CHAPTER 450: CHAPTER 126: ENEMIES ON A NARROW ROAD

Time flies.

Today is the day the Washing Body Pond opens.

Before heading to the Washing Body Pond,

Luo Cheng refined the Five-star spiritual herb Flame Tongue Orchid he obtained from Hua Jingyang using the Nine-colored Scale.

He ended up producing three Medicine Extraction Pills.

The elixirs shimmer with brilliant colors, emitting faint undulating ripples, occasionally birthing wisps of fiery aura resembling exquisite jade sculpted from flames!

Simply holding the elixirs in his hand, Luo Cheng felt an overwhelming, tyrannical energy emanating from them, penetrating his flesh, surging into his limbs and bones, causing his entire body’s vitality to boil!

Even his Sea of Consciousness was affected, waves of golden ripples rising in succession.

Luo Cheng suddenly felt his mind become remarkably clear, and his vitality seemed to surge silently upward.

"As expected of a Five-star spiritual herb with millennia worth of cultivation, what potent medicinal power!"

Luo Cheng’s eyes sparkled with delight.

Ming Sect’s Supreme Elder once mentioned,

cultivating in the Washing Body Pond requires preparation of spiritual medicines to replenish vitality, energy, and spirit.

Luo Cheng originally planned to use an Awakening God Pill.

Having obtained this Flame Tongue Orchid, he wanted to test its effects.

The results were unexpectedly excellent.

Not only could the Flame Tongue Orchid nurture soul power and the divine soul, it could also strengthen blood vitality and the physical constitution, making it far superior to the Awakening God Pill!

"Now everything is ready; I just wonder how effective the cultivation within the Washing Body Pond will be... let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint me!"

With that thought, Luo Cheng changed into clean clothes and headed toward Cuiyu Peak.

On the clear morning at Cuiyu Peak, spiritual mists lingered, and under the radiance of dawn, the peak resembled a peerless jade, radiating a kaleidoscope of colors.

Upon reaching the foot of Cuiyu Peak, Luo Cheng unintentionally glanced around, a peculiar expression fleeting across his gaze.

On the mountain path leading to the peak, several young men and women were already waiting there.

There were four in total, two men and two women.

Judging from their essence energy fluctuations, aside from one who was a middle-stage Awakening Vein Realm expert, the other three were all late-stage Awakening Vein Realm powerhouses!

Among them was a swordswoman with an elegant figure and an air akin to an orchid deep within a valley; her presence was the strongest!

Luo Cheng’s gaze settled on the austere young man at the center.

The person turned out to be Yuan Qingying’s younger brother, Yuan Qianyu, the only middle-stage Awakening Vein Realm warrior among the four!

"What a narrow encounter with an old rival..."

Straight-faced, Luo Cheng walked forward.

The four people on the mountain path were chatting leisurely.

Their standing positions revealed their hierarchy.

Except for Zhu Lingmei, who remained detached,

the other two inner sect disciples gathered around Yuan Qianyu.

Both were core disciples of the inner sect, yet they flattered Yuan Qianyu incessantly.

This instantly brightened the mood of Yuan Qianyu, who had been sulking for days.

"Someone else is coming. Who is it?"

Hearing footsteps, the group turned to look.

Huh?

Seeing Luo Cheng, the four were slightly surprised.

Yuan Qianyu’s expression immediately darkened, and he stepped in front of Luo Cheng, barking coldly:

"Luo Cheng, what are you doing here? Cuiyu Peak isn’t a place for just anyone!"

Luo Cheng glanced faintly: "What I do is none of your concern. Move aside!"

Yuan Qianyu’s face darkened further.

Unfortunately, he knew he was no match for Luo Cheng at the moment and didn’t dare lash out.

At this moment, the young man on the side stepped forward, a fierce glint in his eyes:

"So you’re that Luo Cheng! A mere early-stage Awakening Vein Realm Second Layer warrior, daring to provoke my Crown Prince Hall. And now, after entering the inner sect, you’re still so brazen. Need me to teach you a lesson about humility?"

The other female disciple, dressed in a green gown with a peach-like complexion, smirked sarcastically:

"Junior Brother Yuan Qianyu’s words may be harsh, but he’s not wrong. To enter Cuiyu Peak, you must first earn the qualification for cultivation in the Washing Body Pond. Not just anyone can come here."

Though her face carried a smile, her words were laced with sharp mockery.

Luo Cheng looked at them, his eyes icy.

As the atmosphere grew more tense,

Zhu Lingmei, who hadn’t spoken earlier, walked toward Luo Cheng and said:

"I suppose you’re here for the Washing Body Pond? I’ve heard that this year’s top-ranked disciples in the Outer Sect Tournament are granted an opportunity to cultivate there."

