Fang Wang had not expected Zhou Xue to be so direct. He gave a fake cough and said, "Only by becoming stronger can I help you, just like during the crisis when the family faced extermination."
Zhou Xue stared into his eyes, making his scalp prickle.
But at the thought that they would not meet again for several years, Fang Wang could only steel himself and meet Zhou Xue's gaze.
Their eyes met for several breaths before Zhou Xue smiled. "I can only give you one chance. Tell me, then—what kind of supreme art do you want?"
Only one chance?
Fang Wang felt slightly disappointed, but he could understand Zhou Xue. After all, a person's heart was hidden behind their belly. What was more, Zhou Xue was a reincarnator. Only she herself knew how many betrayals she had suffered in her previous life.
From the Sword Control Technique to the Mysterious Sun Scripture, and now this, Fang Wang owed Zhou Xue more and more.
As for saving his life, had Zhou Xue not saved Fang Wang as well? Without the Sword Control Technique, if Fang Wang had encountered that immortal cultivator, he would certainly have died. With his backbone, he could never have abandoned his clansmen and fled. Besides, he had already died once. In this matter, the two of them had saved each other.
Fang Wang could not exactly say to Zhou Xue, I have the Heavenly Palace. Help me become invincible, and I will keep you safe for all eternity?
That was far too absurd!
No one was the absolute protagonist of the world. Even if Zhou Xue believed that he possessed the Heavenly Palace, Fang Wang still had to consider whether she might harbor evil intentions.
In the end, a person could only rely on themself!
After much thought, Fang Wang decided that he did not lack cultivation arts or combat spells. What he lacked was a supreme art of speed. For instance, when he encountered an enemy he could not defeat, he needed to be able to run faster. Thus, he voiced his thoughts.
"The Sword Control Technique is merely a basic spell in the immortal cultivation world. You truly do need an escape technique. I'll teach you the White Rainbow Escape Technique."
Zhou Xue pondered for a moment. Seeing that Fang Wang still wanted to ask more, she could not help glaring at him. "Don't ask me whether this technique is powerful. You'll know once you practice it!"
Fang Wang felt awkward and could only nod.
Zhou Xue began teaching him the cultivation formula for the White Rainbow Escape Technique, and Fang Wang listened attentively.
Once Zhou Xue had finished speaking, Fang Wang was irresistibly drawn into the Heavenly Palace. Gazing at the majestic inner hall of the Heavenly Palace, he could not help sighing.
He had only just endured two hundred years in there. He had been outside for less than half an hour before coming back again.
Yet he had no choice. Zhou Xue was about to leave, after all.
He began cultivating the White Rainbow Escape Technique. This was a flying art that allowed one to transform into a white rainbow and streak through the sky at tremendous speed. Once mastered, one could be as swift as a white rainbow and fly ten thousand miles in a single bound.
Unlike the Mysterious Sun Scripture and the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art, the White Rainbow Escape Technique had no levels. Thus, as Fang Wang cultivated it, he had no idea how far he still was from Grand Perfection.
After cultivating for a full sixty-three years, Fang Wang finally brought the White Rainbow Escape Technique to Grand Perfection. He was extremely satisfied with the result. He truly could sweep through the air as swiftly as a white rainbow, and as his cultivation grew higher, this technique would only become faster.
At the very least, the speed it displayed now surpassed every flying speed he had seen since entering the Taiyuan Sect.
Fang Wang's consciousness returned to reality, and his vision became clear again. He happened to see Zhou Xue staring at him.
Zhou Xue asked teasingly, "Well, little genius? Was this technique difficult?"
Fang Wang raised a brow and smiled. "So-so. I've already learned it."
"Ha!"
Zhou Xue could not help rolling her eyes. She did not believe him at all, nor did she force him to demonstrate it. Instead, she rose and said, "All right, it's time for me to leave. I hope that by the time I return, you will have successfully molded your spirit."
"When you have time, keep in touch with the other Fang Family disciples. I arranged for you to be scattered among the various peaks as part of a larger plan. Even if you are a one-in-ten-thousand genius, you may still suffer suppression. Even the most upright sects have struggles within them. No sect judges people solely by talent. Personal ties and interests are the foundation of everything."
