Eternal Sacred King Chapter 136 to 140

 Chapter 136: Void Thunder Manual

Su Zimo did not know what a Perfected Immortal was. However, he understood one thing – Die Yue was stronger than senior crane.

Much, much stronger!

He pondered for a while before asking again, “Senior, if I’m unable to cleanse the demonic qi within me using the thunder of this place, does that mean I’ll have to stay here forever?”

After all, she had only provided him with a direction – Su Zimo had to figure out how to get rid of that hidden ailment himself.

“One year. I’ll give you one year.”

The redheaded beauty said, “If you can’t do it within a year, we can only think of another way.”

Su Zimo nodded.

“Don’t be discouraged. That person back then did it and your endowment is not inferior to him. Perhaps you can do it too,” consoled the redheaded beauty before she left.

Losing the barrier around him, the rumbling thunder resounded within Su Zimo’s ears in a shocking manner once more

The area of the valley was not large. Looking around, Su Zimo could not find any place to stay. He then assumed a lotus position and listened to the rumbling of the thunder in the valley, trying his best to discover the secret within it.

Day after day passed.

Su Zimo sat within the Thunderclap Valley without his cultivation growing at all. The demonic qi within his blood was still there and did not show signs of subsiding.

During this period of time, the spirit tiger and little crane would sneak over to visit him and bring him food.

Normally, disciples were not allowed to visit someone who was locked in seclusion in Thunderclap Valley.

However, little crane’s status was special. Furthermore, the spirit tiger and it were not exactly considered as sect disciples.

Even though little crane was trapped by Su Zimo in a formation previously, it had gained quite a bit of benefits from the elixirs. In addition, seeing how pitiful Su Zimo was caused its attitude towards him to change entirely.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

Within Thunderclap Valley, Su Zimo opened his eyes and sighed gently.

He still had no clue.

If he were to carry on like this, he wouldn’t be able to come up with anything even in 10 years, let alone a single year.

“Seems like that powerful being in the past is much stronger than I am.”

Su Zimo laughed in a self-deprecating manner.

At the thought of that person, Su Zimo took out the Mystic Gold Silk Armor from his storage bag.

Because there was no one else in Thunderclap Valley, he was not afraid of being seen. Standing up, he channeled the Power of Blood and instantly, his veins popped up as his flesh and body expanded.

Su Zimo could clearly sense the powerful energy cruising through his blood that seemed as though it could destroy the entire world!

It was also that same energy that allowed him to defeat Feng Haoyu who was in Foundation Establishment realm!

Heaving a deep breath of air, Su Zimo exerted strength in both hands and lifted the Mystic Gold Silk Armor, sizing it up and down.

Ever since he had obtained that damaged connate spirit weapon, this was the first time he was observing it so carefully.

The Mystic Gold Silk Armor was very thin and extremely soft to the touch. It was hard to imagine that an inner armor so thin could actually weigh 5 tons!

Just as Su Zimo was sizing up the Mystic Gold Silk Armor, two pages of paper dropped out from within and floated to the ground.

“Hmm?”

Su Zimo remarked softly as he glanced sideways. Putting down the Mystic Gold Silk Armor, he picked up the two pieces of paper.

Both pieces of paper looked a little old and exuded an ancient aura. One of the pages was tattered – it was obvious that someone tore away the bottom portion.

On the first page was a single sentence while the second page was scribbled with writings.

Su Zimo took a look at the first page.

“This is a technique I obtained in an ancient ruin, the Void Thunder Manual. Even though it’s incomplete, it has the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra along with a couple of some other thunder arts that are rather powerful. I will leave it here for any fated individuals.”

When Su Zimo saw that sentence, he understood.

If he was not wrong, the torn second page should be a record of this Void Thunder Manual!

These two pages of paper were left behind by that powerful being of the sect!

With a complicated expression on his face, Su Zimo felt a mix of emotions.

For all these years, the Mystic Gold Silk Armor had been kept in the Spirit Weapon Chamber and almost entirely covered in dust.

If not for someone like him who joined the sect after starting on the path of demonic cultivation, no one else would have laid their hands on this armor let alone discover its secret within.

Every single Qi Refinement Warrior who visited the Spirit Weapon Chamber would select a spirit weapon useful for themselves – who would choose the Mystic Gold Silk Armor?

No Qi Refinement Warriors would be able to make use of it.

Even for Golden Cores who had cultivated body tempering techniques, they wouldn’t be interested in a broken connate spirit weapon as such given their strong bodies.

