Chapter 169

Yandance did not continue to ask further.

The doors of the Chunhua Hall were pushed open, and three figures walked in from outside the hall; the leader was none other than the current Yu Emperor Li Cangwu, followed by the Slaughterer Zhao Wujì and that black-robed figure.

Upon seeing Li Cangwu, Yandance and Fang Xu slowly rose and bowed with clasped hands: "We pay our respects to Your Majesty."

Li Cangwu chuckled and pressed his hands down: "You two have waited long enough; please, take a seat."

After the five took their seats in order of precedence, Li Cangwu glanced at Fang Xu and smiled: "Young Hero Fang, you are young and accomplished."

"I recall correctly, Young Hero Fang has been in the Ascension Immortal Society for only three years, yet you have now faintly become the foremost inner disciple of the current generation of the Ascension Immortal Society—your future is limitless."

"Your Majesty flatters me," Fang Xu replied, neither humble nor arrogant, clasping his hands, though his gaze flicked toward the black-robed figure opposite.

The strength of his soul allowed him to faintly sense that the aura of this black-robed person was obscure, somewhat strange.

This person is almost certainly the Ming Soul Dao disciple mentioned by Jiang Feng and his master Chu Ren Di.

Ju Yuan took the wine jug, lightly sniffed it, and his expression showed some confusion, followed by astonishment!

A pair of eyes looked incredulously at Fang Xu and Yandance.

"The Master is currently in seclusion and cannot come in person; he specially sent a handwritten letter and a jug of fine wine, asking Your Majesty not to take offense."

This item is a rare treasure in the world—just a few drops in water make it something even ordinary martial artists rarely get to see.

Ju Yuan's ability is well known to him; since he gave such high praise to this wine, it seems my worries were somewhat unnecessary.

"The Fortune Immortal Liquid is an energy born of heaven and earth, produced in the Purification Pool, and has seven colors."

He handed the wine jug to Zhao Wujì, and Li Cangwu spoke.

Zhao Wujì took the wine jug, opened it, sniffed, and his expression suddenly changed!

This jug of wine was specially prepared by Fang Xu; the wine itself is not particularly fine, but Fang Xu added a few drops of Fortune Immortal Liquid to it.

"Haha…… Although you have always loved wine, you do not know how to appreciate it."

Li Cangwu also caught a whiff of that strange fragrance, and curiously looked at Zhao Wujì: "How is the fine wine sent by Brother Jiang?"

But Li Cangwu and Zhao Wujì obviously do not know what Fortune Immortal Liquid is.

"Your Majesty, are you not going to taste the fine wine sent by the Master?" Yandance spoke.

Li Cangwu glanced at Yandance, smiled faintly: "Ju Yuan Brother comes from overseas; he is an old friend I made years ago, and now he happens to be passing through Yu State, invited by me to stay here for a few days."

Saying this, he took the wine jug and carefully filled the cups for everyone present.

Fang Xu and Yandance bowed with clasped hands, watching as Li Cangwu handed the fine wine in his hand to the maidservant behind him.

Fang Xu said, asking her to find a way to persuade Li Cangwu to drink this jug of wine; although he did not know what was special about this wine, Yandance still spoke up.

"I never thought this wine actually contained Fortune Immortal Liquid—this wine is priceless."

Everyone looked curiously at Ju Yuan.

Upon hearing his words, Li Cangwu's face showed a hint of a smile.

"Fortunately, Ju Yuan Brother is here; otherwise, I and Wujì would be ignorant and narrow-minded, and might have overlooked Brother Jiang's kind intention."

"More importantly, this energy also has the miraculous effect of nourishing the Spirit Platform and nurturing the soul."

Yandance feigned realization, slightly bowing to Ju Yuan: "Sir, coming from overseas, my apologies for the discourtesy."

"The Elder Jiang of the Ascension Immortal Society is truly extravagant, actually using Fortune Immortal Liquid to brew wine……"

"Since Elder Jiang sent such precious fine wine, I shall, in lieu of flowers, offer this wine to entertain the two of you and Mr. Ju Yuan."

"Fortune Immortal Liquid!?"

"Wujì, open and take a look."

Li Cangwu raised his cup, looked at Fang Xu and Yandance, and said.

"This item contains the most primordial, most original energy of heaven and earth, and has a deadly attraction for demonic beasts."

After saying this, a flicker of greed flashed in Ju Yuan's eyes, but it was quickly suppressed.

"Ju Yuan Brother, come and see how this wine is."

"Huh?"

"Steward Yandance, Young Hero Fang, I toast you."

Li Cangwu froze for a moment, glanced at the wine jug, then laughed and waved for the maidservant to step back first.

Saying this, she picked up the wine jug Fang Xu had taken out: "I have heard that Your Majesty and the Grand General have taken that step; the Master specially ordered me and Fang Xu to come and congratulate Your Majesty."

Watching Li Cangwu hand the wine jug again to Ju Yuan, Fang Xu coldly smirked in his heart.

"Hehe, Elder Jiang is being courteous; trouble the two of you to convey my thanks to Elder Jiang upon your return." Li Cangwu took the letter and that jug of fine wine, laughing as he spoke.

He knew Li Cangwu was a cautious person; although he also knew they could not possibly use such a lowly method as poisoning the wine, he still, under the pretense of tasting wine, had Zhao Wujì and Ju Yuan examine it thoroughly.

As a person of the Ming Soul Dao, he obviously knows what Fortune Immortal Liquid is; he merely sniffed lightly and immediately smelled the Fortune Immortal Liquid in the wine.

"When martial cultivators consume Fortune Immortal Liquid, a single drop is comparable to months of arduous training."

Yandance also noticed the black-robed person, smiling faintly: "This gentleman seems somewhat unfamiliar; may Your Majesty please introduce him?"

"I originally thought the esteemed Elder of the Ascension Immortal Society would come personally to congratulate Your Majesty, but instead he sent only a bottle of ordinary wine—how shabby."

Zhao Wujì bowed: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Elder Jiang's wine is indeed a rare fine vintage, but I cannot say why."

