Chapter 128

The old ape said nothing, turning his head to look at Fang Xu, as if asking him whether he should make a move himself.

Fang Xu's expression shifted slightly, he gave a glance to signal him, then raised his voice and shouted loudly:

"This move is troublesome, run quickly!"

As his words fell, the old ape immediately flashed, grabbing Fang Xu's figure and leaping over the crowd to run toward the distance!

This sudden change left even the head of the Du family somewhat dazed.

My aura had clearly locked onto the two of them—how did they manage to break free?

"Chase!"

Having come to his senses, the head of the Du family's face turned iron-blue, and he immediately waved his hand to signal the martial artists behind him to pursue Fang Xu and the old ape.

He wanted to see just who was behind these two causing trouble at the Quiet Leisure Residence!

Ahead, the old ape pulled Fang Xu as they weaved through the crowd, and said: "Kid, what kind of trick are you playing?"

"What should we do now?"

Fang Xu did not respond, his eyes fixed on the street ahead.

He only had the cultivation of the fourth level of Martial Venerable, not even the courage to fight against Ku Lun.

After hearing this, Ku Lun nodded and said: "If that is the case, once the Du family head captures the two, he should not create needless killing—let them pay some money, teach them a lesson, and expel them from Liangzhou City, that will suffice."

"Left front!"

"Left!"

"Who are you..."

"Family head, this place... is the gathering ground of the ascetics."

Ku Lun gave a slight nod, then turned to look at the Du family head and said: "Du family head, I made a mistake earlier—this young friend is actually a descendant of my old acquaintance. I hope you will show me face and let them go lightly."

After a long while—

"This!" The Du family head, dazed, quickly said: "Master, these two publicly smashed and looted my Du family's Quiet Leisure Residence, ruining my Du family's reputation..."

Upon hearing this, Ku Lun turned to assess Fang Xu and the old ape, his brow slightly furrowed as he said: "Although they smashed the Quiet Leisure Residence, did they injure or kill anyone?"

Ku Lun now wanted to protect this person—besides compromise, he had no other way.

Ku Lun frowned, about to speak, but Fang Xu leaned in and quickly whispered: "Master, do you still remember the sword-giving incident at Maple Forest Town?"

The Du family head clasped his hands and said: "Master, these two troublemakers caused a ruckus at my Du family's Quiet Leisure Residence. I was about to take them back, not intending to disturb you, Master."

"This matter, I will later give the Du family head an explanation, but you cannot take these people away."

Yet this strange force—none of the eight major powers of Liangzhou City dare provoke it.

"Master Ku Lun!"

The Du family head said nothing, his eyes fixed firmly on the direction ahead and on the old ape.

As he gave the order, the martial artist beside him, a great perfection martial artist, immediately led several martial artists of the eighth and ninth levels forward, preparing to seize Fang Xu and the old ape.

Upon hearing this, Ku Lun's face showed a flash of surprise, as he stared in disbelief at the completely unfamiliar face before him.

Ku Lun chuckled and nodded, then looked around and said: "Du family head, why have you mobilized such a force?"

Seeing this, Fang Xu shouted loudly!

Before them, several Du family martial artists, upon hearing this, changed expression slightly and halted their movements directly.

This force is not any one of the eight major powers; strictly speaking, they do not even acknowledge themselves as a force.

The Du family head hesitated.

Under the gaze of all, several figures in tattered hemp clothing slowly walked out from the dilapidated dwellings, the leader being precisely the ascetic Ku Lun.

When the Du family head and his retinue of martial artists arrived here, their faces showed some confusion as they glanced around, then their expressions shifted slightly.

Under Fang Xu's guidance, the two led the group of Du family martial artists behind them and quickly appeared before a patch of dilapidated dwellings in the city.

"Right!"

"Ascetics never involve themselves in Liangzhou City's affairs—these two fellows certainly are not ascetics."

Seeing Ku Lun appear, the Du family head's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but he still quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying: "Master Ku Lun."

"Master Ku Lun!"

The Du family head and the martial artists who had followed him also stared nervously at the dilapidated dwellings behind Fang Xu.

Fang Xu panicked and ran over, grabbing Ku Lun's arm with both hands.

If one were to say that the eight major powers of Liangzhou City are the uncrowned kings, then this other special force group is the uncrowned emperor of Liangzhou.

……

The old ape froze for a moment, but still obeyed his command, instantly darting to the left.

Fang Xu slightly nodded and said: "Some matters I will explain to the master later."

"Up, seize them and take them back!"

