Chapter 403

In the azure-blue water area, water ripples surged violently, like a pot of boiling water.

The black silt at the bottom of the water was constantly decomposing, and some plants, withered bones, gems, and other things buried in the silt were revealed one after another.

These were the "treasures" in this Tomb of Heavenly Water, and also the targets of various forces.

These things, whether used for refining medicine, making artifacts, or making implants, were very useful and were treasures that couldn't be bought outside.

But now these things were all being destroyed along with the collapse of the Tomb of Heavenly Water, gradually turning into nothingness.

Gradually, when all the silt was completely decomposed, the bottom of the Tomb of Heavenly Water was revealed.

This was a layer of light blue light film, and this layer of light film was already covered with cracks, with holes appearing in many places, and the holes were becoming larger and larger!

If this Dead Domain of the Tomb of Heavenly Water were forcibly broken from the outside, it would trigger its preset "mechanism," causing the entire Dead Domain to be completely destroyed, and everything inside would be annihilated in an instant!

This mechanism was to prevent "grave robbing"; this was the cemetery of the Heavenly Water clan, and this clan would rather destroy everything than have the corpses of their own clan members taken away by other living beings.

But now the Tomb of Heavenly Water was collapsing from the inside, which did not trigger the self-destruction mechanism, so Li Fei and Ye Zhao on the black boat were both still alive.

Li Fei's body was no longer radiating blue light, and he had collapsed on the black boat with Ye Zhao, with the bodies of You Ming and Zhu San beside them.

Fortunately, Li Fei had activated the black boat's protective shield in advance, so the two were not drowned alive.

At this time, Li Fei had already injected Void Thoughts into the Rumen Order, and then instantly constructed an illusion.

In the illusion, he waved one hand, and a complex three-dimensional structure immediately appeared before his eyes, pieced together from four objects of different colors, looking like a huge ball of yarn.

This was Li Fei using Art techniques to simulate the Dao foundation within his own body.

This was where the preciousness of the Nightmare Sect's Art techniques was reflected.

Some problems involving cultivation are often very thorny. One mistake, and at best, cultivation is damaged; at worst, life is lost.

And through the Nightmare Sect's Art techniques, various cultivation situations and means can be simulated in an illusion.

Although the simulated situation cannot be 100% consistent with the real situation, it can at least give people a contingency plan to reduce risks.

Li Fei was now trying to simulate the situation of that cold current in his body merging into his Dao foundation, and then trying to start with Art techniques to see if he could solve this problem.

"Senior."

Li Fei did not rush to act, but first "called out."

The next second, True Person Qingding appeared beside Li Fei.

"Please help me advise, Senior."

Li Fei used Void Thoughts to convey his situation to True Person Qingding, and then simulated the cold current in his body, making it merge into his Dao foundation.

At a time like this, if you don't properly consult your "old grandfather," when would you?

Looking at the Dao foundation invaded by the cold current before his eyes, True Person Qingding frowned and began to think of countermeasures with all his might.

He was also very anxious!

If Li Fei died, although he wouldn't die, he didn't know whose hands the Rumen Order would fall into.

Li Fei was quite respectful to this old senior of his, even actively opening a portion of the Rumen Order's permissions to him and lending him Void Thoughts, allowing him to construct the illusions he wanted himself.

So True Person Qingding's life was actually quite comfortable.

If it fell into someone else's hands, he couldn't be sure what his fate would be.

If someone harbored malicious intentions, he, the former number one alchemy master in the world, would definitely be squeezed dry of every last drop of value!

Therefore, True Person Qingding was now sincerely wanting to help Li Fei overcome this difficulty.

"The method I can think of is to use Art techniques to forcibly suppress this cold current, but the Art techniques I thought of are not things you can use."

True Person Qingding said to Li Fei.

He came from the Daluo Sect, and his knowledge and inheritance were far beyond what ordinary True Persons could compare to, but the means he thought of all required at least True Person cultivation to be unleashed.

Even if Li Fei had a supreme treasure like the Rumen Order, there was still a huge gap compared to a True Person.

"If it can't be suppressed, then find a way to guide it; blocking is not as good as dredging."

Li Fei proposed his own line of thinking.

