Chapter 156: Ascending the Immortal Ascension Platform, Yu Huang is about to break through?

After hearing the disciples' report, Jiang Lu's face changed instantly upon ascending the Immortal Ascension Platform!

When the Law Enforcement Hall was competing for Fang Xu yesterday, he was also present, and he knew very well how great Fang Xu's potential was.

Jiang Feng, the chief elder of the Yu Kingdom's Ascension Immortal Assembly, personally spoke up to contend with them for the disciples, which is enough to prove how highly Jiang Feng regards Fang Xu.

"Quickly go notify Chu Ren Di of the Law Enforcement Hall, and also send someone to invite Elder Jiang!"

Before Jiang Lu set out, he immediately arranged his disciples to summon Chu Ren Di and Jiang Feng.

"By the way, go to the Hundred Herbs Hall and also summon Steward Xu!"

If Fang Xu forcibly steps onto the eighth layer this time and, by chance, cannot withstand the pressure, damaging his soul and spirit, Steward Xu can also help treat him.

Moments later, several figures suddenly flashed across the sky above Tian Luan Peak.

After reaching the seventh realm of Martial Venerable, brief sky-flight is no longer difficult; thus, Jiang Feng, as well as Chu Ren Di and Xu Changqing, all rushed to the Immortal Ascension Platform.

"Old Jiang, how is my disciple doing?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Ren Di's expression suddenly changed, realizing he had been rash and negligent, and dared not rush up again to save the person.

Xu Changqing frowned slightly, puzzled: "What do you mean, Junior Brother Chu?"

Jiang Lu clasped his hands and then instructed his disciples to directly seal the entrance passage below.

"Above."

Seeing this, the crowd below, who had waited silently for three days, now had their hearts leapt to their throats!

"Old Xu, if my disciple meets with misfortune, you cannot escape responsibility!"

Jiang Lu spoke solemnly.

"A worthless nominal disciple—dead is dead; do you want my disciple to pay with his life?"

"Enough!"

The many inner and outer sect disciples at the entrance of the Immortal Ascension Platform also cooperated fully, each standing silently in the square, watching, hoping to witness the birth of a miracle.

"He has stepped onto it!"

"If you rashly go up, upon touching him, the restrictive pressure you endure will simultaneously break his current state, causing him severe injury instantly."

"Junior Brother Chu."

"Moreover, Junior Brother Chu need not worry excessively; for Fang Xu this time, it is both disaster and blessing."

In the nameless space, a pitch-black giant hammer with an eerie luster repeatedly struck a humanoid sculpture glowing with bronze light.

"Besides, he still has no problem now, does he?"

Jiang Feng flashed his form to block him, saying: "Junior Brother Chu, this is anxiety causing confusion."

Chu Ren Di, Jiang Feng, and Xu Changqing all raised their heads to gaze upward at the Immortal Ascension Platform.

Though called a sculpture, it appears as a shadow condensed from bronze-colored light.

Seeing the two arguing endlessly, Jiang Feng directly interrupted coldly: "Changqing, immediately have someone release Lu Zhiyuan."

"What do you mean?" Chu Ren Di sneered: "If not for you, for the sake of that damned face, imprisoning his master in Fenglin Town and forcing him to challenge the Immortal Ascension Platform, would he have gone up?"

"Eighth layer!"

On the eighth layer of the Immortal Ascension Platform, Fang Xu now has one foot already stepped onto the eighth layer's platform, but the other foot remains still on the seventh step of the seventh layer.

"Being able to temper one's soul and spirit on the Immortal Ascension Platform will bring him great benefit in the future."

"Ha! Your life?" Chu Ren Di laughed in anger, the aura of the ninth realm of Martial Venerable slowly seeping from his body: "Xu Changqing, ask yourself honestly—is it really just because of these?"

Chu Ren Di said nothing, his eyes fixed tightly on Fang Xu on the Immortal Ascension Platform.

After looking up at Fang Xu, Chu Ren Di suddenly felt some annoyance in his heart, turned his head, and coldly said to Xu Changqing.

Upon arriving at the Immortal Ascension Platform, Chu Ren Di didn't even have time to glance before grabbing Jiang Lu's shoulder and asking directly.

At this moment, Fang Xu had already completely immersed himself in a strange state.

"You should be very clear about the restrictions of the Immortal Ascension Platform; Fang Xu's current state, in a certain sense, maintains a delicate balance."

"Mildly, the soul and spirit are damaged; severely, the soul flies and the spirit scatters on the spot!"

Since saving him is now impossible, Chu Ren Di immediately adopted a firm stance and had Jiang Lu seal the Immortal Ascension Platform.

After an unknown amount of time passed, Fang Xu on the Immortal Ascension Platform slowly opened his eyes!

The instant his originally black-and-white-clear eyes snapped open, a flash of ancient bronze light passed through them!

The next moment, the corner of his mouth slightly lifted, and then the foot resting on the seventh step of the seventh layer was lifted directly, without hesitation, and stepped onto the eighth layer's platform.

After glancing, Chu Ren Di flashed his form and immediately prepared to rush onto the Immortal Ascension Platform to bring Fang Xu down.

Jiang Feng also knew that Fang Xu now should not be disturbed by any external factors, so he waved his hand and said: "Do as Junior Brother Chu said."

He has maintained this posture for a quarter of an hour already.

"Senior Brother Jiang, you must immediately have people seal the entrance of the Immortal Ascension Platform, persuade those disciples who have already ascended to come down, and before my disciple descends, no one is allowed to rush the Immortal Ascension Platform."

In the void, a terrifying giant hammer struck the shadow repeatedly; accompanied by this striking, the shadow became increasingly solid.

"Hold steady! Hold steady, Brother Fang Xu!"

