Chapter 142

The most urgent matter at present is to first become an inner sect disciple, for only as an inner sect disciple does he have the permission to go to the Affairs Hall to accept missions.

According to Wuling, if one wants to quickly gain contribution points, aside from taking sect missions, there seems to be no better way.

Now it is early February, just the right time to apply for promotion.

However, for now I should first go to the Divine Armaments Hall and tell Elder Tieshan, to request leave; otherwise, if my thirty-odd days of menial labor are not done and counted as absence, I would lose nearly two thousand contribution points again.

After coming out of the Cliffside Geopalace, upon reaching the Divine Armaments Hall it was already dark.

Inside the Divine Armaments Hall, the one-legged Tieshan was guarding a small clay stove in the hall's courtyard, drinking a little wine, very much at ease.

"Elder Tieshan." Fang Xu approached, clasped his hands and bowed.

Fang Xu clasped his hands: "I have broken through; this time it took a total of thirty-three days."

"In that case..."

"If so, although running this errand would be easy for you, you would not gain these eight thousand contribution points."

"But..."

Fang Xu did not die, and they thus formed a deadly enmity.

At the same time, a secret letter was swiftly delivered to the Lü family of Qingzhou, the Tuoba family of Jizhou, and the various powers of Yu State.

If the poison that afflicted the ruler of Fusang State truly relates to the Divine Spirit Sect on Thousand Mountain Island, then it proves that the Divine Spirit Sect's outpost on Thousand Mountain Island very likely possesses the strength to resist a Martial Venerate expert.

What they now need to consider is no longer "a first-rank martial technique," but how to welcome Fang Xu's revenge.

Having killed him, naturally we must make his death worth something.

During my seclusion, Old Yuan was taken by Huang Qingzhou to see Jiang Feng, and he wanted to know Old Yuan's recent condition.

No one in the courtyard paid any attention.

Nobody!

Lü Jingren was slightly startled, then understood his elder brother's meaning.

"Old Yuan!" Fang Xu's expression changed, and he rushed into Old Yuan's room.

Old man, I was thinking: with my current physical condition, it's uncertain whether I can hold out until you emerge from seclusion; I asked for the Blood Qi Pill intending to take one when I can no longer endure, to gain two more days...

"I won't go."

"Since you're passing by, then in my personal name I'll offer you a base price of forty contribution points—what do you think?"

"Linghe, recent applicants for inner sect promotion have had their missions uniformly raised by one level."

Seeing Fang Xu still standing nearby, Tieshan immediately called out for him to sit down.

In the room, Old Yuan's everyday clothes were neatly folded and placed on the bed, and beside them on the desk lay a letter.

"Fang Xu, your current strength is that of a first-stage Martial Scholar; this is your first promotion mission."

"Please just help my brother..."

"By the way, Senior Brother Huang, Old Yuan..."

"Fang Xu, the Ascension Immortal Assembly has its own rules; although I need the purple blood coral, I have already entrusted this matter to the Affairs Hall—if you wish to take this mission, go to the Affairs Hall yourself."

"Overseer, will forcing this boy like this cause any problems?"

"Now, for you, one hour equals forty contribution points."

Cloud-Stepping Colt?

Gazing at the extraordinarily tall Cloud-Stepping Colt before him, Fang Xu gently stroked its mane.

What exactly do these fellows want to do?

Watching the blood-red figure disappear in that direction, Fang Xu pondered for a moment, then directly returned to the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

"This seat has a premonition that not long from now, something major will likely happen."

So many aristocratic families united, setting up heavenly nets and earthly traps along the way, yet in the end Fang Xu still escaped; from this, all the great families and powers saw Fang Xu's wisdom and potential.

"What that old rascal Wuling said is correct: aside from taking missions from the Affairs Hall, there really is no better way."

"You go apply for promotion first; once you become an inner sect disciple, I can then give you a mission."

"Master, you clearly know my elder brother is not yet an inner sect disciple and cannot take Affairs Hall missions!"

Already at the hour of Hai, Fang Xu arrived at the gate of the separate courtyard, only to see the courtyard door still ajar.

"Brother, take care of yourself." Chu Mu nodded, then took out a book from his bosom and handed it to Fang Xu, saying: "Take this with you, brother."

Fang Xu: "..."

"Elder, can the martial artists of Fusang State not handle this matter themselves?"

One hour equals forty contribution points; he dared not delay, and immediately left the Transmission Hall.

"This matter must absolutely not allow the Lü family's direct line to act!"

