Chapter 171

At the city gate of Yuzhou, inside a roadside tea stall, Fang Xu and Old Yuan sat around a small red-clay brazier.

By mid-November, Yuzhou finally saw its first snowfall, white snowflakes drifting down and quickly blanketing the ground.

"Fang lad, today is the third day."

Old Yuan glanced at the sparse passersby outside the tea stall and smiled faintly: "The ghost-face army you mentioned probably won't come, right?"

Fang Xu lifted his head to gaze at the overcast sky, then reached out to warm his hands by the brazier.

"Just wait a bit more—we've waited two days already, what's one more?"

As his words faded, a panicked figure suddenly darted out from the distant city gate.

After bursting out of Yuzhou City, the figure glanced nervously behind, then sprinted straight toward the tea stall where Fang Xu sat.

Thud!

The martial artist arrived before Fang Xu and Old Yuan, then dropped to his knees with a thud.

Fang Xu nodded, then asked curiously: "What exactly is a ghost face?"

As he finished speaking, over a dozen men in brown robes, each wielding a longsword, came chasing out of the city behind him.

"Move quickly—take all three of them down!"

"But ever since the leader recruited us in the city using the Yuzhou Command, these people have been wildly capturing our ghost-face army brothers, and now many have already been seized."

In less than a dozen breaths, over a thousand people had gathered before the tea stall.

These people stood in neat formation on the snow, faces frenzied, looking toward Fang Xu as he knelt on one knee, saying: "We pay our respects to the leader!"

Outside the tea stall amidst the flying snow, more than a dozen wailed and struggled, quickly turning to ash in the flames.

Soldier Twenty-Five of the Ghost Face Army, hearing this, was also dazed: "Reporting to the leader, the Ghost Face Army's power mainly comes from the ghost faces; without them, we subordinates cannot defeat these people."

This group pursued them to the city outskirts, scanned the surroundings, and immediately spotted the ghost-face army member in the tea stall.

Suddenly, two purple-black flames flickered in his eyes!

Old Yuan shook his head: "I've never heard of such a thing."

Fang Xu looked puzzled at Old Yuan: "Uncle Yuan, do you know what a ghost face is?"

"The inheritance only tells subordinates that whoever holds the Yuzhou Command is the leader of the Ghost Face Army, and the leader can bestow ghost faces upon us, greatly increasing our strength."

"There!"

Saying this, Soldier Twenty-Five seemed afraid Fang Xu would think them useless, so he emphasized again: "The Ghost Face Army's abilities mainly come from the ghost faces; without them, our strength is even inferior to ordinary martial artists."

Gazing at the dark crowd, Fang Xu spoke.

Soldier Twenty-Five shook his head: "I don't know."

The ghost-face army soldier suddenly rose, looked at the over a dozen people surrounding him, then turned and bowed to Fang Xu: "Please, Commander, bestow upon us the ghost face."

Without ghost faces, these Ghost Face Army soldiers' current strength would be nearly useless to him, and bringing them would only be a burden.

There were old and young, men and women, wealthy merchants and street beggars...

Soldier Twenty-Five bowed: "Some have been captured; the others should arrive soon."

In cultivation, these people's highest levels are roughly around Martial Master Third Stage, far below the Martial Master Fifth Stage mentioned by the system.

Fang Xu stared blankly: "What is a ghost face?"

Hearing this, Fang Xu felt a headache coming on.

Over a dozen people rushed forward, completely surrounding the tea stall.

Fang Xu and Old Yuan drank their tea calmly, as if they had no intention of acting.

These brown-clad martial artists generally cultivated around Martial Master Seventh Stage; unknown which faction they belonged to, they actually had no idea of Fang Xu's fearsome reputation and rashly tried to seize him and Old Yuan together.

"Where are the other Ghost Face Army members?" Setting aside the ghost-face matter for now, Fang Xu asked.

"Seize him!"

Seeing this, Soldier Twenty-Five of the Ghost Face Army couldn't help but shrink his pupils.

All kinds of people, from all walks of life, were present.

Fang Xu was curious about what a ghost face was, but these people insisted on making noise beside him.

In the next moment, the over a dozen brown-clad martial artists surrounding the tea stall were suddenly enveloped in purple-black flames.

"I don't know."

"Noisy!"

"Ghost Face Army, Jia-character Twenty, pays respects to the Commander!"

After the purple-black flames appeared, they rapidly scorched the souls and bodies of those men.

Having dealt with the over a dozen pursuers, Fang Xu turned to this Ghost Face Army soldier and asked: "Who are these people?"

He only knew from the system prompt that the Yuzhou Command could summon three thousand Ghost Face Army soldiers, but he had no idea that to unleash their power, he still needed ghost faces.

"Does anyone among you know what a ghost face is?"

Fang Xu glanced at the crowd and noticed these so-called Ghost Face Army members were strange.

As he finished speaking, people from the teahouse's surrounding woods, the city gate passersby, and some porters and vendors all hurried toward the tea stall.

"Reporting to the leader, I really want to know more."

At that moment, an old man dressed as a beggar spoke up.

"Come up and speak."

Fang Xu summoned the old man forward: "You speak."

The old man bowed: "Leader, I have been researching the Ghost Face Army's legends since I received their inheritance."

"According to some ancient texts, the Ghost Face Army's ghost face seems to be a special cultivation technique similar to a secret art."

Cultivation technique?

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu frowned tightly.

Where am I supposed to find this so-called Ghost Face cultivation method… wait a minute!

A flash passed through his mind, and he directly took out the Yu Prefecture Order.

Holding the Yu Prefecture Order, Fang Xu examined it carefully, and indeed discovered that the patterns on it were not simple.

Could this be the cultivation method for the Ghost Face?

