Chapter 187: The Fallen Yanshen, Reaping Abundantly!

At the moment his body gradually merged into the temple, Fang Xu knew he had guessed right!

Outside, those lava giants could only circle the temple and roar wildly; even seeing that he had entered, none dared to approach.

Drawn by this gentle force, Fang Xu found himself quickly arriving at the interior of the temple.

"Ah!"

He hadn't even had a chance to take in the temple's interior when a faint sigh suddenly sounded.

Fang Xu's heart jolted, and he quickly turned to look toward the direction the sound came from.

It was a figure with its back to him; though he couldn't see the face, from the silhouette alone Fang Xu recognized his identity.

"Junior Fang Xu pays his respects to Senior Yanshen."

"That's right!"

This figure is precisely the Yanshen who had helped him several times in opposing the will of heaven and earth.

"You're quite clever."

Yanshen slowly turned around, revealing his true appearance.

He looked about forty or fifty, with a pale, beardless face, giving off a somewhat scholarly air.

"Come over."

With a complex expression, he glanced at Fang Xu; Yanshen walked slowly toward the depths of the temple with his hands behind his back.

Fang Xu followed closely, passing through a corridor when the scene before him suddenly underwent a strange change!

The original temple had vanished, replaced by a small valley filled with birdsong and floral fragrance.

Yanshen's steps did not stop; he glanced back at Fang Xu and said, "Keep up with me, don't fall behind."

Fang Xu glanced at the distance of two steps between them, somewhat puzzled about how much closer he needed to be.

But just as that thought arose, the Yanshen before him suddenly vanished!

Reappearing, he was already several hundred zhang away!

Fang Xu was dazed.

He clearly felt no acceleration from Yanshen, and what his eyes saw was the same pace as before!

Under his gaze, Yanshen simply lifted his foot, stepped, and moved forward at a steady pace.

Yet the distance between them kept growing!

It seemed as if it wasn't him moving, but the valley beneath his feet.

After a moment's stupor, Fang Xu hurriedly gave chase.

But even with his fastest movement, facing the terrifying speed of Yanshen's step covering hundreds of zhang, Fang Xu found it somewhat taxing.

Watching Yanshen's calm demeanor, Fang Xu gritted his teeth and kept up.

No one knew how much time had passed, but just as Fang Xu felt he had chased at least ten thousand li, Yanshen finally stopped his steps.

Fang Xu hurriedly caught up.

"Senior, where are we headed?"

Faced with his question, Yanshen did not answer, merely smiling and saying, "Have you seen my movements clearly?"

"Movements?"

Fang Xu began to recall Yanshen's movements in his mind.

But no matter how he recalled, he found nothing special about Yanshen's movements.

To him, Yanshen had just been walking normally, without even a trace of energy fluctuation on his body.

Although the process seemed normal, Fang Xu understood that Yanshen must have been using some kind of ability.

It's a pity that he had been focused on rushing and hadn't noticed these.

He bowed his hands somewhat sheepishly and said, "Senior, please forgive me; junior failed to notice."

Yanshen smiled and nodded.

"Then let's look once more."

Saying that, he lifted his foot again, took a step, and his body vanished before Fang Xu's eyes.

This time Fang Xu finally sensed something amiss!

At the instant Yanshen lifted his foot and stepped, a strange fluctuation barely perceptible flashed across his body's surface!

This fluctuation made Fang Xu feel a sense of familiarity.

"Like..."

Fang Xu pondered hard, but did not go after Yanshen's figure.

After a moment, Yanshen's silhouette gradually appeared in the empty sky before him.

Seeing Fang Xu's thoughtful look, he also did not speak to disturb him.

Time passed bit by bit; the flowers and grasses in the valley bloomed, withered, and bloomed again.

Fang Xu remained standing in the same spot, without the slightest movement.

Yanshen simply stood silently beside him, occasionally glancing at Fang Xu.

"Ah!"

Another sigh escaped him; Yanshen slightly shook his head and said, "It's still too early."

These words rang directly in the depths of Fang Xu's sea of consciousness, awakening him from who-knows-how-long of slumber.

