As the saying went, ‘If you didn’t have to bear any extra heavy weights, then the boat also wouldn’t have to bear a heavy burden’. It definitely was the aptest saying in this situation. It meant that if it was already tough for someone to pick a heavy load, then adding an extra pound over the burden that you are already carrying might just cause you fall face down under pressure.
[TL Note: I chose to keep the original translation of the words. However, for those confused, the closest English phrase that I could think of would be ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back.’]
Ning Cheng’s attack on Jia Shisan made the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan’s attacks even heavier. In just a few dozen breaths of time, Jia Shisan ended up bound by a Ghost Rattan Vine, not waiting for him to shove away the Ghost Rattan Vine, a new Ghost Rattan Vine sneaked in to bind him.
Ning Cheng then retracted his Cosmic True Devil Axes. It was not that he did not want to continue attacking the person when he was down, but that he could not maintain it any longer. His Array Formation was also under tremendous pressure under the barrage from the numerous Underworld Crow Ghost Rattans. His Array Formation was even giving out cracking sounds. As such, he had no choice but to recall his Cosmic True Devil Axe for self-preservation.
……
Time is just like running water, as years continued to fly by.
In just a blink of an eye, two decades passed by since the Sect Surpassing Censure Battle at the Heavenly Dao Public Square, between Ning Cheng and Yin Yang Dao Sect’s Rong Jin.
This twenty-year period would be more than enough to bring forth great changes in the mundane world, even if it were the Tian Continent, significant changes took place within these last twenty years.
Twenty years ago, after Ning Cheng fought against Rong Jin; he left the Heavenly Dao Public Square, before apparently vanishing from the Tian Continent.
After Ning Cheng went missing, the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect did not undergo any significant changes. That was because Sect Master Rui Baishan had suddenly returned to the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect. Also, at the same time, the Severing Emotions Dao Sect suddenly chose to open their mountains.
After Rui Baishan came back, he, however, did not take over his previous position as the Sect Master. Instead, he retired to become an elder of the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect. At the same time, he also issued several statements. One of them was that Ning Cheng was still the Sect Master of the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect. Another statement being that if the Mirage Gazing Island did not send back their disciple Liang Kexin unharmed to the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect, the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect would level out the Mirage Gazing Island.
The Mirage Gazing Island also did not put up any resistance, nor did it chose to find any excuse. On the third day from the issuance of the statements from the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect, Disciple Liang Kexin of the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect returned safe and sound. At the same time, they also compensated the latter with a massive amount of Spirit Stones along with other resources.
The year when Ning Cheng disappeared; apart from the grey-robed fellow looking for Ning Cheng, even Dao Master Xiao Bisheng of the Heavenly Dao Academy and Dao Master Mu Ziming of the Heaven Alliance ended up disappearing.
Since some people had seen them together, and with the simultaneous disappearance of these few people, the news quickly spread out.
After the last meeting with Ning Cheng twenty years ago, Tan Yun finally emerged with the cultivation of Crucible Transformation 4th Level. At the same time, she openly intercepted Red Star Sword Faction’s Jiang Jun, before eventually killing Jiang Jun. However, the Red Star Sword Faction did not choose to come out because Tan Yun murdered Jiang Jun, stating that it was a matter of personal revenge, they just let go of this matter.
After Tan Yun killed Jiang Jun, she did not immediately return to the Great Change Island; instead, she went to the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect. As for what she did after coming to the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect, nobody knew about it. Only Sang Jiezhu was able to vaguely guess at something. Tan Yun’s might have not entirely used up her part of the Spiritual Vein; therefore, she should have delivered the rest of the Spiritual Vein to Ning Cheng’s little sister.
……
The Rainbow Fall Sword Sect’s Main Peak, the Rainbow Fall Sword Peak.
Although Rui Baishan came back, he did not choose to take up residence here. This place remained Ning Cheng’s Immortal Cave.
