Chapter 619 - 297: Taotie Technique

Chapter 619: Chapter 297: Taotie Technique

Of course, it seemed the Chens’ were also starting to enjoy stirring up trouble.

Before, it had just been Chen Cheng stirring up trouble, but now it was him and the two sisters, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang—a trio of troublemakers.

However, Chen Cheng had never noticed that Xia Lingfeng also had a tendency to cause a stir, and in a way that was the complete opposite of Shen Zhaoyi.

When one of them cultivated, things became intensely hot; when the other cultivated, it became bone-chillingly cold!

This time, it was Ke Dali’s turn to be puzzled. He looked at Chen Cheng and asked, "Junior Brother Chen, you are a genius disciple personally recommended by Steward Xia. I imagine you must be quite close to him. Is it possible you were unaware of this habit of his?"

Chen Cheng smiled. "I have indeed received Lord Xia’s guidance and am quite close to him.

However, Lord Xia is very busy with his official duties, so I seldom go to his residence."

"Oh." Ke Dali nodded. "Back in the Great Dao Sect, I heard that Junior Brother Chen’s Martial Arts Power was overwhelmingly strong, and that with the strength of Bone Forging Realm Perfection, you could easily slay a Perfect Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm.

At first, I couldn’t help but be a little skeptical, wondering if it was an exaggeration.

But seeing you today has proven the rumors were not false; in fact, they might have even been an understatement.

I suspect Junior Brother Chen’s Martial Arts Power is far greater than the rumors claim."

This was clearly just flattery. After all, once Chen Cheng used the Concealment Secret Skill to restrain his aura, the Qi Blood Power he exuded was only comparable to that of an ordinary Small Success in Marrow Cleansing Realm Martial Artist.

In the eyes of an Earth List expert like Ke Dali, ’how strong could he really be?’

"Senior Brother Ke is an expert at Organ Refining Realm Perfection, ranked fifteenth on the Earth List. My meager Martial Arts Power isn’t worth mentioning."

Chen Cheng said very humbly.

"Ah... if you’re any more modest, Junior Brother Chen, you’ll be treating me like a stranger." Ke Dali waved his hands repeatedly and said,

"I may be many years your senior, and I am a True Disciple of Four Symbols Peak, but my lucky ranking of fifteenth on the Earth List is nothing worth mentioning.

For you, Junior Brother Chen, to be ranked thirty-first on the Earth List at such a young age shows your Martial Arts Talent is astonishingly brilliant. You won’t find another like you in the entire Land of the North.

Within a few years, you are bound to surpass me."

Chen Cheng simply smiled and didn’t respond. This was his first time meeting Ke Dali, and he didn’t know the man’s background. There was no need to be overly enthusiastic.

Ke Dali didn’t beat around the bush, either, and stated his purpose directly. "Junior Brother Chen, although you are already an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sect, you have not yet joined a Main Peak.

With your Martial Arts Talent, it’s only natural that all the Main Peaks are scrambling to recruit you.

However, in my opinion, you cultivate the True Dragon Lineage inheritance of Four Symbols Peak, and your master, Zheng Hun, is also a Steward of Four Symbols Peak.

With such deep ties, it would be most fitting for you to join Four Symbols Peak."

Chen Cheng was also interested in joining Four Symbols Peak. However, because the Four Symbols Peak Master was said to be insane, joining seemed to offer no reliable backer, so he had remained hesitant.

Now, with Ke Dali so eagerly seeking him out, Chen Cheng felt even more indecisive.

’After all, when is a deal ever good if the other party is this desperate?’

If he had to weigh the pros and cons, joining Vast Peak might actually be more suitable.

At this thought, Chen Cheng said probingly, "I have cultivated Vast Righteous Qi, and Lord Situ is interested in having me join Vast Peak. I feel that’s a pretty good option too."

Ke Dali shook his head repeatedly. "Junior Brother Chen, that’s where you’re mistaken!

The inheritance of Vast Peak is certainly good, but when it comes to practical combat ability, how can it possibly compare to Four Symbols Peak?

Take the True Dragon Lineage inheritance you cultivate, for example. By cultivating the Second Layer Realm, you can defeat a Perfect Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm. Can the Vast Peak inheritance do that?

You are now facing cultivation in the Marrow Cleansing and Organ Refining Realms. In these two Realms, the most important thing is to hone your Martial Dao Will and solidify your Dao Heart.

To put it bluntly, you need to compete for various Martial Arts Resources to temper your Martial Dao Will and, at the same time, accelerate your Cultivation Progress.

The very reason the various Sects send out True Disciples as Sect Wanderers is to temper their Martial Dao Will and solidify an invincible Dao Heart.

I will turn thirty-five next year, at which point I must step down from my position as a True Disciple and become a Guardian of Four Symbols Peak.

If you join Four Symbols Peak, you can perfectly succeed me as the True Disciple."

"Is Senior Brother Ke about to break through to the Opening Aperture Realm?" Chen Cheng was inwardly alarmed.

In the Great Dao Sect, one must break through to the Opening Aperture Realm and become an Innate Realm Martial Artist before they can be promoted to a Guardian of any peak.

