I Cheated While Cultivating - Chapter 188: Metamorphosis of Inner Scenery Sky

“Congratulations! You have slain the Loose Immortal Yu Long!”

“Treasure box [Platinum] +1, Fortune Bag [Gold] +1, Fortune Bag [Silver] +1, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1, additional options for reward selection +1, existing base attributes +1, existing additional attributes +1, Martial Arts Upgrade Card +1, Taoist Formulas Upgrade Card +1, Companion training simulation with Loose Immortal Yu Long +1, Massive Gift Pack of Martial Arts and Taoist Formulas proficiency +1.”

“You may choose any 1+1 items from the following rewards.”

“① Extend lifespan once: Extends the lifespan of any being by three thousand years.”

“② Instant enlightenment once: Enables any being to break through the current realm’s bottleneck.”

“③ Steal fate once: Steal a portion of any being’s fate for the next minute and graft a portion of your own fate onto the other for the next minute.”

“④ Age once: Ages any being by three thousand years.”

“⑤ Change gender once: Changes the gender of any being and solidifies it.”

…

…

What the hell!

What is that last option?

Is it really meant to be that mischievous?

Zhou Heng was still immersed in the joy of having killed the Loose Immortal Yu Long when he suddenly saw this reward option and his mind went blank.

Although the rewards were a huge boon, this option was just too bizarre.

Thus, he immediately eliminated the fifth option.

After some deliberation,

Zhou Heng chose the third and fourth options.

The reason he chose these two was that he had eliminated the fifth option and then the first and second options.

The option to extend lifespan by three thousand years, though good, wasn’t essential for the current Zhou Heng.

Indeed, three thousand years of lifespan is a very long time, and most Great Grandmasters at the pinnacle of the Fourth Rank live only about a thousand years.

Even if it were used to extend someone else’s life, there was no one around Zhou Heng who needed it.

As for the second option, instant enlightenment, it was the same reason; it wasn’t urgently necessary yet, as he hadn’t reached the point where he needed instant enlightenment to break through his current realm.

As for using it on someone else, the first problem to face was how to explain such means and whether it would attract the covetousness of powerful beings, which would undoubtedly put him in danger.

After eliminating three options, naturally, only the third and fourth options were left.

Stealing fate is a major weapon.

Although it’s just stealing fate for the next minute, it’s enough to turn the tide in desperate situations.

Take the simplest example:

When Loose Immortal Yu Long wanted to kill Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng could steal the fate that would have allowed Yu Long to survive and instead graft his own fate of being killed in the next minute onto Yu Long.

Thus, the original outcome was “Loose Immortal Yu Long successfully killed Zhou Heng, and Yu Long survived.” But because that part of fate was stolen and grafted, it would change to “Zhou Heng successfully killed Loose Immortal Yu Long, and Zhou Heng survived.”

Of course, there are many similar ways to use it, and it is definitely a skill that tests one’s “operational” capacity.

Aging by three thousand years is much simpler.

For any Middle Third Rank Martial Artist, aging three thousand years is equivalent to dying of old age on the spot.

And even for most Celestials, suddenly aging three thousand years is also almost certain death.

Celestials face a weakening trial every five hundred years and must survive five trials to truly rest easy and live a long, worry-free life.

If a Celestial who hasn’t passed all the weakening trials suddenly ages three thousand years, then the remaining trials would erupt all at once, making survival nearly impossible.

“This Loose Immortal Yu Long is truly powerful. Even though I’ve had numerous pinnacle Fourth Rankers assist, bringing down the reward, overall, it’s still richer than what the Great Saintly Merciful Immortal had to offer,” Zhou Heng couldn’t help but reflect internally.

The rewards “exploded” out by Loose Immortal Yu Long, besides these few options and the treasure and fortune bags, the most useful among the remaining rewards was the “Companion training simulation with Loose Immortal Yu Long.”

