Spirit Pill Realm

Facing Zhao Zhen's smiling face, Fang Wang returned the smile. "If Great Qi can become an immortal cultivation dynasty, then there will be more immortal cultivation Aristocratic Clans. We must thank you for your efforts."

Zhao Zhen nodded with a smile, after which Li Yu began introducing the others to him.

Throughout the entire process, Zhao Zhen displayed none of the Son of Heaven's arrogance, while the other disciples were all greatly interested in this Son of Heaven.

Upon this land, dynasties rose and fell. Whenever a dynasty changed its name, the prefix of the immortal cultivation world changed along with it. Though they cultivated immortality, they could not completely sever themselves from mortals. The Great Qi Dynasty was equivalent to the foundation of Great Qi's immortal cultivation world. Immortal cultivation required resources, and mortals were the tools cultivators used to extract those resources. Moreover, cultivators themselves emerged from among mortals.

Many of the disciples had obtained fortunate opportunities as mortals before embarking upon the path of immortal cultivation. Before cultivating, imperial power had stood high above them like the vault of heaven, beyond reach.

Now, seeing the Son of Heaven as their fellow disciple and peer, most disciples could not help but feel their hearts drift skyward.

As more and more disciples arrived, the area before Pure Heart Hall became lively and clamorous.

The Third Vein had over ten thousand disciples, seventy percent of whom were Outer Disciples. Under the arrangements of the Personal Disciples, they stood upon the slope below, waiting for Yang Yuanzi to speak.

The Third Vein was like this, and so were the other veins. With all the disciples gathered together, Fang Wang could hear cheers erupting from the neighboring peaks from time to time. He did not know what could make them so delighted.

After a while.

The doors of Pure Heart Hall opened, and Yang Yuanzi slowly walked out.

"Greetings, Master!"

Li Yu's voice suddenly rang out, drowning out all other sounds. At his words, all the disciples turned around, and upon seeing Yang Yuanzi, they bowed in salute.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Peak Master!"

The voices of over ten thousand people gathered together, shaking the clouds and heavens.

Yang Yuanzi swept his gaze over the Personal Disciples and sword-bearing disciples in the front rows, then looked toward the disciples of every rank behind them. The vast majority were thrilled to see him, struggling to restrain their emotions.

"I have summoned everyone here today for one matter. On this day next month, our sect will hold the Nine Meridians Martial Competition. We are announcing it in advance because the Nine Great Sects have already reached an agreement. The righteous and demonic paths will join hands to push Great Qi into becoming an immortal cultivation dynasty."

Yang Yuanzi spoke calmly, yet his words caused the disciples to involuntarily turn their gazes toward Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen's expression remained unchanged, as though all this had nothing to do with him, Great Qi's Son of Heaven.

"The Nine Meridians Martial Competition consists of two rounds. In the first round, the disciples of each vein compete. The Peak Master will select nine disciples to contend against the disciples of the other eight veins. In the second round, the disciples of the Nine Peaks will fight one-on-one, with the rankings of the veins determined by the number of victories. The strongest nine disciples will represent Taiyuan Sect in a great opportunity jointly organized by the Nine Great Sects."

Yang Yuanzi gave a brief introduction without explaining the great opportunity.

After a pause, he continued, "Over the next three days, Li Yu, you will personally select the disciples who will compete. Fang Wang need not undergo the trials and will directly represent the Third Vein. That is all. Your Senior Disciple Li Yu will organize the rest. Fang Wang, follow your master into the hall."

Having said that, Yang Yuanzi ignored the disciples' uproar and turned to enter the hall.

Fang Wang immediately followed. He felt countless gazes fall upon his back, but rather than feeling timid, he was delighted. If he truly had to spend three days on this, it would be far too much of a waste of time.

Those disciples who did not know Fang Wang asked the people beside them. They soon learned that he was the peerless genius who had become a Personal Disciple the moment he entered the sect, and the confusion and resentment in their hearts immediately dissipated.

Zhao Zhen watched Fang Wang's retreating figure, still smiling, though the hands hidden within his sleeves slowly clenched.

After entering the hall, the doors closed.

Fang Wang walked up to Yang Yuanzi. Yang Yuanzi had already taken a seat and was staring at him expressionlessly.

"Master, could it be that your disciple has done something wrong?" Fang Wang asked with feigned confusion. He remembered Guang Qiuxian saying that Yang Yuanzi was very petty.

Yang Yuanzi snorted. "You truly have some nerve. Do you still have any respect for me, your master? Do you remember what I told you?"

"Of course I remember. I would not dare forget it for even a moment!"

Fang Wang had long forgotten, after all, more than two hundred years had passed.

"I told you to cultivate properly and go out less. What did you do? You had just entered the Spirit Sculpting Realm when you went to fight someone at the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm. After that, you even fought someone at the third layer of the Spirit Pill Realm!"