"That is my life-saving benefactor!" Upon hearing this, Xu Changqing felt a surge of nameless anger in his heart: "Junior Brother Chu, do you think my life is not worth his challenging the seventh layer of the Immortal Ascension Platform?"

"This..." Jiang Lu looked uncomfortably at Jiang Feng beside him.

"Hold on!"

"Brother Fang's body is swaying!"

"After three breaths, Brother Fang seems to have steadied!"

"Too abnormal—could this kid be a great demon who transformed into human form?"

"Martial Scholar Second Realm, possessing a soul comparable to a Martial Venerable—how long will it take? He will surely obtain the Ascension Order..."

Before the Immortal Ascension Platform, Jiang Lu, Chu Ren Di, and others now stared fixedly at the swaying figure above.

Subsequently, seeing that Fang Xu's body swaying amplitude had decreased, they only then slightly relaxed their hearts.

"Senior Brother Jiang also reached the peak of Martial Master before ascending to the eighth layer back then, right?" Chu Ren Di said, a rare smile appearing on his face.

Jiang Feng looked at him and couldn't help but tease: "Seeing your disciple doing well now, you can finally relax?"

"Who was it just now who almost lost face, fighting desperately against Chang Qing in front of all the disciples?"

Chu Ren Di glanced awkwardly at Xu Chang Qing, but still spoke: "I'm stating a fact—everyone acknowledges that Xu Lao Tou favors his own and cares too much about face."

Xu Chang Qing wanted to say something, but then felt arguing with Chu Ren Di at this moment was pointless, so he simply pretended not to hear.

He quietly watched Fang Xu, who had steadied his footing on the eighth layer, calculating in his mind how to resolve the unpleasantness between them once Fang Xu came down.

Given Fang Xu's heaven-defying potential displayed, becoming a core disciple of the Ascension Immortal Association is practically a certainty.

Moreover, Xu Chang Qing believes that Fang Xu, upon entering the Immortal Island, will inevitably take that step and become a powerhouse of the Yuan Wu Realm.

If Fang Xu bears a grudge against me because of Lu Zhiyuan's matter, even as a sixth-rank Alchemist, I won't have an easy time.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a trace of resentment toward Mu Xuan and the others.

It's all my fault for being too indulgent toward my disciples, letting them become so arrogant and domineering.

But speaking of which, I never would have imagined that a nobody from Maple Leaf Town could possess such terrifying potential.

"Let's go—looks like he's preparing to train for a while on the eighth layer." Jiang Feng raised his head, seeing Fang Xu already sitting cross-legged on the eighth layer's platform, and immediately knew the danger had passed.

"You go ahead, I'll stay here and watch." Chu Ren Di declared proudly, his gaze fixed on Fang Xu on the high platform, his eyes full of satisfaction.

A Martial Master at the Second Realm reaching the eighth layer of the Ascension Platform—this is my disciple, and even when word spreads to the Immortal Island, I gain great face from it.

Seeing his unreserved pride, Jiang Feng and the others shook their heads and directly left the Ascension Platform.

Day after day passed, and on the seventh day of treading the eighth layer of the Ascension Platform, Fang Xu finally rose to his feet, stood on the platform of the eighth layer, slowly lifted his head, and silently gazed toward the ninth layer.

This scene directly left Chu Ren Di below the Ascension Platform stunned, and he hurriedly shouted:

"Kid, don't be greedy—the ninth layer isn't as simple as you think!"

Below, some outer and inner sect disciples watching the spectacle also gaped in astonishment!

"Senior Brother Fang won't really try to ascend the ninth layer, will he?!"

"Crazy! Either he's gone mad, or I have!"

"I don't want to watch anymore—back then I was a top-tier genius in Ji Prefecture, but compared to Senior Brother Fang, I feel like a worthless nobody..."

"It's too tragic—living in the same era as such figures, we'll hardly ever have a chance to rise above."

……

On the Ascension Platform, Fang Xu silently gazed at the ninth layer for a long time, then finally turned around and began walking down step by step.

"Huu——"

"Phew, phew—Senior Brother Fang hasn't gone mad..."

Fang Xu, having descended from the Ascension Platform, immediately spotted Chu Ren Di waiting quietly below.

"Master."

Bowing slightly toward Chu Ren Di, Fang Xu said with a smile: "You worried for nothing."

Chu Ren Di forced a faint smile onto his face and quietly watched him.

"How do you feel?"

"Has your soul been shaped?"

Fang Xu gave a slight nod—he had not only shaped his soul, but with the aid of the Ascension Platform and the Bronze Great Cauldron, had forged his soul into something extremely resilient.

However, accompanying the strengthening of his soul, he could feel his physical body suffering from severe inadequacy.

In a sense, the physical body is the vessel of the soul; as the soul strengthens, the vessel must naturally strengthen as well.

This is why many experts of the Martial Venerable Realm can often block ordinary sword and blade strikes with their flesh alone.

Such enhancement normally requires consuming vast amounts of heavenly treasures and earthly materials, slowly refined over time.

But Fang Xu is different—the stone gates within his two orifice spaces have been opened, and the purest primordial energy constantly strengthens his body without cease.

Moreover, the Divine Attendants have continuously polished his internal organs—so he need never worry about his physical strength.

"Let's go—follow me to the Hundred Herbs Hall."

Chu Ren Di, seeing this, immediately brought Fang Xu toward the Hundred Herbs Hall.

"Master, why are we going to the Hundred Herbs Hall?" Along the way, Fang Xu asked curiously.

"Your soul has grown stronger, so you need special medicinal pills to enhance your physical strength." Chu Ren Di said: "I'll go get you some pills."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu quickly waved his hands: "I dare not trouble you, Master—I have my own way to strengthen my body."

