Chapter 153: Chapter 116: Ranking Changes, Exposure_2
If Shen Chuanjiang hadn't sacrificed his Spirit Soul, Chu Zheng would have had to expend quite some effort to take him down, but now it had become much easier.
On the gloomy expanse of earth, Shen Chuanjiang sat with crossed arms, hugging his knees, rolling on the ground, his eyes overflowing with blood and tears, his features twisted.
His soul was damaged, and his body could no longer control itself; his limbs were uncoordinated, flipping over randomly, unable even to pinpoint the source of the pain.
Chu Zheng bent down, reaching out to hold him down.
[Shen Chuanjiang (Third Order): High Quality Immortal Bone, bone age eighty-three, Cultivation at the peak of Early Soul Condensing Realm, practices the Heavenly Throne Yanshen Scripture, Spirit Soul damaged by lightning, mind lost, can be repaired (0/30)]
After a brief thought, Chu Zheng used up today's repair attempts, suppressing the injuries within Shen Chuanjiang's Spirit Soul.
After a long while, Shen Chuanjiang gradually stopped struggling, opening his blood-red eyes, staring straight at Chu Zheng, his voice hoarse, "When did you activate the talisman?"
Even at this moment, he didn't believe that it was Chu Zheng's doing.
The legendary Thunder Spirit Body, which had long since disappeared from the world, had not been seen for many years.
Lightning had almost become synonymous with the Heavenly Dao.
Chu Zheng did not open his mouth to explain; squatting in front of Shen Chuanjiang, he removed the Storage Spirit Ring from his finger, looking into his blood-veined eyes, he spoke slowly:
"I can give you another chance, hand over the Heavenly Throne Yanshen Scripture..."
No sooner had he spoken than Chu Zheng fell into thought, before changing his mind:
"Forget it, I'll leave you some dignity before you die, I'll not force you to betray your sect, I'll find it myself."
Humm—
The void trembled, the Town Immortal Mace appeared in Chu Zheng's hand, and without hesitation, it smashed down heavily.
Bam!
In an instant, Shen Chuanjiang's head shattered, and he died soul extinguished.
Offhandedly digging a hole, he buried the body, then Chu Zheng sat beside it, starting to search through the Storage Ring.
The reason he changed his words was that at a glance just now, inside the Storage Ring, there had already appeared what Chu Zheng wanted.
[Creation and Transformation Yanshen Scripture (Ninth Order/Incomplete): A Refine Spirit secret technique handed down from ancient times, holds unique insights into the Divine Soul path, from the hands of an Immortal Venerable, beyond your current ability to repair.]
The name of the cultivation technique was not the widely known Heavenly Throne Yanshen Scripture but was called Creation and Transformation.
The quality of Yanshen Scripture was so high, it even surpassed both the Taixuan Divine Fire Scripture and the Great Void Scripture of Immortal Ascension Method.
This was the first time Chu Zheng had come into contact with something of the Ninth Order since he stepped onto the path of cultivation.
Similarly, precisely because of this, the Creation and Transformation Yanshen Scripture was currently beyond Chu Zheng's capability to repair, either far exceeding his current realm or missing some crucial elements.
From this name, it seems likely that even the Heavenly Throne Holy Land might not possess a complete Creation and Transformation Yanshen Scripture, and perhaps its founding elder established this Holy Land based on the heritage of this technique.
The part from Shen Chuanjiang's Storage Ring contained only the first five layers of the Creation and Transformation Yanshen Scripture, adequate for cultivating up to the Nine Transformations of the Divine Infant.
As for these true transmissions of outstanding talents from various Holy Lands, there is clearly some reservation, worrying about the sublime scriptures of suppressing Sects leaking out.
Apart from the Creation and Transformation Yanshen Scripture, Shen Chuanjiang's Storage Ring also contained two Middle Quality Magic Treasures, three Lower Quality Magic Treasures, some elixirs, and cultivation resources.
As Chu Zheng was searching, his expression suddenly changed, and he took out a scroll.
[Cangyun Secret Realm Map (Third Order): Heavenly Throne Holy Land expended long years, exploring the Cangyun Secret Realm, perfected countless times, to obtain this map.]
This Cangyun Secret Realm, Geng Yiyang once mentioned to Chu Zheng, stating that after reaching the Soul Condensing Realm, one might try to explore the secrets of becoming an Immortal within it.
Obviously, this secret realm is far more than just Taixuan Holy Land in its exploration.
The map in Shen Chuanjiang's hands was far more complete and detailed than the one Chu Zheng had previously found among Ye Yulou's legacy.
After all, so much time had passed, the exploration of the secret realm had always been ongoing, with changes happening, which was normal.