In front of the entire Ghost Face Army, Fang Xu quietly began to contemplate in this manner.

Sitting cross-legged in the tea stall, Fang Xu's consciousness suddenly arrived in the vast ancient era.

On the desolate land, countless ancients with beast skins tied around their waists and bare chests fought fiercely against some savage ancient beasts.

Among this group of ancient warriors, a figure wearing a feathered crown, with a strange totem mask on the face, and clad in a feather robe woven from countless bird feathers stood on a high tower cart.

The feather-robed figure danced the divine invocation dance, holding a pigment similar to camouflage, and painted ferocious ghost faces on each warrior about to charge.

At the moment the ghost faces formed, Fang Xu could clearly feel a miraculous power attaching itself to these warriors in the void!

This is…

Feeling everything on the warriors' bodies, Fang Xu detected a hint of strangeness.

The power fluctuations on their bodies seemed to be mixed with the beliefs of countless people and the soul fluctuations of this feather-robed figure.

Seeing this, Fang Xu's mind suddenly recalled an ancient transmission widely spread in the southern regions of Huaxia in his previous life—Nuoxi!

Nuoxi is an ancient worship of ghosts and gods, and totem belief, also known as Ghost Play.

Performers usually need to paint the likeness of the believed ghosts and gods on their faces, using faith to bestow divinity upon these ghosts and gods, in order to dispel plagues and repay vows to the deities.

Perhaps the so-called Ghost Face of the Ghost Face Army is a kind of divine mask in Nuoxi.

The scene before his eyes gradually faded, and a profound and complex piece of information surged into Fang Xu's mind.

Next, he also obtained the cultivation method of the Ghost Face.

This cultivation method, or rather secret art, is called the Ten Aspects Great Nuo, a power system transcending cultivation methods and secret techniques.

After comprehending the essence of the Ten Aspects Great Nuo, Fang Xu discovered that this cultivation method requires him to transmit it to the soldiers of the Ghost Face Army, while simultaneously leaving his own soul power in each Ghost Face comprehended by the Ghost Face Army.

With his own soul power as the primary, the soldiers' own soul power as secondary, combined with the people's faith power, forming a kind of power endowment.

The stronger his own soul power, the more faith from the people, the stronger the power the Ghost Face can bestow upon the Ghost Face Army.

That is to say, theoretically, the strength of the Ghost Face Army has no upper limit.

Seeing this, Fang Xu was somewhat surprised.

He had not expected this Ghost Face Army to actually possess such heaven-defying ability.

Judging by this, the inheritance of the Ghost Face Army is certainly not a product of the modern martial arts system; it is very likely a secret art passed down since ancient times.

Slowly opening his eyes, Fang Xu approached the beggar elder and said: "Do not resist, I am now transmitting the Ghost Face cultivation method to you."

Upon hearing this, the elder's body trembled slightly, and then he respectfully waited for Fang Xu to bestow the method.

Fang Xu took a deep breath, and his finger lightly touched the beggar elder's forehead.

A thread of soul power, together with the cultivation method of the Ten Aspects Great Nuo, surged entirely into the elder's mind.

After Fang Xu comprehended this secret art, they fundamentally no longer needed to comprehend it themselves; upon completion of transmission, the elder immediately mastered the Ten Aspects Great Nuo clearly.

The elder's qi and blood surged throughout his body, and then directly formed a ferocious ghost face on his face.

Under Fang Xu's perception, as the ghost face formed, the elder's own aura also surged rapidly upward!

From Warrior Master Third Realm, he soared all the way up to Warrior Master Seventh Realm before stopping.

At the same time, he could discover that his thread of soul power could actually completely comprehend all thoughts of the elder, even control his soul fluctuations.

That is to say, after the Ghost Face Army cultivates the Ten Aspects Great Nuo, even if I let them go to die, they will not have the slightest resistance.

Moreover, Fang Xu felt that if there is an addition of faith power, the power of the Ghost Face will be even stronger.

It seems the Ghost Face Army should have not appeared in the world for a long time, to the extent that the common people of the world do not really believe in their existence.

Never mind, today I will just bring this Ghost Face Army to cause a great disturbance, so that the world will know of this mysterious cultivator passed down from ancient times.

"Everyone line up, one by one."

Seeing the elder successfully obtain the Ghost Face, Fang Xu shouted toward the over one thousand Ghost Face Army before him.

All the Ghost Face Army soldiers at this moment were excitedly lining up, waiting for Fang Xu to bestow the method.

After half an hour, all the Ghost Face Army present had already obtained the Ghost Face cultivation method.

After the ghost faces appeared, their cultivation levels also rose significantly.

At this moment, the over one thousand Ghost Face Army present generally had strength reaching Warrior Master Fifth Realm or above, like the old beggar and some of their members whose cultivation, under the Ghost Face's enhancement, had already reached Warrior Master Seventh Realm, Eighth Realm.

This scene before his eyes even startled Old Ape into arriving in shock.

He could tell that this so-called Ghost Face cultivation method looked similar to some kind of divine ability.

But this divine ability consumes very little of oneself; with the strength of these Ghost Face Army before him, maintaining the ghost face for a day should be no problem.

"Fang Xiazi, if this army is used well, in the future it will be a great help to you."

Old Ape spoke sincerely.

Fang Xu nodded slightly; the Ghost Face Army is a growable army, as I improve, they can also improve.

In the future, there will be no embarrassing situation of failing to keep up with my pace.

Having them by my side is indeed very useful.

After all, this is a group of one hundred percent obedient warriors to my will.

"Everyone hear the order, charge into Yu Prefecture City, rescue the other captured soldiers!"

Accompanied by Fang Xu's command, over one thousand Ghost Face Army soldiers with ferocious ghost faces on their faces directly charged toward Yu Prefecture City!

