Chapter 120: Ji Rutian, A Marriage Contract

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Fang Wang had no idea that the other sects had been thrown into internal disputes because of him. In truth, he had long since stopped regarding the other sects of Great Qi as worthy of his attention.

Ever since taking his revenge, Fang Wang’s heart had wholly transformed into the heart of a cultivator.

He sought longevity, immortality, and as much peace and security for his family as he could provide while they were still alive.

As he entered seclusion, time began to pass more swiftly.

Half a year later, the Taixuan Gate had become extraordinarily lively. The major sects all sent people to pay visits, creating an atmosphere of warmth and harmony. In the end, they jointly decided to hold a tournament between the Nine Great Sects of Great Qi at the Taixuan Gate, in order to strengthen their friendships. Each of the nine sects would provide resources to reward the victorious disciples.

The Chi Demon Sect and the Azure Cicada Valley had been removed from the list. The Golden Firmament Sect and another sect founded jointly by numerous great clans became two of the Nine Great Sects.

The tournament was scheduled for three years later. As the major sects eagerly visited the Taixuan Gate, the sect gradually began to assume the air of the foremost cultivation sect in Great Qi.

Everyone in the Taixuan Gate respected Fang Wang even more, for they all knew that this entire transformation had been brought about by him.

On this day, someone came to visit Fang Wang.

It was Zhou Xue.

Little Zi went to open the door and welcomed Zhou Xue into the cave residence.

“Bad woman, long time no see!” Little Zi greeted her.

Zhou Xue smiled at it without replying and walked straight toward Fang Wang.

When Fang Wang saw her approaching, he rose and went to sit at the table. He looked at Zhou Xue. She still loved wearing red, but her crimson robes now possessed an even more imposing grandeur. The hem behind her fluttered like a feathered tail, while her long hair was coiled up and adorned with golden-and-jade hairpins and red-jade ornaments. She possessed both a woman’s captivating charm and the oppressive presence of a powerful cultivator.

They had not seen each other for over a thousand years. Fang Wang felt that Zhou Xue had become much more beautiful, possessing an indescribable allure that made her increasingly breathtaking.

Zhou Xue said, “Snake demon, go outside and take your gourd with you.”

Little Zi froze for a moment before indignantly saying, “Why are you sending me away the moment you arrive?”

Zhou Xue looked toward Fang Wang. Fang Wang immediately said, “Go take a walk.”

Little Zi instantly wilted. It lowered its head and slithered over to the Soul-Devouring Gourd, drawing it toward itself with demonic power before leaving with it.

Rumble—

After Little Zi departed, the mountain gate closed once more.

Fang Wang asked curiously, “How did you know that gourd belonged to it?”

Zhou Xue raised her hand and produced a wine jug and two jade cups. As she poured the wine, she said, “That ghost artifact bears its demonic power. Though it is extremely faint, it cannot escape my perception.”

She pushed one of the jade cups toward Fang Wang and smiled. “Try it. I brought this wine back from overseas.”

Fang Wang immediately lifted the jade cup and began to taste it.

“Aren’t you afraid I poisoned it?” Zhou Xue asked with a teasing smile.

Fang Wang savored the fine wine as he replied, “You are the person I trust most. If I had to guard against even you, whom else could I trust?”

Afraid?

I possess the Heavenly Dipper Sacred Body!

Fang Wang felt secretly pleased with himself. Then he realized just how delicious the wine was. As it flowed down his throat, his blood and vital energy circulated freely, leaving his mind clear and his body refreshed. Even his spiritual power increased by a fraction—equivalent to several days of cultivation.

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Hearing Fang Wang’s words, Zhou Xue sighed. “I originally thought that after venturing out to gain experience, you would develop a deeper understanding of the human heart. In the past, I suffered because I was too willing to trust others.”

She had always felt that Fang Wang had changed greatly—not merely in his aura, but in his entire temperament.

“That is because in your previous life, you could rely only on yourself. In this life, you have me and the Fang family. You can trust me just as I trust you.” Fang Wang smiled, then continued praising the wine.