Beside the Du family head, a great perfection martial artist looked around, his face solemn, and said.

Ku Lun's attitude was extremely firm—he had even stepped directly in front of Fang Xu, as if wanting to take him away, first having to get past him.

The Du family head dared not defy Ku Lun's will, could only nod helplessly, preparing to wait until the two left Liangzhou City, then find a chance to kill them outside the city.

The Du family head hesitated and said: "They only injured someone."

"Since he is a descendant of the master's old friend, I will temporarily let him go." Suppressing the anger in his heart, the Du family head clasped his hands toward Ku Lun, his face iron-blue as he turned and led his family's martial artists away from here.

The onlookers watching the spectacle now all curiously stared at Fang Xu and the old ape.

Master Ku Lun has always been known in Liangzhou City as a kind old man, never having conflicts with any of the eight major powers.

Today, he actually stood up for this fellow—uncharacteristically—making people curious about Fang Xu's identity.

"Let's go."

Ignoring the onlookers, Ku Lun turned, smiling, and looked at Fang Xu and said.

Not immediately following Kǔlún away, Fang Xu turned his head to look at the already distant head of the Du family, who wore a grinning, obsequious expression, and shouted: "Hey you, weren't you supposed to catch the young master? Why did you slink away like that!!"

The head of the Du family, already far off, heard these words, his body staggered with anger, a faint killing intent in his eyes, he turned and glanced at Fang Xu.

"Still one of the Eight Great Powers, in this young master's view, not so impressive..." Meeting the Du family head's murderous gaze, Fang Xu tapped his nose and continued.

The onlookers, those martial artists preparing to leave, at this moment also wore strange expressions as they sized up Fang Xu.

After mocking the Du family head a bit, Fang Xu then caught up with Kǔlún's steps, and together with a group of ascetics, entered the dilapidated dwelling.

In the simple courtyard, Kǔlún looked at Fang Xu before him, then glanced at the old ape beside him, his gaze slightly focused, somewhat puzzled, he said: "Your Excellency is..."

Fang Xu hastily clasped his hands and introduced: "Master, this is Yuan Bo, of the Dìshà Móyuán clan."

Dìshà Móyuán!?

Kǔlún's eyes flashed with brilliance, somewhat surprised as he looked at the old ape: "So you are a senior of the demon race."

"Senior, being able to assume human form, your martial arts realm must have reached the pinnacle of transformation; Kǔlún has been remiss."

The old ape, hearing this, waved his hand: "If I were at my peak, perhaps I could be somewhat stronger than you, but now my qi and blood are exhausted, I dare not accept this title of senior."

"What you see is merely the form I managed to manifest after paying a great price."

Kǔlún, hearing this, carefully examined the old ape, then clasped his hands and said: "Indeed, senior, your qi and blood have already reached the point of exhausted oil and waning lamp; I fear you cannot hold on much longer."

His expression shifted slightly, he immediately continued: "Senior's condition is somewhat similar to my own previous state; I have some insights, if senior does not disdain, you may try them."

The old ape, hearing this, his face lit with joy and he nodded: "Then many thanks."

Kǔlún waved his hand with a smile: "Senior need not be polite; having this opportunity, it is all thanks to Fang Xiaoyou."

Saying this, he pointed a finger at the old ape's forehead, imparting without reservation the insights he had gained at the Línglán Mountain ruins, aided by Fang Xu's comprehension of divine abilities.

Receiving Kǔlún's transmission, the old ape slowly closed his eyes.

A long while——

The old ape's aura underwent some subtle changes, he opened his eyes with a pleased expression, and slightly bowed his hands to Kǔlún: "Many thanks!"

Kǔlún chuckled and nodded, then looked at Fang Xu: "Fang Xiaoyou, your appearance..."

Fang Xu touched his own face and explained: "Achieved through the aid of gu arts transformation."

Gu arts truly are miraculous; using gu arts to transform into this form, even Kǔlún, a master of refined soul cultivation, detected nothing amiss.

"Master Kǔlún, that day you and that blood-robed person of the Yànshén Sect..."

In the Línglán Mountain ruins, Kǔlún, to help him delay that blood-robed person of the Yànshén Sect, the two changed battlefields.

After that, he never heard from Kǔlún again.

"That day, I did not exchange blows with that person." Kǔlún smiled faintly: "We both knew in our hearts that at this level, it is hard to decide victory in a short time."

"His purpose was to pin me down, preventing me from acting to rescue you, and you also did not wish him to interfere."

"So we simply mutually restrained each other until, in the end, he seemed to have something else to do and left the ruins."

