Illusion Realm Assessment

"Not yet. I never expected Miss Gu's cave abode to be right beside mine."

Fang Wang looked at Gu Li standing at the entrance to her cave abode and answered with a smile. Beneath the sunlight, Gu Li had changed into Taiyuan Sect robes and was no longer wearing her veil, looking exceptionally captivating, like an immortal maiden descended into the mortal world.

There was a set of Personal Disciple robes in Fang Wang's cave abode, and they looked similar to the robes Gu Li wore. Could it be that Gu Li had become a Personal Disciple as well?

Gu Li stared at Fang Wang and said softly, "I deliberately chose the place beside yours. I have already succeeded in Spirit Molding and become a Personal Disciple. From now on, you are my senior brother."

A Personal Disciple? So quickly? Fang Wang was astonished inwardly, but his expression remained calm.

Seeing that he showed no reaction, Gu Li's fair hand curled slightly within her sleeve. She tried hard to steady her emotions, warning herself not to rush.

"Master told me that when you entered the sect, you were only at the seventh level of the Qi Nurturing Realm. Yet only a few months have passed, and you have already reached the ninth level. It seems you will soon undergo Spirit Molding. Before that, could you spar with me once more?" Gu Li's pretty face reddened slightly by the end.

Fang Wang looked at her suspiciously.

A Spirit Sculpting Realm cultivator fighting someone in the Qi Nurturing Realm?

Good heavens!

Was she really this shameless?

Just as Fang Wang was about to refuse, Gu Li continued, "I will not use my Life-Bound Treasure Spirit. It is only that my Five Saints Sword Technique has recently made a breakthrough, and I wish to spar with you. Do not worry. We will find somewhere deserted, and no word of it will spread."

Fang Wang had originally found it troublesome, but now he suddenly wanted to witness the strength of the Spirit Sculpting Realm. Within the Taiyuan Sect, there should be no danger of anyone harboring killing intent.

"Where?" Fang Wang asked.

Delight rose in Gu Li's eyes as she said, "The woods at the foot of the mountain. Sparring and dueling are common occurrences. As long as no enmity is created, the Taiyuan Sect will not prohibit it. Neither of us will use magical artifacts; we will spar with wooden swords."

Fang Wang wanted to say that wooden swords and magical swords could both kill people, but he did not wish to waste words. This was also a good chance to test the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art!

"Let's go. To the woods!"

"Alright!"

The two immediately headed down the mountain, with Gu Li leading the way. They did not fly on swords. From high above, they walked side by side along the mountain path, looking like an immortal couple.

Along the way, Gu Li chatted with Fang Wang. Upon hearing that he had been cultivating ever since entering the sect, she began telling him about amusing incidents that had recently happened within the Taiyuan Sect.

Having just endured two hundred years of darkness, Fang Wang was quite interested in such amusing stories. He listened to her, occasionally interrupting with questions.

"By the way, is Zhou Xue a member of your Lineage?" Gu Li suddenly asked.

Fang Wang nodded. "That's right. What happened to her?"

He was not worried that Zhou Xue would run into trouble. She was a reincarnator; it would already be fortunate if she did not go looking for trouble with others.

"She passed the sect's Illusion Realm Assessment and received the inheritance of the previous sect master. Her reputation has soared. Once she succeeds in Spirit Molding, even if her Treasure Spirit aptitude is ordinary, she can still become a Personal Disciple," Gu Li said with feeling.

Illusion Realm Assessment?

Fang Wang had not heard Zhou Xue mention it. Still, it was only natural for her to obtain such an opportunity. Reincarnation was her greatest support. Her mind contained records of far too many opportunities; she would surely be able to choose a path stronger than her previous life.

Ever since they had entered the Taiyuan Sect, the two had lost contact. However, Fang Wang remembered the branch she had chosen for herself: the First Vein.

And so, Fang Wang and Gu Li chatted as they headed toward the woods.

After the time it took for one incense stick to burn.

The two entered the woods. The trees inside were sparse, making them convenient for fighting, while the leaves above were dense enough to block out the sky and conceal them from the prying eyes of passing disciples.

Fang Wang and Gu Li stood three zhang apart. He raised his right hand and said, "Come. This time, I will not use the Sword Control Technique."

