Chapter 124: A True Immortal Among Mortals, the Carefree Immortal
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“Besides this matter, is there anything else?” Fang Wang continued asking. There was only one thing on his mind: breaking through to the Void Crossing Realm. Thus, he wanted to bring the meeting to an end as quickly as possible.
Sure enough, he truly was not suited to be sect master.
Fang Wang sighed inwardly, his resolve to leave the sect growing even firmer.
Chai Yi began discussing other matters, including the distribution of dragon veins. Great Qi had already activated forty-nine dragon veins, and the spiritual energy around them was especially dense. Every major sect wanted a share, but none could seize them by force. They had to be divided according to reason.
After she finished, Zhao Chuanqian followed with his own opinion.
The other peak masters and elders also offered their views, and finally Fang Wang made the decision.
To put it plainly, the sect master existed to make decisions—and to take the blame and bear the responsibility. If things succeeded, it was the sect master’s merit; if they failed, it was the sect master’s fault. Fang Wang, however, felt that this was perfectly fair.
After more than two hours of deliberation, everyone finally departed.
Once the doors closed, Fang Wang let out a breath of relief and continued cultivating.
His cultivation was nearing a bottleneck, and he would soon be able to break through. The Profound Yang Divine Scripture recorded the method for breaking through to the Void Crossing Realm.
At this level, one had to undergo a heavenly tribulation in order to advance.
Many great cultivators had died during their tribulations. Therefore, they would make every possible preparation before facing one. Fang Wang, however, was not worried. His physical body was extraordinarily powerful, and with so many perfected supreme arts at his command, it would be difficult for him to die even if he wanted to.
…
The imperial capital of Great Qi stood at the heart of the kingdom. For a thousand miles in every direction, the land was flat and open. The mountains surrounding the capital were not particularly high, but the scenery was beautiful.
Within the imperial palace.
Xu Qiuming sat meditating atop the roof of the Hall of State. Below him, the officials walking toward the hall repeatedly raised their heads to look at him.
“Is he Xu Qiuming of the Hanging Flood Sword Sect? His bearing truly resembles that of an immortal.”
“I hear he is one of the greatest cultivators in the Great Qi cultivation world.”
“I wonder what sort of presence Sword Saint Fang Wang possesses.”
“Immortal Xu is already a renowned great cultivator throughout the Seven Dynasties. With him here, surely no one can harm His Majesty.”
“I wonder what could have prompted His Majesty to summon him as a protector.”
Xu Qiuming had already been there for several days. Each morning, when the officials attended court, they could see him. His name had already spread through every street and alley of the imperial capital.
Fang Wang’s father, Fang Yin, was among the crowd. He, too, glanced at Xu Qiuming.
Once the officials had entered the hall, Xu Qiuming slowly opened his eyes. From where he sat, he could overlook the entire imperial capital.
“Is it coming soon?”
Xu Qiuming muttered to himself. His sword intent had developed a trace of unease, a sign that danger was about to arrive.
The stronger his opponent, the less anxious he became. Instead, he was filled with anticipation.
Ever since the Falling Heaven Secret Realm, his sword intent had surged dramatically, soaring to unprecedented heights. Other than when facing Fang Wang, he felt that he would never suffer defeat again. Faced with that mysterious existence who claimed to be an immortal, he could hardly wait to fight.
Following his gaze, one could see rolling thunderclouds appear at the edge of the sky, oppressively dark.
…
The Supreme Abyss Sect, Hall of the First Abyss.
Fang Wang rose to his feet and walked out of the Hall of the First Abyss. Seeing this, Little Zi hurriedly strapped the Soul-Swallowing Gourd onto her back and followed him.
After leaving the hall, he looked left and right before deciding to undergo his tribulation in the spacious square below.
Heavy snow was falling. The world stretched vast and indistinct, while the surrounding peaks lay hidden within the snowy mist, like mountain gods—mysterious and majestic. Thick snow had piled across the square, completely concealing the bluestone pavement.
He walked to the center of the square and began meditating.
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Little Zi floated in the air and asked nervously yet eagerly, “Young Master, are you about to begin your tribulation?”
