Chapter 165: Old Ape's Breakthrough, Returning to Ti Lan Mountain

From the Star Palace, he returned to the residence of the Law Enforcement Hall, and Fang Xu entered seclusion once again.

This time, possessing three star charts, it was enough for him to break through.

I just don't know if the Mystic Water Soul can support me in opening the ninth orifice stone gate.

If not, I'll have to think of another way.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, his consciousness entered the Inner Viewing State, and Fang Xu immediately used the Mystic Water Soul to forcibly open the seventh stone gate.

Terrifying golden flames burst from behind the stone gate, instantly flooding the orifice space!

Under the scorching of this golden flame, Fang Xu felt his consciousness body was about to melt!

This was the first time he felt the threat of death; no matter how he resisted, those golden flames surged like waves, one after another, burning his consciousness body.

Golden lightning appeared!

Yet these golden flames seemed extremely fierce, stubbornly resisting the golden lightning, fearlessly burning toward Fang Xu's consciousness body.

Such an opportunity is rare to encounter but impossible to seek.

Time passed bit by bit, and Fang Xu didn't even know how long had passed.

Last time he went to the fourth layer of the Ti Lan Mountain ruins, amidst that thick fog, he sensed the aura of the Creation Immortal Liquid.

These martial arts continuously merged in his mind.

The collision of Mystic Water and Golden Flame instantly filled the entire orifice space with a large amount of water mist!

The golden lightning also seized the opportunity, condensing a thick bolt of electricity, and blasted toward the stone gate!

Both sides reached a stalemate; his consciousness body, under the roasting of this golden flame, had already gradually become dazed.

But fortunately, this time the flame's power was far less than the golden flame in the previous orifice space; after the golden lightning appeared, the flames were instantly shattered by the lightning!

Finding the Purification Pool, using the Creation Immortal Liquid to forcibly open the orifice, and completing the construction of the last star chart seems like the most reliable method.

But this method requires opportunity; only that kind of heaven-defying, fate-changing opportunity can double my current strength.

However, under the current circumstances, Fang Xu himself has no way, and can only hope that the golden lightning will give some strength to help him resist this terrifying flame.

Without carefully studying these, Fang Xu prepared to go all out and fully illuminate the ninth star chart as well.

But as he just opened the courtyard gate, he saw Yun Wan turning around, preparing to leave.

Relying on the stone gate's power to forcibly break through the orifice is no longer viable; in a short time, wanting to break through, there are only two methods.

For the eighth star chart, he chose that azure lamp star chart, and the Mystic Water Soul again forcibly broke open the stone gate of the eighth orifice.

His cultivation had reached the seventh level of Martial Master; next would be the breakthrough to the eighth level of Martial Master.

Thinking of this, Fang Xu immediately prepared to go and tell Chu Ren Di, then immediately head to the fourth layer of the Ti Lan Mountain ruins.

I can do without a sword, but I cannot be ignorant of the sword.

Why not just call it the Twenty-Four Sword Canon?

Excluding this method, only the last one remains.

But when he used the Mystic Water Soul to forcibly strike the ninth stone gate, he only then discovered that everything was exactly as he had expected.

Now he sees fire and fears it.

The previous golden flame tormented him to the brink of death.

With the current strength of the Mystic Water Soul, there is simply no way to blast open the ninth stone gate!

First, increase strength, doubling one's own strength.

Lightning shattered the flames, directly blasting the main body of the stone gate!

This time, what emerged from behind the stone gate was still fire!

At the sight of the fire, Fang Xu's face changed!

Waking from cultivation, Fang Xu stood up somewhat disappointed.

This Twenty-Four Sword Technique can evolve into thousands of martial arts, almost like a general outline of the sword path.

The stubborn stone gate was directly shattered, forming points of starlight that dissipated within the orifice space!

A vast amount of primordial energy surged out, directly illuminating the Giant Sword Star Chart alongside it!

A clear sword cry rang out within Fang Xu's body; at this moment, Fang Xu suddenly comprehended!

He who had never used a sword before seemed like a swordsman immersed in the sword path for countless years; countless sword techniques flashed in his mind, and in that instant, Fang Xu seemed to have grasped countless sword path martial arts.

Just as when he first entered the examination and created martial arts using the Five Animal Frolics at the Myriad Laws Stone Tower, these sword techniques merged afterward, forming the simplest Twenty-Four.

After personally observing these Twenty-Four sword techniques, Fang Xu suddenly wanted to give them a name.

After occupying half of the orifice space, the golden lightning seemed to have gained enough breathing room, and launched another fierce attack, finally forcing the golden flames to the stone gate!

The standoff between lightning and fire finally improved; the golden lightning seized an opportunity, launched an active attack, and after lightning and fire intertwined, half of the orifice space was finally reclaimed!

Purification Pool!

He had once used the Creation Immortal Liquid to forcibly construct a star chart; now he can still use this method to build the last star chart.

Fang Xu, having survived the catastrophe, looked at the blazing golden flame, and a surge of anger rose in his heart; he immediately displayed the Divine Ability Magic Ape Three Transformations, aided by the Mystic Water Soul, the magic ape behind him, reaching heaven, took physical form!

The magic ape formed of Mystic Water held a long staff and struck the blazing stone gate with it!

Ziz—

Ziz—

…

An ancient bronze palace lamp appeared; Fang Xu only felt that at the moment the palace lamp appeared, his body seemed to undergo some subtle changes, but what exactly those changes were, he could not clearly perceive.

This proves that the fourth layer of the Ti Lan Mountain ruins very likely exists a Purification Pool.

