Chapter 100: Senior Brother, Why Are You Ignoring Me?

For Cheng Guang, the Taiji Diagram of the Wang clan remained a temptation of no small significance.

He scrutinized his system tasks, pondered for a long while, and then, overcome by a wave of drowsiness, drifted into a deep sleep.

Upon waking, Cheng Guang pushed open his chamber door, inviting the morning sunlight inside. After a simple wash, he prepared to depart. Today, he was bound for Zhenbei City.

Zhenbei City was the seat of the Duke of Zhen’s estate, or more accurately, a fortress situated on the very edge of the Great Zhou’s borders. It stood at the intersection of the world, bordering the eight layers of the Demon Realm and the ten tiers of the Devil Sea. It was the closest point to the Border Battlefield and served as the foremost bulwark of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

As Cheng Guang stepped out of the courtyard, Qingluan brought his horse around. He mounted and rode toward the main gate of the Duke of Zhen’s residence. Before he even reached the entrance, he spotted Wu Yuemei and Cheng Zhihai standing quietly to the side, watching him.

Wu Yuemei’s expression was gentle, her brow etched with infinite tenderness. She gazed at Cheng Guang with a soft smile before handing him a gold ring inlaid with jade.

"Guang'er, this ring contains many things for that child, Qin Yanqiu. When the time comes, just give it to her directly."

"Furthermore, it is a long journey. Take care of your health, child. There is no need to rush; travel slowly."

As she spoke, her expression betrayed the worry of a mother whose child was about to embark on a long journey. Cheng Guang, facing her concerns, remained unperturbed and simply smiled.

"Don't worry, Mother. No accidents will happen."

Wu Yuemei sighed in relief. "I hope so."

"You have faced many assassination attempts recently, but I assume those were the work of the former Crown Prince. Now that he has been executed, I trust no one else has the courage to target you."

Cheng Guang nodded with a smile.

Cheng Zhihai then added, "Even so, do not let your guard down. Guang'er, if the affairs of the Lamp-Lighting Division were not so pressing, I would have accompanied you to Zhenbei City myself."

"Once you arrive, go see your grandfather first. Speak kindly to him; do not ignore him."

Cheng Guang nodded.

After exchanging a few more words, Wu Yuemei and Cheng Zhihai stepped aside, allowing him to leave. Outside the estate, a long line of carriages stood ready, banners fluttering in the biting autumn wind. The carriages, adorned with the exclusive crest of the Duke of Zhen’s estate, exuded an air of extraordinary nobility and arrogance. Ordinary people, upon catching a mere glimpse of the convoy, felt an inexplicable pressure weighing on their hearts.

Cheng Guang flicked the reins.

"Hyah!"

The horse’s hooves struck the dust as he galloped away from the capital. Once he moved, the Duke’s retinue followed in his wake, leaving the city behind.

...

Zhenbei City was a great distance from the capital. Even with a horse possessing the bloodline of a mythical beast, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day, it would take some time to arrive. If Cheng Guang were in a hurry, he could shorten the journey to seven days. But if he took his time, wandering for ten days or half a month would not be unusual.

Though he was not in a rush, the thought of the secret realm that would eventually lead to Qin Yanqiu’s death—and the uncertainty of when it would appear—made him quicken his pace.

When he finally reached Zhenbei City, seven days had passed.

The scenery of Zhenbei City was vastly different from the capital. Despite it being only early February, with April still far off, heavy snow fell from the sky. The snowflakes drifted down in scattered fragments, carrying a biting chill that settled on Cheng Guang’s shoulders.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

Hooves trampled the snow, sending flakes swirling. The closer he got to the city, the more he felt the temperature plummet. Even with his fourth-rank cultivation in the Divine Ability Realm, the cold of Zhenbei City was almost too much to bear.

Cheng Guang pulled his cloak tighter and looked ahead at the distant city. The massive Zhenbei City lay across the northern landscape, radiating a cold, stern atmosphere. Whether this chill came from the weather or from the bone-piercing killing intent of the million-strong Northern Expeditionary Army stationed within, it was hard to say.

As his procession reached the gates, the soldiers standing upon the tall, blood-stained ramparts fixed their gazes upon him. When they recognized his appearance, their faces showed a flicker of surprise. They had heard that the heir to the Duke of Zhen would soon arrive to marry Qin Yanqiu, so his appearance was not entirely unexpected. After a brief pause, they shouted aloud:

"Open the gates!"

The heavy black iron gates groaned and slowly rose, revealing the bustling life within. Zhenbei City was a city of war; there were few shops, taverns, or places of leisure. Instead, it was filled with training grounds, drill fields, and arenas.