"And when I returned to the ruins, I also found no trace of you; afterward, I heard the news that you had escaped the ruins and were being pursued."

"How did Fang Xiaoyou escape the encirclement of multiple powers and reach Liangzhou?" Kǔlún asked curiously.

Fang Xu briefly recounted his journey, and Kǔlún listened with deep emotion.

"Xiaoyou, your strategy this time is indeed excellent."

"After I returned to Liangzhou, I merely saw some people distributing your portraits here, and did not see them setting up defenses here."

"It seems they did not expect you to make such a large detour."

Kǔlún finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed again: "It's just that Xiaoyou's arrival is ill-timed; recently, it may be impossible to travel from Liangzhou to Zhongzhou."

Hearing this, Fang Xu was somewhat puzzled: "Why?"

Kǔlún slowly rose: "To go from Liangzhou to Zhongzhou, one must cross a stretch of desert known as the Death Sands."

"The Death Sands, from mid-September to mid-October each year, will stir up terrifying sandstorms; ordinary martial artists caught in them face near-certain death."

"And once one loses direction in the sandstorm, it is highly likely to fall into a quicksand vortex; that strange quicksand vortex possesses a strange force, even Martial Sovereigns find it hard to escape."

Oh, there's this too!?

Fang Xu, upon hearing this, could not help but furrow his brows tightly.

"Xiaoyou need not worry; as I know, the entrance examination of the Shēngxiān Huì is held on the eighteenth day of the winter month."

"From Liangzhou to Zhongzhou, the travel time required on the road is little more than a month; after the sandstorm, Xiaoyou has ample time to proceed."

Fang Xu nodded, then looked at Kǔlún: "There is still one matter I wish to trouble Master with."

Kǔlún nodded, indicating he should continue.

Fang Xu scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Just that in the coming days, this junior may cause a disturbance in Liangzhou City; I hope Master can protect this junior."

Kǔlún, hearing this, pondered slightly, then understood his plan.

"As long as no lives are taken, it is permissible."

"By the way, in my youth on the grasslands, I once knew a grassland cultivator named Hū'ěrlè; he also had some reputation in Liangzhou, though later I heard he unfortunately perished; if you wish to have an identity, you may act as his nephew or younger brother."

Hearing this, Fang Xu felt joy in his heart.

The purpose of causing a disturbance in Liangzhou City is to let this face spread among martial artists, preparing for entry into Zhongzhou.

Now not only the face, but also a concrete identity is available; thus, entering Zhongzhou will be much easier for me.

"Thank you, Master." Fang Xu clasped his hands.

Kǔlún smiled faintly: "Speaking of which, in the past I also benefited from Fang Xiaoyou's favor; now, relying on the insights I gained then, perhaps I can return to my peak, and even advance further."

"Compared to these, what I have done for Fang Xiaoyou is not worth mentioning."

"Xiaoyou, senior, these days, you two may reside here."

The old ape and Fang Xu exchanged a glance, nodded, and agreed.

……

In the following days, Fang Xu took advantage of this face still being usable, and caused a commotion throughout Liangzhou City.

After the incident at Du Family's quiet residence, all the major and minor powers in Liangzhou City knew that this fellow named Hu Ertu was the brother of the former Grassland Martial Venerate Hu Erle, and also someone protected by Master Kulu.

As for Fang Xu's side, although he caused a great commotion in the city, he kept Master Kulu's words in mind and did not harm anyone's life.

Therefore, every time the major and minor powers in Liangzhou City saw Fang Xu, they would keep their distance; if they could not avoid him, they would pinch their noses and accept their bad luck.

Gradually, the reputation of Hu Ertu as a mischievous little demon king spread throughout Liangzhou.

On the fifth day after arriving in Liangzhou, Fang Xu left the ascetics' gathering place early in the morning with Old Yuan and came to the street's forging shop.

Wherever the two went, all martial artists would avoid them early on, fearing being dragged by Fang Xu to drink.

One cup of wine costs one tael of gold; after drinking it, ordinary martial artists all feel the pain in their wallets.

"Master Hu..."

Inside the blacksmith's shop, the shopkeeper saw Fang Xu arrive and his body trembled slightly.

On that day, after Fang Xu displayed his vast wealth in the blacksmith's shop, the shopkeeper had secretly informed the power behind him, planning to make a fortune.

But before they could act, Fang Xu and his companion caused a great disturbance at the Quiet Residence, and then news spread that Master Kulu was protecting him.

The blacksmith's shopkeeper had secretly rejoiced for a long time over this.

