Chapter 550 63: Langhuan Ancient Stele
Jiang Zheng had clearly conducted a thorough investigation into Cui Bailing and knew a great deal about his origins and cultivation.
According to him, Cui Bailing was born with an unusually powerful soul, far beyond that of an ordinary person.
In his early years, the remnant soul of a Peak Dharma Phase Cultivator attempted to possess him. Not only did he survive, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise; his soul and the remnant soul of the Dharma Cultivator began to coexist as one.
With the guidance of this Peak Dharma Phase Cultivator, his path of cultivation should have been smooth. At the very least, he should have been able to reach the Life Soul Realm.
Unexpectedly, after he reached the Life Talisman Realm, his potential seemed to be exhausted. No matter how hard he tried, his cultivation refused to advance even an inch.
In fact, this was a problem faced by countless cultivators in the world. Of the billions of cultivators, those who could break through to the Life Soul Realm were fewer than one in ten thousand.
Only the top factions, who scoured the world for talent, had what seemed to be a higher proportion of Life Soul Realm cultivators.
But this Cui Bailing had some luck on his side. While stone gambling once, he fortunately cut open a Taichu Divine Stone and found a Tier Five Profound Embryo inside.
After obtaining this treasure, he formulated a new plan under the guidance of the Dharma Cultivator's remnant soul.
Not long after, Cui Bailing entered the Profound Jade Pavilion of the Spirit Immortal Pavilion, became an Immortal Attendant, and began to serve its Pavilion Master, Luo Yuniang.
That Luo Yuniang was none other than the disciple of Venerable Red Hair.
Afterward, Cui Bailing earned Luo Yuniang's appreciation and was sent to run errands for Venerable Red Hair. He received a technique from Venerable Red Hair and began to cultivate the *Yin-Yang Spirit-Annihilating Treasure Talisman True Demon Art*.
His goal was to use this top-tier Demon Skill, famous throughout the Cangwu Continent, to refine that Tier Five Profound Embryo and turn it into his own avatar.
Jiang Zheng sighed softly and said, "That Cui Bailing is a man of great fortune. Not long after obtaining the technique, Luo Yuniang was severely injured. He subdued her, and after draining her essence, Luo Yuniang perished. He, in turn, shed his mortal shell, completely abandoning his physical body to reforge a Dharma Body with the Primordial Profound Embryo."
"From then on, his power soared. Over several years, he ambushed and captured seven Female Cultivators of the Dharma Realm, draining all of them. He refined about fifty percent of the Profound Embryo body, and his cultivation became comparable to the Late Dharma Stage."
Hearing this, Fang Cheng smiled and commented, "All Demon Skills in the world offer a path to rapid success, but I've never heard of one so aggressive. I wonder how he refines the demonic will without suffering a backlash from the Demon Skill?"
Jiang Zheng said, "The man is exceptionally gifted. His soul was powerful from birth, and with the remnant soul of the Dharma Cultivator acting as a Guardian, he was unaffected."
Fang Cheng nodded silently. 'This is a truly special case, not something an ordinary person could replicate.'
Jiang Zheng continued, "Later, the man earned Venerable Red Hair's favor and was taken as a disciple. In truth, Venerable Red Hair had his eyes on his Profound Embryo Dharma Body. He was planning to wait until Cui Bailing broke through to the Tribulation Realm before seizing it by force and refining it into his own avatar."
"Not long ago, Venerable Red Hair captured the Bamboo Immortal Sect Master during the Black Sun Wind Disaster and suppressed her in the depths of Blood Cloud Cave. This Cui Bailing took the opportunity to ambush the Bamboo Immortal Sect Master, using her Primordial Yin and Magical Power to completely refine the Profound Embryo."
"After that, someone went to Blood Cloud Cave to fight Venerable Red Hair. Cui Bailing used the chaos to steal the Langhuan Ancient Stele and vanished without a trace."
Fang Cheng silently processed Jiang Zheng's words. 'I remember now. On the day of the battle for the Golden Divine Tree, the Bamboo Immortal Sect Master helped the Cyan Emperor Sect's Leader block Venerable Red Hair, but she ended up being captured by him.'
He asked, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, since Cui Bailing has fled, how will we find him?"
Jiang Zheng smiled faintly and said, "The Langhuan Ancient Stele was once handled by a sage of my Divine Image Sect, who left a unique Secret Technique mark of our sect upon it."
"Unfortunately, many years ago, the Langhuan Ancient Stele was taken into the Black Sun Wind Disaster and hidden from the world. It was only when the Black Sun Wind Disaster reappeared recently that Venerable Red Hair brought it out again."
