Chapter 602: Forty-Two Dao Markings – Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui Come Knocking

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

Throughout that year, Shen Mo never once left Qingxuan Island.

Every moment was spent in cultivation.

At times, he focused on the Platinum Dragon Fist; at others, he trained with the Void Demon-Slaying Sword Immortal Sutra.

Fortunately, before leaving Guzhou Heaven and Earth, he had already exchanged for the complete version of the Void Demon-Slaying Sword Immortal Sutra.

Otherwise, he would’ve hit a wall at the sixth layer—an awkward fate indeed.

During this year of cultivation, Song Zhenfei visited several times.

The first was to deliver the Island Lord’s token.

The following visits were specifically to bring Shen Mo various cultivation treasures.

Sometimes it was Thousand-Year Earthfire Essence, other times Ten-Thousand-Year Earthfire Essence.

All of them helped accelerate the burning of his dharma manifestations and the manifestation of dao markings.

Shi Tianhao, on the other hand, never showed up—not even once.

“Hoo…”

Shen Mo rose from his bed and turned his awareness inward to his divine palace.

Thanks to the unending supply of earth flame essence, the burning process of his dharma manifestations had progressed rapidly over the year.

His dao markings had increased dramatically.

Primal Elephant Manifestation: fifteen dao markings.

Undying River Manifestation: twelve dao markings.

Fiery Heaven-Eye Manifestation: fifteen dao markings.

In total—forty-two markings.

Through Song Zhenfei’s descriptions, Shen Mo had roughly figured out the strength hierarchy among Nirvana Realm cultivators.

With thirty dao markings, one could roam freely across the Outer Sea’s eighteen regions, and easily hold elder or enshrined positions within any major sect.

Sixty dao markings meant standing at the very peak of the Outer Sea.

Figures like the Grand Island Lord of Hidden Dragon Island, Sect Master Yue Baifeng of the Sun-Moon Sect, and Alliance Lord Wang Chengfu of the Rare Treasure Alliance all had around sixty dao markings.

Above that, seventy dao markings granted the qualification to vie for a place in the Inner Sea.

Even among top-tier factions like Xuan Yin Grotto-Heaven, Heavenly Talisman Sect, Blood God Demon Court, Flame Flood Dragon Hall, and Myriad Phenomena Holy Land, a Nirvana cultivator with seventy markings would be treated with great respect.

As for eighty, ninety, or even one hundred dao markings—

According to Song Zhenfei, the Grotto Master of Xuan Yin Grotto-Heaven needed at least eighty to qualify.

And the Grand Grotto Master was a Supreme Realm powerhouse.

Shen Mo now had forty-two dao markings. While not the strongest in the Outer Sea, he was certainly among the elite.

So long as he didn’t run into figures like the Grand Island Lord of Hidden Dragon Island, he could move unhindered.

And Shen Mo was confident—even if he did encounter top figures like the Grand Island Lord or the Sun-Moon Sect Master, he still had the power to escape alive.

“Why haven’t Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui come for revenge yet?”

“Are they afraid, or busy with something else?”

Shen Mo’s brows lifted slightly as he thought of another possibility.

…

Liuyun Island.

Song Zhenfei was quietly cultivating in his chamber.

Suddenly, the heavy stone door was knocked.

“Island Lord, urgent matter!”

Song Zhenfei slowly opened his eyes and growled lowly, “What is it?”

From outside, a cultivator whispered, “You told me to keep an eye on Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui. They’ve been inactive this whole year.”

“Only once did Liu Yuncui pass by Qingxuan Island, attempting to visit Lord Shen. But she got lost in the formations and eventually left.”

“But three days ago, the two of them invited a cultivator from the Sun-Moon Sect, and now they’re headed straight for Qingxuan Island!”

Song Zhenfei stood up abruptly, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

He was a straightforward man—sincere and loyal to friends.

But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t retaliate.

Back when Shen Mo had exposed the trap Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui had set, Song Zhenfei had already suspected they’d seek revenge eventually.

