Chapter 168: Twelve Palace Star Chart, Please Li Cangwu Have a Drink!
Only Fang Xu remained in the cave.
At this time, he surveyed all the stone carvings in the cave, beginning to search for things useful to himself.
On the cave's stone carvings, aside from the text left by Li Xuan Yi which he could recognize, the other carvings seemed to have transcended the realm of text, or perhaps they were characters from before the Yu Kingdom.
The further forward he went, Fang Xu could discover that those stone carvings had evolved from text into some crude drawings, then into some complex inscriptions, until finally only some mysterious patterns remained.
He comprehended them one piece after another, trying to find something useful to himself from these stone carvings.
Time passed day by day, and Fang Xu had already stayed in this cave for nearly a month.
At this time, he no longer went to observe the scratches on the stone wall, but instead sat cross-legged in silence in the center of the cave.
In the world of consciousness, he seemed to have crossed endless time and space, arriving at the era when those ancient masters dwelled.
He witnessed one martial master after another sitting in meditation in this cave, comprehending the Dao, finally either departing in dejected sorrow, or, in a state resembling madness, carving what they had comprehended onto the stone wall.
No!
Yun Wan raised her head to look at his profile and asked.
Suddenly, he noticed that on several of those stone carvings, there seemed to be a strange mark.
"And you?"
Still not right!
Smelling the faint fragrance on Yun Wan's body, Fang Xu suddenly asked.
He always felt that something was not quite right!
"Huh?"
Fang Xu lifted his head to glance, his body leapt, and he arrived at the treetop.
From several of the stone carving pictures, Fang Xu discovered a mark similar to a bronze mirror.
"How many special star charts do you have?"
From the traces of the break, analyzing, the stone platform being severed seemed not to have happened long ago.
According to the scale in the picture, this stone platform was nearly one meter high before, with a mirror placed upon it.
"And Yun Wan?"
But what about those people afterward?
Fang Xu's strength is great, and Yun Wan at this time is also very curious about how many special star charts Fang Xu actually has.
Fang Xu guessed that from ancient times to the present, letting those masters come one after another to sit in meditation here was absolutely not only due to the inscriptions on the stone wall, but should also include that stone platform and the mirror upon it.
"Not much gain." Saying this, he reached out and embraced Yun Wan's shoulders, letting her head rest on his shoulder.
But now the stone platform retains less than twenty centimeters, appearing to have been chopped off by a sword, taking both the stone platform and the mirror upon it away.
An ordinary cave in the Ti Lan Mountains, perhaps in ancient times, a certain master passed by this place and rested in the cave.
Why did those masters gather here?
In the world of consciousness, Fang Xu struggled to control the shift of perspective, wanting to find the special aspect of this cave.
If this cave had no special quality, why would they all gather here to sit in meditation and comprehend the Dao?
Not understanding this matter, he would have no way to judge what they were supposed to comprehend back then.
"Fang Xu elder brother?"
Leaving the cave, Fang Xu came to the front of the tree house.
"No gain?" Yun Wan asked again.
"Wan'er?"
A group of Earth Fiend Demon Monkeys were still in seclusion training, Tong Tong and Ning Xiang were cleaning up leftover food and soup, obviously they had just finished eating.
Seeing Fang Xu, Yun Wan turned her head to ask.
The two thus sat quietly on the big tree, gazing at the brilliant starry sky.
For Fang Xu, she had no reservations.
"Left seclusion?"
Now the mirror's whereabouts are unknown, taken by someone, the things in this cave are of little use to him anymore.
Fang Xu waved his hand: "No need, I'm not hungry."
Comparing the layout inside the cave, Fang Xu slowly walked to the raised stone platform in the exact center of the cave.
Seeing Fang Xu, Tong Tong was somewhat surprised, then looked at the roasted meat gnawed down to only bones, and hurriedly said: "Fang Xu elder brother, wait a moment, I'll go catch a fierce beast to roast for you!"
Fang Xu slowly stood up, continuing to search for clues in the cave.
Fang Xu sat quietly beside her, gazing at the stars in the sky and nodding: "This time I've indeed wasted over a month."
Ning Xiang pointed to the treetop above.
Broken!
"Three." Yun Wan spoke.
These several stone carvings are presented in the form of simple drawings; from the style of the carvings, the era they belong to should be quite close.
Fang Xu repeatedly denied these things.
"Ten......"
Fang Xu pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Ten!?"
Yun Wan let out an exclamation, sat upright to scrutinize Fang Xu, then suddenly coquettishly gave him a white look and said: "No proper manner!"
"If you say you have nine, I would still believe you."
"You can't even lie..."
Saying this, she again rested her head on Fang Xu's shoulder, letting her legs gently sway, allowing the forest breeze to brush her hair.
Fang Xu didn't say anything more.
The ten special star charts, he wasn't lying.
I myself currently do indeed have ten special star charts.
In the future, there will even be an eleventh, a twelfth.
Just wanting to find those two special star charts that perfectly match me, I'm afraid it will be difficult.
The two of them just sat like that silently, and everything around them seemed to have become quiet, the whole world appearing to have only the two of them left.
Gradually, Fang Xu discovered that everything around him had changed.
The big tree beneath him had disappeared, and he and Yun Wan were now sitting in a dazzling starry sky.
In the distance, the Milky Way stretched across the sky, countless bright stars twinkling.
Yun Wan slowly widened her eyes, silently observing everything around her, just about to ask Fang Xu where she was, when she turned her head and discovered that behind Fang Xu, a star chart was slowly lighting up.
This was a state she had never seen before; Yun Wan dared not speak to disturb him, and just sat silently beside Fang Xu, watching one star chart after another appear behind him.