Although he was already a Great Master of the Possession Period, his cultivation time in Art techniques was not even one-fifth of his martial arts, and he had mastered too few Art techniques; now he could only count on True Person Qingding to provide him with a concrete plan.

"Art techniques of the Possession Period are still unleashed with Void Thoughts; Void Thoughts can only influence mental will and cannot influence real matter, unless through a magic treasure. But the only thing you can use now is the Rumen Order, yet the Rumen Order is a magic treasure mainly focused on illusions..."

True Person Qingding said helplessly to Li Fei.

For Art practitioners below the Possession Period, no Art technique could influence reality.

After reaching the Possession Period, wanting to influence reality must also be done through magic treasures.

Only by reaching the True Spirit Realm, transforming the void into reality, and elevating Void Thoughts to True Power can Art techniques directly influence reality.

The only magic treasure Li Fei could use now was the Rumen Order, and the Rumen Order was different from those magic treasures that could cut metal and break iron, blow wind and release fire, or summon lightning and hail.

The Rumen Order was a magic treasure mainly focused on illusions; when it was in the Possession Period, it was also mainly focused on influencing the mental will of others.

This made True Person Qingding helpless; a clever woman cannot cook without rice.

Void Thoughts cannot directly influence matter, and the only magic treasure available cannot directly influence matter either.

How is this supposed to be played?

The ancient sound Li Fei had just heard surfaced in his mind.

This should have been the sound made by that eighth-rank Heavenly Water Azure Soul Beast, and his current situation was also highly likely caused by this eighth-rank exotic beast.

"Is it possible that this cold current is conscious?"

Li Fei suddenly had such a thought, and then he told True Person Qingding his idea:

"Just treat this cold current as a person, activate the Rumen Order, set up an illusion to confuse it, and guide it!"

"Can this work?"

"Treat a dead horse as a living horse!"

"Good."

True Person Qingding stopped talking and directly simulated an illusion in the illusion, applying it to the cold current.

The content of the illusion was also very simple: construct an illusory Dao foundation and let this cold current invade this non-existent Dao foundation.

Soon, the vast majority of the cold current's power began to converge, and then it started fighting internally with itself.

Of course, this was a simulated situation, the most ideal situation.

"You cast the spell."

Li Fei lent his Void Thoughts to True Person Qingding while opening the permissions of the Rumen Order.

Actually, True Person Qingding was now very much like the bit of True Spirit in a True Person's natal magic treasure, capable of autonomously controlling the magic treasure.

After True Person Qingding got the Void Thoughts and permissions, he immediately cast the spell.

The Rumen Order emitted light, and an illusion descended into Li Fei's dantian.

The target of the illusion was the cold current in the dantian.

This was the first time True Person Qingding had cast an illusion on a non-living object.

The next second, the power of the cold current really began to converge!

"It actually succeeded; this power really possesses mental will!"

True Person Qingding said to Li Fei with some excitement.

Li Fei was lost in thought.

Did the mental will of that eighth-rank Heavenly Water Azure Soul Beast really merge into this cold current?

But if that were really the case, why could Art techniques of the Possession Period level influence an eighth-rank exotic beast?

But regardless, the illusion cast by True Person Qingding indeed took effect, it just didn't fully achieve the simulated effect.

True Person Qingding continuously adjusted the illusion, trying again and again.

When the blood souls in Li Fei's Blood Spring decreased to only 48, the damage caused by this cold current to him finally dropped to a range he could withstand.

【Blood Breath】 could recover 54.15 blood souls per minute, while the damage caused by the cold current was about 50 blood souls per minute.

Recovery finally exceeded consumption, and Li Fei was temporarily out of danger to his life.

"Currently, this illusion is already the limit of what I can think of; it can probably be maintained for an hour, and for every hour after that, it will need to be cast by me again. And under these circumstances, you cannot use implants at will; neither power nor extraordinary abilities can be used."

True Person Qingding said to Li Fei.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Senior."

Li Fei expressed his gratitude.

"You can actually survive even like this..."

True Person Qingding looked at Li Fei with a complex expression.

If someone else encountered Li Fei's situation, even a Martial Arts Master, they would definitely die without a doubt!

Li Fei smiled and withdrew his consciousness from the Rumen Order.

He stood up from the black boat, glanced at Ye Zhao who had already passed out, and then checked the situation outside.