Yandance was about to raise her cup, but Fang Xu laughed and spoke: "Your Majesty, Mr. Ju Yuan has come from afar as a guest; let this junior first offer him a cup."

The friend list still has two spots open; he must find a way to add Ju Yuan to it.

Upon hearing this, Li Cangwu laughed and nodded: "It was my oversight; Mr. Ju Yuan, please forgive me."

Ju Yuan raised the cup before him, smiling faintly: "First meeting, Young Hero Fang, you are too courteous."

Watching Fang Xu tilt his head back and drink the wine in his cup, Ju Yuan also eagerly drank his wine dry.

This wine contains Fortune Immortal Liquid, after all.

If not for having no choice, he would even want to keep this jug of wine for himself, then extract the Fortune Immortal Liquid from it, refine a furnace of good pills, to achieve better effects.

Drinking it directly like this is somewhat wasteful.

After the wine in the cup went down his throat, Fang Xu saw the name of Ju Yuan slowly appear in the friend list deep in his sea of consciousness.

Friend Nine: Tianxuan Realm·Nanli Island·Ju Yuan (75%)

Not bad!

Fang Xu nodded in satisfaction.

But Ju Yuan opposite him slightly furrowed his brow.

As a martial artist of the Elemental Martial Realm and a cultivator who primarily cultivates the Divine Soul Path, he could clearly feel that when he drank this cup of wine, his divine soul suddenly produced a slight tremor.

In the dark, it seemed as if some strange feeling lingered around his heart.

Ju Yuan's heart tightened, and he initially thought there was something wrong with the wine, so he hastily used his divine soul power to carefully examine it, but found nothing abnormal.

After drinking the fine wine mixed with the Creation Immortal Liquid, the Creation Immortal Liquid inside immediately transformed into the purest energy, surging into his limbs and bones, nourishing his divine soul.

The feeling of comfort and pleasure made him momentarily forget the palpitation of his divine soul.

So comfortable!

The Creation Immortal Liquid is too miraculous!

Ju Yuan was immersed in it, his face showing an expression of enjoyment, which made Zhao Wují and Li Cangwu unable to restrain themselves somewhat.

"Wují, you and I should toast to Executor Yandance." Li Cangwu eagerly raised his cup toward Yandance.

Yandance hesitated slightly, always feeling that this wine should have some problem.

But Zhao Wují and Li Cangwu paid no attention to these concerns, and the two directly tilted their heads back and drained the wine in their cups.

Seeing this, Fang Xu frowned.

The two had almost simultaneously drunk it down, this last friend slot...

He hurriedly looked toward the friend list.

Friend Ten: Zhongzhou·Li Cangwu (81%)

The last friend finally appeared, and Fang Xu showed a hint of a smile on his face.

Compared to Zhao Wují, he obviously preferred this tenth friend to be Li Cangwu.

Now that the goal was achieved, he could just wait slowly.

After Li Cangwu and Zhao Wují drank the wine in the cup, they also felt the wonder of the Creation Immortal Liquid, and they all closed their eyes to carefully savor it.

Yandance curiously glanced at Fang Xu, her eyes carrying a question, as if asking whether she herself could drink this wine.

Fang Xu smiled and nodded, saying: "This is the fine wine cherished by the steward, Executor Yandance, don't you want to try a sip?"

Being made somewhat bewildered by his words, Yandance looked at the wine in her hand and eventually still tilted her head back and drank it down.

The wonder of the Creation Immortal Liquid also let her deeply experience it.

During the subsequent banquet, the five people chatted happily.

After serving two rounds of wine to several people, Li Cangwu suddenly discovered that the wine in the bottle was almost gone, and he immediately said: "This fine wine was gifted by Brother Jiang, I want to keep it to savor slowly."

"Someone, change the wine!"

Ignoring the eager looks of Ju Yuan and Zhao Wují, Li Cangwu handed the remaining little wine to the maid behind him and said lightly: "Keep it safe for me, if there is any mistake, I will exterminate your nine clans."

The maid's body trembled slightly, her hands tightly gripping the wine bottle, moving it bit by bit, fearing that a slight carelessness would overturn this wine comparable to her nine clans.

This banquet lasted over an hour, and finally ended with all guests pleased.

After Fang Xu and Yandance left, Li Cangwu reclined comfortably on his dragon throne, closed his eyes, and said lightly: "Jiang Feng has sent me such a precious gift, what should I do?"

Before him, Zhao Wují lowered his head in his twilight years, not responding.

Li Cangwu raised his head, glanced at him: "Wují, I am asking you a question."

Zhao Wují clasped his hands: "Your subject supports any decision of Your Majesty!"

Looking at his serious expression, Li Cangwu felt somewhat helpless: "Wují ah, I regard you as my brother, can you not be so rigid?"

"Come."

Saying this, he shifted his body, making some space on the dragon throne, and greeted Zhao Wují to come up.

Seeing this, Zhao Wují's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly dropped to one knee, clasping his hands and saying: "Your subject is terrified, your subject dares not!"

"Just come if I tell you to come!"

Li Cangwu's face turned serious again as he spoke.

Zhao Wují slowly walked up to him, looked at the dragon throne before him symbolizing the imperial position, and finally still lifted his foot.

Li Cangwu quietly watched him, his eyes carrying an inexplicable smile.

Plop!

Zhao Wují finally still sat directly on the steps beside the dragon throne, turned his head toward Li Cangwu and said: "Your subject likes this position."

Li Cangwu's expression froze for a moment, then he burst into laughter.

Speaking of breaking through the Elemental Martial Realm, Zhao Wují had already stepped into the Elemental Martial Realm one step ahead of him.

When the scout delivered this news to Li Cangwu's ears, he was frightened out of his wits.

Although he greatly trusted Zhao Wují, Zhao Wují held a very high position in the military, and now having broken through to the Elemental Martial Realm, would the increase in strength make his ambition grow, leading to the thought of replacing him?

Just now could also be considered a simple test.

If Zhao Wují truly dared to sit on the dragon throne according to his wishes, then he would indeed need to be careful.

