Chapter 129: Heading to Central State

Huh?

Two sheets!!?

After receiving the Beast Skin, Fang Xu was overjoyed!

The system showed that both Di Heyu and Li Jin each had a map, but I only inherited Li Jin's portion, and I don't know where Di Heyu's is.

Now it seems that the map in this martial artist's hand is very likely Di Heyu's portion.

Di Heyu's group and Li Jin's group very likely clashed over this map, with one side suffering a pyrrhic victory and taking the map for themselves.

But this guy in front of me doesn't yet know that Li Jin pulled a little trick, and the map he brought is fake.

Now it's all to my advantage.

"I... we can leave now?" He handed over the map, the martial artist cautiously looked at Fang Xu and Ku Lun.

Ku Lun didn't speak, turned his head to glance at Fang Xu.

"Scram." He shoved both maps into his hand, Fang Xu waved his hand.

Several wounded martial artists, seeing this, hurriedly fled the scene.

Fang Xu waved his hand, bundling everything before him, holding Di Heyu's deed in his hand, and together with Ku Lun went to the city inn.

Bang!

Closing the wooden box, Fang Xu directly carried the hundred stalks of purple flame grass out of the inn.

Fang Xu comforted, saying: "Li Jin has been busy lately."

Fang Xu nodded, went to the room, found the real map from the hidden compartment under the bed, and then walked out.

The innkeeper saw his arrival, his face instantly turning unpleasant.

But when he saw Ku Lun following behind Fang Xu, he instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Boss, get something." He handed the deed to the boss, Fang Xu spoke nonchalantly.

After burning the forged map, he began studying the two genuine ones.

He forcibly stuffed the package back into the old woman's hands, Fang Xu turned and left Li Jin's home.

"Sigh!" The old woman sighed, didn't ask further, then said: "The room next door is Jin'er's room; what you're looking for should be inside."

Returning to the slums, Fang Xu organized these items, placing them separately into his Cosmos Bag, then while Ku Lun was cultivating, he quietly slipped out again.

Fang Xu hesitated a moment, then said: "Auntie, I am a friend of Li Jin; he sent me to fetch something."

These purple medicinal herbs resemble the common purple wisteria from my past life, but the flowers are more bewitching, like burning purple flames.

Seeing the innkeeper stare at the deed, reluctant to give him something, Fang Xu said indifferently.

The startled him, holding a spear and preparing to fight, yet saw an old woman with white hair, leaning on a cane, walk out from inside the house.

"Uncle Hu..."

In the courtyard, the old woman lifted the heavy bundle, a hint of deep sorrow appearing on her face.

Now that I have obtained two of them, I should be able to roughly discern what is recorded on the map.

"No... not true."

"Is Jin'er back?"

"Recognize the deed, not the person." Since they had the deed in hand, he didn't dare neglect, immediately went behind the counter, and took out an exquisite wooden box from the hidden compartment.

Looking at the old woman with her eyes tightly shut, leaning on a cane, carefully feeling the door frame, it was obvious she was blind.

Seeing the old woman leaning against the door frame, her tightly closed eyes still "gazing" outward, her face bearing expectation and worry, the few tender feelings in Fang Xu's heart were touched.

Hurryingly running out from behind the counter, the innkeeper gave a fawning greeting.

"This..." Seeing what was on the deed, the innkeeper blinked slightly.

Returning to the slums, Fang Xu took out the three maps, after a brief comparison he could tell which one was forged.

"How could Jin'er have a friend like this... sigh!"

According to the system display, the maps in Li Jin's and Di Heyu's hands are each one-quarter of the full map.

"Uncle Hu, please wait a moment."

"Uncle Hu, please take a look."

A flash of light in his hand, he took out several hundred taels of broken silver from his Cosmos Bag, hastily wrapped it in a package, walked to the old woman and said: "Auntie, Li Jin is going on a distant trip, I don't know when he'll return; here is some silver, please take it for now."

The old woman's expression froze, she weighed the heavy package in her hands, then hurriedly handed it back, saying: "This... I cannot accept this!"

Fang Xu had just pushed the door open when he heard an elderly voice from inside.

"Who is it?"

Fang Xu gave a light smile: "Just keep it, old sir."

……

He remembered that this hundred stalks of purple flame grass had been left in his care by a group of martial artists from Li Province; but how did this deed end up in this brat's hands?

"How? Is the deed fake?"

The old woman, hearing this, blinked slightly, feeling a bit lost, said: "Has Jin'er not returned?"