Ke Dali gave an awkward, somewhat guilty laugh. "Aside from the Peak Master, Four Symbols Peak has no other Innate Realm Experts. That’s why the Sect is making an exception to promote me to Guardian of Four Symbols Peak.

But rest assured, Junior Brother. With me here, it will be more than enough to protect you until you reach Organ Refining Realm Perfection.

If you become the True Disciple of Four Symbols Peak, the resources you receive will be no less than those of the True Disciples of the other Main Peaks."

His grand promises only made Chen Cheng more reluctant to join Four Symbols Peak.

After all, a Guardian who was merely a Perfect Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm would have no choice but to flee when facing an Innate Realm Guardian from another sect. He would be utterly useless!

As if sensing Chen Cheng’s thoughts, Ke Dali puffed out his chest and said, "Rest assured, Junior Brother. Although I am only a Perfect Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm, ordinary Innate Realm Experts are nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs in my eyes!"

His words suddenly trailed off as he glanced at Meng Qin, who was standing to the side.

Meng Qin was sharp. Realizing that Ke Dali’s next words were confidential and not for her ears, she bowed respectfully and exited the Government Office.

Only then did Ke Dali continue, "To be honest with you, this Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor I’m wearing is a Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact, personally passed down by my respected master, the Four Symbols Peak Master.

Even if two or three Opening Aperture Realm experts were to join forces, they wouldn’t be able to break through it!"

"A Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact?" Chen Cheng’s expression flickered.

Ke Dali nodded with great pride. "My Martial Arts Talent isn’t actually considered outstanding among the Sect’s many True Disciples. However, reaching Organ Refining Realm Perfection by the age of thirty-five is an achievement as rare as a phoenix feather.

The reason for my cultivation speed is that I rely on this Spiritual Armor. I can enter any cave abode, and by doing so, I can acquire vast resources.

In the future, whether you go to the cave abodes of predecessors in search of opportunities or to the Border Region for your service rotation, I will accompany you. I guarantee you’ll reach Organ Refining Realm Perfection before you turn thirty!

The Guardians of the other Main Peaks can’t just enter a predecessor’s cave abode."

Chen Cheng suddenly looked Ke Dali straight in the eye and asked very seriously, "For such generous support, Senior Brother Ke, what would you need me to do in return?"

Ke Dali clearly hadn’t expected Chen Cheng to be so direct. He was momentarily stunned and only grinned after a long pause.

"Actually, there’s nothing specific I need you to do. I’ve looked into your past, Junior Brother Chen, and I know you are an honest person who values relationships and loyalty.

So, if you can grow strong, you will be a great asset to both Four Symbols Peak and myself."

"Senior Brother, reaching Organ Refining Realm Perfection by thirty-five means breaking through to the Opening Aperture Realm is practically a certainty. Why go to such great lengths for me?" Chen Cheng asked, his expression unreadable.

"Sigh..." Ke Dali let out a soft sigh. "Our Four Symbols Peak inheritance is excellent in every way, except that it is incredibly difficult to open the Human Acupoints and break through to the Opening Aperture Realm.

Even though I will reach Organ Refining Realm Perfection by thirty-five, I might not be able to break through to the Opening Aperture Realm.

Back then, my master went insane precisely because he was trying to break through the Profound Passage and open his Human Acupoints.

When you join Four Symbols Peak, he will naturally tell you the reasons for these things himself.

However, what I can say for certain is that the Opening Aperture Realm Technique of the Four Symbols Peak inheritance is exceedingly powerful.

With his Opening Aperture Realm strength, Master can go head-to-head with a Blood Transformation Realm expert. You have to understand, a Blood Transformation Realm expert is considered a Half-step Grandmaster!

In the entire Great Dao Sect, aside from the Supreme Elder, no one dares claim they can defeat the Four Symbols Peak Master."

"In that case, joining Four Symbols Peak does seem like a very good option," Chen Cheng said with a slight smile.

Ke Dali’s final words about the Four Symbols Peak’s Opening Aperture Realm inheritance were simply too tempting for Chen Cheng to refuse.

Besides, having a Gold Medal Boxer with a Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact at his side at all times when venturing into dangerous places like predecessors’ cave abodes seemed like a pretty good deal.

He also needed to go to the Border Region to collect Demonic Qi to cultivate the Secret Technique of Daoxin Demon Planting, and for that, he still needed an enforcer.

"Of course it’s the best choice!" Ke Dali stood up abruptly, casually took out a Brocade Bag, tossed it on the table, and started walking out of the Government Office.

"Junior Brother Chen, this is a little meeting gift from your senior brother."

Chen Cheng opened the Brocade Bag and saw a yellowed paper book and two Jade Boxes inside.

The Taotie Technique

A conspicuous line of writing was written on the Secret Manual, the ink still fresh as if recently added: "Can only be cultivated at Great Success in Organ Refining Realm or above."

He opened the Jade Boxes. Inside each lay a Source Crystal Jade!

"Whoa!" Such an extravagant gift truly shocked Chen Cheng to his core.