From this name, this secret realm was also closely linked to that Immortal King, the Heavenly Judge, and Shang Cangyun within the Immortal Alliance.
After a long silence, Chu Zheng took out a diary and began to write.
[New Calendar, second year, April, first appeared in the eyes of the world, walked under the broad daylight, heart at ease, spiritual energy clear, slain the Heavenly Throne Holy Land's true heir 'Shen Chuanjiang', obtained the Creation and Transformation Yanshen Scripture, various resources, the cultivation journey is long and full of obstacles, must be vigilant and self-reflective every day.]
Closing his diary, Chu Zheng exhaled deeply, his eyebrows gradually relaxing.
Shen Chuanjiang was the first Holy Land true heir he had personally killed, and deserved a mention in history.
...
...
The moment Shen Chuanjiang died, the Hidden Dragon List changed.
Shen Chuanjiang's name gradually faded, and Chu Zheng's name appeared in his place.
[Hidden Dragon List, Rank 375: Taixuan Holy Land, Chu Zheng, Bone Age eighteen, Mid Entry Dao Realm.]
This change instantly attracted the attention of various Holy Lands, especially the Heavenly Throne Holy Land.
Such a sudden shift meant only one possibility, Chu Zheng had killed Shen Chuanjiang and taken his place.
Soon, it was widely known that Chu Zheng had boldly appeared in the marketplace, luring Shen Chuanjiang into the wilderness, after which both disappeared.
Putting the pieces together, the truth was self-evident.
There had already been several true transmissions lost from various Holy Lands before, and Shen Chuanjiang was neither the first nor the most talented or powerful.
However, the significance was now entirely different.
Because it was Chu Zheng who had killed Shen Chuanjiang, this young cultivator who had stepped onto the Immortal Path just over a year ago, already had the strength to kill a True Transmission of the Soul Condensing Realm face-to-face, and he was only eighteen this year.
The major Holy Lands reacted swiftly, recalling their true transmissions and dispatching elders at the Perfection of Soul Condensing Realm to drop all other pursuits and search for Chu Zheng's whereabouts.
It was well-known that Chu Zheng had declared his intention to dominate the rankings and capture Hidden Dragons; Shen Chuanjiang would not be his last target.
The Hidden Dragons of all the major Holy Lands could potentially become his targets.
...
...
Taixuan Holy Land.
At the summit of the majestic Divine Peak, a new palace of red crystal had been built.
In front of the palace, there was a martial arts platform.
At this moment, the platform overflowed with formation patterns, spewing out fierce Aura Qi that rampaged unchecked.
A figure floated amidst the harsh Aura winds, occasionally splattered with blood.
The void churned, and slowly, a figure emerged, walking to the edge of the martial arts platform.
Lingxue sensed something unusual, immediately ceased her cultivation to stabilize her Qi and blood, and greeted:
"Holy Master."
Geng Yiyang took a few glances and spoke slowly, "Are you accustomed to using this martial arts platform?"
The entire platform was a High Grade Magic Treasure specifically crafted for Song Lingxue.
"Thank you, Holy Master, it is quite suitable."
Song Lingxue's face showed a slight smile; with this martial arts platform and the battle armor she wore, her cultivation speed had increased significantly, and she had now reached the fourth level of the Yuan Aura Realm.
"The drift in the Heavenly Dao has increased again... but your cultivation has not undergone such a major change."
Geng Yiyang, seemingly casual, made a remark that caused Song Lingxue's heart to sink, unintentionally retracting her smile a bit.
"The heretic cultivator being sought by the Immortal Alliance... is not you, right?"
Although it was phrased as a question, Geng Yiyang's tone was filled with certainty.
The very thing Song Lingxue had been most worried about had finally happened.
Chu Zheng's growth rate was simply too fast; even though she was cultivating day and night, she still couldn't keep up with his pace.
As the Holy Master of a Holy Land, it was extremely difficult for her to hide any secrets from such an old being, far beyond her ability.
"Is it Chu Zheng?"
Geng Yiyang's gaze was deep; there were no traces of the Martial Path on Chu Zheng, which left only one possibility—he was cultivating a different Taoist Orthodoxy.
The rapid changes in the Heavenly Dao matched Chu Zheng's anomalously rapid growth too closely, making it impossible for him not to be suspicious.
"I don't quite understand what the Holy Master means."
Song Lingxue shook her head, neither explaining nor conceding, her mind tense to the extreme.
To explain would seem even more suspicious, and she couldn't possibly be completely honest with Geng Yiyang, so she acted ignorant.
"During the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, there will be members of the Immortal Alliance present; I can't intervene."
Geng Yiyang's murky gaze flashed with a gleam of sharp light:
"At that time, if the Immortal Alliance decides to kill him, I won't be able to stop them."