Fang Wang kept a distance of thirty feet from the mysterious figure on the map. Smoke curled upward as the figure gradually solidified, like a ghost revealing itself. Even in broad daylight, it was rather chilling.
"You... what are you?"
Before Fang Wang could ask, the Green Snake nervously spoke up. It was even more frightened than Fang Wang—first because it truly was afraid, and second because it feared Fang Wang might misunderstand.
The figure was blurry, with only a vague outline visible.
"Young one, do you wish to lay hands on the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Scripture?"
An ancient voice emerged from the mysterious figure, calm in tone.
Holding the Celestial Palace Halberd, Fang Wang answered, "Wouldn't it be a pity if a good cultivation art were not passed down?"
For now, his physique was not really an advantage. The reason he could fight across realms mainly lay in his Xuan Yang Spiritual Energy and perfected spells. The Tiangang Sacred Body was an ancient and powerful physique; even Zhou Xue had praised it highly. Naturally, he coveted it.
"This map indeed records the inheritance site of the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Scripture. However, the trial there is strict. If you had not burned this map and awakened a sliver of my will, then rashly going there would mean certain death."
The mysterious figure spoke slowly, making Fang Wang raise his brows.
Fang Wang immediately cupped his fists in salute. "Please enlighten me, Senior."
The other party clearly intended to guide him. Even if it was not a living person, he should still show such respect.
Facing Fang Wang, the mysterious figure said, "First, you must reach the Spirit Condensation Realm. Second, you must master the Nine Dragon Divine Transformation Art. Neither condition may be lacking."
Upon hearing this, Fang Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was not too difficult!
With his talent and standing in the Taiyuan Sect, reaching the Spirit Condensation Realm should only be a matter of time. As for the Nine Dragon Divine Transformation Art, he had already cultivated it to perfection.
"Then, Senior, can you pass the Nine Dragon Divine Transformation Art to my young master?" the Green Snake suddenly asked.
Fang Wang glanced at it and suddenly found it somewhat more pleasing to the eye.
Although he had already mastered the Nine Dragon Divine Transformation Art, the Green Snake did not know that. Whether it was sincere or not, at least on the surface, it was trying to curry favor with him.
"My duty is merely to remind you of these two points. Man proposes, heaven disposes. Cultivators pursue what is as difficult as ascending to the heavens."
After saying this, the mysterious figure vanished like smoke into thin air. Fang Wang did not even have time to ask its identity.
The map burning in the True Mysterious Sun Fire turned to ash as well, scattering away on the wind.
Fang Wang and the Green Snake stared at each other, wide-eyed and speechless for a long time.
After quite a while, the Green Snake finally sighed. "If an ordinary person obtained this map and went straight to search for the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Scripture, they would likely face nine deaths for one chance at life. Young Master is no ordinary person. By burning the map outright, you instead gained the recognition of a predecessor."
Fang Wang only felt that he had stumbled into good fortune by accident. Of course, he would not say what he truly thought.
Afterward, he began examining the five stones the Green Snake had brought. He coated his palm in spiritual energy and took the stones to the riverbank to wash them.
The Green Snake moved closer, keeping a safe distance from Fang Wang.
Only after Fang Wang had washed the stones clean and placed them in the Storage Bag did the Green Snake speak. "Young Master, I know of a place with many heavenly treasures and earthly wonders, but a Great Demon guards it."
"How strong is this Great Demon?"
Fang Wang asked casually. He had set himself a goal: to break through within the Great Sage's Grotto-Heaven and forge a second Life-Bound Treasure Spirit.
The Green Snake answered, "It is equivalent to a human cultivator at the ninth level of the Spirit Pill Realm."
Fang Wang looked at it and smiled. "You seem quite extraordinary. You do not look like an ordinary snake demon."
The Green Snake replied, "Young Master flatters me. I have lived here for three hundred years, so I naturally obtained part of an inheritance. Over the years, cultivators have occasionally wandered in by mistake, so I have a general understanding of human cultivators."
Fang Wang felt that this snake demon was no simple creature. After all, being able to cry for so long in the hands of that woman in white meant it had some skill.
He had rested for half a month. It was time to set out!
"Lead the way!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The Green Snake immediately began leading the way. Its body wriggled with an unexpectedly cheerful air.
Watching its movements, Fang Wang suddenly found the situation absurd.
He was actually going on an adventure with a snake?
Two days later.
At the entrance to a valley, Fang Wang stood beneath a tree while the Green Snake climbed onto a nearby branch. One man and one demon looked in the same direction.
The flowers, grass, and trees in this area grew densely, making sunlight difficult to penetrate. Even at noon, the forest behind Fang Wang was pitch-black.
"That is it?"
Fang Wang asked, his right hand resting on the sword hilt.
After two days of conversation, Fang Wang had learned the Green Snake's name. It called itself Little Purple. A green snake calling itself Little Purple—Fang Wang suspected it was color-blind.
Little Purple nodded. "Yes, that's it. It tried to eat me before. Young Master, be careful. The poisonous vapor from its mouth is extremely dangerous!"