However, Su Zimo was able to refine his own inferior-grade spirit weapons and as such, he was not interested in anything else in the Spirit Weapon Chamber. That was the reason why he took such an odd equipment.

It was a complete coincidence left to chance.

The last two words of the sentence, fated individual, did seem rather appropriate at this moment.

Su Zimo smiled.

This powerful being indeed had a rather weird temperament.

Even though he betrayed the sect, he chose to leave this technique behind using such an indirect method.

In reality, Su Zimo had only just stepped foot into the cultivation world and the only technique he had learned was the Qi Condensation Manual. He hadn’t even been in contact with any spirit arts so how could he possibly comprehend anything just through the sound of thunder?

It was the same for this powerful being of the sect back then as well.

If he did not have this Void Thunder Manual, he would not have been able to cleanse the demonic qi within him while he was trapped in Thunderclap Valley.

Just as Su Zimo was deep in thought, the first page in his palm crumbled into dust and dissipated into the air.

Too much time had passed and the piece of paper had already been corroded by time, turning to dust under the rumbling of the thunderbolts.

Logically speaking, the second piece of paper was even older. However, nothing happened to it at all.

Su Zimo rubbed the paper carefully and discovered that it was made with a unique material. Despite being rough, it was flexible. While so many years have passed, the writing on it was still clearly visible.

Looking at the bottom part of the paper which was torn, a thought suddenly struck Su Zimo as he exerted strength in both hands and pulled the paper.

It did not budge an inch at all!

Right now, Su Zimo was in a demonic state and his strength was enough to even break a pseudo spirit weapon apart.

However, the paper was completely intact!

‘Ancient ruin’

Suddenly, he recalled this point that the powerful being made in his message and fell into deep thought.

Through senior crane, Su Zimo knew that Tianhuang Mainland had been through two eras – primordial and ancient.

Since it was an ancient ruin, this Void Thunder Manual was very likely a technique left behind from the ancient era!

Su Zimo’s eyes lit up.

In the ancient era, the paper alone that contained this Void Thunder Manual was already extraordinary. If so, this technique must be incredible as well!

He started looking at the page of paper.

The first line of words – Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra!

When he saw those four words, Su Zimo nodded.

What he was cultivating right now was the Marrow Cleansing section of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness. This page detailed another Marrow Cleansing sutra as well.

The combination of these two sutras could very likely resolve the hidden ailment within his body!

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Su Zimo began cultivating the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra in the midst of the rumbling thunder.

Chapter 137: Transformation

A few days later.

Within Thunderclap Valley, a green robed scholar sat on the ground. Every single breath he took gave off an odd series of sounds.

“Huff... hmm... boom!”

If someone were to stand beside the green robed scholar, they would be able to clearly hear the shocking sound of tigers and leopards through every single breath he took!

Amidst the sound of tigers and leopards, there was a rumbling thunder sound as well.

Treacherous and intense, the two completely different sounds shook at his bone marrow continuously, generating new blood!

That caused his blood to churn and flow rapidly!

Cultivating the Void Thunder Manual was easier than Su Zimo had imagined.

Be if the Marrow Cleansing section of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness or the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra of the Void Thunder Manual, the underlying concept was to make use of the sounds to vibrate the bone marrow such that the effect of cleansing and swapping new blood could be achieved.

With the foundation of the Marrow Cleansing section coupled with the torn page of the sutra, Su Zimo was able to comprehend the profoundness before long.

For anyone else, being in a strange place like Thunderclap Valley was something that would be extremely miserable.

However, it rendered a god-like assistance for someone like Su Zimo who was cultivating the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra.

As time passed by, Su Zimo infused the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra into the Marrow Cleansing section and created a unique breathing and expiration technique of his own – Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound!

He could clearly feel the demonic qi within his body being cleansed away by the sound of thunder.

However, the power within his blood was preserved perfectly.

Moreover, his Power of Blood turned even stronger and terrifying with the help of the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra!

In just a month, Su Zimo had already achieved lesser mastery with the Marrow Cleansing section.

According to The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness, a lesser mastery of the Marrow Cleansing section enables the user to kill an early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator with ease. In fact, they can even stand against mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators!

However, Su Zimo’s circumstances were different.

Since the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra enhanced his Power of Blood with an additional ferocious, thunderous power, he could even hold his own against late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators!

But of course, that was in terms of pure brute force.

Strength was only one of the factors in a fight between cultivators.

