Chapter 353: The Heavenly Cave Ruins, Blood Spirit's Legacy

Chapter 353: The Heavenly Cave Ruins, Blood Spirit's Legacy

The Heavenly Cave Ruins in Hongzhou was much larger than the one in Ice State, though it lacked the otherworldly feel of a natural cave and instead resembled a genuine underground cavern.

One could even see soil, gravel, and small hills within. The seemingly gloomy Heavenly Cave had some light, like the dawn's first light, a hazy gray.

"The bottom of the Heavenly Cave no longer has unmelted qi flowing into it, and it has solidified. There is a force of the Dao condensed here, equivalent to a complete seal by the heavens."

"It is because of this that it has become a ruin." As Li Xuan spoke, his gaze fell to the bottom of the cave, and he knew he had found the answer.

The reason it had become a ruin was that the Heavenly Cave had been completely sealed. Soil and gravel were present, and no unmelted qi flowed in. The barrier between heaven and earth was solid, and no outside influence could penetrate it.

"The residual unmelted qi is very thin, but it still affects the Heavenly Cave. This is also why divine artifacts are born." Li Xuan observed the ruins of the Heavenly Cave.

Xu Yan and the others had already begun exploring the ruins, and the other proud sons of heaven who had entered were also curious and wandered about.

Wu Tiannan strolled leisurely through the ruins, his curiosity piqued. As the former dean of the Myriad Stars Martial Academy and a peak existence in the Spirit Realm, he knew nothing about these ruins.

This indicated that the Heavenly Cave Ruins was the core secret of the Superlative Spirit Sect.

Since inviting a Venerable to descend from the Thousand Martial Hall, Wu Tiannan had realized that the Superlative Spirit Sect had backers. It was as if the sect was a subordinate branch of certain forces within the Spirit Realm.

But what was the place beyond the Divine Bridge?

The Heavenly Venerable came from beyond the Divine Bridge, and the Superlative Spirit Sect's primary task was to search for and cultivate Proud Sons of Heaven with Spirit Bodies.

In the vast Spirit Realm, Proud Sons of Heaven with Spirit Bodies were extremely rare.

These Proud Sons of Heaven were eventually sent beyond the Divine Bridge to join the forces that the Superlative Spirit Sect answered to.

Only by going beyond the Divine Bridge could one break through the Heavenly Venerable state.

Suddenly, Wu Tiannan's steps faltered. He looked at the small hill in front of him with a puzzled expression. "What is this?"

The small hill was not large, only about two or so zhang tall and with a radius of five or six zhang. And on this hill, Wu Tiannan discovered something peculiar.

Traces left by humans! These traces were subtle, and only someone familiar with them would recognize them as artificial. "He came to the Heavenly Cave Ruins? How did he sneak in past the Superlative Spirit Sect? Is this a message for me?"

Wu Tiannan's brow furrowed. These traces reminded him of one person.

The Blood Demon, Xue Lingzi!

Once a Proud Son of Heaven from the Myriad Stars Martial Academy and someone Wu Tiannan had considered as his successor.

But the ways of the world are unpredictable, and Xue Lingzi eventually walked a path of slaughter.

Even in his madness and unmatched killing spree, the Blood Demon never harmed the Myriad Stars Martial Academy or specifically targeted it.

This indicated that he still held some affection for his old school. Perhaps he still remembered the dean's kindness.

Wu Tiannan's thoughts wandered, bringing him back to those days. He remembered the boy who was unyielding, who vowed to rise, and who swore to make his abandoning family regret their decision.

With a sigh in his heart, he raised his hand and followed the faint traces, cutting into the soil.

Thin grooves appeared on the hillside, digging deeper and deeper.

At one point, Wu Tiannan's eyebrows rose in surprise as he discovered something had indeed been left behind.

A small box was retrieved along the traces.

The box was a faint red, as if stained by blood, and a few fine silken threads were wrapped around it, seemingly arranged with a purpose.

If one had not followed the traces and instead dug directly into the hill, the box would have instantly shattered, destroying its contents.

"What do you want to leave me?" Wu Tiannan was intrigued.

Xue Lingzi had fallen and risen three times, and no one knew that Wu Tiannan had saved him during one of those occasions.

As for the other two times, Wu Tiannan had no idea how Xue Lingzi managed to turn the tide.

Especially the last time, when Xue Lingzi became the Blood Demon, a Blood Refining Warrior, slaughtering countless lives and drawing the attention of the Superlative Spirit Sect, who joined forces to assassinate him.

Moreover, Xue Lingzi's strength at that time seemed to have reached the limit of the Spirit Realm, surpassing Wu Tiannan himself!

With a curious heart, Wu Tiannan opened the box. The inside of the faint red box was also a dark red, as if stained with blood.

Within the box lay a dark red bead, seemingly refined from essence blood, exuding a murderous aura and a hint of resentment.

Beneath the red bead was a small booklet.

The booklet was a pale red, made from some kind of leather.

