Chimo Sect

Spitting Sword Qi?

Wasn't that the level I'd reached after cultivating for forty years?

After hearing Gu Li's explanation, Fang Wang became certain that his mastery of Spirit Nurturing Sword Energy had already surpassed everyone in the Gu Family—well, everyone still alive.

"So that's how it is. No wonder it's so hard to cultivate." Fang Wang pretended to agree.

Worried that she had dampened Fang Wang's enthusiasm, Gu Li comforted him. "Don't lose heart. Your talent is so extraordinary—even Sword Control Technique reached such an unimaginable level in your hands. Given enough time, your Spirit Nurturing Sword Energy will surely become consummate. Even my grandfather will fall far short of you."

"Thank you for the encouragement, Miss Gu. Then I'll have to practice more and make sure I don't disappoint you."

"Mm. If you manage to cultivate Spirit Nurturing Sword Energy, remember to tell me."

"Oh? Why?"

"My father is looking forward to seeing your results."

"Don't tell me that once I cultivate it, your father will marry you off to me?"

"How could that be! Wishful thinking! With talent like mine, my father would never arrange my marriage. All I seek in this life is greater cultivation. I will never marry!"

Gu Li glared at him, her cheeks faintly flushed.

For a moment, Fang Wang could not tell whether she was shy or furious from embarrassment. Still, he did not dare tell her that he had already cultivated Spirit Nurturing Sword Energy. When it came to his own talent, he still wanted to hold something back.

"I'm not talking to you anymore. I need to cultivate!"

Gu Li gave a huff and turned to head back to her cave abode.

Fang Wang smiled. This version of Gu Li was rather interesting—at least she was not as stiff and proper as usual.

He followed her back into the cave abode and prepared to cultivate. Their trip to Great Sage's Grotto-Heaven might bring them into contact with cultivators from the immortal cultivation worlds of other dynasties, so he had to become as strong as possible.

The one-month deadline soon arrived, yet Taiyuan Sect's winter snow had yet to melt.

Before Shiyuan Hall on the Main Peak.

Fang Wang and Gu Li arrived on flying swords and landed. Five disciples were already waiting there, including Zhou Xue and Xu Lang.

When Xu Lang saw Fang Wang, his expression became quite unnatural. Still, he took the initiative to nod at Fang Wang. Fang Wang did not put on airs either and nodded back.

Zhou Xue walked to Fang Wang's side and teased, "Always together, the two of you. Your relationship seems pretty good."

Fang Wang raised a brow. "We are neighbors, after all."

Gu Li glanced at Zhou Xue, then silently moved aside to give them space. She was not left out because of it, as the other disciples began exchanging pleasantries with her.

Fang Wang chuckled softly. "It still has to be you. Han Yu and the others all said they received your help and guidance. You never neglected anyone. That's something I can't match. You're our big brother leading the way."

Big brother leading the way?

Zhou Xue pressed her lips together in a smile. "That title sounds awful. Don't overthink it. Just devote all your energy to your own cultivation. If I need to leave for something, I'll tell you beforehand. Usually, you don't need to worry about the Fang Family."

Fang Wang nodded. They had faced life and death together, so she was worthy of trust. Moreover, with Zhou Xue around throughout this journey, he truly had not needed to trouble himself with other matters. Even when saving Fang Hanyu, Zhou Xue had accompanied him.

Even revenge had been taken over by Zhou Xue. Fang Wang showed no objection on the surface, but inwardly, he was holding back a burning resolve.

Once he possessed the strength to contend against Lu Yuanjun and the forces behind him, he would personally cut down his enemies!

Before long, Lu Yuanjun arrived with another disciple. The nine disciples representing Taiyuan Sect had gathered together for the first time. Lu Yuanjun was naturally the central figure. He was exceptionally adept in his dealings with others and took care of every disciple.

Zhou Xue was much the same, chatting and laughing with Lu Yuanjun as though they were senior brother and junior sister with an excellent relationship. Yet Fang Wang, who knew the truth, could sense her killing intent.

At that moment.

The doors of Shiyuan Hall opened, and Guang Qiuxian emerged with a group of elders. Vice Sect Master Chen Anshi stood behind Guang Qiuxian. His bearing was immensely imposing as he walked, drawing even more attention than Guang Qiuxian.

"Vice Sect Master Chen Anshi is a spy of the Chimo Sect. The Demonic Path's later siege of Taiyuan Sect was led by him. Stay away from him, and do not believe anything he says."

Fang Wang suddenly heard Zhou Xue's Sound Transmission Technique, and his heart leaped wildly.

Good heavens, aren't you afraid the Vice Sect Master will hear you?

Fang Wang did not even dare look at Zhou Xue, much less Chen Anshi. His gaze remained fixed on Guang Qiuxian.

His Sound Transmission Technique was certainly inferior to Zhou Xue's, so he did not dare reply.

Guang Qiuxian walked to the edge of the stone steps and said, "Vice Sect Master and the Inheritance Elder will lead you on this journey. They will explain the specific details along the way. This may be an opportunity, but it will also be accompanied by calamity and slaughter. Take care of yourselves. I shall await your return at Taiyuan Sect."