Fang Xu, seeing this, reached out and opened the wooden box, seeing a neat stack of purple medicinal herbs lying inside.

With Ku Lun around, this little demon king probably won't go too far.

Following the arrow's indication, he arrived at Li Jin's home.

"Master Ku Lun."

And no matter how he tried to piece together the two maps he held, they never matched.

After some thought, Fang Xu's face turned strange as he realized the two maps he obtained were likely opposite corners.

This luck... there's no one else like it.

Storing the maps in his Cosmos Bag, he got up and went to the neighboring room.

The old ape lives here.

During this period, the old ape has been contemplating the things Master Ku Lun passed to him, and seems to have made considerable progress.

The senescent aura on his body has clearly weakened.

Sensing Fang Xu entering, the old ape slowly opened his eyes and said, "Should we be leaving?"

Fang Xu nodded: "Today is the first day of the tenth month; according to Master Ku Lun, the storm in the Deathly Sand Sea will begin to weaken after the tenth day of the tenth month."

"From Liangzhou to the Deathly Sand Sea is still a three-day journey, but our appearance can at most last two days."

"So, I intend to bid farewell to Master Ku Lun tomorrow and leave Liangzhou."

With the appearance of 'Hu Ertu' causing a ruckus in Liangzhou, under Master Ku Lun's protection, the major powers of Liangzhou won't pay too much heed.

After all, Fang Xu may seem like a world‑chaos demon king, but he still exercises restraint—he does not take lives, nor damage the foundations of the major powers; at most he causes them to lose some wealth and lose face.

Such trifles can be smoothed over by Master Ku Lun's reputation.

But if the pill fails and Fang Xu's true appearance appears before the major powers, even Master Ku Lun cannot protect him.

Although he still has two Gu pills in hand, they can only be used when he reaches Zhongzhou.

Taking advantage of the fact that this Gu pill can still maintain the 'Hu Ertu' guise, the two must leave Liangzhou as soon as possible.

"That works too."

The old ape had no objection to Fang Xu's decision.

"Then Uncle Ape, you cultivate first; I'll go tell Master Ku Lun." Leaving the old ape's room, Fang Xu approached Ku Lun and informed him of his plan.

"In that case, tomorrow I will personally see you off."

Knowing the matter is urgent, Ku Lun did not try to detain them.

……

The next morning.

Ku Lun led Fang Xu and the old ape across Liangzhou City, heading toward the south gate that leads to Zhongzhou.

Along the way, Fang Xu greeted the shops, inns, and taverns they passed in a very conspicuous manner.

"Young master is leaving; when the young master returns from Zhongzhou, I'll look after your business."

"Boss Huang, young master will come back next time to eat fish at your place!"

"Old Zhang, thanks for the short spear!"

……

In a short time, the whole of Liangzhou knew that this little world‑chaos demon king was leaving Liangzhou for Zhongzhou.

During this period, many powers that had received special attention from Fang Xu all breathed a sigh of relief, wishing they could beat gongs and drums to see him off.

The three arrived at the south gate; Fang Xu glanced at the nearby horse market, preparing to buy three good horses for transport, when he saw the horse market's boss hurriedly leading three assistants, pulling three fine horses toward them.

"Master, Lord Hu."

"Knowing you are going to Zhongzhou, I specially prepared three excellent steeds for your travel."

Fang Xu, seeing this, was slightly stunned, feeling a wry smile he could not suppress.

He knew the horse market boss's enthusiastic gift of horses was because he wanted Fang Xu to leave Liangzhou as soon as possible.

Excellent!

It seems my 'Hu Ertu' identity has been established.

"Master Ku Lun, you saw that—he himself said he was giving these to us!" To maintain the 'Hu Ertu' persona, Fang Xu spoke, suppressing his laughter.

"Given! Given!" the horse market boss hastily said.

Ku Lun, helpless, clasped his hands toward the horse market boss: "Thank you."

Each of the three took a fine horse, mounted, and galloped out of the city.

Seeing them go far, many martial artists of Liangzhou burst into cheers.

On the vast Gobi plain, Fang Xu heard the cheers behind him and couldn't help but laugh.

"These fellows… Master Ku Lun, if we turned back now, what expression would they have?"

Beside him, Ku Lun gave an embarrassed smile: "Fang Xiaoyou, your recent deeds will force me to apologize again to those powers when I return."

……

On the boundless Gobi plain, three fine horses were galloping swiftly; on their backs, the three wearing bamboo hats were none other than Fang Xu and company.

