Chapter Eighty-Six: Martial Arts Heavenly Eye

Not far away.

Yuan Yangsheng watched as Chen Heng suddenly halted, his expression shifting several times, uncertainty flickering across his face. He paused, then simply stopped in place.

"To kill these disciples of the Blood Lotus Sect? Worth a try, but..."

After hearing the words echo in his mind, Chen Heng deliberately pondered for a moment before speaking slowly:

"Though I am unafraid of these demonic cultivators, once I leave Floating Jade Lake, unforeseen troubles are bound to arise. Might I ask what insight you have, Master of the Cave?"

Having spoken at length and seeing Chen Heng finally tempted, with a certain confidence in his words—clearly, the earlier gift of pills had not been misplaced—the Master of the Cave of Insight let out a subtle, cold laugh.

He continued to transmit his voice to Chen Heng, gentle and amiable:

"No need to worry, young friend. I am, after all, an alchemist of the Profound Cave realm, and I have past ties with Master Wang of the Five Lights Sect. If you truly can wipe out these Blood Lotus Sect cultivators who disregard my rules, you would be a peerless talent! In all the countless rogue cultivators of the Southern Domain, aside from Master Yan Xi, few could match you!

It is not only I who would honor and welcome you; even the alchemists of great sects like Five Lights would see your future as bright! If fate allows, you might even be accepted into the Five Lights Sect itself."

There was unmistakable temptation in the Master’s words.

After further persuasion, seeing Chen Heng seemingly moved, he finally bid farewell with a smile.

Yuan Yangsheng, who had waited long and grown restless with curiosity, was about to ask when a voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

After listening closely, Yuan Yangsheng’s expression became increasingly odd.

"Um..."

He hesitated, scratched his head, and asked:

"Brother Chen, did you just hear the same? Was it like mine?"

The meaning in the Master’s words was clear—they were being urged to eliminate those Blood Lotus Sect cultivators who had violated his rules.

If successful, beyond the original rewards for the top three, there would be substantial additional compensation.

To avoid repercussions from the Blood Lotus Sect, the Master even pledged sincerely, nearly swearing an oath, that he alone would bear all responsibilities, guaranteeing no one else would be implicated...

Yuan Yangsheng was subtly tempted.

Though he was bold and disliked overthinking, he was not without sense, so he did not rush to agree but instead deflected.

"What compensation did the Cave Master offer you?"

Chen Heng asked.

"Two portions of Longevity Fire Sha, and Surging Four’s Earth Sha Qi... The Master is truly a senior among the immortals, wise and insightful! He saw that I am a martial cultivator walking the path of Sha, truly remarkable!"

Yuan Yangsheng replied honestly, grinning and squinting his eyes:

"He clearly saw my extraordinary talent, that I am about to gather Earth Sha into my body and forge Sha Qi, so he made this arrangement—truly keen-eyed!"

—

On the path of Martial Sha in the Heaven of Calamity, the essence lies in "Martial" and "Sha."

Strengthening blood, invigorating qi, tempering sinew, replacing bone, refining marrow, then gathering Earth Sha, condensing Heavenly Martial—until finally subduing the heart of creation and achieving the status of Martial Lord.

The step of gathering Earth Sha requires first finding a type of Earth Sha Qi, using martial secrets to refine it into the body, slowly merging it with meridian and blood, until the organs resonate, roots transform, and Martial Sha Qi is forged!

Earth Sha Qi, like true qi, varies in quality.

The higher the quality of Earth Sha Qi, the more formidable and fierce the Martial Sha Qi produced—when unleashed, it subdues beasts and scatters armies.

Low-quality Earth Sha Qi yields unsatisfactory Martial Sha Qi, with little power—even advanced martial arts may be limited by the innate weakness of the Sha, unable to be fully displayed.

Even mastery cannot compensate; one can only sigh in frustration...

To forge Martial Sha Qi is a major event, comparable to achieving the true qi realm in orthodox immortal cultivation. Both lay the foundation for the path ahead, deeply interconnected!

The ranking of Earth Sha Qi is determined by the sequence of the post-heavenly eight trigrams:

Kan One, Kun Two, Zhen Three, Surging Four, Five as the central palace, Qian Six, Dui Seven, Gen Eight, Li Nine.