Fang Wang's gaze landed on Inheritance Elder Zhao Chuangan. Zhao Chuangan had been the one to bring him before Guang Qiuxian and then take him up to the Third Vein.

Zhao Chuangan sensed Fang Wang's gaze. He maintained his solemn dignity and merely met Fang Wang's eyes for a moment without responding.

Chen Anshi stepped forward and swept his right hand. A small wooden boat flew from his sleeve and rapidly expanded until it was thirty meters long. A pavilion stood upon the boat, its entire body red, with lanterns hanging from it.

The wooden boat hovered in midair. As soon as it appeared, Fang Wang clearly sensed the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy rushing toward it.

Chen Anshi, Zhao Chuangan, and five elders immediately leaped onto the vessel, with the nine disciples following closely behind.

Standing on the deck, Fang Wang examined the ship with his Spiritual Sense and discovered all kinds of Talisman Paper and small magical artifact components beneath the planks, intricate and precise.

Soon, the wooden boat set sail. Its speed abruptly surged, and in the blink of an eye, it vanished into the snowy mist at the horizon.

Guang Qiuxian stood upon the steps and looked up at the sight. The elders behind him gradually departed. At last, Yang Yuanzi emerged from Shiyuan Hall and came to stand beside him.

Only the two of them remained.

A cold wind drifted past, stirring the hair at their temples.

"Senior Brother, I've always felt that Great Qi becoming an immortal cultivation dynasty is unreliable. I'm afraid this trip to Great Sage's Grotto-Heaven will bring about a major incident," Yang Yuanzi said in an indifferent tone.

Guang Qiuxian answered expressionlessly, "I know as well. But fortunately, Great Sage's Grotto-Heaven is not controlled by any sect. An opportunity like this cannot be missed. It can help this batch of disciples grow faster, especially Yuanjun. Taiyuan Sect needs his strength."

Yang Yuanzi frowned and asked, "Recently, some criticism concerning Lu Yuanjun has been circulating within the First Vein. Senior Brother, you must keep a close eye on him. Don't indulge him. Don't forget his origins."

Guang Qiuxian glanced at him and replied, "Junior Brother, the grudges of the previous generation belong to the previous generation. As for those criticisms, leave them alone as long as they have little impact. Haven't you also mastered some spells from Green Cicada Valley? Should I punish you for that?"

"Hmph! Then let me see whether your pampered Lu Yuanjun can defeat Xia Qingchan of the Chimo Sect and Xu Qiuming of the Xuanhong Sword Sect!" Yang Yuanzi said coldly.

Guang Qiuxian shook his head with a laugh and turned toward Shiyuan Hall.

The sun sank westward, half of it obscured by the horizon.

Fang Wang stood on the deck, facing the wind as he admired the magnificent mountains and rivers along the way, his heart broad and his spirit at ease.

Having been stifled in the Heavenly Palace for one hundred and twenty years, he needed to relax. Otherwise, he feared something would go wrong with his state of mind.

In his previous life, he had read immortal cultivation novels of every school and style, but he had never expected that after embarking on cultivation himself, he would walk another path entirely.

What was this called?

Prison-style cultivation?

Fang Wang mocked himself inwardly. Although the cultivation years in the Heavenly Palace had been dull and stifling, the sense of achievement they brought afterward was excellent. Thus, he was still fortunate to possess the Heavenly Palace.

"What are you thinking about?"

Zhou Xue's voice sounded as she walked to Fang Wang's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

Fang Wang glanced at her and smiled softly. "Nothing. I'm only admiring the scenery of this mortal world. Cultivation seeks freedom and ease. Looking upon Heaven and Earth from here—doesn't that count as freedom and ease?"

Zhou Xue looked toward the horizon without replying.

Fang Wang said nothing further and continued immersing himself in the magnificent view of mountains and rivers.

At dusk, the sky was fiery red. The seas of clouds resembled spilled blood, while the rolling mountain ranges below appeared dark. Yet their peaks glimmered with light, making the entire world seem dreamlike.

"Great Sage's Grotto-Heaven will become a turning point for Great Qi's immortal cultivation world. Once inside, be exceedingly careful. If you encounter disciples of other sects, never trust them. If someone shows you ill intent, either kill them or flee. Do not hesitate."

Zhou Xue's voice sounded beside Fang Wang's ear. This time, she was using Sound Transmission Technique again.

Fang Wang did not respond, afraid that the disciples and elders behind them would notice something unusual.

Afterward, Zhou Xue continued introducing Fang Wang to the prodigies of other sects through Sound Transmission Technique, even listing several people he absolutely could not afford to provoke.

Gu Li was meditating by the side of the boat. She opened her eyes and happened to see Fang Wang and Zhou Xue from behind. Beneath the afterglow of the setting sun, the two seemed so perfectly matched that she fell into a daze.

A month ago, after witnessing Zhou Xue's performance, she had known that she was no match for Zhou Xue. Therefore, she now had one more target.

If I cannot defeat Zhou Xue, how could I be qualified to challenge you?

Gu Li thought this to herself, and her gaze became resolute.

At that moment, there was another person watching Fang Wang and Zhou Xue. He stood at the edge of the pavilion's second floor. It was Lu Yuanjun.