Chapter 59: A Lesson Learned

"Jinghong Divine Sword Technique?"

Cao Ran furrowed his brows deeply, unease stirring within him.

With one hand holding the massive cauldron aloft and the other rapidly casting spells, surging black mist coiled around his body, forming a tornado of daunting force that drew the lake water up toward the sky. As the diameter of the black mist tornado exceeded fifteen meters, the lakeshore darkened, as if night were about to fall.

On the dim surface of the lake, Fang Wang became the most dazzling figure of all. His golden-scaled, white-feathered robe billowed violently, and thirty-six swords had already condensed around him.

With thirty-six Swords of Jinghong combined with his true combat power, Fang Wang’s aura reached its peak. Confronting Cao Ran at the fifth layer of the Profound Heart Realm, he was in no way outmatched and even faintly suppressed his opponent.

Cao Ran gritted his teeth, let out an angry roar, and suddenly turned the cauldron’s mouth toward Fang Wang. A ferocious black tornado, carrying the might to flatten mountains, surged toward Fang Wang, the lake water lashing down like a torrential rain, as if the Milky Way itself were pouring from the heavens.

Almost simultaneously, Fang Wang thrust his sword forward. The thirty-six sword forms attacked in unison, swiftly merging into a single, immense sword aura that shot toward the sky-darkening black tornado, evaporating the deluge along its path.

Boom!

The thirty-six Swords of Jinghong forcefully shattered the black mist tornado. Cao Ran, gripping the cauldron with both hands, watched as the mighty black wind before him scattered abruptly. An incomparably brilliant sword aura surged straight toward him.

Startled, Cao Ran lifted the cauldron in defense, only to feel an irresistible force crash against his life-bound treasure.

"This strength is astonishing... If I were just an ordinary cultivator at the fifth layer of the Profound Heart Realm, my treasure would have been shattered instantly..."

Cao Ran clenched his teeth, exerting all his strength, but he was still forced backward, his arms trembling violently.

He was blasted dozens of meters back above the lake. Even as the veins bulged on his neck, he could not withstand the terrifying might of the thirty-six Swords of Jinghong.

Suddenly!

A chill ran up his spine. Instinctively, he turned his head and saw Fang Wang somehow appear behind him, looking down from above, the sword in his hand radiating a cold white light.

Fang Wang's face was expressionless, cold light flickering in his eyes as he swung his sword down. Cao Ran dodged at once, but caught between attacks from both front and back, his reaction was still too slow. The sword energy tore through his robe, slashing diagonally across his chest, and blood spurted forth.

Boom!

In Xiao Zi’s eyes, Fang Wang’s sword knocked Cao Ran straight from the sky. With a splash, Cao Ran crashed into the lake, his blood still scattering through the air.

His massive cauldron followed, crashing into the water.

Fang Wang dove after him, plunging into the lake, sending up a spray of water.

On the lakeshore, Xiao Zi watched anxiously, unable to see what was happening beneath the surface. It gripped its tail in worry for Fang Wang—not doubting his strength, but fearing Cao Ran might play some devious trick.

Three breaths passed.

Suddenly, the lake exploded upward. Two figures shot out, landing hard on the grassy bank, carving a trench over twenty meters long. Xiao Zi turned to look and saw Fang Wang stepping on Cao Ran’s chest, gripping the Rainbow Sword in a reverse hold with his right hand, the blade thrust into Cao Ran’s chest. Cao Ran clutched the glowing white blade with both hands, his arms trembling, flesh a bloody mess.

Still holding the Rainbow Sword in reverse grip, Fang Wang’s expression did not change as he increased the pressure, even twisting the hilt.

In Cao Ran’s eyes, Fang Wang’s battle intent was pure killing intent—cold and merciless.

Cao Ran was powerless to push Fang Wang away, channeling all his spiritual power into his palms. Without it, his hands would already have been severed by the Rainbow Sword.

The Rainbow Sword churned in his chest, bringing excruciating pain. Suddenly, he saw nine sword forms condense out of thin air behind Fang Wang, his pupils dilating in terror.

"Wait! I am not your enemy!"

Fang Wang did not respond. The nine sword forms behind him shot toward Cao Ran, sweeping past Fang Wang’s own cheek.

"Zhou Xue!"

Cao Ran yelled desperately. Before his words had fully left his lips, the nine sword forms halted—one of them stopping less than three centimeters from his face.

For an instant, Cao Ran thought he was dead.

The cold light in Fang Wang’s eyes faded, clarity returning. Were it not for his cultivation of the Battle Heart, at such close range, he could not have recalled his attack in time.

Such is the power of the Battle Heart—banishing all distractions, leaving only pure fighting intent. It is not an obsession like falling into madness, but a state of absolute rationality. Thus, at the mention of "Zhou Xue," he stopped instantly.

In this state, Fang Wang felt as if everything around him slowed—a subtle but profound sensation.

