Chapter 170: Preparations Before Going to Immortal Island, Revenge Begins!
Looking at Jiang Feng's departing figure, Fang Xu turned his head and glanced at Chu Ren Di.
"Master..."
Chu Ren Di said nothing, simply turning his head and walking straight out of the bamboo grove.
Fang Xu followed closely behind, and the two quickly returned to the Hall of Law Enforcement.
"Master does not advise you to go to Immortal Island now." Upon arriving here, Chu Ren Di finally spoke.
His words made Fang Xu even more puzzled.
"Master received news that some time ago, Immortal Island sent several core disciples." Looking at Fang Xu, Chu Ren Di added another sentence.
Immortal Island sent people?
Fang Xu frowned tightly; recently, the Yun Guo Immortal Ascension Assembly seemed to have had no core disciples arriving.
Could it be that those core disciples encountered trouble?
Fang Xu laughed and scratched his head: "Disciple used the wrong words; I meant to ask Master for some guidance on cultivation."
Then he spoke again: "Master knows your strength is great, but this time the enemy targets Immortal Island, and ordinary Martial Sovereigns in this contest would not even stir a ripple—you..."
Fang Xu pressed his lips together and said nothing.
"I'll go call other senior brothers!"
But the problem is, if these core disciples were truly captured under the meticulous preparations of Immortal Island's high-level personnel, the situation would be serious.
"Master, disciple is not an ordinary Martial Sovereign." Fang Xu smiled faintly and interrupted Chu Ren Di's words: "Disciple dares to suggest a sparring session with Master."
Chu Ren Di ignored his wording issue and directly said: "Sparring is fine, guidance is also acceptable—it seems you have great confidence in your own strength."
Among Immortal Island's core disciples, the only one he knows is Gu Qiu.
"Spar with Master?" Chu Ren Di's expression flickered with surprise, then he smiled.
"Quickly go call the eldest senior brother and second senior brother!"
Saying this, he slowly walked toward the door: "Let's go to the training field."
Fang Xu thought for a moment and asked.
"Master, Elder Jiang this time wishes to accompany disciple to Immortal Island—should there be other purposes as well?"
"Yes."
Fang Xu said nothing.
"I've long heard that Senior Brother Fang possesses great strength; today perhaps I can finally see it with my own eyes."
The training field in front of the Hall of Law Enforcement.
Due to the recent turmoil outside, disciples within the mountain gate rarely go out; most of the Hall of Law Enforcement's disciples stay inside and do not leave.
Hall of Law Enforcement, Chu Ren Di has few direct disciples under him; these disciples of the Hall are mostly his several disciples, and although they entered the sect earlier than Fang Xu, because Fang Xu is a direct disciple, they all must address him as Senior Brother.
Chu Ren Di was slightly startled, then frowned and asked: "Why do you ask about these?"
Chu Ren Di hesitated for a moment, but still admitted it.
"Then it's good; Master also hasn't examined your cultivation in a long time."
I don't know how far Immortal Island is from Yun Guo, nor do I know whether these core disciples were delayed due to other incidents on the way.
After all, Immortal Island is under siege, and the high-level officials of the Immortal Ascension Assembly on the island certainly know.
"You also guessed that?" Seeing Fang Xu's expression, Chu Ren Di asked.
Chu Ren Di nodded: "It should be preparing to conveniently investigate those missing core disciples."
This is undoubtedly the most critical.
Because this would cause Immortal Island's high-level officials to make a mistaken judgment about the current situation.
"Have you been too swollen-headed lately, you brat?"
"What nonsense, this is cultivation examination, not sparring—Master certainly won't use full strength."
In Chu Ren Di's view, if Jiang Feng were merely escorting Fang Xu to Immortal Island, there would be no need to bring along the Old Ape.
"Master is this wanting to examine Senior Brother Fang's cultivation?"
He now actually requires Fang Xu to bring the Old Ape to Immortal Island—clearly planning to investigate those missing core disciples en route; under these circumstances, Fang Xu's whereabouts would easily be exposed.
"You guys guess how many moves Senior Brother Fang can withstand against Master?"
Although I am not yet clear about the exact enemy Immortal Island currently faces, there must certainly be members of the Yan Shen Sect among them.
Chu Ren Di and Fang Xu walked toward the training field, and some Hall of Law Enforcement disciples were instantly drawn in.
"Master, among the core disciples Immortal Island sent this time, is there Senior Sister Gu Qiu?" Fang Xu suddenly asked.
"It is precisely for this reason that Master does not advise you to go to Immortal Island."
Sending core disciples out of the island at this time certainly indicates thorough preparation; they would not be so easily captured.
As an official of the Yun Guo Immortal Ascension Assembly's Hall of Law Enforcement, Chu Ren Di understands the matter between Fang Xu and the Yan Shen Sect, and also knows that the Yan Shen Sect has always been seeking opportunities to capture Fang Xu.
After spending some time together, Gu Qiu gave him considerable help.
Under the influence of these disciples who wished to spread the news, many Hall of Law Enforcement disciples still inside the mountain gate flocked to the surroundings of the training field.
Even some disciples from other halls heard and rushed over, wanting to see just how strong Fang Xu's true strength really is.
In the training field, after Fang Xu and Chu Ren Di took their positions facing each other, Fang Xu slightly bowed his hands: "Please, Master, instruct me."
Chu Ren Di, with hands behind his back, nodded and said: "Make your move—let Master see how your cultivation has progressed during this time."
Fang Xu follows the ancient martial path; he now possesses a complete Nine-Foot Star Platform, although in terms of realm he is still a first-level Martial Sovereign.
Chu Ren Di also did not underestimate him too much; after all, the Nine-Foot Star Platform combined with complete divine spirit shaping places Fang Xu's strength actually equivalent to that of a ninth-level Martial Sovereign.
