Warming Tea

"My humble abode is simple. Thank you, fellow disciples, for your generous help. I'll use tea in place of wine and drink first as a sign of respect."

After speaking, Fang Yang drained his cup.

The Cloud Mist Tea truly tasted quite good. It was fragrant with a slight bitterness upon entering the mouth, while its lingering aftertaste was rich and mellow. It was indeed fine spiritual tea.

The others followed Fang Yang's lead and emptied their cups as well.

More tea was poured, and hot water added.

Fang Yang's cup was once again filled with steaming tea. Its fragrance wafted through the air, carrying an indescribable flavor beyond that of the previous cup.

"Everyone..."

He opened the conversation and spoke with these well-informed, shrewd individuals, quickly obtaining a great deal of information.

There were all sorts of secret rumors concerning the current Yaoguang Holy Son.

There was also information on each of the Candidate Holy Sons.

In Yao Guang Sacred Land, one generally had to become a Candidate Holy Son before becoming a Holy Son.

There were three ways to become a Candidate Holy Son.

The first was to display exceptional talent in the Dao Palace Secret Realm, be recommended by a Supreme Elder, and undergo the trial of three tiers and twelve stages. Passing it would make one a Candidate Holy Son.

The second was to cultivate a phenomenon in the Four Extremities Secret Realm and personally challenge the trial of six tiers and twenty-four stages. Passing it would qualify one as a Candidate Holy Son.

The third was to defeat a Candidate Holy Son from the same realm or a lower realm, thereby seizing that Candidate Holy Son Position.

"The first two are too slow. The third is simpler and faster. One fight, and I can become a Candidate Holy Son."

Fang Yang did not particularly care about the Candidate Holy Son Position. His goal was the Yaoguang Holy Son position, but he had only just broken through. Challenging the Yaoguang Holy Son now would be underestimating his opponent too much.

He was confident that, in terms of comprehension and soul, the improvements brought by the Dragon-Nurturing Pill and Soul Gold Bead would allow him to surpass the Yaoguang Holy Son.

But his opponent was no ordinary person either.

The Heaven-Swallowing Devil Art and the Indestructible Heavenly Art were supreme Emperor Scriptures created by the Ruthless Empress. The Yaoguang Scripture could not compare.

"First cut down the candidates, then seize the Holy Son position."

Fang Yang had already made up his mind.

The Yaoguang Holy Son position could wait for now.

The Candidate Holy Son Position, however, could be taken immediately.

Candidate Holy Son Li Rui had cultivated the Divine Light Glazed World phenomenon and was only at the first level of the Four Extremities Realm. He was an easy target.

It would be him!

"Does anyone know where Candidate Holy Son Li Rui is now? Is he free?"

The moment Fang Yang finished speaking, someone eagerly answered:

"Li Rui's cave abode is on Ruiguang Peak, thirteen li from here."

"Junior Brother chose a fine target. With your talent, you will likely seize his Candidate Holy Son Position within half a year."

Though the speaker flattered him, he genuinely believed it.

Breaking into the Four Extremities Secret Realm and undergoing tribulation was already extremely rare.

What was more, Fang Yang had endured two Heavenly Tribulations in succession, using his physical body to withstand the sea of lightning and temper himself. It was simply too fierce.

Li Rui could also be called a genius of his generation, but he could not be mentioned in the same breath as a prodigy like Fang Yang.

That was precisely why this group had placed their bets early, gambling on whether this genius who had appeared out of nowhere could seize the Holy Son position from the Yaoguang Holy Son.

"Then I'll be back shortly."

Fang Yang rose to his feet and declared this, leaving everyone present stunned.

He had just broken through and was already going to challenge Li Rui? He was far more confident than they were.

Though his talent was outstanding and he was stronger than Li Rui, Li Rui had broken through to the Four Extremities Secret Realm long ago. Perhaps he had already advanced to the second level of the Four Extremities Realm and was merely concealing it.

"Senior Brother, why not have some more tea first? Why rush this?"

The woman pouring tea for Fang Yang gently tried to dissuade him.