Seeing him awaken, Yanshen directly said, "Little fellow, you've come too early."

"I myself didn't expect you to reach the seventh layer this early."

Fang Xu was somewhat puzzled.

"Isn't coming here what you, senior, intended?"

Derivation God listened, then laughed and shook his head: "Are you talking about that little humanoid monster?"

"The Venerable One merely let you reach the sixth layer, take some resources, and then leave."

"I never expected a strand of the Supreme Yin Primordial Lord's consciousness to appear."

Having said that, the Derivation God again spoke: "Do you know why that lava giant outside the Divine Temple is so strong?"

Fang Xu shook his head.

He was about to vent his complaints!

They built a relic to select an heir, yet set the trials so difficult.

Aren't they afraid of dying at the hands of the original inhabitants of the first few layers?

Moreover, you yourself are stationed in the seventh layer, yet those guys outside have rebelled, and you don't care?

"Kid, are you resenting the Venerable One?" Staring at Fang Xu, the Derivation God seemed to see through his thoughts.

"Junior does not dare." Fang Xu clasped his hands.

The Derivation God also didn't mind, merely slowly turned around, lifted his head to look at the sky, and said: "The Venerable One has actually fallen."

"What you see now is the Venerable One's past body."

Fang Xu's heart was shocked, and he looked at the Derivation God before him with some disbelief.

He could feel that the Derivation God before him was clearly a flesh-and-blood body, with a strong vital aura, yet he never expected the Derivation God to have already fallen!

What does "past body" mean?

"This matter involves more profound things; you may not understand it now."

The Derivation God interrupted his thoughts and directly said: "There is one thing you must remember: this place cannot be discovered by the Will of Heaven and Earth."

"This Seat originally thought you would at least reach here when you attained the Dharma Appearance Realm."

"Now it seems that the power behind you far surpasses this Seat."

"The one behind you?"

In Fang Xu's mind instantly appeared the terrifying existence that once, with a single sword, cut through the void, wearing an imperial crown!

Does the Derivation God think that is the person behind him?

But he himself does not know who that person is.

He didn't bother to explain this matter; if there's a misunderstanding, let it be.

That mysterious existence has helped him repeatedly; saying it is the person behind him is not an exaggeration.

"Fang Xu, this Seat will now tell you two things; you must remember them clearly."

The Derivation God slowly spoke: "First, the Great Derivation Dao Sect of the Central Continent is the spokesperson of this world's Will."

"They are the ones who placed a heavy bounty on you; before your strength reaches its peak, you must absolutely conceal yourself!"

"You yourself should be clear: the Will of Heaven and Earth of this world has already noticed your existence, but because of the existence of the person behind you, the Will of Heaven and Earth does not dare to act openly."

The Derivation God directly unveiled the mystery of the heavy bounty for him.

"Great Derivation Dao Sect..." Fang Xu murmured, slowly raised his head to look at the Derivation God and said: "Senior, what cultivation level is the strongest person of the Great Derivation Dao Sect?"

The Derivation God shook his head: "You don't need to know these now; we'll talk about it when you reach the Dharma Appearance Realm."

"Second matter, the Venerable One admits that choosing you as the heir is out of selfish motives."

"As you can see, the Venerable One has already fallen."

"But back then, the Venerable One left a trump card, relying on this relic and this Divine Temple, able to exist in past form."

"However, the course of fate is fixed; this Seat's past form cannot stay long away from the Divine Temple, nor can it live beyond the lifespan limit of the true body."

"Calculating now, the Venerable One's time remaining is less than a hundred years."

"That is to say, within a hundred years, if you can defeat the Will of Heaven and Earth of this world, perhaps you can resurrect the Venerable One."

Having said that, the Derivation God's eyes held a hint of expectation.

Fang Xu's expression became somewhat solemn.

A hundred years...

To achieve the existence capable of defeating the Will of Heaven and Earth within a hundred years, what realm must one reach?

"Don't feel pressured..." Seeing Fang Xu's expression, the Derivation God gave a faint smile and said: "If you can do it, that's best; if you can't, there's no need to take risks."