In Yu Prefecture City, before the grand governor's mansion, over one thousand soldiers with ghost faces on their faces arrived at this place.

Fang Xu glanced at a Ghost Face Army soldier behind him and said lightly: "Is this really the place?"

That Ghost Face Army soldier suddenly clasped his fists, his voice deep: "Subordinate confirms!"

Fang Xu nodded and waved his hand, saying: "Kill them."

Since the lord of Yu Prefecture's manor dared to send people to capture the Ghost Face Army, it proves they are determined to oppose me.

After all, back in the tavern, I revealed my identity and summoned all the Ghost Face Army.

Knowing the leader of the Ghost Face Army is me, yet they openly arrest its soldiers—what else is this but opposing me?

Behind me, a thousand Ghost Face Army silently marched toward the lord's manor!

At the gate of the lord's manor, the guarding warriors saw thousands of warriors with ferocious and terrifying ghost faces charging in, and each one was terrified into stupor!

As natives of Yu Prefecture, they had heard legends of the Ghost Face Army, but only believed it existed in tales.

As for those arrested, in their eyes they were merely a group of warriors planning to follow Fang Xu.

Pfft!

Pfft!

……

Under the horrified gazes of the manor's warriors, the Ghost Face Army soldiers showed no hesitation and charged straight in!

The moment the Ghost Face Army soldiers donned their ghost faces, they became cold-blooded killing machines, knowing only slaughter.

Compassion, fear, and all emotions detrimental to combat vanished from them.

Their strength greatly increased, and they seemed born for slaughter— their combat power far surpassed these warriors.

After storming the lord's manor, they directly marched toward the prison holding the remaining Ghost Face Army.

Yu Prefecture City was originally the stronghold of the Ren family, but after they were exterminated by the Blood Floating Pagoda, the position of Yu Prefecture's lord was seized by a second-rate power from Yu Prefecture.

A large number of ghost-faced warriors surged forward, quickly alerting the current lord of Yu Prefecture City.

A warrior at the third level of Martial Sovereign, accompanied by two Martial Sovereign-level warriors, rushed from the inner courtyard, watching as the warriors their family had painstakingly trained were being massacred by a group of ghost-faced warriors— this Martial Sovereign flew into a rage.

"Kill them!"

"Quickly kill them!"

Upon hearing this, the two Martial Sovereign first-level warriors behind him immediately charged forward!

Bang!

Bang!

The two ghost-faced soldiers who rushed forward were kicked flying by the two Martial Sovereign warriors, their bodies violently slamming into Fang Xu and the Old Ape approaching.

The two ghost-faced soldiers paid no heed to their injuries, struggled to rise, and then fearlessly charged again at the two Martial Sovereign warriors.

"Stop."

Fang Xu spoke calmly, and the two Ghost Face Army soldiers immediately stood respectfully at his sides.

Fang Xu walked slowly forward, his gaze sweeping past the two Martial Sovereign first-level warriors and locking onto the middle-aged man at the third level of Martial Sovereign.

Meeting Fang Xu's gaze, the middle-aged man flashed a hint of fear on his face, then restrained his tone and said: "Fang Xu, you bring people to slaughter my Yu Prefecture's lord's manor— what is your intention!?"

"Do you not know, this city lord is appointed by the Yu Emperor himself— are you provoking imperial authority by doing this?"

Fang Xu gave a faint smile: "Yu Prefecture Qin Clan."

"Qin Clan Patriarch, you should be grateful that when Fang某 was hunted down back then, your Qin Clan did not participate."

"Otherwise, Fang某 would not bother uttering a single word of nonsense to you."

Opposite him, Qin Clan Patriarch Qin Yushu's face stiffened, then he spoke again: "Since you know my Qin Clan has no grudge against you, why now do you bring people to attack my Qin Clan's manor?"

Even now, Qin Yushu seems not to have realized the seriousness of the situation.

He only thinks that since he did not participate in the hunt against Fang Xu earlier, Fang Xu will not act against the Qin Clan.

Because Fang Xu is a disciple of the Ascension Assembly.

The Ascension Assembly has rules: disciples must not indiscriminately kill innocents, nor dare to interfere in secular affairs.

Fang Xu killing others is due to grudges; killing me would be violating the Ascension Assembly's rules.

"Qin Clan Patriarch knows the Ghost Face Army is Fang某's, yet still ordered their capture— Fang某 must come for an explanation." Fang Xu said calmly.

Qin Yushu frowned upon hearing this and said: "Capturing these rebellious traitors is an order from the Crown Prince; I am merely following orders."

Crown Prince?

Fang Xu's mouth curled into a cold smile: "Then Fang某 now wants to take them away— will the Qin Clan Patriarch stop me?"

"You!"

Qin Yushu still wanted to say something, but recalling Fang Xu's slaying of Chu Yangping in Martial City, the words on his lips were swallowed back.

Although the Ascension Assembly has rules, sensing Fang Xu's faint killing intent, he dared not gamble.

The order to capture the Ghost Face Army was originally given by Li Xingyan; his Qin Clan had not stirred that muddy water before, and now there's no need to jump in and die.

"You may take the people, but Qin某 will certainly report this to the Crown Prince!"

Qin Yushu backed down.

"Qin Clan Patriarch, do as you wish." Fang Xu waved his hand, and a Ghost Face Army soldier brought everyone out.

The rescued Ghost Face Army soldiers, seeing others wearing ghost faces, became wildly excited one by one.

"We pay our respects to the leader!"

Fang Xu nodded and said: "This is not the place to speak— follow me."

Leading the crowd outside Yu Prefecture City, Fang Xu then taught the remaining Ghost Face Army soldiers the art of the Ten Phases Great Exorcism.

Thus, the three thousand Ghost Face Army were finally assembled.

