Mysterious Sun Scripture: Ninth-Layer Great Perfection

"Can I learn them all?"

Fang Wang gave his choice, making Zhou Xue's mouth twitch as she could not help rolling her eyes.

Too arrogant!

Zhou Xue patiently explained, "Different cultivation arts produce different spiritual energy. If you learn too many, your spiritual energy can easily fall into chaos. Besides, specializing in one art is easier than cultivating several at once."

Shamelessly, Fang Wang asked, "If I choose one and fail to learn it, can I switch to another?"

"Fine. Who told you to save me?"

Zhou Xue could not hold back a soft laugh. Yet the laugh tugged at her injuries, making her cough.

Fang Wang did not dare reach out and touch her, so he could only watch from the side.

"Which one do you want to learn first?" Zhou Xue asked. Her voice was even weaker after coughing.

After thinking for a moment, Fang Wang said, "Then I'll try the most difficult one, the Mysterious Sun Scripture. Start with the hardest one, and cultivating other arts later will feel easier."

Without further nonsense, Zhou Xue began explaining the cultivation formulas of the Mysterious Sun Scripture, including its Qi Absorption Method.

Fang Wang listened intently, his heart full of anticipation. Only by mastering an immortal cultivation art could he truly be considered to have stepped onto the path of cultivation.

As Zhou Xue passed on the art, she watched him, feeling deeply moved.

I never thought I would treat someone like this. Is this what family feels like? Ruolan, you were right. Relying on others is useless. I must cultivate a force I can trust. Perhaps my rebirth, guided by fate, is Heaven showing me another path.

Watching Fang Wang, someone she had no recollection of in her previous life, seriously listen to her teachings, Zhou Xue truly felt reborn.

Since she had lived another life, she would not merely become an immortal!

Countless thoughts arose in Zhou Xue's heart. The crisis of her Household's destruction had passed; next, she had to plan a new life.

Fang Wang did not know what she was thinking. Right now, he was wholly focused on the Mysterious Sun Scripture.

Once Zhou Xue had finished explaining every cultivation formula of the Mysterious Sun Scripture, Fang Wang felt his mind explode and his vision blur.

The next moment, he appeared within the Heavenly Palace. The instant he opened his eyes and saw his surroundings clearly, he threw a punch and raised his arm in a shout.

"It worked!"

Fang Wang was overjoyed. As long as he could enter the Heavenly Palace, it meant he could cultivate the Mysterious Sun Scripture!

Though the Heavenly Palace could only help him comprehend supreme arts, if he cultivated the Mysterious Sun Scripture to Great Perfection before practicing Qi Gathering, he would achieve twice the result with half the effort.

This was a cultivation art that even Zhou Xue had failed to master before her ascension!

Fang Wang sat down cross-legged on the spot and immediately began cultivating the Mysterious Sun Scripture.

The Mysterious Sun Scripture had nine layers. At the third layer, one's spiritual energy contained Mysterious Sun Fire, capable of burning Soul Bodies. At the sixth layer, one became impervious to all flames. At the ninth layer, one could condense True Mysterious Sun Fire and burn everything!

Fang Wang began with the most basic Qi Absorption Method. The Heavenly Palace changed, producing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy required by cultivators. This spiritual energy was illusory and existed to aid his cultivation. Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy was born between heaven and earth and nourished all living things, yet many other kinds of qi also existed in the world. Immortal cultivation's Qi Gathering was the process of extracting Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy and tempering oneself with it.

Yet merely cultivating the first layer of the Mysterious Sun Scripture felt like ten years to Fang Wang. Ten years just to master the first layer?

Could my aptitude for immortal cultivation be terrible?

Fang Wang refused to believe it and continued cultivating. To determine how long he had cultivated, a thought stirred in his mind, and a great bell appeared in the Heavenly Palace. It resembled a modern creation from Earth, though its surface was ancient and simple. Years were marked at its base for the convenience of recording time.

However, the second layer took twice as long as the first. Fang Wang had no choice but to set aside his worries over his aptitude and focus on cultivation.

And so, Fang Wang cultivated the Mysterious Sun Scripture without pause. Gradually, even his heart became numb, and he forgot everything outside.

It was as though the river of time ran on forever, while stars shifted and ages turned.

When he cultivated the Mysterious Sun Scripture to Great Perfection, blazing flames ignited from thin air behind his head, condensing into spheres of fire like little suns. A ring of little suns floated behind his head—they were True Mysterious Sun Fire.

