My martial arts have no bottlenecks.

Chapter 147 Dead End

Late at night, on Chixiao Island, at the Situ family's villa.

A dark figure blended into the night, avoiding all visible and hidden sentries, and silently scaled the courtyard wall, landing outside the window of the study in the inner courtyard.

The candlelight flickered inside the window, casting the shadow of a seated figure.

A dark figure lightly tapped the windowpane with his fingers, three long and two short taps.

The window was silently pushed open a crack, and Huang Tiancheng's cold gaze swept over it. "Hidden and secretive, come in and talk."

Qian Wanjin slipped inside, closed the window, and then lifted his hood, revealing a haggard face with a forced smile.

"Elder Huang, how have you been?"

Huang Tiancheng frowned. "What brings you to my Situ residence so late at night?"

Qian Wanjin remained calm and unhurried, sitting down on a guest chair, pouring himself a cup of cold tea, taking a sip, and then slowly saying, "Elder Huang, let's not beat around the bush. I've come today to offer you a great opportunity and to save your life."

"joke."

Huang Tiancheng sneered, "Do I need your help?"

"need."

Qian Wanjin put down his teacup, stared into Huang Tiancheng's eyes, and said slowly and deliberately, "Because I know exactly how Situ Hong, the patriarch of the Situ family, died on that rainy night thirty-seven years ago."

Huang Tiancheng's pupils suddenly contracted!

The air in the study seemed to freeze instantly, and the candlelight flickered violently without any wind.

A chilling killing intent, as if it were tangible, emanated from Huang Tiancheng and locked onto Qian Wanjin.

"What did you say? I don't understand."

His voice was calm, but his fingers were clenched so tightly they turned white.

"Can't understand?"

Qian Wanjin laughed, his smile full of sarcasm.

"Let me be clearer. That year, Situ Hong went into seclusion to break through to the mid-stage of Core Formation, and you were in charge of protecting him."

"But when he emerged from seclusion, his breathing was unstable and his meridians were damaged. You seized the opportunity to strike, mixing 'Meridian-Eroding Powder' with healing pills, causing his cultivation to be completely destroyed. Then you faked his death as if he had suffered a qi deviation and died suddenly."

"By the way, before you took action, you knelt in front of him, crying and pleading that you had an affair with your sister-in-law and had a son named Situ Ming out of wedlock. You said you were ashamed of the trust he had placed in you for so many years and begged him for forgiveness."

With each word Qian Wanjin uttered, Huang Tiancheng's face paled a little more, and the murderous intent in his eyes intensified.

"shut up!"

Huang Tiancheng roared, "Where did you hear this nonsense?! Believe me, I'll shut you up forever right now!"

I believe you.

Qian Wanjin remained seated, even crossing his legs. "But Elder Huang might consider this: since I dared to come, how could I not have a backup plan?"

He slipped a photographic stone from his sleeve and gently placed it on the table.

"Inside here is a photo of the alchemist who prepared the Corrosion Powder for you before his death, as well as a handwritten letter from the mother of your illegitimate son Situ Ming, Master Huiming, who was practicing Buddhism with her hair intact at Jingxin Nunnery outside the city before her death."

"Oh, and there are also several copies of accounts showing your private dealings with several powerful elders of the Situ family, involving the transfer of family resources."

Qian Wanjin's smile gradually turned cold: "If I cannot leave safely today, this evidence will appear in the Situ family ancestral hall, in the Four Islands Alliance Law Enforcement Hall, and in the Penglai Sect Inspection Office tomorrow."

"Tell me, when the time comes, will those old fogies of the Situ family believe you, their 'unparalleled loyalty and righteousness' guest elder, or will they believe this irrefutable evidence?"

Huang Tiancheng stared intently at the recording stone, veins bulging on his forehead, his hands trembling slightly in his sleeves.

After a long while, he took a deep breath.

What do you want?

His voice was dry and hoarse.

Qian Wanjin smiled immediately; he knew he had made the right bet.

"Simple, all I need is for you to kill someone for me."

26

"Who?"

"Liang Cheng".

