His extraordinary courage was truly admirable; no ordinary man would risk his life for something so uncertain and seemingly improbable. However, Cheng trusted his heart and eventually reaped the rewards he had sown. With great risks often come great rewards.
After Yan Xin's departure, Cheng got out of bed, his body cracking lightly, especially his shoulders, although the cracks were barely visible. He let out a soft grunt as he examined his wounds. The pain was intense, but he knew he had to move.
"I have to head to the library," he mumbled, annoyance evident in his voice. "If it weren't for the spirit stones, I wouldn't even pay much attention to this place. My main priority now is to cultivate."
Outside the abode, Cheng found himself immersed in a fantastical scene. The place was teeming with cultivators from the peak, their otherworldly auras distinguishing them as immortals among mortals.
His gaze flickered for a moment as he repeated in his mind, "I will definitely become a cultivator, and soon everyone will know my name in this world." His last words revealed a strong obsession and desire for power.
Determined, he continued his journey to the library. The short distance proved challenging and filled with self-reflection. Unknowingly, he found himself staring at a crowd of people outside the magnificent library. Dozens of youths with excitement painted on their faces seemed to be watching something.
Curiosity piqued, Cheng headed in the direction of the crowd. After a few moments, a wrathful voice filled with endless fury echoed in the surroundings. "An arm for an arm and an eye for an eye."
A malicious voice followed with ridicule, "HAHAHAH... You really think you can hurt me??"
"You will definitely die today," the first man's voice seethed with anger.
Hearing this interaction, Cheng quickened his steps and briefly arrived at the scene. "THHUD... BOOM."
"AHHHHHHHHH!" a loud scream of agony followed the end of their conversation. "MY LEG, NOOOOO!" As Cheng looked, he saw one of the onlookers writhing in pain on the ground. "HELP!!!" Despite his cries, no one paid him any particular attention. The crowd distanced themselves from him and the two other combatants, their faces devoid of sympathy as they watched the fight.
Observing the guy shouting in pain, Cheng noticed his leg a couple of meters away from him. Blood flowed from all his orifices as he lay weakly on the ground. "This unlucky guy, just the aftershock alone left him like this. What a power!" Cheng finished his thought.
The air became suffocating and filled with dread as the two figures, one wrathful like a demon and the other sinister like a snake, gathered their energy and prepared to pounce at each other at any moment.
Cheng's eyes struggled to keep up with their movements as they disappeared from their original positions, leaving behind a massive hole in the ground where they had teleported in a flash.
"BOOM, BOOM, BOOM." Explosion after explosion resounded in the vicinity as they exchanged countless blows in mere moments. Thirty feet away from them lay a forbidden zone even for cultivators. As Cheng watched closely, the man in the golden robe seemed to take hits without suffering any visible damage, dodging and making the wrathful bear-like man look foolish.
The bear-like man's resentment and anger seemed to grow as he attacked with all his might. "Is that all you got, Lin Feng? You will never surpass me in anything. I mean, your companion was pretty flexible, I must say. She took it all in, HAHAHAH"
Lin Feng, consumed by rage upon hearing those words, went berserk. Despite being aware of the intentions behind the provocation, he couldn't restrain himself. His blows, brimming with immense strength, bombarded Zheng Wei relentlessly. With each strike, Lin Feng's momentum increased as if fueled by his anger.
"PAA... PAA!!" The sickening sound of flesh colliding with flesh filled the air, disturbing Cheng as he watched the brutal fight unfold. Gradually, Lin Feng began to struggle for breath, his spiritual energy dwindling as he unleashed it in his fit of rage. As time passed, his attacks grew weaker, and the once menacing force behind his clenched fists started to fade.
Zheng Wei grinned, his movements becoming more fluid and unpredictable as he employed a mysterious martial arts technique. He swiftly closed in on Lin Feng, aiming for his chest.
"Damn it, he's too close!" Lin Feng thought, lifting his arm in an attempt to block the impending attack. However, Zheng's hand took on a bluish hue, snaking toward Lin Feng with incredible speed.
"AHHHHH!" A chilling scream escaped Lin Feng as he stared ahead in horror.
"HAHAHAH... DELICIOUS!" Zheng Wei laughed, licking the blood off the arm he had torn off. Cheng observed the scene, deep in thought.
"What? His arm momentarily became like rubber dispersing the impact, and he seized the opportunity to tear Lin arm's off" He pondered. "Interesting..."
Cheng's mind raced with curiosity as he witnessed Zheng Wei's macabre display of power. The sight of Lin Feng's severed arm and the malicious delight on Zheng Wei's face sent shivers down his spine. It was a gruesome spectacle.
As the battle raged on, Cheng's analytical nature kicked into overdrive. He observed the details of each move, the exchange of blows, and the flow of their energies. There was something extraordinary about Zheng Wei's cultivation techniques and the uncanny ability to adapt to any situation.
Watching this incredible Chang really wanted to just jump off and join them, Lin Feng courage and his tough attitude, made him feel deep respect for this man.
"I hope he win..."Cheng wishfully thought as he observed.
Unfortunately the battle was reaching the climax and Lin Feng was losing.His face was pale from the blood loss, red paint covered the floor adding tension and visual impact to the observers.
"What a pity....I guess there's no such a thing as the righteous guy wins in this world"
Actually, in the sect it is forbidden for the disciples to kill each other, but injuring each other is rather common, even crippling is possible if no one talked about it .
The fight ended and Lin Feng lost two of his limbs as he fainted creating a bloody scene around him, he wouldn't die, but he would be a cripple for life.
