Immortal Venerable Reborn

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the last rays of twilight over Nanqiu City. Its imposing walls, adorned with moss on their corners, stood tall. Outside the city gates, a throng of commoners, merchants, and carts lined up to enter. Inside, the streets branched out in all directions, bustling with inns, shops, and narrow alleys. Children chased each other in the lanes, while vendors hawked their crafts along the streets. Wandering martial artists beat gongs and drums, drawing crowds with their performances. Wisps of cooking smoke curled up from the courtyards of various homes, blurring the twilight.

Sixteen-year-old Fang Wang strode through the gates of the Duke's Estate. Clad in a form-fitting white robe, he possessed a handsome and elegant demeanor, blending the refined air of a scholar with the spirited charisma of a young prodigy. The gatekeepers greeted him with smiles, and he responded with a nod, devoid of any pretense.

"Shadowless Steps truly is remarkable. From now on, even within five paces, no one will be able to harm me."

A smile graced Fang Wang's face. His internal energy had reached a legendary mythical realm, and he had mastered the era's top-tier swordplay, palm techniques, and footwork. He felt invincible.

After all, he was only sixteen!

He had lived sixteen years in this life, reaching the pinnacle of the mortal world. Now, he could finally enjoy life to the fullest.

Fang Wang looked forward to the future as he walked along. Servants he passed all greeted him, addressing him as Thirteenth Young Master.

Fang Wang's grandfather, Fang Meng, was a founding hero of the Great Qi Dynasty, holding the esteemed rank of Duke, a position of the second highest official rank. His father, Fang Yin, was Fang Meng's youngest son. Fang Wang was the thirteenth among the third generation of grandchildren, hence his title, Thirteenth Young Master.

In this ancient-like dynasty, the atmosphere within the Duke Fang's Estate was harmonious, lacking the usual deceit and treachery. This was perhaps due to Fang Meng still being in power.

Leveraging the Duke's Estate's influence and reputation, Fang Wang began collecting martial arts secrets at the age of twelve. After four years of dedicated practice, he could project his internal energy outward as a protective aura and wield strength comparable to an elephant. However, no one was aware of this; they all believed him to be merely a young master of the Fang household with aspirations of joining the martial world.

Entering a garden, Fang Wang saw a group of maids gathered, chatting animatedly. His hearing was extraordinary; even from thirty feet away, he could clearly discern their conversation.

"Zhou Xue has gone mad. Today, she's been going around saying the Fang Estate is going to be wiped out."

"I heard it too. She's really bold, visiting all the young masters currently in the estate. Now her father, Fourth Young Master, has locked her in her room."

"Who would dare wipe out our Fang Estate? Not even the current Emperor would dare!"

"Shh, you shouldn't say such things."

"Fourth Young Master dotes on his adopted daughter Zhou Xue so much; she'll probably be released in a few days. But did you hear? She claims she's been reborn. What a joke, right?"

Fang Wang's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the word "reborn."

A reborn person?

If Fang Wang had no memories of his past life, he would have dismissed it as a joke. However, having personally experienced an unbelievable reincarnation, he couldn't help but wonder, what if it were true?

The Fang Estate wiped out?

Fang Wang listened for a while longer, then headed towards Zhou Xue's courtyard.

His fourth uncle, Fang Zhen, had joined the army in his youth and was nearly killed on the battlefield. Fortunately, Zhou Xue's father sacrificed himself to save him. Despite this, Fang Zhen was left with a permanent disability. After leaving the army, he brought his benefactor's ashes back to his hometown. At that time, Zhou Xue's mother was already bedridden. Upon hearing the news, she was consumed by despair and passed away that very day. Fang Zhen was then left to bring the infant Zhou Xue back to the Fang Estate, where she was adopted as his daughter.

Zhou Xue had a reclusive personality and rarely left her courtyard. Throughout her childhood, Fang Wang had only met her a few times. His impression was of a shy little girl, around his age, with a delicate appearance.

