Outsider Arrives

Within that space, he saw wisps of white vapor.

The white vapor continuously gathered within the space, eventually forming a vortex.

"Is this my Dantian? Have I broken through to the Qi Refining Realm?"

Fang Chen was overjoyed. He had never imagined that, despite having no spiritual root, he could still achieve a breakthrough.

After a while, Fang Chen felt the needle-pricking sensation on his skin gradually weaken. The Body Protection Spiritual Light around his body dissipated, and Fang Chen slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint flickered within them, making them seem even brighter.

Wu Qingfeng walked up to Fang Chen and said with a smile, "Fang Chen, congratulations on breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm!"

Wu Qingfeng was feeling absolutely delighted right now.

Fang Chen was now a handyman of their Thousand Bamboo Ridge. After his breakthrough, the higher-ups would surely grant him a huge reward.

Wu Qingfeng had never expected his luck to be this good. Fang Chen had only been transferred to Thousand Bamboo Ridge by Cao Bin this morning, yet he had already broken through.

It was something Wu Qingfeng would never have dreamed of.

"Fang Chen, congratulations, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Fang Chen!"

The handymen of Thousand Bamboo Ridge all came forward to offer their congratulations.

"Damn it!"

Cao Bin was gritting his teeth so hard with rage that he practically wanted to die. He had always regarded Fang Chen as trash, constantly squeezing and exploiting him, even allowing the handymen of Dragon Tiger Mountain to bully him.

Just this morning, he had transferred Fang Chen to Wu Qingfeng.

If he had not transferred Fang Chen to Wu Qingfeng, then once Fang Chen broke through, he would definitely have received a huge reward.

But now, that reward had flown away and landed in Wu Qingfeng's hands.

Moreover, Zhang Tieniu, who had only joined their Dragon Tiger Mountain today, had died. Even Tian Hu was dead.

Only a few hours had passed, yet such an enormous change had taken place. Cao Bin simply could not accept it.

Eyes bloodshot, Cao Bin strode up to Fang Chen and roared, "Fang Chen, what exactly happened? How did Zhang Tieniu and Tian Hu die?"

Everyone fell silent at once, their gazes landing on Fang Chen.

Fang Chen stared at Cao Bin and said, "I killed them."

Fang Chen knew there was no avoiding this, nor could he run from it. He could only admit it openly.

"What?"

Upon hearing Fang Chen's words, both the handymen of Dragon Tiger Mountain and those of Thousand Bamboo Ridge were utterly stunned.

Before this, everyone had thought Fang Chen was trash.

The handymen of Dragon Tiger Mountain in particular had bullied Fang Chen nearly every day back at Dragon Tiger Mountain. Yet whenever they bullied him, Fang Chen had never dared fight back.

They had never expected Fang Chen to kill Tian Hu and Zhang Tieniu.

If Fang Chen had not broken through to the Qi Refining Realm, they would never have believed he possessed such strength.

Cao Bin trembled all over with fury as he roared at Fang Chen, "You've got some nerve! Why did you kill them?"

Though Cao Bin looked ferocious at the moment, Fang Chen was utterly unafraid. Meeting Cao Bin's gaze, he said blandly, "Tian Hu and Zhang Tieniu not only wanted to steal the Exquisite Bamboo I had already chopped more than halfway through, they also wanted to take my knife. When I refused, they beat me and even tried to kill me. I fought back desperately, but in the end, I accidentally killed them!"

"Accidentally killed them? Both of their fatal wounds were on their necks! I think you murdered them deliberately!"

Cao Bin roared at Fang Chen. If Fang Chen had not already broken through to the Qi Refining Realm, he would certainly have attacked him.

But Fang Chen had already broken through, and his strength was no longer what it used to be.

"A life for a life!"

"A life for a life!"

The handymen of Dragon Tiger Mountain immediately began shouting along.

"Shut your mouths, all of you!"

Wu Qingfeng roared at the handymen of Dragon Tiger Mountain, his powerful voice making everyone's eardrums ache.

The handymen of Dragon Tiger Mountain instantly fell silent.

The handymen of Thousand Bamboo Ridge were all taken aback, looking at Wu Qingfeng in surprise. In their eyes, Wu Qingfeng had always been an easygoing man, yet now he had flared up.

Cao Bin stared at Wu Qingfeng, his expression twisted as he said, "Wu Qingfeng, what do you mean by this? Since ancient times, debts must be repaid and murder paid for with one's life. That is only natural. Are you trying to shield Fang Chen?"

Wu Qingfeng gave a cold laugh. "Shield him? I wouldn't dare. Fang Chen may have killed someone, but there was a reason for it. As for his exact punishment, it must be reported to Elder Hu and decided by the Enforcement Hall. You have no right to interfere. Fang Chen, let's go. Ignore them!"

