Sparring

"Fang Xuan."

"Greetings, Big Sister."

Fang Qingxue, dressed in white, looked exceptionally aloof. Her skin was like congealed cream, her brows curved like crescent moons, and her bones and flesh were as flawless as jade.

She seemed like a fairy who had stepped out of the Moon Palace, or the Dragon Palace Dragon King Princess from the Dragon Abyss River.

Even heaven and earth seemed to become pure, suffused with a sacred air.

Anyone would feel inferior before such a woman, especially since she was not only beautiful, but her cultivation was also far beyond their reach.

In his previous life, money gave a hero courage. In this world, strength gave one courage.

Back when he had merely been a nobody, Fang Xuan had indeed felt inferior before Fang Qingxue. But now that his cultivation had greatly improved and the road ahead was vast, his state of mind was naturally different. He could now look directly at this Reincarnation of Lightning Mother as an equal.

The Fang Family disciples nearby also wore expectant expressions.

"Looks like there'll be a good show?"

"Do you think Big Sister can defeat Fang Xuan?"

"Bullshit. Big Sister is invincible. Fang Xuan just got lucky and ate some heavenly treasure. How could he possibly compare to Big Sister?"

"I think so too."

"Enough nonsense, watch."

Fang Qingwei was Fang Qingxue's younger sister, born of the same mother. Fang Xuan had beaten Fang Qingwei, and it was said that when the First Madam had gone to confront Fang Xuan, she had also been rebuffed.

Would Fang Qingxue, as the eldest daughter, fight Fang Xuan?

Everyone was eagerly anticipating it.

Fang Qingxue ignored the gazes around her and looked straight at Fang Xuan. In a cool voice, she said, "Heaven gives birth to all things to nourish mankind. So-called heavenly treasures are no different from cultivation pills. Your obtaining the Crimson Flame Vermilion Fruit was also part of your own fortune. Three months from now will be the Immortal Feather Sect's outer disciple examination. Among the entire Fang Family, only you and I have a chance. Do not squander such an opportunity. Also, I have already reached the Internal Fortification realm."

Fang Xuan was genuinely shocked now. As expected of the Reincarnation of Lightning Mother—this was fucking outrageous.

He had worked himself to the bone, killing people and seizing opportunities, and only then had he barely entered the Internal Fortification realm. Yet Fang Qingxue had reached it so easily.

"I understand, Big Sister," Fang Xuan said.

"As for Qingwei, there is no need to concern yourself with her. She is only a child. Cultivate well."

"Mm."

With that, Fang Qingxue turned and left, leaving behind a crowd of disappointed onlookers.

Fang Hong also ran over and asked quietly, "Fang Xuan, Big Sister didn't make things difficult for you, did she?"

Fang Xuan smiled. "Big Sister has her heart set on the immortal path. She will not concern herself with such trivial matters. I won't talk with you any longer. I need to start cultivating too. Practice diligently as well. If we have the chance, the two of us will enter the immortal path together and seek longevity."

"Oh!"

Fang Xuan also walked to a spot not far from Fang Qingxue and began practicing his punches.

The trace of pride he had felt upon entering the Internal Fortification realm was completely extinguished.

He had a Golden Finger, but this world contained countless peerless geniuses. There were even reincarnations of Heavenly Monarchs, with profound foundations. He would need to work desperately hard if he did not want to fall behind.

One had to know that the lifeforms in this world were exceedingly strange. Artifact spirits could reincarnate as humans, pills could reincarnate as humans, and even certain divine abilities could do the same.

It was simply ridiculous.

Compared to such people, his Golden Finger still had considerable shortcomings!

"Giant Spirit Hand" Fang Tong also appeared at the Martial Arts Practice Field to teach the Pine Crane Longevity Fist.

Fang Xuan discovered that after reaching a new realm, his understanding of the Pine Crane Longevity Fist had changed as well. Previously, he had believed that as long as he had enough resources, he could easily master the Pine Crane Longevity Fist. Now, however, it seemed that he had only been imitating it, unable to comprehend its true essence.

