Chapter 18: The Next Master of the Taiyuan Sect

A top-grade Profound Origin Spirit Artifact ought to be a treasured existence within the Taiyuan Sect, which was precisely why Guang Qiuxian allowed Zhou Xingshi to linger and observe. In his view, Fang Wang striving to form an Earth Origin Spirit Artifact was already an extravagant hope; even if he succeeded, it would be an opportunity for these two prodigies to become acquainted, support each other, and grow together.

Yet as Fang Wang’s spirit artifact surpassed the Earth Origin rank, everything changed.

In front of a Heaven Origin Spirit Artifact, even a top-grade Profound Origin one was hardly worth mentioning!

Guang Qiuxian understood this: once news of Fang Wang’s spirit artifact spread, the other eight major sects would stop at nothing to eliminate him. He could not let this matter leak.

His gaze toward Zhou Xingshi grew colder, while Yang Yuanzi made no effort to conceal his murderous intent.

Confronted by the killing intent of these two sect leaders, Zhou Xingshi fell to his knees, begging desperately for his life. “Master! I swear I’ll never breathe a word—truly! Please, believe me! At the very least, I am also a top-grade Profound Origin Spirit Bearer; I will surely make great contributions to Taiyuan Sect in the future!”

By the end, his forehead was pressed tightly to the ground.

He knew there was no escape—begging was his only hope.

Yang Yuanzi looked to Guang Qiuxian and said coldly, “Master, there must not be the slightest uncertainty in this matter. If you cannot bear to do it, let me!”

Guang Qiuxian remained silent.

Yang Yuanzi raised his right hand, spiritual power condensing into a blade of sword energy above his palm.

Fang Wang, holding the Heavenly Palace Halberd, spoke up, “Is there truly no way to control him? To ensure he cannot reveal anything of what transpired today?”

He was not so softhearted; when his life was at stake, he would never plead for Zhou Xingshi’s sake. If Zhou Xingshi could be controlled, he could live; if not, he must die.

The advent of the Heaven Origin Spirit Artifact filled Fang Wang with wild joy, but joy quickly gave way to endless anxiety. Even an Earth Origin Spirit Artifact could propel Taiyuan Sect to new heights—what would the emergence of a Heaven Origin Spirit Artifact mean?

Most crucially, Guang Qiuxian could not even determine the true grade of his Heavenly Palace Halberd.

At that moment, Fang Wang began to worry that Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi might harbor sinister intentions.

Upon hearing Fang Wang’s suggestion, Yang Yuanzi looked again to Guang Qiuxian. Guang Qiuxian took a deep breath. “The matter of the Heaven Origin Spirit Artifact is of utmost import and must be treated with care. Still, Taiyuan Sect is not a demonic path—we will do as Fang Wang proposes.”

Yang Yuanzi could not help but shake his head, thinking Guang Qiuxian far too merciful.

Then Yang Yuanzi stepped forward, dispersing the sword energy in his palm. He retrieved a small vial from his storage pouch, knelt before Zhou Xingshi, seized his jaw with one hand, and forced his mouth open, pouring its contents inside.

Throughout the process, Zhou Xingshi offered not the slightest resistance, knowing this was his only path to survival. He even cast a look of gratitude toward Fang Wang.

Fang Wang, meanwhile, caught a glimpse of the vial’s contents—a deep crimson worm—making his skin crawl.

“This is the Myriad Venom Spring-Autumn Worm. There is no antidote. When its host dies, so does the worm. They are bred to be docile, and if anyone recites the incantation in the host’s presence, the worm will self-destruct, releasing a fatal poison that kills the host within three breaths.”

Yang Yuanzi rose, gazing down at Zhou Xingshi as if at an insect.

He then transmitted the incantation to Fang Wang via spiritual voice.

Fang Wang maintained a calm expression, though found it odd—his master hardly seemed like a righteous cultivator, keeping such deadly creatures.

Guang Qiuxian turned to Fang Wang. “The matter of the Heaven Origin Spirit Artifact must remain hidden. I will not show you any special favor in public; you will be treated as an ordinary disciple. However, come to me privately with any need, and I will help you. I promise you this: you are the next Sect Master of Taiyuan Sect!”

Regardless of character or background, the position of Sect Master was set aside for Fang Wang.

In that instant, Fang Wang truly understood the weight of a Heaven Origin Spirit Artifact. He replied swiftly, “It matters little to me whether I become Sect Master. Since I have joined Taiyuan Sect, I am its disciple forever and will gladly risk life and limb for it!”

Empty words—who could not utter them?

At the very least, he needed to play his part now, lest Guang Qiuxian grow suspicious.

“This matter must remain among the four of us. Fang Wang, do not even tell your kinsmen. Heaven Origin Spirit Artifacts are powerful, but you have yet to mature. Keep a low profile; henceforth, your official spirit artifact will be listed as a top-grade Profound Origin.”

As he spoke, Guang Qiuxian glanced toward Zhou Xingshi, who had just risen. He said gravely, “Zhou Xingshi, your task henceforth is to protect Fang Wang and obey his commands. You will be compensated as a chief disciple of a single lineage.”

Zhou Xingshi hastily bowed in thanks to Guang Qiuxian and Fang Wang.

Yang Yuanzi added, “Master, I will take Fang Wang away first. Many have gathered outside; we cannot let them see him.”

Guang Qiuxian nodded. Yang Yuanzi retrieved a fresh set of clothes from his pouch and tossed them to Fang Wang.

Fang Wang changed quickly and followed Yang Yuanzi.