It's not that I look down on Xu Chang Qing, but the pills refined at the Hundred Herbs Hall certainly don't match the energy within my orifice spaces.

The energy from beyond the stone gates is endless—there's no need to let Chu Ren Di spend money on strengthening my body.

Hearing his words, Chu Ren Di slightly furrowed his brow: "You truly don't need them?"

Fang Xu nodded: "I have some fortunate opportunities—I truly don't need them."

Seeing this, Chu Ren Di slightly nodded: "Then let me give you something else instead."

Following Chu Ren Di to the Hall of Law Enforcement, the two headed straight toward the residence behind the rear mountain.

In the exquisite little courtyard, Chu Ren Di's hand flashed with light, and he directly produced a smooth bone the size of a shield.

One cannot tell what fierce beast this bone came from, but from the patterns on it, Fang Xu could roughly guess its extraordinariness.

"The Hall of Law Enforcement emphasizes slaughter and conquest—this beast bone was obtained by me overseas years ago. After years of contemplation, I grasped a killing martial technique from it, barely qualifying as touching the threshold of divine abilities."

"Your two senior brothers also comprehended it back then, but gained nothing in the end. Now, I shall bestow this beast bone upon you."

Fang Xu received the beast bone, examined it carefully, then bowed and said: "Thank you, Master!"

Chu Ren Di waved his hand, then turned serious: "I know you already have a divine ability—now I will teach you some essentials about divine abilities."

Fang pointed and nodded, quickly stowed the beast bone, and listened quietly to Chu Ren Di's instruction.

"Do you know what a divine ability is?"

"What's the difference between divine abilities and martial techniques?"

Fang Xu shook his head after hearing that.

Most of his current achievements came from his own gradual exploration.

"Simply put, martial techniques are attack methods created by martial artists who have comprehended heaven, earth, and all things, or traces left by ancient powerful beings."

"Divine abilities are different; there are two kinds."

"The first is acquired divine abilities; initially, acquired divine abilities are often semi-divine abilities, superior to first-rank martial techniques but not yet reaching the true threshold of divine abilities, just like how I observed this beast bone and created this semi-divine ability; if properly refined later, it will eventually become a true divine ability."

"The second kind is innate divine abilities, which are mostly carried in the bloodlines of certain ancient races passed down through inheritance."

"This kind of divine ability requires awakening; once awakened, one can naturally comprehend it."

Hearing this, Fang Xu showed a hint of realization on his face.

"So divine abilities have this distinction; then my Magic Ape Three Transformations must be an acquired divine ability?"

"But that doesn't seem right either; my Magic Ape Three Transformations were comprehended as divine abilities directly, without going through a semi-divine ability transformation."

"There is another difference between innate and acquired divine abilities." Chu Ren Di continued: "Innate divine abilities are themselves perfected divine abilities; once comprehended, they manifest great power, but their limitation lies in the difficulty of breakthrough."

"It's like you only have a divine weapon passed down from ancestors; you can use it as soon as you get it, and it's very powerful when used."

"But this divine weapon is ultimately fixed in form; when one day you reach the same realm as, or even surpass, the ancestor who forged this divine weapon, you'll find it difficult to further improve this divine weapon."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Fang Xu nodded; this was easy to understand.

Divine abilities inherited through bloodline or ethnic secret arts are ultimately fixed templates; using them directly is convenient.

But precisely because of the template's fixity, latercomers find it hard to break through constraints and remodel.

"Acquired divine abilities are different."

"Acquired divine abilities are mostly created by martial artists themselves, like an iron embryo that can withstand constant polishing and remodeling; theoretically, they have infinite potential for improvement."

Saying this, Chu Ren Di suddenly gave a bitter smile and shook his head: "This is merely my summary of innate and acquired divine abilities."

"In fact, nowadays acquired divine abilities rarely surpass innate divine abilities, because although the current martial path appears prosperous, it is far from the era when ancient masters emerged in abundance."

"You know what realm lies above Martial Venerable, right?" Chu Ren Di spoke.

Fang Xu nodded: "I heard Senior Gu Qiu say it's the Prime Martial Realm."

Chu Ren Di nodded: "Yes, the Prime Martial Realm."

"What I'm about to tell you next, you must not speak of it."

Fang Xu quickly nodded.

"What is the Prime Martial Realm?"

Chu Ren Di clasped his hands behind his back, his face unusually solemn as he said lightly: "The meaning of Prime Martial is to return all things to the origin."

"I now tell you, the key to breaking through Prime Martial is the soul."

"Martial artists temper their bodies, open apertures, and stimulate their own potential."

"This method pushed to the extreme is precisely the peak of Martial Venerable."

"A Martial Venerable peak expert placed today would be revered as a great master wherever they go."

Chu Ren Di's face flashed with a hint of disdain, then he smiled: "But do you know, according to some traces in ancient texts, the peak of Martial Venerable placed in ancient times is equivalent to today's martial novices."

"Only by breaking through the Prime Martial Realm can one step into the threshold of formal cultivation."

Hearing this, Fang Xu was completely dazed.

He had thought the Prime Martial Realm might not be the ultimate limit of the martial path, but at least it was an unparalleled master.

Never expecting that in ancient times, the Prime Martial Realm was merely the threshold of entering cultivation practice.

Then what realm were those ancient masters in, and how terrifying must they have been?

"Do you feel your understanding has been overturned?" Seeing Fang Xu's astonished expression, Chu Ren Di smiled faintly.

Fang Xu unconsciously nodded.

Indeed, he himself had been shaken by these words.

It was as if he suddenly heard that the distant, unattainable goal he had painstakingly pursued was merely someone else's starting point.

Such a psychological gap is truly hard for ordinary people to accept.