Sword Control Technique!

At the mention of those three words, Gu Li's expression became unnatural. So the move that had defeated her back then truly had been the Sword Control Technique.

She could accept being defeated by profound swordsmanship. But being defeated by the Sword Control Technique...

And back then, he had only been at the seventh level of the Qi Nurturing Realm!

Gu Li took a deep breath and immediately drew out two wooden swords. She tossed one to Fang Wang and held the other in a reverse grip in her right hand.

Fang Wang caught the wooden sword and examined it. He had wanted to refuse to use a sword, but he feared insulting her. Forget it. I should put on an act.

This was actually a good idea. He had always pretended to be a swordsman, but in truth, he did not need a sword to use the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art. Perhaps it might save his life at a critical moment someday.

Fang Wang held the wooden sword in a standard grip and raised it toward Gu Li. He extended two fingers of his left hand and slid them across the blade. Three strands of Sword Qi flowed along the blade, swiftly condensing into three sword-shaped forms that floated before him.

The sight made Gu Li furrow her brows in secret alarm. What sword technique was this?

Gu Li took a deep breath and immediately unleashed her Lineage's supreme art, the Five Saints Sword Technique. She swung her sword rapidly, her sword moves fierce and her figure so quick that afterimages appeared. In an instant, it seemed as though five people were swinging swords at once, and visibly domineering Sword Qi swept toward Fang Wang like a raging storm.

The trees along its path were carved with countless fine marks, displaying extreme sharpness.

Fang Wang held the sword in his right hand, twisted his wrist, and suddenly thrust forward. The three sword-shaped forms instantly transformed into three streaks of cold azure light and shot forth.

The two currents of Sword Qi collided. The seemingly powerful Five Saints Sword Qi was directly torn apart by the three azure streaks. Gu Li's long hair was blown into disarray, and her beautiful eyes widened instinctively.

At that moment, she felt the same spine-chilling terror she had experienced while competing for the position of Personal Disciple.

Fortunately, the three azure streaks dispersed just as they reached her. Even so, that powerful sword radiance made her heart pound in fright.

Fang Wang lowered his sword and secretly sighed. Fortunately, his Startling Swan Divine Sword Art had already reached Great Perfection. Otherwise, it truly would have been difficult to withdraw the strike just now.

The surrounding woods shook violently, and fallen leaves drifted down like rain. Bathed in this rain of leaves, Gu Li fell into a daze.

Fang Wang feared that she would make another request, so he said, "Miss Gu, your swordsmanship is very strong. You are the strongest sword cultivator I have ever fought. Let us spar again another time. I must return to cultivate."

With that, he leaped up, stepped onto the wooden sword, and departed, swiftly flying out of the woods.

At the same time.

A male disciple flew over. Noticing the disturbance in the woods below, he was about to take a look when he saw Fang Wang flying out on a sword. He was immediately delighted and hurriedly approached.

"Senior Brother Fang, it is rare to see you!" The male disciple stopped Fang Wang and said warmly.

Fang Wang found him somewhat familiar and replied politely, "I was previously cultivating in seclusion. I came out for a stroll today."

"Senior Brother Fang, do you remember me? I am Zhou Bo!"

"I remember, I remember..."

Inside the woods.

Gu Li took a deep breath. This was not the first time she had suffered a crushing defeat, so the blow was not as great as before. Moreover, she had received Fang Wang's acknowledgment.

Wait!

That boy had cultivated for less than a year. How many sword cultivators could he possibly have encountered?

Gu Li recalled her master Yang Yuanzi's sigh. Her expression instantly turned ugly. There was no indignation in her heart, only endless confusion.

She took a deep breath, then flew away on her sword.

Fang Wang hastily dealt with Zhou Bo before leaving. Just as Zhou Bo was sighing inwardly that Senior Brother Fang was truly an ascetic cultivator, he saw Gu Li fly out from the woods as well.

After suffering the impact of the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art, Gu Li's hair was slightly disheveled, leaving Zhou Bo utterly dumbfounded.

Gu Li ignored him completely and swiftly flew toward the mountain.

Zhou Bo withdrew his gaze. Standing atop his Flying Sword, he murmured, "Senior Brother Fang truly has refined tastes."

