Martial Saint!

Once matters are settled, leave quietly, concealing accomplishments and fame.

Lu Chenzhou's brow furrowed; those Shadow Kill Clan members he captured were already lifeless, turning into black water.

"Indeed, they cannot be captured alive. Once they fall into enemy hands, they activate some suicide command to prevent information leakage. I initially wanted to test the Ghost Slave Mark... It seems impossible, so I'll try transforming them into Chang Ghosts."

Lu Chenzhou has five Chang Ghost slots.

The Blood Prison Ghost King occupies one.

The other four slots were originally intended for other Heavenly Ghosts with special abilities. Now I can only try to see if I can transform the Shadow Kill Clan into Chang Ghosts.

Chang Ghosts retain a portion of their memories from when they were alive. From the Blood Prison Ghost King, he learned some secrets.

"If Chang Ghosts don't work, then I'll find a way to capture a Shadow Kill Clan member above the Six Realms and use spiritual means to place their soul into my spiritual world, where the World Tree can obliterate it, absorb its Dao essence, and search for memory fragments."

This is also a method, but it carries certain risks; too many memory fragments can blend with one's own memories, leading to confusion and disorder.

Of course, there are benefits too. One can directly absorb a portion of the enemy's Dao essence, promoting the Shadow Path and rapidly improving.

...

A few days later.

Deep within Yun Meng Lake.

An ancient architectural complex emerged from the fog, and a demon hunting team from Yun Meng Lake inadvertently visited, only to find the surroundings of the ancient hall filled with the rolling powers of heaven and earth, faintly forming some anomaly, with treasures shining in all directions.

In the center of the architectural complex is a towering blue giant mountain phantom, from which seems to come the sound of chanting.

"Come like a spring dream, lasting for a while."

"Depart like morning clouds, without trace."

The sound of Dao continuously reverberates over time.

The demon hunting team members' eyes filled with amazement.

"Qi Refiner Cave Mansion!"

"The scale of this relic is that of a Heavenly Realm strong person's cave mansion. Such a treasure anomaly must mean astonishing treasures are here."

"Captain? Should we explore?"

"Explore my foot! Our strongest is barely a master; we don't qualify to meddle. Better report to the council and get rewarded nicely. Let's go; today we truly hit the jackpot."

The demon hunting team hurriedly left.

...

At the same time.

Demon Palace.

The projection of Wang Yue Demon Emperor, resembling a toad, appeared, and Gu Yue Demon Emperor and Qingtian Demon Emperor looked over.

"Wang Yue, how is the arrangement?"

"Spiritual Light Jade Dew, Nine Apertures Exquisite Grass, and many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures have been sent to that ancient cultivation cave mansion. The anomalies from these Heavenly Grade treasures should be sufficient to alert the Martial Artists in the Jiangnan Region, making them think it is a place of opportunity. Little do they know, this ancient cultivation cave mansion has long been explored by us. Aside from some worthless herbs and materials, there's only a fearsome fierce beast sealed and slumbering within. Once anyone steps in, it's certain death!"

Gu Yue Demon Emperor laughed, "Great! Using an ancient cultivation cave mansion useless to our Demon Race to exchange for a batch of Human Clan geniuses' lives, Witch Master's move is indeed brilliant."

"I've specially placed Spiritual Light Jade Dew inside the cave mansion. Once the news spreads, Lu Chenzhou will surely go to investigate. By then..." Wang Yue Demon Emperor sneered sinisterly.

...

A month later.

Wanxiang Dao, sect gathering.

"Have you heard? Another Qi Refiner Cave Mansion has emerged in Yun Meng Lake. Jiangnan truly is a treasure trove; in these years alone, there have been three Heavenly Realm cave mansions!"

Ji Feiyan's eyes danced with excitement.

But alas, it has nothing to do with her.

Heavenly Realm Cave Mansions require Grandmaster cultivation to enter, facing nine deaths and one life. She better practice honestly.