"Master, are there many Prime Martial Realm predecessors on the Immortal Island?" Fang Xu suddenly asked.

Chu Ren Di did not answer, only telling him: "Knowing too much will only increase your pressure."

"Although the Prime Martial Realm is merely a starting point, the martial path is long, but at least you now have the qualification to step onto the threshold of cultivation."

"Qualification?"

"Master means soul forging?" Fang Xu suddenly realized.

Chu Ren Di nodded: "As I said earlier, soul forging is the key to breaking through Martial Venerable to reach the Prime Martial Realm."

"This is also why I previously said that the bitter wheel's bitter cultivation path is a correct path."

Bitter Wheel has always believed that suffering tempers the soul; persisting in bitter cultivation allows one's soul to gradually strengthen.

This path is without error.

"But the improvement brought by bitter cultivation is ultimately limited; not everyone who practices bitter cultivation knows this, and not everyone can successfully forge their soul."

"Master, since you already know that soul forging is the key to breaking through Prime Martial, then why do beings like Bitter Wheel Master, Yu Huang, and Zhao Wuji—these Martial Venerable peak existences—still painstakingly seek their own paths?"

Yu Huang, Bitter Wheel, and Zhao Wuji are the three Martial Venerable peak experts he knows of.

These three have seemingly also been painstakingly searching for a way to break through the Martial Venerable peak in recent years.

Bitter Wheel Master, even as his lifespan neared its end and his qi and blood declined, still failed to break through successfully.

"Easy to know, hard to do." Chu Ren Di sighed lightly: "Moreover, among martial artists, there are also conflicts of interest; those in control guard the secrets of breakthrough; if not from one's own faction, why would they share with others?"

"The Immortal Island knows these things; these are passed down by generation after generation of predecessors of the Ascension Immortal Association, who brought them out from some ancient relics with their lives, so naturally they would not easily reveal them."

The Dao cannot be lightly transmitted, and Fang Xu also understands this principle.

Just as when I was initially stuck in the Refining Viscera realm, Lu Zhiyuan insisted on taking fifty taels of silver from me before he would teach me the Refining Viscera method.

Whether it be Ku Lun, Zhao Wuji, or Yu Huang, none of them are disciples of the Ascension Immortal Society, so the Ascension Immortal Society naturally would not easily reveal the secret of breaking through the Yuanwu realm to them.

Even these ordinary inner disciples of the Ascension Immortal Society likely lack the qualifications to know these things.

The Ascension Immortal Society left behind the Ascension Platform and promised high contribution point rewards—perhaps this is merely to motivate disciples to constantly temper their souls.

"Master, Ku Lun Dashi has found his own path—do Yu Huang and Zhao Wuji have any hope of breaking through?" Fang Xu asked curiously.

Logically speaking, Yu Huang and Zhao Wuji should be younger than Ku Lun, and Yu Huang controls the resources of the entire Yu State, so he should have a greater chance of finding his own path and breaking through the Yuanwu realm.

"Li Cangwu?" Chu Ren Di smiled faintly: "His ambition is great; some things you cannot yet comprehend. As your master, I can only tell you that Li Cangwu is far more formidable than you imagine."

"Otherwise, why do you think Jiang Shixiong has remained unable to rise to prominence all these years?"

Is Yu Huang more formidable than I imagined?

Fang Xu's expression grew somewhat solemn.

According to my understanding, Li Cangwu of the Yu State is a man of deep scheming, and back then, the matter concerning the Yu State royal family and the Yanshen Sect's struggle over this land has always left me with reservations.

The Yanshen Sect is immensely strong; even now, after being suppressed by the Yu State royal family for a thousand years, it still possesses strength not inferior to that of the royal family.

If this were a thousand years ago, when the Yanshen Sect was at its peak on this land, how could the Yu State royal family possibly have defeated them so easily?

"Enough, these are not things you need to worry about now—focus on your cultivation."

"Once you become a core disciple and go to the Immortal Isle, you will discover a far vaster world."

"Yu State, after all, is ultimately too small."

Chu Ren Di slowly rose and said: "Remember this—while tempering your physical body, you must not neglect the refinement of your soul."

"When you have free time, you can spend more time on the Ascension Platform."

After Chu Ren Di left, Fang Xu returned to the small courtyard beside the Transmission Hall where he had once lived, wanting to see if Yun Wan had come back.

But upon arriving at the courtyard, he realized Yun Wan had already taken Yan Wu as her master and joined the Affairs Hall, so she must have a new residence; he immediately prepared to go to the Affairs Hall to check.

"Fang Shidi."

Just as Fang Xu was preparing to leave, he heard Huang Qingzhou's voice from behind.

"Huang Shixiong?"

"Long time no see."

Fang Xu smiled and greeted him, but suddenly noticed Huang Qingzhou's complexion looked somewhat unpleasant.

"Huang Shixiong, what happened?" Fang Xu asked, puzzled.

Huang Qingzhou glanced around, then said with a solemn expression: "The master knows what the senior brother did back in Fenglin Town."

As he spoke, Huang Qingzhou's face bore a hint of scrutiny.

Fang Xu looked at him and gave a bitter smile: "Shixiong, do you not trust me?"

Huang Qingzhou stared for a moment, then shook his head: "No, it's not that—I just find it somewhat strange."

"Logically, only you, I, Mu Shimei, and Lu Guniang know about this matter."

"The rest are the junior brothers who followed Su Cheng together back then; if they were involved, they certainly wouldn't expose it themselves."

"How could the master possibly know?"

Fang Xu said nothing, lowered his head in thought for a moment, then asked: "Then what is Xu Zhushi preparing to do now?"

Huang Qingzhou shook his head: "The master has already summoned Mu Shimei and the senior brother; until I came to find you, neither of them has emerged."