Upon hearing this, Huang Tiancheng abruptly looked up, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light: "Liang Cheng? Liang Cheng, a disciple of the Four Islands Alliance's main academy?"

"Exactly."

Qian Wanjin was somewhat surprised by Huang Tiancheng's reaction, but still nodded.

"He has already been specially recruited as an outer disciple by the Penglai Sect. He will officially join the sect after the Ascension Ceremony in six months. Once he joins the Penglai Sect, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven for you and me to touch him."

Huang Tiancheng fell silent.

Of course he wanted to kill Liang Cheng.

Although Situ Ming is his illegitimate son, he is also his only bloodline and the most important pawn for him to control the Situ family in the future.

Liang Cheng's execution of Situ Ming effectively thwarted his decades-long plan.

But----

"This boy is protected by the main academy and is also under the watchful eye of the Penglai Sect. How can we kill him?"

"That's why I came to find you."

Qian Wanjin leaned forward and lowered his voice, "Liang Cheng is a man of great loyalty and affection, especially for his teacher."

"His master, Yang Wei, is currently at the Martial Academy in Linwu City. I have already made arrangements. As long as we use Yang Wei to lure him out of the main academy, we can go to a secluded place."

As he said this, a mad glint flashed in his eyes.

"I have now traded everything I own for three Void-Locking Talismans," which can temporarily isolate any fluctuations in energy and communication within a ten-mile radius.

"As long as I lure him into an ambush, I have ways to make sure he dies a horrible death. And you are my backup plan, just in case."

"If I fail then, you can strike again, quickly and decisively, without anyone knowing!"

Qian Wanjin was unaware that Situ Ming had died at Liang Cheng's hands; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to say these things, and Huang Tiancheng would have naturally taken action.

At this moment, Huang Tiancheng was tempted.

If he could truly isolate himself from external detection, with his cultivation at the Breaking Mortal Core Formation stage, plus the assassins and other methods prepared by Qian Wanjin, it would be easy for him to surround and kill Liang Cheng, who was at the True Qi Realm.

Moreover, it's better if you don't have to do anything yourself and can just act as a backup; that would be a good thing.

"After it's all done, what about what you just said?"

Huang Tiancheng asked in a deep voice.

"I only want Liang Cheng dead."

Qian Wanjin gritted his teeth, "I will not be able to eat or sleep if this boy is not eliminated. As for the treasures and techniques on his body, as well as your secrets from before, they are all yours. I only ask to live. Afterwards, I will flee overseas and never return to the Nine Islands Territory."

Huang Tiancheng stared at him for a long time before slowly nodding.

"Alright, when do we make our move?"

"Wait for my news. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be in three days. The location is the Fallen Soul Valley, 800 miles southwest of the main hospital. The terrain there is closed and the spiritual energy is chaotic. Few cultivators set foot there. With the help of the Void-Locking Talisman, it will be foolproof."

Qian Wanjin pushed a communication jade talisman in front of Huang Tiancheng: "This is a communication talisman. Meet me in the valley in three days."

After saying that, he put his hood back on, turned around, opened the window, and his figure disappeared into the night.

Huang Tiancheng stood alone in the study, looking at the photographic stone on the table, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

After a long while, he grabbed the recording stone, his palm radiating energy, and shattered it into powder.

"Liang Cheng————"

He murmured to himself, his eyes blazing with murderous intent, "It's time to avenge tomorrow."

19

Now that Qian Wanjin has taken the initiative to eliminate the hidden danger for him, it can be said that heaven is helping me!

Within the Mysterious Spirit Realm, spiritual mist surged and billowed.

Liang Cheng sat cross-legged, with nine seven-colored spiritual energy vortexes slowly rotating around his body. With each breath, a massive amount of pure spiritual energy was drawn into his body.

Nine seeds of vital energy flickered in his dantian like stars, each movement making the vital energy around him more solid.

[Fourth Level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (6589/22000)]

-

[Nine Heavens Mountain-Slaying Blade: Grand Completion (38901/40000)]

The Nine Heavens Mountain-Slaying Blade is nearing completion.

