Chapter 69: Collapsing at a Touch, the Inherited Sword Formation [Fifth Update]

A white dragon coiled in the sky, with Fang Wang standing at its head, appearing like a dragon god, his gaze indifferent as he looked down upon the thirteen geniuses below.

This was his first time publicly displaying the Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Art. In the past, he had refrained from using it out of fear that possessing such a treasure would bring calamity. Now, however, he had acquired enough strength to support himself; though he dared not claim invincibility, revealing some of his power would prevent further troubles.

Since his Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit had already been exposed, he intended to show the world that he had grown formidable. Anyone who dared to scheme against the Fang family would first have to consider whether they were worthy.

Everyone was awed by the Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Art. The white dragon Fang Wang had become was not just a visual spectacle; it radiated a formidable aura that, even through the barrier, could be felt by the disciples outside.

The thirteen geniuses below felt this most keenly. All were on high alert, some even breaking into a cold sweat.

“Attack together! If we join forces, he may not defeat us. The more powerful the technique, the greater the drain on spiritual energy!” called Liu Jun from the Hanging Flood Sword Sect in a low voice. He immediately drew his bow, pulling it to full draw as his spiritual power gathered into an arrow aimed at Fang Wang in the sky.

The other geniuses all summoned their life-bound Treasure Spirits and unleashed their strongest spells.

Fang Wang’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he dove downward, the dragon’s roar reverberating through the heavens. The twenty-zhang-long white dragon plummeted, carrying the force of a collapsing sky!

So fast!

Song Jinyuan’s pupils shrank with alarm. He reacted quicker than the others, shifting his position rapidly and executing his sword techniques, creating five afterimages that simultaneously raised their blades and slashed upward, sword intent soaring.

Liu Jun twisted his body, upper half facing the sky, and loosed his arrow in fury. The arrow, formed of spiritual force, became a streak of blinding light, swift as thunder.

The other geniuses’ martial arts were equally grand, shaking the entire sect’s main city.

The white dragon charged down fiercely, shattering all attacks with overwhelming might. As it neared the ground, it abruptly changed direction and lunged at Liu Jun.

The dragon’s speed was astonishing. Liu Jun barely had time to react before being struck, coughing blood as he was sent flying, smashing against the barrier and sliding down slowly.

Before he could hit the ground, the remaining geniuses were hurled from the dueling platform one after another!

The white dragon charged forward unstoppably; anyone it struck saw their spiritual energy dispersed, their bodies shaken—at worst, bones snapped and tendons ruptured.

In less than three breaths, ten people had been flung from the platform. The speed was so shocking that the entire city of spectators didn’t even have time to speak; all eyes were fixed on the twelve golden mirrors in the sky, within which the white dragon reigned supreme, like a celestial beast descending to rampage through the mortal world.

Fang Wang stood atop the dragon’s head, his gaze locking onto the strongest opponent—Song Jinyuan.

Song Jinyuan rapidly retreated, right hand wielding his sword. One after another, flying swords shot from his storage pouch, quickly forming an array that drew upon the world’s spiritual energy.

Facing the onrushing white dragon, he hurled his sword. More than a dozen flying swords followed in formation, accompanied by wind and thunder, their sword intent fierce.

Boom—

His treasured sword was knocked away, the flying swords shattered, their sword intent dispersed by the gale, shaking the barrier’s veil of light.

Song Jinyuan’s eyes were wide with shock. The sword formation he prided himself on had been so easily destroyed?

Before he could react further, the white dragon struck him, knocking him unconscious and sending his body hurtling away like a meteor.

Fang Wang had accelerated specifically to deal with him, finishing the matter swiftly.

Now, only two remained!

Fang Wang immediately turned around, but the remaining two, terrified, fled the dueling platform without daring to fight.

Fang Wang landed, the white dragon coiling around him before dissolving into a wave of qi. Another dragon’s roar echoed through the air.

The entire process lasted less than six breaths.

Every spectator felt the same way.

—

Utter devastation, unrivaled arrogance!

The two sides were simply not on the same level.

Though outnumbered, Fang Wang displayed a dominance beyond anyone’s imagination.

All had placed great hopes on the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit, but none had expected such an overwhelming outcome.

After a moment of stunned silence, the main city of the sect erupted in thunderous cheers and exclamations.

“Heavens, what kind of sorcery is that? It’s too powerful!”

“Incredible... even those legendary geniuses could not withstand him a single round!”

“So this is the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit? Unbelievable. Not only is his cultivation high, but he also masters such peerless techniques!”

“I feel like he’s beyond the realm of ‘genius’—even the elders might not be his match.”

“After this battle, there’s no disputing his title as the greatest genius in Great Qi.”

While the disciples and cultivators marveled, the nine peak masters and elders looked at Fang Wang with complex expressions.

They sensed danger.

Confronted with the Fang Wang of just now, they could not say with confidence that they would win. Some elders even felt inferior to him.

Zhao Chuanqian gazed at Fang Wang, his eyes full of emotion. Fourteen years ago, he had brought Fang Wang up the mountain, lamenting at the time that Fang Wang had chosen the third branch. Now, fourteen years later, Fang Wang had grown to such heights.

The Sleepy Immortal, meanwhile, laughed heartily, boasting to the surrounding elders that from the moment he first met Fang Wang, he knew the boy would soar to the heavens—he just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Song Jinyuan, heir of the Sword Saint, lay on the ground, struggling in vain to rise. Fortunately, an elder of the Grand Abyss Sect rushed over to help him sit and heal his injuries.