Fang Xu gradually gathered his spirit, clenched his fists, and in the next instant, his figure flashed—he directly lunged at Chu Ren Di!
Bang!
A massive fist glowing with bronze light directly blasted toward Chu Ren Di's face!
Feeling the heavy force carried by this punch, Chu Ren Di's eyes narrowed as he directly reached out and grabbed the fist!
At the moment of fist and palm collision, the terrifying qi force directly formed a tangible shockwave sweeping outward in all directions!
Around the training field, the watching core disciples seemed not to have expected the two's exchange to be so intense from the start, and were all forced back by this shockwave, looking quite embarrassed.
"Senior Brother Fang Xu went all out with an attack right from the beginning!"
"Too strong, the leaked qi force is this strong—if I were to face this punch head-on, I'd probably be blown away directly!"
"Blown away? You're overestimating yourself—you didn't notice that Master retreated half a step when facing this punch?"
Upon hearing this, the other disciples finally noticed that Chu Ren Di, who originally stood with feet together, had actually retreated half a step with his left foot when he hard-blocked Fang Xu's punch.
The contest in the field continued, and Fang Xu's qi force itself had already endured the reinforcement from the previous Casting Cauldron Star Chart and Kui Ox Star Chart.
Although the star charts have changed now, this reinforcement has not disappeared—on the contrary, it has become stronger.
The Kui Ox Star Chart transformed into the Golden Ox Star Chart, while the Casting Cauldron Star Chart was replaced by the Water Pourer Star Chart. Among the twelve star charts, although the last two had part of their abilities sealed, the interconnected twelve star charts still remained a whole.
Chu Ren Di only knew that Fang Xu had walked the nine-layer Dao foundation path of ancient martial arts, but did not know that Fang Xu's most abnormal aspect was still the twelve star charts.
He who had opened the 108 apertures all over his body had completely surpassed the ancients!
The halo of the twelve star charts appeared behind him, and in the next moment, two yin-yang swimming fish suddenly flashed—Fang Xu's figure vanished instantly, so fast it seemed capable of piercing through space, directly appearing behind Chu Ren Di!
And right in front of Chu Ren Di, there was also a tangible presence of Fang Xu!
What faced him was the "Yang Fish," while circling to Chu Ren Di's back was the "Yin Fish"—the two figures were indistinguishable in reality, and as long as Fang Xu wished, he could freely switch between the yin and yang fish.
This is the new ability formed by the combination of the Twin Fish Star Chart and the Dragon Roam Secret Technique.
With this move, ordinary Martial Lords simply have no way to respond!
Fortunately, Chu Ren Di walks the path of slaughter, and having experienced hundreds of battles, his perception of qi is extremely sharp—he quickly grasped the key to Fang Xu's strange secret technique.
One yin and one yang figure simultaneously launched an attack toward Chu Ren Di!
In the flash of lightning and sparks, a scarlet light flashed in Chu Ren Di's hand.
The next moment, this scarlet light, at even greater speed, thrust straight forward and backward!
To outsiders, this extreme speed made it seem as if Chu Ren Di had simultaneously drawn two scarlet daggers, attacking both front and back.
But Fang Xu knew that Chu Ren Di had only drawn a single dagger—the illusion was entirely due to the excessive speed.
This scarlet dagger is Chu Ren Di's divine ability.
Being able to force out Chu Ren Di's divine ability is enough to prove the terror of this yin-yang fish secret technique.
Boom!
Boom!
The two scarlet daggers in front and behind were both blown away by a single punch, and Fang Xu's figure reappeared once more.
Watching this scene, many people around felt somewhat confused.
They saw the attack of the Yang Fish, but failed to notice the attack of the Yin Fish, and were even unaware of what had blown away Chu Ren Di's scarlet dagger aimed at his back.
"Not bad, Master almost got hit by the Dao." Chu Ren Di held the scarlet dagger and said with a light smile.
The Yin-Yang Twin Fish ability is extremely strange—if he hadn't not underestimated Fang Xu from the start, this move might truly have been impossible to block.
More importantly, Fang Xu's power is too strong—every move and style carries the force of ten thousand jun!
Such an attack, even ordinary Martial Lords blocking a few times would likely end up with numb arms.
"Master has seen your attack—now let me see your defense."
As Chu Ren Di's words fell, the scarlet dagger in his hand vanished instantly!
The next moment, a blade of light appeared directly at Fang Xu's brow!
Fang Xu had seen this move before.
Back when he and Su Cheng, the senior disciple of Bai Cao Tang, dueled on the Life-Death Platform, Su Cheng had consumed the divine blood of the Yan Shen Sect and was in a transformed state.
At that time, Chu Ren Di had used precisely this move.
The transformed Su Cheng didn't even get a chance to react—he was directly pierced through the head by the scarlet dagger.
Clang!
The scarlet dagger was blocked by a substance-like tortoise-shell light shield!
Chu Ren Di was slightly startled, but then showed no further movement—the scarlet dagger, when knocked away, had no pause at all, flipped in midair, and directly stabbed toward Fang Xu from another direction!
Clang!
Clang!
……
The people around could not see the trajectory of the flying scarlet dagger, only hearing continuous collision sounds and seeing Fang Xu's body surface constantly flashing with the light of the Xuanwu Divine Light Shield!
The terrifying sonic booms continued without cease—on Fang Xu's body surface, the Xuanwu Divine Light Shield's light flashed more and more frequently.
Crack!
Crack!
Accompanying Chu Ren Di's relentless attacks, the Xuanwu Divine Light Shield finally appeared with fine, minute cracks.
Finally, after the scarlet dagger launched another attack, the entire Xuanwu Divine Light Shield shattered with a sound!
Seeing this, Chu Ren Di was about to retract his divine ability when he suddenly saw a huge shield appear and knock his scarlet dagger away!