So he had people watch them in secret.

And now—it had really happened.

The reason Song Zhenfei didn’t take action against Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui at first…

Was mainly because of Liu Yuncui’s identity.

She, like him, was a Grand Island Lord of Hidden Dragon Island.

If he acted rashly,

It could easily be seen by others as internal strife within Hidden Dragon Island.

And if that happened, the Grand Island Lord would surely intervene and force a peaceful resolution.

But now—he had finally found his chance.

Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui had even invited a cultivator from the Sun-Moon Sect and were heading straight for Qingxuan Island. Their intent to harm Shen Mo was unmistakable.

As Shen Mo’s friend, how could he stand by and do nothing?

“I understand. You may go.”

Song Zhenfei waved his hand.

The cultivator at the door immediately turned to leave.

“They have friends… and I don’t?”

Song Zhenfei gave a cold snort and pulled out a transmission jade.

“Old Liu, it’s me, Song Zhenfei. Didn’t Xing Zhong trick you with a setup back then? Now’s your chance to get back at him. Come to my Liuyun Island—we’ll set out together.”

“Brother Zhang, you there? Your son was poisoned by Liu Yuncui and forced into dual cultivation. He’s lost all interest in women for life. I know you’ve never let go of that grudge. I can help you deal with her now.”

“Is that Brother Wei? This is Song Zhenfei. Interested in killing and seizing treasure? Good. Come to Liuyun Island. Once we’re all gathered, we’ll move together.”

After contacting three people in succession, Song Zhenfei finally stopped.

After leaving him, Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui had gone around deceiving others as well.

And those they targeted first were precisely their old acquaintances.

Now that the opportunity had come, these cultivators would surely act.

Half a day later—

Three cultivators arrived one after another at Song Zhenfei’s Liuyun Island.

The first, dressed in fluttering white robes and lean in stature, was Liu Yuntian, a Grand Island Lord of Hidden Dragon Island.

The second, white-haired yet sturdy, was Zhang Changheng, another Grand Island Lord of Hidden Dragon Island.

The third, shriveled and hollow-cheeked, with a sinister expression, was Wei Jincheng, a Nirvana Realm rogue cultivator.

All three were about equal in strength to Song Zhenfei.

Each had cultivated around twenty dao markings in the Nirvana Realm.

“Brother Zhang, you’re here. Just waiting on you.”

Song Zhenfei cupped his fists with a smile.

Zhang Changheng nodded firmly. “No need for pleasantries. I came this time to kill Liu Yuncui. She’s already angered many of the Grand Island Lords.”

“I’ve already informed the Grand Island Lord. He’ll turn a blind eye.”

Song Zhenfei raised a brow. “Good! That’s exactly what I was waiting to hear!”

Liu Yuntian said calmly, “That Xing Zhong too—he deserves death. He’s been scamming and deceiving everyone, using his soon-to-end lifespan as cover.”

Wei Jincheng let out a weird cackle like a night owl. “Doesn’t matter to me. Brother Song once saved my life—helping him kill someone is the least I can do.”

Song Zhenfei nodded. “From what I’ve heard, Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui invited an expert from the Sun-Moon Sect. They’ve already set out toward Qingxuan Island, which lies north of my Liuyun Island.”

“The master of that island is named Shen Mo—a good friend of mine.”

He then recounted how Shen Mo had once exposed their deceit with a single sentence.

Liu Yuntian and the others nodded in approval.

“He’s a fine young man. Already a half-step into the Nirvana Realm at such a young age.”

“A cultivator with that kind of talent and character is well worth befriending.”

“We can’t let Xing Zhong and Liu Yuncui succeed. Let’s move out now.”

Song Zhenfei nodded heavily. “Exactly. I’d wager they’re already attacking the island’s protective formation.”

“We need to get there fast—before they get their way.”

The four of them took off, transforming into four streaks of light flying directly toward Qingxuan Island.

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