In the blink of an eye, Su Zimo had spent three months in Thunderclap Valley.

To his delight, most of the demonic qi within his blood had been cleansed in this period of time.

The new blood generated by cultivating the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound would contain demonic qi. However, it would be cleansed away by the thunder sounds at the same time.

From now on, Su Zimo could not only continue to cultivate The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness, he could even activate his Power of Blood without any additional considerations.

This was going to be his greatest trump card!

From this day forth, Su Zimo wore the Mystic Gold Silk Armor under his green robes and underwent arduous cultivation in Thunderclap Valley bearing the heavy load.

Initially, he was not used to it.

Wearing the Mystic Gold Silk Armor was akin to carrying a mountain on his back. It was extremely difficult to move or dodge, much less cultivate the multiple killing techniques of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness.

However, as time went by, his Power of Blood became stronger and Su Zimo gradually adapted to things. All of his motions soon looked identical to how he normally was.

Even if anyone saw him again, they would not notice that he was actually wearing an inner armor that weighed 5 tons!

An intense cultivation as such had clear effects on the tempering of his skin, flesh, tendons and bones.

His Body Tempering, Tendons Transformation, Bones Strengthening and Marrow Cleansing sections all made progress at the same time.

But of course, that was not the only surprise the ancient technique of the Void Thunder Manual brought for Su Zimo.

On the torn page, there were also a few other thunder arts.

Initially, Su Zimo paid no attention to them.

After all, thunder arts were a type of spirit art. Because he had not reached Foundation Establishment realm yet, his spirit qi had not transformed into spirit energy. As such, even if he learned them, he would not be able to unleash their potential.

However, after cultivating the Thunder Marrow Cleansing Sutra, Su Zimo realized that there was a Power of Thunder within his blood!

Hidden deep within his blood, that power did not belong to the scope of spirit energy. However, by making use of that Power of Thunder, Su Zimo was able to cultivate the thunder arts on the torn page as well as unleash them!

This meant that Su Zimo was not able to unleash spirit arts that only Foundation Establishment Cultivators could use even as a Qi Refinement Warrior.

Furthermore, they were thunder arts – the most powerful type of spirit arts!

Since he did not have a thunder spirit root, Su Zimo was not as sensitive towards lightning and it was difficult for him to cultivate in that direction as well.

However, since he was in Thunderclap Valley, Su Zimo received the first thunder in spring.

In the skies, a bolt of lightning flashed and coiled like a snake. It seemed to tear through the sky as it plummeted, bringing with it an aura of destruction.

In order to better understand the power of thunder, Su Zimo decided to try and draw lightning into his body.

This was an extremely dangerous act.

Each time, Su Zimo’s body was charred black from the electricity. His skin was split open and his body was covered in wounds.

Even though he was wearing the Mystic Gold Silk Armor, he could not withstand it at all!

Fortunately, Su Zimo’s healing powers were astonishing after cultivating The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness. He only needed a few days of rest to return to normal.

Within this valley, Su Zimo suffered unimaginable torture and pain.

He wanted to become stronger!

Strong enough to take revenge for Zhui Feng; strong enough to stand tall in front of Shen Mengqi once more; strong enough to pursue in Die Yue’s footsteps!

Each time Su Zimo wanted to give him, he would recall what Die Yue told him.

“To become one of the greatest, you have to work on the foundation and be willing to take hardship and serve others!”

The path of cultivation was a heavenly defying act to begin with, not to mention cultivating the immortality and demonic path at the same time!

From the moment he started on this path, Su Zimo was destined to suffer more hardships and pains than others!

After cultivating the different thunder arts on that torn page, Su Zimo had memorized everything on that page in his mind.

At the very end of that torn page, there was mention of a unique thunder art – Thunderclap Kill

Most thunder arts were released by the unleashing of the power of thunder.

However, Thunderclap Kill purely made use of the power of the sound of thunder!

The power of sound!

The power of sound was something that was easily neglected, but it contained unimaginable power.

Making use of sound to shake the bones and rejuvenate the marrow was a manifestation of the power of sound.

At the end of the day, thunder arts required hand seals and activation of mental cultivation to release. However, the power of sound was an instantaneous power!

If used properly in battle, it would produce an unexpected effect.

It was a pity that someone had torn away the page and Su Zimo was unable to learn from the Thunderclap Kill section.

However, back in Cang Lang Mountain Range, Su Zimo had witnessed a powerful spirit demon kill a spirit beast on the spot by erupting forth an indomitable roar.