Any other tricks?
Chu Ren Di frowned slightly, then again only had the scarlet dagger circle to Fang Xu's back to attack!
Clang!
Another large shield appeared, blocking the elusive scarlet dagger!
Now Chu Ren Di was dazed.
He could tell that this large shield was a tangible object similar to a treasure, not a martial art or secret technique.
This means that Fang Xu used the large shield to block his own attack, which was summoned from the Qiankun bag.
Shouldn't things summoned from the Qiankun bag appear directly in the hand?
How could it appear and then float directly around the body, accurately blocking his attack?
After a moment of doubt, Chu Ren Di directly reached out to grab the two-sided dragon scale shield on Fang Xu's body surface.
Two giant palms formed from heavenly and earthly energy grabbed toward the two-sided dragon scale shield, but at this moment the dragon scale shield suddenly disappeared.
Chu Ren Di was slightly stunned, then distractedly controlled the scarlet dagger to attack Fang Xu's flank again.
Clang!
The dragon scale shield, however, suddenly reappeared, accurately blocking this strike!
Chu Ren Di refused to believe it, his body flashed, and he directly came before Fang Xu, throwing a punch at that dragon scale shield!
This punch landed solidly on the surface of the dragon scale shield.
Fang Xu's body retreated slightly, then backhandedly grabbed Chu Ren Di's arm, a stream of black purple flame flowing along his arm toward his body.
Feeling the heart-pounding aura of this purple-black flame, Chu Ren Di immediately shuddered violently, wanting to break free of Fang Xu's hand!
But the intense pain that followed on his soul slowed his reaction by half a beat!
"Master, don't move!"
Fang Xu hurriedly recalled the Shen Yi flame.
This thing can burn a martial artist's soul; briefly letting Chu Ren Di feel its power is enough, but if prolonged, it will cause irreversible damage to his soul.
The Shen Yi flame was recalled, and the two seemed to have no need to continue fighting.
Chu Ren Di's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Fang Xu.
Although their recent battle was brief, he himself had not used his full strength.
But he could feel that Fang Xu had also not used his full strength.
At least his divine abilities had not yet been used.
"Not bad, you possess such strength; my worry was unnecessary."
In Chu Ren Di's view, Fang Xu's current strength is not inferior to his own, and even in terms of the peculiarity of methods, Fang Xu is stronger than him.
"Go, go find Old Yuan."
Chu Ren Di spoke with relief.
To become a core disciple of the Ascension Immortal Assembly, one must go to the Immortal Island.
Only by becoming a core disciple can the martial path proceed further.
The martial artists of Yu State on this land do not even have the qualifications to know the Yuan Wu realm, let alone higher levels of cultivation.
After leaving the training ground, Fang Xu directly came to the mountain foot annex.
In the annex, at this moment Lu Zhiyuan, Lu Qing Luo, and Tong Tong were not present, only Ning Xiang and Old Yuan remained.
From Ning Xiang's mouth, Fang Xu learned that Lu Zhiyuan and the three had already set out for the Mu Yun Grassland, preparing to persuade the Southern Wu to migrate westward.
It seems they still listened to his words.
"Old Yuan, I want to go to the Immortal Island." Seeing Old Yuan, Fang Xu spoke.
"Immortal Island?" Old Yuan was somewhat curious: "Is that the Immortal Island where the Ascension Immortal Assembly's headquarters is located?"
"Good." Old Yuan's eyes flashed with a gleam of essence: "Old man will accompany you on this journey."
"This journey is very dangerous; the Immortal Island is currently under attack by unknown forces." Fang Xu spoke.
Old Yuan laughed.
Looking at Fang Xu before him, he said nothing, slowly rising from the recliner.
"Precisely because this journey is dangerous, old man wants to accompany you."
"After breaking through to Great Demon, Yu State's land is too small."
Hearing this, Fang Xu hesitated slightly before speaking: "Elder Jiang also hopes you and I go together; he said if you are willing, he can grant you the status of Mountain Lord before the Immortal Island's divine will."
"Becoming a Mountain Lord of the Immortal Assembly, you can enjoy the resources of the Ascension Immortal Assembly."
Old Yuan nodded and said: "Can."
Regarding Fang Xu's words, he had not the slightest hesitation, directly agreeing.
"Old Yuan..." Fang Xu's heart was deeply moved, looking at Old Yuan smiling faintly.
"Hehe..."
Old Yuan also smiled happily; at this moment, both hearts understood each other's intentions.
"When shall we depart?" Old Yuan spoke.
"After the eighteenth day of winter month."
The eighteenth day of winter month is the day the Ascension Immortal Assembly recruits disciples; after this event, the core disciple assessment day comes.
"That's fine, there's still over a month." Old Yuan said, then looked toward Fang Xu: "How do you plan to handle the affairs of Yu State?"
Initially, the two had suffered pursuit from all major forces of Yu State along the way, already forming deadly enmity with them.
Although they had undergone mediation by the Crown Prince Li Xingyan, temporarily setting aside grudges.
But Old Yuan knew, Fang Xu absolutely could not let go, nor would he himself.
"Yu State has already launched an attack on Qingzhou; believe it will soon have results."
"I plan to go out soon, find the leaders and heads of those forces, and have a good talk." Fang Xu's eyes flashed with killing intent.
Upon hearing this, Old Yuan's face showed a hint of a cruel smile.
This day, he had waited a long time.
……
Ascension Immortal Assembly Affairs Hall.
Fang Xu arrived here and saw the woman at the Affairs Hall counter speak: "I want to look up some information."
The female disciple respectfully said: "Senior Brother Fang, what information do you want?"
Fang Xu directly said: "I want the list of all forces that participated in hunting me down from the Ti Lan Mountain ruins to the Ascension Immortal Assembly four years ago."