Zhao Zhen poked his head out of the gourd, his face alight with excitement. “A heavenly tribulation! That’s something found only in legends. It means Master has already transcended his mortal body.”
Fang Wang kept his eyes closed. “That’s right. When the time comes, stay far away. The might of Heaven is vast and overwhelming, so be careful not to be struck down while eliminating demons and ghosts.”
He immediately began circulating the Profound Yang Divine Scripture.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged toward him, forming a visible vortex around his body. It gradually grew stronger, stirring up the snow around him until it resembled a blizzard.
Time passed second by second.
After roughly two hours, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had gathered over the square, causing the sea of clouds above to churn violently as it accumulated the might of Heaven.
The high-level cultivators from the Nine Vein Peaks and the Main Lineage emerged from seclusion one after another. They hurried over through the boundless snow from every direction. When they saw Fang Wang’s figure, they all froze.
“What is Fang Wang doing?”
“Could he be practicing some kind of art?”
“Is it the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Formation?”
“Something is not right. He’s absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. This feels somewhat like Spirit Sculpting, but the power is far greater.”
The cultivators of the Supreme Abyss Sect discussed the matter among themselves, curious about what Fang Wang was doing.
Vice Sect Master Chai Yi, Inheritance Elder Zhao Chuanqian, the Sleepy Immortal, and the other higher-ups also arrived. They were equally astonished when they saw Fang Wang.
“He’s preparing to undergo a tribulation and break through!”
Chai Yi’s delicate brows drew tightly together as she spoke each word.
Undergo a tribulation and break through?
Everyone was stunned. One elder cautiously asked, “Why would a breakthrough require a tribulation?”
The moment he said it, he regretted it. He realized that Fang Wang was breaking through to a realm far beyond his understanding.
The Sleepy Immortal sighed with emotion. “Beyond the Spirit Condensation Realm… He truly possesses an immortal destiny.”
How many cultivators spent their entire lives without ever reaching the Spirit Condensation Realm? Even those who attained it found it exceedingly difficult to advance further. Fang Wang, however, was different. From the moment he had set foot on the path of cultivation, he seemed never to have encountered a bottleneck. His journey had been smooth, as he constantly challenged his limits and shattered the world’s understanding of him.
“Everyone, form the array. We must prevent this tribulation from affecting the Nine Veins.”
Zhao Chuanqian spoke with a stern expression, as severe as ever.
At his words, the cultivators dispersed and returned to their respective lineages to summon their direct disciples.
In less than half an incense stick of time, every disciple of the Supreme Abyss Sect had heard that Fang Wang was about to undergo a tribulation and break through.
A heavenly tribulation!
Since the founding of the Supreme Abyss Sect, no one had ever undergone one.
More and more disciples emerged from their caves and flew over on their swords to watch. The Supreme Abyss Sect, deep in the grip of winter, suddenly grew lively.
At the same time.
Above the imperial capital, the season was different from that of the Supreme Abyss Sect. The temperature was mild, yet rolling thunderclouds had gathered there as well.
At that moment, the common people and nobles throughout the city were all gazing up at the sky. Some stood in the streets, while others pushed open their windows and leaned out. Even the soldiers atop the city walls were craning their necks upward.
Two figures confronted each other high in the sky. One of them was Xu Qiuming.
Xu Qiuming stood tall and straight. Behind him floated the shadow of a sword radiating silver light, resembling a sword spirit. Terrifying sword qi spilled from his body like blazing flames, piercing through the thunderclouds. The opening in the clouds was more than thirty feet across, as though the heavens themselves had been torn apart.
Xu Qiuming’s sword intent soared like a rainbow, his aura rushing into the firmament, yet it failed to suppress his opponent.
“Your sword intent is impressive. Unfortunately, the grade of your natal treasure spirit is somewhat lacking. It seems you are not Fang Wang.”
The speaker was an old man wearing a tattered Daoist robe. He was thin and gaunt, with prominent cheekbones, disordered white brows, and eyes like those of a tiger. His aggressive gaze scrutinized Xu Qiuming.
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Xu Qiuming remained expressionless, but inwardly he was astonished.
