Three Cultivation Methods

Thud!

The headless Daoist in Green collapsed onto the gravel, blood splashing everywhere. The Soul Burning Banner floating above him fell as well, the ghostly aura around it dispersing.

Looking at Daoist in Green's corpse, Zhou Xue trembled all over. She turned to look at the treasured sword hovering before Fang Wang and could not help asking, "You... what you did just now was..."

Fang Wang supported her with his left hand while maintaining the sword-control gesture with his right. His expression remained calm as he said, "As you saw, it was the Sword Control Technique you taught me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the people nearby from Fang Manor erupted into tremendous cheers.

"The demon daoist is dead!"

"What was that just now? That sword was flying!"

"Even the strongest swordsman in the martial world couldn't perform such swordsmanship!"

"Young Master Fang Wang is so powerful!"

The people of Fang Manor were thrilled. Daoist in Green had been so formidable; now that he had been killed, the other assassins were nothing to fear.

Some were also worried that Daoist in Green might come back to life. After all, he was a demon daoist, and demon daoists could not be judged by ordinary logic.

Hearing Fang Wang's words, Zhou Xue's expression changed drastically. In her agitation, she began coughing violently, coughing up blood all over the ground. Fang Wang was so startled that he immediately stopped posing and supported her body.

Clang!

The treasured sword fell to the ground, Daoist in Green's blood still staining its blade, giving off a chilling and terrifying air.

"I'm fine... I won't die... I merely used a secret art to grant this body some combat strength for a short time. Though my injuries are serious, I'll recover within a month..."

Zhou Xue raised her eyes as she spoke. Her face was deathly pale, but her eyes shone with such intensity that she seemed ready to swallow Fang Wang whole.

Fang Wang was frightened by her gaze. After all, she claimed that before her rebirth, she had been a Demonic Cultivator...

"Fang Wang, had you truly never encountered the path of immortal cultivation before?" Zhou Xue stared at Fang Wang, took a deep breath, and asked solemnly.

Fang Wang hesitated briefly before deciding to trust her. He answered, "I truly hadn't. But when you spoke of the Sword Control Technique, I could tell it wasn't something you made up. It really seemed feasible, so I cultivated for seven days. When I used the Sword Control Technique, I used True Qi. You should have been able to sense it."

He still wanted to rely on Zhou Xue to step onto the path of immortal cultivation, so there was naturally no need for him to play the pig to eat the tiger. Only by displaying his value could he earn greater regard.

"How could True Qi possibly be used to perform the Sword Control Technique? And your sword isn't even a magical artifact, yet you controlled it from afar..."

"I don't know either, but it worked."

Fang Wang shook his head, secretly delighted.

What a joke. Was that merely the Sword Control Technique?

That was the Sword Control Technique at great perfection!

Even immortal cultivators of high realms might not be willing to spend time studying the Sword Control Technique.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xue grew even more excited, her chest rising and falling unevenly. Enduring the intense pain in her body, she said in a deep voice, "Fang Wang, you are absolutely a peerless immortal cultivation prodigy, one seen only once in a thousand ages. Your Life-Bound Treasure Spirit must surely be an Earth Origin Treasure Spirit! Once I recover, follow me into immortal cultivation!"

With Daoist in Green slain, the calamity threatening to wipe out the household had passed. Zhou Xue therefore began speaking directly about the future.

It's here!

Fang Wang had been waiting for those words. He nodded and said, "All right. Wait here first. I'll go kill the remaining ones, then you can tell me what an Earth Origin Treasure Spirit is."

Zhou Xue nodded.

Fang Wang immediately called for the clansmen to come take care of Zhou Xue, while he left with his sword in hand.

Fang Zhe arrived with the clansmen and household servants. He had two women tend to Zhou Xue while he cautiously approached Daoist in Green's corpse.

"Don't go near him. He has ghostly creatures on him. Let Fang Wang and me handle it!"

Zhou Xue called out to stop Fang Zhe. Hearing this, Fang Zhe hesitated. But when he recalled the horrifying scene caused by the Soul Burning Banner earlier, he could not help shuddering. He quickly called for everyone else to retreat and forbade them from approaching.

Using the Sword Control Technique had consumed seventy percent of Fang Wang's True Qi, but he did not need True Qi at all to kill the remaining men in black.

An hour later.

Fang Manor had completely returned to silence, though the atmosphere remained heavy. More than a thousand people had been killed or wounded that night.

Main Hall of the Manor Lord's Courtyard.

Fang Wang stood beside his father, Fang Yin. The hall was filled with clansmen, every one of them wearing an ugly expression, their gazes all fixed on Fang Meng.