The facts proved that Zhao Wují did not neglect the distinction between ruler and minister due to breaking through the Elemental Martial Realm, which Li Cangwu found very reassuring.

"You ah, your whole life is just this rigid." He lightly patted Zhao Wují's shoulder, Li Cangwu seemingly said with regret.

Zhao Wují did not respond.

"Wují ah, the Great Yu dynasty has been passed down for over seventy generations, and in my hands, I am constantly thinking about letting Great Yu advance one step further."

"Now what lies before me is an opportunity."

"An opportunity for Great Yu to set foot in the Tianxuan Realm."

Since learning from Juyuan about the vastness of the world, Li Cangwu's ambition has been reignited.

His appetite is no longer satisfied with the barren lands around Yu State; he wishes to lead Yu State into the Tianxuan Realm, to make his mark on that vast main continent, and let the name of Yu State spread throughout Tianxuan Realm.

But to take this step, he must first break free from the control of the Ascension Assembly.

According to Juyuan, the Minghun Dao has already taken action, leaving the Ascension Assembly's headquarters, the Immortal Isle, overwhelmed; now he and Zhao Wují have both broken through to the Yuanwu Realm.

This seems like the perfect opportunity for Yu State to break free from the Ascension Assembly.

Yet Li Cangwu always harbors a hint of worry in his heart.

This worry stems from Jiang Feng, the head of the Yu State branch of the Ascension Assembly.

Since Jiang Feng assumed the position of head of the Yu State branch, he has rarely revealed his strength.

Throughout the entire Great Yu, probably only Kurolun has witnessed his methods.

For this reason, Li Cangwu secretly sent people to consult Kurolun about Jiang Feng's true strength.

Kurolun each time gave a profound and inscrutable reply, saying Jiang Feng is very strong and that he himself is no match for him.

Over these many years, Li Cangwu still does not know what realm Jiang Feng currently is in, or whether he has broken through to Yuanwu.

During multiple visits, he also carefully observed Jiang Feng's aura and found his cultivation to be deep and vast, extremely concealed.

"Your servant..."

"This time, do not give me those hollow, righteous words again; I want to hear your innermost true thoughts!"

Zhao Wují was about to speak when Li Cangwu interrupted him.

Zhao Wují is a rigidly loyal person, a trait Li Cangwu greatly likes.

But in the current Great Yu Dynasty, only Zhao Wují can put him at ease; he wants to hear different opinions, not Zhao Wují's empty professions of loyalty.

"Yes!"

Zhao Wují clasped his hands, then frowned in thought for a moment and said: "Your servant feels we should still wait."

Li Cangwu curiously asked: "Wait until when?"

Zhao Wují pondered and said: "Wait for specific news from the Immortal Isle, and wait for concrete signs to appear on Huayang Mountain."

"With Yu State's current strength, dealing with the Yu State branch of the Ascension Assembly is already somewhat difficult; if the Immortal Isle there can still spare forces to support Huayang Mountain, Yu State's thousand-year foundation will be destroyed in an instant."

"Your servant feels the urgent priority now is to first resolve the rebellion in Qingzhou and the Muyun Grassland."

"Furthermore, there is Yuzhou; Your Majesty should also take action there."

Upon hearing this, Li Cangwu nodded in agreement.

The matter of the Qingzhou rebellion, after he broke through to the Yuanwu Realm, he no longer took to heart.

Although the peak martial master of the Yanshen Sect once injured Zhao Wují, now that Zhao Wují has broken through to Yuanwu, as long as he acts, that peak martial master of the Yanshen Sect will be nothing to worry about.

As for Yuzhou...

"That old thing Ren Tuo wants to sit on the fence; I originally still thought of him as my in-law, but since Li Xun has vanished without a trace, there's no need to consider the feelings of Old Seven's wife anymore."

"Let the Blood Floating Pagoda go to Yuzhou and have Ren Tuo's entire family executed for me."

"You handle the Qingzhou and Muyun Grassland affairs; I want to purge internal threats in the shortest time possible."

"When the time comes, do not let them drag me down from behind."

Zhao Wují hastily rose and clasped his hands: "Yes!"

Li Cangwu waved his hand: "Go attend to your duties; I await your good news."

……

Huayang Mountain Ascension Assembly.

At the break of dawn, Fang Xu came to the Hall of Law with a solemn expression.

"Disciple greets Master."

Chu Ren Di slowly opened his eyes, saw Fang Xu's complexion was not good, and lightly said: "Have you encountered difficulties?"

Fang Xu clasped his hands: "Reporting to Master, disciple finds himself unable to absorb the energy of heaven and earth."

Last night, after returning from the palace, Fang Xu had intended to cultivate as usual and come here.

But after sitting cross-legged, he suddenly discovered he could not absorb any energy from this heaven and earth!

It seemed... as if he and this heaven and earth had become incompatible.

"Unable to absorb heavenly and earthly energy!?" Chu Ren Di looked at him with some surprise and said: "Exactly what is happening? Please explain in detail."

Fang Xu shook his head: "Disciple himself is not clear on the specifics; just since returning from Tilan Mountain, last night when he prepared to cultivate, he suddenly felt the energy of this heaven and earth faintly rejecting him."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ren Di's expression turned solemn.

For martial cultivators, in the early stages they can rely on Blood Qi Pills and other medicinal pills to assist.

But in most cases later on, they still must rely on their own absorption of heavenly and earthly energy to improve.

After all, as cultivation advances, medicinal pills that can affect high-level cultivators become increasingly rare.

Especially for martial artists above the Martial Lord level, the Blood Qi Pills they consume must at least be of sixth grade to be effective.

Currently, the entire Ascension Assembly has only Xu Changqing as a sixth-grade alchemist, and the raw materials for refining sixth-grade Blood Qi Pills are extremely scarce, so these Martial Lords of the Ascension Assembly rarely choose to rely on medicinal pills for cultivation in daily practice.

Fang Xu originally followed the ancient martial path; if now he cannot absorb heavenly and earthly energy, then he is destined to be unable to advance further in this life.

