Chapter 257: Harvesting the Fruit (Bonus Chapter—Request Subscription)

"Huh?"

Bai Bai Xiaoshu's heart jolted as he turned to Gu Shenzǐ.

It was strange—he had always been a half-baked fengshui master, utterly unable to discern the fate patterns of Golden Core cultivators.

Yet now, he faintly sensed dark clouds looming over the man, as if disaster were imminent.

When he tried to look closer, Gu Shenzǐ let out a cold snort, and the old Daoist screamed, blood streaming from both eyes.

Yu Yu Zhenzi frowned, watching Gu Shenzǐ toy with a Guchong: "What happened?"

"An old fool dared spy on me—he was bitten back by the Heavenly Fate Gu …"

Gu Shenzǐ twirled a white jade beetle in his hand: "When will it begin? I'm already growing impatient…"

"After the Divine Infant Fruit ripens."

Xue Yuanzi held a blood-red demonic banner, frowning at the surroundings: "Even if the Xiao Yao Hou refuses to join us, what of Wan Xiang Mozi? Why isn't he here for something as crucial as the Divine Infant Fruit's emergence?"

"My Connected Gu hasn't linked with him…"

Gu Shenzǐ's face darkened: "If we're only three, what's the point of our original plan? We're lucky if the Five Righteous Disciples don't come to crush us…"

He wasn't a fool.

And the deaths of a few subordinates meant nothing compared to the greatest chance of forming a Nascent Soul.

Thus, though he longed to kill Fang Xing, he had held back.

Even though his Scent-Seeking Gu had already locked onto the killer!

"Wan Xiang Mozi has the Golden Corpse of Turning Heaven to guard him—surely he won't fall?"

As if recalling something, Xue Yuanzi's expression turned utterly grim.

The previous Jiu Ying Sect's Nascent Soul seed had met the same fate.

"Could… some external Nascent Soul force be meddling in the Righteous-Demonic War? Impossible… our Ancestral Masters have all sworn heart-seed curses—none would bring in outside aid…"

Yu Yu Zhenzi's mind raced, yet his unease grew stronger.

…

Among the Righteous camp, Jin Gangzi of the Banruo Sect was a monk with rosy lips and white teeth, clad in pure white robes.

Yan Yan Yanzi came from the Burning Heaven Valley, his eyebrows and hair both crimson.

He gazed at the demonic camp, his expression tinged with amusement: "Only four of the Six Demonic Heroes have arrived, and the Xiao Yao Hou never meddles—why not join forces and wipe them out first? This would be a great merit for our sects… and secure us ample leverage in these negotiations."

The true anchors of every Nascent Soul sect were always the Nascent Soul True Lords themselves!

If a Nascent Soul seed dies, it's a wound—but not enough to shatter the foundation of peace talks.

Otherwise, neither side would have chosen this kind of contest.

Hun Yuanzi of Du Qiankun Dao wore a black Daoist robe and smiled: "If none of you object, I have no objections either."

"Amitabha. Though the Xiao Yao Hou is a lone cultivator, if the demonic side suffers heavy losses, do you truly believe he won't intervene to maintain balance?"

Jin Gangzi clasped his hands calmly: "I came here only to harvest the Divine Infant Fruit…"

"Jin Gangzi speaks truth—moreover, Wan Xiang Mozi remains hidden, plotting some sinister scheme…"

Zheng Zheng Qi Zi rolled up his scroll, about to speak further, when he saw Fu Fu Hongyi lazily sheathing her sword and standing aside.

'If I'd agreed earlier, he'd have drawn his sword and charged straight in…'

Zheng Zheng Qi Zi's mind stirred, then he saw Yu Yu Zhenzi riding a streak of demonic light to the front of the Righteous camp: "Zheng Zheng Qi Zi… there are only six Divine Infant Fruits left. How shall we divide them?"

"Let each take what he can seize…"

Zheng Zheng Qi Zi laughed aloud in reply.

