Chapter 696
touched Zhang Yunfan.
Those forces that were willing to cooperate were too weak to play any significant role.
"Damn it, these opportunists!" Chu Yuehua returned to the Demon Heart Sect indignantly. "They all talk so sweetly all the time, but they all cower in despair when it really matters."
But he also knew that this was only human nature. The cultivation world was a dog-eat-dog world, and no one was willing to take risks for others.
"It seems we can only rely on ourselves." Chu Yuehua sighed.
While Chu Yuehua was worrying about finding a foreign aid, Qi Yang had already begun his secluded cultivation.
Deep within the Demon Heart Sect lies a place known as the "Blood Fiend Cave." This sacred ground, where successive sect leaders cultivated their skills, is filled with a dense aura of malevolent energy and spiritual power.
Qi Yang sat cross-legged in the center of the cave, surrounded by dozens of high-grade spirit stones. These spirit stones emitted a soft light, illuminating the entire cave as if it were daytime.
"Zheng family, you just wait." Qi Yang closed his eyes and began circulating his cultivation technique. "Once I break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, your deaths will be inevitable."
As the cultivation technique circulated, a layer of blood-red mist began to appear around Qi Yang's body. This mist churned and formed various strange shapes, looking extremely eerie.
This is the core technique of the Demon Heart Sect—the "Heart-Devouring Demonic Art." This technique uses the consumption of others' essence and blood as a method of advancement. Although the cultivation speed is extremely fast, it is also extremely evil.
The reason why Qi Yang was able to grow from an ordinary rogue cultivator to the head of a sect in just a few decades was because of this cultivation technique.
However, the "Heart-Eating Demon Technique" has a fatal flaw: it easily generates inner demons. Practitioners must maintain absolute rationality, otherwise they will be devoured by inner demons, resulting in the loss of all cultivation at best, and death from demonic possession at worst.
As his cultivation deepened, Qi Yang could feel the spiritual energy within his body constantly increasing. He was only one step away from the late Foundation Establishment stage; once he broke through this final barrier, he would gain even greater power.
But at that moment, the news he had heard that day suddenly flashed into his mind.
The Zheng family's rise to power, Ling Xiaoyun's tragic death, and the terrifying strength displayed by that mysterious ancestor.
These images kept flashing through his mind, causing his originally calm state of mind to begin to fluctuate.
"No, I can't get distracted." Qi Yang forcibly suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind and focused on cultivation.
But those images were like a persistent nightmare, always popping up to disturb him at the most crucial moments.
The fear of how he would deal with the Zheng family if they actually came knocking on his door made it increasingly difficult for him to concentrate.
"Damn it, how could this happen?" Qi Yang opened his eyes, his face turning extremely pale.
He found that he was unable to enter a deep state of cultivation, as he was always disturbed by various distracting thoughts.
This situation is extremely fatal for cultivation; not only will it prevent breakthroughs, but it may also lead to demonic possession.
"Calm down, you must calm down." Qi Yang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
But no matter how hard he tried, that feeling of unease lingered in his heart, preventing him from truly focusing on his cultivation.
And so, time passed day by day, and Qi Yang's cultivation progressed extremely slowly...
Three days later, in the Zheng family's backyard.
Zhang Yunfan is recuperating under Wei Siling's care. Although his external injuries have mostly healed, the damage to his meridians still causes him sharp pain. Whenever his spiritual energy flows to the damaged areas, it feels like a thousand needles piercing his heart.
"Master, you look much better today," Wei Siling said with concern as she changed his dressing.
"Yes, I do feel much better," Zhang Yunfan nodded. "However, it will still take time for the injuries to my meridians to heal."
Just then, Zheng Yi's voice suddenly came from his sea of consciousness: "Boy, how's your injury recovery going?"
"Senior!" Zhang Yunfan's spirits lifted. "Are you alright? I haven't been able to sense your presence for the past few days, and I was worried..."
"Haha, of course I'm fine," Zheng Yi said with a laugh. "It's just that using my supernatural powers to suppress the demon god that day took a lot of energy, so I need to rest for a while."
Hearing that Zheng Yi was safe and sound, Zhang Yunfan finally felt relieved.
"Senior, although my meridians are damaged, they should be able to recover slowly," Zhang Yunfan reported truthfully.
“I know, and I have a way to help you recover faster, while also giving your strength a qualitative leap.” Zheng Yi’s words made Zhang Yunfan’s eyes light up.
