High Cultivation

The Sixth Vein was the first to send out a male disciple, a Spirit Pill Realm cultivator. After landing, he raised his hand and summoned a small tower, which burst forth with rings of red light.

"My name is Qu Xiao. Let me test your strength!"

The male disciple said coldly. He held the tower in his right hand and formed a spell with his left, pouring spiritual energy into the little tower.

Fang Wang held the Celestial Palace Halberd and nodded at Qu Xiao.

Should I give him a chance to show off?

Forget it!

I'm in a hurry!

There are still eight people in the Sixth Vein!

Having made up his mind, Fang Wang released his right hand again, preparing to use the Sword Control Technique.

Qu Xiao had already witnessed the terrifying speed of the Celestial Palace Halberd. He immediately leaped backward as the small tower in his hand erupted with countless red rays, laying down a net of heaven and earth between himself and Fang Wang.

The corners of Fang Wang's lips rose, yet he charged straight ahead. With one step, blazing aura swirled around him and rapidly gathered behind his head, forming three fireballs. The halberd blade and rear blade of the Celestial Palace Halberd likewise ignited with True Mysterious Sun Fire.

At that moment, Fang Wang looked as though a god of fire had possessed him, drawing cries of alarm from the disciples watching within the Sect Main City.

Facing the net of heaven and earth Qu Xiao had laid down, he lifted the Celestial Palace Halberd. His speed suddenly surged, like a streak of fire stretching out at incredible speed as it pierced through countless red rays.

By the time the Celestial Palace Halberd reached Qu Xiao, the countless red rays behind Fang Wang were already fading, while flames of True Mysterious Sun Fire still lingered in the air.

"How is this possible?!"

Qu Xiao's eyes widened. He had prepared himself mentally, but only when truly facing the Celestial Palace Halberd did he understand how terrifying its oppressive force was.

Within his pupils, the blade of the Celestial Palace Halberd drew closer and closer, nearly filling his entire vision.

He immediately raised the small tower in his hand. Every door on it opened, and sheets of Talisman Paper flew out, rapidly enlarging before igniting into a roaring sea of flames, a magnificent sight to behold.

However, the sea of flames had barely formed before a powerful force scattered it apart. The Celestial Palace Halberd struck the small tower in Qu Xiao's hand with unstoppable momentum.

Qu Xiao was blasted away by a force so powerful he could not describe it. He slammed directly into the formation's light barrier, vomiting blood and losing consciousness in the same instant.

Fang Wang stopped, his right hand extended ahead of him, his palm less than ten centimeters from the rear blade of the Celestial Palace Halberd.

The flames filling the sky were absorbed by the three fireballs behind Fang Wang's head, like an enormous cloak of blazing fire. Scorching heat waves swept in every direction across the Martial Competition Platform.

"Third Vein, Fang Wang wins!"

True Person Greedy Sleep shouted loudly. This time, he called out Fang Wang's name because he wanted to help him make a name for himself in the Taiyuan Sect.

Another single move!

The uproar erupting across the various districts of the Sect Main City was even louder than before. Standing atop the Martial Competition Platform, Fang Wang could hear the cries of shock coming from all directions.

"So strong! It ended in one move!"

"That Sixth Vein senior brother was definitely powerful. You could tell just by the manifestation of his spiritual energy!"

"Fang Wang... another Lu Yuanjun?"

"How could he compare with Senior Brother Lu? Senior Brother Lu's reputation wasn't built solely within the sect. If White Clad Startling Swan truly is a disciple, though, then he might be able to compare with Senior Brother Lu."

"White Clad Startling Swan used the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art. Could he be a disciple of the Third Vein?"

Unlike the battle with the Fifth Vein, the Sixth Vein disciples were taking the stage for the first time. Their ranking was higher than the Fifth Vein's, yet Fang Wang still defeated them overwhelmingly. That proved Fang Wang was truly strong, rather than merely taking advantage of exhausted disciples.

Li Yu sighed. "Junior Brother Fang is really clever. This fighting style can reduce spiritual energy consumption."

The other disciples nodded and began offering their own comments.

Zhou Bo chuckled. "He's definitely clever, but we can't afford to fight that way."

Gu Li said nothing. Her attention remained fixed on Fang Wang.

The martial competition disciples from every vein were discussing Fang Wang's strength. Some were intrigued, some wary, while others were worried and afraid.

In the Second Vein's pavilion.

Zhou Xingshi listened to the sighs of admiration from the senior brothers and sisters around him, inwardly dismissing them with disdain.

This is a Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit! He can't be judged by ordinary standards. You may not even be his match!

Zhou Xingshi's gaze toward Fang Wang burned with fervor. As Fang Wang grew stronger and stronger, he began to see his own misfortune differently. Perhaps the Myriad Poisons Spring Autumn Worm was not a calamity for him, but an opportunity instead.

Great Qi's immortal cultivation world had never produced a Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit since ancient times, but the Zhou Family was an Aristocratic Clan of cultivators, and Zhou Xingshi knew just how vast the world beyond was.

Perhaps clinging tightly to Fang Wang's thigh would let him travel farther!

