Chapter 365: Nascent Soul Late Stage (Bonus Chapter—Request Subscription)

Luanjian Reef.

Array core.

Huolong Zhenren, who had been sitting in meditation, opened his eyes to see two sword lights land, and immediately stepped forward to bow: "Senior Brother Taibai, Senior Uncle Mingkun…"

Taibai Sword Immortal frowned: "What senior brother? Just call me Senior Uncle."

"Yes, Senior Uncle Taibai."

Huolong Zhenren's expression sharpened; he studied the man more closely and realized Taibai Sword Immortal seemed considerably more approachable.

Especially when Fang Xing offered suggestions, he almost always accepted them.

He couldn't help muttering inwardly: 'Who said the Killing Sword lineage is hard to communicate with? This one's quite down-to-earth.'

Moments later.

A flying vessel swiftly departed from this sea region, heading beyond the Red Algae Seas.

On the deck, a white light shield enveloped all around, letting not a single breath of wind in.

"With the 'Seven Demons Charging the Calamity' celestial phenomenon approaching, Senior Brother Taibai, why not return with me to Mingkun Island? From there, we can use the teleportation array to reach the Inner Sea… and jointly explore the Yuan Shen Sword Sect's mountain base in the Yuanmo Sea."

Fang Xing extended the invitation.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. Let it be settled then." Taibai Sword Immortal sighed: "We've only gathered three lineages so far; two more sect tokens remain unaccounted for, and that will surely draw out experts… I originally dared to risk breaking through to Nascent Soul Late Stage to prepare for a Divine Transformation, but alas, alas…"

Fang Xing fell silent.

Though he had slain Xu Yun the Great Zhenjun, he had not seized the Thunder Sword lineage's Black Iron Sword Token—it must have already been submitted to Wuji Palace.

It was easy to imagine that when the Yuan Shen Sword Sect's mountain base opened, disciples from two Sacred Sects would arrive.

"Actually… even without the Black Iron Sword Token, the two Sacred Sects could still use their methods to gather artifacts capable of breaking the array, paired with powerful cultivators, and force their way into the Yuan Shen Sword Sect—though it would be far more troublesome…"

Fang Xing said: "We can only do our best."

"Yes, do our best."

Taibai Sword Immortal's eyes flickered.

Though he had slightly revised his opinion of Fang Xing, he clearly had no intention of opening his heart.

For instance… regarding the Divine Transformation opportunity within the Yuan Shen Sword Sect, it seemed the Gold Sword and Wanyao lineages still held no knowledge.

Only the Killing Sword lineage had passed down scattered rumors.

…

Mingkun Island.

While the Outer Sea cultivation world trembled from the deaths of numerous Nascent Soul Zhenjuns—and even the defeat of two Great Zhenjuns—

Fang Xing quietly returned to his loyal Mingkun Island and began his cultivation.

"An Yin Soul cultivator from Anyun Hall also went this time—but only an early-stage Nascent Soul… Two Great Zhenjun Nascent Souls should be enough, right?"

"Before that, I must first elevate my own cultivation."

Spirit Eye location.

Fang Xing's cultivation avatar, after decades of arduous practice, had long reached the peak of Nascent Soul Early Stage.

Even after his Wanyao Nascent Soul advanced to Nascent Soul Mid Stage, he felt the bottleneck gradually loosening.

This time, securing one 'Strengthening Nascent Soul Pill' was virtually guaranteed.

He withdrew a blue jade vial and uncorked it.

Swoosh!

A wisp of pill qi emerged, forming a small blue bird that darted swiftly toward the outside.

"Bind!"

Fang Xing smiled faintly, his Nascent Soul energy descending like a net.

Instantly, a golden hand materialized in midair, pinching the blue bird in its palm.

The pill qi dispersed, revealing a single blue pill the size of a dragon's eye.

On its surface was a vividly lifelike flying bird pill pattern, its eyes seeming to hold a trace of resentment.

"Such potent spiritual vitality… This pill could easily serve as the climax at any Inner Sea grand auction."

Fang Xing examined it briefly, then tossed the 'Strengthening Nascent Soul Pill' into the Wanhua Ding.