Given her kind inquiry, naturally, Luo Cheng wouldn’t ignore her. He nodded slightly:

"That’s correct."

Seeing Zhu Lingmei step forward, the young man’s gaze flickered briefly, before he snorted heavily and said nothing more.

The other female disciple’s eyes showed displeasure, and even a hint of jealousy.

Though both were core disciples, Zhu Lingmei, in terms of strength, appearance, and figure, outshone her in every way. Now, she had not only stood up but also seemed to side with Luo Cheng, undermining her!

Yuan Qianyu froze briefly, still simmering with anger. He glared at Luo Cheng, narrowing his eyes slightly:

"To think that even a waste like you could enter the Washing Body Pond for cultivation—what a waste of an opportunity!"

"Honestly, with your talent, even if you cultivate there, you won’t gain much. Whether you can break through a minor level is questionable."

Luo Cheng’s eyes flared coldly, and he retorted sharply:

"What’s wrong, was the lesson you learned in the Inner Sect Hall not enough?"

"You!"

Yuan Qianyu’s chest heaved violently, his eyes reddened.

Losing to Luo Cheng in the Inner Sect Hall was the greatest shame of his life!

Never had he thought Luo Cheng would be so audacious as to bring up the humiliation in public. Clenching his teeth, he said:

"Luo Cheng, don’t think that just because you beat me once, you can act arrogant in front of me! After three days, when we emerge from the Washing Body Pond, let’s fight again! The loser must publicly admit they’re a waste and avoid the other at all costs! Do you dare to accept?"

Upon hearing this, the other three turned their eyes on Luo Cheng.

Luo Cheng smiled slightly: "Do you really want to go that far?"

Seeing Luo Cheng hesitate, Yuan Qianyu assumed Luo Cheng was afraid and sneered:

"Not daring, are you? Where did your arrogance go? If you’re scared, admit you’re a waste now, and I’ll spare you this time!"

Luo Cheng remained composed: "I’m only worried you won’t stick to your words."

Yuan Qianyu’s face twisted, a shadow of cold light flashing in his eyes:

"Who do you think you are? Someone with a wasted Martial Soul? You really think you’re a big shot now! Don’t worry—these three are core disciples of the Inner Sect, qualified enough to be witnesses!"

"We’re willing to witness it."

"Absolutely."

The two who had spoken for Yuan Qianyu earlier chimed in.

Zhu Lingmei studied Luo Cheng, then lightly nodded.

Unlike the other two who sucked up to Yuan Qianyu, her motivation seemed more out of curiosity toward Luo Cheng.

Luo Cheng chuckled lightly: "Since you insist on courting death, I’ll grant your wish."

Staying trouble-free was one thing.

Dealing with those who bring trouble was another.

"Hmph! Such arrogance! Let’s see if you’re still laughing in three days!"

Yuan Qianyu snorted coldly, brimming with confidence.

Cultivation at the Washing Body Pond requires innate talent and aptitude!

He had awakened a Seven-star Advanced Martial Soul and reached the bottleneck of the fifth layer in the Awakening Vein Realm’s middle stage.

This time, cultivation in the pond would allow him to undoubtedly break through to the sixth layer, perhaps even the sixth layer’s middle stage!

Defeating Luo Cheng afterward would be as simple as squashing an ant!

Luo Cheng retracted his gaze and spoke no more.

Honestly, he didn’t consider Yuan Qianyu a threat in the slightest.

The man was vastly inferior to people like Hua Jingyang or Yan Qingshuang, his higher cultivation level notwithstanding.

If Luo Cheng could defeat him once, he could do so again.

The time quickly arrived at the "hour of the dragon."

Swoosh!

The heavy mist cloaking Cuiyu Peak abruptly dispersed, and an old woman hunched over, her hair snowy white, and appearance incredibly aged, descended onto the mountain path.

"Elder Li!"

Zhu Lingmei and the others hurriedly bowed.

"Greetings, Elder Li!"

Luo Cheng also bowed, his heart slightly rattled.

Even with his sharp perception, he couldn’t sense a single trace of essence energy from her—it was as though she was merely an ordinary old woman!

Undoubtedly terrifying.

"Hmm."

With a faint nod, Elder Li extended her hand toward the five.

Buzz!

Their identity tokens emitted strands of spiritual light, flying into the elderly woman’s palm.

"Zhu Lingmei, Xue Yuan, Lin Yujing, Yuan Qianyu, Luo Cheng! Follow me."

After naming their identities one by one, Elder Li cast a final glance at Luo Cheng, then turned around to lead the way.