"Whenever a cave mansion emerges, heroes flock, and the Jiangnan region will once again see a fierce struggle between dragons and tigers."

Old Ji sighed.

Lin Xia said excitedly:

"Several Grandmasters from Su City have already gone to investigate, though the cave mansion hasn't opened yet. The surroundings of the cave mansion are filled with treasure light and anomalies, tides of heaven and earth power forming. There must be quite a few Heavenly Grade treasures."

Wang Xian said, "I plan to go."

Having taken Spiritual Treasures before, and with his genius-level enlightenment, Martial Arts and Dao are not the issue. The challenge lies in Opening the Acupoint, and he wants to see if he can find Opening Treasure.

Lu Chenzhou shook his head with a smile.

"Judging from the current Archaeological Department survey report, the master of the ancient cultivation cave mansion should be a Heart Cultivator expert. Spiritual power no less than Four Realms can freely enter. My spiritual power has already reached Five Realms, and although I can force my way in, it may affect the stability of the cave mansion. Generally, this level of inheritance for me is just an added embellishment."

Wang Xian said, "Indeed. You're now on par with a Heavenly King in status, and a direct disciple of a Great Power. These ordinary heritages, even if obtained, aren't as valuable as your self-created Martial Arts." Findthischapter'ssourceonMV-LEM-PYR.

After a lively discussion, Wang Xian, Lin Xia, Chen Jiu, and Qingtian Cang decided to sign up.

Whether they can participate depends on the selection trials organized by the Wanbang Council, as the cave mansion's capacity is limited and, considering the stability of the Human World, only some Grandmasters can go.

Lu Chenzhou prepared one of the trump cards he acquired over the years from venturing into Star-Picking Tower and Lu Ming underground palace, including some Fifth Rank War Soldiers and Immortal Puppets, for each of the four for self-protection.

A week later, the trial results were announced.

Lin Xia, Wang Xian, and Qingtian Cang passed, while Chen Jiu was eliminated due to insufficient spiritual power. This time, the cave mansion exploration team consists of 100 Grandmasters, with Da Xia and fighter Grandmasters totaling 70, and Po Suo Heart Cultivators 30.

...

As days went by.

Hanshan Temple.

Lu Chenzhou and the elder of Hanshan played chess and cultivated.

During Old Wang's seclusion, the two were guardians of Su City, occasionally gathering to share intelligence and insights.

"Chenzhou, you haven't been to Void City, have you?"

"No."

"If you have time, you can take a look. Though Void City is dangerous, it's still beneficial for enlightenment."

"Alright."

Buzz—

The Lighting Orders in both their hands sounded simultaneously.

Bai Miaomiao and Zhou Ruoxue's projections appeared, their expressions anxious as they said, "Brother Lu, Senior Zhang, we've found traces of Tang Zheng, but we need support!"

"Tang Zheng?" Lu Chenzhou had almost forgotten about this person. Having heard no news for such a long time, he thought Tang Zheng had already died.

Zhou Ruoxue said, "Tang Zheng seems to have gone mad after practicing a demon skill; he's completely lost it and is now on a killing spree in Taihu Base City. Even the Guardian Yuan was severely injured..."

Lu Chenzhou immediately stood up.

"Elder Zhang, I'm going there."

Zhang Jizhi stood up at the same time.

"How about I go instead?"

Lu Chenzhou said:

"Guardian Yuan is a seasoned Great Grandmaster. By rights, Tang Zheng is no match for him. Something is fishy... It must be the work of an Evil God. I should go; it's safer this way."

Lu Chenzhou left.

Leaving Elder Zhang alone, staring blankly at the chessboard with a bitter smile. In terms of the Heavenly Person List ranking, he had been surpassed by Lu Chenzhou.

Elder Zhang muttered:

"Alright then, I'll guard the city. Two years ago, this guy could kill a Heavenly King head-on. After two years of seclusion, his strength might indeed surpass my imagination."

...

Above the heights.