The black boat had reached the water surface from the bottom of the water at some point.

At this time, the entire Tomb of Heavenly Water was like the end of the world!

The water surface was surging with waves, the sky was covered with cracks and holes, and cracks would appear in the surrounding space from time to time.

Li Fei could not use power or extraordinary abilities now, and there weren't many blood souls left, so he could only rely on Art techniques to protect himself.

But the black boat under his feet had not been refined, so it couldn't resonate with his Void Thoughts, and thus couldn't unleash much power.

Wanting to protect himself in this environment was far from enough.

Just as Li Fei was thinking of countermeasures, a sword light suddenly flew in from a hole in the sky, followed by a figure.

Another sword light appeared under the other party's feet, and the newcomer stepped on the flying sword to borrow force, sweeping across the air:

"Where is the Marquis of Jing'an?"

The huge voice rolled out under the urging of power.

Li Fei immediately breathed a sigh of relief and cast an Art technique to amplify his voice:

"I'm here!"

Feng Province, Provincial Capital.

The huge fireball that Shi Caiming had turned into was still hanging in the air.

The old man, who had been the center of attention all night, had been tightly clutching a jade pendant in his hand.

This jade pendant was a simple communication magic treasure that could transmit information within a certain range; even if one was not an Art practitioner, as long as their mental power was strong enough, they could directly read the "information" in the jade pendant.

At a certain moment, the jade pendant in Shi Caiming's hand suddenly lit up.

He immediately immersed his mental power into it, and then a look of joy appeared on his face, followed by a look of astonishment.

This well-informed Grandmaster, nearly a hundred years old, hadn't had such emotional fluctuations in a long time like he did tonight.

He shook his head: "This kid..."

Then he glanced at the Lu Fu below and turned to leave.

When the fireball in the air swept away, many people in the provincial capital breathed a sigh of relief.

One person stood in the city, yet suppressed the entire city so that no one dared to speak loudly.

This was the pressure of a Grandmaster!

"Left?"

In the Lu Fu, Lu Wenyao, who was surrounded by a group of experts, turned to ask Xu Jing.

Xu Jing sensed that overbearing aura gradually moving away and nodded:

"Left."

"Did the palace send him a message?"

Lu Wenyao guessed as much.

Just as he had said before, Shi Caiming was not a loner; the other party had his own family, his own relatives and friends, and people he cared about.

Under these circumstances, even a Grandmaster could not act recklessly.

If the palace had sent a message telling Shi Caiming to retreat immediately, this Grandmaster could not openly defy the imperial decree.

Just at this moment, a series of hurried footsteps came.

Lu Wenyao and Xu Jing immediately turned to look.

A man wearing a black martial uniform was holding a telegram and rushing toward them.

The expressions of Lu Wenyao and Xu Jing both changed; they knew this should be the result from Heavenly Water City.

"My lord, a telegram from Heavenly Water City!"

Sure enough, the newcomer presented the telegram with both hands.

Lu Wenyao grabbed the telegram, and his expression changed drastically after just one glance:

"How is that possible?!!!"

Xu Jing, standing beside him, also saw the content on the telegram, instantly bursting forth with a powerful aura, reaching out to grab the man who came to report the news, gritting his teeth:

"Is this telegram true?"

The man was grabbed by the neck by Xu Jing, suppressed by the Grandmaster's terrifying aura, his face pale, unable to speak a word.

"Speak!"

Lu Wenyao on the side also shouted sternly, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"The telegram sent from Heavenly Water City, translated, is like this; the subordinate didn't change a single word."

The newcomer said nervously.

"Impossible! It must be fake!"

Black light flashed in Xu Jing's palm, and this man who reported the news turned into a dried corpse in his hands in the blink of an eye.

Xu Jing's palm power spat out, and this dried corpse was completely torn to shreds!

Lu Wenyao didn't even take another look at this unlucky guy and strode forward.

He was going to talk to the informant in Heavenly Water City himself!

A moment later, Lu Wenyao got on the line with the informant in Heavenly Water City, and more detailed content was passed back:

"Li Fei not only didn't die, but he also brought out three people from the New Heaven Society, two dead and one injured; the dead person included the Martial Arts Master who previously forced Zhu Fenghua to break through!"