Having left Liangzhou, the surroundings ahead became even harsher.

The Gobi underfoot had gradually turned into desert; amidst the endless yellow sand, occasional weathered, rotting giant stone pillars could be seen standing alone.

"Master, did this place originally have cities?" Fang Xu shouted loudly.

Ku Lun nodded: "It is said that Liangzhou was once more prosperous than Zhongzhou, but for unknown reasons it declined; countless cities and lands were buried by yellow sand, becoming what we see now."

"Fang Xiaoyou, ahead lies the Deathly Sand Sea."

Bracing against the gale, Ku Lun spoke.

Fang Xu stared into the distance, but could see no obvious features of the so‑called Deathly Sand Sea.

The sandification of the ground beneath their feet grew ever more severe, seriously hindering the horses' gallop.

After several incidents of the horses' hooves sinking into the sand and causing falls, the three decisively chose to abandon the horses and proceed on foot.

On the fourth day after leaving Liangzhou, the setting sun's light dyed the endless desert before them gold, desolate and lonely, blowing over them.

Gazing at the setting sun on the horizon, Fang Xu involuntarily recalled a line of poetry.

The lone smoke rises straight in the vast desert; the setting sun is round over the long river.

Such a magnificent vista cannot be appreciated unless one is actually there.

"Fang Xiaoyou."

On the towering dunes, Ku Lun pointed to a distant, flat, endless expanse of sand and said: "That is the Deathly Sand Sea."

Following the direction he pointed, Fang Xu gazed into the distance and could vaguely see many martial artists and caravans slowly moving through the vast desert.

"Master Kǔlún, has the storm passed?" Looking at the calm Sea of Death, Fang Xu asked curiously.

As he had said before, the sandstorm here would not completely dissipate until mid‑October.

It is now early October, and there is no trace of a sandstorm in sight.

"Young friend, look there."

Kǔlún pointed at the distant place where heaven and earth meet and spoke slowly.

Fang Xu looked up and suddenly noticed something amiss!

Before, he had always thought that the distant junction of heaven and earth was just some sand dunes rising in the desert, and he hadn't paid it any mind.

Only upon careful observation did he realize that it was not sand dunes at all, but a series of terrifying sandstorms!

"These sandstorms travel southward all the way until they reach the desert's edge, where they gradually dissipate." Kǔlún explained: "The sandstorms reshape the entire terrain of the Sea of Death; even martial artists who often cross the sea find it hard to distinguish the ever‑present quicksand vortices."

"Even a Martial Lord‑level expert, if accidentally caught in a larger quicksand vortex, would find it difficult to escape."

No sooner had his words fallen than a patch of the flat sea of sand in the distance suddenly sank!

Fang Xu watched as a group of martial artists proceeding cautiously was instantly swept up by that terrifying quicksand vortex; the party struggled only a few moments before being swallowed by the sand and vanishing from sight.

Fang Xu was somewhat shocked!

"Master, what lies beneath the Sea of Death?"

Kǔlún shook his head: "I don't know; once caught in a quicksand vortex, no one can come out alive."

"Alright, I cannot accompany you on the rest of the journey."

As the foremost person of Bei Huang Liangzhou, Master Kǔlún himself is a focal point.

If he continued to follow Fang Xu all the way to Zhongzhou, he would inevitably draw the attention of other forces, for back on the second layer of the ruins, some martial artists who had left early had seen him together with Fang Xu and even stepped forward to protect Fang Xu.

"Remember, young friend, when crossing the Sea of Death, if there is any movement underfoot, do not hesitate—leave as quickly as possible."

Keeping Master Kǔlún's admonition firmly in mind, Fang Xu clasped his hands in salute: "Master, may we meet again if fate allows."

The old monkey also gave a slight clasped‑hand salute: "Brother Kǔlún, until we meet again."

Kǔlún nodded slightly, watching the two depart toward the distant Sea of Death.

In the vast Sea of Death, because occasional hurricanes lift huge amounts of dust that fill the sky, most martial artists wear bamboo hats or cover their mouths and noses with cloth; Fang Xu and the old monkey's attire at this time is therefore not particularly special.

The effects of the Gu Dan have worn off, and both have now returned to their original appearances.

These merchants and martial artists coming from Liangzhou have likely seen the portraits posted at the city gates; once they see the entourage, Fang Xu estimates he could be recognized in a matter of minutes.

