Chapter 41: Profound Cultivation
The Sixth Line was the first to send out a male disciple, a cultivator at the Spirit Pill stage. Upon landing, he raised his hand and summoned a small tower, which radiated rings of crimson light.
“My name is Qu Xiao. Let me test your strength,” he said coldly, gripping the tower in his right hand while casting spells with his left, channeling spiritual energy into the small tower.
Fang Wang, holding the Celestial Palace Halberd, nodded at Qu Xiao.
Should he give his opponent a chance to show off? Forget it. He was pressed for time. There were still eight disciples left in the Sixth Line!
Resolving himself, Fang Wang once again loosened his right hand, preparing to use Sword Control Technique.
Qu Xiao had already witnessed the terrifying speed of the Celestial Palace Halberd. He immediately leapt backward, unleashing countless crimson beams from the tower that wove a net between himself and Fang Wang.
Fang Wang’s lips curled upward as he charged straight ahead. With a single step, flames coiled around him, swiftly gathering behind his head to form three blazing spheres. Both the blade and the tail of the Celestial Palace Halberd ignited with Profound Yang True Fire.
In that moment, Fang Wang seemed possessed by the Fire God, drawing gasps from the disciples watching in the main city.
Facing the net Qu Xiao had set, Fang Wang raised his halberd, accelerating suddenly—a streak of fire stretching at incredible speed, piercing through countless crimson beams.
When the halberd reached Qu Xiao, the myriad red beams behind Fang Wang dissipated, and Profound Yang True Fire still lingered in the air.
“How is this possible?” Qu Xiao’s eyes widened. He had mentally prepared himself, but only now, confronted by the halberd, did he feel its oppressive force.
In his pupils, the halberd’s blade drew ever closer, soon filling his vision.
He raised his tower; its doors opened, and sheets of talisman paper flew out, expanding rapidly and combusting to form a roaring sea of flames—a spectacular sight.
Yet, the fire sea was scattered by a powerful surge of energy. The Celestial Palace Halberd struck Qu Xiao’s tower with unstoppable force.
Boom!
Qu Xiao was hurled away by an indescribable force, crashing into the array’s light curtain. He spat blood and lost consciousness instantly.
Fang Wang halted, his right hand extended, palm less than ten centimeters from the halberd’s tail.
The flames in the air were absorbed by the three spheres behind Fang Wang’s head, forming a vast flame cloak. Scorching waves swept across the dueling platform in all directions.
“Third Line, Fang Wang wins!” Sleepy Master announced loudly, this time naming Fang Wang to help him gain fame in the Taiyuan Sect.
Another single move! The commotion throughout the main city was louder than before. Standing on the dueling platform, Fang Wang could hear exclamations from all around.
“So strong! Settled in a single move!”
“That senior from the Sixth Line is powerful. Just by his display of spiritual energy, you can tell!”
“Fang Wang—another Lu Yuanyu?”
“Can he really compare to Senior Lu? Senior Lu’s reputation isn’t just built within the sect. If White-Robed Jinghong is truly a disciple, then perhaps he could match Senior Lu.”
“White-Robed Jinghong uses the Jinghong Divine Sword Art. Could he be from the Third Line?”
Unlike the battle with the Fifth Line, this was the Sixth Line’s first appearance. Their rank was higher than the Fifth, yet they were still forcefully defeated by Fang Wang. This proved Fang Wang’s strength—he wasn’t merely bullying exhausted disciples.
Li Yu sighed, “Brother Fang is truly clever. This fighting style reduces spiritual energy consumption.”
Other disciples nodded, offering their assessments.
Zhou Bo chuckled, “Clever, yes, but we can’t pull off such a method ourselves.”
Gu Li kept silent, her attention fixed on Fang Wang.
All the dueling disciples discussed Fang Wang’s strength. Some were intrigued, others wary, and some anxious or fearful.
On the Second Line’s pavilion,
Zhou Xingshi listened to the remarks of his fellow seniors, but inwardly scoffed.
“This is a Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit! You can’t measure him with ordinary standards; you may not be his match!”
Zhou Xingshi’s gaze toward Fang Wang was fervent. As Fang Wang grew stronger, Zhou Xingshi reconsidered his own situation. Perhaps the Ten-Thousand Venom Spring-Autumn Worm wasn’t a disaster, but a stroke of fortune.
The Great Qi cultivation world had never produced a Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit, but the Zhou family, being a cultivation clan, knew of the vastness beyond.
Maybe clinging to Fang Wang’s leg would take him further!