What profound aura!
He had never encountered anyone like this. The old Daoist seemed like an unfathomable ocean, impossible to see through or comprehend. Only an indescribable aura of death emanated from him, as though he himself symbolized mortality.
“I am Xu Qiuming of the Hanging Flood Sword Sect. Do you dare state your name?” Xu Qiuming asked coldly.
The old Daoist threw back his head and laughed. His laughter was wild, arrogant, and unrestrained. Looking down at Xu Qiuming with contempt, he said, “My name? I am a True Immortal living among mortals. You may call me the Carefree Immortal!”
The moment he finished speaking, the Carefree Immortal suddenly raised his hand. A scarlet venomous snake shot from his sleeve and lunged at Xu Qiuming.
Xu Qiuming’s eyes narrowed. Rather than retreating, he charged forward and attacked the Carefree Immortal. In that instant, the sword spirit behind him abruptly vanished.
A flash of sword light illuminated heaven and earth, forcing everyone throughout the city to shut their eyes.
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted. Gale winds raged across the sky as streams of sword qi burst forth from the heights and swept across the heavens.
Xu Qiuming reached the Carefree Immortal and attacked with his fingers as swords, unleashing wave after wave of razor-sharp sword qi. The Carefree Immortal evaded them with ease.
Confronted by Xu Qiuming’s sword qi, the Carefree Immortal moved with astonishing speed. Xu Qiuming’s movements clearly appeared faster—so fast that the naked eye could barely follow them—yet everyone within the imperial capital could see the Carefree Immortal’s figure clearly.
“Hahahaha! Little boy, if you dare fight a True Immortal, you’ll die a miserable death!”
The Carefree Immortal laughed wildly. Then he thrust out a finger, swift as a bolt of lightning, striking Xu Qiuming directly in the right shoulder.
Xu Qiuming’s expression instantly froze. An unimaginable force pierced through his shoulder. Accompanied by an earth-shaking sonic boom, his body was sent hurtling backward like a falling meteor from beyond the heavens, crashing into the imperial palace.
Boom!
A massive palace collapsed beneath the impact, sending dust billowing into the air.
The Carefree Immortal maintained his extended-finger posture as a ring of force spread before him. His smile was utterly imperious.
“A mere Spirit Condensation cultivator dares to act arrogantly before this immortal?”
The Carefree Immortal spoke disdainfully, but the moment his voice fell, his expression changed.
The earth trembled faintly, a vibration felt throughout the entire city. Within the imperial palace, the shaking was even more violent, sending shattered stones and broken timbers flying into the air.
From within the rolling dust, a figure slowly rose into the sky.
It was Xu Qiuming.
A large bloody hole had been torn through his right shoulder, yet his body remained upright. By now, he had already grasped his sword spirit.
An indescribable sword intent enveloped the entire imperial capital. Whether cultivators, wandering martial heroes, or soldiers, everyone who carried a sword felt it tremble and ring, as though welcoming the arrival of a sovereign of the sword path.
More and more people gripped their sword hilts, afraid their weapons might fly from their hands.
The Carefree Immortal narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue in amazement. “A mere Spirit Condensation cultivator has actually comprehended such sword intent. It seems you possess a sword-path comprehension capable of transcending the limitations of a treasure spirit. Excellent. Heaven truly has not failed me!”
Xu Qiuming raised his sword and pointed it toward the Carefree Immortal. His hair had come loose and whipped wildly in the wind, making him appear even more domineering.
…
The Supreme Abyss Sect, Main Lineage.
Fang Wang remained in his meditative posture, now floating high in the air. Lightning had begun to rumble and flash within the thunderclouds above. The might of Heaven was vast and overwhelming, pressing down upon the world.
The Main Lineage was surrounded by a colossal light array. All the disciples of the Supreme Abyss Sect watched from outside it. Some were excited, some frightened, and others filled with anticipation.
Fang Wang suddenly opened his eyes.
A massive bolt of lightning, resembling a giant serpent, descended with the force of a startled swan. Just as it was about to strike him, it dispersed.
Divine Body-Guarding Astral Force!
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