He did not let go, but looked down at Cao Ran, questioning with his eyes. The nine sword forms hovered before Cao Ran’s face, their sharpness stinging his skin.

Cao Ran took a deep breath, gritting his teeth. "Zhou Xue sent me to test you. She feared you’d become too arrogant and wanted me to teach you a lesson, to keep you humble..."

As he spoke, frustration filled him.

He had thought it would be a simple task, bullying a junior—but had nearly lost his life instead...

He very much wanted to ask Zhou Xue: did you want Fang Wang to learn a lesson, or was it I who was supposed to remember mine?

Fang Wang frowned. "Aren’t you from the Golden Sky Sect?"

Cao Ran coughed awkwardly. "Given how things stand, I won’t hide it. Zhou Xue joined the Golden Sky Sect two years ago and freed me from a place of sealing. I owe her my life. Don’t spread this around, or it’ll affect her work in the Grand Abyss Sect."

Fang Wang’s expression turned odd.

Zhou Xue, joined the Golden Sky Sect...

Damn.

From the deputy sect leader of the Grand Abyss Sect down to his own clan, were they all infiltrators?

Fang Wang withdrew the Rainbow Sword and stepped back. Cao Ran sat up cross-legged and began to heal himself, his chest a bloody ruin, the blood still pouring out.

"You’re truly formidable... I’ve never met a genius like you. Across the seven nations’ cultivation world, perhaps only those legendary prodigies could compare..."

Cao Ran spoke with lingering awe; surviving this ordeal had his heart pounding still.

Fang Wang considered carefully. Cao Ran probably wasn’t lying—no enemy would invent such a story in the face of death.

Besides, he’d never had dealings with the Golden Sky Sect.

"Can you tell me about the Golden Sky Sect? Why did Zhou Xue join them?" Fang Wang asked.

Cao Ran shook his head gently. "Sorry, I can’t say. She doesn’t want you involved with them. The Golden Sky Sect is not to be trifled with, and their ambitions will one day make them enemies of the world."

Hearing this, Fang Wang didn’t press. Instead, he left one final remark as he turned away:

"Heal up, and then go."

Watching Fang Wang’s retreating back, Cao Ran wanted to speak, but said nothing.

How could this youth not seem like a young man at all—was he really not yet twenty?

Cao Ran didn’t have the courage to call out to Fang Wang. For the first time, he felt fear toward someone of the younger generation.

Forget it—just heal and get out of here as soon as possible!

By the lakeshore, Fang Wang sat to meditate and draw in spiritual energy. Xiao Zi slithered close, its serpentine eyes never leaving Cao Ran, wary of any sneak attack.

In silence, Xiao Zi stayed by Fang Wang’s side, ever vigilant.

It wasn’t until dusk that Cao Ran finally took his leave. Even as he flew away, blood still dripped from him—a truly wretched sight.

"Young master, should we move to a new place?" Xiao Zi whispered.

Fang Wang admired the twilight. "No need. The scenery here is quite pleasant."

Not even a fifth-layer Profound Heart Realm cultivator was his match now; there was no need to keep running. It was time to focus on training and await the end of the half-year period.

Lately, he’d been pondering whether, after this, he should roam the world, find a secluded place to cultivate, and carve out a true abode of his own.

His quarters in the Grand Abyss Sect ultimately belonged to the sect. And as he grew stronger, who knew what tricks Lu Yuanjun might play?

Guang Qiuxian was a Condensing Spirit Realm cultivator!

He was already strong, but not yet strong enough to ignore the Grand Abyss Sect entirely.

His principle was always to keep something in reserve—never let anyone know the full extent of his strength.

Xiao Zi glanced at him, then followed his gaze out over the lake. The setting sun reflected on the rippling surface, their silhouettes—man and serpent—gradually swallowed by the gathering dusk.

...

On the cliff top, Zhou Xue stood facing the wind, a bamboo hat and veil concealing her features.

Cao Ran stood beside her, his body wrapped in white bandages, looking haggard and his usually dark face now pale.

He recounted his battle with Fang Wang from beginning to end, unable to suppress a cough.

"Your kinsman is truly a monster. Now look—my old wounds not yet healed, I’ve gained new ones. For the next twenty—no, fifty years, don’t ask me to help you again!" Cao Ran complained bitterly, unable to conceal his awe.

Zhou Xue was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed softly. "He never ceases to surprise me. This time, I truly underestimated him. King Cao, I’ll make it up to you and help you recover as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Cao Ran’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes. After the matter of the Great Sage’s Grotto is settled, I’ll accompany Demon Lord to the northern frontier. Then, I’ll bring you a millennium Jadebone Ice Lotus," Zhou Xue replied.

Cao Ran immediately broke into a smile. "With the Sect Leader’s support, I’m at ease. But, by the way, where has the Sect Leader gone? It’s been three years since the founding, yet when will the positions of the Four Guardian Kings be fully assigned?"