Fang Xu nodded and spoke again: "Then, based on your understanding of Xu Zhushi, what do you think he will do?"

Huang Qingzhou was stunned for a long time, then shook his head again.

"The master protects his own, loves face—it's well known—and the senior brother has followed him for decades, so I..."

Boom!

Before he could finish his words, a terrifying explosion suddenly came from the direction of the Hundred Herbs Hall!

Immediately after—

"Rebellious disciple, dare you secretly harm your master!?"

Xu Changqing's furious voice came from the direction of the Hundred Herbs Hall!

Hearing this, Huang Qingzhou's face changed drastically, and he immediately flashed toward the Hundred Herbs Hall.

Fang Xu also narrowed his eyes and followed directly!

In Huayang Mountain, many disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall and some stewards alike flew toward the Hundred Herbs Hall.

When Fang Xu arrived at the Hundred Herbs Hall, he saw the broken thatched hut before him, Xu Changqing's face dark, a dagger embedded in his abdomen, with large amounts of blood slowly flowing from the wound.

Not far away, the seemingly deranged Su Cheng was currently gripping the struggling Chu Mu, guarding his surroundings vigilantly.

"You forced me to do this!"

"I didn't want to, but you forced me!"

"The Law Enforcement Hall's Chu Ren Di is that brat's master—you handed me over to the Law Enforcement Hall, do I still have a chance to live?"

"And you!"

"It's all because of you!"

"If you had just obediently listened back then, would I have had to take desperate measures!?"

Su Cheng's eyes widened, he glared viciously at Chu Mu in his hands and roared.

At this moment, Chu Mu had only the cultivation of a Martial Disciple Seventh Layer; facing Su Cheng, he was utterly no match, being choked until his pretty face flushed red, constantly struggling.

"Rebellious disciple! Let go quickly!"

Not far away, Xu Changqing saw this scene, endured the poison in his body and the pain from his wounds, and shouted hoarsely.

"You're still protecting her!"

"Master, you're still protecting this lowly wretch!"

"I've followed you for thirty-odd years, yet I still can't match this little wretch of a few months?"

"You like this little wretch, don't you?"

"Hahaha... If you like her, I'll insist on destroying her!"

Su Cheng said, increasing the force in his hands once again.

"Stop!"

Upon arriving, Fang Xu saw Chu Mu nearly strangled to death and immediately shouted sternly.

"Fang Xu... brother..."

Seeing Fang Xu, Chu Mu struggled to stretch out her hand.

"Fang Xu?"

"You came just in time!"

Su Cheng turned his head to look at Fang Xu and Huang Qingzhou, the madness in his eyes intensifying.

"Didn't you originally risk your lives to protect this little wretch?"

"Today I'll let you see with your own eyes how she meets her fragrant demise and jade-like destruction before you!"

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Su Cheng's eyes as he immediately moved to twist her neck!

But just then, a breeze blew.

In the next moment, a jade-green bamboo leaf shot through the crowd, instantly transforming into a slender small sword that pierced through Su Cheng's arm gripping Chu Mu!

Su Cheng winced in pain, instinctively releasing his grip on Chu Mu's neck!

A figure seized the moment to rush forward, a fist glowing with red light brimming with endless fury, directly punching toward Su Cheng's chest!

Boom!

The terrifying force directly blasted Su Cheng flying away!

"Mu, are you alright?"

The one who rushed forward was indeed Fang Xu; after punching Su Cheng away, he immediately supported Chu Mu and asked softly.

"Brother Fang Xu..."

Chu Mu was clearly frightened out of her wits.

In that instant just now, she truly thought she was going to die.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Gently patting Chu Mu's back, Fang Xu comforted her.

"Changqing, what's going on?"

In the rear of the crowd, the verdant Heaven-Reaching Sword Bamboo behind Jiang Feng gradually faded, and many disciples and elders also made way.

On Xu Changqing's side, Huang Qingzhou had already run over, fed Xu Changqing a detox pill, and simply treated his wounds.

Actually, with Xu Changqing's cultivation at the Seventh Realm of Martial Venerable, he shouldn't have been injured.

But the fault lay in his excessive trust in Su Cheng, never imagining Su Cheng would poison him, nor that Su Cheng would be so wolf-hearted and dog-lunged as to strike him.

"Executor..."

Xu Changqing bowed his hands toward Jiang Feng, sighing with some shame: "Xu Changqing has failed in his teachings; please, Executor... punish!"

Jiang Feng frowned slightly, looking at Su Cheng, who was being held down by Chu Ren Di nearby: "Speak up, what happened?"

Su Cheng seemed to already know he would surely die this time, unwilling to say more, and stubbornly turned his head away.

"Then let me say it."

Fang Xu released Chu Mu, stepped forward to Jiang Feng, and bowed: "Last year, when I and Mu were still in Maple Forest Town, Su Cheng was ordered to explore the ruins of Tilan Mountain, where he accidentally saw Mu and discovered her Danxiang Sacred Body constitution."

"Su Cheng planned to take Mu away and use her Danxiang Sacred Body's blood to refine pills."

"It was Senior Brother Huang Qingzhou who used his inner disciple privileges to give Mu a Xianmen travel permit, protecting her."

"Su Cheng, knowing full well that I and Mu both possessed Xianmen travel permits, still hired assassins for a night raid, preparing to kill us outright and abduct Mu."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Feng's face turned slightly cold.

The three iron laws of the Ascension Immortal Assembly: violators must die!

Martial artists holding Xianmen travel permits are disciples of the Ascension Immortal Assembly; although they cannot enjoy the Assembly's various benefits, its disciples must never lay hands on them.

This Su Cheng dares to act so recklessly!