Even if Fang Yang failed this challenge, with further cultivation, he would certainly defeat the "ordinaryly talented" Li Rui next time.

But losing once would inevitably leave a bad impression, making people see him as a young fool who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.

"The tea is still hot. I'll be back shortly."

Fang Yang smiled lightly, ignoring the implication behind her words.

Flowing radiance flashed through the air, leaving behind three illusory footprints. They were traces left by the Yaoguang Footwork.

"His Yaoguang Footwork is already so proficient. Could Fang Yang truly seize the Candidate Holy Son Position in one stroke this time?"

"Thirteen or fourteen is exactly the age to make one's way in the world. Even if youthful impulsiveness makes him suffer a setback, he will surely accomplish something in the future."

Dozens of people stared at the footprints, each with different thoughts. Yet they all remained in the hall, waiting for Fang Yang's return.

Ruiguang Peak.

Ever since Li Rui became a Candidate Holy Son and chose this peak as his residence, the once-unremarkable little mountain had undergone extensive construction, with all manner of magnificent buildings erected upon it.

Rows of palaces stretched endlessly along the cliffs. It was truly a dwelling fit for immortals.

Inside the main hall, Li Rui was discussing the Heavenly Tribulation that had just occurred with several close fellow disciples.

"Fang Yang? He is merely a child. He rushed into the Four Extremities Secret Realm before even reaching sixteen, yet he does not understand that cultivation places particular importance on one's foundation."

"He advances so aggressively, capable of crossing an entire great secret realm in merely two or three years, yet he does not seek to stabilize his foundation. He only pursues temporary glory and honor. Even if he possesses some talent, he will inevitably suffer setbacks in the future."

Listening to everyone disparage Fang Yang, Li Rui felt not the slightest pleasure. Instead, dissatisfaction arose in his heart.

If summoning two Heavenly Tribulations in succession while breaking into the Four Extremities Secret Realm counted as having an unstable foundation, then what sort of genius did that make him, a Candidate Holy Son?

Just as Li Rui was preparing to reprimand everyone—

A voice suddenly descended from outside:

"Junior Brother Fang Yang respectfully asks Senior Brother Li Rui for guidance."

Everyone in the hall fell silent, afraid that Fang Yang would learn of the bad things they had said about him.

"How dare this brat humiliate me!"

Li Rui flew into a rage and slammed his right hand down on the rosewood table before him. A cloud of powder scattered in every direction, obscuring his twisted expression.

A mere Four Extremities cultivator who had only just broken through dared to come looking for trouble and try to seize his Candidate Holy Son Position?

Did he think Li Rui's sword was not sharp enough?

With a thunderous boom.

Li Rui shot out of the hall, his feet crashing heavily onto the ground and stamping spiderweb-like cracks into the hard bluestone.

His blue robes fluttered in the wind as a cold gleam flashed through his eyes. Looking at the fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth opposite him, he smiled without warmth.

"Junior Brother has only just entered the Four Extremities Secret Realm. Why not rest and cultivate for a few more days? You are in such a hurry—could it be that glimpsing the Dao patterns of heaven and earth has gone to your head?"

The Four Extremities Secret Realm differed from the Wheel Sea Secret Realm and Dao Palace Secret Realm. Cultivators in this realm could already capture the traces of the Dao within heaven and earth.

Generally speaking, after entering this secret realm, cultivators would enter seclusion for several months. Relying on their keen perception of the Dao's traces, they would comprehend anew the divine abilities and secret arts they had cultivated before, rapidly increasing their combat strength.

That was also why the dozens who had drunk tea with Fang Yang had urged him to enter seclusion for a while instead of rushing to seek trouble with Li Rui.

But how could they possibly know?

With his genius-level comprehension, as well as Divine Spring water occasionally steeped with Bodhi Leaves, Fang Yang had long mastered every secret art he possessed. All he had lacked was a breakthrough into the Four Extremities Secret Realm.

Not only had he mastered the Primordial Sacred Light Art and Yaoguang Footwork, but he had even begun cultivating the Yellow Mud Hand bestowed by the Holy Lord of Yaoguang. Its power was formidable.