Secret News

The former Elder of the Gui Ling Sect, Song Zhong, had accumulated too much evil and was killed and beheaded!

This news immediately spread throughout Qinghe Commandery. Of course, along with it came a rather unreliable rumor: that the final blow was struck by a young prodigy with unparalleled Martial Arts prowess, who then received a reward from the Gui Ling Sect.

Most Martial Artists did not believe this.

Who was Song Zhong? He was a Seventh Gate Martial Artist whose ferocity shook the four directions, an expert in the Inner Force Realm!

Even Lin Leyue, the Sect Master's Personal Disciple of the Gui Ling Sect, paled in comparison. What right did that youth have to be compared to the Sect Master's Personal Disciple?

This must be a rumor!

It was highly likely that Song Zhong was eliminated by a Gui Ling Sect expert cleaning house.

Otherwise, with his cultivation, he could have wreaked havoc in Qinghe Commandery.

Only some of the major Noble Families, those who knew the inside story, had very subtle expressions upon hearing these rumors.

"Fang Yuan, are you really leaving?"

Outside Qinghe Commandery City, by a small pavilion.

Lin Leyue looked at the youth mounting his horse with a complex expression: "With your Martial Dao aptitude, you could have joined the Gui Ling Sect and become a Personal Disciple..."

"Sorry, I'm used to a free and unfettered life and can't stand being restrained... Little Yue, we'll meet again!"

Fang Yuan politely declined, flicked his horsewhip, and the Green Mane Horse neighed, galloping away like a Black Shadow, disappearing into the distance not long after.

The Gui Ling Sect had many factions, not to mention Lin Leyue, a natural source of trouble. Her identity would undoubtedly bring Fang Yuan many difficulties.

Knowing this, why would he stay in the Commandery City?

After exchanging for what he wanted, Fang Yuan naturally left without any hesitation.

On the other hand, Lin Leyue watched his disappearing back, her heart filled with complex, indescribable emotions, and a hint of unspoken loss.

"Regret it?"

A figure flashed, and Shi Yutong's graceful silhouette appeared in the pavilion like a ghost.

"He has his path, and I have my Dao. Since I've already chosen, what else is there to say?"

Lin Leyue tilted her head up and replied stubbornly.

"Mm... Very good!"

Shi Yutong nodded with satisfaction and looked in the direction Fang Yuan had left: "However... your former fiancé has astonishing Foundation and aptitude; he doesn't seem like someone who would stay in a pond!"

"He..."

Lin Leyue's eyes immediately lit up with interest: "Master... tell me about him!"

"Hehe..."

Shi Yutong chuckled, then playfully touched Lin Leyue's nose: "Little girl, you've also developed a competitive spirit... Don't worry, in terms of aptitude and potential, you are the first I've ever seen; no one of your generation can compare!"

"Then why before..."

Lin Leyue was a little confused, as she had only barely managed to hold her own against Song Zhong before, yet he had returned with his head severed. The difference was immeasurable.

"That was simply because that youth had a solid Foundation... Yue'er, you know, some people are born with Innate Divine Strength. Their Martial Arts can exert great power as soon as they begin, even enough to contend with experts of the Fourth or Fifth Gates! Fang Yuan is the same. Either he has extraordinary talent, or he consumed some Heavenly Material, Earthly Treasure. Based on your description, Song Zhong was already at his last gasp, his Inner Force almost completely depleted. After a protracted battle, he was simply worn down and killed. I'm not surprised at all..."

Shi Yutong explained.

In her heart, there was a hint of regret. That youth's Essence, Qi, and Spirit were all excellent, but he was still a little short. If his Spirit Yuan also far surpassed that of ordinary people, he would have the aptitude of a Spirit Scholar, as in the legends.

But with his current state, even if he was outstanding among the younger generation, he would soon be caught up.

After all, the use of Inner Force was divine and its methods were endless.

Regardless of their Foundation, once they reached the Inner Force Realm of the Three Dangerous Gates, they would undergo a Shedding the Fetus and Changing the Bones transformation.

Those with superior physical qualities would be gradually caught up at this point, and even if they still had some advantage, it would not be very significant.

She looked at her disciple and immediately said: "Yue'er, you don't need to be discouraged. This time, you've turned misfortune into a blessing. As long as you break through the Sixth Gate, the Harm Gate, you will still be the number one among the young generation in Qinghe Commandery!"

"I know!"

Lin Leyue clenched her small fists and looked at the spot where Fang Yuan had left, her eyes filled with an unyielding spirit.

"Giddy up!"

Fang Yuan spurred his horse onward, watching the scenery blur past. The barriers in his chest broke open, and he felt a sense of exhilaration, like a mighty tiger returning to the mountains and a fish leaping in the vast ocean, the sky boundless for birds to fly. He couldn't help but let out a clear whistle.

Qinghe Commandery was a mixture of dragons and snakes, like a cage.

Admittedly, he was still a newcomer now, with few ties to various factions, and perhaps he wouldn't be targeted.

But if he stayed for a long time, or even joined the Gui Ling Sect, that would be hard to say.

"After all, no place is as good as your own home, no matter how grand!"

A smile played on Fang Yuan's lips.

His trip to the Commandery City this time had been quite fruitful.

Taking down Song Zhong and obtaining spirit seeds was one thing, but the biggest surprise came from the Gui Ling Sect's library.

After killing Song Zhong, Fang Yuan chose a Gui Yuan Token as his reward and used it immediately, requesting access to the Gui Ling Sect's library.