"All that is needed is that, when you grow in the future, you help the Venerable One take revenge."

Fang Xu nodded.

This matter is inherently too difficult; although I have accepted the Derivation God's inheritance, I need not risk my life for it.

If I can save the Derivation God, that's best; if I cannot, then I can only think of ways in the future to help him take revenge.

"Senior, junior will do his utmost."

Fang Xu clasped his hands toward the Derivation God and again spoke: "Junior has some doubts and wishes to ask the senior for advice."

"Speak." the Derivation God said lightly.

Fang Xu organized his thoughts, then first asked: "What is the Derivation God's Sect?"

The Derivation God did not answer immediately, with hands behind his back, remained silent for a long time before speaking: "You have joined the Dark Divine Temple; you should know some things about the temple."

Fang Xu nodded, waiting quietly for the Derivation God to continue.

"In the Primeval Era, the Heavenly Mystery Realm was rich in heavenly and earthly energy; many powerful deities inherited from the primordial era lived within this world."

"At that time, humans were very weak; besides the powerful deities, the Heavenly Mystery Realm also had many demonic beasts, demons, and some powerful cultivators from other worlds."

"Some deities, to protect humans from being slaughtered, began to impart the cultivation way to humanity."

"Among them, the most selfless and greatest are the Derivation God, the Moon God, and the Ancient Buddha God."

The Derivation God also became the God of Heavenly Secrets, skilled in the Way of Derivation; under his teachings, humanity learned to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, and when weak could effectively dodge danger, calculating auspiciousness and inauspiciousness.

And the Moon God was responsible for teaching humanity the principles of ethics and morality, the Way of teaching good and evil, beauty and ugliness, so that humanity came to have a sense of good and evil.

Gu Tuo Shen is a powerful war god; under his tutelage, humanity gradually mastered the path of cultivation.

Speaking of this, Yan Shen turned to look at Fang Xu and smiled, saying: "These are the original three gods; although I bear the title of Yan Shen, I am not the true Yan Shen."

Fang Xu nodded; he had heard this from Xuan Ji.

The three gods merely inherited the name of gods; they are not true deities.

"Are these related to the Yan Shen Sect?" Fang Xu asked curiously.

Yan Shen nodded.

"Under the guidance of the three gods, humanity's strength gradually grew strong, and under humanity's most sincere faith, the three gods also became stronger and stronger by relying on the power of faith."

"Seeing this, other gods also joined in one after another."

"At that time, many human clans had their own gods; with the gods' power, they gradually defeated powerful demons, evil spirits, and foreign strongmen."

"Yet ambition also grew alongside their power."

A flicker of deep hatred and anguish appeared on Yan Shen's face.

"Human nature is greedy, and divine nature is the same."

"Put bluntly, so-called gods are merely powerful humans; perhaps the clans differ, but their essence is the same."

Fang Xu smirked.

Regarding his words, Yan Shen was somewhat surprised: "Kid, if you had said that back then, you would surely have been beaten to death immediately."

"Then what?" Fang Xu asked again.

"Later..." A trace of memory flashed in Yan Shen's eyes as he recounted: "Later, driven by the greed of some gods and the desires of some powerful humans, conflicts gradually erupted among the human clans."

"It started with only ordinary humans participating, later evolving into a war of cultivators, and ultimately even the gods of the later clans were drawn in."

"A chaotic battle raged for countless years, with innumerable casualties among powerful humans and gods."

"In the end, Gu Tuo Shen could no longer bear it, he intervened and put an end to that dark turmoil."

"After the turmoil ended, Gu Tuo Shen invited Yue Shen and Yan Shen to jointly establish the Dark God Temple, to restrain and govern all gods."

"But no one expected that this would instead breed another form of power and greed."

"The followers of the three gods each founded their own sects, beginning to aggressively recruit followers."

Hearing this, Fang Xu gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

He had already guessed the outcome that would follow.

"The establishment of the Dark God Temple seemed aimed at ending the greed in the hearts of gods and human cultivators, but is it not merely another concentration of power?"

