Chapter 541 - 264: Do You Dare to Fight?

Chapter 541: Chapter 264: Do You Dare to Fight?

The other was the Ice Soul Profound Crystal Spike, a palm-sized, crystal-clear spike that overflowed with a chilling aura.

It could unleash an intensely cold aura, with power comparable to the Second Layer of the Frost Snow Realm.

In addition to these Treasure Artifacts, there was also a Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact: the Ten Extremes Plague Clouds.

This was a small black gourd that could release a venomous plague miasma, as thick as ink and assailing the nose with a putrid stench.

The miasma contained over ten potent toxins. It could not only corrode the physical body but also contaminate the Divine Soul, causing an opponent to suffer hallucinations or even fly into a mad rage.

The power of the Ten Extremes Plague Clouds was comparable to the other Treasure Artifacts, but its advantage was that the toxins could be replenished after use, allowing it to be used repeatedly.

’Treasure Artifacts are already this powerful. I can’t even imagine how much stronger a Spiritual Artifact, a tier above, must be! I’ll have to be on my guard against this when I fight others from now on.’

With that thought in mind, Chen Cheng strode out of the stone chamber. He gave the old man a slight bow, then turned and left.

’Hoh! To see all these deadly weapons and remain so calm and composed... and to come out so quickly, too. This kid’s Martial Dao Will is truly extraordinary. Every generation brings forth new talent, each destined to lead for a time!’

The old man narrowed his eyes and murmured to himself as he watched Chen Cheng’s departing figure. Then, suddenly, he froze!

’Good heavens... Just how heavy is the Inner Armor that kid is wearing? He didn’t trigger any of the mechanisms, yet his footsteps alone were enough to faintly disturb the energy flow of the Circulation Star Lock Array! How bizarre!’

...

After leaving the Demon Suppression Department’s headquarters, Chen Cheng went to the Inspection Department.

He made an appearance, briefly leafed through the intelligence reports his Brocade Guard subordinates had compiled, and then headed for home.

As he walked along Pearl Jade Avenue, he spotted a group of ascetic monks in the distance. Dressed in yellow robes, simple cloth, and straw sandals, they were proceeding slowly down the street.

Their leader appeared to be in his forties. He had a rugged face, a tall and burly frame, and wore a brass hairband. He held a Vajra Pestle in one hand and an alms bowl in the other, cutting a truly imposing figure.

The other ascetic monks came in all shapes and sizes.

As the group of ascetic monks proceeded, they chanted, "Deliverance from suffering! All living beings are equal!"

The common folk lining the street turned to watch. Those who were closer all wore unconscious expressions of awe and reverence.

Some even prostrated themselves in worship before the tall ascetic monk.

Only after the group of monks had moved on did these people seem to snap out of it, yet they still looked dazed and forlorn.

Chen Cheng stopped in his tracks to study the lead ascetic monk. He could faintly make out the phantom of a ten-foot-tall Fierce-eyed Vajra hovering above the man’s head.

This phantom was similar to Shen Zhiming’s Literary Dao Dharma Aspect, but with a key difference: the Literary Dao Dharma Aspect was solemn and peaceful, filled with Vast Righteous Qi.

This Fierce-eyed Vajra phantom, on the other hand, was suffused with a savage and violent killing intent.

’"Break the vows, but never the vow against killing." So this is the Brahma Sound Sect’s Great Power Vajra Dharma Aspect?’

Chen Cheng frowned slightly.

The ascetic monk before him was clearly Hassamutira of the Brahma Sound Sect.

He had defeated Mao Yong, a man at Marrow Cleansing Realm Perfection, in just three moves. His strength was so immense that it rivaled that of an Organ Refining Realm Martial Artist.

At that moment, the Fierce-eyed Vajra Dharma Aspect seemed to sense Chen Cheng’s gaze and abruptly turned to look at him.

Simultaneously, Hassamutira’s own gaze fell upon Chen Cheng. A sharp glint flashed in his wide eyes. Murmuring, "A sin, a sin," he began striding toward Chen Cheng.

He had only taken a few steps when a middle-aged, sword-wielding man in a blue Daoist robe burst out of a nearby tavern. The man moved first, stopping a short distance from Chen Cheng and scrutinizing him.

Chen Cheng noticed the Eight Trigrams pattern on the man’s Daoist robe, and his gaze sharpened. Sensing the dense Qi Blood Power emanating from this newcomer, he had a good idea of who he was.

’Zhang Daozong, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Taiyi Sect. Thirty-eight years old, Marrow Cleansing Realm Perfection.’

Although he was merely an Inner Sect Disciple, his actual combat prowess was no weaker than that of a True Disciple of the Sect.

The reason he had failed to become a True Disciple was not for lack of Martial Arts Talent, but because he had chosen the most difficult path of cultivation.

In the Skin Grinding and Muscle Strengthening Realms, he had cultivated the Profound Gold Hide and Dragon Tendons, respectively.

As a result, by the time he reached Bone Forging Realm Perfection, he was well past thirty and no longer eligible to compete for the title of True Disciple.

According to the intelligence Chen Cheng had gathered, Zhang Daozong had defeated a True Disciple of the Blood Moon Sect—ranked thirty-seventh on the Earth List—a year ago.

Every True Disciple of the Blood Moon Sect was a hardened warrior who had survived countless brutal battles. For Zhang Daozong to have defeated one spoke volumes about his incredible power.

