Above the mountains, a streak of white rainbow swept past. The white light gradually dissipated, and as its speed dropped, Fang Wang's figure revealed itself.
Treading upon his flying sword, he no longer used the White Rainbow Escape Technique but flew using the Sword Control Technique instead. Beneath his mask, he let out a breath of relief.
He had seemingly killed Li Honggang with a single move, but in reality, it had consumed half of his spiritual energy. Thus, he dared not keep using the White Rainbow Escape Technique, lest he encounter an ambush further along.
The Mysterious Sun Scripture is truly strong enough. It allows me, at the fourth layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm, to instantly kill a third-layer Spirit Pill Realm expert going all out while only using half my spiritual energy.
Fang Wang thought silently to himself, feeling that his current self was already comprehensive enough. If he had to force a flaw, it would be the lack of unorthodox techniques targeting soul-type entities and sealing arts.
As he forged ahead on his sword, he silently summarized his performance. A breeze stirred his white robes, his posture displaying the full spirit of a sword cultivator.
Ever since stepping into the Taiyuan Sect, Fang Wang had not truly gone all out yet. His Life-Bound Treasure Spirit had never been deployed, and the Nine Dragon Divine Transformation Art had been saved by him as his ultimate trump card.
After this battle, Fang Wang could confirm that his strength was far above the third layer of the Spirit Pill Realm. As for how high his limit was, he was still unclear.
The spiritual energy of the Spirit Pill Realm was indeed higher than that of the Spirit Sculpting Realm. Even though Fang Wang used Xuan Yang Spiritual Energy, he had been startled for a brief instant by the Spirit Pill Realm spiritual energy of Li Honggang—fortunately, he had been wearing a mask at the time.
Slicing forward on his sword, sweeping out with a slash, and then speeding away on his sword once more...
Fang Wang silently gave his own performance a full score in his heart. He felt that he had maxed out his expert persona, and he was bound to stir up a wave of adulation within the Taiyuan Sect.
Journeying onward.
The world gradually grew desolate.
Fang Wang seemed to sense something and raised his eyes to look. Ahead, mountain forests were dense, with jagged peaks standing like earth-spikes, magnificent yet mournful.
On the summits of five of these towering peaks, a figure stood atop each. These five individuals wore the robes of the Green Cicada Valley, their bodies crawling with venomous insects and toxic mists swirling around their entire frames, looking terrifying and ghastly.
Green Cicada Valley!
Fang Wang slowed his pace, his right hand gripping the hilt of the Qing Jun Sword at his waist.
"White Clad Startling Swan, you killed a disciple of our Green Cicada Valley. Do you know your crime?"
A cold female voice rang out, echoing among the peaks as if the Grim Reaper were announcing a mortal's doom.
Fang Wang snorted. "The Green Cicada Valley slaughtered disciples of our Taiyuan Sect. Then do you know your crime?"
The aura emanating from these five made him feel a sense of danger, but he was not afraid. It was just the right time to test how powerful his Nine Dragon Divine Transformation Art was!
Seeing Fang Wang's attitude remain so unyielding, the five cultivators of the Green Cicada Valley soared into the air, continually closing in on him. The toxic mists around the five of them constantly expanded, causing the trees below to wither rapidly in a most abnormal and terrifying display.
Spirit Pill Realm!
Fang Wang instantly judged the cultivation levels of the five opponents. The Green Cicada Valley was currently contending with other sects for the Jihao Sect's inheritance, yet could still dispatch five people to intercept and kill him—truly worthy of being one of the Nine Great Sects.
"Wanting to harm a disciple of my Taiyuan Sect, are you lot looking to court death?"
A cold shout suddenly arrived, and closely following it, Fang Wang felt an overwhelmingly powerful aura sweep over from the horizon. He turned his head to look, seeing a streak of fierce lightning shoot over, with a figure standing atop the thunder and lightning.
That was a handsome man wearing Taiyuan Sect disciple robes, wearing a purple crown on his head, two strands of long hair falling beside his cheeks, and striking facial features. His brows and expression exuded sharp vigor, his eyes burned with spirit, and he wore precious swords hung at both his left and right waists. Behind him floated a golden ring, emitting a faint golden light.
"Lu Yuanjun!"
A female demonic cultivator of the Green Cicada Valley ground her teeth in fury as she spat out the name of the newcomer.
Hearing this name, Fang Wang's eyes beneath his mask narrowed.
Treading upon fierce lightning, Lu Yuanjun galloped over and halted in front of Fang Wang, facing the five Spirit Pill Realm demonic cultivators alone. His right hand rested on his sword scabbard, his chin lifted slightly as he looked down upon the five of them with disdain, and said, "Great Qi's immortal cultivation world is about to usher in drastic changes. I do not wish to kill you, lest it affect the cooperation between the two sects. Scram!"
Hearing this, the five demonic cultivators immediately stopped, looking at each other to exchange glances.
Fang Wang watched Lu Yuanjun's back, secretly pondering the other's aura.
Strong!
Clearly not in the same league as the five demonic cultivators from before!
Li Honggang could not even be compared to him!
Why had Lu Yuanjun come?
Fang Wang's eyes flickered, a multitude of guesses flashing through his mind.
"I didn't expect the Taiyuan Sect to send you out. Fine, then I'll give you, Lu Yuanjun, this bit of face. But if we run into him next time, we won't let the matter rest!"
