Chapter 552: Improvement (II)
After bringing the Purple Firmament Repository Returning Art to Perfection, Lin Zheyu found that his spirit and soul had improved by less than 10%. In contrast, his martial perception had risen dramatically. In his senses, the world itself had become clearer. Within the violent energy lake, the shattered and chaotic rule power stood out with increasing clarity. If he focused and contemplated, he could grasp many of its underlying mysteries.
Once the spirit divine repository is opened, my martial perception may undergo an unprecedented transformation, Lin Zheyu thought to himself.
He did not care much about the strength of his soul. Spiritual sense was merely a convenience in daily life. Martial perception was his true foundation. Relying on it, he had avoided countless dangers.
Let's continue. With my current will, I should be able to handle about 20 units of Origin Force comsuption.
Using Origin Force was extremely taxing on the mind. Compressing endless cultivation in the mental space into just a few breaths was difficult to endure, even with the help of mysterious energy.
In a short span, handling around 20 units of Origin Force was close to his limit. Any more would affect his condition, which would be extremely dangerous in a place like this.
That old man Fan Hongwei is probably waiting outside already. Going back is impossible. Looks like I'll have to head into the yao world and hide for a while, then return after I recover, Lin Zheyu thought as he looked toward the void beyond the energy lake.
There, a pitch-black rift radiated chaotic and violent spatial power. It was the space-time rift leading to the yao world. The node had formed from the forced incursion of that world, but before it fully stabilized, the Heavenly Dao of Lin Zheyu's world still held the upper hand. Under its influence, yaos could not cross over. If they tried, they would be struck down by the Heavenly Dao itself, which was no different from seeking death.
"Hopefully there aren't too many yaos waiting outside, or things will get troublesome," Lin Zheyu muttered before beginning another round of cultivation.
Use 12 units of Origin Force to cultivate the Heavenly Pivot Nine Refinements Nine Tribulations Art.
As the thought was sent out, vast mysterious energy surged forth. This was his second divine repository technique. Even setting aside the fact that it was several times more difficult than the Purple Firmament Repository Returning Art, the mere fact that it was a second repository technique caused the difficulty to increase dramatically.
The required Origin Force was certainly more than 12 units, so Lin Zheyu went all in. After all, he was inside a space-time node, and the violent energy within the lake was incredibly dense, enough to support the cultivation. He had chosen the right place.
The Divine Repository realm consumed a staggering amount of energy. For someone like Lin Zheyu with such a deep foundation, the demand was even more terrifying. If he relied on spirit stones, it would take years just to gather enough.
***
Within the demon cave, black winds howled. It was a world steeped in darkness. Amid the surging demonic qi, an old man with an immortal bearing stepped forward and stopped before a Demon-Suppressing Army camp. He floated in the dark void, as if blending into it. The patrolling soldiers outside the camp did not notice him.
Fan Hongwei narrowed his eyes as he looked at the space-time node. "This is the place."
He was assessing how developed the node was and whether it could support a Golden Core realm cultivator entering. If possible, he would go in and bring the boy back. He was worried Lin Zheyu might die in the yao world. A martial artist who had opened the divine repository and awakened a special spirit divine ability was not common.
Fan Hongwei shook his head slightly as a trace of regret appeared in his eyes. "This node hasn't been around long. It's still unstable. I can only wait."
This node had yet to stabilize and could only allow one-way passage for cultivators below the Golden Core realm. Someone like Fan Hongwei, who had grasped destiny aura to reach the Golden Core realm, was effectively marked by the Heavenly Dao. Forcing his way through such an unstable node would bring immediate destruction.
Almost all cultivation systems were marked by the Heavenly Dao upon reaching the Golden Core realm. Martial cultivation was no exception. Once the shackles were broken, one would be detected and placed on this blacklist. However, geniuses who possessed Golden Core realm strength while still in the Foundation Establishment realm did not face this issue. Otherwise, Lin Zheyu might not have been able to enter the node at all earlier.
"Kid, don't die in there..." Fan Hongwei murmured as he looked toward the space-time node.
His figure flickered and fully merged into the darkness. He did not leave, but remained watching the node, waiting for Lin Zheyu to return.
***
In the Martial Realm.
As the three most powerful esteemed families in the Martial Realm, even though the Martial Alliance had separated from the ancient esteemed martial families, many of their informants still remained within it.
The moment Lin Zheyu left Yanwu City, not only did Ling Feng receive the news, but Woo Yixuan and Ning Ji'an did as well. No sooner had Lin Zheyu departed than Woo Yixuan sought out Ning Ji'an.
Woo Yixuan looked at Ning Ji'an, and a sinister smile formed on his face. "Xiao Yu has left Yanwu City. Give me his whereabouts."
He had waited a long time for this moment. Revenge against Xiao Yu for past humiliation had become his heart demon. If he did not kill him, his martial cultivation would never advance again.
"Very well. In twenty days, he will head to this space-time node. Set up an ambush along the way and wait for him to walk into it."
With a wave of Ning Ji'an's hand, a streak of green light shot out. Woo Yixuan casually grabbed it and scanned it with his spiritual sense, imprinting the information into his mind.
"Good. You'd better not be lying to me." Woo Yixuan curled his lips into a vicious grin. With a cold snort, he turned and left.
Ning Ji'an watched Woo Yixuan's departing figure with a faint smile, showing no displeasure at his rude behavior. He had learned this information when Han Ge invited Lin Zheyu to join their team to cross the space-time node. After making inquiries, he discovered that Xiao Yu had taken his place in Han Ge's group.
Using this as leverage, Ning Ji'an struck a deal with Woo Yixuan. As he sipped his tea with a smile, he sensed a familiar aura approaching.
He called softly, "Uncle Ning."
As his voice fell, the air rippled like the surface of still water disturbed by a pebble. A man in a fitted green robe stepped out from the ripples. He was Ning Shu, a subordinate of Ning Ji'an's father, and he possessed considerable strength.
Ning Shu cupped his fists politely. "Greetings, Young Master."
Before a Shackles realm cultivator, no matter how talented Ning Ji'an was, he would not command much respect before reaching that realm himself. This gesture was already out of consideration for his father's reputation and his own exceptional talent.
"Uncle Ning, please go to this location and kill someone for me. Stay hidden and observe. If Woo Yixuan's men fail, I'll have to trouble you to step in." Ning Ji'an flicked out a strand of green light as he spoke respectfully. He did not trust that wastrel Woo Yixuan and wanted to leave Xiao Yu with no chance of escape.
Ning Ji'an wanted him dead!
"Yes, Young Master."
Ning Shu nodded and stepped back into the spatial ripples. Shortly after, his figure appeared in another grand hall.
Ning Shu bowed respectfully to a middle-aged man. "Greetings, my lord."
"Hm. Ji'an asked you to kill that boy?" the man asked calmly.
"Yes, my lord," Ning Shu replied.
The man casually tossed out a streak of blue light and said indifferently, "Take this with you. Bring back his body and soul. I have some use for them."
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