Chapter 116: Fang Wang and the Great Sage

Fang Wang stood proudly atop the mountain peak, overlooking the ghost army sweeping in from the edge of the horizon.

At a glance, every ghost soldier emanated a powerful aura; the weakest among them were at the Spirit Pellet Realm. There were tens of thousands of them, and there was no shortage of those at the Profound Heart and Focused Spirit Realms. The general leading them possessed an aura far surpassing that of the Focused Spirit Realm.

This ghost army maintained the forms they had held in life, clad in black armor. The general’s helmet was adorned with two phoenix-wing plumes, and his cape billowed behind him like flickering flames. His ghostly aura permeated the air for hundreds of yards, accompanied by earth-shattering battle cries that were truly imposing.

Watching from afar, Xiao Zi and Zhao Zhen were intimidated by this ghost army, especially by the general, whose aura was even more terrifying than the two great masters from the Heaven-Stealing Sect they had encountered before.

"Old man, are you joking?" Xiao Zi couldn't help but glare at the white-haired elder, suspecting the old man of harboring malicious intent.

The white-haired elder’s expression was grave. "Their souls are bound to this secret realm. Even if you destroy them, given time, they will recover. You may vent your frustrations to your heart's content."

He had realized that Fang Wang was bottling up a deep, violent resentment that needed an outlet. Perhaps the impact of the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Art was too great, causing his vital energy to stagnate and internal pressure to build up.

Fang Wang did not reply, but he had already clenched his fists.

The surging spiritual energy between heaven and earth poured into his fists, and the white aura around his body grew even more majestic. Especially around his hands, it looked as if he were gripping two balls of flame. His black clothes billowed violently as he slowly rose into the air. The mountain peak beneath his feet began to crumble, sending countless rocks and rolling dust cascading down.

Fang Wang activated his thirty-six Heavenly Dipper Star Apertures. His blood boiled, and endless power surged from within him. At the same time, he could feel his physical body absorbing the spiritual energy of the world.

Although he had mastered the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Art, his physical form had not yet truly transformed into the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body. Precisely because of this, he needed a grand battle! In the heat of combat, he would absorb the world's energy, temper his physique, and allow himself to truly become the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body.

The ghost general in the distance noticed Fang Wang's aura. His fierce brows furrowed beneath his helmet, and he immediately raised his hand, manifesting a massive blade.

"The Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body True Art... I wonder how you compare to Zhu Changsheng from back then."

The ghost general muttered to himself as he accelerated, charging forward with his blade, his momentum like a rainbow.

Fang Wang did not draw his life-bound treasure; he sought a battle that would put his physical body to the test.

...

Taiyuan Gate, Main Branch, Origin Beginning Hall.

The masters of the nine peaks, the elders, and some personal disciples were gathered there. Zhou Xue, Ye Xiang, and Li Yu were among them.

Guang Qiuxian sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. He slowly let out a breath and asked, "What do you all think of the Haoqi Sect's demand?"

Zhao Chuanqian was the first to speak. "They are kicking us while we are down, and they are targeting Fang Wang specifically. Not to mention what Fang Wang's life-bound treasure represents, the loss of Liang Xunqiu and Xiao Chen in the Falling Heaven Secret Realm is enough for them to hold a grudge against us. They want us to trade Fang Wang for resources for our immortal dynasty; we must absolutely refuse!"

Yang Yuanzi snorted, "They claim they want Fang Wang to study higher Daoist arts and build ties, but if Fang Wang goes and something happens to him, what can we do? Cross the Great Wei to wage war on the Haoqi Sect? That's not realistic!"

Other elders spoke one after another, all sharing the same opinion.

"Fang Wang is our top disciple, the next sect leader; how can he go to Great Chu?"

"If I may speak selfishly, even if Great Chu is sincere, what benefit would it bring to Taiyuan Gate if Fang Wang goes? We don't need Fang Wang to owe us a favor; we need Fang Wang to lead Taiyuan Gate to an unprecedented peak, perhaps even surpassing the Haoqi Sect."

"Hmph, the other sects of Great Qi are hoping we surrender Fang Wang, which is why they have kept silent until now. We must not grant them their wish."

"If Fang Wang goes to Great Chu, and Liang Xunqiu and Xiao Chen are truly dead, then Fang Wang will be in grave trouble. The Haoqi Sect has close ties to the Great Chu royal family and is known as the 'Supervising State Sect.' Liang Xunqiu just happened to be a disciple of the Haoqi Sect."

"What are you afraid of? No matter how strong the Haoqi Sect is, can they cross ten thousand miles to slaughter our Taiyuan Gate?"

Listening to the elders' debate, Zhou Xue remained calm, as if she were a stranger to Fang Wang. The other personal disciples, however, looked indignant; they also felt that Great Chu was bullying them.

Guang Qiuxian spoke slowly, "Everyone’s points are valid, but the problem is how to refuse the Haoqi Sect? Since the fall of the Chi Demon Sect, the one who provided the spirit stones to awaken the dragon veins for Great Qi has disappeared. The other Great Qi sects will definitely pressure Taiyuan Gate. After all, the transformation of Great Qi into an immortal dynasty cannot be interrupted; they have been preparing for years, and success is nearly within reach."

At these words, everyone fell silent.

With pressure from the Haoqi Sect externally and dissatisfaction from other sects internally, the matter was indeed difficult to handle. Once refused, Taiyuan Gate might face a siege by the major sects of Great Qi, and the Haoqi Sect might even send great masters beyond the Focused Spirit Realm.

Even Yang Yuanzi, who was always protective of his own, fell silent. The arrogance of the Haoqi Sect’s envoy when facing the six major sects of Great Qi was still fresh in their minds—they acted as if demanding a disciple from Taiyuan Gate were an honor for the sect.

