Encountering Zhou Xue Again

After entering the town, Fang Wang and Zhou Xingshi didn't immediately look for someone to ask about Fang Hanyu's whereabouts. Instead, they decided to look around first.

He had previously asked Zhou Xingshi how to identify Demonic Path cultivators. Zhou Xingshi's answer was not to judge by appearance or aura, but by their environment and actions.

The cultivators in this town were a mixed bag, and their stance was unclear for the moment.

As they moved forward, Fang Wang heard the names of various sects and aristocratic families along the way. This place seemed to be a gathering hub for rogue cultivators, with shops trading immortal cultivation resources everywhere, and no dedicated patrols.

"You stay here first. I'll go investigate the clues alone," Zhou Xingshi transmitted to Fang Wang.

Fang Wang replied via Sound Transmission Technique, "How can I do that? You're here to help me. How can I do nothing?"

"Although I come from a cultivation family, I've been traveling the world since I was ten and have experienced the immortal cultivation world. I'm confident I can find clues about Fang Hanyu. You're stronger than me. If you encounter danger, you'll eventually need to step in. With so many cultivators in this town, something major might be happening. It's better for us to split up," Zhou Xingshi explained via transmission.

Fang Wang thought about it and agreed. His understanding of the immortal cultivation world was indeed inferior to Zhou Xingshi's.

Afterward, the two found an inn, booked a room, and Fang Wang went upstairs, while Zhou Xingshi left the inn to continue his investigation.

Upon entering the room, Fang Wang closed the door and sat on the bed, beginning to cultivate.

Although he was only at the third level of the Spirit Sculpting Realm, he was confident he could sweep through the realm, especially since he possessed so many Grand Perfection ultimate techniques and the Celestial Palace Halberd, which was suspected to be an Earth Origin Treasure Spirit.

Even with his confidence, he didn't want to waste time. After all, even the most powerful internal arts required time to accumulate cultivation.

The sun set and the moon rose.

As night fell, the small town became quiet. Fang Wang occasionally felt a presence flitting past the window. It seemed the night would not be peaceful.

As long as no one disturbed him, he was too lazy to go out and see.

A night passed.

As the sun rose, the small town became lively again, with a lot of noise on the streets. Fang Wang's hearing could pick up some of the conversations.

"A disciple from Green Cicada Valley died on the bridge to the east."

"Who did it? Could it be Yellow Prison Mountain?"

"These two major sects have been very active lately, seemingly searching for something."

"I heard that the cave dwelling ruins of a great cultivator from Jihao Sect were discovered in the demon region five hundred miles to the west."

"That person died horribly. His eyes were gouged out."

Fang Wang, inside the room, slowly opened his eyes. It seemed the news had spread, and finding Fang Hanyu would be even more troublesome.

He'd have to put the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Scripture aside for now; he couldn't force it.

Fang Wang pondered, deciding to leave as soon as he found Fang Hanyu.

However, Zhou Xingshi hadn't returned all night. Could he have run into trouble?

Fang Wang's eyes flickered. He remained wary of Zhou Xingshi, worried that Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi might be plotting against him. But then he thought, he was only at the Spirit Sculpting Realm now. If Guang Qiuxian and the other two really wanted to seize his treasure spirit, why go to so much trouble?

He suppressed his suspicion and decided to wait. If Zhou Xingshi hadn't returned by noon, he would act alone.

Fortunately, things weren't as bad as he thought. An hour later, Zhou Xingshi returned.

Upon entering the room, Zhou Xingshi closed the doors and windows.

"The situation is not good. It's possible our disciple really obtained the inheritance. Green Cicada Valley and Yellow Prison Mountain are both looking for the whereabouts of the Taiyuan Sect disciple," Zhou Xingshi said, sitting opposite Fang Wang, still communicating via transmission.

Fang Wang also asked via transmission, "Then do you have any news of Fang Hanyu?"