Wu Tiannan took out the booklet. "Could it be that this booklet contains the secrets of Blood Refining?"

Wu Tiannan frowned. Xue Lingzi's Blood Refining technique was exceptionally vicious and was truly a demonic path, the first of its kind in the history of the Spirit Realm.

"You should know that no matter how powerful this technique is, I will not cultivate it." Wu Tiannan murmured to himself.

"Could it be that this technique can break through the limits of the Spirit Realm? Do you think that when I feel stagnant and desperate, I will cultivate this demonic technique?" Aside from this reason, Wu Tiannan couldn't think of any other motive for Xue Lingzi to believe he would cultivate such a demonic technique.

He opened the booklet and looked at the small words on the first page. "What is this?"

The first page contained a message from Xue Lingzi.

"I don't know if the Dean has come to this place or discovered this box... But I think I should leave something behind.

"I am no longer myself. The opportunity I gained came from beyond the heavens.

"The Hundred Prisons Blood Refining Technique is undoubtedly a powerful technique that can break through the upper limits of the Spirit Realm's martial path and reach even higher realms. But this path is paved with blood..."

The more Wu Tiannan read, the more shocked and grave his expression became.

Xue Lingzi's rise and opportunity were truly bizarre.

Beyond the heavens?

At this moment, he thought of the Witch of Ice State's Heavenly Cave.

Could it be that Xue Lingzi, in his early days, had encountered a being similar to the Witch, and that was how he rose to power?

The Hundred Prisons Blood Refining Technique, cultivated with essence blood, could ignore the upper limits of the Spirit Realm's martial path and continue breaking through.

There was one more crucial piece of information.

"I am no longer myself!"

What did this mean? Had Xue Lingzi been possessed?

Wu Tiannan frowned as he recalled Xue Lingzi's past deeds. Although he was arrogant and a slaughterer, there were no signs of possession.

"Could it be that cultivating the Hundred Prisons Blood Refining Technique leads to a drastic change in one's nature?" Wu Tiannan mused.

As he continued reading, he found that Xue Lingzi had not left behind much information. He only briefly mentioned his opportunity, which came about by coincidence when he entered this Heavenly Cave Ruin.

More importantly, he entered the ruins when it was not the time for its opening, but the ruins underwent some changes at that time.

A small black hole appeared, and Xue Lingzi was sucked in by an unknown force.

According to Xue Lingzi, he encountered a strange residual soul.

Xue Lingzi's second downfall was also related to this residual soul. Xue Lingzi was ruthless, and he eventually schemed against and refined this wisp of a soul!

As for what he gained after refining the soul, Xue Lingzi did not elaborate further.

Wu Tiannan looked at the blood-red bead,

"Abyss Blood Pearl? What is its use?"

This bead was called the Abyss Blood Pearl, but its purpose was not mentioned by Xue Lingzi.

"If your corpse still exists, should I bury this Abyss Blood Pearl with you?"

Wu Tiannan muttered to himself.

Only Xin Mengrou knew if Blood Demon's corpse remained intact within the Inner Domain.

"Could it be that you can use this to resurrect once again?"

Wu Tiannan shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"You are no longer the person you used to be. Do you think I will fulfill your dying wish?"

Wu Tiannan sighed.

There was something unusual about the message Xue Lingzi had left on the bead. Regardless of his ultimate goal, Wu Tiannan would not bury the Abyss Blood Pearl with him.

He flipped to the second page of the small booklet.

"Above the God Refining Realm is the Law Condensing Realm. By condensing the laws of heaven and earth into one's body, one achieves the Law Condensing Heaven Venerable status. Above the Law Condensing is the True Refining Realm, where one refines their body with the laws of heaven and earth, merging them into a harmonious whole, thus becoming a True King Heaven Venerable. Above True Refining is the Undying Realm, where one merges with the heavens and earth, ruling over a domain and attaining eternal life, earning the title of Undying Heaven Venerable..."

The second page introduced the realms beyond the God Refining, namely the Law Condensing Heaven Venerable, True King Heaven Venerable, and Undying Heaven Venerable. Wu Tiannan had never heard of the True Refining and Undying Realms mentioned in the latter part of the booklet.

However, he had witnessed the power of a Law Condensing Heaven Venerable.

Although that Heaven Venerable had been killed by the Witch of Ice State, there was no denying the overwhelming might they possessed.

"So, when the Heaven Venerable mentioned inviting a True King to descend, they were referring to inviting a True Refining Heaven Venerable."

Wu Tiannan wondered about the existence of an Undying Heaven Venerable, who was said to share the same lifespan as the heavens and earth.

"However, even the Undying has not transcended the heavens and earth."

His predecessor, on the other hand, had transcended the heavens and earth, rendering the status of Undying Heaven Venerable insignificant in comparison.

Wu Tiannan continued reading, and the rest of the booklet described the Hundred Prisons Blood Refining Technique in detail. The further he read, the more shocked and appalled he became. It was indeed an evil art, exceptionally cruel and brutal.

