Chapter 621: Level 20 (Bonus Chapter—Requesting Monthly Votes!)

【Immortality: Your lifespan has greatly increased, and its depletion rate has slowed to one-tenth!】

"Finally…"

Fang Xing took a deep breath: "Level 20—entered the Legendary realm…"

At this moment, his body was undergoing terrifying changes; above his attribute bar, a cascade of prompts flashed like data streams:

【You have obtained 'Wild Shape: Jiao Dragon Form'!】

The high-tier Wild Shape form Fang Xing had long desired had finally been acquired.

If a Qiu Dragon was merely a juvenile dragon, then the Jiao Dragon was fully grown—capable of summoning wind and rain, its power immense, sufficient to match or even crush ordinary Yang Shen Zhenjun.

Of course, had he chosen the Animal domain originally, his Jiao Dragon form would now be even stronger.

Eventually, upon ascending to High-Grade Legendary and even breaking through Level 30 into Epic status, he would gain even more powerful Mythic creature templates.

For example—True Dragon: Yinglong!

Fang Xing studied his own stat sheet:

【Name: Fang Xing】

【Age: 110/8900】

【Class: Druid Level 20】

【Realm: Yin Shen Posterior Stage】

【Talents: Nature Affinity, Wild Shape, Plant Growth, Toxin Immunity, Eternal Youth, Thorn Spell, Bark Skin, Natural Healing, Tree Person Awakening, Tree Shepherd, Toughness, Combat Casting, Enlightenment, Regeneration, Ageless Body, Natural Summoning, Advanced Natural Healing, Nature's Wrath, Immortality】

【Skills: Perfect Hands (Master 800/800), Origami Art (Master 800/800), Beast Taming Art (Master 800/800), Qi Concealment Art (Master 800/800), Mind Confusion Art (Master 800/800)】

…

"Oh? Advancing to Legendary as a Druid also pushed my Yin Shen to the Posterior Stage?"

Fang Xing nodded lightly.

Many high-ranking members of Qingmu Ridge had surrendered to him; though there were traitors like Lin Kun, there were also genuine defectors who brought vast quantities of Qingmu Ridge's deepest scriptures.

This confirmed to Fang Xing that his cultivation path had never been wrong.

"But to break through to Yang Shen, one ideally needs a 'Pure Yang Pill'…"

"Such pills are exceedingly rare—even if all the Outer Lands pooled their strength, they could produce at most one batch every few centuries, yielding only a few genuine pills… With war raging now, there's no point in dreaming."

"Yet even without a Pure Yang Pill, breakthrough is still possible… and there are substitutes and secret techniques…"

The techniques involved were the closely guarded secrets of major sects, likely known only to Qingmu the Old Ghost—even Qingyu Zi might not be aware.

"Nearly ten thousand years of lifespan?"

"Hasn't the Zhou Shenchao existed for only a few thousand years since its founding?"

"Still, compared to True Gods who never seem to age or die, it's child's play…"

Fang Xing turned to Fei Yong beside him.

The transformation and reflections had been but a fleeting thought, yet he had already ascended to the pinnacle of this world's combat power.

Fei Yong now bowed deeply, inexplicably feeling Fang Xing's pressure even greater than Qingmu the Old Ghost's.

"That Lin Kun—leave him to you."

Fang Xing spoke calmly.

"Rest assured, Lord of the Sect."

Fei Yong was confident; though he was only at the Mid-Stage of Dao Foundation, the Natural Sect's strength had changed beyond recognition—even Yang Shen Zhenjun had defected to them!

…

Several days later.

Qingli Marsh, Poison Dragon Slope.

Two figures in green stood high in the sky.

Qingmu the Old Ghost glanced at the slightly ruined East Peak, then at the western slope shrouded in mist: "What do you think of Lin Kun's intelligence? Is this truly Fang Xing's Achilles' heel?"

Beside Qingmu the Old Ghost was naturally Qingyu Zi, who, compared to several years ago, had made no progress in cultivation and seemed injured, his aura weak.

Deep in his eyes lay a dull gray hue; he coughed once: "It should be correct. That man's rise was too bizarre, and he only likes planting trees… Qingmu Ridge now has countless ten-thousand-year spirit trees forming great arrays, making it impossible for us to resist his power… Let's test it. If we can lure him out, best. If not, we lose only Lin Kun."

To sect elites, even core disciples were merely expendable resources—or dogs.

"Then rely on you—first wipe out that minor family, then set fire to the western slope."

Qingmu the Old Ghost spoke as if it were self-evident.

In this system where power resided solely in the top, the lower ranks were expendable pawns, and the elites were merely pawns for higher elites.

Qingyu Zi's gaze darkened, but years of indoctrinated loyalty to the sect, the debt of teaching, and the harsh reality that he needed Qingmu the Old Ghost to have even a sliver of hope for Yang Shen left him unable to refuse.

Hss!

A wooden sword rose from his back, instantly multiplying into thousands, raining down like blades upon the Lü family's estate on the East Peak.

Lü Family.

Lü Feng was now ancient, lying on a wooden bed, reflecting on his life.

His childhood sweetheart… forget it; the woman later gave birth to Fei Yong, who had become the Lü family's lifelong enemy.

In his middle years, he broke through to Qi Sensing Seventh Layer, full of pride… only to be crushed back to nothing soon after.

Yet that Uncle Fang, after going to Qingmu Ridge, had exploded in power—now he was the patriarch of the Natural Sect, a Yang Shen Zhenjun.

And the Lü family had gained not a single benefit!

