Stronger Than Everyone Else

Fang Wang was pulled along by Gu Li for a long stretch. He found an opportunity and naturally broke free from Gu Li's delicate hand.

It's quite tender, I must say.

Fang Wang thought to himself, but he wouldn't be fooled. He was still young and couldn't fall for a woman, delaying his cultivation.

Gu Li, walking ahead, clearly noticed, her earlobes turning red.

They walked in silence. Led by Gu Li, Fang Wang entered a mansion where no one was present.

"This is a mansion our Gu Family bought in Haixia City. We have deeds in various immortal cultivation cities across Great Qi," Gu Li explained.

Fang Wang nodded. He wanted to ask how ordinary mortal families transformed into immortal cultivation families, but then he thought Zhou Xue would surely know better than Gu Li. The Gu Family's history might not be as long as Zhou Xue's lifespan.

Thus, Gu Li led Fang Wang into a large hall and closed the door. She removed her veil and stared at Fang Wang, asking, "White Clad Startling Swan, that's you, isn't it?"

Fang Wang raised an eyebrow. "White Clad Startling Swan killed a ninth-layer Spirit Sculpting Realm expert. Do I look like I have that strength? I only achieved Spirit Sculpting after you did."

"You're so infuriating when you speak, but I believe it's you. The Startling Swan Divine Sword Art is our master Yang Yuanzi's unique skill. If I didn't inherit it, then it must be you. As for our senior brothers and sisters, their talent and comprehension are average, otherwise, the third lineage wouldn't be in second-to-last place." Gu Li stared into Fang Wang's eyes, her gaze filled with joy, admiration, and a hint of melancholy that could melt any man's heart.

Fang Wang averted his gaze and changed the subject, asking, "Why are you here? Did the sect assign you a mission?"

"The Jihao Sect's inheritance has caused such a stir. The Taiyuan Sect is also discussing it, and many disciples have come. It's not surprising that I'm here too," Gu Li replied, though she pouted slightly, appearing insincere.

Fang Wang saw through it. "The Jihao Sect's inheritance isn't in Haixia City, is it? It's almost a thousand miles away, right?"

Gu Li snorted inwardly, thinking, Do you want me to say I was worried about you?

She also started to change the subject. "Are you here to accept the challenge? Li Honggang is in the Spirit Pill Realm, already at the third layer. Although he's unlikely to improve further in this life, we are by no means able to challenge him right now..."

She suddenly paused at the end, because Li Hongshuang, a ninth-layer Spirit Sculpting Realm cultivator, had been defeated by Fang Wang.

Both the Gu Family and Li Family were prominent clans. Gu Li had heard of Li Hongshuang's name since childhood. Her father had often lamented Li Hongshuang's talent. Every time she thought of such a person dying at Fang Wang's hands, an uncontrollable sense of admiration surged within her.

Because the Gu Family had deep foundations, she had heard many tales of prodigies, even those from outside Great Qi. But Fang Wang's impact on her was even more astonishing than any legend.

"Spirit Pill Realm third layer? Are you sure?" Fang Wang raised an eyebrow.

His primary goal in coming to Haixia City was to first understand Li Honggang's strength. He wouldn't act rashly.

Gu Li nodded. "He's been stuck at this realm for at least sixty years. My father even said that the greatest fortune of his later life was giving birth to Li Hongshuang."

Fang Wang then asked, "Do you think he might have set a trap in Haixia City?"

Gu Li shook her head. "The reason he chose Haixia City is because the City Lord, Tang Chengfeng, is a ninth-layer Spirit Pill Realm great cultivator. With Tang Chengfeng here, Haixia City won't fall into chaos. This is also why many rogue cultivators like to trade here. Even when facing cultivators from other dynasties, Tang Chengfeng isn't afraid. Among the border city lords, Tang Chengfeng has the toughest temper and can't tolerate a speck of dust. Therefore, duels frequently occur in Haixia City."

"Furthermore, this matter has already become widely known. If Li Honggang were to involve other Li Family cultivators, it would make the world look down on the Li Family. The Li Family places great importance on integrity and reputation, otherwise, they wouldn't have expelled Li Hongshuang from the family registry back then. You also don't need to worry about the Li Family retaliating against you and your family because of this. Immortal cultivation families value their reputation the most, at least in Great Qi's immortal cultivation world."

Hearing this, Fang Wang felt relieved.