An old man from the Green Cicada Valley snorted coldly. With a wave of his sleeve, he departed, while the other four glared fiercely at Fang Wang before following the old man away.
Their departure speed was extremely fast, vanishing in less than three breaths of time.
Lu Yuanjun turned around to look at Fang Wang. He revealed an enthusiastic and sunny smile, laughing as he said, "Junior Brother Fang, what truly magnificent skill! A Spirit Sculpting Realm cultivator killing a Spirit Pill Realm one—since ancient times in the Taiyuan Sect, not a single disciple has managed to achieve your level of power."
Hearing Lu Yuanjun utter his surname, Fang Wang understood that it was Guang Qiuxian who had sent him.
The news of Fang Wang inheriting the Thirty-six Startling Swan Swords had not spread. Although the Fang Manor had almost been annihilated by the cultivators under Lu Yuanjun's command, Lu Yuanjun had not sent people to keep tabs on Fang Wang, presumably also fearing the matter would blow up.
Fang Wang spoke, "Many thanks for Senior Brother Lu's rescue."
Lu Yuanjun waved a hand. "Those five fellows are the Northern Poison Five Freaks of the Green Cicada Valley, all possessing cultivation from the fifth to the eighth layer of the Spirit Pill Realm. Don't look at them as if their ferocious reputations are terrifying, but with Junior Brother Fang's aptitude, in less than twenty years—no, perhaps in less than ten years—killing them will be as effortless as slaughtering chickens and dogs."
The gaze with which he looked at Fang Wang was filled with appreciation, the smile on his face growing even more enthusiastic.
I must admit, if he didn't know the truth behind the Night of the Clan Annihilation for the Fang Manor, Fang Wang would really feel that this senior brother was quite decent. His words made him feel very comfortable, and his gaze and expression did not seem fake.
"Senior Brother exaggerates."
"Hahaha, Junior Brother is being modest, I understand, I understand. Let's go, Senior Brother will escort you back. This is an order personally issued by the Sect Master. Once we return to the Taiyuan Sect, whenever you have any trouble in the future, or want to learn something, or want anything, just look for me at any time."
Lu Yuanjun laughed open-heartedly, his tone heroic and bold.
Fang Wang feigned hesitation, saying, "Senior Brother, might I not return? I discovered a blessed land where profound secrets might be hidden. I wish to study it for a bit and return to the Taiyuan Sect after a few months."
As for why he didn't mention Fang Hanyu, he feared Lu Yuanjun would directly demand to go to the Fang Realm. After all, when it came to healing injuries, the Taiyuan Sect was definitely more convenient.
Citing a fortuitous encounter made it easier to brush off.
Cultivators cared most about fortuitous encounters; even fellow sect members would not disturb each other's chances. This was the rule of the entire cultivation world—meddling with someone's chance was akin to killing their parents, an irreconcilable enmity.
Hearing this, Lu Yuanjun furrowed his brow slightly and said, "Junior Brother, is that fortuitous encounter worth you taking risks?"
Fang Wang nodded.
Seeing this, Lu Yuanjun pulled a bundle of talisman paper out from his storage bag and tossed it across the air to Fang Wang. These talismans were bound by two red ropes, which was why they had not scattered.
"These are top-grade talismans. You only need to channel spiritual energy into them, and after three breaths they will detonate. The power of them all detonating together can kill a great cultivator at the ninth layer of the Spirit Pill Realm. Of course, you have to get close for it to work. Junior Brother has extraordinary strength and his own firm judgment, so I won't disturb you further. Take these items, and I will go give chase to the Northern Poison Five Freaks, entangling them for several days to force them into a position where they cannot turn back to cause you trouble."
With that, Lu Yuanjun turned and left, moving even faster than the Northern Poison Five Freaks.
Very decisive!
Without the slightest bit of drag or hesitation!
Fang Wang looked at the talisman paper in his hand, unable to help but think of Zhou Xue's evaluation of Lu Yuanjun.
This person truly possessed charismatic appeal, speaking no empty words and only acting. If not for the blood feud of his lineage, Fang Wang would undoubtedly have accepted this favor.
Without overthinking it, Fang Wang continued on his flying sword.
Next, he did not fly directly toward the Fang Realm, but instead made several large circles in the surrounding area. After tossing and turning for several days, he finally discarded the talisman paper given by Lu Yuanjun in a patch of woods before hurrying toward the Fang Realm.
Late that night.
Fang Wang returned to the Fang Realm, opened the mountain gate mechanism, and walked into the cavern tunnel.
Until the mountain gate closed, he rested directly in the tunnel to guard against Lu Yuanjun discovering the Fang Realm.
Early the next morning, Qing Wan'er came to the tunnel. Catching sight of his figure, she was instantly pleasantly surprised. Rushing right over, she asked, "Fang Wang, you're back. Did you win?"
Fang Wang opened his eyes and smiled. "Barely won, but the consumption was huge, so I rested here last night."
Qing Wan'er looked him up and down, clicking her tongue in wonder as she said, "Truly formidable. After cultivating for a year you can defeat a Spirit Pill Realm cultivator—not to mention you, Fang Hanyu's natural talent is also absurdly exaggerated. What on earth is your Fang Family's background?"
Hearing this, Fang Wang stood up and asked with a smile, "Oh? Could it be that Han Yu has refined something out?"
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