Chapter 78: What Gu Tianxiong Desired, the Sword Saint of Tianyuan

Looking at Fang Wang before him, Gu Tianxiong felt an overwhelming surge of emotions. Even though a day and night had passed, the shock in his heart had not faded.

The first time he saw the name Fang Wang was in a letter from his daughter, Gu Li. In the letter, Gu Li confessed to being defeated by a youth named Fang Wang, whose cultivation was only at the seventh layer of Qi Nurturing. With a single sword strike, he had bested her.

At that time, Gu Tianxiong was furious. He had placed great hopes on Gu Li and did not wish for his precious daughter to lose confidence so soon after entering the Taiyuan Sect. He wrote back, encouraging her to challenge Fang Wang again after she advanced her spiritual cultivation.

The second letter arrived at the Gu family soon after. Gu Tianxiong read it and fell into a long silence. His daughter had lost again. Once might be a fluke, but twice revealed a gap in talent. His daughter was a treasure of the Earth Origin grade, yet she had been defeated twice by a youth younger than herself. For the first time, he began to take Fang Wang seriously, even looking forward to his potential.

In the days that followed, Gu Li’s every letter mentioned Fang Wang.

Gu Tianxiong eventually decided to invest in Fang Wang, instructing Gu Li to pass on the Divine Nurturing Sword Qi to him.

The Divine Nurturing Sword Qi was a signature art of the Gu family. The stronger one’s talent, the more powerful the sword qi. Gu Tianxiong was confident that even as Fang Wang grew stronger, he would still use this technique, and when Fang Wang traveled the world, he would bring fame to the Gu family.

And as he expected, when Fang Wang slew the great demon king yesterday, the display of Divine Nurturing Sword Qi left him awestruck.

Sword Qi shining from the eyes!

What mastery was this!

Gu Tianxiong recalled how he felt upon learning that Fang Wang possessed the Heaven Origin treasure spirit. At the time, he had already left the Gu family, and his first reaction was disbelief, thinking at best it was a top-tier Earth Origin spirit.

Until later...

Fang Wang powerfully defeated thirteen renowned geniuses of the era!

Thus, the Heaven Origin treasure spirit was confirmed!

At this moment, Gu Tianxiong shared his daughter’s sentiment; standing before him, Fang Wang showed no outward aura, yet radiated brilliance.

It was as if the legendary figures from ancient tales lived before his eyes.

One day, Fang Wang would surely become the strongest cultivator in Great Qi, and his fame would not be confined to this land!

Gu Tianxiong gazed at Fang Wang, his eyes burning with passion, unable to restrain himself: “Fang Wang, how about I let my daughter marry you?”

Fang Wang was startled and quickly replied, “That’s not possible!”

“Impossible!”

Fang Hanyu’s voice rang out as he strode up to Fang Wang, glaring with his terrifying Evil Heart Eyes, locking his gaze on Gu Tianxiong.

Gu Tianxiong felt uneasy under his stare but still grumbled, “Why not? My daughter’s beauty is unrivaled, her treasure spirit is Earth Origin grade. In all of Great Qi, besides her, there’s no other woman worthy of Fang Wang!”

Fang Hanyu replied coldly, “Fang Wang is already betrothed.”

“What?”

Fang Wang and Gu Tianxiong spoke in unison, the brothers exchanged glances and then looked at Fang Hanyu.

“His fiancée is Zhou Xue, one of the top five geniuses in Taiyuan Sect, and she was raised in the Fang family!” Fang Hanyu explained earnestly.

Fang Wang looked bewildered. Fang Hanyu hurriedly pulled him away.

Gu Tianxiong was flustered, unable to follow, so he called out, “Fang Wang, if not as a wife, then a concubine. My daughter is so beautiful—don’t you know?”

Hearing this, Fang Wang was indeed tempted, but Fang Hanyu dragged him away.

“Even if you’re not interested, business aside, let’s not speak of my foolish words to my daughter!”

---

Hearing Gu Tianxiong’s words, Fang Wang was speechless.

No wonder he was so enthusiastic!

He was afraid of his secrets being exposed!

Fang Wang followed Fang Hanyu into the Sword Sage’s secluded tower. Xiao Zi was not with him, still by the lakeshore devouring the demon king’s flesh and blood. As a demon king, no cultivator could restrain it, especially with Fang Wang’s backing.

Fang Hanyu glanced at Fang Wang and whispered, “This is grandfather’s and the elders’ wish. Fourth Uncle agrees as well. Zhou Xue has helped the Fang family greatly, but she is still a woman. If she marries another, how will the Fang household interact with her?”

Fang Wang frowned, “This isn’t right. Matters of the heart should be mutual; we cannot decide for Zhou Xue.”

Even if they wished to decide, they had no such power!

“Of course we won’t force her, but if you take the initiative, it may work. Zhou Xue clearly cares most about you, and you are closest to her. Moreover, outstanding women always seek heroic men. With your Heaven Origin treasure spirit, honestly, I can’t imagine any man besides you could win her heart.” Fang Hanyu spoke seriously.

Perhaps none in this world...

But the heavens are another matter...

Fang Wang mused inwardly. He was a passionate young man, how could he not be moved? Yet he knew what he truly wanted.

Neither he nor Zhou Xue would pause their pursuits for love, and Gu Li, as the daughter of the Gu family head, could never accompany him wandering the world.

Even if she wished to, Fang Wang feared he could not protect her.

“We’ll see in the future,” Fang Wang waved dismissively, then turned and left the tower.