"Brother Chu, take the person away and handle it according to sect rules."

He did not go to ask Xu Changqing's opinion.

Because Su Cheng's case must be handled strictly, the Yu Guo Ascension Immortal Assembly indeed needs to be thoroughly rectified lately.

"Master, your disciple has a request."

Watching Chu Ren Di prepare to take Su Cheng away, Fang Xu suddenly bowed and spoke.

Chu Ren Di blinked slightly: "What is it?"

"Your disciple wishes to fight Su Cheng on the Life-Death Platform!" Fang Xu said, word by word.

He had already secretly sworn that Su Cheng must be personally slain by his own hand!

Upon hearing Fang Xu's words, Chu Ren Di hesitated.

Although Su Cheng is merely a pill master, unskilled in combat, he is ultimately a Third Realm Martial Venerable.

Fang Xu possesses extraordinary talent, capable of fighting above his level, but there is still more than one major realm between them.

Moreover, Su Cheng now clearly knows he cannot possibly survive; at that moment, he might desperately try to drag Fang Xu down with him, possibly causing an accident.

"This seat approves."

Chu Ren Di did not answer; Jiang Feng responded in his place, agreeing to this matter.

"Senior Brother Jiang..."

Chu Ren Di looked toward Jiang Feng with some concern.

"You don't believe in your own disciple?" Jiang Feng smiled faintly, then said: "I will wait for you on the Life and Death Platform."

After speaking, he flickered and vanished directly.

"Master, don't worry." Seeing Chu Ren Di still wanting to say something, Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Your disciple will be fine."

After the soul was reshaped, he gained finer control over his own power, and his strength had increased by at least thirty percent compared to before.

Moreover, Su Cheng had taken a punch from me and then had his arm injured by Jiang Feng's divine ability—this loss and that gain, I feel killing him will pose no problem.

Seeing his confidence, Chu Ren Di said nothing more and directly shoved Su Cheng toward the Life and Death Platform.

Su Cheng lowered his head, a flicker of madness flashing in his eyes, he glanced sideways at Fang Xu and smirked: "You want to kill me with your own hands?"

"Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me, haha..."

Life and Death Platform.

The Life and Death Platform of the Yu Kingdom Ascension Assembly had not been opened for nearly a hundred years.

Upon hearing that Fang Xu was to duel Su Cheng, the senior brother of Bai Cao Tang, on the Life and Death Platform, disciples within the sect rushed over one after another.

Chu Ren Di brought the two onto the Life and Death Platform, looked toward Fang Xu with concern, and said: "Are you truly confident?"

Fang Xu nodded.

Chu Ren Di then set Su Cheng aside and slowly walked to the edge of the Life and Death Platform to stand.

He had already made up his mind.

I will stand right here; if I detect that Su Cheng intends to take us both down, I will strike immediately.

"Begin."

Seeing both sides had taken their positions, Chu Ren Di spoke calmly.

On the surrounding viewing platforms, the disciples all held their breath!

Everyone knows that the people of Bai Cao Tang are not skilled in combat.

Yet even so, a Martial Lord Third Realm versus a Martial Warrior Second Realm— the gap in cultivation is like an unbridgeable chasm.

Many believe the final outcome of this battle will be Fang Xu getting injured, then Chu Ren Di stepping in to kill Su Cheng.

After the start, Fang Xu launched the first attack, flickered forward, and swung his fists as he charged up.

Su Cheng suddenly drew the long sword at his waist and unleashed several powerful sword glints toward the charging Fang Xu.

Such sword glint attacks pose no threat to Fang Xu at all.

After a few flickers, he arrived before Su Cheng.

In close combat, Su Cheng began to panic.

Over these years, he has spent far more time before the alchemy furnace than holding a sword.

Though he possesses the strength of a Martial Lord Third Realm, he struggles to unleash much of it.

His long sword flailed wildly, attempting to block the approaching Fang Xu!

But Fang Xu had intended to humiliate him—his fists struck the sword one after another, terrifying force combined with Yan Ling Jin transmitting through the sword into Su Cheng's arm.

Gradually, Su Cheng's sword-holding arm went numb, his meridians transmitted waves of burning sensation, and he faintly felt unable to lift the sword.

Seeing Su Cheng's flustered expression, Fang Xu felt it was rather boring.

Lacking the will to fight, lacking the strength befitting a Martial Lord Third Realm, such a Su Cheng is not even as good as some Martial Warrior Great Perfection cultivators.

He had lost the desire to continue playing around; the power in his hand surged suddenly, one punch sent Su Cheng's long sword flying, then another punch struck his chest!

Su Cheng was sent flying backward by the blow.

Yet his body seemed to be wearing inner armor, and after taking Fang Xu's punch, he suffered little injury.

"Junior Brother Fang, he has inner armor made from the skin of the Red Flame Wing Snake!"

On the viewing platform, a disciple of the Divine Weapon Hall shouted loudly.

At that time, Tie Shan used an entire piece of Red Flame Wing Snake King's skin to craft thirteen sets of excellent inner armor.

Su Cheng, as the senior brother of Bai Cao Tang, had joined the Ascension Assembly for decades, accumulated many contribution points, and directly purchased one.

Inner armor?

Fang Xu heard this and felt both amused and exasperated.

This snake skin was brought back by me; I never expected it would today save Su Cheng's life.

But what does having inner armor matter? I can still kill him even with it!

His fists glowed with red light, Fang Xu charged forward again, his terrifying fists pounding Su Cheng's body one after another—he would today shake him to death even through the armor!

Feeling his internal injuries worsening, Su Cheng grew enraged, shoved Fang Xu away, then directly pulled out a black medicine bottle from his bosom!

"Punk, you forced me to this!"