Upon entering, Cheng Guang noticed that every soldier passing by possessed an extraordinary aura. Each one was a veteran forged in mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. This was the Northern Expeditionary Army—the Duke of Zhen’s army, the Cheng family’s army.

Watching the soldiers, Cheng Guang couldn't help but sigh. He finally understood why the Emperor of the Great Zhou, despite his wariness of the Duke’s immense power, felt so helpless. In Cheng Guang’s view, even if the Duke were a Heaven-Human Realm expert, it would not be a major problem for the Emperor; for no matter how powerful an individual might be, they would eventually tire under the assault of thousands.

But the million-strong Northern Expeditionary Army was different. If they marched, even the Emperor himself would be unable to withstand that torrent of steel and iron. He might not even last a day before being trampled by the relentless flood of cavalry.

As Cheng Guang rode through the city, the passing soldiers recognized him. Though most had never seen his face, they had heard of his deeds and the kind of person he was. If all went as expected, he would be the future commander of these million men, so the generals observed him with great interest.

They were not disappointed. Despite his noble status, he lacked any air of arrogance. A gentle, pleasant smile played upon his handsome face, making him seem remarkably approachable.

"The young heir looks quite impressive."

"If all goes well, he is the one who will succeed the Duke. Even if he doesn't reach the Heaven-Human Realm, as long as he is clever and not too dull, his cultivation level matters little."

"He is certainly no fool. Haven't you heard? During the Crown Prince’s recent disruption of the imperial rites, it seems the heir was behind the scenes."

"Hiss! That Crown Prince was an old fox, hiding deeper than anyone. I had assumed someone in the higher echelons of the Lamp-Lighting Division had tracked him down and lured him out."

"Indeed, I never expected it to be the young heir..."

The crowd whispered. As they spoke, their gazes fell upon Cheng Guang, filled with a timely measure of respect. Cheng Guang, ignoring the whispers, rode with a calm expression toward the Duke’s residence.

In fact, the Duke had been aware of Cheng Guang’s progress long before he arrived. Thus, when Cheng Guang reached the residence, he found an old man standing at the gate, waiting.

The moment he saw Cheng Guang at the end of the street, the old man’s aged, clear eyes filled with joy. He immediately wanted to step forward to greet him, but the words died in his throat, perhaps out of shyness, and he swallowed them back. His lips trembled; he felt more nervous now than he ever had facing demon emperors or devil kings.

The old man’s once-imposing stature seemed slightly stiff, like a child waiting for a parent, as he stood乖乖 (obediently) by the gate. While the old man scrutinized Cheng Guang, Cheng Guang was doing the same.

The old man before him had graying hair and a thin, withered frame, as if a single gust of wind could blow him over. Yet, Cheng Guang dared not underestimate him. Though he appeared frail and emitted no detectable aura, the underlying pressure he exuded—a sense of cold detachment from those at the summit—marked him as no ordinary man. Even without speaking, anyone who looked at him would instinctively lower their heads, afraid to gaze too long.

Cheng Guang felt this too, yet he felt little of the pressure. As he watched the old man, the old man gazed back with doting eyes.

"You seem to have grown taller."

Hearing this, Cheng Guang wore a faint smile. "Greetings, Grandfather."

Hearing the sweet address, Duke Cheng Shiyuan felt truly happy. Having not seen his grandson for years, he seemed to suffer from a form of "social anxiety" in Cheng Guang's presence, his hands waving about as if he didn't know what to do with them.

"That... have you eaten on your way here?"

"I don't have much in the way of delicacies, but I have plenty of demon meat. Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll get it for you."

Cheng Shiyuan spoke in such a manner that he looked like someone with social anxiety forcing himself to interact. In all the world, the only person who could make Cheng Shiyuan act this way was Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang bit his lip to suppress a laugh. "It's alright, Grandfather. I've eaten plenty on the road. Don't worry about me."

Hearing this, Cheng Shiyuan sighed in relief and straightened his thin frame. Just as he was about to say more, a soldier’s voice came from the side.

"Duke, General Qin has arrived."

They turned to see a middle-aged man in silver armor walking quickly toward them from the opposite end of the street. It was Qin Beifeng, looking anxious and hurried, accompanied by Qin Gaozhi.

"Duke, Young Master."

Qin Beifeng greeted the Duke with a respectful bow and nodded toward Cheng Guang. Qin Gaozhi also came forward to offer his respects, though he still seemed a bit awkward in Cheng Guang’s presence, his face clouded with worry.

Observing their expressions, Cheng Guang sensed that something was wrong. Whatever had happened, it was clearly significant enough to trouble both men. Could it be that Qin Yanqiu had already been pulled into the secret realm?

