Chapter 15: The Trial of Illusions

"Not yet. I didn't expect Miss Gu's abode to be right next to mine," Fang Wang replied with a smile, his gaze fixed on Gu Li standing at the entrance. In the sunlight, Gu Li, dressed in the Taixuan Sect's robe and without her usual veil, appeared especially enchanting, like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world.

Within Fang Wang's own abode, there was a set of robes reserved for personal disciples; they looked almost identical to the ones Gu Li wore. Could it be that she, too, had become a personal disciple?

Gu Li fixed her eyes on Fang Wang and said softly, "I chose to be beside you on purpose. I've already succeeded in shaping my spirit and become a personal disciple. From now on, you are my senior brother."

A personal disciple? So soon?

Fang Wang was astonished, but his face remained composed. Seeing his indifference, Gu Li’s delicate hand tightened slightly inside her sleeve, as she tried to steady her emotions and reminded herself not to be hasty.

"Master said that when you joined the sect, you were only at the seventh layer of the Qi Nurturing stage. Now, only a few months later, you've reached the ninth layer. It seems you'll soon be ready for spirit shaping. Before that happens, could we spar once more?" As she spoke, a blush crept over her cheeks.

Fang Wang regarded her warily. A cultivator at the Spirit Shaping stage challenging someone in the Qi Nurturing stage? Unbelievable—how shameless could she be?

He was about to refuse when Gu Li continued, "I won't use my natal spirit treasure. It's just that I've recently made a breakthrough in the Five Sacred Sword Technique and would like to exchange pointers with you. Don't worry; we'll find a secluded place so no one hears of it."

Initially, Fang Wang found it troublesome, but now he grew curious to witness the power of the Spirit Shaping stage. Within the confines of the Taixuan Sect, there was no real danger.

"Where to?" he asked.

Gu Li’s face brightened. "Let’s go to the forest at the foot of the mountain. Sparring is common here—as long as there’s no enmity, the sect won’t interfere. We won’t use magical weapons; just wooden swords."

Fang Wang wanted to point out that even wooden swords could kill, but he held his tongue. It was a chance to test his Soaring Rainbow Sword Technique.

"Let’s go to the woods," he agreed.

They set off together, with Gu Li leading the way. They didn’t fly on swords but walked side by side along the mountain path, appearing from above like a pair of immortals.

On the way, Gu Li chatted leisurely with Fang Wang. Hearing that he had spent most of his time cultivating since joining, she recounted recent events and rumors from within the sect. Having just emerged from two centuries of darkness, Fang Wang found these tales entertaining and occasionally interjected with questions.

"By the way, is Zhou Xue your clanswoman?" Gu Li asked suddenly.

Fang Wang nodded. "That's right. Why?"

He wasn't worried about Zhou Xue—she was a reincarnator and unlikely to get into trouble herself.

"She passed the sect’s illusion trial and inherited the former sect leader’s legacy. She’s become quite famous. Once she reaches the Spirit Shaping stage, even if her spirit treasure is mediocre, she’ll become a personal disciple," Gu Li said with admiration.

An illusion trial?

Fang Wang had not heard Zhou Xue mention this, but her obtaining such fortune was not surprising. Rebirth itself was her greatest advantage; with so much knowledge of fortuitous encounters in her mind, she was bound to choose a path stronger than in her past life.

Since joining the Taixuan Sect, they’d lost contact, but Fang Wang recalled she’d chosen the First Meridian.

And so, chatting all the while, Fang Wang and Gu Li made their way to the grove.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, they entered the woods. The trees were sparse enough for sparring, yet the dense foliage above shielded them from prying eyes.

Stopping three zhang apart, Fang Wang raised his right hand and said, "Come, this time I won’t use sword flight techniques."

Sword flight!

Upon hearing those words, Gu Li’s expression faltered. So it really had been sword flight he used to defeat her before.

To be defeated by a profound sword technique, she could accept—but to lose to sword flight, especially when he was only at the seventh layer of the Qi Nurturing stage at the time?

Gu Li drew a deep breath and produced two wooden swords, tossing one to Fang Wang and gripping the other in her right hand.

Fang Wang caught the sword and examined it. He wanted to refuse but worried that would be an insult, so he decided to play along. It was a sensible approach—he’d always pretended to be a swordsman, but in truth, he could wield the Soaring Rainbow Sword Technique without a sword. Perhaps, in a critical moment, that deception could save his life.

He gripped the wooden sword and pointed it at Gu Li. With the first two fingers of his left hand, he slid down the blade. Three wisps of sword energy flowed out and quickly condensed into three sword shapes, hovering before him.

Gu Li frowned in surprise. What sword art was this?

She inhaled deeply and unleashed her family's ultimate technique, the Five Sacred Sword Technique. Her sword swept forward in a flurry—she moved so swiftly that afterimages appeared, making it seem as though five people attacked at once. The fierce sword energy, visible to the naked eye, surged toward Fang Wang like a violent storm.

The trees in its path were slashed with countless fine marks; the technique was razor-sharp.

Fang Wang spun his wrist and thrust forward. Instantly, the three sword shapes transformed into blue streaks of cold light and shot forth.

The two forces collided with a boom. The seemingly overwhelming Five Sacred Sword energy was instantly torn apart by the three blue streaks. Gu Li’s hair was tousled by the force, her eyes widening in shock.

In that moment, she felt the same terror she’d experienced during the contest for the position of personal disciple.