"Come here, let me try."

Chu Ren Di pondered for a moment, summoned Fang Xu to his side, and personally guided the surrounding heavenly and earthly energy to attempt to infuse it into Fang Xu's body.

But as these heavenly and earthly energies approached Fang Xu's body, Chu Ren Di suddenly felt a heart-pounding sensation from the dark unknown.

It seemed that if he took one more step, he would suffer a terrifying punishment.

Chu Ren Di frowned slightly, heedless of this warning from the dark unknown, and directly infused that thread of heavenly and earthly energy into Fang Xu's body.

Pu!

As that thread of energy was just infused into Fang Xu's body, a terrifying heavenly and earthly might descended upon Chu Ren Di's body!

The Martial Sovereign's peak, having reached half a step into the Elemental Martial Realm, he faced this heavenly and earthly might, with not even a trace of room to resist, and was directly shaken into severe injury!

"Master!"

Fang Xu was horrified, and hurriedly supported Chu Ren Di.

"Cough cough..."

Chu Ren Di coughed violently a few times, his face pale as he waved his hand and said: "Master is fine."

He looked at Fang Xu with a solemn expression and said: "Fang Xu, have you committed some taboo?"

"Master just felt a warning from the will of this heaven and earth, as if it does not allow you to absorb even a trace of heavenly and earthly energy."

"This is punishment..."

Taboo?

Fang Xu frowned slightly, and once again recalled the terrifying scene he encountered that night on Ti Lan Mountain in his mind.

The figure that emerged from the void rift, combined with the figure that flew out from the depths of Ti Lan Mountain, confronted the will of this heaven and earth.

The three parties ultimately seemed to have reached some kind of agreement.

Combined with his own nearly sealed last two star charts, Fang Xu vaguely guessed some clues.

His act of constructing twelve star charts should have violated the taboo of this heaven and earth; as punishment, the will of heaven and earth originally intended to obliterate him.

But it should have been the figure in the void rift, and the figure that flew out from the ruins of Ti Lan Mountain, who helped him and reached some kind of agreement with the will of heaven and earth.

He could continue to live, as a price, his last two star charts were nearly sealed, and he could no longer absorb any trace of this heaven and earth's energy from now on.

Thinking this way, everything seemed to be explained.

Understanding these, he no longer dwelled on whether he could absorb this heaven and earth's energy; a flash of light in his hand, he directly took out a jar of Creation Immortal Liquid from his Qiankun bag and handed it to Chu Ren Di.

"Master, please drink some of this."

Chu Ren Di was about to wave his hand to refuse, but he faintly smelled the aroma of the Creation Immortal Liquid, took over the wine jar, opened it and took a look, and the whole person was stunned.

"This is Creation Immortal Liquid, you brought so much?"

Fang Xu did not answer, only urged: "Master, please drink some first."

Chu Ren Di looked at him and shook his head, saying: "You have already suffered heavenly punishment; in the future, you will probably never be able to cultivate normally."

"Creation Immortal Liquid contains the purest heavenly and earthly energy, capable of sustaining your cultivation for a period of time."

"Master's injury, resting for a period of time will be fine; you should keep this Creation Immortal Liquid for your own use."

As for the heavenly punishment, he could not help Fang Xu resolve it; the Creation Immortal Liquid became Fang Xu's most precious thing, and he did not want to waste it.

"Master, rest assured, your disciple still has more."

Fang Xu said, without caring for Chu Ren Di's opposition, directly picked up the teacup beside him, poured a bowl of yellow-orange Creation Immortal Liquid and handed it to him: "Master, please drink quickly."

Chu Ren Di hesitated for a moment, but still took the teacup and drank down the Creation Immortal Liquid inside.

The energy of the Creation Immortal Liquid dispersed within his body, quickly repairing the damage to his body and soul.

With his injury improving, Chu Ren Di's expression turned indignant as he said: "This damned heaven, why must it target you like this?"

Fang Xu gave a light smile, turned his head to look at the outside sky: "No matter, sooner or later, your disciple will settle the score with Him."

In his mind appeared the scene when he constructed the tenth star chart that day, the will of heaven and earth had also appeared to stop it, resulting in being beaten up by that figure in the void rift.

Then, on that night at Ti Lan Mountain, a domineering powerful figure in the void rift directly pierced the dark clouds with a long spear, injuring the will of heaven and earth.

Since the void figure and that domineering powerful figure could injure the will of heaven and earth, then he should also be able to do so.

He believed that as long as the will of this heaven and earth has a health bar, it can definitely be killed!

"What do you plan to do next?" Chu Ren Di still asked with a solemn expression.

Unable to absorb heavenly and earthly energy, there is no way to cultivate normally; even with Creation Immortal Liquid, this thing will eventually run out, impossible to always use it to maintain daily cultivation.

"Master, do not worry, your disciple has a solution."

The acupoint spaces within his body had opened seven stone gates; the world behind the stone gates had an endless supply of primordial energy; when absorbing heavenly and earthly energy to cultivate, he would unconsciously cultivate during his usual idle times.

Now his strength has greatly increased; turning back to try opening a few more stone gates, this so-called heavenly punishment should not affect his cultivation.

Chu Ren Di nodded, and did not ask further.

After leaving the Law Enforcement Hall, Fang Xu thought for a moment and decided to go to the Immortal Ascension Platform to take a look.

The heavenly punishment blocked his physical cultivation; then he would cultivate his soul, wanting to completely sever his martial path? This heaven and earth's will.

No way!

Immortal Ascension Platform, when Fang Xu arrived, many inner sect disciples were diligently polishing their souls.

During the previous trip to the Ti Lan Mountain ruins, they had witnessed the consequences of insufficient soul; after this matter spread, some far-sighted inner sect disciples also gradually realized the importance of the soul.

Without disturbing them, Fang Xu quietly walked toward the upper part of the Immortal Ascension Platform.

Soon, he arrived at the sixth level of the Immortal Ascension Platform; here, Fang Xu saw a familiar figure.

Lu Qing Luo.