"On what grounds does your Dark God Temple think it can restrain us?"

"In the end, isn't it still the strong who are revered?"

Surely, the things spoken by Yan Shen confirmed his speculation.

"Later, as many gods lost followers to the Three Teachings, the faith they could receive dwindled, breeding dissatisfaction with the Dark God Temple's rule."

"The second god war broke out."

"But this time, all the gods only cared about slaughtering each other, completely failing to notice that the power leaking out from the absorption of too many fallen divine spirits had given birth to sentience in this heaven and earth."

"Under the guidance of the will of heaven and earth, some humans began to seize the initiative in war, deliberately directing their own gods and other gods to fight each other."

"As more and more gods began to die, the Great Expansion Dao Sect appeared at that time."

"When the Great Expansion Dao Sect was first founded, it rallied under the banner of humanity uniting for self‑protection, attracting ever more cultivators whose clans had been wiped out in the god war."

"The gods participating in the god war fought ever more fiercely, yet no one noticed the conspiracy of the seemingly weak Great Expansion Dao Sect and the will of this heaven and earth."

"Later, as more and more gods fell, the will of heaven and earth, secretly absorbing divinity, grew ever stronger—strong enough to rival Gu Tuo Shen."

"By the time Gu Tuo Shen realized it… the will of heaven and earth had already joined forces with the Great Expansion Dao Sect to set a trap, imprisoning Yue Shen and Yan Shen."

"Gu Tuo Shen prepared to go rescue them, but fell into the scheme again and died in battle; Yue Shen and Yan Shen were also killed."

"However, Yan Shen was versed in formations and feng shui; in his dying backlash, the remaining gods of the Heaven Mystic Realm released the Heaven Mystic Realm and self‑detonated their divine bodies, heavily damaging the will of heaven and earth."

After hearing Yan Shen's account, Fang Xu felt his blood boil.

"Back then, when humans and gods coexisted, there must have been many extraordinarily talented masters wielding power on par with the gods."

"You weren't just asking about the Yan Shen teachings, were you?" Looking at Fang Xu, Yan Shen said: "After the great war of old, the Great Expansion Dao Sect rose; the Dark God Temple was initially only suppressed, and the two sides had not yet torn apart."

"Because back then the Dark God Temple was still strong."

"Although the three gods had fallen, the temple's three strong ones bore the banner at the critical moment, inherited the three gods' titles, and continued to lead the temple's disciples."

"By my count, I am the fortieth generation Yan Shen."

"From the moment I inherited the title of Yan Shen, the Great Expansion Dao Sect and the Dark God Temple tore apart completely."

"For a time, many forces that had originally relied on the Dark God Temple seemed to receive some divine decree, and in an instant turned against each other."

"The power of the Dark God Temple collapsed in a short time."

"I too was seriously wounded back then, leading some followers of the Yan Shen Sect away from the Central Continent to this remote place."

"It was also then that the followers of the Yan Shen Sect began to diverge."

"Seeing that the humans of Three Mountains Island had low cultivation, some followers planned to completely conquer them and enjoy the privileges of being above others."

"Another part continued to follow me, wishing to secretly accumulate strength and then strike back at the Central Continent."

"The followers whose hearts were lost to power thought that I, being seriously wounded, had no spare attention for them, and so they broke away from the Yan Shen Sect on their own."

Yan Shen's words having reached this point, Fang Xu finally understood the reason.

"Alright, let's not talk about those past events for now."

"The urgent matter is for you to quickly raise your cultivation."

After glancing at Fang Xu, Yan Shen said: "The will of heaven and earth was heavily wounded by the true Yan Shen back then, and these years it has been secretly recovering."

"Once it fully recovers, not to mention me, even the one behind you will be no match."

"The time left for you is short; now, this past body of mine cannot exert too much power, so there's little I can do to help you."

You, come forward.

Fang Xu hesitated slightly, but still came before the Divine Extension.

Relax.

The Divine Extension slowly extended a finger and directly tapped Fang Xu's glabella!

