Chapter 65: Breaking Through to the Profound Heart Realm

“Because of you, the Third Division has become lively; every day, disciples from other divisions come to inquire about you. From now on, when you visit the sect’s main city, it might be hard for you to get away,” Gu Li said, her tone tinged with teasing.

Fang Wang chuckled. “Then I’ll just have to visit the main city less often.”

He then changed the subject, asking about the changes in Taiyuan Sect over the past two years.

Standing beside him, Gu Li gazed out at the distant scenery and began to recount what she knew. The previous year had been uneventful—nothing major happened in the Taiyuan Sect. But ever since news spread of the Heavenly Origin Spiritual Treasure, the sect had become a hub of activity. Every month, cultivators from various sects and noble families came to pay their respects, and Taiyuan Sect made exceptions to admit many new disciples—all of whom chose to join the Third Division.

More and more people began to praise Fang Wang’s feats in cultivation, extolling him to the point of myth.

If, before, Taiyuan Sect was a gathering of brilliant stars, now Fang Wang outshone everyone—including Lu Yuanjun. Ever since Lu Yuanjun was gravely injured by the Demon Lord, he had been recuperating for years and had not appeared in public, so most disciples rarely thought of him.

Fang Wang listened as he pondered. Being so much in the spotlight is not a good thing!

He needed to seize the time to break through to the Profound Heart Realm, and only after that should he try to test the attitude of the sect master.

The two chatted for half an hour before Fang Wang found an excuse to leave and returned to his cave residence to cultivate.

Gu Li gazed at his mountain gate, her heart filled with emotion.

“So the Heavenly Origin Spiritual Treasure truly exists... I wonder how powerful he is now...”

...

In the sect’s main city, in the first-floor hall of the mission pavilion.

Fang Hanyu, his eyes covered, strode in. His arrival immediately drew many glances.

“It’s him again. He’s back so soon?”

“That’s Fang Hanyu, right? Fang Wang’s cousin. His contribution points have been rising so fast.”

“He only takes enemy-killing missions, and they’re all high difficulty.”

“I heard that last month he killed two direct disciples of the Chi Demon Sect—took on both at once.”

“Tsk tsk, if he’s that strong, then just how powerful must Fang Wang be? Looks like the Fang family of Nanqiu is on the rise.”

Fang Hanyu ignored the chatter around him and made his way up to the fourth floor to see Elder Zhang.

Seeing Fang Hanyu walk in, Elder Zhang’s face broke into a smile. “Your efficiency is incredible—two missions a month on average, and all your targets are at the first or second level of the Spirit Pillar Realm.”

Fang Hanyu approached the table and took out a carefully wrapped head from his storage pouch. “I’ve just done my best. My contributions are still modest,” he said humbly.

Elder Zhang examined the evidence, sighing, “Your reputation has grown too fierce lately. Be careful not to draw the attention of the demonic sects.”

Fang Hanyu nodded. “Don’t worry, Elder. Whenever I go out on missions, I always disguise myself. They won’t catch on.”

“And within the sect, you must be cautious as well. There’s no such thing as a secret that never gets out, not even in a sect. Understand?” Elder Zhang said meaningfully.

Fang Hanyu’s brow furrowed at this, and he began to reflect on the details of every mission he’d undertaken.

Soon, Elder Zhang updated his contribution records, and Fang Hanyu took his leave.

As he reached the doorway, he spotted someone and paused. It was Zhou Xue.

Dressed in red, with two storage pouches at her waist, Zhou Xue looked both heroic and strikingly beautiful, her features refined and her beauty only increasing with her cultivation.

“Long time no see!”

...

Zhou Xue arched her brow and smiled at Fang Hanyu, but before he could reply, she brushed past him.

“Elder Zhang, I’m here to submit my task too. Don’t get startled again this time.”

At her words, Fang Hanyu couldn’t help but glance back at her, but that was all. As he left the room, he closed the door behind him.

Walking down the corridor, Fang Hanyu was full of curiosity.

He wondered just how strong Zhou Xue had become, and he was even more curious about Fang Wang’s current cultivation level.

Like him, Zhou Xue often went out to temper herself, which must have delayed her cultivation—she couldn’t compare to Fang Wang.

Just thinking about how Fang Wang had been in seclusion for nearly ten years, Fang Hanyu couldn’t help but admire him. Not everyone could meditate for so long, especially young people like them, who found it hard to endure loneliness and were often drawn to the world beyond the mountains.

...

Inside the cave residence.

Fang Wang sat cross-legged on his white jade bed, circulating his energy. Behind his head floated nine fireballs in a circle, distorting the space around him.

Xiao Zi, sprawled by a small pool nearby, peeked at Fang Wang, inwardly shocked and curious about his cultivation method—these flames were simply too fierce!

She had never seen such a domineering fire technique even in the Great Sage’s Cave Heaven.

At this moment, Fang Wang was breaking through to the Profound Heart Realm.

A year and a half had passed since his conversation with Gu Li, and he was nearing his thirtieth birthday.

To reach the Profound Heart Realm at thirty was an unprecedented achievement in the Taiyuan Sect. For a demon beast to reach the equivalent Demon King Realm, it would take at least two centuries—almost impossible otherwise.

