Chapter 160

Hidden Dragon Pass.

Upon returning to this place again, Fang Xu couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Back then, he was hunted by the combined forces of Yu State, wandering from the ruins of Tilan Mountain deep into its interior, then following the old ape downstream along the great river to reach the Twilight Cloud Prairie, then heading north to Liangzhou, and from Liangzhou southward, passing through Hidden Dragon Pass and entering Zhongzhou.

At that time, it seemed as if everyone in Yu State wanted him dead, with his wanted posters plastered everywhere.

Now, looking at Hidden Dragon Pass again, Fang Xu slightly shook his head, rode the Cloud-Stepping Colt out of the pass, and then headed straight for the Sea of Death.

This season, the Sea of Death was unusually calm; Fang Xu rode the Cloud-Stepping Colt across the golden desert, unable to help but recall how he and the old ape had nearly been trapped to death in this desert before.

"That time, the Sea of Death seemed to have experienced some strange phenomenon of reversed directions..."

Gazing at the tranquil desert before him, Fang Xu suddenly felt a stir of curiosity in his heart—he wanted to see what wonders this desert truly held.

Dismounting from the Cloud-Stepping Colt, Fang Xu walked slowly across the desert.

This season, with no sandstorms, many caravans traveling between Zhongzhou and Liangzhou, as well as some martial artists, chose to take the Sea of Death route to Liangzhou.

After the medicine-gathering team of Baicao Hall was attacked, the Ascension Immortal Society immediately dispatched personnel to investigate the bandits' origins, confirmed their hideout, and then assigned the mission to Shen Nan in the form of a task.

But Fang Xu firmly believed his intuition was not wrong!

His body was quickly swallowed by endless quicksand.

Shen Nan nodded.

Leaving the Cloud-Stepping Colt at the outpost, Fang Xu accompanied Shen Nan as they rode warhorses toward the mission site.

The dream did not end here, but the disciples of the Liangzhou Ascension Immortal Society outpost shouted to wake him.

The entire Sea of Death was breathing!

After leaving Liangzhou City, Fang Xu did not travel with Shen Nan but came alone ahead of time to the bandits' lair.

Breath!

These things could attract numerous martial artists to pan for gold, naturally breeding many ruthless bandits.

I began to dream!

He dreamed of himself walking alone in an endless desert, the blazing sun hanging overhead, and he just walked aimlessly.

Not because of anything else, but as this feeling grew stronger and stronger, he became afraid!

During this time, many people noticed a strange figure leading a divine steed, the Cloud-Stepping Colt, wandering through this sea of sand.

Before his eyes was pitch black; he didn't know where he was, but he could hear strong, powerful drumbeats in his ears.

Knowing that since entering the martial artist realm, he had basically spent every night in cultivation, rarely falling into ordinary sleep like common people, let alone dreaming.

The desolate Gobi desert made Yu State unwilling to station troops there, and combined with the complex and tangled forces in Liangzhou, no single dominant power established rules, which led to bandits of all sizes flourishing in the desert.

These desert bandits: some were forced to flee here after committing crimes and being placed under imperial warrant; others had offended certain clan powers, had nowhere else to go, and thus chose to become outlaws.

But just last night, while cultivating, he actually fell asleep and had a strange dream.

Moreover, some were essentially backed in secret by certain powers and families.

In fact, her cultivation level was slightly higher than Fang Xu's.

Think back—when Li Lingjiang, daughter of Li Xingyan, was in this desert, she nearly got killed, let alone others.

"You decide based on the situation; if you truly can't hold on, don't force yourself—preserving your life is most important."

Upon seeing Fang Xu, Shen Nan clasped his hands and shouted.

In short, these reckless ones don't care who you are—if they meet you, they dare to strike.

But whether it was Fang Xu's deeds before joining the Ascension Immortal Society, or his battles with Su Cheng after joining it, Shen Nan knew that this inner disciple before him, whose cultivation was three realms below his own, possessed true combat strength far beyond what a mere Martial Artist Third Realm would suggest.

Outside Liangzhou City, the endless Gobi desert was not barren—it held many precious materials for forging weapons, herbs for alchemy, and even some small ruins, etc.

This was a female disciple: short hair, bronzed skin, her features not stunning, but she looked pleasant to behold; her long, taut legs revealed at a glance that she was a martial artist skilled in leg techniques.

The longer he stayed above, the clearer this feeling became; eventually, he left.

"Let's go."

"Fang Senior Brother."

After leaving the Sea of Death and arriving in Liangzhou City, Fang Xu noticed his body had developed some problems.

Following the map's instructions, Shen Nan directly headed toward the bandits' lair.

Fang Xu nodded and said: "In this mission, if I intervene, it means your mission has failed."

Suddenly, the yellow sand beneath his feet began to collapse without warning, and no matter how he struggled, it was useless.

This Sea of Death seemed to have a breathing quality!

Though this feeling was very faint and intermittent, if not carefully sensed, it would seem like an illusion.

After Fang Xu got up, he washed up briefly, then came to the outpost exterior and saw Shen Nan.

But because of the Sea of Death's fearsome reputation, they mostly just hurried through, unwilling to linger even a moment in this desert.

It was the outer disciple named Shen Nan who had already arrived in Liangzhou, preparing to go to the desert bandits' lair to carry out the mission.

Dong!

Dong!

Someone also recognized this figure as Fang Xu, and they all wondered what Fang Xu was doing in this sea of sand.

At this time, Fang Xu had already stayed in the Sea of Death for over ten days; after more than ten days of careful observation, he gradually made some startling discoveries.

Behind the low hills, Fang Xu quietly observed the strength of this band of bandits.

In total, over twenty people; the strongest was a one-eyed man wielding a long spear, at Martial Artist Eighth Realm, two realms above Shen Nan's cultivation.