Gu Li frowned. "You're not actually going to accept the challenge, are you? What's your confidence level?"

Feeling relaxed, Fang Wang walked to the table and sat down. He smiled, "Fifty-fifty. I'm usually evenly matched in combat. It's either life or death for the opponent, or life or death for me."

Gu Li sat down beside him and stared at him intently.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I'm overconfident?" Fang Wang raised an eyebrow.

Gu Li raised her hand, placing her right palm on the table and propping up her cheek. She stared at Fang Wang, her gaze unfocused. She sighed, "Fang Wang, I suddenly feel that our agreement will be difficult to fulfill. By the time I reach the ninth layer of Spirit Sculpting, you'll surely be dominating the Spirit Pill Realm. The gap will only widen in the future."

Fang Wang blinked and said earnestly, "Gu Li, are you cultivating just to compete with others? Doesn't becoming stronger each time bring you a sense of accomplishment and help you find the meaning of survival?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Li took a deep breath, ashamed. "You're right. I was being stubborn."

"Your talent is undeniable."

"Mm..."

Gu Li felt a little better. She then asked, "Are you comparing yourself to yourself, which is why you've become so powerful?"

"Of course not. I want to compete with everyone. I'm naturally competitive. Since I'm cultivating, I want to be stronger than everyone else. That's my goal," Fang Wang replied calmly.

"..."

Gu Li suddenly felt unhappy again. So, you advised me to compete with myself because I don't have the qualifications?

That night, using his Breathless Natural Skill, Fang Wang silently arrived at Li Honggang's residence and stuck a piece of paper on the stone statue in front of his gate.

The next morning, the entire Haixia City was abuzz with a single piece of news.

White Clad Startling Swan has accepted the challenge!

Twenty days later, at noon, at the South City Gate, to settle the karma!

In the Li Family mansion, Li Honggang sat in a chair, holding a yellow piece of paper. He frowned, his expression gloomy.

"Are you sure it was on the stone statue at the entrance?" Li Honggang asked.

The servant standing before him quickly nodded. "I saw it when I went out to clean this morning. No one gave it to me."

"Mm, you may go," Li Honggang replied. The servant, relieved, immediately left.

The purple-clothed youth standing beside him frowned. "Father, he was able to come to our residence undetected. His strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, my third brother's talent is extraordinary. Ordinary first-layer Spirit Pill Realm cultivators might not be his match. Since he could kill my third brother, he must be a Spirit Pill Realm expert, possibly even stronger than you. Are we really going to take this risk?"

Li Honggang glared at him and said in a deep voice, "Do you think I challenged him because I was sure of victory? My son is dead, your third brother is dead. No matter how much of a scoundrel he was, he was still my son, your third brother!"

The purple-clothed youth fell silent, his expression grim.

"I have accepted my fate. Among you children, Hongshuang had the highest aptitude. If he were alive, I could have relied on him to have a chance to defy fate. Now that he is dead, my remaining years hold no hope, only regret. The pain of an elder sending off a younger generation, do you understand?"

Li Honggang sighed, his expression growing weary.

The purple-clothed youth wanted to speak but hesitated. Ever since Li Hongshuang joined Green Cicada Valley, their branch of the Li family had been ostracized. The Li family, with its dynastic history and millennia of heritage, cared most about reputation. Because of Li Hongshuang, they had become a stain on the family.

Li Honggang's eyes suddenly sharpened. "Furthermore, my actions will also enhance the prestige of the Li family. If I win, the Li family's authority and power will be unquestionable. Although my cultivation has not improved in years, my saber has long since reached its peak. Even if I lose, the Li family will at least appear upright and honorable. My death will earn the respect of the immortal cultivation world, which will also help the Li family interact better with the major Righteous Path sects."

Hearing this, the purple-clothed youth showed a look of guilt. He gritted his teeth and said, "It's all my fault for not being strong enough. Otherwise, Father wouldn't have had to take action!"

"Nonsense, this is something I must face. You may go now. Exaggerate this matter as much as possible. Since White Clad Startling Swan set a deadline of twenty days, it means he also wants more spectators. Then let's fulfill his wish. I want to see whose Startling Swan Thirty-Two Swords are more formidable, or whose saber carries more killing intent!"

As Li Honggang spoke the last words, his entire being exuded immense confidence.

Vaguely, saber shadows appeared within his pupils.