A sacred and solemn bronze great cauldron, a mighty and domineering five-clawed divine dragon, a colossal Kui ox, a mysterious and unfathomable black flame, a heaven-piercing and earth-shattering terrifying long sword...
One after another, star charts appeared, making Yun Wan unable to help but be shocked!
Special star charts!
These star charts that emerged from Fang Xu's body were all special star charts!
Ten full charts!
Yun Wan's brain had somewhat crashed!
Special star charts are extremely precious; an ordinary martial artist obtaining just one chart is enough to surpass martial artists of the same realm.
Like her, possessing three special star charts grants the ability to fight above one's level.
Fang Xu's strength is strong, and she is very clear about this.
So, even if Fang Xu had six or seven, or even nine special star charts on him, Yun Wan wouldn't be this surprised.
But the problem now is ten!
At the ninth level of Martial Master, isn't the human body only able to construct nine star charts at most?
Why does Fang Xu have ten?
With shock, Yun Wan silently watched the changes that began after the ten star charts appeared behind Fang Xu.
These star charts formed ninety of the one hundred and eight apertures in the human body in the starry sky behind Fang Xu.
Subsequently, under Yun Wan's gaze, these star charts gradually disappeared.
At this moment, a trace of pain gradually appeared on Fang Xu's face, and then the aura on his body began to rapidly decline!
Martial Master peak... Martial Master ninth level... Martial Master eighth level... Martial Master third level...
Until the last star chart extinguished, the aura on Fang Xu's body suddenly returned to the peak state of Martial Apprentice!
All of this happened too suddenly; Yun Wan didn't even know what had occurred.
She wanted to shout to wake Fang Xu, but she also felt that all these changes around her should be related to Fang Xu, and rashly shouting to wake him might affect him, so she could only silently wait like this.
On Fang Xu's side, he knew that the star charts behind him had extinguished.
To be precise, he himself had actively extinguished all the star charts.
Upon sensing the changes in his body, he confirmed that he had once again entered the enlightenment state he had experienced on the sea surface last time.
Countless star charts were at his disposal for selection.
But wanting to find two that perfectly matched him among these star charts was still not an easy task.
After the enlightenment began, a crazy idea popped up in Fang Xu's mind!
Since it's difficult to find a match for himself on this foundation, why not break and then rebuild!
Directly grind all of his own star charts to nothing, and then re-select suitable ones.
After this idea arose, he first searched among the countless star charts for suitable comprehension, then simulated the one hundred and eight apertures of the human body using the starry sky, and subsequently constructed these star charts to form a perfect system.
After confirming feasibility, he then used the soul of Xuan Water to forcibly sever the divine bridges between the apertures, causing his star charts to collapse one after another.
Accompanying the collapse of the star charts, his body also began to experience an unprecedented crisis!
First, those apertures that had been opened by the stone gate, with the divine bridges severed, massive primordial energy had no outlet and began to overflow and scatter throughout his body.
Furthermore, those apertures that had been lit up lost their divine bridge connections, showing signs of solidification.
The collapse of the star charts also affected the two Dao foundations in his sea of consciousness; the Xuan Water Dao foundation trembled violently, and the three-foot Dao foundation built upon it already showed cracks at this moment!
These drastic changes began to affect his soul and spirit, with cracks appearing on his soul and spirit, making him feel the pain of his soul being torn apart.
His cultivation system was rapidly collapsing as the star charts were destroyed!
Fang Xu's body trembled violently, and a large amount of fresh blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth!
Beside him, Yun Wan also didn't know what Fang Xu was experiencing at this moment; she wanted to help but had no idea where to start.
Even she, who originally wanted to go shout for Old Ape to come and see, discovered that she was trapped in this starry sky, unable to find an exit at all!
In the endless starry sky, a colossal humanoid phantom stood behind Fang Xu!
The phantom was translucent in color, with the one hundred and eight apertures within its body flickering intermittently.
Gradually, amidst the billions of stars, nine stars suddenly burst forth with dazzling light!
In the next moment, the light of these nine stars directly shone upon the colossal humanoid phantom behind Fang Xu!
Correspondingly, the nine apertures gradually lit up, the divine bridges appeared, and the star charts were constructed in the blink of an eye!
It was a goat with two horns on its head and a huge body!
The huge goat star chart flashed by, and immediately afterward, another nine stars lit up!
In the colossal humanoid phantom behind Fang Xu, the nine apertures lit up again!
Moo!
A deep, resonant howl echoed from the depths of the starry sky, and before him, the starry sky slowly revealed a massive golden bull!
After the golden bull star chart slowly faded, nine stars lit up one after another in the starry sky ahead!
Two colossal fish with heads and tails intertwined, a dignified and mysterious celestial treasure vase, a majestic and awe-inspiring giant lion...
One after another, star charts lit up in the endless starry sky, then each one vanished into the human-shaped phantom behind Fang Xu.
When the last star chart disappeared, the human-shaped phantom behind Fang Xu suddenly burst forth with dazzling radiance!
At this moment!
His body seemed to be a superstar within this starry sky, with all the stars beginning to orbit around his position.
The colossal human-shaped phantom, enveloped by the twelve star charts, gradually revealed a shimmering point of light at its center.
This point of light was brighter than the dots representing acupoints, and seemed alive, flashing with a regular rhythm.
In Yun Wan's astonished gaze, the colossal human-shaped phantom slowly shrank, finally merging into Fang Xu's body!
At this moment!
Though Fang Xu's aura had already dropped to the peak of Martial Disciple, his cultivation rapidly surged!
Martial Master First Realm!
