Chapter 438: Opening the Heavens

Chapter 438: Opening the Heavens

After circling around, Chu Liang returned to the central peak of the hidden realm and, sure enough, found that Situ Guanhai and Xi Miaoxian had also returned.

As soon as he landed, the two approached him and formally expressed their gratitude. "Young Hero Chu, many thanks for rescuing us."

Due to the tense relationship between Mount Shu and Penglai, Xi Miaoxian hadn't even acknowledged Chu Liang before. Now, having been saved by him, she couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed of herself.

Situ Guanhai, on the other hand, appeared somewhat astonished. "I've heard my junior brother mention you before, but I didn’t expect you to be this skilled. I had just developed this talismanic technique which integrates elements of the Eight Trigrams so I thought I was the only one who would know it. I really didn't expect to see you performing it too."

"Apologies. I learned it from you without your permission while observing the extraordinary power displayed by the talismanic technique you performed," Chu Liang said with a smile. "Both of you really don't have to thank me. We were just doing each other a favor."

Although Chu Liang was being modest, his words left Situ Guanhai even more astonished.

"You learned it just by watching me perform it once?" Situ Guanhai's eyes widened in disbelief. "This..."

It had taken him countless hours of practice to perfect the technique, yet Chu Liang had mastered it after a single glance. The realization was both impressive and unsettling.

"I’ve long heard of Young Hero Chu's rising fame and extraordinary talent over the past year. Seeing it today, it’s truly remarkable," Xi Miaoxian praised with a smile.

Being complimented by a beauty would certainly spark joy, but Chu Liang knew Situ Guanhai clearly had feelings for Xi Miaoxian. Not wanting to steal the spotlight, Chu Liang subtly shifted his gaze to Situ Guanhai and said, "Brother Situ, as the creator of this technique, you are the one with extraordinary talent."

As they spoke, Monk Pushan and Feng Chaoyang, who had been lingering nearby, approached as well.

Upon hearing that Chu Liang had saved Xi Miaoxian and Situ Guanhai, Feng Chaoyang couldn't help but ask, "Young Hero Chu, why did you save them?"

Chu Liang smiled faintly and felt a sense of apprehension.

The next series of events turned out just as he had expected.

Before he could respond, Xi Miaoxian shifted her attention to Feng Chaoyang. She fixed her gaze on him and remarked, "Just because some of you harbor ill intentions doesn’t mean Young Hero Chu should abandon his chivalrous conduct and stoop to your level."

"Hmph," Feng Chaoyang snorted coldly. "Chivalry, you say? It all depends on who’s on the receiving end. Hasn't the Penglai Supreme Sect often oppressed the Mount Shu Sect?"

"Stop slandering us!" Xi Miaoxian exclaimed. "We have always worked closely with Mount Shu; we are allies."

"Yeah, right," Feng Chaoyang shouted. "We, the Celestial King Sect, are the true allies of Mount Shu!"

"Regardless of sect, I've long admired Young Hero Chu's reputation," Xi Miaoxian said as she took a step forward.

"I’ve known Young Hero Chu for a long time!" Feng Chaoyang suddenly exclaimed, grabbing Chu Liang's arm with a firm grip.

"From now on, Young Hero Chu will be my dearest friend!" Xi Miaoxian declared, stepping up and looping her arm around Chu Liang's.

Everyone gathered in a circle, silent for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts.

Monk Pushan leaned over and whispered to Feng Chaoyang, "What are they doing?"

"I have no idea. It looks like they’re deep in thought," Feng Chaoyang whispered back.

Not wanting to stand out, Feng Chaoyang furrowed his brow, pretending to think hard about something, though he had no clue what he was supposed to be thinking.

Monk Pushan covered his face with a hand and sighed. "Young Hero Feng, you really have it rough."

"Yeah," Feng Chaoyang muttered. "There’s no sun, moon, or stars here. My Heavenly Star Unusual Art is completely useless."

"What did you say?" Chu Liang suddenly looked up.

"I said..." Feng Chaoyang shivered under Chu Liang's gaze, blinking nervously. "My Heavenly Star Unusual Art can’t be used here..."

"The sentence before that," Chu Liang muttered, "There’s no sun or moon here..."

Suddenly, he stood up and looked to the sky. "This place is composed of the most primal elements of the Eight Trigrams Talismans. But no matter how primal, there should be one essential thing..."

"Exactly!" Xi Miaoxian's eyes brightened, a divine light flickering within them.

"Thanks to you, Brother Feng." Chu Liang patted Feng Chaoyang on the shoulder before shooting up into the sky.

Thanks for the casual remark that answered my question. Indeed, there is no fire here. But there should be one important thing—and that is... the sun!

At that moment, dark clouds rolled across the sky, with winds howling and thunder rumbling, concealing the heavens and blocking all sunlight and moonlight.

Chu Liang soared higher, his hands tracing intricate patterns in the air as he activated the Qian-Character Talisman, unleashing a powerful, rumbling force.

Boom—

The sky full of dark clouds slowly parted, as if pulled aside by a pair of giant hands, moving with a thunderous sound to both sides.

Opening the heavens!

As the clouds parted, a crimson sun emerged, blazing brilliantly in the sky, its radiant light flooding the earth. Divine light cascaded down, illuminating everything in its path and filling the world with a scorching brilliance!

It was fire.

An unimaginably blazing fire!