No one knew just what Chu Kuangren had managed to achieve apart from comprehending his Heavenly Punishment Seal in three years of closed-door meditation.
What was more, they had no clue how Chu Kuangren managed to exhibit a set of remarkable runic abilities in the absence of any spiritual energies.
However, what they did know was that the undefeatable, daring, and energetic Chu Kuangren was back!
Having witnessed the sky full of runic symbols, the Black Heaven Sect disciples were so moved that their eyes turned red from all the tears of joy they were holding back.
“He’s back. Sect Leader is finally back.”
“I knew it. The Sect Leader would never be defeated by some random seal. With his capability, he would surely become an Emperor one day.”
“That’s right…”
…
The Black Heaven disciples were not the only ones who were surprised.
Locked within a stone cellar by runic chains, Liu Yiqing and Yin Li were in disbelief when they looked to the sky.
“He can still unleash such a technique while under the Heavenly Punishment Seal. So this is the unparalleled Chu Kuangren who stunned the world three years ago!”
Liu Yiqing muttered.
Liu Yiqing was initially in denial of the battle outcome. However, he could now see how far he fared behind Chu Kuangren.
“No wonder Yaorao admired him so deeply. No wonder every cultivator in this world keeps reminiscing his tales…” Liu Yiqing laughed bitterly.
Yin Li was sitting in another corner. His fair skin had turned completely white from his injuries.
Yin Li recalled something from his memories. “The first place in the Soaring Dragon Leaderboard of the Divine Predictor Pavilion has always been empty for the past three years. Rumor has it that the divine predictor is reserving it for Chu Kuangren.”
“It looks like it’s true after all. Seeing his techniques while under the punishment seal, it’s hard to imagine how overpowered Chu Kuangren will become once he manages to break the seal. No one else can ever come close to topping the Soaring Dragon Leaderboard.”
Yin Li lamented. No matter how dissatisfied he was, he could only admit defeat in the face of such a remarkable gap in their abilities.
The runic symbols gradually faded from the sky.
Soon.
Tip-tap…
The sound of footsteps approached the stone cellar.
Chu Kuangren came before the stone cellar and peeked at the cultivators with mischief. “Pfft, you both are surely brave to infiltrate the Black Heaven Sect with that level of cultivation.”
“If it wasn’t for you, no one else could’ve stopped us.”
Liu Yiqing said.
It was true. Although the duo had yet to ascend into a Sage, their combat strengths were comparable to a Seven-Step Sage or even a Great Sage! On top of some tricks such as Yin Li’s Black Mantle, no one in the Black Heaven Sect could have stopped them.
Or at least, no one was capable of killing them.
Never would they have thought that Chu Kuangren would possess a set of remarkable runic techniques while under the Heavenly Punishment Seal.
He could mobilize countless runes without relying on even an ounce of spiritual energy.
Liu Yiqing could no longer withhold his curiosity. “Every runic technique surely requires some level of spiritual energy. How did you do it?”
“Oh, you mean this?”
Chu Kuangren snapped his finger. A runic symbol materialized in front of him before it turned into a ball of lightning that struck out at rock near them and shattered it.
Liu Yiqing and Yin Li stared closely, confirming that Chu Kuangren did not use any spiritual energy.
The rune was forged out of the natural spiritual qi around them.
Chu Kuangren had found a way to mobilize the natural spiritual qi without using his spiritual energy.
This was one of Chu Kuangren’s findings during his closed-door meditation. He could use his spiritual thoughts to channel the heavenly and earthly spiritual qi into countless forms of runes!
It was a feat only Chu Kuangren could achieve, for he possessed the Conjurer’s Talent and had studied the Elysian Emperor Scripture. He was incredibly well-versed in Runic Dao too.
The Heavenly Punishment Seal was not entirely a bad thing after all. It allowed Chu Kuangren to develop many techniques related to his mind power, putting his Conjurer’s Talent to great use.
By studying the Heavenly Punishment Seal, his spiritual thought grew stronger as time passed. In this aspect, Chu Kuangren’s spiritual thoughts had far surpassed that of any ordinary Sages.