Just as he was about to fully immerse himself in cultivation again, suddenly there was a "buzz!"

The communication jade talisman at his waist suddenly trembled.

Liang Cheng frowned, waking up from his deep cultivation.

He took out the jade talisman, only to find that it was a message from his master, Yang Wei.

"Cheng'er, come to Fallen Soul Valley immediately upon receiving this letter. Your master has found clues about Uncle Wang and has now tracked him down here. I can only ask for your help."

The message was short, but the mark at the end was indeed unique to the Master.

Soul-Losing Valley?

Wang Bo?

A map flashed through Liang Cheng's mind. It was a desolate valley 800 miles southwest of the main hospital, where the spiritual energy was chaotic, demonic beasts had disappeared, and almost no one went there on ordinary days.

A hint of doubt arose in his mind.

However, the mark cannot be faked, and since Master used this emergency jade talisman to send a message, he probably really found out about Uncle Wang. The Qiao family matter has always been a thorn in Master's side, and given Master's temperament, he will indeed investigate Uncle Wang alone.

If it weren't for the complex terrain of Fallen Soul Valley, they probably wouldn't have informed me and would have dealt with it alone.

Liang Cheng pondered for a moment, then stood up, concealed his aura, and walked out of the secret realm.

Without alerting anyone, he left the main hospital, transforming into a streak of light and heading straight southwest.

With his current cultivation level, a distance of eight hundred miles would only take him a little over half an hour.

At the entrance to Fallen Soul Valley, two barren, gray-black mountains stand facing each other, forming a narrow valley mouth.

The valley was filled with miasma and deathly silence; not even the chirping of insects or the calls of birds could be heard.

Liang Cheng landed at the valley entrance. Apart from the chaotic spiritual energy and faint miasma, there seemed to be nothing unusual inside the valley.

But the unease in his heart grew stronger and stronger.

"Master?"

He called out, but his voice echoed through the valley and no one answered.

Liang Cheng gripped the Sharpshooter at his waist and slowly stepped into the valley.

They had only gone a hundred paces when a sudden change occurred!

"Buzz—!"

Three black talismans shot into the sky simultaneously from three directions in the valley, exploded in the air, and transformed into three black light curtains that instantly connected to form an inverted bowl-shaped barrier, enveloping the entire Fallen Soul Valley!

Locking the Void and Absolute Breath Restriction!

Liang Cheng's pupils contracted, and he retreated rapidly, but it was too late.

The barrier is now in place, isolating the inside from the outside.

"Hahaha! Liang Cheng, you've finally arrived!"

A wild laugh echoed from the depths of the valley.

Three figures emerged from the miasma.

The person in the lead was none other than Qian Wanjin!

He looked much older than he had six months ago, his face haggard, but his eyes burned with hatred.

On his left and right stood two men dressed in black.

On the left, he was tall and imposing, with a deep and awe-inspiring presence; on the right, he was short, thin, and wiry, with eyes like a venomous snake.

They are all at the peak of the True Qi realm!

Yang Wei was bound by black chains and hung behind him, unconscious but breathing steadily. Uncle Wang was guarding him and dared not look at Liang Cheng.

"Qian Wanjin?" Liang Cheng's gaze turned cold. "Did you falsely claim to be acting on your master's orders and lure me here?"

"good!"

Qian Wanjin's smile twisted.

"Liang Cheng, Liang Cheng, your master is just like you, valuing loyalty and righteousness. I only asked Uncle Wang to show his face, and he traveled thousands of miles to track me down here!"

At this point, his expression turned fierce.

"Liang Cheng, I've risked everything to kill you. These three Void-Locking Talismans are enough to last for an hour. During that hour, no one outside will know what happens here."

Qian Wanjin stared intently at him, his voice hoarse, "You will die today."

Liang Cheng glanced around, his heart sinking, but his expression remained unchanged. He said calmly, "Then let's settle our score today."

"To settle things?"

Qian Wanjin suddenly burst into wild laughter, and he pointed sharply at Liang Cheng.

"Take him down! His life or death is irrelevant!"