Fang Meng braced both hands on his cane, took a deep breath, and said, "What happened tonight cannot be concealed. We must spread the news. Hold a funeral tomorrow, and make it as grand as possible. Let the world know of the Fang Family's tragedy. Only then will no one dare continue making moves against us."

Fang Wang's third uncle, Fang Jin, could not help saying, "Father, anyone capable of mobilizing so many experts must be connected to the imperial palace. We are the Dukedom Manor, yet after surrendering our military authority, we still ended up like this..."

"Enough!"

Fang Meng roared furiously, frightening Fang Jin into silence, though his face remained filled with hatred and unwillingness.

Those who died that night were not merely household servants. Two of Fang Wang's cousins had also died.

Fang Meng said in a deep voice, "Remember this: within Great Qi, we cannot recklessly fight against the heavens."

Most people in the hall wore the same expressions and held the same emotions as Fang Jin. Had Fang Wang not acted that night, Fang Manor truly might have been exterminated. Whenever they thought of it, lingering fear still rose within them.

"Everyone, disperse. Wang'er, stay behind."

As soon as Fang Meng said this, everyone looked at Fang Wang. Every gaze directed at him was filled with gratitude, admiration, and disbelief.

That night, Fang Wang had slain sixty-three assassins, including that demon daoist. News of his accomplishments had already spread throughout Fang Manor. Yet the manor was currently immersed in grief, so no one felt it appropriate to ask why he had become so powerful.

Everyone bowed and departed. Before leaving, Fang Wang's uncles each patted his shoulder and looked at him with approval.

When only Fang Meng and the old madam remained in the main hall, Fang Wang stepped forward and bowed to his grandfather and grandmother.

"Where did you learn immortal arts?" Fang Meng asked, a kind and benevolent smile appearing on his face.

Fang Wang answered, "Grandfather, Zhou Xue taught me. There is an immortal cultivation senior guiding her from behind the scenes. Earlier, I heard her say that Fang Manor faced the danger of being wiped out, so I sought her out. She taught me the Sword Control Technique, and only then did I believe her."

Since he had already established the image of a genius, he might as well make it solid. It was also a convenient explanation!

Fang Meng froze for a moment, gripping his cane tightly with both hands. Restraining his excitement, he asked, "She said Fang Manor faced the danger of extermination, and only seven days have passed since then. Did you know about this in advance, or did you truly train for only seven days?"

Fang Wang pretended to hesitate before answering, "I trained for seven days."

"Good! Good! Wonderful!"

Fang Meng was so excited that his whole body trembled. He even wanted to rise and embrace Fang Wang, but Fang Wang hurriedly went to him and grasped his hands.

"Fang Manor has a successor! Our Fang Family can break free from this dead end!"

Fang Meng wept tears of joy, old tears streaming down his face. Fang Wang immediately panicked. This was the first time he had ever seen his grandfather cry.

Afterward, Fang Meng began recounting the past.

As a founding meritorious official of the Great Qi Dynasty, Fang Meng naturally knew more than ordinary Great Qi citizens, including matters concerning the immortal cultivation world. Yet to Fang Meng, immortal cultivators still belonged to a vague and ethereal existence. He knew little about them, only that they existed.

He urged Fang Wang to cultivate immortality properly.

He even wanted to betroth Zhou Xue to Fang Wang, so that Fang Wang's path of immortal cultivation would be more secure, but Fang Wang politely declined.

What a joke. Zhou Xue was a reborn person, and she had even been a Demonic Cultivator. A woman like that would never place love first. What if she chose to sever her bonds of affection for the sake of immortality? Wouldn't that be troublesome?

Moreover, having lived another life, Fang Wang did not wish to spend a lifetime with anyone. All he wanted was unfettered freedom and carefree ease.

Even before encountering immortal cultivators, he had planned to roam the world!

Now that he had encountered the path of immortal cultivation, that thought became even firmer. In this life, he would travel across countless mountains and rivers, behold all the world's splendor, and seek the method to become immortal and live forever. He must never stop for anyone.

That night, grandfather and grandson talked for a long time.

At noon the next day, Fang Manor remained immersed in grief, while Nanqiu City had fallen into turmoil. Fang Manor had suffered an attack and so many had died. Naturally, the citizens protected by Fang Manor were afraid, and many busybodies were discussing the matter as well.

Fang Wang rose early and went to visit Zhou Xue.

When the two maids standing guard outside the door saw him, they immediately bowed. One of them said, "Young Master, Miss instructed us that if you came, you could go straight in."

The battle between Fang Wang and Zhou Xue against the demon daoist the night before, and how they had saved Fang Manor, had already spread throughout the entire manor. In the eyes of Fang Manor's people, the relationship between the two had also changed. The two maids had even heard Fourth Young Master mention that he wanted to match them in marriage.