Perhaps it was due to his Battle Heart, but Fang Wang encountered no obstacles in condensing his Profound Heart. As he cultivated, he attuned himself to the natural aura in his cave.

The Profound Heart was about sensing the world and hearing the voices of all things—one could even sense the emotions of animals that could not speak, or even the moods of plants.

In a sense, reaching the Profound Heart Realm marked the true beginning of the path of cultivation; the three realms before were but the foundation.

Gradually, spiritual energy began to well up from his heart, coursing through his veins and bones, enhancing the very nature of his power.

The process was wondrous, indescribable, and utterly addictive.

Days passed.

At last, Fang Wang broke through, stepping into the first level of the Profound Heart Realm. His spiritual power doubled, and his divine sense grew stronger, filling him with joy.

Inwardly examining himself, he noticed another black slot appearing in his treasure spirit space—he could now forge a third life-bound treasure spirit.

But his cave residence lacked Heavenly Dao spirit stones, so he could not yet condense it.

He did not rise immediately, instead choosing to consolidate his cultivation.

After seven days, his power ceased its spontaneous growth, signaling the end of his breakthrough.

He stood, stretching his limbs; his body felt lighter than ever before.

Once done, he tidied his robes and attached his storage pouch. Sensing he was about to leave, Xiao Zi hurried to catch up, having long since grown restless from confinement.

Fang Wang dared not let her out, afraid she’d cause trouble or run into danger.

Stepping out of the cave, sunlight bathed him, invigorating his spirit.

...

Now that he had reached the Profound Heart Realm, his outlook on the world had changed. With his consummate skills, his life-bound treasure spirits, and his magical artifacts, even if Lu Yuanjun and Guang Qiuxian colluded to kill him, if he wished to escape, no one could stop him.

“Master, where to next?” Xiao Zi asked expectantly.

Fang Wang had intended to seek out Guang Qiuxian to probe his intentions, but on second thought, he decided to find Zhou Xue first.

He hadn’t seen her in years, and he truly missed her.

Without replying, Fang Wang mounted his sword and flew toward the First Division.

After nearly a decade in seclusion, although Fang Wang was now famous throughout the sect, few remembered his face. So as he flew, the disciples he passed simply thought he was strikingly handsome, rather than recognizing him.

Arriving at the First Division, Fang Wang spent some time inquiring before learning the location of Zhou Xue’s cave. Zhou Xue herself was now widely renowned, one of the top five among the new generation—only Fang Wang, Lu Yuanjun, and Ye Xiang could clearly outshine her.

At the mountain gate, Fang Wang called out, “Zhou Xue, are you there?”

He was uncertain—he remembered that Zhou Xue was often out adventuring, and didn’t know if she was inside.

There was no reply for several breaths. Disappointed, he was about to turn away when the gate suddenly opened.

“Come in.”

The entrance was shadowed; nothing inside could be seen. Zhou Xue’s cool voice drifted out, and Fang Wang’s heart leapt with joy as he entered the cave.

As soon as he stepped inside, the gate closed behind him. A delicate fragrance filled his nose, and he noticed vines trailing along the cave walls, studded with dark purple flowers. Every few steps, he saw talisman papers—some affixed to the walls, some to the vines.

At last, he reached the inner chamber and saw Zhou Xue. She was sitting cross-legged in a pool, her entire body wet, accentuating her shapely figure—fortunately, her red robes were opaque.

Every personal disciple’s cave had such a pool of varying size, condensed from spiritual energy.

Fang Wang stopped by the pool, noticing her hair plastered against her face, her skin pale as snow, her long hair casually tied behind her head. Strangely enough, she looked even more feminine like this.

“Why don’t you get up and change your clothes to greet me?” Fang Wang couldn’t help but ask.

Zhou Xue kept her eyes closed. “No one but you could get in here. Why bother with courtesy? What, isn’t Gu girl living next door to your cave? And you’ve got a mother serpent demon in your arms—isn’t that enough? Now you’ve set your sights on me?”

“Nonsense! As if!”

Fang Wang rolled his eyes in annoyance and quickly changed the subject. “My treasure spirit’s grade has been exposed. Who do you think leaked it?”

Only then did Zhou Xue open her eyes, long lashes beaded with water as she raised them, revealing bright, captivating eyes fixed on Fang Wang. She didn’t answer immediately, instead appraising him.

Fang Wang averted his gaze, and suddenly Xiao Zi wriggled out of his arms, crying, “It’s you, wicked woman! Who are you calling a mother serpent demon?”

“What, are you male then?”

“Of course not, but the way you said it makes it sound all wrong!”

“So you do have some wits about you.”

Zhou Xue and Xiao Zi bickered, but Xiao Zi was no match for her and was soon defeated.

Splash—

Zhou Xue stood up, steam rising from her as her clothes dried visibly in moments—her wet hair too, until it floated black and glossy, her red robes billowing, giving her an ethereal air.

Barefoot, she stepped from the pool to stand before Fang Wang, less than half a meter away. In her eyes surged a black, baleful energy, strangely ominous.

“Profound Heart Realm—you didn’t let me down. You’ve advanced so quickly that I can teach you a technique now. Would you like to learn it?” Zhou Xue smiled with satisfaction, fixing her gaze on Fang Wang.