Chapter 83: In This Life and This World, I Must Never Compete With Him!

Are you convinced? These three words struck like a heavy hammer upon the hearts of thousands of cultivators. Already, they had forgotten Kong Xi’s provocative words; now, their minds were filled only with boundless admiration and excitement.

This battle was undoubtedly the most powerful they had ever witnessed in their lives. Though brief, it would remain unforgettable to them for a lifetime.

Even the members of the Fang family felt the same. They found Fang Wang’s strength so overwhelming that he seemed almost unfamiliar to them, yet this unfamiliarity was not unwelcome; it only made them prouder.

Fang Yin gazed at his son’s figure, feeling a profound surge of emotion.

Heaven above! How did he manage to father such a child? If not for Fang Wang’s resemblance to him, he might have begun to question his very existence.

Fang Hanyu, Song Jin Yuan, and the sword attendants all felt their hearts race. In this moment, Fang Wang was the Sword Sage in their eyes.

Especially Song Jin Yuan, who had followed the Sword Sage for many years; to him, Fang Wang’s current bearing was utterly identical to the Sword Sage, a perfect likeness.

Yet at this moment, only one person could not rejoice.

That was Kong Xi of the Sword Sect.

Kong Xi, now at the end of his strength, found even his vision blurred. He could not see Fang Wang’s expression clearly, but he heard Fang Wang’s pressing question.

“Am I about to die...”

Terror filled Kong Xi’s heart, pushing all other concerns aside. Never before had he been so close to death.

He had survived many close calls in the past, relying on his own strength to fight his way out, always holding fast to his convictions. But today’s battle had shattered his confidence completely. In this moment, notions of sect, reputation, and envy all faded away.

After centuries of cultivation, having finally reached the pinnacle of the Great Qi cultivation world, was he truly to end here?

A wave of uncontrollable fear arose within Kong Xi. He did not want to die.

“I... submit…”

Kong Xi answered with difficulty. Fang Wang deliberately amplified his voice with the intent of the Heaven and Earth Sword, so that every cultivator heard his words. Even if it was only a single word, it was enough to stir all those present.

Boom!

Sword Lake was in an uproar.

“So powerful! Is this the Sword Sage of Tianyuan?”

“I’ve never seen the Sword Sage in person, but Fang Wang already seems to be the true Sword Sage.”

“I feel Fang Wang showed mercy!”

“That’s right. If it had truly been a duel to the death, the Sword Sect would already be gone. Besides, the Sword Sect tried to intimidate the young with the old, and used those psychological tricks before the fight. Fang Wang letting him live shows great magnanimity—a true master’s bearing. Compared to the Sword Sage, there’s no contest!”

“Sword Sect? Not worth mentioning. For the next eight hundred years in Great Qi, the Fang family will reign!”

Cultivators from all sides debated heatedly. They bore no grudges against Fang Wang, and to witness the rise of such a peerless talent naturally brought them joy.

After this battle, Fang Wang would inevitably become one of the leading cultivators at the summit of Great Qi’s cultivation world, capable of stirring the winds of the realm.

Most crucially, he was still so young!

Fang Wang heard Kong Xi’s answer, smiled gently, and turned to fly toward the lakeshore. One by one, the superior-grade swords flew into his storage pouch. The distant mountain peak still burned, a testament to the battle that had just occurred.

Originally, Fang Wang had intended to kill the Sword Sect master, but remembering that Taiyuan Gate and Xuanhong Sword Sect were allied righteous sects, and knowing his family stood behind him, he chose to spare Kong Xi. Moreover, keeping the Sword Sect master alive was the best proof of his own strength.

A dead man brings only fear or hatred.

Fang Wang landed at the bridgehead, and Song Jin Yuan immediately instructed the sword attendants to take Kong Xi away for healing.

Little Zi hopped onto Fang Wang’s shoulder, huffing, “Young master, why didn’t you just finish him off?”

Fang Hanyu nodded, unable to hide the murderous intent in his eyes.

Song Jin Yuan replied, “Killing him would be easy, but why bother? After this battle, his sword heart is shattered—he’s no longer a threat. From now on, every sect that sees him will remember that he was defeated by Fang Wang. That’s the best stepping stone.”

“The reason my master became the Sword Sage was because those he defeated lived to sing his praises. Only then did his reputation grow to what it is today. Think about the leaders of Xuanhong Sword Sect and Taiyuan Gate—they’re powerful and have killed many, but can they compare to the Sword Sage?”

His words gave Fang Hanyu and the sword attendants much to ponder.

Fang Wang smiled. This Senior Song was truly interesting.

“I did not kill him because he followed the rules—he gave his word for a year and kept it, and set no ambush. It does not mean I refuse to kill. I am the Sword Sage’s successor, but I will not become his kind of Sword Sage. To kill in order to put an end to killing—that is my path,” Fang Wang said with a smile.

He had killed many in the past; it was not an aversion to killing that stayed his hand. He spared the Sword Sect master for the sake of the greater good.

Hearing this, Song Jin Yuan frowned slightly, as if wanting to argue, but then felt Fang Wang’s reasoning was sound. At times, slaughter was necessary; he had seen many who, spared by the Sword Sage, returned ungrateful and vengeful.