But seeing them all in tattered clothes, disheveled and grimy, Fang Xu couldn't help but frown.

It seems I must find an opportunity to forge some armor for these Ghost Face Army.

On one hand, it could enhance their strength somewhat.

On the other hand, it would look more decent— otherwise I'd look like the chief of a beggar sect.

Let's go.

I guess everyone's almost here.

Outside Yuzhou City, Fang Xu glanced at the Three Thousand Ghost Face Army and said.

A group of people marched mightily toward Ziyang Mountain.

The main hall of Ziyang Mountain.

Ziyang Sect Sect Master Huang Wenyan, Crown Prince Li Xingyan, Blood General Blood Futu, and Tuoba Clan Chief Tuoba Xiong, along with the three supervisors of the Surveillance Bureau, gathered together.

Beside Li Xingyan, the handsome young man Li Lingling was also present.

"Your Highness, according to the news, Fang Xu should already be on his way to Ziyang Mountain."

Huang Wenyan showed a hint of solemnity on his face.

Although there were seven Martial Sovereign Seventh Realm powerhouses present, after learning from Li Xingyan about the old ape's approximate cultivation, his inner confidence was now scarce.

Suspected Martial Sovereign Peak!

This is the news Li Xingyan brought.

Li Xingyan did not tell them everything.

After all, in the Zhongzhou Imperial City, Li Changwu's speculation about the old ape was "suspected of having taken that step."

He knew clearly that if he spoke this out, the various faction leaders gathered at Ziyang Sect would likely lose all fighting spirit in an instant.

He is now betting!

Betting that the old ape's cultivation is not as strong as his father emperor guessed, and then gathering his seven people's strength to hold back the old ape, letting others act quickly to slay Fang Xu.

As long as Fang Xu dies, I believe the old ape won't truly fight them to the death.

After all, the main contradiction between the two sides still falls on Fang Xu.

However, before that, Li Xingyan still wanted to talk with Fang Xu.

This is also why he brought his daughter Li Lingling to Ziyang Mountain.

Li Lingling and Fang Xu share a bond, and Li Xingyan also hopes to use this bond to resolve this crisis.

"Lingling, when Fang Xu arrives, you accompany your father to meet him." Li Xingyan said.

"Father, this matter..." Li Lingling showed a hint of worry on her face.

She always felt Fang Xu would not compromise just because she once helped him.

"Princess, please handle this matter." Huang Wenyan, seeing Li Lingling unwilling to step forward, quickly clasped his hands.

The other clan chiefs and faction leaders also hurriedly stood up, clasped their hands, and looked toward Li Lingling, shouting in unison:

"Please, Princess Lingling."

Being lifted up by everyone like this, Li Lingling didn't know what to say for a moment and could only helplessly nod and agree.

Outside Ziyang Mountain, Fang Xu and the old ape, leading the Three Thousand Ghost Face Army, spent two days and finally reached the mountain's base.

The Ziyang Sect disciples guarding the mountain gate, upon seeing Fang Xu appear, hurriedly ran back up the mountain to report.

Upon receiving the news, the people dared not be careless, all following Li Xingyan's lead to come down the mountain to prepare for battle.

Outside the mountain gate, Fang Xu watched the people descending from the mountain, Li Xingyan and others, and couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth.

The two sides approached, and Li Xingyan looked at Fang Xu and said: "Young Hero Fang, you initially promised me to let go of this grudge, why today..."

"Your Highness jests, Fang Xu only accepted their compensation back then, but never said I would completely let go of this grudge."

"Your Highness, ask yourself, if this matter were you, could you bear it in silence and let it go?"

Li Xingyan was speechless for a moment.

In the martial world, the weak are prey to the strong; if there is a deadly grudge between two sides, it must indeed be settled by one dying and the other living.

"Young Hero Fang, I know you feel wronged, but the forces that once hunted you have now mostly disbanded—nearly half are gone. I hope you can consider letting them go."

After saying this, Li Xingyan glanced at Li Lingling beside him.

Li Lingling approached Fang Xu somewhat restrained, squeezed out a faint smile, and said: "Fang Xu, since our parting at the Ascension Immortal Assembly, four years have passed, haven't they?"

Looking at Li Lingling, Fang Xu gave a light smile: "Princess Lingling, do you think that because you helped me back then, you now want to use this to plead for mercy?"

Li Lingling's face stiffened, still preparing to speak, but Fang Xu continued: "Princess, don't forget—back in the Liangzhou desert, if not for my intervention, you might now be a bandit chief's wife in some mountain stronghold."

"Saying this, even the children would run away."

"You!" Li Lingling flushed red with anger at his words.

Fang Xu, however, didn't take it to heart: "I saved you once, you helped me once—we're even."

"Today's matter has nothing to do with you, nor with Your Highness. Please, Your Highness and Princess, leave quickly, lest you get hurt later."

Fang Xu finished speaking, glanced at the people behind Li Xingyan, and said with a light smile: "Not bad, you all came quite promptly—no need for me to hunt you down one by one."

Seeing his air of assured victory, the Martial Sovereigns present instantly felt a wave of humiliation.

"You brat, you're too arrogant!"

"Do you really think we're made of mud?"

"Your Highness, stop wasting words with him—worst case, we fight!"

"Exactly! Fight! Even if we die, we'll drag this brat down with us!"

"Too arrogant—I, the old man, can't bear it!"

The Martial Sovereigns shouted indignantly.

Fang Xu still smiled faintly and said: "You all still have some backbone, though not much."

"A bunch of old fossils, together they've lived who knows how many tens of thousands of years, ganging up on a youngster—truly shameless."

Hmm?

Hearing this, the people present blinked slightly.

"I am the Ziyang Sect Sect Master, old man. Youngster, since you say that, how about we exchange a few moves?"