Obviously, Yun Wan came to find him, but seeing the lantern at the door, knowing he was in seclusion, she did not disturb him.

Coincidentally, I also have news of the Purification Pool.

Having this Twenty-Four Sword Canon, Fang Xu feels that in the days to come, when he encounters sword-wielding enemies, he will absolutely find it easier.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Yun Wan, who was about to leave, slowed her steps and stopped. Turning around, she saw Fang Xu stepping out, and at that moment, a faint smile flashed across her face.

"You broke through?"

Fang Xu nodded: "How have you been lately?"

Yun Wan fell silent for a moment, only giving a slight nod without speaking.

"I'm planning to go to the Ti Lan Shan ruins. Want to come along?" Fang Xu added.

The death of Yun Qing had dealt her a severe blow. Fang Xu thought that this trip to the Ti Lan Shan ruins would be a good chance to bring her along, just to let her relax.

"When do we leave?" Yun Wan hesitated before speaking.

Her current state is completely different from before.

Although she wasn't exactly a carefree person before, Fang Xu could sense a strong confidence and a fearless, forward-driving spirit from her.

But now Yun Wan is silent and reserved, carrying a faint air of decadence, which makes her look uncomfortable to behold.

He understands that all of this is related to the changes in the Yun family.

Burdened with family grudges and blood hatred, her father and younger brother are dead, and all the direct descendants of the Yun family have been slaughtered. For the current Yun Wan, this is a heavy blow.

The matter of revenge has now nearly overwhelmed her to the point of breathlessness.

"No rush, in a couple of days."

"If you're free now, come with me."

Fang Xu said.

Yun Wan nodded and followed Fang Xu toward the outer gate of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

The side courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

As Fang Xu just reached the gate, he heard the hearty laughter of Old Yuan coming from within the courtyard.

"Huh?"

"Old Yuan broke through!?"

He hadn't expected to arrive at such a perfect moment.

Pushing the door open and entering the side courtyard, Old Yuan and Lu Zhiyuan sat on either side of the stone table, while Ning Xiang and Tong Tong stood quietly to one side.

"Old Yuan, Master."

Seeing the two, Fang Xu respectfully clasped his hands.

"Brother Fang Xu!"

"Young Master!?"

Tong Tong and Ning Xiang, upon seeing Fang Xu, happily went to greet him.

"Fang Xu has arrived, please sit down quickly."

Lu Zhiyuan greeted him.

Fang Xu glanced at Yun Wan beside him and did not directly sit down.

"Master, Old Yuan, this is Yun Wan."

After solemnly introducing Yun Wan to the two, Fang Xu then introduced the people in the courtyard to Yun Wan, with the purpose of helping her try to integrate and not feel so lonely.

"Greetings, Master Lu. Greetings, Old Yuan."

Regarding the relationship between Old Yuan and Fang Xu, Yun Wan naturally understood it as well.

"Hmm..." Old Yuan nodded satisfactorily.

Having broken through to become a great demon, he now looks like a kind and amiable old man, with not a trace of a martial artist's aura about him.

"Yun Wan, come sit here."

After pulling Yun Wan to sit by the stone table, Fang Xu looked toward Old Yuan and said: "Old Yuan, when did you emerge from seclusion?"

Old Yuan gave a faint smile: "I emerged a few days ago."

"I had planned to let Lu Miss inform you, but Lu Miss said you were in seclusion."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu looked around curiously and said: "Senior Sister?"

Lu Zhiyuan laughed heartily: "She went out on a mission."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon the silent Yun Wan beside him.

Fang Xu being able to bring her here and solemnly introduce her to himself and Old Yuan makes their relationship obvious.

Lu Zhiyuan felt somewhat moved.

Back when they were in Fenglin Town, he could already tell that Fang Xu had feelings for his daughter.

Later, after the Divine Servant acknowledged its master, Lu Zhiyuan had also considered matching the two together.

Skilled in the art of shamanic rites, he could see that Fang Xu bore great destiny, and his future achievements would certainly not be low.

Moreover, another important point: he greatly approved of Fang Xu's character and temperament.

But as for romantic feelings, they cannot be forced. During this time, he could also see that the relationship between Fang Xu and Lu Qing Luo still lacked that certain something.

Never mind!

Let things take their natural course.

Lu Zhiyuan thought this in his heart, and thus did not pay too much attention to these matters.

Old Yuan, however, seemed to take a liking to Yun Wan. After observing her for a while, he winked at Fang Xu.

Fang Xu pretended not to notice, which made Old Yuan angry—he blew his beard and glared.

"Old Yuan, I plan to go to the Ti Lan Shan ruins these few days. Old sir, are you interested in going back to take a look?"

Return to Ti Lan Shan?

A flicker of excitement crossed Old Yuan's face.

Since following Fang Xu away from Ti Lan Shan, in the blink of an eye, three years have already passed.

He originally thought that when he returned, he would turn into a handful of ashes, but now he had successfully broken through to become a great demon.

After not seeing the little brats of the clan for three years, he indeed also wanted to go back and take a look.

"When do we set out?" the old ape asked.

"Tomorrow?" Fang Xu looked toward Yun Wan with a questioning expression.

Yun Wan lightly nodded her head; she didn't care, and if Fang Xu said tomorrow, then it would be tomorrow.

"Young Master, Ning Xiang also wants to go."

"Brother Fang Xu, Tong Tong also wants to go!"

Upon hearing that Fang Xu was going to the ruins of Ti Lan Mountain, Ning Xiang and Tong Tong could not sit still, both staring at Fang Xu with eager eyes.