Even a fourth-grade pill contained trace toxins; this would be purified and elevated into an exquisite, ultra-rare 'Strengthening Nascent Soul Pill' even among Sacred Sects.

Boom!

The three-legged, two-eared Wanhua Ding slowly settled, as Fang Xing's divine sense observed and contemplated its interior…

Yet he gained nothing.

"Not sure if it's even an Immortal Mansion treasure… and it doesn't seem to behave like the 'Fire God Pillar' of the Great Xia world—no direct revelation of any law's essence for me to comprehend…"

"If the 'Wanhua Spirit Flame' within the Wanhua Ding is a manifestation of a law, then which law? Fire law? No reaction at all!"

Fang Xing still harbored strong desire for these so-called 'Immortal Mansion treasures.'

They were rare treasures—even in the main universe, few artifacts could rival them.

"Yet in the Great Xia world, there are many artifacts superior to 'Immortal Mansion treasures'… too bad I can't physically cross over."

"Even summoning my cultivation avatar is impossible—if I could, I'd already be rich, and wouldn't have left all the resources to Li Ying…"

To enter the Great Xia world, only the original consciousness could go.

And once the consciousness crossed, the Gates of the Multiverse could not be reopened to summon the cultivation avatar.

This was a rule Fang Xing had known since the third opening of the Gates of the Multiverse.

Half a month later.

He opened the Wanhua Ding and retrieved the 'Strengthening Nascent Soul Pill.'

The pill was now smaller by a third, its blue radiance intensified by several tenths, its body slightly translucent, and the flying bird pattern on its surface seemed ready to take flight.

"This exquisite Strengthening Nascent Soul Pill should significantly aid a Nascent Soul Mid Stage cultivator breaking through to Late Stage… but frankly, I'm too lazy to wait."

"Besides, there should be plenty of fourth- and fifth-grade pills within the Yuan Shen Sword Sect—the Wanhua Ding will have ample use."

Fang Xing judged his 'Wanhua Ding' only as a 'suspected' Immortal Mansion treasure, so he still needed to thoroughly explore the secrets deep within the Yuan Shen Sword Sect.

Having made his decision, he tilted his head back and swallowed the exquisite Strengthening Nascent Soul Pill.

In his dantian, the sword-shaped Nascent Soul—smaller than his Wanyao Nascent Soul—opened its tiny mouth and exhaled a wisp of Nascent Soul fire, rapidly refining the pill's energy.

'I can feel it—this pill is almost alive…'

'And as I refine it, my sword Nascent Soul grows noticeably stronger… So, Nascent Soul growth truly requires objects rich in spiritual vitality?'

Inside the dantian, the tiny sword Nascent Soul swallowed the blue bird whole, burped contentedly, then sat cross-legged, beginning its assault on Nascent Soul Mid Stage.

…

Time flew by.

Even though Nascent Soul Zhenjuns could easily determine the rise or fall of a faction, upon death they were still but dust.

Though many Outer Sea factions underwent upheaval, for true elites, the situation gradually stabilized again.

One day.

In the Sea Market Teleportation Hall.

Silver array patterns shimmered as a Nascent Soul Mid Stage cultivator with a hawk-like nose stepped out.

"Greetings, Pengmo Island Master."

Ni Huolong did not dare delay and immediately bowed.

"Hmm. I've come to meet the Mingkun Island Master."

Pengmo Island Master wore a faint smile.

To other cultivators, this was an astonishing sight.

After all, this mighty figure of the Inner Sea demonic path had never been so amiable before.

"Yes, please wait in the Guest Hall. I'll notify him immediately."

Ni Huolong shot off as a streak of light to the exterior of the Mingkun Hao. Merely gazing at its massive form, he felt overwhelming pressure.

After releasing a voice-communication talisman, the Mingkun Hao's gate opened.

Ni Huolong flew inside, traversed a long metal corridor, and saw a young man with a buzzcut seated on a sofa.

"I pay homage to the Second Island Master!"

Ni Huolong recognized this 'Fang Yun Zhenjun'—rumored to be the Grand Island Master's elder—and bowed hastily.