“What method?”
"I'm going to send you somewhere to cultivate," Zheng Yi said mysteriously. "There are some opportunities I left behind back then, which are perfect for your current situation."
"Who do you mean by 'senior'?"
"Cloud Rising Cave," Zheng Yi said slowly. "That's an ancient cultivator's cave I discovered when I was young. Later, I set up some restrictions and trials within it. If you can pass the trials there, not only will your injuries heal, but your strength will also greatly increase."
Zhang Yunfan was excited but also somewhat worried: "Senior, in my current state, can I withstand that kind of trial?"
"It's precisely because of your current condition that you need this trial even more," Zheng Yi explained. "Ordinary cultivation methods have limited effect on your current injuries; we need to use some special methods."
“Since you say so, senior, I’m willing to give it a try.” Zhang Yunfan agreed immediately without hesitation.
“Very well, but I must tell you in advance that the trials there are not simple.” Zheng Yi’s tone became serious. “The Cloud Rising Cave is divided into three levels, each with different trials. The first level is a restrictive maze, the second level is inhabited by powerful demonic beasts, and the third level is the final trial I left behind.”
"Senior, could you please explain in more detail?"
"The first level of the forbidden maze primarily tests your state of mind and comprehension. There, I set up an illusionary array that will show you what you fear or desire most. Only by maintaining a clear mind and not being misled by the illusions can you find the passage to the second level."
Zhang Yunfan nodded; he wasn't too worried about this test of mental fortitude. Having experienced so many life-or-death battles, his Dao heart was already quite firm.
"The demonic beasts on the second level are descendants of some spirit beasts I tamed years ago. After so many years of breeding, although their bloodlines have become somewhat diluted, their strength is still not to be underestimated. The strongest of them have even reached the late Foundation Establishment stage."
These words made Zhang Yunfan's heart tighten. In his current state, facing a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon beast was indeed very dangerous.
Seemingly sensing Zhang Yunfan's concern, Zheng Yi continued, "But you don't need to worry too much. Although those demonic beasts are powerful, they all have their weaknesses. Furthermore, I've left some mechanisms and auxiliary magic arrays on the second level to help you deal with them."
"What about the third floor?"
"I won't go into the details of the third level of trials; you'll find out when you get there," Zheng Yi said, keeping everyone in suspense. "But I can tell you that if you can complete the third level of trials, you will receive a great opportunity that I left behind."
"What opportunity?" Zhang Yunfan asked curiously.
"You'll find out when the time comes," Zheng Yi said with a smile. "Saying too much now is not good; it will affect your state of mind."
Although Zhang Yunfan was curious, he knew that Zheng Yi must have his reasons for doing so.
"Senior, when should I depart?" "Right now," Zheng Yi said. "The longer your injuries are delayed, the more difficult it will be to recover. Moreover, the environment of the Cloud Rising Cave is beneficial to your recovery."
"Now?" Zhang Yunfan was somewhat surprised. "But I haven't said goodbye to the Zheng family yet."
“No need to say goodbye. When you go to Yunqi Cave, just tell everyone you're going to find a quiet place to recuperate,” Zheng Yi explained. “Yunqi Cave is located in a rather secluded place, so it's not suitable for too many people to know about it.”
“I understand.” Zhang Yunfan nodded, then said to Wei Siling, who was arranging medicinal herbs nearby, “Siling, pack your things, we need to go out for a bit.”
"Master, where are you going?" Wei Siling asked with concern.
"Find a quiet place to recuperate properly," Zhang Yunfan said, following Zheng Yi's instructions. "Although it's safe here, there are always people coming and going, which isn't conducive to peaceful recovery."
Although Wei Siling had some doubts, she still began packing her things. As Zhang Yunfan's companion spirit pet, she would follow her master no matter what.
Half an hour later, Zhang Yunfan and Wei Siling arrived at Zheng Tianhao's residence to say goodbye.
"Brother Yunfan, are you in such a hurry to leave? Is it because our Zheng family has failed to provide adequate hospitality?" Zheng Tianhao said, trying to persuade him to stay.
"Clan leader, you flatter me. Yunfan will always remember the Zheng family's kindness to us," Zhang Yunfan said, cupping his hands in greeting. "However, my injuries require quiet recuperation, so I would like to find a quiet place to cultivate for a while."
"I see," Zheng Tianhao said thoughtfully. "So, where do you plan to go?"
