Chapter 66: The Art of Transformation

Passing on a technique?

Fang Wang felt a surge of delight in his heart, though outwardly he forced himself to remain calm and composed. He spoke in a steady voice, “If you wish to teach, I am naturally willing to learn. But you must pass on something powerful; ordinary spells will be of little help to me.”

The Xuan Yang Divine Canon, True Combat Mastery, Nine Dragons Divine Transformation, and the Startling Swan Sword Technique—any one of these would be enough to stand out among peers, and he had already cultivated each to its highest perfection. His horizons had risen accordingly.

In addition, he had mastered the White Rainbow Escape, Divine Sword Nourishment, Body Protection Divine Shield, Great Heavenly Thunder Summoning, and Silent Natural Skill.

At present, he lacked no combat techniques; instead, he was intrigued by the more esoteric arts.

For example—sealing, soul capture, divination.

Zhou Xue's smile grew wider at his words. She walked over to the bed not far away, her voice drifting softly, “Come here.”

Fang Wang followed, anticipation growing for which technique this Immortal Lord might impart.

Zhou Xue sat cross-legged on the bed and gestured for Fang Wang to sit before her. He showed no hesitation and climbed onto the bed as well.

Little Zi poked her head out from his arms, flicking her forked tongue, her serpentine eyes fixed intently on Zhou Xue.

Suddenly, Zhou Xue waved her sleeve at the snake; its neck went limp, instantly losing consciousness, tongue dangling from its mouth. Zhou Xue then pulled it out.

Fang Wang made no move to stop her, knowing Zhou Xue had something to say.

“Let’s address your first question,” Zhou Xue began softly, her gaze as tranquil as a deep pool. “I’ve investigated—the rumor was spread by a disciple of the Third Branch. Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi were both caught off guard. If my guess is correct, it was either Zhao Zhen or Lu Yuanjun.”

Fang Wang was not surprised; he had already suspected the rumor was a subtle attempt to destroy him through praise.

Lu Yuanjun and Zhao Zhen might not know Fang Wang had uncovered the truth of the night his family was annihilated, but they themselves could never forget. Moreover, they watched Fang Wang’s reputation soar without taking action, which was itself suspicious.

“Zhao Zhen never leaves the Gate of Great Abyss, obviously wary of something. As for Lu Yuanjun, when he fought the Demon Lord, I was right beside him. The world believes the Demon Lord showed mercy, but in truth, Lu Yuanjun escaped with his own skill. His ghost artifact has surpassed all ordinary magical implements, reaching the level of a true treasure. For those at the Spirit-Concentration Realm to kill him would be extremely difficult.”

As Zhou Xue spoke, her gaze turned icy.

So strong?

Fang Wang frowned, but then relaxed—after all, that ghost artifact had absorbed the souls of millions.

Zhou Xue’s tone shifted. “But you needn’t worry. Though he escaped, he was gravely wounded and will need several years to recover.”

Fang Wang shook his head, “I’m not worried. If it comes to it, I’ll deal with him once I break through to the Spirit-Concentration Realm. My only concern is that my reputation might trouble the Fang family.”

“It won’t. Your talent only proves the Fang bloodline is extraordinary. Other sects will seek to ally with your family. I’ve already arranged for Fang family members to join the other eight major sects. This way, at least the nine major sects will not move against your family—at worst, some noble clans might resent you.”

Zhou Xue’s words made sense to Fang Wang.

To the sects, noble families pose no threat—their systems are different, and the families provide talented cultivators.

“But tell me,” Fang Wang asked, “how did Zhao Zhen and Lu Yuanjun know I am a Heavenly Origin Spirit?”

Zhou Xue chuckled, “Perhaps they simply wanted to draw trouble to you. Your rapid growth is remarkable, so claiming you’re a Heavenly Origin Spirit is believable—though in truth, they hit the mark by accident. And frankly, describing your spirit as ‘Heavenly Origin’ is conservative.”

Fang Wang raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Is there a level above Heavenly Origin?”

Zhou Xue countered, “Well, do you have any other questions for me?”

Fang Wang pursed his lips and changed the subject. “I’m preparing to forge a third spirit treasure. Should I do it here at the Gate of Great Abyss or go elsewhere?”

The Gate of Great Abyss possesses not only the main branch’s Heavenly Dao spirit stones, but no matter where he chose, it would attract the sect’s attention. He hesitated.

Zhou Xue raised her right hand; the storage pouch on the table opened, and a piece of green jade flew into Fang Wang’s hand—a guiding jade.

“I’ve already selected a place for you to forge your spirit. Go there, keep your identity hidden, and if you succeed, you’ll receive a surprise,” Zhou Xue said, her eyes full of meaning.

Seeing Zhou Xue unfazed by his plan to forge a third spirit treasure, Fang Wang felt a twinge of disappointment.

He hadn’t managed to impress her this time.

He tucked the guiding jade into his own storage pouch and teased, “So mysterious—is this another scheme like South Execution King Cao Ran?”

At the mention of Cao Ran, Zhou Xue glared at him. “I did underestimate you back then, but this time, it isn’t my people. There is a true master at that place. You must be cautious, but if you succeed, the benefits will far exceed your imagination.”

To be called a “master” by Zhou Xue, Fang Wang’s curiosity was piqued.

“Enough, let’s get to the teaching. What technique will you pass to me?” Fang Wang asked eagerly.

