Chapter 219: A Glimmer of Hope

Jiangnan swallowed the Zhengyang Pill without hesitation.

The pill dissolved upon entering his mouth, and a powerful medicinal force erupted within Jiangnan's body.

"Ah!"

Jiangnan let out a low roar as his body began to change.

His muscles grew firmer, his bones harder, and even his meridians widened.

"What a powerful medicinal force!"

A painful expression crossed Jiangnan's face; he felt as if his whole body were about to explode.

Yet he knew clearly in his heart that this was the critical moment and he must persevere!

Jiangnan clenched his teeth and fully activated the Zhengyang Technique, absorbing the Zhengyang Pill's medicinal force.

As time passed bit by bit, his body finally ceased changing.

"Huh…"

Jiangnan exhaled a long breath, opened his eyes, and a flash of brilliance flickered within them.

He could feel that his strength was several times greater than before.

"This Zhengyang Pill is indeed formidable!"

An excited expression appeared on Jiangnan's face; after ingesting the Zhengyang Pill, his injuries not only healed completely, but he also entered the perfect Golden Core stage.

Even the Yuan Ying Stage was only a step away!

The crucial point is that the stored Zhengyang Pills here were not just one but three. Although the latter two would surely be less effective than the first, the quantitative change could trigger a qualitative leap, and Jiangnan believed the chance to break through to Yuan Ying might lie within them!

This truly is a blessing in disguise!

A faint smile curled at Jiangnan's mouth; he never expected to obtain the inheritance of Zhengyang Sect—it was a heavenly opportunity.

However…

The Zhengyang Sect and Qijiu Sect have always been mortal enemies. Since he accepted the inheritance, he must utterly eliminate the Qijiu Sect!

Moreover, the Sect Leader Su Mo must be slain by his own hand!

At this thought, a cold glint flashed in Jiangnan's eyes, and his heart filled with murderous intent.

He continued to explore the secret chamber and soon discovered a Secret Compartment containing a Jade Slip.

"What is this?"

Jiangnan picked up the Jade Slip and probed it with his divine sense.

"Hmm? This is…"

A hint of surprise flashed in Jiangnan's eyes; he discovered that the Jade Slip recorded a Double Cultivation method!

"Double Cultivation method?"

Jiangnan slightly furrowed his brows and continued reading the Jade Slip's contents.

"This Double Cultivation method can actually forge true qi and elevate cultivation!"

A spark of brilliance flashed in Jiangnan's eyes; he hadn't expected the Double Cultivation method to be so wondrous.

"If I can find a suitable Double Cultivation partner, my strength will surely rise again!"

An excited expression appeared on Jiangnan's face as he tucked the Jade Slip away.

At that moment, the ground beneath his feet trembled violently again, causing the entire secret chamber to shake!

Jiangnan hurried to a corner, his mind full of doubt,

"What is this…"

Suddenly, his gaze fell on the entrance of the secret chamber.

There, a human silhouette appeared.

"Su Mo!"

Jiangnan's pupils snapped shut, and murderous intent erupted from his eyes.

"Heh heh heh… Didn't expect this to be Zhengyang Sect's treasury!"

Su Mo looked around, his eyes filled with greed and excitement.

He hadn't expected that misfortune would bring him this fortune, leading him to Zhengyang Sect's treasury.

"There must be many good things in Zhengyang Sect's treasury!"

A greedy smile spread on Su Mo's face as he began searching the secret chamber.

"Hmm? What's going on?"

Soon, Su Mo's complexion turned sour.

He discovered that the treasures in the secret chamber had been completely looted!

"Who? Who did this?"

Anger filled Su Mo's eyes; he hadn't expected that the opportunity originally his had been snatched away!

He had been stationed by Qijiu Sect in this barren place for decades, all for this treasury, hadn't he?

Yet now, an outsider had seized the initiative!

Su Mo trembled with fury, suppressing his anger to stay calm.

This tremor bore a striking similarity to the one when Jiangnan vanished.

"Could it be Jiangnan?"

Previously he had injured Jiangnan and buried him in the ruins.

Yet later a huge hole appeared in the ruins, sucking in the surrounding Qijiu Sect members.

"Could Jiangnan be alive? Did he fall into that hole and end up here?"

A flash of brilliance crossed Su Mo's eyes; he thought his speculation might indeed be true.

"You, Jiangnan, actually dare to steal my thing!"

Su Mo's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and his heart was full of anger.

"I will definitely find you and tear your body to pieces!"

Su Mo gritted his teeth and said, his voice brimming with venomous resentment.

"Hmph, just you?"

At that moment, a cold voice rang out in the secret chamber.

"Who?"

Su Mo's complexion changed; he hurriedly turned around, looking toward the direction of the voice.

There stood Jiangnan, standing in a corner of the secret chamber, his face expressionless as he stared at him.

"Jiangnan! You actually didn't die!"

A flash of surprise crossed Su Mo's eyes; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to still be alive.

"Is that surprising?"

Jiangnan's mouth corner lifted slightly, revealing a faint cold smile.

"Hmph, even if you didn't die, what then? Do you think you're still my opponent?"

Su Mo let out a cold snort, his eyes full of contempt.

"Whether I'm your opponent, you'll soon find out."

Jiangnan said lightly, his tone brimming with confidence.

"Arrogant!"

Su Mo shouted angrily, his figure flashing as he charged toward Jiangnan.

"Today, I'll let you see the true power of the Qijiu Sect's Sect Leader!"

He curled his five fingers into claws, black qi swirling around, bearing a chilling aura that made hearts race, and lunged at Jiangnan's face.

Jiangnan's gaze hardened; he dared not be careless.

Su Mo's speed and strength far surpassed before. It seemed he hadn't given his all earlier.

"Zhengyang Technique, rise!"

Jiangnan let out a low roar in his heart; golden qi burst forth instantly, soaring around him like flames.

He shifted his body to the side, narrowly evading Su Mo's sharp claws,

and simultaneously thrust out a palm; the golden palm imprint, bearing scorching heat, surged toward Su Mo's chest.

Bang!

A muffled boom, black and golden qi colliding, stirred up a fierce wave of energy that blew dust swirling in the secret chamber.

Su Mo's figure shivered, stepping back half a pace, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"You actually managed to block my Seven Successes Force?"

He licked the corner of his mouth, revealing a bloodthirsty grin,

"It seems you've made some progress, but that's as far as it goes!"

Su Mo surged forward again, his assault even fiercer. His moves were cruel and poisonous, targeting vital points of the body,

Jiangnan responded calmly, the Zhengyang Technique running to its limit, golden qi surging within him, power flowing endlessly.

He ceased pure defense and began to counterattack actively.

Each move unfolded grandly, fierce and domineering, contrasting sharply with Su Mo's yin‑soft yet ruthless style.

Bang bang bang...

Inside the secret chamber, the two figures intertwined, qi colliding, erupting in wave after wave of thunderous sound that made the stone walls tremble slightly.

"Your technique does have some depth."

Su Mo, while attacking, said coldly,

"Unfortunately, it's ultimately a righteous thing, too bright and upright, lacking enough cruelty and poison; against me, it's still far off!"

"Is that so?"

Jiangnan let out a cold laugh,

"Then try my even more 'bright and upright' move!"

He inhaled deeply, the golden qi inside him raging wildly, converging onto his right fist.

"Zhengyang Divine Fist!"