"Heh… why not we two act first, clear away these minor players, so they don't snatch the fruit at the last moment…"

Yu Yu Zhenzi offered sincerely: "You wouldn't want some lucky lone cultivator to snatch the Divine Infant Fruit while we're fighting each other, would you? As usual, these spiritual fruits ripen one by one—why not take turns? I'll let you have the first one."

At this, even Yan Yan Yanzi felt tempted.

Cultivators, when the profit is great, allying with the demonic side means nothing.

When the boss and second-in-command fight, they always strike the third first.

"Thank you for your kindness, Yu Yu Zhenzi, but my Xuantian Sect upholds the Righteous path—we won't attack lone cultivators without cause. Besides, one Divine Infant Fruit is hard enough to divide…"

Zheng Zheng Qi Zi's body radiated a vast, righteous aura: "Rather than join forces, let each rely on his own ability—no one can blame fate. Moreover, I'm far more curious: where is Wan Xiang Mozi now?"

"Wan Xiang Mozi…"

At the mention of his name, Yu Yu Zhenzi's face darkened.

He deliberately brought it up to observe the expressions of the Five Righteous Disciples.

In this Linyang Paradise, only these great cultivators could threaten Wan Xiang Mozi.

To his surprise, the Five Righteous Disciples reacted perfectly normally.

Fu Fu Hongyi stood with her sword, utterly indifferent.

Jin Gangzi clasped his hands; Yan Yan Yanzi's face showed faint confusion and excitement.

Hun Yuanzi looked slightly startled…

'Not these people?'

'Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in this paradise, there are truly hidden dragons…'

Yu Yu Zhenzi thought inwardly.

He had come to propose this impossible alliance merely to observe their reactions.

Now it seemed Wan Xiang Mozi's disappearance had nothing to do with the Righteous side.

"Could it be…?"

He turned his head and saw Mu Mu Qinglan, like a celestial fairy soaring through the heavens.

'This woman is a Half-step Golden Core, and carries a Spirit Treasure capable of several strikes—combined with several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, she might truly have a chance to capture Wan Xiang Mozi…'

Yu Yu Zhenzi lowered his head; within his pupils, black flames seemed to flicker.

At that moment, a sweet fragrance filled the air, causing every Foundation Establishment cultivator present to sigh in rapture.

"This is…"

Fang Xing inhaled slightly and felt his Sword Core's energy subtly strengthen—he was startled.

This scent was neither fruit nor flower—it resembled the scent of an infant.

Merely smelling it enhanced a Golden Core cultivator's energy.

If swallowed whole, it would surely aid in forming a Nascent Soul!

On the Nine-Yuan Hua-Ying Vine, a Divine Infant Fruit shifted from pink to white, then white to pink, repeating nine times.

Each transformation intensified the fragrance in the air.

Waaah!

Fang Xing seemed to hear the cry of an infant beside his ear.

Then, all Foundation Establishment cultivators saw a Divine Infant Fruit detach gently from the vine.

The moment it left the Nine-Yuan Hua-Ying Vine, the fruit was fully ripe.

And no longer protected by its original seals.

"The Divine Infant Fruit has fallen?!"

"The Path to Nascent Soul lies before me—any who stand in my way, die!"

In an instant, over a dozen streaks of light shot skyward, racing toward where the fruit had fallen.

Zheng!

A qin note rang out, like a silver vase shattering, spilling water with the clang of war drums and iron steeds!

All late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators felt their heads spin; their flight speeds involuntarily slowed.

"It's the Jiao Wei Qin!"

"A fourth-rank soul attack!"

"If Mu Mu Qinglan had focused her power on a single target instead of using area attack, even the Ten Righteous-Demonic Disciples might not have resisted…"

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators all regarded the woman, radiant as a celestial fairy, with wary eyes.

This prodigy of the Mu family always fought with full force the moment she acted.