Following its snake eyes, Fang Wang saw that the valley ahead was filled with multicolored flowers and plants, some reaching as high as twenty feet. Brilliant fruits were as numerous as stars. At first glance, the valley resembled a starry river formed from rare treasures and exotic fruits, dreamlike and dazzling.
At the center of the valley lay a depression. The water reflected every color, and a Red Toad nearly forty feet tall lay sprawled within it. Its body was covered with moss, flowers, and grass. Without close inspection, one might have mistaken it for a small mountain.
Clang—
Fang Wang stepped forward and drew his sword in one smooth motion.
Still worried, Little Purple could not help saying, "Young Master, its back is incomparably tough. Its weakness should be its eyes..."
After taking five steps, Fang Wang directly unleashed the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art, condensing thirty-six swords. Sword Qi spilled in every direction, whipping up a gale that made the surrounding branches and leaves sway violently. The enormous Red Toad opened its eyes in alarm, cold and sinister as those of a venomous snake.
Seeing the thirty-six sword-shaped forms appear around Fang Wang, Little Purple immediately shut its mouth, its snake eyes fixed tightly on him.
Fang Wang did not stop walking. Holding his sword in his right hand, he thrust it forward. The Thirty-six Startling Swan Swords shot out fiercely, converging into one enormous Sword Qi that surged forth with unstoppable force, sending flowers and grass flying wildly in its wake.
Boom!
The enormous Red Toad was struck by the Sword Qi and exploded on the spot. Flesh and blood flew everywhere, splattering the flowers, grass, and trees in all directions. Even the distant mountain wall was hung with bloody flesh that emitted poisonous vapor.
Little Purple moved like a bolt of lightning, dodging the flying flesh as it swiftly coiled around a branch high above.
Fang Wang did not pause. His robes fluttered, and he did not even blink. After thrusting the Qing Jun Sword forward, he flicked his wrist. The treasured sword spun, and he reversed his grip, smoothly sheathing it.
Drawing the sword, thrusting the sword, sheathing the sword—the entire process took less than a breath!
The enormous Red Toad had been slain in an instant!
Fang Wang appeared calm and unruffled, but in truth, he had gone all out. This was the strongest Thirty-six Startling Swan Swords he could currently unleash. Besides killing the enemy, he also meant to intimidate Little Purple.
"Go look around. See whether there are any other demons nearby."
Fang Wang spoke with his back to Little Purple. Hearing this, Little Purple snapped awake, answered at once, and darted into the forest.
Fang Wang took out the Heaven and Earth Treasure Record and searched through its entries according to the heavenly treasures and earthly wonders along the way. Different treasures required different harvesting methods. Some would lose their spiritual energy once removed from the soil; some would quickly wither if broken; others had poisonous surfaces, and the poison would enter the body upon contact. They truly came in every strange and bizarre variety. The first time he had read the Heaven and Earth Treasure Record, he had been amazed by it.
While gathering them, Fang Wang did not neglect his surroundings. His Spiritual Sense remained vigilant at all times.
Half an hour later, Little Purple returned, while Fang Wang was still harvesting. There were simply too many medicinal herbs and precious fruits here. It had to be said that the Great Sage's Grotto-Heaven was truly a tremendous opportunity. As long as one survived half a year here, everyone could become immensely wealthy.
"Young Master, there are no demons nearby."
Little Purple spoke softly, its tone full of awe.
The reason it had taken so long to return was because it had been calming itself down.
Fang Wang was simply too terrifying to a snake!
With such strength, even if it wanted to launch a sneak attack, it could not. It also feared Fang Wang would kill the donkey once the millstone was no longer needed.
"Then go up somewhere high and keep watch."
Fang Wang replied casually. He did not need Little Purple's help, since the creature had not yet taken human form.
At this, Little Purple immediately left. It reached the mountain wall, then shot up to the mountaintop with a whoosh.
It was not until deep into the night that Fang Wang finally stripped the entire valley bare. This trip had yielded tremendous gains, and he had even obtained a Demonic Core.
Late at night, they arrived beside a small stream in the forest. By the campfire, Fang Wang began drawing a map.
His memory was strong, but he feared that he might enter the Heavenly Palace to cultivate before obtaining the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Scripture. No matter how strong his memory was, it could not possibly retain a map glimpsed only once hundreds of years ago.
Little Purple curled up on the other side of the fire, very quiet and not daring to disturb Fang Wang.
Ever since Fang Wang had unleashed the Thirty-six Startling Swan Swords, it had spoken far less.
Crack!
The sound of a branch breaking beneath a foot came from nearby. Fang Wang immediately glanced over, while Little Purple suddenly raised its head.
A figure emerged from the darkness. Under the moonlight, Fang Wang saw her shape clearly, and his expression turned strange. "It was the same when you found Fang Hanyu before. You did not place some sort of method on us, did you?"
The newcomer was none other than Zhou Xue.
As Zhou Xue walked over, she smiled. "One day, you will thank me for this method."
Before you continue