Chapter 105: Zhao Zhen's Shock, Little Purple's Desire to Transform

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Watching Zhao Zhen repeatedly kowtow to him, Fang Wang suddenly felt a pang of pity for the man, though he believed today’s consequences were well deserved. Regardless, it was Zhao Zhen who had bestowed upon him the Yin-Yang Xuanming True Skill. Lu Yuanjun never understood, even unto his death, how Fang Wang had managed to dispel his Xuanming Seal.

Fang Wang’s gaze flickered, his thoughts racing.

“Young master, if you don’t fancy this ghost artifact, why not give it to me? I often deal with spirits and monsters inside the Great Sage’s Cave Paradise,” Xiao Zi urged, drawing close.

Fang Wang considered briefly. “Do you need my help?”

“No need. With its aid, I’m fine. I doubt it dares act recklessly,” Xiao Zi said as she shrank back onto the Soul-Devouring Gourd, flicking out her serpent tongue.

Zhao Zhen looked up at Xiao Zi, stunned. A demon snake wanting a ghost artifact? He dared not question, quickly assuring, “I certainly wouldn’t act rashly!”

Survival was all that mattered now; he no longer cared who his master was.

Fang Wang nodded, then watched as Xiao Zi began to refine the ghost artifact.

Xiao Zi fixed her gaze on the Soul-Devouring Gourd, her eyes flashing with purple light. Fang Wang plainly felt a strong divine consciousness probe into the gourd.

It seemed the huge black python that the purple-clad man had carried not only helped Xiao Zi bolster her vitality but had also enhanced her spiritual perception considerably.

Indeed, that giant black python had died and was ultimately swallowed by Xiao Zi. Because Fang Wang was the one who had slain the python, the three great sects dared not intervene, helplessly witnessing Xiao Zi’s wanton waste.

Zhao Zhen retreated back into the Soul-Devouring Gourd, and the forest fell silent.

Fang Wang grew somewhat concerned, so he focused his own divine perception on the gourd, ready to assist Xiao Zi at a moment’s notice.

However, events unfolded quite differently from what he anticipated. Xiao Zi’s approach was rough and forceful, even causing Zhao Zhen to howl in pain inside the gourd.

Was this an intimidation tactic?

Fang Wang had to reassess Xiao Zi. Could her subservient demeanor before him be merely an act?

An hour later.

A massive purple serpent, like a dragon emerging from the mountains, soared into the sky. Fang Wang sat atop its head, with Zhao Zhen’s soul floating beside him.

The Soul-Devouring Gourd, now strapped to Xiao Zi’s back, looked minuscule.

“That treasure must be extraordinary; otherwise, Lu Yuanjun wouldn’t have left it in his mother’s tomb chamber. It likely relates to the legacy of the Jihao Sect,” Zhao Zhen said earnestly.

Fang Wang had originally planned to seek the Heavenly Gang Saint Body True Skill directly, but now that Zhao Zhen mentioned Lu Yuanjun had concealed something, his interest was piqued.

Perhaps that item would aid in his search for the Heavenly Gang Saint Body True Skill.

After Xiao Zi refined the Soul-Devouring Gourd’s seals, Zhao Zhen’s ghost spirit was under her control—one thought from her could obliterate him. To save himself, Zhao Zhen revealed a secret of Lu Yuanjun.

According to Lu Yuanjun, the treasure was stored alongside the Yin-Yang Xuanming True Skill. However, Lu Yuanjun could not decipher it and had to set it aside for the time being.

“By the way, why does Lu Yuanjun share everything with you?” Xiao Zi asked curiously.

Zhao Zhen hovered beside Fang Wang, sighing. “He only confided in me after transforming me into a ghost soldier. He had repressed too much and needed to vent. Unlike other ghost soldiers, I have my own consciousness, so he wanted to hear my thoughts.”

“Come to think of it, he’s a tragic figure. His reason for collecting souls for the Heavenly Thief Holy Sect wasn’t greed for deeper magic but rather to harness the power of the sacred spirits to resurrect his mother.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Wang recalled Zhou Xue’s words: each sacred spirit possesses unique abilities. Could Zhou Xue’s Sacred Spirit Soul Jade have the power to restore life?

No wonder Zhou Xue desired it.

“If that’s the case, why did he set a trap for my young master? Shouldn’t he have been patient for his mother’s sake and fled far away?” Xiao Zi asked in surprise.

Zhao Zhen shrugged. “Other realms wouldn’t tolerate his indiscriminate slaughter. If he left, he’d eventually become a hunted rat, chased by the cultivation world. Besides, he’s spent so many years building his power in Great Qi; abandoning everything isn’t easy. Most importantly, he covets his master’s Heavenly Origin Spirit.”

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Though controlled by Xiao Zi, Zhao Zhen still respectfully addressed Fang Wang as master, recognizing that Xiao Zi genuinely obeyed Fang Wang, not out of pretense.

Having been confined in the Celestial Palace for 280 years, Fang Wang listened with great interest to Zhao Zhen’s account of Lu Yuanjun’s story.

During the journey, Zhao Zhen guided the way, revealing Lu Yuanjun’s past; Xiao Zi occasionally asked questions, while Fang Wang mostly listened in silence.

The next afternoon.

Xiao Zi carried Fang Wang into a frozen, snowy expanse in northern Great Qi. Eight hundred miles further north lay the Northern Domain—a rival kingdom that launched invasions every century. The best Great Qi had ever done was to repel their armies; none had ever truly penetrated the Northern Domain, hindered by both climate and distance.