"Are you sure?!"

Lu Wenyao's roar came from the room.

"Go and investigate again, investigate clearly!"

This Inspector had never been so uncomposed.

For the next hour or so, Lu Wenyao mobilized everyone he could mobilize, investigating intelligence about Heavenly Water City from all aspects.

The information finally obtained was basically consistent:

Li Fei fought one against three in the Tomb of Heavenly Water, not only didn't die, but also captured a peak Dao foundation period martial artist alive, and killed a Possession Period Great Master and a Martial Arts Master with dual divine abilities!

In the room, Lu Wenyao and Xu Jing stood opposite each other, and only heavy breathing could be heard.

"Pfft—"

Suddenly, Xu Jing spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura chaotic.

"Grandmaster Xu!"

"Someone—"

The events that happened in the Lu Fu were strictly sealed, and no news was leaked.

However, the events that happened in the Tomb of Heavenly Water were spreading to many people's ears at an astonishing speed.

Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Eunuch Feng Cheng was holding a telegram and walking quickly toward the Imperial Study.

He didn't look at the content of the telegram, only knowing that this telegram was related to Heavenly Water City and Li Fei, so he sent it to the Emperor immediately.

"Your Majesty, a telegram from Heavenly Water City."

"Bring it here."

Feng Cheng handed the telegram in his hand to the Emperor with both hands.

A few seconds later, he heard the Emperor's breathing become heavier, and his heartbeat also became significantly faster.

"Huh?"

"Hahahahaha—"

First was a sound of astonishment, followed by hearty laughter.

Feng Cheng was a bit surprised and looked up at the Emperor.

He hadn't seen the Emperor laugh so heartily for a long time.

"Truly a peerless hero!"

The Emperor slapped the telegram in his hand onto the desk with a look of satisfaction.

Feng Cheng looked at that telegram with some curiosity; it seemed that the Marquis of Jing'an had come out of the Tomb of Heavenly Water alive, and perhaps had performed another meritorious deed?

"Want to see?"

The Emperor looked at Feng Cheng with a smile in his eyes.

Feng Cheng bowed slightly, a sincere smile appearing on his face:

"It's been a long time since I've seen Your Majesty so happy, which makes this old servant a bit curious."

"Haha, take it."

The Emperor threw the telegram in his hand to Feng Cheng.

Without any power appearing, this thin piece of paper floated steadily into Feng Cheng's hand.

Feng Cheng took the paper with both hands and lowered his head to look at the content above.

After reading it, the expression of this Imperial Eunuch also changed.

He had served two emperors in succession and had stayed in the center of power in this world for nearly a hundred years, having seen too many brilliant and talented people, and having witnessed too many great storms and treacherous situations that ordinary people couldn't imagine!

However, what was written on the telegram still made him feel unbelievable!

"How did this Marquis of Jing'an manage to do this?"

Feng Cheng spoke subconsciously.

The Emperor laughed: "You ask me? Can't you, a Grandmaster, imagine it either?"

Feng Cheng shook his head: "This old servant really cannot imagine how a Dao foundation period martial artist could defeat a Martial Arts Master with dual divine abilities."

"Previously, Zhu Fenghua had fought this Martial Arts Master one step ahead and was forced to break through on the spot. Originally, I was also regretting that my hero couldn't take the title of 'Peerless Elegance' from Zhu Fenghua's hands. But now, who is the true number one Dao foundation period of all time is clear at a glance!"

The Emperor laughed.

His mood was indeed extremely good.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty for gaining such a hero!"

Feng Cheng bowed to congratulate the Emperor.

"Hahaha!"

The sound of the Son of Heaven's laughter resounded in the Imperial Study again.

March 23rd.

Gan Province, Provincial Capital.

Although there were now radios, telegrams, and telephones.

But the transmission of many messages among the people was still limited by region.

For example, news that happened in Gan Province usually only spread within the scope of Gan Province; unless it was a very major event, other provinces would not get the news.

Heavenly Water City was also within Gan Province, and several major events that happened yesterday were passed back to the provincial capital that night.

Lu Wenxing and the others did not follow Li Fei to Heavenly Water City, but were ordered to stay behind to assist He Jian in investigating the case.