"Four months ago, Fang Hanyu did appear in this town, but he was pursued by Green Cicada Valley and fled into the deep mountains. This was witnessed by many long-term merchants in the town..."

Zhou Xingshi hesitated for a moment before continuing via transmission, "Being chased by Green Cicada Valley for four months without returning to the sect, he is likely..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but Fang Wang understood.

He was likely in grave danger!

Fang Wang frowned. He and Fang Hanyu only had a good relationship when they were children. But no matter what, they shared the same surname, Fang, and he had promised Zhou Xue that he would take care of these clansmen.

"By the way, Zhou Xue is from your clan, right? Is she trustworthy?" Zhou Xingshi suddenly transmitted.

Fang Wang raised an eyebrow and transmitted back, "Why do you ask? Have you met her?"

"Yes, the one who killed the Green Cicada Valley disciple last night was her. Her methods were cruel, and she used Green Cicada Valley's techniques, gouging out the person's eyes..."

Speaking of this, Zhou Xingshi couldn't help but shiver, his eyes filled with fear.

Fang Wang, upon hearing this, felt pleasantly surprised. Zhou Xue was here, which meant the chances of finding Fang Hanyu were even greater.

He transmitted back, "She's trustworthy. We've been through life and death together. You met her, and she didn't discover you?"

He was suspicious. Could Zhou Xingshi's experience in the immortal cultivation world compare to Zhou Xue's?

Zhou Xingshi shook his head and was about to transmit a reply when the room door was suddenly pushed open, startling both of them to their feet. They looked closely and saw a woman in red, wearing a bamboo hat, walk in. She tilted her head up and looked at the two of them with a condescending smile.

If it wasn't Zhou Xue, who else could it be?

"You..."

Zhou Xingshi's face turned pale with shock, and he instinctively shielded Fang Wang.

Zhou Xue chuckled, "I knew there was a Taiyuan Sect disciple investigating Fang Hanyu's whereabouts. Although that kid's talent is decent, his start was late, and he needs time to mature. Taiyuan Sect shouldn't care about him. So, the person behind this is you, kid. How did you two end up together?"

Months had passed, and Zhou Xue's elegance had only increased. Fang Wang still couldn't see through her cultivation.

No, I must learn the method she uses to conceal her cultivation!

Fang Wang said helplessly, "Can you close the door before you speak?"

Zhou Xue beckoned and closed the door behind her from a distance. She sat down at the table as if it were her own and said irritably, "Everyone in the inn has gone out to watch the excitement. You call yourselves cautious, knowing to use Sound Transmission Technique to communicate, but you dare to come here. You're acting recklessly. The legacy of Jihao Sect has already spread. Even though you're already at the Spirit Sculpting Realm, it's still very dangerous."

Her gaze fell on Fang Wang, her eyes burning with intensity, making him feel uneasy.

Fang Wang coughed dryly and said, "It's not like I had a choice, it's because Fang Hanyu is missing, and you asked me to look after them."

"I told you to look after them within the sect, why did you run out? You've been in Taiyuan Sect for less than a year and you're already at the third layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm. You should be focusing on your cultivation. Perhaps in ten years you could achieve the Spirit Pill Realm, and then traveling the immortal cultivation world would be enough to dominate the four directions." Zhou Xue glared at Fang Wang and reprimanded him, showing a clear disappointment.

Zhou Xingshi walked to the side. He was curious why Zhou Xue and Fang Wang were so close, but what shocked him even more was that Fang Wang had actually reached the third layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm.

They both started Spirit Sculpting on the same day, and he hadn't even broken through to the second layer of Spirit Sculpting yet...

Was this the difference between an Earth Origin Treasure Spirit and a Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit?

Fang Wang didn't get angry when Zhou Xue reprimanded him; instead, he felt a warmth in his heart.

In this strange land, with the fate of his clan unknown, and finding himself in a dilemma, Zhou Xue's appearance brought him hope.

This was an Immortal Venerable reincarnated. Following her would definitely increase his chances of survival.

