Chapter 280 - 141: True Gang Realm

A crimson-gold pillar of light pierced the heavens, and the phantom of an ancient stele loomed like a mountain.

By the time Liang Cheng’s group of five arrived, nearly a hundred figures had already gathered in the center of the ring-shaped valley.

The most powerful auras belonged to the twelve disciples of the Penglai Sect, who were dressed in pale cyan, cloud-patterned Daoist Robes.

Although they didn’t deliberately unleash their might, the combined aura of their True Gang Realm cultivation was like twelve unsheathed blades. Its sharp edge was so oppressive it made every prodigy present catch their breath.

"Penglai Sect..."

Ye Zhiqiu muttered under his breath, his expression grave.

At this moment, Liang Cheng spotted a familiar face: Yun Jinghong.

True Essence Realm!

’It seems he’s the disciple Dean Bai Hong mentioned would be joining the Main Courtyard.’

The two nodded at each other in acknowledgment.

The members of the Main Courtyard immediately gathered together.

On the other side, the various other factions also formed their own groups.

At this moment, no one dared to stand alone.

Lu Zheng scanned the area and said in a low voice, "Let’s go. We’ll join our fellow disciples from the Main Courtyard."

The five of them strode quickly toward the Main Courtyard’s group. Shi Podang’s gaze was locked on Liang Cheng, his cold killing intent undisguised.

At the front of the Penglai Sect disciples, Ren Jingyu stood with his hands behind his back. His calm gaze swept across the entire area, pausing only briefly on the Main Courtyard’s group.

The other Penglai Sect disciples glanced sideways at Liang Cheng, a flicker of surprise in their eyes.

’They knew Shi Podang’s strength. While not top-tier within the Sect, he had actually failed to hunt down someone in the True Essence Realm?’

’This Liang Cheng...’

’...is rather interesting.’

Shi Podang’s face instantly turned ashen. The veins on the back of his sword hand bulged, but he clenched his teeth and remained silent.

Ren Jingyu retracted his gaze and looked at the phantom of the ancient stele. "If that boy reaches the True Gang Realm, he must join the Sect," he said lightly.

That one casual sentence caused the killing intent in Shi Podang’s eyes to surge!

’Liang Cheng...’

’...must not be allowed to live!’

Just then—

"VMMMM!!!"

The phantom of the ancient stele suddenly trembled. The crimson-gold pillar of light collapsed inward, transforming into a massive golden vortex. A powerful suction force erupted from it, engulfing the entire valley!

"Be careful!"

Lu Zheng shouted, his Gang Qi instantly forming a protective barrier around him.

But the suction was far stronger than anyone had imagined. Before they could react, they were completely swallowed by the golden light!

The world spun around Liang Cheng. His vision was filled with blazing golden light, and his body felt as if it were being pulled by an invisible force, leaving him no room to even struggle.

After an unknown amount of time, his feet touched solid ground.

Liang Cheng staggered to his feet and looked around, his pupils constricting slightly.

Empty and desolate.

This was a strange, grey space. It was boundless, with no sun or moon in sight, only the solid grey ground stretching into the distance.

Of the nearly one hundred prodigies who had gathered earlier, he was now the only one left!

’A random teleportation?’

Liang Cheng’s heart tightened, and he quickly became alert to his surroundings.

Just then, a path appeared before him, and he couldn’t help but frown.

With no information to go on, Liang Cheng was at a loss. After a moment of thought, he cautiously stepped onto the path. The instant he took his first step, an immense force bore down on him.

Liang Cheng took a deep breath. His True Essence began its Circulation of the Celestial Qi. With his Mixed Element Gang Body at Perfection, he no longer hesitated and strode forward.

The gravity grew stronger and stronger!

Just as he took his tenth step, his body suddenly felt light. Before he could react, a stream of pure energy entered his body.

It dawned on Liang Cheng: there was a checkpoint every ten steps. Each time he passed one, he would be infused with pure energy as a reward for clearing it!

’It may look easy for me, but others don’t have a Mixed Element Gang Body at Perfection. They’d probably find it impossible to even take a single step.’

Liang Cheng didn’t waste any time. He immediately sat down cross-legged to refine the energy. He activated the Circulation of the Celestial Qi for his Broken Wave Technique, and the True Essence within him surged like a tide.

When Liang Cheng finished refining the energy, he felt completely revitalized.

His Cultivation had advanced another step.

[Third Layer of Broken Wave Technique: Great Success (23,591/30,000)]

’This energy is no worse than that of a Tier Four Demon Core!’

’Then I should keep going...’

With this in mind, Liang Cheng no longer hesitated. He continued forward.

This time, Liang Cheng was prepared. As expected, the pressure doubled!

But Liang Cheng’s eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he walked forward, each step firm and resolute.

Twenty steps!

Just as before, another surge of immense energy entered his body.

This time, the energy was even hotter and more violent than before. Liang Cheng didn’t dare to be careless and immediately sat cross-legged to circulate his Broken Wave Technique.

His Mixed Element Gang Body at Perfection kept his Meridians as stable as a mountain, allowing him to endure the torrent of power and absorb and refine it.

Less than half an hour later, the energy was completely converted.

[Third Layer of Broken Wave Technique: Great Success (24,247/30,000)]

’Such fast progress!’

A sharp light glinted in Liang Cheng’s eyes.

’At this rate, by the time I finish this path, I might be able to break through to the True Gang Realm.’

Thinking of this, Liang Cheng didn’t pause for a moment and stepped onto the twenty-first step.

The pressure returned as expected, this time about thirty percent heavier than before.

But his steps were steady. The powerful physique granted by his Mixed Element Gang Body at Perfection allowed him to handle the pressure with ease.

Thirty steps, forty steps, fifty steps...

Every ten steps, he was infused with pure energy. Each time, he would sit down on the spot and use the Crossing the Sea True Intent Fragment to rapidly refine the energy and run a Circulation of the Celestial Qi.

Moreover, the energy became more immense with each infusion, and Liang Cheng’s Cultivation was quietly changing.

By the time he stepped onto the ninetieth step, the energy pouring into him was like a tidal wave.

The bones and tendons throughout Liang Cheng’s body hummed in unison. The nine True Essence Light Groups in his Dantian spun at their maximum speed, and a brilliant golden spark began to form at their center.

VMMMM—!

It felt as if some kind of barrier inside him had been broken.

The speed at which his True Essence surged suddenly increased severalfold. Its texture also gained a dense, mercury-like weight as the True Essence rapidly transformed and condensed.

Liang Cheng opened his eyes, his gaze like lightning. Although his aura was still that of the True Essence Realm, it was now so deep and condensed that it was unnerving.

He could feel that his strength and True Essence recovery had improved across the board.