Huang Wenyang spoke with a barely concealed joy on his face.

These people of theirs only feared the old ape; they had never really taken Fang Xu seriously.

Seeing Fang Xu say this, Huang Wenyang immediately followed his words and issued a challenge.

If Fang Xu agreed, he could later try to control him, even directly slay him!

By then, this crisis would resolve itself without attack.

"You want to duel me one-on-one?" Looking at Huang Wenyang, Fang Xu said with a half-smile.

The Zi Yang Sect is a sword sect; Huang Wenyang is said to be a sword master as well, and among the renowned martial venerables, his swordsmanship alone ranks among the top five of Dayu.

"What, are you afraid?"

Fearful that Fang Xu would refuse, Huang Wenyang goaded: "I've heard you powerfully killed the Chu family patriarch Chu Yangping in Wu City; you must have some skill."

"Now you lack the confidence to fight me?"

"Old fogey, you don't need to provoke me with that." Fang Xu smiled faintly, sweeping his gaze over the people behind him: "Fang just fears that you old fogeys will disregard face and swarm me later."

As soon as he said that, the martial venerables behind Huang Wenyang were instantly angered.

"You brat, what is our status, that we would gang up on a junior like you!?"

"Exactly, when you can't hold up later under Huang Xiong's hand, don't go looking for that old ape to save you!"

"We won't interfere; can you guarantee that old ape won't interfere either?"

……

Fang Xu said nothing; the old ape behind him stepped forward slowly.

The martial venerables opposite were instantly frightened and retreated several steps.

"As long as you don't all attack together, I will not intervene." The old ape glanced at everyone and said calmly.

Hearing this, the martial venerables all furrowed their brows, unsure whether to believe the old ape's words.

But now it seems like an excellent opportunity.

If the old ape truly does not intervene, they can better deal with Fang Xu.

"As a senior, I hope you won't go back on your word." Tuoba Xiong looked at the old ape and spoke.

The old ape glanced at him and said calmly: "Naturally, I will not go back on my word, but..."

"Back then, it was you who nearly forced me to death at Huayang Mountain; now I wish to seek instruction from you again."

Clenching his fists, a flash of sharp light passed through the old ape's eyes.

Tuoba Xiong's face instantly changed dramatically, his eyes pleading as he looked toward the people beside him, hoping they would help him deal with the old ape.

At this moment, everyone slightly turned their heads, pretending not to see Tuoba Xiong's plea for help.

What a joke!

This is a being suspected to be at the peak of martial venerable!

The old ape only named Tuoba Xiong for revenge, and did not seek them.

At this moment, who would think of rushing forward to seek death?

"You... you all!"

Seeing everyone's performance, Tuoba Xiong trembled with rage!

"Your Highness..."

Helpless, Tuoba Xiong at this moment could only look toward Li Xingyan, hoping he would speak and get everyone to help him.

But Li Xingyan is not stupid; he knows that at this moment, whoever goes to help Tuoba Xiong is surely doomed to die.

Let the old ape kill Tuoba Xiong, then let Huang Wenyang kill Fang Xu; this way, this crisis might be perfectly resolved.

Moreover, he initially only promised Tuoba Xiong and the others that if Fang Xu made a move, the royal family would stand with them; now that it is not Fang Xu making a move against Tuoba Xiong, his inaction does not count as breaking his promise.

"Tuoba family head, sorry." Li Xingyan spoke.

At this moment, he no longer prepared to risk helping Tuoba Xiong gain a sliver of life.

Tuoba Xiong's face was ashen, his expression furious as he swept his gaze over everyone present.

Meeting his gaze, the martial venerables present all silently lowered their heads.

They knew this was somewhat improper.

But in the face of life and death, what is this bit of face?

"Haha..."

"Tuoba Xiong remembers you!"

"Old fogey, I, Tuoba Xiong, know I am no match for you, but to die at the hands of such a strong one as you is also no regret in this life."

Saying this, he directly charged toward the old ape!

On Fang Xu's side, Huang Wenyang slowly drew his sword and looked at Fang Xu: "Draw your weapon."

Fang Xu shook his head, reached out, and directly snapped off a bamboo stalk from the nearby bamboo grove, then slowly pointed it at Huang Wenyang: "Using bamboo as a sword will do; make your move."

Seeing this, Huang Wenyang instantly felt that Fang Xu was humiliating him.

"I have practiced swordsmanship since three years old, and have immersed myself in the sword way for eighty years; you brat insult me, do not blame me for not showing mercy!"

The long sword in his hand shot out a three-foot sword light; Huang Wenyang directly flashed and charged toward Fang Xu!

Clang!

A green bamboo stalk directly blocked Huang Wenyang's sword; Fang Xu lightly lifted it, then thrust.

Though he does not practice the sword way, his understanding of the sword is not inferior to Huang Wenyang's, despite knowing the twenty-four sword forms.

The twenty-four sword forms are the foundation of the sword way, containing exactly the basic use of the sword.

The great path is simple.

Sometimes, the simpler the technique, the greater the unimaginable power it can unleash.

Fang Xu's thrust and stab were not particularly fast, but in Huang Wenyan's eyes they seemed extremely strange.

"Rumors have always circulated that this kid's techniques are wide and powerful, with astonishing strength, skilled in using both fists and a long staff."

"I never expected he would also have such attainments in swordsmanship!"

While exchanging moves with Fang Xu, Huang Wenyan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

A most ordinary bamboo stalk in Fang Xu's hands seemed like a divine treasure sword, each move effortlessly blocking Huang Wenyan's attacks, occasionally even forcing him to retreat.

"Brother Huang!"

Seeing Huang Wenyan clearly intending to test his skills against Fang Xu, a Martial Sovereign watching from behind could no longer bear it.

