Chapter 1210 Ji Tianxiong

"Elevate bloodline? How is that possible..."

Zhang Jiuxiao shook his head: "The bloodline of a sage clan is determined at birth. Even many true core members have their rank set before they are born, while still in the womb... Like special physiques, this is innate. Can external methods really change a person's physique?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused.

Because he had never been exposed to sage clans, he was unaware of many things, but he did have two students with special physiques.

Zhao Ya and Wei Ruyan—one with a Pure Yin Physique, the other with an Innate Poison Body—were indeed not something that could be cultivated postnatally.

Just as no matter how hard an earthworm tries, it cannot become a divine dragon, this was a chasm that could not be bridged.

Otherwise, he would have long since elevated Zheng Yang, Liu Yang, Sun Qiang, and the others to special bloodlines, allowing them to progress rapidly.

"It seems I was thinking too simply..."

He shook his head.

Having previously elevated the bloodline of spirit beasts, he had thought the same could be done for sage clans, but now it seemed he had underestimated the difficulty.

"Bloodline only makes initial cultivation extremely fast and achievements high, but it also has a flaw—it is extremely difficult to surpass one's ancestors! Therefore, for tens of thousands of years, sage clans have at most maintained their status; breaking through to higher levels is very hard..."

Zhang Jiuxiao continued.

Everything has advantages and disadvantages.

A pure bloodline and high talent can greatly aid early cultivation, but breaking through the realm of one's ancestors is very difficult.

This is like an empire; it is not easy for later generations to surpass the founding emperor.

After further inquiries, Zhang Jiuxiao explained in detail everything he could say, and said nothing about what he could not.

Understanding that sage clans had their own rules, Zhang Xuan did not press further.

Although the other party had not revealed important information, through the exchange, Zhang Xuan learned that the engagement between the Zhang and Luo families did exist, and that Zhang family genius was, as Master Mu had said, very mysterious—only heard of, with no trace or even a shadow seen.

However, based on Zhang Jiuxiao's speculation, this genius, though only twenty years old, was likely at least at the seventh level of the Saint Domain!

He had not seen this person, but he had seen other core members; one with a high bloodline rank had already reached that level and was under thirty.

If someone with a lower bloodline rank could be so formidable, that young master was surely even more terrifying!

"Seventh level of the Saint Domain..."

Zhang Xuan felt immense pressure.

Luo Chengxin was an expert at that level.

With a single thought, without even using martial techniques, he could suppress Zhang Xuan, leaving him utterly powerless to resist. The gap was immeasurable.

"At the Saint Domain level, after reaching the Primordial Spirit stage, every minor advancement requires a tremendous cost... It seems that to smoothly marry Luo Ruoxi, I need to put in even greater effort!"

He clenched his fists.

After the fourth level of the Saint Domain, each step demands extremely high requirements for spiritual energy and talent. Whether or not that young master of the Zhang family had shown himself, if he had truly reached the seventh level of the Saint Domain, Zhang Xuan would not be a match if he did not hurry.

If he could not even defeat this "love rival," how could he win Luo Ruoxi back?

"Time to cultivate..."

Feeling the pressure, over the remaining days, Zhang Xuan did nothing but cultivate and digest the books in his mind.

Not only did his cultivation become more solid, but his understanding of martial techniques also deepened. In particular, after carefully studying the Yan Kong Celestial Scripture left by Qiuwu Gusheng, his comprehension of space became more refined. Although he was only at the Fetal Infant stage, he could now施展 the Space Shackles that Out-of-Body experts used!

Once activated, anyone within a five-meter radius would feel as if trapped in a swamp, their speed and attacks greatly reduced. Fighting within this range, even Hall Master Xing could be easily crushed with a single finger, let alone Master Wu and the others.

"This is only because my Fetal Infant and true energy are too strong, affecting space. My understanding and comprehension of space are still too weak... I am still some distance from the second level!"

Aware of his shortcomings, Zhang Xuan did not become arrogant.

The Yan Kong Celestial Scripture was divided into five levels. Although he had reached the peak of the first level, the art of space was profound and extensive; he was still far from the second level.

Time flew by during cultivation. Six days later, the sacred beast stopped above a massive city.

"Master Zhang, this is Jibei City, also called Ji City. It ranks among the top cities of the Qingyuan Empire!"

Master Wu pointed ahead.

Zhang Xuan looked down and saw a huge city looming beneath the white clouds, with countless towering buildings standing in place, so many that the eye could not see the end.

It was indeed a very large city. Even if it could not compare to Qingyuan City, it was far more magnificent than places like Hongyuan City.

"The Jibei Swamp is extremely dangerous. Not only is the ground impassable, but the air also lacks solid footing. To enter, we must find a guide familiar with the terrain. Otherwise, even with our strength, we might not find our target and instead be swallowed by nature!"