Seeing that they had nothing more to say, the worry in Guang Qiuxian's eyes deepened. He had thought that gaining a genius disciple like Fang Wang in his twilight years was his greatest glory, but he had never expected that he might lose Fang Wang before he could even abdicate.

If he handed Fang Wang over to the Haoqi Sect, he would go from being the most accomplished sect leader in history to the most spineless one who obstructed the rise of Taiyuan Gate! Just thinking about it made his chest feel heavy.

At this moment, Zhou Xue stepped forward. "Although the Sword Sect of Profound Flood, the Heavenly Pivot Sect, the Taiqing Gate, the Red Sun Sect, the Yellow Prison Mountain, and the Ancient Demon Mountain are pressuring us, we are not entirely without help. There is one sect they exclude, and although this sect is branded with an infamous reputation, it has never been at odds with Taiyuan Gate."

Hearing this, Sleeping Master looked at Zhou Xue and squinted. "Are you talking about the Jin Xiao Sect?"

Zhou Xue replied, "Exactly. The Jin Xiao Sect’s strength is unfathomable. Although I don't know much about them, if we want to protect Fang Wang, the only way forward is to ally with the Jin Xiao Sect."

Sleeping Master pursued the question, "How would the Jin Xiao Sect agree? And who would we send to make contact with them?"

Zhou Xue shook her head. "These are matters for the senior masters and uncles to consider."

Sleeping Master could not help but look at Guang Qiuxian. Guang Qiuxian frowned and began to ponder.

Yang Yuanzi suddenly said, "I think she makes sense. And we all know her relationship with Fang Wang; she wouldn't suggest an alliance with the Jin Xiao Sect out of ulterior motives. In fact, other than this, we truly have no other path, unless you really intend to hand Fang Wang over."

Many elders nodded, but others felt it was inappropriate. Although the Jin Xiao Sect had no conflict with Taiyuan Gate, their conduct was clearly that of a demonic sect. Colluding with them meant that even if Taiyuan Gate survived this crisis, they would never be able to wash away the stain.

"Even if the Jin Xiao Sect is strong, even strong enough to rival the Haoqi Sect, how would we contend with them afterward? If the Jin Xiao Sect wants to unify Great Qi, how would we respond?" the master of the second peak asked in a low, serious voice.

Ye Xiang suddenly stepped forward. "Senior masters and uncles, we are overlooking one point, the most important one: Fang Wang's growth rate. If we can use the Jin Xiao Sect to survive this crisis, how many years do you think it will take for Fang Wang to surpass the Focused Spirit Realm, and what kind of power will he possess once he does?"

"It is we, the mediocre, who need to look outward. With Fang Wang's innate talent, combined with the inheritance he received from the Jihao Sect, he doesn't need to go anywhere. Just give him time, and why fear the Haoqi Sect? Why fear the Jin Xiao Sect?"

His words won the approval of the personal disciples. They were more aware than their masters of how terrifying Fang Wang's talent was. They themselves were geniuses rarely seen in their families for a century, but in front of Fang Wang, they truly felt mediocre.

Listening to the disciples' exchange, Guang Qiuxian felt a surge of emotion. Yes! They could still believe in Fang Wang!

Just then, an elder hurried in. He walked to the front of the group and said urgently to Guang Qiuxian, "The Supreme Elder of the Haoqi Sect has arrived. He claims he is traveling the world with his disciple and wishes to be a guest at Taiyuan Gate!"

Everyone was moved by this news, and even the look in Zhou Xue's eyes changed.

Guang Qiuxian felt no panic, only fury. He gritted his teeth and said, "Good! Very good!"

...

Falling Heaven Secret Realm.

Fang Wang, stripped to the waist, sat by the lake. Rolling spiritual energy formed a vortex around him, aiding his physical transformation. The thirty-six Heavenly Dipper Star Apertures appeared and disappeared on his body, a truly mysterious sight.

The white-haired elder, Xiao Zi, and Zhao Zhen stood in the distance, looking at Fang Wang with complex expressions. Behind them, the horizon was still filled with dust, and great mountains lay in ruins, a scene of desolation and repression like the aftermath of a massive earthquake.

"The Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body... and a more perfect one than Zhu Changsheng's... No, he is even..." The white-haired elder muttered to himself, his eyes filled with shock. Even though the earth-shattering battle had ended some time ago, his heart remained unsettled.

Xiao Zi turned to him and asked, "Even what? Could my master have surpassed the Great Saint?"

It was meant as a tease, but the white-haired elder fell silent. Zhao Zhen was astonished; the Great Saint was incredibly powerful and had mastered nine life-bound treasures, likely all Heavenly Origin grade—how could Fang Wang surpass him? Could it be... that there was a rank above Heavenly Origin? Zhao Zhen was shocked by his own conjecture; in his view, even the term "Heavenly Origin" was insufficient to describe Fang Wang's talent. What was most exaggerated about Fang Wang was not the speed of his cultivation, but his absurdly fast comprehension of cultivation methods.

The white-haired elder took a deep breath. "He naturally hasn't surpassed His Majesty, but he has surpassed the state His Majesty was in when he first mastered the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body. And he... he is even more powerful than His Majesty was at the Focused Spirit Realm..."

He held back the second half of his thought: If His Majesty had encountered Fang Wang while at the Focused Spirit Realm, he might have...

"Perhaps, that item should be given to him," the white-haired elder said softly.

Xiao Zi asked curiously, "What item?"

The white-haired elder enunciated each word, "That item can bring him a fortuitous encounter—one that will allow him to achieve immortality and become a celestial being in the mortal world!"