True Mysterious Sun Fire looked little different from ordinary flames, but it could absorb sunlight. The longer it burned during the day, the more terrifying its power became.

Fang Wang opened his eyes, his gaze turning weathered. This was not the weathering of one who had lived through the mortal world, but the weathering of an exhausted heart.

Turning his head, he discovered that cultivating the Mysterious Sun Scripture had taken him a total of two hundred and thirteen years!

Damn it, that's nearly as long as an entire dynasty lasts!

Fang Wang felt depressed and could only blame the Mysterious Sun Scripture for being too difficult.

Yes, rather than fret over himself, he might as well blame the target.

No wonder Zhou Xue had failed to cultivate it even before ascending. Who could spend two hundred years cultivating a single art?

Fang Wang sorted through his emotions. With a thought, he left the Heavenly Palace.

Clarity returned to his eyes, and Zhou Xue's face appeared before him. She lay on the bed, her complexion weak.

He had spent two hundred years within, yet only an instant had passed in reality.

"For this month, cultivate the Mysterious Sun Scripture first. Once my injuries heal, we will set out. Taiyuan Sect recruits disciples once every five years. If we miss this year, we will have to wait another five years," Zhou Xue said softly, her eyes somewhat strange.

For some reason, after she had finished teaching the Mysterious Sun Scripture, she felt that Fang Wang had changed. She could not say where the change lay. The feeling was subtle.

"You are an Immortal Venerable reborn. Why not establish a sect yourself?" Fang Wang asked in confusion.

Zhou Xue smiled helplessly. "Immortal cultivation is not so simple. Great Qi's blessed lands and every kind of resource have long been divided among the Nine Great Sects. Besides, after my rebirth, I must walk the cultivation path all over again. Joining a sect is not only for cultivation resources, but also to give myself protection."

Fang Wang nodded. Seeing her face grow ever paler, he said, "Rest well and recover. We can talk again once your injuries heal."

With that, he stood up, preparing to leave.

"Oh, right. That cultivator from last night left behind two magical artifacts. You killed him, so they should belong to you. Once I recover, I will give them to you and teach you how to wield them, giving you a higher starting point in immortal cultivation than others," Zhou Xue said.

Fang Wang did not turn back. He merely waved a hand and said, "Keep them. You led me onto the path of immortal cultivation, so consider them my return gift. Teach me some spells later."

He did not stop walking and soon left the room.

After the door closed, a smile appeared on Zhou Xue's face. She muttered to herself, "Taking him as my disciple would not be bad. Forget it. Since we are family, why fuss over titles?"

Having returned through rebirth, she decided she would not cultivate alone. She would also lead Fang Manor onto the path of cultivation. The betrayal of her previous life had made her realize that no matter how powerful one was, without a force worthy of trust, one could still end up dead and vanished from the world.

Setting aside Fang Manor's kindness in raising her, the Manor had a genius like Fang Wang and was worth nurturing.

Zhou Xue closed her eyes. While recovering from her injuries, she needed to sort through her thoughts properly.

She had already realized that rebirth was not merely about changing regrets. She could also walk a path stronger than the one in her previous life. Those missed opportunities in her memories could certainly be obtained if she planned well!

Furthermore, she could not reveal her rebirth again. This would be her greatest secret.

Before her rebirth, even in the Upper Realm, she had never heard of an experience as bizarre as hers. Putting herself in others' shoes, if she truly believed someone had been reborn, she would likely entertain crooked thoughts.

After returning to his own room, Fang Wang sat cross-legged beside the table and activated the Mysterious Sun Scripture, absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.

There were no obstacles and no need to adapt. Almost instantly, a vortex formed around him as colorless, invisible Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy poured into his body, filling him with a sensation of clarity and refreshment.

He had felt the same while cultivating in the Heavenly Palace, but it was far less intense than the feeling in his physical body.

He immersed himself in the exhilarating sensation brought by Qi Gathering, unable to pull himself free.

How powerful was a ninth-layer, Great Perfection Mysterious Sun Scripture? Fang Wang did not know how quickly other cultivators progressed, but he felt wonderful right now. Xuan Yang Spiritual Energy had already condensed within his dantian.

An hour later, he successfully entered the first layer of the Qi Nurturing Realm.

After a day and night, he forcefully advanced to the second layer of the Qi Nurturing Realm.

In the days that followed, Fang Wang never stepped outside, focusing entirely on Qi Gathering. At first, his parents came to visit him. Once they heard he was cultivating, they did not dare disturb him again and only had maids bring him meals each day.

