Chapter 29: Stronger Than Everyone

Fang Wang was pulled along by Gu Li for quite a distance before he found the right moment to naturally slip free from her delicate hand. He had to admit—her hand was indeed soft and tender. Fang Wang mused to himself, but he would not be fooled. He was still young; he could not allow himself to be swayed by a woman and delay his cultivation.

Walking ahead, Gu Li clearly noticed his withdrawal, and her ears flushed red.

The rest of their journey was silent. Led by Gu Li, Fang Wang entered a mansion where not a soul was to be seen.

“This is an estate our Gu family purchased in Haixia City. In every cultivation city of Great Qi, we have land deeds,” Gu Li explained.

Fang Wang nodded. He considered asking how an ordinary mortal family could transform into a cultivation clan, but then thought better of it. Zhou Xue would surely know more than Gu Li; after all, the Gu family’s history was unlikely to exceed Zhou Xue’s years.

Thus, Gu Li led Fang Wang into a grand hall, closed the door behind them, removed her veil, and fixed her gaze on Fang Wang. “You’re the White-robed Jinghong, aren’t you?”

Fang Wang arched a brow. “The White-robed Jinghong slew a ninth-level Spirit Sculptor. Do you really think I’m that strong? I achieved Spirit Sculpting even later than you.”

“You’re infuriating when you speak, yet I still think it’s you. The Jinghong Divine Sword Art is our master Yang Yuanzi’s unique skill. I never received that inheritance, so it has to be you. As for our senior brothers and sisters, their talent and insight are average—otherwise, the Third Branch wouldn’t be ranked second to last.”

Gu Li stared into Fang Wang’s eyes with a look filled with joy, admiration, and a trace of grievance—enough to shatter any man’s resolve.

Fang Wang averted his gaze and changed the subject. “Why are you here? Did the sect assign you a task?”

“The turmoil over Jihao Sect’s legacy has caused quite a stir. Even within Taiyuan Sect, many are discussing it. Many disciples have come, so my presence is nothing unusual,” Gu Li replied, though she pursed her lips as if unconvinced by her own words.

Fang Wang saw through her. “The Jihao Sect’s legacy isn’t in Haixia City, is it? It’s nearly a thousand miles from here.”

Gu Li snorted inwardly. Must I admit I came because I was worried about you?

She, too, sought to change the subject. “You’re here to accept the challenge? Li Honggang is in the Spirit Pill Realm, already at the third level. Though he’ll find it hard to progress further, he’s beyond what we can handle now…”

At that, she suddenly faltered, remembering Fang Wang had defeated Li Hongshuang, a ninth-level Spirit Sculptor.

The Gu and Li clans were both great families, and Gu Li had heard of Li Hongshuang since childhood. Her father had often praised Li Hongshuang’s talent. That such a figure had fallen at Fang Wang’s hands stirred a deep, irrepressible admiration within her.

With the Gu family’s deep roots, she had heard many tales of prodigies, even those beyond Great Qi, but Fang Wang’s feats were more astonishing than legend.

“Third level of the Spirit Pill Realm? Are you sure?” Fang Wang raised a brow.

His main purpose in coming to Haixia City was to gauge Li Honggang’s strength; he would not act rashly.

Gu Li nodded. “He’s been stuck at that level for at least sixty years. My father always said the greatest blessing of his later years was fathering Li Hongshuang.”

Fang Wang continued, “Do you think he’ll set a trap here in Haixia City?”

Gu Li shook her head. “He chose Haixia City because the city lord, Tang Chengfeng, is a ninth-level Spirit Pill cultivator. With Tang Chengfeng here, nothing goes awry. That’s why so many rogue cultivators trade here. Even when facing cultivators from other kingdoms, Tang Chengfeng does not flinch. Among the border city lords, he’s the most uncompromising—he cannot tolerate a single grain of sand in his eye. That’s why duels between cultivators are common in Haixia City.

“And since this matter is already the talk of the town, if Li Honggang were to invite other members of the Li clan to intervene, it would bring shame upon the family. The Li clan cares deeply for honor and reputation. Otherwise, they would not have expelled Li Hongshuang from the family records. You need not worry about reprisals against you or your family. Cultivation clans value reputation above all—at least in the Great Qi cultivation world.”