On the other side of the battle, Tuoba Xiong was already close to being beaten to death by the old ape; if that battle ended, the old ape would free his hands, and then capturing or killing Fang Xu would become impossible.

Hearing the shout, Huang Wenyan's heart jolted, and he instantly realized this was a life-or-death battle, leaving no room for him to compare swordsmanship with Fang Xu; he immediately slashed fiercely at the bamboo in Fang Xu's hand, preparing to cleave both the bamboo and Fang Xu's body in two!

But the plan was sound, yet Fang Xu was not as simple as he imagined!

The bamboo in his hand was wrapped in Blood Qi Power, and Fang Xu immediately thrust straight forward!

Clang!

The surface of the bamboo formed a bronze-colored illusory longsword, which simultaneously deflected Huang Wenyan's sword and stabbed directly toward his brow!

Huang Wenyan was greatly startled, never expecting Fang Xu to still have such a cunning and strange technique!

Instinctively leaning his head back to dodge this fatal blow, he simultaneously swept his long sword horizontally, directly forcing Fang Xu to retreat!

With distance opened, Huang Wenyan no longer prepared to compare swordsmanship with Fang Xu; the sword light on his long sword suddenly surged ten or more zhang, and he slashed at Fang Xu as soon as the latter stabilized his stance!

Countless sword illusions, like a waterfall falling from the nine heavens, slashed toward Fang Xu's body!

Fang Xu held the crisp bamboo, left and right deflecting, blocking each descending sword shadow one by one!

Boom!

Boom!

……

The deflected sword shadows stood on the ground on both sides, and the hard mountain rock was directly split into countless deep pits!

Seeing this, Huang Wenyan suddenly gripped his long sword!

In the next moment, his entire Blood Qi Power formed one sword qi after another behind his back!

Like a peacock spreading its tail, these sword qi burst from behind him, then pierced the heavens and stabbed toward Fang Xu from all directions!

On Fang Xu's side, having just blocked the waterfall-like sword light, he instantly faced a sharp sword qi storm like a rain of arrows!

The bamboo in his hand immediately traced a sword flourish, waving in his hand to block each incoming sword qi one by one!

But bamboo is ultimately bamboo; even with Fang Xu's Blood Qi Power enhancement, facing Huang Wenyan, a seventh-realm Martial Sovereign whose ultimate technique could be called a trump card, it could not hold out for long.

"Crack!"

A massive wave of sword qi surged forward, and Fang Xu's bamboo could no longer withstand it in an instant!

The crisp sound of breaking came, and that green bamboo stalk was directly sliced off a small section by a sword qi!

At this moment, the Martial Sovereigns behind Huang Wenyan actually showed a hint of faint excitement on their faces, completely failing to notice that Fang Xu held only an ordinary bamboo stalk, not a divine weapon.

They also failed to notice that Fang Xu forced Huang Wenyan to use his famed absolute technique—the Sword River—with just a bamboo stalk!

Endless sword light surged from behind Huang Wenyan, like a tide, swarming toward Fang Xu!

That bamboo stalk was whittled down shorter and shorter, finally struck by a sword light on its body, directly turning into flying fragments across the sky!

The Martial Sovereigns behind Huang Wenyan instantly rejoiced, all staring fixedly at Fang Xu wrapped in sword light, hoping he would die the next moment from ten thousand arrows piercing the heart!

But at this moment, Fang Xu shook his head, somewhat dissatisfied, saying: "Still underestimated you."

A flash of light in his hand, and a silver longsword instantly appeared in his grasp!

This silver longsword had its hilt and two-thirds of the blade wrapped in exquisite patterns, with only the tip's one-third being as thin as a cicada's wing.

Though this sword was quite strange, that one-third of the tip emitted a palpating aura; Fang Xu glanced at it, and his soul felt as if it were about to be severed.

As soon as this sword appeared, the sword river sword qi emitted by Huang Wenyan came to a halt.

Swish!

Fang Xu lightly swayed, and those sword lights shattered inch by inch, turning into flying light and shadow across the sky!

Following this, Fang Xu slowly raised his sword and delivered a horizontal slash at Huang Wenyan!

Space rippled with waves, directly flying toward Huang Wenyan and those behind him!

Seeing this, Huang Wenyan gripped his long sword and slashed downward fiercely, preparing to block this strike!

But the sword light Fang Xu slashed out was exceptionally resilient; after shattering Huang Wenyan's downward sword light, its momentum undiminished, it continued forward!

Huang Wenyan raised his sword to block, and only after the sword light was pushed several zhang away did he stabilize his body!

Fang Xu's body flickered, and he directly charged forward!

The silver longsword in his hand thrust straight, extremely fast!

Huang Wenyan raised his sword to block!

But the cicada-wing-thin tip of the silver longsword directly pierced through Huang Wenyan's sword body, then directly penetrated his skull!

An extremely fine wound appeared on Huang Wenyan's brow, and immediately, threads of blood seeped from his brow!

Huang Wenyan's eyes widened, his eyes full of disbelief!

He seemed to never understand even in death, how Fang Xu's sword could be so sharp!

Huang Wenyan died.

Fang Xu was about to speak when a virtual panel suddenly popped up before him!

【Your friend Tuoba Xiong has died; as a friend, you may randomly obtain one of Tuoba Xiong's three inheritances.】

Inheritance One: 【White Inheritance·Strength Attribute 200 Points】Inheritance carries no risk, but requires touching Tuoba Xiong's corpse to obtain.

Inheritance Two: 【Unknown Quality·Tian Que Palace (Fragment)】Inheritance risk unknown, a mini-palace produced in an ancient relic, Tuoba Xiong researched it for decades without ever unraveling its mystery, possibly related to ancient legacies.