Fortunately, the three blue streaks faded just as they reached her, but the power behind them was enough to make her heart pound.

Fang Wang sheathed his sword, relieved that his Soaring Rainbow Sword Technique was now perfected—otherwise, he might not have been able to stop in time.

Around them, the forest shook violently as leaves fell like rain. Bathed in this downpour, Gu Li stood dazed.

Fang Wang, worried she might challenge him again, spoke up: "Miss Gu, your swordsmanship is the strongest I’ve encountered. Let’s spar again another time—I need to return to my cultivation."

With that, he leapt onto his wooden sword and swiftly left the woods.

At the same time, a male disciple arrived, noticing the disturbance below. He was about to investigate when he saw Fang Wang flying out on his sword. Delighted, he hurried to intercept him.

"Brother Fang, what a rare encounter!" the disciple greeted him warmly.

Fang Wang found him familiar and replied politely, "I've been cultivating in seclusion. Just out for a stroll today."

"Brother Fang, do you remember me? I’m Zhou Bo!"

"Of course, of course..."

Back in the woods, Gu Li took a deep breath. This wasn’t her first crushing defeat, and though the blow wasn’t as bitter as before, Fang Wang’s recognition was some consolation.

Wait a moment! That fellow hadn’t even cultivated for a year—how many sword cultivators could he have met?

Recalling her master Yang Yuanzhi’s words, her expression turned grim, not with anger but with utter confusion.

She took a deep breath and flew away on her sword.

Fang Wang quickly finished his conversation with Zhou Bo and departed. As Zhou Bo reflected on Brother Fang’s dedication, he saw Gu Li fly out of the woods, her hair still tousled from the encounter. Zhou Bo was taken aback.

Gu Li ignored him and flew swiftly up the mountain.

Zhou Bo withdrew his gaze, standing atop his flying sword, and murmured, "Brother Fang certainly enjoys himself..."

When he landed, Fang Wang leaned the wooden sword against Gu Li’s mountain gate and hurried back to his own abode.

Having repeatedly bested one of the sect’s prodigies, he feared endless trouble, but there was nothing to be done—Gu Li had sought him out.

Seated cross-legged on the jade bed, Fang Wang reviewed the recent battle, finding that the Spirit Shaping stage wasn’t so formidable—the gap between them wasn’t large. Perhaps the natal spirit treasure provided a significant boost at that stage.

He set the thought aside and continued his cultivation. Reaching the ninth layer of the Qi Nurturing stage didn’t mean he could immediately break through to Spirit Shaping; between them lay a nameless threshold. In martial arts, too, it existed—some called it a fated opportunity, others called it perfection. All Fang Wang wanted now was to reach the Spirit Shaping stage as quickly as possible.

Outside his abode, Gu Li gazed at the wooden sword leaning against her gate, bit her lip, took the sword, and returned to her own dwelling.

In the blink of an eye, another month passed.

Fang Wang’s spiritual power had doubled. He vaguely sensed the signs of an impending breakthrough, but since his cultivation was still progressing, he decided to continue until it stalled, and only then attempt the leap.

One day, a voice called from outside: "Fang Wang, are you there?"

He rose and went to open the gate. As sunlight flooded in, he saw a long-missed face—Zhou Xue!

After several months apart, Zhou Xue looked even more striking in her sect robes. The spirit in her eyes was something Gu Li lacked—Zhou Xue was brimming with confidence and unrestrained sharpness, while Gu Li’s beauty was merely cold and reserved.

Zhou Xue strode straight into the abode, passing Fang Wang and waving dismissively. "Close the door."

He shut the gate and followed her.

"What brings you here?" Fang Wang asked in surprise.

"You've been in seclusion all this time—are you trying to sever ties with the Fang family? The other family members have all met and reconnected, but you haven't even left the third meridian. I had no choice but to come find you," Zhou Xue said with a snort, sitting at the stone table.

"I just want to reach the Spirit Shaping stage as soon as possible," Fang Wang explained.

"Ninth layer of Qi Nurturing—not bad. At least you haven't neglected your cultivation. I was worried that Gu family's girl might tangle you up, and you'd be unable to resist your youthful impulses and get lost in it," Zhou Xue retorted.

Fang Wang replied helplessly, "How could that be? I’m the thirteenth young master of the Fang family. If I were that easily swayed, all the pretty maids at home and the young ladies in town would’ve been mine already."

Zhou Xue snorted. "For your sake, I hope so. I came today to say goodbye. I’m preparing to leave and won’t be back for three to five years."

"That long? Where are you going?" Fang Wang sat down, plotting how to get some advanced techniques from her.

Zhou Xue looked at him. "To seize a great opportunity—and investigate the Burning Soul Banner in my possession. I can’t rest easy until I resolve this."

"Take me with you?"

"With your talent, you should focus on cultivation. Geniuses like you need to keep their heads down and train. I’ve seen plenty of prodigies who thought themselves invincible, only to be slain by old monsters or those blessed by fortune, becoming nothing more than tragic footnotes in others’ legends. Besides, I work best alone."

"Alright..." Fang Wang replied, not pressing the issue—he couldn’t shamelessly beg her to take him along, and in truth, he wasn’t ready to venture out in search of opportunities just yet.

But still...

How to broach the subject?

Zhou Xue smirked, "What? Hoping to get some cultivation methods or techniques from me?"