Qian Wanjin let out a sharp shout, his eyes filled with madness.

The moment he finished speaking, "Buzz!!!"

Twelve blood-red pillars of light suddenly rose up around the desolate grave!

A beam of light shot into the sky, weaving into a massive crimson network that completely enveloped the entire mass grave.

A strong stench of blood filled the air, and the soil on the ground seemed to come alive, oozing a dark red, viscous liquid.

"There's also a formation?!"

Liang Cheng's pupils contracted.

He felt a heavy pressure descending from the sky, as if countless invisible hands were dragging his limbs and bones.

The flow of his internal energy suddenly became sluggish, and his speed slowed down by an instant!

The two men in black, however, were enveloped in a strange bloody light, and their auras surged!

Their eyes turned bloodshot, their muscles bulged, and their veins writhed like earthworms under their skin.

Liang Cheng felt a chill run down his spine.

Moreover, the aura of this formation seemed familiar to him.

The blood sacrifice array that Deputy City Lord Situ Lang set up when he founded the Fire Worship Cult is seven parts similar to the array in front of us!

It was only much smaller in scale back then, using the essence and blood of living beings as sacrifices, but the aura was exactly the same, sinister and unpredictable!

"Qian Wanjin, it turns out you were indeed colluding with Situ Lang's Zoroastrianism!"

Liang Cheng said coldly.

Qian Wanjin stood in the center of the formation, laughing wildly: "You only realize it now? Too late! Liang Cheng, this formation is called the Blood Fiend Formation. It uses the essence blood of twenty-four True Yuan Realm martial artists as a catalyst, suppressing the strength of enemies within the formation by thirty percent while simultaneously amplifying our own by thirty percent! Today, you have no chance of escape!"

Twenty-four True Yuan Realm cultivators?

Liang Cheng's gaze swept around.

At the base of the crimson pillar of light, two men in black sat cross-legged on each side, making a total of twenty-four people.

Their faces were ashen, and their life force was being frantically drained by the formation, turning into nourishment for the formation.

These people are probably all Qian Wanjin's henchmen.

"What ruthless methods."

Liang Cheng slowly tightened his grip on the Zhengxian knife in his hand.

"Ruthless? It's just a matter of the victor taking all!"

Qian Wanjin grinned maliciously.

"Charge! Kill or die!"

The two men in black moved at the same time!

With the support of the formation, their speed increased by more than 30%!

The tall man in black had palms that were as red as branding irons, and the air distorted and deformed wherever his palms passed.

This time, his palm strike was not only vicious and fiery, but also mixed with a nauseatingly bloody and malevolent aura!

The short, thin man in black transformed into a blood-red afterimage, wielding two poisoned short blades. Gleaming with an eerie green light in the moonlight, they aimed straight for Liang Cheng's eyes and throat!

His movements were several times more unpredictable; with each step he took, he left behind a bloody afterimage, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Liang Cheng took a deep breath at this moment.

He activated the Hunyuan Gang Body to its fullest extent, and a pale golden glass-like membrane covered his entire body.

Nine Heavens Severing Mountain Blade!

Breaking Wave Style!

A tidal wave of flashing blades rushed towards the tall man in black!

"clang-!!!"

The blade and the palm collided, unleashing a deafening roar!

The ground beneath Liang Cheng's feet was cracked inch by inch.

The tall man in black took a step back, his eyes filled with bloodlust!

Such incredible power!

The formation suppressed the opponent by 30%, while the opponent amplified their power by 30%. The difference between them was enormous!

The short, thin man in black seized the opportunity, and his short blade was already in front of Liang Cheng!

Liang Cheng dodged to the side and changed the direction of his blade.

Broken mountain!

This strike was as heavy as a mountain, cleaving straight at the top of the head of the short, thin man in black!

The short, thin man in black gave a strange smile, and his figure suddenly transformed into three bloody afterimages, attacking from three directions simultaneously!

It's hard to tell if it's real or fake!

Liang Cheng continued his sword strikes, still aiming at the afterimage in the middle.

"puff!"

The afterimage shattered; it was just a phantom!