Among the remaining bandits, there were seven Martial Artists, but their cultivation generally lay below Martial Artist Fifth Realm, posing little threat.

Aside from these eight, the rest—over a dozen—were Martial Trainees, negligible.

Looking at Shen Nan's promotion task, then thinking of his own promotion task, Fang Xu felt somewhat speechless.

My three promotion missions: one was to go to Fushu Country to wipe out the Yanshen Sect's stronghold, but the enemies I encountered were all Martial Lords, and I barely completed it by risking my life.

The second was to go to the third layer of the Ti Lan Shan ruins, where we encountered countless Crimson Flame Winged Snakes, and Gu Qiu and I barely survived.

The last mission was encountering the mutated Yushan Tianyi; if not for the strange wooden stick working wonders at a critical moment, sucking Yushan Tianyi dry, I would probably have already become a lab rat for the Yanshen Sect.

Looking at Shen Nan's mission, it's really simple.

Time passed bit by bit; Fang Xu waited outside the thieves' den for two days, and Shen Nan appeared.

After reaching the mission site, Shen Nan did not immediately act but instead carefully observed for a day, figuring out the thieves' strength.

On the third night, Shen Nan launched the attack.

Fang Xu still hid nearby, quietly observing.

As a Sixth Realm Martial Master, Shen Nan is indeed skilled in leg techniques, but she also holds two short daggers in her hands.

Shen Nan, who sneaked into the thieves' lair, easily dealt with several guarding Martial Disciples, then directly charged into the thieves' lair.

Fang Xu followed and sneaked in; he needed to protect Shen Nan's life at critical moments.

The outer enemies were easily dealt with, but when it came to the Martial Masters, Shen Nan still made a mistake.

While killing a Third Realm Martial Master warrior, she accidentally alerted him; this Third Realm Martial Master warrior, before dying, sent out a warning, letting the remaining thieves hear it, and Shen Nan was surrounded.

Holding a long spear, with strength reaching the Eighth Realm of Martial Master, the one-eyed thief looked at the surrounded Shen Nan, a hint of lust appearing on his face.

"Little girl, who sent you?"

Shen Nan gripped her short daggers, calmly looking at the one-eyed man and said: "Outer disciple of the Ascension Immortal Association."

Ascension Immortal Association!?

Hearing this, the one-eyed man frowned tightly, then immediately recalled the herbal gathering team they had intercepted and killed not long ago, which seemed to be from the Ascension Immortal Association.

But during that interception, they were on the territory of another bandit group; how did the Ascension Immortal Association people find out about us?

"Brothers, kill her, we must leave this place quickly!"

The one-eyed man clearly understood that since the Ascension Immortal Association had found us, we must leave this place, otherwise we would inevitably face the harshest punishment.

Fortunately, the Ascension Immortal Association only sent a Sixth Realm Martial Master little girl this time.

Hearing this, several nearby Martial Masters showed no hesitation and directly charged at Shen Nan.

Shen Nan also seemed to understand that only by first defeating this bandit chief whose cultivation reached the Eighth Realm of Martial Master could she have a chance to win; otherwise, dragging it out would likely get her killed.

Her long legs suddenly kicked, and she directly lunged at the one-eyed man.

Being able to pass the Ascension Immortal Association's assessment, logically, Shen Nan should have strength beyond her realm; dealing with an ordinary Martial Master two realms above her should not be a problem.

But the one-eyed Martial Master before her seems not to be an ordinary Martial Master.

As soon as they made contact, Shen Nan felt something was off!

The one-eyed man's strength is indeed strong; facing my fierce assault, his face showed not the slightest surprise, leisurely strolling as he blocked all my attacks.

In the distance, Fang Xu seeing this scene also felt somewhat curious.

The one-eyed man's strength is indeed somewhat strange, completely unlike that of an ordinary Martial Master.

Even from his gestures, Fang Xu vaguely sensed a hint of the flavor of a special star chart.

Chu Ren Di once said that a special star chart can enhance a martial artist's strength by nearly twenty percent; if the one-eyed man truly mastered a special star chart, Shen Nan's mission this time would likely be dangerous.

In the fierce clash, the surrounding thieves below the Fifth Realm of Martial Master could not intervene at all.

Shen Nan fought on and grew more shocked; she could clearly feel that the one-eyed man before her had not yet exerted his full strength.

Could it be that my mission this time will fail?

Her beautiful eyes flashed; she immediately gave up her fierce assault on the one-eyed man, preparing to attack other Martial Masters instead.

If this continues, the one-eyed man will certainly choose to rescue his subordinates; then she can look for an opportunity to deal a heavy blow to him.

The idea is good, but she misjudged the status of these Martial Masters in the one-eyed man's heart.

Regarding his subordinates being killed, the one-eyed man has always maintained a cold, indifferent attitude.

Until Shen Nan severed the last Martial Master's head, the one-eyed man's face showed not only no anger, but instead he smiled and clapped his hands, saying: "Not bad, thank you for helping me kill them."

"Now we don't need to share the loot with them."

Shen Nan's face looked somewhat grim; obviously she had not expected things to develop to this extent.

Gritting her teeth, she launched another attack on the one-eyed man!

Exerting twelve parts of strength, she kicked out a continuous series of leg shadows at the one-eyed man!

These leg shadows in mid-air turned into blade after blade, forming a dense, impenetrable net that swept toward the one-eyed man!

Clearly, this is a martial technique, and its grade is not low.

Seeing this, the one-eyed man's face rarely showed a hint of seriousness; his long spear suddenly thrust forward!

Next moment!

The long spear transformed into a green giant python that devours people, biting toward the vast net formed by countless leg shadows!