This list is nothing difficult for the intelligence organization of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.
After all, back then this matter caused a great uproar, and he also held the Ascension Immortal Assembly's Immortal Sect Pass at that time, belonging to half a disciple of the Ascension Immortal Assembly, so the Ascension Immortal Assembly could not possibly ignore this matter.
"Senior Brother Fang, please wait a moment, I need to go consult the steward's opinion."
After hearing this, the female disciple's expression froze slightly, then she hurriedly ran to the rear hall to summon Yan Wu.
"You want to take revenge?" Seeing Fang Xu, Yan Wu frowned and said.
Fang Xu nodded: "Some things should also be settled."
After hearing this, Yan Wu shook her head.
"Come with me."
Leading Fang Xu to the elegant room, Yan Wu said with a solemn expression: "Now Zhao Wuji and Li Cangwu are both Martial Emperor Realm, and according to my knowledge, many families and forces that bear grudges against you have now completely pledged allegiance to the imperial court."
"If you go seeking revenge at this time, Li Cangwu will surely intervene."
"Even with that old ape helping, two Martial Emperor Realm cultivators are not something you can handle."
Having said this, seeing Fang Xu silent, Yan Wu continued: "There is one more thing you need to understand."
"The Ascension Immortal Assembly's principle is non-interference in worldly affairs; if you encounter danger while seeking revenge, including your master and the steward, none will come to your aid."
Fang Xu smiled and nodded: "I know this, please steward, give me the list."
Seeing Fang Xu determined to take revenge, Yan Wu was also helpless.
She could only bring out the list of those who participated in hunting down Fang Xu back then.
"The list contains a total of thirty major and minor forces and clans."
"Among them, seven have already been destroyed; of the remaining twenty-three, there are eight first-rate forces, seven second-rate forces, five third-rate forces, and the rest are unranked."
"Fang Xu, punish only the chief culprit, do not indiscriminately create killing karma."
Yan Wu said with a solemn expression.
Fang Xu took the list and nodded.
After personally sending him out of the Affairs Hall, Yan Wu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to inform Jiang Feng and Chu Ren Di of this matter.
She originally thought Jiang Feng and Chu Ren Di would come forward to stop Fang Xu.
Who would have thought that when the two received this news, they actually showed no reaction at all, as if silently acknowledging Fang Xu's revenge action.
The next day, at the mountain foot villa.
Fang Xu and the old ape set out.
"Young Fang, where is the first stop?"
On the carriage, the old ape excitedly said.
Fang Xu glanced at the list in his hand and said: "Since we are now in Zhongzhou, let's start from Zhongzhou."
According to the list, the forces that participated in hunting me down in Zhongzhou back then totaled seven.
Among these seven forces, the Chu, Feng, and Wang families already had two destroyed, leaving only the Chu family.
The remaining ones are two gangs in Zhongzhou City and two second-rate forces in Shu City.
After putting the list into his Cosmos Bag, Fang Xu drove the carriage, just like last time when he took the old ape out for fun, and headed straight for Zhongzhou City.
Zhongzhou Imperial City, the Tiger Tiger Gang's stronghold.
When Fang Xu and the old ape arrived here, the members of the Tiger Tiger Gang actually had not yet realized what awaited them.
Seeing an ordinary carriage stop at the entrance, the guards at the door frowned and walked over.
"Are you blind!?"
"You can't park here!"
Fang Xu glanced at him and curiously said: "You don't recognize me?"
Upon hearing this, that Tiger Tiger Gang guard eyed him suspiciously: "Somewhat familiar..."
Then, another guard at the door seemed to recall something, hurriedly pulled that guard aside, and obsequiously clasped his hands toward Fang Xu: "So it's Young Hero Fang!"
"Young Hero Fang, what brings you here?"
Fang Xu lightly smiled: "Come to settle accounts with your gang leader."
Hearing this, that guard was slightly stunned, then immediately shouted:
"Enemy attack!"
"Quickly inform the gang leader, Fang Xu has come to kill us!"
Fang Xu did not stop him.
He just stood quietly at the door waiting for the Tiger Tiger Gang leader to come out.
That guard's shout directly woke everyone in the Tiger Tiger Gang stronghold; for a moment, large numbers of Tiger Tiger Gang members surged from all directions, surrounding Fang Xu and the old ape's carriage.
In front of the courtyard, a burly middle-aged Martial Venerable wearing a tiger-skin felt hat and black fur robes walked out from within the courtyard under the escort of many martial artists.
Seeing Fang Xu, the middle-aged Martial Venerable's face looked somewhat unpleasant.
His name is Xiang Hu, a Martial Venerable Fourth Realm martial artist; after gaining fame, he single-handedly founded the Tiger Tiger Gang.
After years of development, his subordinates have also gathered many martial artists, and in Zhongzhou Imperial City he holds some influence.
When the Ti Lan Mountain incident spread to Zhongzhou, Xiang Hu initially had no intention of intervening.
After all, back then so many first-rate forces were hunting Fang Xu; as a second-rate force, the Tiger Tiger Gang, even if they ultimately luckily captured Fang Xu, could not possibly retain a top-tier martial skill under the siege of numerous powerful forces.
However, later the several major forces that participated in the hunt issued a joint statement: no matter who or what force captured Fang Xu, they are willing to share a top-tier martial skill with that person and that force.
The precondition is that the top-tier martial skill must not be leaked out.
Such a declaration gave hope to many second- and third-rate forces.
Even many unranked powers and wandering cultivators went mad over it.
After all, the temptation of a first-rank martial technique is something no one can resist.
Xiang Hu was also tempted, bringing his Sky Tiger Gang brothers to join in this pursuit.
He never thought about what the consequences of this matter would be.