After landing, Fang Wang leaned the wooden sword against the mountain gate of Gu Li's cave abode, then quickly returned to his own cave abode.

Having dealt repeated blows to a favored daughter of heaven, he feared endless trouble would follow. But there was nothing he could do; Gu Li had been the one to come looking for him.

Sitting cross-legged atop his large white jade bed, Fang Wang reviewed the previous battle and felt that the Spirit Sculpting Realm was nothing remarkable. At least, the gap between them was not very great.

Perhaps a Life-Bound Treasure Spirit provided a substantial boost in combat power to those in the Spirit Sculpting Realm.

Fang Wang stopped dwelling on it and continued absorbing Qi in cultivation. Reaching the ninth level of the Qi Nurturing Realm did not mean he could directly attempt Spirit Molding. Between the ninth level of the Qi Nurturing Realm and the Spirit Sculpting Realm lay an unnamed realm. The same existed in martial arts; some called it an opportunity, while others called it completion. In any case, all he wanted now was to reach the Spirit Sculpting Realm as soon as possible.

Outside the cave abode.

Gu Li looked at the wooden sword leaning against the mountain gate, bit her lip lightly, picked it up, and returned to her cave abode.

In the blink of an eye.

Another month passed.

Fang Wang's spiritual energy had doubled. Somewhere in the unseen, he faintly sensed signs of a breakthrough. Yet he discovered that his cultivation could still grow, so he continued cultivating. He wanted to wait until his cultivation could no longer increase before making his breakthrough.

On this day, a voice came from outside the cave abode:

"Fang Wang, are you there?"

The moment Fang Wang heard it, he rose and went over. He arrived at the mountain gate and opened it. As sunlight streamed inside, he saw a long-missed face.

Zhou Xue!

Several months had passed, and Zhou Xue looked even more beautiful in the disciple robes of the Taiyuan Sect. The vigor between her brows was something Gu Li did not possess. Zhou Xue was high-spirited and sharp as an unsheathed blade, while Gu Li merely had a cold appearance.

Zhou Xue strode directly into the cave abode, passing by Fang Wang as she waved her hand. "Close the door!"

Fang Wang immediately shut the cave abode's mountain gate, then followed Zhou Xue.

"Why are you here?" Fang Wang asked in surprise.

Zhou Xue snorted. "You have been cultivating in seclusion all this time. Are you trying to cut ties with the Fang Family? The other Fang Family disciples have already met and formed connections with one another. You alone have never stepped out of the Third Vein, so I had no choice but to come find you."

Fang Wang explained, "I only wanted to reach the Spirit Sculpting Realm as soon as possible."

"The ninth level of the Qi Nurturing Realm—not bad. It seems your cultivation has not been delayed. I was worried that the Gu Family girl would keep pestering you, and that you would be unable to restrain the restless heart of youth and sink into it."

As Zhou Xue spoke, she walked to the stone table and sat down.

Fang Wang said helplessly, "How could that be? I am the Thirteenth Young Master of the Fang Family. If I were so easily moved, the pretty maidservants in the residence and all those young ladies from wealthy families in the city would have long since fallen prey to me."

Zhou Xue snorted. "I hope so. I came today to say farewell. I am preparing to leave. Without three to five years, I likely will not return."

"So long? What are you going to do?"

Fang Wang sat down and asked curiously, already calculating how to get his hands on some supreme art.

Zhou Xue looked at him and said, "I am going to seize a great opportunity, and while I am at it, investigate the Soul Burning Banner in my possession. If I do not settle this matter completely, I will not feel at ease."

"Take me with you?"

"With aptitude like yours, just cultivate in peace. A genius like you must settle down and cultivate. I have seen too many geniuses with peerless talent who thought they were already strong enough, only to go out and be killed by old monsters and those blessed with great destiny, becoming pitiful figures in someone else's legend. Besides, it is easier for me to act alone."

"Alright..."

Fang Wang had merely made a polite offer. He could not shamelessly beg Zhou Xue to take him along, and he truly did not want to go out either. For now, he had not yet reached the point where he needed to seek opportunities outside.

It was just...

How should he bring it up?

Zhou Xue smiled teasingly. "What? You want to ask me for cultivation techniques and spells again?"