After speaking, he tilted his head and drank the contents of the bottle!

Seeing the medicine bottle in Su Cheng's hand, Fang Xu's expression changed abruptly!

"Divine Blood!?"

The medicine bottle in Su Cheng's hand is precisely that strange Divine Blood of the Yan Shen Sect!

After drinking the Divine Blood, Su Cheng's body began to convulse violently, then a thick layer of scales rapidly grew on his exposed skin, and in the blink of an eye he turned into a strange monster!

"This power..." Su Cheng gazed intoxicated at his powerful hands... or perhaps they could now be called claws.

"Fang Xu, step aside!"

Noticing this, Chu Ren Di flashed to Fang Xu's front, looked at the now fully transformed monster Su Cheng ahead, and said calmly:

Fang Xu nodded.

Su Cheng still has a certain confidence in killing him in this state.

But doing so would inevitably expose his trump card in front of many disciples, which is unnecessary.

He wanted to kill Su Cheng with his own hands, but after beating Su Cheng severely just now, he suddenly found it boring.

Fang Xu slowly walked to the edge of the life-and-death platform, looking at Chu Ren Di facing Su Cheng with his hands behind his back.

"Chu Ren Di, do you know how the inner disciples secretly call you?" Su Cheng's hoarse voice sounded.

Chu Ren Di said lightly: "Chu Yama, right?"

"I quite like this name."

After saying that, he slowly raised his hand, and a blood-red dagger with strange patterns slowly appeared!

Fang Xu, standing nearby, could clearly feel that this dagger was not a treasure, nor was it a weapon condensed from blood qi like Gong Wanrong's.

This is my master's divine ability!?

Fang Xu curiously looked at the blood-red dagger in Chu Ren Di's palm.

And Chu Ren Di seemed to also want to demonstrate his divine ability to Fang Xu, so he did not rush to attack Su Cheng.

After the blood-red dagger circled around him several times, it returned to his palm. Fang Xu carefully felt the changes in Chu Ren Di's body and his own blood qi when he was manipulating the divine ability.

"So it can be done like this..."

Upon careful observation, Fang Xu discovered that after Chu Ren Di used his divine ability, he was not entirely relying on his own blood qi to sustain it, but instead communicated with the heavenly and earthly energy around him through some means, using most of that energy to let his divine ability last longer.

Moreover, Fang Xu guessed that under this state, the divine ability should be stronger than when he previously relied solely on his own blood qi.

Seeing Fang Xu looking thoughtful, Chu Ren Di nodded in satisfaction, then lightly waved his hand, and the blood-red dagger in his palm instantly vanished!

The next moment, when the dagger reappeared, its sharp blade had already pressed against Su Cheng's brow!

The tough scales grown from divine blood had no effect at all against Chu Ren Di's sharp dagger.

Like tofu, it was directly split open by the blood-red dagger, then pierced through Su Cheng's skull.

The dense scales on Su Cheng's face gradually faded, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

After consuming the divine blood, the instantly swollen power made him feel he should be able to spar with Chu Ren Di, then find a chance to kill Fang Xu in one strike.

But he never expected that facing Chu Ren Di, he would be so weak!

Su Cheng died.

On the viewing platform, Xu Changqing's face flashed with a complex expression, then he slowly turned to the surrounding disciples and said: "Carry your senior brother to Bai Cao Tang for burial."

One day as a teacher, forever as a father.

Having been teacher and student for over thirty years with Su Cheng, everything was as Xu Qingzhou said—Xu Changqing and Su Cheng's relationship had long been like father and son.

Even if Su Cheng tried to poison him and take his life, Xu Changqing still couldn't bear to expel him from the sect, and continued to let the disciples bury his body in Bai Cao Tang.

After settling Su Cheng's matter, Chu Ren Di looked at Fang Xu and said: "Your other master, Lu Zhiyuan, has already been sent to the mountain foot villa—go see him."

Fang Xu nodded.

……

At the mountain foot villa, when Fang Xu pushed open the courtyard gate, Lu Zhiyuan was sitting inside reading a book, while Tong Tong sat cross-legged cultivating nearby.

After nearly a year apart, master and disciple met again, and Fang Xu's expression was somewhat complex.

Previously, Lu Zhiyuan was only a third-rank martial master, which made him seem unattainable to Fang Xu.

Now, Fang Xu had caught up to his steps, and even surpassed him in strength.

"Master."

Fang Xu called out.

Lu Zhiyuan's body trembled slightly, then he slowly raised his head to look at Fang Xu.

"Come?" With a smile on his face, Lu Zhiyuan slowly stood up, sized up Fang Xu, and said: "Your strength has already surpassed mine."

"As master, I indeed did not misjudge you."

Fang Xu gave an embarrassed smile and said: "Senior Sister has gone to carry out the task of promoting inner disciples, and should be back soon."

Lu Zhiyuan nodded and said:

"I heard."

"Fang Xu, please sit."

After the two sat facing each other, Tong Tong brought them tea, then returned to her original seat and sat cross-legged.

"As a master, I am not qualified." Looking at Fang Xu, Lu Zhiyuan sighed.

When people's masters only teach them for a few months, yet now the disciple's cultivation has surpassed the master's, Lu Zhiyuan also knows he has nothing left to teach.

"Master, why say these things? One day as a teacher, forever as a father."

"Although master only taught the disciple for a few months, what he taught during those months is enough for the disciple to benefit for a lifetime."

The things Lu Zhiyuan truly taught him are few, but whether it's the divine attendants he gave, the strange wooden staff, or the stone tablet of the 'Yan Ling True Explanation,' they are all precious things.

Even the eighth-rank martial art 'Nine Monkey Staff' allowed Fang Xu to rely on it to survive many crises.