"Hmm. The Grand Island Master is currently in seclusion. I will personally receive Pengmo Island Master."

Fang Xing took a sip of juice, speaking calmly.

His cultivation avatar had just broken through and needed time to consolidate his realm.

Moreover, the Wanyao Ghost Nascent Soul was practicing the Soul Devouring Art.

Only the original body still had spare time.

…

"Pengmo Dao Friend, long time no see."

Fang Xing flew into the Guest Hall to find Pengmo Island Master sipping tea, smiling in greeting.

"Fang Yun Zhenjun."

Pengmo Island Master nodded, his sharp, hawk-like eyes carrying a trace of combat intent.

He knew well the prowess of this Fang Yun Zhenjun—his physical body even surpassed his own half-demon form.

"What brings you here today, Pengmo Dao Friend?"

Fang Xing smiled and sat down.

"In recent years, the outer seas have been turbulent, with the Sword Line of the Soul-Spirit Sword Sect emerging..." said the Peng Demon Island Master. "Too bad I learned of it too late—if I had known sooner, I would have rushed to join the fray."

"If you had come, you'd barely be enough for one slash from the White Lotus Sword Immortal..."

Fang Xing inwardly scoffed, then chuckled: "Are you also interested in the Soul-Spirit Sword Sect's treasure?"

"After all, it's a sacred lineage's inheritance," said the Peng Demon Island Master. "Now, the three great Array Masters of the inner seas all proclaim that the 'Seven Demons Challenging the Auspices' celestial omen is imminent. At that time, the Soul-Spirit Sword Sect's mountain gate array—the 'Slay-Soul, Exterminate-Demon Sword Array'—may become vulnerable. And if we could travel alongside a few Sword Line disciples, our chances would greatly increase."

"So have you come here to seek out Sword Line disciples?"

Fang Xing was curious.

If the Peng Demon Island Master gave a confirmed answer, his Second Nascent Soul would have to eat one more meal.

"By now, after so much time has passed, we've probably missed everything."

The Peng Demon Island Master said solemnly: "I have come here specifically to invite you, Fang Yun, and the Mingkun Island Master, to explore the Yuanmo Sea. I deeply admire your physical cultivation prowess, and the Mingkun Island Master is a Puppet Master—extremely useful in secret terrain expeditions."

"What an arrogant tone—he might as well have said he came solely to invite me, and the cultivation avatar is just an afterthought..."

At that moment, the Peng Demon Island Master suddenly turned toward the island's Spirit Eye: "Huh? What's this?"

He cultivated the Spirit Eye technique and possessed certain bloodline talents, making his perception exceptionally sharp.

Now, he sensed a subtle shift in the celestial and terrestrial spiritual energy.

"Oh? Has the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul broken through?"

Fang Xing had already known what had happened.

His cultivation avatar had spent several days in rigorous practice and quietly ascended to Nascent Soul Mid-Stage.

The remaining time had been spent assisting the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul in devouring one Nascent Soul after another.

Yesterday, it finally devoured both Great True Lords' Nascent Souls and pushed toward Nascent Soul Late-Stage.

Just moments ago, it succeeded!

"Fortunately, after each time the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul devoured a few Nascent Souls, I immediately reformatted it—especially the two Great True Lords: one devoured, one reformatted... At least it hasn't rebelled yet."

The Wanxiang Sect has its limits; the Second Nascent Soul technique, when cultivated to Nascent Soul Late-Stage, is already at its absolute limit.

In fact, rebellion is inevitable.

Fang Xing even suspected that no cultivator in the Wanxiang Sect's history had ever brought a Second Nascent Soul to Nascent Soul Late-Stage.

Spirit Eye Site.

Fang Xing's cultivation avatar sat cross-legged, his aura now at Nascent Soul Mid-Stage.

Moreover, from the adjacent meditation chamber, a dark light suddenly shot forth.

Within the dark light was the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul.

But now, the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul's eyes were filled with crimson, and its aura had reached Nascent Soul Late-Stage.

"Good, good... still controllable, not yet rebelled."

"Later, this body will chant the 'Great Sun Tathagata Mantra' a few times for it—it'll quiet down..."