The two afterimages of short blades on the left and right had already pierced Liang Cheng's ribs!

"Ding! Ding!"

With two crisp sounds, the short blade pierced Hun Yuan Gang's body, leaving only two faint white spots!

A look of horror flashed in the eyes of the short, thin man in black.

This defense is insane!

At this moment, Liang Cheng seized the opportunity and slid the sword out from his sleeve with his left hand.

Mysterious Yin Sword Technique - Penetrating Bone!

A condensed, azure aura, like a venomous snake's tongue, instantly pierced through the chest of the afterimage on the right!

"Well----"

The short, thin man in black revealed his true form, looking down at the bloody hole in his chest with disbelief on his face.

He hadn't expected that Liang Cheng, even under the suppression of the formation, could still so accurately determine his true location.

But he did not fall.

The blood-red light from the array surged into the wound, and it began to slowly heal!

"Hahaha! Within the Blood Fiend Array, we are protected by the power of the Blood Fiend, allowing our injuries to heal quickly!"

Qian Wanjin burst into wild laughter.

"Liang Cheng, you are doomed to die today!"

Liang Cheng's eyes were icy cold.

He realized that this formation not only suppressed the enemy and amplified his own forces, but also provided continuous healing to those within the formation.

If the formation is not broken, this battle will be an endless war of attrition.

However, his internal energy was ultimately limited.

"We must break through this formation."

Liang Cheng thought to himself.

However, to break the formation, we must first deal with these two men in black, and then interrupt the blood sacrifice of the twenty-four True Essence Realm cultivators.

Just then, the tall man in black pounced again. This time, he held nothing back, his palms turning a deep crimson.

"Blood Flame Palm - Burning Heaven!"

With both palms out, the qi transformed into two blood-red fire pythons, which crossed and pounced towards Liang Cheng!

Wherever it went, the ground was scorched black, and even the tombstones on the ground were melted!

Although the short, thin man in black had just been injured, his bloodthirsty power continued to heal him, and he pounced again, his short blade like a venomous snake, targeting Liang Cheng's joints and acupoints, which were his weak points.

The two opponents cooperated seamlessly, one aggressive and the other tactful, one launching a frontal assault while the other harassed from the side.

Liang Cheng was now in the midst of a fierce battle.

The blade flashed, clashing repeatedly with the poisoned short blade of the crimson fire python.

Every time they clashed, he felt the suppression of the formation.

The flow of internal energy is obstructed, making it difficult to fully exert its power.

But the opponent's attacks grew increasingly fierce, seemingly tireless.

Otherwise, Liang Cheng would probably have won long ago.

Ten moves.

Twenty moves.

Thirty moves.

Liang Cheng's Hunyuan Gang body was struck in the same spot, the glassy light membrane flickered violently, leaving a scorch mark.

But Liang Cheng's eyes remained calm.

He was observing the flaws in the coordination between the two men in black.

The fiftieth move.

Liang Cheng finally discovered a clue.

Whenever the tall man in black unleashed his full power, the short, thin man in black would slow down his attack for a moment.

Whenever the short, thin man in black uses his unpredictable movement technique, the tall man in black's palm strike will weaken by half.

The two are not in perfect harmony, but rather need to cooperate and complement each other.

Since that's the case, then————

A fierce glint flashed in Liang Cheng's eyes.

Nine Heavens Severing Mountain Blade!

The river is cut off!

This strike was no longer aimed at the tall man in black, but rather at the short, thin man in black!

The flashing blades were like a river bursting its banks, vast and overwhelming, blocking all escape routes for the short, thin man in black!

The short, thin man in black's expression changed. He tried to dodge with his movement technique, but found that the blade seemed to have anticipated all his movements. No matter which direction he dodged, he would be affected by the blade's light!

In that case, we have no choice but to tough it out!

He gritted his teeth and crossed his blades to parry.

"clang-!!!"

The blade struck the short blade, producing a piercing metallic clang!

The short, thin man in black felt an irresistible force coming from him; his hand split open, and he almost dropped the short blade!

