Are There Really Men Like This in the World?

When Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling took the Hundred Herb Liquid to cultivate, Fang Qing began cultivating as well.

He consumed "Source" to cultivate.

A vast amount of life essence entered Fang Qing's body, transforming into the power that nourished the growth of the divine bridge.

As Fang Qing contemplated and cultivated, he unexpectedly began circulating the "Moon in the Well" that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had comprehended. His mind became calmer than ever before, reflecting every aspect within his body and allowing every minute detail of the divine bridge's growth to appear in his mind.

It was a peculiar experience.

Fang Qing had no doubt that if he cultivated in this manner, then even when he truly entered the Other Shore Realm, he would suffer no Calamity of Lostness.

Everything was reflected in his mind. How could he possibly be led astray?

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling truly possessed formidable talent. Even cultivators like him benefited from it.

Fang Qing even had no doubt that if peerless geniuses like Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling entered the Shrouding the Heavens World, they would go farther than many others.

The talents of these two were absolutely beyond imagination.

Fang Qing pondered as he cultivated.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling cultivated as well.

As time passed and night gave way to morning, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling finished cultivating. Both looked full of vigor, while Kou Zhong's expression held even more lofty ambition, as though he wished to contend with all the heroes under heaven.

"Xiao Zhong, Xiao Ling, have you finished cultivating? Today happens to present an opportunity for you to make a name for yourselves."

Seeing them, Fang Qing smiled.

"Thank you, Brother Fang, for your miraculous pills. They've allowed us brothers to cultivate to this point. I feel stronger than ever now. If someone really can serve as my whetstone, I'd be delighted."

Kou Zhong bowed to Fang Qing, then chuckled.

"There is a city ahead. Someone in the city has invited a master of music, and quite a few martial arts experts will be attending. You can test yourselves there."

Fang Qing looked ahead.

Ever since he began cultivating, his gaze had reached farther and farther. Heaven and Earth as One allowed him to sense every movement within dozens of li, which was why he could still spot Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling while flying in the sky.

"A master of music? We'll finally get to feast our ears today."

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling smiled and followed behind Fang Qing.

Fang Qing did not ride the Divine Light, but even so, he moved swiftly and soon arrived above the town.

Countless discussions rang in his ears.

"Miss Shi Qingxuan, renowned throughout the land, has actually come here today. What a blessing for us!"

"Indeed, indeed. Shi Qingxuan is an extraordinary woman famous across the realm, astonishing the age with her flute skills. Ordinary people simply aren't qualified to invite such a master to appear, yet she has come."

"Those who can invite her are all figures of great standing in the martial world. I heard that the great scholar Wang Tong personally extended the invitation. Ouyang Xiyi is also here, a top expert who has been famous for at least forty years. Rumor has it that he belongs to the same generation as Ning Daoqi, the foremost figure of the Daoist sects."

"That truly is lively. It's just that we have no invitations, so I fear we won't be able to enter and see these martial arts grandmasters."

Countless discussions reached Fang Qing's ears.

Listening to the many conversations, Fang Qing led Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling toward Wang Tong's residence.

However, before they reached Wang Tong's residence, he saw several men and women staring behind him with killing intent.

Among them, the leader was a rather pretty woman. Today, however, she was dressed as a man, seemingly unwilling to reveal her identity.

The other men also wore murderous expressions, seemingly intending to attack Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling behind Fang Qing.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling saw the group as well, and their expressions changed.

"Brother Fang, they're from the East Sea Sect. That woman is the East Sea Sect's Princess, Shan Wanjing, while that man is their Young Marshal, Shang Ming. They've come to recover the account book we stole!"

Kou Zhong had originally intended to flee at once, but Fang Qing did not leave, so he stopped and clearly explained the identities of the men and women.

Fang Qing gave a sound of acknowledgment and looked at Kou Zhong. "You two stole the account book they use for business. If word got out, the East Sea Sect would face a great disaster. No wonder they want to fight you to the death. How do you intend to resolve this?"

"How about we return the account book, then form an alliance with them? I intend to conquer the realm anyway. If we can join forces with the East Sea Sect, we'll have endless weapons."

As the East Sea Sect's men and women drew closer, Kou Zhong spoke.

"Of course, we'll still have to fight them before subduing them. Otherwise, they'll never form an alliance with me."

Kou Zhong added.

As they spoke, the East Sea Sect's Princess, Shan Wanjing, had already approached. One of her hands lightly patted forward, as though she were greeting an old friend, but the move contained deadly intent. She intended to seal Kou Zhong's acupoints in a single strike.

"The me of today is no longer the me of yesterday."

Seeing Shan Wanjing attack, Kou Zhong's mind perceived her palm with perfect clarity. He grasped every detail of its speed, force, and angle without missing a thing. He extended his own palm, which contained Longevity True Qi that he had already calculated precisely, and blocked Shan Wanjing's attack at just the right moment.

The two palms collided.

Shan Wanjing cried out in alarm.

She discovered that her True Qi had been completely broken apart. She was even forced backward by the force, while the little thief Kou Zhong stood as steady as Mount Tai, seemingly completely uninjured.

How had he done it?

Shan Wanjing clearly remembered that not long ago, the little thief Kou Zhong had not dared to clash with her head-on. Competing in the amount and quality of True Qi would have been suicidal for him. Yet why was she now unable to defeat him in a direct clash?

While Shan Wanjing reeled in shock, she saw that Shang Ming, the East Sea Sect's Young Marshal, was also no match for Xu Ziling. After a single exchange, Shang Ming was knocked backward as well.

That was even more shocking!

Shang Ming was one of the East Sea Sect's finest younger-generation experts. He had cultivated martial arts for over twenty years and was an outstanding figure even among the younger generation of the entire martial world. How could he now be no match for Xu Ziling?

"Princess, what happened before was a misunderstanding. For Brother Fang's sake, could we call a temporary halt? Perhaps there is a possibility of cooperation between us."

At that moment, Kou Zhong spoke again.

He had driven Shan Wanjing back with one move, but he did not continue attacking. Instead, he directed the conversation toward Fang Qing.

Only then did Shan Wanjing turn her gaze toward Fang Qing, who stood before Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

The moment she looked at him, she froze.

"Are there really men like this in the world?"