Lu Qing Luo, whom he had not seen for a long time, now had the cultivation of a Martial Master Seventh Realm; her soul was strong enough to cultivate on the sixth level.

Without stopping, Fang Xu continued upward, and on the eighth level he encountered Yun Wan.

At this time, she was sitting quietly in the corner of the eighth level.

Fang Xu similarly did not disturb her, and strode straight toward the ninth level.

His previous best result was the eighth level, but at that time he was only a Martial Master Second Realm cultivator; now his cultivation had already reached Martial Sovereign, possessing the Xuan Shui Soul, and the eighth level felt nothing to him.

Ninth level platform; after Fang Xu set foot here, he did not stop, but continued forward.

Tenth level, eleventh level.

Upon arriving here, he encountered two more familiar figures.

The steward of the Divine Weapons Hall, Tie Shan, and the elder of the Mo Yan Earth Palace, Wu Ling.

These two people actually also came to the Immortal Ascension Platform to cultivate today.

Looking at the two, Fang Xu then looked at the stairs ahead and resolutely chose to continue forward.

"Elder Wu, did anyone just pass by?"

On the eleventh level of the Immortal Ascension Platform, Tieshan slowly opened his eyes and looked toward Wuling, asking.

Wuling stood up in confusion, lifted his head to look at the stone steps ahead, and through the light mist, he saw Fang Xu in the world.

"It's that brat!" Wuling's face changed as he muttered.

Tieshan came up to him, scrutinizing Fang Xu's back, and asked doubtfully: "Is it Fang Xu?"

"How can his soul be this strong?"

Wuling's face turned horrified as he shook his head: "The eleventh level is the limit that a ninth-level Martial Venerable can reach. If I'm not mistaken, this kid is currently at the first level of Martial Venerable cultivation, right?"

"Go inform Old Chu quickly!" Tieshan hesitated for a moment, recalling that Fang Xu had ascended to the eighth level with the cultivation of a second-level Martial Scholar, nearly coming to blows with Chu Ren Di and Xu Changqing in front of many disciples.

"No need, that brat has already gone up."

Under Wuling's gaze, Fang Xu quickly arrived at the twelfth level.

Seeing this, the two were stunned.

As the two marveled at Fang Xu's abnormality, Fang Xu on the twelfth level merely paused briefly, then continued forward.

On the twelfth-level platform, Fang Xu adapted to the pressure of this level, still feeling it lacked something, and immediately walked toward the thirteenth level.

The twelfth level of the Immortal Ascension Platform is already a place that many Martial Venerable pinnacles, even half-step Elemental Martial Realm martial artists, can only set foot on.

But now Fang Xu is not satisfied with this, taking step after step toward the thirteenth level.

The first stone step, the second stone step, the third...

Gradually, he arrived at the thirteenth level!

Terrifying pressure descended, and Fang Xu showed a hint of a smile on his face.

The pressure of this level finally satisfied him.

Sitting cross-legged on the thirteenth-level platform, Fang Xu began to temper his Profound Water Soul.

……

Qingzhou, the Lu family.

The news of Li Cangwu and Zhao Wují's breakthrough had already spread, and Lu Shengren naturally knew of this news; at this moment, his face was full of worry.

Earlier, the people of the Yanshen Sect had injured Zhao Wují, allowing Lu Shengren to see the hope of establishing himself in Zhongzhou, but the Yanshen Sect people advised him not to rush into launching an offensive, saying they needed to accumulate strength.

Lu Shengren followed their plan; since the uprising began, the troop strength of Qingzhou has never left Qingzhou.

Who would have thought that dragging it out would actually drag on until Li Cangwu and Zhao Wují broke through!

That is above the Martial Venerable!

A realm that exists only in legend!

Just thinking about how Yu State mysteriously gained two existences above Martial Venerable, Lu Shengren now even has the thought of surrender.

But he also knows Li Cangwu's nature; even if he now brings all the Lu family's direct lineage to surrender, he will ultimately still be unable to escape death.

Having reached this state, surrender is death, resistance is also death, and Lu Shengren suddenly felt some regret, regretting that at the time he was possessed and chose to rebel.

According to the news, Zhao Wují has already once again taken command of the troops and is marching toward Qingzhou; Lu Shengren is anxious like an ant on a hot pan.

"Report!"

"Patriarch, that adult from the Yanshen Sect is still in seclusion!"

At this moment, a family martial artist came running in panic to report.

"Still in seclusion!?" Lu Shengren said with a face full of anxiety: "Zhao Wují is almost at the doorstep, and he's still in seclusion!?"

"Is he waiting for all of my Lu family to be killed!?"

"Big brother, what should we do now?" In the hall, Lu Jingren said with a solemn expression.

The strength of Zhao Wudi, we as peers are very well aware of.

Before his breakthrough, Zhao Wují had already established a mighty reputation, being called a man-slayer by the world.

Now that he has taken that step, our Lu family's strength, facing Zhao Wují, is no different than a mantis trying to stop a chariot!

"Wait!"

"Continue sending people to scout the movements of Zhao Wují's army!"

"Also, arrest some commoners and send them to Meixiang Garden!"

Lu Shengren hesitated for a moment, a flash of resolve in his eyes as he spoke.

Meixiang Garden is where the many Martial Venerables of the Yanshen Sect are in seclusion; after our cooperation, the Yanshen Sect said they would help the Lu family deal with Zhao Wují and the imperial army, and in return, they asked Lu Shengren to help them capture some young commoners to aid in their cultivation.

This is nothing to Lu Shengren.

The Lu family's direct lineage usually cultivates the Yin-Yang Xuanxiao Scripture, and they have also harmed many commoners, so they naturally didn't take the Yanshen Sect's request seriously.

But since the Yanshen Sect arrived in Qingzhou, during this time they have already demanded hundreds of thousands of commoners from the Lu family.

Regarding this, Lu Shengren had once gone to find that mysterious hall master of the Yanshen Sect.

Lu Shengren's goal is the throne of the Great Yu Dynasty; if cooperation with the Yanshen Sect requires sacrificing so many commoners' lives as a price, then when I ascend the throne, the commoners will all be dead—what meaning would there be in my being emperor then?

