Chapter 23: The Next Master of Green Cicada Valley

Fang Wang and his companions pressed forward, feeling their way along unfamiliar paths. Now and then, they encountered disciples of Azure Cicada Valley, and at times even faced ambushes. But these disciples were merely at the Qi Cultivation stage and posed no real threat.

Three more days passed. Beyond the Azure Cicada Valley, they began to run into disciples from Yellow Prison Mountain. These, however, were far more cautious; upon spotting Fang Wang’s group, they would always keep their distance.

They also came across many unaffiliated cultivators, all scouring the forests, clearly drawn by the lure of the Supreme Hao Sect’s legacy.

It was midday when Fang Wang and his companions climbed a cliff, offering a sweeping view of the endless forests ahead. Scattered throughout the trees, one could see the figures of many cultivators; some even dueled in the sky above.

Such commotion!

Never before had Fang Wang witnessed so many disciples from various sects and lone cultivators gathered together, especially in these desolate, remote mountains. The cultivators didn’t just fly on swords; they rode all manner of strange and marvelous flying treasures, some even astride spirit beasts and monsters. Fang Wang watched in envy, vowing to acquire a mount both imposing and spectacular for himself someday.

“It seems Fang Hanyu or some other disciple’s whereabouts have already been exposed for so many to have gathered here,” Zhou Xue mused.

Zhou Xingshi frowned. “If their location is exposed but they haven’t been captured, could it be that someone powerful is protecting him?”

Zhou Xue shook her head, uncertain.

“There are cultivators ahead who are beyond the Qi Cultivation stage—I sense several whose auras are stronger than mine. Are we truly going to attempt a rescue?” Zhou Xingshi pressed.

Zhou Xue did not reply, gazing ahead, lost in thought.

Fang Wang, on the other hand, felt no great pressure. He was itching for a challenge. So long as no one beyond the Spirit Shaping Realm appeared, he feared no number of enemies at his own level. And if a fight turned against him, he could always escape.

His mastery of the White Rainbow Flight Technique gave him the confidence to carve a path through any siege and shake off pursuers.

Just then, a great wind swept in from the east, drawing the trio’s attention. They turned to see a massive beetle, as large as a small mountain, soaring toward them. Its wings beat rapidly, whipping up gales that rippled through the forest in dramatic waves.

The beetle’s body was jet-black, with eight legs and a pair of sharp, scorpion-like pincers at its head, a terrifying creature as though born of the Demon Realm. Atop its head, behind the pincers, stood a crimson palanquin, mysterious and foreboding.

“It’s him…” Zhou Xue narrowed her eyes, murmuring to herself.

Fang Wang, hearing her, asked, “Who?”

“The foremost genius of Azure Cicada Valley—Li Hongshuang. He is a native treasure spirit, though that news has not yet spread,” Zhou Xue replied quietly.

“I’ve heard the name Li Hongshuang,” Zhou Xingshi said, frowning. “The Li family has been a noble house for a thousand years, and Li Hongshuang was their pride since childhood. Yet he chose to join Azure Cicada Valley, enraging his family. Officially they cast him out, but rumors abound that it was all by design.”

Fang Wang sent a thought to Zhou Xue: “What stage is Li Hongshuang at now?”

“He’s likely at the eighth or ninth layer of the Spirit Shaping Realm. Years from now, he’ll reach the Spirit Pill Realm; once he does, his gu insects will evolve, making him easy to identify. Two centuries hence, he’ll be the unrivaled master of Azure Cicada Valley, and fifty years after that, its lord. He will become one of the preeminent figures of the Great Qi’s demonic path. If we cross him, it will be no small trouble,” Zhou Xue replied, her tone grave.

So powerful? Fang Wang raised his brows but was not cowed; the future was uncertain, and in this life, he had survived, with the Heavenly Court’s aid. All the days to come would be changed by his presence.

Li Hongshuang’s enormous gu beetle drew the eyes of countless cultivators; Azure Cicada Valley disciples immediately rushed to him like arrows, converging from all directions. Judging by their numbers, there were at least three or four hundred disciples of the valley alone, not to mention the others. If all of them were pursuing Fang Hanyu, things would get complicated.

Suddenly—a thunderous boom echoed from the horizon, shaking the mountains. Li Hongshuang’s gu beetle