"Nonsense, I am not going for fun."

"The ruins are dangerous; if you two go and something happens to you..."

"It's fine; if they want to go, let them follow along." The old ape smiled confidently.

After breaking through to great demon, his strength was already comparable to that of a human Yuan Wu realm expert, and he still had confidence in protecting Tong Tong and Ning Xiang.

Seeing this, Fang Xu could only helplessly nod his head.

"Thank you, Uncle Ape!"

The two women happily looked toward the old ape and clasped their hands.

Ning Xiang directly said: "Young Master, Uncle Ape, it's noon now; Ning Xiang will go to the city to buy some wine and dishes?"

Fang Xu nodded and took out some money from his bosom to give to Ning Xiang.

"Sister Ning Xiang, I'll accompany you!"

Tong Tong seemed to really like the lively atmosphere, directly pulling Ning Xiang and running out.

Seeing this, Fang Xu smiled and shook his head; he hadn't expected Tong Tong and Ning Xiang to be this close.

Yun Wan also seemed to be infected by this warm scene, the sorrow on her face lessening somewhat.

"Miss Yun..."

"Master Lu, you are Fang Xu's master; you can directly call Wan'er by name."

Lu Zhiyuan nodded and said: "I have heard of the matter of the Yun family of Huang Prefecture; I believe you also roughly know my identity."

"What I want to tell you is that the remnants of my Mu Yun Kingdom have now risen in revolt on the Mu Yun Grasslands; if you truly wish for revenge, you can turn back and discuss it with the Southern Wu."

Upon hearing this, Yun Wan slightly shook her head: "The grudge of the Yun family, Wan'er does not wish to rely on others' hands."

After hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan felt somewhat disappointed; he had originally wanted to ally with the Mu Yun Kingdom, but Yun Wan seemed to have her own ideas, so in that case, this matter could only be dropped.

"Hehe... today we won't discuss this."

The old ape spoke up to break this somewhat awkward situation, directly looking at Fang Xu and saying: "Fang Xiazi, today you must accompany this old man for a good drink!"

Since following Fang Xu out from the depths of Ti Lan Mountain, the old ape has discovered each time that Fang Xu is unwilling to drink with himself.

For this matter, he has indeed been gloomy for a long time, utterly unable to understand.

"Uncle Ape, the young master does not drink with you due to hardship." Fang Xu said helplessly after hearing.

Although his system has undergone some changes, he still dares not gamble.

On the friend panel, since that green health bar appeared last time, some strange changes seem to have occurred.

Take Li Xun on the current friend list as an example.

When they encountered Li Xun by chance in Cang Hai City before, his health was only 20%, but after the two talked and poured out their hearts to each other, Fang Xu found that the green health bar under Li Xun's name had directly surged to 80%.

After that, Li Xun's health did not decrease again; after such a long time, it had actually risen to 40%.

Fang Xu can be certain that Li Xun now does not have the protection of Yu Guo's national fortune.

Under these circumstances, the health bar being able to rise again must be related to that green health bar.

But even so, he cannot gamble with the lives of his closest relatives.

Moreover, the friend list only has ten slots.

Now Li Xun occupies one slot, and the rest are taken by the clan heads and power leaders of the major families; after barely killing Wang Xiao and Feng Dong, freeing up two slots, he does not want to waste them.

After all, his friend list is practically a ledger of life and death; getting on it brings no benefit.

"You brat!"

Seeing Fang Xu's expression, the old ape glared angrily with wide eyes.

"Senior Ape, don't be angry." Lu Zhiyuan smoothed things over: "He won't drink with you; I and Yun Wan will drink with you instead."

The old ape resentfully glared at Fang Xu without speaking.

Ning Xiang and Tong Tong quickly bought the wine and dishes back; several people sat together in a circle, happily eating.

"Young Master, Ning Xiang heard some news in the city just now."

During the meal, Ning Xiang suddenly spoke up.

Fang Xu curiously asked: "What news?"

Ning Xiang furrowed her delicate brows and said: "It seems they are saying the royal family is preparing to hold an autumn sacrifice to pray to heaven..."

Autumn sacrifice to pray to heaven?

Fang Xu was stunned for a moment, then looked toward Lu Zhiyuan and said: "Master, what is this?"

Lu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment and said: "The autumn sacrifice also counts as one of many sacrifices; the ancient people used it to sacrifice to the gods of the five grains, thanking the spirits for their protection and praying for a bountiful next year."

Fang Xu slightly nodded his head, but then suspiciously said: "That's not right."

"It is said that after Yu Huang Li Cang Yu ascended the throne, he issued strict orders forbidding the common people from worshipping spirits."

"Throughout the entire Yu Guo, now only worship of himself is permitted."

"Why then would he suddenly personally preside over this autumn sacrifice?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan also felt it was somewhat strange.

Li Cangwu is someone I know quite well; overall, he is a very arrogant, domineering, and deeply scheming person.

The people who came for this autumn sacrifice are indeed somewhat strange.

"Master will have someone look into it later."

Yu State is currently in turmoil, yet Li Cangwu shows no urgency at all and still has the mind to organize the autumn sacrifice—this strangeness goes without saying.

As night fell, Fang Xu accompanied Yun Wan as they sat in the separate courtyard.

Under the sky full of stars, Yun Wan raised her head and quietly gazed at the heavens.

A gentle breeze came, and a faint fragrance drifted from her body, slipping into Fang Xu's nose.

