Chapter 1066: Chapter 1065: Emerging from Seclusion
On the other side of the Fire Dragon Bridge.
It was an immensely grand island, where the violent fire vitality energy gathered, shrouding the island. At this moment, in the center of the island, stood an exceptionally ancient fiery red altar, emanating waves from ancient times.
Everyone came for the treasure beyond the Fire Dragon Bridge, yet, on this island, besides this ancient altar, there was nothing else.
Undoubtedly, this altar was the key to accessing the Fiery Region.
"Damn it, inserting two keys yielded no response. Do we need all three keys to activate this altar?"
Huangfu Qi gazed at the dim altar before him, his face darkening involuntarily, and said.
"The third key is with Ling Chen, who you’ve already killed. That third key might never appear again."
Murong Qingcheng coldly stated.
Hearing this, many gazes turned awkwardly towards the Undying Old Demon and his four companions. If it weren’t for these five joining forces to knock Ling Chen off the Fire Dragon Bridge, they wouldn’t be here just watching.
But these five were too powerful for anyone to say anything to them.
The Hook-Nosed Elder’s face was also somewhat grim, but he quickly snorted coldly, "I refuse to believe so many of us would be stopped by this mere broken Array Formation. Let’s search the island and see if there’s another entry."
With that, he and the Huangfu Clan people dashed off in one direction.
Though the other powerhouses had no idea, this was the best they could do without the keys. They weren’t ready to give up.
"Qingcheng, let’s also search around."
Behind Murong Qingcheng, Elder Bai suggested.
However, Murong Qingcheng did not immediately respond. Her gaze drifted toward the Fire Dragon Bridge’s direction, and her pretty eyes flickered with light. "Elder Bai, do you think Ling Chen could still... be alive?"
"Impossible."
Elder Bai shook his head at once, "The boy was almost dead when he fell off the Fire Dragon Bridge. Besides, beneath lies a death trap where none survive. Even if he were a genius, Ling Chen absolutely couldn’t survive."
Hearing this, Murong Qingcheng fell silent. Indeed, Ling Chen’s circumstance was bleak, survival seemed unlikely, but her intuition made her wonder if Ling Chen might suddenly reappear. He was unpredictable, and miracles might occur.
"Perhaps I’m overthinking it."
Murong Qingcheng slowly exhaled, then left the altar with Elder Bai and the others.
...
Beneath the Fire Dragon Bridge, in the underground space.
Time ticked by, and Ling Chen reached a crucial moment. He could feel the True Qi within him on the verge of breaking through, like an undercurrent beneath a calm sea, ready to unleash great potential and spark monstrous waves.
"Break for me!"
Ling Chen shouted, and the True Qi within him suddenly gathered, forcefully attacking the Realm.
One failure, then he attempted again.
After three successive attempts, Ling Chen finally broke through the Sixth Layer of Sky Apex, reaching the Seventh Realm of Sky Apex!
Bang!
A vast and mighty wave of True Qi soared to the skies. The dust was shredded into the Void. This True Qi wave far surpassed his previous True Qi, both in thickness and purity, reaching another level.
After reaching the Seventh Realm, Ling Chen didn’t stop. His aura was unstable, needing further solidification.
Simultaneously, Ling Chen began refining the Fire Infant Fruit to enhance his True Essence of Fire.
The abundant power of the Fire Infant Fruit was absorbed by Ling Chen, not only stabilizing his cultivation but also naturally raising the True Essence of Fire to eighty percent.
However, he found the path harder the further he advanced, especially past eighty percent. Progress was slower.
Otherwise, a Fire Infant Fruit could elevate more than just Martial Arts True Meaning.
Nevertheless, with eighty percent True Essence of Fire and sixty percent Thunder Intent combined, the power of sword techniques like Blazing Thunder Cut would be significantly enhanced, far more than just a little.
Ling Chen suddenly raised his eyes, as if two sword lights shot out from his gaze, darting through the Void.
"Go!"
Ling Chen’s sword-like fingers swiped out, merging two Martial Arts True Meanings, unleashing a streak of sword qi that struck a nearby stone wall.
Rumble!
The stone chamber walls, far harder than passage walls, were cleaved open, unmatched sword energy cutting through it.
"Power increased by over thirty percent!"
Ling Chen’s eyes gleamed. Compared to the previous Blazing Thunder Cut, the power had enhanced by over thirty percent.
Now, his injuries were fully healed, and cultivation was thoroughly solidified in the Seventh Realm of Sky Apex.
"It’s time for payback."
Ling Chen rose from the ground. The Undying Old Demon, Huangfu Clan, Ice and Fire Dual Swords... the five had pushed him to this point. It was time they paid blood debts.
Swish!
Mobilizing True Qi, Ling Chen swiftly darted out of the underground space.
Meanwhile, on the island, adjacent to the altar, were dozens of figures, consisting of members from various aristocratic families, gathered around the altar.
Initially seeking another entrance into the altar, they scoured the island for a way into the Fiery Region, but found nothing.
"Damn it, is this altar the only entrance to the Fiery Region?"
Huangfu Qi stared at the altar, his eyes grim to the extreme.
Scouring nearly the entire island, they found no entry to the Fiery Region. It seemed this altar was the sole passage.
Could it be that killing Ling Chen cost them the opportunity to enter the Fiery Region?
"We should have seized the key from that boy first before taking his life."
The Hook-Nosed Elder’s expression was icy. He regretted greatly not acquiring Ling Chen’s key, now stuck here unable to enter the Secret Realm.
"It’s too late to regret now, unless that boy climbs out from beneath the Fire Dragon Bridge alive."
On the other side, Ling Bing sneered coldly.
"That kid’s dead, even if he had nine lives."
The Undying Old Demon smirked.
"You might be disappointed."
Suddenly, the instant his voice fell, a faint voice reached their ears. Everyone looked towards the sound, seeing not far off a thin young swordsman figure exuding a exceptionally sharp aura.
"Your time has come."