After the great battle that night, Fang Wang's standing within Fang Manor soared dramatically. He became the pride of the entire Manor. However, the matter of immortal cultivation did not spread. Fang Meng even ordered that the existence of the demonic Daoist be kept secret, saying only that Fang Manor had been attacked by a group of mysterious martial arts experts.

Within a quiet study.

Great Qi's Son of Heaven sat in a chair, holding an ancient book. He looked only a little over twenty years old, exceedingly young.

An old minister entered and walked all the way to the desk before bowing in salute.

"Your Majesty, the Nanqiu Plan has failed. The Immortal Master I invited has also died," the old minister said quietly. He wore official robes and had a slightly plump build, with graying temples. His expression did not change as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Great Qi's Son of Heaven's right hand trembled around the ancient book. He slowly set it down, staring expressionlessly at the old minister as he said, "Did you not say it was foolproof?"

The old minister sighed. "If they could kill an Immortal Master, it means Fang Manor either hides such power itself, or has such power protecting it. This minister did indeed miscalculate. I thought it was foolproof, but it is not a problem. I have already sent a letter to that person. Before this matter, he assured this minister that nothing would go wrong. Presumably, he will resolve this matter himself."

Great Qi's Son of Heaven turned to look out the window and muttered, "The power of immortal cultivation, immortality... I wish to step through this gate. I have sacrificed so much, yet still failed. What does Fang Manor rely on to gain the support of immortal cultivation?"

The old minister did not answer. He too could not make sense of it. He did not even dare send anyone to investigate Fang Manor, afraid of alerting the snake by striking the grass.

After a long while.

Great Qi's Son of Heaven withdrew his gaze and stared fixedly at the old minister. "Let it rest for now. I know nothing of this matter. Clean it up properly."

The old minister nodded.

Great Qi's Son of Heaven waved his sleeve, and the old minister immediately bowed and withdrew.

"Everyone says imperial power is wonderful, but no matter how great imperial power is, how can it compare to immortality?"

Great Qi's Son of Heaven's faint sigh echoed through the study, his tone filled with helplessness.

Fang Wang cultivated in seclusion for half a month. News of Fang Manor's massacre spread throughout Great Qi, and every province and county under heaven discussed the matter. Fang Manor even sent people into the imperial city to cry injustice. This made the great families everywhere shudder with fear. Fang Manor was a Dukedom Manor, after all. What kind of force would be so audacious as to commit such a monstrous crime?

On this day.

Zhou Xue came to visit Fang Wang. Fang Wang rose to welcome her, and the two sat at the table as he poured her tea.

Her injuries healed far too quickly...

Fang Wang was secretly startled. Zhou Xue's injuries had been so severe before that ordinary medicine might have required half a year of recovery.

Zhou Xue had regained her valiant bearing. She still wore a red robe, dazzling to the eye. Compared to half a month ago, her temperament was even more outstanding. A sharp, exposed edge shone between her brows. She sized up Fang Wang and asked, "How is your cultivation of the Mysterious Sun Scripture?"

Fang Wang thought it was decent—only ninth-layer Great Perfection.

But before Zhou Xue, this reborn woman, he did not dare reveal everything. After all, she was still a Demonic Cultivator. They had fought side by side earlier only because Fang Manor's crisis had been imminent, leaving neither side time to guard against the other.

"It's all right. I feel like I can keep cultivating it," Fang Wang replied. After cultivating the Mysterious Sun Scripture, he had no plans for the time being to cultivate the Spring Autumn Technique or the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art.

The Mysterious Sun Scripture was too powerful. Half a month of cultivation had already remade him from the marrow out, and his immortal cultivation realm had reached the sixth layer of the Qi Nurturing Realm.

Moreover...

Spending a hundred years in the Heavenly Palace was far too tormenting. Only he knew how dull and agonizing it had been.

Zhou Xue stared at him, her gaze subtle.

Fang Wang's heart skipped a beat beneath her gaze. Could she have noticed something?

Zhou Xue withdrew her gaze and said softly, "We will depart in thirteen days. After making my selection, including you and me, there will be nine Fang Manor descendants heading to Taiyuan Sect together."

Fang Wang nodded, his eyes full of anticipation.

Mastering cultivation arts alone was not enough. He also needed to cultivate powerful spells!

"Cough, cough. Zhou Xue, could you teach me some spells?" Fang Wang gave a fake cough and asked shamelessly.

Zhou Xue looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile. "Of course. Your Sword Control Technique is so formidable that you must have great talent in the sword path. I have a sword art here. If you master it, you can sweep aside all opponents in the same realm."