After all, at that time the entire Yu Kingdom was hunting Fang Xu, and back then Fang Xu was merely a martial apprentice; no one thought he could escape the heavenly net laid by so many forces.
Later, when Fang Xu truly escaped the encirclement of all major forces and successfully joined the Ascension Immortal Society, Xiang Hu became afraid.
But at that time, the major clans and first-rate forces showed no sign of yielding; Xiang Hu still harbored a sliver of fantasy, hoping the major forces would assassinate Fang Xu.
As time passed, seeing that the major forces still had not succeeded, Xiang Hu grew fearful.
He immediately sent someone to curry favor with the Crown Prince Li Xingyan.
After pledging loyalty to Li Xingyan, Xiang Hu learned that the leaders of major powers and clan heads had approached the Crown Prince, asking him to mediate and resolve the grudge with Fang Xu; only then did Xiang Hu relax, believing this matter could finally be put behind him.
Never did he expect that today Fang Xu would suddenly come knocking at his door.
"Young Hero Fang, the matter back then was purely a misunderstanding."
Xiang Hu's face shifted through several expressions before he hurriedly spoke.
Although Fang Xu's cultivation is merely at the first level of Martial Venerable on the surface, behind him stands the renowned Old Ape.
At Huayang Mountain back then, the Old Ape, with his qi and blood exhausted, single-handedly fought two Martial Venerable Seventh Realm experts—Tuoba Xiong and Lü Shengren—and the entire Yu Kingdom knows of it, everyone aware.
"Misunderstanding?"
Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Exactly what misunderstanding does Gang Leader Xiang refer to?"
"This..." Xiang Hu was momentarily speechless, then quickly continued: "Young Hero Fang, the Sky Tiger Gang is affiliated with the Crown Prince; please, for the Crown Prince's sake..."
"Fang has come today only to slay the gang leader of the Sky Tiger Gang and its hall masters; others unrelated may depart quickly."
Before Xiang Hu could finish speaking, Fang Xu directly opened his mouth.
Upon hearing his words, the Sky Tiger Gang's members exchanged glances.
Some already harbored thoughts of retreat, but due to Xiang Hu's usual dignity, they dared not act rashly.
Seeing this, Fang Xu slightly shook his head: "Since none of you will leave, then all of you stay."
As his words fell, his figure flashed and he charged straight toward Xiang Hu!
As a Martial Venerable Fourth Realm cultivator, Xiang Hu glanced at the Old Ape standing beside the carriage, then looked at the charging Fang Xu, and a hint of joy suddenly flashed in his eyes.
If the Old Ape does not intervene, he still has a chance!
As long as he can quickly seize Fang Xu, then using Fang Xu as a hostage to threaten him, he could buy himself some time...
He had just thought of this when Fang Xu's fist had already arrived.
Seeing this, Xiang Hu immediately extended his palm, preparing to grab Fang Xu's fist and then control him.
What he did not know was that even Chu Ren Di, at the Half-Step Primordial Martial Realm, was forced back half a step when hard-blocking Fang Xu's punch; with only his Martial Venerable Fourth Realm strength, attempting to block Fang Xu's punch and still control him was utterly laughable.
Boom!
Fist and palm met, and Xiang Hu suddenly realized he was wrong!
And wrong by a ridiculous margin!
This punch is absolutely not something he can hard-block!
Terrifying power transmitted through his palm, and Xiang Hu instantly felt his right arm lose connection!
Under his horrified gaze, Fang Xu's punch directly shattered his palm, and then the terrifying force, carrying along, exploded his right forearm and humerus together!
Intense pain surged, and Xiang Hu wanted to dodge by shifting his body.
But a purplish-black flame suddenly appeared at his severed arm, and then the black flame rapidly spread through his meridians into his sea of consciousness.
This is an attack method Fang Xu devised by combining the Yan Ling Jin with his own understanding.
By replacing the Yan Ling Jin's flame with the Shen Yi flame, a single strike can let the Shen Yi flame pass through the enemy's body and directly scorch their soul.
When the soul is scorched, Xiang Hu instantly screamed in agony!
Fang Xu paid him no heed, slowly walking toward one of the Sky Tiger Gang hall masters behind him.
Facing these people, he even found it bothersome to attack; the purplish-black flame flickered in his eyes, and terrifying flames instantly ignited on these people's bodies.
For a moment, everyone lay on the ground rolling wildly, struggling, trying in vain to extinguish the purplish-black flame on their bodies.
The Shen Yi flame uses soul power as fuel; as long as the soul is not extinguished, the flame does not die.
Unless someone whose soul power exceeds Fang Xu's can forcibly extinguish the Shen Yi flame, others rarely can put it out.
After dealing with these hall masters of the Sky Tiger Gang, Fang Xu turned his gaze toward the surrounding gang members.
Under his gaze, the Sky Tiger Gang members' faces were all filled with shock.
Bang!
Bang!
One after another, the Sky Tiger Gang members dropped their weapons to the ground.
"Young Hero Fang, spare our lives; we initially did not participate in hunting you!"
"Young Hero Fang, spare us!"
These Sky Tiger Gang members knelt down one after another, begging for mercy.
Fang Xu looked at them, and in his heart, the desire to continue killing faded.
"Go and move all valuable items of the Sky Tiger Gang out."
The Sky Tiger Gang has stood in Zhongzhou City for so many years; it surely has accumulated considerable wealth.
These things might not be worth much money, but for Fang Xu, they were ultimately not something he could casually discard.
Upon hearing this, the members of the Sky Tiger Gang hurriedly got up and rushed into the courtyard, carrying out all the various herbs, treasures, ores, and worldly gold and silver treasures that the Sky Tiger Gang had accumulated over the years.
Fang Xu glanced over, collected the higher-value items into his Cosmos Bag, and then ordered a few Sky Tiger Gang disciples to send the remaining items to the mountain-foot villa to be handed over to Ning Xiang.