Upon smelling this fragrance, he suddenly recalled that night in Maple Forest Town when Yun Wan decided to go to the Blue Mountain ruins.

"What are you thinking about?" Yun Wan turned her head, seeing Fang Xu staring blankly at her, and her pretty face couldn't help but flush as she spoke in a soft voice.

Fang Xu froze for a moment, then came back to himself and smiled faintly: "I was thinking about when we first met."

When we first met?

Yun Wan tilted her head in thought for a moment, then shook her head and slowly lowered her head.

When they first met, she was still the lofty princess of the Yun family; now, only three years have passed, and the family that had been passed down for a thousand years no longer exists.

"What was I like in your eyes back then?"

Yun Wan suddenly asked.

Fang Xu thought for a moment and smiled: "Not the same as now."

"Hmm?" Yun Wan looked at him, puzzled: "In what way is it different?"

Fang Xu did not answer.

"Yun Wan, if you had power, would you exterminate the entire Yu State royal family?"

The seed of hatred has already taken root in Yun Wan's heart; Fang Xu understands that Yun Wan will certainly seek revenge for this grudge.

The question is, I don't know how extreme Yun Wan's actions will be when the time comes.

"The Blood Stupa must die, and so must Li Cangwu."

Yun Wan thought for a moment and spoke.

The Blood Stupa is the direct killer of her father, and the mastermind behind all this must necessarily be Li Cangwu without doubt.

"And the Xing family..."

A flicker of killing intent flashed in Yun Wan's eyes!

Back when they acted against the Yun family, the Xing family showed the most enthusiasm.

And after the Yun family was destroyed, the Xing family directly seized control of Huangzhou.

That place had been operated by the Yun family for over a thousand years.

Fang Xu nodded.

It seems Yun Wan has not yet been blinded by hatred.

"The matter of revenge, I will bear it together with you." After pondering for a long time, Fang Xu suddenly spoke.

Upon hearing this, Yun Wan froze; she was about to say something, but Fang Xu spoke again: "You should know that the major powers of Yu State basically all have grudges against me."

Yun Wan nodded and said: "But the royal family..."

The royal family did not participate in the pursuit of Fang Xu at first.

Moreover, Li Cangwu's strength is too great; rumors say he is already on the verge of breaking into the Martial Sovereign realm.

"Among the major clans, now besides the rebellious Lu family and the Ren family of Yu Prefecture who have not clearly and completely pledged loyalty to the royal family, the remaining families have all completely pledged loyalty to the royal family."

"Under these circumstances, do you think Li Cangwu would stand by and do nothing if I went to them to seek revenge?"

Fang Xu spoke calmly.

"But..." Yun Wan turned her head and stared at Fang Xu's face.

"Hmm?" Fang Xu looked at her.

Meeting his gaze, Yun Wan whispered: "I don't want to see you put yourself in danger."

"Then let you face it alone?" Fang Xu chuckled.

Their eyes locked; in this moment, their hearts grew closer.

Fang Xu slowly reached out and embraced Yun Wan's delicate form in his arms.

Feeling the slight tension in her soft body, then her gradual relaxation as she rested her head on his shoulder, Fang Xu rubbed his cheek against her head and said: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself; I still like the confident, noble you from before."

Yun Wan nodded slightly.

……

The next morning, a group of five left the mountain-foot separate courtyard and headed toward Blue Mountain.

Along the way, Tongtong and Ningxiang chattered nonstop, and the two would occasionally pull Yun Wan aside to chat about topics of interest to women.

In front of them, Yun Wan finally laid down the image of a martial artist and returned to being what a young woman ought to be.

Fang Xu accompanied Old Ape as they sat outside the carriage.

"Ape Bo, what does it feel like to break through to the Great Demon realm?" Fang Xu asked.

The Great Demon realm is equivalent to the Human Martial Warrior realm; this is his first time seeing a true Martial Warrior expert, so he can't help but be curious.

"Feeling..." Old Ape pondered for a moment, turned his head to look at Fang Xu, and said seriously: "Fear."

Fear!?

Fang Xu asked, somewhat puzzled: "Why?"

Old Ape shook his head: "I can't put it into words; it's just that suddenly I feel very insignificant, this heaven and earth is too mysterious."

"You will feel this way when you break through to the Martial Warrior realm."

"Once the soul can communicate with heaven and earth, you will realize that your former self was merely a frog at the bottom of a well."

Fang Xu nodded, seeming to understand but not quite.

Perhaps it's just that we're at different heights, so our understanding of this world differs.

"But you don't need to worry too much; at least on this land today, there are few people I can't handle."

"Young Fang, with me here, the misery of being hunted won't happen again." The old ape exuded a strong sense of confidence.

The two discussed other matters and soon arrived at Maple Forest Town.

After arranging Ningxiang, Tongtong, and the old ape in a small courtyard in Maple Forest Town, Fang Xu directly went with Yunwan to the Ti Lan Mountain ruins.

They had already been to the fourth layer of the ruins once; aside from those strange fish-faced humanoid monsters, there were almost no other dangers, so there was no need to trouble the old ape to follow them.

The two arrived at the entrance of the ruins, passed through the first layer, and then came to the second layer.

"Fang Xu, are the Broken Horns still in the ruins?" Yunwan suddenly asked.

When they were in the second layer of the ruins initially, the Broken Horns and their kin left a deep impression on Yunwan.

"They should still be there." Thinking of the Broken Horns, Fang Xu suddenly remembered there was still more than a jar of Creation Immortal Liquid in his Qiankun bag.

This time they are going to the fourth layer to find a new purification pool; these Creation Immortal Liquids can be given some to the Broken Horns.