He pulled up the scarf around his neck to cover his mouth and nose, leaving only his eyes exposed, pressed down his bamboo hat, and together with the old monkey stepped onto the route frequented by many passersby, walking slowly toward the distance.

At the same time.

Qingzhou Lü family.

Invited by the Lü family, the leaders of various forces and the heads of clans dispatched their subordinates to set up layered checkpoints along the route from Tílan Mountain to Wangyue Mountain, preparing to intercept Fang Xu.

At the same time, a group of Martial Lords, including the Lü Sage, marched to the valley previously occupied by the Dìshà Magic Ape.

However, the Dìshà Magic Ape clan had already relocated en masse; they merely found in the valley the discarded robes of three Lü family Martial Lords carelessly thrown by the riverbank.

The Martial Lords, unwilling to give up, pressed deeper into Tílan Mountain, pursuing all the way to the great river downstream where Fang Xu and his companions were drifting.

While inspecting the riverbank, they were ambushed by a giant turtle, which killed several Martial Lords, prompting many clan heads to withdraw in succession.

After wasting nearly a month, losing many personnel, and still failing to find Fang Xu's trace, many forces grew anxious.

After deliberation, they indeed adopted, as Fang Xu had anticipated, the final and most foolish tactic.

Hold Zhongzhou to the death!

The major forces recalled all their personnel, preparing to defend Zhongzhou strictly at every point, interrogating everyone entering Zhongzhou.

At first, these forces were somewhat worried that this move might provoke the Great Yu imperial court.

But as they proceeded step by step with their probing, they found the imperial court had no objection; indeed, word spread from Zhongzhou that the current Yu Emperor, feeling grateful for recent events in Yu State, was preparing to issue a self‑reproach edict and grant a general amnesty.

The imperial court seemed to have no interest at all in Fang Xu and his first‑rank martial technique.

Thus, the various forces completely let loose, extensively setting up layered checkpoints on the main thoroughfares of Zhongzhou, preparing to intercept Fang Xu.

Zhongzhou City, Imperial Palace.

Emperor Yu Li Cangwu looked at Qin Muqin of the Celestial Observatory before him, smiled, and said: "Old fellow, this time I will credit you with a great merit."

"However, matters of national fortune must never be taken lightly; I have recently gained insight and intend to retreat into seclusion again."

"I hope that when I emerge from seclusion next time, I will see you having completely resolved this matter."

After issuing the self‑reproach edict and granting a general amnesty, the fortunes of Yu State indeed halted their decline and showed signs of revival.

Moreover, the common folk of Yu State who received the amnesty and tax relief flocked to the Yu Emperor's temple, devoutly striking blows; the power of faith surged, making Li Cangwu even more delighted.

Unlike the path taken by Kǔlún, Emperor Li Cangwu, in his quest to break through to Martial Lord, chose the way of faith.

The surge in faith's power gave him hope of breakthrough; this time he prepares to retreat again and assault the realm above Martial Lord.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old servant will exert his utmost effort!" Qin Muqin said, slowly exhaling as he clasped his hands.

He had long known that issuing the self‑reproach edict and granting a general amnesty could stabilize the declining national fortune, but since the root cause of the decline had not been found, this measure, while not exactly drinking poison to quench thirst, would not be of great effect.

If this continues, the national fortune will still keep declining.

"Alright, you may go." Emperor Li Cangwu waved his hand; after Qin Muqin left the hall, he then handed the three edicts on the desk before him to the nearby eunuch, saying: "These three edicts are for the eldest, the seventh, and the Grand General; after I retreat into seclusion, let the Surveillance Bureau restrain the imperial family members and strictly forbid them from meddling in the affairs of the great clans."

The young eunuch respectfully held up the three edicts and replied: "Yes!"

……

Mount Yanghua is the sole mountain range in the Zhongzhou region, stretching over seven hundred li, with layered peaks and splendid scenery.

When the Yu State was first founded, the Ascendant Immortal Society reached an agreement with it: Mount Yanghua belongs to the Society, which does not interfere in Yu State's secular affairs nor aid it in resisting foreign enemies.

The entrance examination is a major annual event of the Ascendant Immortal Society.

It is now November; there are more than forty days left until the entrance examination, and at the foot of Mount Yanghua many martial artists who have obtained the immortal sect's passage certificate have already been arriving in succession, awaiting the start of the examination.

The Ascension Immortal Association's Immortal Sect Path Certificate is very easy to obtain; to speak frankly, as long as one is a martial artist, they can sign up and obtain it.