That memory was still fresh in Su Zimo’s mind till this day and it gave him some inspiration.

Time flew and in the blink of an eye, Su Zimo had spent half a year in Thunderclap Valley.

To the sect disciples, they were certain that Su Zimo would definitely have a difficult time raising his cultivation since he was trapped in Thunderclap Valley.

However, no one knew that he had actually undergone a complete transformation here. Even though his cultivation did not rise, his fighting strength had risen by more than twice!

Chapter 138: Spirit Mine

This day, a bright sound of a crane that even suppressed the thunderous sound of the valley echoed out.

After half a year, the crane had descended in Thunderclap Valley once more.

By the time it landed on the ground, it was already transformed into the redheaded beauty. Looking at Su Zimo, she remarked softly in surprise, “You’ve succeeded?”

Su Zimo nodded and bowed. “It’s all thanks to you, senior.”

Even though she was not the one who gave him the Void Thunder Manual, Su Zimo would not have been in this place if not for her help half a year ago, let alone resolve the hidden ailment in his blood through the sound of thunder.

“That’s right.”

The redheaded beauty praised, “Let’s go. There’s no point in staying here anymore.”

With that, she swept her robes and left Thunderclap Valley, bringing Su Zimo with her.

The wind howled in their ears and in the blink of an eye, both of them arrived in the skies above Weapon Peak.

“Go on down. Try to raise your cultivation to Foundation Establishment as quickly as possible to become an inner sect disciple.”

The redheaded beauty said, “Even though Ethereal Sword is no match for your sword formation, the real strength of Ethereal Sword does not lie in its power, but its unpredictability. First, Feng Haoyu did not manage to unleash the full power of Ethereal Sword and chose to fight you head-on. Second, he had only managed to cultivate Level 1 of Ethereal Sword, Shadows.”

Su Zimo nodded.

For it to be one of the sect’s three major secret skills and even the foundation of one of the five major sects, there was no way it would be an ordinary skill.

Pondering silently for a while, the redheaded beauty continued, “After becoming an inner sect disciple, you must not slack off. You have to raise your cultivation as quickly as possible and fight for a position as a legacy disciple so that you have the rights to learn our sect’s secret skills. Other than Ethereal Sword, the other two secret skills are extremely important for you as well. In fact, one of them can even raise your melee combat strength by a fair bit!”

When he heard that, Su Zimo’s eyes lit up.

Melee combat was his trump card.

The stronger his trump card was, the more powerful he would be and his journey through the cultivation world would be safer as well.

After a few more reminders, the crane turned to leave as Su Zimo descended slowly upon Weapon Peak.

Weapon Peak did not change much after half a year.

Around the Weapon Refinement Hall, Su Zimo caught sight of a few familiar faces.

“Eh, Junior Brother Su is back!”

Xue Yi looked at Su Zimo with a bright smile and greeted him while rushing over.

Some of the nearby Weapon Peak disciples looked towards Su Zimo as well.

After half a year, many of the Weapon Peak disciples had an improvement in their cultivation. Xue Yi was now at the peak of Perfected Qi Condensation and could advance to Foundation Establishment at any time.

Everyone knew that Su Zimo must have suffered quite a bit in the Thunderclap Valley. As such, they did ask him about it and merely chatted with him casually about the changes in the sect.

Feng Haoyu did not wallow in despair after his defeat half a year ago. Instead, he was even more focused in his cultivation and completely gave up on supplementary skills such as weapon and elixir refinement.

After becoming an inner sect disciple, he reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment in less than half a year. Within the inner sect, he was also well known and strong.

A month ago, right as he entered mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Feng Haoyu defeated a late-stage Foundation Establishment senior brother and rose to fame after that fight!

Even though he was only at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, there were rumors in the inner sect that apart from being a legacy disciple, he was already the number one of the inner sect!

It would not be long before Feng Haoyu became a true legacy disciple.

Even Leng Rou who also had a variant spirit root could not match up against his terrifying cultivation speed.

But of course, Leng Rou was now an inner sect disciple as well and as at the peak of early-stage Foundation Establishment.

After chatting a little more with Xue Yi and the rest, Su Zimo left and returned to his cave abode.

The spirit tiger and little crane were guarding the place. The moment they caught sight of Su Zimo returning, they were naturally elated.

The tiger and crane pondered for a moment – they were going to have more elixirs in the future...

The moment Su Zimo sat down, the sound of clothes fluttering could be heard from the skies outside.

