Chapter 81: Favored by the Heavens, A Battle of Destiny [Third Update]

After much persuasion from Gu Tianxiong, Gu Li finally resolved not to disturb Fang Wang. She turned and walked into the pavilion, preparing to cultivate. Gu Tianxiong breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself how close that was. In a moment of desperation, his quick thinking had truly been ingenious. Yes! From now on, he would encourage his daughter to diligently cultivate, ensuring she couldn’t get close to Fang Wang.

“My dear daughter, your pursuit of a husband—for that, your father will help you. But for now, don’t approach him. Anyway, Fang Wang has no intentions toward you, and avoiding him will spare you heartbreak.” With this thought, the guilt in Gu Tianxiong’s heart vanished, replaced instead by emotion. As a father, he had done all he could—there wasn’t another like him.

Gu Tianxiong turned to leave, preparing to seek out Fang Wang for a conversation. Matters of marriage and concubines could be set aside for now, but some assurances must be obtained!

On the other side, Fang Wang was sitting at the bridgehead, stretching lazily. He sighed, “I wonder when the Sword Sect will arrive. If I count the days, it should be about time.” Xiao Zi lay beside him, gazing at the vast lake, replying, “Who knows? Maybe they’re scared.” If one looked closely, there was a faint silhouette practicing swordplay in Xiao Zi’s serpentine eyes, moving swiftly and almost impossible to discern.

Fang Wang turned to look at Xiao Zi, reaching out to rub its snake head. For the past few months, Xiao Zi had become unusually docile, not quite itself. Fang Wang knew the reason—it was immersed in comprehending swordsmanship. Yet this struck him as absurd: a snake with greater sword comprehension than Song Jin Yuan? No wonder it had survived in the Great Sage Cave as a snake demon.

At that moment, Song Jin Yuan walked onto the wooden bridge, stopping behind Fang Wang. He spoke, “Master’s divine sword still hasn’t been found.” The Sword Saint had imparted the essence of swordsmanship to Fang Wang, the sword energy to Fang Han Yu for forging a spiritual treasure, and even gave his storage ring to Fang Han Yu. Yet the ring held no divine sword.

Before the Sword Saint passed, most sword cultivators had come for his sword. Legend had it that the Sword Saint’s sword surpassed the highest grade artifacts, containing the supreme power of swordsmanship, coveted by all sword masters.

“If it can’t be found, so be it. Master surely has his own plans. If it’s meant for us, it will appear before us.” Fang Wang was quite open about it; he had three natal spiritual treasures and didn’t crave the Sword Saint’s sword.

“Here are the seventy-one high-grade swords you requested.” Song Jin Yuan nodded, tossing the storage pouch into Fang Wang’s arms. Fang Wang raised an eyebrow, “That fast?” Song Jin Yuan replied, “Most were gifts from various factions, organized by Fang Han Yu. After all, you’re the new Sword Saint—if they’re gifting you treasures, they must gift swords. I contributed two myself and sent several Sword Attendants to purchase a dozen more.”

High-grade artifacts were expensive. Fang Wang was about to dig out heavenly materials from his own pouch, but Song Jin Yuan turned away, leaving a final remark: “You’re the master of Sword Tianze, and my junior brother—consider it my gift. The Sword Attendants are grateful for your teachings as well, so you need not pay from your own pouch.”

Fang Wang watched as Song Jin Yuan took five steps, then leapt, riding his sword toward the distant mountains.

He couldn’t help but laugh—this senior brother was quite proud indeed. He murmured, “Xiao Zi, did you see that? That’s the benefit of having influence. When will you venture out and establish your own domain, gathering heavenly treasures for your young master?”

“Forget it. I don’t have such abilities. It’s better to stay by your side. If you’re bored, you can play with me,” Xiao Zi answered casually, making Fang Wang’s lips twitch.

It was all Gu Tianxiong’s fault! That old rascal!

Fang Wang fell silent, taking Song Jin Yuan’s storage pouch and withdrawing the swords one by one, beginning to refine their restrictions.

Not long after, Gu Tianxiong arrived, nagging non-stop, hoping Fang Wang would promise not to disclose their previous foolish conversation to Gu Li. Fang Wang agreed, but Gu Tianxiong thought he agreed too quickly, suspecting a trick, insisting on a written contract. After some fuss, he finally left.

Once Gu Tianxiong was gone, Fang Wang couldn’t help but sigh, “Xiao Zi, isn’t he a fool? A written contract is just evidence against himself.” Gu Tianxiong could have denied everything, but now, carrying the contract, if he ever lost it, he’d be finished.

“He’s always been silly,” Xiao Zi replied offhandedly.

…

The year-long agreement arrived, and Sword Tianze was bustling. The lakeshore was crowded, with representatives from every major sect. The Taiyuan Sect had arrived as well, led by Sleepy Immortal and Zhao Chuanqian.

“Elder Zhao, do you think the Sword Sect won’t dare come?” Zhou Bo asked, glancing at Zhao Chuanqian meditating up front. Hundreds of disciples surrounded him—all from Taiyuan Sect, each strong, the weakest among them branch disciples.

Other disciples joined in, discussing the matter, all convinced the Sword Sect had lost its nerve.