In a restaurant, Lu Wenxing and several colleagues were drinking, and their ears were full of discussions:

"I heard that Yan Dongchen, fourth on the Wind and Cloud General Ranking, broke through to become a Martial Arts Master."

"Amazing, a rogue cultivator becoming a Martial Arts Master, it makes people admire."

"I heard that after Yan Dongchen broke through, the Marquis of Jing'an took a shot from him without getting injured!"

"I think Yan Dongchen must have held back."

"I think so too; after all, that's the Marquis."

"I heard that Zhu Fenghua also broke through."

"Oh?"

"They say a Martial Arts Master with dual divine abilities went to attack him..."

"..."

The owner of this restaurant was a Jianghu person who had washed his hands of the business, so there were many Jianghu people who came here to drink and chat on weekdays.

Over time, this place became a place for news transmission and exchange.

Lu Wenxing brought several colleagues here to drink, wanting to hear the rumors in the Jianghu.

The events that happened in Heavenly Water City yesterday afternoon were passed back to the provincial capital of Gan Province last night.

Now the discussions that Lu Wenxing and the others heard were all related to the several events of yesterday afternoon.

"Sigh."

Lu Wenxing suddenly sighed.

"Old Lu, what are you sighing about?"

A colleague asked.

These colleagues who were drinking with Lu Wenxing were all "poached" by him from the Zhige Pavilion, intending to hold onto Li Fei's thigh tightly and mix with Li Fei in the future.

"I feel it's a pity that the Marquis will never have the chance to prove to the world that he is the true number one Dao foundation period."

Lu Wenxing sighed.

After the events in Heavenly Water City yesterday afternoon were passed back, the Jianghu people in the provincial capital of Gan Province all felt that Zhu Fenghua was the true number one Dao foundation period, stronger than Li Fei.

People who break through on the spot in a life-and-death battle usually don't have a good end; back then, Gu Yuefeng broke through in front of Li Fei and ended up dead; such cases are not isolated.

It is easy to fail if there is even a little interference when breaking through, let alone facing a strong enemy?

So Zhu Fenghua being able to save his life under a Martial Arts Master with dual divine abilities and successfully break through on the spot was simply too unbelievable!

Plus, before breaking through, Zhu Fenghua openly displayed Dao power at the Xuanjing level.

Displaying Dao power at the Xuanjing level with Dao foundation period cultivation was another unprecedented thing!

With these two things added together, even if Zhu Fenghua hadn't truly fought Li Fei, many people felt that Zhu Fenghua was stronger than Li Fei.

Now that Zhu Fenghua had broken through, it would be very difficult for Li Fei to have another chance to prove that he was stronger than the other party in the Dao foundation period.

"It's okay, the Marquis doesn't need this bit of empty fame."

"Yeah, the Marquis will definitely be able to become a Martial Arts Master, a Grandmaster, or even a Martial Saint in the future! What is a mere Dao foundation period ranking?"

"Yeah, Brother Lu, look at the big picture."

Colleagues comforted Lu Wenxing one after another.

Lu Wenxing picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said depressedly:

"Sigh, I understand the logic, but I just don't feel happy in my heart!"

Several colleagues couldn't help but laugh when they heard this:

"Losing to Zhu Fenghua is nothing."

"Yeah."

"After all, it's peerless elegance, unprecedented."

Lu Wenxing snorted coldly: "Who said that? I just feel that the Marquis is the most powerful Dao foundation period in history!"

"Hahaha!"

Several colleagues couldn't help but laugh.

Lu Wenxing drank wine somewhat depressedly.

"Shocking news!"

"Shocking news!"

Suddenly, a man with a saber at his waist ran into the restaurant.

"Ma Laosan, what shocking news, why are you so startled?"

A Jianghu guest who knew this man in the restaurant asked loudly.

The man with the saber was called Ma Laosan, and he was a famous "information gatherer" in the Jianghu of the provincial capital of Gan Province.

His expression was a bit excited; he stood at the entrance of the restaurant, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly:

"Everyone, the news just received: Marquis of Jing'an Li Fei entered the Tomb of Heavenly Water alone and encountered three thieves inside, including that Martial Arts Master with dual divine abilities who forced Zhu Fenghua to break through!"

"What did you say?!"