If he had asked to browse all the martial arts manuals, Fang Yuan figured he would have died a meaningless death right then and there, rendering the Gui Yuan Token useless.

But only asking to read miscellaneous books was truly a win-win situation; no one would refuse such a request.

Thanks to Lin Leyue's connections, after making the request, Shi Yutong quickly agreed, allowing him to read freely in the library for three days.

It was a slight regret for Fang Yuan that he couldn't see the legendary Martial Ancestor's true face.

"Hmph... but with the Gui Ling Sect's foundation, there are quite a few experts secretly watching me. It's not impossible that one of them is that Martial Ancestor!"

Fang Yuan let out a cold laugh and slowed his horse.

Honestly, apart from the system in his head, anything else that might be leaked would at most be considered a fortunate encounter, and a rather minor one at that.

Without seeing the system's description, who would believe he had the ability to cultivate spirit seeds, or even mutate ordinary plants?

Therefore, he naturally had no fear.

It was just that this feeling of being watched was still somewhat unpleasant.

"Heh heh... Gui Ling Sect, is it that impressive?"

Seeing that he was already far from the county town, Fang Yuan reined in his horse and proceeded slowly.

"However, as a price, it was very much worth it!"

He could understand their actions to some extent; after all, he was an outsider, and necessary precautions were needed. But understanding was one thing, and accepting it was another.

Entering the Gui Ling Sect's library this time, despite taking a slight risk, was indeed worthwhile.

Amidst the vast ocean of literature, Fang Yuan still found something he was looking for.

"I never imagined... this world is so vast! Compared to it, ordinary martial artists are merely at the bottom, unable to even grasp the truth... Even Spirit Scholars have only just begun, and then there are the even more ethereal and divine Alchemists and Dream Masters?"

This record was something he found in a book resembling a martial artist's travelogue, which he treasured like a rare gem at the time.

The martial artist who wrote the book was an Elder of the Gui Ling Sect from a certain generation. He had cultivated the Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower to the Great Perfection stage and had set out on a journey to seek opportunities to break through to the Martial Ancestor realm.

Although he ultimately failed to break through and passed away shortly after returning to the sect, the extensive miscellaneous notes and travelogues he left behind provided rich material for broadening one's worldview.

In one of his miscellaneous notes, he mentioned the formation of Spiritual Land.

"Spiritual Land is favored by heaven, where Earth Qi condenses and Creation occurs; it can be encountered but not sought... This statement is both right and wrong!"

Fang Yuan's gaze drifted: "It seems the small Spiritual Land of the Gui Ling Sect was truly formed by natural Creation. The first Sect Master found it and treated it as a treasure, moving the entire sect there and regarding it as their foundation... But there is another type of Spiritual Land that is related to Cultivators!"

"It is said that there are Cultivators with great divine abilities who, under certain circumstances, such as when they are about to pass away, might give rise to new Spiritual Lands."

"Although this great Elder wasn't even a Martial Ancestor, so his records are merely hearsay, the world is vast and full of wonders. Since Alchemists can refine spirit pills and seize the Creation of heaven and earth, it's not impossible for another type of Cultivator to create heaven and earth, forming their own Spiritual Land, a blessed land..."

"I just don't know the origin of the Qingfeng Spiritual Land I discovered in the deep mountains..."

Fang Yuan looked up at the undulating peaks of Qingling Mountain, a flicker of heat suddenly appearing in his eyes, along with a sense of familiarity: "I'm home..."

Secluded Valley.

"Cackle! Squeak!"

As soon as Fang Yuan stepped into the valley entrance, the Flower Fox Ferret darted out like lightning, tugging at his trouser leg, appearing anxious and utterly delighted.

"Hmm, in such a hurry?"

Fang Yuan was startled, then saw the Flower Fox Ferret persistently pulling him towards the plantation, and he immediately guessed something.

"Could it be..."

He felt a surge of excitement and quickened his pace.

Upon reaching the tea grove, a refreshing fragrance filled the air, invigorating and refreshing.

"As expected..."

Fang Yuan rejoiced and stepped forward, immediately spotting a Heart-Questioning Tea Tree deep within, its entire body appearing like jade.

The spirit plant was thriving, with tender green leaves unfurling their buds on its branches, emitting an astonishing tea fragrance.

"Cackle!"

The Flower Fox Ferret pointed at the soil, and Fang Yuan saw large patches of Spiritual Fertilizer around the roots of the Heart-Questioning Tea Tree.

"It seems the Flower Fox Ferret hasn't been idle while I was away..."

Seeing this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but chuckle.

This ferret was very proud; it disdained all other plants, except for the Heart-Questioning Tea Tree and Red Jade Spirit Rice.

Seeing the tea tree grow leaves now, it had managed to restrain itself, truly showing significant growth.

"Without my Sitting-Forgetting Tea Ceremony, there would be no Heart-Questioning Spirit Tea that can enhance Spirit Yuan!"

Fang Yuan patted the Flower Fox Ferret's little head: "Don't worry, there'll be plenty for you!"

After reading extensively, he had gained a deeper understanding of the value of the Heart-Questioning Tea Tree.

Spirit plants also had their ranks. For example, Red Jade Rice and Jade Grass were the lowest tier, yet they had incredible effects in enhancing Essence Yuan and Qi Yuan.

As for spirit plants that could enhance Spirit Yuan? They were unheard of and would undoubtedly be fiercely sought after if word got out!

Because to become a Spirit Scholar or an Alchemist, Spirit Yuan was the most crucial threshold!