Chapter 244 - 129: Great Success of the Gang Body
Liang Cheng slowly exhaled. His aura was as heavy as a mountain. He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of True Essence within him and the increasingly resilient, faintly glowing Gang Body under his skin.
’A Tier Five Demon Core is truly something else. My Cultivation has improved tremendously, and the progress on my Mixed Element Gang Body is especially astonishing.’
It was only thanks to his Mayfly Life Chart providing a rock-solid foundation, along with the harmonizing effect of the Crossing the Sea True Intent Fragment, that he could absorb the Demon Core’s violent energy so efficiently and without any hidden risks.
He looked at the remaining pile of Tier Three and Tier Four Demon Cores, a slight smile touching his lips. ’Since I can take a break for now, I’ll put everything into Cultivation. I’ll keep going until my meridians can’t take it anymore.’
With that thought, Liang Cheng no longer hesitated and picked up another Tier Four Demon Core.
He began to cultivate.
With single-minded focus, Liang Cheng began refining the remaining Demon Cores, one after another.
The Crossing the Sea True Intent Fragment circulated, converting the violent energy from the Demon Cores into the purest True Essence and nourishment for his Mixed Element Gang Body.
His Cultivation rose at a steady and rapid pace.
Ye Zhiqiu came by twice during this time. Seeing the courtyard gate was shut tight, he knew his junior brother was in seclusion and instructed the servants not to disturb him.
Old Master Ye even went so far as to personally assign additional, reliable guards to stand watch around the perimeter of Tingtai Courtyard, ensuring Liang Cheng would not face any disturbances.
「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Inside the Quiet Chamber, the faint golden halo around Liang Cheng had become so dense it seemed tangible, like a layer of liquid amber enveloping him.
Beneath his skin, the acupoints of his Gang Body flickered on and off like stars, pulsing with immense energy. As time went on, more and more of these acupoints were successfully opened.
As another Tier Four Demon Core crumbled to dust, this accumulation of power finally triggered a qualitative breakthrough.
HUMMM—!
A low hum resonated from deep within his body, originating from every bone and fiber of his being. The newly opened acupoints of his Gang Body had now completely linked with the old ones.
One hundred and eight Gang Body acupoints!
In that instant, they all resonated in unison. The formless barriers between them were utterly washed away by a surging torrent of True Essence.
A pale golden light burst from his body, forming a solid, pale golden Protective Gang Shield three feet around him!
Faint, intricate patterns emerged on the surface of the Gang Shield.
[Mixed Element Gang Body: Great Success (1/20000)]
Liang Cheng opened his eyes. He slowly raised a hand and clenched it into a fist, feeling the new power rushing through his body.
His defensive capabilities had undergone a heaven-and-earth-shattering transformation.
Before, the Mixed Element Gang Body at Minor Success had merely toughened his skin. Now, at Great Success, it spontaneously generated Gang Qi, protecting his body like a suit of armor!
This Protective Gang Shield wasn’t just for passive defense; it was linked to his True Essence. With a single thought, he could make it hard or soft.
All in a single thought!
He then formed his fingers into a sword, channeled thirty percent of his True Essence, and using the technique of Profound Yin Sword Technique·Bone Penetration, stabbed viciously at his own left arm.
TCHH!
His fingertips struck the pale golden Gang Shield, producing a soft clang like metal striking metal.
The Gang Shield dented slightly and rippled, but it was incredibly resilient, completely blocking the chillingly sharp Sword Qi!
He didn’t feel the slightest sting on his skin.
A delighted gleam flashed in Liang Cheng’s eyes. He immediately increased the power to sixty percent, then seventy... all the way to his full strength!
CLANG!
A much louder clang resounded.
The Gang Shield fluctuated violently, its light flickering erratically, but it still didn’t break!
The Mixed Element Gang Body merely thinned out slightly at the point of impact, but it recovered quickly as more True Essence flowed into it from within his body.
’Powered by my current True Essence Realm cultivation, I’m afraid no one below the True Gang Realm could shatter this Protective Gang Shield in a single blow!’
’And if I combine it with the Wandering Dragon Step to dodge and deflect attacks, I might even be able to hold my own against an expert who has just entered the True Gang Realm. At the very least, my chances of survival and escape are high!’
He let out a long breath, which condensed into a visible arrow of air that shot out a foot before slowly dissipating.
[Third Layer of Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (10122/12000)]
His Cultivation had advanced another step, and he was no longer far from reaching Great Success.
However, after three straight days of intensely absorbing and refining Demon Cores, his meridians were finally saturated, and he could feel a faint, aching pressure within them.
He had improved as much as he could in such a short time and was nearing his limit. He needed to stop to let his gains settle and consolidate.
’It’s best not to overdo it.’
Liang Cheng decisively stopped his Cultivation. He carefully stored the few remaining Demon Cores; they were resources for the future.
He stood up and stretched his limbs. A series of crisp cracks echoed from his bones, like the low roll of distant thunder.
Feeling the vast True Essence surging within him and the indestructible Mixed Element Gang Body covering his skin, a wave of heroic pride washed over him.
Swept up in this feeling, he couldn’t help but draw his saber and practice his forms.
His proficiency with the Mountain-Breaking Saber had shown pleasing progress thanks to his recent combat experience.
Just as he finished his saber practice, he heard footsteps approaching the door.
It was Ye Zhiqiu. He had heard from a subordinate that Liang Cheng was out of seclusion. When Liang Cheng saw him, however, his senior brother did not look well.
Ye Zhiqiu pushed the door open and strode in. His usual carefree smile was gone, replaced by a grave and anxious expression.
"Junior Brother, your timing is perfect."
He spoke rapidly. "Something terrible has happened!"
Liang Cheng sheathed his saber. "Senior Brother, slow down. Tell me what happened."
"Another Tier Six Demon Beast has appeared on the sea!"
Liang Cheng’s heart lurched.
A single Tier Six Demon Beast had already been a grave threat to City Lord Zhou Xinghe. A second one...
Ye Zhiqiu continued, "The good news is that reinforcements from the Main Courtyard have sent word. They’re less than two days’ journey from Bibo City."
’Two days...’
Liang Cheng looked out the window. The horizon was faintly illuminated by suppressed flashes of lightning, and terrifying roars echoed intermittently.
Ye Zhiqiu took a deep breath. "The bad news is that the Beast Tide is still acting strangely. I’m afraid the Outer City’s walls won’t hold."
As if to prove his words, an earth-shattering BOOM suddenly erupted in the distance, followed by the continuous sound of collapse and the sight of dust and smoke billowing into the sky.