If his own power had actually intervened then, given this master's mischievous demon king nature, he would not let their power be tossed into chaos without relenting.

"Shopkeeper, when Young Master left your blacksmith's shop last time, there was a tail following him for quite a while behind him." Fang Xu spoke directly upon entering.

Hearing this, the shopkeeper couldn't help but shudder, and hurriedly put on a smiling face: "There's no such thing..."

"What, do you think Young Master I am trying to extort you!?"

"This..." the shopkeeper's face turned ugly, his small eyes darting around several times before he laughed and said: "Master Hu, the previous matter was indeed a misunderstanding; you, as an adult, don't hold grudges against petty people, so..."

"Four thousand taels!"

Without letting him finish his words, Fang Xu directly interrupted: "Being followed by your people, I, Young Master, was anxious and fearful for several days and couldn't sleep well; I must also get four thousand taels of gold as compensation for mental distress!"

"Besides, the item Young Master I ordered last time should be ready by now; this is three thousand five hundred taels of gold—you give me the item, and we'll settle our accounts."

Looking at the deposit certificate in Fang Xu's hand, the shopkeeper's face turned extremely ugly!

He had thought his own power was fortunate, not having been messed with by this mischievous demon king, but he never expected that person to be waiting for him here.

He clearly understood that if this matter wasn't settled today, this master would definitely focus on his shop next time, and then the losses would certainly not be just four thousand taels of gold.

"Agreed!"

"Thank you, Master Hu, for showing mercy!"

The shopkeeper was also a sensible person, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

He immediately took the three thousand five hundred taels deposit certificate and ordered people to move all the forged items in front of Fang Xu.

"What, you want Young Master I to carry them back myself?" Looking at the over three hundred short spears before him, Fang Xu frowned and said,

"Master Hu, please calm down; I, the servant, have been negligent!"

"Come here, have the items sent to Master Hu!"

The shopkeeper hurriedly shouted, ordering people to load the short spears onto a cart, preparing to send them to Fang Xu's residence.

"Huh? Is this short spear a third-rank one?" Fang Xu turned his head to glance at the short spear placed on the weapon rack, weighed it in his hand a few times, and said: "How much does this one cost?"

The shopkeeper hurriedly said: "Master Hu has taken a liking to it; take it as you wish."

Four thousand taels were lost, and still he cares about this little bit?

For his sensibility, Fang Xu was very satisfied; he immediately picked up the short spear and walked out of the blacksmith's shop.

After obtaining the short spear, in the following days, Fang Xu no longer went out to cause trouble, but secluded himself in the small courtyard where Master Kulu resided, practicing how to use it.

And to avoid others suspecting anything, Master Kulu personally visited all the major powers disturbed by Fang Xu, saying he had already confined "Hu Ertu" in the courtyard for secluded cultivation and would not let him go out to cause trouble anymore.

Upon hearing this news, all the major powers felt grateful to the point of tears.

As days passed, Fang Xu practiced short spear techniques in the courtyard during the day, occasionally practicing martial skills.

At night, he followed Master Kulu in cultivating the ascetic path.

According to Master Kulu's words, hardship tempers one's will, will is the soul, and in this era when Martial Venerates are peak powerhouses, Master Kulu and others who have stepped into the Ninth Realm of Martial Venerate have always been seeking a way to break through Martial Venerate.

After exploring for so many years, Master Kulu has determined that the cultivation path of martial artists after Martial Venerate is inseparably linked to the soul.

And ascetic cultivation knows that what is being tempered is precisely the martial artist's soul.

He firmly believes that the ascetic path is the only way to break through Martial Venerate.

The so-called ascetic path consists of two parts: seated meditation and distant travel; seated meditation is a kind of dry sitting, sitting in an empty and quiet room, allowing the martial artist to completely detach from worldly distractions, with the spirit and soul gradually becoming resilient in extreme stillness.

While distant travel is a way to temper the physical body, sealing one's Blood Qi Power, walking like an ordinary person in the desolate Gobi desert, enduring extreme cold and heat; amidst this bodily pain, one again enhances the resilience of the spirit and soul.

This cultivation method is not something ordinary martial artists can endure.

Fang Xu initially was not accustomed to it, but he also knew that Master Kulu did this for his own good; after gritting his teeth and persisting for a period of time, he also became slightly accustomed to it.

Moreover, he discovered that after ascetic cultivation, his consciousness had clearly increased significantly, and along with that, his control over the Blood Qi Power in various parts of his body had also improved considerably.

Time flew by, and half a month passed.