After all, if it weren't for the help of the Yao Xiong clan, he wouldn't have been able to escape alive from the ruins.

The two searched in the second layer of the ruins and finally found a Yao Xiong in a hidden passage.

This ordinary Yao Xiong, upon seeing someone, originally intended to turn and run.

But upon discovering the visitor was Fang Xu, the Yao Xiong froze in place, then excitedly ran over and rubbed its huge head against Fang Xu.

"Where is the Broken Horn?"

Fang Xu spoke, and the Yao Xiong in front of him hastily pointed ahead, then led him and Yunwan to where the Yao Xiong clan was hiding.

Looking at the narrow passage ahead packed with Yao Xiong of all sizes, with a strong strange smell emanating from the middle, Fang Xu frowned.

"Roar!"

The Broken Horn squeezed out from among the Yao Xiong, saw Fang Xu, and kept gesturing.

Fang Xu also didn't understand what it wanted to express, so he immediately took out the remaining large half-jar of Creation Immortal Liquid from his Qiankun bag.

The moment the mud seal was opened, all the Yao Xiong in the passage went crazy!

Creation Immortal Liquid has a deadly allure for ferocious beasts.

Some ordinary Yao Xiong at this moment had lost their reason to the scent of the Creation Immortal Liquid and were slowly approaching Fang Xu, wanting to reach out and grab it.

Roar!

Fortunately, the Broken Horn timely issued a stop signal.

Fang Xu pointed at the Creation Immortal Liquid ahead and said: "This should allow you to gain wisdom and transform into a demon beast."

"You drink it yourself; if you can't finish it, you can share the rest with other clansmen."

Upon hearing this, the Broken Horn gestured excitedly.

Fang Xu smiled: "Drink quickly; after drinking, you'll be able to speak."

This kind of sign language between different species is still difficult to communicate.

The Broken Horn immediately picked up the jar in front of it and gulped down several mouthfuls of Creation Immortal Liquid.

Watching this, the surrounding Yao Xiong all gulped loudly.

After drinking about half of the jar, the Broken Horn felt it was about enough, so it passed the remainder to the two transformed Yao Xiong behind it.

The two Yao Xiong fought to finish the remaining Creation Immortal Liquid, even breaking and eating the jar itself.

"Alright, you guys digest first; I'll go to the fourth layer."

"Hopefully when I return, you'll have successfully gained wisdom."

After bidding farewell to the Yao Xiong clan, Fang Xu left the second layer, passed through the third layer all the way, and reached the entrance of the fourth layer of the ruins.

At this moment, the entrance to the fourth layer of the ruins gathered a large number of martial artists.

These martial artists all wanted to enter the fourth layer but couldn't find a way to deal with the terrifying monsters in the first half of the fourth layer, so they crowded the entrance, waiting to see if anyone could find a solution.

"Young Hero Fang!"

As Fang Xu was preparing to enter the ruins, a martial artist in the crowd suddenly called out to him.

"Young Hero Fang, I am Xing Yongyuan, a direct descendant of the Xing family."

The Xing family?

Upon hearing his self-introduction, Yunyan beside Fang Xu flashed a hint of killing intent in her eyes.

"Young Hero Fang, I have often heard the family head mention you."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu gave a faint smile: "What does your family head mention me for?"

Xing Yongyuan quickly clasped his hands: "Young Hero Fang, haven't you forgotten that your share is still at the Blood Food Shop in Maple Forest Town?"

"For so many years, you haven't gone to check; the family head has been thinking of it, preparing to find time to visit you and deliver these profitable funds to you."

Fang Xu smiled upon hearing this.

He had indeed forgotten about the Blood Food Shop matter; to be precise, worldly wealth now has little use for him.

Perhaps after some hassle, it could be exchanged for some contribution points, but for him now, it's better than nothing.

"Just have your family head send someone to deliver the items to the villa at the foot of Huayang Mountain."

He doesn't care about the money, but it's rightfully his, and there's no reason to refuse it.

"I understand, I'll immediately inform the family head!" Xing Yongyuan said respectfully, clasping his hands.

Fang Xu ignored him and prepared to continue walking inside.

"Young Hero Fang, wait a moment!" Then, at this moment, Xing Yongyuan called out to him again.

Fang Xu frowned slightly and said: "Anything else?"

Xing Yongyuan said with a fawning expression: "I heard that Young Hero Fang recently entered the fourth layer once with the people from the Ascension Immortal Association; I have a shameless request."

"You want me to take you in?" Fang Xu said with a half-smile.

Xing Yongyuan was slightly startled, a flicker of joy crossing his face, but then he thought the request was a bit excessive, and quickly said: "That's not it; I just wanted to ask Brother Fang about the situation inside."

The entrance to the fourth layer was discovered over two years ago, but so far, besides Fang Xu's group, no one has been able to go deeper than a hundred meters, and everyone is now curious about what exactly lies inside the fourth layer.

"Brother Fang, my Xing family is willing to pay to buy it."

Afraid Fang Xu would refuse, Xing Yongyuan quickly spoke up.

The Xing family was originally just a third-rate power, but after Xing Rong became the head, she somehow recruited some Martial Sovereigns, seized the opportunity in the Huangzhou War, and became the current lord of Huangzhou.

Everyone in the Xing family knows that compared to those old first-rate powers, the Xing family's foundation is still far too weak.

The Blue Mountain ruins contain countless opportunities, undoubtedly a chance to quickly accumulate foundation!

