Chapter 97: The Fourth True Soul Treasure!

From the Great Abyss Gate to Sword Heaven Marsh, under Xiao Zi’s full speed, it took only half a day.

Song Jin Yuan and the sword attendants were still at Sword Heaven Marsh. Besides them, some cultivators had come to pay their respects, eager to witness the place where the Sword Saint Fang Wang once comprehended the sword. If they were fortunate enough to meet Fang Wang, they hoped to seek his guidance. News had spread that Fang Wang was teaching others the sword intent of Heaven and Earth, enhancing his reputation with the aura of a grandmaster.

Fang Wang settled on the bridge where he had previously formed his spirit construct. He instructed Song Jin Yuan behind him, “I am preparing to comprehend the sword. Do not let anyone disturb me.”

Song Jin Yuan nodded and immediately signaled the other sword attendants to disperse, ordering that no one approach within a five-mile radius.

He had much to say to Fang Wang but, seeing his urgency, he restrained himself.

After many years apart, he was curious about Fang Wang’s current cultivation level.

When he learned that Fang Wang had single-handedly broken through the Azure Cicada Valley, he was especially astonished. The Sword Saint had once praised the valley’s Myriad Poison Formation as the second greatest formation in the Great Qi cultivation world. The more people arrayed, the stronger its power. Tens of thousands could participate, capable of severing spiritual concentration.

Years ago, Fang Wang had shattered the Myriad Poison Formation arrayed by thousands; now, surely, he could sweep through the Spiritual Concentration realm?

Then there was that mysterious Black Dragon Technique, which irked Song Jin Yuan silently.

Why did this junior brother not use the master’s ultimate skill?

A dignified Sword Saint fighting without a sword—how absurd!

Of course, in that battle, Fang Wang’s swordless approach made him appear even stronger, as if breaking through the Azure Cicada Valley was effortless, and he hadn’t even drawn his sword.

It was precisely because of Fang Wang that, even after the Great Abyss Gate suffered a demonic assault and lost twenty thousand disciples, the major sects still dared not underestimate them. In fact, their attitude toward the Great Abyss Gate had grown more respectful than before.

Unaware of Song Jin Yuan’s thoughts, Fang Wang sat cross-legged on the bridge, beginning to sense the aura of the Heaven Dao spirit stones beneath the lake.

This time, it went more smoothly than before. In less than five days, Fang Wang found the sensation of spirit shaping.

One must know, the spirit shaping formation the Sword Saint had established here targeted Earth-grade treasure spirits and higher, so the sensing time far exceeded that of ordinary Heaven Dao spirit stones.

Heaven and Earth’s spiritual energy began to surge toward the crown of his head, causing ripples on the lake’s surface.

Fang Wang opened his eyes, condensing the sword intent of Heaven and Earth. In an instant, sword shadows appeared on the lake’s surface, forming a large circle that enclosed him and the pavilion behind. Sword qi overflowed densely, forming a massive celestial curtain that soared skyward, shaking the clouds.

Through the sword intent barrier, Song Jin Yuan and the sword attendants could no longer see what Fang Wang was doing.

With his primordial spirit, Fang Wang could divide his attention, making dual focus easy. This was already his fourth time shaping a spirit; he was well practiced.

For his fourth spirit treasure, he wanted a sealing-type treasure spirit!

One that could seal the enemy during battle, robbing them of mobility, even sealing the primordial spirit itself, leaving them ripe for the kill!

A bold notion—but whether it could be realized depended on actual creation.

With the Golden Scale White Feather Garment already at his disposal, he postponed creating a defensive treasure spirit. When that garment no longer kept pace with him, he would craft a defensive spirit then.

Treasure spirits function similarly to artifacts, but are more suited to their cultivator’s use and harder to snatch away. If stolen, a mere thought from the owner would cause the spirit to disperse—something artifacts could not do.

With so many treasure spirits at his disposal, Fang Wang had no need to fight over so-called supreme treasures.

In the cultivation world, cultivators died daily vying for artifacts, as most could only possess one spirit treasure and found it hard to break through major realms. Thus, collecting artifacts became a necessary pursuit.

Fang Wang began to look inward, his divine sense entering the spirit treasure space.

He continuously infused his designs.

Sealing could also be seen as control; it need not require physical contact with the target, which would be too limiting.

Fang Wang always remembered the spirit treasure Zhou Xue had displayed—a wooden zither that, when plucked, left the opponent dazed and unbalanced.

But he did not favor zithers. Though it was refined for a man to play, he preferred a more domineering style.

Ding!

A great bell. When rung, its toll would capture souls, leaving foes dazed, even scattering their spirits!

Beyond its toll, the bell itself must be sturdy, preferably with defensive capabilities. He could infuse his protective divine steel into it.

Furthermore, the bell could enclose enemies, ensuring no escape.

His spirit treasure’s level was so high that its effects could not be simplistic.

Heaven and Earth’s spiritual energy surged faster atop his head, strands of profound Yang true fire emerging. This was his spiritual power, used to shape the spirit treasure’s body.

Elsewhere, cultivators at Sword Heaven Marsh gazed at the sword qi curtain formed by the sword intent of Heaven and Earth. They were all stirred.

“Has the Sword Saint returned?”

“Such sword qi, such vast sword intent—only Fang Wang could wield it!”

“I knew Fang Wang would not forget Sword Heaven Marsh.”

“Nonsense. After years of construction by the previous Sword Saint, the spiritual energy here rivals that of major sects’ caves, and every corner is filled with the Sword Saint’s sword intent.”

