Chapter 35: Fang Yun Remains the Beloved of Heaven

This force swiftly formed a massive vortex around Fang Yun, drawing in all the surrounding spiritual energy, despite its chaotic and impure nature, channeling it straight into his body. The energy relentlessly surged through him, and as soon as it entered, it transformed into an eerie crimson hue.

This cycle repeated over and over.

Most terrifying of all, under the influence of this red power, Fang Yun’s face twisted into a grotesque mask, his features contorting hideously, his eyes turning blood-red as a searing heat erupted from within him. Previously, Chu Feng had severed Fang Yun’s root of vexation, crippling most of his cultivation, reducing him from the eighth to the third stage of Qi Refining.

Now, however, his cultivation began to recover.

Fourth stage, fifth stage—onward to the eighth stage, with no sign of slowing. He broke through to the ninth, then the tenth stage.

Just as Fang Yun was about to press on for another breakthrough—

With a thunderous crash, the spiritual energy throughout the mine once again erupted into chaos. What had started as a localized disturbance in the mine now spread throughout the entire vein; all the spiritual energy surged frantically toward Fang Yun’s dwelling, pouring into him. Even the disciples laboring in the mines, as well as the overseers, felt their own magical power struggling to escape their control, as if trying to break free of their bodies.

“What’s happening?”

“Has the spiritual energy in the mine gone mad?”

“My own power is slipping from my grasp!”

Fear gripped everyone, and they desperately circulated their cultivation methods, trying to regain control.

“Quick, go see what’s going on!”

Yet no one realized who was truly responsible.

It was Fang Yun.

Like a madman, he let out peals of crazed laughter.

“Chu Feng, and all of you—you never expected this, did you? You castrated me, made me a eunuch, and thought you could defeat me? Fang Yun is invincible! I am the chosen of destiny, a peerless genius. The more I fight, the stronger I become. Just wait—I will soon have my revenge!”

“If I don't break through now, then when?”

With Fang Yun’s wild cultivation of the Demonic Dragon Technique, he finally broke through.

In a single leap, he stepped into the Foundation Establishment realm.

In this realm, his lifespan would reach two centuries—he could become a core disciple. His status and position would undergo a complete transformation.

“So this is the power of Foundation Establishment?” Feeling the immense strength within, Fang Yun’s confidence soared. Over the past month, the Soul-Scourge Whip had tormented him, leaving his soul riddled with wounds. Now, though his cultivation had advanced, those spiritual wounds remained unhealed.

Instead, the breakthrough drove him to greater madness, erasing all sense of self.

“And this Demonic Dragon Technique—from now on, it shall be renamed the Sunflower True Intent.”

“My first act is vengeance. Chu Feng, you may be a Nascent Soul Immortal Lord, beyond my reach for now. But you overseer disciples, you who beat me day after day—if I do not avenge myself, I am no son of man.”

“You all must die.”

As Fang Yun broke through, the raging spiritual energy quickly calmed. The magical power within everyone’s bodies ceased its turmoil, allowing them to investigate what had just transpired.

Liu Yong, the mine’s steward and a cultivator at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, immediately issued orders, “Find out at once what just happened!”

“Yes, sir.”

Countless overseer disciples sprang into action.

“No need to investigate the spiritual energy riot—I already know the cause.”

Just then, Fang Yun strode out boldly.

Liu Yong frowned and sneered, “Fang Yun, it seems your injuries have mostly healed. That whipping you got half a day ago must have been too light.”

Fang Yun sneered back, “If you think so, why not give me another beating? Kill me, and no one will ever know the cause of the spiritual energy riot.”

Liu Yong asked, “You really know what happened?”

Fang Yun nodded. “Of course—because I caused the riot.”

“You?” Liu Yong clearly didn’t believe him. “Stop spouting nonsense and stirring up trouble. In this mine, even if I kill you on the spot, it would be a wasted death.”

Fang Yun’s mocking smile froze in an instant, and murderous intent erupted from him. He roared at Liu Yong, “You want to kill me? Come on, try it! If you want my life, I’ll kill you first!”

“Die!”

In a flash, Fang Yun attacked Liu Yong like a madman.

Liu Yong hadn’t expected Fang Yun to make a move, but since Fang Yun attacked, he saw no reason to show mercy. With a wave, an immortal sword appeared in his hand, slashing down at Fang Yun.

As the sword was about to strike, Fang Yun suddenly transformed into a crimson mist, vanishing from sight.

The next moment, he reappeared behind Liu Yong, launching his assault.

Startled, Liu Yong dared not be careless. He immediately unleashed the Supreme Profound Sword Art against Fang Yun. The Supreme Profound Sword Art was the first choice of every Foundation Establishment disciple, and among the most powerful sword techniques of the Supreme Profound Dao Sect—one was a formidable sword art, the other an uncanny divine ability.

For a moment, neither could gain the upper hand.

Not only Liu Yong, but the surrounding disciples watched in disbelief. If they remembered correctly, Fang Yun had only reached the third stage of Qi Refining. Now, he was battling Liu Yong to a standstill—clearly, he had reached Foundation Establishment. How could this be? Could the spiritual energy riot really have been his doing? Or was this not Fang Yun at all, but someone else possessing his body?

Either way, the most pressing matter was to subdue Fang Yun.

Liu Yong’s sword intent grew fiercer, slicing through the air. Yet he was horrified to find Fang Yun growing even stronger.

As he became more attuned to his Sunflower True Intent, Fang Yun began to develop various techniques. The Sunflower True Intent was, above all, about speed—followed by unpredictability. He could become sunflower blood-mist, slip into the void, and evade most attacks. Moreover, while operating this blood mist, he could continuously sap his opponent’s magical power.

As the battle dragged on, Liu Yong felt his magical power depleting at ten times the normal rate, his spells rapidly weakening. Fang Yun seized the opportunity, striking Liu Yong and sending him flying.

Fang Yun’s madness intensified. “Heh heh heh, didn’t you want to kill me? Fine, I’ll oblige you—let’s see if it’s you or me who dies first. Die!”

In the next instant, before Liu Yong could react, his entire body felt as though it was being consumed by flames, his features twisted beyond recognition—a wretched, horrific death.