"Kan One" is supreme, "Li Nine" is lowest.

The Cave Master promised Yuan Yangsheng two portions of Longevity Fire Sha at the Surging Four level—mid-tier in quality.

This alone speaks to his sincerity...

Chen Heng’s eyes flickered after hearing Yuan Yangsheng’s words, then he nodded.

In Xu Capital Heaven, immortal cultivation dominates, suppressing all other paths.

For example, Earth Sha Qi, in martial-dominated heavens like Calamity or True Martial, is a rare treasure of the world.

But since martial cultivators are scarce in Xu Capital Heaven, Earth Sha Qi, though precious, is not especially rare.

Aside from a few divine arts and pills needing Earth Sha Qi as a catalyst, it has little other use.

Surging Four’s Longevity Fire Sha, in martial heavens, would be fiercely contested even by those who have achieved divine forms or reached the water-fire forging stage.

Yet in Xu Capital Heaven, where immortals reign, even the Cave Master of Profound Realm has more than one such portion...

"Surging Four’s Longevity Fire Sha is indeed a rare treasure and suits him well—no wonder Yuan Yangsheng is tempted."

Chen Heng thought to himself.

"But has he truly been persuaded? The Cave Master’s gifts often conceal hidden dangers. It seems the celestial demon seeks to turn people into demon kin, not only targeting orthodox immortals, but talents of all paths..."

As he pondered, Yuan Yangsheng, unable to contain his curiosity, stepped forward:

"Brother Chen, the Cave Master promised me Longevity Fire Sha, but what rare treasure did he offer you? Is it perhaps one of those immortal talismans?"

"A Northern Dipper Sword Talisman from Five Lights Sect—once activated, it can slay a Purple Mansion cultivator."

"A talisman? I thought it was just a token..."

Yuan Yangsheng muttered, then grinned:

"But, Brother Chen, what do you think? If we prevent the Blood Lotus Sect from taking the top three, I get Longevity Fire Sha, you gain another protective trump card, plus the Cave Master’s essence and the original rewards...

Honestly, that’s a huge profit—too good to dream!"

"Dare you offend the Blood Lotus Sect?"

"Why not? Anyone who blocks my martial path, even the King of Heaven, I’ll give him a black eye and knock out all his teeth! Let alone the Blood Lotus Sect!"

"I suspect this is Five Lights and Flower Palace competing, deliberately letting Blood Lotus Sect trouble the Cave Master, who, unable to retaliate, seeks us to foil their plans and vent his frustration."

Chen Heng’s voice was calm. "Blood Lotus aside, aren’t you afraid to provoke Flower Palace?"

"Such minor skirmishes aren’t enough to offend them. Frankly, you, me, the Cave Master, and Blood Lotus are mere ants to Flower Palace. Even if we fight to the death, it’s just amusement for them."

Yuan Yangsheng laughed heartily, unconcerned.

"You are bold."

Chen Heng was not surprised by his reply, merely glanced at him.

—

After the previous fight, having slain two Blood Lotus Sect cultivators, Chen Heng did not attack Yuan Yangsheng further.

First, he was wary of Yuan’s unknown martial abilities, including his martial eyes.

Second, though Ancestor Fu Can spoke in riddles, he hinted at something amiss, prompting Chen Heng to restrain his killing intent.

Afterwards, Zhou Tong of White Crane Cave and Yuan Yangsheng’s companion quickly left, leaving Yuan Yangsheng cheerfully alongside Chen Heng.

Being a martial cultivator, he always charged ahead in battle, taking the brunt of the enemy’s attacks.

Having such a guardian by his side spared Chen Heng much trouble.

Working together, their efficiency in slaying beasts of Insight Cave increased, though they inevitably encountered more Blood Lotus Sect cultivators.

Many trial cultivators were driven off or slain by them, their actions rampant.

Earlier days were quiet, but lately, they encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator—a purple-eyed woman who, using spiritual vision, saw through Chen Heng’s disguise at a glance and tried to capture him as her consort.

After killing her, not long after, another arrived—Dong Shao...

"You make some good points," Chen Heng said.

"So, Brother Chen, are we in or out?" Yuan Yangsheng rubbed his fists eagerly.