In Wu Qingfeng's view, if Fang Chen had not broken through to the Qi Refining Realm, this matter would indeed have been difficult to handle. Even if Fang Chen ultimately did not have to pay with his life, he would at least have been thrown into the forbidden grounds.

But Fang Chen was now a Qi Refining Realm cultivator. Though he had killed people, it was hardly a matter at all, because in the eyes of the elders of the Star Sword Sect, the life of a Qi Refining Realm cultivator was far more precious than the lives of two handymen.

Moreover, Wu Qingfeng knew that Fang Chen would never have attacked Tian Hu and Zhang Tieniu without cause. The people of the Enforcement Hall could easily uncover the truth.

"Yes!"

Fang Chen nodded, preparing to leave with Wu Qingfeng.

"Who dares leave?"

Cao Bin let out an angry roar and bellowed at Wu Qingfeng.

The handymen from Dragon Tiger Mountain immediately rushed over, blocking the way before Wu Qingfeng and Fang Chen.

Fang Chen circulated his cultivation technique, and a powerful aura emanated from within him. With an icy expression, he said, "Whoever isn't afraid of dying, come try stopping me. I already have two lives on my hands anyway—I don't mind adding a few more!"

With that, he strode forward and stepped in front of Wu Qingfeng.

The Dragon Tiger Mountain handymen's expressions changed drastically, and they immediately retreated.

Although they outnumbered him, Fang Chen was now a Qi Refining Realm cultivator, far stronger than they were.

If they provoked Fang Chen, he might really kill them. After all, in the eyes of Outer Sect Disciples, handymen like them amounted to nothing.

Back at Dragon Tiger Mountain, Fang Chen had been trash anyone could bully. Now, Fang Chen alone had cowed them all.

Fang Chen turned back to Wu Qingfeng and said, "Steward Wu, let's go!"

Wu Qingfeng nodded, then led the other handymen down the mountain alongside Fang Chen.

"Damn it!"

Cao Bin trembled all over with rage, but there was nothing he could do.

"Steward, what do we do now?"

One of Dragon Tiger Mountain's handymen spoke up and asked Cao Bin, while the others silently watched him.

Cao Bin's face was livid as he gritted his teeth and said, "Take Tian Hu and Zhang Tieniu's bodies and return to Dragon Tiger Mountain!"

"Yes!"

The Dragon Tiger Mountain handymen answered in unison, then carried Tian Hu and Zhang Tieniu's corpses down the mountain.

After returning to the foot of the mountain, the many handymen of Thousand Bamboo Ridge were all exhilarated.

None of them had expected Fang Chen to actually break through to the Qi Refining Realm.

After Cao Bin led the Dragon Tiger Mountain handymen down the mountain, he did not linger for even a moment before storming off in fury.

With a smile on his face, Wu Qingfeng said to Fang Chen, "Fang Chen, I've already sent word to Elder Hu. Someone will come pick you up shortly!"

"Thank you, Steward Wu!"

Fang Chen gave Wu Qingfeng a slight bow. He had not expected himself to break through to the Qi Refining Realm either. Though the Heavenly Remnant Sword had helped him continuously grow stronger, the belief that one could not cultivate without spiritual roots was deeply ingrained in the people of this world. He had not known whether he could achieve a breakthrough.

Now, it seemed that even without spiritual roots, one could still cultivate immortality.

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, a streak of rainbow light arrived at the foot of Thousand Bamboo Ridge and hovered above the open ground before the dining hall.

The newcomer was Xu Yi, the Outer Sect Disciple who had brought Zhang Tieniu over that morning.

"Greetings, Immortal Master!"

Wu Qingfeng and the Thousand Bamboo Ridge handymen immediately dropped to their knees in worship.

Fang Chen, however, remained standing. He clasped his hands and gave Xu Yi a slight bow. Now that he was a Qi Refining Realm cultivator, he no longer needed to kneel before Xu Yi.

Xu Yi's gaze fell upon Fang Chen. His previously indifferent expression vanished as he gave Fang Chen a slight smile and said, "Junior Brother Fang Chen, come with me!"

Fang Chen nodded to Xu Yi, then turned to Wu Qingfeng and the others. "Steward Wu, I'll leave with Senior Brother Xu Yi first. Until we meet again!"

"Until we meet again!"

Wu Qingfeng gave Fang Chen a slight nod.

Afterward, Xu Yi guided his flying sword down before Fang Chen. Fang Chen slowly stepped onto it and reached out to hold Xu Yi's waist.

Xu Yi controlled the flying sword, carrying Fang Chen as they shot into the sky and transformed into a streak of rainbow light that pierced the clouds.