Zhou Xue warned him, afraid that Fang Wang would walk the same path she had in her previous life.
Fang Wang nodded. He had never been averse to dealing with people, especially his own clansmen. He simply wanted to become stronger first.
Afterward, Fang Wang escorted Zhou Xue out of the cave dwelling. She directly mounted her sword and left, transforming into a white rainbow that vanished into the clouds in the blink of an eye.
White Rainbow Escape Technique!
Fang Wang silently assessed it. It counted as Minor Accomplishment, perhaps. As expected of a reincarnator.
Suddenly, he heard movement beside him. Turning his head, he saw Gu Li emerge from her own cave dwelling. She looked at Fang Wang with a complicated expression.
Her gaze made Fang Wang's scalp tingle. He smiled and gave Gu Li a slight nod.
Gu Li responded with a nod as well before flying away on her sword. Fang Wang let out a breath of relief. He had truly been afraid that Gu Li would pester him.
Afterward, Fang Wang returned to his cave dwelling and continued cultivating.
Three months later, Fang Wang's spiritual power had reached a state of abundance. He felt that he could no longer improve it, so he left his cave dwelling and went to visit his master, Yang Yuanzi.
Inside Pure Heart Hall.
Yang Yuanzi looked at Fang Wang strangely and said, "You have indeed reached the stage where you should mold your spirit. Has it even been a full year since you began cultivating?"
Fang Wang answered, "Almost, I suppose."
Yang Yuanzi's mouth twitched. He sighed and said, "With talent like yours, you should have gone to the First Vein. Though the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Formation is powerful, it is far too difficult to learn. The First Vein's peak-defending inheritance is also formidable."
"Since I have already entered the Third Vein, how could your disciple be half-hearted? Master, rest assured. I will cultivate diligently and bring glory to the Third Vein!" Fang Wang said solemnly.
He deliberately made his stance clear, intending to become the Senior Disciple as soon as possible and thereby obtain the inheritance of the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Formation. Even taking a step back, becoming the Senior Disciple would grant him more cultivation resources.
With the Mysterious Sun Scripture at Grand Perfection and the cave dwelling of a Personal Disciple, Fang Wang had not yet reached the point of needing resources. But he would never look down on everything beneath heaven. He believed that the later realms would only become more difficult.
Even someone as powerful as Zhou Xue had to scheme everywhere for fortuitous opportunities.
Hearing Fang Wang's words, Yang Yuanzi did not smile. Instead, he shook his head and said, "All Nine Peaks have places for spirit molding, but your cultivation talent can be called rare even in a hundred years. I'll take you to see the sect master. The spirit molding site on the main peak will have a better effect."
Fang Wang was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked his master.
Thus, Fang Wang followed Yang Yuanzi to the main peak. Master and disciple entered Shiyuan Hall to pay their respects to Sect Master Guang Qiuxian.
Upon hearing that Fang Wang was about to mold his spirit, Guang Qiuxian was not surprised. He had long known of Fang Wang's cultivation speed. Stroking his beard, he smiled. "Of course. Come, someone happens to be molding his spirit right now. You can take a look as well."
He rose and led Yang Yuanzi and Fang Wang toward a side hall.
After passing through twisting corridors, they arrived deep within Shiyuan Hall. This place connected to the mountain wall, and a waterfall actually descended from the clouds, forming a small pool. In the pool, a bare-chested man was molding his spirit.
Standing in the corridor, Fang Wang noticed a set of clothes and a bookcase nearby. He immediately realized that this man was the black-clad man who had joined at the same time as him. That man had previously worn a bamboo hat and wrapped himself tightly, so Fang Wang had not recognized him at first glance.
"This boy is named Zhou Xingshi. He entered the Taiyuan Sect alongside you and was once defeated by you. He has now joined the Second Vein. Do not underestimate him—he is about to form a Mystic Origin Treasure Spirit."
Guang Qiuxian stroked his beard and smiled. Watching more and more geniuses emerge within the Taiyuan Sect filled him with pride.
Yang Yuanzi snorted. "You let him mold his spirit here because you think he can form an Earth Origin Treasure Spirit, don't you?"
"Everyone needs something to hope for."