Just then, a group of cultivators flew in—it was the disciples of Xuanhong Sword Sect, among them Xu Qiuming.

Xu Qiuming dared not meet Fang Wang’s gaze; Fang Wang did not look at him either, having already forgotten him.

The group took the barely breathing Sword Sect master from the sword attendants.

Bloodied, the Sword Sect master struggled to lift his head, looking at Xu Qiuming and trembling, “In this life... never compete with him... never...”

Tears streamed down his aged face, and he promptly lost consciousness.

Xu Qiuming’s mind was shaken. He had witnessed the battle firsthand, and already knew he was no match for Fang Wang. Hearing his arrogant, domineering uncle say such words only deepened the shock in his heart.

From the moment he began cultivating, Xu Qiuming was the center of attention, the genius of Xuanhong Sword Sect. Even when Lu Yuanjun appeared, the sect still placed their hopes in him, and he never disappointed. Yet now...

A genius named Fang Wang had burst into his world with overwhelming presence. Ever since the Tianyuan Spirit Treasure spread, all he heard were voices marveling at Fang Wang. Though no one compared him to Fang Wang in his presence, he knew that no one saw them as equals—their talents were not even on the same level. Because of this, he had been secretly unconvinced, determined to train hard and defeat Fang Wang honorably.

But seeing Kong Xi’s miserable defeat, and recalling his words, Xu Qiuming fell into unprecedented confusion.

All of Sword Lake was in uproar. Members of Fang Mansion and Taiyuan Gate disciples rushed over, surrounding Fang Wang.

“Good thing you didn’t kill Kong Xi—had you done so, there would have been a rift between Taiyuan Gate and Xuanhong Sword Sect,” Zhao Chuanqian praised.

The Sleepy Immortal scoffed, “So what if he killed him? Xuanhong Sword Sect wouldn’t dare complain—they started it!”

Zhou Bo said excitedly, “Senior Fang is amazing! He’s not far from being the strongest in the world!”

Fang Yin watched his son surrounded by his peers, his face full of proud smiles.

Meanwhile, some cultivators began to leave—spies eager to report the outcome as soon as possible. Each left with complex expressions.

Having witnessed this battle, they understood that Fang Wang was unstoppable. He no longer needed Taiyuan Gate’s protection; he was now one of Great Qi’s most untouchable cultivators.

By the lake, along the corridor.

Gu Tianxiong sighed, “Daughter, cultivate well. Don’t aim to catch up to him, but at least surpass other women in the cultivation world, so you’re not unworthy of him. If you become the strongest female cultivator, even if you’re far beneath him, only you can match him.”

After this battle, he truly felt his daughter was not worthy of Fang Wang.

Not just his daughter—he doubted Taiyuan Gate could keep Fang Wang either.

Such a figure would never be confined to the Great Qi cultivation world.

Gu Li nodded, silent, but her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

...

It was not until deep into the night that Sword Lake regained its former tranquility.

Inside a pavilion.

Fang Wang sat with his grandfather, Fang Meng, savoring tea together. Fang Meng gazed at his grandson, pride swelling within him, his feelings too deep for words.

Since his sons had grown, Fang Meng had often worried—they seemed ill-suited for great responsibility, and the younger generation was still too young. This was why he clung to his noble title.

He never imagined the Fang family would produce someone like Fang Wang!

Not only could Fang Wang uphold the Fang Mansion, even imperial power was nothing before him.

The thought that the Fang family might one day produce an immortal made Fang Meng’s heart soar.

Fang Wang asked, “Grandfather, what did you want to speak with me about?”

Fang Meng returned to himself and smiled, “Two things. First, your marriage to Zhou Xue. Even if you two aren’t ready to wed, your parents’ wishes and the engagement can be set for now.”

Fang Wang quickly said, “Grandfather, I won’t always stay with the Fang family. I don’t wish to marry—the world is my ambition. Of course, I won’t forget home and will return when I can. As for carrying on the lineage, let others in the family handle it.”

Fang Meng glared at him, “Who said anyone wants to confine you? If anyone tries, I’ll be the first to object. I’ll support whatever you do. But Zhou Xue clearly has someone backing her, and the Fang family owes much of its current fortune to her. Still, she is a woman; if you never act, can you guarantee she’ll never marry? If she does, can you ensure her heart remains with the Fang family? Even if the family shouldn’t restrain her, over time, you two may drift apart.”

“I will never force either of you, but I hope you’ll at least make your intentions clear, so Zhou Xue knows you care. If she declines, I won’t insist. She will always be the Fang family’s benefactor. Your fourth uncle wrote to her, and she said it depends on you. Hanyu told me Zhou Xue definitely likes you, but you—always so aloof!”

“Listen to me, a true man may have several wives, but the principal wife shouldn’t be chosen purely out of preference; feelings are fleeting, but suitability matters most. Zhou Xue is your best helper.”

Fang Wang opened his mouth, confusion filling his heart.

Does Zhou Xue really like him?

It didn’t seem that way!

So, this was passing the buck—throwing the problem onto him.

Fang Wang said immediately, “If that’s the case, I agree. I’ll find a chance to make my intentions clear to her. If she refuses, it won’t be my fault. The Fang family acts upright and won’t bully her; if she’s unwilling, we won’t force her.”

Fang Meng stroked his beard and smiled, “That’s only right.”