Chapter 142: My Disciple, I Borrow Fang Can

At dawn, sunlight once again scattered across the entire plain.

Fang Can, who had not slept all night, placed his hands on his knees and slowly concluded his cultivation.

As the technique stabilized, his body ceased its rapid, subtle trembling and returned to stillness.

All night long, he had used the "Particle Burst Combat Body" technique to fine-tune every organ within his body.

After his battle with Wang Peng, he had already completed the hardware upgrade of his blood and bones; next came the software modification of his organs.

This caused his internal organs to gradually arrange themselves toward their theoretically optimal size, hardness, toughness, length, shape, and distribution.

But since he was now out of combat, the "From Despair to Fortune" buff had weakened drastically, making bodily modifications incredibly difficult.

At this pace, it would still take a considerable amount of time to fine-tune his organs.

The day Fang Can fully remade himself, he would evolve into a flawless six-sided perfect being with no weaknesses.

A terrifying monster capable of adapting to any battlefield—sky, land, or water—a lethal weapon wrapped in human skin.

By then, apart from his appearance, nothing about him would remain human.

Slowly opening his eyes, he met the morning glow on the horizon, and a flash of sharp brilliance passed through his gaze.

With his current energy, he had no need for sleep to rest.

As sunlight streamed through the window, each of Fang Can's cells regained vitality, purging all negative states.

Behind him, a slender hand had already hooked onto his belt, her tone heavy with resentment.

Ye Qingshi pressed against Fang Can's back and murmured, "An entire night has passed. It's time to train with me."

"Sigh." Fang Can sighed, turned, pushed the girl into the sedan, and shut the door.

Before closing it, a faint voice drifted out: "Come yourself. I'm pressed for time—if you can't extract it in an hour, we're done."

"And since you've already succeeded in cultivation, hold back your strength—don't sit so hard you break the sedan."

…

Outside the sedan, with Wang Peng defeated, news spread like wildfire across Dajiangnanbei, carried by warriors who had witnessed it.

"Fang Can defeated a First-Transformation cultivator the day before yesterday!"

The news exploded through every city and town.

After all, such a mythic event occurring in reality was simply too unbelievable.

But soon, doubts arose.

"What are you talking about? Just a few days ago, Fang Can was at the First Level of the Mystic Gate—already absurd that rumors claimed he reached the Ninth Level, and now you say he killed a First-Transformation? Are you done yet?"

"Exactly. It's not that a First-Transformation can't be defeated—after all, the Great Chu Overlord and others have done it—but how could cultivation progress this fast? You keep spreading rumors—what's your goal?"

"Most likely, Fang Can's devotees can't keep their mouths shut, blowing their god up to the heavens. If he's so powerful, why doesn't he go beat that Great Chu barbarian?"

"Not necessarily. I suspect other deity-worshipers have ill intent—they're trying to elevate Fang Can, so the higher he flies, the harder he falls."

…

Despite earnest explanations from witnesses who had seen it firsthand, no one believed them—they all thought the speaker was bragging.

No matter how much he explained, the feat of defeating a First-Transformation after only a month of cultivation was too shocking; no one believed it.

On Jiejian Mountain, the female disciples were intensely curious about the recent rumor.

"Hey, our provisional junior brother defeated a First-Transformation."

"Huh? Whose rumor is this? Trying to flatter and then destroy our junior brother? That's too cruel."

"I agree—it's outrageous. Who would spread such lies?"

Inside Jiejian Mountain, several sword-wielding girls gathered, chattering about an unseen junior brother.

Ever since their sect master had publicly endorsed this male, all sorts of gossip had spread wildly across Jiejian Mountain.

But without having seen it themselves, no one believed the claim of defeating a First-Transformation.

It was like a sports athlete who, a month ago, had just become the youngest member of the provincial team, with a promising future.

Then, just over twenty days later, someone claimed Fang Can ran the hundred meters in under ten seconds and made the national team?

That was already absurd enough—but then, a few days after that, they claimed he didn't just beat Bolt, he broke the nine-second barrier.

Achieving three leaps in one month—anyone would find it ridiculous, and no one believed it.

But as these girls chattered among themselves, Jiang Ningan, who was preparing to pay respects to her master a kilometer away, paused slightly in her steps.

'Fang Can defeated a First-Transformation?'

With a look of 'as expected,' Jiang Ningan unconsciously smiled a breathtaking smile.

'Of course—he's exactly like this.' Jiang Ningan trusted without a single doubt.

Though before they parted, Fang Can's power had been far from sufficient to challenge a First-Transformation, she still accepted the claim.

She ascended the mist-wreathed marble steps, entering a building atop the mountain that resembled a temple or Daoist shrine.

Inside the building, no gods, immortals, or saints—only countless swords, each radiating a different aura.

Cold, scorching, warm, murderous, radiant, dark, ethereal…

The swords floated in midair, each evoking a distinct sensation, as if freezing time itself.

On a cushion sat Hearing Liu Qingmeng, her blue hair flowing, exuding an icy, untouchable aura, seemingly in deep cultivation and contemplation.

"Disciple Jiang Ningan pays respects to Master." Jiang Ningan bowed deeply with clasped hands.

Sensing her approach, Hearing Liu Qingmeng turned her head and said, "The Grand Alliance of the Nine States is less than a month away. It's time to depart for the capital of Dayan."

"As my master commands." Jiang Ningan's eyes sparkled with delight—going to the capital meant she could see Fang Can again. This would be their first meeting in this world.

"Master, according to the news from below the mountain, Fang Can has successfully defeated a First-Transformation." Jiang Ningan's lips curved slightly—she seemed happier than if she had defeated him herself.

Watching Jiang Ningan's foolish state, Hearing Liu Qingmeng felt displeased—her disciple had been ensnared by beauty, truly pitiful.

'What kind of bewitching potion did Fang Can pour into you? You haven't even properly practiced dual-cultivation—how could you be this weak-willed?'

Thinking this, Hearing Liu Qingmeng spoke coldly: "I am already aware of Fang Can's achievement. It did slightly exceed my expectations."

"And for this journey to the capital, you must calm your mind and steady your spirit; do not see Fang Can. If there is anything to say, entrust it to me to convey."

"Ah..." The young girl's expression froze in surprise.

"According to calculations by the Great Profound Gate, a mystical realm will soon open wide. It is suspected to be a Sixth-Realm Cave Abode, where the rules are complex, the Heavenly Principles differ, and the environment varies greatly from the outside world."

"At that time, I will need to borrow Fang Can." Hearing Liu Qingmeng said lightly.

(End of this chapter)