"Right, what grade is your treasure spirit? Have you reached Earth Origin Treasure Spirit?" Zhou Xue asked.

Natal treasure spirits were special. As long as the cultivator didn't reveal them, it was difficult for outsiders to probe. It was said that natal treasure spirits were hidden within the soul, and even Spiritual Sense couldn't probe them from the outside.

Fang Wang nodded. Before the Celestial Palace made its move, his sword-shaped treasure spirit could indeed reach the Earth Origin Treasure Spirit level. Looking at it now, Zhou Xue's judgment was sharp; she had seen through it at a glance.

Zhou Xingshi roared inwardly, More than just an Earth Origin Treasure Spirit, damn it, it's a Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit!

It was precisely because Fang Wang's natal treasure spirit was a Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit that he found himself in his current awkward predicament, being pressured by the three of them, wavering back and forth.

"Let's talk about Fang Hanyu. Weren't you going to be away for several years? Once you find Fang Hanyu, I'll take him back, and you can continue to roam the world."

Fang Wang changed the subject. The more time that passed, the greater the possibility of Fang Hanyu encountering danger.

Zhou Xue's smile faded, and she said calmly, "He's not dead yet. As for how I know, I can't tell you for now. I'll go save him. You two should return to the Righteous Path territory and find a place to wait for me."

Fang Wang frowned. "Zhou Xue, I can help you. No matter what, you and I started on the path of cultivation at the same time, so our strength shouldn't be too far apart."

Zhou Xingshi stood by, unable to say anything explicit.

Zhou Xue couldn't help but recall the Night of the Clan Annihilation. That night, she had indeed been careless. If Fang Wang hadn't intervened, she might have had to abandon the Fang Manor and flee alone, and then, like in her previous life, she would have entered the immortal cultivation world carrying the heavy burden of vengeance, instead of being as carefree as she was now.

"This operation might involve encountering experts at the ninth layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm, so you should be mentally prepared," Zhou Xue said seriously.

Zhou Xingshi's eyelids twitched, and he clenched his fists.

Fang Wang asked in surprise, "Will there definitely be no experts at the Spirit Pill Realm?"

Zhou Xue glanced at him and said, "According to my investigation, at least ninety percent certainty."

Fang Wang immediately understood. The Zhou Xue of his previous life must have been involved in this matter, or knew about it, which was why she dared to be so certain. The remaining ten percent was the variable; nothing in the world was absolutely certain.

"Then let's go!" Fang Wang said in a deep voice.

Ninth layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm?

He wondered if he could withstand the Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit, the Grand Perfection Mysterious Sun Scripture, the Grand Perfection Startling Swan Divine Sword Art, the Grand Perfection Great Heaven Lightning Summoning Technique...

Fang Wang's heart had always harbored a desire to pursue the ultimate strength, so he really wanted to know how strong he was when he went all out.

If the opponent was at the Spirit Pill Realm, he would still prioritize running. If it was just the Spirit Sculpting Realm, then, I'm sorry, my sword is not without its sharpness!

"No rush, wait for five more days. You two can cultivate here for now. I have something to do."

With that, Zhou Xue got up, preparing to leave the room.

"Wait, can you..." Fang Wang quickly said, but Zhou Xue left without looking back, disappearing rapidly.

She came quickly and left just as fast.

Fang Wang sighed, realizing she had guessed what he wanted to say.

Zhou Xingshi closed the door and asked cautiously, "Did she really start cultivating at the same time as you? Why didn't we notice her approaching earlier?"

Fang Wang thought to himself that the methods of an Immortal Venerable were beyond your imagination. He replied perfunctorily, "How would I know? Why don't you ask her?"

Zhou Xingshi thought of Zhou Xue's methods last night and immediately shook his head.

Wait!

This Zhou Xue looks like a Demonic Cultivator!

Then Fang Wang...

Thinking of this, Zhou Xingshi suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and he didn't even dare to look at Fang Wang.