Right after descending at the cave abode’s entrance, heavy footsteps echoed out. Su Zimo smiled and knew who it was immediately. Waving his robes, the entrance door opened.

“Bro, I’ve missed you so much!”

Little fatty ran over and gave Su Zimo a passionate bear hug.

“Bro, you’re really amazing. Nothing much happened to you despite spending half a year in Thunderclap Valley!” Little fatty laughed.

“You aren’t bad either. You’re already at early-stage Foundation Establishment.”

It was easy to check on little fatty’s cultivation using the Spirit Peering Art.

“Hehe.”

Little fatty chuckled. He saw that Su Zimo was still at Level 9 Qi Condensation and had not made any progress for the past half year. Assuming that he would feel dejected over that fact, little fatty comforted Su Zimo, “Bro, don’t be discouraged. Given your endowment, it’s only a matter of time before you catch up to us.”

Su Zimo laughed.

He had spent quite a lot of inferior-grade spirit stones to break through to Level 9 Qi Condensation. If he wanted to reach Perfected Qi Condensation, he would require even more spirit stones.

However, his storage bag was empty now.

Without sufficient spirit stones and perfect Spirit Gathering Elixirs, it was indeed not an easy task to catch up to little fatty and company.

Sensing that Su Zimo seemed to be troubled, little fatty thought for a moment and said suddenly, “Right, bro. Tomorrow, a few of us inner sect disciples are heading out for a sect mission. How about joining us to let off some steam?”

“Inner sect mission?”

Su Zimo shook his head. “I’m only a trial disciple. How am I qualified to take part in inner sect missions?”

Little fatty waved it off. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing much for you to tag along, bro. Furthermore...”

Pausing for a moment, little fatty continued mysteriously, “This mission is actually rather simple, bro. You can even get some spirit stones just by tagging along.”

“Oh?” Su Zimo was a little moved.

Right now, he was exactly in need of spirit stones.

“What sort of a mission is it?” Su Zimo asked.

“A disciple out on training discovered a spirit mine outside of Linfeng City and he’s currently mining it. Because this senior brother is alone, he’s worried that itinerant cultivators might covet the spirit mine. So, he requested the sect to send some cultivators to assist him and collect the mined spirit stones back to the sect.”

Little fatty winked. “I’ve asked around in the sect. For a mission as such, even if we were to secretly keep some of the mined spirit stones ourselves, the sect would not mind about it.”

Su Zimo was deep in thought.

Thinking that Su Zimo was worried about his safety, little fatty laughed. “Bro, don’t worry. It’s just an inferior-grade spirit mine and the majority of it is inferior-grade spirit stones. Even if there are middle-grade spirit stones, they will be extremely limited. With a Foundation Establishment Cultivator leading the way, there won’t be any danger at all!”

“Furthermore, Ethereal Sect is one of the five major sects of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No itinerant cultivator would have the guts to try and steal a spirit mine from us!”

“Once we arrive at Linfeng City of Qi Country, even the city lord will have to welcome us with good food and drinks! We’ll stay there for a couple of days and once the mining is complete, we just have to take the spirit stones back to the sect.”

“Alright,” Su Zimo agreed to it.

Raising his brow, little fatty gave a strange smile and said, “Bro, we’ll meet at the front peak tomorrow morning. There’s even a surprise, hehe!”

Chapter 139: A Man’s Name Grows Like a Tree’s Shadow

The next morning.

From the main peak of Ethereal Sect, four Foundation Establishment Cultivators rode on their flying swords, speeding towards the front peak. There were three men and one woman.

Among the four, the woman was the most eye-catching. Her shirt was white as snow, untainted by any form of dust and her beauty was unparalleled with glistening complexion. The only thing was that she had an extremely cold gaze that seemed impenetrable to all life.

That woman was Leng Rou.

Of the three men, one of them was rotund. He wasn’t tall but he had a chirpy face, smiling at anyone he saw in a kind manner – that was little fatty.

One of the other two men was Lu Yangrong, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Finally, there was Guan Jin. Even though he was at early-stage Foundation Establishment, he was well-versed in talismans and was already a Grade 2 Talisman Master.

Both of them were suitors of Leng Rou. Naturally, they were thick-skinned enough to head to Linfeng City on this trip with her, each hoping to win her heart against the other competitor.

“Sister Leng Rou, fellow senior brothers, I’ve also invited a friend along with us. I hope you guys don’t mind,” Little fatty chuckled and said while they were on the way.

Little fatty’s social relations within the sect was pretty good and he was quite familiar with everyone.