In an instant, a vast amount of profound and complex information surged into his sea of consciousness!

These pieces of information were extremely mixed, possessing extraordinary profundity.

Fang Xu gradually felt a distending pain coming from his sea of consciousness.

Endure!

The Divine Extension's voice sounded in his sea of consciousness.

Afterward, he felt that, under the pull of a mysterious force, the vast information flooding into his sea of consciousness gradually condensed into a piece of white jade tablet!

This process took Fang Xu only an instant, yet it felt as if a long time had passed.

Until the white jade tablet grew to three feet in length did the Divine Extension's finger leave Fang Xu's glabella.

I have already imparted my lifetime's insights and a summary of the martial way to you.

However, your strength is too weak to bear all this, so I can only divide it into seven sealed portions; this seal will gradually unlock as your strength grows.

Fang Xu recovered, cupped his hands toward the Divine Extension, and said, 'Thank you, senior.'

The Divine Extension nodded, then spoke with slight doubt: 'Moreover, I've detected something strange in your body—it seems all your apertures have been opened?'

Fang Xu gave an embarrassed smile: 'Yes...'

Afterward, he unreservedly told the Divine Extension about his twelve star charts.

Senior, it's precisely because of these twelve star charts that I have drawn the attention of the will of heaven and earth.

The Divine Extension's expression grew solemn.

Evidently, even with his insight and experience, he had never seen such a situation.

I have heard of the ancient martial nine-layer foundation for nurturing the spirit, but opening one hundred and eight apertures and constructing twelve star charts is something I have never seen before.

However, since the will of heaven has thus taken notice of you, it must be that the twelve star charts have alerted it to a crisis.

Rest assured in your cultivation; I and the one behind you will surely find a way to protect you.

Also, pay attention to the Stone Gate World; after I gleaned the Divine Extension Canon's techniques, I opened up the Nine Directions World, which has greatly aided me but also brought much trouble.

Some of the indigenous inhabitants of this ruin are essentially beings from the Nine Directions World.

Fang Xu nodded; he had also guessed this.

Senior, do you have any other instructions?" Fang Xu asked.

The Divine Extension pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and brought Fang Xu back before a stone coffin in the temple.

On my main body there is a Qiankun Ring containing my lifetime's accumulations; take it.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu approached the stone coffin and looked inside.

He discovered that inside the coffin lay a body identical to the Divine Extension!

However, this body possessed no vitality; the entire body was enveloped by an extremely strange energy.

Outside the energy sheath, he found an ancient-looking ring made of a material that was neither iron nor wood.

Is this it?

Having taken out the ring, Fang Xu asked.

The Divine Extension nodded and waved his hand, releasing the ring's recognition of its master.

Go; I await your good news.

Fang Xu placed the ring on his finger and performed a great salute toward the Divine Extension.

Senior, I take my leave.

The Divine Extension nodded and waved his hand, sending Fang Xu out of the temple.

When his figure reappeared, Fang Xu found himself at the entrance of the seventh layer.

At this time, Yun Wan and the others were no longer present.

Evidently, the time he spent in the temple had already exceeded a month.

Yun Wan and Chu Mu, etc., should have followed the Long Dragon and already departed.

Fang Xu directly returned to the sixth layer; upon encountering the fox-spirit clan again, the yellow-robed fox-spirit was evidently surprised.

I thought you had died in the seventh layer.

Fang Xu gave a light smile: 'You so wish for my death?'

That old thing Divine Extension and his inheritors all deserve to die!" the yellow-robed fox woman said coldly.

Evidently, even with the mediation of the Taiyin Primordial Sovereign, this fox-spirit still has not let go of her hatred.

'What about the things?' Fang Xu, unwilling to waste words, spoke directly.

'What things?!' The yellow-robed fox-spirit feigned ignorance.

Fang Xu furrowed his brows.

The Taiyin Primordial Sovereign had previously said, letting the fox-spirit clan deliver some sixth-layer ores to him; this yellow-robed fox-spirit is evidently feigning ignorance.

Sovereign!

Fang Xu shouted directly toward the distant mountains.