Su Cheng was rebuked, his face stiffened, and he still wanted to say something, but Fang Xu was too lazy to bother with him.

He had already decided: after I become an inner sect disciple, first I will rescue my master Lu Zhiyuan, and second, as an inner sect disciple I will propose to the sect and challenge Su Cheng to a life-and-death platform!

Damn it!

Striking a match to light the oil lamp, Fang Xu opened the letter and glanced at it.

The Lü family of Qingzhou, Lü Sheng ren crushed the secret letter in his hand, his face solemn: "Is this secret letter definitely sent by someone from the Ascension Immortal Assembly?"

"Kid, you broke through?"

Xu Changqing said with a somewhat cold attitude.

"This mission was specially arranged by Elder Wuling for me to give you."

However, the location of this outpost is within the borders of Fusang State, a neighboring state of Yu State.

"Su Cheng?" Chu Mu shook his head: "He is now unable to even take care of himself."

"The seas surrounding Fusang State abound in this purple blood coral; if lucky, you will still gain quite a few contribution points."

"Alright, have someone hang his corpse on the city wall of Qingzhou."

As a Danxiang Saint Body, Chu Mu's comprehension is also very high. After just a few days of joining the sect, Xu Changqing had already discovered that Chu Mu's talent in alchemy was the best among all the disciples he had recruited over the years.

"Big brother, what should we do now?" Lü Jingren said, a flash of killing intent appearing in his eyes as he spoke: "Should I take people to intercept and kill that brat?"

After carefully storing the old ape's letter in his Qiankun bag, Fang Xu looked around the room.

"Master will definitely believe me," Chu Mu added.

Lü Shengren waved his hand.

The night passed in silence until the next morning, when Fang Xu got up and rushed to the Transmission Hall to report.

If it were just a martial master, Fang Xu felt he could still try.

Yanshen Sect!

Seeing the Yanshen Sect's signature blood-red robes, Fang Xu frowned slightly.

Chu Mu said proudly: "Of course, it's because my sister I joined Baicao Tang and stole his spotlight."

Fang Xu is now a disciple of the Ascension Immortal Assembly. If he were to die, the Ascension Immortal Assembly would at least send someone to investigate the cause of death.

After receiving the secret letter, the heads of the various countries could no longer sit still.

"As an outer sect disciple, running around everywhere, don't you know any rules at all?" Su Cheng said coldly.

Fang Xu sighed disappointedly: "Alright."

"Why be so polite with me?!"

Sigh!

After wiping his eyes, Fang Xu blew out the oil lamp, his expression heavy as he closed the door and walked toward the distant mountain gate.

"Think it over. If you don't want to take this task, I can also give you a normal one instead."

"Someone in the Ascension Immortal Assembly doesn't want that brat to live, but doesn't want to expose their own identity, which is why they plan to use us to eliminate him."

At the same time, various major powers began to prepare in haste, planning to completely slaughter Fang Xu on the road to Fusang Country to eliminate future threats.

After pushing open the door, they entered, and the side courtyard was pitch black, as if no one was inside.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu immediately refused: "You don't need to worry about this, I'll handle it myself, brother."

As a steward of the Divine Arms Hall, whether Fang Xu has completed his menial duties over these thirty-three days is entirely up to his word.

"Purple Blood Coral... is this brat going to Fusang Country?" Su Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he couldn't help but reveal a cold smile at the corner of his mouth.

Just as he stepped out of the mountain foot side courtyard, his consciousness suddenly sensed a faint, elusive surveillance. He slowed his steps, glanced slightly to the left, and saw a figure wrapped in a blood-red robe flash and vanish in the darkness ahead!

Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Does the Ascension Immortal Assembly have no rules stating that outer disciples cannot come to Baicao Tang?"

He immediately spoke of his thirty-day seclusion in the Moya Earth Palace, during which he had accumulated a huge debt of contribution points, leaving Tieshan stunned.

Danger must be nipped in the bud!

"Only this kind of relentless pressure can gradually draw out his potential."

"Kid, come drink with me."

The Transmission Elder called him forward.

After a moment's hesitation, Xu Changqing said: "The task I posted at the Affairs Hall is: one stalk of ten-year blood-red coral for fifty contribution points, with an additional ten points for every ten years of age."

These guys are actually so arrogant as to monitor me right outside the Ascension Immortal Assembly's mountain gate?

"Hehe... I've heard that your sister is now Xu Steward's favorite disciple, kid. Don't you know how to adapt?"