"We’ve already offended Blood Lotus Sect; escaping their wrath afterward is unlikely. Better to kill them all here and make them fear us!"

Chen Heng suddenly laughed loudly, his voice shaking the surroundings, cold light flashing in his eyes:

"Today you treat me as nothing, but times have changed—do you still see me as your plaything?"

His words carried a fierce undertone, and the delighted Yuan Yangsheng felt his heart tighten, involuntarily shrinking back.

In the Qiankun pouch—

Ancestor Fu Can burped, rolled over lazily, and shook his head.

"Why does this boy react so strongly to the word ‘consort’? Could he really have been one?"

Amused, he pondered further:

"After these days, my old eyes can’t see much affection in his heart for love between men and women. For little Wei, his good senior, he probably feels gratitude and respect... Is that it?

At this stage, not interested in romance? If Wei doesn’t act faster and keeps being reserved, she’ll be casting flirtatious glances at a blind man. Once Chen Heng repays her kindness, they’ll be even—nothing owed!"

Thinking thus, the ancestor felt a surge of frustration at Wei Lingjiang’s cluelessness, wishing he could teach her himself what it means to captivate.

While Ancestor Fu Can sighed internally, Chen Heng spoke again:

"To thwart the Blood Lotus Sect alone is difficult—I hope Brother Yuan will lend me his strength."

"Of course! I want the Longevity Fire Sha, and those Blood Lotus cultivators deserve to die!"

Yuan Yangsheng slapped his chest, hearty:

"Brother Chen! Rest assured, we hit it off at first sight—your business is mine! If my elder brother Chen Xuanwu were here, I’d want to swear brotherhood with you!"

He hesitated briefly, then continued:

"Actually, my martial eyes have developed a divine ability—if used well and you assist from the side, even those at the second Foundation Establishment could be challenged."

He quietly transmitted this information.

Hearing it, even Chen Heng, with his firm temperament, was shocked.

"At such a stage, he already developed a divine ability? Is this the renowned martial eyes?"

He marveled inwardly.

"My elder brother told me martial eyes are the strongest in martial arts—not only dispelling all illusions, but the divine abilities born from them are formidable!"

Seeing Chen Heng’s surprise, Yuan Yangsheng grew even more proud, hands on hips, laughing loudly:

"My brother said martial eyes are unrelated to cultivation. I am a peerless talent—opened martial eyes at the blood-nourishing stage! Other martial giants, even at the great storehouse stage, may never glimpse the edge of martial eyes!

Because I have martial eyes, my brother believes if I succeed, I may even help him topple his father! How about it? Am I not extraordinary?"

He then laughed to the sky, utterly unrestrained.

"Since you have such divine abilities, why not pick a tougher opponent?"

Chen Heng said.

"Who?"

"First, kill Qin Xian, second Foundation Establishment. A snake without a head cannot act, a bird without wings cannot fly."

Chen Heng spoke solemnly: "Kill him, and you break half the spirit of the Blood Lotus Sect’s cultivators."

Yuan Yangsheng thought it over and nodded in agreement.

After discussing a few loopholes, they left the spot.

Soon after, a blood-red streak several yards long shot through the air.

Standing within was a Foundation Establishment cultivator with eagle eyes and a long nose, his gaze deep-set. He stopped, looked puzzled, then brushed his nose with spiritual light, sniffed carefully, and his face changed dramatically.

"This is Dong Shao’s scent! I’ve stolen many of his clothes and still keep them in my sleeve pouch—this is the scent!"

He stood frozen, grief etched on his face.

"Damn! Dong Shao must be dead, and that spiritual-eyed Sister Liu—likely dead too! Hah! A pair of doomed lovers, how swiftly they’ve died!

But I never confessed my feelings! Dong Shao, how dare you die?!"

He wept for a while, then forced a mouthful of blood from his chest, which transformed into a blood swallow and fluttered off into the distance.

Half an hour later—

On the high platform.

Qin Xian, who had been resting with eyes closed, suddenly opened them, sensing something.

He reached out, grabbed the blood swallow, crushed it in his palm.

"Interesting."

After a long pause, Qin Xian sneered, flicking the blood from his hand:

"I am a second Foundation Establishment cultivator. What upstart dares to provoke me, ignorant of the heavens? Daring to tug at my tiger’s whiskers?"