“My, what wonderful wine. Where did you get it? Can it improve one’s cultivation?”

Zhou Xue was still immersed in his words. Upon hearing his question, she replied, “This wine originated overseas and is called Soul-Clearing Wine. It takes a thousand years to brew, and only the finest heavenly treasures are used. Its main purpose is not cultivation, but healing injuries and weakening inner demons. To use it for cultivation would truly be a waste of nature’s treasures.”

She then sealed the wine jug beside her and pushed it toward Fang Wang.

“Remember, one cup is enough each time. Don’t drink too much,” Zhou Xue reminded him.

Fang Wang smiled and did not refuse.

Zhou Xue studied him again and praised him. “What powerful blood and vital energy. It far surpasses that of the Spirit Condensation Realm. It seems you gained an extraordinary opportunity within the Heavenfall Secret Realm.”

“Nothing remarkable,” Fang Wang replied. “I obtained another inheritance from the Great Sage. I have a technique called the Mountain and River Heaven-Sealing Fist. Would you like to learn it? I can teach you.”

At this, Zhou Xue raised her delicate brows. “The Mountain and River Heaven-Sealing Fist? That is an extraordinary fist technique, one that possesses the wondrous properties of a divine ability. An ascender once spread this technique throughout the Upper Realm and made it famous. I never expected you to obtain such an opportunity. This life has already diverged greatly from the previous one. Some people and events that should have appeared never did. I wonder what influence that will have on the future.”

Fang Wang asked, “Which people failed to appear?”

Zhou Xue smiled. “When we went to the Great Sage’s Grotto-Heaven, didn’t I mention that an unparalleled prodigy possessing the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit might appear? But he never did. Not only that, he should have made a name for himself within the Heavenfall Secret Realm, yet this time there was no trace of his reputation there either.”

Fang Wang no longer remembered her saying this. He asked curiously, “What was that person’s name?”

Zhou Xue did not conceal it from him. “Ji Rutian. He would later become one of the ascenders. The Ji family he belonged to was a great clan that had been passed down on this continent for more than ten thousand years. From the moment he reached adulthood, he left the Ji family and sought immortal destiny on his own.”

Fang Wang narrowed his eyes. “Was he very powerful?”

“Of course he was,” Zhou Xue said with a smile. “Still, you may not be inferior to him now. He possessed more than merely the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit—he also possessed the Grand Providence. To be honest, even in my previous life, I never truly knew how strong he was. I had little contact with him, and most of what I knew of his abilities came from others.”

“Before ascending, who was stronger—he or Xu Qiuming?” Fang Wang pressed.

Zhou Xue shook her head. “They never fought one another. And don’t use the Xu Qiuming of today as a measure. Xu Qiuming truly rose to prominence only after leaving Great Qi. The praise he now receives from the Seven Dynasties is still far from sufficient. His sword does not merely surpass the Heavenly Origin—it triumphs over it. The world is vast. Not every powerhouse who reaches the summit will engage in a decisive battle. Some may never have any dealings with one another at all.”

Hearing this, Fang Wang suddenly felt that he had become too complacent.

He must not be careless!

Just because he had encountered great opportunities, did that mean others had not?

“Still, with the Mysterious Yang Divine Scripture, the Nine-Dragon Divine Transformation Art, and the Mountain and River Heaven-Sealing Fist in your possession, you will be able to stand proudly among humanity even without any further major opportunities,” Zhou Xue said with a meaningful smile.

Fang Wang had not revealed all the supreme techniques he possessed. He had originally intended to teach Zhou Xue the Mountain and River Heaven-Sealing Fist, never imagining that she would not even consider it worth learning.

He then settled for second best and offered to teach her the Yin-Yang Profound Nether True Method, but she rejected that as well.

“I have my own path to walk. What does the Great Sage’s inheritance amount to? I don’t even consider it worthy of my attention.” When Zhou Xue said this, there was a hint of arrogance in her voice. At last, she possessed something of the bearing of a demonic cultivator.