Normally, his fourth uncle was extremely protective of her; Zhou Xue had never been bullied. She shouldn't have suffered a mental breakdown. Could she truly be reborn?

Fang Wang's heart sank. What kind of power could bring about the annihilation of the Duke Fang's Estate?

Could it be the Emperor's decree?

The Duke's Estate was vast, occupying a fifth of Nanqiu City, resembling a city within a city. The estate had thousands of household guards. Sometimes, Fang Wang would see his eldest uncle, Fang Xing, drilling the guards in martial arts.

Could such a Fang Estate be wiped out?

Fang Wang quickened his pace. He circulated his internal energy, held his breath, and used his Shadowless Steps to silently approach Zhou Xue's window, listening intently.

The room was quiet, but with Fang Wang's hearing, he could detect Zhou Xue's breathing, which was somewhat rapid, indicating her agitation.

After a moment.

"Alas, I was once an Immortal Venerable. Now, returned to my youth, I cannot change my family's fate. Is heaven deliberately toying with me... If only it were even a month earlier, things wouldn't be like this..."

Fang Wang heard Zhou Xue's faint sigh, so soft that an ordinary person would not have been able to hear it.

Immortal Venerable?

Fang Wang's heart trembled. He had heard many legends of gods and immortals during his long reincarnation, but he had never heard of rebirth. The way she spoke so earnestly, could it be true?

He dared not gamble. After all, he himself was a reincarnated being, so encountering a reborn person wasn't entirely far-fetched.

The thought of the Fang Estate being annihilated made his heart ache. His parents in this life treated him exceptionally well, as did his uncles. He loved the Fang Estate dearly and couldn't bear to see it destroyed.

After a moment of hesitation, Fang Wang forcefully pulled open the window and leaped inside.

Zhou Xue was not startled by his sudden appearance. She merely sat calmly at the table, gazing at him.

She wore a green robe, her makeup exquisite, her hair slightly disheveled. Even so, she appeared dignified and beautiful, maintaining the elegance of a young lady from a noble family.

Their eyes met, and silence filled the room.

"Your skills are not simple. I didn't sense you at all. Who are you?" Zhou Xue broke the silence, asking.

Fang Wang heard this and subtly clenched his right hand within his sleeve.

Am I that insignificant in the Fang Estate?

Well, he had indeed kept a low profile for the past sixteen years, far less flamboyant than his brothers, who were either exceptionally talented or arrogantly overbearing.

Fang Wang spoke, "You claim to be reborn, and I am willing to try and believe you. Since you are a reborn immortal, you must have immortal techniques in your mind. I don't ask you to display them; you can casually teach me a move. I have my own ways to verify its authenticity. If it is true, then I will believe your words and join you in changing the Fang Estate's fate, as I also bear the surname Fang."

Within his mind, there was a Celestial Palace. He had discovered it the first time he began practicing internal energy. Once he started cultivating internal energy or martial arts, his consciousness would enter the Celestial Palace. Inside, he could remain without eating or drinking until he cultivated these secret arts to the point of Grand Perfection. Only then could his consciousness leave the Celestial Palace and return to reality.

No matter how long he spent in the Celestial Palace, only an instant would pass in reality.

This was also the reason he was able to reach the mythical realm of martial arts at the age of sixteen.

Zhou Xue frowned, staring intently at Fang Wang, not speaking immediately.

Fang Wang wasn't in a hurry. He followed and sat down at the table, facing her. He poured himself a cup of tea.

Outside the window, the setting sun gradually descended, its afterglow like blood, painting a scene of poignant beauty.

"Forget it. I truly cannot abandon the Fang Estate. Although I don't remember who you are, judging by your appearance, you must be a member of the Fang family. You're the only one willing to believe me, so I will teach you the Sword Control Technique. The Sword Control Technique is a beginner's spell for cultivators, a threshold between cultivation and martial arts."

Zhou Xue said softly. Fang Wang nodded slightly, feeling a knot of nervousness tighten in his chest.

He simultaneously hoped it was true and feared it was true.

If it were true, then the Fang Estate would face disaster.