But that hall master of the Yanshen Sect said, the cultivation method of the Yanshen Sect is just like this.

To make them possess the strength to defeat Zhao Wují and the imperial army, they must sacrifice the lives of ordinary commoners.

The more people sacrificed, the stronger their power becomes.

He also said that if Lu Shengren is willing to sacrifice all the commoners of Qingzhou, they can even directly help Lu Shengren level the imperial city of Zhongzhou.

Lu Shengren at the time didn't even think before refusing.

He wants to be an emperor, not a puppet.

If the Yanshen Sect's strength grows greatly, even if he defeats the imperial family, he will then have no chance to turn things around.

But now he doesn't think that way anymore.

Zhao Wují personally led the great army forward, taking that step, and Qingzhou and the Lü family now faced imminent peril.

At this time, only the Yanshen Sect could be relied upon.

As long as they could kill Li Cangwu and kill Zhao Wují, even if I myself sank to the bottom and became a puppet, at least my life could be preserved, and there would still be a chance to turn things around in the future.

"Elder brother!"

Lü Jingren wanted to stop him, but upon thinking that this seemed to be the only way to save the Lü family now, he could only grit his teeth and say: "I will personally go!"

After leaving the hall with some resentment, Lü Jingren directly came to the military camp.

"Someone, muster thirty thousand elite troops, and follow me to Huangzhou!"

The common people of Qingzhou had already been plundered by the Yanshen Sect several hundred thousand times, and Lü Jingren did not want to seize people from Qingzhou territory again.

Since we are to offer tribute to the Yanshen Sect, we might as well just raid the neighboring Huangzhou!

Anyway, the current lord of Huangzhou is the Xing family, originally a third-rate clan, who flattered and fawned their way into the position of Huangzhou lord; if not for the Yanshen Sect stopping them, they would have already taken over the entire Huangzhou.

……

Ascension Immortal Assembly, on the Ascension Immortal Terrace.

Fang Xu has been in seclusion cultivating here for more than ten days.

During this time, he has further strengthened his Mystic Water Soul considerably, and the strength of his divine soul has even reached an astonishing degree.

On the thirteenth level of the Ascension Immortal Terrace, Fang Xu slowly rose to his feet, feeling the pressure around him, and his gaze slowly turned toward the stone steps leading to the fourteenth level.

The fourteenth level of the Ascension Immortal Terrace cannot be stepped into without being at the Elemental Martial Realm.

This is what Chu Ren Di once told him, but Fang Xu now feels that the pressure of the thirteenth level is of little use to him anymore, and he very much wants to go to the fourteenth level to take a look.

Step by step, his feet came to the stone steps leading to the tenth level, Fang Xu hesitated for a moment, but still eventually stepped forward.

The first stone step, the second stone step……

As he climbed step by step, the restrictive pressure of the Ascension Immortal Terrace also bore down heavily upon his divine soul.

The terrifying pressure made Fang Xu feel that with each step he took, a terrifying mountain appeared upon his divine soul!

One step, double!

The stone steps leading to the fourteenth level total seven in all; if he reaches the top, the pressure will far exceed that of the thirteenth level by seven times!

Fang Xu's feet trembled slightly as he slowly came to the third stone step.

After adapting for a moment, he lifted his foot again.

The fourth stone step!

Upon reaching this point, he was already able to see the platform of the fourteenth level.

Bearing the terrifying pressure, he slowly raised his head.

At the moment his gaze fell upon the fourteenth level platform, Fang Xu was stunned!

A person!

There is actually someone on the fourteenth level of the Ascension Immortal Terrace!

It is Jiang Feng!

When he clearly saw the figure on the fourteenth level, Fang Xu suddenly realized that the person sitting cross-legged on the fourteenth level at this moment was none other than Jiang Feng, the Elder in Charge of the Ascension Immortal Assembly of the Yu Kingdom!

No!

There is another person beside Jiang Feng!

Through the thin mist, Fang Xu suddenly discovered that beside Jiang Feng stood another figure also dressed in white robes!

That figure was waving a long sword around Jiang Feng's body, and the terrifying pressure of the Ascension Immortal Terrace seemed to have no effect whatsoever on it.

Fang Xu silently watched, wanting to clearly see the face of that white-clad figure.

But due to the height of the Ascension Immortal Terrace, the mist swirling about, and because of the existence of the restriction, he could not use his divine soul power, and could only faintly see that the figure resembled Jiang Feng!

Fang Xu gritted his teeth, wanting to take another step forward.

But this fourth stone step of the thirteenth level seemed to be his limit.

Standing here, even lifting his foot slightly, Fang Xu felt it difficult.

After trying several times, he finally gave up.

He slowly retreated along the stone steps beneath his feet back to the thirteenth level, and then directly walked downward from the Ascension Immortal Terrace.

The instant his body stepped out of the Ascension Immortal Terrace, a virtual panel suddenly popped up before his eyes.

【Your friend Ren Tuo has died; as a friend, you may immediately inherit any one of Ren Tuo's four legacies.】

Legacy One: 【Purple Legacy · Yuzhou Ghost-Faced Army (3000 people)】 Inheritance risk unknown; the Ghost-Faced Army is an elite force among the Yuzhou prefectural troops, all members possessing strength above the fifth level of Martial Master, usually hidden among the myriad commoners of Yuzhou, and obeying only those who hold the Yuzhou Command.

Legacy Two: 【Quality Unknown · Damaged Mysterious Map (1/4)】 Inheritance risk unknown; the damaged map was obtained by Ren Tuo in his early years, specific recorded information unknown.

Legacy Three: 【White Legacy · Agility Attribute 80 points.】 Inheritance carries no risk, but requires touching Ren Tuo's corpse to obtain.

Legacy Four: 【White Legacy · Vitality Attribute 75 points.】 Inheritance carries no risk, but requires touching Ren Tuo's corpse to obtain.

Ren Tuo died!?

Looking at the information on the virtual panel, Fang Xu slightly furrowed his brow.

