Chapter 104: Chapter 89: The Secret of the Bloodline
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Chu Zheng's cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Transformation Realm, just one step away from the Jade Bone Realm.
The efficacy of the Five Elements Shaping Yuan Pill was extremely mysterious, continuously nourishing his body, and even without actively cultivating, the Yuan Qi within his body slowly increased.
This kind of growth would be negligible for cultivators in the Divine Infant Realm, but for Chu Zheng in his current state, the effect was nothing short of astounding.
At this rate, it would take him no more than two more months to step into the Jade Bone Realm.
A Jade Bone in one year – among Qi Cultivators, he was a peerless genius, rarely seen throughout the ages.
Only those freaks of nature, favored by heaven and earth, could have such speed in their progression.
Once he stepped into the Jade Bone Realm, Chu Zheng's physical strength would undergo a qualitative transformation.
Throughout the Jade Bone Realm, the muscles and bones would continuously mutate, reversing any negative changes caused by postnatal environment, acquired throughout the growth process.
The shape of his body, his muscles, root bones, and even the way Qi circulated, would all regress towards their condition at the time of birth.
Upon achieving Perfection in the Jade Bone Realm, with his physical body adjusted to an almost perfect state, one could then begin constructing the Dao Embryo.
And all of this was in preparation for the Golden Core Realm.
Calming his inner breath, Chu Zheng took out a Jade Scroll from his sleeve.
[Hidden Dragon List (Third Order): Handed down by the Immortal Alliance, connected to the Heavenly Dao, created especially for the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, only a few Holy Lands are qualified to possess it.]
The Hidden Dragon List that Geng Yiyang left behind – in recent days, Chu Zheng, by combining the information provided by the panel, had largely figured out its use.
Those who participate in the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, when they leave their sects, will have a farewell ceremony, where sacrifices are made and blood is offered in a ritual to the heavens.
During this process, the aura of the cultivating geniuses naturally gets recorded by the Heavenly Dao.
This privilege is prepared for the true disciples of the major Holy Lands, allowing them to gain an early understanding of their opponents.
As for Chu Zheng, his name was already on the list.
[Hidden Dragon List No. 7469: From Taixuan Holy Land, Chu Zheng, bone age eighteen, cultivation at the late stage of the Spirit Spring Realm.]
Geng Yiyang had already helped Chu Zheng enter his information into the Hidden Dragon List in advance.
Chu Zheng unfolded the Hidden Dragon List, his gaze moving toward the top of the list.
[Hidden Dragon List No. 1: From Primordial Spirit Holy Land, Shang Zuling, bone age eighty-four, cultivation at the early stage of the Divine Infant Realm.]
At the age of eighty-four, stepping into the realm of Divine Infant Great Ability, on par with the Supreme Elders of many great sects.
This speed of progression was truly astonishing.
Apart from Shang Zuling, the one ranked tenth also possessed the cultivation of Soul Condensing Realm Perfection.
This year's Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, compared to previous ones, was more formidable by not just a small margin.
In the past, the emergence of a cultivator with Soul Condensing Realm Perfection could likely top the list, but now they might not even make it into the top ten.
And then there was a monstrous talent who had stepped into the Divine Infant Realm, leaving all others far behind.
Chu Zheng looked over the list for a moment, then put away the Hidden Dragon List, got up from his bed, and moved towards the corner to push open the cabin window.
The river breeze brushed across his face, bringing along a slightly fishy and moist scent.
As they moved deeper into Giant Marsh, the proportion of Water Qi in the air became noticeably higher.
The territory of Giant Marsh Country was extremely vast, almost more than twice the size of Great Zhou, though due to abundant waterways and numerous islands, its actual population was comparable to that of Great Zhou.
With water demons rampant, numerous small sects were scattered throughout the region, and it was common to see cultivators passing by.
Regarding the Song Family, the findings from Chu Zheng's recent exploration in Giant Marsh had been surprisingly fruitful.
He had thought it would not be easy to find them, but it turned out he rapidly received news; the ship he was on now was headed for the island where the Song Family resided.
