Chapter 76: When Sword Intent Emerges, Heaven and Earth Fall Silent

“How many levels of the Concentration Realm is that equivalent to?” Fang Wang asked, his tone tinged with anticipation.

He had been holding back for too long and yearned to unleash himself. The enemy before him was his new master’s nemesis; slaying him would be justified.

The Sword Saint frowned, “About the fourth or fifth layer of the Concentration Realm. My disciple, do not act recklessly. Though you have mastered the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth, precisely because your talent and comprehension are so extraordinary, you must be cautious. If you simply survive, the heights you reach in the future will be far beyond what you can now imagine.”

As his emotions peaked, he could not help but cough again.

Fang Wang could only acquiesce, “Very well, Master, I’ll listen to you. Please, don’t be agitated.”

At this moment, the Sword Saint was nearly spent, his vitality like oil running dry; Fang Wang dared not go against him.

“That Great Demon King is cowed by me and won’t dare take bold action for a while. In two days, come back and take Yu Han away… I wish to rest now.”

With that, the Sword Saint slowly closed his eyes, his back hunched, his whole body curling inwards, embodying a deep sense of age and desolation.

Fang Wang put away the Sword Lord’s Token in his storage pouch, saluted the Sword Saint, and turned to leave.

After departing the pavilion, he closed the door behind him. Descending the steps, he suddenly saw a figure standing upon the lake—a sinister man dressed in black, his long hair and robes billowing in the breeze, presenting a chilling sight even in broad daylight.

The strange man stared at Fang Wang with an expressionless face.

Fang Wang was utterly unafraid. He strode forward, arriving at the bridgehead, then sat in meditation, facing the eerie figure.

He took out the Universe Fan, gently waved it, and admired the scenery of the lake, not bothering to cultivate.

Little Zi, sensing Fang Wang’s demeanor, slithered from his arms, coiled around his shoulder, her snake-head aimed at the sinister man, flicking her tongue incessantly.

Seeing Fang Wang so composed and fearless, the strange man frowned.

After watching for some time, the sinister man silently retreated, vanishing into the dense, rolling mist.

“You’re truly formidable now, Young Master. Even the Great Demon King is frightened away,” Little Zi said in an admiring tone.

Fang Wang replied calmly, “He fears not me, but my master.”

The time spent cultivating the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth proved the Sword Saint’s mastery of swordsmanship—second only to the True Art of Battle—showing that, in terms of the way of the sword, the Sword Saint’s understanding rivaled that of a Great Sage.

Of course, Fang Wang knew little about the Great Sages, but such comparisons were enough to earn his respect for the Sword Saint.

Without doubt, the Sword Saint was the strongest he had ever met.

The Nine Great Sects ruled the Great Qi Immortal Realm, which still harbored countless powerful cultivators, and beyond its borders the world was boundless. The thought stirred Fang Wang’s heart.

If he could stand atop the mortal world, what wonders would he witness?

While pondering, he felt the Sword Intent of All Things left by Jian Tianze.

Since perfecting the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth, his world had transformed—everything possessed its own will, which could be harnessed through the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth; even the stones by the lakeside were no exception.

Little Zi, perched on his shoulder, sensed something, and calmed herself accordingly.

…

Two days quickly passed.

Close to noon, Fang Wang felt a stir, stood, and turned to look at the pavilion behind him.

Little Zi, on his shoulder, opened her eyes and murmured, “Such powerful sword energy…”

Fang Wang smiled; with the Sword Saint’s sword energy, Fang Hanyu would not only obtain a higher-grade life treasure, but his cultivation would soar, transforming him completely.

The sword energy currently displayed, though far inferior to the Sword Saint’s, seemed more than sufficient to handle low-level cultivators of the Profound Heart Realm.

Fang Wang was reassured; with Fang Hanyu’s growth, the Fang family would be even safer. With his own cultivation keeping him busy, and Zhou Xue occupied as well, someone must guard the family.

Boom!

Inside the pavilion, sword energy surged violently, blowing off the eaves as a figure shot skyward, a pillar of sword energy piercing the clouds.

Fang Wang fixed his gaze; within the pillar hovered Fang Hanyu, suspended a hundred yards high. Above his head floated a sword—ordinary in appearance, unadorned—yet the world-shaking sword energy emanated from it.

The mountains around Sword Heaven Lake trembled, the lake itself roiled in tempestuous waves, a testament to the Sword Saint’s terrifying sword energy.

The cloth strips on Fang Hanyu’s face had vanished, revealing green eyes tinged with blood, as if possessed by a spirit, his body radiating an indescribable murderous aura.

Fang Wang raised an eyebrow; it seemed the torment of Qingchan Valley had left a deep mark on Fang Hanyu, its killing intent engraved in his bones, still unshaken.

Meanwhile, powerful auras rushed from all directions—the sinister man and his subordinates arrived first, followed by the Sword Saint’s sword attendants, and then Gu Tianxiong, striding across the waves.

There were at least five or six hundred sword cultivators present at Sword Heaven Lake, the weakest among them at the Spirit Shaping Realm, and two or three dozen at the Profound Heart Realm—all renowned cultivators.

More and more gathered, all gazing up at Fang Hanyu, their expressions varied, none daring to act rashly.

“Who is that?”

“Such powerful sword energy—what kind of treasure is that?”

