Fang Mu: Senior Sister, Something Is Wrong Here

After several years apart, I returned to find everything changed.

At the Dao-Seeking Academy, on Miaomiao Mountain, after exchanging blows with Xiao Chen, who had recently returned, Cao Youqian sat on the back of the mountain and couldn't help but sigh.

This time when they returned, not only did they not see their master, but they didn't even see the patriarch.

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Daqian, when did you become so sentimental?"

Cao Youqian rubbed his shoulder and said, "It's all because your sword strike was too powerful. It made me realize that all three years of training in Gale Gorge were for nothing. I thought that three years of hard work would allow me to fight you to a draw, but I never expected to lose to you."

"Ha ha..."

Xiao Chen couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Junior brother, you're already very strong. I only needed seven-tenths of my strength to defeat you before, but now I need to go all out to beat you. Keep it up, next time you'll be able to barely hold your own against me."

"..."

Cao Youqian was speechless. "I thought you were going to tell me that the future belongs to me."

Xiao Chen laughed and said, "No, the future is mine too."

"How can you be like this? I really don't know how Junior Sister Liu fell for you."

Cao Youqian pursed his lips as he spoke, thinking to himself: Once I reach the Dao Integration Realm, I will enter the Yellow Springs Abyss to continue Body Tempering. At that time, I will definitely be able to fight you to a draw!

Cao Youqian has now given up on the idea of crushing Xiao Chen; he really can't beat him, and he has to admit that.

Xiao Chen then changed the subject. "Junior Brother Cao, where are you planning to go next?"

Cao Youqian, "I'll accompany my junior sister back to the Cloud Mist Sect first. After all, it's been quite a few years since we last left."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "Then you go ahead. I plan to stay at Miaomiao Mountain for a while and give some pointers to my junior brothers and sisters on their cultivation."

Cao Youqian: "The Miscellaneous Dao Institute is now in your care."

After exchanging pleasantries, Cao Youqian changed into a brand new set of clothes and left the back mountain chatting and laughing with Xiao Chen.

This battle was not witnessed by outsiders; all that was known was that the eldest and second eldest brothers had fought.

Several days later.

Cao Youqian rode his Big Cat, carrying Song Zhaoyi, all the way south to the Cloud Mist Sect.

Meanwhile, within the Cloud Mist Sect, the Outer Sect Grand Competition was in full swing.

Fang Mu stood out in this competition, winning a top-three finish in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

However, he was not satisfied with this result. He had received guidance from a master, yet he still failed to win first place in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

What bothers me most is that I have been taught the martial arts technique by my master for three years, but I still haven't mastered it.

Am I destined to never meet that senior in this lifetime?

"Senior Brother Fang, Senior Sister Qinghe is waiting for you outside."

A companion's voice interrupted Fang Mu's thoughts.

After becoming one of the top three in the Foreign Languages Department competition, Fang Mu's treatment underwent a dramatic change.

Not only did he become an inner disciple, but he also received a separate villa and a servant disciple.

Upon hearing that Princess Qinghe had come to visit, Fang Mu immediately stood up and walked towards the outer gate.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Princess Qinghe, dressed in a light blue dress, standing in the courtyard.

Fang Mu greets Senior Sister Qinghe.

Fang Linglong said with a smile, "Junior Brother Fang, congratulations on becoming an inner court disciple."

"It is thanks to Senior Sister Qinghe's guidance that I, Fang Mu, have achieved what I have today. May I ask what brings you here, Senior Sister?" Fang Mu asked respectfully.

Fang Linglong said, "I came to see you this time to invite you to go to an ancient ruin for training."

Upon hearing this, Fang Mu Sister, I am only a cultivator at the Dao Foundation Third Layer. Will I be a burden to you if I go with you?"

Fang Linglong's lips curled up slightly. "You don't need to worry. This time, the ruins aren't too dangerous. I called you along because I need you to use your spiritual fire."

"I see."

Fang Mu paused for a moment, then agreed.

"When is Senior Sister leaving? I'll go to the meeting point then."

Fang Linglong said, "Alright, let's meet at the mountain gate in three days."

Fang Mu: "See you in three days."

Three days later.

Fang Mu arrived alone at the entrance of the Cloud Mist Sect and saw Princess Qinghe waiting there with a group of junior brothers and sisters.

He quickened his pace and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. "Fang Mu greets all senior brothers and sisters."

Fang Linglong nodded and said, "Junior Brother Mu, there's no need for such formalities. Now that everyone is here, let's all set off together."

"Promise."

The crowd responded, but their gazes toward Fang Mu held a hint of suspicion.

Everyone was a little confused as to why Princess Qinghe wanted to bring Fang Mu along.

Even though he was among the top three in the Outer Sect Grand Competition, he was still far inferior to everyone else present.

Fang Linglong guessed what her companions were thinking and said, "Junior Brother Mu, you have spiritual fire. There's a Five Elements formation in the ruins we're going to this time. With his spiritual fire, we'll have the power of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. We can use the principle of mutual generation and restraint among the five elements to break the formation."

Upon hearing this, the suspicion on everyone's faces vanished instantly, and their gazes towards Fang Mu changed.

No wonder he was able to become one of the top three disciples in the Outer Sect Grand Competition in such a short time. Despite his humble origins, he had many fortuitous encounters.

Spiritual fire is a rare and precious resource that even those who have reached the True Fate Realm would find difficult to obtain.

Several days later.

The group arrived at a desolate mountain.

Looking around, Fang Mu had an ominous feeling about the desolate mountain.

It was this premonition that allowed him to evade numerous deadly dangers time and time again. Therefore, Fang Mu spoke up, "Senior Sister Qinghe, I feel something is amiss here."

From the group, a male cultivator stepped forward and said, "Junior Brother Fang, it's obvious this is your first time here for training. Ruins like this are bound to be dangerous, but the rewards are also enormous. If you're afraid, you can give us your spirit fire to take in temporarily, and we'll return it to you when we come out."

Fang Mu shook his head. "No need. Now that I'm here, I won't back down. I just wanted to remind Senior Sister Qinghe to be careful."

Seeing the two arguing, Fang Linglong stepped in and said, "Stop arguing! We're about to enter the ruins. Only by working together can we get what we want. Let's go."

After saying that, she took the lead and headed towards the barren mountain.

Fang Mu remained on high alert after ascending the mountain, and as they got further and further away from their destination, his ominous premonition grew stronger.

But looking around, all he could see was desolation; there was no ambush to be found, not even a ghost in sight.

So where exactly did the problem lie?

Just then, Fang Linglong walked to a giant rock over nine zhang tall, casually swung her hand, and moved the rock aside, revealing a cave to everyone's eyes...