"What a pity, this Lin feng had a high chance of reaching the peak of the foundation establishement, alas he got himself killed because of a women" one of the observers said.
" Well Zheng Wei's has a powerfull background even if he killed him today, he wont get any punishement, you can say he was merciful."
"But he lost everything "One of the onlookers muttered.
" Shut your mouth, in front of power what can a measily person like you and me do, see for yourself what happens to those who cant lower their head, and swallow their pride." one of his campanions said with a face full of hatred.
This continued for a while before everyone scattered as if nothing happened and continued on their way some entered the library and others went to fulfill their duties.
Cheng looked at this and felt quite belwildered, this was too much of a change, the inhabitants here were too ruthless, it was a cultural shock for him even though he expected that much.
In the end, just like the others he lowered his head and headed to the door of the library.
Just as he was about to enter a voice was heard.
"Brother Cheng, Brother Cheng," Cheng turned his head as he recognized the familiar voice.
"Long time no see, my brother! I've missed you so much!" A chubby young man, full of energy, was running towards him, exclaiming.
"Li Lianjie... It's you."
His face covered in sweat, Li Lianjie reached Cheng and prepared for a hug. However, Cheng quickly reacted and skillfully evaded the incoming disaster, causing Li Lianjie to miss his target and embrace the air instead.
"Take it easy, don't be in such a rush.haha" Cheng said as he chuckled.
As they faced each other, Li Lianjie wore a genuine smile and asked, "How have you been? I was worried about you these days. You didn't show up at the brothel, nor did I see you anywhere."
"Well, I had some important matters to attend to, and I didn't have enough time to inform you."
His expression flickered for a moment, contemplating, before he spoke, "Well, next time, do make sure to inform me. With my clan's influence and power, I could have offered some assistance if anything came up."
"Yes, I'll definitely remember to inform you next time," Cheng replied, acknowledging the value of Li Lianjie's support.
A satisfied smile graced Li Lianjie's face as he continued, "How about we have some drinks? It's been far too long since we last had some genuine fun."
"I'm sorry man, but I must head to the library," Cheng regretfully declined. "I have to work. Recently, I became a librarian."
Li Lianjie's eyes widened in disbelief as he absentmindedly rubbed his non-existent beard. "What? How in the world did you even manage to gain admission to that place?"
Cheng lowered his voice and said, "It was all thanks to Yan Xin."
"Hahahaha! Even Yan Xin, the cold beauty of our sect, fell for your charms. I must say, I'm truly envious," Li Lianjie chuckled, impressed by Cheng's unexpected appeal.
"Enough of your exaggerations," Cheng dismissed with a wave of his hand. "I'm merely passing time here. Regardless, I must be on my way. See you later," he declared, hurrying off with a sense of urgency.
As he entered the library, he noticed a vibrant atmosphere, brimming with enthusiasm. Youths whose expressions reflected a mixture of awe and admiration could be seen from time to time.
After a brief pause, he spotted a captivating figure gracefully approaching him. It was Li Mei, radiating confidence and boasting an enviable figure.
"Could it be Li Mei? Indeed, it is her! Hey, Li Mei!" he called out with a mixture of surprise and delight, eagerly closing the distance between them.
As they faced each other, Li Mei expressed her concern, " What are you doing here, Yan Xin said that you were gravely injured and will be absent for a long time."
"Really?"
"Yes," she affirmed. "Anyways, are you really okay?"
"Well, I'm a bit tired and need some rest, so excuse me, I have to leave," he said as he returned to his abode. after all he had an excuse for his absence and coudnt be bothered to stay any longer
Emotions swelled within Cheng as he recalled the previous events. Li Lianjie's concern and worries, as well as Yan Xin's act of informing the library, gradually lessened his cautious attitude around these people. The more he got to know them and spent time with them, the quicker his heart melted.
...
A couple of hours passed, and Cheng found himself sitting cross-legged on his bed, reciting a strange mantra under his breath.
The words he spoke were disturbing and difficult to decipher, hovering between the delicate boundary of reality and illusion. Simultaneously, he circulated his internal energy, following a unique and intricate pattern.
He had been given two manuals: the first being the Cursed Lotus. This manual allowed him to gather spiritual energy, purify and condense it within his dantian. The second manual, Diamond Core Conditioning, enabled him to temper his entire body, gradually achieving a level of hardness comparable to that of a diamond.
Already a peak martial artist, Cheng's body had been pushed to its limits. His internal organs, skin, and bones were all fortified and resilient.
Therefore, he decided to focus on the second cultivation technique, the Cursed Lotus. Although it was exceptionally challenging to comprehend and practice, his talent made it easier.
The Cursed Lotus's main interest lay in absorbing spiritual energy, purifying it, and then condensing it into pure and potent energy in the dantian. This was the first step to cultivation, known as the Qi condensation realm.
"Too slow," Cheng muttered in frustration, stopping his cultivation. His progress was far too slow for his liking. "At this rate, I'll need at least three months to reach the early stages of the Qi condensation realm, and the examination test requirement is at least a peak Qi condensation expert."
Cheng remained in this state for a couple of minutes, contemplating his situation before eventually accepting it. "Well, I have enough time. Even if I have to stay here for hundreds of years, I will cultivate and improve."
With a renewed determination, Cheng resumed his cultivation practice, pouring his focus and energy into refining his techniques and accelerating his progress. He delved deeper into the mysteries of the Cursed Lotus, striving to unlock its full potential.