Chapter 36: Golden Sky Sect, The Battle of Nine Veins

Whether it was the Emperor of Great Qi who chose to sacrifice the Fang Estate, or Lu Yuanzun who decided to slaughter it, or simply their subordinates who set their sights on the Fang Estate—all of these distinctions mattered little. The peril that befell the Fang Estate could not be separated from their involvement.

Now, the Fang Estate remained, and Fang Wang harbored no urgent desire for vengeance. What he sought was to cultivate diligently; when he became strong enough, no one would be able to shield those who had wronged him.

After some conversation, the disciples of the Fang Estate began discussing matters of the cultivation world. The turmoil stirred up by the Supreme Hao Sect had subsided. Neither the Heavenly Gang Sacred Body nor the Nine Dragons Divine Transformation was obtained by anyone, at least not openly. All the sects involved had suffered casualties.

“Recently, a mysterious sect called Golden Cloud Sect has appeared in the cultivation world. It is said that during the struggle for magical artifacts among the Taiyuan Sect, the Supreme Qing Sect, the Green Cicada Valley, and the Ancient Demon Mountain, this sect made a forceful entrance. A powerful figure from Golden Cloud Sect single-handedly held off the elders of the four sects and seized the artifact before departing at leisure. Now, there’s a rumor that from now on, the cultivation world of Great Qi will no longer be ruled by just nine great sects, but ten.” Fang Mo exclaimed in wonder, his face full of longing.

All were young men and women, passionate and ambitious—who wouldn’t wish to make a name for themselves, to become a figure admired by the masses?

Fang Wang listened with keen interest.

Two hours passed, and his clansmen prepared to depart. Before they left, Fang Wang distributed all the spirit stones and spirit pills he had received, deeply moving them.

After walking out of the cave estate’s gate, Fang Wang watched as they flew away on their swords. Though only half of them had mastered sword flight, it was enough to carry the others down the mountain.

Last time they parted, they had to descend on foot.

Fang Wang was more affected than the other disciples of the Fang Estate, for to him, it was far more than a year since they last met.

Boom—

The gate of the neighboring cave estate opened, catching Fang Wang’s eye. Gu Li emerged, dressed for travel, clearly not coming out to see him.

“You’ve finally returned,” Gu Li, with her sword case on her back, smiled as she approached Fang Wang, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

Fang Wang smiled and asked, “Miss Gu, heading on a journey?”

Gu Li nodded. “Family matters call me home.”

Fang Wang recalled that when he first entered the sect, Zhou Xue had mentioned that twenty years from now, the Gu family would cease to exist…

He would have paid it no mind before, but now, after so much time together and with Gu Li having sought him out specifically, he understood the depth of her sentiment. Thinking that Gu Li might perish along with her family, his heart grew heavy.

Fortunately, it was still twenty years away. When Zhou Xue returned, he could inquire in detail.

After a brief exchange, Gu Li flew away on her sword, swiftly vanishing into the vast mist that enveloped Taiyuan Sect.

Fang Wang stood there, gazing into the distant sky, lost in thought.

Had Zhou Xue not been reborn, he might already be dead, never having met Gu Li. She, too, might have perished with her family. Their destinies were once parallel lines, never to meet; now they were intertwined, proof that fate could change.

Yet even Zhou Xue, who ascended to become an immortal lord, perished and had to cultivate anew—was immortality truly a path to freedom?

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To live forever—can it truly be achieved?

A long time passed.

Fang Wang withdrew his gaze and returned to his cave estate.

The path of immortality was one he would have to explore on his own, seeking its true meaning.

…

Spring passed, autumn came, and two years slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Once again, Taiyuan Sect welcomed heavy snow. Snowflakes filled the sky, disciples shuttling through the snowy mist, small and fragile amidst the vast storm.

Inside his cave estate, Fang Wang was cultivating. Two years on, he had reached the eighth layer of the Spirit Shaping Realm and was now attempting to break through to the ninth.

The Profound Yang True Fire surrounded him, while the Heavenly Palace Halberd flickered above his head.

Suddenly—

He opened his eyes abruptly, flames bursting forth. A powerful wave of energy erupted, shaking everything within the cave estate.

Gu Li, who lived in the adjacent cave, seemed to sense something. She opened her eyes, wondering, “He broke through again?”

Gu Li was secretly astonished. She had returned last year, but throughout the year had not seen Fang Wang. Upon seeing him in closed cultivation, she too secluded herself, unwilling to fall too far behind.

She marveled at his talent, but then recalled her father’s words, and her expression dimmed.