Perhaps not even a warrior in the top thirty of the Earth List could be his match!

The only reason he wasn’t on the Earth List was his age—he was over thirty-five!

While Chen Cheng was sizing up Zhang Daozong, Zhang Daozong was doing the exact same to him. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, brimming with fighting spirit—the unmistakable look of a hunter who has found his prey!

"Benefactor, be merciful and fill this bowl!"

Just then, a resonant voice boomed.

The voice was like a clap of rolling thunder, so loud it was deafening, and it echoed long and loud down the avenue.

The ears of the nearby civilians rang, and their hearts trembled. They all scrambled to give the men a wide berth.

In an instant, only Chen Cheng and the other two men were left on the street.

The speaker was, of course, Hassamutira. Zhang Daozong had blocked his path, and his anger was rising.

He glared at Zhang Daozong, his eyes wide with fury.

"You bald-headed thief, trying to beg for alms from this Daoist Master? Are you looking for a death wish?"

Zhang Daozong turned to glance at Hassamutira and drawled lazily.

"’All living beings are equal. To speak of killing is a transgression! A sin, a sin!

’The Buddha Master delivers all from suffering. A benefactor who supports this humble monk shall receive immeasurable merit!’"

Hassamutira proclaimed.

As he spoke, the Qi Blood Power around him erupted. The Vajra Dharma Aspect above his head began to solidify, slowly expanding until it was twenty feet tall.

Waves of a ferocious, domineering killing intent radiated outward!

"Heh! You dare act so brazenly before this Daoist Master!"

Zhang Daozong barked a cold laugh. His blue Daoist robe billowed as if in a strong wind, snapping loudly.

Then, his Qi Blood Power began to skyrocket. The Power of Heaven and Earth Origin surged forth, coalescing into a massive, thirty-foot-longsword that materialized before him!

As the longsword solidified, a vast and terrifying pressure erupted from its blade, whipping the surrounding air into a raging gale!

"’The Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm! A sin, a sin!’"

Hassamutira cried out in alarm. Before Zhang Daozong’s Heaven Realm longsword could even fully solidify, he turned and bolted, sprinting into the distance!

"’You bald-headed thief, you sure know what’s good for you!’"

Zhang Daozong chuckled. With a slight raise of his hand and a clench of his fist, the Mental Realm Longsword instantly dissipated, vanishing into nothing.

The street fell silent once more.

The onlookers on the street were all dumbfounded by this display!

From within the crowd, a woman in white wearing a veil watched with a solemn expression. She murmured under her breath,

"’The Eight Trigrams Realm... The Heaven Realm is the first of the Qian Trigram. It represents the unity of all creation, is the most difficult to cultivate, and also the most powerful!

’Even among the Nine True Inheritor Disciples of the Taiyi Sect, very few have managed to cultivate it.

’For an Inner Sect Disciple like Zhang Daozong to have mastered it is completely unexpected!

’His true combat strength is probably no less than that of the True Disciples from other major sects!

’If Chen Cheng fights him, I’m afraid he won’t be able to hold on to his title as the strongest expert in Linji Prefecture below the Organ Refining Realm!

’How interesting! This is truly interesting!’"

...

[In a private room on the second floor of a nearby tavern overlooking the street.]

A middle-aged man of about forty sat leisurely. His face was ordinary, his clothes were a simple gray tunic, and his build was completely average.

If he were walking down the street, no one would likely mistake him for a Martial Artist.

However, the sheathless dagger at his waist—over two feet long and as thin as a cicada’s wing—proved that he was, in fact, a Martial Artist.

Zhu Jiu, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Blood Moon Sect!

"’This Zhang Daozong is incredible!

’Hassamutira from the Brahma Sound Sect is so formidable, yet he ran away the moment they faced off. If Chen Cheng fights him, he’s in for a world of hurt!’"

Across from Zhu Jiu sat Wang Xiongjie. Dressed in a long blue gown, his face obscured by a conical hat, he gazed out the window and spoke with unconcealed excitement.

"’The Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm is a natural counter to Mind Power Dharma Aspects, so of course Hassamutira ran!

’But that doesn’t mean Chen Cheng is doomed to lose against Zhang Daozong!’"

Zhu Jiu said calmly, his expression serene.

Wang Xiongjie turned his head and asked in surprise, "Brother Zhu, are you saying Chen Cheng’s Great Power Realm can actually match the Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm?"

Zhu Jiu shook his head. "In terms of sheer power, the Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm holds the advantage over the Great Power Realm.

"However, in a life-and-death struggle, victory isn’t decided solely by the power of one’s Realm!

"This Lonely Cicada Blade of mine, for instance, has slain..."

He stopped mid-sentence, turning his head to look down at Zhang Daozong on the street below.

Down on the street, Zhang Daozong studied Chen Cheng for a long moment. He was secretly impressed; Chen Cheng had remained perfectly calm and composed the entire time, utterly unperturbed.

’To witness my Eight Trigrams Heaven Realm and remain so completely unfazed... Chen Cheng is the first person to do so!’

"Chen Cheng, before I met you today, I didn’t think you were worthy of my attention, even with your title as the strongest in Linji City below the Organ Refining Realm!

"However, after seeing you today, you’ve made me change my mind!"

Chen Cheng’s expression was impassive. "And you think you are?"

"Heh!" Zhang Daozong sneered.

"Chen Cheng, do you dare to fight?"