“Companion training simulation with Loose Immortal Yu Long: Allows you to simulate battles with Loose Immortal Yu Long inside a fixed environment, with Yu Long’s realm and cultivation adjustable to match his prime or to be the same as the trainer.

“Each time the trainer defeats Loose Immortal Yu Long, there’s a chance that cultivation experience at Yu Long’s current level will drop. The higher Yu Long’s realm and cultivation setting, the higher the level of cultivation experience that drops.”

It’s simply the best sparring partner.

And it’s not a one-time-use item; it’s a long-term practice partner!!

It can even drop Martial Path experience from Eighth Rank to Celestial Third Rank.

I’ve really hit the jackpot!

Next, while I’m still in the Luck State, I’ll open all the fortune bags and treasure boxes.”

“Open all the Fortune Bags!”

“Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have acquired the Martial Arts ‘Sword Control Technique’ [Secret Six Rank].”

“Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have acquired special food: Explosively Spicy Sauce*1.”

“Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have acquired Martial Arts ‘Three Palms Overturning the Heavens’ [Absolute Fourth Rank].”

Three Palms Overturning the Heavens?

Zhou Heng’s eyes lit up, and the other two rewards suddenly seemed less important.

“[Absolute Fourth Rank] Three Palms Overturning the Heavens: This is the foundational martial arts for the ‘Overturning Sky Seal’ among the ‘Primordial Nine Seals’, consisting of eighteen levels, divided into three moves: ‘Heaven and Earth Overturn’, ‘Palm Covers All Realms’, ‘Cosmos Utterly Shattered’.”

The foundation of the Primordial Nine Seals?!

This Gold Fortune Bag was immensely worthwhile!

The Primordial Gold Chapter Nine Seals—this was the legendary Supreme Divine Skill passed down by the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, a superior immortal method containing the essence of creating heaven and earth, and the mystery of the ultimate Tao.

Although the Three Palms Overturning the Heavens was only the foundation of one of the seals, “Overturning Sky Seal”, and not even a real part of the Nine Seals, Zhou Heng still had a “Martial Arts Rank-Up Card”!

“Martial Arts Rank-Up Card: Elevate the deduction of a martial arts that have been cultivated to the pinnacle, promoting it to a higher rank.”

Does this mean he had the chance to upgrade this set of “Three Palms Overturning the Heavens” into the real “Overturning Sky Seal” in the future?

With this thought, Zhou Heng temporarily put aside the idea of opening the Platinum Treasure Box and directly used the Epiphany Card to choose to learn this martial art.

Other issues aside, just these three moves were renowned as unparalleled skills; the true meaning they contained might further benefit the perfection of his Innate Power.

“Congratulations! Your heart is in tune with fortune. You have had an epiphany with ‘Three Palms Overturning the Heavens’ [Absolute Fourth Rank], achieving a proficiency level of 1, officially mastering this martial art.”

…

“Congratulations! Because you had prior foundation in palm techniques, your understanding of ‘Three Palms Overturning the Heavens’ [Absolute Fourth Rank] has deepened, proficiency level +3000.”

…

[Absolute Fourth Rank] Three Palms Overturning the Heavens: Level 3 (1/3000)

Even as an Absolute Fourth Rank skill, it doesn’t mean that one becomes the strongest upon learning it; after all, there is always a process from weakness to strength.

Therefore, at the beginner level, Zhou Heng’s experience with Seventh Rank palm techniques naturally provided a significant boost in proficiency.

After all, at the foundational level, there are commonalities between similar martial arts.

Zhou Heng had now reached the third level, already capable of executing the first move, “Heaven and Earth Overturn.” The second and third moves, however, still required a higher level of proficiency and his own cultivation.

Of course, even if there was only one move, even if it was only the third level.

This move “Heaven and Earth Overturn” was one of the most powerful moves Zhou Heng could perform from his martial arts repertoire.