She rode two colorful ribbons as spiritual treasures, transforming them into a five-hued flight aura, moving with astonishing speed—she overtook the dozen streaks of light and reached out her jade hand toward the fruit.

"It's the Five-Colored Flame Flight!"

Bai Bai Xiaoshu hadn't moved, merely scribbling furiously on paper: "This flight technique is famed as the fastest among Foundation Establishment—only the demonic side's 'Xiao Yao Wind Flight' surpasses it!"

Before he finished speaking, a gentle breeze swept past—it was the Xiao Yao Hou!

His left hand shot out, faster than Mu Mu Qinglan, snatching the fruit; his right hand held a peach blossom, flicking it lightly.

Petals filled the sky, swirling and dazzling, trapping Mu Mu Qinglan within.

Huhuh!

The Xiao Yao Hou smiled, his charm breathtaking—no wonder he was the First Beauty of the Demonic Realm.

He secured the fruit, then his body dissolved into eight shadows, each using Wind Flight to dash toward a different exit.

"Chase him!"

Several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances and immediately joined forces, pursuing one shadow.

No one knew if among them was a cultivator whose Spirit Eyes had pierced the Xiao Yao Hou's true form.

"So this is how it works…"

Fang Xing watched this scene and nodded, understanding the process of seizing the Divine Infant Fruit.

'Every so often, a Divine Infant Fruit ripens and falls… then each takes what he can seize…'

And even if you seize it, that doesn't mean safety—you'll inevitably draw the hostility and pursuit of countless late-stage Golden Core cultivators… Only those who can hold onto the Divine Infant Fruit until the Blessed Land ends truly have the ability…

As the Divine Infant Fruit is continuously taken away… perhaps more and more late-stage Golden Core cultivators will leave, increasing the chances for those who remain?

But that's not certain—it's a dynamic process, entirely dependent on individual judgment and luck!

But… I don't need luck. I only need strength!

If I defeat every cultivator here, won't the Divine Infant Fruit naturally fall into my hands?

Wait… there still seem to be quite a few late-stage Golden Core cultivators here?

Fang Xing looked at the dozens of late-stage Golden Core cultivators and felt he couldn't afford to be reckless.

If he dared to step forward and monopolize the Divine Infant Fruit, every Golden Core cultivator here might well fight to the death with him!

Among them were even seedlings of Nascent Soul cultivators from both orthodox and demonic factions—each surely possessing fourth-rank techniques!

Two choices… First, wait until only one or two fruits remain, when most of the cultivators here will have left—then, with my False Nascent Soul cultivation, I can crush them all…

The second choice is to have my main body come over and stir up chaos.

These two choices… Children make choices. I want both!

Fang Xing sensed his main body arriving at Divine Infant Cliff, and his eyes lit up.

A black-robed giant wearing an evil demon mask stepped out from the forbidden passage, moved quietly to a corner, and waited silently.

Half an hour later, the same fragrance as before swept over them.

The numerous Golden Core cultivators instantly went on high alert.

Waaah!

Amid a wail, another Divine Infant Fruit ripened and fell.

Shhh!

This time, not only the previous lone cultivators and sect disciples, but even the orthodox and demonic Golden Core cultivators all moved at once—the scene erupted into utter chaos.

"Hah! Who dares compete with me?"

Fang Xing, masked in demon iron, roared, his martial will surging like a tidal wave across the entire arena.

"Damn… another soul attack!"

"Not the Jiao Wei Qin…"

Many Golden Core cultivators staggered, dazed; only a few who practiced soul cultivation techniques or wore protective treasures saw a black-robed figure stepping through air, dashing toward the Divine Infant Fruit.

Shing!

A blade of light struck Fang Xing faster than any other artifact—it was Fu Fu Hongyi's strike!

Xiu!

The blade cut through his robe but shattered uselessly, revealing Fang Xing's crimson-gold skin.

"Hah! Is this your idea of giving me a massage?"

Fang Xing laughed, reaching out with a giant hand toward the Divine Infant Fruit.