As soon as his voice fell, Lu Wenxing and the others who were drinking on the second floor all changed expressions, immediately rushed to the stairs, and asked loudly downward.

Ma Laosan glanced at Lu Wenxing and the others, feeling from their aura that these people were all experts, and immediately cupped his hands and bowed:

"This is the news passed back from Heavenly Water City; it shouldn't be fake."

"You said the Marquis of Jing'an entered the Tomb of Heavenly Water alone, encountered that Martial Arts Master, and then what?"

Lu Wenxing asked nervously, his hands squeezing the wooden handrail of the stairs until it crackled.

Ma Laosan realized that these people might be from the government, so he hurriedly squeezed out a smile:

"The Marquis of Jing'an counter-killed this Martial Arts Master and has now safely left the Tomb of Heavenly Water, and also brought back the body of that Martial Arts Master."

"..."

The restaurant was silent.

Everyone was doubting their own ears, including Lu Wenxing, who had just been clamoring that Li Fei was the number one Dao foundation period in history.

Next, Ma Laosan told the detailed news he had gathered in the restaurant.

A moment later, Lu Wenxing's extremely hearty laughter came from the restaurant:

"Owner, serve a pot of good wine to every table; I'm paying today!"

Lanling City, Inner City.

Tianzhixia Restaurant.

When the news of Yan Dongchen and Zhu Fenghua breaking through one after another was passed back to the capital, many people knew that Tianzhixia would definitely have to change the ranking list again.

This afternoon, an old man wearing a luxurious robe led two young waiters out of the restaurant.

Many people around were surprised to see this old man, because this old man was the manager of Tianzhixia Restaurant on the surface, and also the main person in charge of the "Tianzhixia" intelligence organization in Lanling City.

This manager was changing the list himself today!

A moment later, the new list was posted on the stone tablet outside.

Everyone gathered to look at the list, and the manager did not leave, standing quietly by the stone tablet waiting.

The format of this list was the same as the last one, also divided into three rows.

Only the top row now had only one name left—Li Fei.

"Manager, even if the Marquis of Jing'an is number one, since no one is tied with him, why list him separately on a line?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

This was also what everyone present wanted to ask.

The events that happened that afternoon in Heavenly Water City had been passed back to the capital, but the events that happened that night had not been passed back yet.

The point of everyone's confusion was that Zhu Fenghua had already broken through, and the remaining Li Fei was the undisputed number one on the Wind and Cloud General Ranking, with no one tied with him.

Then according to past rules, Li Fei's name should be in the same row as the other nine people on the general ranking.

Why make it special?

The manager standing on the side took a deep breath and made a sound with vigorous power:

"The Master has an order!"

Hearing this, everyone present showed a look of awe.

Because the "Master" in the mouth of this manager was the mastermind behind the scenes of "Tianzhixia," the number one intelligence organization in the world!

The Wind and Cloud General Ranking came from his hands, truly achieving the feat of involving the Jianghu winds and clouds, making the world pay attention.

Now this mysterious Master had something to say.

"From now on, Li Fei's name will forever be listed at the very top of the Wind and Cloud General Ranking!"

The manager said so.

Whoosh—

The whole place was in an uproar.

Forever listed at the very top of the Wind and Cloud General Ranking?

Doesn't this mean that even if Li Fei breaks through and leaves the list in the future, his name will still be on the list!

And no matter how brilliant and talented Dao foundation period martial artists appear in the future, Li Fei's name will be pressed above these people's names?

Is "Tianzhixia" trying to let Li Fei suppress the geniuses of all generations?!

Without waiting for everyone to raise questions, the manager of "Tianzhixia" restaurant loudly told the combat record of Li Fei in the Tomb of Heavenly Water:

Alone facing a peak Dao foundation period martial artist, a Possession Period Great Master, and a Martial Arts Master with dual divine abilities, finally killing two and capturing one alive!

After speaking, without waiting for everyone to digest this explosive news, the manager said the last sentence:

"The Master said, Marquis of Jing'an Li Fei is truly the number one Dao foundation period in history; being able to list his name on the Wind and Cloud General Ranking is the glory of this list!"

This chapter is 7000+, please give me monthly tickets, and by the way, please give me the guaranteed monthly tickets for December~

(End of chapter)