Chapter 44: Nurturing Sword Qi with the Divine, the Sword in the Eyes

After Fang Wang's battle with Xu Lang, more information about him began to circulate.

He was only at the seventh level of Qi Nourishment before joining, and three years after entering the sect, he defeated a ninth-level disciple of the Spirit Pill realm! This news, spread by disciples of the Third Lineage, swept through the city like a whirlwind. All who heard it were shocked; the legendary prodigies had appeared among them, making the whole affair feel unreal. Many questioned the truth, suspecting Fang Wang was simply as low-key as Ye Xiang, causing others to mistake him for a new disciple.

Time would reveal the truth.

In a guesthouse in the main city, Zhao Zhen sat by the window. He did not look up at the golden mirror in the sky, but poured himself wine, his right hand trembling as he did so. The disciples inside were all discussing Fang Wang's strength, paying no attention to Zhao Zhen's unusual state. Had anyone sat across from him, they would have seen his sweat-soaked brow and face full of fear.

After Fang Wang left the stage, the subsequent battles, though exciting, failed to captivate the audience as before.

The First Lineage had hidden yet another genius of the Earth Origin Treasure Spirit. Not counting Fang Wang and Zhou Xue, this talent, together with Ye Xiang, Gu Li, and Lu Yuanjun, meant that Taiyuan Sect possessed four such prodigies. No wonder, in another timeline, it would become the strongest sect in the Qi Immortal Realm.

As the last half-day passed, another lower-ranked peak challenged the Third Lineage. Yang Yuanzi sent Gu Li to face three disciples of the Forming Spirit realm and one of the Spirit Pill first level.

It was undeniable—something was amiss.

After Gu Li claimed four consecutive victories, she returned to Fang Wang's side with an expressionless face. Fang Wang sensed, perhaps it was his imagination, that she was deliberately avoiding his gaze. When others praised her, she merely nodded slightly.

Reflecting on Gu Li's previous opponents, it seemed those above the Spirit Pill realm had deliberately held back.

Of course, she was a genius of the Earth Origin Treasure Spirit; Taiyuan Sect would certainly nurture her carefully.

Every rule has its gray areas.

Time flew by.

The seven-day Nine Lineage Tournament finally concluded, with the Third Lineage securing fifth place—their best result in fifty years.

After Guang Qiuxian announced the rankings, Vice Sect Master Chen Anshi stood and declared, "The nine disciples representing Taiyuan Sect in the quest for fortune in the Cave Heaven are Lu Yuanjun, Fang Wang, Xu Lang, Ye Xiang, Zhou Xue, Gu Li, Yan Feiyue, Tang Jue, and Xiao Ling!"

"At noon one month from today, you are to await at the Hall of Origin!"

Thus, this session of the Nine Lineage Tournament ended!

Disciples from each pavilion flew out, heading toward the Third Lineage’s building, all seeking Fang Wang.

Faced with the approaches of disciples from each lineage, Fang Wang had to respond with courtesy, and even the elders came in the end.

It took a full hour for Fang Wang to extricate himself. He hurried back to his mountain gate, only to find Gu Li waiting at the entrance.

As Fang Wang landed, preparing to greet her, Gu Li spoke first, "You're disappointed, aren't you? But I can't refuse. Even if I were unwilling, the sect would push me forward. Besides, I want this opportunity myself. My father spoke of it long ago."

Fang Wang blinked and said, "Disappointed? I'm only envious. Come on, are you showing off?"

Fairness?

What a joke—besides life and death, nothing is truly fair in this world!

With the advent of cultivation, even life and death may become unfair.

Gu Li was cheered by his tone, her gloom lessened. She rolled her eyes at him, then took two blue-covered books from her storage pouch and handed them to him, saying, "My father heard how you defeated me at the seventh level of Qi Nourishment during the entrance exam and wishes to befriend you. These are the Record of Heaven and Earth Treasures and the Gu Family's secret art: Divine Nourishing Sword Qi."

"The Record of Heaven and Earth Treasures catalogs rare materials and treasures; it will help you collect valuables in the Great Sage Cave Heaven. Divine Nourishing Sword Qi is the Gu family’s core sword qi method, required of direct descendants, but few master it. If perfected, it holds legendary magical powers."

With that, she turned and left. Fang Wang watched her go, words on the tip of his tongue.

Gu Li moved swiftly, returning to her own residence as if afraid he might refuse.

Fang Wang shook his head, laughing, then entered his own cave.