Fang Wang did not force her. He then brought up the Haoran Sect.

“It doesn’t matter. The Golden Firmament Sect has already gone in search of the Dragon Vein Spirit Stone. Once it is found, the plan for a cultivation dynasty will still be set in motion. By then, the other sects will have no objections to you or the Taixuan Gate. As for the Haoran Sect, in my opinion, even without the Golden Firmament Sect, it may not be your opponent. Just focus on cultivating in peace,” Zhou Xue said meaningfully.

Fang Wang felt as though she had seen straight through him. Then, after thinking about it, he found it quite reasonable. After all, Zhou Xue had already ascended. The prodigies of the Upper Realm were certainly far superior to those in the mortal world. Perhaps his growth was astonishing by mortal standards, but it might amount to nothing in the Upper Realm.

He wondered who would be stronger now—he or Zhou Xue.

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Sensing his gaze, Zhou Xue placed her right arm on the table and propped her chin on one hand. She looked at him with a flirtatious gaze and asked with a smile, “You aren’t wondering which of us is stronger, are you?”

Fang Wang coughed lightly. “At the very least, I am your husband. Naturally, I possess some competitive spirit. I hope to be stronger than you, so that I can protect you.”

“Heh. Husband? That is nothing more than a marriage contract. Once Grandfather and my uncles are gone, that piece of paper will be worthless.”

Zhou Xue’s words were clearly a rejection, yet her eyes made Fang Wang feel as though she were provoking him.

Fang Wang was about to say more, but Zhou Xue changed the subject and began discussing the Fang family’s recent circumstances. Fang Wang’s thoughts followed her shift.

Several hours later, the mountain gate of the cave residence opened, and Fang Wang saw Zhou Xue off.

He stood before the mountain gate, gazing at Zhou Xue’s departing figure in silence.

Dusk had already fallen.

At that moment, the mountain gate of the neighboring cave residence opened. Fang Wang glanced over and saw Gu Li emerge. She had changed into traveling robes and was wearing a veiled bamboo hat.

When she met Fang Wang’s gaze, she merely nodded slightly. Without saying another word, she departed on her sword.

Fang Wang returned to his senses and smiled.

Amid the endless mortal world, cultivators pursued their own opportunities and struggled against their fates. He, too, had to work hard at cultivation for the sake of his goals.

…

The Great Chu Dynasty, the Haoran Sect.

This sect was situated among a cluster of peaks. Magnificent streams of air coiled around every mountain, churning the winds and clouds. Within a grand hall, the elders of the Haoran Sect stood in two rows like ministers attending court.

Daoist Cliff and Xu Guang stood before the hall. Daoist Cliff wore an awkward expression, while Xu Guang lowered his head, both fists clenched tightly.

“So, you did not even manage to determine how strong Fang Wang was before being frightened into retreating?”

Above the steps, a figure with his back to them spoke those words. He wore a close-fitting golden robe and had a tall, straight build. A jade crown rose toward the heavens from his head. Seen from behind, he seemed like an immortal sovereign descended into the mortal world.

He slowly turned around. His face was extraordinarily young, appearing barely over twenty. His features were handsome, and his left hand rested behind his waist.

He looked down imperiously at Daoist Cliff. Overcome with shame, Daoist Cliff lowered his head.

The others in the hall exchanged glances, but no one spoke. The atmosphere was oppressive.

“He merely clenched his fist, and that was enough to frighten you into retreating. With such might, it seems to have been the Mountain and River Heaven-Sealing Fist. He truly gained that person’s approval.” The man in golden robes chuckled softly.

Daoist Cliff was startled. He asked curiously, “Sect Master Ji, what kind of supreme technique is the Mountain and River Heaven-Sealing Fist?”

The man in golden robes raised his right hand and slowly clenched it.

In an instant, the entire palace began to tremble, while a terrifying pressure descended upon everyone.

Daoist Cliff’s expression changed. He cried out in horror, “You… you know it too?”

Xu Guang also raised his head, his face deathly pale. He could not help but take a step backward.

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