Chapter 109: Surpassing the Great Sage, the Sword Sovereign of Great Chu

Fang Wang followed the other cultivators as they dove into the waterfall. Xiao Zi trembled in his arms, though it was unclear whether from fear or excitement.

Upon passing through the water, a blinding light flooded Fang Wang’s vision. The long-familiar sensation returned; his entire body became rigid, unable to move or open his eyes, and his spiritual sense was completely suppressed.

Three breaths later, his senses returned. He immediately opened his eyes to a vast blue sky, surrounded on all sides by throngs of cultivators. Unlike the Great Sage’s Cave Heaven, they had not been scattered upon entry and remained gathered together. Fang Wang glanced back to see a shimmering, seven-colored light suspended high in the air, acting like an aperture from which a continuous stream of cultivators emerged. He took only a single look before stepping onto his flying sword and shooting into the distance. In the blink of an eye, he vanished toward the horizon.

The Falling Sky Secret Realm was an independent world of green mountains, clear waters, blue skies, and white clouds, illuminated by a brilliant sun. As Fang Wang piloted his sword, he brought out the map. Xiao Zi climbed onto his shoulder, and Zhao Zhen emerged from the Soul-Devouring Gourd. There was no need to hide the ghost in this realm, as danger could strike at any moment.

"This map only records the location of the Falling Sky Waterfall," Fang Wang muttered. "But the secret realm is vast. Where exactly should we look?"

Zhao Zhen leaned over to examine the map, and Xiao Zi tilted its head as well. "There must be more to this map than just guiding us here," Zhao Zhen mused. "We should explore further; perhaps we will discover something."

Fang Wang agreed. He glanced at Xiao Zi, who understood immediately. It leaped off, its serpent body rapidly growing in size. Fang Wang’s flying sword retreated into his storage bag, and he landed gracefully on the serpent's head, sitting cross-legged to observe the terrain.

*Boom!*

A thunderous roar echoed. Fang Wang looked over to see a mountain peak more than ten miles to his left sheared off, dust billowing as two sword cultivators besieged another. *Good grief,* he thought. *Fighting the moment they arrive? A grudge, perhaps?* Fang Wang merely glanced at them; since they were not disciples of the Taiyuan Sect, he had no intention of intervening.

Xiao Zi accelerated. Its nearly ten-zhang-long body was formidable, wreathed in billowing demonic energy that made it appear extremely dangerous. Thanks to its imposing form, other cultivators steered clear, and no one dared to provoke Fang Wang.

Two hours passed in a flash. The Falling Sky Secret Realm seemed boundless, filled with winding rivers and undulating mountains, though forests were sparse.

"I understand now!" Zhao Zhen suddenly clapped his hands, his expression growing excited.

Fang Wang looked at him, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhao Zhen pointed to the map. "This is a map of the outside world as well as the inside. The geography here is identical, though the rivers and forests differ. I have studied the sand tables and maps of the Great Qi Empire since I was a child; I am intimately familiar with its landscape. The terrain around us right now is nearly identical to the borders of Great Qi."

Hearing this, Fang Wang looked into the distance. Now that Zhao Zhen mentioned it, there was indeed a resemblance. Of course, he didn't truly remember the landscape—Great Qi was massive, and he hadn't traveled much, often spending centuries locked away in the Celestial Palace. Unless there was a city, he could hardly be expected to recall the topography.

As Zhao Zhen began to direct the way, Xiao Zi adjusted its course. Fang Wang felt fortunate that he hadn't destroyed Zhao Zhen; the former Emperor of Great Qi was proving quite useful.

As they pressed on, Zhao Zhen grew increasingly certain of his theory. "So, it seems this realm was also created by the Great Sage ten thousand years ago. Truly incredible—a perfect replica of the outside world, just as vast. With such power, it is no wonder only the immortals and deities could destroy him and his forces," Zhao Zhen sighed. He suddenly felt that his current state wasn't so bad. With his own talent, how far could he have truly gone?

Following Fang Wang, he would undoubtedly witness the wonders of the world and explore realms unreachable by mortals.

Fang Wang smiled. "That certainly makes things easier." Given the vastness of the secret realm, searching for the *True Technique of the Heavenly Gang Saint Body* blindly would have been like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"The Great Sage was naturally formidable. According to the legends I read in the Great Sage’s Cave Heaven, he once unified this entire land. Think about how many dynasties have existed on this earth..." Xiao Zi chimed in. When it came to legends of the Great Sage, it knew plenty. Zhao Zhen listened intently, eager to learn more about the ancient figure.

The Jihao Sect had obtained part of the ancient Great Sage’s legacy; thus, it was highly likely their three great true techniques originated from him. Perhaps the so-called "immortal destiny" was the Great Sage’s true inheritance. At the thought of the legend of the Great Sage contending against the gods of the heavens, Fang Wang’s heart burned with fervor. He would become the next Great Sage of the mortal realm! No—he would surpass him!

Throughout the journey, the voices of Xiao Zi and Zhao Zhen never ceased. Fang Wang listened silently, grateful for their company.

...

Dusk arrived. Fang Wang finally reached his destination. Below him flowed a great river, quite similar to the Wei River, and ahead lay a massive lake, appearing as the confluence of two rivers—exactly as indicated on the map.

