Chapter 93: Unparalleled in the World, Ninth Level of the Profound Heart Realm

So easy?

Fang Wang gazed at Guang Qiuxian, deeply moved. He realized that he had underestimated the authority and influence of the chief disciple; to become the chief disciple was, in essence, to be the next sect master. Guang Qiuxian was plainly helping establish his prestige.

In Fang Wang’s eyes, Guang Qiuxian’s vitality indicated he had less than thirty years left to live. Not only that, he and Yang Yuanzi had suffered similar injuries. The elders and peak lords began to agree that Fang Wang acted with great righteousness, and the conversation turned to the fate of the Great Qi realm. They too had heard tales of the people’s suffering, but the prime minister at court belonged to the Demon Fiend Sect.

In the past, they might have turned a blind eye for the sake of peace in the cultivation world, but now that the Taiyuan Sect and the Demon Fiend Sect were locked in a fight to the death, they naturally supported Fang Wang’s decision. They hoped the Demon Fiend Sect would finally pay the price.

“All right, you may return to your cultivation. If you have any questions in the future, you may consult any of your elders,” Guang Qiuxian spoke again.

The elders and peak lords all nodded, their expressions toward Fang Wang gentle and approving.

But Fang Wang did not take his leave. Instead, he said, “Sect Master, Master, I have something I wish to say to you both in private.”

Guang Qiuxian raised an eyebrow and immediately waved his sleeve. The others excused themselves, and Fang Wang bowed them out courteously, not putting on any airs.

When the grand doors of the Shiyuan Hall closed and only the three of them remained, Guang Qiuxian smiled and asked, “Fang Wang, what is it you wish to say to us?”

With a calm expression, Fang Wang began to speak. As he did, shock registered on the faces of Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi; their countenances darkened, so grim it seemed the air itself grew heavy and damp.

…

Half an hour later.

Fang Wang emerged from Shiyuan Hall, a mysterious smile on his lips. “Lu Yuanjun, let’s see if you can keep your composure,” he thought silently.

He had not completely erased the Xuanming Seal from Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi; instead, he merely suspended its effects. Even if the seal were wholly removed, their injuries would not fully heal and their souls would remain weakened. But by suspending the seal, Lu Yuanjun, with his knowledge of the Yin-Yang Xuanming True Art, might suspect only a lack of his own strength.

Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi had no idea they had been afflicted with the Xuanming Seal. They believed their wounds came from the fiendish power of the Demon Lord. Fang Wang, fearing they might inform Lu Yuanjun, did not reveal the true culprit.

Now, Guang Qiuxian and Yang Yuanzi no longer suffered the torment of the Xuanming Seal, but Lu Yuanjun was unaware of this. Fang Wang was placing a bet: he gambled that Lu Yuanjun would return.

The Xuanming Seal could turn others into one’s ghost soldiers; perhaps Lu Yuanjun would covet him as well. Placing himself in Lu Yuanjun’s shoes, if he had mastered the Yin-Yang Xuanming True Art, he too would wish to convert powerful enemies into ghost soldiers.

However, the Yin-Yang Xuanming True Art could not absorb ghost soldiers indefinitely; at each stage of cultivation, it limited the number of ghost soldiers one could command, with eighteen being the maximum at the highest level. Moreover, ghost soldiers had to be fed spiritual power to grow stronger, which made them of little use to Fang Wang.

True strength lay in one’s own cultivation!

Returning to his cave, Fang Wang sat cross-legged on his white jade bed and sent his spiritual sense into the chief disciple’s token.

Instantly, his mind entered an illusory realm—one from which he could overlook the entire Taiyuan Sect. The nine branches, the main branch, the sect’s main city—all were visible, shimmering with countless points of light. Beyond the map of Taiyuan Sect, more lights appeared in all directions, though these were sparse and scattered at varying distances.

Whenever Fang Wang focused on a single light, that person’s identity would surface in his mind.

Marvelous! This was even more wondrous than the internet back on Earth—almost like a virtual world already.

If Fang Wang spread his spiritual sense across all the lights, he could transmit messages to every disciple’s token. He could also send private messages to individuals.

Even the tokens of Guang Qiuxian, Yang Yuanzi, and Tu Caiyi were present.

What a treasure! In the future, he could use the chief disciple’s token to search for the whereabouts of Fang Hanyu and others.

Fang Wang also noticed one point of light was extremely far from Taiyuan Sect. When his attention focused on it, its identity emerged in his mind.

First Branch, personal disciple, Zhou Xue.

Fang Wang was speechless. This one could really run.

He searched again, but did not find Lu Yuanjun’s disciple token—apparently, he truly had defected.

He then searched for Zhao Qi’s token and sent him a message, instructing him to seek out Deputy Sect Master Chai Yi in the main branch, who would arrange for his enthronement.

Less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn had passed before Zhao Qi appeared outside Fang Wang’s cave. He hesitated for a moment, then called out, “Sword Sage, are you here?”

Fang Wang opened the cave’s gate to admit him.

Zhao Qi strode in, dropped to his knees before Fang Wang, and knocked his head heavily to the ground three times.

“Sword Sage, I will never forget your great kindness. Once I am enthroned, I promise that my descendants will always treat and honor the Fang family, and never let them suffer any grievance.”

Hearing Zhao Qi’s vow, Fang Wang only smiled coolly. He said quietly, “Go and do as you must. If trouble arises, come to me. But remember—if you cannot be a good emperor for the people, know that the same word that raised you up can cast you down. I hope you will remain true to your aspirations.”

Zhao Qi raised his hand to swear: “Should I fail my people, may misfortune haunt my old age, may disaster be my lot, and may my bloodline end with me!”

