Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel
Chapter 602 - 429: Ancient Secrets_2

With a sudden thought, Chu Zheng realized something was amiss. The Great Circulatory Qi Guideline he initially practiced was a genuine Qi-refining Technique. The Eternal Calamity Treasure Record he later acquired shared striking similarities, hinting that they might originate from the same source.

His previous life likely belonged to the last era.

The Qi-refining Technique requires tribulations, which was warned at the very beginning of the Great Circulatory Qi Guideline. Without precedent, why would this be mentioned in the Qi-refining Technique?

Or perhaps the difference lies in the laws of the world between the last era and the current one, causing these discrepancies?

Chu Zheng shook the thought aside and brought the conversation back:

"Why did the Heaven Burial Palace become the fuse?"

"The Heaven Burial Palace's opening time is unpredictable. In Zheng Chu's time, he and Yun Tianji ventured inside, alongside many half-step Emperors from various ancient clans. However, only Yun Tianji and Chu Zheng emerged alive."

"What transpired inside the Heaven Burial Palace remains unknown, but these two gained immense Heavenly Fate, accelerating their cultivation at extraordinary speeds, causing suspicion among ancient clans. Yet by then, Zheng Chu had mastered a Secret Technique to shield his presence, rendering any tracking futile. After some seclusion, Yun Tianji enjoyed the Immortal Court's protection, and the matter faded away."

"What is a half-step Emperor?" Chu Zheng asked in confusion.

"Within the ancient clans, to minimize the loss of Heavenly Fate, some Ancient Ancestors, before dying, split and lock a portion of the Heavenly Fate onto outstanding descendants to aid their cultivation. These individuals aren't true Sons of Heaven but cultivate faster than average cultivators, hence called half-step Emperors."

"After a long time post-Heaven Burial Palace, Zheng Chu resurfaced, having reached Perfect Xuan Immortal, unrivaled among the young generation in the Great Universe, and not even the seniors matched him anymore."

"Soon after his return, Zheng Chu orchestrated a grand scheme. He lured two Ancient Ancestors from the Star Moon Ancient Clan away, then robbed their treasury, stealing countless treasures, including the Heavenly Mirror."

Upon hearing the Heavenly Mirror, Chu Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly but continued listening to Sun-Eroding Cry.

"The world believes the treasury theft was Zheng Chu's doing, but Jun Huang and Yun Tianji were involved. I helped cover it up. Afterward, Zheng Chu attained Golden Immortal status and quietly retreated to the Martial Arts Ancestral Court for a period of peaceful cultivation."

"Upon reaching Primordial Golden Immortal, he emerged again, quickly causing another shocking event."

"He blasted open the ancestral tomb of the Skywind Ancient Clan, attacking and killing the slumbering Heavenly Wind Ancestor. Although most Heavenly Fate had already transferred to their half-step Emperor successor, the remaining plus Zheng Chu's prior accumulation granted him half of Heaven's Fortune, ushering him into the Ancestor rank."

Sun-Eroding Cry took a deep breath, eyes dimming: "Shortly after, Zheng Chu sought me out, and we planned together."

"What plan?" Chu Zheng's interest piqued.

"He discovered a method to merge Heavenly Fate, aiming to reshape the Great Universe, eliminate ancient clans, clear the Vast Universe, reopen the Yin Yang Road, and end Dao disputes forever, but he needed my help to pave the way."

Sun-Eroding Cry sighed lightly: "After much consideration, I agreed. I helped him ambush and kill two ancient Ancestors, collecting over ten percent Heavenly Fate. Daluo Golden Immortal's Divine Skills are indeed terrifying. At that time, Zheng Chu was likely the strongest across two realms."

"The situation changed when Yun Tianji ascended to Ancestor status."

"Yun Tianji always wished to kill me for revenge, but I didn't care. His strength was no threat to me. Yet, all Ancient Ancestors across clans joined forces and withdrew, voiding any Dao war. Zheng Chu needed Yun Tianji to consolidate the Immortal Path and duel him. To start conflict, he required my life as leverage."