Yang Yuanzi snapped, his tone full of frustration that iron had failed to become steel. Fang Wang hurriedly apologized and repeatedly made assurances.

After scolding him for a while, Yang Yuanzi revealed a satisfied smile. "But your record did not disgrace your master. Very good!"

Fang Wang immediately flattered him. "Master taught me well."

"Don't. I have taught you nothing. You have already gone ahead of me."

"This disciple merely gained some fortunate insights. In the future, I will still need Master to guide me more and pass on more techniques."

Those words made Yang Yuanzi feel even better. In truth, he had indeed felt awkward before, mainly because Fang Wang had displayed the Thirty-six Startling Swan Swords while he himself had only mastered twenty-seven swords. Yet Fang Wang's attitude was excellent. He was not arrogant in the slightest, and even made Yang Yuanzi feel ashamed.

His disciple had encountered trouble, yet he had been jealous of his disciple. What kind of master was that?

"Fang Wang, your talent is unmatched. Your master truly cannot offer you much guidance, but you and I bear the bond of master and disciple. Whatever you wish to do in the future, your master will support you with all my strength. I once applied to the Sect Master to allow you to cultivate the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Formation, but even the Sect Master could not readily agree, as it would break the rules. From now on, work hard to earn sect contributions. Whatever you need your master to speak for, just tell me," Yang Yuanzi said after taking a deep breath, his eyes filled with expectation as he looked at Fang Wang.

Fang Wang quickly said, "Thank you, Master. This disciple is preparing to break through to the Spirit Pill Realm. Could Master offer some guidance?"

The Mysterious Sun Scripture had mentioned the Spirit Pill Realm. Reaching the Spirit Pill Realm required the support of external forces. The better the Spirit Pill one formed, the more it would aid future cultivation and reduce the likelihood of inner demons appearing. Thus, breaking through to the Spirit Pill Realm could not be achieved simply by absorbing qi.

Yang Yuanzi's expression turned strange. "You have already reached the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm?"

Fang Wang habitually concealed his aura, so Yang Yuanzi had not seen through his cultivation.

Faced with his master's question, Fang Wang slowly nodded, making the corner of Yang Yuanzi's mouth twitch.

He had made an exception and allowed Fang Wang to participate directly in the Nine Meridians Martial Competition because of Fang Wang's record. He had not expected Fang Wang's cultivation to have already reached the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm. Then Fang Wang's strength...

This brat had only entered the sect three years ago!

Yang Yuanzi had lived for over three hundred years, yet even he could not help feeling inferior at this moment.

Guang Qiuxian had been right. Compared to Fang Wang, he truly was far too ordinary.

Yang Yuanzi took a deep breath and slowly said, "The Spirit Pill Realm can be cultivated directly, but if you can obtain heavenly treasures to temper your sinews and bones and condense a Spirit Pill, it will aid your future comprehension of the Dao. I will tell you in advance: when the various sects were fighting over Jihao Sect's inheritance, they discovered a blessed land hidden along Great Qi's border. It contains countless heavenly treasures. Since we discovered traces of immortal cultivation sects from other dynasties, we had no choice but to negotiate peace and prepare to occupy this blessed land together."

"As long as you stand out in the Nine Meridians Martial Competition, you can travel to that blessed land with them. Once inside, everything you obtain will belong to you. Of course, if you cannot fight your way into the nine spots, your master will help gather them for you."

With matters having reached this point, Fang Wang naturally had to make his stance known. He immediately said, "Rest assured, Master. This disciple will certainly strive for it and bring honor to Master and the Third Vein!"

Yang Yuanzi revealed a gratified smile. "Even disciples in the Spirit Pill Realm may not necessarily stand out, but your master still holds certain expectations for you. If you can help the Third Vein obtain a good ranking, all the disciples of the vein will benefit from you. It will also help you contend for the position of Senior Disciple in the future."

No matter how exceptional one's talent was, there was no point in simply keeping it unused.

The Third Vein was currently ranked second from last. Yang Yuanzi appeared indifferent, but in truth, he had been holding back a breath of frustration.

Master and disciple continued talking like this. Only after a full half hour did Yang Yuanzi allow Fang Wang to leave.

Walking out of Pure Heart Hall, Fang Wang saw that Li Yu and the other Personal Disciples were already organizing the selection matches. The Outer Disciples and Inner Disciples were almost all watching the show. They knew they were not qualified to participate, but witnessing cultivators of high realms fight was enough to stir their spirits and at least broaden their horizons.

Fang Wang quietly left. When he returned to the front of his cave dwelling, he suddenly discovered a figure waiting before the mountain gate.

Zhou Xue!

She wore the robes of a Taiyuan Sect Personal Disciple and leaned against the mountain gate, idly playing with a flute in her hand. When she saw Fang Wang return, a smile appeared on her face.

"You're finally back!"

Fang Wang quickly walked up to Zhou Xue and said happily.