Thinking again of Zhou Xue’s promise to him, Zhou Xingshi’s heart burned hotter.
Fang Wang grasped the Celestial Palace Halberd and turned toward the Sixth Line’s pavilion.
At the fourth stage of Spirit Shaping, he could kill a third-stage Spirit Pill cultivator instantly. Now, at the ninth stage, wielding the suspected Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit—the Celestial Palace Halberd—and with his perfected Profound Yang Divine Meridians, he was confident he could sweep through the Spirit Pill stage.
He would maintain his dominant posture in the battles ahead!
Soon, the second disciple took the stage.
Within less than ten breaths, the battle was over!
Whenever Fang Wang closed in on his opponent, the fight ended. No one could withstand the halberd under the perfected Sword Control Technique. The halberd itself contained immense power; combined, the attack was fatal or crippling.
One after another, the Sixth Line disciples took the stage, each suffering miserable defeat. The uproar in the main city grew ever more intense. When five Sixth Line disciples had fallen, the noise began to subside.
It wasn’t until the ninth disciple from the Sixth Line was thrown from the dueling platform, unconscious, that silence fell over the city.
None of the Sixth Line’s nine disciples lasted more than two moves against Fang Wang!
Standing tall on the platform, Fang Wang was spirited and confident, even without a smile.
“The Third Line wins! Replaces the Sixth Line’s ranking!” Sleepy Master announced loudly, then looked to Yang Yuanzi.
Yang Yuanzi said nothing. Fang Wang waited a moment before flying toward the Third Line’s pavilion.
“My master really should have spoken up, even if refusing the challenge,” Fang Wang thought helplessly, but when he reached Yang Yuanzi, he still paid his respects with due reverence.
Yang Yuanzi offered no commentary on Fang Wang’s performance. Instead, disciples surrounded him, lavishing praise and flattery.
The Nine Lines Dueling continued!
The Seventh Line challenged the Second Line!
After dealing with his fellow disciples, Fang Wang sat in meditation to restore his spiritual energy and maintain peak condition.
With twelve consecutive victories, Fang Wang’s name spread throughout the sect’s main city. Those who ran betting pools believed Fang Wang had the strength to stand out and become one of Taiyuan Sect’s nine representatives, so they began adjusting his odds.
For the next five hours, none of the line peaks challenged the Third Line.
The Nine Lines Dueling lasted seven days in total. This year, it was clear the Third Line was on the rise!
As night fell, the dueling continued. Each battle dragged longer, but the Sixth Line—defeated single-handedly by Fang Wang—had dropped to the last place. Facing challenges from other line peaks, their leader chose to forfeit. Fang Wang knew he planned to make a final push in the last two days.
Indeed, seven days tested every line peak. Those disciples from weaker lines who were strong would not be overlooked, and the First Line’s disciples were frequently challenged. It seemed the line peaks had reached some tacit agreement to deplete the First Line’s spiritual energy through turns.
For now, the First Line handled these challenges with ease.
On the second day, nearing noon, the First Line faced a challenge from the Second Line. The first to take the stage was Zhou Xue.
Fang Wang stood, preparing to watch Zhou Xue’s duel.
“You care about her quite a bit,” Gu Li approached Fang Wang, speaking softly.
Fang Wang kept his eyes on Zhou Xue, replying, “She’s my clanswoman, after all.”
“I heard there’s no blood relation; she’s just an adopted daughter.”
“The Fang family never regarded her as merely adopted.”
“Hmm.” Gu Li said no more, standing beside Fang Wang to watch.
Zhou Xue’s natal treasure spirit was a zither. When she played it, her opponent’s soul was shaken: at best, their steps faltered; at worst, they were stunned where they stood.
Such a treasure spirit sparked much discussion among the lines.
Zhou Xue claimed six consecutive victories before being replaced by her peak master. Her performance was strong, attracting much attention, but in most disciples’ eyes, she was not as dominant as Fang Wang.
Fang Wang was absolutely overpowering; Zhou Xue was unfathomably deep.
“Fang Wang, your clanswoman is remarkable—her cultivation is high,” Yang Yuanzi remarked meaningfully.
Fang Wang asked, “How high?”
Yang Yuanzi shook his head, refusing to answer, leaving Fang Wang speechless.
Li Yu followed up, “Master, what grade is Zhou Xue’s treasure spirit?”
Yang Yuanzi replied, “It’s a low-grade Earth Origin Treasure Spirit. The news hasn’t spread yet, but after this Nine Lines Dueling, at least five disciples from Taiyuan Sect will become renowned throughout the cultivation world.”