Chapter 118: Let Them Live, or Let Them Die?

It took Xiao Zi less than two days to travel from Great Wei back to the Taiyuan Sect.

Standing atop the serpent’s head, Fang Wang gazed into the distance at the ten peaks of the Taiyuan Sect, a smile gracing his face. From afar, the Taiyuan Sect, nestled within the clouds and mist, appeared like an immortal realm, vast and ethereal.

For Xiao Zi and Zhao Zhen, despite not having returned for years, there was little sentimentality; Zhao Zhen had already retreated into the Soul-Devouring Gourd, wanting to avoid people. Fang Wang, however, was different. He had been away for a thousand years, and seeing the Taiyuan Sect again stirred waves in his heart.

Fang Wang took a deep breath, his smile deepening. He did not have Xiao Zi shrink in size, choosing instead to fly toward the sect with a grand and imposing presence. As he approached the mountain gates, the disciples guarding the entrance were initially startled by Xiao Zi's demonic aura, but upon recognizing Fang Wang’s face, they burst into exclamations of shock.

"It’s Senior Brother Fang!"
"It really is! Senior Brother Fang, you’ve finally returned!"
"This is wonderful! Senior Brother Fang, the Taiyuan Sect truly needs you right now!"
"Exactly! The Haoqi Sect has been acting far too arrogantly, lingering here and refusing to leave!"

Seeing them grow indignant as they spoke, Fang Wang curiously asked what had happened. The guards began to recount the situation with the Haoqi Sect all at once. After listening for a while, Fang Wang finally understood.

So, the Haoqi Sect from the Great Chu Empire wanted to force him to study their Taoist arts? And they had sent people to camp out at the Taiyuan Sect, refusing to leave? Fang Wang’s eyes turned cold. Regardless of whether the Haoqi Sect truly intended to cultivate him, such an attitude was overly tyrannical. Had they even considered his own stance?

"No matter. I will make them crawl away today," Fang Wang said calmly. With that, he rode Xiao Zi toward the interior of the Taiyuan Sect.

Along the way, the over ten-zhang-long Xiao Zi, wreathed in demonic mist, looked like a dragon emerging from the clouds. It was a spectacular sight that caused passing disciples to turn their heads, many assuming a demon had invaded—especially since Fang Wang was dressed in black. Fortunately, people soon recognized him.

"It’s Senior Brother Fang Wang!" someone shouted, triggering a cascade of cheers.

Fang Wang’s reputation was immense. Within the Taiyuan Sect, no one could compare to him—not even the sect leader. All the disciples looked to Fang Wang as their goal and took pride in being his fellow sect members. More and more disciples flew over on their swords, though they dared only watch from afar.

Fang Wang had Xiao Zi fly toward the main peak. While the guards had spoken with indignation, he needed to ask Guang Qiuxian for the truth to ensure the story hadn't been embellished. News spread rapidly, and disciples from all nine peaks emerged, eager to catch a glimpse of Fang Wang’s current demeanor. Thus, Fang Wang traveled toward the main peak atop the demonic serpent, followed by a vast throng of disciples, looking as if he were embarking on some grand endeavor.

In a courtyard on the main peak, a man in white opened his eyes and arched a brow. "Such thick demonic energy. It is nearing that of a Great Demon King."

A grey-robed elder also opened his eyes. Sitting atop the roof, he looked into the distance and caught sight of Fang Wang riding the serpent. His hearing was extraordinary, and he soon caught the shouts of the disciples behind Fang Wang.

"Fang Wang," the elder whispered. At the mention of the name, the man in white stood up, his gaze following the direction of Fang Wang’s arrival, his eyes filled with a thirst for battle.

Without waiting for his master to speak, the man in white flew toward Fang Wang. At the same time, the masters of each peak, elders, and direct disciples emerged from seclusion, all stirred by Xiao Zi's aura. As they exited, they saw disciples rushing past their abodes, all calling out Fang Wang’s name.

Fang Wang had returned! Even the peak masters and elders were stirred by the news.

"Fang Wang, I am Xu Guang, a direct disciple of the Great Chu Haoqi Sect. I have heard you possess the aptitude of a Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit. Today, let me see if you are truly qualified for recruitment by the Haoqi Sect!" The white-clad man intercepted Fang Wang, speaking coldly. He raised his right hand, and a long sword materialized in his grasp.

Xiao Zi stopped. It could sense that the opponent was powerful—at the very least, far beyond its own capabilities. However, Xiao Zi was clever; while it stopped, it raised its head high, allowing Fang Wang to look down at Xu Guang from above.

Fang Wang lifted his chin slightly. "Where is your master?"

Xu Guang pointed his sword at Fang Wang. "There is no need for my master to intervene. Let me test your abilities first!"

"Stop!" A thunderous roar erupted as Yang Yuanzi flew over, his face filled with fury, followed closely by the elders of the third peak. Guang Qiuxian, Zhao Chuanqian, the Drowsy Immortal, and even the Vice Sect Leader, Chai Yi, had arrived.

"Insolence! You dare draw your sword within the Taiyuan Sect?" Yang Yuanzi blocked Xiao Zi’s path, pointing an angry finger at Xu Guang.

In an instant, the disciples gathering from all directions joined in the shouting. Encouraged by the numbers, they vented the frustrations they had been holding back.
"Who does he think he is? What right does he have to challenge our Senior Brother?"
"So it’s true that cultivators from Great Chu have been squatting here to hold Senior Brother Fang hostage."
"Is this not a slap in the face of our Taiyuan Sect? To draw a sword here—how despicable!"
"Senior Brother Fang, beat him to death!"

