Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

Chapter 156 Heavenly Thunder Bamboo

Lu Jianghe stroked the incomplete map of the void with his fingertips, his brows furrowing slightly.

He mobilized all the means he knew, whether it was pure true energy, profound sword intent, or his own perfect and unobstructed perception of his realm, in an attempt to capture the exact location of the Void Heaven Palace and the key point of its opening.

Although it is an ironclad rule that the Void Heaven Palace opens only once every three hundred years, at that time, no matter where you are in the Chaotic Star Sea, there will be a "hanging needle" celestial phenomenon to guide your direction.

But if we can see through the mystery and find the flaw in that "door", can we ignore this predetermined cycle and ascend to the throne ahead of schedule?

The secret realm created by the Ice Soul Fairy, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

The restrictions she set up were indeed powerful, following the rule of a cycle of three hundred years, but as with any restriction, there must be flaws.

If things proceed according to the established timeline, we will have to wait another one or two decades.

At this moment, Lu Jianghe was focused on seeing if he could find a crack in this "door" that would allow him to enter ahead of time.

A gentle breeze swept across the courtyard, and Zhuang Huayi was already seated opposite him.

Xin Ruyin and Yan Ruyan stood on either side.

Even in the presence of two Nascent Soul cultivators, rules cannot be disregarded.

In the world of cultivation, strength is paramount; that is the greatest rule.

The arrival of the three women subtly changed the atmosphere inside the pavilion, adding an indescribable warmth.

In the air, several distinct scents intertwined and lingered, with a faint sandalwood fragrance floating in the air, and a subtle fragrance like that of blooming roses.

Lu Jianghe placed the incomplete Void Heaven Map in his hand on the stone table, his gaze sweeping over Yan Ruyan, then over Xin Ruyin, and finally settling on Zhuang Huayi.

Some women can kill someone just by looking at their back.

Of all the people Lu Jianghe has ever seen in the human realm, only a handful possess such charm.

Besides Zi Ling, Yuan Yao is another, and Zhuang Huayi in front of us is another.

Although the latter's appearance may be slightly inferior to the former two.

However, that feminine charm she exuded was truly—rare, extremely rare.

According to that son of a bitch Ah Liang's way of judging and viewing the beauties of the world.

If we were to use one hundred spirit stones to describe the beauty of a woman in time.

Zhuang Huayi is probably worth 90, but if you add her unique charm, she's at least 95 or higher.

As for Zi Ling and Yuan Yao.

The former might be close to one hundred, while the latter's natural beauty is only slightly different.

"Mr. Lu seems quite interested in this incomplete map of the Void Heaven?"

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly. "I am preparing to ascend the throne."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Huayi asked in a puzzled tone, "Mr. Lu, are you perhaps unaware of the rules of the Void Heaven Palace? Historically, only mid-Nascent Soul cultivators have been allowed to enter. Late-Nascent Soul cultivators who have attempted to enter have all been blocked by the restrictions outside the palace. There has never been an exception in the past ten thousand years."

Lu Jianghe said, "I am aware of this matter. However, I have other ways to get in."

A strange look, hard to hide, flashed across Zhuang Huayi's eyes.

Xin Ruyin and Yan Ruyan exchanged a glance. They knew very little about the Void Heaven Palace, and both of them looked bewildered.

Xin Ruyin asked, "Senior Zhuang, what exactly is this Void Heaven Palace?"

Yan Ruyan looked at her with the same curiosity.

Upon seeing this, Zhuang Huayi began to recount the story of the Void Heaven Palace, which was the number one secret realm in the Chaotic Star Sea, opening only once every three hundred years and containing countless rare and precious materials, elixirs, and ancient legends.

She emphasized the Void Heaven Cauldron, the most precious treasure in the palace, and the ancient elixir, the Heaven-Mending Pill, which could increase lifespan.

Lu Jianghe then added, "Actually, the Heaven-Mending Pill doesn't actually increase lifespan. Its true wonder lies in cleansing the spiritual root and increasing the chances of forming a Nascent Soul. As for the claim of 'extending lifespan,' that's merely a smokescreen deliberately released by the Star Palace to incite the righteous and demonic paths to fight each other over it, wasting their strength. Since the appearance of the Void Heaven Palace secret realm, ten thousand years have passed. Apart from the unshakeable Void Heaven Cauldron, most of its treasures, rare herbs, and elixirs have already been plundered. A secret realm that only takes and never gives will eventually run out. At this rate, in just a few years, the Void Heaven Palace will be nothing but an empty shell."

After listening, Zhuang Huayi sighed softly, "If the truth were to be known by both the righteous and demonic paths, their hopes would be dashed, their inner demons would arise, and they would have been used by the Star Palace for so many years in vain."

Lu Jianghe neither confirmed nor denied this, but instead said, "The current situation seems stable, with the outer sea demon race and the human race temporarily clearly separated. However, without strong external pressure, internal troubles are prone to arise. Right now, for both the righteous and demonic paths, this is probably the only opportunity to enter the Star Palace and steal its fortune."

Zhuang Huayi sensed the deeper meaning in his words and softly inquired, "Is the rumor that the two saints suffered a qi deviation and Jin Kui seized the opportunity to usurp the throne true?"

Lu Jianghe chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with amusement, "The two saints cannot be separated from Tianxing City; this is beyond doubt. As for whether Jin Kui harbors ambitions to usurp power, well, that's a matter of opinion."

Yan Ruyan held the sword in a reverse grip, turning the blade upside down and carrying it behind her back.