Zhou Heng gently raised his palm, fingers spread out, circulating his Inner Qi. The center of his palm immediately turned dark and profound, as if it embraced all things, yet also seemed ready to overturn them.

His entire being exuded a terrifying presence as if to crush the heavens and earth, much like an ancient Heavenly Sovereign holding a seal, ready to shatter the skies and the earth.

For a moment, everyone in the inn felt an inexplicable heaviness in their hearts, as if a huge mountain was suddenly pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe.

“So strong,” Zhou Heng sighed internally. He lowered his hand and dispersed the momentum he had just gathered, not actually performing the move “Heaven and Earth Overturn.”

However, just this trial move allowed him to truly perceive part of the deeper meaning and principles contained within it, giving him a profound understanding of his own “Life of All Beings” Innate Power.

He even vaguely comprehended another application or technique for his self-created martial art, “Life of All Beings.”

“Congratulations! The principles and true meaning of ‘Three Palms Overturning the Heavens’ [Absolute Fourth Rank] resonate with your Innate Power, deepening your comprehension of this martial art, proficiency level +1000.”

Zhou Heng felt an overwhelming joy and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

He then checked the strange reward that had previously appeared.

Special food?

“Explosively Spicy Sauce: This is a delicious, special spicy sauce that, upon consumption, can enhance the power of martial arts and Taoist Formulas, greatly increasing combat ability. However, it comes with the misfortune of losing some money once.”

What is this thing?

Zhou Heng decisively stashed it away, unable to bear the thought of losing money!

Finally, there was only one Platinum Treasure Box left.

“Open the Platinum Treasure Box!”

“Congratulations! The luck is off the charts! You have obtained the Magic Weapons projection: ‘Nail Head Seven Arrows Book’ [Silver].”

“Nail Head Seven Arrows Book [Silver]: On a platform, set up a straw figure with the target’s name inscribed, placing one lamp above and one below it. Perform steps within the magical array, make talismans, and offer salutations three times a day. After twenty-one days, at noon, the written target will have their soul scattered.”

“Capable of cursing Celestial Beings!”

Hiss!

Zhou Heng couldn’t help but take a sharp breath. He had actually obtained this item, and though only a projection, this power was terrifying, capable of cursing Celestial Beings to death!

It just took a bit long to cast.

“This haul is truly huge,” Zhou Heng clenched his fist, organized the rewards, and then reflected on the state of his Innate Power.

“I need an opponent, one that will allow me to go all out, to stir up the Innate Power within me.

“Just one more battle and I shall undergo a transformation!”

…

After disposing of Li Wuwang’s corpse, which had been possessed by the Loose Immortal Yu Long, Zhou Heng left the inn.

He arrived on the streets of Wujiang Prefecture City.

This city had been the first stop when the Loose Immortal Yu Long was pursuing him, yet he had been lucky enough to escape almost unscathed—an incredibly fortunate turn of events indeed.

Suddenly, Zhou Heng noticed something shiny on the ground ahead of him. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a golden ingot—at least three taels in weight.

Taking a few more steps, he stumbled upon a precious gemstone.

What was this?

Picking up money by simply walking?

Zhou Heng couldn’t help but pause—could this also be a result of good fortune?

He walked on for a while longer.

And then, he found a martial arts secret manual.

It was of the Seventh Rank.

He continued forward.

A fragrant breeze hit him, and soft warm jade fell into his arms.

Had he really just stumbled upon a girl??

However, Zhou Heng felt that the sensation of holding this girl seemed familiar, as if he had held her before.

Impossible!

He looked down and indeed found the girl to be very familiar.

It was Yun Xiu!

Moreover, her complexion was pale and her breath was weak, obviously she had sustained serious injuries.

“Miss Xiu’er?” Zhou Heng was astonishment, and in disbelief he asked, “How did you…”

“Run!” Seeing it was Zhou Heng, Yun Xiu urgently exclaimed, “Hurry, run! There’s a Secret Six Rank Innate expert chasing after me, Heng-ge’er, don’t bother with me!”

