Immortality Path: From the Blind Man at the Pharmacy-Chapter 54 - 53. Anomalies in the Nether Pagoda Square Inch of

Chapter 54: 53. Anomalies in the Nether Pagoda, Square Inch of Dark Heaven

Chapter 54: 53. Anomalies in the Nether Pagoda, Square Inch of Dark Heaven

Song Cheng was a blind man.

His eyes were ghost eyes, a gift from Yune.

But what exactly were ghost eyes?

In the past, Song Cheng was unclear, but at this moment, he somewhat understood.

Ghost eyes were two “supernatural passages” connected to the source of Yune’s power, hence why they repeatedly “collapsed” after Yune encountered issues and inexplicably harvested the “Human Skin Ghost’s probing” at present.

The Human Skin Ghost must be the initiator of the ghost tide against Shanghe County, and its ability to bypass Yune must mean it had already surrounded her.

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Now that the Human Skin Ghost’s attack on Shanghe County slowed, it was highly possible it was devouring Yune, integrating with her…

During the process of devouring and integration, the Human Skin Ghost naturally became aware of this “passage.”

But it merely probed, not launched an invasion.

As for the reasons…

Song Cheng speculated there were two:

First, Yune was most likely protecting him, if anyone was Yune’s final attachment, it was likely him;

Second, the place he resided was the county town, bustling with people, heavy with Yang Qi. His eyes were akin to a city gate, but the Human Skin Ghost couldn’t dispatch a Ghost Servant to siege, thus it couldn’t invade. However, its lingering presence brought an influence of Yin Qi, which was “recorded” by his interface.

Seeing it this way, this pair of ghost eyes seemed to have become a “burden.”

Yet, Song Cheng didn’t think so.

On the contrary, he saw another path.

The true function of the ghost eyes gifted by Yune wasn’t to aid in seeing, but to offer an additional path connected to Yin Qi, proven by the mutation of the Visualization Method and the emergence of a subsequent path.

Song Cheng stood on the street, and after a long while, the cold sensation in his eyes gradually disappeared.

Around him, unbeknownst when, a considerable number of people had gathered, curiously watching him as if discussing something.

His acute senses allowed Song Cheng to easily overhear the whispers and easily gauge the mindset of the townspeople.

They were merely phrases such as “poor youth,” “fallen genius,” “unfortunate hero,” “the young miss might regret the engagement”…

Song Cheng glanced at his own data: “90~141.”

His strength was unaffected, merely due to the existence of his “Heart’s Eye.”

“Heart’s Eye,” combined with perception, allowed him to abandon vision in many instances.

‘Since that’s the case, it’s time to nip troublesome buds.’

Song Cheng quietly thought to himself.

What troubles?

Naturally, the troubles following his “blindness.”

If everyone concluded he was weak due to blindness, then some unpredictable troubles would arise.

If he ignored them, it could likely result in “many taunting him, provoking him, forcing him to take action” and other such nonsense.

The most direct method was to make others understand… he was still a Peak of Force Realm presence, and in this small county, he remained unmatched.

…

A while later, Song Cheng returned to the Ruyi Commerce Chamber.

Inside the chamber, many noticed the black cloth wrapped around his eyes and naturally inquired curiously.

“Mr. Song, your eyes?”

“Brother Song, what… what’s happened?”

To these inquiries, Song Cheng didn’t say much, merely smiled and candidly said “blind, and now returned,” then directly summoned the Wang family brothers and Gao Lin.

These were three of the four Force Realm experts of the Ruyi Commerce Chamber in Shanghe County, the other was Ying.

Song Cheng bowed to the three and said, “In the past couple of days, I had some insights into Extreme Force, alongside a minor integration with White Snake Force and Willow Brushing Force, and wish to ask the three of you to test it.”

The Wang family brothers and Gao Lin saw his blinded eyes, exchanged glances, just about to speak, then fell quiet, turning to look at the exit of a corridor.

At the exit, a cold and glamorous figure wrapped in a white-gold cloak was walking out.

“President.”

“Young Miss.”

“Greetings, President.”

The arrival was indeed An Chenyu.

