Chapter 148: Karmic Reckoning

"Young Master Fang, do you know that my Fang family's ancestors once followed the First Great Expansion Emperor, serving as a lowly flag-bearer under his command, earning merit for supporting the throne?"

"Later, through generations of our ancestors' relentless efforts, over dozens of generations, we steadily rose to where we are today."

"My own achievements, Fang Yanbei, stem not only from personal effort and talent, but also from the accumulated legacy of my ancestors across generations."

"After years of cultivation, my Fang family line has grown to over ten thousand members and has amassed generations of treasured relics within the Treasure Vault."

"Though far inferior to the Profound Heaven Sect of the Cataclysm Sword Mountain, we still possess some fine items."

……

Walking along the path to the Treasure Vault in the Fang residence, Fang Can was led by the Minister, who spoke earnestly and with deep reverence, tracing the family's history from ancient times to the present.

Fang Can could only awkwardly listen as the man chattered on.

Fortunately, their pace was swift; the several-mu estate was covered in mere minutes.

After passing down a secluded, winding path, the two arrived before an unnamed stone stele at the rear of the Fang estate.

"Young Master Fang, this stele before you is the passage to the Treasure Vault."

As he spoke, Fang Yanbei merely flicked his hand—a complex array, radiating an inexplicable aura, flickered before them, revealing a staircase leading inward.

Though the space behind the stele was empty, from the front, one could clearly see a staircase ascending from within the stele's opening.

'A teleportation gate…'

Observing the narrow passage within the stele, barely wide enough for two to walk side by side, the two entered one after the other.

Inside the pitch-black corridor, as they stepped in, the dark oil lamps along both walls lit up one by one, quickly illuminating the entire space.

By the light, Fang Can saw that the entire interior walls of the Treasure Vault were made of Bai Yu—each step felt like treading upon worldly wealth.

After ascending dozens of Bai Yu steps, symbolizing worldly desires, the view opened before him: objects of varying designs floated suspended in midair.

Weapons gleaming with cold, sharp blades; armor carved with dragons and phoenixes, inlaid with gold and silver; and other peculiar, unique items.

But mostly, there were scrolls—ancient texts, thick with the weight of centuries, floating in the air.

"Young Master Fang, before you lies the accumulated legacy of my Fang family: twenty-one First-Rank ritual artifacts, five Second-Rank ritual artifacts, one Third-Rank ritual artifact, and seventy-five forbidden techniques imbued with the spiritual resonance of Ascension Path cultivators."

Fang Yanbei, watching Fang Can carefully examine the relics, said with pride: "Young Master, feel free to browse. Should you find anything you favor, take it without hesitation."

Fang Can nodded and stepped forward, noticing that beneath each floating item was an inscription detailing its description.

He approached a scroll and read the detailed description beneath it.

【Madness and Self-Restraint Heretical Scripture】: Requires First Transformation. Once cultivated, daily poison-fire burns the heart, corrupting the lineage; the cultivator endures daily slicing torment and cannot use power beyond the Fifth Layer of the Mystic Gate, or risk collapse and death.

All this suffering is for a single day of release—after ten years of self-restraint, upon release, one can stand against a Third Transformation cultivator.

"Who created this technique? Self-destructive and useless?" Fang Can asked instinctively. What's the point of learning this? Seeking pain?

Seeing Fang Can's question, Fang Yanbei beside him explained:

"This is the technique practiced by the death soldiers of the Great Chu Imperial Guard. During peacetime, these First Transformation cultivators remain frozen in ice chambers to suppress the inner fire, so that one day, if a great enemy attacks, they may sacrifice their lives to defend."

"Other warriors lack your talent. Merely reaching First Transformation drains their entire innate potential; without opportunity, they advance not an inch in their lifetime."

"Most people's limits are evident from birth—by status, mindset, and talent. To gain power beyond their capacity, they must pay a corresponding price."

"A gifted warrior can effortlessly reach Third Transformation in ten years."

"But those with mediocre talent, by practicing this technique, may trade ten years of agony and accumulation for a single moment of glory surpassing even geniuses—whether it's worth it lies within the heart."

"To gain power beyond the limit, one must pay a price beyond the limit."

Fang Yanbei looked at Fang Can, who was lost in thought, and said: "If you, Young Master Fang, were to cultivate such a demonic technique at the Third Transformation, even Fourth Transformation cultivators would retreat."

"I'll pass," Fang Can waved dismissively. "I'd rather climb steadily to the top. No need for extremes—steady progress is enough."

"Hah! Just a jest of mine. Young Master, keep looking."

Passing the 【Madness and Self-Restraint Heretical Scripture】, Fang Can turned to a set of gleaming, icy armor woven from golden threads.

【Barbarian Dragon City Guard Armor】: Second-Rank ritual artifact.

First Transformation Legacy 【Protect Master】: Each single impact reduces incoming force by at least fifty thousand shi.

Second Transformation Legacy 【Break Enemy】: Upon attack, fully return the absorbed force as damage.

Looking at the armor's description, Fang Can calculated: ten thousand shi equaled roughly six thousand tons of force.

'What kind of armor is this—damage reduction and counterattack?' Fang Can thought, staring at the icy, gleaming armor.

"This armor was once used by Great Chu soldiers. After their defeat, our forces seized it. My father earned it as a reward for his valor against the enemy—it's among the finest Second-Rank ritual artifacts."

Fang Yanbei explained: "The fifty thousand shi reduction isn't limited to direct hits—it applies even during bare-handed combat. It effectively drains fifty thousand shi from the enemy while adding fifty thousand shi to your own destructive power."

"Then how did he die?"

"They say he was crushed into pulp by a Third Transformation body cultivator using brute force alone. The guards spent hours scraping the meat paste out of the armor afterward."

Fang Can nodded slightly, scanning the rest. He noticed that beyond their inherent hardness and sharpness, every weapon carried unique effects.

Bloodthirsty swords, attack-speed boots, spell-breaking scrolls, mana-boosting staves—each effect was flashy and overwhelming, leaving Fang Can dizzy.

As for the forbidden techniques, Fang Can glanced through them. Most required a heavy price to cultivate, and some prices were so extreme he found them unacceptable.

"What is this…?"

Fang Can stared at a short, emerald-green blade, two feet long.

【Emerald Dagger】: Second-Rank Fate Dao ritual artifact.

First Transformation Legacy 【Karmic Reckoning】: Those near the wielder are inevitably led by fate to commit moral transgressions.

Second Transformation Legacy 【Amplify】: Further intensifies the First Transformation Legacy, Karmic Reckoning.

……

Staring at the Emerald Dagger, Fang Can felt a chill. What kind of self-sabotage artifact is this? Two legacies, both just to ruin others? That's dedication!

Noticing Fang Can's gaze, Fang Yanbei smiled understandingly: "Young Master, don't rush. When I first saw this dagger, I was equally astonished—but it was once the founding treasure of the Asura Sect."

(End of Chapter)