He knew that a thread of the Taiyin Primordial Sovereign's will could certainly hear his shout.

Shut up!

The yellow-robed fox-spirit coldly flung a Qiankun pouch over.

Grab the things and scram!

She really wanted to kill Fang Xu, but the Lunar Sovereign had already spoken, and she didn't dare to be too presumptuous.

Fang Xu took the Universe Bag, glanced at the fox spirit, and coldly smiled.

When I can beat you, I'll definitely come back again!

After putting away the Universe Bag, Fang Xu directly left the Tilan Mountain Ruins.

Maple Forest Town.

When Fang Xu appeared here, gazing at the familiar thousand-year-old ancient maple tree, he felt deep emotion.

After stepping into the world of cultivators, he realized that the time he could return to Maple Forest Town was dwindling.

When was the last time he came back?

Two years?

Three years?

Or five years?

It seems many years have passed.

At dusk, his gaze pierced the woods outside the town and he faintly saw his own small courtyard.

Huh?

Noticing a wisp of cooking smoke rising from his own small courtyard, Fang Xu's brows instantly furrowed.

Could it be that someone else has taken over his home again?

Thinking of this, he flashed and rushed straight toward the cottage.

This small courtyard bears all his childhood memories and is also a harbor for his soul.

Although he doesn't often stay there, he also doesn't allow others to interfere.

This time, he decided to give the other party a profound lesson.

Upon arriving at the cottage gate, the anger in Fang Xu's heart suddenly vanished, replaced by a hint of surprise and joy.

"Yun Wan?"

At this moment, the person appearing before him was indeed Yun Wan.

In the warm cottage, Liu Xin was discussing cultivation issues with Chang Long, while Yun Wan and Chu Mu were washing vegetables and rinsing rice, preparing to cook.

Seeing the cooking smoke rising from the kitchen, Kong Jie was obviously boiling a pot.

"Fang Xu, big brother?!"

Upon seeing Fang Xu, Chu Mu immediately dropped the vegetables in her hand and flew over.

Liu Xin and Chang Long also didn't bother with anything else, hurriedly coming over.

"Fang Xu, big brother, you've finally come back." Chang Long's face was full of excitement.

Back then, on the seventh level of the ruins, Fang Xu had warned them that if he entered the divine palace and didn't come out within a month, they should take Yun Wan and Chu Mu and leave.

Fang Xu originally thought they had already rushed back to the Central Continent, but he never expected they would actually be staying temporarily in Maple Forest Town.

"Come back?"

Yun Wan held a rice-rinsing basin, her smiling face like a flower as she walked over.

In her eyes, Fang Xu saw a hint of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"I knew you were fine!" At that moment, the soot-covered Kong Jie also walked out of the kitchen.

At this point, her personality had changed greatly, and she now looked more womanly.

Fang Xu curiously sized her up; Kong Jie glared back, then explained: "It was the Lunar Sovereign who helped me resolve the Primal Yang Fire."

Fang Xu suddenly understood, and couldn't help teasing: "Senior Sister, do you still like Gu Qiu?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie raised her hand and punched Fang Xu's shoulder: "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll beat you to death!"

Fang Xu laughed, rubbed his shoulder: "Still as hot-tempered as ever."

"By the way, why did you decide to stay here?"

Kong Jie pursed her lips at Yun Wan: "We all thought you'd be fine, and that girl didn't want to leave either."

"Chu Mu also said you have a small cottage in town, so we came over."

"We've been living here for almost a year, and it's pretty good."

"Fang Xu, why don't we just stay here? Later, you and Chang Long can make a trip to the Central Continent and bring the rest of the people." Liu Xin also chimed in.

He seems to like finding a quiet place to seclude himself wherever he goes.

"Can't you have some ambition?" Kong Jie glared at him: "You're not going to avenge the grudge of the Immortal Island?"

Liu Xin glanced at Kong Jie with timidity, not daring to speak further.

Fang Xu gave the two a strange look, about to ask, when Chu Mu spoke up: "Madame Wang has come by, Fang Xu big brother, do you want to go see her?"