Fang Wang nodded. “Go, the deputy sect master will see to everything.”

Zhao Qi bowed and took his leave.

He had come solely to express his allegiance and gratitude.

Fang Wang, though outwardly stern, was inwardly satisfied. No matter what, upon learning of his imminent enthronement, Zhao Qi had thought first to visit him. That was commendable.

With a boom, the mountain gate closed. Fang Wang’s thoughts turned to Tu Caiyi.

He was rather curious how that fellow had managed to become deputy sect master. Clearly, during Fang Wang’s years in seclusion, Tu Caiyi had put in considerable effort.

When Zhou Xue returned, he would have to ask her whether Tu Caiyi was worthy of trust.

Setting aside such thoughts, Fang Wang continued his cultivation. He must first break through to the seventh level of the Profound Mind Realm!

That very day, news of Fang Wang’s ascension to chief disciple spread rapidly throughout the Taiyuan Sect. Notices were posted in all nine branches and the main sect city.

Almost all the disciples accepted Fang Wang as chief disciple, even feeling excitement. With such a leader, everyone’s hopes for the future soared higher.

Over the next half-month, the news that Fang Wang had become the chief disciple spread throughout all of Great Qi’s cultivation world.

…

At the Hanging Flood Sword Sect, clouds wreathed the peaks. On a mountaintop that pierced the clouds, beneath an ancient tree, Xu Qiuming sat before the trunk, playing with a wooden sword.

A figure emerged from the mists—it was his sister, Xu Tianjiao.

“Brother, Fang Wang has become the chief disciple of Taiyuan Sect!”

Xu Tianjiao spoke excitedly. She had once been saved by Fang Wang and remained ever curious about him. Since word of Fang Wang’s Tianyuan Spirit Treasure had spread across the land, her attention on him had only grown.

Hearing this, Xu Qiuming’s hand stilled. He looked up with a smile. “What’s so special about him becoming chief disciple? Isn’t that only natural?”

Xu Tianjiao sighed, “But he’s only thirty-seven! Looking at the nine great sects, past and present, not one person has ever become chief disciple at so young an age.”

Xu Qiuming’s gaze grew complicated. Ever since Fang Wang’s meteoric rise, all other geniuses in Great Qi had faded into obscurity. Now, there were only two kinds of geniuses in the world: Fang Wang, and everyone else. Xu Qiuming was of the latter kind.

Outwardly, he said nothing, but inwardly he burned with a quiet determination—he would prove himself no less than Fang Wang!

As Xu Tianjiao prattled on, her words full of curiosity and admiration for Fang Wang, Xu Qiuming could barely force a smile. Though her excitement tried his patience, he could not bring himself to anger at his younger sister.

“Oh, by the way, Lü Changge has already issued a challenge to the Hanging Flood Sword Sect. He’ll be coming in half a year, leaving Taiyuan Sect for last. He’s clearly slighting us,” Xu Tianjiao said, her face showing indignation.

She admired Fang Wang, but was not so fond of Taiyuan Sect—in her view, a peerless genius like Fang Wang ought to have joined the Hanging Flood Sword Sect, especially since he had inherited the Sword Sage’s legacy, proving he was a sword cultivator.

In fact, the Hanging Flood Sword Sect had indeed intended to recruit Fang Wang, but his years of seclusion had made it impossible to approach him.

…

After becoming chief disciple, Fang Wang continued in seclusion, maintaining a low profile. The sect assigned him no tasks, hoping he could cultivate in peace.

Disciples from all branches marveled at Fang Wang’s perseverance; his talent was unmatched, and yet he worked harder than anyone, leaving no chance for others to catch up.

Thus, four more years passed.

At last, Fang Wang broke through to the ninth level of the Profound Mind Realm!

Forty-one years old, and already at the ninth level of the Profound Mind Realm—he wondered if there was anyone else in the world who could claim the same.

Since Fang Wang had become chief disciple, the spiritual energy in his cave had grown much richer—clearly the sect was channeling more resources in his direction.

After breaking through, he spent another seven days consolidating his cultivation. Once his foundation was stable, he burst from his cave and stood at the edge of a cliff, letting out a triumphant shout.

A disciple passing in the distance was startled, but on seeing it was Fang Wang, dared not interrupt.

With a rumble, the gate of the neighboring cave swung open. Gu Li emerged, her exquisite, cool beauty unmasked by her usual veil. She approached Fang Wang and asked, “Feeling pent up?”

Fang Wang gave her a broad smile. “Did I disturb your cultivation, Miss Gu?”

Gu Li shook her head gently. “Half a year ago, I broke through to the eighth level of the Spirit Pill Realm. Now my training doesn’t require such intense focus, so you haven’t disturbed me. In fact, I wanted to come out for some air myself.”

“Eighth level of the Spirit Pill Realm—not bad at all,” Fang Wang praised her.

Gu Li fixed him with her gaze. “And you? What realm are you at now?”

Fang Wang replied modestly, “Still at the Profound Mind Realm.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Li sighed. “So we won’t have our duel at the ninth level of the Spirit Pill Realm after all. Thinking back, I really was naive back then.”

“If you still want to spar, I’m game,” Fang Wang said with a soft laugh.

You used to beat me with your higher cultivation back then—let me try now.

Gu Li rolled her eyes at him. “Are you going back into seclusion again?”

Fang Wang nodded. “Of course. If I go out, I’m afraid I’ll be beset by demon sects again.”

For a moment, Gu Li found his words infuriating, almost enough to make her want to strike him. But she remembered she was no match for him, so she let it go.

“Tell me, what’s been happening in the cultivation world lately?” Fang Wang noticed the faint complaint in her eyes and quickly changed the subject.