Martial Master Third Realm!
Martial Master Seventh Realm!
Martial Master Ninth Realm!
Even after his aura reached the Martial Master Ninth Realm, it continued to rise!
Yun Wan could clearly feel that, at this moment, Fang Xu, sitting cross-legged beside her, was emitting an aura that grew increasingly strange and illusory.
It was as if... Fang Xu had vanished at this very moment!
She had felt this sensation once before on Fang Xu!
When Fang Xu initially used the Heaven-Seeking Technique to trace Yun Qing's whereabouts, Yun Wan had experienced this feeling.
In this state, Fang Xu's humanity gradually faded, replaced by a trace of divinity akin to that of a deity!
Crack!
As Fang Xu's divinity grew stronger, the night sky, once filled with countless stars, suddenly surged with vast dark clouds, and a terrifying thunderclap rang out.
Yun Wan gasped in horror as the eerie scene around her was shattered directly by this bolt of lightning!
In a flash, Yun Wan rushed to the base of the tree and found the old ape.
"Elder Yuan..."
Before she could finish speaking, the dark clouds above had already shrouded the entire starry sky, and a terrifying pressure gradually gathered, causing some weaker demon apes nearby to tremble in fear.
On the other side, Tong Tong and Ning Xiang also turned pale under this ever-intensifying pressure!
"Again..."
Feeling this pressure, the old ape gazed up at the sky and muttered.
He had felt this heavenly and earthly might once before.
But that time, it was on Fang Xu, and far less terrifying than this.
At this very moment, the old ape was deeply curious—what exactly had Fang Xu done to repeatedly draw the attention of heaven and earth's will?
The dark clouds above continued to gather, with endless lightning flashing within them!
The pressure grew stronger and stronger; in the depths of the Ti Lan Mountain jungle, countless ferocious beasts and demonic beasts fled in panic toward the outskirts, fearing they would be obliterated by heaven's will at any moment.
"Yun Wan, take them and those little ones to hide in the cave first—I'll keep watch here."
Seeing the clansmen pressed to the ground and Tong Tong and Ning Xiang barely able to hold on, the old ape spoke.
Yun Wan nodded and hurriedly led the group of demon apes, Tong Tong, and the others into the ancestral cave.
Since the heaven and earth's will was mainly directed at Fang Xu, those hiding in the cave, though unable to fully shield themselves from the pressure, felt somewhat better.
Crack!
When the dark clouds above condensed to a certain degree, a bolt of lightning suddenly tore through the darkness, striking toward Fang Xu's body!
Seeing this, the old ape couldn't help but show a trace of worry on his face.
Such heavenly thunder is absolutely beyond what ordinary martial artists can withstand.
If this lightning struck Fang Xu, it would very likely blast him straight into charcoal!
The lightning's speed was extreme—it spread to Fang Xu's head in the blink of an eye!
But just then, a massive bronze treasure vase suddenly appeared above Fang Xu's head!
The terrifying lightning was absorbed by the bronze vase, its electric arcs flickering and gradually vanishing!
The next moment!
The twelve star charts slowly emerged, forming a vast ring that enveloped Fang Xu's body!
As the ring formed, streaks of green light burst forth from within, attempting to forcibly disperse the dark clouds above!
Roar!
This act seemed like a challenge to heaven's will, and suddenly, an angry howl echoed from within the endless clouds!
Immediately after!
Vast amounts of lightning coalesced into a lightning giant appearing in the night sky!
The lightning giant raised its lightning spear and thrust it toward Fang Xu, who stood atop the treetop!
Beneath the great tree, the old ape had already been pressed to the ground the moment the lightning giant appeared, unable to move even a single finger!
Too terrifying!
Facing heaven's will, this great demon actually had no room to resist at all!
Clang!
A terrifying explosion sound rang out!
The Thunder Spear collided with the twelve star charts surrounding Fang Xu, producing a heaven-shaking explosion!
Pfft!
Fang Xu, with his eyes tightly shut, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood mist, his face instantly turning pale.
With his current strength, resisting the might of heaven and earth is clearly still insufficient.
After the thunder giant's strike, it raised the spear in its hand again, aiming at Fang Xu in the treetop, preparing to deliver a blow to completely annihilate him!
But just then!
A brilliant sword light directly cleaved a gap in the dark clouds in the sky!
The next moment!
Two enormous hands reached out from that gap, and with great force, they violently tore apart the dark clouds in the sky along with space itself!
At this moment, the countless thunderbolts no longer bothered to attack Fang Xu, transforming into countless troops charging toward that enormous gap!
One after another, thunder spears and thunder swords continuously slashed at those two giant hands!
Fang Xu slowly opened his eyes, and once again saw that enormous figure amidst the endless thunderlight!
"Meng..."
In a daze, Fang Xu seemed to hear a familiar voice that made his soul tremble!
However, at this moment, the scattered electric arcs also reached him, and the terrifying explosion of electric arcs rang in his ears, leaving him momentarily unsure whether he was experiencing an illusion.
The electric arcs containing endless power caused the star chart rings around his body to crackle and pop, with cracks appearing on the star charts.
Under this attack, Fang Xu continuously vomited large amounts of fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, and his consciousness gradually became somewhat blurred.
In the sky, the clash between the giant hands and the will of heaven and earth continued.
Under the relentless attacks of the myriad soldiers formed from thunderlight, the pair of giant hands gradually became illusory, and the torn gap in the sky showed signs of healing!
But just then, a long spear carrying endless might suddenly shot out from the gap!
The spear pierced through space and directly plunged deep into the dark clouds!
"Roar!"