Most knew little of the Sword Sect’s Kong Xi, but they regarded Fang Wang as legendary. After four years of cultivation, he became famous in the Nine Branches Duel; it was revealed his natal treasure was a Heavenly Origin Spirit. He swept thirteen top talents, then inherited from the Sword Saint, slew a great demon king, and earned the title Heavenly Origin Sword Saint. Such achievements were enough to make every Taiyuan Sect disciple proud.

Now, wherever they traveled, encountering cultivators who learned they were from Taiyuan Sect, people would marvel at Fang Wang’s strength, swelling their pride.

“You know nothing. Anyone else might be scared, but not Kong Xi. That old fellow is probably coming with murderous intent!” Sleepy Immortal snorted, cursing at the mention of Kong Xi, clearly harboring a grudge.

Zhao Chuanqian opened his eyes, speaking calmly, “The Sword Sect’s reputation is not to be underestimated. Even the Sect Leader might not win against him.”

Sect Leader!

The disciples fell silent. They believed Fang Wang was powerful, but compared to the Sect Leader, he was a step below. After all, as Taiyuan Sect disciples, they naturally believed Guan Qiuxian was the strongest in the sect.

Could Fang Wang, after sixteen years of cultivation, surpass Guan Qiuxian, who had been a mortal?

Even Zhou Bo, who loved to boast of Fang Wang, fell silent.

Sleepy Immortal was about to speak when he suddenly turned, frowning at a certain direction. Zhao Chuanqian did the same, his gaze sharp.

At that moment, all cultivators at the lakeside of Sword Tianze in the Profound Heart Realm looked up in unison, gazing at the same spot.

It was a majestic mountain, the sun resting atop its peak. Following their gaze, a lone figure stood at the summit, back to the blazing sun, black robes billowing.

Sword Sect!

At the same time—

Fang Wang, seated at the bridgehead, slowly stood, gently waving the Heaven and Earth Fan, gazing off at Kong Xi in the distance.

Xiao Zi looked in that direction, flicking its tongue, saying, “Young master, he’s strong. Feels even more formidable than the previous demon king. No wonder he dares challenge you.”

The wind stirred across the lake, mist swirling, Fang Wang’s white robe fluttering, the hair at his temple lifting. Expectation filled his eyes.

How could he not anticipate a battle that would draw the world’s attention?

In his youth, who didn’t long to be renowned, to become a hero admired by all?

Sixteen years of cultivation—Fang Wang had his own confidence. With his family watching this battle, he was determined to show his strongest side.

“Heavenly Origin Sword Saint Fang Wang, I have arrived!” Suddenly, Kong Xi’s voice resounded, thundering like a storm, startling thousands of cultivators to their feet. Those living in the pavilions also streamed out.

His voice reverberated high above Sword Tianze, lingering for a long time.

Fang Han Yu, Song Jin Yuan, and the Sword Attendants all gathered behind Fang Wang, their eyes fixed on the distance. Though they couldn’t clearly see Kong Xi’s figure, they could sense the powerful sword energy.

“I entered the Xuanhong Sword Sect at eight, shaped my spirit at twenty, but could only forge a mid-grade Xuan Yuan Spirit. At twenty-five, I roamed the world and was fortunate enough to meet the Sword Saint. His swordsmanship captivated my heart, but alas, the Sword Saint said my aptitude was lacking, unworthy to enter his tutelage.”

Kong Xi’s voice rang out again, recounting the past.

His words touched many Sword Attendants, for they had similar experiences—they all wished to apprentice under the Sword Saint but had been refused.

“The grade of a spiritual treasure is said to be dictated by fate. These words trapped me, once causing me to lose myself. But later, I understood—cultivation itself is a defiance of heaven. If we defy heaven, why believe in fate? So I devoted myself to questioning the sword, meditating for two hundred years. Yet when I wished to prove myself to the Sword Saint, I found he had already sailed south to the sea!”

Defying heaven!

These words resonated with most cultivators at Sword Tianze, stirring a sense of kinship.

Fang Wang remained unmoved, sighing inwardly.

What a skillful move! With these two speeches, no one would say Kong Xi bullied the young. Instead, they would empathize, perhaps even support him.

“After the Sword Saint left, I traversed the world, challenging every grand sword cultivator on this land, finally establishing the name of Sword Sect. But so what?”

“If I cannot defeat the Sword Saint, the Sword Sect is nothing but a joke!”

“Sadly, heaven did not grant my wish. When I finally emerged from seclusion, hoping for the Sword Saint’s return, I learned he had passed away!”

“Hahaha! The Sword Saint is gone! And before his death, he chose a genius blessed with Heaven’s Origin Spirit as his heir! What irony—he proved to me he could indeed find someone with greater talent than I!”

“Heaven’s Origin Spirit—a legend throughout history, but never witnessed by anyone on this land!”

“Fang Wang, you are favored by heaven. You were born to possess everything—the greatest talent, the greatest master, the best of all. Yet defeating the Sword Saint is the pursuit of my entire life!”

“Today, you represent the Sword Saint and his pursuit of supreme talent in battle against me! Set aside Xuanhong Sword Sect and Taiyuan Sect—no grudges, only destiny!”

Kong Xi laughed aloud, his laughter echoing above Sword Tianze, his heartfelt words moving nearly every onlooker.

At this moment, they seemed to see an ordinary cultivator about to face his fate, drawing his sword toward destiny.

They couldn’t help but compare themselves to Fang Wang. What were they, the spectators, after all?

At least the Sword Sect dared to challenge, while they could only be here to join the crowd, or perhaps curry favor with Fang Wang.