Upon hearing it, Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin merely frowned. Even though they were displeased, they did not say anything.

Since Leng Rou had a closer relationship with little fatty, she naturally did not object either.

Before long, the four of them arrived at the front peak of the sect.

At the front peak, a green robed man stood. Accompanied by a spirit tiger, he was handsome with delicate features and an indifferent expression.

Even though it was only sprawled there, the spirit tiger was almost as tall as the green robed scholar with its massive body. A ferocious glint would flicker from time to time from its half-opened eyes.

“Bro, here!”

When little fatty saw the green robed man, he rushed down and beckoned to the latter.

A look of disdain flickered through the eyes of Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin when they saw that the green robed man was only at Level 9 Qi Condensation. Naturally, there was no way they would lower their status by stooping to greet him.

Leng Rou’s gaze swept across the place. When she caught sight of the green robed man, she was stunned for a moment and a strange glint flickered deeply within her eyes.

After not seeing him for half a year, the green robed man did not seem to have changed much. Even his cultivation was still at Level 9 Qi Condensation.

But, for some reason, Leng Rou felt that the man had turned even more mysterious.

If it was said that he shone with a bedazzling light half a year ago, right now, he was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.

Leng Rou descended slowly and retracted her flying sword. She came before the green robed man and nodded.

Little fatty hid behind Leng Rou and winked at the green robed man lewdly. Even though he did not say anything, he mouthed silently, “Look, that’s a surprise, right? Hehe!”

The green robed man smiled and nodded to Leng Rou. “Greetings, Senior Sister Leng.”

In the five peaks, statuses were ranked according to the order of time one joined the sect.

However, all trial disciples would greet inner sect disciples as seniors.

When Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin saw this in midair, they were shocked and dumbfounded.

Leng Rou was known for being cold and aloof in the sect.

Neither of them had ever seen her greet a fellow disciple in the sect. Furthermore, this person was only a trial disciple?

Initially, Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin had no intention of descending. But now, they both had a tacit understanding and came to the ground at the same time.

“Who is this trial disciple?” Lu Yangrong placed emphasis on the words ‘trial disciple’ despite his seemingly casual question.

Little fatty introduced immediately, “This is Senior Brother Lu Yangrong and Senior Brother Guan Jin.”

The green robed man smiled and waved. “Greetings, senior brothers. I am Su Zimo.”

“Hmm?”

“Su Zimo!”

Suddenly, both their expressions changed and their pupils constricted.

The air around them suddenly became stale at the mention of Su Zimo’s name.

A Man’s Name Grows Like a Tree’s Shadow.

While there were still inner sect disciples who had not seen Su Zimo in real life after the five peaks face-off, there was nobody who hadn’t heard of that name.

It was unprecedented for anyone to be number one in four peaks!

A Qi Condensation Warrior who could defeat a Foundation Establishment Cultivator despite the gap in realm.

Moreover, that Foundation Establishment Cultivator was none other than the current limelight who was thought to be the number one of the inner sect!

After the fight half a year ago, many inner sect disciples gathered on Weapon Peak hoping to catch a glimpse of Su Zimo only to be disappointed.

After they heard that he was locked up in Thunderclap Valley for Qi Deviation, everyone merely laughed it off and stopped caring.

All of them knew that one’s cultivation could not be raised in Thunderclap Valley.

Even if it was an unparalleled genius who was locked there indefinitely, it would spell the end of his path of cultivation.

“In just half a year, Su Zimo was released?”

Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin were both secretly shocked.

Given the talent that Su Zimo was displaying, it was only a matter of time before he caught up to them.

Lu Yangrong thought to himself, ‘No wonder Junior Sister Leng has such a different attitude towards this person. So, he is Su Zimo!’

‘Hmm... he doesn’t look like anything special. I heard that his body has been tempered to a strong degree, but why does he look just like a frail scholar?’ Guan Jin lamented internally as well, frowning as he sized up Su Zimo.

After a moment, Lu Yangrong suddenly said, “Junior Brother Su, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Pausing for a moment, he changed the topic. “I heard that you were already at Level 9 Qi Condensation half a year ago. Why hasn’t your cultivation improved after such a long time?”

He was clearly pointing out the obvious and it was full of provocation.

“Eh?”

Guan Jin exclaimed with curiosity in his eyes. “Junior Brother Su, I heard that you entered Qi Deviation in your cultivation. Why were you so careless? Since you were just released from Thunderclap Valley, let me give you a word of advice as your senior. You should go back to cultivate in seclusion lest you make any more mistakes and affect your own future.”