The blood dragon danced wildly, red aura like a tide. Red beams weaved back and forth within a ten-mile radius, stitching together a blood-colored barrier in the heavens and earth.

"Hahaha, my 'Blood Dragon Devouring Heaven Divine Skill' is complete, even the Mad Dragon King reborn wouldn't be my match. Die, all of you die!" Tang Zheng laughed maniacally, holding the emaciated corpse of an old Grandmaster in his hand, the unfortunate vice Guardian of Taihu Base City.

The event occurred too suddenly.

In all directions, Zhou Ruoxue, Bai Miaomiao, Chen Jiu, and Ye Zhiqiu, four Grandmasters, formed a formation to trap Tang Zheng.

Swish!

An awe-inspiring Grandmaster Sword Qi, as vast as a tide, took shape. Ye Zhiqiu resorted to his sect's last resort.

Tang Zheng didn't dodge or evade, letting the Sword Qi slice through the barrier, cleaving him in half.

"Is he dead?"

A doubt lingered in everyone's hearts.

Tang Zheng's form emerged like ripples, appearing beside Ye Zhiqiu, flicking a silver needle with his finger.

"Be careful."

Seeing this, Chen Jiu immediately deployed a card that Lu Chenzhou gifted him some time ago, striking down with a spear. The eastern sky glimmered with dawn light, spreading outwards, turning everything within a thousand meters into spear blocking.

Clang clang clang!

The dense silver needle assault was blocked. Instead, Tang Zheng was caught up and shredded within the spear's domain. But shockingly, pieces of shattered blood shadows solidified again.

Tang Zheng, had resurrected once more.

"Hahaha, undying and immortal!"

Chen Jiu exclaimed:

"An Undying Body?"

He still remembered Lu Chenzhou saying that while this card could only unleash part of its power, it was enough to annihilate 90% of Grandmasters and should not be used in non-critical moments.

Tang Zheng, though a Grandmaster, should only be at the beginning; otherwise, even with their trump cards, they would struggle. How does a mere Grandmaster possess an Undying Body?

Chen Jiu instantly felt it impossible!

"This is not an Undying Body; he has long been dead. He has become the incarnation projection of a certain Evil God. As long as the power of the projection remains, he won't die."

A calm voice echoed.

It was Lu Chenzhou who had arrived.

The team members breathed a sigh of relief; as one of the three pinnacle battle strengths in Su City, Lu Chenzhou represented security.

"You all fall back."

Lu Chenzhou clenched his fist, muscles taut, his robust Qi-Blood surging like a flood, accompanied by a dragon's roar. The power of heaven and earth solidified in the void, manifesting as an enormous Grey Dragon Claw. This was an attack technique from 'Six Volumes of Grey Dragon'.

Grey Dragon Mountain Seizing.

With his current cultivation, he could borrow the power of heaven and earth to easily grasp a small island, immensely terrifying. Tang Zheng was crushed, his body turning into a blood shadow, merging into the heavens and earth.

Rumble!

Simultaneously, within a several-dozen-mile radius, an eerie stillness ensued, the sky turned crimson, and it rained blood.

Lu Chenzhou calmly lifted his gaze and said, "Stop hiding, the so-called 'Blood Dragon Devouring Heavenly Demon Skill' was the secret technique you imparted to the Mad Dragon King, used to create mortal avatars, right? You deliberately let Tang Zheng drag out until now to draw me out? I'm here."

As expected, a blood-red vortex solidified, and an unspeakable blood-red figure appeared at its center, hunched and slender like a human, with a head abnormally large, drenched with countless flesh tendrils extending toward the sky.

A blood moon hung high in the sky.

Blood Ancient God.

Its true name unknown.

This projection of the ancient god had the power of the Six Realms. As soon as it appeared, the Blood Moon Dao Essence spread, and from afar, a mysterious yet strange blood moon, joining heaven and earth, cohered into form, its arcane domain power sweeping across a hundred miles.

Divine Domain: Blood Tide.