Chapter 98: The Ascetic of Bei Huang

Thanks to the appearance of the Tilan Shan relics, martial artists can now be seen everywhere in Fenglin Zhen.

Before, Fenglin Zhen had only three martial masters, and the number of martial apprentices was pitifully low; but now, not to mention martial masters, even two Martial Sovereign realm martial artists walking along have been seen.

In Yu Guo, those who can become Martial Sovereigns usually have a not weak power behind them; they may not dominate a whole province, but at least within the seven provinces of Yu Guo they have some influence.

"Did you see that? That bunch of ragged, beggar-like fellows are from Bei Huang."

"Don't judge them by their frail appearance—though they look as thin as firewood and could be blown over by a gust, their combat strength is actually quite strong."

Walking down the street, Huang Qingzhou pointed at a group of strange martial artists who looked like beggars and quietly introduced them to Fang Xu.

"Ascetics?"

Looking at their attire, Fang Xu couldn't help but utter a phrase.

These martial artists from Bei Huang before me resemble the Esoteric Sect ascetics I saw in my past life, even more so than those ascetics!

"Have you heard of them?"

Hearing Fang Xu's words, Huang Qingzhou expressed some surprise.

These cultivators from Bei Huang are indeed called ascetics.

Bei Huang's Liang Zhou differs from the other six provinces of Yu Guo; its land is barren, powers are numerous, and they constantly feud, with no power or clan ever managing to control Liang Zhou.

Strictly speaking, ascetics are not a power; they are merely loose cultivators who spontaneously gather to train, believing that suffering tempers the body and can bring spiritual elevation.

"Senior Brother Huang, is that old man a Martial Sovereign?"

Looking ahead of the ascetics' line, a stooped, thin old man wearing a tattered cloak, Fang Xu frowned and spoke.

Before his words even finished, Huang Qingzhou hadn't had a chance to speak when the old man suddenly lifted his head, a pair of bright eyes cutting through the crowd and staring straight at Fang Xu!

Their eyes met, and Fang Xu suddenly felt that the old man's deep gaze was like two bottomless pools!

At the moment of eye contact, his consciousness felt as if it were about to sink in, unable to pull free!

Bang!

Huang Qingzhou's longsword flashed out of its sheath and he fiercely slashed at the empty space before Fang Xu!

A faint explosion sounded from the void, Fang Xu's whole body was forced back two steps, his consciousness returned to his body, and he widened his eyes in alarm.

In that instant of reaction, he suddenly realized that the old man's earlier gaze seemed able to see through everything about him; if not for Huang Qingzhou's swift strike, this little secret of his would surely have been laid bare!

"Isn't Grand Master Kulun going a bit too far with this?"

The longsword returned to its sheath, Huang Qingzhou gave a faint smile and spoke to the elderly ascetic.

The old man named Kulun slightly opened his mouth, wrinkles crowding his gaunt face, making him look like a blooming chrysanthemum.

"So you are Changqing's disciple; I have offended you."

After uttering a faint apology, Kulun walked over to Huang Qingzhou and Fang Xu and asked, "Hasn't your master come?"

Huang Qingzhou slightly cupped his hands and said, "My master doesn't like to join the fun; he only sent us juniors to see the world."

"I never expected that the Tilan Shan relics would alarm you, sir."

"Heh… my time is near, my Blood Qi is waning, so I must come seeking a chance for a breakthrough." Kulun chuckled, his gaze turning to Fang Xu, a hint of something unfathomable in his expression as he asked, "May I ask which master this young friend follows?"

Fang Xu dared not meet his eyes, slightly cupping his hands and said, "I have only just obtained the Immortal Gate Permit from the Ascension Immortal Society."

This old man before me is too terrifying.

Since entering the martial world, everyone he has met who mentions Xu Changqing respectfully calls him "Executor Xu"; yet this person before him directly calls "Changqing", showing that he is capable of associating with Xu Changqing as an equal, or even being a generation above him!

"It's cool to rest under a big tree, but cultivation is ultimately a personal matter."

"Little friend, would you consider coming with me to Bei Huang to temper yourself properly?"

Gazing at Fang Xu, Kulun uttered a sentence that surprised both Huang Qingzhou and Fang Xu.

"Have me follow him to Bei Huang to cultivate?"

"Is he trying to take on a disciple?"

