127. The Submerged Underground Palace

Although his cultivation level had only increased once, the spiritual energy within his dantian had surged more than fivefold. From now on, he could wield a greater variety of cultivator techniques, and his sword flight could last up to an hour. Despite the considerable expenditure of attribute points, the immense power gained from the cultivation boost made it all worthwhile for Chen Fengyun. However, after a trial, he realized that the remaining 23 attribute points were insufficient for further advancement.

Beyond the growth in cultivation and spiritual power, Chen Fengyun discovered another benefit: the miniature world within the void now drew in spiritual energy at a rate five times faster than before. Each day it produced a full pool of spiritual spring, accelerating the growth of medicinal herbs by the same factor.

Since entering the underground palace, Chen Fengyun’s attributes had transformed significantly:

Spiritual Root: Peak Yellow Grade
Spirit: Late Yellow Grade
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment, First Layer
Cultivation Methods: Universe Storm Technique (Peak Yellow Grade), Golden Bell Shield (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank)
Skills: Formation Array (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Medicine (Mortal Grade, Third Rank), Artifact Forging (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Pill Refining (Mortal Grade, Fifth Rank), Qi Vein Manipulation (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Scripture of Liberation (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Six-Word Mantra Seal (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank)
Magical Treasures: Flying Sword (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Spirit-Gathering Formation Banner (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Profound Yin Mirror (Mortal Grade, Tenth Rank), Pill Cauldron (Peak Yellow Grade), Mantra Pearl (Peak Yellow Grade)
Pet: Earth Dragon
Special Item: Miniature World
Attribute Points Remaining: 23

One regret weighed on Chen Fengyun: due to the passage of time, all the magical artifacts they had found were damaged. Except for a few that contained faint spiritual energy—useful only for absorbing and converting attribute points—none were functional.

“Still, these broken artifacts could serve as materials to enhance the flying sword, the Profound Yin Mirror, and the Spirit-Gathering Formation Banner. The question is whether these remaining attribute points will be enough to improve the sword’s quality,” he mused.

Chen Fengyun gathered all ordinary metal items from the Southern Sect’s members, storing those suitable as magical artifact materials. Anything useful found by the group was handed over to him.

Though the expedition into the underground palace had been fraught with danger, only Xie Zhihua had perished. The others, after fierce battles and consuming the spiritual spring Chen Fengyun provided, had grown significantly stronger.

While the Southern Sect rested, the Northern Sect and other masters retraced their steps to the surface. Their moods, however, were restless, and they murmured among themselves as they walked.

“As expected of Mr. Chen from Rong City—he single-handedly eliminated all the foreign martial masters. Truly impressive.”
“Not only is Mr. Chen powerful, but his pet is terrifying. Don’t you think it looks like a dinosaur?”
“Mr. Chen is so young; I wonder what kind of master trained him. His future is boundless.”
“Once word spreads, Mr. Chen’s strength will rank near the top of the Chinese martial world, second only to some ancient noble families.”
“I’m not so sure. I think Mr. Chen might already be invincible. Even those hidden masters might not stand against him.”
“Those foreign martial masters are the unluckiest—they thought they could strike it rich in China, but instead lost their lives.”
“Indeed, while the foreign martial world suffered heavy losses, our Chinese martial world has gained Mr. Chen. We will only grow stronger.”
“Do you think Mr. Chen has truly broken through to Grandmaster of Martial Arts? There can’t be many in the world right now.”
“It’s entirely possible. To slay several foreign masters in quick succession like that—peak Martial Masters wouldn’t find it so easy.”
“When we return, we must warn everyone not to provoke Mr. Chen or the Southern Sect; otherwise, serious trouble will follow.”

Amid their chatter, only Martin didn’t speak. Yet in her heart, she sighed. They only saw Mr. Chen as a martial grandmaster, unaware that he was truly a cultivator.

To ordinary people, cultivators seemed like legends, distant and unreal. But martial experts understood differently, for many martial clans and sects had evolved from cultivator families and orders. They knew well the might of cultivators.

“Perhaps his true power is already unmatched in this world. I truly hope he finds a cross-dimensional teleportation array. If he does, I will go with him to the real cultivation world and see what the cultivation realm is truly like,” Martin resolved firmly.

Unaware of the discussions around him, Chen Fengyun seized the opportunity to boost his strength, converting his vast attribute points into power. Yet he also knew this expedition would reveal his true might to many.

“Unfortunately, there’s still no trace of my father. I fear he cannot be found,” Chu Wangshu said with disappointment after resting. His strength had stabilized, now just one step from becoming a Martial Master.

“Wangshu, you’ve made great progress, just one step from Martial Master. If your father knew, he would be comforted,” Feng Tianbao comforted him.

“All right, rest is over. Everyone, prepare to return,” Chen Fengyun said. After slaying the foreign masters, the Southern Sect paused to recuperate, and Chen Fengyun used the opportunity to enhance his spirit and cultivation.

“Boom…”

Suddenly, a deafening roar came from ahead. Over ten figures came rushing toward them—it was the Northern Sect members and several Chinese masters who had left the underground palace earlier to head back to the surface.

“What’s happening?” Martin, the fastest runner, asked as Chen Fengyun noticed her and immediately inquired.

“Run for your lives! Water has suddenly surged from beneath the maze ahead, destroying and flooding it. The water is rushing into the palace. Soon, the entire underground palace will be submerged!” Martin cried as she ran backward.

Chen Fengyun frowned, never expecting such a twist in the palace. He soared into the sky and rapidly scanned ahead with his divine sense, confirming a flood of overwhelming water approaching the palace entrance.

Quickly scanning his surroundings, he spotted a gray mountain peak standing in the opposite direction. He shouted to the Southern Sect, “Follow me!”

Without hesitation, everyone dashed toward the mountain. Seeing the Southern Sect veer off, Martin’s eyes flickered; she turned and led the others in pursuit. The remaining Chinese masters followed suit.