Zhou Xue raised her right hand and held up three fingers. “I have three transformation techniques. They can help you escape death or infiltrate enemy territory. The first is the Sparrow Art—transform into a sparrow. It consumes a great deal of spiritual power and isn’t especially fast, but it’s the best for hiding.”

“The second is the White Crane Art—transform into a white crane. It consumes little energy and has swift flight.”

“The third is the Black Eagle Art—transform into a black eagle. Moderate consumption, fastest speed among the three.”

Transformation techniques!

Fang Wang’s eyes lit up. “Can I learn all three?”

Zhou Xue shook her head. “These arts possess the power of divine abilities, which mortals are forbidden to have. Each transformation technique leaves a unique mark on your spiritual core, and they reject each other.”

Fang Wang hesitated.

Since these were transformation techniques, as long as he hid well and used them at critical moments, enemies would find it hard to detect him. The size of the transformed body was less important.

In that case, speed was paramount!

As his cultivation advanced, foes would have increasingly powerful spiritual senses; even the tiniest sparrow would be hard to evade. Thus, from a detection standpoint, the faster, the better.

“I’ll learn the Black Eagle Art,” Fang Wang said seriously.

Zhou Xue wasted no words and immediately imparted the Black Eagle Art’s formula.

Fang Wang sighed inwardly—having just finished a ten-year retreat, he was about to begin another.

But how could he refuse such a rare skill?

Transformation techniques require channeling energy into the acupoints, activating different nodes to achieve physical transformation. Moreover, one must attune to the natural world, blending with heaven and earth, so that the transformed body is not rejected by the cosmos.

When Zhou Xue finished, Fang Wang inevitably entered the Heavenly Palace.

As always, Zhou Xue watched him closely after teaching, eager to see his reaction.

After a brief moment, Fang Wang’s eyes cleared. He took a deep breath and marveled, “Transformation techniques are truly profound.”

Zhou Xue’s lips curled upward. “To reach basic mastery, you’ll need ten or twenty years; for full mastery, fifty. When you reach the summit, you won’t need to recite the formula—just a thought, and you’ll become a black eagle, with your aura indistinguishable from any ordinary eagle.”

“Yes, I sense its difficulty,” Fang Wang sighed. Damn, he’d spent ninety-four years cultivating a single transformation technique.

Fortunately, with the Black Eagle Art perfected, he could transform instantly, with no preparation and no leakage of spiritual power.

He did not reveal that he had already mastered the Black Eagle Art—one must always keep some cards hidden.

Afterward, Fang Wang asked about Zhou Xue’s experiences over the years.

She shared some tales of her trials, including leaving the Great Qi Dynasty for the Northern Border, making Fang Wang marvel at her ability to roam.

…

An hour later, Fang Wang left Zhou Xue’s cave. When the mountain gate closed behind him, he flew toward the main branch.

Little Zi still hadn’t awakened in his arms, and Fang Wang organized his thoughts.

Ninety-four years cultivating the Black Eagle Art meant he had to reconsider how to address Guang Qiuxian.

He arrived at the summit of the main branch and landed before the Prime Abyss Hall.

On the plaza below, disciples cleaning the grounds glanced up at him, thinking little of it. But one seemed to recognize him, looked again, eyes wide with delight, and called out, “Senior Brother Fang Wang!”

At his words, the other disciples looked up in astonishment.

Cleaning the plaza was not truly for cleaning—cultivators have spells for that. Those tasked with sweeping were often being disciplined, using labor to calm their minds, but even so, the lowest rank permitted here was sword-wielding disciple.

Fang Wang glanced over, finding the disciple vaguely familiar, but he had no time to dwell—he saw the doors of Prime Abyss Hall open and strode inside.

The disciple who recognized Fang Wang grinned proudly, “Did you see? Senior Brother Fang Wang just looked at me. I tell you, he’s quite solitary in the sect—few disciples can converse with him, but I, Zhou Bo, am one of them. Do you want to know Senior Brother Fang Wang’s secret hobbies?”

The surrounding disciples looked at him—skeptical, but curious to hear his rambling.

Elsewhere.

Fang Wang entered Prime Abyss Hall and approached Guang Qiuxian.

Guang Qiuxian sat on a meditation cushion, smiling as he watched Fang Wang. After Fang Wang finished his salute, Guang Qiuxian spoke first, “How has your cultivation been these years?”

Fang Wang nodded, “Quite well. Thanks to the care of the Sect Master and my teacher, I’ve been able to focus on my training.”

“What realm are you at now?”

“Spiritual Core Realm.”

“Mmm, not—what? Spiritual Core Realm!”

Guang Qiuxian had been smiling, but suddenly his eyes widened in shock.

Fang Wang’s strength could not be measured by realm alone, so revealing his true level posed no risk—it might even win Guang Qiuxian’s greater approval.

Fang Wang nodded. Guang Qiuxian composed himself with effort, and exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!”

“Fang Wang, you truly surprise me. I thought reaching the Spiritual Core Realm by forty would be impressive, given you began cultivation at sixteen. But now, if I’m not mistaken, you’re only thirty?”

The more Guang Qiuxian looked at Fang Wang, the more satisfied his gaze became.

Fang Wang smiled, “Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master—for imparting techniques and providing spiritual energy. Without you, I would not be here.”

Guang Qiuxian replied, “It’s only right. In fact, I have something to tell you. Did you know the grade of your spirit treasure has been exposed?”