This Kulun's true cultivation is probably above the seventh level of Martial Sovereign; having such a master……

"No! No! Grand Master Kulun is openly poaching a corner of my Ascension Immortal Society!"

"The junior is still here……"

Huang Qingzhou hurriedly spoke.

"Heh… just an old man joking."

"Little brat, don't go spouting nonsense when you get back; if that old fellow Jiang Feng finds out, he'll surely run to Bei Huang to bother me again."

"Never mind, we met by fate; let this old man give little friend Fang something."

Speaking, Kulun produced from his wide, tattered long robe a rust‑streaked object and handed it to Fang Xu, asking, "Little friend, do you like it?"

Looking at the object in Kulun's hand, Fang Xu furrowed his brow.

This thing is covered in rust, blade‑less like a sword; if not for one end having something like a sword hilt, it looks no different from a roadside rusty iron rod.

However, Kulun would surely not give me a broken trifle to mock me.

"A gift from an elder, I dare not accept!"

"Fang Xu thanks the Grand Master."

After performing a great salute to Kulun, Fang Xu extended his hands flat, ready to receive the object tentatively called a sword.

Kulun chuckled and placed the rusty sword into Fang Xu's hands.

The moment he let go, Fang Xu's hands suddenly sank; he hurriedly circulated his Blood Qi Power to grip the rusty sword tightly, almost dropping it to the ground.

So heavy!

With his current strength, holding a hundred‑jin weight would pose no problem.

But the feeling this rusty sword gives Fang Xu is definitely more than a hundred jin!

After the item was given, Kulun chuckled and looked at Fang Xu, saying, "Little friend, may we meet again if fate allows."

Nodding at Fang Xu and Huang Qingzhou, the old man continued leading the group of ascetics toward Tilan Shan.

Watching their retreating figures, Fang Xu again examined the rusted sword in his hand, frowned and said: "Senior Brother Huang, what cultivation level does this Great Master Ku Lun actually have?"

Huang Qingshou shook his head.

"I don't know this either; I only heard my master say that the ascetics of the Northern Wasteland have always revered Great Master Ku Lun as their leader, but he has never acknowledged it, merely taking along any martial artist who wishes to cultivate with him."

"As for cultivation level, I seem to recall my master saying that Elder Jiang Feng, whenever he made a breakthrough in his cultivation, would go to the Northern Wasteland to spar with Great Master Ku Lun, and Elder Jiang seems to have gained no advantage from Great Master Ku Lun over these years."

Fang Xu's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing that.

Even the elders of the Ascension Immortal Society haven't gained any advantage in his hands—could this Great Master Ku Lun be even more formidable than I imagined?

"Alright, don't think about it."

"The thing the Great Master gave you, go back and study it well—it will surely be of great use."

Huang Qingshou glanced enviously at the rusted sword in Fang Xu's hand, yet there was no trace of greed in his eyes.

Fang Xu nodded, picked up the rusted sword, and the two continued walking forward.

In front of the Blood Food Stall, Xing Rong was busy directing the staff to hang the Xing Shop's signboard; seeing Fang Xu arrive, she couldn't help but complain: "I thought you weren't coming, Young Master Fang."

Fang Xu gave an embarrassed smile and said: "I've been busy with cultivation lately and forgot about this; elder sister, please don't blame me."

Saying that, he then introduced: "Elder sister, this is Senior Brother Huang of the Ascension Immortal Society."

Ascension Immortal Society!?

Hearing that, Xing Rong's expression turned stern, then she hastily put on a smile and bowed to Huang Qingshou.

"I am Xing Rong; I have greeted you, sir."

Huang Qingshou gave a slight nod.

The Xing Family of Yellow Prefecture, with their third-rate strength, Li Xun didn't think much of them, and he naturally cared even less.

Xing Rong herself also understood that Huang Qingshou had come accompanying Fang Xu, looked down on her, and if she forced herself to get close, it would only earn his displeasure.

She immediately bowed and said: "Young Master Huang, Young Master Fang, let me take you inside to have a look……"

"Make way! Make way!"

"Everyone, make way!"

Before Xing Rong could finish her words, a series of brutal shouts came from afar; on the street, large numbers of martial artists were driven to the sides, and anyone slightly slow was flung into the air by the heavy spears—either dead or injured!

(End of chapter)