Inheritance Three: 【Purple Quality·Xuanliu Blood Gold Vein】 Medium inheritance risk. The Xuanliu Blood Gold Vein is one of the Tuoba family's most precious treasures and a fundamental basis for their rise. Mastering the refining method of Xuanliu Blood Gold, the Tuoba family, despite being surrounded by powerful forces, can still firmly hold onto this vein.

Thud!

Tuoba Xiong's corpse was kicked by the old ape to a spot not far from Fang Xu.

"Ape Uncle, why are you so slow?" Fang Xu asked with a smile.

The old ape chuckled: "This brat, back then with that guy called Lü Shèngrén, really gave me a hard time. Today I also had a good play with him."

Seeing Tuoba Xiong's bones all over his body nearly crushed, Fang Xu curled his lip.

This really was playing around for a while, directly crushing all the guy's bones.

Ignoring Tuoba Xiong's corpse, Fang Xu immediately clicked the inheritance button.

The three inheritances rolled before him, then gradually settled.

【Congratulations on obtaining Inheritance Two!】

【The Tianque Tower is hidden in the Tuoba family's underground secret chamber, and the key to open the chamber is on Tuoba Xiong.】

Seeing the prompt, Fang Xu immediately possessed Tuoba Xiong's body and searched around, finally finding a strange key in the sack in his arms.

Opposite, people watched Fang Xu calmly rummaging through Tuoba Xiong's belongings, then looked at Huang Wenyang, who died miserably on the spot, and all their faces turned solemn.

Two Martial Honor Seventh Realm experts were just killed like that.

Especially Huang Wenyang's death, which made them reassess Fang Xu's strength.

As enemies, the great clans and powers have not given up investigating and researching Fang Xu.

They also know Fang Xu's past battles were mostly famous for his violent fist and staff techniques, but today they didn't expect him to have dabbled in swordsmanship, and he even killed Huang Wenyang, a Sword Dao Martial Honor, with a sword.

"Who's next?"

After putting Tuoba Xiong's key into his Qiankun bag, Fang Xu swept his gaze over the crowd and asked.

The crowd exchanged glances, finally focusing their attention on the several Martial Honor Seventh Realm martial artists present.

Huang Wenyang, as a Martial Honor Seventh Realm powerhouse, was slain by Fang Xu, so these Martial Honor Seventh Realm experts below him naturally dare not step forward lightly to seek death.

"Let me test your strength."

At this moment, the Blood Stupa, who had been standing silently beside Li Xingyan without speaking, slowly stepped forward.

This is Fang Xu's second time seeing the Blood Stupa.

To be precise, it's the first time; last time in Beihuang City, he only heard the Blood Stupa's voice.

Wearing a full suit of blood-colored armor, with a centipede-like ferocious scar on the left cheek, extending from the cheekbone to below the left ear.

Age appears to be around fifty.

But after martial artists break through to Martial Honor, their aging slows, so I can't tell Blood Stupa's exact age.

Similarly a military commander, similarly following the path of slaughter, Zhao Wují appears somewhat scholarly and dull.

On the contrary, Blood Stupa gives off an extremely brutal vibe; Fang Xu feels he might be more fitting for the name "Man-Slayer."

"Blood General, are you sure you want to make a move?" Fang Xu said lightly.

This time launching the revenge journey, he had calculated that after Yu Guo weighed the pros and cons, they would abandon these people and not want to break face with the Ascension Immortal Society at this moment.

But Li Xingyan being able to bring the Blood Stupa here, Fang Xu felt somewhat surprised.

The Blood Stupa's appearance is very likely due to Li Cangyu's order.

If I kill the Blood Stupa, will it provoke Zhao Wují into action?

After all, Zhao Wují may not care about the heads of the great families, but the Blood Stupa is someone he raised himself, comparable to a son or nephew.

"To speak frankly, this general does not wish to cross swords with Young Hero Fang."

"But unless you give up revenge, then..."

Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Since it's come to this, then I'll take your life in place of Wan'er."

In the Huangzhou Battle, the Blood Stupa killed Yun Tianming, and his troops slaughtered the Yun family's direct line.

In Yun Wan's eyes, the Blood Stupa and Li Cangyu must die.

Now that we've met, there's no need to overthink—first help Yun Wan collect part of the debt.

The long sword in his hand trembled slightly, Fang Xu pointed his sword at the Blood Stupa.

At this moment, the Blood Stupa also slowly drew the blood-colored long sword from his waist, gripped the hilt horizontally, and stared fixedly at Fang Xu with unblinking eyes.

The tense atmosphere of swords drawn and bows bent caused the Martial Honor experts behind him to hold their breath.

The Blood Stupa is undoubtedly the strongest among this group.

If even he cannot kill Fang Xu, then today everyone present might die at Fang Xu's hands.

"Ha!"

After a moment of standoff, the Blood Stupa's body suddenly erupted with a thick killing aura, and then his body, like a terrifying ferocious beast, charged toward Fang Xu!

The blood-colored long sword in his hand chopped straight toward Fang Xu's head, without hesitation.

Being of military soldier origin, the Blood Stupa has no fancy techniques; every move is a killing blow, straight to the point!

Clang!

Fang Xu raised the long sword in his hand and directly blocked the Blood Stupa's fierce strike!

Such strong force!

Feeling the long sword sink slightly, Fang Xu inwardly sighed; this Blood Stupa's strength is truly formidable.

All along the way, he has encountered many enemies; purely in terms of strength, the Blood Stupa should be the strongest among those he has faced.

Benefiting from the added strength attribute, his own strength has already reached a terrifying level.

Being able to feel his strength as strong, among ordinary martial artists, he already belongs to the monstrous kind.

Meanwhile, the Blood Stupa's inner self was even more astonished.