At this moment, several people were sitting in the Meeting Hall, around a large circular table. Ji Luofei sat at the head position. In addition to her, Ning Ruolan, Nan Yuefang, Yang Honghou, Taishu Pinghao, Lian’e, Zhang Qian, Liang Kexin, and the others sat all around. Even Grey Toottoot was lazing around by Ji Luofei’s side. However, compared to before, Grey Toottoot looked even more ordinary and commonplace.
These people were the disciples residing at the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect’s Main Peak and were all Ning Cheng’s people. Only Tan Yun was not from the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect; however, Tan Yun chose to live in the Rainbow Fall Sword Sect, even bringing the segment of Spiritual Vein in her possession to help these people cultivate. As such, no one here thought of her as an outsider.
“We just received news from the outside, stating that Big Brother and Seniors Xiao Bisheng and Mu Ziming were besieging that grey robed person; however, they then chose to enter Heaven’s Way. I don’t think this statement makes any sense at all. If Big Brother wanted to go to the Heavens Way, then he would have definitely told us. It is simply impossible for him to go to Heaven’s Way alone.” After experiencing many difficulties over the past 20 years, Ning Ruolan had already matured. Although her appearance had not changed much, her cultivation had already reached the Soul Essence 3rd Level.
Ji Luofei also nodded and spoke, “What Ruolan is saying is correct, Ning Cheng would not enter Heaven’s Way without any reason. Our cultivations are still too low and are insufficient to go out and investigate this matter. Wait till I first go find Elder Taoist Rui to ask about it.”
Ji Luofei’s possessed better qualifications compared to Ning Ruolan; however, because she was too worried about Ning Cheng, her cultivation had also stagnated at the Soul Essence Realm. In contrast to them, Taishu Pinghao was, instead, at the Late Stages of the Soul Essence Realm.
……
“You don’t have to worry. I have already divined it. Ning Cheng is all right. As for whether or not he went to the Heaven’s Way, I’m still not sure about it even now. The Profound Light Chamber of Commerce is also willing to come up with the 9-Colored Mirage Tree branch that Ning Cheng left behind. While Liang Kexin is also willing to come up with the 9-Colored Mirage Stone. With these things, our quota for entering the Heaven’s Way would definitely increase dramatically. After you all reach the Crucible Transformation Realm in your cultivation, you can then choose to enter the Heaven’s Way to look around with me…..” Rui Baishan looked slightly older compared to that year; however, he was very patient when it came to Ji Luofei and Ning Ruolan.
Although Ji Luofei and Ning Ruolan were eager and even longed to meet Ning Cheng, they were aware of the gravity of the situation. They understood that Elder Taoist Rui was looking after their own good.
The Deputy Sect Master Tantai Fei sat on the side and was just about to speak when an External Affairs Disciple rushed in and reported. “Grand Elder Taoist, Sect Master, there is a Crucible Transformation Senior by the name of Meng Jingxiu waiting outside the sect. She said that she is a friend of Sect Master Ning.”
Chapter 0433 – Unable To Get Out Of Trouble
Translated By – DemonKiller
Checked and Edited By – Livewidsmile
Proofread By – DemonKiller
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Ning Cheng’s complexion was ashen, while he felt frail and disoriented. If not for his attainments in Array Formation advancing to the Tier 8 level, these rattan vines would have surrounded and sucked him dry of his Essence Blood.
Eve
n if that was the case, it was proving incomparably tricky for him to continue maintaining it. During these 20 years, he had almost used up all the materials on him for creating the necessary Cloth Array Flags. He was not sure as to how long would he be able to persist.
Twenty years ago, he possessed the cultivation of 4th Level of Sea Opening Realm. Twenty years later, he still was at the 4th Level of Sea Opening Realm. However, trapped in this place, it also allowed him to unceasingly quench his Spiritual Consciousness, allowing it to improve to an entirely new level; however, his cultivation never progressed at all.
He also tried the Maximal Flame Spiritual Technique; unfortunately, despite the Maximal Flame Spiritual Technique being exceptionally powerful, he couldn’t effectively use it to any effect over the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan with its false Spacial Collapse. Although the Maximal Flame Spiritual Technique was able to burn away the Rattan Vines surrounding him in an instant; however, before he could even reach the entrance, those vines caught up to him forcing him to continually be on the defence.
