Immortal Feather Sect

Early the next morning, the weather was fine and clear, without a cloud in the sky.

Fang Xuan got up at dawn. He had nothing much to bring, only a sword, and it was newly bought. His previous Black Ice Sword had fallen into the lava along with that firebird and had probably melted long ago.

There was also the Nine Dragons Stone. He had to keep this thing safe; it was a treasure for healing injuries and could not be lost.

When he pushed open the door, Fang Han was already waiting in the courtyard, supporting Zhao Xuemei.

Zhao Xuemei's eyes were red. It was obvious that she had cried.

"Mother."

Zhao Xuemei's tears fell again. She stepped forward, wrapped Fang Xuan in an embrace for a while, and said softly, "Xuan'er, once you enter the Immortal Feather Sect, you must take good care of yourself and stay safe. Don't go hungry. When it gets cold, wear more clothes. With Han'er taking care of me at home, you needn't worry."

Zhao Xuemei went on and on about many things. Fang Xuan was not impatient at all; instead, he listened carefully. If the servants had not come to urge them along, she would probably have continued for quite some time.

At last, Fang Xuan patted Fang Han on the shoulder and said, "Take good care of Mother."

"I will, Xuan Ge. You take care of yourself too." Fang Han nodded heavily.

"Mm."

Leaving the small courtyard, he entered the Fang Family's inner residence.

Many members of the Fang Family were waiting in the inner residence. Their expressions varied: envy, curiosity, and jealousy.

However, few dared to show it, at least not openly.

Fang Qingwei, on the other hand, glared furiously at Fang Xuan. If looks were swords, she would probably have poked several holes through him by now.

Fang Xuan paid no mind to this spoiled little girl, nor did he worry that she would target his mother and Fang Han after he left.

As long as there was still news of him in the Immortal Feather Sect, Fang Zetao would definitely protect the two of them. And if he could enter the Mystic Divine Realm, heh, the entire Fang Family would worship the pair like ancestors.

"Giant Spirit Hand" Fang Tong was also in the inner residence. When he saw Fang Xuan, he smiled faintly and nodded.

Fang Xuan respectfully returned the gesture, then consciously walked up to Fang Qingxue.

"Big Sister."

"Mm."

Before long, Fang Zetao, the family head, appeared as well, and everyone bowed in salute.

Fang Zetao said loudly, "Xuan'er, Qingxue, Fang Tong will lead you to the Immortal Feather Sect from here on. The rest of you must strive to learn from Fang Xuan and Qingxue. Cultivate diligently. If you too reach the Divine Strength Realm, you may take the Immortal Feather Sect's examination and study immortal arts."

"Yes, Father."

"Yes, Family Head."

At last, beneath the watchful eyes of all the Fang Family disciples, "Giant Spirit Hand" Fang Tong led Fang Xuan and Fang Qingxue onto the road to the Immortal Feather Sect.

All three rode Thousand Mile Horses prepared by the Fang Family. Horsemanship was a required course for Fang Family disciples, so there was no question of anyone not knowing how to ride.

"Uncle Tong, have you been to the Immortal Feather Sect before?" Fang Xuan asked curiously.

"I have. I led two groups there before," Fang Tong said.

"Is it far?"

"Far. Even with Thousand Mile Horses, it takes a month to get there. But I hear that once one reaches the Mystic Divine Realm, one can fly through the heavens and travel the earth. This old man will likely never reach it in his lifetime. You two are the most talented disciples our Fang Family has produced in recent decades. You will surely earn yourselves a fine immortal path," Fang Tong said with a smile.

"Haha, I'll take your kind words."

Fang Qingxue wore a hooded veil and remained quiet throughout.

The three traveled east without pause, passing through several major provinces, including Dragon Abyss Province, HuaYang Province, TaiGu Province, and Nine Lakes Province. After journeying thousands of miles, they finally arrived beneath a stretch of endless mountains one month later.

Looking into the distance, they saw towering peaks throughout the continuous mountain range, straight as arrows. Some peaks bloomed with flowers and were covered in countless palaces.

Thousands of immense waterfalls cascaded down from the peaks like countless jade dragons.

The sky was a deep azure, like blue crystal, forever without the slightest trace of dark clouds. The blazing sun hung high overhead, its gentle, brilliant rays shining down upon everything, pure and spotless.

On those hundreds and thousands of peaks, pine trees twisted around their roots, their branches gnarled and outstretched, exuding an ancient aura.

Even deeper within the mountains, amidst the drifting mist, enormous Sky Cities could faintly be seen floating like mirages, making one feel as though one had arrived in the immortal realm.

Even Fang Xuan, who had experienced skyscrapers and neon lights, was utterly shaken by the sight.

None of those so-called immortal fantasy films or television dramas could capture even a fraction of it.

Beside him, Fang Qingxue, who had maintained a cold expression all along, slightly parted her lips, her face filled with shock.

Fang Tong watched their reactions with a smile. When he had first come to the Immortal Feather Sect, his reaction had been even more undignified than theirs.

"This is the Immortal Feather Sect. You must remember: the immortal sect is not the Fang Family. In the Fang Family, you are masters whose words are final. Here, you are merely ordinary disciples. Even royal descendants and nobles of Great Li are no exception. Never act on impulse. Do you understand?" "Giant Spirit Hand" Fang Tong said solemnly.

The two nodded to show that they understood.

"Let's go. Enter the immortal sect."

The moment they stepped into the Mountains and Rivers, the long cry of an immortal crane pierced the clouds, rising and falling in succession.

Immediately afterward, two white specks appeared in the distance and shot toward them like arrows. They were fist-sized at first, but when they arrived above the group, they had become two immortal cranes larger than oxen.

These two immortal cranes were extraordinarily majestic, with bright red crowns. When they spread their wings, they stirred up gust after gust of violent wind. Their talons were especially fearsome, like steel hooks gleaming with cold light, capable of piercing gold and iron.

Even more astonishingly, a young Feather Robe Daoist sat upon the back of each crane.

As the cranes descended, the storm became even fiercer. Their wings beat up winds sharp as arrows, sending sand and stones flying.

"Hey! You petty mortals, why do you trespass upon the immortal mountains? State your names at once!" one Feather Robe Daoist said from above.

Fang Tong hurried forward and respectfully presented the token, saying loudly, "Disciples of the Fang Family of Dragon Abyss Province, Great Li Dynasty, under the Immortal Feather Sect, have come to take the examination. Here is our token. Please inspect it, Immortal Envoys."

The Daoist glanced at the token and nodded. "It is indeed a token of our Immortal Feather Sect. You may take the examination. Come up. The immortal mountains are vast; if you measure them on foot, you might not get out even after several years."

"Thank you, Senior Brothers." Fang Xuan clasped his hands.

Fang Qingxue also clasped her hands and voiced her thanks.

"You may call us Senior Brothers."

"Yes."

Fang Xuan and Fang Qingxue exchanged a glance, then each leaped up, landing effortlessly on the immortal cranes' backs.

The crane beneath them was as large as a water buffalo, two or three men tall, a colossal creature with wings as broad as enormous door panels. Its long cry shook heaven and earth, and a single flap of its wings could blow a person away.

Who knew how such enormous immortal cranes were raised?

Fang Xuan waved farewell to Fang Tong. The Daoist patted the crane beneath him, and with a cry from the crane, it soared into the sky.