It turned out the Origin Hall held a tunnel leading underground. All the way, Fang Wang focused on sensing the Heavenly Palace Halberd within him.

Within his body, the halberd resided in a solitary space above his dantian, pitch black and indistinct—he could not tell if it was an alternate dimension or a soul space. Yet he could sense the halberd’s presence and could summon it at any time.

One thing puzzled him: the space occupied by the halberd was small compared to the darkness around it, and not even at the center.

Could one possess a second natal spirit artifact?

The tunnel was silent. As Fang Wang pondered, Yang Yuanzi’s voice came from ahead. “Remember, Fang Wang: trust no one, not even the Sect Master; and not even me, your master, should you trust entirely.”

Fang Wang looked up at Yang Yuanzi’s back, unsure how to respond.

“People’s hearts change. The Sect Master trains you as his successor only because his end is not yet near. When that time comes, who knows what dark thoughts may arise? In the world of cultivation, seizing spirit artifacts and bodies is not uncommon. I won’t hide it: even I earlier harbored evil intent.”

Yang Yuanzi’s voice was quiet and unreadable.

Fang Wang replied, “Thank you for your warning, Master. I will remember it always. I shall never forget your kindness, and will repay you for it someday.”

“Is that so?” Yang Yuanzi chuckled, never turning or pausing.

He said no more for the rest of the journey, and Fang Wang grew anxious, fearful of a sudden attack.

Fortunately, nothing befell him, and upon reaching the exit, Yang Yuanzi instructed him to return to his quarters.

Fang Wang rode his sword away. As he passed over the peaks, he noticed disciples gathering everywhere, abuzz with discussion. Since his induction, he had never seen such excitement.

Could it be the Heavenly Palace Halberd’s emergence that caused all this commotion?

His heart tightened and he sped up.

Back at the third lineage, he landed before his mountain’s gate, finding Gu Li standing there, gazing into the distance.

She turned and asked, “Brother Fang, where have you come from?”

“I went to the Dao Arts Pavilion. It seems something’s happened in Taiyuan Sect. If you’re interested, Lady Gu, you might go chat with the other disciples,” Fang Wang replied, then entered his quarters.

Gu Li looked suspicious, but didn’t dwell on it. She was still perplexed as to why her own spirit artifact had become uncontrollable.

Once the doors were shut, Fang Wang went straight to the open ground inside, summoned the Heavenly Palace Halberd, and admired his natal spirit artifact with growing fondness.

Clutching the halberd, he felt a boundless sense of power and contempt for all things—no wonder spirit artifact formation meant so much to cultivators.

He stowed the halberd, seated himself cross-legged on his white jade bed, and began consolidating his cultivation.

His realm had reached the first level of Spirit Artifact Formation, which itself was divided into nine stages. He planned to focus on cultivation and let the storm pass.

The appearance of the Heavenly Palace Halberd forced a change in his approach; he could no longer focus solely on swordsmanship, but must study the arts of polearms.

The Swift Rainbow Divine Sword Technique had not been learned in vain—it did not require an actual sword, after all. Fang Wang resolved never to use the Heavenly Palace Halberd lightly within the sect. The sword technique alone should suffice to sweep away rivals of the same realm.

Yes, he would pretend to be a sword cultivator!

Thus, two months passed in the blink of an eye.

After reaching the Spirit Artifact Formation Realm, his progress slowed. Even with the perfected Xuan Yang Divine Sutra, it took him two months to barely break through to the second level.

Then, one day, Fang Hanyu came to visit, interrupting his cultivation.

After inviting him in, the two brothers exchanged pleasantries. Fang Hanyu brought up recent events in Taiyuan Sect—rumor had it that at one moment, all disciples in the Spirit Artifact Formation Realm lost control of their natal spirit artifacts. This led to speculation within the sect.

The consensus: a supreme treasure had been born.

At this, Fang Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

Until he was powerful enough, he dared not reveal the true grade of his own spirit artifact.

“Fang Wang, truth is, I came today for a reason…” Fang Hanyu hesitated.

Fang Wang rolled his eyes. “I can’t stand your dithering. You’ve already come—how could you keep it to yourself? Out with it. We’re brothers, after all.”

Well, not blood brothers—don’t make unreasonable demands.

Fang Hanyu, relieved, said, “I plan to go out and temper myself. Zhou Xue asked me to look after the clan, to trouble you as little as possible, but staying in the sect, my cultivation can’t progress rapidly. I’m just an inner disciple, after all—I want to seek my own fortune.”

“That’s all? Do you have a plan?” Fang Wang asked.

Everyone has their own fate. The other Fang Clan disciples didn’t enjoy his talent or privilege; they should seek their own opportunities.

Fang Hanyu nodded. “An elder sister from the second lineage acquired a map to a secret realm—said to hold the remains of a great cultivator. Twenty-three disciples from my lineage have already decided to go. I don’t want to miss out.”

Fang Wang thought for a moment, then nodded. “Then go. I’ll look after the others.”

Fang Hanyu smiled in gratitude, thanked him, and after a few more words, took his leave.

No sooner had he left, than another visitor arrived.

Zhou Xingshi!

Fang Wang, holding the incantation that could end Zhou Xingshi’s life, was unafraid and invited him in.

Zhou Xingshi, though dressed in the sect’s robes, wore his own bamboo hat and looked travel-worn. Seated at the stone table, he produced two jade slips from his sleeve. “These are superior techniques the Sect Master asked me to bring you—suitable for your spirit artifact. They must not be shared.”