Fortunately, his 36 Cosmic True Devil Axes combined with his Array Formation Methods, allowed him to persist until today.
If not for his true cultivation, how many 20-year life periods would he have in his life? If not for being a cultivator, he would have never survived for 20 long years, while suffering relentless attacks from these Rattan Vines every single day. Even an average person, locked in a simple place for 20 years, would most likely go insane.
Although Ning Cheng was in a difficult situation, when compared to Xiao Bisheng, Mu Ziming and Jia Shisan, his condition was countless times much better.
The rattan vines had already covered up Xiao Bisheng and Mu Ziming and that other one more than a decade ago. Although their cultivations were above Crucible Transformation Realm, their situation was not as good as Ning Cheng’s was. At the same time, if not for their powerful cultivations, the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattans would have long since sucked the three of dry.
Even if that was the case, at this moment, the three of them were currently no different from a desiccated bag of bones.
“Jia Shisan, one or all of us definitely will end up dying in any case. Why don’t you give the method to confuse the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan King using the 9-Colored Mirage Tree to Ning Cheng, perhaps Ning Cheng might be able to save us.” The almost-bones Xiao Bisheng couldn’t help it anymore. He knew that he would not be able to last for another 20 years in this condition.
Jia Shisan’s appearance was also similar to bones covered by a layer of skin, yet he still gave a cold humph and managed to speak up, “You said it yourself that one of us is already a dead person, why should I let this deceitful thing control my life and death?”
Ning Cheng had the 9-Coloured Mirage Tree. Once Ning Cheng successfully confused the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan King with the 9-Colored Mirage Tree, his life and death would indeed end up in Ning Cheng’s hands.
He resented Ning Cheng to the bone. In fact, even Xiao Bisheng and Mu Ziming were also the two most hated people in his heart.
If not for these two fellows, it would have been unnecessary for him to enter this place and just stay at the entrance to make use of Ning Cheng. He most definitely could restrain Ning Cheng, bringing him to this place as a form of sacrifice for this vine. Because of these two nosy fellows, he had no other choice but to force the Xiao Bisheng duo into the blue hole.
Initially, he wanted to grab Ning Cheng when Ning Cheng was on the verge of falling into the blue hole. However, he did not expect Ning Cheng to have such terrifying Spear Intent along with possessing the Twin Wings of the Heavenly Clouds. This caused all his scheming to end up in vain. Not only was he not able to obtain the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan King, he even ended up turning into fertiliser for the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan.
In fact, it went without saying for Jia Shisan, that Ning Cheng definitely would try everything in his means to try and capture the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan King in this place with the 9-Colored Mirage Tree, if he had the chance.
Unfortunately, he must first block the rattan vines by refining Array Flags to use for his Cloth Array Methods. Unexpectedly, it ended up helping in improving his attainments in Array Formations. If it weren’t for his heaven-defying Mysterious Yellow Formless Cultivation Method, he absolutely would not have the free time to ponder over the matter of using the 9-Colored Mirage Tree to capture the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan King. Using the 9-Colored Mirage Tree to capture the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan King, if it could be so readily inferred, then out of the four people here, Jia Shisan wouldn’t be the only person to know about it.
“Ning Cheng. The Flame-type Magical Skill that you used appears to have caused the surrounding area to collapse before everything within its range ended up burnt away by the flames. Is that because of a mysterious flame that you possess?” Mu Ziming did not try to persuade Jia Shisan. For people like Jia Shisan, he was a lot clearer about their personalities, unlike Xiao Bisheng. This person was definitely someone utterly ruthless in his ways; although he showed ruthlessness towards others, such people were even more ruthless towards themselves. Letting such a person to willingly hand over the method of capturing the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan using the 9-Colored Mirage Tree. It was impossible.
Ning Cheng gave a sigh and spoke, “Yes, I do have a flame spark; moreover, this flame spark has only recently germinated, transforming into a pure nascent flame. Unfortunately, it is still in its embryonic form, causing its level to be quite low. Even if I used it in tandem with the Magical Skill that I displayed in the past, it still needs significant support from my True Essence and Spiritual Consciousness. Currently, my True Essence is almost fully used up, so I can’t cast that Magical Skill another time even if I wanted to.”