"Today, only a handful of people in my Divine Image Sect can sense the whereabouts of the Langhuan Ancient Stele. If I can get your help, Fellow Daoist, seizing this treasure is a certainty. When we have it, you will also be able to comprehend this ultimate technique from the Upper Realm."
Fang Cheng thought for a moment, then agreed, "In that case, I will accompany you, Fellow Daoist."
He was also curious about the ultimate technique on the Langhuan Ancient Stele.
He currently possessed two inheritances from the Upper Realm, both of which had benefited him immensely and become his greatest assets.
The first was the Feather Divine Soldiers inheritance. The version he had obtained back in the Xuanyu Realm was clearly just a fragment of the Upper Realm's Profound Celestial Divine Puppet technique. The complete inheritance was likely in the hands of Marquis Li.
The second was the Circulation Qi Collection Technique. This was a Divine Technique left behind for the Red Profound Association by a Spirit Immortal from the Upper Realm after sealing the Demon Lord. For a Lower Realm Cultivator, mastering it would provide an unparalleled support ability.
He greatly looked forward to seeing the contents of the Langhuan Ancient Stele.
According to Jiang Zheng, as long as they captured Cui Bailing on this trip, they could easily take the Langhuan Ancient Stele.
To Fang Cheng, Cui Bailing was merely a Primordial Profound Embryo, with a cultivation at the first Tribulation level at most. He didn't pay him much mind.
*
*
*
Twilight descended.
A crimson sun slowly sank toward the sea's surface.
The calm waves stretched for thousands of miles, endless to the eye. Countless flying fish and seagulls soared through the waves, and the sound of the surf, a continuous RUSH, never ceased.
A five-colored cloud streaked across the sea's surface with the speed of a meteor.
Within the cloud was a magnificent palace. Jiang Zheng and Fang Cheng sat inside, accompanied by Zhuang Daojing and another Elder from the Divine Image Sect.
Jiang Zheng held a Jade Ruyi, sensing something as he gave an order, "This is it. Let's stop here and wait. At his current speed and heading, we should run into him in about an hour."
Zhuang Daojing did as instructed and halted the Flying Heaven Palace, which hung silently on the horizon like an auspicious cloud.
All four of them gazed at the distant point where the sea met the sky.
Before long, a streak of Profound Light cut across the sky, flying in their direction.
Within the Escape Light, a man as handsome and beautiful as a young woman flew forward, his face full of high spirits and smiles.
Beside him was a stunningly beautiful Female Cultivator. Colorful silk ribbons fluttered around her, making her look like a Fairy from a painting.
However, the Female Cultivator's expression was one of grief and indignation. Her cultivation seemed to be sealed, leaving her completely immobilized.
"He's here."
A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Zheng's eyes. Without another word, he waved the Jade Ruyi in his hand.
A streak of light shot down onto the sea, instantly transforming into countless talismans and a vast Array.
A profound Daoist hymn echoed through the heavens.
A moment later.
The sea's surface surged, and a wave suddenly rose as high as a mountain!
The next moment, a colossal giant's enormous arm emerged from the water.
That massive, sky-blotting wave was, in fact, part of its arm.
In the blink of an eye, a thousand-zhang-tall giant, formed entirely of seawater, climbed out from the surface of the sea.
An incredibly dense Water Element Spiritual Qi billowed out from the Sea Water Giant, suffusing the area.
"Who dares block my path?"
Cui Bailing's expression flickered. He stopped his Escape Light and stared intently at the Sea Water Giant before him, then his gaze shifted to the auspicious cloud on the horizon.
The cloud had an ability to conceal its aura, which was why he had only just now noticed their presence.
Jiang Zheng's voice boomed with laughter. "Fellow Daoist Cui, leave the Langhuan Ancient Stele, and I shall allow you to depart."
A cold sneer formed on Cui Bailing's lips. He shouted, "Are you Fellow Daoist Jiang of the Divine Image Sect? Instead of hiding from your heavenly tribulation on Celestial Peak, you've come here to seize a treasure. Aren't you afraid you'll fail to get the treasure and end up dead, your Dao extinguished?"
Jiang Zheng slowly walked out of the palace and came to stand atop the Sea Water Giant's head. He said coolly, "You need not trouble yourself with my affairs, Fellow Daoist Cui. I have heard that your Profound Embryo Divine Techniques are mysterious and unpredictable. Today, I would like to experience them for myself."
As he spoke, the Sea Water Giant made a grabbing motion with its massive hand. An infinite amount of seawater gathered and condensed in its palm, forming a giant axe that radiated a brilliant light.
...