This time, Fang Xu clearly heard an angry roar emanating from deep within the dark clouds!
In the sky, the endless thunderlight soldiers also began to disintegrate at this moment!
Seizing this opportunity, the pair of giant hands suddenly exerted force, directly tearing open a huge gap in the sky!
Dada!
Dada!
A clear sound came from the void, and from the fissure emitting illusory light, a dignified figure stepped out!
Fang Xu strained to lift his head, wanting to see the true face of that figure, but he could not make it out no matter how hard he tried.
He could only see that the figure seemed to wear some kind of crown symbolizing identity on its head, a long sword hung at its waist, and behind it, within the fissure, there seemed to be endless banners standing tall!
Afterward, the dark clouds in the sky surged rapidly, gradually gathering into a enormous human face!
After the face appeared, it let out an angry roar toward the void fissure!
The next moment, heaven and earth lost their color, as numerous black chains emerged from the void, directly binding the figure that had emerged from the space fissure!
Bang!
The figure trembled slightly, breaking those chains.
However, the chains in the void were simply too many, coming one after another, directly forcing that figure back again.
As the victory of heaven and earth's will seemed imminent, a sudden aura erupted from the distance of Mount Tilan, not weaker than the will of heaven and earth!
After that aura appeared, it shot toward Fang Xu like a meteor!
Above the sky, a blurred figure hovered silently between the terrifying giant face and the figure that came from the void!
The three sides seemed to be discussing something, but Fang Xu could hear nothing at all.
Moreover, with the appearance of the third party, the surrounding dark clouds rapidly gathered, directly obscuring the void fissure and everything in the sky!
Time passed bit by bit, until finally, the dark clouds dispersed and the sky returned to calm.
Everything had ended. Gazing at the blazing sun overhead, Fang Xu's expression was somewhat dazed.
He did not know what had happened the previous night, nor was he clear about the identity of the figure that had broken through the void to come, nor the figure that had flown out from the depths of Mount Tilan.
But...
"Fang Xu, come down to eat!"
Yun Wan's voice came from beneath the giant tree.
Fang Xu furrowed his brow and jumped directly down from the treetop of the giant tree.
"Are you all unharmed?" Looking at Yun Wan and the old ape and others before him, Fang Xu quickly spoke.
Yun Wan, the old ape, and Tong Tong and others exchanged glances, appearing somewhat puzzled.
"Young Fang, why are we injured?" The old ape asked, somewhat bewildered.
Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, Fang Xu suddenly realized a terrifying thing!
"Didn't you notice anything strange last night?" Fang Xu tentatively asked.
"Young master, no." Ning Xiang replied: "Last night, seeing you cultivating on the tree, Elder Yuan forbade us from disturbing you, so we all went to sleep early."
Fang Xu then looked toward Yun Wan, seeing her also nod, his face involuntarily turned solemn.
Indeed, everyone's memories had been silently erased!
"Elder Yuan, did you also not notice anything strange?" Fang Xu refused to give up, looking toward the old ape.
Yun Wan and the others are weak and could have had their memories silently erased, but Elder Yuan, as a strong cultivator of the Elemental Martial Realm, with his soul forged and nurtured on the Star Platform, should not have felt nothing at all, right?
"Little Fang, are you having some cultivation problems?" The old ape asked with a solemn expression.
Seeing this, Fang Xu slightly shook his head.
"Maybe I'm just hallucinating."
Absentmindedly keeping company with everyone as they ate a little something, Fang Xu returned to the trunk of the giant tree, wanting to find some clues around to prove that what he encountered last night was real and not a dream.
But no matter how he searched, everything was as normal as could be.
The leaves around him, the trunk beneath him, not even a trace of injury remained.
Unconvinced, he immediately sat cross-legged on the trunk, wanting to examine his inner star chart.
Upon entering his inner world, Fang Xu was completely stunned!
All of his acupoints within his body were lit up!
Twelve star charts emitted lights of various colors, and at the center position of these star charts, a round bead like a chicken egg floated silently, emitting a faint glow.
The star charts have changed!
Twelve star charts!
This proves that everything last night was real!
As for my martial techniques, secret arts, and divine abilities...
Carefully sensing the twelve special star charts, Fang Xu happily discovered that his previous secret arts and divine abilities had not disappeared, but instead were integrated onto the twelve star charts!
And, accompanied by the fusion of secret arts, martial techniques, and divine abilities with the star charts, he could clearly feel that the power of those things he previously mastered had increased.
For example, the Kui Niu Force secret art now fully possesses the ability of techniques.
Again, for example, the attack soul ability of the Casting Ding Star Chart is now completely attached to a bronze treasure vase.
The Dragon Roaming movement technique is attached to those two swimming fish star charts...
Hmm?
Fang Xu suddenly discovered that these twelve star charts of his seemed somewhat familiar.
After a period of careful observation, his expression became somewhat solemn.
Twelve Palaces!
The twelve star charts within his body were exactly the Twelve Palaces passed down from his previous life!
The Twelve Palaces is a term in the inheritance of Huaxia Daoism; in his previous life, the ancient Babylonian civilization called it the Yellow Road Twelve Palaces, and later astrology also called them the Twelve Constellations.
It turns out that the star chart he had been painstakingly seeking, which perfectly matches the one hundred and eight acupoints of the human body, is exactly the twelve star charts that the ancients of his previous life had already discovered.
After the star charts transformed into the Twelve Palaces, the abilities he previously mastered did not disappear, and then the last two star charts provided him with new abilities.
Upon arriving at the eleventh star chart, Fang Xu carefully sensed it and found that this star chart seemed to be in some kind of sealed state, and did not bring him any special martial arts, secret techniques, etc.
