Chapter 46: Untouchable

The Great Sage Grotto-Heaven lay beyond the western borders of the Grand Qi Dynasty, a land of chaos nestled between Qi and Wei, beyond the reach of imperial authority due to the ceaseless passage of cultivators. In the past, this region drew so many practitioners because of its abundant spiritual energy—no one had ever imagined that a hidden realm was concealed here.

At dawn, sunlight swept over the ship, illuminating every passenger.

Vice Sect Master Chen Anshi stood on the deck, introducing the Great Sage Grotto-Heaven: “This grotto-heaven is the immortal abode left behind by an ancient Great Sage—it is a world unto itself. Later, it fell under the control of the Supreme Hao Sect, but that sect has vanished into history; only the artifact spirit of the grotto-heaven remains, maintaining its rules. This time, not even the greatest cultivators of the Nine Sects may accompany you. You are on your own.

“This exploration will last six months. All that you gain within belongs to you; there is no need to hand over treasures to the sect. I will wait for you at the entrance in six months. Any grudges or enmities must be left inside—none may be brought out. In other words, there will be competition within. You represent the most gifted disciples of the Grand Abyss Sect. Not only must you strive to survive, but you must also bring honor to our sect. Do you understand?”

Chen Anshi’s tone was stern, his gaze sharp as it swept over the assembled disciples.

Fang Wang, listening, marveled at the acting skills required for undercover work. If Zhou Xue hadn’t warned him, he would never have suspected that Chen Anshi was a demonic sect spy.

Tsk, this fellow had surely already leaked their information to the Fiend Demon Sect. The Great Sage Grotto-Heaven would be fraught with hidden dangers!

The disciples listened attentively.

According to Chen Anshi, the artifact spirit had set the entry threshold at below the fifth level of Profound Heart Stage, and each sect was permitted only nine participants. Whether there were only nine sects, the artifact spirit remained vague, so Chen Anshi warned that they might encounter cultivators from the Grand Wei’s immortal world.

After defeating Xu Lang, who was at the ninth level of the Spirit Pill Stage, Fang Wang was cautious of the Profound Heart Stage but not afraid—he hadn’t yet deployed his strongest techniques.

Half an hour later.

The flying spirit ship descended into a desolate wilderness—the earth was crimson, vegetation sparse, and fissures crisscrossed the ground, forming a labyrinth of canyons.

Ahead, two sheer peaks stood side by side, no more than thirty feet apart, as if sliced by a single sword stroke—a breathtaking sight.

The ship landed. Fang Wang and the others followed Chen Anshi ashore, while Zhao Chuanqian and the elders brought up the rear.

At the foot of the mountains, cultivators were already gathering. Judging by their attire, there were six different sects present, numbering over a hundred.

The arrival of the Grand Abyss Sect drew the attention of the other sects. Fang Wang could feel many spiritual senses probing him, which annoyed him.

“Hmph!”

Chen Anshi snorted coldly—a thunderous sound that swept away the invasive senses. The other disciples visibly relaxed.

“Hahaha! Isn’t that the vice sect master of the Grand Abyss Sect? Chen Anshi, when will you finally reach the Concentrated Spirit Stage?” an old man called out with a hearty laugh, his mirth easing the tension. The other elders followed suit, greeting him in turn.

“Vice Sect Master Chen, this batch of your disciples is truly impressive!”

“Which one is Fang Wang? To defeat a ninth-level Spirit Pill practitioner after just three years of cultivation—that’s extraordinary!”

“With Fang Wang and Lu Yuanjun, and three Earth Origin Spirit Treasures as well, tsk, tsk—soon the Grand Abyss Sect will surely take the lead among the Nine Great Sects.”

“Alas, why is my Grand Clarity Sect not so fortunate? We share the same lineage, after all.”

The elders of the various sects clustered together, lavishing praise upon the Grand Abyss Sect.

Xu Lang, Ye Xiang, and the other disciples from the Grand Abyss Sect cast complicated glances at Fang Wang.

He hadn’t expected his reputation to spread so quickly in just a month—clearly, there were more spies in the sect than he’d thought.

Lu Yuanjun, hearing others belittle him in favor of Fang Wang, remained unbothered, a harmless smile on his face.

Chen Anshi replied curtly, “Fang Wang’s talent is remarkable, but he is still young. I hope you will all show some forbearance. In the end, the Nine Great Sects must unite to develop the immortal world of Grand Qi—our true opponents are the cultivators of Wei, Chu, and Zhao.”

With that, the elders turned the conversation to the Great Sage Grotto-Heaven.