Guided by Zhao Zhen, Xiao Zi landed atop a snow-covered mountain. Fang Wang dismounted. Xiao Zi shrank, pressing close to the Soul-Devouring Gourd on her back, which now seemed larger.

A purple serpent bearing a gourd—that was quite endearing. Fang Wang couldn’t help but nudge the gourd with his toe, provoking a playful huff from Xiao Zi.

Zhao Zhen floated in the air, reflecting, “So Fang Wang likes this sort of thing. No wonder he rarely shows himself; perhaps he’s been hiding in the cave all along…”

As an immortal emperor, Zhao Zhen had experienced every pleasure imaginable, but Fang Wang still astonished him.

The Heavenly Origin Spirit was truly extraordinary.

Soon after, Zhao Zhen stopped and pointed to a snowy mountain wall ahead.

“This is the place. The mountain gate is protected by a seal, so it doesn’t show.”

Fang Wang’s eyes narrowed, and a sword qi shot forth.

Godly Nurturing Sword Qi!

Boom!

Snow and mist swirled, stones scattered, and a cave entrance appeared before Fang Wang, Zhao Zhen, and Xiao Zi.

Zhao Zhen stared blankly at the sword qi in Fang Wang’s eyes.

What sword technique was that?

A Sword Saint legacy?

He could not comprehend it and suddenly felt sorrow for Lu Yuanjun—how foolish he was not to understand the strength of his enemy.

Xiao Zi dashed into the cave first, Zhao Zhen following, while Fang Wang strolled leisurely behind.

Snowflakes danced wildly as his figure seemed insignificant amid the vast frozen wilderness.

Inside the cave.

Passing through a long winding tunnel, they reached a spacious chamber. In its center was an ice coffin, surrounded on all sides by oil lamps embedded in the walls. The flickering flames were nourished by the energy of heaven and earth, transforming into oil.

Fang Wang approached the ice coffin. The lid was transparent, revealing a woman inside.

Such a beautiful woman!

At first glance, Fang Wang was stunned—this face was the most beautiful he had ever seen. She wore a white long dress, hands folded over her abdomen. Her makeup was exquisite, and she wore a rosy crown. Her breathtaking beauty radiated a sacred aura. Her skin was as white as snow, and her long eyelashes gave the illusion that she might open her eyes at any moment.

It was hard to believe she had been dead for decades; she seemed merely asleep, unwilling to awaken.

“Tsk, no wonder the master and sect leader never forget her,” Fang Wang murmured, glancing at Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen pointed to the ground beneath them. “Lu Yuanjun buried that treasure here.”

Before Fang Wang could respond, Xiao Zi began digging.

In less than five breaths, a stone slab landed in Fang Wang’s hands.

The hexagonal slab weighed nearly twenty catties, its surface carved with strange patterns: humans, demons—seemingly recording an event from ancient times.

Fang Wang probed it with his divine perception but was repelled by a powerful force.

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Hmm?

Fang Wang, though at the Concentration Realm, found his spiritual perception blocked. This stone slab was indeed no ordinary object.

After tinkering for a while, Fang Wang was at a loss and tossed the slab into his storage pouch, then looked at Xiao Zi.

She was lying on the ice coffin, staring intently at Lu Yuanjun’s mother.

Fang Wang spoke, “Stop staring. She’s been dead for decades. You’re not thinking of eating her, are you? If so, I’d really have to be disgusted.”

Xiao Zi turned to him, asking, “Young master, if I shape-shift in the future, can I take this form?”

“Can’t you imagine something yourself?” Fang Wang frowned, feeling Xiao Zi’s thoughts were a bit dangerous.

She blinked her serpent eyes. “Monsters imitate human faces when they transform.”

“Let’s go. Stop thinking about it.”

Fang Wang turned and left; Xiao Zi immediately grew larger, lowering her snake head.

Fang Wang settled on her head, sat cross-legged, and pulled out the ancient map he had drawn long ago.

The map was old, many place names had changed. Fang Wang asked Zhao Zhen to assist.

Having grown up in the royal family, Zhao Zhen knew much about ancient culture. After some thought, he pointed in a direction. Xiao Zi surged forward instantly.

“This destination should lie outside Great Qi, probably within the territory of Great Wei. I wonder what master seeks?” Zhao Zhen asked curiously.

Fang Wang was now just one step away from becoming leader of the Taiyuan Sect. Whatever he wanted, the sect would surely provide. Why venture to another kingdom?

“To seek the Heavenly Gang Saint Body True Skill,” Fang Wang replied with a light laugh.

Zhao Zhen was moved. “You want to collect the three great true skills of the Jihao Sect? That won’t be easy. One is still lost, and even if found, the immortal fate it brings is uncertain.”

Fang Wang studied the map. “I have already mastered the Yin-Yang Xuanming True Skill and the Battle True Skill. Only the Heavenly Gang Saint Body True Skill remains. This map should be authentic. I’ll gather them first. As for immortal fate, if it comes, great; if not, I lose nothing.”

Battle True Skill?

Zhao Zhen was stunned, inwardly lamenting fate’s unfairness.

He had heard that Fang Wang had mastered the Jihao Sect’s Nine-Dragon Transformation Technique. Now he was eager to discover just how many legacies Fang Wang had acquired within the Great Sage’s Cave Paradise.