Ren Tuo is the head of the Yuzhou Ren family and also the lord of Yuzhou.

After Qingzhou launched its rebellion, the forces of the other prefectures of Yu Kingdom either chose to align with the imperial court or with the Lü family; only Yuzhou remained in observation.

Now Ren Tuo has suddenly died, and it appears someone has moved against Yuzhou.

It is just unknown whether the mover is the imperial court or the Lü family.

After some thought, Fang Xu suddenly felt that the one who moved against Yuzhou should be the imperial court.

Between Qingzhou and Yuzhou lies Huangzhou; the Lü family could not possibly cross Huangzhou to directly attack Yuzhou—this would be unreasonable.

It seems Li Cangwu is dissatisfied with the fence-sitting of the Yuzhou Ren family.

Let him be dead then.

Directly clicking the inheritance button, Fang Xu's gaze was fixed on Inheritance Two in the inheritance list.

The mysterious fragment of unknown quality reminded him of the three fragments related to the Death Sand Sea in his Qiankun bag.

One of them was obtained from his grandfather's遗物, and if the fragment on Ren Tuo's body and the three fragments in his hand truly form a set, then he could assemble a complete map, and at that time he would know what his grandfather had painstakingly searched for nearly twenty years.

The rolling inheritance before him gradually froze.

【Congratulations on obtaining Inheritance One】

【The position of the Yuzhou Order has been detected; please retrieve it according to the guidance, then use the Yuzhou Order to summon the Ghost Face Army.】

Seeing the information displayed on the virtual panel, Fang Xu shook his head somewhat disappointedly.

Three thousand soldiers whose strength had reached the fifth level of the Martial Master realm.

If I neither rebel nor seize territory, what use are these people?

This inheritance is not as useful as Inheritance Three and Inheritance Four.

Glancing at the directional arrow beside the virtual panel, Fang Xu also did not prepare to go to Yuzhou now, and instead directly came to the mountain-foot villa.

Inside the villa, Lu Zhiyuan was discussing something with Lu Qingluo.

From their solemn expressions, it could be seen that something had happened.

"Master, Senior Sister." Fang Xu approached and greeted them.

Lu Zhiyuan spoke: "Fang Xu, you've come at just the right time."

"Please have a seat."

Fang Xu sat down opposite Lu Zhiyuan, looking at his somewhat solemn face and asked: "What has happened?"

Lu Zhiyuan slowly spoke: "The imperial family has taken action."

"According to reliable intelligence, the Blood General under Zhao Wují led troops to Yuzhou and slaughtered all the direct descendants of the Ren family there."

"Zhao Wují himself personally led the remaining three men and six hundred thousand troops toward Qingzhou, preparing to crush the Qingzhou rebels in one fell swoop."

"As a teacher, I worry that after Zhao Wují eliminates the Lü family of Qingzhou, his next step will be to sweep the Muyun Grassland."

"After Li Cangwu breaks through, he will surely not allow the existence of our Muyun remnant clan."

Fang Xu nodded after hearing this.

Sweeping the Muyun Grassland is inevitable.

Although Li Cangwu's destruction of Muyun State was mainly for the method of breaking through to the Elemental Martial Realm passed down in Muyun State's heritage, as the emperor of Yu State, expanding territory naturally is also part of his plan.

Muyun State has been destroyed for so long, yet the Muyun remnants on the grassland have repeatedly defied bans; Li Cangwu waiting until now to act has already exceeded Fang Xu's expectations.

"Master, forgive my bluntness, but given the current strength of the Muyun remnants, facing Zhao Wují's army is nothing short of using eggs to strike stone."

Fang Xu pondered for a moment before speaking.

Lu Zhiyuan gave a bitter smile.

He knew that although Fang Xu's words were somewhat harsh, they were nevertheless true.

In fact, from the very beginning, he had been trying to prevent the restoration of Southern Wu, but Southern Wu and those living on the grassland who were remnants of Muyun State simply would not listen, insisting on doing so.

"Fang Xu, now is not the time to speak of these things; we must think of a way to help Southern Wu and them overcome this immediate crisis." Lu Qingluo spoke.

Fang Xu nodded and looked toward Lu Zhiyuan and Lu Qingluo, saying: "The way to overcome the crisis is very simple."

Lu Zhiyuan curiously asked: "What method?"

Fang Xu pondered for a moment and then spoke: "Migration."

The Muyun remnants are actually also grassland tribes; as grassland tribes, they should be accustomed to migration as a way of survival.

Dwelling where water and grass grow is the proper way of life for grassland tribes.

It is precisely because they lost this proper way of life that, in the war of annihilation many years ago, the Muyun royal family and millions of commoners were slaughtered by Zhao Wují.

"Migration..."

Lu Zhiyuan silently murmured these two characters, somewhat helplessly standing up and said: "As a teacher, I have also thought of this."

"But around the Muyun Grassland, where is there still a place for the clansmen to take root?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu shook his head and said: "Master, I wish to know, how many people remain among the Muyun remnants?"

Lu Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment before replying: "Less than one hundred thousand."

Fang Xu smiled: "One hundred thousand people; to the west of the Muyun Grassland lies a stretch of slightly barren land, sufficient to accommodate one hundred thousand people."

"Of course, if the Muyun remnants are not seeking survival but harbor some ambition, then the ambition of one hundred thousand people would be difficult to place in a suitable location."

"Fang Xu!" Upon hearing this, Lu Qingluo became somewhat angry.

She felt that Fang Xu's words were somewhat excessive.

The Muyun remnants have lived generation after generation in the water- and grass-rich Muyun Grassland; now Yu State wants to seize the Muyun Grassland—how can it be said that the Muyun people harbor ambition?

Lu Zhiyuan also seemed not to understand the meaning of Fang Xu's words.

Speaking of heritage, Muyun State's heritage is older than Yu State's; the people of Muyun State have always considered themselves a noble race, guarding the Muyun Grassland, unwilling and even disdainful to engage in conflict with surrounding states and tribes.

"Master..."