Obviously, the twelfth star chart is the same.
He felt somewhat disappointed.
He had thought that by taking this unprecedented step, he should be able to obtain some heaven-defying abilities.
But as it stands now, his strength has greatly increased, but his abilities are still the same as before.
Consciousness returned, and Fang Xu slowly opened his eyes.
The twelve star charts were successfully constructed, and the Mysterious Water Dao Foundation and the newly constructed three-foot Dao Foundation in his sea of consciousness were safe and sound.
If calculated according to ordinary cultivation methods, his current realm is the peak of Martial Venerable!
Because the Mysterious Water Dao Foundation is the Nine-Foot Star Platform.
The soul has been shaped, the Nine-Foot Star Platform has been formed, and there is little difference between him and the peak of Martial Venerable.
But from a practical standpoint, he is only equivalent to the already peaked Martial Venerable.
Because he follows the ancient martial artists' knowing, one Dao Foundation, one realm.
After his cultivation successfully broke through to the Martial Venerable realm, the following days became much more peaceful.
Accompanying the old ape in the ancestral land for half a month, personally witnessing the successful awakening of intelligence of the Earthfiend Demon Ape, becoming a demon after that, Fang Xu then prepared to leave this place.
"Ape Uncle, we are going back."
Under the Heaven-Reaching Tree, Fang Xu bid farewell to the old ape.
"What, you're not preparing to take old man with you back?" The old ape exclaimed in surprise.
Fang Xu puzzled: "Ape Uncle, are you not staying behind?"
The old ape laughed: "The little ones have their own way of life, old man does not wish to nest in this big mountain."
"Let's go."
With reluctance in his eyes, he turned back to look at the Earthfiend Demon Apes behind him, the old ape instructed: "Well guard the ancestral land, old man will come back to see you from time to time."
The group of Earthfiend Demon Apes nodded in unison, then saw off Fang Xu and the others as they left the forest.
Just as several people came out of Mount Tilan, they saw at the foot of the mountain, the town was decorated with lanterns and banners, a scene of celebration.
"Is there a happy event?" Tong Tong curiously looked at everything before her.
"The whole town is decorated with lanterns and banners, it shouldn't be a happy event, right?" Yun Wan also said very curiously:
"But at this time, in the customs of Huangzhou, there are also no festivals..."
"Ah, just find someone to ask and you'll know." Ning Xiang said, directly walking up to a man on the roadside: "This big brother, may I ask what you are celebrating?"
Seeing Ning Xiang's beautiful appearance, like a fairy, the man hastily spoke eagerly: "Miss, don't you know?"
Ning Xiang shook her head: "We just came out of the mountains, haven't heard of anything happening."
The man lowered his voice and said: "His Majesty the Emperor has just ordered universal celebration."
"It seems like the Grand General and the Emperor have broken through... I, your humble servant, am not clear either, but anyway, the government office these days has free food and drink."
"Miss, do you want to go together? If you go late, there won't be good seats."
Ning Xiang shook her head, directly returning to Fang Xu's side: "Young master, according to what that person said, it seems like Emperor Yu and General Zhao Wují broke through, Emperor Yu issued an edict, universal celebration, a grand feast for all under heaven."
Yu Huang and Zhao Wují both broke through!?
Upon hearing this, Fang Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.
He hadn't expected these two to break through to the Elemental Martial Realm so quickly.
"Li Cangwu, that dog thief, truly Heaven is blind!" Yun Wan cursed angrily.
It was Li Cangwu who framed the Yun family for treason and rebellion, and it was Li Cangwu who ordered the massacre of the Yun family's direct line.
Now Li Cangwu has broken through to the Elemental Martial Realm—when will this blood-debt ever be repaid!?
"Let's return to the Ascension Immortal Assembly first." After some thought, Fang Xu spoke.
Li Cangwu and Zhao Wují broke through simultaneously; the state of the world will soon undergo great change.
Both have reached the Elemental Martial Realm; they will surely act against the rebelling Qingzhou and the Ascension Immortal Assembly.
Moreover, the Southern Witches are restoring their nation on the Muyun Grassland and will soon suffer a purge by the Yu State.
All events are unfolding in an unpredictable direction alongside Li Cangwu and Zhao Wují's breakthroughs.
They must now rush back to the Ascension Immortal Assembly.
The group did not linger, riding hard and fast to Zhongzhou City.
But Zhongzhou City at this time has changed.
Once extraordinarily prosperous, Zhongzhou City now appears somewhat desolate, with most shops closed and many commoners staying indoors.
After great effort, the group encountered a commoner on the street; Ning Xiang approached, hoping to gather information.
But that commoner seemed like a deaf person—eyes vacant, movements stiff, and finally kept muttering:
"Pay homage to the Yu Emperor, Honor of the Ten Thousand Peoples..."
"Pay homage to the Yu Emperor, Honor of the Ten Thousand Peoples..."
Ning Xiang stared blankly as the person gradually departed, then returned to Fang Xu's side and said: "Young Master, that person seems somewhat abnormal."
Fang Xu nodded.
He had seen everything that just happened.
"Ning Xiang, what was that person muttering?"
Ning Xiang thought for a moment and replied: "It seemed like... 'Pay homage to the Yu Emperor, Honor of the Ten Thousand Peoples...'"
As her words fell, her body suddenly stiffened.
Hmm?
Fang Xu frowned slightly, then raised his hand and slashed out a streak of black light!
The black light swept over Ning Xiang's head, as if something had been directly severed, and Ning Xiang immediately regained her senses.
"Young Master, I... I just seemed to see a person!"
Ning Xiang said, her face full of shock.
