Chapter 629: The Cavern Abode Massacre

Chapter 629 -302: The Cavern Abode Massacre

It was the aura of an Infinite Realm, condensed from the power of the True Intent of Heaven and Earth!

Ji Lingxiao’s Sword Intent was certainly profound, but Chen Cheng’s Infinite Realm was just as extraordinary!

BUZZ!

The two Realms clashed head-on, yet they only tore a rift in the void and let out a faint tremor before dissipating into nothingness.

“You’ve actually comprehended the True Intent of Heaven and Earth!”

Ji Lingxiao said, her voice filled with disbelief.

She could release and retract her Lingxiao Sword Intent at will. In truth, she had only wanted to probe Chen Cheng’s Martial Arts Power slightly.

Had Chen Cheng been unable to receive it, she would have naturally dispersed her Realm’s power midway.

But the result of her probe had truly shocked her to the core!

“True Disciple Ji’s Sword Intent is truly extraordinary!” Chen Cheng said faintly.

The shock in Chen Cheng’s heart was no less than Ji Lingxiao’s.

After all, his comprehension of the True Intent of Heaven and Earth was mainly thanks to the sheer power of the True Dragon Lineage’s Rising Dragon Realm. He had essentially comprehended it through brute force.

Ji Lingxiao’s Sword Intent, on the other hand, seemed to be born more from pure comprehension!

Although the results were the same, the processes were completely different. One was achieved through sheer force, the other through perceptive insight.

‘Of course, Ji Lingxiao has a Profound Tier Spiritual Artifact like the Lingxiao Sword. The Spirituality within it might have also aided her in comprehending her Sword Intent.’

Ji Lingxiao fell silent. She studied Chen Cheng closely, as if sensing the Demon Thought Cage on him. After a long while, she suddenly sighed softly and said:

“Your Martial Arts Talent is truly astonishing!

It’s just a shame that you’re afflicted with the Demon Thought Cage. A true pity…”

Chen Cheng’s expression was placid.

But the Chens’ three madams were greatly alarmed.

Mu Xiaowan asked anxiously, “Sister Lingxiao, is there really no way to resolve the Demon Thought Cage Brother Cheng is suffering from?”

Ji Lingxiao shook her head gently. “A Martial Arts Grandmaster could naturally resolve a Demon Thought Cage.

But it would come at a great cost. It’s unlikely any Martial Arts Grandmaster would be willing to act.”

“Ah… What are we going to do!” Mu Xiaowan said, deeply worried.

Ji Lingxiao was silent. She glanced at Chen Cheng again and saw that his expression remained calm, a picture of tranquil indifference. In her heart, she couldn’t help but secretly admire his steady disposition.

Chen Cheng knew his own situation best, so he wasn’t flustered at all. He cupped his hands and said, “True Disciple Ji, you honor us with your presence. Please forgive my tardy welcome. Let us speak in the main hall.”

“Very well,” Ji Lingxiao nodded.

Everyone entered the main hall, and Chen Cheng finally learned the reason for Ji Lingxiao’s visit.

She had come to the Zheng Martial Arts Hall because of his master, Mr. Zheng.

According to Ji Lingxiao, it was because Mr. Zheng had intervened to help her in the Three Elements Cave Mansion that she was able to enter the Array Hub to cultivate.

Mr. Zheng helped Ji Lingxiao because, in his youth, he had once received a favor from the Taiyi Sect’s Sect Leader, Liu Fufeng. This was simply him repaying that favor.

As for the specific details, Ji Lingxiao didn’t know them either.

When the cave mansion opened again, Mr. Zheng had the chance to come out, but he chose to continue his Cultivation inside, waiting for the next time it opened to emerge.

Since Mr. Zheng was staying in the cave mansion, he was naturally worried about his large family—his wife, children, and the elderly. Thus, he entrusted Ji Lingxiao to look after them.

That was why Ji Lingxiao had come to the Zheng Martial Arts Hall. Firstly, to bring news of Mr. Zheng, and secondly, to declare that she would spread the word and personally protect the Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

After learning the whole story, Chen Cheng sighed inwardly.

‘It seems that in Master Mr. Zheng’s eyes, Ji Lingxiao is far more reliable than the Great Dao Sect. By repaying Liu Fufeng’s favor, he was probably also hoping to build a good relationship with Ji Lingxiao and use her as a backer.’

‘This was clearly a move made out of desperation.’

‘Although Mr. Zheng was a Daoist Sect Steward, the Four Symbols Peak he belonged to had long since fallen into decline. Even the Peak Master didn’t manage its affairs.’

‘With Mr. Zheng absent, he naturally had no connections to protect his family’s safety.’

‘Back then, the situation in Linji City was truly perilous, and the Great Dao Sect clearly couldn’t be relied upon.’

‘As for relying on me, my Martial Arts Power at the time was far from sufficient. I was even less dependable!’

‘Ji Lingxiao, on the other hand, had outstanding Martial Arts Talent, was the closed-door disciple of the Taiyi Sect’s Sect Leader, and had a Profound Tier Spiritual Artifact like the Lingxiao Sword. She was the perfect powerful ally!’