As she spoke, she tried to push Zhou Heng away.

But just then, a thick and dark fog drifted down from the distant sky, reaching them in a blink of an eye—it was Ma Quan from the Plague Emperor Sect.

However, there was a gaping hole in his chest, black blood continuously pouring out, his Qi in utter disarray, his body covered in dense pustules, and his facial expression twisted, almost to the point of madness.

Clearly, this Innate expert was half-crippled, severely injured, with barely one percent of his strength left.

Yet, as a Secret Six Rank, which was on the level of Middle Third Rank, possessing power much superior to that of the Lower Third Rank, even in his crippled state, the mere disturbance of heaven and earth Qi he brought forth with his movements was enough to make Zhou Heng’s heart flutter.

This was the overwhelming natural force of the world, an unstoppable force against human strength!

“Ahh!! Your power’s aura is similar to hers; you’re her disciple, I want you dead!”

Ma Quan, hovering in the sky and locking his gaze on Yun Xiu, dove straight down, his palm striking towards her. His attack was also aimed at Zhou Heng, who was holding Yun Xiu.

The surrounding crowd immediately cried out in shock, retreating in horror.

Flying through the skies!

This was undoubtedly the power of a Secret Six Rank expert, a significant figure of the Middle Third Rank!

Who could possibly stand against such a one?

How pitiable for these two youths facing a Secret Six Rank Innate gone mad. Clearly still of the Lower Third Rank, they stood no chance of survival!

Even half-crippled, a Secret Six Rank was simply beyond reach.

The gap was too wide.

Yun Xiu sensed Ma Quan’s sudden palm wind, felt the thick aura of sickness permeating the void, and sensed her own increasingly weakened state.

Biting her red lip lightly, she pushed Zhou Heng forcefully and sighed softly, “I’m sorry, Heng-ge’er, I have dragged you down, but I cannot let you die like this, I will…”

It was as if she was speaking her last words, preparing to use some desperate secret technique to counter Ma Quan’s attack, but she suddenly realized that her forceful push did not move Zhou Heng at all.

Instead, Zhou Heng gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder, moved her behind him, and raised his palm to meet Ma Quan’s attack.

“This kind of ‘opponent’ is exactly what I want! Haha!”

Yun Xiu heard Zhou Heng’s hearty laughter near her ear.

She looked up at the tall figure protecting her, at the person who, with Eighth Rank cultivation, raised his hand towards Ma Quan, and she couldn’t help but stare blankly.

“Is Heng-ge’er sacrificing himself?”

…

Unlike Yun Xiu’s concern, Zhou Heng was actually extremely excited at the moment.

All the Inner Qi in his body seemed to be boiling, his fighting spirit surging. Facing Ma Quan’s fierce attack from a half-crippled Sixth Rank, he struck with his palm, fingers flickering with faint light, as if propping up the heavens and earth, evolving all phenomena.

All Things Born of Three!

Boom!

The deafening explosion burst forth, and rolling waves of Qi spread out like a hurricane, causing houses on both sides of the street to shake and sway, ready to collapse into ruin at any moment.

The ground within a radius of more than ten yards was completely shattered, and countless fragments of sand, stone, and soil burst into the air, creating a storm of debris that forced many onlookers to close their eyes, daring not to witness the clash between Zhou Heng and Ma Quan.

Such a scene left everyone present in utter shock, extremely startled!

An Eighth Rank Martial Artist actually facing off against a Secret Sixth Rank Innate head-on?!

Even if this Secret Sixth Rank was half-crippled, wasn’t this scene a bit too exaggerated?!!

Boom!

Another explosion sounded, and Zhou Heng’s figure, under the crushing palm force of Ma Quan, started sinking downwards. His legs were driven half into the ground as if nailed down by Ma Quan.