"Is this his star chart?"

In the distance, Fang Xu watched the two combatants and said lightly.

Although the one-eyed man's move is a martial technique, it actually contains the power of a special star chart!

Poison!

The green giant python's body emitted a trace of almost imperceptible green mist, obviously a deadly poison.

Shen Nan also has considerable combat experience; upon noticing the green giant python lunging, she immediately leapt up, retreating while slashing blade after blade with her short daggers, preparing to block the green giant python!

But at this moment, the man's long spear suddenly thrust forward!

His body, like a flexible poisonous snake, twisted left and right amidst the dense blade shadows, and with the long spear, he directly charged at the retreating Shen Nan!

The one-eyed man's speed is very fast; the sharp spear tip arrived before Shen Nan in an instant!

Retreating Shen Nan seemed not to have expected the one-eyed man still had this move; wanting to react, it was already too late!

I saw the long spear about to pierce through her body—

Ah!

A faint dragon's roar echoed!

Shen Nan felt a fierce phantom of a divine dragon burst from behind her, and in the next instant, the phantom directly slammed into the one-eyed man!

The divine dragon dissipated, and Fang Xu appeared before her.

Meanwhile, the one-eyed man had already been flung over ten zhang away, lifeless.

Shen Nan, still shaken, looked at Fang Xu's back and awkwardly clasped her hands: "Thank you, Senior Brother Fang, for saving me."

Fang Xu nodded slightly and said: "Just now, when I acted, did you have any objections?"

Shen Nan shook her head.

Had it not been for Fang Xu's timely intervention, she would have struggled to dodge the one-eyed man's spear.

"Then your mission this time counts as a failure." Fang Xu said, walking straight to the one-eyed man's corpse.

A mere bandit blocking the road actually possessed a special star chart, and his strength seemed considerable—Fang Xu was curious about his identity.

He crouched down and searched the man's chest thoroughly, his expression turning strange.

Nothing at all?

Could it be he brought nothing with him?

Fang Xu rose and glanced toward a nearby hut, preparing to investigate, when he suddenly noticed a black cloth pouch hanging from the one-eyed man's waist.

At first he thought it was a money pouch, but upon closer inspection, he realized this black cloth pouch seemed far from ordinary.

Could it be a Qiankun Bag!?

He bent down and snatched the black cloth pouch from the man's waist; the moment he grasped it, a hint of joy appeared on Fang Xu's face!

Indeed, it was a Qiankun Bag!

This one-eyed man actually carried a Qiankun Bag—apparently he had once enjoyed decent fortune.

After stashing the Qiankun Bag into his own bosom, Fang Xu turned to Shen Nan and said: "Although your mission failed this time, these bandits should have plenty of valuable loot, and those medicinal herbs should also be there."

Shen Nan blinked slightly, then hesitantly said: "Senior Brother Fang, you don't want them?"

Fang Xu shook his head.

Since this one-eyed man possessed a Qiankun Bag, all his valuables were surely hidden inside it; the remaining items were likely not worth much, so he couldn't be bothered to collect them.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Fang!"

Shen Nan was delighted, then hurried into the bandits' quarters, where she indeed found numerous plundered goods and the medicinal herbs looted from Baicao Tang.

All items together filled two wagons to the brim.

"Let's go."

"I can only escort you to Liangzhou City."

Accompanying Shen Nan and the two wagons of goods back to Liangzhou City, he handed them over to the Ascension Immortal Society's outpost there, thus completing this mission.

The next morning, Fang Xu arrived at the gathering place of the ascetics in the city.

Last time passing through Liangzhou City, he had intended to visit Master Ku Lun, but at that time the master was in seclusion, so they did not meet.

"Excuse me, is Master Ku Lun present?" As soon as he entered the poor district, Fang Xu saw two ascetics in tattered clothes drawing water by the well.

"The master is inside." The two assessed Fang Xu briefly, then spoke directly.

Fang Xu clasped his hands and proceeded straight to Ku Lun's dwelling.

Upon first sight, Fang Xu sensed something amiss.

Ku Lun's aura seemed considerably weakened; his eyes, once like two deep pools, now appeared dim and lackluster.

"Fang Xiaoyou."

Seeing Fang Xu, Ku Lun showed both surprise and delight.

Fang Xu quickly said: "Master, what has happened to you?"

Ku Lun smiled faintly and shook his head: "It's nothing."

"Recently I had a sudden feeling, attempted a breakthrough in seclusion, but..."

"Fang Xiaoyou, my time is short."

Seeing Ku Lun utter these words calmly, Fang Xu's expression grew complex.

Ku Lun chose to force a breakthrough this time undoubtedly because, with his remaining lifespan dwindling and his vital energy declining, he realized that further delay would only reduce his chances of success.

In Fang Xu's eyes, Ku Lun was a venerable elder worthy of respect.

When they first met, Ku Lun had gifted him a peculiar broken sword.

Later, in the ruins of Tilan Mountain, he even did so to aid Fang Xu in confronting the mysterious minor leader of the Yanshen Sect.

Afterwards, to ensure Fang Xu could safely reach Zhongzhou, he willingly bore all the troubles caused by "Hu Ertu" on Fang Xu's behalf.

"Master."

Fang Xu felt a stir in his heart and immediately took out a wine jar from his Qiankun Bag.

"See if this is of any use to you."

Ku Lun, upon seeing it, looked curiously at the wine jar: "Is it wine?"

Fang Xu shook his head and directly opened the jar's lid.

Instantly, a rich vitality energy drifted out from the jar.

Ku Lun's usually calm face showed a hint of surprise; he cautiously leaned forward and sniffed it.

"This is the Nectar of Creation from the Purification Pool!?"

Nectar of Creation?