He only read a third of the way through before stopping.

It was too cruel and violent.

"By blood refining the spirits of the world, one can attain Undying!"

This was the message left by Xue Lingzi. In the past, he had blood refined countless cultivators, slaughtering one spiritual sect lineage after another and razing one grand city after another.

"Xue Lingzi should have already broken through to the Law Condensing Realm."

According to his reasoning, Xue Lingzi, who had blood refined so many cultivators and cities, should have broken through the limitations of the Spirit Realm and transcended its upper limits.

Wu Tiannan took a deep breath and placed the small booklet and the Abyss Blood Pearl back into the box.

"I should give this box to my predecessor."

Wu Tiannan sighed. It would be best to leave such an evil cultivation technique to his predecessor for safekeeping.

With that in mind, Wu Tiannan made his way to the Evergreen Pavilion.

"Predecessor, I found this item left behind by Xue Lingzi in the past. It contains an evil cultivation technique, so I'm handing it over to you for disposal."

He respectfully held up the box.

"Hmm."

Li Xuan raised an eyebrow. What was Xue Lingzi up to, leaving something behind in the Heavenly Cave Ruins? With a wave of his hand, the box flew into his palm, but he didn't open it, as if he didn't care, and casually put it away.

Wu Tiannan took his leave and went to find Xin Mengrou to inquire about the Blood Demon incident and how Superlative Spirit Sect had forced Xue Lingzi into the Inner Domain.

In the Heavenly Cave Ruins, only Li Xuan remained in the Evergreen Pavilion, while the others explored the ruins out of curiosity.

Xu Yan suddenly paused in his tracks.

He looked at a grayish-black withered tree, deep in thought.

At that moment, a faint voice reached his ears, carrying a hint of enticement, as if summoning him.

"Young one, your presence here is also your opportunity. Simply pass the test, and you shall obtain the Undying inheritance."

The voice emanated from the small tree.

"Undying inheritance?"

Xu Yan was intrigued.

"Yes! Young one, you probably don't know what Undying is. Let me tell you, above the Law Condensing is the True Refining, and above True Refining is Undying.

"Undying exists in harmony with the heavens and earth, sharing their lifespan... This is the Undying Heaven Venerable!"

The enticing voice continued, growing more persuasive.

If it had been any other proud son of heaven from the Spirit Realm, they might have been lured in, but these enticements held no power over Xu Yan.

"Can one only share the same lifespan as the heavens and earth?"

Xu Yan asked, puzzled.

The voice paused for a moment, unsure of the young man's intentions. "The Undying exists as long as the heavens and earth do not perish. This is the pinnacle of the martial path, young man..."

Xu Yan's question made the enticing voice continue.

"Even if one hasn't transcended the heavens and earth, it's still considered the pinnacle of the martial path?"

Xu Yan expressed his skepticism!

The enticing voice fell silent, taken aback by the young man's audacity. "How dare you speak of transcending the heavens and earth? Young man, don't be too ambitious. Achieving Undying is already the pinnacle of the martial path..."

Xu Yan nodded, "You're right, I shouldn't be too ambitious. I should be more practical. So, do you have any divine artifacts?"

The enticing voice fell silent once more.

This was too direct! Asking for divine artifacts right off the bat?

"Why aren't you saying anything now? Are you a fraud? Do you not have any inheritance to offer?"

Xu Yan frowned.

"Young man, you should leave. Your comprehension is lacking, and you are not suited for this inheritance."

The enticing voice spoke up again.

Xu Yan silently drew his sword and walked up to the small tree. With a swift stroke, he slashed at it!

Crack!

The small tree snapped, and a faint blood-red light emerged from the trunk, forming a hideous face.

However, this face looked at Xu Yan with a bewildered expression.

A disagreement leading to a drawn sword?

"A residual soul?"

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow and lifted his hand, ready to strike with his sword again.

With the power of the Wind-Ending Sword!

"Wait..."

The hideous face paled in fear and hurriedly spoke up.

But it was too late!

With a single strike, the face shattered, and the residual soul was completely dissipated by the Wind-Ending Sword Intent.

"Not the soul of a Spirit Realm cultivator."

Xu Yan pondered, then drew his sword and dug out the small tree. At the roots, he found a blood-red bead, about the size of a finger, hanging there.

"What is this? It seems to enhance one's physical strength."

Xu Yan kept the blood-red bead and sheathed his sword, allowing the Wind-Ending Sword Intent to burst forth.

Boom!

With the small tree as the center, a storm swept through, and within a few hundred meters, the Wind-Ending Sword Intent raged.

Whoosh!

Ten meters away, a blood-red light emerged and transformed into a human face, which looked at Xu Yan with a dazed expression.

"Brat, you've gone too far. I..."

Before the face could finish its sentence, it was completely eradicated by the Wind-Ending Sword Intent storm.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end