He was so shaken that he slid back three zhang (approximately 10 meters), his chest heaving with blood and qi.

And at that very instant—

Liang Cheng suddenly accelerated!

Instead of rushing towards the short, thin man in black, they pounced on the tall man in black!

Just as the tall man in black was about to chase after Liang Cheng to get out of the predicament, he saw Liang Cheng suddenly turn around and attack. In his haste, he could only meet the attack with both palms.

But Liang Cheng's knife did not strike him.

Instead, it slashed at the ground beneath his feet!

"break!"

The blade plunged fiercely into the earth!

The blade energy exploded, the ground cracked, revealing a blood-red array pattern buried underground!

"What?!"

Qian Wanjin's expression immediately changed drastically.

He hadn't expected that Liang Cheng would be able to find a key node in the formation amidst the fierce battle!

The array patterns beneath the tall man in black's feet were destroyed, and the blood-red light around him dimmed by three points, greatly reducing the amplification effect!

How did you know?

The tall man in black said in horror.

Liang Cheng did not answer, and his sword thrusts turned again.

Nine Heavens Mountain-Slaying Blade – Severing the Sea!

This strike is the last in its power.

The nine seeds of internal energy within his dantian spun wildly, and azure true energy surged forth.

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the lingering coolness of that drop of "divine soul liquid" spread to its extreme.

Enhanced senses and accelerated thinking.

He "saw" the structure of the formation!

Where life lies!

Swords flash, followed by wind and thunder!

The "Sea-Severing Strike" technique, imbued with the resolute will to cleave rivers and split ocean waves, was aimed directly at the tall man in black!

The tall man in black tried to dodge, but found that the blade had blocked all his escape routes!

We have no choice but to take it head-on!

He roared and poured all the remaining bloodthirsty power into his palms, the crimson palm energy transforming into a blood-red shield in front of him.

"Block them!"

The blade clashed with the blood shield.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

The next moment—

"Snap!"

Blood Shield Shattered!

The blade flashed across the tall man in black, slicing him diagonally from his right shoulder to his left waist!

"puff""

Fresh blood gushed out like a fountain.

The tall man in black looked down at his split body, his eyes filled with confusion.

He tried to say something, but only spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

A key node of the formation was destroyed, one person died, and the Blood Fiend Formation trembled violently!

The twelve crimson beams of light flickered erratically, and the twenty-four True Essence Realm Blood Sacrifice practitioners all coughed up blood, their auras weakening.

Qian Wanjin's face turned ashen.

He hadn't expected that Liang Cheng would be able to break through the key point first and then kill the powerful enemy under the suppression of the formation!

"It's your turn."

Liang Cheng turned around and looked at the short, thin man in black.

The short, thin man in black had lost all will to fight.

The formation faltered, the bloodthirsty power dissipated, and his injuries began to backfire, with blood seeping from the hole in his chest once again.

He looked at Qian Wanjin, then at Liang Cheng, suddenly gritted his teeth, and then turned and ran away!

But how could Liang Cheng let him escape?

With a graceful dragon-like movement, he caught up like a ghost and slashed down with his blade!

The short, thin man in black screamed and was decapitated.

Two peak True Qi Realm cultivators perished.

Liang Cheng stood holding his knife, slightly panting.

After a series of fierce battles, and forced outbursts under the suppression of the formation, his internal energy was greatly depleted.

However, he did not stop, his gaze sweeping over the twenty-four True Essence Realm Blood Sacrifice practitioners.

These people were no longer able to maintain the formation, and the twelve blood-red pillars of light slowly dissipated.

"Spare me—"

Someone begged for mercy in a trembling voice.

Liang Cheng ignored them and turned to walk towards Qian Wanjin.

Qian Wanjin slumped in the center of the formation, watching Liang Cheng approach step by step, and suddenly gave a strange smile.

"Liang Cheng, you've won—but do you think you're safe?"

Qian Wanjin suddenly spoke.

"Elder Huang, please make a move!"

Huang Lao?

Liang Cheng was suddenly taken aback.

Why would Old Huang help Qian Wanjin?

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