The genius Lü Tian died young; since then, there had been no worthy successors.

Even now, Lü Feng vaguely knew the elder branches were already scheming over his inheritance after his death.

Though he still lived, everyone treated him as already dead.

'Heh… fight, fight—when it's all over, it'll be empty.'

'At least I still have some face. When I'm gone, if Fei Yong truly moves, who among you can stand against him?'

'But now, even Fei Yong probably looks down on Qingli Marsh, doesn't he?'

Lü Feng had to admit—he was jealous.

Why wasn't that big steward beside Uncle Fang his own?

Too bad—no matter how much he envied, he was already near death.

Hss!

Suddenly, a flash of sword qi streaked across the sky.

Lü Feng's eyes widened; before he could shout "Enemy!" a wooden sword descended from above, piercing his chest and pinning him to the ground.

No error. One shot. One kill.

Puff! Puff!

Within the Lü family, countless wooden swords fell, evenly harvesting all life.

With the Lü family's meager foundation as a Qi Sensing minor clan, they could not resist even a casual strike from a Yin Shen Posterior Stage true cultivator.

In moments, every living thing in the Lü family was dead.

Qingyu Zi said nothing; the many wooden swords returned, coalescing into one, held in his hand, merging with him into a blade of light that stabbed toward the western slope.

Poof!

The blinding sword light pierced through a curtain like water—the natural barrier collapsed, revealing a vast, thriving expanse of ten-thousand-mu bamboo forest.

A venomous horned serpent with a single horn on its head lifted its head and hissed, spewing a cloud of poison mist.

"Hmm? Only a Qi Sensing family nearby, yet here hides a Dao Foundation beast—clearly something's amiss."

Qingyu Zi swung his sword casually; the poison mist split instantly, the horned serpent nearly severed in two, collapsing and wailing.

On the ground, a flash of green light revealed a plump ginseng spirit, seemingly cursing Qingyu Zi with vile words.

Its chubby little hands opened, revealing a crimson ginseng seed that fell into the serpent's mouth.

The serpent's wounds stabilized, bleeding ceased, and healing began.

"Oh? A transformed spirit ginseng?"

Qingyu Zi's eyelid twitched; such a spirit herb—even he, let alone Qingmu the Old Ghost hiding nearby, would feel greed.

He channeled his spiritual power; a massive green hand emerged, like a green mountain descending, ready to seize the ginseng spirit.

Moreover, Qingyu Zi knew well the innate abilities of such transformed spirit herbs; a flash of spiritual light struck the ground, turning earth into stone, transforming the surrounding land into a massive granite slab.

Puff! Puff!

Suddenly, a colossal tree root erupted from the earth, like an iron whip, shattering the green hand!

"Hmm? A ten-thousand-year tree spirit?"

Qingyu Zi was startled again—he saw a strange three-headed tree person slowly walking from deep within the bamboo forest, flanked by six Paper Generals at Dao Foundation Posterior Stage, forming a protective array.

"Paper Generals too? Indeed, we came to the right place."

Qingyu Zi murmured, his spiritual seed suddenly activating, unleashing countless streams of light.

The peachwood sword in his hand flew upward like a blazing meteor, striking straight at the three-headed tree person.

"Hold back—lure Fang Xing here."

As the flying sword blazed like fire, Qingmu the Old Ghost's voice echoed in Qingyu Zi's ear.

Clearly, the investment here—even for the Top Ten Sects of Right and Left—would hurt.

This place was almost certainly Fang Xing's fatal weakness, sufficient to draw him out!

Qingyu Zi sighed inwardly, his attack slowing by a third.

Even so, each sword slew one Paper General.

After several incense sticks, the three-headed tree person roared, its canopy half-burned by spiritual flames, barely clinging to life.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a streak of light flashed across the sky, and Fang Xing, clad in animal hides, finally arrived at the battlefield.

"This man… is he stupid?"

Qingyu Zi, upon seeing Fang Xing, couldn't help but be startled.

After all, they had studied Fang Xing the most, knowing he was merely at the Yin Shen realm, and had only the strength to capture Bai Fa Wang thanks to the Great Array of Qingmu Ridge.

But now, the turtle no longer retracts its head, and the tiger leaves its den?

"Hahahaha… Fang Xing! Old man truly underestimated you back then."

As the patriarch of his sect, Qingmu Laozu, having confirmed no ambushes near Dulong Slope, immediately appeared with a graceful float: "Today, if you surrender willingly, I may spare your life—and even set things right, making you the future master of Qingmu Ridge."

He sought not only to defeat Fang Xing, but also coveted Fang Xing's alliance with the Shasheng Sect!

Heaven had mercy—Qingmu Laozu had dreamed of such an alliance, only for the Shasheng Sect to turn on him.

Yet now they had forged a pact with a mere youth.

Qingmu Laozu had every right to be furious—was he truly inferior to a Yin Shen?

Fang Xing looked at the wounded Little Ginseng Spirit, the Poison-Horned Python, the Three-Headed Tree Person, and the burning bamboo forest, a dangerous smile flickering across his face: "You think I stepped out of the Natural Gate Array merely as a Yin Shen?"

He waved his hand, and countless green specks fell like rain, extinguishing the bamboo fire and landing upon the Three-Headed Tree Person.

The Three-Headed Tree Person swelled again, transforming into a blazing, six-armed giant with three heads, roaring to the heavens.

A terrifying aura erupted, causing Qingyu Zi's face to turn pale!

——Legend: Burning Tree Guardian!

(End of Chapter)