Seeing the unpleasant expressions on the father and daughter's faces, Fang Xu spoke again: "My meaning is that I hope the Muyun people now recognize their situation."

"Whether they seek survival or dignity."

"If they seek survival, there is no need to dwell on temporary humiliation; they may temporarily retreat to that barren land."

"If they seek dignity, then they should not consider these things; gather all the Muyun remnants and openly battle Zhao Wují's army on the grassland."

Dignity lies only at the tip of the sword!

If Muyun State now has no sword in hand yet still seeks dignity, then they can only exchange the lives of their people for it!

This is the bloody reality.

Lu Zhiyuan fell silent.

Lu Qingluo still wanted to say something, but opening and closing her mouth a few times, she did not know what to say.

Fang Xu looked at the two of them, then slightly cupped his hands toward Lu Zhiyuan before going to find the old ape.

Similarly bearing a deep grudge of blood and sea, the people of Mu Yun Kingdom and Yun Wan are completely different.

The deep grudge of blood and sea that Yun Wan bears is her silent motivation to grow stronger; she is fully aware that without strength, she must not act rashly.

In contrast, these people of Mu Yun Kingdom, especially the radical faction of Nan Wu, lacking sufficient strength, act rashly and recklessly, completely disregarding consequences.

Not to mention dignity or lack thereof, at least this idea does not align with his way of conducting himself in the world.

In the room, upon seeing Fang Xu arrive, the old ape fixed him with a half-smile.

"Uncle Yuan." Fang Xu cupped his hands.

The old ape said nothing, merely pointing to the stool beside him to signal Fang Xu to sit first.

After Fang Xu sat down, he then spoke: "Sometimes humans are like this—burdened with too much, unable to discern what is necessary and what is not."

"Ah!"

"Human energy is limited, like a bowl; if you want to drink water, you must first pour out the wine inside."

Fang Xu nodded: "I understand all these principles, it's just that my master and senior sisters..."

"No matter, they will understand." The old ape comforted him.

The two fell silent for a while, and neither brought up the matter again.

"Uncle Yuan, what cultivation level do you think Elder Jiang Feng has?" On the Immortal Ascension Platform, Fang Xu personally saw Jiang Feng cultivating on the tenth level of earth, with a faint figure resembling him nearby practicing swordsmanship, which Fang Xu found strange.

"Him?"

The old ape pondered for a moment and said: "When I previously saw him, I believed he was at the half-step Yuan Wu realm."

"But after further thought, I feel it might not be..."

"In any case, his aura is quite strange, but his strength should not be inferior to the Yuan Wu realm."

After hearing this, Fang Xu nodded and then briefly told the old ape what he had seen on the Immortal Ascension Platform.

Upon hearing it, the old ape's expression grew somewhat solemn: "In this light, it seems I have overlooked something."

Fang Xu asked curiously: "What is it?"

The old ape slowly rose to his feet, his face showing thought: "Back then, I once saw in an ancient text the concept of exiting the orifice."

"According to what you just said, I suspect that the figure resembling Elder Jiang Feng is very likely his Yang Spirit."

Fang Xu listened, utterly bewildered.

He did not quite understand what the Yang Spirit was.

The old ape also did not elaborate further, as a miniature version of the Earth Fiend Demon Ape slowly appeared above his head.

The body of the miniature Earth Fiend Demon Ape was somewhat illusory; after appearing above the old ape's head, his body became like a corpse—utterly still, without any aura.

As the illusory miniature Earth Fiend Demon Ape returned into his body, the old ape then opened his eyes and said: "Did you see that? Just now, I was in the state of exiting the Yang Spirit."

"After breaking through to the Yuan Wu realm, the soul and spirit fully condense into form and can temporarily leave the body; this state is called 'exiting the orifice' in ancient times, also known as 'exiting the Yang Spirit.'"

"According to ancient records, some powerful Yuan Wu cultivators, when their bodies suffer severe damage, can seize another's body by force using their Yang Spirit to live again."

Seizing a body!

Fang Xu was somewhat shocked!

"According to your description, Jiang Feng's Yang Spirit can actually completely detach from his body and even independently practice martial arts, proving his soul and spirit are far stronger than mine."

"It seems I was mistaken before."

"Young Fang, you people hiding your true depth are truly profound."

Fang Xu nodded.

He had always felt Jiang Feng was mysterious; now it seems his cultivation is far from as simple as the outside rumors suggest.

As for the earlier rumor that he liked to spar with the Great Master Ku Lun, Fang Xu now suddenly thinks that might be Jiang Feng's method of confusing opponents.

After chatting a while longer, Fang Xu then returned alone to the Ascension Immortal Society.

Just as he returned to his residence, a disciple from the Law Enforcement Hall found him, saying Chu Ren Di requested his presence.

Fang Xu arrived at the Law Enforcement Hall; Chu Ren Di did not wait for him to salute, but directly said: "Senior Brother Jiang seeks you; follow me, Master."

Following Chu Ren Di, the two arrived at Jiang Feng's secluded bamboo grove.

Upon seeing Jiang Feng again, Fang Xu still could not sense his aura.

"Greetings, Chief."

Fang Xu performed a salute; Jiang Feng slightly nodded, a flash of light in his hand, and directly produced a jade token shimmering with a faint glow, handing it over.

"This is the Ascension Immortal Order; after the eighteenth day of winter month, you may depart for the Immortal Island to participate in the core disciple examination."

"However, the Immortal Island currently faces a crisis; I will accompany you there."

"At that time, you had best bring that old ape along, if he is willing; I can help him apply for the status of Mountain Lord."

Mountain Lord?

Fang Xu asked curiously: "Is it the same as the Mountain Lord guarding the Star Palace?"

Jiang Feng nodded: "The Mountain Lord is equivalent to the offerings of the Ascension Immortal Society; ordinarily, one may reside on the Immortal Island to cultivate, or go out to guard a branch, enjoying the society's resources, and only needs to act when the society faces danger."

"You go back and ask his opinion."

After saying this, Jiang Feng returned to his bamboo hut, leaving only Fang Xu and Chu Ren Di behind.

(End of Chapter)