But if it were true, then the path of cultivation and seeking eternal life would also be true...

Who would practice martial arts if they could cultivate?

Zhou Xue began to recite the incantation for the Sword Control Technique, and Fang Wang listened intently.

The Sword Control Technique involved projecting Spiritual Energy from the body to control a flying sword. Fang Wang had once heard a wandering swordsman say that a century ago, there was a Sword Saint who could achieve such a feat. Could she be a cultivator?

Zhou Xue observed his expression as she spoke.

She sighed inwardly.

"What am I doing, believing a mere boy? Looking at him, he's probably just here out of curiosity. However, the fact that he could silently appear outside my boudoir window means his martial arts skills are not low. Oh well, no one else believes me anyway..."

Zhou Xue thought to herself. She was doing this also to vent her inner frustrations.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Zhou Xue finished explaining all the essentials of the Sword Control Technique.

The moment she finished speaking, Fang Wang's mind exploded. His consciousness instantly transported him to a magnificent, resplendent palace.

This was his Celestial Palace!

When he first arrived, he stood outside the Celestial Palace and could see its nameplate. After that, he would simply appear inside.

The Celestial Palace was vast. Through his exploration, he found it consisted of only this one hall. On either side of the hall were displayed eighteen kinds of weapons. He could also conjure weapons and martial arts training equipment at will. He could even change the environment within the hall, all with a single thought.

"It's real... it's real..."

Fang Wang was overcome with excitement. Listening to Zhou Xue explain the Sword Control Technique had already made him feel its profundity. Now, entering the Celestial Palace proved the Sword Control Technique was real, and such a supreme art must be a cultivation technique.

Most importantly, even if it was a cultivation method, he could enter the Celestial Palace!

What did this mean?

In the future, when he cultivated, he would bypass the process of practicing cultivation techniques and spells. This would be his greatest advantage!

Fang Wang couldn't help but cheer, utterly thrilled.

Since childhood, he had harbored a desire to wander the world. He had planned to travel the realm after turning eighteen, living a carefree life with his martial arts skills. Now, knowing that cultivation existed, his desire to roam became even stronger.

After calming his emotions, Fang Wang thought of the Fang Estate being annihilated and immediately began to cultivate the Sword Control Technique.

Cultivating in the Celestial Palace was monotonous. It had taken him nearly twenty years to reach Grand Perfection in his internal energy cultivation, along with other martial arts techniques. Although he appeared to be sixteen, he had actually lived through seventy to eighty years. Fortunately, the Celestial Palace did not affect his physical lifespan.

Fang Wang had mastered a set of top-tier sword techniques of the current era and had a deep understanding of swordsmanship. Cultivating the Sword Control Technique was not that difficult to comprehend. However, the Sword Control Technique used the Spiritual Energy of cultivators, while his body contained the True Qi of a martial artist. He wondered if True Qi could control a sword.

A full ten years passed, and Fang Wang painstakingly cultivated the Sword Control Technique to Grand Perfection.

Grand Perfection was the highest realm of that supreme art, far beyond simple mastery.

The moment he achieved Grand Perfection, his consciousness returned to reality.

After finishing her explanation of the Sword Control Technique, Zhou Xue had stared at Fang Wang, wanting to see his reaction. However, Fang Wang's expression remained unchanged, which disappointed her somewhat.

She immediately asked, "Now, do you believe, or not?"

A spark flashed in Fang Wang's eyes. The corners of his mouth turned up, and a youthful spirit appeared on his face.

"I believe! Such a supreme art is not something an ordinary person could possess. From this moment on, I will join you in changing the fate of the Fang Estate!" Fang Wang declared firmly, his heart brimming with excitement, which he struggled to suppress.

Zhou Xue was stunned and looked at Fang Wang with a peculiar expression.

She couldn't quite articulate whether she felt relief, touched, or perhaps a mix of helplessness and amusement.

The setting sun outside the window sank lower and lower, as if telling her that time was running out. She could only place her trust in the young man before her, just as he had placed his trust in her.