Song Jinyuan barely managed to open his eyes. In his blurry vision, the figure standing on the dueling platform seemed distant and unattainable.

Eighty years of cultivation, and he had never felt so defeated.

When he first heard that Lu Yuanjun had forged a mid-grade Earthly Origin Treasure Spirit, he had scoffed, trusting in his own sword intent. But now...

He was lost in unprecedented confusion.

No matter how strong sword intent was, could it really bridge the gap between grades of Treasure Spirits?

Lu Yuanjun, standing among the other Grand Abyss Sect geniuses, looked at Fang Wang with a complicated gaze. The disciples around him buzzed with excitement about the battle, but he could not remain calm. The strength Fang Wang had just displayed was terrifying; even without using his ultimate treasure, Lu Yuanjun was not confident he could cope.

In the distance, Zhao Zhen glanced at Lu Yuanjun. Seeing his expression, Zhao Zhen’s gaze turned cold, and he silently turned to leave.

Zhou Xue watched Fang Wang basking in glory, chuckled softly, and also turned away.

Guang Qiu Xian stood on the dueling platform, seeing the elders already tending to the injured geniuses. He turned to Fang Wang and said, “Fang Wang, come with me.”

He appeared calm, but inwardly he was panicking.

Fang Wang was too strong!

He feared that the tallest tree in the forest would be the first to fall.

To face so many geniuses alone and defeat them so decisively—how could the eight great sects rest easy?

He needed to devise a countermeasure.

Fang Wang stowed his Celestial Palace Halberd in his treasure spirit space and followed Guang Qiu Xian off the platform, joined by Elder Zhang from the Mission Hall.

All along the way, disciples called Fang Wang’s name in unison.

—

Inwardly, Fang Wang sighed. These disciples truly lacked the composure befitting cultivators. All it took was for him to take on the form of a white dragon to drive them into a frenzy—what if he became a black dragon?

On the way, Elder Zhang showered Fang Wang with praise so effusive that even Fang Wang felt embarrassed.

Guang Qiu Xian led the way without looking back or interrupting.

The three quickly reached the Mission Hall, heading to the Elder’s Pavilion on the fourth floor. Guang Qiu Xian spoke, “Record eighty thousand contribution points for him.”

Fang Wang raised his brows—this was thirty thousand more than previously agreed.

He quickly presented his disciple token to Elder Zhang.

Elder Zhang obliged at once, chuckling, “Eighty thousand? I’d say even a hundred thousand wouldn’t be enough—the reputation gained from this battle is incalculable.”

Guang Qiu Xian shot him a glare. “Are you the sect master, or am I?”

Elder Zhang snorted and said no more.

It was clear from their interaction that the two were close, with little sense of hierarchy between them.

Fang Wang recalled hearing that Elder Zhang was the sect master’s senior brother, now nearing the end of his lifespan with only a few years left.

Soon, Elder Zhang handed the disciple token back to Fang Wang. Guang Qiu Xian turned, signaling for Fang Wang to follow.

Elder Zhang sat down, watching Fang Wang’s departing figure with a sigh. “To witness a Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit in my twilight years—truly, Heaven has shown me favor...”

—

After leaving the Mission Hall, Guang Qiu Xian led Fang Wang back to the main branch. The two entered the Origin Abyss Hall and stood facing each other as Guang Qiu Xian asked what Fang Wang wished to learn.

Without hesitation, Fang Wang chose the third branch’s core inheritance—the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Array!

This sword array was the most profound art of the nine branches. To this day, no one had inherited it, not even Yang Yuanzi, which proved the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Array was even more formidable than the Divine Soaring Sword Art.

Guang Qiu Xian gave him a deep look, then raised his right hand. From the corridor came the sound of wind, and soon a jade slip flew into his palm, which he handed to Fang Wang.

“This is the inheritance jade slip of the Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Array. At most, I can allow you ten years—after ten years, it must be returned,” Guang Qiu Xian said gravely.

Fang Wang nodded at once. “I won’t need that long. Once I’ve memorized the cultivation method, I’ll return it ahead of time.”

Guang Qiu Xian nodded. “The Nine Heavens Azure Thunder Sword Array was created by the second sect master. That master once journeyed beyond Great Qi to seek immortality in vaster realms, and upon returning, swept the cultivation world with this sword array. Sadly, no one has since inherited his mantle. You possess the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit and profound insight into the sword. I hope to see it reappear in your hands.”

Fang Wang agreed at once. Guang Qiu Xian said no more, waving his sleeve to dismiss him.

Fang Wang placed the jade slip into his storage pouch, bowed, and took his leave.

After leaving the Origin Abyss Hall, he was about to fly back to the third branch when he saw someone ascending the mountain. He went to greet him.

“Senior Brother Lu, long time no see,” Fang Wang said with a smile.

Lu Yuanjun’s expression flickered for an instant, but soon resumed his usual cordiality as he replied with a laugh, “Junior Brother Fang, your performance was truly impressive. I don’t think I can match you anymore.”

“Senior Brother Lu, you’re too modest. I still have a long way to go to catch up to you. By the way, what brings you here?” Fang Wang shook his head, smiling.

The two appeared as close as brothers, with no trace of enmity.

Lu Yuanjun replied with a smile, “I came to report some intelligence about the other sects to the sect master.”