Hearing the insults from these low-level cultivators, Xu Guang’s expression darkened. Just as he was about to explode, a gentle voice intervened: "Guang'er, show some respect!"

The grey-robed elder flew over. He arrived beside Xu Guang, bowed to Guang Qiuxian, and smiled. "My disciple is a bit headstrong. I hope you will not be offended, Fellow Daoist Guang. We certainly should not be drawing swords within the Taiyuan Sect."

Without waiting for Guang Qiuxian to reply, he turned to Fang Wang with a smile. "Fang Wang, I am Elder Ya, a Supreme Elder of the Haoqi Sect. I wish to invite you to cultivate at the Haoqi Sect. With your natural talent and our resources, you would surely reach the Transcending Void Realm, or perhaps even higher. Great Chu became a cultivation dynasty a century ago and has explored lands far beyond the imagination of the other six dynasties. The cultivation world is vast—why remain in a backwater place like the Great Qi?"

These words showed zero respect for the Taiyuan Sect. The faces of the high-ranking cultivators turned deathly grim, their eyes burning with rage. If looks could kill, Elder Ya would have been reduced to dust.

Ignoring the gazes around him, Elder Ya smiled at Fang Wang, growing more satisfied the longer he looked.

Fang Wang tilted his head, looking down at Elder Ya with disdain. "So, you are the one who wants to take me away?"

Elder Ya chuckled. "It is an invitation—a sincere invitation for you to cultivate at the Haoqi Sect. We—"

Before he could finish, his expression froze.

*Rumble—*

The ten peaks of the Taiyuan Sect trembled. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged frantically toward Fang Wang. Everyone watched in stunned silence. Fang Wang raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist. White energy condensed around his knuckles, drawing in the essence of heaven and earth. A terrifying, unimaginable pressure erupted from his body, causing everyone in the Taiyuan Sect to gasp for air, their chests tightening.

Elder Ya and Xu Guang felt it most acutely; a suffocating oppression descended upon them, making them feel as though speaking another word would result in their immediate death.

"How is this possible... what kind of aura is this..."

Elder Ya, a cultivator of the Transcending Void Realm, trembled, his aged eyes wide, cold sweat drenching his forehead. As for Xu Guang, he had turned deathly pale, his arrogance replaced by bottomless terror. In their pupils, Fang Wang appeared as an untouchable titan, his raised fist seemingly gripping their very fates.

The Taiyuan Sect side was equally shocked. Although Fang Wang had focused his aura, the lingering pressure was still immense. Guang Qiuxian, Zhao Chuanqian, Yang Yuanzi, and the others looked at Fang Wang in disbelief. After three years away, had Fang Wang truly grown to such a level?

Among the direct disciples, Ye Xiang looked at Fang Wang with eyes full of longing. He knew he could never catch up to Fang Wang in this lifetime, but even so, he resolved to become as strong as he could, even if he only possessed a fraction of Fang Wang’s brilliance.

"Sect Leader, should I let them live, or let them die?" Fang Wang maintained his clenched fist, the pressure of his 'Mountain-River Suppressing Fist' enveloping the sect, causing thunderclouds to gather in the sky. It was as if the heavens themselves felt Fang Wang’s anger!

Guang Qiuxian snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, "Naturally, they should not die. Though they are rude, it is not a capital offense."

Fang Wang stared intensely at Elder Ya. "Apologize to the Taiyuan Sect."

A terrifying murderous intent locked onto Elder Ya, making it nearly impossible for him to breathe. He could only grit his teeth and say, "I apologize..."

"Louder."

"I... I am sorry to the Taiyuan Sect!" Elder Ya shouted through gritted teeth. He felt no shame or anger, only endless fear.

Fang Wang glanced at Xu Guang, who was so terrified he immediately followed suit with an apology, devoid of any trace of a genius's pride.

"Leave the Taiyuan Sect within ten breaths."

Fang Wang relaxed his fist and spoke slowly. Upon hearing this, Elder Ya hurriedly cupped his hands in a salute, then grabbed Xu Guang and fled as fast as he could, looking as disheveled as one could possibly be.

At the same time, the terrifying aura that had shaken the Taiyuan Sect vanished, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. As they recovered, their eyes filled with worship as they looked at Fang Wang.

"How could this boy be so powerful..." Chai Yi watched Fang Wang, her beautiful eyes filled with fear. The Golden Firmament Sect mole was panicking. Fang Wang was destined to be the next sect leader, and he knew she was from the Golden Firmament Sect.

The world was silent, everyone still immersed in the shock of Fang Wang’s power. Yang Yuanzi’s face was flushed with excitement, but words failed him.

"Seniors, shall we head to the Shiyuan Hall to talk?" Fang Wang asked with a smile. He was a different person entirely, afraid of frightening his elders.

Guang Qiuxian quickly agreed. "Yes, to the Shiyuan Hall! Let’s go!" He turned and flew toward the hall.

Fang Wang leapt into the air, leaving behind one last sentence before flying toward the peak: "Xiao Zi, feel free to wander around, but don't scare the disciples."

Xiao Zi immediately shrank in size, its demonic aura dissipating, and flew toward Fang Zige in the crowd, wanting him to show it around. As Xiao Zi approached, the disciples around Fang Zige scattered, and then, a deafening cheer erupted throughout the entire Taiyuan Sect.