Fang Xing waved his hand, sending out a strange feather fan.

It was the fourth-rank superior spiritual treasure—the 'Cloud-Winged Phoenix Feather Fan'!

The Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul raised its hand and unleashed its Nascent Soul Late-Stage spiritual power, a vast torrent surging downward into the Cloud-Winged Phoenix Feather Fan.

The spiritual treasure, which Fang Xing had once found difficult to subdue, instantly became as obedient as an extension of his own arm.

"Indeed, the spiritual power of a Nascent Soul Late-Stage Great True Lord is formidable."

"And it pairs perfectly with a fourth-rank superior spiritual treasure..."

"If I myself reached Nascent Soul Late-Stage, I could practice several secret arts and sword techniques from the 'Great Freedom Mystical Golden Sword Scripture'—only accessible to Nascent Soul Late-Stage Great True Lords. My power would surge, placing me among the top tier among all Great True Lords."

But with the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul, after subduing the Cloud-Winged Phoenix Feather Fan, it is only barely comparable to an ordinary Great True Lord.

"Combined with the fourth-rank superior corpses, spiritual treasures, and secret arts contributed by the other True Lords... it should rank fairly well among Great True Lords."

Fang Xing formed a hand seal, retrieving the spiritual treasure and the Ten-Thousand Methods Ghost Nascent Soul. He smiled faintly, his spiritual power still maintained at Nascent Soul Mid-Stage, then flew out of the Spirit Eye Site into the sky.

The Peng Demon Island Master had just stepped outside and, seeing Fang Xing, was instantly startled: "Mingkun Island Master... you've already broken through to Nascent Soul Mid-Stage?"

"Hah! Decades of hard cultivation have finally borne fruit."

Fang Xing replied humbly, then pretended to exchange a few mental whispers with his main body before turning to the Peng Demon Island Master: "You wish to invite us to explore the Yuanmo Sea?"

"Precisely. Now that you've reached Nascent Soul Mid-Stage and can control even more puppets, you'll surely operate with greater ease."

A flicker of surprise passed through the Peng Demon Island Master's eyes.

Had the spiritual energy fluctuation he sensed moments ago been caused by this breakthrough to Nascent Soul Mid-Stage?

Now he saw it: this Mingkun Island Master indeed seemed newly ascended, still unable to perfectly contain his spiritual power.

"But... that fleeting sensation just now made me feel a chill—it didn't feel like Nascent Soul Mid-Stage. It felt more like Nascent Soul Late-Stage..."

A thought surfaced in the Peng Demon Island Master's mind, then he chuckled to himself.

He had met this Mingkun Island Master before—back then, he was merely Nascent Soul Early-Stage.

Decades of hard cultivation leading to Nascent Soul Mid-Stage was understandable.

But to reach Nascent Soul Late-Stage and become a Great True Lord? That was pure fantasy.

"The Yuanmo Sea is filled with fourth-rank demonic beasts—quite a headache..."

Fang Xing remarked.

"Hah! That's easily solved."

The Peng Demon Island Master laughed and pulled out a pitch-black talisman: "Friend, take a look."

He slapped the talisman onto his body—and a startling sight appeared.

The Peng Demon Island Master, who had previously exuded a faint demonic aura, was now enveloped in a layer of pitch-black demonic energy, appearing as if he had become a demonic cultivator.

No—not a demonic cultivator. A demonic beast!

"This is the 'Demonic Energy Talisman' developed by a talisman master from the inner seas. Once used, it emits demonic energy, preventing us from immediately drawing the attention of countless demonic beasts in the Yuanmo Sea."

The Peng Demon Island Master said: "Of course, if we unleash our full power and our spiritual fluctuations exceed the talisman's concealment limit, the demonic beasts will still recognize our true identities..."

"Oh? The inner seas truly harbor hidden dragons and tigers."

Fang Xing took two 'Demonic Energy Talismans' with interest, studied them briefly, and smiled: "It seems many True Lords are eyeing the Soul-Spirit Sword Sect's mountain gate. I wonder what kind of grand spectacle awaits us then?"

(End of Chapter)