“Thank you for bringing back the news, True Disciple Ji.” Chen Cheng cupped his hands and offered his sincere thanks.

Ji Lingxiao waved her hand, her tone laden with meaning. “It was nothing, Brother Chen, you needn’t be so polite. Besides, Elder Zheng also entrusted me to look after you, his closed-door disciple.

But from the looks of it now, with your strength, Brother Chen, you no longer need my care.

After the Fog Concealment Cave Mansion event, I will take the people of the Zheng Martial Arts Hall to Yun State and wait for Elder Zheng to emerge from the cave mansion before making further arrangements.”

“Alright.” After a moment’s thought, Chen Cheng answered decisively.

His current strength was indeed enough to protect everyone in the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, but since his master, Mr. Zheng, had already made arrangements, it wasn’t right to go against his wishes.

Just then, Mu Xiaowan spoke up, “Brother Cheng, when Sister Lingxiao arrived in Linji City, she had nowhere to stay, so Sixth Madam invited her to stay at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall for the time being.

Sister Lingxiao mentioned that the environment of a True Disciple’s courtyard was quite nice, so Senior Sister Qingyao, Senior Sister Qingshuang, and I took the liberty of letting her stay in the Xuanwu Courtyard for now.”

Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang both nodded in agreement.

Chen Cheng had no objections either. He smiled and said, “If True Disciple Ji is willing to grace the Xuanwu Courtyard with her presence, then I am of course most welcoming.”

Ji Lingxiao cupped her hands and said, “Then I shall impose on you.”

…

Chen Cheng exchanged a few more pleasantries before taking his leave and returning to the Cyan Dragon Courtyard to cultivate the Martial Dao.

‘Although Ji Lingxiao doesn’t put on airs and has an easygoing personality, I can sense that she possesses a different kind of arrogance.’

‘To put it bluntly, she carries the subtle air of a superior.’

‘This can be seen from how she was vague about what happened in the Three Elements Cave Mansion and her insistence on taking the people from the Zheng Martial Arts Hall away, even though she knew I was capable of protecting them.’

‘On one hand, this action is indeed to protect the people of the Zheng Martial Arts Hall. On the other hand, I’m afraid she also intends to recruit Mr. Zheng for the Taiyi Sect.’

‘As for why she didn’t try to recruit me, it speaks to her pride and cunning. She’s clearly waiting for me to bring it up myself.’

‘But there’s no way I’m going to turn around and join the Taiyi Sect.’

‘After all, in the Great Dao Sect, I’m a True Disciple. If I went over to the Taiyi Sect, I’d become a subordinate to another True Disciple, Ji Lingxiao. Why would I want that?’

‘When it comes to future Martial Arts Achievements, so what if it’s Ji Lingxiao? Compared to me, she’s still not on the same level!’

In the days that followed, Chen Cheng became even more dedicated to his Cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, another half-month passed.

On this day, after finishing his Cultivation of the Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method in his secret chamber, Chen Cheng picked up the Military Dao Combat Killing Hammer and swung it casually. It felt much lighter.

He summoned his panel to check his status.

[Skills: Iron Armor Demon Suppression Skill (Great Success 926/10000)

Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method (Great Success 1725/10000)]

After two months, both the Iron Armor Demon Suppression Skill and the Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method had made significant progress.

This was especially true for the Primordial Pill Marrow Cleansing Method. Ke Dali had given him two pieces of Source Crystal Jade as a greeting gift, and Chen Cheng had splurged with them, once again experiencing the joy of his Cultivation Progress soaring.

…

「A few days later.」

Deep within the Great Wilderness Mountain Range.

Members of the major sects had gathered outside Mist Valley, quietly waiting for the cave mansion to open.

It was a deep, mist-shrouded gorge, flanked on both sides by steep cliffs that soared into the clouds.

The entrance to the Fog Concealment Cave Mansion was located on a flat swamp in the middle of the gorge.

Ke Dali and Chen Cheng stood on a giant rock. He had already explained all the important details about entering the cave mansion to Chen Cheng.

“Junior Brother Chen, although over a hundred people can enter the cave mansion this time, unexpected things are bound to happen.

As soon as the mansion opens, we go in immediately.”

Ke Dali reminded him again, not wanting to leave anything to chance.

Chen Cheng nodded slightly. “Alright.”

Ke Dali had grown increasingly familiar with Chen Cheng. His eyes were full of appreciation as he said with a chuckle:

“Junior Brother Chen, I really like your steady temperament. You’re willing to listen to advice and take an elder’s experience to heart.”

Chen Cheng laughed. “Of course. Didn’t you say so yourself, Senior Brother Ke? The cave mansion is fraught with danger, and all sorts of tragedies often occur. One wrong move and your life is forfeit. I have to value my life.”

“Right, right, that’s exactly how you should be…”

Before Ke Dali could finish, a loud RUMBLE was suddenly heard. The giant rock at the entrance of the Fog Concealment Cave Mansion began to shake violently.

Immediately after, the entire Mist Valley began to tremble.

“The cave mansion is about to open! Everyone, get ready.”

Situ Mu shouted, flicking his hand to send out streams of talismanic energy, which converged above the cave mansion’s entrance into a faint, cyan light shield several dozen feet wide.