Simultaneously, every bone in his body emitted cracking and booming sounds, blood seeping from his seven apertures and all over his skin, yet his eyes were brighter than ever before.

Ma Quan was truly a Secret Sixth Rank Innate expert; even now half-crippled, his palm, carrying the mighty force of heaven and earth, still possessed an unmatched power to the Lower Third Rank Martial Artist.

“Die! Die! Hahaha!!” Ma Quan laughed loudly, ready to strike with a second palm, intending to completely kill Zhou Heng.

“You’re the one who’s going to die!” Zhou Heng roared. As he lifted his other palm to strike, it morphed into a fist, forming a strange seal and hurled toward Ma Quan.

This punch seemed completely the opposite of All Things Born of Three; it re-gathered and condensed everything in the universe into the pure essence of “Heaven, Earth, Man,” and smashed forward with boundless force.

All Things Return to Three!

At that moment, Zhou Heng appeared like an ancient colossus propping up the heavens and earth, his stance ground into the terrestrial world, reaching up to the celestial sphere, one palm giving birth to all things, one fist reverting all things, exuding a domineering aura of reigning over all.

This punch and palm strike directly sent Ma Quan flying backward, piercing through the half-crippled Secret Sixth Rank’s control of heaven and earth’s vital Qi and shattering his protective aura!

Hum!

Ma Quan was sent soaring through the sky, tearing through the air, emitting thunderous rumbles like muffled thunder, scattering clouds to the extent that a giant circular hole appeared amidst the white clouds in the sky.

Behind Zhou Heng, Yun Xiu was left dumbfounded, hardly believing what she had witnessed.

People on both sides of the street wore expressions of disbelief, feeling that the scene unfolding was completely beyond their comprehension, and utterly inconceivable!

Rumble!

Splash!

Sounds like thunder, like a mighty river, suddenly rang out, not from the sky, not from afar, but from within Zhou Heng’s body.

His body shined with golden light, pure and lustrous, his blood as dragons, his marrow as frost!

The very essence of his life was transforming, ascending to new heights.

Every part of his flesh, every strand of Inner Qi, every inch of skin, every piece of bone underwent unprecedented changes.

His Innate Power approached completion, the illusions constructed by Heaven, Earth, Man materialized and condensed behind him, an uncompromisingly masculine and vigorous aura surged to the heavens!

He had undergone a complete transformation!

Seventh Rank achieved!

Transformation of Innate Power achieved!

At that moment, Zhou Heng could clearly feel an unprecedented strength, easily more than ten times stronger than before!

He looked up at Ma Quan, who had yet to fall from the sky, and stomped his foot.

Boom!

The ground suddenly exploded into a circular pit, collapsing inward.

Zhou Heng’s entire being shot up like an arrow released from its bow, breaking through the clouds and soaring into the sky, rising a hundred yards into the air, coming beside Ma Quan who was still descending.

“You?!” Ma Quan, having been sent into the sky by the Overturning Heaven Three Palms, was somewhat lucid by now, and upon seeing Zhou Heng leap up, a sense of alarm surged in his heart.

Zhou Heng raised his right hand again, and his aura instantly became vast and ancient, solemn and vast, as if a primordial divine mountain had descended, as though it filled the entire heavens and earth in an instant.

Boom!

With that palm strike forward, the Qi flow collapsed into darkness, as if crushing the vault of heaven, shattering the earth, annihilating all things in the world, bringing everything towards an endless end without a future.

Such unparalleled and terrifying might immediately caused Ma Quan, already severely injured in spirit, to be intimidated, instilling fear in his heart, halting the turn of his thoughts.

Right after, Zhou Heng’s palm, glowing with light at his fingertips, pressed down directly onto Ma Quan’s head, right above the apex of the Secret Sixth Rank Innate expert’s crown!

Immediately, he pressed down with tremendous palm force, as if to flip and overturn heaven and earth!

Overturning Heaven Three Palms!

The heaven and earth toppled!!