However, once one passes the Ascension Immortal Association's entry examination, if they wish to join the association, they must sever ties with their original family, and everything must prioritize the association's interests.

Moreover, this entry examination has only two outcomes: either pass or die; once you enter the examination, there is no possibility of withdrawing midway.

Therefore, many clan disciples, although they envy the status of Ascension Immortal Association disciples, dare not lightly attempt it.

At the foot of the mountain, in an exquisite private villa, Lu Qingluo dressed in red was cultivating; beside her, Chu Mu wore a white long robe, a fitted cloud-pattern silk-embroidered jacket on top, with her hair loosely tied behind her head, carefully distinguishing the two herbs before her.

The courtyard gate was slowly pushed open, and Huang Qingzhou, holding a long sword in hand, walked in slowly.

"Junior sister, how is it?" Seeing Chu Mu's furrowed brows, Huang Qingzhou spoke with a smile.

Chu Mu raised her head, somewhat puzzled, and said: "Senior Brother Huang, what exactly is the difference between these two Heavenly Mystic Herbs? I've studied them for days but see no clue."

Huang Qingzhou couldn't help but laugh upon hearing that.

"The way of pill-making requires precisely mastering the medicinal properties and effects of each ingredient in the formula; based on these, one must control the heat and refining time—only then can the pill formation rate be increased, or high-quality pills be produced."

"These two Heavenly Mystic Herbs are both second-grade herbs; an ordinary second-grade pill master using them might have only a twenty percent chance to refine a second-grade Blood Qi Pill, but I, as senior brother, now using them have a forty percent chance to refine a third-grade Blood Qi Pill."

In combat, he is not very capable.

But in the way of pill-making, Huang Qingzhou believes that among his master's current group of fellow disciples, none has greater talent than himself.

This is also why Xu Changqing had him teach Chu Mu even before formally accepting her as his disciple.

"Senior Brother Huang, you've already said this twice..."

Chu Mu muttered, looking at Huang Qingzhou: "Senior Brother, hurry up and say, what exactly is the difference between these two Heavenly Mystic Herbs?"

She now only wants to know where the difference between these two Heavenly Mystic Herbs lies, and does not want to hear Huang Qingzhou boast about his own abilities.

"Difference?" Huang Qingzhou shook his head and said: "These two Heavenly Mystic Herbs are identical in grade, age, and medicinal effect; there is no difference."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Chu Mu was stunned, then angrily threw the two Heavenly Mystic Herbs at Huang Qingzhou, saying:

"Are you playing with me?"

Huang Qingzhou gave a hehe smile, picked up the Heavenly Mystic Herb that had fallen to the ground, and said: "It's not exactly playing with you; I, as senior brother, did this to let you understand that as a pill master, you must trust your own feeling."

Feeling…

Chu Mu pondered for a while, but also said nothing.

On the other side, after Lu Qingluo finished her cultivation, she also lowered her spear and slowly walked up to Huang Qingzhou, saying: "Senior Brother Huang, do you have any news about Fang Xu lately?"

Upon mentioning Fang Xu, Chu Mu also looked anxiously at Huang Qingzhou and said: "Yes, any news about Brother Fang Xu lately?"

Huang Qingzhou shook his head.

Seeing this, both women's faces were filled with deep disappointment.

"Don't be like that, no news is also good news." Huang Qingzhou comforted the two, saying: "You think, the whole Great Yu is searching for him; no news just means that Fang Xu hasn't been found yet, right?"

Lu Qingluo placed her long spear to the side, then slowly sat on the stone bench nearby, murmuring: "That's what you say, but I've heard that now all major powers have sealed off Central Province without a gap; if Fang Xu rushes over to participate in the Ascension Immortal Association's entry examination, he will surely be captured."

"But if he doesn't come, then in the future the whole Great Yu might have no place for him to stand."

Huang Qingzhou nodded with a solemn expression, looking at the worry on the two women's faces, but in the end still did not reveal that some disciples within the Ascension Immortal Association were secretly investigating Fang Xu's whereabouts.

Once the entry examination begins, if Fang Xu does not appear among the candidates, then likely many disciples of the Ascension Immortal Association will immediately take action.

Because at that point, the Immortal Sect Path Certificate in Fang Xu's hand would become invalid, and he would no longer be considered a disciple of the Ascension Immortal Association.

"First-rate martial techniques!" For the disciples of the Ascension Immortal Association, they possess a deadly allure!

(End of chapter)