"Zheng Chu and Yun Tianji orchestrated a scheme, painstakingly faking a Reincarnation Road to lure me into the Vast Universe for investigation, while connecting numerous ancient Ancestors to kill me."

"Knowing the truth, I still went. Zheng Chu said integrating the Vast Universe called for blood-changing Ancient Ancestors, needing me to create opportunities to dispose of some, so I went along."

Suddenly, Sun-Eroding Cry chuckled softly:

"But Zheng Chu didn't anticipate Xue Qing joining the fight. She beheaded two ancient Ancestors from the Vast Universe and nearly killed Yun Tianji on the spot, causing chaos. Later, Zheng Chu calmed Xue Qing and pulled her from the battlefield."

"After a fierce battle, when several ancient Ancestors were heavily injured or fallen, Zheng Chu struck and gravely wounded me."

"The original plan was my fake death and retreat, handing over Heavenly Fate. However, Yun Tianji, suspicious by nature, refused to believe I truly died and insisted on personally intervening."

"Having cultivated the Undying Body, Yun Tianji couldn't kill me by traditional means and only managed to suppress me. Zheng Chu had foreseen this; after discussion, they conceded to Yun Tianji's will, suppressing me, but Zheng Chu promised he'd later find an opportunity to release me. Afterward, I knew little, and you, too, know it's hard to learn of outside changes here."

Chu Zheng sorted through his thoughts, comprehending some of the causes and effects. It was apparent that Sun-Eroding Cry lacked complete awareness of Zheng Chu's experiences, leaving many gaps.

Moreover, Sun-Eroding Cry didn't participate in the final battle, missing crucial details.

However, compared to previous ignorance, Chu Zheng now had a clearer understanding of the Primordial Era.

Organizing his thoughts, Chu Zheng still had a lingering question. Considering Xue Qing's extraordinary martial talent and close relation with Zheng Chu, why was there no trace or even legend of her in the current Martial Hall?

Recalling the Martial Ancestor, Chu Zheng's eyes flickered as he asked: "Do you know Yan Feng?"

Sun-Eroding Cry nodded slightly:

"Heard of him, Xue Qing's last disciple. I haven't met him. He's said to be exceptionally talented but too young and weak to partake in many affairs. Xue Qing accepted three disciples in her life; the first two died prematurely, leaving only this one, whom she cherished dearly."

Chu Zheng pressed: "What was Yan Feng's relation to Zheng Chu?"

"Zheng Chu mentioned having tea served by Yan Feng, considering him a half-teacher."

Half-teacher...

Chu Zheng frowned, understanding why the Martial Ancestor mistook him for Zheng Chu on their first meeting.

Yet, the Martial Ancestor's attitude towards Zheng Chu was notably distant.

After a pause, Chu Zheng gazed at Sun-Eroding Cry and asked solemnly:

"Do you think there is some connection between me and Zheng Chu? A reincarnation, perhaps?"

Hearing this, Sun-Eroding Cry's expression turned serious. After a long contemplation, he replied:

"Hard to say. Many have similar appearances; looking alike is not unusual. What's more, I find it hard to imagine Zheng Chu dying unless he willingly sought death."

"What do you mean by that? Isn't life and death cycle common?" Chu Zheng was puzzled.

"After death, living creatures do not reincarnate but fall into the Vast Universe. But Zheng Chu had unraveled all its laws, surviving there in flesh, even absorbing the Vast Universe's Heavenly Fate. In this situation, how could he die? Who could kill him?"

Sun-Eroding Cry scrutinized Chu Zheng, eyes narrowed:

"I agreed to his plan years ago, suspecting he had discovered the method for eternal life in the world, uniting the two realms and reopening Yin Yang. He was surely capable. Otherwise, how could I have ended up in today's predicament."