Su Zimo was a smart man.

From the way they looked at Leng Rou, he could vaguely guess what they were thinking.

Towards their sarcastic questions, Su Zimo smiled and replied casually, “Thank you for the concern, senior brothers.”

Little fatty heaved a sigh of relief at Su Zimo’s reaction.

Initially, he was so nervous that his palms were sweating entirely.

Little fatty understood Su Zimo’s temperament and was afraid that the latter might fight with those two over that unpleasantness.

Back then, Su Zimo dared to point his saber at Chen Yu of the Disciplinary Hall; these two senior brothers did not have what it takes to hold down Su Zimo.

However, things were different to Su Zimo right now.

Back in Spirit Peak, Chen Yu was obviously biased towards Feng Haoyu and even wanted to maim him of his cultivation despite the spirit tiger being injured.

That was why Su Zimo was unable to tolerate it.

Even though these two senior brothers were also hostile towards him, it was just due to petty thoughts. Since it was nothing much, Su Zimo could naturally let it slide with just a smile.

He no longer looked at Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin, merely reaching out to fondle the spirit tiger on the head.

Instantly, Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin were furious – they were being ignored!

However, what the both of them did not know was that Su Zimo was actually comforting the spirit tiger. Otherwise, it would have lunged and attacked both of them given its wild nature!

Chapter 140: Mistaken Identity

“Caw, caw!”

Right then, a crane cried out from not far away.

“Roar!”

Growling softly, the spirit tiger looked at little crane that was flying over, as if greeting it.

Little crane had always been in Ethereal Peak and had never left the sect. This was a rare opportunity and it naturally wanted to tag along for some fun secretly.

However, Su Zimo did not dare to make the decision on his own and he had it ask senior crane for permission.

When little crane heard that, it became dejected immediately.

Its mother had always been extremely strict and had once said that it was not allowed to leave the sect until it was at Golden Core realm.

Initially, little crane did not bear much hope. However, the moment its mother heard that it was going with Su Zimo, she agreed to it right away!

Naturally, little crane was elated and quickly chased after them.

“Eh? Isn’t that the little crane in our sect? Why is it here?” Lu Yangrong remarked in soft surprise.

Guan Jin pondered and replied, “Perhaps it’s just passing by.”

Clearing his throat, Lu Yangrong swept his gaze across Su Zimo and the rest. He said in a deep voice, “It is said that the little crane’s background is not simple. It is the child of Ethereal Sect’s Mystical Guardian Beast.”

Guan Jin could tell that Lu Yangrong was boasting and could not help but scoff, “Which inner sect disciple doesn’t know about this?”

Raising his brow, a look of smugness flickered through Lu Yangrong’s eyes as he harrumphed softly, “I’ve been in contact with little crane before. Previously, I even fed it once. Given its intelligence, it might even remember me!”

In reality, Lu Yangrong was not the one who had taken the initiative to feed little crane.

Because Su Zimo spent half a year in Thunderclap Valley, little crane did not have any elixirs and it felt extremely uncomfortable. Coincidentally, it passed by Lu Yangrong who had just obtained a rather decent elixir and instantly, little crane robbed him...

Because of that, little crane was taught a lesson by its mother.

Guan Jin’s expression darkened and he did not say anything.

Feeling that he had gained the upper hand, Lu Yangrong was in a good mood.

Right then, little crane arrived above their heads and chirped a couple of times before descending slowly.

The moment he saw that, Lu Yangrong repressed the excitement in his heart and no longer looked at Guan Jin. Turning slightly, he smiled to Lu Yangrong. “Junior Sister Leng, don’t you think little crane is really intelligent? I’ve only fed it once and it remembered it dearly. Now, it even came looking for me specially, hehe.”

Right after he said that, little crane descended before everyone.”

Lu Yangrong let out a bright smile and greeted, “Little crane, my friend. It’s been a long time.”

Little crane tilted its head slightly and looked at Lu Yangrong as if it was trying to recall who this person smiling so disgustingly was.

It thought for a while but could not recall.

Ignoring that person, it walked towards Su Zimo and lowered its head. Rubbing gently against his arm with its sharp beak, it blinked and called out purringly.

Whether or not it could head out and play depended on whether Su Zimo wanted to bring it along.

Little crane was wheedling to Su Zimo.

That scene stunned everyone as their jaws almost dropped to the ground.