Cheng Guang had known of the realm's appearance, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. If he had arrived even a moment later, would Qin Yanqiu be gone? He felt a pang of frustration; the woman known as the "Female War God" of the Northern Expeditionary Army suddenly felt as fragile as a pampered student.

Under their gaze, Qin Beifeng spoke slowly: "Duke, a secret realm suddenly appeared on the Border Battlefield. When it manifested, the spatial rift pulled Yanqiu inside. We have no idea what lies behind that rift or if it is dangerous."

Cheng Shiyuan’s brow furrowed tightly. Secret realms were like divine treasures—they appeared out of thin air, leaving no tracks. Even worse, while their appearance was random, so was their danger level. Aside from entering to investigate, the only way to gauge the threat was to observe the realm's exterior and the aura leaking from it.

Qin Beifeng gritted his teeth. "Yanqiu is inside, and I cannot rest. I intend to go in and find her myself."

Cheng Shiyuan immediately intended to refuse. Qin Beifeng was a vital general; he could not afford to lose him. But... Qin Yanqiu was not someone he could easily abandon, especially since she was betrothed to his grandson.

"Beifeng, do not go. I will go to the realm and see," Cheng Shiyuan said.

Qin Beifeng tried to protest, but the Duke’s aged eyes glared. "What are you saying? I am a Heaven-Human Realm expert. Even if there is danger, my means of survival are far greater than yours. Stay in Zhenbei City; I will go."

With that, Cheng Shiyuan closed his eyes, and a vast, surging energy radiated from his body, probing the surroundings. Moments later, he opened his eyes as if he had found what he was looking for and prepared to step forward.

"Grandfather, wait," Cheng Guang called out.

Cheng Shiyuan paused, looking at him with a confused, stern face. "What is it?"

"Take me with you. I might be able to help."

Cheng Shiyuan shook his head helplessly. "You don't understand the dangers of a secret realm. Stay here and be patient."

But Cheng Guang persisted. Looking at his grandson's determined face, the Duke realized he was worried about his future wife. With a sigh of doting resignation, he said, "Fine, I will take you. But you must promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"You must not leave my side for even a single step, do you understand?"

To the Duke, even if the realm were dangerous, it couldn't threaten a Heaven-Human expert like himself. He had enough confidence to protect his grandson. Besides, taking his grandson along to show off a little "divine manifestation" before him didn't seem like a bad idea.

Cheng Guang agreed. The Duke gently scooped him up and took a single step, transforming into a streak of light that vanished into the distance.

The sight of their surging energy soon caught the attention of the soldiers. "Where is the Duke going? Toward the Border Battlefield? Is there movement from the demons?"

Left behind, Qin Beifeng watched them depart, his worry unassuaged. Even if the Duke was confident, there was no guarantee that Yanqiu would return safely.

"Father, what do we do now? Go back, or wait near the realm?" Qin Gaozhi asked, his eyes drifting toward the battlefield.

Qin Beifeng did not answer immediately. He looked toward the distant horizon. "Go and see. Even if we cannot enter, we must lead the army to prevent any demons from approaching the rift!"

With a command, the heavy gates of Zhenbei City opened, and thousands of iron cavalry charged toward the battlefield.

...

As they traveled, the battlefield became a unique space of chaos and order. The sky looked like a shattered mirror, with deep darkness leaking through the cracks. In the distance, the silhouettes of other realms loomed, whispering of ancient, unspeakable mysteries.

When Cheng Shiyuan stopped, they were hovering above a ten-thousand-foot-deep canyon. At the bottom, a black, snake-like shadow flickered—the spatial rift of the secret realm. Before they even approached, the terrifying aura emanating from it was palpable.

"Grandson, do not move a single step from my side," the Duke warned, then dove toward the rift.

As they entered, an invisible pressure slammed into them. The Duke’s expression shifted. "Such a powerful aura... it can actually suppress me."

Shocked but not panicked, he struck out with his palm, his Divine Ability seal flashing. "Back!"

The oppressive darkness instantly dissipated. Cheng Guang felt a sudden lightness, and a brilliant sight appeared before them.

They stood before a magnificent, golden palace. At the entrance, two bronze lions stood guard. Inside, a path paved with jade led forward, lined with exotic flowers and plants—most withered, yet still exuding a lingering fragrance. In the surrounding sea of clouds, golden radiance swirled. In the distance, broken celestial mountains and ruined palaces drifted in the void.