Fang Hanyu watched his back and sighed lightly.

He wasn’t sighing for Fang Wang, but for Zhou Xue.

In his eyes, Fang Wang outshone Zhou Xue, and Zhou Xue’s kindness toward Fang Wang was witnessed by all the family. So he believed it was Fang Wang who did not care for Zhou Xue.

No!

To repay Zhou Xue’s kindness, he must protect Fang Wang for her, not letting Fang Wang be swayed by other women.

Suddenly, Fang Hanyu felt a heavy sense of responsibility.

He enjoyed this feeling of silent dedication.

---

Time flowed on. Since the Sword Sage’s passing, a month quickly slipped by, and the secluded Sword Heaven Lake grew even more tranquil.

By the lakeshore, on a wooden bridge, Fang Wang sat with Xiao Zi perched on his shoulder. Before them, Song Jin Yuan paced back and forth.

“Who is that Pang Changqing? Wielding the Soul Devouring Blade, he’s infamous. When he saw my master refuse to fight, he grew furious, drew his blade, and attacked us. Yet my master didn’t even frown. With the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth, he summoned waves from the sea, so immense they nearly blotted out the sun. Pang Changqing was utterly terrified!”

Song Jin Yuan spoke with dramatic flair, his eyes wide, making Xiao Zi cry out in wonder.

Fang Wang listened with keen interest.

His acquaintance with the Sword Sage had been brief, scarcely time to interact, so he was fascinated by Song Jin Yuan’s tales.

During the past month, every six days of cultivation, Fang Wang would seek Song Jin Yuan to learn of the Sword Sage’s overseas adventures.

Song Jin Yuan too hailed from overseas, a foundling adopted by the Sword Sage. Though called a disciple, he had never earned the Sword Sage’s true recognition. This was why, after losing to Fang Wang, he was so devastated, for he knew he could never inherit his master’s legacy.

“All right, that’s enough for today. Fang Wang, it’s time you taught me the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth.”

---

Song Jin Yuan halted, speaking earnestly.

Fang Wang patted the floor beside him, signaling Song Jin Yuan to sit. Song Jin Yuan promptly sat in meditation at his side.

“Look at the mist on the lake. Feel it carefully. Whatever you see, say nothing—just quietly experience it.”

Fang Wang gazed at the lake, speaking gently.

Sword Heaven Lake was imbued with powerful Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth. This was why the Sword Sage had sword cultivators meditate by the lake, though few found the optimal spot. Here was the perfect place.

Song Jin Yuan listened, half skeptical.

Xiao Zi also turned its gaze to the thick mist on the lake, having lately grown interested in the way of the sword.

It was worth noting that the demon king and its eighteen followers had all perished, devoured by Xiao Zi. Its appetite was truly immense; despite eating so much, it never grew fat, but its demonic aura was certainly increasing.

Gu Tianxiong found it remarkable. While beasts did consume each other, it was rare to absorb the other’s power, usually only increasing vitality.

Yet Xiao Zi was now strong enough to defeat Gu Tianxiong, a cultivator at the Profound Heart realm.

It had been Gu Tianxiong who challenged Xiao Zi, losing miserably. His Five Holy Sword Technique merely scraped off a few snake scales, causing no harm at all.

To Fang Wang, Gu Tianxiong’s Five Holy Sword Technique was grand and intimidating, but far inferior to the Divine Swan Sword Art, let alone the Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Formation or the Sword Intent of Heaven and Earth.

The Gu family’s greatest skill was still the Divine Nurturing Sword Qi, but unfortunately, it required time to cultivate.

Fang Wang gazed casually at the lake, then suddenly his eyes fixed.

Far across the lake, a figure in red appeared, half-hidden in the mist.

Fang Wang immediately rose, leaping like a wild goose across the water. Song Jin Yuan watched curiously, as did Xiao Zi.

“Damn, that wicked woman is here!”

Xiao Zi muttered darkly, its tone resentful.

Fang Wang quickly soared to the other shore, landing before the figure in red. He smiled and asked, “Why are you here?”

Zhou Xue looked up, her exquisite and cold beauty revealed beneath her bamboo hat. The corner of her mouth curved into a captivating smile. She laughed softly, “I heard you cut down the great demon king with your sword—such valor! Passing through, I simply had to see what the legendary Fang Wang is truly like.”

Fang Wang feigned a frown, “What? The news spreads so quickly?”

Yet he could not hide the smile at his lips.

“Of course. You inherited the Sword Sage’s legacy and possess the Heaven Origin treasure spirit. Some already call you the Heaven Origin Sword Sage.” Zhou Xue smiled, her beautiful eyes studying Fang Wang, the mirth in them deepening.

She gently nudged Fang Wang’s shoulder and asked, “Did you obtain the Sword Lord’s Token?”

Fang Wang nodded, “I did. What’s its origin?”

Zhou Xue glanced at the lake, her words layered with meaning, “It is a precious artifact. When you go overseas, you will command followers and thrive. In the original destiny, it was I who came here seeking immortal opportunity. But I failed to earn the Sword Sage’s favor. Before his death, he passed the Sword Lord’s Token to his disciple Song Jin Yuan. Afterwards, Song Jin Yuan left Great Qi and returned overseas. Sadly, his strength faltered and he was ambushed, the Yellow Sword Lord’s Token fell into other hands.”

So tragic?

Fang Wang, hearing the tale, felt some guilt at first, thinking he had taken Song Jin Yuan’s chance. But hearing the end, he realized he had saved Song Jin Yuan’s life.