But the things from the first three layers have already been scavenged clean, while the fourth layer is now extremely dangerous.

The Xing family very much wants to enter the fourth layer.

As the only group to have come out alive from the fourth layer, Fang Xu has become their target.

Xing Rong wanted to use her cooperation with Fang Xu to get close, hoping to obtain some secrets about the fourth layer from him.

That's why she arranged for people to watch outside the mountain gate of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

As soon as Fang Xu and the Old Ape and others left the Ascension Immortal Assembly, the news reached Huangzhou.

"Buy?"

Fang Xu shook his head and said: "It's not that I'm unwilling to sell to you; the danger of the fourth layer is such that even if you obtained a detailed map, you still couldn't get in."

The most dangerous thing in the fourth layer of the ruins are those fish-faced humanoid monsters; the rest are nothing much.

To pass through the misty area where those fish-faced humanoid monsters appear, one must at least have the soul power of the sixth layer of the Ascension Platform or above, or possess a treasure that counters those monsters.

"Brother Fang, please just tell me what's inside, and my Xing family will find a way to handle the rest."

Xing Yongyuan seems not to believe his words, and is determined to obtain the fourth layer's map.

Fang Xu glanced at Yun Wan beside him, his heart stirred slightly, and sighed: "Since you insist, then whatever happens afterward is not my fault."

Seeing this, Xing Yongyuan quickly had someone bring paper and brush, then had a group of martial artists surround the area, waiting for Fang Xu to draw the map.

Fang Xu drew a rough sketch from memory, then added a sentence: those with weak soul power will surely die if they go in!

"Done!"

After handing the map to Xing Yongyuan, Fang Xu turned around to prepare to leave.

"Brother Fang, the price of this map..."

"You decide what to give; just send the items together to the separate courtyard later."

Without turning around, he directly led Yun Wan into the fourth layer.

The thick white mist reappeared; Fang Xu lightly sniffed it and confirmed that the mist indeed carried the scent of the Creation Immortal Liquid.

"Fang Xu, what are we looking for this time?"

"Are we going to the fifth layer?"

Fang Xu shook his head and said: "The fourth layer is very large; last time I came with Elder Wuling, we actually didn't explore much."

"This time, I mainly came to find one thing."

Yun Wan curiously asked: "Is it very important?"

Fang Xu nodded and said: "It involves whether I can break through to Martial Sovereign in a short time."

The two slowly advanced.

Although he had means to deter the fish-faced humanoid monsters, Fang Xu still dared not let his guard down.

After all, these monsters are too strange; if his means have limitations, then the two of them could fall into a deadly situation.

Slightly closing his eyes, he observed the surroundings with soul power, and Fang Xu suddenly discovered that in the surrounding thick mist, one after another alluring figure appeared and disappeared faintly.

These monsters seemed to recognize Fang Xu, merely lingering on the periphery and not daring to approach them.

The two continued forward, Fang Xu constantly sniffing the scent of Creation Immortal Liquid in the mist, searching for the possible direction of the Purification Pool.

"What are you smelling?" Seeing Fang Xu sniffing repeatedly, Yun Wan suddenly found it somewhat amusing and couldn't help but ask.

Fang Xu said nothing, directly took out the last jar of green Creation Immortal Liquid from his Qiankun bag and handed it to Yun Wan: "Take a sip."

Yun Wan had no suspicions, took it, opened it, and drank a sip.

"Smell it." Fang Xu said again.

Yun Wan leaned forward and smelled it.

Fang Xu put the wine jar back into his Qiankun bag.

"Now do you know what I'm smelling?"

After drinking the Creation Immortal Liquid and becoming familiar with its scent, Yun Wan immediately sensed that faint trace of Creation Immortal Liquid in the thick mist.

The Creation Immortal Liquid in her abdomen transformed into the purest energy, spreading to her limbs and bones.

Yun Wan could clearly feel that the energy from that sip of Creation Immortal Liquid was enough to match several months of her arduous cultivation.

Most importantly, she could feel that the sip of Creation Immortal Liquid seemed to contain some special energy, causing subtle changes in her body.

"Fang Xu, what exactly is this!?"

Earlier, Fang Xu had given this to Dujiao and them to drink, and Yun Wan still thought he had taken out some kind of wine.

"Creation Immortal Liquid, it is an energy born of heaven and earth." Fang Xu said.

Upon hearing this, Yun Wan's eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance.

This energy is extremely pure; if there is enough Creation Immortal Liquid, perhaps I could have a chance to rapidly increase my cultivation in a short time.

"Alright, be careful; I've noticed something off about the monsters around here."

In his soul perception, Fang Xu discovered that the fish-faced humanoid monsters around them were increasing in number.

And possibly because they are getting closer and closer to the Purification Pool, these monsters' strength is also increasing; many have overcome their inner fear and are slowly approaching the two of them.

The two continued forward, their surroundings already filled with dense swarms of monsters.

Seeing that continuing would lead to trouble, Fang Xu's eyes narrowed slightly as he directly summoned the bronze great cauldron with his soul power!

Whoosh!

As soon as the bronze great cauldron appeared, its terrifying suction directly pulled in the surrounding thick fog and those monsters!

"Ugh—ah!"

"Hehe!"

The monsters' cries of pain flickered in and out!

Fang Xu discovered that under the bronze great cauldron's suction, ordinary monsters struggled to resist and were directly sucked into the cauldron.

Yet some monsters actually managed to resist the cauldron's suction, struggling to break free and flee from them.

Seeing this, Fang Xu's expression shifted slightly.

Indeed, just as he had guessed, these monsters were not all the same—they varied in strength among themselves.