The Song Family had a very prominent reputation within Giant Marsh.
The Patriarch of the Song Family, Song Tongxuan, had one son and one daughter, both of whom possessed an Immortal Bone and had been accepted as disciples by Qionglou.
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The eldest son, Song Lingfeng, had a middle-quality Immortal Bone and upon entry, was immediately accepted into the ranks of true disciples.
The second daughter, Song Lingping, possessed a talent not inferior to others. Although she had a lower-quality Immortal Bone, her constitution was different from ordinary people, with broader meridians, nearly twice as superior to those of regular cultivators, and was exceptionally promoted to the inner sect.
With two Immortal Seedlings in one family, it naturally caused quite a stir in Giant Marsh.
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It took several days traveling by water before finally reaching shore.
Once on land, Chu Zheng found a corner and released Song Tonghai from his Small World.
Given his identity, contacting the Song Family was naturally more appropriate.
The island wasn't large, and the Song Family Head's mansion was easy to find; in less than half an hour, the two men were standing in front of the grand entrance of the Song Residence.
After handing over their visiting cards, it took only a moment before a figure quickly approached, striding with the wind, crossing the threshold in an instant, and stood before them.
The newcomer looked to be about the same age as Song Tonghai, or even younger, dressed in a dark red robe with hidden patterns, full of vigorous Blood Qi, with a heroic and flourishing appearance, in the prime of his life, his Martial Path cultivation profound, already reaching the realm of a Martial Path Grandmaster.
Compared to Song Lingqing's situation then, Qionglou apparently had far fewer restrictive rules.
Song Lingfeng as well as Song Lingping would often return home, bringing back Spirit Pills from their sect for Song Tongxuan to consume.
Together with the constant practice of Inner Strength, it was natural that he looked significantly healthier.
"Little Hai?"
Seeing the two people in front of him, Song Tongxuan tentatively called out, somewhat unsure. He left home when Song Tonghai was only two years old.
Decades have passed since then, and the younger brother who had just started to toddle was now a middle-aged man.
The two brothers had not seen each other since that separation decades ago, with only letters exchanged.
But blood is thicker than water, and from the similar features alone, the familiarity in their eyes and brows already brought a sense of closeness.
"Big brother..."
Song Tonghai called out, his eyes slightly red.
During the tumultuous times of the Song family, he had almost no one to rely on and struggled to support the family on his own; his emotions were naturally somewhat uncontrollable at this moment.
"Let's talk inside the house!"
Song Tongxuan didn't say much, slightly excited, he turned around to lead the way, calling out loudly:
"Serve the tea!"
Soon, Song Tongxuan welcomed the two men into the mansion.
Today was different from other days; Chu Zheng was now openly recognized as a late-stage Spirit Spring Realm cultivator, and his actions no longer needed to be secretive.
This time he visited the Song Residence in the capacity of an Immortal Master, and naturally, he received a great deal of courtesy.
After entering the Song Residence, Chu Zheng's purpose was very clear. After greeting Song Tongxuan, he immediately headed to the Mansion's Treasury and dove right in.
The frequent birth of Immortal Seedlings with Immortal Bones suggested that there must be some mystery within the bloodlines of the Song family.
When Song Tongxuan left home years ago, he took many of the Song family's hereditary foundations with him, which might contain some clues.
Chu Zheng quickly found some hints among a pile of miscellaneous items.
[Family Heritage Blood Jade (Fourth Order/Incomplete): A medium to open a Secret Realm, divided into six fragments. Once all are collected and complemented with the Essence Blood of the Song family's direct lineage, it can open a Secret Realm and can be repaired (0/500)]
Chu Zheng caressed the Blood Jade at his fingertips, falling into deep thought.
Great Zhou truly was a land of wonders, with both Martial Path legacies and grand family inheritances like the Song Family which hid many secrets.
Perhaps, he should take the time to return to Great Zhou and browse through the Great Zhou Imperial Family's Scripture Pavilion. Maybe he would find some gains.