Master Wu explained.

"Mm." Zhang Xuan nodded.

Through reading, he had also gained some understanding of the Jibei Swamp.

As the other said, it was very strange. Even Primordial Spirit experts could not fly and had to walk on the ground step by step.

Without a good guide, one might fall into traps set by hunters, be surrounded by special sacred beasts, or even stumble into nests full of poisonous insects.

Given their strength, these were not a big deal, but they would inevitably delay the journey and possibly reveal traces, alerting the ruthless man in advance.

"The hall master of the Jibei City Master Teacher Hall, Ji Tianxiong, is a good friend of mine, absolutely trustworthy. I have already sent him a message; he should arrive soon. He will guide us and save us a lot of trouble!"

Master Wu continued.

"Ji Tianxiong, I've heard of him. He once spent some time in our War Master Hall and is quite strong!" Hall Master Liao interjected from the side.

"Yes. His Cold Ice True Energy, combined with the Cold Ice Finger, can turn water into ice. In a swamp like this, it is most practical. With him leading the way, even if we encounter danger, we won't be so passive." Master Wu nodded, having strong confidence in his friend.

As they spoke, the sacred beast had arrived above Jibei City, and they saw an old man flying over.

Zhang Xuan looked at him. He was about fifty years old, energetic, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, bright and penetrating, giving an impression of shrewdness.

His strength was at the peak of the Primordial Spirit stage, and his whole body seemed to harbor an iceberg, clearly indicating he practiced a cold-attribute technique.

Seeing him, Master Wu quickly greeted him. After the old man entered the wooden house, he introduced him to everyone: "This is Ji Tianxiong, hall master of the Jibei City Master Teacher Hall, Master Ji! And this is Master Zhang Xuan, Hall Master Xing of the War Master Hall..."

He also introduced everyone else.

Hearing about Zhang Xuan, Master Ji said respectfully, "Ji Tianxiong pays respects to Master Zhang!"

Although Jibei City was a million kilometers from Qingyuan City, news of Zhang Xuan's hall challenge had still reached him.

Single-handedly challenging an entire Master Teacher Hall, holding the pass alone against all comers—this alone commanded awe.

"No need to be polite!" Zhang Xuan smiled. "I assume Master Wu has already explained the situation to you."

"Master Wu has told me."

Master Ji nodded.

"Good. We plan to enter the depths of the swamp to find the so-called Ghost Cave. We may need your help to guide us." Zhang Xuan said.

"The Ghost Cave is a very strange place, not fixed in one location. Some people cannot find it even when they are at the spot. I can only use experience to locate the general area. Whether we can actually enter... I cannot be sure."

Master Ji said.

The Ghost Cave, though in the Jibei Swamp, was not a fixed location; finding it required luck.

"You just need to take us to the location. Master Zhang Jiuxiao has been inside before; perhaps he can find it."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

"Alright." Master Ji agreed.

The Ghost Cave could temper the mind. Every year, many master teachers came to try their luck. Some succeeded, while others lost their traces and disappeared forever.

Although Zhang Jiuxiao had been there once, he had been led by someone. The swamp, like a desert, changed greatly. Even coming again, he still needed a guide. However, once the exact location was found, they might enter as smoothly as last time.

"After flying for so many days, would you like to rest at the Master Teacher Hall?"

"No need. Let's go quickly, or I fear more master teachers will fall victim." Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Every day delayed increased the danger. Everyone was a cultivator; they could cultivate on the road instead of sleeping and did not feel tired.

"Alright, let's set off!"

Master Ji did not stand on ceremony. He directed the flying sacred beast to find the right direction and flew straight ahead.

The swamp was located north of Ji City. After flying for about an hour, they saw a pitch-black swamp connecting to the sky and earth, stretching endlessly.

"Let's land here. Ahead, the swamp has chaotic air currents and many special force fields. One misstep and you could fall in, never to escape. To go in, we must walk."

After flying a bit further, they landed the sacred beast, and Master Ji explained.

The Jibei Swamp not only had man-eating bogs on the ground but also flowing force fields in the air. Flying above, one could be swallowed up with a single mistake, life or death unknown.

Leaving the beast's back, everyone looked ahead.

The swamp was covered with bright red vegetation, resembling lotus leaves, spread flat on the ground, extending into the depths.

"These are called Man-Eating Lotuses. Though beautiful, they are very dangerous. Even some Mortal Transformation experts find it hard to escape once caught!"

After explaining, Master Ji grabbed a small stone from the air and threw it at a lotus leaf.

Splash!

As soon as the stone touched the lotus leaf, it was instantly wrapped and crushed to pieces, as if swallowed by a special force.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan's eyebrows jumped.

If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed such a plant existed in the world.