Fang Wang beamed with anticipation. *True Technique of the Heavenly Gang Saint Body, here I come!*

Xiao Zi landed by the lake. "Zhao Zhen, go down and take a look. You're a ghost; you aren't afraid of water."

"What? But this is a secret realm! What if there are formations or restrictions? Won't my soul be scattered?" Zhao Zhen cried out in terror. After spending so much time together, he had thought they were quite close. He hadn't expected the serpent demon to be so heartless—even more ruthless than an emperor!

Xiao Zi snorted, "If you don't go down, your soul will be scattered anyway."

Zhao Zhen’s face turned ghastly, and he drifted toward the lake, trembling.

"Wait." Fang Wang stopped him, then flicked his sleeve. A flying sword shot out and dove into the water. Zhao Zhen let out a breath of relief, looking at Fang Wang with gratitude.

Fang Wang utilized his consummate sword-control technique to guide the blade. The lake was three hundred feet deep and teeming with fish, but there were no signs of powerful monsters. The sword darted through the water without encountering any obstacles or hidden seals. After a full stick of incense had burned, Fang Wang recalled the sword; the blade was unscathed, proving the water was safe.

Fang Wang frowned, deep in thought.

"Could it be related to the time of day?" Zhao Zhen suddenly asked.

Fang Wang checked the map again and noticed that the sun depicted on it was positioned directly over the lake.

"Then let's wait until tomorrow," Fang Wang said softly. Having just arrived, there was no rush.

Zhao Zhen shook his head. "I fear tomorrow won't work. I've been watching the sun all day; while there is a cycle of day and night, the sun’s light fades gradually—it does not set behind the mountains."

Fang Wang looked at the setting sun and realized it was true; throughout their journey, the sun had remained in the same general direction. His brow furrowed. If that were the case, how long would they have to wait?

"Since we're waiting anyway, I'll go take a look. Maybe I'll find something," Xiao Zi said, diving into the lake. Before Zhao Zhen could react, he was dragged into the depths by the Soul-Devouring Gourd.

Fang Wang sat by the lake, studying the map. A thought occurred to him, and he produced the mysterious stone tablet he had obtained. Hidden away by Lu Yuanjun and discovered alongside the *True Technique of Yin-Yang Xuanming*, it surely had to be related to the three great true techniques.

A long while later, Xiao Zi burst from the lake and landed before Fang Wang. It was chewing on a fish, which it gulped down, causing a comical bulge in its neck.

"There's really nothing at the bottom of the lake," Xiao Zi said helplessly.

"Then we wait," Fang Wang replied. The Falling Sky Secret Realm held countless treasures, but he only cared about the *True Technique of the Heavenly Gang Saint Body*. He could afford to wait.

And so, the man, the demon, and the ghost spent the night by the lake.

The next morning, as dawn broke, Fang Wang noticed the sun had shifted slightly toward the position directly above the lake, though it was still quite far. Seeing this, he immediately began his cultivation. Zhao Zhen sat nearby, the map and stone tablet laid out before him, stroking his chin in deep contemplation.

As noon approached, the sun was still far from the zenith, and no anomalies occurred. However, a figure appeared on the opposite shore—a man in white robes worn over black inner garments. His hair was gray, but his face looked to be in its forties, and he carried a distinguished air. He merely glanced at Fang Wang before sitting down by the lake to wait.

Fang Wang narrowed his eyes. Was this man also eyeing the *True Technique of the Heavenly Gang Saint Body*? Without a map, an ordinary passerby would not stop here, as there were no visible formations or restrictions. Of course, there was another possibility: the man was targeting him.

*Interesting.* Fang Wang smiled and continued his cultivation.

An hour later, another person arrived—a woman in black wearing a bamboo hat and a veil, revealing only her eyes. She did not approach Fang Wang or the man in white; the three of them kept a great distance, all choosing to sit by the lake.

"I did not expect the Fairy Lanxin of Great Han to be here. May I ask what the Fairy seeks?" the man in white asked, his voice calm and echoing across the lake.

The woman known as Fairy Lanxin kept her eyes closed. "No need to ask. Since we have all gathered here, we are surely here for the same thing."

The man in white smiled, then looked at Fang Wang. "And what of this little brother? You look unfamiliar. I am from Great Chu, named Xiao Chen."

Fang Wang opened his eyes. "I am Fang Wang, from Great Qi."

Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes, and Fairy Lanxin opened hers, looking at Fang Wang.

"Are you the Fang Wang who possesses the Heavenly Origin Precious Spirit?" Xiao Chen asked.

Fang Wang replied calmly, "Indeed. Might you happen to know Xiao Jian?"

Xiao Jian was the white-haired man from the Heaven-Stealing Saint Sect. Fang Wang had claimed his storage ring and found a letter inside revealing his name. The letter was addressed to the Xiao family of Great Chu, but had never been sent. Fang Wang had kept the thought of Xiao Jian and the man in purple in his mind, feeling that their karma was yet to be resolved.

Xiao Chen stroked his beard and laughed. "That is my father. He was once the Sword Sovereign of Great Chu, but he retired two hundred years ago to wander the world. Since then, I have inherited the title of Sword Sovereign. I have not seen him since he left. May I ask where you met my father, little brother Fang? And how has he been?"