Fang Xu did not know whether this green liquid was truly the Nectar of Creation, but that the green liquid came from the Purification Pool was indeed true.

"Is this thing called the Creation Immortal Elixir?" Fang Xu asked curiously.

Ku Lun suppressed the excitement in his heart and slowly opened his mouth: "Regarding the legend of the Purification Pool, I saw it in an ancient text."

"And I have also been fortunate enough to see the Purification Pool, but that pool has already dried up, and there is no Creation Immortal Elixir inside."

"Fang Xiaoyou, where did you obtain this Creation Immortal Elixir?"

Fang Xu gave a faint smile: "In the sea."

"Master, can this jar help you?"

Facing Fang Xu's gaze, Ku Lun's expression was complex, then he relaxed and waved his hand: "Fang Xiaoyou, you should quickly put this away."

Fang Xu was puzzled: "Master, Yuan Bo is also exhausted in qi and blood, and after taking this... Creation Immortal Elixir, he has already returned to his peak. Why are you still being polite to me?"

"Is this jar not enough?"

"Kid, there's still more!"

Saying this, Fang Xu took out another jar of Creation Immortal Elixir.

Ku Lun was somewhat dazed, staring at the Creation Immortal Elixir before him, his voice trembling slightly as he said:

"Fang Xiaoyou, how much of this have you obtained?"

"Even a drop of Creation Immortal Elixir is a priceless treasure!"

Fang Xu thought for a moment and said: "Not much, just thirteen jars in total, and now only these two jars remain."

Upon hearing this, Ku Lun felt his heart being fiercely gripped!

The heaven-defying divine object recorded in the ancient texts, Fang Xu actually treats them as jars to use, thirteen jars, already used eleven, is this being drunk like water?

"Master, these two jars I give to you."

"No no no! Not possible! Not possible!"

Ku Lun hurriedly waved his hand to refuse: "My condition is much better than Yuan Bo's, this Creation Immortal Elixir only needs a little."

Saying this, he took out a jade bottle from his Qiankun bag and carefully took a little of the Creation Immortal Elixir from the wine jar.

"Done! Done!"

"Fang Xiaoyou, quickly put the rest away!"

Seeing this, Fang Xu did not heed Ku Lun's advice, directly grabbing the bowl beside him with one hand and lifting the wine jar with the other.

Glug glug glug, he poured another bowl for Ku Lun.

"Master, that little bit is nowhere near enough!"

Ku Lun's whole body felt numb!

This is Creation Immortal Elixir, and people really pour it into a bowl to drink like water.

"This..."

"Master, stop hesitating, if you don't drink it, the energy in this Creation Immortal Elixir will all run away, wouldn't that be even more wasteful."

Hearing his words, Ku Lun trembled as he lifted the bowl before him, finally gritted his teeth, and drank it all in one gulp.

Moreover, after drinking, he poured some tea into the bowl, rinsed it, and drank again.

The energy of the Creation Immortal Elixir rapidly dissipated in his body, repairing the meridians damaged by his forced breakthrough, while also making up for his declining qi and blood.

Feeling the changes in his body, Ku Lun immediately bowed to Fang Xu: "Thank you, Fang Xiaoyou, for your grace of rebirth!"

Seeing this, Fang Xu quickly dodged.

"Master, what are you doing?"

"You have helped me many times, yet I have not thanked you."

Supporting Ku Lun to stand, Fang Xu said: "Master, in my eyes, you are an elder."

Hearing this, Ku Lun wanted to speak but hesitated, then after thinking, he still opened his mouth: "Fang Xiaoyou, there is something I have always concealed from you."

Fang Xu, seeing this, asked curiously: "What matter?"

Ku Lun sighed: "This matter I originally did not intend to tell you, but I now find that with your potential, knowing this seems harmless."

Fang Xu said nothing, silently staring at Ku Lun to continue.

After a long while, Ku Lun organized his thoughts and then slowly said: "Thirty years ago, I and your grandfather Fang Yuanshan were close friends."

Hmm?

Fang Xu was stunned for a moment, then frowned: "Master, did you make a mistake? My grandfather is not called Fang Yuanshan."

Ku Lun shook his head: "Fang Xiaohé is his alias, his real name is Fang Yuanshan."

"Your grandfather is a remarkable person, his mastery of feng shui and mystical arts can seize the creation of heaven and earth."

Hearing this, Fang Xu's expression became somewhat solemn.

Huang Qingzhou said he had once received guidance from your grandfather, so he helped me upon our first meeting.

Lu Zhiyuan also said that his grandfather was an extraordinary feng shui master.

Now Ku Lun also says that your grandfather possesses the mystical art to seize the creation of heaven and earth.

But having lived with him for so many years, how could I not have noticed anything?

Moreover, why would someone with such abilities hide as Fang Xiaohé, working as a carpenter in Maple Forest Town?

"Master, can you tell me about my grandfather?" Bringing doubt, Fang Xu looked toward Ku Lun and asked.

Ku Lun nodded: "To be precise, I met your grandfather thirty-eight years ago."

"Back then, he came to Liangzhou City searching for something, what exactly it is, I still do not know to this day."

"At that time, your grandfather lived in Liangzhou City for over ten years, until one day he suddenly told me that something would happen at home, and then he left Liangzhou, his whereabouts unknown."

"Eighteen years ago, he suddenly sent me a letter, in which he told me that he had leaked too many heavenly secrets and suffered retribution, his days were numbered."

"He wanted to come to Liangzhou to see me one more time, but because he had to take care of you, he could not leave."

Eighteen years ago...

Fang Xu was stunned for a moment, recalling that it was indeed the case—eighteen years ago should have been the day his parents died.

