Chapter 572

"Meng Shaobai is finished, utterly and completely finished—Fang Yu, our senior brother, has won decisively this time; he is clearly our Yuhua Sect's future Zhang Sect!"

"Among all worlds, our Dao Cultivation World has recorded many geniuses, but none have been as outrageous as Senior Brother Fang Yu—7th Stage of Divine Abilities in the Golden Core Realm, yet he instantly slew Meng Shaobai, a peerless genius with a 9th Stage Divine Manifestation! He didn't defeat some worthless cultivator or a waste like the Ghost Emperor—he defeated our own Yuhua Sect's Little Immortal, Meng Shaobai!"

"By the way, what magic treasure is that staff Senior Brother Fang Yu wielded? Why was it so terrifying? It shattered Meng Shaobai's Wu Sheng Killing Sword in one blow—that sword wasn't easy to break; Meng Shaobai painstakingly refined it for years, its power nearly rivaling a Dao Artifact!"

"I don't know—he's never been seen using a staff or any such magic treasure before. But I do know Senior Brother Fang Yu possesses one Low-Grade Dao Artifact, a Pure Yang Dao Artifact, granted to him with the help of Elder Tian Xing and several other Elders to aid his advancement."

"Senior Brother is truly a man of great fortune—every time he leaves, he gains immense benefits. When will I ever get a Dao Artifact?"

"As for Dao Artifacts, I don't even dare hope—they're treasures for those who have attained the Dao, obtainable only by geniuses with immense destiny. If I could acquire just one High-Grade Magic Treasure, I could venture into the Gui Xu Lands for trials."

All disciples and Elders were whispering, their faces filled with varied emotions, for the outcome of this battle had utterly surpassed their expectations—it hadn't unfolded as anyone had imagined.

"Damn it, damn it! How can I ever cultivate to surpass Fang Yu? He might just knock me flat with one swing of his staff."

Wan Luo's heart twisted into a knot: "No—I must notify Senior Brother Tian Du immediately. Fang Yu has now gained momentum; if this continues, Senior Brother Tian Du will truly be driven out of the Yuhua Sect."

Wan Luo's heart seethed with malice—he wanted to notify Hua Tian Du right now and eliminate Fang Yu.

After all, the fact that Fang Yu, at the 7th Stage of Divine Abilities, instantly slew Meng Shaobai was terrifying—if he survives the Wind and Fire Great Tribulation and attains a Divine Manifestation, even Hua Tian Du may not be able to defeat him.

"Senior Brother Tian Du is really irresponsible—he's a disciple of our Yuhua Sect, yet he spends every day at the Taiyi Sect, and still doesn't return home while his own house burns."

Wan Luo's heart brimmed with resentment.

But he knew he couldn't step forward now—anyone here could slap him into unconsciousness with a single blow.

"Rourou Xianzun, did you see clearly what grade of magic treasure Fang Yu held in his hand just now?"

Elder Tian Xing had already flown out of the Tian Xing Palace and landed before the Tian Xing Platform; his expression now was also deeply shocked.

"A staff—must be at least a Dao Artifact. This Fang Yu truly has great destiny; even a simple outing yields him a Dao Artifact. I'd even want to travel with him to see if I can acquire one myself."

Jiang Rourou, the Rourou Xianzun, smiled.

"Our Yuhua Sect truly produces talents generation after generation—this future Zhang Sect position will almost certainly belong to him."

The Rourou Xianzun pondered.

"Hmph."

A cold snort rang out—Ruyi Zi, the ancient giant Elder who had cultivated into the Longevity Secret Realm, suddenly rushed onto the Tian Xing Platform; a surge of Xu Yuan Qi flooded into Meng Shaobai's body, instantly granting the fallen Little Immortal of Yuhua Sect a flicker of vitality as he slowly rose.

His eyes were now filled with confusion, as if unable to grasp what had just happened—but seeing the reactions of the surrounding disciples, he realized he had truly lost.

He had been knocked flat by Fang Yu's single staff strike, before everyone's eyes!