Speaking of this, Jiang Feng's expression turned somewhat solemn: "In this core disciple selection, our Yu State Division's Feather Mountain Tianyi has gone missing, and news from the Immortal Island says that recently, a force has been trying to infiltrate the several countries under the Ascension Immortal Assembly's control."

Looking at the letter's content, Fang Xu couldn't help but picture the old ape's voice and smile before his eyes. Thinking, thinking, his eye sockets reddened involuntarily, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Xu Changqing waved his hand: "Alright, go."

"I naturally want to put that person in the Ascension Immortal Assembly at ease, and at the same time see if I can make contact with them through this."

"Here! This Cloud-Stepping Horse is lent to you for use."

Fang Xu arrived at the valley gate, about to enter, when he saw two Baicao Tang disciples walking out from inside.

"Master, this old body of mine is about to be shaken apart by you."

"Uncle Yuan?" Fang Xu called out.

At this rate, just the interest would amount to several thousand, and there's still no contribution points credited.

Xu Changqing now favors Chu Mu greatly, but this matter still cannot be done.

"Go arrange it. Make sure no traces are left."

Fang Xu smiled faintly, then said: "I just met Su Cheng at the valley gate earlier. Has that guy been giving you trouble lately?"

After putting down his wine cup, Tieshan slowly stood up and said: "Three hundred thousand contribution points should be enough for you, kid, to tide you over for a while."

"This task counts as both your promotion assessment and a posted fifth-rank task from the Affairs Hall, with a reward of up to eight thousand contribution points."

"Rest assured, the other side definitely doesn't know where we are, and other powers have probably received this letter too."

It was early spring of February, and although the outside weather was still suffering from a late spring chill, the valley where Purple Orchid Peak stood was already bursting with flowers, all kinds of rare blossoms and herbs flourishing.

As Yun Qing had previously said, the Yanshen Sect at most could only be considered a force capable of opposing the Yu State royal family, and could in no way compare to a superpower like the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

Damn it, after saying that, he truly felt the pressure weighing heavily on him!

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, Lü Shengren directly slapped out with a palm, killing that servant on the spot!

Fusang Country is located in the eastern part of Yu State, an island nation built in the endless sea, and one of the five countries under the Ascension Immortal Assembly's sphere of influence.

"By the way, there's one more thing." The Transmission Elder suddenly said: "Xu Steward of Baicao Tang recently seems to need some purple blood coral for alchemy. You can go to Baicao Tang when you have the chance."

Xu Changqing constantly emphasized rules, making Fang Xu frown repeatedly.

I currently owe twenty-eight thousand contribution points, and the daily interest is two hundred and eight.

"Master, I know you need a large amount of purple blood coral, but I can't possibly gather it all at once."

According to the description on the mission scroll, traces of the Yanshen Sect were allegedly discovered on Qian Shan Island in Fusang Country, where the sect's followers were massively capturing ordinary civilians. Fusang Country currently cannot handle this, so they have sought help from the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

"Alright, old man knows, I'll make up for these thirty-three days of miscellaneous chores later." Tie Shan said indifferently.

Hearing his words, the Transmission Elder's face showed a hint of alarm as he said: "Is this related to the Yan Shen Sect?"

"Alright."

If they themselves can't handle it, then what use would it be for me to take over this mess?

"The ruler of Fu Shan Kingdom is a martial artist with the strength of a Martial Sovereign realm." The Transmission Elder spoke slowly: "But the ruler of Fu Shan Kingdom was poisoned with a strange toxin not long ago, and even I am struggling to cope."

"Yuan Bo..."

"He sees that Master has been doting on me recently, so he feels a sense of crisis in his heart." Speaking to this point, Chu Mu lowered his voice: "Fang Xu brother, do you think I should tell Master about that guy's attempt to have someone kill you in Fenglin Town back then?"

Chu Mu paused his steps, glared angrily at Fang Xu and said:

At the mountain gate of the Ascension Immortal Assembly, Fang Xu had just come out when he saw Huang Qingzhou leading a Cloud-Stepping Colt forward to greet him.

Fang Xu took the book and flipped through it briefly, seeing that it mostly contained introductions and illustrations of various medicinal herbs, so he casually slipped it into his bosom, gently patted Chu Mu's head, turned and walked toward the mountain gate.

"I don't know. After I took Yuan Bo to see the Chief Elder, I was driven out, and I'm not clear about what happened afterward."

Therefore, for such a disciple, Xu Changqing dotes on him extremely.

Su Cheng's punishment is inevitable, and at the same time, Bai Cao Tang and Xu Changqing himself will lose face.

After more than a month, seeing Fang Xu again, Tie Shan laughed heartily.