"Fang Xiaoyou, do you still remember the first time I saw you?" Staring at Fang Xu's face, Kulun said: "When I first saw you, I felt you looked very familiar, and later I even glimpsed a trace of an old friend in your memory."

"At that time, I originally wanted to take you away and care for you properly."

"But you had already obtained the Immortal Gate Pass from the Ascension Immortal Assembly."

"I knew my lifespan was nearing its end, and I feared that after my death you would have no one to rely on, so I decided to let you join the Ascension Immortal Assembly."

Fang Xu suddenly understood.

No matter what, when I first met Kulun, he immediately asked me to follow him.

"Master, then what exactly was my grandfather searching for back then?" Fang Xu was very curious.

My grandfather stayed in Liangzhou City for over ten years, so whatever he was seeking could not be simple.

Kulun shook his head: "I never asked him, but from the occasional words your grandfather let slip, I guessed he seemed to be searching for some strange object left behind from ancient times, something called a jade scroll, I think."

"Right!"

Saying that, Kulun suddenly went to the corner of the room, rummaged around, and pulled out a wooden box full of dust and in disrepair.

After blowing off the dust on the surface, he handed it to Fang Xu and said: "This is something your grandfather used back then."

"After he passed away, I have kept it stored all this time; now it's just right to give it all to you."

Fang Xu took the wooden box and opened it to take a look.

Three ancient, old books, some magical tools similar to those used by Daoists in his previous life, a compass, and a damaged cloth bag, bulging as if filled with something, though he didn't know what.

Not having the mind to examine them closely, he directly put the wooden box into his Qiankun bag.

"Master, besides this, did my grandfather ever mention anything about the original affairs of the Fang family?"

Kulun shook his head: "That, I haven't heard."

Fang Xu pondered for a moment, feeling this matter might be worth investigating at the Affairs Hall of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

Not mentioning anything further about his grandfather, Fang Xu looked at Kulun and bowed with clasped hands:

"Master, you should focus on your breakthrough; I will come to visit you again when I have time in the future."

After bidding farewell to Kulun, Fang Xu directly left Liangzhou City, preparing to return to the Ascension Immortal Assembly to look into matters concerning his grandfather.

Affairs Hall.

Fang Xu stated his purpose, and after the junior martial sister at the front desk searched for a while, she shook her head and said: "Fang Senior Brother, sorry, we couldn't find the two people you mentioned."

"Perhaps they are too ordinary, so the Ascension Immortal Assembly didn't record them."

Too ordinary?

Fang Xu heard this and couldn't help but wryly smile.

In Kulun's words, my grandfather possessed a feng shui technique capable of seizing the fortune of heaven and earth—how could he be too ordinary?

The Ascension Immortal Assembly having no records about my grandfather can only mean one thing.

My grandfather hid himself too deeply, so much so that the Ascension Immortal Assembly didn't even notice his existence.

"Alright, thank you for the trouble, Junior Sister."

After leaving the Affairs Hall, Fang Xu returned to his residence, took out his grandfather's wooden box from the Qiankun bag, and prepared to examine it carefully.

First, those basic ancient books.

Fang Xu picked up one and carefully began to flip through it.

"They still haven't given up… alas! Being targeted by this bunch of fellows is really troublesome.

I've been in Liangzhou for three years already, and aside from the Sea of Death, there seems to be no other place that matches the speculation……

But the Sea of Death is a fiercely dangerous place…… down there seems to be some tremendous existence sleeping……

Go? Or not go?"

The first page of this book seems to be a one-year diary, likely written by my grandfather in his third year after arriving in Liangzhou.

The rest of the content consists of some rough maps, with symbols he couldn't understand drawn on them.

After flipping to the last page, Fang Xu also found no useful information.

Then he picked up another book and began to flip through it.

This book left Fang Xu utterly confused—it was filled entirely with things like ghost-drawn talismans, not the mysterious patterns he had seen before, nor resembling text; at first glance, it looked like random scribbles.

On the third book, Fang Xu again found some rough writing.

"Xiaoling has given birth, it's a big fat boy, my Fang family now has an heir!

When fate has it, it must come; when fate lacks it, do not force it—I was too obsessed; Yue'e is already dead, it's time to return.

But before I leave, even if I must create more killing karma, I must kill those fellows, and absolutely cannot let them follow me to Jizhou!"

The content on this book is not much, only a few dozen characters.

Yet from these few short sentences, Fang Xu still managed to capture several important pieces of information.

First, the thing my grandfather was searching for should be related to my grandmother, whom I have never met.

Second, my ancestral home might originally have been in Jizhou!

After putting the three books away, Fang Xu then examined those strange and curious objects.

Those things cannot be considered treasures, but they seem to possess another kind of strange energy.

Fang Xu couldn't figure it out, so he didn't study them further.

His gaze fell on the last damaged black cloth bag; Fang Xu picked it up and pulled out an old piece of beast skin from inside.

The moment he opened the beast skin, a smaller piece of beast skin fell out from within.

Fang Xu picked up that smaller piece of beast skin, merely glanced at it, and suddenly froze.

This thing feels so familiar!

It seems……

The light in his hand flashed, and he immediately took out two similar pieces of beast skin from his Qiankun bag.

Indeed, it was this!

Back when he was in Liangzhou City, he obtained two pieces of unknown beast skin from two martial artists named Li Jin and Di Heyu.

Since he did not understand what the inscriptions on the beast skins meant, the two pieces had been lying in his Qiankun bag.

Now that he actually found another piece of beast skin among his grandfather's relics, could it be that what his grandfather was searching for back then was exactly what was recorded on these three incomplete pieces of beast skin?

After putting the three pieces of beast skin together, Fang Xu roughly glanced at them.

From the blurred lines on the beast skins, he could see that what was recorded on them seemed to truly be that desert in the Sea of Death Sands.