Seated on his bed, Fang Wang began to read the Record of Heaven and Earth Treasures. Each page had illustrations and text, describing various flowers, plants, trees, and fruits—he was engrossed. There were also many strange minerals.

Though not a manual, the record delighted Fang Wang.

He read for half an hour before stowing the book away and picking up Divine Nourishing Sword Qi.

His expectations for the sword qi were not high, having witnessed Gu Li’s Five Saint Sword Technique.

As he read, his expression grew serious.

Divine Nourishing Sword Qi was extraordinary!

This sword qi was nurtured in the dantian; the longer it was cultivated, the stronger it became. In the early stages, it was weak—even after ten years, it struggled to form combat power, which was why Gu Li had never used it.

But Fang Wang was different. If he started by perfecting the sword qi, his cultivation speed would far outstrip the Gu family, who had to progress step by step, taking much time just to condense sword qi.

As Fang Wang neared the final page, his hand trembled.

Who knew how long he’d have to stay in the Heavenly Palace, but with the upcoming expedition to the Great Sage Cave Heaven, another combat method could only be a boon.

Fang Wang took a deep breath and turned the last page.

When he finished reading the final character, his mind exploded, vision blurring.

He reopened his eyes, finding himself in the Heavenly Palace. Not wasting a moment, he began cultivating Divine Nourishing Sword Qi.

The method had no level divisions, but its cultivation was arduous, unlike ordinary sword qi, more akin to probing the soul.

Thus, years passed.

In the end, it took Fang Wang one hundred twenty years to perfect Divine Nourishing Sword Qi. In that moment, he finally believed Gu Li’s words.

Divine Nourishing Sword Qi truly possessed mystical powers!

Perfected Divine Nourishing Sword Qi resided not in the dantian but in the soul, greatly enhancing Fang Wang’s spiritual sense, allowing him to observe his own soul.

Essentially, at its peak, Divine Nourishing Sword Qi became a partition of the soul, able to shoot from the eyes, under his control, slaying foes and returning to the body untouched by impurity, with terrifying lethality.

Most crucially, Divine Nourishing Sword Qi had no upper limit—the longer it was nurtured, the stronger it grew.

Fang Wang’s consciousness withdrew from the Heavenly Palace. He opened his eyes to his own cave.

Suppressing the urge to go outside and see the world, he started cultivating Divine Nourishing Sword Qi. Spiritual energy flowed in, and in less than half a cup of tea’s time, his soul produced Divine Nourishing Sword Qi. Henceforth, whenever he drew in qi, a portion would automatically feed the sword qi—this was the perfected method, requiring no separate cultivation.

Naturally, if he felt the sword qi would slow his progress, he could cut its connection to the outside world.

Fang Wang’s eyes widened, pupils bright. A streak of sword qi shot from his eyes, darting through the cave like lightning. With a thought, he recalled it, the sword qi returning to his gaze, his eyes normal again.

How exhilarating!

As the sword qi left his body, Fang Wang felt as if he had gained a split self, fully mastering it, even sensing a stillness in everything around him.

In future battles, Divine Nourishing Sword Qi would be his killer move!

Hundreds of years hence, it would become his ultimate attack—one glare, sword qi bursting forth, destroying heaven and earth!

Just imagining it thrilled Fang Wang.

He immediately stood and walked out to the cliff’s edge, gazing at the swirling snow. He longed to shout, venting centuries of cultivation’s frustration, but held back.

No—he had to go out, talk to people!

Fang Wang set off at once, visiting his clan members; save for Zhou Xue, all were in their own caves.

Three days later, he returned, pausing at the mountain gate, then heading to Gu Li’s cave and calling, "Miss Gu, are you there?"

Soon, the gate opened, and Gu Li emerged, bewildered. "What is it?"

It was rare for Fang Wang to seek her out—she wondered if something had happened.

"I’ve spent the past three days studying Divine Nourishing Sword Qi," Fang Wang said seriously. "May I ask, how many in the Gu family have mastered it? What’s the extent of the strongest practitioner’s abilities?"

After holding back for a hundred twenty years, he needed someone to compare with.

Gu Li replied helplessly, "Fang Wang, you are indeed a genius, but Divine Nourishing Sword Qi cannot be rushed. Currently, fewer than ten members of the Gu family can use it in battle. The strongest is my grandfather, who can spit sword qi, piercing anything—even shattering high-grade magical artifacts."