As the two continued forward, would they encounter even stronger beings?

Thinking this, he glanced at Yun Wan, reached out, and grasped her soft hand in his.

Yun Wan's pretty face flushed, but she did not refuse, and the two continued forward.

With the earlier intimidation, this time those monsters dared not come too close, merely lingering far away around them.

"Fang Xu, there are some houses over there." Through the mist, Yun Wan suddenly noticed some shadowy buildings appearing on their left.

These buildings were not ones they had searched before; they should contain many good things.

Searching for the purification pool was not urgent, so Fang Xu led her hand toward those building complexes.

The surrounding fish-faced humanoid monsters seemed not to mind Fang Xu and his group approaching the building complex.

Seeing them change direction, many monsters quietly slipped into the mist.

After entering the midst of these building complexes, for safety's sake, they did not split up.

"These buildings seem undamaged." Gazing at the intact structures before them, Yun Wan's face flashed with a hint of joy.

No damage meant the good things inside the buildings should still be there.

"Let's check this one." Choosing a building nearest to himself, Fang Xu walked over.

The door was pushed open, and there was not much dust.

From the furnishings inside, it seemed a female cultivator had previously lived here.

On the room's screen hung several ordinary women's garments, though due to the passage of time, these clothes had mostly rotted, turning to ash at the lightest touch.

The furniture and other items inside appeared to be crafted from heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and despite the erosion of time, they remained well-preserved.

"Yun Wan, look at this." Before the desk, Fang Xu suddenly noticed a delicate wooden box placed beside the bronze mirror, inside which lay a hairpin polished to resemble jade.

Though this hairpin was made of jade, its shape resembled a delicate little sword, emitting a faint glow.

Removing the jade hairpin from the wooden box, Fang Xu directly inserted it into Yun Wan's hair bun.

"Does it look good?"

Yun Wan asked somewhat shyly.

Fang Xu nodded: "Very beautiful."

After saying this, his hand slowly extended, gently caressing Yun Wan's pretty face.

"Mm..."

Yun Wan softly hummed, slowly closed her eyes, rose onto her toes, and leaned toward Fang Xu to kiss him.

Thus, the two went from gentle to intense, tearing at each other's clothes...

Buzz!

At that moment, the bronze great cauldron in Fang Xu's sea of consciousness suddenly emitted a faint humming sound!

The next instant!

Fang Xu's originally scorching gaze suddenly cleared; looking at Yun Wan, who was nearly stripped by him and seemed like a different person, tearing at his clothes, he suppressed his urge and directly raised his hand to summon the bronze great cauldron!

Clang!

The bronze great cauldron appeared out of nowhere, enveloping both of them!

"Ah!"

Suddenly, a wisp of green smoke rose from Yun Wan's head!

The next moment, Yun Wan's movements stopped!

After her eyes regained clarity, she looked somewhat dazedly at herself and Fang Xu, instantly blushing and retreating two steps, then hastily putting her clothes back on.

"That... I... we..."

Yun Wan spoke incoherently, while Fang Xu's expression grew solemn: "We almost fell into the Dao."

The reason for this sudden change should be that jade hairpin causing trouble.

At the moment the bronze great cauldron appeared, Fang Xu clearly saw whatever was attached to that hairpin being subdued and destroyed by the cauldron, turning into a wisp of green smoke.

After tidying her clothes, Yun Wan's pretty face was like a ripe apple, and she dared not look up at Fang Xu.

"Your clothes..."

She furtively glanced at the bare-chested Fang Xu, her voice like a mosquito's whisper.

Fang Xu lowered his gaze, then hastily tidied his own clothes.

"Is it because of this hairpin?" Yun Wan frowned.

Just moments ago, when Fang Xu placed the hairpin on her, she seemed to sense a strange power surge into her body.

Immediately after, this power seemed to awaken her innermost primal desire, prompting her to do what she had just done.

"Probably, we should still be careful from now on."

If it weren't for the timely warning from the bronze great cauldron, Fang Xu wouldn't know what exactly awaited the two of them.

He felt that whatever was attached to the hairpin was certainly not as simple as merely wanting to see him and Yun Wan develop a relationship.

The two searched inside the room for a while, found nothing else, and then turned to go to the next room.

"This seems to be an armory!"

Looking at the dazzling array of weapons before them, Yun Wan spoke.

Fang Xu picked up a long sword, examined it for a moment, shook his head, and said: "After enduring the erosion of time, the inscriptions on these treasures have mostly been worn away; bringing them back would only allow them to be handed over to the Divine Weapons Hall as scrap."

Ignoring these treasures, the two carefully searched the room.

Boom—boom—boom!

Boom—boom—boom!

Just as Fang Xu was striking the wall before him, a rumbling sound suddenly came from behind.

It turned out that Yun Wan had found a hidden mechanism.

"Another secret chamber?" Seeing the wall split open to reveal a dark entrance, Fang Xu exclaimed in surprise.

The two cautiously walked to the entrance.

Pfft!

Pfft!

The two wall lamps inside the secret chamber suddenly lit themselves, and in the next moment, everything inside the secret chamber appeared before the two.

Still weapons!

But the weapons here were clearly not comparable to those ordinary treasures outside.

Although each weapon in the secret chamber appeared ordinary and mostly primitive in appearance,

Fang Xu could feel that each weapon contained an extremely terrifying power within.

"There's even a bone knife..."

Noticing a plain-looking bone knife placed on the rack to the left, Yun Wan curiously reached out, preparing to pick it up for a look.

