Chapter 126: Secrets Hidden Within the Two Forms Cave Abode

…
Three days later…

[Cao Chengyu]
Age: 17.1
Cultivation: Mid Purple Mansion Realm (35%), Four Extremes Realm (3%, Physical Refinement Stage)
Skills: Huangting Scripture, Azure Dragon Yin-Yang Dao Treasury, Floating Observing World Method (Incomplete), Human Soul Immortality Chapter, Flame-Devouring Glazed Body.
Techniques: Mysterious Yin Pill Scroll (Fourth Grade, Initial 1%), Haori Instrument Scroll (Fourth Grade, Initial 1%), Spiritual Plant Growth Classic (Third Grade, Mid 26%), Life Puppet Technique (Second Grade, Advanced 52%)
Spells: Twin Dragon Entwining Wheel (Super Grade 12%), Five Elements Dragon Control Technique (Super Grade 36%), Life-Giving Celestial Water Shield (Super Grade 5%), Cloud Soaring and Mist Riding Technique (Super Grade 34%), Proud Ninth Song (Super Grade 12%)
Secret Arts: Lifeless Poison Eye (Super Grade 9%), Qimen Bagua (Super Grade 45%), Sky Locking Technique (Super Grade 53%), Yin Seal Sword Formation (Super Grade 32%)
Divine Abilities: Derivative Method (unknown), Yin-Yang Five Elements Divine Wheel (initially usable, empowered by Exotic Fire), True Form Transformation (Beginner)
Artifacts: Mysterious Ice Sword (Second Grade, High), Pure White Lotus Altar (Second Grade, High), Jade Bead Zither (Second Grade, Mid), Yin-Yang Dragon Needle (Second Grade, High), Six-Eyed Flying Snake Belt (Fifth Grade, Mid)
Exotic Fire: Yin Extreme Yang Fire (Yin-Yang attribute)

[Assessment]: Though born as insignificant as an ant, one should harbor the ambition of a sea king; though fate is as fragile as paper, one should possess the heart of a virtuoso.

After stabilizing his cultivation, he advanced a realm, largely due to devouring the immense magical energy feedback from the Exotic Fire, which inherently contains vast spiritual energy.
Once refined, it became part of his abilities; henceforth, its power must be activated through magical energy—its original energy, of course, was consumed by him.
It is truly a potent tonic; perhaps in the future, he might consider enhancing the grade of his Flame-Devouring Glazed Body by absorbing more pieces of Heavenly Exotic Fire, which encompasses cultivation methods, spells, and secret arts—barely qualifying as a Dao Treasury, though the level remains low and requires his own efforts to elevate.
Additionally, now that he has mastered many techniques, his comprehension is spread thin across them; super-grade arts require a high level of insight, so he has selectively focused on a few to accelerate their refinement.
For those sufficient for now, he will proceed gradually.

His strength has increased by leaps compared to before; with the aid of Yin-Yang attribute Exotic Fire and the evolving divine abilities from his unique trait, he can now use these abilities to a preliminary extent.
He hadn’t expected this and plans to test them in battle if the opportunity arises.

At the Immortal Workshop Tavern.

Seeing Lin Wangyuan skulking about, Cao Chengyu was somewhat speechless. Being cautious now is pointless; when he previously boasted arrogantly, he showed no signs of fear.
Now he’s scared.

Actually, even if Lin Wangyuan hadn’t come for the appointment, Cao Chengyu had other means. Since he showed up, there was no chance of him leaving.
In a flash, he appeared behind Lin Wangyuan.

“Hey.”
“(?o?;;!”

Whether it was an illusion or not, Lin Wangyuan felt that this middle-aged man with a scruffy beard appeared much more substantial and real than when he had met him days before.

“Lead the way, friend.”
“Well… I don’t think so. I really don’t want to go into the Black Emperor Sect’s territory. I’ll return your spirit stones.”
“Oh?”

Cao Chengyu showed a brief look of surprise but calmly placed a bag of spirit stones in his hand.
“How about leading the way now?”
“……”
“Come with me.”