After leaving the Sky Tiger Gang's territory, Fang Xu directly went to the stronghold of another second-rate power.
In the same manner, he only killed the high-ranking members of this second-rate power, then looted their wealth cleanly, and proceeded directly to Wucheng.
When he once took the old ape out for a trip, he had visited Wucheng once before.
At that time, the Chu, Feng, and Wang families were all still present.
But now, the Feng and Wang families had already been exiled, and in Beicang City they were slain by the Blood Floating Tower; thus, only the Chu family remained in Wucheng.
Having occupied Wucheng, the Chu family's status rose rapidly.
When Fang Xu arrived in Wucheng, he discovered that the Chu family had already seized and cleared out everything belonging to the Feng and Wang families, even taking over their former residences, incorporating them into their own manor, forming a vast estate that occupied one-fifth of Wucheng's territory.
"Who dares!?"
The carriage slowly approached and stopped at the gate of the Chu family.
The Chu family's martial artists immediately came forward to shout a warning:
"Get lost quickly!"
"You can't stop here!"
On the carriage, facing the martial artist's rebuke, Fang Xu simply waved his hand.
Terrifying black flames instantly burned this martial artist of the Warrior Master Second Realm to ashes.
Seeing this, the other Chu family martial artists all drew their weapons and charged toward the carriage.
But when they saw the old ape and Fang Xu step out from the carriage, everyone froze in place.
"Quickly go inform the clan chief, Fang Xu has arrived!"
The martial artists behind, upon seeing Fang Xu, turned pale with fright and hurriedly ordered those nearby.
The nearby people quickly rushed into the courtyard.
Shortly after, Chu Yangping, having received the news, arrived at the gate with a group of Chu family martial artists.
"Young Hero Fang, this is..."
Looking at the family martial artist burned to ashes, Chu Yangping was stunned for a moment, then quickly put on a smiling face and spoke.
"Chu Clan Chief, there are some matters between us that should also be settled."
Chu Yangping was slightly startled, then forced a bitter smile: "Young Hero Fang, what matters do we still have between us?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Chu Clan Chief, you are a person of high status who forgets things easily."
"Back when the Chu family hunted me down, they dispatched many people, and even you, Chu Clan Chief, personally took action, didn't you?"
Faced with Fang Xu's teasing smile, Chu Yangping was somewhat at a loss for words.
"Fang Xu, hasn't our Chu family already offered compensation?" Chu Jing, behind Chu Yangping, spoke angrily: "Don't push your luck!"
As his words fell, Fang Xu's figure suddenly flickered!
The next moment!
Chu Yangping had no time to react before Chu Jing's body was blasted away by a tremendous force!
In midair, he spat out large mouthfuls of blood mist!
He was merely a Warrior Sovereign Second Realm martial artist, utterly unable to withstand Fang Xu's strike!
"Uncle Jing!"
Chu Yangping flashed forward to catch Chu Jing's body, but at this moment, Chu Jing was obviously already dead.
"Fang Xu!"
"Our Chu family has now pledged loyalty to the imperial court; you keep wavering like this—could it be that you intend to become enemies with the entire Yu Kingdom?"
Holding Chu Jing's corpse, Chu Yangping shouted sternly.
Fang Xu smiled faintly and shook his head: "You are mistaken."
"When you chose to hunt me down back then, the entire Yu Kingdom had almost become my enemy."
"Enough, no more wasting words with you—I'll hurry and send you on your way; there are still others waiting behind."
As Fang Xu's words fell, his figure surged forward once again!
Buzz!
Seeing this, Chu Yangping dared not be careless; directly behind him appeared a colossal phantom of a long spear!
Special Star Chart?
Seeing this, Fang Xu's mouth corners curled slightly upward, but his offensive did not weaken!
Meeting the incoming spear thrust, he threw a punch!
Clang!
A terrifying explosive sound rang out; at the instant the massive spear phantom collided with the fist, the nine stars forming the spear phantom flickered rapidly!
Chu Yangping's face turned deathly pale!
Boom!
Fang Xu threw another punch; his fist, flashing with bronze luster, directly shattered the spear phantom on the spot!
The nine stars instantly dimmed.
This blow, Chu Yangping could no longer endure; he spat out a large amount of fresh blood from his mouth.
The Star Chart is formed by the Divine Bridge connecting the body's orifices.
Fang Xu's strike directly shattered the Divine Bridge between the orifices; in a short time, Chu Yangping had already lost the ability to use this special Star Chart, and thus suffered severe internal injuries.
Fang Xu gave him no chance to catch his breath; he threw another punch, directly blasting him away!
After Chu Yangping's body flew out, he smashed the mansion plaque representing the Chu family's identity, and his body slammed heavily onto the ground in the courtyard.
"Patriarch!"
"Patriarch!"
At this moment, the Chu family's direct lineage rushed into the courtyard and helped Chu Yangping up.
"Protect the patriarch!"
Some other Chu family disciples drew their weapons one after another, preparing to surround and attack Fang Xu.
Seeing this, Fang Xu flashed a light in his hand, and the black iron staff appeared, facing the rushing Chu family direct lineage, one man, one staff!
Though seemingly casual, each strike could smash those Chu family disciples and their weapons into two halves!
Some unfortunate disciples were directly blown apart on the spot, with not even a complete corpse left to find!
Severely injured Chu Yangping watched as Chu family disciples died one by one in front of him, his face filled with anger while regret welled up in his heart.
At this moment, he deeply regretted why he had gotten involved in that mess back then!
One after another Chu family disciple was slain, and Fang Xu slowly stepped forward to Chu Yangping.
"He who kills, will be killed. Chu family patriarch, go on your way."
As the words fell, the black iron staff in his hand thrust forward violently, piercing directly through Chu Yangping's chest.