Meanwhile, Fang Wang had successfully broken through, stepping into the ninth layer of the Spirit Shaping Realm. He began to regulate his breath.

Seven days passed before his aura fully stabilized. Now, his spiritual power was nearly ten times what it had been when he faced Li Honggang, greatly boosting his confidence.

Exhilarating!

Instead of resting, Fang Wang continued his cultivation.

Upon reaching the ninth layer, he faintly sensed a change in the treasure spirit space within his body. He wasn’t sure what it was, so he decided to investigate.

When he first entered the Spirit Shaping Realm, he suspected he could condense a second natal treasure spirit, but was unable to confirm it.

Half a month later, the bell of the Third Vein suddenly rang. Not just the Third Vein—other peaks sounded their bells in succession, awakening all disciples in cultivation.

Fang Wang took out his disciple token, and Yang Yuanzi’s voice issued from it:

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“All disciples, including direct disciples, assemble immediately in front of the Clear Heart Hall!”

Fang Wang promptly stowed his token in his storage pouch, straightened his robes, and, taking the Azure Lord Sword, walked out of his cave estate.

As soon as he emerged, he saw Gu Li.

Gu Li nodded to him, then soared into the sky on her sword.

Her silent departure left Fang Wang slightly unsettled, but then she paused midair, turned back, and asked, “Senior Brother Fang, why aren’t you coming?”

Fang Wang shook his head and laughed, then followed her, flying by sword.

The two flew side by side toward the mountain summit. From the Third Vein, figures shot into the sky, all heading for the peak—a spectacular sight.

They flew swiftly, exchanging no words along the way, and soon arrived before the Clear Heart Hall. As they landed, a group of disciples gathered around, led by Senior Disciple Li Yu.

Fang Wang and Gu Li were teased by the other disciples; Gu Li made no rebuttal, leaving Fang Wang unable to clarify, lest he embarrass her.

“Senior Brother, what’s the matter? Why such a grand gathering?” Fang Wang asked at the first opportunity.

Li Yu replied, “It’s likely the Nine Vein Competition. It was originally scheduled for three years later, but because the Great Qi Dynasty will soon become an immortal cultivation dynasty, it’s been moved up. They say that after the competition, there will be a great opportunity.”

This stirred even greater curiosity among the disciples.

A great opportunity?

Fang Wang was very interested in the Nine Vein Competition. The cultivation compendium recorded that every ten years, disciples of the nine veins would compete, vying for peak rankings. The higher the ranking, the more cultivation resources one received. Many senior disciples had once been the strongest of their generation in this competition.

Taiyuan Sect, as one of the nine great sects, was watched by various sects and families. Whoever excelled in the Nine Vein Competition would become famous in the cultivation world. Lu Yuanzun had become renowned in this way; only after his rise did Taiyuan Sect announce he possessed a mid-grade earth origin treasure spirit, further elevating his prestige.

More and more disciples gathered, careful not to intrude upon the exchanges of sword-wielding and direct disciples. The open space before the Clear Heart Hall formed into circles.

“The Emperor is here!”

Someone called out, turning everyone's gaze. Fang Wang looked as well.

The Emperor of Great Qi arrived, dressed in the sword disciple's robes, flying on his sword. He was tall, with sharp brows and bright eyes, snow draping over him but unable to conceal his presence. He seemed to radiate a dragon’s aura, setting him apart from the surrounding disciples.

His name was Zhao Zhen. He ascended the throne at thirteen and was the third emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty. The founding emperor, Qi Gaozu, died less than ten years after establishing the dynasty. Zhao Zhen’s father took the throne at thirty but died less than two years later. Thus, though young, Zhao Zhen had already been the longest-reigning emperor of Great Qi.

Under the gaze of the disciples, Zhao Zhen strode forward, coming before Li Yu, Fang Wang, and the others. He raised his hand in greeting and smiled. “Zhao Zhen greets my senior brothers and sisters.”

His gaze swept across them, lingering not on Fang Wang.

Li Yu greeted him warmly. “No need for courtesy, Junior Brother Zhao. By the way, this is your Senior Brother Fang Wang, from the Fang Duke’s Estate in Nanqiu City. You two should get to know each other, since there’s an old connection of vassalage.”

Zhao Zhen turned his gaze to Fang Wang, smiling kindly. “The Fang Duke has rendered great service to Great Qi, for which I have deep respect. Now, the Fang Estate has produced a prodigy like Senior Brother Fang Wang. In the future, your family will surely become a cultivator’s clan, pursuing the path of immortality.”

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