Chapter 299 : True God Among Mortals
Chapter 299: True God Among Mortals
When Yu Haitang came to visit Chen Ming again, it had already been half a month. This time, she also brought bad news.
“It’s said that Pan Zhiyuan has already opened his Divine Repository and taken that step. He’s currently stabilizing his realm.”
Seeing her calm demeanor, Chen Ming remarked,
“The first thing he’ll likely do once he emerges from seclusion is drive you away. How do you plan to deal with that?”
“At most, I’ll just leave Jiangzhou. The world is vast—there’s always a place to settle.”
“I thought you might have a way to deal with him.”
“He used an exceptional rare treasure to open his Divine Repository. The moment he entered the Divine Repository Realm, his strength already far surpassed his peers. He’s not someone the Blood Demon Sect and the like can compare to. Besides, he represents the Six Doors Authority. I’m merely a Second Grade—how could I possibly contend with him? Naturally, I can only retreat.”
Seeing her speak so pitifully, Chen Ming knew she was most likely putting on an act. With her capabilities and over ten years of deep-rooted influence in Jiangzhou, there’s no way she would give up so easily.
He changed the subject. “How’s the Cangyue Sect doing?”
That day, Ling Ruocheng from the Cangyue Sect made a move against the Qin Family and the Wushan Sect’s Divine Repository Realm expert. If word got out, the Cangyue Sect would definitely be uprooted.
Among the major powers in Jiangzhou, the Qin Family led the aristocratic families, and the Wushan Sect stood at the top of the sects. If the two joined forces, they could flatten any other force.
Yu Haitang replied,
“One elder of the Qin Family and Gu Dongquan from the Wushan Sect both died at the hands of the Blood Demon Sect. The other perished in the explosion at Golden Light Valley. What does any of that have to do with the Cangyue Sect?”
It was understandable that Gu Dongquan of the Wushan Sect pinned the blame on Golden Light Valley, but how did the escaped elder of the Qin Family end up dying to the Blood Demon Sect?
However, Chen Ming didn’t press for details. He simply asked,
“What exactly happened in Golden Light Valley? Who caused that explosion?”
Yu Haitang recalled that day, a hint of lingering fear flashing in her eyes.
“The Luo Family in Golden Light Valley isn’t like the other four families. Their lineage has never been broken, and they had a Divine Repository Realm expert in residence. That person had an extremely fiery temper. Once he realized the Luo Family’s destruction was inevitable, he destroyed the entire Metal Element Secret Realm. If I hadn’t run fast enough, I’d have perished in that explosion too.”
She didn’t wish to bring up the matter again and instead asked,
“How’s your comprehension of the Metal-Elemental True Technique coming along?”
Chen Ming replied,
“It still needs some time.”
She asked again,
“What’s your next plan?”
“Naturally, I’ll find another secluded place to continue cultivating. Once I reach the peak of First Grade, I’ll try to get a quota for a secret realm.”
“When you reach the peak of First Grade, come find me. I happen to be able to secure a spot in an exceptional secret realm.”
Chen Ming looked at her and asked,
“A quota for an exceptional secret realm is incredibly precious. You’re willing to just give it to me?”
Yu Haitang said,
“No matter how precious it is, it can’t compare to the False Tomb of the Eternal Life Emperor. For me, the stronger your cultivation, the better.”
“You’re not afraid I’ll kick you aside and claim the False Tomb for myself?”
She countered,
“Would you?”
“That’s hard to say.”
Yu Haitang suddenly laughed and said,
“If one day you develop the thought of monopolizing the Eternal Life method in the False Tomb, just help me do one thing.”
After speaking, seeing that Chen Ming remained silent, she asked in surprise,
“You’re not going to ask what it is?”
Chen Ming replied,
“Even if you don’t say, I can guess. It’s to kill the one who divined your fate back then, right?”
“Hahaha…”
Yu Haitang suddenly burst into laughter, tears almost coming out from her eyes.
Chen Ming said with displeasure,
“What are you laughing at?”
“I’m laughing at your ignorance. The one who divined my fate is a True God Among Mortals. Even if you one day form your Primordial Embryo and attain longevity, you still won’t be able to kill them.”
“True God Among Mortals?”
It was the first time Chen Ming had heard such a term. He looked confused. “What’s that?”
Yu Haitang took out a silk handkerchief and wiped her eyes.
“You don’t think the method of immortality was created by the Eternal Life Emperor, do you?
“Since ancient times, geniuses among the human race have been countless. As far back as the archaic era, there were already mighty figures who created methods for immortality. These immortals have lived from ancient times until now—some for over a hundred thousand years, some for tens of thousands, and some for an undeterminable length of time.