Fang Wang nodded, then pushed open the door and entered. After closing it, he walked over and sat beside Zhou Xue's bed.

At that moment, Zhou Xue lay beneath the covers, her face pale and numerous parts of her body wrapped in white bandages. She looked severely injured. Hearing his footsteps, she opened her eyes and looked at Fang Wang.

Fang Wang did not offer any words of concern. After all, this was a reborn person, not truly a sixteen-year-old girl.

"Can you bring some Fang Manor disciples onto the path of immortal cultivation with us? The imperial authority is our enemy. Even if we make this matter as loud as possible, one day it will be forgotten. When that time comes, the killing intent will return like a tide." Fang Wang asked. This was also Fang Meng's hope.

Zhou Xue withdrew her gaze and slowly closed her eyes. In a soft voice, she said, "The threshold for immortal cultivation is extremely high. It isn't something anyone can cultivate simply because they wish to. However, I have indeed had such thoughts. This month, I will select disciples with potential to accompany us into immortal cultivation."

Fang Wang asked curiously, "Where are we going? Can you tell me about the path of immortal cultivation, such as the Earth Origin Treasure Spirit you mentioned last night?"

"The immortal cultivation world of Great Qi has the Nine Great Sects. They are hidden deep within great mountains and wondrous realms. We are going to Taiyuan Sect. Taiyuan Sect can rank among the top five of the Nine Great Sects and possesses a profound foundation. I have a way to bring you into the sect."

Zhou Xue spoke at length, giving him a general introduction to Taiyuan Sect. It filled Fang Wang with immense anticipation for this immortal cultivation sect.

Once he entered Taiyuan Sect, he would find a way to cultivate the most profound methods and spells. With the Heavenly Palace in his mind, he would surely leave immortal cultivators of the same generation far behind.

As for Zhou Xue, this reborn person, he had to keep pace with her growth as much as possible. If he could surpass her, that would be even better!

"As for the Earth Origin Treasure Spirit, we must first discuss the realms of immortal cultivation. Above the Qi Cultivation Realm lies the Spirit Sculpting Realm. Only by forming one's own Life-Bound Treasure Spirit can one enter the Spirit Sculpting Realm. Treasure Spirits are hidden within an immortal cultivator's body, and their grade often determines an immortal cultivator's aptitude. From lowest to highest, Treasure Spirits are Yellow Origin, Xuanyuan, Earth Origin, and Tianyuan. Each grade has further divisions. I'll tell you about them later."

As Zhou Xue spoke, she could not help opening her eyes to look at Fang Wang, her gaze filled with expectation.

Life-Bound Treasure Spirit...

Fang Wang began imagining what grade his own Treasure Spirit might reach.

After chatting for quite some time, Fang Wang raised his request at the appropriate moment. "By the way, can you teach me a cultivation method? During the month you spend recovering, I can cultivate Spiritual Energy. Then after we enter Taiyuan Sect, I won't embarrass you."

The Sword Control Technique at great perfection had easily killed Daoist in Green. If he used it with Spiritual Energy, just how powerful would it become?

Zhou Xue thought for a moment and said, "All right. It will also let me see your comprehension. I'll teach you the basic Qi Absorption Method."

"Wait, can't you teach me some profound immortal cultivation method..." Fang Wang asked cautiously.

A basic Qi Absorption Method?

That was far too shabby!

Zhou Xue frowned at him. She had wanted to lecture him, but when she recalled the Sword Control Technique Fang Wang had displayed the night before, another thought arose in her heart.

Fang Wang's Sword Control Technique had already surpassed the scope of Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators. His talent was beyond doubt and worth her focused nurturing.

"Very well. Since you saved me, I will teach you a cultivation method. Though I possess many methods, I can only give you three choices. The first is the Spring Autumn Technique, an eternal extraordinary art. Its creator was the foremost immortal cultivator of Great Qi a thousand years ago. It can extend one's lifespan and pursue longevity. Once cultivated to great accomplishment, living three thousand years would not be difficult. The second is the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art, which I obtained from an ancient secret realm somewhere. It was the first method I cultivated. It can devour the Spiritual Energy of others, but cultivating it damages one's lifespan and easily breeds inner demons. It is a rugged path of immortal cultivation, but with my guidance, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"The third is the Mysterious Sun Scripture. It is the most profound cultivation method I ever obtained in the mortal world. Before I ascended, I still failed to cultivate it successfully. I do not know just how powerful the Mysterious Sun Scripture truly is, but for its sake, I nearly died in a dangerous situation even when I was already in the Mahayana Realm."

After saying that, Zhou Xue smiled at Fang Wang, curious to see how he would choose.