“Enough talk. Cherish this chance to witness such sword intent; it’s a rare opportunity.”

More and more sword cultivators flew to mountaintops around Sword Heaven Marsh, facing the sword qi curtain, carefully sensing it.

...

In the forest.

Morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, shining on the Great Abyss Gate’s disciples, all quietly meditating.

A cultivator swiftly emerged from deep within the woods. Wearing the Great Abyss Gate’s robes, he hurried to Zhao Chuan Qian’s side and whispered.

When he finished, Zhao Chuan Qian stood, scanning all disciples.

“Everyone, prepare to move out.”

At his words, all disciples rose, each mentally ready.

Talents like Ye Xiang and Fang Hanyu looked eager. They also wished to make their name known. Though they could not match Fang Wang, they longed to carve out their own renown.

Since Fang Wang’s meteoric rise, mention of the Great Abyss Gate in the cultivation world always brought him to mind, overshadowing other disciples.

Fifty years ago, Earth-grade treasure spirits alone attracted the entire Great Qi cultivation world’s attention; now, they seemed ordinary.

Zhao Chuan Qian turned toward a direction and began walking. The disciples immediately followed, while elders at the formation’s edges operated the arrays, moving with them.

Elsewhere.

Three hundred miles east, cultivators of the Hanging Flood Sword Sect prepared to move. Their number exceeded two hundred, more than the Great Abyss Gate’s, all elite.

Xu Qiuming and Xu Tianjiao walked among them. After many years apart, Xu Qiuming appeared confident and spirited, a sword shadow floating behind him like a sword spirit.

“Brother, do you think the Great Abyss Gate will send Fang Wang?” Xu Tianjiao asked curiously, hope shining on her face.

Xu Qiuming glanced at her calmly. “Didn’t you say Fang Wang has an unusual relationship with that girl Gu Li? Why do you still care about him?”

Xu Tianjiao covered her mouth to laugh. “I just admire him. Besides, the cultivation world doesn’t hold to monogamy. Even if paired as Dao companions, they might part ways. In the face of immortality, no one stays forever. It’s best to enjoy the moment.”

Xu Qiuming rolled his eyes, disinclined to continue.

Xu Tianjiao nudged him, casting a glance forward, whispering, “Do you think Lü Changge truly helps us? Or could it be…”

Xu Qiuming looked ahead. “He happens to have a grudge with the Chimo Sect. He challenged them before and won but was nearly killed in their counterattack. I sense he truly joined the Hanging Flood Sword Sect. When no one there can surpass him, he’ll leave. He’s a sword fanatic.”

“A sword fanatic? Is there anyone more obsessed than you?” Xu Tianjiao winked.

Xu Qiuming said nothing.

At that moment, a male cultivator approached, smiling. “Junior Brother Xu, the Ancient Sword Heart Sect from Tianshu Cult has come too. Don’t let him steal your thunder.”

Xu Qiuming raised an eyebrow. “Why would he leave seclusion? Could it be for Fang Wang?”

The cultivator laughed. “Naturally. The Chimo Sect attacked the Great Abyss Gate. With such an opportunity, they surely sent Fang Wang. Ancient Sword Heart was once the top genius in the Great Qi cultivation world in his youth. A friend of mine in Tianshu Cult said he vowed long ago to compete with Fang Wang.”

Xu Qiuming’s eyes darkened. “Could he have broken through his destiny?”

The cultivator shrugged. “That’s unknown.”

Battle intent gleamed in Xu Qiuming’s eyes, and the sword shadow behind him began to emit a cold light.

“This must be resolved. We must deal with him. Back then, he bullied my brother with overwhelming force. Now that my brother has grown, he’ll pay!” Xu Tianjiao gritted her teeth. Speaking of Ancient Sword Heart, her hatred was palpable.

Xu Qiuming said nothing, but his sword intent radiated, causing the cultivator to step back. Surrounding Hanging Flood Sword Sect cultivators all turned toward him.

...

At Sword Heaven Marsh, on the bridge.

Xiao Zi retreated far away, staring at the great bell above Fang Wang’s head. She felt dizzy, unable to tell if the world was spinning or if her mind was reeling.

As the bell solidified, its toll rang out occasionally. The sound was not loud, muffled by the sword intent barrier, but it troubled Xiao Zi within.

At this moment, Fang Wang’s great bell had taken true form—an ancient golden bell with three qilin heads atop, mouths facing outward. Below were rings of delicate patterns. On each side of the bell were three golden dragons, their bodies connected to the bell’s body, heads raised proudly, postured gracefully, exuding true dragon majesty.

The bell’s base bore wave patterns, and above were nine bright suns, vast and atmospheric, evoking mythic grandeur.

Fang Wang slowly opened his eyes and looked up. This spirit treasure was nearly complete.

He could feel its power. After all, he had spent 520 years preparing for this shaping, ensuring it was stronger than the Rainbow Sword or the Universe Fan.

As for the Celestial Palace Halberd, that was uncertain.

Fang Wang felt it contained even greater power, waiting for him to unlock it, as it was created by the Celestial Palace itself.

“Let’s call it the Cycle Bell.”

Fang Wang murmured to himself, naming the bell.

To shape this bell, he had infused some understanding of Yin-Yang Profound Darkness cultivation technique, granting it Yin-Yang power. Besides sealing and soul control, the bell could also reflect sealing and control.

Page complete.