"Senior brother, take care, I'm leaving first."

Saying this, the Transmission Elder smiled and said: "Old man knows your strength, and I've also heard about the contribution points you owe."

Fu Shan Kingdom could become a state; no matter how you say it, it must have its own martial force.

Now, the pursuit has failed, Fang Xu has successfully joined the Ascension Immortal Assembly, and all the major clans and forces are in a panic.

"Alright, go on."

Su Cheng!?

Looking at the person walking toward him, who was indeed his old enemy Su Cheng, Fang Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.

Even so, Xu Changqing could feel that Chu Mu has a great possibility of surpassing his teacher in the future, outshining him in the art of alchemy.

The content of the secret letter was only one point: they had been obsessively chasing Fang Xu for months, but now he has left the Ascension Immortal Assembly, preparing to head to the Eastern Sea, and then to Fu Shan Kingdom.

"We must prepare in advance."

To assign such a task to a mere Martial Scholar realm cultivator—isn't this a joke?

"Don't rush." The Transmission Elder chuckled: "Assigning you this task naturally isn't meant to send you to your death."

It would be better to truly accept this task.

Xu Changqing glanced helplessly at Chu Mu.

This time I go, old man doesn't even know if I can return, Fang Xiazi, remember old man's words—if there's a chance, you must bring old man's remains back to Ti Lan Mountain, and also... entrust the Earth Fiend Magic Ape clan to you.

Base price forty... ten points less than what the Affairs Hall offered.

Can it really be like this!?

Zhongzhou, Canghai City.

In the corner of the valley, the Bai Cao Tang disciple approached Su Cheng and whispered: "Senior Brother, I've inquired clearly—that boy went to ask his master, apparently for the matter of the Purple Blood Coral."

"Is the ruler of Fu Shan Kingdom poisoned?" Fang Xu frowned slightly upon hearing this: "Could this toxin be related to the Yan Shen Sect?"

Upon hearing the Transmission Elder's words, Fang Xu's heart suddenly leapt with joy.

Although Fang Xu currently lacks the strength to threaten them, with his potential, he will surely grow to match, even surpass, the leaders of all major powers within a few years.

On this journey to Fu Shan Kingdom, he needs to cross Zhongzhou, reach the Eastern Sea coast, a distance of nearly ten thousand li—having this Cloud-Stepping Colt indeed saves considerable time.

The servant who received the letter nodded and said: "That person indeed claimed to be from the Ascension Immortal Assembly, but he wore a mask, and I also don't know..."

Zi Lan Peak.

"I'm leaving."

Back when we were in Fenglin Town, Huang Qingzhou once said: the people of the Yan Shen Sect are either a bunch of madmen, or they truly don't fear the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

"But... but I'm not an inner sect disciple, I can't take on Bai Cao Tang's missions." Fang Xu said somewhat helplessly.

Mounting the Cloud-Stepping Colt, Fang Xu rode straight eastward.

Jiang Feng didn't answer, only said lightly: "The Yan Shen Sect's affairs are not to be trifled with, after all, they involve the legendary Yan Shen."

After Fang Xu took a step forward, he stepped back again, wearing a bitter face: "Tie Shan steward, this junior cannot accompany you for drinks."

If going to perform other promotion tasks, a round trip would take at least ten or more days, even longer.

"Nonsense!" As his words fell, Lü Shengren immediately snapped: "Are you planning to drag the entire Lü family to bury with this brat!?"

Fang Xu curiously asked: "What happened?"

"Haha... you little brat!"

So, this matter is better handled by myself.

Fang Xu nodded doubtfully: "Senior Brother Huang also wants to go to Fu Shan Kingdom?"

Last night he just discovered that the Yan Shen Sect people were monitoring him, and today he received his first task—to investigate a Yan Shen Sect stronghold.

After finishing reading the scroll, Fang Xu said doubtfully.

That disciple dared not defy his order, slightly bowed his hands, and followed Fang Xu into the valley.

A top-tier Cloud-Stepping Colt travels eight thousand li per day; Huang Qingzhou's colt, though not top-tier, should still manage four to five thousand li per day.

Fang Xu was about to speak when Chu Mu beside him spoke first.

If it were found that Fang Xu's death is related to the Lü family, as the price for provoking the Ascension Immortal Assembly, the Lü family would likely be suppressed to death by the Assembly.

Speaking honestly, since the initial discovery of the Blue Mountain Ruins began, various forces have joined hands to surround and intercept Fang Xu, yet they never considered what the consequences of a failed pursuit would be.