“I’m not asking you to continue using that Magical Skill; instead, why don’t you burn the Underworld Crow Ghost Rattan directly with your flame? This Ghost Rattan absolutely fears mystical flames. Once you use this flame of yours to burn it, maybe we all might just get the chance to escape from this predicament.” Mu Ziming shivered slightly. He had only made a guess a moment ago. He did not expect that Ning Cheng would indeed possess a mystical flame.
If not for them trapped in this kind of place, he would never ask Ning Cheng anything about the Mystical Flame Spark. Possessing such an object was a cultivator’s biggest secret. It was definitely a taboo to ask about such a matter. However, they all had ended up trapped in such a place. If they could not think about means to escape, the only path for them would be the path of death.
Ning Cheng showed a bitter smile, “Senior Mu, although I do possess a good flame; however, didn’t I say it just now that the grade my flame is too low. There is no way to use it to burn these Ghost Rattans. If I could burn them with it, I would have started a long time ago.”
“What kind of flame do you have?” Mu Ziming did not show much disappointment in his tone. Instead, he felt even more anticipation in his heart. In any case, many rattans had already bound him inside the blue hole, causing him to be under an enormous burden. Therefore, although his voice appeared somewhat strenuous, excitement and anticipation still leaked out through his exhausting words.
“It is called Star River; however, I do not know what kind of flame it is.” Ning Cheng did not choose to hide things and gave an honest answer.
“Star River?” Mu Ziming frowned as he repeated the two words. He had never heard of such a flame. Does it mean that he was still someone unlearned?
Xiao Bisheng suddenly spoke out from the side, “Brother Mu, I heard that you have a Desiccated Purple Flame Heart in your possession. Is that true?”
Mu Ziming also gave out a sigh before speaking, “Yes, I did obtain a Desiccated Purple Flame Heart. In the past, I almost ended up perishing in the Desiccated Flame Realm. However, after going through countless difficulties, my efforts did not go in vain, as I finally obtained this Desiccated Purple Flame Heart. Originally, I wanted to find a good flame i
n the future, so that I could use this Desiccated Purple Flame Heart. Unfortunately, when it comes to the mystical fires between the heaven and earth, they are a scarce commodity within our Yi Xing Mainland. Such things can only be wished for, rather than be asked for.”
Ning Cheng felt moved in his heart, he did not have much understanding towards the various worldly mystical fires. However, the words ‘Desiccated Purple Flame Heart’ reverberated like thunder within his mind. Among all the different materials that he possessed until now, even if it was the Cosmic True Devil Metal, they were all inferior to this Desiccated Purple Flame Heart. Besides the materials that made up his Nirvana Spear, something that he did not know about, only his Twin Wings of the Heavenly Clouds could compare to the Desiccated Purple Flame Heart, in both worth and value.
The Desiccated Purple Flame Heart was a one-of-a-kind top grade treasure that was helpful in upgrading the quality of any type of flame.
Was it possible that Mu Ziming wanted to give him this thing to enhance his Star River?
Sure enough, Ning Cheng had just thought of this, when Mu Ziming spoke up, “Ning Cheng, I have a Desiccated Purple Flame Heart with me, it can be used to upgrade any kind of mystical flame found between the heaven and earth. However, the worse the grade of a flame, the longer would it take for the enhancement. For some of the worse flames, it might even take several hundred years to complete the upgrade.”
“I won’t be able to hold on for much longer; however, I have a piece of Soul Nourishing Wood with me. Therefore, I can choose to abandon my life in advance, before I leave behind a trace of my Life Essence inside the Soul Nourishing Wood. I only have a single request from you Ning Cheng. That is, if you manage to get out of this place, please bring the trace of my Life Essence to my son, Mu Qian.”
Ning Cheng spoke out happily, “Senior, please be assured. My flame is different from ordinary flames. Perhaps it might not need several hundred years to upgrade it. Therefore, senior need not be too anxious about it. Just let me give it a try.”
The Gate Of Good Fortune c1-905 Page 353