"Senior Lu, may I accompany you into the Void Heaven Palace?"

Before Lu Jianghe could answer, Zhuang Huayi spoke first.

"Each fragment of the Void Heaven Map represents a spot for entry. Without this map, even if the Void Heaven Palace is right in front of you, you will not be able to enter."

Disappointment was evident in Yan Ruyan's eyes as she pressed for an answer: "Is there still a way to obtain the fragment of the Void Heaven Map? Where can we find it?"

Zhuang Huayi looked at her, her eyes narrowing slightly, and slowly said, "The Void Heaven Remnant Map, as far as I know, corresponds to the number of the Lesser Heavenly Cycle, and the total number should not exceed one hundred. Over the past tens of millions of years, its number has only become rarer."

Whether this item is treasured by a sect or obtained by a rogue cultivator, without exception, its appearance in the world every three hundred years signifies a great opportunity.

Whether you want to buy with spirit stones or exchange with other goods, it is not easy, and there are often prices but no market.

Long ago, if a cultivator possessed a card, entry into the hall guaranteed access to its rare and precious treasures; with even greater luck, they might even obtain an ancient artifact.

Upon hearing these words, Yan Ruyan suppressed her thoughts.

At that moment, a flash of light appeared in Zhuang Huayi's hand, and a fragment of the Void Heaven Map appeared that was exactly the same as the one on the stone table next to Lu Jianghe.

"Of course, I originally planned to make that trip too."

Zhuang Huayi said.

"But plans can change. If you want to go, this map is for you."

As she spoke, she handed the picture to Yan Ruyan.

The latter's joy was immediately evident.

Xin Ruyin, who was standing to the side, felt a little envious as she watched this scene, thinking that she should have asked the question first.

Of course, Yan Ruyan did not accept immediately, but turned to look at Lu Jianghe, waiting for his decision.

The latter's single sentence sealed the deal.

"For a cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, going to the Void Heaven Palace makes little difference. Giving you a Heaven-Mending Pill won't significantly improve your Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude. If you cultivate step by step, success will come naturally. Your chances of forming a Nascent Soul are already 30-40%, so why risk going to the Void Heaven Palace? Besides, the teleportation system within the Void Heaven Palace is scattered, so it's impossible for me to always be by your side."

After Lu Jianghe finished speaking, he turned to Xin Ruyin and said, "You two shouldn't go either."

Upon hearing these words, both women lowered their heads slightly, looking like children being scolded by their elders, inevitably feeling somewhat disappointed.

Seeing this, Zhuang Huayi smiled slightly and then put her incomplete map of the Void Realm back.

It truly deserves to be called the treasure of the Miaoyin Sect.

They managed to get back from Scorpion Island in just eight or nine days.

Upon arriving in Tianxing City, Zi Ling instructed Han Li not to leave yet, but to settle in first and then discuss the matters she had promised.

After being informed by a female disciple of the Miaoyin Sect, Han Li tidied himself up and slowly walked to an elegant pavilion.

Stepping into the room, one is surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, with pure white gauze curtains hanging all around, swaying gently in the breeze, creating an ethereal and elegant atmosphere.

In the very center stands a tall and lush purple cherry blossom tree, its branches spreading and intertwining, reaching high out of the attic courtyard and cascading down in layers.

After passing several screens, one can see Zi Ling sitting upright on a soft couch placed horizontally in the center of the inner room.

Now she had shed her disguise and revealed her true face, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, which made her even more stunning.

On a jade table in front of her, a jade box sat quietly.

Upon Han Li's arrival, Zi Ling made no polite greetings; with a gentle wave of her hand, the jade box in front of her opened.

A root-like spiritual plant slowly emerged from it. Upon closer inspection, wisps of white electric arcs could be seen winding and flowing around the gnarled roots, emitting a soft crackling sound.

With just one glance, Han Li recognized it as the Thunder Bamboo, one of the three great divine trees in the cultivation world. It even seemed to be able to grow!

His heart warmed instantly, but considering that he had barely participated in the battle on Scorpion Island and hadn't contributed anything, he felt it wouldn't be right to take such a valuable treasure for nothing.

Han Li coughed lightly and said solemnly, "Sect Master Zi Ling, to be honest, I wasn't of much help this time. If it weren't for Lu—if it weren't for that Nascent Soul senior who intervened and turned the tide, the consequences would have been unpredictable. Although the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo is crucial to me, I'm not willing to accept such a generous gift for nothing. Sect Master, why don't you name a price? I'm willing to offer spirit stones or equivalent materials and magic treasures in return."

Zi Ling's eyes narrowed slightly when she heard Han Li utter the unfinished word "Lu".

"Back then, during the incident on Kui Xing Island, you saved my life. What reward is a mere section of Thunder Bamboo?"

Han Li changed the subject, asking, "Although the Sect Master's plan ultimately succeeded, the process was truly perilous and unpredictable. Forgive my bluntness, but the Nascent Soul cultivator who appeared at the end seems to have a deep connection with the Sect Master. Why not have him take action directly? Wouldn't that have saved you from many twists and turns and costs?"

When Zi Ling heard Han Li mention Lu Jianghe, her smile instantly blossomed like a blooming flower, dazzling and captivating, causing Han Li to be slightly taken aback.

"This is a long story, and it also involves some private aspects of the Miaoyin Sect and my own past. In short, the good ending is enough."

Han Li gave a soft "hmm," his face showing a thoughtful expression.

Zi Ling pushed the box containing the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo in front of him.