Thinking of Zhou Xue's promise to him, Zhou Xingshi's heart grew even hotter.

Fang Wang grasped the Celestial Palace Halberd and turned to look toward the Sixth Vein's pavilion.

Back when he was at the Fourth Layer of the Spirit Sculpting Realm, he could instantly kill a Third Layer Spirit Pill Realm cultivator. Now that his cultivation had reached the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sculpting Realm, with the Celestial Palace Halberd that was suspected to be a Heaven Origin Treasure Spirit in hand and the Mysterious Sun Scripture at Great Perfection, he was already confident he could sweep through the Spirit Pill Realm.

For the battles ahead, he would maintain this same overwhelming posture!

Very soon, the second disciple took the stage!

In less than ten breaths, the battle ended!

Once Fang Wang closed in on his opponent, the battle was over. No one could withstand the Celestial Palace Halberd under the Great Perfection Sword Control Technique. The halberd itself contained tremendous power; with the two combined, anyone struck by such an attack would either die or suffer grave injuries!

One after another, Sixth Vein disciples took the stage and suffered crushing defeats. The clamor in the Sect Main City grew increasingly intense, but after five Sixth Vein disciples had been defeated, the noise began to diminish.

When the Ninth Sixth Vein disciple fell outside the Martial Competition Platform and passed out, the entire city fell silent!

The Ninth Vein's nine disciples had lasted no more than two moves against Fang Wang!

Fang Wang stood atop the platform with his head held high and chest out. Even without a smile, he looked brimming with heroic spirit.

"Third Vein wins! They take the Sixth Vein's ranking!"

True Person Greedy Sleep shouted loudly, then looked toward Yang Yuanzi.

Yang Yuanzi said nothing. Fang Wang waited for a while before flying toward the Third Vein's pavilion.

"Master, honestly... even if we aren't challenging anyone, you should at least say something."

Fang Wang felt helpless, but when he arrived before Yang Yuanzi, he still respectfully bowed.

Yang Yuanzi did not comment on Fang Wang's performance. Instead, the disciples crowded around him, praising him endlessly and showering him with flattery.

The Nine Meridians Martial Competition continued!

The Seventh Vein challenged the Second Vein!

After dealing with his fellow disciples, Fang Wang sat cross-legged in the rear to recover his spiritual energy, striving to keep himself in peak condition.

Twelve consecutive victories had spread Fang Wang's name throughout the Sect Main City. Those disciples who had opened betting pools all believed he had the ability to stand out and become one of the nine representatives for the Taiyuan Sect, so they began adjusting his odds.

For the next five hours, no vein peak challenged the Third Vein.

The Nine Meridians Martial Competition lasted seven days in total. This year, the Third Vein was clearly rising to prominence!

After night fell, the Nine Meridians Martial Competition continued. Every match began to last longer. The Sixth Vein, which Fang Wang had defeated single-handedly, had already fallen to last place. When facing challenges from other vein peaks, its peak master chose to forfeit. Fang Wang knew that he intended to make a final push for the rankings during the last two days.

It had to be said that seven days truly could test every vein peak. Disciples of weaker vein peaks who possessed great strength would not be buried, either. Meanwhile, First Vein disciples were challenged from time to time. The various vein peaks seemed to have reached some kind of agreement, taking turns draining the First Vein disciples' spiritual energy.

Judging by the current situation, the First Vein was handling things with ease.

On the second day, close to noon, the First Vein faced a challenge from the Second Vein. This time, Zhou Xue was the first to take the stage.

Fang Wang rose, preparing to watch Zhou Xue's battle.

"You care about her quite a bit." Gu Li walked to Fang Wang's side and spoke softly.

Fang Wang stared at Zhou Xue and replied, "After all, she's my clanswoman."

"I heard you aren't related by blood. She's only an adopted daughter."

"The Fang Family has never treated her as an adopted daughter."

"Mm."

Gu Li said no more and watched the battle alongside Fang Wang.

Zhou Xue's Life-Bound Treasure Spirit was a zither. Once it was played, her opponents became utterly entranced. At best, they stumbled unsteadily; at worst, they froze in place outright.

Such a Life-Bound Treasure Spirit sparked discussion among the various veins.

Zhou Xue achieved six consecutive victories in one stroke before the peak master finally replaced her. Her performance was extremely strong and stirred enormous discussion throughout the Sect Main City, but in the minds of most disciples, her showing was still inferior to Fang Wang's.

Fang Wang was absolutely overwhelming; Zhou Xue was unfathomable.

"Fang Wang, this clanswoman of yours is no simple person. Her cultivation is very high." Yang Yuanzi spoke meaningfully.

Upon hearing that, Fang Wang asked, "How high?"

Yang Yuanzi shook his head without answering, leaving Fang Wang speechless.

Li Yu then asked, "Master, what grade is Zhou Xue's Treasure Spirit?"

Yang Yuanzi answered, "A lower-grade Earth Origin Treasure Spirit. The news has not spread yet, but after this Nine Meridians Martial Competition, at least five Taiyuan Sect disciples will become famous throughout the immortal cultivation world."