Thus, the once-glorious Chu family, masters of Wucheng, was destroyed.
After slaying Chu Yangping, a virtual panel appeared before Fang Xu.
【You personally slew your good friend, as punishment, you can only obtain 20% of the inheritance!】
【Your good friend Chu Yangping is dead; as a friend, you may randomly obtain one of Chu Yangping's three inheritances.】
Inheritance One: 【White Inheritance · Mental Attribute 12 points】Inheritance carries no risk, but requires touching Chu Yangping's corpse to obtain.
Inheritance Two: 【White Inheritance · Strength Attribute 30 points】Inheritance carries no risk, but requires touching Chu Yangping's corpse to obtain.
Inheritance Three: 【White Inheritance · Vitality Attribute 24 points】Inheritance carries no risk, but requires touching Chu Yangping's corpse to obtain.
Looking at the virtual panel before him, Fang Xu shook his head with some regret.
Mistake!
Mistake, ah!
How did I forget this?
Killing my good friend with my own hands not only reduced the inheritance by 80%, but the quality of the inheritance also seemed to have dropped.
Three portions of inheritance, all attribute points, not a single special item.
With some helplessness, he clicked the inherit button, watching the three portions of inheritance roll before him.
【Congratulations, you obtained Inheritance One.】
【Touch Chu Yangping's corpse to obtain this inheritance.】
Inheritance One, Mental Attribute 12 points.
If Chu Yangping had not died by my hand, this time I could have obtained at least 60 points of Mental Attribute.
This time, I lost 48 points of Mental Attribute inside and out.
After touching Chu Yangping's corpse with his palm, feeling a cool breath surge into his body, Fang Xu looked around at the remaining non-direct lineage members of the Chu family and said: "Move all valuable items out of the Chu family, and I will spare your lives."
Upon hearing this, the martial artists rushed into the Chu family residence in panic, moving everything out.
Just as before, Fang Xu stored some valuable items into his Cosmos Sack, and had the rest sent to the mountain-foot villa.
After doing all this, he and the old ape left Wucheng.
After consecutively destroying three forces, such a huge commotion quickly spread throughout the entire Yu Kingdom.
For a time, those aristocratic forces that had participated in hunting Fang Xu were filled with panic.
Fearful that Fang Xu would appear at their doorstep the very next moment.
This matter naturally also alarmed the royal family.
In the royal capital of Zhongzhou, Li Xingyan's face instantly turned grim upon hearing this news.
Back then, he had stepped forward to mediate between the major aristocratic families and forces regarding Fang Xu's grudges against them.
At the wine table, he had also said that if Fang Xu regretted his actions later, he would represent the royal family and stand together with the major aristocratic families and forces to respond.
Now that Fang Xu has truly taken action, as the prince of Yu Kingdom, he absolutely cannot go back on his word.
"Come here!"
"I want to go see my father emperor!"
Li Xingyan came to the main hall of the royal palace with a grim face, clasped his hands before Li Changyu and said:
"Your son pays respects to father emperor."
Li Changyu slightly lifted his eyelids: "What happened?"
Li Xingyan clasped his hands and said: "Reporting to father emperor, Fang Xu descended the mountain today, first destroyed the Tianhu Gang, then the JinYang Sect, and afterward came to Wucheng, slaughtering the entire Chu family direct lineage."
"According to scout reports, he is now leading that old ape toward Shucheng."
Upon hearing this, Li Changyu furrowed his brows and said: "Is he preparing to take revenge?"
Li Xingyan said: "Father emperor, your son once mediated between him and the major aristocratic families and forces, and also promised that if Fang Xu regretted his actions, the royal family would stand together with the major aristocratic families and forces to face it."
"Now Fang Xu openly violates the original agreement, this is contempt for my royal majesty, please father emperor issue an order!"
Upon hearing this, Li Changyu said with a blank face: "What order?"
Li Xingyan was stunned: "Of course, the order to send people to capture Fang Xu and stop him from slaughtering other aristocratic families and forces."
Li Changyu looked up at his son and coldly said: "Do you know what cultivation level that old ape is now?"
Li Xingyan hesitated for a moment and said: "Your son... does not know."
After the old ape broke through, besides fighting the patriarch of the Fox Demon clan at the Blue Green Mountain ancestral land, he had not made a move at other times, so Li Xingyan certainly did not know the old ape's current exact cultivation level.
Li Cangwu stood up and said lightly: "Four years ago, that old ape fought alone against Tuoba Bear and Lü Shengren in front of Huayang Mountain."
"At that time, he was already suffering from depleted qi and blood."
"Now I have received news that the old ape seems to have recovered to his peak state due to some opportunity."
"I also speculate that he might have made another breakthrough because of that opportunity."
Hearing this, Li Xingyan was somewhat startled.
He did not know whether Li Cangwu's "another breakthrough" meant what he thought it did.
If the old ape's current strength truly reached the same realm as his father, then those aristocratic families and forces that once pursued Fang Xu would seemingly have no way out.
"Eldest brother, you must know that in our Great Yu, besides Wuji and myself, no one is a match for that old ape."
"How do you want me to issue the decree?"
"Zhao Wují is currently in Qingzhou—are you suggesting I personally intervene?"
Facing Li Cangwu's questioning gaze, Li Xingyan did not know what to say for a moment.
After a long while—
"But I once promised that the imperial family would intervene."
"If the imperial family does not intervene, then my face and the imperial family's face..."
Li Cangwu glanced at him lightly and said: "The matter is your promise, so I naturally understand."
"This is what we'll do: you transfer the personnel of the Supervision Bureau over, and also, I will let the Blood Floating Pagoda obey your command."
"To uphold the dignity of the royal family, we can only sacrifice some people."
Li Xingyan was stunned.