Her legs seemed to have long healed, walking gracefully and elegantly, chin slightly raised, exuding a swan-like grace, with the queen-like aloofness.

She nodded to everyone and softly asked, “Husband, what’s the matter?”

The air suddenly went silent.

Song Cheng said, “I’ve made minor accomplishments with Extreme Force and wish to spar with the experts of the commerce chamber.”

An Chenyu glanced at Gao Lin and the Wang family brothers, stating, “Comply with my husband.”

Gao Lin cast a glance at Song Cheng’s black cloth, about to say “hold back” or similar when An Chenyu abruptly said, “Chief Guard Gao, Big Wang, Second Wang, if the three of you don’t put forth your full effort, if you don’t display the power fitting of Force Realm protectors, there’s no need to stay here.”

With her voice, the three were stunned and immediately shifted from intending to “hold back” to completely serious, their gazes becoming sharp.

The three formed a triangle, slowly encircling Song Cheng, then said, “Apologies.”

With those words, three blades transformed into three killer willows, attacking from three directions, Willow Brushing Force akin to a great bow stretching, the sound of crackling silk echoing.

However, bows differ from bows, especially with Song Cheng having Pouncing Force.

Pouncing, it meant striking with later moves, preemptively.

Extreme, it was smashing rocks and crumbling mountains.

Song Cheng intertwined three forces, not needing full effort, merely lightly sweeping, the fine blade in his hand traced a large moon arc, the back of the blade slapping against Gao Lin’s fastest-approaching hand.

With a slap, Gao Lin’s blade slipped from his grip.

Behind, the Wang family’s twin blades slashed forth.

If Song Cheng unleashed his true strength, merely his protective Gang Qi would prevent the blade from leaving even a white mark on his skin, but instead… he rushed forward with the momentum, stepped aside, turned, and waved his blade.

Two slaps like lightning, and the Wang family brothers’ blades also slipped from their hands.

From start to finish, Song Cheng’s speed was quick, accuracy high, if not for the black cloth covering his eyes, others would almost think he wasn’t blind.

Precisely because… the lingering thoughts among others of “blind and useless,” “how could a blind man be worthy of the young miss” disappeared instantly.

The Wang family brothers and Gao Lin were visibly shocked, their expressions becoming respectful, bowing with fists clasped: “Thank you, brother-in-law, for your mercy.”

The trio found their prior thoughts of “holding back” laughable.

Simultaneously, they secretly pondered why although the brother-in-law used the same force as them, the difference was heaven and earth.

…

…

Three days later, the four city gates not only were repaired but slightly reinforced, the threat of the ghost tide seemingly receded.

People began to relax slightly.

That night, a protector from Ruyi Commerce Chamber went drinking in the south city, becoming drunk and causing a scene, and afterward refused to pay.

Most taverns in the south city belonged to martial halls’ industries, and it was the only district still open, so all drinkers gathered there.

The protector, causing a drunken ruckus and refusing to pay, naturally drew martial hall members.

Unluckily, this martial hall was the south city’s strongest, the Water Bird Martial Arts Hall.

However, the protector held considerable strength, surprisingly defeating several disciples until an instructor intervened to subdue him, sending apprentices to demand One Thousand Taels from the Ruyi Commerce Chamber to retrieve him.

The incident stirred quite a commotion, known throughout the four districts.

Some advised the martial hall to forget, given the ongoing ghost tide encirclement and the necessity for unity.

Others invocated the Ruyi Commerce Chamber’s Blind Song, thinking if Song Cheng weren’t blind, the martial hall wouldn’t dare detain.

Yet… the next midday, Blind Song alone took a blade, went to the tavern, and without spending a penny, retrieved the protector from the hall, and before leaving, was personally seen off by Water Bird Martial Arts Hall’s Master Zhao, who even addressed him as a brother, vowing that henceforth, mentioning his name in the south city tavern granted free drinks.

That day, Blind Song’s reputation soared like the sun…

When back on the street, the whispers vanished entirely, replaced by respectful salutes of “Mr. Song.”

At night, Madam Tong curiously asked, “What did you do to him? How could you challenge a hall and he still sees you off smiling?”

