Chapter 969: Hai Lingyin
The second group consisted of a middle-aged man and a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth.
The youth appeared quite spirited, his pupils not round but shaped like two flames, emitting a faint cyan glow.
It was as if two flames were growing on his eyeballs, giving him a rather sinister look.
Zhang Ruochen exchanged a glance with the youth, and his physical body felt a sensation of being scorched by sacred flames.
"Somewhat eerie."
Zhang Ruochen immediately circulated sacred qi through his sacred meridians, and after a single cycle, the burning sensation gradually faded away.
"Oh!"
The youth let out a soft exclamation, then lowered his voice and moved his lips to the middle-aged man beside him, using sound transmission to say something.
Immediately, the middle-aged man's gaze turned toward Zhang Ruochen, trying to discern who Zhang Ruochen really was.
Ji Shui's voice entered Zhang Ruochen's ears, saying, "Be careful of that youth across from us. His name is Hai Lingyin. Seventy years ago, he was the number one child prodigy of the Blood God Sect and once fought against Dong Wutian, who is on the Hero Roll."
"The number one child prodigy from seventy years ago?"
Zhang Ruochen was somewhat surprised. That youth across from him didn't look like a cultivator in his seventies or eighties at all.
Ji Shui, clearly sensing Zhang Ruochen's confusion, continued, "Hai Lingyin practices a very special technique called the Longevity Sacred Codex. Since the Middle Ages, he is the only one in the Blood God Sect to have successfully mastered this sacred codex. According to the Longevity Sacred Codex's records, cultivating this technique grants immortality."
Even Ji Shui's tone carried a hint of envy.
Zhang Ruochen had seen Chen Wutian's unparalleled bearing—a true outstanding talent destined to become a Saint King-level figure. With some additional fortune, he might even earn the title of Great Saint.
If Hai Lingyin could fight Dong Wutian, he was undoubtedly a formidable figure.
"No, his aura doesn't seem that strong—at least not at the Saint realm," Zhang Ruochen said.
Ji Shui replied, "In that battle with Dong Wutian back then, he suffered hidden injuries that stalled his cultivation. Now, he's still at the Half-Saint level."
"Recently, I heard he went to the Wild Desolate Secret Realm and obtained a great opportunity, not only healing his injuries but also advancing his cultivation further."
"If the rumors are true, and he participates in the Divine Son competition, he will definitely be a formidable opponent for you."
While Zhang Ruochen was sizing up Hai Lingyin, Hai Lingyin was also studying him, his eyes clear and tinged with childishness.
Anyone unaware of the truth would surely think he was truly a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth.
Even Bai Yu, who thought highly of himself, showed a look of wariness when glancing at Hai Lingyin.
As for the third group, it was the Blood God Sect's Holy Maiden, Shangguan Xianyan.
This woman stood with Elder Xu, her demeanor elegant, a faint sacred light flowing around her, giving her an ethereal aura. At the foot of Qianyuan Mountain, where sacred qi was abundant, she seemed to blend perfectly with the environment, like a fairy walking on waves.
As the Holy Maiden of the Blood God Sect, Shangguan Xianyan naturally paid close attention to the selection of the new Divine Son.
After all, in the history of the Blood God Sect, the vast majority of Divine Sons and Holy Maidens eventually became Dao companions. This rule had been passed down since ancient times, and few had ever broken it.
Bai Yu's gaze fixed on Shangguan Xianyan, and he became as excited as if injected with stimulant, his emotions running high.
Shangguan Xianyan was the number one beauty of the Blood God Sect, with unparalleled talent and a lofty status as Holy Maiden. She was the dream goddess of countless Blood God Sect disciples.
Previously, when Mei Lanzhu was still alive, Bai Yu dared not entertain such thoughts.
But now that Mei Lanzhu was dead, as long as he could become the new Divine Son, he would have a great chance to become Dao companions with the Holy Maiden, sharing a life together.
Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Bai Yu's eyes. "No matter what, I must become the Divine Son. Even if Hai Lingyin stands in my way, I'll fight him to the death."
However, Shangguan Xianyan showed no interest in Bai Yu at all. Her starry eyes merely shifted between Hai Lingyin and Zhang Ruochen, occasionally revealing a seductive, captivating smile.
Hai Lingyin stared at Shangguan Xianyan's graceful figure, showing an expression of great interest. His gaze was nothing like that of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old youth.
Before long, several more groups arrived at the foot of Qianyuan Mountain, also candidates for the Divine Son.
"The Sect Leader's sacred decree was only sent out yesterday, and today, nearly half the candidates have already arrived. Everyone is quite eager."
Elder Xu smiled, took out a booklet, and began arranging cultivation caves for each person. "Bai Yu, with a ten percent chance of becoming Divine Son, may temporarily cultivate in the Dingdong Cave for one month."
Bai Yu stepped forward eagerly to receive the formation seal for the Dingdong Cave.
Only with the formation seal could he open the cave.
"Gu Linfeng, with a ten percent chance of becoming Divine Son, may temporarily cultivate in the Dingqiu Cave for one month."
Zhang Ruochen walked over and took the formation seal.
Then, he glanced at Bai Yu and chuckled inwardly, "So we're neighbors. His cultivation at Qianyuan Mountain won't be peaceful."
Bai Yu, however, grew even more resentful, feeling it was unfair. Clearly, his strength surpassed Gu Linfeng's. Why was Gu Linfeng's cultivation cave in a higher position?
Was it only because Gu Linfeng had used the Blood God Gu to defeat him once?
The caves in Qianyuan Mountain had various grades. The closer to the mountaintop, the denser the heaven and earth sacred qi.
Although the Dingqiu Cave was adjacent to the Dingdong Cave, its position was slightly higher.
Bai Yu's heart was naturally filled with discontent.
Zhang Ruochen had never considered Bai Yu a worthy opponent.
If not for the many benefits of becoming Divine Son, Zhang Ruochen wouldn't have wasted time participating in the Divine Son competition.
However, this trip to Qianyuan Mountain also allowed Zhang Ruochen to witness the profound heritage of the Blood God Sect—truly a place with many strong cultivators and outstanding talents.
This batch of Divine Son candidates all had the potential to become Saints. Once they matured, they would form a formidable force.
Of course, the Blood God Sect needed to select a Divine Son and Holy Maiden to keep them in check. Otherwise, as they grew, each with their own ambitions to seize power, the sect would inevitably fall into internal strife.
"Hai Lingyin, with a seventy percent chance of becoming Divine Son, may temporarily cultivate in the Jiachun Cave for one month."
Elder Xu's voice rang out again, startling all the Divine Son candidates present.
Countless eyes turned toward Hai Lingyin.
"Seventy percent chance of becoming Divine Son?"
"The Qianzi Heavenly Palace's calculations are never wrong. Hai Lingyin must have obtained a great opportunity in the Wild Desolate Secret Realm and recovered from his injuries."
"Even if Wei Longxing returns from the Ruins Realm battlefield, he's probably half a step weaker than Hai Lingyin. A seventy percent chance almost announces that Hai Lingyin will be the new Divine Son."
Amid the envious, hateful, and wary gazes, Hai Lingyin, with a sinister smile, strode toward Qianyuan Mountain like a returning king, not even considering the other Divine Son candidates as worthy opponents.
He only gave Zhang Ruochen an extra glance—just one glance.
"Even though I've cultivated the Seven Apertures Blood Nether Palm to the sixth aperture, comparable to a sacred art, Hai Ming Dharma King only thinks I have a thirty percent chance of becoming Divine Son. A seventy percent chance—is Hai Lingyin really that strong?" Zhang Ruochen mused.
In the Divine Son competition, Zhang Ruochen couldn't use many of his techniques, which would tie his hands. Without revealing his identity, defeating Hai Lingyin would likely not be an easy task. (To be continued.)