Along the way, the two talked, and Cao Chengyu learned more about Lin Yuan’s situation.
At about seventeen or eighteen years old, roughly his age, with cultivation only at the early Spirit Refinement stage, he was evidently much weaker than the Sacred Maiden who grew up with similar resources.
No wonder his mother forbade it.

The church’s style was somewhat sinister; lacking sufficient talent and yet remaining close to the Sacred Maiden, with the Black Lotus Holy Mother’s temperament, it was a miracle he wasn’t killed.

“Did you say Lin Yuan holds a position in the Black Emperor Sect?”
“Yes, probably to get closer to the Sacred Maiden. Now that she has soared beyond reach, she no longer cares about us two loose cultivators.”
“……”

They walked for a full hour. Because of the presence of the Two Rites Immortal’s cave dwelling in Blood Crystal City, some legacies were inscribed on the stone walls and could not be removed easily. Recklessly digging out the entire section might damage the accompanying realm.

Hence, both the Sacred Maiden and the Black Lotus Holy Mother stayed in a palace near the Two Rites cave dwelling, somewhat distant from the Blood Crystal Mine.

The so-called cave dwelling was actually a deep cave with many stone chambers. After the Lin brothers’ parents died, their home in the city was seized by evildoers.
They found this cave near a secluded cliff outside the city and settled here since the Sacred Maiden was also unconscious nearby.

After Lin Wangyuan reported the purpose of their visit, the Sacred Maiden, who was participating in array formation inside the cave, came out reluctantly.
She liked and was grateful to Lin Yuan, but this brother… was complicated beyond words.

“Brother Wangyuan, are you here to ask for spirit stones again?”
“Well… no…”
“Does Lin Yuan know you’re here? Otherwise, you might get scolded by your little brother again.”
“Huh… Actually, this friend wants to meet you, so I’m just guiding the way.”

He laughed awkwardly.

The Sacred Maiden looked at Cao Chengyu with curiosity. His aura was imposing, his power hidden but clearly far stronger than hers.
With the backing of church experts and some Daoist body cultivators at her disposal, she was confident.

“How does this friend address himself, and what business does he have with me?”

“I am Hua Wuque, styled Manlou. Of course, I have business with the Sacred Maiden, but here…”

Originally, Cao Chengyu hadn’t planned his approach and intended to improvise, but the Two Rites cave dwelling gave him a clue.

Originating from Yin Extreme Yang Fire, this Yin-Yang attribute Exotic Fire seemed to sense something and stirred as if wanting to enter the cave.
The little spirit cat wriggled in his arms, clearly indicating there were treasures inside the cave.

Seeing Cao Chengyu’s dislike for crowds, the Black Emperor Sacred Maiden led him to the cave entrance and calmly said,
“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“All right, I’ll introduce myself again. I am Hua Wuque, styled Manlou. You may call me Hua Manlou.”
“I come from the Mountain Domain. The Two Rites Immortal is my senior uncle. I wish to enter this cave dwelling for a look.”
“Senior uncle? Any proof?”
“No.”
“Then why should I believe you without proof?”

Her real name was Ning Ruolian.
Though not yet tainted by the scheming ways of the cultivation world, she was not foolish and did not trust easily.

Cao Chengyu smiled.
“Though I lack direct proof, I have come specifically for Senior Uncle Two Rites’ cave dwelling. If I am not mistaken, your inheritance is incomplete.”
“There is still a hidden chamber inside. I have a method to enter it.”

Ning Ruolian raised her delicate brows. She had heard from Lin Yuan that their cultivation level hadn’t reached the necessary stage to access the innermost secrets.
Once their Dao body breaks through, they might enter for a look.

She hadn’t even told her mother about this, yet Hua Manlou knew, so this was not baseless.

She felt conflicted.
She knew Hua Manlou’s words were true, which corroborated his identity. She was reluctant to block the inheritance of his sect but was concerned for her own future and Lin Yuan’s.

“Sacred Maiden, don’t worry. I can take you with me inside. You only need to promise that everything gained will not be disclosed.”

Ning Ruolian’s eyes brightened.
“Is that true?”
“Absolutely!”