Anyone who had resided in Ethereal Peak for a couple of years would know about little crane. However, none of them had ever heard of it being this intimate with any cultivator of the sect at all!

What was with this change in attitude?

Wasn’t it the child of the Mystical Guardian Beast?

Something wasn’t right! It did look the same and there was only a single crane in the sect!

Guan Jin suddenly chuckled. “Oh my, this is bad. Who was the one shamelessly boasting that he had fed little crane before and that it recognized him? Pfft!”

Lu Yangrong was embarrassed and his face turned red. He wished he could dig a hole and hide in it.

“What’s there to be smug about? Maybe it got the wrong person!”

Lu Yangrong rebutted and walked towards little crane. Smiling, he cupped his fists. “Little crane, my friend. It’s me! Are you mistaken? A while ago, you even ate an elixir of mine, remember?”

Lu Yangrong was better off if he hadn’t said that. The moment he elaborated, little crane recalled how it was punished by its mother for that incident.

“Caw, caw!”

Suddenly, it cried out twice. Its voice was sharp and piercing, and its gaze was murderous.

Caught off guard, Lu Yangrong stumbled a couple of steps back and shuddered in fear.

“Hahaha!”

When he saw Lu Yangrong being humiliated, Guan Jin could not help but burst out into laughter.

No inner sect disciple would know of Su Zimo’s relationship with little crane.

Of the people present, only little fatty vaguely knew about it.

Su Zimo patted little crane on the head lightly and scolded jokingly, “Stupid bird, why are you so fierce!”

Their relationship had always been like this.

However, that scene made both Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin stare in shock.

Even though Lu Yangrong was an inner sect disciple at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he had to greet little crane courteously as a friend. However, Su Zimo, could call it a stupid bird?

Not just that, that guy even hit little crane!

Yet, the strangest thing was that little crane was not angered. Instead, it was still rubbing against that guy’s arm...

Little fatty looked at Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin before shaking his head and lamenting internally, ‘If you guys knew that bro had little crane locked up for more than three months, you would be scared silly!’

“Did she agree?”

Su Zimo asked.

Little crane nodded hurriedly, its eyes filled with anticipation waiting for Su Zimo to agree.

Su Zimo replied, “Alright, let’s go together then.”

Pausing for a moment, Su Zimo felt that something was amiss again. He turned to look at Leng Rou and the rest, asking, “Senior Sister Leng and fellow senior brothers, will there be any problem if little crane comes along?”

“N-N-No problem!”

Lu Yangrong was completely stumped as he replied instinctively.

Leng Rou’s lips curled slightly as she revealed a faint smile and nodded.

Putting aside the fact that little crane’s strength was equivalent to a spirit demon at Foundation Establishment realm, who would dare to stop it from tagging along given its status?

“Since everyone’s here, let’s make a move and try to get to Linfeng City as early as possible.”

Little fatty coughed and rubbed his hands.

Leng Rou nodded.

Rolling his eyes, a plot came to mind as Lu Yangrong suddenly said, “You’re right, junior brother. We should get to Linfeng City as quickly as possible. However, Junior Brother Su’s cultivation is too low. How is he going to catch up with our speed on sword kinesis flight?”

“That’s right.”

Guan Jin nodded too. “Even though the trip isn’t dangerous, I think it’s better if Junior Brother Su doesn’t go. Our speed will be too slow with you tagging along.”

Lu Yangrong and Guan Jin were initially competing against one another in secret. However, both of them felt a sense of danger at the same time with Su Zimo’s appearance.

With a tacit understanding, both of them wished to knock Su Zimo out of the picture should an opportunity arise.

By that statement, they were implying that Su Zimo would be a burden to them.

However, that was something Su Zimo truly could not refute.

After all, he was only at Level 9 Qi Condensation. In terms of sword kinesis flight speed, he was far inferior to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

But if he were to run on the ground, without even using his Power of Blood, Su Zimo would be even faster than the sword kinesis flight of Foundation Establishment Cultivators by making use of his Divine Steed Fleeting!

“It’s fine, it’s fine!”

Little fatty laughed. “I’ll catch up to you guys carrying bro with me.”

“Your speed is the slowest amongst us and you’re thinking of carrying someone else? Won’t you be even slower then?” Guan Jin frowned.

Lu Yangrong smiled. “How about this? Since I’m the strongest, let me carry Junior Brother Su.”

Right after he said that, Lu Yangrong even looked at Leng Rou intentionally.

Even though Lu Yangrong sounded like he was helping Su Zimo, there was a hint of boasting to his words.