"It's not entirely confirmed yet; we might go deep into the Qingyun Mountains," Zhang Yunfan casually made up a reason.
"Qingyun Mountain Range? There are many monsters there. Wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to go alone?" Zheng Tianhao said worriedly.
"It's alright, I'm just going to find a cave on the outskirts to meditate quietly, I won't go deep into dangerous areas," Zhang Yunfan reassured him.
Seeing that Zhang Yunfan was determined, Zheng Tianhao didn't try to persuade him further, only saying, "Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer. But remember, if you encounter any difficulties, you can always come back to us."
"Thank you, clan chief." Zhang Yunfan nodded gratefully.
After saying goodbye to Zheng Tianhao, Zhang Yunfan went to find Zhuo Liqun and the others.
"Brother Yunfan, are you leaving?" Zhuo Liqun was somewhat surprised. "I was planning to wait until you recovered so we could spar together."
"Brother Zhuo, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future," Zhang Yunfan said with a smile. "I went out this time mainly to recuperate from my injuries. I'll naturally come back once I'm healed."
"Alright then, be careful on the road." Zhuo Liqun patted Zhang Yunfan on the shoulder. "Remember to message us if anything happens."
After bidding farewell to everyone, Zhang Yunfan quietly left the Zheng family with Wei Siling.
According to Zheng Yi's directions, Yunqi Cave was located on an unnamed mountain peak three hundred miles away from the Zheng family. It was a secluded and rugged place, truly an ideal place for secluded cultivation.
The two traveled at a brisk pace until nightfall when they finally reached the vicinity of their destination.
"Master, this place looks so desolate," Wei Siling said uneasily, looking at the barren mountains around her.
Indeed, this mountain is unlike any other. It is almost barren, with strangely shaped rocks everywhere, giving it a desolate and lifeless feel.
“The more secluded the place, the better it is for quiet contemplation,” Zhang Yunfan reassured him, though he himself was somewhat apprehensive.
According to Zheng Yi's directions, the entrance to Yunqi Cave was on a cliff on the north side of the mountain. However, from the outside, it looked like an ordinary rock face, with no trace of a cave.
"Senior, are you sure this is the place?" Zhang Yunfan asked in his divine sense.
"Of course I'm sure. I've concealed the entrance to the cave with an illusion array. Use your divine sense to carefully perceive that protruding rock."
Following Zheng Yi's instructions, Zhang Yunfan probed the seemingly ordinary rock with his divine sense.
Sure enough, the moment his divine sense touched it, he felt a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy.
“This is it,” Zhang Yunfan said to Wei Siling, then walked towards the rock.
A miracle occurred when his palm touched the surface of the rock. The once hard rock rippled like water, revealing a deep cave entrance.
"What an amazing illusion array!" Wei Siling exclaimed.
“Let’s go in and take a look.” Zhang Yunfan took a deep breath and stepped into the cave first.
The cave wasn't dark; many luminous pearls were embedded in the walls, emitting a soft glow. The passageway was spacious enough for two people to walk side by side.
After walking along the passage for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they arrived at a huge stone chamber.
This stone chamber was far larger than imagined, spanning hundreds of feet in diameter and tens of feet in height. In the center of the chamber was a huge stone platform, covered with intricate runes.
"This should be the first floor," Zhang Yunfan thought to himself.
Just then, the runes suddenly lit up, and the entire stone chamber was enveloped in a dazzling light.
When the light faded, Zhang Yunfan found himself separated from Wei Siling. He was now in a completely new environment—a valley filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
“This is an illusion.” Zhang Yunfan immediately realized this.
As Zheng Yi reminded him, the first level of the test mainly involves one's state of mind. He must maintain a clear consciousness and not be misled by the illusion.
But what happened next caused his emotions to fluctuate.
In the distance of the valley, he saw a familiar figure—his father from his previous life.
"Yunfan, what happened to you?" The figure walked towards him, her face full of concern.
A warm feeling welled up in Zhang Yunfan's heart, but he quickly became alert.
"This is an illusion, not real," he murmured to himself, trying to stay rational.
But the "father" in the illusion told Zhang Yunfan a story that only he and his son knew, in such detail that Zhang Yunfan almost believed it was real.
“Child, come home with me.” The father in the illusion reached out his hand. “It’s too dangerous here; you don’t belong in this world.”
These words deeply touched Zhang Yunfan's heart. Indeed, he never truly belonged to this world of cultivation. How wonderful it would be to return to his original world and reunite with his family. (End of Chapter)