Fang Xu frowned: "Who did you see?"
"A middle-aged man radiating endless golden light, with disheveled hair, hawk eyes, a high nasal bridge, and an eight-character beard."
"Li Cangwu..." Fang Xu looked solemnly at the old ape: "Ape Bo, what kind of evil sorcery is this?"
The old ape shook his head: "From ancient times to now, the paths of cultivation are as numerous as cow hairs; among them are not lacking some similar to shamanism, incantation arts, and other miraculous techniques—I, too, cannot discern them."
"But this matter is certainly related to that Yu Emperor Li Cangwu."
"Young Fang, we should hurry back to the Ascension Immortal Assembly; I always feel something strange about Zhongzhou City."
Fang Xu nodded, and the five dared not linger in Zhongzhou City, directly returning to Huayang Mountain.
After sending Old Ape and Tong Tong back to the mountain-foot cottage, Fang Xu and Yun Wan had no pause, directly returning to the Ascension Immortal Assembly.
In the Hall of Law Enforcement, after Fang Xu paid his respects to his master Chu Ren Di, he recounted the strange events of his journey.
Chu Ren Di's face showed no surprise, directly saying: "Zhao Wují and Li Cangwu have indeed broken through to the Elemental Martial Realm."
"The matter of Zhongzhou City has already been investigated by Senior Brother Jiang."
"Fang Xu, come here."
Under Chu Ren Di's guidance, Fang Xu came to the bamboo grove where Jiang Feng secluded himself.
Seeing Fang Xu, Jiang Feng furrowed his brows and said: "Has your cultivation encountered a problem?"
Fang Xu was slightly startled, then shook his head.
"Give me your hand." Jiang Feng said.
Fang Xu hesitated for a moment, then extended his palm.
Gripping his wrist, Jiang Feng slightly closed his eyes.
A faint energy circulated within Fang Xu's body, and Jiang Feng suddenly opened his eyes!
"You..."
Pointing angrily at Fang Xu, he suddenly stood and looked toward Chu Ren Di: "Was the Nine-Layer Star Platform technique told to him by you?"
Chu Ren Di was stunned: "No..."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly recalled that Fang Xu had previously asked him about the Nine-Layer Star Platform; at that time, he had repeatedly advised against it, urging him never to pursue that path.
Could it be...
Chu Ren Di seized Fang Xu's arm, and a rough force circulated within Fang Xu's body, clearly feeling the fluctuation of two star platforms.
"How... how is this possible!?"
Before leaving the Ascension Immortal Assembly, Fang Xu was merely an eighth-level Martial Scholar; now, only two months have passed, and in Chu Ren Di's view, his breakthrough to Martial Venerable already seemed unbelievable.
Who would have thought Fang Xu had already established a nine-foot star platform and cultivated the second star platform to three feet?
"Why did you not heed the warning I gave you then!?"
Chu Ren Di looked at Fang Xu with heartfelt anguish.
He didn't know what kind of opportunity Fang Xu had encountered on this trip, but one thing was certain: if Fang Xu had listened to him and not taken the path of the ancient nine-tiered star platform, he would already be at the peak of Martial Venerable!
At that time, he would only need to spend some time carefully refining his soul, and when performing the soul descent in a completely safe situation, he would become the youngest expert in the Yuanwu realm at the Ascension Immortal Assembly!
But now?
Chu Ren Di grew angrier the more he thought about it!
He had once warned him about the matter of that senior on the Immortal Island, but he never expected this incident to still happen.
"Master, please don't be angry first..."
"I don't have a disciple like you!" Chu Ren Di was so angry he became muddled-headed.
"Master..." Fang Xu approached, lowering his head and said: "Please don't be angry, disciple feels he can make this path work."
"You feel?"
"That senior back then also felt he could make this path work!"
"In recent antiquity, how many astonishingly talented martial artists also felt they could reach the pinnacle of the martial path!"
"And in the end?"
Chu Ren Di was filled with immense anger, roaring at Fang Xu.
After a long while——
He let out a deep sigh, turned to look at Jiang Feng and bowed with clasped hands: "Senior Brother Jiang, do you still have any way to save him?"
Jiang Feng shook his head: "This seat does not possess such strength."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ren Di immediately grabbed Fang Xu and prepared to go outside.
"Master, where are we going?"
"Immortal Island!" Chu Ren Di said coldly: "As master, I cannot stand by and watch you be ruined like this!"
"Junior Brother Chu, don't act rashly!"
Jiang Feng flashed his figure and blocked the two of them.
"Immortal Island is now under surveillance; they dare not attack directly, but they are stationed all around, and anyone entering or leaving Immortal Island will be intercepted and killed. You simply cannot go to Immortal Island now."
"I don't care!" Chu Ren Di insisted: "Taking advantage of the fact that his second-tier star platform is only three chi high, I will go find Elder Wu, think of a way to seal his second-tier star platform, let it be slowly absorbed, and perhaps there is still hope!"
Chu Ren Di said, turning his head to look at Fang Xu: "As master, even if I die, I cannot let your martial path be cut off like this."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xu felt a warmth in his heart.
Chu Ren Di usually speaks little and is often not good at expressing himself.
But Fang Xu could feel his concern and care for him.
"Master, disciple truly has confidence in making it through this ancient path."
"Since the ancients left this path behind, it proves this path is correct."
"Since someone has walked this path and successfully reached the other shore, disciple feels he must be able to do it, please master believe me this once!"
Facing Chu Ren Di's eyes, Fang Xu spoke sincerely.
Chu Ren Di was at a loss for words for a moment.
"Junior Brother Chu, this seat feels that Fang Xu might possibly create a miracle."