Hearing this, Fang Wang felt reassured.

Gu Li frowned. “You’re not really planning to fight, are you? How confident are you?”

Relaxing, Fang Wang sat down at the table and smiled. “Fifty-fifty, I’d say. When I face an opponent, it’s always even odds: either he lives and I die, or vice versa.”

Gu Li sat as well, gazing steadily at Fang Wang.

“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I’m arrogant?” Fang Wang arched his brow.

Gu Li propped her cheek on her right hand, resting her elbow on the table, her eyes dreamy. She sighed. “Fang Wang, I suddenly feel our agreement is growing harder to fulfill. By the time I reach the ninth level of Spirit Sculpting, you’ll already be maneuvering through the Spirit Pill Realm. The gap between us will only widen.”

Fang Wang blinked and said seriously, “Gu Li, do you cultivate just to compete with others? Doesn’t every step forward give you a sense of achievement, a meaning to your existence?”

Gu Li took a deep breath, feeling ashamed. “You’re right. I was being stubborn.”

“Your talent is beyond question.”

“Mmm…”

Gu Li felt a little better. She then asked, “Is it because you compete with yourself that you’ve become so strong?”

“Of course not. I compete with everyone. I’m naturally competitive. Since I cultivate, I must surpass all others. That is my goal,” Fang Wang answered calmly.

“…”

Gu Li suddenly felt disheartened again. So, you told me to compete with myself only because I’m not worthy of comparing with you?

…

That night, using his Breathless Natural Art, Fang Wang silently approached Li Honggang’s residence and affixed a piece of paper to the stone statue before the gate.

By dawn, a rumor swept through all of Haixia City:

The White-robed Jinghong had accepted the challenge!

In twenty days, at noon, he would meet the challenge at the southern gate and settle their grievance!

Inside the Li family estate, Li Honggang sat in his chair, a yellow slip of paper in hand, his brows tightly knit, his face dark.

“It was definitely attached to the stone statue at the gate?” he asked.

The servant before him nodded hastily. “Yes, sir. I saw it myself this morning while cleaning. No one handed it to me.”

“Very well. You may go,” Li Honggang said. The servant, relieved, withdrew at once.

A young man in purple standing nearby frowned. “Father, if he could come and go unnoticed outside our residence, his strength is formidable. Besides, Third Brother was exceptionally talented—an ordinary first-level Spirit Pill cultivator might not be his match. Whoever killed him must also be in the Spirit Pill Realm, perhaps even stronger than you. Is it really worth the risk?”

Li Honggang glared at him and said gravely, “Do you think I’m challenging him because I’m confident of victory? My son is dead—your third brother is dead. No matter his faults, he was still my son and your brother!”

The young man fell silent, his face clouded.

“I have long accepted my fate. Among my children, Hongshuang had the greatest talent. If he had lived, I might have had a chance to defy destiny. Now that he’s gone, I have nothing to look forward to in my remaining years—only regret. The pain of outliving one’s child, do you understand?”

Li Honggang sighed, his expression weary.

The young man hesitated. Ever since Li Hongshuang joined Green Cicada Valley, their branch had been ostracized within the Li clan. The Li family, with its royal history and millennia of heritage, prized honor above all. Because of Li Hongshuang, they had become a stain on the family name.

Li Honggang’s eyes suddenly sharpened. “Besides, this will also bolster the Li family’s reputation. If I win, the strength and dignity of the Li family cannot be questioned. Though my cultivation has long stagnated, my blade has reached its peak. Even if I lose, at least the Li family will appear aboveboard. My death will earn the respect of the cultivation world and help the Li family build ties with the righteous sects.”

At this, the young man’s face showed guilt. He gritted his teeth. “If only I were stronger, you’d not have to intervene!”

“Nonsense. This is for me to bear. Now go, and spread word of this as widely as you can. Since the White-robed Jinghong has set a date twenty days hence, he clearly wants as many spectators as possible. Let him have his wish. I want to see whether his Thirty-two Swords of Jinghong are sharper, or if my blade carries greater deadly intent!”

By the end, Li Honggang radiated unshakable confidence.

If one looked closely, a shadow of a blade flickered in his eyes.