"Madame Wang?"

Fang Xu stared, then glanced guiltily at Yun Wan, realizing she seemed not to care at all.

He then nodded and said: "Alright, I'll go have a look. Back in Maple Forest Town, Er Gou Ge and I were on good terms."

Leaving the cottage, Fang Xu directly went to Madame Wang's home.

In the courtyard, Madam Wang was approaching the age of no confusion, and although she had been given a great deal of wealth by Fang Xu and took good care of herself, time still left some traces on her face.

She, who was starching clothes, seemed to sense something, stopped her hand movements, and slowly turned her head to look toward the courtyard gate.

Ya!

Seeing Fang Xu, she let out a startled cry, quickly rose to go meet him, but then seemed to think of something and hastily turned away.

Fang Xu, seeing this, walked slowly to her back and turned her around.

What are you dodging?

Madam Wang dared not lift her head, her voice tinged with resentment as she said, "I haven't put on makeup."

Fang Xu smiled, reached out and hooked her chin, lifting her face.

Meeting Fang Xu's gaze, a flash of light passed through Madam Wang's eyes, then gradually faded.

"Ah!"

In the blink of an eye, over ten years have passed; you still look the same, unchanged.

As for me... I'm already old and faded.

Fang Xu said nothing.

Madam Wang seems to lack martial arts talent; her cultivation hasn't even reached the level of a martial practitioner.

Martial arts training cannot withstand the erosion of time, not even for a martial practitioner.

But Madam Wang was the first woman Fang Xu knew in this world; although he couldn't give her a title, she was someone he had been intimate with, so he naturally wouldn't despise her.

"Have you eaten?"

Suppressing her low spirits, Madam Wang spoke with a smile.

Fang Xu shook his head.

"Then I'll make you something." Madam Wang quickly wiped her hands, turned, and prepared to make food for Fang Xu.

"No need, Yun Wan and the others are already preparing; come with me to eat together."

Madam Wang stood there, her expression somewhat lost, then forced a smile and shook her head: "No need, I usually don't eat at night."

Fang Xu noticed her loss, didn't bother with anything else, directly took Madam Wang's hand, preparing to walk out of the courtyard.

Madam Wang directly broke free.

"What's wrong?" Fang Xu asked doubtfully.

Madam Wang shook her head: "I... I'm feeling unwell, you go back first."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Fang Xu was somewhat puzzled.

"You..."

"Don't ask, I'm fine, you go." Madam Wang turned around directly.

Fang Xu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to speak.

Gazing at Madam Wang's back, he could only sigh helplessly, turn, and prepare to leave.

"Could you let me know when you leave this time?"

Madam Wang suddenly turned around, looking expectant, and asked.

Fang Xu's steps paused, he turned and smiled, nodding.

"I've opened a teahouse in town; if I'm not home, just come find me." After saying this, Madam Wang's face showed a hint of relieved smile.

Fang Xu wanted to step forward and hug her, but Madam Wang stepped back, smiling: "Go on."

Returning from Madam Wang's house, Fang Xu felt somewhat troubled.

Yun Wan noticed his mood, didn't ask further, and everyone sat down to eat something simple.

After eating, Chang Long rushed to wash up, while Yun Wan looked at Fang Xu and said, "Shall we go for a walk?"

Fang Xu nodded, accompanying Yun Wan out to the courtyard.

In early autumn, the night was slightly cool, like that night's breeze brushing past; Yun Wan's hair floated lightly, occasionally brushing his face.

Under the bright moonlight, Yun Wan lightly linked her arm with Fang Xu's.

You and Madam Wang...

After a long while, Yun Wan finally spoke up.

Fang Xu also didn't intend to hide it, briefly explaining his relationship with Madam Wang.

Likewise, he also spoke of the confusion he encountered at Madam Wang's house earlier that evening.

Hearing his words, Yun Wan looked up and laughed: "Are you stupid?"

Fang Xu was puzzled: "Why say that?"

Yun Wan laughed: "If I were Madam Wang, I might do even more than she has."