Train one's form to resemble a crane; beneath a thousand pines, two cases of scriptures.

"Indeed, a false teaching may fill ten thousand volumes, while a true teaching needs only one sentence. Guidance from an expert is worth years of bitter cultivation," Fang Xuan sighed.

Crane Claw Imprints Sand.

White Crane Spreads Wings.

White Crane in the Clouds.

Immortal Crane Shakes Feathers.

Snake Crane Conflict.

On the open ground, Fang Xuan once again performed the Pine Crane Longevity Fist. The same movements now seemed far more nimble than before.

Motion and stillness, substance and illusion.

It was as though a true white crane were dancing gracefully beneath an ancient pine.

Not far away, Fang Qingxue also paused her movements, an unusual look appearing in her eyes.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Fang Xuan did not open a new world to hunt down his clone. Instead, he calmly practiced his punches in the Myriad Phenomena Garden every day, consolidating the unstable foundation caused by his rapid advancement.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fang Xuan stomped the ground, taking ten steps in an instant. His feet left several-centimeter-deep imprints in the hard stone bricks.

His fists shot out like cannon fire, tearing through the air with a droning howl. The flowers and grass around him rustled loudly in the gusts, and even the Fang Family disciples watching the match felt stinging pain on their cheeks. The fierce wind was like a blade.

"Big Sister, be careful."

Fang Qingxue, standing opposite Fang Xuan, wore a solemn expression. Her eyes were sharp as blades, and she turned her body slightly, not daring to receive the attack head-on.

Their sparring over the past few days had made her realize just how terrifyingly strong her younger brother's muscles and bones were. His monstrous strength was unparalleled, as if an overlord had returned to the world.

During their first spar, she had suffered greatly from that monstrous strength. Her arm had hurt for half a month and had nearly been broken.

Fang Qingxue snorted coldly. With a light tap of her foot, her entire body drifted away like a white crane, evading that punch.

Her hooked hand formed a crane's beak, piercing through the forceful wind as it jabbed toward Fang Xuan's temple.

Crane Stretches Neck to Gaze.

Fang Qingxue's hand looked delicate, but if it struck its target, even cast iron would be pierced through.

Fang Xuan did not panic at this move. Instead, he grinned.

Immortal Crane Shakes Feathers.

His arms swayed lightly like a crane in flight. A vicious gust swept out, smashing directly toward Fang Qingxue's waist.

Left with no choice, Fang Qingxue could only change her move. Her right foot shot out, kicking toward Fang Xuan.

The two separated in an instant.

"Let's stop. We were both taught by the same master, so neither of us can break the other's moves!" Fang Xuan said helplessly as he rubbed his slightly reddened arm.

Fang Qingxue was in even worse condition. Her entire right foot had gone numb, without the slightest sensation, while pain continuously shot through her leg bones.

Fang Qingxue was also deeply troubled. They were at the same realm and practiced the same martial art, yet her kick had only reddened Fang Xuan's arm, while the recoil had left her unable to continue fighting.

Such powerful muscles and bones. Such monstrous strength.

"Big Sister, we leave for the Immortal Feather Sect tomorrow. Let's stop here for today. Rest well. This journey to the immortal sect must earn us a fine future on the immortal path," Fang Xuan said.

Fang Qingxue nodded as well. "Very well. We will stop here. Go back first. I will practice a while longer."

"Uh, do you really need to work so hard? Resting for one night is fine. Say farewell to the family. Once we leave for the immortal sect, who knows when we will be able to return?" Fang Xuan said speechlessly.

"No need. The immortal path is long, and my heart is iron."

"Fine, do as you please."

Fang Xuan did not try to persuade her any further. He nodded and turned to leave.

After a while, Fang Qingxue walked out of the Myriad Phenomena Garden, the corner of her mouth twitching as she dragged her still-limping right leg.

From the shadows nearby, Fang Xuan watched the scene with a smile.

"Stubborn as a mule."

This Big Sister was still quite the tsundere.