On this day, after following Master Kulu and the other ascetics back from the desolate Gobi desert to Liangzhou City, a light curtain suddenly appeared before him.

【Your good friend Li Jin has died; as a good friend, you can immediately obtain any one of Li Jin's two legacies.】

Legacy One: 【Quality Unknown·Mysterious Incomplete Map (1/4)】Inheritance risk unknown, the map was obtained by Li Jin in the desolate Gobi desert, specific recorded information unknown.

Legacy Two: 【White Legacy·Strength Attribute 55 Points】Inheritance risk-free, but requires touching Li Jin's corpse to obtain.

【Your good friend Di Heyu has died; as a good friend, you can randomly obtain any one of Di Heyu's three legacies.】

Legacy One: 【Quality Unknown·Mysterious Incomplete Map (1/4)】Inheritance risk unknown, the map was purchased by Di Heyu from a medicine gatherer, specific recorded information unknown.

Legacy Two: 【White Legacy·Life Attribute 45 Points】Inheritance risk-free, but requires touching Di Heyu's corpse to obtain.

Legacy Three: 【Gray Legacy·Purple Flame Grass (Third Rank) 100 Stalks】Inheritance risk low, Di Heyu and his group came to Liangzhou for the purpose of purchasing Purple Flame Grass; now all members of the group have died,

【Your good friend……】

As the first light curtain appeared, afterward one light curtain after another quickly appeared before him.

In less than a short while, my friend list actually only had Li Xun left!

They all died!?

Watching the nine people instantly turn gray, Fang Xu was a bit puzzled, but still clicked to inherit without hesitation.

【Congratulations on obtaining Inheritance One!】

【The mysterious incomplete map (1/4) is hidden in a secret compartment under the bed in Li Jin's residence, and he carries a fake map on his person.】

【Congratulations on obtaining Inheritance Three!】

【One hundred stalks of Purple Flame Grass are stored by Di Heyu in the inn where he stays, and the storage deed is on his person.】

【Congratulations on obtaining Inheritance Two!】

……

A series of inheritances appeared before Fang Xu, and nine arrows also appeared on the edge of the light screen.

"Master Ku Lun, I'm going out for a bit." Looking at the arrows on the light screen, Fang Xu turned to Ku Lun and spoke.

"Would you like this old man to accompany you?" Ku Lun's expression shifted slightly, thinking Fang Xu wanted to go to the city again to "cause trouble," and prepared to accompany him in putting on a show.

Fang Xu hesitated for a moment and said: "Master, if you have no other matters, it would be good to go together."

The two left the slums, following the arrows' guidance, and soon arrived at a relatively secluded alley in Liangzhou City.

Looking around, Ku Lun curiously asked: "Fang Xiaoyou, this place sees little foot traffic—did you take a wrong turn?"

If one were to cause trouble, naturally they would go to a crowded place; Fang Xu bringing himself here, Ku Lun believed he must have taken a wrong turn.

"Wrong?"

Fang Xu feigned confusion, then immediately chose a direction and said: "Let's go this way and see."

The two turned a corner, and indeed saw more than ten bodies lying haphazardly in the alley ahead; beside the bodies, several wounded martial artists were searching through a few of the corpses.

"Master, your luck isn't bad—you've run into murderers and robbers." Looking at the people, Fang Xu smiled, and in the next moment, directly grabbed the third-grade treasure-tier short spear and charged at them.

"Fang Xiaoyou, do not harm their lives." Master Ku Lun warned, fearing Fang Xu might hold back nothing and kill those before him, he also rushed forward.

The two subdued the surviving few martial artists without much effort.

Fang Xu simply felt over the more than ten bodies on the ground, harvesting all the attribute points, then came to the side of the few martial artists being watched by Master Ku Lun.

"What good stuff did you rob? Hand it over quickly!"

The few martial artists looked at each other, then, under Ku Lun's gaze, produced the items they had just searched from the bodies.

Looking at the pile of gold, silver, valuables, and elixirs and treasures on the ground, Fang Xu searched for a moment and said: "You haven't handed it all over, have you?"

The system displayed that Li Jin's fake map was on his person; he had already searched several corpses and found no fake map, so it could be determined that these few people were definitely not honest.

"Truly... truly gone!"

One martial artist had a dodging expression and stammered.

Swish!

The sharp short spear in his hand suddenly pointed at his throat, and Fang Xu said calmly: "Are you sure?"

Feeling the sharp spear tip at his neck, this martial artist trembled as he untied his belt, then took out two pieces of unknown beast skin from within and reluctantly handed them to Fang Xu.

(End of Chapter)