"Not a chance!"

The artifacts of other Golden Core cultivators rained down on Fang Xing—but all were repelled by a crimson-gold radiance.

Even top-grade artifacts left not a single scratch on him.

Only the occasional Jipin artifact forced him to respond casually, leaving a few white marks on his arms.

"A pseudo-fourth-rank body cultivator?!"

Mu Mu Qinglan gasped, staring at the Divine Infant Fruit in Fang Xing's hand, her expression hardening into resolve.

Historically, the later the Divine Infant Fruit is claimed, the harder it becomes!

"Spiritual Treasure, aid me!"

She softly chanted, fingers plucking the Jiao Wei Qin!

Zheng!

A single note rang directly inside Fang Xing's mind—her Spiritual Treasure's full strike focused entirely upon him!

And then… nothing happened.

"Even if you smashed me with the full body of your Spiritual Treasure, I'd at least spit blood out of respect…

But you chose a single-target soul attack? Do you have some misunderstanding about my Great Sun Relic?"

Lan Star warriors have always excelled in willpower.

After the Seventh Turn of Golden Body, it's not just the body that becomes flawless—it's the spirit too.

Mu Mu Qinglan unleashed her Spiritual Treasure's final strike, two crystal-like short swords materializing in her hands, following the Qinyin, striking instantly!

Crack!

The next instant, she stared in horror as Fang Xing, seemingly untouched, reversed his hand and slapped back.

——Heaven-Covering Palm!

Bam!

The palm imprint struck, knocking the two short swords flying, shattering Mu Mu Qinglan's true energy shield, and slapping her across the face.

"Oh?"

Bai Bai Xiaoshu, just regaining his senses, shut his eyes, unwilling to witness the beauty's head exploding.

But a flash of green light appeared on Mu Mu Qinglan—only a wooden talisman remained, crushed to dust by the Heaven-Covering Palm.

Hundreds of zhang away, Mu Mu Qinglan's figure reappeared, her phoenix mark dimmed, face pale—clearly severely wounded.

"A substitute death talisman? Run? Do you think you can escape?"

Fang Xing sneered, his martial will surging like a blazing sun, plunging nearby Golden Core cultivators back into daze.

Then, his Golden Core rotated, merging immortal and martial energies—a colossal golden palm emerged, every inch real, every vein distinct, forming a seal as it crashed down!

——Immortal-Martial Unified Palm!

Boom!

The palm descended like Mount Tai crushing an egg.

No matter how beautiful Mu Mu Qinglan was, how brilliant her future, or even her "Phoenix Perched on the Phoenix Tree" destiny—none of it mattered!

She was simply slapped to death!

Moreover, the golden palm clamped tightly onto the Spiritual Treasure, the Jiao Wei Qin, and returned to Fang Xing's side.

He casually stuffed the Spiritual Treasure into his storage pouch and flew toward a passage.

Wherever he passed, the late-stage Golden Core cultivators scrambled to flee.

A few reckless ones launched artifacts and talismans to form blocking attacks.

"Seek death!"

Fang Xing's hand appeared with a massive earth-yellow great knife—he slashed, and heaven trembled, ghosts wept!

The peerlessly sharp blade-light surged, obliterating everything.

It didn't just sever the artifacts and talismans—it also cleaved several late-stage Golden Core cultivators cleanly in half.

"This… is an ultimate demon!"

Bai Bai Xiaoshu, dazed, murmured: "When did a body cultivator emerge of such caliber?"

After one slash slew several late-stage Golden Core cultivators, no one dared stand before Fang Xing.

Fang Xing's main body sneered, entered the forbidden corridor, and vanished.

…

"Pseudo-fourth-rank body cultivator… powerful soul technique… that palm and that blade-light…"

Zheng Qi Zi looked at Fu Fu Hongyi.

Fu Fu Hongyi slowly sheathed his sword and shook his head: "My Sword Heart tells me—if I strike again, I will die."