"Moreover, the martial path must follow one's true heart."
"Even if you forcibly bring him to Immortal Island and have Elder Wu seal his star platform with a drop."
"When the time comes for soul descent, this will inevitably become his inner demon, and then how will you guarantee he will surely succeed in soul descent and break through to Yuanwu?"
After hearing Jiang Feng's words, Chu Ren Di fell silent.
Indeed.
Soul descent is a matter of life and death; if there is guilt in the heart or unfinished business, during soul descent it will turn into inner demons and become a fatal hidden danger.
"Alas!"
After a period of hesitation, Chu Ren Di sighed regretfully.
"Forget it, master leads one to the door, cultivation depends on the individual."
"You chose your own path; as master, I only hope that in the future, when you walk far along the martial path alongside your contemporaries, you will not regret it."
Fang Xu gave a light smile: "Master, just rest assured."
Four years ago, he wasn't even a Martial Apprentice; the appearance of the Ti Lan Shan ruins found him in Feng Lin Zhen facing many forces, forced to maneuver in the cracks, seeking a sliver of survival chance.
Three years ago, coerced by Yu Shan Tian Yi into entering the Ti Lan Shan ruins, facing various dangers, he counter-killed Yu Shan Tian Yi, and ultimately, due to his divine abilities, was hunted by all major forces of Yu Guo.
Now, his cultivation has already reached the first level of Martial Venerable.
Moreover, since he walks the ancient martial path, if his current self faced the predicament of three years ago, those Martial Venerables of the major forces, he has confidence in slaughtering them all!
"Master, you brought disciple here for..."
Not wanting to let Chu Ren Di worry, Fang Xu immediately changed the subject.
Chu Ren Di then reacted, looking toward Jiang Feng and said: "Senior Brother Jiang, how is the investigation into the affairs of Zhong Zhou City going?"
Jiang Feng shook his head: "This matter is very strange; this seat feels that, given Li Cang Wu's strength, it is fundamentally impossible for him to achieve this."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xu frowned and said: "Does the meaning of being in charge imply that Li Cang Wu has even more powerful existences behind him?"
Currently, on the land of Yu Guo, the most mysterious entity is none other than the Yan Shen Sect.
But the Yan Shen Sect and the Yu Guo royal family have a great enmity, so they definitely will not intervene to help Li Cang Wu.
Could it be that besides the Yan Shen Sect, there are other hidden forces in the dark colluding with Li Cang Wu?
"Fang Xu, on this trip returning from Ti Lan Shan, have you made any other discoveries?" Jiang Feng suddenly spoke.
"Yes."
Fang Xu recounted the events that he and several others encountered in Zhong Zhou City.
"Oh?"
"What kind of words?"
Jiang Feng asked curiously.
"Paying respects to the Yu Emperor, the Sovereign of All People."
Fang Xu hesitated for a moment, but still uttered these eight characters.
In his view, this technique should not be able to affect him.
As soon as these eight characters left his mouth, Fang Xu's soul and spirit suddenly noticed a golden thread, invisible to the naked eye, extending directly from the void.
The fine thread passed directly through his physical body and began to wrap around his soul.
"Hmm?"
Jiang Feng obviously also noticed this, and was about to act, but Fang Xu was the first to pull and break that invisible golden thread.
In that instant, he also saw Li Cangwu.
"Soul-Linking Technique!?"
Jiang Feng pondered for a long time, his expression suddenly turning grave, and he muttered.
"Is the Soul-Linking Technique that Senior Brother Jiang spoke of the one from the Bright Soul Dao?" Chu Ren Di asked, his face full of astonishment.
Jiang Feng strode back and forth in the pavilion with his hands behind his back, his face growing increasingly solemn.
"When did the people of the Bright Soul Dao arrive here?"
"I have always thought that Li Cangwu followed the path of incense and faith, a method he figured out from some ancient texts."
"Now it seems that behind all of this, there may be people from the Bright Soul Dao causing trouble."
Fang Xu, standing to the side, watched the expressions on Jiang Feng and Chu Ren Di's faces and guessed that the "Bright Soul Dao" they mentioned should be a power no weaker than the Ascension Immortal Association.
Otherwise, it would not cause the two of them to lose their composure so.
"Master, the Bright Soul Dao is..."
Fang Xu spoke, and Chu Ren Di looked at Jiang Feng: "Senior Brother Jiang..."
Jiang Feng turned to look at Fang Xu and said: "I have already decided to give him this year's Ascension Immortal Order, and some things should also be made known to him."
Chu Ren Di nodded and looked toward Fang Xu: "How large do you think this world is?"
Upon hearing this question, Fang Xu was slightly startled.
He guessed that this world was certainly not as simple as what he saw, but as for exactly how large it is, he really hadn't thought about it.
"You say the Yu State, the Fu State, and even the already destroyed Yu State and Mu Yun State, and so on—all their lands added together—only account for one percent of the land of this world."
"The Yu State and other states, including my Ascension Immortal Association's Immortal Island, as well as the territories ruled by the Bright Soul Dao, are collectively known as the Cang Min Four Islands."
"In the middle of the Cang Min Four Islands lies a vast and boundless continent, which is called the Tian Xuan Realm."
"The Cang Min Four Islands are located at the northern and southern ends of the Tian Xuan Realm; the two islands in the north belong to the rule of my Ascension Immortal Association, and these two islands are the Immortal Island and this land where the Yu State is located."
"The Bright Soul Dao rules the two islands in the south."
After Chu Ren Di's explanation, Fang Xu gained a rough understanding of this world.