"Is this the time? Yuan Bo hasn't rested yet?"

Fang Xiazi, old man merely wishes to watch you grow up, then follow you to roam the human world properly.

Actually, Chu Mu could understand these principles, but he just felt that Su Cheng back then almost got Fang Xu killed and even planned to capture him for alchemy, which he couldn't swallow.

"Big brother, why is this?"

Already pretty good!

"Alright... alright!"

Since Grandpa died, without realizing it, he had already come to regard the old ape as his closest kin, and now...

As a coastal city of Yu State bordering the great sea, Canghai City is a huge city, rich in salt mines and numerous ferocious sea beasts, as well as rare fish.

At the mountain valley entrance, Fang Xu smiled and looked at the little girl, saying.

First, if disciples under the sect secretly assassinate fellow disciples, the Law Enforcement Hall will inevitably intervene, and by then the entire Ascension Immortal Association's Yu State branch will know that Xu Changqing's eldest disciple openly provoked the association's rules.

Not beating him to death would truly fail to quell the hatred in my heart!

"You go, follow this kid, and see what he intends to do?" Seeing Fang Xu already walking into the valley, Su Cheng lowered his voice to the Baicao Hall disciple beside him.

Second, Chu Mu will continue to follow Xu Changqing in cultivation in the future. Huang Qingzhou once said that Su Cheng has followed Xu Changqing for decades, and though their relationship appears master-disciple, it is actually like father and son.

Fang Xu nodded, thanked Tieshan, and then left the Divine Weapons Hall.

"Master, I'll see brother off." Chu Mu hurriedly spoke, accompanying Fang Xu as he left the thatched hut.

"Alright, Mu, focus on your cultivation lately. With progress in alchemy, your own cultivation must not fall behind."

Huang Qingzhou shook his head and said:

And upon careful analysis, one can find that the ruler of Fu State possesses the strength of a Martial Venerable. If the strange poison in his body was indeed administered by followers of the Yan Shen Sect, this also indirectly proves that the Yan Shen Sect followers on Qian Shan Island likely lack the strength to match a Martial Venerable.

In the Transmission Hall, Jiang Feng's figure appeared at some point before the Transmission Elder.

"No way!"

The person beside, Lu Jingren, frowned and asked.

Chu Mu speaking out about this matter will inevitably lead to Su Cheng being punished, which will necessarily create a rift between her and Xu Changqing.

Eight thousand contribution points?

After hearing this, Fang Xu hesitated somewhat.

Fang Xu and Chu Mu came together before Xu Changqing.

At this moment, Su Cheng also noticed Fang Xu, a flash of sharp light appearing in his eyes, which he then desperately tried to conceal.

After saying this, Jiang Feng slowly stepped out of the Transmission Hall.

The thatched hut.

Chu Mu spoke with a hint of coquettishness, gently shaking Xu Changqing's arm as he said.

Taking the scroll, Fang Xu immediately unfolded and glanced at it, his expression instantly turning somewhat strange.

Xu Changqing looked at her, his expression slightly softened, but he still refused to yield: "As master, I have already posted the mission; I cannot possibly, for this kid, overstep the rules of the Ascension Immortal Association."

Handing a scroll to Fang Xu, the Transmission Elder spoke lightly.

"Thanks for the pointer, Elder. Kid, I'm taking my leave!"

Returning to his residence, he lingered not at all, directly submitting an application for promotion to inner-door disciple to his Transmission Elder. After being told the promotion task would be arranged for tomorrow, Fang Xu directly left Huayang Mountain and came to the cottage at the mountain's base.

"Thank you, Steward Xu!" Fang Xu said, clasping his hands.

"It's nothing. If you understood this kid's past, you'd know his stress tolerance is strong."

"Fang Xu, I heard you're going to Fu State to carry out a mission?"

His relationship with Xu Changqing is not good, and moreover, due to the Wu Huan affair, there remains some unpleasantness between them.

"Little Fang, your Huang senior brother came today, saying the Ascension Immortal Association's Elder Jiang has already found a way to prolong my life, but this method is somewhat risky—success grants one more year of life, failure means instant death. He asked me whether I should wait for you to emerge from seclusion before deciding."

Inside the mountain valley, Fang Xu gently rubbed Chu Mu's head, saying: "Little girl, thank you."

Outside Canghai City, a man with an eight-character beard, somewhat stooped in stature, wearing a bamboo hat on his head, led an old horse and followed the crowd slowly into the city gate.

No one knew that this man was precisely the Fang Xu that all major powers and clans had been desperately searching for!

(End of chapter)