“These immortals are the so-called True Gods Among Mortals. The one who divined my fate is one of them. People call him a Demigod. He can divine people’s fates with absolute accuracy—never once wrong.
“Otherwise, why would the prestigious Yu Family be willing to kill a mere infant over a few words of prophecy?”
Hearing such a secret, Chen Ming was deeply shaken.
True Gods Among Mortals. Immortals. Demigods. Fate reading...
However, a massive doubt welled up in his heart.
“If True Gods really exist in this world, then why is the world like this?”
Although his question was vague, Yu Haitang understood what he meant and smiled.
“You’re wondering why this world isn’t ruled by those True Gods, aren’t you?”
“Exactly!”
Those True Gods were immortal and undying, unkillable by any, untouched by the passage of time. Their strength was unimaginable.
By rights, such beings should be the rulers of this world. Even if not in the open, they should be the hidden hands behind everything.
Yu Haitang revealed a hint of mocking smile.
“Heaven’s Dao is fair. If you want immortality, you must pay a price. These True Gods, being called gods, are no longer human. They’ve lost all human emotions and desires, and all selfishness. They align with Heaven’s Dao. In a way, they are its embodiment.”
Chen Ming inhaled sharply.
“You mean... these True Gods have become deified?”
Yu Haitang had never heard the term, but she roughly understood and nodded.
“In ancient times, there was one more realm than we have today. After the Primordial Embryo came the Path Assimilation Realm. But upon seeing the end of those immortals, none of the ancient great powers were willing to take that step, and instead sought new ways to attain immortality.
“So far, it seems only the Eternal Life Emperor succeeded. Unfortunately, he was betrayed and disappeared without a trace. The Eternal Life Immortal Dynasty also collapsed overnight. Since then, no true immortal has appeared again—only the legend of the Nine False Tombs remains.”
Chen Ming said,
“Then what about those Demon Venerables from the Cult of Eternal Life? In a sense, aren’t they also immortals?”
“They’re all part of the demonic path—not true immortality. Their fate is likely the same as those True Gods. They’ll lose themselves and become nothing but chaotic, instinct-driven beings.”
“I heard there’s another kind of immortality—becoming the true master of a secret realm.”
Controlling a token to open a secret realm at will doesn’t make one its true master. At best, it’s a pass.
To truly master a secret realm, one must kill the original master and refine its core. Doing that is no easy feat.
Yu Haitang said,
“That still isn’t true immortality. Secret realms can also be destroyed. Once destroyed, the master dies with it. Moreover, they become eternally trapped in the secret realm—a prison they can never escape. Is that the kind of immortality you want?”
Only then did Chen Ming finally understand why the False Tomb of the Eternal Life Emperor, once it appeared, would draw so many contenders.
Because the Eternal Life Emperor was truly the only one to have ever achieved real immortality.
Yu Haitang said,
“So, you can’t kill a True God. What I want you to do… is destroy the Yu Family.”
When she said this, there wasn’t a trace of hatred on her face. She looked utterly calm.
It was eerily calm.
Chen Ming gave a bitter smile. “The Yu Family is one of the Five Great Clans, with a legacy spanning thousands of years. Even dynastic changes haven’t shaken them. Wiping out such a power isn’t much easier than killing a True God of the Mortal World.”
“If it were that easy, I’d have done it myself.”
“……”
“If you’re unwilling, then stop coveting the False Tomb of the Eternal Life Emperor.”
Chen Ming didn’t continue this topic and instead asked, “What about you? What are your plans next?”
“I’m leaving. I came today to say goodbye. I have something very important to do.”
“Then how will I find you in the future?”
“One year from now, let’s meet here again. By then, I believe you’ll have reached the peak of First Grade.”
After speaking, Yu Haitang stood up and left, without a trace of hesitation.
Chen Ming hadn’t expected her to be so resolute. She left as soon as she said so. He only had time to say, “Take care.”
Already outside the courtyard, Yu Haitang heard the farewell from behind and murmured softly, “Husband, you take care too.”
…
Once Yu Haitang left, Chen Ming felt a bit empty inside. He had thought this brief reunion might involve some tender, romantic words.
In the end, Yu Haitang hadn’t mentioned any of that. They only talked about serious matters, and then she rushed off.
He composed himself and didn’t linger in this mountain estate for long before departing as well.
He needed to find a safe place to merge his cultivation techniques.
What he hadn’t told Yu Haitang earlier was that, over the past half-month, he had already comprehended the Metal-Elemental True Technique and could proceed with the fusion.
However, doing so would cause too much of a disturbance. He didn’t want to expose the secret of the Five Elements True Technique, so he told a lie.
He originally planned to find an opportunity to slip away quietly, but unexpectedly, Yu Haitang had left first.