However, he still lacked the most crucial part, so he dared not be certain.

Setting aside the three incomplete pieces of beast skin, Fang Xu opened another complete one.

When the map was unfurled, Fang Xu was stunned!

What was recorded on this beast skin was truly shocking!

The entire map seemed to depict a vast world!

The reason for this speculation was that he noticed some cities on the map were only the size of a grain of rice!

The entire map contained two-thirds ocean and one-third land.

In the center of the land, there was a tower-shaped building; upon close inspection, Fang Xu discovered that this tower-shaped building was actually inlaid with some unknown mineral.

What exactly is this?

Fang Xu did not quite understand.

He was certain that this map was absolutely not any place he was familiar with; it seemed like another world.

After carefully studying it, when Fang Xu put these beast skin maps back into his Qiankun bag, he suddenly recalled the black Qiankun bag he had obtained from the one-eyed man.

He took the black Qiankun bag out from his bosom.

As for the Qiankun bag, it was not like the storage rings in some xianxia novels from his previous life, which could not be forcibly opened after the owner's death.

This thing was ownerless; after the owner's death, anyone who obtained it could easily open it as long as their soul power was slightly stronger.

After opening the black Qiankun bag, he took out everything inside, and Fang Xu quickly flipped through them.

Some pills, many first- and second-grade treasures, herbs, ores, and various miscellaneous items.

These items would be considered considerable wealth in the eyes of ordinary martial artists, but to Fang Xu, they were just so-so.

After sorting these items into categories, he noticed a mysterious stone tablet.

Picking up the stone tablet, Fang Xu examined it carefully and felt it was very familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

But he could not quite remember where exactly.

Staring intently at the inscriptions on the stone tablet, Fang Xu searched his memory……

After a long while, he suddenly widened his eyes.

Jade Turtle!

He now remembered where he had seen this stone tablet!

In the Jade Turtle World!

Back then, Lu Zhiyuan gave him the jade turtle shell inscribed with the Qitiantian Technique; when he comprehended the Qitiantian Technique, he once observed the life of an ancient sage.

This stone tablet seemed to be exactly what that sage left behind when he was controlling the waters!

Thinking of this, Fang Xu solemnly stroked the stone tablet in his hand; if his memory served him correctly, this stone tablet was very likely from antiquity.

Was this stone tablet discovered by the one-eyed man in Liangzhou?

Could it be that countless years ago, that sage's tribe was actually near Liangzhou?

Fang Xu now somewhat regretted killing that one-eyed man in a single blow; otherwise, he might have been able to extract the origin of this stone tablet from him.

Never mind, having no clues, he could only first put the stone tablet away.

……

Zhongzhou Imperial City, deep within the palace.

In the dim secret chamber, Emperor Yu Huang Li Cangwu was currently sitting cross-legged in the center of an extremely complex altar; behind him, a huge white jade statue stood erect, and upon close inspection, this statue was entirely a replica of Li Cangwu's appearance.

At this moment, countless faint golden lights flowed within the white jade statue, then converged into strands of golden energy that surged toward Li Cangwu's body.

Li Cangwu at the center of the altar furrowed his brows tightly, with dense beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, appearing extremely painful.

After a long while——

"Ah!"

Li Cangwu's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, letting out a painful howl; then his throat felt sweet, and a large spray of blood mist erupted!

The disheveled Li Cangwu covered his chest with one hand and propped himself on the ground with the other, watching the blood slowly drip from the corner of his mouth; his face was full of resentment.

"Failed again……"

"Why did I fail again!!"

Staggering to his feet, he turned his head to look behind at the huge statue, noticing a few faint red glimmers hidden within the statue, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes.

"It's you!"

"You must have influenced me!"

"I will destroy you, destroy you!"

He fiercely swept his sleeve, Li Cangwu quickly walked out of the secret chamber and came to the main hall.

"Come here!"

The little temple attendant in the hall hurried over and bowed with clasped hands, saying: "Your Majesty."

Li Cangwu's eyes slightly narrowed, and he spoke calmly: "Let the Grand General come to see me!"

The little temple attendant trembled, hurriedly bowed his body and retreated from the hall, then ran toward the outside of the palace.

A moment later, Zhao Wují's figure appeared at the gate of the main hall. Noticing the somewhat listless aura on Li Cangwu's body, Zhao Wují was stunned for a moment and did not dare to ask, merely clasping his hands slightly and saying: "Wují pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Li Cangwu waved his hand, then looked toward the temple attendants and palace maids and said: "All of you, withdraw."

The young temple attendants and palace maids in the hall all bowed and then left the main hall.

"Wují, come."

Li Cangwu beckoned, gesturing for Zhao Wují to come before him.

He reached out and placed his hand on Li Cangwu's shoulder, Li Cangwu said lightly: "I am about to take action now—what do you think?"

Zhao Wují was slightly startled, and hastily clasped his hands and said:

"I respectfully obey Your Majesty's command!"

"Wují will now go summon the troops!"

Li Cangwu grabbed the wrist of Zhao Wují, who was about to leave, and said somewhat helplessly: "Wují, I am asking for your opinion, not ordering you to act now."

Zhao Wují stopped in his tracks, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me—I am a blunt man and do not understand these matters..."

A flash of pleasure crossed Li Cangwu's eyes; he liked Zhao Wují's unambitious, unpretentious nature.

"Then I ask you: if we treat them as enemies on the battlefield, do you now have any good strategy to defeat them?"

Zhao Wují slowly straightened his body, met Li Cangwu's gaze, and said: "If it is the battlefield, I feel now is not the best time to defeat the enemy."

Li Cangwu was stunned: "Then if I order you to defeat the enemy now, how would you proceed?"