"Elder Ruyi Zi, what are you doing? I was sparring with my junior brother Meng Shaobai, just teaching him a lesson, and you leap onto the Tian Xing Platform—do you have any regard for Yuhua Sect's rules?"

Fang Yu's voice rang out across the arena.

"Huh? What did you say?"

Hearing Fang Yu's words, Ruyi Zi nearly thought he'd misheard—even many of the watching Elders and disciples of Yuhua Sect thought they'd misheard.

Senior Brother Fang Yu had dared to confront Elder Ruyi Zi.

Elder Ruyi Zi was a master of the Longevity Secret Realm, an ancient giant, towering above the sect—even if Senior Brother Fang Yu had defeated Meng Shaobai, he still shouldn't dare speak so boldly to Elder Ruyi Zi.

But those with partial knowledge felt it was understandable: Elder Ruyi Zi had indeed violated Yuhua Sect's rules, and since he was Hua Tian Du's Master, no matter how politely Fang Yu addressed him, Ruyi Zi would still do everything to undermine his authority.

"I asked if you have any regard for Yuhua Sect's rules? Meng Shaobai hasn't surrendered yet—this duel isn't over. You leapt out now, violating our sect's rules. Do you think I can't reprimand you?"

Fang Yu's expression was calm, but each word chilled Ruyi Zi further; after Fang Yu finished speaking, the cold fury in Ruyi Zi's eyes was unmistakable—he was barely holding back from attacking.

At that moment, Elder Tian Xing's voice rang out: "Elder Ruyi Zi, please step down. According to Yuhua Sect's rules, this duel is not yet finished—you may not interfere."

"Fang Yu, I admit you won this time—but you relied on the power of that magic treasure. Winning through external force isn't true skill. One day, I will defeat you."

Meng Shaobai, clad in white robes now splattered with blood, was weak—but his tone remained defiant.

"Junior Brother Meng Shaobai, isn't your Peng Egg an external tool too? What true skill is there in relying on the Peng Egg? Still, I hope you'll cultivate your character and discipline yourself—after all, you are a distinguished disciple of our Yuhua Sect. When I one day become Zhang Sect, I will overlook past grievances and employ talents like you."

Fang Yu spoke.

If he had truly wished to kill Meng Shaobai, Meng Shaobai would be dead—but now, he didn't need to kill him immediately; instead, he must conceal his strength and spare Meng Shaobai's life.

A genius like Meng Shaobai, if alive, would bring him even greater rewards in the future.

As for the Water-Fire Primordial Staff, he had deliberately revealed it to conceal his true power. What he needed now was to hide his abilities—so that when others plotted to take his life, they'd be caught off guard.

Fang Yu clearly sensed Ruyi Zi's killing intent—he didn't doubt that if he left the Yuhua Sect, Ruyi Zi would send assassins after him.

Ruyi Zi had once traveled outside and formed an alliance with four other Longevity Secret Realm ancient giants, calling themselves the Three Immortals and Two Elders.

If Fang Yu now revealed too much power and shocked Ruyi Zi into inviting those four—or even a dozen—Longevity Secret Realm giants to kill him, that would be disastrous.

After much deliberation, Fang Yu revealed only the scene of him using the Water-Fire Primordial Staff to knock Meng Shaobai flat—a spectacle sufficient to shock everyone.

"Did you hear that, Fang Yu? Meng Shaobai admits you outclassed him, thanks to your magic treasure."

At that moment, Ruyi Zi spoke again, raising his hand and injecting a pure stream of Xu Yuan Qi into Meng Shaobai's Tianmen.

This pure Xu Yuan Qi brimmed with intense Pure Yang power, like a waterfall, like sweet dew, fragrant and soothing—Meng Shaobai absorbed it and immediately perked up, his injuries healing by thirty percent.

"Elder Ruyi, thank you for expending your magic power to heal me with your Great Healing Daoist Gang Qi—this debt I shall repay in time. Fang Yu, you've defeated me this time, but within five years, I will challenge you again—mind yourself!"

Shhh!

After regaining some strength, Meng Shaobai transformed into a blade of light and returned to his Shanfeng.

"Heh."