Lu Zhiyuan laughed and nodded.

Fang Xu values loyalty and righteousness—this point, Lu Zhiyuan admires.

"However..."

Lu Zhiyuan's face suddenly darkened, and he said solemnly:

"As master, I have calculated that your fate is unfavorable."

"With my current ability, I also cannot help you resolve it."

"My fate is unfavorable?"

Fang Xu was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

Could it be that Lu Zhiyuan can see my system?

"Fang Xu, there is nothing left for me to teach you now."

"This is a secret art passed down for over a thousand years in the Mu Yun Kingdom, and today I will pass it on to you entirely."

Lu Zhiyuan said, pulling out an ancient tortoise shell from his bosom.

This tortoise shell is actually a rare white one, like white jade.

Strange symbols are carved on the tortoise shell, along with cracks left by time.

"I believe you now know my identity."

Fang Xu said nothing.

He roughly knew that Lu Zhiyuan and Lu Qingluo were remnants of the Mu Yun Kingdom, but the specifics were still unclear to him.

"Qingluo's grandfather, and also my father, was the Tai Bu of the Mu Yun Kingdom."

"The heads of the Lu family generation after generation have been the Grand Priests of the Mu Yun Kingdom. Back then, my grandfather calculated that the Mu Yun Kingdom would face a great calamity, and after trying every means to resolve it without success, he secretly set up a scheme."

"This scheme was both to preserve a thread of the Lu family's bloodline and to be the hope for the future restoration of the Mu Yun Kingdom."

Fang Xu nodded and said: "Then what about the Southern Wu senior..."

"Southern Wu is another major clan of the Mu Yun Kingdom, the people of the Nan clan, men are called Guan, women are called Wu, and they have been loyal to the Mu Yun royal family generation after generation."

"This tortoise shell contains a strange art passed down from ancient times in the Lu family, called the Qi Tian Art, but now, the other part of the Qi Tian Art was seized by Zhao Wuji after the divine temple was destroyed back then."

"Without that part, I cannot comprehend the Qi Tian Art anymore, and I estimate I will not have the chance in this life to see the complete inheritance of the Qi Tian Art."

"So I will just leave it to you; perhaps you can comprehend something from it."

Fang Xu felt the tortoise shell, then suddenly thought of his own grandfather, and immediately said: "Master, do you still remember my grandfather?"

Lu Zhiyuan slightly nodded and said: "Your grandfather was also a remarkable person; although he had profound attainments in feng shui, he chose to live in seclusion, staying in Fenglin Town as a small carpenter."

It turns out my grandfather really knew feng shui!

Fang Xu said somewhat incredulously: "Then Master, do you know how profound my grandfather's feng shui really is?"

Lu Zhiyuan gave a light smile: "Stronger than me, and possibly even stronger than those old fellows of the Yu Kingdom's Qin Tian Jian."

Stronger than those old fellows of the Qin Tian Jian!?

Fang Xu was somewhat shocked.

Living day and night with him, I never noticed the slightest clue.

"Your grandfather not telling you his identity naturally has his plans; you need not overthink it."

"There is a very important matter you need to pay close attention to now."

Lu Zhiyuan said, slowly placing his hands behind his back, his expression solemn: "The Yu Emperor Li Cangwu is about to break through."

Li Cangwu is about to break through?

Fang Xu stepped forward to Lu Zhiyuan, frowning: "Is this news reliable?"

Lu Zhiyuan nodded: "The news should be reliable."

"The reason Li Cangwu back then wanted to slaughter the millions of common people of my Mu Yun Kingdom and exterminate all the royal members was precisely because the ancient inheritance of the Mu Yun Kingdom contained a method to break through the Wu Zun realm."

"After I came out, I learned that Li Cangwu issued a self-reproach edict, pardoned the world, and even did not hesitate to reduce taxes."

"All these signs indicate that he is urgently trying to enhance the fortune of the Yu Kingdom."

"This situation indicates that he has already comprehended that method."

Fang Xu said nothing.

He was thinking, what consequences will Li Cangwu's breakthrough bring.

Looking at the current situation, the Ascension Immortal Assembly and the Yu Kingdom at least appear peaceful on the surface.

Behind the Ascension Immortal Assembly lies the Immortal Island; even if Li Cangwu breaks through, he should not dare to act against the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

But the grudges between myself and the various great clans are likely not easily resolved.

After Li Cangwu breaks through the Elemental Martial Realm, he will inevitably act against the various great clans, but such action will certainly not be a reckless, self-maiming extermination.

Fang Xu guessed that Li Cangwu will ultimately likely force the various great clans and powers to submit completely.

At that time, if I seek revenge against the various great families, it will be equivalent to directly opposing a powerful expert of the Elemental Martial Realm.

This will be troublesome.

"Do you understand my concern?" Seeing Fang Xu lost in thought, Lu Zhiyuan spoke.

Fang Xu merely nodded, saying nothing.

"Fang Xu, I only want to tell you: act when you can, do not force when you cannot."

"Your path is still long; Li Cangwu is merely a stumbling block on your martial path—walk slowly, do not rush."

After saying these, Lu Zhiyuan smiled lightly: "Alright, I have Tongtong accompanying me; you go back and cultivate."

Fang Xu clasped his hands and left the separate courtyard.

After entering the mountain gate, he directly went to the Affairs Hall, and after a little inquiry, he knew where Yun Wan currently resided.

Arriving at the back mountain of the Affairs Hall, Fang Xu found Yun Wan's residence, but saw lanterns hanging at the door.

This indicates Yun Wan is in seclusion; Fang Xu also did not disturb her, directly returned to the Law Enforcement Hall, and began to comprehend what Lu Zhiyuan and Chu Ren Di had given him.

(End of Chapter)