"Then, according to this, the region where the Bright Soul Dao is located is separated from us by an entire Tian Xuan Realm?" Fang Xu asked doubtfully: "Why would they run all the way, not far from hundreds of millions of li, to the Yu State to do what?"
Jiang Feng shook his head: "This is also something I do not understand."
"Such a state as the Yu State, placed in the Cang Min Four Islands, is still considered a decent power, but in the entire Tian Xuan Realm, it amounts to nothing. Why have the people of the Bright Soul Dao come here, and what exactly are they after?"
"Junior Brother Chu, immediately notify the disciples of the sect; in the near future, try not to go out on missions as much as possible."
"The appearance of the Bright Soul Dao people in Zhongzhou certainly indicates they have some unspeakable secret."
Chu Ren Di nodded and immediately left the bamboo pavilion.
"Fang Xu, do not speak of the matters of the Tian Xuan Realm; the situation is urgent, and I now entrust you with a task."
Fang Xu nodded and cupped his hands: "Please give your orders, Sect Master."
Jiang Feng lightly waved his hand, took out paper and brush, then wrote several lines on the paper, slipped it into an envelope, and handed it over, saying: "Take this letter of mine to find Yan Wu, and together with her go to congratulate Li Cangwu on his breakthrough to the Elemental Martial Realm, and by the way, see if there are any strange people around Li Cangwu."
"Remember, do not act rashly; you only need to gather information."
"Yes!"
Fang Xu took the letter, cupped his hands, and then left the bamboo pavilion.
Zhongzhou Imperial City, inside the palace.
Li Cangwu sat quietly in the main hall, and before him, Zhao Wuji stood like a statue.
"Your Majesty, Jiang Feng has merely sent a steward this time to offer congratulations to Your Majesty, which is really too disrespectful."
Facing Zhao Wuji, a figure in a black robe and wearing a black bamboo hat laughed and spoke.
Li Cangwu gave a faint smile, looked at the black-robed figure, and said: "What the Venerable means is to let me now tear my face with the Ascension Immortal Association?"
The black-robed person said nothing.
Li Cangwu continued: "The Venerable previously said that the Immortal Island would not interfere in the affairs of the Yu State here, but how is it that the several core disciples of the Ascension Immortal Association captured from the Immortal Island are doing this?"
"Hehe..." the black-robed figure gave a light smile: "Your Majesty and the Grand General are now both powerful experts of the Elemental Martial Realm; adding myself, we have three Elemental Martial Realm experts—what is there to fear?"
Li Cangwu waved his hand: "This matter is not urgent; we still need to wait for the Venerable's methods to take effect before speaking further."
Upon hearing this, the black-robed figure's face, hidden beneath the cloak, flashed with a hint of gloom.
He had not expected his plan to encounter such a change.
In the plan, using the way of faith to negotiate cooperation with Li Cangwu, even if Li Cangwu broke through to the Elemental Martial Realm, he had absolute confidence in suppressing him.
But the meteorite that fell in the northern border was an accident.
The black-robed figure never expected that the Grand General of the Yu State, Zhao Wuji, would actually rely on the pure killing intent on that meteorite to also break through to the Elemental Martial Realm.
Two against one, his advantage vanished instantly; losing the advantage meant losing the initiative, and now he can only think of ways to lure Li Cangwu into a complete break with the Ascension Immortal Association.
"Report!"
"Your Majesty, the steward Yan Wu and disciple Fang Xu of the Ascension Immortal Association have arrived!"
At this moment, a guard ran in in a panic.
Li Cangwu waved his hand: "Take them to Chunhua Hall, I'll arrive shortly."
"Yes!"
The guard withdrew.
Outside the hall, the guard bowed to Fang Xu and Yanwu and said: "His Majesty invites the two of you to wait in Chunhua Hall, where a banquet has already been prepared."
Upon hearing this, Yanwu glanced at Fang Xu and then said: "Lead the way."
Under the guard's guidance, the two soon arrived before Chunhua Hall.
"Please enter, Your Majesty will arrive shortly." The guard pushed open the hall door, ushered Fang Xu and Yanwu inside, and then closed the door again.
"What is Li Cangwu up to?" Yanwu eyed the surroundings warily, frowning.
Fang Xu, however, sat down at the dining table with ease, reached out, grabbed a piece of beef, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Watch out for poison!" Seeing this, Yanwu hurried to stop him.
Fang Xu laughed and shook his head: "We are here to congratulate him on his breakthrough; why would he poison us?"
"Besides, you're an attendant and I'm an inner sect disciple—poisoning us would only give the Ascension Immortal Society a reason to act, which would benefit Li Cangwu in no way."
"Just sit down and relax."
Yanwu stared for a moment, then plopped down beside Fang Xu.
"I didn't expect you to be so perceptive."
"Attendant Yanwu, I have a bottle of wine here; later, try to persuade Li Cangwu to drink it." Fang Xu's hand flashed with light as he produced a bottle of wine he had prepared in advance.
Yanwu stared: "Did you poison it?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xu was momentarily speechless.
What on earth is this Yanwu thinking all day?
Poison might work against low-level martial artists, but against Li Cangwu, a Martial Warrior of the Elemental Martial Realm, ordinary poison would have no effect.
At least, the Yu State branch of the Ascension Immortal Society should not be able to find a poison capable of killing an Elemental Martial Realm warrior.
"What are you scheming?"
Yanwu was puzzled.
Since there's no poison, why did Fang Xu ask me to persuade Li Cangwu to drink wine?
"Disciple will sell you a mystery for now; you'll understand later." Fang Xu glanced at the two vacant spots on his friend list and smiled faintly.
(End of chapter)
End of Chapter