"Ha. A genius like Lu Yuanjun only appears once in several centuries. How could one be encountered so easily?"
"Oh? You have no confidence in your disciple?"
The longer Fang Wang listened, the more something felt wrong. Why did these two seem to be openly and secretly competing? Could it be that they did not get along?
No wonder the sect master had initially seemed reluctant to let him join the Third Vein.
Oh no, had he chosen the wrong side?
Was the Third Vein being sidelined by the sect master?
Yang Yuanzi snorted. "You'll know soon enough!"
Fang Wang stared at Zhou Xingshi. Zhou Xingshi appeared to be in his twenties or thirties, with a faintly weathered air about him. At that moment, wisps of black light swirled around him, flowing toward the top of his head like a vortex.
A black fan was slowly condensing above his head, gradually solidifying and faintly giving off a metallic texture.
Was this a Treasure Spirit?
Fang Wang's heart brimmed with anticipation. He was looking forward to his own Treasure Spirit.
Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi also stopped bickering and watched intently.
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the black fan above Zhou Xingshi's head suddenly trembled. A visible wave of black air burst outward, sweeping across the pool's surface. Even the waterfall was severed. Just as it was about to crash into Shiyuan Hall, Guang Qiuxian raised a hand and blocked it with his spiritual power.
Boom—
The black wave struck an invisible iron wall and instantly scattered apart. Fang Wang's robe billowed, and strands of hair at his temples were blown up. He could not help looking at Guang Qiuxian, inwardly startled.
What realm was the sect master in?
This presence alone gave Fang Wang the feeling that he would not dare contend against him.
Zhou Xingshi in the pool slowly opened his eyes. He raised his right hand, and the black fan above his head swiftly fell into it. Gripping the fan, he smiled in relief, as though a heavy burden had been lifted.
"A high-grade Mystic Origin Treasure Spirit. Remarkable. It is enough to rank among the top ten of the current generation of disciples," Guang Qiuxian praised.
Zhou Xingshi rose and bowed to Guang Qiuxian. At the same time, he noticed Fang Wang's arrival.
Guang Qiuxian looked at Fang Wang and smiled. "Go on. Sit in meditation in the pool. Circulate your cultivation while imagining the Treasure Spirit you desire. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy here will help you shape your own Treasure Spirit."
Fang Wang nodded and immediately walked toward the small pool. Zhou Xingshi came up as well, and the two nodded to each other in greeting.
Sitting in meditation at the center of the pool, Fang Wang took a deep breath and began circulating his cultivation with his eyes closed.
After putting on his clothes, Zhou Xingshi did not leave. Instead, he remained behind to watch Fang Wang mold his spirit.
Under the gazes of the three men, Fang Wang felt a slight pressure in his heart, but he quickly cast aside distracting thoughts of the outside world.
According to the general cultivation outline, Life-Bound Treasure Spirits were ranked from low to high as Yellow Origin Treasure Spirits, Mystic Origin Treasure Spirits, Earth Origin Treasure Spirits, and Heaven Origin Treasure Spirits. Each rank was further divided, from low to high, into low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and supreme-grade. Throughout the Taiyuan Sect's history, the highest-ranked Treasure Spirit had only been a low-grade Earth Origin Treasure Spirit.
It was said that Lu Yuanjun's Life-Bound Treasure Spirit had reached mid-grade Earth Origin, breaking the Taiyuan Sect's historical record. He was also the reason the Taiyuan Sect was now enjoying a resurgence.
Shaping a Life-Bound Treasure Spirit required a special Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone. One could only shape a Life-Bound Treasure Spirit atop a Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone, and beneath the small pool where Fang Wang sat lay an enormous Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone.
The reason the Nine Great Sects dominated Great Qi's immortal cultivation world was that they controlled the highest-grade Heavenly Dao Spirit Stones, and more than one of them at that. Many immortal cultivation lineages were unable to mold spirits and could only send their lineage's disciples to join the Nine Great Sects.
Fang Wang began imagining the form of his Life-Bound Treasure Spirit.
His first choice was a sword, for his strongest killing move at present was the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art.
Gradually, threads of firelight spilled from around his body, circling him before gathering above his head, just as they had with Zhou Xingshi earlier.
Before you continue