Chapter 543: Chapter 541: The New Celestial Pride List
"Damn it, this is a sign of losing oneself!"
Xu Yang’s mind surged, struggling fiercely like a fish thrown into a shallow stream.
Stepping into the spiritual river could greatly strengthen one’s spiritual mark and help comprehend spiritual intent.
But if the strength is lacking, one will become lost within it.
By the time Xu Yang realized this, he had already fortified the defenses of his spirit platform.
Yet as he gazed around, the boundless, vast spirit river filled with nothing but dazzling spirit light surged again with a terrifying, suffocating oppression, striking deep into his soul—even the power of Jade Lotus couldn’t shield him.
As if drowning, struggling desperately.
"Calm down!"
Xu Yang growled low, intent on forcibly steadying himself.
But the more he did so, the more terrifying the oppressive power became; everywhere seemed to turn into horrifying whirlpools, spawning endless tearing forces that bound him tightly, inescapable.
Just as Xu Yang was about to fight with all his might, waves suddenly erupted within him.
The mysterious cauldron resounded, thundering like a deafening roar of lightning.
Dang!
The explosive crash echoed wildly by Xu Yang’s ears, followed by countless waves of furious howls.
Overflowing with sorrow, pain, unwillingness—all manner of emotion.
This force was crystal clear, soul-stirring, immense as a tide, as if able to crush everything.
Xu Yang’s whole body shuddered, suddenly awakening from the spiritual river’s intimidation, gasping violently, an indescribable light flickering in his eyes.
"Those roars, those feelings..."
"How is this possible?"
Xu Yang could barely believe it.
From the roars and emotion, he sensed that what he first guessed was completely wrong.
The tens of thousands of immortal corpses buried in that place were not killed by the cauldron’s former master.
They should have been his companions, slain and laid to rest here!
There was no verbal exchange, but Xu Yang instinctively grasped this truth.
Unimaginable!
Yet it made sense.
Xu Yang swallowed nervously, sensing the now-quiet Tripod of Heaven and Earth, and refrained from any action.
For a long while.
He drew a deep breath, discarded these stray thoughts, and earnestly attuned himself to the spirit river.
Cultivating in the spirit river was the most vital task now.
Xu Yang guarded his mind and dared not recklessly observe the spirit river’s surroundings again.
He summoned his spirit mark, sat cross-legged atop an illusory Jade Lotus, and placed himself at the edge of the spiritual river.
From afar, he was but a grain of sand amidst the vast spirit river, insignificant.
Bathed in dazzling spiritual radiance, pure energy strands wrapped completely around Xu Yang.
His spirit mark trembled, greedily absorbing, rising at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Xu Yang gradually immersed himself, the Heaven Locking intent in his heart evolving without end.
Half a month later.
Xu Yang jolted, suddenly waking.
Returning to himself, he found his consciousness had unknowingly returned to his body.
He quickly summoned his spirit mark to check, dumbstruck.
"Six feet seven inches!"
"In only half a month, it grew by more than a foot."
Xu Yang looked up at the endless sky, a fiery gleam flashing in his eyes.
This speed was heaven-defying.
"But if I use a second Jade Lotus, the effect won’t be as great, and the secret realm tree has an influence as well."
Xu Yang exhaled, glanced down, and saw the Jade Lotus in his hand mottled and devoid of spiritual light.
In a blink, it ’whoosh’—disintegrated into ash and drifted away.
Xu Yang braced himself, no longer concerned with the spiritual river but focusing intensely, experiencing the Heaven Locking intent and gaining much.
Immediately, he closed his eyes under the secret realm tree, entering a cultivation state.
His second cultivation session lasted nearly three months.
Xu Yang was awakened by Shi Hu.
Opening his eyes, seeing Shi Hu squatting beside him, Xu Yang asked in confusion, "Did something happen?"
"No."
Shi Hu shook his head slightly, then handed over an ancient scroll: "Take a look."
"What is this?"
"The new Celestial Pride List!"
"Celestial Pride List?"
Xu Yang paused, then unfurled the ancient scroll. Of course, Xiao Ming was still set in the first position, unshakeable like a boulder.
The second name left him stunned.
"Me? Second?"
Xu Yang stared at Shi Hu in disbelief.
Shi Hu grinned wryly, his tone tinged with envy: "Second is well deserved—making things hard on Chen Xuanji, and standing up to Xiao Ming for so long. In fact, you and Chen Xuanji are jointly listed at second."
"I think Chen Xuanji being third is absolutely justified."
Xu Yang raised his brow in surprise, discovering that, in fact, he and Chen Xuanji were tied for second.
But the former third, Lan Yue, had dropped off the rankings completely—not even in the top ten, and not among the twenty spots at all.
Recalling how Zuo Guangchen said Lan Yue was in trouble, it seems her injuries must be quite serious.
Although it’s hard to say for sure.
Third place was now Jun Baimu.
Fourth was Zuo Guangchen.
Shi Hu also climbed a spot.
"Though there are some changes to the rankings, at this critical time everyone is striving to improve, so it’s only for rough reference." Shi Hu said quietly.
Indeed!
Xu Yang nodded in agreement.
"You woke me up just to show me this?" Xu Yang frowned at Shi Hu.
"Of course, that’s not all."
"There’s only a little over a month before it begins."
Shi Hu licked his lips, "There’s not much time left; won’t make much more progress. I plan to visit a great place for some fun. Wanna come?"
"Where?"
Seeing Shi Hu’s mysterious demeanor, Xu Yang couldn’t help but grow curious.
"Chi Xue’s Dojo!"
"A rather unique place within the Spirit Realm. Once the resting place of a peak Shenxiao Realm expert, which evolved into all manner of marvels."
"Later, several Lords fought here. The one who survived seized the place and made it his own dojo."
"This Chi Xue Lord is insanely powerful, with formidable means, especially skilled in puppetry—he’s made countless puppets of every level to serve as trials in the dojo."
Shi Hu’s eyes gleamed: "Those puppets are unpredictable, wielding divine techniques, and have more experience than most Martial Artists; challenging and passing through means you not only hone yourself, but also receive incredible rewards."
"Let me name a few—Holy Elephant Jade Bone, which boosts Life Fire Soul, very beneficial to folks like us; and Divine Demon Blood, secret technique refined by Chi Xue, gathered from ancient beast essences and rare treasures, a single drop could increase my fleshly vitality by several folds."
Shi Hu blinked: "So, interested?"
Xu Yang’s eyes lit up slightly: "Of course I am."
"When do we leave?"
"Now."
"Let’s go."
Xu Yang didn’t hesitate.
As Shi Hu said, though there was the secret realm tree, with so little time left, not much more progress could be made.
Chi Xue’s Dojo was truly remarkable.
"What about Stone Jade? She’s not coming with you?" Xu Yang asked curiously.
Shi Hu shook his head slightly, looking mysterious: "Don’t worry about her; the clan has other plans for her."
Xu Yang pondered, and didn’t ask further.
The two needed no preparation, and departed straight from the Battle King’s clan.
In the void, a dark-colored spiritual boat sped along.
Shi Hu looked around inside the spiritual boat, full of envy: "Ever since you came, I’ve felt like I’m just the adopted one."
Xu Yang teased: "Want to make a bet? If you lose, I’ll give you this Ink Cloud Boat."
"Really?"
Shi Hu’s eyes shone.