Zhao Wují clasped his hands and said: "Drive away the wolves and tigers, divide and consume them."

"Drive away the wolves and tigers... divide and consume..." Li Cangwu paced, muttering the two phrases, then suddenly turned and said: "Who is the wolf, who is the tiger? How to divide them?"

Zhao Wují clasped his hands and said: "This subordinate has received news that the three great clans of Wucheng have recently been in constant friction."

Li Cangwu, hearing this, seemed doubtful and said: "I have heard that the Chu, Feng, and Wang three great clans of Wucheng are on very good terms—why have they developed friction?"

Zhao Wují smiled faintly and said: "Because of one person."

The reason the three great clans of Wucheng have fallen out is precisely because, when Fang Xu passed through Wucheng earlier, he unintentionally stirred up trouble.

His scheme is actually not particularly clever—if the three great clans could simply sit down calmly and talk, they would easily realize that all of this is Fang Xu's plot.

But the problem lies in the fact that the three great clans have not been of one mind for years.

This can be seen from the Chu clan secretly feasting Wang Xu while concealing it from the Feng and Wang clans.

The three clans jointly dividing the resources of one city—normally there would be some accumulated resentment, but the three clans had not broken face, so these small grudges were temporarily suppressed.

Now, with this outbreak, new and old grudges are summed up, and the contradiction naturally flares up immediately.

It is said that the three clans have already come to blows, and each has lost some martial artists.

"According to your opinion, whom should we spare among the three great clans of Wucheng?" Li Cangwu pondered for a moment and asked.

Zhao Wují hastily clasped his hands: "Whomever Your Majesty wishes dead, this subordinate will kill!"

Li Cangwu nodded and said: "I very much like Chu Yangping—go ahead."

"Yes!" Zhao Wují clasped his hands, then left the main hall.

That day, a piece of news instantly spread throughout the entire Yu Kingdom.

The Feng clan of Wucheng, the Wang clan of Wucheng—disregarding the law, wantonly slaughtering commoners, seizing official lands, bullying the market, plundering the citizens of Yushan Kingdom...

To make the two clans appear deserving of punishment, Zhao Wují publicly read out nearly a hundred charges investigated by the Supervision Bureau against the two clans!

These charges are clearly recorded in the laws of the Yu Kingdom, but in the past, no one would have pursued them.

Now, having been pointed out by Zhao Wují in the open, they are all capital offenses.

"The Feng and Wang clans have piled up crimes, their wickedness is full—now, this general, acting on Your Majesty's order, will take all the direct descendants of the Feng and Wang clans back for interrogation by the Supervision Bureau."

With Zhao Wují, a peak Martial Venerate powerhouse, personally present, the Feng and Wang clans had not a single person daring to resist; tens of thousands of clan members from the two great clans were all led away in front of the multitude of commoners.

Upon hearing the news, Chu Yangping was nearly scared to death, fearing that Zhao Wují's party would soon appear at his doorstep.

"Patriarch, Old Man thinks, this is actually a good thing."

Beside Chu Yangping, an old man laughed and said.

"Uncle Jing thinks this is a good thing?" Chu Yangping looked at the old man in confusion: "Our people sent word that the person who slaughtered Zhao Wují did not return directly to Zhongzhou—who knows if he won't also wipe out our Chu clan?"

Chu Jing stroked his beard and laughed: "Zhao Wují did not return to Zhongzhou City—he is waiting for the patriarch."

Chu Yangping, upon hearing this, was slightly stunned, then overjoyed: "Uncle Jing's meaning—is His Majesty preparing to grant Wucheng to our Chu clan?"

Chu Jing nodded and said: "However, fortune and misfortune depend on each other—this matter is probably not so simple."

"The Yu Emperor is a man of great ambition—he does not like aristocratic families not under imperial control."

"This time, if we wish to preserve the Chu clan, we may still have to lose something."

"The patriarch must prepare himself mentally."

Mental preparation?

Chu Yangping thought for a moment, and a hint of unwillingness appeared in his eyes.

He knew what Chu Jing meant by mental preparation.

But now, with the imperial court pressing down strongly, the Chu clan has no strength to resist—either compromise, or like the Wang and Feng clans, see all the accumulated wealth of hundreds of years destroyed in an instant.

"Uncle Jing, I understand."

After saying this, Chu Yangping immediately tidied himself up and set off for the place where Zhao Wují was temporarily staying.

……

At the Ascension Immortal Assembly, Fang Xu happened to hear that the Feng and Wang clans of Wucheng had been ransacked by the imperial household, and he felt somewhat surprised.

He did not know what medicine Li Cangwu was selling in his gourd.

But this matter is undoubtedly good news for him.

The Feng and Wang clans being ransacked means that the Wang clan head Wang Xiao and the Feng clan head Feng Dong, as well as the direct descendants of the two great clans, are very likely to be exiled or executed.

This saves him the trouble of acting himself.

After putting this matter behind him, Fang Xu didn't think much about it; he now had more important things to do.

From the small courtyard to the Law Enforcement Hall, Fang Xu saw Chu Ren Di.

"Master."

Chu Ren Di nodded and said: "During these few days of seclusion, have there been any problems?"

Fang Xu bowed and said: "No problems; my disciple has now reached the peak of the third level of Martial Master."

"I came to ask you, Master, whether there have been any teams recently sent to explore the ruins of Tilan Mountain?"

Chu Ren Di, upon hearing this, became somewhat curious and said: "You want to go to the ruins of Tilan Mountain?"

Fang Xu nodded.

His current strength had already reached the peak of the third level of Martial Master, but because the acupoints needed to construct the Divine Flame Star Chart had not been fully opened, he found himself in an awkward situation.

If he wanted to continue raising his realm now, he could only construct the star chart; but to construct the Divine Flame Star Chart, he must open the third acupoint stone gate.