Even a Great Sage would find it difficult to defeat him.
Besides, Chu Kuangren had also discovered other perks.
Chu Kuangren, however, would not reveal his discoveries to Liu Yiqing and Yin Li, so he said to them, “I gain nothing if I kill both of you. How about this? Is there anyone who’s willing to rescue the two of you? I’ll make an arrangement to have them prepare some ransom payments.”
To Chu Kuangren, Liu Yiqing and Yin Li were both insignificant characters. Their deaths were almost inconsequential to him.
Hence, he might as well think of a way to benefit from this situation.
“Ransom? There are countless treasures within the Parchprime Palace. If you let me go, I’ll surely let you have it.”
Liu Yiqing’s eyes lit up.
Since Liu Yiqing was confined to a cell, he had no choice but to yield to Chu Kuangren’s demand.
“I know of an Emperor’s Opportunity of Fortune. If you let me go, I’ll make sure to share it with you,” Yin Li said hastily. Similarly, he had no more strengths to resist. This was the only bargaining chip he had.
As for his Boundary Emperor Weapon, it had long been confiscated by Chu Kuangren.
Chu Kuangren stroked his chin and said, “Let you go? Who are you kidding? Who else can I seek the ransom payment from if I set both of you free?”
“What’s your plan, then?”
“Write a letter for me. I’ll make a personal visit to the Parchprime Palace to receive my payment. As for your Emperor’s Opportunity of Fortune, why not tell me more about it? Only time will tell if both of you deserve to be freed,” Chu Kuangren said.
The duo was starting to feel uncertain.
It seemed like Chu Kuangren was holding all the cards.
“Fine, I’ll write it.” Liu Yiqing nodded.
He had no choice but to follow Chu Kuangren’s suggestion.
Yin Li also revealed what he knew about the Emperor’s Opportunity of Fortune to Chu Kuangren, who would personally make a trip to verify his claims.
Upon receiving the letter and learning about the Opportunity of Fortune, Chu Kuangren took out a red scarf and threw it outwards. The scarf instantly transformed into a red forcefield that sealed the stone cellar within.
It was the Nine Profound Heavens Fire Forcefield, which the Acheron Manor Lord previously used to seal the Black Heaven Sect within. It was one of the Black Heaven Sect’s findings when they looted the battlefield.
The Nine Profound Heavens Fire Forcefield was a Boundary Emperor Weapon, so there was no way the duo could escape.
Only then did Chu Kuangren feel assured enough to leave the cultivators alone.
…
Black Heaven Sect, outside the Astonishing Sea of Clouds Formation.
In the past three years, many cultivators had visited the perimeters of the mega formation in hopes of looting any Opportunities of Fortune.
It was not entirely a fruitless endeavor.
The great war that took place three years ago was intense. Countless cultivators had perished, with many Sages included amongst those casualties.
Their remains and possessions were scattered all over the battlefield. It was reasonable to suggest that the Black Heaven Sect would not be able to locate them all.
Soon, word spread that someone had found an Honorable Weapon in the outer perimeter of the Astonishing Cloud of Seas Formation. This caught the attention of many cultivators, which created a gold rush phenomenon near the Black Heaven Sect. Many had even risked their lives entering the Astonishing Cloud of Seas Formation in search of valuable items.
Some managed to discover some valuable items, but there were many who lost their lives as well.
“Old Li, did you manage to find anything today?”
In the outer perimeter of the Astonishing Cloud of Seas Formation, a middle-aged cultivator was speaking to someone who had just returned from the mega formation.
Old Li curved his lips and said, “I’ve searched for more than half a day only to loot a couple of soulstones. How unlucky.”
“Three years have passed, so most valuable items have most probably been found by now. I plan to leave after spending a while longer here.”
The middle-aged cultivator chuckled and said.
“Sigh, same for me. Eh, what’s wrong with you…?”
Old Li sighed helplessly, only to notice that the middle-aged cultivator was staring at something behind him with his eyes wide open. It was as if the middle-aged cultivator had just witnessed an unbelievable phenomenon.
Old Li curiously turned around to see a man and a lady exiting the formation.
