaven and earth with unparalleled clarity! Boom! From the heavens came a thunderous noise, ancient and vast, carrying an endless breath from within the golden lightas if a world that had been sealed for countless ages was opening its gates. The golden light spread expansively, like a giant door across the sky, and the invisible Taoist Rhyme Theory poured forth from within, showering down and merging seamlessly with the external Taoist Rhyme Theory. Subsequently, the natural Qi of Yuzhous land and sky began to surge, boiling over, with the Taoist Rhyme Theory becoming clearer, and in some areas, the intertwining of natural Qi and Taoist Rhyme even formed all sorts of colored lights and shadows that comprehension could be gained from by merely seeing them. Many martial artists, who had been stagnant in their realms for years, suddenly had their fortunes enlightened, gained insight, and on the spot, experienced breakthroughs in their realms, especially from Seventh Rank to Secret Sixth Rank, and from Secret Sixth Rank to Sect Fifth Rank. For a time, all over Yuzhou, there were people integrating with exterior sceneries, displaying Dharma Phases, and frequent miracles were occurring with various lights and Dharma Phases emerging in succession, creating quite a lively scene. After a short while, the golden light portal in the sky had completely opened, and the dazzling light seemed to occupy the entire sky of Yuzhou, reflecting within it a landscape that felt strange and unfamiliar to the people of Yuzhou. On the other side of the golden light portal, there appeared to be another world. This discovery immediately sent a chill through the hearts of the people of Yuzhou who had just been immersed in the joy of surprise. Many became vigilant, even frightened. What was the world on the other side of the golden light portal like? What kind of people were there? Would they pass through the portal to invade here, to kill and plunder? Suddenly, a panic began to spread. Above the heavens, Yan Shouyi was the first to sense the emotional change amongst the people of Yuzhou, followed soon by Zhou Heng, who had extended his sense through the Taoist Rhyme when he opened the Heavenly Gate. Senior Brother, its time for you to take action, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Your prestige in Yuzhou is unrivaled. You could explain the situation regarding this Heavenly Realm portal and the previous white mist to avoid panic among the people. At the same time, he shared his plans on how to handle this Heavenly Realm portal with Yan Shouyi. I was planning to do just that, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly, raising a finger of his right hand and pointing towards the distant golden light, he said in a deep voice, Fellow citizens, do not panic, this is an ancient Heavenly Realm gate. Half a month ago, it was foreseen that the Heavenly Realm gate would open, posing an impact to the populace. I came here with a treasure to suppress it and facilitate the process, hence the white mist that enveloped the cosmosplease forgive this inconvenience. Now, this Heavenly Realm is under the control of Pure Yang Palace. From now on, it will be known as Pure Yang Taoist Heaven. Inside, there are immortal mountains and sanctified realms, martial arts secrets, and legacies. Those with destiny may enter and acquire the legacies. The explanation regarding the Heavenly Realm being the Pure Yang Taoist Heaven and its opening to outsiders was proposed by Zhou Heng. There are multiple gains from this single action which I will not discuss for now. Yan Shouyis voice spread swiftly, disregarding the laws of sound transmission, resonating in the ears of all within Yuzhou at the same moment. Moreover, this speech also contained the power of auditory Divine Skills, binding the information to Yan Shouyis words, meaning, that as soon as one heard this voice, they would immediately understand it to be Yan Shouyi speaking. Just as Zhou Heng had said, Yan Shouyi indeed had unrivaled prestige in Yuzhou. Once his words were spread, the panic in the hearts of the people of Yuzhou instantly dissipated, replaced instead with overwhelming joy, eagerly anticipating the full opening of the golden gate. This was the gateway to Pure Yang Taoist Heaven with supreme secret legaciesa good fortune for anyone able to venture inside. Many martial artists yearning for advanced martial arts felt their hearts ablaze with excitement. With that, the crisis brought by the ancient pure land was resolved, and both Zhou Heng and Yan Shouyi exhaled in relief. What do you plan to do next, Junior Brother? Yan Shouyi asked with a smile. First Ill return to the mountain to adjust a bit, afterwards, I want to explore the Pure Yang Taoist Heaven, replied Zhou Heng. In fact, he had been planning to investigate it even before opening the Heavenly Realm portal to see if there were any clues related to the myths and legends of Earth. After all, this Heavenly Realm portal was originally a pure land, left by the powerful figures of the ancient Buddha Sect and related to Jia Ye Templethere might even be traces of that Jia Ye within. Hmm, after such a battle, you have indeed expended a lot, and I am also somewhat fatigued, it is indeed time we return to the mountain to recuperate, Yan Shouyi nodded lightly. Then Ill trouble Senior Brother to bring me along, Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, The speed of a Celestial Man that covers a hundred thousand li in an instant, Ive always been very fond of it. Of course, there is no problem, but dont you want to show your face to the people of Yuzhou? Yan Shouyi pointed down below, where many locals were kneeling and offering obeisance to heaven with utmost respect. Once a senior taught me that doing good without seeking recognition is a fine virtue, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Senior Brother, lets return to the mountain. This senior of yours is indeed interesting, Yan Shouyi chuckled, and at the same time, golden light shone upon his body, enveloping Zhou Heng, and together they flew toward the direction of Yong State. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As the two departed, the light of Pure Yang Taoist Heaven gradually dimmed, the Heavenly Gates golden light dissipated, and Yuzhou was finally restored to its normal state. Upon returning to Taihua Mount, Zhou Heng settled in a side hall on Jade Void Peak Golden Top. After a brief respite, he decided it was time for the exhilarating moment. To open the Fortune Bag! Chapter 353 - Chapter 353: Chapter 73: Destined with My Buddha Sect Chapter 353: Chapter 73: Destined with My Buddha Sect A dragon?! The Star Officer Shaowei exclaimed in shock and instantly lost his composure. Even after being accustomed to extraordinary events over time, the sight of the dragon head emerging from the clouds was inevitably shocking. This was a legendary beast, rumored to have disappeared from the human realm during the Middle Ancient era, existing only in legends, with almost no one having witnessed it in reality. And wasnt it an evil creature that was causing trouble here? How could there be a dragon? No, not a dragon, but a dragons head! Zhou Hengs eyes shone with golden light as he activated his law eyes, piercing through the myriad of facades to perceive the true nature of this dragon head. Behind this gigantic dragon head, there was no dragon body to be found. It was merely a lone head flying in the sky, though from the stump behind the head, countless slippery tentacles writhed, stirring the clouds with their movements. Roar!! The dragon head suddenly let out an angry roar, its eyes streaming with dark blood tears, releasing an extremely violent and ferociously evil presence. The clouds above churned violently in response, while the cold winds on the ground grew even more savage. The common people within Yulong Mansion City were all hiding in their homes, shivering uncontrollably, not daring to look outside. For Zhou Heng and the Star Officer Shaowei, who were gazing directly at the dragon head, the roar contained an extremely horrifying spiritual shockwave, capable of effortlessly crushing the spirit of the vast majority of Secret Six Rank Martial Artists. The Star Officer Shaowei wore a mask that could protect against spiritual shocks, so he was unharmed. He only felt a bit dizzy at the onset. However, he was very concerned for Zhou Hengs safety. After regaining his composure, he hastily looked at Zhou Heng and found that the youth stood there completely unscathed, as if unaffected by the spiritual shock of the dragons roar. Whats going on? The Star Officer Shaowei couldnt help but feel puzzled. Even though Zhou Heng had previously displayed a flying speed that drew his attention, Shaowei still didnt believe that Zhou Hengs cultivation strength was particularly strong. After all, Loose Cultivators, even if fortunate to receive a decent inheritance, often lacked guidance and could easily take the wrong path, resulting in generally weaker abilities compared to their peers. But now, observing Zhou Weis performance, it seemed that might not be entirely the case. At the very least, Zhou Weis Divine Soul shouldnt be weak, or perhaps he possessed a treasure that protected his Divine Soul. This person was not simple. The Star Officer Shaowei revised his assessment of Zhou Hengs strength. Roar! The dragon head bellowed again, and this time, its blood-stained eyes shifted focus, locking onto the Star Officer Shaowei. Subsequently, the void echoed with overlapping laughter. Hahaha! Star Officer of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, youve indeed come as I expected, Ive been waiting for you for a long time! Before the voice fell, the colossal dragon head dived down from the sky, its gaze fixed on the Star Officer Shaowei, while the laughter that seemed omnipresent in the void continued. Ah, such a delicious aura, truly delectable! The thousands of slimy tentacles behind the dragon head stretched out, spreading like serpents, emanating an invisible and sinister force, beginning to corrupt the elemental energy of heaven and earth in this area. Their intent was to permeate the elemental energy of Yulong Mansions heaven and earth with malevolence, rendering it unusable by normal Martial Artists, thereby greatly reducing the Star Officer Shaoweis power. You are an evil spirit?! The Star Officer Shaoweis pupils contracted as he instinctively stepped back twice, but seeing that Zhou Heng had not retreated, he gritted his teeth, stepped forward twice, and returned to his original position. At the same time, he formed incantations with his hands, invoking the Taoist Formulas, drawing upon the starlight! Die! ` The starlight that suddenly lit up the pitch-dark firmament tore through the darkness and condensed into a sword light that descended from the sky, slashing towards the dragon head. The extremely pure starlight shattered the spreading evil force, descending like Heavenly Punishment, appearing as a beam of light that engulfed both the dragon head and the thousand slippery tentacles that protruded from it. Run! As the turmoil unfolded in an instant, the young Star Officer seized Zhou Hengs shoulder, ready to employ his Escape Skill to transform into a streak of light, attempting to flee with him. Against an evil spirit, the young Star Officer harbored no thoughts of combat. He was very self-aware. He knew his limits and would never blindly overestimate his strength. An evil spirit is an entity that reaches the Sect Fifth Rank and then elevates its very essence through a specific ritual. This means that the weakest evil spirits are equivalent to the Sect Fifth Rank. A Secret Six Rank True Gang Realm Martial Artist facing an evil spirit, if they fought, would undoubtedly perish. The disparity was too great, with absolutely no chance of success. All that could be done was to run. And even in fleeing, The evil spirit was too strong! Even in escape, it was imperative to act first. If they were even slightly slower, it would certainly be a fatal outcome. Only by doing so could they have a sliver of a chance to live. However, just as he was about to grab Zhou Heng and run, he suddenly realized that he couldnt move Zhou Heng. This young-looking Loose Cultivator, his feet seemingly rooted to the ground. No! Even if he were rooted three to five miles deep, the young Star Officer felt he could pull him out, yet Zhou Wei remained completely immobile, as if he had merged with the very earth. Is he really that strong? the young Star Officer first thought in astonishment and then became furious, Damn it! Are you insane? Run! This is an evil spirit. My Taoist Formulas cant trap him. Facing such a monster, you will undoubtedly die! Flee! But he still could not pull Zhou Heng along. After a brief silence, the young Star Officer closed his eyes, resigned to not escaping and sneered, Ignorant Loose Cultivator, you have no idea how powerful an evil spirit is. Just you, just me, we are certain to die. You could have run away by yourself, Zhou Heng said indifferently. I couldnt bring myself to run away in the face of an evil spirit, leaving someone beside me unaided, the young Star Officer scoffed, his gaze fixed on the starlight in front of him, Once the power of this formula dissipates, and the evil spirit comes out, well both be dead. I dont think so, Zhou Heng began to smile. You cant possibly think you can contend with the evil spirit, the young Star Officer looked at Zhou Heng in surprise, since they were going to die anyway, he simply relaxed. Boom! Just then, the column of light formed by the starlight exploded, and the dragon head burst out from within, the mocking laughter omnipresent in the void once again. Hahaha! Interesting, truly interesting, to think that both of you would stay to face death! The voice of the evil spirit was full of mockery, Are you thinking of joining forces to fight me? Hahaha! It didnt take Zhou Heng and the young Star Officer seriously at all. Not joining forces, Zhou Heng suddenly opened his mouth and spit out a Sword Pill, I alone am enough. ` The scene instantly fell deadly silent. The dragon head lingering in the air froze, and the thousands of slippery tentacles seemed to have been fixed in the sky, motionless. The echoing voice of the evil spirit also vanished. Shock coloured the face beneath the mask of the Minor Star Officer, his eyes wide open, staring at Zhou Heng as if looking at a madman, What, what did you just say?! He almost thought he had heard wrong, experiencing an illusion. This loose cultivator martial artist at the Secret Six Rank True Energy Realm actually claimed he could defeat the evil spirit alone?? And he spoke with such a matter-of-fact tone? He even really spat out a Sword Pill, as if he were truly about to take action against the evil spirit. Wake up, you are only Secret Six Rank, and you havent even reached the True Gang Realm! How can you fight the evil spirit? Fools rush in where angels fear to tread! Now, that was the only description the Minor Star Officer could think of. However, since this loose cultivator martial artist was prepared to take action, as a righteous organization member, he couldnt just sit back and wait for death, so the Minor Star Officer also prepared to fight back. Good, good, good! The voice of the evil spirit rose again, it seemed extremely angry, shaking its dragon head and roaring furiously, Then you all just wait for me to Clang! A sudden sword cry broke the evil spirits words; endless sword light soared straight into the sky! This Sword Pill that Zhou Heng had spat out from his mouth had, at some point, turned into a 500-zhang-long sword light, accompanied by the roaring of purple thunder; the world seemed to be left with only this slash of purple-gold sword light. The sword light, like a long river, instantly engulfed the dragon head. The thousands of tentacles tried to struggle, but to no avail. Under this sword light, the tentacles had no power to resist and were directly ground into powder. The dragon head roared and swayed, trying to break free from the range of the purple-gold sword light, but no matter how it charged, the edge of the sword light was incredibly firm, utterly immovable. After just two or three breaths time, the purple-gold sword light dispersed. The Minor Star Officer was on high alert. After all, after the power of his Taoist Formulas subsided, the dragon head controlled by the evil spirit had burst out completely unscathed. But he was quickly stunned. Unlike the last time, after the sword light faded, the huge dragon head had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a pair of huge dragon horns and two pitch-black dragon eyes, falling to the ground. The dragon head was exterminated?! The Minor Star Officers eyes widened in disbelief, looking towards Zhou Heng, his heart overwhelmed with shock. What was the origin of this loose cultivator martial artist, and what martial arts did he use just now? Why did it happen like this?! That was an evil spirit, cut down by a single slash? It simply defied belief! Inconceivable! This Brother Zhou, you just the Minor Star Officer barely managed to suppress the shock in his heart, about to ask, but Zhou Heng gestured to stop him. Now is not the time for talk, Zhou Heng shook his head, squinting his eyes slightly, his gaze surveyed the surroundings, suddenly he fixed his sight in one direction, Thinking of running?! ` With that, he leaped into the air and transformed into a streak of cloud light, rushing miles away in an instant. Then, raising his hand, he snatched a mass of purple-black substance from the void and flew back. Is this evil spirit thing you mentioned this thing? Zhou Heng asked, pretending to be unfamiliar with evil spirits. Ah, this The Junior Star Officer opened his mouth, looking at the purple-black substance in Zhou Hengs hand, momentarily speechless and unsure how to respond. He was truly astounded now, beyond any measure. Initially, he thought the dragons head was the evil spirit, but he hadnt expected the real evil spirit to be hiding in the shadows all along, and he didnt detect it in the slightest, not to mention the strength of this loose cultivator martial artist In a flash, he had identified the evil spirit and in a back and forth movement, he effortlessly captured it. Too strong! Indeed, this is an evil spirit, nodded the Junior Star Officer, then explained, However, using ordinary martial arts or Taoist formulas, one cannot Woosh! A blazing crimson flame ignited in the palm of Zhou Hengs hand. As the flames churned and the light grew intense, it dispelled the evil aura, much like a fire dragon coiling in his palm, enveloping the evil spirit he held. This was the power of the Nine Dragon Godly Fire Cover, flames of utmost hardness and positivity, ideally suited for refining and eliminating demonic and ghostly presences. Ah, no! screamed the evil spirit from within the flames, its wails piercingly tragic, What kind of fire is this, no, it cant be, dont kill me, please dont The evil spirit was quite intelligent, even knowing to beg for mercy. But Zhou Heng remained unmoved, decisively continuing to burn the evil spirit to ashes without hesitation. Although he was curious about the origins of this dragons head and whether dragons still existed in the world, evil spirits were cunning by nature, and even if he spared it, he might not get the answers he wanted. To avoid further complications, it was better to simply dispose of it. Afterwards, Zhou Heng collected the pair of dragon horns and eyes that had fallen to the ground, lightly patted his hands and said with a smile, Well, thats the end of that. As if the whole ordeal was just an ordinary occurrence for him. The Junior Star Officer stood, dumbfounded. After a brief daze, he hastily asked, You no, who exactly are you? With the kind of power you have, you cant just be some unknown person. Although Zhou Heng had only shown the tip of the iceberg regarding his strength, to the Junior Star Officer, even that was far beyond the norm for someone of the Secret Sixth Rank. The ability to eliminate evil spirits so easily indicated strength comparable to a true Sect Fifth Rank, or even stronger. A Sixth Rank martial artist with such strength would definitely have a worldwide reputation. You will find out in time, Zhou Heng responded with a smile, opting not to answer directly, Well meet again. At that, he leaped into the air, turned into a streak of cloud light, and flew toward the prefectural city government office. Mounting his sorrel horse, which was still grazing, he rose with the speed of thunder and disappeared into the sky in the blink of an eye. The Junior Star Officer didnt pursue. He understood a principle: since the other party did not wish to reveal his identity for now, chasing after him would only be bothersome. It was better to conduct his own investigation in secret. Yujang Prefecture. Surrounded by rivers on three sides, accessible from all directions, it was considered the most bustling place in Kunzhou, with people from every region arriving daily to experience its prosperity. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng led his sorrel horse off a passenger ship and took in the exceptionally lively port. Merchants, tourists, martial artists, and all sorts of people were either disembarking from boats or boarding to depart, smiling faces all around in a scene of thriving activity. Not a bad place, Zhou Heng nodded to himself, ready to lead his sorrel horse away when he suddenly noticed a monk with a ruddy face approaching. The monk seemed very excited, his eyes fixated on the sorrel horse. Coming face-to-face with Zhou Heng, he joyfully said, Esteemed patron, your horse is extraordinary, it shares a connection with my Buddha Sect. ` Chapter 338 - Chapter 338: Chapter 58: Heard You Have a Divine Artifact? Chapter 338: Chapter 58: Heard You Have a Divine Artifact? A year ago at this time, Zhou Heng had only been at the Ninth Grade level, barely qualified to walk in the jianghu. Back then, he was still struggling to make ends meet, and a few dozen silver taels would weigh him down. Back then, the jianghu was abuzz with names like Sword Maniac Fang Wen and Three Flowers Child Chen An, receiving countless adulations and making others envious. Back then, the Secret Six Rank was still lofty and unmatched. Now, no matter how the jianghu has changed, he himself has undergone earth-shattering transformations. When he saw the crowd surrounding the ranking list, he couldnt help but feel somewhat nostalgic. With a nostalgic heart, Zhou Heng squeezed his way forward to examine the new edition of the ranking. Wang Xiuye was ranked tenth Gu Xiao was eighth Three Flowers Child Chen An was still there, but his rank had dropped to sixth, Chu Qingchuan had progressed rapidly to fifth The Heavenly Mountain White Dragon Lady from the Yaochi Sect, Li Qingyao, seemed to have greatly improved her strength and was now ranked third Some of these people were friends of Zhou Heng, some were enemies, and others were merely acquaintances. Seeing the information about them on the ranking list, he felt sentimental. However, when he saw the top two names, his gaze became slightly concentrated. Second place: Divine Light Dominates Myriad Shapes Liu Changsheng, true inheritor of the Five Elements Sect First place: Sword Maniac Fang Wen, true inheritor of the Longevity Way Liu Changsheng, he has appeared again. I heard he went to North Zhou; it seems he must have had some fortunate encounters there, Zhou Heng thought of Liu Changsheng with complex emotions. This was the man who allowed him to step onto Ninth Grade ahead of time, saving Yu Hes life. He felt some gratitude, yet he had also killed Liu Changshengs father by his own hands. True, Liu Gaoyang invited his own demise, but this was, after all, a vendetta for paternal murder. Has he returned from North Zhou because he feels his strength has increased, thinking he can battle me now? Zhou Heng gently shook his head, sighing softly, Pity, I have already reached the Secret Six Rank. Then, his eyes moved to Fang Wen, who was ranked first. After the Morning Sun Wine Meeting on February the 2nd, Fang Wen disappeared within Yuanzhen Sons Cave Sky, and Zhou Heng thought he might have died. He even felt pity for having lost the opportunity to clash with him. Unexpectedly, he has re-emerged in the jianghu. Its just unknown whether his path of the Sword Dao has advanced, whether he has truly embarked on a pathway of his own. Its just a pity for those behind him, they will always be suppressed by this eternal first place on the ranking list, Zhou Heng chuckled inwardly. After scanning a few more ranks, he was about to leave the crowd when he suddenly overheard some people whispering. At last, the top ten on the ranking list are all our people from Da Qi. Its not easy. Since March, those barbarians from the south have been coming to Jiangzhou, picking fights with young experts, seizing many rankings on the list. Really detestable. Exactly, those barbarians from Southern Jin are too hateful. Not only do they take up spots on the ranking list, but they also want the three hundred li of mountains near our border within Jiangzhou. The Imperial Court isnt doing anything about it. Humph, the Zhao Familys court is now too busy with its own troubles to care about us, and I heard that the damned Crown Prince even sold Jiangzhou, along with Yuzhou and Jinzhou, to Southern Jin. Damn it, whats the use of such an imperial court if they dont even protect their own territory! Tsk, dont speak nonsense, criticizing the Imperial Court can get you beheaded! Humph, didnt you say theyre too preoccupied to care? ` Zhou Heng listened to these peoples discussions, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. Jiangzhou, Jinzhou, Yuzhou The situation in these three provinces was even more serious than he had anticipated. There was no need to mention Yuzhou, which had almost become the private property of Jia Ye Temple, and Jiangzhou had also been invaded by the force of Southern Jin, which even occupied the mountainous borders. However, although the Zhao Family Imperial Court had lost the Crown Prince and a sixteenth prince, and the Imperial City had undergone a great upheaval, the Celestial Man was still there, and the Divine First Rank too. How could they be too busy to care about themselves? Nevertheless, judging from the past few months, the Zhao Family Imperial Courts involvement in worldly affairs indeed had dwindled increasingly. If it werent for the responsible handling by the prefectures everywhere, Da Qi might well have entered a state without an imperial court. Could it be that there are some problems with the high levels of the Zhao family? Zhou Heng mused in his heart and quickly made a decision. He would inquire about this matter at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer after he finished refining the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover. The organizations members had diverse backgrounds and broader sources of information. When he got to the Lan Familys side, he could also ask Lan Yingzhi for more information about it. With a plan in mind, Zhou Heng then stepped out of the crowd and no longer watched the rankings. Heroes of Jianghu, contention for the rankings, such a life had little to do with him now. The path ahead for him was the Longevity Way. Not long after Zhou Heng left the crowd, people from the Lan Family in Jiangzhou came to greet him. These were all people that Lan Yingzhi had arranged in advance. They had been waiting in various places inside and outside the city for seven days, all to avoid neglecting Zhou Heng and to greet him at the earliest moment. Of course, those who were sent to receive Zhou Heng must have keen discernment; they did not disrupt him while he was viewing the rankings but waited until he left the crowd to approach him. As he approached the Lan residence, not yet at the gate, Zhou Heng saw Lan Yingzhi, who stood with Lan Ying, the old ancestor of the Lan Family, with a crowd of Lan Family juniors behind them. They were all there to welcome Zhou Heng. After the success of the old ancestors life extension, Lan Yingzhis actions had become much more open, no longer cautious, and she directly welcomed Zhou Heng with such grandeur. Senior, this array is quite impressive. Zhou Heng said with a smile. Master has bestowed great kindness upon our Lan Family; of course, such a welcome is deserved, Lan Yingzhi smiled and said, Moreover, the old ancestor, upon hearing of your arrival, especially instructed me to follow all the proper rites to welcome you properly. Yes, if not for Masters great kindness, my old bones would probably be buried by now. Lan Ying said with a walking stick in hand, his face full of smiles, Mr. Zhou, please come inside. Ive had people prepare a feast to receive you and wash away the dust from your journey. Following that, the crowd of Lan Family juniors behind the two quickly stepped aside to clear a path for Zhou Heng to enter through the main gate. This scene attracted the attention of passersby, with many whispering among themselves. Who is that, with such a large entourage, even making the Lan Familys old ancestor come out personally to welcome him? This is a Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster were talking about. Zhou Heng, its Zhou Heng, the powerful reincarnation from the Pure Yang Palace. They say hes already a Secret Sixth Rank expert now, and just a few days ago, he defeated a monk from Jia Ye Temple in neighboring Yuzhou. So its him, the number one junior brother on the Heaven List. But even so, it shouldnt be worth a Great Grandmaster like Lan Ying personally greeting him. There must be other factors at play. Heh, that you dont know. I heard that some time ago, there were rumors that the Lan Familys old ancestors lifespan was running out. Its probably true. Got it, got it! So thats how it is. It seems the Lan Family really has a chance to become a Celestial Human Clan. Huh? What? Whats going on? Explain clearly! Some understood, some were puzzled, and some bailiffs from the prefectures office, seeing that a significant figure had come, hurriedly left to report back to the office on how to handle the situation. ` Ordinary Secret Sixth Rank individuals naturally dont receive such treatment. But Zhou Heng was different. He was a personage whom the Prefectural Governor had specially instructed not to be neglected. The Lan Family took Zhou Hengs arrival very seriously. At this welcoming banquet, aside from Lan Ying, the Fourth Rank Absolute Grandmaster, there were four Fifth Rank Sect Masters including Lan Yingzhi, all high-level power-holders of the Lan Family. Additionally, there were two young Secret Sixth Rank individuals who were considered mainstays of the Lan Family. After several rounds of polite conversation, the wine had passed around three times. Zhou Heng directly stated his purpose and asked when he could start refining magic weapons. In fact, both Lan Yingzhi and Lan Ying were aware of the matter. After all, Zhou Heng had already spoken to Lan Yingzhi about it in April, but since neither had mentioned it during the banquet, Zhou Heng took it upon himself to bring it up. He instinctively felt that there might be an issue within the Lan Family. Sure enough, as soon as he broached the topic, the expressions on the faces of Lan Yingzhi and Lan Ying changed, appearing somewhat ashamed, while the others nearby lowered their heads. What happened? Theres no need to hesitate, just tell me straight, Zhou Heng said, cutting to the chase. Please forgive us, its not that we deliberately avoided the topic. Theres just been a problem with the smelting furnace, Lan Yingzhi said with a bitter expression, standing up and bowing in apology to Zhou Heng. Please give us some time, we will handle it well. Tell me about it, perhaps I can resolve it, Zhou Heng offered. This Lan Yingzhi hesitated. Just tell the gentleman, Lan Ying sighed and said, Gentleman, were truly sorry for this rather embarrassing situation. Young girl, you better explain. Alright Lan Yingzhi nodded and spoke, Gentleman, heres the situation: over half a month ago, the Heaven Sword Sect, one of the top Martial Dao Sects of Southern Jin, occupied a 300-li mountain range bordering Jiangzhou and Southern Jin. Our familys smelting furnace is built there Refining precious weapons and magic weapons in a smelting furnace is no ordinary task. Usually, it requires a large-scale kiln, constructed using geothermal heat from the mountains terrain, assisted by various prohibition spells and formation patterns, to truly refine such treasures. Such a smelting installation is small if it occupies a single mountain, but the larger ones can encompass three to five mountains. Southern Jins Heaven Sword Sect? Zhou Heng was surprised upon hearing this and looked at Lan Ying with confusion. Does that mean the Heaven Sword Sect sent a Celestial Man and you couldnt make a move? No, Lan Ying shook her head, its merely a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Then why? Zhou Heng frowned. Our ancestor Lan Yingzhi started to say something but hesitated. It doesnt matter, theres really nothing that cant be said, Lan Ying sighed again, Dont laugh at me, but when the master from Heaven Sword Sect seized the mountains where our smelting furnace is located, I already confronted that person and ended up being defeated. How is that possible? Zhou Heng was astounded. Lan Ying was an Absolute Fourth Rank over a thousand years old, whose cultivation was nearly reaching the threshold of the Celestial Man, and yet she was defeated by a Fifth Rank Sect Master. At the Middle Third Rank level, triumphing across ranks is exceptionally difficult, almost an impossibility. Even the formidable Zhou Heng would find it hard to defeat a Sect Fifth Rank while being a Secret Six Rank. The realm suppression of Absolute Fourth Rank over Sect Fifth Rank would only be stronger and more dominant. The power of the Yang Gods Dharma Body could absolutely not be matched by the Dharma Phasethe gap between them being as insurmountable as a vast chasm. Especially since Lan Ying was not an ordinary Absolute Fourth Rank, but a supreme Grandmaster who had stayed at the threshold of the Yang Gods Dharma Body for at least five hundred years. How could she possibly be defeated by a Fifth Rank Sect Master? Unless Did that person have a Divine Artifact in hand? Zhou Heng contemplated a possibility. When it comes to fighting across ranks, high-level magic weapons are first-class trump cards. Unlike weapons that require sufficient strength to unleash their full potential, magic weapons have various ingenious uses. As long as you have the corresponding Sacrifice and Refinement Technique and succeed in activating them, they can exhibit considerable power. However, even with a magic weapon in hand, to bridge the gap between Sect Fifth Rank and Absolute Fourth Rank, it probably would take a Divine Artifact of at least Third Rank Celestial level. Thats correct, Lan Ying nodded with a look of shame, No matter how advanced my practice, its no match for the majesty of a magic weapon. When I approached, I only exchanged a glance with that junior, I didnt even get a clear view of that magic weapon before I was blown back hundreds of miles. Hiss! The surrounding members of the Lan Family couldnt help but draw in a breath of cold air, knowing that their familys ancestor had been repelled with a Divine Artifact, but this was their first time hearing the details. Blown back hundreds of miles without even a clear glance at the magic weaponwasnt that too frightening? Was this what a Third Rank Celestial level Divine Artifact was like? Too powerful! Gentleman, we are truly sorry. The artifact refining that we had previously promised may no longer be feasible, Lan Ying said with a face full of regret, ready to bow and apologize to Zhou Heng. Theres no need for such formalities, Elder, Zhou Heng stopped Lan Yings action and said, As long as we can take back the smelting furnace, we can proceed with the artifact refining as usual, right? Although thats true, but Lan Ying began to explain but stopped halfway, then clenched her teeth and said, Rest assured, gentleman, I will go again and, at all costs, I will take back our smelting furnace! Ancestor! Lan Yingzhi tried to intervene. After all, Divine Artifacts were too dangerous, extremely powerful, and last time it was only a retreat of hundreds of miles, but this time, it would probably result in injuries. You misunderstand, Zhou Heng gently shook his head, smiling slightly, I am not asking you to go, I mean that I will go and meet this Heaven Sword Sect Master myself. What? Lan Ying, Lan Yingzhi, and the rest were shocked, staring at Zhou Heng, and then, in unison, they shook their heads and said, Impossible! Gentleman, you heard what the ancestor just said, Lan Yingzhi said anxiously. The persons Divine Artifact is extraordinarily strong. Even the ancestor, an Absolute Fourth Rank, was powerless to fight back. How could you be an opponent for that magic weapon? Indeed, gentleman, you are our Lan Familys benefactor. We cannot let you take such a risk, Lan Ying also hastened to dissuade him, shaking her head continuously, Absolutely not, absolutely not, gentleman. Please wait here, let the elder handle it. You have misunderstood, Zhou Heng waved his hand and maintained a faint smile, If I didnt have a way to counter that Divine Artifact, why would I venture dangerous waters so lightly? Rest assured, if that Heaven Sword Sect Master has a Divine Artifact, I also have my Unique Secret Method, which can prevent that magic weapon from exerting its clever usage. At that time, naturally, I will subdue that person. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Divine Artifact! Third Rank Celestial level! The Golden Light of Mounted Treasure has been starving and thirsting for too long! ps: A new month has begun, still seeking the base number of monthly votes~ Chapter 339 - Chapter 339: Chapter 59 Let me see how capable you are Chapter 339: Chapter 59 Let me see how capable you are The Jiangjin Mountains, a stretch of three hundred li that marks the border between Da Qis Jiangzhou and Southern Jin, hence the name. Once, there were numerous Sect family branches native to Jiangzhou and even some ordinary martial artists setting up forts under the tacit approval of the Imperial Court, claiming the mountains as their own. It was incredibly prosperous. But now, the Jiangjin Mountains have become much quieter, with even the usual peddlers who traveled the mountain roads gone. This is because the Grandmaster of the Heaven Sword Sect, He Yanghui, wielding a divine weapon, dominated with overwhelming force. Ten days ago, he drove out the various powers within the Jiangjin Mountains. At this moment, the Jiangjin Mountains are almost an empty city. Eight-sided Mountain, Lan Familys separate courtyard. This is where Jiangzhous Lan Family has built weapon casting furnaces in the Jiangjin Mountains, having operated for thousands of years, making it the most complete and well-established place within these three hundred li of mountains. Therefore, the Lan Familys separate courtyard was naturally chosen as the temporary foothold for the Heaven Sword Sect. He Yanghui brought a group of disciples with him to reside here and also utilized the Lan Familys casting furnaces to temper the treasure sword that was key to his life and cultivation. The Heaven Sword Sect was one of the Hundred Schools that emerged during the Middle Ancient period of sages. The founder once listened to the preaching of the Sword Saint and later carved out their unique path, Heavenly Sword. Martial artists from this Sect, upon reaching Secret Six Rank, would choose a treasure sword to cultivate with them, integrating with the sword. Through refining the sword, they could advance their Cultivation Realm, and their lethality far surpassed martial artists of the same rank. However, this also meant their fates were intertwined with their swords, in glory and in ruin alike. Despite this, compared to the traditional sword cultivations more accessible path to breaking through realms, and the formidable lethality, many martial artists still flocked to them. The Heaven Sword Sect gradually grew strong and became one of the top martial sects of Southern Jin. He Yanghui was one of the most outstanding individuals of his generation, not yet a hundred years old but already at the peak of Sect Fifth Rank, with a cultivated Dharma Phase and a glimpse of the charm of the Yang God Realm. He was acclaimed as the one most likely to achieve the Dharmakaya within a century in the Heaven Sword Sect. This time, his mission to occupy the Jiangjin Mountains was part of a collaborative effort between the Heaven Sword Sect and Southern Jins Imperial Court, aimed at testing the limits of Da Qis various factions. Additionally, he sought to seize the opportunity to take over the Lan Familys casting furnaces in Jiangzhou. Jiangzhous Lan Family had a reputation that reached even Southern Jin, with many coveting the Jiangjin Mountains casting furnaces, which had once forged quasi-divine weapons. Huh! He Yanghui exhaled a breath of turbid air, opened his eyes, and as he gazed upon the floating treasure sword before him, a hint of joy appeared on his face as he smiled and said, This Lan Familys casting furnace really lives up to its name, truly excellent. At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged outside the fiercely burning, intensely hot casting furnace. His life-bound Taoguang Sword was glowing brightly under the red flames, with a resonant sword hum. Having occupied this casting furnace for only half a month, he already felt a significant improvement in the strength of his sword, and if he could continue like this, he was confident that in less than ten years, he could attempt to break through to the Yang Gods Dharmakaya Realm. Before I turn one hundred, I will refine the Yang God, and no one will stop me, He Yanghui thought, his gaze fixed on the Taoguang Sword and his expression resolute. He also sensed a patch of red light floating in his sea of consciousness, Even the Lan Family patriarch cant! This time, his determination to succeed in the Jiangjin Mountains was unyielding. To ensure his mission went smoothly, he even sought a Celestial Man-level divine artifact from his master, using it to suppress everything and clear all obstacles. A while ago, when Lan Ying of the Lan Family in Jiangzhou came to argue with him, he was repelled by this treasure. Clang! Just at that moment, the huge iron door outside the forge was opened, and a slender figure pushed the door and walked in. The newcomer was a beautiful woman in her twenties, dressed in moon-white garments that hugged her exquisite figure. Her gaze moved upward, immediately finding He Yanghui suspended in the air. This was He Yanghuis senior sister, who was also a True Disciple of the Heaven Sword Sect, named Qiu Yu. Her cultivation was higher than He Yanghuis, having already stepped into the realm of Absolute Fourth Rank Yang God three hundred years ago. She had come to protect He Yanghui, to ensure nothing went awry on this trip. Yet, she hadnt revealed herself, leading others to believe that the Heaven Sword Sect had only sent He Yanghui and some ordinary disciples. Junior Brother, has todays morning practice just ended? Seeing that He Yanghui had retracted his Sword Qi and swallowed the Treasure Sword, transforming it into a Sword Pill, Qiu Yu asked with a smile, How were your gains? Senior Sister Qiu always times her visits so well. He Yanghui, delighted to see the beautiful woman, quickly descended and came before Qiu Yu, Hmm, this ancient forge, as expected of a place that once forged pseudo-Divine Weapons, retains faint traces of Taoist energy blended with principle, which are greatly beneficial to the nurturing of my sword. Hmm, it was precisely for this reason that I suggested Master select this place to send you here, Qiu Yu nodded lightly and then her expression turned serious, I just didnt expect that an accident would happen. An accident? What accident? When He Yanghui heard this, his eyebrows raised slightly, and he asked, Could it be that the Lan Family of Jiangzhou has sought help? But with a Divine Artifact in my hands, who could possibly harm me unless a Celestial Man descends? On this matter, both He Yanghui himself and the Heaven Sword Sect had tacitly agreed Celestial Men wouldnt make a move. After all, if Celestial Men intervened, it would lead to a confrontation of the highest forces on each side in the mortal world, possibly escalating into a conflict that could spread throughout Da Qi and Southern Jin. For this reason, the Heaven Sword Sect didnt send a Celestial Man to protect He Yanghui either. This was an unwritten rule since the Middle Ancient period, where Celestial Men generally wouldnt take action lightly unless necessary. Its Zhou Heng, Qiu Yu said with a grave voice. Unexpectedly, the Lan Family of Jiangzhou are on good terms with him. Just yesterday, Zhou Heng arrived at County City in Jiangzhou and was received by the Lan Family with great fanfare. Zhou Heng? He Yanghui was taken aback at the mention of the name, his brows furrowed slightly, and he questioned with confusion, Senior Sister means that disciple of the Grandmaster of Pure Yang Palace? But hes only Seventh Rank in Martial Path, isnt he? How could he pose a problem? His understanding of Zhou Heng was limited, still based on the news he had heard from Da Qis imperial capitals Sunlight Wine Conference. After all, for someone of his Sect Fifth Rank, a Martial Artist of Seventh Rank, no matter how formidable, was limited in ability and not worth much of his attention. As for those rumors about formidable reincarnates or ones who had slain Loose Immortalsas far as Southern Jin was concerned, those had passed through too many hands and, in the eyes of many, their authenticity was still dubious. He has already linked with an External Scenery and stepped into the Innate realm, Qiu Yu patiently explained, seeing that He Yanghui wasnt taking it seriously. Junior Brother, this Zhou Heng is not simple. Youve been mostly in the forge and unaware. Ive inquired about him while in County City in Jiangzhou. So he has reached Secret Sixth Rank, He Yanghui nodded perfunctorily. What could a mere Secret Sixth Rank do, after all? But out of consideration for Qiu Yu, he still smiled and said, Thank you for the concern, Senior Sister. May I ask what these messages say? You know about Jia Ye Temples mission in Yuzhou. Besides that, they also intended to open an ancient Pure Land hidden in Yuzhou Qiu Yu briefly narrated the happenings in Yuzhou, Eventually, the Pure Land fell into Pure Yang Palaces hands, transformed into the Taoist Heavenly Realm, and Zhou Heng played a key role in it. Moreover, after verifying the rumors about Zhou Heng from various sources, I fear they are true. Even if somewhat exaggerated, they likely arent far from the truth. At this moment, hes the reincarnation of an unnamed ancient powerhouse, with numerous pre-arranged plans from his previous life, and unimaginably strong. Numerous Overseas Loose Cultivators have fallen at his hands. Although you wield a Divine Artifact, you should not let your guard down. Hmm, I understand, He Yanghui nodded solemnly, smiling, Senior Sister, rest assured. Since Zhou Heng is truly formidable, I will certainly be extra careful and wont be complacent. Although he still did not quite believe the rumors about Zhou Hengthey were too outlandish, verging on the stuff of fairy taleshe decided to take Zhou Heng seriously, if only slightly, since Qiu Yu was so earnestly reminding him. Good, seeing that He Yanghui accepted her warning, Qiu Yu finally relaxed somewhat, If that Zhou Heng really comes, I will protect you from the shadows. ` Then I thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. He Yanghui gave a clasped fist salute and then said, By the way Senior Sister, the local famous chef from Jiangzhou that I had instructed my disciple to find has arrived. Would you care to join me for a meal? Qiu Yu fell silent for a moment but eventually nodded, Okay. Zhou Hengs need for the Nine Dragons God Fire Cover was still very urgent. Therefore, on the third day of his arrival in Jiangzhou, he went to the Jiangjin Mountains, accompanied by Lan Yingzhi and the Lan Family patriarch Lan Ying, as well as three Sixth-Rank Managers. High above ten thousand feet, a purple-golden light cut through the sky, flying to a halt above the clouds surrounding the Jiangjin Mountains, gazing down at the three hundred li-spanning mountain range below. Among them, the majestic Eight-sided Mountain stood out the most, with its eight faces soaring over three thousand zhang high, and flames that pierced the sky, giving off the impression that it was a giant bonfire amid the myriad mountains. Soon after, Lan Yingzhi and Lan Ying also dissipated their Escape Skills, revealing their figures behind Zhou Heng. Sir, your flying Escape Skill is astonishingly fast. Lan Yingzhi couldnt help but exclaim in admiration. Zhou Heng was indeed incredibly fast. Although they and their patriarch had deliberately flown behind Zhou Heng during the journey, they could clearly sense that Zhou Hengs Escape Skill was faster than that of the vast majority of True Gang Realm, not just a little faster, but perhaps four or five times quicker. Such speed of Escape Skill was something they had only seen in their lives. Its just a small trick. Zhou Heng lightly shook his head, not thinking much of it. What he had used during his flight was the Sect Fifth-Rank Taoist Formula Thousand Li Soaring Light Technique that he had obtained from the Fortune Bag earlier. This was a genuine immortal Escape Skill, turning into light to fly instantaneously across thousands of li. It was much faster than other Sword Control Techniques he had used before. Moreover, it was only because he had just begun to practice this technique, and once he refined it further, he could be even quicker. However, seeing Yan Shouyis kind of speed, which could cross millions of li in an instant, he didnt think such an Escape Skill was something to be proud of. It was still too slow. Sir is being too modest. Lan Ying said with a smile, then pointed to the fires in the mountains, and said, Sir, that place is Eight-sided Mountain, where the Lan Familys forging furnaces are located. Although its not quite proper to say this now, I still want to ask, do you truly intend to find He Yanghui? This person acts overbearingly and harshly without much reason. You will likely need to fight as soon as you meet. That Divine Weapon of his Elder, theres no need to worry. Zhou Heng waved his hand lightly and smiled, As I said before, since I chose to come here, naturally I have a solution. You dont need to be concerned. Mm, Patriarch, since Sir has put it that way, please rest assured. Lan Yingzhi also said, trying to reassure, though she too was deeply worried about Zhou Heng. But seeing his resolute attitude, she didnt persist any further. Ah, Sir, please be extremely cautious. Lan Ying said. Elder, rest assured. Zhou Heng smiled, Then Ill go down first to meet this He Yanghui and see how capable he truly is. The two Elders can just wait here. With that said, his figure suddenly descended, plummeting from the clouds, then he turned into a flash of light, flying towards Eight-sided Mountain. This was what they had agreed upon before they came. If Zhou Heng ended up fighting with He Yanghui, the battle might be quite massive, so it was better for the Lan Family members to watch from the clouds. There was no need for them to follow too closely. Only after Zhou Hengs transformed light entered the Eight-sided Mountain did the two Lan Family Managers who had been left behind catch up, gasping for breath and feeling very drained, their True Gang Realm cultivation faltering. You are late, Sir has already gone down. Lan Ying glanced at them and said, Lets just observe the battle from here, hoping that Sir will be safe and sound. Ah, that Divine Artifact is certainly not easy to deal with. Sir must have a way, Lan Yingzhi comforted, Patriarch, lets just wait here for Sirs triumphant return. Within the Eight-sided Mountains forging furnace. He Yanghui had just ended his morning practice session and distinctly felt the Taoguang Sword had grown stronger once more, which left him feeling very satisfied and uplifted in spirit. At this time, Qiu Yu came over and said in a deep voice, He has indeed come. Mm, I have already sensed it, He Yanghui nodded and smiled, Lets go, Senior Sister. Ill meet this man and see if hes as formidable as the rumors claim. Do not be careless, Qiu Yu cautioned. Rest assured, Senior Sister. He Yanghui chuckled, then opened his mouth and swallowed the Taoguang Sword, which had turned into a Sword Pill, and walked out of the forging furnace. Outside the courtyard at this moment, more than a dozen Heaven Sword Sect disciples confronted Zhou Heng, barring him from entry. In reality, among these disciples, there were only two Secret Six Rank, and if Zhou Heng really wanted to force his way through, he could do so effortlessly. But he hadnt done so, choosing instead to wait outside the courtyard for He Yanghui to come out. After all, defeating a few minor characters didnt serve any purpose; he needed to wait for the main actor to arrive. Soon after, He Yanghui walked out of the courtyard. With a proud bearing, he appeared to be in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor. All the disciples of the Heaven Sword Sect bowed respectfully to him. Qiu Yu, on the other hand, remained inside and did not follow. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only So you are Zhou Heng? He Yanghui sized up Zhou Heng slightly and chuckled, Some people have warned me to be cautious around you, and not to take you lightly, saying that your methods are unpredictable and tough to deal with. Well, thank you for painting me in such a fearsome light, Zhou Heng also laughed, Since thats the case, you should know why Im here. Would you consider retreating from the Jiangjin Mountains? Of course, the answer is no! He Yanghui shook his head, then his eyes flared with divine light, and a red rainbow shot out from the top of his head, changing the color of the sky and earth, Let me first see how competent you are, daring to challenge me with merely Sixth-Rank secret techniques! To everyones surprise, he immediately wielded his Divine Artifact, exerting his full strength without any arrogance or reserve. ` Chapter 340 - Chapter 340: Chapter 60: A Bronze Mirror, A Wisp of Mysterious Yellow Qi Chapter 340: Chapter 60: A Bronze Mirror, A Wisp of Mysterious Yellow Qi ` This divine artifact magic weapon was fiery red and scorching hot, and after shooting into the sky, it was like a splendid sun, its light endless, illuminating heaven and earth; most of Jiangzhou could see its brilliance. An unparalleled glow and heat were released, turning the three hundred miles of Jiang and Jin mountains a fiery red, almost as if a sun had descended into the world, threatening to burn everything to ashes. He Yanghuis face bore a cold smile, his expression mockingly watching Zhou Heng. The divine artifact magic weapon he had begged from his master was called the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror, said to be made by a Celestial Man from the Middle Ancient Era who went beyond the heavens to collect the core of a star, its power immense. Such a divine artifact was essentially equal to a Celestial Man in itself, and even though it was now being stimulated by He Yanghui, a Fifth Rank Sect Master, far from unleashing its original power, it was still enough to crush any existence below a Celestial Man. The former ancestor of the Lan Family had come here before and faced the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror with absolutely no power to fight back. Let alone the mere Secret Sixth Rank Zhou Heng! In fact, He Yanghui had never considered Zhou Heng to be his match, but as this trip to the Jiang and Jin mountains was related to his chance of reaching the Absolute Fourth Rank, he couldnt afford to be careless. Therefore, even though he held Zhou Heng in contempt, thinking him to be overhyped and his reputation greatly exaggerated, when it came to actually taking action, he still went all out. The matter of the Jiang and Jin mountains could not afford a mishap. He would rather secure the victory with one strike than drag it out, at most controlling the divine artifact magic weapons power to avoid directly killing Zhou Heng and attracting trouble That was He Yanghuis thought. For this reason, he had only let the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror manifest extremely bright light and scorching heat, not yet using the forces at the level of Taoist Rhyme Theory. This was incomparable to the display of power he had shown against the Lan Familys ancestor, countless times less powerful. He was afraid of killing Zhou Heng and bringing disaster upon himself. The reputation of Yan Shouyi in the Southern Jin was still illustrious, truly the first Celestial Man in the world. However, because He Yanghui had stimulated the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror with all his might, although the magic weapon was only displaying a portion of its power, it didnt mean that it could only unleash power at that level. In reality, He Yanghui was always ready to increase the displayed power, ready to strike hard the moment Zhou Heng showed the slightest sign of resistance. This was to prevent the so-called fallback of a great ancient power from truly emerging. In He Yanghuis view, his preparations were flawless, every possible situation considered. No matter what, as long as the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror was in hand, there was no way he could be defeated. Yet, at the moment the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror turned into a Great Sun rising into the sky, and an endless light and heat burst forth, a streak of golden light suddenly flew out of Zhou Hengs hand, striking the Great Sun above. The golden light moved extremely fast, even surpassing the reaction speed of a Fifth Rank Sect Master like He Yanghui, who could only make out that wrapped within this golden light seemed to be an ordinary copper coin. He didnt sense any strong power from this golden light, feeling only that it was somewhat dazzling, a rather bright light, nothing special Clang! At that moment, the sound of metal clashing suddenly rang out, like a copper coin falling onto some metallic vessel, sounding extremely clear. Following this sound, the ceaselessly rising high temperature and the red light that lit up much of Jiangzhou suddenly vanished as if they had never existed. He Yanghuis face changed drastically, disbelievingly looking up at the sky, at where the Blinding Yang God Light Mirror had been, and then suddenly his pupils shrank and his face showed an incredulous expression. All the light on the divine artifact magic weapon had disappeared, turning into a palm-sized, dull and rough bronze mirror, as if it had lost all its spirit. ` And beside that bronze mirror, there swirled a golden light, within which a gold coin bounced slightly upon the mirrors surface, incredibly enveloping the bronze mirror in its glow. Immediately after, the golden light plummeted, aiming to fly towards where Zhou Heng was. Stop right there! A sudden shout came, from Qiu Yu who had been staying idle in the courtyard until now. Her figure floated ethereally into view, instantly appearing before the golden light, attempting to block its path. But the very moment she appeared, Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi, who had been above the clouds, acted together. Six magic weapons were cast out simultaneously, their radiant light streaking across the heavens, striking towards Qiu Yu. The two of them had been attentively watching Zhou Heng from afar, worried that there would be complications on his end, especially when He Yanghui had brought out his divine artifact right from the start, which caused them great alarm. However, what happened next was beyond anyones expectations. Zhou Heng had somehow managed to knock He Yanghuis divine artifact off its course, even draining it of its spirituality. This unfathomably bizarre action had utterly astounded Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi, but Qiu Yus sudden arrival jolted them into action. They quickly lent their aid to Zhou Heng, resisting this newly emerged Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster. Lan Family, stand down at once! Qiu Yu shouted furiously. She had not expected Zhou Heng to be able to knock down He Yanghuis magic weapon. A Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist casually unleashing a divine light that could knock down a divine artifact and even suppress its spirit was unheard-of and unbelievable. However, she was very clear that the Blazing Yang Light Mirror absolutely couldnt be lost; it was a Heaven Third Rank magic weapon! Mr. Zhou is our invited guest, there is no reason for you to outnumber and bully us! Lan Ying said gravely, Moreover, this Eight-sided Mountain foundry furnace has always been my property. It is you who should be withdrawing! Stubborn fool! Qiu Yu bellowed, and a glaring light of ten thousand feet shone from her body. A sword-wielding fairy-like Dharma Body soared out from above her head, then swung its longsword, sweeping across thousands of miles of rivers and mountains! She had summoned her own Dharma Body! For an Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster, to summon ones Dharma Body signified a resolve to fight with every last bit of strength. Boom! A deafening roar resonated through three hundred miles of the Jiangzhou mountains. Under the might of Qiu Yus revered Dharma Body, all the magic weapons wielded by Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi flew back in dim retreat. The mountains and rivers quaked in response, and even those common mountains on the outskirts that hadnt been reinforced started to collapse, while fissures spread across the earth. An Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Artist manifesting a Dharma Body turned every move into a calamity! Return my magic weapon! He Yanghui charged forward in rage, sword in hand, his mana stirring all over, with a shadowy figure of a divine swordsman looming behind him, its killing intent piercing the skies and heading straight for Zhou Heng. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Be careful, sir! noted Lan Yingzhi, seeing this scene. She wanted to move to assist Zhou Heng, but she was constrained by Qiu Yus Dharma Body and couldnt shift her position. By now, He Yanghui had already reached Zhou Heng, his swords intensive killing intent slashing down. The sword light split the air, emitting a shrill scream, and its mere aftershocks were enough to shake the earth and stir the mountains. This was not a force a Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist could withstand; this was a Fifth Rank Sect Master launching a full-powered, deadly strike. Any ordinary Innate being would be doomed without a doubt. Yet Zhou Heng remained calm and composed, gently pushing up his hairpin and said with a light chuckle, You want the magic weapon? Come and take it yourself. Immediately, a mystic yellow energy burst forth from the top of his head, soaring into the sky! Chapter 357 - Chapter 357: Chapter 77: Disciples of Buddha in the Distant Ancient Past Chapter 357: Chapter 77: Disciples of Buddha in the Distant Ancient Past Shanyuan was defeated very straightforwardly and swiftly. Under the gaze of hundreds of onlookers hoping to witness an intense battle, Zhou Heng used just one move to defeat Monk Shanyuan. There was no toe-to-toe struggle, no surge of energy from heaven and earth, and none of the colorful lights often associated with Middle Third Rank warriors were present. None of the rumored phenomena occurred. The whole process was simply Zhou Heng forming a hand seal, his eyes igniting with a golden light, and then Monk Shanyuans face displayed an expression of pain and horror as he quickly knelt to the ground, drenched in cold sweat. This situation had completely surpassed the understanding of the numerous pilgrims. If they hadnt seen it with their own eyes, they would never believe that Master Shanyuan, who was known for his high martial arts prowess, capable of flying and disappearing at will, could be defeated so easily. Inconceivable! At this moment, Zhou Heng stood there with a smile, calm and collected. How is this possible, how can this be? Monk Shanyuan murmured, pressing his hands against the ground and growling through clenched teeth, This cant be possible! The many onlookers also buzzed with confused commentary. What happened, I dont understand? Did that young man just defeat Master Shanyuan with a single look? What martial art is this? Ive never heard of it before. Could this young man be the legendary transcendent figure who has reversed his age? Whats going on?? Most of the pilgrims were ordinary people, and even those few who had practiced martial arts were only Ninth Grade or not even Entry Rank, with limited knowledge; they couldnt understand the state of Monk Shanyuan. Master?! Monk Tongzhens cry could be heard as he had just rushed over from outside the Golden Light Temple and was greeted by this unfathomable scene upon arrival. Master, Master, whats happened to you?? Monk Tongzhen ran up to Monk Shanyuans side, trying to help him up. However, no matter how much Monk Shanyuan tried, he remained firmly kneeling as if a mountain weighed down upon him, and even with all his strength, Monk Tongzhen could not budge him an inch. Theres no need to help him. Zhou Heng spoke dismissively, Hes suppressed by his own fear. Unless he overcomes the fear in his heart, hell remain kneeling here. What wicked technique did you use?! Monk Tongzhen glared at Zhou Heng furiously. Then you try it. A flash of golden light twinkled in Zhou Hengs eyes. An immensely powerful spiritual force instantly penetrated Monk Tongzhens Divine Soul barrier, evoking his deepest fears and most unbearable memories. Sky-Earth Striking Method! Thud! Monk Tongzhen too knelt to the ground, his face ashen, drenched in cold sweat, trembling all over, a sight even more pitiful than Monk Shanyuan beside him. The apprentices and trainers from the Golden Light Temple who witnessed this scene were all thoroughly shocked, their minds immediately snapping to attention as they turned to flee without looking back. In no time, every apprentice and trainer from the Golden Light Temple had cleared out completely. Too weak, not interesting, Zhou Heng shook his head and then turned to smile at Cheng Jianjian, Lets go, its time to visit the next place. Ill lead the way, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile, walking ahead while leading the chestnut horse. The onlookers at Golden Light Temple watched the receding figures of Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, looking around at their surroundings and the grand hall in front of them, and couldnt help but fall into a deep self-doubt. It seemed that the Jia Ye Temple, rumored to be one of the top Martial Dao Sects of the Great Jin, wasnt all that impressive after all. The once greatly respected Master Shanyuan had just been effortlessly defeated by a youth who appeared out of nowhere. Moreover, the other party didnt even lift a finger, merely casting a glance, and Shanyuan was defeated! The disparity was just too vast. Thus, the group of pilgrims let out a sigh and dispersed, deciding never to visit the Golden Light Temple to pray again. The apprentices looked at each other, with a desire to leave with the pilgrims but also feeling unwilling. After all, they had paid to learn martial arts, and leaving now would mean a great loss. But seeing their usually revered Shanyuan Monk looking so gloomy on his knees, they still felt shortchanged. After some thought, they decided it was better to head home, out of sight, out of mind. Soon, the vast Golden Light Temple became deserted. Only Shanyuan and Tongzhen, the two monks, were left trembling and kneeling on the ground. As the sun approached its zenith, it was noontime. Monk Shanyuans face finally began to relax, and he slowly lifted his head and stood up, although his eyes still showed a thick trace of fear. He glanced at Tongzhen, who was kneeling beside him, his expression turning dark. With a wave of his hand and a flash of golden light, he soothed Tongzhen Monks emotions, calming him down. Zhou Heng, what a formidable reincarnated being! Monk Shanyuan gritted his teeth, his face filled with resentment. Master, what exactly happened just now? Although Tongzhen managed to barely calm down, his mind was muddled, and the memories of what had transpired were in utter chaos. Shut up! Monk Shanyuan glared at Tongzhen and said in a deep voice, Announce the closure of the temple! Ah? Tongzhen was still a bit confused, and hesitantly asked, Close, close the temple? Hurry up! Monk Shanyuan snapped, extremely irritable. For Zhou Heng at the moment, martial artists below the rank of Sect Fifth Rank posed absolutely no threat. Therefore, after leaving the Golden Light Temple, he and Cheng Jianjian hurriedly continued on to the next martial arts school established by Jia Ye Temple in Yujian Prefectural City. The same scenario played out almost identically. Without the slightest effort. In just half a day, Zhou Heng had defeated all the forces related to Jia Ye Temple in Yujian Prefectural City, causing their reputation to plummet drastically. The entire Yujian Prefectural City was thrown into shock and disbelief. Jia Ye Temple was a top-ranking Martial Dao Sect in the great Jin Dynasty, one of the three ancient Buddha Sect temples, and yet they had been defeated by two unknown youngsters, a boy and a girl. It was inconceivable. For a time, discussions about Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian created quite a buzz, with many speculating about their identities. In a tavern room. Cheng Jianjian held an invitation in her hand, her expression odd. She looked at Zhou Heng sitting opposite her and lightly laughed, Guess who sent the invitation? The Ning Family from Yujian? Zhou Heng smiled and said, Theyre the only ones left. Yes, thats right, Cheng Jianjian nodded and replied, Its an invitation from the Ning Family, saying theyll hold a banquet at their home tonight, inviting us to attend, as they have important matters to discuss. Oh? Zhou Heng smiled and said, Wasnt this Ning Zeyu avoiding you just a while ago? Perhaps she changed her mind, Cheng Jianjian replied with a light smile, while popping a piece of candy into her mouth, or perhaps after learning about what we have been doing, she has some new plans. It might be related to the Hundred Halls Picture of Yao Palace, Zhou Heng said with a smile. After all, she is called the Heavenly Maiden of Yao Palace. Hmm, I think so too, Cheng Jianjian nodded and said, I heard that when Ning Zeyu was born, there were faint visions of Yao Palace pavilions in the sky, and after she made a name for herself, she acquired the title of Heavenly Maiden of Yao Palace. She was born with such phenomena? Zhou Heng was a bit surprised upon hearing this and laughed, Now Im quite curious about this Heavenly Maiden of Yao Palace. Curious? Cheng Jianjian suddenly grabbed a handful of candy and swallowed it. Maybe shes also the reincarnation of a great power, Zhou Heng said smilingly. The Ning Family was the largest and most prosperous family in Yujian Mansion City. Their rise was nothing short of legendary. Thirty years ago, the Ning Family was but an ordinary family within Yujian Mansion City. Although they were in business and quite wealthy, they were not on par with the true great families. In the land of a prefecture, a family with a Secret Six Rank martial artist was called a great family. The Ning Family only had two Seventh Rank Warriors, both old men in their sixties and seventies, nearing the end of their lives. The next generation, mostly inept, even struggled with the issue of succeeding the family business. At that time, many people were watching the Ning Family, waiting for those two old Seventh Ranks to die, so they could divide up the Ning Familys assets. However, everything changed after the birth of Ning Zeyu. It is said that when Ning Zeyu was born, there were ephemeral shadows of pavilions and terraces in the sky, and the space above the Ning Family shone with a vast expanse of white light, a phenomenon that shocked the heavens and earth. When the midwife took her from her mothers womb, they even found a piece of jade stone clutched in her hand. However, many locals in Yujian Mansion City say its just a rumor, and that none of it really happened. Regardless, from that moment on, everything about the Ning Family began to change. Firstly, those two elderly Seventh Ranks broke through to the Secret Six Rank, greatly increasing their strength and prolonging their lifespans, and suddenly pushed the Ning Family to the top echelons of Yujian Mansion Citys families. After that, the Ning Familys businesses flourished more and more. No matter the industry, they almost always made money smoothly. Although they almost never made a fortune, with enough industries involved, the income of the Ning Family was exceedingly high. Their achievements in the martial path, coupled with their booming business, rapidly developed the Ning Family, making them stronger and causing the other families to grow wary, preparing to join forces against the Ning Family. However, before these families could implement their plans, news spread from the Ning Family that Ning Zeyu, at the mere age of twenty-six, had refined her True Qi, inner and outer realms converging, stepping into the realm of Secret Six Rank. A Secret Six Rank at twenty-six! Let alone a small place like Yujian Mansion City, which could not even count as a big city, even in the worlds top martial dao sects, such an achievement was considered genius. This made those who had designs on the Ning Family abandon their thoughts. It was from that time that the Ning Family truly became the strongest family in Yujian Mansion City. Without a doubt. Undoubtedly, Ning Zeyu was the true core of the Ning Family, often her will was the will of the Ning Family. Now that the Ning Family sent an invitation, it meant that Ning Zeyus thoughts had changed. The Ning Family took the arrival of Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian very seriously, directly sending someone to Yujian Inn to welcome them with great respect. ` However, this left them both feeling puzzled. Ning Zeyu seemed to be taking too bold a risk. Right now, the two of them had just crushed all the martial arts halls of the Jia Ye Temple within Yujian Mansion City, making enemies with this top-tier Martial Dao Sect. In such a situation, anyone who openly associated with the two of them might bear the wrath of the Jia Ye Temple. Originally, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian thought that Ning Zeyu would at most secretly send someone to bring them over, but they didnt expect her to be so blatant about it, seemingly unafraid of being discovered by the Jia Ye Temple. Its somewhat strange, Cheng Jianjian said to Zhou Heng, her voice grave. Could it be that Ning Zeyu has other plans? No, this is very interesting, Zhou Heng laughed. Ning Zeyu shouldnt be a fool, yet she still did this, which makes me even more curious. In the Intimate Hall of the Ning Residence. This hall, situated in the backyard of the Ning Residence and built in exquisite fashion, was where Ning Zeyu specially entertained honored guests. Upon their arrival, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were led there by people of the Ning Family. Ning Zeyu was a beautiful woman in her twenties, dressed in a fresh white dress. Her features were delicate, and her eyes carried an air of spirit, giving her an ethereal charm. She seemed to share a subtle similarity in temperament with Cheng Jianjian. Mr. Zhou, Miss Cheng, Ning Zeyu greeted them with a bow and a smile. Ive been waiting for a long time. Please, have a seat. As she spoke, she actively poured a cup of tea for Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Her attitude remained quite humble. Miss Ning, what did you want to discuss? Zhou Heng didnt beat around the bush and got straight to the point. You might as well speak frankly. Previously, you ignored me, and now youve suddenly changed your mind? Cheng Jianjian also directly asked. Its for the Hundred Halls Map of Yao Palace, Ning Zeyu replied succinctly. I can sense that at least six Grandmasters have come to explore the Hundred Halls Map of Yao Palace this time, and Im not their match yet. So, you want to recruit us to be your helpers? Zhou Heng laughed. Thats right, Ning Zeyu nodded and said. You two have consecutively defeated the martial arts halls of the Jia Ye Temple, which made me recognize your strength. Arent you afraid of offending the Jia Ye Temple because of this? Cheng Jianjian asked gravely. If I succeed in this venture, I will fear no Jia Ye Temple, Ning Zeyu declared earnestly. Besides, if the Jia Ye Temple truly decides to deal with the Ning Family, wouldnt that also satisfy Miss Chengs desire? No, I want to defeat you myself, Cheng Jianjian shook her head. Is that so? Ning Zeyu shook her head with a smile. Im afraid you wont have the chanceugh!! She hadnt finished speaking when her face suddenly turned pale, looking disbelievingly at Zhou Heng, only to see him forming hand seals and gazing at her with a menacing look. Miss Ning, do you remember that you invited us here? Zhou Heng said indifferently. Just now, he had used the Divine Soul Secret Method to attack Ning Zeyus Divine Soul. Why not have a fight with me first? Cheng Jianjians eyebrows arched slightly as she spoke. Without clear terms, we cannot cooperate. What are your true intentions, and why are you not afraid of the Jia Ye Temple? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ning Zeyu had spoken too vaguely just now. Ning Zeyu fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, and as if she had made up her mind, she said solemnly, Do you know the origin of the name Jia Ye Temple? Without waiting for them to speak, she continued, Legend has it that in the distant and untraceable past, there was an ancestor of all Buddhas who had ten disciples. One of them was called Jia Ye. ` Chapter 358 - Chapter 358: Chapter 78 A Smile Over a Flower Chapter 358: Chapter 78 A Smile Over a Flower Disciple of the Buddha?! Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjians eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this. However, the reasons for their astonishment were different. Zhou Heng was surprised because what Ning Zeyu had mentioned corresponded with some of the mythological tales he had heard on Earth. Jia Ye, also known as Great Jia Ye or Makakasho, was considered to be the disciple of Buddha with the least attachment and held an exalted status. At the assembly on Spiritual Mountain, when the Buddha silently held up a flower, only the venerable Jia Ye broke into a smile. This was referred to as the smile in the twinkle of an eye. This was the legend of Jia Ye on Earth. Zhou Heng had always been searching for things related to Earth in this world, but to little avail; he never expected to come across such a clear clue here. Cheng Jianjians surprise stemmed from the fact that someone was speaking so confidently about the Buddhas disciples and even mentioned the name of one. This world did have legends about the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism, but they were very simple. Essentially just a single sentence. In the distant and unverifiable past, the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism preached and imparted the Tao in the world, granting living beings the initial methods of cultivation and the path to transcendence. That was all. As for the specific images, names, or origins of the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism, and when they vanished, or what kind of disciples they had countless powerful figures have sought the truth through the ages, but to this day, there are still no conclusions. In most peoples eyes, the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism are merely figures of legend. Compared to them, Even the sparse records of the ancient Mythical era seem much more real. Therefore, Cheng Jianjians first reaction was disbelief. How could Ning Zeyu, just a Martial Artist of Secret Six Rank from a minor family, possibly know these secrets that countless have sought for eons without success? But then she immediately came to her senses, realizing that she had committed the mistake of dismissing others without cause. Rumor had it that at Ning Zeyus birth, there were auspicious signs. Perhaps she really could be the reincarnation of some significant figure, privy to some ancient secrets? Youre talking about the Buddhas disciples? Cheng Jianjian decided to inquire, I didnt expect to hear of such ancient matters. You may choose not to believe, which is very normal, Ning Zeyus expression remained calm as she continued, Regarding this Venerable Jia Ye, there is also a very magical legend called the smile in the twinkle of an eye. In the bygone eras, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats resided in the Pure Land on Spiritual Mountain. The Buddha preached at Spiritual Mountain, held up a flower to the gathering, and while many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats did not understand its meaning, only Venerable Jia Ye smiled in return. Are you saying that only this Venerable Jia Ye could understand the Buddhas intentions? Cheng Jianjian exclaimed in surprise, By that logic, Venerable Jia Yes cultivation realm must be unfathomably deep. Where did you hear these legends? Zhou Heng suddenly asked. Ning Zeyu briefly fell silent, then smiled and said, What if I told you that I myself am from these very legends C would you believe me? What? Zhou Heng was taken aback. How is that possible? Cheng Jianjians eyes widened in disbelief. Both of them were extremely surprised. The claims made by Ning Zeyu were simply too astonishing. Are you suggesting youre the reincarnation of all those Buddhas on Spiritual Mountain? Zhou Heng frowned as he scrutinized Ning Zeyu, who didnt look the part at all. No. Ning Zeyu shook her head, smiling, I am that flower. Ah? Zhou Heng was somewhat taken by surprise. The flower from the smile in the twinkle of an eye? Cheng Jianjian was also quite taken aback. Correct, Ning Zeyu nodded gently and sighed softly, When the Buddha held up the flower, I, graced with Zen, became sentient, and transformed into a Celestial Woman, serving in front of Buddha. Then why would you reincarnate in this era? Zhou Heng asked with a smile, while using a special skill card on Ning Zeyu. Identification Card: Use on a person or object to reveal its true information. Name: Ning Zeyu Age: Thirty-one years old Weight: Height: Origin: Transmigrated and reborn, a legend given life through enlightenment by others. This result baffled Zhou Heng. To have a legend reincarnated as a spirit being. A legend becoming a spirit refers to an originally insubstantial legend or story that, through certain coincidences, has gained its own sentience, akin to how objects and creatures can become enchanted. Only, in this case, its not animals or plants that have become enchanted, but a legend, a story. Furthermore, it was enlightened by someone. Obviously, it was premeditated. The ability to spiritualize an ethereal legend or story demonstrates transcendental prowess and may also involve the Divine Artifact of Second Rank Tao C the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace. Its clear that hiding behind Ning Zeyu might be a great secret and a significant problem, even unknown to her. Yet even so, Zhou Heng felt extremely pleased. Although the incarnation of the smile in the twinkle of an eye as a spirit does not mean that the legend is true, it does suggest that others must be aware of it. Without a doubt, this was a clue related to Earth. This one discovery was already enough to excite Zhou Heng. Unaware that Zhou Heng had thoroughly seen through all her information, Ning Zeyu gently shook her head and sighed, I also do not know why I was reincarnated in this era. My memory still remains from the time when I was a Celestial Woman before Buddha. Even then, that period of memory is very vague, and I can hardly recall any other Buddhas or Bodhisattvas besides the Buddha and Venerable Jia Ye. Its not that you cant remember; its that your memories are false, you arent the transformation of any flower, but rather a spirit born of an uncertain legend, a story Zhou Heng thought to himself. But I can feel it, as long as I can enter the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace, Ill be able to reclaim what originally belonged to me, Ning Zeyus eyes suddenly lit up with hope. This Cheng Jianjians brows slightly knitted, instinctively feeling that something wasnt quite right. Are you doubtful about the reward for this journey? Ning Zeyu stood up directly and said, If you help me obtain one item from within the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace, you can keep everything else for yourselves. We refuse. Zhou Heng also stood up, shaking his head decisively, Is there anything else, Miss Ning? If not, we shall take our leave. Ah? Cheng Jianjian was momentarily startled by his words. Although she harbored doubts, she had not expected Zhou Heng to reject the offer so directly. ` What? Ning Zeyu clearly hadnt expected Zhou Heng to react this way. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she stared at Zhou Heng, You, youre refusing? That is the Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace, the ultimate expression of the Path of Dream Realms in a certain direction, equivalent to a fully condensed Taoist seed. Inside, there are countless treasures, divine skills, and Taoist formulas, and youre just rejecting it? The ultimate expression of the Path of Dream Realms in every direction Once Ning Zeyu said this, Zhou Heng fell silent. It wasnt that he was tempted, but he suddenly realized that turning the illusory legend into a spirit might be the method of a certain great pathway. The Path of Dreams! Turning the false into the true! Turning the illusory dream realms into genuine reality! Could it be that the person who turned Ning Zeyu into a reincarnated spirit was related to the Path of Dream Realms? If so, Then the Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace that appeared faintly visible above Yujian Mansion City might not simply be a rare treasure emerging. Bait? Trap? Seeing Zhou Hengs silence, Ning Zeyu thought he had changed his mind and continued, Didnt you come here to explore the Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace? Cooperating with me will be all benefits and no harm. Sorry, we dont have any plans to cooperate with others for the time being, Zhou Heng refused again, saying, Especially since youre someone weve had conflicts with in the past. Please leave. Okay. Cheng Jianjian followed behind Zhou Heng. Then, the two of them left Nings residence and returned to the Yujian Inn. How could this happen? A hint of confusion and incomprehension flashed in Ning Zeyus eyes as she stared at the empty Heart-to-Heart Hall, biting her teeth, This matter must not have any mishaps! At the same time, she suddenly raised her hand, her fingers formed into a claw, and violently thrust into her own chest. Then she pulled outwards, and astonishingly, she extracted a translucent and pure white jade stone from within. Ning Zeyu spread her palm open, gazing at the jade stone, and soon, thirty-six holes appeared on the stone. All of them were shaped like teardrops! In the upper room of the Yujian Inn, Zhou Heng had set up a soundproof barrier. Full of doubts, Cheng Jianjian had just sat down and asked, Why did you suddenly refuse? Have you discovered some problem? This Ning Zeyu could possibly be a pawn of a Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord, Zhou Heng said solemnly, Even the so-called Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace might just be bait or a trap. What? Cheng Jianjian was taken aback. Ning Zeyus entire life, from birth to growing up, might have been manipulated, Zhou Heng sighed, Her so-called memories of a past life, as well as her pursuits in this life, are probably made up by someone, and she herself is unaware of it. That it could be like this, Cheng Jianjian was somewhat surprised, then she frowned and said, Then, the reason Ning Zeyu trapped me without cause and made an enemy of me, leading me to Southern Jincould there have been manipulation involved? Possibly, Zhou Heng pondered for a moment, saying, But for what purpose did they lead you to Southern Jin? Ordinarily, someone of Cheng Jianjians Secret Sixth Rank should be of no value to a power on the level of a Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord. Unless she had something special about her. But although Cheng Jianjian was extraordinarily talented, and her cultivation progressed far beyond the normal for her age, it didnt seem like there was anything particularly special about her. She wasnt a reincarnation of a great power, nor a fairy-like dao body; she was simply highly talented. ` Cheng Jianjian had obviously realized this too. Her willow brows creased lightly as she pondered for a while, finally shaking her head gently and said, I dont think I hold such great value to bring a Celestial Man or Tao Lord to use a Second Rank divine artifact as a setup to lure me over. Perhaps, am I just an addition? The one that the powerful being truly wanted to lure over, could there actually be someone else? Right, since you speculated that this might be bait or a trap, have you already thought of possible candidates before? Indeed, I did think of someone, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and said, That is a friends master, who practices the path of dreams and is also the reincarnation of a powerful being. If thats the case, it is indeed possible, Cheng Jianjian nodded and said, A reincarnation of a powerful being who cultivates the path of dreams might possess a complete Dream Path inheritance. If the mighty figure behind the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Diagram and Ning Zeyu also cultivates the path of dreams, it is indeed possible to use this as bait and lure people over. Whether they have really come or not, we dont know, Zhou Heng frowned and said, Ill check. Immediately after, he transformed in front of Cheng Jianjians disbelieving eyes into a slender dog, sniffing the air with his nose before shifting back into human form. You, what is this?? Cheng Jianjian was somewhat confused, almost believing she had just experienced a hallucination. A little trick for finding people, Zhou Heng said with a smile, They havent come, it seems the plans of this powerful being might fall through. Transforming into a Sky-barking Dog, he could entirely rely on his sense of smell to determine whether He Mengqiu and Yun Xiu were in Yujian Mansion City. Thats good, Cheng Jianjian smiled and nodded. She didnt ask any further about Zhou Hengs transformation, instead she turned to him and said, So, what do we do next? I will continue heading south, to cause trouble for Jia Ye Temple, Zhou Heng pondered and said, As for you, I suggest you return to Taihua Mount first and report the situation here to the sect. For the two of them, the treasures, divine skills, and elixirs within the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Diagram did not actually hold a particularly strong attraction. Youre planning to continue south alone? Cheng Jianjian said with some concern, What if Jia Ye Temple sends a Great Grandmaster to attack you, dont you want to go back together? This is my cultivation journey, now that my cultivation hasnt borne fruit, naturally, I cant stop, Zhou Heng said with a smile, But you dont need to worry about me, I know what Im doing. Besides, I have many methods, as you have seen. Dont worry. Mm, then please be careful, Cheng Jianjian was not a coquettish person, she nodded lightly, I will be waiting for you at Taihua Mount. Alright, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Its a promise. The next morning. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had both left Yujian Mansion City. However, they headed in opposite directions. Zhou Heng continued his journey southward to Luozhou, planning to sweep through the sites of Jia Ye Temple along the way while investigating the origins of Jia Ye Temples lineage. Meanwhile, Cheng Jianjian, following Zhou Hengs advice, traveled north to return to Da Qi. After leaving Yujian Mansion City, Zhou Heng let his sorrel horse run at full speed, striving to quickly reach the next prefecture. Yet, while on the road, he suddenly felt an unusual glow shining down from the heavens. Looking up, he saw the ethereal images of several palaces faintly visible amidst the clouds. The Star Tear Stone tucked inside his chest suddenly heated up, bursting forth with light, enveloping his entire being. Then, a tremendous force surged, dragging him up toward the sky. Zhou Hengs first instinct was to use his Open Gate privilege to escape, but he soon realized that this was likely the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Diagram summoning all those who possessed the Star Tear Stone. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Cheng Jianjian also had a piece of the Star Tear Stone. Therefore, he refrained from using Open Gate, allowing the light of the Star Tear Stone to carry him up into the sky. After a brief moment of trance, Zhou Heng found himself on an incredibly large platform. The ground beneath his feet was paved with white jade, and ahead was a magnificent giant gate, surrounded by dozens of people, each with a different demeanor. Cheng Jianjian was also among them, and they noticed each other at the same time. Chapter 343 - Chapter 343: Chapter 63: There must be limits to his Secret Technique! Chapter 343: Chapter 63: There must be limits to his Secret Technique! Bright and dazzling golden light condensed in the sky above the Eight-sided Mountains artifact refining furnace, where nine fire dragons soared and spiraled, guarding Zhou Heng as they slowly descended. At this moment, whether it was Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi, or the other Secret Six Rank experts from the Lan Family who came to help, everyone was stunned when they saw the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover and Zhou Heng emerge from the refining furnace. Is this really a Secret Six Rank martial artist, a Secret Six Rank magic weapon? Why does its might and aura not fall short in the slightest compared to a Sect Fifth Rank? Could this be the reincarnation of a great power? Zhou Hengs attention at this time was focused on himself. Now, he truly felt the strength of his physical body. Although his True Qi hadnt improved much, his physique had undergone earth-shattering changes, his blood flowing like a mighty river within him, overwhelming and powerful in every movement, as if divine strength was bestowed upon him. Each inch of muscle, every bone, shone with a faint luminescence, even the marrow sparkling clear and translucent. His body was like glaze, a Vajra Unbreakable! Previously inside the refining furnace, using the scorching of the heavenly true fire to constantly temper his blood and qi, the Golden Bell Cover had reached the tenth layer of Perfection halfway through the refinement of the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover. Following that, naturally, he cultivated the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique. The moment he burst out of the refining furnace, he even had the illusion that his body now possessed the ability to bear mountains and wield the power to span seas, purely from physical strength alone without counting the enhancement from True Qi controlling the natural Qi of the world. Of course, illusions were just illusions. After sobering up a bit, Zhou Heng knew that with his current level it was impossible to reach that extent, but he was also very clear that the strength of his body now easily supported a thirtyfold increase in power, and could even continue to rise. If he were to encounter a peak Grandmaster like He Yanghui, he could go full throttle and rush forward for a frontal battle, without the need to barely withstand with the Xuanhuang Pagoda Art. That also meant that he now possessed the strength to defeat the vast majority of Fifth Rank Grandmasters in a frontal battle! No need for trickery, no need to exploit the enemys underestimation. It was direct, frontal combat. Such battle prowess was unprecedented. A myriad of mysterious and powerful martial techniques and Taoist formulas converged, creating a Secret Six Rank True Energy Realm individual like Zhou Heng, whose strength was incredibly formidable. It was truly a marvel. A regular Secret Six Rank martial artist would almost never reach his level. No, it was absolutely impossible. Putting aside whether a regular Secret Six Rank could learn so many Fourth Rank ultimate techniques by the age of eighteen, just obtaining these secret techniques that could increase strength by tens of times in combination was almost an impossible feat. Breaking the game, after all, was different from the norm. While Zhou Heng was cultivating the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique, emerging from the Eight-sided Mountains artifact refining furnace, a thousand miles away within the territory of Southern Jin, atop a mountain peak. Qiu Yu stood with her sword, her gaze cold as she watched the North. Behind her stood three young people, two men and one woman, all looking heroic and extraordinary; they were the three most outstanding disciples of the same generation as He Yanghui. Chen Tianpeng, Wang Su, Ji Hong. All three possessed the cultivation of peak Sect Fifth Rank Dharma Phase Realm, just a hairs breadth away from condensing the Dharma Body, their strength even greater than that of He Yanghui. On our northward journey, we have only two objectives, Qiu Yu said solemnly. Have you all remembered them? We have remembered! the three people said in unison, loudly declaring, The first, defeat Zhou Heng, and at the very least, we must severely wound him; the second, retrieve the Divine Artifact, the Splendorous Sunlight Mirror! Correct! Qiu Yu nodded and declared, The time has come, lets go! Subsequently, the four of them soared into the sky, transforming into streaks of light, piercing through clouds and mist, crossing the firmament, flying towards the Jiangjin Mountains within Da Qi, three hundred miles away. Qiu Yu now harbored a deep hatred for Zhou Heng. In the previous battle at the Jiangjin Mountains, He Yanghuis life-bound sword weapon was nearly destroyed, his decades of cultivation dissipated like water, even his foundation was damaged, and he also lost a Celestial Mans Divine Skill Magic Weapon. Such a loss was unprecedented for the Heaven Sword Sect in a thousand years. As the strongest cultivator among the disciples present from the Heaven Sword Sect at that time, Qiu Yus failure to prevent this incident naturally led to a punishment from the Sect, temporarily being stripped of the right to view the Heavenly Sword and engage in contemplation. The Heavenly Sword is the treasured legacy of the Heaven Sword Sect, a divine sword of Tao Lord level. Its said to have been left by the ancestor of the Heaven Sword Sect, interwoven with the essence of the Sword Dao, incredibly profound, and the source of all the Sects cultivation methods, considered the foundational pillar of the Heaven Sword Sect. Under normal circumstances, the Great Grandmasters of the Heaven Sword Sect who have reached Absolute Fourth Rank each have the opportunity to view the Heavenly Sword and contemplate it for a certain period once a year, using it to enhance their understanding of the Sword Dao, and to sooner have their Primordial Spirits venture into the void and step into the Celestial Man realm. Therefore, for the people of the Heaven Sword Sect, being deprived of the right to view the Heavenly Sword is almost equivalent to severing their path to becoming a Celestial Man, and this made her hatred for Zhou Heng extreme. This trip to Da Qi was Qiu Yus own initiative, wishing to redeem herself by leading others to defeat or even cripple Zhou Heng, while also retrieving the Splendorous Sunlight Mirror. She wanted to take this opportunity to regain the right to view and contemplate the Heavenly Sword. Moreover, Qiu Yu had also received news that today, Zhou Heng was at the Eight-sided Mountain refining an artifact in the casting furnace. As a result, they would not need to truly cross the national border and would not face attacks from the Prefecture Head, making it more convenient to move against Zhou Heng. Zhou Heng! Ill be there soon! The anomaly on the Eight-sided Mountains casting furnace began to subside, and the nine fire dragons had coalesced into a fiery red copper shield. On it were fiery patterns, with nine dragons entwined, exquisitely incomparable. Zhou Heng also gradually retracted the golden light from his body, stepping through the void, with lotuses blooming beneath every step, slowly descending from above the casting furnace. With each step he took, the air around him vibrated as if a huge stone had suddenly been thrown into a calm river, causing the water to part on either side. That was the power of pure physical strength, having completely surpassed the limits of the Secret Sixth Rank. Such a formidable physique is just like the scorching sun; Ive never seen such a powerful Secret Sixth Rank, remarked Lan Ying, unable to contain her admiration. She had lived for over a thousand years, yet this was the first time shed seen a Secret Sixth Rank individual with such a physique, and the first time witnessing such a powerful body refinement technique. Although she had already witnessed Zhou Hengs prowess earlier, where with True Energy Realm cultivation, he repelled a peak Grandmaster causing severe injuries, which in itself was unprecedented and awe-inspiring, she regarded that more as the result of powerful secret techniques, not greatly related to physical constitution. This was also why she disagreed with Zhou Heng using the casting furnace for body refinement previously. Unexpectedly, Zhou Heng truly possessed such powerful body refinement supreme skills, capable of forging such a formidable physique. This level of robust vitality and vigor could be comparable to that of most Sect Fifth Ranks, right? When did Pure Yang Palace obtain such powerful body refinement supreme skills? Hmm, what an impressive physique, Lan Yingzhi also nodded her head, staring at Zhou Heng enwrapped in golden and fiery light, slightly entranced, Mr. Zhou often manages to create miracles. ` The level of a Secret Sixth Rank to possess such a formidable physique, it truly qualifies as a miracle. As for the numerous Secret Sixth Rank martial artists standing by in a daze, they were already flabbergasted, even beginning to question their lives, why is this person also of the Secret Sixth Rank? What does that make their own Secret Sixth Rank? The two seniors flatter me, Zhou Heng approached the two, cupping his hands and saying, Thank you. No sooner had his voice faded Boom! The forging furnace suddenly erupted with a deafening explosion, causing the entire Eight-sided Mountain to shake violently, clearly under extremely powerful external attack. Lan Ying, do you dare to bring out Zhou Heng! Qiu Yus voice came from outside. This Great Grandmaster of the Heaven Sword Sect had returned with a vengeance. However, this time Lan Ying was not worried in the slightest, a mere Great Grandmaster of the Heaven Sword Sect, she could handle, as for those other three Sect Fifth Ranks, the Mountain Protection Array of Eight-sided Mountain could also hold them off. The reason why they had lost Eight-sided Mountain to the Heaven Sword Sect before was purely because of the Divine Artifact brought by He Yanghui. These people have come just at the right time, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Seniors, shall we go meet them? Sir, you cant mean Lan Yingzhi widened her eyes in surprise upon hearing this. You intend to face the three Sect Fifth Ranks from Heaven Sword Sect to test the results of your new martial arts? Lan Ying saw through Zhou Hengs intention. Exactly, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, saying, I can hardly refuse opponents who come knocking at my door. This Your secret technique doesnt have any limitations? Lan Ying asked in amazement. In her view, whether it was the sudden tenfold increase in Zhou Hengs strength or the rebounding of He Yanghuis Xuanhuang Pagoda, it should all be some secret technique with great limitations. Although they could greatly enhance strength within a short period of time, the conditions for deployment and side effects should be considerable, and it might even be a forbidden technique of the Pure Yang Palace, only to be used when fighting for ones life. That would make sense. But looking at Zhou Hengs expression now, it seemed not the case? Limitations? Zhou Heng shook his head and smiled, Indeed, there are some, but the problem is not big, and recovery is quite easy, the seniors need not worry. In fact, under normal circumstances, explosive secret techniques like the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique would require sacrificing nearly eighty percent of ones life to achieve a twentyfold increase in strength. But when combined with the Eight Gates of Life and Death, its different, as the technique can be layered repeatedly, forcibly ratcheting up the boost in strength while also reducing the final damage incurred. With Zhou Hengs current condition, a thirtyfold increase in strength would result in self-inflicted damage comparable to just a burst appendix. This kind of inconsequential organ only needs to be nourished with Longevity True Energy for a quarter of an hour to regrow. Its no big deal. After receiving Zhou Hengs definitive answer, both Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi couldnt help but be momentarily stunned. The others present also fell silent. Outside the heated forge, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet. People instinctively looked up at the sky. Good Lord, is it time for you to check on this person in front of us?? ` Thorough Investigation! Outside Eight-sided Mountain, even from the high skies, the fire from the Lan Familys forging furnace could be seen. Chen Tianpeng, looking down, asked Qiu Yu, Sister Qiu, is Zhou Heng really that formidable? That he could send He Yanghui flying with a rebound without moving an inch, is he truly just at the Secret Six Rank? As one of the few within the Heaven Sword Sect who were as famous as He Yanghui, he was very clear that even if his strength were a little superior to He Yanghui, it was very limited and absolutely impossible to do something so inconceivable. It was too exaggerated. If he hadnt seen He Yanghuis miserable state and the huge crack on the Taoguang Sword with his own eyes, as well as heard the account from Qiu Yu herself, he would not dare believe such an incident. A mere Secret Six Rank, how could it be possible! Yes, Sister Qiu, Wang Su also inquired, Even if Zhou Heng is the reincarnation of a great being, surely he cannot possess such an exaggerated strength, its too preposterous. Since hes the reincarnation of a great being, could the technique he used to defeat Brother He be a contingency from his former life? Ji Hong speculated with slightly furrowed brows, If thats the case, it would make sense for him to be able to defeat Brother He while only at the Secret Six Rank. Indeed, its possible. Both Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su agreed with this statement; if it was a contingency left behind by the reincarnation of a great being, then it would be a power far exceeding the limits of the Sect Fifth Rank, and it would be normal for He Yanghui to lose. Are you comforting yourselves? Qiu Yu said gravely, I can tell you clearly that it wasnt any contingency left by the reincarnation of a great being, but a Taoist Formula, a pure Taoist Formula deployed using Xuanhuang Merit Energy. Xuanhuang Merit Energy?! Upon hearing this, Chen Tianpeng, Wang Su, and Ji Hong were all greatly shocked. Xuanhuang Merit Energy was one of the Innate Five Virtues, extremely difficult to refine, and related skills were at the very least at the Fourth Rank Absolute level. Moreover, in their understanding, even the Divine Skills and Secret Techniques related to the Innate Five Virtues only touched upon them slightly at best, adding a mere accent to the original Martial Arts or Taoist Formulas. However, according to Qiu Yu, the Taoist Formula that Zhou Heng used was one purely deployed using Xuanhuang Merit Energy, which was beyond belief. Were there such Taoist Formulas in the world? Even so, with his cultivation at the True Energy Realm, it still doesnt make sense that he could rebound Brother He with just a Taoist Formula to such an extent, does it? Chen Tianpeng still found it somewhat unbelievable. Have you forgotten? I mentioned that Zhou Heng has a strange secret technique that can instantly boost his strength by thirty times, Qiu Yu intoned deeply, No matter what, we must not take him lightly. However, you must not be fearful. Although the secret technique Zhou Heng used to boost his strength is astonishing, it definitely has its limitations, and it might even consume the essence. Its been only a few days now; he shouldnt be able to deploy it with full power again. She added the last sentence as if worried that her portrayal of Zhou Hengs strength might frighten her junior nephews. Understood, Sister. Dont worry; we got it, Chen Tianpeng nodded. Wang Su and Ji Hong also concurred with this viewpoint. It was a secret technique that could instantly enhance strength by thirty times; how could it possibly be used casually? It was utterly impossible. Theyre coming out, Ji Hongs eyes lit up, noticing Zhou Heng, Lan Ying, and Lan Yingzhi flying out from inside Eight-sided Mountain. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Prepare for battle! Qiu Yu commanded in a deep voice. Yes! The three responded in unison, readying themselves for the confrontation. In the blink of an eye, Zhou Heng and his companions arrived above the clouds, facing Qiu Yu and her group. Qiu Yu, what are your intentions? Lan Ying asked. I wont waste words with you, Qiu Yu responded directly, Hand over our sects Divine Artifact, the Dazzling Yang Brilliance Mirror. If you comply, the Heaven Sword Sect can let bygones be bygones; otherwise Chapter 344 - Chapter 344: Chapter 64: Diamond Indestructible, Eternal Years Chapter 344: Chapter 64: Diamond Indestructible, Eternal Years ps: I was confused in the previous chapter; Qiu Yu is from the same generation as Chen Tianpeng and the others. This has been corrected. Otherwise what? Zhou Heng directly interrupted Qiu Yu, leapt forward, and faced this Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster, Dont tell me youre thinking of making a move against me? You! Qiu Yu was immediately choked with rage. Emotionally, she indeed wanted to take action against Zhou Heng personally, but the reputation of Yan Shouyi made her dare not do so. If she provoked Yan Shouyi into attacking the Heaven Sword Sect, she could forget ever observing the Heavenly Sword again. Chen Tianpeng and the others, seeing Zhou Heng silence Qiu Yu with a single sentence, were also filled with anger, their eyes brimming with hostility as they looked at Zhou Heng. They wished they could act immediately to give this arrogant kid a good lesson. All of you are here because of me, arent you? Zhou Hengs gaze shifted to Chen Tianpeng and the other two, smiling slightly, Rest assured, now that my combat power has reached the Grandmaster level, if you fight with me, my senior brother will not trouble you for it. Your Excellency seems scared, always bringing up your senior brother. Ji Hong suddenly spoke up, his gaze slightly scornful, laughing, Opening your mouth is to use the name of your senior brother to pressure others; its hard to imagine how you defeated Brother He. Sorry, I didnt defeat him; he shocked himself half to death. Zhou Heng chuckled, As for mentioning my senior brother, its to make you not worry about him, to strike with all your might. Otherwise, you might end up like He Yanghui, with no idea how you were defeated. Truly fitting for Yan Shouyis junior brother, the young uncle of Pure Yang Palace, such big talk! Qiu Yu took a deep breath, her voice sinking, Zhou Heng, stop with the nonsense and hand over the Blazing Sunlight Mirror immediately. Why should I hand over a Divine Artifact I won by my own ability? Zhou Heng put on a puzzled expression, saying, Now that the Blazing Sunlight Mirror is mine, why should I hand it over to you? It is known to all that the Blazing Sunlight Mirror has been in the possession of our Heaven Sword Sect for thousands of years. Qiu Yu said, By any sense, you have no reason in this matter. Known to all, is that right? Zhou Heng still wore a smile, I feel that the Treasure Mirror and I are fated, and it was you who sent it to me. You!! Qiu Yu felt like she was about to explode with anger. Sister, this kid has a slick tongue. Let me handle him and see just how skilled he is to be so arrogant! Chen Tianpeng stepped forward, his face grim. The last one who said they wanted to see how skilled I am ended up being carried back to the Heaven Sword Sect. Zhou Heng smiled, Are you sure? He was talking about He Yanghui. Once, He Yanghui had spoken to him in that superior tone, saying the same thing. Chen Tianpengs face instantly turned the color of liver, and he barked angrily, Spare us your clever words! Then lets compare our skills, our prowess, Zhou Heng stepped forward, smiling slightly, He Yanghui had barely made a move when he got so shocked he was half dead, and I didnt even get to act yet. Hmph! Chen Tianpeng, however, sneered, Provoking me? I am a peak Fifth Rank Grandmaster, and youre just in the Secret Sixth Rank True Qi Realm, you have no qualifications to challenge me. If you wish to fight me, youll have to show some sincerity. Why not wager the Blazing Sunlight Mirror as a bet, how about that? Ji Hong smiled from the side. Then youll have to put up another Divine Artifact or Magic Weapon as a bet, Zhou Heng smiled, Only then will it be fair, right? You! Ji Hong was immediately at a loss for words. Cant put up, and dont want to fight? Zhou Heng waved his hand, a look of disappointment on his face, Then what are you here for, better go home and have dinner. Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi were watching, stunned. Zhou Heng seemed utterly unafraid of these people; could he still use his Secret Technique? Thats impossible, right? Senior Sister Chen Tianpeng and the others looked towards Qiu Yu, for she was the backbone of this operation. Zhou Heng, youve stolen our sects divine artifact, a grievance as grave as life and death, Qiu Yu said in a deep voice, Now, Im giving you a way out. If you can withstand ten moves from any one of my junior brothers or sisters, our sect will not pursue the matter of the divine artifact for a hundred years. And what if I defeat them all? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. Youre deluding yourself! Qiu Yu said, The condition has been stated. Think carefully about whether you want to take this route. Pure Yang Palace has Yan Shouyi, and Heaven Sword Sect has the Tao Lord Heavenly Sword! Do we not have Tao Lord divine artifacts? Zhou Heng replied with a cold laugh, Have you forgotten how Jia Ye Temple was shamefully beaten back to Southern Jin? Enough talk, are you going to fight or not? Attack! In a fit of anger, Qiu Yu shouted fiercely, Force him to hand over the divine artifact! If Yan Shouyi comes looking for trouble, I will take the responsibility! You dare! Lan Ying stepped forward, blocking Qiu Yu. Lan Yingzhi also brought out a magic weapon and began fighting with Ji Hong. Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su seized the opportunity and simultaneously drew their swords to attack Zhou Heng. Both were sword dao grandmasters with strength not inferior to He Yanghui; Chen Tianpeng was even slightly stronger. Now that the two of them were attacking together, Zhou Heng from yesterday would have had to resort to special skill cards. But now, things were different. With the combination of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique and the Life and Death Eight Gates, Zhou Hengs strength increased by thirtyfold in an instant. A faint golden flame ignited around his body, and his hair and eyebrows also began to exude a golden sheen. He was like a war god descending to the world. The Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique had been activated. An increase in strength by thirty times was originally the limit of Zhou Hengs body, rendering him immobile in such a state, but now he could move as he pleased. Boom! The moment Zhou Heng took flight, a terrifying shockwave resonated as though the very void were shattered, and the huge shockwave spread from the sky, causing the mountains of Jiangzhou below to shake. Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su felt as though an ancient divine mountain was hurtling towards them; a direct hit would likely leave them severely injured. Hence, they swiftly flew on their swords, trying to dodge Zhou Hengs charge. But just then, Zhou Heng spat out a purple sword pill. With a quiver, it transformed into a longsword wrapped in purple lightning. At the same time, he pinched the sword technique with his hand, and his pupils emitted a green glow. Clang! The sound of the swords cry pierced the air like a crane calling to the heavens, reverberating through the sky. The purple electric sword suddenly expanded, transforming into a vast azure river that spanned the void, intercepting time as if it halted the flow of time itself. Everything within a ten-mile radius came to a standstill. Whether it was the spreading clouds above, Lan Yingzhi fighting with Ji Hong, or Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su trying to escape in flight, everything froze in place motionless. Only Lan Ying and Qiu Yu, the two Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters, were unaffected and continued to move as normal. The Sword Technique of Conviction! Eternal Moment! As soon as Zhou Heng executed this sword technique, he felt the true qi in his body depleting madly. In less than a second, his true qi had been exhausted tenfold. If not for the replenishing elemental energy of Cave Sky that kept his true qi inexhaustible, this single strike would have drained him dry. Even so, the experience of his true qi being depleted ten times left Zhou Heng feeling extremely exhausted, momentarily feeling as if he was struggling to control this thirtyfold increase in strength. Quick battle, quick decision! Zhou Heng made a snap decision, having noticed something was off with his situation. With a flip of his hand, he directly threw out a flame light shield entwined with nine dragons. The Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Shield! Although it was only a replica of the Secret Sixth Rank level, its power was in no way inferior to any Sect Fifth Rank magic weapon, likely due to its special refining method and materials. The true fire of the nine dragons could completely turn a Fifth Rank Sect Master into ashes! Of course, thats assuming they could be enveloped by it. However, under the cover of the everlasting sword light, Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su found themselves unable to dodge. The Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Shield immediately descended, trapping the two within. Shortly after, the nine fire dragons on the flame light shield came to life, burrowing into the shield, wrapping around Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su, spewing true fire to scorch them. By this time, the effect of the everlasting years had worn off, and Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su regained their ability to move. However, the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Shield also had the effect of binding them, leaving them unable to move. They could only watch in horror as the true fire burned them. Release them! Qiu Yu shouted fiercely, unexpectedly withdrawing from in front of Lan Ying and speeding away to create distance. He formed a sword technique from afar. His target was Zhou Heng! Boom! As if the sky had collapsed, a torrent of sword qi descended from the heavens as if intending to erase all things in this world. Its peerless sharpness enveloped Zhou Heng, leaving him with no means of escape. You want to kill me? Zhou Heng remained calm and composed. Seeing this situation, he had already figured everything out. So what if I kill you?! Qiu Yu, seemingly having lost his mind, began attacking Zhou Heng without reservation. Without even a Taoist Protector, its clear that Yan Shouyi doesnt care much about you! Heh, do I need a Taoist Protector? Zhou Heng chuckled lightly and simply pointed at Qiu Yu, saying indifferently, Enlighten! Enlightenment Card [Copper]: Can be used on any item or being below the Third Celestial Rank, granting it vitality, free spirit, and self-will. Qiu Yu suddenly felt as if her head had come alive, possessing its own intelligence and independent thinking. Hum! Her mind trembled violently. A powerful will appeared and immediately displaced her divine soul from the Niwan Palace, causing her to lose control of her body and exist only in her Dharma Body state. What secret technique is this, what method?? Qiu Yus heart was filled with horror. The next instant, through the perspective of her Dharma Body, she saw a sight of incomparable horror. Her physical head suddenly deformed, her ears elongated into two lengthy arms, which then pressed down firmly on her shoulders, actually pulling her entire head off her neck! Her head, while pressing against her shoulders, pulled herself off her neck, dragging along a bloody spine and shredded flesh, and took flight! In that instant, Qiu Yus physical body died, and her Dharma Body, as if struck by thunder, started flickering with overlapping halos of light. Layers of multicolored squares appeared on her Dharma Body, seemingly on the verge of collapse. Even though the Yang Gods Dharma Body could survive independently after the physical body is destroyed, the connection between them is still very close, and the death of the physical body would also deal a severe blow to the Dharma Body. Next, Qiu Yu only had two paths to choose from: either find a new body to possess or commit suicide on the spot and resurrect with the power of a Life-saving Talisman. Of course, thats assuming she had a Life-saving Talisman. Aaahhh! At this moment, Qiu Yus head, now with arms, was screeching wildly, dragging her bloody spinal cord through the air and flying erratically, seemingly very pleased. It rose higher and higher, until it collided directly with the terrifying Sword Qi that Qiu Yu had displayed earlier. Ah! With a scream, that head instantly turned to ash, and the Sword Qi also dissipated with it. No! Qiu Yu also let out a scream, as her Dharma Body further collapsed. She was almost mad with desperation and, without caring for anything else, she hastily mustered all her strength and unleashed a sword light, which blew away the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover and rescued Chen Tianpeng and Wang Su, who were at deaths door. Then she turned into a streak of light, wrapping around these two men and Ji Hong, flying towards the south. I will come back!! Congratulations! You have defeated an evenly matched opponent, Chen Tianpeng, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. Congratulations! You have defeated an evenly matched opponent, Wang Su, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1. Congratulations! You have defeated a certain-to-die opponent, Qiu Yu, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. The sound of reward increase rang out, and Zhou Hengs Heavenly Demon Disintegration Techniques duration also ended, with the golden light on his body gradually fading away, and the strength that had inflated by thirty times swiftly receded. There wasnt much joy on his face, but rather some fatigue. Even though his Divine Souls strength was now infinitely close to that of a real Sect Fifth Rank, it was still somewhat difficult for him to perfectly control strength that was thirty times greater than the normal state. Indeed, self-cultivation improvement is the foundation, Zhou Heng thought to himself. As he used the Longevity True Energy to heal his burst appendix, he turned his gaze to Lan Ying and Lan Yingzhi, only to find that the two of them were still in shock. Both of their faces were filled with fear, staring blankly in the direction Qiu Yu had left, seemingly trapped in deep shock. This was actually quite normal. After all, Qiu Yu was a top-notch Great Grandmaster of the current age, even stronger than Lan Ying, and in Da Qi, she might have been able to rank on the Earth List, making her one of the strongest people below the Celestial Man. Yet such a powerful individual, in the face of Zhou Heng, had no power to resist and was enlightened with just two words, destroyed in flesh and nearly shattered in Dharma Body! What kind of might was this, how formidable? It was too preposterous! It had completely exceeded Lan Yings and Lan Yingzhis comprehension. Zhou Heng did not continue to stay in Jiangzhou. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After realizing that his spirit and will still could not perfectly control thirtyfold strength, he shifted his focus to breaking through his realm. It was perfect timing since he had just obtained a batch of Fortune Bags, including a Gold Fortune Bag. He planned to return to Taihua Mount, rest for a while, and then open these Fortune Bags to see. If he was lucky, perhaps he could directly obtain an Inner Strength that could serve as a cultivation core. Even if he didnt get that, he could also take a look in the Dao Void Cave Sky to see if there were suitable high-level Inner Strength techniques. With the millennia of heritage in Pure Yang Palace, there should be something. Furthermore, the matters concerning Heaven Sword Sect and the Dazzling Yang Divine Light Mirror also needed to be discussed with his senior brother. Chapter 361 - Chapter 361: Chapter 81: Look in this mirror Chapter 361: Chapter 81: Look in this mirror Fengzhou is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the river on one side, serving as the central transportation hub of Da Qi. It is bustling. The coming and going of merchant ships is very dense, and the waterways within the state are extensive and connected in all directions. Therefore, after passing through the Starlight Bridge of Purple Tenuity Palace and arriving in Fengzhou, Zhou Heng did not go directly to Roongdu Prefecture City to find Yun Xiu and He Mengqiu but boarded a merchant ship and traveled along the waterways. The path he sought to cultivate was the Way of the Five Virtues, the path that sustains all things, requiring not only arduous cultivation, gathering the qi of the Five Virtues, but also the observation of natural scenery and the understanding of human culture. Moreover, he was still lacking two of the Five VirtuesHoly Virtue and Yin Virtue. Although Zhou Heng had plans for acquiring these two, he still needed to diligently accumulate them in his everyday life. And both are related to people. Being solitary wouldnt allow for the accumulation of Holy Virtue and Yin Virtue; one needs to interact more with others. The Ronghua River is a major river within Fengzhou, one of the tributaries that stem from the vast Tianfeng River within the borders of Fengzhou, stretching tens of thousands of miles, and leading directly to Roongdu Prefecture City. The river surface teems with ships competing in flow, bustling with merchant and passenger ships alike. The merchant ship Zhou Heng was on was a medium-sized cargo ship, mainly transporting fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat, not particularly valuable, hence it did not object to taking on passengers looking for a lift with favorable winds. Since Zhou Heng was extremely handsome and had a gentle temperament, he quickly became familiar with the boatmen, learning much about the local customs of various places in Fengzhou along the way and heard of many extraordinary people and events he hadnt known of before. This was very helpful in increasing his knowledge and experience. After that tense period in Southern Jin, such a journey was quite relaxing for Zhou Heng. Especially, the broth and pancakes on this boat were very tasty. It reminded Zhou Heng of his life back on Earth. Back then, he would often go to a soup restaurant opposite his schools gate and eat similar things for breakfast. Moreover, the broth and pancakes here were free of charge. You didnt have to pay. Actually, Zhou Heng had intended to pay for them, but the workers wouldnt allow it. They felt that such food, left outside on the boat, was unwanted by anyone and often more than they could eat themselves, so there was no reason to charge for it. Also, considering that Zhou Hengs current disguise was that of a student traveling to gain experience, possessing only modest martial arts for self-defense and not much money, the boatmen were even less willing to take his money. Zhou Heng didnt fuss over it, thinking he could just leave them some money in secret when he disembarked. This morning, Zhou Heng again got a bowl of broth from a familiar boatman, topped with a shiny layer of red oil, looking very tempting. With five pancakes in hand, he found a wooden plank on the deck to use as a table and placed the bowl of broth on it, eating alternately between bites of pancake and sips of broth. Feeling quite content. Oh, Zhou. Boatman He Dacheng also came over with a bowl of broth and said in a low voice, When noon comes and were outside of Roongdu Prefecture City, you should get off the boat. Slosh What? Zhou Heng sipped the soup, swallowed it, and then looked at He Dacheng with confusion, Whats going on? Didnt we agree that Id get off once were inside Roongdu Prefecture City? The Prefectural city is the central hub of a prefecture, usually, after entering a prefectures territory, one would need to travel a bit longer to reach the city itself. Its not that we dont want to take you there. He Dacheng lowered his voice and said, Yesterday, the boat stopped for a while in the reed marshes, you remember, right? I remember. Zhou Heng nodded and said, It seemed like two people came aboard, a man and a woman? You have a keen observation. He Dacheng sighed, Yes, those two. Initially, the captain took pity on them for their urgent travels and agreed to let them hitch a ride for a fee. But we never expected They have ill intentions? Zhou Heng said, surprised. At the same time, he spread out his Divine Sense, instantly enveloping the entirety of the boat, and located the two people. These two have taken the captain hostage and are forcing us to divert to Fengzhou County City just outside of Roongdu Prefecture, He Dacheng spoke quietly, No one knows their purpose, but we cannot disregard the captains safety. Zhou, this matter doesnt concern you. Its best if you disembark sooner. For the boatmen, the captain wasnt just an employer; often, he was their respected elder brother, the one who took them in when they were destitute, providing them with a means to survivea savior in their eyes. Their long drifting on the waterways had created a bond with the captain akin to a life-and-death friendship, and now that the captain was held hostage, the boatmen naturally refused to abandon him. Old He, what do you plan to do? Zhou Heng gently set down his bowl of broth and slowly crumbled a pancake into it, piece by piece. Were going to beat the hell out of them, of course! He Dachengs face showed a fierce expression, Zhou, dont think that just because I, Old He, dont normally fight, Im not capable. Im almost at Ninth Grade, you know, I know quite a few martial arts. The captain is a Seventh Rank Warrior, right? Zhou Heng said with a smile. Yes, yes He Dacheng seemed to realize something, his expression darkened but soon lifted again, Numbers count for strength, those two arent high-profile figures of Secret Six Rank, we can outnumber and overwhelm them if we get together. But those are two Secret Six Rank people. Zhou Heng shook his head gently, stood up, and looked towards the cabin not far away, Two Secret Six Rank martial artists hijacking a common cargo boat, and specifically diverting to head to Fengzhou County City, it seems very suspicious, no matter how you look at it. Ah?? He Dacheng looked bewildered at Zhou Hengs words, his face full of confusion, Zhou, arent you just a scholar traveling to broaden your horizons? How come you know so much about martial artists. Books have told me. Zhou Heng chuckled and said, As I embark on a journey of thousands of miles, naturally, I had to first read thousands of books, and in those books, theres also knowledge of the Martial Path. Old He, you should read more in the future too. Forget about it, I know my own limitations. My brother might manage some practice, but reading isnt for me, He Dacheng shook his head continuously, And reading isnt the real issue. Even seeing more than ten characters together makes my head spin. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Anyway, lets drop that subject. Zhou, since you read a lot and understand martial artists, do you have any ideas on how to deal with those two are they really martial artists of Secret Six Rank? He Dacheng still found it hard to believe. Secret Six Rank! For ordinary people, thats someone who can enter Qing Ming and fly through the skies, a big shot who could be a lord in a prefectural territory. Why would such people be here, taking the captain hostage? It seemed incredible. There is indeed a way. Zhou Heng grinned and took out a pitch-black mirror from his bosom, handed it to He Dacheng, and said with a smile, Old He, if you trust me, take this mirror and shine it on those two people. Chapter 362 - Chapter 362: Chapter 82: The Servant of the Deity Chapter 362: Chapter 82: The Servant of the Deity He Dacheng left with the mirror Zhou Heng had given him, his belly full of doubts. He didnt even manage to finish his soup before leaving. He patted the mirror in his bosom and gave Zhou Heng, who was happily sipping soup and eating pancakes, another puzzled look, feeling somewhat baffled. Could such a tiny mirror really deal with two Secret Sixth Rank dignitaries? No, why do I automatically assume they must be Secret Sixth Rank officials? But Zhou Wei seems like a good guy, he has no reason to trick me. Besides, if those two could capture a Seventh Rank sailor, even if they are not Secret Sixth Rank, theyre probably not far off, he pondered. He Dacheng thought it over carefully and then gritted his teeth, Lets do this! At this rate, once we enter County City, well surely be captured; theres no way out. Its better to take a chance! Da Qi had strict regulations for the water routes of merchant ships and freighters. Deviating from the approved course without permission to places one shouldnt or isnt qualified to go, would inevitably provoke an investigation by the Imperial Court. When that happened, from the captain to the crew, no one would be able to escape. If it didnt result in serious consequences, the most that would happen is a fine. But if it caused more severe damages, including injuries or deaths among the local people, death was certain. And those two villains hijacking the freighter to head to Fengzhou County City clearly had ill intentions; it was bound to end badly. Rather than waiting to die, it was better to take a chance! Having made up his mind, He Dacheng was about to go below deck to look for the captain and those two villains. However, just as he was about to head down, another crew member approached and whispered, Old He, how did it go? Didnt that scholar want to disembark? Its not that he didnt want to, I explained it to him clearly, He Dacheng replied. He shook his head and lowered his voice, I just told him that our freighter is making a detour to County City instead of heading to the Prefectural city, and that he should get off early. He agreed. Good, thats settled then. The sailor didnt suspect He Dachengs words and nodded, then went back to pondering his own matters. After all, He Dacheng was typically seen as an honest and simple person, so no one doubted his words. But in reality, He Dacheng hadnt told the truth. He might be straightforward and not cunning, but he wasnt foolish. At this moment, He Dacheng was very clear about one thing: there could be no mistakes now, or it could jeopardize the entire effort to rescue the captain. If he told the whole truth and explained that Zhou Wei refused to disembark, he would surely have to explain why. Other crew members might also try to find Zhou Heng, and such commotion could draw the attention of those two villains, increasing the difficulty of the operation. It was better to just tell a lie, get through this matter without any fuss, and avoid disturbing Zhou Wei and causing an uproar. Everything else could wait until after the captain was rescued. If they didnt rescue the captain, then there would be no afterward; they would all die and everything would come to an end, leaving no need to worry about anything else. Zhou Heng, not far away, was paying attention to all of this. He suddenly found Old He quite interesting, with an air of being slyly wise. If this trial is successful, Ill reward him with a set of martial arts, as compensation, he thought. In the cabin, Captain Liu Chang looked haggard and slumped on a stool. In front of Liu Chang stood a young man and a young woman, both in their twenties, looking at him with a mocking expression. Two esteemed figures, you are on a path to your own demise, Liu Chang said, bowing his head and sighing. There are far too many important people in County City, and youve chosen the wrong place if you intend to cause chaos there. Are you referring to the Absolute Fourth Rank Prefectural Governor Cui Qingyang or the Celestial Man from Fengzhous Cui Clan, Cui Tianhe? one of the men said, revealing a cold smirk. These two are hardly worth mentioning. You think you are Tao Lords? Liu Chang scoffed. Once we reach County City, whether its you or me, we will be captured immediately and escape will be impossible, even with wings! Hehe, the other woman chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand and swinging her graceful body to Liu Changs side, said with a smile, Old boatman, how do you know that our goal isnt to be captured? You?! Liu Chang felt that the two were completely unreasonable. Who exactly are you, and what do you want to do?! We serve the deities! The mans face showed an expression of utmost devotion, and he made a gesture with his hands as if praying to some existence in the mysterious beyond. The greatness of the gods is beyond your understanding, the woman said with a seductive smile. For the glory of the gods, we are willing to sacrifice everything! Dont you think that is an honor? Liu Chang was speechless, took a deep breath, and clenched his teeth. I dont care about your need to showcase the glory of the gods, but could you please release my subordinates and the passengers on the ship, and let them disembark? That is not possible. The man shook his head and said, Everyone on this ship, including the two of us, is a sacrificial offering to the gods, and not a single one can be missing. Madmen! Liu Chang cursed involuntarily. Hehehehe! The woman burst into silvery laughter as she trembled like a flower in the breeze. She was about to say something more when suddenly her eyebrows knit subtly, and she turned to look at the cabin door. Bang bang! There was a knock at the door. He Dacheng had arrived. Boss, theres something I need to discuss with you. His voice came from outside, sounding quite normal. Interesting, a mere boatman. The woman started laughing again and raised her voice, Are you here to save your boss? Ah? He Dachengs puzzled voice came from outside, Save what? Id like to, but I dont have the power, do I? Haha, what a simpleton, the woman said, turning to Liu Chang with a light laugh. Old boatman, what do you think this boatman wants from you? Hmph! Liu Chang remained silent. Let him speak from outside, the man said gravely. Dont worry, the woman smiled and said, My Divine Sense has already enveloped the entire ship, and every action of this boatman is within my sight. Just now, he went to persuade a young man to disembark. He must be here to talk about that. The man was silent for a moment before nodding, Then let him come in. Fine by me, the woman said with a flirtatious smile, and with a wave of her hand, the cabin door swung open. Come in. But what entered was not a person, but a hand holding a mirror black as ink. The figures of the man and woman were immediately reflected on the dark surface of the mirror. Not good! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two were stricken with fear as if they were lost souls, attempting to flee, but it was too late. A deep dark light burst forth, enveloping the two in an instant, seizing their vitality in an instant. Thump! Two bodies fell to the ground. Liu Chang and He Dacheng were stunned, while Zhou Heng slowly walked in from outside, wearing a light smile. Chapter 347 - Chapter 347: Chapter 67: The Giant Serpent Above the Mist of Dreams Chapter 347: Chapter 67: The Giant Serpent Above the Mist of Dreams The girls voice filled the void as if omnipresent. Meanwhile, the flames engulfing the mountain village suddenly surged, and faces filled with wrath appeared within the clusters of flames. They screamed in anger and howled in agony. Ah! Its so hot! So hot! Im going to die! Fire! Who set the fire? Why do this, why is it happening? Save me, save me! I dont want to die! Every word, every sentence of these voices contained a spiritual impact that was immensely powerful and horrifically terrifying, all converging to amplify the girls voice. It was like many rivers flowing into a great river, making the spiritual impact in the girls voice even more formidable, even exceeding the norm for a Sect Fifth Rank. It meant that even if a Grandmaster were to enter the dream, such a spiritual impact could inevitably cause harm. Although Zhou Hengs divine souls strength was infinitely close to that of a Sect Fifth Rank, it had not essentially changed, and under normal circumstances, he would certainly be injured when faced with such a spiritual assault. However, he was not entering the dream purely with his divine soul or as his Dharma Phase, but rather with his divine soul envisioning the Dharma Phase of the Supreme Riding an Ox, interwoven with a trace of the Daos rhyme it represented. This was the foundation of the immovable Dao that had remained unchanged for eons, the basis that bore all things, the symbol of existence in this world. As such, the extent of spiritual impact that Zhou Heng could withstand could no longer be measured by conventional standards. The overlapping wails, roars, and screams, mixed with the incoming assault, should have been utterly terrifying like a flood. Yet, for Zhou Hengs form of divine soul as the Supreme Riding an Ox Dharma Phase, it was nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing against his face, unable to have the slightest negative effect on him nor cause him even a hint of injury. The girls blank face suddenly sprouted features, yet they were all marred with burnt marks, hideously fierce. She stared at Zhou Heng with gloomy eyes, gnashing her teeth. It was you, you set the fire! Didnt you Bang! She had not finished speaking before Zhou Heng interrupted her, charging straight at her with the ox-riding Supreme Dharma Phase and sending the girl flying backwards, tumbling dozens of feet through the air before crashing to the ground. Ahh!! The girl roared angrily, struggling to get up from the ground. But just as her arms managed to lift her body slightly, she suddenly felt an immense weight on her back, as though a mountain had crushed down upon her, pinning her down again, making it impossible for her to get up, no matter how hard she fought. That was the Supreme Riding an Ox stepping over and planting a foot on the girl. Sigh Zhou Heng sighed softly, riding upon the ox in his Supreme Dharma Phase and breathed out a clear breath onto the girl. The girl who had been desperately struggling suddenly quieted down. The Azure Dragon no longer stepped on her. This time, the girl did not try to get up. She lay on the ground, sobbing softly, her small body trembling slightly as she emitted whimpers of tears. After a while, the burning village flames disappeared, and the surroundings suddenly changed to a maple forest, as if arriving in the deep autumn, the maple red as fire. The little girl who had been lying on the ground at some point had transformed into a young woman with a graceful figure and exquisite curves, which could be clearly seen even as she lay prone on the ground in a red dress. She slowly stood up, with astonishingly high curves on her chest that seemed to be trembling slightly due to her rising, and wore a fiery red fox mask on her face. It was the Fifth Rank Sect Master of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, one of the Azure Dragons Seven Stars, known as Xin Su, also called Xin Yuehu. Xin Yuehu, Ive seen my senior before, Xin Su said, bowing slightly in respect, Thank you for saving my life. I was previously bewitched by demon entities, trapped in a childhood nightmare. If not for the seniors awakening, Im afraid my life would have ended here. No need for such formalities, Zhou Heng said with a smile, while letting his Supreme Riding Ox Dharma Phase use a bit of magic to split off a wisp of thought, shaping it into his own likeness. That is, the form wearing the Ziwei Emperors mask and purple imperial robes. This made communication more convenient. So it is the Master of Stars, Xin Su exclaimed even more surprised and asked, Are you here to save me on behalf of the organization? She had a fair understanding of this Master of Stars. It was said that this master joined the organization less than a year ago, his realm soared rapidly, reaching the level of Secret Six Rank, granting new privileges opened by the Purple Tenuity Palace for the organization, contributing greatly to its development. Within the entire Da Qi Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, this master was absolutely an extremely important member, even the two leaders of Azure Dragon and Tianyi showed him great courtesy. Even many people speculated that once this master ascended to the position of Celestial Man, he would likely become the third leader. On one hand, to save you, on the other hand, to investigate the matters here, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, smiling, As for this demon entity, do you have any understanding? Hmm, its not very convenient here. How about we talk more deeply outside of the dream state? Although this was Xin Sus dream, the dream realm was the demon entitys home turf. Talking here could possibly make it aware of their conversation, which would not be convenient for devising strategies to deal with it. Yes, what the Master of Stars says is very true, Xin Su nodded in agreement. Xin Su had now regained her consciousness within the dream, and it was naturally not a difficult task to wake up in reality. Her awakening also brought great joy to the Prefect Zhang Qiu, who also gained a larger recognition of the strength of this Ziwei Emperoralthough he was just at Secret Six Rank, he seemed to be quite adept in the realm of spiritual dreams. Afterward, Xin Su stepped out from the prohibited formation and went with Zhou Heng to the prefectural citys official residence. Zhang Qiu specifically approved a room inside the official residence for the two to discuss strategies against the demon entities. Zhou Heng and Xin Su set up soundproofing barriers inside the room after they entered, to prevent their voices from being overheard. Demon entities not only had the ability to send people into deep sleep and drown them in dreams, but they also possessed the power to bewilder and deceive the spirit and were extremely stealthy. Unless ones divine soul state was checked one by one, no one could be sure if there were any spies of the demon entity inside this official residence. Therefore, it was best to be cautious. We can talk now, Zhou Heng got straight to the point the moment he began, not dallying in the slightest. This demon entity is extremely skilled at dredging up the memories people least want to recall, Xin Su said with a heavy tone: Before I fell into the nightmare, I observed the dreams of over thirty people who were all immersed in their painful nightmares, unable to extricate themselves. In such dreams, a persons spirit becomes extremely fragile, naturally releasing divine soul power, which is then absorbed by some force above the dream Im afraid that would be the demon entity. This demon entity is collecting the divine soul power released by people Zhou Heng frowned slightly upon hearing this and said, The released divine soul power is quite pure, less influenced by the original will of individuals, and most suitable for gathering together. Is this demon entity trying to amass a large amount of divine soul power? What does it want to do? Given the dream constructed by ten thousand sleeping people in Ansui Prefecture, if the demon entity wanted to make its descent, it could have already broken through. Yet it has not done so; it clearly has other intentions. I once heard Tianyi Great King say that demon entities can change between insubstantial and substantial forms, and for them, divine soul power is the prime carrier of their path, said Xin Su with some concern: Could it be that this demon entity wants to use a vast amount of divine soul power to construct a pathway for more demon entities to cross over? Its highly possible, Zhou Heng nodded gently, saying, If thats really the case, then we must hurry. If too much time passes, the demon entity might succeed. Exactly, Xin Su nodded in agreement, yet she was also worried, But we know so little about this demon entity, how are we going to stop it? Dont worry, I already have a plan, Zhou Heng said with a smile. That quick? Xin Su exclaimed in surprise; she was increasingly convinced that this Master of the Stars was truly formidable. Atop the dream haze where reality and illusion blurred, a pitch-black giant snake was coiled. It slithered above the mist, overlooking more than ten thousand assorted dreams below, its forked tongue absorbing a massive amount of free-floating spiritual power with each flick. This was a demon entity. Ah, such delicious spiritual power, the humans of this world are so high-quality. The spiritual powers of a group of mere mortals are so pure, its wonderful, the giant snake murmured contentedly. Its a pity, I must establish a cross-realm path for the Great King and cannot absorb too much. Otherwise, all of this would be delectable, fantastic, just fantastic! Demon entities are intelligent, but until they reach the rank equivalent to a Celestial Man, the lower-level demons are mostly driven by instinct. Although this giant snake possessed the strength equivalent to a Sect Fifth Rank, its intelligence was not very high. The only reason it refrained from consuming all the wandering spiritual power was due to its fear of the Great King. Once the Great King arrives, I should be able to freely draw upon the spiritual power here, hehehe. The giant snake felt that its glorious future was drawing near. However, on the path to this bright future, an obstacle had just appeared. What was that old man riding the azure ox? The pure and spiritual aura from him is very uncomfortable for me, and he even woke up the delicious treat that I intended to save for last. Unforgivable! The next time he enters the dreams, I shall swallow him whole! Zhou Hengs plan to deal with the dream demon entity was simple. And direct. That is, to enter every sleeping persons dream in the form of a Supreme Riding Ox and wake them up one by one. There were no tricks to it, but it was simple and effective. The most difficult part about this method was how to wake people trapped in their own nightmares without causing any harm to their divine souls. But this obstacle was no trouble at all for Zhou Heng, who could manifest the Supreme Riding Ox to enter dreams. A mere hint of the interwoven Daoist essence and aura on the Supreme Riding Ox Dharma Phase was enough for someone at the level of a Fifth Rank Sect Master like Xin Su to find their way back to consciousness, not to mention ordinary people. The more people who were awakened, the more the demon entity lurking above the dreams would grow restless and would definitely reveal itself. When that time comes, it will be directly suppressed and killed. To avoid drawing too much attention, Zhou Heng deliberately hid various light and shadow effects with illusion techniques when awakening the sleeping individuals. Therefore, normal people could not see the clear qi bursting forth from above his head, nor could they see the glow radiating from the body of the sleeping individuals, as well as the purplish-black Demonic Qi that dispersed from them. In the eyes of the people of Ansui Prefecture, Zhou Heng simply went to the home of the patient, touched his coronet beside the patients bed, and after two or three breaths, the long-slumbering person would awaken. To the onlookers, this seemed almost like a miracle. Thus, news spread rapidly, and every household with a sleeping individual eagerly anticipated Zhou Hengs arrival. This also made Zhou Hengs subsequent actions much smoother. In just three days, he had already awakened more than a thousand people, and the number was increasing rapidly. By the fifth day, more than three thousand people had been awakened. The speed at which Zhou Heng was waking people truly shocked Xin Su. She could hardly imagine how a Secret Six Rank Martial Artist could sustain the mental exertion of entering dreams more than three thousand times in just a few days? That was unbelievably strong. In fact, this was because Zhou Heng had a foundation in visualization techniques, making his Divine Soul Powers recovery and strength far exceed that of other martial artists at the same rank, and in terms of recovery speed, he even surpassed many Sect Fifth Ranks. Moreover, he had the Sun Cave Sky to nurture his Divine Soul, further enhancing the recovery speed of his Divine Soul Power. Thus, entering dreams thousands of times in a short period was not particularly difficult for him. As the number of awakened individuals grew, the despair that had pervaded Ansui Prefecture dissipated entirely, and many families were already celebrating joyfully. However, both Zhou Heng and Xin Su were very clear that everything up to this point was merely a prelude. To truly resolve the problem of Ansui Prefecture, the demon creature hidden in the dreams had to be slain. Therefore, the work of waking the sleeping continued. By the seventh day, over six thousand people had been awakened. During this time, the force that induced sleep retaliated, putting another thousand people to sleep. But the pace of this sleep-inducing force could not keep up with Zhou Hengs rate of awakening people, and in a few more days, all the sleeping individuals in the prefectural city would have been awakened. However, Zhou Heng knew that they had now reached a critical moment. Each time he entered a dream, he could sense the intense malice and murderous intent from above, thick and undisguised, and with each entry, he felt the desire of the dream demon to kill him. For some unknown reason, the demon entity had not truly acted, simply watching from above the mists of the dream. Now, all the sleeping individuals were about to be awakened. This meant that the large-scale dream where the demon entity resided was about to collapse entirely. It likely couldnt remain idle any longer. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng once again entered a dream. But this time, unlike before, he did not encounter the image of a sleeping person in the dream. After passing through the dream mist, he arrived in a vast and pitch-black world, head-on with a giant snake that seemed to fill the entire world! Humans! You must die!! Chapter 348 - Chapter 348: Chapter 68: Hearing the Thunderbolt in the Dream Chapter 348: Chapter 68: Hearing the Thunderbolt in the Dream This giant snake seemed to be the great existence that supported the vast heavens and earth of this realm, the rules that governed the movement of all things within, the supreme and sublime overlordthe origin of everything and the foundational root. In this dreamworld, it was like a god who had opened the heavens and forged the earth, reigning supreme over all rules, law, and the great Dao, where merely gazing upon it gave one the sense of peering into the very source of the Dao. Even Zhou Heng, at the moment he saw this giant snake, his spirit experienced a moment of bewilderment. He felt that the giant snake possessed an unfathomable might, capable of causing the heavens to be born if it so wished, and if it desired the earth to coalesce, then the earth would solidifyall according to its whims. Too strong! Nearly omnipotent! However, this feeling lasted only a brief instant. Maintaining the dream-entry state of the Supreme Bull-Riding Dharma Phase, Zhou Heng snapped back to awareness almost immediately, barely affected. But even just that momentary lapse, in a battle on this level, was enough to shift the entire situationpotentially turning a disadvantage into victory. And to mention nothing of Zhou Hengs already passive and reactive stance. When he regained his clarity, the giant snakes gaping maw was already snapping shut around him, poised to swallow him whole. Inside the mouth of the giant snake, a storm was brewing, intent on dragging him down. Zhou Heng, manifesting the Supreme Bull-Riding Dharma Phase, sat unperturbed atop his green ox, and with a light push to the crown on his head, a surge of Yellow Mystery energy burst forth, forming a thirty-three-story exquisite pagoda. As the pagoda rotated, the Yellow Mystery energy condensed into auspicious clouds, from which streams of vaporous energy hung down like beaded strings, enveloping the Supreme Bull-Riding Dharma Phase, untouched by the tempest within the snakes maw. What is this?! the giant snake sensed a change in the food it had swallowed, finding that whatever it did, it couldnt swallow it down. Abnormal! Decisively, the giant snake spat Zhou Heng back out. From its youth, it had heeded the teachings of its elders: never force food down while hunting. If a food that was taken into its mouth couldnt be swallowed, it must be expelled immediately; otherwise, it could be life-threatening. The snake had always taken this to heart. Zhou Heng hadnt expected the giant snake to be so decisive, thwarting his plan to launch an attack from within its oral cavity, focusing on vulnerable areas. Nevertheless, even outside the giant snakes body, the impact wasnt significant. This was, after all, the dreamworld! In the past, Zhou Heng, in order to modify The Eternal Life Chant to better suit the common people for cultivation and dissemination, had delved into many concepts of soul visualization techniques, learning numerous spells along the way. Especially the dreamworld techniques that primarily focused on spiritual attacks. In the cultivation path of soul visualization, the most basic skill that all cultivators mastered was dream entry, a technique adapted into various forms. Hence, Zhou Hengs understanding of the dreamworld was substantial. He could even simulate in the dream, employing divine skills that were infeasible in reality. For instance Boom! As the giant snake pondered why a Secret Sixth Rank martial artists divine soul could withstand being consumed, it saw Zhou Heng in his manifest Supreme Dharma Phase point to the heavens with a casual flick of his hand. Lightning flashed! A sea of purple thunder surged in an instant, occupying the sky of the dreamworld, with the overwhelming power of thunder filling every direction as though a heavenly judgment was descending, determined to obliterate the beings facing their calamity! The eighth form of the Purple Thunder Blade Skill, Thunder Strikes, Slaying the True Dragon! ` In reality, Zhou Heng, bound by his Cultivation Realm, was simply incapable of executing this move. However, in the dreamscape things were different. He could fully visualize the concept of the Purple Thunder Saber Technique using his Divine Soul, manifesting it as a spiritual Technique to be executed. The sudden emergence of the thunderous ocean left the giant snake dumbfounded as it watched the sky being overtaken by a purple sea of thunder, prompting it to uncontrollably twist its massive body and attempt to alter the dreamscape. It was the master of this dreamscape, the architect of the dream, and naturally, the sovereign ruler of all within it. Under normal circumstances, any method employed within this dreamscape would be suppressed by the will of the giant snake. Disappear! The giant snake manipulated the dreamscape, attempting to erase the existence of the purple sea of thunder directly, but no matter how it exercised its dominion over this dreamscape, it could not shake the thunderous sea in the slightest. It was as if the purple sea of thunder was completely unaffected by the rules of this dreamscape, leaving it helpless. How can this be? The giant snake suddenly felt a sense of panic as it raised its head to the sky, looking up at the purple sea of thunder and feeling an extremely intense sense of crisis. Was it facing a life-or-death catastrophe?! But how could this be possible? An inconsequential Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist could bring about a life-or-death catastrophe for itself, and within its own home ground in the dreamscape?! The dream serpent couldnt believe it, but being naturally timid and cautious, it didnt dare to take risks. Thus, the moment it felt a sense of crisis, it decided on its next course of action and very decisively made some manipulations to the dreamscape. Firstly, it segmented the dreamscape, isolating the part of the void where it was, along with itself, from the entire dream, and severed the connection with the main body of the dreamscape. Moreover, before cutting off the connection with this dreamscape, it had issued an order for it to collapse and destroy itself, causing the main body of the dreamscape to collapse thunderously. The collapse of a dreamscape would usually destroy everything within that world. Whether it was the sea of thunder about to occupy the dream sky or that peculiar and powerful Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist, both would vanish into ashes and cease to exist! Its a good thing I absorbed a lot of pure spiritual energy earlier. Coming to this world has not been in vain, the dream serpent thought to itself, gazing at the collapsing main body of the dreamscape with joy in its heart. However, that sense of joy soon disappeared. The purple sea of thunder seemed to have locked onto it as if by design. Despite the collapse of the main body of the dream world, the sea of thunder continued to expand, stubbornly piercing through the dreams fog and spreading into the segmented piece of dream void. How is this possible?! The dream serpent showed an incredulous expression. The current situation had completely exceeded its understanding. The segmented dream void should not be connected, and it had completely severed their connection. How did the sea of thunder spread over here? How could such a thing happen? Boom!! While the dream serpent was in a state of shock, the purple sea of thunder finally arrived in full force, engulfing the massive serpent of the dreamscape, consuming it completely. The overwhelming serpentine shadow struggled madly within the sea of thunder, trying to break free from the covering of lightning, but to no avail. The purple lightning was like an impenetrable cage, restraining it firmly! After a short moment, the struggling serpentine shadow gradually calmed down, swiftly shrunk, and ultimately disappeared. It was dead. Under the purple light, the sky thundered and lightning struck! By the decree of the heavens, a blade fell to slaughter the True Dragon! Congratulations! You have killed the unremarkable enemy demon entity, Dreamscape Serpent Growth Body. Fortune Bag[Copper]+3. ` Congratulations! You have received the Meritorious Qi of the Yellow Mystery, and your comprehension of the Taoist Formulas Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual [Absolute Fourth Rank] has increased, with proficiency +100. Boom! Thunderbolts exploded in the minds of the thousands of people still asleep. Subconsciously, they opened their eyes wide, and many leapt up from their beds in a panic, some even bouncing up, their faces filled with terror. Afterward, these people looked around in confusion, seeing their family members who appeared to be crying tears of joy, with tears streaming down their faces. Following that thunderous sound, the sleeping residents of Ansui Prefecture awoke. Zhou Hengs Divine Soul also flew out of the dream realm and returned to his body. It must be said, the Supreme Riding Bull Dharma Phase was truly powerful in the realm of dreams. It was simply invincible. The Serpent Demon Entity of the dream realm was undoubtedly formidable, especially within the dream realm, where the majority of Sect Fifth Rank Martial Artists stood no chance against it. Even those with the practice of spirit secret techniques would find it difficult to contend with in the realm of dreams. After all, born of the dream realm, the dream realm serpent was as natural to this world as fish to water. Its manipulation of the dream realm was multifaceted, possessing advantages that regular Martial Artists could not compare with. If it were in the dream realm it had created and cultivated, it would be an invincible entity to the vast majority of Grandmaster Martial Artists. Thats exactly why Xin Su was defeated so thoroughly. For Grandmaster Martial Artists to contend with, or even defeat, the dream realm serpent, they would have to be like Meng Qiu, who not only practiced the supreme dream realm skill, but also possessed a significant level of achievement to stand a chance. The reason why Zhou Heng was able to win so effortlessly, and even deem the dream realm serpent as merely ordinary, lay in the special Divine Soul visualization method and the Supreme Riding Bull Dharma Phase. In the real world, these two aspects held little practical fight significance, but in the dream realm, they were unbeatable. As the foundation of existence and a symbol carrying the principles of the Great Dao, the Supreme Riding Bull Dharma Phase could even take over the sovereign position of the creator of the dream realm, directly causing the dream realm great serpent to lose complete control over that world without knowing. As a result, the latter part of the dream realm great serpent, which thought it had separated itself, was still connected but merely obscured by Zhou Hengs Supreme Riding Bull Dharma Phase, leading directly to the serpents ultimate downfall. In fact, had the Demon Entities of Ansui Prefecture primarily engaged in real-world combat and merely intended to descend through the dream realm, Zhou Heng would not have won so easily, perhaps facing a tough battle. Unfortunately, the one they encountered was a purely dream realm serpent, which had no advantages against Zhou Heng. Zhang Qiu, the lord of Ansui Prefecture, warmly invited Zhou Heng and Xin Su to a banquet, but both declined. In a sense, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was not a widely known organization yet, and its members did not wish to have too much contact with the outside world in their official capacity, naturally showing little interest in such invitations. Thus, Zhou Heng and Xin Su took their leave together. However, a small incident occurred as the two were leaving the city. Over a hundred thousand civilians from Ansui Prefectural city and its subordinate towns and villages gathered, lining the streets to send off the two, expressing their sincere gratitude. Zhou Heng had awakened more than ten thousand people trapped in a nightmare, one could say he rescued tens of thousands of families, making him a lifesaver to these hundred thousand people. The gathering of over a hundred thousand people was an extremely spectacular sight. Outside the prefectural city of Ansui Prefecture, the official road was teeming with a sea of people standing on both sides, almost forming two long dragons. Facing such enthusiastic farewells, Zhou Heng and Xin Su did not fly away as they had originally planned, but instead walked the entire length of the official road where the citizens stood, bidding farewell to each one of them. After completing this stretch of road, Zhou Heng suddenly felt a twitch in his divine sense, as if a strand of plain white Qi was interweaving in the dark, providing him with some kind of protection. In the past, he wouldnt have had the ability to perceive this, but this sensation was triggered by the Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual; it must be related to something connected with the Yellow Mystery Merit Qi A type of the Five Virtues Qi? Zhou Heng mused internally, Its a pity I dont know much about the Five Virtues and Five Fortunes now, Im even unclear about what this strand of plain white Qi is. This made his desire to acquire The Eternal Life Chant detailing the Innate Five Virtues and Five Fortunes even stronger. The first demon entity had already been slain; what remained was one ghost, one evil spirit, and two heretical Grandmasters. The completion of his mission was not far away. Zhou Hengs task this time was completed to perfection. He didnt just fully rescue Xin Su and restore the prefectural city of Ansui to its original state, but he also killed the quite troublesome Dreaming Serpent demon entity on the spot. It could be said that he completed the mission with extra merit. The final reward was also extremely generous; besides the original entitled reward, he also received an additional one thousand merits as a bonus. Although one thousand merits were but a trifling sum to Zhou Heng, who already had two Fortune Bags, receiving extra rewards nonetheless brought him joy. Back on Earth, he would often hear his fellow senior brothers and sisters, who had evolved into corporate drones, complain that even if they completed tasks well beyond their workload, they just ended up working overtime for free. Extra rewards were out of the question; they were lucky if they got paid as usual. Receiving a decent bonus for just slightly exceeding the mission requirements would definitely be many peoples dream job on Earth. Following that, Zhou Heng accepted a task to slay a ghost entity at the Five Emperors Inner Seat and happened to run into Xin Su when leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace. However, by her looks, she seemed to have been waiting outside the Purple Tenuity Palace for quite some time. Is something the matter? Zhou Heng asked, perplexed. May I have a moment of your time, Star Lord? Xin Su bowed slightly, her full chest trembling as she did so, which was somewhat dazzling. Alright. Zhou Heng nodded lightly and walked a distance forward with her. I must thank you once again for saving my life, Xin Su began with gratitude, then continued, By rights, I should do something to thank you, but I cant think of what to do at the moment After much thought, the only thing I can think of is some information I received earlier, which might be of help to you. What information? Zhou Heng asked curiously. About the treasure left behind by the Ancient Dream Saint, Xin Su said earnestly. The Dream Saint, the forefather of dream paths. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only One of the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient Era, she was also one of the three saints who fell into madness at the end of the Middle Ancient Era. She directly caused the destruction of the Age of Saints. Yet, she also preserved the spark of the brilliant civilization of the Middle Ancient Era, allowing it to be inherited. A Very complex person. Chapter 365 - Chapter 365: Chapter 85: Immortals Abound Like Hemp Chapter 365: Chapter 85: Immortals Abound Like Hemp Fengzhou County City Yamen, the Prefects study. Cui Qingyang was dealing with the recent reports from various localities, while his son Cui Guanlan stood by his side, quietly observing the way his father handled official affairs. As one of the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi, Fengzhou has been managed by the Cui family for thousands of years. Although the Prefectural Governors position is officially conferred by the Imperial Court of Da Qi, in reality, it is an extension of the Cui familys power, typically inherited by the brothers of the Family Head. Cui Qingyang is the second brother of the Family Head, Cui Tianhe. Their line has been managing the position of Prefectural Governor for nearly a thousand years, practically making it an industry of this lineage. Cui Guanlan is Cui Qingyangs eldest son, talented and already nearing the level of Secret Six Rank before the age of thirty. He is also shrewd and has been designated as the next candidate for the Prefectural Governor of Fengzhou. Now, he was learning by following Cui Qingyang. Just at that moment, a bailiff rushed over in a hurry. My Lord, a young man who calls himself Zhou Heng has come to visit. He claims to be a True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace. Zhou Heng? A True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace? Standing behind Cui Qingyang, Cui Guanlan abruptly lifted his head, looking towards the bailiff. Cui Qingyang, however, appeared calm, leisurely putting down his pen and smiling, Let him in. Then, he said to Cui Guanlan, Guanlan, you go down first. I have matters to discuss with this little Taoist Zhou. Father Cui Guanlan hesitated, yet ultimately swallowed his words, nodded his head, and bowed to take his leave. The manner of Cui Qingyang complicated his feelings. After all, half a year ago, Zhou Heng was just a youthful talent ranked on the same list as him, and his ranking was even above Zhou Hengs. Yet in such a short time, there was already a chasm as vast as heaven and earth between them. I dont even have the qualifications to discuss matters with him anymore. Cui Guanlan felt somewhat dazed, but a surge of determination rose within himhe was not convinced and resolved to strive for improvement. Not long after Cui Guanlan left, Zhou Heng followed a bailiff into Cui Qingyangs study. The little Taoist has personally come all this way, and I failed to greet you properly. Please do not take offense, Cui Qingyang laughed heartily and got up to greet him himself, startling the bailiff who led Zhou Heng over, making his legs tremble slightly. Could this Zhou Heng be a Celestial Man? Normally, only a Celestial Man would warrant such a reception from the Lord Prefect. But wasnt this Zhou Heng still on the human rankings just over half a year ago? Unable to understand, yet not daring to ask, the bailiff left with a mind full of confusion. Now only Cui Qingyang and Zhou Heng were left in the study. Prefect Cui is too polite, Zhou Heng said with a slight bow, smiling, I am here to find someone. Oh? Junior Taoist Priest, please speak. Cui Qingyang motioned Zhou Heng to sit down on a chair. He Mengqiu, the senior, arrived in County City yesterday, Zhou Heng said. I do not know where she is staying, may I ask you to inform me? So, you are looking for Senior He. Cui Qingyang said. She is resting in a residence in the southern district of the city. Later, Ill send someone to notify her that you wish to visit. He seemed to hold He Mengqiu in high regard, for despite being the head of an entire county and a Great Grandmaster at the peak of the Fourth Rank, he addressed He Mengqiu as his senior. Zhou Heng was slightly surprised but did not delve further, smiling said, Then, I thank you. Besides that, there is another matter; the people of the Plague Emperor Sect are plotting in secret to perform a sacrifice in Fengzhou County City, to conduct a ceremony to invite the incarnation of an Evil God to descend. It seems Pure Yang Palace has also learned of this matter, Cui Qingyang nodded and smiled. When I found out that you, the junior Taoist Priest, were coming, I guessed it might be related to this. Cui Qingyang did not know that the person who had reported the matter of the Nine Dragons Plague Emperors impending descent to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was none other than Zhou Heng. Even less did he know that Zhou Heng was a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer; he merely believed Zhou Heng came here as Pure Yang Palaces spokesperson to convey their stance on this issue. Yes, we have been notified by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, Zhou Heng smiled. We will extend our help. Oh? Thats wonderful, Cui Qingyang said in great joy. Zhou Tian Boundary Officer mentioned that seven Celestial Men would come to join hands in preventing the Evil Gods incarnation from descending. He did not know that Pure Yang Palace had already planned to intervene and stop the descent of the Evil God. My five senior brothers will come, Zhou Heng smiled. With the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers seven Celestial Men included, we will have twelve Celestial Men in total. Even if the descent ceremony truly begins, we still hold a great chance to prevent the incarnation of the Evil God from descending. Once the descent ceremony begins, it signifies the start of the Evil Gods incarnation descending. Even if the ceremony is not fully completed, the Evil God could still utilize the ritual to make a link and descend with a portion of his power. Five Celestial Men are coming! Cui Qingyang gasped in shock, his heart erupted in tumultuous waves; he hadnt expected Pure Yang Palace to be so powerful. In an age where neither the Tao Lords nor the Saints could take action, the ability to deploy five Celestial Men at once meant there was even more powerful force guarding within their Sect. Sure enough, Pure Yang Palace, an ancient Sect, had profound and immeasurable depths, truly deserving of being one of the three primary Taoist Sects. Indeed, and one of them is my senior brother Yan Shouyi, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, smiling. After all, the matter of the Evil Gods incarnation descending is no trivial issue. Should there be any mistake, a new path of evil might arise in this world C my senior brother takes it very seriously. The worlds number one Celestial Man is coming too? Cui Qingyang was dumbfounded, then laughed and said, With this, the matter is nearly certain to be resolved. The heretics of the Plague Emperor Sect could probably never dream that so many Immortals would come. In ancient times, the realm of Celestial Men could already be referred to as Ranked among the Immortals, genuine Immortals indeed. However, the arrival of the Celestial Men to prevent the descent of the Evil God is ultimately only the last step. It would be best if we could find the people of the Plague Emperor Sect in advance, Zhou Heng said gravely. If we can nip this in the bud, we can resolve it without needing Celestial Men to descend. Exactly, Cui Qingyang nodded, but his brow soon furrowed and he said, However, Ive already sent people to search everywhere these past few days, still with no clues. Even after my brother used Divine Skills of a Celestial Man to search the entirety of Fengzhou over a dozen times, we couldnt find the targeted individuals. Cui Qingyangs elder brother is the Family Head of Fengzhous Cui clan, Cui Tianhe, a revered Celestial Man. Even the Divine Skills of a Celestial Man could not trace them? Zhou Heng also furrowed his brows, puzzled. Does the Plague Emperor Sect have such a foundation? Or are they willing to pay any price to have the incarnation of the Evil God descend this time? The rise of the Plague Emperor Sect was but three thousand years ago; the Evil God they worshiped was still being suppressed and had not yet revived to return. With very few Celestial Men, they were, in fact, not very powerful. To elude the search of a Celestial Mans Divine Skills, one would need either a special Celestial Man treasure or a Tao Lord level treasure, or a portable Cave Sky. None of which the Plague Emperor Sect could easily bring forth. The Evil God worshiped by the Plague Emperor Sect was not the Nine Dragons Plague Emperor Great Emperor Lyu Yue but an Evil God not heard of by Zhou Heng. They also had no divine proclamations and self-proclaimed as the Divine Monarch of Pestilence, walking among the heavens. Could there be other forces involved? A thought suddenly flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, making him shiver. Yes, the judgment of the Evil Gods incarnation descending is based solely on the memory fragments of those two zealous believers. But the information on the memory fragment is greatly incomplete. Its highly possible that what Ive understood is only one-sided. Perhaps its not only the Plague Emperor Sect thats now trying to summon the incarnation of an Evil God? No sooner had this thought occurred than it became uncontrollable, and the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed. He realized that his previous thinking might have been too one-sided. Thus, Zhou Heng shared this speculation with Cui Qingyang. Naturally, he only mentioned his suspicion that other forces might be involved and that there might be some variables, without revealing anything else. Upon hearing this, Cui Qingyang instantly felt it made sense and said, Indeed, its possible. Ill go find my elder brother right away. Would the young Taoist like to come along? Theres no need, Zhou Heng shook his head and said, Ill go to see Elder He. Thats also good, Cui Qingyang nodded and added, Elder He is currently using the Dream Realm Great Method to investigate this matter. Please, young Taoist, also inform Elder He of your speculation. No problem, Zhou Heng nodded. In a large mansion in the southern part of County City in Fengzhou, Zhou Heng met with He Mengqiu. Youre saying that you suspect people from other forces are assisting the Plague Emperor Sect? After listening to Zhou Hengs description, He Mengqius eyebrows lightly furrowed as she nodded and said, Its not impossible. Has Elder He discovered anything? Zhou Heng asked. Mm, He Mengqiu nodded slightly and said, After arriving in County City of Fengzhou, Ive been trying to navigate the dream realm, looking for suspicious people. However, Ive found no one so far, until just now when I suddenly sensed that someones consciousness sea projection disappeared. This so-called consciousness sea projection is a term from the Way of Dreams. As long as a person is alive, even if they are unconscious, their spirits energy will disperse, and this dispersed spirit energy, when gathered, is called the consciousness sea. Different individuals dispersed spirit energies in the consciousness sea will have slight distinctions, which are called consciousness sea projections. A sudden disappearance of the consciousness sea projection could mean this person has suddenly died or entered another world. Since Elder He says so, it must not be because someone has died, Zhou Heng said. Thats correct, He Mengqiu confirmed with a nod. I am sure that there seems to be a world similar to a Cave Sky hidden within County City of Fengzhou, serving as a shelter for the people of the Plague Emperor Sect. Moreover, the world being used to shelter them is likely related to the Way of Dreams. When that persons consciousness sea projection disappeared, it was immediately replaced by a substitute to deceive observers. Observing changes in the consciousness sea projection is indeed within the scope of the Way of Dreams, and manipulating it is as difficult as reaching the heavens. If I didnt already have some achievements in the Way of Dreams, I might not have noticed it. Related to the Way of Dreams? Zhou Hengs heart stirred as he said, Elder He, some time ago I went to Southern Jin where a sacred relic of the Dream Saint had appeared He briefly told He Mengqiu of the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Chart and the event where a simple smile became spiritually enlightened. Yao Palace Hundred Halls Chart That chart actually encapsulates a great fear of my master, He Mengqiu sighed softly upon hearing it. A smile to bring enlightenment, I roughly know who it might be. It should be my second senior brother, but he left the Central Plains long ago, and it should not be him involved this time. She did not go into detail about this second senior brother. It seems Elder He already has someone in mind? Zhou Heng said, although he thought of inquiring further about the story of a smile to bring enlightenment, he did not wish to be too blatant. Im afraid its my eldest senior brother, He Mengqius expression grew complicated. Back then, under our master, there were only the three of us. We listened to masters story of a smile to bring enlightenment together, and those were indeed beautiful days. After the Middle Ancient period, my second senior brother went south, my eldest senior brother disappeared for many years, and I died, with my Dao vanishing only to be reborn from calamity. The three disciples of our master have completely scattered. But, this method of forging a void and manipulating the consciousness sea is indeed very much like my eldest senior brothers way. However, he has always detested Evil Gods and evil spirits, so how could he possibly At this point, she couldnt continue speaking. Zhou Heng remained silent. He could tell, although He Mengqiu had briefly mentioned many details in her story, those parts likely concealed a multitude of secrets and a complicated past. After a long while. No matter what, we must prevent the descent of the Evil God, He Mengqiu regained her composure and said solemnly, By the way, what are you doing here? Is Pure Yang Palace also coming to help? Correct, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, I can contribute my meager strength. Just a meager strength? He Mengqiu suddenly laughed, Im afraid it might be a power that could steady the heavens and earth. In the following three days, Zhou Heng and the others still couldnt find any clues. To avoid startling the snake, the Plague Emperor Sect, desperate, directly started the ritual, and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer only sent two Celestial Men in secret to help investigate. Zuoyuan and Youyuan, these two were veteran Celestial Men, rumored to have nearly three thousand years of cultivation, having overcome the five decays of heaven and man, with unfathomable strength and cultivation levels. However, even these two powerful Celestial Men couldnt find any traces of the Plague Emperor Sects activities. Apart from the anomaly in the sea of consciousness that He Mengqiu had sensed earlier, all other investigations indicated that there were no abnormalities in County City of Fengzhou. Yet Zhou Heng and his companions knew an unstoppable storm was about to burst. Not finding the people of the Plague Emperor Sect meant they could not prevent the start of the Evil Gods descent ritual, and they must now resist head-on. Another three days passed. The County City of Fengzhou remained sunny and peaceful, with many citizens going out to buy groceries and take walks as usual But an invisible force was quietly spreading in the dark. Some people suddenly began to cough inexplicably and had difficulty breathing, as if they had contracted some disease, and the number of these people increased rapidly. In just a few breaths, more than a hundred thousand people were infected. At the same time, the sky above County City of Fengzhou suddenly darkened as if it were about to collapse downwards. The clouds took on an eerie purple-black hue, and two gigantic black palms seemed to reach down from an infinite height, attempting to part the clouds. Inside a dark alley in the North District, Cui Tianhe, along with his fellow sect members, including one Immortal and six Great Grandmasters, stepped out from that concealed void into reality. Hahaha!! The Emperor is about to descend, our god will awaken! The Plague Emperor Sects Immortal danced and cheered, looking at the spectacle in the sky with great excitement. But at that moment, thirteen beams of light suddenly tore through the sky, illuminating the firmament. The purple-black clouds were squeezed by strands of pure golden light. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Figures emerged from within the golden light, carrying the heavens on their backs, clad in the great Dao, intertwined with laws and principles in their every move, exuding an aura of Dao and accompanied by layers of fantastic visions. Tigers roared and dragons chanted; phoenixes sang in harmony! Swords shone brightly; blades glittered resplendently! With the sound of tiger drums and phoenix lyres, holy people of the Immortals were arrayed like hemp! The followers of the Plague Emperor Sect stood dumbfounded, staring at the scene in the sky with incredulity, their mouths slowly agape as if they were puppets or clay statues, completely frozen in place. Chapter 350 - Chapter 350: Chapter 70: The Unexpected Visitor Chapter 350: Chapter 70: The Unexpected Visitor ` After confirming the next steps in his action plan, Zhou Heng intended to directly descend the mountain and head for Southern Jin. However, before descending, an unexpected visitor disrupted his plans. The current number one on the peoples list. Sword Idiot Fang Wen. Jade Void Peak, a tranquil halfway up the mountain guest house. Zhou Heng selected a rather secluded courtyard to receive Fang Wen. Almost half a year had passed since their last meeting, and Fang Wens appearance hadnt changed much, but his aura had undergone an earth-shattering transformation compared to his demeanor at the Chaoyang Wine Gathering. At the Chaoyang Wine Gathering Fang Wen was dressed in white robes, carrying a sword, with a handsome yet pale face and a frail figure as delicate as a sickly girl, exuding femininity with hardly a trace of masculine energy. Anyone seeing him for the first time would find it hard to associate him with the Sword Idiot who had occupied the top spot of the peoples list for a long time. If one were not careful, it was even possible to mistake him for a young maiden. Nevertheless, even with his feminine aura at that time, Zhou Hengs divine sense could still feel the piercing sword qi radiating from him, sharp and imposing. Fang Wen was like an invincible, all-conquering treasure sword with incomparable sharpness, able to cut down any enemy. The so-called frail femininity was all an illusion. But now, the piercing sword qi was no longer present in Fang Wen. At a glance, one could only see a youth with a feminine and delicate beauty, just somewhat sickly. Zhou Heng, on the other hand, could see more clearly. Fang Wen hadnt lost the sharpness of his treasure sword; instead, he had finally completely concealed his sharpness, integrating it with himself, drawing the blades edge back into the scabbard. He had grown stronger. And by a considerable amount. Although Fang Wen didnt exude any outward manifestation of Innate True Qi under the detection of divine sense, the impression he gave Zhou Heng was far stronger than any Secret Six Rank individual he had ever encountered. Congratulations, Brother Fang, on your advancement in the Sword Dao. Zhou Heng said with a cupped hands smile, having discerned that Fang Wen must have made further progress on the path of the Sword Dao that he had carved out, advancing much farther. Furthermore, it was not simply a matter of imitating the Martial Paths fusion with the external realm to step into the Innate, but a truly unique and different cultivation path from the Secret Six Rank of the Martial Paths outward manifestations. Perhaps, this was also why he remained at the top of the peoples list. I am far from having achieved success now, just the beneficiary of a legacy left by predecessors, not a path I have carved out for myself. Fang Wen shook his head and said, I have come this time to ask for something. Oh? Zhou Hengs interest was piqued, and he smiled, Please speak, Brother Fang. He and Fang Wen didnt have much of a relationship, to put it simply, they had only met once and had never engaged in deep conversation. Normally, such a relationship wouldnt extend to the point where one would seek help. Fang Wen surely understood this as well, yet he had still come, which meant the matter was so important he had no choice but to seek Zhou Hengs assistance. With a thought stirring in his mind, Zhou Heng quickly formed a preliminary guess about Fang Wens intentions. I wish to re-establish Sword Pavilion, Fang Wen said very seriously, and Id like your help. ` Indeed The Sword Pavilion, once established by the Sword Saint, one of the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient era, was the ancestral home of the worlds Sword Dao before the battle with Heaven. To be accepted into the Sword Pavilion was once the ultimate goal of countless practitioners of the Sword Dao. However, it was later sacrificed by Emperor Taiyang, and the entire sects mountain gate residence vanished overnight without a trace. After Zhou Heng acquired the Cave Sky of Yuanzhenzi, he discovered the ruins of the Sword Pavilions mountain gate within and speculated that Fang Wens mysterious disappearance might have been influenced by the Sword Pavilion. After all, if the Sect of True Void could still retain the statue of Daoist Qingyu to preserve its heritage, the Sword Pavilion, as a sect personally established by the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient era, should certainly have measures to continue its legacy. Now, Fang Wen is seeking his assistance to re-establish the Sword Pavilion, evidently because he has received the heritage of the Sword Pavilion. It might be a voluntary act, or perhaps a mission that one must undertake upon accepting the heritage. However, Fang Wen does not know that the Cave Sky of Yuanzhenzi is now mine, and naturally he is also unaware that I possess the ruins of the Sword Pavilions mountain gate. So his reason for seeking me out Zhou Heng thought to himself, Is probably because the enemy of ones enemy is a friend. The most apparent enemy for Fang Wens attempt to re-establish the Sword Pavilion would indeed be the Heaven Sword Sect of Southern Jin. The Heaven Sword Sect was one of the Hundred Schools that appeared during the era of the Middle Ancient saints. Its founding ancestor once listened to the teachings of the Sword Saint and could be considered a disciple of the Sword Saint. Although this member of the Hundred Schools eventually deviated and carved out his own Heavenly Sword path, cultivating his Dao and achieving the rank of Tao Lord, and establishing the Heaven Sword Sect, it has always regarded the Sword Pavilion as the superior sect. The Heaven Sword Sects leaders would pay respect and tribute to the Sword Pavilion during festivals and holidays. However, after the disappearance of the Sword Pavilion at the end of the Middle Ancient period, the Heaven Sword Sect underwent a self-restructuring aimed at de-Sword Pavilion-izing. This restructuring took the Heaven Sword Sect several hundred years, as they strove to completely sever their association with the Sword Pavilion. They specifically prohibited any mention of their history of acknowledging the Sword Pavilion as the superior sect. For three thousand years, as long as the Sword Pavilion remained absent, all was quiet and calm. But if someone were to attempt to re-establish the Sword Pavilion, even if that person harbored no ill will against the Heaven Sword Sect, the sect itself could not possibly sit idly by and watch the Sword Pavilion be revived. This meant that Fang Wens aim to re-establish the Sword Pavilion would undoubtedly face obstruction from the Heaven Sword Sect. And now, even if Fang Wens cultivation had significantly advanced, and his combat power likely reached the pinnacle of the Secret Six Rank, trying to confront a top-ranking sect of the Martial Path like the Heaven Sword Sect on his own was nothing short of a deluded fantasy, simply impossible. For this reason, Fang Wen needed allies. Zhou Hengs previous actions in Jiangzhou, helping the Lan Family recover their separate residence and the forging furnace, and incapacitating several peak Grandmasters of the Heaven Sword Sect with his Secret Six Rank cultivation, had already spread far and wide, causing a tremendous uproar. As a result, the Heaven Sword Sect publicly declared that if Zhou Heng dared to step foot within the territory of Southern Jin, their disciples would never spare him. However, what the outside world did not know was Ten days ago, Yu Yang, the Vice Leader of the Heaven Sword Sect, had followed the orders of their leader, Tan Qianshan, ascended to the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak, and apologized to Zhou Heng and Yan Shouyi, making a series of promises. Among those promises was even one stating that if disciples of the Pure Yang Palace were to find themselves in Southern Jin, they simply needed to seek out Heaven Sword Sect disciples and they would provide any necessary assistance with all their strength. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A stark contrast to their public proclamations. This just goes to show that when one is outmatched, despite bluster on the surface, concessions must be made in private; this is the way of survival for great sects. This means that there are actually no major conflicts between Zhou Heng and the Heaven Sword Sect at the moment. And Fang Wen is completely unaware of this. But even if I still had grievances with the Heaven Sword Sect, its very unlikely that I would really stand up for him. Zhou Heng assessed Fang Wen and thought to himself, Could it be that he has some sort of ace up his sleeve that he thinks can persuade me? Chapter 351 - Chapter 351: Chapter 71 The Ancient Great Clarity Tao Chapter 351: Chapter 71 The Ancient Great Clarity Tao The Heaven Sword Sect is, after all, one of the top Martial Dao Sects in Southern Jin, possessing both a Celestial Man and a Tao Lord. Zhou Heng would never stand up for Fang Wen without sufficient benefit. In such a matter, if he were to express support for Fang Wen, it would signify not merely his own stance, but that of the Pure Yang Palace as well. This is no small matter. Fang Wen certainly wouldnt naively think he could sway them without good reason. He must have something up his sleeve. If Brother Fang wishes to reestablish the Sword Pavilion, then go ahead and do so, Zhou Heng said with a smile. What do you need me for? A Sword Pavilion that no one acknowledges is meaningless even if rebuilt, Fang Wen said earnestly. I know Brother Zhou has concerns, but I am confident enough to persuade you. Oh? Zhou Heng replied, his smile broadening. Im all ears. However, Brother Fang, let me be clear, swaying me alone is pointlessyou need to convince Pure Yang Palace as well. Of course, Fang Wen nodded, lowering his voice. I previously found the ruins of the Sword Pavilion in that Cave Sky and was pulled by a mysterious force into another world. There, I not only received the vast majority of the Sword Pavilions inheritance but also found an extremely important clue about the inheritance of the ancient Dao of Taiqing! Eh? Zhou Heng narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled. My Pure Yang Palace isnt a sect that branched off from the Dao of Taiqing; you should be talking to the Taixu Viewpoint for that. The Dao of Taiqing was a sect from the Ancient Mythological Era; its specific history is no longer verifiable, and he also learned through the inheritance of the Reaching Vacuity Sect that the source of both the Taixu Viewpoint and the Reaching Vacuity Sect was the Dao of Taiqing. Does Pure Yang Palace really have no interest in the Dao of Taiqings inheritance? Fang Wen countered with a laugh upon hearing Zhou Hengs comment. This is, after all, the root of Taixu Viewpoints inheritance. Brother Fang has good plans, Zhou Heng said, not hiding his genuine thoughts and nodding slightly. Indeed, this is a good condition. However, I have one question: what does the Longevity Way think of this matter? Fang Wen was not a Loose Cultivator; rather, he was a True Disciple of the Longevity Way. Now he was looking to establish his own sect outside, and what he intended to establish was the Sword Pavilion, a sacred site from the Middle Ancient era. Normally, the Longevity Way would never allow its disciples to do such a thing. Brother Zhou can rest assured, Ive already taken care of it on my sects side, Fang Wen said in a deep voice. Once I have re-established the gates of the Sword Pavilion and its time for the grand reopening, my sects elders will even come to congratulate me. That is most excellent, Zhou Heng nodded with a smile, not asking for further details. Please wait here, then, Brother Fang. I shall go to the Golden Peak and discuss this matter with my senior brother. Thank you, Brother Zhou, Fang Wen said, brimming with joy. Then I will wait here for your good news. At the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak. Fang Wen, the Sword Pavilion, the inheritance of the Dao of Taiqing? Yan Shouyi was a bit surprised upon hearing this, then smiled. Interesting. It seems Brother Fang has quite the fortune. His future achievements will be boundless. Indeed, I can feel that hes extremely powerful, Zhou Heng nodded. Compared at the level of Secret Sixth Rank, Im afraid very few martial artists could surpass him. How do you think he compares to you, Junior Brother? Yan Shouyi smiled. I could take ten Fang Wens with one hand tied behind my back, Zhou Heng said, shaking his head with a light chuckle. I cannot be measured by common standards anymore. Haha, thats the first time Ive heard someone describe themselves in such a way, Yan Shouyi laughed heartily, clearly in a good mood. So, what are your thoughts on this matter, Junior Brother? Im inclined to support Fang Wen and stand by him in the establishment of the Sword Pavilion, Zhou Heng revealed his decision, which he had already contemplated on his way to the Golden Peak. And why is that? Yan Shouyi inquired. Its the result of weighing the pros and cons, Zhou Heng stated solemnly. By supporting Fang Wen, we gain the inheritance of the Dao of Taiqing, allowing us to understand the Taixu Viewpoint better and gaining an advantage in future conflicts. Moreover, Fang Wen has immense potential, and the Sword Pavilion itself is an extremely strong inheritance. If he can revitalize the Sword Pavilion, the Pure Yang Palace gains an ally, and the world gains another powerful inheritance, increasing hope against external enemies. Compared to these benefits, there is only one downside to supporting Fang Wens reestablishment of the Sword Pavilion, and that is the enmity we would face from the Heaven Sword Sect. No, you are wrong, Yan Shouyi shook his head. Ah? Zhou Heng was puzzled. The Heaven Sword Sect wouldnt dare to show hostility towards us, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. So, there are only benefits and no drawbacks. Why not do it? Haha, right, of course, why not! Zhou Heng nodded and laughed. After receiving Zhou Hengs response, Fang Wen left the mountain. The grand reopening of the Sword Pavilion was set for the eighth day of the second month of the following year. The specific location had not been chosen by Fang Wen yet, but an invitation would be sent when the time came, so there was no rush. However, before descending the mountain, Fang Wen, to show his sincerity, directly gave Zhou Heng an Absolute Fourth Rank Sword Dao technique. The Heavenly Sword Technique. This was an Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts technique, consisting of just one sword move, created by the Sword Saint before reaching enlightenment. It had no flashy flourishesjust a peerless sword light for attack, tremendously powerful. More importantly, it was said that the founder of the Heaven Sword Sect was inspired by the Heavenly Sword Technique and glimpsed the mysteries of the realm of Celestial Men, and the establishment of the Heaven Sword Sect was also influenced by the Heavenly Sword Technique. It was, in essence, a martial arts technique reborn to target the Heaven Sword Sect. Zhou Heng was quite pleased with it. Thanks to his insights into the Sword Technique of Conviction and his previous experience with various sword techniques, mastering the Heavenly Sword Technique was simple for him. In about an hour, he had advanced this Absolute Fourth Rank technique to the seventh layer. It was now fully combat-ready. This added another technique to Zhou Hengs arsenal and prepared him for his journey to Southern Jin. Next was the trip to Southern Jin. Zhou Heng had originally planned to leave after the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer gathering on the eighteenth of July, but before the time arrived, he received a mask message from the Five Emperors Inner Seat. The gathering was cancelled because a Demon Lord emerged from the West Wasteland, and the onslaught of the Evil Gods from beyond the heavens suddenly accelerated. Azure Dragon and Tianyi, the two leaders, were still fending off the evil demons and couldnt get away. So, Zhou Heng set out directly for Southern Jin. After the second day of Februarys Morning Sun Wine Gathering, the borders between Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, and Jinzhou, where Qi and Jin met, no longer held stationed troops or strict checks. The gates in the boundary walls remained open. The border lines were essentially nominal, with even ordinary people free to enter and exit at will, facing no restrictions whatsoever. Zhou Heng walked out from the border city wall gate within Yuzhou territory. At first, he hadnt felt any difference when setting foot on the land of Southern Jin compared to his time in Da Qi. After all, although Southern Jin was a foreign country, in the states and prefectures that were either close to, or directly bordering Da Qi, the peoples living habits and accents were almost the same as in Da Qi, making it hard to tell them apart. This was Zhou Hengs first time stepping out of Qi Countrys borders, and the moment he set foot into Southern Jin, he felt a tremendous changehe could no longer sense the presence of the Purple Tenuity Palace. Although previously he needed to pass through specific entrances to enter the Purple Tenuity Palace, when he was within the borders of Da Qi, no matter where he was, he could feel its existence. Now, that feeling was gone, replaced by another vast celestial region hanging in the void, where he could vaguely sense the presence of a palace different from the Purple Tenuity Palace. It lacked the mysterious nobility of the Purple Tenuity Palace but possessed an equally endless and majestic aura. Moreover, outside this palace, he sensed the existence of a fiery red giant bird, its essence bursting with the intense and blazing power of stars, with seven mansions shining brightly. These were the stars of the Taiwei Enclosure and the Vermilion Birds seven mansions. However, all Zhou Heng could do was sense their presence; he couldnt truly make contact with them, let alone interfere. It seems that my star position as the Ziwei Emperor might be largely incomplete, Zhou Heng stood atop a mountain peak, gazing at the skies of Southern Jin, lost in thought. The Ziwei Emperor was the lord of all stars, ruling over the heavens. Though he resided in the Taiwei Enclosure, his influence should govern the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions, even the stars in their entirety. But now, it seemed his sphere of influence was limited to the Purple Tenuity Palace alone. Nevertheless, Zhou Heng wasnt particularly concerned about perfecting the authority of the Ziwei Emperor at the moment. For one thing, he hadnt fully unlocked the privileges of the Taiwei Enclosure, so there was no need to expand; for another, his cultivation realm was still relatively low, and both his power and cultivation realm had considerable room for growth, so there was temporarily no need to advance in this aspect. The most urgent matter right now is to head to the place where Jia Ye Temple is located, Zhou Hengs mouth curved slightly upwards, as he had a complete action plan in mind. His visit to Southern Jin was indeed to explore the Yao Palaces Hundred Halls Chart in the Yulong Prefecture and meet with Cheng Jianjian, but the most important thing for him was to trouble the Jia Ye Temple. Seeking a coherent thought and heart of cultivating fortune and virtue. Luckily, Yulong Prefecture in Kunzhou was on the way to the area under Jia Ye Temples influence, so there was no conflict. Though Southern Jin also had thirty-three states, its territory was much more extensive than Da Qi. Many of the states and prefectures were vast in area. Especially the few that bordered Da Qi, the smallest of which was almost equivalent to the sum of Da Qis Yuzhou and Jiangzhou. And since Kunzhou was located in the central region of Southern Jin, Zhou Heng was once again reduced to traveling by horse, as in the old days. As for flying, it wasnt impossible. But he wasnt familiar with the powers and division of states and prefectures in Southern Jin, and couldnt accurately avoid the airspace of the great sects, noble families, and government offices of the states and prefectures, so he might easily cause unnecessary conflicts without being cautious. Before obtaining a complete and detailed map of Southern Jin, he was better off riding a horse. Whether its Da Qi or Southern Jin, some of the more powerful forces have restrictions over their own airspace, and in most cases, they do not allow unfamiliar martial artists to fly over their heads. Fortunately, Zhou Heng had gained quite a lot from opening several Fortune Bags previously, obtaining some Dragon Horse Pills and treasure-level horse gear, which allowed him to upgrade his Red Date Horse long ago. The Red Date Horse had been fed to an extremely formidable level. Its true form was over three zhang in height, and more than ten zhang in length, covered in red dragon scales all over its body, and even had two small lumps growing on its forehead, looking as if horns were about to emerge. Although it temporarily lacked any mystical abilities other than growing and shrinking, in terms of pure physical strength, it had even surpassed the average Secret Sixth Rank martial artist, extremely powerful indeed. Combined with a Secret Sixth Rank treasure-level horse gear Thundering Charge, obtained from the Fortune Bag, which created flashes of lightning and fire as it ran, its speed was faster than the majority of martial artists in the True Energy Realm. However, riding such a horse was somewhat too conspicuous. Zhou Heng made the Red Date Horse return to the size of a normal horse and adorned it with scale armor and a helmet to cover the dragon scales on its body and the lumps on its head. After some careful dressing up, the Red Date Horse finally regained some semblance of a normal horses appearance. Old buddy, you really dont make things easy for me, Zhou Heng said with a smile as he patted the horses neck while riding the Red Date Horse, his gaze looking towards the large city ahead, Yulong Mansion City, thats an interesting name. Huff puff, the Red Date Horse snorted loudly, shook its head, and rubbed against Zhou Hengs palm, continuing forward. Perhaps because it was finally walking on flat land, its mood was also very good. By now, Zhou Heng had already crossed the border jurisdictions of Qi Jin and arrived at Miao State in the northern part of Southern Jin. This place had many rivers, lakes, and marshes, with a moist climate and frequent rain all year round, rightfully called Water State. Before reaching Yulong Mansion City, Zhou Heng had already ridden the Red Date Horse across thirty thousand li of waterways. Although the Red Date Horse could already walk on water, it still preferred the land. Haha, dont worry. Once we get into this prefecture city, Ill let you have a good meal and a good sleep, Zhou Heng commented as he looked at the sky, noticing the Golden Crow was setting in the west, with dusk nearing, and laughed, Well continue our journey early tomorrow morning. Huff puff! The Red Date Horse shook its head, indicating agreement. Afterward, the pair approached Yulong Mansion City, only to be stopped by the soldiers guarding the gate. Young hero, please turn back, the gate-guarding soldier said bluntly, Yulong Mansion City is currently not receiving outsiders. If you need to continue your journey, you can take a detour to the west. Why? Zhou Heng asked in surprise, I have a travel permit. Of course, the travel permit was from the people of Southern Jin. He had prepared it before crossing the Qi Jin country border and had encountered no obstructions on his journey so far. Why was he now being denied entry to Yulong Mansion City? Even with a travel permit, its not possible. Please leave, please leave, the gate-guarding soldier waved his hand, his expression impatient. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This Zhou Heng frowned slightly, looked up at the sky, and noticed something was amiss with the weather, with dark and sinister energies lurking around. He then spoke gravely, Is there a monster causing havoc in the city? Ordinary soldiers likely didnt know about the existence of evil spirits, but if there was a problem inside the city, it was likely to be attributed to monster troubles. You, how did you know? The gate-guarding soldiers eyes widened, and his attitude immediately became respectful, Are you a Middle Third Rank martial artist? Indeed, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. Thats great! The soldiers eyes brightened as he respectfully said, Please follow me to meet the official. Something indeed has happened inside Yulong Mansion City. Chapter 352 - Chapter 352: Chapter 72: Evil Creatures Cause Trouble, the Minor Star Officer Chapter 352: Chapter 72: Evil Creatures Cause Trouble, the Minor Star Officer In the defense office of the Yulong Mansion City. Zhou Heng met Pang Nian, the chief officer in charge of the city gates defense and inspection. This man was in his fifties, with a burly figure and a robust aura, possessing the cultivation of the Seventh Rank. For such a young person to already be a Middle Third Rank Martial Artist, you must come from a renowned sect. Pang Nian greeted him with a smile and clasped hands. Merely a Loose Cultivator, Ive had some fortune is all. Zhou Heng shook his head slightly and said, Just now, I sensed a faint aura of ghostly evil circling within this city. Could there be Demon Entities causing trouble? He had taken the name Zhou Wei and did not use his real name. Yes, indeed. Your acumen is exceptional; since half a month ago, every midnight, ghostly entities have appeared, sending people into a state of panic. The expression on Pang Nians face became even more courteous as he smiled and said, Would you, Sir, be willing to accompany me to see the lord of the mansion? There was a reason for his change in attitude. The level of a Secret Sixth Rank is by no means ordinary. For the vast majority of Martial Artists, reaching this realm before the age of fifty is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Yet Zhou Heng appeared to be only about twenty years old. A Martial Artist of this age who could achieve the realm of Secret Sixth Rank either hailed from a prestigious sect with excellent heritage and cultivation conditions or was someone with great fortune who had stumbled upon earth-shattering opportunities and managed to turn danger into safety every time. Since Zhou Heng claimed to be a Loose Cultivator, if what he said was true, it meant he was a person of great fortune. To some extent, such a person could be stronger than a Martial Artist from a prestigious sect. It was said that just being in the vicinity of such a person of great fortune could bring one a touch of their good luck and thereby change ones own destiny. Therefore, while leading the way, Pang Nian subconsciously drew closer to Zhou Heng, acting very affable. This almost made Zhou Heng think that the city defense chief had some special predilection. Fortunately, after arriving at the Prefectural city office, Pang Nian excused himself and left. Soon after, Zhou Heng met the official in charge of Yulong Mansion City, the lord Qu Zhenfeng. Qu Zhenfeng was nearly a hundred years old with white hair and a youthful appearance, not showing signs of old age, one could say he had the appearance of an elderly man with the vitality of a child. Even the lifespan of a Secret Sixth Rank in the True Energy Realm is one hundred sixty springs and autumns. Having refined the True Gang Realm, living to one hundred and eighty years old wouldnt be a problem for him. He was currently in the prime of life. On the way there, Pang Nian had already broadly discussed with Zhou Heng the situation inside Yulong Mansion City. Starting from half a month ago, as soon as night fell, cold winds would begin to blow, and every household felt like someone was knocking on their doors, with the knocking sound gradually getting louder. Those who opened their doors would disappear into thin air and never return. But even if one hid inside the house and pretended not to hear the knocking, it was useless. According to feedback from the citizens, the knocking seemed to contain a bewitching power, beckoning everyone who heard it to open the door. If ones will was not firm enough, they might be attracted by the knocking and compelled to go open the door. In the past half a month, more than a thousand people had vanished out of thin air, meaning more than a thousand families were torn apart, and public resentment was boiling over. The lord of the mansion had also personally intervened to investigate the matter, but to no avail, not even a trace of the Demon Entities was found. It was useless even to wait inside ordinary peoples homes. Wherever Qu Zhenfeng went, the knocking would not occur in that particular household. ` We simply couldnt catch the creature. After listening to Pang Nians description, Zhou Heng formed a broad judgment in his heart. This so-called creature should not be a ghost or a demon entity but is likely an evil creature causing mischief. Creating such a large-scale terror event to instill fear in the populace was very much the style of evil creatures, whose purpose was to gather negative emotions to strengthen themselves. Mr. Zhou, Qu Zhenfeng walked as swiftly as the wind, his face wearing a smile as he clasped his hands and said, Its truly the heart of a hero that, although you are just passing by, you still chose to stay and concern yourself with local affairs. Im merely curious to see what kind of creature is causing this mischief, Zhou Heng smiled and said, Moreover, Ive only recently reached the Secret Six Rank, and I would like to find a creature to test my skills against. This Qu Zhenfengs face showed difficulty as he sighed softly and said, Mr. Zhou, to be honest, I came to persuade you to leave. The creature here is not something you can deal with. Oh? Zhou Heng asked in surprise, Why is that? Its an inconvenient matter to discuss openly, but in general, ordinary martial artists simply cannot kill this creature. You should leave the city as soon as possible, said Qu Zhenfeng. Is there really such a thing? Zhou Heng feigned a surprised look, eyes sparkling, and said, Is there a creature in this world that cannot be killed? There are all kinds of wonders in this vast world, and its normal for someone as young as Mr. Zhou to have not seen them, Qu Zhenfeng continued to urge, This creature really isnt something you can contend with, please go. What does our lord mayor plan to do, then? Zhou Heng frowned slightly and said, Ive heard that even if you take action yourself, you cannot find the creatures traces. Why not let me stay and help? Zhou Heng knew that Qu Zhenfeng did not want to see him harmed by the evil creature, which showed responsibility as a prefectural governor. Originally, Zhou Heng wanted to stay in Yulong Mansion City to confront the evil creature for two reasons. First, upon learning of the evil creatures mischief, he wanted to eliminate it as a matter of convenience and accumulate merit for his soul, and second, he wanted to see if any members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers from Southern Jin would come. After all, dealing with evil creatures was beyond the ability of ordinary martial artists, who couldnt kill themit required the intervention of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. Prefectural city offices usually sought assistance from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers as well. Alas, why are young people so averse to taking advice? Qu Zhenfeng sighed and was about to continue persuading when a voice came from outside the house. If he wants to stay and help, let him stay, a crisp and indifferent voice came from outside, followed by a flash of silver starlight shining through the crack of the door. Though it was only dusk and the sky had not completely darkened, normally there wouldnt be much starlight at this time. This starlight was clearly condensed by someones effort. The starlight coalesced into a tall, slender man dressed as a scholar, exuding a scholarly aura, wearing a mask painted with the image of an official. The Star Officer Shaowei from the Taiwei Enclosure! Since the masks worn by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers carried information, Zhou Heng, being a member of the same organization, recognized the position represented by this mask and identified the mans identity at a glance. Lord Shaowei, Qu Zhenfeng greeted respectfully. Hmm, the Star Officer Shaowei nodded lightly, casually acknowledging the greeting, then turned his gaze to Zhou Heng and said indifferently, You are a loose cultivator with unimpressive martial arts, yet you dare to stay. Your courage is commendable. Hmm? Zhou Hengs eyebrows rose slightly and he laughed, Thats high praise, Im just a bit curious. Humph! Shaowei suddenly let out a cold snort, disregarding Zhou Heng, and turned to Qu Zhenfeng, Prefect Qu, bring me the investigation files on the previous disturbances caused by the creature. ` Yes, sir, please wait a moment, Qu Zhenfeng hurriedly turned and headed to the adjacent study. Zhou Heng watched the conversation and actions of the two, his eyes narrowing slightly. He hadnt expected that his first meeting with a Zhou Tian Boundary Officer from Southern Jin would present such a stark contrast to those of Da Qi. In Da Qi, Zhou Tian Boundary Officers typically appeared as assistants, aiming to help local governments eliminate evil spirits, and they would never lord over the local officials in such a superior manner. The reason for this is that Zhou Tian Boundary Officers in Da Qi are relatively independent, and they tend to have a cooperative relationship with both sects and the imperial families, operating outside the system; naturally, there is no hierarchy between them. However, its different in Southern Jin. Here, Zhou Tian Boundary Officers are a formal part of the Imperial Courts official organization, and their ranks are integrated with the official system, with the ranks of Zhou Tian Boundary Officers generally being quite high. This means that although there are more rules and restrictions, they also have more secular power. Every member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers naturally holds an official rank. No matter the level of cultivation, even the lowest-ranking Star Envoys are equal to county prefects, and a Star Officer of Secret Six Rank and in the True Gang Realm, like Shao Wei, ranks above a Mansion City head but below a Prefectural Governor. Thus, according to the laws and regulations of Southern Jin, Shao Wei is indeed Qu Zhenfengs superior officer, and his utmost respect is quite normal. Nevertheless, maybe it is because of this preferential treatment in rank that Shao Wei appeared somewhat arrogant. At this time, only Zhou Heng and Shao Wei remained in the room. Shao Weis gaze was calm as he looked towards Zhou Heng and said, Im not sure what youre staying behind for, but let me make it clear to you that the monster causing trouble here is not something you can handle. When I take action against the haunting creature, do not interfere. It would be best if you did nothing at all, otherwise if something goes wrong, I cannot guarantee your safety. Rest assured, thats what I plan on doing, Zhou Heng smiled and said, Unless necessary, I will not take action. Its not about necessity, said Shao Wei in a tone that brooked no argument, his voice grave as he continued, Unless I tell you to act, do not take action. Thats not out of the question, Zhou Heng replied with a smile. To tell the truth, he didnt much care for the attitude of the Star Officer. He could sense that the other party simply didnt want to introduce any variables, nor did he want innocent people to be harmed by evil creatures. Although his attitude was a bit haughty, his heart wasnt bad. Fine, Shao Wei seemed too lazy to say more, and seeing Qu Zhenfeng returning with the files, he stopped paying attention to Zhou Heng and flipped through the files. Ill take a look too, Zhou Heng said, following him over. Shao Wei was slightly silent but said nothing, letting Zhou Heng stand by and watch. Zhou Heng, while examining the files, employed a technique to project a wisp of his Divine Soul from his body, conjuring an image of a mighty Vajra Mahamayuri Buddha Aspect which soared into the sky, overlooking the entirety of Yulong Mansion City and the surrounding area, searching for any trace of the evil creature. The wisp of Divine Soul forming the imagined Buddha Aspect did not contain any mana. In reality, it held little power and would naturally not trigger the citys defenses against invasion from the airspace above. The file contained detailed records of the more than a thousand households afflicted by the monster, filled with an extensive amount of information. By the time Zhou Heng and Shao Wei had finished reading, the sky had completely darkened. Below the night sky, stars twinkled. Whoosh whoosh! Sounds of the wind outside that resembled the wailing of ghosts and monsters came through, sending chills down ones spine. Lord Shao Wei, Mr. Zhou, the monster has started causing trouble, Qu Zhenfeng said with a grave expressionthis past half-month, the matter had kept him incredibly busy. Lets go, choose an ordinary household, Shao Wei said gravely, and then transformed into a beam of starlight, shooting out of the yamen. Lord Shao Wei, please wait Qu Zhenfeng wanted to offer a few reminders, but before he could finish, Shao Wei had already left the yamen. Prefect Qu, dont worry, Ill follow, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Shao Wei had already ordered Qu Zhenfeng to stay put at the yamen and not to follow. Ah, Mr. Zhou, please be careful as well, Qu Zhenfeng sighed, Lord Shao Wei just has a peculiar temperament, but hes not a bad person. He was aware of some details about this Star Officer; reportedly a prodigy from a distinguished family, Shao Wei had reached the rank of a Star Officer at a young age and had cultivated True Gang, making him inevitably proud. I know, Zhou Heng nodded lightly with a smile, then turned into a streak of light and flew up, chasing after the starlight ahead. At this moment, if the citizens of Yulong Mansion City looked up, they would see a cloud of light chasing the starlight ahead at an extremely fast pace. Moreover, the distance between the two was rapidly closing. So fast? Qu Zhenfeng looked at the departing light, surprised, Is this Mr. Zhou really just in the True Qi Realm? Actually, compared to Qu Zhenfengs spectator perspective, the Star Officer Shao Wei being pursued by the light Zhou Heng had transformed into was even more shocked; he could feel that the cloud of light was about to catch up very soon. Too fast! At least thirty percent faster than the starlight he had transformed into. Wasnt this Zhou Wei a Loose Cultivator? How could he be so fast? Thus, Shao Wei increased his speed a bit more, but he soon found that the cloud of light also sped up to match, and the distance between them continued to narrow, with Zhou Heng quickly catching up. However, at that moment, Shao Wei had already chosen a household and decisively descended toward the street below in a beam of starlight. Unexpectedly, the cloud of light descended even faster, and before Shao Wei could land, Zhou Heng had already dissipated the cloud, standing firmly on the ground. Your Escape Skill is impressive, Shao Wei glanced at Zhou Heng after descending. Just a minor trick, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Now, I can act with a peace of mind, Shao Wei snorted coldly, Should problems arise later, with the speed of your Escape Skill, you still have a chance to get away. Lets focus on finding that monster first, Zhou Hengs gaze swept around, and his Divine Soul continued to monitor the surroundings; he had already picked up on a clue. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Whoosh whoosh whoosh! The sinister wind continued to howl, but Zhou Heng and Shao Wei heard no knocking sounds. It was indeed just as the records described: only the occupants could hear knocking on their own doors, there was no sound from outside. This monster is cunning. Could it be that it didnt show up because it saw us coming? Shao Wei also inspected the surroundings but to no avail. No, its already here! Zhou Heng then pointed to the sky with his hand, where the clouds dispersed to reveal an enormous shadow emerging from the mist above. It was the head of a massive dragon! Chapter 353 - Chapter 353: Chapter 73: Destined with My Buddha Sect Chapter 353: Chapter 73: Destined with My Buddha Sect A dragon?! The Star Officer Shaowei exclaimed in shock and instantly lost his composure. Even after being accustomed to extraordinary events over time, the sight of the dragon head emerging from the clouds was inevitably shocking. This was a legendary beast, rumored to have disappeared from the human realm during the Middle Ancient era, existing only in legends, with almost no one having witnessed it in reality. And wasnt it an evil creature that was causing trouble here? How could there be a dragon? No, not a dragon, but a dragons head! Zhou Hengs eyes shone with golden light as he activated his law eyes, piercing through the myriad of facades to perceive the true nature of this dragon head. Behind this gigantic dragon head, there was no dragon body to be found. It was merely a lone head flying in the sky, though from the stump behind the head, countless slippery tentacles writhed, stirring the clouds with their movements. Roar!! The dragon head suddenly let out an angry roar, its eyes streaming with dark blood tears, releasing an extremely violent and ferociously evil presence. The clouds above churned violently in response, while the cold winds on the ground grew even more savage. The common people within Yulong Mansion City were all hiding in their homes, shivering uncontrollably, not daring to look outside. For Zhou Heng and the Star Officer Shaowei, who were gazing directly at the dragon head, the roar contained an extremely horrifying spiritual shockwave, capable of effortlessly crushing the spirit of the vast majority of Secret Six Rank Martial Artists. The Star Officer Shaowei wore a mask that could protect against spiritual shocks, so he was unharmed. He only felt a bit dizzy at the onset. However, he was very concerned for Zhou Hengs safety. After regaining his composure, he hastily looked at Zhou Heng and found that the youth stood there completely unscathed, as if unaffected by the spiritual shock of the dragons roar. Whats going on? The Star Officer Shaowei couldnt help but feel puzzled. Even though Zhou Heng had previously displayed a flying speed that drew his attention, Shaowei still didnt believe that Zhou Hengs cultivation strength was particularly strong. After all, Loose Cultivators, even if fortunate to receive a decent inheritance, often lacked guidance and could easily take the wrong path, resulting in generally weaker abilities compared to their peers. But now, observing Zhou Weis performance, it seemed that might not be entirely the case. At the very least, Zhou Weis Divine Soul shouldnt be weak, or perhaps he possessed a treasure that protected his Divine Soul. This person was not simple. The Star Officer Shaowei revised his assessment of Zhou Hengs strength. Roar! The dragon head bellowed again, and this time, its blood-stained eyes shifted focus, locking onto the Star Officer Shaowei. Subsequently, the void echoed with overlapping laughter. Hahaha! Star Officer of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, youve indeed come as I expected, Ive been waiting for you for a long time! Before the voice fell, the colossal dragon head dived down from the sky, its gaze fixed on the Star Officer Shaowei, while the laughter that seemed omnipresent in the void continued. Ah, such a delicious aura, truly delectable! The thousands of slimy tentacles behind the dragon head stretched out, spreading like serpents, emanating an invisible and sinister force, beginning to corrupt the elemental energy of heaven and earth in this area. Their intent was to permeate the elemental energy of Yulong Mansions heaven and earth with malevolence, rendering it unusable by normal Martial Artists, thereby greatly reducing the Star Officer Shaoweis power. You are an evil spirit?! The Star Officer Shaoweis pupils contracted as he instinctively stepped back twice, but seeing that Zhou Heng had not retreated, he gritted his teeth, stepped forward twice, and returned to his original position. At the same time, he formed incantations with his hands, invoking the Taoist Formulas, drawing upon the starlight! Die! ` The starlight that suddenly lit up the pitch-dark firmament tore through the darkness and condensed into a sword light that descended from the sky, slashing towards the dragon head. The extremely pure starlight shattered the spreading evil force, descending like Heavenly Punishment, appearing as a beam of light that engulfed both the dragon head and the thousand slippery tentacles that protruded from it. Run! As the turmoil unfolded in an instant, the young Star Officer seized Zhou Hengs shoulder, ready to employ his Escape Skill to transform into a streak of light, attempting to flee with him. Against an evil spirit, the young Star Officer harbored no thoughts of combat. He was very self-aware. He knew his limits and would never blindly overestimate his strength. An evil spirit is an entity that reaches the Sect Fifth Rank and then elevates its very essence through a specific ritual. This means that the weakest evil spirits are equivalent to the Sect Fifth Rank. A Secret Six Rank True Gang Realm Martial Artist facing an evil spirit, if they fought, would undoubtedly perish. The disparity was too great, with absolutely no chance of success. All that could be done was to run. And even in fleeing, The evil spirit was too strong! Even in escape, it was imperative to act first. If they were even slightly slower, it would certainly be a fatal outcome. Only by doing so could they have a sliver of a chance to live. However, just as he was about to grab Zhou Heng and run, he suddenly realized that he couldnt move Zhou Heng. This young-looking Loose Cultivator, his feet seemingly rooted to the ground. No! Even if he were rooted three to five miles deep, the young Star Officer felt he could pull him out, yet Zhou Wei remained completely immobile, as if he had merged with the very earth. Is he really that strong? the young Star Officer first thought in astonishment and then became furious, Damn it! Are you insane? Run! This is an evil spirit. My Taoist Formulas cant trap him. Facing such a monster, you will undoubtedly die! Flee! But he still could not pull Zhou Heng along. After a brief silence, the young Star Officer closed his eyes, resigned to not escaping and sneered, Ignorant Loose Cultivator, you have no idea how powerful an evil spirit is. Just you, just me, we are certain to die. You could have run away by yourself, Zhou Heng said indifferently. I couldnt bring myself to run away in the face of an evil spirit, leaving someone beside me unaided, the young Star Officer scoffed, his gaze fixed on the starlight in front of him, Once the power of this formula dissipates, and the evil spirit comes out, well both be dead. I dont think so, Zhou Heng began to smile. You cant possibly think you can contend with the evil spirit, the young Star Officer looked at Zhou Heng in surprise, since they were going to die anyway, he simply relaxed. Boom! Just then, the column of light formed by the starlight exploded, and the dragon head burst out from within, the mocking laughter omnipresent in the void once again. Hahaha! Interesting, truly interesting, to think that both of you would stay to face death! The voice of the evil spirit was full of mockery, Are you thinking of joining forces to fight me? Hahaha! It didnt take Zhou Heng and the young Star Officer seriously at all. Not joining forces, Zhou Heng suddenly opened his mouth and spit out a Sword Pill, I alone am enough. ` The scene instantly fell deadly silent. The dragon head lingering in the air froze, and the thousands of slippery tentacles seemed to have been fixed in the sky, motionless. The echoing voice of the evil spirit also vanished. Shock coloured the face beneath the mask of the Minor Star Officer, his eyes wide open, staring at Zhou Heng as if looking at a madman, What, what did you just say?! He almost thought he had heard wrong, experiencing an illusion. This loose cultivator martial artist at the Secret Six Rank True Energy Realm actually claimed he could defeat the evil spirit alone?? And he spoke with such a matter-of-fact tone? He even really spat out a Sword Pill, as if he were truly about to take action against the evil spirit. Wake up, you are only Secret Six Rank, and you havent even reached the True Gang Realm! How can you fight the evil spirit? Fools rush in where angels fear to tread! Now, that was the only description the Minor Star Officer could think of. However, since this loose cultivator martial artist was prepared to take action, as a righteous organization member, he couldnt just sit back and wait for death, so the Minor Star Officer also prepared to fight back. Good, good, good! The voice of the evil spirit rose again, it seemed extremely angry, shaking its dragon head and roaring furiously, Then you all just wait for me to Clang! A sudden sword cry broke the evil spirits words; endless sword light soared straight into the sky! This Sword Pill that Zhou Heng had spat out from his mouth had, at some point, turned into a 500-zhang-long sword light, accompanied by the roaring of purple thunder; the world seemed to be left with only this slash of purple-gold sword light. The sword light, like a long river, instantly engulfed the dragon head. The thousands of tentacles tried to struggle, but to no avail. Under this sword light, the tentacles had no power to resist and were directly ground into powder. The dragon head roared and swayed, trying to break free from the range of the purple-gold sword light, but no matter how it charged, the edge of the sword light was incredibly firm, utterly immovable. After just two or three breaths time, the purple-gold sword light dispersed. The Minor Star Officer was on high alert. After all, after the power of his Taoist Formulas subsided, the dragon head controlled by the evil spirit had burst out completely unscathed. But he was quickly stunned. Unlike the last time, after the sword light faded, the huge dragon head had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a pair of huge dragon horns and two pitch-black dragon eyes, falling to the ground. The dragon head was exterminated?! The Minor Star Officers eyes widened in disbelief, looking towards Zhou Heng, his heart overwhelmed with shock. What was the origin of this loose cultivator martial artist, and what martial arts did he use just now? Why did it happen like this?! That was an evil spirit, cut down by a single slash? It simply defied belief! Inconceivable! This Brother Zhou, you just the Minor Star Officer barely managed to suppress the shock in his heart, about to ask, but Zhou Heng gestured to stop him. Now is not the time for talk, Zhou Heng shook his head, squinting his eyes slightly, his gaze surveyed the surroundings, suddenly he fixed his sight in one direction, Thinking of running?! ` With that, he leaped into the air and transformed into a streak of cloud light, rushing miles away in an instant. Then, raising his hand, he snatched a mass of purple-black substance from the void and flew back. Is this evil spirit thing you mentioned this thing? Zhou Heng asked, pretending to be unfamiliar with evil spirits. Ah, this The Junior Star Officer opened his mouth, looking at the purple-black substance in Zhou Hengs hand, momentarily speechless and unsure how to respond. He was truly astounded now, beyond any measure. Initially, he thought the dragons head was the evil spirit, but he hadnt expected the real evil spirit to be hiding in the shadows all along, and he didnt detect it in the slightest, not to mention the strength of this loose cultivator martial artist In a flash, he had identified the evil spirit and in a back and forth movement, he effortlessly captured it. Too strong! Indeed, this is an evil spirit, nodded the Junior Star Officer, then explained, However, using ordinary martial arts or Taoist formulas, one cannot Woosh! A blazing crimson flame ignited in the palm of Zhou Hengs hand. As the flames churned and the light grew intense, it dispelled the evil aura, much like a fire dragon coiling in his palm, enveloping the evil spirit he held. This was the power of the Nine Dragon Godly Fire Cover, flames of utmost hardness and positivity, ideally suited for refining and eliminating demonic and ghostly presences. Ah, no! screamed the evil spirit from within the flames, its wails piercingly tragic, What kind of fire is this, no, it cant be, dont kill me, please dont The evil spirit was quite intelligent, even knowing to beg for mercy. But Zhou Heng remained unmoved, decisively continuing to burn the evil spirit to ashes without hesitation. Although he was curious about the origins of this dragons head and whether dragons still existed in the world, evil spirits were cunning by nature, and even if he spared it, he might not get the answers he wanted. To avoid further complications, it was better to simply dispose of it. Afterwards, Zhou Heng collected the pair of dragon horns and eyes that had fallen to the ground, lightly patted his hands and said with a smile, Well, thats the end of that. As if the whole ordeal was just an ordinary occurrence for him. The Junior Star Officer stood, dumbfounded. After a brief daze, he hastily asked, You no, who exactly are you? With the kind of power you have, you cant just be some unknown person. Although Zhou Heng had only shown the tip of the iceberg regarding his strength, to the Junior Star Officer, even that was far beyond the norm for someone of the Secret Sixth Rank. The ability to eliminate evil spirits so easily indicated strength comparable to a true Sect Fifth Rank, or even stronger. A Sixth Rank martial artist with such strength would definitely have a worldwide reputation. You will find out in time, Zhou Heng responded with a smile, opting not to answer directly, Well meet again. At that, he leaped into the air, turned into a streak of cloud light, and flew toward the prefectural city government office. Mounting his sorrel horse, which was still grazing, he rose with the speed of thunder and disappeared into the sky in the blink of an eye. The Junior Star Officer didnt pursue. He understood a principle: since the other party did not wish to reveal his identity for now, chasing after him would only be bothersome. It was better to conduct his own investigation in secret. Yujang Prefecture. Surrounded by rivers on three sides, accessible from all directions, it was considered the most bustling place in Kunzhou, with people from every region arriving daily to experience its prosperity. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng led his sorrel horse off a passenger ship and took in the exceptionally lively port. Merchants, tourists, martial artists, and all sorts of people were either disembarking from boats or boarding to depart, smiling faces all around in a scene of thriving activity. Not a bad place, Zhou Heng nodded to himself, ready to lead his sorrel horse away when he suddenly noticed a monk with a ruddy face approaching. The monk seemed very excited, his eyes fixated on the sorrel horse. Coming face-to-face with Zhou Heng, he joyfully said, Esteemed patron, your horse is extraordinary, it shares a connection with my Buddha Sect. ` Chapter 354 - Chapter 354: Chapter 74: Unobstructed Jia Ye Temple Chapter 354: Chapter 74: Unobstructed Jia Ye Temple Oh? Zhou Hengs eyebrows slightly raised as he chuckled, And how did you come to that conclusion? The date-red horse shook its head, glanced at the monk, snorted loudly, and immediately, snot sprayed out, landing on the monks clothing. However, the monk did not get angry. He put his hands together in a gesture of respect and smiled, I am a true disciple of Jia Ye Temple, my dharma name is Shan Yuan. Observing this horse, its movements are like a dragon, its vitality like the seas and rivers, truly not of the ordinary, thus it is predestined with our Buddha Sect. Zhou Heng chuckled slightly, patted the date-red horse beside him, Youve said so much, Master, but what exactly do you wish to do? You might as well speak plainly. Then I shall speak directly, Shan Yuan monk replied with his hands together, his attitude very humble, A few days ago, I unfortunately lost my horse, which caused me great pain. I could not eat, nor could I sleep at night. Today, when I saw the excellent horse of the benefactor, I felt as if destiny had arrived and my spirit had recovered. Please, benefactor, bestow this excellent horse upon me to ease my hearts ailment. Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment and looked at Shan Yuan monk again, then laughed, I really didnt see it, Master, youve lost your horse? Yes, Ive lost my horse, Shan Yuan monk nodded happily, After my horse was lost, I was in such agony. Please, benefactor, be kind and gift me this spirited horse, how about it? How can you be so thick-skinned and shameless, yet speak so confidently? Youre trying to steal my mount, Zhou Heng was almost laughing from anger. Do monks from Jia Ye Temple have no sense? Who asks for a mount outright in the street? This is outright robbery. At first, Zhou Heng thought that even if Shan Yuan monk was being unreasonable, at most he would just want to forcefully buy the date-red horse, but he didnt expect the monk to have the shamelessness to directly attempt to rob it. Is it the monks own problem, or the practice of Jia Ye Temple? The benefactor jests; Im not a bandit. How could I steal your mount? Shan Yuan monk continued with a smile, Ive lost my horse, so Im out begging. It just so happens that the benefactors horse is predestined with our Buddha, thats all. What if I said I do not wish to give this horse to you, Master? Zhou Heng said in a serious tone. Then I shall seek other predestined horses, Shan Yuan monk put his hands together, made a slight bow, Farewell. With that, he actually turned and walked away. It seemed as if he truly no longer held any expectations for the date-red horse. Good Jia Ye Temple, good Shan Yuan monk, Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed as he watched the monks retreating figure, a cold smile appearing on his face. Shan Yuan monk appeared to have given up and left, but in fact, he had secretly left a backup plan. While bowing farewell just now, he left a wisp of his divine soul imprinted on the date-red horse. As long as this mark remained, no matter where the date-red horse went, he would be able to sense it. Clearly, he hadnt given up his thieving intentions towards the date-red horse. Knowing full well that I have the cultivation of Secret Six Rank and still acting so unbridled, it seems they are used to being arrogant, Zhou Heng thought to himself. He had not hidden his cultivation aura on purpose. With Shan Yuan monks True Gang Realm cultivation, he should be able to easily discern his cultivation realm. Although Shan Yuan monk appeared very humble on the surface, his actions and words carried an unquestionable tone, completely disregarding Zhou Heng, and he had already regarded the date-red horse as his own. Normally, no matter how arrogant a martial artist might be, they wouldnt, like Shan Yuan monk, shamelessly demand things from other martial artists of the same realm. It was clear robbery and could easily lead to conflict. Shan Yuan monk dared to act this way essentially because he felt that Zhou Heng would absolutely not dare to conflict with him. And his own cultivation realm certainly wasnt sufficient to underpin such bravado. Clearly, it was Jia Ye Temple, the sect he belonged to, that gave him the capital to be arrogant. First, I will find Jiang Jian and see how she is doing, then inquire about news on the Hundred Halls Diagram of Yao Palace, Zhou Heng led the date-red horse away from the dock, thinking to himself, At the same time, Ill find out about the influence of Jia Ye Temple within Yujian Mansion City. Originally, he had planned to wait until he reached the core area of Jia Ye Temples influence before taking action, but now that a monk from Jia Ye Temple had delivered himself to his doorstep, he wasnt going to be polite. Walking on the streets of Yujian Mansion City, Zhou Heng drew quite a bit of attention. Many young girls kept turning back to look at him, their faces blushing. With his exceptional handsomeness, and having stepped onto Secret Six Rank, Zhou Heng had undergone a transformation, gaining an even more elegant and carefree air. Such charm was irresistible to ordinary young girls. However, for such situations, Zhou Heng had long grown accustomed. He led the date-red horse slowly, his expression as usual. At this moment, he was passing through a street market where stalls on both sides were selling a wide variety of goods, offering everything imaginable, with many citizens strolling and shopping. This indeed showed how prosperous and wealthy Yujian Mansion City was. Hey, take a look! Top-quality fruit candies, a complete range of flavors, sweet as honey! A hawkers voice came from not far away. Zhou Heng felt a slight impulse and led the date-red horse over, looked at the colorful blocks of sugar on the stall, and grinned, Shopkeeper, how do you sell these candies? One piece of copper for one, you can choose the flavor, honey peach, honeydew, honey fruit Seeing that Zhou Heng looked distinguished and no ordinary person, the stall owner was very enthusiastic and detailed in his introduction. Such customers often had no experience with ordinary fruit candies and were likely to buy a lot. Then give me candies worth two pieces of silver, Zhou Heng took out a piece of broken silver and placed it on the stall, smiling, As for the flavors, give me a bit of each kind. Alright!! The stall owner was overjoyed, his smile nearly overflowing. He hurriedly took the silver and filled up a large bag of fruit candies for Zhou Heng. Two pieces of silver were more than what he could usually earn in three to five days of hawking. Now, in a single deal, he made this much, a true windfall. Indeed, to get rich in business, one must rely on big customers. Zhou Heng, watching the stall owners happy demeanor, couldnt help but feel a twinge of sentiment. More than a year ago, he was just like this stall owner, frequently overjoyed at earning an extra piece or two of silver. The time had changed, and it was no longer as it once was. Zhou Heng left with a bag of candied fruit, making his way toward the Yujian Inn in the southern district of the city. That was the most luxurious inn within Yujian Mansion City, and if his guess was right, Cheng Jianjian should be staying there. Cheng Jianjian was certainly not short of money, so naturally, she would stay in the best possible environment. As expected, as soon as Zhou Heng arrived outside the Yujian Inn, he caught sight of a familiar graceful figure. Cheng Jianjian was still radiant, exceptionally bright and beautiful. As soon as she stepped out of the inn, she attracted the attention of nearly everyone on the street, captivating both men and women alike. Ah? Cheng Jianjian also spotted Zhou Heng, first startled, then smiling gently, Young Master, its been a long time, what brings you to Yujian Mansion as well? Outside of Taihua Mount, she didnt call Zhou Heng little uncle master. I have business in Luozhou, and just happened to be passing by. To think I would have such a fortuitous encounter, this is Zhou Weis good fortune, Zhou Heng smiled back, Jiang uh, Miss, are you well? Cheng Bei is indeed well, Cheng Jianjian smiled, announcing her alias in Southern Jin, the same she used in the Divine Soul World, Its inconvenient to talk here, shall we go upstairs and sit for a while, Young Master? Sure, Zhou Heng nodded. Afterward, the two entered the inn, and Zhou Heng reserved one of the top-tier Heaven rooms and had the innkeeper take his red date horse to the stables. The people on the street, witnessing Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian entering the inn side by side, beat their chests and stamped their feet in regret, but after a second thought, it seemed rather normal. These two were a perfect match, standing together! In the inn room, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian sat opposite each other. Hows the matter with Ning Clan of Yujian going? Zhou Heng asked with concern. Cheng Jianjians purpose for coming here was to fulfill an appointment to challenge Ning Zeyu, the Jade Palace Heavenly Maiden of the Ning Clan of Yujian. By now, considering the time, she should have been here for a while. We havent crossed hands yet; in fact, I havent even seen her, Cheng Jianjian shook her head slightly and pointed at the sky, Because of this, Ning Zeyu has been preparing and avoiding the battle. Jade Palace Hundred Halls Map? Zhou Heng understood Cheng Jianjians meaning. Yes, thats right, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, This Jade Palace Hundred Halls Map is said to be a Tao Lord-level Divine Artifact, and its also said to contain countless precious treasures and divine skills. Now that the treasure map is about to be unsealed, both Secret Sixth Rank and Sect Fifth Rank martial artists within Yujian Mansion City are preparing. Those with Star Tear Stones are preparing to explore, and those without are preparing to seize the Star Tear Stones from others. Then it seems Yujian Mansion City wont be very peaceful for a while, Zhou Heng said gravely, There must already be many martial artists from outside who have come here, huh, I guess Im one of them. Yes, quite a few have already arrived, Cheng Jianjian nodded, There are thirty-six Star Tear Stones, which means at least thirty-six martial artists of at least Secret Sixth Rank to Sect Fifth Rank will be congregating here. For a prefectural city, the number of Middle Third Rank martial artists has already exceeded the limits of what it can accommodate, Zhou Heng pondered aloud. If anything unexpected happens, I fear there might be serious trouble. It is said that the lord of the city has already sought reinforcements from Kunzhous Prefectural Governor, but it remains to be seen what will eventually be done, Jiang Jian noted. However, it seems certain that the opening of the Hundred Halls Map of the Yao Palace is set in stone As she spoke, she suddenly laughed, Actually, Im somewhat looking forward to it. I have a slight feeling that the situation inside the Hundred Halls Map of the Yao Palace might be beneficial to my cultivation of the Jade Sky Lingxu Sutra. Do you have a star tear stone? Zhou Heng asked in surprise, knowing that there were only thirty-six star tear stones in total, scattered all over the world, making them incredibly rare. Yes, I have one, Jiang Jian nodded, taking out a star tear stone. Are you interested, young master? I can give you mine. That wont be necessary, Zhou Heng also produced a star tear stone, smiling. Ive got one as well. Thats great, then we can go in together, Jiang Jians smile bloomed like a flower, visibly delighted. Working together, we should reap much greater rewards. Together, we should surpass everyone else! Zhou Heng laughed as well, saying, What are your plans after we come out from the Yao Palaces Hundred Halls Map? To continue challenging Ning Zeyu, Jiang Jian said earnestly. She trapped me in the past; thats a knot in my heart that I must untie by defeating her. What about you, what are your plans? Of course, to find trouble for Jia Ye Temple, Zhou Heng said with a laugh. Back then, Jia Ye Temple brazenly invaded Yuzhou, so arrogantly. Now, naturally, I plan to repay them in kind, with interest! Hmm, good idea! If by then Ive finished battling Ning Zeyu, Ill join you, Jiang Jian said, quite moved by the notion and then she changed the subject. Actually, there are quite a few forces of Jia Ye Temple inside Yujian Mansion City; there are six martial arts halls. Oh? Zhou Heng raised his eyebrows in slight surprise, not expecting Jia Ye Temples influence to reach so far. The monastic quarters of Jia Ye Temple were near the center of Southern Jin, in Luozhou, far from Kunzhou, with both Suizhou and Ganzhou lying in between. Though its only two weeks apart, in reality, it spans hundreds of thousands of miles, which is quite a distance indeed. Under normal circumstances, such a vast distance would presumably already border other sects or noble families sphere of influence. In Da Qi, the sphere of influence of a top-tier sect or noble family usually encompasses the neighboring provinces and counties, with very little impact on places two or three provinces away. Even for Pure Yang Palace, the strongest sect in Da Qi, their influence is quite limited three or four provinces away, let alone setting up a large number of martial arts halls. The fact that Huangtong Mansion City has established a Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall at all is completely an outlier. Jia Ye Temple is different from us, Jiang Jian explained. When they establish martial arts halls, they also hold public sermons to gather followers. Essentially, they are proselytizing, which naturally leads to rapid expansion. Has this always been their practice, or is it a recent development? Zhou Heng asked, puzzled. Logically speaking, for a top Martial Dao sect, their range of influence shouldnt be that significant. Normally, top Martial Dao sects care about Upper Third Rank powers, divine artifacts, and divine skill inheritances. Having their own nearby provinces and counties as a base should be more than enough in terms of territory. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ive inquired about Jia Ye Temple after arriving in Southern Jin, and it seems that they started expanding aggressively only in the past two or three years, Jiang Jian said with a grave voice. But what is strange is that the local powers of Southern Jin dont seem to want to stop Jia Ye Temples expansion. Even those whose sphere of influence is encroached upon have not stopped them? Zhou Heng asked, surprised. Is it because theyre all minor sects and families? No, Jiang Jian shook her head lightly. Among them are some of the current worlds top Martial Dao Sects and noble families, such as Tianyi Sect and the Liu Family of Wuzhou. They have all conceded territory to Jia Ye Temple. That is indeed strange, Zhou Heng frowned slightly, saying, Considering such aggressive expansion by Jia Ye Temple, there must be something else at play. If I really go to cause them trouble, the obstacles may be significant. So, what do you intend to do? Jiang Jian asked with a light smile. Chapter 355 - Chapter 355: Chapter 75: He May Not Be My Match Chapter 355: Chapter 75: He May Not Be My Match I came to Southern Jin to be open-minded and follow my heart, Zhou Heng said with a smile. How could I follow my heart if I dont go looking for trouble with Jia Ye Temple? So when does Young Master plan to act? Cheng Jianjian was eager to try and said with a smile, I can join you. Well go to the martial arts school set up by Jia Ye Temple early tomorrow morning, Zhou Heng said. Great, great, Cheng Jianjian responded with a beaming smile. By the way, do you have any exact news here about when the Hundred Halls Map of Yao Palace will open? Zhou Heng asked again; the information Xin Su had given him was only approximate and not accurate. The third of August, Cheng Jianjian said. This is the result I have found out. The approximate time should be correct, and when the Hundred Halls Map truly opens, the Star Tear Stone will respond, so theres no need to worry about missing it. Then we have plenty of time, Zhou Heng said with a smile. We can have a good play with Jia Ye Temple. Golden Light Temple. This is one of the largest Buddhist temples managed by Jia Ye Temple in Yujiang Prefecture. Its presided over by Monk Tongzhen, a disciple of Monk Shanyuan. They venerate the golden body of the Buddha, ensuring that the incense offerings are always plentiful. At the same time, this place also serves as a martial arts school. Thanks to the spread of Buddhist Law, the number of people coming here to learn martial arts has been increasing year by year. In less than three years, the number of apprentices has already surpassed five hundred, making it one of the largest martial arts schools in Yujiang Prefecture. Inside one of the temples Buddhist halls. Monk Shanyuan looked at the forty-nine vegetarian dishes on the table without a word, not picking up his chopsticks, just sitting quietly. Seeing this, Monk Tongzhen, who was nearby, couldnt help but get nervous and asked cautiously, Master, why arent you eating? Does this times vegetarian dishes not suit your taste? Its not that, Monk Shanyuan shook his head and sighed. Your master is contemplating an issue. Please speak, Master. Your disciple is willing to help you relieve your worries and solve your problems, Monk Tongzhen quickly said. Today, your master saw a dragon horse, Monk Shanyuan praised with admiration on his face. The dragon horse was full of Zen and contained the bones of Buddha, truly a heavenly dragon reincarnated. If it could become my mount, it would definitely help me achieve the golden Buddha Dharma Phase. Theres such a divine horse in the world? Monk Tongzhen was also very surprised and said, I wonder who owns this dragon horse? No matter the cost, even if we have to use up all the incense money from the temple, I will buy it for you. An outsider Taoist, Monk Shanyuans gaze was deep as he spoke solemnly. A Taoist who isnt very polite, but his cultivation isnt weak. His True Qi is accomplished, and he makes me feel somewhat endangered. A Taoist in the True Energy Realm, and he makes you feel endangered, Master? Monk Tongzhen exclaimed in surprise. Your expertise in Buddhist Law is at the top of Secret Six Rank, only a step away from achieving the Dharma Phase. How could an individual in the True Energy Realm be mentioned in the same breath as you? No, you dont understand, Monk Shanyuan shook his head and said. That Taoist is extraordinary. I can feel that his True Qi is as vast as the ocean, and his strength may not be weaker than the True Gang Realm. The key point is he seems to be a Wandering Loose Cultivator. A Wandering Loose Cultivator? Monk Tongzhen grew even more astonished, questioning, Isnt a wanderer even better? With no backing, if they die under obscure circumstances, there wont be anyone to investigate. Foolish, Monk Shanyuan gave his disciple a sidelong glance and snorted coldly. How do you know he really is a Wandering Loose Cultivator? Such a powerful individual in the True Energy Realm but with no renown, what kind of background could he have? Master, are you saying Monk Tongzhen said in a low voice, a hidden Sect? Although such Sects exist, they are few in number and most are not very powerful. Blockhead! Monk Shanyuan glared at him and said, Have you forgotten that, starting half a year ago, the border between Qi and Jin might as well not exist? Could this Taoist not be a person from Qi Country in the north? Qi Country man? As soon as he heard this, Monk Tongzhens eyes widened as he said, A Taoist from Qi Country, what is he doing in our Da Jin? Could it be could it be that this person is a disciple from Pure Yang Palace? For the people from Southern Jin, among all the Daoist sects, the Pure Yang Palace, as one of the Three Great Palaces, was the most powerful Daoist sect in Da Qi. When speaking of a Taoist from Qi Country, naturally, the Pure Yang Palace came to mind first. Highly likely. Monk Shanyuan nodded lightly and said solemnly, I even suspect this person could be Yan Shouyis younger brother in the sect, the reincarnation of that great figure from the Pure Yang Palace, Zhou Heng. Could it really be him? Monk Tongzhen frowned upon hearing this and said, What is a person like him doing in Southern Jin? Without the protection from his home base in Qi Country, without the shelter of the Pure Yang Palace, he is like a walking treasure. Has he gone foolishly courageous? Previously, our temples mission to the north towards Qi Country failed, and it was said to be due to this person. Monk Shanyuan said this then suddenly laughed, He is no ordinary person. Just a mere Secret Sixth Rank, and he possesses such strength? Monk Tongzhen found it somewhat unbelievable and hesitated, Then Master, what should we do? If this person truly is Zhou Heng, then we cannot stand idly by and do nothing. Monk Shanyuan said with a cold laugh, A Taoist from the Pure Yang Palace dares to tread on the turf of our Jia Ye Temple. Its only right for me to take action and teach him a lesson. But didnt you just say that he is extraordinary and not an ordinary opponent? Monk Tongzhen was perplexed. Have you forgotten what I said at the beginning? Monk Shanyuan spoke indifferently, That Dragon Horse is fated with me, and if I can obtain it, I can foresee my Dharma Phase. I am determined to have that horse! Moreover, even if Zhou Heng is a mighty reincarnation and has some trump cards from his previous life, would he really waste them on me, rather than saving them for dealing with higher-level people? And without using his trump cards from his previous life, he is just his present Secret Sixth Rank in the True Qi Realm, and no matter how strong he is, there must be a limit. He may not necessarily be my match. The clash between Heaven Sword Sect and Zhou Heng was strictly confidential in Southern Jin, so aside from a very few individuals, no one was aware of the details of the previous battle between Heaven Sword Sect and Zhou Heng. Master is wise. Monk Tongzhen flattered, Shall I start arranging the matter then? As soon as possible, Monk Shanyuan nodded, After all, the Hundred Halls Chart of Yao Palace will soon open. We should resolve this matter before the third of August if we can. If luck is on our side, perhaps I might be able to venture in as a mere member of the Sect Fifth Rank. On the morning of the following day, outside the Golden Light Temple. The abbot Monk Tongzhen had just walked out from the temple gates, planning to start arranging the task given to him by Monk Shanyuan. But just as he stepped out, a young man and a young woman approached him. Following behind the young man was a fine horse. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Monk Tongzhen was taken aback. Could this be the horse mentioned by his master before, along with the young man suspected to be Zhou Heng? Had they actually come by themselves? Do you recognize us? Zhou Heng noticed Monk Tongzhens expression and stepped forward, smiling as he said, May I know if Master Shanyuan is here? Ah? Monk Tongzhen was taken aback by Zhou Hengs direct inquiry and was momentarily stunned, Yes, what brings you here, benefactor? Ive heard that the Buddhist teachings of Jia Ye Temple are profound, and Ive come to seek guidance, Zhou Heng said straightforwardly, smiling cheerfully. Chapter 356 - Chapter 356: Chapter 76: Young People Should Take Good Care of Themselves Chapter 356: Chapter 76: Young People Should Take Good Care of Themselves Golden Light Temple was bustling with activity. Even though it was only early morning, many worshippers had already come to pray to Buddha. Hearing Zhou Hengs words, these people stopped in their tracks and turned their attention towards him. However, no one stepped forward to intervene; instead, they all showed expressions of interest. They wanted to see the excitement. Monk Shanyuan was a well-known master in Yujian Mansion City, profound in Buddhist law and martial arts. Now, a young man had come to challenge him, an extremely rare sight indeed. How could they not watch such a spectacle? Oh? Upon hearing this, Monk Tongzhen looked around and saw the expressions on the faces of the many worshippers. A cold smile appeared on his face, and he turned his gaze toward Zhou Heng, about to speak, but he suddenly felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure wash over him like a tsunami. This made it possible for him to open his mouth, but no matter what, he could not make a sound. It seems the master has agreed, Zhou Heng said with a light smile, casually dismissing Monk Tongzhen and speaking to Cheng Jianjian, Lets go, were going in. Mm, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly and followed closely behind him, leading a jujube-red horse. The two of them easily entered through the mountain gate of Golden Light Temple, and the numerous worshippers followed eagerly, their faces filled with anticipation as they entered the temple. Meanwhile, Monk Tongzhen could only stand there, watching helplessly, completely unable to act. No, not unable to. But rather, he didnt dare! In fact, Zhou Heng had not blocked Monk Tongzhens actions, he had simply subjected him to a mighty suppression of his divine soul power. If Monk Tongzhen had the courage to break through this spiritual suppression, he would have been able to move freely. Yet, under such suppression, Monk Tongzhen felt as if any slight movement would lead to the erasure of some of his consciousness and the obliteration of his divine soul! He didnt dare. Not to speak of speaking out to stop them, he didnt even dare to move a finger! Only after Zhou Heng, Cheng Jianjian, and the jujube-red horse had entered the mountain gate did Monk Tongzhen feel the spiritual pressure dissipate and he could finally catch his breath. He fell to the ground on his knees, gasping for air in huge gulps like a bellows, his breath hissing, and his body drenched in sweat, soaking his monks robe. Is this the power of the Secret Six Rank Divine Soul?? A storm raged in Monk Tongzhens heart, How is this possible, how can it be so strong? Just now he felt like a tiny boat facing a roaring sea wave, his divine soul power apparently about to be capsized and shattered to pieces at any moment. Its too terrifying, too horrifying! Monk Tongzhen was panic-stricken and suddenly a thought surged in his mind, Could his master truly be a match for this person? Monk Shanyuan would usually meditate in the rear hall of Golden Light Temple and was generally not disturbed. After entering Golden Light Temple, Zhou Heng immediately located Monk Shanyuan with his divine sense perception and walked over with Cheng Jianjian and the jujube-red horse. Following behind the two of them and their horse was a large group of worshippers. Such a grand lineup also attracted many worshippers who were already inside the Golden Light Temple. Many came to inquire. Upon learning that someone was there to challenge Monk Shan Yuan, most of them showed expressions of anticipation and excitement. Some even volunteered to show Zhou Heng the way. However, in essence, the Golden Light Temple was still a martial arts school, filled with numerous apprentices and trainers, with many at the Seventh and Eighth Ranks. Zhou Hengs commotion naturally couldnt be concealed from these people. Stop right there! Who goes there?! A formidable group of martial monks charged over, easily a hundred strong. Leading them were more than a dozen Seventh Rank Warriors, trainers of the Golden Light Temple; trailing behind were around a hundred apprentices, all of whom were Ninth Rank Warriors. Even if these apprentices represented the entire Martial Arts Student body of the Golden Light Temple, having over a hundred who had reached the Ninth Rank in the same period was nothing short of miraculous. In Da Qi, even the core martial arts schools under the top Martial Dao Sects rarely achieved such results. Stop! Who are you, and what do you want?! One of the Seventh Rank Warrior trainers charged out of the crowd, confronted Zhou Heng, and demanded, This is a sacred place of the Buddha Sect; are you here to His words were cut off abruptly as he realized he could open his mouth but couldnt make any sound. This sent him into a state of sheer terror, and he looked at Zhou Heng in disbelief. Since this is a sacred land of the Buddha Sect, you think what I am doing is inappropriate. Zhou Heng still had a gentle smile on his face as he said, Then lets change this place into a Taoist temple, how about that? You?! The apprentices of the Golden Light Temple were instantly enraged. Pointing at Zhou Heng, they roared, What brazen Taoist, dont you fear Buddhas wrath casting you into the endless hells? Sorry, but I am not subject to the Buddha Sects jurisdiction! Zhou Heng snorted coldly and continued forward. He had only walked a few steps when he saw a statue of Buddha by the roadside. Lifting a finger, his True Qi surged, transforming into a stream of azure sword light that enveloped the statue in the blink of an eye. Under the carving of the sword light, the visage of the stone statue changed instantly; from the compassionate Buddha, it transformed into a Taoist Heavenly Sovereign with his hands forming seals, serene and lofty. The onlooking worshippers were thrilled by this scene, some so excited they trembled all over as if witnessing the rarest spectacle of their lives. Madman, hes a madman! the martial arts students raged, You dare to defile Buddha; you will enter the endless hells after death and will never be liberated! Hmph! Cheng Jianjian suddenly let out a cold snort, her sharp gaze like sword beams sweeping over the students of the Golden Light Temple, You truly are bold! Her voice carried a strong will and the power of True Qi. It resonated with such force that it immediately caused tremors in the spirits of the students of the Golden Light Temple, who grew terror-stricken and hurriedly closed their mouths, not daring to speak another word. Benefactors, visiting so early in the morning, this poor monk has failed to meet you afar. My apologies, my apologies! At that moment, Monk Shan Yuans voice was heard. He had already walked out of the meditation hall, hands joined in a namaste, approaching with a graceful step, his eyes and brows exuding serenity and compassion, and he said with a smile, May I ask what brings the benefactors here? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only I heard the masters Buddhist Law is profound and martial arts are superb, and out of curiosity, I came to seek guidance, Zhou Heng said with a slight bow. Me too, Cheng Jianjian nodded in agreement. Amitabha, this is Buddhas pure land, unsuitable for fighting, Monk Shan Yuan rejoined, shaking his head with his hands still clasped together, Though you young people are impetuous, you must still uphold martial virtue and not disturb the peace of Buddha here. No need, Zhou Heng directly shook his head, The master only needs to call himself a Taoist priest, change the monk robes to Taoist robes, the temple to a Taoist palace, and the Buddha statues to Heavenly Sovereign sculptures; then this place will no longer be the sacred land of the Buddha Sect. Monk Shan Yuan fell into a brief silence upon hearing this, then he snorted coldly and said, Young man, make your move, you are responsible for yourself! Chapter 357 - Chapter 357: Chapter 77: Disciples of Buddha in the Distant Ancient Past Chapter 357: Chapter 77: Disciples of Buddha in the Distant Ancient Past Shanyuan was defeated very straightforwardly and swiftly. Under the gaze of hundreds of onlookers hoping to witness an intense battle, Zhou Heng used just one move to defeat Monk Shanyuan. There was no toe-to-toe struggle, no surge of energy from heaven and earth, and none of the colorful lights often associated with Middle Third Rank warriors were present. None of the rumored phenomena occurred. The whole process was simply Zhou Heng forming a hand seal, his eyes igniting with a golden light, and then Monk Shanyuans face displayed an expression of pain and horror as he quickly knelt to the ground, drenched in cold sweat. This situation had completely surpassed the understanding of the numerous pilgrims. If they hadnt seen it with their own eyes, they would never believe that Master Shanyuan, who was known for his high martial arts prowess, capable of flying and disappearing at will, could be defeated so easily. Inconceivable! At this moment, Zhou Heng stood there with a smile, calm and collected. How is this possible, how can this be? Monk Shanyuan murmured, pressing his hands against the ground and growling through clenched teeth, This cant be possible! The many onlookers also buzzed with confused commentary. What happened, I dont understand? Did that young man just defeat Master Shanyuan with a single look? What martial art is this? Ive never heard of it before. Could this young man be the legendary transcendent figure who has reversed his age? Whats going on?? Most of the pilgrims were ordinary people, and even those few who had practiced martial arts were only Ninth Grade or not even Entry Rank, with limited knowledge; they couldnt understand the state of Monk Shanyuan. Master?! Monk Tongzhens cry could be heard as he had just rushed over from outside the Golden Light Temple and was greeted by this unfathomable scene upon arrival. Master, Master, whats happened to you?? Monk Tongzhen ran up to Monk Shanyuans side, trying to help him up. However, no matter how much Monk Shanyuan tried, he remained firmly kneeling as if a mountain weighed down upon him, and even with all his strength, Monk Tongzhen could not budge him an inch. Theres no need to help him. Zhou Heng spoke dismissively, Hes suppressed by his own fear. Unless he overcomes the fear in his heart, hell remain kneeling here. What wicked technique did you use?! Monk Tongzhen glared at Zhou Heng furiously. Then you try it. A flash of golden light twinkled in Zhou Hengs eyes. An immensely powerful spiritual force instantly penetrated Monk Tongzhens Divine Soul barrier, evoking his deepest fears and most unbearable memories. Sky-Earth Striking Method! Thud! Monk Tongzhen too knelt to the ground, his face ashen, drenched in cold sweat, trembling all over, a sight even more pitiful than Monk Shanyuan beside him. The apprentices and trainers from the Golden Light Temple who witnessed this scene were all thoroughly shocked, their minds immediately snapping to attention as they turned to flee without looking back. In no time, every apprentice and trainer from the Golden Light Temple had cleared out completely. Too weak, not interesting, Zhou Heng shook his head and then turned to smile at Cheng Jianjian, Lets go, its time to visit the next place. Ill lead the way, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile, walking ahead while leading the chestnut horse. The onlookers at Golden Light Temple watched the receding figures of Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, looking around at their surroundings and the grand hall in front of them, and couldnt help but fall into a deep self-doubt. It seemed that the Jia Ye Temple, rumored to be one of the top Martial Dao Sects of the Great Jin, wasnt all that impressive after all. The once greatly respected Master Shanyuan had just been effortlessly defeated by a youth who appeared out of nowhere. Moreover, the other party didnt even lift a finger, merely casting a glance, and Shanyuan was defeated! The disparity was just too vast. Thus, the group of pilgrims let out a sigh and dispersed, deciding never to visit the Golden Light Temple to pray again. The apprentices looked at each other, with a desire to leave with the pilgrims but also feeling unwilling. After all, they had paid to learn martial arts, and leaving now would mean a great loss. But seeing their usually revered Shanyuan Monk looking so gloomy on his knees, they still felt shortchanged. After some thought, they decided it was better to head home, out of sight, out of mind. Soon, the vast Golden Light Temple became deserted. Only Shanyuan and Tongzhen, the two monks, were left trembling and kneeling on the ground. As the sun approached its zenith, it was noontime. Monk Shanyuans face finally began to relax, and he slowly lifted his head and stood up, although his eyes still showed a thick trace of fear. He glanced at Tongzhen, who was kneeling beside him, his expression turning dark. With a wave of his hand and a flash of golden light, he soothed Tongzhen Monks emotions, calming him down. Zhou Heng, what a formidable reincarnated being! Monk Shanyuan gritted his teeth, his face filled with resentment. Master, what exactly happened just now? Although Tongzhen managed to barely calm down, his mind was muddled, and the memories of what had transpired were in utter chaos. Shut up! Monk Shanyuan glared at Tongzhen and said in a deep voice, Announce the closure of the temple! Ah? Tongzhen was still a bit confused, and hesitantly asked, Close, close the temple? Hurry up! Monk Shanyuan snapped, extremely irritable. For Zhou Heng at the moment, martial artists below the rank of Sect Fifth Rank posed absolutely no threat. Therefore, after leaving the Golden Light Temple, he and Cheng Jianjian hurriedly continued on to the next martial arts school established by Jia Ye Temple in Yujian Prefectural City. The same scenario played out almost identically. Without the slightest effort. In just half a day, Zhou Heng had defeated all the forces related to Jia Ye Temple in Yujian Prefectural City, causing their reputation to plummet drastically. The entire Yujian Prefectural City was thrown into shock and disbelief. Jia Ye Temple was a top-ranking Martial Dao Sect in the great Jin Dynasty, one of the three ancient Buddha Sect temples, and yet they had been defeated by two unknown youngsters, a boy and a girl. It was inconceivable. For a time, discussions about Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian created quite a buzz, with many speculating about their identities. In a tavern room. Cheng Jianjian held an invitation in her hand, her expression odd. She looked at Zhou Heng sitting opposite her and lightly laughed, Guess who sent the invitation? The Ning Family from Yujian? Zhou Heng smiled and said, Theyre the only ones left. Yes, thats right, Cheng Jianjian nodded and replied, Its an invitation from the Ning Family, saying theyll hold a banquet at their home tonight, inviting us to attend, as they have important matters to discuss. Oh? Zhou Heng smiled and said, Wasnt this Ning Zeyu avoiding you just a while ago? Perhaps she changed her mind, Cheng Jianjian replied with a light smile, while popping a piece of candy into her mouth, or perhaps after learning about what we have been doing, she has some new plans. It might be related to the Hundred Halls Picture of Yao Palace, Zhou Heng said with a smile. After all, she is called the Heavenly Maiden of Yao Palace. Hmm, I think so too, Cheng Jianjian nodded and said, I heard that when Ning Zeyu was born, there were faint visions of Yao Palace pavilions in the sky, and after she made a name for herself, she acquired the title of Heavenly Maiden of Yao Palace. She was born with such phenomena? Zhou Heng was a bit surprised upon hearing this and laughed, Now Im quite curious about this Heavenly Maiden of Yao Palace. Curious? Cheng Jianjian suddenly grabbed a handful of candy and swallowed it. Maybe shes also the reincarnation of a great power, Zhou Heng said smilingly. The Ning Family was the largest and most prosperous family in Yujian Mansion City. Their rise was nothing short of legendary. Thirty years ago, the Ning Family was but an ordinary family within Yujian Mansion City. Although they were in business and quite wealthy, they were not on par with the true great families. In the land of a prefecture, a family with a Secret Six Rank martial artist was called a great family. The Ning Family only had two Seventh Rank Warriors, both old men in their sixties and seventies, nearing the end of their lives. The next generation, mostly inept, even struggled with the issue of succeeding the family business. At that time, many people were watching the Ning Family, waiting for those two old Seventh Ranks to die, so they could divide up the Ning Familys assets. However, everything changed after the birth of Ning Zeyu. It is said that when Ning Zeyu was born, there were ephemeral shadows of pavilions and terraces in the sky, and the space above the Ning Family shone with a vast expanse of white light, a phenomenon that shocked the heavens and earth. When the midwife took her from her mothers womb, they even found a piece of jade stone clutched in her hand. However, many locals in Yujian Mansion City say its just a rumor, and that none of it really happened. Regardless, from that moment on, everything about the Ning Family began to change. Firstly, those two elderly Seventh Ranks broke through to the Secret Six Rank, greatly increasing their strength and prolonging their lifespans, and suddenly pushed the Ning Family to the top echelons of Yujian Mansion Citys families. After that, the Ning Familys businesses flourished more and more. No matter the industry, they almost always made money smoothly. Although they almost never made a fortune, with enough industries involved, the income of the Ning Family was exceedingly high. Their achievements in the martial path, coupled with their booming business, rapidly developed the Ning Family, making them stronger and causing the other families to grow wary, preparing to join forces against the Ning Family. However, before these families could implement their plans, news spread from the Ning Family that Ning Zeyu, at the mere age of twenty-six, had refined her True Qi, inner and outer realms converging, stepping into the realm of Secret Six Rank. A Secret Six Rank at twenty-six! Let alone a small place like Yujian Mansion City, which could not even count as a big city, even in the worlds top martial dao sects, such an achievement was considered genius. This made those who had designs on the Ning Family abandon their thoughts. It was from that time that the Ning Family truly became the strongest family in Yujian Mansion City. Without a doubt. Undoubtedly, Ning Zeyu was the true core of the Ning Family, often her will was the will of the Ning Family. Now that the Ning Family sent an invitation, it meant that Ning Zeyus thoughts had changed. The Ning Family took the arrival of Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian very seriously, directly sending someone to Yujian Inn to welcome them with great respect. ` However, this left them both feeling puzzled. Ning Zeyu seemed to be taking too bold a risk. Right now, the two of them had just crushed all the martial arts halls of the Jia Ye Temple within Yujian Mansion City, making enemies with this top-tier Martial Dao Sect. In such a situation, anyone who openly associated with the two of them might bear the wrath of the Jia Ye Temple. Originally, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian thought that Ning Zeyu would at most secretly send someone to bring them over, but they didnt expect her to be so blatant about it, seemingly unafraid of being discovered by the Jia Ye Temple. Its somewhat strange, Cheng Jianjian said to Zhou Heng, her voice grave. Could it be that Ning Zeyu has other plans? No, this is very interesting, Zhou Heng laughed. Ning Zeyu shouldnt be a fool, yet she still did this, which makes me even more curious. In the Intimate Hall of the Ning Residence. This hall, situated in the backyard of the Ning Residence and built in exquisite fashion, was where Ning Zeyu specially entertained honored guests. Upon their arrival, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were led there by people of the Ning Family. Ning Zeyu was a beautiful woman in her twenties, dressed in a fresh white dress. Her features were delicate, and her eyes carried an air of spirit, giving her an ethereal charm. She seemed to share a subtle similarity in temperament with Cheng Jianjian. Mr. Zhou, Miss Cheng, Ning Zeyu greeted them with a bow and a smile. Ive been waiting for a long time. Please, have a seat. As she spoke, she actively poured a cup of tea for Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Her attitude remained quite humble. Miss Ning, what did you want to discuss? Zhou Heng didnt beat around the bush and got straight to the point. You might as well speak frankly. Previously, you ignored me, and now youve suddenly changed your mind? Cheng Jianjian also directly asked. Its for the Hundred Halls Map of Yao Palace, Ning Zeyu replied succinctly. I can sense that at least six Grandmasters have come to explore the Hundred Halls Map of Yao Palace this time, and Im not their match yet. So, you want to recruit us to be your helpers? Zhou Heng laughed. Thats right, Ning Zeyu nodded and said. You two have consecutively defeated the martial arts halls of the Jia Ye Temple, which made me recognize your strength. Arent you afraid of offending the Jia Ye Temple because of this? Cheng Jianjian asked gravely. If I succeed in this venture, I will fear no Jia Ye Temple, Ning Zeyu declared earnestly. Besides, if the Jia Ye Temple truly decides to deal with the Ning Family, wouldnt that also satisfy Miss Chengs desire? No, I want to defeat you myself, Cheng Jianjian shook her head. Is that so? Ning Zeyu shook her head with a smile. Im afraid you wont have the chanceugh!! She hadnt finished speaking when her face suddenly turned pale, looking disbelievingly at Zhou Heng, only to see him forming hand seals and gazing at her with a menacing look. Miss Ning, do you remember that you invited us here? Zhou Heng said indifferently. Just now, he had used the Divine Soul Secret Method to attack Ning Zeyus Divine Soul. Why not have a fight with me first? Cheng Jianjians eyebrows arched slightly as she spoke. Without clear terms, we cannot cooperate. What are your true intentions, and why are you not afraid of the Jia Ye Temple? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ning Zeyu had spoken too vaguely just now. Ning Zeyu fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, and as if she had made up her mind, she said solemnly, Do you know the origin of the name Jia Ye Temple? Without waiting for them to speak, she continued, Legend has it that in the distant and untraceable past, there was an ancestor of all Buddhas who had ten disciples. One of them was called Jia Ye. ` Chapter 358 - Chapter 358: Chapter 78 A Smile Over a Flower Chapter 358: Chapter 78 A Smile Over a Flower Disciple of the Buddha?! Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjians eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this. However, the reasons for their astonishment were different. Zhou Heng was surprised because what Ning Zeyu had mentioned corresponded with some of the mythological tales he had heard on Earth. Jia Ye, also known as Great Jia Ye or Makakasho, was considered to be the disciple of Buddha with the least attachment and held an exalted status. At the assembly on Spiritual Mountain, when the Buddha silently held up a flower, only the venerable Jia Ye broke into a smile. This was referred to as the smile in the twinkle of an eye. This was the legend of Jia Ye on Earth. Zhou Heng had always been searching for things related to Earth in this world, but to little avail; he never expected to come across such a clear clue here. Cheng Jianjians surprise stemmed from the fact that someone was speaking so confidently about the Buddhas disciples and even mentioned the name of one. This world did have legends about the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism, but they were very simple. Essentially just a single sentence. In the distant and unverifiable past, the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism preached and imparted the Tao in the world, granting living beings the initial methods of cultivation and the path to transcendence. That was all. As for the specific images, names, or origins of the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism, and when they vanished, or what kind of disciples they had countless powerful figures have sought the truth through the ages, but to this day, there are still no conclusions. In most peoples eyes, the ancestors of Taoism and Buddhism are merely figures of legend. Compared to them, Even the sparse records of the ancient Mythical era seem much more real. Therefore, Cheng Jianjians first reaction was disbelief. How could Ning Zeyu, just a Martial Artist of Secret Six Rank from a minor family, possibly know these secrets that countless have sought for eons without success? But then she immediately came to her senses, realizing that she had committed the mistake of dismissing others without cause. Rumor had it that at Ning Zeyus birth, there were auspicious signs. Perhaps she really could be the reincarnation of some significant figure, privy to some ancient secrets? Youre talking about the Buddhas disciples? Cheng Jianjian decided to inquire, I didnt expect to hear of such ancient matters. You may choose not to believe, which is very normal, Ning Zeyus expression remained calm as she continued, Regarding this Venerable Jia Ye, there is also a very magical legend called the smile in the twinkle of an eye. In the bygone eras, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats resided in the Pure Land on Spiritual Mountain. The Buddha preached at Spiritual Mountain, held up a flower to the gathering, and while many Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats did not understand its meaning, only Venerable Jia Ye smiled in return. Are you saying that only this Venerable Jia Ye could understand the Buddhas intentions? Cheng Jianjian exclaimed in surprise, By that logic, Venerable Jia Yes cultivation realm must be unfathomably deep. Where did you hear these legends? Zhou Heng suddenly asked. Ning Zeyu briefly fell silent, then smiled and said, What if I told you that I myself am from these very legends C would you believe me? What? Zhou Heng was taken aback. How is that possible? Cheng Jianjians eyes widened in disbelief. Both of them were extremely surprised. The claims made by Ning Zeyu were simply too astonishing. Are you suggesting youre the reincarnation of all those Buddhas on Spiritual Mountain? Zhou Heng frowned as he scrutinized Ning Zeyu, who didnt look the part at all. No. Ning Zeyu shook her head, smiling, I am that flower. Ah? Zhou Heng was somewhat taken by surprise. The flower from the smile in the twinkle of an eye? Cheng Jianjian was also quite taken aback. Correct, Ning Zeyu nodded gently and sighed softly, When the Buddha held up the flower, I, graced with Zen, became sentient, and transformed into a Celestial Woman, serving in front of Buddha. Then why would you reincarnate in this era? Zhou Heng asked with a smile, while using a special skill card on Ning Zeyu. Identification Card: Use on a person or object to reveal its true information. Name: Ning Zeyu Age: Thirty-one years old Weight: Height: Origin: Transmigrated and reborn, a legend given life through enlightenment by others. This result baffled Zhou Heng. To have a legend reincarnated as a spirit being. A legend becoming a spirit refers to an originally insubstantial legend or story that, through certain coincidences, has gained its own sentience, akin to how objects and creatures can become enchanted. Only, in this case, its not animals or plants that have become enchanted, but a legend, a story. Furthermore, it was enlightened by someone. Obviously, it was premeditated. The ability to spiritualize an ethereal legend or story demonstrates transcendental prowess and may also involve the Divine Artifact of Second Rank Tao C the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace. Its clear that hiding behind Ning Zeyu might be a great secret and a significant problem, even unknown to her. Yet even so, Zhou Heng felt extremely pleased. Although the incarnation of the smile in the twinkle of an eye as a spirit does not mean that the legend is true, it does suggest that others must be aware of it. Without a doubt, this was a clue related to Earth. This one discovery was already enough to excite Zhou Heng. Unaware that Zhou Heng had thoroughly seen through all her information, Ning Zeyu gently shook her head and sighed, I also do not know why I was reincarnated in this era. My memory still remains from the time when I was a Celestial Woman before Buddha. Even then, that period of memory is very vague, and I can hardly recall any other Buddhas or Bodhisattvas besides the Buddha and Venerable Jia Ye. Its not that you cant remember; its that your memories are false, you arent the transformation of any flower, but rather a spirit born of an uncertain legend, a story Zhou Heng thought to himself. But I can feel it, as long as I can enter the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace, Ill be able to reclaim what originally belonged to me, Ning Zeyus eyes suddenly lit up with hope. This Cheng Jianjians brows slightly knitted, instinctively feeling that something wasnt quite right. Are you doubtful about the reward for this journey? Ning Zeyu stood up directly and said, If you help me obtain one item from within the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace, you can keep everything else for yourselves. We refuse. Zhou Heng also stood up, shaking his head decisively, Is there anything else, Miss Ning? If not, we shall take our leave. Ah? Cheng Jianjian was momentarily startled by his words. Although she harbored doubts, she had not expected Zhou Heng to reject the offer so directly. ` What? Ning Zeyu clearly hadnt expected Zhou Heng to react this way. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she stared at Zhou Heng, You, youre refusing? That is the Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace, the ultimate expression of the Path of Dream Realms in a certain direction, equivalent to a fully condensed Taoist seed. Inside, there are countless treasures, divine skills, and Taoist formulas, and youre just rejecting it? The ultimate expression of the Path of Dream Realms in every direction Once Ning Zeyu said this, Zhou Heng fell silent. It wasnt that he was tempted, but he suddenly realized that turning the illusory legend into a spirit might be the method of a certain great pathway. The Path of Dreams! Turning the false into the true! Turning the illusory dream realms into genuine reality! Could it be that the person who turned Ning Zeyu into a reincarnated spirit was related to the Path of Dream Realms? If so, Then the Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace that appeared faintly visible above Yujian Mansion City might not simply be a rare treasure emerging. Bait? Trap? Seeing Zhou Hengs silence, Ning Zeyu thought he had changed his mind and continued, Didnt you come here to explore the Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace? Cooperating with me will be all benefits and no harm. Sorry, we dont have any plans to cooperate with others for the time being, Zhou Heng refused again, saying, Especially since youre someone weve had conflicts with in the past. Please leave. Okay. Cheng Jianjian followed behind Zhou Heng. Then, the two of them left Nings residence and returned to the Yujian Inn. How could this happen? A hint of confusion and incomprehension flashed in Ning Zeyus eyes as she stared at the empty Heart-to-Heart Hall, biting her teeth, This matter must not have any mishaps! At the same time, she suddenly raised her hand, her fingers formed into a claw, and violently thrust into her own chest. Then she pulled outwards, and astonishingly, she extracted a translucent and pure white jade stone from within. Ning Zeyu spread her palm open, gazing at the jade stone, and soon, thirty-six holes appeared on the stone. All of them were shaped like teardrops! In the upper room of the Yujian Inn, Zhou Heng had set up a soundproof barrier. Full of doubts, Cheng Jianjian had just sat down and asked, Why did you suddenly refuse? Have you discovered some problem? This Ning Zeyu could possibly be a pawn of a Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord, Zhou Heng said solemnly, Even the so-called Map of the Hundred Palaces of Yao Palace might just be bait or a trap. What? Cheng Jianjian was taken aback. Ning Zeyus entire life, from birth to growing up, might have been manipulated, Zhou Heng sighed, Her so-called memories of a past life, as well as her pursuits in this life, are probably made up by someone, and she herself is unaware of it. That it could be like this, Cheng Jianjian was somewhat surprised, then she frowned and said, Then, the reason Ning Zeyu trapped me without cause and made an enemy of me, leading me to Southern Jincould there have been manipulation involved? Possibly, Zhou Heng pondered for a moment, saying, But for what purpose did they lead you to Southern Jin? Ordinarily, someone of Cheng Jianjians Secret Sixth Rank should be of no value to a power on the level of a Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord. Unless she had something special about her. But although Cheng Jianjian was extraordinarily talented, and her cultivation progressed far beyond the normal for her age, it didnt seem like there was anything particularly special about her. She wasnt a reincarnation of a great power, nor a fairy-like dao body; she was simply highly talented. ` Cheng Jianjian had obviously realized this too. Her willow brows creased lightly as she pondered for a while, finally shaking her head gently and said, I dont think I hold such great value to bring a Celestial Man or Tao Lord to use a Second Rank divine artifact as a setup to lure me over. Perhaps, am I just an addition? The one that the powerful being truly wanted to lure over, could there actually be someone else? Right, since you speculated that this might be bait or a trap, have you already thought of possible candidates before? Indeed, I did think of someone, Zhou Heng nodded slightly and said, That is a friends master, who practices the path of dreams and is also the reincarnation of a powerful being. If thats the case, it is indeed possible, Cheng Jianjian nodded and said, A reincarnation of a powerful being who cultivates the path of dreams might possess a complete Dream Path inheritance. If the mighty figure behind the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Diagram and Ning Zeyu also cultivates the path of dreams, it is indeed possible to use this as bait and lure people over. Whether they have really come or not, we dont know, Zhou Heng frowned and said, Ill check. Immediately after, he transformed in front of Cheng Jianjians disbelieving eyes into a slender dog, sniffing the air with his nose before shifting back into human form. You, what is this?? Cheng Jianjian was somewhat confused, almost believing she had just experienced a hallucination. A little trick for finding people, Zhou Heng said with a smile, They havent come, it seems the plans of this powerful being might fall through. Transforming into a Sky-barking Dog, he could entirely rely on his sense of smell to determine whether He Mengqiu and Yun Xiu were in Yujian Mansion City. Thats good, Cheng Jianjian smiled and nodded. She didnt ask any further about Zhou Hengs transformation, instead she turned to him and said, So, what do we do next? I will continue heading south, to cause trouble for Jia Ye Temple, Zhou Heng pondered and said, As for you, I suggest you return to Taihua Mount first and report the situation here to the sect. For the two of them, the treasures, divine skills, and elixirs within the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Diagram did not actually hold a particularly strong attraction. Youre planning to continue south alone? Cheng Jianjian said with some concern, What if Jia Ye Temple sends a Great Grandmaster to attack you, dont you want to go back together? This is my cultivation journey, now that my cultivation hasnt borne fruit, naturally, I cant stop, Zhou Heng said with a smile, But you dont need to worry about me, I know what Im doing. Besides, I have many methods, as you have seen. Dont worry. Mm, then please be careful, Cheng Jianjian was not a coquettish person, she nodded lightly, I will be waiting for you at Taihua Mount. Alright, Zhou Heng said with a smile, Its a promise. The next morning. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had both left Yujian Mansion City. However, they headed in opposite directions. Zhou Heng continued his journey southward to Luozhou, planning to sweep through the sites of Jia Ye Temple along the way while investigating the origins of Jia Ye Temples lineage. Meanwhile, Cheng Jianjian, following Zhou Hengs advice, traveled north to return to Da Qi. After leaving Yujian Mansion City, Zhou Heng let his sorrel horse run at full speed, striving to quickly reach the next prefecture. Yet, while on the road, he suddenly felt an unusual glow shining down from the heavens. Looking up, he saw the ethereal images of several palaces faintly visible amidst the clouds. The Star Tear Stone tucked inside his chest suddenly heated up, bursting forth with light, enveloping his entire being. Then, a tremendous force surged, dragging him up toward the sky. Zhou Hengs first instinct was to use his Open Gate privilege to escape, but he soon realized that this was likely the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Diagram summoning all those who possessed the Star Tear Stone. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Cheng Jianjian also had a piece of the Star Tear Stone. Therefore, he refrained from using Open Gate, allowing the light of the Star Tear Stone to carry him up into the sky. After a brief moment of trance, Zhou Heng found himself on an incredibly large platform. The ground beneath his feet was paved with white jade, and ahead was a magnificent giant gate, surrounded by dozens of people, each with a different demeanor. Cheng Jianjian was also among them, and they noticed each other at the same time. Chapter 359 - Chapter 359: Chapter 79: Fortune Bestows, Killing Spree Arises Chapter 359: Chapter 79: Fortune Bestows, Killing Spree Arises The sky was a pale gold, and layers of clouds tumbled like surging waves, flowing towards the giant doors ahead. The white jade ground, as reflective as a mirror, shone brightly, even allowing one to see their own reflection, as if standing upon the surface of an incredibly clear lake. This was where Zhou Heng and the others were at the moment. Whats going on? Zhou Heng walked over to Cheng Jianjian and lowered his voice, Were you also summoned here by the power emerging from the Star Tear Stone? Yes, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, I was about to leave Kunzhou, but suddenly a strong force burst forth from the Star Tear Stone and brought me here. Is it possible that when the Yao Palaces Hundred Diagrams open, it automatically summons everyone who possesses the Star Tear Stone? Zhou Heng was puzzled; he had a feeling this sudden turn of events was not simple. You all came too? Just then, a female voice, heavy with surprise, reached them. They turned towards the voice and saw Ning Zeyu approaching with a broad smile, You were brought here by the power of the Star Tear Stone too, werent you? Thats right. Zhou Heng nodded, And you? Yes, not just meI think everyone here is, Ning Zeyu said with a smile, seemingly having forgotten her previous unpleasantness with Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, Ive already asked over a dozen people, and they all came for the Star Tear Stone. So it turns out to be like this. Cheng Jianjians eyebrows knitted slightly, as she said to Zhou Heng, If we had known this, we should have thrown away those two Star Tear Stones right from the start. Maybe not, Zhou Heng only shook his head. His gaze continued to observe Ning Zeyu, and after a while, he opened his mouth to ask, Miss Ning, what brings you to us this time? Its still about the same issue, but I want you to think it over yourselves. Ning Zeyu gestured subtly towards several people outside and spoke in a grave tone, Those few are Sect Fifth Rank experts. If we keep going solo, we wont stand a chance against them Really? Zhou Hengs face showed deep skepticism, then he shook his head, I dont believe it. Ning Zeyus expression froze, speechless for a moment. It took a deep breath before she was able to reorganize her words, Fifth Rank Sect Masters are much stronger than us. The treasures beyond that giant door are numerous and, competing against these people, neither you nor I stand a chance. Only by joining forces might we possibly No, youre wrong, Zhou Heng interrupted Ning Zeyu directly, quite bluntly, Miss Ning, you made a mistake. Fifth Rank Sect Masters are not necessarily stronger than us. Moreover, your idea of cooperating with us isnt really joining forces; it might even hold us back. Your strength is too weak, insufficient to help us, so please act on your own. Just like that, Zhou Heng spoke bluntly, his words acerbic and direct, leaving her at a loss for what to say next. Her face turned a steel-cold blue, with the corners of her mouth twitching slightly as she opened them to speak but then fell silent. It was a considerable time before Ning Zeyu finally said, Are you that confident? Do you even know how many palaces there are within the Yao Palace Hundred Diagrams, how big each one is, where they are located, and what kind of treasures they contain? Do you know? Zhou Hengs eyes brightened at her words. Yes. Ning Zeyu, seeing his reaction, was overjoyed and hastened to speak, I do have some understanding of the Yao Palace Hundred Diagrams. If we work together, Im sure well be able to find what we want quickly. But actually, I dont have anything I want, Zhou Hengs mouth curved slightly upwards, looking at Ning Zeyu with a hint of mockery, Miss Ning, please return. We definitely wont accept your offer to cooperate. Heh, then dont regret it! Ning Zeyu couldnt do anything else; she glared fiercely at Zhou Heng, then turned and left, apparently to find someone else. I have a feeling that the reason we were suddenly summoned here might be related to what Ning Zeyu mentioned, Cheng Jianjian said softly, watching Ning Zeyus retreating figure, talking to Zhou Heng. I feel the same, even though theres no proof yet Zhou Heng nodded, But the anomaly with the Star Tear Stone was too abrupt, clearly theres an issue. Boom! ` At that moment, the massive gate in front of them burst open with a powerful and pure golden light that shot up into the sky, merging with the swirling golden clouds overhead. Immediately, streaks of light raced through the air, each eager to enter through the gap of the now-opened gate; these were the owners of over thirty Star Tear Stones. To them, whether it was the Yao Palaces Hundred Halls Map itself, or the divine skills, treasures, and immortal elixirs hidden within, all held a fatally seductive allure. Naturally, they wanted to grab them as quickly as possible. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian exchanged glances, their faces simultaneously revealing faint smiles. Compared to them, we seem to be just out for a leisurely excursion. Isnt that the case? Chatting and chuckling, the two of them casually strolled into the gap between the giant doors. Ning Zeyu, shrouded in the golden light, gazed at the two entering with a gloomy expression and thought, Just wait, once you step into the range of the Yao Palaces Hundred Halls, Ill make sure you have no ground to be buried in! My true form lies in the deepest part of the Yao Palaces Hundred Halls. With this connection, I can influence many of the arrangements in numerous places. The moment you enter, youll be at my mercy! This is the death you sought for yourselves!! Zhou Heng actually didnt have much expectation for the treasures hidden inside the map of Yao Palaces Hundred Halls. After all, he had already inherited the Three Pure Ones legacy in terms of martial arts; he was not in need of techniques, and although he didnt have many treasures, his special ability cards and privileges were enough to surpass any treasure. His choice to enter the giant gate was simply a desire to see what this place was like. To be sure, it was the Sacred Inheritance of the Dream Saint, and in itself it was equivalent to a fully condensed Taoist seed. If he could observe and gain some insight from the divine charm within, he might be able to uncover some secrets related to the Dream Saint. Past the dazzling golden light, they arrived at a cliff, and the view suddenly opened up, giving a sensation as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. Before them, pavilions and towers were suspended in the air, joined by jade staircases, shimmering with multicolored clouds, resplendent and miraculous in their beauty. Truly a heavenly realm, Zhou Heng couldnt help but exclaim. Standing now at a lofty vantage point, he could overlook all these structures, but the more he looked, the more he felt something was amissit seemed as though deeper within the Hundred Halls of the Yao Palace, something else lay hidden. It is said that the map of Yao Palaces Hundred Halls was personally drawn by the Dream Saint. How He managed to depict such a scene is beyond imagination, Cheng Jianjian also exclaimed excitedly. Her gaze was completely captivated by the pavilions and towers, feeling even that the glimmering lights on the palaces corresponded with the principles of the martial arts she practiced. In a trance, Cheng Jianjian felt as if her vision passed through the buildings in front of her, seeing a palace high above all the heavens. An endless radiance enshrouded the palace, allowing her to see only its outline and sense its Taoist charm, but not the true form of the palace. Yet just this one glimpse made Cheng Jianjian feel as though she had peered into the ultimate of Tao and principle. Dominating the heavens, transcending all worlds! This was the Taoist charm of the palace! ` Meanwhile, her cultivation realm suddenly soared, and the True Qi within her body rapidly condensed, astonishingly refining directly into true gangue. And in that instant when the true gangue completed its condensation, borrowing the momentary clarity of her divine souls essence during the breakthrough of her realm, Cheng Jianjian finally snapped back to reality. This, this is Cheng Jianjians eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief as she sensed the true gangue surging within her, overflowing with surprise, Did I break through? Have I refined the true gangue? Then, she turned to look at Zhou Heng, only to see that he had closed his eyes, standing there motionless, but his aura was increasingly profound and unfathomable. Cheng Jianjian could sense that Zhou Heng seemed to have fallen into a strange state, one that absolutely could not be disturbed. Thus, she immediately focused her attention, carefully sensing the surrounding situation, and prepared to protect Zhou Heng at a moments notice. She was guarding over Zhou Heng. At that time, Zhou Hengs spirit was immersed in an earth-shaking scene. When he had earlier sensed that something might be hidden in the depths of Yao Palaces hundred halls, his attention concentrated and his perspective abruptly shifted in a bizarre manner, as if he had directly passed through the Yao Palace here and arrived in front of a majestic and splendid gigantic palace. This palace was so grand and magnificent that Zhou Heng found it hard to describe in words, because the palace itself had completely exceeded his understanding. In front of the palace gates, a plaque hung, inscribed with fascinating characters that Zhou Heng couldnt recognize but inherently knew the meaning of Lingxiao Treasure Hall! Zhou Hengs heart and spirit trembled, he was shockingly astonished, and at the same time, he felt a thick purple aura bursting out from inside his body, vaguely revealing the outline of a tripod. This was the aura of fortune! Merely a single glance at this palace brought him an immense amount of fortune, and it even nearly congealed into a treasure of fortune. Whats happening? Zhou Heng wondered, but then he suddenly felt a splitting headache and his mind was shrouded in a layer of shadow, sensing impending doom. Even the Lingxiao Treasure Hall above became clouded with dark clouds! Boom! A thunderous roar exploded, as if an invisible thunder struck from an infinite height, viciously smashing onto the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. The palace, which dominated all heavens and stood above all worlds, instantly collapsed under the strike, an extreme destructive force spread, dense black qi ran rampant, as if to unleash endless calamities. Zhou Heng subconsciously raised his hand to grasp it, and the purple aura of fortune on his body was suddenly reduced by a half, but he also captured a stream of dark luck within his palm. Congratulations! Successfully collected both Aura of Fortune and Aura of Slaughter. Comprehension of the Taoist Formulas Yin and Yang Positive and Negative Divine Light [Absolute Fourth Rank] has increased, proficiency +0.8. The prompt of increased proficiency resonated. Zhou Heng, spurred by this voice, came back to his senses, exiting the mysterious scene, his will returning to his body, and he immediately sensed the aura of fortune and slaughter he had acquired from his fortuitous encounter. With this, Yin and Yang Positive and Negative Divine Light would soon be mastered! Afterward, he looked beside him and saw Cheng Jianjian, who was guarding him, and smiled, Im fine now. Youre awake. Hearing this, Cheng Jianjians eyes lit up, her entire being relaxed considerably, she looked at Zhou Heng with delight and said with a smile, Did you see something just now too? That mustve been a fortuitous encounter. Indeed, a real fortuitous encounter. Zhou Heng, noticing Cheng Jianjian had already refined the true gangue, said with a smile, Its allowed you to race ahead of me directly. Hey, I was always ahead of you; when I was at the peak of the Seventh Rank, you were just Ninth Grade, Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile. Youre boasting of past glories, Zhou Heng also smiled and then looked towards the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace floating in the void ahead, Shall we go and explore next? I dont really want to anymore, Cheng Jianjian shook her head and said, Having an epiphany and refining Zhen Gang this time is already a huge gain for me, Im quite content with what I have. That suits me just fine, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, So shall we wait here for others to come out? At that time, inside the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace, quite a number of martial artists were making bold moves for the divine skills and treasures. The few Sect Fifth Rank naturally held an absolute advantage. For ordinary martial artists, Secret Six Rank could absolutely not rival a Sect Fifth Rank, which was destined to be a hopeless struggle for spoils. However, inside the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace, there were many special arrangements. There were traps, prohibitions, and even powerful formations; even the experts of Sect Fifth Rank were helpless in the face of these. Thus, this provided many Secret Six Rank martial artists with opportunities. With the help of the various special arrangements within the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace, they managed to stand their ground against those few experts of Sect Fifth Rank. A part of these special arrangements activated automatically, and Ning Zeyu covertly manipulated others. However, dealing with these ordinary martial artists was not Ning Zeyus goal; she wanted to use this to get rid of, or even kill, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian as a price for their rejection. Yet, she waited left and right but did not find Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. This made Ning Zeyu extremely doubt her life choices and feel even more incredulous, Could it be, could it be that they did not come to explore the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace at all? But how is that possible, the divine skill books, the wondrous treasures, the magical herbs, and the immortal pills here, are they not tempted at all? She could not understand the situation at all. After waiting in vain, Ning Zeyu had no choice but to give up on that plan. Then, using some of the arrangements she could influence, she barely managed to stop the other explorers and finally reached the palace she believed contained her true form. But when Ning Zeyu pushed open the grand doors of the palace, eagerly wanting to retrieve her true form and regain her past lifes power, she found only a piece of paper inside. There were no flower petals, and no body. What is this? Ning Zeyu picked up the paper with a perplexed expression and saw that it told a story, indeed the story of A Smile in Passing; Could it be, this, this is my true form? A story? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Bang! In the moment she realized that she was originally just a story, she exploded into nothingness together with the piece of paper. Her form and spirit were utterly annihilated, no longer existing. It was likewaking from a dream. Meanwhile, at the same time on the cliff, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian suddenly noticed that the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace floating in the void ahead were starting to collapse Chapter 360 - Chapter 360: Chapter 80: Return to Da Qi, Yin and Yang God Light Chapter 360: Chapter 80: Return to Da Qi, Yin and Yang God Light Boom! A stupendous explosion rocked the halls of Yao Palace as palace after palace crumbled from within. It was as if something had detonated from the inside. Within moments, everything came crashing down. Countless fragments of the palaces scattered and flew into the void. All the martial artists who had been fighting fiercely over the divine skills and treasures stopped their attacks, staring dumbfounded at the scene before them, disbelief written all over their faces. Whats going on? What happened? Yao Palaces hundred halls were collapsing?! This was the legacy of the Dream Saint, a second Rank Tao artifact, equivalent to a fully condensed Tao seed! How could it suddenly collapse?! However, the martial artists quickly recovered from their shock. Under their divine sense perception, even the ordinary martial artists of Secret Six Rank could clearly senseas Yao Palaces hundred halls fell, this dream-like fairy world seemed about to collapse as well. If this world collapsed, everything within would inevitably turn to ashes. If they continued to stay here, death was almost certain. Run! Escape quickly! Get out of here! To that giant gate! The ones who acted first were naturally the grandmasters with the highest cultivation realms; some transformed into flying rainbows, others manifested their Dharma Phases, all fleeing towards the cliff where the giant gate was located. The flight speed of grandmasters was extremely fast, and as they darted through the void, immense gusts of wind would rise if they didnt purposely restrain their power, each containing an incredibly strong impulsive force. Ordinary Secret Six Rank martial artists could easily get injured if a grandmaster flew past them at close range and high speed. Boom! Boom, boom! The flying lights seemed to tear through the void, emitting bursts of screeching. Clearly, these grandmasters were flying at full strength, determined to escape at the quickest possible speed. With the vision and perception of grandmasters, they could easily notice that two people still stood atop the giant gates cliff. If they didnt slow down, it was very likely that the two would be injured or even killed. But at this moment of life-and-death urgency, they couldnt care less. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian could both guess the thoughts of these individuals, so they moved aside to let the several grandmasters fly out. After all, it was a mere trifle and cost them nothing. Most of the grandmasters didnt look back and flew straight through the giant gate since escaping was the priority. However, as one person flew close to the cliff, he suddenly turned his head with a mocking look at Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian. Then, raising a hand, he pointed out a stream of mana, transforming into two beams of sword light that slashed towards the two of them. The power of these two sword lights was immense, and even though they were just a casual strike from a Fifth Rank sect master, they had enough force to completely annihilate most martial artists in the True Gang Realm. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were both stunned; they didnt know this grandmaster, who theoretically had no reason whatsoever to want them dead. However, through divine sense perception, Zhou Heng could roughly guess this persons mindset. It was somewhat like when a person, facing a life-and-death crisis, feels extreme fear, and apart from desperate escape doesnt know what to do, thus feeling very suppressed. Then, by chance, they see two ants that they could easily crush without wasting time. Naturally, they act on this impulse, intending to vent their emotions in this way. Unfortunately, neither Zhou Heng nor Cheng Jianjian were helpless ants, to be casually trampled to death by anyone. In the instant that the Fifth Rank sect master made his move, Zhou Heng immediately employed the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique and the Eight Gates of Life and Death, boosting his strength by twenty times. Immediately following that, he formed a sword gesture with his hand and swept it forward. Clang! The sound of the swords hum pierced through the void, resonated in all directions, and a cyan sword light soared across the sky, causing all things around it, such as the void, vital energy, and the laws of nature, to come to a standstill. Even the two sword lights emitted by the Fifth Rank Sect Master had halted in mid-air, unable to advance any further. At this moment, it was as if the river of time had been abruptly severed; time itself paused here, halting its flow, and everything simultaneously entered a strange state of quiescence. Sword Technique of Conviction! Eternity! The expression in the Sect Masters eyes shifted from mockery to shock, then to terror, and then it froze, for even his thoughts were suspended in stillness. Zhou Heng then formed a sword technique with his hands, and the True Qi within his body surged wildly, instantly condensing a giant sword in the void that reached to the heavens and pierced the earth. As if inscribed with the will of the heavens, it seemed to symbolize the laws and principles of rules! This sword appeared as if it were a Divine Sword sent down by the will of the heavens! Heavenly Sword Technique! Clang! Accompanied by the clear sound of the swords hum, this thousand-zhang-long Giant Sword slashed down through the air, like a meteor falling, and struck the Fifth Rank Sect Master. As the Heavenly Sword descended, the effects of Eternity came to an end; just as the Sect Master attempted to resist, he found himself enveloped by infinite sword radiance. Moreover, within this sword radiance was an extremely powerful set of laws and principles, restraining his mana, suppressing his Divine Soul, akin to the will of heaven crushing down, leaving no room for thoughts of resistance. He recognized this sword technique! Heavenly Sword Technique! Heaven Sword Sect! I, Xu Changgong, will never rest until I have my revenge!!! But as soon as the thought flashed through his mind, he lost consciousness, his last bit of lucid will fixated on being crushed under the edge of the Heavenly Sword and continuously falling into the abyss below. There, it was bottomless. Congratulations! You have defeated the effortless enemy Xu Changgong. Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Zhou Heng received a reward notification, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he thought to himself, He actually didnt die, could there be some life-saving or death-replacement treasure? However, even if he comes back to life, he most likely wont recognize me. Heh, he might recognize the sword techniques I just used though. The Heavenly Sword Technique and the Heaven Sword Sect have quite a deep connection. Zhou Heng had acquired this Heavenly Sword Technique from Fang Wen. And its origin was extraordinary. One of the Sword Saints from the Middle Ancient Age of Saints, before achieving enlightenment, had created many astonishing sword techniques, of which the Heavenly Sword Technique was one, with immense power. It is said that the founder of the Heaven Sword Sect was inspired by the Heavenly Sword Technique and was able to glimpse into the mysteries of the Celestial Man realm. Later on, he based the founding of the Heaven Sword Sect on this. Hmm, not bad. I might even be able to pin something on the Heaven Sword Sect, Zhou Heng chuckled to himself. The collapse is about to spread to this place, we should also get out, Cheng Jianjian reminded. Yes, lets go! Zhou Heng nodded lightly. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian stood on the cliff, with a huge door behind them. Thus, they easily exited from this place and saw the several Fifth Rank Sect Masters who had just rushed out of the giant door. Subsequently, more people flew out of the giant door, one after another. But in the end, only twenty-five people emerged. Eleven were dead. Including Ning Zeyu. The giant door had successfully isolated the collapse of the hundred palaces of the Yao Palace, leaving this piece of white jade platform unaffected. The group finally got a chance to breathe. ` Next, all they had to do was to crush the Star Tear Stone, and they could leave this place. The method for leaving the Hundred Halls map of Yao Palace was known upon obtaining the Star Tear Stone, one just needed to crush the Star Tear Stone on the plaza outside the Giant Gate, and they could return. This was also the reason why everyone was so certain to fly out of the Giant Gate. However, before leaving, many took a deep look at Zhou Heng and silently etched his image in their minds. This man is untouchable! After all, apart from the few Grandmasters who rushed out of the Giant Gate first, the rest had all witnessed with their own eyes the scene of Zhou Heng beheading Xu Changgong. A Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist had actually instantly killed a Fifth Rank Sect Master! If it werent seen with their own eyes, nobody would believe such an incredible tale. And Xu Changgong was no ordinary Sect Master; he was the legitimate son of the Family Head of the distinguished Xu family from Shu Prefecture in the great Jin, with an extraordinary background and incredible strength. Who could have imagined that he would be defeated by a Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist? It really made people feel that it was unbelievable. Zhou Heng sensed these gazes but he didnt care, he simply glanced around at everyone present, then crushed the Star Tear Stone together with Cheng Jianjian. And left the Hundred Halls map of Yao Palace. The sky remained a brilliant blue, with clouds stretching out endlessly. Zhou Heng was once again sitting on the date-red horse; his gaze swept forward, and after some thought, he gently pulled the reins, directing the date-red horse to turn north. He planned to return. Although his purpose for going to Luozhou to find trouble with Jia Ye Temple had not been accomplished, he had already completed the collection of fortune and killing momentum, thus achieving half of his goal for coming to Southern Jin. The most urgent task now was to strive to complete the cultivation of the Yin Yang Positive Negative Divine Light as soon as possible. This way, not only would his strength greatly increase, but he could also advance further in the Way of Five Virtues. This was the foundation for him to refine the True Gang and break through his current realm. Moreover, regarding the legacy treasures of Meng Qiu and the circumstances of Ning Zeyu, Zhou Heng felt some confusion and needed to ask He Mengqiu or Yun Xiu about it. At the same time, he also wanted to try if he could really dig out clues about this worlds connection to Earth. After all, the legend of A Smile in a Sea of Flowers was something he had heard on Earth. Compared to these, finding trouble with Jia Ye Temple just didnt seem that important anymore. It wouldnt be too late to come back when his strength was stronger in the future. Having a clear goal, Zhou Hengs speed on his journey north back to Da Qi was very quick. On the way, he was somewhat hopeful to run into Cheng Jianjian, who was also on her return trip. Unfortunately, he did not encounter her. This was actually quite normal. Cheng Jianjian had too many treasures with infinite uses, and her speed of travel was naturally much faster than that of the size-limited date-red horse. Moreover, she had set off before Zhou Heng, so she was bound to be much faster. Zhou Heng rode the date-red horse and traveled all the way to the border between the Qi and Jin nations, where the border line was still as if it did not exist; he returned to Yuzhou unobstructed. Once back within the territory of Da Qi, he no longer needed to ride a horse and directly used the Thousand Miles Light Treading Art, stepping on light clouds, riding through the air, and flying toward the nearest entrance of the Purple Tenuity Palace. As for the date-red horse, it returned to the Cave Sky to graze. The southwestern area of Southern Jin is close to the Wild Gods Mountain Range, featuring many mountains. The region has towering peaks and ridges that extend for hundreds of thousands of miles, more than the area of a regular province. Thus it is also known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains. The Hundred Thousand Mountains are rarely visited by humans, inhabited by many rare and exotic beasts, and even ancient species, making it extremely dangerous for the vast majority of Martial Artists. ` However, there are also numerous mysterious sects and reclusive powers residing within the vast expanse of the Ten-Thousand Mountain, Each demarcating their own spheres of influence. They do not encroach upon one another. Among them, the three teachings and ten immortals are the most powerful. The three teachings refer to three different sects. The ten immortals, on the other hand, refer to ten Celestial Men. In ancient times, reaching the realm of a Celestial Man was already enough to be considered among the ranks of the immortals. It is said that among these ten immortals, there is one whose power has carried over from the Age of Saints in the Middle Ancient period to the present. He once listened to the teachings of the Dream Saint, even receiving personal guidance and deeply understanding the true essence of dreams path, his cultivation realm is unfathomable, and it is rumored that he is infinitely close to the realm of a Tao Lord. The creatures within the Ten-Thousand Mountain revere him as the God of Dreams. No one dares to disrespect him. For he exists within the dreams of every creature here, omnipresent. One day, countless creatures within the Ten-Thousand Mountain suddenly woke up from their sleep, their eyes reflecting indescribable terror, sweating cold sweat. They all had a nightmare, a most terrifying nightmare. And, a name was deeply imprinted in their hearts. Zhou Heng! In the Ten-Thousand Mountain, there is only one reason for such a nightmare: the God of Dreams was angry! And it was all because of this Zhou Heng! The creatures here dared not direct their anger at the God of Dreams, so they poured all their hatred and rage onto the figure of Zhou Heng. As long as they encountered him, They would certainly kill him!! After Zhou Heng returned to Da Qi, he did not rush to find He Mengqiu and Yun Xiu, Instead, he first returned to Mount Taihua. He planned to first master the Yin Yang Divine Light. This was an extremely powerful Taoist formula. Similar to the legendary treasure Yin Yang Mirror in miraculous ways, if cultivated to its utmost peak and further sublimated, it might even offer a glimpse into the mysteries of the Yin Yang Seal. Thats one of the Primordial Nine Seals, with no line of succession! Once this formula is perfected, Zhou Heng felt confident that he would not need the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique or the Eight Gates of Life and Death to forcibly enhance his strength in order to exchange blows with a master of the Sect Fifth Rank. Hmm It might not necessarily be an exchange of blows; its also possible that a single illumination from the divine light could result in the opponents direct death. After all, this Taoist formula could almost be considered a one-hit-kill ability. The Yin Yang Divine Light was ultimately an Absolute Fourth Rank Taoist formula, which made its cultivation extremely difficult. Even though Zhou Hengs proficiency in this formula had reached 0.8 due to the fortuitous energies he received, leaving only 0.2 proficiency needed to truly master it, it still took him a full two months to accomplish this. Of course, the time spent was completely worth it; his final gains were not only the mastery of this extremely powerful formula but also an improved understanding of the Path of Five Virtues. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thus laying a solid foundation for him to establish related inner strength techniques of the Five Virtues Path in the future. Next, he would further gather the energies of the Five Virtues and cultivate the Three Treasures Wishful Fist. Zhou Heng had already planned this step beforehand. However, before that, he had one more thing to do C find He Mengqiu and her disciple Yun Xiu to inquire about the Dream Saint. Thanks to the dream spirit guide left by Yun Xiu earlier, Zhou Heng didnt take long to locate the two of them. Chapter 361 - Chapter 361: Chapter 81: Look in this mirror Chapter 361: Chapter 81: Look in this mirror Fengzhou is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the river on one side, serving as the central transportation hub of Da Qi. It is bustling. The coming and going of merchant ships is very dense, and the waterways within the state are extensive and connected in all directions. Therefore, after passing through the Starlight Bridge of Purple Tenuity Palace and arriving in Fengzhou, Zhou Heng did not go directly to Roongdu Prefecture City to find Yun Xiu and He Mengqiu but boarded a merchant ship and traveled along the waterways. The path he sought to cultivate was the Way of the Five Virtues, the path that sustains all things, requiring not only arduous cultivation, gathering the qi of the Five Virtues, but also the observation of natural scenery and the understanding of human culture. Moreover, he was still lacking two of the Five VirtuesHoly Virtue and Yin Virtue. Although Zhou Heng had plans for acquiring these two, he still needed to diligently accumulate them in his everyday life. And both are related to people. Being solitary wouldnt allow for the accumulation of Holy Virtue and Yin Virtue; one needs to interact more with others. The Ronghua River is a major river within Fengzhou, one of the tributaries that stem from the vast Tianfeng River within the borders of Fengzhou, stretching tens of thousands of miles, and leading directly to Roongdu Prefecture City. The river surface teems with ships competing in flow, bustling with merchant and passenger ships alike. The merchant ship Zhou Heng was on was a medium-sized cargo ship, mainly transporting fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat, not particularly valuable, hence it did not object to taking on passengers looking for a lift with favorable winds. Since Zhou Heng was extremely handsome and had a gentle temperament, he quickly became familiar with the boatmen, learning much about the local customs of various places in Fengzhou along the way and heard of many extraordinary people and events he hadnt known of before. This was very helpful in increasing his knowledge and experience. After that tense period in Southern Jin, such a journey was quite relaxing for Zhou Heng. Especially, the broth and pancakes on this boat were very tasty. It reminded Zhou Heng of his life back on Earth. Back then, he would often go to a soup restaurant opposite his schools gate and eat similar things for breakfast. Moreover, the broth and pancakes here were free of charge. You didnt have to pay. Actually, Zhou Heng had intended to pay for them, but the workers wouldnt allow it. They felt that such food, left outside on the boat, was unwanted by anyone and often more than they could eat themselves, so there was no reason to charge for it. Also, considering that Zhou Hengs current disguise was that of a student traveling to gain experience, possessing only modest martial arts for self-defense and not much money, the boatmen were even less willing to take his money. Zhou Heng didnt fuss over it, thinking he could just leave them some money in secret when he disembarked. This morning, Zhou Heng again got a bowl of broth from a familiar boatman, topped with a shiny layer of red oil, looking very tempting. With five pancakes in hand, he found a wooden plank on the deck to use as a table and placed the bowl of broth on it, eating alternately between bites of pancake and sips of broth. Feeling quite content. Oh, Zhou. Boatman He Dacheng also came over with a bowl of broth and said in a low voice, When noon comes and were outside of Roongdu Prefecture City, you should get off the boat. Slosh What? Zhou Heng sipped the soup, swallowed it, and then looked at He Dacheng with confusion, Whats going on? Didnt we agree that Id get off once were inside Roongdu Prefecture City? The Prefectural city is the central hub of a prefecture, usually, after entering a prefectures territory, one would need to travel a bit longer to reach the city itself. Its not that we dont want to take you there. He Dacheng lowered his voice and said, Yesterday, the boat stopped for a while in the reed marshes, you remember, right? I remember. Zhou Heng nodded and said, It seemed like two people came aboard, a man and a woman? You have a keen observation. He Dacheng sighed, Yes, those two. Initially, the captain took pity on them for their urgent travels and agreed to let them hitch a ride for a fee. But we never expected They have ill intentions? Zhou Heng said, surprised. At the same time, he spread out his Divine Sense, instantly enveloping the entirety of the boat, and located the two people. These two have taken the captain hostage and are forcing us to divert to Fengzhou County City just outside of Roongdu Prefecture, He Dacheng spoke quietly, No one knows their purpose, but we cannot disregard the captains safety. Zhou, this matter doesnt concern you. Its best if you disembark sooner. For the boatmen, the captain wasnt just an employer; often, he was their respected elder brother, the one who took them in when they were destitute, providing them with a means to survivea savior in their eyes. Their long drifting on the waterways had created a bond with the captain akin to a life-and-death friendship, and now that the captain was held hostage, the boatmen naturally refused to abandon him. Old He, what do you plan to do? Zhou Heng gently set down his bowl of broth and slowly crumbled a pancake into it, piece by piece. Were going to beat the hell out of them, of course! He Dachengs face showed a fierce expression, Zhou, dont think that just because I, Old He, dont normally fight, Im not capable. Im almost at Ninth Grade, you know, I know quite a few martial arts. The captain is a Seventh Rank Warrior, right? Zhou Heng said with a smile. Yes, yes He Dacheng seemed to realize something, his expression darkened but soon lifted again, Numbers count for strength, those two arent high-profile figures of Secret Six Rank, we can outnumber and overwhelm them if we get together. But those are two Secret Six Rank people. Zhou Heng shook his head gently, stood up, and looked towards the cabin not far away, Two Secret Six Rank martial artists hijacking a common cargo boat, and specifically diverting to head to Fengzhou County City, it seems very suspicious, no matter how you look at it. Ah?? He Dacheng looked bewildered at Zhou Hengs words, his face full of confusion, Zhou, arent you just a scholar traveling to broaden your horizons? How come you know so much about martial artists. Books have told me. Zhou Heng chuckled and said, As I embark on a journey of thousands of miles, naturally, I had to first read thousands of books, and in those books, theres also knowledge of the Martial Path. Old He, you should read more in the future too. Forget about it, I know my own limitations. My brother might manage some practice, but reading isnt for me, He Dacheng shook his head continuously, And reading isnt the real issue. Even seeing more than ten characters together makes my head spin. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Anyway, lets drop that subject. Zhou, since you read a lot and understand martial artists, do you have any ideas on how to deal with those two are they really martial artists of Secret Six Rank? He Dacheng still found it hard to believe. Secret Six Rank! For ordinary people, thats someone who can enter Qing Ming and fly through the skies, a big shot who could be a lord in a prefectural territory. Why would such people be here, taking the captain hostage? It seemed incredible. There is indeed a way. Zhou Heng grinned and took out a pitch-black mirror from his bosom, handed it to He Dacheng, and said with a smile, Old He, if you trust me, take this mirror and shine it on those two people. Chapter 362 - Chapter 362: Chapter 82: The Servant of the Deity Chapter 362: Chapter 82: The Servant of the Deity He Dacheng left with the mirror Zhou Heng had given him, his belly full of doubts. He didnt even manage to finish his soup before leaving. He patted the mirror in his bosom and gave Zhou Heng, who was happily sipping soup and eating pancakes, another puzzled look, feeling somewhat baffled. Could such a tiny mirror really deal with two Secret Sixth Rank dignitaries? No, why do I automatically assume they must be Secret Sixth Rank officials? But Zhou Wei seems like a good guy, he has no reason to trick me. Besides, if those two could capture a Seventh Rank sailor, even if they are not Secret Sixth Rank, theyre probably not far off, he pondered. He Dacheng thought it over carefully and then gritted his teeth, Lets do this! At this rate, once we enter County City, well surely be captured; theres no way out. Its better to take a chance! Da Qi had strict regulations for the water routes of merchant ships and freighters. Deviating from the approved course without permission to places one shouldnt or isnt qualified to go, would inevitably provoke an investigation by the Imperial Court. When that happened, from the captain to the crew, no one would be able to escape. If it didnt result in serious consequences, the most that would happen is a fine. But if it caused more severe damages, including injuries or deaths among the local people, death was certain. And those two villains hijacking the freighter to head to Fengzhou County City clearly had ill intentions; it was bound to end badly. Rather than waiting to die, it was better to take a chance! Having made up his mind, He Dacheng was about to go below deck to look for the captain and those two villains. However, just as he was about to head down, another crew member approached and whispered, Old He, how did it go? Didnt that scholar want to disembark? Its not that he didnt want to, I explained it to him clearly, He Dacheng replied. He shook his head and lowered his voice, I just told him that our freighter is making a detour to County City instead of heading to the Prefectural city, and that he should get off early. He agreed. Good, thats settled then. The sailor didnt suspect He Dachengs words and nodded, then went back to pondering his own matters. After all, He Dacheng was typically seen as an honest and simple person, so no one doubted his words. But in reality, He Dacheng hadnt told the truth. He might be straightforward and not cunning, but he wasnt foolish. At this moment, He Dacheng was very clear about one thing: there could be no mistakes now, or it could jeopardize the entire effort to rescue the captain. If he told the whole truth and explained that Zhou Wei refused to disembark, he would surely have to explain why. Other crew members might also try to find Zhou Heng, and such commotion could draw the attention of those two villains, increasing the difficulty of the operation. It was better to just tell a lie, get through this matter without any fuss, and avoid disturbing Zhou Wei and causing an uproar. Everything else could wait until after the captain was rescued. If they didnt rescue the captain, then there would be no afterward; they would all die and everything would come to an end, leaving no need to worry about anything else. Zhou Heng, not far away, was paying attention to all of this. He suddenly found Old He quite interesting, with an air of being slyly wise. If this trial is successful, Ill reward him with a set of martial arts, as compensation, he thought. In the cabin, Captain Liu Chang looked haggard and slumped on a stool. In front of Liu Chang stood a young man and a young woman, both in their twenties, looking at him with a mocking expression. Two esteemed figures, you are on a path to your own demise, Liu Chang said, bowing his head and sighing. There are far too many important people in County City, and youve chosen the wrong place if you intend to cause chaos there. Are you referring to the Absolute Fourth Rank Prefectural Governor Cui Qingyang or the Celestial Man from Fengzhous Cui Clan, Cui Tianhe? one of the men said, revealing a cold smirk. These two are hardly worth mentioning. You think you are Tao Lords? Liu Chang scoffed. Once we reach County City, whether its you or me, we will be captured immediately and escape will be impossible, even with wings! Hehe, the other woman chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand and swinging her graceful body to Liu Changs side, said with a smile, Old boatman, how do you know that our goal isnt to be captured? You?! Liu Chang felt that the two were completely unreasonable. Who exactly are you, and what do you want to do?! We serve the deities! The mans face showed an expression of utmost devotion, and he made a gesture with his hands as if praying to some existence in the mysterious beyond. The greatness of the gods is beyond your understanding, the woman said with a seductive smile. For the glory of the gods, we are willing to sacrifice everything! Dont you think that is an honor? Liu Chang was speechless, took a deep breath, and clenched his teeth. I dont care about your need to showcase the glory of the gods, but could you please release my subordinates and the passengers on the ship, and let them disembark? That is not possible. The man shook his head and said, Everyone on this ship, including the two of us, is a sacrificial offering to the gods, and not a single one can be missing. Madmen! Liu Chang cursed involuntarily. Hehehehe! The woman burst into silvery laughter as she trembled like a flower in the breeze. She was about to say something more when suddenly her eyebrows knit subtly, and she turned to look at the cabin door. Bang bang! There was a knock at the door. He Dacheng had arrived. Boss, theres something I need to discuss with you. His voice came from outside, sounding quite normal. Interesting, a mere boatman. The woman started laughing again and raised her voice, Are you here to save your boss? Ah? He Dachengs puzzled voice came from outside, Save what? Id like to, but I dont have the power, do I? Haha, what a simpleton, the woman said, turning to Liu Chang with a light laugh. Old boatman, what do you think this boatman wants from you? Hmph! Liu Chang remained silent. Let him speak from outside, the man said gravely. Dont worry, the woman smiled and said, My Divine Sense has already enveloped the entire ship, and every action of this boatman is within my sight. Just now, he went to persuade a young man to disembark. He must be here to talk about that. The man was silent for a moment before nodding, Then let him come in. Fine by me, the woman said with a flirtatious smile, and with a wave of her hand, the cabin door swung open. Come in. But what entered was not a person, but a hand holding a mirror black as ink. The figures of the man and woman were immediately reflected on the dark surface of the mirror. Not good! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two were stricken with fear as if they were lost souls, attempting to flee, but it was too late. A deep dark light burst forth, enveloping the two in an instant, seizing their vitality in an instant. Thump! Two bodies fell to the ground. Liu Chang and He Dacheng were stunned, while Zhou Heng slowly walked in from outside, wearing a light smile. Chapter 363 - Chapter 363: Chapter 83: The Great Emperor of the Nine Dragons Plague Chapter 363: Chapter 83: The Great Emperor of the Nine Dragons Plague Xiao Zhou, this, this He Dachengs eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Zhou Heng. He pointed at the mirror in his hand, momentarily at a loss for what to do. He didnt even know how to handle this pitch-black mirror anymore. The mirror was too terrifying. Just a mere reflection and it could actually kill a personutterly inconceivable. No matter whether these two, a man and a woman, were Secret Six Rank big shots, the miraculous power of the mirror was undeniable. It was too impressive! What, whats going on?! Liu Chang was also stunned. He first looked at the pitch-black mirror with a shocked expression, then turned his gaze to Zhou Heng. Youre that Xiao Zhou no, Young Hero Zhou who hitched a ride? Although Liu Chang had no idea what was happening, based on He Dachengs reaction, he could guess that it mustve been Zhou Heng who gave this wondrous mirror to He Dacheng. Compared to He Dachengs bewildered shock, Liu Changs heart was even more tumultuous. He understood the horror of the mirror better than He Dacheng did. In the hands of an ordinary person not even at the Ninth Grade level, it could instantly kill two Secret Six Rank martial artists. This was completely beyond his comprehension. Liu Chang had been in the cargo ship business for over thirty years, traveling all over, having seen many important people and a fair share of miraculous treasures. However, the majority of these treasures required some level of cultivation to wield their power. But a mirror like this one, which enabled a common person to kill a Secret Six Rank Innate instantly, he had never even heard of, let alone seen. This clearly demonstrated that this Zhou Wei was definitely no ordinary individual. Correct, it was me, Zhou Heng nodded slightly to Liu Chang in acknowledgment, then said to He Dacheng, No need to be nervous, the mirror can no longer kill anyone. As he spoke, he beckoned casually, and the pitch-black mirror flew out of He Dachengs hands, floated back to his own palm in the air, and finally turned into a beam of black light and disappeared. Thank you for saving my life, young hero, Liu Chang stood and bowed, expressing his thanks to Zhou Heng. Theres no need for that, Zhou Heng waved his hand gently, lifting Liu Chang into the air, and smiled. It was just a small effort on my part. The swan soup and baked flatbread on your boat are quite goodI would like to have them again in the future, so naturally, I couldnt let those two spoil it. Ah? Swan soup, baked flatbread? Liu Chang was a bit bewildered upon hearing this, at a loss for what to say, as the power Zhou Heng had displayed was so incongruent with these two food items. Alright then, Xiao Zhou, whenever you want to have swan soup and baked flatbread, just come by, Ill make sure you have enough! He Dacheng laughed heartily, slapped Zhou Hengs shoulder, and said, I also enjoy them, hehe! Dacheng, you Liu Chang was dumbfounded and also felt a bit apprehensive. Wasnt this simpleton afraid of offending such a remarkable and skilled individual? Haha, alright, Zhou Heng burst into laughter as well, gave He Dacheng a pat on his shoulder, and smiled. I have a martial art here; would you like to learn it? Martial arts? Upon hearing this, Liu Changs eyes widened, feeling as if his heart was about to leap out. An extraordinary person with advanced martial arts skills offering to teach martial arts was an immense opportunity for a commoner. Although it wasnt his opportunity, He Dacheng was his subordinate as well as his brother. If He Dacheng could encounter such a chance, of course, he would be very happy and excited. Ah? Martial arts He Dacheng hesitated a bit and said, My aptitude isnt good; Im afraid learning martial arts wont be of much use. Oh you! Liu Chang was on the verge of jumping up in frustration upon hearing this. It doesnt matter if your aptitude isnt good; this martial art doesnt test the usual kind of aptitude, Zhou Heng said with a smile. I think your disposition is just right for cultivating it. Theres martial arts like that? He Dacheng became immediately curious upon hearing the words, saying, Then Ill learn it. Good, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, raised his right hand to form a sword finger, and said with a grave voice, Dont move. Immediately, he pointed his sword finger directly at He Dachengs brow, and at the same time, a sliver of his divine soul formed the heart imprint of the Longevity Scripture, branding it upon He Dachengs divine soul. The so-called heart imprint is actually a collection of information. A person who possesses a heart imprint can inquire within it, and as long as the query is within the information collection, they can get an answer. The heart imprint that Zhou Heng left behind was a collection of various pieces of information from the Longevity Scripture, so whenever He Dacheng encountered any uncertainties during his cultivation, he could consult the heart imprint. My goodness, this is magical! He Dacheng realized the wonder of the heart imprint and was about to thank Zhou Heng when he looked left and right and found that Zhou Heng had vanished. Not to mention the two people who had been killed by the dark mirror moments before, they too had disappeared without a trace. Boss, whats going on? He Dacheng looked confusedly towards Liu Chang at the ships bow. Youve been standing here for an hour now, Young Master Zhou had already left with those two corpses long ago, Liu Chang explained, then asked in a low voice, By the way, what martial arts did Young Master Zhou impart to you? Ah, Im not quite sure what martial arts this is; it doesnt have a name, He Dacheng scratched his head and said, But, now that I have a preliminary understanding of this martial arts, it seems to have the effect of extending ones life. The heart imprint that Zhou Heng passed on only included the cultivation methods of the martial arts and some explanations of experiences, without the name of the Longevity Scripture. After all, this martial arts was actually not fully developed yet; the levels above Sect Fifth Rank were still theoretical. Once it was truly created in the future, it wouldnt be too late to correct it. Just extending life? Liu Chang was puzzled. Most martial arts had that effect, but given Zhou Hengs demeanor just now, it didnt seem like he would only impart such a common martial art. Ah, theres one more thing, He Dacheng suddenly clapped his hands, saying, This martial arts can directly refine Innate True Qi, and even if the state is only equivalent to Ninth Grade, one can utilize the power of nature, although the extent would be extremely low. What?! Liu Chang jumped three feet in the air, staring at He Dacheng wide-eyed, Brother, youve struck it rich, youve truly struck it rich, this is a divine skill, a divine skill indeed! For a martial artist of the Lower Third Rank, a martial arts that could manipulate the power of nature before reaching Secret Six Rank was undoubtedly a divine skill, without question. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng had already arrived at the peak of a deserted mountain, carrying the corpses of a man and a woman. He threw the two corpses onto the ground, flipped over his palm, and a flash of white light shone upon the corpses. In a blink of an eye, the two were resuscitated. Whats happening, werent we Where is this who are you?! Attack! Kill him!! Just as the two regained consciousness, they noticed something was amiss and immediately spotted Zhou Heng, deciding on the spot to attack. Such impatience. Zhou Heng gently shook his head, raised a hand, and instantly flames rose all around, and a light barrier entwining nine fire dragons descended from the sky, directly imprisoning the two people within. The Nine Dragons Fire Barriers imprisoning power was also extremely formidable. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only You claim to be servants of a deity, but which deity do you serve? Zhou Heng asked solemnly. This was the reason he had captured these two and resurrected them. The behavior of these two was greatly different from that of normal martial artists, as if under some bewitchment. Perhaps by some evil god. The revered name of my god, are you worthy to hear? The male among them said arrogantly, sneering, However, since you have so asked, I will be magnanimous and tell you. The deity we serve is the Nine Dragons Plague Emperor, who governs all the plagues and miseries of the world. He is a great existence beyond your imagination. Chapter 364 - Chapter 364: Chapter 84: Decisively Reporting Chapter 364: Chapter 84: Decisively Reporting Plague Emperor Emperor of the Nine Dragons? Zhou Heng was slightly startled upon hearing this. He had thought he might hear about some evil god related to the mythologies of Earth from a previous lifetime, but instead, it was an unfamiliar name. However, he hadnt heard of the Plague Emperor Emperor of the Nine Dragons, he was aware of another Plague Emperor. Plague Emperor L Yue. This was an Immortal of the Teachings of Intercepting who had shone brightly with the arts of plague during the wars of deification, a renowned Qi practitioner from the Nine Dragons Island mountains. In that case, the title Plague Emperor Emperor of the Nine Dragons made sense. Could the deity they were talking about be L Yue? Although the novels that depicted the wars of deification couldnt be entirely believed, since there was already the presence of the Lady Protector, Cloud Soarer, there might not be a lack of a Plague Emperor L Yue. This Plague Emperor Emperor of the Nine Dragons youre talking about, is his real name L Yue? Zhou Heng asked directly. But unexpectedly, as soon as he mentioned this, the two of them reacted as if struck by lightning. What?! How dare you?! Both of their eyes widened with expressions of intense fear on their faces, as if they had seen a ghost, as though Zhou Heng had uttered some kind of taboo. Foolish mortal, how dare you directly call upon the true name of a god! You have committed the crime of blasphemy! You deserve to die a thousand deaths, you should be skinned and have your tendons pulled out, thrown into a poison pool, you should be turned into a Medicine Man, never to transcend after death! This man and woman cursed Zhou Heng furiously. So, it really is L Yue. Zhou Hengs mouth hung open slightly in surprise, and he continued to ask, What are you planning to do after hijacking the ship to County City Fengzhou, summon an evil god? Mortal, how dare you refer to my god as an evil god?! The man raged instantly, his eyes bulging, glaring at Zhou Heng, and he said through gritted teeth, You wont end well Bang! Zhou Heng slapped the man across the face through the air, cutting off his words, and sent him spinning dozens of times in the air before crashing to the ground. You, answer me. Zhou Heng looked at the woman and said sternly, I dont want to hear any nonsense. The god will punish you! The woman, however, looked at Zhou Heng with a sullen face as if completely ignoring what Zhou Heng had asked. Troublesome. Zhou Heng frowned slightly, then spread his Divine Soul Power and directly used the Puppetry Technique, turning the two of them into puppets. Refining puppets could yield some memory fragments, which might offer a glimpse into these twos objectives and see if it was relevant to the Plague Emperor Emperor of the Nine Dragons they spoke of. Yet, just as Zhou Hengs Divine Soul Power began to erode their spirits, an unexpected event occurred. A vast and boundless dark energy, as if falling from an infinite height, surged from the depths of the twos true spirits, instantly obliterating the Divine Soul Power Zhou Heng had spread. Furthermore, this terrifying dark energy followed the trail of Zhou Hengs Divine Soul Power heading back towards him, quickly corroding the Divine Soul he had extended out of his body, while also injecting copious amounts of negative emotions, trying to make Zhou Heng become irascible and lose his reasoning. It was as if a plague was being transmitted through the contact of Divine Soul Power to Zhou Heng, threatening to infect his entire being. However, just as that plague-like power tried to rush into Zhou Hengs sea of consciousness and corrode his divine soul, a surge of Xuan Huang energy emerged, condensing into a thirty-three-layered divine pagoda that suppressed this strange force. But the essence of this plague-like power was exceedingly high, having far surpassed the limit Zhou Heng could currently defend against, and even using the Xuan Huang Pagoda Technique could only delay the inevitable for a moment. Fortunately, Zhou Heng had other means. In the instant that this bizarre power broke through the Xuan Huang pagodas defenses, the power from the Sun Realm surged forth. The fiery Sun power, as if capable of dispelling all darkness, shone upon this plague-like power, causing it to dissipate instantly. Is this the power of an Evil God? Zhou Heng frowned deeply. He could feel that the essence of that strange power was extremely high, even far above that of the Sun Realm, only because it was greatly restricted and in minuscule quantity, that it could be warded off by the Sun Realm power. Although Zhou Heng had dispersed that strange power with the help of the Sun Realm, preventing his divine soul from being corroded and infected, it also prevented him from truly turning those two individuals into puppets. Fortunately, just before that strange power emerged, Zhou Hengs divine soul power had already obtained a tiny fragment of those two peoples memories, and luckily, this minuscule memory fragment was related to their visit to Fengzhou County City. Working with the high-level members of the Plague Emperor Sect, conducting a ritual, sacrificing the populace of Fengzhou County City to summon the incarnation of Plague Emperor the Great with Nine Dragons? Zhou Heng was somewhat astonished. It was such a grand scheme. Fengzhou County City was one of the largest county cities in the central region of Da Qi, with a population exceeding five million, extremely prosperous. Moreover, it was guarded by one of the Twelve Ancient Families, the Fengzhou Cui clan, with a Celestial Man in the world, and a Taoist Sovereign God Soldierwho gave them the audacity to perform a ritual to summon an Evil God here? They must be mad! However, the descent of an Evil God was not a minor matter by any means and could not be treated lightly. Thus, Zhou Heng temporarily halted his journey to Roongdu Prefectural City and turned to fly toward the nearest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace. He needed to inform the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer about this situation. Then, he would return to the Pure Yang Palace and explain matters to Yan Shouyi. This crisis, involving the level of an Evil God, was beyond his capability to directly intervene, and even though he still had numerous special abilities and permissions, facing the existence of an Evil God, they might be of no use. It was better to inform these powerful entities first and let them go and stop it. Afterward, Zhou Heng turned this idea into action. Both the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and Yan Shouyi were informed, and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer even notified Cui Tianhe. Soon, more than ten Celestial Men were on their way to Fengzhou County City. With this, it should be almost certain. More than ten Celestial Men should have no problem stopping the descent of an Evil God incarnation, Zhou Heng thought to himself. At this moment, he was standing in front of the gates to Roongdu Prefectural City, preparing to find Yun Xiu and He Mengqiu. Zhou Heng did not plan on going to Fengzhou County City. Since the matter of the Evil Gods incarnations descent had already been reported to so many powerful figures, all he needed to do was wait for good news; there should be no issue. More than ten Celestial Men, such power was enough to turn heaven and earth upside down. Although Zhou Heng was curious about the identity of this Evil God, since it was also related to the legends of Earth, after hearing explosive news about figures like the Emperor Dongyue and Goddess Yunxiao, he was relatively calm by the time it came to Lv Yue, without much desire to investigate personally. Instead, he planned to wait until after the situation was resolved to inquire with the people at Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and Yan Shouyi for details. For now, he should first locate disciples Yun Xiu, ask about the Saint of Dreams, and the relic of the Saint of Dreams from Southern Jin. What, youre saying your master went to Fengzhou County City? Zhou Heng looked at Yun Xiu in front of him with a surprised face, feeling incredibly mixed, with quite a sense of fate playing tricks on him. With the help of the dream guidance left by Yun Xiu before, he had easily found Yun Xiu after arriving in Roongdu Prefecture City, but only upon asking did he learn that it was just her here nowHe Mengqiu had gone to Fengzhou County City three days ago. So you werent here to look for me, Yun Xiu pouted upon hearing this, looking somewhat indignant as she said, Hmph, had I known, I wouldnt have bothered to dress up specially. Her appearance today was clearly the result of careful dressing. The light blue water-sleeved dress was fresh and elegant; her face was gently made up, with a flower adornment on her brow, and her makeup was extremely delicate, adding even more brilliance to her already extraordinarily beautiful features. Even the hair accessories she wore on her head werent simple hairpins but shining, intricately made ornaments, making her whole appearance dazzling and exceptionally bright. Ah, this Zhou Heng was temporarily at a loss for words and could only respond evasively, I encountered some matters regarding the Dream Saint in Southern Jin and wanted to seek your masters advice. What matters? Cant you consult me? Yun Xiu still looked miffed, but it was apparent that she wasnt truly angry, just a bit unhappy. For a young girl, being angry and being unhappy are two different things. If Miss Xiuer is also informed, that would be perfect, and I wouldnt have to bother Senior He, Zhou Heng replied with a smile. Regarding the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace, how much does Miss Xiuer know? Ah? Yun Xiu softly exclaimed, her cheeks turning slightly red as she lowered her head and whispered, That, um, I only know its an ancient painting drawn by our founder personally, but I dont know the details. I see Zhou Heng sounded somewhat disappointed. Oh right, I heard from my master that after the founder completed the painting, her spirit seemed to decline, and she went into seclusion for a while, Yun Xiu tried to make amends. Her spirit declined? Zhou Hengs expression turned to one of surprise and he exclaimed, The Dream Saint had a decline in spirit?? That was a Divine First Rank Tao Lordsanctified ruler of the realm of dreams, one of the most powerful Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient Era. Could such a being truly suffer a decline in spirit? Although the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace is a Divine Artifact of the Taoist Sovereign level, even for a Divine First Rank, drawing such a scroll would probably take its toll, but a decline in spirit seemed exceedingly exaggerated. Could this have had something to do with the madness and chaos that befell the Dream Saint and others at the end of the Middle Ancient Era? At the end of the Middle Ancient Era, the Dream Saint, Tao Saint, and Law Saint inexplicably went mad, lost their reason, and wreaked havoc everywhere. The remaining six Great Grandmasters fought a great battle. This directly led to the destruction of the hundred schools of thought, numerous sects closed off from the world, and brought about the collapse and destruction of what now seems a gloriously radiant Middle Ancient Era. It was considered the greatest cataclysm of the age to peoples contemporary knowledge. Even the battle of Heavenly Yang was not on the same level. If the madness of the Dream Saint was indeed related to the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace, then the implications were probably too vast to imagine. That existence which had arranged for the emergence of the Hundred Halls of Yao Palace in secret and animated the story of A Smile with a Plucked Flower into reality, was even more unfathomable. I am not really clear about the specific circumstances, just heard my master mention it, Yun Xiu said somewhat apologetically. Alright, let me take you to my master then! In the end, she simply gave up resisting. What is Senior He doing in Fengzhou County City? Zhou Heng inquired. It seems like she discovered some anomalies while wandering outside her body, Yun Xiu thought for a moment and said, Moreover, the situation seems rather serious, my master mentioned going to Fengzhou County City to discuss with the Prefect Cui Qingyang. This might be the same as what I discovered earlier, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, then said in a deep voice, Miss Yun Xiu, you stay here, I will go to Fengzhou County City alone to find Senior He. He felt that the situation He Mengqiu discovered might also be related to the Nine Dragons Plague Emperor. This evil god intends to descend through the believers and the sacrificial rituals of the Plague Emperor Sect, and even though more than a dozen Celestial Men might come to prevent it, its still very dangerous. Yun Xiu fell silent for a moment after hearing this, finally taking a deep breath and asking, Will it be very dangerous? It will be quite dangerous, Zhou Heng answered gravely. How dangerous? Yun Xiu bit her red lip lightly, her voice trembling slightly. More than ten Celestial Men will descend, Zhou Heng said heavily. I see Yun Xiu closed her eyes gently, silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh. She then showed a gentle smile, Then Ill wait here for you and Master to return, how about that? Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned, then nodded and replied, Alright. Fengzhou County City, in an alley of the North District. Yu Zheng, dressed in a colorful robe, walked through a series of hidden paths and arrived at the entrance of a secluded courtyard. Instead of pushing the door open, he walked straight ahead. The doors to the courtyard did not open, but Yu Zheng passed right through the tightly closed doors, vanishing into thin air as if he entered another world. Although Yu Zheng was already one hundred and seventy years old, he still looked like a middle-aged man. He was a Fifth Rank Sect Master and an elder of the Plague Emperor Sect, occupying no low position. Yet, in the current Fengzhou County City, he was the one with the lowest status and cultivation level. This operation was of great importance, and it was said that divine decrees had been issued, requiring it to be accomplished successfully. For this, the Plague Emperor Sect had spared no effort, sending a Celestial Man as the leader of the team and bringing the most powerful secret treasures, joined by six Absolute Fourth Rank individuals to prepare for the sacrifice ceremony. In addition, they brought a Sect Fifth Rank to scout the daily situation outside and to collect some necessities; in simple terms, to run errands and handle miscellaneous tasks. Yu Zheng was currently performing this role. Yu Zheng, who had disappeared through the courtyard doors, had not actually entered the courtyard but found himself inside a magnificent palace. This place was a geographical region akin to a Cave Sky, independent of the mortal world, situated in a void. Upon arriving, Yu Zheng saw seven people gathered together, seemingly discussing some strategies. These were the Celestial Man and six pinnacle Great Grandmasters sent by the Plague Emperor Sect. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Disciple pays respects to the elders, Yu Zheng said with great humility here. Hmm, tell us, whats the situation outside? one of the Celestial Men asked indifferently. All is normal in Fengzhou County City, with no sign of us being discovered, Yu Zheng began with some good news, then added, Yesterday morning, a woman visited the county office. She is a Fifth Rank Sect Master and seems to have come from afar. I am wondering if she might have discovered some clues? Its indeed possible, the Celestial Man nodded and said in a deep voice, Find an opportunity to kill her. We cannot afford any mistakes in the Emperors descending! Chapter 365 - Chapter 365: Chapter 85: Immortals Abound Like Hemp Chapter 365: Chapter 85: Immortals Abound Like Hemp Fengzhou County City Yamen, the Prefects study. Cui Qingyang was dealing with the recent reports from various localities, while his son Cui Guanlan stood by his side, quietly observing the way his father handled official affairs. As one of the Twelve Ancient Families of Da Qi, Fengzhou has been managed by the Cui family for thousands of years. Although the Prefectural Governors position is officially conferred by the Imperial Court of Da Qi, in reality, it is an extension of the Cui familys power, typically inherited by the brothers of the Family Head. Cui Qingyang is the second brother of the Family Head, Cui Tianhe. Their line has been managing the position of Prefectural Governor for nearly a thousand years, practically making it an industry of this lineage. Cui Guanlan is Cui Qingyangs eldest son, talented and already nearing the level of Secret Six Rank before the age of thirty. He is also shrewd and has been designated as the next candidate for the Prefectural Governor of Fengzhou. Now, he was learning by following Cui Qingyang. Just at that moment, a bailiff rushed over in a hurry. My Lord, a young man who calls himself Zhou Heng has come to visit. He claims to be a True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace. Zhou Heng? A True Disciple of Pure Yang Palace? Standing behind Cui Qingyang, Cui Guanlan abruptly lifted his head, looking towards the bailiff. Cui Qingyang, however, appeared calm, leisurely putting down his pen and smiling, Let him in. Then, he said to Cui Guanlan, Guanlan, you go down first. I have matters to discuss with this little Taoist Zhou. Father Cui Guanlan hesitated, yet ultimately swallowed his words, nodded his head, and bowed to take his leave. The manner of Cui Qingyang complicated his feelings. After all, half a year ago, Zhou Heng was just a youthful talent ranked on the same list as him, and his ranking was even above Zhou Hengs. Yet in such a short time, there was already a chasm as vast as heaven and earth between them. I dont even have the qualifications to discuss matters with him anymore. Cui Guanlan felt somewhat dazed, but a surge of determination rose within himhe was not convinced and resolved to strive for improvement. Not long after Cui Guanlan left, Zhou Heng followed a bailiff into Cui Qingyangs study. The little Taoist has personally come all this way, and I failed to greet you properly. Please do not take offense, Cui Qingyang laughed heartily and got up to greet him himself, startling the bailiff who led Zhou Heng over, making his legs tremble slightly. Could this Zhou Heng be a Celestial Man? Normally, only a Celestial Man would warrant such a reception from the Lord Prefect. But wasnt this Zhou Heng still on the human rankings just over half a year ago? Unable to understand, yet not daring to ask, the bailiff left with a mind full of confusion. Now only Cui Qingyang and Zhou Heng were left in the study. Prefect Cui is too polite, Zhou Heng said with a slight bow, smiling, I am here to find someone. Oh? Junior Taoist Priest, please speak. Cui Qingyang motioned Zhou Heng to sit down on a chair. He Mengqiu, the senior, arrived in County City yesterday, Zhou Heng said. I do not know where she is staying, may I ask you to inform me? So, you are looking for Senior He. Cui Qingyang said. She is resting in a residence in the southern district of the city. Later, Ill send someone to notify her that you wish to visit. He seemed to hold He Mengqiu in high regard, for despite being the head of an entire county and a Great Grandmaster at the peak of the Fourth Rank, he addressed He Mengqiu as his senior. Zhou Heng was slightly surprised but did not delve further, smiling said, Then, I thank you. Besides that, there is another matter; the people of the Plague Emperor Sect are plotting in secret to perform a sacrifice in Fengzhou County City, to conduct a ceremony to invite the incarnation of an Evil God to descend. It seems Pure Yang Palace has also learned of this matter, Cui Qingyang nodded and smiled. When I found out that you, the junior Taoist Priest, were coming, I guessed it might be related to this. Cui Qingyang did not know that the person who had reported the matter of the Nine Dragons Plague Emperors impending descent to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was none other than Zhou Heng. Even less did he know that Zhou Heng was a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer; he merely believed Zhou Heng came here as Pure Yang Palaces spokesperson to convey their stance on this issue. Yes, we have been notified by the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, Zhou Heng smiled. We will extend our help. Oh? Thats wonderful, Cui Qingyang said in great joy. Zhou Tian Boundary Officer mentioned that seven Celestial Men would come to join hands in preventing the Evil Gods incarnation from descending. He did not know that Pure Yang Palace had already planned to intervene and stop the descent of the Evil God. My five senior brothers will come, Zhou Heng smiled. With the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers seven Celestial Men included, we will have twelve Celestial Men in total. Even if the descent ceremony truly begins, we still hold a great chance to prevent the incarnation of the Evil God from descending. Once the descent ceremony begins, it signifies the start of the Evil Gods incarnation descending. Even if the ceremony is not fully completed, the Evil God could still utilize the ritual to make a link and descend with a portion of his power. Five Celestial Men are coming! Cui Qingyang gasped in shock, his heart erupted in tumultuous waves; he hadnt expected Pure Yang Palace to be so powerful. In an age where neither the Tao Lords nor the Saints could take action, the ability to deploy five Celestial Men at once meant there was even more powerful force guarding within their Sect. Sure enough, Pure Yang Palace, an ancient Sect, had profound and immeasurable depths, truly deserving of being one of the three primary Taoist Sects. Indeed, and one of them is my senior brother Yan Shouyi, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, smiling. After all, the matter of the Evil Gods incarnation descending is no trivial issue. Should there be any mistake, a new path of evil might arise in this world C my senior brother takes it very seriously. The worlds number one Celestial Man is coming too? Cui Qingyang was dumbfounded, then laughed and said, With this, the matter is nearly certain to be resolved. The heretics of the Plague Emperor Sect could probably never dream that so many Immortals would come. In ancient times, the realm of Celestial Men could already be referred to as Ranked among the Immortals, genuine Immortals indeed. However, the arrival of the Celestial Men to prevent the descent of the Evil God is ultimately only the last step. It would be best if we could find the people of the Plague Emperor Sect in advance, Zhou Heng said gravely. If we can nip this in the bud, we can resolve it without needing Celestial Men to descend. Exactly, Cui Qingyang nodded, but his brow soon furrowed and he said, However, Ive already sent people to search everywhere these past few days, still with no clues. Even after my brother used Divine Skills of a Celestial Man to search the entirety of Fengzhou over a dozen times, we couldnt find the targeted individuals. Cui Qingyangs elder brother is the Family Head of Fengzhous Cui clan, Cui Tianhe, a revered Celestial Man. Even the Divine Skills of a Celestial Man could not trace them? Zhou Heng also furrowed his brows, puzzled. Does the Plague Emperor Sect have such a foundation? Or are they willing to pay any price to have the incarnation of the Evil God descend this time? The rise of the Plague Emperor Sect was but three thousand years ago; the Evil God they worshiped was still being suppressed and had not yet revived to return. With very few Celestial Men, they were, in fact, not very powerful. To elude the search of a Celestial Mans Divine Skills, one would need either a special Celestial Man treasure or a Tao Lord level treasure, or a portable Cave Sky. None of which the Plague Emperor Sect could easily bring forth. The Evil God worshiped by the Plague Emperor Sect was not the Nine Dragons Plague Emperor Great Emperor Lyu Yue but an Evil God not heard of by Zhou Heng. They also had no divine proclamations and self-proclaimed as the Divine Monarch of Pestilence, walking among the heavens. Could there be other forces involved? A thought suddenly flashed through Zhou Hengs mind, making him shiver. Yes, the judgment of the Evil Gods incarnation descending is based solely on the memory fragments of those two zealous believers. But the information on the memory fragment is greatly incomplete. Its highly possible that what Ive understood is only one-sided. Perhaps its not only the Plague Emperor Sect thats now trying to summon the incarnation of an Evil God? No sooner had this thought occurred than it became uncontrollable, and the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed. He realized that his previous thinking might have been too one-sided. Thus, Zhou Heng shared this speculation with Cui Qingyang. Naturally, he only mentioned his suspicion that other forces might be involved and that there might be some variables, without revealing anything else. Upon hearing this, Cui Qingyang instantly felt it made sense and said, Indeed, its possible. Ill go find my elder brother right away. Would the young Taoist like to come along? Theres no need, Zhou Heng shook his head and said, Ill go to see Elder He. Thats also good, Cui Qingyang nodded and added, Elder He is currently using the Dream Realm Great Method to investigate this matter. Please, young Taoist, also inform Elder He of your speculation. No problem, Zhou Heng nodded. In a large mansion in the southern part of County City in Fengzhou, Zhou Heng met with He Mengqiu. Youre saying that you suspect people from other forces are assisting the Plague Emperor Sect? After listening to Zhou Hengs description, He Mengqius eyebrows lightly furrowed as she nodded and said, Its not impossible. Has Elder He discovered anything? Zhou Heng asked. Mm, He Mengqiu nodded slightly and said, After arriving in County City of Fengzhou, Ive been trying to navigate the dream realm, looking for suspicious people. However, Ive found no one so far, until just now when I suddenly sensed that someones consciousness sea projection disappeared. This so-called consciousness sea projection is a term from the Way of Dreams. As long as a person is alive, even if they are unconscious, their spirits energy will disperse, and this dispersed spirit energy, when gathered, is called the consciousness sea. Different individuals dispersed spirit energies in the consciousness sea will have slight distinctions, which are called consciousness sea projections. A sudden disappearance of the consciousness sea projection could mean this person has suddenly died or entered another world. Since Elder He says so, it must not be because someone has died, Zhou Heng said. Thats correct, He Mengqiu confirmed with a nod. I am sure that there seems to be a world similar to a Cave Sky hidden within County City of Fengzhou, serving as a shelter for the people of the Plague Emperor Sect. Moreover, the world being used to shelter them is likely related to the Way of Dreams. When that persons consciousness sea projection disappeared, it was immediately replaced by a substitute to deceive observers. Observing changes in the consciousness sea projection is indeed within the scope of the Way of Dreams, and manipulating it is as difficult as reaching the heavens. If I didnt already have some achievements in the Way of Dreams, I might not have noticed it. Related to the Way of Dreams? Zhou Hengs heart stirred as he said, Elder He, some time ago I went to Southern Jin where a sacred relic of the Dream Saint had appeared He briefly told He Mengqiu of the Yao Palace Hundred Halls Chart and the event where a simple smile became spiritually enlightened. Yao Palace Hundred Halls Chart That chart actually encapsulates a great fear of my master, He Mengqiu sighed softly upon hearing it. A smile to bring enlightenment, I roughly know who it might be. It should be my second senior brother, but he left the Central Plains long ago, and it should not be him involved this time. She did not go into detail about this second senior brother. It seems Elder He already has someone in mind? Zhou Heng said, although he thought of inquiring further about the story of a smile to bring enlightenment, he did not wish to be too blatant. Im afraid its my eldest senior brother, He Mengqius expression grew complicated. Back then, under our master, there were only the three of us. We listened to masters story of a smile to bring enlightenment together, and those were indeed beautiful days. After the Middle Ancient period, my second senior brother went south, my eldest senior brother disappeared for many years, and I died, with my Dao vanishing only to be reborn from calamity. The three disciples of our master have completely scattered. But, this method of forging a void and manipulating the consciousness sea is indeed very much like my eldest senior brothers way. However, he has always detested Evil Gods and evil spirits, so how could he possibly At this point, she couldnt continue speaking. Zhou Heng remained silent. He could tell, although He Mengqiu had briefly mentioned many details in her story, those parts likely concealed a multitude of secrets and a complicated past. After a long while. No matter what, we must prevent the descent of the Evil God, He Mengqiu regained her composure and said solemnly, By the way, what are you doing here? Is Pure Yang Palace also coming to help? Correct, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, I can contribute my meager strength. Just a meager strength? He Mengqiu suddenly laughed, Im afraid it might be a power that could steady the heavens and earth. In the following three days, Zhou Heng and the others still couldnt find any clues. To avoid startling the snake, the Plague Emperor Sect, desperate, directly started the ritual, and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer only sent two Celestial Men in secret to help investigate. Zuoyuan and Youyuan, these two were veteran Celestial Men, rumored to have nearly three thousand years of cultivation, having overcome the five decays of heaven and man, with unfathomable strength and cultivation levels. However, even these two powerful Celestial Men couldnt find any traces of the Plague Emperor Sects activities. Apart from the anomaly in the sea of consciousness that He Mengqiu had sensed earlier, all other investigations indicated that there were no abnormalities in County City of Fengzhou. Yet Zhou Heng and his companions knew an unstoppable storm was about to burst. Not finding the people of the Plague Emperor Sect meant they could not prevent the start of the Evil Gods descent ritual, and they must now resist head-on. Another three days passed. The County City of Fengzhou remained sunny and peaceful, with many citizens going out to buy groceries and take walks as usual But an invisible force was quietly spreading in the dark. Some people suddenly began to cough inexplicably and had difficulty breathing, as if they had contracted some disease, and the number of these people increased rapidly. In just a few breaths, more than a hundred thousand people were infected. At the same time, the sky above County City of Fengzhou suddenly darkened as if it were about to collapse downwards. The clouds took on an eerie purple-black hue, and two gigantic black palms seemed to reach down from an infinite height, attempting to part the clouds. Inside a dark alley in the North District, Cui Tianhe, along with his fellow sect members, including one Immortal and six Great Grandmasters, stepped out from that concealed void into reality. Hahaha!! The Emperor is about to descend, our god will awaken! The Plague Emperor Sects Immortal danced and cheered, looking at the spectacle in the sky with great excitement. But at that moment, thirteen beams of light suddenly tore through the sky, illuminating the firmament. The purple-black clouds were squeezed by strands of pure golden light. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Figures emerged from within the golden light, carrying the heavens on their backs, clad in the great Dao, intertwined with laws and principles in their every move, exuding an aura of Dao and accompanied by layers of fantastic visions. Tigers roared and dragons chanted; phoenixes sang in harmony! Swords shone brightly; blades glittered resplendently! With the sound of tiger drums and phoenix lyres, holy people of the Immortals were arrayed like hemp! The followers of the Plague Emperor Sect stood dumbfounded, staring at the scene in the sky with incredulity, their mouths slowly agape as if they were puppets or clay statues, completely frozen in place. Chapter 366 - Chapter 366: Chapter 86: The Dream-Weaving Dao Seed, Crafting Reality! chapter 366: chapter 86: the dream-weaving dao seed, crafting reality! thirteen celestial men stood suspended in the air, different taoist formulas and principles causing a multitude of otherworldly phenomena that reflected off of each other dazzlingly. for a moment, it seemed as if thirteen different worlds had descended, compressing the void and suppressing all principles and rules except for those thirteen great paths. many ordinary martial artists felt as if they were witnessing the endpoints of thirteen different paths of cultivation all at once. even just by looking up, they could sense the loftiness and power of these great paths. compared to these, the paths they were practicing seemed so insignificant that they werent even worth mentioning. if it werent for the fact that these principles were only displaying naturally occurring phenomena and hadnt truly revealed their great power, these martial artists might have been tempted to abandon their current martial arts in favor of studying the essence of these celestial ways. in fact, martial artists of the lower third rank who beheld the display of celestial phenomena typically had such reactions. this was a thorough suppression of their realm. it wasnt a matter of aura or strength but simply standing there could lead those of lower levels to self-doubt and ultimately fall into self-destruction. this showed that the capabilities of a celestial man had truly transcended the mundane, reaching an incredibly profound realm. of course, cui qingyang had long been prepared for such a scenario. the moment the celestial phenomena appeared, he threw a purple silk handkerchief embroidered with gold patterns into the sky, which instantly expanded countless times over, covering the entire county city of fengzhou. then, everyone within the city found that their vision seemed to be filtered through a purple and gold barrier, and the previously mystical celestial phenomena seemed less mysterious, only the lights remained brilliant and very beautiful. this was a celestial artifact, capable of effectively isolating the influence of celestial phenomena, preventing ordinary people from being overwhelmed by the impact of witnessing celestial power in action. meanwhile, the faces of the few members from plague emperor sect were gloomy. especially the celestial man standing beside yu zheng. his name was jiang wuyi, a middle-aged man in his forties with a pair of small moustaches, narrow eyes, dressed in a nine-colored robe, extremely luxurious. this jiang wuyi was the most powerful celestial man in the plague emperor sect, stronger than the current sect master, with nearly two thousand years of cultivation, having survived three celestial calamities with the fourth impending, ready to strike at any moment. as for surviving the fourth celestial calamity, jiang wuyi had no confidence. his only hope now was for the god of plagues from all heavens, whom plague emperor sect served, to resurrect and protect him through the calamity. but this divine monarch had long been slain by many divine first rank beings, with numerous tao lords constantly monitoring the resurrection progress. in such circumstances, reviving seemed like an impossible dream. it was an almost impossible task. the plague emperor sect had all but given up hope on this. but just a while ago, a mysterious figure suddenly visited the plague emperor sectan unfathomable great power, even jiang wuyi could not see through him. this mysterious person brought a message an extremely high-level evil god was attempting to descend and incarnate in this world, and this evil god was a superior deity to the god of plagues from all heavens, capable of aiding in its resurrection. the plague emperor sect needed to cooperate in conducting a ritual. moreover, this mysterious person demonstrated a highly advanced mastery of the plague path divine skills, which seemed even stronger than the divine power of the god of plagues from all heavens as recorded in the plague emperor sects texts. this had greatly excited everyone in the plague emperor sect, especially jiang wuyi. for him, this meant hope of surviving his fourth celestial man calamity and the hope to continue living. a bunch of damned creatures, meddling in everything!! jiang wuyi roared in rage. he had become utterly depraved and bellowed, stop hindering me. within county city of fengzhou, fifty million commoners are infected with the plague that ive unleashed! with just one command from me, the plague will erupt, and they will all die, not one will be spared! you all claim to be righteous, but are you willing to ignore the lives of these fifty million people? just as the words left his mouth, he saw a celestial man in the sky raise her hand, her fingertips conjuring a green willow twig. with a light flick of her wrist, heavenly rain descended, nourishing every living being in county city of fengzhou. in an instant, a purple-black mist emerged from the beings, and the plague was instantaneously dissipated without a trace, eradicating jiang wuyis leverage. do not resist in vain any longer; your time is up. the celestial woman spoke indifferently. she was a woman wearing a purple star robe, pure as ice and jade, extremely dignified, with a mask on her face bearing the image of a queen. her star position was gou chen. in the thirty-nine star officials of the ziwei sect, the position of the gou chen star official is none other than the legitimate consort to the ziwei emperor, of exceedingly high status. when zhou heng joined the zhou tian boundary officer, the gou chen star position was still vacant; but now, a celestial star official had appeared, which meant she had only recently joined the organization. while the gou chen star official acted, the ziwei zuoyuan and ziwei youyuan at her sides also made their moves. the two clasped their hands together, channelling taoist power, as a purple-golden light spontaneously emerged, then suddenly expanded, rapidly forming a gigantic light screen that enveloped the entire county city of fengzhou. within and without the light screen, the laws and rhythm of the tao were severed, and even the sea of heavenly and earthly primordial energy was isolated. even the layers of strong winds high above were cut through by the light screen, stopping only when they reached the boundary of the xuanhuang barrier surrounding this world. this was a heavenly third-rank taoist formula called ziwei heavenly forbiddance. it could forcibly segment a designated area, temporarily creating an independent world, so that even an evil gods descent would be confined within the bounds of the ziwei heavenly forbiddance. the other celestial people also took action, although the majority of their power was focused on resisting two enormous hands that seemed to stretch down from an immeasurable height above. this was the manifestation of an evil god! even though it was only an extremely minute fraction of the evil gods power, it was fundamentally beyond the realm of celestial man, and it required several celestial people to fully exert themselves in resistance. however, there was one person who still had not taken action. that person was yan shouyi, who seemed to be observing the circumstances around him, his gaze intense and his face carrying a hint of confusion. his fingers continuously flickered as though calculating something. what is senior brother doing? upon seeing the situation above and yan shouyis actions, zhou heng couldnt help but feel puzzled, could it be that he has discovered traces of other celestial people besides the plague emperor sect? no, im afraid thats not it. he mengqiu was right by zhou hengs side, her face showing realization and shock as she fixated her gaze on the two purple-black giant hands in the sky as if trying to see through them, he must have found some kind of discrepancy. discrepancy? zhou heng looked at he mengqiu, puzzled, isnt it the traces of a great power secretly aiding the plague emperor sect? senior he, have you guessed something? did you feel any signs of your senior brother taking action? initially, he was somewhat puzzled, but as he spoke, he guessed at he mengqius implication. yes, indeed, but he mengqiu nodded gently, then suddenly turned to look at zhou heng with an extremely serious expression, and said in a heavy tone, are you, truly certain that the one who is about to descend is emperor jiulong, the plague emperor? what? zhou heng was taken aback upon hearing this, then frowned and said, thats the information i got from the followers of emperor jiulong, the plague emperor no, thats not right, there might be something else! he was suddenly startled, quickly realizing a flaw in his previous assumptions. although he was already aware that the information obtained from the memory fragments of those two fanatical followers might not be complete, he still regarded the descent and embodiment of the nine dragons plague emperor as the basis for everything. even when considering other possibilities, he only concluded that it might not just be the plague emperor sect that wanted the nine dragons plague emperor to descend. it seemed like he had subconsciously taken the descent and embodiment of the nine dragons plague emperor for granted. at this moment, zhou heng suddenly felt a chilling sensation, shivering as his hands and feet turned icy cold, he realized something else. after he had learned of the nine dragons plague emperors intention to descend, he immediately reported it to the celestial men, and all of them agreed to help. on the surface, it seemed there was no problem. after all, the descent of an evil god was a major event related to the safety of the entire world, and it was only natural for many celestial men to come together decisively when they heard the news. but why not a single one of them had shown even the slightest doubt, nor had they sought to verify the authenticity of the news. it seems that as soon as i spoke, they all believed zhou hengs frown deepened, the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong from the beginning. yan shouyi believing him was fine, but it was not normal for the zhou tian boundary officers. true, he held the title of a star officer from the ziwei emperor, and he had made many contributions to the organization recently, but after all, he was still a newcomer who had joined for less than a year, with a cultivation of only secret six rank. how could a newcomer like him, with only his word and not a shred of evidence, so quickly convince a full seven celestial men without question? it just didnt sit right. if someone told me such a thing, i probably wouldnt believe it right away either zhou heng felt a coldness spread throughout him, but such a thing actually happened so smoothly! at this moment, he suddenly felt as if there were an invisible giant hand manipulating everything from behind the scenes no, it would be more accurate to say that it was all orchestrated! as if he and all the celestial men had subconsciously overlooked certain things and, under the guise of apparently logical reasoning, things had developed to this point. this situation felt familiar to zhou heng. it was like an enhanced version of the prophecy authority hed used before, which included not only himself and all the celestial men but possibly also the plague emperor sect! prophecy: to make a prediction about a certain event and declare that it will certainly occur, the more logical the description of the prophecy, the higher the chance of it coming true. it was too similar! at this thought, zhou heng immediately turned to he mengqiu, senior he, can a dao seed refined through the path of dreams have something like a great divine power that prophecies reality? yes, it seems youve realized, he mengqiu nodded with a wry smile, i was also deceived before. it wasnt until i saw the behavior of sect master yan just now that i realized. it seems that my elder brothers dream weaving dao seed is infinitely close to divine first rank, capable of manipulating reality to a certain extent like weaving dreams, and we are all just his pawns! we must quickly warn everyone that theres something wrong with this so-called evil gods descent ceremony, and its ultimate purpose is probably not to bring the incarnation of the nine dragons plague emperor! indeed, thats what we should do! zhou heng nodded. although he was now filled with rage, desiring to expose the person who treated him like a pawn, informing the many celestial men who were resisting the incarnation of the nine dragons plague emperor ought to be the top priority. but at this very moment, jiang wuyi of the plague emperor sect, driven to desperation, actually manifested his celestial primordial spirit outright, transforming into a giant purple-black evil god over ten meters tall, intending to destroy the entire county city of fengzhou. zhou heng was the first to face the brunt of it, directly facing the first wave of jiang wuyis attack. do not be presumptuous! yan shouyi made his move. by merely pressing his palm downward, the space around jiang wuyi suddenly collapsed, and a bright pure yang golden light exploded within the ferocious primordial spirit, instantly shattering the celestial primordial spirit to pieces. in an instant, yan shouyi defeated jiang wuyi, just like an adult dealing with a baby, effortlessly, it hardly seemed like a battle between equals. however, the celestial primordial spirit is nearly indestructible; even after being shattered by yan shouyi, jiang wuyi was still alive and even had the strength left to reassemble his primordial spirit. after reassembling his primordial spirit, the first thing he did was to turn into escaping light and flee. yan shouyi was too powerful, extinguishing any thought of resistance from jiang wuyi. summoning the descent of the nine dragons plague emperor to aid in the resurrection of the celestial divine monarch was important, as it related to whether he could survive his fourth tribulation, but if he died now, everything would be in vain. preserving his life was more important, the best strategy was to flee! but as the escaping light jiang wuyi turned into flew only a short distance, it crashed into the ziwei heavenly forbiddance, unable to advance further. the county city of fengzhou and the outside had become like two different worlds. leaving the county city of fengzhou was as difficult as descending across realms! heh, how pathetic, jiang wuyi. just then, a mocking voice suddenly sounded, its source unplaceable, yet seemingly omnipresent. jiang wuyi recognized the owner of the voice. it was precisely that mysterious person who had shown the plague emperor sect the position of the nine dragons plague emperors divine power and told them to hold the ceremony to summon the great emperors descent. save me! jiang wuyi cried out. sure! the voice responded. immediately after, a sphere of light composed of countless dreamy and illusory shapes appeared out of thin air, enveloping jiang wuyi and deflecting yan shouyis subsequent attack. indeed, theres a hidden mastermind! yan shouyi spoke in a stern tone. interesting, a mere celestial man has managed to detect the traces of my dream weaving, the voice from within the sphere of light spoke while the sphere violently shook, instantly grinding the enclosed jiang wuyi into pure energy. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only unfortunately, its too late for you. having followed the story i wove to this point, theres no turning back now, and the final outcome is bound to be realized. sacrifice! descend! maha jia ye! aid my ascension to the dao! Chapter 367 - Chapter 367: Chapter 87: This is the Tao Lord! chapter 367: chapter 87: this is the tao lord! mokkarakas jia ye?! as the name was called out within the cluster of light and shadows, zhou hengs eyes widened in complete astonishment, almost doubting if he had misheard. this mysterious individual was actually trying to summon such a revered figure from the buddha sect! a legendary disciple of the buddha! such a being could actually be summoned through sacrifice?! could it be that amongst evil gods there are not only figures like the plague emperor sects nine dragons emperor, dongyue taishan emperor, baosheng yunxiao lady these respected immortals and saints from taoist legends, but also powerful figures from the buddha sect? what on earth is going on? why would these entities become evil gods? zhou hengs mind was in turmoil, unable to comprehend why this was happening. besides, if this persons true intention was to summon mokkarakas jia ye, what was the deal with that pair of arms that seemed to stretch down from the vast heights previously? that intensely concentrated aura of yin pestilence and illness was undeniably real. it couldnt possibly be the power of mokkarakas jia ye. i see, said he mengqiu at this moment beside him as if she had understood everything, her voice heavy, he even deceived the plague emperor sect. the so-called nine dragons emperor probably doesnt exist at all, or this evil god never intended to descend in the flesh. with his cultivation realm and the dream-weaving taoist formulas, he cannot only craft prophecies of the future but also manifest the powers of the great dao he understands as if they were real. the pair of hands filled with the power of the pestilence tao just now must have been a figment of his imagination, not real at all. it was all a cover for his summoning of mokkarakas jia ye! mokkarakas jia ye, how would he aid him in achieving dao? zhou heng frowned, could it be he has turned to worshipping evil gods? no, not at all, he mengqiu shook her head, her voice grave, he cannot possibly worship evil gods, but summoning mokkarakas jia ye could indeed help him transform a dao seed into the great dao and attain the divine first rank. as things stand now, theres nothing we can do but watch quietly. hmm, and its not just useven yan shouyi can only stand by now. she appeared to have completely lost the will to resist, her entire demeanor one of dejection, quietly gazing up at the sky, watching the mysterious individual within the light summon the evil god mokkarakas jia ye. we cant do anything anymore? zhou hengs brow was tightly knit, looking up at the sky, he said in a heavy voice, i fear that senior hes senior brother might not want the celestial men to simply stand by as observers! otherwise, why would he have arranged so many celestial men behind the scenes to come to fengzhou county city? there must be another plan! if he truly is so deranged to that extent, i will not just stand by! said he mengqiu firmly, clearly still holding back a trump card from her past life and confident that it could contain the mysterious individual. at this moment, the mysterious person within the light had not yet revealed their true form, but his ritual had already begun. after offering up celestial man jiang wuyi from the plague emperor sect, the sky seemed to open a vast chasm, from which dazzling golden buddha light fell from infinite heights, and the chant of buddhist hymns instantly echoed throughout the universe. in just an instant, the region covered by the ziwei heavenly forbiddance was engulfed by the buddha light, and countless golden lotus flowers bloomed out of thin air in the void. this place seemed to have become the buddha country on earth. the many celestial men were stupefied by this sudden change, staring at the sky with expressions of disbelief. this series of unexpected events stirred complex emotions in the hearts of these immortals. how could i have been schemed against, arranged by someone, with a tao lord manipulating behind the scenes?! the purpose is to summon an evil god named mokar jia ye and use this as an opportunity for the tao seed to grow into tao fruit, advancing to become a true divine first rank who presides over the laws of the dao? so all about the descending of the nine dragons plague emperor and the plague emperor sects sacrifice of the entire county city of fengzhou, was it all fake? after the initial shock and astonishment, a raging fury ignited within the chests of these dozen or so celestial men, their killing intent nearly boiling over, all of them locking their divine sense onto that ball of light. but then they realized that their own perceptions couldnt even penetrate the ball of light to see the true form of this behind-the-scenes mastermind; they could only see a blur of light and shadows. it was as though there was another world within this ball of light, completely sealed off from the inside and the outside, even more so than the isolation of the ziwei heavenly forbiddance, more absolute and thorough. this also meant that even if they exhausted all their power, they would probably not be able to inflict even the slightest damage to this hidden mastermind. the gap was too large! at the middle third rank level, its already a difference of one rank within a single realm, and the gap between realms is enormous. at the upper third rank level, the difference is even more so, a mere hairs breadth is like heaven and earth apart, let alone a whole major realm. even under the shining light of countless buddha lights, several celestial mens gazes showed a brief moment of daze, and though they quickly regained clarity, this meant even the celestial mens primordial spirits could be eroded by the buddha light. as for the common people of county city below, had they not been protected by the celestial mens divine artifact encasing the city, they would probably have already been converted into extremely devout buddha sect followers by now. do you wish to attack me? the mysterious person within the ball of light seemed to notice the actions of the celestial men and suddenly laughed, haha, no need to rush, i will send you on your way soon. words like these infuriated many celestial men further; tremendous taoist power immediately crushed down, the essence of laws and dao rhythm within heaven and earth drastically changed, colors and shadows twisted and overlapped, almost shattering the cosmos. unparalleled, terrifying might was released in full force, with energy contained within that even exceeded the limits of what ordinary people could sense; even seeing it with ones own eyes, it was hard to describe the appearance of these attacks. this was the manifestation of taoist power, akin to the descent of the heavens will, the true methods of an immortal. in just an instant, the sky above county city was pierced through; even the fierce winds and atmosphere were torn apart, allowing those standing on the ground to see the mysterious yellow streams high above and even the stars beyond the domain. next, the void within ziwei heavenly forbiddance crumbled and exploded inch by inch as if becoming chaos itself, all forces converging toward that ball of light, seeking to obliterate it completely. twelve celestial men attacking together, such might could almost be described as destroying heaven and earth. but this still proved futile, that ball of light simply hovered there, quietly basking in the buddha light falling from above, awaiting the arrival of mokar jia ye. the attacks of the many celestial men were like mere fleeting illusions to him, utterly unable to cause any harm, not even a slight bit. such is a tao lord! attack by anyone on the level of celestial men couldnt even begin to affect him. but just when the twelve celestial men were at a loss, yan shouyi suddenly made a move. he lifted his palm, and golden light surged forth, actually blocking the spread of the buddha light from above, making it difficult to fall. in just a moment, yan shouyis palm condensed a sword light spanning tens of thousands of miles. this sword light pierced through heaven and earth, symbolizing the laws, with an essence of pure yang that was pure and refined! the sword light shone dazzlingly bright, even piercing through the ziwei heavenly forbiddance, illuminating the skies of the entire county city of fengzhou and even the adjacent states and counties in gold! the gaze of countless living beings was attracted to the sword light, all attention focused upon it, even the buddha light previously scattering across the sky could not match its majesty. ` unique divine weapon! pure sky true sun sword! yan shouyi revealed his primordial spirits true form, transforming into a towering giant of a hundred thousand miles, supporting the heavens. this giant reached up to the heavens and down to earth, as if occupying all the space between heaven and earth, like an immortal golden immortal descending into the mortal world! immediately, he slashed with his sword, creating a ripple effect as if opening the heavens and splitting the earth, dividing the chaotic void into defined realms of murky and clear, separating the yin from the yang, and setting off a huge wave of black and white surging through the void. the light sphere that had remained unyielding under the combined assault of the twelve celestial men finally began to flicker under this sword strike, its brightness becoming unstable as if it had been greatly impacted. hehe, unique divine weapon? a light chuckle came from within the light sphere, such a divine item, in the hands of a minor celestial man like you, is truly a waste of heavens gifts. i wont kill you, but dont seek your own death! as these words faded, a layer of ripples like waters reflection spread out from the light sphere, appearing as waves but seemingly possessing an incomparably powerful suppressing force. wherever the ripples passed, the turbulent black and white waves stirred up by the pure sky true sun sword instantly calmed, once again becoming as chaotic as before, as if the yin and yang that had just been separated were merged back together, forcibly halting the process of opening the heavens and splitting the earth. the tens of thousands of miles long sword light, under the cleansing of the layers of ripples, also began to show signs of disintegration, as if all of this was just a dream, and now someone was about to shatter that dream. weaving reality and dreams against me is futile, yan shouyis clear call sounded out. this voice boomed like thunder, echoing throughout all of fengzhou county city, reaching everyones ears. immediately, they saw him gently shake the sword light, casting pure yang radiance all over, dispersing the heavy ripples. at the same time, the golden eyes of the supporting-the-heavens giant yan shouyis primordial spirit had transformed underwent a change. the left eye remained golden, but its core now had a hint of crimson, seemingly like fire, like a golden sun. the right eye, however, underwent a massive change, turning completely black. the pure yang power disappeared without a trace, pure yin power emerged, and at its core, there was a point of silver-white, like the bright moon in the night sky. black and white, yin and yang, sun and moon! all these principles and the rhymes of tao converged behind the supporting-the-heavens giant, forming an immensely huge tai chi pattern that covered most of the sky over fengzhou county. as the tai chi diagram rotated, the mingled yin yang qi once again separated, the pure ascending and the turbid descending. in the blink of an eye, they formed a nascent heaven and earth around the light sphere. at this moment, facing a true tao lord, yan shouyi finally demonstrated the great laws of the daoist formulas he truly cultivated. tai chi! this was also the first time he publicly displayed the power of the tai chi dao since he had proven his dao and become a celestial man. for a moment, everyone in fengzhou was dumbstruck, their gazes fixed intently on the supporting-the-heavens giant. the hearts of the many celestial men were especially overwhelmed with awe and fear. it turned out that even when yan shouyi had shown his strength in the past, even then reaching the level of the number one celestial man of his time, he still hadnt been using his full power! simply unbelievable! how could there be such a powerful celestial man in the world?! however, now was not the time to be shocked. after a brief moment of awe, everyones gaze again turned towards the light sphere. having displayed his full strength, yan shouyi, who also possessed a unique divine weapon, could he stop the descent of the evil god, could he overpower this mysterious tao lord? ` a tao lord summoning an evil god, you deserve to die! yan shouyi held the divine sword and shouted fiercely. with a flick of the blade in his hand, the yin yang taoist power expanded once again, and the tai chi diagram spun rapidly, fortifying the surging black and white waves in the void. as the black and white waves surged violently, the realm that had just formed became more solid; the sky growing higher and the earth thicker, almost completely enveloping the sphere of light within it. just as this realm became more perfect and realistic, and nearly all the yin yang light had poured into it, and the glory of the sun and moon began to appear, yan shouyi suddenly pointed his sword at the realm and called out loudly: destruction! boom! an explosion beyond the perception of hearing suddenly erupted in the minds of all creatures within da qi, causing countless beings to collapse on the spot, looking up at the sky with extreme terror while reaching for the ground. the explosion like roar made people feel as if the realm they were in had been blown apart and destroyed. it was an unprecedented fear. all beings below the upper third rank realm couldnt help but feel this way, and even celestial men, at the moment when yan shouyi drew his sword, had a sensation of their primordial spirits trembling. indeed, this was all due to the influence of the destruction of the realm yan shouyi had just created. if the external impact was already so immense, the power unleashed within was naturally even more terrifying. this attack was the result of yan shouyi exerting all his strength, materializing the forces of pure yang and pure yin with the power of tai chi, and releasing a portion of the power of the unique divine weapon, the pure sky true sun sword. its might had already surpassed the limits of the celestial man realm and was a great divine power that could even threaten a tao lord! at the instant that realm was destroyed, every creature that looked towards the sky felt their brains go blank for a moment, as though everything had turned into nothingness, as though everything had vanished, as if everything had been wiped out. even after that moment passed, an indescribable fear lingered in their hearts. yet, even after such an attack, that sphere of light in the sky still existed, albeit slightly weakened, and the buddha light that had been intensifying continued to do so, with the arrival of mokkalaka not being interrupted. for a moment, the faces of many celestial men showed a look of despair. this is the power of a tao lord!! hahaha! interesting! this is really interesting! at that moment, the mysterious person in the sphere of light suddenly burst into laughter, seemingly unharmed after enduring an attack capable of destroying heavens and earth. for a celestial man to possess such strength is truly a rarity through the ages, not bad, indeed not bad. the mysterious person in the sphere of light said in a mocking tone, and at the same time, the sphere of light elongated and grew larger, transforming into a human shape, and with open arms, he looked up to the sky, his features still indistinct, read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only you, not bad, but alas, it is all too late! twelve fine offerings have gathered! descend, o honored jia ye! before his words ended, the buddha light that seemed to fall from an infinite height suddenly split apart, coalescing into twelve pillars of light, covering the twelve celestial men besides yan shouyi. soon after, a buddhist chant echoed through heaven and earth. amitabha! Chapter 368 - Chapter 368: Chapter 88: Mokka Jia Ye Descends! chapter 368: chapter 88: mokka jia ye descends! this buddhist chant not only echoed throughout county city in fengzhou, but also resonated through the entire da qi, rapidly spreading far and wide. in an instant, in places like bei zhou, the great wilderness prairie, southern jin, the barren god mountains, the eastern sea, and many other barely trodden, unknowable lands, this buddhist chant could be heard. boundless buddha light illuminated the whole world, and the fundamental dao of heaven and earth began to show signs of distortion and change, as if a new grand dao was forcefully inserting itself into existence. the true descent of mokkal jia ye had truly begun! at the same time, atop the twelve pillars of light, numerous golden swastika characters appeared, flickering on and off, dazzlingly bright, grinding and drawing out the primordial spirits and power of the celestial men trapped within as a sacrifice. the primordial spirit of yan shouyi, materialized into a towering giant, immediately stretched out a hand and turned his finger into a blade that slashed towards the twelve pillars of light, attempting to rescue the twelve celestial men imprisoned inside. yet the moment he made his move, the light formation that had transformed into a human shape also acted, lifting a hand and pointing at the towering giant, which instantly set off ripples that spread out. the void in this region had already collapsed into nothingness during the previous battle, but as the ripples spread, layers upon layers of space were imagined into existence, piling up before the towering giant. this interposed an endless, insurmountable distance between the blade of yan shouyis materialized primordial spirit and the twelve pillars of light, making his strike unable to reach the pillars. ordinarily, with the might of yan shouyis primordial spirit, such a strike could instantaneously withstand distances of millions of miles, and attacking tens of millions of miles away would be easily achievable. but now, the distance between him and the pillars of light seemed like countless light-years, an expanse that could never be crossed, no matter what. consequently, the twin eyes of yan shouyis primordial spirit suddenly blazed with radiance, and the tai chi diagram at his back rotated rapidly once again, as an enormous surge of light made up of yin yang qi rushed forward, violently breaking into the endless void that had been imagined in front of him. soon thereafter, the forces of yin and yang intertwined and fused together, forming a primordial chaos upon the foundation of the imagined void, establishing a true material existence and starting to disintegrate the imagined space from within. reality began to devour illusion. in the blink of an eye, the boundless distance of that imaginary void, like a dam, was breached by the true tidal wave of yin yang qi, and yan shouyis blade finally made contact with the nearest pillar of light. however, the moment he touched the pillar, the countless swastika characters upon it immediately converged, forming a massive swastika character and unfolding a golden light barrier that blocked yan shouyi from advancing. in the next moment, though, a giant sword capable of dividing yin from yang and separating primordial chaos from the rest of existence descended, easily destroying one swastika character after another, reducing them back into numerous small swastika characters. at the same time, all twelve pillars of light developed dense cracks, and through these fissures, different daoist principles shone from within the celestial men, impacting the pillars, as they were about to free themselves. childs play! the human-shaped light formation scoffed coldly, while turning to look towards the twelve pillars of light. yet with just that look, the various daoist principles ceased their release and quickly retracted back into the pillars, seemingly forced back in by an overwhelming, invisible might. it seemed as if the gaze of the human-shaped light formation controlled these daoist principles, compelling them to retreat. yan shouyis rescue attempt, and the struggles of the twelve celestial men, thus ended in vain, completely ineffective. hiss! within county city of fengzhou, countless grandmasters and great grandmasters couldnt help but draw in a cold breath, their gazes towards the sky filled with shock and a numbing awe. these were celestial men! thirteen celestial men combined forces and yet could not overcome a single glance from this human-shaped light formation? far too strong! it was a power so unimaginable, so incredible. the might and divine skills wielded by this tao lord who had cultivated the dream-weaving dao seed, had surpassed any limits achievable by celestial men, and those below the realm of celestial men, martial artists, couldnt even comprehend how such power was possible. terror such as this! yet just at this moment, he mengqius eyes suddenly lit up, and a look of joy appeared on her face as she smiled, the opportunity has arrived! mister zhou, theres no need for you to take action. i have already discussed the perfect timing to strike with your senior brother and the other celestial men. what? zhou heng exclaimed in astonishment upon hearing this. in fact, he too had been looking for the right moment to intervene. after all, although he now possessed a number of powerful methods, if no one restrained the mysterious tao lord, even if he carried them out, they might fail and additionally alert the enemy. what he didnt expect was that he mengqiu seemed to have already conspired in secret with yan shouyi and many other celestial men however, how did she manage it? to pull off such a feat right under the nose of the tao lord. a doubt surfaced in zhou hengs mind. at this thought, he suddenly remembered back in fengzhou county city, when dealing with yu long the loose immortal, he mengqiu seemed to have used a similar method. she created a dream realm out of thin air to connect everyones consciousness, discussing the battle strategy without anyone else being the wiser. it seemed that he mengqiu was employing the same old tricks. of course, on a higher level, there must have been a significant improvement, perhaps with the aid of some powerful divine artifact; otherwise, it would not have been possible to deceive the tao lord who had mastered the dream weaving tao seeds. however, zhou heng did not delve into this too deeply, as his curiosity was only mild. at this time, his attention was still focused on two things: striking down this dream weaving tao lord and thwarting the descent of moksha jia ye. zhou heng glanced at he mengqiu, who had become ethereal, as if she had sunk into a dreamscape, then looked up at the sky and thought to himself, if your opportunity has arrived, then mine cant be far off. what he needed was for someone to hold back the dream weaving tao lord, preventing his escape. whoosh! just then, a giant curtain of light suddenly descended from the chaotic firmament above, like a silver-white light veil, falling upon yan shouyi, who had transformed into a giant that propped up the sky. immediately, with a flash of light, the silver-white veil turned into a cloak, draping over the colossal giant. at the same time, a profound and obscure aura that seemed to exist at the border between reality and illusion spread out, seemingly affecting the laws of the universe, modifying some of them. these modifications, to those below the level of celestial men, might as well not exist; they had no perception of them whatsoever. but the moment the cloak solidified, the humanoid ball of light trembled violently. and then, the light around him shattered into countless fragments, collapsing like a pile of sand poured out. within the blink of an eye, the external glow around this dream weaving tao lord was gone, and his true appearance was revealed to the countless onlookers. this was a monk who looked no older than twenty, with lips red and teeth white, as delicate as a woman. he was dressed in a monks robe as pristine as snow, fingering buddha beads, with buddha light enveloping his entire being. suddenly, there was silence between heaven and earth. some recognized the identity of this young monk and cried out in shock. it is, it is actually yu xinzi! the legendary first disciple of the dream saint! after the dream saints passing, yu xinzi disappeared without a trace, and only portraits of him remained; he has actually become a tao lord! as the dream saints chief disciple, why would yu xinzi summon an evil god? many learned people were filled with shock and doubt, even starting to question whether they were experiencing an illusion. ` after all, in many legends, this chief disciple of the dream saint was born with a heart of compassion and always behaved kindly towards others, never harming any sentient beings, just like a living buddha. however, the current yuxinzis face bore no trace of benevolence, but was instead filled with gloom and fury, as if he were a corrupted demon, his entire being exuding a negative and extremely oppressive aura. the cloak that had just appeared hadnt launched an attack against him, yet its mere materialization had altered the very tao of this void, injuring him severely in an instant. it was a unique divine weapon that did not require the users cultivation realm, and it was particularly effective against the dream-weaving tao kind. yuchen lian dao sha! the personal treasure of our master, it really was given to you, junior sister! yuxinzi roared in rage, his taoist power boiling over to the point where heaven and earth trembled, mountains and rivers a thousand miles away shook, and great rivers and oceans boiled! if one stood in the void outside of this world at this time, they could even see the xuanhuang qi wrapping this world roiling violently, as if it were being stirred by an immense force. at the same time, the barriers previously set by ziwei zuoyuan and ziwei youyuan through ziwei heavenly forbiddance instantly shattered. an endless amount of taoist power was released from yuxinzi, instantly enveloping millions of miles of da qis territory. he wanted to turn the entire da qi into a fantasy, into an illusionary existence! but at that moment, the tai chi diagram behind yan shouyi began to spin rapidly again, and the yin yang qi manifested. with the power of yuchen lian dao sha, the solid yin yang true intent seemed to become the fundamental basis for the existence of myriad laws, myriad paths, myriad affairs, and myriad things, and it quickly spread, forcing back the dream realm powers the novice monk had spread. under the cover of such real power, the might of the dream realm powers used by yuxinzi was greatly reduced, but after all, he was a tao lord. even though he had suffered severe injuries and was restrained by a unique divine weapon, he was still not at a disadvantage! the surging taoist power was torrential, attempting to suppress yan shouyis counterattack, but with the tai chi force on yan shouyis side amplified by yuchen lian dao sha, it also held great might. the two were evenly matched and thus at a deadlock. for zhou heng, this should have been an excellent opportunity to make a move. however, above that sky, moksha jia ye was still descending; the chant of zen buddhism continued to echo through the universe, and the buddha light still shone on the human world, growing larger and brighter! the celestial aura within the twelve pillars of light also began to flicker, clearly having been drained of much power and close to failing to hold. in such a situation, even if they managed to crack these pillars of light again, they would not be able to use their taoist power to strike at the restraints and attempt escape as before. stubborn in the face of defeat, obstinately ignorant, what use is there in stopping me, even if you manage it?! hahaha! yuxinzi laughed heartily, loudly declaring, just wait for jia ye to descend, and i shall use it to break through the tao kind and realize the tao fruit, becoming a divine first rank! hmmph! yan shouyi snorted coldly, raising his hand to wield the pure sky true sun sword again, launching an attack at yuxinzi, but this still could only further suppress him, unable to crush him completely. amitabha buddha! just then, a buddhist chant suddenly resonated through heaven and earth, and a buddha light rose from the south out of nowhere. immediately after, myriad golden lotuses bloomed, paving a path of golden light across the sky, as a monk with a rather plump figure and compassionate face approached from the south, walking on air. monk du hong! the second rank taoist master from jia ye temple of southern jin! why has he come here? could it be that yuxinzi called for his assistance? but why would such a tao lord level existence take action? isnt yuxinzi also making a move? i want to know why there is no divine first rank from pure yang palace to stop this? what on earth is going on, what has happened? the celestial beings from all over da qi communicated with each other using their divine sense, all in utter amazement. ` after the heavenly forbiddance of ziwei had been broken, they all became aware of the situation in fengzhou and intended to help, but upon seeing the unrivaled might of the figure known as yu xinzi, they hesitated and could only watch from a distance, looking for an opportunity. when yan shouyi saw monk du hong approaching, his expression immediately turned as somber as water, and he was extremely cautious. he had clashed with monk du hongs incarnation in yuzhou and knew well the old monks formidable strength and unfathomable skill in the tao. he mengqiu, who had originally been controlling the jade dust refining tao screen from the shadows, was also greatly shocked. seeing monk du hong suddenly appearing in the sky, she couldnt help but feel a bit panicked. with a yu xinzi already forcing everyone to their limits, adding monk du hong to the mix meant there was not the slightest hope left. however, after monk du hong arrived above the skies of fengzhou county city, he did not strike at yan shouyi. instead, he brought his hands together in prayer, bowed slightly to the twelve beams of light, opened his mouth wide, and took a fierce breath. in an instant, the twelve rays of buddhas light that seemed to descend from an infinite height, along with countless d characters, were engulfed like dust in a storm, streaming into monk du hongs mouth and swallowed into his belly. the twelve celestial men, who had been trapped and restricted by these pillars of light, were finally freed, but it was clear that they were all very weak, with the aura of their taoist energy greatly diminished. this sudden turn of events stunned everyone present. even yu xinzi showed a face full of astonishment, disbelievingly staring at monk du hong, and shouted angrily, do you know who you are preventing from descending? this is your founding ancestor, did you cast down a projection especially to do this? bullshit ancestor! monk du hong suddenly sneered and, at the same time, raised his fist, throwing a punch that seemed to lack any divine anomaly or even a trace of light. boom! this punch landed squarely on yu xinzis face, devoid of any flashy laws, just the purest form of strength, instantly deforming yu xinzis incomparably handsome face. he wasnt the real monk du hong, just a projection, summoned by zhou heng using a monk du hong incarnation projection card. impudence! but at this moment, a clear shout came through, and the movements of monk du hongs projection immediately stalled, unable to move. everyone looked up in shock. unbeknownst to them, a figure of buddha had condensed in the sky above. he sat upon a lotus dais, hands holding a fresh flower and a smile on his face, exuding an aura of sanctity. it was mokgalyayana! the legendary disciple of buddha! he had descended! once the descent of the evil god began, the evil god would indeed descend; the only difference lay in the extent of the power that came through! mokgalyayana had finally arrived, at least partially! such an outcome made all the celestial men and great grandmasters feel a chill to their very core, as though their bodies had gone completely stiff and frigid. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only what are we to do? will the world have to contend with a new evil god? at this time, behind fengzhou county city, zhou heng stood solemnly with his palm outstretched. in the center of his palm, there spun a small, exquisite golden seal, radiating light. Chapter 369 - Chapter 369: Chapter 89: Under the Heaven Rotating Seal, the Universe Shatters! chapter 369: chapter 89: under the heaven rotating seal, the universe shatters! projection card! heaven rotating seal! zhou hengs gaze was profound, his expression solemn, as he gripped the golden small seal, his palm slightly trembling. at this moment, he felt as if he were holding a vast, boundless piece of heaven and earth, this tiny golden seal seemingly the origin of all universes, the source of countless worlds! it contained endless power. what is this? standing not far from zhou heng, cui qingyang noticed the delicate golden seal and with just one glance, he felt his scalp tingle, his eyes sting, and his mind deeply shocked. in just an instant, this great grandmaster who had cultivated a dharma body to the fourth rank felt an immense terror, as if he had seen the heavens fall and the earth overturn, the scene of all heavens shattering into pieces. terrifying to the extreme! hidden in the sea of dream consciousness, he mengqiu was directly shaken back to reality by the terrifying aura of the heaven rotating seal. her eyes were wide open, staring at the small seal in disbelief. what is this?! he mengqius mind was in shock, feeling that the power of this treasure was unimaginably potent. yet, even after racking her brain, she could not identify what kind of treasure it was. in her memory of two lifetimes, there was no such powerful seal among the treasured artifacts. at the same time, the celestials in the sky such as yu xinzi, yan shouyi, as well as cui tianhe, gou chen, and others also felt the presence of the heaven rotating seal, and were alarmed even before laying eyes on it. these tao lords and celestials one after another turned their perception downwards, fixing their gaze on the golden seal in zhou hengs hand, sensing the terrifying taoist charm it contained. hum! with just one look, many celestials felt as if their heads were about to explode, as if they had witnessed an endless expanse of the world plunging into destruction. heavenly pillars collapsing, the sky and earth sinking, countless immortals, buddhas, and saints perishing like rain! the more powerful they were, the more sensitive they felt to the taoist charm on the golden seal, and yan shouyi, after one look, even had a moment of dizziness as his body trembled slightly, seemingly affected by an immense impact. as for the tao lord yu xinzi, he immediately raised his hands to his head, let out an extremely agonized scream, and clawed out two handfuls of hair with faint golden blood on them. then, yu xinzis head suddenly twisted and then, with a bang, it exploded on the spot! the scene was like a ripe watermelon being suddenly crushed underfoot, exploding instantly. in an instant, brain matter and skull fragments scattered in every direction, exploding in the air, red and white splattering everywhere. with just one look at that thing, the tao lord yu xinzi had become a headless torso. the strength of the impact that it contained was self-evident! even though such an explosion of the head wouldnt even count as an injury to a tao lord and certainly couldnt cause real damage, the scene was still immensely shocking to behold. at this moment, everyones mind was filled with a tremendous question. what is this?! at the highest point of the firmament, the golden buddha seated on a lotus throne, mokarakashyapa, suddenly cast his gaze down, focusing on the heaven-rotating seal in zhou hengs hand. the compassionate-faced buddha above seemed to have spotted something inconceivable, his visage registering disbelief as if he had seen a ghost, and he exclaimed in shock, the heaven-rotating seal??? yes, precisely the heaven-rotating seal! zhou heng sneered, lifting his palm upward dragging, and bellowed sharply, rise! before his words had faded, the golden seal in his palm ascended, shooting toward the heavens, with streaks of golden divine inscriptions unrolling, crushing layers upon layers of buddhas light, shattering the chant of the sanskrit hymns. in the blink of an eye, this golden seal expanded infinitely, covering the sky, breaking through the high heavens, as if it had transformed into an ancient divine mountain suspended in the air, encompassing the entire territory of da qi, spanning millions of miles. a force powerful enough to be incomparable, terrorizing and vast, emanated an endless ancient aura, giving one the feeling that the age of the ancients had descended once again. many celestials lifted their heads to gaze at the sky, fixating their eyes on the shimmering golden divine inscriptions as if in fervent madness almost to the point of obsession. in their eyes, the divine inscriptions floating around the golden seal contained countless profound and ultimate laws of the way, so exalted as to be at the peak of perfection. even being able to memorize the smallest fraction was considered a supreme opportunity. however, the celestials soon realized that no matter how hard they tried to imprint these divine inscriptions in their memory, they would quickly forget them, unable to retain anything at all. this left them incredibly anxious. only yan shouyi maintained a calm gaze towards the sky, black and white radiance gleaming within his eyes, as the tai chi graphic record behind him rotated, and around him began to flicker the phantom shadows of some divine inscriptions. he was the only one who could retain a fraction of the divine inscriptions. however, for yan shouyi and the other few celestials, these divine inscriptions manifesting from the heaven-rotating seal represented great fortune, but for cui qingyang, it heralded soul-trembling terror. he had heard mokarakashyapas cry of alarm and had also sensed the supreme divine might released by the great seal. he made a quick decision, immediately abandoning his breakthrough, intending to escape through the dream realm. but just as cui qingyang was about to enter into the dreamscape, he suddenly found that the void had been completely sealed and suppressed, making it impossible to even flee into the dream realm, let alone move a single finger! what is this, what in the world is this?! even if it were a unique divine weapon, it shouldnt be possible for it to suppress me to such an extent in the hands of someone of secret six rank! cui qingyang couldnt comprehend the situation, which had exceeded the scope of his imagination. elsewhere, mokarakashyapa, who had just descended a portion of his power, had regained his composure, returning to a compassionate demeanor, with his hands forming a mudra, his gaze fixed on zhou heng, and he uttered solemnly, in this world, there is actually a descendant of guang chengzi, and even the projection of the heaven-rotating seal has been obtained, inconceivable. he, too, was suppressed by the heaven-rotating seal, unable to extricate himself, much less escape, doomed to be obliterated under the crush of this ultimate great seal. guang chengzi zhou hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he looked up at the giant buddha in the sky. the power of the heaven-rotating seal shielded him from the influence of transcendent forces, and he said in a deep voice, are you really mokarakashyapa? benefactor jestsis there even a fake one? mokarakashyapa replied with a smile as he plucked a flower, saying, this poor monk is a disciple of the buddha shakyamuni from the western paradise. you have a predestined connection with our buddha, would you like to join our teachings? theres no need. zhou heng shook his head, no longer inquiring, and commanded sharply, fall! facing such a buddha, even with the heaven-rotating seal dominating the scene, he dared not take it lightly. to even ask such a question was to take a great risk. he had to fight quick and decisive! boom! with zhou hengs command of fall, the heaven-rotating seal thundered down! this seal filled with ancient aura seemed to pervade the entire universe, carrying a weight incomparable to anything else, as though it was heavier than thousands of universes combined, causing mountains and rivers to boil, chaos in the void to churn, and the celestial atmosphere was squeezed and dispersed, continuing to thunder incessantly. heaven and earth tipped over! the cosmos shattered completely! all realms crumbled away! an indescribable weight crushed all the great dao, all laws and rules; whether real or illusory, whether past, present, or future, they were all encompassed within this great seal! ruthlessly ground to dust! the heaven rotating seal! this was the heaven rotating seal, which had shone brilliantly during the legendary battle of sealing the gods, causing the fall of innumerable immortals and godsa supreme magic weapon! even if it was just a projection, it held boundless might! snap! the heaven rotating seal smashed upon the golden body of moksha jia ye, as if bringing the crush of an ancient and primeval world, colliding with the golden light of the buddhas disciples dharma body. hum hum hum! the trembling sound, like a great bell, echoed as moksha jia yes manifested golden body burst forth with dazzling buddha light, yet under the heaven rotating seals incomparable massive power, his dharma body was struck with layer upon layer of illusions, nearly breaking apart. amitabha! moksha jia ye chanted the sacred name of buddha; layer upon layer of illusory worlds unfurled upon his golden body, like bubbles in a dream, yet they descended into reality. layer upon layer of these illusory worlds swiftly came to the side of dream saints foremost disciple, whose eyes blazed with light. in the center of his forehead, a billion layers of light and shadow suddenly brightened, weaving an infinite and boundless tapestry of dreamlike worlds. this was to aid the dream saints disciple in transforming his tao seed into tao fruit, seizing this opportunity to achieve the dao, and secure the position of the divine first rank. had there been no interference, perhaps the dream saints disciple and moksha jia ye might have indeed succeeded. unfortunately, beneath the heaven rotating seal, there were no ifs! boom! the heaven rotating seal continued to plummet, its countless cloud-inscribed divine scriptures shining brightly, evolving layer upon layer of ancient light and shadows, entangling around this great seal. within these layers of light and shadow, glimpses could be seen of ancient scenes from eons pastthe collapse of the heavenly pillar, the milky way pouring downwards, stars plummeting, the earth shattering legend had it that in the epochs long gone, there existed a mountain that reached the nine heavens above and descended into the nine netherworlds below. in a subsequent cataclysm, the heavenly pillar collapsed, the cosmos shattered completely, and a supreme being collected half of that mountain upholding the sky and refined it into a magic weapon. that was the heaven rotating seal! under the bombardment of such a treasure, the golden bodys buddha light that moksha jia ye had manifested burst apart and was smashed to pieces. the fragments of light flew everywhere, and the chants and songs of the buddha turned into wails. the dream saints disciple didnt even get the chance to see his tao seed bloom and bear fruit before it was crushed on the spot along with his primordial spirit, leaving behind only a wisp of his true spirit wrapped in a remnant of moksha jia yes buddha light. this wisp of buddha light attempted to carry away the dream saints disciples true spirit, but under the crushing might of the heaven rotating seal, such a plan could only fall through, impossible to realize. the heaven rotating seal, filled with killing intent, continued to plummet; the moment this sole remnant of buddha light came into contact with the heaven rotating seal, it disintegrated and dissipated completely, forever obliterated from existence. at this point, the first disciple of the middle ancient dream saint, a second rank tao lord, had both his body and spirit annihilated. the power that had descended from the moksha jia ye golden body was also thoroughly crushed, failing to imprint its grand dao onto this realm. yan shouyi retracted his primordial spirit, which had transformed into a heaven-supporting giant. he put away the pure sky true sun sword and took a deep breath. this strike could be said to be the first time he exerted his full strength in three hundred years. the remaining twelve celestial men felt as though they had survived a catastrophe. they had all been previously enveloped by the sacrificial light column; had they not been rescued, they would fearfully have become sacrifices by now. even so, they were all severely drained and would need time to recuperate. meanwhile, the originally chaotic void, crushed into disarray by the fierce battle, gradually healed under the nourishment of the light scattered from the shattered dream dao seed. everything was returning to normal. ah, its finally over. that scared me to death, cui qingyang, the prefectural governor, lay on the ground completely devoid of dignity, arms spread wide, looking up at the sky, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief. big senior brother he mengqiu had also returned from the dreamland, holding a veil in her hand. she looked up at the sky, her expression complex. after a brief respite and silence, everyones gaze turned to one place. they looked toward zhou heng. congratulations! you have used the projection card heaven rotating seal [silver] to kill jade heart sons true dao seed body! treasure box [platinum] +1, fortune bag [gold] +1, fortune bag [silver] +1, fortune bag [copper] +1, choice reward quantity +1, existing base attributes +1, existing additional attributes +1. special skill upgrade card +1, martial arts taoist formulas upgrade card +1, lifespan +100, dream dao seed fragment +1, choice reward quantity +1, martial arts taoist formulas proficiency gift pack +1. you may choose any 1+1 of the following rewards. kill shot once: specify any creature, and it will be killed with a single hit. misfortune once: specify any creature to encounter unimaginable misfortune, lasting for twenty-four hours. breakthrough once: disregard any realms limit, allowing oneself to break through to a higher level. congratulations! you have used the projection card heaven rotating seal [silver] to kill an aspect of the evil god moksha jia yes divine sense embodiment! treasure box [platinum] +2, fortune bag [gold] +2, fortune bag [silver] +2, fortune bag [copper] +2, choice reward quantity +2, existing base attributes +2, existing additional attributes +2. universal special skill card +1, assignable resurrection times +1, allocatable lifespan +500, moksha jia yes pure land fragment +1, choice reward quantity +2, martial arts taoist formulas proficiency gift pack +1. you may choose any 1+2 of the following rewards. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only concealment once: conceal a certain matter, erasing all traces of its existence, making it as if it had never existed. distortion once: twist a certain rule according to ones will, lasting for fifteen minutes. manifestation once: bring into reality an imagined scene or object, duration fifteen minutes, the degree of reality is influenced by the level of understanding. cataclysm once: trigger a natural disaster across the whole world, including but not limited to earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning, storms, meteorites, earth splits, mountain collapses, etc., lasting for fifteen minutes. invincibility once: to any being, you are invincible, lasting for eight seconds. Chapter 370 - Chapter 370: Chapter 90 Yan Shouyis Invitation chapter 370: chapter 90 yan shouyis invitation ` the series of reward prompts resonated in zhou hengs mind. rewards burst forth like rays of golden light, elevating the excitement he felt after just having defeated a powerful enemy by many degrees. what is called a screen full of rewards? this is it! especially the second item, the rewards for killing the divine sense incarnation of jia ye, not only doubled the basic rewards such as treasure box and fortune bag, but even the number of special privileges to choose from increased. he could choose three out of five. this was much stronger than the usual pick one out of three, particularly user-friendly for those with decision-making difficulties. the rewards for killing the true body of yan shouyi were also pick two out of three. both were very good. after some deliberation, zhou heng chose options , , and from the rewards for killing the divine sense incarnation of jia ye. secret, calamity, invincible. it wasnt because these three options were absolutely necessary, but rather because the other two options didnt hold much significance for the current zhou heng. first, the manifest privilege was very similar to the simulation privilege he already possessed; there was no great need to choose it. the other was the twist privilege. although it involves warping rules according to ones own will, he was uncertain whether twisting certain rules would cause a series of chain reactions, leading to unpredictable consequences. so, naturally, these two options were excluded. as for the rewards for killing the true body of yan shouyi, zhou heng chose options and . decisive kill, breakthrough. of course, the misfortune privilege was also very good, related to the domain of fate. if chosen at the right moment, it could certainly be of great use. but after some thought, zhou heng still chose the more direct decisive kill. no matter who you are, how strong you are, or what abilities you have, one hit, one kill! even though hitting the target is a flawlast time he encountered this option, he gave it up for this reasonbut as zhou hengs cultivation realm improved and his methods strengthened, the likelihood of hitting the target naturally increased. theres no need to say much about breakthrough; it was absolutely necessary. even if it wasnt immediately used, it could be saved for a time of need. while zhou heng was focused on choosing his rewards, the group of celestial men in the sky watched him with filled with curiosity. just what was zhou hengs cultivation and realm in his previous life?! he was too strong! now, merely using the contingency plans left from a previous life, he already possessed such formidable power. if it were his original self from the previous life, one could hardly imagine what kind of existence he would be. ` however, there were celestial beings who wondered about another matter just how many powerful entities had zhou heng offended in his past life, and what kind of trouble had he stirred up? before undergoing reincarnation, he had left behind such an array of powerful contingencies for himself. it seemed a bit too thorough. he couldnt have been the culprit behind the end of the ancient mythological era of course, this was just the wild speculation of a few, as the capabilities zhou heng had demonstrated were simply too shocking for the age. the true form of a tao lord and an avatar of a portion of an evil gods power had been instantly crushed under the pressure of that seal, obliterating both body and spirit. they had no chance to resist, let alone flee. the scene of heaven rotating seal below, the universe completely shattered had been deeply etched into the minds of every celestial being present, never to be forgotten. the feeling was truly astounding. after a long while, the celestial beings gradually came back to their senses. they went forth to pay their respects and express gratitude to zhou heng, and then they all took their leave. although the descent of the evil god mokha jia ye had been thwarted, the attempt of such a powerful evil god to descend was undoubtedly a matter of great importance to all major powers. it certainly necessitated discussion to prevent similar occurrences in the future. moreover, the battle had been immensely intense, capturing the attention of the entire da qi, with even the strongest from southern jin and northern zhou watching from a distance. the impact was immeasurable and would definitely lead to shifts in the situation after some time. precautions must be taken and plans made in advance. thus, the celestial beings naturally left in a hurry. only yan shouyi lingered. he floated down from the sky, landing gently near zhou heng. his face, ordinary with scholarly features, was full of amazement as he smiled and said, good junior brother, you are truly too strong. the power of the heaven rotating seal had completely exceeded his understanding. even in his recollection, a unique divine weapon of the divine first rank did not possess such terrifying power. truly frightful. this meant that zhou hengs calm demeanor with that seal indicated he possessed power enough to threaten a divine first rank. and yet, he was only of the secret six rank, in the true energy realm! there will not be a next time, zhou heng sighed deeply, looking up at the sky. half serious, half joking, he said, i can only use that heaven rotating seal once, i wont have such a method in the future. just this one time is enough, yan shouyi laughed, then said, if it werent for your powerful contingency, there would now be an additional evil god in the world, a new evil sect, which would dissipate the power of the various tao lords and saints, making it even more difficult to resist external evil gods. senior brother, regarding the middle ancient era and the dark era before it, as well as the evil gods and external demons, i wish to understand more comprehensive information, zhou heng said somberly, now, i have the ability to withstand a certain degree of danger. yan shouyi fell silent for a moment, then nodded lightly and said, alright, however, i cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this information. thank you, senior brother, zhou heng immediately replied with great joy. we are brothers, why speak of thanks, yan shouyi smiled, then turned his gaze towards he mengqiu not far away, and walked over to him, bowing slightly, thank you, senior he, for your assistance just now. i was confident, yet it turns out i couldnt do anything, he mengqiu seemed somewhat disheartened, his spirit somewhat wilted. he sighed, looking down, i am still so useless. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only senior mustnt say that, yan shouyi shook his head and smiled, without the help of the seniors divine artifact, i would not have been able to stand off with yu xinzi, and my junior brother might have had trouble finding the right moment to act. is is that so? light flickered in he mengqius eyes, and soon enough, he came back to his senses. his spirit recovered, and he felt somewhat embarrassed, ah, this is embarrassing, yan sect leader, youve seen me at a low point. senior he is frank and sincere, how could that be a joke? yan shouyi explained without changing his expression and then continued, would senior be willing to be a guest at taihua mount? a guest at taihua mount? he mengqiu was shocked at the proposal, his face showing confusion. ah? zhou heng, upon hearing this, was also a bit bewildered and looked at yan shouyi with surprise. what remedy was his senior brother proposing? Chapter 371 - Chapter 371: Chapter 91 Zhaoming Garden chapter 371: chapter 91 zhaoming garden ` just now, the senior helped me with a unique divine weapon, so how could i not express my thanks? yan shouyi said with a smile, there is a spiritual root in taihua mount that was personally planted by the pure yang ancestor. it bore fruit just today, which is perfect for expressing my gratitude. unique divine weapon zhou heng understood what yan shouyi meant. in that previous battle, the fact that he mengqiu possessed a unique divine weapon had already been revealed. this was a treasure that was at least on par with a divine first rank. aside from that, her identity as a disciple of the divine dream was probably no longer a secret either. unique divine weapon, divine dream inheritance! and she was still just a fifth rank sect master! to the vast majority of martial artists and sects and clans alike, this represented an enormous treasure, with a powerful allure. no matter what he mengqius identity was or what sort of background she had, as long as she did not appear to have any significant means of self-protection openly, there would surely be those who would covet the jade dust refining path gauze and the inheritance of the divine dream, both openly and in secret. she could no longer go to various places to travel and cultivate as freely as before. in such a situation, without the shelter of a sufficiently powerful force, he mengqius days ahead were likely to be difficult, and she might even face life-threatening dangers. however, there is one issue C how can we make the senior believe that our pure yang palace has no intention to covet the divine dream inheritance and that unique divine artifact? zhou heng wondered inwardly, looking at he mengqiu to see her reaction. alright. however, he mengqiu agreed readily, with a quick nod and a smile, but, i have a disciple in roongdu prefecture city that i need to pick up first. no problem, yan shouyi said with a smile. zhou heng listened from the side with some surprise. just like that? it was that easy? lets go, junior brother, yan shouyi came over to zhou heng and said with a laugh, if we dont leave now, we are likely to draw the attention of who knows how many powerful figures. compared to he mengqiu, zhou hengs situation was actually more severe. it was just that no one had the guts to target him for the time being. who knew if this guy had used up all the cards from his past life! with yan shouyi leading the way and the lingering power of zhou hengs intervention, the journey from roongdu prefecture city back to taihua mount was uneventful. the four quickly reached the outskirts of taihua mount and saw the fairy mountain shrouded in clouds and mist, as well as the palace and pavilion buildings emitting a shiny and clear radiance. they had arrived at the pure yang palace of taihua mount. under normal circumstances, visitors to the pure yang palace would be arranged to stay at the reception peak, which was the designated area for hosting guests. yan shouyi controlled the cloud light, bringing zhou heng, he mengqiu, and yun xiu down to the peak of the reception peak. there, nine grand estates were elegantly and uniquely constructed. according to the records of pure yang palace, these were personally designed and built by the pure yang ancestor, containing heavenly rhyme and beneficial to cultivation, making them exceptionally desirable locations. as such, these nine estates were typically reserved for accommodating distinguished guests. such as the sect masters and elders of top martial dao sects, family heads of prime families, as well as celestial men and even stronger beings. it is said that in the ancient mythological era, this place had also hosted some legendary beings with great divine powers. ` ` however, the authenticity of these accounts is no longer verifiable, and they are not recorded in the sects archives. regardless, those who have historically been placed in the estate at the top of the reception peak generally have been of celestial man or even higher level. yan shouyi arranging for he mengqiu to stay here is to say the least, an extremely high honor. he led zhou heng and a few others to an estate on the eastern side, adjacent to the sea of clouds, where one could see the first rays of dawn. thus, it has a refined name, zhaoming, also known as zhaoming garden. however, after arriving here with the three of them, yan shouyi said to zhou heng, junior brother, you take care of yun xiu here for a moment, i have some matters to attend to with senior he, well be back soon. ah? zhou heng was surprised at hearing this and was about to ask questions when he saw yan shouyi already taking he mengqiu aloft, stepping on the light of clouds, and rushing into the sea of clouds, vanishing in the blink of an eye. master yun xiu only managed to open her mouth and uttered two words, similarly unable to ask in time. whats the situation? zhou heng turned to yun xiu at his side. im not sure. yun xiu shook her head, looking just as confused. the two of them looked at each other, clueless about yan shouyis intentions, so they had no choice but to enter zhaoming garden together. after leaving zhou heng and yun xiu at reception peak, yan shouyi departed with he mengqiu, and where they went was unknown. neither had returned by dusk. by this time, the sun had already sunk toward the west, and the residual glow dyed the sea of clouds around ta hua mount a fiery red, as if ablaze, the vast sea of clouds seeming like an ocean of flames. atop reception peak, the shadows of trees and rocks were all elongated by the glow of the setting sun. in zhaoming garden, weary of waiting for yan shouyi to return, zhou heng had no choice but to engage yun xiu in a card game to pass the time. it was a card game invented by zhou heng during the time he had practiced in the mountains previously. named baixiao cards. the cards were based on various legendary beasts, fallen great figures, and some famous martial arts, taoist formulas, and secret treasures, each with different effects and attributes. the rules involved two players, each with thirty divine yuan, and the one whose divine yuan ran out first was the loser. this was zhou hengs way of reminiscing about his past life. yun xiu found this quite interesting, considering the game educative and entertaining. while playing, one could also learn a lot about legendary beasts, great figures, martial arts, taoist formulas, secret treasures, and divine weapons, which she found very useful. being a secret six rank martial artist with a powerful spirit, there was nothing stopping her from learning this simple card game. she quickly got the hang of it and started to play back and forth with zhou heng. before they knew it, they had played from dusk till past midnight, with the bright moon already high in the sky, yet yan shouyi and he mengqiu still had not returned. another round of baixiao cards came to an end. zhou heng set aside the cards and glanced to the west, the direction yan shouyi and he mengqiu had left. still, there was nothing but the moons clear brilliance, no sign of people. he straightened out the cards and said with a light chuckle, miss xiuer, what do you think our senior brother is up to? almost a whole night has passed and hes still not back. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only about that yun xiu shook her head slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, im not quite sure, but the way master treated senior yan before, it seemed like they werent strangers to each other. although yan shouyi was zhou hengs senior brother and yun xiu was zhou hengs friend, theoretically yun xiu would be yan shouyis peer, but in practice, it wasnt considered that way, so she still referred to yan shouyi as a senior. mhm, ive noticed that too, zhou heng nodded slightly, thoughtful, at least in this life, senior he shouldnt have met my senior brother before, but my senior brother only achieved dao less than three hundred years ago, so he shouldnt have met senior hes past life either. about that, ive heard master mention that this life is not her first after the cycle of calamities and rebirth, yun xiu said. ` Chapter 372 - Chapter 372: Chapter 92: The Change of Mindset chapter 372: chapter 92: the change of mindset ` not the first life? zhou heng was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this, then suddenly realized, nodding gently, yes, its extremely difficult to awaken after reincarnating from a catastrophe. that senior he took several lifetimes to awaken is quite normal. miss xiuer, do you mean that senior he, in one of his past lives, might have been a contemporary of my senior brother, and that my senior brother knew that incarnation of senior he? reincarnating from a catastrophe is a situation in which a celestial man, or an even more powerful being, for various reasons, has to abandon the fruits of their current lifes cultivation and their physical and spiritual vessel, to be completely reborn in another. it is from this that the supposed reincarnations of powerful beings come. those who have awakened memories of their past lives and have gained the means prepared by their former selves are undeniably powerful; they can accomplish many incredible feats beyond what their current realm would suggest. even someone like zhou heng, who is considered exceptional among players, would be thought of as a reincarnation of a powerful being, and the appearance of such means would seem natural to him. it just might be that the past life had a higher cultivation realm, was more cautious in character, and prepared more fallbacks. this is because reincarnations of past powerhouses have shown all sorts of outrageous performances in history. moreover, the cultivation progress of these reincarnated powerhouses is exceedingly fast. its not impossible for someone to become proficient in martial arts in three years and ascend to immortality in five, and some even awaken memories of their past lives on the spot, projecting their primordial spirit into the void to achieve the status of a celestial man C an outrageous existence indeed. in innumerable texts, legends, and stories, reincarnations of powerful beings are nearly always depicted as gloriously successful, shining brightly. however, in reality, reincarnating from a catastrophe is a choice powerful beings make out of desperation, a choice that is almost a dead end. who would be willing to abandon the fruits of a lifetimes cultivation, having reached a level that could be called powerful, after enduring countless hardships, pains, years, and difficulties, unless absolutely necessary, unless there were no other choice? and, reincarnating from a catastrophe is different from ordinary reincarnation; it is a special method of avoiding calamities or beginning anew, and such rebirths dont retain memories of the past life. furthermore, they fall into a profound confusion while in the womb. C celestial men and other higher beings are capable of preserving memories through reincarnation, but this method of rebirth retains extensive traces of the past life. essentially, it is still a continuation of the past and is sufficient to escape the calamities or predicaments they face. after reincarnating from a catastrophe, the difficulty in awakening memories from the past life is the same, whether one was of heavenly third rank or divine first rank earlier. the possibility is minimal. throughout the ages, numerous powerful beings have reincarnated from catastrophes for various reasons, but the ones who truly awaken and return are very few. this path is extremely perilous; without leaving behind a sufficiently powerful fallback or arrangement C or if the arrangement from a past life is destroyed or becomes ineffective over time C one must rely on luck. with good luck, one might gradually awaken memories of the past life; with bad luck, one might be doomed to eternal oblivion. moreover, as the cycles of reincarnation increase, the brilliance and essence of the past life gets gradually worn away until the possibility of awakening and returning is completely lost. therefore, it was quite normal for he mengqiu to awaken to his past lifes memories after several lifetimes since the middle ancient times; in the meantime, he had many different lives. its just that i dont know what their relationship was at that time, zhou heng mused curiously to himself, but he didnt say it outright. after all, he mengqiu was yun xius mentor. it was one thing to wonder, but it would be inappropriate to speak it aloud. perhaps they truly were old acquaintances in a past life, yun xiu mused while arranging her cards, but her movements seemed mechanical, aimlessly changing the order of the cards, her mind appearing to be elsewhere. whats on your mind, miss xiuer? zhou heng noticed yun xius distraction. ` yun xiu fell into a slight silence, then sighed gently, zhou heng, actually im feeling a bit conflicted right now. it should be a good thing that our master regained her past life memories and reclaimed her former cultivation realm and daoist achievements. but, but i always feel somewhat uncomfortable. im not sure if the one who took me in as a disciple, cared for me, cherished me, taught me if she is still the same person from this life or if shes actually her from a past life? arent they the same person, whether in a past life or this life? zhou heng said with a smile. no, theyre not the same. yun xiu shook her head, i know about masters experiences from before. when she took me in as a disciple, she was just a trainer in a martial arts hall. but gradually, she acquired all kinds of identities; a reincarnation of a powerful being, a disciple of the dream saint sometimes i dont even know. is she still the same master i knew at the beginning? does it matter whether she is that original person? zhou hengs face still wore a smile, miss xiuer, think about it carefully. the master in your memories who cares for you, cherishes you and teaches you is she really just the image from the beginning? hearing this, yun xiu suddenly froze and fell into silence, not saying anything for a long time. after a while, her face bloomed with a smile again, thank you, zhou heng. the master i care about is actually the same master all along. thats more like it. zhou heng laughed. but i still have a concern, yun xius expression became serious again. she stared into zhou hengs eyes with utmost seriousness, zhou heng, are you still the zhou heng from before? the one who, despite everything, walked out from the mountains, bravely strove upwards, practiced martial arts diligently, saved money by eating frugally, and who would come to my familys stall to sneak a couple of buns to eat? or are you gradually becoming that powerful being from your past life, the one who arranged countless formidable backups for your current life, that unfathomable unknown existence? she asked very seriously and earnestly, each word forceful, as if the sound of metal and stone striking the ground, her gaze fixed intently on zhou hengs eyes. at the end of her questioning, she even stood up leaning on the table, bending forward to bring her exquisite and radiant face close to zhou hengs, their noses less than an inch apart, almost touching. of course not zhou heng began to answer. after all, he had an advantage, he actually wasnt the reincarnation of any powerful being, so there was no case of awakening past life memories that could overshadow his present life. his mental state was certainly fine. but as these words started to leave his mouth, zhou heng suddenly felt a bit dazed, as many images flashed through his mind. these were his experiences from the three-plus years since he had crossed into this world. scene after scene replayed, from the mountains to huangtong mansion city, to pure yang palace, to the zhou tian boundary officer from the nine swords to the five thunder orthodox gold book, to the heaven rotating seal, to the sword technique of conviction, to the xuan huang baot pagoda secret, to the three treasures wishful fist it seemed that ever since he had obtained this cheat, he indeed had changed compared to before. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only it was not that his mental state had changed directly, but various experiences had subtly brought about some changes in his mentality. upon reflection, it seemed that he hadnt spent whole nights practicing, studying techniques, or feeling elated over minor improvements in proficiency like he did at the beginning. it appeared to be time to adjust his mentality. of course, he had to keep using the advantage; zhou heng was very clear about this. it was only the mentality that needed some adjustment. thank you. zhou heng looked at the face close at hand and smiled. Chapter 373 - Chapter 373: Chapter 93: The Various Historical Mysteries of the Past chapter 373: chapter 93: the various historical mysteries of the past ` the next morning at the break of dawn, within the zhaoming garden at taihua mounts hospitality peak. zhou heng finished a night of meditation and walked out of his room, only to find the courtyard already filled with the delicious aroma of tofu pudding and deep-fried dough sticks, complemented by the scent of bone broth. it gave him the feeling of being back in huangtong mansion city. suddenly, yun xiu emerged from the kitchen, carrying a serving tray with two bowls of tofu pudding made with bone broth and ten deep-fried dough sticks on it. heng brother, youre awake, yun xiu said with a beaming smile as she placed the tray on a stone table in the courtyard. i was about to call you after preparing breakfast. what made you think of making breakfast? zhou heng asked, glancing at the stone table nearby and sniffing, hmm, smells even better than when we were at huangtong mansion city. didnt we just talk last night about how long its been since you last freeloaded steamed buns from me? yun xiu laughed. so i got up early today to steam meat-filled buns. theyre not ready yet; still in the steamer. the tofu pudding and dough sticks were quicker to make. haha, then ill start with these, zhou heng said as he approached the table, took a dough stick, and bit off a big chunk, followed by a large sip of salty tofu pudding made with bone broth, immediately showing a look of contentment on his face. this taste was incredible! dont rush, yun xiu said as she sat opposite zhou heng with a smile. i made a big pot of bone broth, and theres plenty of tofu pudding leftoveryou wont miss out, take your time. i havent had this in a long time, zhou heng replied, biting off another big chunk of the dough stick, finishing it off, and then gulping down a large bowl of tofu pudding, excellent, the taste is fantastic! would you like another bowl? yun xiu asked with a flower-like smile, taking the bowl from zhou hengs hand. sure, zhou heng said with a grin. now i can eat as much as i want without getting full. as a martial artist of secret six rank, true qi had developed to the point where any food consumed could be refined and absorbed at any time, so there was virtually no chance of overeating. what if i ask for money? yun xiu asked with a light laugh. a stick of dough is ten pieces of copper, a bowl of tofu pudding is twenty, and what about a steamed bun for a tau of silver? i can afford it, zhou heng said, looking like a big spender, then burst into laughter, hahaha, things have indeed changed a bit since back then. fortunately, its all for the better, yun xiu remarked, bringing over another bowl of tofu pudding and tasting a bit of dough stick and tofu pudding herself. the buns will take a little while longer. every time i went back then, i was waiting for xiuers meat buns, zhou heng nodded and then chewed on a dough stick while looking around. after swallowing, he asked, master and predecessor he havent returned all night? they havent come back yet, yun xiu shook her head, her gaze filled with worry. i hope nothings happened. it shouldnt have, zhou heng replied softly, looking westward. with the power of my senior brother, if something big had happened, it couldnt have gone unnoticed. maybe they got held up with something else? i hope so, yun xiu nodded. at that moment, the clouds to the west began to churn tumultuously, like rolling waves soaring into the sky. two bright beams of light approached zhaoming garden, one after the other. it was yan shouyi and he mengqiu. they had finally returned. zhou heng and yun xiu both stood up, ready to go out to greet them and inquire about what had happened. but just as they were about to stand, yan shouyi and he mengqiu came side by side from the outside. mm, that smells good, yan shouyi commented, glancing towards the kitchen and then at zhou heng, joking, its definitely not your cooking then he turned to yun xiu, nodding his head in praise, miss, you have great skills. you flatter me, predecessor, yun xiu quickly demurred. master, would you like some? zhou heng stepped forward and smiled. but remember to pay; dough sticks are ten silvers each, tofu pudding is fifty silvers a bowl, and buns are a piece of gold each. do you think your master has never bought anything in the mortal world? yan shouyi chided with a smile, then his expression turned serious. last night, predecessor he and i discussed some things, and now i think i can answer the questions you had before. the questions i had before zhou hengs eyes sharpened at the mention, and he nodded. can we talk about it now? back in county city of fengzhou, he had asked yan shouyi about the evil god, the external demons, and about history before and up until the middle ancient era. the descent of the evil god mokkalaka, along with previous entities like dongyue the great emperor of tai mountain and the divine mother yunxiao, had significantly heightened zhou hengs interest in these extraterritorial evil gods. it also happened that he had shown enough prowess this time around to no longer have to worry about learning prohibited knowledge too early and thereby inviting disaster. although yan shouyi had agreed to discuss it at the time, he couldnt guarantee the completeness and accuracy of what he knew. now that hes bringing it up proactively, did it mean they confirmed some previously uncertain details in their conversation last night? we can talk about it now, yan shouyi nodded slightly. its good that predecessor he is here too; he can provide some additional details. yes, he mengqiu nodded. last night, sovereign yan consulted with me about some matters, but it still depends on what exactly you want to know, mr. zhou. since you consulted with predecessor he zhou heng pondered for a moment and put down his dough stick. i want to know how, precisely, including the saint of dreams, did the three saints of the middle ancient era go mad? the end of what was called the middle ancient era was actually the zenith of the age of saints, when diverse philosophies flourished, academies stood tall, and civilization prospered to its peak. it was a golden age for cultivation. yet, that unprecedented era of prosperity suddenly deviated from its trajectory due to the bizarre madness of the saint of dreams, the saint of the way, and the saint of laws, hurtling towards the abyss of destruction. this was too abnormal, far too incredible to comprehend. the buns in the kitchen are nearly done; ill go check on them. yun xiu stood up and left, aware that with her current cultivation realm, it wasnt yet time for her to understand these secrets. ` many things, even just understanding or knowing them, mean an extreme danger, which may endanger ones life and even involve innocent people around one. um, go ahead. he mengqiu nodded, then turned to look at zhou heng and said with a wry smile, master yan mentioned last night when discussing with me that you might ask about this, but i didnt expect you to be the first. i suspect it has something to do with the evil god. zhou heng glanced in the direction yun xiu had left, then drew back his gaze and said earnestly, was the cause of the crazed saints originally the evil god? yes, but also no. he mengqiu chose his words carefully, gave an answer, and then said, for the specific circumstances, i had a conversation with master yan last night; its better for him to explain. alright. yan shouyi nodded lightly, but he didnt immediately answer; instead, he asked in return, junior brother, i previously mentioned that i can answer all your questions, but i cant guarantee their truthfulness or comprehensiveness. now i want to ask you, do you want to know regardless of the truth, as comprehensive as possible, or do you only want to know the parts that can be confirmed to be true? the truth. zhou heng replied without hesitation. false information can kill people; information that is comprehensive but whose truth cannot be confirmed often leads to unforeseeable consequences. just as i thought. yan shouyi smiled, his expression then turned serious, and he said, then regarding the bizarre madness of the middle ancient saints, there are two points of information that can be confirmed as true. firstly, the original madness of the saints was indeed due to an evil god, but the specific reason that made three beings of the divine first rank, the saintly lords, completely lose their sanity and fall into madness, is unknown. the second point is that the evil god had a precious decree; you should know what a precious decree means, the zhou tian boundary officer should have mentioned it. mhm. zhou heng nodded. a precious decree, originally in the ancient mythological era, was an honorary title only revered immortals and gods could possess, but later it became something used to describe high-ranking evil gods, yan shouyi sighed lightly and said solemnly, that evil gods precious decree nearly caused the pure yang palace to fall into great chaos as well. junior brother, you also need to be mentally prepared. nearly caused the pure yang palace to also fall into great chaos zhou heng was startled upon hearing this, then suddenly his eyes widened in astonishment and said, brother, do you mean to say could it be the one who brought about the bizarre madness of the middle ancient saints, directly leading to the middle ancient eras peak and destruction, that evil gods precious decree is yan shouyi closed his eyes and said slowly, pure yang policing politics, converting the devine sovereign, prosperously carrying the wonderful way, heavenly sovereign! that is, our ancestral founder of pure yang, grandmaster. how could this be?! zhou heng suddenly stood up, his face showing an extremely shocked expression. even when yan shouyi began speaking earlier, he had some mental preparation, but hearing it now still shocked him immensely. it wasnt just because the evil god who led to the destruction of the middle ancient era was actually the founder of the pure yang palace, an immortal from the ancient mythological era, the grand ancestor master of pure yang. it was also because, at this moment, he finally confirmed that the worlds grand ancestor master of pure yang was the same pure yang child he had heard of in the mythological legends on earth in his previous life! lu yan, lu dongbin! jade pure interior minister, golden imperial chosen immortal. incarnated as the master of the three teachings, wielding the command of the five thunders across four lives and six realms, responsive to those who feel; throughout the three realms and ten directions, answering all who seek greatly saintly and merciful, greatly benevolent and filial. founding and beginning the teachings, the responsive ancestral master pure yang policing politics, converting the devine sovereign, prosperously carrying the wonderful way, heavenly sovereign. this is the treasure mandate of patriarch lu! junior brother, since you entered the sect, you might have heard in detail about the deeds of patriarch pure yang, but have you ever been told about his origins? yan shouyi was surprisingly calm as he spoke, in our daily life within the sect, the presence of patriarch pure yang actually seems quite minimal, havent you noticed? is this a deliberate downplay? zhou heng frowned. exactly. yan shouyi nodded and said solemnly, master once told me that before the middle ancient era, it was a clear sect rule that every year on the patrons birthday, the treasure mandate was to be recited, offerings were to be made, as a way to pay homage to the patriarch. however, after the middle ancient era, whether it was long-standing experts or newly admitted disciples, none were allowed to recite the patriarchs treasure mandate anymore, and even the full text of the patriarchs treasure mandate was not allowed to be known. is it really patriarch pure yang? zhou heng felt that yan shouyi hadnt finished speaking. but it may not be necessarily so. yan shouyi said, at the end of the middle ancient era, the grand ancestor master intervened, using the residual contamination in the saintly primordial spirits dreams to trace back and investigate that evil god, even truly seeing that evil god and having a brief communication with them. the conclusion that the grand ancestor master reached was that whether it was the nature of the great daos rules, the information of the treasure mandate revealed by the heavens, or the spirit aura disclosed, all indicated that this evil god was no different from patriarch pure yang of those days. theoretically speaking, if all these piece of information are the same, it means the essence of the being is the same, and it should be the same existence. however, the understanding that this evil god has of our world is very limited; it didnt even know where the main gates of the pure yang palace were located this clearly isnt a situation that patriarch pure yang, who had lived here for who knows how many years, would be in; thus, the grand ancestor master suspected that although all the information about this evil god pointed to patriarch pure yang, it might not really be patriarch pure yang. the grand ancestor master mentioned by yan shouyi was the third-generation leader of the pure yang palace who took charge in troubled times during the middle ancient era, attained the divine first rank, led the pure yang palace out of the dark era, and brought it to the peak of revival. he was a disciple of a disciple of patriarch pure yang, a living fossil who had lived from the ancient mythological era to the present, one who had actually interacted with patriarch pure yang and lived together with him for a significant amount of time. zhou heng fell silent upon hearing this, his mind racing with one thought after another, and finally, he gritted his teeth, could it be that the evil god is just impersonating patriarch pure yang, or are these inferences merely the grand ancestor masters self-consolation? both are possible. yan shouyi did not avoid anything and said, last night, i exchanged some information with elder he on this point, and our common view is that we should trust the grand ancestor masters conjecture before we are capable of investigating it ourselves. mhm, that is how it should be. zhou heng, after a brief contemplation, also nodded, and then continued to ask, originally, i wanted to ask about the ancient mythological era, but now i would like to change the question. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only the evil gods that exist in our world now or those who have tried to descend here, such as the emperor of dongyue mount tai, the goddess bao sheng in the clouds how many of them appeared during the ancient mythological era? as long as there is a treasure mandate yan shouyi said gravely, they all appeared. did the high-ranking deities of the ancient mythological era all become evil gods? zhou heng continued to probe, is the reason for the end of the ancient mythological era because many high-ranking deities became evil gods? thats not the case, i can be sure of that. yan shouyi provided an answer. then why is it? zhou heng immediately asked. Chapter 374 - Chapter 374: Chapter 94: Before the Middle Ancient, the 36 Gods Chapter 374: Chapter 94: Before the Middle Ancient, the 36 Gods The exact reason remains unknown, Yan Shouyi shook his head, then smiled and said, There are plenty of speculations, but would you like to know them? Lets skip the speculation for now, Zhou Heng asked further, So how can we be sure that the end of the Ancient Mythological Era wasnt due to that reason? Is there some key discovery? This reason is actually something youve seen before, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. Previously, when we were in Fengzhou County City, the phenomenon that occurred as the evil god Mokha Jia Ye attempted to descend was telling. It wanted to squeeze its own Dao into our world and imprint it here, which means that its Dao is not inherent to our world. In that case Zhou Heng had an epiphany and said, Does it mean that if the immortals and gods from the Ancient Mythological Era had all turned into evil gods, then there would be no need for their Daos to be re-imprinted, because they were originally the immortals and gods of this place? Exactly, Yan Shouyi nodded and said, This could also serve as corroborating evidence that the extraterritorial evil gods are indeed not the ancient immortals and gods. However, why these evil gods possess almost identical Daos, powers, and even divine decrees as the ancient immortals and gods is still unknown. Im beginning to understand, Zhou Heng furrowed his brows and said, So, although those evil gods with divine decrees were mentioned in tales of the Ancient Mythological Era, it is highly probable that the current evil gods are not the same as the ancient immortals? Thats nearly correct, Yan Shouyi agreed and said, After all, the events of ancient times are distant, and Grand Ancestor Master is reluctant to speak of them. There is not much information that can be confirmed as true. I see, Zhou Heng nodded and then asked, Brother, what about the Middle Ancient Era? What kind of era was it really, and how exactly did it begin initially? And before that, the Dark Erawhat was it like, how did it end, and how did it transition to the Middle Ancient Age of Saints? Why are there so few records about these? Although there are some records about the Middle Ages in this era, most are vague, especially regarding the transition from the Dark Era to the Middle Ancient Erathis process is almost never mentioned. The Dark Era, anyone who has personally experienced that era would not wish to speak much of it, and hence, the records in the world are extremely scarce, Yan Shouyi sighed lightly and said, Ive also only heard about that period from Grand Ancestor Master occasionally. The sudden disappearance of the Immortals, Buddhists, and Saints of the Ancient Mythological Era led to the various sects, families, kingdoms, and other powers lacking restraint. The sects lost the protection of immortal and saintly figures, the balance of power among them was upset, and the order of bygone days plunged into collapse in a very short time. That was the origin of the Dark Era. Our Pure Yang Palace also suffered a nearly fatal blow during that period, and it is recorded in the Pure Yang this book. You should be aware of that, Junior Brother. Yes, Zhou Heng nodded his head, Our second sect leader Grand Ancestor fell during that era. That era could be described as utter chaos, with countless legacies destroyed, numerous Divine Skills lost, and many Divine Artifacts damaged Yan Shouyi said, So much history was buried. Of the information I currently possess, the only thing that can be confirmed beyond a doubt is that the ones at the very peak of that era were not the Taoist Saints, but the Thirty-Six Tao Lords. Thirty-Six Tao Lords? Zhou Heng was immediately stunned upon hearing this and exclaimed in astonishment, Tao Lords were at the pinnacle during that era? Does it mean there were no Divine First Rank beings in the Dark Era? Although there is only one realm difference between Tao Second Rank and Divine First Rank, the gap is so wide that even the term a world apart wouldnt suffice to describe it. In the previous battle at Fengzhou County City, even with Unique Divine Weapons in their hands, Celestials like Yan Shouyi had no power to fight back against a Tao Lord like Jade Heart. The gap between Tao Second Rank and Divine First Rank would only be greater and even harder to bridge. Normally speaking, no matter how numerous the Tao Lords are, they would not matter in the face of a Divine First Rank being. At that time, the term Divine First Rank didnt exist, yet by realm, those at the level of Divine First Rank were indeed few and far between, Yan Shouyi explained. However, the core reason doesnt lie there. It lies in a supreme treasure. Those thirty-six Tao Lords were a mixed bunchhumans, demons, and oddities, each with a different origin and varied strengths. But they had a treasure known as the Thirty-Six Heavens. With this treasure, their power was infinitely close to that of a Divine First Rank. These were thirty-six beings whose might almost reached the realm of the Divine First Rank. In a certain sense, the term Thirty-Six Gods was indeed fitting, as they completely dominated an era. Thirty-Six Gods? Zhou Heng said in surprise, questioning, Ive heard that in the early period of the Middle Ancient Era, before the Nine Saints were complete, there were thirty-six malevolent deities causing calamities everywhere and they were ultimately suppressed and sealed by the saints. Thats a false rumor, isnt it? That is the error that arises when true information gets distorted after being passed down many times, Yan Shouyi said with a smile. The Thirty-Six Gods were indeed suppressed by the first few of the Middle Ancient Nine Saints, but they were not ordinary evils spirits; they were the supreme sovereigns who dominated the entire Dark Era. Even now, organizations still exist in the world that aim to break the seals of the Thirty-Six Gods and reawaken their return, especially in the Eastern Sea, led mainly by Loose Cultivators and calling themselves Thirty-Six Heavens. The Great Saintly Merciful Immortal you killed in Yuanhe Prefecture City was a member of the Thirty-Six Heavens. That incident must have been related to one of the Thirty-Six Gods. Yuanhe Prefecture City, Great Saintly Merciful Immortal Zhou Hengs brows furrowed deeper at those words, as he recalled the Tao Lord reincarnation he had fooled back in Yuanhe Prefecture Citythe Qingxia God. Although he used the Fooling Card to dulled Qingxia Gods intelligence and made her swear a vow of loyalty to him, since she had not recovered much of her memory at that time, he did not ask too many questions. Moreover, he had only considered Qingxia God as an ordinary Tao Lord reincarnation who was regaining her memories and did not pay much attention to it. But now, according to Yan Shouyis words, the fact that the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal came to Yuanhe Prefecture City in an attempt to unseal one of the Thirty-Six Gods It meant that the Qingxia God might very well be one of the thirty-six supreme overlords who dominated the entire Dark Era before the Age of Saints in the Middle Ancient Era! Thats a bit over the top, Zhou Heng clicked his tongue in wonder, hardly expecting that he had actually subdued such an incredibly significant being while he was only a Ninth Grade. However, given Qingxia Gods impressive background, could she find a way to free herself from the constraints of the vow? He suddenly felt that such a possibility was very likely. One of the mighty ones who had dominated an era, even if suppressed, he found it hard to believe that she hadnt left behind some sort of contingency. Whats the matter? Yan Shouyi noticed the change in Zhou Hengs expression. Well, back in Yuanhe Prefecture City, I might have already subdued one of the Thirty-Six Gods, Qingxia God, Zhou Heng said, scratching his head. What?! Yan Shouyi exclaimed in shock upon hearing this. Is that even possible?! He Mengqiu was also stunned. So thats how it is, Yan Shouyi suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, No wonder Fumu Tao Lord appeared in Huangtong Mansion City. I thought he was merely looking for a disciple, but there was also this reason. Ah?? This time it was Zhou Heng who was bewildered, asking in surprise, Fumu Tao Lord? In Huangtong Mansion City?? Sealing Tao Lord, Jiang Tafa, Yan Shouyi said with a smile, before telling Zhou Heng about Jiang Tafas job as the gatekeeper at the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall in Huangtong Mansion City. Hiss, hiss, hiss, that old man is actually a Tao Lord? Zhou Hengs mouth hung open in shock. If this were the case, then this Sealing Tao Lord would be considered his employee. It was truly astonishing. The ways of the world are strange and marvelous, beyond anything else, Yan Shouyi laughed before asking, Junior brother, is there anything else youd like to ask? I have some more questions about the forbidden lands of the West Wasteland, but lets pause here for now, Zhou Heng stood up and said, I just thought about the Qingxia Gods situation, and I want to go back to Yuanhe Prefecture City to check on her condition. The questions he had asked before, whether about the Evil God, the Ancient Mythological Era, or the changes in the Middle Ancient era, were in fact all related to what he believed might contain clues about Earth. While he had many questions about the West Wasteland as well, it didnt seem to be greatly related to Earth. Compared to that, verifying the Qingxia Gods status seemed more important. Mmm, thats a good idea, Yan Shouyi nodded and asked, Do you need help? I can go myself, Zhou Heng shook his head, then suddenly recalled something, By the way, senior brother, does the Overseas Loose Cultivator organization Thirty-Six Heavens thats plotting to unseal the thirty-six deities have any cooperation with the heretical path? Indeed, they do, Yan Shouyi nodded and said somberly, Some of the loose cultivators from Thirty-Six Heavens have even come from the heretical paths. Our master has investigated Thirty-Six Heavens and detected faint traces of an Evil Gods presence there. In that case, confirming the status of Qingxia God is even more critical, Zhou Heng said with a serious expression, worried that the not-yet-recovered Qingxia God might be discovered by the heretical path or people from Thirty-Six Heavens and get corrupted by the Evil God. Junior brother, be careful, Yan Shouyi took out a jade talisman with a flip of his hand and passed it to Zhou Heng, This is a Life-saving Talisman, as long as the person who kills you is not a Second Rank Tao Lord, it can save your life three times. Three times? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised, taking the jade talisman. He glanced at He Mengqiu next to him, then back at Yan Shouyi, Senior brother, are you going into seclusion? Zhou Hengs previous Life-saving Talisman had long since been used up, and Yan Shouyi had not mentioned giving him another. Now, all of a sudden, Yan Shouyi was giving him one that could save his life three times, even raising the limit by an entire major rank. This clearly meant that Yan Shouyi had the capacity to keep an eye on Zhou Hengs safety previously, plus with Zhou Hengs own strength as well as preparation from a previous life, he wouldnt need to use a Life-saving Talisman. Yan Shouyis current action probably meant that for the coming period, he might be unable to intervene. Zhou Heng also recalled the scene he saw in Fengzhou County City before, one yin and one yang two paths evolving into taiji, which was far beyond the strength of a normal Celestial Man Yan Shouyi was most likely preparing to condense his Tao seed. You wouldnt think that Im preparing to condense my Tao seed, would you? Yan Shouyi suddenly laughed. Ah? Zhou Heng was stunned and asked, Is that not the case? Of course not, Yan Shouyi laughed, As you know, its been just over four hundred years since I entrusted my Primordial Spirit to the void, and I havent even experienced the five decays of heaven and man. What Tao seed would I be condensing? One cannot condense a Tao seed without passing the five decays of heaven and man? Zhou Heng asked curiously, as he had always thought that the so-called decays of heaven and man were only the five instances of lifespan decay and now it seemed they were also related to cultivation progress. Thats not the case, theoretically, even if one has just entrusted their Primordial Spirit to the void and reached the realm of Celestial Man, they can also condense a Tao seed, Yan Shouyi laughed lightly, However, Tao seeds have different levels of quality, and the state in which one condenses the Tao seed can vary. Only those who have passed all five decays are in the most perfect state. I see, Zhou Heng nodded in realization, So your first decay is coming up? Is this why you invited Senior He to come to visit Taihua Mount, for this matter? There is that reason, Yan Shouyi nodded with a smile, The decay is difficult to overcome, so I have to rely on Senior He. My cultivation method is special, and I can barely help Yan sect leader a little bit, He Mengqiu said with a modest smile. Ah, this Zhou Heng became even more surprised upon confirmation, as he had not expected the relationship between Yan Shouyi and He Mengqiu to be so good. So good that He Mengqiu would be allowed to assist during Yan Shouyis decay. For any Celestial Man, the decay is a huge life-and-death crisis and a period of weakest strength; someone allowed to help at this time must be the most trusted by the person undergoing the decay. Master, Heng-er, Senior Yan, the buns are ready! At that moment, Yun Xius voice came from the kitchen in time, along with the increasingly rich aroma of steamed buns. Quick, bring them here, bring them here! He Mengqiu promptly gestured with her hands. Zhou Heng did not stay long on Taihua Mount. After having breakfast, he instantly traveled hundreds of thousands of miles with Yan Shouyis assistance and arrived outside Yuanhe Prefecture City. Looking at the familiar city gates ahead, he felt quite sentimental. The last time he was here, he was just a small Eighth Rank martial artist, having not joined Pure Yang Palace nor the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, adrift like a duckweed. Back then I think I was ranked forty-second on the peoples list and participated in a martial contest hosted by Wang Family here, Zhou Heng stroked his chin, lost in memories. It had only been a year, but it felt like it had been a very long time, as if he had experienced a lot of things, and his identity and strength had completely changed from that time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng stood in front of the gates of Yuanhe Prefecture City for a while, sorting out his emotions, then led his sorrel horse forward, planning to enter the city. These days most people who enter the city from outside have mounts. It draws attention to walk in alone; leading a horse doesnt stand out as much. After entering the city, Zhou Heng intended to go directly to Bais family to check on them, but he hadnt taken two steps before he saw someone approaching him. This person was initially startled upon seeing Zhou Heng, then exclaimed, You, you are Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, Zhou Heng?! Purple Lightning Thunder Blade Zhou Hengs mouth twitched slightly. Chapter 375 - Chapter 375: Chapter 95: An Unexpected "Encounter Chapter 375: Chapter 95: An Unexpected Encounter ` Never would I have expected that, a year after my return to Yuanhe Prefecture City, the first reference to me would actually be this. Zhou Heng was immediately embarrassed. However, he also recognized who this person was. It was a young girl, who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen, with a beauty that could be described as flawless as the moon, exceedingly pretty. She was none other than the legitimate daughter of Yuanhe Prefecture Citys Wang Family, Wang Xinyue. It really is you! Wang Xinyue, after recognizing Zhou Heng, was extremely excited and cheerfully made her way to Zhou Hengs side, slightly embarrassed, she said, I apologize, sir, I, I was just too excited and called out your name directly. Haha, thats nothing, a name is, after all, meant to be called, um, but lets skip the nickname, Zhou Heng waved his hand and laughed, Hows your old ancestor doing? During his last visit to Yuanhe Prefecture City, he had essentially saved the entire Wang Family, to whom he had done a great favor. Back then, the Wang Familys senior elder wanted to leave Wang Xinyue to serve at his side as a maid, but he had refused. The old ancestor is doing very well, its just that from time to time he mentions you, sir, saying that there is no way for the Wang Family to repay your great kindness, not knowing what to do, often feeling guilty and regretful, Wang Xinyue said. Sir, would you like to visit my home? The old ancestor would be extremely happy to see you. If I have the chance, I will go, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said, However, Im here in Yuanhe Prefecture City to deal with some matters, so I wont go over for now. Is that so Wang Xinyue lowered her small head upon hearing this, somewhat disappointed, but then she still smiled and said, Your own matters are more important, sir. After youre done, may I come to invite you again? Haha, thats also fine. Zhou Heng laughed and said. He didnt have a bad impression of the Wang Family, and since they had extended such a warm invitation, it wouldnt hurt to join the excitement. Moreover, Yuanhe Wang Family was a branch of the Xuanzhou Wang Clan, and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers angular lodging was Wang Xueyuan from the longhouse of the collateral line of the Xuanzhou Wang Clan. Both he and his son Wang Xiuye had some acquaintance with Zhou Heng. Although the relationship was a bit distant, it subconsciously elevated Zhou Hengs favorability towards the Yuanhe Wang Family. After parting with Wang Xinyue, Zhou Heng headed directly to Bais family pharmacy. The reincarnation of Qingxia God was the daughter of Bais family pharmacys owner, the nine-year-old Bai Yuejian. To find Qingxia Gods partially restored Divine Soul, one had to find Bai Yuejian. But when Zhou Heng arrived at Bais family pharmacy, he found that only Bai Jingtian was managing the place, and he did not see the shopkeeper couple or Bai Yuejian. Bai Jingtian was an apprentice of Bais family pharmacy and also the shopkeepers foster son, seventeen years old this year. Zhou Heng had given him some advice on matters concerning the Martial Path. Mr. Zhou, what brings you here? Bai Jingtian was quite surprised to see Zhou Heng and quickly put down the prescription he was holding, stepped out from behind the counter, and welcomed Zhou Heng in. The shopkeeper and your sister are not here? Zhou Heng glanced at the backyard and asked. Theyre not. Bai Jingtian shook his head upon hearing this and said, A few days ago, my sister was fussing about missing grandma, and my father went with my mother to take her to grandmas house. Ah? Zhou Heng had not expected things to be so coincidental, he pondered for a moment and asked, When did they leave? Two days ago, I guess, Bai Jingtian, puzzled by the question, couldnt help but voice his concern, Whats wrong, sir? Is there some trouble? Its nothing. Zhou Heng gently shook his head and reassured, I just wanted to catch up with your father. Since thats the case, Ill stay in Yuanhe Prefecture City for a few days, waiting for their return. ` Alright. Bai Jingtian said happily, his face beaming with a smile, Then Ill get the guest room ready for you. Oh, and I have some doubts about the martial path, could I ask you Haha, no problem, Zhou Heng laughed, By the way, which side is your grandmothers family from? Just to the south in Sanqiao Town, its only a bit over thirty li away, Bai Jingtian replied without hesitation. In that era, it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to travel long distances, and it wasnt safe. Marriages usually didnt happen over great distances, and a few dozen li was already considered quite far. Hmm, thank you, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, and then with a thought, a strand of his divine soul flew out of the sea of consciousness, taking the treasured appearance of Laozi riding a bull to the south. He was going to look for Bai Yuejian. Two days earlier, just when the Evil God Mokara Jia Ye attempted to descend, a great battle broke out in Fengzhou County City. Bai Yuejian insisted on leaving, which was likely because the Qingxia God sensed something or had recovered some of her strength. Although this direction might not be accurate, it still served as a clue he could follow to check it out. His divine soul went to track, while his main body would stay here waiting for the rabbit. He wouldnt miss out on either. Thirty li was almost like an ordinary person walking from inside their house to the outside courtyard for Zhou Heng now. In just a moment, he, manifesting the treasured appearance of Laozi riding a bull, had already arrived at Sanqiao Town, thirty li south of Yuanhe Prefecture City. The town was named for being next to the Yuanhe River and having three large bridges, thriving with water transport. It was a place where passing merchant ships would stop for repairs before entering Yuanhe Prefecture City, and it was quite flourishing. To avoid shocking the world and causing disturbance, Zhou Heng didnt land directly. Instead, he spread his divine sense above the town, searching for the whereabouts of Bai Yuejians family. Even after searching the entire Sanqiao Town, he found nothing. Bai Yuejian and her parents were not here. Did they really just run off like that? Zhou Heng frowned, thinking, Could it be that she has further awakened and is now trying to lift the vow I made with my Tao seeds? In fact, after learning that the Qingxia God was one of the Thirty-Six Gods who dominated the Dark Era, he was mentally prepared for this. As a former ruler who had stood at the pinnacle of an era, the Qingxia God would not be so easily subdued by him. Even though the Qingxia Gods revival was initially weak and her intelligence had been lowered by the Fooling Card, once she further awakened, she would surely try to free herself from the control of the Tao seed vow again. Moreover, her decision to have Bai Yuejians family leave and hide from me indicates she is fairly confident that she could rid herself of the Tao seed vows binds within a short period. If she could not break the vow with the Tao seeds within a short period, she wouldnt need to leave Yuanhe Prefecture City at all, nor would she have to deliberately hide from me. After all, if she couldnt break free in a short time, she could just drag it out gradually. Leaving early like this and hiding from me only makes me suspect somethings amiss. But the Tao seed vow was made with her own seeds, so how could she lift it, and what method could she possibly use? Zhou Heng looked down at Sanqiao Town, at the people protecting each other, and suddenly thought of a possibility, To lift the vow made with her own Tao seeds relying solely on her unrecovered strength would be difficult, but what if someone were helping her? As a former eras ruler, once the Qingxia God reclaimed part of her memories and strength, it should not be particularly difficult for her to collaborate with some of the current powerhouses. ` So, who is more likely to help her? Zhou Hengs mind flashed with the names of several powers. The Thirty-Six Heavens were definitely the most likely; after all, the organizations ultimate goal was to unseal the thirty-six gods and awaken them. It was only logical to engage in such activities. However, the members of the Thirty-Six Heavens were predominantly Loose Immortals from the Eastern Sea, who disliked dwelling in the mortal world and usually resided overseas. The coastal regions were also monitored by Great Sects and major families, making it quite conspicuous for Loose Immortals to venture to the mainland. This scenario was not well-suited for the Qingxia God to clandestinely plot to unseal something. Besides, it was also possible that people from the evil paths had interfered, given that the incident at Yuanhe Prefecture City a year ago already showed the Thirty-Six Heavens mingling with evil path experts. If they could harness the power of the Evil God from the evil paths, it might be possible to break the oath of the Dao seed. Aside from this, Zhou Heng also thought of another possibility C that mysterious Celestial Man who tried to save Liu Gaoyang during the battle at Yuanhe Prefecture City. At that time, Liu Gaoyang was almost certain to die under You Zihengs Sword Out of Hongmeng, yet suddenly, a Celestial Man wielding the power of the Green Wood Dao intervened from afar and saved him. Later, Zhou Heng had asked You Ziheng and the inner seats of the Five Emperors about the possible identity of that Celestial Man, but even today, there was no definite answer. Only a few suspects remained The hidden Celestial Men of the Five Elements Sect, the Celestial Men of the Qing Emperor Palace, the powerful Loose Immortals of the Thirty-Six Heavens. Could it be the Qing Emperor Palace? Zhou Heng frowned slightly, turning his gaze in the direction of Huangtong Mansion City. If one were to head to the Qing Emperor Palace from Yuanhe Prefecture City, passing through Huangtong Mansion City would be inevitable. If it really were the Qing Emperor Palace, would the Qingxia God possibly pass through Huangtong Mansion City with Bai Yuejian and the others? With this thought, his expression suddenly became excited. The Tao Lord Jiang Tafa, who had suppressed the Qingxia God for thousands of years, was currently posing as an old gatekeeper at the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall in Huangtong Mansion City. If they were to encounter each other, it would truly be like seeing a ghost alive. Even with such conjecture, Zhou Heng still couldnt confirm the Qingxia Gods exact whereabouts. Searching the road to the Qing Emperor Palace now would most likely yield nothing. The Qingxia God was unlikely to make the mistake of not concealing her tracks. If thats the case, then it cant be helped, Zhou Heng said with a resigned smile, opting to cheat, Use the Tracking Card! Tracking Card: The universe is boundless; track across ten thousand miles! Concentrate and describe the target you want to track in detail, and its exact location and current information can be tracked within a hundred thousand miles. Track Bai Yuejian Location: Huangtong Mansion City Not long after Zhou Heng entered Yuanhe Prefecture City, a man left the city. He appeared to be a man in his thirties. After walking far away from the city, he changed his appearance, soared into the sky, turned into a green rainbow, and flew towards Pingzhou. His name was Yi Kangan, a Fifth Rank Grandmaster of the Qing Emperor Palace. He was ordered to come to Yuanhe Prefecture City two days ago to monitor the comings and goings of people in the city. Especially to see if Zhou Heng would come. If Zhou Heng did arrive at Yuanhe Prefecture City, he must report back to the Sect immediately. Although Yi Kangan himself didnt understand the significance of such monitoring, since it was a task assigned by the higher-ups of the Qing Emperor Palace and he was a disciple, he naturally had no reason not to complete it. But he didnt expect to see Zhou Heng so soon. This made Yi Kangan somewhat anxious. Could it be that some major event was about to happen? It was said that wherever Zhou Heng went, there was never any peace, often resulting in a major battle, with the outcomes usually being catastrophic. The lighter cases involved the death of Grandmasters and supreme figures, and in serious cases, the fall of Celestial Men and Tao Lords. This is crazy; who knows whats going to happen? Yi Kangan worried as he flew towards Pingzhou and secretly calculated, After I return this time to deliver the message, Ill apply for seclusion and not leave the palace. Thinking this, he increased his speed, eager to leave Yuanhe Prefecture City, a place rife with trouble. He was completely unaware that not far off, an old man riding a bull was slowly flying over. The elder had an ethereal presence, bathed in brilliance, and was saturated with the essence of the Dao C this was Zhou Hengs manifestation of the Supreme Riding Bull embodiment. Having confirmed that Bai Yuejian was indeed in Huangtong Mansion City, he had returned from Sanqiao Town. He planned to use this Divine Soul embodiment to go to Huangtong Mansion City to find the Qingxia God. His true body remained behind in Yuanhe Prefecture City, Although the essence of the Supreme Riding Bull was only of the Secret Six Rank, the Dao essence it displayed was profound and unfathomable, difficult to comprehend, so much so that no one would doubt if it were said to be the Divine Soul embodiment of a Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord. It was most suitable for seeking someone like the ancient overlord Qingxia God. It would be very effective. Zhou Heng had not anticipated, however, that he would encounter a Fifth Rank Grandmaster full of Green Wood Power on his way. It seems that the Qing Emperor Palace really has a major suspicion, Zhou Heng mused. Huangtong Mansion City was as peaceful as ever. The Pure Yang number one Martial Arts Hall continued to be the talk of the town, a favorite place to visit for travelers who also liked to inquire about Zhou Hengs exploits when he trained there. The old man calling himself Jiang Er was sitting in front of the Martial Arts Hall, leisurely fanning himself and watching the passing crowd as Xie Chong stood by his side, making tea. On the nearby street, a family of three was in a hurry C a husband and wife with their nine-year-old daughter. But upon closer inspection, it seemed like the girl was leading the couple, and the three appeared to follow the girls lead. Moon Viewing, where exactly are we going? Bais shopkeeper couldnt help but ask his daughter. He had felt that ever since they left Huangtong Mansion City two days ago, Bai Yuejian had been acting more and more strangely. Yes, weve already arrived at Huangtong Mansion City, Bais shopkeepers wife also asked. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only To a safe place, the young Bai Yuejian said with maturity beyond her years, scanning her surroundings, I heard that Zhou Heng once sought to practice martial arts here. Suddenly, her voice halted, cutting off abruptly as if something had lodged in her throat. Her mouth gaped open in disbelief as she looked in the direction of the Pure Yang number one Martial Arts Hall. Her normally composed face turned deathly pale, filled with terror. Jiang Jiang Jiang you, are you? ` Chapter 376 - Chapter 376: Chapter 96 Asking for Help Chapter 376: Chapter 96 Asking for Help Yueer, whats wrong? The proprietors of Bais family saw their daughter suddenly in such a panic and immediately became somewhat flustered; they also looked towards the old man in front of Pure Yangs number one Martial Arts Hall. But the next instant, Bai Yuejian shook her head and forced a very strained smile, saying, Nothing, nothings wrong, Im fine, father, mother, lets hurry on. Ah? The proprietors of Bais family were completely baffled, but since their beloved daughter had said so, they hastened to leave, quickening their pace right away. It seemed that Bai Yuejian left with her parents just like that. However, where Bai Yuejian had been standing, a world invisible to mortals was suddenly opened. This world was not large, but it replicated Huangtong Mansion City exactly, as if it had been copied from the real Huangtong Mansion City without any discrepancy. Only that there were no people here. The only one present was the doorkeeper of Pure Yangs number one Martial Arts Hall who claimed to be Jiang Er, still sitting in his original place, but Xie Chong was no longer by his side. In front of him stood a pretty young girl with handsome features. Only now, the young girl had her eyes closed, as if she were devoid of consciousness, and by her side stood a woman in light cyan clothes, enchanting and alluring. It was the Qingxia God. The Bai Yuejian who had left with her parents before was actually just a projection, not her true body. Both Bai Yuejian and the Qingxia divine soul within her had been intercepted by Jiang Er. Tao Lord, its been a long time, the Qingxia God said, attempting to maintain her composure with a bitter smile on her face. Not that long, just a year, I believe, Jiang Er smiled, setting down the fan in his hand, What are you trying to do? This The Qingxia God fell silent for a moment, then said, I was deceived and made a vow with my foundational essence, I need help to remove it. She chose to tell the truth. Although Qingxia Mountain had not fully recovered yet, possessing only the strength equivalent to an Absolute Fourth Rank, she was very clear about how terrifying the power of a Tao Lord was. In front of a Tao Lord, any lie was meaningless. Moreover, given the distance between Huangtong Mansion City and Yuanhe Prefecture City, for a Tao Lord like Jiang Tafa, it was practically the same place. The events that had transpired previously in Yuanhe Prefecture City could hardly be concealed from his perception. Its the Qing Emperor Palace, right? Jiang Tafa said with a smile, Cant you guess the real purpose behind the Qing Emperor Palace aiding you? Theyre just coveting my foundational essence, the Qingxia God said with a cold laugh, Thinking they can covet my foundational essence just because its a part of the heritage I left behind, which evolved on its own. They know not life from death. That may not be the case, Jiang Tafa said lightly, shaking his head, After thousands of years of evolution, the Qing Emperor Palace may well have developed their own specialties. They too had produced a Tao Lord. So what? The Qingxia God still carried pride in her chest. My master used to say women are unreasonable, and it seems he was right, Jiang Tafa laughed but was unconcerned with the Qingxia Gods attitude, If you wish to go, I wont stop you, but you cannot continue to control this child. You wont suppress me? The Qingxia God was stunned, filled with doubts; Jiang Tafas attitude was unexpected. My master tasked me with maintaining the seal that suppresses you; he didnt instruct me to suppress you per se, Jiang Tafas expression was calm, and then he smiled again, Besides, you have already sworn fealty to that person with your foundational essence, I wont provoke this trouble. If I remove the vow with my foundational essence, will you then suppress me? The Qingxia Gods brows furrowed, her recently eased heart becoming vigilant once more. I cannot rule out that possibility, Jiang Tafa said, smiling as he shook his fan. So, youve made up your mind that I cant lift the oath of the Tao Seed? The Qingxia Gods expression turned unfriendly as he said, Do you think I cant overcome those juniors from the Qing Emperor Palace? It seems that the reincarnation has indeed damaged your wisdom. Youve clearly regained part of your memory, yet you still act like a child, Jiang Tafa answered irrelevantly, continuing on his own track. Are you saying Im brain-damaged?? The Qingxia God was a bit confused and in disbelief as he said, You werent like this before. Haha, returning to the mortal world naturally brings a bit more humanity. This kind of life isnt bad, Jiang Tafas face wore a deeper smile, his white beard quivering, Since youve reincarnated, isnt it good to live peacefully? Heh, live peacefully? The Qingxia God let out a cold snort and said, You said that if I wanted to go to the Qing Emperor Palace, you wouldnt stop me, so now let me go. No, Ive changed my mind, Jiang Tafa suddenly stood up, his body emitting layers of golden light, and said in a deep voice, Its better to suppress you after all! What?! The Qingxia God was shocked and cried out, Youre going back on your word! Immediately after, Jiang Tafa pointed a finger, and the golden light turned into talismans, merging into the Qingxia Gods soul body, but it didnt seal her. Instead, it made her soul body more solid. Just kidding, Jiang Tafa shook the fan and laughed heartily. He then waved his hand dismissively, Go on, leave me to my peaceful life. This child will stay here for now. The talisman just now will allow you to exist as a projection through this child. Damn it! The Qingxia God cursed silently, not daring to make a sound. After regaining her composure, she realized she was back in the projected body of Bai Yuejian, with the Bai familys innkeeper and his wife close by. What exactly is Jiang Tafa plotting? For the Qingxia God, who had been suppressed for thousands of years by this Ascendant Tao Lord, the fear was real, as evidenced by her terror-stricken face upon seeing him. In her memory, this Ascendant Tao Lord had always been decisive and arrogant, never holding anyone in regard. Apart from the original Saint of Law, even the other Saints didnt seem to matter much to Jiang Tafa. But now, hes showing such concern for Zhou Heng The Qingxia God furrowed her brows, feeling even more puzzled and somewhat worried. Could it be that Zhou Heng is the reincarnation of the Saint of Law? Yes, only that could make Jiang Tafa care so much. And only then would he choose to live in Zhou Hengs hometown. I see now! No wonder Zhou Heng is so powerful. Normally, even the reincarnated self of a divine Lord Saint would not be able to produce such overly powerful countermeasures. But if hes an existence on the level of the Middle Ancient Saints, then that would make sense. The Qingxia God believed she had guessed the true identity of Zhou Hengs past life. But this truth did not reassure her, instead, it made her more panicked and uneasy. The Saint of Law was a Lord adept at manipulating rules. His Tao was the Tao of Ordinance, revising, distorting, and evolving the normal Laws of the Tao to create ordinances of his own devising. If, as conjectured, he truly was the reincarnation of the Saint of Law, then it was highly likely that he possessed countermeasures with similar effects. These could twist the incomplete vow of the Tao Seed into a complete state. By then, she might go from being forced to do three things a day for Zhou Heng to being forever loyal to Zhou Heng, with him being able to make her do anything at any time. Just the thought of it was terrifying. I must lift the oath of the Tao Seed as soon as possible, or else the consequences are unimaginable. The more the Qingxia God thought, the more frightened she became, even beginning to envision unspeakable scenarios of being utterly controlled by Zhou Heng. Quick! It has to be quick! Shortly after the Qingxia God had left Huangtong Mansion City in the projection of Bai Yuejian, Zhou Heng returned to the place. In fact, before he even truly entered the city, he had already spread out his divine sense. He had almost enveloped the entire Huangtong Mansion City in his search for Bai Yuejians presence. The outcome was locked on the first martial arts academy of Pure Yang. However, when Zhou Heng arrived here, he only saw Bai Yuejian lying asleep on a cool mat, and Jiang Er drinking tea beside him, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. The couple who managed the place were nowhere to be seen. Moreover, he didnt sense the aura of the Qingxia God on Bai Yuejians body. No need to look anymore, Jiang Er began as he waved his fan, speaking indifferently, The soul of Qingxia God has already left, possessing the projection of this child and gone to the Qing Emperor Palace. Senior I have seen you, senior Tao Lord that seals and banishes, Zhou Heng bowed in a salute, thought for a moment, and asked, Senior, have you seen Qingxia God here? I have, and I asked her some questions, said Jiang Er with a smile. Dont call me any Tao Lord or senior, come take a seat. After all, you are considered my employer. As the gatekeeper of the first martial arts academy of Pure Yang, it was indeed not wrong for Jiang Er to call Zhou Heng his employer. I wouldnt dare, said Zhou Heng as he waved his hands repeatedly, but he still sat down beside him and said, It seems that senior doesnt intend to continue suppressing Qingxia God? She has already sworn loyalty to you with her Dao seed; why would I suppress someone on my employers side, retorted Jiang Er, as if it were only natural, laughing, unless she is no longer yours. That is an interesting way to put it, senior, Zhou Heng looked to the east and smiled, It seems you are quite certain that the Qing Emperor Palace wont be able to help Qingxia God break her Dao seed vow? Its not that they cant, its that the Qing Emperor Palace never intended to help her break it, Jiang Er said with a smile, Her going there is like a lamb entering a tigers den; this is a typical example of demotion in intelligence after reincarnating and transferring calamity. Demotion in intelligence? Zhou Hengs mouth opened slightly, and he almost laughed out loud, Does the Qing Emperor Palace covet her Dao seed, wanting to use it to condense their own? No, Jiang Er shook his head lightly, There is already a Tao Lord in the Qing Emperor Palace, refining the withered wood Dao seed, presenting him with two paths of the Nine Nether in front of him. One path is to continue nourishing the Dao seed, allowing you to bear the Dao fruit, thereby proving yourself as a Divine First Rank. The other path is to find a similar wood element Dao seed, devour and refine it, inducing the emergence of a new wood element Dao fruit. This Zhou Hengs mouth twitched slightly as he forced a wry smile, Does this mean I am going to face a Tao Lord once again? Do you still have a method? Jiang Er asked with a hint of a teasing smile. What do you think, senior? Zhou Heng countered with a question. Hahaha! Jiang Er laughed, biting his palm-leaf fan, So whats your next move, heading to the Qing Emperor Palace? No, Ill go back to Yuanhe Prefecture City, said Zhou Heng with a smile, and wait for the rabbit. Are you so sure that Qingxia God will return? asked Jiang Er, smiling. As long as she doesnt want to die and isnt truly foolish to the extreme, she will certainly return, Zhou Heng confidently affirmed. Although Jiang Tafa said that Qingxia God was a typical example of demotion in intelligence after reincarnation and transferring calamity, he didnt see it that way. As one of the many rulers who once dominated an era, even if her memories had not fully recovered, she shouldnt act rashly without leaving herself a way out. Especially when she wasnt at her wits end yet. Moreover, when Qingxia God previously came to explore his dreams, she only used a strand of her divine soul, which clearly showed caution. Now that she must have regained more of her memories and power, theres no reason she would become more reckless. So, if the time comes, will you help her against the Tao Lord of the Qing Emperor Palace? asked Jiang Er again. Well see when the time comes, Zhou Heng said with a smile, not giving a definite answer. In his view, the Tao Lord of the Qing Emperor Palace probably wouldnt dare to make a move rashly. With the precedent set by Master Yuxin, the Tao Lord of the Qing Emperor Palace couldnt be unaware that Zhou Heng had means that could obliterate even a Tao Lord. Even if everyone suspected that the means were a legacy from his past life and subject to restrictions, since he first revealed his identity, he had already used the legacy of his past life countless times. No one knew whether he had exhausted it, and it was likely that the Tao Lord of the Qing Emperor Palace wouldnt dare to personally risk it. Therefore, if the Qing Emperor Palace was sending someone to Yuanhe Prefecture City to capture Qingxia Gods reincarnation, it would probably send a Celestial Man descending, or maybe even dispatch a Fourth Rank Absolute top Great Grandmaster. After all, a Celestial Man taking action would be quite conspicuous. And for an opponent of the Absolute Fourth Rank, even without his special privileges and skill cards, Zhou Heng could take on a fight. Zhou Heng thus settled down in Yuanhe Prefecture City, taking up residence at the Bais family home. In his spare time, he casually imparted some martial arts pointers to Bai Jingtian. The mans martial talent was decent, but he had never learned any profound martial arts, so Zhou Heng just taught him some basic techniques from the Pure Yang Palace to enhance his martial understanding. Who knows, there might be an addition to an outer or inner sect disciple to the Pure Yang Palace. If luck was on his side and he caught a Grandmasters eye, he might even have the chance to receive true transmission. So, as the days passed, Zhou Heng had already stayed at the Bais family for five days, but still had not seen any changes. But he wasnt worried. If nothing turned up after a long wait, that would mean Qingxia God had truly been doomed by the Qing Emperor Palace. A reincarnation of a Tao Lord, who once dominated an era! If she were to be schemed to death just like that, it would be a complete waste, not even worth the effort of subjugation. Better to start over in another reincarnation cycle. Recraft and rebirth. On the sixth day. Early in the morning. While Zhou Heng was instructing Bai Jingtians morning session, he suddenly saw the sunrise in the east as if covered by a layer of mist, turning everything foggy, while the flowers, grass, and trees in the yard began to grow wildly, and an invisible yet intensely rich vital force surged abruptly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Master, whats happening? Bai Jingtian was shocked and bewildered. He had seen something similar beforeit was during the last major battle that almost led to disaster for Yuanhe Prefecture City when Liu Gaoyang tried to prove himself as a Celestial Man. Its nothing to worry about, Zhou Heng reassured with a wave of his hand. Meanwhile, his eyes shone with a golden light as he looked towards the Qingxia River, and with his divine sense, he could see towering waves churning endlessly, as if the entire river were being overturned. I beg for the Tao Lords aid! I beg for the Tao Lords aid! The voice of Qingxia God drifted over from afar. Chapter 377 - Chapter 377: Chapter 97: The Desolate Clock! Chapter 377: Chapter 97: The Desolate Clock! The Qingxia Gods cries for help were urgent, as if he had reached the end of his rope. Zhou Heng, through his Dharma Eye, could see the situation at the Qingxia River, but he did not pay any attention to it, nor did he respond. Bai Jingtian, who was nearby, noticed Zhou Hengs unusual expression and asked, Sir, whats wrong? Did you discover some clue? Its nothing, Zhou Heng replied with a gentle shake of his head and a smile, Someone is just subduing a demon. It should be over in a while. I hadnt finished telling you just now, this move should He continued explaining Martial Arts to Bai Jingtian, completely ignoring the Qingxia Gods plight. On the Qingxia River, the waves were surging heavenward, and the one hundred zhang wide river had already submerged both banks, drowning the forests on either side. Above the water, there was a luminescence filled with emerald light flickering on and off, enveloping a green snake over a thousand zhang long. This green snakes Dharma Body was covered in scales, with crimson eyes, and two bulges on its head as if horns were about to sprout, suggesting it was on the brink of transforming into a dragon. The Qingxia God had already regained the level of Absolute Fourth Rank, manifesting the Green Dragon Dharma Body. However, before reattaining the realm of Celestial Man, the Green Dragon Dharma Body could not be fully condensed, only able to manifest the rudimentary shape of the Green Dragon, which is what it looked like now. Even so, the Dharma Body manifested by the Qingxia God was still immensely powerful, consolidating various Dharmic principles and Taoist rhymes, stirring the sea of heaven and earths vital energy, making the void within a thousand li seem as if it were boiling. Countless people looked up to the sky and saw the originally azure sky filled with clouds now dyed green, giving the impression that the whole world had turned green. The momentum of such wood elemental power was infinitely close to the level of Taoist power. A normal Great Grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank would never be able to achieve such a feat. After all, the Qingxia God was once a Tao Lord. Even though only a reincarnated Divine Soul with unawakened memories remained, his strength was far beyond that of an ordinary Great Grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank. However, standing off against this green snakes Dharma Body was no ordinary Dharma Body. There were three Great Grandmasters of Absolute Fourth Rank from the Qing Emperor Palace. One manifested into a giant tree soaring over ten thousand zhang, rooting deep into the earth, gathering the earths qi from a thousand li around, vigorously robust, with a diameter exceeding one hundred li, its branches entering the clouds, and its leaves lush like a canopy covering the sky, swaying as if shaking the heaven and earth. This was the Sustaining Heaven Tree King Dharma Body, a direct path to the Wood Kings Great Path and a third-rank supreme technique of heaven. Under the influence of the Sustaining Heaven Tree Kings Dharma Body, the Dharmic principles and Taoist rhymes concentrated by the Green Dragons Dharma Body started to scatter slightly, but this was not enough to affect the essenceQingxia Gods Dharma Body was still powerful. Yet, aside from this one Sustaining Heaven Tree Kings Dharma Body, there were two other Dharma Bodies from the Qing Emperor Palace. One manifested a one thousand zhang tall figure, with an august treasure-like appearance, radiant with golden light, sitting on a lotus platform, hands forming mudras, full of life and rich in Zen, like a Buddha. Medicine King Dharma Body! The Qing Emperor Palace did not differentiate between Buddhism and Taoism, embracing and assimilating all Dharmas. This Medicine King Dharma Bodys Buddhist Martial Arts were also heavenly third-rank supreme techniques, capable of attaining Buddhist achievements and possessed Great Power. The other figure was also of a thousand zhang stature, but clothed in shimmering azure brilliance, dressed in royal attire, supremely majestic and gallant, as if a supreme emperor had descended to the mortal world. Qing Emperor Dharma Body! This was the direct transmission Dharma Body of the Qing Emperor Palace, said to originate from an ancient inheritance partial scripture obtained by one of the Palaces ancestors, containing the mysteries of ancient immortals and gods. Even if incomplete, its a Divine Skill capable of achieving the level of a Tao Lord, with immense power. Moreover, only the direct disciples of the teaching patriarchs lineage could cultivate it. Therefore, in each generation of disciples from the Qing Emperor Palace, there was only one such Dharmakaya Practitioner. Clearly, in order to capture the Qingxia Gods reincarnation, the Qing Emperor Palace had made a considerable investment, sending not only the very top Absolute Fourth Rank experts, but also the direct descendant of the current generation from the Qing Emperor Palace. This was the person most likely to inherit the position of head of the Qing Emperor Palace, not an exaggeration to refer to as the Young Palace Master. Under the joint attack of these three Dharmakaya Practitioners, the Green Dragon Dharma Body manifested by the Qingxia God was already at a clear disadvantage, the previously condensed Taoist Rhyme Theory nearly shattered, with the overall situation hanging by a thread. In fact, this was quite normal. No matter how strong the Qingxia God was, she had ultimately only recovered to the Absolute Fourth Rank level, and she was also without a true physical body to dwell in, only able to rely on the projection of Bai Yuejian to manifest her Dharma Body and operate Mana, which meant her strength was inevitably discounted. The strength of these three top Great Grandmasters from the Qing Emperor Palace was formidable, so the Qingxia God naturally stood no chance. However, the Qingxia God had anticipated such a situation in advance. She had arranged two escape routes for herself. One was the Qingxia River. This was where her true form resided, and although it was still sealed, Jiang Tafa was no longer watching over it, and after thousands of years of erosion, it was no longer as impregnable as before. Originally, her plan was to lure the people from the Qing Emperor Palace here if they truly intended to betray and harm her. A great battle could potentially fracture the seal somewhat, allowing her to absorb Taoist energy, greatly increasing her strength, and possibly even allowing her to recover to the Celestial Man level in one fell swoop. The other route involved Zhou Heng in Yuanhe Prefecture City. If she couldnt draw Taoist energy from the Qingxia River, it meant she might very well fail this time and be captured by the Qing Emperor Palace, losing her Taoist seed. It would be better to submit to Zhou Heng willingly. After all, Zhou Heng might be the reincarnation of a Middle Ancient Martial Arts Sage, and submitting to a powerful being who once defeated her completely, according to the concepts of the Dark Era, would not be seen as unacceptable. It was for this reason that she continued to fight those three from the Qing Emperor Palace here, rather than choosing to escape. She was aiming for the first escape route. But now that the battle had reached this stage and the seal on the Qingxia River showed no signs of breaking, the Qingxia God couldnt draw Taoist energy from it, which left her somewhat anxious. So, she called for help from Zhou Heng in Yuanhe Prefecture City. However, after her cry for help, there was no response from the direction of Yuanhe Prefecture City; it was as if Zhou Heng had not heard her plea at all. How could this be? The Qingxia God was utterly astonished and highly surprised. She was confident that her message had been sensed by Zhou Heng, which meant that his lack of response suggested that he had no intention of intervening in her affairs or rescuing her. Could it be that he intends to abandon me, not wanting me as his servant? the Qingxia God thought, her mind in turmoil, Or did my intent to lift the Taoist seed oath anger him? And just as she was calling for help, the power of the Qing Emperor Dharma Body seemed to have increased once again, its brilliance growing ever brighter. Who are you calling for help, Zhou Heng from River Mansion City? came a voice from within the Qing Emperor Dharma Body, high and lofty, filled with endless authority. This was the direct disciple of the current head of the Qing Emperor Palace, ranked seventh on the Earth Rankingsthe Young Qing Emperor, Lu Jingcang. Already having cultivated a Dharma Body and reached the Absolute Fourth Rank five hundred years ago, to this day, he had honed his Green Dragon Dharma Body to the peak of the Absolute Fourth Rank stage and was on the verge of peering into the Heavenly Tao at any moment. Undoubtedly, he was one of the top Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters of the age, far from an ordinary Absolute Fourth Rank, even the two Dharmakaya Practitioners who came with him were significantly less powerful than him. So what if I did? the Qingxia God scoffed coldly, deciding not to concern herself with whether Zhou Heng wished to come to the rescue or not, and declared, You and your master should both be aware of whom I made the vow to the Tao Seed with! Ha, Lu Jingcang chuckled, shaking his head. Do you think you can use Zhou Hengs fame to oppress me? Ridiculously laughable. To me, Zhou Heng is but a junior, hardly worth mentioning. Even if he is a reincarnation of a powerful being, possessing some mighty trump cards, would he use them so frivolously? You too are a reincarnation of a powerful being, and you should be clear on this. Moreover, your previous attempts to break the Tao Seed vow are tantamount to betrayal to him. How could he possibly come to your rescue? Yet the fact remains that the Tao Seed vow has not been dissolved, the Qingxia God said gravely. But after you sought help before, did Zhou Heng respond to you? Lu Jingcangs face bore a thicker smile, as he raised his voice and bellowed, Snake demon! Wont you speedily surrender?! This shout, righteous and imposing, spread for thousands of miles, making people believe that a powerful being was exorcising demons in this world. Before the echo faded Lu Jingcang had already extended his palm, condensing a giant sword of ten thousand feet, spanning the void, its radiance shimmering, almost turning the skies green for thousands of miles around. The Qing Emperor wields his sword! All vegetation submits! In an instant, it seemed as if all vitality between heaven and earth converged upon this single sword. The vitality of flowers and plants, of trees, of rivers, of birds in flight, of roaming beasts It was as if all manner of life in the human realm had gathered their vital energy upon this one sword. This was a sword of vitality, yet it was also a sword of all living beings. Facing this sword was akin to making enemies with all living beings, with all things, with heaven and earth itself, subjected to the rejection of the laws of all things and the world! Youngster! Youre committing acts of deceiving your master and destroying your ancestors! the Qingxia God roared furiously, her teeth clenched, her blood-red eyes filled with murderous intent as she stared at Lu Jingcang. She recognized this sword, and the Daoist Rhyme within itit was once her most adept method of attack. Now, the Qing Emperor Palace had, through later acquired ancient heritage, combined this with the Green Dragon Dharma Body, refining the attacking move, which seemed to have become even more powerful. But this did nothing to quell the Qingxia Gods fury. Granted, the core heritage of the Qing Emperor Palace was now the legacy of ancient Celestial beings, but the origins of their success began from obtaining a portion of the Qingxia Gods leftover heritage. In a way, this made them the disciples of Qingxia God. The current actions of the Qing Emperor Palace were nothing short of deceiving their master and destroying their ancestors! Faced with such an attack, the Qingxia God did not evade nor did she attempt to defend herselfinstead, she directly charged with her thousand-foot snake body. It was as if she were confronting Heavenly Punishment itself as she collided! Boom! Like the heavens splitting apart, an earth-shattering explosion erupted, and the immense shockwave spread, sparking fierce storms that shook the earth and rivers, causing the Qingxia River to evaporate, as large swathes of water were blasted into fine droplets that reached the sky. At the same moment, the Qingxia Gods manifested Green Dragon Dharma Body was cleaved in two by Lu Jingcangs sword edge, splitting the colossal snake body in the air. However, such damage was not fatal for a Dharma Body practitioner. Although the Qingxia Gods Green Dragon Dharma Body was split in two, the mana connections remained intact. If they could merge together again and let the mana flow afresh, they would quickly revert to their original state. Of course, substantial weakening was certain. But just as the two halves of the snake body tried to close in on each other, the Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster, who manifested the Dharma Body of the Medicine King, suddenly made his move, clapping his hands and chanting a Buddhas name. ` Amitabha, honored one, vanquish the demon! With this palm strike, it instantly transformed into a massive golden palm that covered the sky and eclipsed the sun, glittering with boundless Buddha-light, pressing down upon the Qingxia God, within the center of the palm the swastika symbol rotating rapidly, crushing the Qingxia Gods Dharma Body God Light. At the same time, the towering Tree King began to move, its trunk swaying, and immediately, countless leaves fell, slicing apart the nebulous Taoist Rhyme Theory and weakening the Qingxia Gods ability to harness the laws of heaven and earth. Boom! The Buddha-light palm pushed out by the Dharmakaya Practitioner of the Medicine King slammed onto the two halves of the Qingxia Gods serpentine body, immediately casting her down into the dust, plunging into the bottom of the Qingxia River, sinking into the silt, the huge bisected serpent body filling the segment of riverbed that had run dry. Yet, the Qingxia God, having fallen into the riverbed, did not show signs of weakening. Instead, it was as if she suddenly received some sort of nourishment; the serpent body that had been split apart instantaneously restored itself, and not only did her depleted vital energy recover to its original state, but it even became stronger. Boom! The Qingxia God soared back into the air, her might even greater than before, and even the bulge on her head had grown somewhat, as if the dragon horns were about to emerge. Her strength had increased! This is not good! This Qingxia River is her true forms dwelling. Just now, when she fell into the riverbed, she very likely received some residual traces of the Dao force! Lu Jingcang immediately identified the problem. Without a second thought, he flipped his hand and brought forth a cyan bronze bell, gently giving it a shake. Dong! The bells toll resonated, carrying the might to scatter divine souls! The Qingxia God, having just been empowered and about to unleash her divine might to fend off Lu Jingcang and the others, abruptly heard the bells toll, which carried the might to fracture souls. This kind of sound specifically targeted the three souls and seven spirits of a person, and she instantly felt dizzy, as if her soul had been scattered. By the time she came to her senses, she saw that the great bell was already being upturned towards her. Soul-Dispelling Bell!! The Qingxia God cried out in alarm. She recognized this bell. It was once a treasure she had collected, a divine artifact of the Celestial Man rank, obtained from some immortal relics during the Dark Era. It was said to be crafted by ancient immortals in imitation of a mythical powerhouses magic weapon, possessing an extremely powerful lethality against souls, specifically to counter beings like her that only had their souls remaining. Why am I so unlucky?! The Qingxia God couldnt help but question herself again. First, she was wounded by ultimate skills that she herself had left behind. After managing to absorb some residual, minute Dao force from the riverbed to enhance her strength, she was again wounded by a legacy left by her past life. It was her own things that were beating her, too unlucky! Just as the Soul-Dispelling Bell was about to descend upon the Qingxia God, a streak of golden light suddenly flew from the distance and struck the bell, emitting a clear sound. Dong! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was as if a copper coin had landed on this cyan bronze bell, which should not have caused any significant effect. But with that gentle collision, the Soul-Dispelling Bell immediately became dull and lost all its mystique, transforming into the shape of a bronze chime, falling from the sky into the hands of someone below. Zhou Heng?! Lu Jingcang first cried out in surprise, then his expression turned stern as he said in a deep voice, Do you really intend to meddle in this matter? This is someone who has betrayed you, right? No, Im just curious about this bronze bell, Zhou Heng shook his head slightly, smiling as he said, I wonder, where did you get this bell from? ` Chapter 378 - Chapter 378: Chapter 98: How Many Five-Colored Divine Lights Does He Have? Chapter 378: Chapter 98: How Many Five-Colored Divine Lights Does He Have? The Desolate Bell. In his past life, Zhou Heng had heard of such an artifact in legends, the sound of its tolling capable of making an enemys soul become detached, causing them to lose their senses or even fall into a coma, unconscious. The effect was very similar to the Bronze Bell of Lu Jingcang. Therefore, upon hearing the Qingxia God cry out the name The Desolate Bell, he immediately took action, using a multi-purpose skill card to produce the Radiance of Capturing Treasures, and snatched the Desolate Bell into his hands. This is the Divine Artifact of my sect, are you trying to seize it by force? Lu Jingcang said in a deep voice, Zhou Heng, Qing Emperor Palace has no intention of becoming enemies with Pure Yang Palace, please refrain from intervening in this matter. Little Qing is considered my servant, and you chase after her so brazenly, yet you ask me not to intervene? Zhou Heng directly placed the Desolate Bell into his Cave Sky world and looked at Lu Jingcang with an unpleasant expression, How overbearing, Young Palace Master Lu. Little Qing?? The Qingxia God was first startled at his words, then furious, but soon calmed down and chose to lower her head in tacit agreement. Do you truly wish to meddle? Lu Jingcang retracted his Qing Emperor Dharma Body and manifested his true form, a young noble floating in the air, and spoke in a serious tone, Is Pure Yang Palace trying to obstruct my masters path? Dont try to pin labels on me, Zhou Heng said, his brow slightly furrowing, I have no intention of being your enemy. You simply need to tell me where the Desolate Bell came from. Ridiculous! Lu Jingcang was infuriated and glared at Zhou Heng, vehemently shouting, Zhou Heng, you should know that this person is the reincarnation of the Qingxia God, the overlord of the Dark Era! Back then, the saints of the Middle Ancient era only established a new epoch and built a thriving civilization after they had laid to rest the Thirty-Six Gods of Darkness. And now, you consort with such a god of darkness; do you wish to fall into evil ways? Hahaha. Zhou Heng laughed, I often heard that the Young Palace Master of Qing Emperor Palace, Lu Jingcang, had exceptional talent and unique insights into the Martial Path and history. I had no idea you were a hat king, always trying to pin labels on people. Zhou Heng! Lu Jingcang was thoroughly enraged, his voice deepening considerably, Are you really going to intervene in this matter? How important this is to Qing Emperor Palace and the sort of existence you will offend by stopping us, I presume you are well aware! I know you are the reincarnation of a powerful being, but you are ultimately just a Secret Six Rank martial artist now. Even if you have some powerful trump cards, do you think you can keep using them forever? Dont be too arrogant! Is it so difficult to answer one question? Always so endlessly talkative. Zhou Heng was already getting impatient and spoke directly, Lu Jingcang, now you have two choices: either tell me the specific origin of the Desolate Bell or confront me. Choose one. Laughable! Lu Jingcang snorted coldly, transformed in a swirl, and once again took on the formidable presence of the Qing Emperor Dharma Body, looking down upon Zhou Heng from above, This is your last chance, leave this place, and I will pretend you were never here. I only wanted to ask a question, why do you insist on forcing me? Zhou Heng shook his head, his face a mix of helplessness and sigh, Its a pity, the Young Palace Master of Qing Emperor Palace, a Great Grandmaster so close to the Absolute Fourth Rank of the Celestial Man. Tao Lord, I know the origin of the Desolate Bell! I know it! Just then, the Qingxia God suddenly spoke up, This treasured bell was originally mine in a past life. Qing Emperor Palace acquired it only because it was part of my legacy from that life; they dont know its true origin! Oh? Zhou Heng raised his eyebrows and smiled, So its like that. Why didnt you say so sooner, causing me to argue with this surnamed Lu? If I had known it was once yours, I would have defeated him straight away. Arrogance! Lu Jingcang, unable to contain his anger, swung the Giant Sword once more, initiating the same strike he had used on Qingxia God, this time aiming at Zhou Heng! In an instant, the vitality of all things in heaven and earth seemed to converge into this sword strike; facing such a sword felt like confronting the aversion of every affair in the world, becoming an enemy of all, subject to divine condemnation! At the same time, the two Great Grandmasters of Qing Emperor Palace who had manifested the Tree King Dharma Body and the Medicine King Dharma Body also made their moves. They attacked in unison, following close behind Lu Jingcangs assault to suppress Zhou Heng. Three Great Grandmasters of the Absolute Fourth Rank had now joined forces against Zhou Heng! Such a scene was unprecedented, with no Secret Six Rank martial artist ever having prompted three Great Grandmasters to act together against them. At this moment, not only was the Qingxia God, who was not far from Zhou Heng, taken aback, but also the people in Yuanhe Prefectural City behind and in Huangtong Mansion City in front, as well as many viewers in distant places who were watching this battle, were all struck dumb with amazement. Zhou Heng hadnt used any backups from his past life, he was just a Secret Sixth Rank martial artist at present, yet the Qing Emperor Palace was being so cautious to an unbelievable extent, with three grandmasters joining forces in an attempt to suppress him. Would Zhou Heng be caught in their trap? Would Zhou Heng be suppressed just like that? Would he display some powerful and miraculous countermeasure once again? Would Yan Shouyi come to save him? Would the Celestial Men of the Qing Emperor Palace be drawn out as well? Many people were extremely curious in their hearts, especially those who were not involved, they were even more eager to watch from a distance, to see how Zhou Heng would respond to such an attack. Normally speaking, any Secret Sixth Rank martial artist faced with a combined and reasonable assault from three pinnacle grandmasters would have no chance at all of resisting. Under the crushing attack of the three great grandmasters, the principles of heaven and earth within this area seemed to be warped, as if besides the interwoven mana and Daoist rhyme of these three attacks, everything else was pushed aside. For a Secret Sixth Rank martial artist, in such an environment, it would be nearly impossible even to draw upon the heaven and earths vital energy, let alone resist. It was almost an impossibility. But Zhou Heng was different. As Lu Jingcang and the other two pinnacle grandmasters launched their assault, he once again used a special skill card. He wouldnt think that with his current strength he could take on three great grandmasters alone. Even if he pushed the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique and the Eight Gates of Life and Death to their limits and repeatedly executed the Sword Technique of Conviction, the Yin Yang Reversal Divine Light, and the Xuanyuan Tower Secret among other top martial arts skills, he still wouldnt have the slightest chance of winning. This was an absolute suppression of realms, and with his own strength alone, defeat was certain. He had no choice but to cheat. As for which skill card to use, Zhou Heng had long had a plan in mind. The Qing Emperor Palace was primarily based on the Wood Element among the Five Elements Path. What would be most suitable was already on the tip of his tongue Activate the Universal Skill Card to transform into Five-Colored Divine Light [Copper]! Five-Colored Divine Light [Copper]: Can demonstrate the true meaning of the Five Elements Path and can erode all things in the world that belong to the Five Elements. Zhou Heng directly raised his right hand, with his puny mortal body, reaching out towards the three enormous Dharma Bodies materialized by the grandmasters. This scene presented an incredibly stark contrast, as if an ant were challenging a deity. But just as this ant raised his right hand, a shockingly brilliant and blinding divine light suddenly exploded from the palm of his hand! This divine light shone with five colors, streaked across the universe, eclipsed heaven and earth, subdued the rivers and mountains, unified the Five Elements, and halted all things!! Five-Color Divine Light! Nothing can withstand its cleansing!!! Legend has it that this was a technique of an immensely powerful transcendental entity, who once swept away countless immortals, divine beings, and saints, dominating many eras. At one point, it even caused the fall of a supreme being, and for a time, it stood as a symbol of the highest achievement within the Five Elements Path. Even though the Five-Color Divine Light released by Zhou Heng now through a special skill card is a version weakened countless times over, its power is still enough to sweep away everything. Back then, Liu Gaoyang and the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal had no capacity to resist underneath the Five-Color Divine Light. They were directly engulfed by it, ground into fine dust, with both body and soul annihilated! And both of these individuals were stronger than Lu Jingcang. The former had begun to lodge his Primordial Spirit into the void, attempting to prove himself as a Celestial Man and had even attained a sliver of the Daos power in his peak Dharma Body. The latter was even a reincarnated Loose Immortal, who had once been a Celestial Man and, after his fall, reshaped his body with an Immortal Yuan Spirit and switched to another cultivation practice. The realms of these two individuals had surpassed the category of Absolute Fourth Rank, true powerhouses infinitely close to the third rank of the heavens. Yet, even they were like dust and powder under the Five-Color Divine Light, insignificant and unworthy of mention. Not to speak of the current three people with Lu Jingcang now. The instant Lu Jingcang saw the Five-Color Divine Light, he felt as if he were beholding the origin of the Five Elements Path, as though he was facing a Tao Lord who had cultivated the Five Elements Path. It seemed as if all the elemental entities in the world had become his enemies. This light, this divine light Zhou Heng had used it a year ago in Yuanhe Prefectural City. It must be a contingency left by his previous life, but why, why can he still use it? Lu Jingcang felt utterly disordered. He had never seen a reincarnated being of such power, whose contingency measures were plentiful, let alone retaining so many of the same techniques? This didnt make sense! Not only was Lu Jingcang astonished and unable to comprehend, but the Qingxia God behind Zhou Heng was also dumbfounded, staring at the sky-filling Five-Color Divine Light, almost doubting whether he was hallucinating. What on earth was the reincarnate Tao Lord he pledged loyalty to thinking? How many Five-Color Divine Lights had his previous life left behind as contingency? And wasnt he supposed to be a reincarnation of the Middle Ancient Ruler Saint? He had never heard of the Ruler Saint favoring the Five-Color Divine Light so much. Could it be a display through some distortion of the rules? For a moment, Qingxia Gods thoughts were in disarray, feeling that Zhou Heng was becoming increasingly unfathomable. At the same time, the many powerhouses who were watching the battle from afar were just as confused and dumbstruck upon seeing the Five-Color Divine Light, their scalps tingling, unable to understand what was happening. They had a profound impression of this Five-Color Divine Light. A year ago, its radiant splendor erased a Loose Immortal; its power was boundless, solidifying Zhou Hengs identity as a reincarnated great being. This caliber of divine light could be considered the strongest measure of a reincarnated great being. Yet later, when Zhou Heng was in Huangtong Mansion City, he deployed the Five-Color Divine Light again, which many powerhouses already found extremely outrageous. And now, here it was once more. Was he just so fond of the Five-Color Divine Light? These people couldnt even dream that Zhou Heng was simply selectively cheating according to the characteristics of his enemies. Under the unparalleled might of the Five-Color Divine Light, whether it was the Tree Kings Dharma Body or the Medicine Kings Dharma Body, or even the Qing Emperor Palaces most prized Qing Emperor Dharma Body, they crumbled like piles of sand, shattering upon touch! The Five-Color Divine Light, like surging waves, obliterated the Dharma Bodies of the three individuals including Lu Jingcang and imprisoned them within its brilliance. Congratulations! You have defeated the undoubtedly doomed opponent Lu Jingcang. Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. Congratulations! You have defeated the undoubtedly doomed opponent Yu Sha. Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. Congratulations! You have defeated the undoubtedly doomed opponent Dong Baishan. Fortune Bag [Gold] +1. The reward notification sounded. Thereby, Lu Jingcang and the two Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters he brought along had all been taken into Zhou Hengs hands. Whether they lived or died was at his mere thought. Why all this trouble? Zhou Heng shook his head and chuckled. With a casual grasp, he retracted the Five-Color Divine Light back into his palm, turning it into a sphere of light with three shadows faintly visible inside. At this moment, with just a thought, he could grind Lu Jingcang and the others into dust, annihilating their form and spirit, leaving behind nothing but the most basic elemental energy. However, Zhou Heng did not do so. For one, there was no need; he had no reason to forge a death grudge with the Qing Emperor Palace, and Pure Yang Palace had no reason to completely fall out with the Qing Emperor Palaceit had no benefits. Secondly, even if the three individuals with Lu Jingcang did not die, he would not let them off lightly. Destroying their bodies and severing their paths was enough to ensure that they could never stir up any trouble again. And thirdly a Celestial Man of the Qing Emperor Palace had already arrived. Hum! The void trembled, and the sky glowed a verdant green. A dazzling green light arose from the horizon and coalesced into a crystal-clear celestial pathway that extended over the Qingxia Rivers skies, arriving before Zhou Heng. Then, a graceful figure appeared, treading on the green light and following this pathway through the skies. In a mere moment, she traveled from the horizon to this place as if shrinking the earth to inches. This was a young woman clad in tight green scale armor. She appeared to be in her twenties, with a pretty and delicate face, giving off an air of a secluded orchid, cool and elegant. Mr. Zhou, the young woman slowly began, glancing at the Five-Color Divine Light in Zhou Hengs hand, her calm eyes betraying a hint of admiration. Please, spare my three fellow disciples. They sought to kill me, and you ask me to spare them? Zhou Hengs expression turned cold as he scoffed, What kind of reasoning is that? Does Qing Emperor Palace think Pure Yang Palace is so easily bullied? Also, who are you? State your name first. He straightforwardly put a cap on the other party first. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After all, putting a cap on someone was something anyone could do. Moreover, it wasnt a frivolous accusation; Lu Jingcang and the others had indeed taken action. As for the matter of Zhou Heng using the Golden Light of Falling Treasures to take away the Despondent Bell, there was no need to mention it. I apologize for my earlier haste, forgetting to introduce myself; I am Liu Yufeng, an elder of Qing Emperor Palace, the young woman said with a slight bow. Qing Emperor Palace has no intention of being an enemy to Pure Yang Palace. My fellow disciples were only following orders, and I implore Mr. Zhou not to blame them. Following orders to kill me? Zhou Heng sneered. Not at all, Liu Yufeng hurriedly shook her head. May I know what it will take for you to release them? Chapter 379 - Chapter 379: Chapter 99 Self-inflicted Trouble Chapter 379: Chapter 99 Self-inflicted Trouble ` With mere words, one cannot save a person, Zhou Heng said indifferently, while in his palm, the five-colored divine light flickered, evolving the true meaning of the Five Elements Path. This was a warning. I know that, Liu Yufeng fell silent, his thoughts swiftly turning. Since ancient times, there have been only two methods to save a prisoner. One could either offer sufficient benefits to move the opponent or demonstrate enough strength to overpower them. But under the current circumstances, the latter was definitely impossible. Zhou Heng had already demonstrated formidable strength, with the entire Pure Yang Palace standing behind him as support, and he had previously made a Tao Lords true body perish and thwarted the arrival of an Evil Gods avatar. Who would dare to claim they could overpower him? So, there was only one path left. We can simply gift you the Desolate Clock without any further dispute, plus two additional Celestial Man Divine Weapons, making a total of three pieces of Third-Rank Celestial weaponry to offer you in exchange for releasing these three individuals. Would that suffice? Liu Yufeng asked gravely. The Desolate Clock itself was a Celestial Man-level Divine Artifact, and with two more Celestial Man Divine Weapons, the price for reviving three Absolute Fourth Rank individuals theoretically seemed extremely high. After all, Celestial Man Divine Weapons were as valuable as Celestial Men themselves, exceptionally precious. Such terms were truly sincere. Even the Qingxia God, standing behind Zhou Heng, was somewhat tempted, and the other formidable observers watching from a distance began to breathe heavily. The Qing Emperor Palace lived up to its reputation as one of the top Martial Dao Sects of the current era, a legacy with Tao Lord level powerhouses, truly wealthy and bold, nonchalantly offering three Celestial Man Divine Weapons. What a grand gesture! But Zhou Heng frowned, a look of puzzlement on his face, Liu Tianren seems to have miscalculated, there are clearly only two Celestial Man Divine Weapons. Where is this third one? At his words, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence. The Qingxia God stood agape, Liu Yufeng was similarly stunned, and the strong onlookers in the distance also wore shocked expressions. Too imposing. Was he really disavowing the Desolate Clock? Does this mean you do not count the Desolate Clock? Liu Yufeng took a deep breath, his chest heaving, and said in a deep voice, Thats not how things should be. Why should it count? Zhou Heng remained puzzled, The Qing Emperor Palace attempted to kill a true successor of the Pure Yang Palace with this treasure, with three Great Grandmasters ganging up against me in an act of bullying. I gambled with my life and luckily subdued the artifact with a Secret Technique. How could it be considered something given to me? The Qingxia God behind him had a stupefied expression on her face, rendered dumbfounded. Gambled with my life? Luckily? Was that really the case? She recalled the previous events where Zhou Heng had seemingly effortlessly knocked down and subdued the Celestial Man Divine Artifact, the entire process as easy as blowing off dust. The watching strong ones felt a shiver down their spines, admiring the skill in barefaced lying to such an extent. What would you have us do, then? Liu Yufengs chest continued to heave, clearly infuriated, but under someone elses roof, one must bow their head. Lu Jingcang was still in the opponents hands, and they could not afford to completely rupture relations. ` For the Qing Emperor Palace, Lu Jingcang was extremely important. He was the disciple who had cultivated the Qing Emperors Dharma Body to the closest state of Perfection since the creation of the Qing Emperor Palace, a feat that even the current palace master couldnt match. Therefore, they must rescue Lu Jingcang and not let him die here. I dont think so, Zhou Heng suddenly shook his head, the five-colored divine light in his palm shifted, emitting intense fluctuations of primordial energy and principles. He said indifferently, First, hand over the two Divine Weapons you mentioned earlier, as well as several types of Spiritual Materials. After that, he named a few more Spiritual Materials, among which were treasures of Absolute Fourth Rank. These were materials for refining an imitation of the Time Knife. He had always been clueless about gathering those materials, and now he took the opportunity to shear the wool of the Qing Emperor Palace. Fine, Liu Yufeng gently bit her lip with reluctance in her heart, but still handed over the two Celestial Man Divine Weapons and a pile of Spiritual Materials she had brought with her, These two Divine Weapons are known as the Green Jade Longevity Sword and Heavy Fire Incineration. The former is skilled in nourishing the life force, its Sword Dao gentle and the principles enduring, while the latter centers on the principles of flame, exhibiting the power of destruction. Both are of excellent quality as Celestial Man Divine Weapons. I wonder if Mr. Zhou finds them satisfactory? As for the Spiritual Materials, I have some here, but there are still a few that I dont have on hand. Could you possibly give me a few more days to gather them all and bring them to you? No need for that, this will suffice, Zhou Heng dismissed them with a wave, putting the two Divine Weapons and the pile of Spiritual Materials into his Cave Sky world. Then with a gentle press of the five-colored divine light in his hand, three screams rang out immediately, and three massive fluctuations of primordial energy and principles arose, as if Great Grandmasters had perished. Zhou Heng! What have you done?! Liu Yufeng sensed the changes in the principles between heaven and earth; the signs were unmistakably those of a Great Grandmasters Dharma Body being destroyed, and she had a bad premonition. Just see for yourself. Zhou Heng casually threw a streak of green light to Liu Yufeng and said indifferently, Since you are unwilling to offer more and even forcefully included the Downfall Bell, the items I wanted are incomplete, so I can only return part of them to you. As he spoke, the five-colored divine light slowly dissipated, but the traces of Lu Jingcang and the other two Great Grandmasters with Dharma Bodies had already vanished. You, you actually destroyed Jingcangs physical body?! Liu Yufeng, after examining the situation within the green light, had her face instantly turn pale with rage rising in her eyes. For martial artists who have not yet condensed their Dao seed, the physical body is incredibly important. Before becoming a Celestial Man, the physical body carries the entirety of ones cultivation and is the foundation for the Dharma Body. After becoming a Celestial Man, the Primordial Spirit and True Spirit reside in the void, nearing the Great Dao, and the physical body is the proof and anchor of ones existence in reality. It can be said that once the physical body is lost, there is no possibility of becoming a Celestial Man, and that path is cut off. While recreating a physical body that appears identical on the surface is not a difficult task, with the cultivation realm of a Great Grandmaster, one can do it themselves, but such a body can only assure normal activities and cannot sustain the path of future cultivation. For ordinary people and martial artists below the Sect Fifth Rank, this kind of recreated body may not differ much from the original, but for Grandmasters and even Great Grandmasters, it is tantamount to complete destruction of their path. Even the most ordinary physical body responds to the myriad ways of heaven and earth, naturally cultivated by the cosmos, a product of the heavens. True restoration to its original state is not a simple matter. Normally, aside from Divine First Rank Tao Lords and those who condensed some special Dao seeds, no one can fully recreate the original physical body. This is also the reason why many Dharma Bodies, and even Celestial Men who have lost their physical bodies, can only shift to the Path of Loose Immortal. Now that Lu Jingcangs physical body has been destroyed, one can say he has been thoroughly crippled. Even if his Qing Emperor Dharma Body remains, it no longer has any potential. What awaits him is either the disintegration of the Dharma Body, with his soul dispersed, or the shift to the Path of Loose Immortal, and even then, he would be one who lacks the Immortal Yuan Spirit, barely transforming the Dharma Body into a spirit-like existence and qualifying as the weakest Loose Immortal, hanging onto life by a thread. He would likely be even weaker than when his original physical body existed, faring worse than a Great Grandmaster at the peak of Absolute Fourth Rank, exemplifying a most feeble existence. It was a pitiful situation. This is what you brought upon yourselves, Zhou Heng said with an unfazed expression and calmly stated, If you had generously produced three Celestial Man Divine Weapons from the start and prepared as much as possible for the ransom, none of this would have happened. You! Liu Yufeng couldnt suppress her fury. Her entire being surged with Dao power, causing the atmosphere between the heavens and the earth to fall silent, as if the sky itself turned oppressively dark and could crush down at any moment. It was as if the heavens themselves were enraged! Nevertheless, Liu Yufeng ultimately did not attack. She dared not gamble on whether Zhou Heng still had any reserves from his previous life, facing this unpredictable reincarnation of a great being, any rash action could bring about her own demise. But how could she report this outcome to Qing Emperor Palace? Lu Jingcang, this highly valued successor, had his physical body destroyed right under her watch, leaving only a remnant of his Dharma Body, how was she to account for this? Is there anything else? Zhou Heng spoke indifferently. Zhou Heng, has Pure Yang Palace decided to become sworn enemies with Qing Emperor Palace? Liu Yufeng gritted her teeth, her voice squeezed through clenched teeth, Youve gone too far. Everything is a consequence of their own actions, do they only have the right to kill me, without allowing me to fight back? Quite an imposing presence the Qing Emperor Palace has, Zhou Heng said with a cold laugh. Lu Jingcang managed to retain his Dharma Body because I chose to respect the apology you made to me, otherwise, he would have been destroyed both in form and spirit long ago! I will report this matter to the Sect Master of the palace, this wont end just like that! Liu Yufeng trembled with rage, but not daring to strike, she could only resort to harsh words. Then have your Sect Master come to me personally, Zhou Heng remained unfazed and said, Ive never feared anything, whoever comes, I always have a way to deal with them. Liu Yufeng was rendered speechless and didnt know what else to say, she could only harrumph coldly, Zhou Heng, your arrogance will lead to retribution sooner or later! With that, she flicked her sleeve and left, transforming into a green rainbow that disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye, much faster than when she had arrived. The words spoken were harsh but her departure was swift. With this, Qing Emperor Palaces actions were a complete failure, and the grudge between Zhou Heng and Qing Emperor Palace deepened significantly. Thank you, Tao Lord, the Qingxia God thanked Zhou Heng with utmost respect, having completely lost the desire to reach for the Dao seed oath, recognizing Zhou Hengs strength. Thank me for what? Zhou Heng glanced at her, saying, Come, tell me about the origins of that Desolate Bell. The Desolate Bell obtained from Lu Jingcang originally belonged to the Qingxia God. She naturally knew its origins. This was also what the Qingxia God had personally said when she sought help. After leaving the Qingxia River, Zhou Heng took the Dharma Body of the Qingxia God back to Yuanhe Prefecture City to inquire about the Desolate Bell. Although the Qingxia God was still in a state of severe memory fragmentation, recalling not much from her past life, fortunately, she had begun to remember parts related to the Desolate Bell. This Desolate Bell was a relic from the ancients, an artifact of Celestial Men; when she first obtained this divine artifact, she had not yet condensed her Dao seed, and with it, she had reigned supreme for quite some time. Besides this Desolate Bell, what else was in that ancient ruin? Zhou Heng inquired, Is there information on the owner of the ruins? No, the Qingxia God shook her head, saying, I found the ruins in a desolate mountain, which was a wasteland. Judging by some remaining fragments, there must have been many palaces there, but all had been damaged, without any intact writing. I found this Desolate Bell in an underground chamber deep within the ruins; the chamber was relatively intact, but apart from the bell, there was only a discarded copper furnace and some stone carvings on the wall. What kind of stone carvings? Zhou Heng pressed on. The lineage of fortune and virtue ends here, said the Qingxia God. The lineage of fortune and virtue Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. After a moment of silence, he said, Is there anything else? Any other writings in the ruins? No more; its as if someone intentionally destroyed them, said the Qingxia God. Hmm, I roughly understand, Zhou Heng nodded without asking further. He was interested in asking the Qingxia God more about the Dark Era and the Ancient Era, but the results were disappointing. Firstly, the Qingxia Gods restored memories were extremely fragmented, many things were disjointed and even reversed, almost without value. Secondly, during the time the Qingxia God had lived, it had been quite a while since the era of the ancient gods, and countless heritages and texts had been destroyed, becoming historical dust. This meant that even after the Qingxia God had later condensed the Dao seed and became one of the top thirty-six gods of the Dark Era, her understanding of the Ancient Era was still limited. The initial chaos of the Dark Era had caused too much destruction. Otherwise, the Ancient Era would not be referred to as the Mythical Era. When true history becomes extremely fragmented and unclear, rich in mysterious unknowns, it tends to be regarded as myth. In the following days, Zhou Heng temporarily stayed at the Bai familys place. Bai Yuejian and her parents were also brought back to Yuanhe Prefecture City by Zhou Heng, and the Qingxia God returned to reside within Bai Yuejians body. Qing Emperor Palace did not make any further moves, seemingly having given up on settling scores with Zhou Heng. It seemed as if this matter had come to a close. After staying with the Bai family for another half-month, Zhou Heng set out on his journey to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Next, he needed to return to the right path and diligently advance his own Martial Path. Cheating is one thing, but the fundamental growth of ones own realm and cultivation is another. To date, he had collected four of the Five Virtues energies: fortune, merit, holiness, and morality, just short of Yin Virtue Energy. The conditions for training in the Three Treasures Wish-Fulfilling Fist were also met; it was time to delve into it seriously. However, at this time, Da Qi was not well-suited for him to travel around to verify his Martial Arts, as it was unlikely there would be anyone daring enough for a spar, and it would be more appropriate to visit other worlds. On one hand, to collect Yin Virtue Energy, and on the other hand, to temper his Martial Arts. As for which world to visit, Zhou Heng had already made a plan in his heart. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Mystical Vine Realm! A world mentioned by the Star Officer Heaven Prison during the meeting at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. The strongest there were comparable to Absolute Fourth Rank, fitting for the current Zhou Heng. Moreover, the Human Race in that world worshipped two ancestors. Fuxi! Nuwa! Chapter 380 - Chapter 380: Chapter 100: The Bizarre Xuanteng Realm Chapter 380: Chapter 100: The Bizarre Xuanteng Realm For the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, the Xuanteng Realm was a rather special world. This world wasnt part of the jurisdiction of the Zhou Tian star maps, and the guiding information wasnt obtained through the usual two methods. Instead, the Heavenly Prison Star Officer happened to come across it while traveling through the star gates across countless worlds. Although the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer claimed to be able to descend upon all the worlds under the heavens, in reality, arriving at any world required explicit guiding information. This guiding information was like a lighthouse in the vast ocean, directing the way. Without it, even if one could open the star gates, there would be no path to follow, let alone talk about descending upon the worlds under the heavens. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had three sources of guiding information. The first was the worlds under the jurisdiction of the Zhou Tian star maps. Even though Da Qi only had a portion of the Ziwei sector and Azure Dragon constellations, the number was still quite substantial and constituted the main body of travel across the countless worlds under the heavens. The second was that occasionally, an Upper Third Rank powerhouse wandering beyond the heavens would come into contact with stray traces of information in the void. Through deduction using the Zhou Tian star maps, the spatial-temporal coordinates and a general overview of these worlds could be analyzed, thus acquiring new guiding information. The third occurred when slaying evil creatures; the masks could pick up interwoven legal principles from the creatures essence. These usually bore the traces of the worlds touched by the evil creatures, and through analysis and deduction using the Zhou Tian star maps, there was also a chance of obtaining guiding information. However, the probability for the latter two methods was actually quite low; from three thousand years ago until now, fewer than two hundred pieces of guiding information have been acquired through these methods. Compared to the number of worlds under the jurisdiction of the Zhou Tian star maps, this was negligible. But Xuanteng Realm was different. The source of this worlds guiding information didnt stem from any of the three sources mentioned before, but rather it was a method of acquisition that the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had never heard of. It was almost as if some powerful entity had assembled the worlds information and actively sent it out. Moreover, the creator gods Fuxi and Nuwa worshiped by the people of that world were remarkably similar to the Xi Emperor and Wa Emperor revered by the Youhuang Sect. According to the Youhuang Sect, these two were among the most supreme immortals from the Ancient Mythological Era, possessing boundless Mana, vast Great Divine Power, and unimaginable might. The higher-ups of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer speculated that if the Fuxi and Nuwa worshiped in Xuanteng Realm were indeed related to Xi Emperor and Wa Emperor, then it was indeed possible that the guidance information received by Heavenly Prison was sent out proactively. As for the purpose, it remained unknown. Although Heavenly Prison had previously completed a mission there, they didnt gain much understanding of that world and didnt discover any valuable information. Thus, the leaders of the Azure Dragon and Tianyi decided to continue sending people to explore Xuanteng Realm. But since the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer from Southern Jin showed some activity, the progress in exploring Xuanteng Realm was also put on hold, Zhou Heng felt somewhat regretful internally but then thought, However, nearly half a year has passed since Heavenly Prison last reported on Xuanteng Realm, so perhaps there have been some new findings. With this thought, Zhou Heng went to seek out the Five Emperors Inner Seat to inquire about which Star Officers had gone to explore Xuanteng Realm during this period and whether he knew some information about it. He attached great importance to this journey to Xuanteng Realm. Unlike the people of this world, who were unaware of Fuxi and Nuwa. For Zhou Heng, these two names were as familiar as thunder, absolutely the prime ancestors of civilization and the Human Race, and potentially held clues related to Earth. After all, it was Fuxi and Nuwa that were passed down on Earth; there had to be some connection, right? Therefore, before truly descending to the past, Zhou Heng planned to inquire about Xuanteng Realm from someone. Although when traveling through the star doors, he would gain some general knowledge about the world from the guide information, it was after all only an overview and not detailed, far less reliable than directly asking someone who had been there before. Zhou Heng had already communicated with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer on that matter, and since he was not currently in Purple Tenuity Palace, the Upper Third Rank Celestials recommended a high-ranking Star Officer to Zhou Heng who was at the Celestial Man level. Gou Chen. Such a high-ranking Star Officer at the Celestial Man level had a separate palace in the Ziwei Palace, which was naturally formed after she achieved Celestial Man status, called the Gou Chen Palace. I have seen the Star Lord. Gou Chen bowed slightly in greeting, she seemed to be a gentle woman, her entire demeanor was very warm, making her easy to approach. This was starkly different from her demeanor when she appeared in County City, Fengzhou, joining forces with many Celestials to confront Master Yuxin; at that time, she wore a purple star robe, pure and noble, exalted to the extreme, like an Empress. Now, she seemed like a virtuous wife, greeting her husband with a bow. Uh, wife Zhou Heng suddenly realized that among the thirty-nine Star Officials in Ziwei, the position of Gou Chen was actually that of the principal wife to the Ziwei Emperor, which was closely related to his own position as Ziwei. Even in some other systems of lore, she was revered as the Gou Chen Supreme Heavenly Emperor, said to be the biological brother of the Ziwei Great Emperor, assisting the Heavenly Emperor in governing all deities and presiding over all matters of warfare among humans. Her status was undoubtedly high. However, judging by the attitude of the Gou Chen before him, she clearly still saw herself in the role of the Gou Chen star position. I have seen Elder Gou Chen. Zhou Heng also bowed with his hands clasped together and smiled, I heard from the Upper Third Rank Celestial that elder had been to Xuanteng Realm before, could you introduce me? As a Celestial Man, Gou Chen certainly deserved his title of Elder. Of course. Gou Chen nodded gently and then invited Zhou Heng to sit down, Please take a seat, Star Lord. Xuanteng Realm is indeed very special, if you plan to descend there, it would be best to do so as a Divine Soul. Oh? Zhou Heng raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with curiosity, Why is that? After the first Zhou Tian Boundary Officer descended there, the worlds rules of Heaven seemed to have become aware and began to reject outsiders who descended. Gou Chen explained, If you descend directly through the star door, its very likely youll be discovered on the spot and targeted by the rules of Heaven and Earth. Is that so? Zhou Heng was surprised and then frowned, Is this a natural rejection or a man-made one? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Although there had been instances in the past where, due to differences in world rules, he could not fully utilize his strength or even practice various martial arts, it was still the first time he had heard that the Heavenly rules would actively reject outsiders. Moreover, if this rejection was man-made, the problem would be even more significant. It should be man-made. Gou Chen nodded, The first time the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer descended there, he did not encounter any rejection, but later, two other Star Officials experienced increasingly severe rejection. By the time I descended, I could only walk in that world for less than a day before I had to leave, otherwise, there was the possibility of suffering divine retribution. Divine retribution? Its that serious! Zhou Heng was astonished and said, But isnt the guide information about Xuanteng Realm broadcasted by the world itself? Chapter 381 - Chapter 381: Chapter 101: Need to Prepare More, Unboxing! Chapter 381: Chapter 101: Need to Prepare More, Unboxing! ` Divine punishment is the most severe negative feedback from the laws of Heaven. It manifests in various ways. Direct harm such as thunder and underground fires are just the basics; the most frightening aspect is the direct influence on fate. To be entwined with disaster, to have death hanging over ones head are common occurrences, and one might even die inexplicably without realizing it. Even Celestial Men would not wish to face such divine punishment. However, under normal circumstances, only those who have caused extremely serious disruptions to the normal operation of the worlds rules, and after a period of accumulation, could provoke divine punishment. As Gou Chen said, she had stayed in the Xuanteng realm for less than a day, which should be highly unlikely to trigger divine punishment. Unless the rules of the world have developed a will and intentionally targeted her. But if the rules of the world have developed a will, then why release the information route of the world on their own, only to then fiercely reject the outsiders? This clearly does not make sense. Zhou Heng felt puzzled in his heart. Azure Dragon and Tianyi suspect that the information route released from the Xuanteng realm might have been a call for help, Gou Chen pondered a moment and said, And now, the rules that are expelling us are very likely the will of the heavens and earth that has been eroded. Indeed, although everything has a spirit, it is extremely rare for the rules of the world to naturally give birth to a conscious spirit. The vast majority of so-called will of the heavens and earth is actually created by man-made contamination of the worlds rules. Man-made contamination of the worlds rules creating the will of the heavens and earth Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, and he said, Accomplishing such a feat is surely not within the ability of ordinary beings. Exactly, Gou Chen nodded and said, Ordinarily speaking, to erode the rules of a world such as this, one would at least need Daoist power, that is to say, reach the Celestial Man Realm. In reality, however, the Daoist power of the vast majority of Celestial Men is trivial compared to the rules of a world. Only the most pinnacle of Celestial Men or those who have espoused a special Dao have the potential to erode the rules of a world. Therefore, behind most such wills of the heavens and earth stand Tao Lords, or even more powerful beings, and of course, it could also be the work of an Evil God Azure Dragon speculates that the Fuxi and Nuwa worshiped in that world might be the Evil Gods who have eroded the rules of that worlds heavenly dao. Tianyi holds a contrary opinion, feeling that Fuxi and Nuwa might also be the ones who have been eroded. How could Fuxi and Nuwa possibly be Evil Gods! This was Zhou Hengs immediate reaction. He could accept that Evil Gods might go by titles such as the Emperor of Mount Tai, the Goddess of Cloud and Skies, Mokkalika-Jia Ye, or even Pure Yang who Transforms the Government and Guards the People. But he could not accept any association between Fuxi, Nuwa, and Evil Gods. In his memory, in his understanding, these two were the ancestors of human culture, the origin of humankind, supremely mighty beings of incredible power, impossible to be Evil Gods. For a moment, Zhou Hengs intent to visit the Xuanteng realm grew stronger. He wanted to clarify exactly what was going on with the Fuxi and Nuwa that the Human Race in that world worshipped. With so many doubts, will there be further exploration of the Xuanteng realm? Zhou Heng continued to inquire. No more, Gou Chen shook her head softly, saying, Mine was the last attempt. There has been a disturbance in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer in Southern Jin, and the evil gods from outside have gathered again. With news that a Demon Lord from the West Wasteland intends to descend, the organization can no longer afford to attend to this matter. No wonder there have been so few visitors to the Purple Tenuity Palace lately, Zhou Heng sighed softly, asking, Has there been any new activity in Southern Jin? Not for the moment, but both leaders and ourselves dare not relax, said Gou Chen. Understood, Zhou Heng nodded, not pressing further on this issue, he said, Could you give me a copy of the investigation results concerning the Xuanteng realm? I could use it for reference to better embody a Divine Soul incursion. To incarnate Divine Soul across myriad worlds, if one does not want the host body to be too random, it is still necessary to have a certain understanding of that world in order to make a choice. Of course, Gou Chen nodded gently, standing up with a smile, Please wait a moment, Star Officer. ` She formed a hand seal, and immediately a green light screen appeared before her, with various runes flowing across it. She lightly touched it with her finger, and the mask on her face subtly glowed. Then, Zhou Heng sensed that his own mask had received a message. Is this the privilege of a high-ranking Celestial Man Star Officer? Zhou Heng exclaimed in surprise, as it was his first time receiving information in this manner. Mm, you could say that, Gou Chen nodded and said, However, its not a privilege inherent to the Star Officers themselves, but a special feature of this palace. As long as you are in your own palace, you can send out information to others. Thats quite nice, Zhou Heng said with a smile of praise, then stood up and spoke, Then I will take my leave now, thank you, Senior Gou Chen. Let me escort you out, Gou Chen said warmly, leading Zhou Heng out of his grand hall. Zhou Heng walked out from Gou Chens palace, glanced back, and as he beheld the majestic hall, a thought stirred in his heart; he was well aware that he probably wouldnt have a palace like Gou Chens. Because he was the master of the entire Purple Tenuity Palace. The various functions of the Purple Tenuity Palace were actually the special effects owned by his palace. With this in mind, Zhou Heng thought about the various new special effects of the Purple Tenuity Palace, of which he had already gained quite a few. Such as the Starlight Bridge, such as the Soul Star Gate But there were some other privileges that had not yet been activated. Previously, his own strength was not displayed strongly enough, and his status was also not very stable, making it unsuitable to rashly activate privileges with significant impact. However, after the battle in the County City of Fengzhou, his status was bound to be greatly enhanced. Perhaps it was already time to optimize the special effects of the Purple Tenuity Palace. After returning from the Xuanteng Realm this time, I should have all Five Virtues complete, and upon referring to the legacy of the Three Pure Ones, theres hope for me to create my own path of the Five Virtues, Zhou Heng contemplated within. Zhou Heng already had a plan in mind and secretly thought, At that point, it wont be impossible to condense the true Gang intertwined with Dao charm and manifest the Dharma Phase to step into the Sect Fifth Rank in one fell swoop. If I step into the Sect Fifth Rank, further privileges of the Purple Tenuity Palace should open up to me. Then Ill see whether its suitable to completely unlock those privileges all at once, to enhance the Purple Tenuity Palaces special effects, and to strengthen both the organization and myself. Although he had not yet developed his own path of the Five Virtues, he had already acquired martial arts related to the Five Virtues from the legacy of the Three Pure Ones. The Yellow Mystery Pagoda Manual was Virtue of Merit, the Supreme Riding the Bull Picture was Virtue of the Dao, and the Yin and Yang Positive and Negative Divine Light was Fortune Virtue. While he lacked martial arts related to Yin Virtue and Tao Virtue, he had the Three Jewels Wish-Fulfilling Fist, which allowed him to choose any three types of virtue from within the Five Virtues for cultivation, perfectly completing the Five Virtues. This was also the reason why Zhou Heng was not in a hurry to cultivate the Three Jewels Wish-Fulfilling Fist; he wanted to wait until the Five Virtues were complete, then choose one kind of virtue energy that would complement Yin Virtue and Holy Virtue to cultivate this fist. At this thought, another idea suddenly emerged in Zhou Hengs mind, and he secretly pondered, Since the Five Virtues are complete, and I have also collected the Fortune of Killing and Fortune of Qi among the Five Fortunes, then might it be possible to further achieve the Five Virtue Five Fortune Dharma Phase after cultivating the Five Virtue Dharma Phase, as a supplement? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. If both Five Virtues and Five Fortunes were complete, the Dharma Phase would inherently contain the principle of generating and overcoming, more closely aligning with the inclusive essence of the universe, and certainly, its power would be stronger, and the Dao it led to would be even more profound. However, it was just an idea for now, and he would need to wait until he had cultivated the Five Virtues Dharma Phase to put it into practice. Still, this did not prevent him from starting to collect the energies of the Five Fortunes from now on. This trip to the Xuanteng Realm became a journey with a few more aspects to be aware of. Since this journey is so important, and there is something strange about the Xuanteng Realm, then I should make some more preparations, just in case, Zhou Heng mused briefly and quickly made a decision Open all the Copper Fortune Bags and Silver Fortune Bags, then open a Gold Fortune Bag and a Platinum Treasure Box! Chapter 382 - Chapter 382: Chapter 102: The Golden Bridge from the Other Shore Descends! Chapter 382: Chapter 102: The Golden Bridge from the Other Shore Descends! Congratulations! Youve struck it lucky! You have obtained a special skill card: Appraisal Card*1. Congratulations! Youve struck it lucky! You have acquired the Taoist Formulas Celestial Man Qi Watching Technique [Sect Fifth Rank] Congratulations! You have gained a basic attribute: Slaying Demon +2. Congratulations! You have obtained a special skill card: Cosmos in the Sleeve [Copper] Congratulations! You have acquired the Martial Arts Emperors Sword Technique [Absolute Fourth Rank]! Congratulations! Upon opening the Platinum Treasure Box, with incredibly good fortune, you have obtained the Technique Projection Card: Other Shore Golden Bridge [Silver]! After opening all the Fortune Bags and Treasure Boxes, Zhou Heng was overjoyed. Other Shore Golden Bridge! This was clearly the supreme divine skill displayed by the legendary Grand Pure Daoist Ancestor when he unfolded the Tai Chi Diagram. It was another Three Pure Ones-level Technique Projection Card! Before this, he had already obtained a Heaven Opening Seal [Silver] Technique Projection Card, and now he had gotten another one. This meant that Zhou Heng could now use Two Three Pure Ones-level Technique Projections! Although the power of these technique projections was undoubtedly only a fraction of the originalperhaps not even one in a billiontheir power was still the mightiest weapon currently at his disposal. With these two trump cards, my journey to the Xuanteng Realm should be utterly without mishap Zhou Heng thought happily to himself. The power of the Other Shore Golden Bridge Projection Card was so great that it made him subconsciously overlook the special skill card Cosmos in the Sleeve. In fact, it was also an extremely powerful divine skill! Cosmos in the Sleeve [Copper]: Unfurl ones robe to create a void, encompassing all things. Within ten thousand miles, any being below the level of Celestial Man can be drawn into the sleeve, their life and death at ones control. This technique could not be said to be weak, but it paled in comparison to the Other Shore Golden Bridge. However, this was to be expected. After all, these were the items obtained from a Silver Fortune Bag without hitting the jackpot. They were already very rewarding. Afterward, Zhou Heng shifted his attention to the newly acquired Taoist Formulas and Martial Arts. Celestial Man Qi Watching Technique: Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formulas. Imitate the mana of a Celestial Man, observe the changing laws of heaven and earth, see through the opponents Qi and fortune, find their weaknesses, and the trajectory of their fortunes changes. If cultivated to the utmost peak, one can observe the rise and fall of dynasties and great teachings. Emperors Sword Technique: Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Arts. This is the sword of the Emperor, capable of certifying the Emperors Dharma Body. Only those who possess the conduct of an Emperor may cultivate it. Comprising nine forms, it executes the will of Heaven and sweeps across the universe. If this had been before, Zhou Heng would have been thrilled to receive such Martial Arts as Emperors Sword Technique, but now, as he looked at the reward prompt and the introduction to the Martial Arts, he felt no inner excitement. Honestly, he was somewhat disappointed. It wasnt that the Emperors Sword Technique wasnt strong enough; after being optimized by the System, this Martial Arts had become a supreme technique, capable of proving the Taoist Dharma Body, and it also contained the special charm of executing the will of Heaven. It should belong to the top-tier supreme techniques. Receiving such a peerless technique from the Gold Fortune Bag is not a loss. However, Zhou Hengs taste had become distorted, and after opening inheritances like Three Palms Overturning the Heavens, Sword Technique of Conviction, and Three Treasures Wishful Fist, he felt that Emperors Sword Technique was undoubtedly strong, but ultimately, it was a bit lacking. No wonder there was no luck through the roof notification. Zhou Heng felt a slight regret in his heart, but after seeing the Celestial Man Qi Observation Technique, his mood improved by quite a bit, For a Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula, this technique can be described as supreme. At the Middle Third Rank level, whether it was Secret Sixth Rank, Sect Fifth Rank, or Absolute Fourth Rank, the most common approach was to link ones True Qi, True Gang, or Mana with the laws of heaven and earth to mobilize the great forces of nature and exert formidable power. The Celestial Man Qi Observation Technique allowed one to perceive the changes in the laws of heaven and earth, penetrate the fluctuations in the opponents Qi, and find weaknesses. This was essentially a way to breach the common battle methods of Middle Third Rank powerhouses, sufficient to give Zhou Hengs strength a leap forward in improvement. Moreover, this Taoist Formula was not limited to dealing with Martial Artists; even practitioners from other worlds and systems could hardly bypass the part of communicating with the laws of heaven and earth. The Celestial Man Qi Observation Technique could restrain them all! In addition, it provided the capability to observe the trajectory of shifts in Qi fortune and even the rise and fall of a dynastys fortune, coincidentally related to the path of the Five Virtues and Five Fortune that Zhou Heng was planning before. To open such a Taoist Formula from a Copper Fortune Bag was truly a delightful surprise. Based on the information about the Xuanteng Realm received from Gou Chen, the Emperor of that world ruled the central land, while various kingdoms stood in the cardinal directions, with countless tribes deep within the wilderness and forests. The intertwined complex web of power included priests, great witches, royal families, and nobles Zhou Heng thought to himself, This Celestial Man Qi Observation Technique is exactly what I need for discerning the strengths and weaknesses of people and forces, thus allowing me to avoid many unnecessary troubles and make things more convenient in the future. After making a series of preparations, he went to the Worry-Free Hall to seek the counsel of the Five Emperors inner seat. There, one could parse exact tasks from world information. Generally, these tasks conformed to the worlds rules; completing them meant aligning with the development of the particular worlds heavenly law, thereby acquiring positive feedback and merit. However, the merit acquired from completing tasks usually converged into the Zhou Tian Star Diagram and Purple Tenuity Palace, with the exploring Star Officers only gaining a small portion, mostly good deeds. This was something Zhou Heng came to understand after thoroughly reading the Innate Five Virtues and Five Fortune Treasure Book. In some sense, the Star Officers of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer traveling through the myriad worlds to complete tasks could be considered as working for the Zhou Tian Star Diagram and Purple Tenuity Palace. Zhou Heng had a premonition that perhaps the new permissions he would acquire next might relate to this aspect. Previously, he could only take a portion of the good deeds, but naturally, there might be a chance to take a share of the merits in the future. Inside the Worry-Free Hall. The heavenly laws of the Xuanteng Realm are very complex, and they seem to have developed their own will, making it difficult to parse task information, the Five Emperors inner seat sighed, So long has passed, and weve only managed to parse five tasks. Five is quite good. Zhou Heng smiled, I was even prepared for there to be just one task. Five before the number of tasks, the Five Emperors inner seat shook their head, saying, Previously, four tasks have been taken by Star Officers exploring that world, leaving only one remaining. Ah? Zhou Heng let out a light exclamation, frowning, Have those tasks been completed, or are there still people undertaking tasks in the Xuanteng Realm? Thats not the case. Currently, the situation is quite tense everywhere, and those who went to explore the Xuanteng Realm have all returned. The Five Emperors inner seat shook their head lightly, regretfully saying, Its just a pity for those four tasks. Of those four, only the initial Heaven Prison was completed; the rest were failures. The Xuanteng Realm is peculiar, and once a task fails, it cant be parsed again. Such a pity, such a pity. It seems I have no other choice. Zhou Heng chuckled, Then give me this last remaining task. I also want to see what kind of task that even Celestial Men havent taken on. Alright. The Five Emperors inner seat nodded gently, smiling, This task isnt too difficult, but its somewhat troublesome and strange. The rewards are not bad either. Thank you. Zhou Heng said with a smile. Name: Xuanteng Realm (tentative) Category: The Grand Thousand Worlds Affiliation: Unknown, suspected to be the main realm of the void Calamity: Unknown Peak Force: Absolute Fourth Rank (tentative) Civilization characteristics: Priestly rituals, tribes, wilderness Heaven and Earth Vital Energy: Dense Law Suppression: Extremely high Time Flow Speed: Double World Overview: The Heaven Prison Star Officer accidentally obtained guiding information within the Star Gate, and after Heaven Prison, Wenchang, Solar Guardian, Gou Chen, five Star Officers preliminary exploration, it is known In the ancient era, gods lived upon the earth. Mother Earth Nuwa formed humans from clay. Human Emperor Fuxi educated the people, initiating the first civilization of the human race In the ancient times, Fuxi and Nuwa led the gods away from the earth, establishing the Divine Court above the nine heavens, and then sacrificial rites began among humans Thirty thousand years ago, the connection between the human realm and the Divine Court was lost. Although priests could still draw divine power, they no longer received divine decrees, leading to great chaos Ten thousand years ago, a youth with an iron sword emerged from the Great Wilderness, pushing across the six directions, flattening the eight wastelands, founding the Central Celestial Dynasty, declaring himself Emperor, enfeoffing lords, and governing all directions Mission Details: Beyond the already existing paths of Priest, Great Witch, Magician, forge a new and viable path of cultivation and train at least ten disciples equivalent to Secret Six Rank. Mission Reward: One part of a Celestial Man Three Fortune Martial Art, a chance to refine a Celestial Man Divine Weapon, ten thousand merit points. Great Wind Tribe. This is one of the tribal groups under the Nine Cang Mountain range, on the outskirts of Taizhou; scaling the Nine Cang Mountain and heading south would take you to the Great Wilderness, a land rumored to be uninhabited for thousands of miles, yet where numerous treasures left by ancient gods are buried. Legend has it that in the Great Wilderness there is spring water that prevents aging, a divine tree that grants immortality, beasts that, upon consumption, prevent all illness, and even a divine medicine that grants limitless mana with just one bite All these legends inspire boundless yearning. Every year, people from various nations and even from the imperial lands of Zhongzhou come to climb the Nine Cang Mountain. Among them are priests, great witches, magicians, as well as nobles and even close relatives of the Emperor! The legends of the Great Wilderness are so captivating. Yet, among the tribal groups beneath the Nine Cang Mountain Range, there is an ancestral teaching that forbids anyone from climbing the Nine Cang Mountain or venturing into the Great Wilderness, for any reason. Otherwise, they will certainly face divine punishment! Consequently, even the most outstanding warriors in the tribes do not dare to casually scale the Nine Cang Mountains. They are even cautious when hunting on the mountain, daring only to stay at the foot and never climbing higher. But three days ago, Feng Liyuan, the young tribal chief of the Great Wind Tribe and the most promising talent to become a Great Witch in three hundred years, quietly left the tribe in the dead of night, determined to scale the Nine Cang Mountain alone. He wanted to search for the Fountain of Youth and Elixir of Immortality in the Great Wilderness to resurrect his recently deceased parents. Taizhou is already a border wilderness in the Central Plains, sparsely populated, with only three or four sizable cities and quite desolate. The tribal groups beneath the Nine Cang Mountain, being on the edge of Taizhou, are naturally even more barren. The yield of cultivated crops is very low, and most people can only rely on hunting for a living. But because of the ancestral teachings, people dare not easily venture up the mountain, which means the suitable hunting areas are very limited. Neighboring tribes often fight over hunting grounds and boundaries. Even casualties occur. Half a month ago. The Great Wind Tribe and the South Fire Tribe, ten miles away, clashed fiercely over the ownership of a hunting area. In the end, due to the South Fire Tribe secretly employing a magician to launch a sneak attack, killing the chieftain couple of the Great Wind Tribe, they seized control of the hunting grounds. The defeated Great Wind Tribe returned home and, according to the tradition passed down by the ancestors, let the seventeen-year-old son of the chieftain Feng Liyuan inherit the position of tribal chief. But no one expected the young tribal chief to be so immature. At first, he did not believe his parents had died in battle. Upon realizing the truth, he considered searching for divine medicine in the Great Wilderness to resurrect them. Only after the tribes priest persuaded him did he barely calm down, but in the end, he still sneaked out, went up the Nine Cang Mountain, and that night, a bolt of thunder struck him from the sky. This bolt of thunder also woke up all the people of the Great Wind Tribe. After discovering that Feng Liyuan was missing, they hurried towards the Nine Cang Mountain to search and found his body. At this time, the night was deep, the moonlight obscured by clouds and the stars sparse. The entire Great Wind Tribe fell into silence. Priest Feng He and Great Witch Feng Yuege, the two strongest members of the Great Wind Tribe, were silent, their fists clenched and bodies trembling slightly. They were both over a hundred years old and not long for this world. They had both planned to pass on all their lifes learning to Feng Liyuan to make him a strong chieftain and to quickly leave behind many descendants. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But such an unthinkable event had occurred. With Feng Liyuan dead, the whole Great Wind Tribe was essentially finished Ah! At that moment, Feng Liyuan, who had been lying motionless on the grass mat, suddenly let out a shout, abruptly sat up, and looked around with wide eyes. Is this a deviation in the descent of the Divine Soul? Zhou Heng, after seeing the situation around him, couldnt help but feel alarmed, The repelling force of this world is so formidable, what exactly is happening? Chapter 383 - Chapter 383: Chapter 103: I Uphold the Will of the Gods! Chapter 383: Chapter 103: I Uphold the Will of the Gods! Before descending into the realm of Xuan Teng, Zhou Heng did have a selection range in mind. However, due to his limited understanding of this world, he couldnt descend as an individual and had to choose a group descent. For convenience, he chose the group of royalty and nobles. Unexpectedly, this worlds repulsion against outsiders was unreasonably strong, causing the power of the Divine Soul Star Gate to distort. This led to a deviation in the range of his descent choices. He became the Young Tribal Chief of a tribe. The Great Wind Tribe, on the edge of Taizhou, at the foot of Nine Cang Mountain, near the Great Wilderness All the past scenes from the life of this corpse flickered through Zhou Hengs mind. With his current state of Divine Soul, he easily accepted all the remaining memories of this Feng Liyuan. Naturally, he also came to know who all these people around him were, and understood what his sudden death and resurrection meant. Surround him! The Great Witch Feng Yuege shouted sternly, his expression extremely serious. Dont let him escape! Priest Feng He was also somber, staring intently at the newly resurrected Young Tribal Chief. A ghost possessing the body, this was an ominous sign! Could it truly be that the heavens wanted to doom the Great Wind Tribe? Both felt a tinge of sorrow in their hearts. The many brave warriors present obeyed these two figures and immediately moved to encircle Zhou Heng, who had just descended into this world. As expected Zhou Hengs brows furrowed tightly, knowing that the first crisis he would face in this new world had arrived. Heavenly retribution! Although the resistance faced by a Divine Soul descending was far less than that of a physical body, the fact that he had felt rejection upon arrival meant that he had attracted the attention of the will of this world. Subsequently, various crises would inevitably appear, aiming to erase him, the unstable element. The current situation was exactly that! In border tribes like the Great Wind Tribe, should a person resurrect without warning, they would typically be considered possessed by a wandering spirit or ghost, an ill omen, necessitating execution. In the world of Xuan Teng, where the energy of heaven and earth is rich and the spirit is lively, and without systematic laws of the netherworld. Thus, when living beings die, if they are not properly buried and not appeased by a priest, their spirit might not completely perish and wander as ghosts in the mountains and forests. Such wandering spirits are muddled in consciousness, but they instinctively chase after freshly dead bodies to possess them. There is a very small chance that they can merge a sliver of their spirit with the corpse and revive it. The heavens did not directly smite me with lightning and heavenly fire to erase me, which means they think there is still a chance to turn the tables. Zhou Hengs thoughts shifted as he scanned the surroundings, stood up, and looked past the crowd at Feng Yuege and Feng He. In a deep voice he said, You intend to kill me? You can speak so soon? Feng Hes eyes flickered with a peculiar glint. In his understanding, even if soul possession was successful, the subject was initially in a state of confusion, hardly able to communicate normally. I am not an ordinary case of soul possession, Zhou Hengs chin tilted slightly upward, revealing a hint of haughtiness in his eyes. I am descended with the will of the gods. He had no intention of continuing to pretend to be Feng Liyuan; that would undoubtedly result in him being treated and executed as a common possessed soul. But by invoking the will of the gods and coupling it with his abnormal lucidity, he was sure to instill doubt in Feng He, a priest. With doubt comes the chance for leniency. Ridiculous! Feng He burst into anger, vehemently shouting, The gods have lost contact with the mortal realm for tens of thousands of years, and no one has ever heard of anyone descending with their will. A lonely ghost spewing madness deserves death! Bind him for me! The surrounding warriors were about to rush over, pin Zhou Heng down, and tie him up. Wait! Zhou Heng raised his hand to indicate they should pause and said loudly, Priest Feng He, as the gods spokesperson in the mortal world, do you not sense the change in the laws of heaven and earth, the divine power within you crying out in anguish? You, spouting nonsense! Feng Hes expression shifted at these words, he was about to give an order but hesitated, and after a slight pause, he gritted his teeth and said, Take him away and guard him closely! Yes! The warriors nodded in unison, stepped forward to hold Zhou Heng by the shoulders, and escorted him away. But as these warriors approached Zhou Heng, they felt an invisible force enveloping him, preventing them from getting close. Moreover, this invisible force emanated a majestic and saintly aura, causing them to subconsciously bow their heads in a desire to submit. Lead the way; I will walk by myself, Zhou Heng said indifferently, hands clasped behind his back. The tribes warriors looked towards Feng He. Feng He was slightly silent, but eventually, he nodded, Take him there, but watch him closely. Yes! The warriors echoed in unison and led Zhou Heng away. The remaining ordinary tribe members also left, heading back to their dwellings. They could tell that the priest and the Great Witch must have important matters to discuss. Quietness was restored in the area. Priest, do you believe what that person said? Feng Yuege frowned, This is a wandering soul possession. He is different from a wandering soul, Feng He shook his head, looking towards the direction Zhou Heng had left, and said solemnly, Besides, at this time, the young tribal chief truly cannot die. Are you planning to let this man, who claims to descend with the will of the gods, impersonate the young tribal chief? Feng Yueges eyes widened incredulously upon hearing this. Thats right. If we do, the Great Wind Tribe might still have a chance of survival, and moreover Feng He clenched his left fist and grasped the staff tightly in his right hand, taking a deep breath, and what if he is indeed the envoy of the gods? How could that be possible?! Feng Yuege was utterly incredulous, shaking his head, I know every priest yearns to reconnect with the gods, but in thirty thousand years, no one has ever succeeded. Not even the Emperor Fuxi and Earth Mother Nuwa have responded, let alone other deities We have been abandoned. No! Feng He vehemently denied it, furiously inflamed, his eyes wide staring at Feng Yuege, No, no! Every priest firmly believes the gods have not abandoned us. Otherwise, where does our divine power come from, and why would our sacrificial rituals still elicit responses? This Feng Yuege was speechless. As an ordinary Great Witch, such questions were beyond his comprehension. After a while, he finally said, Are we really going to accept this ominous omen as our young tribal chief? Why not? Feng He calmed down slightly and said, Given the current situation, killing him wont reverse the plight of our Great Wind Tribe; but if we keep him, perhaps there really is a glimmer of hope. Besides, you saw it too; he possesses a divine and majestic power. What he said might not be entirely false. Perhaps theres truth to it. The gods are still watching over us. ` After speaking, a faint smile appeared on the face of the great priest of the Great Wind Tribe. What about the people who saw the young tribal chief dead before? Feng Yuege abandoned the attempt to persuade and chose to agree with Feng Hes opinion, Even if we issue a gag order, theres no wall in the world that doesnt leak. This matter is bound to get out. About that Feng He also frowned, looked up at the night sky, and said solemnly, Lets wait for the night to grow darker, then well go find the young tribal chief. Since he is here as the will of the gods, perhaps there will be a way. This Feng Yuege was somewhat hesitant, but seeing Feng Hes determined expression, he could only nod his head and said, Alright. The place where Zhou Heng was imprisoned was actually the original stone house of the clan chief. It was just that he was not allowed to leave. There were no other coercive measures. After all, the warriors of the Great Wind Tribe now had no clear idea about the priests and the great witchs thoughts, nor were they sure whether the young chieftain had been possessed by a specter to come back to life. Therefore, they had not dared to do anything too excessive. Of course, in reality, they couldnt have done much anyway. The invisible force surrounding Zhou Heng prevented them from even making contact. Inside the stone house of the Great Wind Tribes chief. Zhou Hengs eyes were slightly closed as he sensed the condition of this body and the strength of the divine soul power that he could exert having descended into it. This body is quite weak, only equivalent to that of a Ninth Rank Warrior, and shows no signs of training in techniques. The divine soul power that can be used is about at the peak of the Seventh Rank, barely enough, he thought. Before coming to the Xuanteng realm, Zhou Heng had already clarified the divisions of cultivation realms in this world through the information he got from Gou Chen. Its said that the original methods of cultivation in this world came from the Human Emperor Fuxi and the Earth Mother Nuwa. In the Ancient Era, Fuxi taught the human race, imparting techniques that could leverage the mighty power of heaven and earth, called Taoist Formulas, which are the origin of todays Magicians. On the other hand, its said that the human race was created by Earth Mother Nuwa after she killed ancient demons and gods. She mixed their remains with many spiritual materials and used divine earth as the medium. This body itself contains boundless divine power. After the spread of the magicians teachings, some enlightened ancestors in the human race were inspired while casting techniques and created a method to extract the power of the gods and demons from within their own bloodlines, calling themselves Witches. In the ancient times, Human Emperor Fuxi and Earth Mother Nuwa led all gods away from the earth and established the Divine Court above the nine heavens. Human intermediaries for the gods then appeared on earth and organized sacrificial rituals, among which the leaders were Priests, endowed with divine power given by the gods. After tens of thousands of years of development, be they Magicians, Witches, or Priests, they were all divided into three main levels. Awakening, Transcendence, Divinity Transformation. Each level is further divided into nine stages, with a considerable range. The Awakening level merely consists of slightly stronger ordinary people. Although there are differences in strength, with the strongest even capable of facing hundreds alone, they are ultimately not Transcendent. Once the Transcendence level is reached, there is a fundamental improvement in nature. At this stage, magicians can largely mobilize the power of heaven and earth, and could be called Mages. Witches have gained a portion of the gods and demons powers, and could be referred to as Great Witches. Priests actually receive the power bestowed by the gods and can be officially called Priests. Among the information Zhou Heng received, there was a simple comparison of these realm levels with the Ninth Grade Martial Path. The nine stages of Awakening are roughly equivalent to the Entry Rank to the Seventh Rank, Transcendence is about Secret Six Rank to Sect Fifth Rank, and Divinity Transformation has not been witnessed by anyone; it can only be speculated from some peoples descriptions that it might be equivalent to Absolute Fourth Rank. This means that a priest and a great witch of the Great Wind Tribe are at least equivalent to a martial artist of the Secret Six Rank, and this is just a small tribal area in the remote region of Taizhou. Such strength, if placed in Da Qi, could support a small sect in a county-level region. It is evident that the overall strength of the Xuanteng realm is not low. At least, it should be so below the Celestial Men. Zhou Heng roughly synthesized his current situation, his body equivalent to that of a Ninth Rank, with a divine soul at the peak of the Seventh Rank. Due to the suppression of the worlds rules, Taoist Formulas were practically useless. Except for the Puppetry Technique, which directly affects the divine soul and techniques for entering dreams, only the Taoist Formulas from the Sanqing lineage were viable. As for martial arts, he could only utilize basic fist and foot skills; the cultivation of inner strength and True Qi was simply impossible. Thats because, although the human race in this world looks similar to that in Da Qi, there are too many different details in their internal structures. In terms of overall strength, he should be just able to overcome an Eighth Rank Warrior, roughly equivalent to the seventh level of the Awakening stage in the Xuanteng realm. However, the Tao of the Five Virtues and Five Fortunes might just work, Zhou Heng mused silently. As he did so, he looked up, his gaze as if penetrating the stone house walls and looking out into the night sky. I wonder what the will of heaven and earth in the Xuanteng realm is all about. If it really rejects me, why doesnt it directly strike me with thunder and fire? Is it unwilling, or is it unable to do so? If it is unwilling, then this world will with highly likely developed intelligence may be plotting something. If it is unable to do so, could it be because the original rules of this world are resisting the intrusion? If its the latter, I might be able to find some loopholes to facilitate my actions. Zhou Heng decided to take the opportunity to test it out. Without knowing the situation of the will of heaven and earth in this world, many things he wanted to do could not be carried out. He would always have to be on guard for divine punishment, let alone create a new path of cultivation. However, he needed to carefully consider how to conduct this test. If he forcibly exerted Taoist Formulas and martial arts not of this world, it might provoke a strong reaction, and he could end up dead on the spot. However, even if he did die, the loss wouldnt be significant; he could always descend again. Of course, he also had to consider that the same divine soul aura descending frequently might lead to an even more intense rejection, and eventually, he might not be able to enter at all. Better to be as cautious as possible, Zhou Heng thought to himself. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, the door of the stone house was suddenly opened, and the two figures of the priest Feng He and the great witch Feng Yuege walked in, with Feng He leading with a solemn expression. The two came before Zhou Heng. The priest of the tribe got straight to the point and said, Young tribal chief, do you have a way to make the people forget about your death and resurrection, can the will of the gods manifest their power? Young tribal chief Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, understanding Feng Hes intentions. He chuckled and said, Of course, thats not a problem. ` Chapter 384 - Chapter 384: Chapter 104: The Next Plan Chapter 384: Chapter 104: The Next Plan Seeing Zhou Heng speak so casually, Feng He and Feng Yuege couldnt help feeling a chill in their hearts. After all, the method of making someone forget something is certainly extraordinary. If used properly, a simple manipulation could lead to a person being utterly deserted by friends and kin. Originally, they had thought that even if this resurrected Young Tribal Chief truly was acting on the divine will of the gods, employing such methods would surely require a lot of effort and might even be declined. But unexpectedly, he agreed to it so easily. Could it really be that he could easily make the entire tribe forget about this matter? Whats the matter, you both seem rather surprised? Zhou Heng said with a smile. Can the Young Tribal Chief manifest the might of the gods will at will? Feng He asked in a deep voice. Its not really to the extent of at will, Zhou Heng laughed, seeing Feng He and Feng Yuege let out a sigh of relief, he then said, But indeed, there arent many restrictions. Please wait a moment, I will now make our tribespeople forget the incident of my death and resurrection. With that, he took two steps back, lightly pushed his forehead, and a stream of clear air burst forth from the top of his head, a wisp of Divine Soul materialized into a hazy phantom, and in an instant flew out of the stone house. What is this?! Feng He immediately widened his eyes, staring fixedly in the direction where the clear air flew, and said with a trembling voice, This aura, this aura is more noble than Divine Power! What? Feng Yuege exclaimed in surprise, More noble than the aura of Divine Power? Could it be the power of the gods? Following that, both of them looked towards Zhou Heng, their expressions constantly changing and their hearts were filled with tumultuous waves. If they had doubted before when Zhou Heng said that he was acting on the gods will, now they believed eighty to ninety percent of it, and even felt that whether he was the Young Tribal Chief no longer mattered. A person possessing the power of the gods could definitely lead the Great Wind Tribe to its pinnacle. No need for astonishment, its but a minor technique, Zhou Heng said with a smile. By now the wisp of Divine Soul that flew out had returned, merging back into the top of his head, Alright, the tribespeople have all forgotten about the event of my resurrection. Exorcising the Divine Soul into dreams and blocking recent memories was not a difficult task for Zhou Heng in his current state. After all, the entire Great Wind Tribe had less than five hundred people, most of whom were ordinary people at the awakening stage and had never cultivated their Divine Soul, naturally, they were unable to resist his Divine Soul Power. So fast! Is this the power of the gods? Feng Yuege and Feng He were astonished and shocked to the extreme. From the moment the clear air flew out from Zhou Hengs head to now, it was only the time it took to say a few sentences, and in such a short timeframe he had already accomplished the memory modification of the entire Great Wind Tribe? It seemed too exaggerated. If you dont believe me, you can go outside and ask around, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Feng He and Feng Yuege were slightly silent, exchanged a glance, and said in unison, Please wait a moment, Young Tribal Chief. Having said that, the two left the stone house, presumably to verify whether the tribespeople had truly forgotten the incident of the Young Tribal Chiefs resurrection. Thus, inside the stone house, there was once again only Zhou Heng. When I performed the dream entering technique just now, I condensed the phantom of the Supreme Riding Ox Dharma Phase, and it seemed not to have triggered any aversion from the heavenly will, Zhou Heng reflected inwardly, Could it be that the repulsive force of the Xuanteng Realm is primarily focused on the material level? Is the repulsion on the spiritual level comparatively lower? Thinking this, he felt that next he should try practicing the martial arts of the Three Purities legacy and also connect with his self-created Three Lives and All Things, to see if it would provoke the heavenly wills aversion. A moment later, Feng He and Feng Yuege returned to the stone house, their gaze towards Zhou Heng had noticeably changed, filled with awe as if they had seen a Celestial Man, their eyes brimming with amazement. The Young Tribal Chiefs divine might is astonishing; the tribespeople have indeed forgotten the previous incident, Feng He exclaimed in amazement, feeling that such prowess was beyond his imagination. The Priests power comes from the Divine Power granted by the gods. Although it is of high essence and formidable strength, it is usually quite singular and rarely involves the spiritual level. Indeed, such a method is inconceivable! Feng Yuege also expressed his admiration. The power of a Great Witch is usually a simple and direct destructive force, similarly rarely involving the spiritual level. Only the lineage of Magicians touches upon the spiritual level somewhat, but magicians are extremely demanding in regards of aptitude and are quite uncommon. In the vast Taizhou, one would be hard-pressed to find a thousand magicians, let alone in a remote area like the Great Wind Tribe. Feng He and Feng Yuege had only seen magicians perform their techniques when they were young, in the capital of the state. In the Xuanteng Realm, countries divide their territories into different Zhou, or states; the head of a state is known as the Zhou Mu, and the core of a state is the state capital city. It was precisely because of this that the South Fire Tribe employing a magician to participate in combat had caught the Great Wind Tribe unprepared. No need for exclamations, Zhou Heng waved his hand and said, Now that I have dealt with my own matters, next we should prepare to deal with the South Fire Tribe. Deal with the South Fire Tribe? Upon hearing this, Feng Hes brow furrowed slightly, Young Tribal Chief, you may not be aware, but there is a magician in the South Fire Tribe, mysterious and powerful in his techniques, we are no match for him. Yes, Young Tribal Chief, without resolving that magician, we have no way of taking action against the South Fire Tribe, Feng Yuege nodded and said with a serious expression. I dont mean to act now, Zhou Heng smiled and said, I have my own methods. When I am ready, I will let you know. You may leave now. Yes, Young Tribal Chief. Feng He and Feng Yuege said in unison, bowing and taking their leave, evidently both had wholeheartedly accepted Zhou Heng as their Tribal Chief. After the two left, the stone house quieted down again. Zhou Heng sat on the stone seat exclusive to the tribal chief, his gaze profound as he fell into contemplation. He was considering what exactly he should do next. First was the purpose of coming to the Xuanteng Realm. The most important was definitely to collect Yin Virtue Energy to complete the full five-virtue path and prepare for refining the Dharma Phase in the future. Next was to investigate the conditions in this world, at the very least he needed to find some information about Fuxi and Nuwa. Finally, was to complete the task of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, to carve out a new and viable Martial Path beyond the three existing roads in the Xuanteng Realm, and to cultivate at least ten disciples on par with the Secret Six Rank. Yin Virtue Energy is obtained through peoples gratitude; the Great Wind Tribe can just act as my foundation for accumulating Yin Virtue through the tribespeoples gratitude, Zhou Heng thought to himself, In addition, to create a new Martial Path, I can also start by trying it out within the Great Wind Tribe, as for seeking information about Fuxi and Nuwa, its definitely not possible in this remote Taizhou, I need to go to a more central area. After some deliberation, he laid out his next action plan. First, he would recover his own strength as much as possible. After he reached the equivalent of the Secret Six Rank, he would lead the Great Wind Tribe to conquer the South Fire Tribe. After defeating them, he would proceed to incorporate and integrate them. In this way, the Great Wind Tribe would have their revenge, and the common people of the South Fire Tribe could be spared from disaster. This might allow him to gain the gratitude of both tribes and perhaps accumulate more Yin Virtue Energy. After conquering the South Fire Tribe, he would continue to lead the Great Wind Tribe to subdue the nearby tribes, big and small. He would integrate them, improve their lives, and ensure their safety. At the same time, he could select some tribespeople with higher comprehension and abundant spirit to try out new cultivation principles. As for the cultivation method, Zhou Heng already had some ideas. He had previously found that the world will of the Xuanteng realm mainly repelled on the material level, with much weaker opposition on the spiritual level. It was clear that cultivation methods focusing on the Divine Soul were more likely to succeed. Besides, the normal material-level cultivation practices would take an unbroken period of time to reach the Secret Six Rank. For example, on the Martial Path, not to mention reaching the Secret Six Rank, even for the Seventh Rank in martial arts, many people would waste decades and might still not succeed. Zhou Heng could not afford to waste decades in this world; he definitely needed to choose a cultivation method with quick results. Of course, it must be a proper cultivation method. Techniques that squeeze potential and life force couldnt be considered a novel path to cultivation; those were simply a misguided detour. Cultivation of the Divine Soul was exactly what Zhou Heng had anticipated. The strengthening of the Divine Soul focused on comprehension and ones own spirit. A moment of enlightenment could instantly transform an ordinary person into one of the Secret Six Rank. Once the tribes cultivation system was established and stable, he planned to leave this place and head to Taizhou, as well as more central places in the world, to seek information about Fuxi and Nuwa. The foundation of everything is ones own strength, Zhou Heng mused with a determined gaze. My power is too weak now, far from strong enough to freely venture out. Although I still have a Divine Soul equivalent to the Seventh Rank, at most it can exert some spiritual deterrence, deal with ordinary people, but against extraordinary opponents, its absolutely no match. I might not even beat the top awakened ones. Therefore, in the following days, he began cultivating martial arts and contemplating his Divine Soul. Since a large amount of nutrition was needed in the initial stages of training, Feng He and Feng Yuege became Zhou Hengs hunting tools. Almost every three days, he would go out to hunt, and the fierce beasts brought back were used to supplement the tribes dietone-tenth for the people and the rest for Zhou Heng himself. Under such nourishment, Zhou Hengs strength improved rapidly. In just a month, he reached the stage where his vital energy surged through his body and his essence rose like wolf smoke reaching for the clouds. Purely in terms of physical prowess, he had reached the peak level of the Great Witch lineage before transcending the ordinary, comparable to the top awakened ones. His power was explosive to the point that even a Great Witch like Feng Yuege had to be wary. Now, Zhou Heng merely standing there gave off an imposing aura capable of overturning heaven and earth, crushing all creation, as if he himself had become a giant of immense power. This was because of the martial arts he chose to cultivate. Overturning Heaven Three Palms! The repression and rejection of the material level by the Xuanteng realm were immense, and the human body structure was greatly different; only inheritances of the Three Pure Ones level could be universally applied. Therefore, Zhou Heng chose the most fierce Overturning Heaven Three Palms, so that when fighting the South Fire Tribe, it would be simpler, more direct, and more awe-inspiring. However, he had only recovered to the level of the Peak of the Seventh Rank, which was not enough to utterly dominate the entire South Fire Tribe. He needed to continue cultivating. Another two months passed. Above the Great Wind Tribe, winds rose and clouds surged as the colossal shadow of a seal flashed and vanished. Following that, an overpoweringly domineering momentum shot straight into the sky, dispersing the layered clouds as if intending to flip the heavens themselves. At the same time, it seemed as though the will of the heavens had taken notice of this place. The firmament suddenly turned oppressively dark, as if an endless fury was brewing. But in a short while, the sky cleared up again, just like a person raging one moment and then suddenly bursting into open-hearted laughter the next, truly a baffling phenomenon. Many members of the Great Wind Tribe were looking up at the sky with puzzled expressions. At this moment, inside the stone house of the tribal leader of the Great Wind Tribe. Feng He and Feng Yuege were staring with eyes wide open in disbelief at Zhou Heng, who slowly lowered his raised palm, remembering the explosive force that had filled them with palpitations and fear, unable to believe the reality before them. Too strong! Truly too strong! Both were absolutely certain that if the fist imprint the Young Tribal Chief had unleashed had struck them, neither would have survived. They would have undoubtedly perished! This was simply inconceivable! Now, we can almost begin, said Zhou Heng, clenching his fists and smiling, his eyes shimmering with a golden light. He had recovered to the Secret Six Rank. However, unlike a typical Secret Six Rank, he had not constructed an internal world nor refined True Qi. He used the Overturning Heaven Three Palms as a foundation, steadily enhancing this body with divine demonic lineage. Strictly speaking, he should now be considered a Great Witch who had stepped onto the extraordinary first rank. This meant that although Zhou Heng cultivated the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, he effectively became a Great Witch within the existing cultivation framework of the Xuanteng realm. Nevertheless, despite becoming a Great Witch, the original essence of the Overturning Heaven Three Palms hadnt been lost in the slightest, still as fierce and domineering as when cultivated normally. Such was the transcendent characteristic of the Three Pure Ones lineage! No matter which world one went to, no matter what changes the body underwent, one would always cultivate a result strong enough. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Young Tribal Chief, are we going to attack the South Fire Tribe now? Feng Yuege asked with some excitement. He had long been eager to strike at the South Fire Tribe and avenge past humiliations. With the Young Tribal Chiefs shocking strength, we will surely exceed the South Fire Tribes expectations, Feng He said with a smile. This time, we should be able to catch them off guard and completely overpower the South Fire Tribe. Zhou Hengs strength had given them immense confidence. Things once deemed impossible in their hearts now seemed possible. Why bother catching them off guard, Zhou Heng, however, shook his head, his eyes narrowing as he gazed in the direction of the South Fire Tribe and spoke in a deep voice: High Priest, Great Witch, go inform our tribespeople that tomorrow I shall set forth to the South Fire Tribe, subjugate and conquer them. Those willing to join me may do so! Chapter 385 - Chapter 385: Chapter 105: A Different Approach Chapter 385: Chapter 105: A Different Approach The Great Wind Tribe, not bothering to conceal themselves, marched imposingly towards the South Fire Tribe, naturally unable to escape the eyes and ears of spies. The South Fire Tribe quickly received the news. Mu Yangchi, the tribal chief, did not believe it at first. After all, the Great Wind Tribe had just suffered a major defeat in the recent battle, losing their chief and severely weakened. Only a few days had passed; unless they had gone mad, they wouldnt so brazenly invade the South Fire Tribe. However, after multiple scouts reported back, and the tribes priests went to confirm personally, Mu Yangchi had no choice but to believe the news. How is this possible? The reports say that the one leading the Great Wind Tribe is the Young Tribal Chief Feng Liyuan; does this kid have a screw loose? Mu Yangchi still found it hard to believe, turning to the priest beside him, Or does this kid want to avenge his parents and forcefully rally the whole tribe for war? Im afraid not. Priest Yan Zhuo gently shook her head. She was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her twenties, naturally intelligent, and spoke gravely, I once saw from a distance the oncoming troops of the Great Wind Tribe; they were fierce and high-spirited, hardly looking coerced. This is highly unusual. Beside them, the Great Witch Mu Youye frowned. He was a muscular man in his thirties, saying, The Great Wind Tribe should be extremely weak now; how can they have such fighting spirit? Perhaps theyve received help from elsewhere? Mu Yangchi conjectured with a furrowed brow. Chief, regardless, the Great Wind Tribes assault is confirmed. What shall we do next? Yan Zhuo asked gravely, Given their pace, theyll reach us by noon. What else can we do but annihilate them once more! Mu Yangchis expression turned cold, then he addressed Mu Youye, Go and invite that magician to act once more. But the price that magician demands Mu Youye showed a troubled expression. As long as we wipe out the entire Great Wind Tribe, we will gain immensely, the magicians fee is a small issue in comparison, Mu Yangchi said bluntly, Since the people of the Great Wind Tribe are courting death, this time well eradicate them completely! Yan Zhuo, relay my orders: have our people prepare flint stones on the mountain valley that the Great Wind Tribe must pass through. As soon as they spot anyone from the Great Wind Tribe, push the stones down the mountain to blast them to death! Also, set up ambushed archers in the dense forests along the way. Upon sighting the Great Wind Tribes troops, fire flaming arrows without hesitation, burn them alive! Moreover, on the plains outside the forests, work quickly to create concealed traps filled with poison To ensure absolutely no chances of failure, also carry some poison on you. That way, even in a head-on conflict, you can use these poisons to weaken their fighting power. Besides, your attractive appearance makes you seem fragile and deceptive, which can lower their guard, making it easier to ambush them. Yan Zhuo listened, dumbfounded, her expression one of astonishment as she looked at her tribal chief, Is such caution really necessary? Of course, it is necessary, Mu Yangchi sneered, In the past, our fights with the Great Wind Tribe were external; we didnt need these measures. Now that theyre coming to us, they cant blame me for resorting to every conceivable strategy! With such cautiousness from our chief, the Great Wind Tribe will surely be doomed to a one-way trip, Yan Zhuo smiled, I will make the arrangements immediately. The valley entrance between the Great Wind Tribe and the South Fire Tribe. Zhou Heng stood flanked by Feng He and Feng Yuege, with a hundred warriors from the Great Wind Tribe behind him, their gazes all fixed on the valley ahead. The terrain of the valley was narrow in the middle with steep cliffs on both sides; apart from noon, the stretch in the middle was almost always deprived of sunlight, making it an ideal place for ambushes. Ive just sent a hawk to scout through the mountains; there are no ambushes, Feng He said as he looked ahead into the valley, sighing with relief. He possessed divine power related to animals, able to control and even share their perspectives. Mm, the tribal chief of the South Fire Tribe, Mu Yangchi, is naturally hot-headed and straightforward; setting up traps would be too much for him, Feng Yuege also said, laughing. This is not necessarily the case, Zhou Heng shook his head with a light chuckle, his gaze sweeping over the peaks on either side of the valley, when a streak of purple qi suddenly flashed in his eyes. Boom! A thunderous explosion followed, as three huge firestone balls suddenly rolled down from the tops of the mountains. As soon as these three firestone balls appeared, another twenty or thirty firestone balls tumbled down in succession! These firestone balls were special products of the South Fire Tribe. Although they looked like ordinary fire-red stone balls, they were made of special materials, containing a large amount of fiery elemental energy. They would explode immediately upon a violent impact. Bang! Boom boom boom! In an instant, flames shot up to the sky, and rocks flew chaotically; the valley in front of them became a sea of fire. Feng He and Feng Yuege were dumbstruck upon seeing this, shocked to their cores, while the hundred-plus warriors from the Great Wind Tribe behind them turned pale with terror, filled with fright. If they had really walked into this valley and encountered so many rolling firestone balls, it was feared that aside from the Young Tribal Chief whose power had greatly increased, as well as the Great Witch and High Priest, no one would have escaped with their lives. How could this be? Priest Feng Hes face was filled with disbelief, unable to accept what was happening before his eyes, but he hastily performed a respectful bow to apologize to Zhou Heng, Young Tribal Chief, it was my mistake in recon. We almost caused a great disaster; please impose a punishment. Previously, he had been sure that there were no ambushes ahead. Now, if he didnt clarify his position quickly, there was a great possibility that he would be deemed a traitor. Even if he did make his stance clear, the suspicion would not be easily removed. Priest Feng He was feeling quite panicked at this moment. Theres no need for that, Zhou Heng said, waving his hand for Feng He to stand up, Its normal not to find the ambush using ordinary eagles for scouting. These firestone balls had been enchanted with an illusion technique similar to a blinding spell, which the naked eyes of ordinary animals could not detect. Even I had to use some special means to discover them. The blinding spell hiding the firestone balls was not ingenious. In Zhou Hengs view, it was even full of loopholes, which were very unlikely to escape his Divine Sense Perception. Blinding spell? Feng He frowned slightly, saying, It seems that the magician of the South Fire Tribe has not left yet. The magician is cunning; we must be careful and vigilant, Feng Yuege nodded in agreement. Rest assured, with me here, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, Lets move on. Continue forward. The South Fire Tribe. Tribe Chief Mu Yangchi, Priest Yan Zhuo, Great Witch Mu Youye, and the magician they had hired, Jing Huan, were all gathered in the tribal chiefs stone house. They were discussing ways to deal with the Great Wind Tribe. Originally, Mu Yangchi was very confident in the traps he had laid out. After all, those werent ordinary traps, they were enhanced by Priest Yan Zhuo to increase their lethality and concealed by Magician Jing Huans magic, virtually undetectable by ordinary means. In theory, the Great Wind Tribe would be greatly weakened by any single trap they encountered, not to mention such a series of traps. It was almost impossible for them to reach the South Fire Tribe. However, just a moment ago, a scout reported that all the traps had been broken, and the people of the Great Wind Tribe were unharmed. In another quarter of an hour, they would arrive at the South Fire Tribes lands. The Great Wind Tribe must have the help of a master! The magician Jing Huan, his face as grim as water, was a man in his twenties with a rather effeminate appearance. He clenched his teeth and said, Not many in the whole of Taizhou can break my illusion technique. How could a mere Great Wind Tribe manage to do it! The other three also nodded in agreement. Taizhou is one of the thirteen provinces of Guangguo, which in turn is one of the smallest and weakest of the seven nations on the fringes of the Central Xia lands. Taizhou, being the edge of Guangguo, is thus an edge within an edge, with the Great Wilderness lying just beyond its borders. Such a place naturally lacks powerful beings; even the governor of Taizhou is only at the awakening sixth stage. In the entire province of Taizhou, those at the awakening fourth stage are considered fairly strong. Jing Huan, with a cultivation of the awakening second stage and skilled in Illusion Technique, could fool even masters at the awakening fourth stage into believing his illusions, whether they were Great Witches or Priests, provided they had no knowledge of illusionary arts. This was precisely why he was so confident. But now, all his illusions had been broken, which to his mind was clearly not something a mere Great Wind Tribe could accomplish. This expert might be a Magician skilled in illusion techniques, at least at the awakening second stage. Its also possible that they acquired the Void Illusionary Divine Power, Jing Huan said gravely. So, what should we do now? Priest Yan Zhuo asked, frowning. What else can we do at this point? Fight directly! Mu Youye stood up, clenching his fist as he spoke. Since all their traps have been destroyed, we have no choice but to eliminate them head-on, Mu Yangchi nodded in agreement, sneering, Weve already slaughtered the bastard Feng Liyuans parents; one more wont make a difference! This battle, we will level the Great Wind Tribe! The South Fire Tribe met a tranquil end. Whether it was the tribal chief Mu Yangchi, the Priest Yan Zhuo, or the Great Witch Mu Youye, none stood a chance before Zhou Heng, who had recovered to the Secret Six Rank. The Magician Jing Huan attempted to escape, but was seen through by Zhou Heng on the spot and slain with a single palm strike. Under the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, all Divine Power, Witch Power, and Techniques appeared like toys of an infant, utterly lackluster. The entire process was nothing but a one-man show of Zhou Heng cutting through decay with ease, swiftly annihilating the many strong members of the South Fire Tribe. Before the members of the South Fire Tribe could process what had happened, Zhou Heng had already killed their chief, priest, great witch, and the hired magician with the swiftness of a thunderbolt. A palm for each, not a moment wasted. This not only stunned the members of the South Fire Tribe but also left the accompanying members of the Great Wind Tribe gape-mouthed, barely able to believe their own eyes. When had their Young Tribal Chief become so powerful? It was almost too formidable to believe! Feng He and Feng Yuege suddenly felt grateful. Thankfully they had made the right choice at the beginning, or else they might have been among those slain by the Young Tribal Chiefs hand. Such might, such power, was simply terrifying! To the people of the South Fire and Great Wind Tribes, Zhou Heng now seemed like a god descended to earth, his every action as if representing the will of the heavens, an unstoppable force in the world! This was the impact of the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, as well as the psychological oppression that came with overwhelming strength. After dealing with the South Fire Tribes leadership, Zhou Heng didnt attack the ordinary tribespeople; instead, he incorporated them into the Great Wind Tribe. In the following two months, Zhou Heng further integrated the people of the two tribes, resolving their conflicts and resentments, and striving for a harmonious coexistence. Understandably, this process was not smooth. The friction between the two tribes had persisted for over a century, with generational grudges not so easily dispelled. However, after the integration of the two tribes, there was no longer a need for bloodshed over hunting grounds. Thanks to the growth in strength and the power of their chief, the tribe was able to expand, and with more land and resources, life naturally improved. For the tribes living on the edge of civilization in Taizhou, having enough to eat, clothes to wear, and the ability to live a stable life was already a blessing. Thus, while grudges and friction between the two tribes remained, occasional fights not withstanding, both the Great Wind Tribe and the South Fire Tribe were grateful to Zhou Heng. The reason was simple: they lived a stable life, with plenty to eat and warm clothes to wear. That was enough. With such results, Zhou Heng had achieved his goal; he could already sense the subtle flow of Yin Virtue Energy converging upon him. Although it was still scant, little by little it would accumulate and be perfected. Beyond improving tribal life, he had also secretly selected twenty individuals to practice the visualization techniques. The Divine Soul Visualization Technique places great emphasis on spirituality and enlightenment; even ordinary people can reach the Secret Six Rank overnight if they achieve a moment of sudden comprehension. It is one of the fastest methods of cultivation. Moreover, the Divine Soul Worlds suppression and repulsion are comparatively lower than that of the physical world, which is undoubtedly suitable. However, the visualization image Zhou Heng gave them was neither the Great Compassionate Dragon Bodhisattva Visualization nor any other he acquired in the Divine Soul World, not even The Most High Riding the Ox. Instead, it was of himself. Zhou Heng refined the formidable posture of his pure cultivation of the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, crafted a visualization diagram based on the Divine Soul Visualization Technique, named it the Overturning Colossal Divine Likeness Diagram, and let these secretly chosen individuals cultivate it. It was a shortcut. The core of the Divine Soul Visualization Technique is to comprehend the essence of the divine likeness in the visualization diagram. The deeper one comprehends the essence, the easier it is to advance ones cultivation. But the divine likeness depicted on the diagram is ultimately separated by a layer, not the completely real form, which naturally makes it difficult to visualize. Now, by providing these individuals with the diagram for initiation and allowing them to directly observe himself, the original divine likeness, Zhou Heng naturally facilitated a rapid deepening of their understanding of the diagrams essence, hence speeding up the cultivation process. The results were indeed excellent; within two months, the first few cultivators had successfully manifested their divine souls, with the most talented among them even capable of nocturnal excursions, marking a prodigious advancement. Zhou Heng was quite satisfied with this outcome. With this level of progress, the new pathway of cultivation was secretly established. Next, it was time to leave this barbaric land and seek out information about Fuxi and Nuwa. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was, after all, his main purpose in coming to the Xuanteng Realm. Upon arriving at Taizhou Governors City, Zhou Heng led his horse in. PS: There is actually a more detailed version of this storyline, which includes the events on the way to the South Fire Tribe and the details of the battle, and I even planned to write about the subsequent integration process. Yesterday, thats how I wrote it, and the plot for the next few days was also settled. But as I wrote, it felt wrong, and upon reflection, it seemed a bit drawn out. Its better to speed up the pace and stick to the main storyline of this arc. Chapter 386 - Chapter 386: Chapter 106: Return to Da Qi, The Shocking News about "Taiwei Monarch Chapter 386: Chapter 106: Return to Da Qi, The Shocking News about Taiwei Monarch Taizhou is located in a remote area and is the most marginal and impoverished state of Guangguo, its governors city naturally isnt much to speak of. In Zhou Hengs view, this capital of a state couldnt even compare to a small county in Da Qi, whether in terms of population, size, or infrastructure, not a single aspect was superior. However, having such a governors city in a place akin to the outskirts of civilization was already quite impressive. Moreover, Zhou Heng wasnt here to judge the quality of the city, he had a purpose for his visit. Before coming, he hadnt bothered to disguise himself and was entirely dressed like a tribesman from the wilderness, so even though the horse he led seemed fine, there were few who were willing to pay him any attention. Even though they were all located on the frontier, people living in the governors city of Taizhou felt a sense of superiority, believing themselves more distinguished than those living in other parts of Taizhou. As for the tribes living in the ever-changing wild mountains and forests of Taizhou, many saw them as hardly different from animals, unworthy of being called human. Zhou Hengs current appearance, after all, was that of the Young Tribal Chief of the Great Wind Tribe, and naturally his clothing was much like that of his people, which to the locals of the governors city, was a symbol of barbarism. No one wanted to approach such a person voluntarily, and even when he took the initiative, people were repulsed and kept their distance from him. Zhou Heng had not anticipated this kind of situation and was rather surprised. Originally, he had planned to carefully inquire about the route to the capital of the Central Dynasty upon arriving in the governors city of Taizhou. After all, it was difficult to search for information about high-ranking beings such as Fuxi and Nuwa in Taizhou, a place on the fringe of the Central Plains. Now, it was clear that he couldnt ask directly. Therefore, Zhou Heng had no choice but to use silver coins to pave the way, which finally led him to the path towards Zhongzhou. He left his horse in the governors city of Taizhou and chose to fly. However, while passing through other governors cities along the way, Zhou Heng would go down to gather information to see if he could find any clues about Fuxi and Nuwa. In the beginning, the information Zhou Heng could obtain was not extensive, mostly just common knowledge, such as Fuxi and Nuwa being creator deities, the origin of civilization, the creators of the Human Race, and so forth. But as he drew closer to the heart of Zhongzhou, the governors cities also became more prosperous, and the information Zhou Heng received became gradually more detailed. Half a year passed. By the time Zhou Heng arrived in Zhongzhou, he had gained a much deeper understanding of Fuxi and Nuwa, the legendary figures of the Xuanteng Realm. What common people knew didnt need further mention, but Zhou Heng learned some facts unknown to ordinary peopleand even to many Grand Witches and Priestsfrom some of them. Thirty thousand years ago, communication between heaven and earth was lost, and there were no more divine decrees from the gods In the minds of most people, this likely meant the gods had departed, no longer wishing to protect humanity, and Fuxi and Nuwa had left with them at that time. However, according to some ancient records, there were clear signs before the departure of the gods that the deities Fuxi and Nuwa had already vanished. Moreover, the departure of the gods was not silent and unnoticed, as many secret ritual texts recorded that before the gods disappeared, there had been huge upheavals lasting ten days and nights, with strange phenomena filling the skies. The world was shrouded in darkness, the sun and moon lost their light, cold winds howled, and ghosts and spirits wailed Towards the end, there were even frequent blood-red rains from the sky that dyed the mountains and rivers on the earth red, and huge chunks of flesh fell from the sky, crashing onto the earth and becoming high mountains and great peaks. The catastrophe experienced thirty thousand years ago was far from as peaceful as ordinary people imagined! Although to this day, no one dares to confirm what exactly happened in the Divine Court back then, its undeniable that the supposed departure of the gods was not of their own volition, and its possible that it wasnt a departure at all but a massacre by some unknown mighty existence. Zhou Heng was shocked when he learned this news. After all, the gods led by Fuxi and Nuwa in the ancient times of the Xuanteng Realm, according to his earlier knowledge, were certainly not weak, and they should at least be at the level of the Celestial Third Rank. To possibly have been massacred? This was too horrifying. Moreover, after learning this information, Zhou Heng had a new doubt in his mind. If the gods had already been wiped out back then, and Fuxi and Nuwa had disappeared even earlier without a trace, then what sort of existence had been responding to the Priests prayers and granting them Divine Power for nearly thirty thousand years? At that moment, Zhou Heng stood outside Zhongzhou City, looking at the towering city walls ahead, a frown forming on his brow, and a guess emerged in his mind, Could it be that the will of heaven and earth in this world was already tainted and taken over as early as thirty thousand years ago? Previously, I speculated that the world guiding information obtained by the Star Officer of the Heavenly Prison might be this worlds spontaneous cry for help, but if its as I now suspect, the purpose of that world guiding information requires further consideration. If its not a call for assistance, then. It might be a trap! And, Zhou Heng felt increasingly uneasy the closer he got to this city. Therefore, after arriving outside the city, he did not enter immediately but chose a mountain peak from which he could gaze upon the Emperors capital city and performed the Celestial Mans Qi-Watching Technique. To observe the qi flows of this Emperors capital city. But with one look, Zhou Heng was almost blinded; a gigantic purple pillar shot up from the center of Zhongzhou City, enveloping the entire city within it. It also reached up to the ninth heaven, pointing directly to the origin of the rules of this world! This is practically heaven and earths proclamation in the mortal realm! Zhou Heng was astounded, the scene before him utterly confirming his previous guess. Thousands of years ago, a youth with an iron sword emerged from the Great Wilderness, subduing all realms, unifying the eight desolates, founding the Central Dynasty, proclaiming himself Emperor, enacting feudalism, and governing all directions Since already proclaiming himself Emperor, this Emperors capital city indeed embodies the will of heaven and earth. If I had entered Zhongzhou City unguarded, I might have exposed myself to the will of the world of the Xuanteng Realm without any defenses, and by then, this strand of my Divine Soul would hardly escape, Zhou Heng pondered with a slight frown, already considering whether he should return to Da Qi now. At this point, he had been in the Xuanteng Realm for nearly a year. Although he had not completed the mission of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, it wasnt urgent. There was no rule that said it had to be completed in one go, and he could continue the next time he arrived in the Xuanteng Realm. Fortunately, one of his two main goals for coming here had been achieved. He had completed cultivating the Yin Virtue Energy. The Five Virtues are now complete! Having finished cultivating the Three Treasures Wish-Fulfilling Fist, I can further deduce the perfect way of the Five Virtues with the help of the Mystery Yellow Pagoda Technique and the Positive-Negative Dual Yi Divine Light. I am poised to walk my own path of the Five Virtues and coalesce my Dharma Phase, stepping into the realm of Sect Fifth Rank. Regarding the objective of investigating Fuxi and Nuwas information, while en route to Zhongzhou City, Zhou Heng had already checked nearly everything he could. Of course, he hadnt delved into many factions secret teachings, nor the secrets hidden within Zhongzhou City itself. These are likely to hold even greater investigative value. Next time, Zhou Heng decided in his heart. The result of the recent divination left him unsettled. Although much remained unclear, it was wise to be cautious. It was best to leave first! Zhou Heng was always decisive in his actions, and, once his mind was set, he immediately turned and left the outskirts of Zhongzhou City, heading to a concealed spot he had found on his way there to store his physical body in this world. After securing his physical body, he pinched his fingers to form a spell, connecting to the Divine Soul Star Gate, attempting to return. But just as Zhou Hengs divine soul left his body and before the power of the Divine Soul Star Gate had descended, suddenly, a terrifying will, strong beyond Zhou Hengs imagination, surged forth. This terrifying will immediately intercepted Zhou Hengs strand of divine soul and surged towards the descending power of the Divine Soul Star Gate. Following that, this will began to flow in reverse, attempting to trace the power descending through the Divine Soul Star Gate back to its source and thus invade the Divine Soul Star Gate! Hum! At that moment, Zhou Heng felt a thunderous roar within his divine souls perception, as if some colossal being had violently shuddered. Immediately after, he saw strands of purple starlight stretch across the sky. At the same time, the overlapping voices of many treasures scriptures began to echo in his ears. Great Luo Heavenly Palace dwelling high in the North Pole title of Jade Ladle Profound Honor governing heavenly patterns and earthly designs traversing the Yellow Path within the Purple Enclosure Grandmaster of Ten Thousand Manifestations Hierarch of Ten Thousand Stars Middle Heavens Ziwei Accompanied by the chanting of Ziweis scriptures, Zhou Hengs consciousness quickly regained clarity. Then he saw those strands of purple starlight coalesce into a torrent, like a purple Star River rushing forward, instantly overwhelming the terrorizing will of utmost strength. The power of the Divine Soul Star Gate finally succeeded in descending, enveloping Zhou Hengs strand of divine soul, and returned to the Purple Tenuity Palace. Meanwhile, as Zhou Heng left the Xuanteng Realm. Above the high skies of this world, the clouds churned violently, sketching out a vast human face, with the wind howling like the roar of a deity. Ziwei! A strand of divine soul returned to its original body, and Zhou Heng within the Star Gate opened his eyes. The experiences in the Xuanteng Realm flashed through his mind, and Yin Virtue Energy twisted around his fingertips, indicating that he was ready to begin cultivating the Three Treasures Wish-Fulfilling Fist. However, not a hint of joy was in his heart, as the strong, inexplicable terror of that will still haunted him. Was that the will of the Xuanteng Realm that has been eroded, or a great power that is currently eroding the Xuanteng Realm? Zhou Heng stepped out of the Star Gate and mused, If it werent for this place being the Purple Tenuity Palace, I might have been traced by that terrifying will. The mystic vine realm was far too dangerous, and he felt it was necessary to make this clear, to temporarily halt the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers exploration of the mystic vine realm. However, just as he stepped out of the Divine Soul Stargate, The Supreme and Tianyi promptly came up to greet him. Ziwei Master, you have finally returned. Ziwei Master, there has been a mishap! The Supreme and Tianyi looked solemn and anxious, as if they had been waiting for Zhou Heng for a long time. What? Zhou Hengs brow furrowed at the statement as he asked, Elders, please calm down, what happened? Half a year ago, a Taiwei Monarch emerged in the Southern Jins Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, beginning to forcibly expand star positions in the celestial region. The Supreme managed to stabilize his emotions and said gravely, We have already lost the places of two Star Officers now. This matter has alarmed both the Azure Dragon and Tianyi, but even they are unable to influence the authority of the Taiwei Monarch. Tianyis complexion grew overcast as he said, Essentially, this is a matter of authority over stellar positions, and unless we directly go to war with the Southern Jins Boundary Officer, there is simply no way to stop it. Could something like this really happen?! Zhou Heng was astounded and quite shocked. The Southern Jins Zhou Tian Boundary Officer controlled the celestial region star positions centered around the Taiwei Enclosure and the Vermilion Birds Seven Lodgings, while Da Qis control was centered around the Ziwei Enclosure and the Azure Dragons Seven Lodgings. Traditionally, they had not encroached upon each others domains. Although there had been some movement from the Southern Jins Boundary Officer recently, it was only a probing expansion of a bit of the celestial border, insignificant in scope. He hadnt expected that in just half a years time, they would actually have begun seizing the places of Star Officers. Furthermore, the appearance of a Taiwei Monarch seemed to carry implications of supremacy over the ordinary Star Officer positions. Ziwei Master, youre back! At that moment, the inner circle of the five emperors also emerged from the Purple Tenuity Palace, and upon catching sight of Zhou Heng, they expressed their joy, walking over as they said, Ziwei Master, there has been a mishap Hmm, The Supreme and Tianyi have already briefed me, Zhou Heng nodded gently, now having a general understanding of The Supremes, Tianyis, and the others intentions. If high-ranking Tao Lord level Star Officers like the Azure Dragon and Tianyi were unable to influence the authority of the Taiwei Monarch, it meant that the position of the Taiwei Monarch held an extremely high meaningful rank, indeed above that of a normal Star Officer. The Southern Jins Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was eroding the star positions of this sides boundary by relying on the authority of the Taiwei Monarch, which reigned over ordinary Star Officers, and Da Qi, in order to counter, would have to use an authority also greater than ordinary Star Officers. This position was held by Zhou Heng as the Ziwei Master. In theory, this star position is not only higher than ordinary Star Officers but should also rank above the so-called Taiwei Monarch, who ought to bow and speak in submission. What realm is that Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin? Zhou Heng inquired. Absolute Fourth Rank, The Supreme said with gravity, But this is only a preliminary assessment, because if he were a Celestial Man, the authority he demonstrates over stellar positions would likely be much stronger. It wouldnt just be a matter of taking one or two star positions. Ziwei Master, do you have a method to counterattack? Tianyi, ever the more impatient one, eagerly asked Zhou Heng. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This may only be possible once I break through to the Sect Fifth Rank realm, Zhou Heng pondered briefly and replied in a deep voice, I need some time. Among the various permissions he had obtained thus far, none facilitated the retaking of eroded star positions. Then we shall wait for the good news from Ziwei Master, The Supreme, Tianyi, and the inner circle of the five emperors said in unison, though in their hearts, they were prepared for a protracted battle with the Southern Jins Boundary Officer. In their eyes, it had been less than a year since Zhou Heng had begun cultivating True Qi. To cultivate the Dharma Phase and step into the Sect Fifth Rank was not so easily achieved. Hmm, Zhou Heng nodded gently, then added, By the way, regarding the mystic vine realm, I need to clarify the situation Chapter 387 - Chapter 387: Chapter 107 Taiwei Monarch Chapter 387: Chapter 107 Taiwei Monarch The Xuanteng Realm could be said to have been the main exploration objective of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers some time ago, even Celestial Men had visited it, clearly indicating that both the leaders, the Azure Dragon and Tianyi, thought this world harbored no small amount of secrets. If not for the unusual activities of the Southern Jins Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, along with some other matters, the exploration of the Xuanteng Realm might still be continuing. Therefore, it was still very necessary to make clear to the organization the abnormality that appeared in the will of the Xuanteng Realm. Otherwise, it might cause unnecessary losses. After listening to Zhou Hengs narration, the Supreme, Celestial Order, and the three sitters within the Five Emperors were quite astonished, as this was the first time they had heard that the will of heaven and earth would directly intervene in the descent and return. Although several Celestial Men had gone to explore the Xuanteng Realm before and had encountered the repulsion from the will of heaven and earth within the realm, their descent and return were both very smooth, with no accidents occurring. Now that even the descent and return were being interfered with, it was enough to show that the will of heaven and earth in the Xuanteng Realm had been eroded to a profound degree, to the extent it could subjectively adjust some deep-seated rules. This matter needs to be recorded, and the danger level of the Xuanteng Realm must be elevated to the highest column, said the sitter within the Five Emperors in a grave voice. His main job at the Ziwei Palace was to oversee the information of various worlds and the distribution of tasks, and he was extremely sensitive to this issue. Well find an opportunity to report this matter to the two leaders, the Supreme also nodded his head in agreement. The situation within the Xuanteng Realm is indeed strange and must be taken seriously, Celestial Order said seriously, But for us right now, the priority is still to withstand the erosion of that Taiwei Monarch. Exactly, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, expressing his agreement, but he also had some doubts, Why would there suddenly appear a Taiwei Monarch within the Southern Jins Zhou Tian Boundary Officers? Were there any warning signs before this? None, the Supreme shook his head, but he seemed not too concerned about it, Perhaps, like you, Lord Star Officer, it was just that the opportunity arrived, and thus the Taiwei Monarch appeared. The sitter within the Five Emperors and Celestial Order did not show any reaction, clearly agreeing with this explanation. Is that so Zhou Heng frowned slightly, not believing that the world held such coincidences. He had just become the Ziwei Master and a Taiwei Monarch had emerged in Southern Jin, it didnt look like there was no connection between the two. However, this was all conjecture, after all. After all, he hadnt even seen the face of the Taiwei Monarch and naturally couldnt be sure of the persons circumstances. I must wait until I break through to the Sect Fifth Rank, further strengthen my control over the Purple Tenuity Palace, and gain higher authority before making plans, Zhou Heng thought, outlining his next steps. Elder sirs, I will be entering secluded cultivation next, Zhou Heng said, Ill have to trouble you three to worry about the affairs of the Xuanteng Realm. No trouble at all, the Supreme waved his hand with a smile, Lord Star Officer, you are our trump card against the Southern Jin Boundary Officers right now, naturally you should prioritize that. Indeed, rest assured, Lord Star Officer, Celestial Order nodded gently, We will handle the matters of the Xuanteng Realm properly. Just concentrate on your cultivation, Lord Star Officer, the sitter within the Five Emperors added, nodding. Then, as though something had occurred to him, he spoke again, Oh yes, the Northern Dipper asked me to tell you to see her once you return, she has something to say to you. Ah? Zhou Heng was slightly startled upon hearing this and nodded, I understand. It was only then that he suddenly realized, he hadnt seen Cheng Jianjian for quite some time. They hadnt met much since their parting with Southern Jin, and though the travel through the Xuanteng Realm only counted as half a year in Da Qi, for him it had truly been a full year. It had indeed been quite some time. After leaving the Purple Tenuity Palace, Zhou Heng returned to Taihua Mount. Yan Shouyi wasnt at the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, he must have gone to undergo his decline tribulation, and it was Chen Xuan, the disciple, who was temporarily handling daily matters. Chen Xuans talents were not considered high, but not bad either. After over one hundred and thirty years of entry, he had finally managed to condense a Dharma Body some time before, stepping onto the Absolute Fourth Rank, becoming a true peak of this current era. In ancient times, he would already be revered as a Celestial Man. However, Zhou Heng wasnt well acquainted with Chen Xuan; after some small talk, he left Jade Void Peak and planned to visit Cheng Jianjian at Jade Qiong Peak, keeping an appointment. But he found no one there. According to the disciples on the mountain, Cheng Jianjian and her master, Qi Rui, had left a month ago. It was heard that they went to the Eastern Sea to eliminate nefarious cultivators and had not yet returned. Therefore, Zhou Heng went to the Guest Reception Peak to see if Yun Xiu was still there, hoping to catch up on old times. But when he arrived at the Guest Reception Peak, he only found the firmly locked gates of Zhaoming Garden. Upon inquiring with the disciples guarding the mountain, he learned that Yun Xiu had already left the Guest Reception Peak to wander the world of martial artists. It had been half a year since the battle at County City in Fengzhou, and the attention it attracted had diminished. Yun Xiu practiced the Dreaming Method for cultivation and excelled at disguising her identity; she had nothing to fear from being coveted by others. In the end, Zhou Heng looked for You Ziheng but unexpectedly, this older brother-like figure had also taken his disciple, Zhu Zhenzhen, down the mountain. There were hardly any familiar faces left on Ta Hua Mount. This feeling left Zhou Heng slightly disheartened, yet he also sensed something unusual. While searching for acquaintances, he also learned that many disciples from Pure Yang Palace had descended the mountain recently, Some to travel, others to eradicate evil each with their own destination. In the past, people from Pure Yang Palace seldom left the mountain on such a large scale, which is why many ordinary people considered Pure Yang Palace to be elusive and ethereal. It seems that in the half a year Ive been away, some things have happened, Zhou Heng frowned. Nevertheless, he calmed his emotions and returned to the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak. In the end, Zhou Heng settled in a remote hall where he usually stayed, closed the doors, circulated the energy of the Five Virtues, and started to comprehend the Tri-Treasure Ruyi Fist, while also deducing his own path of the Five Virtues. The day he emerged from seclusion would be when the Five Virtues were fully assembled and the Dharma Phase was refined. Above the skies of Southern Jins territory, a colossal world lay hidden. The entire world seemed to be capsized above Southern Jin, almost replacing its sky. If one were to use their Divine Sense, they could see an endless splendor of stars, and a vermilion bird that flickered in and out of visibility. This was the Taiwei Constellation, along with the Vermilion Birds seven mansions. Within this vast world of stars, surrounded by billions of glimmering starlights, there stood a majestic palace soaring high, radiating endless authority. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A plaque hung above it. Taiwei Palace! A vague figure enveloped in starlight stood in front of Taiwei Palace, hands clasped behind its back, as if casting a cold gaze upon the star officers below on the jade stairs. Reporting to the Taiwei Monarch, the day before yesterday, we saw a bright purple light in the sky over Northern Qi, it seems their Ziwei Monarch has returned, a star officer below the stairs spoke. The Ziwei Monarch? Haha. The figure wrapped in starlight laughed, then shook its head and said, No, you are mistaken, that was the Ziwei Emperor, the true master of the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions! Chapter 388 - Chapter 388: Chapter 108: The Emperor Star Fades, I Shall Replace It! Chapter 388: Chapter 108: The Emperor Star Fades, I Shall Replace It! The words of the Taiwei Monarch were like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, creating thousands of ripples. They startled the numerous Star Officers standing below the jade steps. No one expected the Taiwei Monarch to suddenly make such a statement, nor to give such a high appraisal of the Ziwei Master from Northern Qi. Indeed, before the appearance of the Taiwei Monarch, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers of Southern Jin also considered the position of the Ziwei Master as the master of the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions. However, with the emergence of the Taiwei Monarch, this power, far superior to the normal position of a Star Officer, deeply shocked all the Star Officers of Southern Jin. Consequently, it became only natural for everyone to regard the Ziwei Master of Da Qi as no different from the core of a single enclosure, the Ziwei Monarch, and no longer considered Da Qis Ziwei Monarch to be of higher rank than their Taiwei Monarch. Much to their surprise, the Taiwei Monarch now suddenly refuted this view. What do you mean by this, Taiwei Monarch? A Star Officer stood out, his mask bearing the images of five figures, each with distinctive shapes. This was the Star Officer known as Five Feudal Lords, representing a high-ranking Star Officer position, symbolizing five lords: the Emperors Teacher, the Emperors Friend, the Three Public Officers, the Scholars, and the Historians. Moreover, he was a Celestial Man, holding a not insignificant status within the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers of Southern Jin. Yet even such a high-standing Celestial Man Star Officer seemed wary of the Taiwei Monarch, who held only the Absolute Fourth Rank, noticeably adopting a lower stance. Has the Five Feudal Lords not understood? The Taiwei Monarch laughed again, slowly descending the jade steps, his body enveloped in increasingly dense starlight, A Ziwei Emperor of the Secret Sixth Rank, the master of Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions, dont you find that laughable? Please enlighten us, Taiwei Monarch, the Five Feudal Lords said, their spirits trembling slightly under an immense pressure. This was the oppressive feeling inherent to their starry positions, which was not as noticeable in the outside world. Yet, before the Taiwei Palace, within the enclosure of Taiwei, this pressure was amplified to the extreme. Then I shall make it clear to you, and to everyone here, the Taiwei Monarch spread his arms wide, starlight scattering and filling the enclosure of Taiwei, his voice echoing throughout this vast world. The Emperor Star is dimmed, and I shall replace it! Jin State. It is one of the four eastern coastal states of Da Qi, thriving in fisheries, but also engaging in trade with the nations of the Eastern Sea, bustling with activity. On any given day, one could see a constant stream of merchants coming and going from any coastal prefectural city. But now it has become quite desolate. Never mind foreign merchants, even many locals hardly ever leave their homes, keeping their doors and windows firmly shut. In the past, one could often see exotic races from the nations of the Eastern Sea on the streets, but now their traces have vanished. Exotic races are also part of the Human Race, only they have distinctly different physical features compared to ordinary humans. For instance, the winged people with wings on their ribs, the shadow people who can turn into shadows, giants reaching over three meters in height upon maturity, the diminutive people who never grow taller than a foot, and the Sunlight Tribe, who can absorb sunlight to enlarge their bodies Actually, all these exotic races were once humans. The reason for their distinct abnormal physical features, it is said, is due to some taboo magic from before the Middle Ancient era, during the Dark Age, which experimented on and altered human bodies. During the Middle Ancient period, with the fall of the Dark Era, these initially considered mere war machines or slaves were, with the support of the Nine Saints, once again granted the rights of humans. However, due to the large differences in physical appearance and ideologies from ordinary humans, most of these exotic races migrated overseas and gradually formed the nations of the Eastern Sea, as they are known today. Jin State, Tongyun Prefectural City. Originally the most prosperous among the nine prefectural cities along the coast of Jin State, it now seemed quite desolate. The once bustling streets had become extremely quiet, with hardly any pedestrians in sight. At this time, only two young women dressed in Daoist robes were walking side by side. They moved at a stop-and-go pace, pausing from time to time to observe their surroundings, as if they were investigating something. It was Qi Rui and her disciple, Cheng Jianjian. Master, it seems that there is no trace of demon entities aura here, said Cheng Jianjian, frowning. Demon entities exist between reality and void, adept in concealing their tracks. We must not take this lightly, Qi Rui replied with a serious expression and admonished in a deep voice, Lets keep looking. They had come here to slay demon entities. A month ago, Qi Rui received reports that many of the properties owned by the Pure Yang Palace in the eastern coastal states had suffered unexplained attacks, and some had even been exterminated, with the Grandmasters dispatched to investigate having gone missing. Therefore, she took Cheng Jianjian down the mountain to Jin State, intending to investigate the truth while also giving Cheng Jianjian the opportunity to gain experience and, when appropriate, to enhance her combat skills. At first, things went quite smoothly. The two soon uncovered the truthit was the doing of a sinister Grandmaster from the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. However, when this sinister Grandmaster was on the verge of being defeated, he employed some unknown method that attracted a Sect Fifth Rank demon entity. This demon put the entire towns population to sleep on the spot and escaped through their dreams. Now, Qi Rui and Cheng Jianjian were in pursuit of this demon entity. Wherever this demon passed, it not only caused a large number of people to fall into a deep sleep but also devoured the vitality of the surrounding area, causing flowers, grass, and trees to wither and even people to be drained of their essence. Qi Rui and her disciple, Cheng Jianjian, were following these traces. Master, Ive thought of a problem, Cheng Jianjian suddenly stopped and said in a grave tone, Weve been chasing the traces of that demon all this time, havent we? Yes, Qi Rui looked at her disciple, puzzled, Is there a problem? What if we look at it from a different angle? Cheng Jianjian observed their surroundings and continued gravely, Is it possible that, in fact, the demon has been leading us all along? Qi Rui fell silent upon hearing this, then nodded, Indeed, thats possible. Yet she gave a bitter smile and added, But that would be a transparent stratagem. Can we really just ignore it and allow it to harm living beings? This Cheng Jianjian also felt somewhat helpless and could only shake her head lightly, No, Master, lets continue our pursuit. Theres probably nothing here, lets move ahead. Ahead is Ningyu Town. A year ago, it was a quite prosperous town, but after a great disaster, the whole town turned into mummified corpses overnight, Qi Rui said gravely, Perhaps that demon is trying to lead us there. Be very careful. Understood, rest assured, Master, Cheng Jianjian nodded. On Taihua Mount, atop the Jade Vacuity Golden Peak. The previously calm sea of clouds suddenly began to churn violently, like the waves of the sea. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Simultaneously, a burst of pure Qi rushed out of a side hall on the Golden Peak, filled with the true intent of Holy Virtue. This was followed by a burst of white Qi, the light of Yin Virtue. Lastly, a stream of Daoist Virtue Qi that merged black and white spiraled into the air, gathering the pure Qi and white Qi together. Holy Virtue, Yin Virtue, Daoist Virtue! These three extraordinary types of Qi intertwined with each other, fused into one, and gradually began to outline the form of a Jade Ruyi. Chapter 389 - Chapter 389: Chapter 109: Five Virtues Complete, Mana Boundless! Chapter 389: Chapter 109: Five Virtues Complete, Mana Boundless! ` Huh! At the moment the outline of the Jade Ruyi condensed, it was as if layers of invisible force spread out from Jade Void Peak Golden Top as the axis, causing the vast sea of clouds to surge and then ripple outwards. Around the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, it suddenly became empty, devoid of even a wisp of cloud. The tremendous changes in the sea of clouds naturally also alarmed the people on the other peaks, who felt the qi between heaven and earth undergoing a strange change, becoming more amiable, easier to perceive, and easier to refine. For the Sect Fifth Rank and above martial artists, their perception was even clearer, sensing that the laws and Taoist rhymes around Taihua Mount had become much clearer, indicating signs of advancement in their Taoist practices. This was simply inconceivable. Normally, unless one directly witnessed a Celestial Power performing Taoist formulas with principles similar to ones own, it was nearly impossible to achieve such an easy advancement in Taoist practice. What happened? Whats going on, its coming from the direction of Jade Void Peak Could it be that the sect leader has condensed the Tao seed? Many people looked towards the direction of Jade Void Peak, their hearts filled with confusion. At this time, the Jade Ruyi, which had been just an outline, gradually condensed into its True Form, turning into a palm-sized Jade Ruyi, suspended above the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak. The gentle and soft radiance of the Jade Ruyi illuminated the entire Ta Hua Mount in an instant. At this moment, every creature still on Ta Hua Mount noticed the Jade Ruyi above the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak, all casting their gazes that way. Whether it was the common disciples who had just entered the sect, Seventh Rank Warriors who had made some achievements, or the Great Grandmasters who stood at the pinnacle of the world, all stopped to watch, attracted by the brilliance of the Jade Ruyi. Even some Celestials who lived in seclusion within their Cave Sky extended their powers to sense the intertwining Taoist Rhyme Theory on the Jade Ruyi and bask in its brilliance. Under the watchful eyes of many disciples of the Pure Yang Palace, the Jade Ruyi began to further perfect itself. Around it, purple qi rose, signifying the essence of virtue, and at its apex, it seemed to bloom a golden lotus of holy virtue, while the energy of Yin Virtue took the form of exquisitely unparalleled patterns, engraved upon the Jade Ruyi. With the three treasures assembled, it ultimately condensed into a Jade Ruyi interwoven with purple, white, and golden hues, crystal clear, pure, and dignified, known as the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi. This Three Treasures Jade Ruyi hovered in the air, its radiance scattering. It gave the impression that it could suppress stray thoughts, suppress life and death, suppress the passage of time, suppress the crumbling of the void. What is this? What kind of treasure has emerged? A Celestial Divine Artifact? Many were confused in their hearts, but many of the pinnacle Great Grandmasters and Celestial Powers had already discerned the nature of this Jade Ruyi. A Martial Arts phenomenon! This Jade Ruyi was merely a phenomenon produced by practicing martial arts, and judging from the intensity of this phenomenon, it seemed it hadnt reached the level of Dharma Phase yet. Who was cultivating martial arts at the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak? ` ` What martial arts is being cultivated? Just as everyone was puzzled, suddenly two more lights soared into the sky. They then materialized into their true forms, one a yin-yang treasure mirror interwoven with black and white energies, and the other a thirty-three-layered Xuan Huang treasure pagoda, both emitting the charm of supreme treasures. These three supreme treasures floated above Jade Void Peak, their Taoist Rhyme Theories interweaving with each other, seemingly merging together. Moments later, they became one, transforming into a five-colored radiance. Innate Five Virtues Energyit seems someone is attempting to follow the path of integrating the Innate Five Virtues, a Great Grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank exclaimed in shock, staring at the scene above with utter astonishment. Innate Five Virtues what is that? asked a disciple whose Cultivation Realm and experience were insufficient, raising a question. It represents the power that symbolizes the operation of the laws of heaven. Ordinary people who manage to learn one type are considered immensely fortunate. Now someone wishes to use the path of the Five Virtues to coalesce a Dharma Phase, which is truly inconceivable, that Great Grandmaster marveled. Similar scenes occurred all over Taihua Mount. Anyone who recognized the power of the Five Virtues Energy and witnessed this spectacle felt shocked beyond belief, almost doubting whether they were experiencing an illusion. Who is this saint who dares to cultivate the Dharma Phase along the path of the Five Virtues? Its too insane! After all, for a normal Martial Artist, the first problem faced in coalescing a Dharma Phase is whether the body can contain the interwoven laws. If the body is not strong enough, the Taoist practice not profound enough, or the Divine Soul not resilient enough, intertwining overly powerful laws could very likely cause one to explode on the spot. The requirements for containing just one of the Five Virtues are already extremely high, and now someone intends to manage all five, which speaks volumes about the difficulty. And so, amidst many astonished and bewildered gazes, the five-colored light of the harmonious Five Virtues continued to spiral in the sky, becoming more and more tangible, as if an invisible force was acting as the core of the Five Virtues Energy, drawing it together. Gradually, the Five Virtues Energy spun faster and faster until it finally condensed into a small, indistinct pill. This pill was small and exquisite, about the size of a babys fist, its luster like chaos, as if it contained nothing, yet seemed to encompass everything. Soon after, five-colored light spilled from the chaotic pill, once again highlighting the Taoist Rhyme Theory of the Five Virtues Energy. However, unlike before, these Five Virtues Energy did not congeal into treasures, but rather intertwined with each other, outlining the silhouette of a human figure, which quickly solidified. In the blink of an eye, the Five Virtues Energy formed a Taoist figure that stood over a hundred meters tall. The features of this Taoist figure were indistinct, and he wore a Tai Chi Taoist Robe, holding a Jade Ruyi in his hand while exuding a charm that seemed to carry all the laws of the world, encompassing everything and accommodating all things. In that moment, many felt an instinctive sense that this Taoist figure represented all the great dao and laws of the world, embodying the essence of both matter and illusion, the origin of all things. Of course, this sensation was fleeting, and people quickly came to their senses. Yet, the impression created by that sensation was deeply etched into the hearts of everyone on Taihua Mount. Without a doubt, the fellow disciple who had just attempted to coalesce a Dharma Phase with the path of the Five Virtues had succeeded, truly forming a Dharma Phase that accommodated the Five Virtues! Unbelievable! Who could it be? Who has such great ability to have collected the Five Virtues Energy before reaching the rank of Sect Fifth Grade, to integrate the path of the Five Virtues so completely, forging their own path and successfully manifesting a Dharma Phase that embodies the Five Virtues? Now, everyone on Taihua Mount only wanted to know the answer to this question. Who is the person who coalesced the Dharma Phase? Just then, above the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak, a cloud of light ascended, and a figure stood upon it. He flew up into the sky and positioned himself in front of the Dharma Phase assembled by the Five Virtues path. ` It was Zhou Heng. Refining the Dharma Phase, achieving the Fifth Rank, he joined the ranks of the Grandmasters. This was the current Zhou Heng. Every person on Taihua Mount saw this figure standing in front of the colossal Daoist Dharma Phase, and their hearts were once again filled with an unprecedented shock. It was actually Zhou Heng. It was him! How much time had passed, and he had already refined his Dharma Phase! Two years, it seems to have been only two years, right? Two years ago, this young junior uncle was just a Ninth Rank Warrior when he joined the sect! Too fast! This is way too fast! Its simply inconceivable! Is this the reincarnation of a great power? The voices of astonishment were continuous, as Zhou Hengs cultivation speed was far too exaggerated, completely defying logic. However, all anomalies could be explained by the reincarnation of a great power. Zhou Heng listened to these exclamations and couldnt help but feel somewhat emotional. Originally using the excuse of a great powers reincarnation to cover up the origins of his powerful and abnormal skill cards, he never expected it would unintentionally lead to such a profound impact. An opportunity came, and I broke through, disturbing everyone, please do not blame me, Zhou Heng said. Standing in the air, Zhou Heng retracted his Dharma Phase and clasped his hands in apology to the many fellow sect members on Taihua Mount. After all, the commotion he had caused was indeed disturbing the peace. But his act of courtesy caused the many disciples of Pure Yang Palace on Taihua Mount to return the gesture. It is we who should be thanking the young junior uncle even more. When you broke through, the light of the Laws bathed the entire Taihua Mount and allowed our own cultivation paths to advance. Junior Brother Zhou, I have been stuck at Sect Fifth Rank for over a hundred years; today, I finally see a glimmer of hope. It is I who should thank you! Many thanks to the young junior uncle! Thank you, Junior Brother Zhou! Among these people were disciples of the seventh generation of Pure Yang Palace as well as those of the sixth generation, the same as Zhou Heng. They all thanked Zhou Heng profusely, as the light released during the condensing of the Jade Ruyis True Form had brought them a huge increase in their capabilities. Congratulations to the young junior uncle for refining the Dharma Phase and having mana that reaches the heavens. At this moment, Chen Xuan also flew out from the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak and said with a clasped hand and a smile, Possessing all five virtues, you perform the Taoist Rhyme Theory of the heavens. Although this Dharma Phase is newly formed, within the realm of Sect Fifth Rank, there are few who can be considered your match. The path ahead is still to be explored, its nothing much, Zhou Heng said with a slight shake of his head and a wave of his hand to modestly downplay it. He then returned with Chen Xuan to the Golden Peak of Jade Void Peak and asked, Has elder brother not returned yet? Not yet, Chen Xuan shook his head and said, However, the master had said that its normal for him not to return for a year and a half, and told me not to worry. A year and a half Zhou Heng frowned slightly and said, It seems that the problem elder brother is facing is indeed quite serious. Chen Xuan, I need to isolate myself for further cultivation refinement for some time. Youll have your hands full with matters pertaining to Pure Yang Palace. With Yan Shouyis strength as a premier Celestial Man of his time, and yet not having passed through the first Celestial Tribulation, it was likely that some secret technique was used to deceive the heavenly Dao, which means he might face an extremely powerful tribulation. Rest assured, young junior uncle, Chen Xuan nodded. The Dharma Phase that Zhou Heng had refined was complete with all five virtues and had formed an inner world, its power and characteristics differed from ordinary Dharma Phases. Normally, after refining the Dharma Phase, the True Gang is transformed into mana. While obtaining the ability to further harness the power of heaven and earth, it also possesses the powerful ability to manipulate certain Laws and even influence Taoist Rhyme Theory and rules. For any martial artist who has not refined their Dharma Phase, this represents an almost overwhelming power, which is the characteristic strength brought by mana. But while mana is powerful, it faces a problem. Mana, unlike True Qi and True Gang, cannot recover on its own. Instead, it requires the deliberate operation of the Dharma Phase to absorb the qi of heaven and earth and blend with the Taoist Rhyme Theory to refine and gradually recover. This process is quite cumbersome for martial artists at the Dharma Phase level, meaning they cannot instantly recover mana. Simply put, the mana possessed by a Sect Fifth Rank is like a reservoir. When fighting and using mana, it will deplete the water in the reservoir, and even after fighting ends, the water level wont recover unless you actively refill it. Many Fifth Rank Grandmasters spend most of their time in meditation, operating their Dharma Phase to accumulate mana, increasing the water volume in their reservoir for unexpected needs. Therefore, Fifth Rank Grandmasters rarely take action. When they do, it is often a thunderous strike, aiming to avoid long battles in order to conserve mana. For most Fifth Rank Grandmasters, mana really decreases with every use. Among Grandmasters of the same realm, unless there is a fundamental difference in the grade of the Dharma Phase, or they possess powerful magic weapons, the most significant impact on their strength is the amount of mana they have. Boundless mana is a phrase used to compliment Fifth Rank Grandmasters. For a Sect Fifth Rank with boundless mana will have strength utterly surpassing that of ordinary Sect Fifth Rank, and even be able to negate weaknesses due to the Dharma Phase grade. But compliments are just compliments after all. In reality, even if different levels of martial arts cultivation result in Dharma Phases with unique characteristics, some of which accumulate mana very quickly, or even manage to recover small amounts of mana during battle, none truly reach the realm of boundless mana. Zhou Heng was different. Thanks to the specialty of having all five virtues, his inner realm had truly formed a prototype similar to a small universe, capable of refining and accumulating mana at any time, even in the midst of battle. Furthermore, after his realm increased, his control over the Ta Yang Cave Sky also improved, enabling him to draw on more of its energy as a supplement, enough to ensure an endless supply of mana. As long as mana is generated faster than its consumed, it truly is boundless mana. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only With my current strength, even without using the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique, few at the level of Sect Fifth Rank would be my match. Against an average Absolute Fourth Rank, I could also fight, Zhou Heng thought to himself. If I utilize the martial arts and Taoist Formulas from the Three Purities inheritance and condense the shadow of a treasure to fight, there probably arent many in the Absolute Fourth Rank who could defeat me. Its a pity that the grade of the Eight Gates of Life and Death isnt high enough. At the level of Sect Fifth Rank, its no longer possible to use it to correct the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique, otherwise, my strength could be even greater. After breaking through to Sect Fifth Rank, Zhou Hengs strength had skyrocketed, making him one of the peerless beings of his time. Indeed, after refining my Dharma Phase, my sensitivity to and control over the Purple Tenuity Palace has also strengthened, Zhou Heng checked his other gains. However, to understand exactly what new privileges have been added, Ill have to wait until I return to the Purple Tenuity Palace to figure it out. Chapter 390 - Chapter 390: Chapter 110: New Permissions Chapter 390: Chapter 110: New Permissions Above the Purple Qi Cloud Terrace, in front of Purple Tenuity Palace. Gou Chen Star Officer, with clouds beneath her feet, flew over swiftly, a gloomy aura about her, indicating that her mood was not at all pleasant. What happened? The Supreme noticed that the state of the Gou Chen Star Officer seemed a bit off and asked, Was the trip to the Taiwei Court not smooth? What did the Taiwei Monarch say? Tianyi frowned and said in a deep voice. Half a month ago, the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin once again encroached upon the celestial territories of Da Qi, seizing another Star Officer. This enraged the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers of Da Qi beyond measure, and the leader Tianyi even dispatched an avatar to come down. After consultation among the high-level officials, they decided to send a high-ranking star officer from the Heavenly Human Realm to Southern Jin to inquire what exactly the intentions of the Taiwei Monarch were. Officially, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers of the three nations should be as branches of the same tree, complementing and supporting each other, standing together against external demons and Evil Gods. Although no one really took this seriously on a daily basis, such brazen territorial aggression and seizure of star officer positions by the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin was unprecedented. It was way too overbearing. Having completely abandoned any sense of righteousness, it was entirely appropriate for the Ziwei Faction of Da Qi to go and demand explanations with moral high ground on their side. The Taiwei Monarch refused to see me and spoke arrogantly, harboring ambitions for the position of the Ziwei Master, Gou Chen Star Officer said gravely, obviously immensely angered. While speaking, her chest heaved with rage that even a Celestial Mans composure couldnt suppress. In fact, she was still holding back; what the Taiwei Monarch really said was, The Empress Star seeks an audience now? Shes quite impatient. Let her wait until I attain the imperial throne, then Ill go and bestow my favor upon her. To Gou Chen Star Officer, this was nothing short of a blatant insult! If it werent for the fact that they were at the Taiwei Monarchs home turf, a hasty attack would certainly put her at a disadvantageotherwise, she would have already commenced a massacre. Coveting the position of the Ziwei Master? Is the Taiwei Monarch out of his mind? The Supreme and Tianyi exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each others eyes. They then both laughed, The Taiwei Monarch has no idea how powerful the Ziwei Master really is. A mighty being capable of slaying even a Tao Lord in his previous life, and this Taiwei Monarch was actually coveting his behavior, completely oblivious of his own impending doom. The Ziwei Master isnt he only at the Secret Six Rank? Gou Chen Star Officer was somewhat puzzled and inquired, Even though the position of the Ziwei Master is indeed extremely high, that Taiwei Monarch She was unaware of Zhou Hengs real identity in the outside world, which was a common situation within the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers. Apart from the guides and those they led, as well as the two elders, The Supreme and Tianyi, who resided in the Purple Tenuity Palace, few knew each others true identities in the outside world. You mean to say that although the Taiwei Monarch is only at Absolute Fourth Rank by cultivation, he has the power close to a Celestial Man due to the authority his star position grants him? The Supreme said with a smile. Exactly. Gou Chen nodded lightly, Though I despise that Taiwei Monarch, his strength cannot be underestimated. Once the Ziwei Master breaks through to the Sect Fifth Rank, perhaps he will be able to restrain the authority of the Taiwei Monarchs star position, Tianyi said soberly. After all, the Taiwei Monarch is a subject of the Great Emperor of Ziwei; no matter how strong, he is bound to be restricted. ` This Gou Chen Star Officer was still somewhat uncertain, her willow brows slightly furrowed beneath her mask, she sighed and said, I do hope so, but on one hand, achieving Sect Fifth Rank is not so easy to breakthrough, previously, it seemed Master of Ziwei was only at the True Energy Realm. Moreover, the authority of the Taiwei Monarchs star position is really very strong, as soon as I stepped into the boundary of the Taiwei Mansion, I had not yet seen the Taiwei Monarch, I already felt a great oppression. Gou Chen, you have joined the organization for a short time and are not too familiar with Master of Ziwei The Supreme was about to explain a few things when suddenly his eyes lit up with great joy, and he turned his head towards the direction of the bridge of starlight. Master of Ziwei is here! Thank goodness! Hes made a breakthrough!! The familiar purple Star River, the familiar chanting of prayers. Zhou Heng had returned to the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located, and just as he had anticipated, upon arriving there, he received information transmitted from the Purple Tenuity Palace. New authorities were unlocked. The elevation in authorities brought about by this realm breakthrough was tremendous. Compared to before, it can even be said that it allowed his position as Master of Ziwei to undergo a fundamental enhancement. There were five new authorities: Star Officer Identification (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, allowing him to sense the location of every Star Officer within the Purple Tenuity Palace, ignoring the constraints of distance and world. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits. Demarcation of Heavenly Domains (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, based in the Purple Tenuity Palace, it allows for a re-demarcation of the heavenly domains, and a redetermination of the domain affiliation of each Star Officer. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits. Deposition of Star Officers (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, it empowers him to dismiss any Star Officer from their star position. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, this requires the expenditure of merits to condense a star sigil, issue an edict, and only if the Star Officer accepts the edict, can the deposition be successful. Information Announcements (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, it allows him to issue informational announcements to all or a subset of Star Officers, whether they wear a star position mask or not, they will receive the message. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits. Star Position Grace (Not Unlocked): Authority of the Master of Ziwei, it allows him to bestow upon a Star Officer a legacy of a star position that corresponds to their own. Before the Heavenly Human Realm, exercising this authority requires the expenditure of merits. Upon bestowing, the Master of Ziwei will also acquire a corresponding legacy. Acquisition of these five authorities of the Master of Ziwei truly distinguished Zhou Heng from the other Star Officers, even giving him the authority to depose Star Officers, turning him into an elevated existence above the Star Officers. Furthermore, the execution of the Master of Ziweis authorities is not only restricted to the domains of the Purple Tenuity Mansion and the Seven Lodgings of the Azure Dragon but can also be enacted upon the domains of the Taiwei Mansion, Tian Market Mansion, Seven Lodgings of the Vermilion Bird, Seven Lodgings of the Black Tortoise, and Seven Lodgings of the White Tiger. Zhou Heng, who was a relatively high-ranking Star Officer before, is now a true Master of Ziwei. The authority to depose Star Officers, for now, doesnt need to be used and should not be disclosed, Zhou Heng thought to himself, and mused, Revealing this authority before having truly strong prestige is absolutely more harm than good. The most pressing issue in the Purple Tenuity domain is still the encroachment from the Taiwei Mansion of Southern Jin, having already lost two star positions, I can first publicly reveal the authorities that are useful for this matter, to deal with the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin. Besides that, the authorities that I previously had no opportunity to unlock can also be activated now, the authorities of merit transactions and mission issuances C these two alone could throw the operations of Zhou Tian Boundary Officer into radical transformation. With his mind made up, Zhou Heng flew onto the Purple Qi Platform, arriving in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace. The Supreme and the embodiment of heavens law still stood guard at the palace gates, and beside them stood a woman C the Gou Chen Star Officer. All three of them noticed Zhou Hengs arrival, and they quickly sensed the change in the energy emanating from him. Master of Ziwei, you have broken through to Sect Fifth Rank! ` Congratulations! Grandmaster Zhou Heng, it is indeed a joyous achievement. Haha! The Supreme and Tianyi both smiled, feeling very delighted in their hearts. Now, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer of Da Qi is being oppressed by the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin, with even the Celestial Domain being eroded and having lost three star positions. There is an urgent need for a breakthrough to strike back. Without a doubt, Zhou Heng, the Ziwei Master, is the best hope. Congratulations, Master Ziwei. The Gou Chen Star Officer also offered congratulations on one side. Although she did not believe that the Master, after advancing to Sect Fifth Rank, could contend with the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin, as a fellow member of an organization, she too would feel joyous over a breakthrough in realm. Every member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer knows that the organization is inseparable from themselves, and the stronger the organization becomes, the greater the support they receive. Ive seen the three seniors. Zhou Heng bowed with a clasped fist salute, then turned to The Supreme and Tianyi with a smile and said, Seniors, living up to expectations, after my breakthrough to Sect Fifth Rank, I indeed gained new authority. Haha, I knew it! The Supreme joyfully said upon hearing this, Could it be possible to confront the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin? Master Ziwei, please tell us what new authority you have. Tianyi also started to smile. New, new authority? Surprised upon hearing this, Gou Chens bright eyes turned towards Zhou Heng, filled with confusion and curiosity. Whether I can confront the Taiwei Monarch remains to be seen, but countering the erosion of the Southern Jins Taiwei Enclosure is no problem, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Moreover, its not just about countering; we can also strike back effectively. How so? The Supremes eyes brightened with joy as he said, How can we strike back? Yes, how can we strike back? Tianyi also hurriedly asked. These two Celestial Men spent their days here in the Purple Tenuity Palace and often went back to view the Zhou Tian Star Chart; each time they saw the Celestial Domain being eroded by the Taiwei Enclosure of Southern Jin, they felt frustrated. But for the time being, they didnt have a way to strike back, not even one to resist. This feeling of powerlessness was truly stifling. Now, hearing that there was hope to strike back, they naturally rejoiced. Now, I can expend merit to reallocate the zones of the Celestial Domain and redefine the jurisdictions of the Star Officers, said Zhou Heng with a smile. This way, not only can we reclaim the star positions eroded by the Taiwei Enclosure, but we can also erode theirs in return. Reallocate the zones of the Celestial Domain?! The Supremes eyes widened in astonishment, Doesnt that mean, in theory, our side could completely expand to form a full Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Constellations? Its not entirely impossible, Zhou Heng said, his smile deepening, but then he added an explanation, Its just that with my current cultivation level, adjusting the positions of five Star Officers is already the limit in the short term. Thats enough, five is enough! Haha! Tianyi burst out laughing, Master Ziwei, please proceed as planned and overpower that barbarian Taiwei Monarch from the south! Master Ziwei, you can actually reallocate the jurisdiction of five star positions? Gou Chen looked at Zhou Heng with amazed eyes, Its possible to manipulate the Celestial Domain of the Zhou Tian Star Chart like this? Whats so strange about that? Isnt the Taiwei Monarch of Southern Jin doing just that? Zhou Heng looked at Gou Chen with slight surprise. Gou Chen fell silent upon hearing this and then nodded solemnly, bowing to Zhou Heng with the utmost respect, Please forgive me, Master Ziwei. Previously, when I visited the Taiwei Enclosure of Southern Jin, I felt the oppressive aura of the Taiwei Monarch and was intimidated by it. For a moment, I scarcely dared to believe that the Master could contend with him at Sect Fifth Rank. I truly shouldnt have doubted. Youve been to the Taiwei Enclosure of Southern Jin? Zhou Heng looked at The Supreme and Tianyi with puzzlement and said, During the time I was in closed-door cultivation? Thats right. The Supreme nodded his head and then roughly described Gou Chens experience in the Taiwei Enclosure, also relating the words spoken by the Taiwei Monarch. Coveting the imperial authority? Haha Zhou Heng laughed out loud, shaking his head, This Taiwei Monarch is quite serious, indeed a loyal subject, but it remains to be seen whether he has the capability. The Three Enclosures of Zhou Tian each has its governance. The Purple Tenuity Enclosure is the dwelling place of emperors and is at the core of the Three Enclosures. Its Star Officers often hold imperial powers, while the Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure mainly assist local governance as subjects. The Taiwei Monarch coveting the imperial seat of the Purple Tenuity is, considering the relationships of the star positions, tantamount to rebellion. This Taiwei Monarch is audacious; his continual erosion of the Purple Tenuity Enclosures Celestial Domain must also be due to this ambition. The Supreme lightly nodded and said in a deep voice, Please lead us in a counterattack, Master Ziwei. Theres no need to hurry, seniors. Well soon seek out the predecessors of the Five Emperors Inner Seats. We might as well take the opportunity to counter the Taiwei Monarch and send him a gift while also strengthening the organization, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Oh? The Supreme, puzzled for a moment, then realized and smiled, It seems youve already decided which Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure to seize. Thats correct, Zhou Heng nodded gently, and then added, Furthermore, when I say theres no rush, its also because I didnt acquire only this one authority after my breakthrough. There are other authorities? The Supreme and Tianyis eyes shone brightly, immensely surprised. Both remembered that every time Zhou Heng gained a new authority, it would bring about earth-shattering changes to the entire Purple Tenuity Enclosure. Gou Chen watched from the sidelines, and she could roughly understand why The Supreme and Tianyi, two longstanding Celestial Men, trusted Zhou Heng so much. New authorities! This seemed to mean that the entire organization would undergo new changes! There are three new authorities, Zhou Heng stretched out his hand and gestured with three fingers, They are Information Announcement, Mission Issuance, and Merit Trade. These were the three authorities he had decided to disclose after some deliberation. As for the authorities of dismissing Star Officers, granting star positions, and summoning Star Officers, he was still considering how to demonstrate them in other ways. What do these three authorities entail? The Supreme asked. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In fact, after hearing the names of these three authorities, he already had some guesses, but he still sought the accurate answer. Information Announcement, as the name suggests, allows for making announcements to every Star Officer or to selected ones, making it easier to transmit messages. Zhou Heng explained, Merit Trade is also straightforward, changing the current system of merits to allow for circulation, where Star Officers can trade freely among themselves. As for Mission Issuance, Im sure the seniors have guessed it; unlike now, where missions can only be issued by the Bureau of Resolutions, once this authority is activated, each Star Officer will be able to issue missions. This, this The Supreme was brimming with excitement, laughing, Indeed, these are earth-shattering changes. Our organization is bound to develop and expand rapidly! Chapter 391 - Chapter 391: Chapter 111: Merging Star Positions Chapter 391: Chapter 111: Merging Star Positions It seems the three senior members have no objections to these three privileges? Zhou Heng said with a smile. What is there to oppose? The Supreme exclaimed in surprise at first, then realized and laughed, Are you worried about the opinions of Lord Tianyi and Azure Dragon? Haha, theres actually no need to worry, said the Principle of Heaven as it too came to realize and laughed, For such new privileges that can enhance the cohesion and vitality of the organization, both Lords would be too late to offer their support, how could they oppose it. The initiation of these three privileges will inevitably make the organization stronger, why would they oppose it? Gou Chen also started laughing, her mood was very good. Although the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer can also distribute tasks, not every Star Officer is free to do so. These tasks are actually the culmination of Lord Tianyis and Azure Dragons leaders integration of information traces from both the territories of Da Qi and the myriad of heavenly worlds, using deductive methods to describe specific content, assess risk levels, and corresponding rewards before finally issuing them. They can essentially be considered as officially issued. With the introduction of this new privilege, it means that ordinary Star Officers can also issue tasks based on their own circumstances, seeking help, and thus closing the connections between Star Officers to strengthen the organizations cohesion. The freedom to trade merits represents a complete overhaul; originally, merits could only be transferred at fixed meetings. Now, they can be freely traded, which greatly enhances the liquidity of merits, improves its monetary attribute, and thus increases the enthusiasm of the Star Officers to participate in tasks, with efficiency in all aspects receiving quite a boost. These two new privileges are enough to make the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, which had become somewhat dull, vibrant again. The Supreme and the Principle of Heaven, as Celestial Powers, having lost their physical forms, can only inhabit within this world where the Purple Tenuity Palace is located. Thus, they have poured all of their energy into the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, and as long as the main organization can grow, they will be pleased. Though Gou Chen only joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer not so long ago, and her sense of belonging was not exceptionally strong, she was very clear on what benefits a strong and vibrant collective organization could bring her. Therefore, all three of them were in full support of Zhou Heng initiating these new privileges. With this in mind, Ill announce it at the next meeting, Zhou Heng said with a smile. With the support of three high-ranking Celestial Man Star Officers and the formidable methods demonstrated by Zhou Heng before, the initiation of the new privileges was almost a sure thing. Indeed, it should be so, said The Supreme and the others in unison. Then next Zhou Heng looked up at the sky, his gaze as if piercing through the world where the Purple Tenuity Palace was located, seeing the vast celestial regions of the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions, lets go to the Palace of Sorrow to meet the Senior Inner Five Emperors. Within the Palace of Sorrow, the Inner Five Emperors, originally organizing task information, became excited upon hearing about Zhou Hengs new privileges. As the Star Officer in charge of task assignment, no one understood better than him the enormous changes these privileges would bring. Although there are pros and cons, the overall impact is definitely positive. However, when Zhou Heng finally mentioned one thing, the Inner Five Emperors was shocked on the spot. Star Lord, what, what did you just say? The Inner Five Emperors nearly thought they were hallucinating, that they had misheard, You just said, you want me to merge with the Star Officer position of Five Emperor Seat from the Taiwei Enclosure, how is that possible? The Five Emperor Seat is a high-ranking Star Officer of the Taiwei Enclosure, its symbolic meaning is almost identical to that of the Inner Five Emperors from the Ziwei Enclosure. Its just that one is inside the Ziwei Enclosure, hence it has an Inner attached to it, while the other is outside the Ziwei Enclosure, and is simply called the Five Emperor Seat. The symbolic meanings and corresponding legacies of these two behaviors, as well as the Taoist Rhyme Theory they touch upon, are nearly identical; theoretically, they could indeed be merged together. This involves changes to the mechanism of the Zhou Tian star chart, and it must be within the same celestial region to be possible. However, the Five Emperors constellation is a Star Officer of the Taiwei Palace, while the Five Emperors inner constellation is a Star Officer of the Purple Tenuity Palace, and the two are in different celestial regions. Therefore, there is almost no possibility of merging them together. What is impossible? Zhou Heng said with a smile, Does senior believe that because the Five Emperors constellation belongs to Taiwei Palaces Star Officers and you are in the Purple Tenuity Palace, its impossible for the two to merge? Yes, that factor does exist The Five Emperors inner constellation somewhat nodded and then, with a flash of realization, exclaimed, You aim to take over the Five Emperors constellation Star Officer position of Taiwei Palace? Correct! Zhou Heng nodded slightly and said gravely, Since the Southern Jins Taiwei Palace Boundary Officer has invaded first, we naturally need not be polite. The Taiwei Monarch took three of our Star Officers, and we shall not only take them all back but also seize two more of his high-ranking Star Officers! The three Star Officers that were taken from Da Qis Purple Tenuity Palace by the Taiwei Palace were Ba Gu, Tian Bang, and Nei Chu. These were all ordinary Star Officers, not high-ranking ones. And now, Zhou Heng intended to seize Taiwei Palaces Five Emperors constellation and Spiritual Platform, both high-ranking Star Officers, of great significance. Star Lord, having just had a breakthrough, are you not worried that this bold move will provoke a fierce counterattack from Taiwei Palace? The Five Emperors inner constellation expressed his concern, The strength of the Taiwei Monarch should not be underestimated. If they dare to counterattack, I have ways to ensure they wont return! Zhou Heng sneered, concluding, Senior, its now up to you. Do you agree to the merger with the Five Emperors constellation? Just agree already, youve been stuck at Absolute Fourth Rank for several hundred years, and an opportunity like this is rare, isnt it? The Supreme, unable to watch any longer, persuaded, By merging with the Five Emperors constellation, your understanding of the Taoist Rhyme in your actions will deepen, and youll be more hopeful of advancing! Thats right. Celestial Power also nodded and added, Youre not getting any younger, and time is running out. If you miss this chance, who knows how long youll have to wait for the next opportunity. The two distinguished cultivators are correct, Lord of the Five Emperors inner constellation, I share their view, Gou Chen also nodded and said, Merging with the Five Emperors constellation is akin to embodying the Taoist Rhyme of two star positions, which will surely benefit your cultivation immensely. This The Five Emperors inner constellation was still somewhat worried. He looked at Zhou Heng and said gravely, Star Lord, could this endeavor pose any danger to you? He was concerned for Zhou Heng. On one hand, Zhou Heng had just made a breakthrough to Sect Fifth Rank, and he was worried that Zhou Hengs realm was not stable enough to withstand a counterattack from the Taiwei Monarch. On the other hand, the merger of Star Officer positions involved contention between celestial regions, which was far from ordinary, and he feared that Zhou Heng might not be able to control these new authorities, risking backlash. After all, if there were any problems during the exercise of these powers, it would certainly reflect directly upon Zhou Heng as the Star Lord. Is senior concerned about me? Zhou Heng seemed to see through the Five Emperors inner constellations thoughts and chuckled lightly, Actually, theres no need to worry. If Ive proposed it, naturally, I am fully confident. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Southern Jin, within Taiwei Palace. The Taiwei Monarch, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. First with surprise, and then with burning anger. The next instant, all of the Star Officers of the entire Taiwei Palace heard his roar. How dare you!! Chapter 392 - Chapter 392: Chapter 112 Monarch, Official, Crown Prince Chapter 392: Chapter 112 Monarch, Official, Crown Prince The Taiwei Monarch held immense control over the entire Taiwei Enclosure. Within the Taiwei Palace, his power had even surpassed that of the Celestial Men, undeniably formidable. His fury immediately sent shockwaves through the minds of the many Star Officers within the Taiwei Enclosure, all of whom turned their gazes towards the direction of the Taiwei Palace, Even the Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure and the seven lodges of the Vermilion Bird that were situated in the outer realms couldnt help but lift their heads to look up to the sky, feeling their heads buzz as if they had been struck by a powerful mental blow. The Taiwei Monarch was enraged! This being, who had only just come into existence but had already become the de facto ruler of the Taiwei Enclosure, was usually seen as someone behind the scenes with all the moves planned out in his chest; how could he suddenly lose his composure? Many of the Star Officers of Southern Jin were puzzled at heart. However, some of the high-ranking Star Officers sensed something was amiss; they hurriedly returned to the earthly portal of the Taiwei Enclosure and then witnessed the changes in the celestial region on the Chart of the Heavenly Stars. Originally, thanks to the powerful authority of the Taiwei Monarch, the position of three Star Officers and their affiliated Star Envoys was snatched from the Northern Qis Ziwei Enclosure, allowing the Taiwei Enclosure to expand. But now, those stars had all returned to the Ziwei Enclosure. Not only that, but the positions of two high-ranking Star Officers in the Taiwei Enclosure, The Emperor Seat and Spiritual Platform, along with their affiliated Star Envoys, were flashing as if gathering, and a shift in the starlight was occurring. The luminosity of the stars signifies the Taoist Rhyme Theory of the Star Officers; a shift in starlight means a shift in star positions, which indicates that someone from the Northern Qis Ziwei Enclosure is attempting to seize the Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure using formidable authority. Whats going on, has the Ziwei Master from the Ziwei Enclosure advanced further? But such progress is too exaggerated. Not only did they directly reclaim three star positions, they even dare to covet our high-ranking Star Officers? Truly presumptuous, no wonder the Taiwei Monarch is furious. The Ziwei Enclosure is truly taking an inch and wanting a mile, oblivious to their folly! Even if the Ziwei Master has a higher status, he is still human after all, how can he be compared to the Taiwei Monarch, who is of Innate accomplishment? We need not worry too much. Indeed, the Taiwei Monarch was born in the Taiwei, matured in the Taiwei, nourished by the light of the stars in heaven, unparalleled by ordinary humans. The high-ranking Star Officers of the Taiwei Enclosure were abuzz with discussions, among them were Celestial Powers. Most of them had great confidence in the Taiwei Monarch and didnt think the Ziwei Master from the Da Qis Ziwei Enclosure could rival the Taiwei Monarch. For the Taiwei Monarch was not human. This Taiwei Monarch, who in the absence of Tao Lords had de facto control over the Taiwei Enclosure, was not human, nor was he a Martial Artist. He was a kind of deity-like existence born from the Taiwei Enclosures own responsive sentience. Although the current Taiwei Monarch was still new, with a realm of cultivation equivalent to Absolute Fourth Rank, after being enlightened by the lead Star Officer Crown Prince of the Taiwei Enclosure, his spiritual intelligence was already complete, making him a qualified ruler. The Taiwei Monarch was born in the heart of the Taiwei Enclosure, naturally mastering its authority, and his grasp over the authority even surpassed that of Crown Prince, a Tao Lord. Thus, in terms of managing star position authority, humans could never compare with a Star Deity like the Taiwei Monarch. And such celestial conflicts over Star Officer positions are, in essence, a struggle for the authority of the stars. Even if the Ziwei Master from the Ziwei Enclosure had inherently higher authority, his control over it could never match that of the Taiwei Monarch. This was the general sentiment among the many Star Officers of the Southern Jins Taiwei Enclosure. In fact, the Taiwei Monarch had indeed begun to display his might, solidifying the radiance of the two star positions, The Emperor Seat and Spiritual Platform, to prevent them from shifting towards the Ziwei Enclosure. Above the heavens of this side of the Taiwei Enclosures world, layers of purple qi clashed with the shimmering clear radiance, neither yielding to the other, while the clear glow displayed by the Taiwei Monarch struggled to gain a slight advantage. Due to Taiwei Palace actually being a great world that loomed over the sky of Southern Jin, such acts of struggle directly caused the heavens above Taiwei Palace to display layer upon layer of anomalies. What was once daylight turned into night, and a noble and majestic purple qi, like the Star River, began to ascend from the north, spanning nearly half the sky of Southern Jin, clashing against the clear radiance of the already present Star River above Southern Jin. Such anomalies plunged everyone into a state of panic. Ordinary people and Lower Third Rank Martial Artists, not knowing the cause, naturally fell into chaos, while Middle Third Rank Martial Artists, who interwove the laws of heaven and earth, could sense the terrifying clash of laws behind the anomaliesCa level they were not even qualified to connect with. The Upper Third Rank cultivators were mostly aware of the situation but no one dared to intervene, all merely watching from the sidelines. For any single Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord, both Taiwei Palace and Ziwei were immense entities, collective organizations comprised of numerous Celestial Men and Tao Lords. It was harmful and not beneficial to rashly meddle in such big power struggles. However, the powers in Southern Jin who were privy to the origins of the Taiwei Monarch generally viewed Taiwei Palace more favorably. After all, the authority of star positions was inherently meant for the star deities, who naturally had an unparalleled advantage in wielding such power, far surpassing humans who simply inherited star positions. Moreover, judging by the current situation where the clear radiance was slightly overpowering the purple qi, it seemed to be the case indeed. But within the Taiwei Palace, the Taiwei Monarch himself had a different feeling. He didnt feel he had the upper hand, and even felt suppressed. The so-called advantage was merely superficial. It was simply that the authority of the Ziwei was so condensed and powerful that the anomalies it showed seemed less grandiose, but the might it contained was tremendous. Though the authority of Taiwei Palace appeared impressive and grand, it was still suppressed by the purple qi. This was like an emperor showing his authority often needing only a sentence or a few words, while a minister demonstrating power usually required much ado, grand and mighty in display. Ziwei was the emperor, and Taiwei Palace was but a minister, its leader no more than a Crown Prince. It shouldnt be like this, I am the Taiwei Monarch, I am the god of Taiwei! The Taiwei Monarchs aura of clear radiance burst forth, his mana transforming into golden patterns intertwining; he seemed to become a nebula, resisting the influence of the Ziwei Masters authority with all his might. He too had thought that as a star deity, he naturally wielded the authority of Taiwei Palace, and that a mere mortal who had obtained some of the Emperor of Ziweis authority could not possibly compete with him over it. This made his instincts swell rapidly, wanting to take advantage while the Emperor Star dimmed, to replace it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, when the authority of the Ziwei Master struck, and the Taiwei Monarch truly clashed with it, he discovered that the reality was not as he had imagined. The authority and might of the Ziwei Master turned out to be unimaginably formidable! He simply couldnt resist it! Alas Just at this moment, a sigh echoed within Taiwei Palace, and a figure dressed in splendid attire appeared behind the Taiwei Monarch. Chapter 411 - Chapter 411: Chapter 131 New Rewards Chapter 411: Chapter 131 New Rewards Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had both actually had quite a few experiences traveling to other worlds. Even though those worlds had crises of varying scales, the sources of these crises were often worrying, but they could concentrate their forces to resolve them. However, the main world they resided in was different. The crises being faced originated from various aspects, and they were all extremely grave. This was clearly not normal. Among those Evil Gods and demon entities, there was no shortage of existences at the Divine First Rank or even stronger levels, all converging together, competing to descend upon this world as soon as possibleCthere must be a reason for this. To them, this world surely held a fatal attraction. As for what specifically this attraction was, the two of them couldnt say, but they believed that the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and those confronting the Evil Gods and demon entities had been doing so for many years and probably understood something of the situation. The Supreme and Heavenly Principle once again fell silent. After a while, The Supreme finally sighed lightly and said, The question youre asking, actually, Heavenly Principle and I also once asked Tianyi and Azure Dragon, but we did not receive a clear answer. They only said that it might be related to the remnants of the Ancient Mythological Era and that period before the Middle Ancient, the Dark Era. They speculated that our world may contain profound secrets. As for the specific reasons behind this, even those esteemed ones probably have not truly fathomed them completely. Related to the remnants of the Ancient Mythological Era and the Dark Era, Zhou Heng said with a slight frown upon hearing this. This answer was something he had also guessed before, but for those living in the current era, the Ancient Mythological Era and the Dark Era were shrouded in thick fog, with far too few clues. While there were still powerful beings from the Dark Era who had survived to this day, they were either resisting foreign demon entities and Evil Gods or had gone into hiding, entirely elusive. These two eras are already secrets to us, said Cheng Jianjian with a grave voice. Yes, if even Tianyi and Azure Dragon havent quite figured it out, with our current Cultivation Realm, it seems even less hopeful for us, Zhou Heng said. Looking at it this way, I suppose I must diligently cultivate and strive to raise my cultivation and realm as soon as possible if I want to approach the truth? Cheng Jianjian said. Not necessarily, Zhou Heng looked back at The Supreme and Heavenly Principle and asked, Do the esteemed ones not have any clues that might be investigated? As for clues The Supreme hesitated to speak, somewhat uncertain. Oh come on, youre still as indecisive as ever, Heavenly Principle couldnt bear it any longer and said, Why the hesitation? Youve seen the Star Masters strength for yourself. Moreover, if it were truly dangerous, he would definitely have judgment. We need not worry too much. Then, he spoke to Zhou Heng, Star Master, there are indeed clues. However, that place is extremely perilous, and The Supreme is worried that your investigation there might result in unforeseen dangers, hence the hesitation. I believe that with your strength and insight, you would naturally know what to do. Besides, once you assume the position of leader, you will learn of this matter, so I might as well just tell you outright. Years ago, Tianyi and Azure Dragon discovered a peculiar world, in which the legends contained many of the Immortal Gods from antiquity that we know of, and even some Immortal Gods we do not. There also seemed to be a rather complete Immortal God System, referred to as Heavenly Court. ` Although Tianyi and Azure Dragon discovered that world when the Heavenly Court had already fallen and the Immortal Gods had all disappeared, in the mouths of the people of that world, such earth-shattering events had only occurred a little over a hundred years ago, The fall of the Heavenly Court, the disappearance of the Immortal Gods? Zhou Heng asked in surprise, Do the two lords have the directional information and specific details about that world? We do not, Tianyi shook his head and said, That world is special, and also very dangerous. Tianyi and Azure Dragon dont agree with members below the Upper Third Rank going to that world. Even if the members are of the Upper Third Rank, they need to apply to and be approved by those two lords, who will then preside over the Star Gate and transport the members who wish to descend. So, to get accurate information and directions to that world, we still need to find Tianyi and Azure Dragon? Zhou Heng frowned slightly, then nodded lightly, Thats also fine, since the next gathering isnt far off. The next gathering is on April 18th, and now its only the beginning of March, so theres less than half a month left. He wasnt in a hurry and could wait. Yes, at that time Tianyi and Azure Dragon should both be present to hand over organizational affairs to you, The Supreme sighed, The invasion of the Evil Gods and outer demons is becoming more and more severe, they can no longer be distracted. Alas, so many peers are struggling to maintain order, while only I and The Supreme can stay here in the Purple Tenuity Palace, unable to even venture out, Tianyi said, somewhat dejected, clenching his fist, Ah Didnt you say before that the Divine Soul Star Gate might work for you? Zhou Heng asked. After descending through the Divine Soul Star Gate into another world, one would indeed receive a new physical body, and on returning, one could choose to bring that body back. The Supreme and Tianyi had also thought about using this method to regain physical bodies. But seeing their current state, it seemed this approach was not feasible? Its not possible, The Supreme shook his head and said, Both Tianyi and I have tried this method. After descending to other worlds through the Divine Soul Star Gate, we indeed can obtain new physical bodies. But these bodies cannot fully accommodate our Primordial Spirits unless we can cultivate that physical body to the level of a Celestial Man. Otherwise, it simply cannot function as a normal body, the essential difference is too vast. Actually, even the body of a Celestial Man might not be able to bear our Primordial Spirits, Tianyi spoke up, In the past, The Supreme and I lost our physical bodies and only the Divine Souls remained, confined to the front of this Purple Tenuity Palace. Weve been here for more than thirteen hundred years. Over such a long stretch of time, continually bathed in the Taoist Formula of the Star Palace, our Divine Souls have been significantly elevated and have surpassed the usual scope of a Celestial Man. Indeed, it is so, The Supreme nodded slightly and smiled, With the current nature of our Divine Souls, not to mention the ordinary physical bodies of other worlds, even those of Celestial Men who have survived the Five Decays may not be able to bear it. The Primordial Spirit of a Celestial Man is entrusted to the void and interwoven with the Dao; its essence is tied to the nature of the interwoven Dao. Moreover, the higher the essence, the greater the requirement for the physical body. For this reason, any ambitious Celestial Man usually waits until after enduring the Five Declines to attempt to condense a Dao Seed. Because the more Declines one endures, the stronger the Primordial Spirit the physical body can sustain, meaning the Primordial Spirit can interweave with a stronger Dao and thus condense a more potent Dao Seed. The Divine Souls of The Supreme and Tianyi have exceeded the normal range of Celestial Men, and the prospect of them reconstructing physical bodies is likely as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Actually, we have both come to terms with it, The Supreme started to smile again, Weve made it through so many years. Staying in front of Purple Tenuity Palace, bathing in the radiance of the Star Masters Taoist Formulas, hasnt been so bad. Tianyi remained silent, lost in thought. Its been hard on both of you seniors, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian both felt somewhat moved. ` Afterward, they took their leave from the Purple Tenuity Palace and returned to Taihua Mount. Qi Rui had long since safely returned. Upon learning that Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had returned, he took the initiative to go and greet them, escorting them to Jade Qiong Peak. Cheng Jianjian had a separate, exquisitely arranged courtyard on Jade Qiong Peak. Qi Rui had already left, and at this moment, only Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were present in the small courtyard. In the small pavilion at the center of the lake. The two of them sat facing each other. Junior Uncle, what was it you wanted to ask me earlier? Cheng Jianjian asked with a smile, Is it about that world? And about you as well. Zhou Heng said in a deep voice, I can feel that you have a deep connection with that world. Is it because of that Evil God? Yes, thats about right. Cheng Jianjian nodded, her expression somewhat complex as she said, I often dream of that world. In those dreams, I am the sovereign of all stars, the king of myriad gods, Gou Chen the Heavenly Emperor, and also the daughter of Doumu. Voices constantly call out to me, telling me that I am not Cheng Jianjian, not a mortal, but a venerable god, a collective entity of the Gou Chen concept, the elder sister and also the empress of the Ziwei Emperor A collective entity of the Gou Chen concept Zhou Heng frowned. About Gou Chen, he had heard many legends in his previous life, indeed each portrayal was different. In Taoist legends, it is referred to as Gou Chen Upper Palace Heavenly Emperor, the eldest son of Doumu Yuanjun, the biological brother of the Great Ziwei Emperor, overseeing the two poles and the three talents of heaven, earth, and man, commanding all the stars, and in charge of earthly warfare, one of the Four Imperials. Yet in traditional astrology, Gou Chen is a Star Officer in the Ziwei sector, located at the centers side, considered the Heavenly Emperors harem or principal wife, also known as the Empress. Some legends also describe Gou Chen as an ancient god, stating The image of Gou Chen is, in fact, named Kylin, located at the center, in charge of the wu day. It is indeed the benevolent beast governed by the virtue of earth. However, what Cheng Jianjian was saying now seemed different from all of these, one being a collective entity, the other, Gou Chen taking the form of a woman. Still, judging from her reaction, she seemed extremely averse to this situation. So you chose to take on the position of the Big Dipper Star Officer in order to resist this kind of intrusion by using the power of the Big Dippers star position? Zhou Heng inquired. Yes, the intrusion of these dreams was too severe, containing powerful star energy. To counteract it, one can only use the energy of a higher star position. Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, sighing as she said, Actually, since becoming the Big Dipper, the intrusion has diminished a lot, but it is still continuing and as you know, my master and I encountered the great demon Cang Hua, so we could only escape through the connection to that world, ultimately going there. And now? Zhou Heng asked with concern. Thanks to the seal technique Junior Uncle used, I dont feel the intrusion of Gou Chens star energy at all anymore. Cheng Jianjians smile was radiant as she approached Zhou Heng, joyfully saying, Thank you! Haha, glad to hear youre all right. Zhou Heng also smiled, but he still had some concerns and said, However, why are you subject to the intrusion of Gou Chens star energy? This is a question. Ive considered whether I might be the reincarnation of some powerful being or have some connection with that mother of all stars Cheng Jianjian shook her head and sighed faintly, I went to the Star Palace to try to unravel this mystery, but unfortunately, events took a swift turn, and the mother of all stars was too strong. At this, she laughed again and added, If it werent for Junior Uncle turning the tide, I fear not only would I have failed to uncover the truth, I might have even lost my life. Hmm, when we have achieved something in our cultivation, we shall visit that world. Zhou Cheng contemplated briefly, then said, I can sense that the mother of all stars is not in a normal state, and I have many doubts I wish to resolve. Then we come back to the topic of our own cultivation. Cheng Jianjian smiled faintly, Junior Uncle, you have already condensed the Dharma Phase, while Im still at the True Gang stage, I have fallen a step behind. However, upon my return this time, Ive had some insights and plan to enter seclusion to cultivate and condense my Dharma Phase. I should be able to achieve a breakthrough before the organizations gathering. Good for you, Zhou Heng laughed, Ill look forward to the good news. After speaking with Cheng Jianjian, Zhou Heng returned to the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak. Yan Shouyi had not yet returned, and it was Chen Xuan who was still handling various affairs. This made Zhou Heng somewhat worried. Fortunately, he learned from Chen Xuan that half a month ago, Yun Xiu had sent a message briefly describing Yan Shouyis current situation. It was estimated that it would take another two months for Yan Shouyi to return. Zhou Heng temporarily set aside his worries and finally had the time to return to the side hall where he usually lived and start sorting out his gains from this trip. The rewards for previously killing two Absolute Fourth Rank demon entities need not be mentioned. Most crucially, it was when he used the Heaven Opening Seal with Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui to shatter the pursuit of the Innate Doumu Yuanjun earlier on their return. This should count as the first time Zhou Heng truly confronted the Evil Gods true body. Previously, whether it was the Eastern Peak Great Emperor or Moksha Jia Ye, neither had been an actual confrontation: the former was directly deterred by the majesty of the Ziwei Star Palace, and the latter was just a partial avatar that came forth. Only this time, Zhou Heng truly repelled an Evil God named Doumu Yuanjun, and even the power of the Heaven Opening Seal followed the trajectory to track down the true body of that Evil God. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Such a battle brought extremely massive rewards and even led to the emergence of a new type of reward. Congratulations! By using the projection card Heaven Opening Seal [Silver] you have defeated the Evil God Innate Doumu Yuanjun (suppressed)! Hidden Treasure [Platinum] +1, Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +2, Fortune Bag [Silver] +2, Fortune Bag [Copper] +2. Additional reward options +2, Existing base attributes +2, Existing additional attributes +2, Special skill upgrade card +2, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas upgrade card +2, Lifespan +1000, Doumu projection card +1, Additional reward choice +1, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas proficiency big gift bag +1. Please choose 1+1 items from the following rewards. Chapter 394 - Chapter 394: Chapter 114 Old Friends Chapter 394: Chapter 114 Old Friends Sword Pavilion, by the Sword-Cleansing Pond. Master, that Zhou Heng he might not come after all, a young boy, looking to be about eleven or twelve, stood by Fang Wens side, asking softly with a very worried expression. His name was Zhao Qingshu. Orphaned at a young age, he roamed around living a hard life until half a year ago when he was discovered by Fang Wen and taken in as a disciple. Zhao Qingshu was born with a talent for swords, exhibiting exceptional aptitude in the Sword Dao. It wasnt long before he had brought a Ninth Grade swordsmanship to perfection, only a step away from achieving the Ninth Rank in martial arts once he perfected his stance work. Fang Wen cultivated him as a successor, and in return, Zhao Qingshu came to regard Fang Wen as a father reborn. Fang Wen was now heart and soul into re-establishing the Sword Pavilion, and Zhao Qingshu, seeing this, was extremely anxious as well. Even though the disciple who had gone to Ta Hua Mount to send a message had come back and reported on Zhou Hengs seclusion, this was, after all, related to the future of the Sword Pavilion and to Fang Wens lifes work, so Zhao Qingshu couldnt help feeling some resentment toward Zhou Heng. He wont, Fang Wen said with firm conviction, his gaze turning towards Ta Hua Mount, If he promised to come back, he will definitely come. Although he was quite worried at the moment, as the master of the Sword Pavilion, he couldnt voice his concerns. But Zhao Qingshu started then hesitated. There are no buts! Fang Wen turned to look at his disciple, speaking in a deep voice, He will definitely come! Yes. Zhao Qingshu could only nod and step back without saying more. You harbor resentment because Zhou Heng has not yet arrived? Fang Wen, with his wealth of life experience, easily read the thoughts of his disciple. Zhao Qingshu fell silent for a while upon hearing this, then nodded and said, Master sees clearly. You must not harbor such thoughts any longer, Fang Wen said with a grave expression, Regardless of whether Zhou Heng arrives or not, you should see him as a benefactor who is helping us re-establish the Sword Pavilion and must never harbor resentment against him. Why should I?! Zhao Qingshu wanted to ask this but did not voice it in the end. Opening his mouth but then closing it, he nodded and said, Understood, Master. Your disciple understands. Good, you may leave now. Go and receive the guests from Longevity Way, Fang Wen sighed lightly. Yes, Master. Zhao Qingshu bowed in respect and took his leave. This child Watching the retreating figure of Zhao Qingshu, Fang Wens brow furrowed slightly with worry. The thoughts and emotions of a teenager like Zhao Qingshu could hardly be concealed from him, but he didnt find it appropriate to say more. I will try my best to guide him in the future, Fang Wen sighed softly to himself. Since becoming the master of the Sword Pavilion, his mindset had changed profoundly. Now, he was no longer a lone swordsman wandering the world but the master of the Sword Pavilion, carrying the legacy and the hopes and expectations of many disciples. He could no longer do things as whimsically as before. Zhou Heng, Brother Zhou, when will you arrive Fang Wen sighed again as he looked in the direction of Ta Hua Mount. He suddenly realized he had grown fonder of sighing. No-Sword Peak. This was where the Sword Pavilion received its guests. The place was lively at the moment, with Middle Third Rank experts from Longevity Way leading their disciples, among them notable figures from the current peoples rankings. Cheng Zhi, Li Qingyao, Chu Qingchuan, and others were also staying here. Underneath the tree. The three of them were engaged in idle chatter. I heard that Fang Wen invited Zhou Heng over, but there has been no reply? Cheng Zhi lowered his voice and whispered, the monk was quite the gossip, enjoying keeping up with the latest news. It seems hes in seclusion and not intentionally ignoring the message, Li Qingyao explained, Ive heard as much from a disciple of the Sword Pavilion. Since Zhou Heng promised, he should come, Chu Qingchuan said in a deep voice, Fang Wen told me it was something they had agreed upon long ago. I heard that Brother Chu once had a match with Zhou Heng? Li Qingyao asked with interest, What was Zhou Hengs strength back then? Unfathomable, Chu Qingchuan said admiringly, then smiled wryly, I was the one who challenged him, only to be defeated in one move. Thinking back on it now, I really overestimated myself. However, it was a case of no fight, no friendship. I originally thought we would become comrades-in-arms on the martial path, but to my surprise, it wasnt long before he became a figure at the Secret Sixth Rank. Zhou Heng has recently been in seclusion, and Im afraid hes about to refine his True Gang, Li Qingyao also sighed, When I first met him, he even saved my life. I never expected such a great change in just over a year. True Gang? How long has it been since he refined True Qi? Cheng Zhi asked, slightly astonished, bringing his hands together, Amitabha, at the Chaoyang banquet, he was still Seventh Rank, and while we have been idling away the years, hes already about to refine True Gang Hes only just turned twenty, murmured Chu Qingchuan. The three fell silent at once. As elites on the list of accomplished young figures, they were among the strongest of the young generation in Da Qi, admired by countless people and viewed as role models by many. Yet, compared to Zhou Heng, all their achievements seemed insignificant. The gap was too great. Honored guests, Ive heard Zhou Heng is the reincarnation of a great power. Its not strange for him to cultivate so rapidly, Zhao Qingshu joined in at this moment. He had just been entertaining people from the Longevity Way and happened to overhear the three discussing Zhou Heng. You are Chu Qingchuan looked at the young man, first in surprise, then he recalled, Youre Fang Wens disciple, Zhao Qingshu? Yes, Zhao Qingshu nodded. Then your master must have told you, even for reincarnated great beings, very few can advance as rapidly and overwhelmingly as him, Chu Qingchuan praised, Someone like Zhou Heng is even rarer throughout the ages. Is he really that formidable? Zhao Qingshu was slightly taken aback; after all, he was new to the martial path and had much to learn. Yes, if Zhou Heng really manages to refine True Gang after coming out of seclusion, his achievements will reach even greater heights, unparalleled among his contemporaries, Li Qingyao expressed sincerely. She admired the strong and never skimped on her praise. Amitabha, this monks understanding is far inferior indeed, Cheng Zhi sighed softly. Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside, catching the attention of the four people, indicating the arrival of an important guest. It wasnt long before a disciple from the Sword Pavilion came running in, shouting as he ran. Welcome the honored guest! Grandmaster Zhou Heng from Pure Yang Palace! Before the voice died awayC Cheng Zhi, Li Qingyao, and Chu Qingchuan all stood up, their eyes wide with shock as they looked towards the outside, the words of the Sword Pavilion disciple echoing in their minds. Grandmaster Zhou Heng! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Grandmaster! Zhou Heng was supposed to be in seclusion cultivating True Gang, so how did he become a Grandmaster already?? A Grandmaster at the age of twenty? Zhao Qingshus mouth gaped open, his eyes filled with shock and his face showing disbelief, his slight resentment towards Zhou Heng instantly dissipating. The thoughts he had of competing with Zhou Heng once his own cultivation improved were now gone without a trace. Chapter 395 - Chapter 395: Chapter 115 The Visitor from Southern Jin Chapter 395: Chapter 115 The Visitor from Southern Jin Amidst a complexity of indescribable emotions, Cheng Zhi, Li Qingyao, Chu Qingchuan, and Zhao Qingshu met Zhou Heng. He appeared to be a handsome young man of only around eighteen or nineteen years of age, still as dashing as they remembered, but now there was an intangible majesty about Zhou Heng that wasnt there before. Grandmaster! It wasnt just a title, it also signified a step beyond the initial interweaving of principles at the Secret Six Rank, the condensation of a Dharma Phase, turning the mighty laws of the universe into a part of ones own cultivation. That is to say, while a Martial Artist at the Secret Six Rank still manipulates the forces of heaven and earth with True Qi as a lever for external forces, a Grandmaster who has condensed a Dharma Phase and refined Mana uses their own power as the force of heaven and earth. For a Grandmaster, every gesture and movement resonates with the rhythm of the heaven and earth and possesses natural power. The ability to control the forces of heaven and earth is no different than waving a hand or kicking a leg. This creates a situation where those who have not achieved the rank of Grandmaster often feel an invisible oppression in the presence of a Grandmaster, causing their spirits to feel suppressed and uncomfortable. Cheng Zhi, Li Qingyao, and the others were experiencing this feeling now. Upon seeing Zhou Heng, they subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him. Zhao Qingshus situation was slightly better because he hadnt reached the level of cultivation where he could sense the changes in the laws of heaven and earth, so naturally, he couldnt feel the invisible Grandmasters pressure radiating from Zhou Heng. But he had heard from Fang Wen what it meant to be a Grandmaster. For any Sect, having a Grandmaster meant that, within the vast lands of Da Qi, they could be considered a force of the middle tier. Among the countless Martial Artists under heaven, those who might become Grandmasters were few and far between. To gather a Dharma Body, where every action resonates with the mighty power of the universe; for the vast majority, such beings were already as powerful as immortals and gods, unable to be simply described as Martial Artists. I actually harbored resentment against such a being before, Zhao Qingshu now wished he could slap himself. It was truly not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth. To become a Grandmaster at twenty, what would he become after more time passed? A Great Grandmaster at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank? And by that time, whether he could even step onto the Secret Six Rank was still uncertain. The gap was too great. While Cheng Zhi and the others were undergoing turbulent emotions, Zhou Heng was also observing the few of them. Apart from Zhao Qingshu, the other three were considered old acquaintances of his, with whom he shared varying degrees of friendship. Chu Qingchuan, in particular, had the closest anxious connection with him. Back then, the two met through conflict in Wujiang Prefecture City, and later, when Yu Long, the Loose Immortal, attacked Huangtong Mansion City, Chu Qingchuan sought the help of his master, which was greatly beneficial. Li Qingyao and Cheng Zhi were merely acquaintances he had met once. Therefore, Zhou Heng approached Chu Qingchuan with a smile, gently clasped his hands together, and said, Brother Chu, its been a long time. Indeed, its been a long time, Chu Qingchuans expression was filled with emotion as he sighed, It seems like only yesterday we fought that battle in Wujiang Prefecture City, and now youve already condensed a Dharma Phase and become a Grandmaster. It just happened naturally, Zhou Heng smiled and then turned to Cheng Zhi and Li Qingyao, Its been a long time for you two as well, I trust youve been well. Parting at the Sunrise Wine Gathering, only a year has passed, and youve become a Grandmaster, Cheng Zhi said with admiration, Amitabha, I hold utmost respect for your accomplishments, Master. The favor of saving my life has always been on my mind, Li Qingyao looked up at Zhou Heng with reverence and said, I didnt expect that before I could even repay you, you had already become a Grandmaster With her current realm and cultivation, being able to repay a Grandmaster was almost impossible. Hahaha, Brother Zhou, I have been waiting for you with such anticipation! At this moment, Fang Wens voice came, and he quickly approached, laughing, Thank you for coming, Brother Zhou! Brother Fang has extended such a gracious invitation, how could I not come? Zhou Heng replied with a smile, Are you prepared for the grand ceremony of founding your sect, Brother Fang? Brother Zhou, what exactly are you referring to? Fang Wens eyes narrowed slightly. Naturally, Im talking about those who will come to test you. Zhou Heng said with a laugh, Brother Fang is raising the banner of restoring the Sword Pavilion, so there will surely be numerous sword sects coming to challenge you. After all, the Sword Pavilion is the ancestral hall of the swordsmanship across the world. By raising this banner, there will inevitably be those who come to test you. Even with the help of a master from the Longevity Way and having me support you here, this is unavoidable. I am indeed prepared, Fang Wen nodded, adding, I can handle anyone below the rank of Grandmaster myself, and for those above, I have the help of my senior sect members. Should anyone from the Heaven Sword Sect come, I will have to trouble Brother Zhou. At this point, he paused for a moment, then offered with a smile, Brother Zhou, may I have a word with you in private, if thats alright with you? If the Heaven Sword Sect dares to come, of course, I wont be polite, Zhou Heng smiled, understanding Fang Wens intentions, and then he left with Fang Wen. Cheng Zhi and the others watched as Zhou Heng and Fang Wen walked away, their emotions growing even more complex. A year ago, everyone had been peers, celebrated martial artists on the leaderboard. Now, they couldnt even participate in the conversation the two were having. Its true, people should not be judged by the same standard. Thank you, Brother Zhou, for coming to meet with me. With your presence, the reconstruction of the Sword Pavilion is already more than halfway successful, Fang Wen sincerely thanked Zhou Heng. He then took out a deep blue crystal, saying, Brother Zhou, this crystal stores information related to the Taiqing Dao, including the location of the Sword Pavilions legacy in that other world, and a general outline of the situation there. Thank you. Zhou Heng took the crystal and placed it into the Cave Sky inside him, asking, The legacy of the Sword Pavilion in that world, they dont mind their information being leaked? That world is very open and connected to many others, Fang Wen replied with a smile. The strength of the Sword Pavilions legacy is extremely powerful; although it lacks a Divine First Rank, there are several Tao Lords. I see, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, realizing that the legacy of the Sword Pavilion was not to be underestimated. He also understood something else: it was probably the support from the Sword Pavilions legacy in another world that gave Fang Wen the confidence to restore the Sword Pavilion. Three hundred miles from the Sword Pavilions gateway, there was an ordinary town. But now, a few extraordinary people had arrived in the town. They came from the Heaven Sword Sect of the Southern Jin Martial Dao Sect. Two men and one woman, all at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank, Great Grandmasters, had come to disrupt the founding ceremony of the Sword Pavilion. Even within a major sect like the Heaven Sword Sect, pinnacle Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters were extremely rare and usually held high positions. Dispatching three at once was a significant investment, which showed how seriously the Heaven Sword Sect took this operation. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Originally, they were confident about this mission, especially after hearing that Zhou Heng might not be present at the Sword Pavilion. After all, the person using the Sword Pavilions revival as their rallying cry was but a Secret Sixth Rank martial artist. Without a notable background, the help of a master from the Longevity Way, and Zhou Hengs support, he would hardly be worth mentioning. But today, they received new information. Zhou Heng had already arrived at the Sword Pavilion, and at some point, he had developed a Dharma Phase and advanced to the rank of Fifth Rank Grandmaster. This news instantly weighed heavily on the three of them. Chapter 396 - Chapter 396: Chapter 116: Reaching a Consensus Chapter 396: Chapter 116: Reaching a Consensus Grandmaster! Zhou Heng had become a Grandmaster! This news was like a bolt from the blue for the three Great Grandmasters of the Heaven Sword Sect, thoroughly disrupting their original plans. The Heaven Sword Sect had once dealt with Zhou Heng and was very clear about how powerful this reincarnated being was. Qiu Yu, although considered outstanding among the Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmasters, had led three others to find Zhou Heng, who was then only at the Secret Sixth Rank in the True Energy Realm, aiming to retrieve the Divine Artifact Brilliant Yang Celestial Mirror. In the end, he met his demise with his physical body destroyed. Though according to Qiu Yus account, Zhou Heng had used a method that did not belong to the Secret Sixth Rank levelCmost likely a trump card left from his former life to secure victoryCit did not mean Zhou Heng was weak. After all, a common Secret Sixth Rank facing an Absolute Fourth Rank wouldnt even think about counterattacking, let alone muster the thought to resist. Zhou Heng was already so powerful when he was at the Secret Sixth Rank; how much more formidable would he be now that he had ascended to the Sect Fifth Rank? Elder Brother Chen, Elder Sister Wu, how should we handle the matter of the Sword Pavilion? Qu Zhenghe asked with furrowed brows, appearing to be a man in his thirties, quite handsome, and one of the three Great Grandmasters from the Heaven Sword Sect present. Qu Zhenghes referred Elder Brother Chen and Elder Sister Wu were named Chen Lang and Wu Huisheng. Like Qu Zhenghe, they were newly minted Great Grandmasters who had cultivated the Yang Gods Dharma Body less than a hundred years ago. Clearly, the Heaven Sword Sect also knew that coming to disrupt the founding ceremony of the Jiange was risky, and thus they were unwilling to dispatch their valued old sect Dharma Bodies, instead sending these three newcomers. Our Heaven Sword Sect has always considered itself the inheritor of the Sword Pavilions legacy, and now someone is using the banner of reviving the Sword Saints heritage to rebuild the Sword Pavilion, practically trampling on our Heaven Sword Sects head. Both sentimentally and logically, we must destroy this founding ceremony. Chen Lang spoke up; he was a tall and robust man whose speech was filled with a commanding presence, sounding righteous. But as he spoke, he suddenly shifted course, However, we must consider the actual situation. Although the successful establishment of this Sword Pavilion would be a great embarrassment for us, we have to remember that its just a sect in Da Qi, which shouldnt have too much impact on us with our main base in Southern Jin. So, Elder Brother Chen, what exactly are you suggesting? Wu Huisheng was a woman in her twenties, young and beautiful, with an extraordinary demeanor. She caught onto Chen Langs point but pretended not to understand, laughing, Are we going to put in our full effort to disrupt the Sword Pavilions founding ceremony or not? The sect leader has also attached great importance to this operation, Qu Zhenghe added, his face showing a troubled expression, But Zhou Heng is simply too strong. He was able to bring down Absolute Fourth Rank Qiu Yu when he was in the True Energy Realm. Now that he has become a Grandmaster, he must be even stronger. You two Chen Lang seemed to understand their intention, wanting him to make things clear. He sighed and said, Alright, since its come to this, we all know what to do. Ill just put forth a suggestion, prioritize survival. Mmm, I agree with that, Wu Huisheng nodded lightly, smiling, Elder Brother Chens proposal is good, we should prioritize our lives. Indeed, it should be so, it should be so, Qu Zhenghe seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, nodding continuously, Preserving our lives is most important, we are all newly promoted Absolute Fourth Rank, with great expectations for the future. We should survive and serve the sect as much as possible. The eighth day of the second lunar month. The founding ceremony of the Sword Pavilion was held as scheduled. It was possibly the most grandiose and majestic ceremony for a Secret Sixth Rank sects establishment in recent years. Over ten Grandmasters came to offer their congratulations, and Longevity Way even sent an Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster. Other branches of Longevity Way also sent Secret Sixth Rank experts to give their blessings. Furthermore, due to Cheng Zhi, Li Qingyao, Chu Qingchuan and others connections, many small and medium-sized sects related to Infinite Temple, Jade Pond Sect, and Shenxiao Sect sent representatives to congratulate the establishment of Jiange. Of course, the person most affected was Zhou Heng. Upon learning of his actual arrival at the Sword Pavilion, numerous sects related to the Pure Yang Palace or those wanting to curry favor with it sent their congratulations; among them were not a few Grandmasters-level experts. Out of the dozen or so Grandmasters who came to congratulate them, nine did so because of Zhou Heng. This elevated the Sword Pavilions grand opening ceremony to a level of grandeur that far exceeded what any disciple had anticipated. It was incredibly exaggerated. Even Zhao Qingshu, who was quite proud, was dumbstruck and found it unbelievable how many powerful figures had come to offer their congratulations. At the same time, he became even clearer about Zhou Hengs significance. Recalling how he once harbored resentment towards Zhou Heng made him feel a lingering fear. Fortunately, he had come to his senses in time; otherwise, he probably would have caused great trouble for his master and the Sword Pavilion. Such emotional shifts brought Zhao Qingshu a sense of inexplicable gratitude and reverence towards Zhou Heng. The opening ceremony proceeded step by step; after the guests had offered their congratulations, it was time for the Sword Pavilion disciples to welcome Pavilion Master Fang Wen to ascend the platform and take up the Pavilion Masters Sword. There were a total of three hundred and sixty-five steps from where Fang Wen stood to the location of the Pavilion Masters Sword. He had to step deliberately and slowly, as a sign of respect for the Sword Saints heritage. The moment Fang Wen grasped the Pavilion Masters Sword, the Sword Pavilions grand opening ceremony would be considered wholly complete. This stage was the most likely for intruders to cause disturbances. If someone managed to successfully prevent Fang Wen from ascending or caused significant embarrassment to the Sword Pavilion, even if the ceremony eventually concluded successfully, the Sword Pavilion would become a laughingstock and struggle to establish credibility. However, because the array of powerhouses who came to celebrate at the Sword Pavilion was so overwhelmingly strong, those who wanted to cause trouble due to Fang Wen flaunting the flag of the Sword Dao ancestry to establish his sect mostly retreated, allowing Fang Wens ascent to go quite smoothly. But just as Fang Wen reached the three hundredth step, very close to the high platform, three bright rays of light suddenly flew from outside the Sword Pavilion. These three rays contained an exceptionally mighty sharpness, almost tearing the sky apart, stirring up an intangible storm that made the principles of the world turn tempestuous all of a sudden. It was as if the heavens themselves were enraged, intending to send down sword lights to strike Fang Wen. Great Grandmaster! Three Great Grandmasters C and they are Sword Dao Great Grandmasters! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only That sword intent, its from the Heaven Sword Sect! Exclamations of shock rose from the crowd as some recognized the identity of the incomers. These three sword lights were indeed from the three Great Grandmasters sent by the Heaven Sword Sect; they had finally come to the Sword Pavilion. Just in time! Zhou Heng chuckled softly, took a step forward, and in a blink, he flew up into the sky, intercepting the path of those three rays of light, then gently pushed his hairpin. In an instant, a thirty-three-layered Xuanhuang treasure pagoda formed, with Xuanhuang energy transforming into layers of celebratory clouds. It covered the sky, blocking the way of those three. Chapter 397 - Chapter 397: Chapter 117 Unprecedented Strength Chapter 397: Chapter 117 Unprecedented Strength The thirty-three-layered Xuanhuang Treasure Tower surged towards the heavens, blocking the path of Chen Lang, Qu Zhenghe, and Wu Huisheng. Woven with the aura of Xuanhuang and the dissemination of merits, its presence suggested that even if they used all their abilities and exerted their fullest strength, it would be impossible to breach the defense of this treasure tower. How is this possible? Although Ive heard that Zhou Heng possesses a top-tier defensive Taoist formula, this is far too exaggerated. Can a recently ascended Grandmaster truly wield a Taoist formula with such astonishing power?! Surprise and disbelief surged in the hearts of the three. Initially, they had planned on launching a feint to stage a show of struggle, entangling Zhou Heng for a while, which would allow them to justify their self-preservation actions when reporting back to their Sects. But now, the formidable power of the thirty-three-layered Xuanhuang Treasure Tower had completely exceeded their expectations. This was not a level that conventional Martial Arts or Taoist formulas could achieve. If they continued with the planned feint, they feared they might be directly suppressed! This Zhou Heng was simply astoundingly strong, unreasonably so! Thus, as Zhou Heng manifested the thirty-three-layered Xuanhuang Treasure Tower, Chen Lang, Qu Zhenghe, and Wu Huisheng immediately summoned their Yang Gods Dharma Bodies and personal magic weapons, launching their attacks with full force. Chen Lang had cultivated the most common Sword God Dharma Body of the Heaven Sword Sect, manifesting an armored giant god towering over ten thousand zhang, wielding the Golden Sword, stepping on mountains and reaching for the clouds, as if a heaven-descended deity had arrived in the mortal world. Qu Zhenghe, on the other hand, transformed into a long river that spanned the sky, rising from the distant horizon to hover above the Sword Pavilion, its currents not of water but endless streams of Sword Qi. This was the Sword Qi Long River Dharma Body, even more powerful than the Sword God Dharma Body! Wu Huisheng manifested a bizarre scene, causing a thousand zhang of surrounding void to collapse and burst into crimson flames, within which it seemed as if myriad divine swords were being forged. The Blazing Sword Forge Dharma Body! The simultaneous assault of three Absolute Grandmasters immediately made the heavenly and earthly energies within a thousand li radius incredibly turbulent. Influenced by three different sword intentions, it seemed as if every wisp of energy had turned into Sword QiCsharp and indestructible. Moreover, each of these Dharma Bodies had its own impressive powers, each with its own mystical features. Chen Langs Sword God Dharma Body further refined this sharp Sword Qi, concentrating it onto the Golden Giant Sword in his hand, transforming it into a colossal sword of ten thousand zhang in length that fiercefully smashed towards the thirty-three-layered Xuanhuang Treasure Tower manifested by Zhou Heng. Such a massive force was enough to shake the heavens and the earth, and as Chen Lang swung the Golden Giant Sword with his Sword God Dharma Body, the land within four to five thousand li radius of the Sword Pavilion suffered violent tremors. Places closer to the site even experienced ground undulations like water ripples, and many areas surfaces tore open immense fissures, bottomless to sight. For the vast majority of ordinary people, such a spectacle was an unstoppable natural disaster. Luckily, Da Qis various buildings were quite sturdy, and during their construction, specialists from the Imperial Court were dispatched to set up protective formations; otherwise, just the aftermath of this single strike would have resulted in innumerable mortal casualties. The Sword Qi Long River transformed by Qu Zhenghe in the sky also launched an assault on Zhou Heng. He, too, gathered an immense amount of sharp heavenly and earthly energies, but his method differed drastically from Chen Langs. Qu Zhenghe integrated these energies into the Long River, altering the essence of their sharpness, turning firmness into gentleness, and directly expanded his Dharma Bodys Sword Qi Long River into a vast ocean. It was as if a vast ocean descended from the sky, instantly engulfing the thirty-three-layered treasure tower along with Zhou Heng, with each drop of sea water being an indestructible sword edge! As Qu Zhenghe transformed into an ocean, engulfing Zhou Heng and the thirty-three-layered Xuanhuang PagodaC Wu Huisheng immediately spread her arms, and the sword furnace her Dharma Body had become swelled instantly. The fierce flames soared, and countless Divine Swords flew out, slashing towards the Sword Sea. At that moment, the firmament trembled, the void shrieked, and the earth quaked, as if three Ancient Gods of the primordial times had arrived in this era, flaunting their mighty powers, ready to pulverize everything in the mortal realm. To the common people, these scenes were like miracles. Even within the Sword Pavilion, many were astounded. Such formidable might, such earth-shattering power, is this what a Great Grandmaster is like? Zhao Qingshus eyes were wide with disbelief as he looked at the attacks unleashed by the three Dharma Bodies, feeling an unprecedented shock. Half a year ago, he was just a wandering orphan, never having witnessed such a scene. This was his first time seeing Great Grandmasters in action, almost making him believe that this was the ultimate destination of the Martial Path, the endpoint of cultivation. Too strong! Cheng Zhi, Li Qingyao, and Chu Qingchuan were a bit more composed than Zhao Qingshu, at least outwardly they seemed calm. After all, they were descendants of a major Martial Dao Sect and had some knowledge. However, this was also their first time witnessing such close-quartered combat from three Absolute Great Grandmasters, and they too were immensely shaken. As expected of a Great Grandmaster from the Heaven Sword Sect, the Sword Dao Dharma Body is indeed powerful. The Great Grandmaster from the Longevity Way spoke, looking at the three Dharma Bodies and admiringly said, Each of the three Dharma Bodies possesses different Laws, and they can alter natural principles without interfering with each other, truly not an easy feat. At the Dharma Phase level, Martial Artists wield the natural Laws of heaven and earth by refining and weaving them into their own movements, giving every gesture the authority of the cosmos. At the Dharma Body level, the woven Laws from the Dharma Phase period have fully sublimated into complete Laws, beginning to be able to modify the natural Laws of heaven and earth. Theoretically, the power of Laws held by a Dharma Body could completely overwhelm the power of a Dharma Phase, as they are entirely different levels of strength, without even a basis for comparison. As long as the essential gap in these types of power cannot be bridged, no Sect Fifth Rank could possibly defeat an Absolute Fourth Rank. This is the chasm of realms, an insurmountable divide lying between the levels. What does Elder think, what are Zhou Hengs chances of winning? Fang Wen asked in a low voice, an expression of worry on his face; the three Heaven Sword Sects Dharma Bodies were just too strong. Naturally, Zhou Heng will win, the Great Grandmaster from the Longevity Way said with a smile. Hes a reincarnation of a powerful being with contingencies from a previous life, handling three Great Grandmasters should not be difficult. The implication was that, if relying solely on his current strength, Zhou Heng would undoubtedly be defeated, but he could turn defeat into victory by employing the contingencies left by a mighty being from his past life. But just at that moment, outside the Sword Pavilion, there suddenly came a loud bang. Boom! An earth-shattering explosion rang out, and in the midst of the vast Sword Sea, a beam of Xuanhuang light burst forth. Following that, a thirty-three-layered pagoda charged out of the Sword Sea and struck the Golden Giant Sword with a resounding crash. Then, clouds of celebration expanded outward and strands of Xuanhuang Qi, like dangling jewels, fell and blocked all the sword light attacks. Zhou Heng stood unharmed beneath the Xuanhuang Pagoda. Not a bad Dharma Body, Zhou Heng said with a loud laugh. No sooner had the words left his mouth than the phantom of a Taoist appeared behind him. This Taoist was over a hundred zhang tall, draped in five-colored auspicious light, wearing a Tai Chi Taoist Robe, and holding a Jade Ruyi. He radiated an aura that seemed to bear all the principles of the world, encompassing everything, and accommodating all essences. Youve all made your moves, its only fair I make one too, Zhou Heng said with a beaming smile. He raised his right hand, forming a fist seal that glimmered brightly, exuding a solemn and pure aura, as if holding a Jade Ruyi and gently pushing it forward. At the same time as Zhou Heng struck forward with his fist seal, the Taoist shadow behind him also threw his Jade Ruyi, turning it into a beam of light that soared out. In an instant, Chen Langs Sword God Dharma Body, Qu Zhenghes Long River of Sword Light Dharma Body, and Wu Huishengs Blazing Sword Furnace Dharma Body were all frozen in place, unable to move; they even felt as if their thoughts had stopped. All three Great Grandmasters were stiff in midair, their Dharma Bodies like motionless puppets made of clay and wood. What is this, a magic weapon? A Divine Weapon? A contingency from a previous life?? The same thought emerged in the minds of these three, instinctively looking towards the beam of light that flew out with Zhou Hengs punch. By this time, the beam of light had reached the high heavens, above the ten-thousand-feet-tall Sword God Dharma Body. With a light shake, it transformed back into the form of a Jade Ruyi. This Jade Ruyi shimmered with colors of purple, white, and gold, crystal clear and majestic, as though it could suppress life and death, halt the passage of time, and bring peace to the world. An ancient and sacred aura spread with the formation of the Jade Ruyi, causing the three Great Grandmasters to shake uncontrollably, as though they felt a primal fear from their origins. At the same time, Zhou Hengs fist had arrived. This punch was extremely bizarre; although it was just a single fist, it seemed as if countless people were striking at the same time, hitting Chen Lang, Qu Zhenghe, and Wu Huisheng from different angles simultaneously. They instantly felt as if they had been struck by a Jade Ruyi falling from an infinite height, their bodies and spirits on the verge of shattering, with their Dharma Bodies collapsing on the spot and their physical forms plummeting from the sky. Only at this moment did they truly realize that what they were facing was not any powerful magic weapon, nor a Divine Weapon, nor some contingency left by a great power from a previous life, but merely an attack at the level of a Dharma Phase Sect Master! It sent chills down their spines and made them tremble all over. Are you kidding me! How could there be such powerful Martial Arts? How could there be such a mighty Dharma Phase Sect Master?? Zhou Hengs defensive Taoist Formulas were strong, but they could understand that these might have been the result of a great beings reincarnation, created from experiences of a past life in ways a regular Sect Master could never achieve. But there was no such situation with Martial Arts. Even with the experience from a past life, given their realm and cultivation level, no matter how strong their Martial Arts were, they shouldnt be capable of such tremendous power. Unless this kind of Martial Arts had transcended the usual meaning of martial studies, exceeding their realm of understanding. At this moment, inside the Sword Pavilion, there was also a deathly silence, not a sound to be heard. When the Taoist shadow emerged behind Zhou Heng, forming a fist seal and striking, they sensed the nature of this powerCit was clearly a Dharma Phase. This was a Dharma Phase unique to a Fifth Rank Sect Master, as well as its Mana! Zhou Heng did not use any special magic weapons, nor Divine Weapons, nor his famous contingencies from his past life. He had simply struck a punch with his own cultivation and mana! Yet, such a punch had simultaneously shattered three mighty Dharma Bodies, leaving three Great Grandmasters injured in body and spirit, tumbling down from the sky! Zhou Heng was just a Fifth Rank Sect Master! This was excessively exaggerated! What kind of Martial Arts possessed such power? And that Dharma Phases aura, so ancient and sacred, gave off the impression that it was the origin of all laws, all ways, the source of all things in the world. It was simply unfathomable. What kind of Martial Arts, what kind of legacy could cultivate such a Dharma Phase? Did Pure Yang Palace truly possess such a Supreme Divine Skill? Everyone present was stunned beyond belief, incredulously staring at Zhou Heng in the sky. If Zhou Heng had won this battle using the contingencies from his past life, it would have been within everyones expectations, but now he had defeated three Great Grandmasters with his own power in one move, which was truly baffling. At this time, Chen Lang, Qu Zhenghe, and Wu Huisheng lay on the ground, severely wounded. They looked up in terror at the Dharma Phase in the sky, a profound fear welling up inside them. So, the three acted decisively and desperately used the life-saving secret techniques they had prepared, swiftly escaping. Zhou Heng stood in the sky, his gaze serene, watching the three Great Grandmasters of Heaven Sword Sect flee and did not stop them. Afterward, he retracted his gestures, letting the 33 layers of the Xuanhuang Tower dissipate, retracted his Dharma Phase, and his demeanor returned to its normal state, preparing to descend to the Sword Pavilion. But at that moment, he suddenly frowned, as if he had received some message. Then, he continued his descent, returning to the Sword Pavilion. He was met with astonished gazes, but Zhou Heng was unconcerned. He approached Fang Wen, smiled, and said, Brother Fang, you should be able to hold the Sect Founding Ceremony in peace now. Ah? Ah Yes, yes! Fang Wen finally came out of his unprecedented shock, hurriedly nodding and saying, Thank you, Mr. Zhou. He unconsciously changed the appellation, addressing Zhou Heng as Mr. Zhou. Zhou Daoist has displayed such awe-inspiring power, truly remarkable, the Great Grandmaster of the Longevity Way also came over and praised, He could well be called the number one Grandmaster of all times. Such empty titles are unnecessary to place upon me, Zhou Heng waved his hand and then said to Fang Wen, Brother Fang, Ive just received a message, I need to leave for urgent matters and will not attend the following ceremonies. This Fang Wen wanted to retain him, since the upcoming ceremony was meant to entertain guests, and Zhou Hengs departure would be inconsiderate. But given Zhou Hengs expression, it seemed he indeed had important matters to handle, so Fang Wen nodded and smiled, Then I shall properly host you when you have time later. Hmm, Zhou Heng lightly nodded, then turned and left. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He had achieved his purpose for coming to the Sword Pavilion. The clues about Taiqing Dao and the information about the world where the Sword Pavilion was located were both in hand, and there was no need for him to stay any longer. Moreover, he indeed received a very important piece of news. A letter from within the Five Emperors Inner Circle. A member of the organization discovered that Beidou had left a final message by the shore of the Eastern Sea and then vanished. Contact with him was now lost. Chapter 398 - Chapter 398: Chapter 118: A Demon Star is Born, Chaos Reigns Over the World Chapter 398: Chapter 118: A Demon Star is Born, Chaos Reigns Over the World Zhou Heng left the Sword Pavilion and returned to the Purple Tenuity Palace. He went to seek the inner seat of the Five Emperors at the Hall of Dispelling Anxiety. The message transmitted was quite simple and not detailed, he needed to understand the situation first. Senior, what happened? Zhou Heng asked. Its like this The inner seat of the Five Emperors took out a black jade slip, unfolded it, and handed it to Zhou Heng, saying, Several days ago, the star position corresponding to the Big Dipper on the Celestial Star Charts suddenly became fogged, and weve been unable to contact her since. Once Star Officers travel to other worlds through the star gates, their life and death become uncertain and their fate unknown, the Celestial Star Charts is the treasure used to judge the current situation of a Star Officer. This scroll of Celestial Star Charts depicts the map of the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions. Once a Star Officer passes through the star gate to another world, their corresponding star position will light up. If they perish, the light of the star position will extinguish, turning into a red glow. But now, the Big Dippers corresponding star position is covered in fog and has lost contact with the organization, such a situation has never occurred before. Senior, you said in your transmission that the Big Dipper also left behind a message, what is it? Zhou Heng asked with a frown. It was found in the ruins of Ningyu Town by the coast of the Eastern Sea. The inner seat of the Five Emperors took out another white jade slip and handed it to Zhou Heng, She placed a special Big Dipper seal on this jade slip, which can be sensed by Star Envoys who serve under the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a high-ranking Star Officer, commanding seven Star Envoy positions, and Cheng Jianjian herself was once the Tian Ji among the Star Envoys under the Big Dipper. Zhou Heng took the jade slip, sensed with his Divine Sense Perception, but found only one sentence within. Evil Gods colluding with demon entities! She must have discovered some secret. Ningyu Town is the place where the great demon Cang Hua is sealed. Could it be related to this? Zhou Heng said in a deep voice, falling into thought. He knew why Cheng Jianjian went to the coast of the Eastern Sea, but he hadnt expected her to go to Ningyu Town. Over a month ago, Cheng Jianjians master, Qi Rui, received news that the properties of the Pure Yang Palace located in Jin States Tongyun Prefecture by the coast of the Eastern Sea were mysteriously destroyed, and the Grandmaster sent to investigate also disappeared one after another. So Qi Rui took Cheng Jianjian to investigate, and she had reported back during the mission, saying that they had identified clear clues related to the evil experts of the Yunxiao Heavenly Palace. How did she suddenly end up in Ningyu Town, and it seems she encountered big trouble there? Gou Chen has inspected the seal over Cang Hua in Ningyu Town and found nothing out of the ordinary, said the inner seat of the Five Emperors. It is still necessary for the Star Lord to use your authority to probe into the whereabouts of the Big Dipper. Zhou Heng had previously announced three privileges. One of them could sense the location of each Star Officer, and the inner seat of the Five Emperors wanted him to use this privilege to find the Big Dipper. This is what I should do, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. At the same time, a purple glow emerged in his eyes, within which numerous images flickered, as if the Three Enclosures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions were all hidden within. A moment later, Zhou Heng closed his eyes and then slowly opened them again. The starlight had disappeared, and he said in a deep voice, The Big Dipper is no longer in this world. She has gone to a very distant world, and that world is not low in essence; there should be mighty beings residing there. Through the control of the Purple Tenuity Palaces authority, he had sensed Cheng Jianjians location, but it was not clear. He could only deduce that she might be in that world, unable to ascertain the exact direction. This meant that the world where Cheng Jianjian was now is extremely distant from here, a distance measured on a temporal-spatial scale. In his memory, only the star gate of the Purple Tenuity Palace can cross such vast distances. How did she get there? A question emerged in Zhou Hengs mind. Thats good, finding her is good, the inner seat of the Five Emperors breathed a sigh of relief, saying, Then should we issue a mission to find someone to make contact with her, to help her return? The inability of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to contact Cheng Jianjian also meant that she could not return through the power of the star gate; this required someone to actively go there to establish contact with her. There is no need to release a mission, I will go directly, Zhou Heng shook his head lightly and said in a deep voice, It will be the fastest and the safest this way. From what he had just sensed, the world where Cheng Jianjian was didnt seem simple. There were definitely not a few strong beings. If ordinary members of the organization went there, they might not be much help. But the Celestial Men of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer are not many, each usually keeping to their own duties. If they were to suddenly travel to another world, who knows what chaos could ensue, so its not suitable to send Celestial Men there. Therefore, the best solution was for Zhou Heng to go personally. With his current strength, even without the use of special skill cards, he had few enemies below the Celestial Men and could solve most troubles. In fact, he had a much simpler method, which was to use the Summon privilege, calling back the outer Star Officers by force with the power of the Purple Tenuity Palace. But the problem was, it wasnt just Cheng Jianjian who had disappeared, her master was involved too. The master of Jade Qiong Peak from the Pure Yang Palace, Qi Rui, Zhou Hengs senior sister. If only Cheng Jianjian was summoned back, the problem would still not be resolved. Hmm, there seems to be no other way, the inner seat of the Five Emperors agreed with Zhou Hengs suggestion and nodded, Does the Star Lord need any more assistance? No need, Zhou Heng shook his head lightly, then he bid farewell and left the Hall of Dispelling Anxiety, heading to the location of the star gate. This time he did not intend to descend by his Divine Soul but directly with his true body. After all, if his Divine Soul descended there, initially too weak, no matter how fast the recovery, it ultimately needed time. Moreover, now that he had initially formed his Dharma Phase, he also needed to verify his Martial Arts by sparring with others. As for the differences in the laws of different worlds that suppress strength, to Zhou Heng, the impact was already minimal. The Innate Five Virtue is the root of all laws and all paths. With the refinement of the Five Virtue Dharma Phase, even if he arrives at a place with completely different Heaven and Earth Laws, he will soon adapt through the Five Virtue Dharma Phase, reweaving the laws and recovering his strength. Moreover, when Zhou Heng used the Purple Tenuity Palaces authority to sense Cheng Jianjians situation earlier, he also explored some information about that world. The laws of that world seem to be very close to the stars, seemingly quite similar to the authority of the Purple Tenuity Emperor. Worthy for him to explore personally. In the eleventh year of Da Weis Ningkang era, on the eighth day of the sixth month, A red demon star fell into the wilderness of the Eastern Wastes, the mid-heaven purple star flickered and moved, deviating from the palace abodes. The head of Heavens Observatory died suddenly at night, at only twenty-eight years of age. From then on, Emperor Li Zhengchun of Ningkang began to fall ill without recovery. The court and the land were shaken, and the people were panic-stricken. Families, sects, and regional governors commanding their territories harbored intentions of struggling for supremacy, Confucianism, Taoism, and the Buddha Sect suppressed the Star Palace teachings, vying for the worlds doctrinal supremacy. Civil war raged across the land. In the dense forest between mountains, under the cover of dark clouds without a star in sight, the rain fell hard and the wind blew fiercely. A well-built man carried a little girl in his arms, accompanied by a young woman as they frantically fled. His body was covered with wounds that continuously bled, washed by the heavy rain. Yet his pace did not falter, desperately racing through the forest. Even as his body gradually became numb, he didnt stop. At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind: escape. Escape from here, from Suzhous boundaries. Only if they escaped could his wife and daughter have a chance to live; otherwise, death was certain. The young womans expression was of heartfelt sorrow, but her gaze was resolutely fixed on the man as she prepared to share life and death with her husband. The little girl in the mans arms looked to be just over ten years old, exquisitely beautiful and adorable. She lay quietly in her fathers embrace, lips pursed, without uttering a sound. Behind them, through the dense forest, a group of at least a dozen black-clad assassins wielding steel blades chased after them, each emitting a deadly aura, clearly seasoned and bloodied experts. We cant let Li Chengyu escape. If this fails, were all dead! Pick up the pace; he must die in this forest and must not escape the Suzhou boundaries! Li Chengyu is already gravely injured; even the protection of the Celestial Swift Star wont let him get far! Keep pursuing, we must kill him, he must die! As these black-clad men hastened their chase, they whispered among themselves. Although the level of Stellar Force they possessed was merely ordinary Slaughter standard, their martial arts were exceptional. Coupled with their numbers, they were confident they could take Li Chengyu down. Having already run over a hundred li with his wife and daughter, Li Chengyu was at his limit. If it werent for a lingering obsession and the protection of a Heavenly Gang level Stellar Force, he wouldve already succumbed to his grave injuries. However, even with that, when they reached the center of the dense forest, he could no longer hold on. Suddenly tripping over a broken tree, he fell to the ground. His wife too had used up all her strength and, tripping over as well, fell into a mud pit, her fine clothing instantly stained by the mud. The little girl previously held in Li Chengyus arms was tossed out, but seemingly knowledgeable in some fist and kick techniques, and having conserved some strength, she managed to adjust her body mid-air, landing steadily on the ground. Father, Mother! The moment the little girl steadied herself, she rushed to her parents. She spoke softly, audible only to herself and her parents, so as not to draw any attention. Cough, cough! Good, good child, your skills are impressive! Li Chengyu managed a vague smile and, summoning all his strength, lifted a hand to gently touch his daughters small hand, gritting his teeth, Run, escape! The farther the better! Ningan, lets go, quickly! The young woman also mustered all her strength to speak, urging the little girl to leave. Her body trembled, and she cried torrents of tears, clearly in utter despair. Father, Mother, dont you dont you want Ningan anymore The little girl couldnt maintain her composure any longer and burst into tears, with drops falling and mingling with the rain. Run, run! You will die, youll die! Li Chengyu growled, straining with all his might to stand, but he collapsed back to the ground, barely an inch off, completely devoid of strength. Father, Ill help you, let me help you up! The little girl tried to assist Li Chengyu but was firmly shoved away by him. Go! Get out!! Li Chengyu roared, I dont have a daughter like you! Get out!! The little girl was stricken as if struck by lightning, and she stood frozen under the pouring rain, immobile. Ningan The young woman was heartbroken but didnt dare utter another word to explain, steeling her heart she said, Go, leave us! We dont want you anymore! Go! ` Thwack, thwack, thwack! Just then, from a dense forest not far away, came the sound of clapping, followed by a dozen men in black clothing, all holding long sabers, emerging from the trees. What a scene, the relentless parting from ones daughter, a pity Im not versed in painting, and have neither paper nor pen in hand; and with the torrential rain, it cannot be preserved. Truly, that is a regret, said a man in black, clearly of much higher status, standing in front of the other men in black, looking mockingly at Li Chengyu, who had collapsed on the ground, and his wife and daughter by his side. Cao Guishan! Li Chengyu nearly roared, staring intently at the man in black. Its you, you were sent by my elder brother, werent you?! Nonsense, plainly you, as a prince, have no thought of serving the emperor but instead plot treason during His Majestys serious illness! Cao Guishan laughed coldly. Such a crime must be punished! You! Li Chengyus anger rose, veins on his forehead bulging as he spat out a mouthful of blood. Third Prince, do you know? The tone of Cao Guishan suddenly softened, filled with mockery, he chuckled, Right now, you look like a dog, a grand Fourth Rank Star Officer, blessed by the Tian Ji Star, to end up in such a state is truly laughable. Ptui! Li Chengyu glared at Cao Guishan, his eyes filled with fury, teeth clenched, If only I could summon the Star Realm, all of you are trash, all of you must die, all of you must die! Impotent rage. Ever since the ominous star descended three years ago, your Star Palace has been finished! Cao Guishan lifted his palm and, with a fierce swoop downward, he snorted, Chop them up into a bloody mess with a flurry of knives! Yes! The dozen men in black received the order and immediately moved towards Li Chengyu and his wife and daughter with their sabers. Thwack, thwack! Just then, from a nearby area of the woods, suddenly came the sound. It was the sound of shoes stepping on the muddied ground. Whos there! Cao Guishan immediately furrowed his brows, shouting fiercely, Come out! The dozen men in black also halted their movements, looking alert. A brief silence engulfed the surroundings. Moments later, a young Daoist in a Taoist robe and wearing a jade crown walked out from the forest. Despite the pouring rain, his garments and hair were not in the least bit wet. May I know who Your Excellency is Cao Guishans pupils contracted slightly, a chill rising in his heart, rain not touching the body, this was the use of extremely high-level Martial Path internal energy; this person was not ordinary in strength. However, as he was asking, he had already signaled his men with a covert hand gesture, seeking an opportunity to launch a sneak attack and kill the Daoist. Todays events absolutely could not be known by anyone else. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just a passerby, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Since youre a passerby, I might as well send you on your way! Cao Guishans eyes brimmed with ferocity as he shouted, Kill him!! C PS: Sorry, Ive been rushing to catch high-speed trains these last two days, and the updates have been lacking. My apologies. ` Chapter 399 - Chapter 399: Chapter 119: Exhaling Wind, Martial Path Stellar Technique Chapter 399: Chapter 119: Exhaling Wind, Martial Path Stellar Technique Cao Guishans status was clearly extraordinary, and at his command, a dozen men in black immediately brandished their long sabers and hacked toward Zhou Heng. These men in black were all highly trained experts, their saber technique exquisite. They coordinated their attacks to seal off all of Zhou Hengs possible escape routes, aiming to kill him on the spot. Li Chengyus family couldnt bear to watch the scene unfold and closed their eyes. In their eyes, Zhou Heng was truly just someone who happened to pass by; travelling on such a rainy night, he must have some urgent business. What a pity to suffer this calamity as an innocent bystander. Zhou Heng stood in place, without any intention of dodging. He quietly watched as the dozen or so men in black came at him with their sabers. Even if you are exceptional in martial arts, facing such an onslaught, you are surely bound to die, Cao Guishan said with a cold smile, confident in the strength of his subordinates. But just as the men in black got within three feet of Zhou Heng, he suddenly took a light breath and then exhaled. Boom! The breath seemed to burst open the void itself, emitting a deafening roar. The air expelled from Zhou Hengs mouth turned into a wild wind, sweeping up the pouring rain along with the dozen men in black and flinging them into the sky. In an instant, silence enveloped the world, and even the heavy rain ceased to fall. Bang! Then, an explosion sounded in the air. As the wild wind dispersed and the rain began to fall again, it carried a faint scent of blood. The dozen men in black had vanished without a trace. Zhou Heng still stood there, a smile on his face, his eyes teasingly fixed on Cao Guishan. He chuckled, What were you trying to do just now, kill me? Silence, utter silence. Cao Guishan stared dumbfounded at Zhou Heng, sniffing the bloody scent in the rain. He had realized what had just happened and suddenly fear flashed across his eyes. Turning breath into wind! Martial Saint! You, youre actually a Martial Saint?! No, even a Martial Saint doesnt possess such a physique! His body trembled, he screamed in sheer terror, and simultaneously, he turned on his heels and ran, trying to escape into the dense woods. Youre running away? Zhou Heng shook his head, raised his right hand, and flicked a finger. Immediately, a sonic boom rang out in the void, creating an invisible wind blade that cleaved through the air and struck Cao Guishans neck. A head flew into the sky as blood spurted from the severed neck like a fountain, but the body maintained its forward momentum, running several paces before collapsing to the ground with a thud. Cao Guishans head rolled to a stop right beside Li Chengyus family. At this moment, the family was completely dumbfounded, staring blankly at Zhou Heng, continuously asking themselves if they were seeing illusions or experiencing death-induced hallucinations, not even noticing the head of Cao Guishan beside them. It took a good while before Li Chengyus family regained their senses and fully understood what had happened. They had been saved! A self-proclaimed passing traveler, a Martial Saint-level powerhouse had saved their family? Li Chengyus mind raced with numerous thoughts. He tried to stand up and express his thanks. But during the previous escape, he had already reached the end of his tether; letting alone standing up to express his thanks, he found it difficult to even move a finger or open his mouth to speak. At this point, Li Chengyu had a realization; he was probably not long for this world. Many, many thanks to my benefactor, Li Chengyu managed to open his mouth with all his might and expressed his thanks to Zhou Heng while lying on the ground. Thank you, benefactor. The young womans condition was evidently better; she had managed to get up and bowed in deep gratitude to Zhou Heng. Thank you, Benefactor Brother! The little girl Ningan also expressed her thanks. After that, the two of them tried to help Li Chengyu up. But Li Chengyu shook his head, signaling them not to do so. He looked at Zhou Heng, his complexion suddenly becoming rosy, and said, My benefactor, we were bound to die today. Thanks to your help, my wife and daughter may preserve their lives. I, I am probably not long for this world, but may I implore you to help us once more? If you agree, I will give you all the treasures I have accumulated over my lifetime, as long as you escort them to Father! The little girl Ningan burst into tears when she heard this. No, Father, dont say such things! Husband The young woman also cried profusely, her expression one of deep sorrow. She could sense that her husbands physical condition likely wouldnt last through the night. Zhou Heng raised his hand to his temple, shook his head slightly, and said with a smile, Better that you escort them yourself. I really dont have the spare time for this. As he spoke, he pointed his finger at Li Chengyu. A brilliant emerald glow, as bright as the stars themselves, shot from his fingertip and entered Li Chengyus body. What, what is this?! At the sight, Li Chengyus pupils suddenly contracted as if he had witnessed something incredible, and his facial expression became extremely animated. There was shock, joy, doubt a mix of expressions all mingling together, causing his facial muscles to falter. Star, star magic?! The young woman was also astounded, staring blankly at the radiance enveloping her husband. So magical! Ningans eyes lit up. She found that under the cover of the emerald light, the numerous wounds covering her father were rapidly healing, and his flush of rejuvenation gradually returned to normal. A moment later, as the emerald glow dissipated, Li Chengyu was utterly shocked to find himself completely unharmed, full of energy, and in high spirits, with no trace of his previous exhaustion. Someone can still wield such star magic now, capable of completely restoring a dying man like me! Li Chengyu was startled as he turned toward Zhou Heng, uncertainly asking, You, who are you among the Star Monarchs? Since the descent of the calamitous star three years ago, the Star Realm had become abnormal. Star Officers from Ninth Grade to Fourth Rank could no longer call upon the power of the Star Realm, unable to directly mobilize star energy, and their strength plummeted immensely. Even Star Monarchs of the Upper Third Rank had greatly diminished powers; their star magic was nowhere near as potent as before. In Li Chengyus eyes, the healing effect of the star magic witnessed just now was so powerful that even when the Star Realm was still normal, it wasnt something ordinary Star Officers could perform. At the least, it had to be high-ranking Star Officers of the Fifth or Fourth Rank. Now, with the Star Realm being in disarray, performing such a level of star magic had become even more challenging. Yet this young man had performed it effortlessly; only a Star Monarch could achieve this. At this thought, Li Chengyu was taken aback by his own conjecture. The passerby before him clearly looked to be only in his late teens, still a youthChow could he be a Star Monarch of the Upper Third Rank! Nobody had ever heard of such a young Star Monarch in this world. But if not a Star Monarch, who else could it be? Martial Artists certainly did not possess such miraculous technique capabilities. For a moment, Li Chengyu was plunged into confusion. Star Monarch? Zhou Heng murmured, then added, Lets first leave this forest and find a place to take shelter from the rain. I have some questions for you. Since Zhou Heng had very limited information about this world, there werent many choices when he descended through the star gate. He could only choose a general terrain. For instance, he could choose mountains, rivers, basins, plateaus and so on, at most adding some restrictions like no signs of forbidden formations; the randomness of his descent was quite strong. Thus, Zhou Heng descended into a mountain forest. After his arrival, he did not hurry to leave but first found a cave to quietly contemplate the natural laws of this world and conform his Five Virtue Dharma Phase to it. Three days passed, and Zhou Heng had already recovered seventy percent of his strength. The recovery of his strength also incited a change in the Qi of heaven and earth, causing heavy rainfall throughout the entire mountain area. Zhou Heng, having regained a fair amount of strength, was in high spirits; he planned to hunt some wild game for a meal. He intended to leave the mountain the next morning to inquire about this world but did not expect to encounter Li Chengyus family being pursued. In fact, Zhou Heng had already arrived at the scene when Li Chengyu fell to the ground, but he did not come out immediately because he could not be sure whether Li Chengyu was friend or foe. Only after Cao Guishan and others arrived did he decide to make a move. On one hand, Li Chengyu seemed to be the party suffering persecution, and Ningan was quite adorable, worthy of being saved. On the other hand, he learned through Cao Guishan that Li Chengyu might be a Prince, which meant that he should know a lot about this worldCinformation Zhou Heng lacked. Therefore, Zhou Heng brought Li Chengyu and his family to the cave where he had been recuperating and asked them about the general situation of this world. Although he had already made a rough guess about the cultivation paths of this world when sensing the natural laws with his Dharma Phase, he needed to ask someone to confirm his speculation. Li Chengyu was extremely grateful to his life-saving benefactor, Zhou Heng. He answered Zhou Hengs inquiries without reservation, providing him with a wealth of information. Firstly, there was Li Chengyus identity. He was a Prince of the Da Wei Empire, with many accomplishments to his name and once an Upper Fourth Rank Star Officer in the Star Palace, possessing powerful strength. Now framed by the Crown Prince, he was forced to flee with his wife and daughter. Additionally, there were the two paths of cultivation in this worldCone was the Martial Path, and the other was Star Arts. The Martial Path naturally involved cultivating ones own bodily strength, enhancing power and speed, with the aim of achieving a level of might that transcends the ordinaryCthis is also the path of cultivation found in the majority of worlds. However, due to the world rules constraints, the influence of spirit power on reality was minuscule, resulting in one conditionC Even if a Martial Artist had cultivated to the normal limits of the human body and had ample spirit power, they would be unable to break through the human limits, unable to build the bridge between heaven and earth to establish natural laws. This means that the limit of the human body in this world is equivalent to the level of a Seventh Rank Warrior in Da Qi. Of course, due to a long legacy of tradition, martial artists have found some ways out, and thus there arose various sects like the Buddha Sect and Taoism. These sects possess secret techniques that can break through the limits of the human body and reach the realm of a Martial Saint. But even a Martial Saint isnt all that powerful; they simply have more formidable vigor and body, and cannot harness the power of heaven and earth. Essentially, they are still mortal. If discussing solely the Martial Path, this worlds hierarchy wouldnt be considered powerful. However, aside from the Martial Path, there is another way in this world, and that is the path of star arts. According to Li Chengyu, the path of star arts originates from the ancient, barbaric era. Our forebears worshipped heaven and earth and received the favor of the stars, drawing the attention of the thirty-six Heavenly Fiend Star Gods and the seventy-two Earthly Fiend Star Gods, a total of one hundred and eight Star Gods. As long as the rituals were proper and gained the recognition of the Star Gods, one could communicate with the Star Realm to obtain star power, breaking through the limits of mortals and possessing inconceivable divine power. To this day, the path of star arts has become quite refined. One only needs a rudimentary mastery of the Martial Path to hold rituals according to the guidance of the Star Palace. If the rituals are successful and one gains the protection of a Star God, they will possess strength far beyond that of a common martial artist. However, the conditions for conducting such rituals are very strict, and the materials required are extremely rare, affordable only by the houses of the powerful and some wealthy families. Since these rituals are not guaranteed to succeed and have a chance of failure, with only one opportunity availableCif it fails, theres no second chanceCit results in the scarcity of Star Officers. Having overwhelming strength, in addition to their rarity and generally noble status, such a group often becomes an elite class that stands above even the emperors of empires. Thus, a Star Palace that surpasses the authority of imperial rulers emerged. The Star Palace assigns ranks to star art practitioners, dividing them from low to high from Ninth Grade to First Rank, with those from Upper Third Rank, Second Rank, and First Rank being called Star Monarchs, and the rest referred to as Star Officers. A Seventh Rank Star Officer can overpower a Martial Saint at the pinnacle of the Martial Path. At the level of a Sixth Rank Star Officer, one can fly and escape into the heavens, entering and exiting the azure void, and even intertwine the authority of Star Gods at higher levels, akin to a Star God descending to the world, possessing vast divine power. But three years ago, all this changed. An ominous red star descended, the Emperor Star shifted, celestial patterns were thrown into chaos, and the Second Rank Star Monarch of the Heavens Observatory died an abrupt death. The Lord of the Star Palace and three First Rank Star Monarchs disappeared. The Star Realm also became abnormal. Star Officers below the Upper Third Rank lost contact with the Star Realm overnight and could no longer draw upon star power. Only a few remaining Star Monarchs could still manipulate star power to limitedly use some mid and lower-grade star arts. But, since there were so few Star Monarchs and their strength was greatly diminished, although they were able to suppress other forces, which still dared not openly challenge them, some have begun to settle scores with certain Star Officers they previously didnt dare to touch, all behind the scenes. Li Chengyu was among them. One hundred and eight Star Gods, thirty-six Heavenly Fiend Stars, seventy-two Earthly Fiend Stars Zhou Hengs gaze grew intense. There were many familiar things in the information revealed by Li Chengyu. Now that the Star Palace is in decline, does that mean the martial artists who were previously oppressed are getting restless? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Exactly, Li Chengyu nodded. Have you heard of any remarkable martial artists emerging recently? Zhou Heng tried to gather information about Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui, as the two of them had arrived here some time ago. Indeed, some formidable martial artists have appeared recently. Most of them come from Taoism or the Buddha Sect, with unique secret techniques that barely allow them to break through the limits of mortals and reach the realm of a Martial Saint. While speaking, Li Chengyu seemed to ponder and then, seemingly recalling something, he added, Right, theres one more, though Im not sure she counts as a martial artist. Some time ago, I heard that the Star Palace found the reincarnation of Gou Chen, the Heavenly Emperor, leader of all the starsCa young woman. This woman isnt only exceptionally skilled in star arts but also possesses many strange and secret treasures. Most importantly, her martial arts are extraordinarily advanced. It is said that she even left a Star Monarch severely injured using martial arts techniques. Chapter 400 - Chapter 400: Chapter 120: The Return of the Ancient Gods and Demons Chapter 400: Chapter 120: The Return of the Ancient Gods and Demons Gou Chen, the Heavenly Emperor, the supreme leader of the stars? Zhou Heng was slightly startled upon hearing these words, then chuckled, Is this Gou Chen, to whom you previously referred, the sovereign of the one hundred and eight Star Gods? The legends have always said so, Li Chengyu explained. According to the records stored in the palace, during the barbaric times, Gou Chen, the Heavenly Emperor, touched by the Human Races sincere veneration of heaven and earth, commanded the stars to focus their gaze upon the lower realms, descending with their Star Realm might to protect the Human Race. This was also the origin of the art of Star Techniques. Heavy with the color of myth. Zhou Heng made a judgment in his heart, and then inquired, And what about this incarnation of Gou Chen, the Heavenly Emperor, on earth? Can such beings really descend to the mortal world? Im not very clear on that, Ive let you down, Li Chengyu said somewhat shamefacedly: Although I was formerly a prince and a Fourth Rank Star Officer, information regarding the Heavenly Emperors earthly incarnation is a great secret, only known to Star Monarchs of the Upper Third Rank. My knowledge is limited. Then let me change the question, Zhou Heng said, not surprised. If Li Chengyu had truly been able to access the high-tier information of the Star Palace, he wouldnt have ended up in such a predicament. What happened to the woman who is believed to be the incarnation of Gou Chen, the Heavenly Emperor, after injuring a Star Monarch of the Star Palace? Zhou Heng continued to ask. He suspected that this woman might be Cheng Jianjian or Qi Rui. It is said she escaped, Li Chengyu recalled, saying: It seems that the people of the Star Palace found her in Yuezhou, intending to take her back to the palace, but they were all injured, even alarming the Star Monarch, and in the end, even the Star Monarch was wounded. It seems that persons strength is considerable, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Benefactor, this is more than just considerable, ah! Defeating a Star Monarch with martial techniquesCwere this news to spread now, it would be enough to cause an upheaval to shock the heavens, Li Chengyu exclaimed. In the past several thousand years, thanks to the protection of the Star Gods, the power of the Star Officers and Star Monarchs was incomparably strong, not something a martial artist could foresee comparing to, and even a Martial Saint who had broken through the common limits of the Martial Path was only equivalent to a Seventh Rank Star Officer. If the people of the world now learned that a Star Monarch, standing at the pinnacle of the path of Star Techniques, had actually been defeated by martial means, it would inevitably trigger a massive backlash against the Star Palace from various powers. The world, already in chaos, would probably descend into even greater disorder. It looks like you still pay quite a bit of attention to the welfare of the people, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Li Chengyu fell into a brief silence at these words, then gave a wry smile, Its just a habit formed over many years, and now I can hardly preserve myself Benefactor, youve seen something quite laughable. No, its really quite good, Zhou Heng shook his head slightly, saying, This world will eventually settle down. As for the road ahead, you must walk it yourselves; I am going to Yuezhou. Having finished speaking, a cloud of mist rose from beneath his feet, lifting him into the air and out of the cave, then he strode through the clouds and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye. Li Chengyu also ran out of the cave, looking up at the direction Zhou Heng had left, his face full of amazement, Truly a divine being. Husband, is our benefactor really a Star Monarch? His wife also followed out, but her face carried a look of doubt, seemingly worried. Its unlikely, Li Chengyu shook his head, saying, Our benefactor has profound and inscrutable strength, but he is probably not a Star Monarch, perhaps he is a deity or demon from ancient times. What? His wife was instantly astounded. Father, what is an ancient deity or demon? Ningan asked softly. Ancient deities and demons were the mighty beings who reigned over heaven and earth during the savage era of legend. They could move mountains and seas with a wave of their hand, pluck stars and seize moons, extremely powerful. Li Chengyu said, The initial Martial Path that our Human Race practiced was modeled after the accomplishments of those deities and demons. It turns out the Martial Path has such an origin. His wife expressed her surprise, Then, if the ancient gods and demons were so powerful, why have they disappeared now? Is it because of the Star Gods? Indeed, I have seen the secret texts of the Star Palace. After the descent of the stars, the ancient gods and demons were expelled, Li Chengyu sighed. Our benefactor is very powerful, capable of soaring through the skies and burrowing into the earth, far beyond the reach of ordinary martial artists. Yet, he is unfamiliar with the current state of the world and the Star Palace, and he still cares about the situation of martial artists. I suspect he may be one of the ancient gods and demons making a return, and that supposed incarnation of Gou Chen the Heavenly Emperor might also be an ancient god or demon Why did Father not tell our benefactor these things earlier? Ningan asked, puzzled. The ancient gods and demons were driven out by the gods of the stars, and your father is a Star Officer, Li Chengyus wife said as she gently touched Ningans head. Hmm, if our benefactor truly is one of the ancient gods and demons, then for him to save me, a Star Officer, would indeed be an act of immense compassion, Li Chengyu mused. With the Star Realm in turmoil and the return of the ancient gods and demons could there be a connection? Regardless, we must find an opportunity to repay our benefactors great kindness, said Li Chengyus wife. Of course, Li Chengyu agreed with a slight nod, We should also leave this place. Although Cao Guishan is dead, we cant be sure there wont be more pursuers coming after us. Ancient gods and demons? Zhou Heng pondered the term. Although he had already left, with his current strength, leaving a strand of his Divine Soul for monitoring on Li Chengyu was a simple task. Li Chengyu was a prince, with many secrets that shouldnt go to waste. He just hadnt expected to stumble upon such explosive information immediately after leaving. He didnt mention this earlier probably because he feared it would stir up my old resentments and trigger a direct attack, Zhou Heng chuckled to himself, thinking, But this is better. Compared to variant martial artists, the ancient gods and demons have a much bigger appeal. Due to the constraints of the worlds rules, the martial artists of this realm could not communicate with the heaven and earth through their spirit; neither could their Divine Souls be nourished by the qi of heaven and earth, preventing them from further strengthening their spiritual power. This created a restrictive cycle that kept martial artists from attaining truly extraordinary powers. However, Zhou Heng had descended in his true body, with a spirit that was already unimaginably strong. Having refined the Five Virtue Dharma Phase, which symbolized the essence of the laws, he naturally broke free from this cycle and was not subject to its limits, allowing him to smoothly recover his strength. In this way, it would be more convenient for him to find people. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In a small cottage amidst the mountains, Jiang Jian was brewing medicine for Qi Rui. It had almost been two months since they arrived in this world, and Jiang Jians cultivation had nearly recovered, allowing her to manipulate true qi. However, Qi Rui had only managed to restore his cultivation to the Seventh Rank. Back in Yuezhou, the two of them had faced a fierce battle; Jiang Jian had exerted all her strength to repel the enemy, but Qi Rui, whose cultivation had not yet fully returned, still suffered serious injuries. Cough cough! Qi Rui barely managed to sit up from the straw mat, coughing slightly. He looked towards his disciple with a bit of hesitation and asked, Jiang Jian, is this the world that you often dream about? Chapter 401 - Chapter 401: Chapter 121: The Troubles That Must Be Solved Chapter 401: Chapter 121: The Troubles That Must Be Solved Hmm, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly. By this time, she had also finished preparing the medicinal soup and brought it to Qi Rui, Master, its time for your medicine. Qi Rui took the medicine and drank it, his cheeks growing rosier, and said, No wonder when facing that great demon, you were able to instantly teleport me to this world Hmm. Cheng Jianjian just nodded in response but did not say much else. Ah Qi Rui sighed lightly, his voice deep, I can see that youve adapted well to this world, and youre in harmony with its rich star energy, but it seems you didnt want to come here. I cant hide anything from you, Master, Cheng Jianjian said with a bitter smile, then continued, Thats right, if it werent for the urgent situation at the time, I wouldnt have wanted to come to this world at all, not one bit! I have a feeling that after coming here, I might change into someone I no longer recognise, possibly gradually becoming an entirely different person. I was actually very afraid of coming here. But at that time, if I hadnt used this method to escape, there would have been no way to save you, and I had no choice but to do it. Using a possible personal crisis to break through a deadlock for two people, no matter how you look at it, its a good deal, right, Master? Jianjian it was I who held you back, Qi Rui let out a sigh, saying, I didnt expect that the Evil God from the Heavenly Palace would actually conspire with the great demon Cang Hua, who was sealed, helping Cang Hua to break the seal secretly What are you saying, Master? You raised me, taught me to cultivate and conduct myself. Saving you is only right, Cheng Jianjian said with a gentle smile, After your wounds have healed, I plan to make a trip to the Star Palace. The Star Palace? The strongest power center of this world? Qi Rui was taken aback, and hurriedly said, You mustnt, its too dangerous. Master, I must go. There are some matters that have troubled me for a long time, and I want to get to the bottom of them, Cheng Jianjians gaze was resolute as she looked at Qi Rui, Master, I must go. Qi Rui fell silent, and after a long while, she could only nod reluctantly, sighing, Ah, you must return safely. Rest assured, Master! Cheng Jianjians smile bloomed brightly, extraordinarily radiant. Zhou Hengs plan to find people was very simple: to make a name, a big name, so that everyone would know of his existence. In doing so, Cheng Jianjian and the others would naturally know that he had arrived and would come to find him on their own. Compared to looking for a needle in a haystack, this method was clearly more effective. However, this approach required a sufficiently strong power base, as well as a surefire way to ensure ones survival. Otherwise, it was very possible that one would be killed in the process of making a name for oneself. This was not a problem for Zhou Heng. He had made sure to inquire about the strength and performance of the Star Officer Li Chengyu. Although Star Officers were also divided into ranks from Ninth Grade to Seventh Rank, the level of Middle Third Rank and Upper Third Rank did not correspond. According to Li Chengyus description, Sixth Rank to Fourth Rank of Middle Third Rank were actually equivalent to the level of Secret Sixth Rank in the True Energy Realm to the True Gang Realm, while the Upper Third Rank Star Monarchs only manipulated the interwoven authority of star gods, nowhere near the standard of a Celestial Man. Even if high-ranking Star Monarchs truly had the level of Celestial Men or even Tao Lords, Zhou Heng had cards up his sleeve and need not fear. This gave Zhou Heng ample reason to act ostentatiously. In fact, he was indeed very flamboyant. On his way to Yuezhou, he made no attempt to hide his tracks, even deliberately skimming low to showcase his mana, which was completely incompatible with star energy. This resulted in the sight of him riding the clouds and mist across the sky being witnessed by countless people, and it also alerted many Star Officers and Star Monarchs. The appearance of someone who could fly without using star energy immediately caused a huge stir. Zhou Heng, traveling along his route, saw chaos engulfing every city, town, and provincial capital he passed through. Of course, some Star Officers barely managed to use their star arts to fly into the sky, trying to stop and even attempt to kill Zhou Heng, but all were inevitably suppressed by his single strike, utterly unable to put up any resistance. The Star Officers in good condition were only equivalent to Sect Fifth Rank or Absolute Fourth Rank Martial Artists; now, with the Star Realm in anomaly, their strength was significantly diminished and they naturally stood no chance against Zhou Heng. Thus, after Zhou Heng had defeated three Star Officers along the way, he finally arrived at the boundary of Yuezhou. At that moment in Yuezhou City, the Star Palace had already gathered a large number of top-tier combatants. CThanks to the advanced star arts, the communication between Upper Third Rank Star Officers was very fast. As such, before Zhou Heng arrived in Yuezhou, the Star Officers from various places had already received the news and came to help, many having traveled directly from other places. They did so not for any other reason but to swiftly kill off this ancient demon who represented a massive threat. Otherwise, there would be endless trouble! Indeed, due to the various Martial Path techniques displayed by Zhou Heng, the Star Officers on the Star Palaces side, just like Li Chengyu, had come to regard Zhou Heng as an ancient Evil God returning, and even assembled numerous Star Officers together, planning to exterminate this ancient Evil God. In fact, not only the Star Palace took action, but Confucianism, Taoism, and the Buddha Sect also mobilized, sending a handful of Martial Saints to Yuezhou City. After some secret investigation, they began quietly spreading information, proclaiming that Zhou Heng was the true pinnacle of the Martial Path, the beacon illuminating the future of Martial Arts, a legendary Saint, Heavenly Sovereign, Buddha. So when Zhou Heng indeed arrived outside Yuezhou City, he saw a bizarre spectacle. In the sky, twelve Star Officers draped in various colored starlight hovered aloft, connected by their energies, evidently having formed some Joint Attack Formation, linking their powers together to boost their combat strength significantly. The looks these Star Officers gave Zhou Heng were filled with wariness, as if the moment Zhou Heng made any slight untoward move, they would unleash a thunderous attack. Yet, the situation on the ground was entirely different. A massive, dense crowd had gathered outside Yuezhou City, easily numbering over a hundred thousand. These people were divided into three groups, each representing different organizations and each led by leaders from their respective groups. Standing at the forefront of these three waves of people as their leaders were three communities. Scholars, Taoists, Monks! We pay our respects to the Saint! We pay our respects to the Heavenly Sovereign! Boundless light of the Buddha! Compassion shines in all directions! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Nearly a hundred thousand voices shouted almost at once, contending with each other, trying to drown out the other groups clamor, causing their cries to surge like a mountain roar or a tsunami, truly earth-shattering. All this was the handiwork of Confucianism, Taoism, and the Buddha Sect; each wanted to associate themselves with a supreme powerhouse like Zhou Heng. At this moment, however, Zhou Heng was a bit stunned, watching the scene before him, he almost thought he had taken a wrong turn. Fortunately, at this time, the twelve Star Officers could no longer hold back and made their move. Ancient Evil God! You must be slain! Kill!! Chapter 402 - Chapter 402: Chapter 122 The Twelve Star Gods Worship the Emperor Chapter 402: Chapter 122 The Twelve Star Gods Worship the Emperor Star Monarchs, after all, are Star Monarchs; they are the foundation upon which the Star Palace has suppressed the world for thousands of years, representing the most formidable of beings today. Even now, with aberrations in the Star Realm, where Star Officers below the Star Monarchs can no longer draw upon star power, Star Monarchs can still, as before, summon the power of the Star Gods upon the mortal realm, wielding unmatched formidable might. They formed a formation among themselves, their vital energies linked, and their star powers fused together. Their combined action immediately caused celestial phenomena to change, as daylight turned into night in an instant, yet twelve stars hung high in the sky, shining brilliantly. The overpowering force of the stars fell from an unfathomable height, like a beam of light descending from the supreme Star Realm, locking onto Zhou Heng, slashing towards him. To ordinary people, this scene resembled the Milky Way hanging upside down in the sky, with Zhou Heng about to face the deluge of this celestial river. At this moment, Zhou Heng just stood there laughing as an ordinary person, seemingly insignificant in comparison to the starlight sword river that seemed to have pierced through heaven and earth. As insignificant as ants. Boom! The starlight sword river fell, and a deafening boom exploded between heaven and earth. The void screeched, the land trembled, as this power far beyond the comprehension of mortals truly began to display itself. For a time, people on the earth fell silent, even those from Confucianism, Taoism, and the Buddha Sect who had previously been loudly extolling Saints, Heavenly Sovereigns, and Buddhas, closed their mouths, held their breath, and watched in silence, not making a sound. At this time, everyones nerves were stretched to the limit. Of course, many were surprised and shocked. They hadnt expected that despite the abnormal conditions in the Star Realm, the Star Monarchs could still display such powerful might. Some had even begun to consider whether to adjust their plans for future actions. Meanwhile, Zhou Heng still stood steadily in mid-air, not showing the slightest intention of evading, as if he hadnt even seen the dazzling sword river falling from the sky. However, just as the starlight sword river was about to truly strike down upon him, he suddenly raised a hand, his skin taking on a faint dark golden hue, and directly reached out for the sword river. He intended to catch it head-on. The twelve Star Monarchs, seeing this, were immediately filled with rage. Presumptuous! Who does he think he is, trying to directly catch the attack unleashed by our concerted effort! This is a death wish; even the most powerful ancient gods and demons at their peak wouldnt dare to directly catch the attack of the star force. Perhaps this ancient deity has only just returned, his mind not yet recovered to normalcy. He wont die from this, but hell be gravely wounded. The Star Monarchs were very confident in the power of this starlight sword river attack. The combined force of twelve Star Monarchs, harnessing twelve distinct yet complementary Star God powers, formed an attack fused together that was powerful enough to sweep aside any foe. This was their understanding. Confronted with such an attack, and this ancient deity intending to meet it with his body was a behavior tantamount to seeking death. In fact, not only did the twelve Star Monarchs believe this, but even the Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian factions on Earth thought the same when they saw Zhou Heng reaching for the starlight sword river with his hand. He must be mad! This truly is madness! To not dodge or evade was one thing, but to actually try to catch the attack launched by the combined might of twelve Star Monarchs with his hand?! Thats simply madness! Hum! Just at that moment, the starlight sword river had already fallen upon Zhou Hengs body, emitting a violent and ear-piercing trembling sound, as layers of bright silver-colored light waves spread out from Zhou Heng as the center. In an instant, the sky became brightly lit, countless scattered starlight patterns expanded like ripples on a lake, illuminating much of Yuezhous sky in a silvery white. In the center of the starlight sword rivers onslaught, Zhou Heng remained unmoved, only the dark golden color on his hand became slightly more pronounced. This layer of dark goldenness was like an impregnable wall; no matter how the starlight sword river, jointly slashed down by twelve Star Monarchs, assaulted it, they couldnt shake it in the slightest. This was the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique! After stepping into the rank of Sect Fifth Rank, Zhou Heng had elevated this peerless skill, causing his physical body to become unbelievably strong. Now, even without using mana, just standing here, if martial artists of the same realm were to attack him, they might not be able to affect him, and even if they utilized a Fifth Rank treasure weapon, it might just shatter against his flesh. And this starlight sword river, at best, was only comparable to the peak level of Sect Fifth Rank, which simply couldnt hold a candle to the strength Zhou Heng wielded now. It simply couldnt breach Zhou Hengs defenses. The gap was too significant. Boom! With a loud bang, the starlight sword river seemed to have sustained a massive impact. Starting from where it collided with Zhou Hengs palm, it rapidly disintegrated. In the blink of an eye, it scattered into billions of streaks of light, flying in all directions, completely vanishing without a trace. Silence returned to heaven and earth, as if nothing had happened before. The twelve Star Monarchs stared at Zhou Heng with their mouths agape, almost disbelieving the scene they had just witnessed. The people of the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism on the ground were dumbfounded. Although they knew Zhou Heng was very strong, and his battle achievements on the way to Yuezhou had shown he was much more formidable than a regular Star Monarch, they hadnt expected him to be this powerful. Merely with a casual grab, like a common person crushing a dry leaf, he had effortlessly shattered the terrifying attack of the twelve Star Monarchs working together. Such formidable strength was simply inconceivable! Was this really a level humans could achieve? Or, was this seemingly human mighty figure actually one of the so-called ancient supernatural beings? Is this the extent of your abilities? Zhou Heng looked around before his gaze settled on the twelve Star Monarchs. He chuckled, With such mediocrity, you wish to slay an ancient evil god? It really was too weak. The starlight sword river appeared impressive, but it was actually hollow on the inside. He only needed to activate the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Technique and gently grabbed it, causing it to crumble and dissipate. It was evident how dispersed the force of the starlight sword river was, and in terms of the concentration of strength, it might not even compare to an ordinary grandmaster. The strength of these Star Monarchs truly wasnt worth mentioning. Zhou Heng felt somewhat listless. Although his goal was to defeat mighty individuals to raise his fame, making it easier to find Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui, after all, he was a martial artist who looked forward to clashing with the strong. Therefore, he had been quite interested in the pinnacle Star Monarchs of this world, but he hadnt expected this kind of outcome when he actually made a move. It was truly disappointing. Arrogant and ignorant! Utterly foolish! One of the Star Monarchs sneered with a lifted chin, haughtily saying, Ancient evil gods are just that, ancient. Theyve fallen too far behind the times. Do you think we only know how to gather star power and strike together? Correct, the strength of the current Star Palace is simply beyond what you ancient evil gods can imagine! Another Star Monarch also snapped back to reality and shouted, Take action! Call upon the Star Gods to descend and exterminate the remnants of the ancient evil god!! Invite the Star Gods to descend and exterminate the remnants of the ancient demons! Invite the Star Gods to descend and exterminate the remnants of the ancient demons! The other Star Monarchs also began to shout loudly and in unison, bowing respectfully towards the sky as if they were inviting some unknown and powerful existence to arrive. At the same time, high above, twelve great stars lit up, and behind each of the twelve Star Monarchs, the void twisted slightly. The starlight spun out like threads, rapidly sketching the towering silhouettes of colossal figures. These figures, even with just their outlines visible, brought an incomparable sense of oppression, making the people within Yuezhou City feel as though they were struggling to breathe, as well as experiencing an inexplicable fear. As these gigantic figures were outlined more and more clearly, that feeling also became increasingly intense, to the point where some people had already fainted from being unable to withstand the pressure. The Star Palace has actually developed such a secret technique, its inconceivable! How is this possible! exclaimed an experienced individual from the camps of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, immediately drawing the attention of others. The persons complexion was pale, and their expression terrified, but they continued to explain: Inviting the Star Gods to descend is to invite those who originally resided in the Star Realm to come to the mortal world, displaying Their boundless Great Power in order to destroy the enemies. This star magic was once considered impossible because the Star Gods have never truly descended to the mortal realm. I cant believe the Star Palace has actually succeeded! Its too late, no matter how powerful this person is, he cannot possibly compare to the descended Star Gods! Star Gods are the strongest, and there cannot possibly be any existence more powerful than the Star Gods; this belief is deeply ingrained in the hearts of all people in this world. Under normal circumstances, no one would ever think that the Star Gods could be defeated. Even avatars summoned by the Star Monarchs of the Star Palace are considered invincible. Zhou Heng, on the other hand, watched all of this with great interest and did not intervene. In truth, the speed at which these twelve Star Monarchs were summoning the gods was not exactly commendable; if he had wanted to, he could have easily prevented their success. In the time taken to summon the gods, Zhou Heng could have killed them a million times over. The reason for his non-interference was that Zhou Heng wanted to see exactly what would descend after the invocation: whether they were truly Star Gods or Evil Gods in disguise. There was another reason. Zhou Heng had once perceived the stars in heaven, the genuine luminaries, when he was in the Purple Tenuity Palace. They were the true gods of all stars, not limited to the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansions but also including the One Hundred and Eight Stars of the Heaven and Earth. The Star Gods of this world were exactly these One Hundred and Eight, and the star power used by these Star Monarchs was very similar to what he had once perceived. Therefore, he wanted to see if the Star Gods here were indeed the real One Hundred and Eight Star Gods. If they were, he wondered whether there would be clues about Earth on these Star Gods. Under Zhou Hengs deliberate inaction, the majestic silhouettes behind the twelve Star Monarchs were gradually outlined by the starlight, and one by one, radiant divine beings high above descended into the mortal realm. These images were filled with intense star power and were interwoven with complex principles of law; their mere appearance caused disturbances in the principles of law in the world, creating a series of extraordinary phenomena. The Star Monarchs were overjoyed. The disturbance in the principles of law signified the successful arrival of the Star Gods! Thus, the twelve Star Monarchs hurriedly bowed with respect. Welcome the descent of the Star God of Valor! Welcome the descent of the Heavenly Sword Star God! Welcome the descent of the Star God of Wounds! Welcome the descent of the Hidden Earth Star God! Accompanied by the welcoming voices of the Star Monarchs, the twelve Star Gods images truly descended upon the world. Immense pressure swept across heaven and Earth in an instant, causing all beings within the bounds of Da Wei to feel an inexplicable terror. It was as if an invisible boulder had suddenly pressed down upon their hearts, making it tough to breathe. At this moment, Cheng Jianjian, who was still on her way to the Star Palace, also looked up at the sky with a look of shocked uncertainty and thought to herself, This feelingCis it the avatars of the Star Gods descending to the mortal realm? How could this be? Could there have been some calamity in the Star Realm It seems I must hasten to the Star Palace, or else things may change for the worse I dont have much time left! Within Yuezhou City, whether they were martial artists or common folk, everyone felt a fear they had never experienced before. Looking up at the twelve images of the Star Gods, each person felt like an insignificant ant, liable to be crushed for any number of reasons at any moment. Even those from the Buddha Sect, Taoism, and Confucianism who had just barely transcended the limits of mortals through secret techniques to reach the Martial Saint realm felt nothing but fear in their hearts upon seeing the images of the descending Star Gods. The gap was too immense! At that moment, nobody believed Zhou Heng could win anymore. The twelve Star Monarchs who had made their move earlier, no matter how powerful, were still humans. Zhou Heng defeating them was also a defeat of a group of powerful humansCit was a battle between humans. But now, the Star Monarchs had actually summoned the Star Gods to descend and manifest their images in the mortal realm to demonstrate their might! This had completely transcended the realm of humanity! This was a gathering of gods! How could humans possibly triumph over gods? It was simply impossible! Everyone thought so, and so did the twelve Star Monarchs. After successfully invoking the gods, they completely relaxed. For the coming of the Star Gods images signified the death of their enemy, and in their eyes, this was without doubt. No one could withstand the power of the Star Gods. Even the ancient gods and demons who had returned were not an exception! Even if this god or demon could block a river of starlight swords with one hand, even if this god or demons power was unfathomable! It didnt matter! The Star Gods were supreme, invincible beings! One of the Star Monarchs, barely containing his exhilaration, performed a respectful salute to the Star God he had summoned and said loudly, Exalted Star God, the ancient god or demon is powerful, and we have presumptuously Bang! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Before the Star Monarch could finish his speech, he was obliterated by the Star God he had summoned, turned to ash and ceased to exist. The rest of the Star Monarchs met nearly the same fate, with only three managing to move quickly enough to escape by a stroke of luck. Then, these three witnessed a scene that made them question everything they knew. The twelve images of the Star Gods that had descended to the mortal realm astonishingly shrank on their own to the size of ordinary people and, trembling, came before Zhou Heng, bowing respectfully before him and chanting in unison: We greet the Emperor!! Chapter 421 - Chapter 421: Chapter 140: Unfounded Chapter 421: Chapter 140: Unfounded Is he completely unaware of my presence? Zhou Heng paused slightly, then turned to look in the direction of Huangtong Mansion City, a smile appearing on his face, Worthy of being one of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Eastern Sea, truly arrogant. Although the aura of his cultivation realm was only at the level of Sect Fifth Rank, his mana was extraordinarily profound, far surpassing that of a normal Sect Fifth Rank. Any Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster passing by would take notice. Even a true Celestial Man, upon seeing such a Martial Artist, would most likely not ignore him so completely. Yet the Taoist Huo Qingyun, who had just passed by, completely disregarded him, as if Zhou Heng were nothing more than an insignificant ant by the roadside. Taoist Huo Qingyun did not truly notice Zhou Heng, or rather, even though he did, he didnt care at all. Under his Divine Sense, he could clearly judge the cultivation realm of Zhou Heng, who was merely a Fifth Rank Dharma Phase, and although the depth of his mana was somewhat abnormal, in his eyes, Zhou Heng was still akin to an ant, not worth mentioning. Even the strongest Fifth Rank Dharma Phase was still just Fifth Rank; when facing a Celestial Power that had entrusted their Primordial Spirit to the void and mastered the power of Taoist Laws, there was absolutely no room for defiance. This was the difference between an ancient divine beast and an ant. There was no comparison. Now, all he wanted was to quickly reach his destination and then use the excuse of searching for his mount to unseal what was below this central Prefectural city and obtain what he needed. The Demon Lords half finger bone, this will be enough to bear my Primordial Spirit, assist me in forming an indestructible Dharma body, and gain power comparable to a Tao Lord, Taoist Huo Qingyuns eyes showed excitement. The lifespan of a Loose Immortal was not infinite. Although the Primordial Spirit was immortal, the body was composed of Spiritual Materials, which over a long time, could degenerate; even oceans could become mulberry fields, and Spiritual Materials were not imperishable and naturally could decay. Taoist Huo Qingyun had been a Loose Immortal for over two thousand years, and the Spiritual Materials he had used to condense his Dharma body and serve as a beacon for his Primordial Spirit were gradually deteriorating. Therefore, he urgently needed a suitable new Spiritual Material to carry his Primordial Spirit. However, during these past two thousand years, Huo Qingyuns Primordial Spirit had grown even more powerful, nearly reaching the limit of a Loose Immortals Primordial Spirit. Because of this, he was ranked among the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Eastern Sea, but it was also for this reason that ordinary Spiritual Materials could no longer withstand the might of his Primordial Spirit. He needed top Celestial Man-grade Spiritual Materials, or even those close to the level of a Tao Lord. However, such high-level Spiritual Materials were exceedingly rare. Despite the vast area and rich resources of the Eastern Sea, finding such materials was as difficult as ascending to heaven, almost an impossibility. For this reason, Huo Qingyun had nearly sent people to search all nations for upwards of a hundred years but found no suitable Spiritual Materials. Finally, a year ago, he accidentally received news from a power within the Thirty-Six Heavens, a Loose Immortal organization, that beneath Huangtong Mansion City in the central lands of Qi Country, lay the half finger bone of a Demon Lord. Huo Qingyuns heart stirred. The Demon Lord was equivalent to a Second Rank in the Nine Nether; its essence was extremely high, its power immense, and it even possessed a strong characteristic of immortality. If he used it to house his Primordial Spirit and condense his Dharma body, he would undoubtedly reach the pinnacle, possessing the most powerful strength among all Loose Immortals, and he might also inherit the characteristic of immortality, thereby freeing himself from worries of his Dharma bodys decay forever. As for the inherent demonic nature, Taoist Huo Qingyun was not worried. He possessed a rare treasure particularly adept at cleansing and purifying spiritual imprints, and with an extremely high upper limit. Even the so-called Tao Lord-level demonic nature, he was confident he could eradicate. Ive finally arrived. Taoist Huo Qingyun reached the skies above Huangtong Mansion City, hands clasped behind his back, looking down from above, his Divine Sense instantly sweeping across the entire city and the surrounding area for hundreds of miles, clearly understanding the situation within this region. Theres only one Secret Six Rank Martial Artist; the central lands are so weak. In such a large city and its surrounding area, the strongest person is just a minor Secret Six Rank, truly laughable. Judging from where this Secret Six Rank Martial Artist is located, he must be the official sent by Qi Country to manage the people of this region. Is the official in charge of such a large area really so weak? Huo Qingyun had been away for quite some time and was not familiar with the current societal circumstances, but upon seeing Huangtong Mansion City, some of his prior concerns immediately dissipated significantly. I never imagined the Central Plains to be so weak. Although the Eastern Sea region is vast, there is very little land, usually consisting of island nations, with almost every large island being a country. A territory like Huangtong Mansion, with its land area, would be considered a small country in the Eastern Sea. And in the Eastern Sea, without a Sect Fifth Rank strong person, its simply not possible to successfully establish a country. Therefore, in the eyes of Yu Que, the most powerful being in an area as large as Huangtong Mansion being only a Secret Six Rank was akin to being defenseless. Too weak! Truly too weak. If it werent for the Central Plains having many ancient sects and numerous Celestial Men and even Tao Lords, we from the Eastern Seas Immortal World would have already counterattacked the land. A hint of cold smile appeared on the face of Yu Que, and he even wondered if he had been too cautious before. On his journey here from the Eastern Sea, he had not encountered any obstacles at all, not even a single person to question him, as if this Central Plains land was completely defenseless. Had I known it would be this easy, I should have come directly. Why bother with a year of preparations and even losing an ancient lineage mount as a lead-in? Yu Que suddenly thought to himself. However, he quickly shook his head and whispered to himself, One mustnt underestimate the Central Plains. With its Celestial Men and even Tao Lords, someone capable of defeating me could appear at any time. Gotta be quick and decisive. With that in mind, he shouted loudly, I am Yu Que, a Loose Immortal from the Eastern Sea. I now suspect that my lost mount might be related to this place. Please permit me to enter the city to search and track my mounts whereabouts. Yu Que needed to enter the city. Otherwise, he wouldnt be able to lift the seal that suppressed half of a Demon Lords phalanx. Only by entering the city could he initiate a resonance with the seal, thereby accelerating the speed of breaking the seal to quickly obtain that half of the Demon Lords phalanx. To avoid prolonged uncertainties. As for slaughtering the entire city, Yu Que had thought about it, but he didnt actually plan to carry it out. He could guess on his own that if he really did so, the powers of the Central Plains would undoubtedly hunt him down until death. Therefore, he needed to find at least a somewhat legitimate reason. Meanwhile, inside Huangtong Mansion City, the newly appointed Prefect Huo Qingyun was looking up at the figure hovering above the clouds with a pale face and a look of immense terror. As the Prefect, he could roughly judge the level of power that Yu Que possessed. Definitely above Absolute Fourth Rank, possibly a Celestial Man or a Loose Immortal! Such a powerful beings mount went missing in Huangtong Mansion City? Huo Qingyuns first reaction was disbelief. How could such a thing happen? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The mount of such a powerful being would undoubtedly be very strong as well. Who could have the capacity to make it disappear in the vast Huangtong Mansion City? It was completely unfounded! But as the Prefect of Huangtong Mansion, he couldnt not respond. Therefore, Huo Qingyun could only take a deep breath, activate his flying ability, and slowly ascend into the sky, facing Yu Que. Esteemed elder, may I ask what brings you here? Huo Qingyun asked respectfully and with great deference. Chapter 404 - Chapter 404: Chapter 124: The Giant Sword That Pierces Through the Stars Chapter 404: Chapter 124: The Giant Sword That Pierces Through the Stars Cheng Jianjian was very meticulous about disguising herself. After all, her beauty was striking, and if she didnt disguise herself, she would attract attention wherever she went. Now she was disguised as a man. With a full beard, coarse skin, and a burly figure, one could not recognize her original appearance at all. This could effectively prevent her from being discovered by the people of the Star Palace. Although Cheng Jianjians strength had fully recovered, enough to handle one or two ordinary Star Monarchs, she would still be no match against a high-ranking Star Monarch, or if several Star Monarchs attacked her together. Traveling in disguise was undoubtedly the best way to proceed. The Star Palace was located in the Imperial Capital of Zhongzhou in the Da Wei Empire, right in the center, in a position even more central than the Imperial Palace, making it the most prestigious place in the world. Yuezhou was not close to Zhongzhou, and as Cheng Jianjian could only travel on land, her speed was naturally not fastCflying would be too conspicuous and would easily lead to being discovered. She had been on her journey for half a month now and had only covered half the distance. That day, Cheng Jianjian arrived at a large city, where she planned to inquire for news about the Star Palace. Because in recent days, she had heard a rumor. It was said that half a month ago, the Ziwei Emperor had descended to subdue all the Star Monarchs of the Star Palace and had ordered them to search wholeheartedly for the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor Gou Chen. And this Ziwei Emperor was called Zhou Wei. Cheng Jianjian knew that this was an alias Zhou Heng often used when he descended into other worlds. This meant that Zhou Heng had already taken control of the core of the most powerful force in this world. However, her heart was devoid of any joy, instead filled with worry. She was acutely aware that in this world, holding the star positions of Gou Chen and Ziwei was extremely dangerous. A slight misstep could lead to the influence of the Mother of All Stars and a gradual loss of ones self! I hold the Innate Northern Dipper position, which just allows me to barely resist the erosion of the Gou Chen position forced upon me. What does he rely on when he himself is inherently of the Ziwei position! Upon hearing this news, Cheng Jianjians heart raced with extreme worry. Nevertheless, she didnt panic too much, trusting that Zhou Heng would certainly have a way to solve it, just like the various crises he had faced before, which he always resolved in his own way. But she still couldnt help worrying. Therefore, she decided to find a nearby large city to see if she could gather any news about the Star Palace or about Zhou Heng. This world had no convenient means of information transfer, nor any public information-gathering institutions; the spread of news usually depended on roving Martial Artists or traveling merchants. Therefore, the most convenient places to inquire about news were markets, as well as restaurants and inns. The former was where traveling merchants congregated, while the latter were places where roving Martial Artists would discuss their experiences along the way. However, traveling merchants tended to be only interested in business, while Martial Artists were keen on discussing their observations, so restaurants and inns were more convenient for gathering information. Cheng Jianjian chose the largest restaurant in the city. This place was frequented by Martial Artists from all over the year-round and also employed a learned storyteller who would often share amusing tales from abroad, and sometimes talk about recent significant events. Cheng Jianjian found an empty spot and sat down, her Divine Sense quietly spreading out, paying attention to everyones conversation, as well as the performance of the storyteller on the high stage. Perhaps it was fate, but soon after she sat down, the storyteller began to talk about the experiences of Zhou Heng in Yuezhou City. It is said that a great emperor has recently taken residence in the Star Palace, known as the Ziwei Emperor, the Lord of all stars, the Grandmaster of the cosmos, the master of all celestial bodies That day, outside the city of Yuezhou, the Ziwei Emperor Zhou Wei came walking on air, his body draped in the brilliance of billions of stars Yet the one hundred and eight Star Monarchs of the Star Palace refused to acknowledge His status, even daring to confront Him and summoning one hundred and eight Star Gods with the hopes of slaying the Ziwei Emperor Zhou Wei Unimaginably, as soon as the one hundred and eight Star Gods descended, they immediately slew the Star Monarchs who summoned them, all kneeling before Zhou Wei, addressing Him as the Emperor with utmost respect Obviously, the storyteller was very excited, speaking with animated brows and flailing gestures, his words exciting the crowd of wandering heroes listening below. For the vast majority, terms like Star Monarchs, Star Gods, and Emperor sounded like something out of myths or legends and far removed from their lives; it was sufficient for entertainment and excitement. Cheng Jianjians expression, however, was solemn. Although she could tell that the storytellers content was definitely exaggeratedCafter all, the entire Star Palace might not even have a hundred Star Monarchs, let alone one hundred and eight of them attacking Zhou HengCit was enough to glean some truth. The adversaries Zhou Heng faced were definitely numerous and might have even included descending Star Gods. Even for him, it wouldnt be easy to subdue the entire Star Palace in such a short period of time. Cheng Jianjian grew increasingly anxious, thinking to herself, It must have been very tough. I must find him as soon as possible and tell him about the dangers of this world. In fact, Zhou Heng had never lowered his guard. Once he realized that this world might have been eroded by the Innate Doumu Yuanjun thousands of years ago, he entered a state of constant readiness for battle. Moreover, to confront an Evil God of such caliber, ordinary means would simply not suffice. Whether the Innate Doumu Yuanjun, despite being an Evil God, possesses a fraction of the might described in legends, Zhou Heng knew he must exert his full strength to combat it. Therefore, he was always prepared. The moment there was any sign of Innate Doumu Yuanjuns power descending, he would immediately counterattack, without hesitation. He would use the projection of the Heaven Opening Seal. Outside the world, in the vast and profound starry space, the brilliance of billions of stars converged into bands of light, entwining around an immense and towering silhouette. Dimly visible, this figure had four heads and eight arms, majestic and serene, sitting in a meditative pose with various treasures and celestial patterns flickering around. He appeared to be the root and ancestor of all stars, with the countless stars of the entire universe revolving around Him, abiding by His will as the law of their movements. Yet such a supreme being was now unable to move an inch, merely sitting in the void. Because, from above this supreme beings head, a Red Giant Sword seeming to penetrate the universe had been thrust in, with its tip emerging at the waist, firmly nailed into the void. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was this Red Giant Sword that fixed the supreme being in place, rendering Him incapable of manifesting power or fleeing. Suddenly, this supreme entity seemed to sense something, its starry light falling towards a distant world like gaze. Even the bands of light formed by the brilliance of the myriad stars began to tremble slightly. But then the Red Giant Sword burst into radiance, a light filled with murderous intent that instantly overpowered the luminescence of the stars, cutting off the supreme beings gaze. Gou Chen, Ziwei Chapter 405 - Chapter 405: Chapter 125 Sudden Change Chapter 405: Chapter 125 Sudden Change Within the Star Palace. Zhou Heng was flipping through the numerous messages sent back by various Star Monarchs from different places, but in the end, he could only shake his head. It had been over half a month since he had sent out a message to search for Cheng Jianjian, yet there was still no news about her, not to mention finding her downfall. Cheng Jianjian seemed to have vanished into thin air, and no matter how much these Star Monarchs searched, they could not find her. I dont know whether to be relieved or disappointed, Zhou Heng put down the message book in his hands and couldnt help but laugh bitterly. Although he had those Star Monarchs spread the word that Emperor Zhou Wei was looking for Cheng Bei, Cheng Jianjian had not shown up, possibly because of her own concerns. The only thing that could be considered good news was that these past half a month had been relatively stable. As always, peaceful. The Mother of All Stars had not lowered any means. The Heaven Opening Seal hadnt found an opportunity to be used and was temporarily preserved. Given Jianjians caution, she should still be safe, Zhou Heng thought to himself, while also pondering whether there was any other way to find Cheng Jianjian. Hmm? As Zhou Heng was contemplating, he suddenly felt a stir in his Divine Sense, detecting an aura incredibly similar to that of the Northern Dippers position. However, within this aura seemed to be mixed with other types of star power, and it was a kind of extremely high-ranked star power, which also felt familiar to Zhou Heng. Northern Dipper? Zhou Hengs brows slightly furrowed and without a second thought, he stepped out of the Star Palace, transforming into a beam of cloud light, and flew in the direction he had just sensed. At this moment, Cheng Jianjian had already removed her disguise and reverted to her normal appearance, standing on a mountain peak not far from the Star Palace. Only her complexion was somewhat pale, her brows lightly furrowed, as if she was enduring some not-so-slight pain. A beam of cloud light descended from the sky. It was Zhou Heng arriving. Long time no see, Zhou Heng emerged from the cloud light. However, he immediately noticed that Cheng Jianjians condition seemed off and hurriedly went over to support her, his voice grave, What happened, your Divine Soul seems to have suffered a heavy blow, no, youre suppressing something First take me away from here, away from the Star Palace, Cheng Jianjian said with difficulty. Alright, Zhou Heng didnt ask any more questions, gently wrapping his arm around Cheng Jianjians slender waist, and a cloud light rose under his feet, directly taking her away from the Star Palace. The two flew out for thousands of miles, and Cheng Jianjians condition had improved considerably, with the fluctuations in her Divine Soul gradually normalizing. Its better now, I can almost suppress the Gou Chen star power, Cheng Jianjians face showed a faint blush as she spoke softly, Young Master Zhou, lets descend here. Hmm, Zhou Heng nodded gently, while pressing down the cloud light, bringing Cheng Jianjian down with him. This was a dense forest with lush trees. Zhou Heng selected a few trees and pointed with his hand. Mana was released immediately, making the trees break off on their own and begin to cut automatically, quickly constructing a simple pavilion. The remaining scraps also formed tables and chairs and were placed inside the pavilion. Lets rest here for a while, Zhou Heng helped Cheng Jianjian to sit down in the wooden pavilion. ` Hmm, much better now, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, and then continued with a wry smile, I had intended to go to the Star Palace to find you myself, but it turned out that you had to come to me instead. At this point, she paused, hastily adding, But lets not talk about that now. This world is very dangerous, far more dangerous than you can imagine, especially for you. You must leave immediately, better right now Are you talking about the Mother of Stars? Zhou Heng interjected, his voice grave, Besides the energy of the Big Dipper position on your body, theres another force present. You just mentioned the Gou Chen Star Force, was it imposed on you by the Mother of Stars? You already know? Cheng Jianjian was taken aback for a moment, surprised as she looked at Zhou Heng. After a long silence and with a complex expression, she said, Its extremely risky Thank you. No one knew better than her how powerful the Mother of Stars was, yet Zhou Heng, fully aware of the danger this world posed, had still chosen to come and find her. Why thank me? Didnt you also take the risk of getting close to the Star Palace to find me and tell me about the dangers of this world? Zhou Heng smiled, then stood up, Since its dangerous, lets leave together. Right, and what about Senior Sister Qi Rui? Where is she now? I will show you where our master is, Cheng Jianjian nodded, then hesitated slightly, took a deep breath, and said, What if I ask you to take my master and leave, while I stay behind and leave by myself later? What do you think? I would just knock you out and take you with me, Zhou Heng responded without hesitation, This world is too dangerous, as you know. I knew it, Cheng Jianjian rolled her eyes at his reply and said, Then lets leave together. I did want to investigate some things indeed, but with my current realm and strength being insufficient, it truly isnt wise to venture into danger rashly. And here I thought you were going to persuade me to agree, Zhou Heng chuckled, But what is it that you want to investigate? If you dont mind, would you tell me about it after we get back? With the Star Monarch himself inviting, I would be most eager to share. Cheng Jianjian gave a soft chuckle, I can also explain to you what I know about this world, but this information is all very secret. If youre going to listen, youll have to help me out. I too have things I want to understand about this world; helping you is helping myself, Zhou Heng agreed readily, with a smile, It doesnt conflict. Shall we set out now? Cheng Jianjian nodded with a smile. How are you feeling now? Zhou Cheng asked with concern. Im completely unharmed, Cheng Jianjian stood up, smiling, But I havent yet cultivated my Dharma Phase, so Im not as fast as Grandmaster Zhou when it comes to flying. Then I shall be your human flying machine once again, Zhou Heng laughed and walked over to hold Cheng Jianjian, then, stepping on clouds, he ascended into the skies, flying towards where Qi Rui was. With Zhou Hengs current flying speed, spanning thousands of miles in an instant was a matter of course. Therefore, once they had located their destination, he and Cheng Jianjian quickly returned to where Qi Rui was. After briefly explaining the situation to Qi Rui, Zhou Heng directly communicated with the Purple Tenuity Palace and established the star route to take Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui back. But just as he stepped onto the star route with the two of them, a beam of starlight imbued with boundless power suddenly descended from the vast void of space. Coming along with it were prayers that sounded as if countless beings were chanting in unison! Sincere devotion and allegiance. To the Western Tianzhu Nation, within the Light of Great Wisdom. To the King of Dharma with wondrous signs, to the Supreme Mother of the Mysterious Primordial Heaven. Where the golden light flashes, the sun and moon dim. With the turning of the Treasure Hammer, demons and spirits pale. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Reveal the divine tracks in the mortal world, protect the holy chariot in the land of Yama. If beings in trouble call out to her, the great being seeks the sound and comes to relieve suffering. With great compassion and vows, greatly holy and merciful, The Holy Virtue, the Great Light of Celestial Mother, the Great Saint of Molizhitian, the Enlightened Ancestor of the Heavenly Sovereign. ` Chapter 406 - Chapter 406: Chapter 126: Heaven Opening Seal! Chapter 406: Chapter 126: Heaven Opening Seal! Domu Divine Edict! Zhou Heng was acutely aware of what this edict meant. It was the invocation of countless unknown beings, praying for the arrival of the Innate Domu Sovereign, the Mother of All Stars! And to choose this moment, the time when he was returning with Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui, or rather when he was connecting with Purple Tenuity Palace and establishing the Star Gate, the purpose was self-evident. Ziwei!! A voice filled with boundless fury, yet seemingly severely suppressed, came from a high, unknown place. It was not any language Zhou Heng knew, but he instantly understood its meaning. However, at the same time he comprehended the voices meaning, he also endured an overwhelming flood of chaotic information, causing his mind to explode and his consciousness to briefly lapse into a daze. It was this brief moment of daze that caused Zhou Heng to become rigid. Simultaneously, a slender giant hand, as if formed by the convergence of a billion stars, reached out from the void and swiftly passed by Zhou Heng, following the trace of the Star Gate towards the cluster of purple mist at the end of the Star River. Above that cluster of purple mist Star River was the Purple Tenuity Palace! Clearly, the being that extended this slender giant hand, the Mother of All Stars known as the Celestial Sovereign of the Full Moon Dao, was plotting against the Purple Tenuity Palace! Delusional thoughts! By this time, Zhou Heng had regained his senses. Seeing the hand reaching towards the purple mist Star River, he instantly understood what was going on and used his connection with Purple Tenuity Palace to instantly move in front of the giant hand with Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui. Immediately afterwards, he raised his right hand, forming a seal as if holding a giant axe, lifting it above his head. Hum! The entire Star Path began to tremble, and the purple mist Star River at the end of the path also began to churn, a terrifying and peerless aura spreading out from Zhou Hengs palm. Heaven Opening Seal! In an instant, not only the Purple Tenuity Palace beyond the Star Path, but also Da Qi, North Zhou, Southern Jin, and even Wilderness God Mountain, the West Wasteland, Eastern Sea all creatures felt this terrible aura and couldnt help but look up at the sky, filled with extreme horror. At the same moment, in the world being eroded by Innate Domu Sovereign, the same terrifying influence was felt, and all beings sensed the feeling of impending great disaster, as if they could be destroyed at any moment. What a tremendous power this was! Zhou Heng had not yet fully released the Heaven Opening Seal, yet it had already unleashed an almost endless and colossal power. After affecting two vast worlds, it continued to spread rapidly outward. Beyond the world where Purple Tenuity Palace was located, many Evil Gods lurked, and it was also connected to the Nine Nether Demon Realm, with countless great beings and Great Divine Power wielders paying attention. At this moment, when such a terrifying force suddenly erupted, it frightened many indescribable beings out of their wits, causing them to tremble all over. Open, Heaven Opening Jade Clear Ancestor?! How is this possible?! How could this world possibly! Pangu Voices of astonishment echoed through the void, shaking the Star River, swaying the universe, and causing a disturbance among the myriad paths of heaven. This time, following the previous incident where many Evil Gods were frightened away by the might of Emperor Ziwei, even more Evil Gods chose to flee, abandoning their plots against this world. And the influence on the innate Doumu Yuanjuns palm that directly faced Zhou Hengs seal, as well as the world behind it, was even more immense. The enormous might contained within the seal pierced through the barriers of this world and entered the cosmos, quickly spreading without almost any regard for the breadth of space, affecting stars and Star Rivers millions of light-years apart simultaneously. Countless stars trembled and swayed, deviating from their orbits, even colliding with one another. Some stars directly altered their evolutionary trends, some collapsed into black holes from being stars, while others went from black holes back to stars All sorts of unimaginable and strange sights swept through the universe. And Zhou Heng, who held the seal, could also roughly perceive all of this. Only at this moment did he truly realize what kind of terrifying existence the seal he was about to use represented. Even though it was only a Silver grade skill projection card, it contained an indescribably great power that pointed directly to the origin of the universe. With this seal of mine, I wont directly destroy a realm, will I Zhou Heng felt a tingling in his scalp, as the power of the Heaven Opening Seal far exceeded his expectations. However, once the bowstring was drawn, the arrow had to be let fly; the projection card had already been activated and could not be taken back. Moreover, though the gigantic hand of the innate Doumu Yuanjun had been affected, it showed no signs of retreating and continued to advance, still intent on grasping the Purple Tenuity Palace. True to her reputation as the mother of all stars and the Heavenly Sovereign known as the Circle Illumination Taoist Mother, she remained fixated on her original target even in the face of the terrifying might of the Heaven Opening Seal. Indeed, innate Doumu Yuanjun was a deity of exceptionally high stature! From this, it was clear how wise his decision was to use the Heaven Opening Seal; if he had chosen another method to respond, he might truly have been unable to withstand this divine being. Yet how did such a significant figure become an Evil God? If she had become an Evil God, who then was not an Evil God? Doubts rose again within Zhou Hengs mind. However, he knew that now was not the time to contemplate this doubt. Seeing that the palm of the innate Doumu Yuanjun was about to catch up, Zhou Heng finally swung down his right hand, which was raised high in the air! He shouted loudly: Open!! The seal erupted, and an intensely pure radiance converged within Zhou Hengs palm, transforming into a banner that was neither a banner nor an axe. It was entwined with Chaos Qi, woven with time, space, matter, and energy! The Pangu Banner! At that moment, Zhou Hengs palm seemed to become the Pangu Banner capable of splitting heavens and earth, chopping down at the hand extended by the innate Doumu Yuanjun! Boom! Chaos Qi exploded, crushing time, space, matter, and energy into a frenzy in an instant, and the pure force of destruction completely engulfed the starlight giant hand from Doumu Yuanjun. And swiftly obliterated it! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The entire process was like crushing decayed wood, met with no resistance at all, a complete and utter destruction. Boom rumble! The explosion of the chaotic airflow continued unabated, this power that seemed capable of splitting heaven and earth, as if it could return the universe to chaos, persisted without diminishing in intensity after destroying the giant hand, continuing to pierce through the void and across the vast Star River, rushing towards the origin of the starlight giant hand. This force, gathering into a vague figure that was neither banner nor axe, arrived before countless beams of light where billions of stars shone. There, one could see an immensely towering figure with four heads and eight arms. Chapter 407 - Chapter 407: Chapter 127 Time Is Running Out Chapter 407: Chapter 127 Time Is Running Out Primordial?! The towering figure shrouded in the light of billions of stars suddenly let out an angry roar. This voice seemed to come from an endlessly distant past, piercing through time to the present, spreading towards the future. Almost at the same moment, every living creature in the entire universe heard this voice. Countless star systems changed their rules because of it, numerous beings perished in an instant, inanimate objects were imbued with intelligence, and some individuals had their time reversed, plunging into the past or cast into the future. All sorts of bizarre scenes unfolded in this universe teeming with countless star systems, galaxies, and worlds beyond number, producing effects profound and far-reaching. But that was all. As the power contained within the roar attempted to continue influencing the rules of this universe, the red huge sword that pierced the four-headed and eight-armed divine body suddenly shone brightly. The sword light, filled with boundless intent to kill and immeasurable power, instantly turned the might within the roar into nothingness, unable to affect reality any longer. At the same time, the power of the Heaven Opening Seal finally descended, effortlessly piercing through the band of light where a myriad of stars converged, fiercely striking down upon the majestic four-headed and eight-armed figure. Boom! Destructive force of terrifying magnitude swept out, engulfing everything. The band of light formed by countless stars, as well as the towering figure, was completely enveloped by the Heaven Opening Seal. This swath of starry sky was directly reduced to chaos! However powerful the Heaven Opening Seal was, it was, after all, only a silver level projection, far from enough to annihilate this majestic existence. Even so, it caused His already weakening aura to plummet yet further, His suppression even more complete. He couldnt even perceive the outside world anymore. At this moment, Zhou Heng finally led Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui safely through the star gate. Once past the purple mist ahead, they would reach the Purple Tenuity Palace. Sister Qi, please return to Ta Hua first, Zhou Heng said without crossing through the purple mist, turning to address Qi Rui instead. After all, she was not a member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, and according to the rules, she should not enter the Purple Tenuity Palace, which would cause a series of troubles. It was better to let her return to Ta Hua first. CAlthough Zhou Heng and his companions had not yet stepped out of the star gate, they had in fact arrived in the void within Da Qis territory. Zhou Heng could easily establish a temporary star path for Qi Rui to return. No problem, Qi Rui nodded. She was aware of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers regulations and naturally would not let Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian be inconvenienced. She immediately left through the temporary star path Zhou Heng had created. At last, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian successfully returned to the Purple Tenuity Palace. The moment they arrived, the emperors within the observatory, constantly monitoring the star charts, became excited. The Ziwei Master and the Big Dipper have returned! The news of the return of the Ziwei Master and the Star Officer of the Big Dipper quickly spread throughout the Purple Tenuity Palace. Many Star Officers and Star Envoys assembled at the star gate to welcome the two of them, including high-ranking officers like Gou Chen, The Supreme, and Tianyi. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, stepping out from the star gate, were quite surprised to see so many gathered for their welcome. Logically, their current status did not warrant such a reception. Ziwei Master, Big Dipper, there is no need to be puzzled, one of the emperors came forward to explain. Everyone has a reason for coming to welcome you. First, they anticipate your inauguration of new privileges, and also because of the message the Big Dipper left earlier. It played a significant role. Now that she has returned, of course, we should properly welcome her. The message I left earlier? Cheng Jianjian first looked bewildered, then said solemnly, Is it about an Evil God? Yes, related to that, the emperor nodded and spoke, Ziwei Master, Big Dipper, please follow me. Tianyi has been waiting for a while. Tianyi Zhou Heng was also surprised. Tianyi, the leader of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and a Tao Lord, had always been at the forefront of resisting Evil Gods and demon entities. Usually too busy to attend even the tri-monthly meetings, it was unexpected that he would wait specifically for them. It seems that quite a bit has happened in Da Qi during the time Ive been away, Zhou Heng thought to himself and nodded, following the emperor along with Cheng Jianjian. As a high-ranking Star Officer and the leader of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, Tianyi also had his own palace within the Purple Tenuity Palace, called the Tianyi Palace. Tianyi was a Tao Lord, said to have achieved enlightenment thousands of years ago, and a longstanding power. His character was quite straightforward, usually getting straight to the point when he spoke. Ziwei Master, during the time you and the Big Dipper were away, weve had invasions by Evil Gods, Tianyi began plainly. And they appeared abruptly, and in no small numbersCsix of them. Fortunately, the message Big Dipper had left in advance put us on guard. This allowed us to prevent being besieged from both sides, effectively avoiding the surprise attacks of those Evil Gods and external demons. Five Evil Gods? Cheng Jianjian was shocked, I originally thought there was just one. In theory, even the weakest Evil God was a match for a Divine First Rank presence. The simultaneous descent of five, if unopposed, would have been a catastrophe on an enormous scale. Which five Evil Gods? Zhou Heng asked gravely, concern evident as he inquired about the names of these Evil Gods. Led by the Goddess who ensures lifes continuance from Yunxiao Heavenly Palace, and also two known as Bi Xiao and Qiong Xiao, Tianyi spoke gravely. The other two are called Bi Xia Yuanjun and Guan Zizai Bodhisattva. They are all Evil Gods of high esteem and rank. To resist them, many saints of the First Rank had to use their Unique Divine Weapons. San Xiao, Bi Xia Yuanjun, Guan Zizai Bodhisattva Zhou Hengs mind was roiled with shock at the roster of these Evil Gods. ` However, with the prior example set by the Innate Doumu Yuanjun paving the way, the shock Zhou Heng felt upon learning that these great beings were also Evil Gods was much less. Senior Tianyi, theres something Ive always been puzzled about. These Evil Gods, where do they come from, and why are they so intent on invading our world? Zhou Heng decided to voice his doubt. Hmm, I share this question, Cheng Jianjian nodded and said, It is said that many of these Evil Gods are beings above the Divine First Rank. What does our world have that such beings would covet? Where the Evil Gods come from is also something the organization has been investigating, Tianyi pondered for a moment before speaking. For now, we can only speculate that they are intricately related to the numerous immortals and gods that were active between heaven and earth during the Ancient Mythological Era, even the aura of their laws and melodies are the same But after some verification, it has been confirmed that some of the Evil Gods are indeed not the immortals and gods from the Ancient Era. Alas, too much history was lost during the Dark Era that followed the ancients, making many truths unknowable. He couldnt help sighing at the end. Even someone of your level of realm doesnt know? Zhou Heng was somewhat disappointed, but he didnt show it, saying, By the way, Senior Tianyi, since it was Cang Hua who colluded with the Evil Gods, what became of him in the end? He has been annihilated by the might of a Divine First Rank Saint, Tianyi nodded lightly and said, Azure Dragon and I are only Tao Lords; we couldnt completely erase a great demon, but a Divine First Rank can. This time, taking the opportunity to resist the Evil Gods, a Divine First Rank finally had the chance to conveniently eliminate him. From now on, Cang Hua will cease to exist, which can be considered as addressing a hidden danger. However, there is also bad news; due to the turmoil this time, the demonic intent between heaven and earth has strengthened, making it easier for demon entities to breed, and consequently, evil creatures and specters are appearing more and more frequently. Moreover, these malevolent spirits are generally strong, mostly at the level of notable beings of the Middle Third Rank, and the organization has fewer of Middle Third Rank numbers, so I will need to ask both of you to put in more effort in the future. It is our duty, Zhou Heng nodded with a smile. Senior Tianyi, rest assured, Cheng Jianjian also nodded his agreement. By the way, I have activated a few new privileges, but I dont know if the Inner Seats of the Five Emperors have mentioned this to you. These new privileges are quite effective for the current situation, Zhou Heng said. Can I activate them directly? He planned to take the opportunity to seek Tianyis approval to activate a few newly gained privileges of the Purple Tenuity Palace. It would be a great boon for the entire Purple Tenuity Yan Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Of course, you can, Tianyi had clearly been informed already, nodded slightly and said with a smile, The decision of the Master of Ziwei is enough; theres no need to discuss it with me. Furthermore, there is another matter. In the future, Azure Dragon and I will have less and less time to descend, and after a while, we plan to promote you to be the new leader, to preside over gatherings and handle the daily affairs of the organization. What? Zhou Heng was taken aback and exclaimed, But Ive only been part of the organization for two years, and my cultivation realm is not high, how can I take on the role of leader? It would be best for the lead of the Purple Tenuity Court to be taken by the Ziwei Emperor himself, Tianyi still insisted, his tone very serious, saying, We dont have much time to wait any longer. Your taking the leaders position can also speed up the mastery of the Purple Tenuity Palace and benefit the numerous organization members. It is an all-pros and no-cons decision. Senior Tianyi, its not that Im being modest Zhou Heng still felt it was inappropriate. Master of Ziwei, please dont decline any longer. This isnt just about the position of a leader; its also a hope against the Evil Gods and foreign demons, Tianyi said gravely. Your master agrees with the thoughts of Azure Dragon and me. My master? Zhou Heng was first startled, then realized who Tianyi was referring toCChen Dongxuan, his fifth-generation leader from the Pure Yang Palace, who, along with Yan Shouyi, were both disciples of the same master and had already achieved the status of Tao Lord. ` During the battle at the Imperial City of Zhongzhou, it was you, Zhou Heng, who mobilized the true power of the Purple Tenuity Palace to repel the attempted descent of the high-ranking evil god, the Eastern Mount Tai Emperor. You also frightened away numerous other evil gods, significantly easing the pressure on us, said Tianyi with a smile. We all witnessed that untouchable, unparalleled power, and it gave us hope. I see Zhou Heng fell silent briefly before nodding his head and replying, Alright, I understand now. Then its settled, said Tianyi, seemingly very pleased, and with a smile, he added, At the gathering in one month, I will explain this to the Azure Dragon, and of course, we will also communicate with some of the high-ranking Star Officers in advance to pave the way for you. Thank you, Lord Tianyi, Zhou Heng said as he clasped his hands together in a salute. Theres no need for such formalities, Tianyi waved his hands repeatedly and laughed, My lord Star Officer, here in the Purple Tenuity Palace, your saluting me is leading me away from the standing of Tianyi. Ah, this Zhou Heng was at a loss for words momentarily. Haha, just joking, Tianyi said in great spirits, turning to wave his hand as he spoke, My time here is nearly up, and I must return. As he spoke, his figure began to fade and soon disappeared without a trace. Tianyi returned once again to the frontlines of the battle against the evil gods and outer demons. Beidou, Im quite surprised, Zhou Heng turned to Cheng Jianjian, saying with a wry smile, How is it that someone like me, a mere ordinary member of the organization, is about to become the leader of the organization? Im afraid that the situation on Lord Tianyis side is far more critical than we had imagined, Cheng Jianjian sighed. Thats why they are looking to continue something visible as hope, which is the Purple Tenuity Palace you control. Hmm, I understand, Zhou Heng said, nodding solemnly, This time, with five high-rank evil gods trying to descend together, the impact was probably not minor. Things are likely not as easy as Lord Tianyi described, and the situation is probably not optimistic. I share the same thought, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly. After pondering for a moment, she looked at Zhou Heng and said, However, you need to be cautious with your control over the permissions of the Purple Tenuity Palace. Such a high-standing treasure might affect ones mind and judgment. You must be vigilant. I understand that, Zhou Heng nodded and then asked, By the way, what was the deal with the world you visited earlier? How did you travel such a great distance? I indeed have a certain connection with that world, Cheng Jianjian began to explain Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the Tianyi Palace, and it was the Fifth Emperors Inner Seat who rushed over with a scroll of bamboo task slips, calling out as he walked. Lord Star Officer, Beidou, theres been an emergency! Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian ultimately couldnt find a moments peace. The Inner Seat of the Fifth Emperor had received news that Pingzhou experienced a massive outbreak of demon entities. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only From a time before, many places within Pingzhous territory had already begun to see the emergence of demon entities, initially only at the Lower Third Rank level, but now Grandmaster-level demon entities had begun to appear. Such level of demon entities had exceeded the normal scope of what martial artists could handle. Because demon entities naturally possess a very strong mental shock and contamination, even a great grandmaster of the Absolute Fourth Rank could only yield ground when faced with Fifth Rank demon entities. Moreover, the spread of demon entities is incredibly aggressive, and if not dealt with swiftly, it could easily lead to widespread casualties and turmoil. Upon receiving the news, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian rushed over immediately. Chapter 408 - Chapter 408: Chapter 128: Dont Know How Many Blows It Can Withstand Chapter 408: Chapter 128: Dont Know How Many Blows It Can Withstand Pingzhou County City. Prefectural Governor Pei Hongdao personally welcomed the two Star Officers from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. The meeting was, of course, secret. Although the harm caused by the demonic calamity was already significant, even causing considerable panic, due to the nature of demon entities, it still could not be made known to ordinary people or even common martial artists. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had naturally come in their capacity as members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, as Ziwei and Beidou. Inside the government office of the prefecture. Pei Hongdao did not even have the time to offer a banquet to entertain the guests, instead, he led Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian straight to the study where he usually handled official affairs, and said with a serious expression, Star Officers, please forgive my negligence. The situation is urgent, and theres no time left. Hmm, Lord Pei, theres no need to apologize for that. Weve already seen the situation in Pingzhou, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, saying, However, we can only see the surface. We still need Lord Pei to describe the specifics. Thats right, the priority now is to eliminate the demon entities. Cheng Jianjian also nodded, adding, I wonder when these demon entities were discovered, and what impact have they caused? In fact, after Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian arrived in Pingzhou County City, they had spread out their Divine Sense to conduct a search, but they only detected the overwhelming Demonic Qi permeating the void and couldnt locate the source of the Demonic Qi. This meant that either the demon entity had reached the level of a great demon, capable of transforming itself into an intangible Dharma principle, further enhancing its characteristics between the tangible and intangible, making it more difficult to detect, or there were many demon entities in this area, and most of them had successfully opened up independent demon realms within the dreams of living beings to hide their tracks. Either situation was extremely tricky. Moreover, according to the information conveyed from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, this outbreak of the demonic calamity was not limited to Pingzhou County City; within the entire Pingzhou territory, various prefectural cities and counties were also experiencing the surge of demon entities of varying scales. This was a very serious matter. Thank you, Star Officers. Pei Hongdao nodded, his voice grave, About a month ago, near County City, there were strange cases of people falling into a deep sleep. The bailiffs dispatched by the county to investigate also fell asleep. The County Head realized the situation was far from simple and reported it to the prefectural city. But the people in the prefectural city couldnt resolve it either, so it came to me. Thats when it was determined that demon entities were responsible. However, by that time, other areas had also started having incidents. Fortunately, the ranks of the troublesome demon entities were not high, and with my Cultivation Realm, I was able to deal with them, so I didnt report it to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. But ten days ago, Pingzhou County City was suddenly shrouded in Demonic Qi, followed by a surge of powerful demon waves across various places. I used my Dharma Body to investigate and caught a glimpse of a demon shadow above the county city, trying to quickly drive it away Im ashamed to say that in just three breaths time after engaging with that demon shadow, I began to feel dizzy, with a splitting headache, and even my Dharma Body started showing signs of contamination. I had no choice but to retreat and report the situation here to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Due to the breaches in the barrier of the ninety-nine regions in recent years, leading to frequent breeding of demon entities, the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was severely understaffed. Thus, in most cases, the local officials would try to handle it themselves first, attempting to seal the demon entities and then report to the people of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. A Star Officer would come to eliminate the demon entities. Usually, only in serious situations, when the local officials are powerless, like the current situation in Pingzhou, they would truly seek help from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, asking for Star Officers to come and assist in quelling the demons. Pei Sir has been an Absolute Fourth Rank for many years, a Great Grandmaster who ranks on the Earth List, yet he was defeated in just three breaths? Cheng Jianjian was somewhat doubtful and uncertain. Even if the spirit contamination of Demon Entities is generally strong, capable of overpowering Martial Artists of the same level, the speed of Pei Hongdaos defeat still surprised her. After all, Pei Hongdao was not only the Prefectural Governor of Pingzhou County but also the contemporary Family Head of the Pingzhou Pei clan, heir to an ancient and powerful legacy, his strength far surpassing that of an ordinary Great Grandmaster. Such strength being effortlessly defeated by that Demon Entity, it was evident that the Demon Entitys power must be extraordinary. The main defeat was on the spiritual level, Pei Hongdao sighed. I can sense that the essence level of that demonic shadow shouldnt be too high; it definitely hasnt reached the level of a great demon comparable to a Celestial Man, but its spirit forces corrupting power is extremely strong, and my Dharma Body couldnt bear it. This is the characteristic of Demon Entities, but for it to be so formidable that even Pei Sirs years-cultivated Dharma Body cannot cope, this Demon Entity is not simple. Zhou Heng nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, Beidou, protect me with your charms, I will use astral projection to probe the reality of that Demon Entity. Okay, Cheng Jianjian nodded. Master Ziwei, this Pei Hongdao hurriedly tried to stop him, saying, The spirit contamination of that Demon Entity is extremely strong, are you going directly into astral projection without making any preparations? Having clashed with the Demon Entity, he knew of its formidable strength on the spiritual level; with his Dharma Body unable to contend with it, how could this Star Officer, merely at Sect Fifth Rank, confront it with his Dharma Phase? Although Pei Hongdao was fully aware that since the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had sent a Sect Fifth Rank and a Secret Six Rank here, they must believe these two could resolve the demon tide in Pingzhou, he still couldnt imagine how such cultivation realms could combat that powerful Demon Entity. He had initially thought these two had brought some secret treasure or even Divine Weapons from Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, but now it seemed that Ziwei actually intended to directly project his spirit and manifest his Dharma Phase to confront that Demon Entity head-on This was beyond Pei Hongdaos comprehension. Going into astral projection to investigate that Demon Entitys reality is the best preparation, Zhou Heng said as he sat down cross-legged, smiling. Pei Sir, rest assured, I know my limits. He understood Pei Hongdaos concerns, but at this time, any explanation was pointless; once they dealt with the Demon Entity, all worries would naturally dissipate. Pei Sir need not worry, Cheng Jianjian also stood beside Zhou Heng, protecting him, and smiled, Master Star always does things with certainty, do not worry. This Pei Hongdao hesitated to speak and finally could only sigh, Star Officer Sir, that Demon Entity is extremely dangerous, please be cautious. Mm, thank you, Zhou Heng nodded slightly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He then closed his eyes and with a gentle push of his hairpin, a stream of pure Qi burst from the top of his head, transforming into a cloud of auspicious mist, which flew into the sky and entered the Demonic Qi enveloping the skies of County City. The pure Qi separated by Zhou Heng gently swayed and immediately transformed into a young Taoist figure. Though the Taoists face was indistinct, he embodied an aura of the Dao, as if he were the origin of all things, inclusive of everything. In his hands, he held a Jade Ruyi, interwoven with purple and gold, and a Treasure Mirror that swirled with black and white Qi; around his waist hung a Golden Small Seal. I wonder if this Demon Entity can withstand a few of these? Chapter 409 - Chapter 409: Chapter 129: The Invasion of Civilization Chapter 409: Chapter 129: The Invasion of Civilization On the spiritual level, Zhou Heng was even stronger than in his normal state. This was due to the foundation set by the Great Bull Herder Picture and the meditation method, and the martial arts inherited from the Sanqing were not just martial artsCthey could evolve into countless techniques and laws once one grasped their true essence. Whether it were the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, the Yin Yang Reversal Divine Light, or the Xuanhuang Pagoda Technique, the Three Treasures Ruyi Fist, the Sword Technique of Conviction, they all transformed into meditative means of attack on the spiritual level. At this moment, Zhou Heng was doing just that. With the Great Bull Herder Picture as his base, he condensed an almost lifelike Divine Soul Dharma Body, but he made his own modifications to the imagery and the presentation of the Taoist Rhyme Theory. This allowed for a better alignment of the Dharma Body and his own body, yielding stronger power when unleashed, and as for the artifacts in his hands, naturally, they were all transformations of the Sanqing ultimate teachings. Demon entities possess the characteristic of indestructibility, especially those at the Absolute Fourth Rank. Their essence is extremely robust and much harder to eliminate. Therefore, Zhou Heng planned to go all out. He intended to use the artifacts manifested from the Sanqing inheritance to kill them. Aoove County City of Pingzhou, demonic Qi surged to the sky; deep within this demonic Qi, a delicate palace lay hidden. It is called delicate because the palace wasnt large. It was only the size of a typical two-courtyard residence, yet it had all the necessary facilities, including divisions for the main hall and side halls. Within this exquisite smaller palace, a young man in his twenties lay on a long chair, delighting in the dance of twenty-four beautiful women in the great hall. Sitting next to the young man was a middle-aged man who showed little interest in the dance of the women. Instead, he frowned and said in a deep voice, Youhe, have we become too complacent? Complacent? The young man referred to as Youhe sat up and chuckled, Does Huang Yu, my senior, think I am not cautious enough, worrying that those humans will take advantage of any weakness and breach our lovely Holy Temple? There are many strong individuals in the Human Race. You and I have not yet become great demons, and openly attacking the Human Races County City might very likely attract a Celestial Man, Huang Yu nodded solemnly and said, This is dangerous. Ha, a Celestial Man? Youhe, unconcerned, shook his head and laughed, What of the Celestial Man? With the nature of our True Spirits, as long as this Holy Temple stands, even if a Celestial Man descends here, they cannot eradicate us, much less imprison us. By the time we might need to flee, it wont be too late. Having said that, he stood up, pointed at those puppet-like dancing beauties in front of him, and laughed, The beauties from the Human Race are indeed more pleasing to the eye than those from the Nine Nether, with a gentle human warmth. At this time, the twenty-four dancing women inside the palace were actually common people from County City of Pingzhou. They had been drawn into Youhes dreamworld, turned into playthings. But I am still somewhat concerned, Huang Yu continued to attempt to persuade Youhe. Dont worry. We have already invaded this place for half a month. If there were any true masters, they would have come by now. Would they have let us continue our leisurely ways? Youhe waved his hand dismissively, slightly impatient, and with a slight tug, drew one of the dancing beauties into his arms, licked her beautiful face, and smiled at Huang Yu, One rarely gets to savor such pleasures after coming to the human world from the Nine Nether. Why not indulge yourself? No need. I will use the power of the Holy Temple to probe everything outside. Huang Yu shook his head, his brow still furrowed, saying, Ive had an ominous premonition since a while ago, feeling that something bad may happen. Sigh, you Youhe shook his head helplessly and with a casual wave, the women in the palace, including the one in his hands, all burst into a flow of energy, What a killjoy. Fine, go and check. What could possibly go wrong? Alright. Huang Yu nodded and was about to get up and leave. Boom! Just at that moment, the palace suddenly began to shake violently, as if it had been struck by something, causing Youhe and Huang Yu to stagger and almost lose their balance. Whats going on? Huang Yus foreboding feeling intensified, and he looked towards Youhe, Has something happened? Youhe was the true master of this Holy Temple, and undoubtedly knew best what was happening now. Can you believe a human martial artist has dared to come to this place permeated with demonic qi and attack my Holy Temple?! Youhe seemed to have seen something unbelievable, his face a spectacle of emotions, And its just a Fifth Rank Sect Master, haha, how interesting, truly interesting! As he spoke, he moved towards a wall in the palace and raised his hand to press on a tiger-shaped statue, meanwhile sneering, Little thing, youre simply courting death. Meanwhile, outside the exquisite palace. Zhou Heng retracted the Golden Small Seal he had just smashed towards the palace, feeling quite surprised himself, thinking, The essence of this palace is not low, it might already be comparable to a Celestial Man, and it also exists between the tangible and intangible, with my current methods, it would be difficult to smash it open. Roar! Just then, a pitch-black fierce tiger suddenly charged out from the exquisite palace, exuding murderous intent and malevolence, it opened its huge mouth and lunged at Zhou Heng to bite him. This fierce tiger was formed by the convergence of demonic qi, incorporating both spirit and matter, with enormous destructive power. An ordinary Great Grandmaster at the Absolute Fourth Rank wouldnt be able to withstand its attack. But Zhou Heng was different. The moment the fierce tiger charged at him, he revealed the Treasure Mirror in his hand, using its black side to reflect upon the tiger. The vicious tiger, under the black light of the mirror, immediately lost all ability to move and crashed down, quickly dissipating into clumps of demonic qi. Simultaneously, inside the exquisite palace, Youhe, who had been full of confidence, changed color, showing a look of disbelief. The tiger-shaped statue he had touched turned red and exploded into fragments in an instant. How is this possible? Youhes expression turned to one of shock and doubt, Hes just a Fifth Rank Sect Master. This person is extraordinary, very likely the Star Master from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer! Huang Yus brows furrowed into a knot, as he advised, Ive heard of this person before. He is a reincarnation of a powerful being and possesses the ability to control the Ziwei Star Palace; we should leave now. Ziwei Star Palace?! Youhe turned his head sharply towards Huang Yu, saying, I dont believe it, how can a mere Fifth Rank Sect Master wield such a treasure, I have never heard of such a thing Boom!! Just then, a loud noise sounded, the palace trembled violently once more, this time even causing the entire structure to rotate, the impact even stronger than before. The various features within the palace were sent into disarray by the collision, and the expressions of Youhe and Huang Yu both changed. Such a forceful impact had already surpassed what a normal individual at the Absolute Fourth Rank could achieve. Lets go! We leave here immediately. Youhe made a swift decision without any hesitation, altering his previous line of thought, he said sternly, Follow me and together well control the Holy Temple. He was confident, but he didnt want to take the risk; a martial artist of merely Sect Fifth Rank, able to unleash such mighty power, was clearly not normal. In the face of such an anomaly, the best course of action was to beat a quick retreat. This was the experience shared by many of his elders back in the Nine Nether. Alright. Huang Yu agreed as well. In fact, he had wanted to leave from the very beginning, but since their journey to the human world was headed by Youhe, he didnt insist on going against Youhes wishes. Now that even Youhe is planning to leave, he naturally approves with both hands. At the same time, outside the palace, Zhou Heng looked at this seemingly impregnable palace and fell into deep thought. Since the divine soul condensed Heaven Rotating Seal treasure image cant open this palace, then lets try something else. A thought crossed Zhou Hengs mind as he opened his mouth and spat out a streak of cyan sword light. This cyan sword light shimmered like ripples on water, carrying endless killing intent, yet it seemed to also condense the mysteries of time. Sword Technique of Conviction! Time Eternal! Lets go quickly, the bad premonition in my heart has grown worse, Huang Yu said somewhat anxiously. Whats the rush, Im already starting the holy temples mobility prohibition, Youhe said impatiently: With that kids methods, he cant break my holy temple for the time being, we have time to leave Clang! But at this moment, a sudden sword cry rang out, cutting off Youhes words. Both of them instinctively looked up, and immediately, the cyan sword light, like ripples of water, pierced through the palace, arriving above their heads, instantly causing their movements to become rigid. Youhe and Huang Yu suddenly found they couldnt move, even their thinking became sluggish, and everything around them came to a standstill as if time itself had frozen. What is this situation? What is happening? Fear overtook their hearts; this was a situation they had never encountered before. Time had come to a standstill! This power should not be possible for a Middle Third Rank martial artist to master, even an Upper Third Rank expert would rarely delve into it. The cyan sword light, like the ripples of the river of time, possessed the power to penetrate everything. Zhou Heng, having condensed his Divine Soul into a treasure image, easily passed through all the barriers of the palace with this sword light. He arrived at this very spot. Are you demon entities? Zhou Heng arrived in the palace following the Sword Technique of Convictions sword light, looking at Youhe and Huang Yu with a hint of surprise and a frown. The appearance of these two demon entities was unexpected. In his experience, demon entities usually were monstrous creatures with demonic spirits, existing between reality and illusion, extremely dangerous but without definite human forms. Whether it was the demon entities he had learned about from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, or those he had encountered before, they were mostly grotesque and rarely resembled humans. Even when they took on human forms, it was often just a whimsical change to deceive people. However, the two demon entities he now saw were different; they had a very real feeling about them, as if their current human appearance was their true form. However, Zhou Hengs question went unanswered. Because, under the terrifying power of the Sword Technique of Conviction, time within the palace had nearly stopped, making it impossible for Youhe and Huang Yu to say anything. Forget it, since they are demon entities, just kill them. Zhou Heng tossed the Jade Ruyi in his hand, striking the top of their heads, instantly smashing their brains. For an ordinary Absolute Fourth Rank martial artist, having their brains smashed would mean the destruction of their physical bodies, and their Dharma Bodies could hardly survive alone, resulting in an extremely weakened state. But demon entities are different, the essence of their Divine Souls is nearly indestructible; even if their external form is destroyed, their true spirits can still exist tenaciously. At this moment, Youhe and Huang Yu were in that state, their true spirits emerging from their destroyed bodies immediately, even breaking through the suppression of the purple-gold radiance of the Jade Ruyi, trying to escape. By then, the effect of Time Eternal had passed, and Youhe and Huang Yu regained their capability to think. Facing such a powerful enemy, their first reaction was to flee. Unfortunately for them, their true spirits had barely started to move when they ran right into a pitch-black Treasure Mirror. In an instant, intense and direct killing intent enveloped them, and pure death energy spread, causing the true spirits of these two people to lose their indestructible nature and start to disintegrate. Humans! You are doomed! How dare you This was the last thought Youhe had before nearing complete annihilation. As for Huang Yus true spirit, it disintegrated upon contact with the light of the Yin Yang Mirror, not even leaving a chance for last words. Congratulations! You have killed the weak enemy from the Youhe Clan, Huang Yu! Fortune Bag [Copper] +1. Congratulations! You have killed the mediocre enemy from the Youhe Clan, Youhe! Fortune Bag [Copper] +3. Reward notifications sounded. But Zhou Hengs heart felt little joy, his brow furrowing even deeper. This was the first time he explicitly learned that demon entities were actually categorized by race. The demon entities that appeared in this world mainly belonged to two types. The first were those naturally born of Demonic Qi contamination, these demon entities were not particularly powerful, usually possessing only demonic instincts, which is what Zhou Heng initially understood demon entities to be. The second type were demon entities that escaped from the West Wasteland forbidden area, most of these entities were stronger, ranging from Middle to Upper Third Rank, and they were generally blocked outside of the Ninety-Nine States Formation; Zhou Heng didnt know much about them. But whether it was one type or the other, Zhou Heng had never heard of them being categorized by race. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Why is there no mention of this in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers data on demon entities, or is this information restricted to the higher-ups to avoid causing panic among the members? Zhou Heng speculated. If demon entities are categorized by race, it means that these entities may already possess a relatively complete civilization system, suggesting that the Nine Nether Demon Realm might be far stronger than he previously believed. Even the continuous influx of demon entities through the channels of the West Wasteland might have a specific purpose, organized effort, and comprehensive planning. This means that resisting the invasion of demon entities is not simply a matter of repelling disorderly and randomly appearing foes but resisting the infiltration of another civilized system! There is actually such a thing Zhou Heng felt a chill run down his spine. Chapter 410 - Chapter 410: Chapter 130: An Unexpected Crisis Chapter 410: Chapter 130: An Unexpected Crisis The palace in Youhe obviously had sentience. After the True Spirit of Youhe was annihilated, the palace vanished without a trace, leaving no sign behind. At the same time, the demonic fog that enveloped the skies over Pingzhou County City also dissipated. Many people who had fallen into slumber due to the demonic fog awoke, but those who had been killed by Youhe and other demon entities in their dreams had no chance of awakening ever again. The disappearance of the demonic fog cleared the skies over the whole of Pingzhou. Both the Prefectural Governor Pei Hongdao and Cheng Jianjian were the first to notice this change. So quickly resolved? Pei Hongdao looked up at the sky in utter amazement. He had not expected the Ziwei Master to so swiftly rid them of the demon entities. He had a deep understanding of the strength of the demon entities that had entrenched themselves above Pingzhou County City. The Ziwei Master was merely of Sect Fifth Rank realm, yet he already possessed such formidable power, which was truly unbelievable. However, no matter what, with the crisis in Pingzhou averted, he, as the Prefectural Governor, was extremely pleased, exclaiming, The might of Lord Ziwei truly is extraordinary compared to ordinary martial artists. Indeed, the strength of the Master has always been formidable, Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, smiling and saying, He has returned, if Lord Pei has anything to say, you can speak frankly. At this moment, Zhou Hengs Divine Soul had returned to his body, opening his eyes and smiling, I have not failed in my duty. Those two demon entities have been subdued. However, the demon entities and the demonic Qi have been entrenched within Pingzhou for some time, and there might be a number of demon entities of Lower Third Rank that have spawned. These locally bred demon entities still need to be dealt with by Lord Pei. I and the Big Dipper have other matters to attend to, so we will take our leave now, farewell. Lords of the Star Offices, why the rush? I was hoping to host a banquet to express my gratitude Pei Hongdao wanted to retain them, but before he could finish his sentence, he saw two streaks of light flying out of the prefectures yamen, leaving Pingzhou County City. This left Pei Hongdao slightly startled, then he shook his head, feeling it was a bit regrettable. In these ever-chaotic times, even someone like him, a Great Grandmaster of Absolute Fourth Rank, often felt powerless, such as this time where, had it not been for the intervention of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, he could only have watched helplessly as the citizens of Pingzhou suffered. Therefore, he wanted to establish a good relationship with the two powerful beings from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, but it seemed now there was no chance. However, Pei Hongdao also understood the situation; everywhere there were signs of demon calamities arising, and the personnel of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer were always few, so their haste in leaving was quite normal. Father, brother has woken up. Pei Luoling rushed over, her tone cheerful, yet seeing her father sigh, she asked in confusion, Father, whats wrong? You seem somewhat downhearted. Its nothing, Luoshu is awake? Pei Hongdaos face showed joy as he walked over and smiled, Take me to see him. Among the citizens of Pingzhou who had been contaminated by the demonic Qi and had fallen into slumber was his son, Pei Luoshu, yet faced with such a situation, he was powerless and unable to do anything. This made Pei Hongdao truly feel that, despite being renowned on the Earth Ranking, even a Celestial Man-below-only Great Grandmaster was still very insignificant in the face of real disaster. I hope this calamity will subside soon, Pei Hongdao thought to himself with a sigh as he walked. Above the Purple Qi Cloud Platform, in front of Purple Tenuity Palace. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian explained to The Supreme and Celestial Man the situation they had encountered before, with a focus on the state of Youhe and Huang Yu. -Zhou Heng had already discussed this with Cheng Jianjian on the way here, including some of his speculations. This plunged the two old Celestial Men into silence. It seems, my speculation was indeed true? Zhou Heng took a deep breath and said, Does the Nine Nether Demon Realm actually have a structured civilization and various humanoid species? Yes. In the end, The Supreme nodded and sighed, It is not that we intentionally concealed it, but the matter is of great significance and could very likely cause ordinary organization members to lose their confidence in resistance. I understand this. Zhou Heng nodded, not surprised by this answer, and said solemnly, However, now that I have discovered this situation myself, I want to know everything about the Nine Nether Demon Realm. The two esteemed lords, given the current status of the Ziwei Master and the position he will be taking on afterward, should be privy to these matters, Cheng Jianjian also said from the side. Indeed, so it should be. Celestial Man nodded. We indeed should share the information about the Nine Nether Demon Realm with the Ziwei Master, said The Supreme, scratching his somewhat graying hair. However, the situation may differ slightly from what you speculated earlier. The Nine Nether Demon Realm does have a complete system of civilization and many species, but it is not a single civilization, nor does it consist of a combination of multiple species forming one civilization. In fact, the Nine Nether Demon Realm is not a single world but a vast ensemble of worlds, with numerous large worlds, each with its own complete civilization. The beings that came from the West Wasteland forbidden land to our world are just collectively labeled as demon entities. In reality, they may not all come from the same world or civilization, and their characteristics are quite different This Zhou Hengs mouth fell open slightly upon hearing this, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. The answer was beyond his expectations; he had thought he had already considered the crisis to be quite severe, only to find the reality was even worse than he imagined. He had originally thought the Nine Nether Demon Realm was just another worldly civilization different from this one. He had not expected it to be like this. This meant that the world he currently inhabited was not facing an invasion from a single Nine Nether Demon Realm. Instead, it was facing invasions from the numerous large worlds, civilizations, and species within the Nine Nether Demon Realm group! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two esteemed lords, what is special about the world we currently inhabit? At this moment, Cheng Jianjian suddenly asked, her expression serious, Evil Gods lurk beyond the heavens, and even supreme beings from unfathomable distances are watching over us here. The West Wasteland forbidden land is also connected to the Nine Nether Demon Realm, countless worlds, civilizations, and species are continuously attempting to come here, one after another. The two lords, I am very puzzled. What exactly does our world possess, what kind of secrets that make it so coveted by so many powerful beings? Indeed, this is also my doubt, Zhou Heng nodded and said, In terms of the essence of the world, the levels of natural principles of heaven and earth, spiritual materials and treasures, the myriad worlds, and the endless universe, there should be no shortage of worlds comparable to ours. But why is it that our world, in particular, is subject to such attention from so many Evil Gods and external demons lying in wait to invade? What is attracting them? The two lords, can you resolve our confusion? Chapter 411 - Chapter 411: Chapter 131 New Rewards Chapter 411: Chapter 131 New Rewards Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had both actually had quite a few experiences traveling to other worlds. Even though those worlds had crises of varying scales, the sources of these crises were often worrying, but they could concentrate their forces to resolve them. However, the main world they resided in was different. The crises being faced originated from various aspects, and they were all extremely grave. This was clearly not normal. Among those Evil Gods and demon entities, there was no shortage of existences at the Divine First Rank or even stronger levels, all converging together, competing to descend upon this world as soon as possibleCthere must be a reason for this. To them, this world surely held a fatal attraction. As for what specifically this attraction was, the two of them couldnt say, but they believed that the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and those confronting the Evil Gods and demon entities had been doing so for many years and probably understood something of the situation. The Supreme and Heavenly Principle once again fell silent. After a while, The Supreme finally sighed lightly and said, The question youre asking, actually, Heavenly Principle and I also once asked Tianyi and Azure Dragon, but we did not receive a clear answer. They only said that it might be related to the remnants of the Ancient Mythological Era and that period before the Middle Ancient, the Dark Era. They speculated that our world may contain profound secrets. As for the specific reasons behind this, even those esteemed ones probably have not truly fathomed them completely. Related to the remnants of the Ancient Mythological Era and the Dark Era, Zhou Heng said with a slight frown upon hearing this. This answer was something he had also guessed before, but for those living in the current era, the Ancient Mythological Era and the Dark Era were shrouded in thick fog, with far too few clues. While there were still powerful beings from the Dark Era who had survived to this day, they were either resisting foreign demon entities and Evil Gods or had gone into hiding, entirely elusive. These two eras are already secrets to us, said Cheng Jianjian with a grave voice. Yes, if even Tianyi and Azure Dragon havent quite figured it out, with our current Cultivation Realm, it seems even less hopeful for us, Zhou Heng said. Looking at it this way, I suppose I must diligently cultivate and strive to raise my cultivation and realm as soon as possible if I want to approach the truth? Cheng Jianjian said. Not necessarily, Zhou Heng looked back at The Supreme and Heavenly Principle and asked, Do the esteemed ones not have any clues that might be investigated? As for clues The Supreme hesitated to speak, somewhat uncertain. Oh come on, youre still as indecisive as ever, Heavenly Principle couldnt bear it any longer and said, Why the hesitation? Youve seen the Star Masters strength for yourself. Moreover, if it were truly dangerous, he would definitely have judgment. We need not worry too much. Then, he spoke to Zhou Heng, Star Master, there are indeed clues. However, that place is extremely perilous, and The Supreme is worried that your investigation there might result in unforeseen dangers, hence the hesitation. I believe that with your strength and insight, you would naturally know what to do. Besides, once you assume the position of leader, you will learn of this matter, so I might as well just tell you outright. Years ago, Tianyi and Azure Dragon discovered a peculiar world, in which the legends contained many of the Immortal Gods from antiquity that we know of, and even some Immortal Gods we do not. There also seemed to be a rather complete Immortal God System, referred to as Heavenly Court. ` Although Tianyi and Azure Dragon discovered that world when the Heavenly Court had already fallen and the Immortal Gods had all disappeared, in the mouths of the people of that world, such earth-shattering events had only occurred a little over a hundred years ago, The fall of the Heavenly Court, the disappearance of the Immortal Gods? Zhou Heng asked in surprise, Do the two lords have the directional information and specific details about that world? We do not, Tianyi shook his head and said, That world is special, and also very dangerous. Tianyi and Azure Dragon dont agree with members below the Upper Third Rank going to that world. Even if the members are of the Upper Third Rank, they need to apply to and be approved by those two lords, who will then preside over the Star Gate and transport the members who wish to descend. So, to get accurate information and directions to that world, we still need to find Tianyi and Azure Dragon? Zhou Heng frowned slightly, then nodded lightly, Thats also fine, since the next gathering isnt far off. The next gathering is on April 18th, and now its only the beginning of March, so theres less than half a month left. He wasnt in a hurry and could wait. Yes, at that time Tianyi and Azure Dragon should both be present to hand over organizational affairs to you, The Supreme sighed, The invasion of the Evil Gods and outer demons is becoming more and more severe, they can no longer be distracted. Alas, so many peers are struggling to maintain order, while only I and The Supreme can stay here in the Purple Tenuity Palace, unable to even venture out, Tianyi said, somewhat dejected, clenching his fist, Ah Didnt you say before that the Divine Soul Star Gate might work for you? Zhou Heng asked. After descending through the Divine Soul Star Gate into another world, one would indeed receive a new physical body, and on returning, one could choose to bring that body back. The Supreme and Tianyi had also thought about using this method to regain physical bodies. But seeing their current state, it seemed this approach was not feasible? Its not possible, The Supreme shook his head and said, Both Tianyi and I have tried this method. After descending to other worlds through the Divine Soul Star Gate, we indeed can obtain new physical bodies. But these bodies cannot fully accommodate our Primordial Spirits unless we can cultivate that physical body to the level of a Celestial Man. Otherwise, it simply cannot function as a normal body, the essential difference is too vast. Actually, even the body of a Celestial Man might not be able to bear our Primordial Spirits, Tianyi spoke up, In the past, The Supreme and I lost our physical bodies and only the Divine Souls remained, confined to the front of this Purple Tenuity Palace. Weve been here for more than thirteen hundred years. Over such a long stretch of time, continually bathed in the Taoist Formula of the Star Palace, our Divine Souls have been significantly elevated and have surpassed the usual scope of a Celestial Man. Indeed, it is so, The Supreme nodded slightly and smiled, With the current nature of our Divine Souls, not to mention the ordinary physical bodies of other worlds, even those of Celestial Men who have survived the Five Decays may not be able to bear it. The Primordial Spirit of a Celestial Man is entrusted to the void and interwoven with the Dao; its essence is tied to the nature of the interwoven Dao. Moreover, the higher the essence, the greater the requirement for the physical body. For this reason, any ambitious Celestial Man usually waits until after enduring the Five Declines to attempt to condense a Dao Seed. Because the more Declines one endures, the stronger the Primordial Spirit the physical body can sustain, meaning the Primordial Spirit can interweave with a stronger Dao and thus condense a more potent Dao Seed. The Divine Souls of The Supreme and Tianyi have exceeded the normal range of Celestial Men, and the prospect of them reconstructing physical bodies is likely as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Actually, we have both come to terms with it, The Supreme started to smile again, Weve made it through so many years. Staying in front of Purple Tenuity Palace, bathing in the radiance of the Star Masters Taoist Formulas, hasnt been so bad. Tianyi remained silent, lost in thought. Its been hard on both of you seniors, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian both felt somewhat moved. ` Afterward, they took their leave from the Purple Tenuity Palace and returned to Taihua Mount. Qi Rui had long since safely returned. Upon learning that Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian had returned, he took the initiative to go and greet them, escorting them to Jade Qiong Peak. Cheng Jianjian had a separate, exquisitely arranged courtyard on Jade Qiong Peak. Qi Rui had already left, and at this moment, only Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were present in the small courtyard. In the small pavilion at the center of the lake. The two of them sat facing each other. Junior Uncle, what was it you wanted to ask me earlier? Cheng Jianjian asked with a smile, Is it about that world? And about you as well. Zhou Heng said in a deep voice, I can feel that you have a deep connection with that world. Is it because of that Evil God? Yes, thats about right. Cheng Jianjian nodded, her expression somewhat complex as she said, I often dream of that world. In those dreams, I am the sovereign of all stars, the king of myriad gods, Gou Chen the Heavenly Emperor, and also the daughter of Doumu. Voices constantly call out to me, telling me that I am not Cheng Jianjian, not a mortal, but a venerable god, a collective entity of the Gou Chen concept, the elder sister and also the empress of the Ziwei Emperor A collective entity of the Gou Chen concept Zhou Heng frowned. About Gou Chen, he had heard many legends in his previous life, indeed each portrayal was different. In Taoist legends, it is referred to as Gou Chen Upper Palace Heavenly Emperor, the eldest son of Doumu Yuanjun, the biological brother of the Great Ziwei Emperor, overseeing the two poles and the three talents of heaven, earth, and man, commanding all the stars, and in charge of earthly warfare, one of the Four Imperials. Yet in traditional astrology, Gou Chen is a Star Officer in the Ziwei sector, located at the centers side, considered the Heavenly Emperors harem or principal wife, also known as the Empress. Some legends also describe Gou Chen as an ancient god, stating The image of Gou Chen is, in fact, named Kylin, located at the center, in charge of the wu day. It is indeed the benevolent beast governed by the virtue of earth. However, what Cheng Jianjian was saying now seemed different from all of these, one being a collective entity, the other, Gou Chen taking the form of a woman. Still, judging from her reaction, she seemed extremely averse to this situation. So you chose to take on the position of the Big Dipper Star Officer in order to resist this kind of intrusion by using the power of the Big Dippers star position? Zhou Heng inquired. Yes, the intrusion of these dreams was too severe, containing powerful star energy. To counteract it, one can only use the energy of a higher star position. Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly, sighing as she said, Actually, since becoming the Big Dipper, the intrusion has diminished a lot, but it is still continuing and as you know, my master and I encountered the great demon Cang Hua, so we could only escape through the connection to that world, ultimately going there. And now? Zhou Heng asked with concern. Thanks to the seal technique Junior Uncle used, I dont feel the intrusion of Gou Chens star energy at all anymore. Cheng Jianjians smile was radiant as she approached Zhou Heng, joyfully saying, Thank you! Haha, glad to hear youre all right. Zhou Heng also smiled, but he still had some concerns and said, However, why are you subject to the intrusion of Gou Chens star energy? This is a question. Ive considered whether I might be the reincarnation of some powerful being or have some connection with that mother of all stars Cheng Jianjian shook her head and sighed faintly, I went to the Star Palace to try to unravel this mystery, but unfortunately, events took a swift turn, and the mother of all stars was too strong. At this, she laughed again and added, If it werent for Junior Uncle turning the tide, I fear not only would I have failed to uncover the truth, I might have even lost my life. Hmm, when we have achieved something in our cultivation, we shall visit that world. Zhou Cheng contemplated briefly, then said, I can sense that the mother of all stars is not in a normal state, and I have many doubts I wish to resolve. Then we come back to the topic of our own cultivation. Cheng Jianjian smiled faintly, Junior Uncle, you have already condensed the Dharma Phase, while Im still at the True Gang stage, I have fallen a step behind. However, upon my return this time, Ive had some insights and plan to enter seclusion to cultivate and condense my Dharma Phase. I should be able to achieve a breakthrough before the organizations gathering. Good for you, Zhou Heng laughed, Ill look forward to the good news. After speaking with Cheng Jianjian, Zhou Heng returned to the Golden Top of Jade Void Peak. Yan Shouyi had not yet returned, and it was Chen Xuan who was still handling various affairs. This made Zhou Heng somewhat worried. Fortunately, he learned from Chen Xuan that half a month ago, Yun Xiu had sent a message briefly describing Yan Shouyis current situation. It was estimated that it would take another two months for Yan Shouyi to return. Zhou Heng temporarily set aside his worries and finally had the time to return to the side hall where he usually lived and start sorting out his gains from this trip. The rewards for previously killing two Absolute Fourth Rank demon entities need not be mentioned. Most crucially, it was when he used the Heaven Opening Seal with Cheng Jianjian and Qi Rui to shatter the pursuit of the Innate Doumu Yuanjun earlier on their return. This should count as the first time Zhou Heng truly confronted the Evil Gods true body. Previously, whether it was the Eastern Peak Great Emperor or Moksha Jia Ye, neither had been an actual confrontation: the former was directly deterred by the majesty of the Ziwei Star Palace, and the latter was just a partial avatar that came forth. Only this time, Zhou Heng truly repelled an Evil God named Doumu Yuanjun, and even the power of the Heaven Opening Seal followed the trajectory to track down the true body of that Evil God. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Such a battle brought extremely massive rewards and even led to the emergence of a new type of reward. Congratulations! By using the projection card Heaven Opening Seal [Silver] you have defeated the Evil God Innate Doumu Yuanjun (suppressed)! Hidden Treasure [Platinum] +1, Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +2, Fortune Bag [Silver] +2, Fortune Bag [Copper] +2. Additional reward options +2, Existing base attributes +2, Existing additional attributes +2, Special skill upgrade card +2, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas upgrade card +2, Lifespan +1000, Doumu projection card +1, Additional reward choice +1, Martial Arts Taoist Formulas proficiency big gift bag +1. Please choose 1+1 items from the following rewards. Chapter 412 - Chapter 412: Chapter 132 The True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra Chapter 412: Chapter 132 The True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra ` Please choose 1+1 item from the following rewards. 1 Divine Skill Pure Land in Palm [Silver]: Creates a Pure Land Buddha Country within your palm, where you control all the rules and can gather everything within a million miles into it, lasting for one hour. 2 Divine Skill Dusk of Fate Radiance [Silver]: A divine skill that simulates the effect of the supreme treasure Primordial Golden Cauldron, releasing divine light woven with the path of utmost fate, dismantling Taoist rhyme theories and eradicating supernatural powers, causing gods and immortals to fall to the mortal realm. 3 Divine Skill Descent of Countless Stars [Silver]: Summons the projections of the celestial stars and true spirits of the Milky Way to form a simplified version of the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array, lasting for half an hour. These reward options showed a clear difference from the previous ones. Previously, it was mostly some special ability, but this time its explicitly marked as Divine Skill, and also designated a grade. Zhou Heng, based on his past experience using Silver grade projection cards, speculated that the Silver grade should at least reach the Divine First Rank, possibly even stronger. After all, whether it was Ziwei Star Palace, Heaven Rotating Seal, or Heaven Opening Seal, all could very easily triumph over a Tao Lord, and even the avatars of high-level Evil Gods. Such might cannot be deemed anything but strong. Choosing two out of three, if not considering other factors and merely focusing on the power against enemies, the second and third options seem to be somewhat better. Zhou Heng thought silently, However, this Descent of Countless Stars brings projections of celestial stars and true spirits of the Milky Way. Who knows if any of them have turned into Evil Gods Better choose the first and second. Most of these Evil Gods were deities from mythological legends Zhou Heng knew, and since even Doumu Yuanjun had become an Evil God, one cannot rule out the possibility that other deities could turn into Evil Gods. Better to play it safe. The utility of Pure Land in Palm is not trivial, and in terms of applicable scope, it might even be better. After making this choice, it was time to open the Fortune Bags. Open all the Fortune Bags! Congratulations! Youve struck it lucky! Youve obtained the martial arts Innate Qiankun Skill [Absolute Fourth Rank]! Congratulations! Youve obtained the martial arts Holy Spirit Sword Method [Sect Fifth Rank]! Congratulations! Youve struck it lucky! Youve obtained the special ability card: Fooling Card [Copper]! Congratulations! Youve obtained the martial arts Void Flitting Somersault Step [Absolute Fourth Rank]! Congratulations! Youve obtained the Taoist Formulas Grand Five Elements Primordial Magnet Extinction Radiance [Absolute Fourth Rank] Congratulations! Youve received a basic attribute bonus: Will +3! Congratulations! Youve obtained the martial arts Huntian Baojian [Celestial Third Rank]! Congratulations! Youve struck it lucky! Youve obtained the Taoist Formulas True Spirit Heart Sutra [Celestial Third Rank]! A series of reward notifications floated through Zhou Hengs mind. Based on past experiences, he had anticipated significant gains from opening the Fortune Bags this time, with Sect Fifth Rank becoming the norm, Copper Fortune Bags yielding Absolute Fourth Rank, and Gold Fortune Bags likely revealing Celestial Third Rank items. He just didnt expect this round of rewards to be so explosive. ` True Spirit Heart Sutra! Upon seeing the name of this Taoist formula, Zhou Heng didnt think much of it, even hardly having any impression of this Taoist technique, but when he read the introduction, he immediately became overwhelmed with joy. [Celestial Third Rank] True Spirit Heart Sutra: This is the foundational Taoist formula for the Yuan Heart Seal among the nine seals of the Primordial Golden Scripture. It can stir emotions, affect the spirit, distort the soul, and manipulate the true spirit. It was a heritage of the Three Pure Ones, a legacy of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign! After obtaining the Overturning Heaven Three Palms and the Three Treasures Wishful Fist, he had finally obtained another heritage of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, and it was the very part of the technique that he was currently lacking. How could Zhou Heng not feel thrilled? Initially, when at the Lower Third Rank, and as a beginner at the Secret Sixth Rank, Zhou Heng would often combine various illusion techniques while fighting enemies, achieving effects that surprised and overcame the opponents spirit. However, those illusion martial arts were not very sophisticated. Neither the Sky-Earth Striking Method nor the Immortal Seal Technique were beyond the Secret Sixth Rank level, utterly unsuited for battling Absolute Fourth Rank or Celestial Third Rank powerhouses, and were no longer applicable to him now. Now that the True Spirit Heart Sutra had appeared, it perfectly compensated for Zhou Hengs shortcomings in this area, giving him more capability to resist when facing those of Celestial Third Rank power. Furthermore, the Secret Fourth Rank Taoist technique, Great Five Elements Yuan Magnetic Annihilation, also brought Zhou Heng considerable surprise. Now that his Five Virtues Dharma Body was complete, his next goal was to cultivate the Five Virtues Five Fortune Dharma Body, but he couldnt immediately find a way forward concerning the innate Five Fortunes. The acquisition of this quintessential technique related to the Five Elements may just provide the opportunity to find the path. After all, the Five Elements follow a cyclic pattern of generation and restraint, which shares certain similarities with the cyclic compatibility and incompatibility of the Five Virtues and the Five Fortunes. It should be feasible to enhance his exploration of the Way of the Five Virtues and Five Fortunes through studying the Great Five Elements Yuan Magnetic Annihilation Divine Light. Also worth mentioning is the Cloud-Traversing Somersault Step. This is a martial art, yet not the usual kind used for combat. To be precise, it should be considered as a technique used for travel, different from flight techniques; it is genuinely a true martial art. With the Somersault Step, travel a hundred thousand miles in an instant. According to the explanation of this supreme skill, if cultivated to the pinnacle, one could condense a Somersault Cloud. Even as just a Dharma Body, you could move one hundred thousand eight hundred miles in a single somersault. It is known that Great Grandmasters at the Absolute Fourth Rank still need to fly when traveling at a high speed. The ability to instantly cross a million miles, like Yan Shouyi, is something only a Celestial Power can accomplish. The fastest speed for normal Great Grandmasters at the Absolute Fourth Rank during flight is merely an instantaneous ten thousand miles. A somersault of one hundred thousand eight hundred miles is a speed that far exceeds the limit of the Absolute Fourth Rank. And for Zhou Heng, this martial art holds a slightly different significance. As a child, I dreamt of such things, and to think theyve actually come true. Zhou Heng couldnt help but marvel, even having a thought cross his mind, Should I forge another staff-type treasure weapon and learn a supreme staff technique? However, that was just a thought and not something he would actually put into action. With some time left before the gathering of Zhou Tian Boundary Officers, Cheng Jianjian had entered closed-door cultivation and Yan Shouyi had not returned. Zhou Heng, having nothing better to do, was also studying the True Spirit Heart Sutra in a side hall of the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, aspiring to master this divine spiritual Taoist technique as soon as possible. This was also his first real encounter with a Celestial Third Rank Taoist technique, and progress was expectedly slow. After half a month, he had only progressed 0.0000000000257%. It was truly difficult to learn. Nevertheless, it had not been without gains. Through his experiences over that period, Zhou Heng had come to understand that to cultivate this divine technique, specialized in attacking the spirit, it wasnt possible just through isolation and hard cultivation. One must experience the mortal world. Simply put, one needs to go out and about more often. Hmm, it seems I should indeed take a walk outside, Zhou Heng stepped out of the Golden Peaks side hall, and happened to meet Chen Xuan. At that moment, Chen Xuan was holding a document in his hand, frowning in thought, as if considering something. Whats the matter? Zhou Heng asked. Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle, Chen Xuan saluted Zhou Heng, saying, I am reviewing the outer sect disciples recently recruited from various martial arts schools across the land. Among them is a promising seedling, and I am considering whether to directly promote him to the inner courtyard. Oh? Zhou Heng smiled and said, What kind of promising seedling is he, to make you think of making such an exception for him? Chen Xuan, unlike his master Yan Shouyi, was a person who placed great importance on rules. He was methodical in his actions, and although he lacked some flexibility, he was very steady and never did anything against the rules. According to the rules of Pure Yang Palace, all disciples recruited from martial arts schools under its jurisdiction had to train in the outer sect for a period before they could enter the inner sect. Unless directly spotted by a grandmaster or even stronger expert, taken directly as a disciple, and becoming a true transmission disciple, bypassing this process was not necessary. Chen Xuan, who always held rules in high regard, now bore such a thought. It was enough to show that the promising seedling he mentioned was no ordinary individual. If you really value him, just take him as your disciple, Zhou Heng suggested with a laugh. Without the master here, I cant take a disciple on my own, Chen Xuan shook his head and said, I plan to let him enter the inner courtyard for a while. When the master returns, I will report this matter and take him as a disciple, but this would, after all, break the tradition. Its merely a matter of two months; why the rush? Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised and said, The difference between the outer and inner sect lies only in the practice of different foundation martial arts, and most early-stage practices share similarities, making the transition not difficult. Why be so impatient? The youth I have my eye on is almost eighteen years old. Its best if he begins practicing Pure Yang Wuji Stance as soon as possible, otherwise once he becomes an adult, he will miss the best time to lay the foundation. However, Pure Yang Wuji Stance is only taught in the inner sect, Chen Xuan sighed. You are still too rigid, Zhou Heng laughed. I have a way. Please enlighten me, Junior Martial Uncle, Chen Xuans eyes lit up upon hearing this. Pure Yang Wuji Stance is indeed only taught in the inner sect, but there is no rule stating that only inner sect disciples can practice Pure Yang Wuji Stance, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Whether he is from the outer or inner sect, as long as he learns this practice, that is enough. But without entering the inner sect, how can he learn this martial art? I havent taken him as my disciple yet, so directly teaching him martial arts wouldnt be proper, Chen Xuan frowned and said. Just let him learn it in his dreams, Zhou Heng chuckled. For thousands of years, Taihua Mounts Pure Yang Palace has spread its influence, with Taoist rhyme theory woven everywhere. If he happens to come across it and learns the martial arts in dreams, isnt that also acceptable? Can it really be done that way? Chen Xuan looked astonished. Always one to follow the rules, he had never considered such an approach. However, he was not inflexible and soon nodded, smiling, Yes, thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, for the advice. This indeed is a solution, allowing the boy to build a strong foundation in advance without wasting time. Whats the boys name, and where does he come from? Zhou Heng inquired. His name is Ye Qin, from Yushan Prefecture in Pingzhou, which is right next to your hometown, Junior Martial Uncle, Chen Xuan replied. My hometown Zhou Heng paused, aware that Chen Xuan referred to Huangtong Mansion City. His gaze shifted towards Pingzhou, and he nodded slightly, Indeed, it has been a long time since I last visited. To him, Huangtong Mansion City could indeed be considered his second hometown. He had many familiar faces there that he had not seen for a long time. After bidding farewell to Chen Xuan, Zhou Heng left Taihua Mount. As for Ye Qins matter, he left it to Chen Xuan to handle on his own; he just offered a suggestion, after all. Passing through the starlight bridge of Ziwei Palace, Zhou Heng quickly traversed hundreds of thousands of miles and arrived outside Huangtong Mansion City. Gazing at the familiar city gates and the still bustling street, he felt a flood of emotions. Actually, when he had pursued Qingxia God in an attempt to cooperate with Qing Emperor Palace, Zhou Heng had also returned to Huangtong Mansion City. But at that time, he had been preoccupied with pressing matters and hadnt managed to catch up with friends. This time, Zhou Heng entered Huangtong Mansion City just like any ordinary passerby, following the crowd. Step by step, he slowly strolled, taking in the streets. After entering the city, Zhou Heng overheard many people discussing a martial arts contest. The main characters of the topic were two Ninth Rank Warriors. One of them was an apprentice of Pure Yang Martial Arts named Jiang Hong, who had reached Ninth Grade at just sixteen and was rumored to have the potential to be selected as an external disciple of Pure Yang Palace within two years. The other was from the neighboring Jade Mountain Prefecture, a traveler named Yang Zhengguang, seventeen years old. However, unlike Jiang Hong, this Yang Zhengguang was a Loose Cultivator Martial Artist, who would often travel far and wide to challenge martial artists of similar strength to enhance his own martial arts skills. Yang Zhengguang had happened to travel to Huangtong Mansion City, and upon hearing that among the younger generation of Ninth Rank Warriors, only Jiang Hong was formidable, he initiated the duel that everyone was now talking about. To ordinary people, the duel between these two was just an exciting event to witness, but after hearing some of the discussions, Zhou Heng felt that there was something abnormal. There seemed to be no issue with Jiang Hong, his talents were simply exceptional, but Yang Zhengguang was likely problematic. Given the current situation, the proliferation of demons, ghosts, and evil creatures, both in number and scale, had increased significantly from before. Especially in the wilderness, it was even more dangerous. If one wished to travel outside, even Seventh Rank Warriors had to be extremely cautious, let alone someone like Yang Zhengguang, a Ninth Rank Warrior. Normally speaking, a mere Ninth Grade had no business traveling about. It was too dangerous. Yet now, Yang Zhengguang had already arrived at Huangtong Mansion City. Zhou Heng guessed that someone was likely helping him in secret, but as to the purpose of this help, it was unknown. Might as well go see this duel in person. It wasnt that he was worried about anything. After all, with Jiang Tafa here, no one could stir up any trouble. He was mainly just curious. In a residence in the North District of Huangtong Mansion City, Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Yang Zhengguang had finished practicing his standing postures and had slightly calmed his qi and blood. He then cocked his head to listen intently, looking deeply focused, as if he were listening to someone speak. After a while, he nodded seriously and said, Mmm, the elder is right; this prefectural city is indeed quite safe with no traces of strong martial artists. Its perfect for our actions. At this point, he paused again, appearing as if he were listening to someone speak. Finally, a murderous light flashed in Yang Zhengguangs eyes, and he sighed softly, What a pity, Jiang Hong. He planned to kill Jiang Hong during the duel. Chapter 413 - Chapter 413: Chapter 133 Celestial Man Observes Qi Chapter 413: Chapter 133 Celestial Man Observes Qi Zhou Heng arrived at the Pure Yang First Martial Academy and saw Jiang Tafa fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan at the entrance. Senior Jiang, he greeted with a cupped fist salute. No, no, no, Jiang Er quickly shook his head and said, You are my employer, old man. Im still counting on you to pay me so I can eat. Please dont call me Senior. This Tao Lord seemed to have become more worldly over time, with a stronger human touch, almost as if he were truly just an old man who watched the gate and sold tickets at the Pure Yang First Martial Academy. Then shall I address you as Mr. Er? Zhou Heng said with a smile. What Mr. do you call a gatekeeper and ticket vendor? Jiang Er continued to shake his head, but then he seemed to reconsider and said, Since the employer insists, just call me Old Jiang. Old Jiang alright, Zhou Heng nodded and inquired in a low voice, Old Jiang, how is the city doing recently? Overall quite peaceful, but Jiang Ers fanning paused as he pointed northward and said, There seems to be something abnormal over there, hiding something that should not see the light of day. Oh? Upon hearing this, Zhou Heng looked towards the North District of Huangtong Mansion City and his gaze sharpened before he used the Celestial Man Observation Technique. This Taoist Formula was based on emulating the Tao power of a Celestial Man to observe the changes in the laws of heaven and earth, and to watch the trajectories of fortune change. With this method, he could see the state of luck of all beings in the North District. Should there be any anomalies, they would stand out immediately. At this moment, in Zhou Hengs eyes, the North District was rising with hundreds of thousands of white columns of fortune. These were all common people, and white represented the most basic color of their fortune. Among these hundreds of thousands of white columns, many blue ones were also mixed inCthese were martial artists with some level of skill, but none were of Middle Third Rank. Such a state of fortune was quite normal for Huangtong Mansion City. However, Zhou Heng spotted an anomaly among them. Among these blue columns of fortune, one was emitting a faint golden light, so weak that it was barely noticeable, but it certainly existed. White, blue, purple, gold, red. Gold light was basically something only a cultivator with incredibly dense fortune, an Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster, or a Celestial Man possessed. It should not appear on someone with merely blue-colored fortune. Hmm, there certainly is some abnormality, Zhou Heng nodded and smiled, Thank you, Old Jiang, for the heads-up. Its not a big deal, Jiang Er continued to fan himself and said, But still, there are some abnormalities, so you should be careful, employer. Rest assured, Old Jiang, Zhou Heng said with a smile. After that, he left the Pure Yang First Martial Academy and headed directly to the North District. He found the young man with the abnormal fortune. Yang Zhengguang. At this moment, in a courtyard in the North District, Yang Zhengguang, having just finished receiving guidance, was contemplating how he could kill Jiang Hong in one strike. Although he had some unique attributes, his real cultivation level was only Ninth Grade, and the difference between him and Jiang Hong was vast. To kill with one strike would indeed be quite challenging. Senior, can you teach me stronger martial arts techniques? Yang Zhengguang asked in a low voice as he tilted his head to listen, but this time, he received no response. It was as if the senior who had always taught him martial arts and guided his cultivation had suddenly ceased to exist. Senior? Yang Zhengguang became somewhat panicked, Whats going on? Whom are you calling senior? A voice tinged with amusement came, Zhou Heng walked slowly into the courtyard, smiling, Ive always enjoyed making acquaintances with remarkable and unusual people, why dont you introduce me? You, you are Yang Zhengguang, essentially just an ordinary youth, instantly turned pale with fright as his eyes darted around in a state of complete confusion, stammering, Wh-what senior? I, I dont understand, what are you talking about? Is that so? Zhou Heng still wore a smile on his face as he looked behind Yang Zhengguang, Dont worry, I mean no harm, Im just here to check things out, could you please show yourself? At once, the courtyard fell into complete silence. You could hear a pin drop. What exactly are you here for? I really dont understand what youre saying, Yang Zhengguang seemed to muster some courage as he widened his eyes at Zhou Heng, This is my home, please leave! I see, maybe I was mistaken then, Zhou Heng replied with a smile, producing a golden leaf from his hand, I apologize for intruding uninvited, here is a Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula inscribed on this golden leaf as an apology. Afterward, he placed the gold leaf in Yang Zhengguangs hand and turned to leave, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Wh-what?! It took Yang Zhengguang a while to regain his senses, his gaze subconsciously fell upon the gold leaf in his hand, murmuring, A Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula, a Taoist Formula?? Thanks to the directions from that senior, his knowledge was much greater than that of a common Ninth Grade Warrior; he was aware that beyond martial arts, there were also other strange and extraordinary methods. Compared to martial arts, Taoist Formulas were even rarer, and this was a Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula, which greatly excited Yang Zhengguang. Sect Fifth Rank! Even if it had been a very basic martial arts technique, such a level of secret manuals were once completely out of his reach, and now he had obtained one so easily. This couldnt be a dream. Boy, what are you holding in your hand? Throw it away at once! Just then, a familiar voice rang out in Yang Zhengguangs mindCit was that senior he had always relied on. Ah? Suddenly snapped out of his trance, Yang Zhengguang reflexively heeded the seniors command, hastily throwing the gold leaf away, Senior, Ive thrown it away, but that was a Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula. Through their time spent together, he knew that while the senior could converse directly with him in his mind, he couldnt directly sense his surroundings without being informed by Yang Zhengguang. This time, however, there seemed to be an exception; first, that strange man had appeared, and the senior suddenly vanished, now it seemed that he had somehow perceived the existence of the gold leaf. A Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula is nothing, I will teach it to you later, the voice in Yang Zhengguangs mind said, Boy, just now I suddenly felt an extremely powerful presence, has someone been here? Can you directly sense the outside through me? Yang Zhengguang countered without answering. No, but if there is such a powerful presence with an intense aura, I would sense a forewarning, the voice explained, Who was the person who just came? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only I, I dont know them Yang Zhengguang believed the senior. What was the name of that Taoist Formula? the voice inquired. The Five Thunder Righteous Method Gold Book. Yang Zhengguang glanced briefly at the gold leaf on the ground as he replied. He has indeed discovered me! the voice exclaimed in alarm, Leave immediately, leave this city! Ah? Yang Zhengguang was instantly bewildered. Chapter 414 - Chapter 414: Chapter 134: Demons Enter the Human World Chapter 414: Chapter 134: Demons Enter the Human World Zhou Heng left Yang Zhengguangs house and headed towards Yu Hes place. When entering the city, he overheard pedestrians discussing how Yu He, the famous wealthy young master of Huangtong Mansion, got married half a year ago. He had missed the wedding feast before, and now that he was back, he naturally wanted to enjoy a meal there. That young scoundrel went to drink flower wine every day, who knows from where he conjured up a bride. Could there really be a girl willing to marry that thing? As for Yang Zhengguangs situation, Zhou Heng had already taken care of it. At such a close distance, the effects of Celestial Man Observation Technique had reached their peak, enabling him to clearly see the condition of both Yang Zhengguang and the soul that dwelled within him. Yang Zhengguang himself was unproblematic, merely an ordinary Ninth Rank Warrior. His unusual aura was due to a strand of Celestial Spirit Remnant that resided in his sea of consciousness. This strand of Celestial Spirit Remnant was exceedingly weak, like a candle flame in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment. It could only dwell in Yang Zhengguangs sea of consciousness; once it appeared in the outside world, it could be snuffed out completely. It is said that the Primordial Spirit of the Celestial Man is indestructible when anchored in the void, but this particular Celestial Man had fallen into such a pathetic state. For Zhou Heng, dealing with a Celestial Spirit Remnant of such a degree was far too simple. He could erase it directly with just a slight effort. But he did not do so. A Celestial Spirit Remnant taking refuge in the sea of consciousness of a Ninth Rank Warrior, and seemingly about to stir up some trouble recently, most likely had an ulterior motive. Zhou Heng wanted to figure out what this ulterior motive could be, whether it involved malevolent spirits, and whether it would bring a great crisis to Huangtong Mansion City. After all, Huangtong Mansion City was no ordinary place. This city suppressed the half-bone of a Demon Lord, which had previously attracted Overseas Loose Cultivators, great demons, and Ghost Immortals who tried to break the seal, sparking battles that almost led to catastrophe for Huangtong Mansion City. Though now Huangtong Mansion City had Jiang Tafa, a Tao Lord, which theoretically should have meant there would be no major crisis, Zhou Heng couldnt be certain of Jiang Tafas true intentions, nor whether this reclusive Tao Lord would indeed protect Huangtong Mansion City. He did not wish to place his hopes on an uncertain matter. It was wiser to investigate and clarify things himself. Yang Zhengguang and the Celestial Spirit Remnant residing within him were the clues. He naturally could not easily erase it. However, although Zhou Heng had not acted directly, he still left behind a gold leaf as a spirit talisman for connection. On the surface, the gold leaf seemed to contain records of the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book, but in reality, it was a Five Thunder Righteous Method Spirit Talisman, which was extremely effective against soul beings. With one strike, even an Absolute Fourth Rank Ghost Immortal would suffer serious injuries. This was enough to cause that strand of Celestial Spirit Remnant to feel wary, even fearful. Thereby, Zhou Heng could verify some things. If this Celestial Spirit Remnant had grand schemes, and if Huangtong Mansion City held great importance within them, then it would most likely seek out help, achieving the effect of drawing the snake out of its hole. If the Celestial Spirit Remnant instead made Yang Zhengguang leave Huangtong Mansion City, it would mean that the city did not hold a particularly important place in its schemes. Either way, this could help prevent a crisis for Huangtong Mansion City. In fact, Zhou Hengs arrangements didnt end there. In addition to leaving behind the gold leaf, he utilized a recently conceived secret technique that influenced the spirit to place a suggestion within Yang Zhengguangs mind. The suggestion made Yang Zhengguang extremely eager to cultivate the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book. As long as Yang Zhengguang retained his desire for the Five Thunder Orthodox Gold Book in his mind, Zhou Heng could sense his whereabouts and monitor the movements of him and that strand of Celestial Spirit Remnant at any time. If anything unusual happens, deal with it immediately. This was the method he had summarized when he had contemplated the True Spirit Heart Sutra previously, combining the martial and spirit secret techniques such as Sky-Earth Striking Method and Immortal Seal Technique he had practiced. It still lacked a specific name, but it was quite practical. That was why Zhou Heng was even more eager to truly master the True Spirit Heart Sutra. Just a little gain from contemplation had proven so useful, so if he were to truly cultivate it to completion, wouldnt he be able to play with peoples minds and spirits at will? What a formidable power that would be! Yu Hes reputation was now very high; he was considered a celebrity in Huangtong Mansion City. All this was thanks to his management of Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. Backed by the towering presence of Pure Yang Palace, combined with his own knack for handling such affairs, in just over a year, he had developed Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall into the biggest martial arts hall in Huangtong Mansion City. Not only were its apprentices and trainers better than those of other halls, but his revenue streams were also diverse, transforming the martial arts hall from a place that solely selected disciples into an institution that could profit in various ways. Last year, Pure Yang Martial Arts Halls net profit in Huangtong Mansion City even surpassed that of Pure Yang Palaces businesses elsewhere. Yu He could truly be called a business genius. Some time ago, a Grandmaster in charge of overseeing external business profits from Pure Yang Palace had even visited to meet with Yu He; he left with nothing but admiration after their exchange. Its been a while, and this kid has become even more impressive. Zhou Heng felt happy inside and with a smile on his face, arrived outside Yu Hes newly acquired mansion. Since there had been a wedding there just half a year ago, red lanterns hung and happiness characters adorned the walls and gate, making it look quite festive. Taoist master, whom are you looking for? The doorman at the gate asked politely. Zhou Heng was dressed in a Pure Yang Palace Taoist robe, which made him look like a Taoist who wandered the world. Im looking for Yu He, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Ah? Searching for the young master The doorman showed an embarrassed expression, unsure of how to respond. He had just recently come to the prefectural city from a lower county and hadnt met Zhou Heng, so he was somewhat troubled about this stranger seeking his master. He was afraid of causing trouble. Tell him, its Zhou Heng looking for him, Zhou Heng understood the servants thoughts. You are Zhou Heng, the Taoist Zhou?! The doorman excitedly said upon hearing his words: The young master often talks about you, saying he has a good brother who became an Immortal up on Taihua Mount. Taoist master? Zhou Heng was surprised by the title, not expecting to be addressed this way. However, upon reflection, it seemed understandable. Though Da Qi had many Middle Third Rank and even Upper Third Rank powerful beings, for the vast majority of common people, a Seventh Rank was the strongest being they could encounter in their daily life. To many common folks, Middle Third Rank warriors, who could travel to the realms beyond, were already untouchable and lofty figures. It was not particularly strange in some remote areas to call those who could fly and vanish into the sky Immortals. With Pure Yang Palace traditionally known as a sect with Immortal status among people, the way Yu He spoke of him becoming an Immortal on Taihua Mount didnt seem problematic. Since you are Taoist Zhou, please do come in. I will notify the young master right away, the doorman said with a reverent expression, bowing low and welcoming Zhou Heng into the gate. Theres no need for such formality, Zhou Heng said with a smile, gently shaking his head as he walked through the mansion gate, just in time to see Yu He walking towards him from a distance, accompanied by a woman dressed in plain white clothes. ` The girl appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. While her looks were not particularly stunning, she was still above average, with an air of gentleness and intelligence. Her hair was already done up in the style of a married woman; she must have been Yu Hes newlywed wife. Zhou Heng! When Yu He saw Zhou Heng, he immediately burst into hearty laughter and hurried over, When did you get back? How come you didnt let me know? Just entered the city, and here I am to see you, Zhou Heng smiled, I missed your wedding feast before, so I have to make you make it up to me this time. Hahaha! No problem, we brothers havent seen each other for so long, we must drink to our hearts content! Yu He seemed much more open-hearted than before, and there seemed to be some changes in the way he spoke and acted. Business has been good? Youre being so formal with me, Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow. Hiss, you noticed, huh? Sigh, once a habit is formed, its tough to change, Yu He spread his hands in resignation and said, Come on, lets go find Master Lin and Grandmaster Lei, its been a long time since we all got together. Sure, Zhou Heng nodded, then pointed at the woman beside him and smiled, Arent you going to introduce us? Oh, right, I got so excited seeing you that I forgot, Yu He laughed happily, This is my wife. We met in adversity a year ago, and as time passed, we developed feelings for each other, and naturally became husband and wife. Thats wonderful, wonderful, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Shall we go find Master Lin and Grandmaster Lei, and talk while we walk? Alright! Lets go! Yu He laughed. On the way to the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, Zhou Heng asked Yu He some more about his wife. For instance, how they met and some details of their time together. Yu He answered each question one by one. By the time they reached the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, Zhou Heng had more or less figured out the situation. Yu Hes wife was named Bai Husheng, nineteen years of age, with parents who had passed away early. Since her childhood, she had been practicing her familys martial arts and was a talented individual, reaching the Eighth Rank at a young age. A year earlier, Yu He was out on business when he encountered bandits. His guards were all injured, and it looked like he was going to be captured. At that moment, Bai Husheng suddenly appeared, fought off the bandits with great effort, and saved Yu He. However, Bai Husheng was also being pursued for assassination at that time and had sustained serious injuries, so she took Yu He and fled together. The two spent nearly half a month together living a fugitive life before finally returning to Huangtong Mansion City. Once outside the city, they settled down, and Bai Husheng stayed in Yus house. Gradually, Yu He and she grew closer and closer. Familiarity bred fondness, and things fell into place naturally. Everything seemed quite normal. Upon reaching the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall and meeting Lin Cang and Lei Xiuyan, Zhou Heng did not continue to inquire about Bai Husheng. Afterward, the four of them went to a tavern they used to frequent, reminiscing and indulging in food and drink. Lin Cangs martial path had progressed, reaching the Eighth Rank level, which made him one of the stronger trainers in the prefectural citys martial halls. Lei Xiuyan, however, still had not reached the threshold of the Secret Sixth Rank, a challenge too difficult for ordinary martial artists. When talking about Zhou Hengs experiences over the past two years, both men were quite delighted, as Zhou was their apprentice, and now that he had achieved so much, they shared in his glory. Yet, at this apparently harmonious dinner table, everyone could feel a certain barrier that hadnt existed before between them. After the meal and drinks were finished. Lin Cang, slightly drunk, came over and patted Zhou Heng on the shoulder, and said with a smile, Little Zhou, Im really happy that you still call me Master Lin even now. I mean it, Im truly happy. A Fifth Rank Sect Master, thats a figure I couldnt even look up to before. ` Old Lin, youre drunk, Lei Xiuyan supported Lin Cang, and also looked towards Zhou Heng, his expression slightly complex as he said, Little Zhou, I heard that reaching Middle Third Rank can extend ones lifespan, right? Yes, Secret Six Rank lives for three hundred years, Sect Fifth Rank lives for five hundred, and if one attains the pinnacle of Fourth Rank, they can have a thousand years of longevity, Zhou Heng nodded slightly. A thousand years of longevity Thats truly the life of an Immortal, Lei Xiuyan sighed softly and said, Little Zhou, some days ago, my father, whom youve also met, passed away from illness. The old hall master passed away? Zhou Heng was taken aback upon hearing this, then sighed, Hall Master, please accept my condolences. Yes, Lei Xiuyan nodded, offering a forced smile, In the end, were only ordinary people. Little Zhou, Ill take Old Lin back first, you guys chat. With that, he helped the somewhat drunken Lin Cang leave. Master Lin and Hall Master Lei are thinking too much, I actually think being an ordinary person is quite nice, hehe, Yu He laughed. Look, I got a wife before you did, big brother should hurry up too, or my kid will be fetching soy sauce while youre still without a family. Im not in a rush for that, Zhou Heng smiled.Update by n0vgo.c0 Hehe, thats also true, youre now a Fifth Rank Sect Master, able to live five hundred years, ah, five hundred years, thats several lifetimes, Yu He also seemed a bit pensive, and said, If one could really live that long, it seems it wouldnt be so bad. However, I dont have that talent. Dont worry, later Ill refine some life-extending elixirs, letting you live another hundred years or so wont be a problem, Zhou Heng chuckled. Is that even possible? Yu Hes mouth fell open and then he shook his head, Forget it, by that time the people around me will likely have mostly died off, living another hundred years alone wouldnt mean much. That may not necessarily be the case, Zhou Heng suddenly shook his head. Yu He fell silent, and after a good while, he spoke with a bitter expression, Let her go, please? She wont do evil, and she definitely wont harm me. You trust her just like that? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed slightly. I trust her, Yu Hes expression was resolute. Since the Middle Ancient times, there have been very few demonic beings in the world, and they almost always view humans with hostility, Zhou Heng said gravely, Im not sure she truly wont harm you, but I advise you to be cautious. Bai Husheng was a Fox Demon. Zhou Heng had realized it the moment he had seen her at Yus residence. I dont want to always be on guard against the person by my side, Yu He, however, shook his head and said, That would be too tiring. Since Ive married her, I trust her. This makes me sound like Im the villain from a storybook, beating mandarin ducks with a bat, Zhou Heng laughed. Yes, indeed very much so, Yu He laughed as well. I dont plan to act that way, Zhou Heng shook his head and said, The choice is yours, since you trust her, I wont interfere. Good brother, Yu He nodded seriously and smiled, Thanks. This conversation, touching upon changes of the heart, gave Zhou Heng a lot to ponder. The proficiency of the True Spirit Heart Sutra had markedly improved. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, in the end, he still chose not to interfere in the matter of Yu He and the Fox Demon. Of course, just to be safe, Zhou Heng left a concealed spirit talisman on Yu He. It could defend against one attack from a power below Absolute Fourth Rank. Moreover, once the spirit talisman was triggered, he would immediately sense it. An uncommon union between a demonic being and a human in the world made it impossible for Zhou Heng to not pay attention. Chapter 415 - Chapter 415: Chapter 135: The Desolate Bell Tolls! Chapter 415: Chapter 135: The Desolate Bell Tolls! The night sky was dimly lit by stars. Outside of Huangtong Mansion City, in the mountain paths, Yang Zhengguang was fleeing with all his might, desperate to put as much distance as possible between himself and the prefectural city. This was not actually his own volition, but rather the advice of the senior in his mind. According to the senior, if he didnt quickly get away from Huangtong Mansion City, he would certainly be captured and subjected to relentless torture, forever losing his freedom. As for the reason, it naturally had to do with that senior residing in his mind. In this regard, the senior did not conceal anything. Trusting this senior, Yang Zhengguang hardly hesitated before deciding to leave Huangtong Mansion City. To escape with his life! However, Yang Zhengguang, after all, was merely a Ninth Rank Warrior with limited stamina. After such a long time of fleeing, he was bound to become exhausted. After running for about fifty li, he was completely drained and had no choice but to rest in a dense forest temporarily. Senior, when I left the prefectural city, I heard some news. The person the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall is focusing on, the younger brother of the head of Pure Yang Palace, Zhou Heng has returned. Hes a newly promoted Grandmaster, probably the person who came looking for me before, Yang Zhengguang whispered. A Grandmaster? The senior inside his mind exclaimed incredulously, Thats impossible. If he were only a Grandmaster, his Divine Soul Power couldnt possibly be strong enough to penetrate through the barrier of your body and let even someone in my weakened state sense his pressure. But if not him, I cant think of who else it could be. Ive seen almost all of the powerful figures in Huangtong Mansion City, said Yang Zhengguang, puzzled. Its also possible it was a senior from Zhou Hengs sect. After all, Pure Yang Palace has deep roots, the senior pondered for a moment before saying, However, its also possible that its Zhou Heng himself. This could also explain why he didnt take direct action because as a Sect Fifth Rank, he is powerless to take me down. After leaving, he probably went to seek reinforcements. But I heard Zhou Heng didnt leave Huangtong Mansion City, and even went to the Yu Family to drink, Yang Zhengguang said with a frown. A Grandmaster is not necessarily without other means of sending messages. The senior continued to speculate, The Taoist formulas he left behind were probably used to mark your location; fortunately, you discarded them. Yes, senior, rest assured, I have discarded them, replied Yang Zhengguang, nodding. He was not lying; indeed he had discarded the gold leaf inscribed with the Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods, but he had already memorized the content of the entire formula by heart. Yang Zhengguang found the situation strange even for himself. Though he was talented, he did not possess a photographic memory, and he had never exhibited such signs before. Yet, when he laid eyes on the content of the Golden Book of the Five Thunder Righteous Methods, he strangely felt his memory greatly enhanced, able to recall the full text after just one glance. Moreover, he had this pervasive feeling that by practicing these Taoist formulas, he could truly change his destiny and ascend to unparalleled heights, becoming a person above others. This made Yang Zhengguang yearn for the formula. But with the presence of the senior in his mind, he didnt dare to rashly start cultivating it. Besides, the formula was extremely profound, and there were many aspects he didnt understand, meaning that even if he wanted to cultivate, he couldnt comprehend it fully. It was precisely because of this desire that he had even thought about returning to ask Zhou Heng for guidance on practicing the formula while escaping. Yang Zhengguang was startled by his own thoughts, afraid that the senior in his mind would discover them, bringing him fatal harm. Although he was not clear about the seniors true identity, he had a vivid understanding that since the other party could reside in his own mind, killing him would be an easy task. Fortunately, the senior seemed not to have discovered anything. This allowed Yang Zhengguang to relax slightly. How is your rest going? the senior asked in a deep voice. Ive recovered some strength, enough to continue on the road, responded Yang Zhengguang. Are there any villages or towns ahead? asked the senior. There appears to be a village, answered Yang Zhengguang after a moments contemplation. Good, go and kill twelve people, I need to regain some vital energy, just in case, the senior instructed. Understood, Yang Zhengguang nodded. After concluding his conversation with Yu He, Zhou Heng returned to the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall. Here, he encountered the recently rising star of Huangtong Mansion City, Jiang Hong, the same genius who was rumored to compete in martial arts with Yang Zhengguang previously. Jiang Hong had come to him proactively. This youth was eager to learn, and he had remarkable talent; having only stepped into the Ninth Rank not long ago, he managed to cultivate another Ninth Grade technique to perfection. By the age of twenty, reaching the Eighth Rank was hopeful. Hearing of Zhou Hengs return, Jiang Hong immediately came over to seek advice on martial arts cultivation. Zhou Heng could clearly feel that with the current teaching level at Huangtong Mansion Citys Pure Yang Palace Martial Arts Hall, they would soon have nothing left to teach Jiang Hong. Pure Yang Palace has recently taken in a batch of external disciples; it would be good to let him join them, Zhou Heng said, glancing at Jiang Hong who was not far off organizing practice equipment, and smiled, Jiang Hong, come here. Sure, Headmaster, whats the matter? Jiang Hong immediately set down his pen and paper, jogged over to Zhou Heng, and waited respectfully. You are talented and studious, so I plan to recruit you directly into Pure Yang Palaces external sect disciples. Zhou Heng said with a smile, What do you think? Wh-what?! Jiang Hong was initially stunned, his cheeks flushed with excitement as he widened his eyes, taking a deep breath, Really, you want to recruit me directly into Pure Yang Palaces external sect? This was the practice hall of the martial arts academy. Once Zhou Hengs words were spoken, the other apprentices and many trainers who had been practicing martial arts also stopped their activities and looked over. Being selected for Pure Yang Palace was the dream of every Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall apprentice. And training an apprentice who was chosen for the Pure Yang Palace, even just to be selected for the external sect, was the goal that many trainers strove for. Once one entered Pure Yang Palace, it meant that their lifes destiny would undergo fundamental changes. Although Jiang Hong indeed had excellent talent and was likely to be chosen for Pure Yang Palace in the future, such a selection was unexpectedly fast. And all this was merely due to a word from the headmaster! Thats right. Zhou Heng nodded, observing everyones reaction but paying it no mind. His direct recruitment of Jiang Hong into the external sect was for two reasons. One was out of admiration for talent, and the other was to conduct an experiment. The path of Qi destiny is extremely enigmatic. Its the most elusive among the Five Fortunes and also the one most prone to change. Zhou Heng planned to see what kind of impact a decision he made could have on a persons Qi destiny, and what factors could influence someones Qi destiny. This decision was to select Jiang Hong as an outer disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. From the perspective of Celestial Mans Qi sight, Jiang Hongs Qi destiny pillar was originally an ordinary pure white but now had a hint of light blue to it. It was a noticeable difference from before. This touch of blue must be my promise, the status of an outer disciple of Pure Yang Palace which I offered him. Once he truly joins, the blue should become even deeper. Indeed, even an external, additional identity can have an impact on Qi destiny. Zhou Heng pondered to himself, guessing, If it were an extremely prestigious position, would it directly bring a vast amount of Qi destiny? And could a vast amount of Qi destiny coalesce into some extremely prestigious position? His exploration in the way of Qi destiny were efforts towards becoming fully equipped with the Five Virtues and Five Fortunes. This was his path of Dharma Body, so naturally, he couldnt miss any opportunity for experimentation. Just then, Zhou Heng suddenly noticed that Jiang Hongs Qi destiny pillar seemed brighter. It appeared to be influenced by something else, rendering his Qi destiny denser than before. At the same time, he sensed something amiss with Yang Zhengguang through his Divine Soul. There seemed to be some connection between the two. It was precisely the anomaly with Yang Zhengguang that had intensified Jiang Hongs Qi destiny. Could this be because of their previous agreement to battle? Zhou Heng mused to himself. Now that Yang Zhengguang is no longer fit to meet the challenge, has this caused Jiang Hongs Qi destiny to thicken? To think that even a link of this degree could cause changes in Qi destiny. It seems that this path is indeed mysterious, full of depths that I have yet to comprehend. Shortly thereafter, he told Jiang Hong and the others, I have some matters to attend to and must leave. You all continue with your training. With that, Zhou Heng left the Martial Arts Hall. His feet touched the cloud light, ascending swiftly. He flew through the air, disappearing in the blink of an eye from the place. With Zhou Heng gone, Jiang Hong was immediately surrounded by many people. Questions flew from all directions. There were praises, congratulations, envies, and resentments Jiang Hong truly experienced the complexity of human nature. Boom! The peace and tranquility of Changyu Village were shattered by a thunderous roar. Countless villagers, just lulled into slumber, were startled awake. A villager, who was just trembling with fear, stared dumbfounded at the scene before him. A youth, who was previously fierce and brutal, ready to kill him at a moments notice, was suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning from nowhere just as he was about to strike, turning into charred remains on the spot. Heavens will, is this heavens will? Is this the heavens saving me? Overjoyed, the villager scrambled to his feet and fled as if on wings. However, the thunderous sound had already awakened almost all the villagers, but no one came out of their homes. Their life experience told them that in such unusual circumstances, the best course of action was to stay inside. It was better not to be curious; the more curious one was, the faster they might meet their end. The humanoid charred figure stood motionless at the entrance of Changyu Village, but it did not fall, seemingly stuck in a peculiar state. Worthless, what a worthless creature, to die like this! The charred human figure suddenly spoke, and at the same time lifted its hand, forcefully ripping off the carbonized skin on its own face and arm to reveal blood-drenched flesh. This conversing human figure was none other than Yang Zhengguang, who had earlier come here to attack and had been turned into charcoal by a bolt of lightning. Now Yang Zhengguangs Divine Soul had been obliterated, replaced by that predecessor who had previously been residing in his mind. What a piece of trash! To actually covet a Sect Fifth Rank Taoist Formula! Damn it! The bloody body cursed incessantly, utterly dissatisfied with Yang Zhengguang. The power of the lightning bolt that had just struck was immense, capable of reducing Yang Zhengguang, a Ninth Rank Warrior, to ashes in an instant. Had he not made a split-second decision at the last moment to use the vital energy he had been accumulating for a long time, he wouldnt have been able to preserve even this broken state of a body. The entity that had been parasitizing Yang Zhengguangs mind could perceive some of his scattered thoughts and was already aware of his extreme desire for the Five Thunder Righteous Method. But what he didnt expect was that behind this desire hid a Divine Thunder, whose might far exceeded the pinnacle of Sect Fifth Rank power. It caught him completely off guard and severely damaged his vital energy. Zhou Heng, I shall avenge todays enmity in the future! The bloody body gritted its teeth with intense hatred for Zhou Heng. Why wait for the future? Why not settle it today? Zhou Hengs mocking voice drifted from afar, and then a streak of cloud light flew from the sky, landing instantly in front of him and revealing the form of a young Taoist, How should I address you? You actually managed to evade my tracking method?! The bloody body looked at Zhou Heng with shock and uncertainty, saying, A Grandmaster shouldnt possess such a level of Divine Soul perception. Is this what the martial artists of todays era are like? Im not interested in your reflections. Zhou Heng shook his head lightly, speaking in a deep voice, How should I address you, where do you come from, what is your purpose, what was your former cultivation level, what identity He enumerated nearly everything that could confirm the identity and purpose of the person before him. Heh, you think youre guaranteed to win? The bloody body laughed coldly, showing no intention whatsoever of answering Zhou Hengs questions. Is that not the case? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled, Do you think that because youre not here with your true Divine Soul, I cant do anything to you, and that even if this strand of Divine Soul is destroyed, your loss wont be great, is that it? This time, perhaps because the remnant soul that had been residing in Yang Zhengguangs body had truly taken possession, he noticed some details he had missed before. As it turned out, this remnant soul wasnt a true remnant soul at all, but merely a strand of Divine Soul thoughts that had split off from the complete Divine Soul, disguising itself as a remnant. Moreover, there was a trace of demonic energy on it. This inevitably made Zhou Heng think of the Fox Demon that had married Yu He. Is that not the case? The bloody body still looked disdainful, asking, Or do you think you, a mere Grandmaster, have means to deal with me? Seeing that some of his circumstances had been exposed, he simply changed the way he referred to himself. Why not try and find out? Zhou Heng smiled, waved his right hand, and a green bronze bell appeared in his palm, which he lightly swung. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dong! The sound of the bell resonated with the might to scatter Divine Souls! The Soul Shattering Bell! This was a Celestial Man-level Divine Weapon and magic item, fashioned after a legendary treasure. It once belonged to the Qing Emperor Palace, but was later confiscated by Zhou Heng, possessing immense power and specializing in countering Divine Souls. In an instant, the might of the scattered Divine Souls not only affected the strand of Divine Soul thought residing in Yang Zhengguangs body, but also tracked back to its origin, transmitting the bells resonating power all the way there. Chapter 416 - Chapter 416: Chapter 136: The 72 Immortals of the Eastern Sea Chapter 416: Chapter 136: The 72 Immortals of the Eastern Sea Fengwang Mountain, located over a thousand miles from Huangtong Mansion City, is a mountain range stretching nearly a hundred miles. Rich in vegetation and teeming with wild beasts. On normal days, plenty of hunters would enter Fengwang Mountain to hunt, and they generally returned loaded with game; however, starting from over half a year ago, the beasts in these parts inexplicably dwindled in number, causing many hunters to return empty-handed. Nevertheless, this did not cause any uproar, since hunting hauls were never stable to begin with and were not considered particularly strange, and since hunters, being fringe figures, interacted little with the outside world, news did not spread. In reality, inside Fengwang Mountains deep recesses, earth-shattering changes had occurred. Originally, a group of tigers lived in these fertile lands, but now, only their bones remained scattered across the ground, reduced to dried-up piles, seemingly gnawed on by some massive beast. From the broken state of these tiger bones, it appeared they had been chewed on by some type of colossal beast. Beyond these tiger bones, in the outer areas, lay the dry bones of many other wild animals in a similar state, apparently gnawed upon by a colossal beast as well. As it turned out, the reason for the decrease in wildlife within Fengwang Mountain was not due to migration, but because they had been eaten by some sort of gigantic beast! Roar! Suddenly, from a cave deep within this fertile region came a deep growl, followed immediately by a gust of wind that made the entire forest sway. Roar roar roar!! The growling intensified, gradually becoming hoarse and strained, as if enduring immense pain; it also contained extremely powerful force, causing a drastic change in the wind and clouds, to the point where even Fengwang Mountain itself shook! Roar! Finally, after an explosion of a roar, akin to a thunderbolt, the central peak of Fengwang Mountain, thousands of feet high, suddenly burst open, releasing an eye-dazzling golden light and grinding the exploded rocks to dust. Next, a giant blue lion hundreds of feet tall and nearly a thousand feet long appeared where the mountain peak once stood. Its eyes burned with golden flames, its expression one of intense pain and fury. Humans! You seek death! The enormous aberrant lion roared to the heavens, its current desire nothing more than to immediately rush to that human and tear them to shreds before gulping them down. Meanwhile, outside Fengwang Mountain, many hunters about to enter the mountain heard this roar and also beheld the giant lion, larger even than an ordinary hill. Monster! Its a monster! Quick, report to the officials! To the county city, report to the officials!! Such a huge lion! Run for it! Monster! The reactions of the crowd varied, but they shared one thing in common. That was the appearance of such a giant lion would undoubtedly bring them crises beyond description, and they might even die on the spot! They had to save themselves! For ordinary people, the best way to save themselves was undoubtedly to report it to the officials. Ordinary people simply lacked the ability to deal with such monsters. Only martial artists could! And only martial artists were capable of doing so! At this time, the giant lion felt that the impact on its divine soul had lessened somewhat and also noticed the villages outside Fengwang Mountain and the people in panic-stricken flight. Curse these tiny human creatures, using a magic weapon to grievously injure my divine soul from afar, even forcing me back into my original form. I need blood food to recover, and they will serve! The giant lions eyes, ablaze with golden flames, locked on the mass of people outside the mountain. For a great monster of its level, consuming dozens of humans was far too easy, requiring no preparation; it simply opened its mouth, intending to inhale and sweep these fleeing villagers into its jaws. The giant lion had barely begun the action of inhaling when a fierce wind surged forth. The fleeing ordinary people, like random weeds caught in the wind, were all lifted into the air and hurtled towards the giant lions gaping maw. No! Dont! Help! Somebody help! Wah, I dont want to die! Somebody, save us! No matter whether they were lifted into the sky or not, everyone screamed and cried out in despair, completely unsure what to do now. Looking at the giant lions actions, it was clear it intended to eat them all. Wicked beast! Just then, a crisp shout suddenly rang out from the sky and reached the ears of these struggling people. At the same time as they heard this voice, everyone outside Fengwang Mountain saw a thousand-foot-tall giant materialize, walking on air and clouds, flying towards them. The giant had the appearance of a handsome young man clad in a Taoist robe, enshrouded in multicolored auspicious light, and utterly sacred. It was Zhou Heng. His gaze swept down upon the giant lion in the middle of the mountains, which was in the process of inhaling people, his face filled with indignation. Immediately, he clenched his fist into a seal, radiating purple, gold, black, and white light, as if holding a Jade Ruyi. He ferociously smashed it down upon the giant lion. It was as if an ancient immortal descended from the ninth heaven to strike, the colors of purple, gold, black, and white shone brightly, as though forming an ageless, pristine, and dignified Jade Ruyi. Gold petals scattered along with the Jade Ruyi, rushing towards the giant lion. You overestimate yourself, mere human! The giant lion showed no fear, believing that for humans to engage the Demon Clan in direct combat was suicide! This was true even for beings on the same level of power, and even more so when the human in question was merely a Fifth Rank Sect Master. Five hundred years ago, it had already become a great monster, comparable to an Absolute Fourth Rank Dharma Body Great Grandmaster of the Human Race. If this man before it had cultivated a Yang Gods Dharma Body and fought with the power of a Dharma Body, perhaps it might manage a few exchanges, but this human was no more than a Fifth Rank Dharma Phase, truly seeking his own death! This was like striking a stone with an egg! The giant lion, unfazed by Zhou Hengs descending punch, not only did not dodge, but also raised one of its paws, striking out at the fist, ready to meet Zhou Heng in direct combat. The greatest advantage you humans possess are your myriad curious and ancient magic weapons. If you confronted me with that Celestial magic weapon, I might have some reservations, but here you are, choosing to face me head-on! Hahaha! An ant trying to shake a tree, how ludicrous and overestimating ones capabilities! This lions paw was incredibly powerful, and as it lifted, it drew the energy of heaven and earth from within a thousand miles, coalescing into golden flames as sharp as blades, as if tearing the sky apart. In comparison, Zhao Hengs punch seemed much simpler. However, a smile appeared on Zhao Hengs face as he looked down at the giant lion lifting its paw towards the sky and chuckled lightly, Interesting. The fist mark still fell. Boom! As the Jade Ruyi plummeted, a deafening explosion burst forth, and waves of shock waves spread out like a tsunami, clearing the clouds above the sky. The power contained within this punch was immense, and it embodied the suppressive traits that the Three Treasures Ruyi Fist was known for. The moment the giant lion came into contact with this punch, it sensed something was amiss, but it was too lateCits claw collided with Zhou Hengs fist. In an instant, a force so terrifying it seemed capable of smashing the very earth surged forward, and the demons body, which it took pride in, was obliterated like paper. The lifted paw was crushed into dust by the punch, not even a fragment of bone remained. Moreover, after smashing the giant lions paw, the punchs momentum didnt decrease but continued to hammer down. Boom! With a thunderous noise, Zhou Hengs fist landed on the back of the giant lion, instantly bending its spine downward, spreading its limbs in all directions, and smashing its thousand-zhang-long body directly into the remaining mountainside. Impossible, what kind of fist technique is this, how can it possess such tremendous power? It seems to weave together some strange forces, even capable of pushing me back, how is this possible, how could this be? The giant lion was in immense pain and utterly shocked, questioning its existence after being hit by such a fist. If it hadnt personally experienced this punchs terrifying power, it would never believe that a humans frail body could cultivate martial arts of such might. After all, in the giant lions inherited memories, the Demon Clan had always far outstripped the Human Race in strength, and in terms of physical prowess, humans couldnt hold a candle to demons. At least, that had been the case until the Middle Ancient Era. As for after the Middle Ancient Era this bloodline had left the human world in the early days of the Middle Ancient Era and secluded itself overseas, only having a rough understanding of later events and not much clarity. Naturally, there wasnt much inheritance of memory about this part of their lineage. Damn it, its only been a few thousand years; what on earth has happened to humans to produce such powerful martial arts? This human scoundrel, is only a Grandmaster! The giant lion could hardly believe the reality before it, I am a great demon, according to human classification, I am already an Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster! Even if this human used a magic weapon to ambush me and hurt my Divine Soul first, but after all, he was only a Fifth Rank Grandmaster, how could he be so powerful? Why, why is this happening? Boom! As the giant lion was engulfed in doubts and fears, another thunderous noise tore through heaven and earth, as Zhou Heng struck down at the giant lion with another palm. This palm was dark and profound, containing within its center the cosmos and all beings; with a single flip, it was as if the sky and earth were turned upside down, yin and yang reversed. Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Heaven and Earth Capsize! If the Tri-Treasure Ruyi Fists power lay more in suppression, then Overturning Heaven Three Palms was a thorough act of destruction. It overwhelmed everything with a terrifying force at its absolute peak, ferocious to the extreme, indestructible! Bang! The already suppressed giant lion by the Tri-Treasure Ruyi Fists power solidly endured another devastating blow of Heaven and Earth capsizing, and was once again severely damaged. Its body, which stretched for a thousand zhang, nearly broke apart, its vast vitality began to disperse, and its essence, qi, and spirit plummeted. The body that was previously thousands of zhang long now rapidly began to shrink, and within moments, turned into a less than one-zhang long aqua-blue lion, although its eyes still burned with golden flames. Zhou Heng could clearly feel that the power of this great demon had fallen to its nadir. In such a state, it was unable to even stand up and run away, let alone escape with its divine soul. Because, under the dual bombardment of the Tri-Treasure Ruyi Fist and the capsize of heaven and earth, the great demons connection with the outside world had been severed, making it utterly impossible to leave its body with its soul. One punch, one palm. This Absolute Fourth Rank great demon had been crippled by Zhou Heng. What kind of thing are you, where did you come from, monster, and why did you come to the human world? Zhou Heng also retracted his Dharma Phase and descended upon Mount Fangfeng, standing beside the lion. Human, how can you be so powerful? The lion struggled to muster some energy, looking at Zhou Heng in disbelief. This humans strength was too dominant, completely overturning his cognition. Youve been in the human realm for half a year and havent heard my name? Zhou Heng smiled. Just a Grandmaster, why would I bother to inquire specifically about you? The lion, though in dire straits, was still defiant. I havent made an appearance much in the last six months, so its somewhat excusable. Zhou Heng stepped closer to the lion, and spoke in a deep voice, Whats your relationship with that fox demon from Yu Hes family? Two demons appearing in Huangtong Mansion City one after anotherChe didnt think this was normal, there was probably some connection between the two. Dont ask about things you shouldnt know. The lions attitude was terrible, it sneered: You think just because youve beaten me, there will be no consequences? You have no idea of my identity, no idea whos will I represent; kid, youre finished! Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment at these words; the lions style was indeed quite unique, then he laughed again, Do you think standing behind you theres someone stronger than me, stronger than the Pure Yang Palace? Hmm, is it a person or a monster? It is said that in the Middle Ancient Era, many great demons and even Loose Immortals were made pets or mounts by the Human Races mighty ones. Although most of the Demon Clan viewed this as humiliation, there were demons who considered it an honorCyou wouldnt be one of the latter, would you? Heh, you simply dont understand. It is my honor to be the mount for that True Man. The lion still sneered, I came to the Central Plains on my masters orders. By causing me harm, you make yourself an enemy of my master! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In this era, there are still those who make great demons their mounts Do you hail from the Eastern Sea? Zhou Hengs eyebrows rose slightly, thinking that after the Middle Ancient Era, many great demons escaped overseas, Is your master a Loose Immortal? Thats right, my master is one of the Eastern Seas seventy-two immortals, the True Man Yu Que! The lion said proudly: My master has vast Divine Skills and boundless Mana; someone like you cannot even compare to one of his fingertips! The Eastern Seas seventy-two immortals? Ive heard they are some Loose Immortals who strengthened their bodies with special methods to regain Celestial Man-level Mana, Zhou Heng had heard a bit about this and nodded lightly, and then smiling at the lion said, No wonder the demons only fit to be pets or mounts. What, what are you going to do?! The lion suddenly had an ominous premonition. Answer what I ask you. Now that Ive cleared up your origins, what use do I have for you? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly. Chapter 417 - Chapter 417: Chapter 137: The Fox of Destiny Chapter 417: Chapter 137: The Fox of Destiny Zhou Heng didnt kill the Lion Monster. Instead, he locked it up within his Cave Sky. On one hand, this monster was a rare Golden Flame Water Lion from the ancient times, which had long disappeared from the Central Plains and could only be found in the Eastern Sea. It seemed a pity to kill such a rare species directly. After all, the flesh and blood as well as the fur, scales, and armor of this ancient species were excellent materials for Artifact Refining and medicine making. Keeping it in the Cave Sky for future needs was also a good choice. On the other hand, this monster was the mount of one of the Eastern Seas seventy-two Celestials, so it should be privy to quite a few secrets about the overseas lands. Keeping it alive might allow him to extract some information. After imprisoning the Golden Flame Water Lion, Zhou Heng returned to his home in Huangtong Mansion City. He continued to comprehend the True Spirit Heart Sutra. This Taoist Formula was profoundly mysterious and abstruse. Since he had embarked on the path of comprehending the myriad states of the world, his progress was quite slow. It was the first time Zhou Heng truly felt the difficulty of cultivation. With my exceptional talent, cultivation is still such a challenge, I cant imagine what kind of person would succeed, Zhou Heng thought to himself. However difficult, he must master this Taoist Formula. The exquisite applications for the spirit were extremely useful and important for compensating his weaknesses in that area. Moreover, this formula was also the foundation of one of the nine seals of the True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra, with boundless potential. Now that Ive returned to my homeland, its like revisiting past memories, so maybe next I should experience more of the worlds states, travel thousands of miles, and witness all living beings, Zhou Heng reflected. However, the troubles in Huangtong Mansion City are far from over. That Golden Flame Water Lion mentioned the Yu Que Celestial from the Eastern Seas seventy-two Celestials. If what it said is true, a Loose Immortal may eventually descend upon this place. The Eastern Seas seventy-two Celestials are only Loose Immortals but are by no means weaker than a normal Celestial Man. I cant leave. There are many issues to resolve, including Yu Hes new wife Although Huangtong Mansion City is supposed to be one of the safest places in the world with Jiang Tafa, the Tao Lord, theoretically present, Jiang Tafa is, after all, someone from the Middle Ancient times and doesnt inherently belong to this era. Its unknown whether he would have any inclination to protect the city or if he would intervene. Zhou Heng didnt want to gamble; it was better to take care of things himself. At night, under the dark moon and strong winds, the stars were dim. A graceful figure slipped out of the Yu familys gate, quietly transforming into a wisp of pale green smoke that meandered along the corner of the street walls and soon arrived at a very grand mansion. This was the mansion Kong Chengshun, the previous lord of Huangtong Mansion, had given to Zhou Heng, and it was now where Zhou Heng resided. CKong Chengshun had been promoted half a year ago, relinquishing the position of lord of Huangtong Mansion to serve in Fengzhou County City. The new lord governing Huangtong Mansion City was a newcomer named Huo Qingyun. The pale green smoke lingered at the door of the mansion, hesitating back and forth, now retreating, now advancing, seemingly in indecision. Clang! At this moment, the mansion gate suddenly opened on its own, and a cold, indifferent voice came from inside. Come in. As soon as the voice fell, the pale green smoke fell to the ground and, with a slight tumble, turned into a small white fox. This white fox was no more than one foot long and was quite delicate and adorable. ` Its body was trembling as if it was quite afraid. Ao, ao It called out softly twice, its pair of golden pupils revealing intense fear. It gazed at the open estate gate but hesitated to move. After a while, as if it had made up its mind, it finally decided to step forward, moving into the estate gate one step at a time. The moment it entered the estate gate. Clang! The gate closed once again. The little white fox trembled anew, panicked and disoriented, its eyes glazing over. Suddenly, it felt a blur before its eyes, and when it came to, it saw that the golden objects around it had transformed. There were tables, chairs, bookshelves, candles, jade artifacts It seemed to be a study room. And the master of this place was none other than the young Taoist sitting in front of the desk. Immortal, Immortal Master, little fox pays respect to the Immortal Master! The white fox, seeing the young Taoist, was almost scared out of its wits and hurriedly bent its limbs to kneel on the ground. Immortal Master, little fox came to you on its own to explain some matters clearly to you. The young Taoist was naturally Zhou Heng, and this white fox was Yu Hes newlywed wife, Bai Husheng. Zhou Heng had intended to talk with this fox demon after tonight to see her true intentions towards He, but he had not expected Bai Husheng to come on her own initiative. No need for that. Zhou Heng gently shook his head, lifted his finger, and a beam of golden light fell upon the white fox, saying lightly, No matter what your purpose is, for now, you are still Yu Hes wife. The beam of golden light that landed on the white fox soothed its spirit, and then the white fox shook its body and transformed into a young womans appearance. It was indeed Yu Hes wife. Many, many thanks, Immortal Master, Bai Hushengs face was pale, she spoke softly, almost whispering, as if she feared angering Zhou Heng. Are you that afraid Ill kill you? Zhou Heng said with a smile that was not quite a smile. I, Ive heard from my husband about your relationship Bai Husheng was extremely nervous, her voice trembling. You are best friends, will you, will you kill me? That will depend on what youve done. Zhou Heng said in a deep voice. Approaching Yu He, what was your purpose? I want the truth. Rest assured, Immortal Master, little fox, little fox came here with sincerity, I would never deceive you. Bai Husheng bit her lip, saying, To be honest with the Immortal Master, my initial contact with my husband was indeed for self-preservation. Self-preservation? Zhou Heng narrowed his eyes slightly, nodding. Go on. I am originally from the Fox Clan of the Green Jade Kingdom in the Eastern Sea. Both my parents were great demons with respectable origins, but they fell due to an incident thirty years ago, leaving me without any support, Bai Husheng spoke softly. However, by that time, I had already cultivated a demon core and possessed some strength, so I wasnt easily bullied. But a year ago, a disciple of the Yu Que Celestial Man took a fancy to me, wanting to make me his pet I refused, so he sent people to capture me, leaving me gravely injured. Fortunately, I had an escape talisman left by my parents, which allowed me to flee a million miles to Da Qi in the Central Plains. Although I was gravely injured, I managed to save my life and freedom. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, those who were pursuing me did not give up and continued to hunt me down. During my escape, I encountered my husband and then came up with an idea, which was to use my innate divine ability to combine my fate with the vast sea of fate of the human race to hide my tracks. Marrying Yu He was your way of combining fates? Zhou Heng asked seriously. Yes, Bai Husheng nodded. It is my clans innate divine ability. Our clan has the bloodline of the Ancient Spirit Fox, known for its fate. To be able to use the combination of fates as a way to hide, Zhou Heng frowned slightly, inquiring, Will this harm Yu He? Also, do you know who is hunting you down? ` Chapter 418 - Chapter 418: Chapter 138: Time to Go to Middle Earth Chapter 418: Chapter 138: Time to Go to Middle Earth Replying to the Immortal, Bai Husheng expressed the utmost respect, speaking softly, It is said that the ancient spirit fox of fortune emerged from the great Dao of fortune itself, hence the bloodline divine skills of our clan are all related to fortune. This method uses my husbands fortune as a guide by merging my fortune into the sea of fortunes of the Human Race, just like adding a grain of sand to the vast ocean, without causing any negative impact on the fortunes of Humans. And my husband will also slightly intertwine with the thin thread of Human fortunes, allowing his own fortune to grow, leading to smooth sailing in all matters, with his life and career prospering without fail. Hmm, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. He had previously observed Yu Hes fortune using the Celestial Mans fortune-viewing technique and indeed noted an increase in Yu Hes fortune. The growth of fortune added a luster to Yu Hes already flourishing business, which in turn fed back into his fortune, further enhancing it. This created a virtuous cycle, leading to an increasingly satisfying life. Although it cant be said that Yu Hes business success is entirely due to the enhancement of his fortune by Bai Husheng, this augmented part of his fortune definitely serves as a driving force. This was also one of the reasons Zhou Heng hadnt dealt with Bai Husheng right away. The Immortals insight is keen! Seeing Zhou Heng nod, Bai Husheng felt slightly relieved and continued, As for those pursuing me, I only recognize two of them. One is a Sect Fifth Rank Martial Artist from the Human Race, a servant of a Yu Que true person, the other is a warrior from the Feathered Tribe of the Holy Nation, roughly equivalent to Sect Fifth Rank, but he possesses unique abilities and might be stronger than an ordinary Grandmaster. However, beyond these two, there must be a more formidable presence overseeing the pursuit, but Im uncertain of their identity. I can only speculate that it might be Yu Que true persons mount, a fearsome great demon nearly at the level of a Celestial Man. As she mentioned Yu Que true persons mount, Bai Hushengs eyes filled with intense fear. Within the Demon Clan, the nobility of ones bloodline often determines future strength. Therefore, demons of lower bloodline status habitually revere those of higher bloodline status. This respect is deeply ingrained in the marrow of the Demon Clan and is unrelated to personal power. It was rumored that Yu Que true persons mount was not only a great demon close to the Heavenly Human Realm with earth-shattering power, but it was also a genuine ancient exotic species with an extremely noble lineage. Such a being was enough to instill a profound fear in Bai Husheng with just a thought. Are you talking about this one? Zhou Heng lifted his hand, and a strand of golden flame appeared from the ground, lighting up the surroundings brightly. When the flame dissipated, there lay a water-blue lion with eyes blazing with golden flames. The Golden Flamed Water Lion had long lost its former might. Firstly injured severely by Zhou Heng, then suppressed by the Laws of the Supreme Jade Pavilion Palaces Cave Sky, it had become so listless that its body had shrunk to the size of a common dog. What, what is this?! Bai Hushengs pupils contracted suddenly, looking at the water lion in disbelief. The moment she saw the Golden Flamed Water Lion, she felt a deep-seated fear from the depths of her soul, feeling as if the listless-looking water lion could crush her with a mere breath. Golden, Golden Flamed Water Lion?! Bai Husheng exclaimed, Is this Yu Que true persons mount, the Golden Flamed Water Lion?! Immortal, you, you captured it? Humans! The Golden Flamed Water Lion, looking like it was on its last breath, fixed its gaze on Zhou Heng, gritting its teeth as it struggled to speak, You are doomed, my master will come for me! I hope he comes soon. Zhou Heng chuckled and then tucked the Golden Flamed Water Lion away again. ` Bai Husheng suddenly fell into silence. ` She knew Zhou Heng was strong. When Zhou Heng had visited the Yu Family before, she had clearly sensed that this Human Race Martial Artists fortune, although restrained, was actually as deep and immeasurable as an abyssal beast, far beyond her ability to rival. But she had never imagined that Zhou Heng could be so powerful. This was an ancient exotic beast, a Golden Flame Water Lion with strength nearly that of a Celestial Man, yet he had captured and imprisoned itCcould it be that he wasnt really a Grandmaster, but a Celestial Man instead? Or could it be that this was the power of a great being reincarnated? After his Cultivation Realm had recovered to Sect Fifth Rank, had he awakened even more powerful techniques from his past life? For a time, many thoughts flashed through Bai Hushengs mind. However, in the end, all her thoughts and ideas converged on one point. Immortal Master, you, youve captured the mount of a Yu Que Real Person. This, this could possibly attract that great power to come here! Bai Hushengs complexion turned deathly pale as she trembled with fear. That, thats an exceptional Loose Immortal with Celestial Man strength! The seventy-two immortals of the Eastern Sea not only possess strength equivalent to Celestial Men but also have incredibly long lifespans, control various unbelievable and powerful Divine Skills, and hold secret inheritances, along with powerful and mysterious treasures. Even the top Demon Immortals might not be their match. Therefore, in the nations of the Eastern Sea, the seventy-two immortals are supreme beings, lofty Immortal Homes that never fall, beings of utmost reverence and incomparable worth. Now that Zhou Heng had captured the mount of a Yu Que Real Person from among the seventy-two immortals, if this were in the Eastern Sea, it would be a sin punishable by death, and even here in the Central Plains, it could not be guaranteed that the immortal wouldnt come personally. After all, to beat a dog, one must look at the owner. As a mount that accompanies a Yu Que Real Person, the Golden Flame Water Lion represents his masters honor to some extent; being captured like this, the Yu Que Real Person would definitely not tolerate it. This is the Central Plains, not the Eastern Sea, Zhou Heng said lightly, shaking his head with a smile. You neednt worry. Just as I told that lion earlier, if that Loose Immortal dares to come, then let him come. But that is one of the seventy-two immortals of the Eastern Sea Bai Husheng was still incredibly panicked. You should go home, Zhou Heng said with a wave of his hand to cut off her words, speaking indifferently. Its been a long time since you were home, and it wouldnt be good if Yu He discovered your absence. Immortal Master Bai Husheng hesitated but eventually transformed back into her white fox form. Then, turning into a wisp of green smoke, she prepared to drift back to the Yu Family. In the Eastern Sea, the Supreme Jade Pavilion Palace. This is the heart of the seventy-two immortal palaces, or rather, one of the core realms of the seventy-two immortals of the Eastern Sea, the residence of the legendary and exceptional Loose Immortal Yu Que Real Person. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only There, myriad Martial Artists and Cultivators gathered along with demons and spiritual beasts, truly a gathering of many immortals. In the deepest part of the Supreme Jade Pavilion Palace, there stood a splendid palace where an old man with white hair and beard but handsome features and a Taoist-like presence was sitting cross-legged, levitating in mid-air with his eyes closed. Suddenly, his eyes opened, emitting two beams of green light that pierced through the palace walls, appearing to see an incredibly distant scene as the corners of his mouth lifted to reveal a broad smile. Haha, the time has come! Even if you restrict us seventy-two immortals from entering the Central Plains, so what? Now that my mount has been captured, as its master, how can I not seek it out? With such a just cause, I ought to go to the Central Plains! Chapter 419 - Chapter 419: Chapter 139 Yu Que Chapter 419: Chapter 139 Yu Que In a mansion within Huangtong Mansion City. Zhou Heng, who was originally seated in meditation with his eyes closed, nurturing his Divine Soul, suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze turned towards the east. So soon? His lips curved into a faint smile, Since youve come, theres no need to return! Through the sensitivity of his soul brought by the True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra, Zhou Heng had already refined the aura of Yu Que from the Golden Flame Water Lion. As soon as the other party approached Huangtong Mansion City, he would immediately be aware of it. Choosing not to be a good Overseas Loose Cultivator, but instead scheming to come to the mainland, what exactly are you plotting? Zhou Heng stood up, pondering the purpose of Yu Que. The vastness of the Eastern Sea rivals that of the land, possibly even larger, rich in resources. Many countries and thousands of sects stand there, but above them all reign the Seventy-two Loose Immortals. It could be said that Yu Que is one of the seventy-two rulers above the great Eastern Sea. Such an existence is, in terms of status, comparable to a Tao Lord of the mainland. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Eastern Sea and the mainland are From the clues obtained from the Golden Flame Water Lion and the situation of Bai Husheng, its likely that both were deliberately released by Yu Que to serve as a legitimate reason for his coming to the mainland. And both have appeared in Huangtong Mansion City. Therefore, it can be reasonably surmised that Yu Ques main purpose in coming to the mainland must be related to Huangtong Mansion City. Huangtong Mansion City suppresses half of a Demon Lords finger bone. The relationship between the Overseas Loose Cultivator and the external demons is ambiguous. Could it be that Yu Ques aim is the half of the finger bone here? Zhou Heng made a conjecture in his heart, yet he was somewhat puzzled, However, this half of the finger bone has an extremely strong Seal. After it was unsealed the last time, it was reinforced considerably. A mere Loose Immortal, how could he unravel such a Seal? Or could it be that he has already mastered the means to unseal it? Some time ago, the great demon Cang Hua, who was sealed by the shores of the Eastern Sea, colluded with the Evil God. Its not impossible that the Overseas Loose Cultivators had a role in this If thats truly the case, then Yu Que indeed might possess the means to break through the Seal here, and I must be very cautious. Previously, the great demon Cang Hua sent a Ghost Immortal to Huangtong Mansion City, trying to break the Seal by calling to the half of the Demon Lords finger bone, nearly bringing destruction upon the entire city. Once Yu Que arrives, Ill resolve it quickly, giving him no chance to act! Zhou Heng made up his mind but then shook his head, No, why should I wait for him? Since hes already nearing Huangtong Mansion City, Ill just go to meet him and kill him, and its all the same! Moreover, both of these have appeared in Huangtong Mansion City. Therefore, it can be reasonably deduced that the primary purpose of Jade Emperor True Person coming to the Central Plains is related to Huangtong Mansion City. Huangtong Mansion City is suppressing half of the Demon Lords finger bone; the intentions of the Overseas Loose Cultivator with the foreign demons are ambiguous. Could Jade Emperor True Persons goal be the half piece of bone here? Zhou Heng contemplated in his heart but felt puzzled, However, the half piece of bone has an extremely powerful seal. After it was unsealed last time, it was further reinforced. How could a mere Loose Immortal undo such a seal? Or could it be that he has already mastered the means to undo the seal? Some time ago, the great demon Cang Hua, sealed by the Eastern Sea, colluded with the Evil God, and its possible that the Eastern Sea Immortals had a role in it If thats the case, then Jade Emperor True Person indeed might possess the means to break through the seal here, and we must be cautious and on guard. Previously, the great demon Cang Hua had sent a Ghost Immortal to Huangtong Mansion City, attempting to break the seal by calling to the half piece of the Demon Lords finger bone, nearly causing a catastrophe for the entire Huangtong Mansion City. The moment Jade Emperor True Person arrives, I will make quick decisions and will not give him any chance to act! Zhou Heng first made up his mind, then shook his head, No, why wait for him? Since Ive already approached Huangtong Mansion City, I might as well confront him and kill himCthat would do just the same! In a grand residence within Huangtong Mansion City. Zhou Heng, who was previously sitting in meditation to cultivate his Divine Soul, suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze turned eastward. Hes here already? A slight smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, Since hes come, then theres no need for him to return! Through the perception of the heart by True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra, Zhou Heng had already refined the breath of Jade Emperor True Person at the Golden Flame Sea Lion. As soon as the other party approached Huangtong Mansion City, he could immediately sense it. Not content with being an Eastern Sea Loose Immortal, he plots with great deliberation to come to the Central Plains. Just what is he scheming? Zhou Heng stood up, speculating about Jade Emperor True Persons intentions. The vastness of the Eastern Sea is no less than that of the land; the scope is even potentially greater, and resources are incredibly abundant. There, numerous nations stand and thousands of schools abide, with the Seventy-two Loose Immortals at the helm of it all. It can be said that Jade Emperor True Person is one of the seventy-two rulers over the vast Eastern Sea. Such an existence, in terms of status, is equivalent to a Tao Lord on this side of the Central Plains. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Eastern Sea and the Central Plains are From the clues obtained through the Golden Flame Sea Lion and the situation with Bai Husheng, both are most likely deliberately released by Jade Emperor True Person, serving as his legitimate reason for coming to the Central Plains. Moreover, both have appeared in Huangtong Mansion City. Therefore, it can be reasonably deduced that the primary purpose of Jade Emperor True Person coming to the Central Plains is related to Huangtong Mansion City. Huangtong Mansion City is suppressing half of the Demon Lords finger bone; the intentions of the Overseas Loose Cultivator with the foreign demons are ambiguous. Could Jade Emperor True Persons goal be the half piece of bone here? Zhou Heng speculated in his heart but felt puzzled, However, the half piece of bone has an extremely powerful seal. After it was unsealed last time, it was further reinforced. How could a mere Loose Immortal undo such a seal? Or could it be that he has already mastered the means to undo the seal? Some time ago, the great demon Cang Hua, sealed by the Eastern Sea, colluded with the Evil God, and its possible that the Eastern Sea Immortals had a role in it If thats the case, then Jade Emperor True Person indeed might possess the means to break through the seal here, and we must be cautious and on guard. Previously, the great demon Cang Hua had sent a Ghost Immortal to Huangtong Mansion City to call upon the halved bone of the Demon Lord and breach the Seal, almost bringing catastrophe upon the entire Huangtong Mansion City. Once Yu Que real person arrives, I shall make it a swift and decisive battle, giving him no chance to strike! Zhou Heng initially made up his mind, then shook his head, No, why should I wait for him? Since he is already approaching Huangtong Mansion City, I might as well confront and kill him directlyCit amounts to the same thing! Inside a grand residence of Huangtong Mansion City. Zhou Heng, who had been sitting cross-legged with eyes closed cultivating his Divine Soul, suddenly opened his eyes. He looked toward the east. Has he already arrived? A faint smile formed on his lips, Since hes come, theres no need for him to go back! Through the sensitivity of the heart afforded by the True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra, Zhou Heng had already refined the aura of Yu Que real person from the Golden Flame Sea Lion. The moment the other party neared Huangtong Mansion City, he would instantly be aware of it. Choosing not to remain an Overseas Loose Cultivator and instead scheming to come to the Central PlainsCwhat exactly is he plotting? Zhou Heng stood up, speculating about Yu Que real persons motives. The vastness of the Eastern Sea is no less than that of the land, its expanse possibly even larger, with resources equally rich. There, numerous nations and countless sects thrive, with the Seventy-two Loose Immortals reigning supreme over them all. It could be said that Yu Que real person was one of the seventy-two sovereigns across the vast Eastern Sea. Such an existence, in terms of status, was comparable to a Tao Lord of the Central Plains. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Eastern Sea and the Central Plains were According to clues obtained from the Golden Flame Sea Lion, as well as the situation with Bai Husheng, its likely that both were intentionally released by Yu Que real person, serving as a legitimate reason for his journey to the Central Plains. Moreover, these two instances both occurred in Huangtong Mansion City. Thus, one could reasonably infer that the primary purpose of Yu Que real person coming to the Central Plains was related to Huangtong Mansion City. Huangtong Mansion City suppresses the halved bone of the Demon Lord; the relations between Overseas Loose Cultivators and external demons are ambiguous. Could it be that the object of Yu Que real persons purpose is the halved bone here? Zhou Heng speculated in his mind yet harbored some doubts, However, this halved bone is under an extremely powerful Seal, which was further reinforced after last times breach. How could a mere Loose Immortal unlock such a Seal? Or could it be that he already possesses the means to undo the Seal? Recently, the great demon Cang Hua, sealed by the shores of the Eastern Sea, colluded with the Evil GodCthis surely cannot exclude the shadow of the Overseas Loose Cultivators If thats truly the case, then Yu Que real person indeed might have the means to break through the Seal here, and I must be wary and on guard. Previously, the great demon Cang Hua had sent a Ghost Immortal to Huangtong Mansion City to call upon the halved bone of the Demon Lord and breach the Seal, almost bringing catastrophe upon the entire Huangtong Mansion City. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Once Yu Que real person arrives, I shall make it a swift and decisive battle, giving him no chance to strike! Zhou Heng initially made up his mind, then shook his head, No, why should I wait for him? Since he is already approaching Huangtong Mansion City, I might as well confront and kill him directlyCit amounts to the same thing! Previously, the great demon Cang Hua had sent a Ghost Immortal to Huangtong Mansion City to call upon the halved bone of the Demon Lord and breach the Seal, almost bringing catastrophe upon the entire Huangtong Mansion City. Once Yu Que real person arrives, I shall make it a swift and decisive battle, giving him no chance to strike! Zhou Heng initially made up his mind, then shook his head, No, why should I wait for him? Since he is already approaching Huangtong Mansion City, I might as well confront and kill him directlyCit amounts to the same thing! Chapter 420 - Chapter 420: Chapter 139 Coming Chapter 420: Chapter 139 Coming In a large mansion within Huangtong Mansion City, Zhou Heng, who was originally sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, nurturing his divine soul, suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze turned towards the east. Theyve arrived? A slight smile curved up the corners of his mouth, Since youve come, theres no need to leave! Through the sensitivity of the heart according to the True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra, Zhou Heng had already refined the aura of Tao Lord Yu Que from the Golden Flame Sea Lion Demon. As soon as the other party approached Huangtong Mansion City, he would immediately become aware of it. Not content to be an Overseas Loose Cultivator out in the vast Eastern Sea, youre fixated on sneaking into the Central PlainsCjust what are you plotting? Zhou Heng stood up, speculating on the intent of Tao Lord Yu Que. The Eastern Seas expanse wasnt smaller than that of the land, and in fact, its scope might even be larger; its resources were extremely abundant. Many countries and thousands of sects dotted the area, but amongst all, the Seventy-two Loose Immortals reigned supreme. It could be said that Tao Lord Yu Que was one of the seventy-two sovereigns above the grand Eastern Sea. In terms of status, this existence was comparable to a Tao Lord from the Central Plains. Thus, under normal circumstances, the Eastern Sea and the Central Plains were The clues obtained from the Golden Flame Sea Lion Demon, as well as the situation with Bai Husheng, suggested that both were probably deliberately released by Tao Lord Yu Que as legitimate reasons for his visit to the Central Plains. And both had appeared in Huangtong Mansion City. It was reasonable to surmise then that Tao Lord Yu Ques main purpose in coming to the Central Plains was related to Huangtong Mansion City. Huangtong Mansion City suppresses half a Demon Lords finger bone; the relationship between Overseas Loose Cultivators and foreign demons is ambiguous. Could it be that the fragment here is Tao Lord Yu Ques goal? Zhou Heng made a conjecture in his heart but still had some doubts, However, this half finger bone is under an extremely powerful seal. After the last unsealing, it was reinforced even more, how could a mere Loose Cultivator unravel such a seal? Or does he already possess the means to break the seal? Recently, the great demon Cang Hua, who was sealed on the shores of the Eastern Sea, colluded with an Evil God. Its likely not without the involvement of the Overseas Loose Cultivators If thats truly the case, then Tao Lord Yu Que might indeed possess the capability to break through the seal on this side, and so I must be wary and cautious. Previously, the great demon Cang Hua had sent a Ghost Immortal to Huangtong Mansion City to call out to the half Demon Lords finger bone in an attempt to shatter the seal, nearly bringing catastrophe to the entire city. Once Tao Lord Yu Que arrives, I will make a quick decision and not give him any chance to make a move! Zhou Heng made a resolution in his heart but then shook his head, No, why wait for him? Since hes nearing Huangtong Mansion City, Ill meet him head-on and kill him just the same! With that thought, he immediately left the room. Cloud light swelled beneath his feet as he soared into the sky in an instant, heading eastward to confront Tao Lord Yu Ques location. Because Zhou Heng made no attempt to conceal his movements, the ascension of cloud light directly lit up the sky over Huangtong Mansion City, causing countless citizens to look up instinctively. Inside the mansion, Bai Hushengs body trembled slightly as he also looked up at the streak of cloud light passing overhead, his hairs standing on end and his face as pale as clay, filled with terror as he looked towards the east. This, this aura, is it, is it Tao Lord Yu Que? Bai Husheng was almost scared out of his wits, collapsing helplessly onto the ground while his mind was a maelstrom of shock, That cloud light just now was Zhou Heng. Is he trying to flee? No, hes flying to the eastChes truly going to confront Tao Lord Yu Que? Although he knew beforehand that Zhou Heng seemed to dismiss Tao Lord Yu Que, hearing about something and witnessing it firsthand were totally different experiences. She had heard Zhou Hengs words just last night, and now she was witnessing Zhou Heng going to confront Tao Lord Yu Que. As a member of the Demon Clan from the Eastern Sea, Bai Husheng believed Tao Lord Yu Que was one of the high and mighty Seventy-two Immortals, against whose will no beings could defy, and no one dared to resist. Yet now, Zhou Heng, a mere Fifth Rank Sect Master from the Human Race, was about to confront this Loose Immortal, whose strength was on par with a Celestial Power, alone! Without seeing it for oneself, no one would believe such a thing was happening. Unless this Grandmaster was seeking death, there was simply no other explanation for his actions. After all, the gap between a Sect Fifth Rank and a Loose Immortal comparable to a Celestial Man was simply too vast. It was like the difference between heaven and earth, as stark as clouds are from mud! However, Zhou Heng, this immortal elder, did not seem like a foolish man. Could he really have a way to directly repel the real person Yu Que? That was also too incredible. My lady, what happened? Yu He came over and saw Bai Husheng sitting on the ground. He quickly helped her up and asked in confusion, Were you frightened by the cloud light just now? No, no, I just accidentally fell, Bai Husheng quickly shook her head. Haha, you dont have to be scared. That cloud light just now was definitely Zhou Heng; he must have been in a hurry to leave for some business, Yu He laughed. Mhm. Bai Husheng nodded, whispering, I know, my husband need not worry. Meanwhile, in front of the Pure Yang First Martial Hall. Jiang Er, who had been lying on a long chair waving a palm-leaf fan in the sun, suddenly stopped her action and turned to look towards the east, then covered her face with the fan. I just hope it doesnt disturb someones peaceful dreams. Zhou Hengs flying speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he was already thousands of miles away. However, the speed of the Loose Immortal, the real person Yu Que, was even faster. He came from the Eastern Sea, a distance of millions of miles. Without using any void-transferring techniques, his flight alone had brought him here in merely the time it took to breathe. Therefore, just as Zhou Heng flew out from Huangtong Mansion City, the real person Yu Que had already met him head-on. This place happened to be a desolate mountain forest. Within a hundred miles, there was not a soul in sight. Zhou Heng stopped in the sky above, waiting for the arrival of the real person Yu Que. A streak of green light, like lightning, streaked across the sky of Da Qi, its speed so fast that it seemed like teleportation, heading straight towards Zhou Heng, stirring up a tremendous storm. Zhou Heng could feel the howling winds racing past him, almost like massive waves from a sea storm, causing drastic changes in the weather and darkening the sky. Even the laws and tunes of heaven and earth in the vicinity were greatly affected, showing a degree of distortion and change. This was clearly the sign of a Celestial Man unfolding the laws of the Primordial Spirit. Such might is indeed not inferior to a Celestial Man, Zhou Hengs eyebrows slightly raised, ready to use his skill card to deal with this powerful Loose Immortal at any moment. Whoosh! The raging wind and thunder swept past Zhou Heng, with no sign of stopping, continuing towards Huangtong Mansion City as if it hadnt even noticed Zhou Heng. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Heng fell silent. He had sensed that the one who had just swept past him was the real person Yu Que. But the others attention was not focused on him at all. He was ignored. Just as humans, when hurrying on their way, ignore the ants by the roadside. Chapter 421 - Chapter 421: Chapter 140: Unfounded Chapter 421: Chapter 140: Unfounded Is he completely unaware of my presence? Zhou Heng paused slightly, then turned to look in the direction of Huangtong Mansion City, a smile appearing on his face, Worthy of being one of the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Eastern Sea, truly arrogant. Although the aura of his cultivation realm was only at the level of Sect Fifth Rank, his mana was extraordinarily profound, far surpassing that of a normal Sect Fifth Rank. Any Absolute Fourth Rank Great Grandmaster passing by would take notice. Even a true Celestial Man, upon seeing such a Martial Artist, would most likely not ignore him so completely. Yet the Taoist Huo Qingyun, who had just passed by, completely disregarded him, as if Zhou Heng were nothing more than an insignificant ant by the roadside. Taoist Huo Qingyun did not truly notice Zhou Heng, or rather, even though he did, he didnt care at all. Under his Divine Sense, he could clearly judge the cultivation realm of Zhou Heng, who was merely a Fifth Rank Dharma Phase, and although the depth of his mana was somewhat abnormal, in his eyes, Zhou Heng was still akin to an ant, not worth mentioning. Even the strongest Fifth Rank Dharma Phase was still just Fifth Rank; when facing a Celestial Power that had entrusted their Primordial Spirit to the void and mastered the power of Taoist Laws, there was absolutely no room for defiance. This was the difference between an ancient divine beast and an ant. There was no comparison. Now, all he wanted was to quickly reach his destination and then use the excuse of searching for his mount to unseal what was below this central Prefectural city and obtain what he needed. The Demon Lords half finger bone, this will be enough to bear my Primordial Spirit, assist me in forming an indestructible Dharma body, and gain power comparable to a Tao Lord, Taoist Huo Qingyuns eyes showed excitement. The lifespan of a Loose Immortal was not infinite. Although the Primordial Spirit was immortal, the body was composed of Spiritual Materials, which over a long time, could degenerate; even oceans could become mulberry fields, and Spiritual Materials were not imperishable and naturally could decay. Taoist Huo Qingyun had been a Loose Immortal for over two thousand years, and the Spiritual Materials he had used to condense his Dharma body and serve as a beacon for his Primordial Spirit were gradually deteriorating. Therefore, he urgently needed a suitable new Spiritual Material to carry his Primordial Spirit. However, during these past two thousand years, Huo Qingyuns Primordial Spirit had grown even more powerful, nearly reaching the limit of a Loose Immortals Primordial Spirit. Because of this, he was ranked among the Seventy-Two Immortals of the Eastern Sea, but it was also for this reason that ordinary Spiritual Materials could no longer withstand the might of his Primordial Spirit. He needed top Celestial Man-grade Spiritual Materials, or even those close to the level of a Tao Lord. However, such high-level Spiritual Materials were exceedingly rare. Despite the vast area and rich resources of the Eastern Sea, finding such materials was as difficult as ascending to heaven, almost an impossibility. For this reason, Huo Qingyun had nearly sent people to search all nations for upwards of a hundred years but found no suitable Spiritual Materials. Finally, a year ago, he accidentally received news from a power within the Thirty-Six Heavens, a Loose Immortal organization, that beneath Huangtong Mansion City in the central lands of Qi Country, lay the half finger bone of a Demon Lord. Huo Qingyuns heart stirred. The Demon Lord was equivalent to a Second Rank in the Nine Nether; its essence was extremely high, its power immense, and it even possessed a strong characteristic of immortality. If he used it to house his Primordial Spirit and condense his Dharma body, he would undoubtedly reach the pinnacle, possessing the most powerful strength among all Loose Immortals, and he might also inherit the characteristic of immortality, thereby freeing himself from worries of his Dharma bodys decay forever. As for the inherent demonic nature, Taoist Huo Qingyun was not worried. He possessed a rare treasure particularly adept at cleansing and purifying spiritual imprints, and with an extremely high upper limit. Even the so-called Tao Lord-level demonic nature, he was confident he could eradicate. Ive finally arrived. Taoist Huo Qingyun reached the skies above Huangtong Mansion City, hands clasped behind his back, looking down from above, his Divine Sense instantly sweeping across the entire city and the surrounding area for hundreds of miles, clearly understanding the situation within this region. Theres only one Secret Six Rank Martial Artist; the central lands are so weak. In such a large city and its surrounding area, the strongest person is just a minor Secret Six Rank, truly laughable. Judging from where this Secret Six Rank Martial Artist is located, he must be the official sent by Qi Country to manage the people of this region. Is the official in charge of such a large area really so weak? Huo Qingyun had been away for quite some time and was not familiar with the current societal circumstances, but upon seeing Huangtong Mansion City, some of his prior concerns immediately dissipated significantly. I never imagined the Central Plains to be so weak. Although the Eastern Sea region is vast, there is very little land, usually consisting of island nations, with almost every large island being a country. A territory like Huangtong Mansion, with its land area, would be considered a small country in the Eastern Sea. And in the Eastern Sea, without a Sect Fifth Rank strong person, its simply not possible to successfully establish a country. Therefore, in the eyes of Yu Que, the most powerful being in an area as large as Huangtong Mansion being only a Secret Six Rank was akin to being defenseless. Too weak! Truly too weak. If it werent for the Central Plains having many ancient sects and numerous Celestial Men and even Tao Lords, we from the Eastern Seas Immortal World would have already counterattacked the land. A hint of cold smile appeared on the face of Yu Que, and he even wondered if he had been too cautious before. On his journey here from the Eastern Sea, he had not encountered any obstacles at all, not even a single person to question him, as if this Central Plains land was completely defenseless. Had I known it would be this easy, I should have come directly. Why bother with a year of preparations and even losing an ancient lineage mount as a lead-in? Yu Que suddenly thought to himself. However, he quickly shook his head and whispered to himself, One mustnt underestimate the Central Plains. With its Celestial Men and even Tao Lords, someone capable of defeating me could appear at any time. Gotta be quick and decisive. With that in mind, he shouted loudly, I am Yu Que, a Loose Immortal from the Eastern Sea. I now suspect that my lost mount might be related to this place. Please permit me to enter the city to search and track my mounts whereabouts. Yu Que needed to enter the city. Otherwise, he wouldnt be able to lift the seal that suppressed half of a Demon Lords phalanx. Only by entering the city could he initiate a resonance with the seal, thereby accelerating the speed of breaking the seal to quickly obtain that half of the Demon Lords phalanx. To avoid prolonged uncertainties. As for slaughtering the entire city, Yu Que had thought about it, but he didnt actually plan to carry it out. He could guess on his own that if he really did so, the powers of the Central Plains would undoubtedly hunt him down until death. Therefore, he needed to find at least a somewhat legitimate reason. Meanwhile, inside Huangtong Mansion City, the newly appointed Prefect Huo Qingyun was looking up at the figure hovering above the clouds with a pale face and a look of immense terror. As the Prefect, he could roughly judge the level of power that Yu Que possessed. Definitely above Absolute Fourth Rank, possibly a Celestial Man or a Loose Immortal! Such a powerful beings mount went missing in Huangtong Mansion City? Huo Qingyuns first reaction was disbelief. How could such a thing happen? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The mount of such a powerful being would undoubtedly be very strong as well. Who could have the capacity to make it disappear in the vast Huangtong Mansion City? It was completely unfounded! But as the Prefect of Huangtong Mansion, he couldnt not respond. Therefore, Huo Qingyun could only take a deep breath, activate his flying ability, and slowly ascend into the sky, facing Yu Que. Esteemed elder, may I ask what brings you here? Huo Qingyun asked respectfully and with great deference. Chapter 422 - Chapter 422: Chapter 141: The Sparrow Stalks Behind Chapter 422: Chapter 141: The Sparrow Stalks Behind ` My purpose has already been made clear, said the Tao Lord Yu Que, casting a casual glance at Huo Qingyun. Why ask again? ` ` It seems that you are not a native of the Central Plains? Huo Qingyun remained in front of Tao Lord Yu Que, smiling politely, and said, With such a great power as yourself coming here, you should have notified the County City first. ` ` Ha, little thing, are you trying to teach me how to do things? Tao Lord Yu Ques eyebrows twitched slightly, as he coldly chuckled, I know what youre thinking: youre simply afraid Ill do as I please once I enter the city. But make it clear to yourself, with your little strength, can you stop me? ` ` I am of humble strength and naturally cannot stop you, Huo Qingyun gently shook his head yet remained resolute and firm, saying solemnly, However, if you truly were to wreak havoc, even if I died, there are still the strong ones in the County City, and the Upper Third Rank powers of the Imperial Court. ` ` Are you threatening me? Tao Lord Yu Que watched Huo Qingyun with interest, smiling as he said, An ant-like creature like you, do you think that just because youre backed by the Qi Country Imperial Court, I wouldnt dare touch you? ` ` Even though I am overseas, I am well aware that your countrys royal family is in disarray, the court and the political landscape are in turmoil, and they simply cant afford to look after the localities. Even if I killed you right now, there would be no Upper Third Rank powers coming after me for trouble. ` ` Huo Qingyun fell into silence. As a serving official of the Imperial Court, he was acutely aware of Da Qis current state of government affairs, which were exactly as Tao Lord Yu Que described. ` ` Utter chaos! ` ` Da Qi at present didnt even have the extra energy to pay attention to the covert erosion of its borders by Southern Jin and Northern Zhou, let alone to concern itself with a minor Sixth Rank Prefect like him. ` ` His earlier words were nothing but a bluff. ` ` Now that his bluff had been called, Huo Qingyun was left speechless, yet he did not retreat, still blocking Tao Lord Yu Ques path, trying to bar his way. ` ` Regardless of the state of the Imperial Court, he had his own principles to uphold. ` ` Being in charge of a region meant that he had to do his utmost to ensure the safety of its people. ` ` Youre truly seeking your own death, said Tao Lord Yu Que, his face showing anger; yet he refrained from actually making a move. ` ` He did not wish to kill an official of Da Qis Imperial Court outright. ` ` As a Loose Immortal of the Eastern Sea, he had always been wary of the Celestial Men and even Tao Lords of the Central Plains. ` ` Although he was convinced that the Da Qi Imperial Court would unlikely concern itself with the death of a Secret Sixth Rank Prefect, he could not be sure whether someone powerful was backing Huo Qingyun with such a strong stance. ` ` What if Huo Qingyun had a mentor in the Heavenly Human Realm behind him? ` ` Even if the likelihood was extremely low, it was enough to cause a trace of hesitation in Tao Lord Yu Ques heart. ` ` However, Tao Lord Yu Ques intense longing for the demon lords half-finger bone was so strong that he could not possibly give it up. ` ` Thus, even a slight moment of hesitation was immediately crushed by his resolve. ` ` To refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, Tao Lord Yu Ques gaze chilled as he allowed the powerful and terrifying force of his Primordial Spirit to spread out, preparing to burst into Huo Qingyuns mind directly. ` ` He planned to use the overwhelming power of his Divine Soul to twist Huo Qingyuns thoughts, to directly change his mind so that Huo Qingyun would clear the way on his own and cease his obstruction. ` ` For a Loose Immortal to alter the thoughts of a Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist was a task effortless, requiring no more force than it would take to blow away dust. ` ` But at that momentC ` ` Dong! ` ` The bell tolled, and an intangible force spread forth, sending chills down the spine. ` ` Although a Loose Immortal might possess a Law Body, its essence still existed in the form of a Primordial Spirit, bereft of the protection of a physical body, and thus highly susceptible to attacks on the Divine Soul. ` ` Under the peel of that bell, Tao Lord Yu Ques movements abruptly halted; his Divine Soul Power dissipated instantly, and even his Mana began to show signs of slipping out of control, preventing him from making a move against Huo Qingyun. ` ` A Celestial Mans Divine Artifact?! Tao Lord Yu Que was shocked inwardly. ` ` He could feel that the bells toll contained an immensely powerful force of Laws, not merely a sonic attack, but rather something that touched on the level of Laws themselves; all who heard the bell were sure to suffer damage to their Divine Soul. Such a Divine Artifact was practically the bane of Loose Immortals. Of course, as the controller of the artifact, one could also steer the bells Law-infused toll to target specifically, releasing it only upon certain individuals or having it ring only within a designated area. Just as the current situation was, Real Person Yu Que could clearly sense that the insignificant Secret Sixth Rank standing before him was perfectly fine, completely unaffected by the toll of the bell. Whos there?! Real Person Yu Que bellowed sharply, his Divine Sense spreading out in an attempt to detect anyone in the vicinity who might be a problem. A Celestial Man-level Divine Artifact, aimed specifically at Divine Souls to inhibit Loose Immortals, also limited to a certain range, had left this Secret Sixth Rank Martial Artist untouched. This was obviously a premeditated move. It was meant for him! Who could it be? Which Celestial Man powerhouse? Many thoughts flashed through Real Person Yu Ques mind before he saw a figure riding the clouds swiftly approaching. It was a young Taoist who appeared to be around twenty, holding a small bell in his hand. It was Zhou Heng. You? Real Person Yu Ques brows furrowed as he said sternly, A mere Grandmaster, and you wish to stand against me? Real Person Yu Que, what is your purpose in coming to Huangtong Mansion City? Zhou Heng cut to the chase, directly questioning the Loose Immortals intentions and bracing himself to take action at any moment. My mount disappeared here; as its master, of course I must search for it, Real Person Yu Que replied with an unchanged expression, calmly saying, Its just that the Lord of the Mansion has been uncooperative, making me anxious, so I acted a bit impulsively. So, its about a missing mount; that indeed requires a search, Zhou Heng nodded in agreement, smiling, Then how about I accompany Real Person in the search? How does that sound? If fellow Taoist is familiar with this place, that would indeed be most beneficial, Real Person Yu Que agreed with a rich smile on his face, seemingly truly convinced by Zhou Hengs proposition and happy to have obtained help. But Huo Qingyun hesitated, on the verge of speaking. Lord Huo need not worry, Zhou Heng reassured with a smile, then said to Real Person Yu Que, Since fellow Taoist trusts me, let us enter the city together, and you may leave as soon as you find your mount. Alright, Real Person Yu Ques attitude became surprisingly amicable as he nodded and followed beside Zhou Heng. Huo Qingyun watched the two of them slowly descend together with astonishment and confusion written all over his face. What was going on? Yet, while he was still puzzled about this situation, a sudden surge of foreboding overwhelmed him, as though a great disaster was imminent. The very next moment, Huo Qingyun saw Real Person Yu Que make his move, reaching out a finger towards Zhou Heng, causing the Laws in the surrounding void to undergo a drastic upheaval. The once freely circulating air instantly solidified, and the omnipresent natural energies of heaven and earth were dispersed in an instant, leaving a radius of dozens of miles devoid of any heavenly energy. At the same time, the endless edicts derived from the Laws seemed to be constrained by a force of extremely profound essence, resulting in Middle Third Rank Martial Artists losing their ability to communicate with the natural Laws and wield the powers of nature. Their strength would plummet dramatically! Ant-like creatures, daring to point fingers at me, how ludicrous! Real Person Yu Que revealed a ferocious glare. In fact, he had no intention of reconciling; while flying towards Huangtong Mansion City with Zhou Heng, he had brazenly attacked, intending to kill Zhou Heng on the spot. However, Real Person Yu Que was not the only one with this thought. ` Zhou Heng thought so too. What a coincidence, youre thinking of making a move too? Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, clearly perceiving the variations of the laws around him and the changes in the Qi of the heaven and earth, yet he was not flustered at all. In fact, right from the start, he had activated a special privilege he had acquired before. And the effect of this privilege was undetectable by Yu Que unless he took action. No, my mana?! Yu Que, who was about to kill Zhou Heng, suddenly exclaimed in shock, his face showing disbelief. He instantly retreated, looking at Zhou Heng with bewilderment. Kid, what, what did you just do?! At the same time, the various phenomenon that he had just created with his Loose Immortal mana also began to dissipate; the dispersed Qi of heaven and earth quickly returned, and the Dao Laws that had been changed also returned to normal. It was as though a Loose Immortal of the same level was turning chaos into order, undoing everything Yu Que had done before. Preventing Yu Que from once again entrapping and restraining Zhou Heng. And the person doing this was Zhou Heng himself. Zhou Heng now also possessed the strength of a Loose Immortal, exactly the same as the current Yu Que, without the slightest difference. This was the effect of the special privilege he had activated earlier. Balance Once: Designate a target, add the targets strength to your own and then split it evenly, balancing the strength of both sides, lasting fifteen minutes. Yu Que held a rank among the seventy-two Celestials from the Eastern Sea, one of the strongest among Loose Immortals, whose strength could even be on par with a true Celestial Man. Even half would still be at the level of a Loose Immortal. Zhou Heng, after activating this special privilege, acquired half of Yu Ques strength through Balance, which gave him Loose Immortal-level strength for fifteen minutes. How does it feel? Zhou Heng said with a light laugh. What wicked sorcery is this?! Yu Que was deeply shocked in his heart. At the same time, he began to think about retreating. And, after his strength severely declined, he suddenly felt that his recent actions seemed somewhat reckless and impetuous. In particular, the desire to come to the Central Plains to acquire that half piece of the Demon Lords bone finger seemed too intense, like a burning blaze, as if some invisible force was pushing him to come. In the whole affair, he had thought things too simple and had failed to conduct a thorough investigation of a place as densely populated by Heavenly Humans as the Central Plains He came directly. It was not at all like his usual style of conduct. When had it started? Even if his Dharma body was decaying and occasionally his consciousness became confused, it should not have become like this. It seemed to have started after making contact with that Loose Immortal from the Thirty-Six Heavens? Damn it! Yu Que suddenly realized that he might have been used! While the affair of the Demon Lords bone finger might not be false, that Loose Immortal from the Thirty-Six Heavens was definitely not just helping him, there had to be another agenda! Hold on a moment! Yu Que tried to parley with Zhou Heng, feeling that there was no need for him to fight to the death with his opponent. But at that moment, Zhou Heng had already made his move. With the strength of a Loose Immortal, Zhou Hengs mastery of the various peerless Divine Skills and the supreme celestial methods made their might immediately swell to an unprecedented level. Techniques that were originally impossible to perform were now effortless. This state made Zhou Heng feel incredibly comfortable. He couldnt help but want to take action directly. Yu Que, take my three palms! Zhou Heng, with intense fighting spirit in his eyes, circulated the mana within his body, spread his arms, raised his hands, and slapped them towards Yu Que. The two palms came one after the other, each carrying different formidable laws. The first palms center was dark, as if to overturn all things in the heavens and the earth, to reverse the cosmos, while the second seemed to contain all the realms and the endless void, leaving no place to hide. These were the first two styles of the Overturning Heaven Three Palms. Heaven and Earth Inversion! Palms Covering Three Realms! These two palms, one following the other, sealed off all of Yu Ques possible movements, covered everything within thousands of miles, and left him no chance to escape. Moreover, the terrifying power of the Heaven and Earth Inversion was just so overwhelming that it was unknown whether Yu Ques current decaying Dharma body could withstand it. So, the moment Zhou Hengs palms landed on Yu Que, the long-standing Loose Immortal and top contender from the Eastern Sea exploded on the spot, his Dharma body disintegrated, leaving only his Immortal Yuan Spirit. You?! Yu Que couldnt believe what was happening to him. He had been blown apart by two palms?! Even if this person had used some cunning method to have the same strength as him, how could he dominate him so effortlessly with similar strength? And, what martial arts were those just now that gave him a sense of facing the terrifying collapse of the heavens and the overturning of the earth? Was the Central Plains so terrifying? Yu Que regretted again and again, why hadnt he conducted a careful investigation before coming? It was as if he had been enchanted! It must be the doings of that Loose Immortal from the Thirty-Six Heavens! It must have been his scheme!! Zhou Heng, unaware of Yu Ques inner turmoil, saw that his opponents Dharma body was shattered, leaving only the Primordial Spirit, and immediately pursued the victory, slapping down with the third palm. This palm contained an extremely intense destruction power, with layers of laws in the palm seemingly propelling the advent of the end, shattering the upside-down cosmos, disintegrating all realms, and turning everything in this world to dust! The third style of the Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Cosmos Completely Shattered!! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At the same time, within Huangtong Mansion City. A young master in a white brocade robe was strolling leisurely on the street, his gaze sweeping over the terrified citizens due to the battle in the sky. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a mocking smile. Its time, he thought to himself. Hey, young man. Just at this moment, a skinny old man swinging a fan walked over, looking at him with a smile. Chapter 423 - Chapter 423: Chapter 142: The Dark Era, The End Time Chapter 423: Chapter 142: The Dark Era, The End Time ` Who are you? The young man was suddenly stopped and immediately showed a displeased look on his face, frowning as he said, I dont have time to chat with an old man like you, get out of my way! Ah, young people are always so hot-tempered, Jiang Er didnt get angry, still smiling cheerfully. He took a step forward and grabbed the young mans wrist, Come with me, Ill help you cool down. You?! The young man was about to shake off Jiang Ers hand but found that this seemingly lean palm held infinite strength, tightly restricting his wrist, rendering him unable to move, Who are you, daring to oppose me? At this moment, the young man realized that the other party was no ordinary person. Although he hadnt yet displayed his true strength, just the fact that this little old man could restrain his wrist and prevent him from breaking free was enough to determine that this was at least a Great Grandmaster. Otherwise, it would be impossible to possess such formidable power. But even if you are a Celestial Man, you wont be able to stop me this time! sneered the young man inwardly, while keeping a calm face, he even looked at Jiang Er with a scornful gaze. In the young mans eyes, the only trouble in Huangtong Mansion City had already been occupied by the foolish Yu Que Tao Lord, allowing him to unseal this place unhindered, which would let the endless glory of ancient times shine upon the world once again. As for Zhou Heng, he knew quite a lot about him, understanding that he was an incredibly powerful being reincarnated, with endless measures from his previous life, and even a Tao Lord had perished at his hands. This was undoubtedly a major problem, and if he could solve or detain this issue, everything else could proceed smoothly. It was just unexpected that in this small prefectural city, aside from Zhou Heng, there was still another mysterious powerhouse, which surprised him greatly. However, at this point, success was just before his eyes, and not even a Celestial Mans descent could stop him now. Old man, Im no Celestial Man, Jiang Er kept shaking his head with a smile, but his steps didnt stop for a moment, still pulling the young man toward the deeper streets and alleys. You old bastard, courting death! Unable to bear it any longer, the young man immediately circulated the Loose Immortal mana, intending to shatter the old mans palm. However, he immediately felt as if his Loose Immortal mana had entered the sea like a mudfish, causing no disturbance and completely failing to affect the old mans lean palm. Peak Celestial Man?! The young man was shocked, despite believing his strength to be on par with any Celestial Man, and due to his special physique and secretive inheritance, he stood among the strongest in the Celestial Man realm. But if faced with those who had transcended the five declines of a Celestial Man, whose Dao bodies were refined, and Primordial Spirits were beginning to congeal the embryonic form of Dao seeds, he knew he was mostly no match for them. At this time, this gaunt old man appeared to effortlessly crush his mana burst, and his strength had probably reached the level of a peak Celestial Man! Damn it, how could there be another peak Celestial Man in such a small place besides Zhou Heng?! The young mans complexion turned extremely ugly, never having expected his perfect plan to come to this. Where did things go wrong? Why did this happen? Lets go, lets go, lets go. Jiang Er seemed completely unaware of the young mans release of Loose Immortal mana, still dragging him toward the deeper streets and alleys. This old man is not ordinary; I cant just let him catch me, I should leave while I can, the young man quickly made a new decision in his heart. Although his purpose for coming to Huangtong Mansion City was very important, what mattered most was to preserve his own life first; if he could not save his life, then everything else was just empty talk. ` ` With this thought, the young mans figure wavered slightly, and he was about to turn into a wisp of transparent smoke then and there. This was his unique escape skill, rooted in the laws, which transformed his Dharma body into intangible smoke, and allowed him to recondense his spirit and form millions of miles away, essentially escaping instantly over such an immense distance. Moreover, this escape skill relied solely on the laws, temporarily turning himself into a secret law, so that even when a Celestial Man exerted the power of laws, they could not affect this escape method, unable to intercept him. However, this time he was not successful. His body only maintained its smoky state for a fleeting moment, and before he even had a chance to flee, he was wrapped up by an incomprehensibly powerful and arcane force of restraint that he could not understand. It forcibly severed his connection with the laws and kept his Dharma body in its normal humanoid form, rendering him utterly unable to escape. This time, the young man was completely dumbfounded, with eyes wide open in disbelief, looking at the skinny, small old man, filled with horror, his body like a walking corpse, being dragged along by the old man. He profoundly felt how his own Loose Immortal mana, in front of this small old man, seemed as if mere decoration, as if it did not exist at all, rendering him as weak as an infant, entirely incapable of resisting. How is this possible, how can it be, who is he, from where did this mighty figure emerge?! The young mans mind was in turmoil, finding it impossible to believe what was happening before his eyes. Old Jiang, whats wrong? At this moment, Zhou Hengs voice reached the young mans ears again, instantly pushing his already tense spirit to the brink of collapse. Zhou Heng had already finished the battle? Damn, even if that trash from Yu Que is just a Loose Immortal, how could he be so useless?! Nothing much, just caught a young man who likes to run around. Jiang Er shook the fan in his other hand and smiled, This young man is full of fiery energy, Ill take him to cool down a bit. Indeed, cooling down is needed, Zhou Heng glanced at the young man, nodded lightly, and smiled, The times are not peaceful now, its better not to run around. In fact, he had noticed this Loose Immortal long ago. Under the Celestial Mans aura observation technique, the aura pillar of this Loose Immortal was utterly visible, with nowhere to hide. Even if Jiang Tafa had not made a move, should this Loose Immortal truly have intended anything, he had the spare strength to intervene personally. What exactly do you want to do? The young man had already given up on escaping and looked at Zhou Heng and Jiang Er with a sullen expression, speaking in a deep voice, I am merely traveling here and have never thought of doing anything. Why strike against me? He put on an innocent facade. The Loose Immortal from the Eastern Sea Thirty-Six Heavens organization, Gonghua, stealthily coming to the central lands, and you claim you werent intending to do anything? Zhou Heng chuckled, Do you believe that yourself? As Zhou Heng dispatched the True Immortal of Yu Que, he gathered some memory fragments from the collapsing and disintegrating Divine Soul by a rudimentary application of the True Spirit Yuans Heart Sutra. Among them was the memory of this Gonghua Immortal enticing him to come to Huangtong Mansion City to seek out the half demon lords finger bone. A Loose Immortal affiliated with the Thirty-Six Heavens stirring up the True Immortal of Yu Que to come to Huangtong Mansion City, and following suit, clearly was no simple matter. It very likely involved the Thirty-Six Gods of the Dark Era before the Middle Ancient period. After all, the organization of the Thirty-Six Heavens has set the goal of pursuing the revival of the Thirty-Six Gods. ` Zhou Heng had sufficient reason to harbor such suspicions. If they want to accuse me of a crime, wont they find an excuse? Gong Hua, the Immortal, said with a cold sneer on his face, Central Plains cultivators are all the same, always ganging up and slandering without evidence. He intended to remain defiant to the end. This might give him a glimmer of hope for survival. After all, the other party had no evidence. Old man, I am not just any Central Plains cultivator, Jiang Er shook his head and sighed, You youngsters really dont know what youre doing. Itd be best for you to be locked up and come to your senses. As he spoke, his palm shook slightly, without any visible anomalies, yet Gong Hua, the Immortal, rapidly shrank, turning into a tiny figure the size of a fingertip, which he placed on his palm. You?! Gong Hua, the Immortal, looked terrified, only to see Jiang Er cover him with another hand wielding a fan. The Loose Immortal from the Thirty-Six Heavens immediately felt his vision darken and then lost all consciousness. Old Jiang, did you just seal him? Zhou Heng watched the fan in Jiang Ers hand, only now realizing that the fan was also a treasure. Moreover, it was no ordinary item; it was likely a Divine Artifact of Tao Lord level. Young peoples minds are not clear; they want to revive the Thirty-Six Gods of Darkness and return the times to that dark and despairing era. They should be locked away to clear their minds, Jiang Er returned to his usual demeanor, lazily waving the fan in his hand. The methods of a Tao Lord are profound and inscrutable; to seal a Loose Immortal was as easy as turning over ones hand, effortlessly done. It didnt even qualify as a skirmish. The gap was too great. Senior, how much do you know about that Dark Era? Zhou Heng did not inquire further about Gong Hua, the Immortal. Instead, he was more concerned about the information regarding the Dark Era. It was an extraordinarily chaotic and despairing time. In fact, the Thirty-Six Gods came into being as a response to it Jiang Er paused, then said, Come to the old mans house for a cup of tea tonight. Thank you, senior. Zhou Heng bowed and thanked him with a gesture. This was a disciple of a Saint from the Middle Ancient times, a Tao Lord who had lived for thousands of years; he must know many ancient secrets. At nightfall, the bright moon was hung high, veiling the starlight with mist. Zhou Heng arrived at the small courtyard where Jiang Er lived and knocked on the door. Xie Chong was the one to answer. As Jiang Ers disciple, he had already moved in with his family to live here, also taking care of Jiang Ers daily needs. Of course, Xie Chong had no idea of Jiang Ers true identity, believing him to be a martial arts master with superb skills who had chosen to retire from the world of heroes in his later years. He thought of doing his utmost to support Jiang Er and ensure a comfortable life in his old age. Master, you have arrived, please come in, Xie Chong greeted Zhou Heng with great respect, as he saw Zhou Heng as his benefactor too, The teacher is already waiting for you in the guest room. Zhou Hengs visit was something Jiang Er had already told Xie Chong about, so he was not surprised. Hmm, Zhou Heng nodded lightly and made his way to the guest room. At this time, Jiang Er still appeared leisurely. In the guest room, there was a rocking chair upon which he lay, swaying back and forth, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. The teapot on the side was bubbling, and the tea was just perfectly brewed. It seems Ive arrived at just the right moment, Zhou Heng remarked with a smile as he entered the guest room and saw the teapot. Timing is better than haste, Jiang Er said as he rose from the rocking chair. He casually picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Zhou Heng, then one for himself. However, despite being brewed from the same pot, the two cups of tea looked quite different. Zhou Hengs cup of tea was clearer, while Jiang Ers was somewhat murky. You wish to ask about the Dark Era; thats quite normal, Jiang Er said as he set down the teapot and sat opposite Zhou Heng, smiling. Anyone with accomplished cultivation is curious about that lost segment of history. Are you implying something, senior? Zhou Heng caught the hint in Jiang Ers words. Pure Yang Palace is an ancient sect that has been handed down since the ancient times. The third-generation leader even lived through the Dark Era. In theory, they should know quite a lot about the Dark Era, Jiang Er said with a smile. But it seems that you havent learned about the Dark Era from your own sect. Hmm, its said the Dark Era was too tragic. Even the Grand Ancestor Master preferred not to mention it much, Zhou Heng nodded lightlyCan acknowledgment that this wasnt much of a secret. Thats understandable, Jiang Er nodded and sighed. Actually, if you hadnt asked me, and I hadnt come across someone from the Thirty-Six Heavens, I wouldnt want to talk about it either. What does the appearance of someone from the Thirty-Six Heavens mean? Zhou Heng frowned. It means that the Thirty-Six Gods of Darkness are about to truly awaken and return, Jiang Er said gravely. On the surface, it seems that the people of the Thirty-Six Heavens are trying to unseal the Thirty-Six Gods. In reality, its the will of the Thirty-Six Gods guiding the Loose Immortals of the Thirty-Six Heavens. Is that so? Zhou Heng exclaimed in surprise. Doesnt that mean the Thirty-Six Gods have already awakened to the extent that they can influence the outside world with their spirit? Not exactly, Jiang Er lightly shook his head and replied. Its because of the ancient divine artifact Thirty-Six Heavens. The Thirty-Six Gods are bonded with it, and even while sealed, they maintain a faint connection. Now that the seal is loosening, the power of the Thirty-Six Gods is reviving, and they can use this obscure connection to influence the ancient divine artifact, thus guiding those Loose Immortals. Cant we prevent them from breaking the seal? Zhou Heng frowned. Like fortifying the seal? The person before him was a Tao Lord who had cultivated the sealing Dao seed and was especially proficient in seals and prohibitions conferred by the Saint of Laws; yet, from his tone, it seemed he had no intention of fortifying the seal. Unless the Nine Saints are resurrected, no one can strengthen the seal, Jiang Er shook his head and said. The Thirty-Six Gods are inseparable from the Thirty-Six Heavens. No one in this era can stop the power of the Thirty-Six Heavens. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What exactly are the Thirty-Six Heavens? Zhou Heng asked in confusion. Its said that the Thirty-Six Gods are only at the Tao Lord level and can rival the Saints with the help of this ancient artifact. What kind of treasure possesses such power that it can sustain the force of thirty-six Saints? The Thirty-Six Heavens are said to be the Heavenly Court of the Ancient Mythological Era, Jiang Er said calmly, delivering an earth-shattering statement. What?! Zhou Heng was taken aback. When the Heavenly Court fell, it became the Thirty-Six Heavens, Jiang Er explained slowly. With the fall of the Heavenly Court, the Immortals vanished, the heavens collapsed, the inheritances were severed, and the world plunged into chaos, as if the final apocalypse had arrived. Therefore, the Dark Era was also considered the last era before total destruction, known as the Era of Final Calamity. Chapter 424 - Chapter 424: Chapter 143 Everything Will Be Destroyed Chapter 424: Chapter 143 Everything Will Be Destroyed ` Heavenly Court?! Thirty-Six Heavens? Zhou Hengs eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at Jiang Er, saying, Was there a Heavenly Court in the Ancient Mythological Era? You know of the Heavenly Court? Jiang Er seemed a bit surprised, and then realizing, smiled and said, Thats right, your body carries the aura of the Zhou Tian Star Chart, which should allow you to roam the myriad worlds. Its not strange that you know of the Heavenly Court. Indeed, just as you are thinking, the numerous immortals and gods of the Ancient Mythological Era were not without organization. Although some stray immortals and gods were outside of this structure, the vast majority of them actually belonged to one colossal entity. This organization is the Heavenly Court, holding aloft the Thirty-Six Heavens, reigning supreme over the myriad worlds, with the will of the Heavenly Emperor covering the endless cosmos, commanding all immortals, Buddhas, saints, demons, and ghosts. This is the true visage of the Ancient Mythological Era. So it is Zhou Hengs mouth slightly opened, sinking into a prolonged silence. Although he originally didnt know much about the Ancient Mythological Era, he had speculated based on some scattered legends, always believing that the Ancient Mythological Era might be one where immortals overwhelmed the world, sects stood in great numbers, and people all aimed to become immortals. Yet, he hadnt expected that there would be a Heavenly Court above all else, ruling over the beings of the Ancient Mythological Era. If that was truly the case, then the end of the Ancient Mythological Era must be inseparable from this Heavenly Court. Did Jiang Er just say the Heavenly Court fell and the worlds collapsed? What kind of force could cause such a colossal entity to crumble with a bang? Does such a force really exist? How could such a Heavenly Court possibly fall? Zhou Heng voiced his inner doubt. I do not know. Jiang Er shook his head and said, I too have only heard bits and pieces from my master, after all, the Ancient Mythological Era is extremely remote from my time as well. Extremely remote? Zhou Heng caught another puzzling detail and asked, Does senior know how long the Dark Era lasted? Before this, he had looked at some scattered information on the Dark Era and had also asked others, with a general consensus that the duration of the Dark Era might have been between three to four thousand years and ten thousand years. That is to say, the Ancient Mythological Era should be about three to four thousand to ten thousand years before the Middle Ancient Era. However, based on Jiang Ers words, it seems not so. The lifespan of a Tao Lord could be said to be boundless, and Jiang Er himself has lived an ancient existence for over five thousand years. For such powerful beings, even an era from ten thousand years ago could not really be called extremely remote. The ancient immortals passed away, the thirty-six gods dominated the universe, sects were established everywhere, great demons roamed the earth, foreign demons invaded, ghosts were rampant, and the human race was as insignificant as ants. Jiang Er spoke indifferently, That is the Dark Era as you know it, right. The Dark Era as I know it? Zhou Heng was taken aback and then expressed astonishment, What do you mean, senior? Heh, consider it from another perspective, Jiang Er said with a light laugh. The thirty-six supremely exalted gods rule everything in this world, countless sects and great teachings hold the laws of humanity, controlling the door to cultivation. Though demons and ghosts run rampant in the world, there are sect cultivators who slay demons and exorcise evils, maintaining peace in the land in order to replenish fresh blood for their own sects. If someone living in such an era were an ordinary person, would they feel it was a Dark Era? Zhou Heng first fell silent, then furrowed his brow and spoke heavily, In such an era, ordinary people are barred from the path to transcendence. Over time, fewer and fewer humans will naturally develop the aspiration for transcendence. If one could live happily under the protection of a sect, why seek transcendence? Jiang Er teased. If demons roam the earth, wouldnt the human race seek self-preservation? Zhou Heng said. Only by being strong oneself can one truly ensure ones safety; this should be an easily understandable principle. But how can one become strong? Jiang Er smiled. To cultivate ah, cultivating means one must join a sect and become part of it? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed again. Correct, the sects and great teachings monopolize everything, and commoners remain commoners for life. Jiang Er sighed. Those who can cultivate are handpicked and sanctioned by the sects. Ordinary people are not qualified to pursue the path of transcendence on their own. The term Fei Xian for the Secret Six Rank, why is it called ascending to immortality, originates from that era. In reality, this rank hardly deserves the title immortal. But to the common people, cultivating to immortality is like a myth; even just being able to leave the ground to fly through the air is enough to be called immortal. As you have said, in such an environment over time, ordinary people almost never spontaneously develop the will to transcend and increasingly settle for their situation, even viewing those who seek immortality as outcasts. With the thirty-six gods in control of everything, the great sect teachings maintain the laws of humanity, and ordinary people not thinking of the path to transcendence Zhou Heng found it chilling, This is an extremely stable structure that is almost impossible to break. Indeed. Jiang Er nodded, To the sects and great teachings, ordinary people are like plants and ants, utterly powerless to resist, and these sects are the same before the thirty-six gods. As long as the thirty-six gods at the very top do not falter, the structure will not falter. Theoretically, it can last forever through the ages. So how long did it last? Zhou Heng was profoundly shocked. Nearly a hundred thousand years. Jiang Er sighed. A hundred thousand years Zhou Heng fell into a prolonged silence, speechless for a time. Such an era stretching for a hundred thousand years, whether in terms of social structure or the lives of ordinary people, likely saw no change, all a cycle of repetition, year in year out. From the perspective of this era, it was indeed a Dark Era. Yet to those who truly lived in that epoch, it is likely that they never had this realization, with almost all ordinary people just repeatedly experiencing birth, aging, sickness, and death. Didnt any of those great sect teachings ever want to change it? Zhou Heng wanted to ask about Pure Yang Palace, as even during the Dark Era, there was a Divine First Rank in Pure Yang Palace. I know what youre asking, Jiang Er said gravely. I have heard from my master that many sects tried to change it, but they were all easily suppressed by the thirty-six gods. ` In front of the thirty-six gods, the Tao Lord had no chance to resist, not even the sanctity of those who held the Great Dao could withstand the shackles of the Thirty-Six Heavens and were powerless. The second generation head of your Pure Yang Palace, the direct disciple of the Pure Yang Immortal, was the most famous example at the time. He held the Unique Divine Weapon left by the Pure Yang Immortal and attempted to resist the rules set by the thirty-six gods. You know the final outcome. Indeed, the grandmaster fell, and my Grand Ancestor Master took the helm in times of danger, taking over the precarious Pure Yang Palace. Zhou Heng nodded gently, his expression sorrowful. Actually, if it werent for the fear that those ancient immortals might return, the thirty-six gods would have long since eradicated the sects from the Ancient Mythological Era, Jiang Er said. However, it can also be seen as an opportunity. My mentor once said that your Grand Ancestor Master was a once-in-a-lifetime genius, a peerless individual who not only deceived everyone and secretly became a Saint during the Dark Era but also single-handedly nurtured the Artifact Saint who broke the pattern of fate. The Artifact Saint was nurtured by my Grand Ancestor Master? Zhou Heng was astonished upon hearing this, finding it hard to believe, as he had never heard such information before. If it werent for the fact that it was the Tao Lord of the Law Saint speaking, he would have doubted whether it was an overpraise of the Pure Yang Palace. Although Zhou Heng had always been grateful to the Pure Yang Palace and deeply respected the Grand Ancestor Master who took charge and saved Pure Yang Palace from imminent peril, he subconsciously still thought that the Middle Ancient Nine Saints should be somewhat more formidable. Especially after hearing Jiang Ers explanation about the situation during the Dark Era. Breaking the pattern that the thirty-six gods had maintained for nearly a hundred thousand years, igniting the wisdom of the people, allowing diverse doctrines to rise, and numerous schools of thought to contend, also pioneered an unprecedented era of cultivation prosperity. Such feats were certainly not achievable by ordinary individuals. The Middle Ancient Nine Saints were truly deserving of their reputations. And the Artifact Saint was rumored to be the first among the Middle Ancient Nine Saints to become a Divine First Rank Saint. His Unique Divine Weapon was key in defeating the thirty-six gods, and his unique method of Artifact Refining laid the foundation for the following Middle Ancient golden age. It is no exaggeration to call him the preeminent Saint of the Middle Ancient period. That such a sage was actually nurtured by his own Grand Ancestor Master? Even Zhou Heng himself found it somewhat incredible. After all, the Pure Yang Palace had never mentioned this point, neither in the records of Yan Shouyi nor in any sect archives was there any related record. You need not doubt, Jiang Er smiled and said, In fact, you could consider that in the environment of the Dark Era, it was nearly impossible for ordinary members of the Human Race to achieve sainthood without anyone knowing; let alone sainthood, even a Celestial Man would resonate with the Great Dao during the act of becoming one, and the whole world would know. For a hundred thousand years during the Dark Era, only one person deceived the heavens and the sea, fooling the thirty-six gods, and all the Celestials, Tao Lords, and Saints of the time, quietly becoming a Saint. Did the Artifact Saint become a Saint because the Grand Ancestor Master imparted his experience? Zhou Heng asked. Exactly, Jiang Er nodded with a respectful look, It should be not just that, according to what the mentor recalled, the Artifact Saint held immense respect for the Immortal Venerable Xie, and he also deeply regretted not being able to formally become a disciple of Immortal Venerable Xie. Immortal Venerable? Zhou Heng was slightly taken aback, as this was the first time he had heard this title. Thank you, Immortal Venerable, is the term of respect we use for our predecessor. During the early stage of the Middle Ancient Era, my master and the Saints all referred to our predecessor as the Immortal Venerable, Jiang Er could see Zhou Hengs confusion and explained, However, later the Immortal Venerable intended to retreat from the world, thus hinting that the title should no longer be mentioned At this point, he paused and then laughed, Speaking of which, the enmity between Taixu Viewpoint and Pure Yang Palace also started from this. It is said that the master of Taixu Viewpoint was very displeased with our predecessor being honored as Immortal Venerable. There actually was such a period of time, Zhou Heng exclaimed in surprise, Within Pure Yang Palace, there has never been any mention of this, but perhaps it is intended to prevent the disciples from being burdened by great fame. The aura of Pure Yang Palace itself was already abundant enough. If they were to add the reputation of having cultivated the first Saint of the Middle Ancient Era, it might not necessarily be a good thing. Immortal Venerable probably had the same idea back then, Jiang Er nodded in agreement and then smiled, Weve strayed a bit from the topic, lets get back to talking about the Dark Era. Hmm, Zhou Heng also nodded and continued to ask, You mentioned before that the thirty-six heavens held by the thirty-six gods were formed after the fall of the ancient Heavenly Court. Are these two entities not one and the same? They are indeed one and the same, When the Heavenly Court falls, all the heavens collapse, the all the heavens here refer to the true Ancient Thirty-Six Heavens, Jiang Er explained: However, the overwhelming thirty-six heavens held by the thirty-six gods are merely a part of the Heavenly Courts remnants, and they cannot compare with the true Ancient Thirty-Six Heavens. If they truly held the entire thirty-six heavens, my master, the Saints, and Immortal Venerable would have had no chance to resist at all. They would have been suppressed forever. So it was just a part of the remnants. Zhou Heng breathed a sigh of relief, unable to imagine how the Nine Saints of the Middle Ancient Era could have overthrown the thirty-six gods if it was the actual thirty-six heavens. It is rumored that Artifact Saint was also able to break the thirty-six gods one by one because he received a small piece of the Heavenly Courts remnants from Immortal Venerables help, which allowed him to refine a number of Unique Divine Weapons, recalled Jiang Er. Indeed, such high-level conflicts can only be countered with items of equivalent potency, cant they? Zhou Heng frowned. Exactly, Jiang Er nodded and said, Having cultivated to your current level, you should be able to feel it. The further along in cultivation, the greater the gap becomes, and at high levels, even the smallest disparity is like a chasm. I understand, Zhou Heng said with deep understanding. Just like himself at the moment, battles were either instant victories or instant defeats, with hardly any room for extended engagement. By the way, Zhou Heng suddenly recalled something else, You mentioned earlier that the Dark Era is also known as the Age of the Final Calamity, but it seems that during the nearly one hundred thousand years, there was not much of a foundation for such eschatological beliefs to spread. Were there other reasons besides the collapse of the Heavenly Court? Initially, it seemed natural to call the early period of the Dark Era by such a name since the fall of the Heavenly Court easily gave rise to apocalyptic thoughts. But in the hundred thousand years that followed, with the thirty-six gods firmly ruling the world and sealing away the path to transcendence for mortals, societal conditions should have been relatively stable. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Surely, it should not have led to doomsday theories. Youre right, the term Age of the Final Calamity should have gradually receded after the stabilization of society, Jiang Er nodded and said, But in reality, thats not what happened. Because, after the fall of the Heavenly Court and the collapse of the thirty-six heavens, the path to a higher realm of cultivation above Saint was inexplicably severed, with no further advancement possible. Moreover, any cultivator who reached the state of Celestial Man would feel that the Great Way was decaying, the laws were aging, and the myriad worlds and infinite universes seemed like a critically ill old man on the brink of death. Thus, everyone believed that the Final Calamity was approaching, and everything would ultimately be destroyed. Chapter 425 - Chapter 425: Chapter 144: The White Fox Repays Kindness Chapter 425: Chapter 144: The White Fox Repays Kindness The path forward is severed, the Great Dao decays, the Laws age Everything will ultimately be destroyed. Zhou Heng fell silent upon hearing these words. He had not yet reached the realm of Celestial Man and thus could not comprehend this feeling, yet even just hearing about it gave him a chilling sensation. However, he soon thought of something else and hurriedly asked, If its said that during the Dark Era countless people believed that the apocalypse was imminent, then what was the situation in the Age of Saints that followed? In the Age of Saints, the Human Race flourished like never before, myriad laws emerged simultaneously, schools of thought stood in great numbers, and powerhouses were in abundance. Where was there any sign of an impending apocalypse? Just as a person has a final glow before death, so do heaven and earth. Jiang Er shook his head and took a sip of tea. The Middle Ancient was indeed prosperous and mighty, but in the end, it was merely the final splendor before the apocalypse. My master and various senior brothers and uncles also believed this. They didnt give up because of it but instead planned to exert all their efforts to reverse the trend of the apocalypse, to delay or even prevent its arrival. And the result? Zhou Heng pressed on. Havent you seen it for yourself? Jiang Er countered with a question. Zhou Heng was momentarily taken aback, then fell silent. The meaning behind Jiang Ers words was clearCthe attempt of the Middle Ancient Saints to prevent the apocalypse resulted in three of them falling into madness, and after a great battle, the Saints perished, and civilization collapsed. This led to the current era. Is that why you willingly became Jiang Er? After a long silence, Zhou Heng addressed Jiang Tafa as a senior and inquired. Theres no such person as Jiang Tafa in this world anymore, only an old Jiang Er whos content with waiting for death. You might as well call me Old Jiang, Jiang Er said, shaking his fan and smiling nonchalantly. Mm. Zhou Heng nodded and asked, Do you know what exactly drove the three Saints of old to madness? He had initially thought that the madness of the Middle Ancient three Saints might have been related to the Evil Gods of other realms, but it now seemed that wasnt the case. Why would the attempt to stop the apocalypse result in bizarre madness? Was it due to despair or witnessing something inconceivable? There was mostly some other secret behind it. I dont know. Jiang Er shook his head and said, However, before the Dream Saint passed away, he had met with me once and said a few words to me. The Dream Saint was one of the three mad Saints, yet also the only one among the Saints of the great battle who survived. He was the one who spread the remnants of the many Middle Ancient traditions, preserving the spark of civilization. May you share those words with me? Zhou Heng asked solemnly. You seem to be quite eager, Jiang Er said with a light chuckle. Actually, one should just let go. Ever since Heavenly Court fell and the Heavens collapsed, there has been no path above the Saintly realm. The Middle Ancient Saints were the pinnacle of cultivation. Even such nine eminent figures couldnt avert the apocalypse and met with a fate where both their bodies and paths perished. How much can our insignificant cultivation achieve? Zhou Heng was momentarily speechless. After a while, he shook his head and sighed, Even though I know theres no hope, I dont want to just wait for death. I must at least try. After hearing Jiang Ers words, an unprecedented sense of crisis suddenly surged in his heart. If everything truly is going to be destroyed, at that time, will I be able to survive, to protect those around me and keep us alive? This was the first thought that flashed through Zhou Hengs mind. The answer is obvious. No. He was far from having such power! Until now, Zhou Heng had never truly experienced this feeling. No matter how powerful the enemy he faced, he always held some trump cards that could turn peril into safety. But this time, facing this so-called apocalypse, he suddenly felt at a loss. The apocalypse wasnt an enemy at all. How exactly was one supposed to fight against it? Therefore, he hoped to find a path or, perhaps, some clues from Jiang Er. For instance, the words of the Saint of Dreams. Did they contain hidden clues for opposing the apocalypse? I knew that would be your attitude, Jiang Er said with a bitter smile. The Eastern Sea holds great secrets. That was the last sentence the Saint of Dreams told me, and the only one. The Eastern Sea? Zhou Hengs brows furrowed slightly, as numerous pieces of information about the Eastern Sea flashed through his mind. The Eastern Sea, distant from the Central Plains, was vast and boundless, with numerous nations established, countless great demons, and Loose Immortal residing there. Even the organization of Loose Immortals who aimed to revive the Thirty-Six Gods, the Thirty-Six Heavens, was located in the Eastern Sea. Indeed, it was not an ordinary place. Once Ive cultivated my Dharma Body, I will take a trip to the Eastern Sea, Zhou Heng nodded and said, Thank you, Old Jiang. A Dharma Body, the pinnacle of great grandmasters. If an ordinary cultivator said this, Id surely think they were courting death, Jiang Er chuckled. But Master Zhou, your strength is extraordinary. Perhaps you really could uncover something. However, the Eastern Sea is perilous, with numerous demons and Loose Immortals. If Master Zhou really intends to go, I suggest not going alone. It would be best to find one or two Celestial Men to assist you, he added. Mm, we can make plans for this when the time comes, Zhou Heng nodded, then stood up and bowed in thanks, Thank you, Old Jiang. Heh, theres no need for thanks, Master Zhou, Jiang Er replied, shaking his fan as he, too, rose to his feet with a smile. All I ask is that you speak to Manager Yu and ask for a raise for this old man. Ah, this Zhou Heng didnt expect Jiang Er to shift the topic to this all of a sudden, and after a brief pause, he smiled and nodded, Alright, rest assured, Old Jiang. When Zhou Heng left Jiang Ers house, it was already the latter half of the night. The moonlight was desolate, with a touch of chill. He walked along the quiet streets, heading toward his own residence, feeling inexplicably downcast in his heart. The apocalypse was approaching! Although this approaching might still be thousands of years away in actual time, it invariably gave Zhou Heng a sense of urgency to become stronger rapidly. Yet cultivation was not something that allowed one to ascend to the heavens in a single step. His Five Virtue Dharma Phase was now complete, but he still lacked understanding and experience of the Five Fortune. He only had a slight involvement with fortune due to the Celestial Mens fate-watching technique, but he was far from achieving anything substantial. Therefore, the cultivation of the Five Virtue Five Fortune Dharma Body was still a distant dream. Before he knew it, Zhou Heng had arrived at the gate of his residence, but he didnt push the door to enter. Instead, he stopped in front of it, his gaze turning towards a wisp of green smoke hidden in the night not far away. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Come out, Zhou Heng said indifferently. The insight of the immortal is truly extraordinary, came a gentle female voice as the wisp of green smoke slightly shivered and transformed into a beautiful young woman in white clothes. It was none other than Yu Hes wife, Bai Husheng. I pay my respects to the immortal, Bai Husheng said with a graceful bow, her expression full of utmost reverence. What brings you here? Zhou Heng inquired. The immortals execution of Yu Que the Immortal was a display of awe-inspiring divine might, and it also resolved a crisis of life and death for this little demon. I have come to offer thanks, Bai Husheng said with utmost respect. Your divine skills are vast and powerful, and common objects would surely not catch your eye. Therefore, this little demon wishes to present the Fortune Pearl passed down in my clan to express my gratitude to the immortal. Chapter 426 - Chapter 426: Chapter 145 New Leader Chapter 426: Chapter 145 New Leader Fortune Pearl? Zhou Heng took the Fortune Pearl offered by Bai Husheng, activated the Celestial Mans Observation of Qi Technique, and immediately felt the extremely thick qi fortune contained within it. It was almost comparable to the dynastic qi fortune he had seen in some minor worlds. However, for Zhou Heng, this qi fortune was secondary. What was crucial was the method and means through which this pearl had gathered and condensed the qi fortune. It could provide him great inspiration in comprehending the Way of Qi Fortune. He even had a feeling that if he thoroughly researched this Fortune Pearl, he could truly touch upon the laws of the Way of Qi Fortune and make substantial progress on the path of condensing the Five Virtues and Five Fortunes Dharma Body. I will accept this treasure, Zhou Heng said without ceremony. Since Bai Husheng wished to express his gratitude, he took the Fortune Pearl and said, Your crisis should already be resolved, I hope you live well with Yu He in the future. I thank the Grandmaster for his kindness! Bai Husheng knelt down again, thanking profusely and with utmost respect. Hmm. Zhou Heng nodded slightly, then his figure streaked through the air, transforming into a beam of light as he flew into the courtyard, leaving only Bai Husheng behind. Thank you, Grandmaster. Bai Husheng bowed toward the main gate of the courtyard once more in gratitude before turning into a wisp of green smoke and returning to his own home. The brief turmoil in Huangtong Mansion City had thus come to an end. Zhou Heng intended to comprehend the Fortune Pearl right there until the day of the 18th of April when he would attend the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers meeting. But, unexpectedly, the next day, the newly appointed master of Huangtong Mansion, Huo Qingyun, came to visit. Grandmaster Zhou, I thank you for the life-saving grace and for saving the entire Huangtong Prefectural City, Huo Qingyun immediately expressed his gratitude upon seeing Zhou Heng, If not for the Grandmaster slaying that Loose Immortal, the citizens of this city might have all suffered. Hmm, Huangtong Mansion is also my hometown. It was my duty, Zhou Heng replied with a smile, having a good impression of the new Mansion Master. It was rare for someone like Huo Qingyun to stand up for the safety of the citizens in the face of a Loose Immortal. However, Zhou Hengs reason for receiving him was not just because of this but also to ask Huo Qingyun some questions. By the way, Lord Huo, I would like to ask you a few questions, Zhou Heng said, May I? Please speak freely, Grandmaster. I shall withhold nothing, Huo Qingyun immediately replied. I would like to inquire about the current political situation in Da Qis Imperial Court and the state of administration across various regions Zhou Heng asked straightforwardly, Is everything still normal? Since the Chongyang Wine Meeting, Da Qis Imperial Court had been increasingly disunited and disloyal, with diminishing control over the localities, and even now, some border regions had already begun to see the formation of nobility-run autonomies. Such a vast Empire seemed about to fragment and collapse. Yet, even so, no one from the Da Qi Royal Family had stepped forward, as if allowing these chaotic situations to spread unchecked. Huo Qingyun seemed to be stumped by Zhou Hengs question, falling into silence. After hesitating for a moment, he finally sighed deeply and said, As an official of the Imperial Court, I should not criticize the state affairs, but the current state of Da Qi, alas The true body of His Majesty the Emperor is fighting against the Evil Gods outside our domain, leaving only an incarnation in the human world who does not make daily decisions but only decides on major events. You should be aware of this, Grandmaster. Therefore, over the years, it has actually been Crown Prince Zhao Zhen who has overseen the state affairs of Da Qi. But after that Sunrising Banquet, His Highness the Crown Prince passed away, and the imperial governance suddenly lost its guiding figure, At that time, the external territories were facing troubles with Evil Gods and the forbidden lands of the West Wasteland, making it difficult for His Majesty to be distracted, so he had no choice but to temporarily assign the third prince to preside over state affairs, But although the third prince ranks higher in the order of succession, he actually only has a superficial understanding of the political affairs. Thus, the state affairs of Da Qi became increasingly chaotic. If it werent for the support of the Prime Minister and the royal relatives, Im afraid the world would have already descended into chaos, No wonder Da Qi recently doesnt seem like a normal country at all, Zhou Heng also felt somewhat helpless, It was Crown Prince Zhao Zhens own fault that he perished, but the assignment of his successor seems too arbitrary. Did the emperor of the Zhao Family really just make the assignment based on the order of succession? Among the Zhao Family princes, the Crown Prince is the eldest legitimate son, ranking first, followed by a princess who cannot take on the heavy responsibility, making the third prince the highest-ranking surviving prince in the Zhao Family. It seems so, Huo Qingyun nodded, then added with a wry smile, However, it may also be because my official rank and Martial Path grade are limited, so I dont know much about the situation. The actual circumstances might not be as I described. The real situation is probably not what youre truly concerned about, Master Huo, Zhou Heng smiled and said, Since youve come to me, why not speak frankly about what you want? He believed that Huo Qingyun was indeed grateful to him and also believed that Huo Qingyuns visit was to express his thanks. But if Huo Qingyun had come merely to express his gratitude, Zhou Heng would not believe it. Huo Qingyun, as the head of a prefecture, may not hold a high official rank or Martial Path level, but his strong sense of responsibility was evident from his earlier actions. He must have something to discuss this time. Your insight is as sharp as a torch; youve seen right through my thoughts, Huo Qingyun said with a bitter smile. He fell silent for a moment, then nodded, I am indeed here to ask for your assistance, Nowadays, with the central Imperial Courts power dwindling, not only do the states and counties govern themselves, but they also frequently engage in conflicts. Even the prefectures and counties have started to fight over territory Compared to several of its neighboring prefectures, Huangtong Mansion is not considered strong but not weak either, but it is caught in the middle and lacks any powerful backing. It has been at a disadvantage in recent struggles and has had three counties taken away from it. I have come to request that you lend a hand to help Huangtong Mansion recover these two counties, so as to prevent the people of these two counties from being unfairly treated in other prefectural cities. Having said this, he fell silent, no longer speaking, and quietly waited for Zhou Hengs response. I thought it was something serious, Zhou Heng chuckled, casually taking out a paper figure and handing it to Huo Qingyun, It possesses a part of my strength. If there is another dispute, just throw this paper figure into the air, and it will help you win any conflict. But, theres only one use. His art of creating paper soldiers had long since been perfected, and the paper figures he now cut not only could he use himself, but he could also give them to others to use, without any decrease in effectiveness. A paper figure with part of the current Zhou Hengs strength was an extremely powerful trump card for most Grandmasters, and even for top Great Grandmasters. Addressing the prefecture and county struggles as described by Huo Qingyun would be effortless. Many thanks, Celestial Man! Huo Qingyun hurriedly gave thanks while bowing. In his eyes, as long as Zhou Heng agreed to help, even just once was enough. This meant Zhou Heng had not forgotten Huangtong Mansion City and continued to support it. Just this alone was enough to ensure that the people of Huangtong Mansion could live and work in peace, without having to worry about invasions from other prefectural cities. Taking the paper figure with him, Huo Qingyun left full of hope, while Zhou Heng continued to study the Fortune Pearl. Time quickly reached the eighteenth of April. Zhou Heng left Huangtong Mansion City and entered the Purple Tenuity Palace using the nearest Starlight Bridge. This gathering was extremely important and would even include the handover of the leadership position; therefore, all members, including Star Officers and Star Envoys, were required to attend. Even if some members had important matters to attend to, or perhaps were still in other worlds and could not return, they still had to inquire about the meeting from other organization members afterward. This was nearly the Zhou Tian Boundary Officers first semi-compulsory gathering. Inside the Purple Tenuity Palace. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian were standing together as many organization members had already arrived in the great hall, almost all were present. Only Tianyi and Azure Dragon, the two leaders, were yet to arrive. Zhou Heng clearly felt that there were quite a few gazes on him within the hall, each containing different emotions, but fortunately none hostile. Most of these gazes came from high-ranking Star Officers, who obviously must have received some insider news. Some ordinary Star Officers and Star Envoys were somewhat bewildered and also nervous. After all, an organization that did not previously compel attendance at gatherings suddenly calling for a semi-mandatory meeting without explanation, was unavoidably cause for concern. Even some of the regular members of the organization showed signs of restlessness. It seems the news of your impending leadership succession has already spread within a small circle, Cheng Jianjian sent his thoughts to Zhou Heng. Yes, Zhou Heng responded, It is difficult to keep this news a secret, and its not really a bad thing. At least it prepares people mentally. Thats true, Cheng Jianjian replied with a laugh, Maybe this is also the intention of Tianyi and Azure Dragon. Theyve spread the news in advance on a small scale to avoid a too sudden impact when announcing it later. Hum!! As they were conversing through divine sense, two beams of light descended inside the Purple Tenuity Palace and two figures emergedCit was Tianyi and Azure Dragon, the two leaders of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. All the Star Officers and Envoys bowed their greetings, and Tianyi and Azure Dragon returned the gesture. Then, Tianyi stepped forward with a slight smile, I was compelled to summon everyone to the meeting, please dont blame me. There is actually a very important announcement to make. He began with an apology. But this made some ordinary Star Officers and Envoys even more nervous, speculating in secret that there might be some great demon entity coming into existence or some other calamity descending. Presumably, you all are aware that recently an Evil God conspired with demon entities, leading several Evil Gods to invade. Although in the end we joined forces with our fellow Daoists to repel them, it has left some gaps in our external defenses. Therefore, from now on, Azure Dragon and I will no longer be able to preside over the meetings or continue to handle organizational affairs as leaders. However, communication through gatherings cannot be easily interrupted, and a large organization cannot exist without a leader. Hence, after careful consideration with Azure Dragon and consulting several veteran high-ranking Star Officers, we have decided to appoint a suitable person to take over the position of leader. The hall erupted into a commotion at this revelation. Aside from a portion of the high-ranking Star Officers who were privy to the news, the rest of the Star Officers and Envoys were utterly shocked. No matter what, they had not expected that this gathering would bring such a significant announcementCthe changing of the leader. At the same time, they all wondered who would be the successor to this position. Was it someone who had long been Tianyis left hand and right arm, like the Ziwei Left Officer or the Ziwei Right Officer, or the one who has recently stepped into the realm of the Celestial Man but has already been a veteran high-ranking Star Officer for a long time? Or perhaps the Celestial Man who had not been with the organization for long but had found favor in the Gou Chen Star position? Or could it be the Ziwei Master whose cultivation had advanced rapidly and who is rumored to be the reincarnation of the Ziwei Emperor? -Given Zhou Hengs previous performance and the changes he brought to the Purple Tenuity Palace, rumors had already spread among the ordinary Star Officers that he was actually the reincarnation of the Ziwei Emperor. Some other senior Star Officers, although they already knew the outcome, still felt a sense of strange anticipation until Tianyi officially announced it. The person is our Star Master. Tianyis tone remained cheerful as he led the others with a bow to Zhou Heng, Greetings to the leader, salutations to the Ziwei Master. Azure Dragon also bowed at the same time, Greetings to the leader, salutations to the Ziwei Master! The high-ranking Star Officers settled their minds and bowed to Zhou Heng, Greetings to the leader, salutations to the Ziwei Master! The ordinary Star Officers and Envoys then caught on and quickly followed suit with their greetings, Greetings to the leader, salutations to the Ziwei Master! Although Zhou Heng had already known this outcome, he still felt a surge of excitement at this moment. In the midst of everyones salutations, he stepped up onto the high platform of the throne at the front of the hall, took a deep breath, and spoke in a deep voice, Thank you to Tianyi and Azure Dragon for their profound trust and to all fellow members for your faith. In fact, I dont have much to say, only that I will do my utmost to lead the organization further and make us stronger, fulfilling the responsibilities of a leader. Besides, there is another announcement to make: Purple Tenuity Palace will activate several new functions. New functions? As Zhou Heng spoke these words, even some high-ranking Star Officers were surprised, especially the veteran ones. Having spent a long time with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, they knew how much effort Tianyi and Azure Dragon, the two former leaders, had made in unlocking more functions of the Purple Tenuity Palace, but to meager avail. The Ziwei Master had previously enabled several new functions, and it had not been long since then, but now there were yet more new functions to be activated. In that moment, many Star Officers and Envoys understood why the two former leaders, Tianyi and Azure Dragon, had chosen the Ziwei Master as the new leader. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Purple Tenuity Palace was the foundation of the Da Qi Zhou Tian Boundary Officer; the stronger and more functional the Purple Tenuity Palace became, the more they benefitted, and the overall organization would grow stronger as well. Only the one before them could strengthen the Purple Tenuity Palace so swiftly, benefiting all members of the organization. This was, without doubt, the best candidate for the new organizational leader. And only he could so rapidly add new functionalities to the Purple Tenuity Palace, benefitting everyone in the organization. There are three new functionalities, Zhou Heng extended his hand, surveyed the crowd, and held up three fingers, speaking in a profound tone, They are Information Announcement, Mission Deployment, and Merit Exchange.'' Chapter 427 - Chapter 427: Chapter 146: The True Realm of Fuli Chapter 427: Chapter 146: The True Realm of Fuli Zhou Hengs statement caused many Star Officers and Star Envoys below to start whispering amongst themselves. Just by hearing the names of these new functions, one could roughly guess their effects, which probably could bring earth-shaking changes to the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Zhou Heng looked around and continued, The first function, information announcement, as the name suggests, is for making information announcements so that every Star Officer or a select group of Star Officers can receive it, facilitating the transmission of messages. The second point, goodwill trading, is about changing the current mechanism of goodwill, allowing it to circulate. Star Officers will not need to trade at meetings but can come to the Purple Tenuity Palace for free trade. The third point, task publishing, is quite critical and will bring many changes. It differs from the current system where only high-ranking officials can interpret information and then issue tasks through the Hall of Solving Worries. After this authority is activated, every Star Officer will be able to publish tasks and set task rewards themselves. Of course, the rewards for tasks published personally must also be provided by oneself. He briefly introduced these three new functions and then paused. Waiting for questions from the Star Officers and Star Envoys. Any normal Star Officer or Star Envoy could see that these three new functions would definitely overturn many of the current rules and bring about huge changes. Thus, a mere brief description would certainly not satisfy them, and there would surely be someone asking questions. Star Lord, I have a doubt. Wenchang Star Officer stood up and said gravely, This information announcement, can it be directed? For example, can it make certain people receive or not receive it? The rest of the Star Officers and Star Envoys also looked toward Zhou Heng, obviously concerned about this as well. Yes, Zhou Heng nodded lightly, smiling, Thats a very good question. In fact, that is a special use of the information announcement. This feature can be used not only to announce big news but also as a means of passing information to organization members to date. Regardless of where they are, they can communicate with organization members through this feature. May I ask the Star Lord, is there a distance limit to this information announcement? a Star Envoy asked. No, Zhou Heng shook his head lightly, The information announcement function relies on the Purple Tenuity Palace, and the essence of the Purple Tenuity Palace is extremely high, transcending the heavens, that goes without saying. Therefore, let alone distance limitations, even if separated by many worlds, communication and information transmission can still be facilitated through this function without any barriers. Does publishing such an announcement require the expenditure of goodwill? Wenchang Star Officer asked another question. Yes, it does, but its not much, Zhou Heng smiled, Each piece of information announced to an individual will consume one hundred units of goodwill. And from each message, he could extract thirty percent of the goodwill. Of course, this was something he would not say. One hundred units of goodwill per message was really not too much for some Star Officers who did a lot of goodwill tasks and were quite strong. Even for the ordinary Star Officers and Star Envoys who didnt have much accumulated goodwill, there were no complaints. After all, this feature would certainly be used for important messages, not idle chatter. Many times, sending out an important message could very well save ones life. This far outweighed the mere one hundred units of goodwill. Id like to ask about the task publishing function, Gou Chen stepped forward and asked, Can any kind of task be published with this feature? How should the difficulty of the task correspond with the reward, and how is the completion of the task verified? Furthermore, how are the rewards actually distributed? These questions are also very good, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, smiling, Firstly, in terms of task publishing, theoretically indeed any task can be published. However, each task publication also requires the payment of one hundred units of goodwill upfront, so it is not recommended to publish minor tasks. You all should have a good understanding of this. As for matching the difficulty of tasks and rewards, I have previously approached the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors to derive regulations based on past task conditions to regulate the difficulty and reward grading of tasks. There will be clear rules about task completion, and if there is any dispute, it can be reported to the Inner Seat of the Five Emperors in the Hall of Solving Worries. Regarding rewards, they will be recorded in the Star Facet Mirror, and can be claimed from the Hall of Solving Worries when convenient. Very good, Gou Chen nodded and smiled, I have no more questions. Afterward, some other Star Officers and Star Envoys asked about the new features, which were generally similar. Zhou Heng patiently answered all of them. After all, these three new functions are relevant to every member of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, and naturally, everyone cared about them. At the end of the meeting, Zhou Heng first thanked all his peers for their support and then announced that more new features might be opened in the future, asking everyone to look forward to them. The meeting was concluded by the former leaders, Azure Dragon and Tianyi. After this meeting ended, the many organization members left the Purple Tenuity Palace one after another, but Azure Dragon and Tianyi did not leave immediately. Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian did the same. Inside the Purple Tenuity Palace. Star Lord, North Star, you probably know why we asked the two of you to stay, Tianyi said with a smile. Is it about that mysterious world? Zhou Heng inquired. To also keep me here was unexpected, Cheng Jianjian laughed, I thought it would only be the Star Lord himself. You are also aware of the matter, and being a high-ranking Star Officer who is closely related to the Star Lord, its beneficial to have more understanding, Azure Dragon replied with a smile. Then I must thank the two lords, Cheng Jianjian nodded. Are the two lords going to explain the situation with that mysterious world to us? Zhou Heng asked. Previously, when he and Cheng Jianjian had asked The Supreme and the heavenly laws for clues about the origins of the Evil God, those two Celestial Men had mentioned a very critical piece of information. Tianyi and the Azure Dragon had once discovered a peculiar world, where the myths and legends that circulated contained many of the ancient Immortal Gods they were familiar with. Besides these known ancient Immortal Gods, the mythology of that peculiar world also contained many Immortal Gods they had never heard of, even forming a rather complete Immortal God System. And it was called Heavenly Court. However, when Tianyi and the Azure Dragon discovered that world, its Heavenly Court had already fallen, and the Immortal Gods had already vanished, plunging the world into chaos. Zhou Heng had originally thought that world might have clues related to Earth. But after communicating with Jiang Tafa, he learned that at the end of the ancient era in this world there had also been a fall of the Heavenly Court, almost identical to that of the peculiar world, which led him to other speculations. In that peculiar world, aside from the possibility of clues about Earth, might there also be hidden secrets from the ancient times of this world? Thats right, it indeed concerns that peculiar world, Tianyi nodded and said, Actually, the information of this world should only be known by Celestial Men or even higher beings. But you two are exceptional in strength and hold a somewhat special status. Knowing in advance cant be considered a bad thing, and moreover, we will find it hard to descend in the future, unable to preside over the star gate that connects to that world. We will need you, Master of Stars, to take more efforts. Hmm. I understand, Zhou Heng nodded in agreement. That world was one we stumbled upon over three thousand years ago during an outerworldly divine journey, located in an infinitely distant place. Without the immense power of the Purple Tenuity Palace, we would never have been able to reach it Tianyi shared the information of that world in detail. It was the era of the Central Dynasty at the time, the Battle of Tianyang had not yet erupted, and the massive invasion of outerworldly Evil Gods had not begun; neither had the passage between West Wasteland forbidden lands and the Nine Nether Demon realm been opened. Thus, on the surface, the world seemed to be at peace. The Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had not yet been established, but Tianyi and the Azure Dragon had already proven themselves as Tao Lords, engaged in seclusive cultivation, and jointly possessed the supreme treasure of the Purple Tenuity Palace. The two were close friends who, in their leisure, traveled the realms divine, descending upon myriad worlds. They accidentally discovered a Floating Lyrical True Realm and, feeling the profound and sophisticated Laws greatly beneficial for cultivation, decided to descend and explore. Unexpectedly, that world was in an extremely chaotic state, with the balance of heavenly fate disrupted, demons rampant, cultivators extreme, and incessant battles neglecting any semblance of good. This Floating Lyrical True Realm featured numerous paths of cultivation, truly a sight of a hundred flowers blossoming; Immortals, True Gods, and demons roamed freely, dominating the world with extremely high levels of power. There were no shortages of great beings who had reached the realms of Celestial Men, and even Saints who grasped the Laws were more than one. Hence, even though Tianyi and the Azure Dragon were both revered as Tao Lords, they only dared to explore the Floating Lyrical True Realm discreetly with their auras concealed within the vastness of the Purple Tenuity Palace. As their exploration progressed, the more information they obtained, the more shocked they both became. Tianyi and the Azure Dragon had attained the status of Tao Lords at the end of the Middle Ancient period, and while they didnt know much about ancient times, they were not entirely ignorant. They knew of events such as the fall of the ancient Heavenly Court and the collapse of the heavens. Learning that this Floating Lyrical True Realm also had a Heavenly Court, populated by numerous Immortal Gods, and that it too had experienced the fall of the Heavenly Court and the disappearance of the Immortal Gods, and even that such earth-shattering events had occurred just a few hundred years prior, the two were profoundly alarmed. Tianyi and the Azure Dragon instinctively felt that there had to be a great secret in this Floating Lyrical True Realm, but at that time, they did not continue their exploration. First, continued exploration was simply too dangerous; delving into ancient secrets within such a chaotic and perilous world was hardly different from seeking death, especially since there were divine beings present. Second, for them at the time, exploring ancient secrets was more about satisfying their own curiosity, and the benefits to their personal cultivation were very limited, so naturally, there wasnt much motivation. However, not long after that, the Battle of Tianyang broke out. What followed was an Evil God invasion, haunted houses proliferating, and the passages between the West Wasteland Forbidden Lands and the Nine Nether Demon Realm opening up. Even Tianyi and the Azure Dragon could no longer seclude themselves from the world for cultivation. They were invited out to start organizing the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer. Subsequently, after some probes and guesses by the outer realms Evil Gods, the two of them decided to reopen exploration and investigation of the Fulley Realm. Because the names of those realm external Evil Gods included not only Immortal Gods that had once existed in their own world but also some they had never heard of before, yet still had legends remaining within the Fulley True Realm. There might be some connection between the two, and if the truth could be discerned, it might play an immeasurable role in resisting the invasion of the realm external Evil Gods. According to what the two dignitaries said, reopening exploration of the Fulley True Realm should have been more than two thousand years ago, Zhou Heng said solemnly. Are there any clues? Although its been a long time, the number of people who can go to explore the Fulley True Realm has always been limited due to its high level, so the number of explorations in these two thousand years is actually not many, Tianyi sighed softly, then smiled and said: However, there are indeed clues. Previously, Ziweis Zuoyuan had found a secret message in the Fulley True Realm that was originally circulated only among the powerful. It is said that before the fall of the Heavenly Court, there were Immortal Gods who went madly insane, caught in mindless slaughter, and the root of it all lay at the end of the Eastern Sea, where there seemed to exist a terrifying object capable of corrupting Immortal Gods. We suspect this might be related to the fall of the Heavenly Court in the Fulley True Realm, and this contaminating force might also be similar to that of the Evil Gods and external demons, which could be related. Eastern Sea? Zhou Heng was taken aback upon hearing this. He remembered that when discussing ancient matters and the Dark Era with Jiang Tafa before, the other party had also told him that he could explore the Eastern Sea and perhaps make some discoveries. Could there be a connection between the two? Yes, the Eastern Sea, Tianyi nodded, then said, However, the Eastern Sea within the Fulley True Realm is extremely dangerous, with many demon Immortals building Water Palaces, and even a Divine-tier True Dragon ruling over the entire waters, making it almost impossible to truly explore. Its actually that terrifying, Zhou Heng couldnt help but exclaim. It seemed that the Fulley True Realm was much more dangerous than Da Qi. Although in terms of the number of Divine First Rank and Tao Second Rank beings, this world he resided in might not be fewer than the Fulley True Realm, the Saint and Tao Lord here were almost all resisting external demons and Evil Gods, barely paying attention to the mortal world, yet the Fulley True Realm was truly a terrifying world where Tao Lords and Saints were present. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thats precisely why, even after more than two thousand years, our exploration progress is still very slow. The Azure Dragon sighed beside him and said: Actually, when the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer was first established, we had invited Immortal Venerable Xie to that world, to negotiate with the Saints there. But the result was not optimistic. They only agreed not to widely publicize our existence as people from outside the realm. The possibility of them allowing us to explore openly, however, was impossible. This is indeed quite tricky, Zhou Heng nodded, then a thought struck him, and he said: In the past, the most minimal were Celestial Man-tier powerhouses who went to explore. Such prominent figures are too strong and too conspicuous, but perhaps if a mere Grandmaster were to go, it could be more useful. Impossible, Tianyi immediately shook his head, saying: Star Officer, we know you are extremely powerful and even have methods to suppress a Tao Lord, but you are now the leader of the organization, with heavy responsibilities. You cannot recklessly put yourself in danger. What about me? Cheng Jianjian suddenly spoke up. Chapter 428 - Chapter 428: Chapter 147: Humbly Inviting the Immortal Master Chapter 428: Chapter 147: Humbly Inviting the Immortal Master Likewise, not allowed. Tianyi shook his head and said in a deep voice, Beidou, your compatibility with the Star Position inheritance far exceeds other Star Officers. You will definitely achieve great things in the future, do not take risks lightly. The matter of the Fuli True Realm is certainly important, but both of you are equally important to the organization. Azure Dragon also said, Do not take risks lightly, this is for your own safety as well as for the organization. Hmm, I understand. Cheng Jianjian nodded and said with a light smile, Actually, I was simply asking if being weaker would make it easier to explore discreetly. Since thats not the case, I naturally wont go. Hmm, Beidou is indeed not quite suitable. Zhou Heng said with a smile, However, I should be able to give it a try. I wont conceal from you two elders that after stepping into the Fifth Rank, my control over the Purple Tenuity Palace has improved even further. Now, with the power of the Purple Tenuity Palace, I can perfectly evade the detection of the mighty ones from other worlds. Plus, as just a Grandmaster, I generally do not attract attention and should not be in any danger. This Tianyi hesitated, But that world is still full of dangers, and recently the organization has just changed its leader. As the head, Star Officer, its not suitable for you to be away for too long. Elder Tianyi need not worry, I certainly wont go to the Fuli True Realm right now. Zhou Heng said with a smile, After all, the Fuli True Realm is right there; it wont be too late to go after the organization has stabilized. Actually, he planned to first explore the Eastern Sea of this world, to see if he could find clues about the Ancient Mythological Era. If there were truly gains, they might even correspond with the Fuli True Realm. Actually, this is also good. Azure Dragon spoke up, The Star Officers strength is extraordinary and he is making rapid progress. Maybe by the time the organization stabilizes, he will have reached another level. Besides, as the Star Officer just said, he can use the power of the Purple Tenuity Palace to conceal his tracks perfectly, so the dangers of exploring the Fuli True Realm should not be too great. Indeed, thats the case. Zhou Heng said with a smile. Hmm, this is also good. Tianyi finally nodded and then said with a heavy tone, Star Officer, we two old fellows entrust the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to your hands. Elders, rest assured, I will not fail the trust placed in me. Zhou Heng said solemnly. After speaking with Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, Tianyi and Azure Dragon left. What are your plans now? Zhou Heng asked Cheng Jianjian. Now that I have become a Grandmaster, naturally I should go and slay stronger evil spirits and ghosts. Cheng Jianjian said with a smile, If my strength is insufficient, I need to become stronger. Tianyi and Azure Dragon, the two elders, were right; for me right now, becoming stronger as soon as possible is the proper path. Then do you have a general direction in mind? Zhou Heng asked. I have some directions. Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly and said, I did many missions before and paid attention to a lot of world information. This time, I can choose a few suitable ones. What about you, what are your plans next? Continue to collect the Five Fortunes energy and, by the way, take a trip to the Eastern Sea. Zhou Heng said with a smile. Eastern Sea? Cheng Jianjian frowned slightly upon hearing this and said with concern, The Eastern Sea is different from the Central Plains; there are many countries, and the strong are revered. Fights can break out at any time over trivial matters, you must be careful. She wasnt a person who liked to pry and didnt ask Zhou Heng for his reasons for going to the Eastern Sea. Rest assured. Zhou Heng gently patted Cheng Jianjians shoulder and said with a smile, In such a vast Eastern Sea, there arent many who can harm me. The border between Huangtong Mansion City and Qingyu Prefecture. Troops were arrayed along the street, swords unsheathed and crossbows taut, appearing ready for battle at any moment. Nowadays, the control of the Da Qi Imperial Court over the regions had gradually weakened, and after some probing, local officials began to govern independently, and then started to wage war against each other, encroaching on territories. The strife between Huangtong Mansion and Qingyu Prefecture had already persisted for quite some time. Constantly at a disadvantage. Actually, Huangtong Mansion, compared to the surrounding prefectures, was not weak, but being caught in the middle, it faced pressure from various sides, making it hard to turn the tables. Just like the current border standoff, it seemed to be only between Huangtong Mansion and Qingyu Prefecture, but in reality, two other prefectures were also involved, collaborating with Qingyu Prefecture to jointly suppress Huangtong Mansion. This strategy had already proved somewhat effective. They had done this before, carving away three counties from Huangtong Mansion. However, half a month ago, the newly appointed lord of Huangtong Mansion, Huo Qingyun, suddenly sent out invitations, calling together the lords of Qingyu Prefecture and the other two prefectures to a banquet at the border of the two regions, claiming there were matters to discuss, which truly surprised these three lords. By this time, Qingyu Prefectures lord, Zhai Gang, and the other two lords had already arrived at the banquet site. Joining them, naturally, were the formidable armies of the prefectures and local Martial Path experts, among whom were not a few Secret Six Rank powerhouses. Huo Qingyun had not yet arrived, and the three men huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. Brothers, what do you think Huo Qingyun is up to with this mysterious act? Zhai Gang frowned deeply and said, Who gave him the audacity to invite all three of us over? Isnt he afraid that we might join forces and take another county from him? Perhaps hes gained some support? guessed one of the lords. What strong sects or Grandmasters are there in Huangtong Mansion to offer any support? another one said as he shook his head in mirth: Inside Huangtong Mansion City, there is indeed a Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall, said to be established by Pure Yang Palace. But we all know the nature of such martial arts halls; Ive never heard of anyone who could rely on them to garner the support of people from the top Martial Dao Sects, hahaha. Youre right! Zhai Gang nodded and laughed, Speaking of which, in my Qingyu Prefecture, we also have martial arts halls from top sects like the Five Elements Sect and Tianhuo Villa. Then why not bring them in to help, brother Zhai? one of the lords joked. Cant do it, cant do it, Zhai Gang quickly waved his hands with a chuckle, Those sects are all lofty figures. How can we sway them? Hehe, if we cant, then Huo Qingyun certainly cant either. Who says its impossible? Just then, Huo Qingyuns voice came from outside, accompanied by a powerful stride. He entered confidently, chest out and head held high, and scoffed, The reason Ive invited you here is to demand the return of the three counties that rightfully belong to Huangtong Mansion. Heh, Zhai Gang immediately stood up upon hearing this and scoffed, Has Lord Huo lost his wits, thinking he can just make us spit out the meat thats already in our mouths, just with words? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dream on. Are you still half-asleep, Lord Huo? The other two lords burst into hearty laughter, looking at Huo Qingyun with mocking faces. If thats the case, then dont blame me for being impolite! Huo Qingyun also did not procrastinate. He promptly took out a paper effigy from his bosom, tossed it into the air, and then respectfully bowed, loudly declaring: Respectfully inviting the esteemed immortal Zhou Heng of Pure Yang Palace to descend!! Chapter 429 - Chapter 429: Chapter 148: The Ancient Apocalypse Mythology Chapter 429: Chapter 148: The Ancient Apocalypse Mythology Huo Qingyuns sudden action startled Zhai Gang and the other two mansion lords, prompting them to look at the paper effigy with astonishment and queer expressions. Lord Huo, have you really lost your mind? Zhai Gang mocked, Its just a paper effigy, who can you possibly summon with that? A senior immortal from the Pure Yang Palace? Stop joking around! Brother Zhai, why dont you try cutting out a paper figure too, and see if you can summon experts from the Five Elements Sect or Heavenly Fire Manor? The other two mansion lords burst into laughter as well, clearly disbelieving that Huo Qingyun could really call someone from the Pure Yang Palace with just a paper figure. In fact, Huo Qingyun himself felt somewhat nervous. After all, creating soldiers from paper was a Taoist Formula, a method scarcely understood by the world, and even though he was a lord of a mansion, a martial expert of the Secret Six Rank, he knew very little about Taoist Formulas and was uncertain whether he could really use the paper effigy to summon Zhou Heng. Hum! At that moment, a trembling sound came out of nowhere. The space ripples like the surface of water, bringing with it an extremely powerful pressure that left Zhai Gang and the other two mansion lords gasping for air. Greetings to Immortal Zhou Heng! Huo Qingyun immediately rejoiced, promptly bowing in salute. The paper effigy then lightly trembled, shining a blinding bright light, and swiftly transformed into a human figure the size of an ordinary person. After a brief moment, the light dissipated, revealing a handsome young Taoist. It was indeed Zhou Heng. This, this is Truly an immortal from the Pure Yang Palace?! How is this possible?! Huo Qingyun and the other two mansion lords were dumbfounded, staring incredulously at the young Taoist who had just appeared, a magical method they had never seen before. I presume you three are the mansion lords neighboring Huangtong Mansion, Zhou Heng spoke with a smile, seemingly without hostility, his demeanor affable. Thats correct, it is indeed us, Zhai Gang and the other two mansion lords nodded, their voices trembling. Even though Zhou Heng appeared very friendly and did not seem ready to make a move, the tremendous pressure he emanated from the moment of his arrival put the three mansion lords under immense strain, feeling like they could collapse at any moment. I heard from Lord Huo earlier that you had occupied three counties of my homeland? Zhou Hengs inquiry seemed as casual as any other question as he smiled, Is this true? No, no, no! There has been no such thing, absolutely not! Zhai Gang immediately shook his head, vehemently denying it, Our Qingyu Prefecture was merely borrowing the land, just borrowing, with no intention of occupying it. Now that we have alarmed the immortal, we will leave at once. We feel the same, we also had no intention of occupying it, and we will leave immediately! Yes, yes, yes, we had no such intention, please excuse us, Immortal, we will withdraw from your homeland as swiftly as possible. The other two mansion lords also quickly clarified their positions. Not daring any delay. Hold on, Zhou Heng stopped the three, shaking his head with a smile, Does borrowing land mean you do not need to pay a price? Where in the world is there such a good deal? What do you think? This Zhai Gang and the other two assistants glanced at each other, their faces displaying smiles uglier than crying, We, well negotiate proper compensation with Lord Huo. That would be best, Zhou Heng nodded slightly, and the incarnated paper figure lightly shook again, returning to its normal paper effigy form and fluttering in the air. Thank you, Immortal! Huo Qingyun expressed his gratitude while carefully storing away the paper figure, then turned to Zhai Gang and the others, smiling, Lords, do you believe me now? Zhai Gang and the other two were at a loss for words, only able to hang their heads and sigh, until Zhai Gang finally spoke, Lord Huo, how do you wish to proceed? They were now regretting deeply, never expecting such an outcome. Not only had they failed to seize the territory of Huangtong Mansion, but now they might also have to give up a lot in return. I, Huo, believe in repaying tooth for tooth, eye for eye, Huo Qingyun said gravely, Since you lords once sought to take my three counties, why not now give up three of your counties each and cede them to Huangtong Mansion, how about that? You This Huo All three wanted to curse out loud, but they stopped after uttering just one syllable, swallowing the rest of their words. They dared not speak out. The severity of Zhou Hengs presence was truly terrifying; they never wanted to experience it a second time. Fine! In the end, they could only grit their teeth and agree. They had no choice; the circumstances overpowered them, as the other side had the backing of a powerful figure, and their own side did not. The balance of power had reversed in an instant. Good, I hope you lords will keep your word, Huo Qingyun said with a smile. He had not anticipated that the matter would be resolved so easily; initially, he thought that even if Zhou Hengs incarnation arrived through the paper effigy, there would likely need to be a show of force. But Zhou Heng had merely spoken a few words, and completely suppressed Zhai Gang and the other two, obliterating their will to resist. Such power was terrifying indeed, worthy of one capable of directly slaying a Loose Immortal. Impressive indeed! At this point, Zhou Heng had already left the Central Continent, boarding a merchant ship bound for the Jade Pearl Kingdom in the Eastern Sea. Admittedly, he could have flown to the Eastern Sea alone and conducted the investigation about the Thirty-Six Heavens and the Demon Entities of the Evil God by himself, but such an approach would be too detached from everyday life and ordinary people. It would be easy to overlook many details. Prior to this, Zhou Heng had thoroughly reviewed information about the Eastern Sea at the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and the Pure Yang Palace, gaining considerable understanding of the entire Eastern Sea, including its nations, Loose Immortal forces, and more. Yet, the things he was searching for could not be found through these superficial pieces of information. Neither the Evil God nor the Demon Entities, nor any clues about the fallen Ancient Heavenly Court, were hinted at in these superficial records, devoid of even the faintest lead. If he were to search directly without a plan, it would be like exploring everywhere without any strategy, akin to a headless fly bumping around, with low efficiency and unlikely to yield any results. In the absence of clues from conventional sources, Zhou Heng naturally turned his attention to some traditional myths and folk tales from the Eastern Sea kingdoms. These stories, often passed down orally, might have been around for a long time; some might even be traced back to the distant Ancient Era, potentially holding the clues Zhou Heng was looking for. Therefore, he chose a merchant ship traveling from the shore of the Eastern Sea to a sea kingdom to board for his journey. This would help him fully understand the local residents perspectives on the Eastern Sea kingdoms, as well as some of the folk tales that were circulated there. The merchant ship wasnt fast, taking five days to travel from the shore of the Eastern Sea to the Jade Pearl Kingdom. Consequently, the ship was equipped with a dedicated living area and stocked with an abundance of meals, providing sustenance for the sailors and passengers. Zhou Heng had planned to ask the sailors for information about the Eastern Sea kingdoms, but unexpectedly encountered a foreigner from overseas on the ship. A woman from the Winged-people Tribe, with wings growing from her ribs and delicate, beautiful features. -Though they are also part of the Human Race, these foreigners are distinguished by physical traits markedly different from the common populace, arising from various reasons tied to their ancestors in ancient times. For instance, the winged people with wings sprouting from their ribs, the shadow people who can transform into shadows, the giants who grow over three meters tall upon reaching adulthood, the dwarfs who at their tallest never exceed one foot, and the Sunlight Tribe who can absorb sunlight to magnify their stature All of these are actually part of the Human Race. Foreigners are rarely seen in the Central Plains, but in coastal regions like Jin State, they are not so uncommon. Nonetheless, this was Zhou Hengs first encounter with a foreigner, and he couldnt help but take a few more glances. Are you curious about me? The Winged-woman turned her head and glared at Zhou Heng before saying, If you dare stare like that at others when you reach the Eastern Sea kingdoms, be careful or someone might gouge out your eyeballs! Oh? Zhou Heng walked over with a light laugh, It seems the lady is quite familiar with the Eastern Sea kingdoms? Not exactly familiar, just a little bit. The Winged-woman glanced at Zhou Heng aloofly and said indifferently, What is it, you want to come to me for information? Youve seen right through me, Zhou Heng nodded lightly with a smile, Indeed, I have matters to attend to in the Eastern Sea kingdoms and I want to understand the local situation, please inform me. He could tell that despite her unkind tone, her intention was good; she was reminding him to watch his behavior upon reaching the Eastern Sea kingdoms, to avoid bringing trouble upon himself. In the Central Plains, it is the foreigners who appear unusual compared to the common Human Race, but in the Eastern Sea kingdoms, the standard Human Race appearance becomes foreign. Furthermore, being far from home and separated from ones kin, any trouble could have dire consequences, even leading to the loss of life. Therefore, the lady must have a decent nature, and it would be okay to ask her some questions. So, what do you want to ask? The Winged-woman found a bench to sit down, casually looking at Zhou Heng. She said, But looking at you, you are quite young, newly adult by your Human Races standards. What could make you leave your homeland for overseas? Because I have something very important to investigate, Zhou Heng replied with complete honesty, and inquired, I would like to ask, are there any legends about world-ending destruction and doomsday that circulate in the Eastern Sea kingdoms? According to Jiang Er, at the end of the Ancient Era, the Heavenly Court fell, the heavens collapsed, and the world looked like a scene from the apocalypse. This must have caused an incredibly deep fear in the ancients, and if any descriptions survived, they would likely be related to legends of world destruction. Thus, starting the investigation from apocalyptic legends should be a promising direction. Oh, I get it, the Winged-woman looked at Zhou Heng as if she had an epiphany, her smile tinged with mockery, So you want to go preach in the Eastern Sea kingdoms? Preach? Zhou Heng was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, If the lady prefers to think of it that way, then so be it. About the preacher, he had some understanding. Hidden sects were not few in the states of the Central Continent, not only secretly spreading and developing followers within the Central Continent but sometimes also venturing overseas, attempting to preach abroad and gather a group of overseas devotees. These hidden sects were both righteous and evil, with diverse objectives, making it hard to distinguish good from bad. Thus, except for some overly conspicuous sects, the Great Sects and noble families generally turned a blind eye, hardly interfering. This winged girl worked on merchant ships, commuting between the Central Continent and the countries of the Eastern Sea, and must have seen many such preachers, so it was actually quite normal for her to mistake him as one too. I dont have a bad impression of preachers, so Ill tell you about it, the winged girl said with a much friendlier attitude and a smile, Lets start with the apocalyptic myth of our Winged-people tribe. It is said that a long, long time ago, the sky was divided into thirty-six layers, and each layer had a Divine King who ruled everything, holding sway over all the laws between heaven and earth, as well as over all living beings. Then one day, black lightning appeared in the sky, and huge red fireballs fell, plunging the world into darkness, shattering the thirty-six-layered sky, and the Divine Kings died one after the other. Since then, everything on earth would also turn to ashes, eventually becoming nothing, and the world would return to silence. A True God would awaken from the void and create a brand new world, bringing to life new beings. Its roughly like that. Everything on earth will also turn to ashes, eventually becoming nothing, and the world will return to silence? Zhou Heng squinted his eyes slightly upon hearing this and chuckled, But isnt the world still fine as it is now? Think about it, everything on earth will turn to ashes, which means that the world we live in now is in the process of turning into ashes, explained the winged girl, However, I dont really believe it. A myth is just a myth after all. Then who exactly is the True God who will create the new world in the end? Zhou Heng continued to ask. The information he had obtained earlier in Jiang Tafa did not mention this point about creating a new world. At that time, Jiang Tafa only mentioned that after the Ancient Era, all creatures believed the end of days was imminent, and never discussed anything about a presence restarting everything after total destruction. However, it could also not be excluded that this might just be the Winged-peoples modification to the apocalyptic myth, adding a glimmer of hope to an ultimately desperate conclusion. Who knows? the winged girl shook her head and said, Do you want to hear something else? Please continue, miss, Zhou Heng nodded and said. Then you have to pay the price, the winged girl giggled, saying, You dont think Ive been talking to you for so long because I think youre good-looking, do you? I need to make a living. Zhou Heng nodded, took out some gold pieces, and handed them to the winged girl, chuckling, Miss is quite humorous. If a storyteller isnt interesting, who would listen, and where would they earn money, right? The winged girl counted the gold pieces and praised, Theyre quite heavy! Fair enough, then I will tell you about the apocalyptic myth of the Sunlight Tribe This winged girl, who had traveled on merchant ships across the Eastern Sea countries for many years and had a broad range of knowledge, went on to tell Zhou Heng seven apocalyptic myths in succession. However, the descriptions of the flourishing scenes from the Ancient Era were actually not much different, generally speaking of the Thirty-Six Heavens, a gathering of gods and immortals, and the like. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The difference lay in the depiction of the scenes at the time of the end-time apocalypse in each myth. For instance, the Winged-peoples description was black lightning appeared in the sky, huge red fireballs fell, plunging the world into darkness, the thirty-six-layered sky shattered, and the Divine Kings died one after the other While the Sunlight Tribes description was above the thirty-six layers of the Heavenly Realm, the eternal sun suddenly extinguished one day, and the earth and the sky fell into perpetual night, the Heavenly Realm collapsed silently, and the earth too was about to break apart The giants description was, One by one, giant deities taller than mountain peaks fell from the sky, piercing through the barriers laid by the thirty-six-layered sky, crashing onto the earth, bleeding profusely, leaving scorched earth wherever they went, and eventually, the corpses of the gods would destroy the human world Could these be the different sights witnessed by the ancestors from different places when the Heavenly Court fell? Zhou Heng fell into deep thought. Chapter 430 - Chapter 430: Chapter 149: Get Straight to the Point, Kill Him Chapter 430: Chapter 149: Get Straight to the Point, Kill Him In the following days, Zhou Heng exchanged a few more conversations with the girl from the Winged-people Tribe. He also learned from her some ancient legends from other aspects. At the same time, he came to know the name of the Winged-person girl. It was Lan Xia. It was said that she was named this because a blue mist appeared in the sky at the time of her birth, prompting her parents to give her that name. Once they reached the land of Yu Zhu Country, Zhou Heng parted ways with Lan Xia. He set foot upon the land of Yu Zhu Country alone. Thus, he officially arrived in the countries of the Eastern Sea. Yu Zhu Country is a nation that is a vassal state to the Mermaid Kingdom. The vast majority of the people in this country are ordinary humans without exotic bloodlines, but they are skilled at differentiating good and bad pearls and can sell the pearls that come from the Mermaid Kingdom at very high prices, which is why they are popular with the Mermaid Kingdom. Thus, Yu Zhu Country simply became a vassal to the Mermaid Kingdom and, by selling their pearls for money, the people could exchange for daily necessities and enjoy a stable living environment. After arriving here, Zhou Heng discovered that the people lived in great abundance, dwelling in resplendent homes and enjoying a variety of food without having to work, living leisurely and carefree. It was only when the pearls from the Mermaid Kingdom were delivered that the people of Yu Zhu Country would become busy. They would select pearls, set prices on different ones, and sell them to merchant ships from the Central Lands. Zhou Heng walked the streets of Yu Zhu Country and would sometimes encounter people trying to sell him pearls at the markets. However, he wasnt interested in that. The reason he had disembarked in Yu Zhu Country was partly because it was the final stop for the merchant ship, but also he wanted to find a way to get to the Mermaid Kingdom from here. Previously, while he was on the merchant ship, Zhou Heng had learned from Lan Xia that merfolk were different from many exotic races. Exotic races were typically humans who, during the Dark Era, had their appearances changed by various forbidden experiments and other reasons, which gave them special abilities. But merfolk were different. The legend said they were one of the original inhabitants of this Eastern Sea, with some merfolk even claiming their existence predated the ancient Heavenly Court. Their ancestors had supposedly witnessed the establishment of the Heavenly Court across the Thirty-Six Heavens. This made Zhou Heng quite curious. If the Mermaid Tribe were indeed so ancient, they must know many secrets and be of high exploratory value. But neither the Pure Yang Palace nor the records of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer had the precise location of the Mermaid Kingdom. The nation seemed to be intentionally hiding itself. No one knew its whereabouts. Very mysterious. Excuse me, do you know how one might go to the Mermaid Kingdom? Zhou Heng stopped a man by the seashore of Yu Zhu Country and asked earnestly. I dont know. The man, who appeared to be in his thirties, showed a look of disgust upon being questioned in this way and left hastily, quickening his pace. This was the tenth person Zhou Heng had asked. Yu Zhu Country seems to have a great taboo against outsiders asking for the whereabouts of the Mermaid Kingdom, Zhou Heng concluded. He had never expected to get a direct answer in Yu Zhu Country about how to get to the Mermaid Kingdom. If it were really that simple, the Mermaid Nation wouldnt be as mysterious as it is now. The reason Zhou Heng wanted to ascertain the attitudes of the people from the Jade Pearl Nation towards this matter was that he planned to use this opportunity to collect the thought fragments that spilled out of their minds. People who have not cultivated their Divine Souls will involuntarily think of certain things when they are talking about them, and because they lack the methods to control their thoughts and spiritual power, thought fragments will naturally escape from their bodies. Under normal circumstances, these thought fragments are extremely minute, and even the Divine Sense of a Great Grandmaster is unable to collect these fragments, let alone extract useful information from them. Zhou Heng, however, could. Although he had not yet successfully cultivated the True Spirit Heart Sutra, he could still use the insights he had gained recently to collect thought fragments. Once he had collected enough thought fragments, he could cast spells to extract information and refine the knowledge about the Mermaid Nation from the cognition of the people of the Jade Pearl Nation. With this method, he might be able to find the location of the Mermaid Nation. As there were quite a few people who came to the Jade Pearl Nation to inquire about the location of the Mermaid Nation, Zhou Heng did not stand out. After continuing for three days, he collected numerous thought fragments and obtained the approximate location of the Mermaid Nation, as well as some basic details. The Mermaid Nation lay three million miles east of the Jade Pearl Nation, concealed in a different dimension of space by Heaven-Born Prohibitions and postnatal Secret Techniques. Unless one had special means, even Celestial Powers were unable to forcibly enter the Mermaid Nation. However, the Mermaid Nation had recently fallen on hard times; it seemed that they had acquired a certain treasure related to an ancient legacy, which attracted the attention of several Loose Immortals. Any merfolk that ventured out were inevitably seized by the Loose Immortals coveting the treasure, who would then press them for information about the Mermaid Nation. As the number of captured merfolk increased, those coveting the treasure gradually discerned the location of the Mermaid Nation and surrounded it directly. But the Heaven-Born Prohibition and the postnatal Secret Techniques guarding the Mermaid Nation were so formidable that these Loose Immortals couldnt make their way in and had to wait outside for an opportunity to present itself. When Zhou Heng arrived, he saw five Loose Immortals floating above the sea. These Loose Immortals seemed to have settled down there, each with a different posture, some meditating and circulating mana, some resting with closed eyes, nurturing their Magic Weapons, and others drinking to the sky or leisurely reading books. They were not from the same faction, but because they were unable to enter the Mermaid Nation, the five Loose Immortals had temporarily formed this harmonious scene. Yet, as soon as Zhou Heng arrived, the harmony was immediately disrupted. The world of five people suddenly had a sixth. Naturally, things could not end well. Therefore, the eyes of all five Loose Immortals turned towards Zhou Heng, all filled with hostility. What brings you here, sir? one of the elderly Loose Immortals with white hair narrowed his eyes, sizing up Zhou Heng, and suddenly laughed, waving his hand, Merely a Grandmaster, this is not the place for you. Go back. His words were filled with disdain. After all, as former Celestial Men, looking down on a mere Fifth Rank Grandmaster was not too excessive. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thats right, this is not the place for him. Another Loose Immortal, a woman who appeared to be in her twenties, furrowed her brows and said in a stern voice, I agree with Master Wangs opinion, let the child leave on his own. With her level of Divine Sense Perception as a Loose Immortal, she could clearly sense that Zhou Hengs real age was only in his twenties, and to her, who had lived for hundreds or thousands of years, he indeed was just a child. No, we cant let him leave just like that. At this moment, another tall male Loose Immortal stood out, his expression grim as he looked at Zhou Heng. The whereabouts of the Mermaid Nation took us so much time and effort to discover; what if this kid leaves and deliberately spreads the location of the Mermaid Nation on purpose? Lets be direct, kill him to prevent future trouble. Chapter 431 - Chapter 431: Chapter 150: The Great Five Elements Prohibition-Breaking Divine Light Chapter 431: Chapter 150: The Great Five Elements Prohibition-Breaking Divine Light Zhou Heng was standing quietly to the side, listening to the conversation among several Loose Immortals. When the towering Loose Immortal began to speak, he couldnt help but laugh, his gaze shifting as he said, My fellow Taoist, what did you just say? I didnt quite catch it. As these words were uttered, the Loose Immortals present scrutinized him anew, their Divine Senses sweeping over him as if trying to probe his true cultivation realm. After all, his current demeanor did not match what one would expect from a normal Grandmaster in the presence of many Loose Immortals. It was somewhat unusual. For the Loose Immortals active in the Eastern Sea, the unusual meant danger. One must be cautious. However, there were those who were dismissive. A cold smirk appeared on the face of the tall Loose Immortal as he floated in midair and slowly approached Zhou Heng, speaking indifferently, Your act of composure is impressive; it has piqued my curiosity. What is your name? If you can withstand this divine light, Ill tell you my name, Zhou Heng still wore a smile, raising his right hand as divine light circulated in his palm, condensing into a shadow resembling an ancient copper mirror. Hum! The void trembled lightly, and a beam of dark light burst forth from the illusion of the copper mirror, making all the Loose Immortals present feel as though they were facing the concept of death itself. In an instant, the dark light enveloped the tall Loose Immortal, the dense aura of death immediately eroding his Dharma Phase, with all signs of life dissipating in the blink of an eye. By the time the dark light faded, the Loose Immortals Dharma Phase was devoid of any life force, even the radiance of his Primordial Spirit extinguished, signifying his complete annihilation. The Loose Immortal was dead. A formidable Loose Immortal, one with an Immortal Yuan Spirit, had just died like that? And at the hands of a Grandmaster? The remaining four Loose Immortals stood dumbstruck, disbelieving what they saw, hardly able to trust their own eyes. What exactly was that divine light just now? How could it possess such power? And what was the background of this Grandmaster, able to effortlessly kill a Loose Immortal with a lift of his hand?! Ouch! That seriously hurt! At that moment, a cry of pain resounded out of nowhere. The shattered Dharma Phase of the tall Loose Immortal suddenly split open, and a small youth emerged from within, bearing a strong resemblance to the tall Loose Immortal. You little beast, die! The youths eyes swept over to Zhou Heng and immediately turned incredibly fierce, filled with murderous intent, I have cultivated for thousands of years; do you think such strange and ingenious tricks can end my life, youC He didnt finish his sentence, nor did he even have the chance to make a move, as his voice abruptly stopped. At the same time, black light erupted from his seven apertures, each filled with a dense deathly aura. The scene from moments before repeated itself. In an instant, the revived Loose Immortal became another corpse. A deathly silence descended on the scene, with only the sound of the surging sea in the background. Under the divine light of Yin and Yang, actual and reverse, hoping to escape death with such a metamorphosis technique is far too naive, Zhou Heng said with a cold laugh, the copper mirror illusion still in his hand, his gaze turning to the remaining four Loose Immortals. The four Loose Immortals, witnessing the copper mirror illusion as if it were about to cast upon them, and with the recent demise of their companion fresh in their memories, were frightened into frantically avoiding it, not even daring to meet Zhou Hengs gaze. Loose Immortals are generally afraid of death. If they were not afraid, they would not have chosen to become Loose Immortals. If he were still a Celestial Man, perhaps there would be a chance for survival, but unfortunately, a Loose Immortal is no longer a Celestial Man, Zhou Heng surveyed his surroundings, his eyes sweeping over the remaining Loose Immortals one by one, and spoke indifferently, Do you also wish to stop me? The four Loose Immortals all showed looks of indignation; to a Loose Immortal, there was nothing more insulting than being told they were no longer Celestial Men. But the precedent was right beside them, and they dared not say anything. ` Dared to be angry but dared not speak. Lets go! Take care of yourself, Sir! Hmph! The four Loose Immortals turned into escaping lights and left the area. Knowing they were no match for Zhou Heng, they chose to leave directly. After all, for Loose Immortals, preservation of life is of the utmost importance. Had that towering Loose Immortal not possessed a method of resurrection, he likely wouldnt have been so arrogant. Unfortunately for them, they encountered Zhou Heng, the wielder of the Yin Yang Positive-Negative Divine Light. For Zhou Heng, the opposition of these few Loose Immortals was nothing more than a minor interlude. Apart from contributing a Silver Luck Bag, they had no other use. The prohibition the Jiaoren Kingdom used to separate its interior from the exterior was extremely ingenious, leaving five Celestial Men with no clue how to bypass it. For Zhou Heng as well, such restrictions were naturally extremely profound. If one relied solely on their understanding of prohibitions and their own accomplishments in that field, to break through the barrier and successfully enter the Jiaoren Kingdom would be as difficult as reaching the heavens. It was simply impossible. However, Zhou Heng had another method. He arrived at the center of the area where the five Loose Immortals had been sitting in meditation, spread out his Divine Sense, and used the Five Virtue Dharma Phase to sense fluctuations in the void. He quickly discovered a region where the principles of the Five Virtue Dharma were different from everywhere else. The Five Virtues are related to humans; if a place is not frequently traversed or entered by people, then the principles of the Five Virtues in that area should be the same as the surroundings, and there should be no abnormalities. This abnormal area could very well be one of the regular passageways the Jiaoren Kingdom used for moving in and out. If one normally entered or exited using standard methods, there must be special magical techniques to open the gates or passageways; otherwise, it would be inaccessible. Theres no repulsion of the Five Virtue principles here, nor any signs of material rules being defied, which means that both the Heaven-Born Prohibition and any man-made barriers are still based on materials, Zhou Heng judged inwardly, then extended his right hand with fingers splayed. Immediately, his five fingers each lit up with lights of different colors, different atmospheres, different patterns. Five colors! White, blue, black, red, yellow! Five Elements! Metal, wood, water, fire, earth! Soon after, the five-colored brilliance merged and swirled together, condensing into one, spinning and twirling, emitting electrical sparks like elemental magnetism, as though it had the power to decompose all materials in the world. This was the Great Five Elements Elemental Magnetism Extinguishing Divine Light, an Absolute Fourth Rank Taoist Formula. It also had another name, Great Five Elements Prohibition-Breaking Divine Light, which had a restraining effect on all prohibition constructs based on materials in the world, enabling one to forcefully penetrate or even destroy them. Although Zhou Heng had not had the Taoist Formula for long, he already had experience and insight in using the Five Colors Divine Light, and had also forged the Five Virtue Dharma Phase, which had many similarities with the Five Elements Taoist Formulas. His practice of it thus doubled the results with half the effort. At this moment, he was already able to make preliminary use of this Taoist Formula. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Open for me! Zhou Heng bellowed, and the Great Five Elements Prohibition-Breaking Divine Light in his palm circulated five colored glows, flashing with electrical light, directly shattering the void in front of him and opening a gateway. He leaped through, the five-colored brilliance vanished, and the gateway closed behind him. With that, Zhou Heng had finally set foot on the land of the Jiaoren Kingdom. ` Chapter 432 - Chapter 432: Chapter 151: The Shark People Nation Chapter 432: Chapter 151: The Shark People Nation Long before his time in the Jade Pearl Country, Zhou Heng had heard some legends about the Mermaid Kingdom. It was said that the land here flowed with gold, that the very earth was golden in hue, and that the fruits borne by the trees sparkled with the color of metal and gems. The flesh of the fruit could prolong ones life, while the dried pits would turn into exquisite gemstones. It was said that every citizen of the Mermaid Kingdom was as beautiful as the country itself, with both men and women possessing an extraordinary beauty and physique that ordinary members of the Human Race could not compare with. There was also an important legend that on the fifteenth of every month, a unique blue moonlight would rise from the sea adjacent to the Mermaid Kingdom, forming a bridge-like pathway above the land bathed in moonlight. Anyone who could walk this road and ascend to that realm of blue moonlight would awaken the innate divine ability of the mermaids, obtaining immense power without any need for cultivation. This resulted in the Mermaid Kingdom having an extremely large number of Middle Third Rank powerhouses, with virtually no one corresponding to the Lower Third Rank. Although there were only a handful of Upper Third Rank adepts within the Mermaid Kingdom, relying on the sheer number of Middle Third Rank strongmen placed the power of the Mermaid Kingdom firmly among the top ranks of the Eastern Sea countries. Of course, these were all but rumors Zhou Heng had heard in the Jade Pearl Country, their authenticity questionable. The actual situation would require his own investigation. At least the part about the land being golden must be nonsense, Zhou Heng remarked as he stepped onto the soil of the Mermaid Kingdom, feeling its moist and slippery texture, much like moss-covered wet ground. All around him was a dense jungle filled with tree species and wildlife that simply did not exist on the mainland. It seemed like a paradise untouched by the outside world. However, this serene vista only lasted for a moment. The next instant, Zhou Heng heard thunderous roars that threatened to shatter eardrums from the sky above. Through the dense foliage, he could see the pale blue sky suddenly turning dark. Soon the whole world was pitch black. Followed by that, a water-blue spear thousands of feet long descended from the heavens. Wrapped in countless thunderbolts, it was imbued with the intent of destruction, causing the principles of the void to scatter and flee. Boom! It was as if Heavenly Punishment had descended, engulfing an area of several dozen miles in a sea of thunder in an instant. The once dense forest and peculiar animals turned to char before reducing to dust, leaving nothing behind. At the heart of the thunderous sea, the glow of the blue spear still targeted Zhou Heng, aiming to eradicate him with all its might in a strike destined to kill, leaving no room for return. Arent the Mermaid Tribe supposed to be gentle by nature? Zhou Heng said with a wry smile, shaking his head as he gently pushed the headdress on his crown. Immediately, a mass of profound yellow energy burst forth. In the blink of an eye, the thirty-three-layered Profound Yellow Pagoda condensed, clouds of celebration unfurled, and profound yellow energy transformed into a cascade that enveloped him completely. All evil retreats, all laws do not invade! No matter how the sea of thunder raged, nor how the blue spear shimmered, Zhou Heng stood his ground unfazed and unharmed. This sudden attack could not inflict any harm upon him. After a moment, the boiling sea of thunder gradually subsided, and the lightning on the blue spear started to diminish. However, the once dense jungle had been leveled, leaving only the bare earth. It seems to be at the peak of Absolute Fourth Rank, yet there is something distinct about it, Zhou Heng mused as he gauged the might of the long spear, then said aloud with a laugh, Why doesnt Your Excellency show yourself? I come here with no ill intentions. Quite a claim of no ill intentions! came a cold snort from the sky above, and immediately afterward, a man about three meters tall with pale blue skin, dressed in scale armor and holding a long spear, descended from the heavens. Behind him followed over a hundred armored warriors, all looking at Zhou Heng with hostility in their eyes, tightly gripping their weapons, clearly ready to take action at any moment. You say you bear no ill will after forcefully breaking through our clans formation? The man looked at Zhou Heng with a wary expression, speaking in a deep voice, If you are here for the treasure, you might as well drop the pretense and just attack. It was indeed a last resort to break through your noble clans formation. I am willing to apologize for this and make compensation, Zhou Heng began with an apology, saying, But truly, I am not here for any treasure. Compensation? The man did not believe him at all, scoffing coldly and saying, What can you compensate? Our clans formation is created by combining Heaven-Born Prohibitions. Unless you have the ability to emulate the creation of nature, otherwise Hum! At that moment, the void suddenly trembled, and a five-colored radiance rose from behind Zhou Heng, containing the virtues and fortunes of the Five Elements, evolving the power of creation. Would this suffice? Zhou Heng asked with a smile. The man was immediately silent, at a loss for words. With his cultivation realm, he could naturally see that what Zhou Heng displayed was the way of the virtues and fortunes, and it was incredibly perfect, nearing perfection. If it was possible to use this power to repair the formation, it might even fully enhance the formations capabilities. What exactly are you, and what is your purpose here? The mans demeanor softened slightly but was still extremely cold, I hope you can clarify. Otherwise, even if you possess defensive secret techniques, you will never leave our Mermaid Kingdom alive. I am Zhou Heng, a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace from the Central Plains of Qi Country, here in the Eastern Sea to investigate some ancient secrets, Zhou Heng spoke truthfully, Hearing that your noble tribe has a long heritage, surviving from ancient times to the present, I wanted to inquire. Unfortunately, your noble tribe is hidden within the formations, and outsiders with no knowledge of the ways to enter cannot do so. Hence, I had no choice but to take this last resort to break through the formation, for which I hope you can forgive me. You are a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace? The mans attitude warmed up a bit more upon hearing this, inquiring further, The formation outside our clan is guarded by Loose Immortals. Did they not stop you? I killed one of the Loose Immortals, and naturally, the others fled, Zhou Heng said with a smile. Upon these words, a sudden silence fell over the surroundings. All the armored Mermaid people exchanged glances, their faces showing surprise. They all knew very well how powerful a Loose Immortal could be; previously, the formation had been guarded by a Loose Immortal, causing great pressure for their entire tribe. Such a powerful being was killed by this Human Race person before them? That was perhaps a bit too strong. The leading Mermaid man showed a surprised look, saying, Your strength is indeed beyond my expectations. If you say you are a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, do you have proof? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What difficulty is there in that? Zhou Heng raised a finger, manifesting a strand of Pure Yang mana, forming it into a small sun that radiated a warm light, smiling as he said, This is the mana cultivated from the Pure Yang scripture. Indeed, you are a True Disciple of the Pure Yang Palace. This Mermaid man evidently had some knowledge of the Pure Yang Palace, nodding lightly and continuing to ask, Which peaks disciple are you, the seventh or the eighth generation? Neither, Zhou Heng shook his head and smiled, I am a sixth-generation True Disciple. My senior brother Yan Shouyi took me as a disciple on behalf of our master, and I cultivate at the Jade Void Peak. You are the junior brother of Jade Void Peaks Yan Shouyi?! The Mermaid mans face instantly became extremely expressive, showing anger, unwillingness, and a bit of relief. He said, Please follow me, Daoist. My sister may have some questions for you. The ancient secrets you seek, only my sister can answer them. Chapter 433 - Chapter 433: Chapter 152: Why dont you come out and meet me? Chapter 433: Chapter 152: Why dont you come out and meet me? ` This outcome was somewhat unexpected for Zhou Heng. He hadnt anticipated that the mention of Yan Shouyis name would turn this fierce-looking Sharkman countryman so amiable all of a sudden, even offering to take him to meet his sister. It wouldnt be my senior fellow apprentices romantic debt from the past, would it? Zhou Heng lightly pressed his temples, suspecting that the situation might not be as simple as it appeared. Still, with a trump card up his sleeve, nothing in the Sharkman country could threaten him, not even the incarnation of a Tao Lord. So, he followed the man. En route, the man introduced himself as Liu Shun, younger brother to the current ruler of the Sharkman country, Liu Ying. At just three hundred years of age, he already possessed the cultivation of an Absolute Fourth Rank, making him extraordinarily powerful. -Sharkmen belonged to the so-called Long-lived Species, and even ordinary members of their tribe could live for seven to eight hundred years. Upon maturity, they would have the cultivation of a Secret Six Rank. Stepping into the Sect Fifth Rank would extend their lifespan by a thousand years, and reaching Absolute Fourth Rank would grant them more than five thousand years of life. Given Liu Shuns friendly demeanor, Zhou Heng tried to probe, May I know what relation your countrys ruler has with my senior fellow apprentice? Hasnt Yan Shouyi told you about it? Liu Shun raised an eyebrow, his tone suddenly turning colder, then he shook his head, saying, These matters are not for me to discuss; once you meet my sister, you will naturally get the answers. Zhou Heng lapsed into silence, his heart feeling somewhat panicked. He wasnt worried about being blamed; he was more concerned that all his efforts to come here and get a whiff of secrets from the Ancient Era could be delayed due to some old affairs, which would be absurd. A moment later, the two arrived at a palace built entirely of water-blue gemstone. The palace shone with a brilliant aqua hue, majestic and dignified, emanating an indescribable spiritual pressure from the outside, compelling submission from those who beheld it. Of course, such pressure was as good as non-existent to Zhou Heng, unable to affect him in the slightest. The palace ahead is where my sister resides and conducts her daily affairs, Liu Shun stopped, pointing at the edifice ahead, and said, Daoist, you may go in now. Arent you coming with me? Zhou Heng frowned slightly. I Liu Shun glanced at the palace ahead, hurriedly shook his head, and said with a wry smile, I dont really want to see my sister; shes quite strict. Is that so? Zhou Heng laughed softly upon hearing that, Then how should I reveal my identity? You dont seem to have informed her of who I am. The mana of the Pure Yang Palace is proof enough, Liu Shun said. She will recognize it. If thats the case, then I shall proceed, Zhou Heng nodded lightly. He was not concerned whether Liu Shun was plotting something against him. Even if it were a trap, it didnt really matter to him. Unless the Sharkman country had arranged to kill a Divine First Rank, there wasnt any threat to him. Zhou Hengs trump card was too strong. That was precisely why he had dared to come to the Eastern Sea alone to investigate. Who goes there? A delicate and soft female voice rang out from the water-blue grand palace. The voice was exceedingly pleasant to the ear, yet it seemed devoid of any emotional fluctuations, chilling to the extreme, calm to the extreme, almost like a cold, unfeeling machine. Zhou Heng of the Pure Yang Palace, the sixth-generation direct disciple, here to pay respects to the Sharkman Queen, Zhou Heng responded with a smile, and as Liu Shun had mentioned earlier, he flicked his right hand and conjured a thread of Pure Yang mana. A disciple of the Pure Yang Palace! The sixth-generation direct disciple! Yan Shouyi!! The voice came again, no longer calm as before, but now filled with rage and indignation. In the next instant, the water-blue palace seemed to suddenly melt away, transforming into a vast expanse of sea suspended in the air, which then raised a sky-high tsunami, crashing down towards Zhou Heng. ` The wave towered over ten thousand feet, seemingly reaching straight for the heavens. In but an instant, the world turned dark before Zhou Hengs eyes, and all he could see was the immensely gigantic wave. If such a wave were truly to crash down, I fear that more than half of the Jiao Ren Kingdom would suffer calamity. Yet the angry voice seemed not to care at all, still squandering its formidable mana, commanding the huge wave, aiming to engulf Zhou Heng in the water. Is this the manifestation of Tao power? Zhou Hengs eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the wave descend from the sky. He didnt dodge but stood his ground, appearing to brace for a direct hit. In the next moment, the wave crashed down. Finally, as the wave neared the top of Zhou Hengs head, he suddenly flipped his palm upward, his five fingers loosely gripping as though holding an invisible Jade Ruyi. Then, with fingers clasping tightly, he formed a fist seal. Above this fist seal, purple, gold, black, and white colors shone brightly, solidifying into an unblemished, solemn, pure Jade Ruyi. Immediately after, petals of golden flowers scattered around the Jade Ruyi, tinkering with the voids laws and the natural melodies of all things, naturally including the Tao power that had evolved into this huge wave. Buzz! With Zhou Hengs punch thrust forward, the Jade Ruyi naturally collided with the sky-high wave, suppressing it in an instant, halting all its surging movements as if time itself had stopped flowing. Right after that, Zhou Heng struck out with his other hand, and he gathered a dark, sinister power of Destruction as if intending to shatter the heavens and the earth, to bury all laws and paths! Overturning Heaven Three Palms! Heavens and Earth Shattered! Boom! The deafening roar echoed throughout the Jiao Ren Kingdom, and nearly all the Jiao Ren felt the ground beneath them shake, sensing that the source of this terrifying power seemed to be in the direction of the palace. Whats going on, is it possible that an outsider is battling with the king? Liu Shun, who had just left the palace not long ago, looked towards the palace with a shocked expression, confusedly saying, Whats happening, isnt my sister always talking about Yan Shouyi over these years? Shouldnt she be happy to see Yan Shouyis disciple this time? How did they start fighting? Meanwhile, in front of the Jiao Ren Kingdoms palace, the Tao-powered giant wave had already been shattered by Zhou Hengs successive attacks, turning into pure Tao power that scattered. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only And the palace of the Jiao Ren Kingdom, which had already become seawater, rapidly reverted back to its original state. A Sect Fifth Rank Human Race martial artist, merely being able to withstand my Celestial Mans strike, is indeed unimaginable, the cool female voice spoke again, stating solemnly, Since you are the sixth-generation true successor of the Pure Yang Palace, you must be Yan Shouyis junior brother, and your strength has also gained my acknowledgment; you may come in to meet me now. Gained your acknowledgment? Zhou Heng, however, did not step forward; he even stopped circulating the mana within his body, chuckling lightly, What a grandeur attitude. Following that, with just a thought, his Divine Soul manifested in the form of a Dharma Phase clad in five-colored Taoist robes and shouted sternly, Now it is I who doesnt wish to see you! Instead, you come out to meet me!!