“Looks like you’re in for more trouble. Take care of yourself.” Zhou Xue’s voice sounded in Fang Wang’s mind. He glanced at her and gave a look, as if to say, “Figure it out yourself.”

She smiled, lips pressed together, and handed him a manual from her storage pouch.

He glanced at the cover: “Spirit Shaping Codex.”

Delighted, Fang Wang put it away at once.

Not far away, Gu Li noticed this exchange. Behind her veil, she seemed to bite her lip faintly.

An hour later, the last two sects arrived.

Fang Wang’s attention was drawn to the Hanging Flood Sword Sect as he searched for someone—Xu Qiuming.

Zhou Xue had warned him: never provoke Xu Qiuming of the Hanging Flood Sword Sect. The Grand Abyss Sect would become the most powerful sect in the Grand Qi immortal world, but Xu Qiuming would become the strongest cultivator. Only after Xu Qiuming left to seek fortune abroad did Lu Yuanjun ascend to the top.

According to Zhou Xue, Lu Yuanjun was impressive, but only within the Grand Qi’s “pond.” Xu Qiuming, on the other hand, could truly chase the immortal path. When Zhou Xue reached the highest level of the mortal world, Xu Qiuming would do so as well—though he lacked the fate to ascend.

“It seems the youngest boy must be Xu Qiuming,” Zhou Xue’s voice sounded in his mind.

Fang Wang’s gaze fell on a black-clad youth of fourteen or fifteen. He was not especially handsome, merely delicate. Unlike the other Hanging Flood disciples, he wore no sword at his waist, nor did he carry one on his back, exuding no aura of strength.

Sensing Fang Wang’s gaze, Xu Qiuming looked over and flashed him a shy, toothy grin.

Fang Wang nodded politely, then turned away.

The vice sect masters and elders of each sect engaged in conversation while their disciples kept to themselves, standing in clearly demarcated groups.

By noon, the two sheer peaks suddenly trembled, drawing everyone’s attention.

“The Great Sage Grotto-Heaven has opened! Prepare to enter!” called out an elder from the Grand Clarity Sect.

A blinding light flared between the peaks, obscuring the gorge behind.

The nine disciples of Green Cicada Valley entered first, their presences vanishing as they passed through the light, followed by those from the Grand Clarity Sect and the Fiend Demon Sect.

Chen Anshi turned and gave his instructions: “Remember—be cautious in all things! Trust no one lightly. Your goal is to seek heavenly treasures and inheritances. Do you understand?”

All the disciples nodded in unison. Except for Fang Wang and Zhou Xue, they all felt this vice sect master, though stern, had a warm heart.

Soon, it was the Grand Abyss Sect’s turn to enter. Lu Yuanjun led the way through the gorge, followed by Zhou Xue, then Fang Wang, and Gu Li behind him.

Their journey was silent.

As Fang Wang stepped into the blinding light, an unimaginable force enveloped him. His body was instantly out of his control, as if plummeting downward. The intense weightlessness was disorienting, making it impossible to open his eyes.

Ten heartbeats later.

At last, Fang Wang felt his feet touch solid ground. Dizzy, he nearly fell, but forced himself to remain upright.

Gradually, he regained control of his body and sensed a tide of spiritual energy denser even than that of the Grand Abyss Sect’s headquarters. He felt instantly refreshed and opened his eyes.

Before him stretched rolling forests and mountains. Thunderclouds seethed on the horizon, and massive, shadowy beasts circled in the distance. He stood at the edge of a cliff—five more steps and he would plunge down.

He turned, scanning around, but saw no one. Spreading his senses, he found not a trace of another soul.

Just as Chen Anshi had said, they were scattered upon entry, their landing points determined by the will of the artifact spirit.

Six months from now, the artifact spirit would send them out. There was no need to search for an exit.

Fang Wang did not rush to explore. Instead, he sat cross-legged at the cliff’s edge and retrieved the Spirit Shaping Codex Zhou Xue had given him.

Spirit Shaping required Heavenly Dao Spirit Stones, which only the Nine Great Sects possessed. Even if noble families had them, they hid them for fear of death.

Fang Wang had planned to return to the Grand Abyss Sect to shape his spirit afterward, but now saw no need—for the first page of the Codex detailed how to forge a temporary Heavenly Dao Spirit Stone!

Besides the crafting method, it described special locations where one could shape their spirit—places yet undiscovered by the cultivators of Grand Qi.

Though called the Spirit Shaping Codex, most of its later content concerned the condensation of spirit pills. Fang Wang suspected Zhou Xue had written it especially for him.