A hint of thought flickered across her face as Yun Wan murmured: "Perhaps I wouldn't even see you."

Fang Xu startled: "Is it just because I haven't returned in a long time?"

Yun Wan sighed.

This man possesses extraordinary talent in martial arts cultivation.

But in matters of the heart, he is hard to fathom.

"Let me ask you something." Yun Wan said: "If my cultivation stagnates here, while you advance all the way in the coming years to reach the pinnacle of martial arts..."

"At that time, my lifespan will be exhausted, I'll become a white-haired old hag, while you remain full of vital energy, just as you are now—what would you do?"

Faced with this question, Fang Xu froze.

"I..."

"Do you know what I would do then?" Before Fang Xu could answer, Yun Wan threw another question.

Fang Xu said nothing.

Yun Wan smiled slightly and said: "I would leave you when I realize my breakthrough is hopeless and my body begins to slowly age, going to a place where you can never find me, to live out my days alone."

"Why?"

Fang Xu, somewhat puzzled, stopped in his tracks and grabbed Yun Wan's shoulders with both hands.

Yun Wan slightly raised her head: "That way, in your memory I will always remain as I am now."

"Not the wrinkled, white-haired, stooped me..."

"Madam Wang thinks the same."

Moonlight spilled over Yun Wan's fair face; whether it was the deep emotion in her eyes or the words just spoken, it made Fang Xu's heart tremble.

He gently held Yun Wan in his arms.

It won't come to that.

If you ever truly leave me, I will search every corner of the Heaven Mystic Realm to find you.

Yun Wan smiled.

She struggled to lift her head from Fang Xu's embrace, then tiptoed and kissed his lips.

The moonlight was gentle, and their kiss was soft as well.

This kiss was not lust, merely a sublimation of emotion.

After a long while—

"Madam Wang truly has no other way?" Yun Wan asked.

Fang Xu shook his head.

He had left many Blood Qi Pills for Madam Wang, yet still could not raise her cultivation to the Martial Master realm.

Rather than a Martial Master, many of his resources could not be used by Madam Wang, after all, a mere mortal body cannot withstand the transformation of things like Creation Immortal Elixir.

Alas!

Yun Wan sighed, looking up at the moon in the sky: "Sometimes I wonder what the future would hold if I were not a martial practitioner, if the Yun clan had not been destroyed."

Fang Xu said nothing; the two continued on, wandering until it was nearly the hour of Hai before returning to the small courtyard.

At that moment, everyone in the courtyard had already fallen asleep; the two washed up briefly and then went to sleep.

The next morning, Fang Xu having returned, everyone also needed to consider returning to the Central Continent.

The assessment of the Dark God Temple's Divine Son was approaching; he needed to hurry back to prepare.

"I'll go bid farewell to Madam Wang." Seeing everyone had packed their bags, Fang Xu spoke.

……

On the street of Maple Forest Town, Fang Xu strolled up to a tea house and instantly saw, beside the second-floor window, Wang Shi wearing delicate makeup, quietly gazing at the distant sky.

"Madam Wang, your complexion looks great today!"

"The landlady is a bit different from usual today!"

On the street, passersby who saw Wang Shi warmly greeted her.

Wang Shi responded with a smile.

In the midst of her shifting gaze, she finally noticed Fang Xu's figure.

She slowly rose to her feet and hurried downstairs.

"Are you leaving?"

Fang Xu said nothing.

"So soon?"

"Mm."

After Yun Wan's words last night, Fang Xu gradually came to understand Madam Wang's current thoughts.

"Take… care on your journey." Madam Wang forced a faint smile toward Fang Xu.

Fang Xu nodded, then glanced at the tea house beside him: "Not bad……

Wang Shi smiled, smiling happily.

Under the morning sun, she seemed intent on etching her finest side deep into Fang Xu's memory.

"Go on; I will always be here."

Outside Maple Forest Town, the Long Dragon transformed into its draconic form, carrying Fang Xu and the others as they vanished into the horizon.

Wang Shi looked up at all this, tears involuntarily streaming from the corners of her eyes. (End of chapter)