"This secret realm..." Cheng Shiyuan murmured, his expression darkening. The moment he entered, he felt his energy circulation slow. The sight of this place, clearly destroyed by some horrific battle, caused even his unshakable heart to tremble. The aura remaining on the broken walls alone filled him with inexplicable dread.

As a Heaven-Human expert, the pinnacle of the world, how could he be frightened by an aura from an age long past? This realm was unlike any he had ever entered.

He immediately wanted to pull Cheng Guang out. But just as he started to speak, he saw Cheng Guang calmly pull a bizarre-looking garment from his storage ring. The Duke remembered seeing such clothes on corpses in other realms.

What was his grandson doing? Had he been in a secret realm before?

Before he could recover from his shock, Cheng Guang tossed a Daoist robe to him. "Grandfather, put this on. It should make things easier. Also, try not to use your internal energy. If you don't use it, you shouldn't encounter any danger."

Though confused, the Duke, doting on his grandson, silently put on the robe. The moment he did, his expression changed. He felt the heavy shackles on his energy vanish; his strength flowed freely once more.

"Grandson, this is..."

Cheng Guang smiled. "I've read many books, Grandfather. Some of them mention that wearing clothes like this can avoid many dangers."

The Duke didn't pry, though he felt a surge of pride. "I never imagined my grandson had such talent. You must have read so many books to have discovered such patterns. This realm is ever-changing; even I couldn't navigate it with such ease, yet you..."

He felt a bit wistful. He had intended to show off his own power to impress his grandson, but instead, he had been outshone by the boy's quiet competence. He decided that even if Cheng Guang never cultivated, he would make an outstanding scholar and official in the Great Zhou Court.

Cheng Guang, unaware of his grandfather's internal monologue, pointed to the palace. "Let's go in, Grandfather. We aren't sure where Qin Yanqiu is."

The Duke nodded and took the lead, with Cheng Guang following closely behind. As they entered the palace, the Duke’s senses were severely restricted by the environment, forcing them to search room by room.

After exploring several side halls, they came to a hall filled with cabinets and bottles. Some of these bottles contained pills that still pulsed with faint light. Even the Duke’s breath hitched. "These are long-lost pills, likely from the ancient era. Who knows how many years have passed?"

He knew that even if they were precious, their medicinal effects had likely evaporated. Moreover, he dared not touch them while Cheng Guang was by his side; the consequences of triggering some hidden trap were too great. He forced himself to look away and keep moving.

Cheng Guang, however, was not interested in these. He remembered the system mentioning that the Tushita Palace contained "Divine-grade" pills that could boost cultivation without limit—pills that, unlike others, would never lose their potency. These were the "Nine-Turn Golden Pills," and they were one of his primary objectives.

As they explored three more halls, they arrived at a room where the temperature was noticeably higher. The Duke’s eyes narrowed. "There is someone inside."

"Someone?" Cheng Guang asked. "Is it Qin Yanqiu?"

*BOOM!*

A thunderous sound erupted from within, and the doors blew open. A wave of scorching heat surged out. Cheng Guang covered his eyes, shielding them from the blinding red light.

When his vision cleared, he saw a massive furnace, several stories high, standing in the center of the hall. Hanging from jade pillars were gourds that emitted a faint, intoxicating fragrance. Cheng Guang took a breath and felt his cultivation increase slightly.

*This must be the Nine-Turn Golden Pills!*

Just as he was about to speak to his grandfather, he saw the Duke’s expression turn grim. The Duke pulled Cheng Guang behind him, his eyes fixed on a corner of the room.

Cheng Guang followed his gaze and felt his blood run cold. There, standing in the shadows, was a child’s corpse dressed in a red Daoist robe. Its flesh was gone, leaving only bone, and in its empty eye sockets, ghostly green flames flickered.

"Brother... Brother? Red-Clad greets you, Brother."

The Duke, who could remain calm even if the mountains collapsed before him, felt his face pale. The corpse-child bowed slightly to them and pointed at the furnace.

"Brother, Red-Clad has been stoking the fire for such a long, long time. When will Master return?"

The child’s voice was sweet, but its hollow gaze was fixed on Cheng Guang, waiting for an answer.

The Duke stood frozen, his mouth opening and closing, unable to find a word to say to this eerie existence. The child, seeing their silence, began to tremble, and a sobbing sound emerged from its throat.

"Brother, why are you ignoring me? Master said he would return soon. I’ve been stoking the furnace for so long... the firewood in the Tushita Palace is gone, the other brothers and sisters are gone, and Master hasn't come back."

"Has Red-Clad been abandoned? Brother... why won't you speak to me?"

Listening to the child, Cheng Guang felt a profound sense of horror. It seemed the child truly believed... it was still alive.