Song Cheng responded, “I merely pointed out flaws in his cultivation, helping him improve six points.”

The martial arts of Water Bird Martial Arts Hall actually lay between “Willow Brushing Force” and “Extreme Force,” easily seen as improper or with hidden threats by Song Cheng, who integrated three forces and formed his unique style, discerning even subsequent cultivation dharma method at a glance.

He patiently instructed, naturally enlightening Master Zhao with elixir poured over the mind, filling him with joy.

Such great favor, akin to teaching.

Although he wouldn’t make Master Zhao a disciple, the gratitude was boundless, which led to the scene witnessed that day.

Fierce Madam curiously inquired again, “Despite being blind, how did you accomplish all these? Defeating the chamber’s three experts, bringing the man back from south city?”

She was familiar with Song Cheng’s power manifesting only after forming the ghost eye, curious about her man’s prowess even blind.

Song Cheng answered, “Though blinded, as long as my heart beats, my heart is my eye.”

…

…

A night passed, and the sky began to brighten.

Madam Tong already dressed, was practicing slicing with Ying in the yard.

Silken linens lightly covered the youth’s body.

Song Cheng opened his eyes, glancing at the panel.

[Points: 82].

Enough to perform 20 deductions.

So, should he deduce the battle method “True Form of Xuanwu,” or “Nether Pagoda Visualization Method”?

The outcome of deducing the battle method was within Song Cheng’s expectation.

Yet what “Nether Pagoda Visualization Method” could become remained a mystery.

This allure strongly drew the youth, like a doorway leading to a new realm afar revealed itself.

He needed to walk over, push open that door.

“80 points, deduce ‘Nether Pagoda Visualization Method’ until successful.”

With the thought, deductions commenced.

Succeeded on the twelfth attempt.

A supernatural perception surged from his heart.

Within this time fragment, Song Cheng commenced repeatedly practicing “Nether Pagoda Visualization Method.”

A nine-layered pagoda.

Reaching the ninth layer enabled the divine soul to leave the body.

The remaining eight held no peculiarities.

The two cold, deep dark pupils floating from the eighth layer merely strengthened the pagoda.

Regardless of how many times visualized, the scene seemed unchanged.

At least previously so.

Yet this day, the pupils seemed shattered by some powerful strange cold external force.

Shattered pupils turned tadpole-like.

Further fragmentation reduced to pure blackness.

Blackness pervaded like fog, drifting ominously, twisting atop the eighth layer of the pagoda, rendering the ordinary tower inexplicably eerie.

Though the nine-storied pagoda was mundane, now… the eighth tower became a floating mass of mottled, desolate pitch-black, exuding a certain ominousness, causing apprehension and fear at a glance.

Ascending, the youth refrained from reaching the ninth level where “the divine soul can leap,” halting at the eighth darkness.

An intuitive notion surfaced in his heart, exploding like oil meeting fire with a “boom.”

A small notion expansively transformed into an eerie resentment and strong conviction, causing the soul and chest to emit twisted, hoarse roars:

‘I am blind, I cannot see the world, red, orange, yellow, and green, all unrelated to me.’

‘So feel my pain.’

…

Panel data shifted.

New information emerged:

“Nether Pagoda Visualization Method” abruptly appeared, forming a line.

[Nether Pagoda Visualization Method]

Eighth layer trickery technique: Dark Heaven (0/0)

Song Cheng slowly opened his eyes, rose and bound the black cloth, and sauntered outdoors.

Outside, birds chirped.

The youth cast his gaze at a flock of little sparrows, aiming silently at the one in the center with “Trickery Technique: Dark Heaven.”

The flock consisted of sixteen.

Upon activating the technique, the targeted middle sparrow immediately lost balance, fluttering in panic as if insane, nearly crashing into the rooftop tiles.

The youth launched himself into the air, leaping onto the roof while ceasing the trickery.

The sparrow met the soft hand, both eyes blinking in confusion, oblivious to what occurred, or why the sky suddenly blackened.

Song Cheng cradled it in his palm, the sparrow fluttered its wings, departing, flying far.