However, his strength had not increased significantly recently, making it somewhat difficult to open the third acupoint stone gate.

For now, if he wanted to increase his strength, he could only seek opportunities.

The ruins of Tilan Mountain were a good choice; he wanted to go and try his luck, and incidentally see if he could earn some contribution points.

Since learning of the existence of the Star Palace, Fang Xu suddenly felt that his contribution points were somewhat insufficient.

Entering the Star Palace once requires three hundred thousand contribution points; entering the Cliffside Underground Palace once requires one hundred thousand contribution points; the large amount of contribution points made him feel that he could not just stay cooped up in his residence every day, bitterly cultivating.

"The Affairs Hall seems to be organizing an exploration mission soon; you can go and check it out."

"Also, I am arranging for the Transmission of Skill Hall to schedule a promotion mission soon; this way, you can also carry out one inspection mission."

Chu Ren Di roughly understood Fang Xu's plan, and thus he also made use of his own authority to seek some benefits for his disciple.

"Thank you, Master!"

After Fang Xu bowed, he hurried to the Affairs Hall.

In the elegant room of the Affairs Hall, Yan Wu looked at Fang Xu with a half-smile and said: "You want to take a mission to the ruins?"

Fang Xu nodded and said with a smile: "Steward, when will this exploration mission depart?"

"Tomorrow." Yan Wu said, standing up and frowning: "However, this mission is quite difficult; it is led personally by Elder Wuling, and its goal is the fourth layer of the Tilan Mountain ruins; you must think carefully."

Go to the fourth layer of the ruins!?

Fang Xu furrowed his brow; when he and Gu Qiu had once gone to the third layer of the ruins, they encountered the Crimson Flame Winged Snake, and if not for Gu Qiu's many methods, the two might not have made it out alive.

The fourth layer of the ruins must certainly be more dangerous than the third layer.

However, upon thinking of the ruins' suppressive restrictions, Fang Xu suddenly felt that going to the fourth layer didn't matter either way.

The Tilan Mountain ruins, now opened to this point, could roughly be seen as a legacy left by the Evolution God; the dangers within the ruins could be considered as trials set by the Evolution God.

Since it is a trial, it will surely leave people some way to survive.

He has now obtained the first part of the Evolution God's inheritance and can try it out.

"The disciple has considered it clearly." Fang Xu said: "The disciple will come to the Affairs Hall tomorrow to await."

【442】 Yan Wu nodded and handed Fang Xu a token, saying: "This is your mission token; anything obtained in the Tilan Mountain ruins can be exchanged for contribution points at the Affairs Hall."

【443】 "Also, during the mission, you must obey the commands of Elder Wuling; after the mission is completed, there is an additional reward of thirty thousand contribution points."

【444】 After receiving the token, Fang Xu nodded.

【445】 The next morning, when Fang Xu arrived at the Affairs Hall, several disciples were already waiting at the door.

【446】 These few people Fang Xu had seen before, but he was not very familiar with them; he only knew they were roughly inner disciples from various halls, and their cultivation was all at the Martial Venerable realm.

【447】 "Several senior brothers." Fang Xu bowed and then stood beside them.

【448】 Seeing this, the several people all furrowed their brows; one of them, a slender man carrying an exaggerated long bow, spoke: "Junior Brother Fang, are you also preparing to go to Tilan Mountain?"

【449】 Fang Xu nodded and said: "At that time, I hope several senior brothers will look after me more."

【450】 The slender man, upon hearing this, furrowed his brows even tighter.

【451】 "Junior Brother Fang, senior brother knows your strength is formidable, but we are actually going to the fourth layer of the Tilan Mountain ruins this time; to be frank, your current cultivation..."

"Senior Brother Xue, Junior Brother Fang has extraordinary talent; back then on the Life and Death Platform, he could contend with Senior Brother Su despite being only at the second level of Martial Master; why are you saying this?"

The slender man's words were not finished when a young man with a rather handsome appearance beside him spoke in a sarcastic tone.

The slender man, upon hearing this, also said nothing more.

Fang Xu glanced at the handsome young man and roughly understood in his heart; this person should have some connection with Su Cheng.

After Su Cheng was slain by his master Chu Ren Di, he dared not complain against Chu Ren Di, and could only blame Su Cheng's death on himself.

However, it didn't matter; he had originally planned to kill Su Cheng himself.

As the few people were speaking, many more disciples arrived one after another.

Fang Xu nodded and said: "When the time comes, I hope a few senior brothers will look after me."

Suddenly, a clear and lovely voice sounded in Fang Xu's ear.

Fang Xu turned around and saw Yun Wan behind him, and said curiously: "You also took this mission?"

Yun Wan nodded and said: "I just broke through to Martial Venerable; my master let me go for some experience."

The thin man hadn't finished speaking when a young man with a rather handsome appearance beside him spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Are all the people here?"

Yun Wan still wanted to say something, but at that moment, the voice of Wuling sounded: "Since everyone is here, let's set off."

After Su Cheng was killed by his master Chu Ren Di, he dared not complain about Chu Ren Di and could only blame Su Cheng's death on himself.

However, it didn't matter; he had originally planned to kill Su Cheng anyway.

As several people were speaking, many more disciples arrived one after another.

"Fang Xu?"

Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice sounded beside Fang Xu's ear.

Fang Xu turned around and saw Yun Wan behind him, and asked curiously: "You also took this mission?"

Yun Wan nodded and said: "I just broke through to Martial Venerable, and my master sent me to gain some experience."

"You..."

"Is everyone here?"

Yun Wan still wanted to say something, but Wuling's voice sounded at this moment: "Since everyone is here, let's set out."

(End of Chapter)