His strength is great; wielding the sword with both hands, such a mighty and heavy strike, Fang Xu actually blocked his attack with just one hand gripping the sword!

This was somewhat beyond his expectation.

One must know that ordinary martial artists of the same realm would not dare to directly block his strike.

Yet Fang Xu not only blocked it, but did so with one hand.

Blood Stupa's assessment of Fang Xu's strength increased by another notch.

Draw the blade!

Sweep horizontally!

The killing aura on Blood Stupa's body gradually spread out!

The killing aura is also part of his strength.

These killing auras were accumulated by him over years of slaughter on the battlefield.

Relying solely on the killing aura, it can cause some initial Martial Sovereign realm cultivators with insufficient resolve to lose their will.

After all, the resentment carried within these killing auras is not something ordinary people can bear.

Seeing Fang Xu had no defense against his killing aura at all, Blood Stupa instantly felt relieved.

In this situation, even if Fang Xu's strength were greater, as time passed and the killing aura penetrated deeper, his advantage would only grow.

Blood Stupa was not in a hurry, just standing close and trembling with Fang Xu.

Fang Xu was not in a hurry either.

The comeback ability Blood Stupa relied on was, in his view, nothing at all.

Speaking of killing aura, he himself also possesses quite a bit.

More importantly, he now possesses the Xuan Water Soul and also the Xuan Water Dao Foundation.

The killing aura Blood Stupa relies on is of no concern to him.

As both sides' attacks became sharper, being high-level Martial Sovereign cultivators, neither thought of distancing themselves to use long-range, high-intensity energy projections to attack each other.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged a hundred moves.

After blocking Blood Stupa's strike head-on, Fang Xu stepped back a few steps and directly stored his silver longsword into the aperture space.

A flash of light in his hand, and he summoned the black iron staff.

"This kind of combat, the sword is still not handy." With a light chuckle, Fang Xu immediately changed his combat stance.

The black iron staff in his hand swept wide, launching a storm-like attack toward Blood Stupa!

Gripping one end of the black iron staff with one hand, Fang Xu rotated his body, delivering successive fierce blows that left Blood Stupa utterly unable to defend.

Actually, at the very beginning, when facing Fang Xu's descending staff, Blood Stupa could still block it with his long blade.

But as Fang Xu's attack power grew stronger, he could clearly feel his hands gripping the blade gradually going numb.

That terrifying force several times nearly sent his long blade flying!

Blood Stupa dared not block head-on anymore, and could only rely on constant retreat to dodge Fang Xu's attacks!

Each strike of the staff slammed down, shattering the ground before him!

The terrifying tremors made many Martial Sovereigns present feel their hearts tremble!

Too strong!

Such powerful attacks, they had no confidence they could block even one move.

"Blood General, don't dodge!" Fang Xu shouted while attacking.

The violence in his bones made him enjoy this combat style; he had thought encountering Blood Stupa would allow him a satisfying, sweat-drenched battle.

But now Blood Stupa was as slippery as a loach, avoiding direct confrontation.

This made Fang Xu somewhat displeased.

Blood Stupa wore a bitter expression.

His gaze toward Fang Xu was as if looking at a madman!

Such terrifying power—if he didn't dodge, he would be pulverized into minced meat in an instant!

Clang!

After blocking with a horizontal sweep of his long blade, using the force to create distance from Fang Xu, Blood Stupa's eyes suddenly turned crimson, and the killing aura behind him rapidly gathered toward his long blade!

In the blink of an eye, his long blade produced a crimson blade light tens of zhang long!

At this moment, the sky above seemed to darken considerably!

Threads of yin wind blew, and Blood Stupa slashed downward with his blade!

The crimson blade light, like a thunderbolt splitting the heavens, slashed toward Fang Xu's position!

Along its path, mountain rocks were swept up by the blade light, forming wailing vengeful spirits that howled as they charged toward Fang Xu!

The surrounding light grew even darker!

Facing such a strike, Fang Xu's face showed no trace of fear, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted, and directly above his head appeared an ancient, solemn bronze vase!

At the moment the vase appeared, a terrifying suction force suddenly emerged, directly drawing in those vengeful spirits formed from killing aura!

As the crimson blade light approached, Fang Xu's body surface also appeared with a phantom resembling a solid tortoise shell!

Xuanwu Divine Light Shield!

Boom!

The terrifying blade light, at the moment the Xuanwu Divine Light Shield formed, directly slashed through!

A massive shockwave swept up large amounts of debris, shooting in all directions!

Behind Blood Stupa, all the Martial Sovereigns present had their hearts leapt to their throats!

They awaited!

They awaited the dust to settle, hoping to see Fang Xu's corpse!

But as the dust cleared, a white-light-shining shield appeared first in everyone's view!

Following was Fang Xu's immaculate figure.

Failed!

This strike of the Blood Floating Pagoda did not even break Fang Xu's Xuanwu Divine Light Shield.

In the crowd, the three Martial Sovereign Seventh Realm martial artists of the Surveillance Bureau exchanged glances and then secretly drew their weapons.

At this moment, the Blood Floating Pagoda also frowned tightly, gripped its long sword again, and turned into a crimson light rushing toward Fang Xu!

Fang Xu retracted the Xuanwu Divine Light Shield and swung a Heaven-Reaching Staff Shadow at the charging Blood Floating Pagoda!

The Blood Floating Pagoda dared not meet it head-on, flashed its body, and dodged this Heaven-Reaching Staff Shadow.

Before he could even stand firm, Fang Xu had already charged forward!

As Fang Xu rushed forward, three figures immediately shot out from behind Li Xingyan!

The three were extremely fast!

As their figures shot out, three flying daggers flickering with strange purple light also shot toward the distant old ape!

(End of Chapter)