Ink Martial City (Part One)
( ) Can one reach the Deity Transformation stage in three to five years, the Returning to the Return to Void Realm in thirty to fifty years, or even survive the Heaven-Piercing Tribulation and Void?
Zhuge Xiang's three questions were increasingly terrifying and shocking. All the Deity Transformation stage disciples in the Great Hall stared at him with wide eyes. If anyone else had said such words, they would have been thrown out on charges of public insolence. However, Zhuge Xiang, who had comprehended Sword Intent at such a young age and was born with Demonic True Body, only impressed people with the loftiness of his ambition.
Staring intently at Zhuge Xiang, Purgatory Elder seemed to be trying to discern from Zhuge Xiang's face whether he was bluffing. Unfortunately, he saw nothing at all; Zhuge Xiang's words were completely sincere and came from the bottom of his heart.
"I can't..." After a moment's hesitation, Purgatory Elder shook his head and said.
It's true that Zhuge Xiang is exceptionally talented. Purgatory Elder wanted to keep such a Genius Disciple firmly in his grasp, but he knew he could never meet the conditions Purgatory Elder Zhuge Xiang had proposed.
Breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage in three to five years? Breaking through to the Return to Void Realm in thirty to fifty years? How is that possible? Even Ice Maiden, the greatest genius of the Asura Sect in hundreds of years, took a hundred years to reach the threshold of the Void Realm stage.
Upon hearing Purgatory Elder's reply, Zhuge Xiang said nothing more, took a few steps back, and waited for these people to escort him down the mountain.
Purgatory Elder remained silent, and the Deity Transformation Stage disciples, naturally dared not say anything more. Sitting in their seats, Purgatory Elder remained silent, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. After a moment of silence, Purgatory Elder spoke, "As you said, if I cannot help you reach the Deity Transformation stage within three to five years, then no one can become your Master?"
"Even without my Master's guidance, I believe that with my own abilities, I can reach the Deity Transformation stage within three to five years," Zhuge Xiang said firmly and resolutely, without the slightest hesitation on his face.
"Alright, then I'll wait and see." The Purgatory Elder's tone suddenly turned much more serious, and he waved his hand indifferently. "Alright, Gu Feng, send them down Purgatory Peak."
Gu Feng was the Nascent Deity Transformation stage disciple who had brought Zhuge Xiang and the others earlier. Only now did Zhuge Xiang and the others learn his name. Purgatory Elder had spoken, Zhuge Xiang and the others naturally went down the mountain quickly.
It was that same Flatboat- Treasure Artifact again. When it descended from the Floating Mountain, the Inner Sect Disciple looked at Zhuge Xiang and Zhang Kuang with envy and disdain, as if they were fools. To gain the favor of the Void Realm elder was like a windfall, yet these two had both refused.
"Junior Brother Zhuge, why are you unwilling to become Master's disciple? Is your reason really as you say?" Gu Feng hesitated for a moment before asking as he landed on his Flatboat Treasure Artifact, his tone clearly showing his regret for Zhuge Xiang.
"Otherwise what? Why would I refuse a Master at the Void Realm?" Without hesitation, Zhuge Xiang asked, somewhat puzzled.
He opened his mouth, but in the end, Gu Feng shook his head with a hint of helplessness and said, "I think you're either all talk and no action, destined to become mediocre, or you'll definitely make a name for yourself that will be known throughout the entire Cultivation World."
After using the Flatboat -shaped Treasure Artifact to send Zhuge Xiang and the others down from the Floating Mountain, Gu Feng Artifact Flight back to Purgatory Peak, and Zhuge Xiang and the others returned to their respective residences.
The ten disciples who passed the selection test were all located on different peaks. However, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling were both on Green Bamboo Peak. Although they had moved to the Inner Sect District Three, they still preferred to live on Green Bamboo Peak. The moonlight was alluring, and the two walked hand in hand. As a lone man and woman, neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was rather ambiguous.
"Once you reach the Inner Sect, which of the Battle Hall, Blood Hall, and Shadow Hall will you join?" Lu Yuling suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, and asked Zhuge Xiang.
"Shadow Hall is impossible. What's the difference between the Battle Hall and Blood Hall?" Zhuge Xiang glanced at Lu Yuling, her white dress fluttering, the Moonlight making her even more dazzling, causing him to lose his composure slightly.
"The Battle Hall mainly engages in open battles to deter other petty forces, so the battles are mostly chaotic melees. The Shadow Hall, on the other hand, trains assassination specialists. In addition, the targets of assassinations are usually quite powerful, so the strength required to join the Blood Hall is relatively higher," Lu Yuling briefly explained the differences between the two battle halls to Zhuge Xiang.
"Then let 'Battle Hall," Zhuge Xiang replied without hesitation.
"Oh? Why? I thought you would choose the Blood Hall, since it's more challenging," Zhuge Xiang's decisive choice surprised Lu Yuling.
After a slight hesitation, Zhuge Xiang said, "Actually, my growth is inextricably linked to combat. The more opponents I defeat, and the stronger they are, the faster I improve. Although the Blood Hall is a high-difficulty fighting organization, most of the time in this kind of assassination-based organization is spent on stealth, investigating the opponent's habits, and so on. Although it is more challenging, it is too time-consuming."
At this point, Zhuge Xiang countered with, "And you? Which faction did you join?"
"Me? Shadow Hall. With my current strength, participating in battle is a bit of a stretch. Moreover, Shadow Hall is the center where all kinds of intelligence converge. Sometimes, intelligence is also a huge resource, which is more conducive to my cultivation," Lu Yuling replied after a moment's hesitation.
"Well, among the Three Inner Sect Halls, I am the Battle Hall, you are the Shadow Hall, Zhang Kuang will probably choose the Blood Hall. In that case, we can help each other out," Zhuge Xiang nodded knowingly and said.
"Oh? How did you know Zhang Kuang would choose the Blood Hall?" Lu Yuling asked, looking at Zhuge Xiang with surprise.
"Zhang Kuang is a battle maniac, but he's obsessed with challenging every strong person. So, compared to a place like the Battle Hall, Zhang Kuang would probably prefer the Blood Hall's model," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile, clearly knowing Zhang Kuang very well.
"You seem to know him quite well," Lu Yuling said with a smile.
"Hehe, I know you pretty well too, how about it? Don't you feel honored to have a confidant like me? How about you repay me with your body?" Zhuge Xiang said mischievously with a smile.
"Have you forgotten who I am? In my eyes, you're just a little kid," Lu Yuling said with a witty remark, rolling her eyes at Zhuge Xiang. She was clearly still holding a grudge against Zhuge Xiang for calling her an old lady.
"Hehe, don't worry, a woman three years older than me is a lucky charm. You're so much older than me, so aren't I destined for a life of wealth and luxury?" Zhuge Xiang shook his head, unconcerned.
A smile flickered in Lu Yuling's beautiful eyes, but she quickly dismissed it with a dismissive sneer, "Dream on."
As they spoke, the two crossed the Rope Bridge Green Bamboo Peak. Lu Yuling Lotus Steps, turned around, and gave Zhuge Xiang a beautiful silhouette before disappearing into the Moonlight. (To be continued.)