Whoosh!

At that moment, the bone knife actually emitted a faint blade light on its own, nearly slicing Yun Wan's hand.

"Be careful."

Fang Xu rushed over, glanced at the bone knife.

Though said to be made of bone, its surface was fine and smooth, looking like jade.

He slowly reached out, grasped the bone knife in his hand, felt the resistance coming from it, and without hesitation, directly stored it into his aperture space.

Now he was already an Eighth Stage Martial Master, with seventy-two apertures illuminated by the star chart, and there were also more than ten scattered apertures not included in the star chart.

Among these apertures, only half currently nurtured divine weapons.

This bone knife looked temperamental, but the thunder in the aperture space treated all kinds of disobedience; after storing the bone knife in the aperture space, golden thunder immediately appeared.

After several dozen thunderbolts, it directly split the bone knife into submission.

Thereafter, all the other weapons were similarly stored one by one by Fang Xu into his aperture space.

Only one sword, which looked as if forged from cold ice, did Fang Xu hand over to Yun Wan.

Holding this sword in hand, the terrifying chill actually tried to freeze her palm.

But on Fang Xu's hand, a purplish-black flame suddenly burst forth, directly causing the ice sword to tremble uncontrollably.

Feeling the submission coming from the sword, Fang Xu then slowly drew it out.

"Autumn Chilong?"

Two extremely complex characters were engraved on the sword body, but Fang Xu felt the spiritual fluctuation coming from the Autumn Chilong sword, knowing these two characters were "Autumn Chilong."

"Is this the name of this sword?" Yun Wan asked.

Fang Xu nodded: "This sword is much better than the one you hold."

Yun Wan took the Autumn Chilong sword, swung it slightly, and liked it very much.

"Let's go."

After the two had cleaned out everything in the secret chamber, they left this place.

In the subsequent secret chambers, the two obtained some weapon-forging materials, magical artifacts, and some ancient bamboo slip books, jade stones, etc.

Since they didn't understand these things, Fang Xu also didn't know their specific uses, so he just stuffed them all into his Cosmos Bag, planning to study them properly after leaving.

"Only this one left."

Before the final building in the complex, which resembled a great hall, Yun Wan looked up and spoke.

This building looked more magnificent than the surrounding houses.

Moreover, judging by the architectural layout, the surrounding houses and this building formed a pattern of stars surrounding the moon.

According to this layout, this building before them, resembling a great hall, should have held the highest status at that time.

"Let's go, hoping we can get some good things!"

Fang Xu excitedly rubbed his hands, and the two entered just like that.

The hall's door was not closed; after the two walked in, the first thing that caught their eyes was a huge statue!

"Is this Qixi?" Looking at the huge statue, Yun Wan spoke.

Fang Xu shook his head; he had seen Qixi's incarnation in the black ocean space, and although this statue resembled Qixi to some extent, it was definitely not Qixi.

On both sides of the hall stood twelve coiling dragon pillars, each with two grand master chairs and a small square table placed before it.

Fang Xu noticed that these tables still had tea cups placed on them, some with lids set aside.

The tea in the cups had already dried up, leaving only some tea leaves behind.

Seeing these, he couldn't help but imagine the scene at that time.

Some of the clan's high-ranking members were discussing matters in the main hall when the clan encountered a sudden incident; these high-ranking members, without time for anything else, hurriedly left the main hall.

After that, they were never able to return.

"Ah!"

From the many traces on the fourth layer of the ruins, it can be shown that the people who previously lived here were not weak in strength.

Moreover, they seemed to worship the True Sovereign of the Chen Star among the Seven Luminaries, Chen Xing Zhen Huang Jun Qi Li.

But such a powerful clan seemed to have been destroyed in an instant.

"Let's search, see if there's anything useful." Setting aside the emotions in his heart, Fang Xu led Yun Wan in a search within the main hall.

There was nothing particularly noteworthy in the hall; after searching, the two came before the huge statue.

"There are two tokens on it."

Yun Wan's eyes were sharp; she directly saw two ancient tokens placed on the case before the statue.

Fang Xu walked over, picked up the tokens, and examined them.

The tokens were quite heavy, but did not look metallic, and he did not know what material they were made of.

Their entire surface was covered with intricate patterns; the front was carved with an unknown strange beast, and the back bore two strange characters.

After studying them for a while, he still couldn't figure out their use, so Fang Xu directly threw them into his Qiankun bag.

Besides that, there was nothing else on the case.

The two walked around the statue and came to the room behind it.

Before their eyes were dense bookshelves, with many bamboo slips and some pieces of pure white jade placed on the shelves.

Fang Xu casually picked up a bamboo slip, glanced at it a few times, but couldn't understand its content; he simply put all the bamboo slips and jade pieces into his Qiankun bag.

After a search, confirming nothing was missed, the two left this place and continued to search for the Purification Pool.

The monsters in the mist seemed to have been born specifically to guard the Purification Pool; Fang Xu and the other had no need to specifically search for where the Purification Pool was, only needing to advance toward the direction where the monsters gathered.

The monsters before their eyes grew increasingly numerous; in his spiritual sense, Fang Xu again discovered something different from the other fish-faced monsters.

It was a strange creature that looked like both a crocodile and a lizard.

Unlike the fish-faced monsters, this strange creature had a physical form; its huge body crawled slowly toward Fang Xu and the other, emitting a violent aura.

Seeing this, both drew their weapons.

But before they could act, the surrounding fish-faced humanoid monsters launched the first attack!

The target of the attack was precisely that strange creature!

(End of Chapter)