“Wait, isn’t this the Sword Saint’s sword energy?”

“Why does the Sword Saint’s sword energy radiate from him?”

“Has he received the Sword Saint’s legacy? I remember him—he participated in the legacy trial…”

The cultivators murmured; when someone speculated that Fang Hanyu had inherited the Sword Saint’s legacy, the crowd grew agitated, some eyeing Fang Hanyu with malice.

Fang Hanyu hovered in midair, eyes open but clearly not fully conscious, as spiritual energy surged toward him and the sword.

Gu Tianxiong approached Fang Wang, curiosity in his voice, “Brother, what’s happening here?”

Fang Wang was about to reply when a cry rang out, the speaker’s tone clearly gritted with anger.

“Fang Wang!”

The name carried a peculiar power; all the cultivators instinctively looked toward the speaker—Song Jin Yuan, standing by the lake, glaring furiously at Fang Wang.

Following Song Jin Yuan’s gaze, all eyes returned to Fang Wang.

Gu Tianxiong frowned, raising his voice, “I am not Fang Wang!”

No sooner had he spoken than realization dawned; he whipped his head around to stare at Fang Wang, eyes wide.

Fang Wang sighed; it seemed there was no hiding now.

So be it! A true man acts openly—he had only hidden before because he was too weak. Now, he feared nothing!

Fang Wang nodded politely to Song Jin Yuan, then turned his gaze back to Fang Hanyu suspended in the sky.

Fang Hanyu slowly raised his right hand and grasped the sword hilt above his head.

“That could be the Sword Saint’s divine sword—he mustn’t be allowed to take it!”

Someone exclaimed, refocusing everyone’s attention on Fang Hanyu.

Immediately, some soared upward, swords drawn, rushing toward Fang Hanyu.

With a leader, dozens more followed—the number easily fifty.

Boom!

A domineering, unparalleled aura erupted; the wooden bridge beneath Fang Wang’s feet shattered instantly. Gu Tianxiong, startled, staggered and nearly fell into the lake.

The advancing cultivators all halted, looking at their own swords and feet in terror and disbelief.

Then, they all turned to Fang Wang; even the sinister man on the lake frowned at him.

Terrifying sword intent surrounded Fang Wang, causing the very space to ripple—his sword intent, with a single thought, enveloped Sword Heaven Lake. Though invisible, everyone felt sword energy everywhere; a single move could mean instant annihilation. The sensation sent chills down their spines.

“Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth!”

The strange man stared at Fang Wang, pronouncing each word deliberately.

Fang Wang’s gaze remained fixed on Fang Hanyu; he spoke slowly, “No one act rashly. He is my brother—any who touch him, die.”

With the sword intent of all things supporting him, his voice echoed across Sword Heaven Lake without end, chilling everyone’s heart.

What kind of sword intent was this?

Apart from the sinister man, none—including the sword attendants—had ever truly witnessed the Sword Saint’s sword intent; now, all were filled with terror.

One man intimidated hundreds of sword cultivators!

Where sword intent reigns, heaven and earth fall silent!

Inside the pavilion.

The Sword Saint slowly raised his head, his cloudy eyes gleaming with a smile. He murmured, “Perfected Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth… No, he’s already surpassed me… Dual Destiny of Heavenly Origin… Unimaginable comprehension of the way of the sword… So there truly exists one fated by heaven… This is my greatest fortune…”

His words came haltingly; finally, his head dropped abruptly, hands falling limp.

…

Gu Tianxiong stared at Fang Wang, as if caught in a dream.

His little brother Zhou Yu was the famed Fang Wang?

The very genius his daughter often wrote of in her letters?

Sensing Gu Tianxiong’s gaze, Fang Wang turned and smiled, “Brother Gu, don’t panic. If you don’t act, I won’t kill you.”

Though his demeanor held no malice and was gentle, Gu Tianxiong still felt goosebumps and a surge of fear.

“Heh… Who would have thought the Sword Saint had a successor.”

The sinister man’s voice echoed, icy and grim.

He strode toward Fang Wang, swirling black demonic aura billowing to resist Fang Wang’s sword intent.

As his demonic energy surged, most of the sword cultivators were shaken.

Such terrifying demonic aura!

This was a true demon!

Song Jin Yuan paid no heed to the sinister man; his dazed gaze remained fixed on Fang Wang.

At this moment, his mind was blank.

Fang Wang’s presence gradually overlapped with that of his master.

“Why… how can he have mastered it…”

Song Jin Yuan thought in despair; he could not even muster jealousy, for the gap was too vast.

Fang Wang turned, facing the sinister man approaching from the lake. Behind him, eighteen others released demonic aura, their faces twisted and monstrous.

The bizarre demonic energy, like black fog, swiftly enveloped the lake, dispersing the mist formed by spiritual energy.

Fang Wang held the Universe Fan in his right hand, gently waving it, exuding the elegance of Zhou Yu with his feather fan and silk cap, facing the Great Demon King without a trace of fear, his eyes even revealing anticipation.

“Master, destroy him!” Little Zi cried from Fang Wang’s shoulder, her delicate voice snapping Gu Tianxiong from his reverie. He stared at Little Zi in astonishment.

She was a female demon!

Recalling his words to Fang Wang, Gu Tianxiong’s face flushed red with embarrassment.