Jiangzhou had already become a place of chaos. In Jinguang Valley, so many martial artists had died, including three Divine Repository Realm experts—two of whom belonged to the Qin Family and the Wushan Sect.
For Jiangzhou, this was no different than a magnitude ten earthquake.
Both the Qin Family and Wushan Sect had lost a Divine Repository Realm expert. There was no way they would let this matter rest.
There might even have been survivors outside Jinguang Valley who witnessed that battle. So, it was best to leave this place.
Two days later.
Chen Ming arrived at Huanshou Mountain, where the Xingyue Sect was located, and directly entered the underground waterway, heading to the location marked with the Xingyue Sect's secret engravings.
It was secluded enough here for him to cultivate in peace.
He sat cross-legged on the ground and opened his panel.
【Detected that the《Primordial Metal True Art》can be fused into《Five Elements True Technique (Incomplete)》, proceed with fusion?】
The day had finally come.
He felt a flicker of excitement and silently thought, “Yes!”
【Fusion in progress. Estimated time: forty-eight hours. Do not use True Qi during this period. Find a place to sit quietly and do not move.】
Immediately after, Chen Ming felt a violent change begin in the Gang Origin within his body…
…
In a flash, two days passed.
Within the underground river space, the turbulent Yuan Qi finally calmed.
At the center of it all, Chen Ming slowly opened his eyes, carefully sensing the changes within.
“My Gang Origin has increased more than tenfold.”
“As for power—”
He flicked a finger, and a strand of sword energy silently shot out and sank into the stone wall.
“At least several times stronger.”
The enhancement was simply unbelievable.
With his current strength, among First Grade experts, likely none could rival him. Be it in total Gang Origin or its quality, he far surpassed a normal First Grade martial artist.
However—
“To challenge someone in the Divine Repository Realm, I’m still not quite there.”
Chen Ming had once possessed power at the Divine Repository level and knew just how formidable such experts were.
Even now, if he faced the heavily injured one from the Blood Demon Sect, he still might not win.
He needed to grow stronger!
“Add points.”
Without hesitation, he upgraded the《Nine Heavens Divine Control Art》to the eighth level, spending ten million experience points in total.
Instantly, his Yin Spirit continued to solidify, and his divine sense power surged once more.
After reaching First Grade, one’s strength was determined by two aspects: Gang Origin and divine sense.
As his divine sense grew stronger, the power of his Gang Origin naturally rose with it.
The Heaven’s Path Alliance earned its reputation as the number one sect in the world thanks to the《Heaven’s Heart Manual》, a technique that fused martial and cultivation paths. At First Grade, its divine sense far exceeded that of martial artists, giving it overwhelming superiority.
“Still not enough.”
Chen Ming added points again, raising the《Nine Heavens Divine Control Art》to the ninth level in one go.
Boom!
It was as if thunder was born from within his Yin Spirit. His Yin Spirit swelled again, solidifying to the extreme—almost to the point of becoming physical!
Once the Yin Spirit fully solidified and underwent the tempering of heavenly tribulation, from extreme Yin would be born extreme Yang, transforming into the Yang Spirit.
He was still one hundred million experience points away from the Yang Spirit Realm.
At this moment, Chen Ming had nearly exhausted all his experience points.
The results, however, were evident. His martial and cultivation realms had both reached First Grade, and his strength had reached a new peak.
If he encountered that Divine Repository expert from the Blood Demon Sect again now, he wouldn’t need to rely on the little sapling’s power—he could kill them himself.
His strength now was already on par with an ordinary Divine Repository expert.
“I’m so strong now!”
Chen Ming felt terrifyingly powerful—within First Grade, there was absolutely no one who could be his match.
“Next, I just need to keep farming experience points.”
As for the emperor’s task—to investigate the Blood Demon Sect—it no longer mattered.
He had already taken down one of their Divine Repository Realm experts. That was more than enough to fulfill his duty.
He believed that if he returned to the capital now, the emperor wouldn’t blame him for anything. Instead, he would be pleased to see Chen Ming had reached First Grade.
As for where to farm experience next, he already had an idea.
With a thought, a purple booklet appeared in his hand. It was the《Purple Mansion Secret Volume》left to him by the Celestial Master.
Now that his Yin Spirit had reached First Grade, he could sense an even clearer connection between himself and this book.
That feeling was very similar to the one he had with the tortoiseshell.
It seemed that this《Purple Mansion Secret Volume》was also a key to unlock a secret realm.
“Let’s go.”
Now skilled and fearless, Chen Ming sent out a thread of divine will and activated the restriction within the purple booklet.
Immediately, a vast power surged forth—and he vanished from the spot.