Ruyi Zi sneered twice, his gaze toward Fang Yu cold. "Enough. This round of transmission disciple contest is over—don't loiter here. Yuhua Sect disciples must unite. Duels on the Tian Xing Platform are unacceptable."

"Elder Ruyi Zi's words are indeed reasonable—otherwise, I wouldn't have spared Meng Shaobai's life. Yuhua Sect disciples should truly unite around me. Not like some people's disciples—anyone who doesn't know might think they're Taiyi Sect's dogs."

Fang Yu let out a cold snort, then instantly transformed into a streak of light and returned to Yu Feng.

"What?"

Ruyi Zi's face darkened with murderous intent—he longed to kill Fang Yu on the spot, but Fang Yu's departure was too swift; he couldn't intercept him.

Yet watching Fang Yu's retreating figure, Ruyi Zi's heart froze with lethal intent. "Little brat, you think defeating a 9th Stage genius and a 10th Stage Ghost Emperor gives you the right to defy a Longevity Secret Realm giant? I'll make you regret this!"

Ruyi Zi swept his sleeve violently and departed the Tian Xing Platform.

But countless conspiracies and killing intent flowed through his mind.

At this moment, atop Yu Peak, Fang Yu pondered his next steps.

He had long since reached the peak of the 7th Stage of Divine Abilities in the Golden Core Realm; his next step was the Wind-Fire Great Calamity, the most difficult trial for any cultivator in the Divine Ability Secret Realm, a barrier that had claimed countless brilliant geniuses throughout history.

He must be exceedingly cautious.

Fang Yu's plan was to stay nowhere else but atop Yu Peak, fully endure this trial, then use the abundant Xu Yuan Qi to cultivate to the 9th Stage of Divine Abilities—the Realm of Heavenly and Earthly Manifestation.

This matter could not be rushed; Fang Yu had no intention of traveling outside, but would remain atop Yu Peak to contemplate the Golden Core, the profound mysteries of his cultivation methods, and the wind-fire calamity force contained within his Golden Core.

As he contemplated and prepared for the Wind-Fire Great Calamity, a full month passed.

Winter arrived.

One night, a northern wind turned bitter, and heavy snow fell in swirling sheets like goose feathers, blanketing the thousand-li mountains of Yuhua Sect in pure white.

The weather turned freezing; snow sealed the mountains, and howling northern winds raged everywhere—even ordinary disciples riding spiritual artifacts dared not fly out in such a snowy winter to seek opportunities.

Thus, in this weather, many disciples stayed in their warm cave dwellings, sitting in meditation, refining pills, and cultivating internal and external arts, remaining quiet and undisturbed.

The path of cultivation requires slaying demons and exorcising evils, but it also demands peace and stillness, meditation and pill refinement.

These days, Fang Yu had been contemplating the Wind-Fire Great Calamity, yet his Yu Peak remained bustling.

Many true disciples and Elders from the sect came to visit—some seeking his guidance on cultivation, others requesting spiritual herbs, and still others trying to curry favor.

Though Fang Yu's physical body was in cultivation, even a single wisp of Xu Yuan Qi sent out to guide them brought them profound benefit.

These true disciples and Elders did not resent Fang Yu's seeming neglect, for they had already heard that Senior Brother Fang Yu was preparing to confront the Wind-Fire Great Calamity.

If he could overcome this trial, Senior Brother Fang Yu would ascend to the 9th Stage of Divine Abilities—the Realm of Heavenly and Earthly Manifestation—narrowing the gap between his cultivation and Hua Tiandu's!

Thus, visitors came in an unending stream; though they received only his Xu Yuan Qi in greeting, none dared complain—instead, they held him in deep admiration.

They discovered that Fang Yu's understanding of the Dao and Divine Abilities had reached an unimaginable level; where they could not comprehend or grasp something, a single guidance from Brother Fang Yu made it clear to them.

It was nothing short of a miracle.

"Younger Brother Yu, I never expected you'd reach the Golden Core Realm so quickly—and now you're nearly ready to face the Wind-Fire Great Calamity."

Suddenly, a thunderclap cracked—and a figure appeared before Fang Yu.

Fang Qingxue had arrived.