He never imagined that his momentary whim back then would lead to such an unresolvable situation today.
The several deputy directors and directors of the Supervision Bureau also have cultivations below the seventh level of Martial Venerable, slightly weaker than Tuoba Bear and Lü Shengren.
The Blood Floating Pagoda might be slightly stronger than Lü Shengren and Tuoba Bear, but it is absolutely no match for the old ape.
Sending them over is no different from sending them to their deaths.
Moreover, he noticed that Li Cangwu specifically named him to bring these people over.
What does this mean?
Does Father not fear that Fang Xu might go berserk and kill him as well?
"Go ahead—I will visit Huayang Mountain to see if there is still room for maneuver in this matter."
Li Cangwu waved his hand and said.
……
Outside Shucheng City, Fang Xu and the old ape had already dealt with the enemies in the city and were now rushing toward the next stop.
"Fang boy, where to next?" Inside the carriage, the old ape spoke listlessly.
These enemies are too weak; he has no interest in making a move.
"Yuzhou!"
Outside the carriage, Fang Xu spoke.
The nearest stop to Shucheng City is Yuzhou.
Yuzhou's greatest enemy is Ren Tuo of the Ren family, but Ren Tuo is already dead.
Going there also means taking over Ren Tuo's legacy—the three thousand Ghost-Faced Army.
Meanwhile, as Fang Xu rushed toward Yuzhou, the leaders of various forces and heads of aristocratic families also received the news and gathered together at Ziyang Mountain in Yuzhou.
This is the base of the Ziyang Sect, another first-rate force in Yuzhou besides the Ren family.
Back when they pursued Fang Xu, the Ziyang Sect and the Ren family joined forces, dispatching more than ten Martial Venerables.
Now that the Ren family has been exterminated, the Ziyang Sect has submitted to the imperial family, and Fang Xu is rushing toward Yuzhou, the Ziyang Sect understands that his target is certainly themselves.
The sect master of the Ziyang Sect immediately invited all the heads of forces and aristocratic families to gather at Ziyang Mountain, preparing to deal with Fang Xu's revenge.
Hall of the Ziyang Sect.
An old man wearing a brown long robe, with white beard and hair, a gaunt appearance, and somewhat bearing the demeanor of an immortal, looked at the dozens of Martial Venerable powerhouses in the hall and felt somewhat reassured.
This person is precisely the sect master of the Ziyang Sect, Huang WenYang.
"Brother Tuoba, all the family heads—Fang Xu that madman has already made up his mind to exterminate us all!"
"I have invited you all to Ziyang Mountain to gather our strength and completely eradicate this wretch!"
"Otherwise, our various major forces will surely be slaughtered one by one by this wretch!"
The crowd nodded in agreement.
"Report!"
At this moment, a disciple of the Ziyang Sect came to the hall: "Report to the sect master, the Grand Prince has arrived!"
Grand Prince!?
Upon hearing this, the Martial Venerables in the hall all showed expressions of surprise and joy.
"Besides the Grand Prince, is there anyone else!?"
Tuoba Bear hurriedly asked.
"There is also the Blood General and a group of black-clad martial artists, seemingly from the imperial Supervision Bureau."
Upon hearing this, the smiles on everyone's faces grew even broader.
"Has General Zhao Wují arrived?" Tuoba Bear asked again.
That disciple shook his head: "No sign of General Zhao Wují."
Tuoba Bear felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this.
However, Huang Wenyan laughed and said: "Tuoba brother cannot be so greedy; with the Blood General coming in person, plus the experts of the Surveillance Bureau, we need not fear that old ape."
"When the time comes, as long as Fang Xu dares to come, we will join forces to hold back that old ape, and the other clan heads will join forces to kill Fang Xu, thus eliminating our great concern!"
Everyone nodded again.
They roughly understood the old ape's strength.
When qi and blood declined, Tuoba Xiong and Lu Sheng could hold it back; although qi and blood have now recovered, with Tuoba Xiong, the Blood Stupa, and the Surveillance Bureau personnel present, they are confident they can hold back the old ape.
"Everyone, follow me to greet the Crown Prince." Huang Wenyan said with a smile.
The people inside the hall rose one after another, following Huang Ziyang and Tuoba Xiong to go outside the hall to greet Li Xingyan.
On the other side of Yuzhou.
After Fang Xu and the old ape arrived in Yuzhou, they did not rush to Ziyang Mountain but instead went to the residence where the Ren family's garrison was stationed.
After Ren Tuo was killed, the Ren family's residence had already been sealed by the imperial household.
Fang Xu arrived at the gate and directly leapt into the courtyard.
Following the arrow on the virtual panel, he found the Yuzhou Command in a hidden compartment of a fake mountain, which could mobilize the Three Thousand Ghost-Faced Army.
However, after obtaining the Yuzhou Command, he did not know how to find the Ghost-Faced Army hidden among the populace.
After some thought, Fang Xu brought the old ape to a bustling tavern in Yuzhou City.
Seeing the many martial artists in the tavern, Fang Xu raised the Yuzhou Command and said: "Fang Xu summons the Ghost-Faced Army with the Yuzhou Command; gather at the north city gate of Yuzhou City at noon three days from now."
The martial artists in the tavern heard this and all exchanged glances.
The Ghost-Faced Army of Yuzhou has always been a legendary existence.
It is said that the inheritance of the Ghost-Faced Army is ancient, and they do not obey any faction; they only obey the person holding the Yuzhou Command.
Each generation of the Ghost-Faced Army can choose its own successor; they usually hide among the populace, and once the person holding the Yuzhou Command appears, all Ghost-Faced Army must unconditionally obey orders.
"Young Fang, is this useful?" the old ape asked curiously.
Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Whether it is useful or not, we will know in three days."
"Uncle Yuan, let's go."
(End of Chapter)
End of Chapter
